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Tottenham Hotspur are now leading the race to sign an “outstanding” midfielder, and a deal could be done this month if they lodge a convincing proposal.

Spurs move into pole position in race for new midfielder

Thomas Frank has now confirmed he is setting out to make changes to his squad this month, after a mixed start to life in north London, saying: “We will be in the market. We are definitely interested in, if we can, strengthening the squad. We will do that.

“I’ve said it a few times before that things are important because of different types you can add to a squad.

“The main bit is the ones we add need to be ones that we really think can improve the team. Then, like normal, there can be outgoings if you want to try to make a sharp squad.”

Brennan Johnson is one of the players who looks like he could be heading for the exit door, with Crystal Palace currently leading the race to sign the forward.

In terms of potential new additions, one position in which Tottenham are particularly keen to strengthen is central midfield, having recently identified AZ Alkmaar star Kees Smit as a target.

The Alkmaar youngster is not the only option, however, with a report from Caught Offside revealing Spurs are now leading the race to sign a more experienced midfielder, namely Bayern Munich star Leon Goretzka.

Indeed, the Lilywhites have now moved ahead of Arsenal and Manchester United in the race for the central midfielder, and contact has been made with his representatives, with Bayern potentially open to sanctioning a departure this month if a convincing proposal is made.

A free transfer in the summer could also be a possibility, with the 30-year-old’s £218k-a-week contract at the Allianz Arena set to expire at the end of the season.

Related Tottenham eye £87m winger to replace Johnson after agreeing Crystal Palace deal

The Welshman made Spurs history back in May.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini "Outstanding" Goretzka could be savvy addition to Frank's squad

Lauded as “outstanding” by former Germany teammate Sami Khedira, the Bochum-born maestro is highly experienced at the top level, having made 68 appearances in the Champions League, while he also knows what it takes to win, having lifted six league titles at Bayern.

The Germany international is also very impressive in possession of the ball, and poses an aerial threat, as showcased during his performances over the past year.

Leon Goretzka’s key statistics

Average per 90 (past year)

Passes attempted

73.94 (93rd percentile)

Pass completion %

91% (94th percentile)

Progressive passes

7.96 (94th percentile)

Aerials won

1.80 (88th percentile)

As such, Goretzka could be a savvy addition to the Tottenham squad, particularly on a free transfer next summer, so it is promising news the north Londoners have now moved ahead of their Premier League rivals in the race for his signature.

If anyone has a spare £8000 the final set of debenture seats for the Grandstand at Lord’s have gone on public sale. On offer is the right to purchase the best seats in the ground for all international and showpiece domestic matches from 2008 to 2015.Prime seats would be guaranteed for England’s two Tests a season, plus any one-day internationals hosted at the ground, along with the domestic one-day final and Middlesex’s home Twenty20 matches.Funds raised by the scheme will be spent by the MCC on promoting the game at home and abroad as well as on the continued redevelopment of Lord’s.”This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who loves cricket to become a season-ticket holder at the best cricket ground in the world,” said the MCC chairman Charles Fry. “Lord’s has played a huge part in the history of cricket and the MCC continues to encourage the game in all its aspects on a worldwide basis.”The projects we have completed, and those we are considering, reflect the MCC’sdetermination to continue investing in Lord’s to ensure that our famous Groundretains its unique attraction and world-class status.”In 2008 Lord’s will host the first Test against New Zealand from May 15 and the opening encounter against South Africa from July 10 along with two ODIs.

Scorecard

Queensland maintained their 100% start to the KFC Twenty20 with a nine-run victory at the Gabba. The Bulls’ total was based around a set of solid contributions, with Clinton Perren and Chris Simpson both striking 39. Daniel Christian restricted the late-over slogs with three wickets. New South Wales stuttered from the start as Mitchell Johnson, who after a series of conflicting messages was asked to remain with Queensland rather than fly back to Sydney for the Ashes celebrations, struck early as the Bulls’ strong seam attack made inroads. The Blues’ main hopes went with Phil Jaques, who departed in the 11th over for 29 to leave them 5 for 80. Ashley Noffke completed an impressed four-over stint with two late strikes and conceded just 14 runs.
ScorecardVictoria have moved to second and Tasmania to fourth on the KFC Twenty20 table after their match at Hobart was rained out. Constant drizzle at Bellerive Oval appeared unlikely to ease, so the game was called off without a ball being bowled. Victoria opened their account on Monday with a 34-run victory over South Australia, while Tasmania are still winless after their opening loss to Queensland.

