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Leeds United have been offered Olympique Lyonnais star Maxwel Cornet, as reported by the Daily Mirror.

The Lowdown: Leeds United look ahead to 2021/22

As the Whites aim to get their ducks in a row ahead of the 2021/22 season, there has been much discussion surrounding their potential transfer activity at left-back.

Though Marco Bielsa has not yet ventured into the current transfer window, the Elland Road side have been linked with moves for Adama Traore and Borna Barisic respectively, while left-backs Barry Douglas and Ezgjan Alioski could both leave.

However, it now seems that a new potential signing could be on the horizon in the form of the 24-year-old Ivorian.

The Latest: Cornet offered to Leeds

Leeds United are said to have been offered the chance to sign Cornet as they step up their hunt for a left-sided defender [Mirror].

Some reports have suggested that the versatile ace could be available for around £20 million, a fee which the Whites are currently not willing to pay [Mirror].

Cornet actually made his name as a winger before moving to a left-back position this season, so he appears to be a perfect like for like replacement for Alioski.

The Verdict: Cornet would be a shrewd addition

Fundamentally, signing someone of Cornet’s quality could be a real coup for the Whites as they look towards the new season, providing they can negotiate the fee down to something they are happier with.

Posing an intense attacking threat, the Ivory Coast internationalist has scored 51 goals and laid on a further 29 assists in 251 games for Lyon [Transfermarkt].

While many of those came during his time further up the pitch, he still supplied 10 goal contributions in 39 games across all competitions this season playing mostly in defence; four goals and six assists [Transfermarkt].

As Bielsa’s men look to improve upon a solid 9th placed Premier League finish last year, bringing in someone with Cornet’s end product could considerably enhance the quality of their high-octane brand of football.

Leeds United should be pulling out all the stops to get the deal over the line.

In other news, Real Madrid are said to be eyeing up a key Leeds United man.

England star Marcus Trescothick was back at the County Ground this afternoon, after returning from his holiday in Spain

Richard Walsh05-Aug-2002England star Marcus Trescothick was back at the County Ground this afternoon, after returning from his holiday in Spain.I asked him how he felt about Somerset getting to the final of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy at Lords.He told me: "It’s really fantastic news. I might not have been at the ground but I kept in touch all day with phone calls and text messages. It was pretty exciting at the end so I can’t wait to see the video of the match."Was he going to be able to play in the final I asked. He told me: "Funny you should ask me that because I have just had Michael Vaughan on the telephone about the same thing. I told him that I’m trying to make sure that I am fit for the Lords final. In fact the target for my return to cricket is the championship match against Lancashire at Blackpool just a few days before the final."He continued: "It’s too soon to be sure at the moment because it’s less than three weeks ago that I did it. However after another week hopefully we will have a clearer indication as to how things are progressing."All Somerset supporters will be hoping that Marcus will be there on August 31st to lead the side out onto the field, to open the batting and at the end to lift the trophy aloft.

Surrey County Cricket Club is very pleased to announce that Alec Stewart MBE has been awarded a Testimonial in 2003

Surrey CCC Media Release05-Sep-2002Surrey County Cricket Club is very pleased to announce that Alec Stewart MBE has been awarded a Testimonial in 2003. Alec made his County debut in 1981 and was the Club’s Beneficiary in 1994.Paul Sheldon Chief Executive Surrey County Cricket Club stated:”Alec has shown tremendous loyalty and service to both England and Surrey County Cricket Club over the past two decades. The Club is delighted to mark Alec’s career and achievements by making this well deserved award.”Alec Stewart stated:”Playing for Surrey throughout my career has been a fantastic privilege. I have been lucky enough to play with some great players and particularly to be a part of the huge success the Club has achieved over the last six years. I hope that I can continue to contribute both on and off the pitch in years to come.”Richard Thompson Chairman of Cricket Surrey County Cricket Club stated:”A Testimonial is only awarded to a player whose contribution is exceptional, in Alec’s case it could not be more appropriate.”

