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The left-arm spinner has roots in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu but his loyalty is undivided

Firdose Moonda02-Oct-2019Senuran Muthusamy’s mother may be “over the moon” with her son’s Test debut, but it is his grandmother who can take a major share of the credit for his success. After all, she used to give a young Senuran throwdowns in the back garden, something he described to Durban’s as his “fondest childhood memory”. Those sessions were also the early stages of his career development. It’s where he discovered he wanted to play sport for a living.Muthusamy followed a fairly straightforward route through the school and age-group structures. He represented the Kwa-Zulu Natal province from Under-11 to Under-19 level, but remained hesitant to believe he could become a professional cricketer. On leaving Clifton College, Muthusamy completed a bachelor’s degree in social science from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, specialising in media and marketing. All the while, he continued playing provincial cricket. Eventually, his grandmother’s efforts paid off and he made it into the Dolphins team in the 2015-16 season as a top-order batsman.”He had the ability to bowl but his batting was always the main thing,” Imraan Khan, the current coach of Dolphins and Muthusamy’s former team-mate, told ESPNcricinfo.Muthusamy provided proof of that ability by opening the batting and scoring a career-best 181 against the Knights in January 2017, but it was a short-lived stint at the top. That same season, his left-arm spin took centre stage. “His batting just dropped off a bit but his bowling went to another level.”Muthusamy finished second on the franchise’s first-class bowling chart in the 2017-18 season, with 33 wickets in ten matches at 26.54. He scooped four prizes at the Dolphins’ annual awards, including Player of the Year, and was firmly on his way to bigger things. Imraan was particularly impressed with Muthusamy’s discipline and believed it would not be long before the national team came calling. “He has a super work ethic. He is very focused, he knows what he wants to achieve and how to achieve it.”South Africa’s tour to India, which would require more spin resources than usual, presented the ideal opportunity for Muthusamy to get a look-in. Imraan was surprised neither by Muthusamy’s selection, nor the fact that he made his debut as early as in the first Test: “The potential was always there.”Though Muthusamy only bowled five overs on the opening day, Imraan believes he has plenty to offer as the match and the series unfolds. “He is more of an attacking spinner and bowls it slower through the air than Keshav (Maharaj). And he is very clever, he plays around with his angles.”Maharaj did most of the legwork on day one and has already become a mentor of sorts to Muthusamy. Whenever availability and conditions allowed, Imraan played the two of them together at the Dolphins since they “feed off each other”, forming a formidable duo. And that’s not all they have in common.Like Maharaj, and at least another 1.3 million other South Africans, Muthusamy traces his ancestry back to India, and still has family in Nagapattinam, a town 300 kilometres south of Chennai. On the same coast, albeit a further 800 kilometres away in Visakhapatnam, Muthusamy made his Test debut and acknowledged there is some significance in the sense of place.”My forefathers are from the south of India in Tamil Nadu, so it’s been really special,” Muthusamy said.He described his family culture as “very much Indian”, professing to a love for yoga and being a frequent temple-goer. However, he said his roots do not run deep enough to divide his loyalties.”I am firmly South African. I am quite a few generations down the line. I unfortunately don’t speak Tamil so I am a thoroughbred South African but there’s no getting away from that – our origins are in India”.More pressingly, there is no getting away from the situation South Africa find themselves in, with India’s openers having piled on a stand of 202 and little sign that either Rohit Sharma or Mayank Agarwal will be removed easily. South Africa’s attack has toiled hard, and bowled relatively well, with no reward, which has taught Muthusamy how tough Test cricket is.”You’ve got to be competing every ball. You’ve just got to hang in there, you’ve just got to plug away and just try gain control from that,” he said.Muthusamy is sure the surface, which he described as a “good cricket wicket”, will take turn as the match progresses, allowing the spinners to come into play. “This wicket has been under cover for quite a few days but we know that it’s been dry, really, really dry, even though its been under covers and it’s been dusty. It will deteriorate through the game.”That could give him a chance to come into the game but may not bode well for South Africa’s line-up, which only features six specialist batsmen.Unless, of course, Muthusamy can call on some of those childhood training sessions and show off what Imraan believes he really is – a genuine allrounder.

