Former Celtic forward Frank McAvennie has been reacting to a Hoops transfer update involving former defender Kieran Tierney.

Is Kieran Tierney returning to Celtic?

The Hoops look to be in for a busy summer under new manager Brendan Rodgers, with business already underway. Celtic have confirmed the signing of midfielder Odin Thiago Holm on a five-year deal and the arrival of Melbourne City winger Marco Tilio, also on a five-year deal.

Defensive additions could also be made at Parkhead, with a return to Glasgow for Tierney potentially on the cards. Reports earlier this week suggested that the Hoops could look at a season-long loan deal for the left-back, although a substantial loan fee and a compromise over his £110,000-a-week wage would need to be reached.

Tierney would consider the possibility of returning to Celtic, but he also appears to be attracting interest from Newcastle United.

McAvennie was talking to Football Insider regarding Celtic and a possible move for Tierney. The pundit said that the full-back “loves” Rodgers and a return “would suit everyone”, however, he doesn’t think a move will materialise.

“He loves Brendan but I just think his next move is Newcastle.

“When I came back to Celtic it was not a big thing because I was a supporter. All I can say is that if it was to happen I would not be surprised but I do not think it will. I think Tierney is on the way to the top.”

How many games did Tierney play for Celtic?

As we know, Tierney, been dubbed an ‘absolute baller’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig, is a product of Celtic’s academy and played under Ronny Deila, Neil Lennon, John Kennedy and Rodgers. The 26-year-old made a total of 170 senior appearances for the Hoops, winning 11 major honours before joining Arsenal in 2019.

He made 127 of his Hoops appearances under Rodgers, so if regular football is what Tierney is after, he could well get that at Parkhead under the Northern Irishman once again.

A loan move could be one to keep an eye on in what could be a busy summer with Celtic handing Rodgers a £30m transfer budget this summer.

Sunderland may have been handed a boost in their efforts to sign Ellis Simms this summer, with Phil Smith of The Sunderland Echo reporting that the player himself could be keen on a switch back to the Stadium of Light.

What is the latest Sunderland transfer news?

The Championship side appear to have a few irons in the fire when it comes to transfer dealings, as they look to try and push on and seal a potential promotion into the Premier League next season.

The Black Cats are clearly keen to bring in attacking reinforcements, with the side revealed as one of the teams wanting to bring in Sonny Perkins on loan this summer. The Leeds man could be available on a short-term basis and the Black Cats have thrown their hat into the ring over a potential deal to sign him for the duration of the campaign.

In turn though, they lose some of their key players to those higher up the pyramid. Jack Clarke put himself on the map with his displays on Wearside last season and Burnley are now trying to snap up the winger.

One big striking target for Sunderland though has been former loanee Simms, with the Black Cats keen to get him back through the door at the Stadium of Light. It seems that a decision will be made soon over where the striker's future lies after a bid was made last week.

Are Sunderland signing Ellis Simms?

Now, according to a report from Phil Smith for The Sunderland Echo, there has been a fresh update over a potential deal. That's because the player himself is open to a return to the Championship side and "keen" to link back up with his old teammates.

That means that if the previously reported bid is accepted he will surely choose Sunderland. Other clubs are also interested, but it looks as though the Black Cats' previous association with the youngster has handed them a huge leg up in the race.

He's received high praise in the game already for his efforts up front, with Karen Carney calling him "unbelievable" in terms of his finishing ability. The Toffees starlet already possesses an excellent ability to find the back of the net despite being just 22-years-old and a transfer back to Sunderland could see him get more minutes and allow him to really hone that ability in front of goal.

It seems as if the player himself could fancy bagging goals again for the Black Cats too, so that will be positive news for fans of the club.

أعلن الإتحاد الإنجليزي لكرة القدم، عن مغادرة لاعب آرسنال والمنتخب الإنجليزي، بوكايو ساكا، من معسكر منتخب الأسود الثلاثة في بيان رسمي.

وسيخوض منتخب إنجلترا وديتين أمام بلجيكا والبرازيل على ملعب ويمبلي الأسبوع القادم في الفترة الدولية للمنتخبات.

اقرأ أيضاً.. شكوك بشأن جاهزية هاري كين لمباراة إنجلترا والبرازيل

وجاء في البيان الرسمي لمنتخب إنجلترا: “غادر بوكايو ساكا معسكر إنجلترا وعاد إلى ناديه لمواصلة إعادة تأهيله، حيث أبلغ مهاجم أرسنال بالإصابة ولم يتمكن من المشاركة في التدريبات”.

