All posts by h716a5.icu

Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly interested in Boca Juniors striker Mateo Retegui, as Julen Lopetegui prepares to bolster his squad ahead of the 2023/24 season.

The Spaniard will have a task in restoring the goals in his side, after the Old Gold ended last term as the Premier League’s lowest-scorers, however, the former Real Madrid boss could be onto a winner with reported interest in Retegui.

Could Wolves sign Mateo Retegui?

As reported by journalist Damian Iribarren, Wolves have made contact with an offer of $18m (£14m) for the striker, who is also being chased by Genoa.

The Italian side are reported to have offered a higher sell-on-fee, but the Midlands side could hold the power, with Iribarren claiming that the player ‘preferred’ a move to the Premier League.

Currently on loan at fellow Argentine side Club Atletico Tigre, it will be down to the clubs to decide what destiny would best suit the player.

How good is Mateo Retegui?

Born in San Fernando Argentina, the forward represents Italy at international level, gaining three caps so far for Gli Azzurri.

The 24-year-old has found his feet in South America, where this year he has netted 12 goals in 24 appearances in all competitions, as well as registering a single assist as Tigre’s favoured line leader.

Having once been hailed as a “complete forward” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Italian could be the perfect acquisition for Lopetegui, as he plots a pathway to change his side’s fortune in the final third.

The Italian striker is a name known to some in England already, having netted against the Three Lions in the European Championship qualifiers in March during Gareth Southgate’s side’s 2-1 away win.

Wolves know well the fundamentals of having a reliable source of goals is in relation to overall team performance, with the club finishing seventh in their first two seasons following their promotion from the Championship.

During those two years, the Old Gold experienced the highs of European football thanks to the help of Raul Jimenez’s presence, where the Mexican scored 17 goals in the 2018/19 campaign and 27 in 2019/20.

Since those glory years, the 32-year-old has netted just 13 times in three seasons, attributable to his devastating injury in 2020, where his playing career and life was threatened by a skull fracture.

The adored striker failed to net a single goal in the Premier League last term for Wolves, leaving Lopetegui with little option but to find an appropriate successor to the once-clinical Mexican.

In Retegui, the Spaniard could hire an assured presence in attack, in a player that is live wire in the final third as supported by his 0.5 goals and 3.9 shots per game in the league for Tigres, via Sofascore.

Also likened to former Napoli and Real Madrid talisman Gonzalo Higuain by Kulig, the striker could repeat the scoring feats set by Jimenez in the Premier League, in a streak that could get the club back up the table after the woes of last season's form.

It’s integral that the Spaniard recruits a goal scorer this summer, which he could achieve in a financially friendly deal for Retegui, who at 24-years-old, is showing great potential in Argentina.

The ECB has said they will not send a team to Australia until the dispute between the cricket board and its players is resolved

