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Sharmeen Khan, one of two sisters all but responsible for the birth of the modern women’s game in Pakistan, has died. Reports suggest that Sharmeen, 46, died of pneumonia.Sharmeen played two Tests – Pakistan’s women’s team has only ever played three – and 26 ODIs between 1997 and 2002, opening the bowling with her right-arm pace and batting in the lower-middle order. Sharmeen, along with her elder sister Shaiza, played in Pakistan women’s first ODI, in Christchurch in 1997.But far more than her playing record, Sharmeen’s role as a fiery advocate of the women’s game in Pakistan in the mid-90s is her legacy. A year before that first ODI the two sisters had helped secure ICC membership for Pakistan women all on their own. It had not been easy, the sisters fighting off various conservative forces within the country, as well as administrative indifference. Those years were marked by various legal battles involving the control of the women’s game – in Pakistan women’s cricket dates back to the 1970s.Such was their influence, the sisters had Pakistan’s earliest tours in that era bankrolled by their father’s business – training camps would be conducted by Sharmeen and Shaiza often at their sprawling residence in Karachi. The sisters set up the Pakistan Women’s Cricket Control Association (PWCCA). This body was recognised by various PCB chiefs and was aligned with the International Women’s Cricket Council (IWCC) in the days before the women’s game came under the administration of the ICC.Once that did happen, and the women’s game in Pakistan came under PCB control, Shaiza and Sharmeen were edged out of the scene, though not without a legal fight.Shaiza was the more dominant presence, much more vocal with her opinions and also the more gifted player of the two. But both sisters were recognised internationally – among their proudest achievements were representing the MCC when the club opened membership to women for the first time in 1999. And both Shaiza and Sharmeen, along with Kiran Baluch, were given lifetime MCC membership in 2003, in recognition of their pioneering roles in Pakistan.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney may be saving themselves more money in the transfer market, with Max Cleworth considered to be Championship quality.

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• Owners continue to make funds available
• Have bought in players of pedigree
• A home-grown star is proving his worth

• Getty/GOAL
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Hollywood co-owners in North Wales have never been afraid to make funds available for new additions, with the Red Dragons’ approach being to bring in players that will raise collective standards. That recruitment model has served them well while chasing down back-to-back promotions.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Phil Parkinson is considered to have a number of players at his disposal that would not look out of a place at a much higher level – with the likes of Paul Mullin, Elliot Lee, Andy Cannon, Arthur Okonkwo and James McClean falling into that category.

• Getty
  

  WHAT BOYLE SAID

  Will Boyle believes that 21-year-old defender Cleworth also ticks that box, saying of a home-grown star that cost the Red Dragons nothing: “Max has been top drawer. For his age, the maturity he plays with is outstanding. I have played with quite a lot of lads who we have had on loan in previous seasons who are playing regularly in the Championship now. Without blowing too much smoke, he is as good as them. His character is important. I can say that because I know what his character is like. He is only going to improve and he wants to learn. His work ethic is top drawer, he is a great lad and a very good, young defender.”

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• WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

  Cleworth has been a regular for Wrexham again this season and netted his first goal of the campaign when grabbing a dramatic winner against Colchester last time out. He would appear to have a bright future, which will be music to the ears of players, coaches, owners and supporters at SToK Racecourse.

Tallawahs put up the highest-ever T20 total at Providence, on the back of a superb century from Glenn Phillips, but Devcich ensured the mark lasted less than two hours, before Ben Cutting sealed it off with a six

