Cheteshwar Pujara’s 11th Test ton – the first for India in this series – ensured the hosts did not fall prey to outstanding bowling from Pat Cummins, who took four wickets

The Report by Daniel Brettig18-Mar-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details4:47

Manjrekar: No umpire error in Pujara review

Pat Cummins and Cheteshwar Pujara fought an absorbing duel for supremacy in Ranchi on a day when nothing came easily for either side. Australia sought to squeeze India’s first innings with tight bowling throughout and Cummins’ impact bursts, but by the close Pujara had inched the hosts to within 91 of their opponents’ tally.Nearly six years after his debut Test against South Africa in Johannesburg, Cummins bowled spells of the highest quality with both new and old ball, claiming the wickets of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and R Ashwin, the latter with a pair of prancing short deliveries. Josh Hazlewood supported him gamely, but admiration for Cummins’ work was mixed with concern for how his body will recover from these exertions given he was rushed into the team after just one Sheffield Shield match.Pujara’s innings demonstrated intense concentration and mirrored the rhythms of the day. He defended stoutly in the morning, attacked the second new ball to accelerate to his hundred in the afternoon, and then shut shop in the evening as he tried to soak up time and overs in the company of the lower order while gradually eating into Australia’s advantage.His most substantial support came from M Vijay, who helped build a strong platform aided by a strong dose of good fortune when both he and Pujara might have been out in the space of two balls from Steve O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon, on a pitch that is starting to show the faintest traces of deterioration.O’Keefe appeared to strike Pujara in front of the stumps with the last ball of the 58th over, and the captain Steven Smith chose to review the not-out verdict. However, the appeal was declined though Ultra Edge evidence suggested the ball may have struck the pad before the bat by the smallest of margins.First ball of Lyon’s next over, Vijay was caught at short leg but the appeal was declined, and with no reviews left as a result of the previous delivery, the video evidence of an inside edge onto pad was unable to be accessed. That sequence frustrated the Australians and allowed Vijay and Pujara to lift the scoring rate considerably in the lead-up to the lunch interval. Their stand was worth 102 when Vijay advanced unsuccessfully to O’Keefe and was well stumped by Matthew Wade in the last over of the morning.Kohli walked onto the field after lunch for the first time since he suffered a shoulder injury on the first day when fielding, an ailment that has required plenty of treatment, scans and also a painkilling injection. He found little sympathy from Australia, who maintained their stranglehold on his run-making by keeping him tied down until Cummins took the second new ball.Glenn Maxwell dived to save a Pujara boundary – ironically in more or less the same spot where Kohli had been injured two days before – and the resulting three put India’s captain on strike, whereupon he drove at his first ball from Cummins and edged to an exultant Smith at second slip.Australia’s celebrations continued when Rahane edged a half-hearted attempt to upper cut Cummins through to Wade, but Pujara was able to go on to his century in some style with a cover-driven boundary. Karun Nair too made a positive start to his innings as India’s total passed 300. In all, 110 runs flowed during the session.Australia tightened their bowling once again on resumption, starving Pujara and Nair of the opportunity to capitalise on what should have been a tiring attack after tea. Hazlewood had found reverse swing at various junctures of the innings, and it was a sharply swerving ball that found a narrow gap between Nair’s bat and pad to send the off stump cartwheeling.Like Kohli, Ashwin has been unable to repeat his batting feats of this season against Australia, and he was to fall to another venomous short ball from Cummins that gently grazed the gloves as the batsman tried to drop his hands away from harm. This time the DRS did go the way of Australia, as Ultra Edge showed a spike as the ball passed the gloves. Ashwin evidently did not agree and walked off the field an angry man.The episode did not distract Pujara, who formed the start of a potentially useful stand with the wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha as the shadows lengthened and the day petered out. Smith oddly did not try Lyon in the closing overs, but walked off satisfied that a couple of quick wickets on the fourth morning could still open the match up for Australia.

Liverpool are targeting Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio after failing to achieve their seasonal goals, and will hope to beat a Premier League rival to the Portuguese ace this summer.

What’s the latest on Goncalo Inacio to Liverpool?

That’s according to Spanish publication AS (via Sport Witness), revealing that – alongside Newcastle United – Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are ‘in the mix’ to sign the 21-year-old after registering an interest in the winter market.

