Monaco are aiming for a dramatic double swoop this summer, eyeing Paul Pogba as they move in on Barcelona outcast Ansu Fati.

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Pogba may be a Monaco player next weekFrench midfielder wants 2026 World Cup spotLigue 1 side still working on Fati moveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Monaco are eager to lock-in the arrival of Fati and are confident of having the deal finalised soon, reports. They will then push to have Pogba unveiled as a Monaco player, which could possibly happen in the next week. The 32-year-old midfielder has been a free agent since the end of last year and is now eligible to play again.

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The French club have reportedly tabled a two-year contract, with the promise of Champions League football and a pivotal role in the squad. Pogba’s move isn’t just about club football, it’s a lifeline to revive his international career. Determined to feature for France at the 2026 World Cup, Pogba is focused on joining a competitive European team, ruling out moves to Saudi Pro League or MLS.

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The 2018 World Cup winner hasn’t played a match since 2022 due to an 18-month doping suspension, but a potential move to Ligue 1 could be on the cards with Monaco, who will be in the Champions League next season and thus have increased pull. Meanwhile, Monaco also believe they will soon land Fati, who was once seen as Lionel Messi’s heir at Barcelona before a string of injury setbacks stalled his progress.

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With Fati’s signing in the works, Le Rocher will soon turn their focus to Pogba. The move may offer the platform he needs to reignite his career and push for a national team return.

Chelsea have now been told that a “world-class” striker “really wants” to move to Stamford Bridge, and a deal would be “pretty easy” to get done.

Blues identify several top strikers as summer targets

The Blues are one of many top Premier League sides with intentions of signing a top striker in the summer transfer window, and they have now started to identify a number of key targets.

There have been suggestions a stunning £151m move could be made for two Real Madrid stars, namely Endrick and Rodrygo, and there is a determination to get a deal over the line, although the Spanish side have no intention of letting either player leave.

Jonathan David has also emerged as a target for Enzo Maresca’s side, who have expressed a strong interest in the Canadian, and there is a feeling the striker could be set for an imminent move to the Premier League.

A development has occurred in the west Londoners’ pursuit of Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram, as they have now leapfrogged Premier League rivals Liverpool in the race for the Frenchman’s signature.

Chelsea set to sign £25m Premier League forward Maresca called "fantastic"

BlueCo are now working on a move for a player Enzo Maresca rates very highly.

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Other targets include the very highly-rated Alexander Isak and Victor Osimhen, with the latter player still thought to be a target, despite a late deal falling through last summer.

Although the move collapsed, Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has now revealed Osimhen would still be keen on a move to Stamford Bridge, while also stating a deal could be relatively straightforward.

The Nigerian said: “We almost got the deal for Victor Osimhen done last summer. The club wanted him, he wanted to come as well. I know exactly where we stopped. If we have to pick it up again in the summer, it’s pretty easy to get it done. He really wants to come.”

"World-class" Osimhen in red-hot form for Galatasaray

After the move to Stamford Bridge fell through last summer, the Nigeria international opted to move to Galatasaray on loan, rather than remaining at Napoli, and he has been extremely impressive in front of goal throughout the campaign.

The 26-year-old is in red-hot form as of late, netting six goals in his last three Turkish Süper Lig games, while he has also impressed in the Europa League, picking up seven goal contributions in as many matches.

Turkish Süper Lig

22

20

4

Europa League

7

6

1

Football writer Matt Barlow has also lauded the Galatasaray star as “world-class”, indicating that he could be a real upgrade on the much-maligned Nicolas Jackson, who has received his fair share of criticism since arriving at Stamford Bridge.

Osimhen is set to be available for just £62m this summer, as a result of a release clause in his Napoli contract, and Chelsea cannot afford to pass up the opportunity to sign a top striker for a very affordable fee.

