Manchester United are in the market for high-profile additions in January and could now look to strengthen their forward line under Erik ten Hag, according to a report.

Manchester United prepare for January…

All things considered, the last few days haven't been too bad for Manchester United after Sir Jim Ratcliffe agreed to buy his 25% stake in the club, with football operations now set to come under the banner of INEOS, alongside £236 million becoming available to redevelop Old Trafford.

On the pitch, the Red Devils picked up a much-needed 3-2 victory over Aston Villa to move up to sixth in the Premier League table following a dramatic late strike from Denmark international Rasmus Hojlund; however, Ten Hag will be keen to ensure his side inherit adequate cover in the January window to equip them for the second half of the campaign.

Plenty of rumours are starting to do the rounds regarding potential targets at Old Trafford and the acquisition of a striker has been floated as a major area of priority.

Man Utd's rumoured striker targets for January

Latest update

Serhou Guirassy

19th December

Nico Williams

19th December

Donyell Malen

8th December

Max Moerstedt

7th December

Timo Werner

1st December

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, transfer insider Dean Jones has claimed that Galatasaray striker Mauro Icardi moving to Manchester United would be "box office" amid recent links connecting the player and club, as he stated to the outlet: "I’ll be honest, while the signing would be box office I can’t see someone like Icardi arriving as we head towards January but across the course of next month a lot can change."

Now, a separate report has emerged claiming that the Red Devils have an alternative target in mind as Ten Hag looks to give support to Hojlund.

Manchester United want Viktor Gyokeres

According to reports in Portugal cited via Sport Witness, Manchester United are keen on Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres and could look to trigger his €100 million (£86.6 million) release clause in the January transfer window, which would leave Sporting powerless.

Labelled "brilliant" by former boss Mark Robins, the 25-year-old has been in some excellent form this term, registering 17 goals and eight assists in 20 appearances for his new club (Gyokeres statistics – Transfermarkt).

Viktor Gyokeres key statistics in 2023/24 – Liga Portugal (Sofascore)

Expected goals

5.82

Shots per game

2.9

Shots on target per game

1.3

Expected assists

2.25

Big chances missed

3

Average match rating

7.85/10

The outlet claim that the Sweden international has promised to see out the season at the Portuguese giants, something which will mean that the Red Devils will need to put a good argument across as to why he should swap the sunnier climbs of Lisbon for Old Trafford; nonetheless, hype continues to build over his next destination.

Scandinavian have a long, proud history at Manchester United and Ten Hag could now once again turn to an individual from the region to help add some extra firepower to his forward line in January.

Tom Brady has been roasted by his former New England Patriots boss Bill Belichick after seeing Birmingham relegated out of the Championship.

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• American football icon invested in Blues
• Has seen them tumble into the third tier
• Vowed to help deliver a brighter future

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  It was revealed early in the 2023-24 campaign that NFL legend Brady had acquired a stake in the Blues and would be taking on a role as chairman of the advisory board. His debut campaign at St Andrew’s proved to be a forgettable one.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After taking a gamble on Manchester United great Wayne Rooney at one stage, and working with four different managers across the season as a whole, Birmingham slipped out of the second tier on the final day after falling one point short of safety.

• Getty
  

  WHAT BELICHICK SAID

  Brady has already vowed that a brighter future lies ahead for Birmingham, but he is having to take criticism for now. Belichick, who oversaw six Super Bowl wins for Brady in New England, said at ‘The Roast of Tom Brady’ for : “I see your soccer team Birmingham City got knocked down another tier in the English football leagues. For those not familiar with English football and the intricacies of their obscure regulation system… let me put it in English for you: they suck. Not so easy running a team, is it Tom?”

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• WHAT NEXT FOR BRADY?

  Birmingham are back in the third tier of English football for the first time since 1994-95. They will be rubbing shoulders with Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and Co next season, with Wrexham earning promotion into League One.

