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Kovacic claims City have turned a corner after going unbeaten since March as they aim to finish the domestic season by lifting the FA Cup.

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• City aiming to save season at Wembley
• Take on Crystal Palace on Saturday
• Kovacic has lost four FA Cup finals

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  City midfielder Kovacic believes their season would be better than most other clubs if they can win the FA Cup on Saturday, also claiming it would give Pep Guardiola's squad a timely boost before next month's Club World Cup.

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  City's title defence fell apart midway through the season, going through a horrible run of just one win in nine Premier League games, and they were also knocked out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup by Real Madrid and Tottenham respectively. They still have the chance to lift silverware when they take on Crystal Palace at Wembley and Kovacic highlighted that other clubs have performed better but will end the campaign without any trophies.

• WHAT KOVACIC SAID

  Speaking ahead of the final, Kovacic said: "This season, although it's not been good, we can end it in a positive way which could give us a big push for the Club World Cup.

  "Let's see what the end of the season gives us. We always expect the season to be better, but I think many teams are having good seasons and won't end up with a trophy.

  "In the end we're in a final, which is never easy, and we're still in the top four, which is also not easy. At this club, you take it for granted because we have been on top for so many years consistently.

  "We caught up with our form a little bit late. We had a great start to the season then we dipped a lot. Now we're catching up again.

  "Unfortunately it didn't last the whole season, like it has before, but we're still there in a fight for the top four and in an FA Cup final which is never easy. In the end, this season can turn out to be good. We are improving a lot – the final will be tough, as is every final. There's a lot of pressure on both teams, but we're ready."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  After winning a historic treble in the 2022-23 season, City could only manage the Premier League and Community Shield last term and injuries and a major drop off in form meant their chances of defending the domestic title were over quickly as Liverpool established a dominant lead at the top of the table.

Dietmar Hamann believes that Liverpool are already missing the services of Trent Alexander-Arnold following his free transfer to Real Madrid in the summer. The Reds brought in Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen to replace Alexander-Arnold but the Dutch full-back has been laid low with an injury at the start of the new season.

Hamann claims Reds miss TrentFrimpong out injuredTrent to return to Anfield in UCLFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Frimpong lasted just 60 minutes on the pitch in Liverpool's season opener against Bournemouth as he picked up a hamstring injury, and missed their next two league matches against Newcastle United and Arsenal. In the Dutch defender's absence, Arne Slot has deployed Dominik Szoboszlai as a make-shift full-back. The Hungarian has done fairly well in the unfamiliar position, and he even scored a world-class winner against the Gunners last weekend. 

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Despite Szoboszlai's exploits, Hamann feels that Liverpool are missing the presence of Alexander-Arnold on the pitch, and has hailed the Englishman as a "tremendous player". The German also urged Liverpool fans to give the defender a "hero's welcome" when Madrid visit Anfield for their Champions League league phase clash next month. 

WHAT HAMANN SAID

Speaking to , the 52-year-old said: "Trent Alexander-Arnold will get a mixed reaction due to the way he left the club. I hope he receives a good reception. I think he deserves a hero's welcome. He was loved by the city, gave everything for 10 years, and never cost the club a penny, despite leaving on a free. He's been a tremendous player. 

"In the first couple of games, people are reluctant to admit it because many are upset about his departure, but Liverpool miss him. He was a playmaker from the right-back position. While Dominik Szoboszlai can now fill that role, players like Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley aren't the same. I believe there will be times when people realise they miss him, and that's why he should get a hero's reception. I fear he won't, but I wish he does."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ALEXANDER-ARNOLD?

Despite starting in two out of Los Blancos' first three La Liga matches, Alexander-Arnold faced a snub from Thomas Tuchel, who picked his England squad for the latest World Cup qualifiers without the 26-year-old. The defender will be back in action for Madrid on September 13 as Xabi Alonso's side face Real Sociedad in La Liga.

