With three matches left to play in the Premier League this season – on top of an FA Cup final in the middle of May – Manchester City still have a chance to cling onto some crumbs of pride from a sobering campaign.

Indeed, Pep Guardiola’s men are now only three points off being on the same points total as Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in second, whilst a FA Cup final victory at Wembley versus Crystal Palace would be an impressive hat-trick of successes for the Spaniard in the esteemed competition.

Restoring some pride now could also set City up for a Premier League title chase when the ball gets rolling for the eventual 2025/26 season, with the upcoming transfer window further giving the Citizens apt time to rebuild before going again.

Manchester City's midfield rebuild

Guardiola has already started to add new flavours to his regimented City side, seen in seven-goal hero Omar Marmoush immediately making an impression on the English game after a statement January move.

With Kevin De Bruyne exiting the building this summer, the midfield is in slight need of a revamp too, leading to City now being linked with players like Morgan Gibbs-White and now Barcelona ace Frenkie De Jong to bolster centrally.

Transfer Focus

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

As per reports from Spain, the Dutchman is an in-demand figure from a whole host of Premier League outfits, with Liverpool, Man CIty and Arsenal interested in signing the 27-year-old.

It’s further stated that a £34m bid could be made by Arne Slot’s title-winning Reds to try and tempt De Jong to Anfield, but City and the Gunners are still closely monitoring the Barca star’s situation to see if they can steal his services.

If De Jong can recapture the heights of his Ajax best at the Etihad, picking up such a talent for £34m will go down as a sterling bargain, with the 27-year-old also a potential upgrade on an ageing Gundogan if everything goes swimmingly.

Why De Jong could be a Gundogan upgrade

Before delving deeper into why the Dutchman might well be an inspired pick-up, it’s only right to look back at Gundogan when he was at his unbelievable peak in England.

After all, the German veteran hasn’t just fluked his sensational tally of 62 goals and 43 assists from 351 first-team appearances, but his numbers have been on an unfortunate slide this campaign.

Only five goal contributions have come his way in the Premier League this season, with De Jong amazingly only one off his ex-Borussia Dortmund’s counterpart’s total for the campaign back in La Liga.

This is a surprise considering the Barca number 21 has had many an injury setback to endure in the Camp Nou dressing room of late, but an impressive two goals and two assists have still managed to come his way, even as a mere seven league starts have been handed to him.

De Jong vs Gundogan since 2022/23
Stat (* = per 90 mins)	De Jong	Gundogan
Games played	75	98
Games scored	6	13
Assists	6	18
Pass accuracy *	91.6%	87.3%
Progressive carries	3.37	2.20
Progressive passes	9.56	6.19
Passes into final 3rd	9.73	5.21
Tackles won	1.08	0.64
Aerials won	1.10	0.47
Stats via FBref.

However, it’s over the last few seasons where we can really see the difference between the two players. Described by former Barca boss Xavi as “one of the best midfielders in the world”, he’s notably a more progressive passer and dribbler, with that no doubt a key attribute as Guardiola aims to refresh and rebuild his midfield.

Gundogan has, of course, displayed his class in the past for his current employers, but it does feel as if he’s reaching the end of his playing days now.

Whereas, De Jong – who has amassed 42 goal contributions and counting in Spain – has plenty of room to grow and impress, especially if he’s soon supplying the likes of Marmoush and Haaland with chances galore up top.

Rodri 2.0: Man City make "one of the best CMs in the world" a top target

Man City have earmarked potentially their next Rodri as a top target this summer

By
Ross Kilvington

May 2, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

da bet7k： A derrota diante do Corinthians, na semifinal da Copa do Brasil, não abalou os planos do São Paulo no mercado. A diretoria Tricolor encaminhou acordo de dois anos com o meia James Rodríguez, que estava livre no mercado, e pretende usar a mesma estratégia para tentar repatriar Lucas Moura, que está sem clube após não renovar com o Totttenham. No departamento médico, o torcedor recebeu boas notícias envolvendo Calleri, substituído no primeiro tempo do Majestoso. Confira as notícias!

