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Atlante’s long-awaited return to Liga MX is gaining momentum as the club steps up negotiations to purchase Mazatlán FC from Grupo Salinas. While no deal has been finalized, the move is widely viewed as their clearest path back to the top flight after a decade in Liga de Expansión. The Potros – currently the only certified team eligible for promotion – appear closer than ever to reclaiming their place among Mexican football’s elite.

@AtlanteOn the radar

Atlante’s ambition to return to Liga MX is no longer just an idea – it’s an active project with concrete steps underway, including the potential acquisition of Mazatlán FC.

According to reporting from TUDN’s Javier Rojas, Atlante has yet finalized the purchase of Mazatlán, though the franchise remains firmly on the club’s radar. For the azulgrana board, buying Mazatlán is considered a “Plan B,” as the club is still attempting to reach promotion through sporting merit first.

While Grupo Salinas initially explored selling Puebla before considering Mazatlán, negotiations stalled months ago. The sale remains possible, and Mazatlán is widely viewed as the most realistic path for Atlante to re-enter the top division. The talks have since resumed, and optimism has grown within the club that a deal can be struck.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDeal not official – but momentum is building

Recent reports suggested that Atlante’s return was already agreed upon, even circulating a purchase figure. However, Récord clarified that no official announcement is imminent; discussions are ongoing and will require more time before being finalized.

The same media outlet also revealed that Atlante’s leadership, led by Emilio Escalante, has spent more than a year exploring options with Grupo Salinas – including negotiations for Puebla or Mazatlán – though concerns during earlier talks prevented an agreement.

Getty Images SportWhy Atlante holds a unique advantage

A key factor favoring Atlante is its certification by the Mexican Football Federation, making it the club in Liga de Expansión currently eligible for promotion. With no other certified team in the division, Atlante stands as the lone viable candidate to move up – strengthening their position in negotiations.

If the sale goes through, Mazatlán would not disappear. Instead, the Sinaloa club would shift into Atlante’s current place in Liga de Expansión, avoiding past scenarios like Jaguares or Lobos BUAP, whose franchises vanished after being sold.

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Possible timeline for the announcement

TUDN indicates that the operation could be finalized shortly before the 2026 World Cup. The goal would be to present the agreement officially at the Liga MX assembly once the tournament ends.

Under this scenario, Atlante would return to Liga MX for the Apertura 2026 as the new holder of the Mazatlán franchise. With their potential comeback, the Potros de Hierro would once again play in the stadium that historically served as their home. Reports suggest Atlante would join América and Cruz Azul as tenants of Estadio Banorte (formerly Estadio Azteca), where they previously played in three different eras: 1966–1983, 1996–2000, and 2004–2007.

Moments of individual brilliance helped England to a series win but several areas of the side still need addressing

