Chelsea's number-one transfer target Moises Caicedo feels that he has a "gentlemen's agreement" with Brighton & Hove Albion that he'll be allowed to leave should they receive the right fee, claims Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

Is Moises Caicedo joining Chelsea?

There's no such thing as a quiet transfer window at Stamford Bridge, and the last month or so has once again borne that out.

The Blues started the summer not by buying any shiny new stars to add to their squad, but by selling what could almost be a full XI of first-team quality players.

The start of the window saw the likes of N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly, among others, decide to swap west London for the Middle East and join the unfathomably wealthy Saudi Pro League.

Others like Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic instead opted to remain in England and join Premier League rivals.

All of this selling has seemingly given the Blues the freedom to start adding new names to their squad once again, with the signings of Nicolas Jackson, Diego Moreira and Kendry Paez all confirmed already.

However, the biggest deal that the club have been linked to all summer is undoubtedly their attempt to secure the signature of Brighton's Ecuadorian superstar, Caicedo.

The Seagulls star has been the focus of Chelsea's attention for over a month at this point, and the two sides have been in constant dialogue over the potential move, despite the south coast club rejecting the Blues' most recent offer of £70m, according to Sky Sports.

Mauricio Pochettino's side will have to significantly increase their next offer, as The Athletic has reported that "La Joya" is valued at around £100m by Brighton – a valuation that has been influenced by the recent sale of the positionally similar Declan Rice to Arsenal.

The one advantage that Chelsea have in negotiations, however, is that the 21-year-old wants to make the move and feels like he has a gentlemen's agreement with his club dictating that he'll be allowed to leave should an offer close to their valuation be made, per Sky Sports News reporter Sheth.

He explained the situation live on air, which was posted on the Sky Sports YouTube channel:

"One source has told me earlier on today [Thursday] that Caicedo feels he's got some sort of gentlemen's agreement with Brighton to be able to leave in this transfer window, provided the price is right for Brighton & Hove Albion. Brighton are not commenting on that.

"But look, it should be said, Brighton are very tough negotiators, and they will never stop any of their players leaving provided their valuation is met. So I think there is quite a big gap in that valuation between what Chelsea are prepared to pay and what Brighton want, but talks are going to continue to see if they can bridge that gap.

"He is Chelsea's number-one target – of that there is no question – and we believe that Chelsea are getting that encouragement that Caicedo does want to make the move."

How much does Moises Caicedo earn?

For such a sought-after player, Caicedo was on a relatively small wage for a Premier League footballer just seven months ago.

When Arsenal were first interested in signing the mercurial midfielder in the January transfer window, he was on a contract that saw him earn 'just' £15,000 a week – around £45,000 a week less than the average Premier League player.

Perhaps realising that would make it harder to keep their star, Brighton then upped the wages of their Santo Domingo-born gem to the league average of around £60,000 a week.

Should he make the move to Chelsea, he can probably expect to earn similar wages to their other stars like Enzo Fernandez, who is on £315,000 a week.

Manchester United have reportedly been in contact over a potential move for Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news?

Erik ten Hag has already added to his squad this summer by securing a move for Mason Mount, with the England international arriving from Chelsea in a deal worth £60m and taking the famous number seven shirt at Old Trafford.

A new goalkeeper and centre-forward appear to be next on the to-do list for the Red Devils, with Inter Milan’s Andre Onana appearing to be the top target to replace David de Gea.

Meanwhile, in attack, Antony Martial is reportedly up for sale, so a new forward would also be required. Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester and personal terms have already reportedly been agreed between Man United and the Denmark international.

However, Hojlund isn’t the only attacker who has been rumoured to have interest from those at Old Trafford, with Felix another player there has now been speculation over heading into the 2023/24 season.

Are Man United signing Joao Felix?

Sport Witness relayed an update from Spain in the last 48 hours regarding Felix’s future, where the Red Devils were named.

They claim that Man United, along with Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Newcastle United have all made contact over a potential move for the forward, who has asked his agent, Jorge Mendes, to find him a new club.

Felix appears to be after Champions League football next season, something that can be offered at both Old Trafford and St James’ Park, with Atletico Madrid seemingly happy for the Portugal international to move on.

