Aston Villa are leading the race to sign an “amazing” new forward, who has now told his club he wants to leave, amid a poor start to the season.
Emery wants more from Villa despite recent resurgence
Unai Emery has silenced the speculation over his future as manager by guiding Villa to five wins on the bounce in all competitions, but the Spaniard still wants more from his players, despite the recent resurgence.
Speaking after the 2-1 victory away at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Emery said: “There is still work to do. Players need to increase their level, some of them have been injured.
“When we can have more players to choose from, it is better for the coach and our performance.”
Morgan Rogers is certainly rediscovering his best form, starting the Villans’ comeback against Tottenham with a remarkable strike, while Donyell Malen has also started to put in some much better performances, bagging a brace in the 2-1 win against Burnley earlier this week.
Despite improved displays from their attacking players, Aston Villa are still looking to strengthen their forward line, according to a report from Spain, which states they are the club best-positioned to sign Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo.
Villa have taken the lead in the race for Kubo’s signature, and there is a feeling a deal could be possible in the January transfer window, given that the forward has told the Spanish club he wants to leave, amid a very disappointing start to the season.
With Real Sociedad currently in the La Liga relegation zone, the Japanese attacker has made it clear he sees his future elsewhere, and there is a feeling he would command a fee of at least €30m (£26m).
Aston Villa now looking to sign £26m assist king, Emery thinks he's perfect
The Villans have joined the race for a new midfielder, with Unai Emery personally a keen admirer.
ByDominic Lund Oct 20, 2025 "Amazing" Kubo could be risky signing for Aston Villa
The 24-year-old has received praise for his La Liga performances in the past, being dubbed “amazing” by football scout Jacek Kulig, but he could be a risky signing for Aston Villa, having not exactly set the world alight in recent times.
The Japan international has registered just one goal and zero assists in La Liga this season, although he has impressed with his dribbling over the past year, placing in the 92nd percentile for successful take-ons per 90, when compared to other attacking midfielders and wingers.
Opta also revealed the Sociedad star has been one of the Spanish side’s most influential attacking players since the 2022-23 campaign.
As such, Kubo clearly has the talent to succeed at Villa Park, and signing him could be a gamble worth taking for a fee of around just £26m.
كشفت تقارير صحيفة عن وقوع حادث مروع تسبب به حارس مرمى الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بأحد أندية الدوري الإيطالي الكبيرة.
ونشرت صحيفة “لا ريبوبليكا” أن حارس مرمى الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي إنتر ميلان، تسبب في دهس رجل مسن بسبب قيادته للسيارة بسرعة شديدة.
وقالت الصحيفة إن حادثة مروعة وقعت في إيطاليا تتعلق بجوزيب مارتينيز، حارس مرمى إنتر ميلان، إذ دهس الحارس رجلًا مسنًا على كرسي متحرك بسيارته، مما أدى إلى وفاته على الفور.
وقعت المأساة في تمام الساعة 9:30 صباحًا في فينيجرو بالقرب من مدينة كومو، وباءت كافة عمليات الإنقاذ بالفشل وتوفي الرجل، البالغ من العمر 81 عامًا في الحال.
اقرأ أيضًا | ماتيو لاهوز يناقض تصريحاته بشأن لقطة مثيرة للجدل لـ برشلونة أمام ريال مدريد
ووفقًا للتحقيقات الأولية، من المُحتمل أن يكون الرجل قد عبر الطريق المعاكس عن طريق الخطأ، مما تسبب في الحادث.
تم استدعاء طائرة إسعاف كومو، وسيارة إسعاف تابعة للقطاع الطبي في سارونو وقوات كارابينيري إلى موقع الحادث.
وكشفت الصحيفة أن حارس الفريق الإيطالي البالغ من العمر 27 عامًا لم يُصب بأي أذى لكنه شعر بصدمة بالغة جراء الحادث.
