Crystal Palace have made some terrible signings over the previous few years, with the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor and Shola Ameobi draining the club’s vital resources with very little end product, but it is perhaps a player that they didn’t sign which will be the greatest cause of regret.
Back in 2014, the Eagles had the chance to sign Virgil van Dijk, who was then at Celtic, for a measly £6m before Southampton pounced and grabbed the opportunity to bring the defender to the Premier League.
Neil Warnock, who was the manager at Selhurst Park at that time, has confirmed the story and expressed his misfortune at missing out on the player. The 73-year-old admitted: “We could have bought him at Palace for £6million but my chief scout told me he was too slow. I think he’s still in a job as well!”
The Dutchman joined Liverpool in 2018 as the Merseyside club spent a massive £75m to sign the defender, and it hasn’t worked out too badly for him or the Reds since then.
He has won pretty much every major honour with the club apart from the FA Cup (which could be added to his CV this weekend) and he has gone from strength to strength, more than paying back the money that Liverpool spent on him.
It is an interesting sliding doors moment for Palace, and although they have retained their Premier League status ever since promotion in 2013, having Van Dijk in the team may have given them a better chance of stabilising themselves in the top half or even pushing for Europe.
Former England striker Darren Bent has dubbed the 30-year-old “world-class”, and Van Dijk is arguably the best defender on the planet at this moment in time.
Warnock had a wonderful managerial career which took him to Sheffield United, Cardiff City and Palace among many others, but he might sometimes wake up in a cold sweat wondering what might have been if he had Van Dijk in his squad at Selhurst Park.
AND in other news, “Agreement close…”: David Ornstein drops huge Palace update that Eagles supporters will love
Frank Lampard could be heading for his first big Everton disaster in the coming months, and we’re not talking about the immediate threat of relegation.
It’s no secret that the Toffees have had a horrendous season, and even remaining in the Premier League for next year surely won’t appease the fans as urgent change is needed on the pitch to get them back to where they belong.
With Lampard looking to strengthen, the onus might be on him to focus more on the players whose contracts are due to expire, with Yerry Mina being the obvious choice to tie down to a long-term deal.
The £18m-rated centre back has only played 12 times in the league this season, but Everton have lost just four of those matches, compared to the other 15 defeats without his presence in the team.
The Colombian has had his injury problems, but whenever he has featured, he has largely been excellent, with former Toffees player Don Hutchison describing him as a “rock” against Chelsea in the 1-0 victory last weekend.
Over his 12 league matches this season, Mina is in the 90th percentile for both blocks (2.20 per 90) and aerials won (3.95) among positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, showing just how much of an asset he has been during his limited game-time in the current campaign.
His performance against Chelsea gathered further praise from journalist Patrick Boyland, who claimed that Mina was “a joy to behold”, and Lampard should be putting plans in motion to keep the Colombian at the club on a long-term deal.
This could, of course, depend on Everton’s Premier League status next season. Mina should be playing at a higher level, and relegation to the Championship could mean the end for the 27-year-old as an Everton player.
AND in other news, Lampard must brutally axe “clumsy” £120k-p/w Everton dud, he’s bleeding them dry
West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Bruce recently spoke about the business that the Midlands club will be looking to complete during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Having failed to get back into the Premier League this year, the 61-year-old said that he is “quietly confident” that he will be able to create a squad at The Hawthorns which will be ready to take on next season and make a push for the top flight.
Even before the current Championship season has drawn to an end, it seems as though one player has been identified as a potential incoming for the Baggies.
What’s the news?
According to journalist Alan Nixon (via Birmingham Live), West Brom are looking at signing Blackburn Rovers defender Darragh Lenihan this summer.
Since making his senior debut for the Lancashire club in April 2015, the Irishman has gone on to make 252 appearances across all competitions. In that time, the defender has scored 10 goals and provided six assists along the way.
This season has seen the centre-back play in 41 league games for Blackburn, with no other defender in their squad clocking up more minutes than him.
During those matches, the 28-year-old has made 58 interceptions and won 43 tackles, highlighting just how reliable a defender he is.
Labelled a “towering” player by his manager Tony Mowbray, the centre-back has averaged 5.1 successful aerial duels per game in the league this season, the second-highest at Blackburn.
As well as his impressive defensive output and occasional deadliness in front of goal, Lenihan’s overall performances have also shown how important he is to his side.
