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Former NZ batter had his life ban for corrupt activities revised in 2023

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Aug-2024

Lou Vincent scored three centuries in 102 ODIs•Getty Images

Lou Vincent, the former New Zealand international, received a special cap earlier this month to commemorate his 100th ODI, nearly 17 years since the milestone in 2007. Sir Richard Hadlee presented Vincent the cap in Auckland at a small ceremony attended by Vincent’s family and some former team-mates.”It was a lovely way to be acknowledged for my cricketing career, and to be able to use the night as an avenue to say thank you very, very much to people who’ve been by my side through the great times and the tricky times,” Vincent told The Post. “It was a really memorable, special night with some lovely words spoken.”Vincent, who finished with 2413 runs in 102 ODIs, also played 23 Tests and nine T20Is between 2001 and 2007. He then played in the now-defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL) and was on the domestic circuit until 2014, when he was banned for life by the ECB for corrupt activities on the county circuit.In December 2023, the ECB revised the punishment, allowing Vincent to return to working in domestic cricket.Related

Lou Vincent to address conference in Melbourne with 'powerful message to the next generation'

Vincent banned for life by ECB

Lou Vincent's life ban revised, allowing him to return to domestic cricket

“The past is the past,” Vincent said in Auckland. “It was powerful that I had such huge support for the application for the ban to be appealed and there was no opposition from the ECB, they fully respected the work I’d done behind the scenes over the last few years and using my experiences to help educate the next generation of players.”NZC chief executive Scott Weenink said the board had been sitting on Vincent’s commemorative cap “for probably 13 years.””The reality is, you can’t forget what he actually did and he would be the first to admit that, but he’s done his penance and no one has done more to fight match-fixing than he has by being so open and telling everything that he knew,” Weenink said. “When the opportunity came, it was really the least we could do to present him with his cap.”According to Vincent, Hadlee – the former chairman of selectors who had first picked him for New Zealand – was in tears while presenting the cap.”I was able to say to him ‘Richard, you are New Zealand Cricket, you are the best player we’ve ever had, you’ve achieved so much, and for you to take time out and fly to Auckland to want to present this cap to me is so, so humbling and a reflection of the great man you are,” Vincent said. “And he was in tears. Sir Richard Hadlee in tears!”Vincent’s 100th ODI appearance came in Cape Town in December 2007, where he scored 18 and also took his only ODI wicket by dismissing Jacques Kallis. Now 45, and slowly returning to cricket, Vincent recently turned out for Seddon Cricket Club and was involved in a five-day match to raise awareness on men’s mental health.”Life moves on, and my life has moved on now. I’ve been blessed with a little son, and I’ve got two daughters who are teenagers,” Vincent said. “To have the opportunity to start a family again and be settled in the far north and have the beach life – a simple life – this is all I’m focused on now.”

كشف مصدر مسؤول داخل النادي الأهلي، عن قرار مفاجئ للكابتن محمود الخطيب رئيس النادي بشأن الاستمرار في منصبه، كما أوضح موقفه من الترشح لفترة انتخابية جديدة.

ويمر النادي الأهلي، في الوقت الحالي بمرحلة صعبة وذلك بعد إقالة الجهاز الفني بقيادة الإسباني خوسيه ريبيرو، عقب سلسلة من النتائج السلبية وكان آخرها الخسارة من بيراميدز في الدوري.

وقال المصدر في تصريحات لـ بطولات: “الخطيب اعتذر عن عدم الاستمرار في منصبه بالإضافة إلى عدم الترشح في الانتخابات المقبلة لأسباب صحية”.

طالع أيضاً.. فائض في كرة القدم.. الأهلي يعتمد ميزانية العام المالي الحالي

وأضاف: “قرار الخطيب بشأن الاستمرار في منصبه غير نهائي”.

وكان الخطيب قد حضر مران الفريق الخميس، وحرص على توجيه رسالة إلى اللاعبين أكد خلالها ثقته الكاملة في قدراتهم، وطالبهم بإغلاق صفحة الفترة الماضية والتركيز فيما هو قادم.

يذكر أن محمود الخطيب قد تولى رئاسة النادي الأهلي فترتين متتاليتين بداية من عام 2018 حتى 2025.

There were plenty of reasons why Arsenal’s campaign went so awry last season, from poor form to questionable refereeing decisions early on.

However, arguably the biggest problem was injuries, specifically to the frontline and, most crucially, to Bukayo Saka.

