Sunday evening's 2-0 defeat to Arsenal was a reminder that Newcastle United have not quite reached the desired pedestal despite exemplary work in the Premier League this season.

Having failed to qualify for the Champions League for 20 years, Eddie Howe's outfit have waltzed into top four reckoning this season and perch in third place with just four matches to play, a point above fourth-placed Manchester United and two points above Liverpool – who have played an extra game – in fifth.

Newcastle do remain a distance behind title-chasing Manchester City and Arsenal, and must now look to make apt signings to edge closer to the very forefront of the division, and bolstering the offensive ranks with someone of Harvey Barnes' ilk would be a sterling way to continue the improvements.

According to the Daily Mail, the Leicester City ace could depart from the King Power Stadium this summer, yet to enter contract negotiations with his current deal set to expire in 2025.

The report states that the winger was valued at £60m when the Magpies inquired about his availability this time last year, with Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur supposedly considering a move. They are joined in their interest by the Toon who still hold an admiration for the player.

Should Newcastle sign Harvey Barnes?

Despite United's newfound affluence since the £300m PIF takeover in October 2021, the deals forged on the transfer front have been shrewdly worked and embody the well-worked strategies implemented; a structural organisation fit for a team searching for success at the highest level.

One deal that has not quite cut the grade thus far is the £45m acquisition of 21-year-old winger Anthony Gordon, who has flattered to deceive across his 12 outings for the side since his January arrival, yet to score or assist.

Unquestionably, the Liverpudlian is a talented prospect and could yet forge a successful career at the highest level, but he's not there yet and currently yields a seasonal Sofascore rating of just 6.66 in the Premier League, hardly exuding confidence with his average of 1.2 shots and 0.5 key passes per outing.

Barnes, retrospectively, has exhibited an impressive cutting edge for his team over the past few years, integral in sustaining the offensive fluidity when Leicester were at their free-flowing best under Brendan Rodgers and prolific during the current campaign, providing a reliable striking outlet despite the club's perilous Premier League position.

Across the duration of his City career, the £40k-per-week star has scored 42 goals and supplied 32 assists from 183 appearances, winning the FA Cup and Community Shield and being singled out as "unbelievable" by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for his exploits.

The one-cap England international has indeed been a menace in front of goal this term, scoring ten league goals from 30 outings, with his talismanic aura aiding his side greatly in the fight to preserve top-flight status, above 18th-placed Nottingham Forest only on goal difference with four matches to play.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 11% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues for rate of non-penalty goals per 90, indeed encapsulating his clinical prowess and reminding the likes of Howe of the impact that he could make on Newcastle's fortunes.

He could be the "catalyst" – as he has been dubbed by his Leicester manager – for the next phase of the Toon team's ascension, and as the Magpies continue their skywards flight, Barnes' prospective inclusion could spell danger for all who oppose their claim for a spot at the top.

On a day that Alastair Cook scored his fifth Test century in India, the most by a visiting batsman, he came desperately close to registering an unlikely Test win, but was defied by his opposite number Virat Kohli

The Report by Sidharth Monga13-Nov-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details2:29

