After signing Omar Marmoush in the January transfer window, Manchester City have now reportedly opened talks with another Bundesliga star in what would be a repeat of their deal for the Egyptian.
Marmoush's instant Man City impact
Having arrived for a reported £59m in a season that Manchester City couldn’t afford to get things wrong in the January transfer window, the pressure was certainly on Marmoush to perform. You wouldn’t know it, however. The Egyptian has enjoyed an excellent start to life at the Etihad, scoring seven goals in 18 games in a run that includes a stunning 14-minute hat-trick in a 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle United.
Pep Guardiola hasn’t shied away from praising the former Eintracht Frankfurt winger, either, telling reporters last month: “The numbers are really good.
“He arrived in the middle of the season and in a moment when we are not good. Sometimes when you come when everything is fluid and everything is fine it’s easy to adapt. But coming when the team is not playing good, that is a big credit.”
Pep's next Yaya Toure: Man City set sights on "incredible" £30m midfielder
Pep Guardiola could soon transform the midfield positions at Manchester City with his next Yaya Toure.
ByKelan Sarson May 9, 2025
The Spaniard will be hoping to see Marmoush only continue his bright start as Manchester City head into the final four games of their season. Still battling to secure their Champions League place, the Citizens have put together an impressive run of form at the perfect time and have three Premier League games to keep hold of their spot in the top five.
It will then be all eyes on Wembley as City attempt to avoid an upset and defeat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final. Suddenly, from concerns that they may not even qualify for the Champions League, it’s still possible for the Citizens to finish as high as second and end the campaign with a trophy.
Man City open talks with Hugo Ekitike
Following the success of Marmoush, it looks as though those at the Etihad could return to the Bundesliga once again this summer. According to Bild, as relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester City have opened talks with Hugo Ekitike in an attempt to land a Marmoush repeat and a second Frankfurt player in six months.
Hugo Ekitike for Frankfurt.
The deal, like Marmoush’s in January, will not come cheap, however. The German side are reportedly demanding as much as €100m (£81m) to sell their star striker amid interest from Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and others.
Dubbed “superb” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Ekitike is someone who would stand every chance of thriving in the current Manchester City side, especially given how successful his partnership with Marmoush was at Frankfurt. By taking that into the Premier League, the duo could help take City back to the top of English football alongside Erling Haaland.
Trent Alexander-Arnold might be jetting off to the Spanish capital this summer, but there’s plenty to be happy about for those of a Liverpool persuasion right now.
With the Reds winning their 20th top-flight title under Arne Slot’s management this year, Alexander-Arnold has very much played a pivotal part in putting his boyhood club back on its perch – not just this year, but across the illustrious sweep of his career.
But the vice-captain is going to leave for Real Madrid on a Bosman, and his departure will have a say on the roads taken across the transfer market months.
While sorting out Liverpool’s defensive flanks is sure to be a priority for FSG, there’s no question that changes are going to be enforced from an attacking standpoint.
Liverpool eyeing attacking changes
Liverpool are gearing up for a busy summer, and no mistake. FSG’s approach toward transfer business has stoked frustrations over the years, but can we really begrudge them, given the club’s success over the past decade?
Liverpool manager ArneSlotlooks on before the match
This new version, it must be said, feels different. The framework has been reshaped and Slot is expecting sweeping changes after minimal investment last summer.
Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota may both reportedly depart, opening ample room for a high-level centre-forward. However, with Luis Diaz anticipating new talks to renew his contract, Liverpool’s need for a left winger has been lessened considerably.
That hasn’t stopped the Merseysiders from registering their interest in Morgan Rogers, though, a versatile attacker who shifts seamlessly between the wide lane and a more central berth, and has struck 27 goal contributions from 51 outings this season.
However, Liverpool have yet to double down on a target, and might have found one who would be a better fit than the Aston Villa sensation.
Liverpool could see bid accepted for Premier League star
Sources have confirmed to Caught Offside that Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo is on Liverpool’s radar this summer, with the Bees seeking bids of £60m-£65m in order to let him head to Anfield or any other interested party.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
However, sporting director Richard Hughes will need to accelerate his plans if Liverpool are to prevail, with Manchester United set to make their opening offer in the coming weeks.
