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Arsenal are 'willing to pay' the 'jaw-dropping' price tag to sign Declan Rice from West Ham this summer, according to reports.

What's the latest on Rice leaving West Ham?

The England international has been heavily linked with a move away from east London, with Irons boss David Moyes facing a real battle to keep his club captain. Indeed, Rice is set to be a highly sought-after player when the transfer window opens, as Mikel Arteta, Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool are all apparently set to battle for his signature.

Currently in pole position to clinch their first Premier League title in nearly 20 years, Arsenal and sporting director Edu are already thought to be planning ahead on how best to strengthen Arteta's options ahead of the next campaign.

Rice is thought to be a top target for the Gunners, despite the January signing of midfielder Jorginho from Stamford Bridge – and reports have suggested it is inevitable the midfielder will depart West Ham in 2023.

Now, an update by journalist Pete O'Rourke, writing in a Football Insider column, says Arsenal are absolutely determined to sign the 24-year-old. It is believed that the north Londoners are 'willing to meet' Rice's 'jaw-dropping' price tag of £100 million+, with Arteta being a 'huge admirer' personally.

The Arsenal boss also believes his side have a potential ace up their sleeve – with the theory that clinching this 22/23 domestic crown will put them in the 'driving seat' to capture Rice.

What could Rice bring to Arsenal?

The former Chelsea academy starlet has been a revelation for Moyes and a key, key player in their last two European qualification campaigns. As per WhoScored, Rice is as pivotal as ever to West Ham – standing out as their best-performing player by average match rating whist playing more league minutes than any of his teammates.

Called 'sensational' by members of the media, the Hammers midfielder has also registered more interceptions per 90 in the English top flight than any West Ham player – all while averaging the highest pass accuracy (88.9%) out of any regular in Moyes' side (WhoScored).

Stats like this indicate he could add both composure and an element of defensive solidarity to Arteta's team next season, with defensive midfield players thought to be high on Arsenal's agenda.

Former England star Joe Cole was also ecstatic in his praise for Rice at international level during the most recent break, calling him the 'best player' by a mile against Italy.

Sri Lanka Cricket has taken a dim view of Mahela Jayawardene’s resumption of a consulting role with England for 10 days of the forthcoming World T20. SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala labeled Jayawardene’s temporary job “sad and disappointing”, even while his board rejected the clustered provincial first-class tournament Jayawardene had played a leading role in devising last year.Jayawardene had previously worked with England for two Tests, during their tour to the UAE in 2015. Former Sri Lanka coaches Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace – both of whom are now in the England set-up – had been instrumental in bringing Jayawardene into the fold, and the England players had been complimentary of the expertise Jayawardene offered.But with Sri Lanka now scheduled to play England in the group stage of the World T20, Sumathipala has taken issue with the potential sharing of inside information.”I had a lot of respect and gratitude for Mahela’s knowledge, but now he’s advisor to a competing team of ours,” Sumathipala said. “I’m very disappointed that a national captain, within a few months of retirement, has been retained by another team at a World Cup.”You could go to a club, a province, an IPL kind of team, or a county. But this is a World Cup. You can’t have a player who has just left your country’s team joining a competitive nation. All the contracted players who are playing, once they retire from the game, should have at least 24 months before joining another team for giving advice or coaching.”Jayawardene played his last ODI for Sri Lanka in March last year, but had quit T20s in April 2014. His forthcoming role with England will end on March 25 at the latest, with Sri Lanka scheduled to play England on March 26.”You need that minimum cooling-off period, because you were recently in the team,” Sumathipala said. “You know the team’s strengths and its weaknesses because you’re inside the team. You know your team planning ahead of the World Cup. I think I’ve been very sad and disappointed by this.”Sumathipala said SLC would now look at introducing a no-compete clause in Sri Lanka’s player contracts, in order to avoid the transfer of sensitive information. He also suggested Jayawardene had been unprincipled in taking up the role.”I don’t think this is just a matter of contract. You captained Sri Lanka, you played for your country, and after a few months you go and represent another country and advise against your own nation? I’m talking here about ethics of cricket.”Jayawardene has had contrasting relationships with various SLC boards. He had engaged in public skirmishes with the board featuring Nishantha Ranatunga, which operated until March 2015. His ideas were then embraced by the Sidath Wettimuny-led interim committee, whom he had advised on domestic cricket, in an unpaid capacity. He now appears to be at odds again with Sumathipala’s administration, which has scrapped Jayawardene’s plan to cluster clubs to help administer provincial sides, labeling that structure “impractical”.Jayawardene was not offered a formal role with Sri Lanka, but had advised the team informally, particularly ahead of India’s tour of Sri Lanka in August last year.

