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Manchester United have reportedly slashed their asking price for Alejandro Garnacho as the Red Devils prepare for a fire sale this summer.

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Man Utd ready to sell numerous playersSlash Garnacho's asking price to €45mNapoli interested in signing the ArgentineFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Garnacho has been linked with a potential exit since the start of the season, as the Argentine winger has struggled for form under both Erik Ten Hag and Ruben Amorim. The Red Devils have struggled themselves, however, the board is opting to give Amorim his preferred squad for next season, and as such, they are considering making a fire sale in the summer.

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Reports have suggested that United want to give Amorim a transfer budget of around £200 million this summer, and to achieve that budget, they will have to make a number of sales at slashed prices. As per Tutto Mercato’s Niccolo Ceccarini, the Red Devils have slashed their asking price for Garnacho from €60 million (£51.6m/$67.8m) to €45 million (£38.7m/$50.8m) for this summer.

DID YOU KNOW?

Napoli had been interested in signing Garnacho since last summer, however, a move never came to fruition as United preferred to keep the Argentine at Old Trafford. However, with the 20-time Premier League champions now potentially open to selling the 20-year-old, Gli Azzurri could be free to strike a deal for the winger.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR GARNACHO?

Despite his lack of form, Garnacho will continue on as a regular for Amorim in the squad, as the entire squad has struggled since the Portuguese boss' arrival, and he will not be keen on trying new combinations when United take on Lyon in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash.

In an attempt to add to the arrival of Romain Esse’s arrival, Crystal Palace have now reportedly joined the race to sign an in-demand former Premier League winner before the deadline.

Crystal Palace transfer news

Those at Selhurst Park couldn’t have asked for a better start for Esse in a Crystal Palace shirt after he scored with his first touch off the bench despite eventual defeat at the hands of Brentford. And whilst the youngster’s excitement and subsequent knee slide sparked some needless criticism, there’s no taking away from the joy of a 19-year-old scoring his first Premier League goal seconds after coming onto the pitch.

Even after welcoming the young midfielder and watching his stunning debut moment, however, it looks as though those in South London could still return to the transfer market before Monday’s deadline.

Names such as Ryan Brownlie have particularly stolen the headlines this week, with reports going as far as to suggest that Palace have now agreed a deal to sign the Australian forward. But he may not be the last name through the door if he arrives in the coming days.

Crystal Palace now submit £10m+ bid to sign "complete package" for Glasner

The Eagles could be set to land their second signing in this transfer window.

1 ByBrett Worthington Jan 26, 2025

According to Sozcu in Turkey, Crystal Palace have now joined the race to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain alongside West Ham United, Leeds United, Leicester City and others in the Premier League.

In the face of a hectic race, Besiktas could be forced to sell the former Liverpool and Arsenal midfielder amid financial struggles. Oxlade-Chamberlain, himself, meanwhile, is reportedly keen on a return to the Premier League this month.

A player who’s won it all in English football, the 31-year-old could now return and enjoy one last spell in London and the Premier League in what would hand Oliver Glasner an instant boost.

"Wonderful" Oxlade-Chamberlain would be impressive coup

Whilst he may be 31 years old and at an experienced stage of his career, Oxlade-Chamberlain still has one last Premier League stint left in him and Palace should take full advantage. The former England international could even ease fears over Will Hughes’ future and instantly replace the midfielder who is currently on course to leave as a free agent at the end of the campaign.

After swapping Liverpool for Besiktas in 2023, Oxlade-Chamberlain earned plenty of high praise from Jurgen Klopp, who told reporters: “I remember early and we had our first finishing sessions and I looked and thought, ‘He didn’t score that many goals in the past, if I could shoot like you I would start in the morning at seven and finish shooting at nine or 10 o’clock because it’s incredible!’

“So, then he started scoring these wonderful goals against [Manchester] City and in other important games. It was always a real joy to work with him but again, one or two injuries too many caused some problems, obviously. I love him.”

