da supremo： One Rangers star could well be axed by prospective new owners 49ers Enterprises after internal Ibrox talks, according to a fresh update.

49ers preparing for summer after agreeing Rangers deal in principle

da lvbet： The 49ers agreed a deal in principle to take over in Glasgow earlier this year and are hoping to have completed all the relative paperwork by the summer. One of their first tasks looks set to be to find a new permanent manager, with Barry Ferguson currently doing a solid but unspectacular job in temporary charge.

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Whoever gets the job on a full-time basis could be backed by the 49ers in the transfer market, with claims Rangers could spend up to £25m this summer under the new owners.

One of the 49ers’ first signings could be to make Vaclav Cerny’s Rangers loan move from VfL Wolfsburg permanent. Asked if he wants to stay in Scotland with Rangers, Cerny said: “I definitely do. But there are so many aspects that I can’t control. All I can do is be the best I can and keep up my form and numbers.”

However, there could also be a plethora of departures, with midfielder Jose Cifuentes, currently on loan at Greek side Aris Thessaloniki, looking certain to be sold. Now, there has been a fresh update on the future of club captain James Tavernier.

James Tavernier could leave Rangers after internal talks

According to TEAMtalk, the 49ers could axe Tavernier from Rangers in one of their first major decisions in control at Ibrox. A ‘huge rebuild’ is on the cards in Glasgow, and internal discussions are underway over rebuilding the Rangers squad.

Tavernier, thought to be on £30,000-a-week and under contract until 2026, could be sold by the Gers and he is being eyed up by clubs in Italy and the United States.

The 33-year-old has been a regular under Ferguson, who kept the full-back as Rangers captain after taking over from Philippe Clement.

“I don’t feel the need to change that [captaincy]. He [Tavernier] came in last night, and we had a really good chat. I’ve looked him in the eyes, he’s ready to give 100%”, said Ferguson on the right-back.

James Tavernier’s Rangers stats

Games

505

Goals

130

Assists

141

Minutes played

44,596

Trophies

5

Ferguson went on to praise Tavernier again as he approached 500 appearances for Rangers. “We’ve had a few good chats and he’s an important player for me. He deserves a lot of credit for 500 games. It’s part of playing at Rangers. When you suffer defeats or don’t play well, it’s generally the captain who gets it in the neck.

“He’s big enough to handle those situations. I’ve been through it as well, and it’s not nice at times, but I’m afraid that’s the nature of the beast.”

However, by the looks of things, Tavernier’s days at Rangers could be numbered after 10 years in Scotland, making this one to keep an eye on.

da aviator aposta： Newcastle United are now targeting a move to sign a former Arsenal defensive midfielder who manager Eddie Howe personally admires, according to a recent report.

Howe returns to Newcastle training after illness

da luck： The Magpies suffered a bitter blow in the race to finish in the Champions League places over the weekend, so fans will be delighted to hear that Howe has now officially returned to work at the club’s training ground.

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The Newcastle boss missed games against Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa while he was in hospital with pneumonia, and while the Magpies took to X to announce that Howe has returned to his duties, it remains unclear if he will be in the dugout for their upcoming game against Ipswich Town at the weekend.

Newcastle have four games remaining in the Premier League, and they know that work is still needed to be done if they are to finish in the top five at the end of the campaign, after which they will hope to use their Champions League status to lure in top transfer targets.

Newcastle now targeting Matteo Guendouzi

As the Magpies welcome Howe’s return, club chiefs are already looking ahead to the summer despite not knowing if they are going to be in with Europe’s elite or not. According to TuttoMercatoWeb, relayed by The Hard Tackle, Newcastle are interested in signing midfielder Matteo Guendouzi from Lazio.

The report states that the Magpies remain interested in signing Guendouzi, as they looked at signing him during last summer’s transfer window. It is claimed that Newcastle could look to sign the former Arsenal midfielder if Sandro Tonali leaves St James’ Park, as he’s recently been linked with a move to Barcelona.

