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Arsenal are reportedly keen on acquiring Leicester City and England's Harvey Barnes, with Spurs and West Ham also interested in the attacker, according to The Daily Mail's Simon Jones.

How much will Harvey Barnes cost?

Barnes has consistently had good seasons since his introduction to the Leicester first-team. Coming through the academy, Barnes really established himself in the 2019-20 campaign, scoring six and assisting eight in his first season as a first choice player.

The Foxes' winger has since then directly contributed to 15, 16 and 14 goals through assists and strikes of his own up until the 2022-23 term.

Perhaps most impressively given the side's struggles as a whole, Barnes scored a valiant 13 goals last season, but was unable to save his boyhood side despite his best efforts. Barnes also boasts a singular international cap for England, featuring from the bench in a 3-0 win over Wales back in 2020.

This must all be taken into account when considering the fee The Foxes could ask for, though he was part of a side relegated last season, which severely weakens the selling club's position. The fee is reported by Leicester Mercury to be in the region on £30m, a steal in this market for a player Jurgen Klopp once referred to as an "unbelievable player".

Would Barnes be a good signing for Arsenal?

Barnes is a player who seems to have an incredibly high ceiling, over performing in a sorry Leicester side as their standout star alongside James Maddison. Barnes is also a player who seems to be adored by all of his coaches, likely for his high work rate mixed with technical ability.

Former Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers was a keen fan of the 25-year-old, once saying:

“Harvey I thought was incredible. His finish looked easy but it wasn’t. When you’re a young player it’s about adjusting and adapting.

"His confidence and finishing is much better. He looks like he’s going to score in every game he plays. He’s a great learner and a big talent.”

Clearly he has the talent, and Mikel Arteta is known for making young players better, so this move could be a match made in heaven for both Barnes and Arsenal – he could thrive in a competitive environment with world-class players all around him.

The young speedster however could prefer a move to a club with an easier path to the starting XI, given the impending European Championships next summer, which he will likely be eager to play in.

Mohammad Amir has picked up a side strain that will limit his role in the ongoing third and final Test in Sydney to batting

Osman Samiuddin at the SCG06-Jan-2017Which will it be for the last day of this Test series? Will it be the Pakistan that we saw towards the end of the Brisbane Test, never quite down and pushing towards what would have been the most epic scaling of a target in Test cricket? Or will it be the Pakistan of Melbourne’s last day, unable to bat out 67 overs on a blameless surface to secure a draw?It is difficult to believe that this Pakistan side is one bad session from yet another whitewash in Australia, what would be the fourth in a row. Difficult as much because this is no vintage Australia side and that this was Pakistan’s most settled side in nearly 15 years to visit; difficult because, for once, Pakistan’s batting has done enough good work most of which their supposedly better halves have wasted.It hasn’t worked out that way but even this deadest of dead rubbers holds some point for Pakistan. A draw will be their best result since the Sydney win over 20 years ago. It will be small consolation, but consolation enough and perhaps an appropriate way to sign off on the Misbah era.”We want to finish this series on a good note,” said Younis Khan, who ended Pakistan’s first innings unbeaten on 175, his first hundred in Australia. “It will be better for us if we show some fight. It will not be easy. Fifth day of a Test, in Sydney, they have two spinners and they have good fast bowlers.”You can’t say [which Pakistan will turn up]. But my wish and effort is – though we cannot win the series, we were capable of winning it but we didn’t – but at least, if we do well tomorrow, if we fight tomorrow, it will be very good for the Pakistan cricket and the side.”It has been a strange tour from which to glean positives. The highs have been exquisite and solely reserved for the batsmen, but they have all come with a bittersweet after-taste. Asad Shafiq’s hundred in the fourth innings at Brisbane, Azhar Ali’s double-hundred at the MCG and now Younis’ 34th century – ordinarily they would be cause for greater celebration for Pakistani batsmen in Australia but they might end up as the footnotes of a whitewash.Younis’ innings itself was unusual in that it came in a dead rubber (only the second of his 34 for which that is the case) and it brought mixed feelings.”Definitely,” he said. “I don’t believe there needs to be big individual performances – I believe in having even minor performances but those which help you to winning a game, towards winning, towards positive result.”But there could be longer-term benefits. “It is a good sign for Pakistan that Azhar for instance scored a double in the last Test and it was Pakistan’s best innings in Australia. Big names have come here, big openers have come here and they didn’t do as well.”Also Asad Shafiq, the way he played in that Test, and then my innings. I think from a series like this, if you have those kinds of innings, it really motivates and inspires youngsters back home. Back home there is no cricket but against top teams – although this is a young Australia team, rebuilding and not like the ones we faced in 2004 and even 2010 – but these performances, the youngsters in the country get good motivation.”I came a bit late to this series so I can’t highlight this [hundred] that much. But on the other side, I did have a desire to get a century here so I’m thankful for that.”