If Palace do want to secure Oxlade-Chamberlain’s signature then they will, of course, have to act sooner rather than later amid growing interest and a fast-approaching transfer deadline.

Will Pakistan win their third Asia Cup? Or will Sri Lanka be crowned for the sixth time?

Danyal Rasool10-Sep-20225:52

Asia Cup final: Are Sri Lanka the favourites?

Big pictureIt is a tournament Pakistan love but a tournament that hasn’t always loved them back. Pakistan’s lack of success over this competition’s four-decade history has been baffling, given, if history is a guide, there are only three possible destinations for this trophy. For the first half of the tournament’s existence, India and Sri Lanka played musical chairs, with Pakistan kept out in the cold, making only one of the first six finals.They won the Sharjah Cup, the Nehru Cup and even the World Cup during this time, but the Asia Cup remained elusive. It wasn’t until 2000 that a Moin Khan-led side finally touched the one piece of silverware that Pakistan had been denied. But it took them another 12 years for their next title. It has been a further decade since, and while India and Sri Lanka have split a dozen of these between them, Pakistan cherish the memories of those two.Related

Shadab Khan has got his groove back

Hasaranga, Nissanka star as SL dominate Pakistan before final

Sri Lanka – learning on the fly, teaching a lesson to their big brothers

The tournament has evolved, this particular edition is in the T20 format, and fans been gifted a vintage Pakistan side: wild, excitable, unpredictable, and against all odds, still here. The manner of India’s routing of Afghanistan and Sri Lanka’s subsequent dismantling of Pakistan means those two Naseem Shah sixes really were the difference between qualification and elimination. Now, Babar Azam has the chance to achieve what only Moin and Misbah-ul-Haq have accomplished for Pakistan – the official continental supremacy.Pakistan have not necessarily looked destined for glory this fortnight, beginning with a final-over defeat to arch-rivals India. They inflicted a loss on that same opponent a week later to invigorate a flagging campaign, but stumbles against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka suggest a lot of work still needs to be done – not just with bat in hand, but, for this young side, also when it comes to keeping emotions in control; there was evidence in that game against Afghanistan that nerves, and perhaps tempers, threatened to get the better of them at crucial moments.Tempers are less likely to flare in the final, though. Each Asia Cup side has had a complicated relationship with the others, but Pakistan vs Sri Lanka is perhaps the friendliest fixture of all. Throughout most of their history, these two nations have enjoyed cordial relations, and been there for each other in their toughest times. That warmth has been evident on the field as well, and there is no reason that should change.2:14

Saqlain Mushtaq: If you want to become champions you don’t think or talk about toss

