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Vidarbha seamer Rajneesh Gurbani, playing the biggest match of his life, could not wait to get back on the field to help his side make history

Akshay Gopalakrishnan in Kolkata21-Dec-2017

On the night before the biggest day of his career, Rajneesh Gurbani could barely let his eyes close. It was the “woke-up-worrying-it’s-late” experience that most of us have endured at some stage. Except that for Gurbani, it wasn’t just another day at the office.Gurbani was playing the biggest match of his life. His body had already been through a hellacious lot, having sent down 49 overs. Gurbani had taken his team to the brink. But there was still a job to do. This was his chance to not only witness history but make it happen.Sleepless and weary, the events that unfolded after Gurbani took the field at Eden Gardens on Thursday could well have been a dream. Except, it wasn’t. For four whole days and a bit, the match continued to swing both ways. But throughout, there was one constant: Gurbani never ceased to tantalise. Resolute and courageous, he kept Vidarbha’s dream alive.”Anxiety. I felt it all night long,” he said. “I woke up at 12.30am thinking it’s 6. I wanted the match to start then and there and finish the whole thing off. For the first time, I was ready at 6am with my clothes on and ready to go.”Once he took the field, the nerves only got worse. It made him change his angle repeatedly, at one point doing it four times in an over. Karnataka weren’t going to go down without a fight. But Gurbani wouldn’t buckle. Blessed with a keen sense of understanding of his strengths, Gurbani continued to bowl the best way he knew: being consistent with his lines and lengths and try to force an error from the batsmen.The plan worked. Vinay Kumar poked at a wide one. Abhimanyu Mithun miscued a big hit. And S Aravind edged one that shaped away from him. In each of those deliveries, Gurbani had managed to find subtle movement. As the last of those wickets fell, Gurbani sank to his knees, with team-mates jumping on him. He then acknowledged a thinly scattered crowd by flashing the match ball. Some of Vidarbha’s players were in tears, but Gurbani was moved when he saw the emotion on coach Chandrakant Pandit’s face.”All the credit to how I’m bowling goes to Chandrakant Pandit sir and Subroto Banerjee sir,” he said. “Both of them supported me well and brought about some skill changes. Chandrakant sir used to make me bowl at one spot for an entire day. He used to make me bowl on demand: a whole day of inswingers, a whole day of outswingers or hitting the off stump. This sort of match simulation meant that when I came out, I could bowl any of these deliveries at any instant.”Outswing is Gurbani’s natural weapon. He can swing the ball in the air and get it to move off the deck. He manages skiddy pace, which makes him a dangerous bowler in front of the stumps. Gurbani has a smooth run-up. The action flows from the time he runs into the crease, at an easy pace. The wrist position is accurate as he tilts back and the movement is supple when he bends his back.”He has worked on the incoming delivery,” Prashant Vaidya, the former India pacer and the VCA’s incumbent vice-president, told ESPNcricinfo. “He was very consistent with his length, his line used to be very good and he was essentially a very good away-swinging bowler. But this year, he has improved greatly in bringing the ball back in. So if that starts happening, even his strength, which is the ball moving out, becomes more lethal. When you can move the ball both ways, it puts the batsmen in two minds. And he has improved in pace, which has made him more effective with the natural swing he has.”Gurbani’s ability to read situations and recognise his strengths stand out. Though shy off the field, his willingness to take initiative and bowl in any situation impressed Vaidya. That quality came through in Vidarbha’s quarter-final, when Gurbani ripped through Kerala with four wickets in four overs and gave Vidarbha a substantial first-innings lead. For Vadiya, that spell in the quarter-final was still a more accurate reflection of the improvements Gurbani had made.”These are favourable conditions to seam bowling, but the spell he bowled to Kerala in the quarter-final, that was out of nowhere,” he said. “In four overs, he turned the entire game on its head. I think that really stands out for me.”If I have to compare him to somebody in India team, he is in the mould of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. I would not hesitate to put him in that mould. He puts the ball consistently in that corridor and has the ability to swing it both ways.”The technical side apart, a lot of the pre-season work for the lithe and wiry Gurbani went into building himself up physically. “It was all about pushing myself to run that extra mile or the extra session or two in the gym,” he said. “But through all of it, the goal was to become champions. While lifting weights in the gym, I used to have guys come up to me and say, ‘Guru, put on 10 kilos; Vidarbha needs you to be strong’.”So it was about working harder and pushing yourself harder for that extra spell. We were obsessed with becoming champions, because becoming champions is what is going to give us our identity.”For Vaidya, work still remains on the fitness front. “As you go to higher levels and play more cricket, you need to complement or balance it with physical fitness,” he said. “Because he is going to play longer seasons, more cricket. You need strength.”He’s a very wiry person. I don’t want that to change because that’s his strength. That gives him that momentum and agility. But you need the strength to bowl longer and play longer seasons.”Having a coach who thinks like him has reconfirmed what Gurbani wants out of this sport. “When Chandrakant sir came into the side, we all wondered how he is,” he said. “And we were all advised that he will either make you do it or make you leave cricket.”It was in sync with how I am personally – either I grow in cricket or I leave cricket. I don’t want to be stuck in between. Of course, he shouts at me, and I want him to shout at me so I don’t get too carried away. Watching his emotions when the team doesn’t perform – he can’t sleep. Though performance is not in his hands, seeing him being so involved and invested inspires us.”Where Gurbani goes from here is anybody’s guess right now. But whether he grows in cricket or leaves cricket, for the hand he has played in Vidarbha creating history, he has made his name synonymous with the state’s cricket for the next few years at least.

Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch, and a reliable journalist has revealed when confirmation of his move to the Premier League is likely to be announced.

What type of midfielder is Ryan Gravenberch?

Gravenberch is naturally a central, box-to-box midfielder and is one of the players to have been the most heavily linked with a switch to Merseyside following the earlier arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo.

The Reds initially saw an opening offer for the 21-year-old rejected due to Thomas Tuchel’s side not wanting to sell, but FSG and Jurgen Klopp remained in direct contact with their target’s agent should the stance of his club change.

Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg later claimed that the Anfield outfit, and by extension owners FSG, were ready to push to secure the services of the Netherlands youth international, and after telling the Bundesliga giants that they were preparing to submit a bid, that’s exactly what they did.

Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed that the two clubs reached an agreement worth an initial €40m with €5m in add-ons (£34m package in total), and with the deal now entering its final stages, the player was waiting to jet in and put pen to paper on the necessary paperwork.

Has Ryan Gravenberch signed for Liverpool?

Taking to X on Thursday night, Romano revealed that Liverpool have scheduled a medical for Gravenberch, who will land in England to be unveiled as a new recruit in the early stages of Friday. He wrote:

“Liverpool have booked medical tests on Friday early morning for Gravenberch as new signing is completed. Ryan, travelling to Merseyside tonight then he will sign five year deal in the next 24h. Gravenberch already spoke to Jurgen Klopp.”

How good is Ryan Gravenberch?

Whilst Gravenberch is primarily a number eight, he’s much stronger in the attacking aspect of his game having posted 69 contributions (36 goals and 33 assists) in 222 appearances since the start of his career, and he also poses a threat even when the ball doesn’t hit the back of the net.

Bayern’s 6 foot 2 colossus ranks in the 96th percentile for shot-creating actions which highlights his constant desire to create offensive opportunities for himself and his fellow teammates, with this positive attacking mindset having previously seen him dubbed a “pure talent” by football scout Jacek Kulig.

Read The Latest Liverpool Transfer News HERE…

Sponsored by Adidas, the talisman is also a versatile operator having been deployed in five different positions over the grass since the start of his career, including three roles in the centre, out wide on the left wing and even at centre-forward, so he will be a great option to have in the building should cover be needed for any unexpected injuries.

Furthermore, Gravenberch has helped to secure seven senior trophies since first bursting onto the professional scene, so for a player who knows what it takes to compete and be successful at the highest level, Amsterdam’s native could perfectly match the winning mentality of the current squad who are already at Liverpool.

