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Chelsea are believed to be interested in signing Montpellier attacker Elye Wahi this summer, rivalling Wolves for his signature in the process.

Who is Elye Wahi?

The 20-year-old is an exciting young footballer currently making a name for himself in his homeland of France, catching the eye with his performances for Montpellier over the past 12 months or so, in particular.

Wahi proved to be one of the standout attacking players in the whole of Ligue 1 last season, scoring a hugely impressive 19 goals in just 29 starts. He also chipped in with five assists for good measure, showcasing his potential and no doubt making various clubs take notice.

The youngster is also a three-cap and one-goal France Under-21s international, and he has represented his country at Under-20, Under-19, Under-18, Under-17 and Under-16 level, too, showing that he has been considered a prospect for a number of years now.

Wahi is contracted with Montpellier until the summer of 2025, and while that is still two years away, the French club may start to become wary that they are slowly running out of time when it comes to receiving the biggest amount of money for his signature.

With Chelsea eyeing up attacking signings ahead of the new Premier League season, it looks as though the French ace could be seen as a potential acquisition in the summer transfer window.

Could Chelsea sign Elye Wahi this summer?

According to a new report from French outlet L'Equipe, the Blues are interested in signing Wahi this summer, and have been negotiating with him over a move for a number of days. Wolves have been in the conversation for the Montepellier man, but it looks as though the English team mooted recently is Chelsea.

A bid of around €30m (£25.6m) could be enough for the west Londoners to get their man, as Mauricio Pochettino looks to turn his side's fortunes around after a dire 2022/23 campaign, with new signings vital for that to happen.

Wahi could be a brilliant signing by Chelsea before the new season starts, having been described as "a powerful, athletic and fast player with a range of dribbling skills where only he knows what he is going to do next" by former Caen academy director Francis de Taddeo in the past.

At just 20, he has already shown that he can excel in one of Europe's big five leagues, and while the step up to the Premier League is still great, he has all the time in the world to mature as a player and adjust to life in the division.

Chelsea are absolutely crying out for a young centre-forward who can spearhead the attack for many years to come, with the departed Kai Havertz and the ageing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also not the long-term solution moving forward.

Granted, there is still a rawness to Wahi's game that means another more experienced striker could also do with coming in, but he looks to have maturity beyond his years already, as highlighted by the relentless goal scoring form he produced in a Montpellier shirt last term.

Arsenal's Thomas Partey is not close to a move to Saudi Arabia as his discussions with Saudi Pro League clubs are "not something advanced" at the moment, despite the genuine interest in him from sides in the Middle Eastern state, claims transfers expert Fabrizio Romano.

Is Thomas Partey leaving Arsenal?

It has been a frankly unbelievable start to the transfer window for Arsenal so far this summer, with the club splashing the cash in a major way on several new marque signings.

So far, the club have confirmed the £65m purchase of German international Kai Havertz from cross-city rivals Chelsea and the £34m signing of Netherlands international and Ajax star Jurrien Timber.

The Gunners have also smashed the British transfer record to sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice, despite the club yet to announce it officially.

With all of this spending, it's perhaps not surprising to hear that some players may be on their way out of the Emirates this summer, with one name consistently mentioned over the last few weeks being midfield general Partey.

American outlet CBS Sports revealed last month that the former Atletico Madrid man was on the radar of three clubs from the Saudi Pro League; Al Nassr, Al Ahli, and Al Khaleej.

It looks like things might've progressed further than interest in the last month, as Saudi journalist Nawaf Al-Aqeel reported earlier this week that Partey was now discussing personal terms with "a Saudi club."

However, Fabrizio Romano has since confirmed that these reports are untrue and that, at the moment, nothing has advanced regarding the interest from these few sides.

He explained the situation on his YouTube channel, saying:

"At the moment, for Thomas Partey, it's still not something advanced with Saudi clubs.

"They want him, I told you, it was an exclusive news a few days ago, a few weeks ago, but at the moment, it's still not something advanced, so let's see what happens with Thomas Partey, and then we will understand on the midfield for Arsenal."

Should Arsenal sell Thomas Partey?

It's an interesting question, as had it been asked in January, the answer from almost all quarters would likely have been a resounding no, such was his importance to the Gunners' title charge last season.

That said, as the north London side's campaign fell apart in the latter stages of the season, the Ghanaian international was often one of the players to receive most of the criticism.