While the urgency for a right-sided forward has been eased after Mohamed Salah’s contract renewal, Federico Chiesa has scarcely featured under Slot and is mooted for a return to Italy, with AC Milan reportedly interested.
Bryan Mbeumo celebrates for Brentford
Mbeumo could be the perfect addition, adding the athleticism and dynamism needed ahead of a title-defending campaign.
What Bryan Mbeumo would bring to Liverpool
Salah’s peerless output in the Premier League this season is something Slot will be hoping to replicate next year. Signing a ball-carrying star such as Rogers could be a way to make that happen, but Liverpool already have a tried and tested midfield three and Diaz is rumoured to be staying put.
Premier League 24/25 – Most Goals + Assists
Rank
Player
Goals
Assists
G/A
1
Mohamed Salah
28
18
46
2
Alexander Isak
23
6
29
3
Bryan Mbeumo
18
7
25
4
Erling Haaland
21
3
24
4=
Cole Palmer
15
9
24
Stats via Transfermarkt
However, he’ll be 33 by the time the 2025/26 campaign arrives, and Mbeumo could be the perfect forward to ease the Egypt international’s workload.
Of course, Mbeumo’s capacity to perform at number nine is something Thomas Frank has made good use of throughout the season and Slot will be sure to take a leaf from the Dane’s book, with his usage of Diaz’s dynamic qualities this year already underlining how he can guide the Brentford man toward new heights.
Brentford's BryanMbeumocelebrates after the match
The 25-year-old has scored 68 goals and provided 50 assists across 239 matches in England, but it would be hard to argue against the current campaign being his finest for the Bees.
After missing only eight big chances in the Premier League this season (scoring 18 times), he’s proven his clinical edge to be the hallmark of a broad-ranging skill set. Of course, that’s not all, with 16 big chances created and 1.3 tackles and dribbles averaged per game, over four duels won each fixture too.
While Villa’s Rogers would be an attractive option given his prolificness in Unai Emery’s system, Mbeumo is the more dangerous goalscorer while proving himself a multi-dimensional player too, creating heartily.
Highly-regarded, Rogers has pulled all the stops this term and would no doubt prove a worthy addition to Liverpool’s high-flying team.
That said, recent rumours have suggested that Rogers will cost suitors around £70m, which is no small sum. Villa’s reluctance to sell could see that stretch even higher.
Meanwhile, Brentford seem open to selling their talisman which could play into Liverpool’s plans, with Mbeumo’s specific quality suggesting that he could one day succeed Salah while serving as his understudy for now and filling in at centre-forward too.
He’s been more prolific than Rogers in the Premier League this season while outstripping him across most underlying metrics. Rogers has won more duels per game, but only by a 0.2 average.
Hailed for his “sensational” efforts in west London by Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam, Liverpool will kick themselves if they fail to beat off competition from their Red Devil rivals and secure Mbeumo’s signature.
Liverpool are going to want an out-and-out striker to join their ranks ahead of Slot’s second season, but if Nunez and Jota both depart, Mbeumo’s addition would make a significant difference to an outfit looking to challenge across four fronts.
Both the Cameroon international and Rogers have the qualities to leave marked effects on Slot’s Liverpool project, but Mbuemo’s goalscoring ability and completeness have the decisive say on the matter: FSG need to bring him in.
Slot's own Suarez: Liverpool plot big move for "one of the best CFs" around
Liverpool could be about to make a move for a player who could become Arne Slot’s own Luis Suarez.
As he looks to make his mark on his side at long last, Ruben Amorim is now reportedly personally driving Manchester United’s move to sign a Premier League rival who has been compared to Michael Carrick.
Amorim admits Man Utd embarrassment
To say that Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United reign hasn’t gone to plan would be a major understatement. The former Sporting Club boss arrived at a club in chaos. Six months on, however, that same club are lower than they have ever been in the Premier League.
From concerns over their position in the race for European football, the Red Devils have been forced to keep one eye on the dropzone at some stages of the current campaign. And that, more than anything, sums up how far they’ve fallen since Amorim’s arrival in November.
