Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou is personally "driving" a Spurs move for Leicester City playmaker James Maddison, according to reports.

Who could Spurs sign this summer?

As the transfer window officially opens for business today, the time for a major Spurs rebuild is now upon us, with many players being tipped to potentially leave or come through the door.

Postecoglou's arrival marks the return of attacking football and a 4-3-3 formation, meaning chairman Daniel Levy must now scour for players who suit his system.

Of the players who could depart N17, there are many, with over 11 players being linked to leaving. Indeed, Hugo Lloris, Ivan Perisic, Davinson Sanchez, Ryan Sessegnon, Lenglet, Eric Dier and Ben Davies have all been tipped to potentially exit, while Spurs are also apparently planning to offload Giovani Lo Celso, Sergio Reguilon and Harry Winks (The Telegraph).

Meanwhile, it is believed Postecoglou has green-lit plans to sign a new centre-back, with reports suggesting Spurs are also hunting for a new goalkeeper to succeed Lloris. Maddison, who looks set to leave Leicester following their relegation from the top flight, is a firm transfer target as well.

The Lilywhites, according to reports, are contending with Eddie Howe's Newcastle for the England international with reliable journalist Nizaar Kinsella of The Evening Standard sharing an update.

According to his information, while the Magpies are confident of beating Spurs to Maddison, Postecoglou is personally "driving" a move to bring him to Hotspur Way.

The Foxes will apparently demand around £45m and he is set to be sold after Leicester's drop to the Championship, with Spurs targeting a creative playmaker this summer.

Postecoglou has given his green-light to moving for Maddison, but with Newcastle now "frontrunners", Spurs could face a tougher task of signing him.

Who is James Maddison?

The Three Lions ace was, by some distance, Leicester's best player last season.

According to WhoScored, he stood out as their best-performing player by average match rating, all whilst totalling an impressive 19 goal contributions in the league alone (10 goals, nine assists).

Maddison also averaged more attempts at goal and key passes made per 90 than any other Leicester player, highlighting why Postecoglou is so keen to bring him to north London.

Journalist Josh Bunting, taking to Twitter last year, heaped praise on the 26-year-old – claiming he can be "unplayable" when at his very best.

Whoever wins the race for Maddison will surely have a real player on their hands.

India are on the verge of bumping Sri Lanka off the schedule for South Africa’s next home summer, CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat has revealed. The move may also affect the India v Pakistan series scheduled for the same 2017-18 New Year period.The international schedule – agreed to by boards in 2014 – had Sri Lanka going to South Africa for a second successive summer, for a three-Test tour. However CSA is now attempting to have India play four Tests, five ODIs and three T20s at that time instead.”I’ve given an indication to Sri Lanka that that tour is unlikely,” Lorgat said. “We’ve got a very packed season coming up, starting with Bangladesh in the early season. We’ve got India touring for four Test matches plus five ODIs and three T20s, and then we follow with Australia for four Test matches. It’s very unlikely, and I’ve already given the indication to Sri Lanka that they should avail themselves to someone else.”CSA’s plans to host India also hinge on the cancellation of the India-Pakistan tour scheduled for that same period. The India-Pakistan series that had been scheduled for December 2015 failed to go ahead due largely to political turmoil between the two nations. The schedule has Pakistan touring India for a three-Test tour at the end of this year, but that encounter is also under serious doubt.Lorgat said the BCCI had not confirmed the proposed tour of South Africa, but he put that down to the administrative upheaval in the India board, following a Supreme Court order earlier this week.”About the tour schedule with India: I’m not reading anything untoward,” Lorgat said. “They’ve got a difficult period that they’re going through currently. You would have read the president has been removed and the secretary has been removed. They are in a state of turmoil. I’ve been assured by them that in the next few weeks they will try and confirm that, but they’ve got a history of not confirming until a few months or a few weeks before.”SLC is aware that CSA wishes to bump them off the schedule, but have limited scope to protest, since next summer’s tour does not have a corresponding reciprocal series scheduled in Sri Lanka. Just as Sri Lanka have not been a particularly profitable guest for CSA – gate earnings at the Newlands Test have already been affected by the match failing to go five days – SLC also loses money when South Africa tour for Tests.The ICC does pay the smaller seven Full Member nations biannually from its Test Cricket Fund, in order to protect ties such as the Sri Lanka-South Africa series. However, the boards have generally been underwhelmed by the combined $1.25m paid to them each year as part of this fund. Even a two-Test series is understood to cost most boards more than $1.25m to host.

