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Southampton might ‘have to forget’ about signing PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo in January if he secures a World Cup place, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Three-horse race

Premier League clubs Manchester United and Leeds, alongside the Saints, were all credited with an interest in the winger over the summer after an impressive debut season under Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Sky Sports claimed that the Red Devils were preparing an offer for the 23-year-old, but decided against a move after securing Antony, leaving the south coast outfit to battle it out with the Whites for his signature.

Fabrizio Romano later revealed on deadline day that both sides had seen approaches rejected, with Ralph Hasenhuttl bringing in Samuel Edozie as a last-minute replacement.

The Latest: Southampton’s ultimatum

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones praised Gakpo’s recent form and admitted that Southampton may have to end their pursuit should he make the Netherlands’ World Cup squad in November. He said:

“It genuinely has been unreal. And if he makes himself part of that Netherlands setup for the World Cup, I think Southampton and Leeds will have to forget about it.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

Gakpo is believed to be valued at £35m by Eindhoven which you would imagine is out of the Saints’ price range, but if they are able to cash in on a big-name player, this is a deal that they should 100% look at pursuing.

The Dutchman, dubbed an ‘enormous talent’ by Telegraaf journalist Wierd Duk, has already netted ten goals and provided nine assists in 13 appearances across all competitions this season (Transfermarkt).

Gakpo offers plenty of versatility having operated on the left flank as well as in attacking midfield, so it’s no surprise to learn that Hasenhuttl was so keen to land him in the summer.

Leeds United are closing in on a deal to bring Willy Gnonto to Elland Road this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication Corriere dello Sport (via MOT Leeds News), who claim that, following numerous reports linking Victor Orta with a move for the FC Zurich centre-forward in recent weeks, the Spaniard is now very close to sealing a deal for the 18-year-old.

The report goes on to state that, despite the interest of Feyenoord, the Whites’ director of football is now nearing a €5m (£4.2m) agreement with the Swiss Super League club, with Orta said to be intensifying his efforts to close the deal in the coming days.

“Superb” talent

Considering the sheer amount of potential that Gnonto seems to possess, Corriere dello Sport’s report claiming that Orta looks to be closing in on a deal to bring the forward to Elland Road this summer is incredibly exciting news for everyone involved with Leeds.

Indeed, over his 33 Super League appearances last season, the £9m-rated talent enjoyed a remarkable campaign. He scored eight goals, registered three assists and created four big chances for his team-mates, in addition to taking 1.4 shots, making 0.8 key passes and completing 0.9 dribbles per game.

As a result of these impressive returns, the 18-year-old was called up to Italy’s senior squad for this summer’s UEFA Nations League fixtures against Germany, England and Hungary, with the striker becoming the Azzurri’s youngest-ever goalscorer after netting against the Germans.

However, this was not the first time that the player Jacek Kulig dubbed “superb” had caught the eye for his country, with the former Inter Milan sensation – who can also operate as a support striker and on either flank – having already bagged 11 goals across 31 appearances for Italy’s various youth age groups.

As such, when taking into account that the player who Roberto Mancini claimed “can do everything” will only turn 19 in November, it is evident that Gnonto is an incredibly gifted young talent. A reported fee £4.2m very much appears to be something of a steal for Orta should he manage to finalise the teenager’s signing as Leeds’ eighth summer arrival in the coming weeks.

Tottenham Hotspur have blocked the exit of midfield starlet Bryan Gil to Valencia this summer, according to journalist Hector Gomez.

The Lowdown: Spurs trying to offload…

To balance the books after a summer of real transfer activity, sporting director Fabio Paratici has allegedly been attempting to get surplus-to-requirements players out the door.

Napoli are thought to be advancing for midfield outcast and club record signing Tanguy Ndombele after Spurs completed a deal to let fellow out-of-favour star Giovani Lo Celso join Villarreal on loan.

Other players could potentially follow them, but not Gil, as Gomez shares the latest out of N17.

The Latest: Tottenham block Gil exit…

Despite Spurs being open to letting Gil leave earlier this window, it appears they’ve now performed a U-turn.

Indeed, according to the reporter of Tribuna Deportiva, Valencia are now looking at alternative winger targets after the north Londoners stopped their starlet from joining the La Liga side again this campaign.