The summer transfer window officially slams shut next week and Tottenham Hotspur could be busy as they attempt to find a new number nine to bolster their squad.

Who could Tottenham sign before the deadline?

Journalist Ben Jacobs recently named a number of strikers who could be in the running to arrive in north London over the next seven days; including Lautaro Martinez, Jonathan David, and Gift Orban.

However, the reporter has stated that the club are not in any rush to make a decision on who they want to sign as Ange Postecoglou has brought a sense of calmness to the operation.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

The reporter claimed that David has been a concrete target for Spurs in the past under Fabio Paratici, but also stated that Lille's valuation of €65m (£56m) has put a number of teams off his trail.

How good is Jonathan David?

Postecoglou could land a big upgrade on current centre-forward Richarlison by opting to pursue a deal for the Canada international before next week's deadline.

David, who has scored one goal in two Ligue 1 games this season, has proven himself to be a reliable goalscorer in a major European league in recent years for Lille.

During the 2022/23 campaign, the prolific marksman averaged a superb Sofascore rating of 7.15, which would have placed him third with the Spurs squad, as he plundered 24 goals and created nine 'big chances' for his teammates in 37 league appearances.

That came after the 23-year-old marksman scored 15 goals and provided his fellow attackers with four 'big chances' across 38 Ligue 1 outings throughout the previous season, which shows that the gem has improved with more experience under his belt over the last two years.

Richarlison, on the other hand, has failed to score or create a 'big chance' in either of his Premier League appearances this term after a disappointing debut campaign with Spurs.

The Brazil international averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.73 across 27 top-flight outings for the club last season as the ex-Everton forward produced one goal and zero 'big chances' provided.

These statistics show that the 26-year-old flop has struggled with Tottenham as he has not been able to muster up quality as a scorer or creator on a regular basis from a number nine or wide position since his move from Goodison Park.

Richarlison's return of ten goals and five assists in 30 league clashes for the Toffees during the 2021/22 campaign, which earned him a move to Spurs, is also less impressive than David's last two seasons with Lille in France.

This suggests that the Ligue 1 star has the potential to be a significant upgrade on the Brazilian dud due to his superior ability to find the back of the net on a consistent basis whilst also being able to create more 'big chances' for his teammates to score.

David, who was described as "a phenom" by broadcaster Tony Marinaro, has the potential to be a terrific scorer for Spurs if he can translate his performances over to English football as no current Tottenham player managed more than ten Premier League goals last season.

Therefore, Postecoglou could land a much-needed goal threat whilst also bringing in a big upgrade on Richarlison by securing a deal for the £56m-rated talent.

MatériaMais Notícias

No jogo contra o Grêmio, quarta última, o Flamengo arrancou um empate na reta final: 1 a 1, com gol de pênalti de Gabigol. E o duelo, pela quarta rodada do Brasileiro, deu prejuízo aos cofres do Flamengo – novamente. O borderô divulgado pela CBF apontou para o seguinte número negativo:R$ 187.661,90.

> Confira a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro

A despesa operacional, como já esperado pela diretoria rubro-negra, foi o gasto mais significativo: uma quantia na casa dosR$ 55 mil a ser desembolsada. O prejuízo se dá muito pela ausência da receita da bilheteria – por conta das restrições ocasionadas pela pandemia do novo coronavírus.

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Na estreia do Brasileirão, contra o Atlético-MG, o outro jogo que o Flamengo fez como mandante até aqui, o prejuízo foi um pouco inferior:R$ 183.311,10. Ao todo, o acúmulo do saldo negativo com os dois jogos chega aR$ 370.973,00.

Cabe destacar que o próximo jogo do Flamengo no Brasileiro será novamente no Maracanã. E será um clássico, contra o Botafogo, às 11h deste domingo, pela quinta rodada. O LANCE! transmitirá a partida em tempo real.