The Hale End icon is Mikel Arteta’s talisman, and even though he missed almost four months of action, he still managed to rack up a haul of 12 goals and 14 assists in 37 games, so just imagine how much better the team would’ve fared had he remained fit.

So, to seriously improve the squad, Andrea Berta and Co need to sign someone who can be as impactful as Saka this summer, and the good news is that it looks like they are.

Arsenal close in on big-money transfer

While some were justifiably concerned earlier in the window due to the club’s lack of business last year, this summer’s transfer window is shaping up to be something quite special for Arsenal.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard have already been announced and are taking part in training, while Noni Madueke has passed his medical and Christian Mosquera was due to have his yesterday.

On top of that, links to Crystal Palace’s incredible Eberechi Eze refuse to go away, and now it looks like the North Londoners are closing in on a star who could emulate Saka in the top half of the pitch.

At least that is according to a recent report from Portugal, which has claimed that Arsenal are on the verge of signing Viktor Gyokeres.

In fact, the report has revealed that after seeing several offers rebuffed by Sporting CP, the Gunners have now reached a full agreement to sign the player.

Sporting president, Frederico Varandas, had been holding up the deal in recent days, largely because he was not satisfied with the nature of the add-ons Arsenal were proposing as part of the move. Well, the report now notes there is a full agreement on those add-ons, with the Gunners set to pay €63m (£55m) in cash with a series of easy-to-meet bonuses that could increase the fee by another €10m (8.6m).

As a result, the player has been permitted to undergo a medical and will travel to London to have one on Friday, meaning he can join up with the squad ahead of the pre-season trip to Singapore at the weekend.

It’s a lot of money to spend on one player, but Gyokeres has proven his worth over the last two years, and he could end up being Arteta’s new Saka.

Why Gyokeres could emulate Saka at Arsenal

Okay, first things first: yes, Gyokeres and Saka play in totally different positions and, honestly, are quite different in their play styles.

However, when we say that the former could be Arteta’s new version of the latter, we aren’t thinking about that; instead, it is more about the overall impact they can both have on the attack.

It’s safe to say that the Hale Ender, who was able to amass 26 goal involvements for the Gunners last season, has been carrying the Arsenal attack on his back for the last few years.

He’s the star of the team and he’s the main man. However, Gyokeres was even more prolific in front of goal last season and has the potential to emulate Saka, becoming their new Saka-like star player in the process.

Indeed, in his 52 appearances, totalling 4248 minutes, for the Lisbon side, the 27-year-old “powerhouse,” as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, scored an unreal 54 goals and provided 13 assists.

That means the Sporting superstar maintained an out-of-this-world average of 1.28 goal involvements per game, or one every 63.40 minutes.

Gyokeres’ recent form

Season

23/24

24/25

Appearances

50

52

Minutes

4169′

4248′

Goals

43

54

Assists

15

13

Goal Involvements per Match

1.16

1.28

Minutes per Goal Involvement

71.87′

63.40′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

The former Coventry City star was almost as dangerous in the 2023/24 campaign as well, scoring 43 goals and providing 15 assists in 50 appearances, totalling 4,169 minutes, which came out to a 1.16 goal involvements per game, or one every 71.87 minutes.

Now, those numbers will come down in the Premier League, but even if he only manages to hit 50% of what he did last season next year, Arteta and Co will be laughing.

Moreover, it means Saka would no longer have to carry the majority of the attacking burden, which could in turn help him reach yet another level.

Ultimately, we aren’t saying Gyokeres is a similar player to the England ace, but due to his otherworldly level of output, he could become as important to Arsenal’s attack.

Related He'd make Gyokeres better: Arsenal showing real interest in £100m PL star

Just imagine if Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres and this £100m winger.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 15, 2025

قام الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا”، بتسليم نادي بيراميدز شهادة المشاركة في بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال، موقعة من السويسري جياني إنفانتبنو رئيس الاتحاد الدولي.

ويشارك نادي بيراميدز للمرة الأولى في بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال، بعد تتويجه ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا في الموسم الماضي 2024-2025.

ووفقًا للمركز الإعلامي لنادي بيراميدز، تسلم نادي بيراميدز شهادة المشاركة في النسخة الجديدة من بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال التي ينظمها الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم، فيفا، موقعة من السويسري جياني إنفانتبنو رئيس الاتحاد الدولي.

