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Last summer was a poor one for Liverpool as far as transfer business was concerned.

The sole incoming was that of Italian Federico Chiesa, who moved to Anfield in a deal worth just £12.5m.

Well, a lack of business mattered not as far as Arne Slot was concerned. No Jurgen Klopp, no problem. No mass recruitment, no problem. The Reds still went on to win the Premier League.

Fast forward and the Merseysiders have made an almighty splash in the transfer market, bringing in the likes of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz and before too long, Hugo Ekitike is set to be confirmed as a new Liverpool player.

Fabrizio Romano gave the deal his famous ‘here we go’ on Sunday, noting that the French forward is set to sign a six-year deal after a fee of £78m was agreed with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Liverpool may not be done there, however.

Liverpool's transfer plans after signing Hugo Ekitike

Next on the agenda for Richard Hughes and Co will surely be slimming the squad a little. Darwin Nunez has been widely expected to leave for much of the summer while Luis Diaz, subject of a bid from Bayern Munich last week, could still depart.

Should more funds be generated, then a move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi could still come to fruition. An agreement on personal terms was reached earlier in the summer, but a club-to-club agreement has not yet been reached between the Eagles and the Reds.

Liverpool appear to be keen on a number of domestic players with fellow Palace star Adam Wharton a target for next summer and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers also on their radar.

TBR Football report that Chelsea are devising a plan to try and sign Rogers this summer but they will face competition from Arsenal and Liverpool who have ‘maintained a watching brief’ of the player.

Previous reports have suggested that Villa would be looking for a fee of £100m in order to sell.

What Morgan Rogers could offer to Liverpool

While this move feels extremely unlikely this summer given the funds Liverpool have already spent on new recruits, if they could maintain their interest in upcoming windows, he’d be a fabulous signing for Slot’s side.

Transfer Focus

Once of Manchester City’s academy, Rogers quietly went about his business in the EFL with the likes of Lincoln City and Middlesbrough before Villa came calling.

In the Midlands, the attacking midfielder has become a genuine sensation. He’s now an England international and deservedly so when you consider the numbers he generated throughout the 2024/25 season.

It’s safe to say it was the best year of young Rogers’ career, scoring 14 goals and registering 15 assists in all competitions.

The 22-year-old didn’t just dazzle in the Premier League but he also took to Champions League football like a duck to water, scoring four goals in 12 games, three of which came in one game as he netted a sensational hat-trick against Celtic.

A goalscorer, a creator, and someone who can play through the middle as well as on the flanks, there are similarities with new Liverpool signing, Wirtz.

If you thought the art of the number 10 role was dying out, then you only need to look at Wirtz. However, he’s not just an attacking midfielder, but also someone who can play in a wider role, just as Rogers can.

Goals

0.23

0.38

Assists

0.29

0.46

Key passes

1.47

2.18

Progressive passes

3.55

6.74

Shot-creating actions

3.03

5.67

Successful take-ons

1.91

3.14

Progressive carries

3.29

5.02

Analysing the data above, it’s clear to see why Wirtz has been described as “the best midfielder in the world” by former Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes. He’s a generational talent and the fact his data is so far ahead of Rogers, one of the Premier League’s most exciting young players, says a lot.

Still, Rogers does hold his own and if Liverpool are looking to sign England’s version of Wirtz, they’d find few better candidates than the Villa star. He’s notably progressive, ranking inside the top 20% of positionally similar players in the English top-flight for attempted take-ons.

In the words of The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, he’s been an “unstoppable” force over the last year and while he falls some way short of Wirtz in a lot of areas, this is a player who’s already been there and done it in the Premier League.

Principally, he scores goals like Wirtz and he creates them like Wirtz. What’s not to like?

Similar to Wirtz: Liverpool want to sign "special" £112m Diaz replacement

He could be an unbelievable addition for the Reds.

ByHenry Jackson Jul 14, 2025

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has already been able to bring in several new players to bolster his first-team squad during the summer transfer window.

Benjamin Nygren, Kieran Tierney, Ross Doohan, Hayato Inamura, and Callum Osmand have all already come through the door since the end of last season.