Compton: England walk away with psychological advantage

On a day that Alastair Cook scored his fifth Test century in India, the most by a visiting batsman, he came desperately close to registering an unlikely Test win, but his opposite number Virat Kohli and R Ashwin saw India through with a 14.2-over partnership after England needed six wickets in 25.2 of the minimum of 49 overs they had given themselves to win the Test in. As England bowled their overs quickly and got 52.3 of them in, Kohli, digging in, having a go at the team mascot for returning the ball too soon, casting rueful glances at his departing partners, hitting boundaries to eat up time, rescued India when they nearly threw it away through no experience of batting when to save Tests.As much as Kohli’s resistance, the lower-order runs in the first innings and some tight bowling at times, India could thank umpire Chris Gaffaney’s interpretation that Ashwin was playing a shot when his bat would be hidden behind the pad and about a foot wide of the line of the ball. It arguably earned India nine overs.Ashwin went on to survive 53 balls to go with Kohli’s 98 to finish a Test that he will count as a good one despite taking only three wickets in the whole match. England, though, will consider it as a moral victory. Ashwin had to bowl 61 overs for third of those wickets after he had struck with the last ball of the first session of the Test. His match figures of 3 for 230 were keeping in with his overall average of 53.4 against England.On the final day, Ashwin felt the need to bowl with a changed action, getting more side-on, rocking back on the right foot, which resulted in more pace and more rip, but all that it got him was economical figures. He conceded 31 runs in 13.3 overs, which might have had a part to play in the slightly conservative declaration: the asking rate for India was over six an over.Having come so close in the end, England will wonder if they could have declared earlier – when the asking rate reached five perhaps – but only those who have worked extremely hard to get into lead will know the risks involved in giving a chance to an opposition that had won 12 last home Tests not affected by weather. They would have also taken into the equation the pitch, which was turning square in the end but when England batted it did so from the rough and not from the centre, which is what concerns most batsmen.Adil Rashid look threatening in the final session•Associated PressThere will be those criticising the pitch, but they will do well to look at the number of missed chances that rose to 11 with Zafar Ansari dropping a tough chance from M Vijay and Stuart Broad shelling a dolly from Cheteshwar Pujara. Any of those wickets, coming at the back of Gautam Gambhir’s duck, would have opened the Test up. Staying unbeaten would have helped Gambhir’s case on a day that KL Rahul returned to first-class cricket. As he looks to revive his Test career, Gambhir did himself no favours by giving second slip catching practice after having played all around a straight delivery in the first innings.Vijay and Pujara then calmed India’s nerves for a bit before they got into an unusual drive fest against the spin of Ansari. Vijay had lofted him down the ground beautifully in the first innings, but this time got too close to one and failed to get the elevation. Drilled back at Ansar, this half chance hit the index finger of the right hand and popped out. The next offering, in the 11th over, went to Broad at point at about one-fifth the pace but popped out again.By the time Pujara got out lbw to Rashid’s legbreak that hit him in front of middle, which should mean that on a fifth-day pitch this had to be pitched outside leg, England had lost 5.4 valuable overs. Pujara’s partner, Vijay, didn’t help matters by looking away as opposed to being alert to a possible review.This was just before tea. Soon after the break, Vijay was done in by Rashid’s drift; playing at a delivery that pitched outside leg and came back to take his inside edge for a bat-pad catch. Ajinkya Rahane saw a short ball, shaped up to pull and exposed his stumps, and then ended up looking to cut as this Moeen Ali offbreak cramped him up. He was bowled off the pads, and you wondered if India – not the best at batting out draws – would mess this up too.Either not trusting their defensive games or mindful of bouncing balls going to hand if they defended, Kohli and Ashwin too kept playing their shots. Except in one particular over when Ashwin exploited the umpires’ leniency towards batsmen pretending to play at balls. On three occasions he was hit on the front pad well in front of and straight of the bat. On all three occasion, Gaffaney ruled not-out because he reckoned Ashwin played those balls. As much was confirmed when England challenged the middle call.The DRS playing conditions have no room for the third umpire to overrule the on-field umpire on whether the batsman played a shot or not. Gaffaney told third umpire Rod Tucker Ashwin had offered his bat in his opinion. The replays returned an umpire’s call here, but the other two were hitting the stumps flush.Finally, though, India’s need to attack got the better of them and Ashwin drove Ansari to short cover after having hit three fours in an Ansari over. India still had a minimum of 10 overs to survive. Wriddhiman Saha came out charging at the spinners, and was applauded by Kohli when he lofted one over mid-on. The charge got him soon as he offered a return catch to Rashid. This brought back memories of Adelaide when India had come close to an improbable target, but lost in a collapse triggered by Saha’s forays down the wicket.Kohli, though, stayed firm as the Test grew tenser in the last 10 overs. England tried everything. They brought all the fielders in, their reserve fielders sat the edge of the boundary to save time should India hit boundaries. One such boundary, hit by Ravindra Jadeja, bisected the two reserve fielders, but was returned promptly by Dharamveer, a specially abled man who travels to India matches and is allowed to watch from the boundary edge. Kohli let his annoyance known.Kohli saved the match in his own way. He used his wrists to keep the ball down but kept driving hard at balls. In he 46th over, it nearly got him out as he looked to whip a sharp offbreak to midwicket. The ball, fortunately for him, fell straight of forward short leg. In his own way, Jadeja kept hitting boundaries with Rashid spinning the ball into him, and ended up with 32 off 33.England will still be happy they pushed India after their batsmen had made the pitch and the bowling look easy. Cook became only the fourth visiting batsman to score 1000 runs in India, Haseeb Hameed registered the highest score for an England teenager but fell 18 short of what would have an emotional debut century in front of his family, and the promoted Ben Stokes scored a run-a-ball 29 to facilitate the declaration, but as it turned out England didn’t have enough time in the end.

