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Manchester United are reportedly closing in on the signature of Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho after extensive negotiations.

What’s the story?

According to ESPN, the Red Devils have been handed a major boost, with sources telling the outlet that United are nearing the end of their year-long pursuit, with a deal worth £77 million set to be agreed with the Bundesliga giants.

Sancho was the subject of intense interest from United last summer, but Ed Woodward refused to meet Dortmund’s £108m asking price.

Ole will be buzzing

News that the England international’s arrival at Old Trafford is potentially imminent will surely have Ole Gunnar Solskjaer buzzing.

The Norwegian manager guided United to a second-place finish in the Premier League last season, although they ultimately fell short of winning any major honours.

While domestic rivals Manchester City lifted their third top-flight title in four years and Chelsea claimed their second Champions League crown, Solskjaer’s side were left empty-handed after Villarreal came out on top in the Europa League final.

It extended the club’s longest trophy drought in over 30 years and highlighted the bridge in quality between United and the sport’s top teams.

Bringing in a player who Germany legend Lothar Matthaus once described as a “perfect footballer,” therefore, will be seen as a major coup for the 20-time English champions.

Sancho has displayed his world-class potential on a regular basis since moving to the Signal Iduna Park back in 2017.

The 21-year-old has bagged an incredible 50 goals and provided a further 64 assists in just 137 appearances for BVB in all competitions.

Closing the gap to City will take more than the addition of just one player, but bringing in a beast with the star quality that Sancho possesses will certainly make a significant difference.

Lining up alongside the likes of Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes, Sancho could form one of the most fearsome forward lines in world football, one that could fire United back to their former glory.

It’s been eight long years since the Red Devils last lifted the Premier League title. However, with the addition of Dortmund’s prized asset in their ranks, the chances of that barren run ending become a little more realistic.

And, in other news…Man Utd heading for huge transfer mistake over £210k-p/w flop, Solskjaer must avoid 

Hampshire duly completed their much vaunted Frizzell Championship victory, shortly after lunch to take them out of the relegation zone, and push Somereset deeper into trouble.

Vic Isaacs17-Aug-2002Hampshire duly completed their much vaunted Frizzell Championship victory, shortly after lunch to take them out of the relegation zone, and push Somereset deeper into trouble.They had much work to do in the morning following on the excellent start given to them the evening before by the opening pair of Neil Johnson and Jason Laney.Will Kendall and Robin Smith set up a 50 run partnership, but both were dismissed by Andy Caddick who bowled throughout the morning session, bar one over. That over belonged to the former Hampshire seamer Simon Francis, who seemed especially pleased to dismiss his brother John, just before the break.20 runs were required after lunch with four wickets remaining, so the sparse crowd and probably the players must have had some jitters as they tucked into their food.Mascarenhas was joined by Adi Aymes, who was batting with a runner after aggravating a knee injury, but he played a silent partner as Mascarenhas took charge to sew up the victory.

Many Wolves fans have been left to buzz as a transfer update emerged on Danny Ward.

As per Football Insider, the Midlands club are setting their sights on signing the Leicester City goalkeeper in the summer window.

Ward has been very impressive for Wales at Euro 2020 so far, massively helping his team get through into the knockout stages, conceding just two goals and keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 win against Turkey (Transfermarkt).

However, with Kasper Schmeichel currently first choice under Brendan Rodgers at the King Power Stadium, he has not really had an opportunity to showcase his talents for the Foxes.

Thus, the Molineux faithful could have a good opportunity to snap the 28-year-old up, but may face increased competition based on his Euro 2020 displays.

Wolves transfer update on Ward

These WWFC supporters buzzed as the transfer update on Ward was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that he is an ‘outstanding’ player:

“He wouldn’t come as No2 choice, he’s a no1 all day long. Been top class for Wales since he took over from Hennessey but it seems we’re getting Sa but I’d be more than happy with Danny Ward.”

Credit: @Vaughany1973

“Yes Yes Yes……! Watched him for Wales and have been saying how can he be a reserve keeper. Absolute top class in the Euro’s. Good off the line and shot stopping. Go back and watch if you aren’t convinced”

Credit: @jaffajub

“Please. He’s class for Wales”Credit: @jacknewsome_”Exactly that. Ward is class and proved that on loan at Huddersfield and playing for Wales. Leicester spent £12m on him to sit on the bench, I’d have him at Wolves in a heartbeat.”Credit: @WWFC_OTD”He’s been superb for Wales these euros. Too good to go and sit somewhere on the bench. He’s a no1 keeper.”Credit: @Vaughany1973″He’d be a number 1 if Rui goes. Outstanding keeper.”Credit: @rouseeverywkndIn other news, find out which ace dubbed the ‘new Cristiano Ronaldo’ the Wanderers have bid for here!

