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Liverpool have not even started negotiations with Sadio Mane over a new deal at the club, according to reliable journalist Neil Jones.

The Lowdown: Mane into final 18 months

The 29-year-old has been an incredible player for the Reds, scoring 107 goals and registering 44 assists in 244 appearances overall.

Mane’s current deal expires in the summer of 2023, however, and with his 30th birthday approaching, there are slight question marks surrounding his future.

The arrival of Luis Diaz also potentially clouds the situation, with the Porto man possibly seen as a long-term replacement for Liverpool’s No.10.

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The Latest: Jones makes important claim

Writing for Goal on Sunday, Jones claimed that ‘there have been no formal negotiations’ between the Reds and Mane’s representatives regarding a new contract.

He also states that the signing of Diaz ‘adds an extra layer of intrigue’, perhaps hinting that the Senegal superstar sees the signing as a threat to his future at Anfield.

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The Verdict: Potential exit on the cards?

There is an argument to say that Mane isn’t quite the world-class player he once was, even though he has still scored ten goals this season.

His blistering burst of pace has dropped off slightly and his all-round involvement in games isn’t as great as in the title-winning season, with only one league assist to his name in 2021/22.

That being said, he remains a player who would walk into most teams – Jurgen Klopp has hailed him as ‘unbelievable’ – and if he agrees to sign a deal that isn’t necessarily long-term it would make perfect sense.

He may gradually become more of a squad player if Diaz excels, as well as the increasingly influential Diogo Jota, but at 29, there are still years left in him at the top.

In other news, some Liverpool fans love an update regarding one Reds player. Find out who it is here.

According to Daily Mail reporter Sami Mokbel, Antonio Conte believed he could turn Tanguy Ndombele’s Tottenham career around, but that is now no longer the case.

The Lowdown: Ndombele booed off…

The club record signing has been at the centre of reports linking him with a move away from Spurs after he was booed off during the Lilywhites’ 3-1 FA Cup third round win over Morecambe.

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Ndombele slowly walked off the pitch and headed straight down the tunnel, drawing the wrath of Tottenham’s home supporters as he refused to vacate the pitch with any real haste.

The Frenchman, among other players who could potentially leave, has his future up in the air under manager Antonio Conte with the Spurs head coach now making a major decision behind-the-scenes.

The Latest: Conte performs Ndombele U-turn…

According to Mail reporter Mokbel, the former Chelsea manager is ‘no longer convinced’ by Tottenham’s midfield man despite originally thinking he could ‘get a tune’ out of the player.

In his report, the journalist explains that Conte ‘had originally planned for Ndombele to stay at the club’ but is now ‘ready to cut his losses’ this month – greenlighting his January exit.

The Verdict: For the best?

Averaging more completed dribbles per 90 than any Spurs player in the Premier League last season (WhoScored) whilst proving his undoubted ability in flashes, doubts have mostly surrounded his application and attitude.

On a reported £200,000-per-week, one of the club’s highest earners, chairman Daniel Levy and managing director Fabio Paratici could be looking for ways to cut the club’s expenses and fund much-needed new additions by offloading Ndombele this month.

If a willing buyer comes in, it would arguably be foolish of Tottenham not to entertain selling before January 31 and indeed cut their losses on a player who has already been given time to prove his worth.

In other news: Spurs agree £33.4m option for sensational player after loan spell with EPL rivals! Find out more here.

Manchester United have not been as active as expected during this transfer window so far, although they have been linked with a number of players over the last few months as Ralf Rangnick’s side have struggled to chase down a top four spot so far this season.

What’s the word?

Journalist Alex Crook has given his insight to the speculation surrounding United potentially signing Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria during this month’s transfer window.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, he revealed: “I think if they did that, it’d be to keep him out of the clutches of the likes of Liverpool. I think certainly there’s been talks between United and his representatives.

“No fee agreed yet, and there would be a minimal fee, I think it’d be less than £10 million to sign him this month.”

It was reported by SPORT1 this week that United had made contact with the midfielder and commenced talks, but there doesn’t appear to be any official moves made by the club as of yet.

Fans will be buzzing

Signing a defensive midfielder has been a priority at Old Trafford for a long time, and numerous fans have continuously identified this issue in poor performances over the last 18 months.

Nothing has materialised in the way of filling the position with a high-quality upgrade, but if the club can bring Zakaria to Manchester, it would likely leave many Red Devils supporters buzzing.

The 25-year-old is composed on the ball, his 90.1% passing success rate this season bettered only by Jesse Lingard at United. He is also adept at breaking up play, making 1.2 interceptions per game – a higher average than any of Rangnick’s current midfielders.