There is more yet to come for the Scottish Premiership champions in the coming weeks, though, as the Hoops are looking for further signings, particularly in the attacking areas.

One player who looks set to join the likes of Tierney and Nygren is Japanese centre-forward Shin Yamada, after Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph claimed that the club have agreed a £1.5m deal with Kawasaki Frontale to secure his services.

As explained in the post, the 25-year-old number nine is currently at an international tournament, which means that supporters may have to wait for an official confirmation from the club.

What role Shin Yamada could play at Celtic

The £1.5m striker is an interesting prospective signing for the Scottish giants because he is coming off the back of a poor season in the Japanese top-flight.

In the 2025 season, the right-footed striker has scored two goals and provided one assist in 21 appearances in the J1 League, which is far from an impressive return for the forward.

Speaking about that form, Yamada said: “On a personal note, I have to admit I have had a disappointing season. I set high standards for myself and I don’t think I met them if I am being honest.”

These statistics do not suggest that the forward is going to make a big impact at Parkhead next season, but he did thrive in front of goal in the 2024 campaign, before his struggles this year.

Appearances

38

21

Goals

19

2

Minutes per goal

107

573

Big chances missed

14

8

Key passes per game

0.7

0.4

Assists

3

1

As you can see in the table above, Yamada enjoyed a terrific spell in 2024 with a return of 19 goals in 38 games, but his form fell off a cliff since the turn of the year.

There is no guarantee that he can return to his form from last year, as it may have been a flash in the pan, which is why this is a risky signing for Celtic, and why he could be a back up option within the squad next season if he does not go back out on loan.

Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke claims that Rodgers wants a “marquee” striker who can “guarantee” goals, and Yamada does not appear to fit the bill for what the manager is looking for.

This suggests that another number nine could come through the door before the end of the window, and David Strelec would be an interesting option.

Celtic's interest in David Strelec

Herald Scotland recently reported that the Slovakian striker has been a long-term target for the Scottish giants, although it remains to be seen if they are willing to make a move for him this summer.

The Hoops were interested in a deal to sign the Slovan forward, who played against Celtic in the Champions League last season, in the January transfer window.

Transfer Focus

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

However, Slovan decided to demand a whopping fee of £9m in order to sanction an exit for their star centre-forward, which put any potential transfer to an end.

With Rodgers wanting a ‘marquee’ striker to ‘guarantee’ him goals, though, Strelec could emerge as an option for the Scottish giants this summer, should the price tag drop or should Celtic decide to pay the money.

Why Celtic should sign David Strelec

The Hoops should push to sign the Slovan striker this summer after missing out on him in January because he could be brought in as a much better centre-forward than Yamada.

Whilst the Japanese forward has struggled in front of goal this season and does not look to be the immediate answer to the club’s goalscoring needs, Strelec’s form last term suggests that he has the tools to hit the ground running in Glasgow.

The left-footed star, who was described as a “tireless runner” by analyst Louorns on X, ended the 2024/25 campaign with a return of 25 goals and eight assists in all competitions, including two goals in the Champions League.

Strelec, who has scored seven goals for Slovakia at international level, showcased his ability to score and create goals at an exceptional rate as a centre-forward, and he could come in as an in-form striker who could provide a big threat in front of goal for Rodgers.

Appearances

29

21

Goals

20

2

Minutes per goal

102

573

Big chances missed

9

8

Big chances created

9

2

Key passes per game

1.1

0.4

Assists

5

1

As you can see in the table above, the Slovakian marksman’s form suggests that he would be a far better option than Yamada, whilst also being one year younger than the potential Hoops signing.

He would also arrive at Celtic with experience in European football and having played in the Champions League, whilst the Japanese striker would have to adapt to European football.

Therefore, Strelec has far more potential to be the marquee striker who guarantees goals for the Premiership champions than Yamada does, because he would arrive at Parkhead off the back of a 25-goal season, rather than a two-goal one.

At the age of 24, the Slovakia international would also have room to develop and improve during his time at Celtic, making him a potential candidate to be sold on for a substantial profit in the future, even if they have to splash out £9m to bring him to the club.

