The left-arm spinner picked up 3 for 29 from his four overs in the opening game of IPL 2025
ESPNcricinfo staff22-Mar-2025
Krunal Pandya picked up 3 for 29•Associated Press
Doubts need to be allayed nearly every day in the IPL, but Ajinkya Rahane made a good start to his captaincy stint at Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring 56 off 31, but KKR failed to capitalise on the breathtaking partnership between him and Sunil Narine. Put in, they were 107 for 2 in ten overs when Narine was dismissed for 44 off 26 but added only a further 67 in the second half. The death overs went at under a run a ball.Krunal Pandya led the comeback of Royal Challengers Bengaluru with the wickets of Rahane, Rinku Singh and Venkatesh Iyer in an overall analysis of 4-0-29-3. Suyash Sharma, the former KKR player who got off to a poor start, made a big contribution in his final over with the wicket of Andre Russell with a wrong’un.The drying up of the runs in the end was not too different to how Josh Hazlewood forced KKR into a slow start. The first three overs brought just nine runs and the wicket of Quinton de Kock. The new ball stopped a little and went a little up and down.Once Rahane got started with a gift on the leg side, the next seven overs produced 98 runs. Rahane was brutal, putting a low price on his wicket and taking risks every time he could. Narine went from 1 off eight to score 43 off the next 18 balls he faced. It involved taking down his former team-mate, legspinner Suyash, whom he played like an offspinner.Krunal, though, pulled things back once Narine got out to Rasikh Salam. He even tried a bouncer in a spell in which he kept changing the pace often. Two of his three wickets were bowled, which was a tribute to his accuracy.Hazlewood and Yash Dayal closed out superbly for RCB to give them what looked like an easy target provided Narine and Varun Chakravarthy didn’t cause much damage.
Ruben Amorim could not hide his frustration after Manchester United succumbed to yet another defeat in the Premier League at the hands of Brentford on Saturday. The Red Devils' misery under Amorim continued as they are now winless in their last eight away games in the English top-flight and are currently struggling at the 13th position on the league table.
United faced another loss in Premier League
United conceded two early goals as Igor Thiago scored a brace within the first 20 minutes of the match, taking advantage of the Red Devils' sloppy defending. Benjamin Sesko then scored his maiden goal for the club in the 26th minute to keep United alive in the match. Unfortunately for the English giants, captain Bruno Fernandes missed yet another penalty in the second half as Mathias Jensen's 95th-minute goal sealed crucial three points for the Bees.
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Amorim opened up on conceding from a long ball
Speaking to reporters after the match, a frustrated Amorim told : "The first ball was a long ball after a recovery. We work on that during the week. Set pieces we work on that also. We knew that the long balls and then first touch and they have the opportunity and the goals were like we were doing during the week. We need to do better."
He added: "The feeling is always the same. Of course, we want to win. I think we didn’t control the game. We played the game of Brentford. Really confused. Second balls, first balls, set pieces. And all the crucial moments, they were against us. Tough to lose again but we need to think about the next one."
Amorim jeered by Brentford fans
The home fans at the Gtech Community Stadium were heard chanting, "You’re getting sacked in the morning!" to mock Amorim as the United boss looked dejected on the sidelines during the Premier League clash.
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Is Amorim's future at Old Trafford doubtful?
Pressure is mounting on the Portuguese boss as United's poor form continues in the Premier League. While Amorim still has the support of the club management, his position might come under danger if things do not improve drastically. United, however, will have to fork out a staggering fee in compensation if they plan to sack the manager in the middle of the season.