Imran Khan, the Pakistan legend, is to give Mohammad Sami, the fast bowler, specialist one-on-one coaching ahead of a home Test series against India in January, according to Inzamam-ul-Haq.”Imran is very concerned Sami has not yet fulfilled his potential,” Inzamam-ul-Haq told BBC Sport. “Imran has said that when we have our training camp for the Indian series he will come down and work with Sami to see what is the problem holding him back.”Sami, 24, has been struggling for form and confidence, and a record of only 65 wickets at 46.12 from 24 Tests has put his place in the national side under considerable threat. Sami burst onto the international scene with eight wickets in his debut Test against New Zealand in Auckland in 2001, and also claimed hat-tricks against Sri Lanka and West Indies during a promising start to his career.Since then, though, he has failed to live up to his reputation and has been tagged as inconsistent. In the recent three-Test series against a touring England, Sami managed only seven wickets. Shoaib Akhtar, who has faced similar criticism though being a proven matchwinner, silenced his detractors with a stunning 17-wicket haul in the series. Consistently troubling England with variations of pace, Akhtar emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the series.It is with optimism – and the desire to see Sami perform like Akhtar – that Inzamam has stated Imran’s intentions. “Imran believes that if Sami can start producing the performances that he has been threatening to do with his vast potential then Pakistan will have a very balanced bowling attack for Tests and one-dayers.”

It used only to be Australians who suffered from dead-rubber syndrome – that most infuriating of conditions whereby a dominant side could write off a failure to complete a clean sweep by claiming that the match never mattered anyway. Now, however, it is England’s turn to put complacency on the backburner, as they assemble at The Oval to push for a record-equalling seventh consecutive Test victory.With nine wins and one draw in their last ten matches, England are on a roll, the like of which they have never before experienced. Only twice in their history have they won seven matches in succession – against Australia between 1885 and 1888, in the early days of the Ashes, and against West Indies and Australia in 1928-29, when Percy Chapman was captain and a young Harold Larwood was thrusting his way to prominence.History is clearly beckoning, but understandably Duncan Fletcher, England’s no-nonsense coach, is putting all such thoughts out of his charges’ heads. “it is important that the guys now believe in their ability,” Fletcher told Sky Sports, “but they mustn’t be too arrogant about this. There are better sides, and against those better sides, if we played badly as we did [on occasions at Old Trafford], we are going to come unstuck.”There were “windows” in England’s performance, Fletcher felt, that might have been exploited by stronger opposition – most notably their crass use of the new ball on Saturday morning, and their top-order subsidence in the fourth innings. But, he added, that fact that England went on to win so handsomely was a good sign. “We realise that even though we do play poorly, we can still knuckle down and produce a result.”This is a side that wins, is happy and enjoys playing cricket, but the crucial part is to realise that this game might just come back and bite you,” Fletcher warned. “You have to be very careful when you win like this. People might just think things are getting too easy.”England should have little time for complacency, however, and an injection of new blood should underline the importance of the match if, as expected, Ian Bell makes his Test debut in place of the injured Graham Thorpe. “I can’t wait,” said Bell. “I know a few of the guys quite well, and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”Bell was first drafted into the England set-up on the tour of New Zealand in 2001-02, but has had to back up his immense promise with a torrent of runs. After a lean couple of seasons, he has burst back to form with 1455 runs in 14 county matches for Warwickshire, including four centuries and a 96 not out in five consecutive innings. He knows full well that a place on the winter tour to South Africa is there for the taking, if he can grasp his chance in the same way that Andrew Strauss and Robert Key have done this season.England’s major concern, as ever, centres around their man of the moment, Andrew Flintoff, whose troublesome ankle is continuing to gnaw away at the selectors’ consciences. Flintoff sent down 32 overs in the Old Trafford Test, and dismissed Brian Lara in both innings, but Michael Vaughan is aware that he cannot afford to overburden his talisman, especially with the Champions Trophy around the corner. “Realistically we won’t want to bowl him too much,” admitted Vaughan, “but he’s such a good bowler and he gets you key wickets at key moments. You have to bowl your best bowlers in these situations.”Compared to the cares that dogged his predecessors, Vaughan’s dilemma is a minor quibble. Since he assumed the captaincy little more than a year ago, England have won 12 out of 18 Tests. Nasser Hussain (17 wins in 45) and Michael Atherton (13 in 54) must be spitting into their microphones in envy.England (probable) 1 Marcus Trescothick, 2 Andrew Strauss, 3 Robert Key, 4 Michael Vaughan (capt), 5 Ian Bell, 6 Andrew Flintoff, 7 Geraint Jones (wk), 8 Ashley Giles, 9 Steve Harmison, 10 Matthew Hoggard, 11 James Anderson.

