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Tottenham manager Thomas Frank is personally in awe of a marquee player who he believes is the ideal player for his Spurs system, and the Lilywhites are also reportedly prepared to table a bid for him in January.

Tottenham's reported January transfer plans

We’re now 11 games into Frank’s tenure as Spurs boss, and the Dane appears to already be transforming the North Londoners into a far more resolute side.

Despite some recent concerns from a section of the fanbase after their ‘narrow escape’ draws against Brighton, Wolves and Bodo/Glimt, Tottenham displayed real grit at Leeds United last weekend to end their run of seven straight defeats in games just prior to an international break.

Goals from Mohammed Kudus, who was the player of the match, and fellow summer signing Mathys Tel sealed a 2-1 in Yorkshire to also end Leeds’ year-long unbeaten run in the league at Elland Road.

Mohammed Kudus

8.4

Mathys Tel

7.8

Noah Okafor

7.0

Sean Longstaff

7.0

Jayden Bogle

6.8

via WhoScored

The win means Spurs sit third in the Premier League table with the joint second-best defensive record in the division, with only table-topping Arsenal conceding fewer goals – a stark contrast to Ange Postecoglou’s final season in charge when they were far more fragile at the back.

So far, ex-chairman Daniel Levy and the board’s decision to appoint Frank is paying off, despite Simon Jordan urging Levy to consider Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner before Spurs hired their current boss.

The reshuffled Tottenham board following Levy’s departure, with CEO Vinai Venkatesham taking a more prominent role in the day-to-day running of the club, are also poised to try and back Frank in the January transfer market.

Spurs are reportedly keen to sign another winger and centre-back when the winter window opens, after they tried and failed to sign Man City forward Savinho in the summer, with the Brazil international since extending his Eastlands contract and ending all hope of a potential deal.

One of their rumoured targets for 2026 is Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, who also signed fresh terms earlier this year, and this has elevated his market value to north of £75 million.

Tottenham preparing January bid for Antoine Semenyo amid Thomas Frank belief

That is according to TEAMtalk, who report that Tottenham are positioning themselves to make a major January move for Semenyo and could be “next to bid”.

The winger’s explosive form so far this season has made him one of the Premier League’s most sought-after wingers.

Semenyo has scored six goals and provided three assists in his first seven league games, including a brace against Liverpool at Anfield, helping Bournemouth to a surprise top-four position and attracting attention from England’s top clubs, including Arne Slot’s side, Manchester City and Spurs.

Frank is said to view Semenyo as the “perfect fit” for his squad, particularly given the inconsistent displays from Brennan Johnson and the club’s need for more dynamism out wide.

Semenyo’s ability to play on either flank — combined with his raw pace, directness, and clinical finishing — makes him a tailor-made fit for Frank’s tactical system.

Tottenham’s pursuit of the Ghanaian international is expected to intensify in mid-season as a result, with an offer exceeding £60 million likely to test Bournemouth’s resolve, despite their price tag of £75m.

The Cherries, after extending his deal until 2030, are in a very strong position — and it is even believed that Semenyo rejected an approach from Arsenal in the summer.

However, the 25-year-old’s camp are apparently open to exploring other moves in January if a top side can meet Bournemouth’s lofty demands.

MatériaMais Notícias

O técnico Ramón Díaz, do Vasco, foi absolvido nesta quinta-feira (21) pelo STJD pela expulsão que aconteceu na partida contra o Red Bull Bragantino, na 19ª rodada do Brasileirão.. O treinador recebeu o cartão vermelho por reclamação.

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Na súmula da partida, o árbitro, Anderson Daronco, justificou a expulsão de Ramón: “Por entrar no campo de jogo para protestar contra as decisões da arbitragem, quando a bola encontrava-se em jogo.”

+No retorno da torcida, Vasco precisa fazer de São Januário um aliado na luta contra o rebaixamento

O treinador foi advertido pela 4ª Câmara Disciplinar, mas absolvido da denúncia. A defesa foi feita pela advogada Amanda Borer, que é sócia de Marcelo Jucá, ex-presidente do Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva do Rio de Janeiro, que atua na defesa do Vasco no STJD.

Ramón Díaz tinha sido denunciado no Artigo 258-B, do Código Brasileiro de Justiça Desportiva (CBJD). A suspensão poderia ter sido de até três partidas. Como a decisão foi tomada no mesmo dia do jogo contra o Coritiba, nesta quinta-feira (21), Ramón Díaz poderia comandar o time mesmo que condenado. A suspensão só passaria a contar no dia seguinte.

