Celtic are preparing to contact the agent of Leicester City defender Daniel Amartey ahead of a potential move to the Scottish Premiership, according to reports.

Is Daniel Amartey leaving Leicester?

The Ghana international has clocked up a total of 145 appearances since arriving at the King Power Stadium from FC Copenhagen all the way back in 2016, but the upcoming window is set to present him with the opportunity to embark onto the next stage of his career.

The Foxes have publicly confirmed that the 28-year-old will leave the club as a free agent upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the month, and journalist Ryan Taylor has already backed him to complete a switch north of the border, where he would be a “valuable asset” to the dressing room.

The Hoops recently announced the return of Brendan Rodgers in the dugout following the departure of Ange Postecoglou so the Northern Irishman will be entering the market to find his first signing of his second spell in charge, and the centre-back could be just the man he’s looking for.

Are Celtic signing Amartey?

According to TEAMtalk, Celtic have placed Amartey under “strong consideration” to be the first fresh face walking through the doors since Rodgers signed. Leicester’s veteran has already been “talking” to clubs over in Turkey whilst he’s also attracting “interest” from Saudi Arabia, but there is a “chance” that he could join the Bhoys, who are “ready to contact his agent”.

Celtic will know that Rodgers holding a strong existing connection to Amartey from his time at Leicester, and alongside the fact that he would cost literally nothing to recruit, he seems an ideal target.

The World Cup participant averaged 3.5 clearances and 1.7 aerial wins per top-flight game last season, not to mention that he had a 91.3% pass success rate, via WhoScored, highlighting his calmness and composure on the ball when clearing the danger from his area.

Amartey, who will know what it takes to be successful having secured six trophies since the start of his career, would also be a great option for the manager to have at his disposal with his ability to be deployed in four various positions in both defence and midfield, so a reunion wouldn’t be a bad idea for Rodgers.

تعرف على مواعيد مباريات اليوم الأربعاء 6-3-2024 والقنوات الناقلة

يشهد اليوم الأربعاء الموافق 6-3-2024، العديد من المباريات الهامة والمرتقبة على مستوى الدوري المصري، ودوري أبطال أوروبا والدوري الأوروبي.

في دوري أبطال أوروبا، يواجه مانشستر سيتي نظيره كوبنهاجن في مباراة حاسمة لحسم التأهل إلى الدور ربع النهائي، بينما يستضيف ريال مدريد نظيره لايبزيج في لقاء مثير على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو.

وفي الدوري المصري، يلتقي بيراميدز مع فاركو في صراع على صدارة الترتيب، بينما تُقام العديد من المباريات الأخرى في دوري أبطال آسيا والدوري الأوروبي والدوري التونسي والدوري القطري والدوري المغربي. مواعيد مباريات اليوم الأربعاء 6-3-2024 والقنوات الناقلةمواعيد مباريات الدوري المصري اليوم

بيراميدز ضد فاركو، الساعة 7 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 8 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “on time sport 1”. مواعيد مباريات دوري أبطال أوروبا اليوم

مانشستر سيتي ضد كوبنهاجن، الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 11 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 2”.

ريال مدريد ضد لايبزيج، الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 11 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 1”.

طالع أيضًا | إنريكي: مبابي لن يكون معنا في المستقبل.. ويكشف ترتيبه بين الأفضل في العالم مواعيد مباريات دوري أبطال آسيا اليوم

شاندونج لونينج ضد يوكوهاما مارينوس، الساعة 12 بتوقيت مصر، 1 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports AFC HD”. مواعيد مباريات الدوري الأوروبي اليوم

سبورتينج لشبونة ضد أتالانتا، الساعة 7:45 بتوقيت مصر، 8:45 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports HD 4”. مواعيد مباريات الدوري التونسي اليوم

الصفاقسي ضد النادي الأفريقي، الساعة 3:30 بتوقيت مصر، 4:30 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “الوطنية التونسية 1”.

الاتحاد المنستيري ضد النجم الساحلي، الساعة 3:30 بتوقيت مصر، 4:30 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “الوطنية التونسية 2”. مواعيد مباريات الدوري القطري اليوم

نادي قطر ضد العربي، الساعة 5 بتوقيت مصر، 6 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “الكاس”.

