Man United Eyeing £152k-p/w Midfielder

Manchester United have reportedly reignited their interest in Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, and they appear to have the advantage over one Premier League rival when it comes to a potential transfer.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news?

The Red Devils have been busy so far this summer with big-money moves for Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund. There could be further business before the September 1 deadline, though, however, that may depend on any Old Trafford departures.

A new midfielder could be on the cards should a number of players move on, with Sofyan Amrabat and Amadou Onana two players heavily linked with a move to Erik ten Hag’s side.

Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…

Another player who has been of interest earlier in the year is Gravenberch, and it looks as if United could be back in for the 21-year-old.

According to Foot Mercato, Man United, alongside rivals Liverpool, ‘have reactivated the track leading to the Dutch international’. The report claims that no offer has been made so far, however, Gravenberch, should he leave Munich, would prefer a move to Old Trafford over Anfield.

andre-ryan-gravenberch-liverpool-transfer-news-premier-league

Who is Ryan Gravenberch?

Gravenberch can play as a central or holding midfielder and is under contract at the Allianz Arena until 2027. The Netherlands U21 international left Ajax for Bayern Munich just last year and has made 33 appearances for the Bundesliga champions.

Prior to that, Gravenberch, on £152,000-a-week, made more than 100 appearances for Ajax so has played plenty of first team football early into his career.

He has also came in for praise from former Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann, who suggested last year that Gravenberch was "better than most other footballers", saying:

“He has my complete confidence. He also knows exactly what he needs to fit our style of play perfectly. He has everything a footballer needs. He has a fantastic dribble and can play out under the pressure.

“Ryan is better than most other footballers in Europe his age. You must have patience. This is Bayern Munich. You have to be better than the other players because there is no reason for me not to field the best."

Therefore, should Man United miss out on Amrabat or Onana, then perhaps a move for Gravenberch could be one to watch and a potential shrewd transfer by Old Trafford chiefs.

You’d expect he’ll only get better with age, and he has already worked under Ten Hag in the Netherlands, with all of his Ajax appearances coming under the United manager.

The 6ft 2 midfielder has been compared to Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham over the past 12 months, as per FBref, and statistically, has also impressed.

Compared to midfielders, Gravenberch has ranked in the top 10% for tackles in midfield and attacking zones, shot-creating actions and long pass completion, showing his ability in a number of areas. He also ranks highly for carries into the final third and progressive passes received, so Ten Hag may view the midfielder as an ideal addition to challenge the likes of Casemiro, Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen, making this one to watch.

Crystal Palace: Eagles Set To Make Bid For "Fantastic" Target

Crystal Palace have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Southampton striker Che Adams, as they look to add to their attacking options amid the start of the Premier League season.

Despite losing Wilfried Zaha this summer, Palace have welcomed just two reinforcements, with those being central midfielder Jefferson Lerma and attacking midfielder Matheus Franca.

What's the latest on Che Adams to Crystal Palace?

Roy Hodgson could yet see his attacking options boosted in the remaining weeks of the transfer window, however. According to The Sun, Crystal Palace are set to submit a £10m bid for Southampton striker Che Adams, and are reportedly willing to double the Scotland international's wages.

Adams has got off to a lightening quick start for the Saints in the Championship, scoring two goals in as many games to help his side to a win and a draw to open the season.

If Palace were to double his wages, then Adams could be earning around £60k a week in what will be a tempting offer for the forward. It may come down to just how much the Premier League side are willing to bid, though, as Southampton look for their valuation to be met.

When it comes to personal terms, the Eagles are at least helped by the fact that Adams shares an agent with Marc Guehi.

Should Crystal Palace sign Che Adams?

Southampton striker Che Adams.

After losing Zaha, Palace are in desperate need of a new talisman, possibly making Adams a priority in the remaining weeks of the transfer window. Last season, Palace's top goal scorer was attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze with 10 goals, highlighting how blunt Hodgson's side were at times.

Adams, as Southampton suffered the heartbreak of relegation, also managed to find the back of the net on 10 ocassions. With that said, Palace fans may be dreaming of the partnership that the forward can form with Eze if he makes the move.

When compared to Palace's current forward, Odsonne Edouard, too, Adams stands out. Crucially, according to FBref, Adams enjoyed a better take-on success than Edouard last season, which could hand Hodgson's side a much-needed ball carrier to replace Zaha's ability.

