All posts by n8rngtd.top

Nottingham Forest have a huge season in 2025/26 ahead of them. After being in contention for a Champions League spot for much of the campaign, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side could only qualify for the UEFA Conference League, although that is still a fantastic achievement.

Their good performances have drawn interest in their players from other clubs in the Premier League. One of those sides is Newcastle United, who are targeting a move for Anthony Elanga.

The East Midlands outfit currently values the Sweden international at £50m, showing just how important he is to the club and their exciting project.

If Elanga does depart the City Ground this summer, they will need to sign a replacement. Reports suggest they may already have someone lined up.

Nottingham Forest's potential Elanga replacement

Sorting an Elanga replacement this summer is something Forest simply must get right. The Swedish forward is a versatile player, so if he does leave, Nuno must surely go and sign a player in a similar mould.

Well, perhaps the man who could replace Elanga is Juventus star Timothy Weah. According to a recent report from Gianluca Di Marzio, the City Ground side ‘are interested in’ signing Weah this summer. The report suggests that the ‘clubs have already started contact and the negotiations are in full swing’ to agree a deal.

At this stage, personal terms with the USA international do not seem to have been completed. However, a fee is becoming more clear, with the Italian giants seemingly wanting just £12m for Weah this summer, which seems like an excellent value for money deal.

Why Weah would be a good replacement for Elanga

It was a really impressive campaign on a personal level for Weah, in what proved to be a turbulent season at times for the Old Lady. He became an important player and helped Juve to qualify for the Champions League, finishing fourth.

Across all competitions in the 2024/25 season, Weah, who is the son of former Ballon d’Or winner George, played 43 games, including one in the ongoing Club World Cup. In that time, he scored six goals and assisted a further five, with eight of those goal involvements coming in Serie A.

One of the words that springs to mind when discussing Weah is versatility, with Dougie Critchley describing him as “one of the most versatile players in world football”. He is incredibly flexible, able to play as a winger on either side, a full-back on either side and as a centre-forward.

This offers his manager, who could well be Nuno next season, extreme tactical flexibility, both during a game, should he wish to make tweaks, or before a game. Having a player who can play in multiple positions is certainly useful for any manager.

Indeed, that can be said about Elanga, too. The 23-year-old can also play on either flank, operating on the right wing most often last season. Like Weah, he can feature as a centre-forward, too, doing so seven times in 2024/25.

Stepping up and replacing the Forest number 21 will not be easy for Weah, though. Last season in Garbaldi Red, Elanga scored six Premier League goals and assisted 11, playing all 38 games. That included a sensational strike against former side Manchester United.

The underlying numbers via FBref for both players stack up well against each other. For example, Weah averaged 3.08 progressive passes per 90 minutes for Juve, compared to Elanga’s 2.27 each game for Forest, rubberstamping their creative threat in the final third.

There is no doubt that losing Elanga would be a huge blow for Forest. However, signing Weah, an even more versatile attacker who still manages good output, would be a superb way to replace their talismanic attacker.

He would be cost-efficient and offer Nuno tactical flexibility and quality in the final third. This seems like an excellent move for Forest this summer.

Hudson-Odoi upgrade: Nottingham Forest ramp up move for "ruthless" star

Nottingham Forest eye a move for a Championship winger who could be an upgrade on what they have.

By
Ross Kilvington

Jun 21, 2025

After winning the Premier League title in the 2024/25 campaign, Liverpool have demonstrated no signs of slowing down their ambitions of being a powerhouse once again next season.

The Reds claimed the title by 10 points, losing just four games out of their 38, with two of which coming after they had already secured top spot in Arne Slot’s first season.

It was a year to remember for the club, reaching the next level under the Dutchman, subsequently doing so with only one senior addition during last summer’s window.

However, this time around, it appears the board have massively backed the manager with funds in his quest to retain the title during the 2025/26 campaign.

Jeremie Frimpong has already been announced as a Reds player, with Milos Kerkez appearing next on their list, but their business doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.

The latest on Liverpool’s for new additions this summer

Over recent weeks, a striker has emerged as a key target for Slot, as he looks to land a new talisman to hand him that added clinical edge within the front three at Anfield.