Sporting will demand around €45m (£41m) for the pass-proficient defender, with the sticking point stemming from the Liga Portugal outfit’s demand for the entirety of the fee to be met instantly.

But with Liverpool seeking a left-footed central defender to bolster the ranks after finishing fifth in the league last season, it might be a deal worth the money.

How good is Goncalo Inacio?

When Virgil van Dijk was signed from Southampton for £75m in the winter of the 18/19 season, he activated Klopp's system and provided newfound defensive solidarity to kickstart an illustrious period in the club's history.

The 31-year-old's ball-playing prowess and offensive acumen, though, has been just as mighty as his transformative effect on the fortitude of the backline, with FBref ranking the Dutchman among the top 4% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 1% for touches in the attacking box and the top 3% for total shots attempted per 90.

He's even left Brazilian legend Ronaldinho waxing lyrical, with the revered attacker stating: "You are fantastic, [you] play with elegance and command the defence like a maestro … congratulations!"

Despite a less than propitious year with the Reds, discernibly lacking in his former imperiousness and culpable for a multitude of erroneous, subpar performances, the £220k-per-week titan has been the defensive centrepiece for his Merseyside, winning a maiden Premier League title with Liverpool, the Champions League and FA Cup – notably.

Which brings us to Inacio, who has been earning all the plaudits for his work in the early stage of his professional career in his homeland, already described as the "complete" centre-half by talent scout Jacek Kulig and chalking up 122 appearances with the Leões, scoring 11 goals and supplying eight assists.

While he currently plies his trade outside a 'top five' European leagues and subsequently is ranked by FBref against players across the Men's Next 8 divisions – below the said leagues – he has exhibited the superlative nature of his passing skills.

The two-cap international ranks among the top 1% of centre-backs for passes attempted and progressive passes, the top 2% for assists and shot-creating actions, the top 3% for progressive carries and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90.

Heralded as a "leader" and an "aerial dominator" by one Premier League analyst, He clearly boasts the requisite ability to flourish in a Klopp team, characterised by its pressing and attacking flair, hence demanding defenders efficient on the ball and composed under pressure.

And given that Inacio is an amazing talent with all the tools to craft success at the highest level, he might just be the perfect option to absorb the fruits of Van Dijk's labour and assume his role for the next phase in Liverpool's history.

Manchester United tying down Marcus Rashford to a new deal at Old Trafford will be an 'exception to the rule' regarding any notion of a salary cap at the Red Devils, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Marcus Rashford?

According to renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano writing in his exclusive column for Caught Offside, Rashford is now close to finalizing new terms at Manchester United.

Romano detailed: "I can confirm that Marcus Rashford is really close to signing new long term deal at United, though when it’ll be announced is up to the club. It’s technically not done yet, some details have to be clarified soon but talks are very advanced. Man United believe this is like a new signing because Rashford was out of contract in 2024 and many top clubs including PSG were keeping close eye on Marcus’ situation."

The Daily Mail also report along similar lines, revealing that Manchester United are in the latter stages of being able to tie Rashford down on a new deal and that discussions between the club and Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund are continuing to take place.

Capology understand that Rashford earns around £200k-a-week on his current terms at Old Trafford that are set to run until June 2024.

Back in January, The Daily Mail indicated that Manchester United had introduced a new salary cap dubbed the 'Ronaldo rule' that would forbid playing staff from earning over £200,000 per week.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones believes that any notion of a salary cap would exclude Rashford due to his importance at Manchester United.

Jones said: "I was always told as part of this is the general salary cap, yes, will be £300,000, but there always has to be, one, two or three players that are an exception to the rule.

"Marcus Rashford is absolutely an exception to the rule. This is a player that you can't allow to leave the club."

Should Marcus Rashford be excluded from Manchester United's salary cap?

In short, Rashford, who has been hailed as a "standout" player by Declan Rice, is too important to Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag to have any limits bestowed upon his attempts to make sure the England international stays at Old Trafford for the long term.

Last campaign, Rashford racked up 30 goals and 11 assists in 56 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils, as per Transfermarkt.

The 26-year-old was also Manchester United's third most consistent performer during the season gone behind Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, picking up an average match rating of 7.08/10 for his exploits on the field, according to WhoScored.

