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After Thomas Frank’s appointment earlier this summer, no Tottenham Hotspur fan could’ve envisaged the perfect start the side has made to his tenure.

The Lilywhites have won both of their first two Premier League matches, scoring five times and keeping two clean sheets – a third of their tally from the previous campaign.

Their victory over Manchester City has undoubtedly been the best victory of the Dane’s spell in charge – restricting Pep Guardiola’s side to limited opportunities at the Etihad.

However, the 51-year-old is still hunting for further reinforcements in the transfer market, especially after missing out on Eberechi Eze to North London rivals Arsenal.

Numerous players have been on their radar over recent days, potentially offering the new boss the talent he craves in such a position for 2025/26 and beyond.

Spurs’ hunt for a new attacking midfielder

Over the last couple of days, Spurs made a £61m offer for Como star Nico Paz, highlighting the hierarchy’s ambitions of improving the squad before the September 1st deadline.

However, the offer for the Argentine was swiftly rejected by the Serie A side, with the player himself wanting to stay at Cesc Fàbregas’ side for the time being.

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As a result, the Lilywhites have moved on to different targets, resulting in Leicester City talent Bilal El Khannouss once again appearing on the club’s radar ahead of the end of the window.

According to GIVEMESPORT, Frank’s side have made the decision to enter the race, after Crystal Palace made a move to land the 21-year-old.

It’s been reported that he’s set to leave the Foxes before the end of the window, with a £22m transfer fee being mooted to prise the youngster away from the Foxes.

The playmaker had been widely expected to move to the Eagles but is now giving thought to moving to Spurs.

It’s alleged that ‘there is a serious possibility that he will choose’ Tottenham over Palace when he makes a decision on his future this week.

Why Spurs’ £22m target would be perfect for Kudus

Earlier this summer, Spurs landed the signature of Mohammed Kudus, costing £55m from West Ham United – becoming the first major signing of Frank’s tenure at the helm.

The Ghanaian, who can operate in numerous positions, has started both of the club’s Premier League outings – cementing his place at the top end of the Lilywhites squad.

Whilst he’s failed to get himself on the scoresheet, the 24-year-old has registered two assists in his first two outings – both of which came in the triumph over Burnley in North London.

His direct dribbling and ability to create carnage within the final third has already caught the eye of the supporters, potentially being a bargain despite his big-money transfer fee.

However, despite Kudus’ impressive start to life under Frank, he could reach the next level in the months ahead if the side land a deal for El Khannouss in the coming days.

Despite relegation from the Premier League last season, the youngster produced numerous impressive figures that would bring the hierarchy’s hunt for a new attacking midfielder to an end.

El Khannouss, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by analyst Ben Mattinson, ranked in the 90th percentile for passes into the final third (3.7) and the 86th percentile for progressive passes (5.3).

El Khannouss for Leicester in PL (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)	Tally
Games played	32
Goals & assists	5
Pass accuracy	75%
Progressive passes	5.3
Passes into the final third	3.7
Key passes made	1.7
Progressive carries	3.1
Carries into the final third	1.9
Take-on success	57%
Stats via FBref

Both figures would allow the Moroccan to provide countless chances for Kudus within attacking areas, helping the former Hammers star build on his impressive start to life at the Lilywhites.

He also completed 57% of the take-ons he attempted, whilst making 1.9 carries into the final third per 90 – having the ability to glide past the opposition and cause problems for the opposition in dangerous positions.

Such numbers are impressive, but the end product is just as important, something which El Khannouss has demonstrated by his tally of five combined goals and assists in England’s top-flight throughout 2024/25.

Given the Eagles’ interest in landing the 21-year-old, Frank and the Spurs hierarchy need to act quickly to make a move for his signature to avoid missing out on yet another summer target.

If they do land the youngster, it would be a bargain transfer and one that could hand Kudus the platform to reach the next level in his career during his stint in North London.

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Their own Paz: Spurs likely to see £47m bid accepted for "ridiculous" star

Spurs are looking for alternatives after their Nico Paz setback.

