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The summer is looking up for Somerset’s young captain Tom Abell as his side hint at a September revival

Jon Culley at Edgbaston08-Sep-20171:35

Highlights from the final day of the Specsavers Championship

Somerset 282 (Abell 82; Singh 5-72) and 265 for 4 dec (Trescothick 119*, Hildreth 68, Abell 51) beat Warwickshire 146 (Barker 52; Leach 5-50, Overton 4-33) and 232 (Trott 74, Groenewald 5-58) by 169 runs. In the end, after a morning of frustration followed by a good many anxious skywards glances as a convoy of dark clouds loomed one after another over the roof of the pavilion, Somerset needed 85 uninterrupted minutes to finish the job and claim the win that had looked theirs for the taking ever since they won the toss, at once keeping their own survival prospects intact and killing off Warwickshire’s, in realistic terms if not mathematically.Dom Bess, whose penultimate over on Thursday evening had claimed the wickets of Jonathan Trott and Keith Barker to push Warwickshire to the brink, wrapped up what is only a second win of the season for last year’s runners-up by bowling the rookie spinner Sunny Singh just as the ground staff were preparing to power up the hover cover. In the celebrations that followed, the relief was palpable.”In the context of the season it is a huge win for us and we’re absolutely delighted,” their young captain, Tom Abell, said. “We asked for the effort and the character to come to the fore and we certainly saw that.”From the great start we were given by Tres (Marcus Trescothick) and Eddie Byrom on the first morning we performed well in all disciplines throughout the game. As a batting unit we established those partnerships we have been striving for all season and with the ball we were very patient. There was a bit in the wicket for all concerned and when we created chances we took them.”It still might not be enough, of course, to keep Somerset out of Division Two themselves next year. They remain second bottom, 30 points clear of their beaten opponents here but with still work to do if they are to catch Yorkshire or Middlesex and only three matches remaining. In their favour, though, two of them are at home, where Bess and Jack Leach, the most successful spin combination in Division One this year, can expect every bit of assistance possible from the wicket.”Yes, we still have a lot of work to do,” Abell added. “It is a boost to our confidence to get this win and play so well but we are still down there at the foot of the table and we have a massive three games ahead of us. We will be trying to win all three and if we could get two wins, that would be great. It is a very strong division with strong teams but we think we have enough in our dressing room to do it.”It has been the collective failure of the batsmen that has been Somerset’s downfall this year, putting them in a predicament few could have foreseen when they went so close to winning the Championship 12 months ago. No one has felt the weight of responsibility more than Abell himself, who had been so out of touch with the bat recently he had no sensible option other than to give up his own place in the side – winning it back, with some irony, only after the controversial move to Warwickshire of Adam Hose created a vacancy.Is the season turning for Somerset skipper Tom Abell?•Getty ImagesAbell paid generous compliments to Trescothick, his second-innings centurion, James Hildreth, with whom the veteran opener shared the key partnership of the match to take the game out of Warwickshire’s reach, and to the 20-year-old opener Byrom, who played nicely in both innings. Yet his own contributions – a half-century in each innings on a difficult, turning track – were equally significant.”It has been difficult,” he said. “I went through a patch where I didn’t know where my next run was coming from and that spell in the Seconds trying to find some form did me the world of good.”Now I’m starting to find some enjoyment batting again and the confidence in my game that I had lost.”The key to winning here was that every passage of play saw one Somerset player or another produce a performance at a key moment, ensuring that Warwickshire were never on top, even briefly. After the combination of Leach’s left-arm spin and Craig Overton’s pace had bowled out Somerset for 146 in the first innings, it was the off-spinner Bess and the big-hearted Tim Groenewald who landed the blows second time around.Once the final exchanges began after a two-hour delay, Overton claimed his fifth victim of the match as Tim Ambrose was leg before and then Groenewald, with new ball in hand, bowled Chris Wright and saw Jeetan Patel brilliant caught by Bess at point to complete a deserved five-wicket haul, his first of the season.There seems no escape now for Warwickshire, whose relegation may well be confirmed next week, on live television, when the Sky cameras turn up in the hope of seeing Essex, the champions-elect, strut their stuff.It was a long time after the finish before anyone emerged from the home dressing room, where one can only assume that the atmosphere match the colour of the sky. The bowling coach, Alan Richardson, was ultimately designated to offer words of explanation for a performance that lacked conviction at the moment it was most needed.”It was highly disappointing,” Richardson said. “We had four massive games, starting with one against the team immediately above us, and to not really show up is hugely disappointing.”

