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Aston Villa are ready to make an offer to bring Juventus forward Federico Chiesa to the Premier League, according to fresh reports.

Is Federico Chiesa leaving Juventus?

The Italy international, who is naturally a left-winger, still has another two years to run on his contract with the Serie A outfit, but having been handed just six starts in league competition last season, he’s fallen significantly out of favour under Massimiliano Allegri at the Allianz Stadium.

As a result, Calciomercato have reported that the Turin giants are keen to sell the 25-year-old before the end of the ongoing window, and should he indeed look to seal a departure, he won’t be short of potential suitors with three clubs in the top-flight having already been linked with a swoop.

Read The Latest Aston Villa Transfer News HERE…

Italian newspaper Tuttosport previously claimed that NSWE, Monchi and Unai Emery are, as it stands, the most interested hierarchy in the experienced attacker despite rival interest from Liverpool and Newcastle United, and the following update would suggest that is very much still the case heading into the final few weeks of the summer.

Are Aston Villa signing Federico Chiesa?

According to Tuttosport once again (via Sport Witness), both Aston Villa and the Magpies are “ready to put €50m [£42m] plus bonuses on the table” to sign Chiesa ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Premier League “sirens” are going off and it’s claimed that the forward has rejected big-money offers from Saudi Arabia to explore his options elsewhere, likely in England.

Juventus appear to have since had a change of heart regarding his future though as it’s stated that they are planning to offer him a new deal, but it’s “not clear” whether their stance could alter for a second time should an irresistible offer arrive at their door.

In the Serie A last season, Chiesa posted seven goal contributions (five assists and two goals) in 21 appearances, which shows just how much of a positive and instant impact he made despite receiving limited minutes, so should he put pen to paper, the winger would be an extremely exciting acquisition for Aston Villa.

The Genoa native, who’s sponsored by Nike, also averaged 4.34 shot-creating actions per league match which was the third-highest total throughout the whole of his squad, via FBRef, highlighting his constant desire to produce chances for himself and his fellow teammates in the final third.

Juventus’ “magic” dynamo, as dubbed by members of the media, is additionally a versatile operator having been deployed in seven various positions across the pitch since the start of his career, including everywhere across the frontline and even three roles in the midfield, so he’d be a useful option for Emery to have at his disposal.

Furthermore, Chiesa knows what it takes to compete and be successful at the highest level with four pieces of silverware to his name, so he would be able to match the positive, winning mentality of the squad who are already getting to work in the Midlands.

James Anderson became just the third fast bowler and sixth overall to reach the landmark when he removed Kraigg Brathwaite in the sunshine at Lord’s

