Unsurprisingly, after such a disappointing Championship campaign, West Bromwich Albion are now going full steam ahead to get rid of some declining stalwarts.

Indeed, the recent retained list revealed that both Semi Ajayi and John Swift would be allowed to walk away from the Hawthorns for nothing this summer, alongside the enigmatic Grady Diangana also being released upon his contract expiring in June.

Whilst both Swift and Ajayi had become part of the furniture at the West Midlands outfit, the loss of Diangana will hurt just that little bit more, considering the Congolese forward had fired home seven goals during the 2023/24 season that saw the Carlos Corberan-led Baggies narrowly miss out on promotion.

However, after only averaging 44 minutes of league action this season, the decision was made to axe the hot-and-cold 27-year-old, with these three transfer targets now perhaps on the West Brom shopping list to try and fill Diangana’s void.

1 Kwame Poku

Kwame Poku’s name is being talked about in all sorts of rumour mills with West Brom’s near neighbours Birmingham City reportedly very keen on adding the Peterborough United superstar to their roster.

The Baggies have previously been keen themselves, and with Diangana now gone, this could mean a move is reignited for an attacker who has regularly made League One his playground, starring for Darren Ferguson’s men.

In 2024/25 – despite injury curtailing large portions of his campaign – Poku managed to pick up a blistering 12 goals and eight assists in league action from only 25 starts, meaning he could be ready for a jump-up in quality to test himself more.

Capable of playing down either flank or through the middle like Diangana, he might well be the perfect fit for the Baggies too as they begin to navigate life without their long-standing servant.

2 Jamie Donley

The second-tier giants could also go down the loan route to try and replace Diangana, with plenty of rumours linking the West Midlands side with a loan move for Tottenham Hotspur starlet Jamie Donley.

After all – much like Poku and Diangana – Donley’s versatile nature means he can line up all over the attacking positions as a main striker, as a number ten or as a winger, alongside the fact he has already proven himself in the EFL’s mean leagues on the books of Leyton Orient.

Games played

39

Goals scored

8

Assists

10

Shots*

1.4

Key passes*

1.6

Big chances missed

4

Big chances created

17

Away from offering goals aplenty if he were to join the growing West Brom ranks – seen in his eight League One goals across a sublime 2024/25 – he would also be able to gift the managerless Baggies another bright, creative outlet, with his ten assists another standout statistic from the table above.

If the 20-year-old forward was to set the Championship alight in a similar manner, any lingering woe surrounding Diangana’s exit would be put to bed.

3 Tom Lawrence

Lastly, instead of relying on a youngster to come good, West Brom could instead look to bring in a former seasoned head at the level in Tom Lawrence to try and fill the Diangana-shaped hole.

After all, the second-tier underperformers, who have been interested in the 31-year-old’s services previously, would be able to add Lawrence to their camp for free, with the Wrexham-born ace now without a club after leaving Rangers.

After all, whilst Diangana was performing to the peak of his powers at the Hawthorns, the EFL veteran was shining equally as bright for former side Derby County, with the Welshman closing out his stay at Pride Park by registering a bumper 37 goals and 25 assists from 185 clashes.

With six strikes under his belt this season too in Scotland, he could still have plenty to give West Brom as they aim to be within the promotion positions again.

West Brom want to hire "outstanding" boss who'd be better than Eric Ramsay

West Bromwich Albion could land themselves an upgrade on the former Manchester United coach by appointing this manager instead.

ByKelan Sarson May 19, 2025

There have been two significant problems for Arsenal this season, which have resulted in yet another trophyless campaign.

The first is their numerous and significant injuries, and the second is their lack of cutting-edge up top, which said injuries have exacerbated.

For example, as things stand, the North Londoners have scored 17 goals fewer than Liverpool in the Premier League despite being just one place behind them in the table.

So, with such a clear deficit between them and their title rival, it’s hardly been surprising to see a host of talented attackers linked with the Gunners in recent weeks, such as Bryan Mbeumo, although even with his lofty price tag, one of Arsenal’s own stars is worth millions more.

