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According to a report by Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur chiefs are now ‘confident’ Lilywhites superstar Son Heung-min won’t be leaving this summer transfer window. 

The Lowdown: Spurs exit claims

Amid all the noise surrounding star striker Harry Kane, with Sky Sports recently lifting the lid on his desire to leave north London, Son still hasn’t signed his new deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The South Korean sensation has been heavily touted to put pen to paper on a £200,000-per-week extension since near the end of last year, but contract talks were put on hold due to the financial difficulties caused by coronavirus.

The Sun also claimed that Kane’s possible exit could spark an exodus of stars from north London, with Son left ‘upset’ and ‘concerned’ over the prospect of losing him.

The Latest: Club chiefs ‘confident’ of keeping Son

In an encouraging claim, Football Insider believe that Spurs chiefs are now ‘confident’ of keeping the 28-year-old despite the saga surrounding Kane and his future with the club.

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The prospect of losing another star attacker would have been a tough pill to swallow for Lilywhites supporters, but FI report Tottenham chiefs are under the firm belief that Son isn’t going anywhere this summer.

As relayed by this report, there has been some speculation over whether the winger could force an exit of his own. However, it appears the club have been boosted in their hopes of keeping hold of Son for now.

The Verdict: Big boost for Spurs…

Apart from Kane, Son was Tottenham’s next best player over the 2020/2021 season – bagging a brilliant 17 goals and ten assists in the Premier League alone (WhoScored).

Son and Kane also formed a devastating partnership, breaking Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton’s previous record of most English top flight combinations for goals in a single campaign (Premier League).

Gary Neville perhaps summed up his quality in the most efficient way, labelling Son an ‘absolutely world class’ player when speaking on Sky Sports (via football.london).

It’s safe to say, as a result, that Spurs supporters can take real encouragement from this Football Insider claim as they continue to await where Kane will be next season.

In other news: ‘I hear from a reliable source’…Journalist drops major Harry Kane claim, find out more here.

Somerset ended the second day of their championship match against Sussex at Hove on 380 for 8, a first innings lead of 43

Richard Walsh25-Apr-2002Somerset ended the second day of their championship match against Sussex at Hove on 380 for 8, a first innings lead of 43.At the end of the day coach Kevin Shine told me: "Overall I’m happy with our performance, lots of positive things have come out of the day. “He continued: “Peter Bowler played a great knock, and was very disappointed to get out just six runs short of his hundred. He’s a true professional, and didn’t like getting out the way that he did."The coach went on: " The boys played well to get that total. There were some good individual knocks. Both the openers Jamie Cox and Matt Wood played really well to put on over a hundred, it was just a pity that we lost some cheap wickets at the end of the day."What were the plans for the morning I asked. Kevin told me: "We will bat on for as long as we can. Both Richard Johnson and Matt Bulbeck can score runs."Had the coach asked for a replacement twelfth man to be sent up for the Sussex second innings I asked. Kevin Shine told me: "Simon Francis will field, and if needs be I will be on standby to do the twelfth man duties!"

Many Wolves fans have been left to buzz as a transfer update emerged on Rayan Ait-Nouri.

As per the Daily Telegraph, the Midlands club are in talks with Angers over a permanent deal for the left-back, following his loan spell at Molineux in the 2020/21 season.

The Wanderers currently have an option to buy him for £20m, but may wait until the announcement of a new manager first of all in order to confirm whether they would like to bring Ait-Nouri back.

The 19-year-old made a great impression among several WWFC supporters for his performances over the course of the last campaign, ranking highly among his teammates in terms of average tackles (1.4), key passes (0.7), dribbles (1.2), pass success (86.1%) and crosses (0.6) per game in the Premier League (Whoscored).

Thus, it is no surprise to hear that a lot of them would like the Frenchman to return, especially given that they can see him play in the flesh with the return of supporters to stadiums.

Wolves fans on Ait-Nouri transfer update

These Wanderers buzzed as the transfer update was shared on Twitter:

“Get the deal done @Wolves. With Bruno having a liking for attacking full backs, I’d say he’s a must have”

Credit: @jaffajub

“Just sign him already, we know talented he is”

Credit: @SamJGollings

“@Wolves Bring. Him. Home”Credit: @jordanjdwilson”£20m for a 19yo who’s already good enough to start is a steal imo, if you wouldn’t take this I fear for your health.”Credit: @haydenbd_”Do it Jeff”Credit: @GeorgeTheStud”Can this week get any better?”Credit: @bestwolvesfanIn other news, find out who Wanderers have pleaded to keep after a transfer update here!

Australia will continue its build-up for the 2003 Cricket World Cup withSuper Challenge II, a three-match series against Pakistan in June to betelecast exclusively on the Nine Network.

