Manchester United reportedly have a potential deal in place to sign a star who Edwin van de Sar once compared to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Man Utd and Ratcliffe making transfer moves

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS officially secured their first signing as co-owners of the Red Devils, with forward Joshua Zirkzee arriving from Bologna.

Their second addition of the window looks set to be Leny Yoro, who is on course to join in a €50m+ deal, meaning Yoro and Zirkzee look set to replace the departed Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial.

The 18-year-old only had 12 months remaining on his contract, but United are willing to splash the cash on his services with Real Madrid waiting in the wings to sign him for free next year.

Another centre-back who has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford is Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt. Talks were reportedly advanced and the Red Devils were ready to pay the £42m asking price, and a new update has emerged after the development on Yoro.

Man Utd have potential deal in place to sign Matthijs de Ligt

The Faithful MUFC relayed an update from Thursday’s print edition of The Telegraph, reporting Man Utd’s move for Yoro. They claim that the Red Devils remain in the market for another central defender after Yoro and "have a potential deal in place" to sign De Ligt from Bayern.

De Ligt, who was included in the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024 alongside Zirkzee, has been with Bayern since 2022 after previous stints with Juventus and Ajax. Under contract until 2027, it appears as if Bayern Munich and new manager Vincent Kompany are happy to cash in on the defender, who has been hailed for his mentality in recent years.

Man Utd hit gold with "monster" star who's worth more than Mainoo & Wharton

He is wanted by two clubs this summer and could leave.

ByJoe Nuttall Jul 17, 2024

Talking back in 2019, former Ajax chief executive and ex-Man Utd ’keeper Van de Sar compared De Ligt to Ronaldo, saying about the centre-back after he signed for Juventus “He had been all his life at Ajax. So to step away, move with your girlfriend and the family to a different city, a different language. But his mentality and the way he wants to improve. He wants to be the best defender in the world. And I've seen that with a few players. One of them is playing in the same team, Cristiano Ronaldo.

“When I played at Man United with him, he had the same desire and attitude to work hard, to become better every training. And that's the same mentality and hunger as Matthijs de Ligt.”

أكد شادي محمد، قائد الأهلي الأسبق، أن مستوى إمام عاشور لم يتراجع كما يردد البعض، مشيدًا بأدائه خلال مباراة باتشوكا المكسيكي، ورافضًا الانتقادات الموجهة له.

مروان حمدي: سهل أقول سيد عبد الحفيظ “قليل الأدب”.. وكل الإعلاميين في مصر يخافون من جماهير الأهلي

وقال شادي محمد في تصريحات عبر فضائية “أون تايم سبورتس”: “معدل ركض إمام عاشور أمام باتشوكا كان غير طبيعي، والبعض يقول إنه لم يكن في مستواه، لا يصح أن نربط أداء اللاعب بنتيجة المباراة، إمام لاعب كبير ويتعرض لضغط كبير جدًا على أي شيء صغير”.

أضاف: “إمام عاشور صفقة قوية ويؤدي داخل الملعب بإخلاص، لكنه أحيانًا يفعل أمورًا خارج الملعب، ونقدم له النصيحة في هذا الشأن”.

وعن احتفال اللاعب، أوضح شادي محمد: “من حق أي لاعب الاحتفال طالما لم يجرح مشاعر أحد، يجب أن نضع الأمور في نصابها الصحيح”.

وأتم قائد الأهلي الأسبق نصيحته لـ إمام عاشور قائلاً: “أنت لاعب كبير وتلعب في نادٍ كبير، احذر من المشاكل والظهور الكثير”.

واختتم: “أحترم مدرسة محمود الخطيب في عدم الظهور الإعلامي المتكرر، اللاعبون الذين يصنعون الفارق يجب ألا يظهروا كثيرًا، فهذا يعزز مكانتهم”.

