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Joan Gaspart couldn't understand all of the fuss caused by Nico Williams' decision to turn down a move to Barcelona in favour of signing a lucrative new deal with Athletic Club. "The player has used us in a good way," the former Blaugrana president told EL 10 del Barca on August 3. "He's gotten a good contract, and I'm happy for him."

Gaspart also argued that missing out on Williams, for the second consecutive summer, would also prove a blessing in disguise, as the Catalans picked up Marcus Rashford on a season-long loan from Manchester United three weeks after Williams extended his stay at San Mames until 2035. "Rashford is better than Nico," Gaspart insisted. 

At the time, you would have been hard pressed to have found anyone that would have agreed with one of the worst presidents in Barca's history. A lot has changed in the interim, though, because while a resurgent Rashford is now regarded as one of Barca's best players, Williams is struggling terribly for both form and fitness at Athletic.

Getty Images Sport'Life goes on'

Barca first tried to sign Williams last year, and one could understand why. The club may have been once again struggling to adhere to La Liga's financial regulations, but the buy-out clause in the Basque winger's contract was €58 million (£51m/$67m), which felt like an opportunity too good to pass up. 

Williams had just played a key role in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph alongside his good friend Lamine Yamal, and the prospect of the pair working in tandem at club level too didn't just excite everyone in Catalunya; it was also a tantalising prospect for football fans all across the globe. However, Williams ultimately decided to stay at San Mames for at least another year, so Barcelona ended up signing Spain attacking midfielder Dani Olmo instead.

“Nico is a player who, yes, we were interested in during the summer," Barca sporting director Deco told in November of last year. "We tried to bring him in, but from there, the player made a decision, and life goes on.

"We brought in Dani Olmo, who was our priority because we didn’t have that type of player in our squad. The idea with Nico was to add more competition upfront, because we wanted high-level competition, but once the player shows no interest in coming, there's no further discussion." And there wasn't, until the end of last season.

AdvertisementAFPBack in the market

Raphinha ostensibly served as Barca's left winger during their domestic treble triumph last season, but he repeatedly drifted into more central areas – and to devastating effect, with the Brazilian racking up 57 goals and assists in all competitions (more than anyone else across Europe's 'Big Five' leagues bar Liverpool's Mohamed Salah).

Consequently, Hansi Flick was keen to move Raphinha into the No.10 role that the frustratingly inconsistent Olmo had failed to make his own while dealing with niggling injuries and almost incessant uncertainty surrounding his registration as a Barcelona player, meaning that when the transfer window reopened during the summer of 2025, the Blaugrana once again went looking for a world-class left winger. 

Liverpool's Luis Diaz was their primary target, but the €75, (£66m/$86m) asking price represented a major problem for the cash-strapped Catalans, so it came as no surprise to see the Colombian ended up at Bayern Munich instead. Rashford, thus emerged, as a very attractive proposition for book-balancing Barcelona, given he was available on loan with a view to a permanent transfer for a knockdown fee.

However, it was at that point that Barcelona were made aware of Williams' interest in belatedly joining the Blaugrana. There was one major catch, though.

Getty Images'No player is going to impose restrictions on us'

Having seen what Olmo went through during the first half of last season, Williams quite wisely wanted a release clause inserted into his contract in the event that Barca were unable to register him in time for the start of the Liga season. It was by no means an unprecedented request. As well as Olmo, Ilkay Gundogan and Jules Kounde had also previously secured release clauses upon joining Barcelona.

However, the Blaugrana refused to grant Williams one – not least because they would have lost Olmo for nothing last season had the Catalan not been so determined to stay at the club.

"We said we wouldn't accept the conditions they set us because no player is going to impose any restrictions on us, and in the end, nothing happened," Deco told on September 30. "We gave them a deadline to respond, but they didn't respond; they went their way, and we went ours."

And the collapse of the deal has worked out very well for Barca. 