طالع | إجراء جديد من فيفا قبل مواجهة بيراميدز وأوكلاند سيتي في كأس إنتركونتيننتال

ويلتقي بيراميدز مع أوكلاند سيتي، في التاسعة من مساء غد الأحد، على استاد الدفاع الجوي، في الدور الأول من بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال.

وسلم مسئول الفيفا، الشهادة لنادي بيراميدز وتسلمها ممثلا عن النادي، المهندس عمر مدحت المدير التجاري، ومصطفى طنطاوي مدير إدارة الإعلام والاتصال المؤسسي.

تجدر الإشارة إلى أنه في حالة فوز نادي بيراميدز وتأهله، إلى دور ربع النهائي من بطولة الإنتركونتيننتال، سيواجه فريق الأهلي السعودي في جدة، يوم 23 سبتمبر.

He has not adequately recovered, and will now work on his fitness at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Aug-2024

Aamer Jamal’s county stint with Warwickshire was also cut short this summer•Getty Images

Pakistan fast-bowling allrounder Aamer Jamal will miss the two-Test series against Bangladesh, the PCB confirmed on Monday.Two days out of the series opener in Rawalpindi, Pakistan announced their XI, with Saim Ayub, the incumbent opener, retaining his place at the top after having made his Test debut against Australia at the SCG in January earlier this year. The selectors picked Ayub for continuity, which meant Muhammad Hurraira will have to wait for his international debut.Hurraira, 22, has been a heavy scorer in domestic cricket and last month he scored 218 against a Bangladesh High Performance XI in a four-day game in Darwin.Saud Shakeel was named vice-captain while Naseem Shah was also back in the XI for his first Test match since July 2023.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

As for Jamal, he was initially selected in the squad with his participation subject to fitness clearance. He was most likely going to miss the first Test, starting on August 21 in Rawalpindi, as he hadn’t completely recovered from his back injury, but is now ruled out of the second Test starting August 30 as well.Jamal, who was Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker in the away series in Australia in 2023-24 with 18 wickets in three Tests, has been dealing with lower back issues since May this year. The injury also affected and ultimately curtailed his multi-format stint with Warwickshire in England, and he last played competitive cricket in June.Related

Shan Masood: 'We want to give Saim Ayub a fair chance'

T20 WC blues behind them, Pakistan and Bangladesh switch focus to red-ball cricket

Aamer Jamal leaves Warwickshire early after injury-blighted stint

Bangladesh look to shut out the noise and find rhythm in Rawalpindi

Pakistan set to play all-pace attack in a home Test for the second time in 28 years

Jamal was originally the lone seam-bowling allrounder in the squad, and with no replacement named, Pakistan will go into the first Test with 14 players since Abrar Ahmed and Kamran Ghulam were also released to play for the Shaheens. Pakistan are also expected to name an all-seam attack for the first Test and the other quicks in the squad are Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mir Hamza, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali.Jamal will now work on his fitness at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore with one eye on regaining fitness before the Test series against England in October.Pakistan XI for the first Test against Bangladesh1 Abdullah Shafique, 2 Saim Ayub, 3 Shan Masood (capt), 4 Babar Azam, 5 Saud Shakeel (vice-capt), 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Salman Ali Agha, 8 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Khurram Shahzad, 11 Mohammad Ali

After triggering Morgan Gibbs-White’s release clause nearly two weeks ago, almost every Tottenham Hotspur fan would’ve expected a deal to be completed by now.

However, when dealing with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, a deal was never going to be straightforward, but no one could’ve predicted what has happened since.

The Reds have claimed that Thomas Frank’s side made an illegal approach for his signature, resulting in his secret release clause now becoming public.

It’s unclear whether Forest are set to report the club over a potential deal, with all contact between the two sides now ceased as a result of the approach that was made for his signature.

Given the recent delay in a move for the England international, other targets are subsequently being considered in North London, with multiple names entering the mix in the past few days.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new signings this summer

Ardon Jashari has emerged as a surprise option for Spurs in the midfield department as of late, with the Swiss international set to depart Club Brugge this summer.

The Belgian outfit are said to be demanding a fee in the region of £32m for his signature this window, but could face stiff competition from Italian side AC Milan for his signature.

However, another name has entered the mix, with Frank’s side now turning their attention to a deal to sign Atlético Madrid star Conor Gallagher, according to TBR Football.

