Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly made an offer to sign young Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez this summer. The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Valencia.

What's the latest on Nico Gonzalez to Wolverhampton Wanderers?

The Midlands club have made an offer for Gonzalez, according to reports in Spain, via Sport Witness, as they look to build a squad capable of enjoying a season away from the Premier League relegation zone.

Left out of Barcelona's squad for their pre-season tour, it seems increasingly likely that the young midfielder will be on the move this summer, although there is also serious interest from FC Porto.

It remains to be seen just how much the La Liga champions will demand for his signature, however, with Transfermarkt's current valuation sitting at just

€10m (£8.7m). For a young midfielder with the potential to improve then, Wolves could get themselves a bargain deal this summer.

If they did manage to secure Gonzalez, he would be just their third arrival of the summer, having already welcomed Boubacar Traore, and Tom King. After losing Ruben Neves to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, too, Julen Lopetegui and co will know the importance of getting it right in the current transfer window, ahead of a crucial first full season in charge of the club.

Should Wolves sign Nico Gonzalez?

Gonzalez would be a fairly risk-free transfer for Wolves, given his age and the potential he has to improve. It would be a deal for both the present and the future of the Midlands club's midfield, replacing Neves in the process, and offering sell-on value down the lines if things don't pan out perfectly.

The Barcelona man has impressed many in Spain, too, including Iago Aspas, who told Cadena SER back in 2021, via Barcablaugranes: “He looks tremendous. His father was one of the best players in the history of Galicia, but Nico can be better. Seeing his performances he is qualified to be with the national team.

“Pedri is a bit more done, but out of the current young players, I would still choose Nico. He is the type of player who will shine even more in the future.”

Statistically speaking, too, the youngster would slot right into Lopetegui's side. According to FBref, Gonzalez made just 1.32 fewer progressive passes per 90 than Neves last season. Meanwhile, the Wolves target made more progressive carries, and had a better pass completion rate.

The more that the numbers are looked at, the more it seems as though Wolves, especially in the long-term, may even be getting themselves an upgrade on their former star man.

Gonzalez fits what Lopetegui needs in his system, too. The Wolves manager likes his side to keep things neat and tidy on the ball, building from the back, making a midfielder capable of pulling the strings imperative for any chance of potential success.

There's still a fair way to go in the summer transfer window, but the Premier League side will be hoping to secure the signature of Gonzalez as soon as possible.

In an ideal world, Wolves will have a squad reinforced by arrivals before the new season gets underway. The last thing they'll want is to be under prepared and instantly caught on the back foot in England's top flight next season.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in making a move for Barcelona midfielder, Franck Kessie, with the Ivorian maestro currently facing an uncertain future in his current home despite only joining the La Liga side last year.

What's the latest on Kessie to Tottenham?

According to Spanish outlet, Sport, the Lilywhites – as well as Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich – are said to be keeping tabs on the 26-year-old, with the Catalan outfit believed to be anticipating 'movements' from those interested parties.

The report suggests that 'everything could happen very quickly' once Xavi Hernandez's side make their return from their current pre-season tour, with the playmaker potentially set to be up for grabs for as little as €15m (£13m).

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

The former AC Milan sensation only made the move to Camp Nou a year ago following the expiry of his contract in Italy, although after being restricted to just seven league starts last season, a change of scenery could be in order.

How good is Franck Kessie?

This apparent interest from those at N17 has come amid reports that Danish midfielder, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could be on his way to Atletico Madrid after three years in north London, with Ange Postecoglou and co already identifying possible replacements.

Among those who Spurs are believed to be considering is England international, Conor Gallagher, albeit with the 23-year-old – who previously spent time on loan at Crystal Palace – having been valued at around £50m by rivals Chelsea.

With Kessie – who has been lauded as the "real deal" by journalist Antonio Mango – likely to cost just a fraction of that fee, it would be wise to consider the one-time Atalanta ace as a dream alternative to Gallagher, ahead of next season.

While the younger man has built his reputation on being a "box-to-box" asset – as per writer Zach Lowy – the Barcelona ace also appears to have that knack for impacting the game at both ends of the pitch.