A Lance! Betting vai te colocar na boa com o Vascão: a odd é 5.30 para Vegetti abrir o placar e o Vasco vencer o jogo. Sua aposta de R$10 volta R$53!

Por ser réu primário, a tendência era de que o treinador fosse apenas advertido. E foi o que aconteceu.

O Vasco agora enfrenta o Cortiba, em São Januário, na quarta-feira (21), às 19h, pelo Brasileirão.

Gio Reyna “could play at most clubs”, USMNT legend Brad Friedel has told GOAL in an exclusive interview, with it possible that a move away from Borussia Dortmund could act as a “stepping stone” back towards another top team. Reyna has ended his six-year association with BVB in order to make a fresh start at Borussia Monchengladbach, with it up to him to prove that undoubted potential can be fully unlocked.

• Time for a change: Why Reyna left Dortmund

  Reyna has been one of the hottest prospects in U.S. soccer for quite some time, having moved to Germany in 2019 after starting out in the academy system at New York City FC. A senior bow was earned with Dortmund at 17 years of age, allowing him to break a youngest debutant record previously held by fellow countryman Christian Pulisic. Big things were expected of the classy playmaker.

  He did go on to make 146 appearances for the Bundesliga giants, but injury problems stunted his progress. A forgettable loan spell at Nottingham Forest in 2024 saw Reyna fail to make an impact in the Premier League. He returned to Signal Iduna Park with serious questions being asked of his future.

  A permanent transfer was finally completed in the summer of 2025, with Reyna opting to remain in a division that he knows well. A three-year contract was signed with Gladbach, meaning that there is still plenty of time for the 22-year-old to catch the eye of another elite outfit.

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  Future transfer: Reyna can reach the very top

  Friedel believes that path can be trodden, with the former USMNT goalkeeper – speaking in association with – telling GOAL: “Absolutely he could (join another top club). Look at his age. For whatever reason, his body has broken down in the manner it has. He needs to figure out why and then build.

  “He could play at most clubs. Sometimes when players get injured you see straight away that the clubs will realise and then make sure he’s out. Gio’s always attached to big clubs or somebody is looking. They know he can play, that’s not the issue. That’s a good thing. Everybody knows the talent is there. Now he has to figure out how to stay fit.”

• Word Cup dream: What Reyna needs to do

  If Reyna can steer clear of the treatment table, then he should get a chance to rub shoulders with the best in the business at a home World Cup in 2026. A move to Gladbach is intended to help get him the regular game time that ongoing development requires.

  Friedel previously told GOAL: “With Gio, a lot of unfortunate stuff from the last World Cup, then injury after injury after injury. Talented, talented player. For Gio, he needs minutes and he needs not to be injured. Then we can see before the World Cup if he is ready. If he is, if he has a run of four or five months with no injuries, playing lots of minutes, he’s in the squad.

  “He’s a really talented player, one of the better ones we have. But he really does need to play. When I took the job at Besiktas, I was over at the Copa America and was watching. You could just tell there was something a little bit off. It’s not his ability, that is there. That’s not it. His body has unfortunately not cooperated with this sport.

  “Hopefully for him it goes well. He’s a really good kid and I hope he just stays fit, gets a run of games and then it will be down to Mauricio [Pochettino] choosing him or not. I don’t like to see anybody get left out because of injury.”

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  Injury issues: Familiar theme for Reyna at Gladbach

  Reyna has taken in two appearances for Gladbach so far, with a 4-0 defeat being endured on debut against Werder Bremen. He lost his starting berth for a meeting with Bayer Leverkusen and only managed 10 minutes off the bench in that contest.

  He has been nursing another fitness issue since then, with thigh problems causing concern, and all too familiar physical ailments are threatening to derail another bid to get his promising career firmly on track.

MatériaMais Notícias

A saída de Luís Castro do Botafogo, anunciada nesta sexta-feira, não foi bem vista por muitos torcedores alvinegros, principalmente por conta dos discursos protagonizados pelo treinador nos últimos meses. O português, em diversos depoimentos, pediu respeito e continuidade aos trabalhos dos técnicos no futebol brasileiro.