According to WhoScored, the defender is currently listed as Blackburn’s highest-rated player with an overall rating of 7.1/10.
This shows just how capable he is of playing in the Championship and why he could be a valuable asset for Albion next season.
If Lenihan does end up making a move to the Midlands this summer, it would surely delight a lot of Baggies fans to see someone come in who can be a real colossus at the back and make the team stronger in that regard.
Taking into account how the Irishman’s current contract at Ewood Park is set to expire in the summer, this could pave the way for Bruce to secure him on a free transfer and get his first bargain signing of the window.
Securing Lenihan’s signature in the summer should definitely be at the top of West Brom’s priorities when it comes to their planned transfer overhaul.
In other news: West Brom dealt another big injury setback, it’s worrying news for Bruce
Leeds United secured a sensational win in the Premier League on Wednesday night. Daniel Farke’s side beat title challengers Chelsea 3-1 at Elland Road, to pick up a huge three points in their quest for top-flight survival.
The game started in perfect fashion for the West Yorkshire outfit.
Defender Jaka Bijol rose highest from a corner to head home, after making a darting run from the edge of the 18-yard box to the corner of the six-yard box before unleashing his powerful header.
Chelsea did not really threaten despite dominating possession, having 71% across the game. Leeds were able to double their lead on the stroke of half-time, thanks to a sublime effort from Ao Tanaka.
The ball broke to Jayden Bogle on the edge of the box, who laid it off to Tanaka. The midfielder smashed it in from range to put his side 2-0 up.
Enzo Maresca’s men were able to pull a goal back just five minutes after the restart through Pedro Neto. However, Leeds resisted their pressure and managed to get a third goal after a calamitous mistake from Chelsea allowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score.
It was a superb win for Leeds, with some standout performances across the pitch.
Leeds’ best players vs. Chelsea
One of the most impressive things about this Leeds victory was how hard everyone worked. That was certainly the case for captain Ethan Ampadu. Playing against his former club, the Welshman was the dominant force in midfield.
His stats from the game reflect how well he performed, both on and off the ball. Ampadu had 54 touches of the ball and had an 86% pass accuracy. He also won six duels and made six ball recoveries.
It was an all-action showing from the Wales international.
Another player who shone for the Whites was right wing-back Bogle. He was a real handful for Chelsea going forward, with his performance earning him an 8/10 rating from Graham Smyth, journalist for the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Smyth praised the fact that he ‘drove Leeds forward’, with the defender a real threat in attack.
That all came to a head with his assist for Tanaka, where he pounced on a loose ball before a Chelsea player could reach it, and quickly found his teammate with a first-time pass.
Ampadu and Bogle played well, but they were arguably outshone by one of their teammates.
Leeds’ best signing since Raphinha
It seemed to be a good night for wing-backs at Elland Road. Bogle was not the only one who stood out, with left wing-back Gabriel Gudmundsson one of the best players in a White shirt against Chelsea.
He enjoyed plenty of success defensively, coming up directly against the electric Estevao, and offered a threat going forward.
Gudmundsson won an exceptional 12 from 19 duels and five from eight tackles, as well as creating two chances.
Touches
55
Ground duels won
12/19
Tackles won
5/8
Ball recoveries
6
Crosses completed
2
Key passes
2
The excellent performance from the Swede was noticed by Smyth, who gave him a 9/10 for his efforts. The journalist praised him for how well he got forward, and credited him for the fact that he ‘got back in to defend and do his bit’.
As far back as September, the left-back was being called “the best” player in the Premier League in his position by journalist James Marshment.
The 26-year-old has made a brilliant start to life at Elland Road, featuring in all 14 of their top-flight games so far, and playing 90 minutes nine times.
There is a case to be made that the defender is Leeds’ best signing since Raphinha. The Brazilian was exceptional for the West Yorkshire side, and really hit the ground running in the Premier League. He managed 15 goals and assists in his first top-flight season.
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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Well, Gudmundsson is making an equally fast start. To be branded as one of the best players in the league so soon is a testament to how well he has performed.
There haven’t really been any Leeds players who have started this fast, especially on the top-flight since Raphinha, with several of the players they have signed in previous Premier League campaigns now having left the club.
Farke will be desperate for this form to continue, and for Gudmundsson to prove he is one of their best signings since Raphinha.