R Ashwin, who retired from international cricket last year, is set to receive a special award
PTI31-Jan-2025
Sachin Tendulkar will be the 31st recipient of the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award•AFP via Getty Images
Sachin Tendulkar is set to receive the Colonel CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award at the BCCI’s annual awards ceremony on February 1. Jasprit Bumrah has been chosen for the Polly Umrigar Award for the best international cricketer for 2023-24 in the men’s category while Smriti Mandhana has been picked for the corresponding women’s trophy.Tendulkar will be the 31st recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was instituted in 1994 in honour of India’s first captain CK Nayudu. Tendulkar retired from international cricket having played for more than two decades after debuting as a 16-year-old in a 1989 Test against Pakistan. His 200 Test and 463 ODI appearances are the highest by any player in history, as are his runs tally in both formats: 15,921 in Tests and 18,426 in ODIs. He also played one T20I, India’s first ever, against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2006.Bumrah, who was also named the ICC Cricketer of the Year earlier this month, was India’s standout bowler in the assessment period, playing a pivotal role in India lifting the T20 World Cup in June. He picked up 15 wickets in eight games at an economy of 4.17 and was named the Player of the Tournament. Apart from that, he was also instrumental in India’s Test series win against England at home.Mandhana, who was named the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2024, was India’s best woman batter across formats. Apart from scoring 149 against South Africa in the one-off Test in Chennai, she notched up 117, 136 and 90 in successive ODIs against the same opponents.Ashwin set to receive special awardR Ashwin, who retired from international cricket in December 2024 as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, will be given a special award. Ashwin made his Test debut in 2011 and played a defining role in India’s 12-year domination in the longest format at home wherein they won 18 series on the trot.Sarfaraz Khan was picked for the Best International Debut Award among men for his quick-fire fifty against England in the Rajkot Test in February 2024.Among women, Asha Sobhana has been chosen for the award for Best International Debut for her 4 for 21 against South Africa to help India win by 143 runs in the first ODI at Bengaluru in June 2024. Offspinner Deepti Sharma will be awarded for finishing as the highest wicket-taker in ODIs in the awards period.Mumbai allrounder Tanush Kotian, meanwhile, will be awarded for the Best Performance in BCCI Domestic Trophy. He scored 502 runs and took 29 wickets in ten games to help Mumbai win Ranji Trophy 2023-24.
Everton’s new ownership have wasted no time flexing their financial muscle in this summer’s transfer market.
The Friedkin Group, fresh from completing their takeover of the club, have already sanctioned high-profile deals – most notably a season-long loan for Manchester City star Jack Grealish.
They’ve also added 22-year-old French striker Thierno Barry in a £27.6 million move from Villarreal and made Carlos Alcaraz’s loan from Flamengo a permanent deal.
It’s a window that has seen a shift in ambition at Goodison Park. David Moyes, back in charge for his second stint, has been given resources that far exceed the budgets of recent seasons.
Everton are now positioning themselves to compete for targets that would have been considered out of reach not long ago. Yet the Merseyside club aren’t finished.
Reports in Italy and England claim Everton have sounded out a forward with genuine pedigree. A towering, left-footed centre-forward whose physicality and presence evoke memories of Goodison cult hero Duncan Ferguson.
Duncan Ferguson
Like Ferguson, he has an uncompromising edge to his game, and relishes aerial duels.
While Everton’s new No. 9 Barry will be learning the ropes in the Premier League, this potential arrival could bring not only goals, but valuable advice for the Frenchman’s development.
Everton make approach for Serie A striker
According to journalist Sébastian Vidal, that target man is none other than Juventus forward Dusan Vlahović.
The Serbian international, still just 25, has been on Everton’s radar since the opening weeks of the window. With a reported price tag of around £26m, his signing would represent a major coup.
According to Vidal, Everton made a “big move” for the former Fiorentina man, only for Vlahović to turn it down, signalling his intent to see out his contract in Turin.
Juventus finished last season in fourth place with 70 points, securing a return to the Champions League after missing out the previous year.
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Vlahović was a key contributor, registering 10 goals and four assists in Serie A, and adding two goals in three matches at the Club World Cup.
Valued at €35m (£30m) by Transfermarkt – down from a peak of €85m (£73m) in 2022 – Vlahović still carries a reputation as one of Europe’s most complete strikers. If they can change his mind, Everton would be securing a significant coup…
Why Vlahović could have been Ferguson’s heir
Standing at 1.90m, he combines physical dominance with a sharp football brain, able to drop into channels, hold up the ball, and turn defenders with deceptive agility.
He’s particularly effective inside the penalty area, where his movement pins defenders before he darts into space to meet a cross or latch onto a through ball.
Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic and Samuel Mbangula celebrate.
According to data from FBref, his 2024/25 campaign underlines his all-round ability: 14 goal contributions in 29 games, 1.3 shots on target per 90, and 2.1 shot-creating actions.
He wins nearly half of his aerial duels, while his dribbling and link-up play allow his side to retain possession in high-pressure areas.
It’s no surprise ournalist Emmet Gates previously described him as a “Ferrari” with the potential to be “a generational talent.”
For Everton, the attraction goes beyond numbers. There’s a symbolic appeal – a forward with Ferguson’s stature, swagger, and menace.
The fans still idolise “Big Dunc”, who scored 60 of his 68 Premier League goals in Everton colours and was handed “Everton Giant” status in 2011.
