All posts by h79snht.top

What might have gone down as the worst season in a generation for Tottenham Hotspur will now be recognised as one of the best.

Under an immense amount of scrutiny and pressure, Ange Postecoglou and his side managed to get the better of Manchester United on Wednesday night and, in the process, win the Europa League.

Their victory in Bilbao now means they’ll be playing in the Champions League next season, which should, in turn, help them attract the best talent in what has to be a massive summer of transfers.

Fortunately, Daniel Levy and Co already seem to be looking to add some genuine quality to the squad, although one of the recent stars touted for a move to N17 could spell trouble for James Maddison.

Tottenham transfer news

Before getting to the star in question, it’s worth reviewing some of the other players linked with Spurs over the last few weeks, such as Daizen Maeda and Eberechi Eze.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Expand Collapse

The former played under Postecoglou at Celtic and could be available for just £25m, which would make him a seriously tempting option, as in just 50 appearances for the Hoops this season, he has scored 33 goals and provided 12 assists.

A little closer to home now, and Eze will be available for around £68m thanks to the release clause in his contract.

While that is a lot of money, he’s certainly worth it, as in 42 appearances this term, the Englishman has scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists.

However, there is another younger and just as exciting international who has now been touted for a move to the white side of North London: Xavi Simons.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Spurs are ‘dreaming of signing’ the RB Leipzig star, and in exciting news, the Lilywhites believe ‘they can convince’ him to join them.

However, he would cost around €80m, which is about £67m, and there are plenty of other interested parties, with reports from earlier this week claiming Arsenal are keen on the Dutchman.

It would be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Simons’ immense ability and potential, it’s one worth fighting for, even if it could be bad news for Maddison.

How Simons compares to Maddison

Now, while Simons is a versatile attacker who can play off either wing, he’s also more than capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, and with Brennan Johnson scoring as many goals as he has this season and Mathys Tel potentially remaining at the club in the summer, there is a strong chance Spurs view the Leipzig ace primarily as a number ten.

Therefore, one of his main competitors for game time next season would be Maddison, but who comes out on top when we compare them?

Well, when it comes to their raw output, which is ultimately the most important metric of all, the former Paris Saint-Germain gem comes out on top.

For example, since the start of last season, the Flying Dutchman, whom one analyst dubbed “one of the best 10s in the world,” has scored 21 goals and provided 23 assists in just 76 appearances, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.72 games.

In contrast, since joining the club ahead of last season, the Lilywhites number ten has scored 16 goals and provided 21 assists in 75 appearances, which comes out to a reasonable but comparatively less impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.02 games.

Simons vs Maddison

23/24

Simons

Maddison

Appearances

43

30

Goals

10

4

Assists

15

10

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

0.46

24/25

Simons

Maddison

Appearances

33

45

Goals

11

12

Assists

8

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.57

0.51

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Furthermore, besides being more productive than the former Leicester City star, the Amsterdam-born “superstar,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, is also six years his junior, meaning he’s likely to get better still and has a better fitness record.

For example, he has suffered just one injury in his career to date, which saw him miss 15 games for club and country, whereas the Englishman has suffered 18 injuries, which have seen him miss 67 games for club and country.

Ultimately, while Maddison is a great player, Simons is clearly superior and, therefore, Spurs should do what they can to sign him this summer.

Related Spurs' 18-year-old "monster" is going to be better than Romero & Van de Ven

The tremendously exciting youngster could be special for Spurs.

Posts 1 ByJack Salveson Holmes May 23, 2025

Celtic are looking to retain their Scottish Premiership title next term and could look to bring in a talented competitor for Kieran Tierney at left-back, according to a report.

Kieran Tierney's Celtic return kicks off busy summer of transfer activity

Brendan Rodgers could be a busy man at Celtic this summer in the transfer window. Tierney’s homecoming at Parkhead should officially be announced any minute as fans wait for confirmation of his return to Glasgow’s east end.

Joining on a free transfer from Arsenal, the Scotland international comes back to his boyhood club on a mission after winning eight trophies during his first spell and establishing himself as a modern-day icon.

Bowing out with a goal in his final appearance for the Gunners at Southampton, Tierney is expected to be joined by Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan at Celtic.