No T20I return for Beaumont despite stellar form, as Lewis looks to youth ahead of World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Aug-2023Fast bowler Mahika Gaur and wicketkeeper-batter Bess Heath have been named for the first time in England’s white-ball squads for the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka later this month, but there is no 20-over return for Tammy Beaumont, despite her outstanding recent form across formats.Gaur, 17, has earned her call-up after a series of eyecatching displays this summer, most recently for Manchester Originals in her maiden season of the Women’s Hundred. As a left-arm seamer capable of swing from a high release point, she has previously represented UAE in 19 T20Is, and was a key member of the Thunder squad that reached the Charlotte Edwards Cup Finals Day in June.Meanwhile, 21-year-old Heath was part of Northern Diamonds’ Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy-winning side of 2022, making a crucial 44 in their two-run victory over Southern Vipers at Lord’s, and has made a further 249 runs at 41.00 in this year’s campaign. She has also featured in all of Northern Superchargers’ 2023 Hundred matches to date, including a quickfire 23 not out from 10 balls against Trent Rockets last week.Both Gaur and Heath have been part of the England A set-up in recent seasons, including the recent warm-up matches against Australia A ahead of the white-ball leg of this year’s Women’s Ashes.ESPNcricinfo LtdThere’s no return to the T20I set-up for one of England’s stars of that Ashes campaign, however. Beaumont made a career-best 208 in the one-off Test at Trent Bridge, plus key matchwinning performances in the ODI leg of the series, but she’s been overlooked for the shortest format, despite making more history last week with her 118 from 61 balls for Welsh Fire against Trent Rockets, the first century in the Women’s Hundred.Another young star of the women’s set-up, Freya Kemp, returns to the 20-over squad as a specialist batter as she continues to recover from a stress fracture in her back, while fast bowler Lauren Filer – who impressed with her raw speed on debut in the Ashes Test – receives her first T20I call-up.England will be missing a number of star players in the course of the six white-ball matches. Sophie Ecclestone and Sophia Dunkley are being rested from the entire campaign, which begins in Hove on August 31 and ends at Grace Road on September 14, while Nat Sciver-Brunt and Danni Wyatt will miss the T20I and ODI legs respectively, to manage their workloads.”We have named a squad with a good blend of youth and experience and see this as an important series to test the depth of playing pool,” Jon Lewis, England’s head coach, said. “We have some exciting, new young players coming in who we are looking forward to working with.”Mahika [Gaur] is a very exciting talent. Left-arm swing bowlers of over six-foot tall are unique in women’s cricket. Mahika has shown consistently this summer that she is a threat with the new ball and we are excited to see how she performs at international level.”Bess [Heath] is an all-action cricketer who impacts games and is a great fit for us and how we want to play. She impressed in the A team games against Australia earlier in the summer and she also provides cover for Amy Jones with the gloves.ESPNcricinfo Ltd”With a World Cup coming up next year it’s imperative we develop the squad and players can gain international caps and experience. The chance to play at venues around the country is exciting. It’s great the opening fixture against Sri Lanka at Hove is now sold out. After an incredible Ashes summer, we want to maintain momentum on and off the field and look forward to getting started.”Meanwhile, an ECB Development XI will take on Sri Lanka in a warm-up fixture at Arundel on Monday 28 August. The squad will be announced once the final three teams to progress in the Hundred are confirmed.England T20I squad Heather Knight (capt), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Issy Wong, Danni WyattEngland ODI squad Heather Knight (capt), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver-Brunt

Two serial Championship promotion winners will continue to trade blows at the very top of the second tier table as Daniel Farke and Chris Wilder butt heads for their respective sides in Leeds United and Sheffield United.

Combined, the German and the Sheffield-born manager have both managed to pick up a staggering six promotions on their managerial resumes, with another perhaps falling onto their CVs come the close of the dramatic campaign.

Unlike Farke, however, Wilder has been a success in the daunting Premier League, with the ex-Norwich City boss notoriously guilty of falling straight back down to the EFL.

On the contrary, the 57-year-old managed to pull off an unbelievable ninth-place finish for the Blades during the 2019/20 season, as the likes of Billy Sharp and Co played without fear in the big time.

It’s unlikely that the much-loved boss would be able to do this straight away if his side were to sneak back up to the top-flight, but he will hope his team would be able to put in an adequate fight.

After all, if promotion was to be sealed, United would have to be very busy in the transfer window, with the XI below what Wilder could well have at his disposal in a dream scenario…

1 GK – Michael Cooper

Wilder would likely stick by his number one goalkeeper in Michael Cooper if promotion was achieved, with the ex-Plymouth Argyle shot-stopper a revelation in between the sticks for the Blades since joining last summer.

