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It’s been a crazy few weeks for Tottenham Hotspur.

After delivering the North Londoners their first piece of major silverware for 17 years, it was announced that Ange Postecoglou was sacked on Friday afternoon.

While the timing of the decision may feel harsh, it’s not that difficult to see why Daniel Levy and Co made it, as the Australian had won just 47 of 101 games in charge of the club.

While nothing has been officially announced at the moment, it is looking more and more likely that the next man in the Lilywhites hot seat will be Thomas Frank, and based on other reports, he’s already told the club to sign someone who’d be a dream Brennan Johnson upgrade.

Tottenham's transfer targets

Now that Spurs appear to have identified their new manager, it’s worth looking at some of the talented players they’ve been linked with in recent weeks and months, such as Eberichi Eze and Xavi Simons.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The former enjoyed a superb season with Crystal Palace this year in which he helped the team win the FA Cup and racked up a tally of 14 goals and 11 assists in just 43 games, in turn, more than justifying the £68m release clause reportedly in his current deal.

Likewise, Simons managed to score 11 goals and provide eight assists in 33 games for RB Leipzig this season and would cost around as much as the Englishman at £65m.

However, to really upgrade on Johnson this summer, Tottenham would need to sign an out-and-out rightwinger, someone like Bryan Mbeumo.

Well, according to a recent report from the Mirror, that might be what they end up doing.

The report claims that Frank has instructed Spurs that he wants the club to sign the Cameroon international and make him his first summer acquisition.

To do that, the North Londoners would have to stump up a fee of around £60m and, more crucially, hijack Manchester United’s now well-documented efforts to bring him to Old Trafford.

It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but one well worth fighting for, as Mbeumo would be the ideal upgrade on Johnson.

How Mbeumo compares to Johnson

Now, while Mbeumo can play up top or even as a second striker, his most played and unquestionably best position is off the right, which would put him in direct competition with Jonnson next season.

So, with that said, who comes out on top when we compare the two?

Well, when it comes to their raw output, it’s actually the often “unplayable” Brentford star, as dubbed by Frank, who comes out on top, with 20 goals and nine assists in 42 appearances, totalling 3577 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.44 games, or every 123.34 minutes.

In contrast, the former Nottingham Forest star scored 18 goals and provided seven assists in 51 appearances, totalling 3316 minutes, which comes out to a less impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.04 games, or every 132.64 minutes.

Unfortunately for the Welsh international, the one-sided nature of this comparison only grows when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.

For example, the “incredible” Bees star, as dubbed by Frank, comes out ahead in the vast majority of relevant metrics, such as progressive passes and carries, shot and goal-creating actions, shots on target, successful take-ons, expected assists and many, many more, all per 90.

Ultimately, even though Johnson enjoyed a decent campaign for Spurs this season, Mbeumo is the superior winger in every measurable way.

Therefore, the club should do everything possible to sign the Brentford star this summer and reunite him with their soon-to-be-manager in North London.

He's another Bergvall: Spurs enter race to sign "extraordinary" wonderkid

The promising youngster could be a star at Spurs.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 7, 2025

All eyes are on Chelsea’s Club World Cup commitments, although that has not stopped the transfer rumour mill rumbling on in the background, with further deals seemingly set to follow, following the notable capture of Liam Delap last month.

While the Blues appear to have ended their interest in AC Milan goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, the club’s pursuit of Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens continues, despite missing out on the Englishman ahead of the previous transfer deadline.

Prior reports have indicated that the 20-year-old has already agreed on a seven-year contract with the Stamford Bridge side, albeit with a club-to-club agreement still yet to be found, amid reports of a €65m (£55m) asking price.

The former Manchester City youth star does appear to be Enzo Maresca’s leading target right now, although further moves could seemingly lie in store, with talk that a new defensive addition could also enter the building.

Latest on Chelsea's bid for a new defender

For all the speculation surrounding attacking additions, it would appear that the west Londoners are also keen to bolster the backline this summer, having previously been in the mix for new Real Madrid man, Dean Huijsen.

A reunion with a certain Marc Guehi has also been mooted, albeit with the Englishman looking more likely to join Arne Slot’s Liverpool, should he decide to leave Crystal Palace in the coming months.

