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New Real Madrid signing Dean Huijsen has revealed he planned to spend two years at Bournemouth but things have moved "very quickly".

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Huijsen joins Bournemouth for initial £12.8mSigns for Real Madrid a year later for £50mAdmits things have moved "very quickly"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The centre-back joined Bournemouth from Juventus last summer, and less than a year on, he is a Madrid player. The 20-year-old admits it has been something of a whirlwind 12 months, while revealing which of Los Blancos legends Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos he aspires to be like.

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He told AS: "I may be [the happiest man in the world], really, although my father is probably even happier. My plan was to spend two years at Bournemouth, grow, and then figure out what to do next. But things have moved very quickly, faster than I expected."

Huijsen added: “I try and aspire to be like Sergio Ramos, he’s my idol.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Huijsen joined Bournemouth in 2024 for an initial £12.8 million ($17m) and now he is at the biggest club in the world following a £50m ($67.6m) move. The Spaniard has enjoyed a superb season at the Cherries, and now he will have to prove himself again, this time at Madrid.

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT?

Huijsen, who signed a five-year deal with the Spanish giants last month, could make his Madrid debut when Xabi Alonso's side prepare for this summer's Club World Cup campaign in the United States.

Tottenham Hotspur are now expected to make a £30m bid for an “incredible” Premier League defender, with Ange Postecoglou keen to bring in competition for places at the back, according to a report.

Tottenham keen on a defender

Postecoglou bolstered his defensive options during the January transfer window, signing Kevin Danso amid Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven’s injury struggles, and the manager is keen to bring in additional reinforcements this summer.

Genoa’s Koni de Winter is the latest centre-back to be linked with a move to north London, with Tottenham asking for information about the 22-year-old, who is attracting widespread interest from the Premier League after an impressive campaign.

A bid is also being prepared for AFC Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, with the north Londoners expected to make a move imminently, but there is likely to be competition for the Spaniard’s signature, amid interest from Liverpool and Arsenal.

Tottenham make contact with "very versatile" manager to replace Postecoglou

Spurs are preparing for a hypothetical life without their current boss.

ByEmilio Galantini Mar 13, 2025

It is clear signing a new centre-back is on the agenda this summer, and there are now indications Postecoglou could also be keen to strengthen his options at full-back.

According to a report from The Boy Hotspur, Tottenham are now expected to make a €35m (£30m) bid for Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, having recently stepped up their pursuit.

Ait-Nouri is one of Spurs’ primary targets, with Postecoglou keen to bring in competition for places at left-back ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, at which point Sergio Reguilon will have departed.

However, there is a feeling Wolves could hold out for as much as €60m (£51m), so the two clubs may be some way apart in their valuation of the defender.

There may also be competition for the left-back’s signature from elsewhere, with the whole of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ placing him on their list of targets.

"Incredible" Ait-Nouri emerging as star player for Wolves

Wolves have struggled for large parts of the ongoing campaign, but they have now moved nine points clear of the bottom three, in large part due to Matheus Cunha’s form in front of goal, but Ait-Nouri has also played a crucial role.

With an average WhoScored match rating of 6.85, the Algerian is ranked as the second-best performing player in the squad, while also impressing on a number of key attacking and defensive metrics over the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90

Tackles

2.79 (90th percentile)

Successful take-ons

1.89 (97th percentile)

Non-penalty goals

0.12 (88th percentile)

Assists

0.15 (80th percentile)

While primarily a left-back, the 23-year-old is also capable of playing further forward, and he has received praise for his versatility from former manager Gary O’Neil.

“I’m enjoying working with Rayan, I think he’s an incredible talent, a great guy and he brings a real enthusiasm and life to the place. We can use him anywhere so, unfortunately, at the moment we have to because we don’t have many others.”

The report makes it clear Postecoglou is happy with Destiny Udogie’s performances, but Ait-Nouri has proven he could provide fantastic competition at left-back, so it is promising news that Spurs are pursuing a deal.

Arsenal have now joined the race to sign a full-back, with Mikel Arteta of the belief he could be a perfect addition to the squad, according to a report.

Gunners eyeing new full-backs

Myles Lewis-Skelly has been a breakout star for the Gunners this season, with the 18-year-old’s impressive performances at left-back earning him a first England call-up, and he wasted no time scoring his first Three Lions goal.