Liverpool are looking for new additions this summer who can improve upon their performances seen this season and now a new update has emerged on one of the club's top targets.

What's the latest on Liverpool's interest in Kouadio Kone?

According to Football Transfers, Liverpool are in talks to sign Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Kouadio "Manu" Kone this summer.

As per the report, discussions have been held with Kone and his representatives in the club's pursuit to identify players who can be part of Jurgen Klopp's midfield rebuild at Anfield.

It is claimed that the Bundesliga club are commanding a transfer fee of up to €40m (£34m) to part ways with their talented player and will need to compete with Newcastle United for his signature.

Would Kone be a good signing for Liverpool?

The German coach has made no secret of his desire and intentions to improve the squad this summer after an incredibly disappointing campaign both in the Premier League and Champions League this season, which has ultimately led to the club falling into the Europa League next season.

One of the key areas of concern is the midfield with not only a number of players either out of contract or reaching the latter stages of their careers at this point but the output in the centre of the pitch has lacked energy and dominance over the last 12 months.

As a result, the signing of Kone is a great place to start for the Merseysiders with the Bundesliga sensation potentially the perfect alternative to former transfer target Moises Caicedo for a fraction of the Brighton star's £90m asking price.

The 22-year-old Frenchman – hailed as "monstrous" and a "warrior" by Jacek Kulig – is an extremely talented midfielder with Caicedo coincidentally named as one of his most comparable positional peers – as per FBref – and it's not hard to see why.

When comparing the midfield pair's outputs this season they share many similarities in key attributes including pass completion rate (86.2% v 88.5%), tackles and interceptions completed (106 v 106), take-on success (48.3% v 51.9%), ball recoveries (221 v 248) and goal-creating actions per 90 (0.17 v 0.14).

Not only that, the former Toulouse talent ranks ninth for tackles and tenth for progressive passes, passes into the final third and shots on target in the entire Bundesliga this season, which is a testament to his strong box-to-box abilities allowing him to be a huge presence in both attacking play and defensive transition.

These comparable traits will be of huge interest to the Liverpool hierarchy after interest in the Seagulls midfielder, as the potential to bring in a young midfielder who possesses a very similar profile without the need to spend heavily will certainly capture the attention of the well-renowned tight-spending club owners this summer.

With that being said, it would be a no-brainer to snap up the services of Kone if Liverpool remain keen to bring in a player who can offer the qualities needed to improve ball retention and the performances in midfield next season.

Indeed, at such a young age he can be moulded to become a superstar under Klopp's guidance like many before him.

Ricky Ponting will join Justin Langer and Jason Gillespie in Australia’s interim coaching group for the home T20s against Sri Lanka in February

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Jan-2017Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been named an assistant coach for the team’s T20 series against Sri Lanka in February in an interim capacity, and will work alongside Justin Langer and Jason Gillespie. The trio have been brought in with the core of Australia’s support staff set to be in India for the four-Test series. Gillespie was appointed to the staff last week.Ponting had said in November that he was open to a role with the national team, and had expressed interest in a coaching or selection job. He reiterated it after his appointment.”I always said when I retired that I wanted to get back involved and what better way to do it than alongside a couple of my best mates in cricket, Justin Langer and Jason Gillespie,” Ponting was quoted as saying by a press release from Cricket Australia. “We have some incredible Twenty20 talent in this country and I can’t wait to work with JL, Dizzy and those selected to have a real crack at doing special for Australia’s Twenty20 International ambitions.”Since his retirement from international cricket in 2012, Ponting has taken up a range of cricket and media roles. He played his last T20 in the 2013 edition of the Caribbean Premier League, and had a two-year stint, between 2015 and 2016, as coach of Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Mumbai won the 2015 IPL and finished fifth in the 2016 edition. Ponting has been commentating for Channel Ten in this season of the Big Bash League. Langer and Gillespie, meanwhile, are coaching the Perth Scorchers and the Adelaide Strikers respectivelyPat Howard, Australia’s performance manager, said Ponting’s appointment would provide an extensive T20 knowledge base for the players to tap into.”By getting him on board during the series, it will allow Justin, Jason and the players to tap into his extensive Twenty20 knowledge, gained through his time playing and coaching in domestic tournaments in England, the Caribbean, India and Australia, as well as through his time watching the KFC BBL for Network Ten,” Howard said.”The fact Ricky, Justin and Jason all know each other so well through their many years together in the Australia team means they will gel quickly and their significant collective experience of the format should ensure the squad that is selected gets all the guidance it needs off the field,” he added.Ponting scored more than 27,000 runs in an international career that spanned nearly two decades. He was a part of three World Cup-winning squads, captaining them in 2003 and 2007.Australia’s three T20 matches against Sri Lanka will be played at the MCG on February 17, Kardinia Park in Geelong on February 19 and Adelaide Oval on February 22. The Adelaide match takes place the day before the first Test begins in India.

