Harry Kane increased his goals tally to 17 in the 2025-26 campaign with a brace, while Michael Olise starred with two assists as Bayern Munich thrashed Champions League newcomers Pafos 5-1 on Tuesday. Nicolas Jackson scored his maiden goal for the Bavarian side since moving to Germany from Chelsea on loan on deadline day and ex-Liverpool star Luis Diaz contributed with an assist.
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It took a dominant Bayern side just 15 minutes to break the deadlock as Harry Kane found the back of the net. Michael Olise initiates the move after receiving a pass on the right side, before he switches legs and cuts into the box. The former Crystal Palace winger found Kane with a pinpoint pass, who found the back of the net with a quality shot.
Five minutes later, the visitors doubled the lead after Olise found Raphael Guerreiro with a pass inside the box. The left-back exchanged a quick one-two with Nicolas Jackson before firing the ball past the opponent's goalkeeper. A minute after the half-hour mark, it was once again Olise who stole the limelight as he beat a couple of Pafos defenders with silky stepovers before setting up for Jackson to score his first goal of the game.
Bayern piled more misery on Pafos as, after three minutes, Kane completed his brace, this time from Luis Diaz's assist. The England captain collected the ball on the edge of the box and went past three Pafos defenders with ease before finding the back of the net.
There was some relief for the hosts at the stroke of half-time as Mislav Orsic took advantage of a misunderstanding between Kim Min-Jae and Dayot Upamecano and fired the ball past Manuel Neuer with a long-range effort.
The Bundesliga giants continued to dominate the game after the break and finally extended their lead in the 68th minute. From a quick counter-attack, Jackson made a run down the middle and approached the Pafos goal before taking a shot, which was saved by Neofytos Michael but Olise found the back of the net from the second ball.
With the thumping win in Paphos, Bayern have now extended their winning streak to nine matches this season as they maintained a 100 per cent record.
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THE MVP
Kane might have contributed with a brace but it was Olise who stole the limelight with an exceptional performance throughout the 73 minutes he was on the pitch. The Frenchman provided two assists, scored one goal and was the key architect for Bayern's first goals. He was their star performer for the night.
THE BIG LOSER
The Pafos backline miserably failed to keep a check on the star-studded Bayern attack as they were completely blanked in the first 35 minutes of the game, which saw the visitors score four past them. They particularly looked clueless during Bayern's fourth goal as Kane comfortably went past three Pafos players inside the box. Overall, it was a night to forget for the Cypriot side.
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WHAT COMES NEXT?
Kompany's side will be back in action this Saturday in the Bundesliga as they take on Eintracht Frankfurt in an away fixture.
أبدى عدد من لاعبي منتخب مصر الأول لكرة القدم، سعادتهم العارمة، بتأهل الفراعنة إلى نهائيات كأس العالم 2026.
وكان منتخب مصر قد فاز منذ قليل على غينيا بيساو بهدف دون رد، في الجولة العاشرة والأخيرة من تصفيات إفريقيا المؤهلة لكأس العالم.
وحجز منتخب مصر بطاقة التأهل إلى نهائيات كأس العالم عقب الفوز في الجولة التاسعة على منتخب جيبوتي بثلاثة أهداف دون رد.
طالع.. وزير الرياضة: التأهل لـ كأس العالم يعكس تطور الكرة المصرية.. وسنتواجد في كل البطولات
وقال أحمد نبيل كوكا في تصريحات لقناة “إم بي سي مصر 2”: “أجواء لن تنسى، كان مهم أن نفوز لكي تستكمل الاحتفالات، شيء مهم جدًا لي ثقة حسام حسن في إمكانياتي”.
وأضاف عن الاحتراف الخارجي: “ما زال عقدي مستمرًا مع الأهلي حتى شهر 7 المقبل، ومتواجد في النادي منذ 15 سنة، وتحت أمر النادي والأهم بالنسبة لي هي مصلحة الأهلي”.
