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David Norris has called for Leeds United to tempt Liverpool outcast Divock Origi to Elland Road on transfer deadline day.

The Whites have gone into the final day of the window having welcomed two fresh faces to Yorkshire, with Junior Firpo completing a £13million switch from Spanish giants Barcelona and Valerenga goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson making the move.

Jack Harrison has also joined on a permanent basis following a succession of loan spells from Manchester City.

But Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa may make a late move for a striker who could provide competition for Patrick Bamford, with former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips suggesting Origi should be on the Argentinian’s radar.

The speculation comes after it was reported that Liverpool would allow the Belgium international to leave Anfield if a bid between £15million and £20million were to be lodged.

Origi, 26, has yet to make an appearance this season and former Leeds midfielder Norris believes Elland Road could be the perfect destination for the 6 ft 1 attacker.

He exclusively told Football FanCast: “I think it would be a good fit and I would like that to go through.

“He’s not going to play regularly at Liverpool and, if he has that ambition of playing regular football, now is the time to go.

“I think the attributes he has and the players Leeds have would make it a good signing.”

According to a West Ham United source, speaking to Football Insider, the club and GSB have set sights on Preston North End starlet Lewis Leigh.

The Lowdown: West Ham academy booming…

After superstar Declan Rice emerged through the Irons’ academy, there has been no shortage of young talent following in his footsteps.

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The likes of Conor Coventry, Ademipo Odubeko, Jamal Baptiste and Emmanuel Longelo have all been nurtured, while West Ham also brought in a plethora of talent from elsewhere over the summer.

Indeed, the club signed promising young starlets Armstrong Oko-Flex, Pierre Ekwah Elimby and Thierry Nevers, with news now emerging about yet another talented target.

The Latest: GSB now eyeing Leigh…

As per Football Insider, sharing information from a club source, West Ham have ‘set their sights’ on Preston hotshot Leigh following his performances for the Championship side’s youth setup.

Rush Green scouts have apparently been ‘hugely impressed’ by the midfielder and are set to keep further tabs in the coming months.

However, while West Ham are very keen, they are not the only club keeping close watch as Premier League rivals Everton also hold an interest.

Despite only just signing his first professional deal until 2024 last month, Leigh is already a wanted man at West Ham and has been on the fringes of Preston’s first team squad without yet being given a senior debut.

The Verdict: Carry on…

Following on from their astute transfer window business regarding young talent spotting, it appears that West Ham scouts are showing no sign of stopping.

This could be great news for the club over these next few years, and in particular for manager David Moyes, who is looking to not only restructure his first team but the academy as well.

In other news: ‘Had a shocker’, ‘Offered nothing’…West Ham fans slam ‘poor’ ace who lost the ball 16 times against Southampton, find out more here.

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Ainda sem triunfos na Série A do Campeonato Brasileiro, o Vitória já iniciou preparação para enfrentar o São Paulo, na próxima quinta-feira. O Morumbi recebe a disputa que vale a quinta rodada do torneio. Com sete ponto a menos que o dono da casa, o Leão vai ter que suar para garantir a vitória e deixar a zona de rebaixamento. O lateral-esquerdo Euller vê o jogo como uma superação da fase ruim.

– Vamos encarar essa partida como a de recuperação da equipe na Série A. Temos que pensar desta forma. Sabemos da força do São Paulo e das dificuldades que enfrentaremos durante os noventa minutos, mas queremos sair do Morumbi com um resultado positivo para iniciarmos uma boa sequência na competição – afirmou o lateral.

O Vitória segue com novidades, após obter resultado negativo em todas as partidas que esteve à frente da equipe, o, agora diretor de futebol, Petkovic confirmou na noite do último sábado a chegada de Alexandre Gallo para assumir o posto de técnico do Leão. O novo treinador é velho conhecido de Euller, que foi convocado para a Seleção Brasileira Sub-20, em 2013, quando o dirigente comandava a base da Amarelinha.