It is believed another West Ham player is now eyeing a deadline day exit after Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals, with one club even opening talks to sign him before the cut-off at 11pm.

Benrahma closing on Lyon move after Fornals agrees Betis terms

As we fast approach the end of this January transfer window, it appears we may now be making some headway regarding the future of wantaway winger Benrahma.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024

With the January transfer window coming towards its conclusion, FFC has all the info for tracking your club’s winter transfer activity.

By
Luke Randall

Feb 1, 2024

Earlier this week, we relayed news from Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth that West Ham agreed a deal with Lyon over the Algerian's exit, but supporters have been forced to wait a little while longer for the player to actually agree to it.

Now, it is believed Benrahma has reached an agreement on personal terms with Lyon as he makes his way to France for a medical. Barring any hiccups in the process, both West Ham and Lyon are now hopeful a full transfer can be completed before tonight's deadline.

Before Benrahma's pending move to Lyon, it was reported that midfielder Fornals has also agreed terms with Real Betis – who are currently managed by former West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini.

The issues stalling that particular move are between Betis and the Hammers, who are yet to agree on an actual fee for the Spaniard. However, Fornals does want to make the move to La Liga, as again reported by Sheth.

These potential outgoings could help to free up squad space and funds for West Ham to bring in a desired left-winger, which has been widely rumoured as a real item on the agenda for manager David Moyes.

It's therefore imperative that the club seal transfers away for unwanted fringe members of Moyes' squad, and news has come to light on another player who could depart the London Stadium today.

Maxwel Cornet wants to leave with West Ham in Palace talks

Indeed, as reported by Ed Aarons of The Guardian, West Ham winger Maxwel Cornet would like a move to Crystal Palace and "talks are continuing" over a deal.

The Ivorian recently got on West Ham's scoresheet in a 2-2 draw away to Sheffield United, but that is one of the rare cameos Cornet has made under Moyes since his arrival from Burnley in 2022.

Cornet's West Ham stats in all competitions since joining from Burnley	Number (via Transfermarkt)
Appearances	31
Goals	1
Assists	6
Yellow cards	1
Minutes played	914

Called a "handful" on his day by former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell (Football Insider), this hasn't done enough for Moyes to play him more often, and it is perhaps best if he seeks to revive his career elsewhere.

Mitchell Santner and Todd Astle are also part of the squad for the two-Test series as New Zealand return to action after the World Cup drama

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Jul-2019

William Somerville took New Zealand towards an unlikely win on debut•Getty Images

New Zealand have named four spinners in their squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka which marks the beginning of the World Test Championship for both teams.Offspinner Will Somerville and left-armer Ajaz Patel are reunited after their role in helping New Zealand to their 2-1 victory over Pakistan in the UAE last year. They are joined by Mitchell Santner, who played his last Test in December 2017 before being sidelined by injury, and legspinner Todd Astle who made his debut in Colombo seven years ago.Neither Santner or Astle were part of the success over Pakistan with Patel making his debut in the opening game of the series in Abu Dhabi where his 5 for 59 in the second innings secured a gripping four-run win. Then in the deciding match Somerville, making his Test debut at 34, bagged seven wickets in the game – alongside another five for Patel – as New Zealand won by 123 runs.”Playing three spinners is an option in Sri Lankan conditions and we believe this group provides the best variations and skill mix on offer,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said. “England were playing three spinners against Sri Lanka on their successful visit there last year and the slow bowlers also dominated the previous series against South Africa.”The dominance of spin in the squad leaves just three frontline quicks – Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner – alongside the medium pace of Colin de Grandhomme. It means that Lockie Ferguson, who was one of the stars of the World Cup, will have to wait for a Test debut although with series against England, Australia and India to come over the next six months it is likely to just be a matter of time.The rest of the squad is as expected with a settled top order. Tom Blundell, who was part of the World Cup squad, has been included as back-up to BJ Watling.After taking time to reflect on the dramatic end to the World Cup, Stead said it is good to be able to get back to playing with a new structure to Test cricket under the WTC which begins with the Ashes series on Thursday. “It’s good timing for us after the World Cup,” he said. “It was an incredible time for the team and the country, but we’re now excited to move forward as a group and sink our teeth into another opportunity.”Kane Williamson called the restructuring of Test cricket – with nine teams playing each other over a two-year cycle culminating in a final at Lord’s in June 2021 – “exciting and refreshing”.”Obviously every side is going to be fighting for that opportunity to play in the final,” New Zealand’s captain said, “But I guess as we’ve seen and felt, even in a World Cup which is over two months, the focus is on the immediate challenge ahead and what you need to try and do. To negotiate those challenges to give yourself the best chance to what is a long long time away. And I suppose over two years you are going to be see a number of different players potentially involved in different squads around the world because it is such a long period of time and the conditions are so different wherever you are playing in the world. So a pretty exciting new competition that I know all the guys are looking forward to getting involved.”Squad Kane Williamson (capt), Todd Astle, Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Jeet Raval, Will Somerville, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling

Watch on Hotstar (India only) – Match highlightsA wild, seesawing game that always seemed just a little too far out of Pakistan’s reach proved to be just that at the end, with Australia wrapping up a 41-run victory that was far nervier than the scorecard suggested. It came about thanks to a century from David Warner at the top end, coupled with generosity to the point of self-sacrifice from Pakistan both with the ball and in the field. Australia were so far on top in the first half of the first innings, talk of 350 and 400 rolled easily off the tongue, until a vintage performance from Mohammad Amir curtailed them to 307, his five-for bowling out a side that hadn’t lost a single wicket for 22 overs.Pakistan, in response, oscillated between dismal and distinguished. Babar Azam looked princely for a knock that lasted all of 28 deliveries, before an 80-run partnership between Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez looked to have put Pakistan on top. Another collapse, this one entirely of Pakistan’s own making, followed, before a late rearguard by Hasan Ali and Wahab Riaz put the fear of God into Australia. They usually win such games, however, and Pakistan tend to find a way to lose them. In that sense – but strictly in that sense alone – this was business as usual.Watch on Hotstar (India only) – Warner’s centuryThis was such a disjointed game it’s hard to know where to pick it up and thread it all together. Was it Warner’s knock, the shackles that bound him so tightly against India (mostly) thrown off, the innings that set the tone for the day? Certainly not, in all frankness. Pakistan dropped catches, allowed overthrows, and committed errors in the field which were criminal enough to have interested the local constabulary, not just Mickey Arthur. In the meantime, they had Shaheen Afridi endure one of the worst games of his career, undoing much of the good work the excellent Amir had done at the other end with the new ball. At first change, Hasan didn’t enjoy a much better day either, and with no semblance of a plan Pakistan’s bowlers were following, Aaron Finch and Warner made hay for the best part of half the innings.Finch benefitted the most from sloppiness in the field, which saw Asif Ali put him down in the slips. It was a position he should never have been fielding in, but Babar was deputising at point for Shadab Khan, controversially left out altogether in favour of an all-seam attack and Hafeez and Shoaib Malik in the middle order. Wahab also saw Warner put down by the same man at third man, an even easier take if possible, and with Hafeez struggling badly against Finch and Glenn Maxwell, Pakistan were running out of players to turn to.Amir was superb, in sharp contrast to his team-mates. He seemed to know exactly what would work on this surface, and that is a trait of Amir’s that hasn’t quite been appreciated of late, with the focus more squarely on why he wasn’t picking up wickets. He managed to fulfil roles of both container and strike bowler in one – and boy did he need to. It wasn’t until his final over, where he took two wickets and bowled Australia out, that he completed his five-for, remarkably the first of his ODI career. In an innings that saw 307 runs scored, his figures read 10-2-30-5.Pakistan might have taken heart from that second half of the first innings, but all of that seemed to have been lost in the lunch interval. Australia started tightly, save a first-ball no-ball that shouldn’t have been called. By the third over, Fakhar Zaman’s patience had run out, and he lashed out at Pat Cummins, only succeeding in slicing the ball to third man, in a similar position to where Asif had put Warner down a couple of hours earlier. Richardson on the boundary was far more ruthless, and Pakistan immediately found themselves on the back foot.Babar was the big hope, and if shots counted for more based on their elegance and beauty, Pakistan might have wrapped this up in the 28 balls he was around. They fetched seven fours, each more graceful than the last, and it appeared as if this would be the day Babar stood tall in a World Cup game and became the de facto leader of this young side. What he did instead was painful to see, no matter who you supported, throwing away a start of that kind by pulling loosely at a short delivery that carried to fine leg.Mohammad Amir celebrates his five-wicket haul•Getty Images