George Dobell27-Jan-20168.5Ben Stokes (411 runs at 58.71; 12 wickets at 29.16)Probably the difference between the teams. The most eye-catching performance of Stokes’ tour may have come in Cape Town, where he produced one of the great Test innings, but perhaps it will prove to be the advances he has made in his bowling that prove more significant in the long term. Despite rarely gaining use of the new ball, he claimed 12 wickets – more than any England bowler other than Broad – and bowled with skill, control and persistence. He was also the quickest member of the attack at times. While unable to replicate his Newlands effort, he unsettled the South Africa bowlers with his aggressive batting and contributed a valuable half-century in Johannesburg. Only Hashim Amla scored more runs in the series. Despite being the youngest member of the squad, he has quickly developed into a key figure in the side.8Stuart Broad (18 wickets at 20.61)Broad rose to No. 1 in the world rankings after his outstanding performance in the second innings in Johannesburg, where he produced his best Test figures overseas. He also produced a key performance in the Durban Test – where his legcutters were things of beauty – and scored some valuable runs. He finished as England’s leading wicket-taker in the series and underlined the view that, on a pitch offering him any assistance, he is a desperately tough proposition.7.5Steven Finn (11 wickets at 26.09)Finn looked England’s most dangerous bowler at times, not least in Cape Town, where his figures of 2 for 132 were scant reward for his control and hostility. Despite that, he claimed 11 wickets in the three games and cemented his position as England’s first-choice third seamer. There may be some concern over the regularity with which injuries are occurring but, with the bounce he generates now complemented by some pleasing movement away from the bat, he looks a fine bowler.Joe Root (386 runs at 55.14)In Johannesburg, on a pitch on which nobody else could score more than 58, Root produced a century of the highest class to shape the game. While he was unable to convert his three other half-centuries, he looked a top quality player throughout. Making his run-scoring all the more impressive was the fact that he was often obliged to rebuild after his team had suffered a poor start and, so wide is his array of strokes, there are times it appears desperately difficult to bowl – or set a field – to him. If a failure to convert his half-centuries remains a frustration, it is worth remembering he is only 25. There may be a temptation to push him up to No. 3 but, bearing in mind his success at No. 4 or No. 5 – it compares with the very best the game has seen – that may be weakening a strength.6Jonny Bairstow (359 runs at 71.80)A perplexing trip. As a batsman, this may be remembered as the series Bairstow came of age. He recorded his maiden Test century at Cape Town – yes, the pitch was good but he came in with his side in a little bit of trouble – and also made valuable contributions in Durban and Johannesburg. His keeping, however, was shown to be some way below the standard required at this level and, by the series end, some of his team-mates were struggling to control their frustration. There were bright moments – he effected England’s first Test stumping since 2012 in Durban, and took nine catches to go with an excellent run-out in Johannesburg – but seven missed chances out of 27 is an uncomfortably high ratio. In Centurion, he dropped all three centurions. Having finished the series top of England’s batting averages, there is a case for him batting at No. 5 and relinquishing the gloves. Marked 8 for his batting and 4 for his keeping.5.5Alastair Cook (184 runs at 23.00)With one half-century in eight innings – and that once the outcome was decided – this was a disappointing series for Cook as a batsman. Twice caught down the leg side, he also nicked off four times. But, helped by the inclusion of a top allrounder, he continues to improve as a captain. Loses half a mark due to a couple of dropped catches.James Taylor (186 runs at 26.57)Taylor started well, with innings of 70 and 42 in Durban, but missed out in Cape Town, where he was dismissed first ball, and failed in the final two Tests; albeit receiving an almost unplayable delivery in his last innings. He looks comfortable enough at this level but, without the large score to cement his position, he remains vulnerable to a run of failures or a strong showing from someone outside the team. He has gained an extra mark for his fielding at short leg: brave and skilful, he took three outstanding catches. It is a factor that is likely to weigh in his favour when it comes to selecting the side for the series against Sri Lanka.Neither James Taylor nor Alex Hales cemented their spots•Getty ImagesJames Anderson (seven wickets at 43.00)Bowled a bit better than his figures suggest. After missing the first Test through injury, he came into the second – on a flat pitch – lacking a bit of rhythm, but at least proved the most economical of England’s main bowlers. Not at his best in the first innings at Johannesburg or Centurion, where his line and length were unusually astray by his high standards, he at least had the satisfaction of completing AB de Villiers’ pair in the final Test. Fitness permitting, he is certain to take the new ball in the Test series against Sri Lanka, but may feel he has more to prove than he has for a while. Worth remembering that, on pitches offering him nothing in the UAE only a few weeks ago, he was England’s best bowler. There is no obvious replacement pushing for his place.5Moeen Ali (116 runs at 29.00, 10 wickets at 48.50)Moeen took seven wickets in Durban, where he was Man of the Match, but only three more in the remaining three Tests. While he generally performed the holding role pretty well – certainly better than in the UAE – he rarely threatened and was punished on a couple of occasions as South Africa looked to accelerate. While the pitches offered him little encouragement, he will be disappointed that, on the occasions the batsmen came after him, he seemed to struggle to maintain his length. Produced only one innings of note – an elegant half-century in Centurion with the series already decided – but finished above Cook, Hales and Taylor in the batting averages. He remains a work in progress and the India tour looms in the distance. But alternatives are not obvious.Nick Compton (245 runs at 30.62)Played a huge role in England’s Durban win with innings of 85 and 49 but then, unsettled by talk of his relatively slow strike rate, strayed from his natural game and suffered the consequences with a series of diminishing returns. Still looked more solid than most for much of the series and was the victim of an almost unplayable delivery in the first innings in Centurion but he will look back on this series as an opportunity not entirely taken. His final innings, where he almost ran out his captain in scampering a single to get off the mark and then used a review in vain after edging a drive against a ball he could have left, did not leave the most helpful last impression. He loses half a mark for his fielding.3Alex Hales (136 runs at 17.00)In only reaching 30 once in eight innings, Hales was unable to seize his chance to secure a longer run as Cook’s opening partner. Four times he was caught off an outside edge in the cordon – another time he sliced to point – and his fragility around off stump, demonstrated when he was twice dismissed in the warm-up games leaving straight ones, raises questions over his future at this level. He will surely need to start the County Championship season well to win a longer run in the side.2.5Chris Woakes (34 runs at 8.50, five catches)Bowled tidily enough in Durban, albeit without much threat, but then poorly in Centurion. While it is true he, like most members of the attack, suffered from a couple of dropped chances, he would be honest enough to admit he did not bowl with the consistency required at this level. In the absence of Finn and Mark Wood, this was a huge opportunity for Woakes. He failed to take it.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been gifted a double-injury boost before their crunch Premier League clash with Man City on Sunday.