Why Arsenal want sign Mbeumo

So, according to reports from earlier this week, Arsenal are keen on signing Mbeumo during the summer, but what is it about him that has caught the North Londoners’ eye

Well, the main thing is that even though he’s not the biggest name around and plays for a team who were in the Championship just a few seasons ago, the Cameroon international is a lean, mean goalscoring machine.

For example, in just 41 appearances, totalling 3487 minutes this season, the “unplayable” attacker, as dubbed by Brentford boss Thomas Frank, has scored 19 goals and provided nine assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.46 games, or every 124.53 minutes.

Moreover, on top of his prolific nature in front of goal, the former Troyes star can play in a number of different positions, from right-wing to centre-forward to second striker, and he’s even made a few appearances off the left.

In all, Mbeumo would bring a mountain of goals with him to the Emirates and help bulk out Arteta’s attacking options, making his supposed £60m price tag seem relatively reasonable.

Yet, while he’d likely be a hit in North London, the Brentford star would have to hit the ground running and then some to see his valuation get anywhere near one of his potential teammates.

The Arsenal star worth millions more than Mbeumo

The good news for Arsenal is that while they haven’t all performed at their best this season, they do have a few very talented attackers in the squad, such as Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz.

However, when it comes to someone who is worth considerably more than Mbeumo, only one player stands out: Bukayo Saka.

Yes, according to Transfermarkt, the young Englishman is worth up to an astounding €150m, which is about £126m, or a whopping £66m more than the Brentford ace is likely to cost the club.

Now, while that might sound like an absurd valuation, it’s probably a fair one, as, despite still being just 23 years old and missing over three months of the season, the Hale End superstar has still been the Gunners’ most productive player this season.

For example, in just 36 appearances, totalling 2592 minutes, the “legend in the making,” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.38 games, or every 99.69 minutes.

Saka’s 24/25

Competition

PL

UCL

EFL Cup

Appearances

24

9

3

Minutes

1709′

764′

119′

Goals

6

6

0

Assists

11

2

1

Goal Involvements per Match

0.70

0.88

0.33

Minutes per Goal Involvement

100.52′

95.5′

119′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Moreover, according to FBref, he sits in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for shot-creating actions from shots and goal-creating actions, the top 2% for expected assists, the top 5% for goals plus assists and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while Mbeumo would be a brilliant signing, it feels unlikely that he’d ever be as valuable as Saka, as the talismanic winger is already performing at a world-class level and has many more years to get even better.

Related Gyokeres alternative: Arsenal working to sign "monster" £60m Havertz upgrade

The Premier League star would be unreal for Arsenal.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes May 20, 2025

Rangers are now eyeing a move for a “tactically astute” manager who plays “really good football” as a replacement for interim boss Barry Ferguson, according to a report.

Gers' manager search continues

Initially, there were some suggestions that Ferguson could be handed the manager’s job on a permanent basis, but it is now looking increasingly likely the new boss will be an outside here, with a number of potential options on the shortlist.

A major update has suggested that Real Madrid assistant manager Davide Ancelotti could now be rising up the shortlist, with the Gers submitting an offer for the Italian, who is the son of legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Steven Gerrard also remains a contender for the job, alongside Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl, while Rafa Benitez and Marco Rose have previously been named as potential targets, so there is no shortage of options on the shortlist.

Rangers have sent scouts to watch 19 y/o attacker with tiny release clause

He could be seen as one for the future for the Gers.

ByHenry Jackson May 11, 2025

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Rangers are also eyeing a move for former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O’Neil alongside Ancelotti, with the board looking to bring in a progressive coach, capable of implementing a modern, attacking style of play.

The 49ers are looking to get a new era underway at Ibrox, which means a move for Gerrard may not be likely, although the former Liverpool man is still under consideration, alongside O’Neil, given the tactical work on show during his time with Wolves.

The 41-year-old is seen as an innovative coach, who would fit the bill for the Gers, given that he would be capable of implementing a clear style of play at Ibrox, and while he would prefer to remain in England, the opportunity to manage a big club in Europe could be tempting.

"Tactically astute" O'Neil could be solid appointment

While the Englishman was ultimately dismissed by Wolves earlier this season, there were some promising signs during his stint at Molineux, having received high praise from Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe, who described him as “tactically astute.”

