An update has emerged on Celtic's attempts to add further reinforcements to the playing squad before the end of the summer transfer window…

What's the latest Celtic transfer news?

According to Football Scotland, Bhoys boss Brendan Rodgers is closing in on a deal to sign Legia Warsaw central defender Maik Nawrocki ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The report claims that the Hoops are pursuing a swoop to sign the 22-year-old enforcer for a fee within the region of £4m, whilst they are also set to include a 15% sell-on clause for the Polish side.

However, it states that Turkish giants Galatasaray remain in the race to land the talented youngster, which could put pressure on the Bhoys to push this over the line as quickly as possible.

How good is Maik Nawrocki?

The German-born titan enjoyed an impressive campaign for Legia Warsaw throughout the 2022/23 campaign and could come in as an immediate upgrade on Yuki Kobayashi.

Celtic's Japanese centre-back arrived at the club in January from Vissel Kobe but struggled to adapt to Scottish football during his first six months in Glasgow.

The 23-year-old colossus averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.80 across six Scottish Premiership outings for Ange Postecoglou last season, which is a score that 21 of his teammates were able to beat.

Meanwhile, the Poland U21 international averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.00 across 25 Ekstraklasa matches for his current club, which would have ranked him six places higher than Kobayashi within the Hoops squad.

Nawrocki, who is proficient with both feet, made more tackles (1.3) and interceptions (1.2) per game than the ex-Yokohoma warrior, who made 0.3 and 0.7 per outing respectively for Celtic.

In fact, no Bhoys central defender managed more of either defensive intervention per clash than the Polish titan, which illustrates how impressive his work at that end of the pitch was for Legia Warsaw.

The 6 foot 1 monster also showcased his ability to dominate opposition players with a sublime duel success rate of 61% in the air.

This shows that he is able to rise above forwards to win key battles and could be a threat from set-pieces in both boxes, given that the promising talent scored four league goals – in comparison to his potential competitor's zero strikes in his last 54 league games for Kobe.

Kobayashi, however, struggled to deal with the physicality of Scottish football. He lost 64% of his aerial contests and 63% of his duels in total, which shows that the former Japan U20 international was a lightweight at the heart of the defence.

The weak centre-back was dominated by attackers instead of the other way round.

Therefore, the £4m-valued Celtic target could be a significant upgrade on Kobayashi in that aspect of the game due to his impressive display of strength in Poland last term.

Nawrocki's aforementioned defensive statistics also indicate that he would offer the Hoops more quality in terms of his ability to make vital contributions to cut out opposition attacks.

The superb battler, who was once dubbed a "revelation" by scout Jacek Kulig, is able to make tackles and interceptions to stop his goalkeeper from being worked more frequently.

Kobayashi's disappointing performances for the club this year could be one of the reasons behind Rodgers insistence on another player coming in to bolster his options in that position, with the Polish brute looking like an upgrade on paper.

West Ham "have offered" £30m to sign Fiorentina and Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat this summer, according to journalist Enzo Bucchioni.

How old is Sofyan Amrabat?

The Hammers are looking to add some new signings ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League season, as they hopefully build on last term's UEFA Europa Conference League success.

Declan Rice's imminent big-money move to Arsenal is clearly going to leave a void in the middle of the park, given the influence he has had for such an extended period of time. For that reason, midfield reinforcements are essential, with players of genuine pedigree brought in.

One such option could be Ambrabat, with the 26-year-old currently plying his trade with Fiorentina, making 29 appearances in Serie A last season, not to mention starring for Morocco at the 2022 World Cup and guiding his own team to a date of destiny in Prague against the Irons.

In Qatar, he started all seven of his country's matches, as they made it all the way to the semi-finals, and he averaged 2.3 tackles and 1.4 clearances per game.

Amrabat is out of contract at his current club at the end of next season, however, meaning La Viola will surely be tempted to allow him to leave this summer, rather than lose him on a free transfer in 2024, and it looks as though West Ham are right in the conversation when it comes to signing him, following a fresh update.

Are West Ham signing Sofyan Amrabat?