وأضاف: “لا توجد خطط لمزيد من التبديلات، حيث يواصل المنتخب الإنجليزي المكون من 25 لاعبًا استعداداته للمباراتين الدوليتين المقبلتين مع البرازيل وبلجيكا”.

وذكرت صحيفة “ذا صن” البريطانية أن سبب مغادرة بوكايو ساكا لمعسكر منتخب إنجلترا هو شعوره ببعض الآلام في وتر العرقوب الأيمن هذا الأسبوع.

وتابعت أن بوكايو ساكا لم يتدرب أمس مع المجموعة وخاض تدريبات فردية مثل هاري كين، جوردان هندرسون، بالإضافة إلى كول بالمر.

Bukayo Saka has left the #ThreeLions camp and returned to his club for continued rehabilitation on an injury he reported to St. George’s Park with.

Speedy recovery, @BukayoSaka87! 👊 — England (@England) March 21, 2024

The allrounder batted for more than three hours to make 75 off 159 balls in the tour game against India A, who responded in kind with Shreyas Iyer smacking an unbeaten 85 off 93 balls

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Feb-2017
ScorecardMitchell Marsh followed in his brother Shaun’s footsteps, with a fifty-plus score in the tour game against India A to perhaps bolster his chances of a Test recall. He spent over three hours at the crease in Mumbai, making 75 off 159 balls with 11 fours and a six to help the Australians declare on 469 for 7 on the second day.Australia have been struggling for an allrounder to make the No. 6 spot their own and Marsh had himself enjoyed a considerably long run before he was dropped after the home series loss to South Africa late last year. He averages only 23.18 from 19 Tests so far and bowls seam up, which may go against him considering the conditions in India and the fact Australia already have Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in their squad to swing the new ball and reverse the old.However, with his 17th first-class half-century, Marsh has done his bit to stay in contention. His nearest competitor appears to be Glenn Maxwell, who has his own issues with regards to playing up to potential in Test cricket. He is not established as a batsman, but on his day can still be explosive and can also chip in with a few overs of part-time offspin.”I’ve certainly batted more than ever over the past few weeks, just trying to get better and trying to learn as much as I can,” Marsh said of the opportunity presented by the need to rest his bowling shoulder. “You never want to get injured but it was nice to get a couple of weeks off, I’m feeling really strong at the moment so hopefully the body can hold up.”Probably the biggest thing for me has just been softening my hands, in my defence and also in my attack as well. The later you hit the ball, the easier it is to hit gaps especially in the subcontinent when it’s turning. If you have a solid defence, you can attack the balls that are there to attack and really back your defence.”That’s something I’ve learnt, playing in the subcontinent a couple of times now through my own experiences. I think I’ve just faced a lot more spin over the time, and I’ve learned that rotating the strike is really important, especially in the subcontinent for getting off strike.”India A’s batsmen too profited on a Brabourne stadium pitch that was quite true. Shreyas Iyer smashed 85 off 93 balls with five sixes and seven fours at No. 3. He was unbeaten at stumps, alongside Rishabh Pant, who was batting on 3.For the Australians, Jackson Bird was highly economical with a spell of 11-7-15-2 while Nathan Lyon provided the first wicket of the innings, dismissing Akhil Herwadkar and later accounted for Priyank Panchal, the top-scorer in India’s premier domestic first-class tournament, the Ranji Trophy, in 2016-17.

Manchester United are yet to conclude any business during the transfer window, although the feeling is that something is close at Old Trafford.

Man United transfer news – Red Devils interested in Aurelien Tchouameni

While much of the early exchanges of the window have been with regards to signing Mason Mount, United are looking to spend even more money if reports are to be believed.

On Saturday, news broke from reports in Spain (via Football 365), that France international Aurelien Tchouameni was on the club's radar.

In fact, it's even suggested that Erik ten Hag has instructed United directors to fly to Spain in order to have a face-to-face meeting with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez so they can conclude a deal.

Ten Hag views the midfielder as an ideal option with the player looking likely to leave the Spanish capital following the arrival of Jude Bellingham.

That said, Madrid won't settle for anything less than a fee of €80m (£69m).

Who does Tchouameni compare to in Europe's top five leagues?