Celtic are linked to 21-year-old Fabian Rieder, a player with "twinkle toes" and "unbelievable technical ability" who has also caught the attention of several Bundesliga clubs, claims transfer insider Dean Jones.

Is Fabian Rieder joining Celtic?

It has been a mixed start to the summer transfer window for Celtic this year, with important players and fan favourites Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda signing new contract extensions, while the equally, if not more critical, Jota left Celtic Park to join the burgeoning Saudi Pro League.

The one positive from the Portuguese wingers' move away from Glasgow is that the Hoops now have an extra £25m to play with on top of the £30m that Brenden Rodgers was said to already have this summer.

With these new riches, the club have been heavily linked to exciting Swiss youngster Rieder, who has just helped Swiss Super League outfit Young Boys win their domestic title.

The 21-year-old has been attracting the attention of several Bundesliga sides, with Wolfsburg, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Borussia Monchengladbach being very interested in acquiring his services, per the Daily Record.

The same publication notes that Rodgers is an 'admirer' of the Koppigen-born dynamo and that, with a reported price tag of just £13m, the Glaswegian giants could undoubtedly afford to go after the player Scottish player turned pundit Stephen McGinn called a "next level signing" on the Go Radio Football Show (via football.Scotland).

What has Dean Jones said about Celtic and Fabian Rieder?

Jones was very enthusiastic about the prospect of this signing, explaining that the young Swiss midfielder would be the perfect man to replace the excitement lost with the departure of Jota.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: "They are being linked with Fabian Rieder, and this is exactly the sort of talent Celtic should be looking to get in. He's got unbelievable technical ability and twinkle toes that allow a level of creativity that would set him apart in Scotland, but also at times in the Champions League.

"He's only 21, but he already has a bit of Champions League experience, and if Celtic can get this one going, it truly could be very exciting. After losing Jota, the club needs someone to land for next season that brings a thrill and has people believing that this team won't let such a major exit impact them going forward.

"There are other teams interested here. I was told a couple of Bundesliga sides have been tracking him for a while, and one of them seems to be Dortmund, so we'll have to see what happens. But if you are a Celtic fan and watch even 30 seconds of his highlights reel, you'll want him signed up."

Is Fabian Rieder good?

There is a lot of hype and excitement surrounding Rieder at the moment, and it looks to be entirely warranted.

He had a brilliant year in his domestic league last season, making 30 appearances, scoring seven goals and creating four assists, with Sofascore giving him a season rating of 7.08.

His other statistics were also quite impressive, as according to Sofascore, he completed 0.8 dribbles, 2.2 tackles, 1.8 key passes, kept a pass accuracy of 79% and won possession 1.1 times, all per 90.

Outside of the tangible, measurable statistics, the exciting prospect was also hailed for his "exemplary determination" and "cleverness" by football scout Jacek Kulig.

If the Hoops can get this deal over the line, Celtic Park might soon forget about Jota altogether as a new era of exciting, fluid football comes to the Green side of Glasgow.

There has been an update regarding Manchester United's pursuit of Southampton starlet, Romeo Lavia, with the Red Devils still seemingly keen to strengthen their midfield ranks despite securing the signing of Mason Mount.

What are the latest Man United transfer rumours?

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, the Old Trafford outfit are among a raft of Premier League clubs who are interested in signing the 19-year-old this summer, with the one-cap Belgium international said to be valued at around £50m by the Championship side.

Writing on Twitter regarding that interest, the transfer insider stated: "Romeo Lavia is emerging as one of this summer's most in-demand players. Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have all held talks, whilst former club Man City, Man Utd and Newcastle are being kept informed. Southampton want £50m… "

In his attached piece for 90min, Bailey goes onto add that none of those suitors are believed to be willing to meet the Saints' asking price at present, with some form of compromise needing to be met as the 5 foot 11 teenager is seemingly not keen to ply his trade in the second tier next season.

How good is Romeo Lavia?

Despite having just a year of senior football under his belt, the former Manchester City gem has warranted such hefty interest amid what was a breakout 2022/23 campaign at the St Mary's Stadium, with the youngster quickly proving himself something of a "monster" in the centre of the park, according to journalist Benjy Nurick.

While Erik ten Hag has already bolstered his midfield department with the signing of Mount, there are reports that the Dutchman would ideally like to bring in another body following the Englishman's arrival, particularly with both Scott McTominay and Fred potentially up for grabs.