The 59-cap international has showcased his willing desire to get forward of late as he ranks in the top 12% among midfielders in Europe's top five leagues for touches in the attacking penalty area and in the top 12% for progressive passes received.

While Gallagher is ahead in both of those metrics – ranking in the top 3% and the top 4%, respectively – it does show that the pair share that knack for bombing forward from their midfield berths, with that seemingly a trait that Postecoglou is looking for, hence his interest in the Chelsea machine.

The two men also share a similar record with regard to goal contributions at their respective clubs, with Gallagher scoring three goals and providing one assist in 45 games at Stamford Bridge, while Kessie has scored three goals and registered three assists in 43 games for La Blaugrana.

The £149k-per-week menace does also boast the benefit of his prior experience at Milan, where he registered 53 goals and assists in 223 games in all competitions, while Gallagher's most successful stint to date saw him score eight goals and register five assists in 39 outings while on loan at Selhurst Park.

With Kessie having clearly already proven himself at an elite club – despite struggling for game time in his current home – it would seemingly be a real bargain to be able to secure his signature for a measly £13m, particularly in contrast to Gallagher's sizeable price tag.

Nottingham Forest are in “advanced talks” to bring AS Monaco defender Ismail Jakobs to the Premier League, according to reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano.

Who is Ismail Jakobs?

Jakobs is naturally a left-back who has played his football at the Stade Louis-II for the past two years having moved there from FC Koln back in 2021, but having fallen significantly out of favour under Adi Hutter, it’s highly likely that he will be heading for the exit door before transfer deadline day on September 1.

The Senegal international, who represented his nation at the 2022 World Cup, was only handed nine starts last season in Ligue 1 and was forced to sit on the bench for the majority of the campaign having been introduced as a substitute on 23 occasions, highlighting how far down he is in his manager’s pecking order.

Despite his contract still having another three years remaining, the 23-year-old is therefore expected to want to move onto new pastures and join a club where he knows that he’s wanted and will get regular minutes under his belt, a potential destination being The City Ground.

Steve Cooper will have to enter the market for a player in his target’s position with Renan Lodi returning to Atletico Madrid to join Marseille on a permanent deal following his temporary spell in the top-flight, and if the following update is to be believed, it sounds like the boss is close to securing the services of the overseas starlet.

Are Nottingham Forest signing Ismail Jakobs?

Taking to Twitter, Romano revealed that Nottingham Forest are in positive ongoing discussions with AS Monaco regarding a permanent deal for Jakobs who is excited by the project being presented to him in the Midlands. He wrote:

“Understand Nottingham Forest are now in advanced talks to sign Ismail Jakobs as new left back. Player keen on the move, negotiations advancing on clubs side with AS Monaco to reach an agreement soon.”

According to journalist Josh Bunting, Jakobs is a “joy to watch” at AS Monaco and whilst he’s naturally a left-back in the heart of the defence, he’s much more of a threat in attack when bursting down the flank, so should he put pen to paper, he would be a hugely exciting addition at Nottingham Forest.

The Cologne native, who pockets £10k-per-week, last season ranked in the 99th percentile amongst full-backs for attacking touches in the opposition’s penalty area and whipped a total of 61 crosses into the box which was the fourth-highest tally throughout his squad, via FBRef, highlighting his desire to create chances for his teammates and get involved with the action in the final third.

The French outfit’s left-footed gem, who has provided 15 assists and scored ten goals throughout his career, would also provide the boss with excellent versatility with his ability to operate in five different positions on both the left and right flanks, so it would be a massive coup for the club if they are successfully able to land Jakobs’ signature in the coming weeks.