Russell Domingo will have the opportunity to end speculation over his future on Monday, when he can confirm whether or not he has reapplied for his job as South Africa’s head coach

Firdose Moonda02-Jul-2017Russell Domingo will have the opportunity to end speculation over his future on Monday, when he can confirm whether or not he has reapplied for his job as South Africa’s head coach. Domingo will be presented at a press conference as he prepares South Africa for a four-Test series against England, at the end of which his current contract runs out. CSA has advertised for and interviewed candidates to fill the post but could not be drawn into revealing whether Domingo is among them. The man himself, though, can comment on the process and bring to an end months of uncertainty.Since January, when CSA announced it would advertise the national post, Domingo has been non-committal over whether he wanted to continue in the role. In February, after South Africa beat Sri Lanka, Domingo said he needed “to think about” carrying on and by the end of March, in New Zealand, he told journalists he was was waiting to find out the process CSA was following in appointing a new coach.Subsequently, CSA announced a five-man panel including two former national coaches, Gary Kirsten and Eric Simons, to recommend a candidate for the coaching job. However, as recently as three weeks ago, when South Africa crashed out of the Champions Trophy, Domingo said he had “not yet” reapplied for his job, even though the deadline was less than a week away. CSA closed applications on June 16 and held interviews last week.ESPNcricinfo can confirm that Lions’ coach Geoffrey Toyana was among those interviewed. Toyana is considered a front-runner for the post after winning four trophies in five seasons for the Lions – and his status as favourite is thought to have discouraged other applicants, Domingo included.Several sources said Domingo had initially not been interested in putting his name forward and one insider even revealed that Domingo had enquired about taking over the South African A side. However, reports in the local media suggested that Domingo had either a late change of heart or was convinced to make himself available for the main job. CSA could not comment on the matter as it remains confidential.Many familiar faces have cropped up in reports on the other candidates. Among them is former Titans coach Richard Pybus, who is currently director of cricket in the West Indies, and Phil Simmons. Paddy Upton, who was also linked to an application, has not put himself into contention.CSA’s board will meet on July 21 and will receive the committee’s recommendation on the new coach, but their decision will only be made public after the Test series ends on August 8.

Ireland’s cricketers could be forgiven for feeling a touch over-familiar with their surroundings as they walk through the Long Room at Lord’s for the second ODIAfter all, Tim Murtag

Andrew Miller01-May-20173:41

‘If I bowl to him, it’s another wicket’

Ireland may have been waiting a decade for an invite to play England in England, and on the sport’s grandest stage of all, but their cricketers could be forgiven for feeling a touch over-familiar with their surroundings as they walk through the Long Room at Lord’s for the second ODI of an historic maiden series.After all, Tim Murtagh, Ireland’s opening bowler, claimed 43 wickets at 28.53 in Middlesex’s Championship-winning campaign last summer. That haul included five in the title showdown against Yorkshire at Lord’s in September, when he was given special dispensation by Cricket Ireland to arrive late for their tour of South Africa.Finn has point to prove in Ireland ODIs

Steven Finn says that he will use the two ODIs against Ireland to prove a point to England’s selectors after his omission from England’s squad for the Champions Trophy next month.
“These matches are an opportunity for me to remind England that I am still there and ready to go if they need me at any stage,” Finn said.
“I would rather just be part of an England squad full-time and know that I can focus my attention and energies on that, but at the moment I am in and out and that is something that just happens as you go through your career.
“I was hoping I would make the cut. I knew it would be a marginal call either way but I can’t sulk or be down about it, I just have to make sure that if I do get an opportunity through injury or a chance opens up, I have to make sure I am ready. That is my sole goal.”