Alan Gardner08-Sep-2017James Anderson has become the third fast bowler, and sixth overall, to reach 500 Test wickets. He reached the landmark on the second day against West Indies at Lord’s, when he bowled Kraigg Brathwaite.Anderson, who was the first English bowler to pass 400 in Tests, came into the third Investec Test needing three wickets to join an even more exclusive club. Among quicks, only Glenn McGrath and Courtney Walsh have previously managed to combine threat and longevity to the same level; out ahead, beyond the 600 mark, are the spin trio of Anil Kumble, Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.After striking twice on the first morning of the match to move to 499, Anderson was made to wait for the landmark as Ben Stokes ripped through West Indies’ first innings with figures of 6 for 22. But second time around he didn’t have to wait long, spearing a full delivery through Brathwaite with his 12th delivery.After taking a five-for on debut at Lord’s against Zimbabwe in 2003, Anderson’s early years with England were characterised by struggles with injury and changes to his action. His return to the team on the 2008 tour of New Zealand – having reverted to the distinctive delivery style that sees his head facing the ground – marked the start of his ascent to becoming England’s most prolific international wicket-taker.In Antigua in 2015, he passed Ian Botham’s mark of 383, which had stood since 1992, and he then raised 400 against New Zealand, at Headingley, a few weeks later. Anderson is also England’s most successful bowler in ODIs, with 269 wickets, to go alongside a further 18 in T20 internationals. Last month, he was honoured by Lancashire with the naming of the James Anderson End at Old Trafford.Although he has been reluctant to set targets, Anderson has often spoken of wanting to play for England for as long as possible. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo last week, he said: “There’s no reason I can’t play until I’m 40. I am now as skilful a bowler as I have ever been and consistent as well. I don’t know whether I’ve peaked but I think I’m bowling as well as I have.”I wouldn’t rule out playing in the Ashes of 2020-21, either. I’m very fortunate to have the body I have. For a fast bowler, not much stress goes through my body. A lot less than a lot of other fast bowlers. It’s just a case of looking after myself. If I can keep fit, keep my speeds up there’s no reason why not.”While Anderson’s injury record in 2015 and 2016 was cause for concern, as he missed Tests against Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and India, he has maintained his fitness this year and been as potent as ever in English conditions.”His record speaks for itself,” Chris Woakes said during the second Test, at Headingley. “If you think of the greats that have gone on to get that sort of landmark it’s pretty amazing. He’s a great guy to have in the dressing room. The thing we take from his as bowlers is he’s still motivated to improve and get more.”Anderson is set to go on his fourth Ashes tour of Australia this winter, where he may be able to contemplate surpassing Walsh, the next man ahead of him, on 519. A little further along, on 563, is McGrath, who said last year that Anderson could “easily” break his record for a fast bowler, if he stayed fit.

Pakistan have left out former ODI captain Azhar Ali from their squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka in the UAE

Umar Farooq06-Oct-20170:51

Who is Imam-ul-Haq?

Pakistan have, unsurprisingly, kept faith with much of the squad that won them the Champions Trophy but with a couple of notable changes. They have left out former ODI captain Azhar Ali for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka in the UAE and included the uncapped batsman Imam-ul-Haq. Imam is the nephew of former captain and current chairman of selectors Inzamam-ul-Haq.Pakistan squad

Ahmed Shehzad, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Imad Wasim, Shahdab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammed Amir, Ruman Raees, Junaid Khan, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq

Relieved of the captaincy, Azhar played some of his most assured ODI innings in the tournament, including fifties in the semi-final and final. But the knee problem that almost ruled him out of the Test series is one selectors want to rest. That is one of the reasons Imam, an opener, has been brought into the squad.Imam, 21, has been on the selectors’ radar for a few seasons now, especially when he was selected in the Islamabad side for the 50-over Pakistan Cup in 2016 – filling in for Misbah-ul-Haq. He scored a century in his first game. But questions will be asked about his inclusion on the back of what has been, at best, lukewarm form in the 50-over format. He played four games in the National One-Day Cup in January this year for Lahore Whites and scored only 96 runs (including an innings of 49). A month earlier in a National One-Day Cup for department sides, he scored 318 runs at 35.33 for Habib Bank. Over the last three years, Imam has played 24 List A games; in the last 10 months, he has played 13 matches, scoring 414 at 31.84.According to some board officials, in the past Inzamam had expressed reluctance in pushing Imam into the national fold – in one of his first selections ahead of the England tour last year, he said: “I’ve seen his [Imam’s] first-class record, he hasn’t scored many runs in this season and I have not selected him. That should be the way.”It would seem that has changed over the last year. “If you say he is my nephew then it was difficult,” Inzamam said of the selection in Dubai on the first day of the second Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. “But if you look at his performances then I thought it’s ok. We wanted to keep the Champions Trophy team, to continue that, but unfortunately Azhar has a knee injury through which we had to bring an opener up. In my view, of all the openers who have performed recently, he was pretty good in that and deserves the pick.”The performances Inzamam spoke of have mostly been in the four-day game. Imam scored 848 runs at 49.88 in the last Quaid-e-Azam trophy, with three hundreds, including a double-century, for Habib Bank Limited. He has opened this season with a hundred for Habib Bank as well, against FATA at the end of last month.”We have to see what the talent is, what he can do,” Inzamam said. “His performances in the QeA everyone can see. He scored two hundreds in an U-23 tournament. Then recently in Sialkot he scored a hundred, so we look at performances but also how much talent a player has. Mickey [Arthur] and Sarfraz [Ahmed] and others were also involved in this decision. We give all the names but there is a discussion. So it would be better to not look at this selection in that way.”