فيما عبر محمود تريزيجيه عن فرحته بتأهل المنتخب قائلاً: “الحمد لله استطعنا أن نفرح الشعب المصري، شعرنا أننا تأهلنا اليوم بالفرحة مع أهلنا، إن شاء الله نغلق صفحة التصفيات ونركز في أمم إفريقيا المقبلة”.
وأضاف: “يوم تمرين المنتخب بالنسبة لي يعادل دوري كامل خارج مصر، أنتظر أي معسكر أتواجد فيه وأرتدي قميص منتخب بلدي، الحمدلله للمرة الثانية أصل لكأس العالم، ووصلت مرتين لنهائي أمم إفريقيا ولم نوفق، وإن شاء الله نوفق في النسخة المُقبلة”.
وتابع: “معنا جهاز فني محترم وسنبدأ التفكير في أمم إفريقيا، وأحلم بالتتويج باللقب في النسخة المقبلة”.
فيما تحدث زيزو عن تأهل منتخب مصر عقب لقاء غينيا بيساو، قائلاً: “مبروك لشعب مصر، يحتاج للفرحة، أشكر كل الناس التي ساهمت في الإنجاز، كلهم يستحقون فرحة مثل هذه”.
وأضاف: “حلم من أحلامي المشاركة في كأس العالم وأشكر الجماهير التي حضرت، مباريات التصفيات كانت صعبة لكن اللاعبين كانوا أكثر تركيزًا، لدينا لاعبين على أعلى مستوى”.
A new season will soon dawn, and for Arsenal, it’s the same objective: challenge for and win the Premier League.
Having finished second for three successive campaigns, Mikel Arteta knows that this year is a big one, with the Gunners in desperate need of crowning this resurgent era with silverware.
But it’s coming together, no doubt. Bukayo Saka is fully fit once again after an injury-hit 2024/25 season; Viktor Gyokeres has signed for £63.5m to end the interminable search for a focal striker.
But a first-class left-sided forward could still be added to complete the set. Not since the days of Alexis Sanchez have Arsenal had a world-class weapon on that wing.
But it’s beginning to look like such a signing could be on the cards.
Arsenal lining up new winger
Many names have been bandied about this summer, but Arsenal are reaching a point in their transfer window in which the fog will start to clear and Arteta’s final market plans will crystallise.
Fabrizio Romano claimed at the weekend that, with Gyokeres now part of the crew, the Londoners are “working on outgoings as priority” before addressing the left flank, which could do with a new part.
But when they are ready to pounce, it looks like Arsenal have lined up Eberechi Eze as their new man.
According to Caught Offside, the Gunners should be wary of rising interest from Manchester’s biggest clubs for the Three Lions star, though it’s stressed that Arsenal remain firm favourites after their sustained efforts over the past weeks.
Previous reports have revealed that Arsenal have seen an opening bid partially accepted. To be more specific, a fixed £30m fee has been agreed between the clubs, though the structure of the remainder of Eze’s £68m release clause remains unsettled.
Why Arsenal should sign Eberechi Eze
There are many reasons why Eze would be a fantastic addition to Arteta’s Arsenal squad.
The 27-year-old, first and foremost, is an electric and versatile attacking midfielder, having gone from strength to strength across his five years at Selhurst Park, culminating his journey with the winning goal in last season’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Eze’s 25-goal contribution campaign underscores his ability to provide more than just a showreel style of play. He’s increasingly potent in the final third, capable of scoring goals himself and focusing on his creativity to aid the likes of Gyokeres.
As per FBref, he ranked among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last year for shots taken, the top 11% for shot-creating actions and the top 10% for successful take-ons per 90.
He’s quite the exciting player, all right, praised for his “special” talents by BBC Sports’ Phil McNulty.
In fact, Eze could prove to bring a bit of flair and gusto to this Arsenal side in a way that would bear a likeness to that man Sanchez, who scored 80 goals and supplied 44 assists across 166 games for the Gunners, way back when.
Obviously, Eze isn’t as good as the 36-year-old was when in his Premier League prime. It wouldn’t be a bad take to claim that he was the best player in England at the height of his success at the Emirates.
