birminghammail--2020-09-02--Aston Villa's hectic state of play as transfer deadline looms

Aston Villa will announce Matty Cash as their first summer signing after striking an initial £14 million deal with Nottingham Forest .
The versatile right-back , 23 , has long been admired by Villa head coach Dean Smith and will come in as direct competition for the likes of Frederic Guilbert and Ahmed Elmohamady .
There 's just 10 days to go until the start of the much-anticipated 2020/21 Premier League campaign , with Villa 's opening-day delayed until Sunday , September 20 against Sheffield United at Villa Park .
Prior to that , though , Villa will be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time and will learn their round-two opponents after this weekend 's first-round ties .
With games coming up thick and fast and , with just a month to go until the transfer window closes on October 5 ( 11pm ) , we assess the state of play in terms of Aston Villa 's current squad and look at the deals still to be made ...
It 's worth noting , too , that the domestic-only transfer window between Premier League and EFL clubs runs up until October 16 ( 5pm ) .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Forest 's energetic full-back Cash .
The Slough-born performer won the Reds ' player of the year last season and helped Forest to within a whisker of the play-offs .
Cash 's contribution was ace yet again having scored three goals and assisted five times in his 40 Championship starts .
The previous year - when he caught the eye of Smith in the second-tier - Cash scored eight goals and he continued his consistent displays once more last term .
Now there 's been a lot of talk about the potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a lot have compared the Cash deal to Spurs ' snip at signing Matt Doherty from Wolves for a similar fee .
The Irishman proved to be a class act for the second-successive season in the Premier League and it 'll be hoped Cash can be Villa 's answer to a Doherty at full-back .
It 's worth noting the Forest man is five years Doherty 's junior and , in that sense , Villa will be hoping Cash 's stock rises beyond the fee they 've forked out for him in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age , Doherty had just completed his fourth proper season for Wolves and scooped all the player-of-the-year gongs as Wanderers finished in a lowly 14th-place in the Championship .
'Doc ' scored twice in 27 starts that year while , in seasons since , the surging right-back has scored four times every year and has been a key cog for a well-drilled Wolves side .
It 's very much hoped Cash will follow suit for Villa in a similar style to the new Spurs man .
As outlined above , though , Villa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be an upgrade on Egyptian Elmohamady .
Elmo turns 33 next week and his current deal expires in June 2021 , with Cash coming in as a long-term replacement while pushing Frenchman Guilbert all the way in terms of a starting spot at right-back .
Cash , though , has proved himself in central midfield and on the right-flank and Smith will have eyes on developing him further into a number of roles in the months ahead .
Cash is exactly what Villa need : a player with a relentless , all-in work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the ball going forward .
His defensive attributes have let him down in the past but last season playing right-back throughout would have helped hone in on his skillset .
It 's a deal that makes a lot of sense given Smith appears keen to sprinkle his foreign-heavy squad with determined British talent .
A TOP STRIKER WILL COME AT A COST Aston Villa 's only fit strikers - Keinan Davis and Mbwana Samatta - did n't manage a solitary goal when Smith needed them to score most during last term 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring in a goal-scoring No.9 is as clear as day .
Record-buy Wesley remains sidelined with his ACL injury with no return date on the horizon .
The Brazilian , scorer of five Premier League goals in 21 games prior to injury , looks set to be out for at least another couple of months given match-sharpness concerns .
The injury has led to Smith and Villa look at a new alternative to the club 's three contracted strikers with the name on everyone 's lips , Ollie Watkins , remaining Villa 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brentford , though , have now slapped a £28 million price tag on their striker 's head as they look to do what Villa have done with suitors for Grealish : fend off any interest .
What Watkins ' price proves is this pandemic-affected market is a seller 's one with clubs unwilling to let their biggest assets leave for the sake of it .
Villa , of course , have now turned their attention to Bournemouth 's Callum Wilson with a deal here looking at around £20 million .
Strong interest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sections of the Villa support question the club 's approach in bringing in a new striker , given they 're both - as it stands - Championship players .
Talent from afar and across Europe , though , are said to have been put off by Villa 's low league finish last year with new sporting director Johan Lange yet to source any wild card names .
Top strikers cost money and Villa will no doubt have to smash their club-record transfer again for a new No.9 - like they did with Juan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year , Wesley .
As it stands , Watkins and Wilson are the only two names that are continuing to stick - but do n't rule out another being added to Villa 's wish-list in the coming weeks .
Villa are in desperate need to add quality in a wide area - especially on the right-hand side - to ease the burden on talismanic captain Jack Grealish .
Both Trezeguet and Anwar El Ghazi failed to really nail it week on week in 2019/20 , with the former edging out his Dutch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time of real need against Palace and Arsenal .
On the flanks , Villa do n't have a lot in reserve .
Smith prefers playing Grealish where he has been playing him - inside-left - while 'Trez ' and 'Ghazi ' have , more often than not , flattered to decieve .
Said Benrahma is a winger that 's been continually linked , yet the Algerian predominantly played on the left-hand side during his 17-goal season for Brentford last term .
Villa 's link to the 25-year-old has seemingly died down in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left out of pre-season friendlies .
The Bees talisman looks set to join West Ham .
Elsewhere , there 's the Milot Rashica saga that 's also dampened down .
Villa have expressed serious interest in the Werder Bremen star - yet the player is n't convinced on the switch and remains hopeful of holding out for a Champions League move in this window or the next .
Well-documented suitors for Rashica , RB Leipzig , have moved on after being unwilling to meet Werder 's £22.5 million asking price .
Back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead could be reignited right up until the European deadline of October 5 .
At Smith 's disposal on the flanks , the boss has Jota , Indy Vassilev and , possibly , Jaden Philogene-Bidace to call upon , with the latter impressing in the south Wales training camp .
All three , though , would not be direct competition for El Ghazi or Trezeguet as it stands .
Villa need to add a wing wizard to their ranks - and sharpish .
THE NEED FOR A PAIR OF SAFE HANDS Villa No.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of Villa 's first four matches and has targeted Leicester City away on October 17 as a return date to match action following what would be almost 11 months out .
With last season 's stand-in stopper Pepe Reina having joined Lazio , Villa have Jed Steer , Orjan Nyland and Lovre Kalinic in reserve at present , with the future concerning the latter two players remaining very much uncertain .
Steer , meanwhile , is just back after his Achilles injury and , at present , would be pushing Nyland for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in two weeks ' time .
As for Kalinic , the Croatian will look for first-team football elsewhere given it 's the European Championships next summer .
Kalinic , though , could well stay around right up until deadline day to act as emergency cover should Villa need it between the sticks .
Back to Nyland and his contract expires next summer and he 'll be wanting assurances on his Villa future sooner rather than later .
The goalkeeping scenario has led to Villa scouring the market for a stopper to act as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fitness which could be longer than the England man intended given he 's a : 34 and b : it 's an ACL .
A mooted £8 million move for Manchester United understudy Sergio Romero makes complete sense this end .
The 33-year-old is now deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford given the shoot-out that 's about to commence between David de Gea and Dean Henderson .
Romero , meanwhile , would fancy his chances at ousting Heaton to become a mainstay in the Premier League after managing just seven league starts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Argentine has been United 's cup goalkeeper and did well in the Europa League last season .
Romero would be a singing of a similar ilk to , say , Reina .
He 's been capped almost 100 times by his country and has worked with the world 's best day in , day out and has proved himself to be fine understudy with a can-do , positive attitude despite playing second-fiddle .
A deal to bring in Romero should , you feel , be in the offing , while a move for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at by Villa 's head of goalkeeping , Neil Cutler .
VILLA STILL SHORT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARK Like Villa 's right-hand side , Villa are still scarcely short in the middle of the park .
Not counting anchorman Douglas Luiz - nor his direct defensive-shield rival Marvelous Nakamba - Villa have just John McGinn , Conor Hourihane and Henri Lansbury to currently choose from in their flat , two-man midfield , with the latter starting just twice in the league last year .
Grealish did begin 19/20 alongside McGinn as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but , as everyone knows , he 's much more devastating further upfield .
Villa , too , can not really rely on novices Jacob Ramsey or the highly-talented Carney Chukwuemeka , either , so a new box-to-box central midfielder will be needed to rival the likes of Hourihane and McGinn .
BirminghamLive understands Smith will possibly look at new boy Cash as No.8 given that was his natural position previously .
A curve-ball No.8 signing would be most-welcome , though , especially when you look at what Everton have just done to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a player Villa are desperately void of - for just £20 million .
A midfield name continually linked is Reading 's John Swift .
BirminghamLive has been informed of Villa being knocked back with a bid of £6 million by the Royals .
PLAYER SALES AND LOAN EXITS - WHO 'S GOING TO BE SHOWN THE DOOR ?
Villa will , of course , look to trim the wage bill over the course of the next month .
James Bree had his remaining 10 months on his contract ripped up as the right-back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while the likes of Scott Hogan will be moved on as Villa look set to count the eye-watering loss on the £9.45 million signing from Brentford back in January 2017 .
Others heading towards the exit door are goalkeeper Kalinic who cost Villa £5.4 million in 2019 , with Villa doing well to get half of that amount back .
Elsewhere , Villa could look to move Jota on given Spanish links away , while Lansbury has been pretty much a spare part ever since joining during that busy January 2017 window @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stumbling block on that one , mind .
Regarding loans , it makes little sense to loan out Keinan Davis given his deal runs out next summer .
Vassilev could head out , though , after signing a new two-year deal recently .
Jacob Ramsey , too , could be given the chance to develop further with a loan deal in the Championship .

