Former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard has sent a defiant message to his critics as he continues his search for a new club.

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Lingard trying to stay fitWithout club since the summerSays he's 'done' with partying & gossipWHAT HAPPENED?

The 31-year-old shared a video from the training ground in which he speaks his mind while going through a routine with a resistance band around his knees. He is still looking for a new club having left Nottingham Forest in the summer at the end of his lucrative one-year contract.

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"'You coming out?' No! 'Do you want a drink?' No!" Lingard says as he begins his rant to the camera.

"'This person was saying this about this person', I don't care bro! I don't want to know. No negativity, positive vibes, aura, energy, high vibrations.

"Parties? Nah bro. Done with that, done with that. Alcohol? No thanks. Training? Yep. Gym? Yep. Family? Yep. Football? Yep.

"It's about mindset. You get your mind right, you get your body right. Spiritually, mentally, physically – I'm a beast bro. Beast!"

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Lingard has always been something of a divisive figure and he has drawn criticism in recent weeks for his social media activity as he continues to work individually in his search for a club. Fellow former Man Utd star Paul Scholes took aim at him in a comment on Instagram, writing: “Are you just gonna f*ck about in the gym or are you gonna actually play football?”

Tottenham Hotspur are "informed on the conditions" required to land an exciting forward described as being "born to score", per transfers expert Fabrizio Romano.

Tottenham Hotspur news – what is the latest?

It has been a real summer of ups and downs for the Spurs faithful this year, with brilliant signings and painful departures.

On the positive side of things, the club have been able to genuinely improve elements of the first team with the signing of the ever-exciting James Maddison and the Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

The arrival of Manor Solomon, whilst not necessarily improving the first eleven, is clearly still a positive addition and should help to strengthen the squad as a whole.

Read the latest Tottenham Hotspur transfer news HERE…

However, for as good as those three are and as convincing as Ange Postecoglou has been, the exit of club talisman Harry Kane is an enormous blow to the side's attacking output, an output that the current crop of forwards do not seem equipped to replace.

With that in mind, it appears that Spurs have identified one of Europe's most exciting and prolific goalscorers as the man who could potentially come in and help the team find those 20-plus goals a season they are bound to lose in the absence of Kane, Gift Orban.

According to transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, the north Londoners have "appreciated" the youngster for some time now and are well aware of what is required to bring him to N17 this summer.

He explained the situation on his Here We Go podcast, saying:

"Orban is appreciated, Tottenham are informed on the conditions of the deal so let's see if they decide to bid. At the moment, they have not sent any bid. I saw some rumours saying it's close or something like that; no, there is no bid yet. It can't be close without a bid.

"Tottenham know the conditions of the deal, [they have] been following the player for a long time. I told you this two weeks ago on here that they like Gift Orban, but at the moment nothing else evolved yet."

How many goals has Gift Orban scored?

It has been a rapid rise to fame for the 21-year-old former Stabæk striker, with prolific form propelling him to the forefront of transfer lists across the continent.

So far, the Nigeria under-23 star has scored 44 senior club goals and provided nine assists in just 50 appearances in Belgium and Norway, which is only 37 fewer than Richarlison's 81 career goals at club level.

In his 16 league appearances for Gent last year, the "superb finisher" scored 15 goals, provided two assists, won four Man-of-the-Match awards and averaged a genuinely impressive match rating of 7.40, per WhoScored.

With a goal involvement on average every 85 minutes in senior football, it isn't hard to see why Spurs are interested in the player that football talent scout Jacek Kulig described as "born to score."

With Kane out the door and their current crop of forwards struggling in front of goal, the Lilywhites need to do what they can to secure Orban's services before he inevitably joins one of Europe's super clubs and continues to score for fun on the biggest stage.

Arsenal could be set to add the crowning jewel to their already stunning transfer window, by bringing in a young superstar to prop up Mikel Arteta's regime…

Who else could Arsenal sign this summer?