Centre-back thus looks to be a priority position for Chelsea ahead of the start of the new Premier League season, with reports in Spain suggesting that they are now readying an offer for Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

As per the report, the Blues have ‘launched an ambitious move’ for the 23-year-old defender, having made the versatile left-footer – who can operate at left-back – one of their ‘key targets’.

Despite his €60m (£51m) asking price representing something of an obstacle, the report claims that Chelsea are ‘willing to negotiate’, with the player himself ready to take the next step in his career.

Should that step take him to Stamford Bridge, the 6 foot sensation could look to replicate the success of his compatriot, Moises Caicedo.

Why Chelsea could land their next Caicedo

It’s fair to say that eyebrows were raised when Chelsea forked out a club-record fee of £115m to sign Caicedo from Brighton and Hove Albion back in 2023, with the Blues edging out Liverpool for the midfielder’s signature.

Despite enduring a “tough” first season by his own admission, the 23-year-old has kicked on and then some since, with teammate Cole Palmer hailing him as the side’s “best player” last month.

Also lauded as the Premier League’s ‘best central midfielder’ by pundit and analyst Adrian Clarke, the former Seagulls star is relishing life under Maresca, having notably made the fifth-most tackles in the top-flight last term.

Hopefully, the signing of his international colleague – who is the same age as Caicedo – can prove just as successful, with Hincapie having been noted as an “Ecuadorian football legend in the making” in his own right, according to talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Despite being “in the shadow” of the likes of Florian Wirtz at Leverkusen, the £51m man is a “top quality” talent undoubtedly, in the words of Kulig, with it no surprise that he has caught the eye of the Stamford Bridge hierarchy.

Where he particularly excels is in possession, as evidenced by the fact that he ranks in the top 5% of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries per 90, while also ranking in the top 16% for progressive passes, as per FBref.

For comparison, the man he could potentially replace in that left-sided centre-back – Levi Colwill – ranks in just the bottom 33% for progressive carries, as well as in just the top 38% for progressive passes.

Games (starts)

32 (28)

Goals

2

Assists

2

Big chances created

4

Key passes*

0.5

Pass accuracy*

89%

Tackles*

1.6

Interceptions*

1.0

Balls recovered*

3.3

Total duels won*

62%

In a similar manner to Colwill, however, what does set Hincapie apart is how flexible he is at operating as a full-back or more centrally, with Caicedo sharing that versatility having featured as a deep-lying midfielder, or even as an inverted right-back under Maresca to date.

A further benefit is also the wealth of experience that Hincapie has earned thus far despite his relative youth, having made 189 club career appearances at senior level, alongside 46 caps for his country. For comparison, Caicedo has made 193 senior club appearances, alongside 55 caps at international level.

While unlike the latter man and his time at Brighton, the Leverkusen star is yet to be tested in the Premier League, all the signs point to him being a natural fit in Maresca’s side – much like Caicedo has been over the last 12 months or so.

Better than Garnacho: Chelsea set to launch £45m bid for "world-class" star

The dynamic phenom would be sensational for Chelsea.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 26, 2025

Mikel Arteta has hailed 15-year-old Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman after he made his senior debut against AC Milan on Wednesday.

Dowman played in winArsenal 1-0 victors in SingaporeArteta full of praise for teenager Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Arsenal beat Milan 1-0 in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, with Bukayo Saka the goal-scorer. In the game, manager Arteta gave two 15-year-olds their first tastes of senior football, with Marli Salmon and Dowman both coming off the bench.

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Arteta was full of praise for both of the "kids" who came onto the pitch, and reserved special praise for Dowman, although he stopped short of outlining the plan for him next season. Dowman has already won 14 caps for England's U17s, and he scored 15 goals in 15 league appearances for Arsenal's U18s last season.

WHAT ARTETA SAID

Arteta told reporters: "Yes, I'm very happy with all the kids, I think they are able to play at that level, with 15 years old, in my opinion, because of the environment, and the culture that is within the team, and when somebody makes you feel so comfortable, so confident, straight away you can go and do it. Obviously it gives you the best chance, you have to have the qualities that this kid has."