Batting strength down the order will be West Indies’ trump card, but they will be coming into the tournament cold. By Andrew McGlashan

Andrew McGlashan04-Sep-2007

The shorter the game the more competitive West Indies are; and by that reckoning they should be real contenders in Twenty20.Ramnaresh Sarwan is back at the helm after injury and the selectors have largely stuck with the players who took the one-day series against England. Pedro Collins – earning a recall not before time – and Narsingh Deonarine are the two new faces but neither has been called up because of particular success in Twenty20.West Indies showed they can adapt to the format, piling up 208 in the first game at The Oval and sharing the series 1-1. There was a new verve about their play during the latter part of the England tour as the team responded to Chris Gayle’s captaincy. However, they are one of the teams coming into the tournament cold, and will have to hit the ground running in a tough group that includes South Africa and Bangladesh.Home truths
There is no Twenty20 competition in the proper domestic season in the West Indies, but the game has taken the Caribbean by storm thanks to Allen Stanford. His multi-million dollar Stanford 20-20 has breathed new life into cricket in the region, although most of the players in the West Indies World Championship squad haven’t participated to any great level. Stanford, though, has big plans to go with his big pockets. He wants to take his game international. Last year he tried to entice South Africa for a big-money showdown with an all-star XI, while Australia have also been approached.Strengths
The depth of their batting means they will be able to go hard throughout the 20 overs. There is no shortage of powerful strikers and the boundaries won’t be big enough for Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels (Twenty20 strike-rate: 190) and Dwayne Smith if they get going.Those three and Dwayne Bravo are all capable of bowling their four-over spells, which allows West Indies to pick a top-heavy team. Potentially they could have Denesh Ramdin down at No. 8 or No. 9, and there is a great flexibility about the order.Even in Twenty20, having wicket-taking bowlers is vital, and Collins will form a potent attack with Daren Powell and Fidel Edwards.

Weaknesses
A couple of poor overs in either innings can lose a side a match. Twenty20 is a game where it is imperative for a team to keep their focus, and West Indian sides have been known to let their minds wander, especially when on tour. If they enter the tournament with an attitude that it is just a hit-about and a bit of fun, they could rapidly come unstuck.Although they ended the England tour in fine spirit under Gayle’s captaincy, now they must readjust to having Sarwan back in charge. Rumours of unrest between players and the coach, David Moore, have the potential to undermine the squad. And though it’s a young side, fielding can also be an issue; the teams that go the furthest will be those that save the most runs.Players to watch
He might be a limpet in Test matches, but stick him in coloured clothing and he finds a new gear. In his one Twenty20 outing against England he went from blocker to basher, hitting 41 off 26 balls. Although 20 overs doesn’t sound very long, there is value in having someone who can anchor the innings at the top. Chanderpaul’s flexibility lends itself perfectly to that role, especially if the ball zips around in early-season South Africa. If West Indies are performing well, Bravo is usually at the centre of it. He provides a constant heartbeat to the team, even when others appear disinterested and distant. In all three areas of the game he can be a match-winner. His fielding is inspirational, he strikes the ball cleanly, and his bowling at the death has won one-day matches.Dark horse
Sammy burst onto the Test scene with 7 for 66 at Old Trafford before picking up an untimely hamstring injury, but he – like Bravo – is another multi-dimensional cricketer who gives his all and always appears to be enjoying the battle. While not express pace, his hit-the-deck seam bowling could be well-suited to South African conditions, and his presence in the side will enhance the fielding.