Amid that desire for a new midfielder, there has been much speculation that the former Ajax boss is keen on a reunion with Moroccan midfielder, Sofyan Amrabat, having previously coached the 26-year-old at Eredivisie side FC Utrecht.

The Netherlands-born maestro would reportedly cost in the region of just €30m (£26m) due to his expiring contract with current side, Fiorentina, albeit with rumours abound that the 6 foot 1 ace would prefer a move to Spain – amid interest from Barcelona.

As such, the signing of Lavia – who already boasts Premier League experience – could represent a dream alternative as far as Ten Hag is concerned, with the Saints star also a figure who the 53-year-old can build his side around for the next decade or so, due to his youth.

While a major benefit of Amrabat's capture would be his ability to dictate proceedings and offer a composed presence in front of the back four – as he ranks in the top 5% among his European peers for pass completion at an average of 88.8% – Lavia can also act as that midfield metronome, as he has averaged 86.2% in that regard over the last 365 days.

In a defensive sense, it is the latter man who comes out on top, however, with the Belgian ace having averaged 3.2 interceptions and tackles per game in the Premier League last term, while Amrabat averaged just two tackles and interceptions per game in Serie A.

As a point of reference, United's Brazilian monster Casemiro averaged 4.4 in that regard in 2022/23, ensuring that it is Lavia who could prove to be a more natural successor to the 31-year-old as that ball-winning asset at the base of the midfield.

While, of course, the aforementioned £50m price tag could prove a sticking point, if the Red Devils are to strike a deal for the Brussels-born machine it would no doubt be a very wise investment.

Gotham FC standout Imani Dorsey explains why she stepped back during the 2023 campaign, highlighting a mental health battle.

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Dorsey explains 2023 campaign absence from Gotham FCSays it was due to mental health battleNWSL CBA allowed her to be successful during absenceWHAT HAPPENED?

The 2018 NWSL Rookie of the Year – and one-time USWNT capped player – watched Gotham FC lift the 2023 NWSL championship trophy from the bench last weekend, just as she did all campaign. However, it was her choice, with the support of the club, staff and her teammates.

Dorsey shared via Instagram that during 2023 she stepped back from the game this past Spring due to a mental health battle. Her absence was also supported by the NWSL's collective bargaining agreement that was ratified in 2022; the agreement provides players with up to six months of paid leave to support their mental health.

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The 2022 NWSL CBA was ground-breaking for the league and the respective players who compete in it. For someone like Dorsey, who was in need of mental health support, she was able to rely on both the league and her team over the course of the campaign.

Over the course of the year, her social media post highlights different things she was able to do as a result of her break, describing it as 'unforgettable memories' and as a result of her choice, she walks away a 'CHAMPION.'

WHAT DORSEY SAID:

Her Instagram post reads in full: "My year looked a little different than my teammates. Back in April with the help of my family I made the really hard decision to step back from soccer to focus on my mental health. While I didn’t know where this journey would take me, the time I got to spend with friends and family, exploring aspects of myself I typically had little time or capacity to enjoy, helped me better understand who I am, what I love and what makes me, me – without soccer.

"When I took a step back in April I didn’t know if I would return, but I am grateful to say my time away helped me rediscover what I love about this sport – competing, being active, and being a part of a team – and am now so excited to continue playing. As grateful as I have always been to play as a pro, it often felt like a burden rather than the privilege and opportunity it most definitely is. I may not have known where I would be come November initially, but I am so happy to see where I have ended up – and how far I have come. I am so grateful to our CBA and all the work put in by players and our PA to advocate for mental health.

"Thank you to Gotham for supporting me every step of the way and welcoming me back with open arms. And thank you to my family, friends, and everyone who has shown me love and support this year – it is really hard to be vulnerable and with your help I was able to take care of myself in a way I didn’t know I needed.

"To everyone who is struggling, who doesn’t see an end in sight and doesn’t know what to do – know that it is ok to put yourself first. Lean on the people around you and confide in those you trust. Without my family and my faith, I don’t know where I’d be right now. It is really hard to do, but sometimes it’s ok and it’s the right choice to take a step back. It gave me the perspective and energy and confidence I needed. I would never trade this journey or my decision.

"Because of it, I walk away from this year a CHAMPION, incredibly proud of who I have become along the way, all the unforgettable memories I have made, and excited for what my future holds."

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WHAT NEXT FOR DORSEY AND GOTHAM?

The 27-year-old will now look to prepare for the 2024 campaign with the Bats, where she will hopefully make a return to the pitch. Coming off of their first-ever NWSL Championship, Gotham has high hopes for 2024 and now, they have the biggest offseason the in the history of their organization.