The ex-Wolves boss was also lauded for the style of play he implemented by former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who said: “The way he has come in and galvanised the club with Shaun Derry and everything behind the scenes, it’s been great with what they have done and they’re playing some really good football.”

The London-born manager, who prefers to utilise a 3-4-2-1 formation, led Wolves to safety in his first season in charge, while also securing survival for AFC Bournemouth in the 2022-23 Premier League campaign.

O’Neil’s experience in the English top flight could serve him well in the Rangers dugout, but he is yet to manage a top club competing in the upper echelons of the table, so there may be some reservations about his appointment.

Arsenal have now been contacted by the entourage of a Manchester United star, ahead of a potential summer move, according to a report.

Gunners stepping up winger pursuit

With Mikel Arteta’s side poised to finish second for the third year on the bounce, the board are set to spend big in the upcoming window, and The Mirror’s John Cross has revealed there are two key areas in which the manager is looking to strengthen.

Bukayo Saka’s lengthy spell on the sidelines this season underlined his importance to the Gunners, but there may be some concerns about Gabriel Martinelli’s attacking output, with the Brazilian hardly setting the world alight in the Premier League.

The 23-year-old picked up just eight goals and four assists in the 2024-25 campaign, and the north Londoners could now be presented with the opportunity to raid one of their Premier League rivals for a potential replacement.

Indeed, according to a report from The Boot Room, the agents of Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho have now been in contact over a potential move to the Emirates Stadium this summer, with the left-winger set to be sold.

Garnacho is frustrated about not being included in the starting XI for the Europa League final, and having accepted he needs to leave Old Trafford this summer, the Argentine is keen on a switch to Atletico Madrid, while Napoli are also in the picture.

It remains to be seen whether the 20-year-old is tempted by a move to Arsenal, but any deal is expected to amount to around £51m.

£359k-per-week striker would join Arsenal "immediately", Berta wants him

He’s apparently very keen.

ByEmilio Galantini May 24, 2025 "Generational" Garnacho needs summer move

Much like a whole host of other top players, the Argentina international’s career has stalled at Old Trafford, picking up just six goals and two assists in the Premier League this season, but there are plenty of signs the youngster could be a success elsewhere.

Lauded as “generational” by Statman Dave, the starlet holds the record for most goal involvements by a teenager in United’s history, while he has also received praise for his ability to create chances.

That said, Arsenal have identified a number of other winger targets, and it would be a risk to take a punt on Garnacho, rather than a player who is more proven at the top level.

Player

Current club

Potential cost

Rafael Leao

AC Milan

£145m

Nico Williams

Athletic Club

£49m

Ademola Lookman

Atalanta

£55m

Rodrygo

Real Madrid

£85m

Every year, football’s elite gather in Paris to determine the winner of the Ballon d’Or.

Well, perhaps not if your name is Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian famously snubbed the awards evening in 2024 when he found out he’d been outvoted for the major accolade by Manchester City’s midfield sensation Rodri.

It was a landmark year for the Spaniard, who won the Premier League with City and also won the European Championships after defeating England in the final.

Having suffered a terrible ACL injury towards the end of the year, Rodri was not in the conversation to win the award again in 2025.

The last 10 Ballon d’Or winners

Year

Player

Club

2014

Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid

2015

Lionel Messi

Barcelona

2016

Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid

2017

Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid

2018

Luka Modric

Real Madrid

2019

Lionel Messi

Barcelona

2021

Lionel Messi

PSG

2022

Karim Benzema

Real Madrid

2023

Lionel Messi

PSG/Inter Miami

2024

Rodri

Manchester City

2025

Ousmane Dembele

PSG

2020 award not given due to Covid-19

Instead, it was PSG’s Ousmane Dembele who reigned supreme, having starred as the Parisiens finally won the Champions League in 2024/25.

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Posts ByCharlie Smith Sep 23, 2025

What made Dembele’s triumph all the more remarkable was the fact that he’d never actually been dominated for the award before.

He beat off some stiff competition, including Lamine Yamal, but what does the future have in store for the Spaniard? Well, with the help of Grok, the next ten winners of the Ballon d’Or have been predicted.