Jacques Rudolph’s dismissal turned the DLS score from a tie to a Gloucestershire victory•Getty Images

Gloucestershire beat Glamorgan by five runs on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, despite career-best figures of 5-17 for Michael Hogan, with Jacques Rudolph’s dismissal off what became the final ball proving a match-winning moment.Only five overs of the run chase were possible as the rain came when Glamorgan were 32 for 2, chasing 151 to win, after Thisara Perera bowled Rudolph moments before the players left the field. Had that wicket not fallen, the scores would have been tied on DLS.The match was due to resume at 9.15pm with a revised target of 114, meaning Glamorgan would have required 82 from nine overs, but further heavy rain arrived to bring an end.Having won the toss and put Gloucestershire in to bat, Glamorgan’s bowlers struggled to find their line early on and at the end of the Powerplay Gloucestershire were solidly placed on 45 without loss.However, a bowling change paid off as Craig Meschede, with his first delivery, had Klinger caught by Andrew Salter attempting a pull shot.Phil Mustard brought up his fifty with an on-driven six off Salter in the 12th over, and Ian Cockbain added a six of his own in the same over as the visitors reached 97 for 1.Meschede made a second breakthrough when Ian Cockbain skied to Michael Hogan at mid-off for 22 and he ended with 2 for 28.Colin Ingram was brought into the attack and claimed the scalp of Mustard for 57 when he picked out deep midwicket.Kieran Noema-Barnett took Ingram for two boundaries and Jack Taylor was given a life when he was dropped on the midwicket rope by Aneurin Donald.However, Donald did take the chance offered by Noema-Barnett which began Hogan’s late burst. Hogan took another two wickets in the over, bowling Taylor for 10 before Thisara Perera was removed by an impressive catch from David Miller.Hogan added a fourth when he bowled George Hankins and, after the run out of Matt Taylor, he removed Benny Howell off the final ball of the innings.

تقام اليوم الجمعة الموافق 26-4-2024، مواجهات دور نصف النهائي من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا بين الأهلي ضد مازيمبي الكونغولي وصن داونز الجنوب إفريقي يلاقي الترجي التونسي.

وتلعب اليوم مباريات الإياب لدور نصف النهائي من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، حيث الأهلي يستضف مازيمبي على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي.

وفي نصف النهائي الآخر، يحل فريق الترجي التونسي ضيفاً على صن داونز في ملعب الأخير بجنوب إفريقيا.

وكانت مواجهة الذهاب بين الأهلي ومازيمبي التي أقيمت في الكونغو انتهت بالتعادل السلبي، بينما الترجي فاز على صن داونز بهدف دون رد في تونس.

طالع | قائمة الأهلي لمباراة مازيمبي في نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا.. موقف إمام عاشور وحسين الشحات

وفي منافسات الجولة الـ 33 لبطولة الدوري الإسباني، يلتقي ريال مدريد أمام ريال سوسيداد.

وتلعب 3 مواجهات في مواجهات بطولة دوري روشن السعودي، الهلال يلاقي الفتح، اتحاد جدة بقيادة المصري أحمد حجازي يواجه الشباب، ضمك الذي يتواجد في صفوفه لاعب الوسط المصري طارق حامد يلتقي مع التعاون.

والمهاجم المصري مصطفي محمد يظهر مع فريقه نانت ضد مونبيله في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الفرنسي.

كما يعلب صالح جمعة مع فريقه الكرخ العراقي أمام نظيره الزوراء في منافسات الجولة 24 من عمر مباريات الدوري العراقي.

وفي منافسات بطولة إفريقيا لكرة السلة (الدوري الإفريقي لكرة السلة)، يلتقي فريق الأهلي مع أهلي بنغازي في الجولة الخامسة للمسابقة الإفريقية. مواعيد مباريات اليوم الجمعة 26-4-2024 والقنوت الناقلة.مباريات دور أبطال إفريقيا اليوم

الأهلي ضد مازيمبي، تقام المباراة في تمام الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تنقل على بي إن سبورتس “beIN Sports HD 6”.

