The January transfer window is around six weeks away from opening and Celtic reportedly have their eyes on a target to bolster their playing squad.

Celtic transfer news – Kanji Okunuki

Sky Sports Germany reporter Ben Heckner has revealed that the Scottish giants are eyeing up Nurnberg winger Kanji Okunuki ahead of the turn of the year.

The journalist has claimed that the Hoops have been "intensively" monitoring the attacker's performances, with scouts being sent to watch him in action.

The Bhoys are said to be interested in the 24-year-old gem but Heckner has stated that there is no concrete offer on the table for his services, at this moment in time.

Brendan Rodgers could now land an heir to current Celtic winger Daizen Maeda by securing a deal for Okunuki ahead of the second half of the campaign.

Maeda's season in numbers

The 26-year-old forward has had a solid, albeit unspectacular, start to the 2023/24 season with two goals and two assists in 12 Scottish Premiership appearances.

He contributed with eight goals and five assists in 25 league starts for former manager Ange Postecoglou in the top-flight throughout the 2022/23 campaign as the Hoops won the title.

Maeda has not provided a constant stream of goal contributions from out wide this term but has chipped in at times and has provided value as an excellent workhorse who is able to press teams into ceding possession back to Celtic.

The Japan international has made 3.4 ball recoveries per match and this highlights his impressive defensive qualities, despite being an attacking player.

Tottenham Hotspur, who are now managed by Postecoglou, have been touted with an interest in the Hoops ace and this suggests that Rodgers could need an heir to his position, which is what Okunuki could be.

The statistics that show why Okunuki could be Maeda's heir

The 24-year-old magician joined Nurnberg from Polish side Gornik during the summer transfer window and has had a solid start to life in Germany.

Okunuki has contributed with three goals and one assist in 13 2. Bundesliga appearances so far this season, which means that he has been directly involved in as many goals as Maeda in one more match. He has also produced one goal and six key passes in two DFB Pokal clashes.

The 5 foot 7 talent arrived off the back of a return of four goals and two 'big chances' created for his teammates in 18 league starts for Gornik in Poland last term.

Appearances

Two

Sofascore rating

7.9

Goals

One

Key passes

Six

Big chances created

One

Dribbles completed

Three

His defensive work, however, could make him an ideal heir to Maeda at Parkhead as he has showcased a desire to get back and defend for his team.

Okunuki made 2.5 tackles and interceptions per match in the Polish top-flight last season and has managed 43 ball recoveries in 15 matches across the 2. Bundesliga and DFB Pokal this term, which works out at around 2.9 per outing.

These statistics show that the Japanese winger is able to win possession back for his side on a regular basis to go along with his semi-regular contributions in the final third.

Therefore, the Nurnberg ace could be an excellent signing as an aggressive pressing forward to take Maeda's place if the Japan international joins Spurs, or another club.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are ready to make moves in the January transfer window, as Gary O’Neil seeks further reinforcements to bolster the depth of his squad at Molineux.

The Englishman took charge just four days prior to the Midlands club’s 2023/24 Premier League opener, having minimal time to sculpt his side to his liking after a damning summer of financial constraints.

Now, the former Bournemouth boss will have the chance to target some new faces, with one name said to be on Wolves’ radar being an admired figure during the summer.

Wolves transfer targets – Boulaye Dia

As relayed by Sport Witness this week, Wolves could have another shot at signing Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia in January, after failing to secure a deal for the 27-year-old in the latter stages of the summer.

After a successful loan spell at the Italian club, the Senegalese dynamo signed permanently in July, however, his security at his new home is not guaranteed, with a release clause in place in his contract.

According to Sport Witness, Dia remains on Wolves’ radar, and with his release clause sitting around just €22m (£19m), he poses as an affordable asset to the Premier League side, in what could be a power move for O’Neil’s front line.

If the fee of his release clause is honoured by the Old Gold, the former Villarreal forward will be granted permission to leave Italy, with the target man boasting a host of qualities that would benefit those at Molineux.