FBRef illustrate that Rashford played a crucial part in chance provision for the Red Devils as well, successfully carrying out 120 shot-creating actions in total.

Manchester United fans will be relieved to see Rashford being on the verge of signing a new contract at his boyhood club, as his goals proved vital to their eventual qualification for Champions League football in 2023/24.

All focus at the club will now be on trying to improve on their efforts in the 2022/23 campaign and seeing how close they can push their rivals for the Premier League crown.

أعلن الجهاز الفني للنادي الأهلي بقيادة مارسيل كولر، تشكيل الفريق الرسمي لمباراة سيمبا، في المباراة التي تقام بينهما اليوم الجمعة، ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وتقام مباراة الأهلي وسيمبا على أرضية ملعب بنيامين مكايا الوطني، اليوم الجمعة، بذهاب دور الـ8 من دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ولم ينجح الأهلي في تحقيق أي انتصار على سيمبا التنزانيا في ملعبه، إذ انتهت 3 مباريات بالهزيمة وواحدة بالتعادل.

طالع أيضاً.. موعد والقناة الناقلة لمباراة الأهلي وسيمبا اليوم في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

ويشهد تشكيل الأهلي مشاركة موديست في مركز المهاجم، بجانب عودة أحمد نبيل كوكا بعد فترة غياب بسبب الإصابة. تشكيل الأهلي اليوم أمام سيمبا في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

حراسة المرمي: مصطفى شوبير.

خط الدفاع: أكرم توفيق، محمد عبد المنعم، رامي ربيعة، علي معلول.

خط الوسط: مروان عطية، أحمد نبيل كوكا، عمرو السولية.

خط الهجوم: حسين الشحات، بيرسي تاو، أنتوني موديست.

Nottingham Forest have “an interest in sounding out” Callum Hudson-Odoi this summer if they cannot secure the signature of another Premier League winger Steve Cooper is interested in, claims transfer insider Dean Jones.

Is Callum Hudson-Odoi joining Nottingham Forest?

It was a successful first season back in the Premier League for The Garibaldi last year as they managed to secure their safety in their penultimate game thanks to a brilliant 1-0 victory over title-chasing Arsenal at the City Ground.

With their top-flight status assured for another year, the Midlands club have once again turned to the transfer market as they look to firmly establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in English football.

According to the Evening Standard, the side are confident in luring Brazilian winger Willian away from London after his contract at Fulham expired this month. However, should that deal not materialise, they have a backup, Chelsea’s Hudson-Odoi.

The Tricky Trees are reportedly amongst the favourites to land the 22-year-old, with Cooper a ‘huge fan’ of the player after working with him at the under-17 World Cup before, per Football Transfers.

The Wandsworth-born dynamo’s £120,000-a-week contract expires in 12 months, and with the Blues preferring to sell him over another loan, a bid in the region of £20m could be enough to secure his services, also per Football Transfers.

The two-time European Champions might face some stiff competition from the continent, however, as according to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Serie A side and Champions League contenders Lazio are said to be interested in the young Englishman.

What has Dean Jones said about Hudson-Odoi?

Jones pointed out that whatever Hudson-Odoi decides to do this summer, he will have to do it quickly, as he will not feature for the Blues next year. He mentions Lazio as a potential destination but believes Forest could offer him a way to stay in the Premier League should they fail to land top target Willian.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: “Hudson-Odoi needs to find a solution pretty soon as he’s not going to figure for Chelsea next season.

“It’s a case now of being very open-minded. He’s been to Germany on loan, and there are possibilities in the Bundesliga, for sure, while he’s also being linked to Lazio. I have little doubt he could go to Serie A and shine – just as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic are hoping to.

“But there might still be a way for him to get a chance in the Premier League – we cannot discount that at this stage. One option I’ve heard that really might open up is at Nottingham Forest. They have been enquiring over Willian and, if that does not progress, I am led to believe they are interested in properly sounding out Hudson-Odoi.

“They are not afraid to go after big names, and it’s clear they intend to show ambition right now as this second season in the Premier League is a real chance for the club to begin establishing themselves in the top flight.”

Who else are Nottingham Forest linked to?

Outside of tricky wingers, Forest are also looking for a new goalkeeper.

According to The Athletic, the primary target in that department remains Manchester United’s Dean Henderson, who has returned to the Red Devils for preseason.