The Spaniard has taken great strides with each year he has spent at the helm of the Gunners, yet seeks to make the largest step yet this campaign.

Having pushed Manchester City so close last year, the plan will be to finally end their monopoly over English football with a Premier League title of their own, cementing their manager's legacy as one of the best young coaches in the world.

Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…

To do so, perhaps they could seek to invest even more heavily in him, reigniting their reported interest in Ansu Fati and capping off a fine summer of signings.

However, his £90m price tag could prove a stumbling block especially given the fees already expended on their three other permanent additions. Perhaps some outgoings might have to first be prioritised before their spending can resume.

How good is Ansu Fati?

Of all the deadwood still circulating around the Emirates, few stand out as brazenly as Nicolas Pepe.

Signed for a club-record fee, which has only since been broken this window, the Ivorian winger was expected to transform Unai Emery's reign into a truly outstanding one, with his pace and trickery almost certain to take the Premier League by storm.

However, under the weight of such an enormous price tag, it would have been an impossible task to reach the expectations immediately placed upon him.

He has since made just 112 appearances for the north London side, with the now-Aston Villa boss having since admitted he did not even want the 28-year-old, with the hierarchy opting for him over Wilfried Zaha.

Such a poor career at the club even led pundit Jermaine Pennant to suggest:

"There have been some awful Arsenal signings down the years but because of the amount, how much he’s played and the performances then you have to say Pepe is one of the worst signings".

Saudi Arabia now seem to be circling around the lucrative dud, finally set to bring an end to this ugly period.

Therefore, should Fati be brought in to replace him, the standards for an alternative would be on the floor, therefore easing expectations for the exciting new forward.

It's mesmerising just how much experience the 20-year-old already boasts for his age, with 111 appearances for Barcelona's first-team, posting an impressive 39 goal contributions.

Despite recent years having been marred by injury, just last term he still recorded seven goals and four assists in LaLiga.

His proficiency is best outlined by FBref, who help to compare him against other wingers across Europe. There, he ranks in the top 1% for total shots, touches in the attacking penalty area and expected non-penalty goals per 90.

He is clearly prolific when fit, and has so much of his glittering career yet to be played. Perhaps he could now make the bold decision to enjoy it in England, helping to usher in an era of dominance for Arteta.

After all, his current boss Xavi had suggested he was a "generational" talent just last year, likely explaining his ludicrous price tag.

Although it would not be hard to replace the 27 goals that Pepe managed during his time at Arsenal, if Fati was the man to finally push him out, fans already would be in awe of the young trickster.

Sergio Aguero has opened up on how he felt during his final professional game at Barcelona before being forced to retire due to a heart condition.

• Aguero hung up his boots in 2021
• Heart condition saw his retire early
• Opens up on final game as a professional

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Aguero announced he was hanging up his boots at the age of 33 after being diagnosed with a heart condition. The striker suffered chest pains and dizziness while playing for Barcelona against Alaves in La Liga in a match which turned out to be his final appearance as a professional. Aguero has now spoken about the game and revealed how he felt before the match was stopped and he was able to receive medical attention.

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• Getty Images
  

  WHAT SERGIO AGUERO SAID

  He told Juan Pablo Varsky for : “I felt like I was drowning, I didn’t feel pain. I had a lot of pressure in my head. I figured it was because I was physically ill and I thought: 'Shit, I’m so bad.'

  "I jumped for a header. They went to counter and I started to get dizzy. I felt like I was going to faint and I wanted to calm down. I wanted to say something and the words didn’t come out. I grabbed the hand of the Alaves captain as if to say: 'Stop the game.' He started screaming and they stopped the game.

  "When I calmed down, I felt like my heart started beating faster. That’s where the arrhythmia attack caught me. A week before it had happened to me in training but it had only been for 20 seconds.”