RelacionadasSão Paulo!Empolgou! Após acerto com James Rodríguez, São Paulo cruza os dedos por retorno de Lucas MouraSão Paulo27/07/2023São PauloPor São Paulo e competitividade do futebol brasileiro, James Rodríguez recusou oferta dos EUASão Paulo27/07/2023São PauloRelembre a passagem de James Rodríguez na Grécia antes de acertar com o São PauloSão Paulo27/07/2023

da 888casino： BAILE DA COLÔMBIA NO MORUMBI

O São Paulo encaminhou a contratação do meia James Rodríguez. As negociações para o Tricoor avançar na contratação do colombiano duraram cerca de 30 dias até que o clube do Morumbi avançasse para um vínculo de dois anos com James, que ainda não assinou o contrato. (Clique e leia a matéria completa)

E O LUCAS MOURA?

O São Paulo espera o encerramento da janela de transferências na Europa para fazer uma investida mais incisiva e tentar repatriar o atacante Lucas Moura. (Clique e leia a matéria completa)

CALLERI NÃO PREOCUPA!

Após ser substituído no primeiro tempo do Majestoso, Jonathan Calleri não teve lesão diagnosticada na coxa direita. Contudo, o  centroavante segue tratamento no mas segue no Reffis do São Paulo para tratar dores na região. (Clique e leia a matéria completa)

Manchester City might win the FA Cup next week, but it won’t be a consolation for the dismal season they have endured in the Premier League and Champions League.

Knocked out of the latter by Real Madrid in February, City’s title challenge was effectively over by the turn of the year.

Pep Guardiola made key signings in January, although he will be keen on adding a few more players to his squad in the summer.

Could he be set to raid the Bundesliga once again?

Man City's search for a striker

As reported earlier this week by German news outlet Bild, City have now joined the race for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitiké this summer.

They signed Omar Marmoush in January from the same club and it appears as though they are looking to raid them once more.

Liverpool and Arsenal have been heavily linked with the Frenchman of late, but Guardiola looks ready to make his move.

Due to the clubs chasing him, Frankfurt have placed a price tag of €100m (£85m) on his head, which might deter a few potential bids.

City have made their fair share of signings from the German top flight over the years, but it was their capture of Edin Dzeko which set the club up for their first Premier League title.

Hugo Ekitike could be City’s next Edin Dzeko

Dzeko joined City midway through the 2010/11 campaign – following his own prolific stint in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg – and enjoyed a solid first few months, scoring six times for the club.

The 2011/12 season saw the Etihad side claim their first ever Premier League crown and Dzeko netted 19 times in all competitions under Roberto Mancini.

A pure out-and-out striker, the Bosnian ended his spell at the club by scoring 72 goals across 198 matches, a more than respectable outlay. That followed the 85 goals he had scored in just 142 games during his time in Germany.

A potential German import like Dzeko, Ekitike certainly has his own qualities in front of goal. That much is known. For Frankfurt this season, he has found the back of the net on 15 occasions in the Bundesliga.

Furthermore, he has also created 12 big chances and succeeds with 1.6 dribbles per game, indicating that he offers more than just a clinical nature in front of goal.

Metric

Bundesliga

Europa League

Goals

15

4

Assists

7

3

Big chances created

12

6

Shots per game

3.5

2.2

Total duels won per game

4.2

4.3

During the formative years of his career, many expected him to go on to achieve big things, with sections of the media believing he “could be the next Mbappe” after he was linked with a move to Newcastle in 2022.

The youngster might not have hit the highs of the current Real Madrid sensation, but optimism is there that his career has been revived at Frankfurt following a disappointing spell with PSG.

Compared to his peers in the Bundesliga, Ekitike ranks in the top 9% for total shots (3.82), assists (0.29), shot-creating actions (3.52) and successful take-ons (1.9) per 90 over the previous 365 days.

