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Just when Russell Martin thought things could not get any worse for him as Rangers manager, well….

On Wednesday night, the Gers were demolished 6-0 by Club Brugge at Jan Breydelstadion, all the goals coming in the first 50 minutes, before the Belgian side showed mercy.

Having also been humbled 3-1 at home, this 9-1 annihilation is the first time the Gers have conceded nine or more in a two-legged European tie since a 12-4 aggregate defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt all the way back in May 1960.

So, the Light Blues will now take their place in the Europa League, but will Martin still be in charge by the time they play their matchday one fixture in late-September?

Wednesday was only his tenth match in charge, but he’s yet to collect three points in the Premiership, drawing all three league games 1-1 to date, ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm derby against Celtic at Ibrox.

Thus, Martin will be desperate to improve his squad ahead of Monday’s deadline, so could Rangers be about to bolster their midfield options?

Rangers' midfield conundrum

Ahead of the mid-week battering in Brugge, Martin’s midfield selection was the headline team news.

He elected to start three new signings, namely Joe Rothwell, Thelo Aasgaard and Lyall Cameron, thereby leaving last season’s player of the year Nicolas Raskin and his usual partner Mohamed Diomandé on the bench.

Both were introduced at half time, suggesting Martin recognised the error of his ways, but it would’ve been unthinkable last season that neither would be starting a do-or-die European tie, so is finding a third member of a midfield trio, one that gets the best out of them, a key item on their transfer window agenda?

Well, according to a report by Markaj News, Rangers are “monitoring” Real Valladolid midfielder Selim Amallah.

They add that the Moroccan international will almost certainly be on the move before the transfer window closes, following Blanquivioletas’ relegation from La Liga last season, with Ligue 1 outfit Angers also “very interested”.

Transfer Focus

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

Football Transfers estimate that the 28-year-old is worth €1.2m (around £1m), so could he soon swap Estadio José Zorrilla for Ibrox?

What Selim Amallah would bring to Rangers

Amallah began his career in Belgium, the country of his birth, bouncing around a few smaller clubs before being picked up by Standard Liège in 2019, making 97 appearances for les Rouches, one of which came against Rangers in the Europa League in 2020, a game made famous by Kemar Roofe’s astonishing goal from inside his own half.

Since 2023, Amallah has called Spain home, joining Valladolid, spending the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Valencia after Blanquivioletas were relegated to the Segunda División, before returning to Valladolid again last season, although they were relegated once again.

Despite the fact his team won only four games all season, the Moroccan international largely impressed, with writer Kai Watson labelling him “versatile”, adding that he has been primarily “used in a deeper role” since moving to Spain, but possesses “flair and arrogance”, while also being technically strong and a “good ball carrier”.

So, let’s assess his statistics in La Liga last season.

Amallah – La Liga 2024/25
Stat	Amallah	Valladolid rank
Minutes	1,376	14th
Goals	3	3rd
Shots	21	5th
Key passes	13	6th
Progressive passes	57	6th
Shot-creating actions	32	6th
Tackles	30	8th
Blocks	24	6th
Interceptions	14	9th
Ball recoveries	73	6th
Average SofaScore rating	6.77	5th
via FBref.com & Sofascore

As the table outlines, despite limited minutes due to injury, Amallah ranked generally pretty high for a wide variety of metrics at Valladolid last season.

He was a creative force, ranked in the top six for assists, key passes and progressive passes, while also doing the same when it came to out of possession defensive metrics too, namely blocks and ball recoveries.

All of this underlines why Amallah would surely complement Raskin well.

The Belgian is often asked to do everything in Rangers’ feeble midfield, required to both win the ball back and then create a moment of magic at the other end of the park.

So, having someone else who can do both would alleviate much of the responsibility that has been foisted upon Raskin’s shoulders, thereby helping to get the best out of Rangers’ best midfielder.

Thus, seemingly available at the cut-price, this is a deal the Light Blues should endeavour to get done because, well, he can’t be any worse than Rothwell can he?

Fernandez upgrade: Rangers preparing offer to sign "outstanding" £12m star

Glasgow Rangers are reportedly preparing to make an offer to sign an upgrade on Emmanuel Fernandez.

