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Newcastle United have been offered Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix, who has just concluded a short-term loan spell with Premier League strugglers Chelsea.

What's the latest on Joao Felix to Newcastle?

According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle have been handed the opportunity to sign the mercurial Felix after new Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino opted against signing the 23-year-old this summer.

Felix joined the Blues in January in a £10m loan deal but failed to pull the club out of their seasonal rut, now returning to his Atletico boss Diego Simeone out of favour and in search of another departure from Wanda Metropolitano.

Paris Saint-Germain have also been handed the chance to sign the dynamic frontman and could take the lead in the race, with Felix's £215k-per-week wages likely to be a stumbling block in a deal for Eddie Howe's outfit.

Should Newcastle sign Joao Felix?

Toon technical director Dan Ashworth could have a hard time completing a deal for Felix this summer given his exorbitant salary, but the opportunity to complete a loan deal is no doubt tantalising after qualifying for the Champions League.

Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson, Newcastle's current strikeforce, are a prolific and menacing duo and have both excelled this season at providing a reliable offensive threat and navigating toward a monumental top-four finish, but Felix would offer a new dimension to the attack.

As per FBref, the former Benfica prodigy ranks among the top 8% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, and the top 5% for progressive passes, progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90.

This highlights how much effective work Felix plies for his team; not the most prolific of strikers, he has yet to hit double digits in a top-five European league divisional season, the 30-cap gem instead opens space and enhances the prospects of those around him.

Hailed as a "beautiful player" by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his prowess on the ball, Felix could emulate the role of Liverpool's iconic forward Roberto Firmino.

The distinguished Brazilian has departed Anfield on a free transfer this summer after making 362 appearances, scoring 111 and supplying 79 assists – bathing in illustrious success, gleaning the Premier League and Champions League among other major honours.

Firmino's distinctive style slightly deeper than that of a traditional centre-forward, with greater emphasis on weaving the midfield and attack together and opening opportunities for inside forwards to wreak havoc – Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah step forward – could pay dividends if emulated effectively on Tyneside. Indeed, it is that very role that the aforementioned Felix appears to thrive in.

Howe and Ashworth must consider whether a move is viable and determine whether to swoop, but if utilised aptly, Felix could draft a new dimension to Newcastle's thriving squad and enrich the offensive fluidity.

ScorecardJimmy Adams’ 92 helped lay the platform for Hampshire•Getty Images

Hampshire’s bowlers held their nerve to complete a nine-run win over Sussex at Hove and keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Royal London Cup.Chasing 269 to win, a fifth wicket stand of 125 in 17.3 overs between Chris Nash and Ben Brown gave Sussex hope after they had been 109 for 4 from 29. But Brown was superbly caught by wicketkeeper Lewis McManus diving to his right after making a List A best of 62 from 56 balls midway through the 47th over.The 48th over began with 31 needed but Brad Wheal conceded just three runs from it and Sussex’s race was run when Chris Jordan, who had just driven the second ball of the 49th over for six over extra cover, was bowled off the next delivery by Ryan McLaren. Sussex required 17 from the final over but Wheal restricted them to seven runs as they finished on 259 for 6 with Nash undefeated on 68 from 74 balls.Hampshire had earlier been indebted to a stylish 92 from opener Jimmy Adams and some late-order hitting by South African allrounder McLaren after they had been put in under overcast skies with the floodlights on from the start.Adams scored his runs from 97 balls with ten fours, and a six off Harry Finch in the same over that he reached his half-century. The opener shared a second-wicket stand of 87 in 15.2 overs with Adam Wheater (42) who was superbly run out by Jordan’s throw on the run from extra cover with only one stump to aim at.Hampshire struggled for momentum for a while after Wheater’s dismissal. Adams was fourth out in the 34th over, one of three victims for left-armer George Garton who surprised Adams with a bouncer which he could only touch to wicket keeper Brown.Garton, fresh from taking four wickets for England Lions on Tuesday, bowled with good pace in three spells down the slope to finish with 3 for 40 and also pulled off a stunning catch at square leg to remove Tom Alsop.In the absence of Bangladesh left-armer Mustafizur Rahman, who is unlikely to play for the county again because of a shoulder injury, Jofra Archer impressed on his first List A appearance at Hove with 1 for 46, occasionally finding some steepling bounce on a good pitch. It needed some robust hitting from McLaren to get Hampshire to a competitive score. He made an unbeaten 46 from 39 balls from No.6 and those runs were to prove crucial.Sussex were 81 for 3 after 22 overs of their reply with Ed Joyce, Phil Salt and Finch all unable to capitalise on starts but their chase was given impetus by Luke Wright, who made 45 from 60 balls. The Sussex skipper looked in the mood until he drove a full toss from Wheal to mid-on and departed mortified by his misjudgement.Brown and Nash took responsibility but fell short and a fifth defeat out of six has left Sussex with virtually no chance of reaching the last eight.