Better than Calvert-Lewin: 9/10 hero had his best game for Leeds vs Chelsea
This Leeds star shone in their 3-1 win over Chelsea
Everton weren’t able to learn all that much from their recent draw in the Premier League against West Ham United.
The central forwards are still misfiring, but there is a new spring in the Toffees’ collective step, and David Moyes’ system continues to show an impressive degree of dynamism.
Against West Ham, there were both winners and losers in Blue. A draw was the result, and Everton shift into ninth place, alongside a huddle of sides on eight points after six games.
Michael Keane continues to stake his claim for a regular starting role in this improving Everton side, while Jack Grealish, even on an ‘off day’, created three chances and looked a focal source of joy from an attacking standpoint. The flow of Moyes’ system runs through the esteemed loanee.
However, we cannot hide from the fact that there were a few who flattered to deceive. In particular, Beto’s woes in front of goal persisted against Nuno Espirito Santo’s Irons, and the Bissau Guinean striker needs to click into gear quickly if he is going to confidently lead the line across the term.
Beto's struggles in front of goal
Manager bounce. A sporting phenomenon that can be defined as a temporary improvement to an ailing team’s performance levels as a direct result of a change in leadership, invigorating the players with a fresh lease of life.
For Everton, this was certainly the case, but then they have also plateaued at a level above that which was being played when Sean Dyche was in the dugout and battling against relegation.
However, for Beto, his post-Dyche purple patch is beginning to look like a flash in the pan. Peripheral across the first half of the 2024/25 season, the 27-year-old scored five goals in four Premier League matches after Moyes’ arrival. He has since scored three times across 18 league fixtures.
Games
42
23
Starts
10
20
Goals
4
8
Assists
0
0
Work is needed, but Thierno Barry, £27m summer signing from Villarreal, has yet to prove that he has what it takes to supersede his positional rival.
Against West Ham, Beto struggled once again, missing a chance to score in the first half, with sports writer Barry Viner even describing the forward as “useless”.
If an upswing in form is not on the horizon, changes will be needed. And Beto isn’t the only one, with another Everton star proving against West Ham that he is not the solution in his current role.
Moyes must ditch Everton star
Moyes has an aptitude for lifting players. He recognises the strengths and qualities inherent in any given star and knows how to apply their preferred style within his tactical system.
And the rise and rise of Jake O’Brien since the beginning of 2025 has been a testament to this argument. The Irishman joined from Lyon for around £16m in July 2024, but he scarcely played until the new year had dawned.
Jake O'Brien in action for Everton
More often than not, he has played as a right-back, moonlighting in a role he probably didn’t envisage when crossing the Channel and heading to Merseyside.
But the 6 foot 6 O’Brien has typified the commitment and willingness needed to succeed in a Moyes team, having played every minute of the Premier League campaign from the right side of the defence.
This needs to change, and the draw against West Ham underlined that, with the Liverpool Echo branding the 24-year-old with a 5/10 match rating after a performance that laid bare his lack of focus and deficiencies when getting forward and contributing toward the attack.
He also left something to be desired from an aerial standpoint. As per Sofascore, O’Brien only won three of his six headed challenges, dribbled past twice and having lost the ball 12 times despite failing to create a single chance.
Iliman Ndiaye is playing in an unnatural right-flanking role this season, so to accommodate Grealish on the left. He’s shown flashes of quality across his five appearances, but then Senegalese talent is being supported by a right-back more naturally suited to the centre-half role.
This is not to say that O’Brien never deserves a starting berth again. He has been dependable and industrious since Moyes arrived at the club. However, not signing a right-back this summer was a confusing decision from the Friedkin Group, especially with Ndiaye playing on the right and thus in need of more support.
Former Everton writer Adam Jones even noted during the game that “O’Brien at right-back just does not work in the long term”, continuing to criticise the “mind-boggling” decision not to sign a natural wideman this summer.
While Moyes intimated during the transfer window that this new Everton project cannot be built in a day, or, more accurately, a single transfer window, there’s a sense that the club have sold themselves short in some areas, and with such promise coursing through the squad, it would be disappointing for a dearth of options in key areas to unravel the hard work plied across the year.