صن داونز ضد الترجي، تقام المباراة في تمام الساعة 9 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، 7 بتوقيت تونس تنقل على قناة بي إن سبورتس “beIN Sports HD5”. مباريات الدوري الإسباني اليوم

ريال مدريد ضد ريال سوسيداد، تقام المباراة في تمام الساعة 10 مساء بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تنقل على قناة بي إن سبورتس “beIN Sports HD 1”. مباريات الدوري الإيطالي اليوم

ساليرنيتانا ضد فروزينوني، تقام المباراة في تمام الساعة 9:45 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تنقل على قناة أبو ظبي الرياضية “AD SPORTS Premium 1 “. مباريات الدوري الألماني اليوم

بوخوم ضد هوفنهايم، تقام المباراة في تمام الساعة 9:30 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تنقل على قناة بي إن سبورتس “beIN Sports HD 3”. مباريات الدوري الفرنسي اليوم

نانت ضد مونبيليه، تقام المباراة في تمام الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تنقل على قناة بي إن سبورتس “beIN Sports HD4”. مباريات الدوري السعودي اليوم

الهلال ضد الفتح، تقام المباراة في تمام الساعة 6 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تنقل على قناة SSC EXTRA 1.

ضمك ضد التعاون، تقام المباراة في تمام الساعة 6 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تنقل على قناة SSC EXTRA 2.

اتحاد جدة ضد الشباب، تقام المباراة في تمام الساعة 9 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تنقل على قناة SSC HD 1. مباريات الدوري العراقي اليوم

الكرخ ضد الزوراء، تقام المباراة في تمام الساعة 3:45 عصراً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تنقل على قناة الرابعة العراقية.

نادي نفط الوسط ضد نفط ميسان، تقام المباراة في تمام الساعة 6 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تنقل على قناة الرابعة العراقية. مباريات الدوري التركي اليوم

أضنة دمير سبور ضد جالطة سراي، تقام المباراة في تمام الساعة 8 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تنقل على بي إن سبورتس التركية. مباريات بطولة إفريقيا لكرة السلة اليوم BAL

الأهلي ضد أهلي بنغازي، تقام المباراة في تمام الساعة 8 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تنقل على قناة النادي الأهلي.

أويلرز الأوغندي ضد بانجي من إفريقيا الوسطي، تقام المباراة في تمام الساعة 5 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية وتنقل على قناة النادي الأهلي. مباريات ربع نهائي كأس آسيا تحت 23 عاماً المؤهلة لـ أولمبياد باريس 2024

السعودية ضد أوزبكستان، تقام المباراة في تمام الساعة 5 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تنقل على قنوات “beIN Sports AFC ” وSSC EXTRA 3 والكأس القطرية وأبو ظبي آسيا.

العراق ضد فيتنام، تقام المباراة في تمام الساعة 8:30 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية تنقل على قنوات “beIN Sports AFC ” وSSC EXTRA 3 والكأس القطرية وأبو ظبي آسيا. مباريات بطولة إفريقيا لكرة الطائرة اليوم سيدات

الأهلي ضد ناصرية بجاية، تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة الرابعة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية وتنقل على قناة أون تايم سبورت 2.

الزمالك ضد أسيك ميموزا الإيفواري، تقام المباراة في تمام الساعة السادسة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تذاع عبر الصفحة الرسمية للاتحاد الإفريقي للكرة الطائرة، على فيس بوك.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا

يرى المهاجم الإنجليزي السابق، كريس سوتون، أن محمد صلاح قد تجاوز الحدود في ليفربول، بعد أزمته الأخيرة مع المدرب يورجن كلوب.

وتعادل ليفربول مع وست هام بهدفين لمثليهما، في الجولة الخامسة والثلاثين من الدوري الإنجليزي يوم السبت الماضي.

ولم يتواجد محمد صلاح في التشكيل الأساسي، حيث ظل على دكة البدلاء حتى قرر يورجن كلوب الدفع به في الدقيقة 81.

وتسبب قرار كلوب في إثارة غضب محمد صلاح، الذي انفعل بقوة تجاه الألماني على خط التماس، وتبادل معه كلمات غاضبة.

وقال كريس سوتون في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “لم يعجبني الأمر ولكن أعتقد أن محمد صلاح هو الشخص الذي كان خارج عن السيطرة”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. وائل جمعة: محمد صلاح لم يخطئ.. كلوب من استفزه وإعلان رحيله أضر الجميع

وأضاف: “إنه لا يختلف عن أي من زملائه في فريق ليفربول، والحقيقة هي أن مستواه لم يكن جيدًا منذ عودته من الإصابة”.