The likes of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitiké and Viktor Gyokeres have all been mentioned as potential targets, but up until now, none of which appear to be edging closer to a move to Merseyside.

However, other areas of the pitch are in need of investment, with midfielder Adam Wharton emerging on their radar in recent days, according to journalist Francois Plateau.

He claims that the Reds have made contact with the representatives of the Crystal Palace star, and are set to explore a deal for the 21-year-old.

Plateau also confirmed that Slot’s men aren’t prepared to meet the current £60m price tag on his shoulders, which could lead to negotiations over a move for the England international.

Why Wharton would be a better signing than Wirtz for Liverpool

Liverpool fans have been handed another reason to be excited in recent days, after the club agreed a staggering £116.5m deal with Bayer Leverkusen for attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.

The 22-year-old registered 22 combined goals and assists in the Bundesliga this campaign, with Slot’s side appearing to win the race for his signature after rejecting Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

Whilst such a deal looks set to cost the board a pretty penny, it’s one that would add a different dimension to the squad and has the potential to set them up for success in the immediate and long-term.

His record throughout 2024/25 would hand other attackers to bolster their own tallies, making the Reds an even bigger force to be reckoned with during Slot’s second campaign at the helm.

However, Wharton could prove to be a better signing than the German. While Wirtz will have to rival Mo Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai for a place in the side, the Reds have long missed a holding midfield player, notably trying to sign the likes of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia since Fabinho’s departure.

At long, long last, Wharton could be the man to transform the Liverpool XI even more than Wirtz could. Indeed, when comparing his stats to those of current midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, he’s managed to outperform them in key areas, further showcasing why he’d be a massive addition for the club.

The 21-year-old, who’s been labelled “world-class” by journalist Luke Weaser-Seychell, has managed to complete more progressive passes per 90, along with more key passes – having the ability in possession to aid the attackers ahead of him.

Wharton has also managed to thrive defensively, making more interceptions than the aforementioned duo, whilst making more recoveries – subsequently offering Slot an added presence at both ends of the pitch.

At just 21, to be outperforming the likes of Mac Allister and Gravenberch is no mean feat, highlighting how impressive he’s been in England’s top flight and having the time to improve further given his tender age.

Should he continue on his current trajectory, he has the potential to be one of the best deep-lying options in world football, with his rumoured price tag at present still an excellent price.

No doubt all the focus and hype is on Wirtz given his English record transfer, but Slot could trump such a move by plotting a move for Wharton – allowing the pair to lead the club to many titles in the years ahead.

A dream Huijsen alternative: Liverpool enter race to sign £68m defender

Liverpool may need to sign a centre-back this summer.

2

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 15, 2025

To describe Tottenham Hotspur’s campaign this year as a rollercoaster would be a massive understatement.

For most of the Premier League season, Ange Postecoglou’s side were nothing short of terrible – which would explain the club’s decision to sack him.

However, even with injuries severely hampering them on the domestic front, the North Londoners were brilliant in the Europa League, and with most of their squad back for the climax of the campaign, they ended up winning it all in Bilbao.

One of the team’s stars in the semi-finals and final was Cristian Romero, yet there is a distinct possibility that he could leave this summer, although based on the latest player touted for a move to the Lilywhites, that might not be such a problem.

Tottenham transfer news

While he’ll likely go down as a Spurs legend for his efforts in the Europa League this season, it is now starting to feel like Romero could be at a different club entirely by the end of the summer 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.

A few months ago, stories came out linking him with a move to Real Madrid, but since then, the most prominent links have been to their city rivals, Atlético Madrid.

In fact, in April, reports were suggesting that the Argentine had already spoken to his compatriot, Diego Simeone, and as recently as late last month, more stories emerged claiming that the player had informed the Lilywhites that he wanted to join the Spanish giants.

While losing the World Cup winner would be far from ideal, there is a chance he could fetch the club a fee of around £60m, and that could help them sign a replacement or even upgrade, like Wilfried Singo.

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, the Europa League winners are among several teams interested in signing the AS Monaco star this summer.

Alongside Tottenham, the report claims that Arsenal, Atlético, Newcastle United and Napoli are all keen on the player, who’s set to cost around €35m – £29m – and talks are expected to progress soon.

