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Southampton’s reported hopes of signing Arnaut Danjuma this summer are over after the Dutch winger completed a move to Villarreal earlier this week.

What’s the word?

Southampton were heavily linked with the 24-year-old earlier in the transfer window, with the impressive winger perhaps always likely to earn a move away from Bournemouth after a superb campaign in the Championship.

A move to St Mary’s certainly would have made geographical sense for Danjuma, although the finances involved were perhaps a sticking point for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, as the Cherries were eventually able to sell him for £21.3m to Europa League holders Villarreal earlier this week.

However, the Saints have plenty of funds in the bank following the sales of Danny Ings, Jannik Vestergaard and Mario Lemina, and whilst a winger was never likely to be a priority for Hasenhuttl, Danjuma could have been an upgrade on the Austrian’s current options out wide.

Would Danjuma have been a good signing for Southampton?

Based on his performances in 2020/21, Danjuma could have been a superb addition at St Mary’s this summer, as goals from out wide were hard to come by for the Saints last season. The former Club Brugge man contributed a superb 17 goals and seven assists in 35 appearances in the second tier, averaging an impressive 7.21 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

At Southampton, on the other hand, Stuart Armstrong, Moussa Djenepo, Theo Walcott and Nathan Redmond managed just 10 top-flight goals between them, with Hasenhuttl’s side very reliant on the likes of Ings, Che Adams and James Ward-Prowse to find the net.

Clinton Morrison was full of praise for Danjuma last season, saying: “Danjuma is an excellent player, whatever happens, he will be playing Premier League football next year, whether it’s with Bournemouth or without them, he’s an exceptional talent.”

Unfortunately, it seems as if Southampton were unwilling to match Bournemouth’s asking price for the 24-year-old, which will surely frustrate their fans as you could definitely argue that the Saints need to strengthen their options out wide if they are to progress as a Premier League club.

In other news… Semmens heading for Saints disaster with £10m Premier League dud

James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, has maintained a commitment to manage the workload of the international players

Cricinfo staff11-Dec-2008
James Sutherland: “The last thing we want is for players to be carrying injuries or fatigue” © Getty Images
James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, has maintained a commitment to manage the workload of the international players during a hectic schedule, but has asked them to remember the “significant breaks” of previous years. Three postponed tours to Pakistan have been added to an already crammed itinerary and there have been requests for a reduction in off-field commitments to compensate.The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) is about to start negotiating with Cricket Australia over its memorandum of understanding, which covers the players’ contracts. In the next 18 months there will be little time at home in between tours of South Africa, England, Pakistan and India.”We will work with the ACA to manage the workload and commitments of players but as to the reasons we are in this situation, there are three tours that have been postponed from earlier dates, which means that players have had significant breaks as well over the last 12 to 18 months,” Sutherland said in the Age. “The players have had more of a holiday or a rest in that time than they would have otherwise had.”Sutherland said the upcoming situation was “far from ideal”. “We want to be keeping players fresh,” he said. “The last thing we want is for players to be carrying injuries or fatigue.”There have been calls from the contract holders to reduce their off-field appearances – they are required to do 22 a year – so they can spend more time with their families when they are in Australia. “It is a huge issue but this is one of the challenges we face,” Sutherland said. “We don’t have 400 players running around like some football codes so the burden of public exposure is quite high. That is a good thing, a positive thing, because it gives them the opportunity for commercial exposure.”

Steve Howey reckons Manchester City will be unstoppable if they manage to get their hands on top transfer target Harry Kane.

City chief Pep Guardiola has publicly confirmed his interest in the England captain, who picked up the Premier League’s Golden Boot and Playmaker awards last season.

It comes after Kane reiterated his desire to leave boyhood club Tottenham Hotspur having grown frustrated at the lack of silverware being won by the north London club.

Speculation that Kane could be on the move to the Etihad Stadium was ramped up even further after the striker was omitted from Spurs’ matchday squad for their opening weekend win over City.

The reigning Premier League champions have already broken the British transfer record by completing the £100million signing of Aston Villa talisman Jack Grealish during the transfer window.

Howey believes City will get their hands on back-to-back titles, despite astute business elsewhere, if they can persuade Spurs to sell star man Kane.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Howey said: “If they can get someone like Kane, who is an out-and-out goalscorer, it’s game over. I don’t care about Chelsea getting Romelu Lukaku, it’s game over.”

West Ham United have submitted an application to build a new training resource at the club’s Rush Green location, which is scheduled to be completed in September 2023 [Romford Recorder].

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Irons were not able to officially move towards starting the work after initially being given the opportunity to initiate this proposal in 2018 [Romford Recorder].

Permission has since lapsed, prompting the Hammers hierarchy to re-apply for specialised status to carry out the work needed to build the facility.