Aston Villa will announce Matty Cash as their first summer signing after striking an initial £14 million deal with Nottingham Forest.
The versatile right-back, 23, has long been admired by Villa head coach Dean Smith and will come in as direct competition for the likes of Frederic Guilbert and Ahmed Elmohamady.
There's just 10 days to go until the start of the much-anticipated 2020/21 Premier League campaign, with Villa's opening-day delayed until Sunday, September 20 against Sheffield United at Villa Park.
Prior to that, though, Villa will be in Carabao Cup action in a fortnight's time and will learn their round-two opponents after this weekend's first-round ties.
With games coming up thick and fast and, with just a month to go until the transfer window closes on October 5 (11pm), we assess the state of play in terms of Aston Villa's current squad and look at the deals still to be made...
It's worth noting, too, that the domestic-only transfer window between Premier League and EFL clubs runs up until October 16 (5pm).
WHY DEAN SMITH CASH-ED IN
We'll start with Villa's first arrival, Forest's energetic full-back Cash. The Slough-born performer won the Reds' player of the year last season and helped Forest to within a whisker of the play-offs. Cash's contribution was ace yet again having scored three goals and assisted five times in his 40 Championship starts. The previous year - when he caught the eye of Smith in the second-tier - Cash scored eight goals and he continued his consistent displays once more last term.
Now there's been a lot of talk about the potential £16 million outlay given the performance-based add-ons and a lot have compared the Cash deal to Spurs' snip at signing Matt Doherty from Wolves for a similar fee. The Irishman proved to be a class act for the second-successive season in the Premier League and it'll be hoped Cash can be Villa's answer to a Doherty at full-back. It's worth noting the Forest man is five years Doherty's junior and, in that sense, Villa will be hoping Cash's stock rises beyond the fee they've forked out for him in the seasons ahead. At Cash's age, Doherty had just completed his fourth proper season for Wolves and scooped all the player-of-the-year gongs as Wanderers finished in a lowly 14th-place in the Championship. 'Doc' scored twice in 27 starts that year while, in seasons since, the surging right-back has scored four times every year and has been a key cog for a well-drilled Wolves side. It's very much hoped Cash will follow suit for Villa in a similar style to the new Spurs man.
As outlined above, though, Villa's deal for Cash will prove to be an upgrade on Egyptian Elmohamady. Elmo turns 33 next week and his current deal expires in June 2021, with Cash coming in as a long-term replacement while pushing Frenchman Guilbert all the way in terms of a starting spot at right-back. Cash, though, has proved himself in central midfield and on the right-flank and Smith will have eyes on developing him further into a number of roles in the months ahead. Cash is exactly what Villa need: a player with a relentless, all-in work ethic and committed while possessing that quality on the ball going forward. His defensive attributes have let him down in the past but last season playing right-back throughout would have helped hone in on his skillset. It's a deal that makes a lot of sense given Smith appears keen to sprinkle his foreign-heavy squad with determined British talent.
A TOP STRIKER WILL COME AT A COST
Aston Villa's only fit strikers - Keinan Davis and Mbwana Samatta - didn't manage a solitary goal when Smith needed them to score most during last term's 10-match Project Restart and the need to bring in a goal-scoring No.9 is as clear as day. Record-buy Wesley remains sidelined with his ACL injury with no return date on the horizon. The Brazilian, scorer of five Premier League goals in 21 games prior to injury, looks set to be out for at least another couple of months given match-sharpness concerns. The injury has led to Smith and Villa look at a new alternative to the club's three contracted strikers with the name on everyone's lips, Ollie Watkins, remaining Villa's top priority in this window. Bullish Brentford, though, have now slapped a £28 million price tag on their striker's head as they look to do what Villa have done with suitors for Grealish: fend off any interest. What Watkins' price proves is this pandemic-affected market is a seller's one with clubs unwilling to let their biggest assets leave for the sake of it. Villa, of course, have now turned their attention to Bournemouth's Callum Wilson with a deal here looking at around £20 million. Strong interest in the two Ws has led to some sections of the Villa support question the club's approach in bringing in a new striker, given they're both - as it stands - Championship players. Talent from afar and across Europe, though, are said to have been put off by Villa's low league finish last year with new sporting director Johan Lange yet to source any wild card names. Top strikers cost money and Villa will no doubt have to smash their club-record transfer again for a new No.9 - like they did with Juan Pablo Angel, Darren Bent and, last year, Wesley. As it stands, Watkins and Wilson are the only two names that are continuing to stick - but don't rule out another being added to Villa's wish-list in the coming weeks.
WANTED: A WING WIZARD
Villa are in desperate need to add quality in a wide area - especially on the right-hand side - to ease the burden on talismanic captain Jack Grealish. Both Trezeguet and Anwar El Ghazi failed to really nail it week on week in 2019/20, with the former edging out his Dutch teammate following a three-goal flurry at a time of real need against Palace and Arsenal. On the flanks, Villa don't have a lot in reserve. Smith prefers playing Grealish where he has been playing him - inside-left - while 'Trez' and 'Ghazi' have, more often than not, flattered to decieve. Said Benrahma is a winger that's been continually linked, yet the Algerian predominantly played on the left-hand side during his 17-goal season for Brentford last term. Villa's link to the 25-year-old has seemingly died down in the last month, despite Benrahma being continually left out of pre-season friendlies. The Bees talisman looks set to join West Ham. Elsewhere, there's the Milot Rashica saga that's also dampened down. Villa have expressed serious interest in the Werder Bremen star - yet the player isn't convinced on the switch and remains hopeful of holding out for a Champions League move in this window or the next. Well-documented suitors for Rashica, RB Leipzig, have moved on after being unwilling to meet Werder's £22.5 million asking price. Back to Villa and a deal here although appears dead could be reignited right up until the European deadline of October 5. At Smith's disposal on the flanks, the boss has Jota, Indy Vassilev and, possibly, Jaden Philogene-Bidace to call upon, with the latter impressing in the south Wales training camp. All three, though, would not be direct competition for El Ghazi or Trezeguet as it stands. Villa need to add a wing wizard to their ranks - and sharpish.
THE NEED FOR A PAIR OF SAFE HANDS
(Image: Getty Images)
Villa No.1 Tom Heaton has already confirmed he's out of Villa's first four matches and has targeted Leicester City away on October 17 as a return date to match action following what would be almost 11 months out. With last season's stand-in stopper Pepe Reina having joined Lazio, Villa have Jed Steer, Orjan Nyland and Lovre Kalinic in reserve at present, with the future concerning the latter two players remaining very much uncertain. Steer, meanwhile, is just back after his Achilles injury and, at present, would be pushing Nyland for the starting shirt for the Carabao Cup in two weeks' time. As for Kalinic, the Croatian will look for first-team football elsewhere given it's the European Championships next summer. Kalinic, though, could well stay around right up until deadline day to act as emergency cover should Villa need it between the sticks. Back to Nyland and his contract expires next summer and he'll be wanting assurances on his Villa future sooner rather than later.
The goalkeeping scenario has led to Villa scouring the market for a stopper to act as a stop-gap until Heaton returns to full fitness which could be longer than the England man intended given he's a: 34 and b: it's an ACL. A mooted £8 million move for Manchester United understudy Sergio Romero makes complete sense this end. The 33-year-old is now deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford given the shoot-out that's about to commence between David de Gea and Dean Henderson. Romero, meanwhile, would fancy his chances at ousting Heaton to become a mainstay in the Premier League after managing just seven league starts at United in five years. The Argentine has been United's cup goalkeeper and did well in the Europa League last season. Romero would be a singing of a similar ilk to, say, Reina. He's been capped almost 100 times by his country and has worked with the world's best day in, day out and has proved himself to be fine understudy with a can-do, positive attitude despite playing second-fiddle. A deal to bring in Romero should, you feel, be in the offing, while a move for available stopper Jack Butland will be looked at by Villa's head of goalkeeping, Neil Cutler.
VILLA STILL SHORT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARK
(Image: Getty Images)
Like Villa's right-hand side, Villa are still scarcely short in the middle of the park. Not counting anchorman Douglas Luiz - nor his direct defensive-shield rival Marvelous Nakamba - Villa have just John McGinn, Conor Hourihane and Henri Lansbury to currently choose from in their flat, two-man midfield, with the latter starting just twice in the league last year. Grealish did begin 19/20 alongside McGinn as a No.8 for a couple of games but, as everyone knows, he's much more devastating further upfield. Villa, too, cannot really rely on novices Jacob Ramsey or the highly-talented Carney Chukwuemeka, either, so a new box-to-box central midfielder will be needed to rival the likes of Hourihane and McGinn. BirminghamLive understands Smith will possibly look at new boy Cash as No.8 given that was his natural position previously. A curve-ball No.8 signing would be most-welcome, though, especially when you look at what Everton have just done to bring in Watford powerhouse Abdoulaye Doucouré - a player Villa are desperately void of - for just £20 million. A midfield name continually linked is Reading's John Swift. BirminghamLive has been informed of Villa being knocked back with a bid of £6 million by the Royals.
PLAYER SALES AND LOAN EXITS - WHO'S GOING TO BE SHOWN THE DOOR?
Villa will, of course, look to trim the wage bill over the course of the next month. James Bree had his remaining 10 months on his contract ripped up as the right-back headed back to Luton on a permanent, while the likes of Scott Hogan will be moved on as Villa look set to count the eye-watering loss on the £9.45 million signing from Brentford back in January 2017. Others heading towards the exit door are goalkeeper Kalinic who cost Villa £5.4 million in 2019, with Villa doing well to get half of that amount back. Elsewhere, Villa could look to move Jota on given Spanish links away, while Lansbury has been pretty much a spare part ever since joining during that busy January 2017 window for £3 million. Hefty wages remain a stumbling block on that one, mind.
Regarding loans, it makes little sense to loan out Keinan Davis given his deal runs out next summer. Vassilev could head out, though, after signing a new two-year deal recently. Jacob Ramsey, too, could be given the chance to develop further with a loan deal in the Championship.