Telegraph reporter Sam Dean highlighted his surprising drop in form on the Arsenal Beat Podcast (via Fansided), saying:

"Thomas Partey has dropped off a cliff in the past few games. He's forgotten how to play football in the same way, and watching him against City on Wednesday was bizarre."

That said, the 31-year-old is still a brilliant player, and his underlying numbers bear that out.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, the Black Stars midfielder is in the top 5% for progressive passes, the top 6% for attempted passes, the top 15% for pass completion, the top 11% for successful take-ons and aerial duals won, and the top 23% for clearances, all per 90.

If the club are looking to challenge for the Premier League yet again next season, it might be wise to keep Partey in the side as he has shown, more often than not, that he can be one of the league's best midfielders.

In an interview with a local news channel, Umar struck a defiant yet conciliatory tone, promising to come back stronger and apologising to his fans for his poor fitness

Danyal Rasool24-May-2017Umar Akmal has had more than his fair share of controversy in his career so far, and it appears he has learned to take all of it in his stride. In an interview with – his first since being sent home from the Champions Trophy owing to two failed fitness tests – Umar struck a defiant yet conciliatory tone, promising to come back stronger and apologising to his fans.”I want to ask forgiveness of all fans who have been hurt by my conduct,” Akmal said. “I am ready to commit to cricket. I still have a lot of cricket left in me and I aim to make another international comeback. I am even more focused on cricket now. My role model is Younis Khan, and even when he faced difficulties, he became even more determined. In the same way, I am now determined to come back more than ever.”Firstly, I want to wish [his replacement] Haris Sohail best of luck,” Umar said. “I also want to thank Inzi [Inzamam] for conducting a fitness Test in Pakistan. I was also appointed captain of the Punjab team in the Pakistan Cup. Cricket is my bread and butter, and therefore I will try and fulfil whatever requirements the PCB has to allow me to return. Regardless of whether I’m with the team or not, my best wishes will always be with them.”Umar has frustrated Pakistan fans ever since he broke into the national side almost eight years ago as a 19-year-old. He made a blazing start to international cricket, scoring a century in just his third ODI and another one on Test debut. But lingering periods where his concentration appeared to go haywire, as well as several incidents off the pitch that have landed him in trouble, have left most resigned to the idea that he will be a talent unfulfilled.Umar was asked to return from England after he failed two fitness tests in two days, ahead of the Champions Trophy next month. He had been recalled to the ODI squad for the Champions Trophy, after being dropped from the team that toured the West Indies in April. He had initially been excluded from that squad as well, after he was the only player, among 31, to fail the fitness test during the camp held at the NCA in March. However, he proved his fitness during the Pakistan Cup in Rawalpindi.Fitness has become a priority for Pakistan in the recent past, with the PCB backing the selectors and the team management to enforce strict policies. “We had a set a fitness standard which isn’t really a tough one to start with,” chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said. “But he still didn’t meet the average level. So whoever the player is, whatever his performance is like, we could not select him. Akmal being dropped is a reprimand and it’s a major blow for any player. He is a good player, we needed him, but we had to take a decision.”In an annual assessment earlier this year, Umar had weighed 91kgs with a fat-level reading of 115.6. A measurement in excess of 100 is considered high.

The BCCI has named Hemang Amin as the new Chief Operating Officer of the Indian Premier League

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jul-2017The BCCI has named Hemang Amin as the new chief operating officer of the Indian Premier League. Amin has been associated with the BCCI for the last seven years and has, more relevantly, played an active role in the “management and operations” of the IPL. Amin, who will continue to report to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, has most recently served as the board’s assistant general manager (finance, commercial and events).Amin’s appointment comes after more than a year-and-a-half of the COO’s office remaining vacant following the resignation of Sundar Raman. The appointment of a COO for the IPL is also one of the recommendations of the Lodha Committee that was approved by the Supreme Court.Rajiv Shukla, the IPL chairman, praised Amin for his “incredible breadth of experience and relationships” across a variety of markets. “Having worked with him firsthand, I know he will be a fine leader for the IPL and will bring unmatched innovation, passion, and vision to the role,” he said.CK Khanna, the BCCI’s acting president, hailed Amin’s leadership and credited him for handling a “pivotal transition period” for the IPL. “His leadership over the past seven years has shaped IPL’s strategy, laying a strong foundation for future course, improvements and success.”Amin’s immediate challenge will be to frame the guidelines pertaining to the release, transfer and retention of players ahead of the auction before IPL 2018 that will see the return of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.

An update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and their efforts to push through another signing ahead of the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership season…

What's the latest Rangers transfer news?

