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Leeds United’s return to the Premier League has been anything but quiet.

Following their 100-point Championship campaign, the 49ers Enterprises ownership backed Daniel Farke heavily in the transfer market, landing a string of ambitious signings.

Players such as Lucas Perri, Sean Longstaff, James Justin, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all arrived.

Yet it was not just arrivals that made headlines.

Key exits included Rasmus Kristensen, Maximilian Wöber, Junior Firpo, and perhaps most controversially, Largie Ramazani.

The Belgian winger had been a lively outlet during last season’s promotion push, but he was loaned to Valencia for the campaign – a move that left many supporters questioning whether Leeds had weakened their wide options.

With the club still finding its Premier League rhythm, the debate over whether Ramazani should have stayed has grown louder.

Why Leeds were right to let Ramazani go out on loan

Ramazani’s departure on a temporary basis is a curious subplot to Leeds’ summer.

The 24-year-old Belgium youth international only joined from Almería last year but quickly carved out a role in the promotion campaign.

Featuring 29 times in the Championship, he produced six goals and two assists, his pace and directness often unsettling second-tier defences.

With a market value of £6m, as per Transfermarkt, he represented a player in his prime years, and one many fans saw as ready for the next level.

A natural left-winger, Ramazani’s main strengths lie in stretching defences and committing opponents one-on-one.

His energy and willingness to run beyond meant he was often the difference maker in tight games.

On loan at Valencia, he has featured twice, offering the same blend of direct dribbling and counter-attacking thrust that made him popular at Elland Road.

Yet beneath the surface numbers, Ramazani’s output was limited at Championship level, suggesting that he may well have struggled up a division too.

His nine goal involvements across 30 matches last season, while respectable, were rarely decisive in big moments.

That is part of the reason Leeds sanctioned his loan, particularly given the scale of their recruitment drive and the emergence of an arguably bigger talent in the same position.

The answer to Leeds' wide problems

If Ramazani represented a promise unfulfilled, Noah Okafor offers a more complete package.

Signed from AC Milan for £18m, the 25-year-old Switzerland international arrived with a pedigree built across Europe.

His journey has taken him from FC Basel to RB Salzburg, where he developed a reputation as an explosive forward in the Champions League, before stints at Napoli and Milan.

Last season he featured 11 times in Serie A, scoring once, and added five appearances on the European stage.

Okafor is not simply a winger who hugs the touchline. Described by scout Jacek Kulig as “electric”, he combines agility and power with two-footed balance, close control and an ability to beat players in tight spaces.

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Crucially, he is also far more rounded than Ramazani: his defensive work rate, progressive carrying and ambidextrous dribbling make him suited to both high-pressing and counter-attacking systems.

The statistical comparison already tilts in his favour.

Noah Okafor – 2024/25

Matches Played

15

Minutes

454

Goals

1

Progressive Carries

28

Progressive Passes

13

Source: FBRef

Last season, Okafor produced 5.60 progressive carries per 90 compared to Ramazani’s 4.61, while also averaging more shot-creating actions (3.50 to 2.97).

He hits the target more frequently too, with 1.83 shots on target per 90 compared to Ramazani’s 1.39.

Although Ramazani leads for goal involvements (nine to Okafor’s one), the Swiss forward’s underlying numbers point towards far greater efficiency once settled in the Premier League.

Another area where Okafor stands out is ball progression.

His 25.2 carries per 90 reflect how central he is to advancing possession, while his blend of strength and control ensures he can both hold play up and drive past opponents.

Ramazani’s raw pace is useful, but Okafor provides a wider range of tools that make him harder to defend against at elite level.

Okafor’s European experience is another clear distinction. Having faced Champions League knockout ties and Serie A defences, he arrives at Elland Road with a level of maturity that Ramazani is yet to prove.

His display at the weekend gave a glimpse of what he can bring: direct running, creative spark, and a physical presence Leeds have lacked in wide areas.

For Leeds, the decision to let Ramazani leave now looks less risky.

While the Belgian may yet prove his worth in La Liga, Okafor already appears capable of offering Premier League quality.

In a squad balancing survival with ambition, having a winger of Okafor’s calibre may prove the smarter investment.