Jake O'Brien celebrates for Everton
O’Brien is a talented and combative defender who has a long-term place in this Everton squad, but it’s clear that TFG needed to sign a natural right-back this summer, especially with Seamus Coleman at the twilight end of his career and Nathan Patterson embroiled in an interminable battle against injuries.
As the season deepens, it’s becoming clear that Beto might not have what it takes to lead the line for Everton in the long run. Is this the same for O’Brien? It is not.
However, as Moyes’ system continues to develop and modernise, so too must an emphasis be placed on an upgrade on the right.
Moyes has just unearthed Everton's brand new Baines & it's not Mykolenko
Everton drew 1-1 with West Ham United in the Premier League as they crept up into ninth place.
Leeds United went through a mass amount of movement during the summer transfer window and could now be set to see another deal occur sooner rather than later.
Leeds United set to hunt for striker in January
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha have arrived to offer Daniel Farke support through the middle as Leeds settle back into Premier League life, and all signs point towards a renewed push for firepower in January.
Speaking to Football Insider’s Inside Track, journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed the Whites will need to seek out a regular goalscorer if they are to have a fighting chance of retaining their top-flight status.
“Obviously they were in the market for an attacking player right up until deadline day – Leeds have yet to score a goal in open play in the Premier League in three games.
“Nmecha has been leading the line in the first few games of season, while Calvert-Lewin came on and did quite well against Newcastle. If he can stay fit, he could prove to be a real asset for Leeds United, so there are options there for Daniel Farke’s team. It’s obvious they will need a regular goalscorer if they are to have any chance of staying up.”
Norwich City striker Josh Sargent continues to be linked with Leeds in a rumour that doesn’t appear to be close to going away anytime soon, albeit it remains to be seen if the Canaries are willing to part ways with the United States international.
However, in other news, Leeds may need to let a wantaway star depart the club permanently as he hunts for a new home in different surroundings.
Leeds star Isaac Schmidt seeks permanent Elland Road exit
Per BILD, relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds loanee Isaac Schmidt has revealed he wants a permanent move to Werder Bremen, and he has now taken the step of hunting for a home ahead of securing his next destination away from Elland Road.
Despite only joining from St Gallen last year in a deal worth £2.5 million and under contract until 2028, the Switzerland international featured only 14 times for the Whites last term and was second choice at right-back behind Jayden Bogle.
"Natural winner" touted to be next Leeds manager amid Farke "reservations"
It has now been revealed that a manager could be in line for a sensational return to the Premier League.
ByDominic Lund Sep 11, 2025
On his opening appearance for Werder Bremen, Schmidt struck a last-gasp equaliser in a 3-3 draw against Bayer Leverkusen, earning a Fotmob match rating of 7.7/10 despite only featuring for 14 minutes.
The Bundesliga outfit retain an option to purchase the 25-year-old for £2.5 million, and Schmidt has expressed his openness to staying,
With all parties on track to conduct an agreeable deal, it appears it is now only a matter of time before Schmidt becomes a permanent fixture at Weserstadion.
Leeds United now know what their opening set of fixtures in the Premier League look like, with August appearing to be a tough starting month for the already nervous Whites.
Indeed, top-flight stalwarts Everton, Arsenal, and Newcastle United all come in quick succession for Daniel Farke’s men to get the new season underway, with Leeds fans just praying an early result can be picked up to ease the expected anxiety around Elland Road.
Of course, there is still some time to go before Leeds’ Premier League adventure kicks off, with the off-season handing the newly promoted team plenty of opportunities to snap up some top-flight-ready talents.
Leeds in talks to sign £17m star
Jaka Bijol and Lukas Nmecha – who both played in the Serie A and the Bundesliga last season – have already entered the building but there is plenty more on the way for Leeds.
Indeed, the West Yorkshire titans could be about to secure an even better signing than their new 6-foot-3 Slovenian, with a Premier League-proven battler now on their shopping list.
According to reports in Spain, via Sport Witness, Leeds are in talks regarding the signature of Brighton and Hove Albion centre-back Igor Julio.
The report states that significant funds have come Leeds’ way after the glory of promotion, with the Whites desiring a player of Igor’s characteristics to try and consolidate as a Premier League-capable outfit.
Valued at around the £17m mark according to Transfermarkt, it will be intriguing to see who comes out on top in the race to land the Seagulls’ number three, with the report revealing that Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers are other keen parties from England.