The 23-year-old spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan at Chelsea, making 20 appearances and scoring four goals for the Blues. His final goal came in a 4-1 defeat to Man United at Old Trafford in May, and it looks as if a return to England could well be on the cards following this update.

Hailed as "sensational" by members of the media, Felix can play on the left-hand side, as a centre-forward or in a deeper second-striker role, so would offer plenty of versatility to Ten Hag in the final third.

The player was valued at a career-high €100m back in 2019 by Transfermarkt, and that figure now stands at €50m, showing how he may need a new permanent home to get his career back on track.

Felix has contributed to 52 goals in 131 games for Atletico Madrid, though, and as per FBref in the past 12 months, has been compared to the likes of Lionel Messi and Marcus Rashford. He ranks in the top 4% of forwards for shots per 90, top 2% for through balls and even top 8% for tackles, showing how he wouldn’t just bring goals to Old Trafford.

If Ten Hag can get the best out of Felix, he could be an extremely shrewd addition, and by the looks of things, a move could be one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks.

يتوقع ماركو سيلفا، المدير الفني لفريق فولهام، رد فعل قوي من قِبل ليفربول خلال مباراتهما المرتقبة يوم الأحد المقبل في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويلتقي الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة الرابعة والثلاثين من الدوري الإنجليزي، على ملعب “كرافن كوتيدج”.

تأتي تلك المباراة بعد خروج ليفربول من الدوري الأوروبي على يد أتالانتا، من دور ربع النهائي.

وخسر ليفربول بشكل مفاجئ أمام كريستال بالاس، بهدف دون رد، في الجولة الماضية من الدوري الإنجليزي.

وقال ماركو سيلفا في تصريحات نشرها الموقع الرسمي للنادي: “ما أعرفه، وما أنا متأكد منه، هو أنهم سيردون، نعلم جميعًا ليفربول”.

وأضاف: “كما نعلم جميعًا أنهم خرجوا من نتيجة صعبة حقًا في الدوري الإنجليزي، وبالطبع كان الخروج من الدوري الأوروبي أمرًا صعبًا للغاية بالنسبة لهم أيضًا”.

وواصل: “في غضون 10 أيام، فقدوا فرصة التأهل إلى الدور قبل النهائي في أوروبا، وخسروا 3 نقاط في الدوري الإنجليزي، وهي مهمة حقًا بالنسبة لهم، وعلى ملعبهم، ليس شيئًا يحدث كثيرًا”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. كلوب يعلق على عودة ثنائي ليفربول مستدلاً بمستوى محمد صلاح

وأردف: “إنها مباراة ستتطلب منا أكثر، مقارنة مما لو فازوا في المباراتين الأخيرتين، بالطبع نحن لا نجهز أنفسنا اعتمادًا على ما سيكون عليه رد الفعل”.

واستمر: “نحن نجهز ما نريد القيام به في المباراة وما نتوقعه منهم، لاستكشاف بعض الأشياء التي ليسوا فيها أقوياء، إذا سألتني إذا كنت أتوقع مباراة أكثر صعوبة مما كانت عليه قبل ثلاثة أسابيع، نعم”.

وتابع: “هل سيكونون بنفس الثقة؟ لا نعرف، نحن لا نهتم بالسباق على اللقب، بل نهتم بأنفسنا، معركتنا تدور حول الحصول على النقاط الثلاث”.

واختتم: “استعدادنا للمباراة المقبلة سيكون نفسه للتالية لها، واستعدادتنا لمواجهة لوتون في الجولة الأخيرة سيكون نفسه لمواجهة مانشستر سيتي”.

Mark Wood has been passed fit for the third Test against South Africa with scans clearing him of injury after he had reported soreness in his left heel.However, he could still be under pressure to retain his place after managing just 1 for 197 during the first two Tests at Lord’s and Trent Bridge.Wood has undergone three ankle operations between October 2015 and his return to England colours at the start of the season, but the soreness felt at Trent Bridge was never thought to be related.Wood has not bowled badly in the two Tests but has not consistently provided the extra edge to the attack that he had been earmarked for alongside James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Form aside, there may also be concerns about asking Wood to play three Tests in quick succession due to his injury history.Toby Roland-Jones, the uncapped Middlesex seamer, has been part of the squad for the first two Tests and could come into contention. Chris Woakes, who suffered a side strain during the opening match of the Champions Trophy against Bangladesh, is not expected to be available until the West Indies series in mid-August.Despite the positive news over Wood’s fitness there will be at least one change to the England side for The Oval after Gary Ballance suffered a broken finger while batting in the second innings at Trent Bridge. Liam Dawson’s position will under come under scrutiny, but coach Trevor Bayliss suggested that Keaton Jennings, who has made three single-figure scores in the series, will be given further opportunity although that may come at No. 3 depending on who replaces Ballance.

