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West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone could sign a new deal with a release clause included, according to former England defender Danny Mills.

The Lowdown: Johnstone likely to stay put

The 28-year-old was one of the few positives to take from the Baggies’ 2020/21 campaign as they were relegated back to the Championship from the Premier League.

His form earned him a call-up to England’s Euro 2020 squad, and while he didn’t feature in the tournament, it was proof of how much he impressed throughout the season.

Johnstone looks set to stay put at West Brom this summer despite transfer interest in him, but his long-term future remains up in the air.

The Latest: Mills thinks Johnstone could swing a new deal

Speaking to Football Insider, Mills tipped the 28-year-old to sign a new deal at The Hawthorns, adding that a release clause could allow him to leave next summer if promotion isn’t achieved.

The former Leeds defender said:

“If he wants a bit of security, he can just say to West Brom ‘This is where we’re at, if we don’t get promoted I can go for x, y or z. If not, I’ll just sit here and wait until the end of the season to consider my options’.

“There is a good chance he’d be in a very strong position if he did that.

“All the cards are in his hands. He can now pick and choose what suits him best and what he wants to do. He can pretty much dictate the terms of a contract.”

The Verdict: Makes sense for all parties

Realistically, West Brom must accept that Johnstone won’t be content with being in the Championship for long, so a release clause could actually be a shrewd idea in a new contract.

Should Valerien Ismael’s side earn promotion this season, the England international may be happy to remain at the club, continuing to be a key player for Albion.

If that clause is one way of keeping hold of Johnstone right now, West Brom should go through with it, with his current deal expiring next summer.

In other news, West Brom have been tipped to sign a player on loan this summer. Find out who it is here.

Leeds United could reignite their interest in a deal to bring Nahitan Nandez to Elland Road in the winter transfer market.

What’s the talk?

According to recent reports from Italy (via Leeds Live), Victor Orta could once again pursue a deal for the Cagliari midfielder in January, with the Whites having been heavily linked with a move for the 25-year-old over the course of the summer transfer window.

The report goes on to state that, after failing to secure a move prior to the passing of the summer transfer deadline, with the likes of Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur reported to have been keen on the Uruguay international, Nandez is eager to find a new club in January.

Previous reports had also claimed that, despite the midfielder having a €36m (£31m) release clause in his current contract at Cagliari, the Serie A side were willing to part with the 25-year-old for a figure in the region of €26m (£22m) this summer – something that could well remain the case going forwards.

Orta could make amends

While Orta did secure the signings of Daniel James, Junior Firpo and Kristoffer Klaesson this summer, as well as the permanent addition of Jack Harrison, it is undeniable that the director of football’s failure to bring in any reinforcements in the middle of the park was something of a disaster by the Spaniard.

Indeed, with only Kalvin Phillips as a viable option in defensive midfield, as well as Mateusz Klich, Jamie Shackleton and Adam Forshaw – who hasn’t played a league game for almost two years due to injury – in central midfield, it is clear that the position is one in which Marcelo Bielsa lacks any real depth.

However, the news that Nandez could well be available once again in January presents Orta with an opportunity to make up for his failure this summer, as the 25-year-old would appear to make an excellent addition to Bielsa’s options in midfield.

Indeed, over his 32 Serie A appearances for Cagliari last season, the £19.8m-rated midfielder – who can operate from defensive, central on the right of midfield – scored two goals, registered two assists and created four big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of one shot and making one key pass per game.

The player Italian football expert Conor Clancy dubbed a “machine” also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 0.7 interceptions, 1.8 tackles, 1.5 clearances and winning 6.1 duels per match.

These returns saw the £42k-per-week Uruguayan earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.80, with his performances playing a key role in ensuring that Cagliari retained their status as a top-flight side last term.

As such, it would certainly appear as if the addition of Nandez would be a very smart piece of business for Orta to get over the line this January, as the 25-year-old would not only plug a gap in the Leeds squad but would also help to raise the standard of quality in Bielsa’s midfield.

