Manchester City have already identified their no.1 target to replace Pep Guardiola next summer as speculation continues around his future, it has been reported.

Pep's swansong season?

Recent claims have suggested that this season could finally be Pep Guardiola's final campaign in charge of Manchester City.

After a fourth successive Premier League title win, the former Barcelona coach is down to the final twelve months of his contract at the Etihad Stadium. The Daily Mail claim that the 52-year-old is "expected to call time" on his spell in Manchester and that "multiple sources within the industry and City have openly discussed the prospect of an impending departure over recent months".

Asked himself, Guardiola admitted that "the reality is I am closer to leaving than staying [after next season]”, but stressed that next season could change his mind.

It would bring to an end a reign of unprecedented dominance of English football, even if there remain around 115 question marks about just how it came about. What cannot be doubted is the quality of football on display, which has elevated the Cityzens from challengers to true European elite.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City record

Games

472

Wins

349

Win %

74%

Premier League titles

4

FA Cups

2

League Cups

6

Champions League titles

1

But his departure could allow City to swoop for another highly regarded coach.

Alonso the top target for City

Now, it has emerged that Man City have already identified their no.1 option to replace Guardiola, in the form of in-demand manager Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard has enjoyed an unprecedented season with Bayer Leverkusen, leading them to an unbeaten domestic double and only tasting defeat in the UEFA Europa League final, where his side were beaten 3-0 by Atalanta.

And Football Transfers report that City are "poised to make a move" for Alonso if Guardiola departs, as the "hierarchy unanimously agrees" he is the only candidate worth pursuing at present. He certainly already has a fan in the form of Guardiola himself, who sung Alonso's praises earlier in the year.

‘If you ask me about the job he’s doing…honestly…wow!

‘The only team that’s unbeaten in all competitions, fighting in the way with Bayern Munich there. Now they are in the position that they cannot win the Bundesliga, they can lose the Bundesliga but everybody thinks it’s done. Now is the most difficult thing because it’s not done until it’s done.

‘But, wow! Not just the way they play, they didn’t lose one game in the Europa League, the Pokal in Germany, the Bundesliga.’

He was not the only top level coach to be impressed, with Jurgen Klopp also hailing him as an "exceptional" manager: "The next generation is already here, and I would say Xabi is the standout of that generation.

"The football his team is playing, how they position themselves, the signings he's made… It's absolutely exceptional."

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City are unlikely to be the only side courting the Spaniard. Both Bayern Munich and Liverpool were keen this summer before Alonso announced his decision to stay at Leverkusen, while Real Madrid are also among those keeping an eye on the former Los Blancos man. But if they were to land him, it could usher in another period of dominance for the Manchester outfit.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em todas as edições do Campeonato Brasileiro, os clubes recém-chegados da Série B buscam um único objetivo: permanecer na primeira divisão. Nesta edição, dos quatro times que subiram no ano passado, apenas Cuiabá e Juventude conseguiram chegar à metade da competição fora da zona de rebaixamento. Neste sábado (11), às 17h, as duas equipes se enfrentam no Estádio Alfredo Jaconi e buscam dar sequência às boas campanhas realizadas até o momento.

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Devido aos últimos resultados, os dois clubes chegam embalados para a partida. Pelo lado do Cuiabá, o Dourado venceu o Santos e o Palmeiras, e sofreu apenas 2 gols nos últimos 5 jogos. Já o Juventude, após fazer uma ótima partida e empatar com o Corinthians, fora de casa, não perde há 5 jogos no campeonato. Mesmo com um orçamento inferior em relação aos adversários já estabelecidos na elite, os dois times terminaram o primeiro turno com desempenhos superiores aos de grandes clubes do país.

Segundo Cristiano Dresch, vice do Cuiabá, caso consiga repetir o bom desempenho e permanecer na Série A, será o maior feito do clube na história.

– A gente buscou montar um time que conhecia os caminhos do torneio, com experiência em outros clubes e que sabem a importância de disputar uma Série A. Nosso grande objetivo é permanecer na elite, continuar competindo em um nível alto. Além disso, para o povo mato-grossense representa muito ter um time do estado na Série A – afirma Cristiano sobre os desafios que tiveram.