The purpose of building the new area at Rush Green will be to raise the quality of the West Ham Women’s team’s facilities at the club. The final outcome of the proposal is set to be revealed on October 13th.

In light of this news, many West Ham United fans took to social media to portray their opinions on the training centre update.

West Ham fans react:

Replying to West Ham Central on Twitter, here is what some fans had to say about developments:

“I don’t mean to be that guy, but maybe that’s why we have a littler budget to expected?”

Credit: @JBtalksFootball

“New portacabin being installed next week”

Credit: @AaronHa77625127

 “B&q sheds I bet ya”

Credit: @Hasan1Turgay

“This is the same proposal put forward & approved in 2018, it’s not new news, has nothing to do with PAI & has no links to no transfers etc. The proposals are also totally inadequate for a PL club and is nothing more than a temp sticking plaster and prob a max cost of approx £5m.”

Credit: @c_woodgate93″Unfortunately… I can’t imagine how much better we would be if we didn’t have cheapskate owners…”Credit: @thebeerpops”I’ve also just submitted an application to build the batcave under my house. Waterfall exit and all”Credit: @gammer91In other news, ExWHUEmployee has dropped an exciting transfer update. Find out who it is about here.

Cricinfo presents the plays of the day from the third day of the third Test between Australia and South Africa at the SCG

Peter English at the SCG05-Jan-2009
Nathan Hauritz was a couple of millimetres away from bowling Mark Boucher but the leg bail refused to topple © Getty Images
Hit and miss for debutants
An over after Doug Bollinger was unlucky to miss his maiden Test wicket, Andrew McDonald was slightly fortunate to get his. Bollinger’s lbw appeal against JP Duminy should have been upheld, but Hashim Amla had reason to query his decision, with McDonald’s off-cutter heading down leg and being a touch high when it hit his pad. McDonald wasn’t bothered, pumping hisfist and smiling broadly at his first breakthrough. Bollinger suffered more pain when Billy Bowden turned down a couple of reasonable claims to Morne Morkel.Bail up
Nathan Hauritz was a couple of millimetres away from bowling Mark Boucher but the leg bail refused to topple. Boucher tried to drive but squeezed the ball on to the leg stump and the bail lifted out of its ridge and on to the edge of the wicket – and stayed there. Not even some jumping by Matthew Hayden or foot tapping by Brad Haddin could get it to drop. Hauritz smiled in disbelief and was sent for a rest as the second new ball was taken.Not so easy for AB
Since his match-winning performance in Perth, AB de Villiers has been struggling to regain the intensity of his incredible 106 not out. In Melbourne he spent 51 balls scratching to 7 and in Sydney he was too casual taking a run when called through by Amla, who pushed to MitchellJohnson at mid-on. de Villiers was ambling towards the batsman’s end when he decided to look for the ball, which was speeding towards a stunning direct hit. Knowing he had to accelerate, de Villiers started to sprint but left it too late and the replay confirmed his departure.Demon statue
The SCG has a new exhibit after Richie Benaud unveiled the sculpture of Fred ‘the Demon’ Spofforth on the third morning. Walking around the buildings here is like going through a museum, with stands, plaques and bronze statues recognising the heroes of years past. Spofforth was Australia’s first great fast bowler, taking 94 Test wickets at 18.41 in 18 matches, and he was responsible for winning at The Oval in 1882, a result which led to the Ashes. His likeness now stands near the outdoor nets.No shame for Shane
Shane Warne has many outstanding abilities, including being able to wear anything and not look stupid. A pink jacket is not a fashion for Warne, who was one of the thousands supporting Jane McGrath Day.On song for gongs
The new year is awards season and two of Australia’s next generation were recognised on the third day. Mitchell Johnson picked up the McGilvray medal for ABC Radio’s player of the year after his 63 wickets at 29.01 in 14 Tests. Brad Haddin became the Australian Cricket Media Association’s emerging player of 2008-09 for his contributions with bat and gloves since replacing Adam Gilchrist.Hard-core Hayden
If this is Matthew Hayden’s last Test, he didn’t want to leave with a tentative final memory. With six overs to face, Hayden slashed Dale Steyn for four over cover to get off the mark and pulled another boundary next ball. Then he somehow survived an lbw appeal thanks to Asoka de Silva’s misjudgment – “I thought it was going to hit middle stump, but that’s me,” Mark Boucher said light-heartedly – and ended the day on 18. Stage one in the save-the-career-plan was achieved.