It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Singo’s ability and potential, it’s one worth fighting for, especially as he could actually be an upgrade on Romero.

How Singo compares to Romero

Now, unlike with strikers, wingers and even some midfielders, where you can just look at their goals and assists, it can be rather difficult to cast any significant judgment over a defender without watching them for quite some time.

However, there are some ways in which we can still gauge how Singo stacks up against Romero, and the best is to take a deep dive into their statistics and compare their underlying numbers.

Interestingly, when we do this, it becomes clear that not only would the 6 foot 3 “monster,” as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, be a good replacement for the possibly departing Argentine, but he could even end up being something of an upgrade.

For example, per FBref, the Ivorian international comes out ahead in the majority of relevant metrics, be that the attacking ones, like progressive passes and carries, or the defensive ones, like interceptions, clearances, blocked shots or percentage of aerial duels won, all per 90.

Moreover, the 24-year-old has another trick up his sleeve: positional versatility.

While he is primarily a centre-back, the Moncao gem can and has played at full-back and even right-midfield before, meaning he could provide the next Spurs boss with so many more tactical options.

Ultimately, Romero is an unreal player, but if he does leave, then Singo could be the perfect replacement and maybe even an upgrade.

Dream Maddison upgrade: Spurs make £68m "superstar" their top target

The special player could help take Spurs to the next level.

1

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 6, 2025

Aston Villa are in a position where they may need to sell players to meet the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules and there is plenty of contention surrounding their situation from fans, pundits and journalists alike.

Aston Villa's PSR situation and who may leave the club this summer

In short, Aston Villa are one of the Premier League’s most at-risk clubs with PSR heading towards the deadline on June 30th. Per The Athletic’s projection, they can only lose £15 million in 2024/25 to remain within regulatory boundaries.

Unai Emery’s men have recorded a pre-tax loss of £206.2 million in the last two years, which is the highest deficit across the top-flight in that time and leaves the Birmingham-based outfit in danger of punishment.

Big money sales such as Jhon Duran leaving for Al Nassr and Leon Bailey’s anticipated move to Saudi Arabian outfit Neom SC have left hope that the Villans can evade any form of penalty.

However, they are teetering on the brink and their failure to qualify for Champions League football ended up being a massive setback, especially when Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio’s expensive loan deals formed part of their bid to secure a place despite already treading water in their efforts to balance the books.

There have been suggestions that Aston Villa could sell stakes in their women’s team to make ends meet, an option that remains active following a failed bill to cancel that practice after Chelsea flipped £90 million in losses to a £128 million profit in 2024.

Aston Villa now seriously interested in signing "aggressive" 13-goal rival

He could be on the move.

By
Tom Cunningham

Jun 5, 2025

Losing a maximum of £105 million over three rolling years is the limit for Premier League clubs in order to comply. Still, not everyone is happy at the rules that their clubs have to abide by to evade sanctions.

Journalist fumes at Aston Villa PSR latest

Taking to social media platform X, iNews correspondent Mark Douglas vented his frustration at Aston Villa’s need to sell and made the point that Newcastle United have suffered a similar fate in their efforts to progress as a club.

Admittedly, PSR has become a controversial topic among football fans for a number of reasons, with some feeling that the traditional ‘Big Six’ clubs are protected more than others due to the ease in making ‘pure profit’ sales or by filing via subsidiaries of their PLC’s entity.

Regulation is critical to promote fairness, though there are clear elements in the current system that leave a lot to be desired. Aston Villa find themselves in a frustrating situation and will need to meticulously ensure they don’t fall foul of the authorities.

Others will argue their wage to revenue ratio is a problem, brought on by decisions such as paying £227,500 of Marcus Rashford’s salary weekly during his stay. Either way, the rise of PSR over the last few years has become a contentious issue and continues to limit the progression of those attempting to challenge the traditional order.

Fabrizio Romano has shared an intriguing update on Arsenal and their transfer plans for the summer window, with one target set to speak to his agents about the possibility of a move to the Emirates Stadium this week.

Mikel Arteta set for talks with Arsenal co-chairman over striker plans

The Times and journalist Gary Jacob shared some very interesting news regarding Mikel Arteta and Gunners co-chair Josh Kroenke.