A Sri Lankan redemption arc, though, is perhaps a neater, easier graph to chart, though nonetheless dramatic for it. Not many would have expected Sri Lanka to be here after they were blown away by eight wickets and almost ten overs to spare in the opening game by Afghanistan. Against Bangladesh, too, they looked done for in a steep chase until Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, and Bangladesh’s own mistakes saw them sneak through to the Super 4s.But since then, their campaign has turned around. The batters, right through to the lower order, played modern, aggressive, entertaining cricket that has lit up this tournament, gaining them fans outside that little paradise of an island itself. Afghanistan were swiftly avenged, before a thrilling win against India effectively saw them through to the final. The way their batters held their nerve at the death against India made that win especially impressive as they trumped an opposition that had beaten them in 14 of the last 17 T20Is.The win against Pakistan in the last game of the Super 4 round perhaps means they go into the final as favourites, but not mentioning the value of the toss would be irresponsible. Only three times has a team defended successfully in the tournament – Hong Kong’s two opponents and India against Afghanistan – and while there have been plenty of close games to suggest it needn’t have been that way, the value of winning the toss cannot be overstated.Form guidePakistan LWWWL (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
Sri Lanka WWWWLIn the spotlightWhether you’re Team Total Attack or Team Platform Building, Pakistan’s T20 fortunes are tethered firmly to the kind of day Mohammad Rizwan is having. He might take his time and hold up one end, which gives the rest of the side something of a comfort blanket – that only becomes really apparent in how exposed the side feels when he falls early. Even better for Pakistan, if he could find his timing from relatively early on and get them off to a rapid, if not flying, start. A struggling Rizwan often means a struggling Pakistan, not just because his runs might be missed, but because Rizwan in the right mood lifts the spirit of the entire side. He has become this T20I side’s heartbeat, as well as the bellwether of its performances.Hasaranga picked up 3 for 21 against Pakistan in the dress rehearsal for the final•AFP/Getty ImagesWanindu Hasaranga doesn’t mind playing against Pakistan. The 3 for 21 he picked up in the dry run for the final wasn’t a one-off. Quite literally, in the sense that he had registered those precise numbers in a T20I in Lahore as well to help Sri Lanka clean sweep Pakistan 3-0. It was really that tour of Pakistan that kickstarted his career, and he hasn’t looked back since. Pakistan remain, statistically, one of his most favoured opponents, against whom he has bagged 11 wickets in four matches. These include a Player-of-the-Series award as well as two Player-of-the-Match performances. Add to that his ability to contribute runs down the order, and it becomes clear why his battle against Pakistan might be key to the destination of the Asia Cup.Pitch and conditionsIt will be hot and dry again, as it has been all fortnight.Team newsAfter resting a few players in the last game, Pakistan should revert to the side that won three games in a row prior to Friday’s defeat.Pakistan (probable): 1 Babar Azam (capt), 2 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 3 Fakhar Zaman, 4 Iftikhar Ahmed, 5 Khushdil Shah, 6 Shadab Khan, 7 Asif Ali, 8 Mohammad Nawaz, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Mohammad HasnainSri Lanka may consider bringing Asitha Fernando back, but after that commanding bowling performance on Friday, an unchanged XI is more likely.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Kusal Mendis (wk), 2 Pathum Nissanka, 3 Dhananjaya de Silva, 4 Danushka Gunathilaka, 5 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 6 Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 7 Chamika Karunaratne, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Pramod Madushan, 11 Dilshan MadushankaStats and trivia Haris Rauf is three strikes shy of 50 T20I wickets. This is the fourth time Sri Lanka and Pakistan are playing an Asia Cup final, with Sri Lanka winning two of the previous three.Quotes”When building a team, it is great for us that different players have stood up when it counts and helped the team win matches. As a captain, this is important for me, and it helps pave the path for future success for the team as well.”
“As a tournament, looking back, this has been one of the best Asia Cups we have had, and we are looking forward to the final.”

GOAL takes a look at the Group Stage for TST 2025 and more ahead of this year's competition

The Soccer Tournament (TST) is officially back – and it is bigger than ever. Two divisions, a men's and women's field, will both compete for a respective $1M cash prize in a winner-takes-all tournament in Cary, North Carolina.

Full of former professionals from ex-USWNT star Hope Solo to former Manchester City and Argentina legend Sergio Aguero in the men's field, the competition will bring some of the best footballers at the 7v7 level around the world together in one spot.

“TST soccer is electrifying,” said TST CEO Jon Mugar. “Our goal is to become the preeminent soccer festival in the world. Judging by the number of returning fans and teams, we are well on our way. We have doubled the size of the women’s field, and a record 64 teams will compete in Cary. I can’t wait to see the level of competition this June!”

The men's and women's divisions will feature teams from 13 different countries, featuring 12 prominent European and North American professional teams. Newcomers in 2025 include AFC Bournemouth, Atletico Madrid, Club America, and Plymouth Argyle, while West Ham United returns after debuting in 2023 and taking off the 2024 edition.

Returning teams from 2024 include Borussia Dortmund, Villarreal CF, Cagliari Calcio, and the Wrexham Red Dragons. Notably, Pat McAfee's CONCAFA SC will return, while former Premier League legends Luis Nani and Aguero will appear with their respective men's teams, as well as reigning champions: La Bombonera.