Soon-to-be Chelsea wonderkid 'Messinho' reached yet another landmark in Brazil with his latest goal for Palmeiras.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Estevao Willian reaches another landmark
• Scored in Palmeiras' draw against Fortaleza
• Became Brazilian Serie A's joint-highest goalscorer

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Estevao Willian was on target for Palmeiras in their 2-2 draw with Fortaleza in a Brazilian Serie A clash on Sunday. The youngster converted a spot-kick that eventually earned his team an important point as he reached yet another landmark in Brazil football. With his 11th goal of the season, the 18-year-old equalled Flamengo's Pedro's tally to become the league's joint-highest goalscorer. The youngster is also the league's highest assist provider with eight to his name in the 2024-25 campaign.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Premier League giants Chelsea have an agreement in place that will see the teenage sensation move to west London in July 2025 – shortly after his 18th birthday. The transfer is likely to be worth as much as £56 million ($73m). Earlier this month, he eclipsed Neymar to become the most prolific 17-year-old in the league's history as he reached 17 goal contributions. Until then, the Al-Hilal star held the record of 16 goals and assists which he posted for Santos in 2009.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Messinho's brilliant start to the new season has already earned him two national team caps for the Selecao as he made his international debut in September against Ecuador in a 2026 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying game.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ESTEVAO WILLIAN?

  The player will be next seen in action for Palmeiras on November 5 as the Brazilian giants take on Corinthians in a crucial Serie A clash. He has an opportunity to become the highest scorer in the league as Pedro is currently out injured and is likely to miss the remainder of the season.

Australia are leaning towards the retention of Joe Burns and the promotion of Matthew Wade to open alongside him in place of the injured David Warner, while Cameron Green is all but assured of a Test debut in the traditional allrounder’s spot at No. 6 in the batting order.This much could be gleaned from the words of Australia’s captain Tim Paine on the morning of match eve, even if the team’s diktat is to keep the identity of the final XI “in-house” until the toss of the coin at Adelaide Oval on Thursday afternoon. There were indicators late on Wednesday that Paine had also pondered the option of promoting himself to open, though this move would shunt Green, very much a batting allrounder at this point of his career, down as low as No. 7 in the wicketkeeper’s usual spot.Paine placed a heavy emphasis on continuity in the side, a tick for Burns in the absence of Warner, and was hopeful that the interrupted preparation of Steven Smith, missing Tuesday’s main session with an apparent back complaint, would actually serve to freshen the No. 4 batsman’s mind ahead of his first Test match meeting with India since 2017.Related

• Shaun Marsh: 'Probably wasn't expecting' a phone call for Adelaide recall

• Does twilight really make a difference in day-night Tests?

• Cameron Green will make Test debut if fit

• How should India bowl to Steven Smith?

• Steven Smith absent for Australia net session after tweaking back

The team’s final training session featured plenty of batting time for Smith, Wade and Burns against a selection of throwdowns, net bowlers and the reserves Moises Henriques and Mitchell Swepson, as Australia’s frontline bowling attack took their usual match eve rest.”Dave won’t be there but we expect Steve to be there,” Paine said. “Steve’s had a stiff back a number of times before and you do when you bat at training as much as he does. But his preparation has been very good, he’s batted for the last week since we’ve been in Adelaide, so for him to have a day off might actually be a blessing in disguise yesterday.”But when we get our team out there tomorrow, we would love to have David there and he won’t be, but I don’t think our team will look too dissimilar to what it did at the end of last summer and we’ve had a really consistent team for a period of time and that certainly helps us perform well.”Wade, meanwhile, has never opened in first-class but he was endorsed by Ricky Ponting earlier in the week as the man who should partner Burns while Warner is unavailable. “He’s certainly an option to open the batting. No doubt about that. I think we’ve got a number of guys who are willing to open the batting. That says a lot about our group, not just Wadey,” Paine said. “But Wadey in particular, we saw against New Zealand last year with the short-ball stuff, he’s willing to put his body on the line for his team.”We know he’s as tough as nails and he’ll do a good job no matter where he bats. Obviously we have got a scenario where we could have a different opener and we’ve had a number of guys put their hand up to do it if that’s the best thing for the team. That’s a great thing for us as a side.”Smith this week and Warner when fit loom as the biggest differences to this series when lined up against India’s first ever victory in a Test bout in Australia in 2018-19. The hosts were, by Paine’s own admission, still trying to find themselves in the wake of the Newlands scandal back then, and have hardened into a much more settled, accomplished and confident unit in the intervening years.Cameron Green is closing in on a Test debut•Getty Images