Nine Network Australia24-May-2002Australia will continue its build-up for the 2003 Cricket World Cup withSuper Challenge II, a three-match series against Pakistan in June to betelecast exclusively on the Nine Network.The series could also decide who is the world’s fastest bowler withPakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar and Australian paceman Brett Lee bothexpected to play.Super Challenge II will see two matches played under the closed roof ofMelbourne’s Colonial Stadium on Wednesday, June 12 and Saturday, June 15and a third game at The Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday, June 19. Allgames will be day-night matches telecast live by Nine’s Wide World ofSports.The concept is similar to the Super Challenge staged in August 2000 whenAustralia and South Africa become the first teams to play aninternational in an enclosed stadium.With the three-game series falling in the winter football season,Colonial Stadium will be transformed to make it suitable forinternational cricket. The Australian Cricket Board will use a “drop-in”pitch prepared under hothouse conditions at Seymour in Victoria.In Brisbane, a pre-existing wicket will be prepared in co-operation withthe tenant AFL club, the Brisbane Lions.The Wide World of Sports coverage of Game 1 of Super Challenge II willbegin on Wednesday, June 12 at 2.00pm.Simon O’Donnell will host Nine’s broadcasts with Mark Taylor, Ian Healy,Tony Greig, Bill Lawry and Ian Chappell calling the action. RichieBenaud is unavailable due to commitments with Channel 4 in the UK.Also joining Nine’s commentary team for the series will be Mark Waugh,Australia’s leading run-getter in one-day internationals with 8500 runsat an average of 39.35 and a strike rate of 76.83.Wide World of Sports will also use the two matches at Colonial Stadiumto install a new camera position within the closed roof showing anoverhead view of the pitch and the action below.Super Challenge II Telecast TimesGame 1: Wednesday, June 12 at Colonial Stadium: 2.00pm to 6.00pm and7.00pm to 10.15pmGame 2: Saturday, June 15 at Colonial Stadium: 1.00pm to 4.45pm, 5.15pmto 6.00pm and 6.30pm to 9.15pmGame 3: Wednesday, June 19 at The Gabba: 2.00pm to 6.00pm and 7.00pm to10.15pm* Times are AEST. Viewers should check local guides for full telecastdetails.

Events in other sports over the past week have highlighted a phenomenon in cricket that is surprisingly accepted, seemingly without complaint

Lynn McConnell21-Jun-2002Events in other sports over the past week have highlighted a phenomenon in cricket that is surprisingly accepted, seemingly without complaint.It is to do with the ball.Soccer teams in the World Cup have been complaining about changes to the ball which has been used in the Cup, with problems in flight and accuracy resulting from the lighter nature of the ball.Similarly, a change of ball for the New Zealand v Ireland rugby series, has resulted in a torrent of complaints, from both teams, over the changed qualities of the new ball being used.Irish rugby coach Eddie O’Sullivan made a pertinent comment when saying if it was good enough for soccer and basketball to have a standardised ball for use around the world, then why couldn’t rugby? Other sports also play to similar requirements.Why should cricket be any different?It was only the last World Cup in 1999 when controversy broke out over the nature of the ball to be used for the event.You could beg the question: If equipment used, read the ball in this instance, is not the same the world over, why should records be taken seriously?If one make of ball swings more prodigiously than another, does that make one batsman’s effort against one ball, much more significant than for the batsmen who didn’t have to deal with swing? And is one bowler more advantaged because his feats have been achieved by a ball that swung more than one used by his rivals.Similarly, for batsmen who were required to face spin from the ninth or 10th over of the innings as opposed to a batsman who scored runs against an all-pace attack.Admittedly conditions do vary from country to country, and for many reasons this is why different balls have been developed in different countries.But part of the challenge of succeeding in cricket is about being able to play in all conditions, whether batting, bowling or fielding.The sight of Sachin Tendulkar batting in full flight in Australia, England, India or the West Indies is one of the marvels of the game, just as watching Richard Hadlee achieve his feats on all kinds of surfaces was another. Both they, and all the other stars of the game, have managed their feats using different balls in different conditions.So does it really matter whether a uniform ball is used around the world?There is no doubt it would result in quite a different mindset from players and administrators.Having the preferred choice of balls for home conditions has long been regarded as an advantage for playing at home. But why should it be?That advantage could be said to be immediately countered by the wildly risky notion of tossing a coin to allow one side to bat or bowl, depending on their preference.There would be immediate consequences for the ball-making industry, although some of the ball makers could well become local makers for the successful tenderer for the ball contract, working to that company’s specifications.It could also be that the preferred maker of balls for Test matches, is not the preferred maker for the one-day variety of ball with its different colour and less lasting characteristics.Given the requirement to use the same type of ball around the world, there would be less chance of one team manipulating the make of balls available between one Test and the next. And this has happened in the past.The International Cricket Council has been working hard in recent years to regulate in some previously shady areas of the game, is it time for them to consider the use of a standardised ball?With the requirement that lights now be used where they are available when conditions are regarded as too dark to continue, is it time to entertain thoughts of a revolutionary new-coloured ball so that more Test cricket can be played in day-night situations?The ball is central to the game, yet it can have remarkably different qualities around the world. Does it have to be that way, or is one of those features that make cricket different?