Com o objetivo de alcançar um bom desempenho na Série A, o Dourado apostou em um elenco competitivo, e contratou jogadores experientes com passagens por grandes clubes, como Walter, Clayson, Marlon e Uendel, atletas que tiveram passagem pelo Corinthians, Paulão, ex-Internacional, Pepê, meio-campista que veio do Flamengo, entre outros nomes de peso.

O Juventude, comandado pelo treinador Marquinhos Santos, tem apresentado um bom futebol e foi uma pedra no sapato dos clubes paulistas na competição. Dos cinco confrontos, o Jaconero venceu o RB Bragantino, empatou com São Paulo, Santos e Corinthians, e só foi derrotado pelo Palmeiras.

Segundo Marcelo Barbarotti, executivo de futebol do clube gaúcho, foi feito um trabalho estratégico pela diretoria de futebol com o objetivo de se manter na primeira divisão.

– Por conta da disparidade orçamentária, permanecer na Série A é muito difícil para as equipes que acabaram de subir. Para otimizar os resultados em campo, fizemos um controle do histórico das equipes que após o acesso conseguiram a manutenção, e também de clubes que foram rebaixados logo em seguida.

– A estratégia adotada foi a de trazer alguns atletas acostumados com a divisão e mesclar com jovens promissores. Até o momento está dando certo, vamos seguir dando suporte e confiantes na permanência – completou Barbarotti.

Paul Pogba has been backed to flourish at Arsenal on his return to action after serving a doping ban, with his Juventus exit imminent.

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Pogba can play competitive matches from MarchJuve keen to offload the midfielderBacary Sagna believes Pogba will be a hit at ArsenalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Initially banned for four years due to testing positive for a banned substance, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) recently reduced Pogba’s suspension to 18 months, meaning he can return to action by March 2025. Despite his eagerness to revive his career at Juventus, where he is currently contracted, club director Cristiano Giuntoli has made it clear that the club are unlikely to welcome Pogba back after his ban ends and will instead look to find an amicable exit route for the player.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT SAGNA SAID

Bacary Sagna, who played for Arsenal and the French national team, feels that the Premier League would be the ideal destination for the 31-year-old midfielder. Speaking to , the former defender said: "The Premier League suits Paul Pogba – I would love to see him join Arsenal. It would be great – he has experience; he loves to play with young players around him – that is when he is most efficient. At the 2018 World Cup, that was when he was most efficient – he had friends around him. Arsenal have a young, fresh team, and I see him performing in an Arsenal shirt. He will get love from their fans. Now, he can start from scratch again – he's had time away from football, and he’ll be back with a desire to get back into a good space and play football again.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Pogba’s second stint at Manchester United, following a club-record £89 million ($115m) move in 2016, failed to live up to expectations. Despite moments of brilliance, the Frenchman struggled with consistency during his six years at Old Trafford, which coincided with a turbulent period for the club. His return to Juventus in 2022 was supposed to reignite his career, but injuries and the suspension have halted his progress once again.

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While some reports have linked Pogba to potential moves to Major League Soccer (MLS) or Saudi Arabia, the midfielder is reportedly focused on regaining his place in the France national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Hence the midfielder is prioritising minutes at a top European club where he could make a case for himself to Didier Deschamps.

West Ham United supporters will understandably sit on the fence at this maiden stage of Julen Lopetegui's tenure, and the different aspects of the forthcoming weeks will determine which side the lion's share decides to jump off.

Last season's ninth-place Premier League finish has left the Hammers looking ahead to domestic contests next season, which, in some ways, provides Lopetegui with a calm and solid foundation from which to build upwards.

There are several pressing concerns. Despite signing 18-year-old winger Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras for £25.5m, more depth could be required as Ghanaian, Mohammed Kudus considers pushing for an exit after just one year.

Perhaps more concerningly, Lucas Paqueta's FA betting charge could see him banished from professional football, swiping West Ham of an elite-level playmaker.

It would be pertinent for Lopetegui to prudently approach the situation and seek a successor, and indeed, recent reports suggest that that might be the case.