Speaking to Fiorentina News [via Sport Witness], Bucchioni discussed the Moroccan's future, revealing that the Hammers have made a bid of more than the asking price, but the player doesn't seem keen on the move currently:

"I have a feeling that the Amrabat situation will unblock itself soon, brother and agent are trying to bring the money and choose the team for the footballer. West Ham have offered €35m but the footballer doesn’t want to replace Rice.

"Fiorentina does not give up and does not go below €30m. Fiorentina would gladly keep him, but by now the situation is clear and the Moroccan wants to leave. Having Amrabat come to train at Viola Park separated at home would be an unpleasant situation that is better resolved first and I think it will not happen."

The biggest drawback here is clearly that Amrabat doesn't see himself at West Ham next season, but it should be stressed that situations can always change quickly. Granted, the Hammers can't offer him the Champions League football some other suitors may offer, but he would come straight in as a regular starter, and he could be an absolutely ideal replacement for the influential Rice.

At 26, he is at the peak of his powers, and his box-to-box style and limitless energy would make him as exciting capture, having completed 89.9% of his passes in Serie A last season. Strong both in and out of possession, his performances at the World Cup really did show what he is capable of, with Luis Enrique describing him as an "extraordinary" footballer during the tournament.

For now, it looks like a transfer that won't come to fruition, but it is encouraging to see West Ham bidding for such top-quality players and not messing around below the asking price either. If they don't get Amrabat, someone of a similar ilk needs to come in instead.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their pursuit of a defensive reinforcement ahead of the 2023/24 campaign…

What's the latest Newcastle transfer news?

According to The Guardian, the Magpies are set to sign Southampton right-back Tino Livramento during the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Saints are 'close' to selling the former Chelsea academy prospect to Eddie Howe's side, as they are currently struggling to hold on to their top talents following relegation to the Championship.

It states that the fee will be within the region of £30m, although it does not explain how much of that consists of add-ons or future instalments.

The Northern Echo have backed up this claim by stating that a fee is close to being fully agreed upon and that the young defender is poised to arrive at St. James' Park after the £38m deal for Harvey Barnes from Leicester.

How good is Tino Livramento?

A knee injury kept the 20-year-old ace out for 43 competitive matches between April 2022 and April 2023, which means that it is difficult to gauge where he is at from a performance perspective.

However, his prior form for Southampton in the Premier League and for Chelsea's academy suggests that there is a talented player to be unearthed, who would be perfect for Miguel Almiron at his best.

Livramento started 25 games as a teenager for the Saints during the 2021/22 top-flight campaign and showcased his defensive quality with 3.6 tackles and interceptions per match. Whereas, no Newcastle full-back managed more than three per game last season.

The England U21 international could, therefore, be an excellent defender for Howe due to his ability to cut out opposition attacks on a regular basis at Premier League level.

It could be difficult for teams to break Newcastle down on that flank as no Magpies attacker managed more tackles (1.4) or interceptions (0.3) per outing than Almiron last term, which shows that the ex-MLS star works his socks off for the team.

However, it is Livramento's attacking potential that could make him the perfect partner for the Paraguay internation on the right wing.

The exciting Croydon-born youngster racked up 10 assists – more than any Toon player managed last term – in 26 appearances for Chelsea's academy during the 2020/21 season, which came after he produced four assists in six FA Youth Cup games the previous campaign.

These statistics suggest that Livramento – like talismanic Kieran Trippier, who led the club with seven Premier League assists, has the quality to bomb on from right-back to provide a threat on the overlap.

If Howe can help the English dynamo to translate his creative ability over to senior football then he could worry opposition defenders with his runs forward.

This could then make him the perfect foil for Almiron as the left-footed marksman, who was Newcastle's second-top league scorer with 11 goals last season, would be able to use Livramento's presence to cut inside onto his favoured foot.

Having a right-back with a big attacking threat would force the other team's left-back with a difficult choice to make. Unless their teammates help them out, they would either need to leave the current Saints gem in acres of space or allow Almiron to drift infield to unleash a shot with his left foot.