واختتمت أنه تم إغلاق الشارع لمزيد من التحقيقات بينما ألغى إنتر المؤتمر الصحفي لكريستيان كيفو ولن يشارك جوزيب مارتينيز في مباراة الفريق ضد فيورنتينا المقرر إقامتها غدًا.
Leeds United would have traveled to Molineux on Saturday hoping to kick Vitor Pereira’s Wolverhampton Wanderers when they’re down.
After all, the hosts had lost every Premier League game they had competed in before Daniel Farke’s men came to town. That misery continued against the Whites, as the often goal-shy visitors managed to collect a convincing 3-1 win on their travels.
Both Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin would break their ducks in the forward areas, with Calvert-Lewin’s bullet header proving to be vital in turning around a contest that saw Wolves take an early lead.
On top of both the Swiss international and the ex-Everton marksman combining to devastating effect, the midfield ranks also stood out throughout, with Farke now hopeful he has Leeds’ next Kalvin Phillips at his disposal, having had a whole host of midfield talents come and go during his up-and-down stint in the Elland Road dug-out.
Leeds' best midfielders since Phillips left
Farke would never have the privilege of working alongside the beloved former Whites midfielder, with the Yorkshire-born favourite already deep into his poor playing days at Manchester City when the German took on the managerial reins.
Still, since taking on the esteemed job post, Farke has come face-to-face with some top talents in the middle of the park, with Archie Gray shining on occasion centrally under the ex-Norwich City manager’s wing, when he wasn’t being drafted into the lineup as a makeshift full-back.
Unfortunately, while Gray, who mainly played at right-back, was solid and composed, he just didn’t offer the same goal and assist threat as Phillips before him, with Glen Kamara, the same season the 19-year-old had his breakthrough moment, also providing a steady, if unflashy, presence in the midfield department.
As per Opta, Kamara would average a stunning 93.4% pass accuracy across the full second-tier season, but again, the goals and assists weren’t there.
Thankfully, new recruit last season in Ao Tanaka managed to combine both goals and calm play on the ball to be an instant success story, with Farke even going as far as to laud the Japanese international as “unbelievable” for what he can provide.
Yet, Leeds might well have an even brighter talent now that rivals Tanaka’s burst onto the scene, with Farke possessing the next coming of Phillips subsequently.
The Leeds player who is the new Kalvin Phillips
While Phillips did routinely compete in the second tier during his celebrated Leeds stay, the former England international really did make a name for himself at his boyhood club at the very top of the English game.
Therefore, a second coming of Phillips will also have to look assured and lively in the Premier League, with Anton Stach definitely passing that test against Wolves last time out.
Indeed, with the game finely poised at 1-1 after Calvert-Lewin’s equaliser, Stach would hammer home this outrageous free-kick to hand Farke and Co. the slim 2-1 lead.
Amazingly, that effort, sailing past Jose Sa, was the first time a Leeds player had scored their first-ever Premier League goal via a direct free kick since Phillips pulled off the ridiculous same feat back in 2021.
Games played
5
29
Goals scored
1
1
Assists
1
2
Touches*
56.0
65.0
Accurate passes*
29.6 (77%)
41.0 (85%)
Tackles*
2.0
2.6
Clearances*
2.6
1.7
Total duels won*
5.8
5.3
The table above further suggests that Stach has even more common in his overall play with that of the 29-year-old during his peak years at Elland Road, away from just comparing audacious free-kick goals.
Overall, Stach is a tenacious and tireless midfield talent, away from firing home sweet strikes like the one at Molineux, with a high 5.8 duels won on average so far this season, even bettering Phillips’ 5.3 average during his debut standout season in the Premier League.
The hope will be that the German goes down as being as beloved as Phillips, as Leeds make instant survival look easy, with the 26-year-old often flying under the radar in his native country as an “underrated” gem, as he was once labelled by journalist Bence Bocsak.
Now, away from lining up for Hoffenheim, the brand new Whites number 18 on English soil might find he grows more and more into a Phillips-level player, as Leeds commend their transfer business in landing the well-rounded battler for just £17.4m.
