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Sunderland has the swagger of a team that is confident it can secure immediate survival in the Premier League.

With two league wins already under their belt, Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats headed into the chaos of transfer deadline day with a bit between their teeth, culminating in three more signings entering the building to bump the summer spending up on Wearside to a huge £162m.

Bertrand Traore, Brian Brobbey, and Luthsharel Geertruida all joined the ever-rising ranks in quick succession, with Brobbey costing the most lavish fee on the window’s final day at a hefty £21.6m.

There will be pressure on the Dutchman’s shoulders to succeed from the get-go in the Premier League, having previously been a goal machine for his now ex-employers Ajax.

What Brobbey can offer Sunderland

While Leeds United and Burnley remained quiet on the deadline day, as the other top-flight newcomers, Sunderland showed they meant business once again by landing the 23-year-old’s signature.

Le Bris will be especially keen to work with yet another exciting raw talent, with the two-time Eredivisie winner once a much-talked-about starlet in Amsterdam, when collecting a staggering 80 strikes for Ajax at U17, U19, and U21 level.

He has since displayed that same lethal edge in the men’s game in the Netherlands, having tallied up 56 senior strikes for Ajax, before Sunderland came calling.

With Marc Guiu now back at Chelsea, having been recalled in the wake of Liam Delap’s concerning injury, Brobbey does feel like he’s a more than capable replacement for the Blues youngster, considering he already possesses the goalscoring prowess to be a success in a top division.

However, as is the harsh reality of football, not every standout purchase ends up going on to be a phenomenal success, with Sunderland never quite able to get the very best out of this former loan attacker, who is now amazingly worth more than the brand-new Black Cats marksman.

The ex-loan "maverick" now worth more than Brobbey

Sunderland fans must have been watching on with amazement at the sheer number of high-profile signings that were signed off on this summer, with the hardened Wearside masses still able to recollect their team’s dire days down in League One.

After their relegation from the top-flight was confirmed at the close of the bleak 2016/17 season, the Black Cats were stuck in the EFL mire right up until promotion was triumphantly clinched earlier this year, with a four-campaign stint in the third tier thrown into the mix.

Bizarrely, before firing home wonderful solo goals like this one for AFC Bournemouth regularly, Antoine Semenyo even called the Black Cats home during the midst of their depressing League One stay.

When Semenyo was shoved out on loan to Wearside from then parent side Bristol City, he was worth just an estimated £340k, as per Football Transfers. Now, even after never collecting a single goal or assist for the League One marooned side, he is worth far more as a Premier League regular for the Cherries.

Semenyo’s overall numbers for Bournemouth

Stat

Semenyo

Games played

93

Goals scored

24

Assists

11

Fee when joining

£10m

Transfer value now

£41m

Sourced by Transfermarkt/Football Transfers

Semenyo was hailed as a “dangerous” talent by his then Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson when the pair were together at the Stadium of Light, but nobody would have foreseen the rise he would then undergo, with the exciting Ghanaian now up to 24 goals and 11 assists on the South Coast, which has seen his value skyrocket.

According to Football Transfers, the Cherries “maverick” – as he has been dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson – is now worth in the region of £41m, which is a huge increase from his earlier £340k valuation when he was a wide-eyed forward on Wearside.

This is also around £20m more than Sunderland’s standout deadline purchase of Brobbey, with the Dutchman hopeful he can make wave similar waves in the Premier League shortly, albeit when donning the famous red and white strip that never quite suited Semenyo.

Related Sunderland in late contact to sign "intelligent" forward alongside Brobbey

The Black Cats mean business.

Posts ByTom Cunningham Sep 1, 2025

Last weekend’s opening Premier League match of the season for Arsenal was a struggle.

Mikel Arteta’s men were hardly free-flowing in pre-season and that was in evidence at Old Trafford as they laboured to a 1-0 victory.

Alas, the Gunners did win and secured three points that built a platform for an incredible 5-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday evening.

Arsenal were perhaps a little slow to get going on the goals front but they eventually burst into life on a day of many positives for the north Londoners.

The biggest positives from Arsenal's win over Leeds

Let’s be honest, there was only going to be one result here this weekend. Before the game had got underway a certain Eberechi Eze was announced to the Emirates Stadium faithful as an Arsenal player.

The saga was remarkable. Eze was on the verge of signing for rivals Tottenham Hotspur only for a call between Arteta and the England international on Wednesday paved the way for an incredible hijack.