In addition, a raft of senior Ireland batsmen have gained vital professional experience on Middlesex’s books. Among them Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie, Ed Joyce and, of course, the one who got away – England’s current ODI captain, Eoin Morgan, whose first proper airing on the world stage came during Ireland’s stunning run to the Super Eights at the 2007 World Cup.Whether such prior knowledge of the visitors has played any part in some impressive ticket sales for the Lord’s match in particular is a moot point – but something close to a 22,000 sell-out is anticipated, and there’s no question that the exploits of a formative generation of players has a lot to do with the interest in what may otherwise have been a slightly low-key opening to the English season.”The chance to play England at Lord’s is pretty special,” Murtagh said during a Royal London event in Belgravia. “I hope it will be an unusual Lord’s crowd, quite boisterous and getting behind us. Any time that ground is full, it is pretty special.”The fact that this is two games and not just one is great,” he added. “It’s recognition of Irish cricket, and the ECB have been supportive of Irish cricket over the last few years. They have spoken up for us at ICC board meetings, they are helping us develop, so it’s been a good relationship.”That bonhomie between boards hasn’t always been quite so apparent, however. In fact, the attitude of the previous ECB regime could be politely described as stand-offish. The two sides’ inaugural ODI encounter came more than a decade ago at Stormont in 2006 (when, as if to typify the prevailing attitude towards their international claims, Joyce was selected to make his debut … for England). But back then, and for the subsequent decade, their one-off biennial fixture was never much more than a sop, even after Ireland’s stunning victory in Bangalore during the 2011 World Cup.Tim Murtagh will be on familiar ground when Ireland play England at Lord’s this week•AFP

Times are, however, just threatening to change. Last week’s ICC board meeting in Dubai nudged Ireland one step closer to the holy grail of Test status, and while Warren Deutrom, their chief executive, hailed that prospect as “transformational”, Murtagh knows enough about cricket’s complex politics not to get his hopes up too soon.”All the noises are very positive and encouraging for us in terms of Test cricket,” he said. “But with the ICC you are never quite sure until everything has been finally agreed. They keep saying it will happen and then it gets put back to another meeting, so you are never quite sure. But it is definitely closer than it has ever been before and, if that happens, it will be a great opportunity to play Test cricket and grow the game in Ireland.”This is something we have worked hard towards in terms of setting up a first-class structure. We feel we are ready – obviously it’s going to be tough and results might not be what you would want initially, but that has happened to every Test nation that first comes into the Test arena. We are ready for it and looking forward to it.”The pity for Ireland, for all that this week is undoubtedly a cause for celebration, is that their England invitation has arrived at a time when they may struggle to match the standards that they have worked so hard to raise. The team that transformed the horizons for Irish cricket is beginning to drift apart, and in the wake of a chastening series loss to Afghanistan in March, Murtagh is realistic about the team’s current status.Steven Finn and Tim Murtagh, Middlesex team-mates, will be on opposing sides this week•Royal London

“There is a slight transitional phase for Irish cricket,” he said. “We lost some big players in the dressing room. Trent Johnson, who captained for a long time, was a very under-rated cricketer and a real driving force behind Irish cricket, and we’ve also lost John Mooney and Alex Cusack in the last few years.”We have some good younger guys – Craig Young, Peter Chase, up-and-coming young bowlers – but they are quite raw at the moment, so it is going to take them a bit of time to get up to speed. There’s definitely some exciting young players in Irish cricket, but the results in the last couple of years haven’t been as good as they were in the few years previously to that.”Nevertheless, the chance to take on England in a full series – not to mention New Zealand and Bangladesh in the forthcoming tri-series on home soil – is one that Ireland’s cricketers will gladly grasp, as they embark on yet another small step along the road to recognition.Steven Finn and Tim Murtagh were speaking on behalf of Royal London, proud sponsors of one-day cricket, ahead of the upcoming ODI matches against Ireland.

Sunderland impressed by wrapping up the majority of their transfer business early in the window, but manager Tony Mowbray has made it clear the club are still in need of another striker.

Who have Sunderland signed?

The Black Cats have targeted youthful players so far this summer, with Nectarios Triantis, Jobe Bellingham, Luis 'Hemir' Semedo and Jenson Seelt all joining so far.

However, while Hemir arrives with a reputation of being a hugely talented striker following his time at Benfica, he has yet to play any senior football.

Factor in Amad Diallo's return to parent club Manchester United, plus the fact Ross Stewart is going to miss the start of the new season, and it is clear why Mowbray has publicly stated his desire to bring in another attacking player.