How Boulaye Dia could fit in at Wolves

Once lauded as “incredible” by journalist Josh Bunting, Dia showcased his clinical streak in Serie A last season, ending the campaign as the third-highest scorer in the league behind Victor Osimhen and Lautaro Martinez.

Last term, Wolves ended the campaign in less impressive scoring form as their reported target, netting just 31 goals in 38 games to be crowned the lowest-scorers in the 2022/23 Premier League.

Thankfully, O’Neil has got his side firing again, although the front line remains short of a clinical number nine, with Matheus Cunha still far from being a decorated goalscorer at Molineux.

Since his arrival in England, initially on loan in January, the Brazilian has only scored four goals in 33 appearances when leading the line for the Old Gold, although his claim to the favoured XI spans beyond his ability to put the ball in the net.

Level with Eberechi Eze and Jeremy Doku, no player has completed more take-ons in the Premier League this season than Cunha, whose ball-carrying expertise has worked wonders to encourage O’Neil’s side to be more direct.

This is where the signing of Dia comes in, as in capturing the 27-year-old’s signature, the manager could pair the threat of Cunha with the proficiency of the Senegal international in front of goal to bolster the outlet in attack.

Appearances

Goals

Assists

27

6

2

28

8

1

39

16

1

35

7

6

33

16

6

10

4

0

As highlighted above, the Serie A forward is a seasoned scorer in a host of Europe’s top leagues, with his 33% conversion rate last term reinforcing his clinical streak when handed the opportunity to score.

O’Neil could hand Cunha an assured outlet to work alongside in Dia, who if paired together, could drive Wolves to further heights and make their goal-scoring mishaps of last season a forgotten narrative.

As European football continues to hurtle toward the knockout stages, UEFA has released the latest referee and VAR appointments for the upcoming fixtures in the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League.

Football FanCast has all the information on the appointments involving British clubs and has taken the time to create a handy guide on what to expect from each, with statistics sourced through Transfermarkt.

Borussia Dortmund vs Newcastle United

Referee: Alejandro Hernández Hernández (ESP)

VAR: Carlos Del Cerro Grande (ESP)

7

51

2

2

3

The first Champions League fixture involving a British club sees Eddie Howe's in-form Newcastle United look to overtake Borussia Dortmund in the group of death that is Group F.

Taking care of proceedings is Spanish referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández. He is joined by compatriots Jose Naranjo Perez and Diego Sanchez Rojo as assistant referees, with Cesar Soto Grado as fourth official and Carlos Del Cerro Grande in the VAR cockpit.

So far this season, Hernández has overseen seven matches, with five appearances in La Liga and the other two coming in the Europa League.

In UEFA competition, the Spaniard has given one penalty in each fixture he has handled. Meanwhile, all his red cards have come in domestic encounters, with his most recent match seeing Celta Vigo's Renata Tapia dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 65th minute against Sevilla.

Atletico Madrid vs Celtic

Referee: Ivan Kružliak (SVK)

VAR: Dennis Johan Higler (NED)

14

61

1

0

4

Celtic will need a win in Madrid on Tuesday if they are to salvage any hope of rescuing their qualification chances from Group E. The Glaswegian club have earned just one point from three Champions League fixtures this season, facing an uphill task against an Atletico Madrid side who are unbeaten on the continent this term.

Taking care of refereeing duties for this one is Slovakian whistle-carrier Ivan Kružliak. So far, in three UEFA fixtures, he has brandished 15 yellow cards, with a second yellow card and penalty awarded in Galatasaray's shock 3-2 victory at Old Trafford last month being the Slovak's most significant action yet.

Kružliak will be joined by Branislav Hancko and Jan Pozor as assistant referees, Peter Kralovič as the fourth official, while the VAR is Dutchman Dennis Johan Higler.

Manchester City vs BSC Young Boys

Referee: Erik Lambrechts (BEL)

VAR: Willy Delajod (FRA)

6

26

0

0

4

Manchester City's task of continuing their 100% start to their Champions League title defence shouldn't prove too difficult when Swiss club BSC Young Boys make the trip to the Etihad Stadium, with the visitors having only scraped a point so far against Group G's bottom-placed side, Red Star Belgrade.