The Gunners board came together and within hours they had a deal agreed with Crystal Palace.

Once of Hale End, it marks a stunning return to the Arsenal and the thought of the 27-year-old playing in this attack is mouthwatering.

Speaking of which, it was a day of joy for Viktor Gyokeres. Last weekend, he was grilled, he was the scapegoat for an underwhelming performance away in Manchester.

In all honesty, it wasn’t his fault. Arsenal struggled to create and Gyokeres was left isolated. Well, he hit back at the critics superbly on Saturday, scoring twice.

While the Swede’s second was a well taken penalty, his first goal in a competitive match for the Gunners was an excellent one. Riccardo Calafiori, who picked up two assists on the day, pinged the ball in behind for the forward to run onto.

Gyokeres found possession in his favoured left channel, burst into the penalty area and then tucked the ball home at the near post.

For Arsenal’s big marquee signing, it was the perfect response to last weekend, but he wasn’t the only to find form.

Bukayo Saka found the net in explosive fashion while Jurrien Timber, making his first start of the campaign, bagged twice.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

So, it’s all rosy as far as the Gunners are concerned, but for a player who failed to get on the pitch, it was not an ideal day.

Arsenal star will suffer after Madueke and Eze arrivals

On Saturday, there weren’t too many surprises as far as the team sheet was concerned but it was eye-catching to see that Noni Madueke started on the left hand side of the pitch.

With Eze having also now signed, the competition for places in that area is likely to be fierce.

Madueke did not score or assist on his first start for the Gunners but it was a productive first outing, notably registering two key passes, attempting five crosses and winning half of his duels, via Sofascore.

There will be better performances to come from the summer arrival but it was perhaps a landmark day for Gabriel Martinelli.

A week ago, the £48m-rated Brazilian was given the nod and like Gyokeres, became a scapegoat for the sluggish performance that played out.

Minutes played

60

Touches

14

Accurate passes

3/5 (60%)

Shots

1

Key passes

1

Successful dribbles

0/1

Crosses

0

Possession lost

7x

Times fouled

1

Fans have seemingly run out of patience and on today’s evidence, you’d now be hard pressed to consider Martinelli a regular starter again.

In 2024/25, he started 25 of the 33 Premier League games he featured in, scoring eight times in the process. That’s a handy tally but it’s not the elite level Arteta requires to win the league.

Leandro Trossard received a pay increase in midweek but the Belgian is in a similar boat. He’s a tremendous squad player but you are unlikely to get an elite level of performance out of him on a consistent basis.

Madueke is still getting up to speed but on a day where he made his first start and Eze signed, it was damning that firstly, Martinelli wasn’t selected to start, and secondly, that he didn’t feature off the bench.

What’s more damning is that Arsenal picked up injuries too. Yet, with Martin Odegaard and Saka going off, the Brazil international was nowhere to be seen. Ethan Nwaneri and the remarkably talented 15-year-old that is Max Dowman were both preferred.

A great day for Arsenal it certainly was, but Martinelli should be fearing for his place in the side now moving forward.

Juan Cuadrado has lifted the lid on a tense transfer negotiation with Antonio Conte, revealing he was reluctant to sanction his move to Juventus

• Cuadrado says Conte tried to block Chelsea exit due to Juve fallout
• Colombian reflects on eight years at Juventus and Champions League regret
• Criticised the way his departure was handled by the club’s management

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Cuadrado has revealed that his permanent transfer from Chelsea to Juventus in 2017 was almost scuppered by then-Blues manager Conte due to the Italian's acrimonious relationship with his former club. In an interview with , the Colombian detailed the tense negotiations that secured his move to Turin.

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Cuadrado joined Chelsea in 2015 but failed to establish himself before moving to Juventus on an initial loan. The move was made permanent during Conte's tenure at Stamford Bridge, a period in which the Italian manager still held a strained relationship with the Juventus hierarchy following his own departure in 2014. Cuadrado went on to spend eight successful seasons in Turin, winning five Serie A titles and becoming a fan favourite.

• WHAT CUADRADO SAID

  The former Bianconeri player also recounts the negotiations that led him to Juventus and his relationship with Conte, he said: "Conte didn't leave Juventus on the best of terms, so there were some problems; he didn't want to let me go. Other teams were also interested in me, especially abroad, but when I heard about Juve, I told my agent that I only wanted to play for the Bianconeri.