Following the suspension of his contract last year, due to a controversial tweet, the West Indies batsman has asked Cricket West Indies to prove that he had indeed posted a message criticising board president Dave Cameron

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jun-20174:53

‘Nobody asked if it was me who tweeted’ – Bravo

Batsman Darren Bravo has challenged Cricket West Indies to prove he was the one to post a controversial message on his Twitter account against the board president Dave Cameron, which resulted in his expulsion from the side’s Zimbabwe tour last year.In November, Bravo was sent home days before the start of a tri-series, following a tweet on his account which called Cameron “Big Idiot”. Bravo’s reaction was a response to Cameron’s statement that the batsman had been offered a Grade C contract due to his slipping average.Bravo’s contract was revoked immediately and both parties have since been locked in a bitter legal dispute. Bravo has also been sidelined from all cricket, outside the Caribbean Premier League, in the West Indies, including his own regional team Trinidad & Tobago.Last week, speaking to the Caribbean television network , Cameron said that Bravo would need to delete the tweet to be eligible to play for West Indies again. “What Darren Bravo has to do first and foremost is take down the tweet,” Cameron said. “Every day that tweet is an infraction. Secondly he needs to accept that he has done something wrong and then we can move forward from there.”This week, speaking to the same channel, Bravo was non-committal when asked if he would delete the tweet. “Even though you saw a tweet on my account, on my Twitter account, no one actually asked me if I did that,” Bravo said.In his first interview since his exclusion from the side, Bravo recounted the events that followed the tweet. He claimed that neither the West Indies coach nor the manager or media manager ever enquired if he had posted the tweet. “No one asked me: ‘Darren Bravo, did you tweet that?’ No one asked me anything. So I went to sleep.”The next morning, Bravo recounted, he received two “sudden emails”. “One from Richard Pybus, former director of cricket stating my contract has been terminated and I am being sent home and the other from Roland Holder (cricket operations manager) with my flight details. But no one actually asked me anything. So I was left in a situation of what is really going on here. And it was also a situation where they gave me an ultimatum, after being sent home, to take down the tweet by 4 pm and apologise on Twitter. But, at the end of the day, no one can prove that Darren Bravo actually went on his Twitter account and tweeted that. There was no due process. No one asked me any, anything. Up to this day no one has called me and asked me anything. So it has been very disappointing.”When asked if he had posted the tweet, Bravo said his legal team – comprising attorneys Leslie Haynes and Donna Symmonds – was best placed to respond. “I wouldn’t answer that question right now. The best person to answer that question is my legal team.””I have given up so much for West Indies cricket and the way I have been treated is like, my efforts and my energy and my whatever went all down the drain.”•Getty Images

Symmonds told the television network her client will not rush into taking any step until everything related to the issue was reviewed “in totality”. “As far as we are concerned his contractual rights have been breached. There has been a rush to judgement.”Symmonds said that negotiations between the two parties broke down seemingly at a position when they believed Bravo could be “reintegrated” into the set-up. According to Symmonds, Johnny Grave, the Cricket West Indies CEO, “made an offer” to Bravo, which signaled some agreement could be reached.”It had been agreed that certain statement would be made by the president (Cameron) and certain statements by Darren. And with regard to the tweet Darren had agreed to do certain things as well, but the sticking point was one other matter. We had made a suggestion as to how that could be resolved and we have never had a response,” Symmonds said.Since November last year, Darren Bravo has been sidelined from all cricket, outside of the CPL, in the West Indies, and has also lost his place in his regional side Trinidad & Tobago•Getty Images