“Having them back has clearly been a great thing for our team, certainly for me to have two very experienced players out there with me has helped, there’s no doubt about that,” Paine said. “Those guys are two of the best players in the world, they’ve played in lots of Test matches for Australia, lots of big matches, lots of big series, so their experience not only for me to lean on but for our whole group has been awesome, and the way they’ve been around our group for the last 12 months has been unbelievably good, so we’re very lucky to have them back.”In terms of my captaincy or performance in this team, it’s been okay. I’ve got a role to play in this group like everyone else does, as long as I keep doing that, then we’re all happy. My job is to wicketkeep, captain and try and score some handy runs and bat with the tail and that’s my role and I think I’ve been performing it pretty well.”As for Green, Paine has made no secret of his admiration for the 21-year-old, particularly after seeing him up close in Sheffield Shield matches and more recently for Australia A in their tour game against the Indians at Drummoyne Oval. Concussion protocols dictate that Green must pass his final series of tests on match morning to be right to play, but all indications are that he is, in parallel to a burgeoning cricket career, well ahead of the curve. Paine also hinted Green’s bowling restrictions could be lifted.”[He’s] super impressive, I’ve played against him and seen him score hundreds against Tasmania before,” Paine said. “To be out there with him and talking with him he’s really impressive for a guy his age, understands his game really well, really smart cricket brain for such a young guy and really calm and cool under pressure. From what I’ve seen of him playing against him and the last couple of weeks being around him he’s made for Test cricket and we can’t wait to see him get out there tomorrow and unleash him.”Once you’re selected in a Test match you’re good to go. Having said that we don’t expect him to bowl a huge amount of overs anyway with the attack we’ve got we see him as just a nice change up. He takes 12-14 overs an innings out of our key fast bowlers, which is great. In terms of being able to keep them fresh in a pink-ball Test for the night session and in terms of being able to keep them fresh for the whole series.”If Greeny can continue going the path he is I think having him in the side allows us to have Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood around the Australian Test team for even longer in terms of their careers. He’s going to be a huge asset for us in that sense, we’ll wait and see how many overs he’ll bowl. We’ll know when he does bowl he’ll make an impact. That’s what we’ve seen from him, that’s what we expect him to do again.”

As they edge closer to finally finding new owners, Everton have reportedly turned their attention towards potential reinforcements and a Premier League winger who outscored Dominic Calvert-Lewin last season.

Everton transfer news

The Toffees recently confirmed that a period of exclusivity has been granted to The Friedkin Group to progress talks over sealing a takeover from current owner Farhad Moshiri. That confirmation was then instantly followed up by more good news, with Everton also confirming the arrival of Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa in their first arrival of the summer transfer window.

Speaking for the first time since putting pen to paper, the young midfielder told EvertonTV: "I’m very pleased. Everton is an amazing club, a big club and I’m just really happy to join and I can’t wait to get started.

"It was a move that I didn’t want to pass by. I wanted to take the opportunity. When I spoke to Kevin [Thelwell], he told me more about the Club – its history, the future and where they see me playing. It made me feel very excited because there are big things coming, especially with the new stadium."

Everton make bid to sign "wonderful" talent who's perfect for Harrison

The Toffees are looking to bolster their ranks ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 20, 2024

Even after Iroegbunam's, however, those at Goodison Park could be in for another positive in quite the week. According to Sky Sports' Gianluca Di Marzio, Everton are in talks to sign Yankuba Minteh from Newcastle United this summer. The 19-year-old winger enjoyed an excellent spell on loan at Feyenoord last season and could now leave Newcastle on a permanent basis in a deal worth a reported €30m (£25m).

"Fast" Minteh can replace Calvert-Lewin's firepower

As Everton line up a deal to sign Newcastle's Minteh, the Magpies are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The forward's departure would instantly leave a gaping hole in Sean Dyche's frontline, but whilst Minteh is not an out and out forward, his firepower could be more than enough to help fill that hole this summer.

Goals

10

5

Assists

7

2

Expected Goals

9.8

12.9

Key Passes

27

19

What's most impressive is that Minteh managed to finish in the ruthless fashion of a striker last season, whilst Calvert-Lewin was wasteful in a relatively poor campaign at Goodison Park.

What will make any deal for the winger that much sweeter for Everton is the fact that new Liverpool boss Arne Slot was full of praise for Minteh in charge of Feyenoord last season. Slot said via The Fatu Network: “He certainly doesn’t lack self-confidence. His willingness to give everything is enormous. When we see his statistics, it is really impressive. Minteh ran more sprint meters against Ajax in an hour than many players in the two games. He is incredibly fast. And he wants it so badly.”