The Lennoxtown academy graduate came through at the same time as Tierney and will report back to Parkhead once his contract at Aberdeen expires.

Speculation over Rodgers’ future as he enters the final year of his deal has become a talking point in the off-season. Regardless, former scout Mick Brown expects Celtic to spend big this summer following their Scottish Cup final defeat last weekend.

Related Edouard 2.0: Celtic weighing up record-breaking move for £12m+ "tormentor"

Celtic are reportedly interested in making a club-record move for a striker who could be Odsonne Edouard 2.0.

Posts 1 ByDan Emery May 30, 2025

He stated: “There’s been some talk about the manager’s future as well, and I’m sure he expects to be backed. The board have to show that they’re behind him and they share his ambitions.

“So I think they’ll be prepared to spend big this summer, it’s something they have to do because otherwise they risk that gap closing.”

Tapping into that theme, Celtic are now reportedly eyeing a swoop for a competitor to Tierney who could arrive to strengthen the ranks at left-back.

Celtic enter race to sign Peterborough United left-back Harley Mills

According to The Scottish Sun, Celtic have entered the race to sign Peterborough United full-back Harley Mills as they seek depth to supplement Tierney’s arrival.

The 19-year-old started the campaign at Enfield Town on loan, but returned to his parent club and scored in their famous 2-0 victory over Birmingham City in the Vertu Trophy final at Wembley Stadium earlier this year.

Harley Mills in League One for Peterborough United (Fotmob)

Duels won

53

Tackles won

16

Dribble success

66.7%

Interceptions

11

Aerial duels

17

Recoveries

26

Combining his outings at both clubs, Mills made 25 appearances across all competitions this term and has previously been labelled “outstanding” by Jamal Campbell-Ryce.

Fulham have been interested in the youngster and Peterborough are said to be mulling over a £1 million offer made for his services, though Celtic may now hope to swat aside rival suitors to land their man.

Greg Taylor appears set to leave Parkhead under freedom of contract and no indication has come forth regarding Jeffrey Schlupp returning after his loan spell, which has opened up a space for Mills to potentially join Celtic and rival Tierney if they can push a deal over the line.

Leeds United now face Burnley in a transfer battle to sign a Premier League level defender on a free transfer this summer, according to a new report.

Leeds eyeing more transfers after Nmecha deal

The Whites confirmed their first signing of the summer transfer window on Sunday afternoon, as Lukas Nmecha agreed to join Leeds once his contract at Wolfsburg expires at the end of the month.

The attacking midfielder is a player who is likely to be an important figure in Farke’s team this season, but the club are not resting with just his arrival, as they are already working on more additions.

As reported by Africa Foot, Leeds have made contact with Manchester City over signing Juma Bah on a loan deal. The 19-year-old joined the Blues back in January but spent the rest of the campaign on loan at RC Lens. He now looks set for another temporary move away, with Leeds and Southampton fighting for his signature.

Related He'd be better than Bijol: £5m defender now wants to sign for Leeds

Leeds United could seal a better transfer than snapping up Jaka Bijol by landing this deal.

Posts ByKelan Sarson Jun 15, 2025

Meanwhile, defender Jaka Bijol has agreed terms over a move to Elland Road this summer and a deal appears to be nearing completion. He is not the only defender on the club’s radar, as a report from Football Insider states that Alex Moreno is also interested in a move to Leeds this summer. The 32-year-old could be available for £5 million, as the Whites are in the market for a new left-back.

Leeds face Burnley in Keane battle

The list of potential new defenders to sign doesn’t stop there, as according to the Liverpool Echo, Leeds are among the teams interested in signing Michael Keane from Everton.

Keane, who has been at Goodison Park since July 2017, is out of contract at the end of this month, and while he remains in talks over a new contract, he is looking more likely to leave. That has alerted Leeds, who, along with Burnley and Sheffield United, are keen on swooping in and securing the defender on a free transfer.

The 32-year-old, who has been dubbed “immense” in the past by Harry Redknapp, has fallen down the pecking order at Everton in recent seasons. Keane went from playing 32 games in the Premier League during the 2021/22 season to playing just 12, 9 and 14 times in the last 3 campaigns.