birminghammail--2020-09-02--West Brom keeping options open in pursuit of prolific striker

West Bromwich Albion are not giving up the chase for striker Karlan Grant after their £16 million opening offer was rejected by Huddersfield Town , Birmingham Live understands .
On the contrary , the Baggies remain in talks with the Terriers and are contemplating an improved bid that could even eclipse the £18 million club-record signing of Nacer Chadli in 2016 .
Grant , who scored 19 goals in the Championship last season - including one in Town 's 4-2 defeat at The Hawthorns - has also been linked with Albion 's fierce rivals Aston Villa .
Head coach Slaven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hal Robson-Kanu , Charlie Austin and Kenneth Zohore at his disposal , but sees Grant as a more explosive , dynamic option .
It 's thought Bilic is open to offers for Zohore , who has struggled since completing an £8 million move from Cardiff City last summer .
The Dane only scored three goals , all from the penalty spot , in 15 Championship games last term and bagged just one in 19 appearances when last in the top flight with the Bluebirds .
Grant , on the other hand , hardly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made the giant step up from League One to Premier League .
Signed from Chalrton Athletic in January 2018 , Grant was arguably Huddersfield 's only success story in their dreadful relegation season .
In spite of Huddersfield 's woes , the 22-year-old notched four goals in just 13 Premier League matches to leave the division with his head held high .
Bilic is keen to strengthen in all areas of the pitch and has identified Wigan Athletic 's Cedric Kipre as one of his main centre-back targets after missing out on Brighton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season-long loan move to Celtic on Wednesday .
Albion are in advanced talks with Wigan 's administrators over a potential £1 million deal though reports Kipre was at the club 's Walsall training ground on Tuesday are wide of the mark .
A product of the revered academy at Paris Saint Germain , Kipre , 23 , joined Leicester City 's youth set up in 2014 .
He was released three years later without ever making a first-team appearance for the Foxes , but was quickly snapped up by Scottish Premiership side Motherwell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a hit north of the border before moving in the summer of 2018 to the DW Stadium where he made 75 appearances in all competitions over the past two campaigns .
He would have been part of a side that finished comfortably mid-table had a 12-point deduction for falling into administration not relegated the Latics .

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West Bromwich Albion are not giving up the chase for striker Karlan Grant after their £16 million opening offer was rejected by Huddersfield Town, Birmingham Live understands.
On the contrary, the Baggies remain in talks with the Terriers and are contemplating an improved bid that could even eclipse the £18 million club-record signing of Nacer Chadli in 2016.
Grant, who scored 19 goals in the Championship last season - including one in Town's 4-2 defeat at The Hawthorns - has also been linked with Albion's fierce rivals Aston Villa.
Head coach Slaven Bilic is not short on strikers with Hal Robson-Kanu, Charlie Austin and Kenneth Zohore at his disposal, but sees Grant as a more explosive, dynamic option.
It's thought Bilic is open to offers for Zohore, who has struggled since completing an £8 million move from Cardiff City last summer.
The Dane only scored three goals, all from the penalty spot, in 15 Championship games last term and bagged just one in 19 appearances when last in the top flight with the Bluebirds.
Grant, on the other hand, hardly looked out of his depth after he made the giant step up from League One to Premier League.
(Image: (George Wood/Getty Images))
Signed from Chalrton Athletic in January 2018, Grant was arguably Huddersfield's only success story in their dreadful relegation season.
In spite of Huddersfield's woes, the 22-year-old notched four goals in just 13 Premier League matches to leave the division with his head held high.
Bilic is keen to strengthen in all areas of the pitch and has identified Wigan Athletic's Cedric Kipre as one of his main centre-back targets after missing out on Brighton's Shane Duffy, who completed a season-long loan move to Celtic on Wednesday.
Albion are in advanced talks with Wigan's administrators over a potential £1 million deal though reports Kipre was at the club's Walsall training ground on Tuesday are wide of the mark.
A product of the revered academy at Paris Saint Germain, Kipre, 23, joined Leicester City's youth set up in 2014.
He was released three years later without ever making a first-team appearance for the Foxes, but was quickly snapped up by Scottish Premiership side Motherwell after impressing during a trial.
Kipre was a hit north of the border before moving in the summer of 2018 to the DW Stadium where he made 75 appearances in all competitions over the past two campaigns.
He would have been part of a side that finished comfortably mid-table had a 12-point deduction for falling into administration not relegated the Latics.


birminghammail--2020-09-02--Arsenal 'make new Maitland-Niles decision' after Wolves bid

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta no longer wants to sell Wolverhampton Wanderers target Ainsley Maitland-Niles , according to reports .
The versatile midfielder turned full-back is a target this summer for Wolves , who sold right-back Matt Doherty to Tottenham last week .
Wolves reportedly had an offer of £15m for Maitland-Niles rejected and were thought to be planning to return with another bid .
It had been claimed earlier in the window Arsenal had told the 23-year-old he was surplus to requirements for the new season .
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It is always up-to-date with the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Play Store and App Store But 90min.com report Arteta now wants to make Maitland-Niles a key player in his side .
The report claims Wolves had been close to striking a £20m deal for the player but Arsenal 'decided to back away ' and he is no longer for sale .
Maitland-Niles was named man-of-the-match as Arsenal beat Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield on Saturday and then received a maiden England call-up .
He was asked about the reports linking him with a move away from the Gunners during the post-match @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I ’ m an Arsenal player until I ’ m told otherwise , '' he said .
`` My heart is in the club & while I ’ m here , I ’ m going to give 100 percent every time and that ’ s that . ''

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta no longer wants to sell Wolverhampton Wanderers target Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to reports.
The versatile midfielder turned full-back is a target this summer for Wolves, who sold right-back Matt Doherty to Tottenham last week.
Wolves reportedly had an offer of £15m for Maitland-Niles rejected and were thought to be planning to return with another bid.
It had been claimed earlier in the window Arsenal had told the 23-year-old he was surplus to requirements for the new season.
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But 90min.com report Arteta now wants to make Maitland-Niles a key player in his side. The report claims Wolves had been close to striking a £20m deal for the player but Arsenal 'decided to back away' and he is no longer for sale.
Maitland-Niles was named man-of-the-match as Arsenal beat Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield on Saturday and then received a maiden England call-up.
He was asked about the reports linking him with a move away from the Gunners during the post-match interview on the pitch at Wembley.
"I’m an Arsenal player until I’m told otherwise," he said. "My heart is in the club & while I’m here, I’m going to give 100 percent every time and that’s that."


birminghammail--2020-09-02--Woman arrested in connection with probe into Birmingham criminal mastermind

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of laundering money in connection with an ongoing investigation into a convicted Birmingham criminal mastermind .
The 43-year-old was detained at her Ipswich home by National Crime Agency officers on Wednesday , September 2 , after a complex operation into Chinese national , Feng Xu .
She was questioned and released under investigation , a spokesman for the agency revealed .
Birmingham-based Xu was jailed for more than seven years in December 2019 and faces deportation at the end of his sentence .
He had set himself up as an 'enabler ' for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rent out 446 properties across the UK .
The gangs would then pay off the degree student before converting each property into either a brothel or a cannabis cultivation farm .
The crook had used multiple false identities to source hundreds of different properties for a number of criminal networks Some 31 different false or fraudulent Chinese or Portuguese passports were also recovered , along with numerous ID documents .
NCA senior investigating officer Daren Nicholls said : `` We know that significant sums passed through Feng Xu 's accounts , much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups involved in prostitution , immigration crime and drug production .
`` We are determined to do all we can to track that cash and track down anyone who helped him launder it . ''