Related Leeds were brewing bigger homegrown star than Harry Gray but Farke sold him

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Posts ByDan Emery Sep 17, 2025

Everton’s transfer window has been a fascinating mix of ambition, pragmatism, and sentiment.

Under David Moyes, the Toffees are working hard to reshape their squad following the departures of several key figures, including Ashley Young, Abdoulaye Doucouré, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The Hill Dickinson Stadium has already seen fresh faces arrive, with Moyes bringing in talent such as Thierno Barry from Villarreal, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea, Tyler Dibling from Southampton, and Jack Grealish from Manchester City.

The latter made an immediate impression, providing two assists in the club’s 2–0 Premier League victory over Brighton.

Momentum has slowly begun to build.

Everton recovered from an opening-day defeat at a raucous Elland Road with back-to-back wins: the triumph against Brighton and a professional 2–0 dispatch of Mansfield Town in the EFL Cup.

For Moyes, however, the task of reinforcing his midfield remains urgent.

The Scottish manager has never hidden his preference for industrious, disciplined footballers who combine physicality with tactical intelligence.

It is no surprise, then, that his latest target happens to be a player with whom he shares a deep personal and professional bond.

This towering talent could well be cast in the role once played so effectively at Goodison by Marouane Fellaini.

Everton plotting move for Moyes reunion

Reports from Football Insider suggest Everton are preparing an improved bid for a player Moyes knows better than most: Tomáš Souček.

Transfer Focus

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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The Czech Republic international, now 30, was first introduced to English football by Moyes during his second spell at West Ham in 2020.

What followed was a highly productive partnership.

Under Moyes’ guidance, Souček became a mainstay in the Hammers’ midfield, making over 200 appearances and establishing himself as one of the most reliable performers in the Premier League.

West Ham, however, are reluctant sellers.

Having already rejected Everton’s opening offer, the East London club are holding firm at a valuation of £19 million.

With his contract running until 2028, they retain leverage, though the recent arrivals of Mateus Fernandes from Southampton and Soungoutou Magassa from Monaco have added considerable depth to their midfield department.

That recruitment drive, coupled with a poor start to the campaign which has seen the Irons lose heavily to Sunderland and Chelsea, could create circumstances in which a deal becomes feasible.

From Everton’s perspective, the move would represent a deliberate attempt to reintroduce a profile of player Goodison Park has missed since Fellaini left for Manchester United in 2013.

Reports suggest the player himself is keen on the move, eager for another spell under Moyes in what could be one of the more emotive transfers of the summer window.

Why Soucek can be Moyes' new Fellaini

The parallels between Souček and Fellaini go well beyond stature.

Moyes’ Everton sides of the late 2000s were built on work ethic and tactical discipline, but they were also elevated by Fellaini’s unique capacity to blur the line between midfield and attack.

The Belgian was capable of breaking up play, bullying defenders, and popping up with crucial goals – qualities Souček has replicated at West Ham.

During his West Ham tenure, the towering midfielder was trusted implicitly by the Scottish coach.

Souček has netted 42 times and registered 13 assists across 248 games for West Ham, while also writing his name into the club’s history books by helping them win the Europa Conference League in Prague – his hometown – against Fiorentina.

Tomáš Souček – Stats 2024/25

Matches Played

35

Goals

9

Assists

1

Progressive Carries

9

Progressive Passes

74

Source: FBref

On a purely footballing level, the Czech international looks an excellent addition to Moyes’ evolving side.

His statistical profile underscores exactly why Everton are pressing to secure his services.

Standing at 1.92m, Souček has long been regarded as one of the Premier League’s most dominant aerial presences.

According to FBref, last season he averaged 3.47 aerial duels won per 90 minutes, a figure that places him among the most effective midfielders in Europe when it comes to contesting the ball in the air.

For an Everton side that relies on set-piece opportunities, this could prove invaluable.

His influence, however, extends far beyond his heading ability.

His work rate is exceptional, as reflected in his defensive and transitional metrics.

He recorded 1.61 tackles per 90, complemented by 1.44 blocks, providing reliable cover in central areas.

Where Fellaini once provided an outlet for direct balls, shielding possession and driving his team forward, Souček offers the same avenue in a modernised form.

He is adept at progressing the ball through carries, averaging nine progressive carries per 90, which speaks to his ability to break lines and drive his team forward.