وواصل: “هذا ليس شيئًا ضد صلاح واللاعب الرائع الذي كان عليه في ليفربول، لقد كان استثنائيًا ولكن أعتقد أن هناك حدود ولسوء الحظ تجاوزها”.

وأردف: “لا يمكنك العيش في الماضي، لقد كان هنا (لاعب استثنائي) ثم قرر كلوب استبعاده، وهذا هو من صلاحياته، إنه المدرب وصلاح لا يختلف عن بقية زملائه في الفريق”.

Australia’s cricketers are now comfortably the highest paid female athletes in the country, with minimum retainers for the national team and domestic sides outstripping deals recently unveiled for top-tier contracts in soccer and AFL.While 2017 has been a breakthrough year for female athletes across the country through the inaugural AFLW competition and this week’s announcement of a new pay deal for female footballers with the Football Federation of Australia, the terms granted to cricketers under the MoU completed last week have put them well ahead of the rest.Under figures obtained by ESPNcricinfo, the minimum contract for a Cricket Australia-contracted player (minus match payments, prize money and other performance bonuses) will be A$ 72,076 for 2017-18, as opposed to a “tier-one” representative of the Matildas national soccer team on A$ 41,000 a year. Listed players at AFLW clubs earn between A$ 5,000 and A$ 25,000 each.All domestic contracted players – taking part in the WNCL and the WBBL – are entitled to deals worth A$ 25,659 from playing for their states, and a minimum A$ 10,292 (average of A$ 19,926) for playing in the domestic Twenty20 competition. By contrast, W-League soccer players will be paid wages ranging from A$ 10,000 to A$ 20,000.Average wages for international female cricketers – factoring in match fees and performance bonuses plus WBBL retainers – will be around A$ 180,000 this season, rising to A$ 211,000 in 2021-22, the final year of the recently completed MoU. Average wages for domestic-only players will be around A$ 55,000 this season, rising to A$ 58,000 in 2021-22.These figures, reached after a lengthy and often ugly period of negotiation and then dispute between CA and the Australian Cricketers Association, were always likely to be reached as both sides of the argument believed fundamentally in improving the lot of female players, not only by raising their wages but also by including all players in a single MoU for the first time.However the women were caught in the middle of the dispute as all players were left out of contract after the previous MoU expired on June 30, a deadline that passed in the middle of the World Cup contested in England this year – squad members signed short-term deals to enable to stay employed throughout the tournament. Ironically, the few weeks spent without pay for the women echoed the experiences of many in earlier years of their careers, as the vice-captain Alex Blackwell has said.”Women would have to take massive chunks of leave without pay, if not sacrifice their job, to go on tour to play for Australia,” Blackwell said in the ACA’s Onside magazine. “Over my career I have known team-mates of mine who have lost their jobs from being selected for their country and having to say to their employer, ‘I’m away for five weeks’. What would happen if that player got injured two days into the tour, would be that they lose the financial benefit of the tour and be in a really poor and vulnerable position.”This the first time that a female player group has come under an MoU, and for it to be one MoU combined is a historic event. I didn’t always feel like we were respected as well as we could have been in terms of the part we play in growing the game. So, that’s the first thing that this MoU makes me feel; like there has been a switch, and we are now partners in growing the game into something that is bigger and better.”CA has made a concerted effort to be more inclusive in recent years, and one of the battlegrounds of the pay war was the board’s claims that the players association had shown as much willingness to strive for gender equity – a claim the ACA rejected. Its recent strategy document for the next five years made no secret of CA’s desire to attract more women to the game as both fans and players, with major pay increases for female elite players a key part of their approach. The board’s stated goals include to:”Achieve gender equity across Australian Cricket. Develop and accelerate the opportunities for women in all areas and levels of our game. Sustainably grow women and girls’ participation, and make sure they find cricket clubs welcoming and enjoyable places to be. Cricket becomes a viable professional career for talented female athletes, who will be supported by an expansive and structured female pathway. Grow women’s elite cricket and remain number one in all formats. The WBBL becomes the undisputed leader of women’s sporting leagues in the world.”While the WBBL is currently played concurrently with the BBL, CA has flagged plans to move the tournament to a standalone slot in the calendar in October. The men’s and women’s World T20 tournaments to be hosted by Australia in 2020 will be played in separate slots, the women in February-March and the men in October-November.