The report claims that the Lilywhites have made contact with the Spanish outfit over a potential move for the 25-year-old midfielder during the summer window.

It also states they could be open to offloading the Englishman should they receive an acceptable offer after paying £33m for his signature 12 months ago.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be an upgrade on Sarr

Pape Matar Sarr was a key member of Spurs’ midfield department during the 2024/25 campaign, ending the season with a staggering 55 appearances across all competitions.

The Senegalese international has already made over 100 appearances for the Lilywhites after making his debut for the club back in the 2022/23 season.

He has the potential to become a club legend in North London should he continue on such a trajectory, having time to develop further given his tender age of just 22.

Such a deal to land him a couple of years ago reflects the sensational business the hierarchy have conducted in recent years, now looking a bargain given his £14.6m transfer fee.

However, he may struggle to keep hold of his starting role in the 2025/26 campaign should they complete a deal for Gallagher, with the Englishman having the potential to replace him in the side.

When comparing their stats from the recent season, the Atlético star managed to better him in various areas, highlighting how much of a brilliant addition he would be to Frank’s side this summer.

Gallagher, who’s been labelled a “monster” by one analyst, registered more combined goals and assists, offering the side an added goalscoring threat despite his deep-lying role.

How Gallagher & Sarr compare in the 2024/25 campaign

Statistics (per 90)

Gallagher

Sarr

Games played

32

36

Goals & assists

6

5

Pass accuracy

87%

86%

Passes into the opposition box

0.8

0.5

Tackles won

1.8

1.6

Tackle success rate

54%

48%

Take-on success

41%

36%

Recoveries made

5.9

5.4

Stats via FBref

He also completed more of the passes he attempted, with more of which going into the final third, showcasing the talent he possesses with the ball at his feet.

However, his defensive talents are just as impressive, winning more tackles per 90 and achieving a higher success rate in regaining possession – potentially being the perfect box-to-box option in Frank’s midfield department.

Whilst it’s unclear how much the LaLiga outfit will be demanding for his services this summer, it’s evident that he would be an upgrade on the options currently at the manager’s disposal.

If he can replicate such form in North London, it would be a fantastic piece of business, subsequently allowing the club to move past the current saga over a deal for Gibbs-White.

Related Their own Ekitike: Spurs eyeing move for Arsenal's "golden" striker target

The prolific gem could be something really special at Spurs.

Posts 1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 21, 2025

لعب نادي ليفربول اليوم السبت أمام نظيره إيفرتون، وذلك لحساب الجولة الخامسة من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز على ملعب آنفيلد.

واستطاع نادي ليفربول الفوز على إيفرتون بشق الأنفس بهدفين مقابل هدف واحد، حيث أحرز هدفي الريدز كلًا من ريان جرافنبيرخ وكذلك هوجو إيكيتيكي.

وتم الكشف عن جائزة أفضل لاعب في لقاء ليفربول وإيفرتون، والتي تمنحها رابطة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز للاعبين.

أقرأ أيضًا .. تقييم محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول وإيفرتون بـ الدوري الإنجليزي

وتوج محمد صلاح، نجم نادي ليفربول، بجائزة رجل المباراة في لقاء اليوم، بعد مستواه المميز أمام إيفرتون وصناعته للهدف الأول بواسطة جرافنبيرخ، حسبما جاء عبر موقع الدوري الإنجليزي.

وحاذ محمد صلاح على أعلى نسبة من الأصوات في لقاء اليوم ليتوج بجائزة رجل المباراة بنسبة 35%، متفوقًا على جرافنبيرخ الذي جاء في المركز الثاني بنسبة 33%.

واحتل هوجو إيكيتيكي المركز الثالث بنسبة 20%، في حين جاء جاك جريليش رابعًا بنسبة 5% ، بينما احتل فيرجيل فان دايك المركز الخامس بنسبة 3%.

وتواجد ندياي، جناح إيفرتون في المركز السابع بنسبة 2%، في حين تقاسم جيمس تاركوفسكي وإدريسا جاي المركز الثامن بنسبة 1%.

