Turning their attention towards the summer transfer window and navigating any PSR concerns, Aston Villa have reportedly joined the race to sign a South American wonderkid.

Aston Villa facing PSR concerns

As successful as the Villans have been on the pitch, that success may well come at a price amid concerns over profit and sustainability. Those at Villa Park haven’t been afraid to spend big in recent seasons, but after making losses of more than £105m across the last three campaigns, they are in danger of breaching PSR rules, according to reports.

After Chelsea decided to sell their woman’s team to a sister company in an attempt to comply with the rules and find a loophole, Aston Villa seem to have taken note and are now looking at selling similar stakes. Whether criticised or not, it would be quite the way to avoid any punishment.

Amid such problems, meanwhile, Champions League qualification may prove to be more important than ever if Villa want to ease their concerns and avoid having to sanction frustrating sales.

Aston Villa make contact to sign fast African attacker who loves an assist

He’s a youngster in demand.

ByCharlie Smith Apr 5, 2025

The Midlands club already sold Jhon Duran for big money during the January transfer window before welcoming Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford on loan, but should look to avoid a repeat of such a departure this summer.

Whether that’s in their hands remains to be seen, however. What hasn’t helped ease their concerns is David Ornstein’s recent report that Morgan Rogers is among those attracting big admirers ahead of the summer transfer window. It’s a narrative that Aston Villa must put to bed as soon as possible before turning their focus towards signing one particular star.

Aston Villa set sights on South American talent Rayan

Whilst Aston Villa must spend wisely if they are to spend this summer, one young forward slots into the category of players they should be able to afford in the coming months and one they should do everything to avoid missing out on. According to The Boot Room, Aston Villa have now joined the race to sign Rayan from Vasco da Gama.

The 18-year-old winger has attracted plenty of attention from interested parties in the Premier League, with Villa joined in line for his signature by Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Described as a “physical, bulldozing forward” by South American football expert Nathan Joyes, Rayan is still just 18 years old and a player who looks ready to complete his first move into European football.

Unai Emery rarely needs to convince players about his Aston Villa project these days, and Rayan should be no different. Like others before him, the forward would thrive under the Spaniard.

With promotion and League One title glory well within their grasp, Birmingham City have now reportedly turned their focus towards securing a bargain deal to sign a defensive addition this summer.

Birmingham strolling towards promotion

With games in hand on second place Wrexham, Birmingham sit clear at the top of League One and look unlikely to ease their hold on the top of the tree anytime soon. With just a handful of games left to play, the Blues are also on course to secure early promotion above third place Wycombe and could even seal their Championship spot as early as April 18 when they square off against the struggling Crawley Town.

Left delighted with his side’s most recent victory against Barnsley, watching on as they soared to a 6-2 win, manager Chris Davies told reporters: “It was a big three points. To score six goals at home and win 6-2 is a wonderful day for us.

“I thought were good throughout, we had to be patient when they went down to ten men but to score six in front of the home fans is brilliant. Against ten men, it’s a mental game. You can think it’s going to be easy, but it doesn’t work like that.

“To get a sucker punch after we score, with a long throw, that frustration can build so it was really important for me at half-time that I calmed the players down and made them see the game quite clearly and what we needed to do, the positions we needed to get into and how to attack them relentlessly. If we did that, we would score the goals to win the match and we did.”

That victory only strengthened their stride towards promotion and securing an early place should only benefit Birmingham as they go in pursuit of one particular summer bargain.

Birmingham plotting bargain Harry Darling deal

According ton Wales Online, Birmingham are now plotting a move to sign Harry Darling on a free deal once his current contract comes to an end at Swansea City this summer. The defender does reportedly have an offer on the table from the Championship side but is yet to put pen to paper on an extension – opening the door for his exit in the coming months.

That said, the Blues aren’t the only side reportedly interested, with Premier League hopefuls Sheffield United also linked to the Swansea contract rebel as the summer transfer window approaches.