The South African team led by captain Ahmed Amla of KwaZulu-Natal beatBotswana in the final of the Africa Cup in Lusaka, Zambia, yesterday to takethe tournament trophy

Bronwyn Wilkinson10-Sep-2002The South African team led by captain Ahmed Amla of KwaZulu-Natal beatBotswana in the final of the Africa Cup in Lusaka, Zambia, yesterday to takethe tournament trophy.South Africa bowled Botswana out for just 38 runs to win the final by 270runs and to bring home the Africa Cup.”There were three major benefits for South African cricket at thistournament,” said UCB CEO Gerald Majola today. “Firstly, the South Africanteam won handsomely, and they are the proud champions of Africa. Secondly,it has given this young team that was chosen from across the South Africanspectrum the chance to play international cricket together and to build forthe future. And thirdly, it was most meaningful to participate in atournament that is a vital part of the drive to make Africa a majorcricketing continent,” Majola added.

Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham ‘will not return’ to Parkhead, according to Foot Mercato, cited by Sport Witness.

The Lowdown: Ntcham into the final 12 months of Hoops deal

Ntcham is still a Hoops player after Marseille decided against signing the Frenchman permanently. He made just six appearances after joining the Ligue 1 club for the second half of the season and still has 12 months remaining on his Parkhead deal.

There were reports that Celtic were ready to terminate the final year of the 25-year-old’s contract, but that has yet to come to fruition.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-7/” title=”Celtic updates” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Latest: French reports

Foot Mercato claimed [via Sport Witness] that Ntcham ‘will not return’ to Celtic Park this season under Ange Postecoglou.

The midfielder is ‘seriously liked’ by two unnamed clubs in Ligue 1, so it seems as if a permanent return to his native country could well materialise after all.

The Verdict: Can McKay get anything for Ntcham?

Neil Lennon described Ntcham as ‘unbelievable’ towards the end of 2019, and although he has had his struggles on the pitch over the last 18 months, new Celtic CEO Dominic McKay may now be able to bring in some cash when it comes to the midfielder.

With two unnamed clubs keen on the 25-year-old, you’d like to think the Hoops could bring in a fee close to his £2.7m Transfermarkt valuation.

After all, Celtic were demanding a fee in the region of £7m for the midfielder just six months ago, and should they choose not terminate his deal, they could end up bringing in some funds for Postecoglou by selling Ntcham and funding potential new additions.

In other news: Postecoglou pushing Mario Vuskovic closer to Celtic move as news emerges, find out more here. 

MELBOURNE, Oct 30 AAP – Victoria crawled to 4-142 at tea here today on day one of the Pura Cup cricket match against Tasmania at the MCG.

AAP30-Oct-2002MELBOURNE, Oct 30 AAP – Victoria crawled to 4-142 at tea here today on day one of the Pura Cup cricket match against Tasmania at the MCG.Opener Jason Arnberger was 55 and Ian Harvey 13 on a slow pitch after Victoria won the toss.The Bushrangers lost two wickets after lunch – Brad Hodge edged seam bowler Damien Wright to Michael Di Venuto at second slip for 23 with the score 97.Ten runs later, Nick Jewell was caught behind off Wright, the only multiple wicket taker so far, for nine.Arnberger’s 50 came up off 152 balls in 212 minutes, with the right-hander stranded on 35 runs for 40 minutes.

When are the Zimbabwean top order going to push on with bigger scores

John Ward25-Nov-2002FRUSTRATIONWhen are the Zimbabwean top order going to push on with bigger scores? There are just too many players reaching 40, 50, 60 and relaxing (maybe thinking their job is done!!) and getting out. Good players push on and make no excuses, so perhaps this is the reason so many Zimbabwean batsmen average 30 and below in Test cricket. They simply make too many scores where they have done the hard work and fail to push on further.It is just so frustrating to see players who clearly have ability (they wouldn’t consistently make these scores if they didn’t) not fulfilling their talent simply because of a failure of concentration and confidence (this can be the only explanation). All of the Zimbabwean batsmen should be averaging AT LEAST in the mid to high thirties or they probably shouldn’t be playing at Test match level.Also what are the selectors doing? Why isn’t Craig Evans being considered for selection? He is obviously the form batsman in the first-class competition. Recently Australia selected Darren Lehmann for the first Test against England; he is 32, the same age as Evans. Age should be no barrier to selection, particularly if the runs are on the board.Marty Lauritsen (Western Australia)ROCK BOTTOMAs a passionate Zim Cricket Fanatic I take comfort from the fact that when you are this down at least you know that there’s only one other way to go.Anale Bango (Scotland)

Wolves don’t intend to exercise their option to buy on midfielder Vitinha, according to a report from Portuguese outlet Record.