While his passing accuracy of 73.8% is not elite, his 74 progressive passes per 90 underline a willingness to take risks and move play vertically, something Moyes has historically encouraged.

In the final third, Souček continues to be a consistent goal threat.

Averaging 1.93 shots per 90, with 0.60 of those on target, he boasts a shot accuracy rate of nearly 31%.

That productivity translated into ten direct goal involvements last season, impressive numbers for a player often tasked with the less glamorous defensive side of midfield work.

His ability to time late runs into the penalty area remains one of his defining attributes, as highlighted by Joe Cole’s description of him being “on fire” when he netted in three consecutive games for the Hammers in 2023.

For Everton, this mixture of stamina, power, and goal threat would offer a dimension currently missing in their midfield.

The loss of Doucouré, who combined industry with forward penetration, has left a void that needs filling.

Souček is one of the few realistic options who can provide comparable output while also bringing proven Premier League pedigree and leadership qualities honed across more than 80 caps for the Czech Republic.

The emotional element should not be overlooked either. Moyes is not simply chasing a functional squad piece; he is targeting one of his most trusted operators.

The Fellaini comparison may feel nostalgic, but it is apt.

Both players are midfielders who thrive when trusted as disruptors rather than facilitators, who can dominate aerially and arrive late in the box to devastating effect.

Everton fans know better than most how valuable that can be. Souček’s familiarity with Moyes’ tactical demands means the adaptation period would be minimal.

The Everton manager has always valued loyalty and understanding, and in that respect, the midfielder is a tailor-made signing.

Related The new Barry: Everton chasing late move for another "special" English star

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Posts 1 ByWill Miller Aug 29, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Antes mesmo da bola rolar, a torcida do Santos esboçava não admitir uma derrota para o rival Corinthians e ações mais enérgicas eram esperadas. Nesta quarta-feira (21), com o resultado negativo encaminhado, gritos contra o elenco, o técnico Odair Hellmann e o presidente Andres Rueda começaram a ecoar no estádio, junto de bombas e artefatos pirotécnicos que foram arremessados no gramado.

+ Até 70% OFF em produtos do Peixe para os torcedores fanáticos!

Enquanto a situação acontecia, os jogadores do Peixe e Odair esperavam no centro do campo os ânimos se acalmarem. Também hostilizado, Rueda não estava presente no estádio.

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Na parte de fora, antes da confusão se tornar generalizada, alguns torcedores do Santos tentaram invadir a Vila Belmiro, segundo policiais informaram à reportagem do Lance!. No meio disso, os oficiais isolavam as ruas para realizar a condução das torcidas organizadas até a saída.

A situação se espalhou pelas ruas da cidade. Na Rua Antônio Malheiros Júnior, paralela à Vila Belmiro, torcedores do Peixe chegaram a montar uma barricada e tentaram voltar para o estádio. Para retrucar, a polícia chegou com cavalos, viaturas e caminhões da tropa de choque e contra atacaram com balas de borracha, bombas, gás lacrimogêneo e jatos d’água. 

O efeito das bombas invadiu o estádio e os presentes começaram a se queixar do forte ardor ocasionado pela ‘praça de guerra’ na parte externa da Vila Belmiro.

NÃO FOI A PRIMEIRA VEZ

Um acontecimento parecido rolou com o Santos no confronto da Copa do Brasil 2022 diante do próprio Corinthians. Com a eliminação, bombas foram atiradas no gramado e a ação gerou uma punição para o clube de dois jogos sem torcida.

Saim Ayub still “at least four weeks” away from being fully fit

Danyal Rasool31-Jan-2025

Fakhar Zaman hasn’t played ODIs since the 2023 ODI World Cup•AFP via Getty Images