Arsenal: Berta now targeting £80m Premier League star as Rodrygo talks stall

They’re having problems in pursuit of the Brazilian.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 26, 2025

According to their information, amid a plethora of reports linking them with a striker, Arteta and Kroenke are set for internal talks over signing a prolific centre-forward in the next few days, with Arsenal looking to solve their goalscoring problem.

Arsenal surrendered the Premier League title to Liverpool, finishing 10 points behind Arne Slot’s side, with the north Londoners failing to reach their previous heights in terms of ruthlessness in the final third.

Arteta’s men drew more games than any other side in the top ten over 24/25, scoring just 69 league goals in total, which is far fewer than the 91 and 88 they managed over the previous two seasons.

There has never been a more clear indication that Arsenal are in dire need of a striker, and Arteta publicly suggested that they have every intention of solving that issue among other concerns in the squad.

“Believe me, we are on it,” said Arteta about Arsenal potentially making a signing up front.

“We will try to squeeze and think and turn every stone that we possibly can, to make this club even more successful. But I think what these boys have done, the team has done, regarding everything that has happened, I repeat myself, I think they deserve a lot of credit.”

The result of these sit-down talks with Kroenke could have a profound effect on their chances of mounting a better Premier League title challenge next season, amid serious links to Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

Viktor Gyokeres set to speak with agents about possible Arsenal move

The Swede ended 24/25 with 54 goals and 13 assists in all competitions, potentially signing-off on his Sporting career with a strike in the Portuguese Cup final against Benfica on Sunday.

Gyokeres is a top striker target for Arsenal, alongside RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, but it remains to be seen which marksman ends up at N5.

The 26-year-old has plenty of options, including Arteta’s side, with Romano sharing an update to GiveMeSport on Gyokeres’ plans after what was potentially his last game for Sporting.

Romano reports that Gyokeres is set to speak with his agents “in the next days” and assess all new destinations, including a possible move to Arsenal, and the ex-Coventry City star will make a decision on his next club “soon”.

Gyokeres’ rumoured price tag comes in at around £63 million, which could be seen as a bargain considering his exceptional goalscoring record, and it is peculiar that he hasn’t managed to seal a big-money move until this summer.

It adds further weight to some belief that Gyokeres is “massively underrated” in terms of strikers, and while you can make a case for a lack of quality in the Primeira Liga, the forward’s haul is hugely impressive no matter what division you’re playing in.

An “unbelievable” Newcastle United player is “unsettled” at the club amid doubts over his St James’ Park future, according to a fresh claim from journalist Graeme Bailey.

Newcastle players linked with summer exit

The Magpies will know the importance of signing some stellar players in the summer transfer window, but keeping hold of key men is equally as vital for Eddie Howe, as they look to become a force in the Premier League and Champions League.

Various Newcastle stars are being linked with moves away from St James’, including Anthony Gordon, who is reportedly once again the subject of interest from Liverpool. The 24-year-old was considered an option for the new Premier League champions last summer, but he ended up staying put.

Retaining the services of Alexander Isak is arguably more important than anything for the Magpies, with the Swede also linked with a summer switch to the Reds, as well as some other top clubs.

There is no indication that he wants to leave, and Newcastle will demand an eye-watering amount of money for him, but it is still a concern for supporters. Now, a new update has emerged regarding one of those players mentioned above.

"Unbelievable" Newcastle player is "unsettled"

According to The Boot Room‘s Bailey on X, Gordon is “unsettled” at Newcastle, with Howe doing his best to persuade him to stay at the club:

“TBR Football understands Anthony Gordon is attracting interest from several Premier League clubs ahead of the summer transfer window. Gordon is unsettled – but Eddie Howe wants him to fight for his place at Newcastle.”

Losing the £150,000-a-week Gordon would be an undoubted setback for Newcastle, considering what a dangerous attacking player he is, providing strong end product since arriving from Everton.

Newcastle hold serious chance of signing 20 y/o "difference-maker" for £50m

What a superb signing he could prove to be.

By
Henry Jackson

May 24, 2025

The England international has chipped in with 17 goals and 15 assists in the Premier League over the past two seasons, and Bruno Guimaraes absolutely loves his Magpies teammate, saying of him:

“He has been amazing, he is so quick, and when we get the ball to him, we know he is going to do something special. No one at the club deserves to be in the England squad more than him.