Vlatko Andonovski has some tough decisions to make with his XI, but it may be worthwhile to let the teenage forward loose early in the tournament

On a good day, it's really, really hard to predict what Vlatko Andonovski is going to do with the United States women's national team line up. Throughout the course of this cycle, Andonovski has often chopped and changed, experimenting plenty as he looked to nail down a first-choice XI. At this point, we don't even really know what that is, simply because we haven't really gotten to see it.

And that's on a good day. Friday's World Cup opener against Vietnam, meanwhile, is a weird one. It's the start of a major tournament, sure, but also a game against, on paper, the USWNT's weakest opponent. If there was a chance for Andonovski to really throw in a curveball, this is the game.

Part of that is due to injuries. Rose Lavelle, Julie Ertz and Megan Rapinoe aren't 100 percent fit, although only the first two are the contenders to start. The other part of it is due to squad rotation, as Andonovski could very well look to, at least initially, rest some key players while looking ahead to tougher games against the Netherlands and Portugal.

So how does he handle that balancing act? GOAL takes a look at how the USWNT should line up on Friday against Vietnam…

Getty ImagesGK: Alyssa Naeher

One of the few players in this XI that is pretty immune from rotation. Naeher is the starter and, barring injury, we'll almost certainly see her play every minute this tournament.

Well, certainly. Casey Murphy or Aubrey Kingsbury could conceivably challenge her for that spot if her form isn't where it should be but, realistically, this isn't the time for goalkeeper drama. Give Naeher the start and let her warm-up for the tougher games ahead.

AdvertisementGettyLB: Crystal Dunn

Could we finally see the great Dunn midfield move in this game? Maybe! Will we? Probably not! Andonovski has shied away from using Dunn in that position all cycle, so it would be pretty wild to see it happen now, even with Lavelle's injury issues.

Instead, we'll likely see Dunn provide some attacking thrust on the left against a team that should have few options to stop her.

GettyCB: Naomi Girma

Even if Andonovski wanted to rotate at center-back, it's not like he has many options. Girma and Alana Cook are the only two central defenders in the squad, which means there really won't be many opportunities to rest those two throughout.

You could see someone like Emily Sonnett or Ertz start centrally, but it's probably more valuable to get Girma on the field so she can shake out any potential World Cup nerves.

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CB: Alana Cook

Ditto from above. Andonovski will almost certainly want Cook to get a taste of the World Cup in a game where she likely won't be challenged too much. Let her walk out, hear the anthem, make a few plays and then, maybe, take her or Girma out if he wants to save their legs for the rest of the group stage.