Ferguson, at 1.93m, made a career out of bullying centre-halves, thriving in physical contests and using his body to protect the ball.
Duncan Ferguson
Vlahović mirrors that approach, but with a modern twist – adding superior ball-carrying ability, more varied movement, and a knack for combining with runners from deep.
Both are left-footed, both thrive in the air, and both carry a streak of competitive aggression that unsettles opponents.
For Everton, this was not just a chase for a name, but for a tactical fit.
Moyes’ system demands a focal point up top – a striker who can bring wide players and attacking midfielders into the game, hold possession under pressure, and still carry a goal threat in and around the box.
Vlahović would have ticked every box, and his presence could have eased the adaptation period for Barry, giving the youngster a role model in training.
The refusal doesn’t spell the end of Everton’s ambition in this window.
With funds available and a clear strategy, the club are already assessing alternatives who can deliver a similar blend of physical presence and finishing ability.
They may yet return for Vlahović if Juventus’ stance changes later in the summer, particularly if the player has a rethink about his next career move.
For now, the Friedkin Group’s intent is clear.
Dusan Vlahovic scores at Club World Cup for Juventus.
Landing Grealish, strengthening across the spine of the team, and targeting players of Vlahović’s calibre signals a club aiming to leave behind years of underachievement.
Supporters, long starved of a side capable of competing for Europe, have reason to believe this is the start of something more ambitious.
While Vlahović won’t be walking out in blue this weekend, the fact Everton were in the conversation for a player of his quality says plenty about the club’s new trajectory.
He's like Dibling: Everton looking at signing "special" £35m English star
Everton target former Chelsea and Arsenal star after Dibling pursuit goes cold.
Arsenal’s busy summer transfer activity continues.
So far, the Gunners have made three signings, with Kepa Arrizabalaga arriving to be the new back-up goalkeeper, while two midfielders have also joined, namely Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and Christian Nørgaard from Brentford.
Meantime, as has been widely reported, Noni Madueke is poised to arrive from Chelsea for £52m, while they continue to pursue Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze.
On top of all that, could Mikel Arteta now set his sights on a highly-rated youngster?
Arsenal chasing another Spanish midfielder
With Mikel Merino and now Zubimendi in the squad, Arsenal are continuing their tradition of Spanish midfielders, as the table below documents.
Martín Zubimendi
Real Sociedad
2025-present
Zero
Mikel Merino
Real Sociedad
2024-present
44
Dani Ceballos
Real Madrid
2019-21
77
Santi Cazorla
Málaga
2012-16
180
Mikel Arteta
Everton
2011-16
150
Cesc Fàbregas
Barcelona
2003-11
303
With apologies to Denis Suárez and Fran Mérida, who didn’t make the cut, there are some very popular players on that list, and Dani Ceballos as well, including the current manager of course, so could Arteta be aiming to add another Spaniard to his ranks?
Arsenal manager MikelArtetareacts
Well, according to Caught Offside, both Arsenal and Chelsea have made contact with Barcelona about the possibility of signing Marc Casadó, having lodged an enquiry amid that interest.
They add that Casadó has a €100m release clause, that’s around £86m, and that Barça’s ‘preference is to keep the player’, although they are open to selling for the right price – said to be around €50m (£43m).
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Other reports in Spain state that Arteta believes he fits into his style of play perfectly, so could the 21-year-old soon swap Catalonia for North London?
How Marc Casadó would improve Arsenal
A graduate of la Masia, Casadó made his senior Barcelona debut during a Champions League dead-rubber against Viktoria Plzeň in November 2022, making 41 senior appearances for the Catalan giants, 36 of which came last season, very much his breakout campaign.
FC Barcelona's MarcCasadocelebrates scoring their second goal with teammates
Despite not being one of the first names on the team sheet, Casadó impressed, with arguably Barça’s best-ever defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets commenting that the potential heir to his throne was playing at a “spectacular level”.
So, let’s assess his statistics at Barcelona last season.
Appearances
36
16th
Starts
29
10th
Minutes
2,447
11th
Completed passes
1,682
7th
Progressive passes
154
8th
Passes into the final third
182
6th
Shot-creating actions
64
9th
Tackles
77
2nd
Interceptions
25
8th
Touches
2,122
8th
Ball recoveries
120
8th
Average SofaScore rating
7.03
10th
As the table reaffirms, Casadó was a key figure for Barcelona as they won the domestic treble this season, ranking especially highly when it comes to tackles, but also completed passes and passes into the final third, underlining that he is an all-rounder.