Ellis Simms looked like being the ideal man to lead the line for Sunderland next season after his hugely successful spell on loan in the first half of the 2022-23 campaign – when he netted seven goals in just 17 games – but Championship rivals Coventry City got to the Everton striker first.

That leaves Sunderland looking far and wide for another striker, and it may be that they turn to one of their previous targets, with the East Anglian Daily Times reporting earlier this year that Mowbray is a fan of Peterborough United's Jonson Clarke-Harris.

How many goals has Jonson Clarke-Harris scored?

Clarke-Harris does not exactly fit the profile for the type of player Sunderland have previously targeted, given the £6.1k-per-week striker will turn 29 later this month.

However, that is arguably the peak age for a striker, while Clarke-Harris's experience – and not least his goalscoring ability – could be a huge factor in what Black Cats supporters will hope is another promotion push this coming season.

Indeed, Clarke-Harris has twice won the Golden Boot award in League One – a division he is clearly too good for.

The one-cap Jamaica international jointly-led the scoring charts again in the third tier last season with 26 goals in 46 regular-season games, yet Peterborough somehow missed out on promotion after capitulating in their play-off semi-final with Sheffield Wednesday.

Clarke-Harris has over 400 senior appearances to his name, having started his career by becoming Coventry's youngest-ever player aged 16 in 2010, and has scored 138 times.

The Leicester-born striker averaged 0.59 goals per 90 minutes during the regular League One season last time out, as per FBref, which is a tally only Stewart (0.86) can better among Sunderland players, albeit in a division higher.

It would be easy to dismiss Clarke-Harris as a player who can perform in League One but is unable to take the step up to the Championship, yet he scored 12 goals in a poor Peterborough team the last time he played at that level. To put that in some perspective, only Diallo (13) bettered that among Sunderland players last season.

Hailed as a "special talent" during his time at Rotherham United by then-manager Steve Evans, it may well be that Clarke-Harris now has a chance to show exactly what he is capable of for a team battling to earn promotion from the Championship.

Such a signing would then be a solution to the Black Cats' problem position…

Celtic are expected to sign Melbourne City attacker Marco Tilio, according to reports.

What’s the latest Celtic transfer news?

The Hoops look set to be busy in the summer window following Brendan Rodgers’ return as manager, with the Northern Irishman reportedly handed a £30m transfer budget by club officials ahead of the 2023/24 season.

A move for midfielder Odin Thiago Holm has already been confirmed by the club, with the Norwegian joining from Valerenga on a five-year deal.

Attention has now turned to further additions, with those at Celtic Park continuing to look into the Asian market. A significant bid has been made for Yang Hyun-jun from Gangwon FC, whereas Gwangju FC’s Eom Ji-sung and Jeong Ho-yeon have also been scouted ahead of possible Parkhead moves.

Tilio is another player who appears to be of interest, and there has been a development in the club’s pursuit of the forward, who was linked with joining Rodgers’ side last week.

According to The Daily Record, Celtic are close to confirming a deal for Tilio after a fee was ‘thrashed out’ between the two clubs. The report adds that the payer has also agreed terms over a move to Glasgow and a deal is now subject to a work permit and documentation being issued.

Who is Marco Tilio?

Tilio, who actually shares the same agency as former Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou, is primarily a right-winger but can also play on the left or as an attacking midfielder.

The 21-year-old made the move to Melbourne City from Sydney back in 2020 and the left-footed attacker has gone on to make 82 senior appearances for the club, scoring 20 times and registering 19 assists.

The Aussie’s Transfermarkt valuation stands at a career-high €1m currently, and Tilio has also been praised by Melbourne boss Rado Vidosic, who appears to have already admitted defeat in his bid to keep the attacker in the A-League.

“I doubt we will be able to keep him. He has had a fantastic season for us.”

Should a move go through as expected, Tilio will offer Rodgers another versatile option in the final third, becoming the third right-winger alongside James Forrest and Liel Abada.

The Celtic boss has three left-wingers so a move for Tilio would balance the options nicely, and who knows, a move for a third centre-forward to rival Kyogo Furuhashi and Oh Hyeon-gyu could also be on the club’s agenda.