1

By
Will Miller

Aug 26, 2025

The hosts take on New Zealand in the tournament opener, having lost to them twice in the recent tri-series

Karthik Krishnaswamy18-Feb-20251:35

Urooj: Babar’s form is still a concern

Big picture: Pakistan vs New Zealand (again)We live in a time when the ODI is starved for attention, with the older sibling commanding instant respect for its age and wisdom and the younger one bawling at full lung capacity if you dare to look away while it cartwheels around the room. For all that, the middle child never fails to remind us how captivating it can be whenever a global tournament comes along. The last two ODI World Cups produced so many classics between them, and so many passages of play that showcased the variety of skills that this format can both compress and give breathing room to.Given how little we’ve seen of it over the last year-and-a-half or thereabouts, then, our appetite for the ODI should be at its peak, even if the Champions Trophy remains an awkward fit in the calendar and the interests of the ICC’s member boards. So much has happened since Sarfaraz Ahmed lifted this trophy eight years ago, enough for everyone to forget that it even exists, but here we are now, and here it is once again.We have Pakistan, the defending champions and (co-ish) hosts, to start us off, and they’ll face familiar foes in the tournament-opener. No visiting team has played more ODIs in this country than New Zealand’s 11 since the start of 2019, and they begin this Champions Trophy a mere five days after beating Pakistan in the final of an ODI tri-series. Karachi hosted that match, and will host this one too.Related

Rizwan says Rauf is 'fully fit' for Champions Trophy opener

It says something about the two teams that New Zealand and Pakistan finished fourth and fifth – just inside and just outside the knockouts spots – on the league tables of both the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, and that Pakistan won the head-to-head meetings both times. It speaks of two teams with potentially title-winning strengths as well as title-squandering flaws, and this, perhaps, makes it the ideal contest to kick things off.Form guidePakistan LWLWW (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
New Zealand WWWLWIn the spotlightHe’s gone 21 innings without an ODI hundred, and while this wouldn’t be abnormal for most batters, Babar Azam isn’t most batters. That sequence only includes two single-digit scores, so it isn’t as if he’s been struggling, but few things will bring as much joy to Pakistan at the start of a global event on home soil as a big score from their until-recently-irreproachable run machine. He’s batting at the top of the order now rather than No. 3, so a score of significance will also ease any doubts Pakistan may have about the structure of their line-up.Rachin Ravindra was struck by the ball on his forehead during the tri-series•AFP/Getty ImagesIn the recently concluded tri-series, New Zealand’s spinners finished with a combined economy rate of 4.41, which was remarkable considering their Pakistan and South Africa counterparts went at 5.67 and 5.94 respectively. It speaks to the quality of Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell, who picked up five wickets apiece during the tri-series at near-identical averages and economy rates. They form as enviable a spin combination as any in this tournament: a left-arm fingerspinner and an offspinner, both extremely handy with the bat.Team news: Rauf boost for PakistanHaris Rauf played no part in the recent ODI tri-series after going off the field with a side strain during the opening game against New Zealand. He has been bowling in the nets in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy, though, and Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan was confident he would be fit to start the tournament-opener. This should leave Pakistan able to pick a full-strength XI.Pakistan (possible): 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Babar Azam, 3 Saud Shakeel, 4 Mohammad Rizwan (capt & wk), 5 Salman Agha, 6 Tayyab Tahir, 7 Khushdil Shah, 8 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Abrar Ahmed.New Zealand go into the Champions Trophy with two of their original fast-bowling selections – Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears – out of the tournament. There’s also doubt over whether Rachin Ravindra – who hasn’t played a game since being struck on the head by the ball while fielding during the first match of the tri-series – will be fit to start, but the opener has been batting during training sessions in the lead-up to this tournament. New Zealand will take a call on him after their training session on Tuesday, with Will Young likely to open alongside Devon Conway should they decide not to risk Ravindra. Ferguson’s replacement Kyle Jamieson will not arrive in Karachi in time to be available for the first game.New Zealand: 1 Rachin Ravindra/Will Young, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Matt Henry, 10 Jacob Duffy, 11 Will O’Rourke.Pitch and conditionsKarachi hosted the last two matches of the recent tri-series, and they ended up as extremely dissimilar contests. On February 12, South Africa posted 352, the highest-ever total achieved at the venue, but that record only lasted a few hours as Pakistan hunted it down with an over to spare. Two days later, Will O’Rourke bagged four wickets and the unhittable Santner took 2 for 20 in his ten overs as Pakistan, electing to bat first in the final, were bundled out for 242, a total that New Zealand chased down with five wickets and 28 balls to spare.What sort of surface will the National Stadium serve up on Wednesday, then? Recent history suggests this is a testing venue for fast bowlers in ODIs, as their combined average of 33.67 and economy rate of 6.02 over this decade would attest. Where Lahore has tended to be just as harsh to spinners, however, Karachi has given them a modicum of respite; while their wickets have come at 45.50, they have only gone at 5.11 per over.Going by recent trends, pitches in global tournaments have tended to be good batting surfaces with something for bowlers to work with: the last three ICC ODI events – the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2019 and 2023 World Cups – finished with overall run rates of 5.54, 5.59 and 5.82 respectively.Wednesday is expected to be a warm day in Karachi with a high of 29 degrees Celsius, and little to no chance of rain.Stats and triviaNew Zealand (2000) and Pakistan (2017) both beat India in the final when they won their respective Champions Trophy titles.These two teams have met three times in the Champions Trophy, in 2000, 2006 and 2009, with New Zealand winning all three times.New Zealand have faced Pakistan 11 times in ODIs since the start of 2023, and the results have been neck-and-neck. While New Zealand have won five and lost six, they’ve won three of the last four meetings.Of the 47 New Zealand batters to score 1000 ODI runs, Daryl Mitchell has the best average (50.42). His strike rate of 97.89 is also hugely impressive, since all five batters above him on that list average below 30.Of the bowlers from the eight teams in this tournament, Shaheen Shah Afridi (21 at 22.04) is the highest wicket-taker in ODIs since the end of the 2023 World Cup.Babar, Fakhar Zaman and Faheem Ashraf are the only members of Pakistan’s squad who were also part of their victorious 2017 campaign.Quotes”We’re all equal whether someone’s a platinum or an emerging player. The senior players have a bit more pressure on them, and we expect ourselves to perform on the biggest occasions, and this is as big as it gets.”
“Anytime you’ve been in conditions you’re been coming up against is an advantage. We’re lucky we’ve been over here for a couple of weeks and played in Pakistan quite a bit over the last three years”

