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Aston Villa secured themselves European football for next season as they finished seventh in the Premier League table under Unai Emery.

The Villans will be playing in the Europa Conference League and their participation could help their ambitions during the transfer window, as they will be able to offer players a chance to compete on the continent as well as the English top-flight.

One talent the club have been linked with a swoop for is Fenerbahce magician Arda Guler, who is reportedly attracting interest from a host of European teams ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Fabrizio Romano revealed that the exciting youngster is available for a fee of €17.5m (£15m) due to a release clause in his contract with the Turkish side, which could open the door for Villa to swoop in.

What is Arda Guler's style of play?

He is a left-footed wizard who is often deployed as a right winger or attacking midfielder and has the quality to make a big impact in the final third.

The 18-year-old dynamo has the potential to be a dream upgrade for Emery on current Villa winger Leon Bailey, who is also a left-footed forward.

During the 2022/23 campaign, the Jamaica international averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.67 across 26 Premier League starts. He contributed in the final third with four goals to go along with four assists and 0.9 key passes per game.

Bailey ranked 15th in the squad for Sofascore ratings and sixth for chances created per outing, which was led by Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz with 1.2.

Guler, meanwhile, enjoyed a terrific Super Lig campaign with Fenerbahce. The teenager, who was dubbed a “sensation” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, averaged a phenomenal Sofascore rating of 7.48 across 20 appearances, including 11 starts, and chipped in with four goals to go along with three assists and two key passes per match.

His average rating dwarfed Villa's best performer – Luiz (7.10) – and he managed 0.8 more chances created per game than any of Emery's aforementioned stars.

Although it is impossible to predict whether or not he can translate his form for Fenerbahce over to the Premier League, these statistics suggest that the potential is there for Guler to be an outstanding performer for the Villans as a creative winger on the right.

At the age of 18, he is also seven years younger than Bailey and could be an immediate upgrade on the former Bayer Leverkusen man by providing more quality, in his average performance level and his ability to open up defences for his teammates on a regular basis.

Jason Holder has urged his inexperienced West Indies side to “make a mark” during the ODI series against England

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Mar-2017Jason Holder has urged his inexperienced West Indies side to “make a mark” during the ODI series against England.While West Indies’ recent results have not been hugely encouraging – their last ODI action saw them fail to qualify for the final of a tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe – Holder believes his squad contains some richly talented cricketers that require only more experience of international cricket before results start to improve.”The more cricket we play together, the better we’ll become,” Holder said on the eve of the first ODI in Antigua. “We had some new faces come out at the end of last year, in our series in Zimbabwe. I thought we had a pretty decent series but one of the major factors that hurt us was inexperience.”We’ve a very inexperienced side. It’s a relatively young team. But we’re looking to make a mark on the international circuit.”The key thing, Holder says, is to look forward. So there can be no dwelling on the success of the World T20 or the fact that many of the region’s best-known players have been deemed ineligible due to the WICB selection criteria.”The World T20 has gone,” Holder said. “We’ve celebrated that. It was a wonderful achievement a while back now. So it’s important for us to move on. Not to dwell on it – not forget it – but to move on and understand we need to improve our position in the ODI rankings and Test cricket. We need to qualify for the World Cup, that that is our goal.”This feels like a clean slate. We’ve quite a few changes in our administrative part and we have to get accustomed to the new coach, director of cricket and CEO. But it’s important for us to just deal with cricket. That’s the only thing we can control.”It’s a new year. We just came off our domestic competition. Everybody is raring to go. I’m happy with the side I have right now.”While West Indies may adopt a slightly old-school approach to ODI cricket – Kraigg Brathwaite will be expected to provide the anchor role in batting though the 50-overs, with others attacking around him – Holder feels his team also offers aggressive, exciting players who could become well-known over the next few years.”Shai Hope came off a very good tour in Zimbabwe and followed up starting the year well in our domestic competition,” Holder said. “We’ve got young exciting cricketers like Rovman Powell and Jason Mohammed. From the fast-bowling point, there’s Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph. So we’ve an inexperienced side but we’re looking to make a mark on the international circuit.”They’re ranked higher than us. We’ve got some way to go in terms of catching up in the rankings. We just want to tick off our process boxes in terms of what we set out to achieve as a group. Our main thing is to be a lot more consistent than we have been in the past and I think once we do that we can be moving in the right direction.”