Leeds will hope they can put their newfound millions to good use by landing the Brazilian, with Igor already having an upper hand over his potential new teammate in Bijol in being instantly ready for the challenge ahead of the English top-flight.
Why Igor would be an even better signing than Bijol
Of course, plenty will be expected of Bijol on his arrival in England, but it will take him time to get up to speed with his daunting new environment.
On the contrary, the imposing South American already has two top-flight campaigns under his belt on the South Coast, with the 27-year-old consistently sticking out as a reliable member of the Seagulls camp when thrown into action.
Games played
24
13
Goals
0
0
Assists
0
0
Touches*
70.4
63.9
Accurate passes*
55.3 (94%)
50.8 (93%)
Ball recoveries*
4.4
3.2
Total duels won*
3.0
1.8
When glancing at the table above, it’s clear that the Brazilian shines with the ball planted at his feet, with a stunning 94% pass accuracy averaged during his debut Premier League campaign for Brighton.
This unerring ability to pick out a pass under pressure will stand him in good stead to shine under Farke’s wing, therefore, with Leeds defensive mainstay Joe Rodon successfully completing 92% of his passes last season.
This is where Bijol falls flat in comparison, with the Slovenian only average an 84% pass accuracy across the same time span.
On top of that, Igor has even more top-flight experience on his side when weighed up next to the ex-Udinese man, notably when on the books of Fiorentina.
104 Serie A appearances came his way when plying his trade in Florence. To add context, Bijol falls short of that amount by 14 games.
Of course, Bijol will have a key role to play next season as Leeds adjust to their new level.
But, having also recently been lauded as an “animal” by ex-Seagulls coach Inigo Calderon, picking up Igor could be just what Leeds crave in winning a battler ready to roll his sleeves up for the cause, with the 27-year-old well aware of what it takes to be a success in such a gruelling division.
Big Piroe upgrade: Leeds in the race to sign "deceptively quick" £21m star
Leeds United are reportedly in the race to sign a striker who could be an upgrade on Joel Piroe.
Fabrizio Romano has shared an intriguing update on Arsenal and their transfer plans for the summer window, with one target set to speak to his agents about the possibility of a move to the Emirates Stadium this week.
Mikel Arteta set for talks with Arsenal co-chairman over striker plans
The Times and journalist Gary Jacob shared some very interesting news regarding Mikel Arteta and Gunners co-chair Josh Kroenke.
Arsenal: Berta now targeting £80m Premier League star as Rodrygo talks stall
They’re having problems in pursuit of the Brazilian.
ByEmilio Galantini May 26, 2025
According to their information, amid a plethora of reports linking them with a striker, Arteta and Kroenke are set for internal talks over signing a prolific centre-forward in the next few days, with Arsenal looking to solve their goalscoring problem.
Arsenal surrendered the Premier League title to Liverpool, finishing 10 points behind Arne Slot’s side, with the north Londoners failing to reach their previous heights in terms of ruthlessness in the final third.
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
Arteta’s men drew more games than any other side in the top ten over 24/25, scoring just 69 league goals in total, which is far fewer than the 91 and 88 they managed over the previous two seasons.
There has never been a more clear indication that Arsenal are in dire need of a striker, and Arteta publicly suggested that they have every intention of solving that issue among other concerns in the squad.
“Believe me, we are on it,” said Arteta about Arsenal potentially making a signing up front.
Arsenal manager MikelArteta
“We will try to squeeze and think and turn every stone that we possibly can, to make this club even more successful. But I think what these boys have done, the team has done, regarding everything that has happened, I repeat myself, I think they deserve a lot of credit.”
The result of these sit-down talks with Kroenke could have a profound effect on their chances of mounting a better Premier League title challenge next season, amid serious links to Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.
Viktor Gyokeres set to speak with agents about possible Arsenal move
The Swede ended 24/25 with 54 goals and 13 assists in all competitions, potentially signing-off on his Sporting career with a strike in the Portuguese Cup final against Benfica on Sunday.
Gyokeres is a top striker target for Arsenal, alongside RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, but it remains to be seen which marksman ends up at N5.
The 26-year-old has plenty of options, including Arteta’s side, with Romano sharing an update to GiveMeSport on Gyokeres’ plans after what was potentially his last game for Sporting.