West Indies’ proposed tour to Pakistan for two T20Is in mid-March is off the table, multiple sources have confirmed to ESPNcricinfo. The WICB rejected the PCB’s proposal for the tour after receiving advice on security from the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations. The WICB has also cancelled an expected security recce, which was planned for later this month. The two boards, however, continue to discuss the possibility of two T20 internationals in Florida on March 19 and 20.It is understood that earlier this week the West Indies Players Association wrote to FICA, seeking advice on the current security situation in Pakistan. FICA reportedly gave WIPA the latest security advisory from its security consultants, Eastern Star International, who provide security for various international boards including the ECB, Cricket Australia, New Zealand Cricket and the ICC.In the report, FICA warned that the risk level in Pakistan remains “at an extremely elevated state” and that “an acceptable level of participant security and safety cannot be expected or guaranteed”. Earlier this month, FICA’s report on player safety and security strongly discouraged players from traveling to Lahore for the Pakistan Super League final, scheduled for March 5.According to the proposal, Lahore was likely to host the two matches on March 18 and 19, followed by two matches in Florida, which are still being discussed and are likely to go ahead.On Wednesday, the WICB released the schedule of Pakistan’s seven-week tour of the Caribbean, beginning from March, which comprises two T20Is, three ODIs and three Tests across five venues. As per the ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP), four Tests had been originally slated for this series, but one Test was dropped from the itinerary to accommodate the proposed tour of Pakistan and the T20Is in the USA.West Indies are the third team – after Ireland and Sri Lanka – to reject travelling to Pakistan in the last two years.In 2015, Zimbabwe became the first the first Test-playing nation to tour Pakistan since 2009, when an attack on the Sri Lankan team bus resulted in the suspension of international cricket from Pakistan. The ICC, however, had refused to send its match officials for the series. The PCB appointed its own match officials, and hoped the Zimbabwe series would serve as a stepping stone to reviving international cricket in the country. That ambition, however, suffered a setback when a suicide attack took place near the Gaddafi Stadium during the second ODI. Zimbabwe, though, played the third and final ODI two days later and completed the tour.The PCB remains firm in its plan to host the Pakistan Super League final in Lahore on March 5, and has drawn up contingency plans to replace those overseas players unwilling to travel to the country due to security reasons. The board has decided to hold a new draft in the last week of February to bring in foreign players who will be willing to travel to Pakistan in place of those who will opt out.

Barbados and Combined Colleges and Campuses kicked off their 2017 WCIB Regional Super50 campaigns with victories on day one of the tournament

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Jan-2017

Kraigg Brathwaite’s 101 off 146 balls helped hosts Barbados off to a winning start in the 2017 WICB Regional Super50 as they trounced Guyana by 145 runs at Kensington Oval. Brathwaite’s maiden List A hundred in his 31st match anchored the Barbados innings as they eventually finished on 302 for 7.The bulk of the runs came during a 122-run third-wicket stand between Brathwaite and Jonathan Carter, who dominated their partnership while making a brisk 75 off 63 balls. Jason Holder took two wickets with the new ball to make early inroads in Guyana’s chase before the twin spin tandem of Ashley Nurse and Sulieman Benn did the rest of the damage. Offspinner Nurse claimed 4 for 42 while left-arm spinner Benn finished with 4 for 35 as Guyana were bowled out for 157 in just 32 overs.Combined Campuses and Colleges caused a stir at Three Ws Oval earlier in the day as they upset Jamaica by 75 runs. Amir Jangoo top-scored with 64 off 114 balls in CCC’s battling total of 215 for 8, which turned out to be more than enough in the end.Keon Harding wiped out Jamaica’s top three inside the first seven overs before Mark Deyal took three more to wreck the Jamaica middle order. Jamaica were still in with a reasonable chance of chasing down the total at 103 for 5 after 24 overs with Brandon King on 48, but left-arm spinner Larry Edwards struck with the first ball of the 25th to remove King, sparking a collapse of 4 for 20 over the next six overs and Jamaica ultimately subsided for 140 in 35 overs.

Spurs are facing a race against time to replace their offensive talisman before the transfer window closes…

It's been touted to be happening for years, but there was still an element of disbelief when Harry Kane pulled on a Bayern Munich shirt for the first time on Saturday. The man who had dragged Tottenham to the dizziest heights of their modern era – almost single-handedly at times – has left the building. Now, Spurs need to find a new hero – and fast.

With less than three weeks left until the summer transfer window closes, Spurs are facing the daunting prospect of Richarlison leading the line single-handedly for the entire season, unless they can recruit a new No.9.

At least Daniel Levy has a sizeable chunk of change to play with, with Bayern paying an initial €100m (£86.1m/$108.8m) plus add-ons for Kane. Then again, in the current market, even a war chest that size does not give you complete freedom, meaning Ange Postecoglou may need to settle for one of the names lower down on his shortlist.

Ahead of what is set to be a hectic few weeks, GOAL has taken a look at how Tottenham could go about completing the impossible job of replacing Kane:

• Getty Images
  

  Richarlison (Tottenham)

  Tottenham have already spent £50m+ ($63.5m) on a potential Kane replacement in the relatively recent past. Richarlison's maiden season in north London following his arrival from Everton was pretty shambolic, however, with the Brazilian scoring just once in the Premier League.