West Ham eyeing Paqueta replacement

According to Get French Football News, West Ham are set to rival Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain for the signing of Lyon attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki.

Cherki, who is entering the final year of his contract at the Groupama Stadium, is expected to be sold this summer as the Ligue 1 outfit push to raise €100m (£85m) in player sales to combat financial concerns.

Aged 20, Cherki is a highly talented player with a sharp creative sense and could prove to be a bargain for the London Stadium side given his reported price tag of just €25m (£21m).

Rayan Cherki's season in numbers

Cherki might be in the early stage of his professional career but he has made quite an impression for Lyon, already having notched 17 goals and 25 assists across 141 appearances.

Silky and artful, Cherki provided an influential and creative 2023/24 campaign despite Lyon's shocking start to the season, with talent scout Jacek Kulig even describing him as the "pure difference-maker" back in March.

Indeed, as per Sofascore, he scored just one goal across his 19 starts in the French top flight but also contributed with six assists, a product of his constant flow of creativity, averaging 1.3 key passes per game and keeping it crisp with an 81% pass success rate.

More impressive, perhaps, is his combative disposition on the field and his unceasing desire to drive the ball forward, completing 2.5 dribbles per game and averaging 4.8 successful duels to boot.

He was noted as a "player with exceptional qualities" by his former manager, Rudi Garcia, and after some polish and refinement, could prove to be a tailor-made Premier League star.

West Ham may well be the perfect club to lift him toward his full potential, especially given that he could be the second coming of an iconic former Hammer.

Why West Ham are interested in Cherki

We're talking, of course, about Dimitri Payet, whose short but spectacular stint in east London has cemented cult status that will hang at the top of the division's sprawling tapestry for time immemorial.

West Ham signed Payet from French club Marseille for just £10m in 2015, with his almighty efforts in English football leading to cascades of praise, even dubbed "one of the most important players in Europe" by manager and compatriot Zinedine Zidane.

He posted 12 goals and 15 assists across his opening term for the Hammers but departed at the midpoint of the 2016/17 campaign, citing home sickness after the Irons regressed in cohesion and performance level.

His goal haul was impressive but barely scratches the surface concerning Payet's brilliance. This, truly, was a barnstorming, script-overhauling machine, with his genius on the ball leaving the Premier League in awe.

With eagle-eyed vision, unmatched playmaking quality and a talismanic effect that few can replicate by half, the former France international gave West Ham some magical moments, and that could be emulated in the form of Cherki, who could also be landed for a bargain fee, welcomed from over the channel.

As per FBref, the young Frenchman ranks among the top 12% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shots taken, the top 15% for assists, the top 8% for passes attempted, the top 4% for progressive passes and the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90.

Cherki has the level of technique and vision to replicate Payet's dizzying heights with the Hammers, principally featuring centrally but also competent when placed on either flank.

Stat Breakdown: Lucas Paqueta vs Rayan Cherki (23/24)

Stats (per 90)

Lucas Paqueta

Rayan Cherki

Goals scored

0.16

0.05

Assists

0.16

0.31

Shot-creating actions

3.12

5.55

Progressive passes

6.59

7.23

Progressive carries

1.36

4.87

Successful take-ons

1.38

4.24

Ball recoveries

6.67

5.13

Tackles

2.49

1.47

Stats via FBref

It's quite clear that Cherki has the talent to succeed in a squad like West Ham's especially when considering that he is not too far off Paqueta's exemplary defensive and energy-centred metrics.

The Brazilian playmaker sits deeper than most attacking midfielders and maintains a robust and all-action approach to his game. Nonetheless, Cherki has still managed to outpoint in regarding progressive passing while also eclipsing him for ball-carrying metrics.

This underscores the Lyon starlet's athletic ability and penchant for making things happen. At West Ham, at the dawn of a new era, this could be crucial.

West Ham ranked 15th for big chances created in the Premier League last season, seemingly unable to maintain the kind of attacking spark to truly click into gear when on the advance.