On the women's side, the will look to return to the top of the podium in their division, led by former U.S. internationals Heather O'Reilly, Ali Krieger, and Allie Long.

GOAL takes a look at the official Group Stage reveal, while sharing the important key dates, times, and everything else you need to know ahead of this year's competition.

MEN'S GROUP STAGE

Group A: La Bombonera, Liga Fut7, Mississauga Dolphins, Abarrotera Hidalgo

Group B: Cagliari Calcio, Cardinal Legacy (Stanford alumni), City Soccer FC, Hoosier Army (Indiana alumni)

Group C: Club America, Drip FC, Nani FC, The 610

Group D: Boca Dallas, Dueling for Lincoln FC, LCF Academy, Newtown Pride FC

Group E: Dark Horse NC United, Pumas de Alabama, Reggae Rovers, Say Word FC

Group F: AFC Bournemouth, The CONCAFA SC, Real Athletico, Wrexham Red Dragons

Group G: Brown Ballers FC, Tenfifteen FC, Villarreal CF, West Ham United

Group H: La Mexicana Express, Soccer Central Saturdays Football, SF 97, Bumpy Pitch

Group I: Hashtag United, Pasha Luxury FC, Tactical Manager SC, Tobacco Road FC

Group J: Borussia Dortmund, Drunken Monkeys, Freedom United SC, Plymouth Argyle FC

Group K: FC Roha Eagles, KwikGoal FC, Raleigh Rebels FC, Socceroof

Group L: Atletico Madrid, Certified Lions FC, Seleccion Potrero, Trident FC

AdvertisementWOMEN'S GROUP STAGE

Group A: Angel City 7s, Austin Rise FC, Process FC, US Women

Group B: Drunken Monkeys, Kansas City II, Ultrain, Wrexham Red Dragons

Group C: Albion SC, Solo FC, Speedy Turtles, Streetball Canada

Group D: Boca Dallas, NC Courage, Reunion City Dallas, Bumpy Pitch

KEY DATES

Men's competition:

Group Stage: June 4-5

Round of 32: June 6

Round of 16 and Quarterfinals: June 7

Semifinals: June 8

Final: June 9

Women's competition:

Group Stage: June 5-6

Quarterfinals: June 7

Semifinals: June 8

Final: June 9

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COMPETITION FORMAT

The Men's field, composed of 48 teams, will be divided into 16 groups of four. The top two teams from each group at the conclusion of the Group Stage will then enter into the knockout round portion of the tournament, where it is single-elimination in a World Cup-style bracket.

The women's field, composed of 16 teams, is divided into four groups of four. The knockout round format is identical to that of the men's field.

Says his team are “underdogs”, and winning the T20 World Cup “would mean the world” to them

Deivarayan Muthu16-Oct-20221:51

Nicholas Pooran: You don’t need big names to win a World Cup

This will be the first Men’s T20 World Cup without both Chris Gayle, whose West Indies future is uncertain, and Dwayne Bravo, who has retired from international cricket. West Indies will also be without Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Shimron Hetmyer, who was recently dropped from the squad after missing a “rescheduled” flight to Australia. West Indies’ side appears light on experience, but their captain Nicholas Pooran is confident his players can fire in unison to get the job done.”I think it should be a balance with experience and younger players,” Pooran said on the eve of West Indies’ opening game against Scotland in Hobart. “If you look at it, there were a lot of big names when we won those two World Cups [2012 and 2016], but we also had a lot of big names in the last year’s World Cup, as well, and we didn’t qualify [for the semis].Related

Ottis Gibson: 'When it comes to T20 World Cups, never discount West Indies'