Newcastle are unlikely to prioritise signing a new midfielder in the summer, but if Tonali leaves, then it will become a priority, as Howe is a big admirer of the Frenchman.

It isn’t stated how much Lazio would demand for the tough tackling midfielder, but given he is under contract until 2028, the Italian side could be asking for a hefty fee, especially if they know Newcastle have money to spend.

Matteo Guendouzi’s 24/25 Serie A stats

Apps

32

Starts

32

Goals

1

Assists

3

Touches per game

67.3

Tackles per game

1.0

Clearances per game

1.3

The 26-year-old, who has been dubbed a “monster in the making” by analysts, joined Lazio on a permanent basis in July 2024. He has been a key player for them in Serie A and in the Europa League, but if Newcastle do qualify for the Champions League, the offer of that competition and to return to the Premier League may be too hard to turn down for Guendouzi.

da winzada777： Leeds United are said to be interested in completing the signing of a “brilliant” Celtic player this summer, according to a new transfer update.

Leeds eyeing signings amid title push

da bwin： The Whites have secured promotion back to the Premier League, following a scintillating run of form in the Championship that included a 4-0 win at home to Bristol City on Monday evening.

Daniel Farke’s Leeds side know that victory away to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday will seal the title, too, with their superior goal difference over Burnley meaning the Clarets’ result at home to Millwall will ultimately be meaningless.

Amid all the promotion positivity at Elland Road, the club continue to work on new signings for when the Whites are back in the top flight, with Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone mentioned as a potential upgrade to Illan Meslier and Manor Solomon expected to join permanently.

Bournemouth full-back Max Aarons is another rumoured target for Leeds ahead of next season, with the Englishman spending the second half of the current campaign on loan at Valencia, and possibly not having a long-term future with the Cherries.

Leeds keen on signing "brilliant" attacker

According to an update from The Boot Room‘s Graeme Bailey, Celtic attacker Daizen Maeda is a summer target for Leeds, as they look to strengthen in the final third. He is valued at £25m.

It is claimed that the Whites have “watched” the Japanese star in action, but they are far from alone in that respect, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brentford, Fulham, Crystal Palace and West Ham all getting a mention.

Maeda would be an interesting option for Leeds, possessing blistering pace and end product, having scored 62 goals in 154 appearances for Celtic, as well as registering 27 assists. The 27-year-old is also a five-time league champion, winning four Scottish Premiership titles with the Hoops and one with Matsumoto Yamaga in his homeland, and Brendan Rodgers is a big admirer.

“He’s been absolutely brilliant wherever he’s played, however he’s played, he’s had an amazing season. He earns every penny and we feel as a club he deserves more. He doesn’t give away much, other than saying he’s very happy.”

The step up from the Scottish Premiership to the Premier League is huge, so there would be a risk element in Leeds making a move for Maeda, but the level of interest in him from some of the biggest clubs in the country suggests many believe he is good enough to make the jump.

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Still only 27, the 23-cap and four-goal Japan international is at a great age to come in and be a key man for several years – he also knows Ao Tanaka well from international duty and he could help him settle – so it is a deal the Whites should look to strike.

da esoccer bet： Manchester United have now made an approach to sign a “creative genius”, but there will be competition for his signature from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, according to a report.

Man Utd keen to bolster attacking options

da doce： In truth, there are many areas of the Man United squad in urgent need of strengthening, but they have looked particularly poor going forward this season, with Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund bagging just seven Premier League goals between them.

As such, United are set to bolster their attacking options this summer, having recently held talks over a deal for Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, while they have also offered a five-year contract to Wolverhampton Wanderers star Matheus Cunha.

With Ruben Amorim perhaps looking to ease the burden on Bruno Fernandes, there have also been suggestions the Red Devils could bring in a new attacking midfielder this summer, with Manchester City’s James McAtee emerging as a surprise potential target.

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McAtee is not the only young playmaker on the shortlist, however, with a report from Argentina revealing Man United have now made an offer of some description for River Plate maestro Franco Mastantuono (via Sport Witness).