Everton are interested in making a move for Leicester City striker Patson Daka in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh update from journalist Alan Nixon.

How old is Patson Daka?

The 24-year-old joined the Foxes from RB Salzburg back in 2021, with big things expected of him after an impressive spell in Austria. He hasn't quite managed to replicate that form in England, though, with only nine goals in 53 Premier League appearances coming his way.

Last season, Daka featured 30 times in the top flight, chipping in with four goals and assists apiece, but he ultimately couldn't do anything about Leicester being relegated to the Championship. This has seen numerous key players move on from the King Power Stadium this summer, including James Maddison, Youri Tielemans and Harvey Barnes, and the striker could also depart in the next new weeks.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

Everton are badly in need of adding to their current attacking options, following some goal-shy recent seasons and concerns around the long-term fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and it looks as though Daka may have emerged as a possible option for the Blues.

Will Everton sign Patson Daka?

According to Nixon on Patreon [via Goodison News], Sean Dyche is keen on adding pace to his side ahead of the upcoming new Premier League season, and sees the Leicester man as a strong option to come in and provide it.

The update claims that the potential deal could occur at a "reasonable cost", with Everton keen on another two attacking additions this summer, even though talks over a move for Sheffield United youngster Daniel Jebbison have stalled after he picked up an injury last weekend.

As mentioned, Daka hasn't exactly lit up English football since arriving at Leicester a couple of years ago, but he is still a striker with lots of pedigree who could shine being the main man in the Blues' attack.

The former Salzburg man scored 68 goals in 125 appearances for the Austrian outfit, while at international level, he has netted 12 times in 35 caps for Zambia. He has been called "brilliant" by former Leicester striker Iwan Roberts in the recent past, and at 24, he remains a young player still learning his trade.

It seems highly unlikely that Daka will want to remain the Championship this season, so the opportunity to return to the Premier League will surely appeal to him, and if Dyche can get the very best out of the Zambian, he could prove to an inspired signing by Everton.

His current Foxes deal doesn't expire until the summer of 2026, however, putting them in a strong bargaining position, so a sizeable bid could be needed from Everton, in order to prise him away from the King Power.

Daka wouldn't be a nailed-on success story for the Blues, should the move go through, but there is enough evidence to suggest that he could thrive at the club, especially if he is promised regular starts – something that hasn't always happened at Leicester, potentially affecting his rhythm and confidence in the process.

The visitors need to bulk up their middle order and tighten fielding if they are to avoid losing their first T20I series to India in Rajkot