Asked about the plan for next season for Dowman, he added: "No, we don't know, with all the young kids at the end, they are in and around the team constantly, and they are really used to the dynamics, the demands, and especially raising the physical levels, because the demands, and actually to be able to perform and impact the game at that level, it demands really, really high physical standards, and they are getting that, and that gives them another platform, and then they will have to earn it." 

AFPWHAT NEXT?

Arsenal play Newcastle on July 27 in Singapore in their next pre-season friendly, before meeting Tottenham for the first north London derby on foreign shores.

England have named Freya Kemp and Bess Heath in their 15-player squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. Danielle Gibson is also selected for her first World Cup, to be played in the UAE in October, but there was no room was fast bowler Lauren Filer.Allrounder Kemp and back-up wicketkeeper Heath will also take part in next month’s white-ball trip to Ireland, where Kate Cross will captain a team otherwise missing England’s World Cup players. The three ODIs and two T20Is could see a number of debutants, with seven uncapped players across both squads.England’s planning for the T20 World Cup has been meticulous over the last 18 months and the group selected contained few surprises, bar the omission of Filer. Sophia Dunkley won a recall during the summer and kept her spot above Tammy Beaumont, who captained Welsh Fire to the final of the Hundred and is selected in both squads to face Ireland.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Linsey Smith, who returned to the T20I side for the first time since 2019 earlier this year, is included as the back-up spinner to the trio of Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean and Sarah Glenn. Meanwhile, the flexibility offered by Kemp, who recently returned to bowling after injury, and Gibson as seam-bowling allrounders means England opted against taking the extra pace of Filer – although she will join the team in their training camp in Abu Dhabi before the tournament.Mahika Gaur, the teenaged left-arm seamer who was unable to push harder for World Cup selection due to a combination of injury and school commitments, is included in the T20I group to tour Ireland.Related

• Darcie Brown fit for T20 World Cup as Australia prepare to 'unleash' pace duo

• Women's T20 WC: Australia begin title defence on October 5; India vs Pakistan set for October 6

• Yastika Bhatia returns as India name tried and tested 15 for T20 World Cup

The Women’s T20 World Cup had been due to be staged in Bangladesh but the ICC took the decision to move the tournament last week after a period of civil unrest in the country.”Selecting teams and squads with this group of players has become incredibly tricky and tough,” England’s head coach, Jon Lewis, said. “There are players who have been really unfortunate to miss out and they’ll be a big part of what we do with England Cricket in the future.”I feel the 15 players selected give us a really well balanced squad in terms of experience, youth and most importantly the skills to cope and excel in the conditions we feel we will be faced with in the UAE.”England’s captain, Heather Knight, added: “World Cups are always special events to be involved in as a player and I’m really excited by the squad we have selected to take over to the UAE. It’s an honour to lead the team into another World Cup. We’re looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Cross had conceded that she was unlikely to force her way into England’s World Cup thinking and will instead captain England for the first time after a career in which she has won 91 caps across formats.She will be joined in the party for Ireland by Beaumont, Issy Wong and Mady Villiers, who last featured for England in 2021. Georgia Adams, Hannah Baker, Georgia Davis, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Charis Pavely, Paige Scholfield and Seren Smale could all win their first caps.They will be coached by Jon Lewis – the former Durham batter, rather than the Gloucestershire seamer – who currently looks after the England A team, assisted by Courtney Winfield-Hill and Chris Liddle.England Women’s T20 World Cup squad: Heather Knight (capt), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Linsey Smith, Danni WyattEngland Women’s ODI squad to tour Ireland: Kate Cross (capt), Hollie Armitage, Hannah Baker, Tammy Beaumont, Georgia Davis, Lauren Filer, Bess Heath, Freya Kemp, Emma Lamb, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Paige Scholfield, Bryony Smith, Mady Villiers, Issy WongEngland Women’s T20I squad to tour Ireland: Kate Cross (capt), Georgia Adams, Hollie Armitage, Hannah Baker, Tammy Beaumont, Mahika Gaur, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Charis Pavely, Paige Scholfield, Seren Smale, Bryony Smith, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong

Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke and Jacob Duffy have been offered their first New Zealand central contracts while left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel returns to the list.Fast bowler Adam Milne has joined Kane Williamson and Lockie Ferguson in declining a contract and Blair Tickner has dropped out of the 20 players.Ravindra was a breakout star of the 2023 ODI World Cup where he made 578 runs and then scored his maiden Test century against South Africa in Mount Maunganui which he converted into 240. He became the youngest recipient of the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal as the New Zealand men’s player of the year in March.Related

• Southee asks for boards and T20 leagues to come together to solve club vs country debate

• Conway offered casual contract, Allen declines New Zealand deal

• Latham says New Zealand need to be 'fluid' with player contracts

• Kane Williamson opts out of New Zealand central contract for 2024-25

• NZ's Robinson, Foxcroft and Hay train in Chennai as transition to next generation looms

“Growing up you’d see those contract lists come out each year and think it would be cool to be on that list one day – and for it to eventuate now is a pinch-myself moment,” Ravindra said. “It’s been a really cool past 12 months playing international cricket. I’ve learned a lot and the hunger is definitely there to keep improving and giving to the Blackcaps.”Pace bowlers Sears and O’Rourke impressed on their Test debuts last season. O’Rourke claimed nine wickets against South Africa in Hamilton and Sears took 4 for 90 against Australia in the fourth innings in Christchurch. Sears was also a regular member of the T20I side while O’Rourke debuted across both white-ball formats.Duffy, 29, is not a regular in New Zealand’s teams and is yet to make his Test debut. He has featured in six ODIs and 14 T20Is since his debut in 2020. Last season he took 31 wickets at 24.41 in the Plunket Shield.”It’s especially exciting for Ben, Jacob, Rachin and Will to receive their first contract offers, and well deserved following their hard work and performances,” New Zealand selector Sam Wells said. “These younger guys are the future of the team and it’s been encouraging to see their progress on the international stage.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Patel’s return to the contract list is a reflection of a Test-heavy schedule New Zealand have coming up which includes overseas assignments against Afghanistan (one Test), Sri Lanka (two Tests) and India (three Tests). They then play a three-match home series against England in December.Top-order batter Henry Nicholls retains his contract despite dropping out of the Test side last season. Kyle Jamieson is currently undergoing rehab from another back injury which was diagnosed in February and could keep him out for a year. He, too, is on the contract list.It was announced last month that Williamson would not take up a central contract as he will be heading to the SA20 in January but he is available for New Zealand either side of that and is expected to remain a regular in the Test side.One of the terms in the contract is availability to both New Zealand and the Super Smash T20 competition.”We’re producing international-ready Blackcaps and we’re pleased with the current depth,” Wells said. “The strength of the list is perhaps best measured by the quality of some of the players who weren’t offered contracts.”New Zealand will need a new white-ball captain following Williamson’s contract decision.The retired Neil Wagner is the other player to drop off the contract list from last season.

New Zealand central contracts 2024-25

Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young

MatériaMais Notícias

da premier bet： O Corinthians foi derrotado pelo Athletico-PR, por 1 a 0, na Arena da Baixada. Único destaque positivo do time na partida, Cássio foi o grande responsável por evitar uma placar ainda maior, salvando o Timão em pelo menos duas chances claras de gol. No fim da partida, o capitão comentou sobre o resultado.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoVitor Roque em alta e titular do Corinthians criticado: web reage à vitória do Athletico-PRFora de Campo24/06/2023CorinthiansMesmo com ‘zaga Tropicália’, Corinthians não segura o Roque, perde para o Athletico e pode ficar no Z4 do BrasileirãoCorinthians24/06/2023CorinthiansATUAÇÕES: Defesa vai mal, e Caetano é o pior em derrota do Corinthians pelo BrasileirãoCorinthians24/06/2023

da aviator aposta： – Esse é o meu trabalho, defender. Concordo contigo na avaliação do jogo. Fizemos um primeiro tempo abaixo, Athletico muito forte na sua casa. No segundo tempo equilibramos, tivemos mais volume, mas não conseguimos fazer os gols para empatar o jogo. Viemos de uma vitória, Se pegar os dois jogos depois da parada, situação diferente do que a gente vinha. Hoje pecamos por conta de um primeiro tempo abaixo – disse o camisa 12 ao canal TNT Sports.