It is unclear whether United have submitted a genuine bid or a verbal offer, but it appears as though they have made a move of some kind, despite the fact River Plate are determined to keep hold of Mastantuono for the rest of 2025 at the bare minimum.

However, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on the 17-year-old, and the Argentine side could be powerless to prevent his departure if any of the interested parties are willing to stump up his €45m (£38m) release clause, which is in place until December 2026.

"Creative genius" Mastantuono could be future star

River Plate defeated bitter rivals Boca Juniors in the Superclasico at the weekend, and the teenager played a major role in the victory, most notably scoring a stunning free-kick to give his side the lead in the first half.

Ben Mattinson has dubbed the starlet as a “creative genius” in the past, and the freelance scout was left particularly impressed by his performance against Boca Juniors, singling the Argentine out for high praise.

The youngster already has a great deal of first-team experience with River Plate, picking up seven goals and five assists in 55 appearances, and there is every sign he could go on to be a star in Europe very soon.

However, Man United may find it difficult to compete for Mastantuono’s signature, given the interest from Real Madrid and PSG, particularly if they do not manage to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

da bet nacional： Celtic centre-forward Adam Idah added another goal to his tally for the season in the 1-1 draw with the club’s city rivals away from home in the Scottish Premiership last time out.

da realsbet： The Ireland international has now scored 18 goals in all competitions for the Hoops in his first full season at the club, following his permanent move from Norwich City last summer.

Idah may, however, hope to earn more minutes in the Premiership under Brendan Rodgers next term, because he has only started 17 of his 32 appearances in the division so far this year.

He has found himself behind Daizen Maeda in the pecking order at times, whilst he was often behind Kyogo Furuhashi in the first half of the 2024/25 campaign.

That was before the Japan international left to sign for Rennes in the January transfer window for a reported fee of £10m, leaving Maeda and Idah to battle it out for a starting spot.

Celtic will be hoping that Idah becomes a success and fulfills his potential at Parkhead as they look for their best centre-forward signing since Odsonne Edouard.

Celtic's top scorers since Odsonne Edouard left

The Scottish giants smashed their transfer record to sign the French centre-forward from Paris Saint-Germain for a reported fee of £9m in the summer of 2018, after an initial loan spell at Parkhead.

Edouard went on to score at least 22 goals in each of his three full seasons as a permanent Celtic star, which shows that he provided a consistent threat at the top end of the pitch.

After those three seasons, the 23-year-old was snapped up by Premier League side Crystal Palace in a reported deal that could rise to £18.5m, which meant that the Bhoys more than doubled their money on the striker, and it is a transfer that ranks as the fifth-highest sale in the club’s history, as per Transfermarkt.

Since Edouard moved down south in the summer of 2021, Kyogo, Idah, and Maeda have all had turns at being the main man at the top end of the pitch for goals.

Celtic’s top scorers (all comps)

Season

Top scorer

Goals

24/25

Daizen Maeda

33

23/24

Kyogo Furuhashi

19

22/23

Kyogo Furuhashi

34

21/22

Kyogo Furuhashi

20

20/21

Odsonne Edouard

22

19/20

Odsonne Edouard

29

18/19

Odsonne Edouard

22

Stats via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, Kyogo only scored more than 20 goals in one of his three full seasons at Parkhead before his £10m move to Rennes, which shows that he was not as consistent as Edouard, and he was sold for £8.5m less.

Maeda, meanwhile, scored just 14 goals in his first two Premiership seasons at the club before the current campaign, so he is yet to prove that his current goalscoring exploits are more than a flash in the pan.

Therefore, Celtic have not made a better striker signing than Edouard since the Frenchman’s departure, both for footballing and financial reasons, but they do have the chance to rectify that in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Celtic's told how much to pay for striker target

According to reports in Denmark, via GlasgowWorld, Brondby are set to demand a record fee of £11.4m to allow Mathias Kvistgaarden to move on in the summer.

That would also make the centre-forward a club-record signing for the Hoops, as well as a club-record sale for Brondby, after they broke their record with an £11m move for Arne Engels from Augsburg last year.