MatériaMais Notícias

Com dois gols de Tiquinho Soares e um de Eduardo, o Botafogo goleou o Corinthians por 3 a 0 na noite desta quinta-feira, no Nilton Santos, pelo Brasileirão. O Glorioso, com este resultado, chegou na liderança da competição com 100% de aproveitamento. O Timão, depois de empatar em casa com o Fortaleza, é dominado no Rio de Janeiro e vive uma situação preocupante sob comando do recém-contratado técnico Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

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+ Lembre o escândalo da Máfia da Loteria Esportiva

O Botafogo começou jogando em um 4-2-3-1, com Júnior Santos e Victor Sá abertos pelos lados e Eduardo próximo de Tiquinho Soares na frente. O Corinthians, por outro lado, atuava em um 4-1-4-1, com Roni, Maycon e Matheus Araujo formando uma trinca no meio de campo.

+ ATUAÇÕES: Tiquinho Soares dá show e recebe a maior nota na quinta vitória consecutiva do Botafogo
+ ATUAÇÕES: Cássio comete pênalti infantil, Corinthians sofre na criação e é amassado pelo Botafogo

GOL DE TIQUINHO

O time de Luís Castro começou com uma intensidade alta em campo e foi coroado com um gol logo nos primeiros minutos de jogo. Após belo cruzamento de Marçal, Víctor Cuesta cabeceou no travessão e, no rebote, Tiquinho Soares empurrou para as redes, levando os torcedores ao delírio no Nilton Santos.

TIMÃO INOFENSIVO

O Timão, depois do gol sofrido, tentou explorar jogadas pelos lados, mas tinha dificuldades em realizar triangulações e ataques de perigo. O Glorioso aproveitava a vantagem no placar para explorar jogadas ataques com Júnior Santos e Víctor Sá, mas pecava na hora da finalização.

Vanderlei Luxemburgo tentava incentivar seus jogadores, mas não estava satisfeito com o que via em campo. O Corinthians só chegou perto do gol aos 30 minutos, quando Yuri Alberto finalizou de fora da área e Lucas Perri fez uma segura defesa. No fim do primeiro tempo, Júnior Santos recebeu livre pelo lado direito, mas chutou por cima do gol.

O Corinthians entrou no segundo tempo tentando controlar as ações do meio-campo e apostando na criatividade de Roger Guedes pelo lado esquerdo. O Botafogo buscava explorar os espaços deixados pelo adversário para contra-atacar em velocidade.

