Qataris could pull out of Man United takeover interest

Manchester United could see their potential Qatari investors walk away from a possible deal to take over the club if the price is not right.

Who could take over Manchester United?

Last month saw a deadline pass for interested parties to put forward their proposed offers for the Premier League giants and it is believed a Qatari-based party were one of the parties.

It is said the Glazer family are potentially looking to bring in at least £6bn if they are to sell the club but that could potentially prove an issue for the Qatari group.

There are a number of different interested bidders, but it has become apparent those from Qatar have got a limit as to how much they want to pay.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, reporter Kaveh Solhekol has claimed the party would be willing to walkway from the potential takeover of the club if the Glazer family demand too high of a price:

“We all know that the Qataris want to buy Manchester United. The question is, how much do they want to buy Manchester United?

“And the information we have today is that they will not be reckless when it comes to how much they spend on trying to buy United. And if the price is not right, they will walk away from the deal.”

Will the Qatari’s walk away from the Man United takeover?

What is interesting to hear is Solhekol has suggested United could be worth in the region of £3.5bn going against the New York stock exchange.

However, it is apparent the current owners are looking for a much higher figure than that with reports claiming they could look for up to £7bn.

So it could well come down to whether there will be any room for negotiation between the Glazers and the Qatari-based investors over potentially finding a middle ground.

What is also worth noting is the bid from Qatar was not the only proposal received last month with the likes of Sir Jim Ratcliffe showing his interest in the club.

Given there appears to be a significant difference in the valuation between the proposed buyers and sellers, it could cast doubt over the likely hope among fans that this can be resolved before the summer.

Certainly, the prospect of one potential investor walking away from a deal will not make good reading for United fans with the Glazers still possibly open to keeping the club, according to reports.

Rangers: Kamara likely to ‘stick around’

Glasgow Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara is likely to ‘stick around’ at Ibrox beyond the 2022/23 Scottish Premiership season, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Uncertain future

The Finland international’s contract north of the border isn’t set to expire until 2025, but his future has been in doubt for a large amount of time having fallen out of favour under previous manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

The Light Blues star was linked with respective moves to Nice and Salernitana last year, though with any kind of deal having not come to fruition, is still in the building.

Football Insider have reported that the 27-year-old could leave this summer after Michael Beale admitted that he would have to compete for a starting place with Nicolas Raskin, but a departure at this stage looks unlikely.

The Latest: Jones’ comments

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones delivered a significant update on Kamara’s immediate future at Rangers amid the exit rumours floating around for the last year.

“The stance I’ve heard on this ever since Beale came in is that he is a player he really trusts and would like to use as he steers his way through this season.

“And if we see enough of him between now and the end of the term, as I would expect us to, he will most likely stick around. There’s not the level of interest there once was either.”

The Verdict: Keep hold of him

Kamara has featured in 12 of Beale’s 13 games since returning to Rangers, showing that he sees him as part of his long-term plans, which is why the club should keep hold of him.

The Teddy Bears ace has racked up 11 assists and nine goals during his time at Ibrox and is a useful option to have available with his versatility to play in both defensive and central midfield (Transfermarkt).

The Tampere native is also averaging a league pass success rate of 88.8%, highlighting his ability to dictate the game from the centre of the park.

Kamara was previously dubbed a ‘monster’ by former manager Steven Gerrard and there’s no doubting that he will continue to be an integral member of the squad should he stay put beyond the current campaign.

Gilchrist counters the round-the-wicket attack

How Adam Gilchrist coped with England’s plan to bowl from round the wicket

George Binoy04-Dec-2006

Adam Gilchrist’s wagon-wheel during his 64 off 79 balls. Enlarged graphic © Hawk-Eye
England needed to skittle Australia cheaply on the fourth day to have a chance of winning this Test, but Michael Clarke and Adam Gilchrist, both players who had a torrid time in the 2005 Ashes, bore the responsibility of avoiding the follow-on. Though Clarke went on to score a crucial hundred, it was Gilchrist who seized the initial momentum on the fourth morning.His 64 off 79 balls was his first fifty-plus score against England since his 133 at Sydney in January 2003. In the 2005 Ashes, England’s bowlers had sorted him out by bowling round the wicket. Before this series started, Gilchrist said that he was prepared to counter this line of attack, but in the first Test he was trapped lbw, playing down the wrong line to one that was angled into him. At Adelaide, Hoggard and co. adopted the same line of attack, bowling 57 balls to Gilchrist from round the wicket while Ashley Giles accounted for 16 of the 22 balls he faced from over the wicket. Blame it on a docile pitch and the dearth of movement in the air, but the ploy did not work at Adelaide.