  Aguero also revealed why he opted to take the No. 19 shirt shirt when he moved to Barcelona in 2021, rather than the 10 left vacant after Lionel Messi's shock exit.

  “When Leo left Barcelona, they offered me the number 10 shirt and I said no. Not because I didn’t want it. I thought he was going to come back," he added. "They told me that I was the only one that could use it but for me, the number 10 belongs to Leo. Lastly, if he is not there, don’t use it.”

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Aguero was taken to hospital after the Alaves match and then ruled out for three months by Barcelona. He subsequently confirmed he would be retiring at an emotional press conference. The striker has since been able to return to the pitch, playing in the seven-side Kings League tournament organised by former Barcelona team-mate Gerard Pique. Aguero has even encouraged his good friend Messi to join his team at some point in the future.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR AGUERO

  Aguero continues to be involved in football and shares a close friendship with Messi. He joined the Argentina squad at their base camp before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and made sure he was involved in their celebrations after victory at the tournament. Aguero has also managed to tempt Messi to join him as a co-owner of his KRU Esports team.

Jemimah Rodrigues sports a smile after the practice match•ESPNcricinfo/Annesha Ghosh

A 98-run stand between half-centurion Mithali Raj and Jemimah Rodrigues, followed by an inspired effort by their bowling and fielding units, helped India complete a 54-run win in the fifth T20I and seal a first-ever away-series double. Having won the ODI series 2-1, India clinched the T20I series 3-1, bowling South Africa out for 112 in 18 overs in Cape Town.Having put India in, Marizanne Kapp removed Smriti Mandhana inside the Powerplay. Mandhana’s opening partner Raj, however, pressed on to her third half-century – a 50-ball 62 studded with short-arm pulls, sweeps and cuts that brought her eight fours and three sixes. Keeping her company for 11.3 overs was the 17-year-old Jemimah Rodrigues, whose promotion to No. 3 – which has otherwise been the slot earmarked for captain Harmanpreet Kaur in this series – paid off.Having been reprieved on 15 by wicketkeeper Lizelle Lee, Rodrigues waltzed to a 34-ball 44. Raj and Rodrigues then fell in successive overs, to Shabnim Ismail and Ayabonga Khaka respectively. India were 134 for 4, with 3.1 overs left. Harmanpreet partnered Veda Krishnamurthy in a brisk 32-run stand, reeling off 27 off 17 balls courtesy a four and two massive sixes that sailed into the leg-side stands. Krishnamurthy pinched eight off the six balls she faced, before being run-out off the final ball of the innings as India finished on 166 for 4.India’s momentum, gathered through the closing overs of their innings, was kept going by their quick-bowling troika of Pooja Vastrakar, Shikha Pandey and Rumeli Dhar, who reduced the hosts to 22 for 3 inside six overs. While Vastrakar opened with a maiden over, Dhar accounted for both openers – Dane van Niekerk her first wicket upon returning to international cricket after a six-year hiatus.Pandey subsequently sent back Sune Luus, followed by the wickets of Mignon du Preez and Nadine de Klerk in the space of three balls in the ninth over. Half the South African line-up had been sniped out for 44. Chloe Tryon tried resuscitating the chase, hitting two sixes, but could not go beyond a 17-ball 25 as she holed out off Rajeshwari Gayakwad. Harmanpreet completed a regulation catch at long-off and blew a kiss as a follow-up act.That three of South Africa’s partnerships ended in the twenties, the highest being a seventh-wicket stand of 29 between Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp, underlined their inability to deal with the lack of pace from the Indian attack, aided by some agile fielding. While Harmanpreet and Mandhana prevented at least three fours by throwing themselves around near the rope, Rodrigues pulled off a stunner at the deep-square leg boundary to send back Kapp for a 21-ball 27. Rodriguez’s two-handed back-arch-and-leap act gave Dhar her third wicket before Gayakwad took out the tail; both finished with identical returns of 3 for 26, though Gayakwad bowled one over less.