Premier League – Sanchez (16/17) & Eze (24/25)
Stats (* per game)
Sanchez
Eze
Matches (starts)
38 (36)
34 (31)
Goals
24
8
Assists
10
8
Shots (on target)*
3.4 (1.3)
3.0 (0.9)
Touches*
65.0
46.6
Pass completion
74%
82%
Big chances created
10
11
Key passes
2.2
1.7
Dribbles*
2.8
2.0
Tackles + interceptions*
2.0
1.4
Duels won*
6.4
4.8
Data via Sofascore
Sanchez really was on another level in his Arsenal heyday, wasn’t he? Eze, obviously, isn’t at that level, but he shares many attributes with the thrill-seeking Chilean, and it’s something Arteta could use to shape him into a world-beater at the present day.
Bear in mind, furthermore, that we’re contrasting Sanchez’s finest season in the Premier League against Eze’s latest with Crystal Palace. It wouldn’t be brazen to suggest that Eze’s most fruitful days lie in front of him, should he sign for Arsenal this summer.
federico-chiesa-alexis-sanchez-arsenal-opinion
Thus, it’s rather exciting to see how complete, tenacious, talented the England international is at this stage of his career, refined and built into the elite player he is, but still open to taking the next step and reaching the pinnacle.
Similarities can be traced from here to Sanchez, who established himself as a high-class forward at Barcelona but lingered in the shadow of one of football’s greatest-ever frontlines: MSN.
At Arsenal, he bloomed into an iconic frontman, hailed by Arsene Wenger as being a truly “exceptional footballer”.
He wasn’t a spring chicken when he first arrived in the English capital. The South American chose Arsenal despite the vested interest of Liverpool, penned a deal worth £35m in July 2014. He was 25 at the time.
Given that the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United are interested in Eze right now, it seems Arsenal may be primed to pull off another statement signing, reeling in a player who has his heart set on north London red.
Eze is in his prime, and he’s got a taste for trophies that could be used to spearhead this project further, up and up past these years of fighting for honours and onto the biggest, grandest stage there is: winning the Premier League, sealing the Champions League, and then defending these prizes which the talented squad so desperately desire.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzecelebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup
Given the quality of the current Arsenal attacking crop, it feels crucial that Arteta and Berta come together to get this one wrapped up.
Better than Trossard & Martinelli: Arsenal chasing £56m Eze alternative
Arsenal are looking to sign a creative player before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
Sheffield Wednesday are in a state of constant change, but their internal situation hasn’t slowed the Owls’ mission to bring in new blood as they now have a potential recruit on trial.
Danny Rohl leaves Sheffield Wednesday
Following a summer of turbulence, David Ornstein has confirmed that Danny Rohl has left his post at Sheffield Wednesday after informing his players and staff this morning of his intention to depart Hillsborough.
“Danny Rohl exits position as Sheffield Wednesday head coach. Agreement finalised for 36yo to depart SWFC – players + staff being informed this morning. German boss free to pursue next steps; expected to take some time to consider options.”
Financially, Sheffield Wednesday are in a frail position and have been unable to pay players on time in recent months. Rohl opting to leave is just the latest in a long line of exits, including Josh Windass and Michael Smith.
Dejphon Chansiri’s mismanagement of club affairs has left fans irate. On the same token, uncertainty over whether club captain Barry Bannan will commit to the Owls is another frustrating element of the current state of play.
With no imminent takeover in sight, it is hard to envisage when things will start to take a turn in the other direction. Sheffield Wednesday are in a dark period, but supporters will cling on to the hope that light exists at the end of the tunnel.
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Finding a manager to steer the club through difficult moments will be a stern task, though there is one small nugget of positivity for the Owls to cling on to amid recent developments.
Sheffield Wednesday take Reece Clairmont on trial
According to The Star, Sheffield Wednesday have signed former Arsenal winger Reece Clairmont for a trial after he left the Gunners on a free transfer at the end of last season.
The 18-year-old winger is reported to have started for an Under-21 Owls side in a 2-0 defeat to Derby County over the weekend. Whether or not he earns a contract remains to be seen, though the academy pathway is set to be heavily utilised this term in light of off-field problems.