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A woman has been arrested on suspicion of laundering money in connection with an ongoing investigation into a convicted Birmingham criminal mastermind.
The 43-year-old was detained at her Ipswich home by National Crime Agency officers on Wednesday, September 2, after a complex operation into Chinese national, Feng Xu.
She was questioned and released under investigation, a spokesman for the agency revealed.
Birmingham-based Xu was jailed for more than seven years in December 2019 and faces deportation at the end of his sentence.
He had set himself up as an 'enabler' for ruthless crooks by using fake identities to rent out 446 properties across the UK.
The gangs would then pay off the degree student before converting each property into either a brothel or a cannabis cultivation farm.
The crook had used multiple false identities to source hundreds of different properties for a number of criminal networks
Some 31 different false or fraudulent Chinese or Portuguese passports were also recovered, along with numerous ID documents.
NCA senior investigating officer Daren Nicholls said: "We know that significant sums passed through Feng Xu's accounts, much of which would have come from organised crime groups involved in prostitution, immigration crime and drug production.
"We are determined to do all we can to track that cash and track down anyone who helped him launder it."


birminghammail--2020-09-02--Walk-through Covid-19 testing centre opens in town centre

A walk-through coronavirus testing centre has opened in Walsall 's town centre in a bid to curb the spread of the virus across the borough .
The new facility , which is at the Town Hall , was opened on Wednesday , September 2 , despite positive cases across the borough continuing to fall .
The site is easily accessible without a car , a spokesman for the authority said .
Baroness Dido Harding , interim executive chairwoman of the National Institute for Health Protection , said : `` Getting a test is now faster and easier than ever .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has symptoms can get a free test quickly to find out whether they have the virus and need to stay at home , or can safely return to work and get back to the things they love .
`` Over 95 per cent of people will get their results the next day , and anyone who tests positive will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help to prevent the spread of the virus . ''
Coronavirus figures show 25 cases in the borough over the last seven days .
Tests should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as symptoms start .
Kevin Craven , Serco CEO for UK and Europe , said : `` We are pleased to be supporting the Government and the NHS in setting up and managing the new testing centre in Walsall , as well as the testing centres we are already operating .
`` I would like to pay tribute to my colleagues who have worked extremely fast and professionally , and with the other organisations involved , to set up these centres having deployed from other roles within Serco .
I know that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in helping the country tackle coronavirus . ''

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A walk-through coronavirus testing centre has opened in Walsall's town centre in a bid to curb the spread of the virus across the borough.
The new facility, which is at the Town Hall, was opened on Wednesday, September 2, despite positive cases across the borough continuing to fall.
The site is easily accessible without a car, a spokesman for the authority said.
Baroness Dido Harding, interim executive chairwoman of the National Institute for Health Protection, said: "Getting a test is now faster and easier than ever.
"Local sites will mean anyone who has symptoms can get a free test quickly to find out whether they have the virus and need to stay at home, or can safely return to work and get back to the things they love.
"Over 95 per cent of people will get their results the next day, and anyone who tests positive will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help to prevent the spread of the virus."
Coronavirus figures show 25 cases in the borough over the last seven days. Tests should be booked or ordered online as soon as symptoms start.
Kevin Craven, Serco CEO for UK and Europe, said: "We are pleased to be supporting the Government and the NHS in setting up and managing the new testing centre in Walsall, as well as the testing centres we are already operating.
"I would like to pay tribute to my colleagues who have worked extremely fast and professionally, and with the other organisations involved, to set up these centres having deployed from other roles within Serco. I know that they are proud to be doing their part in helping the country tackle coronavirus."


birminghammail--2020-09-02--Forest figure drops hint Matty Cash to Aston Villa move is imminent

Nottingham Forest 's academy manager has paid an emotional tribute to Matty Cash in a hint the full-back 's move to Aston Villa is imminent .
Villa have agreed a deal to make Cash the first signing of the summer transfer window .
The 23-year-old was initially the subject of a £10m bid from Villa which was rejected by Championship side Forest .
But the two clubs have now agreed upon a £14m fee with add-ons potentially taking the transfer to £16m .
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Google Play Store and App Store Sheffield United had a bid turned down while Fulham , West Ham United and AC Milan were also keen on Cash after an impressive campaign .
Forest 's academy manager Gary Brazil hinted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter : `` Mixture of emotions for the academy today .
Excited for and proud of Matty ’ s progress throughout his time at the club .
`` Saddened to lose a lovely human being and someone who has been a wonderful ambassador and embodies everything strong in our academy .
All the very best Cashy . ''
Cash was Forest 's player of the season having been switched from a role on the wing to full-back by head coach Sabri Lamouchi .
He is now set to undergo a medical ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term contract at Villa Park to provide competition for Frederic Guilbert and Ahmed Elmohamady in Dean Smith 's squad .

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Nottingham Forest's academy manager has paid an emotional tribute to Matty Cash in a hint the full-back's move to Aston Villa is imminent.
Villa have agreed a deal to make Cash the first signing of the summer transfer window.
The 23-year-old was initially the subject of a £10m bid from Villa which was rejected by Championship side Forest.
But the two clubs have now agreed upon a £14m fee with add-ons potentially taking the transfer to £16m.
Aston Villa daily newsletter. Free. To your inbox In our daily Aston Villa bulletin, we'll be bringing you the latest breaking news, transfer features and comment pieces, as well as the key talking points for fans. How do you sign up? It's easy and only takes seconds. Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit sign up. And that's it, you're all set. You can also sign up here. If you decide later that you no longer wish to receive the emails, simply follow the unsubscribe link in one of the newsletters - but we don't think you'll want to. And what's more, it's absolutely free! You can also get all the latest updates by following us on social media here Facebook and Twitter. We also have a free app which you can download. It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region. Google Play Store and App Store
Sheffield United had a bid turned down while Fulham, West Ham United and AC Milan were also keen on Cash after an impressive campaign.
Forest's academy manager Gary Brazil hinted the move is all but complete, writing on Twitter : "Mixture of emotions for the academy today. Excited for and proud of Matty’s progress throughout his time at the club.
"Saddened to lose a lovely human being and someone who has been a wonderful ambassador and embodies everything strong in our academy. All the very best Cashy."
Cash was Forest's player of the season having been switched from a role on the wing to full-back by head coach Sabri Lamouchi.
He is now set to undergo a medical ahead of putting pen to paper on a long-term contract at Villa Park to provide competition for Frederic Guilbert and Ahmed Elmohamady in Dean Smith's squad.


birminghammail--2020-09-02--Police release statement after man Tasered in Birmingham city centre

A man was Tasered by police in Birmingham city centre after a person was 'chased with scissors ' .
BirminghamLive had previously revealed how the incident unfolded in front of dozens of stunned shoppers on Saturday afternoon .
The dramatic moment had been captured on video as the man dropped to the ground where Bull Street meets Dale End .
Police have now confirmed they Tasered a man after 'officers on patrol came across a man being chased by another man holding scissors ' .
Police said they arrested a man on suspicion of possession of a weapon following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been bailed with conditions while enquiries continue .
People with information about the incident are being urged to get in touch with the force .
West Midlands Police issued a statement which said : `` Officers on patrol in Dale End , Birmingham , came across a man being chased by another man holding scissors just before 4.30pm on Saturday ( 29 August ) .
`` A 39-year-old man was Tasered and arrested on suspicion of possession of a weapon .
He has been bailed with conditions while enquiries continue .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk 8am - midnight or call 101 anytime .
`` Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111 .
Quote crime reference 20BW/207034U/20 . ''

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Andy Richardson, Stephanie Balloo)

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A man was Tasered by police in Birmingham city centre after a person was 'chased with scissors'.
BirminghamLive had previously revealed how the incident unfolded in front of dozens of stunned shoppers on Saturday afternoon.
The dramatic moment had been captured on video as the man dropped to the ground where Bull Street meets Dale End.
Police have now confirmed they Tasered a man after 'officers on patrol came across a man being chased by another man holding scissors'.
(Image: Kevin Burke)
Police said they arrested a man on suspicion of possession of a weapon following the incident just before 4.30pm.
The man has been bailed with conditions while enquiries continue. People with information about the incident are being urged to get in touch with the force.
West Midlands Police issued a statement which said: "Officers on patrol in Dale End, Birmingham, came across a man being chased by another man holding scissors just before 4.30pm on Saturday (29 August).
"A 39-year-old man was Tasered and arrested on suspicion of possession of a weapon. He has been bailed with conditions while enquiries continue.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact us via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk 8am - midnight or call 101 anytime. "Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111. Quote crime reference 20BW/207034U/20."


birminghammail--2020-09-02--Bank closes high street branch over Covid-19 concerns

The TSB branch in High Street , Stourport-on-Severn , shut on Wednesday ( September 2 ) after a customer was feeling unwell inside the venue .
The branch closed ‘ with immediate effect ’ according to a sign on its door , as it looked to protect customers and staff from catching the disease caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
The note on the bank ’ s door said : “ Unfortunately due to Government Guidelines , we have had to close the branch with immediate effect .
“ Your nearest branches are Worcester , Tenbury Wells and Merry Hill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 01905 29761 ( Worcester ) or 01527 60723 ( Redditch ) .
” TSB confirmed the branch closed due to concerns over Covid-19 .
A spokeswoman for TSB said : “ A customer came in feeling unwell .
“ We closed the branch down as a precautionary measure regarding Covid-19 , to make sure our customers were OK and our staff were safe and healthy .
“ With every business you need to take every precaution and we wanted to make sure we were looking after our colleagues and customers .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away any more about the customer ’ s personal situation but we know she does not have Covid-19 .
“ We closed the branch to make our own investigation .
We have also deep cleaned the branch as a precautionary measure .
“ The branch will reopen on Thursday ( September 3 ) as normal.
” TSB said the branch was closed 'as soon as the customer was unwell ' and 'no new customers were admitted ' .

