Shastri wants all top-order batters to follow Babar Azam’s template of building on starts to get to big scores, big hundreds

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Sep-20234:03

Will we see an India-Pakistan final? Can Kohli outscore Babar?

Ravi Shastri believes India have the upper hand in Saturday’s Asia Cup game against Pakistan in Pallekele, but only just.Speaking to ESPNcricinfo on the eve of the fixture, Shastri said that Pakistan were a much improved side, and have “narrowed the gap” with India, but the strength of India’s line-up and an experienced captain in Rohit Sharma gave them the advantage.”I would say India start as favourites. This is their strongest team since 2011, this mix of players,” Shastri said. “And a captain who is seasoned, who understands the terrain better than most.”Having said that, Pakistan have narrowed the gap. Seven-eight years [ago], there was a gap if you looked at the strength of both teams and man to man. But Pakistan have narrowed it down. They are a very good side, so you have to be on top of your game.”Related

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Shastri feels that when it comes to a high-pressure, high-stakes contest like India vs Pakistan, player form is less important than player temperament, which makes the real difference.”That’s what’s important, keeping calm and treating it as just another game,” he said. “And not overhype it in your mind that makes you think differently. Your game has to be the same as it would be in any other game. But because of that subconscious pressure, it’s the mentally tough guys who normally get it right.”When you look at the mix of players on either side, they are fabulous. And it will be a spectacle. In an India-Pakistan game, it is about who handles pressure better, who is calmer, whose thought process is clear. Those are the guys who will come through in those big occasions.”And never go by form before an India-Pakistan game, because the tough-minded, mentally strong guys might not have done much six months back, but come the India-Pakistan game, they will come [to the fore]. They know the importance of that game, they know where it can catapult them if they do well. Their juices will be fired up.”Shastri: Must convert starts to big scores, like Babar doesShastri believes that all batters looking to succeed in crunch games need to follow Babar Azam’s approach. Babar, the Pakistan captain, scored his 19th ODI century in the opening game of the Asia Cup against Nepal, and Shastri feels other batters need to example.”He [Babar] converts those 30s and 40s starts into hundreds,” Shastri pointed out. “And it is so important. We keep saying to go out there and face a number of balls, but if one of your top three gets a hundred, you get 300-plus.”Fielding will be crucial [too], you’ll have to see which team fields better. Sri Lanka won the last Asia Cup on [the back of their] fielding. They’ve long been the best fielding side in the subcontinent, right from 1996. They were outstanding in the last Asia Cup. They are holders, let’s not forget, so don’t discount them in Sri Lankan conditions. If India’s fielding raises their bar, then they’ll be an even stronger side.”

After winning only one of their first five matches, Trent Rockets kept their hopes of a top-three finish in the Women’s Hundred just about alive with a thumping nine-wicket victory over Manchester Originals, chasing down a modest target of 108 with a massive 36 balls to spare.Lizelle Lee combined power and placement, hitting 44 not out from 27 balls with six fours and two sixes, sharing an opening stand of 60 in 36 balls with Bryony Smith (28 off 19) before skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt showed her class with an unbeaten 33 off 18.Deandra Dottin made 30 from 26 for the Originals, adding 40 for the third wicket with Laura Wolvaardt (23 from 31) before Amanda Jade-Wellington added 22 from 19 at the end of the innings but 107 for 5 always looked under par.Originals are not mathematically out of contention but, in truth, neither side is likely to be involved in the two games that will decide the tournament.Originals made an unconvincing start after opting to bat first and never recovered, losing Emma Lamb and Fi Morris for 15 in the first 22 balls.Lamb caught at short fine leg on the scoop as Katherine Sciver-Brunt, plainly still troubled by the hip injury that sidelined her for the last two games and coming in off a short run, claimed the first wicket of what is set to be her last tournament. Morris hit Alexa Stonehouse straight to the fielder at mid-off.With spinners Kirstie Gordon and Alana King stalling the Originals in their attempts to accelerate the visitors had much to do to post a defendable total at 47 for 2 from 50.With pressure mounting, Wolvaardt – missed by keeper Lee off King on 16 – was stumped as Gordon darted one in flatter and the dangerous Dottin, put down on 28 by the normally reliable Jo Gardner, holed out to deep midwicket with only two added to her score.Originals skipper Sophie Ecclestone, running on Wellington’s reverse sweep, was beaten by Gordon’s throw from point, leaving her side floundering at 72 for 5 from 77. Katie George joined Wellington in an enterprising finale that realised another 35 from 23 balls.Yet Rockets always fancied their chances chasing 108 to win, a target that quickly looked a formality as Smith and Lee piled on 49 in the powerplay, Smith hugely impressive with six boundaries, swept, pulled or hammered through cover, Lee chipping in with four. One sequence of 11 deliveries saw nine balls go to the rope, with no bowler spared.A top edge off Ecclestone, whom she had hit for three boundaries in the England left-armer’s opening set, saw Smith caught at short fine leg but her departure simply ushered in Nat Sciver-Brunt to show off her skills with five boundaries and finish the job in rapid time.