The Preview by Deivarayan Muthu03-Nov-20172:00

Dasgupta: India should continue with a similar team combination

Big pictureImagine running into a brick wall again and again and again. It’s perhaps T20 cricket’s equivalent of dropping three catches, and in addition New Zealand’s ground fielding in Delhi featured uncharacteristic fumbles. The cost of such indiscipline was 154 runs, the match and their No.1 ranking. Kane Williamson is not a captain who would give excuses, but deep down this defeat would have stung. The visitors now need a strong response to force the series into the decider in Thiruvananthapuram.For all the skill Tom Latham and Williamson displayed in the ODI series, they lacked the muscle to have a proper crack at a target of 203. New Zealand are also struggling to identify a finisher. Henry Nicholls’ audition for the role in the ODIs gave the side hope, but Colin de Grandhomme has had an underwhelming stint both with the A team and the senior team, managing 91 runs in five innings at a strike-rate of 81.98. He has fared worse with the ball, taking a solitary wicket at an average of 203 and economy rate of 6.76. New Zealand need to work out a way to fit Ross Taylor, who hasn’t played T20Is since the World Cup last year, in the middle order.India’s batsmen ran away with the chances offered to them, but the management would have been more pleased with the bowlers. Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled Colin Munro with a pinpoint yorker; and dew or not, Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel continued being remarkably accurate.Form guideIndia: WLWWL (completed matches, most recent first)
New Zealand: LLWWWIn the spotlightSince his debut in 2014, Shreyas Iyer has been such a prolific scorer in domestic cricket that some feel he should have been given an international cap much earlier. The Mumbai batsman did not even get to bat on Wednesday, and will be eager to announce himself to the world, and possibly even throw his hat in the ring for the rolling No. 4 slot in ODIs.It seems hard to believe that Ish Sodhi wasn’t even part of the ODI squad for the India tour. From a fill-in for the injured Todd Astle, he led the attack in Delhi, showing excellent control over both the legbreak and the wrong’un. He had the second-best economy rate on a night when 351 runs were scored.Team newsWith Ashish Nehra now retired from all cricket, there is one spot up for grabs in Rajkot. India might consider handing a debut to Hyderabad quick Mohammed Siraj or beef up their middle order by including Manish Pandey or Dinesh Karthik.India (probable): 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 Rohit Sharma, 3 Virat Kohli (capt.), 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 MS Dhoni (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar 9 Jasprit Bumrah, 10 Mohammed Siraj/Manish Pandey/Dinesh Karthik 11 Yuzvendra ChahalNot so long ago, Taylor’s T20 future was uncertain, but this middle order now needs his experience. He could come in place of fellow Central Districts batsman Tom Bruce.New Zealand (probable): 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Kane Williamson (capt.), 3 Colin Munro, 4 Ross Taylor/Tom Bruce, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Henry Nicholls, 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Trent Boult, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Ish SodhiPitch and conditionsThe pitch to be used on Saturday looked completely devoid of grass in the middle of a lush green outfield. The track is known to favour batsmen and more runs could be expected for the second T20 too. Rajkot, like Delhi and Kanpur, will continue to provide the teams with pleasant, early winter conditions.Stats and trivia Virat Kohli needs 12 runs to surpass Tillakaratne Dilshan’s tally of 1889 and become the second-highest scorer in T20Is. Brendon McCullum leads the list with 2140 runs. Yuzvendra Chahal needs three wickets to become the joint-highest wicket-taker in T20Is this year along with West Indies’ Kesrick Williams and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan. New Zealand need to win the remaining matches in the series to reclaim the top spot in T20Is and establish a three-point lead over Pakistan. The average first-innings score at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in the last two IPL seasons is 169. Only one T20I has been played at this venue, in 2013 when India chased down 202 against Australia.Quotes”It’s my home ground so I know what to expect from the wicket. I’m looking to bowl the way I did in the IPL because you don’t get much turn, it’s skiddy and there’s not much bounce.”
India left-arm spinner “Taking the conditions into account, especially in T20s, is really important because you have to try and get something out of the wicket or conditions because batsmen are constantly trying to get after the spinners. “
New Zealand legspinner

An update has emerged on Sunderland and their pursuit of a deal to bring a striker to the Stadium of Light before the end of the summer transfer window…

What's the latest Sunderland transfer news?

According to journalist Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, the Black Cats are one of a number of Championship teams eyeing a swoop to sign Everton centre-forward Tom Cannon, as Tony Mowbray looks to bolster his attacking options.

The report claims that Preston North End have until Wednesday to complete a deal to sign the Premier League youngster on a second loan spell after his stint at Deepdale during the second half of last season.

However, it is also stated that Sunderland, Leeds United, and Stoke City are also keen on acquiring his services and that the interested parties could be willing to shell out a fee of £8m for him.