علق عادل عبد الرحمن نجم الأهلي السابق، على خسارة الأحمر أمام بيراميدز بهدفين مقابل لا شيء، في الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وتلقى الأهلي الخسارة أمام بيراميدز بهدفين مقابل لا شيء، في المباراة التي جمعتهما اليوم، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

طالع| أحمد حسن بعد فوز بيراميدز: ريبيرو صفر من عشرة.. ولاعبو الأهلي “أشباح”

وقال عادل عبد الرحمن في تصريحات لقناة “الأهلي”: “هل الآمال لسه موجودة؟، نعم سنفوز بالدوري، أنا أقولها وأنا حزين (بس بقولك هناخد الدوري)”.

وتابع: “عماد النحاس عندما لعب آخر 7 مباريات في الموسم الماضي فزنا بالدوري، الموضوع روح اللاعبين، عندما تعود سيكون عندها إريحية وسيلعبون جيدًا، الأمر الثاني يُطبق الثواب والعقاب (واللاعيبة تتعدل)”.

وكشف: “الأهلي يمتلك أفضل سكواد في مصر، الجمهور يقول (فين اللاعيبة دول لاعيبة منتهية)، هذا غير صحيح، هم يحتاجون عودة الثقة وطريقة اللعب يتم تعديلها والروح تعود و(مفيش حد هيقدر عليك)، ورغم ذلك أنا أطالب بتدعيم الفريق في يناير بظهير أيسر واثنين مدافعين”.

Melbourne Renegades, however, are yet to win a match this season and are still bottom of the table

AAP26-Dec-2023Perth Scorchers overcame a late batting collapse and a Shaun Marsh masterclass to post a 13-run win over Melbourne Renegades in front of 42,226 fans at Optus Stadium in their BBL fixture on Tuesday.Scorchers lost a remarkable seven wickets for just five runs in the space of 18 balls in their innings to go from 157 for 3 in 16.4 overs to 162 all out in 19.4 overs. In reply, Marsh scored 59 off 36 balls to guide Renegades to within touching distance of victory.Renegades needed 35 more runs off 20 balls after Marsh fell. The equation came down to 17 needed off the final over – bowled by Andrew Tye. Jonathan Wells was caught on the second ball of the over and Kane Richardson fell next delivery, with Renegades limping to 149 for 8.It left Renegades winless after five games, while Scorchers (three wins, one no-result) are yet to lose this season.Marsh, a former Scorchers star, had been sidelined from the first four games this season because of a lingering knee injury that has affected him for the best part of 2023. A misfield during the Scorchers innings showed his rustiness. But he looked far more at home with bat in hand, cracking four fours and three sixes during his innings.He needed just 28 balls to bring up his half-century, with his knock lifting Renegades after they had made a slow start to the run chase.Batting at No. 4, Marsh arrived at the crease for the start of the seventh over after Jake Fraser-McGurk had been run-out at the non-striker’s end in unlucky fashion. Tye got his boot to a Joe Clarke straight drive, catching Fraser-McGurk in no-man’s land.Will Sutherland picked up three wickets in the 19th over•Cricket Australia via Getty ImagesWith Clarke (32 in 33 balls) struggling for fluency, Marsh ensured the scoreboard ticked over at an adequate rate before upping the ante later in his innings.Marsh received a life on 24 when he was dropped by a diving Cooper Connolly, and he finally fell in the 17th over when he edged a 118kph Lance Morris slower ball behind.The wheels fell off for Renegades after that, with Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff and Tye producing some tight overs at the death to tie them down.Earlier, Scorchers slumped to 4 for 2 in the second over after openers Zak Crawley and Connolly fell in quick succession. After that, big hands from Josh Inglis (64 in 44) and new skipper Aaron Hardie (57 in 41) put Scorchers on track for a score close to 200.But then came the collapse.Hardie was the first to fall in that sequence when he was caught in the deep.Three balls later, Nick Hobson holed out.Will Sutherland then sent Laurie Evans (24 in 15), Ashton Agar and Tye packing in the 19th over, with all three batters out caught.Renegades even completed a team hat-trick when Jhye Richardson fell first ball of the 20th over, and Scorchers were put out of their misery when Morris was run-out three deliveries later.Tom Rogers was the standout bowler for Renegades with figures of 3 for 18 from his four overs, while Sutherland’s late heroics ensured he ended with 3 for 36.Star spinner Adam Zampa (1 for 48) copped a battering, but he did take the wicket of Hardie.