Not merely content with being a pure striker, the Frenchman offers plenty in the final third. While £85m might put City off, if they can bring this price down, a move could be on the cards.

Transfer Focus

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

While Guardiola does already boast a Sergio Aguero-esque talisman in Erling Haaland, Ekitike could represent the perfect understudy – just as Dzeko was all those years ago.

Instant Marmoush upgrade: Man City targeting "world class" £85m star

Man City will be aiming to strengthen this summer

ByRoss Kilvington May 10, 2025

Australia captain “really easy” about some of the squad arriving late, having taken time off to unwind after the IPL

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jun-2024Mitchell Marsh, Australia’s captain at T20 World Cup 2024, will not bowl in the initial part of the tournament but hopes to be able to do so in the latter stages.Marsh, who was ruled out of the IPL midway due to a hamstring tear, has had a much slower recovery than initially expected. He didn’t bowl during Australia’s warm-up matches against Namibia and West Indies either.”Yeah, I won’t be bowling early on in the tournament,” Marsh said on Saturday. “And I always joke as captain – I hope I won’t bowl late in the tournament either. But yeah, I’ll progress that slowly over the next 10-12 days and hopefully be available for them at the back end of the tournament.”Related

Australia down to nine players for T20 World Cup warm-ups

For their warm-up matches, Australia had only nine players available from their 15-member squad. At one stage, they had four substitutes on the field comprising head coach Andrew McDonald, batting coach Brad Hodge, fielding coach Andre Borovec and national selector George Bailey.Travis Head, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis were the ones who were to join the camp late. Except for Stoinis, all the others were involved in the IPL playoffs. Marsh was asked his opinion on the players having joined the camp late. Australia play their first game against Oman in Bridgetown on June 5.”For me, it’s really easy,” he said. “We really value a bit of family time. The guys have obviously been at the IPL, which I think is great preparation for a World Cup. And then, yeah, just the value of seeing their families and getting them in their own bed for one or two nights is really important. As a whole, we’ve all bought into that and it’s really easy to do.Mitchell Marsh won’t be in action with the ball for a little while yet•Getty Images”We have still got [Mitchell] Starc and Maxi [Glenn Maxwell] to arrive this morning, or lunchtime. But after that we are all here. I think for the guys to get a couple of days at home is really important for us as a group and for them personally. Obviously, it takes a few days to get here from Australia so that adds a few challenges but they’ll be ready to go come the 5th.”Did Australia learn anything from their two warm-up games, having won one and lost the other? “I think we got exactly what we needed to get out of those games,” Marsh said. “Obviously, Hodgey won’t be available for selection, not quite up to it (laughs). So that was disappointing for him, he misses out. But yeah, for the guys who have had time off at home, to come back and get a bit of game time, that’s really all I needed from those practice games. So we certainly feel like we’re ready to go now.”This is the biggest-ever T20 World Cup, comprising 20 teams. And unlike the last couple of editions, there is no qualifying round before the tournament proper starts. According to Marsh, that adds a lot of excitement to the tournament.”I think it certainly feels like a World Cup,” he said. “I got presented a Ugandan playing shirt the other day in our team hotel and that was a really special moment. And it’s things like that, it’s not just about the cricket throughout these World Cups, it’s about opportunity and teams have earned the right to be here. I think that adds a lot of excitement to the whole tournament, so it’s really special, I think.”However, he offered dead defence when asked if there should have been a longer break between the end of the IPL and the start of the T20 World Cup.”I don’t really have an answer to that question and I don’t make those decisions – so as a group we’re here to win. Things may look a little bit disjointed at the beginning and I think most teams are in the same boat with guys that are playing the IPL or coming out of the shop. But that’s the nature of the beast of international cricket these days. We come from all over to tours and we’ll get around each other the next few days and come together and kick off on the field for us.”

da doce： Leeds United did manage to seal the Championship title with a bumper 100 points come the end of the 46-game marathon, but Daniel Farke’s side certainly made life a lot harder for themselves in the goalkeeper department.

da casino： Illan Meslier’s error-prone performances between the sticks nearly proved costly, resulting in the German having to bring in stand-in keeper Karl Darlow for the final few tense clashes of the second-tier campaign.