Not Okafor or Stach: Farke's 9/10 hero looked like "Leeds' best player"
This Leeds United star outshone both Noah Okafor and Anton Stach at Molineux.
Cody Gakpo was honest in his reflection of Liverpool's performance at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with Chelsea grabbing a late winner through Estevao Willian in the fifth minute of stoppage time. The defeat was "hard to take" for the Dutchman, who believes that the visitors played "better" football than the hosts and deserved to come away with a more positive result.
Chelsea earn three points through dramatic late Estevao winner
The hosts broke the deadlock in the 14th minute after a screamer from Moises Caicedo. Gakpo pulled one back for the Reds in the 63th minute after an assist from Alexander Isak, but his efforts were in vain as substitute Estevao's dramatic winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time further compounded Arne Slot's misery.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportLiverpool find themselves stuck in a rut
The defeat at Stamford Bridge on Saturday was Liverpool's third successive defeat across all competitions. After recording five wins from their opening five league games, they slipped to defeat against a resilient Crystal Palace side last weekend. Further chinks in their armour were exposed in the drab defeat to Turkish giants Galatasaray in the Champions League earlier this week. The result on Saturday will have officially rung alarm bells at Anfield, with Arsenal knocking the defending champions off their perch in the Premier League standings.
'Losing three games in a row not good enough' – Gakpo
The scorer for Slot's side reflected on the loss to Chelsea after the game. "It's difficult [to take]. I think obviously we play against a really good team," he told Sky Sports. "First half they scored an amazing goal but I think it was level. Second half we fight really hard for the equaliser and we played a little better than them but they were dangerous on counter. To concede last minute is hard to take."
He shared his thoughts on the reigning champions' concerning form. "I don't want to say low on confidence. I understand what you mean," Gakpo stated. "In this time the things don't fall our way. Maybe five games ago they did fall our way. This is part of football. we have to take it on our chests and keep on fighting. we have to keep pushing.
"When you play at a club this big it's normal when you lose three games in a row that it's not good enough. We know that as players. We are very much aware of the situation. We know what to do, which is going back to the winning ways."
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Getty/GOALWin against Man Utd paramount for Liverpool
Slot's troops will be desperate to turn things around after the upcoming international break. They couldn't have hoped for a better game to get out of their rut. Indeed, they will take on Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, with the Merseyside outfit enjoying a fantastic recent record against their rivals.
اختتم منتخب مصر للشباب مواليد 2007 بقيادة المدير الفني وائل رياض معسكره الذي انطلق في الثامن من شهر أكتوبر الحالي، بالفوز على نجوم المستقبل 4-1 في التجربة الودية الأخيرة بالمعسكر المفتوح الذي أقيم في مركز تدريب المنتخبات الوطنية بمدينة السادس من أكتوبر.
ومن جانبه أكد وائل رياض علي نجاح معسكر المنتخب للاستقرار على العناصر الأساسية للمنتخب لخوض المباريات المقبلة في مرحلة الإعداد للمشاركة في المنافسات الرسمية.
طالع.. وائل رياض يعلن قائمة منتخب مصر مواليد 2007.. ضم لاعبين محترفين
وواصل وائل رياض المدير الفني لمنتخب 2007، بأن المنتخب يستعد خلال الفتره القادمة للمرحلة الثانية من خوض مباريات مع منتخبات قوية في نفس الأعمار السنية لتجهيز شباب الفراعنة للمنافسات الرسمية.
ويضم الجهاز الفني لمنتخب مصر للشباب مواليد 2007، وائل رياض مديراً فنياً ويساعده شريف عبد الفضيل وأحمد رؤوف وإبراهيم عبدالجواد مدرب حراس المرمي ومحمود حرب المدير الإداري والدكتور قاسم قدري مخطط أحمال وأحمد مصطفي محلل أداء.