– Gallo é um grande treinador e tem muita experiência. Já nos conhecemos da época da seleção sub-20. Tenho certeza que ele terá o apoio do elenco para que possamos dar a volta por cima juntos na Série A. Não faltará empenho de todos para ajudá-lo nesta caminhada – finalizou o jogador.

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Arsenal endured a nightmare opening day of the Premier League season on Friday night as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat to newly-promoted Brentford.

Mikel Arteta’s side were bullied all over the pitch by the Bees, as goals from Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard were enough to consign the Gunners to a humiliating loss.

While Pablo Mari at the heart of defence had a particularly difficult night, goalkeeper Bernd Leno must shoulder a large part of the blame for the result too.

Reports in recent weeks of course have suggested that the Gunners have been eyeing a move for Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale as they look for competition for their number one, and on this evidence it’s imperative that they do something about the goalkeeping position sooner rather than later.

Leno looked all at sea with Brentford’s set-pieces, whether that was via corners or the Bees’ long throw-ins. One corner saw him rushing out of his goal only to completely flap at the ball and watch it narrowly miss going in at the far post.

The German was then beaten far too cheaply for Brentford’s second, being pinned in by Pontus Jansson – perhaps illegally – and failing to deal with it more commandingly.

Speaking after the second goal went in, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher ripped into Arsenal’s defending, slamming: “How do you describe Arsenal there? It’s just Arsenal. Weak, bullied, men against boys again. New season, same old story: don’t win the first one, let it bounce, two Brentford players get out the way, 2-0.”

As per Sofascore, Leno lost 100% of his duels, while his distribution was shocking to say the least – he completed just 77% of his passes and didn’t have the confidence or even the ability to trust his feet when it came to beating Brentford’s press, instead choosing to go long rather frustratingly (12 long balls).

Writing in his player ratings for The Daily Mirror, Sam Elliott-Gibbs said: “Get Aaron Ramsdale on the phone. Beaten at his near post, didn’t dominate his box and then an almighty flap from a corner. Painful.”

Given that Arteta put out a mostly young, inexperienced team, he needed his more seasoned players to stand up and be counted in a deafening atmosphere in west London.

Instead, Leno once again raised questions of whether he is good enough to be Arsenal’s number one with a display which embarrassed himself, his manager and his club.

Meanwhile, David Ornstein dropped an Arsenal update on Lautaro Martinez…

Aston Villa announced that the club and Luke 1977 will continue their partnership for the upcoming season.

And the news on Monday afternoon led to a number of Villa supporters sharing their positive thoughts to the confirmation on social media.

Luke 1977 is Villa’s official formalwear partner, with the local menswear fashion brand founded by Villa fan Luke Roper.

Roper actually got the nod to create Villa’s kits during the 2018/19 season, the year Villa won promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs.

The association has continued in recent years during Villa’s rise in the Premier League, with Luke 1977 offering fans Villa-related formalwear.

Villa fans react

Villa confirmed the news regarding their partnership with Luke 1977 on their official Twitter page.

This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with one describing it as ‘great’, whereas many wanted to see Luke 1977 get the nod to create the kits once again.

“Awesome would be even better if they did our shirts again those shirts were incredible!!!”Credit: @undead_villian”Yessssss make him shirt sponsor again next season”Credit: @TheAsgardian”Liked it better when he designed the kit too. But I’ll take this, beautiful stuff.”Credit: @joe_thoma_iv”Congrats @LukeRoper – great news! What a brand!”Credit: @amc89avfc”Get them making the kits again”Credit: @GW_94″Get them back doing the shirts and if not why not?”Credit: @StevenB40945084

In other news: Many AVFC fans buzz at transfer news, find out what it’s about here. 