الريان ضد الوكرة، الساعة 7 بتوقيت مصر، 8 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “الكاس”.

الغرافة ضد السد، الساعة 7 بتوقيت مصر، 8 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “الكاس”. مواعيد مباريات الدوري المغربي اليوم

نهضة بركان ضد الجيش الملكي، الساعة 7 بتوقيت مصر، 8 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “الرياضية المغربية”.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث المباريات لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنـــا

Sheffield United are expected to face some competition should they reignite their interest in Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara, according to Sheffield Star journalist James Shield.

Which clubs want to sign Glen Kamara?

The Finland international is set to leave Rangers this summer, after falling out of favour with under new manager Micheal Beale, who recently suggested that the midfielder has "been around here too long" and that the club "will probably sell him this summer".

Kamara has received a lot of interest from Ligue 1 sides in the past 12 months, with a proposed £10m move to OGC Nice on the September deadline last season falling through, whilst Nantes have registered interest in the 27-year-old ahead of this summer window.

Sheffield United were interested in the midfielder during their last Premier League campaign under former manager Chris Wilder, however, budgetary restrictions prevented a move from materializing, however with the player's value falling to just €6m (£5.1m) interest could be reignited ahead of their return to the top-flight.

The former Finland 'Player of the Year' has also been identified as a target for Turkish giants Besiktas and Super Lig champions Galatasaray, according to reports, who will be competing in next year's edition of the Champions League.

Would Glen Kamara be a good signing for Sheffield United?

As previously mentioned, Kamara was a player that the Blades considered signing during the 2020/21 campaign, and with the majority of the same recruitment staff in place at the club, it is very much a possibility that the midfielder, who has been lauded as an "aggressive" player in the past by journalist Josh Bunting, could be considered by the club again.

The Gers no.18 produced the worst season of his career in the past campaign according to WhoScored, with an average rating of 6.46 across 22 appearances in the league making him the lowest-ranking player in the squad which started over ten games this season.

The 5 foot 11 central midfielder suffered an injury-ridden season by his standards this campaign, missing just under a month's worth of football due to first a knee injury and then an ankle problem a month and a half later. That issue occurred around the time Beale was appointed and stopped the Finland international from breaking into the new manager's team.

The 27-year-old dynamo had enjoyed two stellar campaigns before this season, averaging a 6.90 rating in the 2020/21 campaign before recording a 6.96 average rating in the 2021/22 season, showcasing that the midfielder has the quality, but wasn't able to showcase it this year for a variety of factors.

As Sheffield United prepare for their first campaign back, the signing of Kamara could prove to be a very shrewd piece of business by manager Paul Heckingbottom.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details4:00

Chappell: Dropped catch cost Pakistan dearly

It is hard enough for touring teams at the Gabba without providing instances of charity to the hosts. On a night when floodlights and the pink ball ushered in Brisbane’s biggest ever non-Ashes Test crowd, Pakistan allowed the throng of 26,343 to salute a century for Australia’s captain Steven Smith with a pair of contrasting reprieves.The first, in the final over before the tea break, came via an unexpectedly sharp leg break from Azhar Ali and an equally surprising fumble behind the stumps by Sarfraz Ahmed. Several hours later and Mohammad Amir fizzed the second new ball across Smith to coax the thinnest of edges. This time Sarfraz took it crisply – yet it was a nick so fine no appeal was made.The fact Amir took the second new ball at all felt almost as remarkable as his return to the Pakistan side from an infamous jail sentence. Having bowled tidily early, his right knee had plugged in the Gabba outfield and seemed to have suffered an injury akin to that inflicted on Simon Jones in 2002. Yet Amir found a way to return, in a show of resilience Pakistan must now emulate collectively in order to find a way back into this first innings.Smith’s innings was the centrepiece of Australia’s day, equal parts patient and punchy, but it would not have been possible without a pair of tremendous supporting hands from the young batsmen Matt Renshaw and Pete Handscomb. Renshaw’s discipline in early stands with David Warner and then Smith blunted the new ball in the hands of Pakistan’s pace attack and also compelled Yasir Shah to bowl a high volume of overs early in the match.While Wahab Riaz was able to find Renshaw’s outside edge before he could go on to three figures, Smith and Handscomb then fought their way through to the whole final session with hope for more runs on resumption. Handscomb did not always look comfortable but fought his way through, at the same time showing no desire to depart from the batting methods that have served him well at domestic level.Renshaw played an exemplary innings, showing his usual sound judgment around the off stump but also showing an ability to hit with power through midwicket and down the ground. In doing so he invited further comparisons with another tall Queensland opening batsman in Matthew Hayden – Australia’s selectors will dream of more such performances.There had been some swing for Amir and Rahat Ali in the early overs, but Renshaw and Warner did very well to cover any movement and also punish any errors in line or length – in Warner’s case he started by punching Rahat to the cover fence first ball. Wahab’s greater pace was unable to make much of an impression, and Misbah was left to call on Yasir as early as the 11th over of the innings.Matt Renshaw scored most of his runs through mid-on and midwicket•Cricket Australia/Getty Images

