Chelsea are planning a sensational midfield overhaul that could escalate their spending to unparalleled heights.

The Blues look set to resist Liverpool’s outlandish attempt to hijack their Moises Caicedo deal as they prepare to break the record Premier League transfer fee for the South American.

Furthermore, these clubs are also battling it out for Romeo Lavia’s signature.

What’s the latest on Romeo Lavia to Chelsea?

According to Sky Sports News, Chelsea are ‘close’ to an agreement with Southampton over signing Lavia, but Liverpool retains a strong interest in the youngster.

The 2021 Champions League winners remain in direct contact with the Saints, who are holding firm with their £50m valuation.

Read the latest Chelsea transfer news HERE…

Chelsea submitted a £48m bid earlier this week, while Liverpool have had three separate offers – the latest of which was £45m – all rejected.

This outlet also revealed that the West Londoners are looking to welcome two midfielders in this window, and they feel that landing Lavia and Caicedo is a real possibility.

Why would Romeo Lavia be a good signing for Chelsea?

Although the Belgian has only played on 29 occasions in the Premier League, he has swiftly established himself as one of Europe’s most attractive and sought-after assets.

Last season, Lavia, who was described as “tremendous” by Rio Ferdinand, averaged 2.1 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, and 84% pass accuracy in the opposition half in domestic football as per Sofascore – scoring higher than Mateo Kovacic and Conor Gallagher for the aforementioned metrics.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a quick rise to prominence with Jean Kindermans, Anderlecht’s head of Academy, eulogizing over Lavia’s composure and bright future, saying: “His best position is as a low playmaker because he can deliver passes.

“He’s always calm on the ball. You can give him it under pressure and he will solve the problem. He is going to have a brilliant career.”

Paul Scholes has followed up this praise, feeling that Lavia is someone with “so much potential.”

A player of this calibre and defensive acumen could be a pivotal figure in aiding Reece James to recapture his best form at Stamford Bridge.

The last two seasons have been difficult for the right-back – he has missed 45 games through various injuries that have massively disrupted his rhythm and consistency.

Last campaign, Chelsea failed to win in any of his final eight outings in the Premier League, and he mustered just four goal contributions in all competitions.

Nevertheless, he is one of the world’s most effective full-backs, and as the club’s new captain, he will be an imperative figure in any Chelsea revival.

James will be looking to emulate and surpass Trent Alexander Arnold’s influence. The £180k-per-week man also endured a tricky campaign, as Liverpool unexpectedly dropped out of the top four, but he still managed to hit double-digits for assists.

Both players have built formidable reputations for their awe-inspiring technical ability. Interestingly, over the past 365 days, James comfortably outranks Alexander-Arnold for progressive carries per 90 (3.51 vs 1.41), and successful take-ons per 90 (1.8 vs 0.91). Then, the latter narrowly outperforms the former Wigan Athletic loanee for shot-creating actions per 90 (3.46 vs 3.88), and progressive passes per 90 (6.29 vs 7.31).

In summary, these figures mean that James sits within the best 10% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for the aforementioned metrics. To still possess these numbers whilst going through the toughest period in your career is a testament to his quality, which could reach even more frightening heights with Lavia’s addition.

ScorecardWesley Madhevere took three wickets and struck an unbeaten half-century•ICC/Getty Images

Namibia’s decision to bat backfired on them to such an extent that they began their innings losing two wickets in two overs and then were bowled out for 113. With the score on 4 for 46 in the 13th over, and Eben van Wyk gone for 24 – it would become the highest score of the innings – they shifted focus towards lasting the full 50 overs. Zimbabwe didn’t mind. They used eight bowlers, and all of them conceded less than 4.5 runs per over. Nkosilathi Nungu, Dion Myers and Wesley Madhevere picked up two wickets each.The chase began in exciting fashion with opener Gregory Dollar and No. 3 Myers falling before the score reached double-digits. But Madhevere put an end to the mini-slide, hitting 47 off 38 balls, with seven fours, and Zimbabwe got to their target with seven wickets and 183 balls to spare.