Reece Clairmont in 2024/25 – Under-18 Premier League
Appearances
6
Goals
0
Assists
0
Alexander Asaba has also been at Sheffield Wednesday on a trial basis and started the clash, and it remains to be seen if either are set to be involved in Friday night’s clash against Scarborough Athletic.
Cost-effective solutions on the pitch will need to come into effect this season. Ultimately, budget restrictions and the threat of a Championship points deduction don’t help matters whatsoever.
Nevertheless, there is still talent in the building at Hillsborough and allowing youth a chance to flourish under new management may unearth some prodigious talent that can be sold later down the line, potentially easing the financial situation while Chansiri attempts to find a buyer.
Chelsea are reportedly closing in on their next signing of the summer for Enzo Maresca, and BlueCo are simply ironing out the final details, claims one reporter this week.
The west Londoners, following their recent confirmation of a deal for left-back Jorrel Hato, have taken their transfer spending this window to around £277 million (including their pre-agreed summer arrivals).
Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season
Average match rating
Cole Palmer
7.33
Moises Caicedo
7.02
Enzo Fernández
6.95
Nicolas Jackson
6.88
Noni Madueke
6.82
via WhoScored
Amid pressure from UEFA to balance out their squad through player sales, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are on track to secure just as many outgoings as incomings, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli, Mathis Amougou, Djordje Petrovic, João Félix, Armando Broja, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Lesley Ugochukwu all leaving Stamford Bridge permanently thus far.
Carney Chukwuemeka is expected to re-join Borussia Dortmund too, and many more could still follow the Englishman.
This will allow Chelsea to make room for a few more key additions before the transfer deadline on September 1, with two players believed to be high on the Blues’ agenda.
Maresca’s side are in pursuit wantaway Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho and talks are being held over a move for the Argentine, according to Sky Sports, with Chelsea looking to add another left-winger after Jamie Gittens.
In a big boost, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Garnacho has given his “total priority” to joining Chelsea, so the 21-year-old is very keen on a move to west London and personal terms may not be an issue.
As well as the Premier League forward, Chelsea are actively targeting RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons.
The attacker only made his move to Leipzig permanent in the winter after one and a half years there on loan, but the Dutchman is seeking a fresh challenge and has informed the Bundesliga side of his desire to join Maresca.
Now, journalist Orazio Accomando claims to have a big update.
Chelsea reach "total agreement" for Xavi Simons
Taking to X, Accomando reports that Chelsea have reached a “total agreement” for Simons, with the deal now “concluded”.
The 22-year-old, who’s racked up 21 goals and 23 assists in all competitions for Leipzig since the start of 2023/2024, is their current highest-paid player ever on a contract of around £192,000-per-week.
Interestingly, Bundesliga expert Kevin Hatchard recently alluded to rumours he’s heard about Simons’ questionable attitude, but emphasised the ex-PSG starlet’s real quality.
“He scores goals, he makes goals, he’s always trying to affect the game,” said Hatchard on talkSPORT.
“He’s a real puzzle, Xavi, because I like watching him play. I like what he brings to a game. He’s got really silky skills,” said Hatchard.
“The debate in Germany has been: Is he a team player? Does he have attitude problems? All of that.
“Now, that might be paper talk. That might be just media noise, and it just isn’t true, because there are some coaches that speak up for him. But there are also coaches that have alluded to, he could be more of a team player, his attitude could be different, etc.”
Still searching for a new No.9 even if it’s not Alexander Isak or Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool have now reportedly initiated contact to sign a 17-goal striker who once terrorised Virgil van Dijk.
After a quiet first summer in charge, Richard Hughes has silenced all doubters at Liverpool this summer. He emerged victorious in the race to sign Florian Wirtz in a British transfer record, swooped in to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold with Jeremie Frimpong and even returned to former club Bournemouth to sign Milos Kerkez. But he’s not done there.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have now made their first approach to sign Isak from Newcastle United and have told the Magpies that they’re willing to break their transfer record for the second time this summer to welcome the Swede.