How good is Tom Cannon?

The 20-year-old ace is a terrific young striker who has the potential to be an excellent signing for Mowbray's squad as he is a proven Championship performer with room to grow.

Cannon could be a fantastic partner for Jack Clarke at the top end of the pitch as the pair could combine for goals on a regular basis if they are both able to hit their top form.

The Toffees youngster made 20 appearances for Preston on loan last term and chipped in with eight goals and four 'big chances' created in 19 league starts, which left him with an average Sofascore rating of 6.91.

With Ross Stewart out injured, Clarke (nine) is the only current Sunderland player who managed more than five league goals last season, as Amad Diallo and Ellis Simms both returned to their parent clubs.

This suggests that Cannon could provide Mowbray with a much-needed goalscoring boost by coming in as a proven Championship scorer.

However, the Ireland U21 international has the potential to score at an even greater rate if he can translate his academy form over to the professional game. The talented finisher racked up 51 goals in 97 matches for Everton at youth level, which works out as a strike every 1.90 games.

Cannon, who was once hailed as "outstanding" by Hull City boss Liam Rosenior, would end the current Championship season with an outstanding 23 goals over the remaining 44 clashes if he came in and produced the same rate of scoring.

Whilst there is no guarantee that the Toffees dynamo will be able to fulfill his potential and become a consistent scorer at first-team level, Mowbray playing him alongside Clarke in attack could give him a great chance to find the back of the net week-in-week-out.

The former Tottenham Hotspur prospect provided 12 league assists for the Black Cats last season – five more than any of his teammates – and led the team in key passes per match (1.7).

These statistics show that the 22-year-old talent, who has scored one goal in two league matches this term, is an outstanding creator for the side and has the ability to put chances on a plate for Cannon on a regular basis.

Therefore, the two young attacking hotshots could form an exciting partnership for Sunderland in the final third, and Mowbray and Kristjaan Speakman must now work hard to secure the 20-year-old number nine's services ahead of their Championship rivals.

Gianluca Scamacca was the latest striker to flop in a West Ham United shirt and following his €25m (£21m) sale to Serie A side Atalanta, the Hammers are in the market for another forward.

It won't be difficult for his replacement to have a bigger impact in east London, though. After costing the club a whopping €40m (£35.5m) last summer, Scamacca would go on to return just three goals in 16 Premier League matches.

With David Moyes gearing up for another campaign in the Europa League, West Ham are eyeing up a move for a striker who has tremendous European experience, winning the Champions League with Liverpool in 2019 and scoring in the final.

West Ham transfer news – What's the latest?

The latest reports are linking Divock Origi with a move to West Ham.

According to Tutto Mercato Web, AC Milan's want-away striker has turned down a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, showcasing his desire to return to the Premier League and become an instant hit in east London.

Valued at £7m by Football Transfers, Origi's stock has fallen since joining Milan, appearing 36 times for the club but only scoring twice.

With the 28-year-old deemed surplus to requirements by Stefano Poli, the prospect of a European adventure at the Hammers could offer the Belgium international a chance to resurrect his career.

Would Divock Origi succeed at West Ham?

Despite not starting as much as he would have liked during his time at Liverpool, Origi will be remembered for scoring some of the most crucial goals in the club's history, often from the bench.

Many lauded the Belgian as a "cult hero" for the crucial goals he scored, including presenter Laura Woods, who praised Origi for his ability to pop up when it matters, namely a stoppage winner in the Merseyside derby and the strike against Tottenham in the 2019 Champions League final.

In 175 appearances for the Reds, Origi scored 41 goals and although that isn't a prolific record by any means, most of his contributions came from the bench.

After departing the club on a free transfer to AC Milan last summer, the "tremendous finisher", as described by former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch, the Belgian would have hoped that regular chances to feature in Serie A could have seen him demonstrate his deadly finishing attributes on a regular basis.