أعلن حسام حسن المدير الفني لـ منتخب مصر، التشكيل الأساسي للفراعنة في مباراته أمام جيبوتي، بالمواجهة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن التصفيات المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026.
وتقام المباراة بين مصر وجيبوتي، على أرضية استاد العربي الزاولي، في إطار لقاءات الجولة التاسعة من تصفيات كأس العالم.
ويتواجد منتخب مصر في المجموعة الأولى من تصفيات كأس العالم، رفقة بوركينا فاسو وإثيوبيا وجيبوتي وسيراليون وغينيا بيساو.
طالع | بدلاء منتخب مصر أمام جيبوتي.. مصطفى فتحي يجاور فيصل
ويتصدر منتخب مصر ترتيب المجموعة في تصفيات كأس العالم، برصيد 20 نقطة، إذ فاز في 6 مباريات وتعادل مباراتين ولم يتلق أي خسارة، بفارقٍ مريح عن صاحب الوصافة، بوركينا فاسو.
منتخب مصر يحتاج من مباراتي جيبوتي وغينيا بيساو، نقطتين فقط، من أجل حسم بطاقة التأهل إلى نهائيات كأس العالم رسميًا. تشكيل منتخب مصر أمام جيبوتي في تصفيات كأس العالم
حراسة المرمى: محمد الشناوي.
خط الدفاع: محمد هاني – رامي ربيعة – حمدي فتحي – محمد حمدي.
خط الوسط: مروان عطية – أحمد سيد زيزو – محمود تريزيجيه.
Leeds United have made a number of signings to improve their defensive unit ahead of their return to the Premier League against Everton next month.
The Whites have brought in Gabriel Gudmundsson, Jaka Bijol, and Sebastiaan Bornauw for the back four, Lucas Perri between the sticks, and Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach in the defensive midfield positions.
However, it is now time for the Championship champions to focus on additions in the attacking areas of the pitch, as Lukas Nmecha, on a free transfer, has been their only forward signing so far.
It had been reported that Leeds are closing in on an agreement with Feyenoord to sign Brazilian winger Igor Paixao for an initial fee of £28m, as per journalist Sebastien Vidal.
However, Fabrizio Romano has since given Marseille the ‘Here We Go’ treatment, despite an improved bid by the Whites, which means that the English side look set to miss out on him.
This suggests that Daniel Farke and his recruitment team will have to look elsewhere to strengthen the attack, as the 25-year-old star seems destined for France now.
Why missing out on Igor Paixao is a blow for Leeds
The Brazilian star is a left winger who had the potential to be a real difference-maker for the West Yorkshire outfit at the top end of the pitch in the Premier League next season.
Paixao’s form in the Eredivisie and in the Champions League last term suggests that he had all the tools to arrive at Elland Road as an exciting piece of business.
The former Cortiba starlet racked up an eye-catching haul of 16 goals and ten assists in 34 appearances in the Dutch top-flight for Feyenoord, which shows that he can offer quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals.
As well as shining domestically, Paixao also produced impressive performances for his side in the Champions League across 11 appearances last term.
xG
0.97
Top 46%
Goals
2
Top 35%
Shots on target
7
Top 26%
xA
1.39
Top 24%
Chances created
20
Top 6%
Successful crosses
9
Top 6%
Assists
4
Top 4%
As you can see in the table above, the Leeds target ranked highly among his positional peers, particularly as a creator, as an offensive threat from the left wing in the competition.
Overall, the £28m-rated star appears to be a forward who could have won points for the Whites by scoring and creating decisive goals in games, although there are doubts, of course, over whether or not his form in the Netherlands will translate to other countries.
Whilst they may have to watch him shine in France, Leeds are reportedly keen on another Brazilian attacker who could be an even better signing this summer.
Leeds in the hunt to sign Brazilian midfielder
According to Fanatik, Leeds United are one of the teams interested in a deal to sign central midfielder Gabriel Sara from Turkish champions Galatasaray this summer.