The Report by Peter Della Penna13-Sep-2018Glenn Phillips celebrates a hundred•Getty ImagesBen Cutting provided a sense of at Providence, striking a six off the penultimate ball to clinch a nailbiting two-wicket victory, the second time in two nights a win had been registered by that margin at this venue. This time, the result went in favour of St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, as the 2017 finalists knocked out Jamaica Tallawahs in a record-breaking chase.Tallawahs had posted the highest-ever T20 total at Providence, making 191 for 5 on the back of a fantastic Glenn Phillips century. But the mark lasted less than two hours as Anton Devcich sparked a middle-order revival following Ish Sodhi’s three-wicket haul. Cutting, who had dropped Phillips during the course of his century, then turned from goat to hero by smashing the decisive blow over the midwicket boundary to put Patriots on the plane to Trinidad, where they’ll take on Trinbago Knight Riders on Friday night for the right to face Guyana Amazon Warriors in the final.Kiwi Phil-harmonicPhillips batted all 20 overs to become just the eighth batsman in CPL history to record a century, and just the second overseas batsman to do so, following in the footsteps of Colin Munro, another South African-born New Zealand international, who achieved it in 2016.Phillips played second fiddle to his senior New Zealand team-mate, Ross Taylor, through the first half of the innings. After the fall of Johnson Charles, caught at backward point off Fabian Allen’s left-arm spin in the third over, Taylor controlled a 70-run second-wicket stand with 33 off 23 balls, before being deceived by a slower ball from Cutting.Phillips finally got his motor revving in the 13th over, bashing Cutting for two sixes and a four to bring up his half-century in the 20-run over. Rovman Powell fell in the following over, slogging Tabraiz Shamsi to Cutting at long-on, and Andre Russell didn’t last long either, skying a catch to deep point off Carlos Brathwaite.Phillips kicked on past 100 with a helping hand from Cutting, who spilled him on 79 at long-on off Shamsi. Phillips became more adventurous as he closed in on three figures, ramping Brathwaite over the wicketkeeper for four, before shuffling all the way across his stumps to a ball almost off the pitch outside off stump, and flaying it over wide long-on for six to move to 97. He brought up his century off 58 balls in the 18th over, cutting Shamsi behind point for a four.However, Phillips lost steam thereafter, as a wheezing finish to the innings arguably cost them in the end. Phillips and David Miller added just 17 runs in the final two overs, underwhelming after the position they had got into, which made a record total suddenly appear far less daunting to chase.Ben Cutting clinches the eliminator with a six off the penultimate ball•Getty ImagesSod’s lawPatriots’ chase got off to a sluggish start as Devon Thomas was caught in the deep off Steven Jacobs in the second over. Sodhi continued to trouble the Patriots, striking twice in the 10th over. Rassie van der Dussen fell trying to force the pace, as he top-edged a slog sweep, which wicketkeeper Phillips collected by running to his right.Chris Gayle drove straight to long-on two balls later to make it 62 for 3. When Allen creamed a flat, low chance that was expertly taken by Russell at long-on in the 14th over, Patriots needed 74 off the last 38 balls. Unfortunately for the Tallawahs, their most potent threat with the ball – Sodhi – was two balls away from finishing his spell.Dev-con OneWith alarm bells ringing, and the season on the line, Devcich stepped up to steal the Man-of-the-Match award away from Phillips with a clinically-devastating spurt. Having swatted Jacobs for four and six over wide long-on in the 13th over, he pulled two fours off Colin de Grandhomme in a 17-run 15th over that took the required run rate down to 10 an over for the first time since the third over.Devcich continued peppering the leg side by starting the 16th over with another pulled four off Russell, and brought up his half-century off 22 balls with a single later in the over. A double-strike by Oshane Thomas in the 17th over accounted for both Devcich and Brandon King, swinging the momentum Tallawahs’ way before Cutting’s heroics.Cut through the heartTallawahs needed 27 off 12 balls with four wickets in hand, when Cutting’s six over long-on off Thomas brought the equation down to 16 off eight balls. Lewis fell two balls after the six to another sharp effort from Russell on the boundary, and Powell was tossed the ball for the first time on the night to defend 14 off the final over.Brathwaite followed a swing and a miss on the first ball with a six when he smashed a full toss over square leg. But Russell snapped up his third sensational low catch of the night, diving forward at long-on on the third ball, to leave Cutting on strike with nine needed off the last three balls.The next ball arrived with the perfect width, just inside the tram lines outside off, but was controversially signalled wide. The decision appeared to rattle Powell, who followed it up with two more clear-cut wides. Cutting turned down a run to mid-on off the fourth legitimate delivery, putting the onus on himself, instead of tailender Hayden Walsh Jr, to get Patriots across the line. Another wide down leg was followed by a juicy length ball that was heaved over the midwicket rope to end the Tallawahs season and put the Patriots one win away from returning to the CPL final.