To add to this, Domagoj Kostanjšak of Total Football Analysis praised his ‘crisp close control and great decision-making in possession’, while Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout highlights ‘control and work rate’ as his primary attributes.
Thus, it is clear that Casadó is a high-quality talent that would certainly improve Arsenal’s squad.
Based on their transfer activity, a clear midfield hierarchy has been established, with Zubimendi as the starter and Nørgaard his deputy.
As outlined by Phil Costa of Arseblog news, Arsenal know what they’re getting from Nørgaard, who is going to add ‘experience, leadership and know-how’ while being an excellent ‘ball-winning midfielder’ who will cover a lot of ground.
Where does that leave Casadó then? Well, the midfield maestro could represent an instant upgrade on the ex-Bees skipper, with the table below emphasising the stylistic difference between the pair.
Passes attempted
75.5
44.4
Passing accuracy %
89.89%
82.71%
Duels contested
9.7
9.4
Ground duel success %
58.45%
52.61%
Aerial duel success %
28.12%
61.9%
Tackles
2.5
2.6
Interceptions
1.3
1.6
Ball recoveries
5.1
6.2
Touches
88.8
60
As the table outlines, while Nørgaard’s out-of-possession statistics are impressive, Casadó’s are pretty comparable across the board, aerial duels aside, while the Spaniard’s passing numbers are exponentially more impressive.
The Dane will be a solid and reliable option but, if Arsenal want to add potential and in-possession quality to their ranks, an ambitious move for Casadó could be on the cards.
Odegaard 2.0: Arsenal in pole position for £87m "superstar" after Madueke
The incredible internatinal could be a game-changer for Arsenal.
Tottenham Hotspur could hijack Nottingham Forest’s move for an “unbelievable” forward, amid the fall-out surrounding their pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White, according to a report.
Forest considering legal action after Spurs approach Gibbs-White
Spurs’ pursuit of Gibbs-White has proven to be controversial, with Forest ceasing all communication after alleging that an illegal approach had been made for the midfielder, which means the deal has now stalled.
The Tricky Trees have reported Spurs to the Premier League, and it is currently unknown whether the transfer will be blocked entirely, although super agent Sky Andrew has suggested Daniel Levy may have to simply pay more to get a deal over the line.
Andrew said: “If it goes to arbitration, where it must go within the football rules and regulations, then Forest will have to prove that the club went directly to the player or to the agent. Most clubs know that it is very difficult to prove.
“So, this is a case now of how much will the buying club pay for the player. It won’t be £60 million, it will probably have to be more.”
Chief flies to London for transfer talks with £100k-per-week Tottenham star
He could leave Spurs this summer.
ByEmilio Galantini Jul 13, 2025
The Lilywhites will no doubt have been left frustrated by the deal stalling, but they could now have an opportunity to get one-up on Forest, with a report from The Standard revealing they are in the race to sign one of their Premier League rivals’ major targets.
Tottenham reportedly remain in the race for Brentford star Yoane Wissa, having submitted an enquiry earlier in the transfer window, at which point they were told that it would take an offer of £50m to tempt the Bees into a sale.
Forest have also set their sights on the forward, having recently had a £20m bid knocked back, indicating Spurs could hijack the deal if they are willing to put a higher offer on the table.
Yoanne Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo celebrate for Brentford.
That said, Brentford have made it clear they are unwilling to sell both Bryan Mbeumo and Wissa in the same window unless they receive a huge bid, so it could be difficult to get a deal done.
"Unbelievable" Wissa emerged as Premier League star last season
The 28-year-old was one of the best-performing forwards in the Premier League in the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 19 goals, the sixth-highest tally in the top flight, while also providing five assists in 35 outings.
Courtesy of his performances last term, the DR Congo international was lauded for his “unbelievable” quality by former manager Thomas Frank, and it is an added bonus that the Spurs boss knows the forward very well.
As such, Wissa could be a solid signing for Tottenham this summer, with the France-born forward’s goal and assist tally suggesting he could justify a £50m price tag, although the fact his contract is set to expire next summer means a lower fee would perhaps be more fair.
Celtic will be going in search of the domestic treble in the 2025/26 campaign after they failed to secure all three Scottish trophies in the last two seasons.
Brendan Rodgers returned to Parkhead in the summer of 2023 and has won two domestic trophies in each of his first two terms back in Glasgow so far.
