The highest praise that anyone in the Premier League can receive is a comparison with Thierry Henry. The Arsenal legend is one of, if not the greatest players in the competition’s history. He arrived in North London as a young player who initially found it tough against the physicality of English football. Years later, however, he left as an Invincible icon.
Appearances
258
Goals
175
Assists
73
Even in the era of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, it’s difficult to place anyone above Henry.
Not Isak or Ekitike: Slot has found the new Suarez in Liverpool's "unicorn"
This Liverpool star could certainly leave a legacy for the ages in the Premier League.
ByAngus Sinclair Sep 16, 2025
The former striker is, of course, so often the talk of North London, but what makes him so special is how rival clubs also speak about his greatness.
Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been among those to speak so highly about Henry over the years, once telling reporters: “He’s the kind of player that you need forever, especially in the Premier League where he was more than any other place.
“He was okay in Barcelona and the (France) national team, but the real Thierry Henry, the player that we are all going to miss forever, is the one that made unbelievable seasons and incredible history in the Premier League.”
There have been plenty of players to receive comparisons with the former Gunner, too. Liverpool’s record signing Alexander Isak is often likened to the Frenchman in style, but it remains to be seen whether the Swede can match his legacy when all is said and done.
That said, it’s not Isak that Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher decided to compare with the Arsenal legend. Instead, he named another player who he believes is the Henry of his position.
Carragher: Van Dijk is the "Henry of centre-backs"
Speaking on CBS’ coverage of the Champions League following Liverpool’s late victory against Atletico Madrid, Carragher claimed that Virgil van Dijk is the “Henry of centre-backs” in what is the highest praise that he could offer the Dutchman. Fresh from a winning goal against Atletico, it’s clear to see why the Reds skipper has been compared to a player of Henry’s class.
With two Premier League titles, a Champions League medal and everything in between, it’s hard to argue with Carragher’s statement. Van Dijk is imperious and is arguably ageing like fine wine at the heart of Arne Slot’s backline.
For all of Liverpool’s impressive spending in the summer, their best deal may well have been their captain’s new contract. Renewing alongside Mohamed Salah, Van Dijk set the tone of what was to come and may now reap the rewards for doing so. One more league title would of course take the Dutchman one above Henry.
In-form striker Erling Haaland is on his way back to Manchester City after the Norwegian Football Association announced he has been released from international duty. Fresh from scoring a hat-trick to help his country take a major step towards qualifying for next summer's World Cup, the 25-year-old will not feature when Stale Solbakken’s men take on New Zealand in an international friendly.
Haaland's hat-trick puts Norway on brink of 2026 World Cup
Haaland carried his remarkable club form with City onto the international stage as he played a starring role in Norway’s 5-0 victory over Israel on Saturday. The forward scored a hat-trick to put his nation on the brink of qualifying for their first World Cup since 1998, having also been denied twice from the penalty spot by goalkeeper Daniel Peretz. It was the 10th game in a row for club and country in which Haaland has scored, having found the net in all but one of his 12 appearances for City and Norway in 2025-26.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportCity striker is currently the Premier League's top goalscorer
Haaland has also been in excellent goalscoring form for City this term. The former Borussia Dortmund man has scored 12 goals in nine games for Pep Guardiola’s side, with nine of them coming in the Premier League. He is currently the leading goalscorer in the English top flight – three ahead of second-placed Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, who has netted six times.
Norwegian FA issue statement saying Haaland has been released
However, Haaland will play no part in Norway’s international friendly with New Zealand on Tuesday, 14 October after being released earlier than expected. The Norwegian FA said in a statement: "Sebastian Sebulonsen is in the Norwegian national team squad, he and Sverre Nypan are participating in today's training.
"Players with particularly tight match schedules are returning home: Alexander Sorloth, Julian Ryerson, Erling Braut Haaland and Fredrik Bjorkan. Felix Horn Myhre is leaving the squad due to a sore ankle.”
The news comes as a boost to City as they look to Haaland to maintain their fine form when the Premier League returns next weekend. Guardiola’s side are currently unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions, securing league victories over Manchester United, Burnley and Brentford. City also took four points from their first two Champions League games after defeating Napoli before drawing with Monaco.