Fakhar Zaman has been named in Pakistan’s squad for the Champions Trophy, marking his return after he fell out with the PCB over a social media post in October 2024. In a squad that PCB called “horses for courses”, Faheem Ashraf, who last played international cricket in 2023, has also been called up. Khushdil Shah and Saud Shakeel are also included. The same squad will also play the ODI tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand in the build-up to the Champions Trophy.The squad confirms what was widely feared within Pakistan: Saim Ayub remains unavailable because of the ankle fracture he sustained during the Cape Town Test. At the time, it was announced he would be out for six weeks, but it was believed his chances of recovering in time for the Champions Trophy were exceptionally slim. Earlier today, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed Ayub’s return remained “at least four weeks” away.Abdullah Shafique’s loss of form has cost him a place in the squad. In the recently concluded ODI series against South Africa, which Pakistan won 3-0, he became the first player to be dismissed for a duck in every match of a series. It means Pakistan will go in with a completely different opening pairing, with Fakhar likely to pair up with either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, with the PCB citing Babar’s success opening in Test cricket as a potential factor to consider.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“Fakhar’s opening partner could be either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, depending on various factors such as conditions, opposition and match strategy,” a statement from Asad Shafiq, a member of the selection panel, said. “Both players are highly capable at the top of the order, with Babar being particularly seasoned in the role, regularly opening in T20Is and also excelling in the Cape Town Test by scoring two half-centuries in Saim Ayub’s absence.”The squad also retains its pace-heavy element that saw Pakistan win three successive away ODI series towards the end of last year. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain are all part of the final 15, with only one specialist spinner in Abrar Ahmed. Neither Sufiyan Muqeem, who took four wickets on debut in the only ODI he played, nor Shadab Khan, who captained his side to Champions Cup glory in September, have made the final cut.Related

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“One of the standout qualities of this side is its flexibility – an essential trait in today’s modern-day cricket,” Asad Shafiq, a member of the selection panel. “We are confident that this squad strikes the right balance between youth and experience, and has all bases covered. Each player has been chosen with a clear role in mind, ensuring the captain has versatile options at his disposal.”Irfan Khan, who was eyed by the selection committee as a key component of Pakistan’s middle order and feted for his fielding, also drops out. Faheem’s return comes off the back of limited ODI cricket, having had an indifferent Champions Cup in September. Strong showings with the bat in the President Cup in October, however, seem to have played a part in earning him what appeared an unlikely recall.Pakistan’s first game at the Champions Trophy comes against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19, following which they go to Dubai to play against India. They play their final group game against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.Pakistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk), Khushdil Shah, Salman Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah

أعلن مدرب نادي برشلونة، هانز فليك، تشكيل فريقه لمواجهة ريال أوفييدو، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني الممتاز.

برشلونة يحل ضيفًا على نظيره ريال أوفييدو مساء اليوم الخميس، ضمن مباريات الجولة السادسة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني.

ويسعى برشلونة إلى تحقيق الانتصار على ريال أوفييدو، حيث حقق البلوجرانا عددًا من الانتصارات المتتالية خلال الفترة الأخيرة من هذا الموسم.

طالع .. بعد إصابة جافي.. برشلونة يحسم موقفه من ضم لاعب بديل

ولم يشهد تشكيل برشلونة مفاجآت كثيرة، حيث استمر غياب كل من أليخاندرو بالدي ، ولامين يامال، وجافي للإصابة.

ويعد جافي هو الغائب الأبرز عن صفوف برشلونة، حيث تبين أن إصابة اللاعب في غضروف الركبة أخطر مما كان متوقعًا وسوف يغيب لعدة أشهر عن الملاعب.

وعاد ماركوس راشفورد للتواجد بشكل أساسي في تشكيلة برشلونة، بعدما بقى الدولي الإنجليزي كبديل أمام خيتافي ونزل في الشوط الثاني.

ويتواجد فيران توريس بشكل أساسي في تشكيلة برشلونة على حساب روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، والذي بقي بديلًا. تشكيل برشلونة لمواجهة ريال أوفييدو في الدوري الإسباني

حراسة المرمى: خوان جارسيا.

خط الدفاع: إريك جارسيا، رونالد أراوخو، باو كوبارسي، جيرارد مارتن.

خط الوسط: فرينكي دي يونج، بيدري.

خط الوسط الهجومي: داني أولمو، رافينها دياز، ماركوس راشفورد.

خط الهجوم: فيران توريس.

ويجلس على مقاعد بدلاء برشلونة كلًا من: مارك كاسادو، روني بردجي، أندرياس كريستنسن، فويتشيك تشيزني، دييجو كوشين، جول كوندي، جوفري تورنتس، توني فيرنانديز، مارك بيرنال.