White in stand of 190 with Peter Handscomb to lift Victoria to match-winning 327

Daniel Brettig23-Sep-2018Getty ImagesCameron White and Peter Handscomb set up an ample tally for Victoria at North Sydney Oval before New South Wales slid from a promising platform to their third consecutive defeat in the domestic limited-overs tournament – though under this year’s competition rules all teams are guaranteed a finals berth.The stand of 190 between White and the captain Handscomb allowed the visitors to shrug off the loss of Seb Gotch from the very first ball of the match, chipping Sean Abbott to mid-on, and pushed Victoria well past 300. White’s century was his third at North Sydney and seventh for Victoria in limited-overs matches, while Handscomb’s innings was a welcome sign of progress after he had made a series of technical tweaks in the winter. Abbott finished with five wickets, albeit at a cost of 70 runs.Left with 328 for victory, the Blues were unable to find a partnership to match that of White and Handscomb, maintaining a pattern where the NSW top order has been unable to summon truly match-shaping scores. The Blues captain Kurtis Patterson made an attractive 48 but again fell after making a start, before Moises Henriques was also dismissed when he appeared to be in control of the game.The uncontracted allrounder Daniel Sams made his second half-century of the tournament and appears to be batting too low at No. 7, meaning he was left with too much to do without top-order help. Jackson Coleman, the Victorian left-armer, persisted well and deserved his five wickets, while the legspinner Tom O’Connell was unafraid to toss the ball up on the small North Sydney Oval, being rewarded with a trio of his own victims despite having a pair of very strong lbw shouts turned down and also suffering from a dropped catch.Limited-overs teams tend to be happy to bowl first in day games at North Sydney, particularly if the pitch has some live grass on top. This was certainly the case when Patterson sent Victoria in, and the early dismissals of Gotch and then Marcus Harris, who failed to ride the bounce of a lifting delivery from Ben Dwarshuis, seemed to vindicate the decision.However White had established himself with a handful of solid blows, and proceeded to rotate the strike intelligently alongside Handscomb, who showed evidence of his off-season work to get more of his weight moving forward to meet balls pitched up to the stumps in a more positive, decisive and consistent manner.Between them, the Victorian tally mounted smoothly with a particular toll taken on Steve O’Keefe and Henriques. Offspinner Chris Green seemed more able to stem the flow, before he too began to leak boundaries. Once White had passed his century and both he and Handscomb fell in the pursuit of quick runs, Glenn Maxwell and the NSW discard Nic Maddinson were able to hammer a handful of boundaries to take the total beyond 326 – the recent par for winning totals at the ground.Grass on the surface was still catchy enough for Will Sutherland to move the ball off the seam, which he did to coax an early edge from Daniel Hughes that was well held by White in the slips. Jack Edwards batted in Patterson’s slipstream for a time before picking out third man when slashing at Coleman, and the captain made it to the cusp of a half-century before edging behind.Henriques was soon striking the ball cleanly, and his duel with O’Connell was beguiling. Bullied sixes were traded with false shots and lbw appeals, before Sutherland dropped a chance on the cover boundary when coming forward. It was to be Coleman who finally dismissed Henriques, at a time when he and Sams seemed well on course to reel in the target.Victoria’s notably deeper batting line-up than NSW was now to come into effect, as the latter’s last five wickets went down for 42 runs in six overs. A cheery Sunday afternoon crowd, having anticipated a tight finish, found themselves making for the exits at least half an hour earlier than expected.

