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Liverpool could look to make defensive signings in the January transfer window and one "incredible" ace has been backed to move to Anfield.

Liverpool need to sign defenders…

The Reds' season has just lost its momentum in recent weeks, with the 2-1 defeat away to Tottenham setting them back significantly, and Sunday's 2-2 draw at Brighton also proving to be a frustrating afternoon.

Jurgen Klopp's side are only three points adrift of Spurs and Arsenal in the Premier League title race, and the fact that Manchester City are only one ahead of Liverpool is a bonus, but improvements are needed if they are to go all the way this season.

The summer transfer window was all about the midfield rebuild at Anfield, with four new players signed in that area of the pitch, and five going the other way, including Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.

Now, it may be time to start focusing on the defence, considering both Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip are in their 30s, while Andy Robertson hits that milestone next year. Signing a centre-back who is also capable of playing at left-back could be seen as ideal, and a new update could give Liverpool fans some confidence about it happening.

Piero Hincapie transfer update

Speaking to Give Me Sport, The Redmen TV presenter Paul Machin backed the Reds to complete the signing of highly-rated Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie in January or next summer:

"I think Liverpool would have moved for one in the summer if there'd been a little bit more time and they'd been able to get the midfield targets sorted sooner. I think it's a very, very high priority.

"The other one probably on top of that shortlist is Hincapie from Leverkusen. He will be right at the top of that shortlist. He’s young, talented and can fulfil two roles. That's the profile of defender Liverpool will need moving into January and next summer."

Hincapie has been linked with Liverpool a number of times in the past, and although a summer move failed to materialise, it does feel as though they see him as an ideal signing in the near future. In truth, it is hard to find many negatives against the Reds bringing him in, with the 21-year-old already a key figure for Leverkusen – Hincapie's potential been described as "incredible" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig in the past.

Piero Hincapie's strengths

Piero Hincapie's weaknesses

Strong in the air

Can show poor discipline

Excellent on the ball

Not the quickest

Versatile

Last season, the Ecuadorian averaged 2.5 clearances and two aerial duel wins per game in the Bundesliga (Whoscored – Hincapie statistics), and his ability to shine at both centre-back and left-back could appeal so much to Klopp, as well as his long-term ceiling.

There is an argument to say that both Van Dijk and Robertson are not quite the players they used to be – the latter was at fault for Lewis Dunk's late equalier in the 2-2 draw with Brighton – and Hincapie could be seen as someone who can challenge both for minutes straight away.

In truth, Arsenal are yet to really get out of second gear so far this season, despite winning three of their four games, and drawing the other against Fulham. That form is a positive sign that the Gunners will be competing for the Premier League title once again, however – when a team has the ability to secure results without playing at their best, it's often a sign of champions.

The Gunners will be keen to avoid any distractions off the pitch whilst they find their best and most ruthless form in the coming weeks too. And that means that tying key players down to new contracts could be crucial, as reports suggest they're about to do for one particular star player.

What's the latest Arsenal news?

Throughout the summer, Arsenal built on the foundation created last season, welcoming the likes of Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber. Now that they've plugged any gaps, and created a squad ready to challenge on all fronts, it is the perfect time to ensure the future of their star players.

The last thing that the North London side will want to be is a flash in the pan. This time, Mikel Arteta will want to have a permanent seat among Europe's elite. And, with that, one midfielder looks set to put pen to paper on a new deal.

According to 90min, Arsenal are close to agreeing a new contract with club captain Martin Odegaard, with the Norwegian's current deal coming to an end in 2025, with an option for another year. Alongside Odegaard, as per 90min, Ben White, whose contract comes to an end in 2026, is also set to be handed a new deal at The Emirates.

The duo look set to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, and William Saliba by putting pen to paper, representing an impressive few months for Arsenal off the pitch.

How has Martin Odegaard performed this season?

So far this season, Odegaard is well and truly at his mercurial best. Following the international break, he may well take things up a notch even more, too, in an attempt to help his side keep up with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

According to FBref, Odegaard has already found the back of the net twice, made 16 progressive carries and an incredible 25 progressive passes in just four league games. If Arsenal are to secure any silverware this season, then the midfielder will undoubtedly be the key man.