In other news: Signed for £7m, now worth £19.8m: Orta struck gold on “exceptional” £35k-p/w Leeds gem

With another day’s play left the game was evenly poised with Mumbai requiring another 193 runs to take the vital first-innings lead

Nagraj Gollapudi in Mumbai10-Dec-2009
Scorecard
Cometh the hour, cometh the man: Wasim Jaffer’s record 38th Ranji century lifted Mumbai’s spirits on day three•K SivaramanFor the better half of this decade Wasim Jaffer has remained the bulwark of Mumbai’s batting. Today was no different for the Mumbai captain: he stood tall and calm to crack an effortless century that thwarted the challenge raised in the morning by Tamil Nadu’s bowling attack. With another day’s play left the game was evenly poised with Mumbai requiring another 193 runs to take the vital first-innings lead.At the end of the day if Mumbai could afford a nervous yet confident smile, it was because Jaffer, their most experienced batsman, was still agile and fresh despite a five-hour-long vigil. Jaffer arrived at the fall of Sahil Kukreja, the second wicket in the morning. At 72 for 2 Mumbai were staring at an uphill task but they had the best pair of batsmen at crease, two men who had on numerous occasions led rearguard actions in the past.Their first task was to thwart Tamil Nadu from making further dents after the visitors had got rid of the overnight opening combination of Praful Waghela and Kukreja, who played the wrong shots. Waghela failed to move his feet trying to drive L Balaji in front of square and offered a simple catch to Anirudh Srikkanth at point. Kukreja played away from his body against a straight delivery on the off stump from Yo Mahesh, and the faint edge went straight to the hands of the wicketkeeper K Sushil.This was the precursor to the most engaging battle of the day, between Ajinkya Rahane and the 16-year-old left-arm spinner Aushik Srinivas, who taunte and tormented the restless batsman with his loop and flight. Rahane is technically straight and likes to take charge immediately to gain the upper hand against the bowler. Having rolled his wrists to flick Balaji for his first four, Rahane steadily grew confident. Srinivas, who comes to the bowling crease with a lovely action full of rituals, understood his opponent’s attacking psyche, and so pulled his length a few inches back and gave the ball the right amount of loop to put a question in the batsman’s mind.Thus Rahane became indecisive. On 12 he stepped out and was beaten in the air, but Sushil fumbled collecting the ball and missed an easy stumping opportunity. Srinivas stood there without any emotions.In the second over after lunch Rahane tried to defend off the front foot but the ball bounced, surprised him, and took the leading edge. However, Murali Vijay at first slip failed to latch on. Rahane was on 22, and that was a turning point. “The left-armer was good and we had to be cautious,” he admitted after the day’s play.Jaffer had meanwhile taken charge at the other end. He had started with his trademark wristy flicks against Yo Mahesh, the second of which brought up Mumbai’s 100. Yo Mahesh committed the mistake of pitching on a driving length in his next over which Jaffer punched straight past mid-on’s left side for another four.He even neutered the danger of Srinivas. When the bowler challenged him with a flighted delivery, Jaffer just lunged forward to firmly push the ball past the huge divide between cover and mid-off for another four. By now Rahane had gained in confidence. As soon as Srinivas attacked with another flighted delivery he jumped out to hit it over the bowler’s head for his first six. Srinivas was tired and replaced by Vijay with Abhinav Mukund, but Jaffer hit consecutive fours off the first two ball. Rahane ended the over with a straight drive that brought him his half-century.When Srinivas was brought from the opposite end Jaffer vaulted out of his crease to hit consecutive straight sixes off the first two balls, the first of which got him past the fifty mark. Here onwards both batsmen adopted a less attacking mode. Between overs 50 and 75 Rahane did not hit one boundary. He then raced into the nineties with five fours spread over five overs a half hour into the final session.After his double century, against Hyderabad in the previous game, Rahane looked set for another century when he faced Srinivas on 98. Srinivas once again resorted to his trusted weapon – flight. Rahane plunged forward to defend but the ball spun and took a faint edge on its way to the wicketkeeper. For one man it was heart rendering, for the other it was sheer jubilation.But Jaffer remained unaffected and brought up a record 38th Ranji hundred with a single. Just like S Badrinath had made the difference for Tamil Nadu on the first two days, Mumbai’s hopes now rest on Jaffer. He has been their talisman for long and the task is not beyond his reach.