The pitch-map of the balls bowled by england’s fast bowlers to Gilchrist. Enlarged graphic © Hawk-Eye
While the bowlers pitched 47 balls on a good length to Gilchrist, he scored at nearly 4 runs per over off them. He hammered 22 runs off ten full-pitched deliveries and was quietest against short-of-a-length bowling – 11 off 22 balls. It was just the kind of track he needed to regain some sort of form and even the 40 balls that were of a good line and length leaked 26 runs. Gilchrist’s in-control factor was also impressive – 82.27% (65 out of 79 balls).Cook caught out?
Alastair Cook has been caught by the wicketkeeper or the first slip in three out of four innings in this series. The balls have been fairly similar, pitching on a good length, moving away from the left-hander, inducing him to have a poke at it and taking the edge. Click here for an enlarged graphic of the two balls that dismissed him at Adelaide. They are almost identical.

The balls that dismissed Alastair Cook at Adelaide © Hawk-Eye
Other stats highlights
39.81 – Shane Warne’s strike-rate during his innings of 43. It is his slowest strike-rate for any innings of more than 40 runs.26 – the number of innings since Michael Clarke scored his last Test century. Today’s 124 was his third Test century. He had scored two hundreds and two fifties in his first nine Test innings.6 – the number of 500-plus scores in the last five Tests at Adelaide, including this one.7 for 109 – is Hoggard’s best figures against Australia and is the second-best performance by an English bowler at Adelaide, after Jack White’s 8 for 126 in February 1929.57.52 – Ashley Giles’s bowling average against Australia. This is his ninth Test, and he only has 19 wickets against them

Alexia Putellas is on her way back! Barcelona and Spain sensation says there is 'little time left' until return from injury

Alexia Putellas has confirmed that she is nearing a return after being included in Spain's squad for their Nations League final against France.

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  • Putellas included in squad
  • Recovering from ACL injury
  • Did not get on the pitch
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Putellas is recovering from an ACL injury but was included in Spain's squad for their Nations League final against France, which they won 2-0. Putellas did not get on the pitch but she confirmed after the game that she is very close to returning to action.

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  • WHAT PUTELLAS SAID

    The Barcelona star told reporters: "Very good, I'm super happy, goal accomplished, let's go to the Olympic Games as champions.

    "I feel good, looking forward to playing, there isn't much time left."

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Putellas has been absent since November, when she was injured in Barcelona's Champions League clash with Benfica. She subsequently underwent surgery, but now looks poised to make a return. She won the Ballon d'Or back-to-back in 2021 and 2022.

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    WHAT NEXT?

    Barcelona Femeni are next in action Athletic Bilbao in the Copa de la Reine, before returning to league action next weekend against Real Sociedad.

West Ham: Moyes heading into transfer tussle for "sensational" free agent

Journalist Pete O'Rourke's "well-placed source" has shared an interesting update West Ham United manager David Moyes' transfer plans, concerning Jesse Lingard.

Who just signed for West Ham?

The Irons, helped by new technical director Tim Steidten, secured the signings of Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Mohammed Kudus over this summer.

West Ham's brand new quartet come in to replace the departed Declan Rice, who joined Arsenal in a deal worth £105 million, and striker Gianluca Scamacca after his return to Italy with Atalanta.

Moyes' side have started the new Premier League season with aplomb; remaining unbeaten over their opening four matches with three wins and a draw.