It's his ruthless form that has seen him earn so much praise, including from Norway teammate and Manchester City star Erling Haaland, who said, via The Mirror: "Odegaard, my good friend. He's amazing and he's been taking so many good steps at Arsenal with [Mikel] Arteta ever since he came there and now he's the captain."

With that said, the fact that they are rewarding Odegaard with a new contract shows just how improved Arsenal are when it comes to decisions off the pitch these days.

Wolverhampton Wanderers lost their first game after the summer transfer window slammed shut as they were beaten 3-2 by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Sunday.

Who did Wolves sign this summer?

The Old Gold brought in eight signings to bolster the squad after the 2022/23 campaign, although Matheus Cunha and Boubacar Traore arrived on permanent deals after time on loan at the Molineux last year.

French talent Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, central defender Santiago Bueno, teenage forward Enzo Gonzalez, experienced goalkeeper Tom King, and right-back Matt Doherty, who has rejoined the club, were also snapped up on a permanent basis.

Meanwhile, Tommy Doyle signed on a season-long loan from Champions League champions Manchester City after Matheus Nunes' move to The Etihad. He is a creative-minded player who scored three goals and assisted four in 33 Championship outings for Sheffield United last term.

This means that they did not add a new defensive-minded midfielder to improve their backline, despite being touted with a swoop for Real Betis star Guido Rodriguez over the summer.

Did Wolves nearly sign Guido Rodriguez?

Italian journalist Rudy Galetti had told GIVEMESPORT at the start of August that Wolves were in contact with the Spanish side over a possible deal for the Argentina international.

However, there were no further updates after this claim and the defensive midfielder ended up staying with the LaLiga side beyond the end of the European summer transfer window.

This suggests that Wolves were either unable to meet the player's valuation or they were turned down by the 29-year-old brute, although it remains to be seen if the real reason will ever be revealed.

The experienced campaigner's contract with Betis expires in the summer of 2024 and this means that Wolves could, in theory, secure his services on a pre-contract deal in January if he does not put pen to paper on an extension before that point.

It is unclear as to why their move for the Argentine battler broke down but it appears to have been a mistake by the club as his statistics in recent years suggest that he would be a far better option than Mario Lemina in the middle of the park for Gary O'Neil..

How good is Guido Rodriguez?

The 6 foot 1 star, who won the World Cup with his country in Qatar last year, enjoyed a strong 2022/23 campaign with Betis in the Spanish top-flight as he showcased his defensive quality on a regular basis in midfield.

Rodriguez averaged a fantastic Sofascore rating of 7.07 across 34 LaLiga outings and made 4.6 tackles and interceptions per game for his side, whilst also winning 60% of his individual duels.

To put that into context, no outfield player for Wolves aside from Ruben Neves (7.23) averaged a Premier League Sofascore rating higher than 6.90 for Julen Lopetegui last term.

This came after the 29-year-old averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.05 over 32 league matches for his side throughout the previous season. In that time, the reported Wolves target made four tackles and interceptions per game and came out on top in 60% of his physical contests.

These statistics show that Rodriguez, who analyst Marcus Bring hailed as "brutal" and a "monster" defensively, is a superb ball-winner in midfield who is able to consistently cut out opposition attacks to break up the play.

In fact, the terrific midfielder ranks within the top 2% of his positional peers over the last 365 days across Europe's top five leagues for tackles per 90 (3.65). He also ranks in the top 10% for both blocks (1.71) and clearances (2.25) per 90.

Evidently, the Betis star is one of the best midfielders in Europe at winning the ball back off the other team by making challenges in midfield, which highlights his impressive strength, timing, and positioning out of possession.

Is Guido Rodriguez better than Mario Lemina?

Rodriguez's aforementioned statistics indicate that he would have been a big upgrade on current Wolves midfielder Mario Lemina, based on the former Southampton man's form for the club this year.