However, should a deal for the Englishman not be possible, the club have already identified Wolverhampton Wanderers shot-stopper Jose Sa as a potential alternative.

The Portuguese keeper has already spent two seasons with Forest’s sister club Olympiacos between 2018 and 2021, so there is a relationship there with the club’s ownership.

Ultimately, a move to Forest could suit all parties involved, giving Hudson-Odoi the platform to rediscover the form that led Frank Lampard to label him “special”, and Cooper could have a potentially world-class winger on his hands if he gets back to his best.

West Ham United could join the race for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge, transfer insider Dean Jones told GIVEMESPORT.

What is the latest news regarding Sander Berge to West Ham?

Reports state that the Sheffield United midfielder could be available for £10 million this summer, due to the player's unwillingness to sign a new contract. And, one thing that could work in favour of the Hammers' is the fact that the player's contract expires in the summer of 2024 and as such the club could be forced to cash in on the Norwegian to avoid missing out on a fee for a player they paid €25.00m (£21.5m) for four seasons ago.

Fulham's Joao Palhinha has been mentioned as a potential target for the Hammers, whilst Southampton's James Ward-Prowse is another name that has also been linked to a switch to the London Stadium, however, both options have been quoted at major transfer fees, which may force the club to pivot to different targets.

The Hammers are looking to replace the outbound Declan Rice, and Jones expects West Ham to be considering the Norweigan, along with a number of other Premier League sides.

What are Dean Jones' thoughts on Sander Berge's potential move to West Ham?

When asked about a potential West Ham move for the midfielder, Jones said to GIVEMESPORT: "I wouldn't be surprised if Fulham had another look at this, especially at £10 million. It wouldn't even surprise me if West Ham got involved in a conversation like that if it was such good value.”

What do Sander Berge's stats look like at Sheffield United last season?

Berge has had a positive spell at the Blades, garnering praise from fans and pundits alike, with his former manager Chris Wilder calling him a "complete midfielder".

He was an ever-present during the Blades' promotion push, featuring 43 times across all competitions, as well as producing an incredible seven goals and six assists in all competitions.

And, he isn't short of Premier League experience either as the midfielder has made 29 appearances across the club's two top-flight campaigns, registering four goals and assists. This experience should enable him to be a more seamless fit into the side.

A concern for the Hammers could be his injury worries, with him missing 80 games in his career already, at the age of just 25. It is a stark contrast from Rice who has missed only one game in his career through injury or illness.

Althought, when you take his stats into account and the fact that he costs almost £70m-£80m less than Joao Palhinha at Fulham, it seems like a no-brainer, especially as he already has that experience and more of an attacking ability with his creation, similar to what Declan Rice has started to add to his game in recent seasons. His height is also something that fits right in at the London Stadium, standing at 6ft 5 inches, with Tomas Soucek proving to be an absolute menace from set-pieces for David Moyes' side in years gone by, so fans will surely be up for more of the same.

تحدد بشكل رسمي منافس فريق الأهلي، في دور نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا للموسم الحالي 2023-2024.

الأهلي استطاع أن يتأهل إلي دور نصف النهائي من دوري أبطال إفريقيا للمرة الخامسة على التوالي والـ20 في تاريخه بعد الفوز على سيمبا التنزاني.

وفاز الأهلي على سيمبا التنزاني بنتيجة 3-0 في مجموع مباراتي الذهاب والإياب من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

طالع | السولية بعد تأهل الأهلي لنصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا: نحلم باللقب مرة أخرى

وكانت قرعة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، أسفرت عن ملاقاة الأهلي في حالة التأهل إلى دور نصف النهائي الفائز من مواجهة مازيمبي الكونغولي وبترو أتلتيكو الأنجولي.

والتقي مازيمبي مع بترو أتلتيكو في دور ربع النهائي من دوري أبطال إفريقيا، حيث انتهت مواجهة الذهاب في الكونغو بالتعادل السلبي

وفي مواجهة الإياب بين مازيمبي وبترو أتلتيكو التي أقيمت اليوم السبت في أنجولا، فاز مازيمبي بهدفين مقابل هدف، ليتأهل ويضرب موعدًا مع الأهلي في دور نصف النهائي. منافس الأهلي في نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا

يلتقي الأهلي مع مازيمبي الكونغولي في دور نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا، حيث تقام مباراة الذهاب في الكونغو والعودة تلعب في القاهرة. موعد مباراة الأهلي ومازيمبي في دور نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا

تقام مباراة الذهاب بين الأهلي ومازيمبي في الكونغو، أحد أيام 19 أو 20 أبريل، ولقاء العودة في القاهرة يقام أحد أيام 26 أو 27 من نفس الشهر.