MatériaMais Notícias

A equipe Sub-20 do Palmeiras goleou, neste sábado (14), o Bahia por 5 a 3, jogando fora de casa, no Centro Esportivo Praia do Forte. Com o resultado, o Verdão chegou aos 21 pontos e assumiu a quarta posição no Campeonato Brasileiro da categoria.

A partida começou acelerada, com o Bahia fazendo dois gols nos cinco primeiros minutos e, no fim do primeiro tempo, o Verdão perdia por 3 a 1 – sendo Vitinho o autor do tento alviverde. Na segunda etapa, porém, e equipe paulista diminuiu com Fabrício, empatou com Ramon César e virou com Victor Mitchell. Ramon Rocha foi o autor do último gol da partida.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras contrata Pedro Bicalho, ex-CruzeiroPalmeiras14/11/2020PalmeirasAbel Ferreira comanda atividade no CT do Palmeiras com Ramires em campoPalmeiras14/11/2020PalmeirasAbel precisa e meninos do Sub-20 ficam à disposição para duelo contra o FluminensePalmeiras13/11/2020

O gol da virada veio com Victor Michel, atacante ainda com idade Sub-17! Olho nele! https://t.co/IKPofVXSik

— Base Palmeiras (@BasePalmeiras) November 14, 2020

O Palmeiras Sub-20 entra em campo novamente na próxima segunda-feira (16), contra o São Bernardo, pelo Campeonato Paulista. Na competição, o Verdão está na terceira posição do grupo 3, com apenas uma vitória em três partidas.

كشف مصدر مسؤول بالجهاز الفني لـ منتخب مصر الأولمبي، تفاصيل معسكر إعداد الفراعنة استعدادًا للمشاركة في أولمبياد باريس 2024.

ويستعد منتخب مصر الأولمبي في الفترة الحالية، للمشاركة في أولمبياد باريس المقرر إقامتها من 26 يوليو حتى 10 أغسطس 2024.

وقال المصدر في تصريحات خاصة لـ”بطولات”: “معسكر منتخب مصر سيبدأ يوم 5 يوليو، وهناك محاولات من قبل الجهاز الفني للمنتخب لبدء المعسكر يوم 3 يوليو”.

طالع أيضاً.. خاص | لاعب الأهلي يدخل حسابات ميكالي للانضمام في قائمة منتخب مصر بـ أولمبياد باريس

وأضاف: “السفر إلى باريس يوم 13 يوليو، بينما سيلعب المنتخب وديتين أمام أوكرانيا والعراق في معسكر باريس استعدادًا للأولمبياد”.

منتخب مصر الأولمبي اقتنص بطاقة التأهل لأولمبياد باريس بعد أن حصد الميدالية الفضية في منافسات كأس أمم إفريقيا تحت 23 سنة الماضية، التي أقيمت في المغرب.

Things appear to be looking up as far as Tottenham Hotspur are concerned, with the Lilywhites having gone into the international break in buoyant mood following an unbeaten start to the new Premier League season – under the direction of an attack-minded, progressive coach in Ange Postecoglou.

Chairman Daniel Levy has abandoned his pursuit of mere short-term glory by taking on a more long-term approach at N17, with the prior appointments of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte – both of whom were seemingly "serial winners", according to journalist Samuel Luckhurst – having set the club back in recent years.

In truth, it would appear that the north Londoners are longing for a return to what was an impressive period under former boss Mauricio Pochettino, with the Argentine tactician memorably guiding the club to the Champions League final in 2019 after assembling and building a stellar side in the capital.

The current Chelsea man was able to put together a particularly fearsome frontline including the likes of Heung-min Son, Harry Kane and Dele Alli, with it something of a crying shame that such a gifted XI were not able to get their hands on silverware.

