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In his letter to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, Lalit Modi wrote of his decision to resign as president of the Nagaur District Association and urged the national board to release the funds due to the RCA

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Aug-2017

Lalit Modi, the former IPL commissioner, has announced his decision to quit all cricket administration “for now”, and has stepped aside from the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) by resigning as president of the Nagaur District Association.In his letter to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, Modi wrote that the system was bigger than the individual and requested the board to release the funds due to the RCA. Modi, 53, was expelled from the BCCI in 2013 and has been in exile owing to money laundering charges by the Enforcement Directorate of India.The RCA, on the other hand, has remained suspended by the BCCI since the election of Modi as the state body’s president in 2014. The board had warned that the RCA’s suspension would continue until Modi was removed from the post and also from the primary bodies of the state association. The suspension meant that RCA could no longer access BCCI’s funds. Cricket in the state suffered subsequently, with an ad-hoc committee of the BCCI running the show.However, while Modi continued to head the Nagaur District Association, his son, Ruchir Modi, contested and lost the elections for the RCA’s presidency to veteran politician CP Joshi. Eventually, Modi decided that it was time to move on and posted a copy of his letter on Twitter, late on August 11.”As I hand over the baton, I want to thank everyone in my team over the past two decades at Rajasthan and the BCCI,” Modi wrote in his letter to Johri. “We had some great times sculpting and putting together the future of Indian cricket. Now that the future is here, let’s hope BCCI and RCA set higher goals. But for Rajasthan to aim higher, we need funds from the BCCI which is our rightful share.”I have done my part for the betterment of Rajasthan cricket, and now it is your turn to honor your part of the promise. I repose my faith in you and the BCCI to do the right thing. I would, therefore, request you to release the funds due to RCA as soon as possible. I believe it was blocked precisely because of my presence. With my exit from all forms of cricket, at all levels, for ever, I think RCA deserves to reclaim their share and presence on the Indian cricket map. I hope the BCCI under your stewardship lives up to that promise.”Ahead of the 2017-18 domestic season, Modi’s exit has offered a glimmer of hope to the RCA, which seeks a return to the mainstream. While a BCCI official agreed that “it paves the way for it”, he said that there was a process in place that needed to be adhered to. “First, all the things for the revocation of suspension are to be done,” he told ESPNcricinfo.

Aston Villa are not looking to slow their pursuit of Nottingham Forest ace Brennan Johnson, with details emerging of a potential swoop for the promising speedster.

Unai Emery’s interest in the 22-year-old stems back as early as May, with FootballTransfers adding the Villans as one of the clubs eyeing the Welshman.

What is Brennan Johnson’s market value?

Valued by FootballTransfers at €36.7m (£31.4m), Villa’s long-standing pursuit of the forward could come to an end this summer.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Villa have held 'conversations' regarding a move for the youngster, with the piece suggesting that Forest may reluctantly accept an offer in the region of £40m in order to ease Financial Fair Play (FFP) concerns.

The initial report from FootballTransfers in May told of the Reds’ refusal of offers for Johnson, however the tides may turn as we delve into this window.

How good is Brennan Johnson?

Hailed as “unbelievable” by Wales coach Robert Page, via Wales Online, the 22-year-old has been a standout figure in Steve Cooper's side since their promotion to the Premier League in 2022.

In his first season in the top tier, the Welshman contributed to 11 goals in 38 appearances, scoring eight and assisting three as a versatile gem at the City Ground.

Forest value their forward highly, shown by him appearing in every Premier League game last term, as well as making 46 Championship appearances the year prior.

In the second division, Johnson managed to net 16 goals and assist nine times in the 2021/22 campaign, showing just how deadly he can be if equipped in a bright side.

Under Emery, the youngster could come to life and hit higher levels in the Premier League, in a side that has progressed massively since the Spaniard’s arrival in the Midlands.

One player that has elevated his performance and reaped the benefits since the 51-year-old’s appointment has been Jacob Ramsey, who could be a shining light for Johnson to play alongside.