Trojans bid to regain the Southern Electric Premier League, Division 3 leadership from Alton has been hit by injury and unavailabilities.Captain Simon Williams, himself doubtful with an infected grass burn, reveals that up to six first choice players could miss the top v bottom duel with Hambledon at Stoneham Lane."We really are up against it tomorrow. Players are pulling up lame and off to weddings, Wimbledon and so forth," he groaned.New leaders Alton are unchanged at Leckford, who are sliding down the table, while second-placed Ventnor are without Ian Hilsum for the comfortable-looking visit to ageing Waterlooville.Ever-improving New Milton, now fifth, are without hospital-bound David Wheeler and Lee Miller against Paultons at Fernhill.Winchester KS look a home banker against Flamingo at River Park, but South Wilts II are hit by first team calls ups for their visit to Bashley (Rydal) II.In the Hampshire League, leaders Tichborne Park should be too strong for Burridge II, but Bournemouth, though minus Morgan Parkin, are strengthened by Matt Mixer and Charlie Holcombe against Basingstoke & North Hants at Chapel Gate.

New Zealand Academy batsman Shanan Stewart’s unbeaten 74 shone like a beacon at Lincoln Green today, as the home side ended the first day of their match with the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy side from Australia in a strong position.The Australians were 123 runs behind with three first innings wickets left.The New Zealand Academy were all out for 208 and by stumps the Australian Academy were 85/7.New Zealand struggled after being asked to bat first on a brownish-looking pitch in cool conditions. Australian fast bowler Andrew James put the pressure on with some accurate bowling, but just when it seemed the home team had settled in for the long haul Jamie How ran himself out.As if that wasn’t bad enough with only 20 runs on the board, three more wickets fell within six balls.Nick Horsley was bowled when leaving a ball outside his off stump which he deflected the ball onto his stumps.Then Luke Woodcock was comfortably caught at short forward-square, as he attempted to evade a rising delivery from the aggressive James.And finally Jonathan McNamee misjudged a full toss off James and was leg before wicket for a three-ball duck.Chris Cairns set about fashioning a recovery by aggressive means and hit four boundaries in his 21 off 37 balls, before being trapped leg before wicket.He wasn’t alone in the manner of his dismissal as three players around him in the batting order departed in similar fashion.Throughout all the misfortune, Stewart was in good touch and finally found a solid ally in Reece Young, who stayed around for more than an hour as 55 runs were added for the eighth wicket.Stewart had personal reward for his innings when bringing up his half century after 175 minutes, scored off 130 balls. Once he was joined by last batsman Wade Cornelius, Stewart hit out more but the innings ended when Cornelius was caught at slip from Beau Casson’s bowling.Australian patience proved the key to New Zealand’s dismissals. Mark Cosgrove took two for 26, James took two for 31 and Casson two for 44.Disappointed with their own effort, the New Zealanders soon had the Australians in trouble.Callum Ferguson was brilliantly run out by Brendon McCullum who threw down the stumps from point.Cornelius combined with wicket-keeper Young to remove Peter Dickson and Cameron Borgas in identical style, searching for fast deliveries outside the off stump.McCullum soon pounced again, taking a low catch in the gully to dismiss left handed Cosgrove to have the Australians struggling at 55/4.Young claimed his third catch when Casson cut unsuccessfully outside off to Sam Whiteman who was rewarded for his into the wind bowling with another wicket as George Bailey was caught by How at second slip.Adam Crosthwaite was the last wicket to fall when he missed a straight delivery from Cornelius and was bowled without scoring. The total was now 79-7.The day of great fluctuations, dominated by the bowlers, concluded in sunshine with the Australians trailing by 123 runs with three wickets in hand.Cairns picked up one wicket for six runs from his six overs. Cornelius took three for 30 while Whiteman’s two wickets cost 34.The game finished in sunshine, offering the hope that the remaining days are played out in warmer conditions.

BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said the owners of the Rangpur franchise from the 2013 BPL have cleared their dues and can now bid for a team in this year’s tournament. While the sum was not mentioned in the press briefing, ESPNcricinfo has learned that Rangpur’s due amount was around Tk 1.5 crore (USD 192,802).Flora Limited, which had bought the Rangpur franchise in December 2012, will join 11 new enterprises that submitted their expression of interest (EOI) on August 17. The next step for the BPL governing council will be to send a letter to the 12 interested parties by September 1, asking them to pay Tk 5.5 crore (approx USD 700,000).The money will be divided into a pay order worth Tk 1 crore while the remaining Tk 4.5 crore will be a bank guarantee for player payment. There have been claims of players not getting their earnings on time in previous editions of the BPL and the BCB feels this arrangement keeps all parties well-looked after.”Among the old franchises, Rangpur have cleared their due amount,” Hassan said. “So now we are taking 12 enterprises under consideration for new franchise ownership. We will give them a letter on August 30 or September 1 to deposit to us Tk 1 crore (approx USD 100,000) as pay order and Tk 4.5 crore (USD 600,000) as bank guarantee, a total of Tk 5.5 crore.”The bank guarantee amount is for players’ payment. There won’t be any more risk if we take the Tk 5.5 crore, both with local and foreign players. There won’t be problem similar to the last two editions.”Hassan hinted that there might be eight teams in the BPL in 2015. He also added that paying the money would not guarantee a franchise. The new owners must show they are dedicated to the sport, and are not just looking at the BPL as “a business venture””We will scrutinise the offers,” Hassan said. “It won’t just be about paying the money. If the older ones pay us, the list will be bigger than the 12 existing applicants. This time we will not consider any company who are eyeing up a business venture at the BPL.”We will keep those companies that have strong financial background, are interested in sports, have spent money in different tournaments in the past and are interested in financing for the sake of cricket. We might increase the number of teams if we see some sound investors are coming forward.”The BPL governing council are not ruling out the possibility of more old franchises meeting their dues and joining the new applicants.”We will wait till August 27 for the old franchises to pay their past dues,” Hassan said. “Right now, I don’t want to hear the names of those old franchises who didn’t pay us previous dues. I don’t know if it would be ethical to reconsider old franchises, but past dues will go against them. But since we are taking bank guarantee on players payment, there is no risk involved. In that case what happened in the past may not get priority.”Five companies are still to pay Tk 36.81 crore (approx USD 4.7 million). The Sylhet franchise have almost Tk 8 crore (approx USD 1.02 million), Barisal Tk 6.5 crore (approx USD 835,500), Khulna around Tk 8.19 crore (approx USD 1.05 million), Rajshahi Tk 6.09 crore (approx USD 780,000) and Chittagong Tk 7.45 crore (approx USD 957,500). There may be discrepancies of 100,000 to 200,000 taka in these figures but this is what we have in our records.”These due amounts include player payments and everything else they owe us,” Hassan said.

Bangladesh could have a new coach in place in time for their tour of New Zealand in December, after the Bangladesh Cricket Board named Gordon Greenidge, John Dyson and Colin Miller on a new three-man shortlist.The team has been without a full-time appointment ever since their long-term coach, Dav Whatmore, stepped down following a successful World Cup campaign in April. Whatmore stayed on in an interim capacity for the visit of India in May, and since then the former Under-19 coach Shaun Williams has overseen the squad’s preparations.The new appointment has been an arduous process and last month three candidates – John Harmer, Dave Houghton and Jamie Siddons – all withdrew from the race. But now the BCB has set a new deadline of the end of October, with three new names in the frame.”Hopefully, we can give you some good news next week,” Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, chairman of the cricket operations committee, told Dhaka’s Daily Star newspaper. Greenidge, who coached the team at the 1999 World Cup, would be returning for a second stint, although the Australian duo of Dyson, the former Sri Lanka coach, and Miller, the former Test offspinner, are very much in contention.”Gordon [Greenidge] is looking through our international schedule for the next two years while [John] Dyson has also communicated with us after returning from his holiday,” said Lipu. “We also added the name of Miller to our list. We can reach a concrete decision next week.”

Brad Hodge will miss Victoria’s Ford Ranger Cup match against Queensland on Friday with a strained quadriceps. Hodge has been left out of the 12-man squad for the Gabba clash but is considered an outside chance of playing in Sunday’s FR Cup game against New South Wales.Hodge said the injury was disappointing given his hopes of a recall to the Australia side this summer. “There’s never a good time to be injured, and this is less than ideal,” he said. “I’ve been battling the injury for a little while and have been unable to shake it. Hopefully I can prove my fitness for the game against New South Wales and get back amongst the runs.”Naturally I want to help generate victories for Victoria, but at the same time, if I can remind the national selectors that I’m in form and ready to go, it certainly couldn’t hurt my chances for higher honours.”Victoria will regain Shane Harwood for Friday’s match after he recovered from a minor buttock strain. The Bushrangers, whose fast bowlers had a horror injury run early in the season, are beginning to return to some normality in their attack with Mick Lewis set to test his hip muscle in a Victoria 2nd XI game next week. Brad Knowles, Peter Siddle and Dirk Nannes are also recovering well from injuries.Squad Michael Klinger, Jon Moss, Cameron White (capt), David Hussey, Rob Quiney, Aiden Blizzard, Andrew McDonald, Adam Crosthwaite (wk), Grant Lindsay, Shane Harwood, Clinton McKay, Darren Pattinson.