Signing Wirtz was a statement of intent from Liverpool, but signing Isak would arguably blow that out of the water. The one weakness in Arne Slot’s side last season came in the No.9 role and the Newcastle star stood out as the Reds’ dream target to solve that problem. Now, in the mood to spend, he could arrive.
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That said, it almost goes without saying that it will be a complicated deal and Newcastle’s stance remains a difficult one to change. So it comes as no surprise that Isak isn’t the only name on Liverpool’s radar, with an approach also made towards Frankfurt star Ekitike, who is wanted by Newcastle themselves.
Alongside the widely reported two targets, Liverpool have also set their sights on a Premier League rival who previously dominated Van Dijk.
Liverpool make contact to sign Watkins
As reported by The Daily Mail, Liverpool have now initiated contact to sign Ollie Watkins. Those at Anfield reportedly contacted the Villans to discover details over how much a deal for the forward would cost this summer amid their PSR problems in the Midlands. Whether that means a cut-price deal can be formed remains to be seen, but there’s little doubt that Watkins would be an excellent addition.
Appearances
10
Goals
6
Assists
2
With six goals in 10 appearances against Liverpool, including a hat-trick against Van Dijk and his teammates in a stunning 7-2 thrashing in 2020/21, the Reds know more about Watkins’ quality than they’ll care to admit. Alas, five years on from that thrashing and he could at last become a teammate rather than a thorn in their side.
Villa boss Unai Emery won’t be keen to lose his star striker, and those around Villa Park will likely share that stance. The Spaniard, full of praise for Watkins during his 17-goal haul last season, told reporters: “He’s amazing. Because he’s a really hard worker and his commitment to work every day is amazing.
Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins celebrates scoring their first goal withLeonBailey
“When he is scoring goals, it’s the main objective he can have. Where he is assisting as well, he’s contributing to help the team. But even when he’s not doing both, he’s working for the team.”
Watkins’ 16 top flight goals last season was actually one more than Ekitike’s 15 in the Bundesliga, and given the difference in quality between the two leagues he could provide more guaranteed end product.
West Brom are showing an interest in completing the loan signing of a “sublime” Premier League player this summer, according to a new update.
West Brom eye signings ahead of Mason's first season
The Baggies will once again be among the favourites to seal a top six finish in the Championship next season, as is so often the case, with new manager Ryan Mason admitting he is excited about getting started at The Hawthorns.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have been appointed Head Coach of West Bromwich Albion. This is a huge club with a fantastic infrastructure and an incredible fan base and I am excited about what we can achieve together. Having spoken at length to the board and those at the club I am convinced that Albion is the perfect place for me to be and I can’t wait to get started. I will bring with me a huge amount of enthusiasm, dedication and ambition and look forward to a positive future together at such a fantastic club.”
Tottenham Hotspur assistant coachRyanMasonduring training
Mason will know that some new signings will be needed this summer, though, in order to aid West Brom’s promotion push, with Rangers forward Tom Lawrence mentioned as an experienced option who has proven himself in the past in the Championship.
Nottingham Forest left-back Harry Toffolo has also emerged as a rumoured option for West Brom, following his departure from the City Ground, with the Englishman set to be a free agent. Now, another name has been thrown into the hat for the Baggies.
West Brom want to sign "sublime" Premier League ace
According to a new update from The Express & Star, West Brom are considering the loan signing of Bournemouth midfielder David Brooks in the summer window, having joined them for £11.5m seven years ago.
The report states that a lack of regular starts for the Cherries last season means that “a departure from the Vitality Stadium, if only on a short-term basis, is considered a possibility this summer.”
David Brooks
Brooks, who scored for Southampton at The Hawthorns in a 2-0 win last year, could be a brilliant addition for West Brom, even if it’s just on loan, with the 27-year-old a gifted footballer who has been highly-rated for years, being lauded by Eddie Howe back in 2018:
“He has played ever so well for us, he has got a creative flair, non-stop energy and he took his goals really well today. He is a player that can do a little bit of everything, he is very good offensively, is creative, turns well with the ball and is very intelligent. His first goal was sublime and his second was very clever because he was running at an angle and just directed it backwards behind him which was really impressive.”