The Englishman will miss the start of the season after suffering a broken metatarsal at the U21 European Championships, which is said to leave him sidelined for 10 weeks, however his return could be made brighter should the Villans capture Johnson’s signature.

Deployed in midfield, the Villa man highlighted his strengths going forward last season, scoring six goals and assisting seven in the Premier League.

As per FBref, the 22-year-old flexed his creative ability in the final third in recording an average of 1.43 key passes per 90, showing his playmaking capabilities in midfield.

The Birmingham-born ace could see his intricate vision and passing strengths pay off with the introduction of Johnson, who proved to be a livewire in attack last term.

Ranked as hitting the second-highest top speed in the league last season at 36.70 km/h, via OptaJoe, the Welshman is a lot for defenders to handle and could be a valuable asset for Ramsey to aim for going forward.

Lauded as a “great finisher” by Cooper, Villa could unleash a new level to the 22-year-old, just by integrating him into a more fluid, attacking side than what’s on show at the City Ground.

Emery could complete a strong deal in securing the signature of the Forest academy graduate,

Newcastle United are reportedly keen to prise Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City this summer, as Eddie Howe seeks to continue his midfield overhaul at St James' Park.

What's the latest on Phillips to Newcastle?

With the Magpies having already wrapped up a deal for AC Milan playmaker, Sandro Tonali, the Telegraph are now reporting that the club could turn their attention towards the England international over the coming weeks, with the 27-year-old having endured a difficult debut season at the Etihad.

While the report suggests that the former Leeds United man – who made the move to Manchester on a £45m deal last summer – is hoping to stay and fight for his place under Pep Guardiola, a possible swift exit from the treble-winning outfit is potentially still on the cards.

Although the piece does not state how much a deal for the Yorkshireman would cost, the Mirror reported earlier in the window that Premier League rivals Liverpool were eyeing a £35m move for the 5 foot 10 ace.

Would Phillips be a good signing for Newcastle?

There is no denying that it proved to be a frustrating first season for Phillips with the Cityzens, with the 27-cap maestro having been restricted to a bit-part role in the club's glittering success, after racking up just 21 appearances in 2022/23, making only two league starts in that time.

While previously described as a "machine" by The Athletic's Jordan Campbell during his prior stint at Elland Road – where he made 234 appearances across all fronts and helped guide the club to promotion – the £150k-per-week man's recent woes should well be of concern to Howe and co.

Newcastle may wish to avoid making the same mistake as that of their bitter rivals, Sunderland, with talkSPORT pundit Ray Parlour suggesting that the situation of Phillips at City is "very similar" to that of Jack Rodwell – who also endured infamously dour stint at the Stadium of Light.

Much like his compatriot, Rodwell had shown early promise after rising up through the ranks at Everton, with then-Toffees boss David Moyes stating that the midfielder had a "good future ahead of him", prior to making the move to Man City on a £15m deal in 2012.

As it proved, the Southport-born dud arguably "wasted two years of his career" at the Etihad – according to journalist Leigh Curtis – as he made just 25 first-team appearances, before joining the Black Cats in 2014.

That move proved even more disastrous as Rodwell endured a run of 39 top-flight games without a win – a league record – having also been lambasted by former boss Chris Coleman due to his apparent willingness to see out of his contract, rather than move on elsewhere.

Described as the 'worst signing in Sunderland's history' by the Chronicle's James Hunter back in 2018, the current Sydney FC man endured a torrid time of it in the northeast, with those at St James' Park perhaps wary of seeing history repeat itself.

The Tynesiders could well follow in the footsteps of their long-time foes with the addition of Phillips, with the Leeds native – who Guardiola described as "overweight" last season – seemingly not the solution for Howe this summer.

Liverpool may try and include players in exchange or additional add-ons in their bid to try and sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia this summer, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

What's the latest transfer news surrounding Romeo Lavia and Liverpool?