Michael Keane’s Everton stats

Apps

230

Goals

16

Assists

10

Keane could be a viable option for the Whites to provide more depth behind Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk, and there aren’t many free signings on the market who provide such a wealth of top flight experience.

It is transfer deadline day, with the window set to slam shut until next Monday. For Chelsea and other clubs in the Club World Cup, it represents an opportunity to sign players before the new-look competition begins. Indeed, the Blues will be looking to bolster their squad ahead of their first fixture against LAFC.

Their first couple of signings are over the line this summer, already. Liam Delap has officially joined from Ipswich Town, with the Blues winning the transfer battle for him after the Tractor Boys’ relegation. Most recently, Mamadou Sarr moved to Stamford Bridge from sister club Strasbourg.

Delap and Sarr may not be the only players through the door at Chelsea before the end of the window. They are linked with someone else from the Premier League.

Chelsea’s next Premier League target

Now, it will be touch and go to see if Chelsea can bring anyone else to the club in the final throes of this mini transfer window. If that were the case, signing someone from the Premier League, especially another London club, would surely help.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Expand Collapse

Regardless, at some stage this summer, Chelsea are seemingly set to move for West Ham United forward Mohammed Kudus. TEAMTalk report that ‘a swap deal’ between the London rivals is ‘on the cards’ in the coming weeks.

The report suggests that Kudus ‘has been offered to Chelsea’ by the Hammers this summer, who are demanding £70m for their star attacker. However, that price could come down if Robert Sanchez goes the other way.

The Spaniard could ‘be involved in any deal’ between the two clubs, with the Blues pursuing AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

Why Kudus would be a good signing

Whether or not the West Ham attacker moves to Chelsea before or after the Club World Cup is irrelevant. He would certainly improve the squad at Stamford Bridge, and is a “superstar” according to football scout Antonio Mango.

In terms of Kudus’ time at the London Stadium so far, he has managed 19 goals and 13 assists in 80 appearances. Just as it was for his side, the 2024/25 campaign was a struggle, where he notched up eight goals and assists in 32 games.

However, in his debut Premier League season, the 24-year-old showed just how deadly he can be. In 33 league games, the former Ajax attacker scored eight times and grabbed nine assists, as well as five goals in the Europa League.

One look at Kudus’ numbers from the last two Premier League seasons is enough to understand what type of player Chelsea are getting. According to Sofascore, he has completed 216 dribbles during his time in the top flight.

That certainly suggests that the Blues are signing a one-vs-one specialist, someone who loves to take on defenders. His combined expected goal involvement numbers, which stand at 18.43xGI, show that Kudus will have an impact in the final third, too.

If the Blues do manage to bring the Ghana international to the club, he could become their new Joe Cole. The former England international also joined Chelsea from West Ham, for a reported fee of £6.6m, as per BBC Sport.

His fee today would be the equivalent of £37.4m according to The Transfer Index, a bargain given how good he was for Chelsea. In 282 appearances for the club, Cole, a three-time Premier League winner, scored 39 goals and grabbed 37 assists.

Another similarity between Kudus and Cole is their versatility. In a Chelsea shirt, the London-born attacker played on both wings, as a number 10 and a centre-forward.

Well, that is much like Kudus for West Ham, who has played right across the frontline at the London Stadium.

Kudus’ record per position for West Ham (min 45 mins played)

Position

Games

Goals & assists

Right wing

29

16

Left wing

19

9

Centre forward

12

2

Attacking midfield

11

1

Right midfield

3

2

Left midfield

2

0

Second striker

1

1

Stats from Transfermarkt

If Kudus does join Chelsea, there are lots of similarities between him and the former Blues number 10. If he replicates what Cole did in that famous Blue shirt, then it will certainly have been a successful move.

Be it a £70m fee or a swap deal, this seems like a transfer that is too good to turn down for Chelsea, be it on deadline day or in the longer transfer window.

Related Better signing than Gittens: Chelsea now expect to land "world-class" star

Chelsea are looking to make a host of signings this summer

Posts ByRoss Kilvington Jun 9, 2025

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke is aiming to follow in Marcelo Bielsa’s footsteps by keeping the team in the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The Argentine boss is the only manager in the last 20 years to keep the Whites up in their first season back in the top-flight, as Jesse Marsch only managed it in the club’s second year in the division.

