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Celtic are preparing for another exciting campaign under Brendan Rodgers, but they may have to lose one of their key stars while preparations are ongoing ahead of pre-season.

Celtic's early window priorities start to emerge

Next campaign, Celtic don’t have the luxury of automatic qualification in the Champions League, which may bring their transfer planning forward regarding targets in a few key positions.

Kieran Tierney will return to Parkhead on a free transfer from Arsenal to address their left-back berth, leaving an element of mystique regarding who will compete with the Scotland international in his position.

Further up the field, Brendan Rodgers is also keen on a new striker after opting not to replace Kyogo Furuhashi following his move to Rennes in January.

In a rapid turn of events, Telstar forward Youssef El Kachati has rejected a move to Hannover amid interest from the Bhoys. Available under freedom of contract, the 25-year-old has confirmed he will make his next destination known soon.

He stated before playing a starring role in his current side reaching the Dutch top-flight: “I think it is 100 per cent certain that I will make a fantastic step this summer.

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By
Dan Emery

Jun 4, 2025

“But first, I want to leave something behind at Telstar that will make them never forget me. I think it is very important that I end my time here well.”

Speculation over incomings will dominate the landscape for supporters as the Bhoys look forward to another campaign they hope will be littered with success.

However, they may now have to proceed forth without one of their established stars if recent reports are anything to go by.

Celtic star Greg Taylor presented with exit proposal

According to Greek outlet Sportal, Celtic left-back Greg Taylor has been presented with a two-year contract offer by PAOK and they are now ‘anxiously awaiting’ a response from the Scotland international, who could leave Parkhead for nothing this month.

Out of contract in Glasgow’s east end, he has been offered a greater salary than his current terms at the Hoops and is said to be the main defensive target for Razvan Lucescu’s men this summer.

Labelled “instrumental” by Rodgers, the 27-year-old has registered nine goals and 33 assists in 216 appearances across all competitions at Celtic, contributing to the delivery of 11 trophies during his extremely successful spell.

Seeking replacements, the Bhoys have reportedly made an approach for Peterborough United youngster Harley Mills. The 19-year-old is also attracting interest from Fulham regarding a move during the off-season.

Either way, the wheels certainly appear to be in motion as Celtic plan for the coming months, though they may need to part ways with Taylor officially before making advances for his successor.

Glasgow Rangers have yet to make a signing under new manager Russell Martin, but could all that change in the coming days?

The Ibrox side has reportedly shown interest in strikers Matija Frigan and Dor Turgeman recently as Martin seeks to bolster the club’s attacking options.

With Cyriel Dessers closing in on a move to AEK Athens, adding a striker or two could be vital.

Bringing in another centre-back is also high on the wishlist for the new boss, especially with Leon Balogun leaving at the end of last season.

The Nigerian defender was a superb servant for the Gers across two spells. But could Martin sign an upgrade on him this summer?

Rangers search for a new defender

Robin Propper is another defender who looks set to leave Ibrox while Ben Davies appears not to have a future at Rangers.

This leaves Martin with just John Souttar, Clinton Nsiala and Leon King as options at the heart of the defence.

According to The Rangers Review, the Gers are still interested in signing centre-back Harry Darling. His contract has expired at Swansea City, which means Martin wouldn’t have to pay a penny to reunite with his former player.

The Englishman played under the former Southampton boss at MK Dons and Swansea; therefore, he knows him well.

On a free, with the likelihood of Darling not breaking the bank wage-wise, the signing could be a shrewd one for the Glasgow side.

Balogun was loved by the supporters. That much is certain. Could Darling be an upgrade on the veteran, however?

Why Rangers must sign Harry Darling

Balogun was a titan at the back during his spells with the club. He won three trophies and helped Rangers reach the 2022 Europa League final.

Across 20 Premiership games last season, he won an impressive 62% of his total duels contested, while being dribbled past on just 0.3 occasions per game.

The 6ft 2 defender was a nightmare for opposition strikers as his physicality was superb, and that is also the case for the Swansea defender, who won 65% of his duels and was only dribbled past 0.3 times per game in the Championship.

In the second tier last season, Darling registered eight goal contributions for the Swans. Add this to the fact he recorded five the season before, and it is clear he thrives in set-piece scenarios.

Harry Darling’s Championship stats with Swansea (2024/25)

Goals

5

Assists

3

Accurate passes per game

53.9

Clean sheets

12

Total duels won per game

4.9

Balls recovered per game

3.9

Via Sofascore

Indeed, when compared to his positional peers in the Championship during 2024/25, the centre-back ranked in the top 12% for assists (0.08) and in the top 7% for non-penalty goals (0.13) per 90.

Furthermore, he even ranked in the top 12% for progressive carries (1.05) and in the top 23% for progressive passes (3.7) per 90, suggesting that he loves to bring the ball forward from the defence, whether he is passing or dribbling.

In this sense, he would make for an ideal upgrade on Balogun, especially considering he is also 11 years younger than the former Gers man and would provide far more long-term value to the club as an asset that could increase in value.

Dubbed “heroic” by manager Luke Williams earlier this season, Darling would be a dream first signing for Martin and a big upgrade on Balogun. No doubt about it.