The Manchester United boss hasn’t shied away from criticism, however, admitting his embarrassment over his side’s league position following another defeat at Old Trafford – this time against West Ham United.
Amorim told reporters: “For me the biggest concern is that feeling that ‘it’s OK’, and ‘we cannot change our position so much so it’s OK’. That is the biggest problem in our club in this moment because we are losing the feeling of we are a massive club and it’s the end of the world to lose a game at home. I think that is the biggest concern in our club.
Forget Obi: Amorim can finally axe Hojlund for Man Utd's homegrown Gyokeres
Man Utd could have another academy sensation up their sleeve…
1 ByRobbie Walls May 14, 2025
“How a manager of Manchester United is supposed to feel in that position – embarrassed, and it’s hard to accept. I think everybody has to think seriously about a lot of things here. Everybody is thinking about the final. The final is not an issue in this moment in our club.”
Amorim personally driving Man Utd's Wharton move
Arguably more aware than anyone else about just what the club need this summer, the Portuguese manager has reportedly set his sights on one specific target. According to Caught Offside, Amorim is now personally driving Manchester United’s move to sign Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace.
The Red Devils are reportedly in the strongest position to sign the England international alongside Newcastle United, but any deal will not come cheap amid rumours that Palace will demand in excess of £80m to sell their star man this summer.
Premier League stats 24/25 (via FBref)
Adam Wharton
Manuel Ugarte
Minutes
1,318
1,764
Progressive Passes
107
60
Interceptions
20
27
Ball Recoveries
102
122
Despite playing over 300 minutes less than Manuel Ugarte courtesy of his injury problems this season, Wharton has completely outperformed the Manchester United midfielder in possession, whilst almost matching his numbers off the ball.
It should come as no surprise that the Crystal Palace star has earned praise from the likes of Rio Ferdinand, who said on his YouTube channel: “Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton – I’d go and get him. The reason why I’d take him is he’s one that can take the ball and transfer it through the middle of the pitch.
“He’s got a great range of passing. I think he’d be a great addition to the squad, a young English talent as well. He’s like Carrick sometimes, the way he slaps the ball about.”
Glasgow Rangers are at a crossroads. They have just ended the season without a trophy and are currently without a manager after Barry Ferguson’s interim term ended.
The Light Blues ended the campaign in second place in the Scottish Premiership, drawing 2-2 with Hibernian on the final day, and failed to win either of the domestic cup competitions.
CEO Patrick Stewart is conducting a process to find the next head coach before sporting director Kevin Thelwell arrives, and before the takeover is completed, and is reportedly planning talks with a candidate.
Rangers planning talks with Italian coach
According to RangersReview, former Real Madrid assistant manager Davide Ancelotti is set to hold further talks with the Light Blues in the coming days.
Manager Focus
Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.
Stewart is set to hold talks with the coach about the vacant position at Ibrox, after the Italian tactician waved goodbye to Real Madrid’s supporters after their final game of the season against Real Sociedad in LaLiga on Saturday.
RangersReview adds that the reports elsewhere that Ancelotti was close to becoming the new head coach in Glasgow are premature, and that the state of play is that he will have further discussions with the club before a decision is made.
The Gers, however, must be wary of how much of a gamble this appointment would be ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, as the Italian coach could be Michael Beale 2.0.
Why Ancelotti could be the next Beale
Rangers turned to Beale as their new head coach in November 2022 after they made the decision to part ways with experienced boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Former Rangers boss Michael Beale.
The English tactician had, of course, been the assistant to Steven Gerrard when the Light Blues won the Scottish Premiership title in the 2020/21 campaign, but had only had 22 games of senior managerial experience with QPR in England before his move back to Ibrox.
Beale came as a highly-rated coach, having worked on the training pitch to deliver that title success at Rangers, but ultimately failed to translate his skills over to being the main man, as he lasted less than a year in the job and left in October 2023 with no trophies to show for his efforts.