By
Dan Emery

Aug 27, 2025

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O Palmeiras treinou na tarde desta sexta-feira (26), na Academia de Futebol, e seguiu a preparação para enfrentar o Atlético-MG, neste domingo (28), às 18h30, no Mineirão, em Belo Horizonte-MG, pela oitava rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. A comissão de Abel Ferreira utilizou a atividade do dia para comandar atividades técnicas.

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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

No gramado, o elenco realizou inicialmente dois trabalhos em campo reduzido com ênfase na marcação e opções de passe, entre outros aspectos do jogo. Os atletas mais desgastados fizeram um complemento físico e deixaram o campo na sequência, enquanto os demais ainda fizeram trabalhos específicos dos setores defensivo e ofensivo em lados opostos do campo.

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

Por enquanto, os únicos desfalques de Abel Ferreira para a partida de domingo são o volante Atuesta, que se recupera de cirurgia no joelho, o zagueiro Murilo, que passou por cirurgia no ombro e o atacante Giovani, que está com a Seleção Brasileira no Mundial sub-20.

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Vale lembrar que o Palmeiras não permite a presença dos jornalistas na Academia de Futebol para acompanhar os treinamentos. As informações acima são fornecidas pela assessoria de imprensa do clube.

+ Entenda qual é a novidade do Palmeiras nos treinos de preparação dos goleiros: ‘Não existe no Brasil’

Uma dúvida para o time titular neste domingo é a lateral-direita. Marcos Rocha retornou de lesão recentemente, mas ficou no banco nos dois jogos em que foi relacionado. Mayke, que é considerado reserva da posição, seguiu como titular. Dessa forma, um provável Verdão contra o Galo é: Weverton; Mayke (Marcos Rocha), Gustavo Gómez, Murilo e Piquerez; Zé Rafael, Gabriel Menino e Raphael Veiga; Artur, Dudu e Rony.

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O Alviverde volta a treinar neste sábado (27), às 10h, antes do embarque a Belo Horizonte-MG. Vice-líder com 15 pontos, o Palmeiras é o único invicto nesta edição do Brasileirão, além de ter o melhor ataque (16 gols, seguido pelo Botafogo, com 14) e uma das segundas melhores defesas (seis gols sofridos, ao lado de Botafogo, Fluminense, Atlético-MG, Cruzeiro, São Paulo e Fortaleza e atrás apenas do Santos, com cinco).

يستعد الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول لاستكمال مشواره في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا مساء الثلاثاء المقبل ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من مرحلة الدوري.

وكان ليفربول قد خسر لأول مرة في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز أمام كريستال بالاس بنتيجة 2/1، في المباراة التي جمعتهما في الجولة السادسة من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وواجه ليفربول نظيره كريستال بالاس عصر أمس، السبت، في تمام الساعة الخامسة مساءً، على ملعب “سيلهرست بارك”.

وظهر ليفربول بمستوى سيئ للغاية في المباراة إذ لم يكن في المستوى المطلوب خلال أحداث الشوط الأول من المباراة التي شهدت فرصًا كبيرة ضائعة من لاعبي كريستال بالاس.

اقرأ أيضًا | حكم مباراة ريال مدريد وكيرات في دوري أبطال أوروبا

ولم يفز ليفربول في آخر 3 مواجهات أمام كريستال بالاس إذ تعادل مرة وخسر مباراة كأس الدرع الخيرية ومباراة الأمس.

وواجه رجال آرني سلوت أتلتيكو مدريد في الجولة الأولى من مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا والتي انتهت بفوز صعب لليفربول بنتيجة 3/2 في الدقائق الأخيرة عن طريق المدافع الهولندي فيرجيل فان دايك.

ويلتقي ليفربول نظيره جالطة سراي في إطار الجولة الثانية من مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، يوم الثلاثاء المقبل الموافق 30 من شهر سبتمبر الجاري، في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، على ملعب “رامس بارك” معقل الفريق التركي. حكم مباراة ليفربول وجالطة سراي في دوري أبطال أوروبا

ويقود مباراة ليفربول وجالطة سراي في الجولة الثانية من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، طاقمًا تحكيميًا بقيادة الفرنسي كليمين توربين ويوروم بريسار حكمًا لتقينة الفيديو.