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Ex-Dortmund man credits birth of his son as giving him extra motivation
When asked to put his finger on why he has been in such strong goalscoring form in 2025-26, Haaland credited the birth of his son as giving him extra motivation on the pitch. Asked if he is currently in the best form of his career following City’s win over Brentford, Haaland told “You can say so, I’ve never felt better than I do now. I think it’s about preparation first of all, getting ready for the games and I spoke so many times about it before, you can be physically ready but you need to be mentally ready as well.
“To be honest with a kid I think it makes me even better because I actually disconnect more than ever, I don’t think about football at all. Sometimes when you’re younger you think of this and that and maybe worry a little bit about things. But now when I go home I relax even more so I think I need to give a shout out to my son.”
KKR were without an unwell Sunil Narine but still dominated enough to not need Andre Russell with ball or bat
Deivarayan Muthu26-Mar-2025No Sunil Narine, no problem for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). KKR’s new recruit Moeen Ali, who took the unwell Narine’s place, dovetailed beautifully with old face Varun Chakravarthy on a dry, sluggish Guwahati surface to limit Rajasthan Royals (RR) to 151 for 9. The two spinners were so good – they claimed combined figures of 8-0-40-4 – that KKR didn’t even need Andre Russell with the ball.Then another new recruit, Quinton de Kock, came good at the top, and KKR didn’t need Russell with the bat either. De Kock’s unbeaten 97 off 61 balls got KKR on the points table and handed RR their second successive defeat this season.Parag’s unhappy homecomingSanju Samson fell for 13 off 11 balls when he stepped out a bit too early and yorked himself against Vaibhav Arora, but Guwahati’s very own Riyan Parag, who was captaining RR, brought the crowd alive when he crashed the third ball he faced, from Harshit Rana, for a one-handed six. His next six, a lofted checked-drive off Arora over his head in the last over of the powerplay, was even better.Parag even launched Varun for a six over midwicket when the mystery spinner erred too short. However, Varun remedied his length two balls later, having Parag sky a catch to de Kock, the keeper, with a 113kph dart that veered away from the batter.Parag also did his bit in the field later in the evening, coming away with 4-0-25-0 and running Moeen out, but his homecoming wasn’t a happy one.1:20
What went wrong for Theekshana and Hasaranga?
Varun, Moeen mess with RR’s plansMoeen might not even played had Narine been available. After having received his maiden KKR cap from team mentor Dwayne Bravo, Moeen struck in his second over when he had an advancing Yashasvi Jaiswal holing out to long-on for 29 off 24 balls. It was only Jaiswal’s second dismissal against spin in the IPL since 2023 across 197 balls while scoring 289 runs.RR tried to use Wanindu Hasaranga the way they had R Ashwin in the past. They promoted Hasaranga up to No. 5 as a pinch-blocker or pinch-hitter, but the experiment didn’t work. He faced just one ball from Moeen, the offspinner, and ended up miscuing Varun to mid-off for a run-a-ball 4.The slide triggered by the spinners – RR went from 67 for 1 to 82 for 5 – messed with the hosts’ plans. Shubham Dubey, who wasn’t originally in RR’s bat-first XI, had to be brought in at No. 7, which denied them the option of bringing in a frontline bowler in the form of Kumar Kartikeya or Akash Madhwal during the chase.Varun and Moeen conceded just a six and a four between them. In contrast, RR’s spinners, including part-timers Parag and Nitish Rana, leaked 11 boundaries between them.That RR crossed 150 was down to late blows from Dhruv Jurel, who top-scored for them with 33 off 28 balls, and Jofra Archer.1:08
Rayudu: De Kock’s ‘batsmanship’ made the difference
De Kock finishes the job for KKRMoeen was going nowhere with the bat in the chase. He was on five off 11 balls, having been discomfited by Archer’s high pace and bounce. Then, when he tried to steal a double off Parag, he had a mix-up with de Kock and was run out for five off 12.This might have been a match-losing innings on another day, but on this one, Moeen’s own effort with the ball and de Kock’s big hits at the other end meant KKR could offset it. The dew that set in later in the evening made KKR’s job that much easier.De Kock had attacked the hard, new ball, claiming 34 of the 40 runs KKR scored in the powerplay. After bashing Archer for a brace of boundaries in the third over, he went after Maheesh Theekshana and Parag.When Hasaranga, who was picked in place of Fazalhaq Farooqi, removed Ajinkya Rahane for 18 off 15 balls, RR might have felt that they had an opening. But de Kock and 20-year-old Angkrish Raghuvanshi slammed the doors shut on them with an unbroken 83-run partnership off 44 balls.De Kock brought up his half-century off 36 balls when he hoicked Hasaranga for six over wide long-on. He then celebrated the landmark with a six of Parag in the following over. De Kock might have off a century had KKR had more runs to chase.RR’s 151 for 9, the lowest total this season, stuck out like a sore thumb amid the big hitting from various other teams in this IPL.