Fidel Edwards might not be buying Jerome Taylor a drink any time soon. They are new-ball buddies, who have made England hop around at times in this series, but in this match Taylor has not done much to help his friend out. On the opening day he dropped a

Andrew McGlashan in Barbados27-Feb-2009
Fidel Edwards: ‘I always enjoy a good challenge, almost every ball he was playing shots, it was pretty good for him and pretty good for me too’ © AFP
Fidel Edwards might not be buying Jerome Taylor a drink any time soon. They are new-ball buddies, who have made England hop around at times in this series, but in this match Taylor has not done much to help his friend out. On the opening day he dropped a top-edge off Kevin Pietersen and on the second he shelled Ravi Bopara on 4.Edwards deserves a medal for the efforts he put in on a surface that is shaping up as another to make bowlers’ hearts bleed. The run-fest in Karachi has provoked a lot of debate about batsman-friendly surfaces and, for all the pre-match hype about pace and bounce, this pitch has plenty more runs to offer over the next three days.”It’s kind of tiring coming here,” a weary Edwards said. “I was hoping to get some grass and a good fast wicket to bowl on, given that in Antigua it was pretty flat. We were hoping to get some pace and we did not get it. It is one of those games where you have to be strong, keep bowling and hope for the best.”And that “best” doesn’t involve dropped catches. When Edwards finally snared Bopara 100 runs after the miss – ironically with the help of a third-time-lucky Taylor – he roared a celebration at Bopara, but the huddle with his team-mates was less enthusiastic. He won’t be framing his figures of 3 for 151, but they don’t even tell half the story because he also watched Andrew Strauss get put down by Chris Gayle before lunch yesterday.”Yes, it was frustrating, he went on from that to get a big hundred. He batted pretty well but it could have been a lot better for us,” he said. “It’s pretty hurtful but that is the way it goes. I don’t think the guys go out to drop catches, but you have to take the chances and sometimes they make you pay for them. Strauss was dropped [on 58] and went on to make a big score, Bopara as well, if we had taken the chances you never know how it might have turned out.”Edwards helped produce the most captivating passage of play as he gave Bopara a real working over. He hurled himself in from the Malcolm Marshall End and pitched more in his half of the pitch than the batsman’s. Bopara, for his part, was happy to play the hook which only enticed Edwards to keep banging the ball in.”I always enjoy a good challenge, almost every ball he was playing shots, it was pretty good for him and pretty good for me too.”Whereas England supporters cross their fingers whenever Andrew Flintoff runs in, hoping that his body holds together, the West Indies fans go through a similar process with Edwards. He has problems with his ankle and his back while his unorthodox action suggests he is an injury waiting to happen.However, in recent times he has improved his stamina. His pace remained impressive even during the latter stages of his spells, which included a nine-over burst during the morning. In the end, however, all his effort didn’t come to much as his team trooped off in final session, with another match-saving task ahead of them.They have already lost Gayle after he was given out lbw following a referral against James Anderson. He looked far from impressed as he dragged himself away from this featherbed. “I wasn’t near him when he came in the dressing room,” said a diplomatic Edwards. A few people might want to give Edwards a wide berth tonight as well.

Erkut Sogut, the agent of Everton striker Cenk Tosun, has revealed it will not be long before the forward returns to full training with the Toffees.

The Lowdown: Difficult time

A loan move to Besiktas appeared to be rejuvenating Tosun – he scored three goals in three games for the Turkish outfit last term in the league (Transfermarkt).

However, disaster struck when he ruptured his Patella – that was in April, and he has not played a game of football since.

The Latest: Tosun close to return

However, Sogut has provided a positive update on the 30-year-old. He told Fanatik:

“I hope Cenk Tosun will return to the field even stronger, as soon as possible. For this, he continues to work day and night with his private trainer. He has started running and will start training with the ball at his club, Everton, in a few weeks.

“[Tosun] is also very happy to be joining his friends at Everton again. He has one more year [on his] contract and will do his best on the field. The success of Everton is very important for Cenk.