Romano reports that Gyokeres is set to speak with his agents “in the next days” and assess all new destinations, including a possible move to Arsenal, and the ex-Coventry City star will make a decision on his next club “soon”.
Gyokeres’ rumoured price tag comes in at around £63 million, which could be seen as a bargain considering his exceptional goalscoring record, and it is peculiar that he hasn’t managed to seal a big-money move until this summer.
It adds further weight to some belief that Gyokeres is “massively underrated” in terms of strikers, and while you can make a case for a lack of quality in the Primeira Liga, the forward’s haul is hugely impressive no matter what division you’re playing in.
Arsenal have now joined the race for a “dangerous” £35m Premier League forward, who could go on to “reach Sadio Mane’s level”, according to a report.
Gunners set sights on new winger
There have been calls for the Gunners to sign a new winger this summer, amid concerns over some of Gabriel Martinelli’s performances in the 2024-25 campaign, with former defender Nigel Winterburn suggesting a replacement may be necessary,
Winterburn said: “That performance against Liverpool was better, but his form has been a bit erratic this season. He definitely needs to get back to the consistent levels of performance that we’ve seen in the past that we know he can produce.
“However, it wouldn’t surprise me, if I’m honest, if Arsenal brought someone in on that left-hand side to be a challenge and eventually replace Martinelli next season.”
Arsenal's GabrielMartinellireacts
Since then, Mikel Arteta’s side have identified a number of wingers as potential summer targets, including Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz, who is now believed to be a prime target, and Bayern Munich star Leroy Sane.
However, with Tottenham Hotspur considered the favourites to secure Sane’s signature, Arsenal could move on to alternative options, and a report from Spain has now revealed they have joined the race for Brighton & Hove Albion star Yankuba Minteh.
Minteh is attracting widespread interest ahead of the summer transfer window, with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United also closely monitoring his progress, and he could be allowed to leave Brighton for a fee of around £35m.
Arsenal now pull plug on £60m striker signing after Mikel Arteta decision
The Spaniard wants to withdraw.
ByEmilio Galantini May 31, 2025
None of the aforementioned clubs have submitted a formal offer as things stand, but the Seagulls could find it difficult to retain the forward’s services if they receive a significant bid, and there is certainly no shortage of interest.
"Dangerous" Minteh "can reach Sadio Mane's level"
Prior to the 20-year-old’s move to Brighton last summer, a Serbian football scout suggested the youngster “can reach Sadio Mane’s level”, which is high acclaim, given how important the Senegalese winger was to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side for several years.
Since then, the Gambian has gone on to establish himself as a key player for Fabian Hurzeler’s side, picking up six goals and four assists in 32 Premier League matches during his debut campaign in England.
Former Feyenoord striker Pierre van Hooijdonk has also lauded the young forward as “extremely dangerous”, which is underlined by his performance on some key attacking metrics over the past year, while some of his defensive showings indicate that he is a well-rounded player.
Statistic
Average per 90
Successful take-ons
2.25 (85th percentile)
Touches (Att pen)
7.15 (93rd percentile)
Tackles
2.35 (96th percentile)
Clearances
1.52 (97th percentile)
Minteh is yet to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s top wingers, but he is certainly exhibiting very promising signs at Brighton, and at £35m, he could be a savvy signing for Arsenal this summer.
Glasgow Rangers’ 2024/25 season is finally over. Truth be told, it was over once the Ibrox side were knocked out of the Europa League in April.
For Barry Ferguson, his interim spell at Rangers may have produced a few moments of magic, but he said his goodbyes following the 2-2 draw against Hibs at the weekend.
Now, the 49ers will be looking to bring in a new permanent manager ahead of pre-season. If they get the decision right, the Gers could challenge Celtic for domestic success next season.
Yet another wrong managerial appointment, however, and the club may have to get accustomed to finishing second in the Premiership.
Rangers interim managerBarryFergusonbefore the match
One thing the Light Blues haven’t done well over the years is selling their prized assets when the iron is hot.
This has seen plenty of big-name players leave the club for nothing, or for pennies, since Steven Gerrard departed in November 2021.
Rangers' financial mistakes in the transfer market
Giovanni van Bronckhorst may have sold Nathan Patterson, Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey for big fees all within six months of each other but sadly, they have been rareities.
Indeed, these are the only significant sales the Ibrox side have made since returning to the top flight in 2016. Compare this to Celtic’s record in the market, and it is night and day.
