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The Independent
31 minutes ago
- The Independent
Two Premier League clubs to fight over highly rated striker Sesko
Manchester United have made an offer for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. Newcastle United have submitted a second bid for the 22-year-old Slovenian international. Newcastle's initial offer, reportedly worth 75 million euros plus 5 million in add-ons, was rejected by Leipzig. Their improved offer is understood to be at least 80 million euros. Manchester United's proposal is reported to be 75 million euros plus a potential 10 million in add-ons, as both Premier League clubs compete for his signature.
Powys County Times
31 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Pope's form, Stokes' fitness and pace options – the questions facing England
With England's dramatic Test series against India over after five gripping games and a 2-2 scoreline, minds are already starting to turn to the Ashes. There are just over three months until England arrive in Perth and the planning can now begin in earnest. Here, the PA news agency looks at five key questions England need to answer. Will Ben Stokes be fully fit? England are a completely different team when their inspirational captain is firing on all cylinders. He was in brilliant form this summer, rolling back the years with ball in hand, but missed the Kia Oval decider with a shoulder problem. A six-to-10-week lay-off will follow but any further setbacks would raise serious alarms. Having been struck down by knee, hip, hamstring and shoulder injuries in the past two years, is it too optimistic to expect him to be in peak condition throughout a gruelling tour? What is the pace bowling pecking order? England have talked up the importance of building deep reserves of fast bowlers but when the first Test kicks off in Perth they must be clear on their best combination. Jofra Archer looks certain to be in it after his long-awaited comeback, Mark Wood hopes to be back after missing the entire Test season, while Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Jamie Overton, Chris Woakes and Sam Cook all played this summer. Woakes looks like missing out with a dislocated shoulder, but how do the others stack up? How do they get the best out of Ollie Pope? A big hundred against Zimbabwe and another century in his first knock against India removed some of the questions that had been circling about Pope's spot at number three. But he finished the series averaging 34 and was 10th on the run-scoring charts. Jacob Bethell's disappointing effort in the fifth Test against India has weakened his case as a replacement but England need more from a senior player in a key position. Could taking the vice-captaincy off him and promoting white-ball skipper Harry Brook be part of the answer? Is the spin situation settled? A lot of faith has been placed in Shoaib Bashir, with England backing their hunch that he can do well in Australia. It has been a mixed bag so far, with 68 wickets in 19 Tests but a stubbornly high average of 39. His broken finger opened the door for them to have an overdue second look at Liam Dawson, but the county scene's standard-bearer was dropped after taking one for 140 at Old Trafford. Will he travel as competition for Bashir, could there be a return to Jack Leach or might England look at using all-pace attacks for some Ashes contests? How will they prepare for the war of words? Australian players, fans and media cheerleaders have been paying close attention to the India series and it is has not been hard to realise the long-range sledging has already started. From David Warner's recent jibe at Joe Root to the social media barrage about the merits, or otherwise, of 'Bazball', the heat is already rising. Expect that to continue all the way until Glenn McGrath shockingly predicts a 5-0 win for Australia. England have refused to entertain much Ashes talk in recent months but the temptation will rise as the weeks tick by. Will they fire some broadsides of their own or keep things on the field?
Metro
31 minutes ago
- Metro
Michael Owen predicts where Arsenal and Chelsea will finish next season
Michael Owen has revealed his Premier League top-four prediction for the new season and backed Liverpool to retain the title. Liverpool clinched a record-equalling 20th league title last season, finishing 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal in Arne Slot's first year at Anfield. It was the third season in a row that Mikel Arteta's side finished as runners-up, with the dominant force in English football over the last decade – Manchester City – finishing third. Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest on the final day to finish fourth and secure their return to the Champions League, with Newcastle United also qualifying for Europe's top club competition at the expense of Aston Villa and Forest. Ex-England striker Owen is usually wary of giving title predictions before the summer transfer window shuts but has seen enough from Liverpool over the past 12 months to back his former club to go back-to-back. In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – click here and sign up before Friday to make sure you don't miss the first edition. 'Sometimes at this stage of the year you think you'd like to see the transfer window play out before making a title prediction,' he told Metro via AskGamblers. 'There's still a lot of business to be done but I don't really feel like that at the moment. 'I think Liverpool are far and away the team with the best chance of winning it. I think they've got like a 70% chance of winning it, I really fancy them. 'They were ten points clear last season and they took their foot off the gas. It could've been 20. Even if it ended up being 15, that's a massive gap. 'And they've signed some incredible players over the last month or so. I just think they were the best, and they've strengthened from a position of strength. I think they're going to win it again.' Owen expects 'serious team' Arsenal to finish second for the fourth year in a row and says it would be 'foolish' to think Arteta is under pressure. The Gunners struggled with injuries in the second-half of last season and have spent over £200m so far this summer on the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke. Liverpool Arsenal Chelsea Manchester City 'Looking down the pecking order, I like Arsenal,' Owen said. 'I think it's foolish for fans to think the manager is under pressure just because they've come second three years in a row. 'Arsenal have shown consistency. They've consistently been good and had reasons to believe they were unlucky not to get more points. 'I mean, Bukayo Saka was injured for a large part of last season, Kai Havertz was too. They're probably their two main attacking players. Other key players were out as well. 'So, I think they had a lot of injuries to attacking players that you would say were harsh, and now they've gone and bought a proven goalscorer. 'It's not a guarantee he'll succeed, but there are reasons to believe Arsenal can do better than last season. They're already doing well; they got to the semi-finals of the Champions League. They're a serious team. 'People talk about Arteta, if he has a bad start to the season, because they've got a tough start to the season looking at their fixtures, but even if they had a tricky start to the season, you would be absolutely mad to think he's not the right man. 'He's knocking on the door, and the door's going to bang open soon. Whether it's this season or not remains to be seen.' Owen believes Chelsea's victory over Forest on the final day could be a sliding doors moment and tipped the 'improving' Blues to finish third this season, above Man City. There were more encouraging signs at Stamford Bridge over the summer as Maresca led Chelsea to victory in the controversial Club World Cup tournament. While Owen is excited about 'very good' Chelsea, he is less optimistic about Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, having recently downplayed their chances of winning the Premier League. 'Then we go further down and you're looking at Manchester City and Chelsea,' the 45-year-old added. 'Chelsea are getting better. 'The thing I find ironic about Chelsea is if they had lost to Nottingham Forest [on the final day of the season] and missed out on Champions League, everyone would be saying it's the worst season in the world, and the manager would've been under pressure. 'All of a sudden they qualify and they then win the Conference League, which they could have done with their eyes closed, and then win the Club World Cup. More Trending 'Now everyone's falling in love with Chelsea and thinks they're great. They are a very good team, and they are getting better. They're a very young team. 'But it just makes you laugh, doesn't it? One game last season, if he had lost against Nottingham Forest, would Enzo Maresca still be in a job? 'And now all of a sudden, in the blink of an eye, he's qualified for the Champions League, and he's won two trophies and now the whole picture is different. 'But they are good, and they are improving, and they have got a chance. I definitely think they'll get into the top four. My top four would be Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City, in that order.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Arsenal legend Ian Wright sends message to Viktor Gyokeres doubters MORE: Third Premier League club joins race for Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling MORE: Manchester United submit first offer to sign Benjamin Sesko ahead of Newcastle