Celtic managerBrendanRodgerscelebrates after winning the League Cup
The Northern Irish head coach won the Scottish Premiership title and the SFA Cup in his second season, before losing to Aberdeen on penalties in the final of the SFA Cup.
Celtic also got through to the play-off stage of the Champions League, losing to Bayern Munich over two legs, and they may target more progress on the European stage.
The Hoops will need to be active in the summer transfer window in order to bolster their squad to kick on next season, and they already have one deal over the line.
Kieran Tierney will officially re-sign for the Premiership champions at the start of July after his contract with Premier League side Arsenal expires at the end of this month.
Why Kieran Tierney is an exciting signing
The Scotland international is an exciting addition for Rodgers and Celtic this summer because he is a proven performer who could come in and hit the ground running next term.
Tierney came up through the youth ranks at Paradise and made his breakthrough at first-team level with the Hoops before his big-money move to the Gunners back in 2019.
As you can see in the graphic above, the Scottish defender won five Premiership titles with the club and made the best part of 200 appearances before moving down south.
Six years on from his Parkhead exit, Tierney is now set to return to Glasgow and will provide Rodgers with a reliable option at left-back when fit and available, because he has been there and done it in the league and with Celtic, which is why this is an exciting deal.
However, there is also cause for concern with the 28-year-old star’s arrival this summer, because he has consistently suffered with injury problems throughout his career.
Kieran Tierney’s injury history
Season
Injuries
Days missed
Games missed
24/25
1
160
18
23/24
3
103
21
22/23
0
0
0
21/22
2
116
17
20/21
4
87
19
19/20
1
97
19
18/19
5
140
27
17/18
1
23
5
16/17
1
86
16
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, the experienced ace has only missed fewer than 16 matches through injury in a season twice in the last nine campaigns for Celtic and Arsenal combined, which suggests that he is not likely to be available week-in-week out for the Hoops next term.
This means that the Scottish giants could need to bring in another left-back to play when the Bhoys academy graduate is unavailable, and the club have been linked with an interest in a teenage defender who could be an even more exciting signing than Tierney.
Celtic's interest in teenage full-back
At the end of last month, Sponichi Soccer, as relayed by The National, reported that Celtic are one of a number of teams interested in a deal to sign Djurgardens left-back Keita Kosugi in the summer transfer window.
The outlet claimed that Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Italian side Atalanta are also eyeing up a swoop for the 19-year-old defender, as they look to bolster the depth in their respective squads.
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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It did not reveal, however, how much money it would take to convince the Swedish side to part ways with their impressive Japanese left-back this summer, so it remains to be seen how much the Hoops would have to pay for his services.
The interest from PSG and Atalanta does show, though, that Celtic could find it difficult to get a deal done for the defender because they would have to convince him to turn down the chance to play in one of Europe’s major leagues.
It is now down to the club to press ahead with a swoop for the Djurgardens star, because he could be an even more exciting signing than Tierney this summer.
Why Kosugi would be more exciting than Tierney for Celtic
Whilst the Scotland international is a proven Premiership performer who could come in to make an instant impact as a known quantity for Celtic, he represents the past more than he does the future.
Tierney, although he still has some years ahead of him at the age of 28, has shown that he cannot be consistently available due to his constant injury problems, which means that the club may not be able to rely on him moving forward as a go-to option every week.
Kosugi, meanwhile, is 19 and has the majority of his career ahead of him and could go on to be Celtic’s first-choice left-back for many, many, years to come.
He has also yet to suffer a significant injury in his career, with no injury absences listed on Transfermarkt, which suggests that the youngster is more likely to be available week-in-week-out in comparison to Tierney.
Kosugi, who was dubbed “impressive” by video scout Elijah Michiels, also showcased his quality in the Conference League for the Swedish club in the 2024/25 campaign, as shown in the clips above.
Keita Kosugi
2025 Allsvenskan
24/25 Conference League
Appearances
12
11
Goals
0
2
Key passes per game
1.3
0.9
Big chances created
1
5
Tackles + interceptions per game
3.2
3.2
Clearances per game
3.5
3.5
Duel success rate
50%
53%
Stats via Sofascore
The 19-year-old defender, as shown in the statistics above, is a full-back who has shown that he can combine offensive output with defensive strength, particularly in Europe.
Kosugi, who was described as a “standout” in the Conference League by Jacek Kulig, can provide goals and creativity whilst also making plenty of tackles, interceptions, and clearances each match.