Roberto Martinez insisted "Diogo Jota is with us" after Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the 21st minute of Portugal's first game since the tragic death of the Liverpool star. The ex-Wolves forward and his brother Andre lost their lives in a devastating car crash, leaving the football world in shock.

Ronaldo scores 21st-minute tribute goalTeammates honour Diogo Jota’s memoryFans and players unite in remembranceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Ahead of the game against Armenia in Yerevan, teammates and friends ensured Jota’s memory was unmistakably present. Ruben Neves, Jota’s former Wolves colleague and close friend, swapped his usual shirt number to 21, the number Jota wore for his country, as a deeply personal homage.

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The tribute came to life spectacularly in the 21st minute, when Ronaldo scored for Portugal. Aligning perfectly with Jota’s iconic number, the goal was a moving gesture that resonated with Martinez. 

WHAT MARTINEZ SAID

Martinez spoke emotionally about the squad’s determination to honour Jota.

"Diogo Jota is with us. Being able to score in the 21st minute was special. We continue on our journey. I really believe [in coincidences]. Diogo's spirit is with us, it was a sign, in the 21st minute and we scored. We felt Diogo Jota from the first day of the training camp and his strength and motivation." 

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Other teammates joined in the homage. Joao Cancelo performed Jota’s signature video game-style goal celebration, a moment that drew both applause and tears. Fans responded in kind, holding up posters and chanting in honour of the late forward.

تنبأ جيمي كاراجر مدافع وقائد ليفربول السابق باسم الفائز بجائزة الكرة الذهبية، بشكل يحبط النجم المصري محمد صلاح والذي يعد أحد أبرز المرشحين للفوز بجائزة أفضل لاعب في العالم.

ورشح كاراجر مدافع ليفربول السابق، عثمان ديمبلي نجم باريس سان جيرمان الفرنسي ومنتخب فرنسا للفوز بالجائزة، على الرغم من الموسم القياسي الذي حققه صلاح العام الماضي وتحقيقه لقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز في أول موسم للمدرب آرني سلوت.

ويتألق ليفربول في دوري أبطال أوروبا، وقد كان محمد صلاح مرشحاً بقوة للفوز بالجائزة بعد بدايته المذهلة في الموسم الماضي، حيث أنهى الموسم بـ 34 هدفا وصنع 23 تمريرة حاسمة في 52 مباراة، ومن المقرر الإعلان عن الفائز بالكرة الذهبية يوم الاثنين.

وقال كاراجر في تصريحات نقلتها شبكة “ليفربول إيكو” البريطانية: “أعتقد بالنسبة لي أن أفضل ستة لاعبين في العالم هم عثمان ديمبلي وأشرف حكيمي ومبابي ورافينيا ومحمد صلاح ولامين يامال”.

أقرأ أيضاً.. محمد صلاح يستهدف رقمين رائعين في مباراة ليفربول وإيفرتون

وأضاف :”أعتقد أنني تابعتهم في معظم مباريات الموسم الماضي، ربما في دوري أبطال أوروبا وأيضاً لأدائهم مع أنديتهم”.

وختم عن توقعه للفائز بجائزة الكرة الذهبية: “أعتقد أن ديمبلي سيكون المرشح الأبرز، خاصة بعد الموسم المميز الذي قدمه باريس سان جيرمان لكن جميع هؤلاء اللاعبين لديهم فرصة جيدة للفوز بالكرة الذهبية”.

وحول رأيه في تباطؤ ليفربول لتجديد عقود صلاح وفان دايك، ذكر كاراجر: “فيرجيل فان دايك خرج من هذا الوضع الصعب هذا الموسم كقائد للنادي وهو يحظى بتقدير كبير مني، في أسلوبه، في التصرف، في أدائه في الملعب وفي طريقة قيادته للفريق، أود على الأرجح أن أشيد بفان دايك بدلاً من الحديث عن أرنولد وصلاح”.

وأتم عن صلاح: “صلاح رجل دولة حقيقي، طريقة تعامله مع الأمر رائعة، لقد طرحت عليه أسئلة ولم يغب، إنه هنا للفوز بالدوري ويبذل قصارى جهده من أجل ليفربول وأتمنى له كل التوفيق”.

A £12,000-a-week Celtic player is eager to seal a move away from Parkhead this summer and looks set to get his wish with a transfer agreement now reached.