The report claims that both the Whites and Aston Villa are in the ‘hunt’ to bring the left-footed star back to England, 12 months on from his exit from Norwich City.
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It adds, though, that Galatasaray want to keep the 26-year-old playmaker heading into the 2025/26 campaign, which means that it will not be an easy deal for the club to do.
Fanatik does reveal, however, that the Super Lig side have set a price tag of around £30m for Sara, and that they will not entertain any offers that fall below that threshold.
Galatasaray'sGabrielSarashots at goal Andreas Hillergren
It now remains to be seen whether or not Leeds, or Aston Villa for that matter, are willing to pay the £30m that it is going to take to prise him away from Istanbul.
Why Gabriel Sara would be a better signing than Igor Paixao
Sara could be a better signing for the Whites because he is more likely to hit the ground running at Elland Road than Paixao would have been, as the Feyenoord winger has never played in this country before and would have needed time to adapt to the language and the culture.
The Galatasaray star, however, spent two years at Norwich in Norfolk and speaks English fluently, which means that he is already used to the language, the culture, and the style of English football, albeit he played in the second tier.
AZ Alkmaar's Sven Mijnans in action with Galatasaray'sGabrielSara
His quality on the pitch also makes him an exciting target for the West Yorkshire outfit, as he is a creative midfield star who could create plenty of chances for the attackers at Elland Road.
Sara, who was hailed as “exceptional” and a “joy to watch” by reporter Connor Southwell, has been a consistently brilliant creator of goals for both Norwich and Galatasaray in the last two seasons, shining in English and Turkish football.
Appearances
46
30
Goals
13
2
Key passes per game
2.6
2.3
Big chances created
16
12
xA
11.93
7.62
Assists
12
8
As you can see in the table above, the Brazilian maestro has created 28 ‘big chances’ in the last two league seasons combined, which has led to him racking up 20 assists.
These statistics suggest that the former Canaries Player of the Season would be an incredibly influential figure at the top end of the pitch for Leeds, as a star who has the experience and the quality to hit the ground running in England.
Sara, as shown in the clip above, also provided a goal threat during his time with Norwich. That has not translated over to Turkish football, having scored twice last term, but it does show that the potential is there for him to deliver goals as well as assists when he is at his best.
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ByDan Emery Jul 25, 2025
It is his English experience, his title success at Galatasaray, and his incredible creative quality, though, that could make him an even better attacking signing than Paixao would have been, albeit in a different area of the pitch.
Não foi a estreia mais bonita, mas o Corinthians começou o Brasileirão com o pé direito. A equipe comandada por Fernando Lázaro venceu o Cruzeiro por 2 a 1, com gols de Matheus Araújo e Róger Guedes. Aos 50 minutos da etapa final, Lucas Oliveira descontou para a Raposa.
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+ATUAÇÕES: Matheus Araújo e Róger Guedes comandam vitória do Corinthians sobre o Cruzeiro
O Corinthians não vencia em estreias como mandante na competição desde 2018. A derrota marcou o retorno da equipe mineira na Série A após três anos.
O Timão volta a campo na quarta-feira (19), contra o Argentinos Juniors, pela segunda rodada da fase de grupos da Libertadores. Já a Raposa aguarda o próximo final de semana, quando recebe o Grêmio pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.
+ Guia Corinthians: onde assistir, análise dos adversários e tudo sobre o Timão na Libertadores
COMEÇO SONOLENTO
A partida começou equilibrada, com ambas equipes brigando pela posse de bola e buscando o jogo pela beirada do campo, mas o primeiro tempo foi bastante picotado, com 16 faltas.
Apesar da falta de criatividade de ambas equipes, o Corinthians teve as melhores chances na primeira etapa. Primeiro, Bidu arriscou de longe, mas Rafael Cabral se esticou e espalmou. Depois, Fagner cobrou escanteio, Gil subiu alto e cabeceou, mas a bola saiu pela linha de fundo.