Whether Arsenal get their hands on a marquee striker this summer remains to be seen, but what is sure is that the Gunners aren't just going to be sitting around twiddling their thumbs over the next few months.

Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar have a big task on their hands: bringing in the right players to help the North Londoners take that final step and overtake Manchester City in the Premier League.

What better place to scout said players than the European Championships?

So, it's unsurprising that one of the latest names touted for a move to N5 could be a star at the tournament, and interestingly, he shares a lot of similarities with club captain Martin Odegaard.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a report from Caught Offside earlier this week, Arsenal are one of several sides interested in Paris Saint-Germain's young star Xavi Simons and have already contacted the French side to learn more.

Alongside the Gunners, the report claimed that Manchester United, Manchester City, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus have also made contact with the Parisians over the young player, valued at around €60m – £51m – per Spanish reports last month.

However, unlike United, for example, the North Londoners have inquired about taking the 21-year-old on a season-long loan, which makes sense considering L'Équipe's report last week that Luis Enrique's side weren't keen to sell him this summer due to a clause that would see them pay a large portion of the fee to PSV.

It looks set to be an intense battle between multiple clubs to land the Dutchman's services this summer, but given his incredible form and similarities to Odegaard, Edu and Co must do what they can to emerge victorious.

Simons' similarities to Odegaard

Now, as impressive as Simons has been over the last couple of seasons, he has yet to prove himself at a major club or in a senior leadership role, so to compare him to Odegaard, a captain at club and international level, is a lot, but there are a few reasons why it makes sense.

The first is that, despite his age, the Dutchman has been on the radar of major football clubs for years at this point and was courting attention as the next big thing when he was a child in Barcelona's La Masia, which led to his move to PSG at just 16 years old.

This scenario is remarkably similar to the Norwegian's journey, as he emerged as the next wonderkid in his home country before securing a much-publicised move to Real Madrid in 2015, also at just 16 years old.

Moreover, like the Gunners' ace, the Amsterdam-born "superstar", as dubbed by data analyst Ben Mattinson, then had to leave the super club he signed in order to play, and now it looks like he could join the North Londoners on an initial loan deal to get even more game time, which is exactly what happened with the Drammen-born star in January 2021.

The final similarity is that the pair are both positionally versatile.

The Gunners' mercurial captain may start the vast majority of his games in attacking midfield nowadays, but he's started 82 games as a right-winger in his career, 49 games in central midfield, 13 games on the left wing, and eight on the right of midfield.

Likewise, the 21-year-old, whom Mattinson claims is "destined for greatness", has started 43 games on the left wing, 28 on the right, 26 in attacking midfield, ten as a centre-forward, and five in central midfield, which also suggests that Arteta would have no trouble fitting the exceptional talent into a team alongside the Norwegian.

Simons and Odegaard's versatility
Simons		Odegaard
Positions	Appearances	Positions	Appearances
Left Wing	43	Attacking Midfield	200
Right Wing	28	Right Wing	82
Attacking Midfield	26	Central Midfield	49
Centre-Forward	10	Left Wing	13
Central Midfield	5	Right Midfield	8
All Stats via Transfermarkt		All Stats via Transfermarkt

Ultimately, while there is plenty of competition to land Simons' signature this summer, his impressive form for Leipzig last season – where he racked up 25 goals and assists in 43 games – and his similarities to Odegaard make him a player worth fighting for.

Who knows, Edu and Co may be able to turn his loan move into a permanent one like they did with the former Real ace.

Arsenal keen on £50m Euro 2024 star who's looked better than Saliba

The “versatile” ace could help the Gunners reach the next level.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 19, 2024

Leicester City are ready to table a hefty contract proposal to one of their transfer targets as they look to get a deal over the line this summer, it has emerged.

Foxes looking for additions

Having lost both midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and manager Enzo Maresca to Chelsea this summer and having been hamstrung by financial fair play rules, money is tight at the King Power ahead of their Premier League return under new boss Steve Cooper.

So far, they have added a new face in the shape of Caleb Okoli, who joined the club from Atalanta in a deal worth £12m.