The interest in the 25-year-old centre-back should come as no surprise either. Former Swansea manager Luke Williams is just one of few to praise Darling in recent months, telling reporters following a hard-fought draw against West Bromwich Albion in January: “Harry was outstanding, and it is impossible to question his commitment to the football club because that an heroic performance from him.

“He is fantastic at defending the goal, competing for everything with the opposition. But he also had plenty of brilliant actions in helping us to build-up to try and score. He was brilliant, he’s an excellent player.”

Everton and their hierarchy are now pushing to complete the signing of a £12 million attacker who has told his entourage to get the deal done, according to a recent report.

Everton chasing multiple signings to kick off summer business

The Toffees are one of several sides in the Premier League who have nothing to play for in the remaining games of the season, but will want to carry plenty of momentum into the new campaign. Club chiefs at Goodison Park however appear to be turning their attention towards the summer and the business they would like to conclude.

Moyes' biggest star since Rooney: Everton leading race to sign £38m star

Everton appear to be making moves to land a talented youngster ahead of this summer.

ByEthan Lamb Apr 24, 2025

Strengthening the options in defence seems to be a high priority for David Moyes, as they have already been linked with a shock move for Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah, who has now been backed to make the move to Everton by former scout Bryan King. The Toffees are also interested in signing David Hancko from Feyenoord, but it is not a cheap deal, as the Dutch side want to get around £34 million for his services.

It’s also been stated that Moyes is keen to strengthen his forward line, as goals have been somewhat of a problem, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin could leave for nothing come the end of the season. Brighton’s Evan Ferguson has been identified as their top target for a new centre-forward, as his future with the Seagulls is very much up in the air.

Everton are pushing to sign £12m winger Moses Simon

As well as looking at Ferguson, the Toffees are also looking at other attacking additions, and according to Africa Foot, relayed by Sport Witness, Everton have identified Moses Simon as a transfer target heading into the summer.

The report states that the Toffees are pushing to complete a deal for Simon after sending scouts to watch him live in action in Ligue 1 in the last few weeks. The Nantes winger is said to have left them impressed, and now the Premier League side are working on a deal, with Simon telling his agent to do whatever needs to be done to complete a move to Everton in the summer transfer window.

Interestingly, his agency CAA Base also represent one of Everton’s coaching staff, Dan Micciche, who is the Toffees’ Player Development Lead.

The French club do not want to sell Simon, despite his contract ending at the end of next season. However, their stance on selling the 29-year-old will change if they receive a bid worth €15 million, which is roughly £12.8 million. The Toffees meanwhile believe they could take advantage of Simon’s contract and bring him to England for less than the price Nantes want.

Apps

173

Goals

32

Assists

37

The Nigeria international has scored seven goals and recorded nine assists in 28 Ligue 1 games this season, which is his best return in his career. Everton may need to strengthen in the wide areas this summer, as there is uncertainty over the future of Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom, who are both on loan until the end of the campaign.

The Australia allrounder bowled a searing spell with the new ball to bag 7 for 22 in the third ODI on Sunday, helping bowl out England for 75