Mariano Troilo has revealed that there is a "no hitting" Lionel Messi rule in Argentina training to safeguard the Inter Miami superstar.

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• Troilo was called up by Lionel Scaloni
• Had a wonderful experience with Messi
• Had to abide by a strict rule in training

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 21-year-old Belgrano centre-back, called up by coach Lionel Scaloni for the first time for Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Chile, disclosed that there’s an unwritten rule in the camp: no one is allowed to lay a tackle on Messi during training.

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  Troilo, despite not making an appearance in the recent CONMEBOL qualifiers, cherished his call-up and the rare opportunity to train alongside Argentina’s top-tier talents. Reflecting on his time in the camp, the young defender expressed gratitude for the warm welcome he received, especially from Messi himself.

• WHAT TROILO SAID ABOUT MESSI

  Troilo said: "He welcomed me very well and made me feel part of the group very quickly."

  The most eye-catching revelation from Troilo’s interview was the insider detail about how Messi is handled, or rather, not handled, during sessions.

  "The only one you can’t hit is you know who," he said. "You don’t hit him, I don’t hit him, [Walter] Samuel doesn’t hit him, not even the kit man. It’s a rule here that no one can change."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Messi is expected to return to international duties later this year as Argentina resume their World Cup qualifying campaign. The Albiceleste will take on Venezuela and Ecuador in their final set of qualifiers in September, having already booked their place at the 2026 tournament.

Ex-Bayern Munich captain Stefan Effenberg claims the club should sign Stuttgart's Nick Woltemade to replace Harry Kane's at the Allianz Arena.

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Effenberg praises Woltemade's formEx-captain wants Bayern to sign the forwardWants Woltemade to be Kane's successorFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The German club shelled out a lot of money for the 31-year-old forward and he has been in incredible goalscoring form since making the switch from Tottenham. He scored a whoppiong 38 goals in 47 games as Bayern won the Bundesliga title, but Effenberg feels his ideal replacement is already known as he endorsed Woltemade.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The German forward has taken the U21 European Championship by storm, scoring a hat-trick in the opening game against Slovakia and prompting top European clubs to monitor him. The 23-year-old was the top scorer in last year's DFB-Pokal and is also topping the charts at the U21 with four goals. Effenberg, reflecting on Woltemade's form, claimed Bayern should put their attention and focus on the rising star.

WHAT EFFENBERG SAID

The ex-Bayern captain said: "This is a striker Bayern Munich should definitely focus on. Not now, but at some point when Harry Kane leaves. Nick Woltemade is a type of player, and also this number nine, that Bayern Munich should think about."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN?

Kane's contract expires in 2027, and the club has major problems to solve before sorting their attacking line. After rejection from Nico Williams, the club's sporting director, Max Eberl, has flown to Munich to sort the upcoming plans. Reports suggest that the Bavarians are looking to sign Liverpool's Cody Gakpo.