+No reencontro de Ronaldo com o Corinthians, ídolo é presenteado com nova camisa do clube
BRILHA A ESTRELA DE MATHEUS ARAÚJO
Com Cantillo na vaga de Roni, o Corinthians voltou para o segundo acelerando na transição ofensiva, mas seguia com problemas de criação, enquanto o Cruzeiro só ameaçava Cássio com chutes de longa distância.
Em raro momento no qual o Corinthians conseguiu envolver o Cruzeiro, a equipe da casa abriu o placar. Aos 23 minutos, Matheus Araújo tabelou com Fausto Vera, ficou cara a cara com Rafael Cabral e finalizou no alto, cruzado, sem chances para o goleiro. Na comemoração, o garoto chorou com o primeiro gol pelo Timão.
+ Veja tabela e todos os confrontos do Brasileirão
RÓGER GUEDES AMPLIA
Na reta final da partida, o Cruzeiro se jogou ao ataque para buscar o empate, mas foi o Timão que balançou novamente as redes. Em cobrança de escanteio,Gil cabeceia firme, Rafael Cabral dá o rebote e Róger Guedes empurra para o gol. O árbitro Daronco havia assinalado falta no lance, mas após consultar o monitor do VAR, mudou a decisão e validou o gol.
RAPOSA ESBOÇA REAÇÃO, MAS É TARDE DEMAIS
Mesmo com dois gols de desvantagem, o Cruzeiro seguia firme no ataque e conseguiu diminuir o placar. Lucas Oliveira recebeu cruzamento na segunda trave e cabeceou quase sem ângulo para o fundo das redes. Nos acréscimos, a defesa corintiana prevaleceu e o Timão conquistou os três pontos.
CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO -1ª RODADA CORINTHIANS 2 x 1 CRUZEIRO Local: Neo Química Arena, em São Paulo (SP) Data e hora: 16/4/2023, às 16h (de Brasília) Árbitro: Anderson Daronco Assistentes: Rafael da Silva Alves e Mauricio Coelho Silva Penna VAR: Wagner Reway Público/renda:41.716 / R$ 2.681.550,00 Cartões amarelos:Fausto Vera, Roni, Fagner, Róger Guedes (COR) / Nikão, Lucas Oliveira (CRU) Cartões vermelhos:- Gols:Matheus Araújo (23’/2ºT) (1-0); Róger Guedes (44’/2ºT) (2-0) e Lucas Oliveira(50’/1ºT) (2-1)
CORINTHIANS Cássio; Fagner, Bruno Méndez, Gil e Matheus Bidu (Fábio Santos, 46/2ºT); Roni (Cantillo, intervalo), Giuliano (Matheus Araújo, 40/1ºT), Fausto Vera(Fábio Santos, 46/2ºT) e Adson Barletta (Adson, 24/2ºT); Róger Guedes e Yuri Alberto. Técnico: Fernando Lázaro.
CRUZEIRO Rafael Cabral; William, Luciano Castán, Lucas Oliveira e Marlon; Richard, Ramiro(Machado, 26/2ºT) e Vital (Rafael Bilu, 30/2ºT);Bruno Rodrigues, Wesley(Nikão, 15/2ºT); e Gilberto. Técnico: Pepa.
The loan player. Glasgow Rangers have had plenty over the years. From the good to the bad to the downright ugly, Ibrox has seen them all.
With the status of Scottish football shifting throughout the 21st century, no longer can Rangers or Celtic attract the best of the best. This means bringing higher-quality players on a loan deal, where they can showcase their talents before returning to their parent club.
Some have produced moments of magic that will be forever remembered among the fans. Who can forget Gregory Vignal’s stunning effort against Celtic in 2005? Or Vladimir Weiss’ quick-thinking assist against Celtic in the 2011 League Cup final?
More recently, the likes of Malick Tillman, Abdallah Sima, and Vaclav Cerny have all embraced life in Glasgow, going on to shine for the Ibrox side during their temporary spells at the club.