George Dobell and Daniel Brettig07-Jul-20173:33

Dobell: Ashes cancellation would have catastrophic financial consequences

England will not travel to Australia to play the Ashes unless a deal has been agreed between Cricket Australia and its players’ association.Although the Ashes are not scheduled to start until November 23, England are due to fly to Australia at the end of October and an ECB spokesman confirmed to ESPNcricinfo they would not travel unless they could be assured of the necessary warm-up games required before the Test series begins.While the ECB remains confident the Ashes will go ahead and is preparing for them with that in mind, they recognise the significant divide that currently exists between Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) and have noted the decision of players to withdraw from the Australia A tour to South Africa.The ECB’s confidence is currently mirrored by the CA, who commented: “We are 100% confident that the Ashes will go ahead.”CA and the ACA are in talks over a proposed change in the way in which professional players are paid. With the current MoU between the parties having expired, most players in Australia – including all centrally-contracted players such as the captain Steven Smith, his deputy David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood – are technically unemployed and have stated they will not play international cricket until a satisfactory resolution is agreed. The Australian tour of Bangladesh, scheduled to begin in mid-August, looks particularly precarious, with a limited overs tour of India to follow it.Warner’s pronouncement in May that CA “might not have have a team for the Ashes” if it continued to push to break up the fixed revenue percentage model of previous MoUs gave an indication of how strongly the players were willing to press their case. CA’s major international broadcast partner Channel Nine is currently in the process of trying to sell advertising for the series and plan for its promotion, and is eager for signs of progress in the pay dispute to aid their efforts.Several of Australia’s most prominent players are currently out of contract•Getty ImagesThe real deadline for an ECB decision over the viability of the Ashes might come around mid-October. That is when England Women are scheduled to fly to Australia for a tour that includes an Ashes Test and begins with an ODI in Brisbane on October 22. Unless matters in Australia are resolved by then, it is entirely possible the ECB will take the decision to cancel both tours and recoup what costs they can. The consequences – legal and financial – would be enormous.October 15 is also significant as the day on which adjustment ledger payments from the previous MoU, worth A$58 million to all male players, past and present, who played international or domestic cricket, are due to be sent out by CA. The board’s offer to the players had indicated a desire to rollover half of this amount into the next MoU, a suggestion strongly rejected by the ACA.Greg Hunt, the federal minister for sport, has indicated that the Australian government would be prepared to step in to mediate the dispute if it dragged on long enough to threaten the Ashes. Hunt said this was because of the series’ enormous connection to Australia’s history and culture, in addition to its sporting and commercial elements.”If it got to a last-minute situation, I suspect that we would offer to provide good officers brokering between the parties, but there’s six months between now and the Ashes,” Hunt told in May. “It would be unthinkable that in the end we wouldn’t have a full team. I do not see either the players or the administration returning to the late ’70s where we had a second-rate team. The players love playing for Australia, Cricket Australia knows this is not just fundamental to sport, it is part of our national identity.”The ECB insist they are making no contingency plans for a men’s series with anyone else should the Ashes be cancelled, though it is possible the women’s team could look to play elsewhere if required.”The ECB are continuing to prepare for the Ashes as planned,” an ECB spokesman said. “We do not anticipate any change and fully intend to fulfil our Tour obligations.”

Leeds United have brought in Aberdeen teenager Lewis Pirie, something which has been described as a “big coup” by reporter James Marshment.

Have Leeds signed Lewis Pirie?

The Whites are currently preparing for the Championship season under new manager Daniel Farke and played their first pre-season game against Manchester United in Oslo on Wednesday.

There is plenty of work done to be done both on and off the pitch before August 6 against Cardiff City, with Leeds bringing in Nick Hammond as interim football advisor to oversee transfer activity this summer.

The 49ers Enterprises are still waiting for the EFL’s green light in regards to a takeover, though, and that process appears to be having an impact on any potential signings.

A number of senior Leeds players have left Elland Road either on loan or on a permanent basis and none have arrived. However, the club did announce on Thursday that they have signed Pirie from Aberdeen, with the 16-year-old set to head straight into the Thorp Arch academy ranks ahead of the new campaign.

It is believed that the centre-forward has cost around £200,000, with Pirie, described as a “rising star” by Fabrizio Romano, signing scholarship terms in Yorkshire.

Marshment, a Whites supporter and a reporter for TEAMtalk, took to Twitter after the move for Pirie was announced on Thursday. He labelled it as a “big coup” for Leeds to sign one of the “most in-demand young strikers around” and feels he could be a “big name” in the future.

“Lewis Pirie is a big coup for #LUFC – one of the most in-demand young strikers around as 51 goals last season testifies. Not a big name now – but one day might be.”

Who else are Leeds signing and who is leaving?

As mentioned, a number of players have left Elland Road this summer, including Robin Koch, Brenden Aaronson and Diego Llorente, who have joined Eintracht Frankfurt, Union Berlin and AS Roma on loan respectively.

Marc Roca and Rasmus Kristensen also look set to seal temporary exits to Real Betis and Roma, whereas Tyler Roberts and Rodrigo have completed permanent moves away to Birmingham City and Al Rayyan.

