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Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be among the many clubs contending to sign in-demand Lille striker Jonathan David on a free transfer, with the player now allegedly making a decision on his next landing spot.

Jonathan David scores for fun in France with contract running down

After June 30th, the Canada international will be free to move on to new pastures at zero cost, with his contract expiring at the end of this season.

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The Austrian comes in as much-needed centre-back cover.

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David, who’s scored 20 goals across 34 appearances for Lille in all competitions already this season, has entered the final few months of his career at the Ligue 1 club – which has piqued interest from a host of top European sides.

The 25-year-old Brooklyn-native stands out as, potentially, one of the summer’s biggest bargain transfers. Despite barely reaching the peak of his career, David’s already hit over a century of goals for Lille, 104 to be exact, not to mention 27 assists to go with that truly impressive tally.

Man United (home)

February 16th

Ipswich Town (home)

February 22nd

Man City (home)

February 26th

Bournemouth (home)

March 9th

Fulham (away)

March 16th

The former Gent sensation’s record in front of goal speaks for itself, and while you could make a case that he hasn’t been tested in a truly elite division like the Premier League just yet, that argument can be somewhat quashed by David’s record in the Champions League.

This term, he’s managed six goals in eight Champions League outings. They’ve come against big-name opposition as well, with David bagging a brace against Atlético Madrid, grabbing Lille’s winner in a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid and even scoring at Anfield – alongside another strike against Juventus.

There is little denying that David can be considered an elite-level marksman at this point, making the prospect of signing him for nothing a very tempting proposition.

Tottenham have been linked with a move for David, as have an array of other top European clubs, with journalist Graeme Bailey now sharing a potentially important update on his future.

Jonathan David makes Tottenham transfer decision after contact

According to Bailey, writing in a piece for The Boot Room, suitors believe that David has already chosen his preferred next club.

Tottenham held talks with the player’s representatives recently, alongside Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Newcastle and West Ham, but it is Barcelona who are leading the race to sign him.

Bailey claims that David has chosen to join Barcelona over Tottenham as his preferred choice, and talks are at an advanced stage. A Barça deal for the centre-forward is said to be close, so if the Lilywhites wish to pull off a hijack, or turn the tide like they did with Mathys Tel, they’re already running out of time.

Given Barca are the team David grew up supporting, by his own admission, so Spurs could be facing an uphill battle to beat Hansi Flick’s side to his signature.

“[Barcelona] was always the team I grew up supporting,” said David in 2024. “When you grow up supporting a team, it’s a dream to play for them.”

كشف الهولندي آرني سلوت، المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول السبب وراء استبعاد جرافنبيرخ عن مباراة كريستال بالاس بكأس الدرع الخيرية.

ومن المقرر أن يواجه ليفربول نظيره كريستال بالاس عصر اليوم، الأحد، في المباراة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات كأس الدرع الخيرية، في تمام الساعة الخامسة بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة، على ملعب “ويمبلي”.

ويشارك ليفربول في تلك المباراة بعد تحقيق بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز للمرة الـ20 في تاريخه معادلًا بذلك رقم مانشستر يونايتد كأكثر الأندية تتويجًا باللقب على مر التاريخ.

اقرأ أيضًا | تشكيل ليفربول أمام كريستال بالاس في كأس الدرع الخيرية.. موقف محمد صلاح

فيما يشارك كريستال بالاس في تلك المباراة بعدما تمكن من تحقيق الفوز على مانشستر سيتي في نهائي كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي بهدف نظيف لأول مرة في تاريخه.

وقال سلوت في تصريحات لشبكة “TNT Sports” كاشفًا السبب وراء استبعاد جرافينبيرخ عن مباراة اليوم: “أصبح ريان جرافنبيرخ أبًا الليلة الماضية فقط”.

وعن مواجهة بالاس: “من الناحية المثالية، تريد أن تلعب أفضل مباراة ممكنة، لكننا نعلم أيضًا مدى صعوبة لعب هذه المباراة ضد كريستال بالاس لأنهم يستحقوا أن يتواجدوا هنا بعد الفوز على أستون فيلا في نصف النهائي ومانشستر سيتي في النهائي”.