Tottenham Hotspur have registered their interest over a potential move for Folarin Balogun from rivals Arsenal, however, a report has shared the other Premier League clubs who are also in the race for the forward.

Are Spurs signing a striker?

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou and chairman Daniel Levy appear to be on the search for a new forward before the September 1 deadline after cashing in on Harry Kane earlier this month.

Those in north London sold the England international to Bayern Munich in a deal worth around €100 million (£86m) plus an extra €20 million (£17.2m) in possible add-ons.

Postecoglou has Richarlison as the only senior striker available to him, with teenager Alejo Veliz joining earlier in the summer.

A number of attackers have been linked with moves to Spurs, including KAA Gent’s Gift Orban and Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson. Another player who has been linked with a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is Balogun, and an update has emerged.

According to The Daily Mail, Balogun has been deemed surplus to requirements at Arsenal and is valued at £50m by the Gunners. The report claims that Tottenham are a side who have made an enquiry for the attacker, alongside both Chelsea and West Ham.

Balogun has spent time training away from Arsenal’s senior side this summer as the Gunners look to raise some funds late in the window, with Monaco, AC Milan and Inter Milan also keen on the striker’s services.

Who is Folarin Balogun?

Balogun is primarily a centre-forward who can also turn out on either wing if required. The 22-year-old, who has represented the USA at senior international level, appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €30m Transfermarkt valuation, a figure which has rocketed over the past 12 months.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

In total, Balogun, sponsored by Adidas, has made just 10 senior appearances for the Gunners in all competitions and has caught the eye out on loan. The forward spent last season in France with Stade Reims and contributed to an impressive 25 goals in 39 appearances.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has also praised Balogun in the past as a "special" striker and believes he's "really brave".

“He’s a boy that has a really clear idea of what he wants to do with his career. He’s really ambitious, really committed and really brave," said Arteta.

“We discussed a lot before he made that move whether it was the right place to go and the other choices he had. He was so convinced. I’m really happy for him because he deserves what he’s getting.

“When you look at the numbers and what he is doing, it’s just incredible. It’s very rare to see that. But he’s got something special."

It could be a deal to keep an eye on, however, with Arsenal likely to inflate the price of the player to a direct rival, Spurs may well find it difficult to strike a deal for Balogun, meaning they may end up moving on to other targets such as Orban or Johnson.

England and New Zealand played out an entertaining series, although the decider was one-sided. What stood out over the five matches?