One name stands above the rest, however, especially in terms of the impact he had on the club and what happened next.
Ryan Kent didn’t take long to become a cult hero at Ibrox during the 2018/19 season, and Steven Gerrard saw his potential, signing him permanently in the summer of 2019.
Just how good was he during his maiden season at the club?
Remembering Ryan Kent's wonderful loan spell at Rangers
When Gerrard arrived in May 2018 to take over the reins at the Gers, it became clear that he would use his influence to bring a host of players to Ibrox from across Europe.
His Liverpool connections would also come in handy. Jon Flanagan moved to Glasgow, as did Ovie Ejaria on a loan deal.
Kent was certainly the most interesting talent out of all the loan signings that summer, and he went on to sparkle for the Gers.
Throughout the whole campaign, he scored six goals and grabbed nine assists for Rangers, despite missing several matches due to a hamstring injury.
The winger assisted Ryan Jack’s winner against Celtic in December 2018, the first time Rangers had defeated their Old Firm rivals in a league match for eight years.
A few months later, he scored a sublime solo goal against the same opposition while also punching Celtic captain Scott Brown.
Both of these feats further endeared him to the Ibrox faithful, and when the campaign was over, it became a case of when, rather than if, Kent would sign permanently.
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
2022/23
44
3
10
2021/22
46
3
19
2020/21
52
13
14
2019/20
33
8
4
2018/19
43
6
9
Gerrard kept the fans on their toes, with the announcement coming on deadline day, but the club finally had their man. A transfer fee of £7m was spent in the process, the highest fee the club had spent in years.
By the time he left in 2023, Kent had made over 200 competitive appearances for the Light Blues, scoring 33 goals and registering 56 assists.
Rangers winger Ryan Kent.
It was his initial loan spell that paved the way for Kent to enjoy plenty of success at Rangers when he joined permanently.
Could Russell Martin perhaps replicate this feat by signing a player on loan from the Premier League ahead of next season?
Rangers eye loan move for Premier League player
While Martin won’t be keen on overly relying on loan players next term, bringing a few top-class stars in will only benefit the squad.
Indeed, Nasser Djiga has moved from Wolverhampton Wanderers until the end of the season. As has Max Aarons. Both of these signings have featured in the Premier League before and should prove to be excellent additions to Martin’s squad.
He isn’t stopping there. According to recent reports, the manager is keen on signing Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Carl Rushworth on a temporary deal in the coming weeks.
Rushworth played under Martin at Swansea City; therefore, he knows his expectations and style of play, which could prove crucial.
The south coast side have reportedly knocked back a loan offer from one club in the Championship, and Martin will have to act swiftly in order to wrap up a deal.
Carl RushworthCarl Rushworth
It could be an interesting signing for sure, but would Rushworth be guaranteed first-team football at Ibrox next season?
Why Rangers must sign Carl Rushworth
Martin has a specific style of play which focuses on building the attack from the defence.
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Having a goalkeeper who is excellent at distribution would aid in this philosophy, and Rushworth could be an ideal signing in this regard.
Scout Kai Watson even stated that “distribution seems to be his biggest strength which is key for Russell Martin’s system” when profiling the player amid his links to Rangers.
The data that this was based on came from the 2023/24 season, where he shone for Swansea City.
Indeed, during that campaign, he played all 46 Championship matches for the Welsh side, conceding 1.4 goals per game and saving 69% of the shots he faced.
Passing-wise, Rushworth succeeded with 89% of passes inside his own half, while he also recovered 9.5 balls per match, suggesting he acted swiftly to gather loose balls before making accurate passes to start an attack.
Rushworth also succeeded with 100% of his dribbles and won 85% of his total duels contested for the Swans that season.
He was also dubbed “incredible” by his former manager at Swansea, Luke Williams, and there is no doubt that Rushworth would make for an exciting signing heading into the Champions League qualifiers in a couple of weeks.