New Zealand have called on legspinner Ish Sodhi for the final ODI against Australia in Hamilton

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Feb-20171:21

‘Ish Sodhi is on the top of his game’ – Larsen

New Zealand have recalled the legspinner Ish Sodhi for the deciding Chappell-Hadlee match in Hamilton on Sunday following his success against Australia in the corresponding fixture last year.Sodhi, who enjoyed a fruitful stint with the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League – that he said rejuvenated his love for the game – was a key performer for the hosts when they emerged victorious in the deciding match of the 2016 series at Seddon Park. Figures of 2 for 31, including the wickets of the captain Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell, earned Sodhi the Man of the Match award.”History shows that the Seddon Park pitch can be spin friendly and for that reason Ish has been brought into the squad,” New Zealand national selector Gavin Larsen said.”We wanted the option of two specialist spinners for this match and it’s a venue that Ish has had some success in at in the past. Mike [Hesson] and Kane [Williamson] will now get the opportunity to assess the pitch over the next couple of days and make a decision from there as to who will be in the playing eleven.”Sodhi’s time in the BBL was highlighted by a devastating spell of 6 for 11 that served to eliminate the defending champions Sydney Thunder from the competition.In other team news, Dean Brownlie has been retained in the squad as Martin Guptill remains doubtful due to a hamstring strain. “Martin has made progress in the last couple of days, but it’s not yet clear whether he’ll be available for selection,” Larsen said. “At this stage it’s probably 50-50.”The wicketkeeper Tom Blundell has been released to Wellington after Tom Latham’s good work with the gloves in the opening match of the series in Auckland.

Everton transfer target Boulaye Dia could rival Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Goodison Park if he were to join the club this summer…

Everton latest transfer news – Boulaye Dia price named

After narrowly avoiding relegation for the second year in a row, the Toffees have got their work cut out for them as they look to strengthen the squad this summer, trying to prevent being dragged into another scrap towards the rear end of the Premier League next season.

FootballTransfers recently revealed the club were interested in a couple of players from the recently relegated Leeds United squad, with Jack Harrison and Wilfried Gnonto catching their eye. Sean Dyche is also weighing up a move for Manchester United youngster Anthony Elanga.

Everton aren't limiting themselves to attacking midfielders, though, with the club also monitoring Dia, who plied his trade as an electrician before signing his first professional contract at 21 years old, ahead of a potential move this summer, according to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness).

It's believed that interested parties have until July 20th to activate Dia's release clause, which is thought to be in the region of €25m (£21.5m). Premier League rivals West Ham United and Burnley are also said to be keen.

How does Boulaye Dia compare to Dominic Calvert-Lewin?

It's safe to say that Everton were just woeful in front of goal last season.

Only Wolverhampton Wanderers scored less goals in the Premier League than the Toffees, and it was largely responsible for their struggles throughout the campaign that saw them only narrowly avoid relegation to the Championship on the final day of the season.