Andrew McGlashan in Hamilton11-Mar-2018England’s batting can adaptThere was little doubt about England’s prowess on true batting pitches, but questions remained how willing they were to curb their natural instincts with the Champions Trophy semi-final against Pakistan and two startling collapses against the swinging ball, at Lord’s and in Adelaide, as examples. The victory in Wellington on a grubby, uneven drop-in pitch was, therefore, significant with them having to assess that it wasn’t even a 270 wicket and dig their way to a defendable score. In fact, the major collapse which came in this series was a new variety: losing 8 for 46 in Dunedin having been 267 for 1. But to knock off the runs in Christchurch in such domineering fashion meant that the batting bandwagon continued to role.Liam Plunkett plays a vital roleLed by Man of the Series Chris Woakes, England were outstanding with the new ball – never letting New Zealand get off to a flyer and twice keeping them to under three-an-over in the first 10. In three of the matches that was backed up very effectively by the spin pair of Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali. However, the contrast between spin and pace in the middle overs was stark: between overs 11 and 40, the spinners took 11 wickets and conceded 4.50 per over, the quicks took three wickets and conceded 5.96. Partly, that can be attributed to the spinners bowling extensively in that period, but it also highlighted the crucial role that Liam Plunkett has played in extracting life when the two new balls have become a little softer and before ‘death’ skills take over. In 2017, Plunkett was the fourth-highest wicket-taker in ODIs. He is in that World Cup starting XI, fitness permitting.New Zealand have a problem at the topNew Zealand’s opening partnership had a shocker. The highest stand between Martin Guptill and Colin Munro in five matches was 12. It meant, in the four matches he played, Kane Williamson was exposed early. He is good enough to overcome that, but it’s an added pressure on the captain. Barring his 49 in Wellington – a worthy if lucky innings – Munro was batting in single digits. It appeared to have a knock-on effect on Guptill who, even in his two more substantial innings, could not break the shackles. Munro had showed some promise when pushed up to the opening role but against high-quality seam and swing he is vulnerable. With the 2019 World Cup in the first part of the English season, that could be a problem.Ross Taylor brings out the trademark hundred celebration•Getty ImagesBen Stokes can keep his focusThe start of the series marked the big comeback. Five months after the incident in Bristol that led to a not-guilty plea to a charge of affray, Ben Stokes returned to international cricket. In truth it was a soft landing, a world away from the reception and scrutiny he would have received in Australia. Still, Stokes has had a lot on his plate so it wasn’t a given how seamlessly he would slot back in. Parking the debate about whether he should have been on the tour, it was a successful series for him. He almost turned the opening match with two wickets and was Man of the Match in Mount Maunganui. He was never used for his full 10 overs – and his Test workload will be interesting to watch – but he hit good pace, looked in decent nick with the bat (his determination in Wellington was impressive) and was a livewire in the field.Ish Sodhi makes his caseAt the beginning of the series, Ish Sodhi was effectively included in the squad as cover for fellow legspinner Todd Astle who was carrying a niggle. He quickly became the first-choice. Hamilton was Sodhi’s first ODI since last May, when New Zealand took a second-string side to Ireland, but was preferred throughout when the XI wanted two spinners and his career-best 4 for 58 helped turn the match in Dunedin. There was some severe tap for him in Christchurch courtesy of Jonny Bairstow and there remained plenty of loose stuff thrown in, but he is a wicket-taker. Continuing to work on his batting and fielding could be key to whether he makes the 2019 World Cup squad.Ross Taylor on one leg is better than some on twoIt’s a decent pub debate: was New Zealand’s greatest ODI innings played by Ross Taylor in Dunedin? He is batting on another level at the moment, the unbeaten 181 followed another matchwinning hundred in Hamilton, and New Zealand will be desperate that his body stands up for at least another 18 months. Alongside Williamson he is irreplaceable in this current New Zealand era. The match he was run out in and the two he missed, New Zealand lost. Though Tom Latham showed development in the middle-order role – combining with Taylor for stands of 178 and 187 – the loss of either Taylor or Williamson is too great a burden for the team to cover.

Manchester City wonderkid Claudio Echeverri will be checked by doctors after complaining of strong chest pains on international duty with Argentina.

Echeverri suffered chest pains against ChileWill now undergo medical checksDue to join Man City in January 2025WHAT HAPPENED?

Echeverri is currently with the Argentina squad and played in a 5-0 win over Chile for the Under-23 side in an Olympic Games qualifier. After the victory, the 18-year-old, who has agreed to join Manchester City from River Plate, revealed he suffered chest pains during the match and confirmed he will speak to the medical team and have the issue checked.

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He told : “I had a very strong pain in my chest, I couldn't breathe well and I was very scared. Just in case, I'm going to talk to the doctors to see what it is because something like this had never happened to me and I felt very scared."

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Echeverri received treatment on the pitch for several minutes in the first half of the match and was taken off on a stretcher. However, he did subsequently continue before being replaced in the 64th minute. Argentina's win means the team qualify for the second round with a match to spare as they bid to secure a place at the 2024 Paris Games.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ECHEVERRI?

The issue is clearly a cause for real concern for Echeverri and Argentina, with the youngster set to be checked out before being cleared to return to action. Echeverri is set to spend the rest of the year with River Plate and will then head to Premier League champions City in January 2025.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Julian Draxler has been a renowned player across Europe for some time now and Crystal Palace could be set to make a move for him, with a new update dropping news on talks between the clubs.