With Cherki added to the fold, it could be the initiation of a transformation akin to that of when Payet waltzed in. Such is the French phenom's prodigious talent, and such is the importance of enjoying a positive transfer window for Lopetegui, who needs to counter several pressing issues with some exciting signings.

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Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Jun 28, 2024

يستمر الدولي المصري محمد صلاح نجم فريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي ليفربول الإنجليزي، في تحطيم الأرقام القياسية ببطولة البريمرليج.

وصنع محمد صلاح هدف ليفربول الثاني والخامس أمام وست هام في المباراة التي جرت بين الفريقين ضمن الجولة 19 من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

طالع أيضًا.. تصرف غير متوقع من محمد صلاح بعد نهاية الشوط الأول من مباراة ليفربول ووست هام (فيديو) أسيست محمد صلاح الأول في مباراة ليفربول ووست هام

وبعد صناعته الهدف الثاني، تمكن محمد صلاح من تخطي ديفيد بيكهام في ترتيب اللاعبين الأكثر صناعة للأهداف في تاريخ الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز. أسيست محمد صلاح الثاني في مباراة ليفربول ووست هام

أصبح محمد صلاح في المركز العاشر برصيد 82 تمريرة حاسمة، متفوقًا بفارق هدفين على ديفيد بيكهام أسطورة مانشستر يونايتد، وعلى بعد 7 أهداف من جيمس ميلنر.

Arsenal couldn't quite get over the line in the Premier League or the Champions League this season, but there can be no doubt they took another step forward.

Mikel Arteta's side produced the best defence and the second-best attack in the league, and while Bayern Munich knocked them out of Europe, they didn't look out of place.

However, to take that final step and finally win something next year, they'll need to do one better and produce the best attack in the league, and considering the latest player touted for a move to N5 has been compared to Erling Haaland, they stand a good chance of doing that.

Arsenal's striker search

Arsenal have been linked to countless strikers this year, including Joshua Zirkzee, Santiago Gimenez, and Benjamin Sesko, who recently turned them down, but it would appear Edu Gaspar and Co have not been deterred.

According to a recent report from Italy, Napoli's Victor Osimhen wants a move to the Premier League this summer, and Arsenal have made their first move to sign him, establishing contact with his agent.

Alongside the Gunners, the report claims that Paris Saint-Germain and teams from the Saudi Pro League are incredibly keen on the forward, while Chelsea have cooled their interest.

While the report does not mention a potential price, the Standard reported in March that Napoli would demand clubs pay the player's full £113m release clause.

It would certainly be expensive to complete, and the interest from the Middle East could make it more so, but if Arsenal want to finally end their striker search, then there are a few better players to do that with than Osimhen, especially when he's been compared to two-time Premier League golden boot winner Haaland.

How Osimhen would improve Arsenal and his comparisons to Haaland

Now, before comparing Osimhen to the Gunners' current crop of forwards, let's look at this comparison to Manchester City's robotic goalscorer, Haaland.

The comparison comes from FBref, which looks at all the players in Europe's top five leagues and creates a list of the ten most similar players for each one, and in the Nigerian's case, the Norwegian is the ninth most similar striker across the five competitions.

Aside from the fact that they're both brilliant goalscoreres, the pair's similarities can be seen best in a number of their underlying numbers.

For example, their expected assists, actual assists, shots, shots on target, goals per shot and shot on target, goal-creating actions and ball recovery metrics per 90 are all incredibly similar.

Expected Assists

0.14

0.15

Assists

0.14

0.18

Shots

3.86

3.99

Shots on Target

1.63

1.76

Goals per Shot

0.14

0.18

Goals per Shot on Target

0.33

0.40

Goal-Creating Actions

0.36

0.39

Ball Recoveries

1.82

1.37

With that said, how does Napoli's "world-class" number nine, as dubbed by José Mourinho, stack up against the Gunners' two primary strikers, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus?

Well, even though he scored fewer goals than he did last season, the former LOSC Lille superstar has a far more impressive output over the last two seasons.

Appearances

39

47

33

Goals

31

9

11

Assists

5

1

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.92

0.21

0.54

Appearances

32

51

36

Goals

17

14

8

Assists

4

7

8

Goal Involvements per Match

0.65

0.41

0.44

For example, he's scored 57 goals and assists in just 71 games since the start of last season, while Havertz has managed 31 in 98 and Jesus 34 in 69.