Not only is David Warner intent on captaining Australia at every opportunity, the opening batsman has also flagged the possibility of a career in politics once he retires.Warner has been known to interact a little more often with political leaders than most members of the Australian side, famously fronting then Prime Minister Tony Abbott to commit federal government funding for the redevelopment of Heffron Park, near his childhood home in public housing in Matraville.Now, following his influential public role in the 2017 pay dispute between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Association, Warner has said he is interested in looking towards making a difference in politics following his playing days.”After cricket, I wouldn’t mind doing something,” Warner told . “One thing that has been embedded in me since a young age is that I grew up in a housing commission. As a kid, I had to do everything at home with my brother just because my parents worked all the time. So whether it was dishes, ironing – all the normal things you do at home. Once I was able to go and work, I went and worked because we needed that money coming in to pay the bills. Me and my brother both paid a bit of rent when we were younger and I just liked looking out for anyone who was close to me.”During the dispute, it was a tough situation, you had your employers who were going up against our union and the players. So, I thought I needed to have a stance somewhere because at the end of the day, I want to play cricket for my country but for us to get a result or something in the middle – a happy medium – we had to fight for that. I am a believer in what I believe in. So, that was our belief, to get what we wanted. I sit back now and go, ‘I probably regret how the situation was played out in the media.’ And we do as players.”But, if you believe in something you are going to have to fight for it and I wasn’t going to stand down because we needed someone out there to speak about it. You can sit back and do what you like but you don’t get anywhere unless someone speaks up and does something.”Warner’s brand of cricketing leadership was on display during the recent T20 triangular series won by Australia over New Zealand and England. He said that his desire to lead the national team wherever possible would fuel him to take part in every T20 series when the full-time captain, Steven Smith, is rested.”I just like having responsibility and if there is anything that I can do to help anyone, whether it is here at the cricket or even if it is down at the beach or something,” Warner said. “If it is something that I can help with and someone needs help, then it is something I’ll be hand up for. That’s just the person that I am. And obviously standing in for Steve there are big shoes to fill. He needs his rest.”Playing all three forms for Steve is like playing six or seven different forms with having the responsibility of being captain of all three forms. So, he definitely needs his break from time to time and I am obviously going to put my hand up as a senior player to do that role.”I feel it is important we do have a senior player playing in all three formats, or one of us staying back and playing the T20 format, because you need to keep your core team values and how we are as an Australian unit. You need to have that experience there too for the guys who are coming through.”

Nottingham Forest are preparing for a busy conclusion of the transfer window, as Steve Cooper eyes final reinforcements to cement his squad for the battles ahead in the 2023/24 campaign.

The Tricky Trees welcomed their fifth arrival this week through Gonzalo Montiel, with the right-back signing on an initial season-long loan with the option to make the move permanent.

In what is a strong capture for the Reds, it seems as though the club are far from closing the book on the window, with more defensive targets circling around the media.

Who could Nottingham Forest sign this summer?

There is ongoing speculation regarding Forest’s interest in Galatasaray centre-back Victor Nelsson, with recent news suggesting that the 24-year-old titan is in the middle of a bidding war.

Reports in Turkey (as relayed by Sport Witness), Forest had an opening bid for the Denmark international rejected, and were told by the Super Lig champions to improve their offer, with it being in the region of €18m (£15m) and his release clause sitting at €25m (£21m).

The report claims that the Premier League side have improved their offer by €1m (£860k), with clarity on the situation not echoed.

It’s unknown whether the new bid will suffice, yet another target has emerged in the same position, with Sport Witness also relaying a report from Portugal that links Forest to Benfica defender Felipe Morato.

The report speculates that the Reds have made a €30m (£25m) offer for the centre-back, who has a €100m (£85m) release clause in his contract with the Eagles.

How good is Felipe Morato?

Considering that Forest are reported to have submitted two offers to Galatasaray in the hope to capture the signature of Nelsson, it would seem that the club are determined to bring him to the City Ground.

However, in Morato, Cooper could find himself chasing a colossus that could be the perfect alternative to the 24-year-old.

Having been described as being a “magnificent centre-back” by scout Jacek Kulig, the Brazilian is coming to be an assured member in the backline for Benfica, as he continues to integrate into the first team.

As per FBref, the 22-year-old averaged an impressive 5.28 progressive passes per 90 last term, as well as making 1.28 tackles and winning 2.64 aerials per 90 during the Eagles’ league-winning Primeira Liga campaign.

Standing at 6 foot 4, the Brazilian showed his maturity and composure through his distribution, in which he averaged a stellar pass completion rate of 90.0% last season.

Once lauded as a “beast” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the youngster came out on top in comparison to other target Nelsson in some decimals, with the Galatasaray whiz averaging 0.8 tackles and maintaining a pass completion rate of 86%, via Sofascore.

Mango also hailed the Benfica starlet previously as being “one of the most well-rounded” young defenders, noting his abilities as a ball player and having the perfect fusion of “aggressiveness, intelligence and awareness” so early in his career.