Zimbabwe have made six changes to their Board XI for the second four-day game at the Harare Sports Club

Cricinfo staff29-Aug-2008Following the 202-run loss to the visiting Pakistan Cricket Academy side, Zimbabwe have made six changes to their Board XI line-up for the second four-day game at the Harare Sports Club.Stuart Matsikenyeri and Keith Dabengwa, two national team players, have been drafted into the XI. Dabengwa, a spin-bowling allrounder, will lead the side, replacing Erick Chauluka, who will be 12th man.”We just want to give the team a little bit of experience which they lacked in the first match,” convener of selectors Kenyon Ziehl told the . “We hope the experience of Stuart and Keith will rub on to the younger guys. We are also lengthening the batting order which was weak in the first game. Keith will also bring experienced captaincy to the side.”The other additions to the XI are opening batsman Friday Kasteni, who was 12th man in the first game, Prince Masvaure, Zimbabwe’s captain at the under-19 World Cup, and fast bowlers Tendai Chisoro and Michael Chinouya.Zimbabwe Board XI
Keith Dabengwa (capt), Bornaparte Mujuru, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Friday Kasteni, Regis Chakabva (wk), Timycen Maruma, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Prince Masvaure, Tendai Chisoro, Michael Chinouya, Trevor Garwe.

Neil McKenzie, Robin Peterson and Albie Morkel have been upgraded to national contracts in a bid to plug some gaps identified by Cricket South Africa (CSA). Gerald Majola, CSA’s chief executive, confirmed the deals on Wednesday – a month after the initial contract list was announced – as he called for South Africa to push on further.”Although the Proteas have recently completed their most successful season, there is still room for improvement,” said Majola. “After close examination of the talent available, it was felt that Neil, Albie and Robin would fill the identified gaps and should be drawn in as contracted players.”Mickey Arthur, South Africa’s coach, and Joubert Strydom, the head of selectors, were consulted about the additions which brings the number of contracted players to 18. The trio’s deals take effect on June 1 and run through to April 30 next year.Majola added: “It was also established that their inclusion as national contracted players would not infringe on the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with SACA, nor would it impact negatively on the revenue sharing process or on CSA finances.”A CSA spokesperson told Cricinfo: “The MOU between Cricket SA and the SA cricketers’ association only allows for 15 contracted players. To increase the number a recommendation had to be made by the CEO after consultation with the head coach and convener of selectors. It then had to be approved by the general council of CSA and the board of directors of Cricket SA pty ltd – the professional wing. That is why there was a slight delay in announcing the other three contractees.”McKenzie topped the Test batting averages (621 runs at 77.62) after coming in halfway through a season which included Tests against the West Indies, Bangladesh and India. His innings included two centuries and a world-record opening stand of 415 with Graeme Smith.Peterson played in the Test series against Bangladesh and took his first five-wicket haul at this level. Morkel established himself as first choice in both ODIs and Twenty20s. His one-day batting average from the last season was 25.16, while his 19 wickets cost 30.73 apiece.

A round-up of the last round of matches in the Logan Cup

Cricinfo staff20-May-2008Westerns, who claimed the runners-up spot last year, ended the 2008 Logan Cup without a victory after falling to a seven-wicket defeat against Easterns at Queens Sports Club. They collapsed in their second innings from 126 for 1 to 226 all out, leaving Easterns the relatively comfortable task of chasing 119 for victory.Bornaparte Mujuru and Bradley Staddon carried their second-wicket stand to 102, but there was precious little resistance to follow. Mujuru was sixth out in the middle of the collapse for 90. Stuart Matsikenyeri’s 53-ball 54 ensured there were few problems for Easterns in knocking off the runs in 23 overs. The key difference between the teams was Easterns’ first-innings recovery from 224 for 8 – still trailing Westerns by six – to a lead of 108 through the efforts of Shingirai Masakadza at No. 10 who hit 68 off 84 balls.There was an exciting finish at the Masvingo Sports Club as Southerns pulled up 36 runs short of their target while Centrals were three wickets away from victory in a match dominated by the spinners.Michael Chinouya’s four early wickets in the run chase made it hard work for Southerns and their middle order weren’t able to recover in the time remaining. It was a fitting end to a keenly contested match, which featured two fine performances in the first innings. Tarisai Mahlunge, the opening batsman and wicketkeeper, made his maiden first-class century, finishing with 145 off 360 balls. However, he had to share the honours with legspinner Tafadzwa Kamungozi – who has four ODIs under his belt – as he claimed a career-best 8 for 125.Brighton Mugochi, a 19-year-old left-arm spinner, responded with 5 for 80 to limit Southerns’ lead to 12. Kamungozi couldn’t add to his haul in the second innings, but Hilary Matanga claimed six wickets to set up the tight finish.Final Standings