Annesha Ghosh08-Jul-2019Ellyse Perry’s 7 for 22 in the third women’s Ashes ODI in Canterbury – the best figures by an Australian woman in the format – really began to take shape in the series opener last Tuesday. Perry struck with her second ball, returning match figures of 3 for 43, and followed it up with 1 for 40 in the next game, setting herself up for the Sunday blockbuster in the third and final ODI of the multi-format Ashes.Ten overs, four of them maidens – there were 49 dot balls overall – from Perry proved too much for England, who rolled over for 75 in a chase of 270. Along the way, she bested current assistant coach and former Australia allrounder Shelley Nitschke’s 7 for 42, from August 2005. It was also the ground where, in the 2015 Ashes Test, Perry had bowled a match-winning spell of 6 for 32 on the fourth day to return match figures of 9 for 70.This one helped Australia get a 6-0 lead on the points table.”You can call me what you like, but I’m not sure that’s the case,” Perry laughed when asked, after the match, if she considered herself the best allrounder in the game. “I honestly think today just went my way, which is nice, but across the series there has been some great performances. For us to start [the Ashes] the way that we have, and be six points clear, is the absolute dream start so all of us are really chuffed and myself especially.”Consistently clocking upwards of 70mph through the three ODIs, capitalising on the movement on offer, and often punishing the largely inconsistent England top five, Perry chipped away at the opposition line-up with an unbroken seven-over opening spell that fetched her an ODI best of 5 for 18. The pick of that haul – Sarah Taylor’s wicket – came via an incisive outswinger that rose late after landing, leaving Taylor in two minds with her footwork and eliciting a feather.”Fortunately I’ve played here [at the St Lawrence Ground] before,” Perry said at the post-match presentation. “The slope works really well for us, so it was nice to attack the stumps and let it swing down the hill a bit.”Ellyse Perry holds the record for Australia’s highest women’s Test score•Getty ImagesBefore snaring her sixth and seventh wickets – Anya Shrubsole and Sophie Ecclestone respectively – in her second and final spell starting in the 19th over, Perry had Amy Jones spoon one to substitute Nicola Carey at mid-on for her first wicket. The dismissal meant Jones, featuring in the line-up as a specialist batsman and not designated wicketkeeper in the presence of Sarah Taylor, with ODI scores of 79, 54, 76, 91, 18 and 80 to her name since the Sri Lanka tour in March, fell to Perry for a third time in her opening over in as many games. Jones’ scores in the series now read: 0, 5 and 0.”I don’t really think about Amy, to be honest. It is more about having some really clear plans about the way that we want to start,” Perry said when asked about strategies for the England opener.Perry attributed her success with the new ball to the work she has been doing with Australia’s bowling coach Ben Sawyer, who joined the support staff in September last year, ahead of the home series against New Zealand, replacing Ashley Noffke. He is also the head coach at Sydney Sixers, the WBBL side that Perry plays for.”Ben Sawyer has been absolutely brilliant since he came in to work with the group,” Perry said. “I worked with him back home in Australia too – he is the head coach at the Sydney Sixers and I think that he has really helped develop a lot of our players.”Perry has shared pace-bowling duties with Megan Schutt and Delissa Kimmince so far this Ashes, and they have had their share of success with the new ball and in the middle overs.”It seems like there is a real clarity in the way that Shooter [Schutt] comes out and bowls, and myself and then if Nic [Carey] or DK [Kimmince] or Tayla [Vlaeminck] are playing, everyone just knows their roles and that has been really nice,” Perry said.Now if the allrounder carries the batting form she showed glimpses of in her 62 in the second ODI into the upcoming Test in Taunton, starting July 18, an encore of her record-breaking 213 not out – the highest Test score by an Australian woman – from the 2017 Ashes Test might well be on the cards.

He went past Sunil Gavaskar and MS Dhoni to take the record

Shiva Jayaraman26-Jan-2018Kohli scores tough runs
On a pitch that was extremely difficult to bat on for most of the day – and misbehaved enough to trigger an official discussion on whether it was safe enough to continue playing on – Virat Kohli made 41 runs from 79 deliveries to help India along to a total that gave them the chance to score an elusive away win and only their third Test win in South Africa. During the course of the innings he went past MS Dhoni and Sunil Gavaskar to become India’s highest scoring Test captain. He has made 3456 runs at 65.20 in Tests while leading India.Early in his innings, Kohli was hit on the thumb while playing forward to a ball that climbed off a length from Kagiso Rabada. However, that didn’t stop the India captain from getting on to the front during the course of the rest of his stay at the crease: off the rest of the 40 balls that were bowled at him on full or good lengths, Kohli played forward to at least 17 balls. Kohli made 27 runs off 47 balls off those lengths at a strike rate of 57.44. On a pitch that troubled the batsmen with unpredictable bounce off full and good lengths, Kohli batted well to return a control percentage of 72.34% off those lengths.Kohli’s tally of 95 runs in this Test took his aggregate for the series to 286 runs – the second-most scored by an India batsman in a series in South Africa. No India captain has made as many runs as Kohli has in this series. Before Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar’s 241 runs in three matches in 1996-97 were the highest by an India captain in a series in South Africa. Rahane makes it look easy
Sat out of the first two Tests of the series, Rahane came in to bat with India 93 runs ahead. He looked the most comfortable batsman on the third day, scoring rapidly off lengths that were troubling batsmen at the other end. Rahane faced 33 deliveries pitched on full and good lengths, and was in control of his shots a whopping 90.00% of the time – easily the best control shown by any of the India batsmen.