There has been no real movement in regards to new senior signings, however, Phil Hay believes a new goalkeeper, left-back, centre-back, midfielder and forward could be on the agenda for the 49ers and Farke. Players that have been mentioned to have an interest from Leeds include Newcastle United’s Karl Darlow, Burnley and former Whites defender Charlie Taylor, Liverpool’s Nat Phillips, Coventry City’s Gustavo Hamer and Swansea City forward Joel Piroe.

Leeds will need to act quickly if they want any of their targets through the door and to be ready in time for the opening game f the season, but it does look as if Pirie could be a future first-teamer at Elland Road.

As mentioned by Marshment, the youngster netted 51 times at youth level last season, and should he continue to find the back of the net freely with the Whites, we may see him break into the first-team picture sooner than expected.

George Bailey does not gain attention for Australa’s Test side these days but he did little wrong on a delightful summer’s day in Manchester

Paul Edwards at Old Trafford19-Jun-2017
ScorecardGeorge Bailey has not played a Test match for over three years and there were times during this broiling Mancunian afternoon when it was rather tricky to see why this is so.One accepts at once that it is difficult to compare Lancashire v Hampshire on a steamy Monday at Emirates Old Trafford with the quite different heats produced by five-day cricket at the MCG or Mumbai; one acknowledges likewise that Bailey came into this game having scored 83 runs in five championship innings for Hampshire this season.All the same, as Bailey adjusted his guard and got forward as often as possible to counteract the swinging deliveries bowled by a pace-dominated Lancashire attack in mid-afternoon one was entitled to wonder why a batsman capable of making 127 and batting with such technical proficiency and good sense appears permanently excluded from his country’s Test team. It is not as if the last three years have been a green and gold age.Critics may observe that Bailey’s batting merely appeared good when compared to the errors committed around him and it is certainly true that the shots played by Jimmy Adams and Michael Carberry in the morning session at Old Trafford are unlikely to make the Rose Bowl’s choicest blooms package in September. Adams tried to play Kyle Jarvis to leg but only gave a catch to Rob Jones at cover off the leading edge; Carberry’s flat-footed slash merely nicked the ball to Alex Davies.Those dismissals sandwiched the departure of Rille Rossouw, who was deceived by Jarvis’s slower ball and gave a return catch to the bowler. They left Hampshire on 38 for 3 after winning the toss and opting to bat on a morning borrowed from Tennessee Williams’ more sultry dramas. Suddenly this summer, we had a batting morning and Hampshire were wasting their skipper’s correct call.Bailey, though, clearly recognised the opportunity with which his side had been presented and he revealed this in his assured driving and deft glances as much as in his vigilant defence. For a while it looked as though James Vince would partner his captain towards abundance but he was given out leg before to Luke Procter for 22 half an hour after lunch and a couple of deliveries after Lancashire had secured the second of their two ball changes.Indeed it was a day on which Bailey had only to drive a boundary to the pavilion for the home bowlers to scrutinise the seemingly tattered object returned for their use and toss it to the umpires. When it comes to cricket balls bowlers can be as choosy as Year 11 pupils selecting their prom outfits and very nearly as prone to tantrums and sulks.George Bailey’s hundred rejuvenated Hampshire•Getty ImagesUltimately Bailey’s resistance proved contagious as was proved by the three fifty-plus partnerships he shared with Lewis McManus, Gareth Berg and most notably Kyle Abbott, whose unbeaten 76 in the evening session was replete with uncomplicated shots played against an attack enervated by heat and devoid of the discipline it had displayed for most of the afternoon.Yet Abbott’s selective aggression – he has whacked a dozen boundaries and is only five runs short of a career-best score – was only possible because Bailey had battled away for just over five hours and had found another partner of equal resolve and comparable proficiency. That colleague was Lewis McManus, a wicketkeeper batsman who never gives his wicket away and who joins John Simpson as one of those fine county glovemen who seem destined not to get a sniff of representative cricket. Perhaps it might help if they changed the first letter of their surnames to a “B”.McManus put on 52 with Bailey and he did so at a stage in the day when the ball was swinging all over the shop and under the counter. It took a good ball to remove him too, Jordan Clark getting a little extra bounce and inducing an edged catch to James Anderson. McManus was replaced by Gareth Berg and another 53 were added to the total before Parry became the sixth Lancashire bowler to take a wicket when Berg missed a sweep and was leg before.For the next 18 overs or so Bailey’s good judgement and self-denial was vindicated by Abbott’s many justified freedoms. Having reached his century off 145 balls he was eventually dismissed when he played on to Anderson, whose beard may have been an attempt to disguise himself and suggest to Bailey that he was not the bowler he had milked for 28 runs at Perth in December 2013.No matter. Abbott was 57 when Bailey was out and he was given sensible company by Brad Tylor until the close. Hampshire have the edge in this game and they do so because their captain understood the needs of his side and met them. This is still a very good pitch and it now looks like a good toss to have won. “Bat!” said the sun as it rose over the rich Lancashire plain at around five o’clock this morning and George Bailey was only too happy to obey its injunction.