At his best, too, the forward has attracted some high praise, with former manager Ralph Hasenhuttl saying, via The Daily Echo:

“He is a guy who is one day a little bit frustrated when he sees he doesn’t play but then when the game comes, he shows up immediately and this is fantastic.

“That’s why we brought him here."

Everything points towards a player who is Premier League quality, and Crystal Palace could help ensure his return to the top flight in the coming weeks.

The Eagles got their season off to a perfect start against newly-promoted Sheffield United, as Edouard found the winning goal just after the break. If they can now add Adams to their side, then Palace may well be in good stead to avoid relegation once more.

As the transfer window approaches its end in the next few weeks, the Saints striker's potential deal with Palace will certainly be one to keep an eye on.

Chelsea: Pochettino "Leading The Race" To Sign "Beast"

Chelsea are "leading the race" for Montpellier striker Elye Wahi and are expected to make a formal bid, according to journalist Simon Johnson.

Who will Chelsea sign?

So far this summer, a couple of major signings have come through the door for manager Mauricio Pochettino, with the west Londoners completing a deal for winger Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal most recently.

He joins exciting forward Christopher Nkunku at Stamford Bridge, after the 25-year-old signed from RB Leipzig in a £52 million move before him.

Chelsea are also attempting to agree a deal with Brighton over midfielder Moises Caicedo, with the Ecuador international coming as a top target for Pochettino this summer.

The Blues and owner Todd Boehly have done wonders to trim a bloated squad in preparation for potential new arrivals, as the likes of N'Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount and Edouard Mendy have sealed moves elsewhere.

Expensive 2021 signing Romelu Lukaku seems likely to depart as well, and in the Belgian's stead, Pochettino needs a star striker to lead the line.

The likes of Victor Osimhen and even Harry Kane have been linked with moves to Chelsea, but it is now Wahi of Montpellier attracting Pochettino's serious interest.

The Athletic reporter Johnson, writing on Twitter and sharing an article of his, says they're "leading the race" and are "expected" to make a formal bid.

"#CFC are expected to formalise interest in Montpellier striker Elye Wahi by making formal bid," wrote Johnson.

"Face competition for his signature but are leading the race."

In his article, Johnson writes that Chelsea are the "most advanced" side for his signature, with Montpeillier expected to demand around £26 million.

"The France youth international will decide in the next few days where he wants to go," Johnson wrote further.

"Chelsea are the most advanced in the race for Wahi, who is expected to cost around €30million (£26m, $33.6m)."

The Blues, planning to bid for Wahi, apparently intend to loan him to sister club Strasbourg if they manage to get a deal over the line for the Ligue 1 star.

How good is Elye Wahi?

The 20-year-old attacker was a star player for Montpellier last season, scoring 19 goals and assisting a further five in 33 league appearances (WhoScored).

Wahi's threat in the final third is also backed by his stats, with the player ranking among Montpellier's best for attempts at goal, key passes made and successful take-ons in the final third.

The starlet has been revered by members of the media also, as journalist Andrés Onrubia Ramos explains on Twitter.

"Elye Wahi (2003). If he manages to polish the definition, we are facing a striker who is going to exceed ten goals per season," said Ramos.

"A real beast in space that, in addition, associatively also leaves interesting things. It should definitely explode."

Meanwhile, Pierre Ville, former Suresnes club president, told GOAL that Wahi was outclassing all of his peers from an early age – explaining:

"He was two or three years ahead of his peers in terms of what he could do. He quickly outclassed them.

"During a tournament that we hosted, I saw him score a volley with the ball falling vertically out of the sky, like watching [Zinedine] Zidane in the 2002 Champions League final, but the boy was just 11 years old!"

Rangers: Beale Could Find "Strong" Goldson Heir By Signing 6 ft 1 Titan At Ibrox

Glasgow Rangers head coach Michael Beale has overhauled his squad throughout the summer transfer window after a disappointing 2022/23 campaign.

Who have Rangers signed this summer?

The Light Blues have reacted to their failure to lift a single trophy last season by snapping up seven new additions to date, in an attempt to bounce back next term.