India batsmen off full and good lengths

Batsman	BF	Runs	Boundaries	Control %	SR
Ajinkya Rahane	40	31	5	90.00	77.50
Lokesh Rahul	33	16	2	81.81	48.48
Hardik Pandya	5	2	0	80.00	40.00
Murali Vijay	93	13	0	79.56	13.97
Bhuvneshwar Kumar	29	20	2	75.86	68.96
Virat Kohli	47	27	4	74.46	57.44
Cheteshwar Pujara	7	1	0	71.42	14.28
Parthiv Patel	12	12	2	58.33	100.00

The ball perhaps jagged around a little less as the overs progressed, but even while Kohli was fighting hard at the other end, Rahane looked in control playing off balls that were pitch on full and good lengths.

Kohli and Rahane off good and full lengths, 5th wicket stand

Batsman	BF	Runs	Boundaries	Control %	SR
Ajinkya Rahane	13	12	2	92.30	92.30
Virat Kohli	21	6	1	66.66	28.57

Bhuvneshwar contributes with the bat again
Bhuvneshwar Kumar added 33 runs to his crucial contribution of 30 runs in the first innings making him only the second India batsman in this match to get 30 or more runs in both innings. In a series in which batsmen have struggled to put together meaningful partnerships, his 55-run stand with Rahane in India’s second innings was the second time he added 50 or more runs with a partner in these Tests. Out of the six fifty-plus stands India have had in the series, only Kohli has been involved in more such stands. In fact, Bhuvneshwar has faced more balls per dismissal in this series than any other India batsman. In four innings that he has batted, Bhuvneshwar has faced 252 balls, getting dismissed three times.

Average balls per dismissal, India batsmen in the series

Batsman	Inns	Runs	Ave	Balls per dis
Bhuvneshwar Kumar	4	101	33.65	84.0
Virat Kohli	6	286	47.66	79.2
M Vijay	6	102	17.00	59.8
Cheteshwar Pujara	6	100	16.66	57.0
Ajinkya Rahane	2	57	28.50	47.5
Rohit Sharma	4	78	19.50	47.5
R Ashwin	4	90	22.50	36.0
Parthiv Patel	4	56	14.00	29.5
Hardik Pandya	6	119	19.82	28.8
KL Rahul	4	30	7.50	25.3
Shikhar Dhawan	2	32	16.00	16.5

Chelsea have been tipped to win the Club World Cup, with an ex-Blue claiming Cole Palmer can win Player of the Tournament.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Chelsea backed for Club World Cup
• Palmer tipped to star
• Talisman is "carrying" the Blues

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former Chelsea player Geremi believes his old club have a good shot at winning the trophy in USA this summer, with Palmer capable of "carrying" them to the title. The Blues talisman has taken the new No.10 shirt at the club and will wear it for the first time in this competition.

Advertisement

• WHAT GEREMI SAID

  Geremi was speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Club World Cup odds, and said: "Cole Palmer will have every intention of winning the tournament with Chelsea – and that might carry him to be the player of the tournament. He won’t be worried about individual awards going into it, but the chances are if Chelsea do lift the trophy then he will be the most influential player. He is a phenomenal player and he will want to show that to the world, there will be a lot of eyes on this tournament and it gives him a great platform to show what he can do."

  Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream now

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Palmer has scored 40 goals and assisted 27 in 91 matches since signing for Chelsea in 2023, becoming one of the stars of the Premier League. He recently inspired Enzo Maresca's side to victory in the Conference League final against Real Betis.