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A bank branch in Worcestershire closed ‘as a precaution’ due to Covid-19 concerns.
The TSB branch in High Street, Stourport-on-Severn, shut on Wednesday (September 2) after a customer was feeling unwell inside the venue.
The branch closed ‘with immediate effect’ according to a sign on its door, as it looked to protect customers and staff from catching the disease caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The note on the bank’s door said: “Unfortunately due to Government Guidelines, we have had to close the branch with immediate effect.
“Your nearest branches are Worcester, Tenbury Wells and Merry Hill. For general queries our telephone number is 01905 29761 (Worcester) or 01527 60723 ( Redditch ).”
TSB confirmed the branch closed due to concerns over Covid-19.
A spokeswoman for TSB said: “A customer came in feeling unwell.
“We closed the branch down as a precautionary measure regarding Covid-19, to make sure our customers were OK and our staff were safe and healthy.
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“With every business you need to take every precaution and we wanted to make sure we were looking after our colleagues and customers.
“We don’t want to give away any more about the customer’s personal situation but we know she does not have Covid-19.
“We closed the branch to make our own investigation. We have also deep cleaned the branch as a precautionary measure.
“The branch will reopen on Thursday (September 3) as normal.”
TSB said the branch was closed 'as soon as the customer was unwell' and 'no new customers were admitted'.


birminghammail--2020-09-02--Psychologist killed mum after 'she trolled estranged wife on Twitter'

A sports psychologist who murdered his mother has claimed he launched a frenzied attack on her because she was trolling his estranged wife on Twitter .
Robert Child , 37 , admits murdering his 64-year-old mother Janice at her home in Woolton , Liverpool , on March 5 but denies the killing was for financial gain .
The defendant , who admitted lying to friends and family about having a PhD and working for Manchester United as a scout , transferred £25,000 from Mrs Child 's account to his moments after he left her home having attacked her with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room .
When police arrived at his home in Thingwall , Wirral , the following morning to inform him of her death he was out buying a £14,000 Jaguar car .
Giving evidence at his trial of issue at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday , Child said he had gone to see his mother to tell her he planned to kill himself but they began to argue when he said he was `` struggling '' .
He claimed she used `` derogatory racist terminology '' about his estranged wife Sangee Perera , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` She disliked her for no other reason than the colour of her skin . ''
Child told the court he separated from Ms Perera in 2015 but they remained married , despite him planning a wedding which he later cancelled to partner Kelly Williams .
His mother revealed she had sent a fax to the Home Office to withdraw a visa application for Ms Perera , he claimed .
He added : `` She indicated that she had been following her on social media and had been attacking her online . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter log-in page with a number of different email addresses and told him every time Ms Perera blocked her she opened a different account .
He said : `` I had been in regular contact with Sangee since and I had known she had been attacked and trolled online by an unknown person or persons .
`` I was aware of the effect it had had on her mental health in the previous 12 to 18 months and the idea that had come from my mother , five years after that relationship had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The court heard no evidence of any Twitter accounts being found on Mrs Child 's laptop .
Child said he had followed his mother into the utility room while arguing with her and attacked her with a hammer which was on the washing machine .
He said : `` I had made the decision that my life was going to end prior to going there that day and I think I had the conscious thought that if she was still around she would continue to attack Kelly and Sangee with even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the court he had more than £17,000 in crypto-currency investments , accepted he had struck his mother 31 times .
He said : `` I remember the first strike .
I do not remember the others .
It was a frenzied attack , I do not recall . ''
The defendant , who worked for the University of Liverpool on a consultancy contract , claimed he planned to buy the Jaguar with funds from a joint account he and his mother had but she had offered to give him the money from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleared .
He intended to drive the car to Italy and take his own life there , he said .

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A sports psychologist who murdered his mother has claimed he launched a frenzied attack on her because she was trolling his estranged wife on Twitter.
Robert Child, 37, admits murdering his 64-year-old mother Janice at her home in Woolton, Liverpool, on March 5 but denies the killing was for financial gain.
The defendant, who admitted lying to friends and family about having a PhD and working for Manchester United as a scout, transferred £25,000 from Mrs Child's account to his moments after he left her home having attacked her with a hammer and locked her in the utility room.
When police arrived at his home in Thingwall, Wirral, the following morning to inform him of her death he was out buying a £14,000 Jaguar car.
Giving evidence at his trial of issue at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, Child said he had gone to see his mother to tell her he planned to kill himself but they began to argue when he said he was "struggling".
He claimed she used "derogatory racist terminology" about his estranged wife Sangee Perera, a Sri Lankan national.
He said: "She disliked her for no other reason than the colour of her skin."
Child told the court he separated from Ms Perera in 2015 but they remained married, despite him planning a wedding which he later cancelled to partner Kelly Williams.
His mother revealed she had sent a fax to the Home Office to withdraw a visa application for Ms Perera, he claimed.
He added: "She indicated that she had been following her on social media and had been attacking her online."
He claimed Mrs Child showed him a Twitter log-in page with a number of different email addresses and told him every time Ms Perera blocked her she opened a different account.
He said: "I had been in regular contact with Sangee since and I had known she had been attacked and trolled online by an unknown person or persons.
"I was aware of the effect it had had on her mental health in the previous 12 to 18 months and the idea that had come from my mother, five years after that relationship had come to an end was a shock."
The court heard no evidence of any Twitter accounts being found on Mrs Child's laptop.
Child said he had followed his mother into the utility room while arguing with her and attacked her with a hammer which was on the washing machine.
He said: "I had made the decision that my life was going to end prior to going there that day and I think I had the conscious thought that if she was still around she would continue to attack Kelly and Sangee with even more venom."
Child, who told the court he had more than £17,000 in crypto-currency investments, accepted he had struck his mother 31 times.
He said: "I remember the first strike. I do not remember the others. It was a frenzied attack, I do not recall."
The defendant, who worked for the University of Liverpool on a consultancy contract, claimed he planned to buy the Jaguar with funds from a joint account he and his mother had but she had offered to give him the money from her own account while the the withdrawal cleared.
He intended to drive the car to Italy and take his own life there, he said.
The case continues on Thursday.


birminghammail--2020-09-02--'I'll give you that' Birmingham City new boy Adam Clayton says the right things

Adam Clayton 's arrival , as Aitor Karanka 's latest Birmingham City signing , has topped up the club 's former Middlesbrough contingent .
The pair worked alongside each other and George Friend , Karanka 's first signing as Blues boss , for several seasons in the North-East .
Karanka has also surrounded himself at Blues with familiar coaching staff , some of whom served him during his time at the Riverside Stadium .
It 's fair to say Blues and Boro have n't always seen eye to eye in recent years .
There was the fallout from a bitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blues appointed Garry Monk and several of his coaching staff shortly after leaving the Riverside .
The dispute was resolved later that year through a High Court settlement .
And then Lukas Jutkiewicz 's phantom goal at the Riverside Stadium in January that sparked a furious touchline bust-up between coaching staff and players from both sides .
Boro goalkeeper coach Leo Percovich and Sean Rush , Blues ' ex-head of performance , saw red and were later charged with improper conduct .
In his first interview with club media , Clayton made it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew 's is for visiting teams and players .
`` I do n't know if George ever mentioned this , but I remember the last time we played at St Andrew 's , '' he said .
`` I thought they were one of the best teams in the league .
For 60 minutes probably we could n't get near the ball for love nor money so there 's obviously some very good players here .
`` It 's always tough going to St Andrew 's .
We got robbed of a goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) when Daniel Ayala put it in and it was n't offside , but I 'll let that go ! ''
When reminded of Jutkiewicz 's disallowed strike to balance the books , Clayton was ever the diplomat .
`` I 'll give you that then ! ''
he said .
`` I ca n't wait to get going at St Andrew 's as a home player .
`` I 'm absolutely delighted to be joining such a great club with ambition to try and achieve .
`` Thanks for all the messages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We will need all of you , but together is the only way to succeed . ''
Clayton is Karanka 's sixth signing this summer after Friend , goalkeeper Andres Prieto , midfielders Jon Toral and Ivan Sanchez and attacker Jonathan Leko , the only player to have joined for a fee .
And the 31-year-old admitted the Spaniard was a big factor in him making the switch to the West Midlands .
`` When I found out Birmingham were interested that was the big thing for me knowing he knows how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
`` George as well .
We 've done it together .
We know the standards the manager sets and he knows the standards we set in training day to day '' Hopefully we can bring that to the club and push everyone forward in the right direction .
We 've got a manager with the tools so when he gets it right he can do it . ''