Nottingham Forest are interested in making a move for Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat this summer, according to reports in Italy.

Nottingham transfer news – could they sign Sofyan Amrabat?

As we saw last summer, the Tricky Trees have surprising spending power, with almost an entirely new starting line-up welcomed through the door.

With that said, Amrabat remains a realistic target this summer, with there being a suggestion that both Forest and West Ham United will battle for the midfielder's signature.

TuttoMercato's Giacomo Lacobellis also reported that the only two clubs willing to match the current asking price of £30m are Newcastle United and Liverpool, however.

The Premier League interest comes as no shock after Amrabat impressed many at the World Cup with Morocco, where, at one stage, he had won possession more than any other player at the tournament.

It remains to be seen where the Viola “monster” – as once lauded by journalist Carlo Garganese – ends up this summer, with a number of clubs interested.

Would Sofyan Amrabat suit Nottingham Forest?

If you look at Gibbs-White, he is a player with flair; a player with the ability to create. And he needs the freedom to express his best traits.

That's where Amrabat could be the perfect player to form an exciting partnership, should Forest win the race to sign the Fiorentina star.

Where Gibbs-White is an attack-minded player, as proven by his impressive 16 goal involvements in the Premier League last season, the 26-year-old machine has the ability to play the role out of the spotlight, providing the stage for players of Gibbs-White's ilk to perform.

The World Cup showcased that very ability for all to see, so much so that a role often played out of the spotlight was highlighted several times.

Against Spain, in particular, Forest fans got a preview of the player they have been linked with, as Amrabat made the most tackles in the game, as well as making nine ball recoveries, winning seven ground duels, and completing 25 passes.

It was an all-round display of dominance against the likes of Gavi and Sergio Busquets. Speaking about Amrabat's World Cup performance, Alan Shearer praised Amrabat, saying (via Liverpool Echo):

"He really enjoys that and he’s really good at that – ‘get off the ball, I’m having it’ – and he’s setting his team forward. He’s been key.

"He does that, he protects, he can get out there and help his full-backs, and that’s what he’s in that role to do – to stop, and be a spoiler – he’s excellent at it. Then he drives forward and they’re on their way. He’s been magnificent, he really has.

"I think he ran the game at times tonight, it was incredible, just how deep the French were in the second half.

"And he was driving at them, and the main reason they were so deep was because of his energy and the way he just cajoled his entire team and cajoled the entire nation."

Compared to Forest's current options in similar roles, too, the Morocco international stands out once more. According to FBref, Amrabat has better a pass completion and makes more tackles and interceptions per 90 when compared with Steve Cooper's current options in Danilo and Remo Freuler.

His key tackling and interception attributes are particularly important, as this is the work that will win the ball back and distribute the ball quicker to the attack-minded Gibbs-White – something current options have done worse than transfer target Amrabat.

If Forest can secure the services of the midfielder, then Cooper will have a significantly improved option in the middle of the park and one that will only help the England U21 thrive even more at the City Ground.

تعرض فريق توتنهام للهزيمة أمام خصمه فولهام، مساء أليوم السبت، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وحل توتنهام ضيفًا على نظيره فولهام، في إطار منافسات الجولة التاسعة والعشرين من البطولة، حيث خسرت كتيبة أنجي بوستيكوجلو بثلاثة أهداف دون رد. أهداف مباراة توتنهام وفولهام اليوم في الدوري الإنجليزي

وتقدم فولهام بهدف سجله اللاعب رودريجو مونيز في الدقيقة 42 من عمر الشوط الأول من المباراة.

وضاعف فولهام النتيجة بتسجيله الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 49 عن طريق ساشا لوكيتش، قبل أن يحرز زميله رودريجو مونيز الهدف الثاني له والثالث لأصحاب الأرض في الدقيقة 61.

بتلك النتيجة، تجمد رصيد توتنهام عند 53 نقطة في المركز الخامس، بينما ارتفع رصيد فولهام إلى 38 نقطة في المركز الثاني عشر.

Newcastle United are advancing in their deal to sign Sandro Tonali, and are set to double his salary in what will be a huge deal for the Magpies, Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

What's the latest on Newcastle's move for Tonali?

The AC Milan star is being eyed up by Eddie Howe as he aims to add quality to his midfield, with Newcastle returning to European football for the first time in over ten years.

A major deal for the 23-year-old appears to be edging closer, as Newcastle aim to flex their financial muscles over Milan and take one of their prize assets.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano hinted that a deal could reach a huge fee, whilst Tonali's £76k-per-week salary could even be doubled should he make the move to St James' Park.