Paul Stewart believes playing three at the back next season would suit Sergio Reguilon down to the ground.

Tottenham-linked manager Paulo Fonseca often deploys a 3-4-3 formation, and should the Spaniard be his preferred left-sided option, could benefit from being able to push forward in a wing-back role.

It’s a position that the former Real Madrid defender occupied on seven occasions under Jose Mourinho last season, starting with his Spurs debut when he claimed an assist in the Carabao Cup victory over Chelsea in September.

That was part of an impressive start to his Tottenham career, but an injury and loss of form meant for a tricky second half of the campaign, with his freak own goal in the penultimate game against Aston Villa leading to a sour end to his season.

But deploying a three-man defence could allow Reguilon to get into those dangerous attacking areas and add to the six assists he provided in his 36 appearances in his debut season.

And Stewart exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that Reguilon could benefit from playing higher up the pitch:

“I believe, if you’re playing a three, Reguilon will suit that position down to the ground, therefore that leaves Sessegnon playing left-sided of the three midfielders.”

Hampshire Cricket announced the signing of former England seamer Ed Giddins on a two year contract from the start of the 2003 season.

Vic Isaacs05-Nov-2002Hampshire Cricket have announced the signing of former England seamer Ed Giddins on a two-year contract from the start of the 2003 season.31-year-old Giddins in his time with Sussex, Warwickshire and latterly with Surrey has amassed nearly 700 wickets in first-class and limited-overs matches.
Ed Giddins introduced”Looking out here at this magnificent Rose Bowl, joining Hampshire was an easy decision.” said Giddins. “The club has a lot of potential and it is an exciting challenge for me.””We are in the wrong division at the moment, it is time to get into the right division, and I hope to play a big part in that aim.””My memories of playing against Hampshire in the past are of my bowling disappearing over square leg in the 90s due to Robin Smith most of the time.”Asked about his colourful career, Giddins admitted that mistakes had been made, but that was behind him. “I am a family man now, a few errors of judgement in the past, but you learn. We all make a few mistakes, but joining Hampshire isn’t a mistake, it is something positive, and I am looking forward to getting a few wickets. And a couple of runs,” he joked.”I had a great two years at Surrey, but now is not the time to look back, it was time for a change and I leave with very happy memories.”Playing alongside Shane Warne next season is great, I have been lucky in my career to have played alongside some greats, Brian Lara, Allan Donald to name just two, and Shane will be the third in who I consider to be amongst the 10 best modern day cricketers.”Hampshire’s Director of Cricket Tim Tremlett was asked what he felt Ed Giddins could do for Hampshire. “He brings a wealth of experience a very fine bowler, bowls with good pace still and perfect for English conditions. With the demands of the English season, we needed to strengthen our squad, and perhaps that is where we fell down towards the end of last year, the strength and depth wasn’t there.”

Celtic have registered their interest in River Plate striker Santos Borre, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Borre profiled

Borre is 25 years of age and has four caps to his name for Colombia. He currently plies his trade for Argentine side River Plate but is out of contract in seven days time.

The centre-forward has scored 74 times and registered 23 assists in 212 club appearances for River Plate, Deportivo Cali and Villarreal.

He’s won five honours during his career and two individual accolades, and it seems as if the Hoops are plotting a move for the South American.

The Latest: Source shares news

Football Insider shared a story on Borre on Wednesday morning, claiming Celtic have joined rivals Rangers in the race for his services.

They have been informed by a Celtic source that the Hops have registered an interest in Borre.

The striker, currently on £11,000-a-week, is after a lucrative long-term contract, with those demands set to be pivotal when it comes to choosing his next club.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-6/” title=”Celtic updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: A possible Edouard replacement?

Odsonne Edouard is still expected to leave Celtic despite his move to Leicester City falling through. So, should the Frenchman move on, Borre could well be a suitable replacement at Parkhead.