RelacionadasBotafogoDa euforia no gol até nervosismo na expulsão: os últimos momentos de Luís Castro no BotafogoBotafogo30/06/2023BotafogoANÁLISE: No adeus de Carli, Botafogo esbarra na falta de precisão e deixa escapar a vaga direta para oitavas da Sul-AmericanaBotafogo30/06/2023BotafogoTchê Tchê analisa empate do Botafogo na Sul-Americana e comenta sobre futuro de Luís Castro: ‘Torcemos pela continuidade’Botafogo30/06/2023

Mesmo pedindo pela sequência do projeto e pela valorização dos comandantes, Luís Castro aceitou interromper seu trabalho no Glorioso para ser técnico do Al-Nassr, da Arábia Saudita. Para relembrar os torcedores alvinegros, o LANCE! listou quatro entrevistas marcantes do português nos últimos meses que acabaram como “palavras ao vento” com a saída do técnico antes do fim de seu contrato.

+ Botafogo vai ao mercado: confira treinadores estrangeiros livres no mercado

CONFIRA DEPOIMENTOS MARCANTES DE LUÍS CASTRO AO LONGO DE SUA PASSAGEM PELO BOTAFOGO

– A forma alucinada como o futebol brasileiro tritura treinadores é surpreendente. Eu acho que a troca constante dos treinadores retira o poder de liderança. Porque todos à sua volta sabem que se algo falhar, só vai haver um responsável. Então pode haver um conjunto de desresponsabilização à minha volta que fere de morte o desenvolvimento de qualquer clube. Porque o jogador, se falhar, sabe que o treinador vai embora, o departamento de saúde, se falhar, sabe que o treinador vai embora. Então o treinador vai embora deixando para trás aqueles que são realmente responsáveis por o clube não ganhar. Então essa retirada é fatal quer no Brasil quer no mundo.

+ Até 50% OFF em produtos Alvinegros para os torcedores fanáticos!

– Querem melhorar o futebol brasileiro? Destaque o que há de melhor no futebol brasileiro. Sou ser humano, erro como os outros. Não posso errar? Em outros trabalhos as pessoas erram uma ou três vezes e ninguém fala para afastar. E aqui tem que me afastar. Deem tempo aos treinadores também”, disse o português durante entrevista coletiva no estádio Nilton Santos.

– Deem tempo como dão a muitos de vocês que vão para as profissões e erram uma, duas, três vezes e os mantêm nos cargos e depois são grandes jornalistas, médicos ou engenheiros. Não é para mim que quero tempo, deem tempo ao futebol.

– Eu nunca deixei de rir para os meus jogadores, sempre me entreguei. Muitas vezes não ri na sua frente, mas para mim a vida não é sempre resultados. O trabalho com dignidade está acima dos resultados. Por muito que vocês queiram colar o resultado à vida das pessoas? Quem não tem dinheiro não tem direito a viver? Para mim não é só o resultado que conta. É o trabalho com dignidade e honestidade intelectual que conta.

Newcastle United have submitted a new bid for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa worth £40 million. The offer is said to be comprised of a £35 million transfer fee and £5 million in “difficult to achieve” add-ons.

Brentford brought Wissa to the Premier League from FC Lorient in 2021 for £8.5 million, meaning that the current bid would more than quadruple their initial investment. However, David Ornstein has since reported that this bid has been rejected.

Ornstein writes that sources close to Brentford do not know the club’s current valuation of Wissa, as they have not shared that information with any of the striker’s suitors at this point.

Whilst the Magpies move has been shut down for now, there is positive news for Newcastle in that both Fabrizio Romano and Ornstein are reporting that Wissa wants the deal to happen, with Romano posting that Wissa “hopes for green light to join NUFC project” and has sent a clear message on Wednesday.

Over the last few weeks, a number of clubs have been embroiled in transfer sagas that undoubtedly seemed connected. Newcastle’s need to bring in a player like Wissa has only been added to by the seemingly impending exit of Alexander Isak, who is pushing for a move more than ever.

Newcastle were previously reported to be waiting until Brentford signed Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara to make an offer, as he is seen as potentially being a replacement for Wissa. Now that Brentford have their man, they may be willing to allow Wissa to move to Newcastle if a satisfactory bid is received, especially given Wissa’s desire to see the deal happen.