“He has been unbelievable, always scoring and giving some assists. He is a lovely guy as well, I am very happy for him and hope he can get some minutes for England.”

Hopefully, Gordon realises that Newcastle are the perfect club for him moving forward, especially if they can offer him Champions League football next season, helping him develop into a regular starter for England.

Liverpool are now confident they’re leading the race for a defender, who has been identified as a top target for the summer transfer window, according to a report.

Reds set sights on new full-backs

Virgil van Dijk has committed his future to the Reds, in a major boost for Arne Slot, but the manager may still be tasked with reshaping his defence in the summer transfer window, as Trent Alexander-Arnold has now confirmed his decision to leave.

With Trent heading for the exit door, Slot may choose to install Conor Bradley as his first-choice right-back, but there have also been links with Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong, with the Dutchman believed to be keen on a move to Anfield.

Not only may a new right-back be required, but Slot could also look at bringing in a replacement for Andy Robertson, with the Scotland international now arguably in the twilight years of his career at the age of 31.

Liverpool now willing to offer up Chiesa to buy 19-goal star in £50m+ swap

The Reds could pull off a surprise swap deal…

1

By
Sean Markus Clifford

May 12, 2025

Jamie Carragher also suggested Robertson was past his best earlier in the campaign, saying: “I just think Andy Robertson, who is an absolute legend, is just hanging on in every game.”

According to a report from TEAMtalk, AFC Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez is now the top target for Liverpool at left-back, with his current employers set to hold out for a fee of £45m, amid widespread interest in his signature.

Real Madrid and Manchester City are also keen on the Hungarian, with the Spanish side scouting him this season, but the Reds believe they are still leading the race.

"Mad man" Kerkez could be ideal Robertson heir

The Hungary international has established himself as a vital player for Bournemouth this season, making 36 appearances in the Premier League, during which time he has showcased his attacking threat by picking up two goals and six assists.

Robertson is also very capable on the front foot, having amassed 67 assists during his time with the Reds, so the Bournemouth star could be a like-for-like replacement in that regard, while he has also caught the eye of journalist Zach Lowy.

Bournemouth teammate Marcus Tavernier is clearly a big fan of the 21-year-old too, saying: “He’s a mad man! He’s great, I love that guy to pieces. He brings a lot of energy to the team when it’s quiet and stuff. He has come into the team and been great.”

Having proven himself in the Premier League, Kerkez could be the ideal replacement for Robertson this summer, and Liverpool should look to secure a deal before Real Madrid or Man City step up their interest.

Looking to splash the cash once again this summer, Chelsea could reportedly kill two birds with one stone by including one of their young loanees in a swap deal to sign an instant upgrade.

Chelsea take one step into Conference League final

Whilst their Premier League form has sparked plenty of concern in recent months, Chelsea are continuing to thrive in the Europa Conference League in which they are expected to stroll to victory. Putting on another show in their semi-final first leg, Enzo Maresa’s side eased past Swedish outfit Djurgarden 4-1 thanks to goals from Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke and a brace from Nicolas Jackson.

After watching on as his side took one step into the Europa Conference League final, manager Maresca told reporters: “It was the perfect night, an important semi-final and it is a good result. We need to be focused on the second leg.

“The first 70 minutes was good but then in the last 20 minutes we dropped a little bit, but we cannot drop, we cannot relax, because otherwise, it is complicated. We have done a good job but now we need to finish the job at home.”

Chelsea prioritising move for Barcelona star after news of £55m exit clause

The west Londoners are very keen.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 1, 2025

It’s in the final on 28 May that the Blues could square off against Real Betis in Poland. The La Liga side also won the first leg of their tie – defeating Fiorentina 2-1 – and will be looking to step into the final before causing a potential upset.

Occasions made for match-winners, those at Stamford Bridge have already reportedly set their sights on a summer swap deal to welcome another player who would be just that.

Chelsea considering Gittens swap deal

According to Christian Falk and Caught Offside, Chelsea are now considering a swap deal to sign Jamie Gittens, which would see Carney Chukwuemeka complete a permanent move to Borussia Dortmund. The 21-year-old has spent the season on loan at the German club and could now reportedly be used in the Blues’ attempt to sign Gittens.

