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West Ham United have reportedly been in contact with the representatives of Borussia Monchengladbach forward Alassane Plea.

What’s the latest West Ham transfer news?

The Hammers are currently preparing for a Europa Conference League Final against Fiorentina, although they have to negotiate a Premier League game against Leicester City prior to the trip to Prague.

However, it looks as if the club are already eyeing up possible new signings ahead of the 2023/24 season, even though David Moyes’ future appears to be up in the air.

Sporting director Mark Noble also looks set to step down with the Hammers on the hunt for a new director of football to fix their transfer shortcomings. A new man is yet to be appointed, but despite this, it appears as if those at the London Stadium have made a first move to sign Plea.

According to Foot Mercato, West Ham are one of three London-based sides to have made contact with Plea’s entourage. The report states that both Crystal Palace and Fulham have made an approach, however, the forward is currently favouring a move to France, with former side Lyon also named in the update.

Who is Alassane Plea?

Plea is 30 years of age and is primarily a left-winger who can play as a centre-forward or attacking midfielder if required. The Frenchman has been on the books with Monchengladbach since 2018, turning out on 173 occasions for his current employers, contributing to 90 goals.

Known for his pace and versatility, Max Eberl said this about Plea when he signed for Monchengladbach in 2018:

"He’s a versatile, quick and clever forward who has put his talent on full display in Ligue 1."

Meanwhile, Monchengladbach legend Gunter Netzer hailed both Plea and teammate Marcus Thuram as “extraordinary”. The Hammers have two left-wingers on the books in Said Benrahma and Maxwel Cornet and one right-winger in Jarrod Bowen, so the club may feel they need another wide forward ahead of the new season, and with Plea’s ability to play in a central role, it could be a shrewd move.

However, with West Ham facing plenty of competition for Plea's services and the player’s preference not a move to England at this moment in time, a transfer may prove to be difficult.

Lockhart Sebastien has been appointed as a selector for the WICB, filling the place vacated by former fast bowling great Courtney Walsh

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Sep-20161:06

“We will ensure the best West Indies team is selected at all times” – Sebastien

Former Dominica opening batsman Lockhart Sebastien has been appointed for a two-year term as a selector for the WICB, filling the place vacated by former fast bowling great Courtney Walsh. Walsh had stepped down from the selection panel last month after signing on as Bangladesh’s new bowling coach.Sebastien has served in various capacities within the WICB over the past few decades. He has managed the Windward Islands team for the last 12 years and has served as a director on the Windward Islands board for the last ten years. He also served as manager for West Indies A in 2013 and 2014.While thanking the Board of Directors for approving his appointment, Sebastien spoke of his determination to contribute as a selector. “I have always been a team player and, together with the other selectors, we will ensure the best West Indies team is selected at all times,” he said. “Selectors have not always pleased everyone in the Caribbean but I am part of a team who will try the utmost to make Caribbean people happy.”

Aston Villa have been linked with a centre-back ahead of the summer transfer window, as Unai Emery looks to add reinforcements to his squad.

The Spaniard has revolutionised the Midlands club since his arrival in October, taking the Villans away from staring at the bottom three to looking up at Europe in just over six months in charge.

With two games remaining of Villa’s season, Emery has his sights set on a European finish that could crown the success of his first term, as well as provide an attractive prospect for targets in the transfer window.

Speaking to The Athletic in April, the 51-year-old expressed his desire to add strength through depth in his squad this summer, with the latest target proposing added defensive stability.

What’s the latest on Roger Ibanez to Aston Villa?

As reported by Italian outlet CalcioMercatoWeb, Villa have 'started to move' for Roma centre-back Roger Ibanez.

The report states that the Europa League finalists require €40m by the end of June to abide by Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

Several clubs from England are speculated to be interested in the Brazilian who is worth between €35m and €40m (£30-£35m), as per the report.

What could Roger Ibanez bring to Aston Villa?

The 24-year-old centre-back has been one of the club's best performers this season in Serie A, averaging a Sofascore match rating of 7.02 over 31 games.

Once hailed as “untouchable” by the formidable Jose Mourinho, the Brazilian has been an anchor in Roma’s defence this campaign, as highlighted by his numbers that rank him amongst Europe’s best.

As per FBref, the defender ranks in the top 2% of Europe’s top five leagues for most tackles, averaging 2.22 per 90, over the last 365 days.

The “outstanding” Canela-born talent – as lauded by journalist Josh Bunting – has won an average of 70% of his aerial duels this season, making him a real presence in central defence, via Sofascore.

In terms of fitting into Villa’s set-up, Emery could create a frightening Brazilian core in central defence, placing Ibanez alongside Diego Carlos in the back line.

The Villans boss told Express and Star that the star signed last summer is due to play a “big part” in his plans at the club, having missed the majority of his first season due to a ruptured Achilles.

The 30-year-old was integral to Sevilla’s defence last campaign in LaLiga, where he won 62% of his duels, subsequently leading to his move to the Premier League.

The pair could bring the ultimate stability to Villa’s defence, with both Brazilians possessing extensive experience in playing against Europe’s elite throughout their careers.

If Emery can get the deal over the line, the Spaniard could have a defensive force to be reckoned with, on top of the talent already at Villa Park.

Leeds United's first game under Sam Allardyce went about as well as fans could have hoped, travelling to face Manchester City in what is arguably one of the toughest fixtures in world football.

However, given the 68-year-old had only enjoyed a limited time in charge before what was his first game, it marked a fine showing against the soon-to-be Premier League champions.

Despite falling two goals down, and seeing a potential third squandered from the penalty spot, the former Bolton Wanderers boss ended the game with a respectable 2-1 scoreline as Rodrigo grabbed a late consolation.

The tactical tweaks at halftime limited the hosts tenfold and showcased the experience on display in the away dugout. However, they will need more than spirited performances to ensure survival is earned, with just three games remaining.

From that encounter, very few players would have stood out to the new boss, though the Etihad rarely breeds any fine away showings at all. However, winger Jack Harrison in particular continued his torrid form by putting in comfortably the worst display out of anyone on the pitch.

If Allardyce values his fine relegation-avoiding record, he must brutally ditch the 26-year-old as he has struggled all campaign.

How has Jack Harrison played this season?

As one of the team's main creative threat, having made 33 appearances for the Whites this term, the lack of consistency from the versatile wide man has frustrated fans and the media alike.

Just four goals and seven assists in the league have him as the club's third top scorer, behind Luis Sinisterra, who has endured an injury-hit debut campaign, and the ageing Rodrigo.

After his first goal of the season, the Englishman would then go 20 league games before scoring again. He is currently in the midst of another six-game barren run in front of goal too.

As such, his 6.75 average rating is desperately disappointing considering the impact he had enjoyed during the season prior as they narrowly avoided the drop.

Harrison would score eight times that campaign, including a final-day winner at Brentford that secured the crucial points to send Burnley back to the Championship in their place.

The £50k-per-week speedster saw a culmination of his miserable year in Manchester last weekend, as his 5.9 rating gave way to just 15 touches and one completed pass all game, via Sofascore.

Pundit Jon Newsome put it best after a similarly shocking performance at Everton earlier in 2023, where he told BBC Radio Leeds:

"Nothing came off for him. I thought his touch was poor. His awareness was poor. He didn’t seem at the races."

Sadly, this could apply to an entire season that has been laced with inconsistency and disappointment, so he must merit being dropped at the hands of Allardyce.

Chelsea host Brighton in the Premier League this weekend, with the Blues looking to end their awful run of form which has seen them fail to score in their last four games in all competitions.

The arrival of Frank Lampard has so far done nothing to fix the biggest issue at Stamford Bridge, as the misfiring west London outfit have managed a meagre 29 goals in 30 top-flight appearances so far this campaign.

With three points a must against the Seagulls, if Lampard's side are going to earn a European spot for the 2023/24 campaign, the 44-year-old manager must consider handing Mason Mount a start on Saturday.

Should Chelsea start Mount against Brighton?

Although Mount has struggled to maintain the levels he produced last season, when he hit 11 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League with an average rating from WhoScored of 7.19, he has still been one of few creative outlets in this Chelsea squad so far this campaign.

The academy graduate's return of three goals and two assists might seem disappointing but when you consider that only Kai Havertz (seven goals and one assist) and Raheem Sterling (four goals and two assists) have more goal contributions, he is perhaps unfortunate to have come in for so much criticism.

The England international first established himself under Lampard at Stamford Bridge after starring for the Chelsea legend out on loan with Derby County and it has been something of a surprise to see him on the bench for the recent away games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Real Madrid.

Even though he didn't have much time on the pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday he did come the closest to scoring with a late effort that was blocked by Antonio Rudiger, and he could be the key to ending Chelsea's barren goalscoring run on Saturday.

Only three players in Chelsea's squad have averaged more shots or more key passes per game in the Premier League than Mount, which suggests that the 24-year-old is equally adept at creating chances and being on the end of them.

Joe Cole was full of praise for the young midfielder, who earns £80k-per-week, after he notched a hattrick in the 7-0 demolition of Norwich City last season.

He said:

"He's a top, top outstanding player, he's becoming one of the most important players in the country.

"But there's an unusual level of fans – I don't know if it's rival fans or whatever – who don't quite get it.

"You want to sit them down in front of a touchscreen and educate them and show them that what this kid does is unbelievable."

Mount may not be the most popular among fans right now because of his disappointing form and ongoing contract dispute but he can still be an important player for Lampard in the remaining fixtures and deserves a chance to end Chelsea's shocking goalscoring form on Saturday against Brighton.

Crystal Palace are interested in signing Feyenoord attacker Santiago Gimenez during the summer transfer window, according to a new report.

How is Jimenez playing this season?

The 21-year-old is enjoying a season to remember for the Eredivisie side, standing out as arguably one of the most dangerous players in the division. He has scored nine league goals in just 14 starts over 2022/23, while in the Europa League, he has found the net five times.

Gimenez only moved to Europe last year after impressing for Cruz Azul back in his homeland of Mexico, but he has hit the ground running and looks like an exciting young talent. For that reason, Feyenoord could find it difficult to keep hold of one of their most prized assets at the end of the season, even though his current deal there doesn't expire until the summer of 2026.

With Palace in need of bolstering their attacking options ahead of next season, it looks as though they see the Mexican as a potential transfer target.

Could attacker be off to Crystal Palace?

Speaking to FR12.nl [via Sport Witness], Arne Slot has tried to persuade Gimenez to remain with Feyenoord, even though Palace's interest is noted in the report, along with rivals Brighton, and they could both battle it out for the player this summer.

Slot said this on Gimenez amid both Palace and Brighton's interest.:

"I would very much like to see Santiago stay with Feyenoord even longer. It would be very good for him to stay an extra year and I will give him that advice, but it is difficult for me to assess what his will is and what opportunities he can get.

"Gimenez can do much better. He is 21 years old and has only been with us for six months in another competition and in another continent. It would be special if a player of 21 years old were already at his peak, I don’t think that is likely.

"We are working on making him as complete as possible. We first tried to get him fitter, which worked out quite well. He is getting better and better. He already had the qualities he had in the beginning. Now we are not only trying to make him an all-rounder, but also to use him better."

Gimenez could be exactly what Palace are looking for in the summer window, with the Eagles profligate in front of goal this season and scoring just 24 goals in 29 Premier League outings.

He could lead the line impressively at Selhurst Park, with his goalscoring record in 2022/23 so superior to the likes of Odsonne Edouard and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who have netted just five league goals between them.

Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson is expected to secure a permanent summer move away from Old Trafford, according to reports in the last 48 hours.

The Lowdown: Tottenham interest

The Red Devils star is out on a season-long loan with Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest having turned down the opportunity to talk to Erik Ten Hag about his future in 2022.

England’s former international is currently on the sidelines through injury but was in impressive form prior to his absence having kept six clean sheets for Steve Cooper’s side which hasn’t gone unnoticed throughout the rest of the top flight.

On Wednesday, ESPN reported that Tottenham have identified the 26-year-old as an ideal long-term successor to Hugo Lloris and hinted that he could be offered as part of a potential swap deal for Harry Kane.

The Latest: Henderson to depart?

According to Football Insider, Henderson is ‘set to leave’ Manchester United at the end of the season after ‘falling out of favour’.

The 6 foot 2 colossus is ‘aware’ that his club will be entering the market for a new shot-stopper and has since ‘accepted’ the fact that he has ‘no future’ at Old Trafford.

It’s added Henderson ‘prefers a permanent move’ elsewhere in his bid for more game time.

The Whitehaven-born talent also publicly aired his frustrations not long after joining Forest about how he’s been treated by the Red Devils. He said:

“It was frustrating because I turned down so many good loans last summer and they wouldn’t let me go. So, it was frustrating. To sit there and waste 12 months, it’s criminal really at my age.”

The Verdict: Time to cash in

Henderson’s contract at United isn’t set to expire until 2025 but they would be making completely the right decision by cashing in and letting him seal a move elsewhere in the summer.

The City Ground’s number one has only ever made 29 senior outings since making the step up to the senior first-team from the academy and has consistently struggled to nail down a starting spot.

The CAA Stellar client is also yet to make a single appearance under Ten Hag due to the fact that he’s on loan but that is unlikely to change even if he was to return ahead of the new term.

Realistically, Henderson is never going to be taking the shirt and gloves from David De Gea between the sticks and won’t be part of the club’s long-term plans so an amicable parting of ways would surely be the best outcome for both parties.

Journalist Charles Watts has expressed his disappointment that Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net as he nearly scored a “truly great” solo goal in midweek.

What’s the latest on Gabriel Martinelli and Arsenal?

In the Europa League this week, the Gunners had to settle for a point away in Portugal as they took on Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of the competition’s last-16 stage.

William Saliba headed in from a corner to give Mikel Arteta’s men a lead before the opposition struck back twice to take the lead. In the end, Hidemasa Morita’s own goal via a deflected Granit Xhaka pass was enough to see the game finish 2-2.

However, things for the Premier League side may have been different had Martinelli managed to finish off his brilliant solo effort. The Brazilian ran from deep inside his own half, past numerous players, and even rounded the Sporting goalkeeper, only to be tackled by Jeremiah St. Juste at the last moment.

While speaking about it on YouTube, Watts lamented: “Martinelli, I gave a six [out of ten], mainly because of that amazing run in the second half, which I think we were all just begging for him to finish off.”It would have been one of the truly great goals and it was such a shame that he did all that hard work, ran all that way, beat all those players, and then just after he goes around the ‘keeper, the guy gets back and clears it before he can roll it into an empty net.”It would have been an absolutely amazing goal. That was a real, real shame.”Has Martinelli ever scored a brilliant solo goal for Arsenal?Martinelli has been in pretty impressive form for the Gunners over the course of the season, starting all but one of the club’s 26 Premier League games so far, providing 11 goals and two assists.Interestingly enough, though, he is yet to score in Europe this term despite having played six times in the competition. This goal would have been a brilliant way to put an end to that run and it’s not as if he doesn’t have previous of scoring such fantastic goals, either.Indeed, against Chelsea in the 2019/20 season, he ran 67 yards in 13 seconds to score in superb fashion – while the effort ended up being voted as the Arsenal Goal of the Season.What’s more, in pre-season against Fiorentina in 2019 when Martinelli had just joined the club, he once more ran from his own half, nutmegging a defender, only to agonisingly send the ball wide.Seeing as it’s the sort of goal most players can only dream of, it’s quite incredible that Martinelli has nearly repeated the trick on three occasions.

Glasgow Rangers forward Ryan Kent likely ‘wants to stay’ in the Scottish Premiership despite all the exit rumours, according to BBC pundit Alan Hutton.

The Lowdown: The story so far

The Light Blues ace will be out of contract in the summer, and despite being offered fresh terms, is yet to put pen to paper and commit to extending his stay at Ibrox.

Sporting director Ross Wilson admitted in December that the club are keen to tie the 26-year-old down having rejected an offer from an unnamed suitor for him, though interest is building again ahead of the upcoming window.

Premier League outfit Leeds United have been credited with an interest in the Liverpool academy graduate, but they aren’t currently in the best run of form to attract potential transfer targets.

The Latest: Hutton’s verdict

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton was asked whether he thought Kent would be tempted to join Leeds if they were to be relegated over staying at Rangers, to which he replied:

“I would not if it was me.

“I can only talk from my point of view and when I left Rangers I would not have wanted to leave playing in the Champions League or European competitions to go to a team in the Championship.

“That is no disrespect to that league, it is just sometimes the grass is not always greener.

“I have got a feeling that he wants to stay. I think he can do good things at Rangers. Your head would only turn if it was a good option for you and I do not see the Championship as being that.”

The Verdict: Don’t let him go

Whether Kent will end up signing on the dotted line to seal his future at Rangers remains to be seen, but it’s important that they do everything they can to not let him leave.

The Oldham-born talent has posted 89 goal contributions in 214 appearances since making the switch north of the border and has been a revelation under the guidance of Michael Beale.

The Nike-sponsored ace currently ranks in the 91st percentile for successful take-ons and is averaging 2.2 key passes per league game, where he’s received three man-of-the-match awards in the Premiership.

Kent has also been spoken highly of by journalist Josh Bunting who said the Gers star is ‘aggressive’ in his press and causes ‘so many problems’ for opposition defenders with his pace, making him a hugely valuable asset in Glasgow.

Tottenham Hotspur will host Nottingham Forest in North London this afternoon and Antonio Conte will be looking for a strong response from his matchday squad following a disappointing draw with AC Milan in the Champions League earlier this week, which led to their exit from the competition.

The Italian manager will be feeling the pressure as Spurs’ dreams of a trophy were diminished which has ultimately led to reports that his position at the club is currently unstable with a number of managers being lined up to take over.

Despite their troubles in Europe, the Lilywhites remain comfortably positioned inside the top four and are three points clear of Liverpool in fifth ahead of their clash with Steve Cooper’s side in front of the home support today, so it will be important for Conte to retain that distance to salvage any confidence left in his management.

In terms of injuries, Hugo Lloris, Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Ryan Sessegnon remain unavailable for selection whilst Emerson Royal and Ivan Perisic are both doubts following their involvement against Milan on Wednesday.

Conte took to his pre-match press conference to confirm that the duo are looking unlikely to start against Forest:

“Emerson didn’t have training today because he had a kick and today he wasn’t able to train. Tomorrow morning we’ll try him and see if he’s available at least for the bench.”

“Another situation we have to monitor is Perisic, he had a training session today but tomorrow I have to speak to him and see if he’s available.”

What could Spurs’ XI look like against Nottingham Forest?

Fraser Forster (GK), Pedro Porro (RWB), Cristian Romero (CB), Eric Dier (CB), Clement Lenglet (CB), Ben Davies (LWB), Oliver Skipp (CM), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (CM), Dejan Kulusevski (RW), Harry Kane (ST), Son Heung-Min (LW)

Football FanCast predicts that Conte will make just two changes to the team that were held to a 0-0 draw by Milan but will continue to deploy his familiar 3-4-3 formation nevertheless.

The first change we expect to see is Pedro Porro returning to the starting line-up to replace Royal following the concern surrounding his fitness ahead of the game.

The second change we predict is Eric Dier’s reprisal of his role in the centre-back position alongside an otherwise unchanged defensive set-up with Fraser Forster, Clement Lenglet and Ben Davies retaining their spots in the starting eleven, with the latter moving into the left wing-back position to replace Perisic.

It is no secret that Conte is a big fan of Dier with the manager dubbing the £85k-per-week defender “reliable” in the past and his inclusion this weekend could be the boost Spurs need to comfortably keep Forest’s attacking threat quiet.

There is little doubt that anything less than a victory at home this afternoon could be catastrophic for Conte in terms of his future in North London and making some subtle tweaks to his team could be the key to ensuring the side doesn’t give Liverpool the chance to close the gap with Spurs in the battle for a Champions League qualifying spot.