Whilst the ex-Newcastle United stopper did prove himself to be a solid performer in goal, it’s unlikely that Farke will solely rely on the Wales international to be his outright number one in such a daunting division.

Therefore, a whole host of new faces are being linked to step up and take on the first team mantle in goal, with this alternative target now being tipped to make the switch to Elland Road over the heavily fancied Caoimhin Kelleher.

Leeds' pursuit of a new keeper

Kelleher is one of the main names being touted to become Farke’s brand-new number one ahead of Premier League football returning to West Yorkshire, with the Irishman reportedly available for around the £30m mark.

He is mentioned as a possible Meslier replacement by the Daily Mail too, but the new report from the Mail does suggest that other top-flight experienced ‘keepers are on the Leeds agenda, such as ex-Arsenal man Aaron Ramsdale.

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ reserve keeper Sam Johnstone is also floating about as a potential number one option, but if Leeds want to land an even more impressive buy than Kelleher, they should be going all in for Ramsdale over other figures.

The 27-year-old has suffered from shaky performances here and there, but he was once Mikel Arteta’s concrete first-team choice at Arsenal, where he proved himself as a top performer at an intimidating level.

Why Ramsdale would be even better than Kelleher

Of course, Kelleher has never been able to prove himself as a number-one option at Anfield, having always played in the shadows to the likes of Allisson.

But, regardless of whether he’s been given a fair crack under Arne Slot and other Reds bosses or not, if Leeds can land a far more experienced keeper at the level in Ramsdale for a slightly cheaper £25m, it feels like a pick-up they should prioritise over the promise of the 26-year-old coming good as a main starting presence.

At one point during his topsy-turvy Gunners career, Ramsdale was on cloud nine with his imperious displays in between the sticks, with this unbelievable save coming during the 2021/22 campaign that saw the ex-Sheffield United stopper collect an impressive 12 clean sheets from 34 league outings.

Heralded as “phenomenal” by ex-Arsenal legend David Seaman off the back of his glimpses of quality at the Emirates, it will just be up to Ramsdale to try and reach these lofty heights once more, donning a Leeds strip.

After all, he is well accustomed to the trials and tribulations of a relegation battle, having just accumulated a high 4.2 saves per Premier League tie for basement side Southampton.

Ramsdale’s overall PL numbers

Stat

Ramsdale

Games played

183

Matches won

70

Losses

89

Saves made

595

Penalties saved

3x

Errors leading to goals

6x

Goals conceded

278

Clean sheets

41

Stats from the Premier League

The table above definitely reinforces how experienced Ramsdale is in the Premier League, despite only being a year older than Kelleher, with a near 200 games now played in the elite division. To add context, as a back-up face at Liverpool, his Cork-born counterpart has barely hit 30 clashes at 25 overall.

Therefore, whilst he will have an error in his back locker like Meslier, Leeds fans would surely feel more confident that the 27-year-old would come good over the gamble of Kelleher at £30m.

It will be fascinating to see who the Whites do eventually pick up in his vital position, knowing they cannot rely on Meslier if they are to beat the drop.

Related Gnonto 2.0: Farke continuing Leeds talks to sign £10m “physical monster”

Leeds United might secure their next Wilfried Gnonto by purchasing this £10m-rated youngster.

Posts ByKelan Sarson May 30, 2025

Barcelona may be forced to delay Joan Garcia's registration as Marc-Andre ter Stegen weighs up surgery on a recurring back injury.