Davide Ancelotti’s coaching career
Club (role)
First-team manager
Matches
Real Madrid (Assistant manager)
Carlo Ancelotti
233
Everton (Assistant manager)
Carlo Ancelotti
67
Napoli (Assistant manager)
Carlo Ancelotti
73
Bayern Munich (Assistant manager)
Carlo Ancelotti
60
Real Madrid (Fitness coach)
Carlo Ancelotti
119
PSG (Fitness coach)
Carlo Ancelotti
77
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, Ancelotti’s entire career to date has been spent as either a fitness coach or as an assistant manager to his dad, Carlo Ancelotti, at various European clubs.
The Italian coach, who was described as “important” by his father, is in a similar position to the one Beale was in at the time of his move to QPR, a perennial assistant manager and highly-rated coach.
Real Madrid assistant coachDavideAncelotti
But, as Beale showcased at Rangers and then Sunderland, a good assistant manager and coach does not guarantee that they will be a good head coach or manager.
Therefore, Stewart and the Gers must have full confidence in his ability to lead and manager the club as the main man, because he has yet to prove that he can do it as a head coach in his own right, which is why appointing him would be a big risk and potentially a repeat of Beale.
49ers can finally axe Propper by signing 6 ft 4 titan for Rangers
Rangers could turn to the Premier League for their first signing this summer.
Celtic’s pre-season plans are starting to take shape.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Brendan Rodgers’ side will be heading to Northern Italy in late-July for a pre-season tournament between 23 and 27 July, with hosts Como, Dutch giants Ajax and recently crowned Asian champions Al-Ahli from Saudi Arabia also taking part.
Brendan Rodgers
The Hoops also have friendlies against Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Newcastle United at Parkhead in the diary beforehand, with Rodgers hoping to bolster his squad ahead of pre-season getting underway.
A new striker has been the priority ever since Kyōgo Furuhashi was sold to Stade Rennais in January, so are the Scottish Premiership champions about to land their man, a move reminiscent of that for a recent fans’ favourite; Giorgos Giakoumakis?
Giorgos Giakoumakis's Celtic career
Giakoumakis was not a Celtic player for a very long time, but he certainly made his mark in Glasgow.
During his 18-month stint at Parkhead, the Greece international scored 26 goals in just 57 appearances for the Hoops, thereby averaging a goal every 97 minutes, winning the Premiership golden boot during his only full season at the club.
However, after never being able to properly cement himself as the first-choice centre-forward, Giakoumakis departed for Atlanta United in February 2023 for a reported £4.3m fee.
Former Celtic forward Giorgos Giakoumakis.
A year later, he was sold to Mexican club Cruz Azul in a record-breaking £7.5m deal, part of the los Celestes squad that won the CONCACAF Champions Cup last Sunday, smashing Vancouver Whitecaps 5-0 in the final.
So now, four years after Giakoumakis first arrived in Glasgow, could the Celts finalise a very similar deal?
Celtic's striker search
As has been previously reported by ESPN Netherlands, Celtic are interested in signing striker Youssef El Kachati this summer.
The 25 year old was on fire for Dutch club Telstar this season, scoring 25 goals in all competitions, helping them gain promotion back to the Eredivisie for the first time since 1978, going up via the play-offs, in which El Kachati scored five goals in six appearances, dumping out ADO Den Haag, Den Bosch and then Willem II as recently as last weekend.
However, the Moroccan youth international will not be around for de Witte Leeuwen’s top division return in August, given that his contract expires this month, and he is not going to renew.
On top of this, as noted by Martin McMillan of the Glasgow Times, El Kachati has rejected the chance to join Zweite Bundesliga side Hannover 96, stating “I will make a fantastic step this summer”, with Anthony Evans of the Daily Record claiming the Celts are ‘supremely confident’ of securing his signature.
So, why would this move evoke memories of Giakoumakis’ arrival?
Well, the Greek centre-forward arrived in Glasgow for £2.5m in the summer of 2021 from VVV-Venlo, with whom he’d won the Eredivisie golden boot during his final season in the Netherlands, scoring 26 league goals, despite the fact the Yellow and Black Army were actually relegated.
Lorihanna Balabanova of Total Football Analysis praised Giakoumakis’ exceptional “positioning” and movement, outlining how he uses his physicality to his advantage.
Former Celtic forward Giorgos Giakoumakis.