MAIS UM DELE

A estratégia do Glorioso acabou surtindo efeito. Depois de uma cobrança de falta do Timão, Gabriel Pires puxou um contra-ataque e acionou Júnior Santos em velocidade, que acabou sendo derrubado por Cássio dentro da área. Na cobrança de pênalti, Tiquinho Soares chutou forte e marcou seu segundo gol na partida.

CHOCOLATE NO NILTÃO

Depois do segundo gol, os jogadores corintianos não conseguiram reagir. No fim do jogo, Matías Segovia construiu um contra-ataque em velocidade e tocou para Eduardo marcar o terceiro gol. Aos gritos de “olé”, os comandados de Luís Castro administraram a vantagem no final da partida e venceram por 3 a 0 no Nilton Santos.

FICHA TÉCNICA
5ª RODADA DO BRASILEIRÃO
BOTAFOGO 3 X 0 CORINTHIANS

Estádio: Nilton Santos
Data e Hora: 11 de maio, às 19h30
Árbitro: Anderson Daronco (RS)
Assistentes: Bruno Boschilla (PR) e Jorge Eduardo Bernardi (RS)
VAR: Igor Junio Benevenuto de Oliveira (MG)
Onde Assistir: Premiere e Tempo Real do LANCE!
Gols: Tiquinho Soares (2) e Eduardo
Cartões Amarelos: Fábio Santos e Gil (Corinthians); Cuesta (Botafogo)

Botafogo (Técnico: Luís Castro)
Lucas Perri; Di Plácido, Adryelson, Víctor Cuesta e Marçal; Marlon Freitas, Gabriel Pires e Eduardo; Júnior Santos (Matías Segovia – 31/2°T), Victor Sá (Luis Henrique – 31/2°T) e Tiquinho Soares.

Corinthians (Técnico:: Vanderlei Luxemburgo)
Cássio; Fágner, Murillo, Gil e Fábio Santos (Bruno Méndez – 33/2°T) ; Roni, Maycon (Chrystian Barletta – 33/2°T), Matheus Araújo (Giuliano – 22/2°T), Adson (Wesley Teixeira – 22/2°T) , Roger Guedes e Yuri Alberto.

Newcastle United have been locked in purgatory this summer, with the feel-good factor of last term melting away with the hopes of signing so many top targets.

Last season’s Carabao Cup champions have added Anthony Elanga to their ranks for a £55m fee, solving one of Eddie Howe’s biggest problems, but the list of failed efforts for new first-team players is long, and Alexander Isak is now a wantaway striker too.

Though Newcastle are struggling to identify and lure in a new number nine, The Athletic’s David Ornstein has made it clear that “there’s a very good chance” Isak leaves the club this month.

Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson is the latest man to be linked with a move to the Newcastle centre-forward seat, but that’s not the only area of concern as Howe prepares for the looming campaign.

Newcastle lining up new targets

The only thing for it is to get back up from the wayside. Manchester United have won the race for Benjamin Sesko, the RB Leipzig striker favouring the Red Devils and that deal is progressing to the closing stages.

With Isak still anticipated to be leaving St. James’ Park, Newcastle have turned to other targets, but they also need to sign a defender this summer, with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi at the top of Howe’s shopping list once again.

The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder has revealed that claims of an official approach are wide of the mark, but that the Toon’s interest is genuine as they push for a new centre-back.

With Liverpool also interested in signing the £40m-rated defender, Newcastle will be wary of falling flat in yet another Premier League transfer tussle.

And that’s why an alternative option has been earmarked.

Newcastle eyeing Guehi alternative

Well, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Newcastle have reached a verbal agreement with Malick Thiaw of AC Milan, though wrestling him away from the Serie A side will prove a tough test indeed.

Thiaw is one of Italian football’s most talented defenders, and the Rossoneri know it. Sky Germany have also made it known that the German, 23, has already been at the centre of a rejected €30m (£26m) bid from the Magpies.

Previous reports suggest that Milan are holding out for a deal in the region of £30m.

Why Malick Thiaw would be perfect for Newcastle

Over the past few seasons, Sven Botman has gone from being one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League to a luckless player whose fitness woes have restricted his playing time.

Heading back into the Champions League, defensive depth is essential, and Thiaw would be perfect on that front. The 23-year-old has completed 85 appearances since leaving boyhood club Schalke two years ago, winning the Supercoppa Italiana last term.