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Getty Images Sport'Important player'

Williams started the season in sensational fashion for Athletic, scoring one goal and creating two others in the Basques' opening-weekend win over Sevilla. However, he's not been directly involved in a single strike since, primarily due to a chronic groin problem called pubalgia – which has also sidelined Yamal in recent weeks – and has ruled the 23-year-old out of his side's crucial Champions League clash with Newcastle on Wednesday.

Rashford, by complete contrast, looks fitter and sharper than he has done for two years. After a slightly slow start to his Barca career, the Englishman has gone from strength to strength since netting a brilliant brace in the 2-1 win at St James' Park on September 18.

Raphinha's own injury has obviously freed up space in the Barca attack for Rashford, but enormous credit must go to the 28-year-old for making the most of his chance to shine. Indeed, going into Wednesday's Champions League meeting with Club Brugge, Rashford has been involved in more goals in all competitions (11) than any other member of Flick's squad so far this season.

"I'm happy with him," the German coach told reporters after Rashford scored the killer third goal in Sunday's 3-1 win over Elche. "I knew he could play at this level and he's shown it. He's an important player."

Liverpool’s emphatic win over Eintracht Frankfurt was a false dawn. On Saturday evening, the Reds slumped to a fourth successive Premier League defeat against Brentford.

It’s a sad thing to suggest, but it very much seems like Liverpool are struggling to do the basics. This is a side whose cool and calculated football allowed Arne Slot to romp to the league title last season. This group couldn’t be further away from that indomitable outfit.

Who does that boil down to? The manager? The upheaval? The tactical imbalances sparked by a combination of facets? It’s all so difficult to define, and Slot is the only one who can conjure up the answers to placate the masses.

However, we must start with the backline. So much isn’t right, but Liverpool’s defence is painfully poor. Despite their world-renowned reputations, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have flattered to deceive.

Liverpool's defensive struggles continue

Liverpool are in a crisis. It is a saving grace that the season is young enough for a four-game losing streak to not be detrimental, but this does not sugarcoat the severity of the Reds’ woes.

At the epicentre is the skipper Van Dijk, and Konate besides. The centre-backs lack any morsel of their typical security and confidence in the backline, between them winning 20 duels at the Gtech but still failing to keep a clean sheet or produce the kind of convincing display needed to stem the flow.

Defensively, the Reds are a mess. But the problems run far deeper. Van Dijk lacks his typical grace and brilliance; Konate has been below par all year.

The plain truth is the excuses are running out, and while he’s among the most talented footballers in the world, Florian Wirtz continues to be a disappointment in a Liverpool shirt, and he must be dropped from the line-up once again.

Slot must drop Florian Wirtz

When Florian Wirtz joined Liverpool this summer in a record-breaking £116m deal, most anticipated the Reds would add one of the most devastating playmakers in the world to their ranks.

And they did, but Liverpool are a team in disrepair right now, and Wirtz has failed to acclimatise to life in Slot’s squad. And against Andrews’ Bees, the fleet-footed star’s struggles continued.

He racked up two assists against Frankfurt in midweek, but the 22-year-old flattered to deceive against Brentford, with the Liverpool Echo even seeing it fit to brand him with a 4/10 match rating after an inconsequential display in red.

Perhaps most concerning is the fact that the German faded without having taken his foot off the pedal from a work-rate standpoint. To put that another way, the quality on the evening simply wasn’t there.

Florian Wirtz – Stats vs Brentford

Stats

#

Minutes played

83′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

54

Shots (on target)

1 (0)

Accurate passes

33/43 (77%)

Chances created

1

Dribbles

1/2

Recoveries

4

Tackles

1/1

Duels won

2/5

Data via Sofascore

While the fact remains that he is among the most talented players in the Premier League, there is a bluntness about his output in Slot’s Liverpool side. The solution comes down to Slot, and Slot does not have the answer. For now, Liverpool and Wirtz’s wait for success rages on.