Everton are considering a swoop for Sheffield United's rising star Daniel Jebbison, with manager Sean Dyche seeking to bolster his attacking ranks and chart a course up the Premier League table this season.

Who are Everton going to sign this summer?

While the Toffees endured a quiet start to the transfer window, astute purchases for Ashley Young on a free transfer and Arnaut Danjuma on loan have set the ball in motion, and Jebbison could be next.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the 20-year-old striker has been the subject of an enquiry from the Merseyside outfit already this summer, with Everton looking to act upon their long-standing interest in the Blades ace.

While Jebbison would not be considered the talismanic saviour to pump life back into the Everton attack instantaneously, he could be the perfect utility option and one to grow into a first-rate star at the club over the coming years.

Who is Daniel Jebbison?

Scoring twice from 19 matches last term, also registering one assist, Jebbison played a peripheral role in a triumphant campaign for the Blades, who completed their return to the Premier League after a second-place finish.

He has actually already once plied his trade in the English top-flight, making his debut against Everton in May 2021 and being hailed as his side's "shining light" by Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards as his side ignominiously crashed out of the division.

He has already completed a loan transfer away from Bramall Lane and caught the eye on loan at Burton Albion in 2021/22, where he scored seven goals from just 14 starts in League One and averaged 1.9 shots per game.

While this exciting talent cannot be expected to lead the Evertonian line at such a rudimentary stage in his career, he could hardly do much worse than Neal Maupay, and Dyche must seriously consider ousting the Frenchman for someone of Jebbison's ilk, who can grow into his skin and absorb the fruits of a starring talisman, such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Maupay arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion one year ago on a £15m deal after plundering 24 Premier League goals across three seasons, but to say he flattered to deceive on Merseyside would be an understatement.

Once branded "embarrassing" by Alan Shearer, the 26-year-old scored just one goal from 27 top-flight showings last term, exacerbating the club's issues in front of goal that so nearly cost them their place among England's elite.

The £50k-per-week attacker was also called "woeful" by journalist Paul Brown, who criticised his "disaster" of a transfer, leaving question marks surrounding his future under Dyche's wing.

While his past exploits on English shores are evidence that he can find the back of the net with some sort of regularity, the magnitude of the task in preserving Premier League status once again and, crucially, navigating away from the danger area after successive relegation-battling terms, underlines the importance that the club get it right.

And while Jebbison will not produce numbers to rival the likes of Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah at the forefront of the league's offensive stars, he may just be a budding sensation, and with Everton yearning for a new figurehead to send them into rapture, the Sheffield United striker could just be the man to mould into a first-rate phenom.

Andy Hurry has been rushed back to Taunton as Somerset’s director of cricket after the removal of Matthew Maynard

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Oct-2017Somerset have confirmed that Andy Hurry will return to the club as director of cricket following the departure of Matthew Maynard.The news, which was first signalled in ESPNcricinfo, also sees Jason Kerr promoted from assistant and bowling coach to become Somerset’s new head coach.Hurry’s return offers Somerset a sense of stability and unity after a difficult season in which they only avoided relegation on the final day of the season and released a clutch of players including the limited-overs captain Jim Allenby.Indeed, even now they cannot entirely rest easy: Middlesex, who were relegated instead, have lodged an official protest with the ECB about an overrate sanction during a match at The Oval which ended prematurely for safety reasons when a crossbow bolt was fired onto the outfield.ECB clear ‘below average’ pitch

Somerset have avoided any further action over the pitch produced for the final Championship match of the season against Middlesex which was rated “below average”.
The judgement, by Cricket Liaison Officer Wayne Noon, prompted further investigation by the ECB but the surface was cleared on Monday.
Somerset saved their Division One status with victory in the match which was dominated by spin.
However, the club will remain under notice and further action could be taken if another surface is rated “below average” next season. And they are not 100% secure of their position until the outcome of Middlesex’s appeal against their slow over-rate is decided for the match ended by the crossbow incident at The Oval.