  "I became a Juventus fan. My mother still lives there, my children were born in Turin. Lucas is six, Lucia is nine. I experienced eight magical seasons, winning five league titles and several cups. Compared to Cuadrado in Florence, I was more complete and, above all, more mature. My only regret is losing the Champions League final in Cardiff."

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• ON JUVENTUS DEPARTURE

  The 37-year-old ended up leaving Juve in 2023 and signed a one-year deal with Inter, but the decision to leave Turin was not his.

  "De Sciglio's injury had increased my chances, [coach Massimiliano] Allegri wanted to keep me," he added. "For my part, there was no doubt: I would have stayed. Then the management changed, the coach left and I was left waiting. While I was waiting for a call, I read on social media that my adventure with Juve was over. I would have preferred a word or a private message. I was upset, it was very sad. But that's football. The fans are and always will be in my heart."

Sunderland are now reportedly part of a seven-club battle to sign a huge young talent this summer, with six other English clubs also in the mix to snap him up.

Sunderland agree move for Xhaka

The Black Cats are edging closer to their return to the Premier League, with their opening clash at home to West Ham now less than three weeks away, arriving on August 16th.

Regis Le Bris is still eyeing important summer transfer business for Sunderland, with more quality required within his squad, and Granit Xhaka is now on the verge of joining from Bayer Leverkusen, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie. The Swiss will join on a three-year deal, arriving for an initial fee of £13m, with a total of £4.3m in add-ons for the former Arsenal midfielder.

Meanwhile, the Black Cats are also thought to be pushing to sign Galatasaray forward Nicolo Zaniolo, with the Italian earning some Premier League experience on loan at Aston Villa in the past.

New attacking signings appear to be the order of the day for Sunderland after Xhaka is signed, and now a young player with a potentially big future ahead of him has been linked with a switch to the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland make contact with England international

According to a fresh claim from Football Insider, Sunderland have “enquired” about the availability of young Metz striker Idrissa Gueye, who is valued at £17m by his current club.

The Black Cats are far from the only club in the race to bring in the 18-year-old, however, with Liverpool, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Southampton and Ipswich Town all mentioned as potential suitors.

Gueye is described as “one of the hottest properties in Europe” in the report, so Sunderland beating the other six clubs to his signature, among others dotted around Europe, would be a real statement of intent by the Premier League newcomers.

The Metz ace has already scored five goals in 20 appearances for the French outfit at senior level, not to mention already winning one cap for Senegal at international level at a tender age.

Gueye wouldn’t necessarily arrive at Sunderland as a more polished attacking player like Zaniolo, but he would be seen as a footballer with a high ceiling who could grow into something special over time.

Related Sunderland make £13m bid to sign "goal machine" and want deal done ASAP

The Black Cats have included a buy-back clause.

Posts ByCharlie Smith Jul 28, 2025

Admittedly, £17m is a lot to pay for a player who is still only 18 years of age, but if the Black Cats see him as someone who can become a superstar at the Stadium of Light eventually, he could be worth every penny.

Manchester United has been the home to countless attacking talents over recent years, with the fanbase undoubtedly wishing they currently had some of their former talents in the present day.

Wayne Rooney still holds the club record for the most goals scored for the Red Devils, registering a staggering 253 goals in his 559 appearances – subsequently overtaking Sir Bobby Charlton’s record.

The likes of Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy have all made a name for themselves at Old Trafford, with all the players undoubtedly capturing the hearts of the fanbase.

Current boss Ruben Amorim must wish he could rely upon just one of the aforementioned talents to help him in his quest to be a success during his time in charge of the club.

However, that could be about to change this summer, with the hierarchy looking to back the 40-year-old in the transfer market during the off-season.

The latest on United’s hunt for a new striker this summer

A striker has been high up on Amorim’s shopping list in recent weeks, unsurprisingly so, given the club’s terrible record of just 44 goals in their 38 Premier League matches last campaign.

The likes of Dušan Vlahović, Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen have all been touted with a move to Old Trafford, but no deals have yet been agreed for any of their signatures.

However, it appears as though that could be about to change, with Aston Villa talisman Ollie Watkins emerging as a key target for Amorim, according to CaughtOffside.

Their report claims that the 29-year-old is seen as a Premier League-proven option for the Red Devils, even making an approach for his services over the last couple of days.