Indeed, Wirtz is one of the best footballers in the world, but he’s not performing, and Liverpool have got to reach beyond the box and search for left-field solutions to their current problems.

Because Slot’s solutions are falling short, so frustratingly short.

Where now? Liverpool host Aston Villa next week in the Premier League, and then they travel to Manchester City. There is much to ponder, and on the basis of the evidence, it’s unlikely that keeping an under-performing player like Wirtz in the line-up would prove the solution.

Sure, he’s got a show-stopping ability, but this hasn’t been channelled. All told, Liverpool need to make some big changes, perhaps even reverting to type. If that is the case, Wirtz does not feature in Slot’s best 11.

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Liverpool won the Premier League last season and then underwent major surgery throughout the summer transfer window.

Perhaps you could frame the Reds as a team in transition. This could be asserted for the 2024/25 campaign, when Liverpool pranced their way through the term and, yes, won the league title in Arne Slot’s first year at the helm.

Maybe it could also be argued that this is a transitional year for Liverpool. After all, many ins and outs occurred down Anfield Road this summer.

Regardless of which side of the fence you stand on, none can argue that Slot’s Liverpool are not title contenders once again, having won all five of their opening Premier League fixtures to establish a five-point lead at the summit. It took them until November to achieve that last year.

It is early days, of course, but the Merseysiders are shaping into quite the force, having signed Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz and many more.

However, they are hardly impregnable, with Liverpool’s defensive issues made worse by the ACL injury sustained by Giovanni Leoni against Southampton on Tuesday evening in the Carabao Cup.

How Leoni's injury affects Liverpool

Leoni must be gutted. Impressive on his Liverpool debut after leaving Parma in the summer, the 18-year-old will now recover across his first campaign in England, unlikely to be match fit until the business end.

He had looked calm and assured and confident on the ball. Sadly, this is a significant setback for one so young. It’s about now that sporting director Richard Hughes might lament Crystal Palace’s failure to sign a Guehi replacement at the end of the transfer window, thus ending a move that looked all but complete and a summer in the making.

Such is football, but there’s no question the Premier League champions are now one Virgil van Dijk injury away from alarm bells to start ringing, with a four-front charge for silverware currently underway.

Guehi, too, may be frustrated at how things have panned out, with his chances of regular football at Liverpool almost certain had he indeed finalised that last-minute move.

Hughes and Slot may also be tacitly frustrated that they sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £35m, with the hierarchy unable to promise the homegrown talent regularity of minutes for the club.

But then there will also be much confidence in Liverpool’s capacity to pull through. The backline has been refashioned over the past few months.

However, Quansah’s isn’t the only signature that may have left with an air of ruefulness. In fact, far more regret could be attributed to the mood when Trent Alexander-Arnold left for Real Madrid in June.

Alexander-Arnold's value after leaving

Liverpool were hamstrung. Noise coming from the concerning contract situations of Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Alexander-Arnold dominated the 2024/25 campaign, Slot’s first at the helm.

It’s small wonder that many felt the Reds would fall apart following Jurgen Klopp’s departure, with the ‘big three’ all slated to follow him out the gates.

That wasn’t the case. The skipper and the attacking talisman both renewed their Liverpool vows, but Alexander-Arnold, 26, left for pastures new and is now a member of Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid team.

Trent’s Liverpool Career
Competition	Apps	Goals (assists)
Premier League	257	18 (67)
Champions League	60	2 (13)
FA Cup	13	1 (3)
Carabao Cup	10	0 (6)
Europa League	5	0 (2)
Club World Cup	2	0 (1)
CL Qualifying	2	0 (1)
Community Shield	2	1 (0)
UEFA Super Cup	1	0 (0)
Stats via Transfermarkt

Hailed as a “generational” talent by content creator Asim Mahmood, Trent’s range of passing and his vision and inventions on the ball have

He might not be the answer to Liverpool’s central defensive issues right now, but it’s an underpinning of the upheaval that has beset Slot’s backline in recent months.