Therefore, signing Livramento, who has been dubbed a "future star" by ex-teammate Theo Walcott, could provide Howe with a dream pairing on the right flank from a defensive and attacking perspective.

Everton reportedly remain interested in signing Salernitana forward Boulaye Dia in the summer transfer window, and could use Neal Maupay as part of any deal.

Are Everton signing a new striker?

The Blues have been on the lookout for attacking reinforcements since the end of last season, with more quality in the final third something that has to be addressed ahead of the new Premier League campaign after scoring just 34 top-flight goals last season.

El Bilal Toure is one player who has been linked with a move for Goodison Park, but he has instead opted to join Atalanta, acting as a blow for Everton.

Another target who has also been seen as a primary target is Dia, though, who caught the eye for Salernitana last season, scoring 16 goals and chipping in with six assists in Serie A. It was a highly impressive first season there, having initially joined on loan from Villarreal, but his temporary move has now become permanent.

Despite this, a move away this summer doesn't look out of the question, with a new update suggesting that there is one Everton player who could help a move to Merseyside come to fruition.

Do Everton still want to sign Boulaye Dia?

According to Tutto Salernitana [via Sport Witness], Everton aren't willing to pay the player’s €25m release clause but have "asked" to hold a meeting with Salernitana sporting director Morgan De Sanctis to discuss a potential deal.

Maupay is seen as someone who could become a key part of any move, with the Frenchman someone who the Italian outfit "like a lot", having been "one step away" from heading there last summer. The report also states that Salernitana want any potential transfer to be done and dusted in the next 10 days, rather than negotiations going on for too long.

This is certainly a positive update from an Everton perspective, not only giving them hope that they could sign Dia this summer, but also getting Maupay off their wage bill at the same time. He has been a big disappointment since arriving from Brighton last year, producing a poor return of just one goal and assist apiece in 29 appearances for the Blues.

For that reason, he may not be any real loss, and instead, they could be acquiring the signature of a more prolific player in Dia, having scored six goals in 25 appearances for Senegal at international level, netting once at the 2022 World Cup. Back in 2020, Senegal and former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane spoke highly of the forward, saying:

"I didn't know him before. But since the start of the season I started to follow him, and I'm really impressed by his qualities. I think he won't stay at Reims forever, believe me!"

Meanwhile, journalist Josh Bunting highlighted a key asset of Dia's, saying:

"Boulaye Dia the key man for Salernitana a goal and two assists so far since joining, a handful to deal with due to his hold up."

To be praised for such a big figure in his country's history speaks volumes about what Dia could be capable of in an Everton shirt, and his aforementioned assist tally last season shows that he is more than just a goalscorer. There still looks to be plenty to do, in order for the transfer to happen, but the Maupay factor is an added bonus, and it would be exciting to see Dia lining up for the Blues when they host Fulham in their Premier League opener next month.

It has been a busy summer transfer window of change for Celtic as they have changed managers, made a £25m sale, and brought in five new signings.

Who have Celtic signed this summer?

Brendan Rodgers, who replaced Ange Postecoglou in the dugout last month, made Norwegian midfielder Odin Thiago Holm and Australia international Marco Tilio his first two signings.

The Northern Irish tactician added two further additions to his squad on Monday of this week as Hyeok-kyu Kwon and Hyun-jun Yang both arrived from South Korea on permanent deals, before Polish central defender Maik Nawrocki joined from Legia Warsaw on a five-year deal.

Amongst these new arrivals, the Hoops also sold Portuguese phenomenon Jota to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad for a reported fee of £25m, which has left the head coach with a huge hole to fill within the attack ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Who could Celtic replace Jota with?

Rodgers could finally replace the 24-year-old sensation with a swoop to sign reported Celtic transfer target Tete, who currently plays for Shakhtar Donetsk and is looking for a move away from Ukraine after two loan spells.

Journalist Dean Jones told GIVEMESPORT that the Brazilian forward would "raise the bar" for the club with his quality at the top end of the pitch to fill the void left by Jota, which is backed up by his impressive form for Lyon prior to a recent spell with Leicester.