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Football Insider reported earlier this year that the Hoops are planning to make a move for the Danish centre-forward in the summer transfer window in an attempt to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.

The outlet added that the 23-year-old marksman is a long-term target for the Scottish giants, and that they are eyeing him up ahead of next season.

With this in mind, Celtic could land their best centre-forward signing since Edouard by pushing ahead with a deal for the young Brondby sensation in the coming months.

Why Kvistgaarden could be Celtic's best centre-forward signing since Edouard

Firstly, Kvistgaarden would come in as a young player with the potential to improve and grow in value throughout his time at Parkhead, which means that they could make a significant profit on him in the future.

Whereas Kyogo left to sign for Rennes at the age of 30 in January, which may have been why his transfer fee was £10m, rather than being closer to Edouard’s £18.5m move to Palace.

This means that Kvistgaarden would have more potential to be sold on for big money in the future than Kyogo ever had, simply because he is seven years younger than the Japanese ace.

The £11.4m-rated star, who was hailed as “absolutely sensational” by U23 scout Antonio Mango earlier this term, also has the goalscoring pedigree to potentially offer more than the Japan international did in the final third.

Mathias Kvistgaarden

24/25 (all comps)

Appearances

35

Shots on target

40

Goals

22

Big chances missed

15

Key passes

20

Big chances created

4

Assists

5

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Kvistgaarden has scored 22 goals in all competitions for Brondby this term, which is more than Kyogo managed in two of his three full seasons in Glasgow.

This suggests that the potential is there for the Danish star to offer even more than the Rennes striker did during his time at Parkhead, if he can carry that form over to Scottish football and deliver consistently in the final third.

Kvistgaarden, who scored 31 goals and provided 11 assists in 45 matches for Brondby at U19 level, has shown that he can be lethal in front of goal on a regular basis, particularly at league level with 16 goals in 23 Superliga starts.

The Celtic transfer target could, therefore, be the club’s best centre-forward signing since Edouard because he has the age profile, the potential, and the goalscoring pedigree to be even better for the Hoops than Kyogo as a goalscorer and as a future asset.

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It is now down to Celtic’s board to back Rodgers in the transfer market by splashing the cash to sign a high-quality striker in a club-record swoop for Kvistgaarden in the upcoming summer transfer window to bolster their options in the final third.

da winzada777： A “world-class” player has now announced he’s set to leave his club this summer, which follows reports that he’s held talks over a move to Tottenham.

Ange Postecoglou makes trophy claim ahead of Europa League final

da esoccer bet： Next week, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has a golden chance to make good on his early-season suggestion that he “always” wins silverware during his second season in charge.

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This quote, while arguably taken out of context, was quickly picked up by the media and used to take aim at Postecoglou on more than one occasion. Following a season of record-breaking lows in the Premier League, where they’ve tasted defeat on 20 separate occasions, the Australian could now make that statement a reality.

The Lilywhites play Man United in a crunch Europa League final which could rescue their season. Spurs have an opportunity to both end their trophy drought and qualify for the Champions League in just 90 minutes of football, so the pressure is well and truly on Postecoglou’s squad.

Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League

Average match rating

Son Heung-min

7.05

Pedro Porro

6.98

James Maddison

6.98

Dominic Solanke

6.88

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall are all set to miss their clash in Bilbao through injury, with Tottenham facing an uphill battle akin to the majority of their 2024/2025 campaign.

Postecoglou, though, appears determined to end Spurs’ long wait for a winners’ medal and isn’t lost on the significance of May 21.

“For me personally, well you know great, it’s another trophy I can reminisce in my old age about, but more importantly what it means for the club,” said Postecoglou on the Europa League final.

“I’ve always said it’s the significance of what it does to people that really impacts you. A lot of the success I’ve had has been stuff that’s pretty significant. It’s been at clubs where Yokohama hadn’t won a Championship for 14 years, Australia had never won a continental championship, Brisbane had never won one, South Melbourne – my first job – hadn’t won in seven years, Celtic had been one year but trust me that’s a long time in Scotland.