Meanwhile, Tierney averaged 0.7 tackles and interceptions per game and created two ‘big chances’ in 13 appearances in the Premier League for Arsenal this season.
Overall, Kosugi could be a more exciting signing than the Scottish defender because of his potential to play week-in-week-out, coupled with his age profile and his superior performances in comparison to Tierney during the 2024/25 campaign.
Celtic could sign Matt O'Riley 2.0 in swoop for "unplayable" star
Celtic could repeat their Matt O’Riley masterclass by swooping to sign this star.
By
Dan Emery
Jun 5, 2025
That is why the board must push to win the race for the 19-year-old starlet’s signature ahead of PSG and Atalanta, as difficult as that may seem, this summer.
Glasgow Rangers have a lot of work to do during the summer transfer window as they go about building a squad that can compete for the Scottish Premiership title next season.
Russell Martin arrived at Ibrox earlier this summer as the new head coach and the new boss will be aiming for success in his first year in charge.
The Gers manager has inherited a team that ended the 2024/25 season without a single trophy to show for their efforts, which illustrates how big the job ahead of him is going to be, as he is not taking on a side that is ready to hit the ground running next term.
Plenty of work is already going on to alter the make-up of the squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, as the Light Blues confirmed the signing of Lyall Cameron on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old Scottish midfielder has joined on a free transfer from Dundee to bolster Martin’s options in the attacking midfield positions next season.
What Lyall Cameron could bring to Rangers
One thing that stands out about Cameron is that he has already amassed plenty of experience in the Premiership at a young age, with 65 appearances in the league since the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
This means that he could hit the ground running at Ibrox as a player who has already played plenty of matches in the division in the last two years, which means that he knows what to expect physically and tactically.
His performances in the Premiership in the 2024/25 season also suggest that the midfield whiz could be an exciting addition to the squad as a player who can make a big impact at the top end of the pitch.
Cameron, who can play as a central midfielder or as an attacking midfielder, ended the campaign with a haul of nine goals and five assists in 33 outings in the league for Dundee.
Shots on target
20
Top 4%
xG
3.80
Top 7%
Goals
9
Top 4%
xA
4.78
Top 10%
Chances created
54
Top 4%
Assists
5
Top 9%
As you can see in the table above, the Scottish maestro ranked highly among his positional peers in the division when it came to scoring and creating goals as an attacking midfielder.
These statistics suggest that Cameron could arrive as an exciting addition, given his ability to make things happen in front of goal, but the Gers are now looking to sign another attacker who would be even more exciting for Martin.
Rangers hopeful of deal to sign new winger
According to STV News, Rangers are ‘hopeful of concluding’ a swoop for Peterborough United winger Kwame Poku during the summer transfer window.
The report claims that the Light Blues believe that they are in pole position to secure a deal for the Ghana international, whose contract with the English side expires at the end of this month.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It adds that the Ibrox giants would be due to pay a minimal training compensation fee to Peterborough for Poku if a move goes through as expected, due to his age and UEFA’s cross-border compensation rules.
STV News also reveals that the Light Blues are hopeful of bringing Max Aarons, who came through the Norwich academy during Martin’s time in Norfolk as a player, to the club from Bournemouth, in what is likely to be a loan deal.
Kwame Poku in action for Peterborough.
If the Gers can finalise a move for Poku on a ‘free’ transfer in the coming days, Rangers could have an even more exciting signing than Cameron for their new head coach.
Why Kwame Poku is more exciting than Lyall Cameron
The 23-year-old’s form for Peterborough in the 2024/25 season suggests that he has the potential to provide even more quality than the former Dundee man at the top end of the pitch for the Gers next term.
Poku, who plays as a left-footed attacker on the right flank, could come in as a direct replacement for Vaclav Cerny, who returned to Wolfsburg this summer, and potentially offer even more of a threat than the Czechia international from the right wing.
The Wolfsburg loanee caught the eye with his performances for the Gers during the 2024/25 campaign, but the Light Blues may be set to sign an even better talent.
Appearances
27
33
Goals
12
12
Big chances missed
3
6
Big chances created
9
6
Assists
8
4
Dribbles completed per game
1.9
1.4
Dribble success rate
47%
46%
As you can see in the table above, the Posh wizard scored more goals per game than the former Rangers sensation, whilst also delivering far more quality as a creator for his teammates in the final third.
This suggests that Poku, if he can translate his form over to the Premiership, could improve the team’s attack next term by offering plenty of quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals, as shown by his output in League One this term.