Striker Michail Antonio, despite two arguably lacklustre seasons prior to this one so far, has lead the West Ham line brilliantly as Jamaica's international ace seemingly replicates his 2020/2021 form.

West Ham United'sMichailAntoniocelebrates after the match

However, a potential injury to the 33-year-old is a real possibility given their hectic fixture schedule; including a plethora of Europa League matches from now into the festive period.

Antonio's history of fitness issues are a serious cause for concern at West Ham, and bearing this in mind, there have been reports that the east Londoners could take to the free agent market in search of more attacking options.

Moyes ultimately failed in his attempts to bring in a new striker to replace Scamacca on deadline day, despite their last gasp push for Paris-Saint Germain forward Hugo Ekitike.

One option who could provide forward depth is Lingard, who despite not being an out-and-out centre-forward, has proven in past seasons that he can contribute with both goals and assists at West Ham.

Jesse Lingard

The 30-year-old free agent was training at Rush Green in a bid to maintain his fitness level, and reports claim he has actually impressed on-lookers at the club.

Now, journalist O'Rourke has shared an interesting update on Lingard's potential return to West Ham on a Bosman.

The reporter writes for Football Insider that Moyes and co are now facing a battle with two other clubs from Turkey for the ex-Man United ace, so if they're to sign him, West Ham need a formal offer to table fairly soon.

That is from his "well-placed source"' sharing that Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are likely landing spots if West Ham don't make a move.

What happened to Jesse Lingard?

The ex-Nottingham Forest ace hasn't been able to showcase his rip-roaring 20/21 form at West Ham, where he bagged nine goals and five assists in 16 matches.

Lingard has instead endured being on the periphery at both Man United and Forest since then, perhaps explaining why he is still available for hire.

However, we if the player can replicate his brilliant displays whilst on loan at West Ham two years ago, they could be landing a "sensational" free agent.

“He (Lingard) looked like someone going nowhere but he’s been sensational at West Ham," said Nigel Winterburn to The Sun in the summer of 2021.

"I think there’s a conversation to be had at Man Utd as to whether he’d fit back into their plans,” Winterburn told The Sun. “If not, he’s had this success at West Ham, so I don’t know why he’d want to sign elsewhere. He knows the club, so I think West Ham would be favourites to sign him.”

VIDEO: ‘Is that Neymar?!’ – Fans urge Brazil superstar to ‘retire’ & slam him for being ‘overweight’ as he joins up with Al-Hilal training for first time since ACL injury lay-off

Fans have slammed Neymar for appearing to be overweight and say that he should "retire" after returning to Al-Hilal training following his ACL injury.

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  • Neymar out with ACL injury
  • Brazilian back training at Al-Hilal
  • Fans criticise his physique again
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    WHAT HAPPENED?

    The 32-year-old hit back at football supporters who criticised his physique last month as he recovers from hisanterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear he suffered while on national duty with Brazilin October. Now the former Barcelona star is doing individual training work at the Saudi Pro League side, his detractors are once again lambasting the Brazilian.

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  • WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

    NBA Memes wrote: "Neymar is on that (basketball player) James Harden diet."

    Agurama JnR commented: "What happened to Neymar??"

    ReecyTM tweeted: "Neymar should just retire from playing football and focus on riding horses."

    UncleKeyz added: "Neymar looks like a blesser now," while Iconic Blanco did a side by side photo of Neymar at 32 versus a ripped Cristiano Ronaldo at 36.

    S.J.O put: "What is happening to all Brazil legends?" and showed a side by side of ex-forward Ronaldo and Neymar.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Former Paris Saint-Germain man Neymar, who left the Ligue 1 outfit for Al-Hilal last summer in a £77.2million ($98.3m) move, is in a race against time to play some part in the Saudi Pro League season – with ACL ruptures or tears typically taking eight to 10 months to recover from. The campaign ends in late May and there is no guarantee the ex-Barcelona ace will kick a ball again this term.

Raj, Rodrigues help India achieve away-series double

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.