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Rangers will be keen to sign a defender this summer

Posts ByRoss Kilvington Jun 14, 2025

This isn’t the summer for sagas. Manchester United need to get things done quickly this time around, with far too many transfer windows having descended into chaos and deadline day desperation.

Thankfully, for Ruben Amorim’s sake, it would appear that the club are keen to get their business done early, with Premier League duo Liam Delap and Matheus Cunha having been identified as leading early targets.

In the case of Cunha, the Brazilian appears to be edging ever closer to agreeing on a move to Old Trafford, with the 25-year-old having enjoyed a fine campaign after netting 15 times in the league alone.

Formerly of RB Leipzig and Atletico Madrid, among others, the £62.5m star has adapted nicely to English football in recent seasons, with 42 goals and assists to his name in just 80 Premier League appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Signing a ready-made, proven talent like Cunha could help to buck United’s recent trend of looking abroad – and in the Eredivisie especially – for new signings, with Amorim in desperate need of players who can make an immediate impact from the get-go.

Cunha would then be ideal in that regard, although that’s not to say every summer move has to be with a Premier League focus…

Man Utd's search for a forward

Aside from incomings, there will also be a keen eye on potential outgoings from Old Trafford, with a worst-case scenario likely to be the departure of influential skipper, Bruno Fernandes, amid interest from Saudi Arabia.

According to Football Transfers, if the Portuguese hero does opt to seal a shock move away from the club to join Al-Hilal, among other suitors, the Red Devils have lined up a potential replacement in the form of Athletic Club star, Oihan Sancet.

As per the report, while negotiations haven’t started regarding a move for the 25-year-old, it is claimed that internal talks have been held in Manchester, with Amorim a ‘huge admirer’.

Transfer Focus

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

The in-form Spaniard – who missed both legs of the recent Europa League semi-final meeting due to injury – does still have seven years left to run on his existing deal in Bilbao, ensuring it would not be easy to prise him away from the LaLiga outfit.

Indeed, the report adds that Sancet would cost in the region of €80m (£67m), amid the presence of a release clause in his contract, with it yet to be seen whether INEOS will firm up that interest, should Fernandes depart.

Even if the United captain does stay put, there is an argument that Sancet could represent a worthy alternative to Cunha if required, with the Athletic man just as big of a talent.

How Oihan Sancet compares to Cunha

As noted previously, it has been a fine season for Cunha to date, with the wantaway star netting 15 goals in the top-flight for the Old Gold, alongside a further two goals in the FA Cup.

Sancet, meanwhile, has also matched that tally of 17 goals in all competitions, having scored twice in the Europa League, while also netting 15 goals in Spain’s top-flight from his advanced midfield role.

As noted by analyst Ben Mattinson, he is a “box-crashing” talent in that almost second-striker role, showcasing “striker-like instincts” that could make him perfect for one of Amorim’s two number ten berths.

Something of a Scott McTominay in that regard, perhaps, Sancet has also been described by Mattinson as “one of the most underrated players in Europe” right now, further evidence of just what a talent he is.

As indicated in the table below too, while Cunha provides a greater creative spark, it is Sancet who is the bigger goal threat. Indeed, his 15 goals have come despite making only 18 LaLiga starts this season.

Games (starts)

31 (28)

26 (18)

Goals

15

15

Goal frequency

166min

100min

Big chances missed

2

5

Big chances created

13

1

Assists

6

1

Key passes*

1.8

0.7

Pass accuracy*

79%

84%

Total duels won*

46%

40%

Aerial duels won*

26%

48%

Possession lost*

15.7

8.4

It could be argued that for a side who have now failed to score in 14 Premier League games in 2024/25, United are desperately in need of that type of clinical presence in front of goal, with Sancet’s goal return of one every 100 minutes certainly a reason for encouragement.

What also stands out is that the 6 foot 2 ace is also far less erratic on the ball, as indicated by his pass accuracy rate and possession lost count, with potentially a calm head needed to counterbalance the maverick talents of the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo.

Of course, it would appear that Sancet will only be considered if Fernandes departs, although there is an argument to be made that he might actually be a dream alternative to Cunha, should that deal hit the skids.

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ByRobbie Walls May 13, 2025

With Kyle Walker heading for the exit door, Manchester City have reportedly joined the race to sign a Bundesliga talent who could solve Pep Guardiola’s right-back problem.

Walker set to leave Man City

After spending the second half of the current campaign on loan at Milan, reports have indicated that Walker is expected to leave the Etihad on a permanent basis this summer, even if the Serie A giants decide against triggering their buy option.

The former Man City captain will bow out alongside Kevin De Bruyne as an incredible era of success begins to come to an end under Pep Guardiola.

The veteran right-back will go down as one of the best in his position in Premier League history and earned the praise of Guardiola even as he headed for the exit door in January.

The City boss told reporters back in January when Walker asked to leave the club: “Two days ago Kyle asked to explore the options to play abroad.

“We cannot understand [what] the club did these years without Kyle. It’s impossible. He’s been our right-back, giving us something we didn’t have. But now in his mind, for many reasons, he would like to explore if he can go to another country to play his last years.”