Andrew Symonds’ international playing future is in serious doubt

Alex Brown03-Feb-2009
Andrew Symonds will undergo further psychological counselling and represent Queensland instead of playing in the next Test series © Getty Images
Andrew Symonds’ international playing future is in serious doubt after Cricket Australia’s directors ruled he should be stood down from a second consecutive overseas tour. Symonds will not be considered for Australia’s three-Test contest in South Africa when the selectors convene on Wednesday.Symonds will instead undergo further psychological counselling and represent Queensland in a last-ditch attempt to convince both the selectors and the Cricket Australia board that he remains a viable Test player. He was ruled out of Australia’s tour of India last year after Cricket Australia board members upheld the recommendation of the team’s leadership group following the allrounder’s ill-advised fishing excursion in Darwin.This time, the board concurred with the sentiments of the Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland, who advised that the 33-year-old not be considered for South Africa after his outburst towards Brendon McCullum. Symonds was fined A$4000 for the “lump of s…” comments during a radio interview with the comedians Roy and HG.Sutherland said in a statement Symonds would need to “review and reaffirm his personal documented commitments” if he was to be considered for Australia’s one-day international series against Pakistan in April. Fortnightly reports on his progress will also be sent to Cricket Australia.”Our assessment is that he is making good progress but that his commitment needs testing against new, tougher criteria we will finalise after consultation with his counsellors, the ACA [Australian Cricketers’ Association] and Queensland Cricket,” Sutherland said. “We have a responsibility to Andrew and his welfare, but we also have a responsibility to Australian cricket to ensure his commitment is as it needs to be before he can be considered for national selection”.The future now appears bleak for Symonds, who will be ineligible for Australian selection until the end of the Sheffield Shield season, at which time Cricket Australia will announce its 25-man contract list. Symonds will have missed eight of Australia’s last 12 Tests by then – seven on behavioural grounds – and will turn 34 before the Ashes. With Shane Watson, Ashley Noffke and Andrew McDonald all expected to be available for the series in England, Symonds faces an uphill battle to be considered Australia’s pre-eminent allrounder.The decision to stand Symonds down is intriguing on several levels. Ricky Ponting’s strong endorsement for Symonds’ inclusion in the touring party has been all but ignored, which some will interpret as an erosion of the captain’s power base. And Cricket Australia will no doubt be bracing for criticism over their handling of the tempestuous Symonds. Many observers felt he was recalled to the national squad too soon after the Darwin controversy.Symonds seldom appeared comfortable in his four matches in Australia this summer. He averaged 23.85 in Tests against New Zealand and South Africa, and was withdrawn from the game in Sydney to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery. On his first-class return for Queensland over the past week he managed 5 and 3 against Western Australia.

Former Premier League footballer Carlton Palmer believes Manchester United re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo is a “great bit of business”.

The Red Devils confirmed that they had reached an agreement with Juventus to bring the Portuguese superstar back to Old Trafford subject to agreement of personal terms, visa and medical.

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo returns to Manchester United after spells with Real Madrid and Juventus. In his previous spell at Old Trafford, Ronaldo scored an unbelievable 118 goals in all competitions and provided a further 69 for his teammates.

Throughout his career, Ronaldo has scored 674 goals and provided 229 assists in all competitions and Palmer believes it’s a great bit of business by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to bring him back as the club look to challenge for the Premier League title and in the Champions League.

He told Football FanCast: “Trust me, there is no danger he scores goals in the Premier League, no danger whatsoever so it’s a great bit of business. 

“He can play in the number nine role, you can play him out wide, you can play him off the top, you know, he’s an unbelievable fit player.

“It’s just a magnificent bit of business, a feelgood factor. I went for Man United before the league started, I went for them to win it and I’m still sticking with that, if they can get the Pogba deal done which I’m sure they will do, I think they’ve got a great chance this season.”

Solskjaer’s team have made an unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign heading into the international break. The Red Devils opened up with a 5-1 thrashing of Leeds United at Old Trafford, before drawing 1-1 with Southampton at St Mary’s and then beating Wolves 1-0 at the weekend.

Alongside Ronaldo, Solskjaer has also made three additional signings in Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Tom Heaton this summer, and will be hoping that his side can remain undefeated and challenge for major honours this season.

Aston Villa are preparing to make a new move for Juventus star Weston McKennie in the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

Italian publication Sport Mediaset claimed that the Bianconeri would be willing to let the USA international go this summer, with “strong interest” from both Villa and fellow Premier League side Spurs.

While a move failed to materialise before the deadline, journalist Alan Nixon has now revealed that Dean Smith’s side will look to make a fresh attempt at signing McKennie in the upcoming January transfer window.

He adds that Juventus have told the midfielder that he can find a new home as soon as possible, and Villa could now look to take advantage of the situation.

Fans will be buzzing

Hailed as a “leader” by David Wagner, McKennie’s performances in the Bundesliga for Schalke earned him a high-profile move to Juventus, where former boss Andrea Pirlo was a big fan of his.