“When you look at the historical backdrop of this club and what it’s been through in the last 20-odd years, I feel like it could be a turning point in terms of the way the club is perceived, but also more how it perceives itself, which I think is the biggest thing.”

Jonathan David confirms Lille exit after rumoured talks with Tottenham

Off the field, chairman Daniel Levy appears set for a ‘sell to buy’ summer as things stand, meaning the free agent market could be very useful to him as Spurs look to reinforce the squad for next term.

One of 2025’s most coveted Bosman deals comes in the form of free-scoring Lille star Jonathan David.

The Canada international has bagged over a century of goals for Lille since joining them five years ago, with Tottenham among the clubs to have spoken to David’s representatives about a potential free transfer.

David, branded a “world-class” player by ex-Canada boss Iain Hume, is set to be a man in demand, and he’s now confirmed an imminent Ligue 1 departure.

Making a statement on social media, David announced that he’ll be leaving Lille when his contract expires on June 30.

“I wanted to tell you myself that after so many years at the club, it’s time to say goodbye,” said the striker, via LW.

“I’ve had five wonderful seasons here. I know that it hasn’t always been easy but I hope that with my goals and celebrations, that I’ve managed to bring you some joy. Notably the Ligue 1 title and the Trophee des Champions and I think that with these two trophies together, we have brought a lot of pleasure and joy.”

The 25-year-old is a big-game player as well as a prolific marksman in France. This season, David boasts Champions League strikes against the likes of Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Juventus, showcasing how he can cut it against Europe’s most elite opposition.

In truth, it is curious why he hasn’t sealed a move until now, and there’s no doubt he’d be a stellar capture for Spurs on a free.

da brwin： Liverpool’s need for a striker this summer is there for all to see, with the Reds already plotting moves in such a department ahead of the summer transfer window.

da stake casino： Arne Slot’s side may have claimed the Premier League title in 2024/25, but improvements are still there to be made, especially if players were to depart Anfield during the off-season.

Current centre-forward options Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota have both been linked with moves away from Merseyside this summer, with the manager needing to invest money in upgrades on the pair.

It’s unclear how much the hierarchy would demand to part ways with the current talismen, but given their combined tally of just 11 league goals, it’s unlikely they would stand in their way should an acceptable offer be presented.

Should such an event occur, it’s down to the staff behind the scenes to identify potential options for Slot, with numerous players already on their radar ahead of the window.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for new attackers this summer

Countless players have been linked with a switch to Liverpool ahead of 2025/26, despite the window not yet being open – highlighting how much of an exciting proposition they really are.

The likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitiké are the main three who have been mentioned, but no progress has yet been made on any potential deals.

However, the same can’t be said for another target in the form of Julian Alvarez, that’s if the recent news broken by Argentine journalist Mathias Palacios is to be believed.

He claims that the Reds are keen on a move for the Atlético Madrid talisman in the coming months, with face-to-face meetings for his signature set to commence next week.

Palacios also confirms that Bayern Munich and Arsenal are interested in signing the former Manchester City talent, who’s registered a staggering 35 combined goals and assists in his 53 outings in 2024/25.

Unfortunately, it may take a considerable amount to prise him away from the Spanish capital with CIES Football Observatory suggesting the Argentine is worth £105m.

Why Liverpool’s latest target could be Salah 2.0

Mohamed Salah has been an unbelievable servant to Liverpool Football Club over the last eight years, even extending his stint on Merseyside to a decade after his latest contract extension.

The Egyptian has registered 244 goals and 113 assists in his 400 appearances at Anfield, a staggering record for a player who’s certainly cemented himself in club history.

He’s claimed three Golden Boot awards in the Premier League, and is set to add a fourth to his list after notching an incredible 28 goals in his 37 outings this season.

His £34m move from Roma back in the summer of 2017 will forever be remembered, certainly going down as a bargain and arguably one of their best ever transfers.

However, the board have the opportunity to replicate such a deal in the coming months with Alvarez, potentially following in his footsteps on Merseyside.

The pair both have a similar pattern in their careers, both featuring for other sides in England’s top flight before leaving to go elsewhere in Europe to further their respective profiles.