He has experience of playing in Europe with Villarreal and appears to be the calibre of forward required to replace someone like Edouard, who has netted 83 goals in 168 Hoops appearances.

Borre’s wage demands could also be in Celtic’s price range, with the club’s top earner Callum McGregor on £20,000-a-week.

Edouard is on £19,000-a-week in Glasgow, so perhaps Celtic could offer Borre an £8,000-a-week increase on his current salary to win the race for his services.

In other news: Charlie Wyke prefers Hoops move, find out more here. 

The home team seized the initiative on the opening day of the UCB Bowl match at the picturesque Burt Oval in Constantia

Peter le Grange25-Oct-2002The home team seized the initiative on the opening day of the UCB Bowl match at the picturesque Burt Oval in Constantia. After winning the toss, Western Province struggled at first but some splendid batting from Derrin Bassage and skipper Jonno McLean left the hosts in a comfortable position at stumps.Under overcast skies, Andrew Pringle in particular worked up some disconcerting pace. Rashaad Magiet was flummoxed playing back in the 5th over, and Andrew Puttick should have been caught off the next ball. Puttick and Bassage weathered the immediate crisis, but were far from home and dry when Puttick was bowled by first change seamer Ryan Shutte. However, Bassage and McLean turned the innings around with a magnificent 170-run partnership, made almost at even time. Their task was made easier with the pitch flattening out as the cloud cover disappeared.Bassage reached his century shortly before tea, but the left hander was dismissed immediately afterwards looking for the big shot. McLean went to tea on 99, but showed no nerves as he went to his hundred soon after the break. WP lost some cheap wickets as the compulsory declaration after 100 overs loomed closer, but must have been more than happy to pass 300. They earned 4.18 bonus points for batting to Border’s two for bowling.Left ten overs to bat, the visitors lost Bevan Bennett when he misjudged a Rory Kleinveldt deliver which came back just enough to win the lbw decision. Fellow opener Michael Smith and nightwatchman Siyabulela Nelani saw them through to the close with no further alarms, Border ending the day still 304 behind.

Leeds United could sign a new Max Gradel in Spain’s Euro 2020 ace Adama Traore amid a recent transfer claim.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are interested in signing the Wolves winger, with claims back in December initially revealing that the Whites were keen on bringing him to Elland Road.

If they do, they could get someone to finally be their new Gradel.

Leeds’ new Max Gradel

A piece done by The Scratching Shed’s on some of Leeds’ most exciting wingers of the 21st century said of Gradel: “Tricky, nimble, quick and with a goal-scoring record some strikers would be envious of, Max Gradel at his best was unplayable, a game-changing miracle worker opposition teams had no answer for.

“Two seasons as an impact player in League One was nearly the end of Gradel’s story after he lost his head and was sent off in a crucial end-of-season clash against Bristol, a game which Leeds needed to win to secure promotion. Gradel hadn’t forgotten his error though, promising to make amends the following season, he did so in style, becoming an ever-present in Simon Grayson’s side scoring 18 goals in 41 appearances collecting both the fans’ and players’ player of the season awards.”

In Traore, Leeds can find someone who is equally quick, tricky and incredibly difficult to stop when running at players.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp even hailed him as “unplayable” following his performance against the Anfield side last year, and it’s no surprise that Rio Ferdinand has even described him as a “machine” and someone who’s “been scaring defenders”.

The £100,000-a-week Spaniard’s sheer pace could give Leeds a different dimension to the tricks and skills offered by someone like Raphinha.

Former Leeds man David Norris has thrown his backing behind a potential move, telling Football FanCast: “He (Bielsa) likes them attacking, exciting players that can create. They still must work hard, but the way he’s been in the last couple of seasons, and how much of a danger he is and how much he an create, I think that would be a great signing. Leeds are looking for top players and I think he’s a top player.”

If Leeds can get a deal over the line for the £27m-rated Traore, then they could have someone as explosive and quick as Gradel was in his pomp.