1 2026: A first crown for France's best Kylian Mbappe

With Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi no longer the players they once were, it was always predicted that Kylian Mbappe would rise to the top.

A victory in 2026 would be a long time coming for Madrid’s latest Galactico but it would be an award well deserved. There’s a World Cup in 2026, too. Perhaps he’s just led France to a second triumph in three attempts?

2 2027: The wonderkid triumphs for the first time Lamine Yamal

One of the favourites for 2025, Yamal finally gets the recognition on a global stage that he deserves in two years time. At the age of 17, he’s already won the Kopa Trophy for the best U21 player, and it feels only a matter of time before he’s officially crowned the best player in the world.

Cole Palmer already thinks he is, and with numbers like he’s achieved in 2024/25, scoring 18 and assisting 26, anything is possible. He is a generational talent, the rightful heir to Lionel Messi’s throne.

Lamine Yamal in 2024/25

Games

55

Goals

18

Assists

25

Stats via Transfermarkt.

3 2028: A victory for the Premier League Erling Haaland

Like Mbappe, Haaland has been tripped as a future Ballon d’Or winner for a while now but AI thinks we’ll have to wait another three years before seeing Manchester City’s goal machine given the gong.

Given the length of his contract, he’s set to stay in the Premier League for a long time and is likely to continue banging in the goals on a domestic and continental level. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he is the definitive best number 9 of all time once he hangs up his boots.

4 2029: Messi 2.0 does it again Lamine Yamal

We told you he was generational. Two years on from his first success, Yamal is set to be handed his second Ballon d’Or, truly following in the footsteps of the great Messi.

At this point in his career, he’ll still only be 22 years of age. His potential is utterly frightening.

5 2030: Another win for Real Madrid Vinicius Jr

Six years on from what he felt was a cruel loss at the hands of Rodri, Brazil’s heir to Neymar and Real Madrid’s heir to CR7, Vini Jr, will finally get his hands on football’s most prestigious individual award.

Although aged 30, AI thinks he’ll still be going strong for Real Madrid, and with it being a World Cup year, maybe, just maybe, Brazil have got their hands on the trophy again.

Vini Jr in 2024/25

Games

51

Goals

20

Assists

17

Stats via Transfermarkt.

6 2031: Another Barca great does it Pedri

Every player on this list so far has been a forward but Barcelona star Pedri is set to topple the Yamal dominance by winning the award himself, following in the footsteps of the amazing Luka Modric and Rodri, the last midfielders to win the award.

The Spaniard is only 22 at the time of writing but he had a captivating season for Barca as they reached the Champions League final and won LaLiga. He’s played 59 times in 2024/25, scoring six goals and assisting eight. If he does indeed win the Ballon d’Or in 2031, his longevity certainly will have been Modric-esque.

7 2032: Liverpool's new signing takes it home Florian Wirtz

On the cusp of signing for Liverpool, who knows where Florian Wirtz will be playing in seven years time but AI seems to reckon that after securing a transfer to a Champions League giant and putting in strong showings for Germany, he’ll be the best player in the world.

Well, if it’s with the Reds, it would be their first Ballon d’Or winner since a certain Michael Owen back in 2001.

Wirtz is certainly one of the finest playmakers in the world already, contributing to 31 goals (16 goals, 15 assists) in the 2024/25 season when he was still with Bayer Leverkusen.

8 2033: More success for Germany Jamal Musiala

Back-to-back success for Germany as Jamal Musiala picks up his first crown in 2033. This could be the start of a newfound dominance for Die Mannschaft, who with Musiala and Wirtz in tow, may well have won the 2032 European Championships.

AI is backing the attacking midfielder to trump everyone else due to Bayern Munich’s dominance, international accolades and consistent form.

9 2034: A third major honour awaits Lamine Yamal

Rounding things off is a third triumph for one of the best players this generation has seen; Yamal.

In 2034, he’s be 27 and at the peak of his career with AI predicting him to cement his legacy as a generational talent. If he isn’t already, he’s now a truly household name, one of the best players we’ve ever seen in the game and right up there with Messi.

Only two players, Messi and Ronaldo, have won it more than three times, while Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten are the only other players to have all taken it home on three occasions.