Salah, who failed to cut it at Chelsea, made a name for himself in Italy before joining the Reds, similarly to how Alvarez has developed after swapping Manchester City for Atlético Madrid.

The pair are now elite attacking talents, with the Argentinian forward having a season to remember, producing countless stats that would bolster Slot’s attack.

Alvarez, who’s been labelled “sensational” by Terry Flewers, has registered 1.4 shots on target per 90, along with a minute per goal ratio of 142 minutes in LaLiga – highlighting his clinical edge in the final third.

Julian Alvarez’s stats in LaLiga for Atlético (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

36

Goals & assists

20

Minutes per goal

142

Shots on target

1.4

Dribbles completed

57%

Chances created

1.5

Touches in opposition box

4.5

Stats via FotMob

However, he has also been able to create opportunities for his teammates, completing 57% of the dribbles he’s attempted and creating 1.5 chances per 90 – subsequently able to aid Salah in boosting his own numbers on Merseyside.

Should the former City talent get anywhere near close to the levels produced by the Egyptian over the years, it would be a phenomenal piece of business, adding a new dimension to Slot’s attack.

The prospect of the pair featuring together within the front line is certainly a scary one, with such a partnership strengthening their chances of retaining their crown in 2025/26.

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da dobrowin： Newcastle United will be looking to do just one thing this summer and that is making sure Alexander Isak is still part of their squad when the summer transfer window closes.

da winzada777： The Swede has enjoyed yet another fruitful campaign in the North East and securing Champions League football will do Eddie Howe’s prospects of keeping him – at least for another season – no harm at all.

The Magpies have a rich history of towering, magnificent centre-forwards throughout their history. From Hughie Gallacher to Jackie Milburn. Malcolm Macdonald to Alan Shearer. Every generation of Newcastle supporters has had the privilege of seeing a proper number nine lead the line for the club.

Since Shearer’s retirement, things looked bleak on that front for a few years. That was until Isak joined the Toon in the summer of 2022 for a fee in the region of £63m.

This was a club-record fee, but over the previous three seasons, the former Borussia Dortmund starlet has more than repaid the faith shown in him by Howe, that’s for sure.

Alexander Isak has been one of Newcastle’s finest signings

Bringing Isak to the club was a major statement of intent by Howe, especially as the club were looking at playing in the Champions League.

Injuries restricted him to just 27 appearances during his maiden campaign at St James’ Park, but he still managed to score ten Premier League goals while chipping in with three assists.

Last season, the Magpies made the group stages of Europe’s premier club competition. Isak may have scored a solitary goal in that campaign, but his overall tally of 25 was the most he had recorded in a single season at club level.

Not someone to be content with that output, the Swedish hitman has only gone and bettered that this season.

At the time of writing, the 25-year-old has found the back of the net 27 times in all competitions, but the striker is offering more than just goals to this Newcastle side.

Indeed, when compared to his peers in the Premier League throughout 2024/25, Isak ranks in the top 3% for successful take-on percentage (47.7%), in the top 10% for touches in the attacking penalty area (6.28) and in the top 15% for goal-creating actions (0.47) per 90.

Add in the fact that he has recorded six assists for the Toon in the league this term, and it proves just how much he has developed his game.

If Newcastle do qualify for the Champions League, Howe will be determined to reach the knockout stages. In order to do so, however, he must spend this summer in a bid to improve his squad.

Alexander Isak’s PL stats since joining Newcastle

Metric

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

Goals

10

21

23

Assists

1

2

6

Shots per game

2.3

2.6

2.9

Goal conversion percentage

20%

27%

24%

Scoring frequency (minutes)

152

108

116

Via Sofascore

A lack of depth, especially in key attacking positions, is worrying. Could a move for a Bundesliga starlet change that?

Newcastle plotting move for Borussia Dortmund star

Anthony Gordon may be Howe’s main source of goals and assists from the wing, but it is evident that another top-class talent is required to take the club to the next level.