Arsenal prepare to host Man City in vital Premier League face-off

For the second time in three top flight games, Arteta’s side face off against fellow title contenders in what is set to be yet another potentially season-defining afternoon.

It is still very early days, but given the sheer investment in Liverpool’s squad and City’s own ambitions to become champions of England once again, the race for Premier League glory will come down to very tight margins.

Man United 0-1 Arsenal

Wolves 0-4 Man City

Arsenal 5-0 Leeds United

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal

Brighton 2-1 Man City

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Man City 3-0 Man United

The head-to-heads between City, Liverpool, Arsenal or even Chelsea could be vital in determining who will be crowned at the end of 2025/2026, and nothing but a win against Pep Guardiola’s side will satisfy supporters as Arteta seeks to end the Gunners’ two-decade-long wait for a title.

The Citizens are on a very mixed run of form, having lost 50 per cent of their Premier League matches already, while Arsenal were handed their first defeat of the campaign against Liverpool just prior to the international break.

Arsenal, partly owing to Cristhian Mosquera’s exceptional displays in place of William Saliba, have conceded just one goal in all competitions this season, so City superstar Erling Haaland is set for a tough afternoon at the Emirates Stadium.

In terms of team news, City will be without Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki, Mateo Kovacic — who are all absent with long-term injuries — with John Stones and Rayan Ait-Nouri also doubts for the trip to north London.

Guardiola will also make a late fitness call on Rodri, as the 29-year-old hasn’t started three big games of this magnitude in a row since before his season-ending ACL injury last season.

Arsenal gifted double-injury boost before Man City after Mikel Arteta update

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta has now shared team news out of Arsenal.

Despite head-injury worries surrounding both Mikel Merino and Viktor Gyokeres, following their win over Athletic Bilbao midweek, Arteta has now confirmed that the duo are fine and available to play on Sunday in a four-word update.

Elsewhere, Arteta also confirmed that Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are subject to late fitness tests, which will determine whether the trio can also feature against Guardiola’s men.

When asked if Saliba could start his first game back from injury, relegating the in-form Mosquera to Arsenal’s bench, says the Frenchman is “really pushing” to be given the nod against City.

Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are still out with long-term problems, with some reports previously suggesting that the latter may not be back until 2026.

