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Liverpool are reportedly pushing hard to sign one of the stars of Euro 2024 this summer, leading the Premier League interest in him.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds are yet to make a single signing since Arne Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp as manager, but things are expected to ramp up in the coming weeks. Marc Guehi has been linked with a summer move to Anfield, but it looks as though Newcastle could snap him up, having tabled an offer for the Crystal Palace centre-back.

Julio Soler has also emerged as an option for Liverpool at left-back, as Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes look to bring in an eventual successor to Andy Robertson, who turned 30 earlier this year. The 19-year-old currently plays for Argentine side Lanus, but has been backed to seal a potential £13m switch to Merseyside.

While Slot may feel that he is well-stocked in midfield, that hasn't stopped Atalanta ace Teun Koopmeiners being mentioned as a target for the Reds, with one update even claiming that a first offer may soon be submitted for the Dutchman. He played a key role in his side's Europa League triumph last season, bagging two assists in the competition, not to mention scoring 12 goals in Serie A.

There could also be outgoing business at Liverpool this summer, with young midfielder Bobby Clark not without suitors. RB Salzburg and Leeds United are among the clubs who are believed to be eyeing him up, but it remains to be seen if a loan move away will be sanctioned.

Liverpool pushing to sign "fantastic" 23-year-old

According to Deportes Cope Valencia [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are in a strong position to sign Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili this summer.

It is claimed that the Reds are pushing the hardest out of Premier League clubs, suggesting they are in pole position, seeing him as a long-term replacement for Alisson. Newcastle were told they would have to pay €35-40m (£30-34m) when they showed interest in the Georgian, so the same will apply to Liverpool.

Mamardashvili looks like a goalkeeper of huge long-term potential, already standing out as a top-level 'keeper, catching the eye so much with his performances for Georgia at Euro 2024, ranking as the best player in the entire competition on Whoscored.

In fact, the 23-year-old made a whopping 30 saves in four matches in Germany earlier this summer, which is the second-most by a player in the tournament's history, highlighting the level of impact he made. It led to Spain defender Nacho heaping praise on him: "Mamardashvili has been proving himself to be a great goalkeeper for years. He is doing very well in La Liga and is having a fantastic Euro. He is an important player for the Georgian national team."

Imagine him & Trent: Liverpool join the race to sign big-money PL star

Could this be the first major signing of the Arne Slot era?

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 5, 2024

While Mamardashvili's quality is there for all to see, retaining Alisson's services still easily takes precedence for Liverpool, with the Brazilian arguably the best 'keeper in the world. That may not change for some time, considering he is still only 31, but if he does suddenly leave then the Valencia ace could be an ideal successor.

American investors are supposedly asking “how do we get to be Kim Kardashian or The Rock’s English football team?” after witnessing Wrexham’s success.

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• Hollywood co-owners at SToK Racecourse
• NFL greats with Birmingham & Burnley
• U.S. investment trend expected to continue

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have enjoyed quite the adventure in North Wales, with an award-winning documentary allowing them to open up a window to the world and build a global fan base. They have stepped out of a Hollywood comfort zone and found success in a surprising sporting venture.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  NFL legend Tom Brady is now an investor at Birmingham City, while Will Ferrell has linked up with Leeds United and Michael B Jordan boasts ties to Bournemouth. JJ Watt is another American football great with links to the EFL, alongside his former USWNT star wife Kealia at Burnley, while there has been talk of rapper A$AP Rocky – the partner of music icon Rihanna – forming part of a takeover bid at Tranmere Rovers.

• THE GOSSIP

  More funding from North America is expected to flood into the English game, with investors able to take moderate financial risks in pursuit of potentially lucrative gain – while building on the relationships that they already have in place with famous celebrities.

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  WHAT INVESTMENT BROKER SAID

  Adam Sommerfeld of Certus Capital, a firm that brokers the sales of English sports teams, has told of the growing EFL trend: “Investors can afford to have a go without it being significant for them and their capital. Potential investors will be trying to figure out ‘How do we get to be Kim Kardashian or The Rock’s English football team?’”