“He is counting down the days to return to the national team as soon as possible and fight with his friends on the field to participate in the World Cup. Participating in the World Cup in Qatar is very important for both Turkey and Cenk.”

The Verdict: Future at Goodison Park?

For Tosun’s career, this is obviously great news. He will be eager to get back on the pitch as quickly as possible and get back to his best after such a long spell on the sidelines.

However, whether that will come at Goodison Park remains to be seen. After all, he has just 11 strikes in 58 games for the club after making the switch for £27m in 2018 (Sky Sports).

After all, the Toffees do have a few options available following the signing of Salomon Rondon. Tosun does have plenty of ability judging by his displays for his national side, but whether he can force his way into Rafael Benitez’s plans when he does return is a different matter entirely.

In other news, Everton fans were livid with this international break news.

Centuries from Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag led India to a comprehensive 147-run victory at the Premadasa Stadium

The Bulletin by Dileep Premachandran03-Feb-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag hammered hundreds to set Sri Lanka a massive target © AFP
Muttiah Muralitharan equalled Wasim Akram’s world record of 502 one-day wickets, but there was little else for a voluble crowd to celebrate as swashbuckling centuries from Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag led India to a comprehensive 147-run victory at the Premadasa Stadium. There was a big-hitting cameo from Yusuf Pathan and four wickets for the promising Pragyan Ojha as the series was wrapped up with two games to spare. Kumar Sangakkara’s classy 83 proved to be little more than a footnote on a daywhen Sri Lanka were again way off the pace.Yuvraj and Sehwag were in sensational form, though Sri Lanka didn’t really help their cause with some decidedly poor fielding. After being reduced to 24 for 2, it was Yuvraj who cornered most of the strike, stroking some magnificent boundaries on either side of the wicket. Too often, the bowlers strayed on to the pads and he was more than happy to work them fine or swat them contemptuously over midwicket. There was much for thepurist to admire too though, with beautifully timed shots through cover and backward point.Sehwag was a spectator in the early part of the partnership, but when the opportunity presented itself, he was no less ruthless. Nuwan Kulasekara was taken for three successive fours, after which he enjoyed his first moment of good fortune. A slower ball struck him initially on the pad in front of middle stump, but the proximity of the bat to the pad and the subsequent contact fooled the umpire.Not that Sri Lanka made their own luck either. Farveez Maharoof didn’t sight the ball when Yuvraj miscued Ajantha Mendis over midwicket, and Dilhara Fernando palmed a tough chance over the rope when Sehwag, then on 45, lifted the same bowler over wide long-on. Sanath Jayasuriya was the next culprit, grassing a routine caught-and-bowled chance with Sehwag on 72.You can’t give such batsmen such reprieves. It took Yuvraj only 82 balls to score his 11th one-day century. It took Sehwag seven deliveries less. By then, they were dismissing the bowling at will. It didn’t matter whether it was Murali or Mendis, or Fernando. The ball kept disappearing over the infield or into the gaps, and some appallingfielding, epitomised by Mendis letting one through his legs, merely increased Mahela Jayawardene’s angst.Stats HighlightsSri Lanka’s 147-run loss is their biggest defeat at home in terms of runs.Sri Lanka have now lost three consecutive bilateral ODI series at home. They have had an impressive record at home since 2000, winning 11 ODI competitions and losing five.Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh, during their centuries, went past 1000 runs against Sri Lanka. Sachin Tendulkar tops the list for India’s highest-run getters against Sri Lanka with 2584 runs at 43.06.India’s score of 363 is their second-highest against Sri Lanka, and also the second-highest in Sri Lanka.Sehwag’s strike rate of 100.36 is now the second-highest for batsmen who’ve played more than 100 ODIs. Shahid Afridi leads the list with a strike rate of 110.99.The 221-run stand between Sehwag and Yuvraj is the seventh-highest for the third wicket in ODIs, and the fourth-highest overall in Sri Lanka.When Yuvraj Singh reached his century, he became the first Indian to do so against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka in close to ten years. Yuvraj finally departed after making 117 off 95 balls, but there was no real zest to Murali’s celebration. By then, the partnership was worth 221, from just only balls. Sehwag left not long after, for 116 off 90 balls, when Jayasuriya threw the stumps down from mid-off. The scoreboard showed 265, and there were still 15.1 overs to be bowled. Yusuf Pathan then clouted three mighty sixes down the ground on his way to a 33-ball half-century, and though Mahendra Singh Dhoni was initially circumspect, the damage had already been done.India would argue that they were due a rub of the Colombo green. Sachin Tendulkar, who had thumped an enormous six off a free hit, was unlucky to be given out leg-before for the third time in the series. The Fernando delivery was slanting down the leg side, but the umpire decided otherwise, leaving Tendulkar with 18 runs after three matches.Gautam Gambhir, dropped before he had scored by Thilina Kandamby at point, was then run out after backing up too far. Again, Fernando’s luck was in, with Sehwag’s firm straight drive just brushing his fingertips before colliding with the stumps. It wouldn’t halt India’s momentum though, against pace and spin alike. They took 50 off the bowling Powerplay and 43 from the batting one, and a mammoth total gradually took shape.But for a 67-run partnership between Sangakkara and Jayawardene, Sri Lanka were never in the contest. Sanath Jayasuriya chopped the first ball he faced on to the stumps. Praveen Kumar’s relative lack of pace and a hint of swing provided the breakthrough, and though Tillakaratne Dilshan got the scoreboard moving with a couple of streaky fours, the required rate was a Damocles sword hanging over Sri Lankan heads from the outset.Dilshan pulled Praveen for one mighty six, but his attempt to cleave Zaheer over midwicket only resulted in the middle stump being pegged back. The captain and his deputy briefly resurrected hopes, taking 39 from the bowling Powerplay, but India tightened their grip once Sri Lanka opted to take the batting one immediately afterwards.Jayawardene miscued Praveen to Virender Sehwag at mid-off and the spell was broken, and Kandamby, nearly the hero in the last game, followed soon after, with an ill-judged reverse sweep. Dhoni had waited till the end of the fielding restrictions to introduce spin, and the gamble worked a treat.Pragyan Ojha, taken for two fours in his opening over, turned one right across Chamara Kapugedera’s bat to hit middle stump. And with the ball gripping and turning, Ojha turned in his best one-day display. Farveez Maharoof was smartly caught at slip and Sangakkara’s resistance ended with a miscue to short fine leg, before Murali under-edged one to Dhoni.A last-wicket partnership of 26 was merely academic, and there was plenty to ponder for a Sri Lankan side that bore no resemblance whatsoever to the one that was once so formidable on home turf.