Ultimately, with a far more impressive track record in front of goal than the club's current options and favourable comparisons to Haaland, Arsenal should be doing all they can to bring Osimhen to North London this summer, even if that means breaking the bank to do so.

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Arsenal are tabling their bid and personal terms to sign a £200,000-per-week forward, alongside their widely reported talks over a deal for Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori.

Arsenal in talks to sign Calafiori from Bologna this summer

The Italy international, who impressed under Luciano Spalletti at Euro 2024 before the Azzurri's last 16 defeat to Switzerland, is now a highly sought-after centre-back across Europe.

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Calafiori was already turning heads after a fine season with Bologna under ex-boss Thiago Motta, where he managed 30 Serie A appearances as one of their star performers and helped guide them to a Champions League place.

However, the Euros has elevated his profile further, and the 22-year-old was definitely a sore miss through suspension in the knockout rounds when the Swiss ultimately humbled Italy.

Arsenal sporting director Edu and manager Mikel Arteta have been heavily linked with signing a new central defender to alternate with star pair William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

How Calafiori & Gabriel compare in 2023/24

Statistics

Calafiori

Gabriel

Games

29

34

Goals & assists

7

4

Progressive carries

28

13

Pass accuracy

90%

89%

Tackles won

37

28

Interceptions

56

31

Aerials won

71%

55%

Stats via FBref

Arteta has been left personally impressed by Calafiori, according to some reports, and reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal have presented an important proposal to the player.

Following on from this, Romano wrote on X this morning that Arsenal are preparing for further talks with Bologna over signing Calafiori, with the Serie A side and Premier League title hopefuls already having an excellent business relationship after the Takehiro Tomiyasu deal.

The former FC Basel starlet will cost a premium, though, as the Swiss side included a 50 per cent sell-on clause when they sold Calafiori to Bologna. The widely reported price tag is set at around £42 million, so it will be interesting to see just how high the Gunners are willing to go.

Amid their efforts to do a deal for Calafiori, reports in Spain claim that Arsenal are still very much in the race for Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams.

Arsenal placing bid and personal terms to sign Nico Williams

Much like Calafiori, the Spanish starlet has seriously impressed at Euro 2024, which will only attract even more suitors.

Diario AS state that Arsenal are 'going all out' for the 21-year-old, who racked up 19 assists in all competitions for Bilbao last season. Arsenal are 'putting money on the table' for Williams, on both the club and player side, meaning they're placing their bids in terms of fee and terms.

The £200,000-per-week winger's contract includes a £49 million release clause as well, according to AS, but Arteta's side face stiff competition from Chelsea when it comes to securing his signature. Barcelona were thought to be the frontrunners, but AS believe they do not have the finances to pull off a move.

It has been a frustrating start to the summer of 2024 for Manchester United so far. The Red Devils’ new owners, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, are yet to formally announce any clarification over Erik ten Hag’s future as the club’s manager, with the review following the FA Cup final taking two weeks already.

Tyrone Marshall, a senior football writer for The Manchester Evening News, explained in an article yesterday that the owners are 'continuing to weigh up' whether or not to stick or twist with the Dutchman. Marshall explained that those finalising his future want to ensure it is a 'considered decision'.

This has somewhat affected United in the transfer market already. They could miss out on their rumoured primary target, Michael Olise. According to multiple reports, the Crystal Palace winger could be set to rejoin Chelsea, a side who he played academy football for as a youngster, for a fee of around £60m.

However, there are still deals United could be poised to do. Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite seems destined for United, provided the Toffees do not ask for an extortionate price. There is also a midfielder who has been strongly linked to Old Trafford this week and could join the club as the summer window develops.

Man Utd target Serie A midfielder

The player in question here is Atalanta and Netherlands international midfielder Teun Koopmeiners. After a successful season in Bergamo, in which his side lifted the Europa League, the Dutchman could be set for a big move over the summer.