As they close in on Jacob Ramsey, Newcastle United are now reportedly ready to match the price tag of another Premier League rival who Eddie Howe has become convinced by.
Newcastle closing in on Ramsey deal
It’s been a disastrous summer for Newcastle and one that looked unlikely to turn around up until the last few days. They’ve missed out on several top targets, faced the ultimate fight to keep Alexander Isak, who is doing everything to leave the club, and have a matter of days before their Premier League campaign kicks off. But, at long last, things are finally looking up.
Malick Thiaw
The arrival of Malick Thiaw from AC Milan finally put an end to their transfer drought and should solve Howe’s centre-back problem just in time for the new campaign. In a week of good news, however, he’s unlikely to be the final name through the door.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle have now reached a verbal agreement to sign Ramsey from Aston Villa in an imminent £40m deal. The midfielder looks set to arrive to replace Sean Longstaff in the Magpies’ midfield following his move to Leeds United earlier this summer.
Whether Ramsey officially arrives in time to face his former club in a dramatic debut remains to be seen, but Howe will certainly welcome the midfield star with open arms at St James’ Park.
That said, although they’ve now solved their midfield and centre-back problem, Newcastle remain without a striker. It’s been a summer-long search, but ultimately one that PIF have been unable to conclude. Now, with just two weeks until the transfer window slams shut, they may be forced to turn towards a Premier League rival.
Newcastle ready to spend big on Nicolas Jackson
According to TeamTalk, Newcastle are now ready to match Nicolas Jackson’s £60m price tag to end their search for a striker. The forward has been shown the door by Chelsea, who have reportedly lowered their valuation from £80m by around 25 per cent to a far more affordable £60m fee, which the Magpies are now reportedly willing to reach.
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Newcastle United target Premier League striker ahead of Champions League campaign.
2
By
Will Miller
Aug 14, 2025
What’s more, Howe is also reportedly becoming increasingly convinced that Jackson has the qualities to replace Isak should the Swede get his desired move to Liverpool this month. The immediate numbers suggest that the Chelsea man would need to step things up if he was tasked with doing exactly that, however.
PL stats 24/25
Jackson
Isak
Minutes
2,200
2,756
Goals
10
23
Assists
5
6
Expected Goals
12.3
20.3
What should instantly concern Newcastle is how Jackson failed to match or outperform his expected goals last season – instead underperforming by just over two goals.
Whilst their options are now few and far between, Newcastle can’t afford to get things wrong when replacing Isak this month. Jackson has plenty of Premier League experience to his name, but the stats highlight how he is a step below the Swede’s world-class level.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix stole the show with braces as Al-Nassr put five past Al-Riyadh in a thumping Saudi Pro League win. The hosts barely needed to break sweat before tearing Al-Riyadh apart on Saturday night at Al-Awwal Park. Jorge Jesus' men fresh from thrashing Istiklol 5-0 in the AFC Champions League, carried that ruthless edge into the Saudi Pro League, and Felix set the tone within minutes.
AFP
Nassr dominant
Just six minutes were on the clock when Kingsley Coman darted down the left flank and whipped in a wicked low cross. Felix, calm as ice, stroked the ball past the keeper to break the deadlock. Al-Riyadh looked shell-shocked, struggling to find rhythm as Al-Nassr bossed possession. And when the visitors tried to play out from the back, disaster struck. A wayward pass dropped straight into Coman’s path just past the centre circle. The Frenchman didn’t hesitate. He sprinted forward with devastating pace before slotting the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper. From a gift-wrapped error to a world-class finish, Coman made it 2-0, and the home crowd erupted.