"Now we can say that the talks are moving to the final stages for Sandro Tonali to Newcastle," he stated.

"Newcastle made a really important bid to the player, it's more than double salary for Sandro Tonali compared to what he's earning at Milan right now, so crazy salary and also important bid to Milan, around €70m (£60m) with add-ons included.

"Now, what is needed to close the deal, to discuss the structure of the deal, payment terms and how to structure the add-ons, so Milan and Newcastle are negotiating, waiting for the green light, but this is getting closer, so the next hours could be crucial to close the deal for Sandro Tonali to Newcastle, a really big one for Newcastle if they will be able to complete it."

Where does Tonali fit in at Newcastle?

Newcastle have been desperate to reinforce their midfield this summer, to support Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock in the middle of the park, and Tonali has now been identified as the ideal addition.

It remains unclear whether Tonali would arrive as a more advanced box-to-box option to compete with Joelinton, with Guimaraes playing in a deeper role, or if the Italian will sit back and allow the Brazilian to play further forward.

Tonali ranks poorly in defensive contributions compared to Guimaraes as per FBref, but did notch up seven assists in all competitions, perhaps indicating that his presence in the middle will add more creativity to the side.

Given the status of the Italy international as a key player for the Champions League semi-finalists, this deal represents a statement from Newcastle that they are aiming to compete with Europe's biggest clubs in the transfer market.

Liverpool are believed to be considering lodging a formal offer for Real Madrid star Federico Valverde this summer, with Jurgen Klopp desperate to revive his midfield.

Alexis Mac Allister has already been signed from Brighton & Hove Albion for just £35m, while the likes of Khephren Thuram and Dominik Szoboszlai have both been linked with a move to the Anfield side of late.

Perhaps a more difficult target comes in the form of Valverde, with the Merseyside outfit previously credited with an interest in the Uruguayan midfielder last summer.

And now, according to Spanish sources, Liverpool are preparing a mouth-watering €90m (£77m) offer for the 24-year-old, with the club's German manager said to be a huge admirer of the dynamic ace.

While a transfer might seem unlikely, Valverde's future at the Santiago Bernabeu has come into question following a string of central signings over the past several years, condensing the position with a wealth of first-rate talent, and Florentino Perez might just consider a bid if the sum is appealing enough.

Should Liverpool sign Fede Valverde?

While many will think Liverpool might be deterred by Real's demands, there is every possibility that concrete negotiations could commence if both outfits can find common ground.

And while Valverde was hailed as "untouchable" by Carlo Ancelotti one year ago, there is maybe cause for hope at Anfield following Los Blancos' acquisition of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund for an initial €103m (£88.5m).

Valverde is exactly the sort of profile Klopp needs to rejuvenate his side following a disappointing campaign that resulted in a fifth-place finish in the Premier League and a failure to add to the silverware gleaned across the past six years.

He could even emulate the role of Ilkay Gundogan at Manchester City, with the 32-year-old general joining Barcelona on a free transfer this summer after making 304 appearances for the Citizens, registering 100 direct contributions and being heralded as "incredible" and "intelligent" by Pep Guardiola.

Gundogan offers a different dynamic from the centre and is adept as both as a playmaker and a box-to-box midfielder, ranking among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 17% for shot-creating actions, the top 12% for pass completion and the top 20% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

Valverde, who has been called "unbelievable" by Joe Cole, also flourishes across a wealth of positions and could offer Liverpool the kind of dynamism they need to challenge across multiple fronts next term.

And given the likeness to Gundogan, it might be the perfect formula for success, given Klopp's past with the 67-cap international; the Liverpool manager secured the sensation for Borussia Dortmund for €4m (£3.5m) in 2011, where he would forge 157 appearances for the Yellow Wall, winning the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal in his first season at the club.

The £135k-per-week Valverde – dubbed an "absolute machine" by BBC Sport's Raj Chohan – also ranks among the top 7% of positional peers for goals, the top 16% for assists, the top 16% for pass completion and the top 9% for progressive carries per 90.

Valverde is the driving force Klopp craves and while a deal might prove somewhat strenuous to get over the line, if he is indeed available for transfer the kitchen sink must be thrown at bringing him to Liverpool.

Celtic target Yang Hyun-jun 'very much' wants to complete a move to Parkhead this summer according to Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph via GIVEMESPORT

What is the latest news about Yang Hyun-jun?