Kieran Dowell, Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling, Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers, and Leon Balogun have all come through the door on permanent deals, whilst Abdallah Sima has joined on loan from Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.

Two more arrivals are reportedly imminent as the club have agreed a £6m deal to sign Brazilian striker Danilo from Feyenoord and are set to land LAFC central midfielder Jose Cifuentes.

They could, however, extend their business into double figures beyond those two potential signings as they have recently been linked with an interest in Steve Biko central defender Dembo Saidykhan, who could be a long-term heir to Connor Goldson.

How good is Dembo Saidykhan?

The 19-year-old gem currently plays his football in The Gambia and is yet to test himself in a European league, which makes it difficult to gauge exactly how good he is.

However, the 6 foot 1 titan did showcase his talent at the U20 World Cup for his country earlier this year. His statistics throughout the competition suggest that the potential is there for him to be an exciting addition to Beale's squad, albeit not one with a view to the talented teenager being able to make an immediate impact next season.

Saidykhan averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.05 across four outings at the tournament and made 2.5 tackles and interceptions combined per match.

Meanwhile, Goldson, who made 2.3 tackles and interceptions per game, was the only Rangers centre-back to average a score higher than 6.96 across the 2022/23 Scottish Premiership campaign (7.29).

Saidykhan was also reliable in possession for his country, who were knocked out by Uruguay, with a pass completion rate of 89%, which stacks up well alongside the English colossus' 89% success rate at league level last term.

Rangers centre-back Connor Goldson.

This suggests that the Gambian ace could be an excellent option for the club if he is able to translate that form over to first-team football in the future.

It would be a big ask for a 19-year-old to come over to Europe, and Scotland, for the first time and produce consistently brilliant performances in line with his displays for his country's U20 team.

However, his outings at the World Cup for The Gambia show that the potential is there and that is why Beale could sign him as a long-term heir to Goldson's position on the right of a central defensive pairing.

The current Light Blues battler, who turns 31 in December, is 11 years older than the Steve Biko prodigy and could take the promising youngster under his wing for a couple of seasons to aid Saidykhan's development.

Therefore, the Gers target, who was described as "strong" and "agile" by journalist Hernan Pacheco, could be an intriguing signing for Beale to make with an eye on the future, rather than the here and now.

West Ham Plot Move For “Robust” £15m "Battleship"

A third consecutive season of European football beckons for West Ham United, who must begin shaping their squad for yet another gruelling campaign.

Last summer, the Irons splashed a whopping £179m, and they are likely to replicate a similar level of spending this summer as they're set to land a monstrous £105m from Arsenal for Declan Rice.

Jonathan Tah is a player constantly linked with West Ham and could make the switch from Germany during this transfer window.

What’s the latest Jonathan Tah to West Ham?

According to the Rheinische Post (via Sport Witness), Tah’s desire to play in the Premier League has 'long been documented' and West Ham are keenly tracking his services.

This outlet also revealed that the 27-year-old has a €18m (£15m) release clause valid until 10 July and the Hammers are described as a 'hot candidate' in the race for his signature.

It is understood that even if this isn’t triggered, it is still 'conceivable' for the German to change clubs before the window shuts, allowing David Moyes the opportunity to pounce.

Negotiations could be made easier as West Ham has recently appointed former Bayer Leverkusen sports coordinator Tim Steidten as their new technical director.

Is Jonathan Tah a good signing for West Ham?

Last season, the centre-back notched 47 appearances in all competitions and formed a magnificent defensive triumvirate with Edmond Tapsoba and Piero Hincapie.

Standing at a colossal 6 foot 5, Tah is a pillar of calmness and composure. This is supported by his rank within the best 10% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for pass completion per 90.

Clearly highly competent with the ball at his feet, the £48k-per-week man is also extremely collected in defensive situations, having made no errors leading to a shot or a goal in the Bundesliga in the 2022/23 campaign from his 33 league outings, whilst also failing to concede a penalty.

Upon his arrival to Leverkusen, then-sporting director Rudi Voller described Tah as “quick, technically gifted but still robust.” Meanwhile, Christoph Kramer has labelled him as a “real battleship.”

If Tah can secure a move to the London Stadium he could form a solid defensive partnership with Nayef Aguerd, who when fit and available, has largely looked like a reliable asset, having been "playing well" in his short time at the club to date, according to teammate Kurt Zouma.