Appearances
29
Starts
9
Minutes played
952
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots per game
0.9
Key passes per game
0.7
Pass completion rate
82.2%
The fact that Brooks is struggling to be a key starter for Bournemouth means that a temporary move away could appeal to him, and he has the technical quality to be an influential performer for West Brom, helping inspire them to a return to the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur are back in the Champions League next season and riding high off their Europa League triumph in Bilbao last month, with new head coach Thomas Frank now preparing to build upon their fantastic end to 2024/2025.
The Dane is tasked with picking up where Ange Postecoglou left off, and he stands to inherit an awkward dressing room atmosphere considering just how popular his predecessor was with the Spurs squad.
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James Maddison, Pedro Porro, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray were among the players who spoke out in support of Postecoglou, but that wasn’t enough to convince chairman Daniel Levy not to part ways with the 59-year-old who ended their 17-year wait for a major trophy.
Son Heung-min
7.00
James Maddison
6.98
Pedro Porro
6.95
Dominic Solanke
6.84
Dejan Kulusevski
6.83
via WhoScored
The Lilywhites cited their torrid domestic form as the main reason behind Postecoglou’s dismissal, and it is hard to argue with a record-breaking 22 Premier League defeats which handed them a lowly 17th-placed finish in the table.
Frank must now win over the members of his new team in quick fashion, and it is very likely that the former Brentford favourite will bring in new players of his own.
Right now, Spurs are being repeatedly linked with a vast array of wingers, including the likes of West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, Man City star Jack Grealish, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, Southampton’s Tyler Dibling and Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo.
Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo places his penalty.
However, while the signing of another wide forward could be imperative, especially given Son Heung-min’s potential exit to Saudi Arabia, it is also believed that the north Londoners are keen to strengthen at centre-half again.
Tottenham were seriously hamstrung by repeated injuries to their backline last term, with Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin, Kevin Danso and Cristian Romero all sidelined for extended periods, which even required teenage midfielder Gray to provide cover at one point.
The 19-year-old filled in excellently, and you’d think the arrival of Danso in January would negate the need for another body in that area. However, Romero could well leave Spurs for Atletico Madrid, so Frank would need a replacement for the Argentine.
Tottenham preparing bid for Parma defender Giovanni Leoni
As per CaughtOffside, towering Parma defender Giovanni Leoni is now on their radar as a possible new defensive addition.
Napoli's Romelu Lukaku in action with Parma's GiovanniLeoni
The Italian has been called a “rising star” by sources within the industry, as quoted by this report, and the young 6-foot-5 colossus is a man in demand. Antonio Conte’s Serie A champions Napoli, Inter Milan and AC Milan are all expressing Serie A interest, while Bournemouth and Wolves are believed to be keen on tempting Leoni with a move to England.
Tottenham are even understood to be preparing a £21m bid for Leoni, but this won’t be enough as Parma demand closer to £30 million at least. The teenager was a regular in the top flight last season, and Parma are aware that they have a real talent on their hands, even if the right offer could put them under some pressure to sell.
Serie A has been a fruitful pool of talent for Levy in recent years, so this could be one to watch over the coming weeks, if Spurs decide to go in with a bigger bid.
With Steven Gerrard potentially on his way back to the club, Rangers could now reportedly bring an experienced star to Ibrox this summer in a surprising new role at the club.
Rangers' manager update
With the season now over, the Gers have instantly turned their attention towards finding their next permanent manager. It’s a decision that those at Ibrox must get right as the 49ers look to make an instant statement in Scotland. Just who will take to the hot seat next is the unanswered question. So far, a range of names have been linked with the role with Davide Ancelotti and Gerrard particularly standing out.
According to recent reports, Gerrard could return to Ibrox for the first time since leaving them for the chance to take charge of Aston Villa in 2021 in what may receive a mixed reaction. The Liverpool legend would certainly need to get off to a strong start back in Scotland in an attempt to get any frustrated fans back onside four years on from his departure.