The Frenchman has been one of the most promising young midfielders in Europe for some time now and was totally deserving of a big move to La Liga last summer.

Having scored a quite delightful goal against England at the World Cup, the 23-year-old has only been going from strength to strength, playing a whopping 50 times at club level last term.

He may not have scored, but Tchouameni's primary function is to dictate and break up the play from the middle of the park.

With that in mind, it's perhaps no surprise to see FBref suggest that Arsenal-bound Declan Rice is one of his most 'similar' players.

Rice was a target for the Red Devils this summer but looks set to sign for Arsenal in a mega £105m deal next week.

Ten Hag, therefore, will have to seek alternatives and there are few better than Tchouameni, a player branded "extraordinary" by fellow countryman and ex-Man United star Paul Pogba.

Over the last 365 days, both Tchouameni and Rice have had a similar level of impact in the final third, with the former registering an expected goals per 90 of 0.08 compared to the latter's xG of 00.07. Furthermore, the Irons star posted 2.75 shot-creating actions to the United target's 2.67.

Tchouameni tends to play longer passes more regularly, spraying the ball on average 332.9 yards per 90 to Rice's 259.8 but this success rate of passes over a medium distance is very similar; 94.2% to 93.2% in favour of the Frenchman.

Their creativity is remarkably alike with the West Ham skipper averaging 1.02 key passes per 90 to the Real Madrid star's 0.94 while there is just 0.33 between them when it comes to passes into the final third.

Not just confident in possession of the ball, both are capable of doing the dirty work with Tchouameni amassing 2.72 tackles per 90, while Rice is only slightly behind with 2.17.

Whether it's creating chances or tracking back to win the ball for their side, the two players in question have a host of similar qualities. Rice has already shown that they are more than a match for the Premier League so his positional rival should have no problems settling in.

You only need to look at how Casemiro has fared since making the move to realise it can be done swiftly and to great success. Alongside Mount, this would be a superb signing for Ten Hag and Co.

Newcastle United are in a position of immense strength after years mired in obscurity, and have now identified Davide Frattesi to bolster the midfield after qualifying for the Champions League.

What's the latest on Davide Frattesi to Newcastle?

According to SempreInter, (relaying news from yesterday's edition of Gazzetta dello Sport), Inter Milan are closing in on a move for Sassuolo midfielder Frattesi, with Juventus also interested in a forward-thinking midfielder this summer.

Frattesi has stated that he is unsure whether he is ready for a move to the Premier League at this stage of his career, but the 23-year-old has been a target for the likes of Newcastle, Brighton & Hove Albion and Paris Saint-Germain regardless.

With the likes of Serie A giants Inter Milan and Roma both gunning for the Italy international's services, Sassuolo have touted him at €35m (£30m) – via SBNation relaying reports from Italy – and given Newcastle's affluence, they could well win the bidding war for the prolific centre-midfielder.

How good is Davide Frattesi?

Frattesi might have reservations about departing from his homeland, but he certainly boasts the skill set to flourish in a central role at one of Europe's most prominent outfits, and Newcastle technical director Dan Ashworth must jump on any opportunity to sign him.

This season, he made 36 appearances in the Italian top-flight, scoring seven goals, and has been praised as "something really special" by reporter Wayne Girard after captivating with his performances.

Indeed, as per FBref, the £25k-per-week star ranks among the top 9% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 18% for progressive carries and the top 2% for touches in the attacking box per 90.

While his bursting runs into the box are the most arresting element of his game, Frattesi is a well-rounded ace, having forged an average of 1.8 tackles and 1.1 clearances per game in Serie A this year, also completing 81% of his passes, as per Sofascore.

Given his imposing, progressive skill set, he could be the perfect profile to complement Joelinton in the centre of Eddie Howe's Toon midfield.

Joelinton was signed from Hoffenheim for £40m in 2019, and while flattering to deceive for much of the early phases of his career at St. James's Park as a striker, his conversion to the centre of the park has left him esteemed and hailed as "tireless" by writer James Nalton.

Compared to Frattesi, the £85k-per-week Brazilian ranks among the top 12% of peers for goals, the top 19% for progressive carries, the top 6% for successful take-ons and the top 10% for interceptions per 90, highlighting the glistening similarities between the pair.

Given that Newcastle have achieved a fine sense of equipoise, bolstering the ranks with a signing in Frattesi who would slot in without seam, and while it might seem implausible given his desire to remain in Italy, should the Magpies prevail, their chances of success next season would only be enhanced.