Ter Stegen weighing up second back surgeryBarca could unlock funds via injury exceptionJoan Garcia’s registration depends on captain’s decisionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Barcelona are waiting on a crucial medical decision from club captain Ter Stegen that could impact their transfer activity. The German goalkeeper is still struggling with recurring lower back problems and could undergo another surgery, which would sideline him for up to four months. The 33-year-old, who previously underwent a similar procedure in December 2023, has not trained during pre-season and is set to miss the club's tour of Japan and South Korea.
With pre-season underway and the La Liga opener approaching, coach Hansi Flick is keen to have clarity over who will be his starting goalkeeper and whether Joan Garcia can be included in the squad.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE

If Ter Stegen opts for surgery and is ruled out for the long-term, Barca would receive around €2 million in compensation from FIFA and be allowed to use 80 per cent of his annual salary for a replacement under La Liga’s injury exception rule. That would allow the club to register new goalkeeper Garcia, formerly of Espanyol, who is still awaiting clearance. Barca are currently outside La Liga’s 1:1 rule, meaning they must balance income with outgoing contracts and sponsorships before registering new signings.

Wojciech Szczesny, who recently signed a new deal, is also pending registration but does not qualify under the injury exception rule due to him signing a new contract after his previous one had expired. Barca would need to free up additional funds through sales, sponsorship income, or by activating a new financial lever, such as the VIP box revenue transfer currently under audit by Crowe.

DID YOU KNOW?

Barca used the same injury exception mechanism last season to register Dani Olmo after Andreas Christensen was ruled out. The club hope to include new VIP seat revenue in the audit to boost their financial fair play margin and allow them to register other players.

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

All eyes are now on Ter Stegen’s decision now, if he agrees to surgery, Barca can move quickly to register Garcia for the upcoming campaign. However, if the captain delays or avoids surgery, the club will need to pursue alternate methods to get Garcia and Szczesny on the books. Either way, Barca's ongoing financial struggles and salary cap limitations will continue to shape their transfer window strategy.

Derbyshire two down and 176 behind in second innings after being made to follow on

ECB Reporters Network31-Aug-2024

Wayne Madsen scored a century but couldn’t prevent Derbyshire following on•Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Sussex go into the final day of their Vitality County Championship match against Derbyshire as clear favourites to extend their lead at the top of Division Two with their sixth victory of the season.But some resolute batting by the Derbyshire batters second time round has given them an outside chance of saving the game. In their first innings Derbyshire had been 24 for 4 in reply to the massive Sussex score of 607 for 7 declared. But after being asked to follow on, 317 runs behind, they ended the third day on 141 for 2, still 176 in arrears.Openers Harry Came and Luis Reece dropped anchor with a first-wicket stand of 46 in 23.4 overs as they saw off the opening burst from Ollie Robinson and Jaydev Unadkat with the Kookaburra ball. At 29 for 0 after 16 overs the Sussex captain John Simpson – who was influenced by the fading light – switched to his spinners. And it was James Coles qho made the breakthrough in the 24th over when Reece, sweeping, was caught by Fynn Hudson-Prentice at deep backward square leg for an 88-ball 27.At 47 for 1, just before tea, the players went off for bad light, and were off the field for an hour. But tea was taken and ultimately only four overs were lost. When play was resumed Brooke Guest was more positive, striking three fours and sweeping Carson for six before he fell lbw on the back foot to the Sussex spinner. But then Came and first-innings batting hero Wayne Madsen defied the Sussex attack with an unbroken half-century third-wicket stand.In an extended morning session, Derbyshire had been bowled out for 290, having started the day on 178 for 6, still a massive 429 runs behind. Madsen, resuming on 79, scored 138, his 38th first-class century and his fourth against Sussex. He faced 210 deliveries, striking 21 fours and three sixes. Offspinner Jack Carson, following his nine wickets in the previous match against Yorkshire, had figures of 5 for 90, becoming the first Sussex spinner to return a five-for against Derbyshire since Chris Waller in 1985.Zak Chappell was first out, lbw to Carson for 25 as he attempted to slog-sweep, having added 54 with Madsen. Jack Morley was less obdurate, losing his middle stump to one that turned sharply from Carson for a seven-ball duck. But Madsen found another ally in Daryn Dupavillon, the pair adding 47 for the ninth wicket.Madsen decided to take the attack to Carson, hitting him for 16 from three deliveries, with successive leg-side sixes, before hoisting the bowler to deep midwicket. Dupavillon was last out, having hit three fours and two sixes in his 54-ball 28. He was bowled by Henry Crocombe, and wicketkeeper Simpson had to take evasive action as the ball ricocheted off the stumps.