The Gabon international joined from Ligue 1 side Nice in January and started 17 Premier League matches during the second half of the 2022/23 campaign.

He averaged an unimpressive Sofascore rating of 6.68 across his 19 appearances in total in the division. This was the 17th-best score within the squad, meaning that he was far from being one of the team's outstanding performers, in spite of being a regular starter.

The ex-Saints dud made 2.7 tackles and interceptions per match and won 59% of his duels in midfield, whilst he also failed to score a goal or create a single 'big chance' for his teammates.

Lemina has started this season with an average Sofascore rating of 6.80, which is the ninth-highest in the squad, and started all four of the club's Premier League matches.

These statistics suggest that Rodriguez would have been a significant upgrade on the 30-year-old.

The proof is there that both midfielders do the majority of their work out of possession, failing to contribute much offensively with goals or assists. That said, the Betis star's defensive impact is far greater than Lemina's.

Such evidence means Wolves may well have made an error when failing to secure a deal for the Real Betis titan.

The team only finished seven points clear of the relegation zone at the end of the 2022/23 campaign and O'Neil's men have lost three of their four league matches so far this term, which highlights the precarious nature of their situation and why they must nail their transfer business in order to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Indeed, this is precisely why they could look back on their failed move for Rodriguez with regret this time next year.

The Argentine's presence in midfield could have improved their XI by coming into the team for Lemina, which could have had a positive impact on their results. The latter hasn't played badly by any means, but an upgrade certainly would have been no bad thing.

Celtic have endured a mixed start to their season, having got off to the perfect start by defeating Ross County and Aberdeen, before suffering a shock exit in the Scottish League Cup, losing to Kilmarnock.

The Scottish Premiership champions then most recently drew 0-0 against St Johnstone in another frustrating outing for Brendan Rodgers' side.

With the first Glasgow derby of the season coming up against Rangers next, too, Celtic will hope to use the remaining days of the summer transfer window to fix any glaring issues. And that could lead them to targets in the Premier League. The Hoops have reportedly continued their interest in a winger in England's top flight.

What's the latest Celtic transfer news?

So far this summer, Rodgers has welcomed a total of seven reinforcements, with the likes of Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke coming in to bolster Celtic's defensive options.

As highlighted in their recent 0-0 draw against St Johnstone, however, it is in attack that Celtic could do with reinforcements as we approach the end of the window.

It is easy to forget that the Scottish side entered this season significantly weaker going forward due to the summer exit of Jota to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad. The winger scored 15 goals, and assisted a further 12 for Celtic in all competitions last season.

It is an output that the Hoops must replace, with a move for Luis Palma reportedly agreed, and it looks as if a Premier League attacker could also join.

According to Rudy Galetti, via GiveMeSport, Celtic have continued talks with Wolverhampton Wanderers over a potential deal for Daniel Podence before the window comes to a close. And, although there is a distance between prices, with Wolves placing a £12m asking price on the winger, the Scottish champions could use the fact that his contract comes to an end in a year's time to get themselves a cut-price deal. Galetti said:

"Talks between Celtic and Wolves over Daniel Podence are still ongoing. There is distance on the price tag set at around £12m, but the Scottish club will continue to work to lower the cost, while also leveraging on the last year of his contract.”

Who is Daniel Podence?

Failing to replace Jota could result in dire consequences for Celtic this season, making the arrival of Podence potentially imperative, particularly when it comes to defending their crown in Scotland.

As per FBref, the Portugal winger, on £52,000-a-week, is in the top 77 percentile for progressive passes, making 4.87 per game and, therefore, possessing a trait that should help unlock defences such as the St Johnstone and Kilmarnock ones that Celtic failed to score past last time out.

Podence has earned plenty of previous praise during his time at Wolves, too, including from Alan Shearer, who said, via Molinuex News:

"He was a real bright spark. He had a really good understanding with Jimenez.

“(On the goal) This summed it up perfectly. Give, go. It’s clever from Podence. He has a little look where he is, and that is just such a clever finish and that’s what won them the game."