Jesse Lingard remains West Ham United’s top priority this summer, according to an ever-reliable source…

What’s the word?

The anonymous but trustworthy ExWHUemployee delivered a fresh update on the situation following a question from one supporter. He said:

“Nope Jesse is still the number one priority.”

In recent weeks, the Irons have been linked to a number of alternative options in the attacking midfield role, ranging from hardly-seen Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Aston Villa bound Emi Buendia – even relegated West Brom playmaker Matheus Pereira has been linked.

Furthermore, there have also been reports suggesting that the Europa League clinching Hammers could miss out on signing him due to his £100k-per-week wage demands, which would put him amongst the club’s highest earners.

As evident by the question posed to Ex, it certainly seems that many in East London were getting a little worried over their prospects of clinching the £20m-rated sensation on a permanent deal.

Fans will be buzzing

Given that uncertainty had started to creep in, it’s hugely encouraging to see Ex make this update.

Lingard has been one of David Moyes’ star performers since his arrival in January, so it’s no wonder the 58-year-old and the fans are absolutely desperate to see him join.

As per WhoScored, the Manchester United outcast provided West Ham with nine goals and four assists, which saw him graded as their second-best season across the campaign, with the 28-year-old recording a 7.22.

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He was only beaten on goals by Tomas Soucek and Michail Antonio (ten apiece), whilst it was the Czech monster who topped the rating charts (7.36).

His performances have drawn high praise indeed, with ex-Hammers centre-back Rio Ferdinand describing him as “amazing” whilst talkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham labelled him “absolutely phenomenal.”

Lingard’s form at the London Stadium even earned him a surprise recall to Gareth Southgate’s England squad – that’s how well he has been performing in recent months and whilst he did not make the final 26-man cohort for the Euros, he’ll have been delighted to have been back involved.

That also gives David Sullivan and co a huge boost as they can now begin talks with Lingard far sooner than expected and if Ex is bang on the money – as he often is – then the chances of seeing the attacking midfield dynamo back in the claret and blue seems quite high.

He’s their top target, so now it’s on the club to get this deal over the line.

AND in other news, Moyes eyes West Ham move for £13.5m-rated “absolute disaster”, he’d be shades of Nasri…

Former Southampton vice-chairman Les Reed has revealed that the club were interested in deals to sign a clutch of Leicester City’s title-winners, as well as some of their more recent stars.

Leicester have a phenomenal track record when it comes to recruitment, bringing in a number of players for small fees and subsequently enjoying exceptional success.

The signings of Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, and N’Golo Kante helped the club achieve one of the great underdog stories in the sport, when they won the Premier League title.

And this season, Youri Tielemans scored a brilliant goal to win the FA Cup final against Chelsea.

Southampton have not had anywhere near the same level of success, finishing 15th in 20/21, 11th in 19/20, 16th in 18/19 and 17th in 17/18. They have not won a major trophy since 1976, when they lifted the FA Cup, though they were runners-up in the League Cup in 2016/17.

Reed, though, has now confirmed that it could have been a very different story, with a number of Leicester players on the club’s radar before they made the move to the Foxes, including Vardy, who has scored 118 Premier League goals, and Tielemans.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Reed said: “Going back to when they won the league, Simpson, Fuchs, Albrighton, Vardy had all been on our radar; Fofana, Tielemans, Maddison, Praet.”

With recent reports suggesting that Scott Parker’s time as Fulham manager could be coming to an end in the next few days, there is one potential replacement for the 40-year-old who could carry on the former England international’s work at Craven Cottage.

According to a report by The Telegraph, the relationship between Parker and both Shahid and Tony Khan has rather considerably broken down following Fulham’s relegation to the Championship last season, with the club’s hierarchy having been in talks with the young manager regarding his position at the club this week.

As a result of these talks, it is expected that Parker will leave the club in the coming days, possibly by mutual consent, with the 40-year-old thought to be in the running to take over from Jonathan Woodgate at Fulham’s promotion rivals Bournemouth.