Having refused FSG’s offers, the England international was set to sign for Real Madrid on a free transfer before Florentino Perez decided to bring him over for the Club World Cup, paying the English outfit an £8m fee to release him from his contract several weeks early.

This is some distance below the figure Liverpool recouped from Quansah’s sale, and does at least highlight the club’s expertise at the negotiating table, spending heavily this summer but banking a pretty penny too.

Alas, what’s done is done, but Alexander-Arnold is one of the world’s best, even if he is struggling to click from the off with Los Blancos, in and out of the starting line-up before a cruel injury that has ruled him out of action for the foreseeable.

For Liverpool to have got anything from a player imminently out of contract is a testament to Hughes’ prowess behind the desk, but, as Transfermarkt record it, his market value has already shot back up to £66m, which stands taller than the £35m figure the Reds were willing to pay for Guehi.

Moreover, when Alexander-Arnold brings it all together in Spain – and he will – this value will only skyrocket further.

In spite of the signing of Frimpong, the continued development of Conor Bradley and Dominik Szoboszlai’s interesting rebrand into a right-back, when called upon, none of them is Trent.

He was truly one-of-a-kind, and the most painful part of all is that all of a red persuasion across Merseyside and beyond felt that he was on the pathway to immortality at Liverpool, sure to replace Van Dijk as club captain and then take his seat, one day, on a plinth beside Steven Gerrard.

“He’s been a superstar,” Alan Shearer said, acknowledging the Three Lions man at the end of his Premier League career.

Alexander-Arnold must always be treasured for his contribution toward a sustained period of success, but he sadly joins a different category now, and it’s one the fans will look back at regretfully for many years.

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Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe now look likely to pip Barcelona to the signing of an exciting young midfielder, as they look to build towards the future.

Lammens set for Man Utd debut

The Red Devils return to action on Saturday lunchtime, making the trip to a Brentford side who many have tipped to be in a relegation fight this season.

While United have again flattered to deceive of late, their victory at home to Chelsea last weekend has given them a real chance of stringing together three Premier League wins in a row, should they get the better of the Bees on Saturday and then Sunderland at Old Trafford this weekend.

In terms of team selection away to Brentford, it looks as though recent signing Senne Lammens will make his debut for the Red Devils, with reliable journalist Samuel Luckhurst saying he will be preferred to Altay Bayindir between the sticks.

United supporters will be hoping that the 23-year-old proves to be the solution in goal for Ruben Amorim, following the doomed spell of Andre Onana, as they look to find their first elite goalkeeper since David De Gea. Now, an exciting United transfer update has emerged.

Man Utd set to sign teenage midfielder ahead of Barcelona

According to a fresh update from Africa Foot, Manchester United and Ratcliffe are “very close” to completing the signing of Bsport Academie teenager Mouhamed Dabo.

The 17-year-old has been on trial with the Red Devils in recent weeks, and it now looks as though they have done enough to beat Barcelona to his signature after impressing United officials at Carrington.

At just 17 years of age, Dabo isn’t exactly a household name yet, especially as he isn’t plying his trade in Europe, but the idea of United signing any young player also liked by Barcelona is encouraging.

For too long, they have focused too much on the present instead of building for the future, and snapping up the brightest teenagers in the game is the right approach to take, as well as signing top-quality proven players at the same time.

Dabo, captain of Senegal’s U17 side, is a midfielder with so much promise, and United need to be looking at the middle of the park as a key area of focus, having too often looked imbalanced there in recent years.

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Granted, the Senegalese wouldn’t arrive as a starter from the off, but if he reaches his potential, he could be the man to eventually excel in front of the defence, with United coaches already impressed with his “clean tackling, vision, composure, ball control, leadership, relentless work, progressive passing, and pace control.”

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has named a “complete” star as the greatest player in the club’s history.