10 2035: Brazilian follows in the footsteps of Vini Jr Endrick

While Yamal will no doubt be in the conversation again after winning it for a third time, his reign is brought to a halt by another of LaLiga’s top wonderkids at the moment, Endrick.

AI predicts that the Brazilian striker will become a powerhouse over the next decade, potentially winning the World Cup 2034 Golden Ball before cementing himself as the best striker in the world in ten years’ time. Grok reckons that the forward’s physicality and finishing ability will give him the edge over Yamal at this point.

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Posts ByBarney Lane Oct 26, 2024

Aston Villa have now made contact over a deal for a defender, whose recent performances have attracted the attention of some top clubs, according to a report.

Aston Villa eyeing bargain signings amid PSR concerns

PSR has been a thorn in Villa’s side for quite some time now, having previously been forced to cash-in on the likes of Douglas Luiz and Jhon Duran to raise funds, and having missed out on the Champions League in controversial fashion, NSWE may have to make sales this summer.

After the 2-0 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford, there are now doubts over the futures of Morgan Rogers, Emi Martinez and Marco Asensio, with Manchester City being named as potential suitors for the former in the past.

Martinez also looks as though he could be heading for the exit door, with Atletico Madrid recently entering the race for the Argentina international, alongside Manchester United, although it is unclear whether a move to Old Trafford would be of great appeal after their Europa League final defeat.

Better than Rashford: Aston Villa exploring move for "special" £58m star

It’s set to be a busy summer at Aston Villa, so could they sign a “special player” from a Premier League rival for £58m instead of Marcus Rashford?

ByBen Gray May 30, 2025

Amid PSR concerns, it could be a wise idea for Aston Villa and NSWE to make some low-cost additions to the squad this summer, and they have now made contact over a deal for Hellas Verona defender Diego Coppola, according to reports from Italy (via Sport Witness).

Owing to some of his recent performances, Coppola is now attracting widespread interest ahead of the summer transfer window, with the likes of Juventus, AC Milan, Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford also being named as potential suitors.

A deal could be on the relatively cheap side too, with the Serie A side expected to receive offers of around €10m – €15m (£8m – £13m) in the coming weeks.

"No-nonsense" Coppola impressing in Italy

The Hellas Verona defender is only 21-years-old, but he has already solidified his place as a regular starter for the Italian side, making 34 Serie A appearances in the 2024-25 campaign, during which time he impressed considerably.

Indeed, the Italian centre-back showcased his defensive quality on a regular basis, perhaps most notably ranking in the top 1% for interceptions per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

Statistic

Average per 90

Aerials won

4.09 (98th percentile)

Interceptions

2.21 (99th percentile)

Tackles

2.03 (85th percentile)

Not only that, but the “no-nonsense CB”, as dubbed by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, also proved himself to be an attacking threat, scoring with a towering header in his side’s 3-2 victory over Parma back in December.

Coppola has proven he could now be ready to take the next step in his career, and he could be a fantastic low-cost addition to Unai Emery’s squad.

Manchester United’s forward line has been massively underwhelming throughout 2024/25, undoubtedly contributing to their lowly Premier League standing.

The Red Devils have only registered 42 goals in their 37 league outings to date, an average of just 1.1 per 90, highlighting the need for investment in such a department over the summer.

Ruben Amorim will want to make key changes to his squad during the off-season to try and right the wrongs of the current campaign and be a success at Old Trafford.

With the summer window right around the corner, work has already been done by the hierarchy to back the manager and hand him the tools he requires to change the fortunes at the club.

However, it’s crucial that the manager makes the right additions to the squad, with quality over quantity needed if they are to return to their former glory in the near future.

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

Viktor Gyokeres has been a constant target for United over the last couple of months after Amorim’s arrival, understandably so given their time together at Sporting CP.

The Swede has registered 53 goals in 51 games throughout the current campaign, leading to rumours of a £60m switch to Old Trafford, with Arsenal also in the race for his signature.

However, the club have targeted alternatives over the last couple of weeks, leading to further links with Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap, according to journalist Laurie Whitwell.