According to Football Insider, the Light Blues are closing in on an agreement with LAFC for central midfielder Jose Cifuentes to join during the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the two clubs are currently locked in talks and that a resolution is expected soon as the Gers attempt to beat Leeds United and Espanyol to his signature.

Michael Beale has already confirmed that the Scottish giants have agreed a pre-contract deal with the Ecuador international, who is set to be a free agent at the end of December.

However, the ex-Aston Villa assistant has stated that they want to bring him in immediately, which is why this latest report comes as a significant boost to the English tactician.

How good is Jose Cifuentes?

The 24-year-old ace's form throughout the 2022 MLS campaign suggests that he has the quality to be an excellent addition to Beale's squad next term.

He is a central midfielder who has the ability to offer a huge threat at the top end of the pitch, which could make him the perfect player in that position for Sam Lammers to play with.

The 26-year-old striker joined from Serie A side Atalanta earlier this summer in a move that represents a big gamble from the Light Blues as his recent form has been less than impressive.

Lammers has scored seven league goals since the start of the 2019/20 season across spells with PSV, Atalanta, Empoli, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Sampdoria. He scored two goals in 33 Serie A matches last term and has arrived at Ibrox in need of a confidence boost.

Cifuentes has the creative quality to provide the Dutch marksman with the opportunities he needs to rediscover his touch at the top end of the pitch, which is why he could be a dream signing to complement the former Netherlands U21 international.

The Ecuadorian dynamo scored seven goals – one more than any current Gers midfielder managed last season – and assisted six across 36 MLS matches last year, whilst he also created an impressive 11 'big chances' for his teammates – as per Sofascore.

Meanwhile, Todd Cantwell (five), John Lundstram (zero), Ryan Jack (two), Nicolas Raskin (one), and Glen Kamara (one) all failed to create as many 'big chances' throughout the 2022/23 Premiership campaign for Rangers – as per Sofascore.

This suggests that the LAFC star could be an upgrade on Beale's current midfield options from a creative perspective. Therefore, Cifuentes, who his club's general manager John Thorrington claimed "has absolutely everything he needs to succeed", could play a key role in helping Lammers return to the form he displayed earlier in his career.

The new Gers signing produced 46 goals and 21 assists in 101 U18 and U21 matches combined for PSV. He was then able to carry that over to first-team level with 16 goals and five assists across 31 Eredivisie games on loan at Heerenveen during the 2018/19 campaign – prior to his recent barren run.

The potential is there for Lammers to be a lethal goalscorer, given his impressive record in his home country, and Cifuentes' ability to create 'big chances' on a regular basis could provide the striker with the service he needs to hit the goal trail once again.

Manchester United could finally launch a move to land Sofyan Amrabat this weekend, with Corriere Fiorentino, via Sport Witness reporting that a “decisive” approach could be made.

How many games has Sofyan Amrabat played for Fiorentina?

The 26-year-old has been a mainstay in the Fiorentina first-team over the last three seasons, even helping them to reach the Europa Conference League final in 2022/23. In Serie A, he played on 29 occasions for them with 24 starts, and managed an assist along the way. It means that he has now spent more time with the Italian outfit than any other club during his career (or at least he’s played in more games), featuring 83 times for the side since his move there three years ago.

It was his loan stint at Hellas Verona that really put him on the radar, with the Morocco international proving that he could cut it at the top level in Italy. Despite the side being relatively unfancied, he led them to ninth and he played 34 times for them in Serie A that season.

More impressively, he had a progressive carrying distance of 4827 yards that season – ranking him ninth of everyone in that area in the division. His 75 successful take-ons also put him in the top five in that area that year. It showcased Amrabat’s abilities as a midfielder who likes to drive forward and help his side on the attack – something that caught the eye of La Viola, who snapped him up.

Are Manchester United signing Sofyan Amrabat?

Now, he could be on the move again. The Morocco star has been tracked by Man United for most of the summer window and it appears as though a bid – and the chance for a move – could finally happen this weekend.

According to a report from Corriere Fiorentino, via Sport Witness, "something is moving" and the Premier League side could launch a “decisive thrust” – a solid approach for his services – "over the weekend".

As things stand, no move is happening because no club has met the demands of Fiorentina and hit his 30 million Euro (£26m) asking price. However, the inclination is that the Red Devils may be about to do that, as it looks as though the Italian outfit are preparing for it to happen this weekend.