While Nelsson has more experience in playing at senior level, in monitoring Morato, Cooper could have the choice between two potentially strong acquisitions at the City Ground, with both excelling at centre-back for their respective clubs.

The Real Madrid dressing room has reportedly prepared for the arrival of Kylian Mbappe with the forward set to make a long-awaited La Liga switch

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• Mbappe said to want to join Madrid
• Will waive PSG loyalty bonus to make the switch
• Los Blancos will offer Mbappe pay cut to leave

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mbappe is set to make a long-expected move to Madrid, two years after making a shock u-turn, and spurning the opportunity to move to the Spanish club. This time, the club have real confidence that the France captain will play at the Santiago Bernabeu next season, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

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• WHAT FABRIZIO ROMANO SAID

  The Madrid dressing room is eagerly awaiting Mbappe's arrival: "In the dressing room of Real Madrid, important players have the feeling that yes, this time, the club is going to make it happen… every single day they speak about Kylian Mbappe, and the feeling they have this time is that it's really, really close."

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mbappe may have expressed his interest in joining Madrid, but there are still a number of roadblocks to be navigated. PSG will reportedly want to collect some kind of fee for his departure, while Los Blancos are expected to pay a hefty signing bonus to make the deal happen.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE AND MADRID

  Despite the talk, Mbappe has pledged to play out the rest of the season for the Parisians. They are currently top of Ligue 1, and are set to play Real Sociedad in the Champions League last 16 in mid-February. Los Blancos, meanwhile, are La Liga favourites, and could open up a convincing lead atop the table with a win over Girona this week.

Victoria were ahead by 160 runs and had nine second-innings wickets in hand at the WACA

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Feb-2018
Chris Tremain sends down a delivery•Cricket Australia/Getty ImagesFast bowler Chris Tremain’s first seven-wicket haul in first-class cricket gave Victoria the ascendency on day two against Western Australia at the WACA.Tremain had five of his seven victims caught behind the wicket in an outstanding display of fast bowling on a surface that offered bounce and seam movement.Josh Philippe made a brisk 62 at the top of the order before he edged Tremain to first slip, while Ashton Turner was the unluckiest victim, strangled down the leg side for 44. Wicketkeeper Sam Harper took four catches while Dan Christian took two of his three catches at first slip, as the Warriors conceded a 90-run first innings lead.The Bushrangers lost Travis Dean late in the day after a 61-run opening stand with Marcus Harris. Peter Siddle kept out eight balls as the nightwatchman to give the visitors a 160-run lead heading into day three.

Wrexham have confirmed that Jake Bickerstaff has joined Accrington Stanley on loan for the rest of the season.

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Bickerstaff joins Accrington StanleyPart of a clearout at the club Will not be allowed to play against Red DragonsWHAT HAPPENED?

Bickerstaff has left on loan for the rest of the season as part of the clearout at Wrexham as they can only register 21 players. With the signings of Luke Bolton, Jack Marriott and Luke McNicholas and the return of Scott Butler from his loan, they needed to offload a few players.

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In his 15 appearances this season, including eight starts, centre-forward Bickerstaff has scored twice. He scored his first EFL goal during the club's win over Walsall in August and then got his second the following week as they drew 5-5 with Swindon Town. In 28 games throughout his Red Dragons career, he has scored six goals.

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Wrexham have also announced that the striker will not be allowed to play against Phil Parkinson's side as the club has included a clause in the contract with League Two rivals Accrington.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR BICKERSTAFF?

It is not known if the 22-year-old will be in action with Accrington in their next game when they take on Grimsby Town on Saturday, February 3. They will play against Wrexham on March 3.

Everton have been linked with a move for FC Porto attacker Goncalo Borges in the summer transfer window, and a big update regarding a key aspect of the deal has now emerged.

Do Everton want to sign Goncalo Borges?

Much has rightly been made of the Blues' need to bring in attacking reinforcements this summer, having struggled in the final third for goals last season. It has held them back badly, with their defending often solid enough, and that needs to change in 2023/24, as they look to avoid a third Premier League relegation battle in a row.

While the likes of Wilfried Gnonto and Hugo Ekitike continued to be talked up as potential options to arrive at Goodison Park before the end of the month, another player who has been linked with a switch there is Borges.

The 22-year-old has made 23 appearances for Porto to date, getting some important experience under his belt at the top level, and he registered 19 goal contributions (11 goals and eight assists) in 78 appearances for Porto B.

It is clear that Borges isn't going to be allowed to leave his current club on the cheap, however, so Everton will have to splash the cash if they are to get their man. A new update has now emerged regarding his future, with his price tag revealed.