But if the Bernese domestic table-toppers are to snatch an unlikely point or three, their safest bet may be to look toward Belgian referee Erik Lambrechts for help. In just five Jupiler Pro League games this season, he has already pointed to the penalty spot four times, while the step up from his nondescript settings to the home of the European champions could lead to more big decisions in key moments.

Assisting Lambrechts, whose last UEFA gig came in the Europa League qualifier between Aris Limassol and Slovan Bratislava, are assistant referees Jo De Weirdt and Kevin Monteny, while Nathan Verboomen takes the position as fourth official. Behind the VAR screens will be Frenchman Willy Delajod.

FC Copenhagen vs Manchester United

Referee: Donatas Rumšas (LTU)

VAR: To be confirmed

3

11

1

0

2

Manchester United might have got victory against Fulham over the weekend. However, failing to take all three points in the Danish capital on Tuesday night will surely bring Erik ten Hag back to the uncertainties of square one after consecutive 3-0 home defeats that have hardly been forgotten about.

As things stand, the Red Devils look set to drop into the Europa League. And while the club's disciplinary record continues to be poor, the prolific officiating of Lithuanian referee Donatas Rumšas might signal further trouble for the three-time winners of this competition.

Rumšas' three recorded fixtures this season have all come in UEFA competition, with his proneness for drama resulting in 11 yellow cards, one red card, and two penalty awards.

He will be accompanied by an all-Lithuanian team consisting of Aleksandras Radiušas, Dovydas Sužiedelis, and Robertas Valikonis.

Arsenal vs Sevilla

Referee: Istvan Kovacs (ROU)

VAR: Bastian Dankert (GER)

12

69

2

0

0

Arsenal vs Sevilla is almost guaranteed to finish with the Gunners in a decent position as they mark their return to the Champions League in style, topping Group B with a superior goal difference above the chasing pack heading into this one.

However, it doesn't look like the fixture will be short of chaos, judging by their referees' emotion in the above image. Romanian official Istvan Kovacs tends to brandish a surfeit of yellow cards to support such a notion, with 69 bookings in 12 matches – an average of just under six per game.

But when it comes to game-altering decisions, Kovacs likes to keep things on a level playing field. He is yet to award a penalty or dish out a straight red – although he has sent two players off for second bookable offences.

On Tuesday night, Vasile Marinescu and Ovidiu Artene will take the role of assistant referees, Horațiu Feșnic is the fourth official, and VAR is German Bastian Dankert.

Toulouse vs Liverpool

Referee: Georgi Kabakov (BUL)

VAR: To be confirmed

12

56

5

0

5

Liverpool's Europa League knockout qualification is all but confirmed before they jet to Toulouse in the south of France, but they will want to avoid any late slip-ups against a team they comfortably beat 5-1 in the reverse fixture.

Holding the whistle for this one is Georgi Kabakov. The Bulgarian has a penchant for the big decision, with five red cards being presented across his 12 games in all competitions this term, alongside five penalties being awarded.

Given that Liverpool's stronghold of possession in and around the opposition box, this could favour the Reds. Kabakov will be assisted by Martin Margaritov, Diyan Valkov, and Nikola Popov.

Ajax vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Referee: Nikola Dabanović (MNE)

VAR: Bastian Dankert (GER)

15

70

0

0

2

Brighton & Hove Albion will hope their Europa League fairytale under Roberto De Zerbi will continue on Thursday when they travel to Amsterdam to take on Group B proppers Ajax.

Officiating this one is Nikola Dabanović, an experienced referee hailing from Montenegro who has awarded two penalties and held a sizeable tally of 70 yellow cards aloft across 15 games this term. Yet, red cards have remained in his pocket so far.

Joining him are assistant referees Vladan Todorović and Srđan Jovanović, Miloš Bošković as fourth official and Bastian Dankert on VAR.

West Ham United vs Olympiacos

Referee: Matej Jug (SVN)

VAR: Christian Dingert (GER)

10

40

0

0

1

Tasked with handling a fixture that ensues a hostile atmosphere between two renowned fanbases, Slovenian referee Matej Jug is lenient in his officiating, which should complement the occasion at the London Stadium between West Ham United and Olympiacos.