Manchester City have made contact to enquire about a deal to bring an exciting teenager to the Premier League, according to a reliable reporter.

Man City form this season

The Sky Blues have made a generally solid start to the new campaign having won 10, drawn four and lost three of their opening 17 games, meaning that they currently find themselves fourth in the top-flight table.

While Pep Guardiola will be assessing his options as to who he could sign to strengthen his squad in the here and now, he’ll also no doubt be keeping an eye on any available up-and-coming prospects as he looks to start building a squad for the long-term future of the club.

Man City plotting move for "passing master" to replace Kalvin Phillips

The former Leeds star has not had the desired impact at the Etihad.

ByChloe Chadwick Dec 16, 2023

River Plate’s attacking midfielder Claudio Echeverri has been highlighted as a potential target, with the 17-year-old having worked his way up through his club’s various youth ranks to eventually get promoted to their senior first-team (Transfermarkt – Echeverri statistics).

Argentina’s youth international has a deal that is set to expire in December 2024 (River Plate contracts), and having seemingly impressed during his performances since the start of his career, he’s caught the eye of those at the Etihad Stadium.

Man City interested in Echeverri

Taking to X, Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Man City are keen on Echeverri and have already made contact to River Plate ahead of a possible move.

He wrote: “Understand both Chelsea and Man City have made contact to be informed on Claudio Echeverri situation. Barcelona remain keen but structure of the deal makes it complicated with Financial Fair Play. Release clause: €25m (£21m), up to €30m (£25m) in the final days of the market.”

Echeverri is a "top talent" for the future

While Man City may not throw Echeverri straight into the fold considering that he’s still at such a young age, Guardiola could be aware of the bags of potential that he has to offer, therefore, the teenager could be an excellent recruit for the club in years to come.

The Resistencia native has posted 18 contributions (13 goals and five assists), from 22 appearances across all competitions for Argentina’s U17s following his arrival on the professional scene, showing how prolific he can be in the final third, and he’s already been recognised for his individual efforts on the international stage.

Sponsored by Adidas, Pep’s target was named the U17s South American Championship top goalscorer, and he further knows what it takes to compete and be successful at a high level having been crowned the Argentinian Champion with River Plate, possessing an excellent winning mentality that would be required of him by his admirers.

As described by football scout Jacek Kulig, Echeverri is a “top talent”, and considering that he’s already showcasing what he’s capable of at his childhood club, he’s surely destined to move onto bigger and better things in the near future.

Liverpool are once again flying under Jurgen Klopp, sitting top of the Premier League at the halfway stage and three points clear of closest challengers Aston Villa, and five clear of champions Manchester City, who have a game in hand. The Reds looked down and out last season, before a summer overhaul gave the Anfield side new life ahead of the current campaign.

The good news could just keep coming their way too, with reports suggesting that they could now keep hold of one of Klopp's biggest stars to end any fears over a potential departure in the coming months.

Mohamed Salah contract update

After missing out on a Champions League place last time out, not many would have expected Liverpool to make their return to the title race. Here they are, however, not just competing, but even leading the way.

Of course, there's still a long season ahead and the January transfer window must still play its part, but the Reds deserve credit for how they've bounced back from disappointment in such style. The arrivals of Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have certainly played a part, yet it could be internal transfer news which hands Liverpool the ultimate boost.

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According to Football Transfers and Anfield Watch, Mohamed Salah is now leaning towards signing a contract extension at Liverpool to ease any fears that he could leave the Merseyside club.

It's a bit of a twist from previous rumours, as FSG had reportedly been planning for life without the Egyptian. Given Salah's consistent Saudi Arabia links, it was easy to worry for Liverpool, who have now scaled back their contingency plans in the case of his exit. Some credit deserves to go to FSG for that too, with their willingness to pay Salah's reported £18m a year contract more than playing its part.

Top of the Premier League, in a Carabao Cup semi-final and predictably through in the Europa League, the news that Salah is leaning towards a contract extension sums up what could be a season to remember for Liverpool.