And, with the Cottagers looking increasingly likely to be on a hunt for a new manager of their own in the not so distant future, there is one standout candidate who could well be Parker’s perfect successor at Craven Cottage – Steve Cooper.

Cooper can continue Parker’s project

Following a season in which Graham Potter had led his Swansea City side to a 10th place finish in the 2018/19 Championship campaign, the appointment of a coach whose only previous experience in management had been with the Liverpool and England youth sides may not filled many of the Swansea fans with confidence.

However, the 41-year-old quickly put any doubt about his managerial capabilities to bed, with the Welsh side going on to enjoy a remarkable, and rather unexpected, season under the previously unknown coach – winning 18, drawing 16 and losing 12 of their 46 Championship fixtures in Cooper’s debut season, subsequently securing a sixth-place finish.

And, although the Swans would eventually lose 3-2 on aggregate to a much-fancied Brentford side in the play-off semi-finals, there were clear signs of improvement made by the club under their new manager – not only in league position but also tactically, with Swansea conceding just eight goals from set-pieces, down from 24 under Potter in the year prior.

The following season, Cooper defied expectations once again, with Swansea winning 23, drawing 11 and losing 12 of their 46 Championship fixtures, this time finishing the season in fourth place with 80 points – 10 more than the previous year.

Their performances in the play-offs also improved, defeating Barnsley 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-final, before – extremely unfortunately – meeting Thomas Frank’s Brentford once more in the final – a game that Swansea would ultimately lose 2-1.

Away from the pitch, Cooper has also gained a reputation for being extremely adept in developing young players – something no doubt helped by the fact the 41-year-old won the U17 World Cup with England – so much so that Premier League sides now offer Swansea the opportunity to loan their youth prospects before making them available to the wider market.

As such, it would very much appear as if the appointment of the man whom Andre Ayew dubbed a “quality” manager at Fulham would not only bring the very real chance of securing an immediate return to the Premier League, but also the potential of developing a young, exciting and attacking side that could well stay in the top flight for longer than Parker managed – leading us to believe that Cooper should very much be top of Khan’s shortlist this summer.

In other news: Khan disaster: Massive Fulham development emerges that’ll surely leave fans devastated

Bashley (Rydal) will play Premier League rivals South Wilts in the Southern Electric Contracting Cup final at the Hampshire Rose Bowl on Friday week, August 2 (5.45pm)

Mike Vimpany23-Jul-2002Bashley (Rydal) will play Premier League rivals South Wilts in the Southern Electric Contracting Cup final at the Hampshire Rose Bowl on Friday week, August 2 (5.45pm).South Wilts scrambled a five-wicket, penultimate ball victory over Rowledge at Lower Bemerton last night, mon.The Salisbury club appeared to be cruising towards a comfortable win, needing seven runs off the final two overs to overhaul a Rowledge total of 104-7.But, after the impressive Jamie Glasson (26) had been run out, South Wilts suffered an attack of the nerves and in a tense finish clinched their cup final slot with just one ball to go.David Lloyd (23) and Chris Yates (22) had earlier begun well for Rowledge, but a five-wicket spell of left-arm bowling by Paul Draper (5-21) derailed their progress.Dave Booton (24) and Nick Morant (20) helped Rowledge, the National Village Championship quarter-finalists, to 104-7 off 20 overs.Jon Nash (19), Rob Wade (18) and Russell Rowe (16) all did their bit for South Wilts, who so nearly came unstuck after Glasson was needlessly run out.

Somerset chief executive Peter Anderson received an interesting picture postcard in his mail earlier this week

Richard Walsh08-Aug-2002Somerset chief executive Peter Anderson received an interesting picture postcard in his mail earlier this week.The picture postcard had been sent to the Somerset boss by a London based family who were holidaying in Greece, who had written to say how thrilled they were that Somerset had won their recent Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy semi final encounter with Kent.The card went on to say that one of their great grandfathers had played for Somerset back in the 1880’s and that they were still in possession of his county cap.The great grandfather’s Somerset cap occupied pride of place in the family home on top of the television set, and the couple attributed the Cidermen’s amazing victory over Kent to it’s presence above the screen.Great grandfather’s cap had brought Somerset good fortune in the semi finals and it was their intention to leave it in place for the final on August 31st in the hope that it would act as the lucky omen again.Mr Anderson told me: "Great grandfather’s cap is now well into it’s second century, and it would be interesting to know who he was and how many times that he played for the county back in the years before we were granted first class status."He continued: "The only trouble is that I can’t read the signature on the card, and even if I could it wouldn’t tell us who great grandfather was."The Somerset boss would be very interested to hear from the couple who sent the card to him from Greece, and just like all Somerset supporters hopes that the cap brings the county good fortune in the Lord’s final against Yorkshire.