Player
Year released
Borna Barisic
2024
Ryan Jack
2024
John Lundstram
2024
Kemar Roofe
2024
Jon McLaughlin
2024
Alfredo Morelos
2023
Ryan Kent
2023
Scott Arfield
2023
Alan McGregor
2023
Filip Helander
2023
Andy Firth
2022
Jack Simpson
2022
Leon Balogun
2022
Jake Hastie
2022
Via Transfermarkt
Two of the club’s biggest commodities – Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos – were somehow allowed to run down their contracts towards the end of the 2022/23 season.
At the time, Morelos was valued at €6m (£5m) and Kent €9m (£7.5m), meaning that if Rangers wished to cash in, they would have got a decent figure for either player.
This proved to be a costly financial decision. As did buying players such as Sam Lammers for £3m and Danilo for a reported fee of £6m. At the time of writing, the duo have only managed to score 14 goals between them.
Alfredo Morelos
Hopefully, new ownership means better decisions will be made in the transfer market. With new signings, money should be invested in younger talents who have the potential to generate massive profits in the next few years.
Regarding outgoings, players should be sold when they are at the peak of their powers, thus funding the arrival of more talent, meaning the cycle can continue.
While supporters don’t want to see the club’s best players leave Ibrox, sometimes it is necessary for further improvement.
With this in mind, the new manager could do worse than aim to receive a massive fee for striker Hamza Igamane, especially as he has caught the eye of clubs down south.
The latest on Hamza Igamane's Rangers future
The Moroccan centre-forward was certainly an unknown quantity when he arrived in Glasgow last summer.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Nearly a year later, he has proved many people wrong, finishing the season with a tally of 16 goals and three assists. The youngster even gained his first senior cap for Morocco in the process.
The Europa League proved to be a happy hunting ground for the attacker, scoring four goas and grabbing an assist across ten games in the competition.
His effort against Tottenham Hotspur looked like it was enough for the Gers to seal all three points, but his performance did generate interest from the Premier League.
Indeed, it was reported after the game that Everton had sent scouts to monitor him against Spurs and were suitably impressed with his display.
Recently, French side Strasbourg have been linked with a move for the striker ahead of the summer transfer window.
Hamza Igamane
If Rangers do decide to sell, they must aim to get as big a fee as possible. Igamane won’t be the only player attracting attention in the summer, as Nicolas Raskin will be in high demand when the window opens.
Why it's the right time to sell Raskin
The Belgian midfielder returned from an injury that derailed his opening weeks of the campaign to emerge as one of the club’s best players.
Raskin was superb throughout the league campaign, managing to create nine big chances for his teammates, while averaging 1.3 key passes and succeeding with 68% of his dribbles per game.
Defensively, the midfielder was imperious, winning 6.6 total duels per game – a success rate of 66% – while also making 2.8 tackles, 0.6 interceptions and recovering 5.6 balls per match.
Operating from the heart of the midfield, Raskin’s abilities at both ends of the pitch have been on display for the Gers and this has attracted plenty of attention in securing his services this summer.
At the start of May, both Aston Villa and Leeds United were reportedly showing plenty of interest in bringing the former Standard Liege midfielder south of the border.
Not looking to repeat previous mistakes in the transfer market, the Light Blues have reportedly valued Raskin at around £20m, meaning they could generate a big profit on their initial £1.2m investment. If a club comes in with an offer of this magnitude, or perhaps even higher, then they must be ready to cash in.
Of course, he could get better, but right now, the iron is hot, and this money could be used to reinvest in the playing squad.
Raskin began to shine during Ferguson’s interim spell between February and the end of the season, leading journalist Scott Bradley to heap praise on the Belgian who said that Raskin “has been a different animal since Barry Ferguson has come in.”
A has a big future indeed, especially considering Premier League sides are keeping a close watch on him ahead of the transfer window opening.
Rangers simply have to sell players when they are just at the peak of their talents. It might not always be possible, but letting quality players run down their contracts isn’t going to work from now on.
Igamane and Raskin are two prized jewels in this current Rangers squad. If the new manager is able to get £40m or more both, it would certainly be considered excellent business.
Not just Butland: Rangers flop may have played his last game at Ibrox
Several Rangers players wont be at the club next season after the 2-2 draw with Hibs.