If United did decide to launch an official swoop for the Morocco international, it could be a shrewd bit of business for them. He not only has produced the goods for Fiorentina but has done similar for his country, helping them to a historic fourth-placed finish in the World Cup last year.

Stuart Pearce stated that Amrabat had too much “drive”, “energy” and “leadership” for his opponents in Qatar, whilst Nigel Adderley called him the African side's “player of the tournament”.

He is at the top of his game right now then and United should capitalise while they can. If they can land him in a deal around that £26m tag, it would be a positive step in the search for trophies by United.

Bowlers dominated on a fluctuating first day at Arundel where Clint McKay’s four wickets gave Leicestershire hope that they can win their first game of the season

ECB Reporters Network05-Jul-2017
ScorecardBowlers dominated on a fluctuating first day at Arundel where Clint McKay’s four wickets gave Leicestershire hope that they can win their first game of the season in the Specsavers County Championship.The wholehearted Australian fast bowler picked up 4 for 59 in searing heat at Arundel as Sussex were bowled out for 262 and appeared to have squandered the advantage of winning the toss.But a two-paced pitch, which is expected to turn, gave seamers assistance all day and Sussex’s new ball pair Chris Jordan and Jofra Archer each picked up one of the Leicestershire openers as they closed on 77 for 2.It was a day to remember for Leicestershire’s 19-year-old debutant William Fazackerley. Guernsey-born but educated just down the road from Arundel at Lancing College, he claimed his maiden Championship wicket when he had Jordan lbw for 34.Jordan was one of several Sussex players who got starts without pushing on. Eight of their batsmen got to 20 but only South African Stiaan van Zyl, who top scored with 49, looked capable of dominating a persevering Leicestershire attack.Van Zyl shared in a fourth-wicket stand of 62 in 12 overs either side of lunch with Luke Wright, whose first scoring shot for the second successive game was a six.But from 138 for 4 Sussex lost three wickets adding 27 runs. Wright played on to Richard Jones for 25, van Zyl was lbw half-forward to McKay after hitting nine boundaries before skipper Ben Brown drove McKay’s slower ball to cover for 19.Jordan and leg-spinner Will Beer, who took 11 wickets at Arundel last month against South Africa A, put on 54 for the seventh wicket but Leicestershire wrapped up the innings with three wickets after tea, two of them to Matt Pillans.Earlier, Luke Wells had passed 700 Championship runs after being restored to the top of the order. The left-hander lost opening partner Chris Nash, who played on to McKay before Harry Finch fell for a golden duck shuffling in front to a ball from Jones which nipped back.Wells and van Zyl briefly prospered together, taking the score to 74 before Wells, who had struck eight fours in a fluent 42, was caught behind off Pillans.By then umpire Martin Saggers was on the pitch, his arrival having been delayed by traffic congestion. Martin Bodenham, who retired from the first-class list last season but lives in nearby Ferring, stood at square leg before Saggers arrived.

The final night in the NatWest Blast group stages leaves just about every county involved in an extraordinary dash to the line

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Aug-2017Fifteen of the 18 counties could still qualify for the quarter-finals of the NatWest Blast ahead of Friday’s final round of matches in the most remarkable climax to the group stages that the tournament has ever known.The last eight games began with only Notts Outlaws, in the North Group, and Glamorgan and Hampshire, in the South, assured of a place in the last eight.North Group leaders Notts can already anticipate a home quarter final at Trent Bridge – their seventh in eight years – whereas Glamorgan, top in the South, need to take a point from their home game against Middlesex to be certain of staving off a potential Surrey challenge for second place.In South Group, if Hampshire beat Somerset at the Ageas Bowl, they will guarantee themselves a home quarter-final. Similarly, the winners of the Kent-Surrey game in Canterbury will qualify – and might even steal a top-two finish and a home tie.But the fact that Kent are playing Surrey opens up the chance for the bottom four sides – Middlesex, Sussex Sharks, Somerset and Essex Eagles – to overtake the losers of that game, and snaffle the fourth qualifying spot.If teams are level, qualification will be decided by Net Run Rate. Significantly, the bottom four all have better rates than both Surrey and Kent, which partly explains why the losers of that game in Canterbury will be eliminated.In the North Group, Yorkshire currently lie second, a position secured by Adam Lyth’s record T20 score in English domestic cricket, made against Northants at Headingley on Thursday.But it was a bitter-sweet victory. Derbyshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Lancashire can all overhaul them tonight – although in Lancashire’s case it would take something extra special to get their Net Run Rate ahead of their Pennines rivals.To make matters worse for Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Birmingham and Leicestershire only need a point to pass them – which could be relevant, with an uncertain weather forecast for the Midlands.However, rain would not automatically take Derbyshire, Birmingham and Leicestershire through because the defending champions, Northants, can still hit the top four if they beat Durham at Wantage Road and other results fall in their favour.Even seventh-placed Lancashire could still sneak in, if they beat Birmingham, and two of Northants, Leicestershire and Derbyshire also lose.Spare a thought for Durham, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire – the only three counties who have already abandoned hopes of a place in next week’s quarter-finals. Gloucestershire have played their final game but the other two could still influence the final line up of next week’s quarter-finals.