Ian Chappell’s take
West Indies didn’t perform well in the World Cup, playing at home and
led by Brian Lara, and they’re unlikely to do well in unfamiliar conditions and
without their star batsman as captain.However the West Indies players have an advantage over all but their English counterparts in that they have
performed, under pressure and on a regular basis, in their domestic Twenty20
tournaments. The Stanford competition is a big-money affair, and West
Indies are more used to serious Twenty20 cricket than most other countries
where the game was treated more as entertainment until the announcement of
this high-profile ICC tournament.On paper West Indies have most of the ingredients for a strong Twenty20
side. They have a big-hitting opener to take advantage of the fielding
restrictions in the first six overs; they have a couple of very talented
allrounders in Dwayne Bravo and Marlon Samuels to add depth in batting and
bowling; and they have a pacy new-ball
bowler who can strike early.However Chris Gayle’s poor footwork has made
him highly inconsistent of late, and Samuels has flattered to deceive for a long
time. As for Dwayne Smith, he no longer deceives – he always hits a six over
midwicket and then promptly gets out.Fidel Edwards, on the other hand, seems
to have come of age in England, where he bowled with pace and fire. If
Daren Powell and Pedro Collins give him good support, West Indies might at
last have something resembling a potent attack.However, unless Gayle has a
monster tournament, and Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s golden string of scores
continues, West Indies will be short of runs to trouble the top
sides.West Indies will need to be at their best to get past Bangladesh in the
preliminary round, but even if they do get past that hurdle, I don’t expect
them to reach the semi-finals. Rating: 6/10

Autumn brings many things: vibrant colours; falling leaves; conkers. All these are “traditional autumn delights”. C&G Cricket Year is not among them, to judge by the 2006 edition

Will Luke07-Jan-2007C&G Cricket Year edited by Jonathan Agnew (A&C Black, hb, 319pp, £24.99)

Autumn brings many things: vibrant colours; falling leaves; conkers. All these are “traditional
autumn delights”. C&G Cricket Year is not among them, to judge by the 2006 edition, despite what Ian Whittaker, head of marketing at Cheltenham & Gloucester, asserts.Whittaker is afforded a generous two pages to express his opinions on the game. This annual compendium has always been a sponsored publication and a corporate message
from the benefactor is a depressing trend as well as a dull introduction.Things could only get better after that and the depth and breadth of the coverage are
impressive, chronicling every Championship match of the summer, plus C&G Trophy, Pro40
League and Twenty20 Cup, and every England international of the year. Potted scorelines and a
generous sprinkling of photographs relieve the density.Aside from writing all the Test reports Jonathan Agnew, the editor, profiles Monty Panesar, the
fourth recipient of the C&G Man of the Year Award. Disappointingly Agnew’s profile offers little that is not already known, wasting too many words lamenting his fielding and justifying his selection.
As this is a special 25th anniversary edition, the contributors look back at the last
quarter-century of each county – and country. Although each
review is short, there is enough to gain a reasonable idea of the sides’
fortunes in that period.However, the overwhelming sense is of a book so keen to please everyone that it may fall short of thrilling anyone. And critically, unlike the unmatched grandfather of annuals, Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, it lacks authority.At best it may be an enjoyable book to flick through or dip into
– one to trigger memories of the summer’s games and fill in the
details that scorecards cannot manage alone. To that extent, it may
just be a delight.

Micah Richards was left blown away by the performance of one Sunderland star in the Tyne-Wear derby victory against Newcastle United this afternoon.

Sunderland win first Premier League game vs Newcastle since 2016

The Black Cats managed to get one over on their biggest rivals in the first Premier League meeting with Newcastle since 2016, courtesy of a bizarre own goal from Nick Woltemade in the second half.

Regis Le Bris’ side have made a dream start to life back in the top flight, but today’s victory is undoubtedly the sweetest yet, moving four points clear of the Magpies after managing to hold out for a well-earned 1-0 win.

A lot of credit has to go to the defence, with the visitors being limited to an xG of just 0.26, never really managing to create any big opportunities throughout the match.