Related Leicester prepare another Italian raid to sign "unpredictable" Fatawu rival

Steve Cooper could shop again in Italy to bolster Leicester City going forward.

Posts ByKelan Sarson Jul 10, 2024

"I think it was the right moment to make a different step forward and a very big one," Okoli told club media. "I'm very happy with the choice I made, so I'm very excited to start in the Premier League.

"Leicester is a beautiful club, an important club and the two combined together, so I took this opportunity to come and express myself in the Premier League. The Premier League is the best league in the world."

They have also signed Bobby De Cordova-Reid on a free transfer, and have signed Chelsea youth prospect Michael Golding as they look to build towards the present and the future, while Cooper's side will be boosted by the news that Wilfred Ndidi is set to pen a new deal at the King Power rather than leave on a free.

Leicester ready big contract offer

The Foxes are once again set to turn to Serie A and have reportedly joined the race to sign Juventus forward Matias Soule, who is available for around 35m euros (£29m) this summer.

The creative midfielder was on loan at Frosinone alongside Okoli last season, and managed to find the net 11 times as well as grabbing three assists, though he could not prevent them from relegation to Serie B.

Dewsbury Hall vs Soule in 2023/24 domestic leagues

Matias Soule

Dewsbury-Hall

Appearances

36

44

Goals

11

12

Assists

3

14

Shots on target per 90

0.52

0.74

Shot creating actions per 90

5.42

5

He drew comparisons to winger Domenico Berardi from Eusebio Di Francesco, but is also capable of playing more centrally thanks to his "excellent" dribbling.

“In certain aspects, he resembles Berardi, but he must learn to shoot on goal more often. He doesn’t lack qualities and has excellent dribbling, but in the game, he needs to be more lucid when making his choices," the Frosinone boss explained back in November.

Leicester have already seen one 25m euro offer turned down for his services this summer, but Tuttosport claim [via Sport Witness] that the Foxes' pressure is becoming "increasingly strong" and that they are ready to offer a 30m euro package including 5m euros in add-ons in a bid to "entice" Juve into a sale.

On the players' side, they are ready to shell out 15m euros (£12.5m) across a five year deal, and have enlisted the help of Okoli to persuade him to pick Leicester over other suitors, with the centre-back a "great friend" of the young playmaker.

If the latest Leicester addition can help them pull off the move, he may be a fan favourite before he has even kicked a ball at the King Power Stadium.

A member of Chelsea's squad has been telling one player to make the move to Stamford Bridge and sign for Enzo Maresca this summer.

Chelsea targeting new senior forwards after flurry of early summer deals

Co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart have been spearheading yet another active transfer window for Chelsea so far, with the Blues already spending £105 million in total on Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Omari Kellyman, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Brazilian starlet Estevao Willian.

Chelsea now make offer to sign £30m forward who dribbles like Mbappe

The Blues continue to be very busy this summer.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 4, 2024

Luckily, exits for Thiago Silva, Hakim Ziyech, Lewis Hall, Omari Hutchinson and Ian Maatsen have brought in around £84 million in sales, meaning Todd Boehly and co have done fairly well in balancing the books with a net spend of around £21 million.

Chelsea are involved in a high-profile race to sign Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna as well, but Arsenal appear set to have a major say on this potential transfer as the London rivals go toe-to-toe for his signature.

Match

Match Rating (WhoScored)

Bologna 3-0 Salernitana

8.09

Empoli 1-0 Bologna

7.76

Bologna 1-0 Lazio

7.65

Roma 1-3 Bologna

7.55

Bologna 4-0 Lecce

7.49

There remains the possibility of Chelsea signing more senior forwards to bolster Maresca's squad as well. 18-year-old striker Guiu, despite arriving from Barcelona with bags of potential, could be seen as one for the future rather than an immediate first team upgrade.

Estevao, meanwhile, isn't actually linking up with the club until 2025. Therefore, it has been reported that Chelsea chiefs are still scouring the market for new attacking options.

Reports in France claim a Chelsea bid has been submitted for Brazilian winger Wesley, while other media sources suggest Chelsea are prepared to bid for Napoli star Victor Osimhen for the striking position.

One name who refuses to go away is that of Spain starlet Nico Williams, coming amid a very impressive Euro 2024 campaign for him personally. The 21-year-old racked up 19 assists in all competitions for Athletic Bilbao as well and already has a connection to Chelsea through international teammate Marc Cucurella.