Well, similarly, writer Martin Bjerke believes that El Kachati “combines physical presence with dynamic movement”, labelling him “technically gifted” as well as a “reliable offensive outlet”, which sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
So, let’s analyse how the two centre-forwards compare.
Giakoumakis 2020/21 vs El Kachati 2024/25
Statistics
Giakoumakis
El Kachati
Appearances
33
45
Minutes
2,875
3,517
Goals
29
25
Assists
2
6
Shots on target %
43%
40.5%
Shots per 90
3
3.86
Shots on target per 90
1.29
1.56
Goals per shot
0.21
0.14
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt and FBref.com
Worth stating first and foremost that, of course, Giakoumakis was plying his trade in the Eredivisie, while El Kachati did so in the Eerste Divisie last season.
According to Global Football Rankings, the Netherlands’ top division is the 12th strongest league in the world, while the Dutch second-tier comes in at 70th; for comparison, the Scottish Premiership is 43rd, while the SPFL Championship is actually 75th.
Former Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis.
That caveat aside, El Kachati’s statistics are impressive, scoring more goals while also registering more shots as well as more shots on target per 90.
So, as Celtic search for centre-forward reinforcements this summer, the 25-year-old is surely worth a punt, given that he’s available for free.
After Bain: Rodgers must ruthlessly axe Celtic flop who's a "bit soft"
Celtic must ruthlessly move on from this flop after they already let go of Scott Bain.
Reports pertaining to Liverpool’s interest in Alexander Isak just won’t go away; for Newcastle United fans, this isn’t that dissimilar to an incessant fly tracking your ice cream on a hot summer’s day (much like this one).
The thing is, though, Isak’s going nowhere. Eddie Howe masterminded triumph in the Carabao Cup last season, also restoring the Magpies’ fluency and venom from 2022/23 and creating a stunning run of form through and beyond the new year, which ultimately sealed their place in next term’s Champions League.
Isak will play in the Premier League once again next season, and he will play on Tyneside. The Athletic’s David Ornstein has confirmed the Sweden striker “is going nowhere” after his 27-goal campaign, with PIF pricing him north of £150m.
He will need some more attacking support, however, and Newcastle are circling on their chosen target.
Newcastle open contacts for new forward
A number of talented forwards have been touted with a move to St James’ Park in recent weeks, namely Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo and Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga. But, their efforts at improving the forward line do not stop there.
As per The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, Newcastle are on the brink of opening talks with Brighton & Hove Albion as they look to sign Brazilian forward Joao Pedro, who is valued at £60m.
Brighton forward Joao Pedro
Brighton are willing to sell Pedro, 23, after a training altercation in May with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke, and Newcastle’s recent setbacks in trying to sign forwards such as Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo appear to have prompted them to accelerate their interest.
Indeed, with Chelsea also hot on the case, Howe won’t want to see this one slip through his fingers, especially when considering the partnership that could be forged with Isak.
Why Newcastle want Joao Pedro
Callum Wilson, 33, remains in negotiations with Newcastle for an extension on his current deal, scheduled to expire at the end of the month, but even if the veteran renews, injuries limited him to 18 Premier League appearances in 2024/25, with just two starts and not a single goal involvement.
Enter Pedro. The attacker is a man of style and dynamism, rhythmic on the ball and intelligent with his out-of-possession movement. Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard has actually declared him “magical” when with the ball at his feet.
Brighton striker Joao Pedro
Sure, he has a volatile streak, but Howe would bang him into shape and the talent bespeaks a deserved place within the Toon squad, ranked among the top 1% of Premier League forwards last year for assists, the top 17% for passes attempted and shot-creating actions, and the top 12% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.
Two years ago, Brighton signed Pedro from Championship side Watford in a deal just shy of £30m, and his Premier League performances over two years point toward a combativeness and creative core which would see him dovetail right into the United squad, playing off the left, behind Isak or covering him at number nine.