Odegaard vying to become first Arsenal captain since Vieira to lift Premier League title

It has been far too long since the Gunners lifted the Premier League title, with Patrick Vieira the last captain to do so, way back in 2004, but Odegaard is looking to end the soon-to-be 22-year wait this season.

Barring the disappointing 1-0 defeat at Liverpool, the Gunners have otherwise made an ideal start to the season, having introduced some star quality into the squad during the summer transfer window.

Perhaps most importantly, Mikel Arteta finally got a new striker through the door, with Viktor Gyokeres joining from Sporting CP, and the Sweden international has gotten off to an impressive start, scoring three goals in two games at the Emirates Stadium.

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Following Thomas Partey’s departure, it was also vital to get another top central midfielder through the door, and Martin Zubimendi is looking like he could be exactly that, bagging a brace in the 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

The entire squad has the opportunity to write their names into the history books by ending the long wait for a league title this season, potentially placing themselves alongside the likes of Vieira Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and Sol Campbell as club legends.

However, in an interview with Sky Sports earlier this year, Odegaard has named a different former Gunner as the club’s greatest-ever player.

When asked whether Thierry Henry is the best player in Arsenal’s history, the Norwegian said:

Henry one of the best in Premier League history

Not only is the Frenchman Arsenal’s greatest-ever player, but he is also one of the best in Premier League history, having been inducted into the Hall of Fame back in 2021.

The 48-year-old is a four-time Premier League Golden Boot winner, while he also holds the joint-record for number of assists in a Premier League season, chipping in with 20 during the 2002-03 campaign.

Season

PL appearances

Goals

1999/00

31

17

2000/01

35

17

2001/02

33

24

2002/03

37

24

2003/04

37

30

2004/05

32

25

2005/06

32

27

2006/07

17

10

The 123-cap France international also scored some remarkable goals during his time with the Gunners, and played a vital role in his side winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, in an era where Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United were dominant.

It will be a tall order for any Arsenal player to eclipse Henry’s achievements in north London, but Arteta will be hoping his side can finally end the long wait for the Premier League title this season, having spent heavily once again in the summer.

كشفت تقارير صحفية أن إدارة نادي برشلونة حددت خليفة الدولي البولندي روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، مهاجم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم.

وأعلن النادي الإسباني الثلاثاء الماضي، إصابة ليفاندوفسكي بـ تمزق عضلي في العضلة ذات الرأسين الفخذية (الفخذ الأيسر) وستعتمد مدة تعافيه على حجم تطور الإصابة.

وتزداد التكهنات حول مستقبل ليفاندوفسكي، خلال الفترة المقبلة، حيث من المقرر أن ينتهي عقده الصيف المقبل.

وقدم ليفاندوفسكي مستويات متميزة مع برشلونة خلال السنوات الماضية، ولعب صاحب الـ37 عامًا دورًا كبيرًا في حصول الفريق الكتالوني الموسم الماضي على ثلاثية الدوري الإسباني وكأس السوبر الإسباني وكأس ملك إسبانيا.

اقرأ أيضًا | برشلونة يتخذ قرارًا جديدًا بشأن ليفاندوفسكي

وكشفت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” أن المهاجم دوشان فلاهوفيتش، لاعب الفريق الأول بنادي يوفنتوس أبرز المرشحين لخلافة ليفاندوفسكي في خط هجوم برشلونة الموسم المقبل.

وينتهي عقد الصربي صاحب الـ26 عامًا مع نادي يوفنتوس في نهاية الموسم الحالي 2025/2026.

كما أفادت صحيفة “توتو سبورت” أن فلاهوفيتش أحد الأسماء القوية المرشحة من أجل الانتقال إلى برشلونة، كما أن ديكو تواصل مع وكيل أعمال المهاجم لمعرفة وضعه في النادي الإيطالي.

وأفادت الصحيفة الإيطالية أن مفاوضات تجديد عقد فلاهوفيتش مع يوفنتوس قد تعثرت، وبالتالي قرر اللاعب إنهاء مسيرته في إيطاليا بحثًا عن تحدي جديد، مع ذلك، اللاعب لا ينوي الرحيل في فترة الانتقالات الشتوية لضمان عقد أفضل في الصيف كـ لاعب حر.