أشاد لاعب نادي مانشستر سيتي بقدرات محمد صلاح، نجم نادي ليفربول، واختار الدولي المصري كأصعب لاعب واجهه على مدار مسيرته الكروية بالكامل.

ويعتبر محمد صلاح من بين أبرز اللاعبين على مستوى العالم خلال السنوات الأخيرة، وقدم ابن الـ33 عامًا مستويات ولا أروع مع ليفربو،  وقاد الريدز للفوز بلقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز مرتين، عامي 2020 و2025.

وواجه محمد صلاح، مانشستر سيتي، خلال السنوات الماضية مرات عديدة، واستطاع الملك المصري تسجيل العديد من الأهداف في مرمى الفريق السماوي.

اقرأ أيضًا .. كاراجر يتغنى بـ هالاند: أعظم هداف في تاريخ الكرة الإنجليزية

ويرى جوسكو جفارديول، مدافع نادي مانشستر سيتي، أن محمد صلاح هو أصعب لاعب واجهه في مسيرته الكروية، وذلك في مقابلة مع شبكة “إي إس بي إن”.

وقال جفارديول عند سؤاله حول أصعب اللاعبين الذين واجههم في مسيرته: ”حسنًا ، سأقول ليونيل ميسي ومحمد صلاح، وإيرلينج هالاند كذلك في التدريبات”.

وعن أفضل قلوب دفاع في العالم بالنسبة له، اختار جفارديول الثلاثي مانويل أكانجي وجون ستونز ، إلى جانب روبن دياس، رفاقه في مانشستر سيتي.

وعن أفضل اللاعبين في تاريخ الدوري الإنجليزي أجاب جفارديول: ”سأذهب إلى اختيار كيفن دي بروين، ليس هناك ما يمكنني أن أقوله عنه، نفتقده كثيرًا”.

وأوضح: ”عندما كنت صغيرًا كنت اعتاد على مشاهدة واين روني كثيرًا، هناك سيرجيو أجويرو أيضًا”.

واختار جفارديول كلًا من ماتيو كوفاسيتش وماتيوس نونيس، زملائه في مانشستر سيتي، إلى جانب مواطنه كريستيان ياكيتش، لاعب نادي أوجسبورج الألماني، كأقرب اللاعبين له خارج المستطيل الأخضر.

واختار جفارديول ميسي وكريستيانو رونالدو، نجم البرتغال والنصر السعودي، إلى جانب أسطورة إنجلترا المعتزل، دافيد بيكهام، كأشهر اللاعبين في العالم.

These world class forwards gave Joško Gvardiol a tough time 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/GDjojVNMp7 — ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) October 5, 2025

Glasgow Rangers have failed to win the Scottish Premiership title in each of the last four seasons, having last lifted the trophy under Steven Gerrard in 2021.

The English head coach led the Ibrox giants to the title in the 2020/21 campaign, going unbeaten in the process, and none of his successors have been able to match that feat.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale, Philippe Clement, and Barry Ferguson have all tried and failed to win the division in the subsequent four seasons.

During that season, Gerrard had an excellent squad that were able to deliver consistently brilliant performances on the pitch, and Ryan Kent was one star who stepped up time and time again.

The English winger racked up ten goals and nine assists in 37 appearances in the Premiership, as he provided a regular threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals for the Gers.