Given the ostensible figures involved, Thiaw might actually prove to be a better signing for Newcastle than Sesko would be. He’s certainly not the finished product, but then neither is the 22-year-old Sesko, whose signature comes attached to a jaw-dropping £74m fee despite only scoring 13 goals across 33 Bundesliga matches last season.

Though it is important that Newcastle sign a striker, is there any tangible evidence that Sesko would prove an auspicious signing for a Tyneside outfit in need of instant results, especially if Isak leaves?

One factor to note is that Thiaw has suffered his share of injury problems over the past few years, though not to the detriment of his progress.

Malick Thiaw – Career Injury History

Season

Days

Injuries

Games missed

24/25

36

2

7

23/24

85

2

16

21/22

32

3

6

20/21

13

1

3

Data via Transfermarkt

Considered to have the capacity to be a “monster in the air” by journalist Martino Puccio, the German has the sinewy physicality to succeed as a high-class Premier League defender.

Indeed, he won 64% of his aerial battles in Serie A last season, emphasising that point. Guehi, curiously, won only 54% of his aerial duels in the previous Premier League edition.

Moreover, he ranked among the top 6% of centre-halves across Europe’s top five leagues last season for pass completion and the top 14% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref, with his crisp and enterprising passing game drawing Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate as his most statistically comparable player.

Talking of Liverpool: AC Milan played out a pre-season friendly against Arne Slot’s Reds toward the end of July, and Thiaw produced a stunning performance, winning all six of his duels and making five tackles, as per Sofascore.

Now we know that this current iteration of the defender – who Milan so desperately want to keep – has made considerable progress to establish himself as one of his outfit’s most talented and proven players against the highest calibre of opponent that English football has to offer.

What of Sesko? Man United previously spent £72m on signing a similarly young and talented striker in Rasmus Hojlund, after all.

All this is not to say that Newcastle don’t need a centre-forward. Newcastle absolutely need a centre-forward. But they need the right striker, and splurging £74m on Sesko would come laced with all the perils.

Transfer Focus

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

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Shrewdly spending around £30m on Thiaw, however, to complete Howe’s line ahead of a multi-front campaign? Now that’s good business, and the Newcastle that we’ve come to know over the past several years.

Related He’s an Isak upgrade: Newcastle chasing “one of the best 9s in the world”

Newcastle’s bid for a centre-forward could be set to take another twist…

Posts 2 ByJoe Nuttall Aug 7, 2025

“I can promise you, they [are] going to get looked after amazingly well. The young cricket fans adore them”

Alex Malcolm31-Oct-2024

Wasim Akram: “I think if India come, it will be great for cricket, and of course, it’ll be great for Pakistan too”•Getty Images

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram believes India will get looked after “amazingly well” if they travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy in February next year and reckons it would be a great thing for cricket.”I think whatever I’m reading, there are positive vibes from [the] Indian government and [the] BCCI,” Akram said. “I also read somewhere they will play probably all their games in Lahore. They will probably come to Lahore and travel [back] the same night. I’m all for it, as long as India is comfortable.”And I can promise you, they [are] going to get looked after amazingly well. I mean, Indian cricketers like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, [Hardik] Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, they have fans in Pakistan. The young cricket fans adore them.”Related

Champions Trophy: PCB wants an explanation in writing from India for refusal to travel

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Champions Trophy without India not an option, say ECB chiefs

Champions Trophy 2025: PCB draft schedule has all India games in Lahore

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) remains intent on hosting the entire Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan between February 19 and March 9. It has even proposed to have all of India’s matches take place in Lahore, which is close to the Indian border and makes logistics and security hurdles less complicated. The PCB also said that it would grant about 17,000 visas to Indian fans who wanted to follow their team. The final will be held in Lahore, as will any semi-final that India play, if they qualify.Speaking ahead of Pakistan’s six-match ODI and T20I tour of Australia that begins on Monday, Akram was hopeful India would come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.”People-to-people contact is very important in this day and age,” he said. “In this social media age, there’s so much negativity all over the world, unnecessary negativity in my opinion, and I think if India come, it will be great for cricket, and of course, it’ll be great for Pakistan too.”India have not played an international match in Pakistan since 2008, and the UAE is believed to be the likeliest – though not only – alternate venue should any part of the Champions Trophy be moved out. The BCCI did not send a team to Pakistan last year for the Asia Cup, prompting the tournament to be shifted to a hybrid model with the latter stages played in Sri Lanka.But Pakistan did travel to India right after that for the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they missed out on a semi-final spot.Earlier this month, the ECB’s chief executive Richard Gould and chair Richard Thompson, said that there are “lots of different alternatives and contingencies available” in the event that India do not travel to Pakistan, raising the possibility of a hybrid model being used.The Champions Trophy will feature eight teams, with two groups of four, followed by semi-finals and a final. The competing teams are Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa.