The BCB has formed a four-member committee to investigate a Dhaka Premier League match that was abandoned last week after the umpires walked off the field

Mohammad Isam19-Jun-2016The BCB has formed a four-member committee to investigate a Dhaka Premier League match that was abandoned last week after the umpires walked off the field.When a stumping appeal against Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club was turned down by umpire Tanvir Ahmed, the players and fans of Abahani Limited began to protest. That led the umpires to consult with match referee Monu Datta and take their leave citing “illness”. The match did not resume on the reserve day.The board’s umpires committee chairman Nazmul Karim, disciplinary committee chairman Sheikh Sohel, technical committee member Athar Ali Khan and match referee Raqibul Hassan will interview players and umpires before reporting to the BCB president within 72 hours. If the match is replayed, it could be held on June 24.BCB president Nazmul Hassan said: “Such an incident should not have happened but we will get to the bottom of what happened in that game.”The BCB also formed the bowling action review committee, to be headed by Jalal Yunus with Dipu Roy Chowdhury, Omar Khaled Rumi and Golam Faruq Suru as the other members. Technical personnel will be appointed at a later date.The DPL players were supposed to get 60% of their fees by the end of the first stage of the tournament, and the clubs who have defaulted on the payments have been given three days to get up to date.”If they don’t pay within this time, the board will pay the amount from their coffers,” Hassan said. “In that case, the board will take stern action against the clubs.”Hassan also confirmed the 2016 BPL will begin on November 6 and added the BCB would take legal action against Sylhet Superstars franchise after their bank guarantee couldn’t be encashed. “They owe around Tk 3 to 4 crore to us and the players. We condemn this and will take legal measures.”

Chelsea are believed to be eyeing up Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim as their potential next manager this summer, according to a new update.

What is Chelsea's current manager situation?

It has been a dramatic season at Stamford Bridge, with two managers arriving and being sacked between the beginning of the campaign and now. Thomas Tuchel was replaced by Graham Potter early on, but a lack of good performances and positive results ultimately led to his demise.

Frank Lampard is now back in charge for a second stint as Chelsea manager, although the Blues playing legend is only expected to stay on until the end of the season. At that point, a more high-profile appointment is expected to be made, with the likes of Julian Nagelsmann, Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho all linked with the job recently.

It is a key decision for the club to make, with next season having to be one that sees the team kick on, and now a new candidate has entered to the race to take charge in west London.

Could Blues appoint Amorim as next boss?

According to The Daily Mail, Chelsea have "spoken to" Sporting's "highly-rated" manager Amorim about becoming the next Blues boss in the summer. The 38-year-old is believed to be "among the names Chelsea's chiefs were keen to discuss the vacancy with", in what is described as an "'exhaustive' hunt for a new manager."

Nagelsmann and Enrique are mentioned as "leading candidates" to become manager, although it certainly appears as though Amorim is in the mix with "talks" being held. He has been in charge of Sporting since 2020, having arrived from Braga, and in that time he has won the Primeira Liga once, not to mention tasting Portuguese Cup glory three times – twice at his current club and one with his previous team.

The Portuguese may not be as big a name as some of those mentioned, but he could potentially be a really shrewd acquisition by Chelsea. At 38, he is a young manager with fresh ideas and tactical nous, and he has already picked up a winning mentality at Sporting, given his aforementioned trophy haul. He also has a chance of winning the Europa League this season, although his side trail 1-0 going into their quarter-final second leg clash at home to Juventus.

Amorim has been described as "one of the best" coaches in the game currently by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, which is high praise, so it is a move Chelsea should consider.

Chelsea look to have uncovered another wonderkid from their academy, as Lewis Hall's market value continues to soar at Stamford Bridge.

Hall would make his debut under Thomas Tuchel last season and has made another seven senior appearances for the Blues so far this campaign, with the 18-year-old no doubt viewed as a long-term option in Graham Potter's squad.