A slow but steady hundred from Azhar Ali and Misbah-ul-Haq’s 99 ensured Pakistan tightened their grip over the Bridgetown Test

The report by Danyal Rasool02-May-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:21

‘I deserved Misbah’s wicket’ – Holder

A slow but steady hundred from Azhar Ali, and Misbah-ul-Haq’s 99, ensured Pakistan tightened their grip on the Bridgetown Test. After they secured a lead of 81 in response to West Indies’ 312 on a deteriorating pitch, fast bowler Mohammad Abbas had Kieran Powell caught behind. West Indies ended the day trailing by 41.’Always felt I had a chance against Misbah’

West Indies captain Jason Holder on:
West Indies’ plan for the fourth day: The first priority is to get a lead, put some runs on the board for Pakistan to chase. The way the pitch is playing, and if it deteriorates anymore, anything in excess of 175 will be good for us, and give ourselves time and a chance to bowl Pakistan out. We really have to set it up tomorrow morning, make use of that first session. It’s important that Kraigg and Hetmyer carry us as far as possible and one of the top four batsmen can get a hundred that will put us in good stead.
Misbah’s dismissal: I always felt I was in with a chance with Misbah, specially outside the off stump. I was hoping one could pop off a length. I didn’t really expect that one to pop off of a length after he had been batting for so long and so well. I got it in the right areas pretty consistently the entire day and I think I deserved that wicket at that stage.
Tackling the pitch: We have to be positive but also selective. It’s not a pitch that’s for free-scoring I believe. Once we maximise the loose deliveries they give us we will put ourselves in much better stead

The hosts had built up some momentum before tea, when they claimed three wickets for 13 runs, but they squandered it by allowing Pakistan’s tailenders to make sizeable contributions in a game where batting in the second innings is expected to get significantly harder.Jason Holder bowled an incisive spell, and along with Shannon Gabriel, had Pakistan seven down at tea for a lead of 17. Any hope of bowling them out swiftly, however, were dismissed by wayward bowling at the start of the final session. West Indies gave away three sets of byes that went for four down leg side. They were runs that, in this context, were such a gift they might as well have had a bow on them.In all Pakistan added 64 runs, of which Yasir Shah scored 24. With Gabriel and Holder chipping away, Pakistan’s lead had not become unassailable but the early loss of Powell meant West Indies would begin day four on the back foot.The third day had begun with Misbah and Azhar in survival mode, scoring 54 runs in 26 overs on a pitch too slow to offer encouragement to the quicks. The likeliest route to a breakthrough was through the cracks spread across a misbehaving surface with variable bounce.The second session was more lively, as if the teams had an epiphany over lunch that Test cricket in 2017 was supposed to be different to the kind they had displayed in the morning. Misbah was responsible for the injection of pace into the innings as Pakistan’s batsmen looked more comfortable against spin at both ends.Misbah broke the shackles when he swung freely for a six over long-on. The Pakistan captain looked good for a hundred, after being stranded on 99 in Kingston. However, he fell agonisingly on the same score again when a Holder delivery reared up to smash his gloves and loop to gully. What followed was a manic 20 minutes in which Pakistan went from 316 for 4 to 329 for 7.Azhar brought up his 13th Test hundred shortly after, with a cut past backward point for four. However, Devendra Bishoo was beginning to find his range, and beat Azhar’s bat from around the wicket on more than one occasion. Eight overs in, he found the outside edge with a sharp legbreak, breaking a 98-run partnership that took over 42 overs.Misbah, though, continued to play in a liberated mood, sweeping well and even bringing out the reverse sweep to neutralise the spinners’ leg-stump line. As a result, the runs began to flow, with 67 runs coming off 15 overs of spin. By then, Pakistan were ticking off milestones: the 300, the 50-partnership between Asad Shafiq and Misbah, and then going past West Indies’ first-innings total.However, it will be the one that got away – by one run yet again – that will likely remain memorable, as Misbah became the first man in Test cricket to have three scores of 99.The mini-collapse that followed Misbah’s dismissal was West Indies’ best spell of the game so far. If they are to fight back once again during this Test, they will have to produce a better one with the bat on the fourth day.