  Prior to this sharp drop off in form, he boasted a fairly reliable record in front of goal and was trusted with filling Kane's boots against Brentford on the opening weekend. The reviews were mixed at best. He had a handful of chances but again drew a blank, with Postecoglou calling for better service from those behind him moving forward.

  “I thought we could have been a little bit more direct to him and look for him a little bit more,” the Spurs boss said. “He was making some good runs and he was working hard. He had a couple of half-opportunities, but I thought we could have created more for him. The key for us with Richy is to keep supporting him because he’s working awfully hard for the team in a defensive sense and when we get in that front third I thought we didn’t look enough for him today. I have got a lot of time for him. He’s a striker and he’s got a lot of great attributes and he will always work hard for the team, and that’s a good starting point for me.”

  While his manager is convinced he will come good, Spurs could clearly use another centre-forward. Should Richarlison go down with an injury, Postecoglou would be left scratching around for a No.9, with Son Heung-min or Manor Solomon likely to be asked to play out of position.

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• Getty Images
  

  Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)

  Romelu Lukaku has endured a miserable few months. Since missing golden chance in the Champions League final for Inter, the Belgian has managed to alienate the only fanbase that has ever loved him unconditionally, and there is now next to no chance of him securing a permanent return to San Siro.

  Following significant supporter backlash, Juventus no longer seem interested either, while links with Saudi Arabia have cooled significantly too. As a result, Lukaku is in limbo at Chelsea, with new manager Mauricio Pochettino showing no indication that he is part of his plans. Could Tottenham offer Lukaku salvation? Quite possibly.

  Things haven't gone tremendously well since Lukaku left Inter the first time, but it's worth remembering what earned him his big-money move to Stamford Bridge in the first place. Between 2019 and 2021, the 30-year-old could not stop scoring, with his goals propelling the Nerazzurri to the Serie A title in 2021.

  It's clear Lukaku needs a bit of love to thrive and he would get that in abundance under Postecoglou's care. As long as Spurs' other forwards can get close to him when they're attacking, he should be a snug fit stylistically too.

  Wages could be an issue, but then again Chelsea are desperate to sell, which puts Daniel Levy in a strong negotiating position. This is one to watch very closely over the next few weeks.

• (C)Getty images
  

  Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)

  Like Lukaku, Dusan Vlahovic might be regretting his most recent transfer. The Serbian had his pick of Europe's top clubs when he opted to leave Fiorentina partway through the 2021-22 season, eventually opting to remain in Italy by joining Juventus. Vlahovic's time in Turin, however, has been punctuated by off-field turmoil and on-field dysfunction under Max Allegri – with the frontman managing just 23 goals in 63 appearances.

  There are several reasons for his underwhelming form. A troublesome groin injury has limited his influence, while the highly-pragmatic Allegri has been accused of shackling the Serbian's potential by asking him to play too deep. The manager does not appear to be leaving Turin any time soon, so Vlahovic might have to be the one to move on.

  While he would likely prefer to join a Champions League club, no one who fits this description appears to be searching for a striker. Tottenham would represent a welcome change of scenery, and Postecoglou would no doubt facilitate his return to the penalty-box predator that took Europe by storm a few years back.

  The chance to be Spurs' undisputed star man is also likely to appeal. Vlahovic is certainly no shrinking violet, taking Cristiano Ronaldo's No.7 shirt after arriving at Juventus.

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• Getty
  

  Folarin Balogun (Arsenal)

  Folarin Balogun had been expected to join Inter this summer, with the United States men's national team star dropping a huge hint that the Serie A side was his preferred destination by posting a clip of himself watching prime Ronaldo Nazario highlights from his time at San Siro.

  However, despite the striker's clear preference to join the Nerazzurri, a concrete offer has not emerged, opening the door for other clubs to sign him. West Ham and Monaco have both been linked, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see Tottenham enter the fray too.

  Balogun enjoyed a breakout 2022-23, netting a stunning 21 goals for mid-table Reims in Ligue 1. That's more league goals than Marcus Rashford, Karim Benzema and Lionel Messi managed last season.

  Balogun is a lethal finisher, but is also able to fashion chances for himself thanks to his excellent dribbling ability. Naysayers may point to his lack of assists, but with James Maddison arriving at Spurs this summer, whoever replaces Kane will not have to be anywhere near as creative as he was in his prime.