The following partnership was the last time Pakistan could aspire to win the game through normal cricketing strategy. Imam and Hafeez were well in control in the middle overs. Mitchell Starc had been seen off, and when brought back, was seen off once more. But Australia persisted with tactics they had clearly worked on, Cummins frustrating Imam down the leg side until the opener swiped at one and gloved through to Alex Carey instead. Hafeez’s dismissal was even more farcical, with the right-hander holing out off a knee-high Finch full toss on the midwicket boundary, and when Shoaib and Asif fell within the next three overs, a big defeat looked inevitable.What followed was what will in hindsight make this game memorable, a breezy cameo from Hasan taking Pakistan to 200. Sarfaraz Ahmed and Wahab then found themselves batting out time for a while, before suddenly appearing to realise they had taken the game deep, and with run rate not really an issue, were in with a shot of winning it. That was when Wahab took the attack to Maxwell using a concoction of luck and brute force, waking the heavily pro-Pakistan crowd up to the same epiphany. The target was under 50, the asking rate under seven. Would this finally happen for Pakistan?Australia, however, had quashed such a revolution just last week, when West Indies came much closer to threatening an unlikely win. As they had done then, they turned the ball over to Starc. In his second over back, he coaxed a feathered edge from Wahab, so faint Finch nearly didn’t review Australia’s unsuccessful appeal. Amir was beaten by a low full toss a couple of balls later, and Pakistan’s back had finally been broken. There was even time for a comedy run-out to cap off things.It was a fitting way for things to end, with a clutch Australia having signed off the game in nerveless, ruthless fashion. The last sight for Pakistan will have been their captain stranded in the middle of the pitch, bails being dislodged by a direct hit. It might just have been 41 runs, but in that moment, the contrast look like a chasm.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy may yet sign a £60 million "big talent" for Ange Postecoglou, as journalist Darren Lewis of The Daily Mirror explained this week.

Spurs grant Postecoglou wish by sealing early January deals

The north Londoners have moved swiftly and impressively in this transfer window, securing deals for Timo Werner on loan from RB Leipzig and defender Radu Dragusin in a £25 million deal from Genoa.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024

With the January transfer window coming towards its conclusion, FFC has all the info for tracking your club’s winter transfer activity.

ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024

Tottenham also remain in talks to sign Antonio Nusa from Club Brugge in a buy-to-loan-back deal, with the Lilywhites looking to steal a march on their rivals by snapping up the 18-year-old quickly.

These moves come after Postecoglou expressed his desire for Spurs to get deals done early this month, a wish which was granted by Levy and the wider recruitment team.

"If you can bring them in early, even if they don't play you can bed them into training and our style of football because it's not like we're going to sign somebody and they'll hit the ground running," said Postecoglou on the importance of early January signings.

Timo Werner

Arrival (Leipzig, loan)

Radu Dragusin

Arrival (Genoa, permanent)

Djed Spence

Exit (Genoa, loan)

Eric Dier

Exit (Bayern, loan)

Ashley Phillips

Exit (Plymouth, loan)

Sergio Reguilon

Exit (Brentford, loan)

Japhet Tanganga

Exit (Millwall, loan)

Ivan Perisic

Exit (Hajduk Split, loan)

"Whereas if you leave it towards the end of January, it's potentially not until mid to end of February when they get up to speed, depending where they're coming from, the league they're coming from. So there's a whole lot of moving parts. So yes, I'd love to do something early in the window but even me saying that puts a challenge on us – because other clubs know we want to do something early."