Super stand of 184 makes light work of 268-run chase at Bristol

ECB Reporters Network22-Aug-2023Ben Wells and Ollie Price staged a brilliant unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 184 to earn Gloucestershire a convincing seven-wicket Metro Bank One Day Cup triumph over Durham in their final Group B fixture at Bristol’s Seat Unique Stadium.Called into the side just minutes before the scheduled start of play as a replacement for Graeme van Buuren, who hurt himself in the warm-up, Wells top-scored with a hard-hitting career-best 108 not out from 76 balls as Gloucestershire chased down a target of 268 with 13.3 overs to spare to progress to the knockout stages.In-form Price finished unbeaten on 85 off 103 balls with 11 fours and James Bracey smashed a quickfire half century for Gloucestershire, who made 269 for 3 and will now face Lancashire in a home quarter-final tie at Bristol on Friday.Knockout fixtures

Quarter-finals: Gloucestershire vs Lancashire (August 25), Hampshire vs Worcestershire (August 27)
Semi-finals: Warwickshire vs Hampshire/Worcestershire (August 29), Leicestershire vs Gloucestershire/Lancashire (August 29)
The final (September 16)

Scott Borthwick and David Bedingham posted 57 and 64 respectively, while Liam Trevaskis contributed 41 as Durham made 267 for 9 in their 50 overs. But veteran spinner Tom Smith removed Bedingham and bowled well during the middle overs to return figures of 1 for 37 from 10 overs, while Anwar Ali claimed 3 for 38 to keep Durham in check.Arriving in the middle with Gloucestershire’s reply poised at 85 for 3, Wells then stole the show with his bold stroke-play. His performance was all the more remarkable given that he had limped off during the early stages of the Durham innings, clutching a hamstring that continued to trouble him throughout the first half of the match.Having won five of their previous seven group games, the home side oozed confidence thanks to the excellent start afforded their reply by Bracey. In supremely confident mood after scoring a career-best 224 not out against Somerset on his last appearance at Bristol, Gloucestershire’s captain picked up where he left off, timing the ball superbly to raise a half century in just 38 balls. Yet his innings ought to have been terminated on 25, Brendon Glover dropping the former England man on the fine leg boundary off the bowling of Jonathan Bushnell.Bracey certainly made good his escape, moving to 50 with his fifth maximum, hoisted over deep backward square at the expense of Oliver Gibson. Much to his annoyance, he then suffered a loss of concentration and dragged a wide delivery from Glover onto his stumps, having dominated a whirlwind partnership of 73 in 12 overs with Price. When new batsman Miles Hammond was bowled by slow left armer Liam Trevaskis six balls later, Gloucestershire were 85 for 3 in the sixteenth over, their innings in need of a re-set.Wells provided the perfect response, going on the attack from the outset to reclaim the initiative for Gloucestershire, the fourth wicket pair raising 50 from 36 balls. Moving better than at any stage when in the field, Wells mustered a display of clean hitting to rival that of Bracey, the Academy product going to a 36-ball 50 via his ninth four.Gloucestershire’s rock, Price set his sights on batting through, reaching a chanceless 50 in 69 balls as the home side advanced their score to 152-3 at the halfway stage, requiring a further 116 runs at 4.22 an over. That proved comfortably within the grasp of the fourth wicket pair, whose alliance realised three figures from 79 balls, 66 of those runs coming by way of boundaries.Happy to see off dangerman Migael Pretorius, who removed Chris Dent in his first spell, Price and Wells took apart the rest of the bowling as they engaged in their own personal race to reach a hundred. Wells won that particular battle, pulling Trevaskis for his 14th four to post his maiden List-A century from 72 balls. He also hit 4 sixes as 80 of those hundred runs came in the form of boundaries.Believing a used pitch would become progressively more difficult to bat on as the day progressed, Alex Lees asked Gloucestershire to field and must have been well satisfied when his side reached 152 for 2 inside 28 overs.Zaman Akhter removed Michael Jones cheaply and Paul van Meekeren had Lees caught at deep backward point for 22 as Gloucestershire took advantage of a slow pitch and uneven bounce to reduce Durham to 50-2 inside 11 overs. But Borthwick and Bedingham then launched a concerted recovery, applying themselves sensibly in a third wicket alliance of 102 in 17 overs, which served to put the visitors on top.Scoring freely on both sides of the wicket, Borthwick was first to 50, the left-hander going to that landmark via 60 balls with 6 fours as Durham assumed a position of strength. Adept at finding gaps in the field, Bedingham faced just 49 balls in raising his third half century in seven innings in the 50-over competition this summer, clipping Josh Shaw behind square for his second four.Gloucestershire’s bowlers appeared to be at a loss as to how to part the third wicket pair and van Meekeren found the going especially challenging, sending down four no balls and three wides as his first eight overs cost 64 runs.Relief arrived in the form of an unexpectedly loose shot from Borthwick, who drove Tom Smith uppishly to Akhter at long-on and departed for a 77-ball 57. His dismissal proved a seminal moment, slow left armer Smith and seamer Shaw conjuring 15 dot balls in the next 26 deliveries to build pressure.Eager to break the stranglehold, Bushnell pushed a ball from van Meekeren to mid-on and attempted a risky single, only to be superbly run out by Price’s direct hit. Durham were further undermined by poor decision making three overs later, Chris Dent running out Bedingham for 64 after the South African had hesitated when called through for a single by Trevaskis. Bedingham had faced 71 balls, accrued 2 sixes and 2 fours and, with him, went Durham’s last opportunity to post a truly imposing total.Trevaskis did his best to atone, scoring 41 from 43 balls and dominating a stand of 56 in 9.1 overs with Tomas Mackintosh, before holing out to backward point and becoming the first in a trio of batsmen to succumb to experienced former Pakistani international Anwar, who finished with 3-38 in eight overs to keep Durham in check at the death. Mackintosh contributed 29 from 31 balls before falling to van Meekeren, but there was a feeling that the visitors had under-achieved after building such a promising early platform.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is spearheading the club’s pursuit of a “world-class” player, and one who Spurs could end up signing for half of his marquee summer asking price.