By now, Al-Nassr smelled blood. Felix, buzzing with confidence, slid a delicious through ball that cut Al-Riyadh’s defence to ribbons. Waiting on the other end was Cristiano Ronaldo. One touch, one strike, and one inevitable roar: 3-0. With half-time looming, Al-Riyadh already looked like a side praying for the whistle.
Any hopes of a fightback evaporated almost instantly after the restart. Within three minutes, Ronaldo turned provider with a delicate chipped pass over the top. Felix latched on to the ball, controlled, and dispatched with ruthless composure. It was his second of the evening and Al-Nassr’s fourth. The Felix-Ronaldo double act was pulling Al-Riyadh apart.
Against the run of play, Al-Riyadh finally had something to cheer. Teddy Okou swung in a pinpoint cross from the right, and Mamadou Sylla rose above his marker to glance a header beyond the goalkeeper. It was 4-1, and for a brief moment the away side thought they had a way back. But the joy lasted barely a heartbeat, because the hosts weren’t finished.
The final nail was hammered in on the 76th minute. A drop-ball situation led to Felix launching a direct pass toward Coman, who cushioned it with elegance before squaring across goal. Ronaldo was waiting, unmarked and hungry, and smashed it home with trademark ruthlessness. That made it his 29th goal of the calendar year, a staggering tally for a man many thought was winding down.
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MVP: Joao Felix steals Ronaldo's thunder
While Ronaldo’s brace naturally drew headlines, Felix was the heartbeat of the performance. Two goals, one assist, and countless moments of flair marked him out as the clear MVP. Once derided as a misfit at Chelsea, Felix is relishing his rebirth in Riyadh, where his chemistry with Ronaldo looks frightening.
The loser: Mane frustrated
Not everyone in yellow had a night to remember. Sadio Mane, usually so clinical, endured a frustrating evening. The Senegalese forward found himself in promising positions but lacked composure when it mattered most. His wastefulness was masked by the brilliance of Ronaldo and Felix, but the fans will expect sharper edges from him going forward.
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What's next?
This emphatic 5-1 triumph marked Al-Nassr’s fourth consecutive league win, keeping their perfect start intact as they chase down Saudi Pro League glory. Attention now swings to the King Cup of Champions, with Jeddah arriving on Tuesday. Momentum is firmly with Al-Nassr, who will aim to carry this five-star swagger into knockout football.
He was Australia’s reserve batter in their last two series but had drifted down the pack early this season
AAP17-Nov-2024
Matt Renshaw celebrates his century•Getty Images
Queensland opener Matt Renshaw reminded Test selectors that he is no spent force with a vital century to frustrate Tasmania’s quest for a Sheffield Shield victory.The 28-year-old had been the forgotten man in the debate over who should open for Australia in the India series before Nathan McSweeney ultimately got the nod but his unbeaten 120 for Queensland has sent a message about his class.Related
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Queensland finished day three on 274 for 7 and need 37 runs to avoid the follow-on with a day remaining.A lack of Shield runs had been Renshaw’s problem in recent times but his approach on the third day at Allan Border Field was one of confidence as he led a Queensland fightback.His first boundary, a delightful whip through mid-on, came after he walked out of his crease to meet the ball with purpose. He continued in that vein and brought up his 22nd first-class century with a punch through cover to the boundary.Renshaw said he had taken steps to block out the hype around Australia’s opening slot.”Deleting a lot of apps and not reading any news has been a big one,” he told AAP. “It feels like every summer there is a circus about something and it is usually about the openers because Australian cricket wants another opener.”I am really happy for Nathan. I think he is going to do a terrific job but for us openers I think [the decision] last week might have hurt a lot of us.”We know how tough opening is and the satisfaction of batting for a long period of time is why we do the job, facing the toughest bowlers with a brand new ball at their freshest.”Renshaw said he had ultimate belief he would add to his 14 Tests for Australia.”Definitely. I feel like I am not too far away,” he said. “Obviously timing is huge in cricket. I missed my time on this occasion but there will be another time in the future when I have to be ready.”This is my 10th season now and it feels like I have been through it seven or eight times about this Test spot. I feel like I am getting better and I am happy with where my game is at.”I felt really good the last few games but every time I have got to the spot where I wanted to I got out, so today once I got in I wanted to make sure I committed to the way I want to play.”Having good intent really helped me today. I have been drilling into myself that I am a player able do the job in any conditions against any team. I had been trusting that something magic was around the corner and today was that magic.”Renshaw had willing allies in Ben McDermott, the ever-reliable Jimmy Peirson and 19-year-old seamer Tom Straker.Most of day two was washed out but Tasmania elected to continue from their overnight 394 for 5 in pursuit of quick runs and were bowled out for 461. Allrounder Beau Webster upped the ante as wickets tumbled.