Celtic’s 2025 summer signings so far

The Hoops have been busy during the summer transfer window as Brendan Rodgers’ side look to maintain their Scottish Premiership dominance during the 2025/26 season.

Four new signings have been made so far, including permanent deals for Benjamin Nygren and Callum Osmand from Nordsjaelland and Fulham respectively.

Meanwhile, there have also been returns to Celtic Park for left-back Kieran Tierney and goalkeeper Ross Doohan, with Rodgers hailing the Scottish duo recently upon his return to Lennoxtown.

“For Kieran, I’m absolutely delighted. We’re getting a top player back. Sometimes top players like that might come later on in their career, but we’re getting Kieran at 27 years of age. I was with him during the summer so I know first-hand how excited he is to be here.

“And it’s great for Ross to be back. He was here during my first spell and he left to go and gain experience. He’s an international goalkeeper now. He answered the call and got his cap, which is absolutely brilliant. I know where his heart is and I know that in bringing him back to here, he’ll make a real good contribution in that goalkeeper department for us.”

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However, with four players already through the door, there will also be some Lennoxtown departures. Greg Taylor and Scott Bain have both left after their contracts expired, joining PAOK and Falkirk, and by the looks of things, Celtic are about to cash in on 24/25 star Nicolas Kuhn.

Kuhn desperate to leave Celtic as £17m+ agreement reached

As per Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg, Kuhn is on course to leave Celtic for Serie A side Como, with a medical booked for next week.

An agreement worth €20m (£17.2m) was struck on Thursday, and Kuhn will sign a four-year deal with Cesc Fabregas’ side. Bundesliga side RB Leipzig were also keen on Kuhn, however, the £12,000-a-week Celtic star was ‘desperate’ to leave Scotland for Como.

Described as a pathetic fee by a Celtic media outlet, Kuhn was only signed by the Hoops for £3.5m back in 2024, so they are in line to make a significant profit.

In the German’s first full season at Celtic Park, Kuhn scored 21 goals and registered 15 assists, so it isn’t a shock that he would attract interest, and now we could see Nygren look to fill the void left by Kuhn.

Slowly and then all at once might be one way to describe Arsenal’s transfer window so far.

For weeks and weeks, it felt like very little was happening at the Emirates, but now Martin Zubimendi’s transfer is reportedly wrapped up, as is Kepa Arrizabalaga’s, and there have been reports of progress being made towards both Rodrygo and Viktor Gyokeres.

It’s not just incomings either, as Fabrizio Romano broke the news yesterday afternoon that Thomas Partey is now “set to leave” this month.

As if that wasn’t enough, yesterday also saw news come out linking Arsenal to Christian Nørgaard as a potential replacement, but if other reports are to be believed, Mikel Arteta could be looking to sign another midfielder who’d be even better than the Brentford star.

Arsenal target Nørgaard upgrade

While it’s been known for a few days now that the contract talks with Partey were not advancing and that there was, therefore, a real chance the Ghanaian could leave this summer, there were no murmurings that Nørgaard was being looked at as a potential signing.

Transfer Focus

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

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In fact, the report from Danish journalist Mads Glenn Wehlast on Wednesday morning was the first time most people had any idea the club were even supposedly interested in the 31-year-old.

The report claims that the Gunners have already submitted an offer worth around €11m in total, which is about £9m.

While that could end up being a good deal, there is still another midfielder the club are interested in, someone who’d be a better signing: Lucien Agoume.

According to a recent report from The Athletic, Arsenal are still very much interested in the Sevilla star, who has been the subject of talks.

A price for the young Frenchman is not mentioned in the report, but stories from earlier this week claim that he could be available for just £20m, although he is also a target for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

It might not be a big-name signing, but based on the ability Agoume has already shown, and the potential so many believe him to possess, it’s one Arsenal should fight for, especially as he would be a better addition to the squad than Nørgaard.

How Agoume compares to Nørgaard

So, if it ends up being a choice between signing Agoume and Nørgaard in the coming weeks, why should Arsenal opt for the former?

Well, the first argument, and its significant one, is the statistical one, as when we take a look under the hood and compare their underlying numbers, it becomes clear that the Sevilla star, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig described as “10 out of 10 talent,” is the more well-rounded midfielder.