Celtic are just a couple of weeks away from opening their Scottish Premiership campaign for the 2024/25 season with a clash against Kilmarnock at Parkhead.

The Hoops have made two additions to their first-team squad so far during the summer transfer window, ahead of the season-opener, and both are goalkeepers.

Kasper Schmeichel has come in on a free transfer from Anderlecht to replace fellow veteran Joe Hart, whilst Viljami Sinisalo has joined from Aston Villa on a permanent deal.

Hart retired at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, after three years with the club, and Celtic now have two shot-stoppers to compete for his place.

The Scottish giants are not done there, though, as they have reportedly held talks over a deal for Antwerp star Michel-Ange Balikwisha, whilst they have agreed a £3.5m deal to sign Paulo Bernardo from Benfica.

This shows that the club are currently working on transfers to come in and improve their options across the park after resolved their goalkeeper issues first and foremost.

Whilst Bernardo appears poised to come in to bolster Brendan Rodgers' midfield ranks, after spending last season on loan at Parkhead, Celtic are also interested in a deal to bring another midfielder to Glasgow before the end of the summer transfer window.

Celtic's interest in midfield dynamo

According to the Daily Record, the Premiership champions are in the hunt to sign American midfielder Tanner Tessmann from Venezia this summer.

The report claims that the Scottish giants have been 'alerted' to the potential of a deal being on the cards for the midfield maestro, as his proposed move to Inter fell through.

It also states that he is valued at £6m and it remains to be seen whether or not the Hoops have that in their budget, or if they are willing to spend that on him.

Tessmann, who was dubbed a "cerebral operator" by talent ID recruiter Jonathan Stoop, has emerged as a target amid interest in current Bhoys star Matt O'Riley.

The Daily Record adds that Liverpool are now interested in a swoop for the Denmark international, whilst Serie A side Atalanta are also keen on him.

However, Tessmann's form for Venezia and style of play actually suggests that he would be more suited as an alternative or future successor to Reo Hatate in the middle of the park, rather than O'Riley – if he were to depart this summer.

Reo Hatate's qualities in midfield

The Japan international is a dynamic midfielder who does not offer too much in terms of his defensive contributions due to his lack of physicality.

He makes up for that, though, with the quality that he can offer in possession of the ball, as the Hoops whiz can chip in with goals and assists at the top end of the pitch.

In the 2022/23 season, the 26-year-old star produced six goals, eight assists, and ten 'big chances' created in 32 league matches for the Scottish giants.

Hatate proved that he has the quality, movement, and vision, to be a reliable source of goals and creativity from a midfield position at Premiership level, with 14 direct goal contributions in those 32 games.

Unfortunately, injuries blighted his most recent campaign in a Celtic jersey as the Japanese ace only managed to make 16 appearances in the Premiership.

As you can see in the table above, Hatate still showcased his ability in the final third with seven direct goal contributions in just 12 starts, which works out as more than one every other start on average.

His lack of game time in the league, though, came down to three separate injury issues that he sustained throughout the campaign, including one to each calf and one to his hamstring. Those three blows kept the midfielder out of action for a staggering 40 games for club and country.

The midfield ace's injury problems are a cause for concern and that is why Rodgers should swoop to sign Tessmann from Venezia this summer, as the American star could come in as a dream alternative to Hatate, a 2.0 version of the Japan international.

Why Tanner Tessmann could be Reo Hatate 2.0

Firstly the Serie B maestro is four years younger than Hatate, at the age of 22, and could be a long-term successor to the current Celtic talent, as well as providing immediate competition for his place.

The 22-year-old gem is coming off the back of an impressive season in the Serie B for Venezia and his statistics suggest that the potential is there for him to provide an exciting attacking threat from a deep-lying midfield role.

Tessmann is a progressive passer and someone who can get forward to chip in with goals and assists of his own to be a difference-maker for his side.

In the Serie B last term, the young prospect ranked within the top 5% of his positional peers for progressive passes per 90 (6.93), which shows that he is constantly looking to play forward and on the front foot to get his teammates into advanced positions.