أثار الإعلامي خالد الغندور جدلًا واسعًا بتصريحات قوية بشأن أحد لاعبي الزمالك، الذي لم يخضع للكشف الطبي قبل انضمامه للفريق، مشيرًا إلى وجود أزمة تحول دون رحيله، رغم رغبة النادي في إدخاله ضمن صفقة تبادلية مع أحد أندية الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وقال الغندور خلال تصريحاته عبر إذاعة “أون سبورت إف إم”: “أحمد الجفالي عندما انتقل إلى الزمالك، لم يخضع لكشف طبي، وهذا على لسان الدكتور محمد أسامة، الذي أكد أنه أجرى الكشف الطبي لبعض الصفقات فقط، بينما لم يخضع البعض الآخر”.

وتابع: “يُقال إن الجفالي لديه مشكلة في ظهره تؤثر على عضلات قدمه، وهذا ما يجعله يتعرض للإصابات المتكررة، خاصة الشد في العضلة الخلفية، وهو ما تسبب في غيابه لفترة طويلة، ثم تماثل للشفاء، قبل أن يتعرض للإصابة مجددًا”.

طالع أيضًا | أحمد بلال: “مستحيل الزمالك ياخد الدوري”.. وطارق يحيى يرد بقوة: أنت بتألف؟

وأضاف: “من المفترض أن الجفالي الآن تعافى تمامًا، وكانت هناك احتمالات بانضمامه إلى فاركو، أو الدخول في صفقة تبادلية مع النادي المصري مقابل أحمد عيد، لكن المصري رفض الاستغناء عنه”.

وأردف: “من الوارد أن تحدث تطورات جديدة في هذا الملف، لكن المشكلة أن الزمالك يريد رحيل الجفالي، واللاعب متمسك بالحصول على راتبه، رغم أنه ليس راتبًا كبيرًا، في المقابل، أحمد عيد يصر على العودة للزمالك، وناديه السابق يحتاج بالفعل لظهير أيمن، خاصة أن عمر جابر هو الوحيد المتاح حاليًا في هذا المركز”.

واختتم: “وما علمته من داخل مجلس إدارة الزمالك، إنه في حالة رحيل أحمد الجفالي، سيتم الإعلان عن صفقة جناح ستسعد جماهير القلعة البيضاء، لا أعلم ما هذه الصفقة، البعض يقول أحمد عبد القادر وآخرين يقولون بيرسي تاو أو مصطفى فتحي”.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has firmly shut down any speculation surrounding the possible departure of teenage defender Josh Acheampong. Despite mounting interest from clubs across both England and Europe, the Stamford Bridge hierarchy has made it clear that the 19-year-old is staying put, at least for now.

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• Acheampong in demand across Europe
• Chelsea refuse to put him on the market
• Maresca insisted the defender remains in his plans

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Acheampong, who caught attention with a starting role in Chelsea’s recent Club World Cup victory over Esperance, has emerged as one of the most promising talents from the Blues’ academy. His rapid rise last season under Maresca has only intensified speculation, but the manager has reinforced his stance that the youngster is an integral part of Chelsea’s future.

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  Having signed a fresh five-year contract last year, Acheampong is viewed by the club as a long-term asset. The only scenario where he could be temporarily moved is through a loan deal, and only if both player and club agree it is the right step in his progression.

• WHAT MARESCA SAID

  Addressing rumours linking Acheampong with other clubs, Maresca acknowledged that interest in the player was unsurprising, but reiterated that Chelsea remain equally invested in his future.