Meanwhile, Leeds receive major update on Marcelo Bielsa’s future…

West Ham and Everton have entered the race to sign Inter Milan forward Martin Satriano, according to Metro. 

The lowdown

Satriano has caught the eye with a number of strong performances for the Inter Milan under-23s side during the 2020/21 season, having netted 14 goals in all competitions.

It appears as though that hasn’t gone unnoticed despite the fact he hasn’t yet made a single senior showing, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur being linked with a move for the 20-year-old.

Satriano still has three years remaining on his current deal with the Italian side, but it remains to be seen as to whether he’ll see out his contract with Inter Milan.

The latest

West Ham and Everton are believed to have now entered the race to sign Satriano, according to a recent report from Metro.

At this moment in time, it remains to be seen as to which club is leading the race to land his signature, and it’s also unclear as to whether Inter Milan are even prepared to consider selling Satriano anytime soon.

The verdict

We could see him being a solid addition to the West Ham team heading into towards the 2021/22 league campaign.

Additional depth is certainly needed in attacking areas of the West Ham team this summer, with squad rotation likely as they’re competing in European competitions next term and Michail Antonio’s injury issues also a concern.

Satriano is a relatively raw talent still at the age of 20, especially when he doesn’t have much experience in senior football at this stage of his career.

If you’re attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Chelsea however, then you’re doing something right, and it could be shrewd signing for the Hammers if they can beat those teams in striking an agreement to landing Satriano’s signature.

He may not be the man to immediately challenge Antonio for his starting spot in David Moyes’ XI given his inexperience at the top level though, so perhaps another striker signing could be required on top of the Uruguayan gem.

As if the English selectors didn’t have enough problems already on theirhands, the issue of Alec Stewart would give them sufficient food for thoughtto feed them for a week

David Wiseman12-Nov-2002As if the English selectors didn’t have enough problems already on theirhands, the issue of Alec Stewart would give them sufficient food for thoughtto feed them for a week.Playing him as a wicket-keeper/batsman should give the team extra flexibilitybut at the moment it looks more unbalanced than the leaning tower of Pisa.A conventional side has six batsmen, four bowlers and a ‘keeper. If Stewartis out of form with the bat like he was at the Gabba, the side is playingwith five batsman. They lose out there and they lose out in what they aregaining for the gamble that is Craig White. It’s doubtful whether White is makingenough runs or taking enough wickets to justify his position.Not withstanding the loss of Simon Jones, the bowling of England in Brisbane waspoor – how much worse would it have been if Stewart was picked as a ‘keeper?England struggled to bowl out Australia with the extra bowler but they mustrealise they need quality not quantity.Stewart’s best batting was done at the top of the order. Eight of his 15centuries were peeled off when opening the batting. Three more when battingat No 3. He averaged 45 when opening as opposed to 38 at No 6.He averaged 46.70 when not ‘keeping and 34.45 when playing as a’keeper/batsman. For England, playing Stewart as a ‘keeper/batsman might seemthe logical situation but they seem to have gained the worst from bothworlds from the experiment.They seem to be tortured by a Catch-22. Stewart makes runs which wouldwarrant him playing as a ‘keeper/batsman but he only makes the runs when heisn’t ‘keeping.Andy Flower and Zimbabwe have done well out of Flower’s transition to a’keeper/batsman. He averaged 35 when not ‘keeper as opposed to 54 when’keeping.If ever a side seemed ideal to play a ‘keeper/batsman it would be Australia.Adam Gilchrist could bat at No 6. This would allow Australia an extra bowlerwhich could come in the shape of another spinner or maybe some variety suchas a left-armer.If the all-rounder Australia is so desperate to unearth ever turns up, theycould have Gilchrist at No 6 and fit him in at No 7.Gilchrist opens for Australia in the shorter form of the game but it isdoubtful they would throw such caution to the wind and play him as aspecialist bat for Test matches.Given Australia’s recent well-documented middle-order collapses, maybe it’sbetter if he stays where he is.