Visiting captain hits 88 while Parkinson and Garrett share seven wickets

ECB Reporters Network09-Sep-2024Kent reduced Hampshire to 213 for 7 at stumps on a weather-affected first day in the Vitality County Championship at Canterbury.Matt Parkinson took 3 for 31 and George Garrett 3 for 60 as the hosts exploited the conditions at the Spitfire Ground. James Vince hit 88 for the visitors, but their next highest scorer was Liam Dawson, who made 31.No play was possible before lunch, but when Kent won the toss a home supporter was moved to say: “If we can’t bowl a side out in these conditions, we never will.” And while the bar is admittedly low, this was as good a day as the division’s basement side have enjoyed at the St Lawrence in red-ball cricket all season.It was damp, overcast and blustery and Fletcha Midleton was soon bowled by Garrett for 8, playing the wrong line. Joey Evison then removed Toby Albert with his second ball for 11, playing on, before Nick Gubbins joined Vince. They put on 83 for the third wicket before Gubbins was caught behind off Garrett for 24.When the light deteriorated, tea was taken at 3.10pm, with Hampshire on 135 for 3. Conditions improved significantly after the restart but Ben Brown tried to hook Garrett and was caught by Evison for 9.Vince was on 77 when he pulled Evison to midwicket and although Joe Denly couldn’t take the catch, the former England man atoned with a brilliant diving one-handed grab when Vince tried to drive Parkinson through cover.Parkinson then got Liam Dawson for 31, caught by Charlie Stobo at second slip, but Harry Finch missed a chance to stump James Fuller when he was on 1, but he’d only added six more when Finch took his chance at redemption, grabbing a violently turning ball from Parkinson.With darkness encroaching once again, play was eventually abandoned for the day at 5.47 pm, with 11 overs remaining.

A “brilliant” Rangers player has been linked with a move away from Ibrox this summer, and the Scottish Premiership giants could even lose him on the cheap.

Rangers exit rumours ahead of Champions League qualifier

The Russell Martin era is now officially underway at Ibrox, with the Englishman’s first task as Gers boss being a Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos at the end of July.

While the new Rangers boss will no doubt be eyeing some new signings who can suit his style of play, some current players could move on this summer, including Gers star Cyriel Dessers.

A report on Sunday even claimed that the 30-year-old attacker could seal a move to Greek side AEK Athens in the space of 48 hours, so he may depart Ibrox imminently, following two years at the club.

Meanwhile, it looks as though Rangers centre-back Robin Propper could also be on his way out of the club, with talks planned with Martin about his future after a disappointing stint. Captain James Tavernier’s legendary spell with the Gers could also reach its conclusion, so it may be all change, and now another exit claim has emerged regarding a different player.

£20m Rangers star wanted by two clubs

According to TEAMtalk, Rangers are now “at risk” of losing Hamza Igamane this summer, amid interest from Ligue 1 side Marseille and Serie A outfit Lazio. In fact, it says that Marseille have now made a new approach to sign the forward over the coming months, which has “rocked” Rangers.

Worryingly, it is claimed that while the Gers have “set a £20m asking price” for the services of the 22-year-old, “this figure could potentially be negotiated”, suggesting that he may depart on the cheap.

Igamane enjoyed such an impressive first season in a Rangers shirt in 2024/25, scoring 15 goals in the Scottish Premiership and Europa League combined, so to lose him so soon would be an undoubted setback for Martin.

The Moroccan has had so many good moments, but a lethal late strike away to bitter rivals Celtic late in the campaign, securing a 3-2 win in the process, endeared him to Gers supporters even more than before.

Meanwhile, pundit Derek Ferguson was full of praise for the impact he made, saying: “Igamane is a real breath of fresh air, the young man. The manager said he was trying to get him up to speed, but in the last few games he has been nothing short of brilliant. He is off the cuff and he had three or four nutmegs this afternoon – and took his goal brilliantly. I don’t know if you remember Ted McMinn, but Igamane’s got that unpredictability.”

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Rangers could repeat their Antonio Colak masterstroke by selling this star this summer.