He is not afraid to break forward, either, averaging 1.2 shots per match this term. Remarkably, that is a slightly better return than United forward Marcus Rashford (1.1).

The Red Devils remain in a decent position to change the direction of their campaign, still competing in the Champions League and FA Cup, as well as being in contention to finish inside the top four with almost half of the Premier League season still to go and only six points off West Ham, who currently occupy fourth spot.

Adding a player like Zakaria, who has won the majority of his aerial duels this season, into an oft-cited weakness of the team would surely help United to progress in the tournaments in which they are still competing, as well as the challenge of securing a top four spot in the Premier League.

In other news: Rangnick reveals quadruple selection boost ahead of Aston Villa clash

Leeds United will be patient but are expected to be active this month…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, who delivered a fresh claim live on the Transfer Show (6th January).

“Leeds United still looking to strengthen but they are prepared to be patient in this window,” he revealed.

Chief executive Angus Kinnear has already fired a warning to the Elland Road faithful that it is always hard to complete business during the January transfer window, whilst under manager Marcelo Bielsa and director of football Victor Orta, United have very rarely been busy.

Changing times?

The Yorkshire giants have endured a tricky season so far – after challenging the Premier League’s top ten last term, they find themselves on the cusp of a relegation dogfight and staring down the barrel at the infamous ‘second-season syndrome’.

Last weekend’s victory over Burnley handed the Whites some breathing room as they moved eight points clear of the drop, but several teams below them in the standings hold games in hand, so they remain in a perilous situation.

Some of their struggles can be attributed to the ongoing injury crisis at the club. Bielsa regularly has been without several key stars since the start of the season. The likes of captain Liam Cooper, vice-skipper Luke Ayling and leading talisman Patrick Bamford have all faced serious time on the treatment table.

As many as nine first-team players were missing for Leeds’ defeat to Arsenal over the festive period, so it’s no wonder they have struggled to replicate the heights of last season.

That is exactly why they need to be proactive in the transfer market this month.

For example, Bamford does not have sufficient cover, so Leeds have struggled to score goals this campaign. Only Raphinha (eight) has found the net more than twice in the league, so a new forward would be one of many areas that Orta and co need to target.

Therefore, Sheth’s claim that they will be looking to strengthen is certainly an encouraging one, and it should leave many supporters excited heading into the rest of the month.

AND in other news, Leeds United could be set for “huge blow” amid emerging transfer report…

West Brom are interested in signing Barnsley captain Cauley Woodrow in the January transfer window, according to a fresh transfer rumour.

The Lowdown: Woodrow impresses for Barnsley

The Baggies were held to a 0-0 draw on Friday as Valerien Ismael returned to Oakwell but failed to beat his former club.

One player who didn’t feature on the night was Woodrow, but the 27-year-old has been an important figure for the Tykes for some time.

The £7,400-per-week attacker has scored four times in the Championship this season – bettered only by Karlan Grant (nine) among West Brom’s squad – and he has found the net 53 times in 151 appearances for Barnsley, with 76 senior career goals to his name.

The Latest: West Brom keen on Woodrow

According to The Athletic, the Baggies are looking into the possibility of signing Woodrow next month in order to aid their promotion push.

The 27-year-old’s current deal expires in the summer of 2023, so a fee would be required to bring him to The Hawthorns.

The Verdict: Strong potential addition

Woodrow could be an ideal man for Albion to bring in next month, with the Barnsley hero possessing lots of Championship experience, making 180 appearances in the division.

There has been too much dependence on Grant to provide goals for West Brom but Woodrow would ease that burden, giving Ismael another strong option in the final third.

At 27, he is also at a good age in terms of being both experienced and in his prime, so he wouldn’t merely be a quick fix either.

In other news, one player is reportedly a transfer target for West Brom. Find out who it is here.

Raphinha is expected to play for Leeds United in their crucial Premier League clash with Norwich City, according to journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Must-win game for Leeds

The Whites face a vital league game on Sunday afternoon, making the trip to Carrow Road to face the bottom-of-the-table Canaries.

Following Saturday’s results, Leeds also find themselves in the bottom three, with the pressure really building on Marcelo Bielsa and his players.

Only a win will do against Daniel Farke’s side – a defeat would feel disastrous – and the hope is that last weekend’s late draw at home to Wolves acts as some sort of catalyst.

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The Latest: Hay gives early team news

Speaking in a Q&A for The Athletic on Sunday morning, Hay said he expects to see Raphinha take to the field, as well as Kalvin Phillips and Pascal Sttuijk, giving the following team news update ahead of today’s match:

“There’s no Bamford again today and no Ayling either but Raphinha should be involved and Phillips is fine after his outing at Arsenal.