Once Wissa joins Newcastle, the club may be more willing to entertain bids from Liverpool for Isak, as they, too, will have their replacement striker. Liverpool have already spent heavily this window; they have moved on a number of players for big fees, and players like Harvey Elliott could also be exiting soon, allowing them to have the finances to place a bid that matches Newcastle’s valuation of Isak.

Wissa has big shoes to fill

If Wissa is indeed to be the replacement for Isak, then he has big shoes to fill, but if anyone can do it, he can. Last season, Isak registered 23 goals and 6 assists, whereas Wissa registered 19 goals and 4 assists, only marginally behind the Swedish striker.

One positive way in which the two strikers are similar is that they both outperformed their expected goals last season. This means in the same way that Isak was scoring goals that most strikers wouldn’t, Wissa will be able to join the side and impress in the same way.

While Isak had better numbers, he was doing it in a better team, a team that managed to qualify for the Champions League, whereas Brentford only finished in 10th place. With the addition of Anthony Elanga to the squad and pre-existing players like Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy supporting him, Wissa will likely boost his numbers once he makes a move to the North East.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice for Real Madrid against Marseille in the Champions League on Tuesday to take his tally to 50 goals in 64 matches for Los Blancos. The France international has now become the fastest player to reach a half-century of goals for Real Madrid since Cristiano Ronaldo hit the landmark in 2010 by hitting his 51st goal in just 54 appearances.

• Mbappe penalties see off Marseille

  Real Madrid came from behind to beat Marseille 2-1 in their opening Champions League encounter. Tim Weah opened the scoring for the visitors but Mbappe equalised from the penalty spot after Rodrygo had been fouled. Los Blancos were then reduced to 10 men when Dani Carvajal was sent off for bumping heads with Geronimo Rulli, before Mbappe won it with another penalty after Facundo Medina was penalised for handball.

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• Fifty not out for Mbappe at Real Madrid

  The two goals mean Mbappe has hit his half-century for Real Madrid and is the second fastest player to hit the landmark since Ronaldo. Manager Xabi Alonso hailed his talisman after the game. He told Movistar: "Mbappé hasn't been bad… in his best shape… with two goals. He has a tremendous impact on the rest and is in a good moment personally and football-wise. Happy to be with him and working day to day. We have a lot left and we're just getting started."

• Mbappe needs the pressure

  Mbappe was quizzed on the pressure of taking penalties after the game and says he thrives in such situations. He told UEFA: "I need to feel it. I think I need to feel it. Every player needs to feel the pressure. I think it's important to be focused and to have to do your best. It's important to have the pressure. I feel the pressure and I often rise to it. At the end of the day, I was happy to have two penalties today and to score, to help the team win the first game in the Champions League.

  "This is the DNA of Real Madrid. Whatever happens you can always win. You have to trust yourself, you have to trust your team-mates. All the people around you, the stadium, they push you to win. That's what we did today. When we got the read card, nobody in the team was stressed. We wanted to push and be ready to get the win and give this pleasure to the fans."

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  Real Madrid face surprise package next in La Liga

  Real Madrid return to La Liga action on Saturday and face surprise package Espanyol. The unbeaten Catalan team head into the match in third place in the table and can move above Los Blancos in the standings if they pull off a surprise win at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Sunderland have now submitted an offer for an “unreal” centre-back, according to a significant update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Sunderland's summer spree set to continue

It has been a memorable summer for the Black Cats, who have built on their Championship promotion last season by making 11 permanent signings in total to date.

Granit Xhaka is arguably the most high-profile addition, with the Swiss arriving from Bayer Leverkusen and immediately being made Sunderland captain, helping his side beat West Ham 3-0 in their Premier League opener on Saturday afternoon.

Habib Diarra and Simon Adingra have come in as the Black Cats’ two most expensive additions of the summer, however, joining from Strasbourg and Brighton respectively, looking to bolster Regis Le Bris’ midfield and wide options.

The early signs certainly bode well for Sunderland, in terms of their new signings ensuring that they avoid relegation straight back down to the Championship, but their business might not be done there.

Habib Diarra

Strasbourg

£27.1m

Simon Adingra

Brighton

£21m

Enzo Le Fee

Roma

£19.8m

Chemsdine Talbi

Club Brugge

£17.2m

Noah Sadiki

Union SG

£14.6m

Granit Xhaka

Bayer Leverkusen

£12.9m

Nordi Mukiele

Paris Saint-Germain

£10.3m

Omar Alderete

Getafe

£9.8m

Robin Roefs

NEC Nijmegen

£9m

Reinildo Mandava

Atletico Madrid

free transfer

Arthur Masuaku

Besiktas

free transfer

Sunderland submit bid for "unreal" centre-back

Now, Romano has taken to X to claim that Sunderland have tabled an offer for Bologna centre-back Jhon Lucumi, as their summer of spending continues. He is keen to seal move to the club.