According to Sky Sports, Southampton are confident of being able to sell Lavia for the £50 million price tag they are demanding for the Belgium international to leave the South Coast.

Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal have all held conversations with the 19-year-old's entourage over the possibility of signing Lavia; however, his suitors have concerns over the fee quoted for the youngster.

As per The Telegraph, Liverpool may be willing to offload veteran midfielder Thiago Alcantara this window, as he has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia in his services.

In turn, the Reds could turn to Lavia as a potential replacement; nevertheless, his £50 million price is said to be 'too prohibitive' for Jurgen Klopp to consider bidding for the enforcer at present.

Manchester City retain a buyback clause for Lavia that stands at £40 million, which they inserted when he joined Southampton back in 2022; however, it doesn't activate until 2024, enabling rival clubs to steal a march on the Citizens this summer, as per Football Insider.

Of course, the German coach has already made moves in the transfer window to shore up his midfield, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai joining from Brighton & Hove Albion and RB Leipzig, respectively.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Romano reckons that Liverpool may be cute in negotiations and either include additional add-ons or offer players in exchange to try and seal a deal to sign Lavia.

Romano said: "For Romeo Lavia, the price tag is around £50million.

"But sources believe that maybe, with some add-ons or with a creative formula such as including some players, they can find a way with Southampton to reach an agreement."

Why is Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia so highly regarded?

Shortly after moving to Southampton from Manchester City, Lavia earned high praise from Manchester United legend Paul Scholes, who was speaking on BT Sport quoted by The Daily Mail before the Red Devils took on Southampton at St Mary's last year, as the pundit stated: "He has got a pass in his locker and he is big and strong and likes to defend. He does not want to get forward too much and sits in front of the back four and sets the play in motion from there."

Scholes' summary of Lavia's attributes is a high testament to the 19-year-old's qualities and potential to develop. Unsurprisingly, several elite sides are keen on offering him a return to the English top flight.

Last term, Lavia made 34 appearances in all competitions for Southampton and registered one goal alongside a solitary assist, as per Transfermarkt.

His capacity to efficiently recycle possession will have attracted interest from top clubs. According to WhoScored, Lavia maintained a pass success rate of 86.4% in the Premier League, showing commendable maturity for his age.

Getting stuck in, Lavia also managed to win 93 tackles and interceptions combined, displaying courage and tenacity in the Saints' engine room, as per FBRef.

Lavia looks set for an intriguing next few weeks, where we will find out more about his potential next destination, as an exit from Southampton looks to be nailed on before the end of the window.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is plotting a raid of former club Celtic this summer for winger Jota, who loved his time working under the Australian coach, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Jota?

According to 90min, Celtic are fearful that Tottenham could pursue Jota this summer as Postecoglou gets underway with his transfer business in N17.

The report also states that Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate could be 'subject to approaches' from the Lilywhites, who are looking to kick on following a disappointing 2022/23 campaign.

As per The Daily Record, Jota thanked Postecoglou for his service at Celtic in an emotional social media tribute, stating on Instagram: "To a man who gave me a life opportunity, never lost belief in philosophy and marked an era. I'll forever be grateful for every moment. Best of luck gaffer!"

Jota, who was hailed as "unbelievable" by Ange, joined Celtic from Benfica last year following a successful initial loan spell at the Scottish champions, prompting them to activate their £6.5 million option-to-buy, as per Sky Sports.

Benfica also retain a significant sell-on clause, which could kick into action if Jota was to be acquired by another club this off-season.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones thinks that Jota would suit Potsoeclgou's style of play and vision at Tottenham more than the likes of Furuhashi.

Jones told FFC: "Jota loved working under Ange, he might be slightly better suited to this particular Premier League project compared to Kyogo. For Jota, he has a real open-mindedness about his own personal career and his ambition and drive to where he can get to, I think he'd like a move like this."

How did Jota fare for Celtic in 2022/23?