🚨 BARÇA XI 🚨 pic.twitter.com/4YJC2z6uiR — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 25, 2025

 

Tottenham Hotspur recently splashed the cash to sign Mohammed Kudus from London and Premier League rivals West Ham United for a reported fee of £55m.

The 24-year-old star, who provided an assist in a friendly against Reading on Saturday, will be hoping to offer a big threat at the top end of the pitch for Thomas Frank’s side next season.

He will need to improve on his output from the 2024/25 campaign, though, as the Ghana international only managed five goals and three assists in 32 games as a winger or attacking midfielder for the Hammers. Kudus did produce 14 goals and six assists in all competitions in his first season in England, though, so it is more of an issue around consistency rather than quality.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are reportedly eyeing up a deal for another proven Premier League player who would be an even better signing than the £55m addition.

Spurs in talks to sign Premier League star

Whilst Kudus is somewhat of a gamble, given his unimpressive return in front of goal last term, Spurs are also eyeing a top-flight star who was superb last season and could come in to hit the ground running.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to Caught Offside, Tottenham Hotspur are willing to pay the full asking price for Bournemouth central defender Illya Zabarnyi to bolster their options at the back.

The report claims that the Lilywhites are already in talks to reach an agreement to sign the Ukraine international, and that they are prepared to pay what is required, which is said to be around £61m.

It adds that Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on the defender and have had multiple offers turned down by the Premier League side, as they have only offered up to around £52m.

Caught Offside reveals, though, that Zabarnyi favours a move to PSG and the French side are confident that they can complete a deal, which makes it a difficult one for Spurs to get over the line.

Why Spurs should sign Zabarnyi

Tottenham should continue to push to convince the centre-back to make the switch to London this summer, though, because he would be an even better signing than Kudus.

The club’s need for an extra body at the heart of the defence is obvious when you look at the time that Cristian Romero and Micky Van De Ven have missed in the last two seasons.

Premier League appearances

73

51

40

Injuries

0

4

6

Days missed through injury

0

127

210

Games missed through injury (all comps)

0

30

48

Games missed through suspension

3

3

0

As you can see in the table above, Zabarnyi has not missed a single game through injury in his two seasons in the Premier League, which suggests that he would be the reliable centre-back option Frank is currently missing.

His performances in the top-flight last season also suggest that the Ukraine international has the quality to hit the ground running as an instant star for the Lilywhites.

Pundit Jamie Redknapp claimed that Zabarnyi, who was once described as a “complete” defender by Jacek Kulig, went “under the radar” with his performances, as the defender won 63% of his duels and made zero errors that led to goals in 36 starts in the division.

The 22-year-old colossus is a reliable, error-free, and dominant central defender who rarely gets injured and always delivers on the pitch, which is exactly what Spurs need at the back.

He'd be unplayable with Xavi Simons: Spurs in race to sign £100m "machine"

Thomas Frank is planning to make midfield at Tottenham over the coming weeks.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 19, 2025

This is why Zabarnyi, if Spurs can get a deal done, would be an even better signing than Kudus, who is coming off a disappointing season and may not hit the ground running as an instant star, as the Bournemouth gem could do based on his form last term.

Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20I captain, wants to have some “red-ball fun” but is aware the road back to the Test side will not be all that straightforward.As things stand, there are at least four others, including his Mumbai team-mates Sarfaraz Khan and Shreyas Iyer, along with KL Rahul and Rajat Patidar, ahead of him in the pecking order. But he wants to give the long-form cricket another proper crack in a bid to add to his one-Test appearance last year, against Australia in Nagpur.”There are a lot of people who have worked really hard to earn their place and even I want to earn that spot again,” Suryakumar told reporters in Coimbatore on Monday after Mumbai’s training session on the sidelines of the Buchi Babu Invitational tournament.Related

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“I made my debut for India in Tests. After that, I got injured as well. There were a lot of people who got an opportunity and have done well too. They deserve that opportunity right now.”Going forward, if I have to play, then I will automatically play. That’s not in my control. What’s in my power right now is to play the Buchi Babu tournament, go on to play the Duleep Trophy and then see what happens. But yes, I’m really looking forward. There are ten Test matches lined up and I’m obviously excited for some red-ball fun.”Suryakumar hasn’t played a first-class fixture since last year’s Duleep Trophy 13 months ago. Between then and now, he has recuperated from a groin surgery in Germany that kept him out of action for three months. During this period, he was part of the ODI and T20 World Cups.Suryakumar Yadav recently led India to a 3-0 sweep in the T20I series in Sri Lanka•Getty Images