The left-footed magician, who was dubbed “outstanding” by reporter Lukman Evergreen, has shown that he can score and create goals at an impressive rate, even scoring three more goals and providing three more assists than Cameron managed in the Premiership last term.
This means that Poku could carry an even greater threat than the new Rangers signing in front of goal next season if Martin can get a deal over the line for the Peterborough star in the coming days, as this latest report suggests that they will.
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The right-sided winger would be an incredibly exciting signing for Martin at Ibrox because of his potential to be an upgrade on Cerny, and his potential to deliver even more quality at the top end of the pitch than Cameron.
Liverpool’s defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday stretched Arne Slot’s winless run to three matches, with the Reds last tasting victory at Anfield against Tottenham Hotspur at the end of April.
Ah, that was the afternoon Liverpool sealed their 20th Premier League title. All good, then. Though Slot will be immensely disappointed with his team’s struggles over the past three weeks, context will temper his frustrations, with the squad out celebrating their triumph in Dubai last week, instead of being at Kirkby, training for their clash at the AMEX.
1.
Liverpool
20
1=
Man United
20
3.
Arsenal
13
4.
Man City
10
5.
Everton
9
While standards have slipped, understandably so, the blip carries the undertow of a deeper issue that Slot has wrestled with across the season.
Rotation has been minimal in the Premier League this year, with the head coach seemingly unimpressed with some of his fringe stars.
That’s why FSG are acting incisively to bring in a range of changes this summer. Jeremie Frimpong is slated to replace the outgoing Trent Alexander-Arnold, and it looks like bringing in Milos Kerkez is the next port of call.
The latest on Milos Kerkez to Liverpool
Though it feels like there’s little need to panic, Liverpool fans will hold off on celebrating the acquisition of Bournemouth full-back Kerkez until the deal is done and dusted.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has claimed that ‘talks are advancing’ between the two clubs, with Kerkez himself desperate to make the move to Merseyside.
But the Hungarian talent has been “absolutely exceptional” in the Premier League this year, as put by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley, so important for Andoni Iraola’s high-flying side.
So then, is it any surprise The i News are claiming Manchester City are ready to rival Liverpool for the £45m-rated player’s signature?
Liverpool are still firm frontrunners, but have yet to table an official bid and City’s enquiries are born from real interest in bringing him to the Etihad.
Sporting director Richard Hughes has a lot to sift through, but he’s managing it well, having already shortlisted a potential alternative.
Liverpool enter race for defender
As per Sky Germany, Liverpool might be prioritising a deal for Kerkez, but that hasn’t stopped them from adding Ajax’s Jorrel Hato to the shortlist.
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While Caught Offside understand Chelsea currently lead the race for the dynamic Dutch defender, Liverpool likely trail only because they have focused their principal attention elsewhere.
But FSG can ramp up the gas at any given moment.
Ajax Amsterdam's JorrelHatocelebrates after the match
Hato is expected to fetch a transfer fee worth €55m (£46m), and the suitors will be emboldened by Arsenal dropping their long-term interest after the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Why Liverpool want Jorrel Hato
Kerkez would be the dream for Liverpool, but it’s a promising thing that Hughes and co are mapping out alternative options. The 19-year-old Hato, to be sure, has the potential to match or even exceed his Hungarian positional peer, having been instrumental from a young age in his homeland, already having made 111 senior showings for the club, hitting 13 goal contributions.
Jorrel Hato in action for Netherlands
Profiled as a tactically astute player by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Hato is a dynamic and versatile player with a strong set of core qualities, which make a firm comment on his potential success at Slot’s Liverpool.
Kulig even went as far as to say he’s “one of the most talented CBs of his generation” after breaking onto the big stage in 2023, while scout Antonio Mango has described him as “one of the best young talents in football”. Now this player of “immense quality” – as per Kulig – is proving himself worthy on the flank, too.
As per FBref, Hato ranks among the top 2% of full-backs in the Dutch Eredivisie this season for pass completion, the top 12% for assists, the top 6% for touches in the attacking box and the top 5% for through balls made per 90, bespeaking a flowing passing game that could be perfect for ‘Slotball’.
Even in his nascence, Hato’s vast experience in central defence could further his chances of earning a move to Merseyside, a dream Kerkez alternative but one whose prowess could be called upon to ease the centre-halves duties, especially if Jarell Quansah is to leave, as reported by Sky Germany, and Andy Robertson keeps his place in the senior squad next season.