New Zealand batter fell for 92 just eight balls into the final morning, before Jayasuriya bagged five in the second innings

Madushka Balasuriya23-Sep-2024

Prabath Jayasuriya bagged 5 for 68 in the second innings•AFP/Getty Images

Sri Lanka didn’t need long on the final morning in Galle to wrap things up, taking just 15 minutes to grab the final two New Zealand wickets and secure a 63-run win in the first Test. The result means Sri Lanka go 1-0 up in the two-match series, while also leapfrogging New Zealand up to third place in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table.Prabath Jayasuriya was at the forefront of Sri Lanka’s charge, finishing with figures of 5 for 68 – his eighth five-wicket haul, and his seventh in Galle. He ended with match figures of 9 for 204, taking home the Player-of-the-Match award.After having fought so hard the previous day, Rachin Ravindra lasted just eight deliveries into the first session of the final morning as Jayasuriya trapped him in front with an arm ball for 92 off 168 balls. Coming around the wicket, Jayasuriya tossed one up on leg as Ravindra was caught in the crease playing down the wrong line. He reviewed, but once it was confirmed to be pitching in line, there would be no saving him.And any lingering hopes of a famous rearguard were then swiftly quashed, as Will O’Rourke kept out just five deliveries before the sixth slipped past his forward defence and on to off stump to hand Jayasuriya his fifth wicket of the innings.O’Rourke wouldn’t quite be satisfied with how the game ended after an impressive showing in the game as he finished with eight wickets to his name – the second-most across the Test, and the same as Ajaz Patel.In terms of how this result impacts the WTC, it keeps Sri Lanka’s outside hopes of a berth in the final alive. But for New Zealand, it makes their task considerably tougher, with an away series against India and a home series England coming up in the next few months.There will be no time to dwell on this result for either team, with just a two-day break before the second Test gets underway on Thursday – also in Galle.

MatériaMais Notícias

Mesmo com a presidente do Palmeiras, Leila Pereira, tendo exposto divergências com a diretoria do Flamengo em discussões referentes a Libra, não há possibilidade de migração do clube alviverde à Liga Forte Futebol neste momento. A mandatária palmeirense é uma das principais engajadas na Libra desde as primeiras conversas para criação do movimento e não pensa em abrir mão disso.

A ideia de Leila, na verdade, é usar da sua influência, que é grande, para se aproximar das equipes que integram a Forte e unir forças em busca de juntar os projetos e torná-los somente um.

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+Flaco López brilha novamente em vitória do Palmeiras na estreia no Brasileirão

Porém, para isso acontecer, existe uma pressão para a diminuição da desigualdade na distribuição das receitas da Liga Brasileira entre os times de maior e menor torcida, o que é feito na Forte. Já há algum tempo que a representante do Verdão se convenceu disso e se posiciona a favor de que o modelo do estatuto da Libra precisa ser revisto, Porém, isso esbarra no Flamengo, que é contrário e se escora na regra de que qualquer mudança só poderia acontecer se for unânime. Leila Pereira, então, tenta mudar para que as decisões sejam tomadas através de votações e as escolhas por meio de uma maioria qualificada – superior a metade mais um dos votos.

Nos bastidores, o incômodo dos palmeirenses, especialmente através da presidente do clube, em relação às posturas dos flamenguistas nas discussões referentes à Libra já existem há algum tempo, mas ficou mais explícito e até mesmo acalorado nas últimas reuniões do movimento. Isso levou às declarações fortes de Leila Pereira na última sexta-feira (14) contra as posturas da direção da equipe carioca, classificadas como soberba pela mandatária do Alviverde.

O interesse de aproximação da maioria dos clubes da Libra com os da Forte é por conta, principalmente, de duas questões:

– Receio de que com dois projetos a ideia de liga independente no Brasil possa ‘engasgar’ e não sair do papel;

– Financeiro, já que a LFF tem por trás um fundo de investimentos norte-americano, surpreendendo os times que integram a Libra, que no início não colocavam fé na sustentabilidade do outro projeto.

A ideia dos clubes que defendem a união entre Libra e Forte é unificar a capacidade de investimento e diminuir a diferença entre eles. O Flamengo, por sua vez, acredita que precisa ficar com a maior fatia na divisão das receitas por ter a maior torcida e, consequentemente, maiores audiências. As cotas referentes aos direitos de transmissão são as principais fontes de entrada financeira dessas ligas no início.

continua após a publicidade

FSG have been unusually trigger-happy in the summer transfer market, but Liverpool’s owners are actually just conducting themselves with well-considered ambition.

This is no scattergun spending approach from the Reds, who won the Premier League last season after spending virtually nothing after Jurgen Klopp closed his illustrious chapter at Anfield.