Liverpool are mooted to have looked at Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse as a potential transfer option during the recent transfer window, as reported by GOAL.

Starting off the new term in blistering fashion, the 26-year-old has shone for the Saints, registering three goal contributions in four games; one goal and two assists [Transfermarkt].

Owing to his fantastic form, it may come as little surprise to hear that other clubs were interested in his services during the summer.

Liverpool were reportedly one of the clubs that looked at Ward-Prowse in the summer transfer period, potentially as a replacement for former icon Georginio Wijnaldum who has recently departed Anfield [GOAL].

Of course, Ward-Prowse signed a new five-year deal at St Mary’s last month, putting to bed any speculation that he might leave the South Coast club for the time being [Southampton FC Official].

In light of this news, it was no wonder that plenty of Liverpool fans took to social media to vent their fury at recent developments.

Liverpool fans react:

Replying to LFC Transfer Room on Twitter, here is what some fans had to say about the Ward Prowse links:

“This is so annoying. It’s already in the past. Transfer window already shut. Can we focus on being competitive this season?”

Credit: @AchiyaLarry”Can you just stop now? That’s all we have been hearing for the past 4 months & here we are with only 1 signing.”Credit: @Jordan_KloppEra”Every player in the League was watched by us in the window lads, get it right”Credit: @LFC_Lewis66″Liverpool are not serious on signings, we are like Arsenal”Credit: @trustwealthy106″Interested FC”Credit: @Okotb22″Prepare yourself for more and more of this shameless PR and leaking tactically news to deceive fans. Never expected FSG to bring themselves this low. There was no need comparing our position#LFC”Credit: @VonTheRedIn other news, Liverpool fans fume after a fringe member of the squad was not sold during the window. Find out more here.