Farke was relegated from the Premier League with Norwich City in the 2019/20 campaign, after winning the Championship title with the Canaries, and was sacked in the 2021/22 season after winning the second tier a second time.

The German boss will need to be backed in the transfer market by the board, as Bielsa was after he won the Championship. Sporting director Victor Orta provided him with the tools he needed to build a successful Premier League outfit.

Orta smashed the club’s transfer record to sign Rodrigo from Valencia for a reported fee of £30m, and he went on to score 28 goals in three seasons, as shown by the graphic above.

However, it was the signing of Raphinha from Rennes that proved to be the difference-maker for the West Yorkshire outfit, as he fired the team to safety in both of his seasons a Elland Road.

Why Raphinha was a huge signing for Leeds

The Brazil international was a huge signing for the Whites because his contributions at the top end of the pitch in the Premier League helped the club to avoid the drop on two occasions.

Raphinha’s ability to create things out of nothing in the final third as both a scorer and a creator of goals for Leeds won many valuable points for Bielsa’s team, and Marsch’s in the 2021/22 season.

In fact, Farke felt the full force of the Brazilian star in one of his last games in charge of the Canaries, as the winger scored a sensational solo goal, as shown in the clip above.

That goal sums up Raphinha’s time as a player at Leeds. He had the quality to beat opposition players at will, despite their best efforts, whilst also having the end product to make the most of the chances he created for himself.

Raphinha (Premier League)

20/21

21/22

Appearances

30

35

Goals

6

11

Big chances missed

4

6

Big chances created

12

10

Key passes per game

2.1

1.9

Assists

9

3

Dribbles completed per game

1.9

1.8

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the left-footed sensation produced 17 goals and 22 ‘big chances’ created in his two seasons in the Premier League, which helped the Whites to avoid the drop both times.

Leeds then sold him to Barcelona in the summer of 2022, for a reported fee of £55m, and they were relegated from the top-flight in the following season, which further illustrates how important he was to the team.

Leeds closing in on attacking midfielder

Having confirmed the arrival of Jaka Bijol on Monday, the Whites are now reportedly eyeing up a new signing for Farke who could come in as the club’s biggest deal since they snapped up Raphinha from Rennes in 2020.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Expand Collapse

According to Le Nouvel Echo, as relayed by La Gazzetta Express, Leeds United are interested in a deal to sign RB Salzburg playmaker Oscar Gloukh before the end of the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Championship champions are ‘close to securing’ a transfer for the Israel international to bolster their options in the number ten position.

It adds that Salzburg value the 21-year-old starlet at a fee of around £21m and that Leeds have expressed an interest in bringing him to Elland Road ahead of next season.

The outlet reveals that the Whites are looking to improve the creativity within their squad and have identified Gloukh as a player who could add more quality to the team in the final third.

Why Leeds should sign Oscar Gloukh

Farke should push for the club to get a deal over the line because the young talent could be the club’s biggest signing since Raphinha, due to his potential to shine at Elland Road.

Gloukh, who scored a stunning goal against Pachuca in the Club World Cup earlier this month, is a player who has the potential to lead Leeds to safety with his ability as both a scorer and a creator of goals in the attacking midfield positon.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig once claimed that the playmaker has “exceptional” vision for passes and is a “two-footed” player who is “destined for big things”, which speaks to both his quality in the here and now as well as his potential for the future.

At the age of 21, the Whites would be signing an incredible young talent who has the scope to be worth millions more in the future, as was the case when they signed Raphinha, who went on to be sold for a whopping £55m.

As well as having long-term potential, Gloukh’s performances for Salzburg in the 2024/25 campaign also suggest that he would come in as an instant upgrade on Brenden Aaronson.

24/25 season

Gloukh (Austrian Bundesliga)

Aaronson (Championship)

Appearances

26

46

Goals

10

9

Big chances missed

6

11

Key passes per game

2.5

1.6

Big chances created

15

9

Assists

5

2

Dribbles completed per game

3.0

1.1

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Israel international could provide more quality in front of goal than the American dud, given that he scored more goals, created more ‘big chances’, assisted more goals, and completed almost three times as many dribbles per game.