Everton have already got a plan in place should they lose Jordan Pickford, with the Toffees lining up a move for Sam Johnstone.

Are Everton signing Sam Johnstone this summer?

The current Crystal Palace goalkeeper only joined the Eagles back at the beginning of the 2022/23 season but could already be off. He managed nine appearances for the SE25 outfit in the top flight this term, conceding ten goals along the way.

It meant that he had to make do with plenty of time on the bench and having been a first-team option with West Brom prior to the move, he likely won't have been too happy to merely sit on the sidelines.

Indeed, he impressed when given the chance to play frequently in the Premier League in the past. When West Brom were last in the top division, he played on 37 occasions and despite his side being relegated that year, he was dubbed one of the best 'keepers in the league by Big Sam Allardyce.

Continuing to play often in the Championship, he played a further 36 times for the Baggies and was then eventually given a way back into the Premier League by Palace.

Now, according to various reports (via The Daily Mail), the shot-stopper may have another chance to play regularly in the top flight. That's because Everton appear to be preparing a move for Johnstone, should they end up losing Jordan Pickford.

The former Man United goalkeeper would cost little – he has a release clause of just £10m – and has experience at the top-level, and is seen as a good replacement for the England number one. Pickford is a wanted man by the Red Devils himself and should they opt to sign him, it could trigger a chain of events that sees Johnstone end up at Goodison Park.

When does Johnstone's contract expire?

His current deal at Palace only expires in 2026 but that clause in his deal could mean that he leaves the club already – and for relatively cheap as well.

He's clearly seen as a very good and reliable option in goal, with former boss Steve Bruce calling Johnstone "wonderful" as a player during his time at West Brom. It was his performances for the Baggies and prior to his stint there that earned him a move to Palace – and now, he could end up being the first-team choice at Everton too, should Pickford be sold.

West Ham are plotting to launch an ambitious loan bid for Manchester United starlet Amad Diallo.

That's according to the Northern Echo, which state the Hammers are the latest Premier League to register an interest in the 20-year-old.

The Ivorian has just finished a loan spell with Sunderland and is due to return to Carrington for the start of pre-season in the North-West later this summer.

The report also details that Erik ten Hag intends to give the mercurial talent a chance to force himself into the first-team plans, but hasn’t ruled out any loan move if he feels it benefits Diallo’s development.

Sunderland had harboured hopes of resigning the youngster, but with several top-flight clubs interested, it seems that Diallo is destined for Premier League football in some capacity next season.

Would Amad Diallo be a good signing for West Ham?

The Ivorian's career had veered off track after cutting a peripheral figure during a loan spell with Rangers at the beginning of 2022, making just 13 appearances.

He then joined the Black Cats in August of last year and recorded 16 goal involvements in 37 Championship outings. This meant he was the club’s top scorer and was an indispensable component that narrowly missed out on promotion after losing to Luton in the play-off semi-finals.

When the former Atalanta prodigy joined the Red Devils in 2021, then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær predicted a huge future for the star and said: “His speed, vision, and fantastic dribbling ability will stand him in good stead to make the transition.

"He is a player with all of the raw attributes that are needed to be an important player for Manchester United in the years to come."

After his imperious stint in Wearside, the "electric" winger – as per The Athletic's Peter Rutzler – ranks within the highest 27% to those at a similar level for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, according to FBref.

Extraordinary levels of productivity led his teammate Luke O’Nein to describe him as “incredible.”

His small, weaving diminutive stature, coupled with his potency, close control, and frightening speed means that he shares many similar traits to Arsenal’s Buyako Saka.

The Englishman has been unplayable for the title challengers, having notched 25 goal contributions in 38 top-flight outings and ranking inside the top 10% of positionally similar players in Europe for progressive carries, to underline his similarity to the United starlet.

It is uncalculated to suggest that Diallo will immediately replicate these sensational numbers, but given consistent minutes in the manner that Mikel Arteta has nurtured Saka, it would be exciting to see where this player could end up.

He has clearly proven he is emphatically above Championship level and the London Stadium would be a perfect destination to continue the right pathway.