Bravo’s legal team, however, alleged that Grave broke the “good faith” by making a public statement, telling ESPNcricinfo in April that he was frustrated by Bravo’s damages claim of $120,000.Symmonds alleged Grave “scuttled” the negotiations completely. “I would have to say a breach of good faith and it caused the negotiations to breakdown, so we are no longer there,” she said.Bravo said he was hungry to play for West Indies once again. “Yes, I want to play cricket for West Indies again, but at the end of the day when I step on to the field I want to be able to be happy, I want to be able to enjoy my cricket once more. That is something I have been lacking probably for the last year playing for West Indies. That is the total honest truth.”Bravo said Test cricket has always been his “forte”, a format where he finds himself “happy”, to the extent that he gave up two IPL contracts previously and even stood down from the West Indies squad for the 2016 World T20, to focus on first-class cricket.”I had two IPL contracts before Kolkata Knight Riders. I give up those two contracts. I also had opportunity to go and play in the T20 World Cup that West Indies won in India. I gave up that to stay home and play first-class cricket. I could have jumped on the plane, gone to the T20 World Cup in India. If I get selected all well and good. If I don’t get selected, no problem, but I would have got approximately US$ 7,000 for one T20 game. I decided to stay home to play first-class cricket (where) I get paid $1300 (per match). I have a very important part to play in the quest to revitalise West Indies cricket in the longer format of the game.”I have given up so much for West Indies cricket and the way I have been treated is like, my efforts and my energy and my whatever went all down the drain. And I don’t like the way I have been treated. Yes, I want to play Test cricket, but I have to make decisions, as I said about my family and stuff like that.”Bravo virtually ruled himself out of selection for the England tour in August-September, saying he will be “fulfilling” his contract in the Caribbean Premier League where he represents Trinbago Knight Riders.

Everton wouldn't have 'wanted' to part ways with Ellis Simms this summer if they didn't 'need the money' at Goodison Park, according to journalist Paul Brown.

Why did Everton sell Ellis Simms?

As per The Sun, Everton sold Simms to Coventry City for an initial fee of £3.5 million that could rise to £5 million with add-ons depending on appearances and goals, while that figure could move to £8 million in the event the Sky Blues achieve promotion to the Premier League.

On Coventry City's official website, Simms spoke out about his move and how his new boss Mark Robins made it come about, stating: “The conversation I had with the manager. He showed great belief in me and the Club as a whole are on the way up and it seems like it will be a big season or us. He has done his research on me, and he likes the way I play, he thinks I will be a good addition to the team.

In his time at Everton, the 22-year-old amassed just 12 appearances at senior level, scoring once against Chelsea and also embarked on loan spells at Blackpool, Sunderland and Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian, as per Transfermarkt.

Everton need to recoup financial gain due to being in special measures with the Premier League authorities due to posting losses exceeding £370 million over the last three years, as per The Daily Mail.

Football Insider detail that the Toffees will operate a sell-to-buy policy at Goodison Park and will need to offload valuable assets in order to strengthen their squad.

Free agents and loan deals will likely supplement Dyche's squad as Everton aim to 'drastically cut costs' over the coming months.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Brown has intimated that he thinks Everton would've liked to see Simms stay on at the club in an 'ideal' scenario.

Brown told FFC: "I'm a bit worried about what Everton's squad will look like come the start of the season. I don't think in an ideal world they would have wanted to sell Ellis Simms. You can argue all you like about whether the fee they got for him was enough. I think it really was between £6-8 million. In this market, considering that Everton really need the money, it's probably not bad business for a guy that you've brought through, but I think ideally, Everton would not have wanted to sell Ellis Simms if they'd been a bit more financially secure, so it's a little disappointing from that perspective that he's had to go."

Who could Everton look to bring in this summer?

Working on a smaller budget than in previous years, Everton boss Dyche may need to identify some bargain buys this window as he looks to ensure the Toffees avoid another relegation battle in 2023/24.

Experienced free agent Ashley Young looks primed to be his first signing since taking over at Goodison Park and will undergo a medical 'with a view' to joining the club following his release from Aston Villa, as per The Guardian.

BBC Sport report that Young had held talks with Luton Town and also had interest from Saudi Arabia before deciding to head to Merseyside.