According to a report from the Italian news outlet Calciomercato, the Red Devils are 'willing to immediately pay' to sign Koopmeiners this summer. The report explains that it could cost United €70m (£60m) to tempt Atalanta into selling their talismanic Dutchman this summer, although they are not alone in their interest.

Italian giants Juventus are one side who are thought to be interested in the midfielder this summer. However, the report suggests that the Old Lady can only offer up to £34m, although if that doesn’t convince Atalnata to sell, they could also offer a player plus cash; namely, that man would be young defender Dean Huijsen.

United might also be joined in the race for Koopmeiners’ signature by rivals Liverpool. The Anfield side’s new boss, Arne Slot, wants to bring his fellow Dutchman to the Red side of Merseyside, having already managed him at AZ Alkmaar. However, if United pay the requested £60m first, they could win the race.

Why Koopmeiners would be a good signing

Should United get a deal over the line for Koopmeiners this summer, they would be signing “one of the most intelligent players in Serie A”, according to football analyst Ben Mattinson.

Indeed, the Dutchman had a productive season from attacking midfield in Italy’s top flight this season. He scored 12 goals and registered five assists in 34 games, as well as chipping in with two assists in the victorious Europa League campaign.

According to Fbref, Koopmierners is comparable to United’s own talismanic midfielder, and captain, Bruno Fernandes. Creatively, both of their numbers are similar, with the Dutchman averaging 2.05 key passes per 90 minutes, 4.32 passes into the final third per 90 and 1.54 passes into the penalty box per 90. In comparison, Fernandes averages only slightly more, with 3.29 key passes per 90 5.40 passes into the final third per 90 and 2.57 passes into the penalty box per 90.

Having two players with such creativity is important for depth in United’s squad, and Mattinson has previously highlighted his “well-weighted through balls”, which reflects well in his stats shown above.

Where Koopmeiners excels over United’s captain is ball-carrying. He averages 2.71 progressive carries per 90 and 1.85 carries into the final third per 90, compared to Fernandes’ 2.49 progressive carries per 90 and 1.76 carries into the final third per 90.

Something that Mattinson noted about Koopmeiners’ game is his “box crashing” ability, which is comparable to United midfielder Scott McTominay. An article by Breaking The Lines noted how McTominay’s role in 2023/24 'mainly focused on him ‘box crashing', which is why he has been so 'prolific' in front of goal.

Interestingly, Koopmeiners’ 15 goals in all competitions easily trump the ten that McTominay scored, suggesting United could bring in an upgrade in such a role if they look to sign the Dutchman this summer.

Koopmeiners vs. McTominay record all comps 2023/24
Stat	Koopmeiners	McTominay
Games	51	43
Goals	15	10
Assists	7	3
Stats from Transfermarkt

For £60m, it is an expensive deal, but signing the 26-year-old could help improve United’s creativity in the final third, and add to their goal threat even more. Koopmeiners to United could well happen if Ten Hag stays at the club, given the Dutch connection and his value in such a profile.

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An "exceptional" Rangers player has agreed an "astronomical" deal to leave Ibrox this summer and join up with former manager Steven Gerrard, according to a fresh update.

Summer of change at Rangers

Euro 2024 may be taking centre stage in the footballing world, but Philippe Clement has been having an extremely productive summer transfer window to date, already bringing in a number of new faces.

The likes of Jefte, Connor Barron, Liam Kelly and Clinton Nsiala have all arrived on permanent deals, while Oscar Cortes will spend another season on loan at Ibrox, having arrived from Lens during the January window.

It looks as though Rangers' business is far from done, with attacker Hamza Igamane seen as the next man to come in, arriving from Moroccan outfit AS FAR.

The Scottish Premiership giants have also been linked with a move for Tottenham ace Ryan Sessegnon, whose career has dipped after emerging as a hugely exciting teenager, but who could be desperate for a new challenge. He is considered someone who could provide further quality out wide alongside Cortes, too.

This has also been a summer of change when it comes to outgoings at Rangers, with a host of players moving on when their contracts expire, from Ryan Jack to Kemar Roofe. Now, another exit claim has emerged – and one that is likely to worry the supporters.