وأردف: “وفي نهاية الموسم لم نتمكن نحن وآرسنال من الفوز عليهم في ملاعبنا، نعلم مدى أهمية الحفاظ على تماسك الفريق، لأن هذا ما فعلناه الموسم الماضي، ونعلم النتيجة النهائية”.

وأتم: “يلعب بالاس اليوم بنفس عناصر الفريق الذي لعب معه طوال الموسم الماضي تقريبًا، لذلك أمامنا تحدي كبير”.

England captain also talks up 21-year-old Bethell who is on his first international tour of Asia

Sreshth Shah21-Jan-2025

England have an envious line-up of hard hitters of the ball•Getty Images

A belligerent batting line-up is a dream for most international sides. Throw in a coach who firmly believes in that style and a squad where nearly everyone has at least one first-class hundred and the ability to hit monster sixes, and England possess a unit that could blow away the best bowling units on most days.Having batting depth through the team sheet served them magnificently in their ODI World Cup triumph of 2019 and their T20 World Cup victory in 2022. And in their lead up to the T20Is against India and next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, England appear to be shaping up the same way.Bowlers who bat not only shorten the tail but positively affect the top order too. England captain Jos Buttler acknowledged that the batters, consequently, can play with much more freedom.Related

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“That gives a lot of depth to the XI and confidence to the guys at the at the top that there’s plenty [of batting] to come,” Buttler said on the eve of the series opener in Kolkata. “So we can be really aggressive and, you know, not worry too much about our wicket, because we’ve got guys behind us who can do exactly the same job.”We’re really blessed actually in terms of the bowlers that we have here, on this tour. They’re all very, very capable bats. I think if you look at guys like Gus Atkinson with a Test hundred, and then Brydon Carse is an excellent hitter of the ball, and then Adil Rashid down at No. 11 [No. 10 on the team sheet for the first T20I] who’s got multiple first-class hundreds. So, yeah, I think we’re very fortunate in that sense that a lot of our bowlers are very, very capable batters.”England announced their XI for the Kolkata T20I more than 24 hours before the game, and on a batting-friendly Eden Gardens track, a score of 200 appears to be the minimum. In Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Buttler himself, Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone, England have a plethora of batters who could aim for the roof. The addition of the exciting Jacob Bethell – who averages 57.66 and scores at 167.96 in six T20I innings – has only made them look more lethal. But can he conquer Indian conditions, especially the spinners? Like the other batters, Bethell spent large periods trying to face spin in the nets in the two practice sessions leading up to the first game.”It’s a new challenge for him to come and play in India,” Butter said. “But I know he’s excited [for it].”I think he’s been someone who in English cricket has been talked about for a while knowing the talent he possesses, even when he’s been playing in the Under-19s. So, he was a name you’d hear being talked about that he’s gonna be a special player. And I think, you know, all credit to him. I think he’s done brilliantly well coming into international cricket.”And he has got a good head on his shoulders, and obviously, he’s got the game for it, as you’ve seen in in the white-ball stuff. And then obviously, moving into Test cricket, you know, it’s fantastic to watch him in New Zealand. So, yeah, he’s been playing really well.”Jacob Bethell is coming on the back of decent scores in the BBL•Getty Images

For Buttler, though, having the chance to work with Brendon McCullum for the first time (Buttler has not been in the Test side since McCullum took over as the Test coach) is especially exciting. But even more so that the leadership can work with their best players. Nobody’s workload is being managed, fast bowlers like Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are injury-free, and that’s as perfect a situation as England can imagine as they face a coaching transition that wants to build into the Champions Trophy and next year’s T20 World Cup.”It’s a really exciting tour, coming to India with what I’d say is a full line-up for us,” Buttler added. “You know sometimes there’s so much cricket that certain players have to be rested or managed. But that’s certainly not the case for us at all in this series. So we’ve got a full complement of players, which is really exciting. Obviously, Baz is coming into the white-ball set-up for the first time too.”[I] also want to build that captain-coach alliance. Obviously, it’s not a new set-up because Baz has been around for a while and there are a lot of players in this squad that have been with him in the Test set-up for a number of years already.”So, yeah, just looking forward to building that relationship in the white-ball set-up. It’s going to be a great series against a really top side in their own conditions. So, loads to look forward to.”

Newcastle United have now enquired about signing a Champions League winner, as they battle two other clubs for his signature this summer.