David Willey will miss England’s three-match ODI series against West Indies in the Caribbean next month

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Feb-2017David Willey will miss England’s three-match one-day international series against West Indies in the Caribbean next month.The Yorkshire allrounder had surgery on his left shoulder on Friday to further assess the injury he sustained while bowling in the third ODI against India last month. He has suffered a partial tear of a tendon and will be out of action until April.Willey will be replaced in the England squad by Middlesex seamer Steven Finn, who is currently playing in the Pakistan Super League in the UAE.England fly to the Caribbean next Wednesday, where they play two warm-up matches and three ODIs against West Indies.Willey, lightly used throughout the one-day series against India – bowling over 13 overs in three matches – was only able to manage two overs in the final ODI in Kolkata before leaving the field.He has only completed a full 10-over spell in seven of his 25 ODIs, with his captain, Eoin Morgan, seemingly reluctant to use him beyond his threat swinging the new ball.He remained behind in Kolkata for scans when the rest of the squad travelled to Kanpur for a three-match T20 series, with England Cricket tweeting that “a scan didn’t show up significant damage to his left shoulder”.That initial diagnosis proved to be overly optimistic and he returned home for an operation, the extent of which has now been revealed.Willey’s latest injury also threatens to disrupt his involvement at the start of Yorkshire’s season and will not help him claim a place in the Championship side for a county where Ryan Sidebottom, a fellow left-armer, shows few signs of deterioration at 39 and, at the other end of the age scale, Matt Fisher, if he can shake off the injury worries that have curtailed his involvement in the England Under-19 tour of India, is ambitious to prove himself England’s brightest fast bowling prospect.

The summer transfer window officially opened for business earlier this month and Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has added to his side with one signing to date.

Youri Tielemans is set to arrive on a free transfer at the start of July, after his contract with Leicester expires, and the club have now appointed Monchi as their president of football operations to bolster their efforts to improve the squad.

One player who has been linked with a possible move to the club this summer is Leeds United forward Crysencio Summerville, who has been valued at around €12m (£10m) by the relegated team.

Where would Crysencio Summerville fit in at Aston Villa?

The Netherlands U21 international has played the majority of his career to date as a right winger but he is also capable of lining up on the left and through the middle, which means that Emery could deploy him in a multitude of ways.

Villa's head coach could, however, use the 21-year-old in his favoured role on the right and brutally ditch current attacker Leon Bailey in the process.

Last month, journalist Dean Jones claimed that he would be "surprised" if the Jamaica international is still at the club come the start of the 2023/24 campaign, as there could be a market for teams interested in his services.

This suggests that the Villans could cash in on the 25-year-old winger this summer and bringing Summerville in as his replacement could be a shrewd move by Emery and Monchi.

The Leeds wizard, who was once hailed as a speed merchant whilst playing for the club's U21 side, produced four goals and two assists in 12 Premier League starts during the 2022/23 campaign and completed 52% of his attempted dribbles.

Bailey, meanwhile, scored four and assisted four in his 26 starts for Villa throughout the season and was stopped in 57% of his dribbles, suggesting that Summerville is more effective at committing and beating opposition defenders to drive forward with the ball.

The Dutch wizard has averaged more non-penalty goals (0.25) and shot-creating actions (3.09) per 90 over the last 365 days than Bailey (0.18 and 2.84) has for the Villans, indicating that the talented youngster could provide more quality in the final third, both in terms of scoring goals and creating opportunities for others.

Summerville, who was once dubbed "unplayable" by journalist Beren Cross, is also four years younger than the ex-Bayer Leverkusen dynamo, meaning that he has more long-term potential to develop and improve, whilst already having the quality to offer more on the pitch in the immediate term.

Therefore, Emery could ruthlessly ditch Bailey and cash in on the dud this summer by signing the Whites magician as his replacement.

تحدث أحمد علي المتحدث الرسمي لنادي سيمبا التنزاني، عن مواجهة الأهلي القادمة في بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، مشيراً إلى أنها مباراة حياة أو موت.

ويحل الأهلي ضيفاً على فريق سيمبا في تنزانيا، يوم الجمعة المقبل 29 مارس في إطار منافسات مباراة ذهاب دور ربع النهائي لـ دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وقال علي في تصريحات عبر الحساب الرسمي للنادي على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “إكس”: “”بخبرة وجودة المدرب عبد الحق بنشيخة، أعتقد أنه سيقودنا للتأهل إلى نصف النهائي”.