According to the Daily Mail, the Magpies have sent scouts to monitor Dortmund sensation Jamie Gittens, who has a reported release clause of £50m, as they plot a move to sign the England U21 international.

If the club fails to qualify for the Champions League next season, this fee will fall, opening the door for several clubs to make an offer.

There is no doubt that he wants to play at the top level of European competition, which means Howe will be desperate for his side to finish in the top five.

If so, signing a talent like Gittens would be a huge statement of intent. Furthermore, the young winger would also be a dream signing for Isak.

Why Newcastle must sign Jamie Gittens

Since Niko Kovac began his tenure at Dortmund, it is obvious that Gittens doesn’t quite fit in with his tactical plans.

This means he could be on the move in the summer and, if Howe has the necessary funds, it is a deal that must be a top priority for the club.

The Englishman has already played over 100 competitive matches for the German giants, scoring 17 goals and grabbing 14 assists in the process.

Like compatriots Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham before him, Gittens could certainly be the next massive English talent to depart Dortmund for a move abroad.

After he scored the first Champions League goal of his career in November 2022, Statman Dave hailed the winger as a “wonderkid” and it was hard to argue.

Since then, he has gone from strength to strength, using Dortmund as a potential stepping stone for a move to the Premier League.

Although his displays haven’t been as good as hoped since Kovac took charge, Gittens still ranks in the top 1% for successful take-ons (3.58) and in the top 9% for progressive carries (5.49) per 90 when compared to his peers in Europe’s top five leagues.

These statistics show that the youngster is highly effective at beating his man and taking the ball into the final third, which is why he could be a dream for Isak.

He has also created six big chances in the German top flight while averaging 0.7 key passes per game. Again, yet more evidence of why he would be an excellent signing for Isak next season, because he can create high-quality chances for the striker to put away.

The most important aspect for Howe is that Gittens still has plenty of development to do. He is by no means the finished article. Playing alongside stars such as Bruno Guimaraes and Isak will only help him take the next step in his career.

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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.

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Gittens is a man in high demand this summer and with Dortmund looking like they are open to selling, the Magpies could face stiff competition for the Englishman when the window opens.

Finishing in the top five of the league table is therefore imperative to their hopes of landing the talented winger. If not, then the club will likely miss the boat on Gittens.

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da betway： Going in search of their next Tom Rogic, Celtic now reportedly have concrete interest in signing an attacking addition who’s valued at just £1.5m ahead of this summer’s transfer window.

Next Rogic could be key for Rodgers

da apostebet： During his time at the club, Rogic more than played his part to continue Celtic’s Scottish dominance and ensure that Brendan Rodgers’ first spell ended with a place in the history books. Now, in his second stint in charge, it’s clear just how much of an impact a player in a similar mould would have on the current Celtic side.

Tom Rogic at Celtic

Stats (via Transfermarkt)

Appearances

272

Goals

46

Assists

51

Scottish Premiership titles

7

Scottish Cups

5

Scottish League Cups

5

A player who made his mark going forward in key moments, Rogic’s best work came when working under Rodgers, who was full of praise for the Australian during his time in Scotland.

The Celtic boss told reporters when Rogic returned from a spell on the sidelines in 2017: “He’s back in the squad. The magic man is back – what a player. He’s an amazing player. I think he can grow into one of the top midfield players in Europe.

“You saw him grow in the Champions League. You saw him against Manchester City and just purr at his quality. There was a big disappointment when he got injured because the week building up to it he was amazing. Top players know where there is space and he’s as good as any I’ve seen at finding space.”

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Eight years on, Rogic is now retired and Rodgers is searching for his next arrivals at Celtic amid reports that the Bhoys have now set their sights on signing a 23-year-old star who has already been compared to the Australian.

Celtic interested in "Rogic-esque" Fallenius

According to Fotboll Direkt in Sweden, Celtic now have a concrete interest in signing Oskar Fallenius from Djurgarden this summer afetr sending scouts to watch him in aciton.

The winger reportedly cost the Swedish club just £1.5m in 2023, but that price is only likely to increase if they decide to sell their emerging star in the coming months.