It also states that the hierarchy would be willing to match his current £60m asking price, allowing the England international to follow in the footsteps of one other star at the Theatre of Dreams.

Why United’s £60m target would be Amorim’s own Van Persie

Striker Robin van Persie is a player who managed to hugely impress during his time at United, leading the club to their last league triumph back in the 2012/13 campaign.

He joined the Red Devils in a £24m deal from fellow English side Arsenal, a deal that was seen as a controversial one at the time, especially from the Gunners’ point of view.

The Dutchman was entering the back end of his career upon his move, joining the club at the age of 29, but it didn’t prevent him from starring at Old Trafford.

He managed to score 58 times in his 105 appearances over a three-year period, leading the side to title glory, something which Amorim will be hoping to replicate in the near future.

If he is to achieve such a goal, he could certainly improve his chances with a move for Watkins, with the Villa star following in Van Persie’s footsteps in the North West.

He would join the club at the same age as the Dutchman, also making an immediate impact, rather than being signed as one for the future in the club’s quest for glory.

Watkins would also be handed the responsibility of providing the goods in the final third, just like Van Persie was over a decade ago, also having the tools to offer the clinical edge the Red Devils have lacked.

Ollie Watkins’ stats for Aston Villa in the PL (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)	Tally
Games played	38
Goals & assists	24
Pass accuracy	75%
Shots on target per 90	1.4
Chances created	1.1
Aerials won	1.8
Shots taken	2.9
Stats via FotMob

The Englishman, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by Statman Dave, registered 17 goals in all competitions last season, averaging 1.4 shots on target per 90 – highlighting the clinical edge he possesses.

He’s also showcased his all-round talent, completing 75% of the passes he’s attempted, creating 1.1 chances per 90, handing other forwards around him the chance to improve the situation should he move to Old Trafford.

Watkins’ tally of 1.8 aerials won showcases his ability to hold the ball up in forward areas, offering Amorim’s side that needed focal point that they have lacked in recent months.

£60m may appear to be a mammoth figure for a 29-year-old star, but he’s consistently demonstrated that he’s capable of thriving in England’s top-flight.

If he can make the immediate impact Van Persie did during his time in Manchester, it would be a phenomenal signing and one that can push Amorim’s side back in the right direction.

Better than Watkins: Wilcox in talks to sign "monster" £64m CF for Man Utd

Manchester United could be about to end their hunt for a new striker this summer.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jul 3, 2025

The storm that has clouded Newcastle United’s early summer transfer window is perhaps showing signs of abating, even if Eddie Howe’s outfit have seen bids rejected for three top targets.

That’s according to the Times, whose revelation that offers for Anthony Elanga, Joao Pedro and James Trafford were rebuffed will no doubt have been met by a chorus of frustration over on Tyneside.

At the very least, United are showing ambitious intent, and though slapping a £200m price tag on Alexander Isak to ward off interest from Liverpool might have proved a double-edged sword, for clubs will hardball the Toon in their own dealings henceforth, there’s no doubt breakthroughs will be achieved in the coming months.

However, it might be wise for Howe and co to pin some alternative names to the board. Indeed, in Pedro’s case, an exciting backup has been found, and he might even prove the better pick.

Newcastle open talks for elite forward

As per GIVEMESPORT, Newcastle have opened talks with Xavi Simons’ representatives as they look to welcome some attacking additions this summer.

Expected to depart RB Leipzig after they failed to qualify for Europe, the 22-year-old playmaker has a £60m price tag and has expressed a desire to move to the Premier League.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all had discussions with the player’s camp too, so this one’s wide open at the present stage.

Why Newcastle want Xavi Simons

While dynamic, Simons isn’t as out-and-out an attacker as Pedro; instead, the Dutchman merges the creative with the incisive to an emphatic effect.

He’s the real deal, all right, and given the finances involved, would perhaps go on to prove an even better signing than Pedro, if push comes to shove.

Such masterful versatility is hardly something Howe’s going to say no to, and Simons would add a new creative dimension to a side which finished the 2024/25 Premier League season ranked sixth in the division for big chances created (112) after finishing joint-second with Manchester City (97) the term before.

It’s clear Howe needs such a virtuoso to take that next great step, and given that Simons finished the campaign ranked among the top 12% of attacking midfielders and wingers for passes attempted, the top 14% for progressive passes, the top 18% for shot-creating actions and the top 7% for ball recoveries, as per FBref, he clearly knows his stuff.