Stats via Transfermarkt

Another figure who was also central in the attacking ranks in those golden years was Danish maestro, Christian Eriksen, with the playmaker arguably a player whose void had not been filled at Spurs following his exit – until now…

How much did Tottenham pay for Christian Eriksen?

The former Ajax man was undoubtedly the most successful addition of the infamous 'magnificent seven' that was signed in the summer of 2013, with Levy and co opting to reinvest the £85m that had been raked in from the sale of Gareth Bale on a host of new faces.

While the likes of Federico Fazio and Etienne Capoue made little or no impact in a Tottenham shirt, Eriksen, by contrast, was a mainstay in the side over the next seven years or so, proving something of a bargain in relation to his minimal £11.5m transfer fee.

Hailed as a "special person" by Pochettino, the elegant Dane was the undoubted creative spark behind the likes of Kane and Son, having racked up a stellar haul of 90 assists in 305 games in all competitions for the club.

Also a clinical weapon in his own right, the majestic gem also contributed 69 goals in that time after typically operating on the flanks or in a central role, with Pochettino having said of his talents back in 2019.

"He has an amazing quality and can shoot from outside the area and has an unbelievable shot with his left and with his right foot."

That dual ability to both provide quality service to others and get in on the act himself made Eriksen a truly instrumental presence as a link between midfield in attack, with it easy to argue that in his pomp he was a real "world-class player", according to former Wales international, Craig Bellamy.

Why did Eriksen leave Tottenham?

Like any glittering period, it all had to come to an end, however, with Pochettino receiving the boot just a matter of months after the European showpiece defeat to Liverpool in 2019, while Eriksen outlined his desire to depart that summer – amid interest from Spain.

Having had just a year left on his contract at the time, it wasn't until January 2020 that the wantaway asset eventually sealed his exit from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, joining Conte's Inter Milan side for a measly £16.9m.

As BBC Sports's Phil Parry suggested earlier this year, it is perhaps not an overstatement to claim that Spurs had "still not replaced Eriksen" until the recent summer window, with there having been "a big hole between the defensive part of midfield and the front three".

Speaking amid the club's woes last season, former Charlton Athletic defender Steve Brown also noted that the Lilywhites had become somewhat "predictable", with the likes of Son and Dejan Kulusevski needing "someone to pick the ball up in pockets, be intelligent and feed them accuracy".

While it may be too soon for Postecoglou and co to be counting their chickens, it looks as if their lengthy search to find an Eriksen successor has ended, following the capture of James Maddison.

How good is James Maddison?

On the face of it, it appears as if the former Leicester City star – who arrived on a £40m deal from the Foxes – is the perfect man to fill that Eriksen-shaped hole in the centre of the pitch, with Tottenham's number ten relishing the ability to be the "main man" in the side – or at a roast dinner…

Hailed in the past as a "super talent" by talkSPORT pundit Danny Murphy, the 26-year-old has settled in beautifully in his new surroundings with two goals and two assists from just four league games, after previously contributing 96 goal involvements in 203 games during his time in the Midlands.

The Coventry-born gem's recent strike away to newly-promoted Burnley was seemingly right out of the Eriksen copybook, as the England international found himself a pocket of space before rifling in a stunning, curling effort from range.

Already being talked about as the "signing of the summer" – in the words of TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole – Maddison could well be integral to what Spurs can achieve both this season and beyond, with pundit Darren Ambrose even going as far as to suggest that he is "probably a better player than Christian Eriksen was for Spurs already."

While it may be slightly too soon to be making such a statement, the "sensational" new arrival – as per Ambrose – is clearly picking up where Eriksen left off, having already spoken about trying to emulate the current Manchester United man's success:

“They’ve always had that type of player,” Maddison told the Independent. “That sort of midfielder who wants to be creative and entertain the fans and be a personality.

"Christian Eriksen in more recent years but since him they probably haven’t had that type of player. I’d put myself in that category. I’m not putting myself on the same level. But I’m that type of player."