Chelsea are certainly serious about Gittens too, with contact already reportedly made with the talented winger from Cobham as they prepare to make their move for a player valued at a hefty €50m-€60m (£43m-51m). Whether that contact is enough to convince Gittens into a return to England for the first time since leaving Manchester City as an academy graduate remains to be seen, however.

Praised for his “amazing” form by football talent scout Jacek Kulig earlier this season, Gittens has since scored 12 goals and created another five in all competitions in the current campaign.

By contrast, despite being dubbed “talented” by Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl, Chukwuemeka has scored just once in all competitions whilst on loan in Germany.

Glasgow Rangers could be set to see their takeover by the 49ers Enterprises go through by the start of the summer transfer window.

It appears as though it is a matter of when and not if the US-based consortium will arrive at Ibrox, hopefully with plenty of financial investment to help bolster the squad.

There will be several major decisions to make ahead of pre-season. Working out who must stay and who should be sold is going to be crucial ahead of the 2025/26 season for Rangers.

Furthermore, choosing the correct manager to lead the club into this new era could be the most important decision the 49ers make.

Barry Ferguson has been the interim manager since Philippe Clement was given his marching orders a few months ago. He went to get the role on a permanent basis after overseeing just four wins from his ten games in charge at the time of writing, conceding 20 goals in the process.

With the end of the season in sight, the rumour mill has begun with regard to who will be the next manager of the Light Blues.

The managers linked with Rangers

The most surprising name linked with a move to manage the club is José Mourinho. He knows full well about the Ibrox atmosphere having seen his Fenerbahçe side defeated on penalties in the Europa League last month, even congratulating the squad in the dressing room after the game.

According to TEAMtalk, Mourinho would reportedly be keen on making the move to Glasgow, although he would need significant backing from the 49ers that they would provide him with funds to strengthen.

The Portuguese boss might not be at the top of his game compared to his previous successes, but he would certainly be box office.

Former Southampton manager Russell Martin is also a name that has been mentioned regarding the vacant managerial role.

The Scot is reportedly keen on taking over from Ferguson this summer and is reportedly waiting to hear from the hierarchy at the club to discuss a potential move.

Of course, Steven Gerrard has been linked with a return to Ibrox after being sacked by Al-Etiffaq in Saudi Arabia.

This news was once again reported by TEAMtalk. Gerrard knows what it takes to win with the club, having led them to their first league title in a decade during the 2020/21 campaign.

His previous two managerial roles ended poorly, however. They say never go back. Should the club make a move for the former Liverpool icon? Or is time to go in a totally new direction under new owners?

Marco Rose is a name that has been mentioned recently amid the talks of a takeover by the 49ers.

Why Marco Rose could be in contention

Rose was recently sacked by Bundesliga side RB Leipzig after two and a half years in charge.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

The 49ers have a strong relationship with Red Bull and with Rose having managed both RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig during his career so far, the connections are there to be made.

Gretar Steinsson, the 49ers Technical Director, has held discussions with managerial targets across Europe ever since the potential takeover was mooted and this could see the club look in a different direction.

Rose worked with Steinsson during his spells in charge of both Salzburg and Leipzig, indicating that there is a prior relationship which could perhaps lead to Rose becoming one of the favourites for the vacant role at Ibrox.

This may just be a coincidence, but given his relationship with the Red Bull Group in recent years, Rose might be getting talked about as a potential new manager in the coming weeks, that’s for sure.

Why Rose could be a great alternative to Gerrard

The Ibrox faithful will forever have a place for Gerrard in their hearts, especially after claiming the Premiership title in 2021.

During his final few months, however, the football wasn’t pretty and the Light Blues were struggling majorly.

Spells at Aston Villa (sacked after less than a year) and Al-Ettifaq (left by mutual consent after 18 months) haven’t exactly done much to further his career after success with the Gers.

The only positive surrounding his potential return is that Gerrard knows the standards expected at Ibrox, meaning he could integrate a lot quicker than, say, Rose or someone else.

The case for Rose is also complicated, although he has managed one of the biggest clubs in Europe – Borussia Dortmund – between 2021 and 2022.