Tottenham heavily linked with Conor Gallagher

After completing the aforementioned deals, it has been widely reported that Spurs could turn their attention towards signing Conor Gallagher from Chelsea.

Time is running out for the club, though, as we approach deadline day next week. Postecoglou is rumoured to be keen on a new midfielder, especially if Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg departs before February 1.

Gallagher is really liked by Postecoglou and Tottenham (Fabrizio Romano), though reports suggest he's valued at around £60 million.

Concern Gallagher could join Spurs in January

Now, Mirror journalist Lewis has shared an update on the matter when speaking to the Last Word on Spurs podcast. He believes Tottenham signing the "big talent", as proclaimed by Frank Lampard, is still very much on the cards this month.

Lewis claimed Gallagher joining Spurs remains a possibility and the reporter is concerned he'll be sacrificed by Chelsea.

“My concern is that he will be sacrificed," Lewis said.

"He’s a terrific player. I’m not sold on the idea that it would be impossible for him to come to Spurs and here’s why. I didn’t think Chelsea would sell Mason Mount to a rival, and they sold him to Man Utd for £60m. He was a poster boy for the academy, I just think as far as Gallagher is concerned there is that problem with PSR with Chelsea. I think he would be an excellent fit for Spurs, and working for a manager like Postecoglou who puts his arm around a player, I think Gallagher could really settle down.

“This is a Spurs podcast so we won’t dwell too much on Chelsea, but I think there is a possibility that Gallagher could come, yes.”

Surrey batsman suffered shoulder dislocation that will require surgery and could see him miss most of the season

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Apr-2019

Ollie Pope receives his Test cap from Alec Stewart•Getty Images

England’s stock of potential batting candidates for a summer that includes the World Cup and an Ashes series has been further hit by the news that Surrey’s Ollie Pope is likely to miss most of the season after dislocating his shoulder.News that Pope will require surgery on his left shoulder follows confirmation of Sam Billings, England’s likely back-up for the World Cup, being sidelined for three-five months with a similar injury.Surrey said that the club hoped Pope would be back in action “towards the back end of the current 2019 domestic season”. Pope has not been capped in limited-overs cricket but could have been in contention for England’s Test team to face Australia.A Surrey statement said: “After suffering an injury while fielding during Tuesday’s Royal London Cup victory over Essex at the Kia Oval, the 21-year-old was confirmed to have dislocated his shoulder. Having since visited a specialist, he has been advised that surgery would be the best course of action.”It is hoped he will return to first-team cricket towards the back end of the current 2019 domestic season.”Pope made his Test debut last summer, playing twice against India, and was part of the squad that toured Sri Lanka. He was subsequently released to join up with the Lions, but began the season with a career-best 251 in Surrey’s Champion County fixture against MCC.

Manchester United will reportedly wait until the end of the season to decide Erik ten Hag's future, with some players believing his "fate is sealed".

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• Ten Hag's future hanging in the balance
• Crystal Palace defeat could cost him dearly
• INEOS to make call after FA Cup final

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Following Tuesday night's humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace, former United players, including Michael Owen and Paul Scholes, called for Ten Hag's immediate dismissal, with suggestions that his assistant, Steve McClaren, could potentially fill in on an interim basis. Despite the public outcry, according to , United have no plans to part ways with Ten Hag before the FA Cup final showdown against eternal rivals Manchester City on May 25.

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• Getty
  

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  Nonetheless, the report adds that there is feeling among the squad members that Ten Hag's fate is already "sealed" and he will be shown the door at the end of the campaign. There are said to be communication issues between the manager and the players, while there is a larger belief that the manager lacks "motivational skills and empathy" which have exacerbated concerns regarding his leadership this season.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Qualification for either the Europa League or the Europa Conference League remains a possibility, but United must pick up maximum points in their remaining league fixtures to stand a chance and simultaneously hope that other results go in their favour. Winning the FA Cup would offer a direct route to Europa League qualification, although overcoming Manchester City in the final presents a daunting task.