He has only awarded one penalty and is yet to clutch a red card in his 10 fixtures this season, with him taking charge of three UEFA matchups and seven Prva Liga contests.

Assistant referees for this one are Matej Žunič and Manuel Vidali, while Asmir Sagrković is the fourth official and Christian Dingert is on VAR duty.

Rangers vs Sparta Praha

Referee: Davide Massa (ITA)

VAR: Marco Di Bello (ITA)

9

51

0

0

1

In a battle between second and third in Group C, Rangers and Sparta Praha will be battling for points to keep them in Europa League reckoning.

Ensuring the laws of the game are followed, referee Davide Massa takes charge, with an all-Italian officials lineup of Filippo Meli, Stefano Alassio, and Antonio Giua.

The same can be said for those overseeing things in the VAR control room, with Italians Marco Di Bello and Luca Pairetto awaiting any second checks that could be needed at Ibrox.

PAOK vs Aberdeen

Referee: Juxhin Xhaja (ALB)

VAR: Daniele Chiffi (ITA)

9

54

3

3

8

Any victory between now and the culmination of the Europa Conference League group stage for Aberdeen will most likely be nothing but a consolation. Currently, they sit third in Group G with one point, and next on the agenda are table-toppers PAOK, who are yet to fall below a victory after three games.

But this one could get fiery. Handling things as referee is Juxhin Xhaja, who, in just nine fixtures, has raised 54 yellow cards, three second-yellows, three red cards, while he has also pointed to the penalty spot eight times.

Of all the referees officiating British clubs this week, the Albanian is far and away the most likely to take the spotlight away from the fixture itself.

He will, of course, be helped by a team of assistant referees in Dojando Myftari and Rejdi Avdo. The fourth official is Olsion Yzeiraj, while those instated for VAR will be Italian duo Daniele Chiffi and Marco Serra.

MatériaMais Notícias

Keisuke Honda não vestirá mais a camisa do Botafogo dentro de campo, mas isto não significa que o meio-campista vai parar de ter relação com o clube. Após anunciar que está de saída do Alvinegro, por meio de uma série de tweets publicados nesta quarta-feira, o meio-campista afirmou que pretende realizar projetos com o Glorioso na Ásia.

> Confira a classificação e simule os resultados do Brasileirão

Na mensagem de despedida, o camisa 4 escreveu o seguinte trecho: “Eu pessoalmente vou buscar uma oportunidade de continuar apoiando o clube como embaixador do Botafogo na Ásia.”

Um dos maiores jogadores asiáticos da história e dos mais midiáticos no Japão, Keisuke Honda também é empreendedor, sendo dono de um clube de futebol na Terra do Sol Nascente e de uma empresa de comunicação.

Ainda não há nenhuma parceria firmada para que Honda realmente faça projetos oficiais do clube de General Severiano no Oriente, mas o meio-campista mostrou interesse público em tal. Podem haver conversas sobre o assunto a partir de 2021 com Durcesio Mello, presidente eleito.

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Erik ten Hag stormed out of a press conference when he was asked about Manchester United's worst-ever Premier League finish.

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• Ten Hag stormed out of press conference
• Asked about worst-ever league finish
• Held to 2-2 draw by Bournemouth

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Devils were held to a 2-2 draw on Saturday in the Premier League by Bournemouth which saw them slip to the seventh in the league. After the game, the Dutch manager was asked about the possibility of the club having their worst possible finish in the history of the Premier League but he decided to dodge the question and storm out of the post-match press conference.

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• WHAT ERIK TEN HAG SAID

  Right after the question about the team's worst-ever Premier League finish was asked, the United boss stood up from his chair and left the room before saying: "I don't comment. I won't take that question. That is not important."

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  Since the inception of the Premier League in the 1992-93 season, United have finished outside the top four only on five occasions, with their worst finish being seventh under David Moyes' tutelage during the 2013-14 campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur have apparently set their sights on one club's "vital" Champions League star for manager Ange Postecoglou, and he's been likened to Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham.