He also ranked within the top 25% for Expected Assisted Goals per 90 (0.12) and that speaks to his creative excellence in midfield, as he consistently creates high-quality chances for his fellow players.

As you can see in the table above, Tessmann got forward to great effect with 12 goals and 'big chances' created combined across 37 outings in the second tier in Italy.

He also created more than one chance per match on average, which aligns with his impressive xAG per 90, and these statistics show that the USA international has the quality to be like Hatate for Celtic.

Just like the Japanese whiz, Tessmann can burst forward from a number eight role to contribute with goals, assists, 'big chances' created, and key passes at an impressive rate, which is why Rodgers should sign him to be Hatate 2.0.

Enzo Maresca insists he wants to keep Christopher Nkunku amid links to Manchester United, as he has explained his lack of league minutes this season.

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• Nkunku has struggled for minutes
• Linked with shock move to United
• Maresca explains lack of playing time

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Nkunku has been linked with a potential move to United after a struggle for minutes under Maresca. The 27-year-old has made 18 appearances in all competitions, but he has made just one Premier League start, which came on the opening weekend of the season. Since then, he has not played more than 26 minutes in the league.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Maresca has now explained that the playmaker is not playing regularly because of a need for "balance" in midfield, given the richness of options in attack at Stamford Bridge. In other competitions, the 27-year-old has been productive, scoring six goals in the Conference League and three in two EFL Cup fixtures.

• WHAT MARESCA SAID

  Maresca told reporters when asked if Nkunku was unhappy: "Not at all. I spoke with Christo days ago – he did not say he is not happy."

  He added: "Absolutely [he is not for sale], yes.

  "The problem with Christo, not the problem but the same issue we have mentioned many times; if you play with Cole (Palmer), Joao (Felix), Christo, Jadon (Sancho) or Noni (Madueke) – who is defending? Their skill is not defending. The last game, we tried with Joao and Cole together.

  "Probably the best moment for Christo with us has been in pre-season, playing in his position. Since we started, he is playing as a nine for us. Against City, he played as a winger; knowing this is not his best position. His best position is as a 10 but Cole is playing there. We need balance."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Chelsea face Heidenheim in the Conference League later this week – a game that Nkunku will expect to start. Then, they take on Aston Villa on Sunday in the Premier League.

With Amadou Onana already heading for the exit door, Everton could yet lose another player amid surprising Champions League interest just one year on from his arrival.

Everton transfer news

The Toffees' transfer window was going a little too well. Jack Harrison returned, whilst Iliman Ndiaye and Tim Iroegbunam arrived. Those at Goodison Park were left waiting for the penny to drop on their summer that was too good to be true and, as it happens, that penny looks set to be worth £50m and cost them Onana with the Belgian set to swap Goodison Park for Aston Villa in a major blow for Sean Dyche.

His exit will at least add to Everton's summer budget, however, which could yet see them land a replacement in the form of Kalvin Phillips before the transfer window slams shut at the end of next month. In pursuit of replacing Onana, they could also raise funds through the sale of another player.

According to Sky Sports' Dharmesh Sheth, via Goodison News, Bologna are now exploring a deal to sign Beto from Everton this summer just one year on from his arrival worth a reported £26m. The forward could somehow fall upwards after a debut campaign to forget and become Bologna's Joshua Zirkzee replacement following his recent move to Manchester United.

Napoli contact Everton to gather information on £58,000-p/w Dyche favourite

Some of the Toffees’ top stars are attracting interest from other clubs.

By
Tom Coates

Jul 17, 2024

In quite the domino effect, Everton could show their expensive transfer flop the door once and for all in hope of at least making back close to the hefty fee they paid Udinese last summer.

Everton need to move Beto on

Whilst he did manage 10 Serie A goals in 33 games in the season prior to his Everton move, Beto has shown little signs of bursting into similar form at Goodison Park, and after costing £26m whilst earning a reported £50k-a-week, the Toffees have the right to expect a little more. The signs were positive when he first arrived – he even earned the praise of Dyche – but he has since failed to kick on.