Nayef Aguerd West Ham

He was perhaps at his most impressive during Morocco’s history-making World Cup campaign, in which they became the first-ever African side to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

In the four games he featured in, the 6 foot 3 centre-back was part of two clean sheets, averaging three clearances, one interception and one tackle per game, whilst winning 69% of his total duels and not being dribbled past across the campaign.

From a wider perspective, Aguerd has also performed admirably for West Ham as he ranks within the best 25% for clearances and blocks per 90 across the last 365 days. After a season to acclimatise and adapt to English football, he looks ready for a campaign of consistent football if he can stay clear of injury.

Moreover, a partnership with Tah makes sense as Aguerd is left-footed whilst the Leverkusen star is right-footed. With Angelo Ogbonna no spring chicken at the age of 35 and with the worrying injury record of Zouma, there is a high chance there could be a new-look defence for Moyes next term.

Celtic: Rodgers has exciting transfer budget as "figures" emerge

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will be given a 'Champions League transfer budget' at Parkhead as he looks to continue the Hoops' success in 2023/24, according to Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph.

What's the latest transfer news involving Celtic?

The Scottish Sun reported when Rodgers was hired as Celtic's new manager that the 50-year-old would inherit a contract worth £3 million per annum.

Regarding his potential spending power, the former Liverpool boss has also been handed a transfer kitty of around £30 million to 'satisfy his ambitions in Scotland and Europe', which is something that the Irishman sought assurances over before taking the reins at Parkhead.

Intriguingly, Rodgers may now have even more spending power following confirmation that Portuguese winger Jota has completed a big-money move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad for a fee in the region of £25 million, as per Sky Sports.

Jota's former club Benfica will receive 30% of the transfer fee due to having inserted a sell-on clause in his initial agreement; nevertheless, the 24-year-old's exit still represents a tidy profit for Celtic on the back of his permanent move to the Hoops one year ago.

Celtic have already made moves in the transfer window and have signed up Norwegian midfielder Odin Thiago Holm and Australian winger Marco Tilio from Valerenga and Melbourne City, respectively.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Sky Sports reporter Joseph has revealed that Rodgers will have a 'Champions League transfer budget' to conduct his business with at Celtic this window.

Joseph stated: “I’ve been given some rough figures. My understanding is there will be a transfer budget of around £30m this window. This is described as a Champions League transfer budget.”

Who have Celtic been linked with as they look to strengthen this summer?

Sky Sports reporter Joseph has also detailed some other Celtic transfer activity on Twitter surrounding Gangwon winger Hyun-jun Yang, stating: "Celtic are stepping up their efforts to sign Gangwon FC winger Hyun-jun Yang. The Hoops made an approach for the 21yo last month, but the K League side are reluctant to sell during their season. It’s understood Yang has now told club chiefs that he wants to move to Celtic."

Young Boys midfielder Fabian Rieder is another name that has been tentatively mentioned in relation to a potential move to Parkhead this summer, as per Football Scotland.

Young Boys midfielder Fabian Rieder.

Celtic have also moved to secure star striker Kyogo Furuhashi on a new four-year contract amid interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace in his services.

The Scottish Sun have claimed that Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney wouldn't completely rule out a sensational return to his boyhood club on loan this summer, though a considerable compromise would need to be found regarding his wages and Celtic would additionally have to pay a significant loan fee.

Pre-season has dawned at Lennoxtown and Celtic players not recently involved in international duty have already started preparations for this term. Rodgers is set to offer an opportunity for fringe players to stake their claim for first-team action, as per Football Scotland.

Right now, it is a waiting game to find out who Celtic may add in the next few weeks; however, it shouldn't be too long before we know who the Glasgow giants plan to sign, keep and ship out of Parkhead.

Burnley Make Bid To Sign "Highly Talented" Defender

Burnley have made an offer to sign Anderlecht defender Noah Sadiki, with contacts advancing with the player’s agent, according to Fabrizio Romano.

What’s the latest Burnley transfer news?

The Clarets and Vincent Kompany have wasted no time in adding to their squad ahead of their return to the Premier League for the 2023/24 season.