Rodgers signed the 23-year-old wizard for the Foxes during the January window after he enjoyed a strong year on loan in France. During his time with the Ligue 1 club, Tete racked up eight goals and ten assists in 30 appearances – including eight goals and eight assists in 26 top-flight games.

This means that the talented maestro, who was once hailed as a "hurricane" by Shakhtar CEO Sergei Palkin, recorded a direct goal contribution once every 1.67 matches on average for Lyon, which is a sublime return from a wide position.

Jota, meanwhile, chipped in with 11 goals and 11 assists across 33 Scottish Premiership clashes last season, which is one involvement every 1.5 outings on average. He was one of two Hoops stars, alongside Kyogo Furuhashi, who produced more than 15 goals and assists combined.

This suggests that Tete, who scored nine goals in 17 league games for Shakhtar during the 2021/22 campaign, has the potential to be an excellent replacement for Jota in terms of his ability to score and create goals on a regular basis from out wide.

The exciting dynamo could also be an excellent signing for Celtic as he already has a relationship with Rodgers and knows what the manager wants from his wingers, due to their spell together in England earlier this year.

Tete was dubbed a "super" professional by the ex-Liverpool boss, who also described the Shakhtar loanee as exactly what he had been looking for in a right-sided attacker.

Although the £21k-per-week ace only scored once in 13 Premier League games for Leicester, his eye-catching displays for Lyon indicate that the quality is there for him to arrive in Scotland as a Jota-esque figure on the flank for Rodgers by scoring and assisting goals week-in-week-out to compete for trophies over the next nine months.

أعرب محمود الزنفلي، حارس مرمى النادي الأهلي، عن سعادته بتأهل الفريق إلى نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بعد انتصاره على مازيمبي الكونغولي في إياب دور نصف النهائي.

الأهلي نجح في سحق مازيمبي بثلاثية على ملعب استاد القاهرة، ليضرب موعدًا مع الترجي التونسي في نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وجه الزنفلي كلمة شكر وتقدير إلى جماهير الأهلي، عبر قناة النادي، قائلًا: “أبارك للاعبين ومجلس الإدارة ولجمهور الفريق، الجماهير شيء تفرح دائمًا وفي ظهر اللاعبين والنادي”.

طالع أيضًا | مدرب مازيمبي غاضبًا: الأهلي ليس في حاجة إلى التحكيم.. ولن نتقدم بهذه الطريقة

وأكد على أهمية دور الجماهير في تحفيز اللاعبين، وقال: “وجودهم يعطي دفعة كبيرة للاعبين، وان شاء الله نسعدهم بالتتويج باللقب”.

وأشاد الزنفلي بـ روح الفريق والتعاون بين اللاعبين، وقال: “كلنا نساعد بعض وبجانب بعض، محمد الشناوي هو حارس مرمى مصر الأول، وأهنئ مصطفى شوبير على أدائه، وحمزة علاء ومخلوف بمثابة أشقائي الصغار وكان ذلك في مصلحة النادي الأهلي”.

أعرب الزنفلي عن ثقته في قدرات مصطفى شوبير، حارس مرمى الأهلي: “أداء مصطفى شوبير؟ هو من الحراس الكبار، وفي المباريات الحاسمة الحارس يجب أن يركز لمدة 90 دقيقة حتى صافرة الحكم”.

Heart of Midlothian will play either Crusaders or Rosenborg in their Europa Conference League third-round qualifying tie as they eye a spot in the group stages for the second season in a row.

Steven Naismith will need to continue his recent activity in the transfer market if they aim to have a better season than 2022/23, where they finished fourth in the Premiership and failed to even reach a semifinal of either domestic cup competition.

The next couple of weeks will be crucial, and the manager will be hoping his squad will be a bit more padded out by the time they face St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in seven days.

How many players have Hearts signed?

There have been three new arrivals at Tynecastle so far. Goalkeeper Michael McGovern, defender Frankie Kent and midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof have all been tasked with improving the club during 2023/24 and the latter two in particular could be key players for the Jambos.