Joao Pedro in the Premier League for Brighton
Stats (* per game)
23/24
24/25
Matches (starts)
31 (19)
27 (23)
Goals
9
10
Assists
3
6
Shots (on target)*
2.4 (0.8)
1.7 (0.7)
Big chances missed
9
7
Pass completion
83%
75%
Big chances created
9
11
Key passes*
1.2
1.1
Dribbles*
1.4
1.1
Tackles + interceptions*
1.4
0.9
Duels won*
5.6
4.9
Data via Sofascore
Pedro can perform as an out-and-out striker, but his on-pitch approach, making a high number of forward passes and creating plenty of chances, suggests he could improve Newcastle’s supply line and ensure their talisman reaches an even loftier tally next year and beyond.
It might be needed. Even though Howe has guided Newcastle to silverware and back through the Champions League doorway, they only created 81 big chances, putting them eighth on that chart. The term before, United ranked joint-second with Manchester City (97 big chances created).
Make no mistake: here is a phenomenal player, one whose pedigree in England’s top flight has been verified over the past few years – and his best is yet to come.
Isak will remain at St. James’ Park, hopefully beyond just one season, and with Pedro added to the mix, he might just reach levels not yet achieved in black and white. Just imagine that.
Dream Mbeumo alternative: Newcastle keen to sign "unplayable" £55m winger
With Bryan Mbeumo seemingly on his way to Manchester United, have Newcastle identified a dream alternative described as “amazing”, worth £55m?
Will Celtic sign another Premier League superstar?
Kieran Tierney has already returned to Parkhead this summer, following in the footsteps of manager Brendan Rodgers and Jota, who’ve also both re-joined the club in recent times.
Now, could another boyhood Celtic fan fulfil his dreams of wearing the famous green and white hoops?
Celtic targeting another statement signing
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Celtic are ‘interested’ in signing Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson, while admitting that ‘financial constraints’ would prove to be a stumbling block.
The Scotland captain is widely expected to depart Merseyside this summer, with David Ornstein and Mario Cortegana of the Athletic documenting Atlético Madrid’s interest, given that the Reds are targeting Bournemouth’s Miloš Kerkez, who they view as an upgrade.
Liverpool's AndrewRobertsoncelebrates after the match
Robertson, who was in Celtic’s academy between the ages of nine and 15, has always been open about his desire to represent the Hoops one day, admitting that “Celtic was my life” growing up, adding that he’d “love to pull on the Celtic top and walk out at Parkhead” one day.
So, could this move really come to fruition this summer?
How Andy Robertson compares to Kieran Tierney
It is all change in terms of Celtic left-backs this summer.
Greg Taylor is highly likely to depart following the expiration of his contract. PAOK are the latest European club interested in securing his services, while it’s not yet clear if Jeffrey Schlupp will be staying, following a brief loan spell.
Meantime, Tierney has of course returned but, as has been an interminable debate surrounding the national team for nigh on a decade, is he better than Robertson?
Let’s attempt to find out.
Tierney vs Robertson 2024/25 comparison
Statistics (per 90)
Tierney
Robertson
Appearances
20
45
Minutes
447
3,320
Pass completion %
79.8%
83.0%
Interceptions
0.2
0.6
Tackles
0.5
1.2
Clearances
0.7
1.3
Ball recoveries
2.2
3.8
Ground duel success %
71%
50%
Touches
72.5
76.9
Stats from Transfermarkt, FBref & Squawka.
First things first, due to injuries and the fact he was not first-choice at Arsenal, Tierney played fewer than 500 minutes of club football this season, which does offer a very small sample size.
That caveat aside, Robertson’s per-90 statistics are still pretty much more impressive across the board.
When he was still Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp described Robertson as a “world-class left-back”, while José Enrique, a former incumbent of the Reds’ full-back spot, asserts that he has been “the best left-back in the world” for many years.
Now though, James Pearce and Mark Carey of the Athletic outline that the Scotland captain’s form ‘has come under intense scrutiny’ this season, while also asserting that he is far from ‘finished at the highest level’.
Robertson still ranked 17th in the Premier League this season for crosses into the penalty area, as well as 11th for crosses overall, according to FBref.com, an attribute that has been viewed as his superpower for many years.
Gillian Kasirye of Total Football Analysis claims that Robertson is ‘passed their peak’, but still has a lot to offer at the elite level, so could he really be tempted to make a move to Glasgow this summer?