“We’ll probably be looking at a back three because Norwich have started using two up front so no surprise if Pascal Struijk comes into the team.”

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The Verdict: Raphina’s inclusion would be a boost for Leeds

Leeds haven’t made the greatest start to the season but Raphinha has been their biggest ray of light. Their top scorer with three goals, he is also by far their best performer of the campaign according to WhoScored’s metrics, averaging a 7.25 match rating.

His international form also sums up why he is probably the Whites’ best player right now. The 24-year-old has scored two goals and set up two more in his first three caps for Brazil and he needs to take that form with him to Carrow Road today.

Without him against Southampton two weeks ago, the Whites fell to a meek 1-0 defeat, and there may have been concerns about his involvement today after he limped off with an ankle injury against Wolves last time out.

His ability to beat a player and create havoc will make him a key figure for Leeds, especially up against a defence which has conceded 23 times already in the league in 2021/22, and his inclusion today would be a real boost for Bielsa.

In other news, one Leeds United hero has been tipped to join one of the Premier League heavyweights. Find out who it is here.

Reliable Aston Villa reporter Ashley Preece shared a story regarding a possible exit for striker Wesley Moraes in January.

And, as to be expected, a number of Villa supporters have been giving their thoughts to the update on social media.

The 25-year-old made the move to the Midlands back in 2019 from Club Brugge in a deal worth £22.5m. However, the Brazilian struggled in England and was just beginning to show what he was capable of before he picked up a serious knee injury against Burnley back in 2020 – he has played just 120 minutes of senior football since.

Wesley was then sent on loan to Brugge over the summer but is yet to score and has started just one game, and it seems as if a return to his native country could be on the cards.

Birmingham Live cited reports from Brazil in a story on Monday evening, where Wesley’s agent claimed that Internacional and Sao Paulo were keen on a January move. He’s reportedly cut short his loan spell with Brugge, with Sao Paulo making a direct proposal to Villa.

Villa fans react

Preece shared the news on Twitter on Tuesday morning. This is what these Villa fans had to say, with a number still not over Ben Mee’s challenge and one describing the severity of the impact the injury had on Wesley’s career as ‘crazy’.

“Blokes was awful before his horror injury, and as a result of that he’s even worse now”

Credit: @CarlReevesAVFC

“This is what happens when you have teams who play the way Burnley do. It continues to be an absolute disgrace that he wasn’t punished for that “tackle”.”

Credit: @BillBones84

“Such a shame what happened to Wesley. Crazy how an injury can completely derail everything. Mind you surely worth keeping around as a 3rd choice striker for the season?”

Credit: @Benjmeister85

“Best thing for all concerned I think. Ben Mee ruined this guys career and didn’t even get a yellow card”

Credit: @coleman83avfc

“I’m surprised anybody is prepared to take that gamble. Since he came back from that injury he looks like he can barely run”

Credit: @DavidSmithAVFC

“It was an awful injury – and one that was recklessly inflicted – it will take a long time to recover from it – if he ever recovers. My loathing of Burnley and their thuggish ways is incapable of increasing.”

Credit: @Son_Lyme

In other news: Gerrard desperate to bring 19 y/o sensation to Villa; his last goal was watched 350k times. 