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  Chelsea open their Club World Cup campaign against Leon on Monday, before taking on Flamengo and ES Tunis in the group stage.

India are still on top in ODIs and T20Is, even as Scotland have overtaken Zimbabwe to be 12th in T20Is

ESPNcricinfo staff03-May-2024Australia have replaced India as the No. 1 Test team in the ICC men’s rankings after the annual update. India, though, have retained the top spot in the ODI and T20I rankings.In this cycle, the matches played only after May 2021 are taken into consideration for the ranking, which means India’s 2-1 series win in Australia in December 2020-January 2021 has dropped out. All results between May 2021 and May 2023 are weighted at 50%, while the ones in the following 12 months are weighted at 100%.As a result, Australia, who also won the World Test Championship last year, now have 124 rating points, four clear of second-placed India (118), and 19 ahead of third-placed England (105). Both India and Australia are next in action in the format only in November, when they face each other in Perth.

Full rankings tables

• Click here for the full team rankings

• Click here for the full player rankings

The positions of all other Test teams remain unchanged.In the ODI rankings, India (122) have extended their lead over Australia (116) to six rating points. South Africa are at third spot, and are only four points behind Australia. Pakistan (106) and New Zealand (101) round out the top five.While India are still No. 1 in T20Is with 264 points, their lead over Australia (257) has reduced from 11 to seven points.The biggest beneficiaries were South Africa, who rose two spots from sixth to fourth, and are only two points behind third-placed England (252).Meanwhile, Pakistan have dropped two places to seventh, and Scotland have overtaken Zimbabwe to be 12th.

Former Arsenal captain William Gallas has slammed the club's decision to sign goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Arsenal to sign KepaDeal slammed by former captain GallasBranded as a 'strange signing'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Spaniard is set to become the Gunners' first summer signing, joining from Chelsea as David Raya's number two. Former skipper Gallas is not impressed by the move, claiming it is "strange".

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT GALLAS SAID

Speaking to Prime Casino, who offer the latest online slots, Gallas said: "I think Kepa to Arsenal would be a strange signing. The second-choice goalkeeper should be a young player who is learning that can take over from David Raya in a few years time, I’m not sure why you’d bring in someone who is older than him with no eye to the future. Arsenal should be looking for someone in their early 20s who can learn and grow, playing in the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. Kepa isn't that player."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Kepa spent last season on loan at Bournemouth from the Blues, conceding 39 goals in 29 matches. He is unlikely to play as much football this season, though, with Raya set to remain Mikel Arteta's first choice.

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

Kepa is highly unlikely to be Arsenal's only recruit of the summer, with a striker a big priority for the north Londoners. Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are the two main targets, but their pursuit of the pair was this week described as a "mess" by insiders.

Dushmantha Chameera will miss Sri Lanka’s second ODI against Afghanistan, with Asitha Fernando drafted into the squad as his replacement.Chameera had limped off midway through his eighth over during Sri Lanka’s 42-run victory in the first ODI. He had picked up two wickets at the time but could not continue after that. It has now been confirmed that he injured his left quadriceps.It is understood the injury is not related to any of his previous injuries; last year he had missed a chunk of Sri Lanka’s games with a torn pectoral muscle, and prior to that he had undergone surgery for an ankle injury.The extent of the current injury is unknown. The 32-year-old fast bowler underwent a scan following Friday’s game, the results of which have been sent to a specialist in the UK for consultation.”He’s feeling better now, but we won’t know for sure the exact nature of his injury until we hear back from the specialist,” Sri Lanka’s team manager Mahinda Halangoda told ESPNcricinfo.Fernando, his replacement in the squad, last played an ODI in November 2022, also against Afghanistan. He has played five ODIs in all, picking up the solitary wicket.However, he has impressed in Tests, most recently against Afghanistan when he picked up six wickets in the match to help Sri Lanka on their way to victory.