Kedar Devdhar hits maiden ton, Raina misfires again

Robin Uthappa effected four dismissals behind the stumps and struck 52 off 36 balls for Saurashtra while Krunal Pandya took 2 for 23 with the ball to stifle Gujarat

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jan-2018Uttar Pradesh captain Suresh Raina’s poor form continued as his team went down to Madhya Pradesh by seven wickets in Raipur. This was Uttar Pradesh’s second defeat in as many matches at this venue. Following his 13 against Rajasthan on Tuesday, Raina contributed only 1 to Uttar Pradesh’s total of 108 after they had been sent into bat.Coming in at the fall of Sarul Kanwar in the fourth over, Raina lasted only two balls as he was trapped lbw by seamer Ishwar Pandey. Raina, who was recently retained by Chennai Super Kings for INR 11 crore, had a poor Ranji Trophy season as well, averaging 11.66 from five matches.Sarfraz Khan, a surprise retention for Royal Challengers Bangalore, top-scored with a 19-ball 20 even as Uttar Pradesh slumped from 17 for 1 to 83 for 7. Each of Madhya Pradesh’s frontline seamers – Pandey, Avesh Khan and Puneet Datey – picked up a wicket before spinners Ankit Sharma (2 for 22) and Mihir Hirwani bored through the middle order. An unbeaten half-century from opener Rajat Patidar meant Madhya Pradesh completed their chase with seven wickets and 18 balls to spare.BCCI

Kedar Devdhar’s 61-ball 100, his maiden T20 century, helped Baroda beat Gujarat by 36 runs and condemn them to their third successive defeat in the West Zone league.While IPL stars Deepak Hooda and Krunal Pandya managed only single-digit scores, Swapnil Singh chipped in with a 28-ball 44 to propel Baroda’s total to 175 . Krunal, though, had a better outing with the ball to finish with figures of 2 for 23 as Gujarat were bowled out for 139 in 18 overs. Gujarat’s two major contributions came from Chirag Gandhi (52 off 41 balls) and captain Axar Patel (33 off 19 balls). Baroda now lead the West Zone standings with eight points from two games.Seamer Shaurya Sanandia’s four-wicket haul and Robin Uthappa’s all-round effort led Saurashtra to an eight-wicket win over Mumbai in Rajkot. After opting to bat, Mumbai suffered a middle-order collapse to go from 65 for 2 to 66 for 5 in less than two overs. Only captain Aditya Tare (39 off 23 balls) and Siddhesh Lad (38) made sizeable contributions for Mumbai. Uthappa finished with four dismissals before muscling a 36-ball 52 to ensure Saurashtra won with 16 balls to spare. Saurashtra have now won both their matches so far.

Spurs: £13m-rated "weapon" could be surprise name to fill Kane void

While there will be those of a Tottenham Hotspur persuasion still hoping that club-record scorer, Harry Kane will be a part of Ange Postecoglou's side beyond the September deadline, it is looking increasingly likely that the England skipper will be on his way as a matter of when and not if.

Amid reports that chairman Daniel Levy could be forced to cash in on the long-serving striker rather than allow him to leave for nothing next summer, it would appear that the only question now is where the 30-year-old ends up, with Bayern Munich and Manchester United still circling.

If the 6 foot 2 marksman is to depart over the coming weeks then Postecoglou will need to find a new attacking figurehead who can ease the goalscoring burden on Heung-min Son, with there perhaps other members of the current squad who could step up to the plate.

Last year's £60m summer signing, Richarlison did only recently net a hat-trick in the 5-1 thrashing of Lion City Sailors, although it is yet to be seen if the mercurial Brazilian can replicate that form in the Premier League, having scored just a solitary top-flight goal last season.

Tottenham striker Richarlison.

Rather than attempting to rely on the 26-year-old, a possible surprise package may have presented itself in the form of former Fulham loanee, Manor Solomon, with the recent free transfer arrival from Shakhtar Donetsk having made a strong early impression on pre-season.

How good is Manor Solomon?

Described as "really exciting" by Postecoglou, the 24-year-old has also been the recipient of notable praise from journalist Paul Brown, with the respected insider telling Football FanCast that the Israeli international can be something of a "weapon" for the north Londoners next season.