However, Richards was also quick to praise Granit Xhaka after the match, with the former Manchester City man saying: “This man, we talked about him before the game, was brilliant again, absolute warrior in that midfield. What a player he’s been, what a signing. I’m gonna say he’s been the signing of the season so far, that’s how big I’m going.”

“He’s been absolutely immaculate in everything he does, even the way he speaks is just brilliant. Wow.”

Xhaka deserves all the plaudits after another impressive display

The Basel-born midfielder has been absolutely indispensable for Le Bris this season, starting all 15 Premier League games, during which time he’s chipped in with five goal involvements.

Sunderland could now make £12m approach to sign "unreal" defender in January

The Black Cats are assessing their options ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

ByDominic Lund 7 days ago

However, the Swiss maestro is perhaps best known for his defensive qualities, which were on show again today, making a number of important contributions.

Granit Xhaka’s key stats vs Newcastle

Number completed

Ground duels (won)

3 (2)

Aerial duels (won)

3 (3)

Clearances

4

Tackles

2

The Black Cats managing to sign the former Bayer Leverkusen man is starting to look like a real coup, with Jamie Carragher describing him as “fantastic” and the “most influential” player for a Premier League team this season.

The sky is the limit for this Sunderland side, who are firmly in contention to qualify for Europe, but Xhaka is likely to be paramount to their success, and Le Bris will be hoping for a similar display when his side travel to Brighton for their penultimate game in 2025 next weekend.

Hugo Lloris has taken a massive pay cut in order to make his move to MLS side LAFC possible, after leaving Tottenham in December.

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• Lloris takes whopping pay cut to make move
• Saudi deal would have tripled Spurs salary
• World Cup winner wowed by California

• (C)GettyImages
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The former Tottenham Hotspur keeper signed a one-year deal worth $350,000 (£276,000), a fraction of what Lloris was earning in the Premier League and lower than a vast number of MLS goalkeepers.

  After turning down a move to Saudi Arabia that would have trebled his previous earnings, the World Cup winner seems content with his decision, viewing the move as an opportunity to begin a new chapter with his family on the Pacific coast.

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• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HUGO LLORIS SAID

  “I have now arrived at a point in my career where I feel free to decide my next project and destination, and I liked everything about MLS,” Lloris told . “They have a budget for the goalkeeper spot that they couldn’t go over because the rules are different, so there was not even a question about salary. It shows how much I wanted to come!

  “I don’t have the national team anymore because I retired a year ago, so this was a chance to discover a new continent with my family. California is an amazing place."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After 11 seasons as Spurs' undisputed number one, Lloris' time in north London came to an ignominious end when he lost his place in the side late last season. He never featured in the plans of new boss Ange Postecoglou, who has placed his trust in summer arrival Guglielmo Vicario.

  Lloris continued to train with team-mates despite having no chance of selection but matters were finally resolved in December when the Frenchman made his move to Los Angeles on a free transfer.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR LLORIS?

  Lloris should make his MLS debut when LAFC host the Seattle Sounders at BMO Stadium on Saturday – a side who finished just above them in last season's Western Conference standings.

Nottingham Forest have appeared as the frontrunners to sign Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi this summer, but they aren’t the only club interested in the Premier League.

How old is Callum Hudson-Odoi?

Hudson-Odoi is 22 years of age so should be playing football on a regular basis and entering some of the prime stages of his career, but that’s not the case because his future is extremely uncertain having been sent out on an unsuccessful loan to Bayer Leverkusen last season.

England’s former international’s contract is also set to expire in less than a year meaning that this window is Mauricio Pochettino’s ideal opportunity to cash in, something which looks likely considering he’s told chiefs that he wants to leave, whilst being yet to communicate with his manager since taking to the dugout.

The Blues’ left-winger already holds an existing connection to Steve Cooper having worked under him during his time with the Three Lions’ U17s, and The Evening Standard recently reported that the Reds had entered the running to sign him, alongside Everton and Fulham.

The Cottagers were believed to be leading the race, but with that move having since collapsed, the contest has really opened up, giving his other potential suitors a chance to swoop him, and there’s a possibility that he could be on his way to The City Ground.