The Dane might do marginally better in a few metrics, such as non-penalty expected goals plus assists and passing accuracy per 90, but he comes out a clear second-best in most other statistics that are relevant for a number six.

Agoumé vs Nørgaard

Statistics per 90

Agoumé

Nørgaard

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.14

0.18

Progressive Carries

1.23

0.45

Progressive Passes

5.74

4.92

Passing Accuracy

81.5%

81.6%

Key Passes

1.15

0.58

Passes into the Final Third

5.36

4.38

Shot-Creating Actions

2.55

1.85

Goal-Creating Actions

0.21

0.42

Tackles

2.98

2.52

Blocks

1.28

1.66

Interceptions

1.74

1.57

Errors Leading to a Shot

0.00

0.03

Successful take-ons

0.94

0.22

Aerial Duels Won

1.79

1.57

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season

For example, the former Inter Milan gem comes out looking far better in things like progressive passes and carries, key passes, shot-creating actions and, most crucially, tackles, interceptions and aerial duels won per 90.

This suggests that not only does he have the Bees ace beat in plenty of attacking areas, but he’d also be able to better provide cover for the back four, and the fact he’s so good at winning balls in the air will be like music to Arteta’s ears.

Finally, there is another number that matters here: his age.

At 22 years old, the Yaoundé-born maestro has plenty of time to continue developing, and if he does do that, then the Gunners would have a serious midfielder on their hands down the line, whereas at 31, the Brentford star is only going to regress over time.

Moreover, if Zubimendi is going to be the starting six anyway, surely it makes sense to bring in a promising understudy to cover for him, someone who could seriously rival him for game time in a few years.

Ultimately, while Nørgaard wouldn’t be a bad signing by any means, Agoume just looks like the far better option, and therefore, Arsenal should be doing what they can to get him this summer.

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Scott Parker certainly lived up to his label as a serial promotion winner out of the Championship this season at the Burnley helm.

Securing second spot for the Clarets on a mighty 100 points means Parker has now won promotion three times up to the Premier League as a boss, with the uphill battle of attempting to keep the Lancashire underdogs afloat in the taxing division now the tough goal.

It’s been a less-than-ideal summer so far for the newly promoted side unfortunately, as CJ Egan-Riley nears ever closer to a sad Clarets exit, whilst Josh Brownhill’s future at the club is reportedly up in the air having attracted interest from West Ham.

But, it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom as the Clarets anxiously count down the days until the Premier League returns to Turf Moor.

How might the Clarets look in the Premier League? We’ve laid out their dream XI in the top-flight right here…

1 GK – James Trafford

Much like Egan-Riley, Burnley’s number one goalkeeper James Trafford has reportedly been the subject of interest from Newcastle.

But, Parker and Co will just aim to keep swatting away interested parties, knowing full well that Trafford is Premier League capable, having kept a ridiculous 29 clean sheets last season.

2 RB – Connor Roberts

Connor Roberts is also likely to retain his place as Burnley’s starting right-back in top-flight action.

He was another steady presence in the Clarets’ formidable defence last campaign, whilst also being able to boast a season of Premier League experience already with the Lancashire outfit.

3 CB – Victor Nelsson

The first brand-new purchase could see Burnley take a punt on 26-year-old centre-back Victor Nelsson in a bid to immediately fill the Egan-Riley void.

Previously linked with a €10m (£8m) move for Nelsson in January, the 6 foot 1 Dane has shown across his career to date his ability to shine in some top divisions.

Before falling out of favour at Galatasaray and heading to AS Roma on loan, Nelsson would pick up a hefty 11 clean sheets in Super Lig action across the 2023/24 season, finishing too with an imposing average of 5.3 duels won per contest.

With his spell at Roma not going to plan either, the Scandinavian could well fancy leaving Turkey behind for good which is where Burnley might capitalise.

4 CB – Maxime Esteve

Whilst the news of Egan-Riley’s expected exit will sting, Burnley being able to keep a firm grip on his usual centre-back partner in Maxime Esteve could at least come as some source of comfort.

The Frenchman has been linked with a switch away to Crystal Palace, but if the Clarets are serious about their survival hopes, they must keep Esteve around.

The 23-year-old already looks ready-made for the Premier League, with the ex-Montpellier enforcer both confident on the ball with a 91% pass accuracy averaged last season in league action, but also assured when launching into many a tackle.