  “The clubs that you mentioned, they like Josh, but we also like Josh,” Maresca said. “Any club likes good players. My plan with Josh is quite clear. I said many times that I really like Josh. I think he potentially can be a top defender for this club. It’s on him to have the right timing to do things. We are full of young players here, full of talented players, even defenders. So I think the best plan for Josh is to be with us, and I’m very happy if he’s going to be with us.”

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Maresca’s arrival at Stamford Bridge has been marked by a clear strategy to invest in and nurture young players. Acheampong is just one of several academy products being given the chance to prove themselves on the big stage, and the Italian coach is building a reputation for his patient, developmental approach.

  Maresca also shed light on the club’s plans for Brazilian youngster Andrey Santos, who recently made his competitive debut off the bench against ES Tunis in the Club World Cup.

  “Andrey is working with us, and he’s working well,” Maresca added. “He worked already with us last summer in preseason, so we know Andrey a little bit. His season was very good, but I think you need time to adapt. The important thing is he’s working well.

  “In terms of position, I see Andrey in this moment as more of Enzo's (Fernandez’s) position than Moi's (Caicedo’s) or Romeo's (Lavia’s) position. The reason why is because we’re here for this tournament. but we also need to plan for next season in the Premier League, and in the Premier League first of all you need to be physically strong. So in this moment I see Andrey more as an attacking midfielder than a defensive midfielder.”

Opener believes 2-2 would be just, welcomes prospect to take on the quicks at The Oval

Vithushan Ehantharajah24-Jul-2023

By the time Monday came around, the rains had ceased in Manchester. The clouds were finally empty after a weekend of showers. And just to rub it in, the sun dipped in and out of view as a reminder it was still up there on this, the first morning in which the 2023 Ashes were no longer live.An abandoned match and a draw in the fourth Test has Australia taking the urn back with them, boasting an unassailable 2-1 lead heading into the fifth Test at the Kia Oval. The great decider that was supposed to send English cricket into the stratosphere is now signposted as the tourists’ chance to win their first overseas Ashes series since 2001.Nevertheless, mimicking the two-all scoreline of 2019 is a huge motivation for this England side. Unlike then, when the fifth Test had a very end-of-term feel, with the only thing missing being both sides playing out the match in jeans, Ben Stokes’ charges have the opportunity to affix an asterisk to Australia’s retention.They believe they have been the most assertive across the series so far, despite the fact they were 2-0 down after two. And while it may only be an asterisk that those in the dressing-room can see, the fact that the weather stopped them from going into the final match on Thursday with it all to play for has England feeling robbed. A squared series at the end, to them, would represent some form of justice.”I think 2-2 would be fair,” said Crawley, whose stunning 189 from 182 deliveries drove England to 592 for a 275-run first-innings lead that they could not cash in. “They had the better of us at Lord’s, Edgbaston could have gone either way. We probably deserved this one and Headingley could have gone either way. So I think two-all would be right. We’ll see, hopefully we can get it.”We’ll play the same way and to know we can make a big score. It suits us to have a little in the wicket – we’ll see what happens. That’s the beauty of a five-Test series; you get a look at them, work out tactics and nuances. I’ve never played a five-match series before this one.”We’re massively up for it. And as Stokesy says, we’re building as a team, this isn’t the end just because it’s the Ashes. It’s very much the start, hopefully.”Even amid the positivity, Crawley admitted the Old Trafford dressing-room was flat when the match was eventually abandoned on day five, at around 5.24pm. A consistent downpour across days four and five meant England were only able to bowl 30 out of a possible 180 overs to push for victory.Up until Friday evening, England had played more or less the perfect game; reducing Australia to 113 for 4 in their second innings, trailing by 162, by stumps on day three. Alas, it was all in vain.”It’s pretty flat,” said Crawley of the mood among the squad. “We’re disappointed we’ve played a lot of good cricket in this game. We wanted to win, we were in a good position to win, and two days of rain cost us. But that’s how it is.”Related