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, and journalist Ben Jacobs has now revealed whether they will be able to bring him in as a replacement for Harry Kane…

Are Tottenham signing a striker?

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is said to be scouring the transfer market after Kane's move to Bayern Munich, with Gent's Gift Orban and Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku considered to be two of his main targets.

Spurs also made an enquiry about Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson, but the club's CEO, Paul Barber, has now declared there is no chance of him leaving this summer, saying: “In Evan’s case, it’ll be in at least five years’ time!"

After doing their homework on their top targets, the Lilywhites are poised to make a move soon, with Richarlison not viewed as a "long-term" solution to lead the line, and Jacobs has now given an overview of their potential options.

Read The Latest Tottenham Transfer News HERE

The journalist has now suggested that Lukaku may no longer be a key target for Tottenham, saying:

"Spurs must now find a replacement (for Kane). Talk of that being Romelu Lukaku has been dismissed.

"Before Fabio Paratici left Spurs, the most likely target if Kane left was Lille’s Jonathan David. An approach still can’t be ruled out. Spurs also like Lautaro Martinez, but Inter simply don’t want to sell.

"There was never any substance in a swap deal between Kylian Mbappe and Kane prior to the England striker’s move to Bayern. PSG did explore Kane, though, but they knew he preferred Bayern."

How many goals has Lautaro Martinez scored?

If Inter decide to soften their stance and listen to offers for their striker, he could be a great signing for Tottenham, given that he has been prolific for the Italian side in the Serie A and the Champions League, and he regularly scores for Argentina.

In a total of 238 games for Inter Milan, the Argentine has scored 102 goals, including ten in the Champions League, while he has also scored 21 goals in 48 games for his national side, proving himself as a top player.

The £184k-per-week forward also has other strengths to his game, ranking in the 83rd percentile for assists per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers, and he is not afraid to pitch in defensively, placing in the 98th percentile for interceptions.

Lauded as "absolutely incredible" by members of the media, Martinez could be a top signing for Tottenham, but it does not seem likely he will leave this summer, unless he pushes for a move, given that he is contracted until the summer of 2026.

It is vital that Postecoglou brings in a replacement for Kane before the transfer window shuts, so it is not worthwhile pursuing a player who is unlikely to be available, and he needs to move on to other targets.

Jacobs mentions that Spurs could still target Jonathan David, and the Canadian could also be a fantastic signing, having scored 24 goals in 37 Ligue 1 games for Lille last season.

Tottenham Hotspur have recently made an enquiry about the availability of Evan Ferguson, and a new report has detailed whether Brighton & Hove Albion would be willing to sell the striker.

What's the latest Tottenham transfer news?

After Harry Kane's £100m move to Bayern Munich, Ange Postecoglou will now have to work on signing a replacement during the latter stages of the summer transfer window, and contact has already been made with Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.

Although he would prefer to move abroad, a deal for Lukaku is a real possibility, with the Blues said to be holding out for a fee of €45m (£39m), amid interest from Italian giants Juventus.

In a recent report from TEAMtalk, it is detailed that Elye Wahi, Gift Orban and Jonathan David have all been linked in recent days, with Totttenham clearly keen on bringing in a young forward, and they have now made their first move for Ferguson.

Read The Latest Tottenham Transfer News HERE

TEAMtalk sources claim that Spurs have made an enquiry to see whether Brighton would be willing to sell the Irish striker this summer, with intermediaries making contact over his potential availability.

However, it will seemingly be a very difficult deal to orchestrate, as the Seagulls have no interest in selling the 18-year-old, who penned a long-term contract to commit his future to the club back in April.

The Lilywhites are doing their "due dilligence" on options, with just two weeks remaining to bring in a replacement for Kane, and their enquiry follows up a post from Gary Lineker on X, with the Match of the Day host urging his former club to make a move for Ferguson:

"Evan Ferguson scores in Fergie time. He’s a born goalscorer. If I was in charge of recruitment at @SpursOfficial I’d take a punt on him as Kane’s replacement. Apologies to @OfficialBHAFC fans."