  Obviously, crossing the north London divide would not make him a popular man with Arsenal supporters, but with some Gunners fans already beginning to sour on the U.S. international, he may not mind ruffling a few feathers.

Liverpool target and Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount is expected to soon "decide" whether to make the move to Anfield, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

Is Mason Mount leaving Chelsea?

The Blues academy graduate has made 195 senior appearances for Mauricio Pochettino's side over the course of his career, but with his contract set to expire at the end of next season, the upcoming window is his final chance to secure a big-money move elsewhere having rejected several new offers to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.

Sky Sports have credited the Reds with an interest in the 24-year-old but report that Premier League rivals Manchester United are the current frontrunners having displayed a strong desire to secure his services, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein further revealing that the player himself is leaning towards a switch to Old Trafford.

Writing in his column for CaughtOffside, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs claimed that the England international is “advancing” in negotiations to join Erik Ten Hag’s side which is true considering that he’s since agreed personal terms, but whilst a deal looks all but done, he still has Jurgen Klopp lurking in the background as a valid option.

Are Liverpool signing Mount?

Taking to Twitter, Plettenberg revealed that Mount is set to choose between Liverpool and Man United as his next destination with an exit from his boyhood club pretty much inevitable this summer. He wrote:

"News #Mount: Been told #MUFC is pushing a lot! Ten Hag and the bosses share the same opinion about him: They definitely want him! Within the club all are convinced of him. Understand he will decide between Man Utd or Liverpool. Price valuation at this stage: €45-50m [£38m-43m] with bonuses included."

Should FSG cash out on Mount?

Liverpool are clearly long-term admirers of Mount and the fact that he’ll be out of contract this time next year means that a cut-price deal is available with the price range mentioned above, so FSG should certainly consider tabling a bid in an attempt to wrap up this bargain of a deal.

Chelsea’s “mad” attacking midfielder, as lauded by BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand, missed 12 top-flight games last season through injury but still managed to clock up nine goal contributions (six assists and three goals) across all competitions, showing how much of an instant impact he can make when available to play.

The Champions League winner, who knows what it takes to compete and be successful at the highest level having secured three senior trophies in SW6, is also a versatile operator having been fielded in seven various positions across the pitch since first emerging onto the scene, including in the midfield and the frontline, so he is a well-rounded player that would slot perfectly into the centre for Klopp.

Chelsea forward Kai Havertz is wanted by Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, according to a new update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Did Havertz have a good season for Chelsea?

The German joined the Blues back in the summer of 2020 from Bayer Leverkusen, famously scoring the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City.

It's fair to say that Havertz has blown a little hot and cold in a Chelsea shirt overall, however, with his performances not always matching his top-class levels of talent. This season, the £150,000-a-week attacker only scored seven times in 35 Premier League appearances, and while that was still more than any other Blues player, he still didn't offer enough leading the line.

It has led to queastion marks surrounding the 23-year-old's long-term future at Stamford Bridge, even though his current deal runs until the summer of 2025. Much may depend on how happy he is in west London currently, and whether Mauricio Pochettino sees him as a key figure.

Could Havertz join Real Madrid this summer?

Taking to Twitter, Romano claimed that Madrid are keen on acquiring Havertz's signature before the beginning of next season, with Carlo Ancelotti a big fan of his:

"Real Madrid have concrete interest in Kai Havertz. He’s one of the players in the list, really appreciated by Ancelotti. Understand Chelsea are open to discuss Havertz exit but they want important fee, no way for loan & similar."

Havertz leaving Chelsea would be a blow, especially if Pochettino considers him someone who he can build his team around. With Mason Mount looking likely to leave, it could even be that he is used in a No.10 role behind an elite striker who comes in, such as Napoli's Victor Osimhen, who has been linked with the Blues a number of times in recent months.

Granted, the 34-cap and 12-goal Germany international hasn't always performed at a consistently high level, but he remains a young player with a huge amount of potential. He was once described as "world-class" by Matthias Sammer during his Bundesliga days, so to lose him to Madrid at this point in his career would be a setback.

The hope is that Havertz is buoyed by the appointment of Pochettino and sees his future there for the time being, going up a gear under the Argentine next season and fulfilling his talent in the process.