Spurs form this season

On the field, Spurs are currently enjoying an unprecedented start to this new Premier League season. Their latest league win, a 2-1 away to Crystal Palace, makes it eight victories out of a possible 10 in the top flight alone. Postecoglou's side are still yet to taste defeat over what has been their most promising first few games since they won a double in 1961.

"Top of the table is great and the results are great but it's more in the manner we're doing it," said Postecoglou on Spurs' form this season.

"Pretty much from the first game we've had all sorts of different challenges we've had to overcome. Every time there has been a real focus and clear-headedness about the group collectively to deal with that. That has been a really pleasing thing and because they're getting rewards from that then that gives us opportunity to accelerate the growth of giving them more tools out there to help them for whatever we need to overcome."

Despite their incredible run of form, though, it is still believed the Lilywhites could strengthen in January. The winter transfer window represents an opportunity to sign a centre-back alternative to both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven. There is a serious lack of cover behind the star defensive duo, so Tottenham are interested in Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah among other options.

An injury to Manor Solomon also leaves Postecoglou short of players who can challenge Dejan Kulusevski out wide, so it has been rumoured that Spurs are keen on Al-Ittihad winger Jota. New names are emerging through sections of the press on a regular basis, and now Real Sociedad midfielder Brais Mendez is a name attracting Tottenham's attention.

Mendez emerges as "main target" for Spurs

Indeed, according to a report out of Spain this week, Mendez is a "main target" for Tottenham as Postecoglou and the club's chiefs plot to sign "high level" players mid-season.

The attacking midfielder, who's been called a "vital asset" for Sociedad by this update, has enjoyed an exceptional start to the campaign and his Champions League performances have sparked interest from many top sides – including Tottenham.

Mendez has scored three goals already in Europe's most prestigious competition, making him a coveted player heading into January. Spurs apparently want to back Postecoglou with his signing, and it is believed he will cost around £26 million. While England may be a tempting destination for the 26-year-old, Sociedad will apparently fight tooth and nail to keep one of their star players from leaving so soon.

Brais Mendez strengths
Key passes
Through balls
Taking set-pieces
Concentration

Mendez has been called a "bargain Bellingham" by journalist Tom Weber, who also wrote this about the Spaniard for Football Transfers:

"While the San Sebastian outfit have become one of Europe's most interesting and exciting teams since Imanol Alguacil was given the head coaching job, Mendez has quietly become the side's heartbeat – and he should be looked at by some of Europe's elite teams."

Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action with a mouthwatering match-up against an in-form Aston Villa side on Sunday, with the two clubs currently separated by just a point in what is likely to be an intense top-four battle this season.

The Lilywhites go into tomorrow's clash at N17 having lost each of their last two league outings, however, notably suffering a shock late collapse away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, prior to the recent international break.

In need of a positive result to help stop the rot, Ange Postecoglou's task has not been made any easier as a result of the mounting injuries and absences that have impacted his squad, with options rather thin on the ground all across the park.

With that in mind, the Greek-Aussie could make three changes from the side that lost at Molineux, ahead of the visit of Unai Emery's men…

1 GK – Guglielmo Vicario

A lesser-known quantity before his arrival in north London, Guglielmo Vicario has been an "absolute revelation" since his £17.2m move from Empoli – as per Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher – and is a certainty to start once again this time around.

2 RB – Pedro Porro

Having started every game this season since the opening-day draw with Brentford, Pedro Porro – who has racked up two assists thus far – will keep his place at right-back.

3 CB – Eric Dier

With Cristian Romero still suspended – while Micky van de Ven remains out with injury – Eric Dier will have to keep his place at centre-back, despite having been tipped for an exit in January.

4 CB – Ben Davies

Alongside the long-serving Dier will be fellow stalwart, Ben Davies, with any thought of shaking up the backline having been hampered by the further loss of 18-year-old, Ashley Phillips, due to injury.

5 LB – Destiny Udogie

One of the few positives for Postecoglou will be the likely return of Destiny Udogie at left-back, with the Italy international having served his one-game suspension against Gary O'Neil's men last time out.