Bounce was plentiful even if the Gabba pitch will likely quicken up in pace on day two, but Yasir’s early overs were characterised by a somewhat odd tactic – attacking the leg stumps of Renshaw and Warner with a 6-3 leg side field. For the most part the batsmen took advantage of this, the only semblance of a chance coming when Yasir strayed wide of the off stump and Warner edged fractionally short of slip.However Amir was brought back in the lead-up to the break and was able to pin Warner as he shuffled across the stumps to try to work the ball to the leg side. Gould’s finger was raised and Warner did not review; ball-tracking showed the ball would have clipped the outside of the leg stump.Khawaja got started with one neat leg glance, but he was soon to be on his way when he lifted a Yasir delivery on the pads directly into the midriff of Misbah. Renshaw finished the session with a boundary from Azhar, before finding more gaps when play resumed – leaping out once to flay Yasir over cover.Smith also played admirably straight, refusing to be tempted into a surfeit of deliveries angled across him by the Pakistani left-armers, and the pair were looking increasingly secure until Wahab found a modicum of away movement to coax an edge from Renshaw’s bat.Coming in at No. 5, Handscomb again demonstrated his idiosyncrasies, staying deep in his crease to the pacemen while also trying to dance down the wicket to Yasir. There were a few nervy moments for him before the break, but Smith’s passing of 50 gave the hosts some cause for optimism as the match crept into the floodlit night.Intriguingly Misbah resumed with twin spin after dinner, and Smith and Handscomb were duly able to get back into rhythm. The genuine concern for Amir left the tourists a bowler short, with Rahat also looking sluggish at various points. The second new ball brought Amir’s welcome return and the aforementioned unappealing edge from Smith, and after a protracted period in the 90s, the Australian captain was able to drive down the ground for Test hundred No. 16.Of all the surprises thrown up by the first night’s pink ball cricket in Brisbane, a wicketless final session was surely the most startling. No-one will be more grateful for that than the No. 6 Nic Maddinson, who can now look forward to batting in sunlight on day two – whenever Smith and Handscomb exit the stage that is.

Hong Kong allrounder Nizakat Khan’s bowling action has been cleared by the International Cricket Council, following remedial work after his action was found to be illegal in July 2015

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Dec-2016Hong Kong allrounder Nizakat Khan’s bowling action has been cleared by the International Cricket Council, following remedial work after his action was found to be illegal in July 2015 during an ICC World Twenty20 Qualifying match against Nepal.Nizakat underwent a reassessment of his bowling action on December 6 at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane, where his elbow extension for legspin deliveries was found to be within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC regulations. His offspin has not been cleared since he did not bowl it during the assessment.Before the ban, Nizakat had economy rates of 3.67 in ODIs and an impressive 5.30 in five T20Is. He has continued to play for Hong Kong since, averaging 35 in 10 ODIs as a top-order batsman.

West Ham United have their sights set on Joao Palhinha and are now preparing to make an initial offer for the player, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Are West Ham United signing Joao Palhinha?

The Portugal international, who currently stars for Fulham, had an excellent first campaign in the Premier League in 2022/23. The Cottagers surprised many by not battling near the relegation zone after their promotion from the Championship and instead bursting into the top ten in the top flight. Palhinha had a key role to play in that success, as he featured on 35 occasions for the club in the league and even bagged three goals along the way.