The Midlands outfit can activate a €20m clause until the deadline on Wednesday.

Vitinha spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Molineux from Liga NOS side FC Porto, who are said to be keen to keep hold of him. He made 19 Premier League appearances over the course of the campaign, but only five of those were starts (via WhoScored).

Vitinha also helped Portugal reach the final of the European Under-21 Championship at the start of June, where they were beaten by Germany.

While he may have been a sporadic presence in the first XI at Molineux, he still impressed with his composure on the ball – no Premier League starter for the club could beat his 90.3% passing success rate last term (via WhoScored).

Wolves will be under new management for the 2021/22 season after Nuno Espirito Santo departed the club and was replaced by Bruno Lage, and Vitinha may have viewed the change in the dugout as a potential boost to his starting prospects.

Fan feed Talking Wolves relayed Record’s report, and here’s how some fans reacted.

Wolves fans urge club to activate Vitinha clause

“Didn’t the official site give a huge hint to him coming back like 2 days ago? He seems to fit everything about the direction of the club financially and on the pitch. Be very surprised if he doesn’t sign perm.”

Credit: @davidrcporter

“This feels like a mistake – he’s shown enough to think he’ll be high calibre – admittedly he had a slow start. But having now invested game time and training in him another team will reap the benefit. This looks like Pedro Goncalves all over again!”

Credit: @tommartin5

“Huge mistake again if not, especially if Neves and Moutinho are leaving”

Credit: @smgriffiths1980

“Will be like Pedro Goncalves, we’ll regret it”

Credit: @danny_wwfc

“Sign him ASAP”

Credit: @david44809679

“And with Neves probably going too that’s going to be a massive issue.”

Credit: @TheRealRudolfo

In other news, Wolves have their eyes on this Serie A star. 

A fine haul of five wickets for 17 runs by left-arm Azam Khan, enabled Airport Gymkhana register a four-wicket triumph over A.O

Sports Reporter20-Nov-2002A fine haul of five wickets for 17 runs by left-arm Azam Khan, enabled Airport Gymkhana register a four-wicket triumph over A.O. cricket club, in the 17th Karachi Gymkhana Callmate cricket festival played Tuesday.Winning the toss and batting first, A.O. CC seemed comfortably placed at 124 for three with contributions from Nadeem Akhtar (33), Mohammad Farrukh (31), Waseem Rao (23), Saeed Sheikh (22) and Shaheen Malik (20).With the introduction of Azam and Abdul Sattar, the game changed dramatically and A.O. CC losing their last seven wickets for the addition of 43 to be bowled out for 167 in 23.5 overs. Sattar grabbed three for 37 and medium pacer Sohail Jaffer two for 42.Airport Gymkhana achieved the target in 23.3 overs losing six wickets, with Ghulam Ali (43) being the main contributor. Off-spinner Mohammad Farrukh finished with figures of two for 30.Wednesday fixtures: Mohammad Hussain CC play Karachi Gymkhana Whites 1.00pm.

Liam Kennedy has dropped a promising update on the Premier League and their attempt to throw out Newcastle United’s anti-competition takeover case.

The Lowdown: Ashley’s claims

Mike Ashley has launched two separate claims against the top flight, one of which is the Competition Appeals Tribunal (CAT) lawsuit over the decision-making process in the failing the deal between him and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group.

The other is the arbitration case, which is set to take place this month.

The Latest: CAT update

Writing on Twitter, Kennedy, a football journalist for The Shields Gazette who has been following the latest takeover developments closely, has shared: “The Premier League’s attempts to have SJHL CAT case thrown out on ‘technicality’ seem to have failed, we’re told.”

He also added: “The push for a private hearing – and yet more delays – goes on, however.”

The Verdict: Promising

It is certainly promising to hear that the top flight’s attempt to have the CAT case thrown out has failed, as it gives Ashley another route into pushing through the takeover, if the results of arbitration go against him.

The league clearly did not give sufficient enough evidence as to why the case should be discontinued, and that should give the Magpies owner more confidence that he can get a deal over the line.

The CAT claim will be kept in his back pocket for now, as he will be hoping that he can win the arbitration case, and thus speed up the takeover process.

All that said, the one concern will be the delays mentioned by Kennedy – perhaps the league’s plan is to infuriate the consortium into simply giving up.

In other news, find out why the Premier League have been questioned after NUFC released their arbitration statement here!