How many goals has Salah scored for Liverpool?

There is no doubting the fact that Salah is one of the best players to ever play for Liverpool in the Premier League. The 31-year-old has won it all in English football and has picked up plenty of records along the way. With three Premier League Golden Boots to his name, there's an argument that Salah is the greatest winger that the Premier League has seen.

Salah's Premier League goals tally of 153 is impressive enough (two for Chelsea), but his overall contributions in red stand at 204, with 88 assists thrown in for good measure.

Liverpool's top Premier League goalscorers (via LFC History)

Goals

Mohamed Salah

151

Robbie Fowler

128

Steven Gerrard

120

Michael Owen

118

Sadio Mane

90

Klopp will certainly be relieved about the potential contract news, recently lauding Salah, saying via TNT Sports: "A player with his numbers I’m not sure I will ever coach again. His whole development from the first talks we had to the talks we have now, as a man, is an incredible and very impressive development and growth – and as a player as well. Absolutely exceptional player, all-time great. No shadow of a doubt. I was blessed to have a few good ones, to be honest, but he is right up there and the numbers are super special.”

تحدث حسام حسن المدير الفني لـ منتخب مصر الأول، عن مباراة الفراعنة أمام الرأس الأخضر (كاب فيردي)، في خضم منافسات تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025.

ويستضيف منتخب مصر نظيره الرأس الأخضر مساء غدًا الجمعة على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، ضمن مباريات الجولة الأولى لحساب المجموعة الثالثة من تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا المغرب 2025.

وقال حسام حسن في تصريحات بالمؤتمر الصحفي الذي يسبق المباراة: “منتخب كاب فيردي قوي، ومنتخب مصر يمر بفترة هامة جدًا”.

وأضاف: “نركز على النزول بمعدل الأعمار في كأس العالم 2026، ولكننا مختلفين عن المغرب، حيث إن منتخب أسود الأطلس لديهم خطة يتم تطبيقها منذ فترة كبيرة جدًا، وكل لاعبيهم محترفين”.

وواصل: “بدأت الاعتماد على لاعبي المنتخب الأولمبي، خاصة المؤثرين، إذ أركز على حوالي 7 لاعبين من المنتخب الأولمبي، وأتمنى تنظيم مباريات ودية قوية حتى أستطيع منحهم فرصة”.

تريزيجيه: منتخب الرأس الأخضر ليس سهلًا لكننا سنواجهم على استاد القاهرة

وأردف: “جميعنا نؤذي الكرة المصرية بسبب عدم انتظام المواعيد وعدم وجود جدول ثابت، كل الأزمات تصب على منتخب مصر والجهاز الفني لمنتخب مصر”.

واستكمل ردًا على إمكانية تقديم استقالته: “مستحيل، أنا أخدم مصر تحت أي ظروف وأتمنى أن نغير السلبيات، وأعلم أنني أملك لاعبين رجالًا يملكون روح المصريين، وسعيد برغبة اللاعبين في تحقيق المستحيل، لأن هذه رغبة الجهاز الفني أيضًا، والرئيس السيسي قال قبل ذلك صراحةً نريد مدربا وطنيا”.

واستطرد: “محمد صلاح ومحمد النني ومحمود حسن تريزيجيه على سبيل المثال، نماذج للاعبين المحترفين، هناك لاعبين كانوا منتقلين لأندية أخرى ومع ذلك أتوا للمنتخب مبكرًا”.

وأشار: “محمد صلاح يعيش ضغط مباريات مع ليفربول ومع ذلك انتظم في المعسكر رغبة منه في أن يقدم شيئًا لمنتخب مصر”.

وأكد: “أحترم كاب فيردي ولكن لدينا لاعبين قادرين على تنفيذ أفكارنا، وأثق أن أداء المنتخب سيتطور في مباراتي المعسكر الحالي”.