Athletic and driven, Simons would add a wealth of quality to the Magpies fold, with his haul of ten goals and seven assists across just 25 Bundesliga matches further highlighting his clinical nature.

Left winger

41

10

11

Right winger

17

5

5

Attacking midfield

17

6

7

Centre-forward

1

–

–

Moreover, he missed just two big chances and averaged two key passes and 5.4 successful duels per game. Though Pedro would be a brilliant attacking addition, Simons might just have that little bit more, with his versatility both through positional and prolific value likely to add so much to the United project.

Pedro, sure, is a steady supplier of goal contributions, posting 30 goals and ten assists across 70 matches, but he’s not quite so refined, indeed operating in a more advanced berth that you’d have to think will be occupied by Isak.

Howe makes sure his players know their duties and toe the line, but Simons’ expansiveness is part of what makes him special, a “superstar”, as has even been remarked by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Newcastle need to beat off Premier League opposition to secure this man’s signature, prioritising a deal over the likes of Pedro.

Better than Elanga: Newcastle open talks to sign £43m "game-changer"

Newcastle are beginning to ramp up the gas in the summer transfer market.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 26, 2025

Leeds United and the 49ers have held internal discussions over signing a £150,000-a-week “monster” who shares the same agent as Jayden Bogle.

49ers looking at Leeds signings alongside Rangers takeover

The Whites are preparing for life back in the Premier League following a brilliant 2024/25 campaign in the Championship, and chairman Paraag Marathe seemingly has big plans at Elland Road this summer.

Talking earlier this month, Marathe confirmed Farke would lead Leeds in the top flight and promised to “spend to be competitive in the Premier League”.

“Together we are going to build the best squad we can, with every penny we are allowed to spend to be competitive in the Premier League. We are going to attack the transfer market and it’s something I’m really excited about.”

49ers now preparing £15m+ bid to sign "playmaker" who Farke wants at Leeds

The Whites are plotting some intelligent moves under Daniel Farke…

1

By
Sean Markus Clifford

May 30, 2025

As well as looking at summer transfers for Leeds, the 49ers have now announced their takeover of Scottish giants Rangers, with Marathe named as vice chairman at Ibrox.

There have already been transfer rumours regarding Leeds and Rangers, with the Whites thought to be interested in Gers star Nicolas Raskin, who plays as a central midfielder.

However, he isn’t the only central midfield target for the 49ers, who are eyeing up a potential reunion in Yorkshire.

Leeds hold internal talks over Kalvin Phillips return

According to The Daily Mail, who have shared an in-depth transfer update from Elland Road, Leeds have ‘discussed’ a return to Elland Road for Kalvin Phillips this summer.

Sold to Man City for an initial £42m in 2022, Phillips has struggled for game time at the Etihad and has been sent on loan to West Ham and Ipswich Town as a result.

Alongside internal talks for Phillips, Leeds also have their eye on Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Julian Weigl, with Farke a fan after working with the 29-year-old in Germany.

On £150,000-a-week, Phillips, who shares the same CAA Stellar agency as Bogle, Dan James, Joe Rodon, Wilfried Gnonto and Patrick Bamford, could be a risky signing for Leeds, considering he has recently undergone an operation on his Achilles and is set to be sidelined until August.

Kalvin Phillips’ Leeds stats
Games	234
Goals	14
Assists	13
Yellow cards	54
Red cards	4
Minutes played	18,257
Trophies	1

That would rule him out of the majority, if not all of pre-season, and with his lack of game time over the last three years, may not be the best of decisions to come in and rival Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev and Ao Tanaka.

Phillips has been called a “monster” in the past, though, and by the looks of things, a move could still be one to watch, although the injury update could mean the 49ers pass on any transfer.

Aston Villa have been told by the representatives of a forward that he’d sign for them this summer regardless of their Champions League status, with Unai Emery and NSWE handed a potential transfer boost by this news.

Aston Villa given Champions League hope after win over Tottenham

Emery’s side, depending on results elsewhere, still have a chance to book their place in the Champions League draw for 2025/2026 after a precious win over Tottenham at Villa Park on Friday evening.

Aston Villa add record-breaking forward to shortlist as Monchi plots move

He’s enjoyed an excellent season.