Pep Guardiola's side limped out of the competition after dominating possession but doing little with it before being overpowered in the second half

Kalvin Phillips was given a golden opportunity to play his way back into Pep Guardiola's thoughts when Rodri got sent off against Nottingham Forest, but he did not make use of his first chance as Manchester City were outthought and outfought by Newcastle and sent crashing out of the Carabao Cup with a 1-0 defeat.

Phillips summed up City's first-half display, playing lots of nice passes and keeping control but without taking any risks or trying to genuinely put Eddie Howe's side under pressure. Newcastle finally came out of the blocks after the break and played with intensity and bravery and City, especially Phillips, had little response.

It was the first time Guardiola's side have lost a match in 90 minutes since May and arguably the first match that mattered since they were beaten by Tottenham in February. All good runs must come to an end at some point, however, and now City must make their peace with the fact that there is at least one competition they won't be winning this season.

GOAL rates Man City's players from St James' Park…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Stefan Ortega (6/10):

Excellent on the ball, calmly passing out despite opponents breathing down his neck. Made the save of the first half to deny Murphy, could do little about Isak's goal.

Rico Lewis (5/10):

Culpable for the goal, not checking his surroundings when deciding to let Joelinton's cross go. Calm in possession in the first half but overpowered in the second. Came close to a late leveller with shot that just went wide.

Manuel Akanji (5/10):

Looked shaken just after Newcastle took the lead. Solid before then, and picked up the armband from Ake late on.

Josko Gvardiol (4/10):

Made a few sloppy passes, one which gifted Murphy his first-half chance, and didn't command the area well for the goal.

Nathan Ake (5/10):

Too passive in the second half.

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Mateo Kovacic (5/10):

Helped control the first half but rarely looked like making anything happen.

Kalvin Phillips (4/10):

Did not take the chance afforded to him by Rodri's suspension. His passing was imprecise and could not fight back Newcastle's waves of pressure after the break.

Sergio Gomez (5/10):

Too ponderous in possession and hardly got forward into good positions.

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Oscar Bobb (7/10):

An excellent full debut. Worked so hard off the ball and looked like one of few City players capable of doing something useful with it.

Julian Alvarez (5/10):

Not his day. Spurned City's best chance of the first half and barely threatened after that.

Jack Grealish (5/10):

His first start for a month and he looked rusty and uninspired. A shot down Pope's throat was his only attacking contribution.

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Jeremy Doku (6/10):

Didn't manage to make much use of his twisting runs and speedy dribbling.

Matheus Nunes (5/10):

Got pushed around when he came on.

Phil Foden (6/10):

Gave City more purpose when he came on but couldn't really help them.

Pep Guardiola (5/10):

Set a bad tone by complaining about City's travel options before the game. Still picked a strong team but didn't go all out to get back into the game, leaving Haaland and Walker on the bench.

Half-century stands for the first two wickets, Naman Ojha leading them both, helped Madhya Pradesh hold off Railways for a last-over victory at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.MP’s chase of 156 began with a 61-run opening stand between Ojha and and 22-year-old debutant MS Raghav (32 off 16, with seven fours). Ojha then put on 50 for the second wicket with Harpreet Singh (26) and it seemed like MP would cruise. Railways, however, hit back with four wickets for 24 runs, including Ojha’s for 54, to set up a tense finale. It took a timely cameo from Sohraab Dhaliwal at No. 7 (16* off 9) to take MP over the line with one ball and five wickets to spare.That left Mahesh Rawat on the losing side after he had cracked a 38-ball 63 with nine fours and a six. His innings was built on the foundation provided by a 53-run stand for the second wicket between Ashish Singh (32 off 23) and Faiz Ahmed (40 off 42). Despite their batting order banding together, though, Railways couldn’t put up a strong enough score.File photo – Sarfaraz Khan hit an unbeaten 31-ball 52 as UP defeated Chhattisgarh by eight wickets•BCCI

Chattisgarh made a bright start to their first T20 match, with a century stand for the second wicket, but it did not suffice as they ended up losing to Uttar Pradesh. After electing to bat, Chhattisgarh captain Mohammad Kaif was dismissed for a second-ball duck. Abhimanyu Chauhan (56 off 54) and Amandeep Khare (72 off 50) then put on 113 for the second wicket to lift them to 157 for 5. Medium-pacer Amit Mishra took 2 for 27 for UP. In their chase, UP got off to a solid start and were 70 for 2 in the tenth over when Sarfaraz Khan (52* off 31) joined Akshdeep Nath (58* off 45) to put on an unbroken 92 off 59 balls that took UP to an eight-wicket win.