Hetmyer dropped from World Cup squad over missed flight

Yannic Cariah, who played his last T20 in 2016, in WI T20 WC squad

King, Narine, du Plessis and Amir in ESPNcricinfo's CPL XI

“Obviously, Australia won last year, and they didn’t have too many big names, but they obviously had a team that was proven, and that was enough for them to win the World Cup.”So, coming back to us, we don’t have the big names, but we have formed a team here, and that’s been really important. Once the guys play for each other and stay together, it’ll be fine.”In the absence of several senior players, West Indies are counting on their CPL stars Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Rovman Powell, Obed McCoy, Akeal Hosein and Shamarh Brooks, who was a late addition to the squad in place of Hetmyer, to do the job for them. The odds are stacked against West Indies – they first need to compete with Scotland, Ireland and Zimbabwe in the first round to progress to the main tournament – and beating them all to win their third T20 world title would “mean the world” to them, according to Pooran.”Yeah, it [winning the title] would definitely be something special,” Pooran said. “Obviously for this group here, it’s a new group, new faces, a lot of younger players in the team. For us to obviously win this World Cup, it would be our biggest achievement as individuals.”We are underdogs in this tournament [even though] we have won the tournament twice, and a lot of people, a lot of media you see, a lot of people don’t think we can even qualify, as well. So, it will mean a lot for us. We spoke about sticking this time together. Whether we win or lose we’re going to stick together as a group, so winning this tournament, yeah, obviously we need to work really hard, but it would mean the world to us.”

“We don’t have the big names, but we have formed a team here, and that’s been really important. Once the guys play for each other and stay together, it’ll be fine.”Nicholas Pooran

West Indies haven’t played Scotland before in a T20I before and, though their players have had a steady diet of T20 cricket, including the CPL, in the lead-up to the World Cup, Pooran was wary of Scotland.”Yeah, it [Scotland] will be a challenge,” Pooran said. “But our guys are confident. We’ve been here for over two weeks now. I think the guys are ready to go and acclimatising to these conditions. A lot of these guys haven’t played in Australia. This will be the first time, but the guys are confident, they’re happy. The preparation has been really good, and we just can’t wait for tomorrow to start our game.”West Indies’ wildcard pick Yannic Cariah, the 30-year-old legspin-bowling allrounder, suffered a minor bruising after being struck on his bowling hand while batting against UAE in the warm-up fixture at the MCG on October 10. It remains to be seen whether he has recovered sufficiently to play for West Indies on Monday.During the two-match T20I series against Australia, West Indies had opted against pairing Mayers up with King at the top, promoting Johnson Charles instead. Pooran kept his cards close to his chest when he was asked about West Indies’ potential combination for their opening fixture.”Yeah, we obviously have to select the team still,” Pooran said. “It’s quite early here in Australia. We haven’t sat down and discussed who’s playing tomorrow. The makeup of the team obviously varies due to the conditions here obviously, here in Hobart which has been cold for a while now, we have to go back and look at it.”

Everything you need to know about the various roles players hold on the pitch during a match

Football, the beautiful game, is a symphony of movement, skill, and tactical nous. But behind the flowing attacks and last-ditch tackles lies a carefully constructed framework of positions, each with its own unique responsibilities.

Whether you're a seasoned supporter or a curious newcomer, understanding the roles within a football team is key to appreciating the tactical intricacies of the sport.

This comprehensive guide will break down each position, exploring their duties and how they contribute to the team's overall strategy.

GettyGoalkeeper

The goalkeeper is the last bastion between the opposition and the back of the net. Tasked with the singular objective of preventing the ball from crossing the goal line, the goalkeeper is a unique position, allowed to use their hands within their designated penalty area.

Key responsibilities

Shot-stopping: Reacting quickly and decisively to parry, catch, or punch shots away from danger.

Commanding the area: Dominating the penalty box, claiming crosses, and organising the defence.

Distribution: Launching attacks with accurate throws or kicks from hand.

Penalty kick specialist: Often called upon to make crucial saves during penalty shootouts.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportCentre-back

The heart of the defence, centre-backs are often physically imposing figures with a keen tactical mind.