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Adam Clayton's arrival, as Aitor Karanka's latest Birmingham City signing, has topped up the club's former Middlesbrough contingent.
The pair worked alongside each other and George Friend, Karanka's first signing as Blues boss, for several seasons in the North-East.
Karanka has also surrounded himself at Blues with familiar coaching staff, some of whom served him during his time at the Riverside Stadium.
It's fair to say Blues and Boro haven't always seen eye to eye in recent years.
There was the fallout from a bitter legal wrangle that developed in 2018 when Blues appointed Garry Monk and several of his coaching staff shortly after leaving the Riverside. The dispute was resolved later that year through a High Court settlement.
And then Lukas Jutkiewicz's phantom goal at the Riverside Stadium in January that sparked a furious touchline bust-up between coaching staff and players from both sides.
Boro goalkeeper coach Leo Percovich and Sean Rush, Blues' ex-head of performance, saw red and were later charged with improper conduct.
(Image: Tim Easthope)
In his first interview with club media, Clayton made it known just how tough a place St Andrew's is for visiting teams and players.
"I don't know if George ever mentioned this, but I remember the last time we played at St Andrew's," he said.
"I thought they were one of the best teams in the league. For 60 minutes probably we couldn't get near the ball for love nor money so there's obviously some very good players here.
"It's always tough going to St Andrew's. We got robbed of a goal the season we went up (2015/26) when Daniel Ayala put it in and it wasn't offside, but I'll let that go!"
When reminded of Jutkiewicz's disallowed strike to balance the books, Clayton was ever the diplomat.
"I'll give you that then!" he said. "I can't wait to get going at St Andrew's as a home player.
"I'm absolutely delighted to be joining such a great club with ambition to try and achieve.
"Thanks for all the messages wishing me and the team good luck. We will need all of you, but together is the only way to succeed."
Clayton is Karanka's sixth signing this summer after Friend, goalkeeper Andres Prieto, midfielders Jon Toral and Ivan Sanchez and attacker Jonathan Leko, the only player to have joined for a fee.
(Image: evening gazette)
And the 31-year-old admitted the Spaniard was a big factor in him making the switch to the West Midlands.
"When I found out Birmingham were interested that was the big thing for me knowing he knows how to succeed in this league," he added.
"George as well. We've done it together. We know the standards the manager sets and he knows the standards we set in training day to day
"Hopefully we can bring that to the club and push everyone forward in the right direction. We've got a manager with the tools so when he gets it right he can do it."


birminghammail--2020-09-02--A new open-air cinema is coming to Wolverhampton - how to get tickets

As some of us are gradually emerging out of the lockdown it can be hard to find entertainment while staying socially distanced .
For movie buffs , a new open-air cinema in Wolverhampton may provide the perfect solution .
From September 12 , the Newhampton Arts Centre ( NAC ) will become the home of a new pop-up outdoor cinema .
It will be located in the secure courtyard of the venue just outside of the city centre , and will showcase cult classics and feature films .
Screenings will start at sundown and will all be socially distanced in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and procedures .
Kicking off the new cinema programme is the classic fairytale adventure , The Princess Bride .
It has been described as the perfect film for adults and kids alike , as it tell the enchanting adventure of a young woman and her one true love .
He must find her after a long separation and save her .
Together they must battle the evils of the mythical kingdom of Florin to be reunited with each other .
Encountering numerous obstacles , enemies and allies in his quest , expect giants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swordplay .
The Princess Bride will be showing at 7pm on Saturday , September 12 , attendees are welcomed to arrive from 6.30pm .
Advance tickets cost just £5 adults , £3 children , £15 family of four .
Tickets can also be purchased on the day- subject to availability .
All tickets can be easily obtained through the Newhampton Arts Centre website or by phone on 01902 572090 .

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As some of us are gradually emerging out of the lockdown it can be hard to find entertainment while staying socially distanced.
For movie buffs, a new open-air cinema in Wolverhampton may provide the perfect solution.
From September 12, the Newhampton Arts Centre (NAC) will become the home of a new pop-up outdoor cinema.
It will be located in the secure courtyard of the venue just outside of the city centre, and will showcase cult classics and feature films.
Screenings will start at sundown and will all be socially distanced in line with NAC’s Covid-19 policies and procedures.
Kicking off the new cinema programme is the classic fairytale adventure, The Princess Bride.
It has been described as the perfect film for adults and kids alike, as it tell the enchanting adventure of a young woman and her one true love. He must find her after a long separation and save her.
Together they must battle the evils of the mythical kingdom of Florin to be reunited with each other. Encountering numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest,expect giants, villains, wizards and plenty of swordplay.
Things to do Wolverhampton
Walsall
Sandwell
Dudley
The Princess Bride will be showing at 7pm on Saturday, September 12, attendees are welcomed to arrive from 6.30pm.
Advance tickets cost just £5 adults, £3 children, £15 family of four. Tickets can also be purchased on the day- subject to availability.
All tickets can be easily obtained through the Newhampton Arts Centre website or by phone on 01902 572090.


birminghammail--2020-09-02--Aston Villa learn whopping new £28m Ollie Watkins transfer demand

Brentford have slapped a fresh £28 million price demand on Championship player of the year and Aston Villa transfer target Ollie Watkins , according to reports .
The Bees are demanding top-dollar for last season 's 26-goal striker and remain stern in their approach to stop the likes of Villa and Fulham cherry-picking their star player .
The Daily Telegraph has stated that talks between Brentford and Villa for Watkins ' signature remain ongoing with the Birmingham-based club remaining hopeful of concluding a deal at a lower price .
Previously , Villa valued Watkins at nearer £18 million with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their valuations .
Brentford , meanwhile , signed forward Ivan Toney for a seven-figure sum from Peterborough this week , a player who 's seen as Watkins ' replacement should the 24-year-old depart .
Watkins , meanwhile , is yet to feature in any of Brentford 's pre-season friendlies and controversially missed the Bees ' opening-game at their new stadium in a warm-up match with Oxford on Tuesday .
Elsewhere , though , the Telegraph has cited how Villa have seemingly turned their attention to Callum Wilson .
The Bournemouth striker is keen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would cost in the region of £20 million - some £8 million less than Watkins .
Wilson , though , is said to be on a contract worth around £100,000 per week , meaning the four-capped England forward would arrive at Bodymoor Heath as one of Villa 's top earners from the get-go .
Villa are in a battle with Newcastle United for the services of Wilson who , last season , scored just seven times in what was a disappointing season which included a 15-game Premier League goal-drought .
As for Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their first signing of the summer when Matty Cash pens a long-term contract from Forest after an initial fee of £14 million was agreed today .
After Cash , Smith wants four new additions in before the October 5 deadline .
However , there 's an extended October 16 domestic deadline in place for Premier League and EFL clubs to strike deals .
Villa 's first game of their new season will kick off in a fortnight in the second-round of the Carabao Cup with the draw to be made after this weekend @ @ @ @

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Brentford have slapped a fresh £28 million price demand on Championship player of the year and Aston Villa transfer target Ollie Watkins, according to reports.
The Bees are demanding top-dollar for last season's 26-goal striker and remain stern in their approach to stop the likes of Villa and Fulham cherry-picking their star player.
The Daily Telegraph has stated that talks between Brentford and Villa for Watkins' signature remain ongoing with the Birmingham-based club remaining hopeful of concluding a deal at a lower price.
Previously, Villa valued Watkins at nearer £18 million with the two clubs still a way apart on their valuations. Brentford, meanwhile, signed forward Ivan Toney for a seven-figure sum from Peterborough this week, a player who's seen as Watkins' replacement should the 24-year-old depart.
Watkins, meanwhile, is yet to feature in any of Brentford's pre-season friendlies and controversially missed the Bees' opening-game at their new stadium in a warm-up match with Oxford on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, though, the Telegraph has cited how Villa have seemingly turned their attention to Callum Wilson. The Bournemouth striker is keen to stay in the Premier League and would cost in the region of £20 million - some £8 million less than Watkins.
Wilson, though, is said to be on a contract worth around £100,000 per week, meaning the four-capped England forward would arrive at Bodymoor Heath as one of Villa's top earners from the get-go.
Villa are in a battle with Newcastle United for the services of Wilson who, last season, scored just seven times in what was a disappointing season which included a 15-game Premier League goal-drought.
As for Smith and Villa they're set to announce their first signing of the summer when Matty Cash pens a long-term contract from Forest after an initial fee of £14 million was agreed today.
After Cash, Smith wants four new additions in before the October 5 deadline. However, there's an extended October 16 domestic deadline in place for Premier League and EFL clubs to strike deals.
Villa's first game of their new season will kick off in a fortnight in the second-round of the Carabao Cup with the draw to be made after this weekend's first-round ties.


birminghammail--2020-09-02--Done deal - Wolves goalkeeper completes League One loan switch

Little more than a month after signing for Wolverhampton Wanderers , goalkeeper Matija Sarkic is on the move again .
The Montenegro international , who joined Wolves from Aston Villa on July 27 , will spend the 2020/21 campaign on loan with League One side Shrewsbury Town , managed by former Wolves defender Sam Ricketts .
It will be Sarkic 's fifth loan move following stints at Wigan Athletic , Stratford Town , Havant and Waterlooville and , most recently , Livingstone while on the books at Villa .
Sarkic made 18 appearances and kept seven clean sheets during his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head coach Nuno Espirito Santo clearly sees potential in Sarkic , but is happy for him to gain experience elsewhere with Rui Patricio his first-choice gloveman and former England international John Ruddy his deputy .
The 23-year-old , born in England and raised in Belgium , signed a three-year-deal at Molineux having left Villa at the end of last season .
Sarkic is the sixth player to be sent out on loan this summer following the short-term departures of Ryan Giles , Renat Dadashov , Connor Ronan , Christian Herc and Morgan Gibbs-White @