Giles Clarke, head of the ICC’s Pakistan Task Force, has cautioned that bringing international cricket back to Pakistan will be an arduous process requiring “a lot of time and hard work”

Danyal Rasool28-Jan-2017Giles Clarke, president of the England and Wales Cricket Board and chairman of the ICC’s Pakistan Task Force, has cautioned that bringing international cricket back to Pakistan will be an arduous process requiring “a lot of time and hard work”.Clarke arrived in Lahore on Saturday – his first visit to the country as head of the Pakistan Task Force – on a fact-finding mission to inspect security arrangements that can be put in place for visiting teams. During his visit, Clarke met with senior officials of the Punjab government, including the chief minister and the Home Secretary.Addressing a press conference at the National Cricket Academy at the Gaddafi Stadium, Clarke praised Punjab’s government for “significant investment” in safety and security arrangements for potential touring aides. He was quick to point out, however, that these observations were not to serve as a replacement for expert advice.”I have to receive a proper report from my experts,” Clarke said. “But speaking as a non-expert, I was deeply impressed by the size of the investment, and the passion of everyone I’ve met from the chief minister downwards, the desire and determination to see international cricket return to Lahore was absolutely there. It is a goal of the ICC that every Full Member plays international bilateral cricket in their own country. But for us to do that, we need everyone to be safe and secure.”Clarke referred to a bomb blast in a crowded park in Lahore last March that killed over 70 people. The PCB was in talks with the MCC at the time for the latter to send a cricket team to Lahore, but the terror attack put an end to that.”We don’t want to get it wrong,” Clarke said. “We all know one terrible incident can push things backwards again. What happened here in one of Lahore’s parks did make it impossible for us to send a team here last year. So we’re hoping to move forward, but this isn’t an easy road.”There’s a considerable amount of perception that needs to be changed [around Pakistan being an unsafe country] and information that needs to be shared. But I am most impressed by the efforts of the authorities to make Lahore a safe city.”Clarke, who has been on the Pakistan Task Force since it was set up in the aftermath of the Lahore terror attacks on the Sri Lanka team in March 2009, praised Zimbabwe for coming to Pakistan in 2015 to play two T20s and three ODIs, and said it was a “very well organised” tour. “We want to build on that and move forward in a sensible and measured fashion.” Even that tour, however, was the target of an attempted attack.Clarke didn’t comment on a recent statement by the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) that “an acceptable level of participant safety and security cannot be expected or guaranteed” in Pakistan, saying he hadn’t discussed that statement with FICA, or read it in full. “I was far more interested in coming here for myself before I opened that conversation,” he said.That statement had come on the back of the PCB announcing that the final of the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) would take place in Lahore, whether or not international players travelled to Pakistan. Clarke expressed strong support for the PCB’s endeavours to hold the final of “their own domestic competition” in Pakistan. “I completely understand that desire, and will support their efforts to do that.”

Arsenal, amidst all their high-profile transfer dealings, could be set to sneak in one for the future…

What's the latest on Pedrinho to Arsenal?

That's according to GOAL journalist Thiago Fernandes, who offered another update on the Gunners' pursuit of Corinthians youngster Pedrinho.

Having been linked last month, it seems now some true ground has been broken in the deal, as Edu has reportedly met with the president of the Brazilian club to discuss a move.

With a bid still yet to be made, it was reportedly suggested that an attempt will come in the future.

Boasting an astronomical €120m (£103m) release clause, this hands the sellers ultimate power over how much they can command for their teenage star.

Who is Pedrinho?

Mikel Arteta will be hoping that should they complete this swoop, it repeats the success earned with Gabriel Martinelli, who also joined straight from Brazil.

Although only 17 years old, it is clear how highly rated this Samba wonderkid is in his homeland, given that astronomical sum placed upon his head.

With speed, flair and technical prowess beyond his youth, Pedrinho first enjoyed success for the U20 team, notching five goals in ten games. Since then he has garnered eight senior appearances, catching the eye of many.

A teammate of his, the long-serving goalkeeper Cassio Ramos, was quick to praise the trickster and explain exactly why the club had come to such a financial conclusion over his value: "For me, Pedrinho has everything to be the best (young) player since I’ve been here. Exceptional. (He is) trains a lot. The best boy I’ve seen. I hope it stays that way.

“We have a lot of confidence (in the young players). Let’s just support them. High-quality boys. We have to help them. When needed, they will come in and help the team."

Although hardly a free-scoring asset at this moment in time, with a clearly bright future on the horizon, to move directly from Brazil to the Emirates would emulate the success the north London outfit has gained thus far with Martinelli.

Having transferred in 2019 from Gremio, it took the 22-year-old time to adapt to the English game. However, this culminated in his starring role in their title charge last term, as he finished as the club's joint-top scorer with 15 goals.

Should Edu emulate similar levels with Pedrinho, nurturing him in the same way he did with the now Brazil international, Arsenal could continue their dynasty which already seems set to last for the foreseeable future.

With a young squad only set to improve further with the potential additions of Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice, there would be no rush for this teenager to have an immediate impact, but the perfect atmosphere for him to one day grow into a key member of this star-studded cast.

Nottingham Forest are ready to make improvements as the transfer window officially opens, with a Premier League youngster linked with a move to the City Ground.

Steve Cooper isn’t expected to sign another 22 players as he did last summer, but reinforcements must be made if Forest are to continue their stay in the top-flight.

The Reds left it late to secure their Premier League survival this season, confirming their status next campaign in the penultimate fixture, however, the latest transfer link could bolster their chances of extending their stop-over.

What’s the latest on Carlos Borges to Nottingham Forest?

As reported by ESPN, Forest are interested in signing Manchester City academy star Carlos Borges.

The report claimed that sources close to the site have revealed talks between the player and club are at a ‘preliminary stage’, with it being possible that the player extends at City before going out on loan.

The treble winners value their teenage prospect at £11m, with it being ‘unclear’ whether the club would be willing to let the talent leave permanently.

What could Carlos Borges offer to Nottingham Forest?

Having been hailed as “phenomenal” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Portuguese gem has been an explosive figure in the club’s academy this season.

With Forest finding the net just 38 times in 38 games, there’s no surprise that Borges has caught the eye of Cooper, having enjoyed a lucrative goal-scoring campaign.

In 33 appearances in all competitions, the 19-year-old has scored 29 goals in the Premier League 2, the EFL Trophy and UEFA Youth League, as well as recording a monstrous 18 assists, via Transfermarkt.

The youngster is deployed primarily on the left wing for City’s academy and could be a vital asset to the City Ground if the two clubs can reach an agreement this summer.

Acting as a live wire on the flank, the former Sporting CP graduate could form a wicked partnership with Morgan Gibbs-White, who is the Reds' prime creator.

Named as Forest’s ‘creator-in-chief’ by The Telegraph’s John Percy, Gibbs-White has all the skills to unlock a forward and could take his game to another level if paired with an outlet as strong in the final third as Borges.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers star averaged 1.9 key passes per game this campaign, as well as recording eight assists and creating nine big chances, as per Sofascore.

Having a wide player ahead of him as confident and daring as the Sintra-born gem could ignite Forest with a new attacking outlet and explosive duo going into the new season.

Recording such numbers suggests that the 19-year-old prodigy is ready to assert himself on the Premier League, and with City not having the capacity to accommodate his development on a first-team basis, Forest could provide the perfect area for him to excel.

New Zealand have opted for experience in the ODIs against Bangladesh, recalling Neil Broom and Luke Ronchi, with the former back after a long hiatus

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Dec-2016Batsman Neil Broom, who last played an ODI in March 2010, has been recalled to the New Zealand squad for the upcoming three-match series against Bangladesh, which starts from December 26.Wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi was also recalled in place of BJ Watling, who was excluded from the side. Two other players who were part of the squad for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, batsman Henry Nicholls and legspinner Todd Astle, were also left out.NZ ODI squad

Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee
In: Neil Broom, Luke Ronchi
Out: BJ Watling, Todd Astle, Henry Nicholls

Broom had signed a two-year contract with Derbyshire in 2015, but chose to forego the second year to give himself another chance with New Zealand. The right-hand batsman is expected to slot in at No. 4 in place of Ross Taylor, who was ruled out after recently undergoing surgery on his left eye.”I appreciate everything Derbyshire have done for me and have really enjoyed my time with the club,” Broom said. “It was a tough call at the time. I had signed with Derbyshire for two years and I would’ve liked to see out the contract, but to get an international recall just outweighs it, so it was a pretty easy decision.”Broom played 22 ODIs between January 2009 and March 2010, scoring 333 runs at an average of 17.22. He has also played 10 T20Is, with the last one against Sri Lanka in November 2013.”When I first came in, I was overawed by everything and just really really wanted to do well and I put too much pressure on myself, so this time I’m not going to do that,” Broom said. “I tell myself this might be my last game every time I go out there. It’s probably something they tell you not to do, but you’ve got to enjoy every moment of it and try and have a couple of good years with the team.”Broom is among the top run-getters in the 2016-17 Plunket Shield first-class tournament, having scored 354 runs in seven innings at an average of 59. In 2015-16, he topped the run charts in the List A competition, the Ford Trophy, scoring 508 runs in nine matches with three centuries and two fifties.Ronchi, too, was rewarded for recent form. After a poor tour of India, and a modest run since early 2015, Ronchi was left out for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. Turning out for Wellington in the Plunket Shield, he scored a century and, on Thursday, struck an unbeaten 58 in a Super Smash match against Canterbury, which Wellington eventually lost in the one-over eliminator.Watling had scored 31 runs in the series against Australia, which New Zealand lost 3-0, while Nicholls played only one match, scoring 3. Astle was not given a game.New Zealand’s chairman of selectors Gavin Larsen acknowledged that Ronchi was seen as the best ODI wicketkeeper in the country and both players added value to the side with their experience.”With 12 years of domestic cricket under his belt and having previously spent time in the BlackCaps squad, Neil brings a lot of experience to the group,” Larsen said. “Neil was the top run-scorer in the Ford Trophy competition last year, with an average of 84.66. He has an impressive strike-rate and obviously fills the number four role with Ross out injured.”It’s been pleasing to see Luke scoring runs for Wellington again and he returns as one of the most experienced members of the squad. At this stage we see him as the best ODI gloveman in the country and the leadership he brings to the group is also immensely valuable.”The team will convene for a camp on December 23 and 24, with the first match scheduled for Boxing Day in Christchurch. The second and third ODIs will be played on December 29 and 31 in Nelson. The ODIs will be followed by three T20Is and two Tests.

Left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Amir said he tries to be a “team man” despite the frustration of missing out on wickets through dropped catches

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Hamilton28-Nov-2016Mohammad Amir has had awful luck since he returned from suspension, having at least 11 catches go down off his bowling in Tests; but he had a sense of humour about his misfortune, and suggested the team suffers more from dropped catches than he does.Amir had four chances missed off his bowling in the ongoing Hamilton Test: two in the slips, one at midwicket, plus a difficult low catch that he himself dropped in his follow through. Catches off his bowling had also gone down through the mid-year Tests in England, and more recently against West Indies as well.”Yes, it affects the bowler when you run from 22 yards and your catch is dropped – you’re disappointed and frustrated,” Amir said. “But it affects the team more than the individual. I’ve been very unlucky, but I try to be a team man.”It’s difficult to keep count, but I think at least 12-13 catches have gone down off my bowling in Tests and about six-seven catches have been dropped in the shorter formats as well.”Chances were also missed off the bowling of Wahab Riaz on Monday, and the reprieves allowed New Zealand to shore up their dominant position in the match, hitting 313 for 5 declared in the second innings to set Pakistan 369 for victory. If Pakistan fail to win this Test, they will lose their No. 2 ranking – a fact Amir said will motivate them to attempt the target on day five.”The ranking is very important and we’ve achieved it after a lot of hard work,” he said. “In the last seven series, we’ve won about five. It’s very important for us. We like to be among the top teams in the world. Tomorrow there will be 98 overs to bowl, and the first session will be very important. If we can lay a platform, we’ll try to achieve the target. We’ll try to break the target up into smaller scores, and go about it that way.”New Zealand had taken a 55-run lead into the second innings, but Pakistan may still have put pressure on the hosts if they had taken quick wickets on day four. Many of Monday’s overs might have been bowled by legspinner Yasir Shah, had he been in the XI, but despite New Zealand’s eventual scoreline, Amir was confident the best side had been selected.”The decision to play four seamers was the correct one,” he said. “So far there’s been a very limited role for the spinners, so the decision to play four quicks was right. The track has improved for batting. The ball is coming onto the bat and it’s become easier to play shots. There’s a good possibility that we will bat well.”Having won the toss on a green-top, however, Amir said Pakistan should have been more clinical on the first and second days.”The score of 271 in the first innings when we bowled was on the higher side. We should have got them out for a lower score. Catches also went down – but that’s part of the game.”

Chelsea have joined the race to sign influential Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh update.

Is Kim Min-jae leaving Napoli?

The 26-year-old enjoyed a wonderful season for Napoli, helping them win the Serie A title for the first time since 1990 and proving to be one of their most important players. Kim was an absolute rock at the heart of his side's defence, averaging 3.5 clearances per game across 35 league appearances, and it has seemingly made the rest of Europe sit up and take notice.

Manchester United have been continually linked with making a move for the £33,000-a-week South Korean, and it looks as though his future could lie away from Napoli beyond the summer.

With Chelsea looking to make key defensive signings in the upcoming transfer window, a new report has emerged that suggests Kim could be a target.

Are Chelsea keen on signing Kim Min-jae?

According to Foot Mercato [via Caught Offside], both the Blues and Newcastle United have entered the race to sign the 47-cap South Korea international, providing stiff competition for United in the process.

Chelsea are eyeing him as a more successful signing than Kalidou Koulibaly, who also arrived from Napoli last summer, but endured a fairly disappointing first season at Stamford Bridge and only started 20 out of 38 top flight games.

Kim could be a sensational signing by the Blues this summer, although the fact that they don't have European football to offer him is a clear drawback. That's something that both United and Newcastle can give him, which could put them ahead of the west Londoners in the queue.

Compatriot and former United midifelder Park Ji-sung has described the defender as "extraordinary" recently, adding that he is a "technical leader and personality", and he is someone who could transform a struggling Chelsea back-line moving forward.

While Koulibaly and Thiago Silva are both in their 30s, with the same also applying to Cesar Azpilicueta, Kim would be a younger option who can lead the troops for a number of years to come.

Strong both in and out of possession, Kim enjoyed an eye-catching 91% pass completion rate in Serie A last season, as well as averaging 3.6 clearance per match in the Champions League. There a few more impressive and in-form players in Europe in his position right now, so Chelsea snapping him up over their rivals would feel like a major coup.

In another example of tight schedules in modern cricket, Australia will play a T20I against Sri Lanka at home only a day before their first Test in India

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Oct-2016In another example of tight schedules in modern cricket, Australia will play a T20 international against Sri Lanka in Adelaide a day before their first Test in India begins on February 23.There is only a 15 to 16-hour gap between the end of the day-night fixture at the Adelaide Oval on February 22 and the start of the first day of the Test series at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Such a schedule means Australia will have to select entirely different squads for the three T20Is against Sri Lanka and the four Tests in India.”These are very significant decisions that actually change what it means to represent Australia,” the Australian Cricketers Association chief Alistair Nicholson told ESPNcricinfo. “The player’s view is that the best players should play for their country, and this is something we believe is echoed by the Australian public. If that is changing, then it poses the question: what does it mean for the value of the Australian cap?”This is not the first time Australia are moving from one series to another with a small gap in between. They finished a Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on November 3, 2014, two days before a Twenty20 international against South Africa in Adelaide on November 5. None of the players who were part of the Test featured in the T20I.Australia tour of India schedule

First Test: Pune, February 23-27

Second Test: Bangalore, March 4-8

Third Test: Ranchi, March 16-20

Fourth Test: Dharamsala, March 25-29

The series against Australia will mark the end of India’s busy home season in 2016-17. After the first Test in Pune, the teams will move to Bangalore for the second Test from March 4 and then to Ranchi for the third from March 16. The final Test of the series is in Dharamsala from March 25.Pune, Dharamsala and Ranchi will be hosting their first Test matches, after Indore did the same against New Zealand recently. In the series against England, Visakhapatnam and Rajkot will host their first Tests.India will have a gap of 11 days before the first Test against Australia in Pune. Their only Test against Bangladesh is scheduled to end on February 12 in Hyderabad. Australia’s last Test before their tour of India is against Pakistan in Sydney from January 3 to 7.

Tottenham Hotspur could well have the chance to make a summer move for Real Madrid defender, Ferland Mendy, albeit with the full-back's arrival set to be tied to the future of a current Spurs star…

What's the latest on Mendy to Tottenham?

According to Spanish outlet CadenaSER, the France international is reportedly one of the players who could be offered to the Lilywhites as part of the La Liga side's push to sign Harry Kane.

As per the report, the England skipper is viewed as 'one of the main candidates' to replace Karim Benzma at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the latter man only recently sealing a move to Saudi outfit, Al Ittihad.

The piece notes that with Madrid unwilling to spend more than €80m (£69) in their attempts to bring Kane to the Spanish capital, Carlo Ancelotti's side could offer a player such as Mendy as part of the deal.

Should Tottenham sign Ferland Mendy?

The 28-year-old – who signed from Lyon on a £47m deal back in 2019 – could potentially represent a notable upgrade on Ben Davies at left-back for Spurs, with the club reportedly willing to sanction the sale of the long-serving Welshman.

With the arrival of Ange Postecoglou in the dugout likely to see the north Londoners return to a flat back four – due to the 57-year-old's preferred 4-3-3 formation – a more suitable option will be needed in that role, ahead of Davies, with the latter man having typically operated as a wing-back or on the left of a back three this season.

As pundit Gabby Agbonlahor stated, the 30-year-old seemingly just "isn't good enough anymore" having been "struggling to put in top performances", hence the need to find an "upgrade in that position".

Turning to Mendy, therefore, could be just what Postecoglou is in need of, with the 5 foot 11 speedster potentially able to offer more defensively having averaged 1.2 tackles and 0.8 interceptions per game from his 18 league outings this season, while Davies has averaged just 0.9 ad 0.6 for those same two metrics, respectively.

While the Frenchman has endured his fair share of injury woes in recent times, the £174k-per-week asset has been a particularly composed presence in the backline when he has featured as he ranks in the top 1% among those in his position in Europe's top five leagues for pass completion.

That knack for retaining possession does not appear to be shared by the current Spurs man, as the versatile dud ranks in just the top 27% among full-backs for that same metric, having been branded "so poor on the ball" by the aforementioned Agbonlahor following a recent outing.

As such, the signing of the Champions League-winning sensation – whose "physical strength" has been branded "incredible" by compatriot Raphael Varane – could be the Davies replacement that Tottenham are craving.

Although few Spurs supporters will relish the prospect of losing Kane this summer, there could be a small crumb of consolation if the 29-year-old's exit does lead to the addition of Mendy