Left-back
88
4
8
Centre-back
70
3
3
Central midfield
1
–
–
Left midfield
1
–
–
Kerkez might be a more natural wide defender, but that in itself doesn’t mean Anfield should head down that route. Analyst Asim Mahmood has even claimed the Hungarian “needs a lot of coaching/development to mould him into an Arne Slot full-back.”
Whether this is wholly true is open to discussion. The 21-year-old has hit seven goal involvements in the Premier League this year, winning 60% of his ground duels and completing 80% of his passes. Kerkez has made a key pass a game, and Slot has already demonstrated his capacity to enhance exciting young talents.
Maybe it’s time to forget the Bournemouth left-back, who would cost FSG something in the same ballpark as Hato but perhaps isn’t a perfect stylistic fit.
Milos Kerkez for Bournemouth
Indeed, Kerkez requiring coaching to align with the Liverpool boss’ tactics is fine, but why bother making that investment when the Ajax starlet could be signed with a ready-made skill set.
Hato feels extremely Slot-esque with his distinct brand of possession-focused football. This isn’t to the detriment of his creativity, though, shackled by his own desire to tick things along. As per Sofascore, Hato’s 90% pass success rate in the Eredivisie has led to six assists, with two goals scored too.
Moreover, Hato has won 4.1 duels, made 1.9 tackles and recovered 4.2 loose balls per game, all denoting a roundedness that stretches into firm defensive roots and an innate athleticism, charged by some inexhaustible wellspring of energy that has sadly left Robertson’s arsenal this year.
Kerkez’s entourage would no doubt point toward their man’s superiority from an attacking standpoint, ranking higher across such relevant underlying metrics this season, but Hato would suggest he has been more economical with his attacking productivity, hitting eight direct contributions to Kerkez’s seven.
Robertson’s 31, but he’s still been a regular feature in a team of Premier League champions, and for the second time at that. But this is a new era at the club, and Slot needs to be trusted with placing his own stamp on the squad.
Jorell Hato for Ajax.
If Liverpool are stuck between the two transfer targets, it might be worthwhile for Slot to walk down his trusted Dutch road and seal a deal for Hato’s, whose unique qualities would leave him in a fantastic position to dovetail right into the high-flying team.
Even better than Huijsen: Liverpool make £59m "beast" their top target
Liverpool are acting like champions as they prepare to strengthen Arne Slot’s squad considerably this summer.
Manchester United are now in advanced talks to sign a midfielder who’s “out of this world”, but there could be competition for his signature from rivals Manchester City, according to a report.
Man Utd planning summer rebuild
Man United are on course for their lowest-ever Premier League finish, sitting in 14th place with just six games left to play, and Roy Keane was extremely critical of the players’ mentality after the 4-1 defeat against Newcastle United.
Andre Onana’s performances have been a cause for concern, with the Cameroonian being dropped in favour of Altay Bayindir against Newcastle, while Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have just six Premier League goals between them this season.
As such, Ruben Amorim is planning a serious rebuild this summer, with FC Porto’s Diogo Costa and Angers’ Yahia Fofana among the targets between the sticks, while Premier League duo Liam Delap and Matheus Cunha have been identified as potential options at striker.
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According to a report from Spain, Amorim may also be keen to strengthen in midfield this summer, with it being revealed Man United are now in advanced talks with the agents of Atalanta star Ederson, although there may be competition for his signature from Man City.
Doubts over the futures of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen mean United have now stepped up their pursuit of the Atalanta midfielder, and they are ahead of their rivals in the race, but he will not come cheap.
The Italian club could hold out for a fee of €60 (£52m), given his importance to the side, and they are in no rush to sanction the Brazilian’s departure.
"Out of this world" Ederson impressing for Atalanta
It is little wonder two of England’s biggest clubs are now keen on the 25-year-old, given that he has been impressing for Atalanta for quite some time, making 12 appearances en-route to their Europa League triumph in the 2023-24 campaign.
Fabio Capello also singled the Brazil international out for particularly high praise earlier this season, saying: “He is out of this world for his ability to combine running, physicality, technique and intelligence”.
With doubt over Casemiro’s future, it could be important for United to bring in a defensively adept midfielder this summer, and the Atalanta maestro certainly fits the bill in that regard, given that his tackling ability was regularly on display last season.
Ederson could be the perfect heir to Casemiro, who is now in the twilight years of his career at 33-years-old, so it is exciting news that Man United are in advanced talks with his agents.