+ Veja as escolhas da primeira rodada do Draft da NBA de 2023

A primeira etapa foi marcada pelo domínio do Athletico, que pressionava a saída de bola do Corinthians com marcação alta. Aos 30 minutos, após bela jogada coletiva do CAP, Vitor Roque aproveitou cruzamento na entrada da pequena área e abriu o placar.

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No segundo tempo, o Corinthians voltou com duas alterações, Fábio Santos e Giuliano, nos lugares de Matheus Bidu e Roni, e conseguiu equilibrar a partida, porém, esbarrou na falta de criação ofensiva de seus meias e atacantes, e pouco levou perigo ao gol defendido por Bento. Com o resultado, o Timão pode acabar a décima segunda rodada do Brasileirão no Z4. Após a derrota, Cássio falou sobre o momento delicado da equipe no campeonato.

+ Veja os valores dos lotes arrematados no leilão do Instituto Neymar

– Tem que trabalhar. Situação ruim, não gosto de passar, mas é jogo a jogo. Não dá para pensar quantos jogos. O próximo jogo em casa, tentar mudar essa situação o mais rápido possível para pensar em algo maior – finalizou o goleiro

continua após a publicidade

O Corinthians volta a campo no próximo domingo (02), contra o Red Bull Bragantino, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. A bola rola às 11h (de Brasília), na Neo Química Arena.

Despite earning promotion to the Premier League, Leeds United could be set to lose one of Daniel Farke’s key men amid reports that a European club have now opened talks in pursuit of his signature.

Leeds United's summer plans after promotion

With the Championship season concluded, and the title secured, Leeds have instantly turned their attention towards the summer transfer window ahead of their Premier League return. Those at Elland Road will be desperate to avoid the same mistakes as those promoted before them in recent years, who instantly suffered relegation, and the ambition of the 49ers may well ensure that they do exactly that.

Big Piroe upgrade: Leeds leading the race to sign "outstanding" PL star

Leeds are leading the race to sign a Premier League star who would be a big upgrade on Joel Piroe.

ByDan Emery May 18, 2025

Chairman Paraag Marathe reiterated the 49ers’ desire to turn Leeds into a top club once again rather than simply just survive in England’s top flight. He told reporters once promotion was sealed: “Two years of getting to this point, but all that hard work and all that difficulty makes this much more rewarding and makes this so special,” said Marathe on the bus.

“This is a journey and this is not the end. We have to keep going. This is what Leeds does. We are going to have some difficulties, but we are going to get where we want to go and we are going to be one of the best clubs in all of Europe.”

While talk is often cheap, reports suggest that the Leeds owners are ready to put their money where their mouths are this summer, with links to the likes of Kostas Tsimikas already emerging.

The Liverpool left-back has reportedly attracted the interest of those at Elland Road fresh from becoming a Premier League champion at Anfield and could be on the move.

As the Reds’ second-choice behind Andy Robertson, the Greek international may yet decide to call it quits in Merseyside in pursuit of a starting place. Following the latest update on Junior Firpo’s Elland Road future too, Leeds would be an ideal destination this summer.

Lazio in talks to sign Firpo from Leeds

According to Corriere dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Lazio are now in talks to sign Firpo at the end of his current Leeds deal next month. The left-back is in talks over putting pen to paper on a new contract in Yorkshire, but the prospect of his Elland Road exit is now a growing possibility.

AC Milan and Atlético Madrid have also been linked with Firpo, and his agent has offered the left-back to Lazio after meeting sporting director Angelo Mariano Fabiani.

An experienced defender, who earns more than £3m-a-year at the club, Leeds should feel frustrated by Firpo’s likely exit after securing promotion to the Premier League. It goes without saying, however, that it’s one they must get over quickly before finding an instant replacement.

In what looks like his final season at the club, Firpo received high praise from Farke. The Leeds boss told reporters in September: “If I’m honest I haven’t thought about this scenario so far because it was such a difficult summer for other things.

“You know how much I rate Junior [Firpo] and Sam [Byram] and how important they are for us. Junior played a really good game against Burnley, after long travel, improved defensive skill and turning into a leader. Great will to improve further.”