However, there have been suggestions Arteta is planning to move Lewis-Skelly further forward on a long-term basis, which means there may be room for some additions at full-back this summer.

Arteta’s side have enquired about the possibility of a deal for Dinamo Tbilisi left-back Saba Kharebashvili, while they are also very keen on signing versatile Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, who is able to play at both centre-back and left-back.

Same agent as Havertz: Arsenal now racing to sign "world-class" £54m winger

The Gunners are chasing a forward who’s now unhappy at his current club.

ByDominic Lund Mar 24, 2025

Not only is Arteta seeking reinforcements at left-back, but a new report from Spain has detailed a new right-back could also be of interest this summer, with the manager believed to be a big fan of Osasuna’s Jesus Areso.

The Arsenal boss believed Areso would slot into his side perfectly, given his speed and stamina, and an official move could be launched over the next few months.

A number of unnamed clubs have the right-back in their sights, having been impressed by his performances in La Liga this season, and the Gunners seem to be particularly keen, having decided signing a new right-back will be a priority this summer.

Areso has been a "revelation" for Osasuna

Members of the Spanish media have lavished the Osasuna defender with praise, describing him as a “revelation” for his performances over the past year, while also claiming he is a “complete” full-back, who is capable of contributing in attack.

The 25-year-old’s attacking prowess was on display last season, winning the La Liga Goal of the Season award for a remarkable effort from near the byline.

Not only that, but the Spaniard ranks in the 88th percentile for assists per 90 over the past year, when compared to other full-backs, showcasing his quality on the front foot.

A release clause of just €12m (£10m) sweetens the deal even more, given that the former Athletic Bilbao man would be a very affordable option for Arsenal this summer, and his performances in La Liga indicate he could be a solid signing.

That said, given that Ben White has now returned from injury, while Arteta also has Timber at his disposal, a new right-back should not be a priority this summer, and signing an out-and-out striker could give them a better chance of winning the Premier League title.

Didier Deschamps hails Desire Doue's effectiveness, citing his dribbling, work rate and maturity as the rewards of a "planned" development.

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Deschamps not surprised by Doue's formWinger stunned in Champions League finalBrings focus on his "planned development"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

In a recent interview with , Deschamps shared his thoughts on Doue's Champions League final performance. Deschamps wasn't surprised, praising Doue's ability to beat defenders, cover ground and his overall maturity. The World Cup winning manager emphasised that Doue's success is a result of a "planned and mapped out" progression, rather than accidental, making him a valuable asset for the France squad.

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Doue was signed by PSG in 2024 from Rennes. The French winger had been impressive in the league but his three-goal contribution in the Champions League final against Inter etched him in the pages of history. Doue might be a new name on the lips of football fanatics but for Deschamps, Doue was a potential waiting to explode. The French manager had scouted the player since his time at Rennes when everybody who coached him could see the dripping potential and this was when Doue got his first call up to the France squad for their clash against Croatia in the Nations League.

WHAT DIDIER DESCHAMPS SAID

He said: "I wasn’t surprised. He went from Rennes, where he was doing good things, to PSG, where there were various steps to take and he took them all. I brought him into the France squad. I knew he had the potential and I’ve obviously picked up information on his personality and things like that. Being capable of doing that at his age in a Champions League final… Bravo. And it means he’ll turn up with a big smile on his face!”

The France head coach further said: "He has the ability to beat people. He has the ability to cover a lot of ground, which isn’t always the case (for players with his profile). That’s why he’s able to play in attack and in midfield. And he’s young. He turns 20 on Tuesday (June 3). Things haven’t happened by accident for him. Everything has been planned and mapped out. And you need that."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR DESCHAMPS?

Deschamps has a lot of superstars in his team. The question is how you fit them together with some players overlapping the profiles of other, but one thing for sure, Doue will get his due after his incredible performance against Inter. France is set to face Spain in the Nations League semi-final on 6 June 2025 in Germany.