طالع | كهربا يختار لاعبًا من الزمالك يتمنى وجوده في الأهلي.. ويعلق على لقطة إمام عاشور وشيكابالا

وأضاف: “لا يوجد أحد في هذا العالم يستطيع إيقاف مشجعي سيمبا عندما يريدون شيئًا، دعونا نتحد ونفعل كل ما هو ممكن لتحقيق أهدافنا”.

وأكمل: “ندرك خبرة وعظمة الأهلي ولكن هذه المباراة بالنسبة لنا حياة أو موت، سنتأهل الى نصف النهائي على حساب الأحمر”.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي الأهلي مع سيمبا، في القاهرة في مباراة العودة لدور الـ 8 (دور ربع النهائي)، يوم 5 من شهر أبريل المقبل.

تجدر الإشارة إلى أن الفائز من مباراة الأهلي وسيمبا سيلاقي الفائز من مواجهة (مازيمبي الكونغولي وبترو أتليتكو الأنجولي) في دور نصف النهائي من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

"Al Ahly pamoja na ukubwa wake wote na uzoefu wake wote safari hii Mnyama anaenda Nusu Fainali. Hii ni mechi ya kufa na kupona afe yeye tupone sisi, kwa mapenzi yake Mungu tunaenda Nusu Fainali," Ahmed Ally.#MechiNiMashabiki #TunaitakaNusuFainali #WenyeNchi #NguvuMoja pic.twitter.com/8XHQEnNWl3

— Simba Sports Club (@SimbaSCTanzania) March 26, 2024

"Kwa uzoefu na ubora wa kocha Abdelhak Benchikha tunaamini atatuvuzusha kwenda Nusu Fainali, Hakuna katika dunia hii mtu yoyote wakuwazuia mashabiki wa Simba wanapotaka jambo lao, tuungane tuupige goti tufanye kila linalowezekana ili tutimize malengo yetu," Ahmed Ally.… pic.twitter.com/wtYY6TxPQO

— Simba Sports Club (@SimbaSCTanzania) March 26, 2024

Chelsea will definitely make a "proper attempt" to sign Brighton's Moises Caicedo this summer, according to Dean Jones.

Will Chelsea sign Caicedo?

Having managed to recoup a significant portion of the money they have spent since Todd Boehly's Stamford Bridge arrival following some quickfire sales, Mauricio Pochettino is now turning his attention to Chelsea incomings.

The Blues have spent over £500m on players since their new owner arrived, with seemingly no rhyme or reason to much of the transfer business they have conducted.

Chelsea fans will be hoping for stability under Pochettino, and some semblance of a plan, as they put behind them a season of woe which resulted in a 12th-placed Premier League finish.

Christopher Nkunku has already arrived at Stamford Bridge following his £52m from RB Leipzig, where he shared the Bundesliga Golden Boot with Niclas Fullkrug last term, and now the Blues are turning their attention to midfielder Caicedo.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Dean Jones reassured Chelsea supporters that a bid from the Blues is on its way and that they will put in a "serious offer".

"Chelsea are very sure they will make a proper attempt to sign Caicedo," said Jones. "They are positioning themselves in the market to do so.

"They've been offloading players as a point of urgency, so there is room in the squad for what else they need to do and the fat is trimmed. But Moises Caicedo is a player that Chelsea have in their sights, and they intend to make a serious offer to Brighton to get him through the door."

Chelsea reportedly had a bid of £55m rebuffed by Brighton in the January transfer window, but now look set to sign the Ecuadorian, who has been hailed as an "eye-catching" player, for a fee closer to £80m.

Who else are Chelsea signing?

According to Fabrizio Romano, there will be two new Chelsea players imminently. One is forward Nicolas Jackson, who has completed a medical ahead of his arrival from Villarreal.

The other is Angelo Gabriel from Santos, a Brazilian wonderkid who is set to cost them just under £13m. The 18-year-old is then expected to head out on loan to French side Strasbourg to allow him some European experience before returning to Stamford Bridge.

Angelo joins Andrey Santos and Kendry Paez as the latest young South American exports to make the switch to the London club.

Romano has also suggested that Chelsea could sign another midfielder after the expected arrival of Caicedo, with Valencia's Yunus Musah a supposed target.