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He explained (via Twitter):

“Spurs stops the exit of Bryan Gil when there was an agreement with the player and the VCF looks for a winger as priority.

Right now two open lines: Timothy Weah (Lille), Nacho Pussetto (Watford).”

The Verdict: Right call?

Gil was named on the bench for Tottenham’s rip-roaring 2-2 draw against Chelsea at the weekend, perhaps indicating he could be in manager Antonio Conte’s plans for the 2022/2023 Premier League season.

Tottenham’s lack of an attacking midfield signing could maybe gift the Spaniard a route into first team action ahead of what will be a crucial season.

All eyes will be on Spurs and whether they can build upon their brilliant finish to 2021/2022.

Leeds United have been affected by an issue surrounding the arrival of their new kit this summer, reliable journalist Phil Hay has reported.

The Lowdown: New season edging closer

The Whites are now less than two weeks away from beginning their 2022/23 Premier League season, following a productive summer in the transfer market.

Leeds open their top-flight campaign at home to Wolves on August 6 as Jesse Marsch’s side look to steer well clear of relegation this time around.

Off the pitch at Elland Road, however, a separate issue is causing potential problems for the Whites’ behind-the-scenes staff.

The Latest: Hay reveals kit issue

Taking to Twitter in sharing a report for The Athletic, Hay explained how Leeds’ new Adidas kit for 2022/23 is set to arrive late, due to issues in the Far East, among other factors.

The reporter outlined:

“Leeds United are one of numerous clubs affected by the late arrival of new kit this summer. Covid shutdowns in the Far East, manufacturers prioritising other products, distribution pressures.”

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The Verdict: Potential financial blow

The longer this problem goes on, the more that Leeds are missing out in a financial sense, with plenty of supporters around the world no doubt keen to purchase the new strip.

It means that none of that money is coming in currently and the new season is almost upon us, so some behind the scenes at the club will no doubt be frustrated. Indeed, Hay mentioned in his report that the delay is likely to cost the Whites ‘a sizeable sum of money’.

It is also arguably an unwanted distraction for the team as they don a temporary kit for the time being, and the hope is that it doesn’t affect their focus ahead of the Wolves match… not that it should.

Nottingham Forest have already signed seven new players this summer and are showing no signs of slowing down in the transfer market, as Steve Cooper endeavours to build a squad fit to compete in the Premier League for the first time in 23 years.

The newly-promoted side have already lost a number of last season’s squad, with James Garner returning to Manchester United, Djed Spence completing a move to Tottenham Hotspur, Keinan Davis returning to Aston Villa and Brice Samba making a permanent move to Lens.

Nevertheless, Forest are wasting no time in their pursuit to maintain their Premier League status next season and are filling key positions comfortably despite deadline day being still over six weeks away.

After signing Dean Henderson on loan from Man United, despite reports linking Garner with a return to The City Ground, it would be impossible to complete a straightforward loan deal as Premier League clubs are not allowed to loan two players from the same club at the same time.

As a result, Cooper could land his dream replacement for the young Red Devils midfielder by plotting a move for a player who has already been linked with a move to Forest this summer, Amadou Onana.

The £50m midfielder – who was hailed a “huge talent” by Jacek Kulig – has put in some impressive performances and been a consistent force in Ligue One over last season.

Over 32 league appearances last season, Onana scored one goal and created three big chances, as well as made an average of 1.5 tackles and won 3.4 duels per game, in addition to completing the majority of his dribbles.

Tackling, ground duels and ball control are strengths noted by SofaScore, proving that he is a six-foot-five powerhouse with bags of potential to develop into a great player in the right team.

The Belgian 20-year-old is a very hot prospect and has been linked with a number of clubs this summer including Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle United and West Ham United.

With that being said, Forest will need to act fast if they do want to sign the Lille OSC midfielder this summer, as West Ham United have already reportedly tabled a £32.3m bid.

AND in other news: Bid made: Nottingham Forest in talks for £10m “nightmare”, he’s a big Colback upgrade

Crystal Palace face plenty of Premier League competition for reported defensive target Chris Richards.

The lowdown

Palace have made two first-team additions so far ahead of Patrick Vieira’s second season in charge.