Results of extensive investigation by Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket to be published on Tuesday

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jun-2023English cricket is bracing for the publication of an extensive report by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) on Tuesday, the day before England Men’s second Ashes Test against Australia at Lord’s.The commission was instigated more than two-and-a-half years ago in response to the murder of George Floyd in police custody and the Black Lives Matter movement, which prompted numerous claims of institutional racism within English cricket.Cindy Butts, the ICEC’s chair, said last October that the commission had “captured the lived experiences” of more than 4000 people involved in cricket, met with “over 70 individuals and organisations” and collected “over 550 documents from cricketing bodies and experts”.Butts added: “As a commission we have been humbled by the level of courage demonstrated by so many who want to help the game to be equitable, diverse and inclusive.”The report’s publication takes place on the same day as Yorkshire’s sanctions hearing at the International Arbitration Centre, after the club admitted four breaches of ECB Directive 3.3 – which relates to bringing “the game of cricket… into disrepute”.Ollie Pope, England’s vice-captain, said that the team were conscious of trying to make the game as inclusive as possible. “The next guys, doing what we’re doing now in 20 years, we want to have the whole country to choose from, not just a certain group of people,” Pope said. “That’s something we talk about as a team and are aware of.”I think it is [an inclusive sport] but I think there is a lot more we can keep doing as players as well. As an England team, we’re in a great position where we have got all eyes on us. It is definitely something we’re aware of and definitely something we can keep driving forward especially.”We have seen that over the last year or so. Hopefully as a team we can keep doing what we can over the next year or two to keep promoting that, because it is a sport for everyone and I think it definitely, 100 percent, should be.”The report will be published in full on the ICEC’s website on Tuesday.

While rain couldn’t prevent a decisive result at the Chinnaswamy, it ensured the West-Central game in Alur finished in a draw

Himanshu Agrawal08-Jul-2023What was smooth sailing for most of the journey turned into a rocky ride towards the end, as South Zone, in pursuit of 215 against North Zone, slipped from 191 for 4 to 213 for 8 in their run chase. Eventually though, Sai Kishore kept his calm and deposited the opposition captain Jayant Yadav over long-on to steer South to a two-wicket win, and with it, a place in the Duleep Trophy final. South hunted down their target at better than a run a ball in Bengaluru, where there were two lengthy rain delays on the fourth and final day.The South batters kept playing their shots despite wickets falling in a hurry, with the finish line nearing, after the experienced Mayank Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari laid the foundations for their victory, which Ricky Bhui and Tilak Varma built upon with an aggressive partnership for the fifth wicket.Heading into day four, South needed another 194 to win with all ten wickets in hand, and the free-stroking Agarwal dominated his opening stand off 44 with Sai Sudharsan. Vaibhav Arora then removed Sudharsan and R Samarth in quick succession to leave South 59 for 2. That brought their captain Vihari to the crease, and with dark clouds overhead and rain in the air, he got into counterattack mode alongside Agarwal.They doubled the score in quick time, adding 59 off 47 balls while driving and punching boundaries at will. That forced North into defensive fields, but Jayant got rid of Agarwal for 54 to give North Zone a glimmer of hope. Vihari kept motoring at the other end, however, and even after he was dismissed for 43 by Harshit Rana, South were only 74 away with six wickets standing.Bhui and Varma then added 50 off just 33 deliveries, before Bhui’s wicket for 34 opened the floodgates, with Rana and Baltej Singh striking twice each in the space of 3.4 overs. In the end, South just scraped through, with defending champions West Zone waiting for them in a replay of the last Duleep Trophy final.File photo – Rinku Singh lit up a drab final day in Alur with a 30-ball 40•CABWest Zone 220 (Sheth 74, Mavi 4-43) and 297 (Pujara 133, Suryakumar 52, Jain 4-56, Saurabh 4-84) drew with Central Zone 128 (Rinku 48, Nagwaswalla 5-74) and 128 for 4 (Rinku 40, Dodiya 1-16)Defending champions West Zone qualified for the final of the 2023 Duleep Trophy on the basis of the first-innings lead after persistent rain in Alur forced their semi-final against Central Zone to end in a tame draw. West will face South Zone for the title clash, starting on July 12 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.Resuming the day on 292 for 9, West’s last pair could add only five runs before Saransh Jain dismissed Yuvrajsinh Dodiya in the second over of the morning.Central never threatened to chase down 390. They lost their openers, Himanshu Mantri and Vivek Singh, for single-digit scores. Dhruv Jurel and Amandeep Khare took them past 50 before Dharmendrasinh Jadeja had the former stumped for 25.Rinku Singh took the attacking route and hit three fours and as many sixes to take Central past 100 at lunch. But Dodiya ended his innings on 40 off 30 balls with the first delivery after the interval.Rain, though, allowed only six overs in the second session, forcing both captains to shake hands around 2.20pm local time.