Gloukh is an attacking midfielder who has the ability to influence matches on a regular basis, thanks to the threat he provides as a scorer and a creator, which is why he could be a huge signing for Farke this summer.

The young playmaker could be crucial to the team’s survival in the Premier League by winning vital points for the side with goals and assists from a number ten position, if he can translate his form over to English football.

This is why the £21m-rated star could be the club’s biggest signing since Raphinha because no player has kept the team up since the Brazilian ace left in 2022, and Gloukh has the potential to replicate the success the left-footed whiz had in West Yorkshire.

Related As exciting as Buendia: Leeds expected to make move for £18m EFL star

There is a belief that Leeds will make a move for a star who would be as exciting as Emi Buendia.

Posts 1 ByDan Emery Jun 23, 2025

England captain believes her players have become ‘smarter’ while sticking to aggressive mantra

Valkerie Baynes18-Jun-2024

Heather Knight, England women’s captain, believes the team are playing ‘smarter’ cricket•Chance to Shine

For some 18 months, England Women have committed to playing a harder, faster, more aggressive style of cricket but, according to Heather Knight, they are also becoming smarter.Since Jon Lewis took over as head coach at the end of the 2022 English summer, the team vision has been clear, expressed in mantras such as “attacking mindset”, “walk towards the danger” and the even more ubiquitous “inspire and entertain”.It has worked in so far as it has transformed a team which was comprehensively beaten 12 points to four by Australia in the 2019 Ashes and 6-4 in a rain-hit 2021-22 series into a side which drew last year’s series on points, winning four matches to Australia’s three.But it is very much a work in progress. In their recent home series against Pakistan, England lacked ruthlessness and polish, despite being a far stronger side.Knight, England’s captain, believes that in hosting New Zealand in three ODIs starting next week followed by five T20Is, they have an opportunity to build on knowledge gained against the White Ferns in New Zealand earlier this year.”We became a bit of a smarter team,” Knight told ESPNcricinfo, looking back on England’s tour of New Zealand in March and April. “We played on bigger boundaries, wickets that did a little bit more in the powerplay, so it wasn’t really easy to attack then. We learned how to be a bit smarter and how to adapt a little bit to different conditions.”Sometimes it’s going to be hard to attack in the powerplay, the idea was to sort of go from ball one and keep the foot down, but that isn’t always going to be possible and sometimes there’s going to be little bumps along the road, but I think we learned a lot from that tour.”Heather Knight speaks at a Chance to Shine event at Lord’s•Chance to Shine

England defeated New Zealand in their ODIs earlier this year 2-1 and won the T20I series 4-1.England have lost only two of their 13 completed ODIs since the start of December 2022 and they have won 21 of their 27 T20Is in that time. Crucially, with a T20 World Cup fast approaching in Bangladesh in October, one of those defeats was to hosts and underdogs South Africa in the semi-final of last year’s T20 World Cup and two more to a visiting Sri Lanka side who had never beaten them in a series before.There were also learnings against Pakistan, including playing on slower wickets. At Edgbaston, England recovered from 11 for 4 to win the first T20I, then secured a 37-run ODI victory in Derby which Knight described at the time as “scrappy”.”Our job is just to keep getting better, keep playing cricket that we want to play and also winning those games when it’s tough,” Knight said.”You look at that Derby game, it wasn’t probably the most exciting to watch sometimes,” she added, recalling how England failed to claim the final wicket of a match that they had otherwise dominated. “I guess in that case it is just about punching out results and trying to say, look, it wasn’t quite the perfect wicket to be able to play how we wanted to, but being smart with it and adapting to what’s in front of us.”Because ultimately our biggest chance to inspire as well is winning big competitions and performing in big events, and trying to win in the way that we want to do, which is exciting and attacking.”The balance is much finer in T20 cricket, where the margins for error are far smaller and understanding that is becoming a key part of England’s narrative.Danni Wyatt’s 48-ball 87 in the third T20I against Pakistan was by far the standout performance for England, while Nat Sciver-Brunt produced a corresponding innings in the ODIs with an unbeaten century in the last match of the tour.”T20 is so hard to be consistent, it’s really a tough thing to do,” Knight said. “A top opening batter in world cricket maybe might come off one in three, one in four, and someone like Danni is one of the best openers in the world. She doesn’t come off every game and she’s brilliant at being able to manage that.”It can be quite mentally tough, honestly. Her super-strength has been able to say: ‘Right, I didn’t get any runs, I’m completely fine. That’s how I want to play and I’m going to go and try and play exactly the same way in the next game’.”It’s about being really clear going into that T20 World Cup in particular, how we want to do things. It’s all well and good saying, ‘oh, we’re going to be attacking, we’re going to be aggressive,’ but being really clear on individually the ‘how’ of that.”But it is not only a World Cup victory, or how it is achieved, that has the potential to inspire, as Knight well knows. On Monday, she joined Chance to Shine, the children’s cricket charity with whom she has held a long association, in welcoming hundreds of state school pupils to Lord’s for a day of cricket coaching and other activities.Related