18-year-old winger Malcolm Ebiowei has arrived from Derby County, while goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has joined on a free transfer following his departure from West Bromwich Albion.

Richards, 22, belongs to Bayern Munich but has had two spells on loan at fellow Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim. He’s predominantly a centre-back but has also recorded 18 out of 107 appearances as a full-back.

The Athletic reported last month that Palace have shown an interest in signing the American this summer.

Richards, under contract at the Allianz Arena until June 2025, is valued at £6.75million by Transfermarkt. He’d be competing with the likes of Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen for a starting role at Selhurst Park.

The latest

According to a report from 90Min’s Chris Smith, Brighton, Leeds and Southampton are also now ‘watching’ Richards. It’s the Saints who are thought to hold the strongest interest at this moment in time.

Richards is even believed to have more suitors in Germany and France and wants to play regularly ahead of the Qatar World Cup at the end of the year.

The verdict

Richards is a very well-rounded centre-back. He’s accomplished in possession, ranking in the 82nd percentile among positional peers for progressive passes and above average for progressive carries (via FBRef).

He defends on the front-foot (83rd percentile for pressures and interceptions) and records exceptionally high volumes of blocks (99th percentile) and successful aerial duels (98th).

And on top of all that, he can also be a threat offensively, placing in the 80th percentile for total shots.

FBRef compare him to Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels and Tottenham Hotspur’s Davinson Sanchez.

He’s a player who’s generated considerable excitement, featuring in the IFFHS Men’s World Youth Team in 2020 alongside the likes of Wesley Fofana, Alphonso Davies, Eduardo Camavinga, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland.

Indeed, BBC Sport journalist Raj Chohan says the ‘class’ Richards is similar to Fofana in that he’s ‘suited  to playing in a high line’.

He could be an excellent addition to Palace’s centre-back ranks, but it looks like they’ll have to fend off some serious competition.

Aston Villa are now plotting a bid for Burnley centre back Ben Mee as Steven Gerrard looks to improve his backline ahead of next season.

What’s the word?

That’s according to The Mirror [via Read Aston Villa], who reported that West Ham and Everton are also in the hunt to sign the Clarets defender this summer.

The 32-year-old is out of contract at the end of the month and will be available on a free transfer as he looks set to leave Burnley following an 11-year spell at the club.

Gerrard can add to his squad

The Villa manager has already made a head-start on his Premier League rivals in the transfer market and it hasn’t even officially opened yet, having signed no fewer than four players for the Midlands club in the last month.

Among them is a defender, Diego Carlos, who will add a greater presence at the heart of the Villa backline, but Gerrard doesn’t want to stop there considering the reports emerging about Mee.

The £73k-p/w Burnley centre-back, whose former boss Sean Dyche once called “very strong”, would be a solid and reliable signing for the 42-year-old as he aims to build a new-look defence.

His ability in the air and talent for reading the game well could see another one of the Villa backline potentially leave, as the manager clearly wants to bring in his own signings to challenge for places.

Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa were both underwhelming during the 2021/22 season. With WhoScored ratings of 6.74 and 6.43 respectively, placing them 10th and 17th in Gerrard’s squad, they hardly set the world alight as Villa conceded 54 goals in the Premier League.

Although he maybe not as exotic as new signing Carlos, Mee could prove to be a cost-effective short-term solution to a longer-term problem at Villa Park.

If a move does materialise for the 32-year-old, Gerrard will surely have to axe either Mings (who has been targeted by Newcastle) or Konsa in order to continue the restructuring of his side.

Villa needs a strong start next season, or else the project that Gerrard has got going in the Midlands might go up in a puff of smoke. The same could be said for Mings’ Villa career if Mee does come in and prove to be a success.

AND in other news, Lange can land “the next Declan Rice” as Villa eye talent who’s “getting rave reviews”

The Athletic’s Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers has provided an update on the possibility of the West Midlands club luring Valencia forward Goncalo Guedes to Molineux this summer.

What’s the story?

Speaking on the Talking Wolves YouTube channel, Spiers explained: “So he’s one, again, given who he is and his agency, he’s just constantly on Wolves’ radar, obviously because they know it’s a deal that they can do.

“So that link will perpetually be there, really. If a forward option came up this summer, he’d be right at the top of the list for them.”