Jota was an integral part of Celtic's treble-winning success in 2022/23 and has produced plenty of iconic moments at Parkhead, becoming a popular figure among supporters.

All in, the £17k-a-week ace managed to register 15 goals and 12 assists from 49 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

By a comfortable distance, according to WhoScored, Jota was the Hoops' most-consistent performer during the campaign, earning an average match rating of 7.48/10 for his exploits on the pitch.

In the Champions League, Jota managed to complete 16 dribbles across Celtic's involvement in the competition, demonstrating his ability to hold his own at the elite level.

Celtic will re-enter the tournament at the group phase in 2023/24, which may sway him to stay on at Parkhead for one more year despite interest from the Premier League.

Newcastle United will likely be in the transfer market this summer to bolster their impressive squad ahead of their return to the Champions League next season, after qualifying for the first time in two decades.

Whilst Eddie Howe will be thrilled with the rapid progress and success the players have displayed over the last campaign, there will be no room for sentiment when it comes to competing at the highest level on the European stage with some of the biggest and most successful clubs in football.

In terms of quality squad depth, the Tynesiders have been riding their luck over the last 12 months with the attacking threat the only area of the pitch that boasts a number of players who have maintained the high standards that Howe has needed to successfully compete.

However, there is definitely room for improvement at every opportunity and Dan Ashworth will be tasked with the responsibility of bringing in new additions who can help Newcastle make the step-up to compete at the highest level consistently on both the European stage and in domestic competition.

One player who has been linked this week with a potential £70m move to the North East is RB Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai, a versatile attacker who can adopt a number of roles in the advanced positions on the pitch to offer Howe another modern multi-dimensional threat.

Who is Dominik Szoboszlai?

The 22-year-old has been attracting attention from not only Newcastle but league rivals Liverpool this summer, and it's not hard to see why both Howe and Jurgen Klopp – who share a similar attacking-minded philosophy – are taking an interest in the young talent.

Szoboszlai has taken on a number of positions successfully over his short career so far, most commonly featuring in central midfield, attacking midfield, left midfield, right wing and left wing with 26 appearances or more in each, demonstrating his unique versatility on the pitch.

However, considering the Hungary international is incredibly prolific in providing goal contributions – with 64 goals and 73 assists tallied up over 226 career appearances to date – it is clear that his best attributes are found in front of goal.

As a result, Howe could form an unstoppable partnership between Szoboszlai and Newcastle's popular striker Alexander Isak with the pair combining their incredible skill sets to cause nightmares for opponents in both the Premier League and Champions League next season.

Isak has taken the top flight by storm since arriving last summer and despite a slow start has shown glimpses of his explosive talent that prompted the Magpies to splash £63m on the Swedish striker, with a goal contribution tallied up every 141 minutes so far which has helped Newcastle achieve their European dreams.

On top of that, the 23-year-old plays a unique role using his pace and stamina to offer something completely different to his position competitor Callum Wilson, with the England star adopting a more classic number nine role as a target man whilst Isak gets up and down the pitch to drive the ball into dangerous positions.

The Swede ranks in the top 20% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for progressive carries, progressive passes, tackles and successful take-ons, further demonstrating his unorthodox approach to the striker role which could see him become an ideal partner for Szoboszlai.

The RB Leipzig ace – dubbed a "generational talent" by journalist Marcel Moeller – ranks in the top 20% for his progressive passes like Isak, but ranks much higher in the top 9% for shot-creating actions proving that he could provide some much-needed creativity to really get the best from the Toon striker next season.

With that being said, it would be a big coup if Ashworth could complete the signing of Szoboszlai this summer as he could not only boost goal contributions next season but bring attributes that could improve the play of those around him too.