Dyche said via The Independent after Beto's debut from the bench against Doncaster Rovers: "We only got his clearance this morning, so we’d already set the team up. I had it in my mind to put him on at half-time regardless.

“He’s adapted very quickly, done very well tonight. With all due respect, the Premier League is different, but he’s shown the rawness, the pace and the effect that he can have on a team. It gives us something different, which is what we brought him here for.”

Alas, after just three Premier League goals in 30 appearances, that "something different" is yet to steal the headlines and if the right offer comes in this summer, Everton should cash in on Beto, even if it means cutting their losses in the process.

It was the Lucas Digne and Adrien Rabiot show at San Siro on Sunday as France downed Italy 3-1 to top their Nations League group.

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• France win 3-1 against Italy at San Siro
• Digne has a hand in all three goals
• France top group over Italy on goal difference

• TELL ME MORE

  France and Italy entered their final Nations League A Group 2 clash knowing that they had already secured their place in the two-legged quarter-final of the tournament set to be played in March. However, both sides knew top spot was still up for grabs. While Italy entered the clash with a three-point lead over France, Didier Deschamps' men knew that a two-goal win at San Siro would see them finish first.

  France made a perfect start as Adrien Rabiot scored in the second minute of the game after heading Lucas Digne's corner past Guglielmo Vicario. Despite the shaky start, Italy soon started to attempt to control the game, however, France's heavy press meant Gli Azzurri were unable to do so.

  After a scruffy 30 minutes of play, Christopher Nkunku was brought down by Davide Frattesi outside the Italy box, which prompted France to have their first real attack since Rabiot's goal. Digne stepped up and struck an almost perfect free-kick which hit the underside of Vicario's goalpost, ricocheted into the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper's back and then pinged into the net to give the visitors a two-goal lead.

  However, the healthy advantage didn't last too long as Dimarco and Sandro Tonali combined. The former let in a perfect cross from the by-line which just went over the head of Frattesi but was met by Andrea Cambiaso, who perfectly slotted a volley past Mike Maignan. What followed was a barrage of Italian attacks, however, Luciano Spalletti's men failed to equalize before the half-time whistle.

  And in the second half it was yet another set-piece situation that broke Italy down yet again. Digne and Rabiot recreated a similar move as they had in the second minute of the clash as the defender's pinpoint cross was able to find the Marseille midfielder, who headed the ball past a stranded Vicario.

  The game was then a case of Italy going gung-ho at Maignan's goal as Gli Azzurri knew that reducing their goal difference would mean Italy could take the top spot, however, it wasn't to be as France's 3-1 win was enough for them to finish first.

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  THE MVP

  Deschamps has Digne to thank for the victory over Italy. The Villa star racked up two assists and was very solid defensively against Frattesi and Cambiaso. The Aston Villa left-back has been in top form for Unai Emery's side as well this season and was given a run out at left-back for Les Bleus ahead of Theo Hernandez. The former Barcelona and Everton star may now have put some pressure on Deschamps to consider him as a potential number one for the left-back spot.

• THE BIG LOSER

  Italy's set-piece coaches will need to have a long hard look at the set-up Gli Azzurri use when defending dead-ball situations. The last six goals that Spalletti's team has given up, including all three against France tonight at San Siro, have come from set pieces. Spalletti will need to work out a way to iron out such a big flaw in his team before they take on their quarter-final clash in March.

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• WHAT COMES NEXT?

  Italy and France will now have to wait until November 22 to figure out who they will face off against next in the quarter-final of the Nations League. Thanks to their group win, France will play at Stade de France in the second leg. Meanwhile, Italy will have to play at San Siro in the first leg as they finished as runners-up.

Lauryn Goodman revealed that she "didn't want to go" out on the night she conceived her daughter with Manchester City star Kyle Walker.