Former Sri Lanka international Dulip Samaraweera has received a 20-year ban from Cricket Australia for conduct that has been described as “utterly reprehensible” and he will not be allowed to hold any position within CA, the state associations, BBL or WBBL clubs during that time.Samaraweera, 52, was found to have committed a serious breach of CA’s Code of Conduct during his time as a Cricket Victoria employee with a CA Code of Conduct commission banning him for 20 years following an investigation from CA’s Integrity Department after complaints about his conduct had been made.Samaraweera, who played seven Tests and five ODIs for Sri Lanka between 1993 and 1995, was a long-time Victoria women’s and Melbourne Stars WBBL assistant coach before being elevated to the Victoria women’s senior coaching role earlier this year, only for him to resign just two weeks into the role after being denied an appointment he wanted to make to his staff due to the state’s policies.The serious code of conduct breach was separate from that issue. CA’s Commission found Samaraweera had engaged in inappropriate behaviour that breached section 2.23 of CA’s Code of Conduct. The behaviour is alleged to have been involving a player.Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins released a statement condemning Samaraweera’s behaviour.”We strongly support the decision taken by the Code of Conduct Commission today, banning Dulip Samaraweera for 20 years,” Cummins said. “It is our view that the conduct was utterly reprehensible and a betrayal of everything we stand for at Cricket Victoria.”The victim in this case has demonstrated incredible strength of character and courage in speaking up. She will continue to receive our ongoing support to allow her to achieve her goals on and off the field.”From an organisation perspective, the safety and wellbeing of everyone at Cricket Victoria is paramount. We will not tolerate any behaviour which compromises that position, or our people, and will always support our culture of speaking up.”CA also stated that they are “committed to providing a safe environment for all players and employees and the welfare of those subjected to mistreatment is paramount.”
Liverpool are the champions of the Premier League once again. And what’s more, Arne Slot has been backed by FSG this summer as they prepare to do it all over again.
While the bulk of transfer activity has been dealt with already on Merseyside, there’s more to come, with Darwin Nunez the centre of ongoing talks between Liverpool and Napoli after an opening €55m (£48m) bid was rejected.
Many would hope that FSG are gearing up to splash out the cash on Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, but the “world-class” goalscorer, as he has been described by pundit Alan Shearer, will likely prove too expensive.
And anyway, Slot has proven his ability to grow exciting talents into superstars. See the 22-year-old Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo.
Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo for Liverpool
Now, the Dutch coach is hoping to sign his next version of the former, whose meteoric rise last season led to him being crowned the Premier League Young Player of the Season.
Liverpool's next top transfer targets
After missing out on Dean Huijsen, who swapped Bournemouth for Real Madrid after his £50m release clause was met, it was clear from the early stages of the transfer window that Liverpool are interested in signing a centre-back.
Marc Guehi is the man at the top of the shopping list, and while developments appear to be minimal at the moment, expect FSG to try their luck before the summer window slams shut.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehi
Liverpool need a new central defender, to be sure, but Slot knows that the 33-year-old Mohamed Salah will need greater attacking support than he received last term, practically engineering the incredible Premier League success of 2023/24.
And indeed, Nunez’s forthcoming sale will demand that sporting director Richard Hughes signs a successor, one who is fit to serve as Liverpool’s out-and-out frontman over the coming years.
Richard Hughes and Arne Slot
Well, the Reds have just the player in mind, and their interest is beginning to get stronger and stronger.
Liverpool with growing interest in new striker
As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool’s interest in Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike is indeed getting more intense as Nunez edges closer to a transfer to Napoli.
The Premier League champions have been among the frontrunners for the 23-year-old in recent months, with Chelsea and Manchester United also keen on bagging his signature.