Celtic have reportedly agreed a deal with Royal Antwerp to bring winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha to Parkhead for a fee of around £5m this week.

Sky Sports reveals that the 24-year-old attacker is due to undergo a medical this week before putting pen to paper on a permanent move to Glasgow from the Belgian side.

The left-sided forward scored 14 goals and provided nine assists in the last two seasons for Royal Antwerp in all competitions, per Sofascore, and will be hoping to provide a consistent threat down the left flank for Brendan Rodgers this season.

Daizen Maeda is currently the only natural left winger in the squad, which is why the impending arrival of Balikwisha is a much-needed one for the Hoops.

Celtic closing in on deal for defender

The Scottish Premiership giants are not only looking for reinforcements down the left side on the wing, though, as they are also keen on a back-up for Kieran Tierney.

Transfer Focus

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

According to Argentine outlet Diario Xeneize, Celtic are closing in on a deal to sign left-back Marcelo Saracchi from Boca Juniors before the deadline.

The report claims that the Hoops have already made one offer for the defender, proposing a loan with an option to make it permanent, but it was rejected by the Argentine side.

It adds that Celtic are now expected to return with an offer of a straight loan deal, with no option or obligation, and that Boca Juniors are willing to accept it, as they see it as a chance for the player to play football and increase his value ahead of next summer.

What Marcelo Saracchi could offer to Celtic

The 27-year-old star could be a shrewd addition to the squad as back-up and competition for Tierney, who has only played 132 minutes in two starts in the league so far.

Celtic are managing the former Arsenal full-back’s minutes and the arrival of Saracchi would help with that, because he is a natural left-back who can start or come off the bench to ensure that Rodgers has a quality alternative to the Scotland international.

The Boca Juniors full-back has been an unused substitute in five of his last nine appearances in the matchday squad, per Sofascore, which shows that he is not at the forefront of their plans, but his form in 2024 suggests that he does have something to offer to the Hoops.

Appearances

13

5

Goals

1

1

Assists

1

1

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.7

3.0

Ground duel success rate

53%

50%

Aerial duel success rate

50%

50%

As you can see in the table above, Saracchi put in solid performances in the Liga Profesional and the CONMEBOL Sudamericana last season, holding his own in physical duels whilst making several tackles and interceptions per game on average.

These statistics suggest that the Uruguay international, who previously played for Galatasaray and Levante, could be a steady operator down the left flank, providing a defensive and physical presence to allow the left winger ahead of him the freedom to stay high up the pitch.

That is why Balikwisha and Maeda could both benefit from this move because it will prevent Rodgers from playing Liam Scales out of position at left-back behind them when Tierney is unable to continue in matches.

Over the last 365 days, Saracchi ranks within the top 14% of full-backs in the Men’s Next 14 Competitions for progressive passes per 90 (5.05) per 90 and the top 4% for shot-creating actions (3.64) per 90.

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This essentially means that the Uruguayan defender is well above average when it comes to progressing play down the flank, which is another reason why Balikwisha and Maeda would love him, as the full-back can consistently provide them with the ball in dangerous areas with his progressive play.

A “fantastic” Premier League player has now reportedly opened the door to a potential move to Celtic before the end of the summer transfer window.

Rodgers left agitated over Celtic's business

The Hoops may have won 4-1 at home to Falkirk in the Scottish League Cup second round on Friday evening, but Brendan Rodgers didn’t appear to be in the mood to celebrate.

The Celtic manager produced a spiky response in his press conference when asked about potential summer signings in the next few weeks, suggesting that he isn’t entirely happy about the situation.

“I don’t know, I have just come out of the game here. We will wait to see, we have named the squad before the game. if not that is the squad that we are going with.