With his current side Gangwon FC struggling to survive in their league despite his impressive performances, it seems as if a move away is something that appeals to the 21-year-old as he believes that he is ready to take the next step of his career and foray into European football, and Celtic seems like the perfect club for that next step.

He stated: "I will not change my mind about moving to Europe. But if I am blocked from making the move in this transfer market, I have to do my best for Gangwon FC and I will. I accept this and understand I will act professionally.”

What we do know is that the Scottish club have reportedly made a large bid for the attacker, but it remains to be seen as to whether anything will materialise at this moment in time.

What has Anthony Joseph said about Yang Hyun-jun to Celtic?

When asked about the potential transfer, Joseph told GIVEMESPORT: "Celtic did make an approach last week for Yang Hyun-jun and he very much wants to move to Celtic. And he has been trying to push it with his agent as well, the club aren’t too happy that his agent is really pushing it and some of the comments he’s made publicly as well.”

Will Yang Hyun-jun be a good signing for Celtic?

Indeed, with Brendan Rodgers at the helm, it remains to be seen as to how he might change things potentially at Parkhead and how he will line the side up, upon his return, with all players potentially getting a chance to impress in pre-season.

But, one thing that we do know is that the winger possesses a great dribbling ability, having completed 1.2 dribbles per match with a success rate of 61%, as well as averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.02 across 36 K-League outings in 2022 and chipping in with a very impressive eight goals, and created six 'big chances'.

Of course, one thing that Ange Postecoglou managed to do well during his time at Celtic was the recruitment, as the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda, and Reo Hatate have all been nothing short of superb since making the move to Scotland. So, it seems a no-brainer for Celtic to bring in another exciting player from the same region.

Joe Root feels the experience of victory in tough circumstances in Antigua will give the side confidence going into the Champions Trophy in June

George Dobell06-Mar-2017Joe Root believes England will take strength from their victory in the second ODI in Antigua.England had to resort to Plan B to win the match but, going into the ICC Champions Trophy in June, Root feels the experience of victory in such circumstances will give the side confidence to withstand the inevitable challenges that lie ahead.England were 124 for 6 when Root came together with Chris Woakes. But a calmly-paced seventh-wicket stand of 102 took them to a series-clinching victory with 10 deliveries remaining and both men registering unbeaten half-centuries.While the collapse – England lost five for 37 at one stage – was far from ideal and will, at some stage, require some reflection, Root thought it boded well that they still found a way to win the game.”If we’re going to compete in major tournaments like the Champions Trophy, we’re going to have to find ways of winning when it’s tough like that,” Root said. “It’s something we’ve not necessarily been brilliant at previously.”A lot of the time, when we win, we win comfortably. We blast sides away, whether it be the top order going and doing it or with the ball. So to see two games where we’ve had to be smart and react to conditions is really pleasing.”There are always going to be times when you are up against it and situations where you are asked: ‘Can you find ways of getting out of that?'”In both games in Antigua, I think we’ve done that very well.”Root’s innings was characterised by its restraint. He hit only three fours and no sixes, understanding that it was more important to keep his wicket intact. But while he was delighted with his own contribution, he was full of praise for Woakes, who played the more aggressive role, hitting five fours and two sixes.”We needed to build a partnership and take the sting out of the collapse,” Root said. “We needed to calm things down.”It was a nice change to still be there at the end. To have got through that tough period and still be there at the end, it’s something as batsmen really pride yourself on. You always talk about it in the dressing-room: be there at the end; make sure you’ve taken the responsibility to win the game and finish things off.”Chris played exceptionally well. He played it down to a tee and made it very easy for me just to nudge and nurdle it around to make sure we were on target.”Meanwhile Eoin Morgan confirmed England would field their best available XI in Barbados. With the series won, there might have been a temptation to look at fringe players such as Tom Curran or Liam Dawson, but Morgan is adamant that, with six ODIs before the Champions Trophy, now is not the time for experimentation.”We’ll be ruthless,” Morgan said. “We want to win all three games and we’ll be putting out our best XI. We want to try to keep the momentum. It’s important.”That could mean a return for Alex Hales in place of Sam Billings and Jake Ball in place of Steven Finn.Morgan was also full pf praise for Woakes. “He’s a guy who just keeping giving within this team,” he said. “He has huge experience as well and is someone who goes without the majority of the praise sometimes, which is typical of his character.”But this is not the first time he’s done it. He just keeps producing. We don’t want to rely on him too much, but he’s a luxury to have down the order.”The period where we lost three or four wickets was a bit of a concern but the positive side of that is we came back with a bit of character.”England travel to Barbados on Monday. They will not train on Monday or Tuesday – many players have been joined by their families while others will take to the golf course – but have a training session planned for Wednesday. The pitch in Barbados is expected to be quicker than the one utilised in Antigua.