Sport Italia via The Sun claim that Leeds United star Wilfried Gnonto is 'very close' to completing a move to Everton in a move that would cost around £19 million; nevertheless, we will see what transpires in the next few weeks amid the Toffees' financial restrictions.

Two years into the job, Steven Smith is already thinking of the 2021 Test tour of India, which he craves to lead in and win

Adam Collins in Mirpur26-Aug-20171:04

Gambhir: Australia will start favourites in Bangladesh

Occasionally, selection is just as much a pointer to the coming months and years as it is for the five days ahead. That is the case with Steven Smith’s side for the first Test in Mirpur. They will be making two changes to the XI that lost their previous Test, in Dharamsala against India in March.Ashton Agar returns after four years away, while Usman Khawaja is principally back to get into the Test groove again before the Ashes opener in November. Smith’s explanation of Steve O’Keefe’s omission from the squad, in favour of Agar, is instructive of his longer-term leadership goals. Namely, that he plans to be around for a long time.Since Allan Border, no Australian leader has spent more than Ricky Ponting’s seven years in the job, the rest staying for somewhere short of five. With two candles nearly on the cake for Smith, he is already thinking four years ahead to the next time Australia is due for a Test series in India, one he craves to lead in and win.While O’Keefe’s numerical return at Test and first-class level is top class, at 32 he is nine years Agar’s senior. The younger man has far from bashed the door down on conventional measures, claiming his first-class wickets at more than 40 apiece. Despite his two Ashes Tests in 2013 (for just two wickets) he remains, to a certain extent, a project player. But that project aligns neatly with Smith’s own: the aforementioned Indian return bout in 2021.”He’s come a long way,” Smith said of Agar’s inclusion. “For us it’s more looking to the future. Ashton has obviously been on the radar for a long time and someone we see as having a pretty bright future. Four years’ time back in India it’s something I want to achieve while I’m captain. I want to win in India, that’s big on my bucket list.”Similar logic applies to Khawaja. Aside from a dismal run in Sri Lanka last year where he lost his subcontinental spot, he has a body of work to dream of since returning to the side two Australian summers ago. But Smith made a more basic point about why Khawaja has nudged ahead of Shaun Marsh in the pecking order.”Usman obviously hasn’t played any cricket since the Sydney Test match, that was his last game and that was a long time ago,” he said. “We need to get him back into the fold and get him playing cricket again.” Before the home Ashes, Smith means, where the stylish left-hand batsman remains a lock.The series presents an opportunity for both Glenn Maxwell and Usman Khawaja•AFPIt isn’t just the fortunes of Khawaja that have changed since that Sri Lankan shocker. Whitewashed three-zip after going in favourites, expectations for India were measured, to say the least. But there, they stopped the rot and put on a better than commendable show, not least by breaking a nine-game losing snap in the region. It governs a far healthier mindset.”Something I learned a lot about in India as a captain in particular was knowing the different tempos of the game and when to attack a little bit more,” Smith said. “It’s been a good learning experience for me. I think the key to winning overseas is to ensure that you’re adapting consistently and putting those performances on the board consistently.”This confidence translates to relying on four bowlers alone to capture 20 wickets. Smith has been reluctant to use Glenn Maxwell’s spin since his return to the Test side in Ranchi, and seldom bowls himself now despite earning his national debut as a bowler first.”I know I copped a little bit of criticism for not using him [Maxwell] as much in the India series but again, you’ve got two quality spinners and they’re there to do a job,” Smith said. “In an ideal world, someone in the top six could bowl some good medium pace or good pace, it’d be ideal, but at the moment we’ve got to go with what we’ve got.”The tacit message to Maxwell came in response to the next question put to Smith, about England’s allrounder penchant. May it necessitate a seaming allrounder for Brisbane in November? “Yeah it could,” the Australian captain said. “They’ve got a very deep line-up.”With Smith also detailing a scenario where five specialist bowlers could be included for that series opener – a fit fab four of Australian quicks (Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson) alongside Nathan Lyon – it’s doubly important for Maxwell to use these Tests to make himself indispensable at six. “He does have an opportunity,” Smith continued. “He played pretty well in India, a lot better than other guys in that last Test. He certainly has the opportunity to nail down that spot, that’s for sure.”For all the inevitable Ashes chat, Smith was quick to clarify that Bangladesh won’t be underestimated, given they bossed over England inside three days the last time they played a Test here. Bangladesh also beat Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka to level a three-Test series in March. “We’re going to have to be at our best here,” he said.A slightly dry surface has been chosen in Mirpur among the two shortlisted, but Smith was reluctant to enter the encounter worrying too much about that. “There’s a ‘no whingeing’ policy about anything here in the subcontinent, wickets certainly fall under that,” he said. “They’ve put some grass clippings down to make it look a bit greener than what it is but it’s pretty dry underneath. I dare say it’ll be pretty slow.”Off-field, it is the first time an Australian team of any variety has played since the conclusion of the bitter pay war earlier this month, finally striking an agreement that made this tour possible. As a consequence, Smith acknowledged the importance of now rebuilding the brand of the game and national team after a torrent of bad blood was shed between players and administrators.”The pay dispute went on longer than we all would have liked but thankfully it’s all dealt with now,” he said. “We can move on with playing and trying to win back a few fans that we perhaps may have lost along the way. I think we’ll do that by playing good, hard fought cricket and winning games of cricket.”Bangladesh is good a place to start as any. Smith’s predecessor Michael Clarke put a premium on winning away and had middling success in doing so. For Smith, he managed it at the first time of asking in New Zealand, but came away without a trophy in the next two attempts. So drawing from the qualified-success of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, there is no better time or place to square the ledger and begin charting the course to his long-term Indian summit.