ورد مدرب منتخب مصر: “هناك ناس يتخيلون أن حسام حسن يقيم معسكرات طويلة، نحاول تجميع اللاعبين المتاحين، كنت أتمنى أن يكون هناك تعاون، عندما كنت لاعبًا لم نحصل على 22 أو 23 يوم إجازة، للأسف كنت أتفاوض على ضم اللاعبين مبكرًا لإنقاذ ما يمكن إنقاذه، اللاعبون الذين حصلوا على فترة راحة أكتر من 20 يوم، يحتاجون فترة إعداد لمدة شهر ونصف، ولم أطلب أسبوع، بل طلبت 3 أيام فقط قبل الموعد الرسمي للمعسكر، وكان يمكنني أن أرتاح ولا أبدأ المعسكر مبكرًا وأنطلق مع الأجندة الدولية، طلبت أبدأ المعسكر يوم 28 أغسطس وقلت ذلك بعد انتهاء معسكر يونيو”.

أما عن الالتزام بالأجندة الدولية، أوضح حسام حسن: “نرى في البطولات المحلية تأجيلات غريبة، إذا كنت سأبدأ في الأجندة الدولية إذًا لا تسمحوا بتأجيلات الدوري، ولا نريد الوصول لمرحلة عدم التأهل لكأس أمم إفريقيا كما حدث بعد نسخة 2010، الناس تقول إن حسام حسن يريد العودة بالزمن لعصر محمود الجوهري ويطبق معسكرات طويلة، أتمنى أن أعود لعصر الجوهري، ويجب أن نعيد حساباتنا”.

وأكد: “إبراهيم حسن كان يتابع من اليوم الأول قصة محمد عبدالمنعم، نادي نيس الفرنسي محترم جدًا ولم يكن هناك أزمة في قدوم اللاعب للمعسكر، حتى أنهم أجلوا مؤتمر تقديم اللاعب لكي ينضم لمعسكر منتخب مصر”.

وواصل: “ولكن عبدالمنعم كان يُصر على الاستمرار مع نيس، وبالنسبة لي رغبة اللاعب أهم شيء، حال عدم وجود رغبة ينتهي الأمر، ولكن الحقيقة إن محمد عبدالمنعم لاعب مخلص، وأنا قررت مساندته على الأقل نفسيًا حتى يستطيع تحقيق نجاحات في الاحتراف”.

وأتم حسام حسن: “إمام عاشور اشتكى من الإصابة في بداية المران، وأي لاعب ليس جاهزًا أقرر استبعاده فورًا، لإني أخاف على كل اللاعبين، كما أنني لدي فرصة الاختيار من 100 مليون مصري، إذًا منتخب مصر لا يقف على أي لاعب، ولذلك فضلت استبعاد إمام عاشور وعودته للأهلي”.

يذكر، أن منتخب مصر سيفتقد في مباراة الرأس الأخضر عنصرين أساسيين وهما إمام عاشور بسبب الإصابة، ومحمد عبد المنعم الذي اعتذر بعد انضمامه لفريق نيس الفرنسي.

ويتواجد منتخب مصر في المجموعة الثالثة التي تضم إلى جواره منتخبات الرأس الأخضر وبوتسوانا وموريتانيا.

وتشهد منافسات تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025 مشاركة 48 منتخبًا مقسمين على 12 مجموعة بواقع 4 منتخبات في كل مجموعة.

ويتأهل لنهائيات كأس أمم إفريقيا المقبلة متصدر ووصيف كل مجموعة، مكونين 24 منتخب، هم قوام نهائيات كان المقبلة. تصريحات حسام حسن عن محمد عبدالمنعم