How old is Julian Draxler?

The German has enjoyed an excellent career for club and country, even though injuries have ultimately played a part in him not quite reaching his vast potential. That being said, he has still won 58 caps for Germany, scoring seven goals at international level, not to mention winning the 2014 World Cup.

Now 29 years of age, Draxler has been plying his trade at PSG since arriving from VfL Wolfsburg in 2017, making a total of 198 appearances for the Ligue 1 giants. Last season, he was sent out on loan to Benfica, however, and he was restricted to just ten games in the Primeira Liga.

The midfielder is out of contract at his current club next summer, meaning they could be keen to cash in on him before deadline day arrives next Friday night. If not, it means they will likely lose him on a free transfer in 2024, with an extension not expected to come his way, hence his loan move in 2023/24.

With Palace eyeing up some late business in the current transfer window, a potential move for Draxler looks to be on the cards, following an intriguing update.

Will Crystal Palace sign Julian Draxler?

Taking to Twitter, RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins claimed that Draxler is a summer target for Palace, as they eye up an audacious piece of business:

"Crystal Palace is interested in Julian Draxler. First contacts have taken place between Paris and the English club. The German, who has one year left on his contract, is enthusiastic about the idea of ​​​​going to London."

Granted, Draxler's career has gone the way he would have hoped, in terms of the injury layoffs and not becoming a genuine world-beater, but he could still be a really exciting signing by Palace this summer.

His talent is undeniable, having registered 41 assists and scored 26 goals for PSG, not to mention being called "world-class" by Jens Keller, and he could raise the level of everyone around him at Selhurst Park.

Draxler's contract situation means that Palace could also be able to snap him up for a cut-price amount, with PSG not in a particularly strong bargaining position, so it wouldn't necessarily be a financial risk, even given his injury record.

The fact that the player himself is keen on a move to the Eagles certainly bodes well, as he looks for a fresh challenge away from being a fringe player at PSG, and he could add that sprinkling of magic in attacking midfield, possessing the ability to open up defences and also chip in with goals of his own.

Draxler has scored 66 goals and got 80 assists in his professional career to date – that figure would be higher if he had been available more often – and that level of end product could make Palace a greater attacker force, at a time when goals can come at a premium.

Peter Della Penna

Mahuru Dai receives one demerit point

Papua New Guinea allrounder Mahuru Dai has received an official warning and one demerit point for violating Article 2.1.8 of the ICC code of conduct, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match”.
The incident occurred during PNG’s revised chase of 170, after Dai was caught by the substitute fielder off Rohan Mustafa. Dai admitted the offence, and accepted the sanction.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) kicked off their World Cup Qualifiers campaign on a very positive note, easing past Papua New Guinea (PNG) in a rain-hit encounter in Harare. PNG’s target was revised from 222 to 170 from 28 after a rain break, and they didn’t get close, folding for 113. Seamer Mohammad Naveed contributed much to this slide, taking career-best ODI figures of 5 for 28.At one point PNG looked in danger of missing out on triple digits, falling to 70 for 8; none of their top five got past 12, and the innings’ top score was 24 from No. 6 Charles Amini who was eventually run out.It was PNG who chose to chase, and UAE looked like there were keen to make them pay for this decision from the outset. Their openers Rohan Mustafa and Ashfaq Ahmed put on 91 at a brisk pace, but none could kick on to big hundreds. PNG enjoyed some relief after Ashfaq fell for 50 off 56, taking two more quick wickets.The UAE middle order could not quite get going thereafter, and Mustafa was kept in check too – he eventually fell five short of a hundred, having played out 136 balls. PNG must have felt relieved to have only 222 to chase, given UAE’s start. However, rain and Naveed intervened and spoiled those plans.