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As for Crawley personally, his innings took him to the top of the run-scorers charts this series – comfort for a player derided as a weak link throughout Stokes’ and Brendon McCullum’s time in charge. He arrived into the fixture with handy starts, including 61 in his first knock of the series, which he marked by striking the first ball of the first Test at Edgbaston for four off Pat Cummins.He continued on in a similar vein and, as such, his 385 runs so far – at an average of 55.00 – have come from just 428 deliveries. Number two on the list, Australian opener Usman Khawaja, has scored his 377 from more than twice as many (961).”I feel I’m as good a player as I have ever been,” Crawley said, having now passed 2,000 career runs and lifted his 38-cap average to 31.01. “I feel good about my game, I’m pleased with how I’m playing – I’ve just got to build on it. I have a bit more experience now, things to fall back on in different conditions, so yes, I feel I can kick on now.”Crawley agreed that Australia’s extra pace throughout their attack has been a contributing factor to his upturn in performance. And on what should be an Oval pitch favouring batters, the Kent batter hopes to cash in once more before the Test summer concludes.”I think so, I certainly feel quicker attacks do. Fast bowling suits my game. The Australian attack is a quick attack and I think a bit less when they’re faster. I think that just suits my game a bit more. They are unbelievable bowlers, they present different challenges.”I love batting at The Oval for Kent, and I have played one Test match there and did okay (five and 69 not out against South Africa last summer). Hopefully it’s a decent wicket and a good game.”

Teenage off-spinner takes 3 for 9 to send Thunder into knockouts for first time

ECB Reporters Network07-Jun-2023

Thunder qualified for their first ever Charlotte Edwards Cup Finals Day this weekend thanks to a landslide seven-wicket win over local rivals Northern Diamonds, who they all but knocked out of the competition in the process at Blackpool’s Stanley Park.Scottish off-spinner Olivia Bell, 19, starred with 3 for 9 from three overs in only her third senior regional appearance as the Diamonds were bowled out for just 96, a target achieved in 15 overs to secure a five-point, bonus-point victory thanks to an unbeaten 42 not out off 34 balls from Fi Morris.Not only have Thunder qualified for their first ever T20 regional Finals Day, at New Road on Saturday, by securing a top-three berth, it is the first time in three-and-a-half seasons of regional cricket that they have got out of the group stage of either this or the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. And they have done so by winning four of their last five matches on the back of losing their first two.For the Diamonds, finalists in 2021 and the reigning RHFT 50-over champions, they wasted a golden chance to qualify having won their first four games. They needed just one win to guarantee qualification from their remaining three fixtures but lost all of them.It would take a miracle defeat from Southern Vipers against Sunrisers later for the Diamonds to qualify on net run-rate. But they can realistically prepare for a free weekend.After the Diamonds elected to bat, Thunder piled on the pressure with some excellent bowling and fielding on the way to the lowest total of this season’s competition.New-ball left-arm quicks Tara Norris and Mahika Gaur both claimed two wickets, as did the off-spin of Morris, who later picked the perfect time to post her highest score for Thunder since joining over the winter.Naomi Dattani claimed three catches at long-on, affected a run out and opened the batting with 20.The Diamonds got off to a disastrous start, losing Leah Dobson, captain Hollie Armitage – the leading run-scorer in the competition – and Lauren Winfield-Hill all caught within the first 15 balls.Dobson and Armitage fell to Norris in the space of four balls at the end of the second over, caught at mid-on and backward point respectively, before Winfield-Hill drilled Gaur to long-on. And they failed to recover.Bess Heath followed when she aimed a wild swing at Gaur at the start of the fifth over, losing off and middle stumps, and the Diamonds were 19 for 4 and Thunder were dreaming of Finals Day, where they will play in the afternoon semi-final against a yet-to-be-determined qualifier. The winner will play the Blaze in the evening final.South African Chloe Tryon threatened a recovery by calmly moving in the twenties, but she was bowled by Morris trying to play expansively through the off-side. And returning Beth Langston, playing her first match since August following an ACL injury, followed four balls later when bowled by Bell.Tryon and Dutch international Sterre Kalis with 24 were the only Diamonds batters to make it beyond 20, with wickets continuing to fall.Kalis holed out to long-on off Morris before Bell had Katherine Fraser the same way – the third of Dattani’s catches in that position – as the score fell to 93 for 8 in the 18th over.Bell then had Katie Levick caught at cover for a golden duck before Grace Hall was run out to wrap up the innings with eight balls unused.Thunder handed a debut to fledgling left-arm spinner Sophie Morris, who bowled two wicketless overs before watching her batting team-mates seal victory.Openers Liberty Heap and Dattani both fell as the score slipped to 64 for two inside 10 overs, but they were only minor blemishes.Heap fell to a smart Kalis catch running back towards deep gully off Fraser’s off-spin before Dattani guided seamer Langston to short third.But Morris was strong on both sides of the wicket to spark joyous scenes by the seaside despite the late departure of Deandra Dottin to Levick.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Internacional foi a campo no último domingo e massacrou o Atlético-MG por 3 a 0, no Beira-Rio.