After Australia had established a first innings lead of 271 on the second day of the third Test in Perth, England had to face a daunting examination of technique and temperament against the extreme pace of Brett Lee and the probing accuracy of Glenn

Ralph Dellor30-Nov-2002After Australia had established a first innings lead of 271 on the second day of the third Test in Perth, England had to face a daunting examination of technique and temperament against the extreme pace of Brett Lee and the probing accuracy of Glenn McGrath. They lost Marcus Trescothick to a Lee rocket, but Michael Vaughan and nightwatchman Richard Dawson held out to close on 33 for one – still 238 runs short of making Australia bat again.The day did not start well for England with the news that Chris Silverwood had damaged ankle ligaments and had been ruled out of bowling for the remainder of the Test. That put an extra workload on the remaining bowlers, but off-spinner Dawson was only required to bowl five overs.There was no lack of effort from the England bowlers, but little inspiration as the Australian batsmen relished the conditions and the situation. There were runs and partnerships all down the order as they moved to a total of 456 based on a succession of individual contributions rather than one or two dominant innings.Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn extended their overnight partnership to 74 – the highest of the innings – by adding 33 runs in the first 11 overs of the morning. Ponting had gone to his fifty and reached 68 when Nasser Hussain replaced the pacy Steve Harmison with Craig White. Ponting will rue the lack of foot movement as he edged the ball from just outside off stump into his wicket.Darren Lehmann has yet to establish himself in the Australian side, but he got his opportunity to bat at number five when Steve Waugh was unwell with a stomach upset. He played with more assurance than previously in the series and was audibly upset with himself when he took on White on the stroke of lunch when he had 42. He hooked uppishly and cried "Oh no" as the ball sailed to Harmison at long leg.Martyn had been a study of concentration, taking 120 balls to reach his fifty, but he was having the effect of wearing down the depleted England bowling resources. He moved forward to become the top scorer in the innings with 71 when he played a somewhat loose shot outside the off stump to edge Alex Tudor to the wicket-keeper.As one Western Australian left the crease, another, Adam Gilchrist, arrived to an expectant welcome from the WACA crowd. It was the captain Steve Waugh who moved serenely to his fifty and Gilchrist, with characteristic gusto, who blazed his way to 38 from 28 balls with seven fours and a six. Gilchrist’s blood was running and England would have been delighted to get him when they did as he hooked White to long leg where Tudor did well to keep just inside the boundary rope as he held the catch.The new ball was taken to account for Waugh who fell to Tudor, just as he did on the bowler’s debut four years ago on this ground. The Australian captain played across a full length delivery and was bowled. However, the departure of the last of the recognised batsmen did not signal the end of England’s torment. The last three wickets added 108 runs in 18 overs.Shane Warne was enjoying himself immensely in partnership with Lee who was getting a bit of a working over from the English pace bowlers. Lee was not unduly perturbed as he unfurled some rasping shots that took the score along at a steady rate.The partnership of 68 was only ended when Warne took on Harmison’s arm at long off when going for a greedy third and he was run out for 35. Lee slashed White to Robert Key at third man for an enterprising 41, before a clubbing innings from Jason Gillespie came to an end when he was yorked to give White his third five-wicket haul in a Test innings.England could do with White adding to his one Test hundred in their second innings. Left with a tricky 11 over session to face before stumps, opening batsmen Trescothick and Vaughan had to be at their most trenchant as Waugh gave the new ball to Lee. With the wind at his back, Lee bowled at a furious pace.Unusually for him, Trescothick was hopping around as he had to in order to avoid Lee’s thunderbolts, while at the other end McGrath was plugging away with scarcely a hint of a loose ball. It was in the seventh over of the innings that Lee delivered a hammer-blow to England’s hopes by going wide of the crease and forcing Trescothick to fend off the ball lifting rapidly into his body. It took the batsman’s glove before lodging in the glove of the leaping Gilchrist and Trescothick – reluctantly – was forced to go.Dawson played with great courage and no little skill to keep his Yorkshire colleague Vaughan company to the close. Waugh introduced Gillespie for the last over of the day and with the last ball very nearly claimed another wicket. Dawson had an agonising wait after the ball had flown off his pad to short leg before umpire Steve Bucknor turned down the various appeals and called time. A broad smile burst upon the batsman’s face as he realised he had survived to face another day. It is sure to be a testing one for him and all his colleagues.