The versatile left-back, who can also play in midfield, has also shone in the Premier League 2 so far this campaign and looks more than ready for the step-up to men's football, as he boasts three goals and four assists in just 15 appearances so far this term.

Hall was tipped for big things as soon as he made his Chelsea debut in the 5-1 win over Chesterfield in January last year, with teammate Callum Hudson-Odoi dubbing him "amazing" following the game.

The Englishman's emergence as a first-team prospect at Stamford Bridge was recognised by Goal in their yearly NXGN top 50, which emphasises his growing reputation in European football, and certainly suggests that he is a talent that Chelsea need to nurture, rather than letting him join the long list of failed wonderkids.

Goal suggested in that report that the 18-year-old is most comfortable in midfield, which suggests that his long-term future at Chelsea could lie there, but it is his positional versatility – as he can play wing-back too – which could see him established as a top talent at Stamford Bridge.

How much is Lewis Hall worth?

Unsurprisingly, Hall's fairly regular appearances under Potter this season have seen his transfer value shoot up, as FootballTransfers suggested that he was valued at just €1m (£880k) back in April 2022, but they now value him at €8.2m (£7.2m), which represents an incredible 718% increase in less than a year.

After making just his second appearance as a Chelsea player in their 2-0 defeat against Manchester City earlier in the season, the teenager earned a lot of praise from Potter for his performance.

He said:

“I really enjoyed his performance. He took responsibility, took the ball in tight areas, attacked the box, and could’ve scored a couple of goals on another day.

“So it was a really nice performance, a mature performance, I thought. He is a quiet lad but goes about his work. I’ve been really impressed with him.”

Although Chelsea have spent big money on both left-backs and central midfielders in recent years, with Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez two recent examples, Hall is a homegrown talent that looks to have both the ability and attitude required to make it at the top.

If he can continue to impress Potter at Stamford Bridge, his market value and reputation will only continue to grow further.

Newcastle United are reportedly leading the race to sign striker Marcus Thuram as a free agent this summer.

The Lowdown: Contact made

Newcastle have reportedly already spoken to Thuram’s agent over a potential move once his contract at Borussia Monchengladbach expires, along with fellow Premier League rivals Aston Villa, Manchester United and Chelsea.

Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona and Inter Milan are also thought to be interested in his signature, with no signs that he will renew his current deal as of yet.

The Latest: Newcastle leading race

As per Italian news outlet Calciomercato, the St. James’ Park outfit are ‘in the lead’ in the race to sign Thuram.

They are able to offer a bigger salary than what he has currently being offered elsewhere, and so will be confident that they can secure his signature once he becomes a free agent.

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The Verdict: No-brainer

It is surely a no-brainer for the North East club to sign a player of Thuram’s quality for free.

Lauded as ‘world class’ by Wolfsburg sporting director Marcel Schafer, and an ‘absolute beast‘ by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, the six-foot-four colossus has scored an impressive 41 times and supplied a further 26 assists in 122 matches in total for Gladbach, with 17 of those goal contributions coming so far this term (Transfermarkt).

With Chris Wood set to join Nottingham Forest on a permanent deal, the Magpies will have space for a striker in their squad, and they should be looking no further than Thuram in order to give fierce competition to both Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson.

The third-umpire gaffe while ruling on Andrew Symonds’s run-out

Play of the Day by Peter English at Hobart19-Nov-2005

Andrew Symonds was beaten by a direct hit from Dwayne Smith, but for a brief moment, he thought he had survived © Getty Images
Technology extended Andrew Symonds’s batting return toTests by about two minutes as Steve Davis, the thirdumpire, pressed the wrong button when ruling on hisrun-out decision. Recalled for his third Test, Symondswas completing a start-stop-start single when DwayneSmith’s direct hit caught him well short and Aleem Darfavoured caution by calling in Davis. Using a newcomputer program, Davis accidentally clicked “not out”and Symonds, who knew he was gone and had angrilywandered almost as far as the boundary, ambled back ina better mood. A quick two-way conversation betweenthe on-field umpires ensued before the red “out”signal finally appeared on the big screen and Symondsdeparted even more frustrated.

Aston Villa return to action in the Premier League this afternoon as they travel to London to take on Brentford away from home.

The Villans are unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions and come into this game off the back of a 1-1 draw with Zrinjski in their final Europa Conference League group stage outing.

Unai Emery's side have won 11 of their 16 top-flight games so far this season and are looking to continue their push for Champions League football next term.