He was named full-time T20I captain after Rohit retired from the format following India’s title win in the Caribbean. Recently, he led India to a 3-0 T20I series sweep in Sri Lanka. After the Buchi Babu fixture, he will head to Anantapur for the Duleep Trophy, where he has been named in the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led India C squad.”Red-ball cricket has always been my priority,” Suryakumar said. “When I grew up in the maidans of Mumbai and played a lot of local cricket, I started playing with the red cherry. The love for the longest format began there, and has always been there.”I have taken part in a lot of first-class matches for more than ten years now and I still cherish playing this format. There’s no question about it and that’s why I’m here before the Duleep Trophy.”I will always look for an opportunity to come and play for Mumbai, be it in first-class cricket or a tournament like the Buchi Babu. A lot of international players have played in this competition before and have gone on to represent the country.”Suryakumar’s return to long-form cricket comes at a time when India are slated to play ten Tests over the next four months, starting with the two-Test series against Bangladesh on September 19. That will be followed by three against New Zealand and five away, in Australia.For Suryakumar to make a pitch for a Test recall, he will need a series of tall scores. He is looking at the upcoming opportunity for Mumbai as a blessing to acclimatise to red-ball cricket quickly before the domestic season begins.”We are fortunate to have this tournament because we don’t get many multi-day games back home during this weather,” he said. “Yes, you can practise for a couple of hours, but standing in the heat for six hours and doing that three or four days in a row is only possible through a game. That’s very important going forward in the Duleep Trophy and, hopefully, in Tests.”Suryakumar has a decent red-ball record, having scored 5628 runs in 82 first-class matches at an average of 43.62. This includes 14 hundreds and 29 fifties. He could be a key player on turning tracks, where he can bring his attacking game to the fore. But he underlined the need to tailor his game to suit the demands of the format, and not bat like he would in a T20 game.”It’s necessary to adapt to the conditions well,” he said. “In Mumbai, you have red soil, but here [in Coimbatore] it is black soil and the wickets are a bit different. You have to be one step ahead in the challenging longest format and can’t bat like how you would in a T20.”But at the same time, intent is imperative. Everything else will take care of itself when you play. You can’t go into the game and ponder too much. You just have to go out, put your heart into it and enjoy the game. Stay humble if you do well. Go back to the drawing board and start again if you don’t.”

Rangers’ busy summer is already in full swing at Ibrox.

Russell Martin was appointed as the new manager earlier this month, while both Lyall Cameron and Max Aarons have been unveiled as new signings, with plenty more to follow for the new Rangers boss.

So now, following on from new owners, a new sporting director and a new coach, could the Gers actually have a new captain?

Rangers changing centre-backs

Rangers’ central defensive options are set to be completely overhauled this summer, first with Leon Balogun joining Aris Limassol on a free transfer, where he’ll be reunited with Connor Goldson in Cyprus.

Meantime, Robin Pröpper is edging closer to a return to FC Twente, from whence he came just a year ago, while John Souttar is a doubt for the start of Champions League qualifying, following ‘hernia surgery’, facing a race against time to be available for the first leg against Panathinaikos on 22 July.

With all that in mind, Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider is reporting that Rangers are ‘in advanced talks’ to sign Conor Coady from Leicester City.

They claim that the Gers are ‘confident’ of finalising a deal ‘early next week’, and that the England international will ‘bring vast experience’ to Martin’s squad.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Meantime, as outlined by Rob Tanner of the Athletic, following the Foxes’ relegation back to the EFL Championship, they’re looking to offload a number of players, including Coady, given that he has just one year remaining on his contract, while, according to Capology, only four Leicester players earn more than his £75k-per-week salary.

Those wages would surely decrease significantly, should Coady choose to move to Glasgow, but his on-pitch experience and quality could be invaluable.