ByDan Emery Jun 23, 2025

It is understandable why Igamane’s head may be turned by Marseille or Lazio, seeing as they are big clubs in their own right, but the hope is that Martin can persuade him to stay at Rangers, talking up the club’s future under him and promising to make him a massive part of his plans.

From Xavi and Andres Iniesta to modern greats like Kevin De Bruyne and rising stars such as Jude Bellingham, the debate over just who takes the midfield crown has been rumbling on for quite some time.

In many ways, the question is what do you want to see from a midfielder? If you require technical excellence, then look no further than those Spanish superstars and the likes of Zinedine Zidane. They have often been the jewels in football’s crown no matter the occasion.

Rank

Player

Age

Club

Nation

1

Pedri

22

Barcelona

Spain

2

Jude Bellingham

21

Real Madrid

England

3

Rodri

28

Man City

Spain

4

Declan Rice

26

Arsenal

England

5

Florian Wirtz

21

Bayer Leverkusen

Germany

6

Ryan Gravenberch

22

Liverpool

Netherlands

7

Jamal Musiala

22

Bayern Munich

Germany

8

Martin Odegaard

26

Arsenal

Norway

9

Oihan Sancet

24

Athletic Club

Spain

10

Federico Valverde

26

Real Madrid

Uruguay

11

Dominik Szoboszlai

24

Liverpool

Hungary

12

Xavi Simons

22

RB Leipzig

Netherlands

13

Nicolo Barella

28

Inter

Italy

14

Kevin De Bruyne

31

Man City

Belgium

15

Luka Modric

39

Real Madrid

Croatia

But sometimes beauty is in the long-range strikes, the ruthless tackles and the workhorse engines. And if that is the case, then the attention should drift towards stars such as Manchester United’s Roy Keane and Paul Scholes.

If it’s simply a matter of honours on the table, then it would be Barcelona and Real Madrid who shine brightest, as La Liga’s two mega clubs have dominated the European scene while several of their biggest names thrive on the international stage.

Best midfielders of all time in pictures

Then there is the measure of iconic moments to remember. Steven Gerrard in Istanbul, Modric taking the Ballon d’Or crown and Iniesta’s World Cup winning goal – the list could quite easily go on.

Perhaps the best measure of all-round talent however is the verdicts from those who played with the greats, and Spain legend and superstar goalscorer Fernando Torres believes there is only one answer.

Torres says Gerrard is the best player he ever played with

Torres is perhaps one of the best placed figures in football to judge greatness, having starred for Spain’s dominant international side that won the European Championships in 2008 and 2012, either side of the World Cup in 2010.

And the former Liverpool and Chelsea striker, who spent four seasons on Merseyside with Gerrard, revealed the Liverpool captain was even better than his Spain teammates.

From his very first Liverpool game, Torres and Gerrard’s partnership blossomed into one of the most clinical that Anfield has ever seen. The Spaniard was quick and deadly in front of goal and Gerrard was as precise as it gets behind him to form the perfect duo.

2007/08

8

2008/09

2

2009/10

1

2010/11

2

Assisting 13 of Torres’ 81 Liverpool goals, Gerrard’s partnership with the Spaniard was particularly strong during his debut season. It’s then that the forward may have realised just how talented his captain was, perhaps reaching the conclusion then and there that he would never play with better.

Torres played with Frank Lampard – in what is a debate for another day – as well as Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and others. Yet, even without a Premier League medal to his name, El Nino still believes that Gerrard is the best midfielder that he’s ever seen.

Sir Alex Ferguson named Liverpool star as the best player in England and as good as Keane

This could settle the debate once and for all…

3 ByBen Goodwin May 17, 2025

Leeds United have reportedly made a £20m defender similar to Joe Rodon one of their top targets following a recent scouting mission.

Leeds reach 100 points and lift Championship title on final day

It was a final day to remember for Daniel Farke and his Leeds side after clinching the Championship title in stoppage time.

A Manor Solomon goal in the 91st minute ensured a come-from-behind victory for the Whites at Home Park and meant they’d finish the season on 100 points.

Talking after winning the title, Farke said: “Today I was allowed to have one or two tears in my eyes. After Wembley I had to be there for my players and give them some belief, it was a tough moment. For Ethan [Ampadu], Ilia [Gruev], Joe [Rodon] they were all in tears.