However, the sticking point is that Frankfurt are happy to play hardball, seemingly unwilling to budge on their €100m (£85m) valuation.
What Hugo Ekitike would bring to Liverpool
In 2022, Paris Saint-Germain signed a teenage Ekitike from Ligue 1 rivals Reims for a fee in the region of £30m. Newcastle had come close to a deal but failed to close it.
The Frenchman might not have brought it all together for PSG, only scoring four times across 33 senior matches, but he’s certainly built himself back up in Germany, with analyst Ben Mattinson hailing him as “one of the best strikers out there” after his 2024/25 term with Frankfurt.
Notching 36 goal involvements across all competitions for Frankfurt last season, Ekitike is clearly a “special talent”, as has been noted by journalist Bence Bocsak.
But it’s his dynamism and fluency that makes him such an attractive option for a club like Liverpool, finishing the 2024/25 season ranked among the top 6% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues for shot-creating actions, the top 4% for both progressive carries and successful take-ons, and the top 20% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.
The fact that he’s more complete than Gravenberch was when he joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich in August 2023 bodes well for his potential at the highest level of the European game.
As you will see in the table below, Gravenberch bloomed into a midfielder of remarkable quality and confidence last term, sitting deep in the centre of the park in spite of early career criticisms that he lacked the temperament and composure for such a role.
Looking at the Dutchman’s gains under Slot’s wing last season, as opposed to his less defined role when a part of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, it’s very easy to see that Slot’s tactical grasp brought out the best in his young compatriot.
Matches (starts)
26 (12)
37 (37)
Goals
1
0
Assists
0
4
Touches*
28.8
66.5
Pass completion
83%
89%
Key passes*
0.6
0.9
Dribbles*
0.9
1.0
Ball recoveries*
2.8
5.2
Tackles + interceptions*
1.5
3.5
Total duels (won)*
2.8 (47%)
5.0 (57%)
The same could be said for Gakpo, of course, but given that Ekitike is an exciting young player from the Bundesliga who has previously struggled to bring it together after a big-money move to a European superpower, he could emulate the silky holding midfielder.
And without a doubt, Ekitike has the technical ability to become the kind of all-encompassing centre-forward that Slot wants to connect his frontline.
Given the high regard Ekitike is held in already, it’s frightening to consider what Slot might manage to achieve in elevating the weaker points of his game and polishing any blemishes which a rising talent is naturally going to bear.
Gravenberch, certainly, has improved, having been branded a “passenger out of possession” by journalist Danny Corcoran during his maiden term in English football.
He’s now a player of smooth ability, one of the finest in Europe. Slot has earned his flowers, all right, and he’ll receive a whole bouquet if allowed to tinker away at Ekitike’s mechanics, shaping him into a world-beater.
Talent scout Jacek Kulig claimed that the Die Adler star “could reach world-class striker levels” after his excellent campaign, and if he moves to Liverpool, his chances of this happening will increase tenfold.
Slot's new Diaz: Hughes plotting Liverpool bid to sign £100m "nightmare"
Liverpool may have to sell their versatile Colombian forward this summer.
Celtic are stepping up their transfer business under Brendan Rodgers and have now made their interest in an exciting attacker concrete by submitting an official bid, according to a report.
Celtic land Kieran Tierney with more bodies to follow
In what became an emotional announcement on Tuesday, Kieran Tierney has officially returned to Celtic, and the Scotland international has signalled his intent to hit the ground running at Parkhead.
“Everybody’s known for a few months and just to be here with the Celtic strip on again just feels amazing. I spoke with the manager, and obviously I had worked with him before and I’ve always kept in touch with him. He’s one of the best so I’m so lucky and grateful that he’s given me the chance to come back again.”
Kickstarting the Bhoys’ incomings, he could soon be joined by Callum Osmand as the Fulham youngster nears a move to Celtic. The Wales youth international is set to arrive from Craven Cottage for a nominal compensation fee after rejecting senior terms in West London.
Following his exploits with Scotland over the last few days, Lennon Miller has continuously been linked with the Bhoys after making a name for himself at Motherwell.
Despite heading into the final year of his deal, the Wishaw-born star is said to be valued at £7.5 million. Besiktas midfielder Demir Tiknaz has also been mentioned as an alternative amid complicated permutations involving loan club Rio Ave.