Why Conor Coady should become Rangers captain

Since signing from Wigan Athletic a decade ago, James Tavernier has been a Rangers stalwart, making 513 appearances to date, only ten men in the club’s entire history have accumulated more, scoring a staggering 130 goals from right-back, on top of his 142 assists.

He was named club captain by Steven Gerrard in 2018, and is a bona fide Rangers legend, although his form did come under intense scrutiny last season, with Clive Lindsay of BBC Sport noting that he was left on the bench for November’s Europa League tie against Olympiacos, something that would’ve been unthinkable not so long ago.

Still only 33 years old, Tavernier still has a key role to play in Martin’s side, but the table below does show his slight decline.

Appearances

46

58

55

58

53

Minutes

3,923

5,255

4,864

5,211

4,433

Goals

19

18

18

24

5

Assists

16

17

10

12

13

Chances created

71

130

112

123

96

Take-on success %

41%

59%

41%

44%

51%

Ground-duel success %

53%

56%

48%

53%

54%

Touches per 90

87

90

83

89

71

As the table shows, Tavernier played fewer minutes last season than he had in any campaign since the title-winning year of 2020/21, also failing to reach double figures in terms of goals for the first time in five seasons.

On top of this, his chances created and touches per 90 numbers were notably down too, emphasising that he is no longer the focal point of Rangers’ attacking play.

So, with Tavernier no longer undroppable, could we see Coady donning the armband next season?

Well, analyst Kai Watson describes him as a natural “leader”, while Sean Dyche, who was his manager at Everton, praised Coady’s “immaculate” professionalism, with Jamie Carragher describing his performances for Wolves as “brilliant”, adding that he is second only to Virgil van Dijk “in terms of passing from the back”.

In support of this assertion, Adrian Clarke of the Premier League documents how, in the 2019/20 season, no player accumulated more ‘accurate long passes’ than Coady across the entire division.

On top of this, Adam McNulty of Breaking the Lines praises the centre-backs ‘elite’ ability to ‘pick out a runner using a diagonal’, believing his passing range to be one of his strongest attributes.

In a Martin team, that prioritises control through possession, Coady will be an invaluable asset, suggesting he will be a favourite of the new manager, potentially usurping Tavernier in the captaincy hierarchy.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers have money to play with this summer and could now turn their attention to an exciting winger to add flair acrosss their forward line, according to reports.

Wolverhampton Wanderers kickstart summer transfer window

Matheus Cunha’s departure to Manchester United may have left a sour taste in the mouth for supporters of the Old Gold, but there was always an element of inevitability regarding his eventual fate.

Nonetheless, the picture appears to be bright in the West Midlands under Vitor Pereira, who will be given time and financial backing to shape his squad over the coming months.

Evaluating the immediate priority at Molineux, adding one or two quality attacking options in the face of Cunha no longer being in the building will become a popular topic among fans and pundits alike.

Millwall forward Mihailo Ivanovic has been targeted by the Old Gold to help provide some added prowess in the final third, and Alex Neil’s ringing endorsement that the 20-year-old is one of Europe’s top ten talents will likely create plenty of intrigue.

Further back, Nelson Semedo is mulling over a new deal at Wolves as his contract nears expiration, illustrating the importance of bringing a right-sided defender to the club should the Portugal international move on to tackle a fresh challenge.

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Sunderland’s Trai Hume may be the man the Old Gold are looking for to strike an adequate balance. Meanwhile, Rayan Ait-Nouri’s impending transfer to Manchester City leaves food for thought at left-back.

Transition may not be a bad thing for Wolves in light of big-money departures. Either way, they are now reportedly plotting a swoop for an exciting young winger.

Wolverhampton Wanderers plotting swoop for Roger Fernandes

According to Molineux News in conversation with Graeme Bailey, Wolves are keeping tabs on Braga winger Roger Fernandes and he expects the Old Gold to ‘explore’ the Primeira Liga for additions during the window.

Reports earlier this year claimed Manchester United, Manchester City, Brighton, Aston Villa and Newcastle United are also keen on Fernandes amid his rise to prominence in Portugal, which has led to a £25m price tag.

Referencing the situation, Bailey said: “I think the Portuguese league will be somewhere that they explore; it wouldn’t surprise me if they do look towards that league again. I’ve heard Roger Fernandes’ name linked to Wolves in recent weeks as well, wouldn’t surprise me if he was on the agenda.”