After Thursday night's draw in Bosnia, the Spanish head coach could look to make changes to his side and one player who must be unleashed from the start is England international Ollie Watkins.

Jhon Duran's performance against Zrinjski in numbers

Colombia international Jhon Duran started ahead of the star striker in midweek and did not do enough to suggest that he deserves to start against Brentford.

It was another learning experience for the 20-year-old prospect as he played 90 minutes without landing himself a goal or an assist to show for his efforts.

The left-footed dud did not create a single chance for his teammates and failed to beat the goalkeeper with the two shots that he was able to take, alongside a duel success rate of 33.3% (1/3).

Birmingham Mail's John Townley gave Duran a match rating of 6/10 and pointed to his failure to convert the chances that came his way as the main reason why his performance was not a particularly impressive one.

Meanwhile, Watkins spent the entire match in Bulgaria as an unused substitute for Villa and should be fresh to face the Bees this afternoon.

Watkins' Premier League statistics this season

The £130k-per-week whiz should be unleashed over Duran as he has been in superb form for the Villans in the Premier League this season.

He has showcased his ability as both a scorer and a creator of goals for his teammates in the top-flight and is the "perfect" – as put by journalist Josh Bunting – striker for Emery as the system suits him and the way he likes to peel off defenders and constantly make runs in-behind to stretch defences.

Watkins has contributed with eight goals and six assists in 16 league games for Villa so far this term, which works out as a goal involvement every 1.14 games on average.

The England international, who was once described as 'lethal' by Trevor Sinclair, currently ranks within the top 8% of Premier League forwards for assists (0.39) per 90. This shows that he has the awareness and quality to create opportunities for others to go along with his own terrific goal threat.

He also ranks within the top 8% of his positional peers for touches in the opposition's box (6.58) per 90 and this shows that the system is allowing him to get in dangerous positions on a regular basis, which has led to his impressive return of goals and assists.

Therefore, Emery must unleash his perfect, lethal, number nine and ditch Duran, who failed to take his chance on Thursday, against Thomas Frank's side today as he has the quality to be the match-winner for Villa.

Newcastle United have splashed the cash this summer after qualifying for the Champions League last term with an impressive fourth-placed finish in the Premier League, but the core of talent at Eddie Howe's disposal has largely remained the same.

Having been purchased in an affluent and highly-anticipated PIF club takeover in October 2021, Newcastle are now poised for lasting success at the forefront of the game after spending so many years languishing below expectations.

And while money was spent this summer, business, in the new trademark fashion, was calculated and measured, with some astute additions enriching a cohesive and thriving outfit.

£425m

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With a net spend over the summer window that sits just eighth in the league chart, the Magpies' transfer model is one set to last, and the emblematic figurehead of the burgeoning success of this exciting era is none other than Bruno Guimaraes, who has been the midfield centrepiece from the maiden phase of Newcastle's new chapter under Howe's management.

How much did Newcastle pay for Bruno Guimaraes?

When Howe penned a contract with Newcastle in November 2021, replacing Steve Bruce at the helm, the club were winless and facing a relegation scrap, fighting to remain in the division.

If the Toon thought Howe's management could start the new era with a flourish, they were bang on the money and swiftly asserted themselves as one of the Premier League's most resurgent outfits, with a tremendous run of form after Christmas resulting in an 11th-placed finish, 14 points ahead of relegated Burnley.

The cogs clicked together on the pitch, but it was the shrewd business in the winter market that charged an almighty rise in form, and Guimaraes, who completed a £40m transfer from French side Lyon, was the catalyst in midfield.

Hailed as an "exciting talent" and a "standout" performer in France by Howe after he joined the fold, the Brazilian scored five goals and supplied an assist across 11 Premier League starts in the 2021/22 campaign, providing newfound quality and technical ability to demonstrate his ability.

It was the largest acquisition during a winter that saw Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood and Dan Burn all arrive to revitalise the foundering St. James' Park side, but amid the maelstrom of expensive activity that dictates the contemporary transfer business in football, it looks to be a shrewder signing by the month.

How much is Bruno Guimaraes worth now?

Having now chalked up 62 appearances for Newcastle, posting ten goals and six assists, the 14-cap Brazil star is unequivocally one of the best midfielders plying their trade on English shores.

Calm and composed, energetic and enterprising, Guimaraes is now regarded as a "world-class" component of a team imminently awaiting a two-decade-long wait for Champions League football, as has been said by teammate Burn.