A washed out first day in Christchurch is unlikely to prompt wholesale changes in strategy, because there is still “plenty of time left in the game”, New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan said

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Christchurch17-Nov-2016

A washed out first day in Christchurch is unlikely to prompt wholesale changes in strategy, because there is still “plenty of time left in the game”, New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan said. Not even the toss was possible on Thursday, which means neither team has yet named their XI.Play is now set to begin half an hour early, for the following four days, as long as weather permits. A minimum of 98 overs is scheduled for each of these days, when usually, only 90 are expected to be bowled.”There’s not a lot of overs lost even though we lost the whole day today,” McMillan said. “We haven’t named our XI, and there are probably discussions on that tonight, but I don’t think too much has changed.”Though a day of rain may make an already green Hagley Oval surface even more conducive to seam movement, McMillan hoped the recent proliferation of greentops in New Zealand will have equipped his batsmen with the means to cope.”I think it’s fair to say looking at that surface that the toss will be important,” he said. “I think with the pitch being under cover today with the rain about, that first session tomorrow (Friday) is certainly going to be challenging. Hopefully, though, there’s enough movement for a couple of days, so that the team that wins the toss doesn’t have so big an advantage. I think there’s going to be enough for both teams in the first innings.”These are conditions that we’ve been in quite a lot over the last few years. We’ve batted first on a number of pitches that looked very similar to the one out there, and we’ve done it well. It’s nothing new to us but we still know that we have to get things right against a very good Pakistan attack.”McMillan had been charged with helping New Zealand’s batsmen – who were battered in India – regain some confidence ahead of the long home season. He said the top order had prepared specifically for the Pakistan attack, with special attention given to combating the left-arm angle that Mohammad Amir, and perhaps Rahat Ali, will provide.”I want to see the batsmen commit to their own personal game plan,” McMillan said. “We’ve done some good work over the last two days in the nets. Both sets of fast bowlers are licking their lips and are pretty excited I think by what’s on offer. I think they have to commit to the style and game plan that they want to follow through with and they have to make good decisions. They have to be nice and precise the way they go about it. If they do that, there’s a reasonable chance they can come out with some success.”

Tottenham Hotspur may give Ivan Perisic another year at the club despite speculation over his future in N17, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Ivan Perisic?

According to Calciomercato, Perisic is said to want to return to his former club Inter Milan in the summer following a disappointing campaign for all involved at Tottenham.

The report states that the Croatia international wants to leave Spurs despite having a year left on his £180k-per-week contract at his current employers; however, Inter Milan may struggle to afford his hefty wages.

As per The Evening Standard, it is claimed that Perisic could be on his way out of Tottenham in the off-season alongside fellow teammate Ryan Sessegnon.

There is also uncertainty over the future of defensive trio Eric Dier, Japhet Tanganga and Davinson Sanchez, who may also benefit from a new challenge elsewhere.

In 2022/23, Perisic made 44 appearances in all competitions for Spurs, registering one goal and 12 assists in total, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones thinks that Perisic may be kept around for another year at Tottenham despite the fact that he seemingly would be open to an exit.

Jones told FFC: "I'm not sure about Perisic, to be honest. I can see him hanging around. I think that sign a two-year deal, the first year definitely hasn't gone as we'd have expected, but that's because we were expecting Conte to be there all season and for things to probably go better than they did under him. But, I think there's a possibility he hangs around."

Should Tottenham Hotspur keep hold of Ivan Perisic?

Realistically, a lot will depend on who Tottenham turn to as their next manager and whether they see Perisic's experience as a valuable commodity to keep around in north London.

Right now, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is the leading candidate for the role and has been booked in for further talks with the club next week; nevertheless, ex-Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has also been internally discussed, as per Fabrizio Romano.

WhoScored notes that 34-year-old Perisic managed to record an average of 1.4 key passes per match in the Premier League across 2022/23, demonstrating his ability to play an important part in chance creation for the Lilywhites.

FBRef also take into account that the former Inter Milan star performed 87 progressive carries over the course of the campaign, illustrating his ability to be an offensive threat from either the right or left flank.

His versatility is also a plus point when reviewing whether Spurs will keep Perisic on going into next season; nevertheless, we will find out more in the next few months once the club announce who their permanent successor to Antonio Conte will be.