If the early evidence is anything to go by, that self-assessment is rather bang on indeed…

West Ham United have now made progress in their bid to bring Jesse Lingard back to the London Stadium, Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has revealed.

What's the latest West Ham transfer news?

The Hammers could be set for a fairly lively transfer deadline day, with 90min journalist Graeme Bailey revealing they are in the market for a number of players, saying: "West Ham working on a few things today if they can, but they are pretty happy with business so far.

"A winger is something they would like but initial offer for Juventus' Filip Kostic turned down whilst they also asked about Samuel Iling-Junior.

Bailey also added: "They would like a striker but their efforts for Brazilians Yuri Alberto, Pedro and Marcos Leonardo look tough. Divock Origi is someone David Moyes does like."

The Evening Standard reports that Paris Saint-Germain forward Hugo Ekitike is also of interest to David Moyes' side, but at this stage, he is looking more likely to complete a move to Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt, with talks currently ongoing.

Even so, the Irons have no shortage of attacking targets, with reinforcements near the top end of the pitch clearly a priority for Moyes, and there is now a growing opportunity for the manager to bring one of his former players back to the London Stadium.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Sheth has now indicated that West Ham are closing in on a move for Lingard following talks – and the move can be completed after the transfer deadline, as the attacking midfielder is a free agent.

When asked whether the Hammers are exploring a move for the 30-year-old, the Sky Sports reporter said: “One hundred per cent, yes. He has been training with the first-team squad for the last month now we think.

“And it was primarily to keep his fitness up. But it's [the move] starting to develop now. And we're told initial talks have taken place between West Ham United and Lingard’s representatives about a short-term deal.

“But as you mentioned it can happen after the window because he is a free agent. So he's not tied down to the deadline of this Friday at 11 o'clock and he can move next week.”

Read The Latest West Ham Transfer News HERE

How many Premier League goals has Jesse Lingard scored?

The Englishman is very experienced in the Premier League, making a total of 182 appearances in the competition, during which time he has weighed in with 29 goals and 17 assists across spells with Manchester United, West Ham and Nottingham Forest.

Hammers fans will be well aware of how talented their former player is, given that he shone during a loan spell at the London Stadium in the 2020-21 season, picking up nine goals and five assists in 16 performances.

Lauded as "fantastic" and "excellent at West Ham" by Wayne Rooney, the Warrington-born midfielder is clearly a top player on his day, but there may be some justified concerns about bringing him back.

Lingard was released by Forest for good reason, with the former England ace failing to record a single goal or assist in 17 Premier League appearances, so he will need to seriously up his game if he is going to break into the first team at West Ham.

Burnley have now received a major update on their pursuit of Sunderland winger Jack Clarke, who they have already submitted a £12m bid for.

What's the latest Burnley transfer news?

Although they have already spent a total of €91.6m (£78.3m) this summer, the Clarets still have the money to fund a pursuit of a new striker, with Football Insider reporting they are ready to spend £25m to sign a prolific forward before the deadline.

Vincent Kompany believes that adding a new prolific forward to his ranks will be key to his side's survival in the Premier League, and he is ready to spend big on the right player, having identified some potential options.

FC Nordsjaelland star Ernest Nuamah has recently been named as a target, with it being reported that Burnley are ready to make their move for the youngster, who is valued at £22m by his current club.

However, the Clarets could now be set to face fierce competition for Nuamah, with West Ham United recently submitting a bid, while Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion are said to be very keen admirers.

Not only is Kompany keen on adding a new striker, he is also running the rule over a new winger, with Football Insider reporting they have already submitted a bid of £10m, rising to £12m in add-ons for Clarke.

However, Sunderland have knocked back that offer, and it has now been reported that the Black Cats have slapped a £15m asking price on their in-demand attacker, who could be tempted by a move to the Premier League.