Rangers did defeat his side 4-2 during the knockout stages of the Europa League in the 2021/22 campaign as they set the standards on their way to the final that season.

Prior to that, he claimed two Austrian Bundesliga titles with Salzburg, also going on to win the Austrian Cup but it is his spell with Leipzig which was the longest of his career.

During his debut season, the 48-year-old secured the German Cup, but his Bundesliga placings got worse over his time with the club. Third was secured in 2022/23, before a fourth-place finish last season.

When he was sacked, Leipzig were sitting in sixth place and in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification.

He prefers to use a classic 4-4-2 system, which could be altered in several ways to suit the players at Rangers. Plus, he could be given money to bolster the squad in the transfer market should he join the club.

Scottish scout and analyst Kai Watson has heaped praise on Rose amid his name being mentioned with the job, saying: “I honestly can’t believe there’s snobbery around Marco Rose. Take the Celtic scarf picture out of the equation, claiming that he’s a bad or below average manager is truly a wild statement in my opinion. In profile/stature he’s a level above someone like Gerrard, by a distance.”

Interestingly, Rose has defeated Celtic four times in his managerial career, twice each with Salzburg and Leipzig. Of course, beating them with Rangers is a different challenge altogether, but he knows how to get the better of the Parkhead side.

That could be all the difference.

Rangers must axe £3m flop who has missed more games than Lawrence

Kevin Thelwell has a big job on his hands at Rangers

By
Ross Kilvington

Apr 27, 2025

Chelsea are now believed to be “strong” contenders to sign one Barcelona star this summer, with news coming to light that the player and Hansi Flick’s side are currently at an impasse when it comes to a new contract.

Chelsea's main transfer plans this summer

Amid the Blues’ chase for Champions League qualification, BlueCo are making plans to strengthen the squad this summer ahead of Enzo Maresca’s second full season in charge.

Real Madrid offer £34m and "exceptional" player to Chelsea for Fernandez

Los Blancos are big admirers of the Argentine.

5

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 26, 2025

Chelsea are ready to splash the cash on a centre-back, winger and forward, while it is also believed they could bring in another central defender, left-back, new goalkeeper and attacking midfielder – but all of this will largely depend on their Premier League finish and how many players they can sell (Simon Phillips).

Chelsea supporters will be particularly keen to see fresh attacking options come in, as they’ve lost a degree of potency since the turn of the year. Christopher Nkunku, João Félix and Carney Chukwuemeka will all likely be sold or loaned out as well (Simon Phillips), while Mykhailo Mudryk is currently banned after failing a drugs test.

Ideally, Chelsea need a versatile attacking player who can cover plenty of bases, both through the middle and out wide.

An ambitious target in this regard, but one who’d arguably be perfect, is Barcelona superstar Raphinha.

The former Leeds United forward is enjoying the season of his life at Barça under Hansi Flick, racking up 30 goals and 23 assists across 49 appearances in all competitions, and he can play across multiple areas in the attacking front three.

Raphinha has been linked with a move to Chelsea in recent days, but a new report from CaughtOffiside claims the Brazil international could cost up to £77 million to prise away from the Camp Nou.

Chelsea now "strong" contenders to sign Raphinha

The outlet also claims both Raphinha and Barça are struggling to reach an agreement over a new contract, as the player’s wage demands are currently too high, and fresh terms can only be agreed if he lowers them.

Their precarious financial situation could even hand Chelsea a chance to tempt him back to the Premier League.

Indeed, it is believed Chelsea are now “strong contenders” to sign Raphinha amid this contract debacle, but BlueCo will have to pay him a high salary as well, with his current take-home being around £206,000-per-week.

Arsenal and Liverpool are also named as frontrunners for Raphinha alongside Chelsea, if an exit does end up being on the cards for him, and there is little denying La Liga’s arguable player of the season would be a major upgrade.

“He’s [Raphinha] unbelievable because he’s always 100% very focused and gives us a lot of strength in the defense, but also in the offence,” Flick told TNT Sports Brasil.

“He’s always the player who starts the dynamic to press, but also when we have space, he started in the right moment in these spaces, and it helps us a lot.

“He also always smiles; this is what I like the most, he’s always positive, and it’s important for him to be positive, this is the big thing – then you have confidence to give 100% on the pitch.”