Hurry spent 13 years at Somerset before he left in 2014 to become head coach of the ECB’s Player Development Programme.He originally joined Somerset in 2001 and went on to become head coach before taking the position of director of high performance for a brief period at the end of the 2013 season.In his time as head coach he oversaw Somerset’s most successful period since the Glory Years in the late 1970s and early 80s, as he led them to within a whisker of the County Championship and to several white-ball finals.Somerset CEO Lee Cooper, who has undertaken a comprehensive review of the club’s structure since his appointment during the summer, said: “Andy Hurry enjoyed considerable success during his time with Somerset and since then he has gone on to gain extensive and valuable experience working with the ECB and the Young Lions Programme. He is held in extremely high regard by both the ECB and our playing staff.”Jason Kerr has fulfilled a number of roles since a shoulder injury brought his seam-bowling career to a premature end in 2002 and has been actively involved with the First XI for over a decade.Andy Hurry•Getty ImagesCooper said: “Jason’s knowledge of the club and the unique culture that surrounds it is second to none. He has also played a major role in the development of our exciting young players who are now breaking in to the first XI.”Hurry has been unable to resist the lure of a return to the south-west. He said: “Somerset will always hold a very special place in my heart,” he said. “We came so close to winning silverware when I was here before and there is therefore some unfinished business. It is one of the most respected clubs in the world and it feels very much like I’m coming home.”I have relished my three years with the ECB and Young Lions and through the opportunities the programme has provided me, I have grown my experience and knowledge significantly”

West Ham United are "considered frontrunners" to sign Chelsea starlet Ian Maatsen as they also enter talks for Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez.

Who will West Ham sign?

Despite making plenty of approaches, including for Southampton star James Ward-Prowse most recently, West Ham remain the only Premier League side yet to make a single summer signing.

David Moyes and technical director Tim Steidten also saw their deal for exciting young forward Carlos Borges hijacked by Eredivisie giants Ajax this week, perhaps summing up their lack of luck this window.

However, in recent days, there have been some very promising developments at West Ham, as backed by reliable media sources like Fabrizio Romano, who says Mexico international star Alvarez has agreed to join the club.

The 25-year-old is ready to fly out for a medical if the Irons and Ajax can agree on a fee for the midfielder, which will come as music to the ears of some West Ham supporters eager for their team to do business.

The east Londoners need to make use of their £105 million financial windfall after the sale of star midfielder Declan Rice, not to mention the departure of Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino recently professed his desire for another West Ham target, left-back Maatsen, to stay at Chelsea as they open contract talks – but there is still a real danger of him leaving as clubs circle.

This, of course, includes West Ham – who are "considered frontrunners" to sign the former Burnley loanee. That's according to the Evening Standard, with reliable journalist Nizaar Kinsella sharing what he's heard on the Maatsen's possible switch to the London Stadium.

Kinsella wrote:

"Maatsen told Standard Sport in the US that he wants to stay but is also understood to want assurances over his development plan at Chelsea before putting pen to paper.

"West Ham are considered frontrunners amid a host of Premier League interest with Burnley joining Champions League clubs Ajax and Lens in the race for his signature."

How good is Ian Maatsen?

The 21-year-old featured 39 times for Burnley during a productive loan spell last term, finishing 22/23 as one of Vincent Kompany's best-performers by average match rating according to WhoScored.

In that time, Maatsen racked up four goals and six assists, all while making Burnley's fifth-highest rate of key passes per 90 in the final third (WhoScored).

Pochettino has called Maatsen a "clever" player and the Argentine, it's safe to say, is a huge, huge fan.

"I am so happy with him," said Pochettino.

"So far, he is in my plan, yes. I am so pleased with him, as I’ve said, because of his attitude, commitment and his understanding of the game."

The Dutch youngster could seriously strengthen West Ham's ranks as a highly promising player, but Pochettino's stance could well make the signing a tricky one.