How good is Evan Ferguson?

As highlighted by Lineker, the starlet is already off the mark in the Premier League this season, scoring Brighton's final goal in their comfortable 4-1 victory against Luton Town on Saturday afternoon.

The Republic of Ireland international burst onto the scene with the Seagulls last season, scoring ten goals in all competitions, despite being just 18-years-old, indicating he could go on to be a top Premier League player.

Sky Sports reporter Melissa Reddy has labelled the youngster a "potential £100m phenom", while Roberto De Zerbi clearly believes he has what it takes to go right to the very top, saying:

"He's already a great player, I think he will become one of the best players, the best strikers in the Premier League."

However, the Brighton forward is currently tied down to a £20k-per-week contract, which is not due to expire until June 2028, meaning his current club are under no pressure to sell him, and it appears as though Tottenham will miss out.

Ferguson could be a perfect replacement for Kane, having likened himself to the England captain because of the way he is able to drop into midfield, but Tottenham may have to turn their attentions to other options this summer.

فاز فريق الكرة الأول بنادي الإسماعيلي، على نظيره فاركو، بهدفين دون رد، في المواجهة التي جمعتهما اليوم السبت، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

واستضاف ملعب برج العرب بالإسكندرية، مباراة الإسماعيلي وفاركو، في إطار مواجهات الأسبوع 21 من بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وجاء هدف الإسماعيلي الأول، في الدقيقة 22 من عمر الشوط الأول للمباراة، عن طريق عمر الساعي، بتسديدة صاروخية وبشكل رائع من خارج منطقة الجزاء سكنت شباك حارس فاركو محمد سعيد شيكا.

واستمر الشوط الأول من المباراة بعد ذلك بمحاولات من لاعبي فاركو لتعديل النتيجة، ولكن وجدوا صعوبة في اختراق دفاعات الإسماعيلي المتمركزة بشكل جيد، لينتهي بتقدم الدراويش بهدف دون رد.

بدأ الشوط الثاني بأداء متوسط من الفريقين، حتى الدقيقة 75، حيث احتسب حكم المباراة ركلة جزاء لفريق الإسماعيلي بعد لمسة يد على مدافع فاركو رامي صبري.

ونجح لاعب الإسماعيلي محمد دسوقي في ترجمة ركلة جزاء إلى هدف ثاني في الدقيقة 76.

طالع | منها الأهلي والإسماعيلي.. رابطة الأندية تعلن عقوبات الجولة 20 من الدوري المصري

وكان عبد العزيز السيد حكم المباراة احتسب لمسة اليد من خارج منطقة الجزاء في بداية الأمر، إلا أن الفار تدخل وأبلغ الحكم أن لمسة اليد من داخل منطقة الجزاء.

وبتلك النتيجة، يعود فريق الإسماعيلي إلى طريق الانتصارات بعد 4 مباريات لم يحقق خلالها الفوز، ليرفع رصيده إلى النقطة 22 محتلًا المركز الثالث عشر في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ولعب الإسماعيلي 21 مباراة حتى الآن، في بطولة الدوري، حيث فاز في 5 مباريات وتعادل في 7 وخسر في 9 مواجهات.

وعلى الجانب الآخر، يواصل فريق فاركو نتائجة غير الجيدة في بطولة الدوري، ويظل في المركز السابع عشر (قبل الأخير) برصيد 13 نقطة من 19 مباراة. أهداف مباراة الإسماعيلي وفاركو اليوم في الدوري المصري

Fabinho will undoubtedly go down as a Liverpool legend after winning everything there is to win at the club in the last five years. He leaves in somewhat of an abrupt manner, though, with a move to Al-Ittihad set to be completed, according to Fabrizio Romano.

After struggling for form last season, a move away has arguably come at the perfect time for all involved, with Liverpool cashing in, and potentially using the money to welcome reinforcements.