A Chelsea fan has serenaded American owner Todd Boehly having been left excited by the recent managerial appointment of Mauricio Pochettino.

What’s the latest on Todd Boehly and Chelsea?

Back in May 2021, the 49-year-old billionaire led a consortium which completed a £4.25bn takeover of the Blues, ending Roman Abramovich’s 19-year ownership of the club.

While some may have expected a period of calmness to follow under the new ownership as they adapted to life owning a Premier League club, quite the opposite has happened.

Indeed, from that moment up until the end of the most recent January transfer window, Chelsea have spent a reported £556m on transfer under Boehly and more will no doubt be spent in the coming weeks and months.

What’s more, Thomas Tuchel was fired, as was his replacement Graham Potter, while Frank Lampard was questionably reappointed in a disastrous spell as interim boss – and now Pochettino has been handed the reins.

The Argentinian has a big job on his hands as he looks to steady the ship that sunk all the way down to 12th in the Premier League last season.

At least, though, it seems some supporters are more than excited for the new era and have high hopes for what Pochettino can achieve at Stamford Bridge.

In footage circulated on Twitter, a fan in Riyadh – the capital of Saudi Arabia – sang to Boehly and then told the American that Chelsea will win the league with their new head coach.

What is the Benoit Badiashile song at Chelsea?

Despite all the chaos and disappointment that has swept over Stamford Bridge since the 49-year-old arrived, this fan was delighted to meet the club’s owner.

He even sang a terrace song: “Todd Boehly went to France in a Lamborghini, brought us back a centre-back, Benoit Badiashile!”

The supporter then said: “I promise you Todd, that we’re going to get the league with Mauricio Pochettino,” to which Boehly replied: “Yes, Pochettino is going to be great.”

All in all, it seems as though there certainly are high expectations for Pochettino to bring back the glory days to Chelsea. Only time will tell whether the Argentinian will deliver, or end up suffering the same fate as Tuchel and Potter.

Cricket South Africa’s chief executive, Haroon Lorgat, has called on the ICC to clarify the laws around polishing the ball in the wake of the Faf du Plessis case

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Nov-20162:51

Moonda: ‘Relief for South Africa’

Cricket South Africa chief executive Haroon Lorgat has called on the ICC to clarify the rules around polishing the ball, particularly with regard to what constitutes an “artificial substance”, after South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis was found guilty of ball tampering.A decision has not yet been made on whether du Plessis will appeal the verdict, which resulted in him being fined his entire match fee from the Hobart Test but cleared to play in Adelaide this week. During the Hobart Test, du Plessis shined the ball with saliva while he had a confectionery item in his mouth, which the ICC determined was in contravention of Law 42, which allows players to polish the ball provided no artificial substance is used.”At this stage we’ve advised Faf to reserve his position with regard to the match referee’s finding and wait for the full reasons of his decision before deciding his next step,” Lorgat said in Adelaide on Wednesday. “Very understable, Faf is obviously disappointed by the decision and I can fully understand.”In fairness to both him and the ICC, this is an unprecedented case involving unique issues of policy, science and performance that need to be carefully considered at the highest levels of the game. There are also issues relating to fair and just process, interpretation of the rules, and importantly, the consistent application of the Code of Conduct that needs to be considered.”CSA believes that the Laws of the game do not currently define the term ‘artificial substance’, leaving room for inconsistent application of the rules. For instance, the Laws currently prevent the use of ‘artificial substances’ to polish the ball, yet artificial cotton fibres from playing kit can be used to shine the ball.”Players also regularly chew gum when applying saliva to the ball, or ingest sugary drinks and sweets during short breaks in play before shining the ball. No action is taken in such circumstances by the umpires.””Test match cricket is a competitive sport at the highest level and players and fans deserve certainty around these issues. Integrity and consistent application of the rules are important for everyone. We’ll consult with our legal teams. We want to engage with the ICC in a constructive matter, and we want to deal with this properly.”The Code of Conduct charge was laid by ICC chief executive David Richardson, who is also a qualified lawyer. On Wednesday, Richardson said on Australian television that the ICC “drew the line” because du Plessis’ actions were “pretty obvious”.”Probably in this case in particular, we drew the line,” Richardson told the Nine Network. “We said, ‘we need to charge’ because in our eyes anyway it was pretty obvious that he was using the residue from the sweet directly on the ball.”I think the bottom line is if you want to change the condition of the ball by polishing it, in other words improving it, keeping it, retaining its condition, do so, but don’t use any artificial substance.”