Such is illustrated by the vested interest of first-rate European outfits such as Paris-Saint Germain and Barcelona, who have been eyeing up the £87m-rated midfielder, with separate reports also linking Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool with a transfer.

Such a towering valuation might look to dissuade the sides from furthering their intrigue in his services, but such is the 5 foot 11 ace's profound talent that it appears that that had not dissuaded them from retaining their position as suitors at the very least.

That £87m value actually represents a 117% rise in less than two years on Tyneside, and considering that he was purchased for no small sum of £40m, that is quite an impressive feat.

Newcastle are now actively working on a contract extension, hoping to rebuff the lucrative advances and tie down a staple of the new prosperity with a fresh bumper package, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claiming last week that talks are "at an advanced stage".

Why is Bruno Guimaraes worth that much?

So what's the secret in the sauce? Well, the 25-year-old has transformed a midfield and serves as the perfect counterweight to the likes of resurgent Joelinton, creative Joe Willock and energetic Sean Longstaff.

Once referring to himself as a "piano carrier" – a term coined in his homeland for someone doing the unseen work – the £120k-per-week phenom is both robust and reliable in the centre, orchestrating the play with his delightful range of passing and tenacity in the tackle – recycling possession and then swiftly initiating effective transition.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 21% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 18% for shot-creating actions, and the top 15% for progressive passes and successful take-ons per 90.

This highlights both his creative flair and control with the ball at his feet, capable of beating his man to advance into promising openings in the central third.

An "absolutely magnificent" star, as noted by Toon and Premier League icon Alan Shearer, Guimaraes' supreme control and intelligence has proved to be the difference-maker for United in decisive moments, and it is a very real possibility that the rise might not have been quite so impressive had he not joined the club at the start of the exciting new chapter.

While Guimaraes' £40m fee was by no means paltry, it's a testament to his meteoric rise that the likes of Liverpool, PSG and Barcelona are interested in his signature, and that's despite the somewhat exorbitant £87m price tag.

However, his future looks set to remain on Tyneside, and with the talks over a new contract progressing, albeit slowly, there is little doubt that Howe and Ashworth hit the jackpot in sealing a deal for a man who is now one of the hottest commodities in Europe.

Neymar hints at a rift with former PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe after 'liking' an Instagram post criticising the Frenchman for his decision to leave.

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Article continues below

Article continues below

• Neymar hints at Mbappe rift
• Brazilian star 'liked' post criticising ex-team-mate
• Mbappe set to leave PSG in summer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Influential Brazilian social media account Jogada Ensaiada, which has 189,000 followers on Instagram, posted a damning assessment about the nature of Mbappe's influence at PSG and the state of the squad now that he is readying to leave – potentially for Real Madrid – on a free transfer. Neymar 'liked' the post, which had the overall caption "No player should be bigger than the institution", suggesting he endorsed its content.

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• WHAT THE SOCIAL MEDIA POST SAID

  The Jogada Ensaiada account said: "PSG, an example of football management. They knew how to bring together the best players and had the best team on the planet. When the team started to do well, the ego of a 'certain Frenchman' began to disturbed the atmosphere. Mbappe started to feel excluded, most of the team members spoke Spanish and he threatened to leave. To not lose his precious, PSG started selling those who did not were not aligned with Mbappe's thoughts and brought in the French players he wanted. After doing everything to make everything go his way, Mbappe communicated to PSG that he would leave the club for free at the end of the season. And in the end, this is what remains at PSG."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Having become the second most expensive player in history when signing for PSG permanently in 2018, behind only Neymar in the all-time list, Mbappe is running down his PSG contract. There are already reports in Spain that an agreement with Real Madrid is in place for a five-year deal that would pay €15m (£13m/$16m) to €20m (£17m/$22m), with bonuses on top. That would make him Real's highest-paid player, albeit on less money than he has been earning in Paris since his most recent new contract in 2022.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?

  As he prepares to leave PSG and France altogether, Mbappe has a few things he could achieve to properly cap off this chapter of his career. Both he and PSG are yet to win the Champions League but have one foot in the quarter-finals following last week's 2-0 first leg win over Real Sociedad in the last 16. Mbappe is also thought to want to represent France as a designated over-age player at this summer's Olympics on home soil. An Olympic gold medal is something that both Neymar (2016) and Lionel Messi (2008) have in their respective collections.