According to Romano, the Reds are looking to sign Southampton teenager Romeo Lavia this summer, in order to boost their midfield, with a £45m bid set to be submitted – while Khephren Thuram's name has also been touted in the media.

Fabinho's pending £40m departure, however, hasn't left everyone recalling what an excellent presence he's been around the club in recent years, with former Liverpool player Jermaine Pennant taking aim at the Brazilian in an unexpected fashion.

What did Jermaine Pennant say?

Speaking to Lord Ping, Pennant said: "Fabinho’s performances over the last two years suggest that either his legs have gone or he doesn’t really want to be there anymore. Rumour has it that he’s a troublemaker in the changing room, that’s what I’ve heard from people close to the club.

"I’ve heard he’s a bad egg. I don’t know the ins and outs, but I hear he’s a nuisance to management in terms of professionalism. In his performances and in training, he’s not giving his all. You can see it."And his performances suggest he’s on the cliff of his peak.

"Some players can go on for a long time, but his body and his style makes it look like he’s not athletic. He’s 29, he’s one of the older 29-year-olds. He’s not mobile or agile, so it looks like he’s coming to the end of his prime. So £40m for him would be perfect.

"There’s still hope it might go through and Liverpool can invest that in a younger, fitter and stronger player."

What's the latest Liverpool transfer news?

Pennant also revealed that he believes Liverpool should sign Thuram to bolster their midfield after the departure of Jordan Henderson and the pending exit of Fabinho.

Speaking again via Lord Ping, he said: "I’d like to see Liverpool sign Khephren Thuram, he plays for Nice and he’s a box-to-box midfielder. I think he would be perfect, he’s skilful and he can tackle too. He’s like a young Gerrard, basically.

"He’s a Jude Bellingham-type player and he’d be your Fabinho replacement and he could play with Alexis Mac Allister. He could cover the whole of midfield like a better Henderson."

So far this summer, Jurgen Klopp has welcomed both Alexis Mac Allister and Dominic Szoboszlai, significantly improving his midfield. With Henderson leaving, and Fabinho set to follow, beyond Thuram, the Reds could also reportedly bring in Lavia.

It certainly seems as though they could do with at least one more midfielder this summer, if they don't want to be left short of options in the coming campaign.

Meanwhile, a sensational report in The Mirror has suggested that the Premier League giants are ready to offer Kylian Mbappe a one-year loan deal from Paris Saint-Germain before he joins Real Madrid next summer.

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool can pull off what would be an incredible deal.

The presence of players like Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Samuel Badree and Kieron Pollard makes the one-off T20I potentially the most evenly matched game of India’s tour of the West Indies

The Preview by Sidharth Monga08-Jul-2017Match FactsSunday, July 9, 2017
Start time 1030 local (1530 GMT)1:38

Will India field Rishabh Pant?