If White, Odegaard and Saka are indeed past fit, Arsenal will have a near-fully fit squad to take on City, but the confirmed presence of Merino and Gyokeres undoubtedly comes as a major boost.

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka has sent a heartwarming message to his former teammate Emile Smith Rowe following his move to Fulham.

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Smith Rowe leaves Arsenal for Fulham Saka sends emotional message to midfielder Duo came up through the ranks at ArsenalGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Saka and Smith Rowe came up through the ranks at Arsenal together and also made their senior debuts for the Gunners around the same time. The duo have played a pivotal part in the North London side's rejuvenation under Mikel Arteta. However, they are now set to part ways with Smith Rowe having joined Premier League rivals Fulham.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Smith Rowe's importance in Arteta's squad had been dwindling for quite some time as the 24-year-old has continued to suffer with injury and fitness issues. The London-born midfielder has now been confirmed as a Fulham player with the Cottagers paying the Gunners a reported fee of £34 million ($44m) for the move.

WHAT SAKA SAID

The Arsenal forward posted a heartwarming message for Smith Rowe following the move and said on an Instagram post: "From Hale End to the Emirates and all the memories on our journey. It’s been an absolute pleasure. Go and shine bro!"

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WHAT NEXT FOR THE DUO?

The Hale End graduates will share the field again later this year when Arsenal and Fulham take on each other at Craven Cottage on December 7.

Babar Azam holds on to top spot, Mohammad Hafeez makes big gains, Dawid Malan re-enters top five

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Sep-2020England opener Tom Banton and Pakistan middle-order veteran Mohammad Hafeez have both made big gains in the ICC rankings for T20I batsmen at the end of the three-match series that ended 1-1, while Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain in the format, held on to the top spot, opening up a 45-point lead over second-placed KL Rahul.Shaheryar Butt moves up 351 spots

In the Luxembourg T20I tri-series that pitted Belgium and Czech Republic against the home side, Shaheryar Butt hit 236 runs in four outings, including a best of 125 not out in 50 balls against Czech Republic, to help his side register an all-win record. That helped him jump 351 spots in the batsmen’s rankings to No. 105. On the same day he scored the century, he also hit 81 not out against Luxembourg.
Belgium’s run of four wins also lifted them from 63rd to 47th in the team rankings, while Czech Republic and Luxembourg, who won one match apiece, slipped to No. 61 (from 54) and No. 63 (from 58) respectively.

Banton, who is headed to UAE to link up with his Kolkata Knight Riders team-mates for the IPL, hit 137 runs in the series, including 71 in 42 balls in the washed-out opening game, to move up a remarkable 152 spots on the ladder to reach the 43rd position.The other England batsman to impress, Dawid Malan, who hit 23 and 54 not out in the first two games, also got back in the top five after briefly reaching a career-high 804 rating points when he hit the half-century in the England win.Azam hit a 44-ball 56 from the top of the order in Pakistan’s defeat in the second game to consolidate his position at the top, with Rahul, Australia’s Aaron Finch and New Zealand’s Colin Munro between him and Malan.Hafeez, however, was the standout batsman of the series, and his 36-ball 69 in the second game and a match-winning 86 not out off 52 balls in the final encounter helped him move up 24 spots to No. 44, just behind Banton.Of the bowlers in action in the three games at Manchester’s Old Trafford, Pakistan legspinner Shadab Khan was the most successful with five strikes, including a best of 3 for 34, and that helped him stay in the top ten, at No. 8. England paceman Tom Curran and Pakistan quick Shaheen Shah Afridi (both with two wickets) moved up to the joint 20th spot.

Ollie Palmer was not the only Wrexham striker to feature in Deadpool & Wolverine, with Ryan Reynolds also finding a cameo role for Paul Mullin.

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Hollywood co-owners at SToK RacecourseAllowing sporting stars to branch outBit-part roles found in Marvel production WHAT HAPPENED?