Wolverhampton Wanderers now have more 'power' in their quest to keep Max Kilman as they don't need to sell players to help balance the books at Molineux, according to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth.

Who did Wolverhampton Wanderers reject a bid for Max Kilman from?

As per The Daily Mail, Wolves rejected a bid in the region of £30 million from Napoli for Kilman this window and the Serie A champions are believed to have turned their attentions towards Borussia Monchengladbach defender Ko Itakura, who is available for 'less than half' of the Old Gold's £35 million asking price for Kilman.

The report states that Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui is a big admirer of Kilman, who could now be set to sign a new deal at Molineux and become one of the top earners at the Premier League outfit.

According to Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett, Wolves are no longer required to sell key assets to abide by Financial Fair Play regulations following their success in getting six big names off the wage bill.

He stated on Twitter: "No more pressure on #wwfc to sell in this window, after 6 big stars left: Neves, Collins, Coady, Traore, Moutinho and Costa. FFP worries lifted, but will still be a “cautious” window. Decision to be made re Kilman if £35m valuation met, because money could be reinvested in squad."

Calciomercato claim that Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou is keen on strengthening his defence by signing Kilman and they are said to have been in contact with Wolves over the possibility of enticing the former Maidenhead United central defender to north London.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Sky Sports reporter Sheth echoes the sentiment that Wolves may now have a better chance of keeping hold of important players given that they don't need to sell players to guarantee their financial health.

Sheth stated: “We had that situation last week where Napoli came in for Max Kilman. Wolves rejected a bid worth around £30m.

“The fact they rejected it might suggest that they've come to the point now where, whereas before, I think there might have been a necessity to sell given their finances, that might not be the case anymore.

“So, the power could now be more in Wolves’ hands over what players stay and leave.”

Who could Julen Lopetegui add to his Wolverhampton Wanderers squad?

Wolves have been linked with several potential additions as Lopetegui looks to ensure his side avoid being embroiled in a relegation battle this term.

Former Old Gold fan favourite Matt Doherty is edging nearer to a return to the club following his release from Atletico Madrid and favours a move to Molineux over interest from Crystal Palace and Saudi Arabia, as per TEAMtalk.

The Athletic's Steve Madeley has reported that Bristol City playmaker Alex Scott is on Wolves' radar, as he stated: "Bristol City’s Alex Scott, who can play as a No. 8 or a No.10, remains on Wolves’ shopping list but, with the Guernsey-born playmaker valued at around £25m, it remains to be seen whether they can find enough flexibility in the budget to pursue a deal.”

Liverpool flop Arthur Melo is under consideration by Wolves and could be offered a second shot at life in the Premier League as he finds himself out-of-favour at Serie A giants Juventus, as per The Daily Mail.