Newcastle eyeing move for World Cup finalist

The Magpies are being linked with possible new signings on a daily basis, with Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani the latest attacker to be mentioned as an option, and discussions already underway.

Alexander Isak’s future at St James’ Park doesn’t feel completely secure currently, amid rumoured interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool, but even if the Swede stays, more competition is needed. Muani could be ideal in that respect, having scored nine goals in 31 caps for France, also appearing in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina.

Manchester City ace Jack Grealish has also been backed to join Newcastle this summer, with former scout Mick Brown talking up a move to St James’ Park.

“Newcastle are still keeping a close eye on Jack Grealish. There’s been a lot of talk about Everton, but I think they’re still very much in the mix. Of course, they’re not the only club interested because everybody knows about Jack’s qualities and what he can bring to the side when he’s at his best.”

Newcastle enquire about signing Grealish

Now, according to an interesting development from Give Me Sport, Newcastle have “enquired” about Grealish, having been linked with him in recent days, as mentioned.

While Everton and Napoli are also mentioned as potential suitors for the winger, he “wants to see if there are any other takers for his talent”, as he looks to make sure he is part of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad at the 2026 World Cup. He also wants to play Champions League football next season, something PIF can offer, after winning the competition with Man City in 2023.

This summer feels like the right time for the £300,000-a-week Grealish to depart City and enjoy a new challenge, with his performances there going flat and playing time coming at far more of a premium in recent times.

The 29-year-old wasn’t even included in Pep Guardiola’s squad for the current Club World Cup, so the writing appears to be on the wall for him.

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1 ByRoss Kilvington Jun 23, 2025

Opinion may be split on whether Grealish would be the right choice for Newcastle, with some perhaps feeling that his best days are behind him, but it is also easy to see him flourishing in fresh surroundings.

David Moyes once called him the “best player in the Premier League”, such was the level of his performances, and Guardiola lauded him during pre-season last summer.

“What I’ve seen so far here, one week in the pre-season on tour, I loved it. I don’t care how he performs, it’s every session his commitment and his trying, against Barcelona he made five or six shots, he was aggressive with the ball, that’s all, after that his quality will do the rest.”

Champions League

2022/23

Premier League

2023/24

Premier League

2022/23

Premier League

2021/22

FA Cup

2022/23

Club World Cup

2023/24

UEFA Super Cup

2023/24

A tally of just 17 goals in 157 appearances for City doesn’t reflect too well on Grealish, but if Newcastle could have the swaggering Aston Villa version of him, forever taking risks on the ball and lighting up games, he could be an extremely popular figure at the club.

We answer all your questions about the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the UAE

Hemant Brar06-Feb-2025

When is Champions Trophy 2025 starting?

Champions Trophy 2025 will begin on February 19, with hosts Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi. The final will be played on March 9. Click here for the full schedule.

It has been a while since we had a Champions Trophy, right?

Yes, the previous edition was played in 2017, in England and Wales, where Pakistan beat India in the final. Here is the list of all previous winners.

Why has there been such a long gap?

Since its inception in 1998, the tournament was played every two years till 2009. After that, it was moved to a four-year cycle. India were supposed to host the 2021 edition but it was replaced with the T20 World Cup, which was ultimately played in the UAE.Related

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So Pakistan are the hosts this time?

Yes, but there is more to it. Since India refused to travel to Pakistan, the PCB opted for a hybrid model with India’s matches to be held in Dubai. That decision was arrived at after a long impasse. The Pakistan leg will be played in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. The National Stadium in Karachi and the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore are undergoing significant upgrades and renovation, almost racing against time. Their readiness will be tested during the tri-series, involving Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa, just before the Champions Trophy.

Where will the opening ceremony be held then?

The PCB will host an event in Lahore on February 16 to mark the start of the tournament. However, there will be no captains’ meet, or press conference, because of logistical reasons. This also ends the speculations about whether India captain Rohit Sharma will travel to Pakistan or not.

But why are India not going to Pakistan when everyone else is?

Because of political tension between the two countries. Even Indian match officials are not travelling to Pakistan. The last time India visited Pakistan was for the 2008 Asia Cup, even though Pakistan have played several ICC tournaments in India since then, including the 2023 ODI World Cup. Before the Champions Trophy, the two boards and the ICC reached an agreement that till 2027, even Pakistan’s matches in an ICC tournament hosted in India would be played at a neutral venue.