Celtic may make shock bid to re-sign £10m star who Rodgers called "sublime"
Newcastle United are probing on the market this summer, but could also be prompted to consider whether to sell one of their key stars, according to a report.
Newcastle United look for quality over quantity in the market
PIF are expected to spend this summer as long as they don’t put themselves at risk of interference from FFP, and it appears that Eddie Howe will go down the route of streamlining his squad to ensure there is an element of quality control in the North East.
Beginning in earnest, Newcastle are pursuing a deal for Liverpool striker Jota in an effort to strengthen their forward line. Meanwhile, Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford could also be an appealing name for the club to consider.
Newcastle United manager EddieHoweand assistant manager Jason Tindall celebrate
Talks are set to take place over a move for Brighton & Hove Albion star Joao Pedro. He has become a central target for the Magpies this window, and could cost in the region of £60 million.
Despite relative silence from his camp, Pedro has recently sent a cryptic message on Instagram to friend Reinier Jesus, which read ‘just say the time and where’ on his official account, potentially offering an insight into his movement over the next few weeks.
Callum Wilson is set to leave the club after failing to come to an agreement on terms, which has made finding a replacement an important priority for Howe.
Newcastle and PIF in contact to sign "superb" £34m+ star likened to Konate
An approach has been made by the Magpies.
ByHenry Jackson Jun 18, 2025
Pedro appears to be the most likely solution at this point. Nevertheless, nothing is signed and sealed yet, meaning others could come to the forefront over the next few weeks and months.
The excitement of acquiring new talent is one thing, but Newcastle could now be met with a significant proposal involving one of their star men.
Newcastle set to receive Joelinton proposal
According to TBR, Newcastle midfielder Joelinton is wanted by several Saudi Pro League clubs, including Al-Hilal, who are now plotting submitting a ‘significant’ proposal to try and sign the Brazil international.
Of course, clubs in the Gulf region are controlled by the Magpies’ owners PIF, which could make for an intriguing set of circumstances when it comes to the future of the £150,000 per week earner.
Joelinton’s record at Newcastle – why has he been such a successful signing?
Appearances
221
Goals
29
Assists
21
Trophies
EFL Cup x1
Transitioning from a forward into a box-to-box midfielder under Howe, Joelinton has previously been dubbed “incredible” by the former Bournemouth boss and has become one of the first names on the teamsheet due to his combative nature.
Making his presence known, the former Hoffenheim man won 166 duels in the Premier League last term alongside making 149 recoveries.
Newcastle seem keen to avoid a sale at all costs, though they are under the same strain as everyone else when it comes to satisfying FFP regulations, offering some leeway in their mission to come out of the transfer window with a stronger squad than they entered with.
Worcestershire loanee Bashir equals most expensive over in English first-class cricket
ECB Reporters Network24-Jun-2024
Shoaib Bashir had an expensive day•Getty Images
Worcestershire 147 for 7 (Libby 61*, J Taylor 2-11, Lawrence 2-27) trail Surrey 490 (Lawrence 175, Smith 86, Sibley 76, Taylor 3-99) by 343 runsShoaib Bashir equalled the most expensive over in the history of English first class cricket while on loan to Worcestershire for the Vitality County Championship encounter with Surrey at ‘Visit Worcestershire New Road.’The England spinner, on loan for a month to Worcestershire from Somerset, conceded 38 runs including five successive sixes to Dan Lawrence.It was a wake-up call for Bashir who in the winter picked up 17 wickets in three Tests in India.Lawrence cleared the boundary with the first five deliveries of the over between long off and wide long on.The next ball went for five wides and then Lawrence took a single off a no ball before last man Dan