ByTom Cunningham May 14, 2025

Goals from Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara mean the Villans remain in contention for a coveted spot in Europe’s most prestigious competition, coming after they reached the Champions League quarter-finals this term and unluckily bowed out to favourites PSG.

2. Arsenal

68

36

3. Newcastle United

66

36

4. Chelsea

66

37

5. Aston Villa

66

37

6. Man City

65

36

7. Nottingham Forest

62

36

Villa would probably need to beat struggling Man United at Old Trafford while hoping rivals drop key points, with Chelsea set to play fellow European hopefuls, Nottingham Forest, on the final day while Man City have a game in hand.

While the Champions League race could eventually fall out of their grasp, Emery has explained what is really important to him in the grand scheme of things, on Villa’s journey to become an elite-level side.

“The most important thing for us and for me, and how we can really progress, is by being consistent through the Premier League over 38 games, getting the points needed to always be in the European positions,” said Emery before Villa’s win over Spurs, in an interview with Sky.

“We are trying to have a clear identity, trying to connect with our supporters, how we are playing, with our style, our intensity, our skills. This is very important because I think we need to achieve the heart of the supporters to get the energy that we need.”

Aston Villa told that Rashford would re-join regardless of Champions League status

Their European endeavors will have an effect on their recruitment plans, as world-class players are usually more attracted to the possibility of playing Champions League football, as is predictably the case.

They’d also get a transfer boost financially, so the result of Villa’s standings after their final matchday will have a profound effect on their plans for next season off the field.

However, this apparently isn’t the case with £300,000-per-week Man United loanee Marcus Rashford, who’s enjoyed a productive temporary spell in the Midlands with 10 goal contributions in 17 matches (four goals, six assists).

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, writing for The Boot Room, Rashford’s representatives have told Villa that Champions League qualification “isn’t necessarily needed for him to re-sign”.

The England international has refused to rule out staying at Villa beyond this term, even if he does hold a preference for Barcelona, and remains open-minded about his future past 24/25.

Villa possess an option to buy Rashford for £40 million, and according to this report, United will not deviate from that price point – so NSWE know what is required to keep the winger.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has plenty of work to do in the window, though there are still question marks remaining over one of his most recognisable stars heading into the summer.

Celtic's summer transfer plans begin to accelerate

Plenty of movement is expected in both directions at Parkhead once the off-season comes around as the Bhoys look to build for next campaign’s Champions League qualifiers.

Currently, Celtic are a point off being crowned Scottish Premiership champions and still have a domestic treble in their sights, which, in turn, is bound to raise the stock of several assets who are already well-regarded in the football world.

Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Nicolas Kuhn are among those who may attract interest from elsewhere this summer, making it a priority for Brendan Rodgers to do his due diligence on potential replacements.

According to reports, Slovan Bratislava star David Strelec is a target at Parkhead and may be available for an overall package of £5.9 million, alleviating some of the strain on Celtic’s slim forward line.

Furthermore, Mathias Kvistgaarden is a long-term Hoops pursuit, even if his £13.5 million valuation could discourage the Parkhead hierarchy from pushing forward in their bid to sign the Denmark Under-21 international.

Related The next Liel Abada: Celtic plotting exciting move for £3m star

Celtic are reportedly interested in signing a star who could be Liel Abada 2.0 fo the club.

Posts 1 ByDan Emery Apr 14, 2025

Either way, there is an acknowledgment that a refresh will be needed to maintain hunger for silverware over the next few years. Several Celtic stars may consider their options this summer; it is just the nature of a squad cycle’s lifespan in Glasgow’s east end.

Nevertheless, there could now be a twist involving one of Rodgers’ disciples who has seemed destined to leave the club for a few months, per reports.

Celtic star Greg Taylor could u-turn and extend his contract

In recent times, Greg Taylor has become a prime candidate to leave Celtic as even with weeks until the end of the season, no news of a contract extension has emerged regarding the Scotland international and he is now set to become a free agent this summer.

Nevertheless, journalist Mark Guidi has made clear that Taylor could yet stay at the Bhoys, claiming that the gap between player and club in negotiations over a new deal isn’t ‘insurmountable’ despite suggestions to the contrary.

Greg Taylor’s successful spell at Celtic

Appearances

210

Goals

9

Assists

33

Trophies

10

Guidi stated on Go Radio: “Maybe having seen the reception he got from the Celtic supporters on Saturday, he’s clearly a very popular member of the squad.