The £2m forked out for the 25-year-old looks to be a bargain now when you consider Cooper has kept 19 clean sheets in second-tier action this season, meaning he might adjust well to the demands of the top-flight.

2 RB – Jonjoe Kenny

Unlike the ‘keeper spot at Bramall Lane, the right-back position has been a problem area in South Yorkshire all campaign long.

The likes of Alfie Gilchrist, Harry Clarke and Femi Seriki have all lined up here this season, but promotion could result in United finally winning long-term target Jonjoe Kenny.

A deal looked as though it was on the table in the January window only for a deal to fall through after the two clubs could not agree a transfer fee.

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The ex-Everton man stands out as an expansive full-back option at current employers Hertha Berlin with seven assists next to his name in the 2. Bundesliga, meaning he could be just what Wilder wants in this part of the pitch.

3 CB – Anel Ahmedhodzic

Anel Ahmedhodzic managed to come away from United’s demoralising relegation at the end of the 2023/24 campaign with his head held high, having won 4.5 duels per clash that season, even as the Blades finished rock bottom of the league.

The Bosnian will be raring to go again in the Premier League with the United titan formidable at the back in the second tier, with his defensive expertise currently seeing 14 clean sheets be picked up.

4 CB – Andrew Omobamidele

Much like the right-back spot, Wilder’s men will be light on numbers in the centre-back department next season with loanee Rob Holding returning back to Crystal Palace.

Therefore, the Blades could attempt to snap up Republic of Ireland international Andrew Omobamidele who is shining out on loan with RC Strasbourg currently, away from parent side Nottingham Forest.

The Irishman has come away from his four Ligue 1 contests to date with a 94% pass accuracy on average, resulting in Omobamidele perhaps striking up a healthy working relationship with the more imposing Ahmedhodzic.

5 LB – Harrison Burrows

Harrison Burrows would love to work alongside Kenny in the full-back positions with the ex-Peterborough United man equally a gung-ho body down the left.

Five goals and three assists have come Burrows’ way subsequently, as the 23-year-old potentially prepares to navigate the tricky step-up soon.

6 CM – Hamza Choudhury

Wilder would be jumping for joy if he could land Hamza Choudhury on a permanent deal after his loan deal from Leicester City expires.

Already, Choudhury has impressed in defensive midfield with three ball recoveries averaged per league clash, on top of the fact the 27-year-old can also gift his team some needed experience by boasting 57 top-flight appearances.

7 CM – Vinicius Souza

To shore up his team even more in the Premier League, Wilder would likely call upon Vinicius Souza to partner the returning Choudhury.

Whilst he has just one goal contribution to shout about in the second tier for 2024/25, the Brazilian has rarely put a foot wrong when battling away for his high-flying team, with 6.9 duels won per match from his 28 league appearances.

In the pits of a relegation battle, the 25-year-old could gift his team some much-needed grit and steel.

8 RM – Ben Brereton Diaz

Away from those who will be picked to be primarily dogged, Wilder will hope Ben Brereton Diaz sticks it out permanently in South Yorkshire to gift his team some firepower up top.

Capable of playing down the right flank or as a traditional centre-forward, the first of these two positions has given the Chilean a lot of joy on his Bramall Lane return, seen in his promising tally of three goals and three assists from 12 league games.

9 CAM – Callum O'Hare

Whilst Rhian Brewster has been given the nod recently in the number ten spot, Callum O’Hare is the likely figure that will be picked here if Premier League football is on the menu.

After all, Brewster has never scored for the Blades in the top flight, meaning he could find himself out of his depth again.

Moreover, O’Hare trumps the ex-Liverpool man’s numbers in the second tier this season, with a glowing eight goal contributions next to Brewster’s lesser seven.

10 LM – Gustavo Hamer

Much like Ahmedhodzic before him, Gustavo Hamer has proven himself in the past as a somewhat Premier League-ready performer for Wilder and Co.

Ten goal contributions were posted by the former Coventry City man even as relegation loomed on the horizon, with his ever-growing total now of eight goals and five assists from 35 second tier games making promotion feel near.