“Ok, let me repeat what I have just said. I have just finished the game. During the 90 odd minutes of the game, I don’t know anything, I don’t know anything. There might be, but there may not be, but we have the team that we have.”

Celtic need more signings this month, in order to give a better account of themselves in the Champions League in 2025/26, and they may be buoyed by a new transfer update that has emerged.

"Fantastic" ace hands Celtic transfer boost

According to Football Insider, West Ham midfielder and rumoured Celtic target Andy Irving has “opened the door to a move away” from the London Stadium this summer. Rangers are also in the mix to snap him up.

The 25-year-old wants to “play more regular minutes and is expected to jump at the opportunity to play European football this season”, potentially playing into the hands of the Hoops, who have already seen a £2.5m bid rejected for him.

Reporter Pete O’Rourke said: “There’s a top player in there who wants to be playing regularly at this stage of his career. The chance to move to Celtic or Rangers would be very enticing for him, two big clubs with European football on offer as well. For West Ham, if they were to get a decent offer for Irving they wouldn’t stand in his way.”

Irving could be just what Rodgers is after, in terms of strengthening his options in the middle of the park, with Irving a potentially shrewd signing.

Granted, it hasn’t worked out hugely for the Scot at West Ham, with a lack of minutes coming his way, but he has been lauded by Robbie Horn in the past, not least because of the “fantastic attitude” he has.

“Andy was a really nice lad with a fantastic attitude. He had clearly been brought up by a good family. I could never speak highly enough of him as a person. Even after he left, he would be sending me messages about how our games had gone and the other boys had got on. He showed that interest even after he left, so there were no airs and graces about him.”

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Irving will want to give himself the best chance as possible of making Scotland’s 2026 World Cup squad next summer, assuming they qualify for the tournament, and he would surely benefit more by being a key man at Celtic, playing in the Champions League and enjoying more regular playing time.

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ECB Reporters Network10-Sep-2024

Yuzvendra Chahal bowls during a training session•Getty Images

Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal claimed five wickets as Northamptonshire ran through Derbyshire’s batting line-up on a day dominated by spin at Wantage Road before Northamptonshire’s batters put the hosts in the ascendancy.Chahal, veteran of 152 white-ball internationals, finished with figures of five for 45, only his third career five-wicket haul, as Derbyshire lost their last six wickets for just 15 runs in 10.2 overs.For most of the morning Chahal bowled in tandem with off-spinner Rob Keogh on a pitch offering plenty of turn and bounce with fielders stationed all around the bat. Keogh also took three wickets for 65 as Northamptonshire claimed a handy first inning lead of 54 on day two of this Vitality County Championship encounter.Luis Reece had top scored for Derbyshire with 50 and while Wayne Masden (47) and Aneurin Donald (21) staged a fightback during a 51-run partnership, Chahal removed both batters in a lengthy spell which included a double wicket maiden.In Northamptonshire’s second innings, teenage Derbyshire quick Harry Moore took two early wickets for just six runs, before youngsters Gus Miller (42) and James Sales (40) mounted a stand of 76. Rob Keogh hit a well-paced unbeaten 46 as Northamptonshire closed on 178 for five, leading by 232 when heavy rain and bad light stopped play.Earlier Ben Sanderson made the initial breakthrough for Northamptonshire, knocking back Brooke Guest’s (28) off stump, while Reece’s innings ended when he edged one from Keogh which spun away. Keogh struck again in his next over when David Lloyd was adjudged lbw as he attempted to sweep.Masden refused to be bowled at, coming down the wicket to strike Keogh over midwicket, cutting and sweeping the spinners as he and Donald manoeuvred the ball into the gaps and kept the scoreboard tickingDonald swept Chahal square for six when he tossed one up, but the bowler got his man when Donald swept a half-volley straight to Sales at square leg. Chahal almost had another wicket with his next ball but Sales, now at short leg, could not hold onto a sharp chance offered by Martin Andersson.Masden was undone by one from Chahal that pitched middle and hit the top of off-stump, while Chappell, hero of the One Day Cup fixture here in July, fell two balls later when he chipped to Luke Procter who ran in to take a diving catch at mid-off. Keogh then removed Andersson thanks to an excellent sharp grab by Justin Broad at leg slip.Chahal wrapped up the innings immediately after lunch, Alex Thomson top edging an attempted sweep, Prithvi Shaw running behind the stumps to take the catch. Chahal then bowled Jack Morley next ball to end the innings.Debutant Moore had Shaw adjudged lbw in the second over of Northamptonshire’s innings, while Procter edged him to Masden at second slip, the Derbyshire man’s 250th first-class catch for the county.Miller though started positively, driving Chappell through mid-on for four to get off the mark before Derbyshire turned to their own spin duo of Thomson and Morley who, while they created problems of their own, were inconsistent, failing to apply sustained pressure.Miller cut Morley for four to take Northamptonshire’s lead into three figures, Sales steering the spinner square for four and flicking him through midwicket for another. Miller duly drove Thomson through cover to bring up the 50 partnership.Miller though became the latest batter to perish playing the sweep, trapped lbw by Thomson shortly before tea, while Sales departed to seam shortly after the break, given out caught behind off Andersson.Saif Zaib and Keogh shared a stand of 41 for the fifth wicket to push the Northamptonshire lead towards 200. Zaib picked up where he had left off in his first innings 90, playing some crisp drives against Andersson and reverse sweeping the spinners, but he departed in a rush of blood, bowled as he danced down the track to Morley.Keogh profited from the reverse sweep in particular, deploying the shot to collect three consecutive boundaries off Thomson. He struck eight fours in total and despite the light worsening during the evening session, he helped Northamptonshire towards a daunting lead.