Knight's appointment as Somerset board advisor a masterstroke, says Lewis

England survive top-order implosion as Sarah Glenn derails Pakistan's victory hopes

Heather Knight challenges England's batters to adapt aggression to 50-over format

Very little Down time – NZ batter keen to seal top-order spot after baby break

Sophia Dunkley meets the brief to earn England recall

Knight has worked with the organisation since finishing university, when she coached state-school children – often alongside Charlotte Edwards – two days a week while juggling a burgeoning playing career that, for her, didn’t become fully professional until three years later, in 2013.”It enabled us to pay the bills basically whilst we were still playing cricket for England and enabled us to live before everything became professional,” Knight said. “It’s really important to try to get cricket into state schools and there’s a lot of barriers there, like facilities. At my old school there, people used to smoke on the rubbish astro turf that we had and there was stains on it and things like that.”Here today there’s state-school children from all over the place, from all backgrounds, coming in and having an amazing day at Lord’s. It’s all about giving them a good first experience of cricket really, and trying to get them interested in the game and more involved.”Chance to Shine deliver cricket to over 600,000 young people each year, working in state schools and underserved communities. Until midday on 18th June donations made to Chance to Shine will be doubled by the Big Give campaign. Support the charity today and help inspire more young people through cricket.

While the addition of a new goalkeeper, some midfield reinforcements, and a potential replacement for Takehiro Tomiyasu are all additions that will strengthen Arsenal, new attackers must remain the priority this summer.

For example, although they ultimately finished last season without a title to their name, Mikel Arteta’s side secured second place in the Premier League and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.

However, there is every chance they could have found themselves lifting at least one of those trophies had they added some quality to the frontline last summer, or even in the winter.

Fortunately, the club seem intent on adding more firepower to the team, with recent links to Ollie Watkins, and another international who could be his dream teammate.

Arsenal target dream teammate for Watkins

The first link to Watkins this year appeared in the winter window, when it was revealed that Arsenal had made a surprise £40m offer, which Aston Villa turned down.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Expand Collapse

Since then, murmurs of the Gunners’ interest in the Englishman persisted in the background, but they remained nothing more than that until quite recently.

However, earlier this week, reports revealed that the North Londoners had once again been in contact with the player, who would “love” to play for the club.

Given his ability – and record against Arteta’s men – picking up the former Exeter City gem could prove to be great business, and what could make it even better are the links to someone who could create an unreal partnership with him: Rodrygo.

Yes, according to a recent report from The Athletic, Arsenal have maintained their intense interest in the Real Madrid star.

What’s more, the report claims that the Gunners have been in talks with the Brazilian camp, and that the Spanish giants would be willing to sell him this summer.

The report makes no mention of the potential cost of the former Santos gem, but according to stories from earlier this summer, the final price might be around £85m.

It would be a lot of money to spend on one player, but given Rodrygo’s ability and potential, it’d be money well spent for Arsenal, especially as he’d be a dream teammate for Watkins.

Why Watkins would love Rodrygo

Now, there are fundamentally two reasons why Watkins would love playing alongside Rodrygo at Arsenal, and the first is his output.

For example, even though the Brazilian international has been played out of his preferred left-wing role for much of the last two seasons for Los Blancos, he has remained a dangerous asset for them.