A preview of the second India-Pakistan ODI in Kolkata

The Preview by Siddhartha Talya02-Jan-2013Match facts January 3, 2012
Start time 1200 (0630 GMT)Big Picture India are again left needing to come from behind, third time in their last four series. A superb display of swing bowling by Junaid Khan crippled India’s batting line-up on an overcast Chennai morning before MS Dhoni rescued his team with a fighting century. Such a procession of batsmen to the pavilion appears unlikely in Kolkata, where overhead conditions haven’t been as bowler-friendly and the curator Prabir Mukherjee has promised a “typical one-day wicket with lots of runs” with the side batting first having an early advantage. But the visitors have been practicing hard to seal their team’s first bilateral ODI series win over India since 2005.Pakistan’s seamers bowled extended spells at the nets on Tuesday, with Umar Gul, Junaid and Mohammad Irfan aiming at one stump. India, on the other hand, missed a session on Tuesday and have an optional one on the eve of the game. They may be short of adequate preparation for a game they cannot afford to lose.Form guide (Completed games, most recent first) India: LWWWL
Pakistan: WLWLL
Players to watch Shoaib Malik was initially picked only for the T20s but has been retained for the ODIs and played a good supporting hand in Chennai. He’s had a good tour so far, guiding Pakistan to victory in the first T20 before giving Nasir Jamshed company in his team’s successful chase on Sunday. A former Pakistan captain, Malik has struggled to keep his place in the side for a while but his experience has come in handy in this limited-overs series.After his century in the first Test against England in Ahmedabad, Virender Sehwag has failed to fire. He was not picked in March last year for the Asia Cup, and could be under pressure to perform, given he’s had just one half-century in his last 10 innings in ODI cricket.Team newsRohit Sharma’s poor run of scores in ODIs continued in Chennai and India could consider replacing him with Ajinkya Rahane. However, there is uncertainty over Virat Kohli’s availability, as he limped off the field after slipping while bowling in Chennai. MRI scans revealed no serious damage, but his condition continues to be monitored.India (possible): 1 Gautam Gambhir, 2 Virender Sehwag, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Yuvraj Singh, 5 Rohit Sharma/Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Suresh Raina, 7 MS Dhoni (capt and wk), 8 R Ashwin, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Ishant Sharma, 11 Ashok Dinda.It seems unlikely Pakistan will make changes, even though Mohammad Irfan proved expensive in Chennai.Pakistan (possible): 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Nasir Jamshed, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Younis Khan, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 6 Shoaib Malik, 7 Kamran Akmal (wk), 8 Junaid Khan, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Mohammad Irfan.Stats and Trivia Rohit Sharma is 22 short of reaching 2000 runs in ODIs. Kamran Akmal is 70 short of scoring 3000 in ODIs. Quotes “If he keeps on doing that then we will find another great left arm fast-bowler of Wasim Akram’s type.”

“We are used to playing with part-timers. Now it’s difficult for them to bowl 10 overs with five players inside the circle. So you’ve to assess whether six batsmen are enough or seven [are needed].”

Waqar Younis, the new Pakistan coach, has hailed the appointment of allrounder Shahid Afridi as captain for the World Twenty20 starting next month

Cricinfo staff27-Mar-2010Waqar Younis, the new Pakistan coach, has hailed the appointment of allrounder Shahid Afridi as captain for the World Twenty20 starting next month in the West Indies. The PCB installed Afridi at the helm earlier this week, after initially announcing the squad for the tournament without naming a captain.”Afridi is an allrounder with a positive frame of mind who had been bowling excellently in last two years,” Waqar told . “His mere presence in the field generates a fighting spirit among the players.”Waqar takes charge during a particularly tumultuous period for Pakistan cricket – several senior players were banned two weeks ago, and there have been persistent murmurs of match-fixing and dressing-room spats. However, he remained confident of a good show in the Caribbean. “Pakistan is capable of defending its title in the presence of Afridi, Razzaq and Akmal brothers.”Pakistan have had four coaches in three years, and with this being Waqar’s first official role as head coach at any level, he acknowledged the difficulty of the task ahead for him. “The history of Pakistan cricket tells us that the coaching of the national team is no an easy task,” he said. “But someone had to do the job and I dared to accept it and I assured the nation and the Pakistan Cricket Board that I would not disappoint them.”He tried to temper the expectations of the country’s passionate fans, and said things couldn’t be changed overnight. “I understand that the people of Pakistan are mad for cricket and their sentiments are badly injured when the national team loses but I would ask them that they should curb their emotions and try to understand the circumstances before reacting.”The depth of Pakistan’s talent pool excited Waqar, who set his sights on next year’s World Cup in the subcontinent. “World Cup 2011 is the real target. I have seen immense talent in Pakistan A and Under-19 teams which needs to be groomed and I am sure that in next few months the things would start moving in the right direction.”

The civilian awards, given for distinguished service in any field and announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year, also included four other India sportspersons this year

Cricinfo staff25-Jan-2010India opener Virender Sehwag and renowned coach Ramakant Achrekar have been conferred the Padma Shri. The civilian awards, given for distinguished service in any field and announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year, also included four other India sportspersons this year.Sehwag, 31, boasts of more than 13,000 international runs and is the only triple centurion for India in Tests, a landmark he achieved twice. He also received the Arjuna Award in 2002. Team-mate Sachin Tendulkar praised Sehwag for his immense contribution in the improved performance of the team over the last 10 years.”Sehwag has made a terrific impact to the next generation and he truly deserves to be conferred the Padma Shri,” Tendulkar said. “To be honoured with Padma Shri is a terrific achievement. I think his achievements have been appreciated (by the government). He’s a wonderful player to have in the team and has been a consistent performer for the past 10 years.”The 78-year-old Achrekar has also significantly contributed to the game – his academy in the Shivaji Park area in Mumbai, has churned out several players who went on to don national colours including Tendulkar, Vinod Kambli, Praveen Amre, Ajit Agarkar and Ramesh Powar.The awards will be presented by the President of India at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi in March-April.