Celtic could sign their new Van Dijk in a star who once silenced Gyokeres

Celtic are interested in signing a defender who could be Virgil van Dijk 2.0 at Parkhead.

ByDan Emery Jul 10, 2025

This is why the Scottish giants should be pushing to sign the Slovan sensation in the coming weeks to be the prolific number nine that Rodgers is desperate for.

Trent Rockets 145 for 7 beat Manchester Originals 144 for 8 by one runJordan Thompson stole the show and the match at Emirates Old Trafford, defending two runs from the final three balls of the game to secure Trent Rockets an improbable victory over Manchester Originals.On a day of last-ball finishes – after Originals women won the first game of the day by one run – it was once again the bowling side who ended up on top at the death when many may have been backing the batting side.Sikandar Raza scored 21 from 12 balls to take Originals to the brink, but when he was run out with one ball to go it left Max Holden (40) requiring two runs for the hosts. Holden could only top-edge his attempted pull to Sam Hain on the leg-side, much to the delight of Thompson and his Rockets teammates.Tom Banton got Rockets off to a flier at the top of the match, supported by Rovman Powell (27) and a big-hitting cameo from Rashid Khan (15), making his first appearance in the Hundred this year.Tom Hartley’s 3 for 25 on a slow pitch perhaps suggested it wouldn’t be the easiest chase for the Originals, especially with spin duo Rashid and Imad Wasim in their attack, but when Paul Walter cleared the ropes on three occasions the home fans began to dream about a day of double-header victories.Three wickets fell to those Rockets spinners in six balls to put doubts in the mind of the Originals faithful, but Raza looked to have allayed those fears until Thompson nipped in to make it two wins from two for Andy Flower’s Trent Rockets.Meerkat Match Hero Banton said: “The emotions are very up and down! Obviously they played extremely well to get to a very close ending and that’s what The Hundred is about, attracting the crowd. It was a good game.”My job at the top is to try and put their bowlers under pressure. I want to respect their good balls when they’re there, but when they’re in my scoring zone try and take it to them. And luckily it was my day.”That’s what we want to do. At the start of the competition we talked about qualifying and obviously two wins from two is a good start.”

Liverpool’s season may well be over, but that’s only because Arne Slot’s side have wrapped up the Premier League title with plenty of time to spare.

Anfield’s chief decision-makers are bound to be hard at work right now, perhaps finding their transfer plans accelerated after such dominance in the English top flight.

Of course, that’s not the only reason Liverpool’s season is done and dusted, if we’re being candid. The Merseysiders have no FA Cup or Champions League final to prepare for, having been dumped out of both competitions at premature stages.

This isn’t really to the detriment of Slot’s squad, merely a reflection of the unforeseen heights reached this season. Few expected Liverpool to go from strength to strength after Jurgen Klopp left last year, let alone win the league title.

Slot has been stringent in his team rotation, and will need to add depth this summer. Luckily, he’s had an absolute rock of a leader in Virgil van Dijk, unflappable, unmovable.

The importance of Van Dijk to Liverpool

The importance of Van Dijk. It really can’t be overstated how significant a part of Liverpool’s rise and rise he has been. Without this towering Dutchman, Klopp’s dynasty wouldn’t have scaled the mountain between good and greatness.

The art of spending wisely. Sure, Van Dijk cost Liverpool a world-record £75m fee, leaving Southampton on the South Coast in January 2018, but has there ever been a defender in that ballpark, and there are more, who have given their new employers the same bang for their buck?

Van Dijk took the captain’s armband from Jordan Henderson at the end of the 2022/23 season, but he’s been a leader ever since he arrived.

However, that level has been notched up since assuming the new weight of responsibility, for he led the resurgence last year, put Liverpool back in the Champions League and scored the winning goal in the Carabao Cup final. Now, he’s skippered his way toward a second Premier League title, with Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher saying, “he’s too good for the highest level” of football.

Tying the 33-year-old down to a new deal was always going to be imperative, and now he joins Mohamed Salah in devoting two more years of his prime to this wonderful club.