“He’s a good guy around the dressing room, good guy around the training ground. He got his family, his young family, involved on Saturday.

“Maybe he’ll just think, do you know what? If Celtic can come up with a bit, by all accounts, they are a good bit apart in terms of what he’s been offered and what he’s looking for. It’s a good bit, by all accounts, but it’s not insurmountable.”

Kieran Tierney has been quietly announced ahead of the summer. Nevertheless, his frequent injury problems over recent years mean a reliable competitor in his position will be needed to handle another congested fixture schedule.

Taylor won’t have designs on playing second fiddle, but competition for your role is the nature of the beast at Celtic. Following months of speculation, could an unexpected stay still be on the cards?

The England and GT batter’s power game stems from his supreme game awareness

Alagappan Muthu19-Apr-202510:24

Boucher: Buttler’s takedown of Starc sealed it for GT

A very important thing happened in the third over of the Gujarat Titans (GT) innings in IPL 2025 on Saturday. Jos Buttler missed the scoop.There is inherent risk in this shot. Its success depends on taking the number one rule of bating and throwing it out the window, because to pull it off, you need to give up the stumps and use less than the full face of the blade.Yet, the scoop is Buttler’s go-to shot. When he got hit in the gut by Mitchell Starc, and lay flat on the ground, winded, he already knew what he was going to do next ball. He kicked himself off-balance with his back leg so that he would be position to scoop.Related

• Sai Kishore bowling just one over baffles experts

• Buttler bosses the chase to power GT to No. 1

And when he plays it, he means for the ball to hit bat. He is never looking for power. Having opened himself up to trouble – giving up his stumps, giving up his balance – all he wants from this point on is to bring the odds back in his favour. That’s why he only ever focuses on making contact.The other thing he makes sure to do is stay on his feet. The scoop requires premeditation. The bowler almost always knows what you’re trying to do before he has to release the ball, so he can adjust his length. Buttler has thought of all this. In a masterclass for six years ago, he said, “That’s the other reason I quite like doing it in this way. You dug one in there and because I’m still upright, I can manage to [motions the ball hitting his bat and going over his shoulder] almost help it away. So, I feel like here I’ve got a chance with the varying different deliveries.”When Buttler began playing his cricket, the people who were accessing the area behind the wicket often did so by going down on their knees – Tillakaratne Dilshan, Brendon McCullum, AB de Villiers. These are all great players and all of them had great success playing this shot. Buttler could easily have adopted the same methods, but he didn’t. He was clever enough to spot a flaw and then come up with a solution for it.

“Buttler’s scoop sets him apart, and not just as a 360-degree batter but as a critical thinker, a problem solver, a smarty pants”

Buttler’s scoop sets him apart, and not just as a 360-degree batter but as a critical thinker. A problem solver. A smarty pants. Here, when he missed his signature shot, he understood that the Ahmedabad pitch didn’t have enough pace. That was crucial information. It helped him focus his strength – which wasn’t in ample supply given he had fielded for 20 overs in 40-degree heat. He cramped up the tenth ball he faced. Still sent it for six, though. Buttler was the fourth-oldest player on the park on Saturday. The oldest had to leave the field for dehydration.”It kind of takes you by surprise actually, how much fluids you need or how draining it is,” Buttler said. “I certainly felt that batting. But it’s obviously part of the game. You’ve got to be fit and to be able to perform under pressure and in the heat.”ESPNcricinfo LtdFor the better part of four hours, Buttler was exposed to the kind of weather that makes it impossible to think about anything else. And yet that’s what he did. Think. He made 97 off 54 deliveries as GT chased 200-plus for the first time in the IPL. He found ways to combat spin – saw off Kuldeep Yadav (12 off 12, with one four) but pounced on Vipraj Nigam (29 off 14, with one four and three sixes). And he dismantled Starc.The DC fast bowler trusts his yorker. It pushed a game his team should have lost into a Super Over and he won it for them. So, he went for them again, except Buttler is built different. He understands the value of ball hitting bat.Starc was coming around the wicket. Four of his five deep fielders were on the leg side. Buttler knew all he had to do was pierce the ring on the off side. He didn’t need power for that. He didn’t need any of his tricks. He just had to plant an open face down on the ball and let Starc’s own pace work against him.The second ball of the 15th over – which went for 20 runs – was the epitome of Boss Buttler. He isn’t about aesthetics or technique or right or wrong. He just does whatever necessary to find a gap.