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• Walker started dating Goodman in 2019
• Their second child was born in August 2023
• Walker's marriage with Annie Kilner on the rocks

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  In 2020, Lauryn gave birth to her and Walker’s son, Kairo, marking the beginning of an intense co-parenting relationship. Then after a brief pause in their romance, the pair reportedly rekindled their previous connection in 2022, with the defender wanting to spend more time with Kairo.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The relationship grew intense once again and in August 2023, Lauryn gave birth to their daughter, Kinara. Annie Kilner, wife of Walker, learnt about Kinara from Lauryn during Christmas last year, when pregnant with her fourth child. In light of these revelations, Walker’s personal life went downhill and his marriage has hit the rocks.

• WHAT LAURYN SAID

  Lauryn on her new podcast, , in a candid conversation with her friend and co-host, Lisa Andrews, discussed her relationship with Walker at length detailing how their connection went beyond mere chance encounters. Addressing assumptions that her pregnancies could have resulted from brief encounters, Goodman disclosed that her diagnosis of endometriosis, a condition that often impacts fertility, made conception difficult and unlikely to occur after a single interaction as she went on to emphasize that her relationship with Walker was a long-term affair.

  Discussing the night she became pregnant with Kinara, Lauryn noted her initial reluctance to see Walker. She explained to her friend Andrews, “The night we conceived Kinara, I actually didn’t want to go meet him. I remember saying to my friend, ‘I really can’t be bothered to go and see him.’”

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Walker and Lauryn's relationship has been fraught with legal disputes and consistent clashes. Although Walker currently pays child support for Kairo and Kinara, the arrangement has seen its fair share of contention. As they navigate the legal system and co-parenting dynamics, their personal lives have often captured the attention of fans and tabloids alike.

Celtic reportedly could lose a "quick" and "strong" player in the summer transfer window, having rejected the chance to sign a new deal at the club.

Celtic transfer news

The Hoops have made a quiet start to their summer so far, not making a single signing, while rivals Rangers have added significant numbers to their squad. That's not to say that additions won't come in between now and the start of next season, however, and various reports are linking them with players.

Celtic have been urged to hijack a potential deal for Valencia and Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili this summer, with the 23-year-old seen as the perfect successor to Joe Hart. It would be an audacious swoop, with former England stopper Paul Robinson hailing him recently, saying: "He played for Valencia last season, and for me, he was probably La Liga’s goalkeeper of the tournament. The way he’s played in this tournament for Georgia, I think there’ll be a lot of teams around Europe standing up and taking notice. "

Teenage BK Hacken ace Pontus Dahbo is another player who has been backed to complete a move to the Hoops in the coming months, with the 18-year-old considered one of the most exciting prospects in his homeland of Sweden.

While a number of players are expected to come in and bolster the options at Brendan Rodgers' disposal this summer, it looks as though one Celtic ace is likely to be heading in the opposite direction.

Celtic could lose "quick" player this summer

According to a new update from Football Insider, Celtic could now accept an offer for youngster Rocco Vata in the summer window, with a bid of £2-3m potentially enough to prise him away.

The 19-year-old midfielder has already turned down a contract extension at Parkhead, and the likes of Watford and Bologna are eyeing a move for him, as well as Nottingham Forest. Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph has since said that Watford are in advanced talks to sign Vata.

Losing Vata at his current age would be an undoubted blow for Celtic, considering how much more there is to come from him in his career. Rodgers is clearly an admirer of his, too, saying of him last year:

"I remember Rocco as a young player when I was here last. He’s developed physically. There are aspects of his game that he needs to work on to make the next jump but his attitude is good. He’s strong, quick, he wants to score goals. There is lots of development he needs, if he’s willing to do that."

Vata may simply feel that a new challenge is needed, in terms of enjoying more regular playing time, with only six appearances coming his way for Celtic to date. He scored twice in his only cap for the Republic of Ireland's Under-21s, and may think that he could feel more wanted elsewhere.

The hope is that the young Hoops attacker has a change of heart, but the fact that he isn't interested in signing an extension suggests that his mind could already be made up.