Lucumi could be just what the Black Cats are after, with the 27-year-old an experienced head but really rising into a star over the last couple of seasons, bringing high level talent and physical dominance to Le Bris’ back-line.

He is a 29-cap Colombia international, which is no mean feat, and after 94 appearances in Serie A, he may like the idea of testing himself in the Premier League.

Younger Xhaka: Sunderland could hijack move to sign "phenomenal" £30m star

Sunderland are reportedly interested in signing a star who is a younger version of Granit Xhaka.

ByDan Emery Aug 16, 2025

Lucumi was once backed to become a “great” centre-back” by scout Jacek Kulig, while journalist Ethan Todd described him as “unreal” earlier this summer.

The Colombian would be a statement 12th permanent signing of the summer for Sunderland, assuming the deal goes through, as their squad goes from strength to strength amid their efforts to remain a Premier League team beyond this season.

Arsenal are ready to splash the cash in a serious show of ambition this summer, with Mikel Arteta and co desperate to end the club’s long wait for a Premier League title, which has spanned over 20 years.

Arsenal convinced they can seal "huge signing" after "showdown talks"

The Gunners are growing in optimism.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 5, 2025

Sporting director Andrea Berta has already sealed deals for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, with the latter two unofficial but confirmed by multiple reliable media sources.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£5m

Arsenal will pay around £56 million for Zubimendi, with all documents regarding the Spaniard’s transfer signed and finalised, while Norgaard has apparently undergone the first part of his medical in N5.

Berta has shown a tendency to spin many plates at once when it comes to transfer targets, with Arsenal also believed to be after two new wide players. Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Chelsea forward Noni Madueke have all been linked this week, but signing a right and left-winger could depend on whether Berta sells one of Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli.

In any case, Arsenal have been working on deals for Eze and another star for the left-hand side (Fabrizio Romano), all while actively seeking their desired new striker – which could be one of Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres or RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Arsenal are advancing talks for Sesko and Gyokeres, before deciding which one would best suit the club’s needs both in a financial sense and on the field.

However, one player who’s likelier to arrive before any of the aforementioned attackers is Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera.

Arsenal enter "decisive" phase of talks for Cristhian Mosquera

As per CaughtOffside, Arsenal have entered their “decisive” phase of talks for Mosquera, who’s already agreed personal terms over a move to the Emirates.

The versatile centre-back could come as a like-for-like replacement for Takehiro Tomiyasu, who mutually shook hands on a contract termination this week following his Arsenal injury hell.

Arteta’s side have seen a £12 million offer rejected for Mosquera, but are planning to go back in with a new bid which could be as high as £26 million, including bonuses and add-ons.

The Spaniard is said to be very keen on joining Arsenal and even snubbed a new contract proposal from Valencia, with Berta said to be edging closer to a full agreement.

The move could be sealed pretty soon, and barring any unexpected twists, Mosquera appears poised to become Arsenal’s fourth signing of the window.

Footall Talent Scout Jacek Kulig describes him as an “elite” young player, with Mosquera playing more minutes than any other player under 21 in Europe’s top five leagues last season.

استجاب رونالد أراوخو قائد برشلونة لثقة المدرب الألماني هانز فليك وشارك في فوز فريقه ضد نيوكاسل يونايتد بهدفين لهدف واحد في الجولة الأولى بمرحلة الدوري في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ولعب أراوخو أول مباراة مهمة هذا الموسم وهي أول مشاركة له في دوري أبطال أوروبا وأمام فريق قوي وخصم قوي، وتشارك مع باو كوبارسي في دفاع البلوجرانا.

وقال أراوخو في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية عن تحليله للمباراة: “كنا الفريق المسيطر على المباراة، عندما سجلوا تعقد الأمر وهذا طبيعي، لقد أراد الفريق الفوز ولعب بحماس واستحوذنا على الكرة، سعيد لأنه من المهم أن نبدأ دوري أبطال أوروبا بهذه الطريقة”.