Hashim Amla will return to cricket with the Cape Cobras during Cricket South Africa’s upcoming T20 Challenge, coach Ashwell Prince confirmed in Cape Town on Thursday. Prince also revealed that CSA were hoping Amla would be able to take up a short county stint in England to acclimatise ahead of the World Cup, but Amla wanted to stay in South Africa to be closer to his ailing father.”He is available,” Prince said at Newlands. “My understanding is that CSA would have preferred for him to be playing in the UK, but he wanted to be closer to home.”Cape Cobras will play five games in the domestic T20 tournament before South Africa’s World Cup squad is named on 18 April, and their tournament opener against Lions at the Wanderers on Sunday will be Amla’s first participation in competitive cricket since March 1. Amla last playedfor South Africa in the two Tests against Sri Lanka in February, and was granted compassionate leave from the one-day squad to be with his critically ill father.The situation has improved a little but Amla, who turned 36 on March 31, is short of form and match practice ahead of the deadline for the announcement of South Africa’s World Cup squad. His place in that squad is not settled, and CSA’s selection convener Linda Zonditold that the process of deciding upon that squad is giving him “sleepless nights”. Amla started this season in dreadful form, averaging just 10.14 with the bat with two ducks in seven innings for Durban Heat in the Mzansi Super League before turning things around somewhat with vital runs – including a 27th ODI hundred – during Pakistan’s visit. After some time away from the game to be with his family, Amla returned to the nets in Durban this week and will be flying to Cape Town to join the Cobras squad ahead of their first game of the CSA T20 Challenge. Prince believes that the tournament could provide Amla with valuable time in the middle.”I don’t think extending an innings has ever been a problem for Hashim,” Prince said. “It’s about getting in. In the Mzansi Super League, he didn’t manage that, which can happen after a long lay-off.”I still think there is a place for somebody to bat through the innings, and he is well capable of doing that. If he bats through the innings at a 120/130 strike rate, it allows other more natural ball strikers to play their game around him. There is an opportunity for Hashim to bat through the innings and if he does that half the time, then I think he is getting enough batting.”Prince also confirmed that JP Duminy will not be available for the Cobras’ first few games of the tournament as his rehabilitation from a shoulder injury that necessitated surgery and kept him out of action for most of the summer continues with strength and conditioning work as per CSA’s wishes.

With the World Cup less than two month’s away, Pakistan’s head coach has cast doubts over the fast bowler’s inclusion in the side “going forward”

Umar Farooq26-Mar-2019Mohammad Amir’s ODI numbers since the 2017 Champions Trophy make for worrying reading if you’re a Pakistan fan. With just five wickets from his last 14 ODIs and the World Cup less than two months away, Pakistan’s head coach Mickey Arthur has cast doubts over the fast bowler’s inclusion in the side “going forward”.In the 21 months since that Champions Trophy final against India in June 2017, Amir has gone for an average of 92.60, failing to complete his quota of 10 overs even once. The spotlight on him only increased after he was named in the Pakistan squad for the ongoing series against Australia, only to be dropped immediately after another wicketless, expensive outing in the first ODI in Sharjah.While both Arthur and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq have previously backed Amir as a bowler for the big occasion, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to see him seal a spot in the squad for the World Cup, which begins on England on May 30.”Yes, Amir’s form is a worry and nobody is more worried than Amir,” Arthur said. “I still think he is an incredibly skilled bowler and has all the attributes to be successful. He has got a big match temperament and we will see how we use him going forward.”Amir has potentially three more chances to make an impression in Dubai, with three ODIs left in the series against Australia. Things haven’t gone according to plan so far for Pakistan, who lost the first two matches convincingly after resting six key players (as well as a seventh later in Faheem Ashraf). The team faced further ire when makeshift captain Shoaib Malik suggested after the second ODI in Sharjah that Pakistan were using the series merely to test their bench strength, and that winning or losing did not matter.Arthur, however, put those suggestions to bed, claiming that Pakistan were always out to win, and that the environment in the dressing room was positive.”Every time we play for Pakistan, we are playing to win,” he said. “You ask the guys in the dressing room, I am a very bad loser. We hate losing. We are representing a very proud cricket nation and we never want to lose. We are testing our bench strength, but we will never sacrifice our intensity and the will to win.”The attitude of the guys that we have around here has been incredible. These guys will become very, very good cricketers. The other guys [who have been rested for this series] have been in a tough system for two years. These guys are only now making their way like Mohammad Hasnain, Abid Ali, Saad Ali. Shan [Masood] and Rizi [Mohammad Rizwan] have been in and out of our ODI side. Umar Akmal is back. We are trying to increase the depth of Pakistan cricket.”We get castigated for not giving opportunities to the younger guys. Now we are giving them the opportunities are we are being castigated again. There seems to be no winning. What people need to understand is that we are a very passionate cricket team and whenever we go on the field, it is to win. We represent 210 million people and it is so important. Myself, Inzi [Inzamam ul Haq and the selection panel have a plan in place which is to have our core group of 15 ready and firing to go by April 23, when we go to England, to win the World Cup for Pakistan.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers won't want to add too many bodies into the building this transfer window, Gary O'Neil more than content with the fortunes of his Old Gold squad currently.