Calling him a “rock”, the Italy icon added: “He’s young and can improve a lot. In my opinion, he’s a midfielder who can play as a No 8 in a three in midfield, right or left. He gets in the box and scores goals but he’s also very good at winning the ball back.

“His role is in a three in midfield as one of the two players on either side of the regista. Last year we played in a different system, so he had to adapt.”

Dubbed as an “outstanding talent”, the £22.5m-rated McKennie is as Pirlo says, a real box-to-box threat. While the end product hasn’t always been there – he’s only scored 11 goals in his short career thus far – all the key elements are: the power, the pace, the tackling and the energy to get up and down the pitch.

As per Whoscored, he has an impressive career average of making 1.3 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game, while also managing just a shade under one shot and key pass per match too – a real indication of his all-action style of play.

Johan Lange renewing his interest in the midfielder is sure to have fans buzzing.

Given they failed to bring in a new central midfielder in the summer transfer window – the club were trying to sign Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse – a move for McKennie would go a long way to addressing that iss

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has confirmed this major Aston Villa boost…

New Zealand’s hopes of levelling the series in Wellington may have received a blow with doubts over Brendon McCullum’s availability for the second one-dayer after he injured his right thumb yet again

Cricinfo staff05-Mar-2009
Brendon McCullum could play as a batsman in the second one-dayer © Getty Images
New Zealand’s hopes of levelling the one-day series against India in Wellington may have received a blow with doubts over Brendon McCullum’s availability for the second one-dayer after he injured his right thumb yet again. What is clear is McCullum will not be keeping; Peter McGlashan has been called up to replace him behind the stumps.McCullum badly bruised his thumb, which he had previously fractured, when collecting a ball from medium-pacer Grant Elliott. McCullum batted in the nets on Thursday and Daniel Vettori, the captain, was hopeful he would be able to open the innings. “Obviously, the balance that Brendon brings into the squad is undermined by his ability not to keep but Pete [McGlashan] has been in pretty good form for the Northern Districts,” Vettori said. “So we are hoping he can replicate that and it doesn’t unsettle the team too much.”It’s funny with Brendon. We seem to have had a lot of fitness tests with him and he seems to have come through them all. He’s a pretty belligerent guy and he wants to play every game possible even when it is back down for Otago. I would err on the side of optimism with him, but we just have to wait and see just how it goes today.”If McCullum plays, Neil Broom is most likely to sit out the game. Vettori said he hadn’t discussed it with coach Andy Moles but omitting Broom would be the logical step. However Vettori said McCullum’s absence would push Martin Guptill up the order to open with Jesse Ryder. “Take him [McCullum] out, and you lose his experience and that knowledge of how to chase down scores or even set up a big score. He will be a big loss but we are pretty excited with the way Martin and Jesse are playing. If they have to go out and open the batting, we still have a lot of confidence in them.”

Brett Geeves stung Victoria with six wickets but his career-best bowling figures were not enough to keep Tasmania’s chances of a win alive and the match drifted to a draw

Cricinfo staff01-Mar-2009Tasmania 300 and 5 for 155 (Doolan 42) drew with Victoria 535 and 158 (Wade 46*, Geeves 6-47)
Scorecard
Points table

Brett Geeves returned career-best figures but Victoria stayed out of Tasmania’s reach © Getty Images
Brett Geeves stung Victoria with six wickets but his career-best bowling figures were not enough to keep Tasmania’s chances of a win alive and the match drifted to a draw. After Geeves was responsible for dropping the Bushrangers to 5 for 59 on the third afternoon, Tasmania had a sniff of an unlikely success that would have retained second place.However, they dropped to third behind Queensland and must beat South Australia outright in Adelaide from Thursday – and hope the Bulls don’t win – if they are to meet Victoria in the final on March 13. Matthew Wade, who followed his first-innings 100 with 46 not out, was the main problem for the hosts as the Bushrangers scrapped to 158 all out at lunch.Tasmania were left dreaming of 394 for victory in two sessions and while they started brightly, the wickets fell too regularly and the game was called off early. John Hastings gained three victims to have the Tigers 4 for 109 and they lost the top scorer Alex Doolan for 42 shortly before the captains agreed to the stalemate with Tasmania at 5 for 155.Geeves picked up three more victims on Sunday, starting with the captain Cameron White for 16 early in the first session. Tasmania sensed a chance when Geeves dismissed Darren Pattinson, leaving the Bushrangers at a precarious 7 for 82, and they were 8 for 91 when Hastings departed. Wade guided the team through the damage with help from the tail, Damien Wright adding 17 before becoming Geeves’ sixth wicket and the debutant Steve Gilmour picking up 13.