After a sensational run, all good things must come to an end, and Manchester City must now turn their attention towards solving their right-back problem once and for all this summer.

Guardiola cannot afford to turn towards the likes of Matheus Nunes if he is to take his side back to the top of English football. Instead, he could have the chance to call on one particular Bundesliga talent.

Man City join race to sign Kiliann Sildillia

According to CaughtOffside, Manchester City are now racing to sign Kiliann Sildillia from SC Freiburg alongside Premier League rivals Liverpool and Aston Villa.

Just 22 years old, the right-back is reportedly valued at around €16m (£14m) and is likely to be granted a departure from Freiburg when the summer transfer window swings open.

Dubbed a “complete full-back” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig when he was just 20 years old, Sildillia has only improved since then and has deservedly earned the interest of some of the Premier League’s best sides.

With a decision to make, Manchester City will be hoping that the young defender chooses to work with Guardiola like many have in the past and many will likely go on to do.

The St Lucia Kings power-hitter has turned into an all-weather T20 batter who is especially dangerous against spin

Deivarayan Muthu16-Sep-2025Since July 2024, New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert has been living out of a suitcase, enjoying stints in eight different T20 leagues around the world besides playing for the Black Caps. From Galle in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) to Guyana in the Caribbean Premier League, in which his team have got to the elimination stage, Seifert has stamped his authority in different parts of the world.Weeks or months of play-sleep-travel-repeat can be challenging but Seifert has embraced it. He is now gearing up to bring home back-to-back CPL titles for St Lucia Kings.”Yeah, I have enjoyed it [being a T20 globetrotter],” Seifert says before the CPL knockouts. “It can be a bit tough on the family at times as well, being away for so much. But it’s also good to bring them away on certain tours. On the whole, it’s been great. Not only T20 competitions but international cricket as well with the Black Caps.”When Seifert burst onto the international scene in 2018, he was billed as the next Brendon McCullum. Like McCullum, he was adept at charging at bowlers and playing a number of funky shots, including the reverse sweep and scoop.Related

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McCullum himself was so impressed with Seifert that he brought him into the Trinbago Knight Riders team when he was their head coach in 2020. Seifert was part of the TKR side that enjoyed an unbeaten run to the CPL title that season, and he also had a spell as New Zealand’s main keeper-batter, but he needed a bit more time to mature.That growth was achieved by playing T20 cricket around the world. Seifert has expanded his range of shots in the past 14 months, and more specifically in this CPL, he has emerged as the best spin-hitter. He has smashed 200 off 103 balls from spinners at a strike rate of 194.17 – the highest among batters who have faced at least 50 balls of spin in this edition. It’s not common for an opening batter to be this proficient against spinners in spin-friendly conditions, and only highlights Seifert’s rise as an all-weather T20 batter.”No matter how good you are, you’re always looking to grow as a player,” Seifert says. “But most importantly, you’re learning. And one of these great opportunities that these [T20] tournaments give you is that you play with the world’s best players and learn from them and be in the same dressing room as well away from the guys back home in New Zealand.”When I first joined TKR, I think that was my first franchise competition. That was amazing. Not only to be coached by McCullum but to be in the same dressing room as the likes of [Kieron] Pollard, [Nicholas] Pooran and then [Andre] Russell. The CPL is not an easy place to come to, from an overseas point of view, for your first couple of years, but I’ve learnt off those guys, and with the Kings as well. Now into my fifth season at the CPL.”ESPNcricinfo LtdSeifert 2.0 can take down mystery spin too. When his former team, TKR, threw Sunil Narine and Akeal Hosein at him in the powerplay in Tarouba, he took 36 off 17 balls from them. He could have opted to sit back and play them out in what was a modest chase, but Seifert was keen to throw the first punch.”They are some of the best spinners in the world. Especially Narine, I rate him probably as one of the best spinners in the world still. But yeah, because we bowled first, we knew what the wicket was. I was hoping to get off to a good start and make the run chase easier. One thing I’ve tried to be working on is not try to think of Narine bowling at you. It’s just trying to watch the ball and reacting.”I’ve always had the square game – my hockey background helps me play those sweeps. I think over the past, those used to be my go-to shots. But now it’s actually just trying to pick the right times, right conditions, right situations of the games to play those shots. And if you are on a good wicket, you can look to hit straight more often. Batting against spin has definitely been one of my areas of focus over the last two years and it’s paying off.”Last month Seifert reached his zenith against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons at home in Gros Islet, when he cracked a 40-ball century, drawing level with Russell for the fastest in the league. He finished with an unbeaten 125 off 53 balls, the highest score by an overseas player and second-highest overall in the CPL. Seifert rates that innings as “one of the best knocks” in his career.”I just want to go out there and do my thing. Obviously, we were chasing 200 [205],” Seifert says. “Probably when I got to about 80-odd, I said: right, when it’s your day, make it your day and finish the job for the team. And I wanted to make sure I was there at the end, being that batter that helped win the game for the team rather than getting out on 80 and making someone else come in and finish the game. So that was probably one of my biggest ticks from that knock: getting the job done.”

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