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is expected to receive an offer to extend his contract at the club, according to manager Unai Emery.

When did Ollie Watkins join Aston Villa?

England’s seven-cap international first arrived in the Midlands from Premier League rivals Brentford back in 2020, and during his three years at the club so far, he’s clocked up a total of 116 appearances to date whilst becoming one of the most integral members of the manager’s squad.

The Villans centre-forward still has another two years to run on his deal, but having emerged as his side’s both offensive and overall best-performing player last season with a WhoScored match rating of 6.96, he’s bound to attract some kind of interest during the ongoing window.

Back in April, the Daily Mail reported that the 27-year-old had entered talks regarding putting pen to paper on an extension, but obviously, nothing has since come to fruition and it’s important that it does should NSWE and Monchi not want to lose their prized asset.

Is Ollie Watkins signing a new contract at Aston Villa?

As per Birmingham's Live John Townley, Emery was asked where Aston Villa were at with regards to fresh terms for Watkins, to which the manager gave a hugely promising response.

He said: "The idea is of course to extend his contract because we are very happy with him and he is our striker, not only him because we also have Jhon Duran and Cameron Archer. We have to use every player and we need other players as well to help and support us. Ollie Watkins’ experiences, his capacity and his commitment to Aston Villa is very important and it’s very important to try and get him for a long time."

How many goals has Ollie Watkins scored?

In the Premier League last season, Watkins racked up 21 goal contributions (15 goals and six assists) over the course of the campaign so played a major role in the club’s success having secured qualification for the Europa Conference League, and being offered a new contract would be nothing less than the striker deserves.

The Under Armour client, who earns £75k-per-week, also recorded a total of 84 shots which was the highest number out of the whole of the squad, via FBRef, and even proved to be an extremely useful target man, averaging 1.9 aerial wins per top-flight game, displaying the excellent physical presence that he has up top.

The Torquay-born talent, who has the versatility to operate in six different positions across the attack, has additionally been dubbed the “perfect” player for his impressive performances by journalist Josh Bunting and it is hard to imagine what the boss would have done without him at his disposal during the previous term.

Aston Villa will obviously want to continue spending their summer bringing in even more fresh faces having already secured the signings of Youri Tielemans, Pau Torres and Moussa Diaby, but it's equally as important that Emery is able to retain the services of Watkins because there's no doubt that he will carry on being a key player for his side moving forward.

Everton look to be closing in on an exciting offensive signing in Sporting Lisbon's Youssef Chermiti, with manager Sean Dyche making improvements on his side ahead of the 23/24 Premier League campaign.

Is Youssef Chermiti joining Everton?

According to multiple reports – including BBC Sport – the Toffees are closing in on the transfer of the 19-year-old Chermiti for about £13m, with Dyche working to bolster his squad after admitting he has missed out on targets already.

Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers are both said to have sent scouts to observe the talent in action, but it is the Merseyside outfit who have convinced the Portugal youth international to kickstart his professional career at Goodison Park.

Portuguese outlet, O Jogo – via Sport Witness – have furthered claims by suggesting on Tuesday that the player is now 'one step away' from moving to Goodison Park.

It is unlikely that Chermiti will be deployed as the club's starring cente-forward instantaneously, rather, integrated into the side and utilised as a precocious back-up option.

Who is Youssef Chermiti?

In a circular arc of perfect harmony, Everton's Ellis Simms has joined Coventry City for £8m; Viktor Gyokeres has departed the Robins and headed for Sporting Lisbon for £20m, with Chermiti now completing the merry-go-round of activity by moving to Dyche's side.

Simms was a peripheral figure at the club and only scored one goal from 11 Premier League matches last term, so the deal struck is probably good value for money.

Chermiti is viewed as a long-term option, and as a player who is more than capable of wedging their way into the talismanic role that Dominic Calvert-Lewin currently occupies.

Indeed, the "raw diamond" who is "much like" Calvert Lewin – as he has been described by Zach Lowy, impressed last season as he broke into the Leões first-team, scoring three goals and supplying two assists from just nine starting appearances in the Liga Portugal.

And while he is yet to cement a regular starting berth for himself, with FBref ranking him among the top 10% of forwards across Men's Next Eight divisions over the past year for assists, the top 15% for non-penalty xG – expected goals – and the top 4% for touches in the attacking box, he clearly has the ability to thrive.

While he is greatly underperforming his xG at present – ranking among only the top 56% for goals per 90 – his xG metric, partnered with his offensive positioning in the final third suggests that he has the tools to flourish in the future and could prosper as the understudy to the 6 foot 2 Calvert-Lewin. Indeed, Chermiti is 6 foot 4 and has also been called "imposing" by Lowy. Sound familiar?

He would certainly be an upgrade on Neal Maupay too, who was signed for the Toffees from Brighton & Hove Albion for a reported £15m one year ago but has failed miserably during his time at the club, scoring just once from 29 matches in the top-flight and being branded a "disaster" by journalist Paul Brown.

Hardly an imposing figure at 5 foot 8 either, it's evident Chermiti would provide his new manager with a huge upgrade in terms of physicality and all-round presence when leading the line.

Praised as a "superb" prospect by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Everton must now make use of their imminent acquisition and nurture him to prominence over the coming months; it is refreshing to see the club target youthful promise instead of subpar seniors, and it might just pay off and signify a change of direction.

Recklessness was the charge laid against England after their double collapse at Trent Bridge invited South Africa back into the series, but rarely, if ever, has such an accusation been levelled against Alastair Cook. England presented him as the chief witness for the defence at the start of the third Test at The Oval – and defence is what he diligently delivered.On a crabby day frequently taunted by heavy showers, England finished four down, 171 to the good. Two of their three debutants perished as did a third batsman, Keaton Jennings, who at this level – in fact, at all levels – also remains comparatively wet behind the ears.At such times, Cook’s calming presence has often offered England succour – nigh on 12,000 Test runs amassed without excess, and as if oblivious to the tribulations around him. He just about held South Africa at bay, a workmanlike 82 not out fashioned by the time players left the field for the final time around six o’clock.South of the Thames, life is supposedly relaxed and informal, especially with a 100th Test for The Oval to celebrate, but not for England, who knew that restraint was expected of them, but who struggled to prosper after Joe Root’s marginal decision to bat.An unbroken stand of 51 between Cook and Ben Stokes as the rain became more frequent brought a different complexion after they had slipped to 120 for 4. Stokes, who had taken offence at the questioning of England’s dedication after their Trent Bridge defeat, again playing with utmost deliberation. It was perhaps safest not to mention it.England’s task to put Nottingham behind them was far from straightforward. There was swing and, surprisingly at The Oval, some seam movement on offer for South Africa’s attack on a green-tinged pitch. England had cause to be grateful that Vernon Philander had to retreat from the fray for periods of the day with a stomach upset. Once again, he was excellent throughout.The shot that got Cook to fifty – a rare wide one from Philander which he flashed through gully – was uncharacteristic of a patient innings in which he left well and prospered off his pads. It was his first Test fifty in the first innings for more than a year. His focus, though, will be forward – and the potential for a 31st Test hundred.He was grateful, on 28, to survive an lbw appeal from Chris Morris, the ball angling in towards leg stump but Ultra Edge spotting a nick on to his pad after South Africa reviewed.South Africa followed up the wicket of Jennings in the fourth over of the day with three more in the afternoon. Tom Westley looked comfortable enough in making 24 by lunch, but he fell four balls after the resumption, edging an outswinger from Chris Morris to second slip. As with any international newcomer, analysis will immediately begin – and with Westley it will doubtless emphasise his penchant for the leg side – but it was a decent delivery.John Crawley at Lord’s in 1994 was the last time England fielded a debutant No. 3 at home and there were similarities in Westley’s game, notably in a fluent manner and a strong leg-side game. A first-class average below 38 was hardly eye-catching, but he had a dapper air at the crease and, at 28, many believe him to be a late developer. England certainly need one.Dawid Malan couldn’t keep out Kagiso Rabada’s fantastic delivery•Getty Images

