A number of clubs in the Premier League and Europe are exploring a deal to recruit Borussia Dortmund director of scouting and recruiting Sebastian Krug.

The German played a key role in Dortmund’s recruitment of Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Jadon Sancho and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, with those players generating around £300m in transfer income for Dortmund.

Krug was also heavily involved in bringing Jobe Bellingham to the Bundesliga side from Sunderland last summer, continuing Dortmund’s successful strategy of recruiting elite English talent.

Krug played a pivotal role in identifying the Bellingham brothers at an early stage and has built a close relationship with the Bellingham family over a number of years.

The family are understood to keep their inner football circle deliberately small, with Krug remaining in regular contact with their father, Mark Bellingham.

Krug’s central role in Dortmund’s talent identification model has significantly enhanced his reputation within Premier League circles.

In fact, senior executives at several of the Premier League’s biggest clubs are understood to regularly exchange views with Krug on recruitment strategy, talent identification and wider developments across the game.

Krug is also making an impression in Serie A, having recruited some of Italy’s brightest young talents.

After almost a decade at Dortmund, there is a growing sense that the time may now be approaching for Krug to take the next step in his career.

It is understood that his next move is most likely to take him abroad – and potentially to the Premier League.

Stevie McKenna is ‘locked in’ on an all-Irish showdown with Callum Walsh after delivering a dramatic victory in Dublin, says his manager Mike Borao.

McKenna produced a spectacular knockout victory over Owen O’Neill that went viral on social media before his younger brother Aaron was crowned IBF middleweight champion in the main event of Zuffa Boxing 10 on Saturday.

On the same bill, Walsh preserved his unbeaten record with a hard-fought win over Tyler Denny and could now be heading for an explosive clash with Stevie McKenna.

“At the moment, Stevie is locked on one fight – Callum Walsh in a major stadium in Ireland or New York. It’s all he talks about,” his manager Borao told Sky Sports.

“The crowd’s reaction after the fight, when Stevie asked if that’s what they wanted to see next, made it clear this would be a major attraction.

“Stevie has even mentioned to me that he would be open to stepping up against [WBA world champion] Erislandy Lara next.

“We’ll sit with our partners at Zuffa and decide what’s next for Stevie. They’ve been outstanding. That relationship already delivered a world title for Aaron in short order, and I have no doubt a major opportunity will follow for Stevie.”

McKenna has returned with first round knockout wins over O’Neill and Casey James Streeter in June since his first career loss on points to Lee Cutler in December 2014.

Borao, who secured an IBF world heavyweight title fight for Frank Sanchez, has also guided Teofimo Lopez to a WBA welterweight title fight against Rolly Romero later this month, and believes Stevie McKenna is next to land a major fight.

“Zuffa and Sky Sports have been incredible for Aaron and Stevie’s careers,” said Borao.

“It’s remarkable how involved Dana White and Zuffa are in backing their athletes. Aaron and Stevie have never received this type of support.

“Stevie is must-see TV – his latest knockout proved it, but the best is yet to come!”

Watch MVPW-06 in Birmingham, headlined by Mikaela Mayer vs Chantelle Cameron and with Caroline Dubois also in action, live on August 29 on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or stream boxing with no contract.

Panic over, England fans – your team will NOT have to qualify for the 2027 Cricket World Cup.

England’s drop-off in 50-over cricket had seen them plummet down the rankings and leave them at risk of missing out on automatic entry into next autumn’s event in Africa.

However, the rot was stopped with successive come-from-behind series wins – over Sri Lanka earlier this year and then at home to India in July – leaving Harry Brook’s men inside the required top eight in the rankings ahead of the September 30 cut-off.

With South Africa, who are certain of a place as co-hosts, sitting fourth in the standings, ninth-placed Bangladesh also secure direct passage to the tournament proper.

Zimbabwe are in, too, as they are another of the competition’s co-hosts.

India, New Zealand, Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan – who secured their place with victory over Ireland – are the other guaranteed entrants.

West Indies headed for qualifying tournament once more

That means two-time champions West Indies, ranked 10th, will have to take part in the qualifying event for the third successive 50-over World Cup.

West Indies – World Cup winners in 1975 and 1979 – successfully reached the 2019 edition in England but then lost in qualifying for the 2023 showpiece in India.

The Caribbean side still have two more ODIs, in India, before September 30 but even if they win those two matches, they cannot move into the top nine in the rankings.

West Indies are now headed for the qualifier in February and March, alongside Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, USA and five yet-to-be-determined teams.

Under ​a new format for 2027, the ​winner of the qualifier will advance directly ​to the second stage of the World ⁠Cup, while the teams placing second, third and fourth will feature in the first round known ⁠as the Super Series.

That late switch was criticised in a joint statement from the Scottish and Dutch cricket boards, who accused the ICC of “weakening the integrity and credibility of international cricket.”

Sky Sports News has contacted the ICC for comment.