Since the start of the 23/24 campaign, the “world-class superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has scored 32 goals and provided 20 assists in 105 appearances, totalling 7225 minutes.

Rodrygo’s recent record

Season

23/24

24/25

Appearances

52

53

Minutes

3777′

3448′

Goals

18

14

Assists

9

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.51

0.47

Minutes per Goal Involvement

139.88′

137.92′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

In other words, the 33-capped international has averaged a goal involvement every 2.01 games, or every 138.94 minutes across two seasons.

Just imagine the sort of numbers the Villa ace, who racked up 31 goal involvements in 54 games last season, could produce with someone as effective as the Real ace alongside him.

Finally, on top of the output, the 24-year-old would be a dream teammate for the Torquay-born poacher, as he has already reached the peak of club football.

Not only that, but he has also played an essential role in Real winning the Champions League and La Liga.

So, he’d have the mentality to help the Gunners finally get over the line as well, and in turn, help the Villa star pick up his first piece of major silverware.

Ultimately, while it wouldn’t be cheap, Arsenal should do all they can to sign Watkins and Rodrygo this summer, as together, they could provide the fire Arteta’s side have been crying out for.

Related Gyokeres will love him: Arsenal preparing bid for £43m "superstar" winger

Viktor Gyokeres would enjoy playing alongside this £43m superstar at Arsenal.

Posts 1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 4, 2025

قاد روبرت ليفاندوفسكي منتخب بلاده بولندا، للفوز أمام فنلندا بثلاثية دون مقابل، مساء الأحد، ضمن التصفيات المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026.

والتقى المنتخب البولندي مع نظيره الفنلندي ضمن مباريات تصفيات القارة الأوروبية المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026.

شهدت المباراة مشاركة روبرت ليفاندوفسكي والذي عاد للمنتخب البولندي بعد فترة غياب بسبب خلافات مع المدير الفني السابق ميشال بروبيرز.

اقرأ أيضًا | فيديو | هولندا تهزم ليتوانيا بثلاثية في تصفيات كأس العالم.. وإنجاز تاريخي لـ ديباي

وافتتح ماتي كاش التسجيل لبولندا في الدقيقة 27 من اللقاء، ثم أضاف ليفاندوفسكي الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة الثانية من الوقت المحتسب بدلاً من الضائع.

الهدف الثالث لصالح بولندا في شباك فنلندا جاء عن طريق ياكوب كامينسكي في الدقيقة 54 من اللقاء.

وجاء هدف فنلندا الوحيد عن طريق بنجامين كالمان في الدقيقة 88، وانتهت المباراة بفوز بولندا بثلاثية دون رد، لترفع رصيدها إلى 10 نقاط وتتساوى مع هولندا متصدرة المجموعة.

إلى جوار هولندا وبولندا، تضم المجموعة منتخبات، فنلندا (7 نقاط)، ليتوانيا (3 نقاط)، ومالطا (نقطتان).

Nuthyangana, the wicketkeeper, is the only addition to Sri Lanka’s victorious Asia Cup squad

Madushka Balasuriya03-Aug-2024

In Chamari Athapaththu’s absence, Harshitha Samarawickrama is likely to lead Sri Lanka in the T20Is vs Ireland•Getty Images