The Apple TV studio analyst joins Mic'd Up to discuss the MLS postseason, Miami and Messi, and Wilfried Nancy's future

Major League Soccer’s 2023 decision to partner with Apple TV to carry its matches was groundbreaking, marking the first time a professional league moved most of its games to a streaming platform. This shift has since inspired other leagues, such the NBA, which will stream 66 games on Amazon Prime next season.

Andrew Wiebe, who has been with Apple TV's MLS Season Pass since its launch, serves as a studio analyst for and . The long-time podcast host has enjoyed seeing the programming evolve in just one year.

“We need people to walk away from any show… with excitement, with anticipation, and a tangible reason to care," Wiebe told GOAL. "I want people to be as juiced about the games, the players, the managers, stories, fan culture in the same way I am. I think we're finding ourselves with every step. And what encourages me is that this is just the beginning."

Wiebe credits the strong chemistry between himself and colleagues Kevin Egan, Sacha Kljestan, Kaylyn Kyle, and Bradley Wright-Phillips, as well as the producers, for the show's success. He pointed to their hard work behind the scenes as key to their standout Decision Day coverage.

“I was a little nervous about Decision Day… all these dominoes had to fall to give us an exciting day,” Wiebe said. “We were fortunate to hit fever pitch. Decision Day is about one thing: setting up the playoffs, and the bigger the bang the better.”

The First Round of the MLS Playoffs kicks off Friday with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami hosting Atlanta United. What is Messi's future in MLS? What's next for Columbus coach Wilfried Nancy? Who will win the MLS Cup? Wiebe discusses all of that and more in this edition of Mic'd Up, a recurring feature in which GOAL US taps into the perspective of broadcasters, analysts and other pundits on the state of soccer in the U.S. and abroad.

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  ON THE MLS CUP

  GOAL: The First Round of the MLS Playoffs starts Friday. Who do you have winning the whole thing?

  Wiebe: In the modern era, great teams with great players win the MLS Cup. In terms of MLS Cup, there are no lucky winners. So all of which is to say, I have a hard time believing Inter Miami won't pay this project and this season off without the MLS Cup. Messi is in nuclear form, and they get to do the whole thing in South Florida, apart from one game in Atlanta. The only thing that can stop Miami is themselves, and that's been true all year. Nobody in MLS can compete [with them] on just attacking talent and championship pedigree.

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  ON INTER MIAMI'S HISTORIC SEASON

  GOAL: A debate that is picking up steam is whether or not Inter Miami is the greatest team in MLS history. What are your thoughts?

  Wiebe: Inter Miami is the single greatest collection of talent MLS has ever seen, that much, I'm sure of, and yes, that's sort of a cop-out to your question. Are they the greatest team? Not yet. To be the greatest team, you need more than ability and the on paper side of it, you have to pay it off. Messi is the GOAT, not just because of the goals and historic, absurd stuff that we've seen for years and years and years, but because all those individual moments resulted in trophies and collective history. I mean, he's like counting up to 50 trophies all-time.

  I think of the Barcelona motto when I think of what's at stake for inter Miami, (More than a club). For Messi and Miami, these years are about making Miami more than just a soccer club in South Florida with big players. It's about making Inter Miami an institution. It's about making Inter Miami a club that represents something bigger and grander, something that people can't take away and doesn't shift year to year as coaches and players change. And to do that, Miami have to win, and they have to do it repeatedly…Anything short of historic greatness is below par for this group. So they've got to win MLS Cup.

  GOAL: And if they win?

  Wiebe: If Miami win the double, I think you'd have to argue they're the greatest team of all time on two fronts, on results and on talent.

• ON MESSI'S FUTURE

  GOAL: One thing that's already being discussed is what is MLS and Inter Miami's future going to look like without Messi in it. He can't play forever and when David Beckham left the league, there was a lull for a few years after he left. How does MLS combat that?

  Wiebe: Messi is not replicable. So forget replicating Messi or what he brings. The goal of these years with Lionel has to be to set the foundation for the club, and that's what I mean when I say Més que un club. The club has to take on a bigger place than just where Messi played. The beauty for me is that Messi will be part of that project to continue [due to him being a part-owner of Inter Miami]. He has draw and a magic to him that nobody else in this game has.