Daniel Levy tipped to make changes at Tottenham

The Lilywhites chairman won’t just be playing a role in facilitating the club’s transfer activity, with growing uncertainty surrounding manager Ange Postecoglou and his long-term future at N17.

52-year-old holds talks with Levy to join Tottenham as "rich offer" readied

The Lilywhites chairman personally met with him yesterday.

By
Emilio Galantini

Mar 28, 2025

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola and Fulham manager Marco Silva are seen as two key targets for Levy (The Athletic), if he does decide to pull the plug on Postecoglou’s reign at Spurs, with both tacticians currently above Spurs in the Premier League table off the back of much more impressive campaigns.

The north Londoners have suffered 15 league defeats already, which is a long way off where Spurs want to be as a ‘big six’ club, and even when you make a case for their plethora of injuries throughout 2024/2025, results on the field simply haven’t been good enough.

Meanwhile, changes nearer the boardroom haven’t been ruled out either. According to Italian news outlet Radio Rossenera, former managing director Fabio Paratici has held a meeting with Levy over re-joining Tottenham, with his worldwide ban from football nearly over and set to end on June 30th.

With dissatisfaction surrounding the club’s running and pressure growing on Levy, this summer window could be imperative.

Both Tottenham’s team and backroom may look very different once we reach the beginning of 2025/2026, with Southampton starlet Tyler Dibling is rumoured to be one of the main candidates to link up with the squad.

Spurs are registering a serious interest in Dibling as we slowly approach the summer, but reliable news outlets suggest the Saints won’t be letting him go cheaply, despite being a near-certainty for the drop.

Indeed, The Times claim Southampton have slapped an enormous £100 million on Dibling’s head to fend off suitors like Tottenham. However, as per GiveMeSport, Spurs could actually secure his services for around half-price.

Tottenham could sign Dibling for £50m-plus as Levy personally works on deal

The 19-year-old has starred throughout a breakthrough campaign which has seen him impress in a variety of attacking roles in the first-team, and Postecoglou’s side could snap him up for around £50 million-plus, despite his mooted £100m asking price.