Not only did he produce a joint-best individual year in terms of his goal haul but he also had plenty to contribute in defence too. When you compare Palhinha to others in his position amongst the Men's 'Top Five' big leagues in Europe, he is one of the most eye-catching prospects out there at the moment. With a superb rate of 4.26 tackles per 90, it means that he sits in the top one percent in that area for midfielders. With 2.06 aerials won too, he also sits in the top eight per cent for that category.

The 27-year-old then has certainly caught the eye of other clubs and it's the Irons who are the most heavily linked. According to reliable journalist Romano, an initial opening bid be made soon. He states that the Hammers are lining up an offer and that he is seen as a good replacement for Declan Rice, who appears to be heading out of the exit door.

Romano said: "West Ham are preparing their first approach for João Palhinha. Not an easy deal with Fulham but he's top of the list for West Ham to replace Declan Rice. Edson Alvarez remains in list but Borussia Dortmund are pushing to agree personal terms after proposal sent."

What is Joao Palhinha's transfer value?

There is no potential fee or asking price mentioned in terms of a bid and although CIES Football Observatory suggest that his value could be about 20 million Euros (or £17m), one would expect that to be much higher in reality considering the Cottagers paid £20m for the player last summer and he's only gotten better since.

It could well be worth splashing out big though when you consider how well he has performed. He's been hailed for his form in the Premier League for example, with football journalist Josh Bunting calling the midfielder "outstanding" and adding that he is "top class" in a variety of different areas. David Moyes then would no doubt love to add such a fantastic player to his side and if he can get a deal done, the worries over a Rice departure might ease for the Hammers.

The father-son duo of Jimmy and Stephen Cook are tied to South Africa’s cricketing history in a unique way

Firdose Moonda24-Nov-2016

Twenty-five years ago, in the month of November, Jimmy Cook became the first South Africa batsman to face a white ball in international cricket. Twenty-four years ago, in the month of November, Jimmy was the first South Africa batsman to face a red ball in international cricket in South Africa in 22 years. Today, in the same month, his son Stephen, became the first South Africa batsman to face a pink one.Jimmy’s experiences created history because they came on South Africa’s readmission to international cricket as the country prepared for the end of apartheid. Stephen’s experience was part of South Africa’s attempt to become the first team to whitewash Australia in a three-Test series at home, having already beaten the hosts in a third successive series.Unfortunately for the father-son pair, neither went on to have innings they will remember. In the third ODI against India in Delhi, Jimmy faced 46 balls and scored 35, sharing a 72-run opening stand in the team’s successful chase of 288. In the Test against India in Durban, he was out first ball, caught at second slip by Sachin Tendulkar although the ball appeared to have bounced.In Adelaide, Stephen would have been out off the 12th ball he faced when he was trapped on the back pad by Mitchell Starc but Australia’s spearhead overstepped. After struggling through this tour with a top-score of 23 before today, Stephen received a much-needed reprieve and, in the first session, made full use of it.He survived a testing opening spell from Starc, who swung it significantly, tried to draw him into the drive and challenged his defence with yorkers. He found some rhythm against Jackson Bird and he helped his captain Faf du Plessis steady South Africa after three early dismissals. But 99 balls after Stephen became the second person in his family to rack up a first, he was dismissed. Starc angled one across him, Stephen got a thick outside edge and Steven Smith accepted the catch at second slip.

Brendan Rodgers and Graham Potter could still be in contention to become Leeds United's next manager, according to a key update from journalist Ben Jacobs.

Who's likely to take charge of Leeds?

There is a constant search going on to find the Whites' new boss this summer, as they prepare for life back in the Championship after three years away.

A host of different names have been thrown into the hat over the past couple of weeks, whether it be Steven Gerrard, Carlos Corberan or Scott Parker, among others, and Rodgers and Potter have also been named as potential candidates to come in.

The pair were sacked by Leicester City and Chelsea earlier in the season, respectively, and will no doubt be champing at the bit to get back into management.

While it has appeared unlikely that Leeds would be able to entice either of them to Elland Road, given the Whites' relegation, a new update does give them some fresh hope.