Maybe the final two years of his career at the highest level. Maybe, time works its hands onto every world-class player, and there will come a point when Carragher’s effusions no longer ring true.

Maybe Liverpool would be prudent to find and sign a successor this summer.

Liverpool add new centre-back to their shortlist

Liverpool need someone who’s capable of filling Van Dijk’s boots for years to come. Preferably, they would be a left-footed centre-half.

Transfer Focus

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

Dean Huijsen is the talk of the town, but Liverpool might actually be ready to head down a different track and sign Nottingham Forest’s Murillo.

According to DaveOCKOP, 22-year-old Murillo is one of the shortlisted names ahead of the summer window, his blend of meaty athleticism and technical quality making him the perfect option for a team challenging at the top of the European pyramid each year.

However, he wouldn’t come cheap. It was suggested a few months back that Forest will demand £80m for the defender, with Arsenal, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain also considered suitors.

What Murillo would bring to Liverpool

Nuno Espirito Santo has worked wonders at Forest. He’s transformed the club from relegation stragglers to genuine Champions League contenders, with their fate hanging in the balance ahead of the final few matches of the season.

Forest were hit with a points deduction after breaching financial fair play (FFP) rules in the 2022/23 season. The windfall from securing a seat at Europe’s eminent table would ease their worries this summer, but FFP compliance will be a tricky slope to navigate in any case, and Liverpool could take advantage.

Certainly, Murillo still has progress to make in his professional journey, but that’s why Liverpool should act now, adding the Brazilian to a rich backline and allowing him to learn under Van Dijk’s wing before settling into an enhanced role.

Make no mistake, Murillo’s already got enough in his locker to make a marked improvement on Liverpool’s defence. Hailed for his “monstrous” performances by journalist Ryan Taylor, he’s menacing and unflinching in his duties.

The Tricky Trees star isn’t the finished article, but he’s already performing at a level that challenges Van Dijk for his throne.

Matches (starts)

35 (35)

34 (34)

Goals

3

2

Assists

1

0

Clean sheets

14

11

Touches*

90.5

54.9

Pass completion

92%

79%

Key passes*

0.3

0.4

Dribbles*

0.1

0.8

Ball recoveries*

3.1

3.9

Tackles + interceptions*

2.5

2.5

Clearances*

5.1

6.8

Aerial duels won (%)*

3.2 (71%)

1.3 (66%)

In fact, he’s been described as being “easily one of the best defenders in the league” by talent scout Jacek Kulig only a few months ago, not all that far away from Liverpool’s main man.

Murillo is energetic and creative too. While defending his goalkeeper serves as his principal aim, the £xxk-per-week talent has also garnered something of a reputation for his powerful surges forward, thus sparking creative opportunities for his forward-placed teammates.

FBref back it all up: across Europe’s top five leagues this season, Murillo ranks among the top 3% of positional peers for blocks and clearances, while also ranking among the top 2% for successful take-ons and the top 12% for shot-creating actions per 90.

You can see why Liverpool are so interested in striking a deal this summer, with Murillo ticking all the boxes.

6 foot even, he’s not the tallest of centre-back but Murillo uses his aerial prowess so well, and must be brought to Anfield this summer to begin the next chapter in his career, one building toward a point in which he succeeds Van Dijk as Liverpool star man at the back.

Dream Kerkez alternative: Liverpool plot move for "incredible" £50m star

Liverpool could forget about Milos Kerkez with a summer deal for another left-back.

ByEthan Lamb May 7, 2025

Glasgow Rangers’ supporters have seen plenty of sublime strikers perform at Ibrox over the years.

Names such as Ally McCoist, Mark Hateley, Michael Mols and Kris Boyd roll off the tongue and how the new manager would love a goalscorer in this mould for next season at Rangers. The foundation of title wins and European runs, however, comes from an excellent defence, in particular a solid centre-back.

Terry Butcher arrived in Glasgow from England, and immediately became one of the most influential defenders in the club’s history. Richard Gough was next to follow, and he captained the Gers to nine league titles in a row at Ibrox between 1989 and 1997.

Following Gough’s departure, the likes of Lorenzo Amoruso, Craig Moore and Carlos Cueller emerged to continue the club’s ascent, with the latter helping Rangers reach the 2008 UEFA Cup final.