The West Midlands side let a number of first-teamers leave in the summer such as Ruben Neves and Nathan Collins but have pushed on regardless, a revitalised and fresh Wolves side 11th in the current Premier League standings after a barnstorming 3-0 win over Everton last game rounded off an up-and-down 2023.

Still, to help key figures such as Matheus Cunha continue to impress and play their part in Wolves defying expectations, an addition here and there wouldn't go amiss into the tight-knit group.

O'Neil could well look to this former Watford man as a possible incoming through the door, the West Midlands-based club linked with exciting winger Ismaila Sarr who was a constant nuisance going forward whilst with the Hornets.

Wolves transfer latest – going in for Sarr

According to reports, via TEAMtalk, last month indicated that Wolves were keen on bringing Sarr back to England, the Senegalese forward currently on the books at Olympique Marseille.

He might not be sticking around in France for much long however if rumours are correct, the Old Gold prepared to battle with Fulham this month – who are also interested – to try and win Sarr's services.

The current Marseille man wouldn't be a cheap buy though, Sarr joining the Ligue 1 club for a fee of £15.5m from Vicarage Road.

Sarr could well fancy a return to familiar territory in the Premier League after a poor spell with Marseille to date, with Wolves gaining another skilful forward in the process who could be a joy to watch alongside Cunha if signed.

Ismaila Sarr's style of play

The senior Senegal international garnered a reputation as being a tricky, daring attacker during a celebrated four-season stay with the Hertfordshire-based outfit where he played 50 times in the top flight.

He wasn't all tricks and flicks with no end product though, a dependable scorer of goals for the Hornets.

Sarr would amass 34 goals in total for Watford before departing the club last year for pastures new, where the goals have dried up now with just four managed this campaign for his new French employers.

At one point in time, Sarr was even linked with a move to Manchester United away from Hertfordshire at the peak of his powers – described by football journalist Rob Blanchette as "electric" when quizzed in 2020 about this prospective transfer deal.

The ex-Watford fan favourite could give Wolves another dangerous option going forward away from the calm and measured approach of Pablo Sarabia, an exhilarating and off-your-seat style attacker purchased to match Pedro Neto already at Molineux.

But, with Neto still nursing a hamstring knock and not near regular first-team minutes as of yet, Sarr could come into the team and become a dream partner going forward for Cunha.

This would see Sarr take on an attacking midfield role just behind Hwang as opposed to roaming freely down the channels, but Sarr has played centrally before in his career – scoring six of his 34 strikes for Watford as an out-and-out centre forward.

Cunha and Sarr could complement each other well, Sarr the more potent and goal-hungry forward out of the two arguably whilst Cunha is the more aggressive and creative option further back attempting to make things happen – the Brazilian Wolves man averaging 2.94 progressive carries over the last year per 90 minutes according to FBRef.

In contrast, Sarr is more poacher-like in his play with 6.08 touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 minutes over the same time period.