GMS also write that Levy is taking a “leading role” in Tottenham’s pursuit of Dibling, and the high-ranking official has personally been working on a deal “for weeks”. It is apparently Levy’s “personal mission” to strike a deal for the Englishman, who has been called a “world-class” talent.

“Players in those positions tend to pass – and too often sideways,” said Southampton’s academy manager, Andy Goldie.

“He catches the eye because he gets the ball and his first thought is: ‘How quickly can I get to the goal?’ He has scored a few – that part of his game will continue to develop – and once that bit has really clicked, you’re talking about a world-class talent.”

Over his 30 appearances in all competitions for Southampton, Dibling has four goals and three assists to his name, while WhoScored states the homegrown ace has averaged more completed take-ons per 90 than any other player in their squad – leaving little wonder clubs are standing up and taking notice.

شهد المنتخب البولندي في وقت سابق تغيرًا كبيرًا في الجهاز الفني، حيث تمت إقالة المدرب ميشال بروبيرز من منصبه بسبب الجدل الذي حدث بينه وبين روبرت ليفاندوفسكي.

وكان مدرب منتخب بولندا السابق قد جرد مهاجم برشلونة من شارة القيادة بعد ابتعاده عن تمثيل منتخب بلاده في يونيو، وقد برر ذلك بالإرهاق وحاجته للراحة نظراً لعمره.

أقرأ أيضاً.. يوفنتوس يجهز عرضًا ماليًا لضم لاعب ريال مدريد

وأثير الخلاف بين مدرب منتخب بولندا وروبرت ليفاندوفسكي، وأعلن مهاجم برشلونة أنه لن يكون متاحاً للمنتخب في وجود روبيرز مدرباً للفريق.

وانتهى الجدل والخلاف الذي دار بين الثنائي باستقالة المدرب من منصبه، وحتى الآن لم يوضح روبرت ليفاندوفسكي إذا كان سيعود لتمثيل منتخب بلاده مرة أخرى.

وقال أوربان مدرب منتخب بولندا الجديد تعليقاً على موقفه من استدعاء ليفاندوفسكي لصحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو”: “بالنسبة لي ليفا مهاجم من طراز نادر”.

وأضاف: “إن أتيحت له الفرصة، ينفذها بإتقان، أرى أن روبيرز المدرب السابق أخطأ حين انتزع منه شارة القيادة”.

وواصل عن روبرت ليفاندوفسكي: “روبرت لاعب محوري بالنسبة لي، هل العمر مشكلة؟ آسف، لكنه يحقق أرقامًا مذهلة في الليجا وليس في الدوري السعودي”.

وعلى الرغم من أن ليفاندوفسكي يبلغ 36 عاماً إلا أنه قدم أرقاماً رائعة الموسم الماضي، والتي تشهد على جودته وتميزه المستمر على أرض الملعب.

MatériaMais Notícias

Visivelmente abatido pela eliminação do São Paulo na semifinal da Copa do Brasil após a equipe paulista ser derrotada de novo pelo Flamengo, desta vez por 1 a 0, na noite desta quarta-feira (14), no Maracanã, o zagueiro Diego Costa reconheceu as falhas do Tricolor em campo que impossibilitaram a equipe de sair com um resultado positivo e culpou a maratona de jogos na temporada como uma das responsáveis.

RelacionadasListasSão Paulo eliminado! Veja 25 clubes tradicionais que ainda não têm o título da Copa do BrasilListas14/09/2022Futebol NacionalVelocista, atacante do Operário tem números equivalentes aos jogadores mais rápidos do mundoFutebol Nacional14/09/2022

GALERIA
+ Confira as notas dadas aos jogadores do São Paulo na atuação na derrota no Maracanã pela semifinal da Copa do Brasil

-A gente sente que poderia dar um pouco mais tecnicamente, mas demos tudo na vontade. Estávamos buscando a terceira final no ano, são muitos jogos. Temos que exaltar o grupo, o trabalho do Rogério (Ceni, técnico).