Roger Fernandes at Braga in 2024/25 – why are Wolves taking an interest? (FBRef)

Shot creating actions (Primeira Liga)

78

Shot creating actions (Europa League)

19

Progressive carries per 90 mins (Primeira Liga)

4.71

Progressive passes received per 90 mins (Primeira Liga)

9.94

Goal-creating actions (combining both competitions)

9

Likened to former Manchester United star Antonio Valencia by Foot The Ball, Fernandes has registered five goals and seven assists in 48 appearances for Braga this term and is capable of featuring on either flank.

Completing an average of 1.4 dribbles per league match, the Portugal youth international could go some way to filling the creative void left by Cunha, even if he is only one part of the solution.

The fans and players might have a Europa League final to look forward to next week, but the powers that be at Tottenham Hotspur will be looking past that and at the upcoming transfer window.

Daniel Levy and Co have to ensure it’s a massive window this year; otherwise, Ange Postecoglou – or whoever replaces him – could just find themselves in the same place this time next season.

Fortunately, there has been an increasing number of reports linking the North Londoners to a host of incredibly exciting players in recent weeks.

However, while the talented attackers touted for moves to N17 should excite the fans, they could also spell trouble for some of the club’s current stars, such as Bayern Munich loanee Mathys Tel.

Tottenham transfer news

Before we get to the player in question, it’s worth examining some of the other exciting attackers linked with Spurs in recent weeks, like Eberechi Eze and Liam Delap.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The former could reportedly cost the North Londoners a cool £68m, but given his ability to play in a number of positions and the fact he’s racked up 12 goals and 11 assists in 40 games this season, it would be hard to argue with that valuation.

Likewise, while Delap is still young and relatively inexperienced, his £30m release clause seems more than fair for a striker who has scored 12 goals and provided two assists in 35 Premier League games this season.

However, if a player is going to come in and send Tel packing back to Bayern, they’re going to have to be someone seriously special, someone like Rayan Cherki.

Yes, according to a recent report from Caught Offside, Spurs are one of several sides incredibly interested in the Lyon gem.

The report has revealed that the player’s agent has approached a number of ‘top Premier League clubs’ over a potential transfer, and according to reports from earlier this week, the North Londoners have already inquired about the player, who could be available for just £19m.

It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Cherki’s immense ability, it’s one worth fighting for, even if it could be bad news for Tel.

How Cherki compares to Tel

So, the first thing to say is that Cherki is capable of playing off the right of a front three and in attacking midfield, but with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski locking down the former and Brennan Johnson scoring bags of goals from the latter, we reckon the Frenchman would play off the left at Spurs.

Therefore, his arrival in the summer could see the club thank Tel for his service and send him back to Bayern in the summer, as when we compare the two players, it’s abundantly clear that the Lyon ace is the far more dangerous and effective attacker.

For example, in terms of pure output, the “insane” 21-year-old, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has scored 12 goals and provided 19 assists in 43 games, totalling 3009 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.38 games, or every 97.06 minutes.

In contrast, since moving to North London, the Sarcelles-born gem has scored three goals and provided one assist in 18 appearances, totalling 1083 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 4.5 games, or every 270.75 minutes.

Unfortunately for the Bayern loanee, the incredibly one-sided nature of this comparison only continues when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.69

0.37

Non-Penalty G+As

0.83

0.27

Progressive Passes

9.03

2.52

Progressive Carries

4.47

2.52

Passing Accuracy

78.6%

75.0%

Key Passes

3.23

1.17

Passes into the Final Third

4.38

1.35

Passes into the Penalty Area

3.27

1.62

Live Passes

53.1

29.8

Shot-Creating Actions

6.09

2.54

Goal-Creating Actions

0.88

0.27

Successful Take-Ons

2.03

1.62

For example, in practically every relevant metric, Lyon’s “future ballon d’Or winner,” as dubbed by The Athletic’s Alex Barker, comes out on top.

These metrics include things like expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries, passing accuracy, key passes, passes into the final third and penalty area, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, it’s clear that Cherki is a far superior player to Tel, and while it would be handy for Spurs to have both next season, we wouldn’t be surprised that signing the former will force the latter to move on.

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