Are Nottingham Forest signing Callum Hudson-Odoi?

According to TEAMtalk, Nottingham Forest are "emerging as favourites" to sign Hudson-Odoi, with Chelsea "open" to sanctioning his sale before the end of the window.

With Fulham and now also Everton's move for the attacker having "stalled", this leaves the "path clear" for Cooper to form a reunion with his ex-international starlet.

The Stamford Bridge academy product also had his brother, who is his agent, as an "interested observer" watching on from the stands at last week's match vs Sheffield United, further sparking speculation that he could be joining in the coming weeks.

How good is Callum Hudson-Odoi?

Nottingham Forest will know that Hudson-Odoi hasn’t been given a fair chance to prove what he’s capable of at Chelsea, but Cooper will know just how much potential he has to offer having previously been dubbed a “monster of a talent” by journalist Nizaar Kinsella, and he could the perfect manager to restart his career.

The Wandsworth-born talent has posted 89 goal contributions (48 goals and 41 assists) in 208 appearances since bursting onto the scene and could provide the boss with excellent versatility with his ability to operate everywhere across the frontline, alongside three roles in the midfield, as per Transfermarkt, making him a great option to have available should any unexpected injuries occur.

Pochettino’s £180k-per-week earner also knows what it takes to compete and be successful having helped to win five senior trophies for his boyhood club, including the likes of the Champions League, Europa League and the FIFA Club World Cup, so he could bring a much-needed winning mentality to the Midlands to achieve a place as high as possible in the table this season.

As a result, one demerit point has been added to each player’s disciplinary records

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jan-2018Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has been fined 20% of his match fee while Sri Lanka opener Danushka Gunathilaka has been officially reprimanded for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the tri-series final in Mirpur on Saturday.Both players breached Article 2.1.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”As a result, one demerit point has been added to each player’s disciplinary records. Both players admitted their offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee David Boon.The Mashrafe incident occured in the sixth over of Sri Lanka’s innings when the Bangladesh captain dismissed Kusal Mendis and yelled while running close to him during a send off in a “manner that could have provoked an aggressive reaction,” according to the ICC release.The incident involving Gunathilaka happened in the sixth over of the chase when Tamim Iqbal was dismissed by Dushmantha Chameera and Gunathilaka gave the batsman a send-off when he was walking towards the dressing room.It was Gunathilaka’s first offence while Mashrafe was sanctioned for the second time since the introduction of the revised Code in September 2016. Mashrafe had received one demerit point during the home ODIs against England in October 2016 and now has a total of two demerit points.

Big picture

Ben Stokes flying to New Zealand and signing up with Canterbury has been the big news of the week, but there is the small matter of New Zealand’s thin Test summer at home, starting with the two-match series against West Indies.The last time West Indies faced New Zealand in a Test, in June 2014, Jason Holder made his debut and was part of a team that suffered a series defeat at home. Three years later, Holder faces New Zealand as the captain of young side that has defended 189 against India in an ODI, hunted down 322 in the Leeds Test after suffering an innings-and-209-run defeat at Trent Bridge, and sealed a 1-0 Test series win over a full-strength Zimbabwe team in 2017.He believes West Indies are in a “pretty good place” with the present team and heading in the “right direction”. From fearing for his international career, Kemar Roach has fit in as the leader of the attack, which includes Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph, and Miguel Cummins. Contrastingly, New Zealand are in a not-so-good place. For starters, they haven’t played Test cricket since March, while West Indies have played eight Tests since. They will also have to cope without the injured BJ Watling and Tim Southee, who is on paternity leave.

Form guide

New Zealand: DLDWW (completed matches, most recent first)
West Indies: DWLWL

In the spotlight

With a rock-of-Gibraltar defence and excellent judgement outside off, Jeet Raval is arguably the best candidate to negotiate the new ball on what is expected to be a green top. The opener had a breakout season last summer, and was subsequently added to New Zealand’s list of contracted players for 2017-18. Can he build on the gains now?Unlike Raval, Jermaine Blackwood isn’t really a big fan of defence. Case in point: his second scoring shot in Test cricket was a disdainful thwack over long-on off Trent Boult. Blackwood, though, hasn’t passed fifty in his last 12 innings in internationals and tour matches, and could face competition from Shimron Hetmyer.