What's the latest on Goncalo Borges to Everton?

According to the Sunday Mirror [via Goodison News], Porto will accept an offer for £13m for the winger's services this summer, should Everton "decide to take an initial interest further".

It is stated that the Portuguese don't want to lose Borges at this point in his career, however, with Braga also mentioned as potential suitors in the report.

While Everton's interest in the young attacker appears to be relatively tentative at the moment in time, £13m does seem like a reasonable amount to spend on someone with a high ceiling who is just getting started in his career.

Granted, he is yet to actually score or assist for Porto, which suggests that he wouldn't solve the Blues' attacking woes too much, but could be viewed as a long-term acquisition who may be a squad player to begin with, eventually becoming a key man as the years pass.

What is clear is that Everton still need to sign a more proven option, however – Gnonto and Ekitike are also very young players who aren't yet the finish article as well, just like Borges – in order to not rely on Dominic Calvert-Lewin too much moving forward.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

The Englishman continues to be plagued by injuries and Neal Maupay is not an adequate replacement to lead the line, having scored and assisted just once apiece in 30 appearances since arriving from Brighton, which is a terrible return for any striker.

In terms of Borges, though, Everton should do all they can to bring him in, especially if Gnonto ends up staying put at Leeds United, giving Sean Dyche more options in attack and bringing much-needed positivity to the fanbase, at a time when it arguably feels at a real low point.

In the search for more defensive reinforcements, Crystal Palace are exploring the chance of signing a player from a fellow London club…

What’s the latest Crystal Palace transfer news?

According to the Daily Mail, the Eagles have 'shown an interest' in signing Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu this summer.

However, given Jurrien Timber’s devastating ACL injury, the right-back could be set for a more prominent role in the squad.

Would Takehiro Tomiyasu be a good signing for Crystal Palace?

Tomiyasu joined Arsenal in the summer of 2021 for a reported fee of £16m.

Upon his arrival, Mikel Arteta was extremely satisfied with the signing and said:

“Takehiro is a strong defender with good experience in Serie A and at international level. He’s a versatile defender with great defensive qualities, high technical ability and composure on the ball. He will be an important member of our squad.”

Since then, the 32-cap international has accumulated 55 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners. In his debut year in the English capital, Tomiyasu made 20 Premier League starts, averaging 1.7 tackles per game, completing 60% of his dribbles, and winning 55% of his duels.

However, the £55k-per-week titan’s progress has been hampered by injury issues, having missed 23 games in two years due to separate knee and calf problems.

Tomiyasu is still highly regarded in the Arsenal dressing room, with teammate Ben White saying:

“Tomi is amazing. He’s always focused, it’s an honour to play next to him.

“Tomi does the simple things at a world-class level. He is very alert and he isn’t careless in games.”

White’s comments are supported by Tomiyasu’s quality in the defensive and offensive thirds. The former is showcased by his rank in the best 11% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for tackles per 90, interceptions per 90, and aerials won per 90.

The Japan "warrior" – as he was once lauded by former teammate Mitchell Dijks – has also displayed he is technical and comfortable on the ball, sitting within the highest 1% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for progressive passes per 90, as well as the best 21% for pass completion per 90 and touches in the attacking penalty area per 90.

Ironically, the 24-year-old was sent off against Palace in Arsenal’s tense 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park on Monday evening, but given the evidence above, he could be an incredibly useful asset for Roy Hodgson and could potentially form an eye-catching partnership on the right with Michael Olise.

The winger had been expected to join Chelsea, who looked to set to activate his £35m release clause, but Olise opted to sign a new £80k-per-week contract at Palace, keeping him at the club for another four years.

The joyous technician is of insurmountable importance to the South London outfit, as last term, he was the first Palace player to register 10 or more assists in a single top-flight campaign and became the youngster ever Premier League player to record three assists from open play in one match. As a result, he was named the club’s Players’ Player of the Season.

Given Tomiyasu’s defensive solidity and Olise’s attacking exuberance, they could be a highly effective combination.