Red Dragons frontman Palmer has confirmed that, after blagging his way into the production, he features in the latest blockbuster release from Marvel Studios. He is an extra during a bar scene, but his face can be spotted on screen by the eagle-eyed.

AdvertisementDID YOU KNOW?

Mullin has been slightly more difficult to spot, as his head is covered during his brief debut as a movie star. The prolific forward, who has registered 105 goals for Wrexham, plays the role of ‘Welshpool’ – one of several Deadpool alter egos that figure in the film.

WHAT RYAN REYNOLDS SAID

Reynolds shared a picture of the two in costume with the message: "You may have noticed one member of the Deadpool Corps was far deadlier than the rest. WELSHPOOL."

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THE GOSSIP

Mullin’s character appears in a Deadpool costume adorned with the Welsh flag. He is given an official credit by , as is Reynolds’ wife Blake Lively – who plays Lady Deadpool. Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has joked about his TVA Soldier character not making the final cut.

IMDB

Ireland’s batting comes good at the last as they emulate Bangalore heroics with record chase

The Report by Matt Roller 04-Aug-2020Ireland pulled off their second win against England and their first ODI victory against major opposition since the 2015 World Cup, with Kevin O’Brien, the hero of Bangalore, hitting the winning run after centuries from Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie had laid the foundations.Chasing 329 to win – the same score they managed in their famous 2011 scalp – Stirling hammered 142 and Balbirnie 113 in a partnership of 214 that broke the back of the chase. A late wobble threatened to derail their challenge, but Harry Tector and O’Brien added 50 in 5.2 overs to seal a memorable win.An Irishman had done the heavy lifting for England with the bat too, Eoin Morgan the standout in their total of 328 all out, but regular wickets derailed them on a hard, fresh pitch that was excellent for batting throughout. But for a last-wicket stand of 30, the run chase would have been something of a cakewalk.2-0 down in the series after two batting implosions, Balbirnie stuck with his youngsters but knew that it was the senior batsmen that needed to stand up. Stirling had struggled badly against David Willey in the series to date, but started confidently and positively here, slamming his third ball through cover to get the chase up and running.The Powerplay was largely sedate, Ireland focusing on preserving wickets after awful starts in the first two games, until Stirling whacked Saqib Mahmood over square leg for two towering sixes to end the eighth. Gareth Delany looked out of sorts, shaping to flick off his hip but losing his leg stump to Willey, but at 55 for 1 after the first 10, they had a platform to build from.Ireland had been meek against spin throughout the first two games, struggling either to rotate the strike or hit boundaries as Adil Rashid spun a web around their inexperienced middle order. But with their best two players of spin together they decided to attack, with Balbirnie sweeping Moeen Ali and Stirling bludgeoning through midwicket, square leg and the off side.After a brief experiment with James Vince’s medium pace, Moeen – standing in as captain after Morgan hurt his groin while batting – turned to his seamers after 25 overs, hoping they could break a partnership that had nudged past 100. They successfully stemmed the flow of runs but could not find an opening, despite a chance for Vince at midwicket who dropped a difficult catch off Mahmood with Stirling on 95.Stirling brought up his hundred with a nudge for one, barely deigning to celebrate his first ton against England, and when Willey returned for his second spell, Stirling welcomed him with a silky drive through mid-off and a wristy flick through square leg. Balbirnie continued to sweep Moeen at will, moving to a hundred of his own with a slash over point off Tom Curran.But Stirling’s runs started to dry up. Vince gave him another life on 139, dropping a steepler running back from midwicket, before a horrible mix-up saw him short of his ground at the non-striker’s end thanks to some good work from Curran. Ireland sent Tector in at No. 4 rather than O’Brien, who started shakily against Rashid.With England putting the squeeze on and the required rate ticking above nine, Balbirnie decided he couldn’t afford to play Rashid’s final over out. He clipped a pair of twos and then went for the jugular, only picking out Billings at long-off. That finally brought O’Brien to the crease, who watched Tector cream Rashid through cover before himself surviving an lbw