Who can forget David Weir? The former Everton defender was an absolute rock, despite playing until he was 41.

It took a while for the Light Blues to eventually replace Weir at the heart of the defence, but when Connor Goldson arrived in Glasgow during the summer of 2018, he looked every inch the heir to the Scot.

Conor Goldson’s Rangers statistics

Steven Gerrard’s rebuilding job that summer required a centre-back who could cope with the physicality of Scottish football.

Goldson, having played over 100 matches for Brighton and Shrewsbury down south, looked like the perfect signing.

Despite the Light Blues failing to win a trophy during Gerrard’s first two seasons at the club, progress was clear, and this stemmed from an improved defence led by Goldson.

Indeed, he missed just six and two games during those two seasons. Rarely injured and consistently excellent, the Englishman was on the cusp of helping the Gers to one of their finest seasons on record.

Throughout the 2020/21 season, Rangers conceded only 13 Premiership goals, breaking the British record of 15 set by Chelsea 16 years before.

Goldson and Filip Helander were a commanding partnership at the back. The former Brighton star won an impressive 6.6 total duels per game that term – a success rate of 71% – while being dribbled past only 0.2 times per game and making 1.3 tackles each match.

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2023/24

48

0

3

2022/23

38

3

3

2021/22

61

4

4

2020/21

56

8

3

2019/20

52

4

2

2018/19

54

4

0

This was Goldson at his peak, no doubt about that. He was excellent during the club’s run to the final of the Europa League in 2022, but mistakes began creeping in steadily over the next couple of years.

His lack of pace was a worry, and he was regularly beaten in foot races against faster opponents, notably against Bojan Miovski, who got the better of the defender to open the scoring for Aberdeen in a 1-1 draw back in 2023.

He left last summer, joining Cypriot side Aris Limassol. He was awarded the best defender of the season and perhaps the club sold him prematurely?

It looks as though the Light Blues are showing interest in signing a centre-back from the Premier League. Could Cameron Burgess turn into Goldson 2.0?

Rangers eye move for Premier League defender

Leon Balogun looks set to leave Ibrox and with Rafael Fernandes returning to his parent club, the only centre-backs remaining will be John Souttar, Robin Propper, Clinton Nsiala and Leon King.

With questions over Propper and Nsiala’s lack of experience, it is evident the club need to bring in a solid, reliable, defender this summer.

Rangers Review journalist Joshua Barrie gave the fans some transfer news when he took to X recently, saying: “Rangers are interested in Ipswich defender Cameron Burgess as they seek to bolster their defence ahead of the new season.

“29-yo has played 18 times in the Premier League this season.”

Burgess may be approaching 30, but with Premier League experience under his belt and the physicality to succeed in Scottish football, it could be a smart move to bring the £2m-rated star north of the border.

If he impresses early on, he could be the natural successor to Goldson at Ibrox. That much is certain.

Why Rangers must sign Cameron Burgess

Scottish scout and analyst, Kai Watson, profiled the centre-back amid rumors that Rangers are keen on signing him.

He said: “Cameron Burgess may not be the most exciting signing on paper but he’ll bring necessary experience to the back, particularly if Balogun departs.

“He’s 6’4, left sided, an Australian international and uses the ball well.”

Across his 18 Premier League appearances for Ipswich Town this term, Burgess has won 3.6 total duels per game – a success rate of 68% – and made 0.9 tackles and 6.9 clearances per game in the top flight.

Kieran McKenna, Burgess’ manager at Ipswich, hailed the defender as “excellent” back in 2022 and there is no doubt he would be a reliable option for the new manager to call upon next term, given his dominant duel success rate that compares well to Goldson’s aforementioned form at Ibrox.

While his passing statistics may not be out of this world, mainly due to Ipswich not having much of the ball during games, he makes up for it by impressing across other metrics.

Indeed, when compared to fellow defenders in the English top flight, the Australian ranks in the top 2% for clearances (7.48), in the top 21% for aerials won (2.57), and in the top 5% for percentage of dribblers tackled (81.8%) per 90 this season.