Sunderland are in preparations for next season in the Championship which kicks off next Sunday in their opener against newly-promoted Ipswich Town at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats have had an active transfer window so far with Jenson Seelt, Luis Semedo, Jobe Bellingham and Bradley Dack joining the club this summer in their pursuit to push for a Premier League return over their 46-game campaign ahead.

Tony Mowbray led his team to a sixth-place finish in their first season back in the second tier, qualifying for a spot in the play-offs, but had their top-flight return dreams rapidly crushed after losing 2-0 to Luton Town at Kenilworth Road, the club that went on to be victorious in the battle for the final Premier League spot.

Now the Sunderland boss will be wanting to build upon those high standards set last season and there will be a huge expectation for the North East club to compete for automatic promotion, something that will be no easy task with Leeds United, Southampton and Leicester City joining the battle.

Will Sunderland sign more players?

Despite signing former Blackburn Rovers ace, Dack, just a few days ago there is certainly still plenty of opportunity for Sunderland to strengthen key areas of their squad to give them their best chance to compete comfortably.

It has been reported by TEAMtalk that the club are currently struggling to hold onto goal-machine Ross Stewart, with the player refusing to commit his future by signing a new contract on numerous occasions and attracting interest from a number of clubs.

However, it has also been claimed by journalist Alan Nixon this week that Sunderland are eyeing up a loan move for Everton striker Tom Cannon, a talented young prospect who could follow in the footsteps of fellow Premier League club academy graduate, Amad Diallo.

Who is Tom Cannon?

The 20-year-old centre-forward is a product of Everton's youth academy, where he has risen through the ranks to become a well-rounded and prolific goal-scorer.

For the Merseyside club's U18s and U21s, Cannon scored 51 goals and registered 14 assists, earning the opportunity to breakthrough into first team football when he joined Preston North End on a six-month loan last season.

Over 20 Championship appearances, the Irishman – hailed a "bright spark" by journalist Tom Sandells – scored eight goals, registered one assist and created four big chances, as well as averaging 2.3 shots on goal and 1.1 successful dribbles per game, demonstrating the explosive impact he made on his team.

Preston manager Ryan Lowe spoke out about Cannon's influence during his short-stint at the club, full of compliments for the young goalscorer:

"He’s been a breath of fresh air,"

"He has been excellent. I watched Tom a few times for Everton Under-21s and I thought to myself ‘he has definitely got an eye for goal’."

Sunderland have had recent success from dipping into Premier League academies to loan attacking talent, with Manchester United's Diallo becoming a stand-out performer for the club during his loan spell at the Stadium of Light; scoring 13 goals, registering three assists and creating four big chances over 37 appearances.

With that being said, Mowbray could now repeat Sunderland's Diallo masterclass this summer by snapping up the services of Cannon and if he could continue his strong development, he could be a hugely valuable asset to the club.

Dan Christian was left with a sore head after Nottinghamshire’s NatWest Blast triumph, but not in the way he would have expected

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Sep-2017Dan Christian was left with a sore head after Nottinghamshire’s NatWest Blast triumph, but not in the way he would have expected.Christian, Nottinghamshire’s T20 captain, was sporting a black eye having been caught in the face by the trophy when it was handed to him at the presentation”That’s why you play. Thanks to the presentation lady for the black eye!” he tweeted on Saturday evening, pictured with his medal.Christian was a key figure in Nottinghamshire’s success with 356 runs at a strike-rate of 153.44 and 11 wickets in the 16 matches. In the final he struck 24 off eight deliveries to lift Nottinghamshire to 190 for 4 which included taking a decisive 23 off the final over from Olly Stone.

That's why you play. Thanks to the presentation lady for the black eye! pic.twitter.com/ZDIbknZX2C

— Daniel Christian (@danchristian54) September 2, 2017