Chamari Athapaththu will not be available for Sri Lanka’s T20I series in Ireland due to her commitments with Oval Invincibles in the Women’s Hundred, where she is set to compete in all the group-stage games. Invincibles’ last group match is on August 14 while the T20Is will be played on August 11 and 13. She will link up with her national team-mates for the ODIs, which are part of the 2022-2025 ICC Women’s Championship cycle, starting August 16.Athapaththu, who was named Player of the Tournament in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024, will no doubt be a considerable miss for Sri Lanka, but it will also serve as an opportunity for the younger members of the squad to show that they can step up in her absence. Harshitha Samarawickrama was the last designated vice-captain, though there was none mentioned for the Ireland tour. She could be in line to captain Sri Lanka in Athapaththu’s absence.Wicketkeeper Kaushini Nuthyangana has been included in the 16-member squad, in what is the sole addition to the one that lifted the Asia Cup last week. Nuthyangana, who is yet to make her ODI debut, will serve as backup to regular wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani.In terms of the batting, much of Athapaththu’s burden will fall on the shoulders of 18-year-old Vishmi Gunaratne – who has the fifth-most runs in women’s T20Is in 2024 with 416 in 17 matches – and Samarawickrama, who starred with a Player-of-the-Match effort in the Asia Cup final. Spin-bowling allrounder Kavisha Dilhari, meanwhile, has also begun to show more consistency with the bat, as showcased by her blistering 30 not out off 16 balls against India last week.It’s below those three, though, where some uncertainty may lie, though all of Hasini Perera, Nilakshika Silva and Sanjeewani have produced exciting cameos over the past year. With the rest of the squad made up of bowlers, Nuthyangana will also likely get game time as Sri Lanka do not possess another batting replacement in the squad for Athapaththu. Four frontline spinners and three seamers make up the bowling options.Sri Lanka squad for the tour of IrelandChamari Athapaththu (capt), Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Kawya Kavindi, Sachini Nisansala, Shashini Gimhani, Ama Kanchana, Kaushini Nuthyangana

Glasgow Rangers added yet another signing to their first-team ranks on Wednesday when they confirmed the arrival of central defender Nasser Djiga on loan.

The Burkina Faso international has joined on a season-long loan, and the Gers do not have an option to make it permanent next summer.

He joins Joe Rothwell, Thelo Aasgaard, Emmanuel Fernandez, Max Aarons, and Lyall Cameron in making the switch to Ibrox during the summer transfer window, and there is more to come.

The Light Blues are also closing in on the signing of winger Djeidi Gassama from, having agreed a deal with the English side, but he is not the only wide attacker Rangers are pursuing.

Rangers have bid rejected for English forward

As well as eyeing up a deal to bring the Sheffield Wednesday forward to Ibrox, Russell Martin is also looking to reunite with one of his former players.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Expand Collapse

According to BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsela, Rangers are interested in a swoop to sign Southampton attacker Samuel Edozie during the summer transfer window.

The reporter claims that the Scottish Premiership giants have had an ‘initial’ offer turned down by the Saints, who were relegated from the Premier League last season.

Kinsela states that the Light Blues have a long-term interest in Edozie, which predates Martin’s appointment, and that more clubs are expected to join the race for his signature.

If Rangers go in with another offer for the 22-year-old winger and manage to strike a deal with the Saints, the club could land a big upgrade on Oscar Cortes.

Why Edozie would be an upgrade on Cortes

The Gers played their first friendly at Ibrox against Club Brugge last weekend and Cortes provided an assist for Mohamed Diomande’s goal in the 2-2 draw.

It remains to be seen if the Colombian winger will be a useful operator when the competitive games roll around, though, as the forward has only produced one goal and one assist in 16 matches in the Premiership in his career at Ibrox to date.

Edozie, meanwhile, produced three goals and two assists in 23 games in the Pro League whilst on loan at Anderlecht in Belgium in the 2024/25 campaign.

The former England U20 international also racked up six goals and three assists in 16 Championship starts under Martin in the 2023/24 season, as Southampton earned promotion to the Premier League.

Stats

Edozie (Championship)

Cortes (Premiership)

Appearances

32

10

Goals

6

1

Big chances missed

1

2

Chances created

26

11

Assists

3

1

Dribbles completed per game

1.6

0.4

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the English speedster produced more goals, more assists, more dribbles, and created more chances in the second tier for the Rangers boss than Cortes has managed in 18 months in the Premiership with the Gers.

Edozie, who was once hailed as an “exciting” talent by Martin, has already played for the ex-Saints manager, which means that he could hit the ground running at Ibrox as a player who already knows the system and style of play.

This is why Rangers should go back in with a second offer to sign the former Manchester City academy star, who has only missed 19 games through injury in his career, compared to Cortes’ 39 matches missed just last season.

Therefore, the Southampton youngster could come in as a big upgrade on Cortes, as he is clearly available more often and provides more quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals from the left or right flank.

Related Personal terms agreed: Rangers set to sign their next Ryan Kent at Ibrox

Rangers are reportedly set to complete a deal to sign their new Ryan Kent at Ibrox.

Posts ByDan Emery Jul 9, 2025