"Exceptional" Rangers hero on the move

According to a new development courtesy of Football Insider, James Tavernier has agreed to leave Rangers and join Gerrard at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, with an "astronomical" deal on the table.

The update claims that the "package in question is believed to 'massively' increase" the Gers captain's wages, and the player himself "has accepted the contract offer".

This is undoubtedly bad news for Rangers fans, considering Tavernier has arguably been the most impressive player at Ibrox over many years, providing a remarkable amount of end product from right-back.

Granted, the Englishman's numbers are aided by the fact that he takes penalties, but a tally of 125 goals and 129 assists in 460 appearances are the kind of statistics that a striker would be happy to register in his career. Clement waxed lyrical over him last season after he recorded the highest number of assists for a British defender:

"To be there on top – it’s an amazing achievement and we’re all proud of him. I said it in the dressing room also after the game. I don’t too often point out individual players, I don’t like it too much, but I had to do it this time. All the players are really proud of him, all the staff and the fans and everybody involved with Rangers. It’s really quite exceptional."

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At 32, Tavernier isn't getting any younger, so those of a more optimistic persuasion could point towards Rangers getting good money for an ageing player, but he is going to be extremely difficult to replace, both in terms of quality and leadership.

West Ham United will possibly benefit from stepping into the new post-David Moyes era without European football on the cards, having fizzled out last season.

It was quite the ride though, ay. Moyes lifted a relegation-threatened outfit toward sustained conquests on the continent, winning the Conference League in 2022/23.

But now, the squad needs sweeping change, and while Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Max Kilman is closing on a £40m move to east London to fortify Julen Lopetegui's defence, there is still, it would appear, room for another backliner.

West Ham lining up another defender

The Premier League side could lose both Nayef Aguerd and skipper Kurt Zouma this summer; both were under-par last season and both are attracting attention from the Saudi Pro League.

With veteran Angelo Ogbonna's contract having expired last month, it's safe to assume that Kilman is not the only defensive arrival on the cards.

Indeed, according to The Daily Mail, West Ham are mulling over lodging a second attempt to sign OGC Nice centre-half Jean-Clair Todibo, having already failed with a £25m offer.

The French defender had been set to sign for Manchester United in June but the deal was prohibited given Nice and the Red Devils' shared INEOS ownership.

What Jean-Clair Todibo would bring to West Ham

Given that Kilman is left-footed – and Todibo is not – West Ham would be wise to storm ahead and complete deals for both players in what truly could revolutionise the Irons' backline.

Both defenders are progressive and enterprising, with purposeful passing games that would suit Lopetegui's philosophy: maintaining a degree of aggression to feature invariably, whether the Hammers are involved in matches that require more control-based attacking play or counter-attacking football.

Hailed as a "Rolls-Royce" of a defender by journalist Antonio Mango, Todibo is athletically robust and defensively sound, but he also boasts one of Europe's most modern-tailored skill sets.

Tackles

1.97

1.24

Aerials won

1.29

1.03

Pass completion

89.6%

85.7%

Progressive passes

5.09

3.08

Progressive carries

1.09

0.58

Successful take-ons

0.54

0.26

Ball recoveries

7.19

4.66

Shot-creating actions

1.43

1.03

While the above-listed metrics lean heavily in Todibo's favour, it's important to note that Kilman has been performing in a more conservative system at Molineux. For example, under Lopetegui the term before, the 27-year-old averaged 0.52 successful take-ons per 90, taking him virtually level with the current rate of the Les Aiglons titan.

The key thing here is that both players would naturally fall into the respective sides of the central defence, and while Todibo has been described as "the complete package" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, his more expansive style could be a real asset to move the play forward, move that defensive line higher up the pitch.

This would allow for a more dynamic style of play than has been on offer at the London Stadium in recent years, with Zouma staying deep and failing to progress the play with his passing, averaging just 1.55 progressive passes and 0.20 progressive carries per 90 over the past year.

Ultimately, West Ham will need to work hard to navigate through this transitional period, but with a new style of play, it wouldn't be a bad idea to completely overhaul the rearguard with two talented players that befit a team fighting for a place at the top of the table.

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