StevenGerrard
Meanwhile, Ancelotti is also an interesting candidate. The assistant manager to his father, the legendary Carlo Ancelotti, for much of his career, he could now choose to break away and commence his own managerial spell.
Igniting reports, his father has chosen not to take Ancelotti to the Brazil national team with him, claiming that his son is in talks with a European club. The former Real Madrid manager told reporters: “Davide is currently in negotiations with a European team. I don’t think it’s right for him to come with me. If he goes to a club, I wish him the best. And if not, he can come back to us at any time.”
Whether that European club is Rangers remains to be seen, but Ancelotti is certainly one to watch alongside Gerrard.
Gerrard could bring Henderson with him to Rangers
If it is to be Gerrard, then he could bring a Premier League-winning captain with him to Ibrox. According to reports from the Netherlands, as relayed by The Daily Record, Rangers and Gerrard are now interested in signing Jordan Henderson from Ajax this summer in an unexpected coaching role, with the former Liverpool midfielder reportedly open to a new adventure.
It’s been a tough few years for Henderson on the pitch. His decision to leave Liverpool to join Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq side in 2023 was ultimately one that he came to regret. Meanwhile, his time at Ajax has since been mixed and he could be on his way out of the Dutch giants just 18 months after arriving. From being a Premier League-winning captain at Anfield, Henderson is at a major career crossroads.
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If anyone knows about the midfielder’s quality too, it is Gerrard. The Anfield hero played together with Henderson, currently on a base salary of £75,000-a-week, at the heart of Liverpool’s midfield for a number of years and shared high praise for his former teammate back in 2019 – telling reporters: “Some people don’t see the stuff behind the scenes, the gym work, the way he eats, but he is an incredible role model.
“He is selfless. He puts himself at the back of the queue because he looks after everyone else first. He puts Jordan Henderson last.”
Manchester United are enjoying a climactic end to the campaign and may already have made progress in pursuit of one high-profile summer target, according to Florian Plettenberg.
Manchester United put one foot in Europa League final
In what has been a strange campaign for the Red Devils, they have little to play for in the Premier League bar pride as their domestic season slowly peters out under Ruben Amorim. However, United appear nailed on to feature in the Europa League final later this month after a heroic 3-0 victory away to Athletic Club on Thursday evening.
Casemiro
Despite facing the wrath of a raucous home crowd, Casemiro’s header and a double from Bruno Fernandes kept the Red Devils’ hopes of securing a backdoor route to the Champions League alive, which is bound to be advantageous in soliciting summer transfer business.
Reports suggest that Real Madrid winger Rodrygo is a legitimate Manchester United target despite the fact it may cost upwards of £85 million to bring the Brazil international to Old Trafford.
Liam Delap and Matheus Cunha could join the Europa League semi-finalists from Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively. Still, Viktor Gyokeres is another target firmly in the sights of Amorim.
Man Utd ahead of Barcelona in race to sign £4.2m sensation alongside Biyik
The club are doing some sensible long-term planning.
ByHenry Jackson May 2, 2025
Truthfully, the outcome of Manchester United’s exploits in Europe will determine their scope of doing business. If they fail to claim silverware on the continent, there will be a scaled-back approach to dealings in light of the financial reality at the global giants.
Nevertheless, not every signing needs to cost millions, which is a philosophy Amorim seems to have taken into account after his side initiated talks with a defender who would strengthen their experienced backline.
Manchester United hold talks over move for Jonathan Tah
According to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Manchester United have held talks over a free transfer move for Jonathan Tah as his contract at Bayer Leverkusen nears expiration.
Discussions with his management have occurred, while Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid remain in pursuit of the 35-cap Germany international.
Enjoying a fine campaign at Bayer Leverkusen, the central defender has registered three goals and a solitary assist in 30 appearances across all competitions.
Dominant at the back, Tah has won 91 duels and made 146 recoveries on Bundesliga duty as his side look to secure a runners-up spot behind league leaders Bayern Munich.
Inexpensive deals that can provide high pedigree could be the way forward for Manchester United, who are still yet to determine whether they will have a sizeable amount to invest in their squad this summer.