Philander, who had been limited to four overs with the new ball before lunch, returned in mid-afternoon and removed Joe Root during his second over back. Root was drawn into a work to leg by a slightly back-of-a-length delivery of impeccable line, it left him a fraction and Quinton de Kock changed direction in time to take a fine, one-handed catch to his right.Dawid Malan, on debut at five, is no stodge: selections like this further underline that England are not about to block out the rest of the summer. He was preferred to Liam Dawson as England sought refuge in an extra batsman, but managed only a single before his 17th delivery proved to be his last, a high-class yorker from Kagiso Rabada, which swung late to hit middle and leg and which left the left-handed Malan falling to the floor as it did so, evidence of a closed-off stance.The sum of England’s morning was 62 in 22.1 overs for the loss of Jennings, who made a duck and who is looking increasingly unlikely to survive his first Test summer. Influential figures, Andy Flower among them, like his character, but increasingly England will be disturbed by his batting average.In three Tests, Jennings’ technique has been well and truly filleted. South Africa are experts at it, especially against someone who they regard as one of their own. He has looked increasingly statuesque; as if afraid every move might be his last. Three debutants at The Oval might not preclude a fourth in Manchester.Not for the first time this series, he was skilfully worked over by Philander, his footwork tentative and bat searching blindly as if unsure which way the ball was moving. He deflected a delivery into his pads, not too far short of square leg, and then pushed blindly at the next. Philander then got him at third slip as he dangled his bat without conviction.Jennings’ departure paved the way for an Essex alliance between Cook and Westley, Westley heartened no doubt, in his first Test innings, to have the presence at the crease of a county colleague he holds in such high regard.The Oval is traditionally the ground for England debutants, but that owes much to its regular place in the English calendar as the last Test of the summer. To find three of them, all a little squeamish with nerves, searching for dressing room pegs in only the third Test of the summer, was a sign of England’s problems.Three debutants a few months before the start of an Ashes series is hardly ideal for England. Consolation, though, is easy to find because South Africa caused the same fallout in the last Australian summer. Tough and uncompromising, they are adept at uncovering weaknesses. Westley’s first four scoring shots in Test cricket were all boundaries, the first of them a signature shot as he whipped Morne Morkel to the square leg boundary.He was fortunate to get a thin edge on an lbw appeal from Morkel before taking two more boundaries off the first over from Keshav Maharaj, the left-arm spinner. An aerial drive was too close to short extra cover for comfort; a further boundary off his pads possessed more aplomb.Neither Morkel nor Rabada were at the top of their game before lunch. Morkel was too short, going for 28 in his first six, while Rabada, despite putting himself through a heavy workload in the nets during his one-Test suspension under the totting up procedure, took a while to slip into gear.Both stepped it up after lunch. Morkel was particularly impressive during a demanding afternoon spell of fuller length. Cook and Root were forced to tough it out. The former captain survived; his replacement didn’t. Root slumped back in a dressing room chair, disconsolate and, like many before him, watched Cook dig England out of a hole.