review.O’Brien then slammed a waist-high no-ball from Willey for a towering six over midwicket, before Tector slashed Curran through the covers once more. He got a life from Tom Banton, who shelled a difficult chance at long-on, and struggled to get bat on ball, but O’Brien crunched Willey over third man and Tector carved Curran through point to leave 10 from 8 balls.With 5 off 4 needed, Mahmood sent down a chest-high no-ball which Tector pulled for one. O’Brien clipped off the pads to leave one required, then swung and missed at a length ball, before pulling behind square to cue rapturous celebrations from the away dressing room.Eoin Morgan celebrates his century•Getty ImagesEngland’s frenetic innings had been underpinned by Morgan’s 14th ODI hundred. He added 146 in 18.2 overs with Banton, who made his first international half-century from No. 5 to drive England towards an imposing total, before a second middle-order hiccup in as many games threatened to derail their innings completely.Willey thrashed 51 from No. 8 to drive them up past 300, but their 328 was a par score at best.Balbirnie’s decision to bowl first had reaped instant dividends when Craig Young dismissed Jason Roy with the fourth ball of the game, pushing an outswinger to second slip with hard hands. It was the 15th time that Roy has been out in the first over of an ODI in his career, nine times more than anyone else in that time, and the third time Young had got him in the series.Mark Adair, back in the side after a long-standing ankle problem, then nipped one in off the seam to burst through Jonny Bairstow, and when UltraEdge showed that James Vince had got an inside edge on a Young inswinger, England were in trouble at 44 for 3.In a different era, that would have meant the middle order dropping anchor and knocking the ball around for 15 overs, but that is not the England way. Instead, Morgan – back at No. 4 after sliding down to No. 6 in the first two games – resembled the French general Ferdinand Foch: “My centre is giving way, my right is retreating, situation excellent, I am attacking.”With Banton for support, Morgan treated Ireland’s seamers with utter disdain, driving, cutting and pulling effortlessly to rack up a 39-ball half-century – 40 of those runs coming in boundaries. The only chance he offered was dropped by Balbirnie on 67. He was particularly brutal when Ireland dropped short, swatting Josh Little for a pair of sixes through backward square before drilling him dead-straight down the ground for a 78-ball hundred.And then, without warning, another middle-overs wobble threatened to knock England off course. Morgan was the first to go, slashing Little high into the off side which Tector gobbled up at backward point, before Banton – who had looked much more assured in this innings, scoring fluently with good tempo and rhythm – was trapped on the pad by a full, flat ball from part-time legspinner Delany.Balbirnie, to his credit, had attacked with his field placings throughout the series, and that did not change today. He brought close fielders in on both sides of the wicket whenever a new man came in, and reaped the reward when the skittish Ali chipped a back-of-a-length ball from Curtis Campher to short cover.Billings, the man in form, couldn’t make it three decisive innings in a row, chipping to mid-off to the second ball of Young’s second spell. 190 for 3 had turned into 216 for 7 in the space of seven overs, and Ireland sensed a real opening. And while Willey and Curran dragged them up to a decent total, it would not prove to be enough.

Arsenal and Manchester United have both joined the race for an exciting French young talent, it has been reported, as both sides look to the future.

Gunners looking to the future

Arsenal are enjoying a fantastic season and currently sit atop the Premier League table as they look to go one better than last season's second-place finish.

Even more impressively, Mikel Arteta and co. have built their side largely on young talent, ensuring that their presence at the top of English football is only set to continue for years to come.

The likes of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli are all likely to have their best years still ahead of them should they manage to avoid serious injuries, while Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira are among those who could still make the step up.

Club

Age (years)

Chelsea

23.1

Burnley

23.2

Brighton

23.8

Arsenal

24.3

Nottingham Forest

24.5

It is not just their first team that is making waves though, and the Gunners have begun to place an increased importance on their academy talents, both in recruiting from other sides and developing their own prospects.