His report states that the Red Devils are set to hold face-to-face talks with the striker over a move to the club after his impressive debut Premier League campaign, which has seen him net 12 times in 36 outings.

It also claims that Amorim’s side are leading the race for his signature and are willing to trigger the £30m release clause that has become active after the Tractor Boys’ relegation was confirmed.

Why United’s £30m target could be their next Rooney

Wayne Rooney will forever be a club icon at United, given their success he endured at the club over a sustained spell, breaking a whole host of impressive records.

The Englishman joined the Red Devils in a £30m deal from Everton back in 2004, with little to no fans expecting the forward to have the impact he did at Old Trafford.

He registered a staggering 253 goals in his 559 appearances, the most of any player in the club’s history, highlighting the impact he made during his spell in the North West.

Rooney also won 12 major honours during his spell at the club, including five league triumphs, something which now appears to be a distant memory given the recent slump at the Theatre of Dreams.

However, this summer, Amorim could land his own version of Rooney in a deal for Delap, following suit by joining for £30m from a smaller Premier League outfit.

The comparisons could also be made with their respective playstyles, with the Ipswich star having similar ball-striking abilities and a battering ram-like presence in forward areas.

His stats from this campaign are evidence of how much of an impressive addition he would be for the Red Devils, offering a cheaper alternative to a deal for Gyokeres.

Most goals scored by U23 STs in Europe’s top-five leagues (2024/25)
Player	Club	Games	Goals
Arnaud Kalimuendo	Stade Rennais	33	17
Hugo Ekitiké	Eintracht Frankfurt	33	15
Emanuel Emegha	Strasbourg	27	14
Benjamin Sesko	RB Leipzig	33	13
Mika Biereth	Monaco	16	13
Liam Delap	Ipswich Town	36	12
Thierno Barry	Villarreal	34	11
Joao Pedro	Brighton	27	10
Stats via Transfermarkt

Delap, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has completed 1.4 take-ons per 90, along with 1.6 carries into the final third – offering the side a needed all-round presence in attacking areas.

He’s also won 1.9 aerials per 90, along with a 45% shot-on-target accuracy, handing the side the added aerial and clinical threat they’ve been lacking throughout 2024/25.

His £30m clause could prove to be a potential bargain should Amorim sign him this summer, offering a cheaper but just as impressive option in attacking areas.

Should he get anywhere near the levels produced by Rooney at Old Trafford, it would be a sensational piece of business and one that could push the side back towards their former glory.

The new Van Nistelrooy: Man Utd make approach for £55m Delap alternative

Man Utd are desperate to sign a new centre-forward this summer, with Liam Delap just one target to have emerged.

By
Robbie Walls

May 20, 2025

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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Former Chelsea and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho admitted he was an “inch” away from signing a player who would go on to become an “all-time great” at Arsenal.

Mourinho is already regarded as one of the best bosses there has ever been, enjoying plenty of success and winning major honours with FC Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Man Utd and AS Roma.

FC Porto

Champions League

2004

UEFA Cup

2003

Liga Portugal

2003, 2004

Taça de Portugal

2003

Portuguese Super Cup

2003

Chelsea

Premier League

2005, 2006, 2015

FA Cup

2007

League Cup

2005, 2007, 2015

Community Shield

2005

Inter Milan

Champions League

2010

Serie A

2009, 2010

Coppa Italia

2010

Italian Super Cup

2008

Real Madrid

La Liga

2012

Copa del Rey

2011

Spanish Super Cup

2012

Manchester United

League Cup

2017

Community Shield

2016

AS Roma

Europa Conference League

2022

Cristiano Ronaldo even called Mourinho the best manager he has ever worked with back in 2015, saying: “I would put him at the top, I always say that. He’s a good coach, he did many good things and won many trophies for other clubs.”

During his career, the Portuguese tactician has entertained the footballing world with some brilliant quotes and touchline moments, and he has also struck gold on numerous players in the transfer market.

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From defensive stars at Chelsea in Ashley Cole and Petr Cech to attacking icons in Samuel Eto’o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, there have been plenty of high-profile names Mourinho has persuaded to join him down the years.