Centre-back Jordan Beyer has arrived from Borussia Monchengladbach, whereas full-back Dara O’Shea has come in from West Brom at a combined cost of €22m. There could be more defensive additions over the coming weeks, though, with Sadiki on the club’s radar.

Romano took to Twitter in the last 48 hours to provide a transfer update from Turf Moor regarding Burnley and Sadiki. The transfer expert revealed that an offer worth around €1m has been made, with talks advancing with the player’s agent.

“Burnley have submitted an official bid for Belgian fullback Noah Sadiki — deal being negotiated with Anderlecht around €1m.

“Contacts advancing with player’s agent Christopher Mandiangu.”

Who is Noah Sadiki?

Sadiki is just 18 years of age and is primarily a right-back who can also play on the left or even in a holding midfield role if required.

The Belgian has come through Anderlecht’s academy, so Kompany may have been keeping an eye on him during his time as manager of the Jupiler Pro League side.

Hailed as one of Anderlecht’s “highly talented” teenagers by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Sadiki has made 19 senior appearances for his current employers, turning out in numerous positions.

He’s valued at a career-high €2m by Transfermarkt and is out of contract in just over 12 months time, so Burnley could be making a shrewd signing, if their €1m bid is accepted.

The Belgium U20 international could come in and rival the likes of O’Shea, Connor Roberts and Vitinho at right-back, or he could be initially sent out on loan with a view to breaking through into the first team in the future, but it looks as if a transfer is one to watch over the coming weeks.

Jennings, Hameed in Lions squad for SL

Days after making a century on Test debut, Keaton Jennings has been named captain of England Lions for their tour of Sri Lanka next year. Jennings will be joined in the four-day squad by the man he replaced in the Test side, as Haseeb Hameed works back to full fitness after suffering a broken finger in India.Another man to have opened the batting alongside Alastair Cook in recent weeks, Ben Duckett, is also named in the Lions party, although only for the one-day fixtures. The Lions will play two four-day games followed by a five-match 50-over series in February and March 2017.England’s lack of Test cricket between December and July, when they host South Africa, means that the Lions tour comes at a good time for Jennings and Hameed, who required surgery after being struck on the hand in Mohali. It will also provide another opportunity for Duckett to press his white-ball credentials, having been left out of the limited-overs squads to play India next month after an impressive ODI debut in Bangladesh.The Lions have been in the UAE for the past few weeks, playing a four-day match against Afghanistan and three 50-over fixtures with UAE. Jennings scored a century on his Lions debut, too, and captained the team to victory in the first two one-day games.”The Lions play such an important role in bridging the gap between county and international cricket, and after a successful training camp in the UAE culminating in an excellent win against Afghanistan, this tour of Sri Lanka is a great opportunity for the players to gain experience of playing on the subcontinent,” James Whitaker, the national selector, said.”Keaton Jennings impressed everyone on the Lions programme, with his leadership skills as well as his batting. That has already led to his call into the England Test set-up in India, but the Sri Lanka tour offers him the chance to gain further captaincy experience as well as playing some high-quality cricket in different and challenging conditions.”Haseeb Hameed had also made such a promising start in Test cricket before it was cut short by injury. Like Keaton and Ben Duckett, who will be returning to the Lions after playing some brilliant innings for them in the home tri-series against Sri Lanka A and Pakistan A last summer, I know he will relish the chance of playing some quality cricket in Sri Lanka in the New Year.”Among a host of regular Lions selections, Warwickshire legspinner Josh Poysden has won his first call-up for the 50-over leg in Sri Lanka, while Middlesex quick Tom Helm is included in both squads after being fast-tracked from the Pace Programme in Dubai.The tour will take place between February 6 and March 13, 2017, with details of the fixtures to be announced in due course.England Lions four-day squad: Keaton Jennings (capt), Haseeb Hameed, Nick Gubbins, Tom Alsop, Tom Westley, Joe Clarke, Liam Livingstone, Ben Foakes, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Toby Roland-Jones, Tom Helm, Craig Overton, Ollie Rayner, Jack LeachEngland Lions 50-over squad: Keaton Jennings (capt), Daniel Bell-Drummond, Tom Alsop, Ben Duckett, Joe Clarke, Liam Livingstone, Ben Foakes, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Craig Overton, Tom Helm, James Fuller, Ollie Rayner, Josh Poysden

£65k-p/w Man Tipped To Struggle At Spurs Under Postecoglou

Journalist Alasdair Gold has claimed that defender Davinson Sanchez will "struggle" with the style of football Ange Postecoglou wants to play at Tottenham Hotspur.