Northerns 4 4 0 0 0 0 75 Easterns 4 3 1 0 0 0 60 Southerns 4 1 2 0 1 0 42 Centrals 4 1 2 0 1 0 38 Westerns 4 0 4 0 0 0 18

The sports minister, Richard Caborn, has made it clear that the International Cricket Council (ICC), not politicians, should decide if Zimbabwe can be co-hosts of next year’s World Cup.

CricInfo10-Dec-2002The UK sports minister, Richard Caborn, has made it clear that the International Cricket Council (ICC), not politicians, should decide if Zimbabwe can be co-hosts of next year’s World Cup.It follows a suggestion by the shadow foreign secretary, Michael Ancram, that the ICC should prevent Zimbabwe from hosting six matches in Bulawayo and Harare due to the political unrest in the country.Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe has banned journalists from a number of media organisations from the country, but Caborn nonetheless believes that the issue should be resolved by the ICC.”My position is very, very clear indeed,” Caborn told the BBC. “In a country that will not allow sports journalists to actually report on an international event, the ICC will have to look at that position.”(But) I understand from Tim Lamb (England and Wales Cricket Board chiefexecutive) and others who have been out there that there will be arrangementsfor all the journalists to go in there, and therefore if all the conditions areright for that to take place as far as the ICC is concerned, then that’s thegoverning body, they make the decisions, not politicians.”A 10-man delegation, including Lamb and the ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed, visited Zimbabwe last month to inspect security. Their report is set to bepresented on Friday.

Manchester United are progressing in terms of closing in on the signing of Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga as Ole Gunnar Solkjaer looks to make further additions to his first-team squad.

What’s the story?

The Red Devils announced the purchase of Jadon Sancho a few days ago after a lengthy pursuit of the England international, but their summer transfer business appears to be far from over.

According to an exciting update from well-known journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, United are progressing with their negotiations to bring Camavinga to the club.

He tweeted: “Manchester United are progressing in direct contacts to sign Eduardo Camavinga. #MUFC Rennes would be open to negotiate on potential €30m fee – as they’d lose Camavinga for free next summer.  He’s one of Man Utd long term targets – PSG have always been interested too.”

Fans will be delighted

The 18-year-old is one of Europe’s most highly-rated teenage talents after impressing for his boyhood club over the last couple of years.

Camavinga made his first-team debut for Rennes back in 2019, aged just 16, and has gone on to feature 82 times for the Ligue 1 outfit since.

He became the youngest player to be called into the senior French men’s squad last August at 17 years, nine months, and 17 days, and went on to become their youngest debutant since 1914 when he made an appearance off the bench against Croatia a month later.

However, after some underwhelming end-of-season form, Camavinga was left out of Didier Deschamps’ 26-man squad for Euro 2020 and was selected for the Under-21 European Championship instead.

Despite that, his stock and reputation have continued to rise in recent months, with many admirers seemingly attracted by the youngster’s potential.

Solskjaer is attempting to build a title-winning side at Old Trafford ahead of the upcoming campaign, although the ongoing pandemic has restricted his budget somewhat.

That means that Camavinga is a perfect transfer target for the Norwegian tactician. With only 12 months remaining on his current contract at the Roazhon Park, the dynamic midfielder looks like he’ll be available at a bargain price this summer.

Man United fans will be absolutely delighted with Romano’s update as their club look to bring in another high-class player.

And, in other news…Concerning update emerges over MUFC’s pursuit of £38.5m “leader”, Ole may be gutted