Charlie Patino, Mika Biereth and Brooke Norton-Cuffy are all enjoying loan spells away from the club to varying degrees of success. Meanwhile, the Gunners have made tying down young talent their priority, and announced a professional contract for Ethan Nwaneri on Thursday after making him the youngest-ever Premier League player last season.

In securing his signature, they fought off competition from Chelsea and Manchester City, and their focus on youth is only set to continue into the summer.

Arsenal and Manchester United chase youngster

With that in mind, it comes as no surprise to hear that Arsenal are one of several clubs chasing talented youngster Joachim Kayi Sanda.

Sanda currently captains the France U18 side and was part of the U17 side that lost the World Cup final on penalties to Germany last December.

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His performances have attracted the attention of several massive clubs, with Manchester United, Newcastle, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain all alongside Arsenal in showing interest in the talented teen, according to transfer journalist Graeme Bailey.

Sanda was among four players at French side Valenciennes dubbed a "fantastic talent" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, and is expected to have a big future ahead of him.

However, those European giants may all be foiled by Championship outfit Southampton, whose owners also own Valenciennes. There is hope from the Saints that the promise of regular first-team football could see the youngster opt for the south coast outfit over big-name sides, though the latest report claims that 'their hopes could rest on whether promotion back to the Premier League can be achieved.'

Under contract with his current side until 2026, Sanda is expected to leave this summer nonetheless, with the club's youngest-ever player looking to take the next step in his career.

Thirty-one players and five coaches have urged CSA to stand behind the movement

Firdose Moonda14-Jul-2020Thirty-one of the most prominent current and former South African players of colour have called on Cricket South Africa to unequivocally confront the issue of racial divisions in the sport in the country, and urged white cricketers to show their support for Lungi Ngidi and the Black Lives Matter movement.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe signatories of the letter, an attempt at showing solidarity with the anti-racism campaigns sweeping the world, include Makhaya Ntini, Vernon Philander, JP Duminy and Herschelle Gibbs, and five current coaches including national fielding coach Justin Ontong.The letter came after a week of racially charged rhetoric in the country’s cricket circles, and notes that, collectively, the signatories “are not surprised” by the criticism Ngidi has copped from former players such as Pat Symcox, Boeta Dippenaar, Rudi Steyn and Brian McMillan.”We commend Lungi Ngidi for supporting #BlackLivesMatter – and we’d like to add our support for it too,” the letter stated. “We note the criticism aimed at Lungi for expressing his views – and we hope that Cricket South Africa (CSA), together with fellow cricketers – both present and past – will come out strongly in support of #BLM.”We note too that the most outspoken criticism directed at Ngidi has come via former players such as Pat Symcox, Boeta Dippenaar, Rudi Steyn, Brian McMillan and others, and we urge that their views be challenged. We are not surprised at their comments.”Given South Africa’s well-known past, black cricketers have borne the brunt of subtle and overt racist behaviour for many years, including from some colleagues. Consequently, there is a need to understand how white privilege feeds into the perpetuation of these old attitudes and assumptions.”The statement is a response to events that began when Ngidi said he hoped South Africa’s players would join the rest of the world in “making a stand” in support of BLM. The following day, Ngidi was criticised by Symcox, Dippenaar and others for not being equally vocal about the murders of mostly white farmers in the country. The South African Cricketers’ Association stood by Ngidi and CSA also issued a statement making plain its support for BLM. Since then, several players of colour have begun telling their stories on social media, including Ashwell Prince, who called the South African system “broken”.While the statement has urged the South African cricketing community to rally in support of Ngidi, only one current international, Tabraiz Shamsi, has so far made any public comment in the matter.

@NgidiLungi I am right behind you boy!

You said NOTHING wrong!