6 CM – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Previously touted for an exit over the summer, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could once again be able to establish himself as a key figure in the side, with Yves Bissouma set to miss out tomorrow after already picking up five yellow cards this season.

With James Maddison also out until the New Year and with doubts persisting over Pape Matar Sarr's fitness, Hojbjerg will likely retain his place in midfield.

7 CM – Rodrigo Bentancur

Alongside Udogie, the second alteration could well be the inclusion of Rodrigo Bentancur, the Uruguayan international seemingly nearing full fitness after featuring for his country during the international break.

Having been sidelined for much of 2023 with an ACL issue, the £75k-per-week "unsung hero" – as dubbed by Jamie Redknapp on the Sky Sports Football Podcast – may be in contention for his first start of the campaign.

8 CAM – Jamie Donley

In the absence of Maddison, a new creative spark will need to be found in Spurs' playmaking berth.

Related Spurs have "fantastic" 18 y/o with 11 assists ready to take Maddison's place

This “fantastic” teenager with 9 assists in 9 games could be the perfect replacement for James Maddison.

Posts ByAdam Scully Nov 8, 2023

After registering 11 assists already this season in the youth ranks, 19-year-old Jamie Donley could be deserving of his first senior bow as the final alteration from the side that lost at Wolves – with football.london's Rob Guest suggesting that the teenager is now 'impossible to ignore'.

9 RW – Dejan Kulusevski

In truth, the lack of attacking options – amid Richarlison's injury woes – will ensure that the frontline essentially picks itself, with Dejan Kulusevski lining up on the right flank to continue his run of starting every game in the top flight in 2023/24.

10 ST – Heung-min Son

Fresh from scoring three goals on international duty for South Korea, Spurs' top scorer and captain will lead the line once again, having found a neat new home for himself through the middle.

The allrounder said the team had battled collectively to find the mental focus required to succeed with so much going on around Australian cricket

Daniel Brettig10-Nov-2018Marcus Stoinis, the Australia allrounder, has revealed the extent to which the national team has struggled to deal with the “noise” around them created by the aftermath of the Newlands scandal, the release of Cricket Australia’s cultural review and the subsequent round of changes to the governing body, including the loss of the coach, CEO, chairman and senior executives.The Australians broke a seven-match losing streak at Adelaide Oval on Friday night with a narrow defeat of South Africa, as Stoinis and the bowlers bailed out a batting line-up that again struggled to produce a performance of international standard. Late-order runs from Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood dragged Australia to 231, before the pacemen defended that total grandly.Much had been hoped for from Stoinis in the ODI team, but he struggled badly in England earlier this year during Justin Langer’s first assignment as the new coach. Having taken three critical wickets in Adelaide, he said the team had battled collectively to find the mental focus required to succeed with so much going on around them.”The amount of noise going on, people are drained,” Stoinis said. “We’re cooked right now and we just won. Maybe that is part of it, the mental drain. That is what we have got to work on, that is what we have got to get past. And this is a good step forward. You have got to learn. That is part of the art of playing international cricket is dealing with noise.”That’s what we’ve been working at. We work every day trying to hone our skills, and I personally think because there’s so much noise going on, cricket moves so fast, and you can’t possibly concentrate as well as you’d like to with all the noise.”So that’s part of the art of playing international cricket is we’ve got to start really internalising all that sort of stuff and focusing on what’s really important for us.”Having squared the series at one game apiece, there is a quick turnaround for both sides ahead of the decider in Hobart on Sunday. Stoinis’ indications about the physical and mental state of the home side suggested that some quick recovery work was going to be required to get them up and firing once more for the third ODI.”I’m bloody tired, we’re all bloody tired. All the bowlers are cooked,” Stoinis said. “It was a big effort, so really proud of everyone. At the end of the day, all the guys that are in that team fight so hard, want to be there so much, train so hard, think about cricket all day every day.”I know obviously we haven’t got the results that maybe the media and the Australian public would want. But these guys, we all fight, we all really want to be there, we all really want to win, and so the character of the individuals speaks for itself.”