Big PictureChris Gayle. Sunil Narine. Kieron Pollard. Samuel Badree. With all due respect to the players who managed to win one ODI and also the circumstances of West Indies cricket, now we are talking. With all due respect to the earnestness of Jason Holder and his boys in the longer formats, this is West Indies’ best format. There’s only of these games, and that too at 10.30am on a Sunday for the obvious reasons of meeting India’s television prime time, but this promises to be the most evenly matched contest of India’s tour of the West Indies.Anything close to what these sides dished out the last time they met – 245 v 244 – in Florida last year will be blockbuster. West Indies will be missing Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell from that line-up, but will welcome back Gayle, in his hometown. For India, it’s as if nothing changes. West Indies retain only four members of their ODI squad for this T20I; India usually don’t name a different squad. The look of their T20 side is pretty much the same since the last year.The look of the contest will be similar too: West Indies’ power, with one hitter following another, against India’s touch batsmen and an attack that will rely on spin to take wickets in the middle.Form guideWest Indies WWWLW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
India WWLLWIn the spotlightThe last time Evin Lewis played a T20 against India he smacked a 49-ball 100. In the whole ODI series, he has scored 67 runs, at a strike rate of 54.91. The difference of 60 points between his T20I and ODI strike rates – 137 and 77 – has to be one of the biggest. Back in his preferred format, he will look for some redemption.The ODI batsmen found Kuldeep Yadav hard to pick, scoring only four an over against him. India will look to control the game in the middle through him or perhaps pull the shutters down if West Indies get off to a quick start.Team newsNow that Gayle is back, he has to open. That pushes down Chadwick Walton to the slot vacated by Lendl Simmons.West Indies (probable): 1 Evin Lewis, 2 Chris Gayle, 3 Marlon Samuels, 4 Jason Mohammed, 5 Chadwick Walton (wk), 6 Kieron Pollard/ Rovman Powell, 7 Carlos Brathwaite (capt.), 8 Sunil Narine, 9 Jerome Taylor, 10 Samuel Bardee, 11 Kesrick WilliamsIf Virat Kohli keeps opening for India, that might mean an exit for Ajinkya Rahane, but if Yuvraj Singh is not fit, India might stick with Rahane. This could be the time Rishabh Pant finally gets a game too. R Ashwin has been in better bowling form than Ravindra Jadeja, but the latter’s fielding will make the second spinner’s slot an interesting debate.India (probable): 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 Virat Kohli (capt.), 3 Yuvraj Singh, 4 Rishabh Pant, 5 MS Dhoni (wk), 6 Kedar Jadhav/Dinesh Karthik, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Kuldeep Yadav, 9 Ravindra Jadeja/R Ashwin, 10 Bhuvneshwar Kumar/Mohammed Shami, 11 Umesh YadavPitch and conditionsUnlike in the earlier ODIs, the ball came on to the bat in the last match, played at the same venue. This could be a high-scorer.Stats and trivia Sunil Narine is two short of becoming the third West Indies bowler – behind Dwayne Bravo and Samuel Badree – with 50 T20I wickets. He has bowled only seven T20I overs against India, for 70 runs and no wickets. Among those who have sent down a minimum of 25 overs inside the Powerplay, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Samuel Badree are the sixth- and eighth-most economical bowlers with rates of 5.68 and 5.75. Newcomer Kesrick Williams has now bowled 10 overs in the Powerplay for just three runs an over. Head to head, West Indies lead India 4-2 after seven matches.

Aston Villa are thought to be eyeing up the signing of a speedy attacking player in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh update.

Will this be a huge summer at Villa?

Unai Emery's side enjoyed a fantastic 2022/23 season, with the Spaniard transforming the club's after he replaced the disappointing Steven Gerrard. In the end, Villa finish seventh in the Premier League, qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League in the process.

This summer looks set to be an exciting one in the summer market, with owners NSWE making funds available for new signings. Pau Torres an extremely likely centre-back addition from Villarreal, and that will hopefully only be the start of their summer business, with Youri Tielemans also arriving from Leicester City in what looks like a strong piece of business.

Emery will likely be keen to add attacking reinforcements to his squad, too, in order to ensure that he has the firepower to excel across several different competitions, which is where a new update comes into play.

Are Villa eyeing up attacking signings?

According to Football Insider, sources have informed them that Villa, and by extension Emery and new sporting director Monchi, have "turned their attention to signing a forward as they put the finishing touches to the signing of Pau Torres from Villarreal."

It is claimed that "Emery wants to recruit a top-level attacker capable of providing cutting edge and slotting straight into the starting XI for next season", and that he is looking to sign someone with "blistering pace and mobility, ability to carry the ball forward as well as a track record of supplying goals and assists."

This is another encouraging update from a Villa perspective, with the club clearly identifying key targets and looking to make this one of their most formidable squads of the Premier League era, if not the best of the lot.

Having attacking players with pace and directness can be such a weapon in the modern game, especially if Emery adopts a counter-attacking style in certain matches. Ollie Watkins is an excellent player who remains a key man, so another top attacker like him could take the club to the next level.

If Villa were able to bring in one or two players with those weapons in their armoury – perhaps one wide player and another central option – it could make Emery's team an even greater force, especially if they are sizeable upgrades on the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Bertrand Traore and Leon Bailey.