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  Currently languishing in eighth place in the Premier League table, United face an arduous task in their remaining fixtures against Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Brighton. They have their backs against the wall and this could inspire them to play fearless football when they host Mikel Arteta's troops on Sunday in a Premier League fixture.

Sunderland made the controversial decision to sack Tony Mowbray last Monday, having been in charge of the Black Cats for the past 15 months and overseeing a run to the Championship playoffs last season.

The club in the North East had been on a poor run of form under the experienced coach, losing twice to Huddersfield Town and Plymouth Argyle and getting nothing but a point away at Millwall before the board decided to pull the trigger on Mowbray’s time in charge.

Despite an impressive victory at the weekend under caretaker boss Mike Dodds, Sunderland’s hierarchy will have been working tirelessly to find Mowbray’s long-term replacement in the Stadium of Light dugout and have an impressive name on the list.

Sunderland manager news – Kim Hellberg

It was reported last week that Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus was set to meet with IFK Varnamo head coach Kim Hellberg about becoming the new manager.

The Swedish trainer had worked wonders with Varnamo in the Allsvenskan, guiding the side with the lowest budget in the division to a tenth-place finish in his first season with the club. Varnamo followed this up by ending the 2023 campaign in fifth which is an incredible achievement, before the 35-year-old announced that he was stepping down from his position at the end of his contract this month.

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Hellberg has built up his reputation in Sweden and even earned massive praise from his assistant coach David Selini, who called Kim the “brightest football mind [he’s] come across”. This bright, young mind could be the perfect successor for Mowbray at the Stadium of Light.

Kim Hellberg’s style of play

Hellberg comes from the German school of coaching in which his teams want to have the ball and to build attacks from the back but use a high press as a process of playmaking to create chances.

During his time with Varnamo, the side managed to pick up 1.38 points per game but this figure increased to 1.5 over the 2023 Allsvenskan campaign, a tally that only four other sides in Sweden’s top-flight bested. In contrast, Mowbray managed to accumulate 1.46 points per game throughout his time in charge of the Black Cats.

Manager

PPG

Matches In Charge

Simon Grayson

0.89

18

Chris Coleman

0.79

29

Jack Ross

1.91

76

Phil Parkinson

1.46

48

Lee Johnson

1.83

78

Alex Neil

1.88

24

Tony Mowbray

1.46

65

Stats via Transfermarkt

The Swede is a tactician with no set formation, preferring his team to be somewhat of a tactical chameleon who can be flexible with their structures from game to game, similar to that of Julian Nagelsmann and Graham Potter’s sides – although Transfermarkt have noted the 4-3-3 as the young coach’s favoured shape.

Mowbray tended to switch between a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1 with Sunderland, so the players certainly won't be unfamiliar with the shape. Additionally, like Hellberg, Mowbray was keen for his team to press high up the pitch to win possession as close to goal as possible. No team in the Championship has more high turnovers that led to a goal than Sunderland this season with five, according to Opta’s data.

Sunderland could look to replicate Queens Park Rangers' success with Marti Cifuentes by bringing Hellberg to the club, despite never having coached in English football.

Having been stuck in a tricky situation when Gareth Ainsworth was dismissed from his position back in October, QPR are on a three-game winning streak and have lost just once in his seven matches in charge. The Spaniard will know Hellberg well from his time in Sweden with Hammarby as the duo faced off against each other three times in the Allsvenskan over the past two seasons. Hellberg came out on top all three times.

29/05/2022

Hammarby 1-2 Varnamo

31/07/2022

Varnamo 1-0 Hammarby

29/05/2023

Hammarby 0-2 Varnamo

Stats via FCTables

Sunderland are currently sitting inside the playoff places and Hellberg could be the man to finally take the side back to the Premier League for the first time in almost seven years.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is keen to strengthen his options in January and is now reportedly on the trail of a talented defender, according to reports.