The South African will slot into a batting line-up that already includes Chris Gayle and Alex Hales

Mohammad Isam27-Oct-2018

AB de Villiers pulls off a one-handed stop at extra cover•BCCI

How the BPL squads look before the draft

Rangpur Riders: Chris Gayle, Mashrafe Mortaza, Nazmul Islam, Mohammad Mithun, AB de Villiers, Alex Hales
Dhaka Dynamites: Shakib Al Hasan, Sunil Narine, Rovman Powell, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Hazratullah Zazai
Sylhet Sixers: Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Liton Das, Sohail Tanvir, David Warner, Sandeep Lamichhane
Khulna Titans: Mahmudullah, Ariful Haque, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Carlos Brathwaite, Dawid Malan, Ali Khan
Comilla Victorians: Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoaib Malik, Asela Gunaratne, Liam Dawson
Rajshahi Kings: Mominul Haque, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Zakir Hasan, Qais Ahmed, Christiaan Jonker
Chittagong Vikings: Sikandar Raza, Luke Ronchi, Najibullah Zadran, Sunzamul Islam, Mohammad Shahzad, Robbie Frylinck

Rangpur Riders have signed up AB de Villiers for the 2018-19 BPL season as their second signing outside the player draft, which is set to take place on Sunday. It sets up the mouthwatering prospect of a Rangpur batting line-up that also includes Chris Gayle, whom the franchise retained after his fireworks in last year’s final, and Alex Hales, whom they signed earlier this month.Apart from de Villiers and Hales, other prominent recent signings in the BPL include David Warner for Sylhet Sixers and Andre Russell for Dhaka Dynamites. There was interest shown in players from Associates nations too, with Sylhet roping in Nepal legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane and Khulna signing USA fast bowler Ali Khan, who impressed in the CPL this year. Dhaka have picked up Hazratullah Zazai, who recently hit six sixes in an over in the Afghan Premier League.Each team has six players in their squad ahead of the draft. In all, each team can sign a maximum of 12 local and nine overseas players. Every side must include four overseas players in their playing XI this season.Dhaka already have five overseas players among their current squad of six, which means they will focus mostly on local players in the draft. Rangpur could add allrounders and spinners to their squad to complement their star-studded batting line-up and a bowling attack containing Mashrafe Mortaza and Nazmul Islam. Sylhet have their top four sorted with Warner, Liton Das, Nasir Hossain and Sabbir Rahman, so they would look to strengthen their lower middle order and bowling attack which already includes Sohail Tanvir and Lamichhane.In the draft, the A+ category (USD 200,000) will include Shahid Afridi, Imran Tahir and Evin Lewis, while category A (USD 150,000) will include Mohammad Hafeez, Faheem Ashraf, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga and Darren Bravo.The BPL which is scheduled from January 5 to February 8, will clash with the UAE T20x and the Big Bash League in Australia.

Cristiano Ronaldo is considered to be boast an “endless skillset”, with Al-Nassr looking to the Portuguese for inspiration in another trophy bid.

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Portuguese icon still going strong at 39Has broken through the 40-goal barrier againDetermined to get his hands on more medalsGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The Saudi Pro League outfit will be in Saudi Super Cup action on Monday when taking on domestic rivals Al-Hilal. That semi-final showdown has plenty riding on it, with two ambitious clubs determined to earn another shot at landing major silverware.

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Ronaldo has grown accustomed to collecting winners’ medals on a regular basis over the course of his illustrious career, and will be hoping for more of the same in 2024. He remains a talismanic presence for Al-Nassr and an on-field leader at 39 years of age.

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Ahead of a crunch clash with Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr have been quick to talk up the “endless” qualities of their evergreen No.7, who is showing no sign of slowing down in the current campaign. Ronaldo has plundered 42 goals through as many appearances this season.

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CR7 will need to step up again if the Super Cup is to remain in Al-Nassr’s sights, with Al-Hilal set to present the toughest of tests. The Saudi Pro League leaders boast the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic within their star-studded ranks.