Black, white or brown… NO ONE should be treated with hatred, cruelty or differently based on their skin colour#BlackLivesMatter #AllLivesMatter #Peace #LungiNgidi

— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) July 9, 2020

The signatories to the statement also asserted that South Africa’s history of segregation, which ended only 26 years ago with the first democratic elections, has meant that institutionalised and systemic forms of racism are rampant in the current game, despite early hopes that they would be weeded out. The players and coaches said they had previously seen racial hangovers as “teething problems”, which would “be resolved if we are patient”, but that the views of Symcox, Dippennar, Rudi Steyn and McMillan suggest otherwise.”After almost three decades of cricket unity, the views expressed from one side of the racial divide are still very much part of our lives, and we now believe teething problems cannot be allowed to continue for this long. We see this as an opportunity for CSA to be unequivocal about its position and to make sure the problem is confronted, and we also invite our fellow white cricketers to join in this move to defend human dignity.”We represent, or have represented, South Africa on merit. Far too many white South Africans cannot accept that black cricketers have proved, time without end, that they are good enough to play at the highest level. We want to remind South Africans that as recently as 2017, we were told that a South African sister sport, rugby, was ‘dead’ – killed by ‘transformation’. But guess what? South African rugby won a World Cup last year. We cannot recall anyone suggesting that the victory was due to transformation.”Why is transformation always rammed down the throats of national teams when they lose, but never when they win? Can there be equal treatment, please?”No white players, past or present, or white coaches, were approached to add their names to the statement, as people of colour aimed to take a unified stance in expressing their voice, which some of them have argued have been routinely silenced. “All the signatories to the release stated that they have stories to tell about the racism they have had to endure as they strove to get to the top of their sporting careers. It is important to bring these into the open, and for CSA to support black cricketers who come forward to air their stories.”The support for BLM received added momentum last week, with Michael Holding and Ebony-Jewel Rainford-Brent featured in a moving documentary on the broadcast ahead of the first Test between England and West Indies. Both Holding and Rainford-Brent spoke of their experiences of racial discrimination over vastly different periods of time – Holding in the 1970s and 1980s and Rainford-Brent as recently as 2008. Prince has since acknowledged that he had been “100% inspired by Michael Holding” when he chose to speak out.

Manchester United have been on the hunt for a midfielder and they reportedly have their eyes set on a Euro 2024 winner.

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Man Utd want to sign Martin ZubimendiSpaniard hailed as 'one of the best' by De La FuenteUnited's move for midfielder remains 'complicated'GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Martin Zubimendi did not play a very big part in Spain's Euro 2024 campaign. However, after an injury to Rodri in the final in Berlin, the Real Sociedad midfielder played a phenomenal half of football to help La Roja conquer England. Additionally, the 25-year-old has impressed with La Real over the last few seasons and has been one of Imanol Alguacil's top players.

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Manchester United, who are looking to sign a defensive midfielder this summer, are keeping tabs on the Spaniard, however, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has told GiveMeSport that a move this summer could be complicated as Zubimendi is not keen on leaving his boyhood club. Additionally, Real Sociedad are open to selling the 25-year-old only at his release clause of £51 million ($65.6m) which could be difficult for the Red Devils to attain unless they make sales first.

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Zubimendi has previously been heavily hailed by Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente as one of the best midfielders in the world. In November of last year, the 63-year-old was asked about who he voted for at FIFA's The Best award and said: "Rodri, Haaland and Messi…, and by the way last year I voted for Julián Álvarez, which caused some commotion…, but also for Bellingham and in third place for Modric. But no one knew Jude Bellingham, then, except in Madrid, of course. He has had a sensational explosion. He is a different player. But well, Rodrigo has been my first choice this time because we have the two best centre-halfs in the world: Rodri and Zubimendi."

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WHAT NEXT FOR ZUBIMENDI?

The Spaniard has been the target of interest from the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Bayern Munich but has maintained his position of respecting his contract with Real Sociedad which runs until the summer of 2027, and it is likely that unless a club reaches an agreement with La Real, he will not look to leave the club.