Will Davinson Sanchez ever play for Spurs again?

It was a pretty disappointing season for the centre-back as he made just eight starts for Spurs in the Premier League.

What's more, he didn't really impress in that limited game time. For instance, he was booed off the field after coming on off the bench only to be subbed just 23 minutes later in a home loss to Bournemouth.

The good news for Sanchez, however, is that a new era is about to begin with former Celtic boss Postecoglou now confirmed as Tottenham's next manager.

The only concern, though, is whether or not the £65k-p/w defender will be well suited to the Australian's tactics. While talking about all this on his YouTube channel, Gold certainly didn't seem to hold out much hope for Sanchez.

He explained: "Some of those players are going to struggle with the playing around from the back.

"You maybe imagine, unfortunately, Davinson Sanchez perhaps will struggle with that. The ability to very quickly and calmly play some of the passes that will be required."

What style of play will Postecoglou bring to Spurs?

Former Spurs goalkeeper – and current Celtic number one – Joe Hart has given some insight on what Tottenham fans and players might expect of their new manager.

Indeed, he told the press (via Keep Up) that Postecoglou will ask his player to stick to his tactic of playing out from the back no matter what.

Hart said: “We live and die by it. I love that opportunity. There’s been many coaches and managers I’m sure out there who say, ‘Look, this is how I want you to play and, if it doesn’t (work), it’s on me’. I have heard that many times.

“But I genuinely feel comfortable making risky passes, short passes, and if someone does miss a pass or a tackle and the ball goes in, I don’t think any of us would even flinch because that’s what we are being asked to do."

It seems, then, the Spurs defenders will need nerves of steel to stay calm under press and play out from the back.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou.

Seeing as Sanchez has been accused of bringing "the panic in the stadium" by Jermaine Jenas on Match of the Day (via TeamTalk) before, he might not be an ideal fit for Postecoglou.

Only time will tell but it's not looking good for the Colombian.

Wheater agrees permanent Essex return

Adam Wheater, the wicketkeeper-batsman, is to return to Essex three years after leaving for Hampshire. Wheater, who had already gone on loan to Essex after losing the gloves at Hampshire, has signed a two-year contract.With Hampshire preferring Lewis McManus as their wicketkeeper for the second half of the season, Wheater was asked to play as a specialist batsman – something he did creditably, scoring a maiden first-class double-hundred in July after which he reiterated his desire to keep wicket.During Wheater’s previous spell at Essex, where he made his first-class debut in 2008, his path was blocked by James Foster and he eventually bought himself out of the final year of his contract to move to Hampshire ahead of the 2013 season. That caused some controversy, when Wheater was preferred to club favourite Michael Bates because of his batting.Foster remains Essex’s first-choice keeper but, at the age of 36, he has already begun to look at opportunities outside the game, taking up the post of cricket professional at Forest School last year. Wheater, who was rumoured to be a target for Essex, will now be considered next in line.”It’s great to be back at Essex, where I started my career,” Wheater said. “I’d like to thank Hampshire for their understanding of moving to Essex and wish them every success in the future.”The signing will bolster Essex’s squad for an expected return to Division One of the Championship. With only one team set to go up, the Division Two leaders are 20 points clear of Kent – who have only one game remaining – and need just a handful of bonus points from their last two fixtures to seal promotion.Wheater made seven first-class hundreds in his four seasons with Hampshire, as well as two in List A cricket. In 2016 he averages 47.22, with a high score of 204 not out, but after McManus was granted an extended run behind the stumps, Wheater made it clear he would prefer to seek opportunities elsewhere rather than play as a specialist batsman, despite a year remaining on his contract.His loan move to Essex was announced last week but it has swiftly been made permanent. He joins Varun Chopra – who will also return on loan from Warwickshire after signing a three-year deal – in making a comeback to the county.Essex’s head coach, Chris Silverwood, said: “To be able to bring Adam back to the club on a permanent basis is brilliant for us, he comes into the squad with Division One experience, which is exactly what we need should we get promoted.”

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