Worrall failed to score off the eighth delivery.It equalled the 38 struck by Freddie Flintoff off Alex Tudor for Lancashire against Surrey in a Championship match at Old Trafford in 1998.Lawrence went onto to make a career-best 175 before he was last out with the Surrey first-innings total on 490.Worcestershire then slumped to 147 for 7 with only Jake Libby, with a 145-ball half century, offering much resistance as Lawrence’s fine day continued with two wickets.Lawrence surpassed his 161 for Essex – against Surrey in 2015 at the Kia Oval – in only his second first class match.The only other time more runs have been conceded in an over was a Shell Trophy encounter in New Zealand in 1990 when Lee Germon and Roger Ford (Canterbury) took advantage of contrived bowling from Robert Vance (Wellington) and hit 77.Lawrence had a scare in the middle of his sixes blitz when the third was caught by Adam Hose at long on but the Worcestershire batter carried the ball over the boundary rope.Surrey advanced from their overnight 340 for 5 in sedate fashion during the morning session, adding 88 in 29 overs for the loss of three wickets before Lawrence cut loose on the resumption.Worcestershire were without the injured pace bowler, Adam Finch (leg) and Academy player Chris Ellison deputised in the field.Tom Taylor struck in the first over of the day after Surrey had resumed on 340 for 5.Jordan Clark added only a single before he played back and picked out Bashir at midwicket.Lawrence, who had resumed on 91, completed his century in regal style with a cover drive off Taylor for his 14th boundary.Sean Abbott showed plenty of aggression in the chase for a fourth batting point but he paid the price after giving Taylor the charge and was bowled.Gus Atkinson tried to work Bashir to leg and was bowled to give the spinner his second wicket.James Taylor was run out after playing Bashir to third and attempting a second run and Lawrence’s fine knock ended when he was caught at deep backward point off Allison, his 223-ball knock containing six sixes and 16 fours.When Worcestershire batted, Sean Abbott struck with his first delivery after replacing Worrall when Gareth Roderick was caught behind from a delivery which nipped away.Kashif Ali, back in the side after his break from the game, made 17 before being strangled down the leg side off Atkinson at 59 for 2.Rob Jones was undone by a delivery of extra bounce by James Taylor to give Ben Foakes his third catch.Foakes held onto another chance after Hose (10) aimed a drive at a widish delivery from Taylor.Ethan Brookes, in his first Championship appearance for five years, then fell to a sharp catch at first slip by Ollie Pope off Clark at 99 for 5.Matthew Waite played back to Lawrence and was bowled and Tom Taylor departed in similar fashion for a duck.
تغلب منتخب فرنسا على آيسلندا بهدفين مقابل هدف، خلال المباراة التي جمعت الفريقين مساء الثلاثاء، بتصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026.
واستقبل المنتخب الفرنسي نظيره الآيسلندي على ملعب “حديقة الأمراء” ضمن مباريات تصفيات القارة الأوروبية المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026.
وتقدمت آيسلندا بهدف سجله أندري جودجونسون في الدقيقة 21 من اللقاء، ونجحت فرنسا في إدراك التعادل قبل نهاية الشوط الأول.
وتحصلت فرنسا على ضربة جزاء بعد العودة لتقنية الفار في الدقيقة 43، وتوجه كيليان مبابي للتسديد وسجل في الدقيقة 45.
ومع هذا الهدف يصل مبابي لهدفه الـ52، مع منتخب فرنسا، ويتفوق على تييري هنري ويحتل المركز الثاني في ترتيب هدافي الديوك (خلف أوليفييه جيرو، 57 هدفًا).
في الدقيقة 62 من اللقاء، أضاف برادلي باركولا الهدف الثاني لصالح المنتخب الفرنسي، بعد تمريرة من مبابي.
وفي الدقيقة 68 تلقى أوريلين تشواميني بطاقة حمراء، بعدما عاد الحكم لتقنية الفار واتضح وجود خطأ على لاعب ريال مدريد، لتكمل فرنسا المباراة بعشرة لاعبين.
اقرأ أيضًا | فيديو | البرتغال تهزم المجر بثلاثية في تصفيات كأس العالم.. ورونالدو يواصل كتابة التاريخ
وأحرزت آيسلندا هدفًا ثانيًا وعاد حكم اللقاء لتقنية الفار الذي أكد عدم صحة الهدف ولم يحتسب وظلت النتيجة تشير لتقدم فرنسا.
انتهت المباراة بفوز فرنسا بهدفين مقابل هدف، لترفع رصيدها إلى 6 نقاط بصدارة المجموعة، تليها آيسلندا بـ 3 نقاط، ثم أوكرانيا وآذربيجان بنقطة واحدة. أهداف مباراة فرنسا وآيسلندا