وسئل أراوخو عن المشاكل البدنية التي تعرض لها في المباراة: “كنت أعاني من تشنج في النهاية، كان جهد الفريق هائلاً، حققنا الفوز وهذا هو المهم”.

اقرأ أيضاً.. خوان جارسيا بعد الفوز بثنائية: ما فعله لاعب برشلونة أمام نيوكاسل مذهل

وواصل عن أهم النقاط من الفوز ضد نيوكاسل يونايتد: “حللنا هذا الخصم جيداً، وكنا نعلم أنهم سيبدأون بقوة، هناك بعض المباريات التي يجب أن نلعب فيها بشكل جيد”.

وتابع مشيداً بما قدمه الإنجليزي ماركوس راشفورد الذي سجل هدفين في شباك نيوكاسل: “ماركوس يفعل الشيء نفسه في التدريبات، هو لاعب رائع وجودة عالية”.

وأكمل أراوخو: “لقد عانى كوبارسي من مشكلة في الركبة، نعلم أن هناك فريقًا تنافسيًا للغاية يجعلنا نبذل قصارى جهدنا، المدرب يدير الأمور بشكل جيد للغاية وهناك مباريات للجميع”.

واختتم عن الثقة التي حصل عليها من الألماني هانز فليك: “لقد عملنا بشكل ممتاز، ملتزمون بأسلوب لعب المدرب، الذي حقق لنا النتائج، علينا أن نواصل الإيمان بأسلوب لعبنا”.

The board also announced that a “technical method” would be established for issuing NOCs

Danyal Rasool15-Jul-2024The PCB is considering “several key changes” to the nature of international cricketers’ obligations to Pakistan cricket, with potential implications for the ability to obtain NOCs, participation in domestic cricket and a change to central contracts agreed last year.What those key changes contain, however, remains shrouded in mystery. A 500-word statement that was light on detail – and not released through official channels or uploaded to the PCB’s official website – stated that domestic cricket “is now compulsory for players”. The board also announced that a “technical method” would be established for issuing NOCs, and only players meeting the criteria of that method would be granted NOCs. It would appear that the tenure of central contracts has been reduced to one year, an apparent rollback of the landmark three-year contracts announced last year.However, despite the potentially wide-reaching implications of such changes, no specific information was provided on what these changes would entail and how they would come into effect. Mohammad Rafiullah – a spokesperson for the board chairman Mohsin Naqvi – told ESPNcricinfo that committees would be formed to work out the fine print: devising the technical method for the NOCs, the tweaking of the central contract, and how much domestic cricket international players would be required to play.Related

Waqar Younis set to sign on for key role at PCB

Wahab and Razzaq sacked from PCB selection committee

Pakistan to host Tests against Bangladesh, England and WI in packed 2024-25 season

PCB set for collision course after rejecting NOC to Naseem Shah

The original statement made no mention of the establishment of any committee, and it is not yet clear whether one committee will be tasked with all three responsibilities, or three separate committees will be formed to handle one task each. Rafiullah told ESPNcricinfo the committees – which have not come into existence yet – would submit their findings for implementation within 15 days.The statement did clarify that the centrally contracted players’ remuneration would not be reduced, a punitive move that initial reports suggested was being considered in the wake of Pakistan’s disastrous T20 World Cup campaign. It also said “the inclusion of players in various categories of the central contract would follow a defined procedure” without information on how this procedure was to be defined.It was also announced that Test head coach Jason Gillespie and white-ball coach Gary Kirsten had been added to the selection committee, though once again, it has yet to be clarified whether that means both coaches will make selectorial decisions across formats, or only sit on committees relevant to the formats they are respective coaches for.The issue concerning player NOCs is perhaps the prickliest one in Pakistan cricket at the moment, with some players understood to feel the spirit of the agreement to allow players two overseas leagues per year was not being respected . Last week, ESPNcricinfo reported Naseem Shah had been refused an NOC to play the Hundred on a contract worth GBP 125,000, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam are also expected to have their NOCs for the Global T20 League in Canada turned down. There is no international cricket that clashes with either of these leagues, but the PCB is likely to cite workload management as a reason for their refusal.In a separate statement, one that was uploaded to the PCB’s official website, Australian pitch curator Tony Hemming was appointed the head curator on a two-year contract. He comes in ahead of a busy home season for Pakistan, which includes seven Test matches, a tri-series and the ICC Champions Trophy.