There will surely be more signings before the end of August, with defender James Hill, who spent last season on loan at the Gorgie outfit from AFC Bournemouth, potentially looking for another stint in Edinburgh.

He said: “It would definitely be in consideration because everyone at Hearts has been amazing. They’ve made me feel at home. I’m not out of place here. I feel like a massive part of this squad. When you have that belief, the sky is the limit.

“The group at Hearts is incredible and the standard of this league is a surprise when other players step in because there is such quality.”

Could he be signing number four? It wouldn’t be a surprise if Naismith managed to make this happen in the coming weeks.

How good is James Hill?

Another centre-back could be extremely useful, especially with the talents that Hill possess, and he could slot in alongside new signing Kent with ease.

The former Peterborough defender became the latest player to sign for the club, having spent all of his career either in League One or League Two in England.

He impressed last term for The Posh, ranking first for clearances (3.7), fourth for interceptions (1.1) and second for accurate passes (45) per game, indicating that he not only exudes a solid defensive approach, but is suited to passing out comfortably from the back.

Hill also shone during his spell north of the border last term, ranking second for clearances (4.3) and first for interceptions (1.5) per game in the Premiership, and although he didn’t complete as many accurate passes per game (30.4) as Kent, he more than makes up for it with his tenacious nature, averaging 1.8 tackles per game.

Hailed as a “success story” by journalist Gregg Evans in 2022, the 6-foot youngster could form a dream defensive partnership with Kent next term which could allow Hearts to become a tougher side to score goals against.

With Kent being comfortable in his passing ability and Hill showing a dogged resilience to make sure no defender gets through him, the duo could be wonderful together as Naismith chases a third-place finish and potential group-stage football in Europe.

Billy Godleman’s second half-century of this season’s NatWest T20 Blast helped Derbyshire to the top of the North Group with a five-wicket win over Yorkshire at Headingley

ECB Reporters Network03-Aug-2017Derbyshire skipper Billy Godleman is closing on the last eight•Getty ImagesBilly Godleman’s second half-century of this season’s NatWest T20 Blast helped Derbyshire to the top of the North Group with a five-wicket win over Yorkshire at Headingley.Godleman led the pursuit of 181 as the Falcons secured the double over Yorkshire, winning with two balls to spare.The opener hit 67 off 48 balls after Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed scored 42 of Yorkshire’s 180 for 5 on his debut.Derbyshire, who have never reached Finals Day, leapfrogged Birmingham due to a better net run-rate, while Yorkshire are still on course for qualification despite a first Blast defeat in 11 matches at Headingley.Yorkshire’s innings lacked the fireworks of previous efforts, with them posting over 220 three times this season. They reached 54 for 1 after six overs having elected to bat, losing Tom Kohler-Cadmore for a brisk 29 with two leg-side sixes.David Willey and Adam Lyth, who hit 34, fell in the space of four balls in the ninth and 10 overs to spinners Wayne Madsen and Imran Tahir, leaving the score at 81 for 3.Madsen was the pick of the Falcons bowlers with 1 for 29 from his four overs and later hit a crucial 47 with the bat.Sarfraz and Shaun Marsh shared 67 inside nine overs for the fourth wicket before Hardus Viljoen struck twice in four balls, bowling Sarfraz as he looked to give himself room to slash over cover and Jack Leaning to leave the score 154 for 5.Marsh later did not field due to concussion having been hit by a Matt Henry slower ball bouncer whilst batting. He complained of dizziness when warming up before Derbyshire’s chase and Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire’s director of cricket, said he would probably be out for at least a week, missing the next T20 against Durham and the Championship match against Essex.Derbyshire debutant Tom Wood skied Bresnan to midwicket in the fourth over of the chase before Luis Reece was caught at short third-man trying to scoop Steve Patterson as the score fell to 46 for 2 in the sixth.With rain coming and going, all eyes were on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern, but the visitors kept their noses in front thanks to Godleman.He reached his latest half-century off 33 balls in the 10th over, by which stage the score had reached 83 for 2.Godleman found an aide in in-form Madsen. They shared 77 inside eight overs for the third wicket before former was caught behind off Willey as the score fell to 123 for three in the 14th.Steven Patterson and Adil Rashid tightened things up as the target became 49 off five overs and 33 off three.Madsen and Henry fell to Patterson in the 19th before Alex Hughes, with 10 needed off the last, smashed the first ball from Bresnan for six before captain Gary Wilson hit the winning runs.