They are responsible for:

Marking opposition attackers: Sticking tight to strikers, denying them space and time on the ball.

Blocking shots and crosses: Putting their bodies on the line to intercept goal-bound efforts.

Heading and clearing: Winning aerial battles and clearing dangerous balls from the penalty area.

Full-back (Left-back/Right-back)

Operating on the flanks of the defence, full-backs require a blend of defensive solidity and attacking intent.

Their duties include:

Defensive Discipline: Tracking opposition wingers and preventing them from delivering crosses or cutting inside.

Overlapping Runs: Supporting the attack by providing width and delivering crosses from advanced positions.

Throw-ins: Often responsible for restarting play from throw-ins in their designated area.

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Sweeper (Not always utilised)

Positioned behind the main defensive line, the sweeper acts as a safety net, sweeping up any danger that bypasses the centre-backs.

Reading the Game: Anticipating opposition passes and intercepting through balls.

Covering for Defenders: Providing support and cover when other defenders are drawn out of position.

Distribution from Deep: Initiating attacks with accurate long passes from deep positions.

In what would deal their rivals a frustrating blow, Manchester City are now reportedly plotting a shock hijack to sign a rising star who has a release clause worth £84m.

Man City transfer news

It’s been a hectic month for the Citizens, who entered the transfer window in desperate need of reinforcements for the first time since Pep Guardiola’s debut campaign.

Welcoming Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov, the Citizens have eased concerns over an ageing backline and signed a player at the peak of his powers who will share the goalscoring responsibility with Erling Haaland.

It’s a Man City squad that must get back to full strength sooner rather than later with a Champions League play-off tie against Real Madrid on its way in between a crucial run of games in their quest to finish inside the Premier League’s top four and salvage their season.

Before that mouth-watering tie arrives, those at The Etihad could once again turn their attention towards the transfer window ahead of Monday’s deadline.

According to CaughtOffside, Manchester City are now plotting a shock hijack to sign Geovany Quenda ahead of arch-rivals Manchester United, who are desperate for reinforcements of their own in the coming days.

Man City make formal approach for "superb" £50m man in fourth winter deal

The Citizens want to end the window with a bang…

1 ByTom Cunningham Feb 1, 2025

The deal may not come cheap – likely giving City the advantage over their rivals – with Quenda’s current Sporting CP release clause sitting at a hefty €100m (£84m).

Still just 17 years old, paying such a price would be a significant gamble for any club, no matter their riches. So whether those at the Etihad splash the cash one more time to skip ahead of the queue for Quenda remains to be seen.

"Talented" Quenda is a future star

For a young Sporting winger to be attracting this much attention, they have to be something special – just ask a certain Cristiano Ronaldo. At just 17 years old, comparing Quenda to the Portugal legend would, of course, be jumping the gun, but he may well be set to follow in his path towards Manchester, albeit across the divide.

A player who was described as “talented” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig earlier this season, Quenda would only accelerate towards his impressive potential by working under managerial great Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Alongside Khusanov and Reis, the young winger could complete a trio of fresh future stars set to play a part for years to come at the Etihad and as the window nears its deadline, he remains a player to watch.

Manchester City have verbally agreed to sign a PSG striker on a free transfer this summer, with their new arrival described as a "gem".

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Manchester City agree to sign PSG strikerFrenchman arrives on a freeDescribed as a 'gem'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano reports that Mahamadou Sangare will leave Paris for the Premier League at the end of his deal in June, with Pep Guardiola's side winning the race to sign the forward.

AdvertisementWHAT (INSERT NAME) SAID

Romano tweeted: "Manchester City have agreed deal to sign 18 year old striker Mahamadou Sangare from Paris Saint Germain on free deal, here we go! Verbal agreement in place, medical to take place and one more exciting young talent for Man City Academy winning the race for PSG gem."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Sangare is described as a signing for the City academy so is unlikely to be immediately involved in first-team action in the 2025/26 season. He is capped by France Under-18s and has scored nine goals in 11 UEFA Youth League games for PSG.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR SANGARE?