Despite having their opening bid knocked back, the Clarets retain an active interest in the left-winger, which suggests they could return to the negotiating table with an improved bid, closer to Sunderland's asking price, before the transfer window slams shut.

How many goals has Jack Clarke scored for Sunderland?

Although he is primarily a winger, the Englishman has managed to find the back of the net fairly regularly for Sunderland, scoring 13 goals in 74 games, during which time he has also weighed in with 18 assists, showcasing his play making abilities.

The York-born winger emerged as a key player for the Black Cats last season, weighing in with nine goals and 12 assists in 45 Championship games, indicating he may now be ready to make the step-up to the Premier League.

Early last season, the Sunderland star also showcased his versatility by starring at left-wing back, receiving praise from journalist James Copley for his performance, who said:

"Two assists of the highest quality and a superb individual goal for Jack Clarke tonight already. All coming from LWB. Not his preferred position coming to Sunderland but my god, what a performance this evening. Just fantastic."

Although a striker should be a key priority for Kompany, Clarke has proven that he could also be a fantastic addition to his squad, given that he is able to play in several positions, and poses a threat on the front foot, so Burnley should return with an improved offer in the near future.

Liverpool are battling Premier League rivals Manchester United for the signature of Benjamin Pavard, and a new report has now revealed whether he would be willing to leave Bayern Munich this summer.

What’s the latest Liverpool transfer news?

With just over two weeks left in the summer transfer window, the Reds must start making progress towards signing new midfielders, as they are running out of options, with Southampton’s Romeo Lavia now set on joining Chelsea.

Moises Caicedo has already joined the Blues, meaning PSV midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, who has a £32m release clause included in his contract, could be targeted as a potential alternative option, but there will be competition from Nottingham Forest.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are also said to be long-term admirers of Real Madrid’s Aurielien Tchouameni, but the Spanish side currently do not intend to let him leave, and the player himself has no interest in departing the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

Midfield is not the only position that Klopp is keen to strengthen, though, with Portuguese journalist Pedro Almeida recently detailing that Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio is being targeted, with Liverpool willing to pay his €45m (£39m) release clause.

Read The Latest Liverpool Transfer News HERE

According to a report from Abendzeitung Munchen (via Sport Witness), the Reds are also courting Munich defender Pavard, who plans to leave the Bundesliga champions this month, with his contract due to expire in the summer of 2024.

However, there is set to be fierce competition for the 27-year-old’s signature, with Manchester United also interested, and a report from Sport Bild states the Red Devils have already agreed a deal with the player himself.

With the Frenchman struggling in the DFL-Supercup final on Saturday, it is suggested this may be because he is mentally already at either United or Liverpool, with Thomas Tuchel playing him in his unpreferred position of right-back, before bringing him off at half-time.

What’s more, the player even hinted that he’s keen on a move to Old Trafford with his activity on Instagram by commenting on Raphael Varane’s recent post, as noted by Fabrizio Romano.

Is Benjamin Pavard left-footed?

The left-footed defender has been utilised at right-back throughout the majority of his career, but the report seems to suggest he is more comfortable slotting at centre-back, having made a total of 109 appearances in that area of the pitch.

Even though the France international prefers to be deployed in a central role, his versatility may still be very useful to Klopp, as it could allow the manager to play Trent Alexander-Arnold in a midfield role, where he has admitted he enjoys playing.

The Bayern star has the right attributes to be a success in either position, averaging 2.37 tackles per 90 over the course of the past year, ranking him in the 93rd percentile compared to other centre-backs, while also placing in the 98th percentile for non-penalty goals.

The £83k-per-week defender is clearly a solid option to have at either end of the pitch, and there is also an indication he would be a good influence to have in the dressing room, having been lauded as a “wonderful character” by Bayern board member Uli Hoeness.

The only issue is that Man United appear to be ahead of Liverpool in the transfer race, so the Reds may have to move swiftly if they are to beat their rivals to his signature.