Celtic’s interest should come as no shock. As detailed by Celtic Down Under’s – a Celtic fan channel in Australia – and X account UnDiluted, Fallenius is a potential “Rogic-esque” fit on the Bhoys’ radar.

The podcaster reiterated that whilst the Swede is not a like-for-like clone of Rogic, he does share some similar traits. The Australian’s greatest strengths came in his close control, powerful striking ability and creative vision. In comparison, Fallenius is similarly physical – standing at 5’11 and reportedly has a reputation for his skill and movement.

With that said and Celtic’s interest reportedly concrete, Fallenius looks set to be one to watch in the coming months.

da imperador bet： Manchester United’s summer could be defining for Ruben Amorim in his tenure at Old Trafford, needing a huge summer to transform his fortunes at the club.

da dobrowin： The 40-year-old has already wasted very little time in the transfer market, completing a £62.5m deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Matheus Cunha.

After scoring 15 Premier League goals this campaign, the Brazilian will likely improve the options currently at the club, helping the manager in his quest to take them back to their former glory.

However, he will likely need to be joined in the attacking third by numerous other additions, with Jason Wilcox attempting to work his magic during the off-season.

Various other players have been mentioned with a potential switch to Old Trafford ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, with the Red Devils in desperate need of an overhaul.

The latest on United’s hunt for new attackers

Given United’s measly tally of 44 league goals this season, it’s clear that additions are needed in such a department to transform the situation currently unfolding at the Theatre of Dreams.

Players such as Callum Hudson-Odoi, Dušan Vlahović and Jean-Philippe Mateta have all been mentioned as targets this window, but no deals have yet been agreed for any of the aforementioned stars.

However, another player has entered the mix over the last couple of days, in the form of Bryan Mbeumo, with the Brentford forward edging closest to a move, according to German journalist Christopher Michel.

He claims that the Red Devils are becoming “optimistic of finalising” a deal for the 25-year-old for the start of their pre-season ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

It’s also reported that Thomas Frank is trying to hijack a deal for the £70m star, looking to take the Cameroonian with him to North London after being appointed Tottenham Hotspur manager.

Why United’s £70m target could be incredible alongside Ekitike

United’s hunt for new additions has seen no sign of slowing down in recent days, with Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitiké firmly in their sights, according to Sky Germany.

They claim that the Red Devils have made contact with the Bundesliga side over a move for the 22-year-old star, who’s registered 22 goals across all competitions in 2024/25.

It’s also reported that the French international has a €100m (£84m) release clause in his deal, but they face a battle with other Premier League sides, with Arsenal and Chelsea also in the race for his signature.

It remains to be seen if the club would be able to fork out such a fee for the Frankfurt talisman, especially after completing a deal for Cunha and edging closer to a move to land Mbeumo.

However, it’s a move they should pursue, with the Bees attacker having all the tools to form a deadly combination with Ekitike within the final third at Old Trafford.

The Cameroonian, who’s been labelled “unbelievable” by one analyst, may have scored 20 league goals this season, but he’s also demonstrated his creative nature throughout the 2024/25 season.

He’s registered 3.7 progressive passes and 1.9 key passes per 90, having the skillset to provide Ekitike with the ammunition needed to succeed in front of goal should he move to Manchester.

Bryan Mbeumo’s stats for Brentford in the PL (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

38

Goals & assists

27

Progressive passes

3.7

Progressive carries

3.4

Key passes made

1.9

Passes into opposition box

1.6

Crosses completed

5.3

Take-on success

48%

Stats via FBref

Mbeumo has also registered 1.6 passes into the opposition box per 90, whilst completing 5.3 crosses per 90, with his ability to cause carnage certainly aiding other attackers at Old Trafford.

£70m may appear to be another massive investment from the hierarchy, given the early business conducted this summer, but it’s one that would add a different dimension to Amorim’s attack.

The prospect of the Bees’ star partnering the French star alongside Cunha in the final third is certainly an exciting one, with the trio single-handedly hoping to push the club back up the table next campaign.

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