Manchester City transfer updates…

Manchester City are never far away from the headlines with regards to transfer stories and the present reality of their activity in the market is no different, as Guardiola looks to assemble a squad capable of continuing their domination in recent English football history.

In the summer, Jeremy Doku, Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes and Josko Gvardiol arrived in Manchester and fed into a quality-over-quantity recruitment approach at the Etihad Stadium, which looks to have paid dividends so far as the Blues sit at the summit of the Premier League table with 28 points from their opening 12 fixtures.

Nevertheless, Manchester City aren't showing any signs of slowing down on the transfer front and are believed to be admirers of Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves; however, a summer swoop for the Portugal international is more likely than any approach in the January transfer window, according to Football Insider. Newcastle United are also keen on the former Wolverhampton Wanderers captain, who is expected to leave the Saudi Pro League side despite only arriving in the Middle East earlier this year.

Looking to the future, Manchester City are in contention to land St Patrick's Athletic wonderkid Sam Curtis, though the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international is on the agenda of a plethora of clubs, including Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Hull City, Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.

St Patrick's are expecting Curtis to leave Richmond Park during the off-season in Ireland, which will run until around mid-February, given that the football season in the country is scheduled differently to the United Kingdom's summer-to-summer system. Now, a fresh report has suggested that Manchester City are in the hunt for another young individual to bolster their backline, albeit someone with a significantly higher reputation already.

Manchester City looking to sign Arouna Sangante

As per Football Insider, Manchester City are keen on Le Havre defender Arouna Sangante, who has helped his side record five clean sheets in Ligue 1 this term. The Senegalese centre-half has also attracted interest from Manchester United and Chelsea in recent times and is believed to be available in the January window, following Le Havre owner Vincent Volpe's decision to give FIFA agent Willie McKay a brief to try and take advantage of his rising stock.

Arouna Sangante statistics in 2023/24 – Ligue 1 (Transfermarkt)
Appearances	10
Goals	0
Assists	0

On the continent, Serie A giants AC Milan and Bundesliga heavyweights Borussia Dortmund are also monitoring developments around the 21 year-old as they search for defensive reinforcements.

Labelling Sangante as a "complete" player, Football Talent Scout – Jacek Kulig has also likened the Dakar-born defender to Real Madrid defender Eder Militao, which is high praise indeed given his young age.

Looking ahead to January, it will be intriguing to see if Manchester City can get a deal over the line for Sangante as Guardiola aims to build for the future at the Etihad Stadium.

Mohamed Salah has been told that he is not a "world-class player", with Manchester United legend Paul Ince pointing out a key flaw in his game.

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Ince explained why Salah is 'not world-class'Liverpool star scored against Ince's former club on SundayEnjoying another fine season for the RedsGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The Egyptian scored his 23rd goal of the season in all competitions for Liverpool on Sunday as they played out a 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford, and remains one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League despite his 32nd birthday fast approaching. However, former United midfielder Ince believes the technical side of his game could be improved, which prevents him from being counted as world-class.

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Speaking to , Ince said: "I think his record speaks for itself. Is he a world-class player? Technically, I wouldn't say so. I think sometimes when he cuts in on his left foot, putting balls into the box, they are not great. But as far as a world-class player scoring goals and making things happen, I think yes."

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Salah's journey at Liverpool has been remarkable since he arrived from Roma in 2017. With 32 goals in 36 Premier League appearances in his debut season, Salah showcased his exceptional talent. His goal-scoring prowess has continued throughout his tenure at Anfield, with a total of 209 goals from 340 appearances, placing him third in Liverpool's all-time highest goal-scorers list having surpassed legendary figures such as Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler, and Kenny Dalglish.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR SALAH?

As Liverpool contest a tense title race with Arsenal and Manchester City, Salah remains pivotal at Anfield and needs to step up in the final lap of the season. He has 17 goals this campaign from 25 league appearances and will look to add to his tally when the Reds host Crystal Palace on Sunday. However, before taking on the Eagles, Salah must inspire Liverpool to a win over Atalanta in the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal on Thursday evening.