Chris Woakes insists he’ll be fit and ready to resume his international duties for England against South Africa next week, despite coming off the back of a draining maiden stint in the IPL

ESPNcricinfo staff16-May-2017Chris Woakes insists he’ll be fit and ready to resume his international duties for England against South Africa next week, despite coming off the back of a draining – but ultimately successful – maiden stint in the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders.Woakes is linking up with the rest of the England squad at a training camp in Spain ahead of next week’s three ODIs against South Africa, where he and his fellow IPL returnees, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, are expected to be spared some of the more intense physical training drills, as England’s coach, Trevor Bayliss, steps up the team’s preparations ahead of the Champions Trophy.And despite the change of format from 20 overs to 50, Woakes – who is KKR’s leading wicket-taker this year with 17 wickets in 13 appearances, including a best of 3 for 6 in a memorable victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in April – is adamant that the opportunity to immerse himself in the tournament more than outweighed the risk of starting the English season with fatigue.”That is what we had to weigh up before coming here,” Woakes told ESPNcricinfo ahead of his departure. “Either take time off or come and have this experience. You don’t know if these opportunities are going to come around ever again. It might be a one-off for myself. You just never know.”So I did not feel like it was an opportunity that I could turn down. My body feels pretty good. As a fast bowler, you are always hurting somewhere. You always have to look after parts of your body. I’m no different. I feel good. I feel fine going back to England and hopefully playing a key part for England this summer.”Woakes’ IPL stint has nevertheless been the culmination of a remarkable 12 months for a player who has become an integral part of England’s plans in both white- and red-ball cricket this summer. And his new-found worth as an allround cricketer was reflected in the price that KKR were willing to pay for him in the IPL auction in February. Having set a base price of INR 2 crore (approx. £240,000) he was eventually signed for twice that amount.That initial valuation, Woakes admitted, had largely been a means to ensure that he did not sacrifice his valuable down-time lightly. “With international cricket, the schedules are very hectic,” he said. “The summer we have got coming up is very, very busy. So this period during the IPL was actually was a good time to rest up and take time away from the game.”I had to weigh that up: either come to the IPL or take the time off. So I had put myself at a high price for it to be really worthwhile coming here. I didn’t expect to even get picked up. The fact that I did was quite a shock.”Woakes confirmed that he had not been in touch with the England management since the start of the tournament, although he had picked Bayliss’s brains before he left, given that the England coach was a two-times IPL winner during his stint with KKR in 2012 and 2014.”He only had good things to say about it,” he said. “He was very keen for us to go and experience it and come out here and try and develop our game. It is good that both Trevor and [Andrew] Strauss are backing us.”It is hard to beat that. It has lived up to every expectation. When you look back home and watch the games on television, you know that they are high-profile games, there is a lot of pressure on you as a player. You are under huge pressure as a player to perform, and it is good to be put in those positions.”And, going into the Champions Trophy next month, Woakes is sure that the lessons he’s learned in the heat of the IPL battle will stand him in good stead as England pursue their maiden 50-over global title.”T20 cricket is a good experience to have behind you going into an ODI tournament because you still have to bowl death overs in ODI cricket,” he said. “And it is almost just an extended version of T20. So clearly it would keep me in good stead going into an ODI tournament.”

Vinod Rai, the head of the Committee of Administrators, met India captain Virat Kohli in Hyderabad on Wednesday over the players’ pay concerns

PTI05-Apr-2017The head of Committee of Administrators (CoA), Vinod Rai, termed his discussion with Indian captain Virat Kohli a “fruitful one” and promised to address their unhappiness with the revised pay structure. Rai stated that the CoA did not need “any intermediary” between the body and the players.”Let me make it clear at the very onset that any issue pertaining to players’ interest will be addressed with utmost seriousness,” Rai said. “We will not leave any stone unturned in this regard. But the CoA will directly deal with players and does not need any intermediaries.”Rai and Vikram Limaye, another CoA member, met Kohli and a few other Indian players in Hyderabad on Wednesday to discuss the central contract issue. Two weeks ago, the BCCI had doubled the annual retainership for Grade A, B and C contracts.”We met Virat and a few other players and it was a very fruitful discussion with them,” Rai said. “We have already asked chief coach Anil Kumble to make a presentation. In fact, Virat also spoke about the presentation.”When asked if the next hike in central contract would be based on Kumble’s presentation, Rai replied, “That I can’t tell you right now but like we doubled the retainership fee for the 2016-17, we would certainly work on it again. The players’ interest will be kept in mind.”The CoA also met BCCI office bearers Anirudh Chaudhry and Amitabh Chaudhary to discuss operational details of the IPL that started on Wednesday evening.