The club's top scorer was Dwight McNeil with just seven goals in all competitions, and while they would once rely heavily on Calvert-Lewin's offensive output, an injury-ravaged couple of years seem to have brought his days as an elite goalscorer to an end.

After scoring 16 league goals in 33 games during the 2020/21 Premier League season, the 26-year-old has been limited to just 34 appearances in England's top flight since, with several unfortunate injuries seriously hindering his career.

With just seven league goals in the last two years, Calvert-Lewin's time as a reliable number-one option may have come to an end, and adding Dia to the Toffees squad makes a lot of sense, as he would immediately rival the 26-year-old as the club's primary forward.

Spending last season on loan at Salernitana, Dia had a fantastic season in Serie A, with 16 league goals and six assists convincing the team to pursue a permanent deal this summer.

The two strikers are very different types of players, though, with Calvert-Lewin known for his imposing figure and dominating presence in the air, having won an average of 3.9 aerial battles a game last year, while Dia only won 0.6 a game and is recognised more for his tendency to drive forward with the ball, completing 48 progressive carries in Italy last year, while the Englishman completed just 18.

Yet still, he does possess some physical qualities, as journalist Joshua Bunting was quick to hail him for being a "handful to deal with due to his hold up" play.

The "exciting" Senegal international – as described by journalist Dean Jones – is also known for his ability to create chances for his teammates as well, with 1.1 key passes a game last season contributing to six assists in the league, while the Everton man only averaged 0.5 key passes a game in the Premier League for the Toffees and finished the year with just one assist.

Adding a goalscorer to their squad is vital for Everton this summer and Dia offers the chance to add one who not only has a knack for finding the back of the net but has also shown his ability to create chances for his teammates too.

David de Gea's future is hanging "in the balance" at Manchester United as Erik ten Hag is yet to make a decision on whether to hand the Spaniard a new contract, according to Dharmesh Sheth.

What's the latest on De Gea?

De Gea endured a somewhat turbulent season with the Red Devils last year.

The 32-year-old won the Premier League Golden Glove award, as well as being nominated for Save of the Season accolade, but made a number of high-profile gaffes throughout the campaign that led to question marks over the shot-stopper's future.

Much of the discourse surrounding De Gea has been due to his inability to play with his feet, certainly in comparison to other goalkeepers in the division, leaving Ten Hag questioning whether a more progressive, modern goalkeeper is needed for his squad.

Despite his contract expiring at the end of June, United left the Spaniard off their retained list at the end of the season, suggesting that contract discussions are taking place.

De Gea has already agreed a pay cut to his £375,000-a-week salary, but talks have seemingly not progressed, even prompting the goalkeeper to post a yawning emoji on his Twitter account.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Dharmesh Sheth admitted that De Gea's future is still very much uncertain at Old Trafford.

"I’ve spoken to him many times about David de Gea, and it looked like it was odds on he was going to stay at Manchester United. Erik ten Hag would make all the right noises in news conferences particularly after high-profile errors David de Gea would make. He would say ‘Look, he’s kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League."

Sheth added: "But the information we’re getting now is that David de Gea’s Manchester United future is in the balance, and that both parties, Manchester United and David de Gea, are considering all of their options."

If De Gea were to leave the club for free, United would need to dip into the market to find a new goalkeeper, leaving even fewer funds to be spread across the rest of the team.

De Gea has enjoyed a fruitful 12-year career at the Theatre of Dreams, appearing 545 times for the Red Devils and winning five major trophies with the club.

Who could United replace De Gea with?

Links with several goalkeepers have already surfaced as United prepare for a potential future without De Gea, the most prominent of which has been rumours of a deal for Inter's Andre Onana.

According to reports, Onana's agent has already met with Manchester United to discuss a move, with Ten Hag being told his side need to cough up over £40m for the recent Champions League finalist.

There have also been strong links with Everton and England stopper Jordan Pickford, as well as Porto's young goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

However, it appears that Onana is the priority should De Gea be pushed out of Old Trafford this summer.