– VEJA A TABELA DO BRASILEIRÃO

Com o resultado positivo, a equipe de Mano Menezes mostrou sinal de recuperação após ser derrotado pelo Palmeiras e entrou no G-6 do Brasileirão.

Além da questão emocional no Brasileiro, o Inter pega embalo para a disputa da Copa Sul-Americana, sua grande obsessão da temporada.

No meio de semana, o time gaúcho mede forças contra o Melgar-PER. O primeiro jogo será no Peru e a volta em Porto Alegre.

Vale citar, que o próprio técnico Mano Menezes, já admitiu que a Sul-Americana é a prioridade do time para ser campeão neste ano.

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Manchester City are looking to sign a new Real Madrid star this summer who Pep Guardiola thinks could be ideal for his side.

Man City braced for summer departures

After four Premier League titles in a row, the Sky Blues haven’t had it all their own way this season and face a battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Out of this year’s competition at the hands of holders Real Madrid, City’s best possible scenario between now and the end of the season will be a top-four finish and an FA Cup triumph.

Man City now racing to sign "amazing" £50m+ UCL ace who could replace Silva

Bernardo Silva is reportedly among those who could depart this summer…

ByTom Cunningham Mar 6, 2025

After an active January transfer window that saw five new players signed in Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Juma Bah, City could be busy again in the summer, this time with departures.

Iconic City star Kevin de Bruyne is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a move to the MLS, whereas Bernardo Silva has also reportedly agreed on personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain as City look to bring in a fee in a transfer fee of more than £40m.

Mateo Kovacic, who was brought in from Chelsea in 2023, has also been linked with a move away and is thought to be keen on the idea of joining Julian Alvarez at Atletico Madrid.

Therefore, midfield additions could be high on Guardiola and City’s to-do list, and it appears as if they have identified a top target to come in.

Man City make £50m+ Real Madrid star who Pep loves a top target

According to a new report from Spain, Man City have made Real Madrid star Eduardo Camavinga a ‘main target’ this summer.

Those at the Etihad are facing the departures of De Bruyne and Kovacic, with the Frenchman an ‘ideal option due to his versatility and ability to perform both defensive duties and participate in building the game’. It is claimed that Real Madrid are willing to sell for around €60m-€70m (£50.3m-£58m), a fee that City can ‘easily afford’.

The report also adds that Guardiola appreciates Camavinga’s ‘ability to integrate into the team’s system and his potential to form a solid duo with Rodri when he returns from his injury’.

The 22-year-old has been with Madrid since 2021 and has made 170 appearances at the Bernabeu, winning 11 honours during his time with the Spanish giants.

Capable of playing as a central or holding midfielder and even as a left-back, Camavinga came in for praise from Carlo Ancelotti last year, who said: “He’s a player with extraordinary qualities. He can play anywhere on the pitch, he’s special. He can play as a midfielder, or as a defender.”

It now looks as if a move to Manchester could be on the cards, with both clubs seemingly happy with a deal worth more than £50m, should City firm up their interest with an offer.