Glasgow Rangers are reportedly interested in bringing Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder Parfait Guiagon to Ibrox.

What’s the latest Rangers transfer news?

Michael Beale has made a start on his transfer business ahead of his first season in charge in regards to both incoming and outgoings.

The club recently confirmed that Scott Arfield, Filip Helander, Ryan Kent, Allan McGregor and Alfredo Morelos will all leave the club when their contracts expire.

Meanwhile, the Gers also officially confirmed a move for attacking midfielder Kieran Dowell, who has agreed a three-year deal and will join on a free transfer from Norwich City.

However, it looks as if Dowell may not be the only attacking midfielder through the door this summer, with links emerging over a move for Guiagon.

According to Israeli outlet One, Rangers have been keeping a close eye on Guiagon throughout the current season. He is now wanted by those at Ibrox, with Maccabi Tel Aviv open to offers ahead of a possible transfer.

Who is Parfait Guiagon?

Guiagon is 22 years of age and has been on the books with Maccabi Tel Aviv since 2020. Primarily an attacking midfielder who can also play on the left wing, Guiagon has been out on loan with Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam and Maccabi Netanya in previous seasons.

The attacker has made 100 senior appearances at club level, 40 of which have come with Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he has completed 110 successful dribbles throughout the season from 189 attempts.

Guiagon appears to be at the top of his game with a €1.2m career-high Transfermarkt valuation and was hailed as a “talented” player by Maccabi’s Head of Football Department Barak Itzhaki after he signed a three-year deal last year.

“Parfait is a young talented player who joined the Club thanks to the good work of the scouting department.”

It looks as if a move to Rangers for the Ivorian will be one to keep an eye on over the coming months, and by the looks of it, it could be an extremely busy summer for Beale and co in the market, with up to 10 new players through the door.

Newcastle are planning a huge bid to try and sign Raphinha from Barcelona in the summer according to Spanish media via Sport Witness.

What's the latest on Raphinha to Newcastle?

The Brazilian made his name with Leeds United. bursting onto the scene with 15 goal contributions in his first 26 starts for the Whites in his debut campaign. A year later he had bagged a further eleven goals despite the Elland Road side's struggles.

It led to the winger being snapped up in a deal by Catalan giants Barcelona, where he has once more managed a double-digit figure for his goal contributions (he has 13 so far this season). This fine form has seen the 26-year-old linked with an immediate return to England despite spending just a campaign away from the Premier League.

The main suitors for his signature have been Newcastle, who have had an interest in the player for the last few months. The Toon have been electric this season, storming to third place in the Premier League table and chasing down a spot in Europe for the first time since the 2012/13 season. They'll now be looking to continue to improve their squad and have seemingly identified Raphinha as one of their main targets.

A fresh report from the Spanish media, via Sport Witness, claims that even with Barcelona demanding a fee of around 80 million Euros (£70m) to sign the player, Newcastle are prepared to do business for the winger. They have already made contact over a potential deal and have insinuated that they would be prepared to part with the La Liga side's asking price to bring him to St James' Park.

If the fee is placed on the table then, the Toon could soon bring the Brazilian back to England.

Should Newcastle sign Raphinha?

The winger has showcased his skills in the Premier League previously, terrorising defences and putting fear into opposition players during his time with Leeds. Even with the Whites struggling at the wrong end of the division during his last stint in the league, he managed to bag eleven goals and was part of the reason why the club ensured their top tier survival that year.

When allowed to get forward and run at other teams, he has proven to be one of the very best in Europe. This is shown through the fact he produced a rating of 7.33 (via WhoScored) when deployed as a right-winger for the Spanish side and ranks in the top ten in the entire La Liga for goals and assists per 90 currently, with 0.65.

One of his former teammates Daniel James even called the player a "magician" during his time with Leeds, adding that he can do "anything on the pitch."

Newcastle need players who can cut it with the elite in the eventuality that they get into Europe – and Raphinha can do that.