Team news

New Zealand have already announced their XI, picking Matt Henry over Lockie Ferguson as a replacement for Southee, and handing a Test debut to wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell at his home ground.New Zealand: 1 Tom Latham, 2 Jeet Raval, 3 Kane Williamson (capt.), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Henry Nicholls, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Colin de Grandhomme, 9 Matt Henry, 10 Neil Wagner, 11 Trent BoultSunil Ambris, who cracked 153 off 145 balls in the middle order in the tour game against a New Zealand A attack that contained seven international bowlers, is likely to make his Test debut and occupy the spot vacated by Kyle Hope.West Indies (probable) 1 Kraigg Brathwaite, 2 Kieran Powell, 3 Shai Hope, 4 Sunil Ambris, 5 Roston Chase, 6 Jermaine Blackwood, 7 Shane Dowrich (wk), 8 Jason Holder (capt.), 9 Kemar Roach, 10 Devendra Bishoo, 11 Shannon Gabriel

Pitch and conditions

Early sightings of the pitch showed grass cover almost indistinguishable from the outfield, but that can often be misleading at this ground. ”It [The pitch] always looks a little bit [green] like that,” Kane Williamson said on Thursday. “There’s always something in the wicket if you do bowl well. But generally, it’s a fair surface which quickens up on day two and three”. The weather is expected to be largely fine for the duration of the match.

Stats and trivia

• West Indies haven’t won a Test in New Zealand since February 1995 when they secured a mammoth innings win at this venue.
• Trent Boult seems to relish bowling at the Basin Reserve: he has 27 wickets in six matches at an average of 28.07, including a 10-for against West Indies.

Quotes

“He [Henry] has been playing well for a long time and hasn’t had the opportunities that he’s deserved. He’s a different bowler to Lockie and has been bowling with good pace, and does tend to move the ball well.”
“Consistency is always our downfall. I think once we get on the park and play as one, I think the performances will come.”

Karim Benzema appears to have deleted his Instagram account after Al-Ittihad were thumped 5-2 by Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.

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Al-Ittihad thumped by Al-NassrBenzema failed to scoreInstagram account has disappearedWHAT HAPPENED?

Al-Ittihad were thumped 5-2 by Al-Nassr, with Ronaldo scoring a brace of penalties, Sadio Mane also scoring twice, and Anderson Talisca on the scoresheet as well. Benzema did provide an assist in the game, but he has only scored once in his last four outings, with Al-Ittihad only winning one, and slipping to sixth in the Saudi Pro League as a result. The former Real Madrid ace has now seemingly purged his Instagram account.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Benzema's page on the photo-sharing website had 76 million followers, but it has now either been suspended or deleted – as per . In terms of footballers, only Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe have more followers than the 36-year-old.

DID YOU KNOW?

Benzema has made a total of 20 appearances for Al-Ittihad and has scored 12 goals. He has yet to win any silverware with the Saudi club, as they were eliminated from the Club World Cup at the second round stage by Al-Ahly, although they remain in both the AFC Champions League and the King's Cup.

The Saudi media has also criticised Benzema on a regular basis. One of the country’s most popular sports journalists, Walid Al-Faraj, recently singled out the 36-year-old on his platform Acton Avec Walid, stating: "The gap between Benzema and the public is growing day by day. He never managed to make a difference. And above all, he doesn't make any effort. It’s as if he's saying to the audience: ‘I'm just having fun with you.’

“When Ronaldo arrived in January, he showed signs he wanted to play, but Benzema has offered nothing. It's like the team doesn't like him. He is uncomfortable. I don't know the reason.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR BENZEMA?

Benzema's move to Al-Ittihad has seen a flurry of goals but the team have yet to truly catch fire with the Real Madrid legend leading the line and are now 22 points behind leaders Al-Hilal. They are next in action against Al-Tai on Saturday.