When was the last time an ICC tournament was held in Pakistan?

For that, you will have to go all the way back to 1996, when Pakistan co-hosted the ODI World Cup with India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan were supposed to host the Champions Trophy in 2008. But due to security concerns, the tournament was eventually played in South Africa in 2009.

Are India playing Pakistan in Champions Trophy 2025?

Yes, they are in the same group and will face each other on February 23, Sunday in Dubai. Unlike the World Cups, where India have a 15-1 head-to-head record, things have been much closer in the Champions Trophy, with Pakistan leading 3-2.Fakhar Zaman, centurion and Player of the Match in the final of the last Champions Trophy, has been recalled for this year’s edition•Getty Images

How many teams are participating in all?

Eight, the same as the 2017 edition. The only difference is that Afghanistan have qualified ahead of Sri Lanka this time. The teams are divided into two groups. Group A has India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and Group B South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan and England. You can find all the squads here.

How were the participants decided?

Being the hosts, Pakistan secured automatic qualification. The other seven teams were decided based on the 2023 ODI World Cup standings. Sri Lanka and Netherlands, who finished ninth and tenth, missed the cut.

What happened to West Indies?

Since West Indies had not qualified for the 2023 ODI World Cup, they could not compete for the Champions Trophy either. It was the same case for Zimbabwe and Ireland, the other missing Full Members.

What is the format for the Champions Trophy?

Each team will play its fellow group members once. After that, the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, with A1 playing B2 and B1 playing A2.If India qualify, they will play their semi-final in Dubai on March 4, irrespective of their position on the points table. Similarly, if Pakistan qualify, they will play their semi-final in Lahore on March 5.The final will be played on March 9 in Lahore, unless India make it till there. In that case, the venue will once again be Dubai.

What will happen if a match ends in a tie?

All tied matches throughout the tournament will be decided via the Super Over. If the Super Over is also tied, then subsequent Super Overs will be played until there is a winner.Joe Root is back in England’s ODI plans for the Champions Trophy•Getty Images

Is there a reserve day for the knockout matches?

Yes, the two semi-finals and the final have a reserve day. But every attempt will be made to finish the game on the scheduled day itself. If that is not possible, the match will resume on the reserve day from where it was stopped.In the knockout matches, the team batting second should have the opportunity to play at least 25 overs – as opposed to 20 in the group stage – for the result to be decided via the DLS method.

What happens if there is still a washout?

In case of a no result in the semi-finals, the team that finished higher in the group stage will proceed to the final. If the final is washed out, the trophy will be shared.

Has there ever been joint winners?

Yes, India and hosts Sri Lanka shared the trophy in 2002 after the final was washed out. There was a reserve day in place but, as per the playing conditions back then, the match was played afresh. On both days, Sri Lanka batted first and played their full 50 overs, but rain did not allow more than ten overs in the second innings on either occasion.

What are some of the key things I need to know about the teams?

Australia go into the tournament as ODI world champions but their captain Pat Cummins, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and allrounder Mitchell Marsh have been ruled out with injuries. Also Marcus Stoinis has retired. Australia have until February 12 to name their replacements.South Africa will be without Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee (both injured). On the other hand, a fit-again Ibrahim Zadran is back for Afghanistan. Also keep an eye out for their mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar.India will hope Rohit and Virat Kohli come good after poor returns in Test cricket lately. Pakistan have recalled Fakhar Zaman, the Player of the Match in the final last time, and England have done the same with Joe Root, while Bangladesh have left out Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das. New Zealand will play their first global tournament under Mitchell Santner.

Finally, where can I watch the games?

Depending on your location, you can watch the games as per the following.Afghanistan – Ariana TV
Australia – Prime Video
Bangladesh – Nagorik TV and T Sports
England – Sky Sports
India – Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar
New Zealand – Sky Sport
Pakistan – PTV, A Sports and tapmad
South Africa – SuperSport
Sri Lanka – Star Sports Network
UAE – Starz On
USA – Willow TV
As always, ESPNcricinfo will have full coverage, from scores, news and features to analysis and expert opinions.