The winger has one year left on his current deal with the La Liga outfit and is a client of Jorge Mendes, who represents numerous members of Wolves’ squad.

Therefore, the Portuguese agent’s association with Guedes could seriously increase the likelihood of the 25-year-old signing for Wolves this summer.

Wolves must sign Guedes

If Wolves are to strengthen any position this summer, you would argue that it would have to be in attack, with Bruno Lage’s side ending the campaign with one of the Premier League’s lowest scoring records.

Despite finishing 10th, the Old Gold scored just 38 goals in as many top-flight matches, with only the three relegated clubs scoring fewer goals.

Moreover, creativity from the flanks has been limited in the league this term, with Daniel Podence being Wolves’ most potent winger with two goals and three assists.

Guedes would undoubtedly improve Wolves’ front line, with the 29-cap Portugal international scoring 11 goals and setting up a further six in La Liga this season as Valencia finished ninth in the Spanish top flight.

This campaign has been a major improvement in front of goal for the winger, who scored just five goals in La Liga last season alongside six assists.

Guedes’ strong pedigree is clear to see, making him an excellent prospective signing for Wolves.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old can be accommodated straight into the team, with Francisco Trincao set to return to Barcelona after an unsuccessful loan spell, whilst Adama Traore could still leave despite Barcelona not taking up the option of making his loan deal permanent.

Wolves supporters will want to see intent from the board this summer, particularly after such a poor end to the campaign. With the prospective signing of Guedes, fans would certainly be appeased.

AND in other news: Wolves now closing in on “special” £23.4m-rated signing, it could be bye-bye Neves

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been dealt a fitness worry ahead of his team’s crucial clash with West Ham United today in the Premier League title race.

The Lowdown: Huge day for Man City…

The Sky Blues could take one gigantic leap towards retaining their top-flight crown and besting rivals Liverpool by beating David Moyes’ side at the London Stadium this afternoon.

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City currently sit three points clear at the top of the table with a superior goal difference of seven compared to the Reds, and victory over the Hammers today would cement their place as overwhelming favourites to win the title heading into their last match of 2021/22.

After brushing aside both Newcastle United and Wolves in the last seven days, scoring 10 goals in total over the two matches, arguably their toughest remaining test looms at 2pm in east London .

Guardiola has been forced to cope without star defenders Ruben Dias, John Stones and Kyle Walker recently as the trio are ruled out for the rest of their title run-in.

To make matters more complicated, in their last match at Molineux, other crucial members of the squad in Aymeric Laporte, who was forced off due to a knee problem, and Fernandinho (muscle) came away with injury issues.

The Latest: Guardiola gives Laporte update…

Speaking to the press before his team’s trip to the capital, Guardiola has now confirmed that City could be without Laporte alongside their Brazilian veteran, with both doubtful to facve West Ham (Evening Standard).

A worry for City, the English champions could be without a plethora of first-team defensive options, but their manager refused to completely rule out their availability, claiming that they will be subject to checks today.

The Verdict: Potential major blow…

Being without Laporte in particular comes as a potentially major blow given just how crucial and reliable he has been this season.

The Spain international has even managed to keep Stones out of Guardiola’s starting XI time and time again this season despite his phenomenal partnership with Dias over the 2020/21 campaign.

Lauded as a ‘sensational’ defender by national team boss Luis Enrique, Laporte has been a mainstay domestically, racking up the fifth-most league minutes out of any City player and starting on 31 different occasions (WhoScored).

A supreme ball-playing centre-back, the 27-year-old also has the highest passing accuracy (94.9%) in Guardiola’s squad – no easy feat in one of the world’s best tiki-taka teams.

Cityzens up and down the country will be hoping that he is indeed given the green light to play in what will be a pivotal game in this epic title race.

In other news: Man City set to move for ‘unbelievable’ star who’s turned Pep’s head, played his last game on Saturday night…find out more here

Also: What is the record for the most ducks in a Test?