Arne Slot rewarded this city for their patience and acceptance by winning the club their record-equalling 20th league title, and now he has been repaid with sweeping changes across the summer, setting up the foundations of a sustained period of success.

However, while there have been some incredible signings, and while the Anfield side still chase Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, several stars have ventured away for new challenges.

Luis Diaz is one such player.

Why Liverpool sold Luis Diaz

Though Diaz’s Liverpool career has its ebbs and flows, there’s no denying his electric-paced, mazy-dribbling game added much to Klopp and then Slot’s projects.

But the 28-year-old has signed for Bayern Munich for £65.5m this summer despite having two years left on his contract. Common ground could not be found between Liverpool and the Colombian, and so he goes for pastures new.

The fact Liverpool attempted to extend Diaz’s contract highlights the desire to keep him on board, but terms could not be agreed upon.

There’s been a lot of change at Liverpool this summer, and the South American’s stability and consistency could have been a real helper as Slot looks to repeat a trick.

Alas, he’s been sold, but FSG cannot allow the same to happen with Ibrahima Konate, whose footballing future is very much uncertain.

Liverpool must keep Ibrahima Konate

Liverpool signed Konate from RB Leipzig four years ago, in May 2021, paying his £36m release clause to reel him over to Merseyside.

Injuries have been a common and frustrating theme for the Frenchman through his Premier League career, but there’s no question that he’s from the top drawer, hailed by analyst Josh Williams as a “monster at covering ground and dealing with one vs one situations.”

How curious that Konate’s most fruitful season in the Premier League should align with Liverpool’s one title triumph across his time in England.

Ibrahima Konate – Premier League Career by Season

#

Apps (starts)

Goals

Assists

Clean Sheets

24/25

31 (30)

1

2

11

23/24

22 (17)

–

–

5

22/23

18 (17)

–

–

7

21/22

11 (11)

–

–

4

Data via Sofascore

And now, aged 26, the France international is approaching the prime of his career at a time when Virgil van Dijk stands on the autumn of his own period at the top.

He’s now featured 132 times for Liverpool, and the recent season of relatively few injury blows bespeak his athletic maturity, something that Slot has managed to raise across the board.

Having entered the final year of his £70k-per-week contract, alarm bells are surely ringing in the FSG offices, especially when the likes of Fabrizio Romano reported way back in October 2024 that negotiations over a renewal were going smoothly.

Things are uncertain at present. This wasn’t supposed to be the case. What has caused such drastic change in the intervening period? Real Madrid, of course, who want to link him back up with Trent Alexander-Arnold as the Xabi Alonso era shapes up.

According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Florentino Perez hopes to emulate his club’s deal for Trent by landing Konate on a free transfer in 2026, but a fast-track of plans isn’t out of the question, with Liverpool said to be open to cashing in this summer for a €55m (about £47m) fee.

This cannot come to pass. In fact, Liverpool would find that they would suffer a bigger blow than losing Diaz, were they to part with Konate now.

Though the imposing Frenchman is partnered with Van Dijk, the skipper won’t be around forever, and Liverpool’s decision to have sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £35m earlier in the window only highlights the desperate need for change.

Marc Guehi is wanted on Merseyside, actually in his final year at Crystal Palace. The England international is in a similar boat to Konate, but there’s surely a future at Liverpool where the two centre-backs cohabit, for there is a dearth of depth at the rearguard in Slot’s team despite the heavy spending over the past few months.

There’s also no telling whether Guehi would manage to rise to the occasion and play with the steely gusto of Konate, who completed 90% of his passes and won 71% of his aerial battles in the Premier League last year, as per Sofascore.

Given that the 6 foot Guehi’s aerial dominance is a weakness, replacing Konate with him ahead of Van Dijk’s swansong might be to the detriment of Liverpool’s aerial strength (Guehi won just 54% of his aerial battles last season).

Liverpool’s second-best central defender has been a terrific servant, and when considering that he earns comparatively little at £70k per week, it’s understandable that he should be expecting to be paid his dues, especially when Van Dijk pockets way more at £400k per week.

Ultimately, Liverpool know that they need to throw the kitchen sink at getting the Les Bleus talent’s new deal over the line, for losing him could be a blow that rocks the boat too hard, unlike that of Diaz, with the overload of attacking signings likely to offset his departure.

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Jul 31, 2025