“I wanted to create something really special with them. To see them like little kids [after the title was won], enjoying themselves like they did at the age when they started playing football. In these moments you’re never thinking about money or contracts. To be a bit reminded how happy they are, like children, it’s one of the best moments you can have as a manager.”

Leeds make advances in move to sign "top-class" 243 career-goal striker

The Whites are in the hunt for attacking reinforcements.

2

By
Sean Markus Clifford

May 3, 2025

Now, the club’s attention behind the scenes at Elland Road will be on the summer, looking to bolster the current squad ahead of their Premier League return. Adam Underwood has been promoted to the role of sporting director having been at the club for more than 10 years, and it could be a crucial first transfer window with him at the helm.

Solomon has been linked with a permanent move to Leeds, whereas a raid on Celtic for the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Nicolas Kuhn has also been mooted.

Additions at the back and in attack look likely, and now, a new defensive option has emerged on Underwood’s radar.

Leeds eyeing bid to sign £20m defender Leonardo Balerdi

According to reports from The Sun, relayed by MOT Leeds News, Leeds have recently sent scouts to watch Marseille defender Leonardo Balerdi.

The Whites have now made Balerdi one of their top targets, and the Argentine is open to a move to England. It is added that Marseille would demand a £20m fee for their defender over the coming months.

Balerdi signed for Marseille from Borussia Dortmund back in 2021 and is now the captain of the Ligue 1 side having made more than 160 appearances for his current employers.

Stat	Balerdi	Rodon
Passes attempted	99th percentile	97th percentile
Passes completed	99th percentile	98th percentile
Passes into final third	93rd percentile	94th percentile

Capped six times by Argentina, Balerdi has impressed on the ball over the last 12 months. As per FBref, he has ranked in the top 1% of centre-backs when it comes to passes attempted and top 3% for successful passes per 90, whereas the Marseille man is also in the top 1% for successful take-ons.

Balerdi is similar Rodon as the Leeds star ranks in the top 3% for passes attempted and top 2% for successful passes, and by the looks of things, he could be partnering the Wales international at the back next season.

Manchester United are believed to be in contact with a club’s director of recruitment over the signing of an “outstanding” goalkeeper this summer, according to a new report.

Man Utd produce historic comeback

Ruben Amorim’s side may have had a season to forget, but their 5-4 win over Lyon on Thursday evening was one of the most dramatic nights Old Trafford has ever witnessed.

Having led 2-0 and seemingly heading into the semi-finals of the Europa League with ease, United suddenly found themselves drawing 2-2 after 90 minutes, before then trailing 4-2 in extra-time against ten men.

Remarkably, the Red Devils scored three times in the remaining minutes, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a penalty, Kobbie Mainoo brilliantly curling home and Harry Maguire heading in a memorable last-gasp winner.

It was a remarkable evening that has kept United’s season alive, and given the nature of their victory over Lyon, there will be some who feel that their name is on the trophy. Regardless of what happens this season, though, lots of new signings are a must, including in goal to replace Andre Onana, and one intriguing transfer target in that position has now emerged.

Man Utd make contact for Kaua Santos

According to Sport Bild, Manchester United have held talks with Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche over the signing of Kaua Santos this summer. The German outfit want £51m for his services and would rather keep hold of him.

It is claimed that Red Devils director of recruitment Christopher Vivell spoke with him during Frankfurt’s Europa League quarter-final first leg tie against Tottenham last week, as they look to entice the 22-year-old to Old Trafford.

Santos could be a strong addition for United ahead of next season, having enjoyed an impressive campaign for Frankfurt in Europe, standing out as a key man at a young age, especially for a ‘keeper. The Brazilian has started five matches in the Europa League this term, prior to being eliminated by Spurs on Thursday night, and the Red Devils may see him as having a higher long-term ceiling than Onana.

Santos has been hailed as an “outstanding” player by Bayern Munich and Germany legend Thomas Muller, while analyst Ben Mattinson has described him as among the “most promising” young ‘keepers in Europe.

While Onana has had good moments in a United shirt, he is an error-prone player who doesn’t seem to bring calm to the defence, and if Amorim wants to take his team to another level, an upgrade is required.

Saved by Maguire: Man Utd must axe star who lost the ball every 4.8 touches

Harry Maguire proved to be Man Utd’s unlikely hero in Thursday’s crazy game at Old Trafford

ByRobbie Walls Apr 18, 2025

Santos is admittedly still a goalkeeper learning his trade, but his performances this season suggest that he would be an exciting signing who should only grow as a player.