While that move failed to take off as he would have liked, a return to the Premier League can see Origi become a livewire at West Ham and recent numbers back up that claim.

The 6 foot 2 marksman averaged 2.10 progressive carries, 1.31 successful take-ons and 1.14 carries into the penalty area per 90 in the Serie A last season, via FBref.

Since David Moyes operates with a lone striker, it's imperative that they're physically imposing, strong at holding the ball up and intelligent enough to run the channels. Based on the numbers above, Origi fits that profile perfectly and if they can secure a deal for Mohammed Kudus from Ajax, who is another reported target, then the pair could become a deadly duo in the Hammers forward line.

Kudus would offer an exceptional supply line in behind the Belgian having ranked in the top 5% for his long pass completion, successful take-ons and non-penalty xG per 90 when compared against his positional peers in the Dutch top-flight, via FBref.

While the profile of West Ham's recent striker signings have struggled to adapt to the demands of English football, Origi is already Premier League proven and could be exactly what Moyes needs.

Combine him with the Ajax sensation and the Hammers would surely become a much larger threat in the final third.

When it comes to New Zealand’s captain, Yorkshire will take what they can get and be grateful for it

David Hopps08-Dec-2017When it comes to Kane Williamson, the sense is that Yorkshire think so highly of him they would give him the gig as an overseas player if he was available for a couple of net sessions and a promotional visit to a local school.Williamson is back for his fourth stint at Yorkshire, valued not just for his status as No 3 batsman in the world, or even for the sense of continuity he brings, but also for the level-headed effect he can be expected to have on a Yorkshire dressing room about to enter (certainly as far as the bowling is concerned) a difficult transition.In Williamson’s absence, Yorkshire opted for a combination of Australians Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb last summer, plus a brief appearance from the Pakistan wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.But Marsh has been allowed to sign a full season’s contract with Glamorgan as Yorkshire turn instead to Williamson for 11 of their 14 T20 Blast matches and four Specsavers Championship fixtures.His first match will be against Durham in the Blast on July 13. In the Championship, he will play in a Roses fixture against Lancashire before departing after a trip to Trent Bridge on September 4.Yorkshire’s director of cricket Martyn Moxon said: “Kane’s abilities are there for all to see and he has consistently performed well at the highest level for a significant period of time. He’s a cool character and a calm, reassuring influence on and off the field. He is a perfect fit for our dressing room at this moment in time.”He’s a very experienced and highly skilled individual and, having spent periods of time with us in the past, Kane knows the club and the players well and will be able to slot straight in to our playing group.”Williamson helped Yorkshire to their first of two successive County Championships by scoring 629 runs at an average of 57 in 2014.There is no doubt that Yorkshire would love him to become as influential a cricketer in time as Darren Lehmann, but with his international commitments likely to remain high for many years yet, such a hope is best reserved for wildest dreams..There have been blips, too. In 2016, he requested time off from his Yorkshire commitments after fatigue brought a rare loss of form. Jason Gillespie, then Yorkshire’s coach, stressed there was “notjing sinister” and blamed heavy scheduling, suggesting that “everybody gets affected with injuries, illnesses and the like.”Yorkshire – and Williamson – are confident that that this time they have got the balance right.

Chandika Hathurusingha has been appointed Sri Lanka’s new head coach and will begin his new role on December 20, at the start of the T20I series in India