Although bringing the ball out from the back is important, having a player who is able to get the better of the opposition forwards – both in the air and on the ground – is something that the Gers have struggled with this season.

Propper often struggles with the physicality of strikers from clubs lower down the league table, even though his passing is fairly reliable (88% pass success rate).

Burgess might not be a flashy new signing that will get supporters out of their seats at Ibrox next season. What he will offer is a solidity at the heart of the defence.

Following a campaign of disarray, this is exactly what is required for 2025/26.

Dream for Diomande: Rangers could land one of "Brazil's best" for £4m

Rangers are looking to sign a few players this summer

ByRoss Kilvington May 17, 2025

The upcoming summer transfer window will be an interesting one for Celtic as they will hope to avoid losing any more of their top players ahead of next season.

Last year, Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion swooped in to sign Matt O’Riley from the Scottish giants for a reported fee of more than £25m.

That came after the Danish magician had scored 18 goals and provided 13 assists in the Scottish Premiership during the 2023/24 campaign for Brendan Rodgers.

The Hoops now have a number of valuable assets who could be targets for other clubs in the upcoming summer transfer window, thanks to their performances this season.

Celtic's top five most valuable players

According to Transfermarkt, 27-year-old central defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, who has been linked with Bayer Leverkusen, is currently the most valuable player in the squad with a valuation of £11.9m.

Celtic’s top two scorers – Daizen Maeda (31) and Nicolas Kuhn (18) – also make the top five list. Maeda is worth £9.4m, and the German forward is the joint-second most valuable in the squad at £10.2m.

Cameron Carter-Vickers

27

£11.9m

Arne Engels

21

£10.2m

Nicolas Kuhn

25

£10.2m

Reo Hatate

27

£9.4m

Daizen Maeda

27

£9.4m

Arne Engels, who joined the club from Augsburg last summer and has scored ten goals in all competitions, also makes the top five list alongside those three and Reo Hatate.

Whilst Celtic will be happy to have so many highly-valued assets at Parkhead, the Hoops once lost a player for £0 who is now worth more than all of them in the form of Aaron Hickey.

Aaron Hickey's current market value

The Scottish defender joined the club’s academy at the age of 12 and spent four years in the set-up before joining Hearts at the age of 16, as he revealed to Brentford’s official website.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

Hickey confirmed that it was his decision to move on from Celtic, rejecting their offer of a new contract, because of his lack of game time in the academy, which meant that the Hoops ended up losing him for nothing.

The versatile full-back then went on to make his senior breakthrough at Hearts before spending two years in Italy with Bologna, between 2020 and 2022, before his big-money move to the Premier League with Brentford ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

Brentford reportedly paid a fee of £14m for the Scottish defender and he has only played 35 matches in the Premier League to date, missing 76 games with hamstring and ankle injuries.

At the time of writing, despite his lack of football in recent seasons, Hickey is currently valued at a whopping £15.4m by Transfermarkt – even more than the fee the Bees paid for him.

The 22-year-old talent was even tipped to become even better than Kieran Tierney, who is due to rejoin Celtic this summer, and Andy Robertson by Barry Ferguson, who is currently the manager of Rangers, two years ago, as shown in the clip above.

Hickey, who was described as “amazing” by former manager Steven Naismith, has been unable to fulfill that potential so far, due to his hamstring and ankle injuries, but his significant market value points to the quality he has already shown in his short career to date.

Celtic must rue losing "exciting" gem who's now playing like a £100m star

Celtic lost the talented young attacker for a fee of just £230k and now he’s being compared to a £100m talent.

ByDan Emery Apr 15, 2025

Despite those injury problems, Celtic may regret losing him for nothing as the young dynamo has gone on to become worth even more than all of Rodgers’ current stars, including Engels, Kuhn, and Maeda.

Allrounder speaks ahead of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Apr-2025Orla Prendergast talks to the Powerplay Podcast ahead of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign in Pakistan, reflecting on the pain of missing out to Scotland in T20 qualifying, how she manages her nerves when it’s all on the line, and why – after a promising start in football – she chose cricket.