Batsman Lahiru Thirimanne has been recalled to the squad for the second Test against India, 13 months after he last played for Sri Lanka. Left-arm wristspinner Lakshan Sandakan has also been added, while seamer Suranga Lakmal has been ruled out by a back complaint.While Thirimanne is effectively a replacement for the injured Asela Gunaratne, Sandakan’s inclusion is a sign Sri Lanka are considering a stronger spin-bowling attack for the SSC Test. He is the fourth frontline spinner in contention for a spot in the XI, in addition to Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera and Malinda Pushpakumara. Sri Lanka’s attack was found wanting in Galle, where India mounted 840 at a run rate of 4.5, for the loss of only 13 wickets.The match will also see the return of captain Dinesh Chandimal, who had missed the first game due to pneumonia.Thirimanne had been a fixture in Sri Lanka’s middle order between 2013 and 2016, but had been dropped due to an extended run of poor form. His domestic form has been largely good since, though he was not among the top scorers in this year’s Premier League Tournament. He did, however, score 59 in India’s warm-up match in Colombo, last month.Sandakan’s form has also been mixed. He had taken four wickets in Sri Lanka’s ODI victory over Zimbabwe in Galle, but had two modest outings after that, and was dropped for the deciding ODI of the series. In five Tests so far, Sandakan has 15 wickets at an average of 31.93, though several chances have gone down off his bowling.Lakmal had not played in the first Test, but was said to have had back trouble even during the Zimbabwe tour that preceded India’s arrival. With his exit, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando and Lahiru Kumara are the remaining frontline quicks in the squad.Sri Lanka squad for the SSC Test: Dinesh Chandimal (capt.), Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga, Dimuth Karunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Nuwan Pradeep, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Malinda Pushpakumara, Lakshan Sandakan, Lahiru Thirimanne

Northamptonshire ended Leicestershire’s 100 per cent record in this year’s NatWest T20 Blast with a two-run Duckworth/Lewis win at Grace Road

ECB Reporters Network21-Jul-2017
Rob Keogh was influential in Northants’ win [file picture]•Getty Images

Northamptonshire ended Leicestershire’s 100 per cent record in this year’s NatWest T20 Blast with a two-run Duckworth/Lewis win at Grace Road.The Foxes, batting second, had only themselves to blame, having been ahead of the D/L calculation for much of their reply after the Steelbacks had scored 165 for 8 on a hard and true pitch.Northants were indebted to a partnership of 75 between captain Alex Wakely and Rob Keogh, who came together after Richard Levi was well caught low down at deep square-leg by Dieter Klein off Gavin Griffiths for 41, leaving the score at 68 for 4 in the 10th over.But Wakely and Keogh kept the scoreboard moving, the former hitting consecutive boundaries off Klein before 21 came from the 17th over, bowled by Mat Pillans.Both bowlers came back strongly, Pillans knocking back Wakely’s leg stump as he stepped to the offside and tried to lift the ball over short fine-leg, and then Klein picking up the wickets of Steven Crook and Rory Kleinveldt with consecutive deliveries to restrict the Foxes’ target to under 170.They were given a good start by Luke Ronchi and Cameron Delport, who added 45 for the first wicket before the New Zealander steered Ben Sanderson to backward point, where Ben Duckett took a smart two-handed catch.Off-spinner Keogh bowled Delport for 30, but Mark Cosgrove, who was particularly severe on left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, hit 41 off just 26 balls to leave the Foxes in control.Leicestershire were still ahead on D/L when the Australian was bowled swinging across the line at Kleinveldt.But neither Colin Ackermann and Mark Pettini were able to get the ball to the boundary before umpires Steve O’Shaughnessy and Ian Blackwell took the players from the field, with the home team having fallen fractionally behind the required rate.