Deal on: Celtic open initial talks to sign £8m star who's the next Bitton
Across his nine-year Celtic career, Nir Bitton was such a reliable figure, so could the Hoops sign a similar player for £8m who “reads the game well”?
By
Ben Gray
Jun 8, 2025
There is a feeling that there plenty more to come at Parkhead, so it won’t come as a surprise to hear that Celtic have now submitted an offer and received a reply for another reported target.
Celtic receive reply to Nilson Angulo offer
According to Studio Futbol, Celtic have seen a formal bid rejected for Anderlecht winger Nilson Angulo and could return with a second offer to sign the Ecuador international. Several clubs around Europe are said to be privy to his situation, including Premier League giants Liverpool, who have reportedly scouted the 21-year-old during his recent time on international duty.
Nilson Angulo at Anderlecht
Appearances
64
Goals
3
Assists
3
Born in Quinininde, Angulo completed 44 dribbles on league duty last term and could be one part of a strategic effort from Brendan Rodgers to introduce further variation in the final third.
Iconic figure Jota has been ruled out for the next few months due to injury, heightening the need for reinforcements to ensure the Bhoys aren’t caught short in the wide areas.
It remains to be seen whether Celtic opt to submit an improved bid for his services, but fans can take solace either way from the fact their side are active in the market.
The Parkhead hierarchy have plenty of financial muscle to flex after another successful campaign both domestically and in Europe, so it is reasonable to expect that Rodgers will have a strong squad to pick from once the Champions League qualifiers arrive.
Chelsea are continuing to work on their summer recruitment plans, even after the pre-Club World Cup transfer deadline passed at 7pm on Tuesday, with manager Enzo Maresca still able to add new players to his squad midway through the tournament.
How Chelsea can still introduce new signings for the Club World Cup
It was thought that the mini-summer window, which opened from June 1 to June 10, would be Chelsea’s only opportunity to strengthen ahead of their CWC campaign.
Chelsea think £65m striker could rival Alexander Isak, they've held talks
Stamford Bridge chiefs have a very high opinion of him.
1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 10, 2025
It was, after all, why the window was introduced in the first place – to hand competing teams a chance to register new players after long and gruelling 2024/2025 campaigns.
However, as per Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol in the last few days, Chelsea and other sides taking part in the tournament will also have a unique registration period to benefit from midway through the CWC.
Cole Palmer
7.33
Moises Caicedo
7.02
Enzo Fernández
6.95
Nicolas Jackson
6.88
Noni Madueke
6.82
via WhoScored
From June 27 to July 3, just after the group stages finish, teams will be given the chance to add new players to their CWC roster – which allows Chelsea to introduce new signings who could take part in the knockout phase – if they indeed make it that far.
Chelsea missed out on deals for both AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens before the pre-CWC window deadline, with the west Londoners walking away from the former after refusing to meet Milan’s asking price.
Chelsea made three last-minute bids for Gittens as well, but none of them could satisfy Dortmund, who kept demanding more and more money for the English sensation.
It is unclear whether Chelsea will maintain their pursuit of Gittens in time for the CWC unique registration period starting on June 27, but they could perhaps turn to Eintracht Frankfurt sensation Hugo Ekitike instead.
Chelsea in ongoing talks for Hugo Ekitike after pre-Club World Cup deadline
There are reports that Chelsea believe Ekitike could eventually rival Newcastle United star Alexander Isak, which is how highly they rate the Frenchman after his exceptional 22-goal campaign.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Chelsea are maintaining talks for Ekitike, despite failing to sign him in time for the CWC, so he’s still very much “one to watch”.
“Chelsea and Ekitike remain in talks for the summer transfer window – but Liverpool are still in the race,” said Plettenberg.
“One to watch in the coming weeks.”
The 22-year-old is very highly-rated, with ex-Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder even calling him a blend of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, so Ekitike could well be worth the punt – but not for his ridiculously high price tag of around £84 million.
“I think he’s a mix between Neymar and [Kylian] Mbappé. I sincerely think so,” said Sneijder.
“He has the grace of Neymar, but also the movements of Mbappé. To suddenly accelerate, that’s something that Mbappé also has. And he’s only 22 years old. There’s really a lot of potential in this boy.”