Writing for 90min, reporter Graeme Bailey has shared an update on Declan Rice and his future at West Ham United as clubs eye a move for the 22-year-old.

The Lowdown: Rice thriving…

After an impressive Euro 2020 campaign with England, the Irons midfielder has continued to thrive at club level under David Moyes.

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Indeed, according to WhoScored, no West Ham regular with more than one start has averaged a higher passing accuracy than the 22-year-old (92%), with Rice also making the joint-highest interceptions per 90 in midfield.

This has prompted clubs to sit up and take notice, especially after he rejected two offers of a new deal at the London Stadium over the summer transfer window (The Guardian).

Rice has been a key part of Moyes’ high-flying West Ham side, who currently sit in the top four and are well in contention for a Champions League place, but news has now emerged on his future in the capital.

The Latest: Bailey drops Rice exit claim…

Writing for 90min, Bailey has now claimed that the Three Lions ace is ‘prepared to leave West Ham’ in the ‘summer of 2022’ – regardless of whether they seal a place in the European Cup next season.

Indeed, as written in their headline, West Ham and Moyes ‘could lose’ the player, with their report going on to mention that Premier League champions Manchester City are currently frontrunners for his signature.

Liverpool and Chelsea are also interested and it is believed that GSB ‘will not stand in Rice’s way’ if their £120m valuation is met.

The Verdict: Crunch time?

This news could come as a blow for Moyes and West Ham supporters given Rice’s importance to the team, but much will hinder on the east London club, who are still in full control.

Rice’s current contract runs until 2024 and the Hammers have an option to extend his stay by a further year (Transfermarkt), so GSB have no urgent need to accept an incoming bid for his services.

However, if an interested party comes in with a £120m offer, it would be difficult for West Ham not to at least contemplate selling if the player’s desire to leave escalates between now and then.

Young, homegrown and a standout Premier League performer – the Irons have plenty of reason to demand as much money as possible for their prize asset.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, as transcribed by The Boot Room, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins even called Rice ‘massively underrated’ and ‘like a Rolls-Royce’, highlighting his obvious quality.

In other news: ‘Talks have taken place’…Journalist shares news as powerhouse now open to joining West Ham, find out more here.

The offspinner Jason Krejza’s chances of playing the first Test against South Africa look slim after he failed to pass a fitness test for Tasmania

Cricinfo staff06-Dec-2008
Jason Krejza remains under an injury cloud ahead of the first Test against South Africa © AFP
The offspinner Jason Krejza’s chances of playing the first Test against South Africa look slim after he failed to pass a fitness test for Tasmania.Krejza missed the Adelaide Test against New Zealand with an ankle injury, but had resumed light running and hoped to play in his state’s one-day match against New South Wales to prove himself available for Perth in a fortnight.Tasmania’s coach Tim Coyle told reporters that Krejza would not play on Sunday. “I wouldn’t call it a setback, I’d call it a progression in fact,” Coyle said. “He’s very close to playing. If this was a four-day game he’d be playing because he could stand in the slips, he’s not needed to run around as much. The intensity of the fielding effort in one-day cricket is the only thing we had a question mark on.”Coyle said he expected Krejza to be fit for Tasmania’s one-day game against South Australia at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday. “We just think a little bit proppy still and he feels that as well,” Coyle said. “It’s not worth risking.”Although Krejza is now regarded as Australia’s leading spin candidate, he has still only played one match after Ricky Ponting took an all-pace attack into the first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba. Despite Nathan Hauritz performing solidly in Adelaide Ponting said Krejza’s remarkable debut in Nagpur, where he took match figures of 12 for 358, had earned him another opportunity.