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Little more than a month after signing for Wolverhampton Wanderers, goalkeeper Matija Sarkic is on the move again.
The Montenegro international, who joined Wolves from Aston Villa on July 27, will spend the 2020/21 campaign on loan with League One side Shrewsbury Town, managed by former Wolves defender Sam Ricketts.
It will be Sarkic's fifth loan move following stints at Wigan Athletic, Stratford Town, Havant and Waterlooville and, most recently, Livingstone while on the books at Villa.
Sarkic made 18 appearances and kept seven clean sheets during his year in the Scottish Premiership.
(Image: Graham Stuart/PA Wire)
Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo clearly sees potential in Sarkic, but is happy for him to gain experience elsewhere with Rui Patricio his first-choice gloveman and former England international John Ruddy his deputy.
The 23-year-old, born in England and raised in Belgium, signed a three-year-deal at Molineux having left Villa at the end of last season.
Sarkic is the sixth player to be sent out on loan this summer following the short-term departures of Ryan Giles, Renat Dadashov, Connor Ronan, Christian Herc and Morgan Gibbs-White.


birminghammail--2020-09-02--Chelsea fans all make same point about Albion's Batshuayi 'approach'

West Bromwich Albion are being linked with a move for Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi .
Albion are on the hunt for new recruits in the summer transfer window after sealing promotion back to the Premier League .
The return of Matheus Pereira from Sporting is the club 's only confirmed deal so far but former loanees Filip Krovinovic and Grady Diangana are thought to be closing in on moves back to The Hawthorns , while Wigan Athletic defender Cedric Kipre and Brighton goalkeeper David Button are also targets .
A new forward is also a priority for Slaven Bilic 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international Batshuayi fits the bill .
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Google Play Store and App Store Football Insider are reporting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take the 26-year-old on loan for the season .
Batshuayi could be available having slipped down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge following the arrival of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig .
Frank Lampard 's side , who also have Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud as options upfront , would reportedly prefer to sanction a permanent exit but could be talked into a loan arrangement .
Chelsea fans on social media think the move would suit Batshuayi , with one saying : `` It would be better for him to leave and go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ ve seriously not done this guy justice . ''
`` Sell him £25m and invest more money into more players , '' posted another .
A third wrote : `` Good for his career . ''
`` This is smart business for West Brom , '' said another supporter .
`` Batshuayi albeit underrated is one of the most clinical strikers in world football .
West Brow about to get themselves a Lewandowski 2.0 . ''
While a fifth added : `` Batshuayi is good for such kind of teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Good signing for them if they did . ''

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West Bromwich Albion are being linked with a move for Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi.
Albion are on the hunt for new recruits in the summer transfer window after sealing promotion back to the Premier League.
The return of Matheus Pereira from Sporting is the club's only confirmed deal so far but former loanees Filip Krovinovic and Grady Diangana are thought to be closing in on moves back to The Hawthorns, while Wigan Athletic defender Cedric Kipre and Brighton goalkeeper David Button are also targets.
A new forward is also a priority for Slaven Bilic's side and according to reports, Belgium international Batshuayi fits the bill.
West Brom daily newsletter. Free. To your inbox Why should you sign up? We'll be bringing you the latest breaking news, transfer gossip and comment pieces in our daily Baggies bulletin, as well as the key talking points for fans. How do you sign up? It's easy and only takes seconds. Just type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit sign up. And that's it, you're all set. You can also sign up by clicking here. And what's more, it's absolutely free! You can also get all the latest West Brom updates by following us on Facebook and Twitter. We also have a free app which you can download via Google Play Store or the App Store. It is always up-to-date with the latest news .
Football Insider are reporting the Baggies have 'made an approach' to take the 26-year-old on loan for the season.
Batshuayi could be available having slipped down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge following the arrival of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig.
Frank Lampard's side, who also have Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud as options upfront, would reportedly prefer to sanction a permanent exit but could be talked into a loan arrangement.
Chelsea fans on social media think the move would suit Batshuayi, with one saying: "It would be better for him to leave and go to where he’ll be valued. We’ve seriously not done this guy justice."
"Sell him £25m and invest more money into more players," posted another.
A third wrote: "Good for his career."
"This is smart business for West Brom," said another supporter. "Batshuayi albeit underrated is one of the most clinical strikers in world football. West Brow about to get themselves a Lewandowski 2.0."
While a fifth added: "Batshuayi is good for such kind of teams. Not good enough for top four. Good signing for them if they did."


birminghammail--2020-09-02--Meghan and Prince Harry sign deal with Netflix to produce films and TV

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are to produce films and series for Netflix , including scripted series , documentaries , features and children 's programming , the streaming service has announced .
Harry and Meghan said in a statement : `` Our lives , both independent of each other , and as a couple have allowed us to understand the power of the human spirit : of courage , resilience , and the need for connection .
`` Through our work with diverse communities and their environments , to shining a light on people and causes around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ content that informs but also gives hope .
`` As new parents , making inspirational family programming is also important to us , as is powerful storytelling through a truthful and relatable lens . ''
The royal couple have signed a massive multi-year deal with streaming service Netflix to make documentaries , children 's shows and more .
Ted Sarandos , Netflix 's chief content officer and co-chief exec , said : `` We ’ re incredibly proud they have chosen Netflix as their creative home and are excited about telling stories with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase understanding for audiences everywhere . ''
Harry and Meghan are confident that Netflix 's `` unprecedented reach will help us share impactful content that unlocks action '' .
The deal comes less than one year after the couple stepped down from their roles as senior royals and moved out of the UK .
They 've relocated to Los Angeles with their son Archie , where it seems they 're fully embracing the Hollywood lifestyle .
An insider said : `` Of course , money is no object .
Meghan Markle will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ price for exclusively working with them on a podcast series .
`` The Duke and Duchess have been on their hit list for a while and a detailed proposal is set to be presented to Meghan ’ s US agent in a matter of weeks . ''

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are to produce films and series for Netflix, including scripted series, documentaries, features and children's programming, the streaming service has announced.
Harry and Meghan said in a statement: "Our lives, both independent of each other, and as a couple have allowed us to understand the power of the human spirit: of courage, resilience, and the need for connection.
"Through our work with diverse communities and their environments, to shining a light on people and causes around the world, our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope.
"As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us, as is powerful storytelling through a truthful and relatable lens."
The royal couple have signed a massive multi-year deal with streaming service Netflix to make documentaries, children's shows and more.
Ted Sarandos, Netflix's chief content officer and co-chief exec, said: "We’re incredibly proud they have chosen Netflix as their creative home and are excited about telling stories with them that can help build resilience and increase understanding for audiences everywhere."
Harry and Meghan are confident that Netflix's "unprecedented reach will help us share impactful content that unlocks action".
The deal comes less than one year after the couple stepped down from their roles as senior royals and moved out of the UK.
They've relocated to Los Angeles with their son Archie, where it seems they're fully embracing the Hollywood lifestyle.
An insider said: "Of course, money is no object. Meghan Markle will be more or less able to name her price for exclusively working with them on a podcast series.
"The Duke and Duchess have been on their hit list for a while and a detailed proposal is set to be presented to Meghan’s US agent in a matter of weeks."


birminghammail--2020-09-02--Arsonists target Worcestershire beauty spot EIGHT times in summer

The fire and police services were called to a Worcestershire beauty spot for the eighth time this summer after arsonists set fire to areas in woods .
The repeat offences are occurring by Springfield Park and woodland behind it in Kidderminster .
The latest ‘ deliberate ’ fires were started in two areas in the woods at the back of the park and at the back of Badland Avenue .
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service sent a crew from Wyre Forest to the scene last Sunday , August 30 , shortly after 1.30pm .
A spokesman for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate fires around four square metres in size which were extinguished using backpack extinguishers and buckets of water .
“ The site was some considerable distance from the roadway on wasteland at the back of Badlands Avenue.
” The Broadlands Safer Neighbourhood police team said it was the eighth incident which has been reported at the site or nearby this summer with the first on June 11 ( 4.55pm ) with others on June 19 ( 11.39pm ) , July 4 ( 1.08pm ) , July 5 ( 8.10am and 5.29pm ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 ( 8.05pm ) and the last in August 30 .
The July 11 incident involved a large felled tree in Springfield Park which was ‘ well alight ’ , which required an off-road fire vehicle to get to it , with axes used and a thermal imaging camera required to check for hot spots .
West Mercia Police 's Wyre Forest team said : “ We have been informed by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service that they attended a further incident whereby a fire has been deliberately lit .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there were two separate fires approximately four sqm .
“ The fires are usually set in the woodland towards the rear of Springfield Park and behind Badland Avenue .
“ This is not acceptable behaviour and extremely dangerous .
“ If you have information that you believe may be in connection to the above , please call the police on 101 quoting the police incident number given .
“ Remain vigilant around your area and report suspicious persons , vehicles or activity to the police on 101 .
“ Information can also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or by visiting their website : www.crimestoppers-uk.org ”