Ian Bell has committed to Warwickshire for a further three years, after signing a contract extension that runs until the end of the 2020 season

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Apr-2017Ian Bell has committed to Warwickshire for a further three years, after signing a contract extension that runs until the end of the 2020 season.Bell, 34, scored 7,727 runs at 42.69 in 118 Test appearances, but has not played for England since their 2-0 series defeat against Pakistan in November 2015.However, with 18,533 runs to his name in first-class cricket, his commitment to Warwickshire is undimmed, not least since being appointed captain last year.”Warwickshire is the only county that I’ve ever wanted to play for,” Bell said.”The club has played a huge role in my career and it’s a great honour to now captain the team and help our young, talented players fulfil their potential here at Edgbaston.”Bell played in seven Ashes series in the course of his England career, emerging victorious on five occasions in 2005, 2009, 2010-11, 2013 and 2015.In domestic cricket, he has won six trophies, including last summer’s Royal London One-Day Cup when the Birmingham Bears beat Surrey in the final at Lord’s to cap his first season as captain.”Ian is a true Bear who has been with Warwickshire since the age of 10 and has gone on to be one of the most decorated players in the club’s history,” said Warwickshire sport director, Ashley Giles.”He continues to be one of the leading batsmen in the country across all three formats and, as our captain, he sets exceptionally high standards for the rest of the squad.”

Newcastle United are eyeing an 'ambitious' swoop for AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez as Eddie Howe steps up his recruitment drive in 2023/24 and their interest is symptomatic of their ambition under their new owners, according to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor.

What's the latest Newcastle transfer news involving Theo Hernandez?

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Newcastle United are keen on Hernandez this summer, though they face competition for his signature from Atletico Madrid.

The report states that any deal will be 'complicated to negotiate' and also details that Juventus star Federico Chiesa is another target for the Magpies, who have already raided Serie A to sign Sandro Tonali from AC Milan.

France international Hernandez, who has been hailed as a "beast", enjoyed a productive campaign on the left-hand side of defence for AC Milan, registering four goals and five assists in 45 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

Hernandez also offered a prominent threat going forward for AC Milan, taking 1.6 shots and threading 1.2 key passes per match in Serie A, according to WhoScored.

As per Capology, the 25-year-old is understood to rake in around €98,654 (£84,384) per week on the books at San Siro on a contract that runs until June 2026.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Daily Express journalist Taylor has signalled his belief that Newcastle United's interest in Hernandez is a statement of the ambition held at ownership level at the club.

Taylor stated: "The number 10 [position] is somewhere that I would expect Newcastle to be looking at. There are a few other options as well.

"At left back links to Theo Hernandez, I think the fact there's even interest in Theo Hernandez shows how ambitious Newcastle are and how serious they're going to be in the market in terms of finances. So I would say although there's no real names out there, keep an eye on them."

Who else are Newcastle United targeting this summer?

Newcastle United are in the market for several reinforcements as boss Howe prepares his side for a tilt at the Champions League in 2023/24.

As per Football Insider, Newcastle United are in 'pole position' to sign Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney following the news that Fulham ace Antonee Robinson has penned a new five-year deal in west London, elevating the Scot to become the Magpies' first-choice left-back target.

The Premier League outfit are also keen to offer Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes an immediate route back to the English top flight and are willing to offload out-of-favour wideman Allan Saint-Maximin to raise funds to initiate a swoop, as per Telegraph Sport.

Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano has issued an update on Twitter confirming that the Magpies are admirers of Monaco defender Axel Disasi, stating: "Newcastle and Manchester United are both exploring Disasi deal, no bids yet. Newcastle approached player side this week, expected to make contact with Monaco. Ten Hag approved Disasi — talks for weeks on player side but still waiting for approach with Monaco. More to follow."

More rumours will appear and then some will subsequently begin to gain momentum in the next few weeks and it wouldn't be surprising to see some real high-profile signings grace the St James' Park turf come the start of the season.