South Africa want more batsmen going on to a significant score after a number of loose dismissals in the previous match

The Preview by Andrew McGlashan24-Feb-2017Match FactsFebruary 25, 2017
Start time 2.00pm local (0100GMT)Big PictureSouth Africa are back to zero, but they didn’t let their winning streak go without a fight. New Zealand have only beaten them twice in nine previous bilateral series and it would have been very difficult to see them coming back from 2-0 down. Now, though, they prepare for the Wellington match with an air of confidence.The difference in Christchurch was that New Zealand had Ross Taylor take control of the innings while no one for South Africa could play the dominant innings. In their 12-match run, they had 10 individual centuries from six different players but there was an air of wastefulness about some of the shots during the run chase at Hagley Oval. Better now, though, than in the Champions Trophy.Mike Hesson said there were “more answers than questions” for New Zealand but added that you can’t tick every box at the same time. That was a reference to Tom Latham’s form, the one significant issue they have to decide on, and whether to retain him as wicketkeeper ahead of Luke Ronchi.Form guideNew Zealand WLWWW (completed matches, most recent first)
South Africa LWWWWIn the spotlightNeil Broom shelved the relative security of his county deal with Derbyshire for another crack with New Zealand. It was a memorable comeback against Bangladesh with scores of 109 not out and 97, followed by a crucial 73 against Australia. In this series he has had two loose dismissals; cramped for room on the pull and then slapping a short ball to point. He could yet become the fall-guy if there is a reshuffle in the batting to retain the six-bowler balance.Is South Africa’s shot selection starting to let them down? Quinton de Kock has twice thrown his wicket away with a half-century to his name, Faf du Plessis fell to a big sweep in the opening match, and then left an even bigger gate in the second, and JP Duminy, although twice defeated by clever pieces of bowling, has been a little soft with his dismissals. There is immense power in the order, time for a touch more responsibility.Team newsHesson indicated that New Zealand were getting closer to knowing their best combination. That appears to signal maintaining the two quicks, two spinners, two allrounders balance.New Zealand (probable) 1 Dean Brownlie, 2 Tom Latham (wk), 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Neil Broom, 6 Jimmy Neesham, 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Ish Sodhi, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Trent BoultKagiso Rabada is available after missing the previous match with a knee niggle. If he returns, Wayne Parnell could be the man to make way after Dwaine Pretorius’ impressive outing in Christchurch.South Africa (probable) 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 JP Duminy, 6 David Miller, 7 Dwaine Pretorius, 8 Chris Morris, 9 Andile Phehulkwayo, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Imran TahirPitch and conditionsAfter the beautiful ground at Hagley Oval it’s back to a stadium. ODI cricket returned to the Basin Reserve for the first time in 11 years last January, but this match is at the Westpac – or Cake Tin as it’s known. It has one of the lower first-innings scoring rates of New Zealand grounds – 5.02 – but the totals can range from the sublime (New Zealand’s 393 in the World Cup quarter-final against West Indies) to the ridiculous (England’s 123 in the same tournament). The forecast is set fair with some warm sunshine.Stats and trivia AB de Villiers now needs five runs for 9000 (he has scored his 8995 runs from 9000 deliveries) The teams have played twice at the Westpac: New Zealand won by five runs in 2004, South Africa by six wickets in 2012 Tim Southee is the leading wicket-taker at the Westpac with 23 wickets from seven matches, one ahead of Daniel Vettori who claimed 22 in 21 outingsQuotes”It’s great to be involved in games that go down the wire and, as a death bowler, it’s something you look forward. It won’t come off every time, but when it does it’s very satisfying – especially in those very close ones.”
“As a batting unit we understood nobody in that top-six took responsibility. That’s the disappointing part of the result. Especially myself, getting in and not taking it home for the team. That’s something we pride ourselves on.”
JP Duminy was clear on one area of improvement for South Africa