Jobe Bellingham has completed his €33 million (£28m/$38m) transfer to Borussia Dortmund after bidding an emotional goodbye to Sunderland supporters.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Bellingham leaves Sunderland
• Joins Dortmund in a club-record sale
• Penned heartfelt letter before travelling to Germany

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  After a sensational promotion campaign with Sunderland, Bellingham is leaving the Stadium of Light for a fresh challenge in the Bundesliga, just like his brother Jude did as a teenager. Before packing his bags for Germany, the 19-year-old took to social media to express deep gratitude to Black Cats fans, thanking them for their loyal support throughout his time on Wearside.

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• WHAT JOBE SAID

  Taking to , Bellingham wrote: "Dear Sunderland, It’s time for me to say farewell to all the loyal people of Sunderland, who have powered me through two incredible years in Red & White. Your support, on so many occasions, has completely blown me away, especially in the times of adversity which we pulled through together. You welcomed me with open arms as a kid leaving home for the first time, and I am proud that our relationship has grown to be so strong ever since. Your support for the team and I since I arrived at your beloved club was unwavering, and for that I am forever indebted to you as people and supporters.

  "I will always represent Wearside in all that I strive to achieve for the rest of my career, wherever that may be. I hope that I have made you proud along the way, and in return you have made me the player that has reached the heights I find myself at today. So thank you. I will love and remember you fondly for the rest of my life, from the bottom of my heart. I tried to embody the passion you have for the city on the football pitch and I’m so incredibly delighted that our journey came to an end with a victory at Wembley to restore the club in its rightful place.

  To the staff, players & most importantly the supporters thank you so much & good luck for the future.

  Jobe, Adopted Mackem.❤️🤍"

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Bellingham’s move is not only symbolic in terms of talent loss, but it also marks the most expensive outgoing transfer in Sunderland’s history. The initial agreement with Dortmund is believed to be valued at €33m, with the possibility of €5m more in performance-based bonuses. If those bonus criteria are met, the deal would surpass the £30m Sunderland received from Everton for Jordan Pickford in 2017. Though his departure is a blow, the financial windfall provides a significant boost as Sunderland gear up for their first Premier League season in eight years.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Bellingham has inked a five-year deal with Dortmund that runs until 2030. His salary, starting at €3.5m (£3m/$4m) annually, is set to increase incrementally each year, a financial framework mirroring the one previously used for his older brother, Jude, during his highly successful stint with BVB between 2020 and 2023. Bellingham will initially wear the No.77 with his new club.

  Sunderland’s deal with Dortmund includes a 15 per cent sell-on clause, ensuring they’ll profit further should Bellingham eventually move on from the German side. Additionally, his former club, Birmingham City, stands to receive a cut from this transfer, courtesy of a similar clause inserted when they sanctioned his switch to Sunderland two years ago.

Otago Cricket will honour Rutherford on January 23 in his last game

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jan-2024New Zealand and Otago opening batter Hamish Rutherford will play the last match of his professional career next week, in the Super Smash clash against Northern Districts in Dunedin. Rutherford will end a career that started in 2008 and in which he has scored 16,468 so far across formats.Rutherford played 16 Tests as part of his 130 first-class games and scored a 171 on debut against England in 2013. He made 7863 first-class runs along with 17 centuries while averaging 35.26. He played only four ODIs but 127 List A games, scoring 4326 runs with 13 centuries in the format, and 192 T20s – including eight T20Is – for 4279 runs at a strike rate of 141.50.”It has been a privilege to play for Otago and be part of this iconic province,” he said in a statement. “While playing for New Zealand was always the dream, I’m grateful for the opportunities cricket has given me and my family. I’ve loved every minute of it. I appreciate all the support I have had from family and friends, fellow players, coaches and supporters of the province.”Rutherford will retire having played the most T20s for Otago; he broke Neil Broom’s record earlier this month. Overall, he will retire having played the third most matches for Otago across formats, behind Broom (348) and Derek de Boorder (292).”Hamish will undoubtedly be considered one of Otago’s greats,” Otago Cricket chief executive Mike Coggan said. “I have seen him play innings that very few other cricketers are capable of. He has been an entertainer at the top of the innings, and he has my utmost respect as a player and person. His contribution to Otago Cricket has been immense.”I have not seen another opener who has combined patience and aggression as Hamish has. His big century on debut at home was astonishing against a quality England side and the 155 (off 100 balls) he scored in a Ford Trophy match in Dunedin against CD back in 2020 was something to behold. Hamish has always been a student of the game and one of domestic cricket’s finest thinkers. He has been a pleasure to watch and know and I wish him well in retirement.”Otago Cricket will honour Rutherford on January 23 in his last game.