O camisa 4 são-paulino porém apontou que o foco do grupo continua inteiro para os desafios que ainda restam na temporada. Entre eles escapar de vez do risco de rebaixamento no Campeonato Brasileiro e, claro, a final da Copa Sul-Americana ante o Independiente del valle, do Equador, no próximo dia 1º de outubro, em Córdoba, na Argentina, agora a única chance concreta de título para a equipe na temporada.

– Agente sabe que precisa focar no Campeonato Brasileiro, temos uma final da Sul-Americana. Então agora é descansar e já voltar a cabeça no Brasileiro e na final.

O São Paulo tem como próximo compromisso o duelo com o Ceará, no Castelão, no próximo domingo (18), às 16h (de Brasília), pela 27ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. A equipe está na 13ª colocação com 31 pontos, cinco de distância para a zona de rebaixamento.

TABELA
> Confira classificação, jogos e simule resultados do Brasileirão-22
> Confira todos os jogos da Copa do Brasil-22
> Confira todos os jogos da Copa Sul-Americana-22
> Conheça o novo aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!

Runs galore in Hyderabad as New Zealand and Pakistan prepare for the World Cup proper

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Sep-2023
Mohammad Rizwan’s century and half-centuries from Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel went in vain as Pakistan couldn’t defend 345 in their warm-up match against New Zealand in Hyderabad. Rachin Ravindra seized his chance as an opener, scoring 97 off 72 balls to lead New Zealand’s successful chase.New Zealand will also be pleased with the progress of Kane Williamson, who marked his return from a six-month injury layoff with a 49-ball fifty. Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman also hit half-centuries to warm up for the World Cup proper.Related

'Knee held up pretty well' – Williamson marks return from injury with half-century

After opting to bat first, Pakistan lost two early wickets, but Babar and Rizwan steadied the innings and set the scene for the late assault from Shakeel. Babar and Rizwan added 114 for the third wicket before Mitchell Santner snagged Babar for 80 off 84 balls. Rizwan was more fluent against spin and often manufactured room to drive them inside-out over extra-cover. He pressed onto a century and then retired out on 103 off 94 balls. Shakeel and Agha Salman teed off in the end overs to take Pakistan closer to 350. But it wasn’t enough in the end.Ravindra, who often bats in the top order for his domestic side Wellington Firebirds, made a strong impression in the same role for the national team too. He was responsible for 32 of the 65 runs New Zealand had scored in the mandatory powerplay. He combined with Williamson and picked away spinners Salman and Usama Mir with ease. Williamson retired out on 54 and Ravindra fell three short of a century, but Mitchell and Chapman ensured that New Zealand coasted to victory, with more than six overs to spare. Barring Mir, every Pakistan bowler conceded at over seven runs an over.

Juventus are pushing to sign Victor Osimhen but must get his approval and sell Dusan Vlahovic before they can sign the Nigerian.

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• Juventus in contact with Osimhen over weekend
• Awaiting the Nigerian's green light before Napoli talks
• Vlahovic expected to leave; Juve want €40m for him

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus have reignited their interest in Napoli striker Osimhen, making contact over the weekend to gauge his interest. The Bianconeri are waiting for the Nigerian's approval before initiating negotiations with Gli Azzurri regarding his release.

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  Juve's striker revamp hinges on two key factors – Osimhen’s green light and Vlahovic’s departure. With the Serbian refusing a contract extension and Juventus aiming to recoup €40 million (£34m/$46m), space would open up for Osimhen and Jonathan David, who is available as a free agent. Napoli, meanwhile, are eager to sell Osimhen after the relationship between player and club broke down last year, and they have lined up Darwin Nunez as a replacement.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Osimhen turned down a huge offer from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, showing his intent to stay in Europe. He scored 37 goals and provided eight assists last season during a prolific loan spell at Galatasaray, helping them win the Turkish Super Lig.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR JUVENTUS?

  The Bianconeri will now focus on getting Osimhen’s “yes” before discussing a transfer fee and salary terms. Once that is in place, they’ll approach Napoli. However, the €75m (£63m/$86m) release clause applies only to foreign clubs, complicating the deal. Simultaneously, Juve will try to sell Vlahovic to fund the move and pursue David to complete their attacking overhaul.