O'Neil will just want his Wolves team to continue growing in confidence regardless of who is picked to play or who is signed this month, but Sarr looks like he'd be a worthwhile signing to make to strengthen the Old Gold without causing major disruption.

Australia’s Glenn Maxwell and India’s KL Rahul among the top 10 batsmen in the latest ICC rankings update

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Feb-2019

Hazratullah Zazai raises his bat after reaching his hundred•Getty Images

Hazratullah Zazai, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi have not only been helping Afghanistan win T20Is left and right, they’ve also now ensured the team’s representation among the world’s top 10 batsmen, bowlers and allrounders.The latest ICC rankings update had Rashid as the No. 1 bowler in T20Is. He consolidated his place at the top by picking up four wickets in four balls during the final game against Ireland on Sunday. In the previous game, Hazratullah had smashed 162 not out, the second-highest score in T20I history. That innings helped him rise 31 places up the batsmen’s rankings to occupy seventh place. Nabi also had a good time against the Irish, scoring 147 runs at a strike rate of 181 while also picking up two wickets at an economy rate of 7.3. He keeps his No. 3 spot on the allrounders’ table.ALSO READ: Hazratullah Zazai, the Afghanistan Chris GayleGlenn Maxwell’s run-spree this week has enabled him to climb to third place on the batsmen’s rankings. The Australia allrounder struck 56 and 113 to help his side win the two-match T20I series against India.There were some gains for the Indians as well with opener KL Rahul returning to form with 97 runs in two innings. He moved into sixth place while his captain Virat Kohli occupies 17th. Among the bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah, who nearly rewrote the script during the first T20I when he picked up two wickets in the 19th over of the chase, shot up 12 places to stand No. 15 among the world’s best T20I bowlers.

Rangers manager Philippe Clement will hope to bring in new faces during the January transfer window, and a promising update has emerged regarding their business.

Rangers transfer news

Everything seems to be going in a positive direction under Clement at the moment, with the Belgian steadying the ship after the ultimately doomed reign of Michael Beale. In fact, Rangers are now in a position where they will go top of the Scottish Premiership if they win their two games in hand, with Celtic's 2-0 defeat at home to Hearts on Saturday afternoon acting as a huge boost.

While the Gers' title chances are improving all the time, having been a lot further behind their rivals earlier in the season, it does feel as though a few new faces may help give Clement's squad some much-needed extra depth and quality.

Everton centre-back Ben Godfrey has been linked with a move to Rangers, and could be an exciting addition, while Blues defender Mason Holgate is another target, with the Englishman currently out on loan at Southampton. These are the calibre of players that could be moving to Ibrox in January, although it has seemed up in the air as to how much money will be available to spend.

Key Rangers transfer update

According to an exciting update from Football Insider journalist Pete O'Rourke, however, Rangers' board have decided to provide Clement with funds to make new signings next month, in what is a boost for the boss.

"The Rangers board will look to back manager Philippe Clement in the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.

"Rangers are keen to add reinforcements in the January window with Clement keen to bolster his squad and bring more balance to his side. "

The report also adds that "signing a striker is the priority" after the injury suffered by Danilo, although no specific players are mentioned as potential incomings. This is an encouraging update for Rangers supporters, who should be increasingly feeling as though something special could be brewing this season, given Celtic's back-to-back defeats and the form that Clement's side have found themselves in.

The Gers may not be perfect, but if they can add a few players in key positions, it could just give them that extra edge needed to in the title race, not to mention also going as far as possible in the Europa League, following Thursday's 3-2 win over Real Betis.

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Another central defender in the mould of Godfrey or Holgate could be perfect, making Rangers even more solid at the back – they have only conceded eight goals in 16 league games so far this season – while a striker definitely feels like a must, in terms of providing the firepower that is now lacking without Danilo around for a number of months.

Hearts' Lawrence Shankland has been linked with a switch to Ibrox, having scored eight times in the league this season, including at Celtic on Saturday, and he could be just what Clement is looking for.