Asked whether the 5 foot 7 ace is a bargain signing, Brown stated: "Yeah, I think he's a really good little player. He, in limited minutes, did really good things for Fulham and scored a lot of goals off the bench for them. I think in a similar role at spurs, he could be quite dynamic.

"I think they do need someone like him who takes up good positions, has that kind of movement. He's quite deceptive with his movement, and just has a knack for goal.

"I think bringing him on against tired defenders at the end at the end of the game would be a good weapon for the new manager to have, so I can see why they did that one."

How has Manor Solomon performed in pre-season?

That glowing praise is a sign of the potential gem that Postecoglou has on his hands, with Solomon having shown glimpses last season while at Craven Cottage that he can offer a real goal threat in his new home at N17.

Manor Solomon

While Richarlison failed to catch fire for the Lilywhites, the Israeli sensation scored four Premier League goals in 2022/23 despite missing the first half of the season through injury, with that impact also coming despite being limited to just four starts in the competition.

Barring another injury setback, the £13m-rated speedster looks likely to have a bigger role to play this time around if his pre-season form is anything to go by, having been hailed as a 'constant threat' on the right flank by football.london's Alasdair Gold following the recent win over Lion City – who also awarded him an 8/10 match rating.

The diminutive, wing wizard had also shone on the opposite side against rivals West Ham United last week, with the Evening Standard's Simon Collings writing that he was 'just about Tottenham’s best player during the first half and looked very lively cutting inside.'

While it remains to be seen which wing the one-time Maccabi Tel Aviv menace will line up on moving forward, such versatility is evidence of just what a 'weapon' he is, hence the excitement over his potential influence in 2023/24.

Although it may be Richarlison who is likely to be the direct, positional replacement for Kane through the middle, Solomon is already showing signs that he can lead the charge from the flanks.

‘The face of Bayern Munich’ – How Harry Kane has become an English ‘ambassador’ as 24-goal striker prepares to be joined in Germany by wife Katie Goodland & his young family

Harry Kane has already become the “face of Bayern Munich” and an English “ambassador” in Germany, says Lothar Matthaus.

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Superstar striker left Spurs for BavariaMade a stunning impact in the BundesligaCould compete for prestigious awardsWHAT HAPPENED?

The England captain severed career-long ties with Premier League side Tottenham when completing a €100 million (£86m/$109m) transfer to the reigning Bundesliga champions in the summer of 2023. He has made a stunning impact at the Allianz Arena, hitting 24 goals through 21 appearances, and is expected to take his game to even greater heights once he has been joined in Bavaria by his wife Katie Goodland and their four children.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT MATTHAUS SAID ABOUT KANE

Bayern legend Matthaus has told of ‘King Kane’ taking over in Munich: “He is so well, very well – not only on the pitch, he is the face of Bayern Munich. It’s not only in Germany, he is good for the Bundesliga, to make us internationally more present, get more interest. Harry is a really good transfer, we are very happy. He has scored now in 15 games, he has scored 20 goals in the Bundesliga, top scorer. He is very close with the fans, he is good with the media – he gives the interviews. He is a great ambassador, we cannot have a better ambassador from England than Harry Kane at this moment.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Kane could come into contention for Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best recognition if his current standards are maintained, but Matthaus is not convinced that those awards are being given to the right person in 2023. He added when asked to pick out the best player over the last 12 months: “Erling Haaland? When you see 2023 – with the titles for Haaland, what he won with Manchester City and how he scored in England. For me, the best player in 2023 was not [Lionel] Messi. [Jude] Bellingham did a great job in Dortmund, in Real Madrid, but he didn’t win titles in 2023 and Haaland won everything with Man City. And the [goals], the number of [goals], how he played for City and his national team. He is a special player and I think in 2023, the best player for me was Erling Haaland.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

Inter Miami superstar Messi collected his eighth Golden Ball on the back of helping Argentina to World Cup glory at Qatar 2022. He is in the running for the FIFA Best prize, but that prestigious honour could still be awarded to prolific City striker Haaland or Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe – as they make up the final shortlist.

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