However, Rangers have failed to find another left-winger as influential as Kent since he left Ibrox on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, which is one of the problems that the 49ers should sort out this summer.

Why Rangers need their next Ryan Kent

During the 2024/25 campaign, Clement and Ferguson did not have a regular starter in the left wing position, as several players played out wide on the left.

Hamza Igamane, a centre-forward, and Ianis Hagi, an attacking midfielder, are two players who were utilised in that role, whilst Nedim Bajrami and Oscar Cortes failed to deliver enough quality at the top end of the pitch.

Rangers have already confirmed that Hagi will be released by the club at the end of his contract this summer, and Igamane is a centre-forward by trade, so he should not be a long-term option on the left wing.

That leaves Bajrami and Cortes as the left-wing options for the new head coach to assess in pre-season, and their respective performances in the Premiership do not suggest that they are good enough to be the first-choice in that role.

Appearances

24

28

10

Goals

4

2

0

Big chances created

6

4

0

Key passes per game

1.7

1.0

0.4

Assists

5

1

0

As you can see in the table above, neither player managed more than three goal contributions in the top-flight, whilst Cortes did not provide a single goal or assist in his ten appearances in the division.

This does not suggest that they are likely to reach the incredible tally of 19 goals and assists that Kent managed when Rangers last won the Premiership title under Gerrard.

Therefore, it should come as good news to Rangers supporters that the club are reportedly interested in a deal to bring a new left winger to the club ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Rangers eyeing deal for Leeds star

According to TEAMtalk, Rangers are eyeing up a deal to sign winger Largie Ramazani from Premier League side Leeds United in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Light Blues have emerged as a potential suitor for the Belgian forward, who only started seven matches in the Championship on his side’s way to the league title.

Transfer Focus

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

It states that Ramazani has shown ‘flashes of brilliance’ since his £10m transfer from Almeria last summer, but the Gers are now hoping to capatilise on his lack of minutes by swooping for him this summer.

TEAMtalk adds that the Scottish giants are monitoring his situation at Elland Road for now, and that a decision could be made on his future by Daniel Farke during pre-season, which means that any move is unlikely to happen until next month.

Sporting director Kevin Thelwell should, now, push for a deal to be done whenever Leeds make a final decision over his future because he could finally replace Ryan Kent at Ibrox.

Why Largie Ramazani could finally replace Ryan Kent at Rangers

First and foremost, Ramazani is a natural left winger who likes to play on that side of the pitch to cut inside onto his stronger foot, just as Kent did during his time in Glasgow.

Whereas, Bajrami is more of an attacking midfielder who wants to be in central positions. Cortes is a natural left-winger, like Ramazani and Kent, but his return of zero goals and zero assists in ten league games simply was not good enough this season.

Despite his lack of game time at Elland Road, the £10m-rated winger showed plenty of signs of the kind of quality that he could deliver as a regular starter on the left flank.

The Whites star, who was described as an “explosive” forward by journalist Joe Donnohue, scored six goals and provided two assists in 28 matches in the Championship, despite starting just seven times.

Ramazani also produced three goals and five assists in 16 starts in LaLiga for Almeria during the 2023/24 campaign, which shows that he can perform well in Europe’s major leagues.

Appearances

29

Starts

7

xG

4.67

Goals

6

Touches per game

16.0

Big chances created

1

Assists

2

As you can see in the table above, the 23-year-old star was clinical in front of goal, outperforming his xG, and landed eight goal contributions despite only averaging 16 touches per game.

For context, Kent averaged 58.8 touches per game in the Premiership during the 2020/21 title-winning campaign, and Bajrami averaged 34.6 touches per match in the league this term.

Now, imagine the kind of impact Ramazani could have at the top end of the pitch, bearing in mind what he did with minimal touches at Leeds, if he had between 34 and 58 touches a game on the left wing week-in-week-out in the Premiership.