The third day saw 24 wickets fall in little more than two sessions but Nathan Lyon expects the Test strip to be very different

Andrew McGlashan01-Dec-2023Former Australia captain Tim Paine has slammed the SCG pitch produced for the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Tasmania as an “absolute disgrace”, after 24 wickets tumbled on the third day with the visitors bowled out for 68, but there remains confidence in the quality of surfaces for upcoming matches including the New Year’s Test against Pakistan.The clatter of wickets came across just 63 overs on Thursday, as batters were confronted with extreme seam movement and uneven bounce. Tasmania fell well short of chasing 143 after the home side had themselves lost 9 for 55 in the second innings.”That wicket was absolute disgrace,” Paine told SEN Tassie. “This a Test venue in the strongest state in the country, and they rolled that up. That’s embarrassing. The ball was seaming sideways, it was going up and down, it wasn’t fit for first-class cricket. That was a disgraceful wicket.”I haven’t spoken to people, but you could see it on the screen it had those cracks where it’s like got grass over it. You don’t even see that in club cricket.”Related

Hopes high for a competitive SCG Test in Warner's farewell

Tremain dismantles Tasmania for 68 on SCG pitch that divides opinion

Carey finds form but Victoria hold on for victory after Agar scare

Paine questioned how such a surface could be produced at a major Test venue, and said that it undermined the Sheffield Shield competition.”What’s going on at Cricket New South Wales or the SCG? That was such a bad wicket to play cricket on,” he said. “Whether we won or lost, whatever, I could have bowled on that and taken wickets. It’s not good enough.”How that can happen at one of the premier Test venues around the world is a disgrace. That was below standard for grade cricket and this is meant to be the premier first-class cricket competition in the world, and that is meant to be one of the iconic Test match venues… and that’s what we are getting served up.”New types of grass are being used at the SCG this season, with the Shield surfaces comprising a different variety than will form the Test pitch against Pakistan in early January. ESPNcricinfo understands that there are no concerns about the quality of pitch that will be brought up for that Test, which is shaping as David Warner’s farewell from the format, and will be played on one of the centre wickets used for TV games.Nathan Lyon, who played in the Tasmania match, was sure the pitch for the Test match would bear little resemblance. “I expect totally different,” he said.The ground will also host three BBL matches before the Test, with Sydney Sixers facing Melbourne Renegades (December 8), Adelaide Strikers (December 22) and Melbourne Stars (December 26).However, it also understood that elements of the pitch preparation will be reviewed with the proximity of the WBBL double-header matches on November 26 a potential factor as well as some poor weather.Chris Tremain, the New South Wales quick who claimed 6 for 31 in Tasmania’s second innings, defended the groundsmen by saying they had been hampered in the build-up by the weather and that the surface had started soft which caused divots to form that then hardened to create the uneven bounce.”Don’t think that wicket was poorly prepared,” Tremain told ESPNcricinfo. “In the balance of bat versus ball obviously ball was the winner, but I wouldn’t be too quick to hang the groundsman out to dry.”Tasmania captain Jordan Silk, while more measured than Paine in his views, said conditions had been skewed too far towards the ball.”I’ve played quite a lot Shield cricket, and can’t say I’ve played on a wicket quite like that where the ball was nipping around a lot. There were cracks on lines, and it was snaky,” he said. “You had not just the sideways movement but you also had a few balls climbing up then some climbing down.”Think you can cop a bit of wear and tear over the course of a game; but when there’s been 40 wickets in 160 overs of cricket, you probably think it’s a bit too heavily weighted towards the bowlers. And that’s coming from someone who is really keen on having some sporting wickets, but it was slightly too far towards the bowling side.”