Arsenal have "almost" completed a deal to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, in a move that could end up totalling €46m (£40m), according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

Transfer insider Dean Jones has now claimed that Arsenal are still interested in bringing in "another creative outlet" as a back-up for Bukayo Saka, however that is likely to wait until the end of the window, as they have more pressing matters to deal with.

Declan Rice is finally on the verge of agreeing a move to the Emirates Stadium, but Gunners insider Teamnewsandtix has suggested another midfielder could come in with a "slightly different profile", amid recent links to Aurelien Tchouameni.

Mikel Arteta is also keen to bring in a new centre-back, and with talks having progressed well over a deal to sign Timber, and the move finally appears to be close to completion.

In a new update on Twitter, Plettenberg has claimed that it is "almost a done deal", with the "last details" on the verge of being clarified, and a "total agreement" is expected within the next 48 hours.

A fee is agreed – the total package could amount to €46m (£40m) including bonus payments, in what is a "big deal for all parties".

What position does Jurrien Timber play?

The 22-year-old has made 166 appearances at centre-back throughout his career so far, however he is also capable of playing on the right of the defence, having featured in that area on 49 occasions, showcasing his versatility in a similar manner to current right-back Ben White.

That indicates the Ajax starlet could be a competent competition for the likes of both White and Takehiro Tomiyasu at right-back, with the latter still Arsenal's only natural option currently playing in the first team.

However, the Gunners' pursuit of Joao Cancelo hints that Timber is mainly being brought in to play at centre-back, and there are plenty of indications he could go on to be a top player there in the next few years.

Journalist Karan Tejwani has lauded the Dutchman as a "fine ball player and carrier", while also describing him as "underrated", and he has done a stellar job for Ajax over the past year.

Remarkably, the £50k-per-week defender ranks in the 99th percentile for a total of five different metrics, including his pass-completion rate, indicating he would be a fantastic fit in an Arteta system, with Arsenal making the fifth-highest number of passes in the Premier League last season.

England allrounder Ben Stokes was bought for INR 14.5 crore ($2.16 million approx) by Rising Pune Supergiants at the tenth IPL player auction in Bangalore on Monday

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Feb-20171:56

How the bidding war for Stokes progressed

England allrounder Ben Stokes has become the most expensive overseas player ever bought at an IPL auction, going for INR 14.5 crore (USD 2.16 million approx) to Rising Pune Supergiants. He is also the second highest paid player among those currently active in the IPL, behind Virat Kohli, who is paid Rs 15 crore by Royal Challengers Bangalore per season.England fast bowler Tymal Mills also set a new record price for a specialist bowler: he was the second most expensive sale at the tenth player auction, in Bangalore on Monday, and bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 12 crore (USD 1.8 million approx). Allrounder Chris Woakes was the third England player to get a hefty payday; he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 4.2 crore (USD 625,000 approx).Three other England players bought – all at base price – were: batsman Eoin Morgan for INR 2 crore (USD 300,000 approx) to Kings XI Punjab, batsman Jason Roy for INR 1 crore (USD 150,000) to Gujarat Lions, and allrounder Chris Jordan for INR 50 lakhs (USD 74,000) to Sunrisers Hyderabad.While demand for England players was expected, Afghanistan allrounder Mohammad Nabi, 18-year-old legspinner Rashid Khan, and UAE batsman Chirag Suri became the first Associate players after Netherlands’ Ryan ten Doeschate to get an IPL bid. The Afghanistan players were bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad – Rashid for INR 4 crore (USD 595,000 approx) and Nabi for INR 30 lakh (USD 44,000 approx) – while Suri went to Gujarat for INR 10 lakh (USD 14,000).Delhi Daredevils were the most active team in the early bidding. Their purchases of Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews for INR 2 crore (USD 300,000 approx), New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson for INR 1 crore (USD 150,000 approx), South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada for INR 5 crore (USD 750,000 approx) and Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins for INR 4.5 crore, (USD 670,000 approx) exhausted their quota of nine overseas players in the first 90 minutes of the auction.6:07