West Bromwich Albion are now making moves to sign a new target, having registered their interest in a forward who Ryan Mason knows very well, according to a report.

Mason era underway at the Hawthorns

West Brom have arguably taken a risk by appointing Mason, given that his only experience as a senior manager has been as interim boss of Tottenham Hotspur, but the 33-year-old believes he is now ready for his first permanent role in the dugout.

While the young manager is yet to prove himself in the hot seat, he has certainly had the opportunity to learn from some top managers during his time at Tottenham, working under the likes of José Mourinho, Antonio Conte and most recently Ange Postecoglou.

That experience should stand the London-born coach in good stead to be a success at the Hawthorns, and the manager is now looking to put his own stamp on the squad he inherited by bringing in a player he worked with during his time at Spurs.

That is according to a report from Football Insider, which states West Brom are now making moves to sign Tottenham forward Mikey Moore, having registered their interest in the 17-year-old, alongside Championship rivals Birmingham City.

The Baggies are keeping close tabs on the teenager, and want to take him on loan next season, as there is a belief the youngster would be capable of being a stand-out player in the second tier, despite his age.

"Fearless" Moore has already built up first-team experience

With Tottenham suffering an injury crisis in the 2024-25 campaign, Moore was perhaps called upon more times than he would’ve expected, making 15 appearances in all competitions, during which time the starlet picked up one goal and two assists.

Much like Mason, a move to the Championship could be ideal for the left-winger, as it would provide him with the opportunity to get more first-team experience, and there are signs the starlet could be capable of making a real impact at the Hawthorns.

West Brom now very keen on "incredible" £45k-p/w player with UCL experience

The Baggies are showing strong interest in a player with seven Champions League appearances to his name.

By
Dominic Lund

Jun 11, 2025

James Maddison was left impressed by what he saw from his teammate last season, with the England international saying: “[He has] that young, fearless mentality and you never want to take that away from him. He’s a young kid, a brilliant lad, a lovely boy. He takes in information, and he’s got bags of ability.”

Moore clearly has a lot of potential, and West Brom will be hoping that the opportunity to work under Mason will help them win the race for the forward’s signature, despite the interest from Championship rivals Birmingham.