Tottenham Hotspur are currently gearing up for what could potentially be a crucial encounter in their bid for Champions League qualification, with the Lilywhites set to take on top-four rivals Newcastle United later today.

That mouthwatering meeting at St James' Park comes with just three points separating the north London outfit from the Magpies in the third, albeit with the hosts also having the advantage of a game in hand.

While a defeat would not end Tottenham's hopes of finishing in those coveted and lucrative positions, it would certainly be a real setback for Cristian Stellini and co if they were to walk away from Tyneside empty-handed.

Ahead of this afternoon's crunch clash, the interim Italian may have a handful of selection decisions to make following the defeat at home to relegation strugglers Bournemouth last time out, with Spurs unable to afford a repeat showing this time around.

One man who could make way following that last-gasp loss to the Cherries is academy graduate, Oliver Skipp, with the 22-year-old having been 'outmuscled' in the midfield battle last weekend, as per 90min's Sean Walsh.

The young Englishman was rather ineffective in his 77-minute outing as he made just 36 touches and won just two of his seven total duels, with it perhaps time that Stellini hands a rare opportunity to Pape Matar Sarr in his place.

Will Sarr start against Newcastle?

The Senegalese international has endured a frustrating time of it at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to date, having been restricted to just 11 first-team appearances across all fronts so far this season.

Having been signed from Ligue 1 side Metz on a £14.5m deal in 2021 – before returning to France on loan for the following campaign – the 20-year-old has largely been on the periphery since coming back to his parent club in the summer.

When the youngster has featured, however, he has clearly caught the eye having been hailed as a player who "can do everything" by Stellini earlier in the campaign, while also being praised as a "top player" by former boss, Antonio Conte.

The 6 foot 1 gem was particularly impressive during the Champions League defeat to AC Milan back in February, having produced a 'standout display' in that 1-0, first-leg loss, as per the Evening Standard's Dan Kilpatrick, due to his 'composure and crisp passes'.

Even despite the loss of Rodrigo Bentancur to a season-ending injury, however, Sarr has still been unable to dislodge the starting pair of Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, with both Stellini and Conte showing a real reluctance to rotate in the centre of the park.

While it would be a bold move to thrust the 14-cap starlet back into the fold for such a high-profile fixture, the midfield maestro's previous display at San Siro should showcase that he would not be overawed by the big occasion.

Arsenal have been given a boost in the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt's Djibril Sow, as the midfielder is now believed to be keen on a move, according to a report from Sport1.

Which midfielders could Arsenal sign this summer?

The Gunners have their eye on a number of midfielders ahead of the summer transfer window, with it recently being reported they have opened talks with Leicester City's Youri Tielemans, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

The Belgian is one potential option, however Mikel Arteta may also consider a swoop for Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo, as it has now been reported a summer deal is still possible, at which point the Seagulls would accept a £70m offer.

Of course, West Ham United's Declan Rice remains a key target, and it has been detailed that Arsenal are now willing to pay the "jaw-dropping" price tag of at least £100m, as Arteta is personally a huge admirer of the Englishman.

However, the Gunners have also identified a cheaper player to bolster their options in the engine room this summer, as Sport1 report Sow will now be available for the knock-down price of €15m (£13m), having previously been valued at €35m (£31m)

The price tag has fallen as the 26-year-old's contract is set to expire in the summer of 2024, meaning the upcoming window is the last opportunity Frankfurt will have to receive a fee for the central midfielder.

The Bundesliga club will not prevent the Switzerland international from leaving this summer, and moving to the Emirates Stadium would apparently be "exactly the next step he wants to take."

Should Arsenal sign Djibril Sow?

Given that Caicedo is valued at £70m, and Rice could cost more than £100m, the Zurich-born maestro could be a decent alternative option, should the Gunners be priced out of competing for their main targets.

Journalist Sam Smith has hailed the former Borussia Monchengladbach man as "progressive on the ball and combative", indicating he would have a lot to offer Arsenal in both an attacking and defensive sense.

That said, the Frankfurt ace ranks lower than Rice for interceptions, tackles and pass-completion rate per 90 over the past year, while he also has no experience playing in the Premier League.

As such, Sow should only be targeted if the Gunners miss out on their main midfield targets this summer.