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The fire and police services were called to a Worcestershire beauty spot for the eighth time this summer after arsonists set fire to areas in woods.
The repeat offences are occurring by Springfield Park and woodland behind it in Kidderminster.
The latest ‘deliberate’ fires were started in two areas in the woods at the back of the park and at the back of Badland Avenue.
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service sent a crew from Wyre Forest to the scene last Sunday, August 30, shortly after 1.30pm.
A spokesman for the service said: “There were two separate fires around four square metres in size which were extinguished using backpack extinguishers and buckets of water.
“The site was some considerable distance from the roadway on wasteland at the back of Badlands Avenue.”
The Broadlands Safer Neighbourhood police team said it was the eighth incident which has been reported at the site or nearby this summer with the first on June 11 (4.55pm) with others on June 19 (11.39pm), July 4 (1.08pm), July 5 (8.10am and 5.29pm), July 11 (9.56pm), July 18 (8.05pm) and the last in August 30.
The July 11 incident involved a large felled tree in Springfield Park which was ‘well alight’, which required an off-road fire vehicle to get to it, with axes used and a thermal imaging camera required to check for hot spots.
West Mercia Police's Wyre Forest team said: “We have been informed by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service that they attended a further incident whereby a fire has been deliberately lit.
“This incident was Sunday 30th August 2020, there were two separate fires approximately four sqm.
“The fires are usually set in the woodland towards the rear of Springfield Park and behind Badland Avenue.
“This is not acceptable behaviour and extremely dangerous.
“If you have information that you believe may be in connection to the above, please call the police on 101 quoting the police incident number given.
“Remain vigilant around your area and report suspicious persons, vehicles or activity to the police on 101.
“Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or by visiting their website: www.crimestoppers-uk.org ”


birminghammail--2020-09-02--Unmasked: Teens who hacked man to death with sword before trying to behead him

The behaviour of the two teenagers who hacked Robert Wilson to death was `` incomprehensible to any normal human being and they do not deserve a place in society '' , his widow Elaine has said .
In a statement released by police , Mrs Wilson said her family were glad Kiyran Earnshaw , 18 , and 16-year-old Luke Gaukroger `` are now off our streets '' after they were jailed for at least 22 years and 16 years eight months respectively .
She described Mr Wilson , 53 , as a `` much loved husband , stepfather , brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a hard working and much admired boss with a wicked sense of humour .
`` It is a comfort to us to know he will not be forgotten and that he made his mark in so many ways .
`` He was a caring man who took the time to help out at a local nursing home and chat to the residents , raising a smile on their faces .
`` Everyone has been left devastated by his death . ''
Mrs Wilson added : `` Without a doubt the hardest part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which he lost his life .
`` That he had such a horrific death has been hard to bear for us .
`` We have tried to look for positives and are thankful that it was only one life that was taken , it could quite easily have been more .
`` We are just so glad that these youths are now off our streets as they obviously have no regard for anyone .
`` To do what they did is incomprehensible to any 'normal ' human being and they do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Going forward the family are determined to find some good from this ordeal and will support in any way we can the various knife crime programmes run in conjunction with West Yorkshire Police .
`` I feel passionate that as parents and law abiding citizens we need to educate the young on the devastation which can be caused by these senseless acts of violence , which as proved by Robert 's death , can happen to anyone at any time and anywhere . ''
Detective chief inspector Marc Bowes , the senior investigating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It is no exaggeration to say the level of violence used by these males in the attacks was absolutely barbaric .
`` They both acted in a manner which many of us would struggle to comprehend and committed acts which were among the worst that I and other members of my investigation team have witnessed in our policing careers .
Thankfully such acts are very rare occurrences in today 's society . ''
He added : `` We ca n't begin to imagine the appalling impact Mr Wilson 's murder has had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dignity in coping with such a traumatic event has been immense . ''

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The behaviour of the two teenagers who hacked Robert Wilson to death was "incomprehensible to any normal human being and they do not deserve a place in society", his widow Elaine has said.
In a statement released by police, Mrs Wilson said her family were glad Kiyran Earnshaw, 18, and 16-year-old Luke Gaukroger "are now off our streets" after they were jailed for at least 22 years and 16 years eight months respectively.
She described Mr Wilson, 53, as a "much loved husband, stepfather, brother, uncle and friend" who was also a hard working and much admired boss with a wicked sense of humour.
"It is a comfort to us to know he will not be forgotten and that he made his mark in so many ways.
"He was a caring man who took the time to help out at a local nursing home and chat to the residents, raising a smile on their faces.
"Everyone has been left devastated by his death."
(Image: PA)
Mrs Wilson added: "Without a doubt the hardest part of losing Robert has been the manner in which he lost his life.
"That he had such a horrific death has been hard to bear for us.
"We have tried to look for positives and are thankful that it was only one life that was taken, it could quite easily have been more.
"We are just so glad that these youths are now off our streets as they obviously have no regard for anyone.
(Image: PA)
"To do what they did is incomprehensible to any 'normal' human being and they do not deserve a place in society.
"Going forward the family are determined to find some good from this ordeal and will support in any way we can the various knife crime programmes run in conjunction with West Yorkshire Police.
"I feel passionate that as parents and law abiding citizens we need to educate the young on the devastation which can be caused by these senseless acts of violence, which as proved by Robert's death, can happen to anyone at any time and anywhere."
(Image: PA)
Detective chief inspector Marc Bowes, the senior investigating officer in the case, said: "It is no exaggeration to say the level of violence used by these males in the attacks was absolutely barbaric.
"They both acted in a manner which many of us would struggle to comprehend and committed acts which were among the worst that I and other members of my investigation team have witnessed in our policing careers. Thankfully such acts are very rare occurrences in today's society."
He added: "We can't begin to imagine the appalling impact Mr Wilson's murder has had on his family. Their courage and dignity in coping with such a traumatic event has been immense."


birminghammail--2020-09-02--Birmingham landscape gardener found dead at home aged 36 by grieving sister

A landscape gardener from Sutton Coldfield has tragically died aged just 36 .
Matthew Alan Barber took his own life after suffering for years with anxiety and depression , an inquest has heard .
The 36-year-old , who was born in Birmingham before moving to the south west of England , was found unconscious at an address in Paignton .
He was tragically discovered by a member of his family in February and died three days later , having been rushed to hospital .
An inquest into his death heard from his GP who said Mr Barber had been taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to treat his low moods and anxiety but immediately prior to his death had not reported having suicidal thoughts .
On February 16 police were called to an address in Fisher Street in Paignton where Mr Barber had been found , DevonLive reports .
Attempts were made to resuscitate him at the scene and he was taken to Torbay Hospital .
Police investigated the circumstances of the death .
Det Con Martin Key told the inquest that Mr Barber 's ex partner Hayley Morgan had raised concerns about him after reading messages on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adele Barber , who spoke to him via a video call .
She and her partner rushed to the address and found him .
DC Key said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and it appeared Mr Barber had taken his own life .
A very small amount of benzoylecgonine - a metabolite of cocaine - was found in his system .
The pathologist said Mr Barber may have taken cocaine prior to his death but this could n't reliably be linked to his actions .
Mr Barber 's GP Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to doctors about his low moods and was prescribed anti-depressant medication at the time of his death .
Ian Arrow , senior coroner for Plymouth , Torbay and South Devon , said he was satisfied Mr Barber had taken his own life .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Paul Greaves, James Rodger)

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A landscape gardener from Sutton Coldfield has tragically died aged just 36.
Matthew Alan Barber took his own life after suffering for years with anxiety and depression, an inquest has heard.
The 36-year-old, who was born in Birmingham before moving to the south west of England, was found unconscious at an address in Paignton.
He was tragically discovered by a member of his family in February and died three days later, having been rushed to hospital.
An inquest into his death heard from his GP who said Mr Barber had been taking anti-depressant medication for a number of years to treat his low moods and anxiety but immediately prior to his death had not reported having suicidal thoughts.
He was divorced.
On February 16 police were called to an address in Fisher Street in Paignton where Mr Barber had been found, DevonLive reports.
Attempts were made to resuscitate him at the scene and he was taken to Torbay Hospital.
Police investigated the circumstances of the death.
Det Con Martin Key told the inquest that Mr Barber's ex partner Hayley Morgan had raised concerns about him after reading messages on Facebook.
She contacted his sister, Adele Barber, who spoke to him via a video call.
She and her partner rushed to the address and found him.
DC Key said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and it appeared Mr Barber had taken his own life.
A very small amount of benzoylecgonine - a metabolite of cocaine - was found in his system.
The pathologist said Mr Barber may have taken cocaine prior to his death but this couldn't reliably be linked to his actions.
Mr Barber's GP Dr Hannah Wright said Mr Barber had spoken to doctors about his low moods and was prescribed anti-depressant medication at the time of his death.
Ian Arrow, senior coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon, said he was satisfied Mr Barber had taken his own life.