Steven Lynch27-Aug-2024There were 11 ducks in the second Test between West Indies and South Africa. Was this a record? asked Jamie Greaves from England

You’re right that there were 11 ducks in the recent match in Providence, four for West Indies and seven for South Africa (two by Keshav Maharaj, who bagged a pair). That actually equalled the Test record: there have now been 14 cases of 11 in a match, the first in an Ashes Test at Old Trafford in August 1888, and the most recent instance by Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Mirpur in May 2022.South Africa’s seven ducks in the match was two short of the Test record. There have been three cases of nine by a team in the same Test: by Sri Lanka against India in Chandigarh in 1990-91, West Indies vs Australia in Brisbane in 2000-01, and Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka in Mirpur in 2022.Keshav Maharaj was dismissed three times in the recent Test series in the West Indies without scoring a single run. What’s the most a batter has been dismissed in a series without scoring a run? asked Gavin Truter from England

Keshav Maharaj was the 11th man to bat three times in a Test series and be out for a duck each time. Probably the most surprising name among the others is England’s Ben Stokes, in the home series against India in 2014.Only two men have batted four times in a Test series and been out for a duck each time: Pat Pocock for England vs West Indies in 1984, and Nuwan Pradeep for Sri Lanka vs Pakistan in the UAE in 2017-18. Four others have been dismissed for four ducks in a series: Iqbal Qasim for Pakistan in England in 1978, Danny Morrison for New Zealand in Australia in 1993-94, Phil Tufnell for England in Australia in 1994-95, and Dinanath Ramnarine for West Indies in Sri Lanka in 2001-02. Ramnarine actually batted six times, and had two 0 not outs to go with his four ducks. For the list, click here (note that this includes not-outs).The most ducks by anyone in a single Test series is six, by the Australian fast bowler Alan Hurst in the six-match Ashes series of 1978-79. He did score 44 runs in his other innings in the series though.Did I hear correctly that Milan Rathnayake’s 74 in Manchester was the highest on Test debut from No. 9? asked Anura de Silva from Sri Lanka

I was surprised to discover that it was true: Milan Rathnayake made 74 on his debut for Sri Lanka last week at Old Trafford, beating the previous record of 71 on debut from No. 9, by India’s Balwinder Singh Sandhu against Pakistan in Hyderabad in 1982-83.My slight surprise was because I knew there had been some debut centuries from low in the order, but it turns out that these came from even further down – No. 10! Australia’s Reggie Duff made 104 from there against England in Melbourne in 1901-02, and many years later Bangladesh’s Abul Hasan smacked 113 not out on debut against West Indies in Khulna in 2012-13. New Zealand’s Tim Southee clouted 77 not out – with nine sixes – on his debut, against England in Napier in 2007-08. He’s played 99 more Tests since and has still not beaten that score. Duff was a recognised batter going in down the order – he opened in most of his later Tests – but the others were genuine bowlers.The highest score by a No. 11 on Test debut remains 98, by Ashton Agar for Australia against England at Trent Bridge in 2013. No one else has reached 50 on debut after going in last.Milan Rathnayake’s (left) 74 is the highest on Test debut from No. 9 although there have been two hundreds from debutant No. 10s•PA Images via Getty ImagesI noticed that in the T20 WC final in 2014, all 22 players either batted or bowled, but no one did both. Was this unique? asked Edwin Kimberly Arockiam from India

That’s a good spot! In the T20 World Cup final in Mirpur in April 2014, India made 130 for 4, with only five batters making it to the crease since Virat Kohli was run out from the last ball of the innings. The other six Indian players then bowled as Sri Lanka won by scoring 134 for 4 – but the five players who didn’t bat all bowled.This was unique at the time, but it has happened in three T20 internationals since: the matches between India and West Indies in Chennai in 2018-19, Ireland vs Afghanistan in Belfast in 2022, and New Zealand vs Pakistan in the semi-final of the T20 World Cupin Sydney in November 2022. It has never happened in men’s ODIs, or women’s white-ball internationals.I spotted that Joe Root opened the bowling in three ODIs in 2014, and it set me wondering if he’d opened the batting and bowling in all three international formats. Alas, T20 batting is missing for him, but has anybody else done this? asked Sam Hurst from England

Only six men have opened the batting and bowling in Tests, one-day and T20Is. Three of them – Irfan Pathan of India, Mohammad Hafeez of Pakistan and Tillakaratne Dilshan of Sri Lanka – did it at least once in the same match in all three formats. The other three, who completed the set in different games, are Glenn Maxwell of Australia, Shoaib Malik of Pakistan, and Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe.Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions