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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hinted that Sadio Mane could sign a new deal, after claiming he could play at the top well into his 30s.

The Lowdown: Mane’s deal expiring

The 30-year-old has been one of the superstars of this memorable era at Anfield, maturing into one of the world’s best attacking players.

Mane has sealed Premier League and Champions League glory during his time at Liverpool, also scoring 115 goals and registering 45 assists in 259 Reds appearances.

Recent reports suggested that the Senegalese sensation could sign a new deal at Anfield, with his current contract expiring at the end of next season.

The Latest: Klopp hints at extension

Speaking in his pre-Manchester United press conference on Monday [via the Express], Klopp hinted at him wanting Mane at Liverpool for years to come, with his current level likely to remain for a long time:

“His physicality shows his dedication, yes, and he is a talent too. If you do the same training as Sadio – or I do – we will never look like him…it is not possible.

“He is blessed, let me put it like this. He does a lot (of training) absolutely, but he is a bit lucky as well. He will play on well into his 30s…if he wants to.”

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The Verdict: No-brainer for Liverpool

When it comes to Liverpool offering Mane a new deal or not, it should be considered an absolute no-brainer, with the forward still such a huge force in the game.

Granted, he has lost a little bit of the explosive pace that he once had, but he is excelling in a new central attacking role and already has 18 goals this season, including two against Manchester City on Saturday.

It may be that Mane has to accept a long-term contract may not come his way, but assuming he wants to stay put, extending his time as a Liverpool player by at least a couple of years would be a massive positive.

In other news, the race for one Liverpool target is heating up. Read more here.

The BCCI’s various working committees and their members as decided during the annual general meeting

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Sep-201081st ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF BCCI
COMPOSITION OF WORKING COMMITTEE FOR 2010-11
1. SHASHANK MANOHARPRESIDENT2. N SRINIVASANHONORARY SECRETARY, PRESIDENT ELECT3. SANJAY JAGDALEHONORARY JOINT SECRETARY4. M P PANDOVEHONORARY TREASURER5. ARUN JAITLEYVICE PRESIDENT (NORTH)6 SHIVLAL YADAVVICE PRESIDENT (SOUTH)7. ARINDAM GANGULYVICE PRESIDENT (EAST)8. NIRANJAN SHAHVICE PRESIDENT (WEST)9. RAJEEV SHUKLAVICE PRESIDENT (CENTRAL)10. DELHI & DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION, 11. TAMIL NADU CRICKET ASSOCIATION, 12. CRICKET ASSOCIATION OF BENGAL, 13. MUMBAI CRICKET ASSOCIATION,14. UTTAR PRADESH CRICKET ASSOCIATION (All Permanent Test Centres)
15.JAMMU &KASHMIR CRICKET ASSOCIATION(NORTH)
16.GOA CRICKET ASSOCIATION(SOUTH)
17.ORISSA CRICKET ASSOCIATION(EAST )
18.BARODA CRICKET ASSOCIATION(WEST )
19.RAILWAY SPORTS PROMOTION BOARD (CENTRAL)
20..KARNATAKA STATE CRICKET ASSOCIATION, 21..PUNJAB CRICKET ASSOCIATION, 22..GUJARAT CRICKET ASSOCIATION, 23..VIDARBHA CRICKET ASSOCIATION (All Staged Test Matches)
SENIOR TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE
1.MR.SHIVLAL YADAV CHAIRMAN/VICE PRESIDENT2.HARYANA CRICKET ASSOCIATION3.TAMIL NADU CRICKET ASSOCIATION4.ORISSA CRICKET ASSOCIATION5.BARODA CRICKET ASSOCIATION6.U P CRICKET ASSOCIATION7. MR. N SRINIVASAN HON. SECRETARY/CONVENORTECHNICAL COMMITTEE
1.MR.SUNIL GAVASKARCHAIRMAN2.PREM THAKUR(NORTH)3.P R ASHOK ANAND(SOUTH)4.GOUTAM DASGUPTA(EAST )5MADHAV RANADE (WEST )6 VIJAY NAIDU (CENTRAL)7K SRIKKANTH (CHAIRMAN SENIOR SELECTION COMM)8.SOURAV GANGULY(FORMER TEST CRICKETER)9.V K RAMASWAMY(FORMER TEST UMPIRE)10.N SRINIVASAN HON. SECRETARY/CONVENORTOUR, PROGRAMME & FIXTURE COMMITTEE
1ARUN JAITLEY CHAIRMAN2..MD. ASLAM GONI(NORTH)3..VINOD PHADKE(SOUTH)4..BIKAS BARUAH(EAST)5PARIMAL NATWANI(WEST )6..PRAKASH DIXIT(CENTRAL)7N SRINIVASANHON. SECRETARY/CONVENORFINANCE COMMITTEE
1JYOTIRADITYA M SCINDIACHAIRMAN2.. ANURAG THAKUR(NORTH)3.. E VENKATRAM REDDY(SOUTH)4.. AMITABH CHOUDHARY(EAST)5.. SANJAY PATEL(WEST )6SANJAY DIXIT (CENTRAL)7M.P. PANDOVEHON. TREASURER/CONVENORJUNIOR CRICKET COMMITTEE
1.RAJEEV SHUKLACHAIRMAN2.CAPTAIN (IN) U K THAPA-NORTH3.T R BALAKRISHNAN-SOUTH4.RAJIV SINGH-EAST5.DHIRAJ JOGANI-WEST6.ASHOK KUMAT-CENTRAL7.SANJAY JAGDALE-HON. JT. SECRETARY/CONVENORUMPIRES SUB-COMMITTEE
1.NIRANJAN SHAH-CHAIRMAN2..ANIRUDH CHAUDHARY-(NORTH)3..MONCHO FERRA-(SOUTH)4..BISWARUP DEY-(EAST)5..HEMANT WAINGANKAR-(WEST )6SHUAIB AHMED-(CENTRAL)7..S VENKATARAGHAVAN-DIRECTOR8.A V JAYAPRAKASH-RETD. TEST UMPIRE9..SANJAY JAGDALE-HON. JT. SECRETARY/CONVENORVIZZY TROPHY COMMITTEE
1.ARINDAM GANGULY-CHAIRMAN / VICE PRESIDENT2..APPAL RAJU – SOUTH3..BABUL HORE-EAST4..GURDEEP SINGH-(A.I.U.)5..PROF. BEENA SHAH-(A.I.U.) / JOINT CONVENOR6.. SANJAY JAGDALE-HON. JT. SECRETARY/JOINT CONVENORWOMEN’S COMMITTEE
1SHASHANK MANOHAR-CHAIRMAN2SHASHI GUPTA-NORTH3VIDYA YADAV-SOUTH4ANURADHA MISRA-EAST5SANGITA DABIR-CENTRAL6SHUBHANGI KULKARNI-WEST7.N SRINIVASAN-HON.SECRETARY/CONVENORALL INDIA SENIOR SELECTION COMMITTEE
1K SRIKKANTH-SOUTH -CHAIRMAN2. YASHPAL SHARMA-NORTH3C R VENKATRAMAN-EAST4SURENDRA BHAVE-WEST5NARENDRA HIRWANI-CENTRAL6N SRINIVASAN-HON. SECRETARY / CONVENORALL INDIA JUNIOR SELECTION COMMITTEE
1ABEY KURUVILLA-WEST -CHAIRMAN2ARUN SHARMA-NORTH3VENKA PRATAP-SOUTH4RAJIB DEBBARMAN-EAST5PREETAM GANDHE-CENTRAL6SANJAY JAGDALE-HON. JT. SECRETARY / CONVENORALL INDIA WOMEN’S SELECTION COMMITTEE
1VRINDA BHAGAT-WEST -CHAIRPERSON2.RESHMA GANDHI-NORTH3.SAVITHA NIRALA – SOUTH4GARGI BANERJEE-EAST5REETA DEY-CENTRAL6.N SRINIVASAN-HON. SECRETARY / CONVENORIPL GOVERNING COUNCIL COMMITTEE
CHIRAYU AMIN-CHAIRMANRAJEEV SHUKLA-UPCAARUN JAITLEY-DDCAANURAG THAKUR-HIMACHALRANJIB BISWAL-ORISSAAJAY SHIRKE-MAHARASTRATWO CRICKETERS-TO BE NOMINATED BY PRESIDENTALL OFFICE BEARERS OF BCCISPECIAL COMMITTEES DURING THE YEAR – 2010-11
LEGAL COMMITTEE
SHASHANK MANOHAR-CHAIRMANARUN JAITLEY-DDCANILLAY DUTTA-ASSAMANIRUDH CHAUDHARY-HARYANAD V SUBBARAO-ANDHRAPRATAP SATPATI-ORISSANATIONAL CRICKET ACADEMY BOARD
ANIL KUMBLE-CHAIRMANAJAY SHIRKE-VICE CHAIRMAN – MAHARASHTASANDEEP PATIL-DIRECTOR-NCARAKESH PARIKH-MEMBER- BARODASUNIL DEV-MEMBER-DDCAGROUP CAPT. D D DESHPANDE-MEMBER-VCAT C MATHEW -MEMBER-KERALACHIRARAJNA PAUL- MEMBER-TRIPURAALL OFFICE BEARERS OF BCCINCA CONSTRUCTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
AJAY SHIRKE – CHAIRMANC R LAXMINARAYAN-KSCAANSARI MIRZA-PRADEEP DESHMUKHSANJAY JAGDALE-HON.JT SECRETARY/ CONVENORCONSTITUTION REVIEW COMMITTEE
SHASHANK MANOHAR -CHAIRMANANIRUDH CHOUDHARY-HARYANAARUN JAITLEY-DDCAPROF. R S SHETTY-CAO -BCCIN SRINIVASAN-HONORARY SECRETARY/CONVENORMUSEUM COMMITTEE
ANIRUDH CHOUDHARY-CHAIRMANP D PATHAK-UTTAR PRADESHSANJIB KUMAR DUTTA-ORISSAANURAG THAKUR-HPCAM PRABHAKAR RAO-ANDHRAM R KRISHNA-KARNATAKAS.P. BANSAL-DDCAS VENKATESWARAN-HYDERABADK P KAJARIA-NCCSALEEM KHAN-JAMMU & KASHMIRPROF. R S SHETTY-CONVENORMEDIA COMMITTEE
RAJEEV SHUKLA-CHAIRMANG S WALIA-NORTH(PUNJAB)R N BABA-SOUTH (TNCA)PABITRA GAGOI-EAST (ASSAM)VINOD DESHPANDE-WEST(MUMBAI)RAJAN NAIR-CENTRAL (VIDARBHA)N SRINIVASAN-HONORARY SECRETARY /CONVENORMARKETING SUB-COMMITTEE
DR. FAROOQ ABHULLAH-CHAIRMANC P JOSHI-RAJASTHANGOUTAM ROY-ASSAMCHIRAYU AMIN-BARODADR. G GANGA RAJU-ANDHRAANIRUDH CHAUDHRY-HARYANADILIP CHUDGAR-MPCASAMARJIT GAIKWAD-BARODAANURAG THAKUR-HPCAS N WADIYAR-KSCAM M MISRA-UPCADAYANAND NARVEKAR-GOAARVIND CHOUDHARY-HARYANAC K KHANNA-DDCAD S CHALAPATHI-HYDERABADCHITRAK MITRA-CABBHARAT SHAH-SAURASHTRAALL OFFICE BEARERS OF BCCIGROUND & PITCHES COMMITTEE
VENKAT SUNDARAM-NORTH -CHAIRMANP R VISHWANATHAN-SOUTHRATUL DAS-EASTSUDHIR NAIK-WESTRAJIV GOKHALE-CENTRALN SRINIVASAN – HONORARY SECRETARY/CONVENORAFFILIATION COMMITTEE
ARUN JAITLEY-CHAIRMANASLAM GONI-JAMMU & KASHMIRSANJAY JAGDALE-HONORARY JT SECRETARYCRICKET DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
DILIP VENGSARKAR -CHAIRMANCHETAN CHAUHAN-NORTHARSHAD AYUB-SOUTHPRANOB ROY-EASTPRASHANT VAIDHYA-CENTRALN SRINIVASAN-HONORARY SECRETARY/ CONVENOR

John Buchanan insists he is not giving away Australia’s plans ahead of the Ashes while Ricky Ponting’s 5-0 claim has been written off

Cricinfo staff17-Aug-2010John Buchanan insists he is not giving away Australia’s plans ahead of the Ashes while Ricky Ponting’s 5-0 claim has been written off by everyone except Justin Langer. Buchanan, who coached the team between 1999 and 2007, has been hired as a consultant to the ECB but said he was not there “to tell people how to beat Australia”.”I am Australian, and cherish the part I played in the ongoing development of Australian cricket,” he said in the Courier-Mail. “Just as I am a Queenslander, and so would never be a full-time coach of another domestic team. This may be misguided loyalty. However, I am loyal to my principles of always assisting those organisations or individuals who seek to be better.”The Ashes tit-for-tat is in full swing after Ricky Ponting said it was possible to cleansweep England. Andrew Strauss called it the “silly season starting” while his team-mate Jonathan Trott felt the announcement would put more pressure on Ponting’s men.”We’re excited about going to Australia and we think we can do very well, but predictions mean nothing,” Strauss said before the start of the third Test against Pakistan. “Ultimately it’s about what you do on that field on the first day at Brisbane that starts to count. Up to then what people say doesn’t interest me to be honest.”Langer, Australia’s batting coach, stood up for Ponting. “It was always funny when Glenn McGrath said we were going to win 5-0 and everyone would bag him, but I never quite understood what he was meant to say,” Langer said in the Australian. “And I don’t understand what Punter’s meant to say, that we expect to lose a couple of Test matches? It’s not really our style to say we’re going to lose any Tests.”Stuart Clark was a key figure in the 5-0 win in 2006-07 and said everything would have to go right for a repeat of the result. Dean Jones, who was involved in Australia’s last home Ashes loss in 1986-87, tipped Strauss’s men as favourites.”I love Ricky’s bravado in coming out and saying Australia will win 5-0 but I can’t see it happening,” he said. “If it does, it will be the greatest performance of all time.”

Former Celtic transfer target Fernando Henrique looks set to secure a move in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Goal Brazil, who claimed that the defensive midfielder could be set to leave Gremio this month, with Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates appearing to be closing in on a $5m (£3.7m) deal for the 20-year-old.

Previous reports had claimed that Celtic had opened talks with the Brazilian regarding the potential of a move to Parkhead back in October, with The Scotsman stating that Ange Postecoglou was interested in Henrique as none of Ismaila Soro, James McCarthy or Nir Bitton provided the 56-year-old with adequate cover for Callum McGregor.

Postecoglou must finally move for Henrique

While it is true that Celtic have already secured the central midfield signings of both Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi this month, the fact that Postecoglou was interested in a further deal for Riley McGree would appear to suggest that the Hoops manager still believes he requires greater depth in that position.

As such, with Henrique appearing to be available in the current transfer window, it would seem advisable for the 56-year-old to finally make his move for the Gremio starlet, who would undoubtedly make a fantastic addition to Celtic’s current options in the middle of the park.

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Indeed, over his four Brazilian Serie A appearances last season, the £1.35m-rated man – who Almanaque Esportivo claimed is similar to Manchester United midfielder Fred – made a strong impression, averaging a whopping 2.3 interceptions, 2.8 tackles and 0.5 clearances and winning 5.8 duels (with a success rate of 52%) per game.

These returns saw the youngster earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.92, ranking him as Gremio’s eighth-best performer in the Brazilian top flight in 2021.

As such, considering that Henrique only turned 20 last summer, it would very much seem that he is a talent with a very bright future in the game. We believe that Postecoglou must this month reignite his interest in a move for the youngster who Everything Celtic dubbed a “strong” player, particularly if he is available for as little as £3.7m.

In other news: Postecoglou drops transfer claim on £5.7k-p/w dynamo, Celtic fans will be fuming

Celtic forward Leigh Griffiths is wanted by Dundee in a permanent deal, The Herald report.

The Lowdown: Soon-to-be free agent

Recent reports have suggested that the Hoops have terminated the 31-year-old’s contract at Parkhead, however, the club are yet to confirm this.

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As things stand, Griffiths, labelled as ‘amazing’ by Alex McLeish, is still technically a Celtic player, with his deal set to expire in the summer.

He’s been on loan at Dundee during the 2021/22 campaign, scoring twice in 14 games, and it seems as if he is wanted on a permanent deal at Dens Park.

The Latest: Full-time move

According to The Herald, Dundee manager James McPake is determined to keep Griffiths until the end of the season.

Parkhead chiefs have spoken to Griffiths and agreed that they will cancel his contract early, with a permanent move to Dundee as a free agent on the cards at the end of the month.

The Verdict: Good decision

Even though Griffiths penned fresh terms after Ange Postecoglou arrived, things have quickly changed and he is no longer needed at Parkhead, so cutting ties is the right call.

The Hoops have brought in Kyogo Furuhashi, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Daizen Maeda and youngster Johnny Kenny as central attacking options after Griffiths extended his stay, so they have more than enough without the Scot.

He’s been a great servant to the club, scoring 123 goals in green and white in 262 appearances and winning 14 major honours, but now is the time to move on for good and look to the future.

In other news: Source claims Celtic closing in on £5m transfer; talkSPORT man says it will ‘definitely’ happen.  

Even though the 2022 January transfer window has now opened, allowing clubs to bring new players in where they see fit, it seems as though Wolves have brought a familiar face back to Molineux.

According to a recent Twitter post from Wolves journalist Tim Spiers, it appears that the Midlands club have recalled left-midfielder Ryan Giles from his loan deal with Championship club Cardiff City.

In his tweet, Spiers said that Giles has “made great progress in the past couple of years” and that he now has a “big chance to impress” back at Wolves.

As a product of Wolves’ youth academy, Giles has had previous loan spells at clubs such as Shrewsbury Town, Coventry City and Rotherham United before joining Cardiff during the previous summer transfer window.

During his time at Cardiff, the 21-year-old managed to provide nine assists in 21 appearances, the current joint-highest in the Championship alongside John Swift, which goes to show why former Cardiff boss Mick McCarthy labelled Giles as an “exciting” player with his crosses, corners and free-kicks being a “real weapon” for the team.

In addition to his impressive assists, Giles has shown his versatility by making appearances in the left-wing, left-midfield and left-back positions as well as one appearance each in the central-midfield and right-midfield positions.

Taking all of this into account, Wolves chairman Jeff Shi could save manager Bruno Lage millions in potential transfer fees this month by using Giles as a regular figure in his team from now on.

Given his versatility and creativity on the pitch, Giles, who is currently valued at £1.8m according to Transfermarkt, could easily be a useful player for Lage should any current Wolves player get struck with injuries or a positive virus test.

Even though he has only made one senior appearance for Wolves which came during their 2-2 draw against Shrewsbury in the fourth round of the FA Cup back in 2019, this could be a great time for Giles to finally make his mark in the first team at Molineux and show to Lage why he should be in the squad.

It would be great to see the youngster given some minutes in the first team throughout the remainder of the season as a reward for doing so well at Cardiff.

In other news: Luke Hatfield drops teasing transfer update that will leave Wolves fans thrilled – opinion

After a spluttering start to the season Andrew Symonds finally ignited for Surrey to haul them out from 35 for 4 to 150 for 7, before Kent’s top-order folded to deliver Surrey a 16-run win

The Bulletin by Sahil Dutta at The Oval18-Jun-2010
ScorecardAndrew Symonds butchered seven sixes in his match-winning knock•Getty ImagesAfter a spluttering start to the season Andrew Symonds finally ignited for Surrey to haul them up from 35 for 4 to 150 for 7, before Kent’s top-order folded to deliver Surrey a 16-run win.The match was brought forward to allow fans, players and just about everyone else involved the chance to watch England’s football World Cup match. Batting under leaden skies at The Oval, the Kent batsmen duly aided the process, donating their wickets away freely before rain came to force an early finish.It was in stark contrast to Symonds’ powerful innings which contained all the nous and ability you’d expect from the world’s only Twenty20 freelancer. Having contributed just 40 runs in five games this season Symonds owed the Oval crowd a few and after starting quietly he launched into the sort of match-turning innings he was signed for.He got his knock going by easing his enormous arms through a length ball from Simon Cook to send it careering back down the ground into the stands over long on and thereafter six more sixes came in a flash. James Tredwell dished up a full toss, which Symonds only needed one hand to swing over long on and two overs later Symonds swatted Malinga Bandara for successive sixes to bring up a fifty from 24 balls.All the while Stewart Walters was calmly impressing at the other end, working the ball around and picking off a few boundaries of his own, during a 62-ball partnership of 95 that revived Surrey’s fortunes.At one stage it had looked as though Kent were going to flatten Surrey’s inconsistent batting order. Rory Hamilton-Brown, coming off the back of an authoritative 73 against Middlesex in the previous game, was trapped in front off Darren Stevens in the third over and Stevens’ wobbling medium pace did for Steven Davies two balls later.Mark Ramprakash and Younis Khan threatened a recovery, with Ramprakash landing a classy back-foot force through the covers, but he fell the next ball, spooning a catch to Rob Key at cover trying to repeat the dose. When Younis missed an aimless hoik to be bowled by Cook, it seemed almost unthinkable that Surrey would emerge with respectability.Instead it was Kent who left embarrassed. Their chase got off to a poor start when Rob Key slipped attempting a single to end up ingloriously on his backside when the bails were taken off. Two overs later, after some testing quick bowling form Chris Tremlett, Martin van Jaarsveld became the second run out of the innings, unable to get back after setting off for a single to short midwicket. Sam Northeast was unsettled by a barrage from Tremlett first up and his frantic knock came to end when he was yorked by Tim Linley.Reduced to 61 for 5 by the halfway stage and with the skies becoming ever more murky, the game was as good as up. There was enough time for Stevens to swish 33 and for the infamous Oval fox to cheer the crowds by darting across the outfield, before the rains came to bring an early a finish.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s interest in Manchester United gem Jesse Lingard, regarding a huge call on his future…

What’s the talk?

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the England international wants to fight for his spot at Old Trafford under Ralf Rangnick and does not want to leave midway through the campaign.

The report claims that the Magpies will now not be pursuing a deal for him in the January transfer window following on from his decision.

Reignition

Although this update now appears to rule out the possibility of him arriving at St. James’ Park next month, Newcastle must reignite their interest and attempt to persuade him to change his mind.

The attacking midfielder has only played eight minutes of football in the Premier League this season, yet has more goals (two) than every Newcastle player aside of Allan Saint-Maximin (three) and Callum Wilson (six). This not only highlights the United man’s knack for scoring goals but also shows how much the Magpies have struggled at the top end of the pitch.

Lingard also scored nine goals and provided four assists in 16 games on loan to West Ham in the top-flight last season, with Toon legend Alan Shearer hailing him as “stunning”. This further emphasises the point that he knows how to score at this level and that is why he could have been an exciting signing for Howe’s team.

Red Devils coach Michael Carrick previously went out of his way to laud the Englishman. He said:

“I think his movement is excellent. It’s something that sounds quite simple, but it’s difficult to defend against.

“He senses where the space is and how to use it. I wouldn’t necessarily say he’s a dribbler with skills and tricks but he’s dynamic. How he plays, he is unique in some ways. You don’t see so much of that now as everyone wants to get on the ball. Off the ball, he’s very effective.”

The £80k-per-week gem is a proven Premier League player and supporters will be frustrated that the chances of him joining their team have all but diminished before the transfer window has even opened.

This, along with his goalscoring quality, is why Nick Hammond and Howe must do all they can to bring him to Tyneside before February – reigniting their interest in him and prising the forward away from Old Trafford.

AND in other news, Hammond could seal instant NUFC masterclass by signing “outstanding” £15m “animal”…

Celtic are keen on AZ Alkmaar’s Albert Gudmundsson, according to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf (via FC Update). 

The lowdown

Gudmundsson is out of contract at the end of the 2021/22 season, and so as of Saturday, the Hoops could approach him about joining on a free transfer next summer.

Discussions over an extension have gone ‘quiet’ for a ‘while’ now, he says, and while he hasn’t ‘locked the door’ on staying put, he doesn’t know if negotiations will reopen.

He’s been at AZ since 2018, when he arrived from fellow Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven.

The Iceland international has started 12 of his side’s 18 league games so far this season, as well as five of their six Europa Conference League matches. Overall, he’s contributed six goals and two assists (via Transfermarkt).

Gudmundsson has been capped 29 times by his country and was part of the squad that went to the 2018 World Cup.

The latest

The report reaffirms previous claims in the British press that both Celtic and their arch-rivals Rangers view Gudmundsson as an ‘ideal’ addition.

That’s largely because of his versatility, with the 24-year-old capable of playing as a no. 10, a striker and a winger.

As his comments about his contract situation suggest, Gudmunsson is considering leaving AZ.

The verdict

Celtic need to improve their strength in depth. Ange Postecoglou has said as much when discussing the club’s injury pile-up.

Gudmundsson would be especially useful in that regard because of his capacity to play in multiple positions.

And he boasts a decent record too, with 29 direct goal contributions (17 goals, 12 assists) in 81 appearances in the Eredivisie – the seventh-strongest league in Europe.

There could be a scenario here where both Glasgow clubs make overtures in January, trying to convince him that their project is the more attractive – perhaps the prospect of linking up as a duo with Kyogo Furuhashi could tempt him to Parkhead?

In other news, Celtic have been backed to complete this triple swoop.

The IPL has fined Mumbai Indians for maintaining a slow over-rate during their win against Kings XI Punjab at the Brabourne Stadium on Tuesday

Cricinfo staff31-Mar-2010The IPL has fined Mumbai Indians for maintaining a slow over-rate during their win against Kings XI Punjab at the Brabourne Stadium on Tuesday. This was the second instance of Mumbai failing to bowl their full quota of overs within the stipulated time; in the event of a third offence, their captain Sachin Tendulkar could face a ban.At the end of the match, Mumbai were assessed to be one over behind the required rate after allowances were taken into consideration. Tendulkar was fined US$40,000 while each of the other players in the team was penalised US$10,000.Right through the tournament, the IPL has come down hard on captains for shoddy over-rates. After the first three games of the 2010 season, four captains – Sourav Ganguly, Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir and Sangakkara – were fined $20,000 each because their teams were not able to complete their overs on time. Sangakkara was subsequently banned for one game after Punjab were found guilty of not bowling their overs in time during their defeat at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders, their third offence.