As he prepares for his third Test in Cape Town, Nathan Lyon cannot have more conflicting memories of any other venue in the game.In 2011, he was playing the fourth match of his career when he top-scored at No. 11, amid Australia’s razing for 47 on an incomprehensible second day. In 2014, he had a ringside seat to Michael Clarke’s battering by Morne Morkel, David Warner’s twin centuries and Ryan Harris’ heroics in the final half-hour to secure the match and series for Australia.This time around, the Australians are seeking to forge ahead in another seesaw encounter with South Africa, and Lyon is hopeful Steven Smith’s team will be able to emulate the feats of four years ago, rather than the ignominy of three years prior.”It was one of the most exciting Test series, especially coming off the Ashes and the way we played at Centurion and then them bouncing back at PE,” Lyon said. “To come here and the way it planned out with Ryan Harris basically bowling with one leg and bowling Morne with about two overs to go was exceptional.”They are the type of moments that you sit here and look back on your career and weigh them up as some of the best games you’ve been part of. They’re the ones you want to play, they’re the ones you do pre-season for, where you win on the last day, last hour and to see Ryno (Harris) do that after Pup (Clarke) scored his brilliant 100 and I think Davey (Warner) scored one [in each innings] as well, they’re the type of games and series you want to be a part of and games you want to put your hand up and be a part of.”From the vantage point of 2018, it is difficult to picture exactly how young in the game Lyon truly was in 2011, for he was not only in his second Test series but less than a year into his first-class career, having been plucked from the Adelaide Oval ground staff to be part of South Australia’s Twenty20 squad, and from there playing in the Sheffield Shield and then with Australia A.The whirlwind was rather reflected in the tumble of 23 wickets on day two of the Test, including the eye-popping scoreline of 21 for 9 in Australia’s second innings when Lyon walked to the middle. “You’ve got to be pretty good to top-score for your country,” he quipped. “I’ve been on both ends of the spectrum, obviously when you get bowled out for 47 it is not the best feeling, but we came back a couple of years later to win the way we did was exceptional.”It happened pretty quick to be honest, I think I walked out to bat when we were 9 for 21 in the 11th over, I’m not usually padded up in the 11th over or trying to pad up in the ninth. It was a little bit different. It’s another story in my career, some days you have your day out and big Vernon Philander did that day.”Nathan Lyon top-scored with 14 as Australia collapsed for 47•AFP

Usman Khawaja, another member of that squad, recalled the panic of the moment, even as it related to fetching batting gloves for members of the playing XI. “I remember that when we got South Africa out in that first innings and went to bat in that second innings, it was Pat Cummins and Trent Copeland who were doing 12th with me,” he told . “And I just said ‘boys, I did my gym session earlier in the day, go do your gym session now, I’ll take care of this, we’re batting. This’ll be easy.'”At Cape Town, the Twelfthy sits right down the bottom and there are about 70 stairs to climb. Every time there was a wicket I would run up those stairs. A couple of times I ran up the stairs to get someone’s gloves and by the time that I got up there they were out so I had to put the stuff back down and grab the other kit. It really was unbelievable.”It is always a good reminder to myself and I think to anyone that the game is never won and you can never get too far ahead of yourself. Even in my head I thought that we had a lead of about 200 and even if we got 150 that is game over; it is very hard to chase 350 in the last innings. And we were obviously 9 for 21. You never get ahead of yourself in this game and that very much reminded me of that.”This week, Lyon will be hoping to play a part in generating a similar tumble of South Africa wickets, in a series where he has oscillated between rapid breakthroughs – Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla in his first over of the series, Elgar and AB de Villiers in the second innings at Port Elizabeth – and longer, more barren spells.”I don’t know what he’s trying to do hitting me through square leg twice,” Lyon joked about his two caught-and-bowled dismissals of Elgar. “But it’s another good challenge you always have with different cricketers around the world. I bowled five balls and got him out twice but I also bowled 20 overs in the first innings and couldn’t get him out once, so it’s a challenging one but it’s a good challenge, it’s Test cricket.”You’re bowling to the best batters in the world so it’s a great challenge whether left-hander or right-hander. I’ve enjoyed it because it’s different conditions to what we’re used to at home, we know they play some really good cricket, they beat us at home last time, their unit’s a strong side. I’ve enjoyed the challenge, if I challenge myself against the best players in the world I’m doing my job and pretty happy with it. So to come up against the likes of AB and Faf [du Plessis] and these guys and Hashim it’s the challenge you want.”Undistracted by the Kagiso Rabada saga, Lyon said the Australian bowlers had taken some heart from the way they troubled the South Africa top order in their chase for a meagre 101 to win at St George’s Park. “If I’m being honest, if you give us another 100 runs it’s game on,” he said. “I know the bowling unit took a little bit out of that last innings. I know I took a little bit out of it.”There are a couple of little things that we can hopefully put into play for a certain number of their top-order batsmen. PE was pretty disappointing but I think we played about 40%, if I’m being honest, and we got pretty close to them. The way I’m looking at it, if we play to our full strength, it should be a good result.”More 2014 than 2011.