  So I think the challenge for Miami is, how do you rechannel that ambition? Who represents that who can take it into the next phase? And they've got to identify those players. It's not going to be easy, and it's certainly not going to be cheap, but having their own Stadium in Miami will help in having a legacy and a foundation laid by Messi is a head start that almost no other club in the world gets.

  GOAL: Does that mean signing global stars in their prime?

  Wiebe: I mean, straight up, why couldn't they sign anybody? Why should Inter Miami limit themselves in terms of any signing after signing Leo Messi, they should believe that literally everything is possible. If MLS wants to grow into the places that it envisions, it has to mean signing top-level players in their prime. That goes for Inter Miami, that goes for the rest of the league.

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  ON THE MVP RACE

  GOAL: Who do you have for MVP?

  Wiebe: I voted for Cucho Hernandez. He earned the award this year. I know Messi's per-90 numbers are better, but come on, it's Messi. He's a human cheat code… To me, crucially, Cucho played eight more games. He has 12 game-winning goal contributions to Messi's six. That speaks to results. It speaks to the impact of the course of the whole year. And the Crew can play arguably the most aesthetically pleasing and effective brand of soccer the league has ever seen, because Cucho can play all three spots across the front line at best-in-class levels.

Whilst bringing new players in will be vital if Rangers are to improve next season, it now appears that one of their most promising talents is set to depart Ibrox this summer.

Rangers plotting busy transfer window

After missing out on the Scottish Premiership to Celtic, it is clear that new signings will be important if Rangers are to get the better of their city rivals next season.

Rangers ready to accept £5m bid to sell £22,000-a-week player

He cost the Gers nothing.

By
Josh Barker

Jun 17, 2024

One name linked with a move to Ibrox is FAR Rabat and Morocco U23 international Hamza Igamane. Rangers have reportedly agreed to sign the striker in a deal worth £1.7m with the transfer expected to be finalised before the player travels to the Olympics in Paris.

Rangers are also one of many clubs pushing to sign Hearts talisman Lawrence Shankland. The Glasgow-born centre-forward racked up a staggering 31 goals and eight assists in all competitions last season, making him a target for top sides in both Scotland and England.

This summer is also likely to see a slew of outgoings at Ibrox. The most notable of these potential departures could well be Connor Goldson and James Tavernier. It has been reported that former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is eager to bring the duo to Al-Ettifaq this summer which would be a major blow for the Glasgow outfit.

Whilst losing Goldson and Tavernier would be far from ideal for the Ibrox faithful, it now appears that another Rangers star is being watched for a reunion with a former boss.

Van Bronckhorst wants Yilmaz reunion

As reported by Sport Witness, the Turkish media are stating that Besiktas have held talks to sign Rangers' defender Ridvan Yilmaz. This news follows reports that FC Nantes are keen on signing Besiktas' current left back Arthur Masuaku, meaing that they will be in need of reinforcements in this area.

The Turkish club are eager to use the funds raised by the sale of Masuaku to sign Yilmaz. with current Besiktas boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst personally sanctioning the deal. The Dutchman was the one who initially brought the 23-year-old to Ibrox from Galatasaray back in July 2022.

Following the £3.5million deal, Yilmaz has battled a number of injury issues during his time in a Rangers shirt. Despite this, the 23-year-old managed to overcome some of his issues making 32 appearances for the Glasgow outfit over the course of last season.

Speaking on his improvements over the last twelve months, former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson sang the praises of Yilmaz telling the press back in March: “The little man has made a huge impression ever since the winter break and has nailed down the left back berth for himself.

“He’s been a slow burner. And that can happen with any young player adjusting to life in a new country. But he’s a proper Rangers player now and I’m sure the manager will want him back fit as quickly as possible."

Following his recent uptick in form, many Rangers fans may be reluctant to let Yilmaz leave. Despite this, a reunion with the manager who first brought him to Scotland may be too good for the 23-year-old to turn down.