Much will depend on whether he is guaranteed regular gametime at Rangers throughout 2025/26. Considering Jack Butland and Liam Kelly both failed to really impress last term, bringing in a new ‘keeper certainly isn’t a bad idea by Martin.
Jack Butland
A loan deal – as it did in the case of Kent – would work out well for all parties involved, and hopefully, Martin will insert an option to buy clause in any proposed deal.
The 39-year-old is working tirelessly to add much-needed quality to the squad. Rushworth would definitely be one of the final pieces of the jigsaw, that’s for sure.
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Everton came on leaps and bounds under David Moyes’ wing in 2024/25, but there’s no doubt they petered out toward the end of the campaign, illustrating the need for summer reinforcements.
After a slow start that has been defined by outings, things are starting to move at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Indeed, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s departure at the end of his contract is poignant, the Toffees are close to signing 22-year-old striker Thierno Barry, who has a £34.5m release clause with Villarreal and scored 19 goals across 41 matches last term.
Further additions are expected. Everton might have parted ways with a whole host of first-team stars, but they have also succeeded in tying down an irreplaceable member of the squad to a new deal.
He plays in defence.
The latest on Everton's backline
Despite plenty of speculation, Everton have extended Jarrad Branthwaite’s contract, and the centre-back is now contracted to the Merseyside club until 2030.
While Michael Keane has extended his contract on Merseyside, he is fixed in a back-up role, and landing Branthwaite for more years to come provides an incredible lift, especially as Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have been sniffing around.
With James Tarkowski, 32, currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Jake O’Brien playing so well at right-back, it might be an idea to bring in another centre-half.
Well, according to Italian publication La Repubblica – via Sport Witness – Everton have entered the race for Inter Milan’s Yann Bisseck, who could leave San Siro this summer as a by-product of an acrimonious and wide fallout at the club.
Inter Milan defender Yann Bisseck
Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United have also been named as suitors, with the German expected to command a £34m transfer fee.
Why Everton want to sign Yann Bisseck
Everton would sign their most modern-tailored central defender yet in Bisseck, who has developed steely defensive skills and an ever-improving ball-playing talent.
Inter Milan's Yann Bisseck
That and a shrewd eye for goal. As per FBref, the 23-year-old ranked among the top 3% of centre-backs across Europe’s top five leagues last season for goal involvements, the top 19% for pass completion, the top 6% for progressive carries per 90 and the top 3% for aerial duel success rate.
What does that tell us? Well, it certainly underscores Bisseck’s roundedness, progressive in his play while utilising his tall frame to defend from aerial attacks.
Something of a career nomad already, the 24-year-old has played 67 matches for Inter Milan, posting five goals and five assists apiece. Used across different competitions, he was a regular feature during Simeone Inzaghi’s Champions League run last term, starting seven of the matches.
And he was hardly a passenger. Throughout Inter’s continental campaign, Bisseck won 66% of his duels, as per Sofascore, and completed 87% of his passes, emphasising the technical virtues Moyes demands from his defenders.
But the expansive nature of his brand is what could see him step above even a player of Branthwaite’s ability.
Goal involvements
0.04
0.20
Touches
54.48
75.63
Passes attempted
42.94
64.92
Pass completion
82.1%
90.6%
Progressive passes
2.37
4.39
Progressive carries
0.36
1.64
Ball recoveries
3.33
3.19
Tackles + interceptions
2.26
2.12
Clearances
6.85
4.19
Blocks
1.11
1.48
As you can see, Bisseck’s passing and ball-carrying game is far above that of Branthwaite, having spent more time on the ball over the past year and retained it with greater regularity too.
While the more expansive part of Branthwaite’s game has been hemmed back by tactical duties, Bisseck still far outstrips his positional peer as far as the technical side of the game is concerned.
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
Given that Inter’s man, who played such an important part in reaching the Champions League final last year, has been hailed as a “diamond” of a defender by journalist Antonio Mango, he might just emerge as Moyes’ star man in the rearguard, should Everton prevail in their bid.
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