Cucurella has been telling Williams to sign for Chelsea

Speaking to Spanish newspaper Sport, via TEAMtalk, Cucurella admits that he's been trying to convince Williams to join Chelsea.

“He is a great player, he is bringing out all his potential,” said Cucurella when questioned about Williams.

“It is a source of pride that he is on our team, that he is our teammate and with players like him everything is easier. He would be a great signing [for Barcelona], but it all depends on what he wants. I’ve been telling him to sign for Chelsea. In the end everything depends on him, he is very young, with a lot of experience. I think he will be a great player.”

The forward, who earns a reported £200,000-per-week at Bilbao, could depart for the value of his £49 million release clause.

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo se despediu da Copa do Brasil após perder para o Fortaleza por 3 a 1, no Castelão, nas quartas de final da competição. Além do prejuízo dentro de campo, fora dele o Tricolor deixou de arrecadar uma quantia que certamente ajudaria os cofres do clube.

RelacionadasSão PauloCom falha de Volpi, São Paulo perde para o Fortaleza e está eliminado da Copa do BrasilSão Paulo15/09/2021São PauloSub-15 e sub-17 do São Paulo vencem Grêmio Osasco pelo PaulistãoSão Paulo15/09/2021São PauloDiretor e presidente do São Paulo reafirmam confiança em CrespoSão Paulo15/09/2021

Caso tivesse passado às semifinais da competição continental, o clube do Morumbi embolsaria mais R$ 7,3 milhões. Se chegasse à final, teria mais duas premiações a receber dependendo do resultado. O vice-campeão leva R$ 23 milhões, enquanto o campeão engorda os cofres comR$ 56 milhões.

Ou seja, caso o São Paulo permanecesse na briga pelo título da Copa do Brasil, estaria em jogo cerca de 63 milhões de reais, juntando a premiação da semifinal com o de um possível título.

No entanto, o Tricolor recebeu um bom dinheiro pela sua participação. O clube do Morumbi ganhou R$ 1,7 milhão pela terceira fase, onde começou a competição. Além disso, foram mais R$ 2,7 milhõespela classificação às oitavas de final. Com o avanço às quartas de final, o Tricolor embolsou mais R$ 3,45 milhões.

Ou seja, só na Copa do Brasil, a diretoria do São Paulo recebeu R$ 7,85 milhões com a campanha na competição continental.

Veja a premiação da Copa do Brasil a partir da terceira fase, onde o São Paulo entrou na competição

Terceira fase: R$ 1,7 milhão
Oitavas de final: R$ 2,7 milhões
Quartas de final: R$ 3,45 milhões
Semifinais: R$ 7,3 milhões
Vice-campeão: R$ 23 milhões
Campeão: R$ 56 milhões

Valor faturado na competição: R$ 7,85 milhões

Sri Lanka release five players from bio-bubble, including quicks Lahiru Kumara and Nuwan Pradeep

Andrew Fidel Fernando19-Jan-2021

Kusal Mendis ended a run of ducks in Galle but could not make a significant contribution•SLC

Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis will not play for Sri Lanka in the second Test against England, after both were released from the squad and its biosecure bubble, along with three other players.Karunaratne and Mendis have been let go for different reasons. Karunaratne, the regular Test captain, has not sufficiently recovered from a finger fracture suffered on the tour of South Africa, where he sustained a blow during his second-innings hundred at the Wanderers. Mendis, meanwhile, has been ommitted due to poor form – he has four consecutive ducks and a 15 in his five most-recent innings. Roshen Silva is among the batsmen vying to replace him.ALSO READ: Arthur laments Sri Lanka’s first-innings batting tempoAlso released from the squad were fast bowlers Lahiru Kumara and Nuwan Pradeep, as well as reserve wicketkeeper-batsman Minod Bhanuka. With Sri Lanka hoping that Suranga Lakmal will be fit for the second Test, no other frontline seamers may be required – the preferred strategy being to play three spinners and one quick. From the fast-bowling contingent, Asitha Fernando (who played the first Test), Vishwa Fernando, and Dushmantha Chameera remain with the squad.The second Test against England begins in Galle on Friday. Sri Lanka lost the first match by seven wickets.