IPL auction trends – ‘Left-arm quicks in high demand’

Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, did not bid for any of the first 22 players up for sale despite having a squad of only 13 available players before the auction. They were successful in the first player they bid for, buying New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult for INR 5 crore (USD 750,000 approx).Of the first 108 players that went on sale in the main draw of the auction, only 33 were bought and among them only two from Australia: Mitchell Johnson to Mumbai Indians at his base price of INR 2 crore (USD 300,000 approx), and Cummins to Delhi. More Australians – Nathan Coulter-Nile, Billy Stanlake, Dan Christian and Ben Laughlin – were bought in the second round of bidding after lunch. Coulter-Nile was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 3.5 crore (USD 520,00 approx.) while Stanlake, Christian and Laughlin went at base prices.The trend among Indians was for the more experienced players to get no bids – Ishant Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Pragyan Ojha, Cheteshwar Pujara, Parvez Rasool and RP Singh were unsold – while several uncapped players were picked up at high prices.Fast bowler Mohammad Siraj was bought by Sunrisers for INR 2.6 crore (USD 390,000 approx), left-arm seamer Aniket Choudhary by RCB for INR 2 crore (USD 300,000 approx.), K Gowtham by Mumbai for INR 2 crore ($300,000), T Natarajan by Kings XI for INR 3 crore (USD 445,000 approx), Basil Thampi by Gujarat for INR 85 lakh (USD 125,000 approx), Karn Sharma by Mumbai for INR 3.2 crore (USD 475 approx), Eklavya Dwivedi by Sunrisers for INR 75 lakh ($110,000), Varun Aaron by Kings XI for INR 2.8 crore (USD 415,000) and M Ashwin by Delhi for INR 1 crore (USD 150,000).India allrounder Pawan Negi, who was bought for INR 8.5 crore last year and then released by Delhi, was bought by RCB for INR 1 crore (USD 150,000 approx).

Pundit Alan Hutton has been giving his thoughts on Celtic’s interest in Melbourne City forward Marco Tilio.

Are Celtic signing Marco Tilio?

Brendan Rodgers appears to have been given the green light to go on a summer spending spree following his Parkhead return, with club officials budgeting the Northern Irishman £30m for transfers.

Odin Thiago Holm, who can play in a range of midfield roles, has been confirmed as the first summer arrival, signing a five-year deal from Valerenga, and it looks as if Tilio could be next.

According to Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph, Celtic have agreed terms with Tilio. Paperwork is reportedly being finalised and the Hoops hope to complete the transfer at some point this week.

Talking to Football Insider about the player and a possible move to Celtic Park, Hutton, who contributes to various media outlets including Sky Sports, labelled Tilio as “very versatile” who would “ticks a lot of boxes” in Glasgow.

“From what I have seen of him I would bring him in. For someone so young, he is very versatile.

“It is somebody that the Celtic fans would probably really enjoy watching. We do not know what is happening with Abada, will he move? So there could be a free space there.”

Who is Marco Tilio?

Tilio is primarily a right-winger but can also play on the left or as an attacking midfielder, so as Hutton claims, would offer a versatile attacking option for Rodgers heading into the new season.

Aged 21, the Australian has contributed to 39 goals in 82 appearances for Melbourne, and he even shares the agency as Ange Postecoglou, so could have been on the former Hoops boss’ radar before leaving for Tottenham, as Hutton states.

It will be interesting to see if his arrival means someone like Liel Abada moves on over the coming months, amid reports earlier this year the Celtic ace had rejected a new deal and wanted to leave Parkhead, with Tilio then potentially looking to establish himself as first choice on the right-hand side.