Are Rodgers and Potter in the mix?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs said that both Rodgers and Potter are still in the conversation to take charge of Leeds, even though their preference is to remain in the Premier League:

"There are obviously a few candidates that Leeds are looking at at the moment. We're hearing growing talk of names like Brendan Rodgers and Graham Potter.

"I think both of those would see themselves as Premier League managers, but Leeds are a big club and in a year might be in the Premier League again, which is why Leeds may feel that they have that opportunity."

To get either Rodgers or Potter would be a major coup for Leeds, considering they are arguably seen as two of the best British managers around, even if things didn't end well for them at Leicester and Chelsea.

In many ways, it could be a major show of their own self-confidence if they decide to take charge of the Whites, in terms of backing themselves to get back into the Premier League straight away, and accept that they will spend one season managing in the second tier of English football.

It does still feel likely that Rodgers and Potter will be more unattainable than others, though – Gerrard will be desperate to test himself again and Corberan is still young, for example – but it is encouraging to see their names in the mix still, highlighting how big a club Leeds are.

Leeds United have accepted an offer from Birmingham City for striker Tyler Roberts, according to reports.

What’s the latest Leeds transfer news?

The Whites look set for a frantic summer after the 49ers agreed on a full takeover from Andrea Radrizzani last week. Alongside a new manager, there looks set to be plenty of incomings and outgoings, with Phil Hay expecting the likes of Illan Meslier, Robin Koch, Brenden Aaronson, Jack Harrison, Luis Sinisterra, Marc Roca and Rodrigo to complete Leeds exits.

Leeds also sent 10 players out on loan last season, plenty of which look set to return, including Roberts. The forward spent the previous campaign in the Championship with Queens Park Rangers, and it looks as if another second-tier move is lined up, this time though on a permanent deal.

According to Football Insider, a full agreement has been reached that will see Roberts join Birmingham City this summer.

The report states that Leeds have accepted a seven-figure offer for the Welshman that includes add-ons, with Roberts set for a medical in the Midlands next week.

How many goals did Tyler Roberts score for Leeds?

Roberts arrived in Yorkshire back in 2018 from West Brom but has endured a frustrating spell at Elland Road which now looks set to come to an end.

The 24-year-old attacker now has just 12 months left on his Leeds deal and is poised to leave after making 108 appearances for the club, scoring just nine goals during that time.

He did show his quality last season, though, netting four times in 20 games for QPR, with Neil Critchley labelling one of Roberts’ goals against Reading as “terrific”. Meanwhile, former Baggies manager Tony Pulis has also praised Roberts in recent years, saying:

“I had Tyler at West Brom and gave him his league debut. He’s a very very talented boy. And I mean a very talented boy. He has got everything.

“The kid has pushed on. It’s great to see all the young players you’ve worked with, especially the ones you had a little bit of doubt with, come through and he’s one of them.”

However, averaging a goal every 12 games as a striker isn’t exactly prolific, and with Leeds seemingly looking for a rebuild this summer, moving on a player like Roberts for a seven-figure fee could prove to be a smart decision.

Lauren Winfield, the England opening batsman, has cut short her holiday in Australia to replace Deandra Dottin in Brisbane Heat’s WBBL squad.Dottin, the West Indies allrounder who helped to secure the Women’s World T20 title last year, suffered multiple cheekbone fractures after an on-field collision with team-mate Laura Harris during the Heat’s match against Melbourne Stars on December 28.She remains an outside bet to return to the competition at a later date, after insisting “all is going to be fine!” in a post on Facebook.”Eye socket and eyesight is fine, jaw and teeth fine,” Dottin wrote. “I am out of hospital now, recovering before a specialist appointment with a face surgeon Thursday. At this stage it is believed I will require titanium plates to fix the issues.”Winfield, who captains Yorkshire Diamonds in the Kia Super League and can also keep wicket, had been travelling in Australia when she received the call-up.She averages 23.76 in 18 Twenty20 international matches for England, at a strike rate of 112, but shot to prominence last summer with an ODI innings of 123 from 117 balls – and an opening stand of 235 with Tammy Beaumont – against Pakistan at Worcester.