The exciting attacker could thrive as a regular starter at a lower level in Scotland, reviving his career after a season of riding the bench for the most part, and that is why he could finally be the replacement for Ryan Kent that the Gers desperately need.

Dessers upgrade: 49ers want to make "living legend" 1st Rangers signing

The 49ers are interested in making this star their first signing for Rangers, and he could be an upgrade on Cyriel Dessers.

ByDan Emery Jun 3, 2025

It now remains to be seen whether Russell Martin, who is reportedly set to be the new head coach at Ibrox, would be interested in working with the Leeds dynamo.

All-rounder Lewis Goldsworthy hit a career-best 67 as Leicestershire Foxes maintained their push to win a place in the quarter-finals of the Vitality Blast with a five-wicket victory over East Midlands rivals Notts Outlaws at the Uptonsteel County Ground.New Zealand’s Jimmy Neesham backed up Goldsworthy’s performance with 44 from 22 balls as the Foxes won with an over to spare – despite having been six for three at the start of their chase – condemning the Outlaws to an eighth defeat in what has been comfortably their worst season in the current Blast format.With seven of the nine North Group counties chasing four qualifying places in a tight finish to the group season, the Foxes have 14 points but may still have to defeat group leaders Birmingham Bears in their final fixture at Edgbaston next Friday if they are to go through.Ben Martindale, the 21-year-old left-hander, made 44 from 42 balls – his best in a fledgling T20 career – and skipper Joe Clarke 39 from 23 as the Outlaws made 160 for six, a mid-innings collapse rescued to a degree at the death by Liam Patterson-White (28 from 16) and Lyndon James (22 from 11), Scott Currie taking two for 35 for the Foxes.But it was a score that proved not enough despite Olly Stone taking two for 22 from his four overs, Rehan Ahmed chipping in with 34 from 38.Having opted to bat first, the Outlaws would have been pleased to be 49 without loss from six given their recent form. After taking only 10 runs from the first 16 deliveries, Clarke and Martindale plundered seven boundaries from the next 20.Clarke lifted a Rehan full toss over the short boundary on The Meet side of the ground for his second six, quickly adding two more fours, but the partnership was broken on 68 as he fell to a catch on the cover boundary.After a tentative start, Martindale grew in confidence, reverse pulling six off Goldsworthy but Notts were checked again in the 11th when Jack Haynes was caught at deep midwicket in a wicket-maiden by Josh Hull.Martindale briefly broke free from a Foxes squeeze as he slogged Currie over the midwicket rope but an attempted repeat was brilliantly caught by Louis Kimber, keeping the ball in the air as he crossed the boundary and stepping back to take it inside.Matt Montgomery and Tom Moores fell cheaply as the Outlaws slipped to 115 for five in the 17th but Liam Patterson-White, who hit back-to-back sixes off Hull before being caught off Currie off the penultimate ball, joined Lyndon James (22 not out off 11) in adding 45 from 20 balls to give the innings substance.Indeed, 160 looked a decent total as the Foxes made a calamitous start, losing Sol Budinger, pulling to deep backward square, and Peter Handscomb, miscueing to extra cover, and Rishi Patel, bowled off an inside edge, to be six for three from 14 balls.It could have been much worse for the home side, with two difficult slip chances and one comparatively comfortable return catch put down, Patterson-White giving Rehan a life on 21 in the third instance. As it was, by the halfway point, with no further losses, the Foxes needed 100 runs to win.Rehan was caught at mid-off off James after the fourth wicket pair had added 76 but Goldsworthy, on loan from Somerset, chose the right moment to make his biggest contribution so far, hitting two sixes and six fours in a fine innings before holing out to deep midwicket off Patterson-White.He added 54 with Neesham for the seventh wicket, leaving 25 more to get with his departure, the New Zealand all-rounder going most of the way to finishing the job with three sixes and two fours before Louis Kimber drove Fazalhaq Farooqi for the winning boundary.