The offspinner believes India’s spin-friendly wickets mean that Australia’s batsmen stand no chance during their four-match Test series against India later this month

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Feb-2017

Harbhajan Singh said Australia don’t stand a chance in the four-match Test series against India, especially if spin-friendly pitches are laid out. He also felt Australia’s inexperienced batsmen lacked the quality of their predecessors like Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Adam Gilchrist.”If Australia play well, India will win 3-0. That is Australia play well. Otherwise, 4-0,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying by the . “I don’t think the wickets [in India] are going to be that easy for them. If the ball starts spinning from the first ball, I don’t think they will survive for long.”Players like [Matthew] Hayden, Gilchrist, Ponting, [Damien] Martyn, [Michael] Clarke were all top-class batters. This team – apart from [David] Warner and [Steve] Smith – I don’t think they will be able to play the game they play in Australian conditions, here in India. It is going to be a tough series for them.”Australia’s spin attack is led by Nathan Lyon, who has 228 Test wickets, but the rest of the group – Steve O’Keefe (four Tests), Ashton Agar (two) and uncapped legspinner Mitchell Swepson – are thin on experience. While R Ashwin felt Australia’s spinners couldn’t be taken lightly, Harbhajan said they would find it difficult to bowl the right speeds on Indian pitches.”I don’t think they have the quality to do so. It is different bowling here and bowling there [Australia],” he added. “The speed [off the pitch] is different – they will have to adjust to that.”You don’t get that in Australia but here you get a lot of help, so from the first ball you need to bowl that correct speed. Not many spinners have done [that] in India for the last 15 years. Only [Monty] Panesar and [Graeme] Swann did it but nobody else.”Upon Australia’s arrival, Smith had said he would let individuals decide if they wanted to engage in verbal jousting with India on the field.”If they want to sledge, then they better be prepared for a lot of stuff from this Indian side,” he said. “This Indian team is not going to sit back and listen. All I can say is good luck to Australia if they want to play that way.”Harbhajan, who last played a Test in 2015, is India’s most successful offspinner. With 95 wickets from 18 Tests, including a breakout series in 2001 where he claimed 32 wickets to engineer India’s historic triumph, he was for a long time Australia’s bête noire.

West Ham United are plotting a swoop to bring Norwich City defender Max Aarons to the Premier League, according to reports.

Is Max Aarons leaving Norwich?

The Canaries right-back’s contract isn’t set to expire until the end of next season, but after personally confirming that he will be departing during the ongoing window, clubs will have been alerted to his availability ahead of the new term.

During his 44 Championship starts last season, Carrow Road’s academy graduate established himself as David Wagner’s both third defensive and offensive best-performing player, so he may not be short of potential suitors, and it’s not the first time that he’s been linked with a move to the London Stadium.

Back in 2021, The Independent’s Nick Mashiter first credited David Moyes with an interest in the 23-year-old, and whilst a deal at the time obviously failed to materialise, it sounds like the boss is preparing to take a second bite of the cherry when it comes to securing his target.

Are West Ham signing Aarons?

According to talkSPORT, West Ham are “set to make a move” for Aarons this summer having been made aware that he is leaving his boyhood club.

The Irons’ interest from two years ago is backed up by the report and it’s believed that Norwich’s defender also “attracted interest” from Barcelona back in the day, and should he put pen to paper, he would “boost” the boss’ options at right-back alongside Vladimir Coufal and Ben Johnson.

Could Aarons be a good addition for Moyes?

West Ham are likely to have a healthy budget to recruit the players that they want should Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal go through and Aarons has clearly been a long-term target for Moyes which is understandable to see why considering the positive impact he has at both ends of the pitch.

Norwich’s “special” right-back, as lauded by their former manager Daniel Farke, made a total of 84 tackles last season which was more than any other member of his squad, via FBRef, alongside averaging 1.4 clearances per second-tier game, but he was also a threat going forward.

Sponsored by Adidas, the £22.5k-per-week earner ranked in the 99th percentile for progressive carries so loves to take on his marker and when having made it to the opposition’s box, whipped 102 crosses into the area which was the second-highest number in the east of England, so he would be a fantastic acquisition should the boss successfully be able to convince him to join.