Sangare will be competing with Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush for a place in City's first team should he be immediately involved in Guardiola's thinking. More likely he will take his place in their age-group sides as he develops.

Spinners Sandhu and Fatima also dominate visiting batters to give hosts unassailable series lead

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Nov-2022Following her record-breaking unbeaten 176 on Friday, Sidra Ameen notched up an unbeaten 91 in the second ODI to help the hosts chase down Ireland’s small target of 195 and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.Ameen was assisted in Pakistan’s chase by the captain Bismah Maroof. They put on an unbroken stand of 136 for the second wicket, with 22 fours between them. They razed the target with more than 17 overs to spare, with both Ameen and Maroof operating at nearly a run a ball in a second straight dominating batting show from the home side.Ireland’s batters, for their part, got starts but did make full use of them. Six Ireland batters got past 20 but, from there, none could get past 35 – Mary Waldron (35) and Arlene Kelly (34) were the top scorers. Most of the damage was caused by regular strikes from the spin bowlers. Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu and legspinner Ghulam Fatima took three wickets apiece while right-arm seamer Fatima Sana took two.After Sana struck in the first over of the match, Sandhu and Fatima took over to reduce Ireland to 122 for 7. A 60-run eighth-wicket stand between Waldron and Kelly took Ireland close to the 200-run mark, but once that partnership was broken, the last two wickets followed swiftly too.Pakistan’s chase of 195 started off with a stand of 59 between Ameen and Muneeba Ali (27). But despite using eight bowlers, Ireland captain Laura Delany could not find another wicket. Instead they were met with aggression from Ameen and Maroof, the last 61 runs coming in just 6.4 overs.

Taking their battle against Europe’s elite away from the pitch and into the transfer market, Aston Villa are now reportedly plotting a move to sign a rising star who has a release clause worth £55m.

Aston Villa transfer news

The Villans aren’t afraid of being bold in the transfer market these days and Jhon Duran’s big-money departure ensured that they’ve got the funds to match that approach. In what could just be a sign of things to come, those in the Midlands welcomed Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi on loan in the January transfer window – stealing plenty of headlines.

Currently sat eighth in the Premier League, Aston Villa will be hoping to see their fresh faces make an instant impact in pursuit of back-to-back Champions League qualification.

Meanwhile, away from the action, they’re far from done on the transfer front and may well look to welcome some permanent reinforcements in place of their loanees this summer.

Aston Villa enter race for "world class" £247k-p/w star who Emery rates

The Villa boss is interested in signing a defender who he believes could become a key player.

ByDominic Lund Feb 12, 2025

According to Caught Offside, Aston Villa are now plotting a move to sign Rodrigo Mora ahead of the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal and Manchester United this summer. The Porto youngster reportedly has a £55m release clause, which could yet increase to £77m between now and 2027.

With that said, the Villans would be wise to make their move as soon as possible and avoid the increased price tag. At 17 years old, of course the deal wouldn’t be coming cheap at £55m, but Mora is a player worth investing in.

A rising star, the attacking midfielder will undoubtedly be one to watch as the campaign progresses and he continues to steal plenty of positive headlines back in Portugal.

"Special" Mora is a rising star

The interest in Mora’s signature should come as little surprise. After all, at just 17 years old, he has scored four goals and assisted another three in all competitions for Porto this season. It should also come as no shock to see Villa plotting their move.

When Asensio bows out of his loan spell at the end of the season, Unai Emery should set his sights on a replacement and one who has the chance to star for years to come, which Mora looks destined to do.

Earning plenty of praise throughout the current campaign, football talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed the teenager a “special talent” at the end of last year as he enjoyed a run of two goals and three assists in three games for Porto.

Aston Villa are certainly putting themselves in the right conversations – ones which have ended with transfer success as of late. Now, they could look to repeat that genius by signing a future star this summer.