Andrew Fidel Fernando08-Dec-2017Chandika Hathurusingha’s first full assignment with Sri Lanka will be the tour to Bangladesh, where he will have just finished up as head coach.Though Hathurusingha had handed his resignation to the Bangladesh Cricket Board as early as October, the boards had been in discussions with him, and indeed with each other, as to what a peaceable relocation of the coach might look like. But SLC has now confirmed that Hathurusingha will begin his three-year contract with Sri Lanka on December 20, just as their T20s against India start. A two Test tour of Bangladesh is set to begin in January.An SLC official confirmed that Hathurusingha will be the highest-paid Sri Lanka coach in history. He is also due to visit Dhaka on Saturday, presumably in order to debrief and finalise his release from the BCB. He had signed on with Bangladesh until the 2019 World Cup, but eventually agreed to take a job with his home country, following several approaches from SLC. He had been Sri Lanka’s A team coach, and an assistant coach with the national team, before his relationship with a previous SLC administration soured in 2010.That SLC has secured Hathurusingha’s services is both a victory for the board, as well as a substantial financial commitment. Sri Lanka have been without a long-term head coach since Graham Ford’s resignation in June, and the board has struggled to attract high-quality applicants to the role. And in order to lure Hathurusingha, SLC has had to more or less match the figure he was being paid by the BCB – a sum in the vicinity of $340,000 (aspects of that pay package were also determined by team performance).Hathurusingha’s tenure with Bangladesh had been marked by progress both in the limited-overs formats and in Tests, where they achieved maiden victories against Australia, Sri Lanka and England. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have had a difficult year across formats, and will now count on Hathurusingha to replicate the success he had had with his previous team. Highly-rated by virtually every Sri Lanka player who had worked with him in the past, the likes of Rangana Herath, Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews, and current Sri Lanka batting coach Thilan Samaraweera, have all credited Hathurusingha with having had a positive effect on their cricket.He will be Sri Lanka’s 11th head coach (including interim appointments) since 2011. The three-year contract should take him up to the end of 2020, so long as it is honoured by all parties.

Celtic are now lining up a transfer swoop for Brondby IF forward Mathias Kvistgaarden, with Brendan Rodgers keen on adding another attacker to his squad, according to a report.

What's the latest Celtic transfer news?

With the final week of the summer transfer window rapidly approaching, the Hoops are still keen on strengthening in attacking areas, and a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Daniel Podence is in the works.

Journalist Dean Jones has claimed that "serious negotiations" are expected in the near future, with the deal "moving forward" over the past few days, but the 27-year-old is not Rodgers' only target to bolster the flanks.

A move to Celtic Park could tick the boxes for Newcastle United's Ryan Fraser, considering he would have the opportunity to work under Rodgers, and the winger is hesitant to drop down to the English Championship.

In terms of options at striker, Celtic could make an approach for West Ham United's Michail Antonio, having been named as potential suitors earlier this month, but they are also now weighing up a move for Kvistgaarden.

That is according to a report from The Scottish Sun, which states the Hoops are lining up a swoop for the Brondby IF striker, with Rodgers keen on adding another attacker to his squad before the transfer window slams shut.

The 21-year-old is among the names being considered by the Glasgow club, as a result of his impressive performances in Denmark, but he recently signed a new contract to keep him with the Danes until 2027.

Rodgers is said to be keen to sign the youngster, but given that he is contracted for the long-term future, Celtic will have to submit a suitable offer in order to tempt Brondby into a sale, however, the report does not state how much they will demand.

Who is Mathias Kvistgaarden?

The Brondby academy graduate has forced his way into the first-team set-up over the past few seasons, and he has been in inspired form as of late, weighing in with six goals and four assists in nine games during the Superligaen Championship round last season.

Having picked up where he left off in the previous campaign, registering three goal contributions in four games this season, the starlet has received praise from football talent scout Jacek Kulig, who said he's been "absolutely on fire since May."

Not only has the forward impressed at club level, but he has also found the back of the net four times in eight appearances for Denmark U21s, laying down a marker as a future star for his national side.

Kyogo Furuhashi has been fantastic ever since he arrived at Celtic Park, scoring 23 league goals last season, but it would be perfect if Rodgers could bring in a long-term heir to the 28-year-old, and the Danish youngster fits the bill.

The only potential doubt over Kvistgaarden is that he is yet to prove himself in a major European league, so signing him could be a risk, and it is unclear how much Brondby would be willing to sell him for, but it looks as if it is a move to keep an eye on.