However, one of the near-misses Mourinho had in the early days of his coaching career was with Thierry Henry, who would go on to become an Arsenal icon.

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Now Arsenal’s record goalscorer after a memorable eight-year spell in north London, Henry was signed from Juventus in 1999.

He won two Premier League titles at Highbury and lifted the FA Cup on three occasions, going down as one of the best players the top flight has ever seen.

Juventus only had the French forward for a matter of months before selling him to the Gunners, and they signed him from AS Monaco.

It could have been so much different, though, with Mourinho revealing in 2014 that during his time as Barcelona assistant manager to Sir Bobby Robson, the Catalan giants were an “inch” away from signing Henry from Monaco.

Henry would come up against Mourinho on numerous occasions but never worked under the Portuguese boss, who called Henry “one of the all-time greats”.

During Burnley’s heyday in the Premier League under Sean Dyche, the Clarets were well-known for being an attritional side defensively.

Indeed, come the end of the memorable 2017/18 campaign that saw Burnley finish in an unbelievable seventh spot, Dyche’s brave troops had only shipped a slim 39 goals in total. To add more context, Arsenal would amazingly ship 12 more strikes, despite finishing in fifth.

This could well mean Parker’s camp in the here and now stand a fighting chance at Premier League survival, having only just leaked a remarkably low 16 goals themselves on the way to sealing automatic promotion in the Championship.

But, all the publicity surrounding Burnley’s rock-solid defence has come back to bite them, with valiant Clarets centre-back CJ Egan-Riley now heading for the exit door.

Egan-Riley's situation at Burnley

Egan-Riley was a key component of the Clarets’ formidable defence in 2024/25, culminating in the former Manchester City defender picking up a bumper 26 clean sheets from 41 Championship ties.

Unfortunately, his contract situation at Turf Moor has become Burnley’s own undoing, with the 22-year-old’s current deal at the club expiring later this month, leading to him seeking out other employers in the form of RC Strasbourg and West Ham United.

This would be a disorienting loss for the Clarets to come to terms with, considering his crucial spot in the promotion-winning side under Parker, but they could win themselves a dream replacement by securing the services of an experienced Premier League centre-back.

Burnley's "outstanding" Egan-Riley replacement

Burnley will be well aware that adding in experience here and there could be vital in boosting their survival chances, with the Clarets of old relying on seasoned heads such as Ben Mee and James Tarkowski to get them out of sticky situations.

Joe Gomez could come in and offer that same level of protection, with a recent report from the Empire of the Kop revealing that amid interest from Leeds and the Clarets, Liverpool wouldn’t stand in the way of the 28-year-old if he did fancy leaving Anfield behind this summer, having now placed a £25m price-tag above his head.

Whilst the London-born centre-back has been troubled by recurring injury issues in recent seasons – as seen in him missing a combined 29 games across the last two campaigns – he has shown in the past for the Reds that he can be an imposing presence at an elite level.

This is evident in Gomez only leaking 106 goals from 149 Premier League contests and counting, with the Liverpool number two’s calm and composed presence potentially critical in easing Burnley’s nerves up a division with Egan-Riley no longer around.

Gomez’s overall PL numbers
Games played	149
Goals conceded	106
Tackles	211
Tackles won	72%
Recoveries	720
Duels won	590
Aerial battles won	253
Passes per match	53.79
Wins	99
Clean sheets	47
Stats from the Premier League

When glancing at the table above, it’s even clearer that Gomez would be a welcome addition to Parker’s ranks to replace Egan-Riley.

Indeed, the “outstanding” defender, as he was once praised by Reds teammate Virgil Van Dijk, averages a 72% tackle success rate across his wealth of top-flight experience.

Moreover, he didn’t look out of place either last season when thrown into the deep-end by Arne Slot, with a high 89% pass rate averaged across his nine league contests. Egan-Riley, despite being front and centre of the Clarets’ defence all season long, only averaged an 86% pass rate on the contrary.

Of course, Gomez has been helped on Merseyside by the exceptional calibre of the teammates around him.

But, to try and immediately plug the hole left behind by Egan-Riley, Burnley could do far worse than snapping up the consistent Liverpool number two in their efforts to try and secure survival.

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