Club pays tribute to popularity and “infectious spirit” of young left-arm spinner

ESPNcricinfo staff02-May-2024

Worcestershire spinner Josh Baker has died at the age of 20•Getty Images

English cricket has been left stunned by the news of the death of Josh Baker, the Worcestershire left-arm spinner, at the age of 20.In a club statement, Worcestershire declined to comment on the nature of Baker’s death and asked for “the respect of privacy” on behalf of his family. Ashley Giles, their chief executive, said that the club were “all devastated” by his passing.”The news of Josh’s passing has left us all devastated,” Giles said. “Josh was much more than a team-mate; he was an integral part of our cricket family. We will all miss him terribly. All our love and prayers go out to Josh’s family and friends.”Baker, who signed his first contract with the club at the age of 17 in 2021, claimed 43 wickets in 22 first-class matches, and a further 27 in 25 white-ball appearances.He was also a burgeoning allrounder, as demonstrated by two half-centuries including a career-best 75 against Gloucestershire in July 2023. Later that same season, while batting against Yorkshire at Headingley in Worcestershire’s final match, he scored the all-important run that secured a second batting point and therefore the club’s promotion to the top flight, prompting celebrations on the visitors’ balcony.Born in Redditch and educated at Malvern College, Baker came through the age-group levels at New Road, and also played for England at under-19 level. Last season, he signed a new three-year deal, and had spent the winter just gone in Sydney, playing grade cricket for Northern District CC in the New South Wales Premier League.Only on Wednesday, he had taken 3 for 66 in the first innings of Worcestershire’s four-day 2nd XI Championship match against Somerset at Bromsgrove School. The match was called off early on the final day.Worcestershire are not due to play in the round of County Championship fixtures starting on Friday, and do not play again until May 10 when they face Kent. The five scheduled Championship matches this weekend are expected to go ahead, with players wearing black armbands to pay him tribute.Baker’s most notable moment came against Durham at New Road in May 2022, when – as an 18-year-old in his ninth first-class match – he came up against Ben Stokes, newly unveiled as England captain, and in a mood to produce a statement innings.Baker was duly struck for 34 in an over – five sixes and a one-bounce four – but after finishing on 161 from 88 balls, Stokes sought Baker out on WhatsApp, sending a message imploring him not to “let today define the rest of your season”.”You’ve got serious potential and [I] think you’ll go a long way,” Stokes added. “Most important opinion is from the lads in your changing-room and they will always have your back. This coming from someone who got meeeeeeeelted in a T20 World Cup final.”Baker walks out to field at Trent Bridge•Getty Images

A statement from Worcestershire recalled Baker’s popularity within the squad. “More than his skills as a spin bowler, it was his vibrant spirit and infectious enthusiasm that endeared him to everyone he met. His warmth, kindness, and professionalism were remarkable, making him a true credit to his family and a loved member of our team.”During this profoundly difficult time, the club is dedicated to supporting Josh’s family, friends, and colleagues. We are united in our grief and committed to honouring his memory in a manner befitting the remarkable person he was.”Plans to pay tribute to Josh will be made in consultation with his family and will remain private at this time. The club, along with Josh’s family, requests the respect of privacy as we mourn this immense loss. No further comments will be provided during this sensitive period.”The ECB said it was “desperately sad to learn” of Baker’s passing, adding: “This is devastating news. We extend our best wishes to Josh’s family and friends, to everyone who knew and loved him, and to everyone at Worcestershire CCC.”Rob Key, the ECB’s managing director of men’s cricket, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “This is absolutely heartbreaking. My thoughts go out to all of Josh’s family.”Rob Lynch, the chief executive of the Professional Cricketers’ Association, said: “Everybody at the PCA is heartbroken to hear of Josh’s passing and we offer our sincere condolences to all his family, friends and teammates.”Josh was a cricketer with his full career and life ahead of him and this news is impossible to comprehend. The PCA and the Professional Cricketers’ Trust are working to support Josh’s family, his teammates and all PCA members who are affected. Rest in peace, Josh.”