5 LB – Josip Juranovic

Whilst normally a right-back by trade, Burnley’s lack of a main left-back option could see the Clarets swoop in for reported target Josip Juranovic for help.

The “immense” Croat, as he’s been previously lauded by European football expert Zach Lowy, has been a goal-and-assist machine wherever he’s gone across his nomadic career.

That’s seen in his career tally of 43 goal contributions – but it’s ability to slot in as a right-back, left-back or even as a centre-back with ease that will have piqued Burnley’s interest.

6 CM – Josh Brownhill

Much like Esteve, it would be a complete disaster if Burnley were to lose Josh Brownhill after his sublime promotion heroics.

But, with his contract running down, it could well be a sticky situation to solve.

Still, if they can get their exciting captain to say, it would make the world of difference to the Clarets’ survival odds, considering the wanted star fired home 18 strikes last season as Burnley’s top scorer.

7 CM – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Burnley-linked Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall might soon form a healthy working relationship with Josh Brownhill if the ex-Leicester City man is finally freed from his Stamford Bridge ordeal.

Whilst his time in West London has been rocky after a £30m switch last summer, he showed more than enough for the Foxes for Parker to consider a move, boasting 17 goals and 20 assists in total across his memorable King Power Stadium stay.

8 RM – Marcus Edwards

Now officially a permanent member of the Burnley camp, Marcus Edwards will be raring to go in the Premier League next campaign.

After all, he was once a heavily fancied kid off the block at Tottenham Hotspur, but he would never go on to make a top-flight appearance on the periphery in North London.

Now, after collecting a goal and an assist from 14 Turf Moor clashes, his opportunity finally awaits.

9 CAM – Hannibal Mejbri

Hannibal Mejbri is very much in the same camp as Edwards in attempting to show he belongs at the intimidating level.

He certainly showed he was worthy of competing at the top end of the Championship with Parker’s men, as seen in his respectable tally of one goal and five assists from the number ten spot. Therefore, he could come back to haunt his ex-employers, Manchester United.

10 LM – Jaidon Anthony

Jaidon Anthony will also be bursting with excitement about reentering the Premier League with the Clarets after penning a permanent deal at Turf Moor.

Whilst his team’s stern defence just stole most of the deserved plaudits, Anthony’s high haul of eight goals and seven assists from 43 league clashes went somewhat under the radar.

With Premier League experience also already under his belt with AFC Bournemouth, the 25-year-old could soon cause even more havoc down the left flank for Parker’s men.

Liverpool are already set to lose Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, and they may have to brace for the departure of another key player, with the Spanish side lining up another move.

Trent set to join Real Madrid

The Reds will be delighted to have managed to tie down Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah to new contracts, but Trent has now confirmed his decision to leave on a free transfer this summer, with the right-back expected to join Real Madrid.

There have been widespread reports suggesting the Spanish side could even look to get a deal done early by paying around £850k, as they are eager to have the right-back available in time for this summer’s Club World Cup, which is set to start on June 14th.

With the 26-year-old set to move on this summer, Arne Slot’s side have now stepped up their pursuit of a replacement, and they are set to make an offer for Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, who could be available for the relatively low fee of just £30m – £34m.

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However, Alexander-Arnold is not the only Liverpool defender Madrid are keen on, with a report from Spain suggesting the La Liga side are now looking at snapping up Ibrahima Konate, whose contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026.

Madrid are not planning to make a move anytime soon, but they will look to make an approach closer to Konate’s contract expiry date, with the Reds at risk of losing yet another defender on a free transfer to the Spanish heavyweights.

Arsenal’s William Saliba and AFC Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen are also named as targets for Madrid, however, so Slot will be hoping they choose to pursue a different centre-back this summer, rather than waiting for the 25-year-old to become available.

"Incredible" Konate would be huge loss for Slot

Slot has done a fantastic job to secure the Premier League title in his first season, and the French defender has been one of the players integral to Liverpool’s success, making 39 appearances in all competitions, having continued his fantastic partnership with Van Dijk.

The Frenchman has been a consistent performer for the Reds, even managing to average more tackles and blocks per game than Van Dijk in the Premier League, so it will be a worry that Madrid have now expressed an interest.

However, the Spanish side have a number of options on the shortlist, and Liverpool still have time to tie the £70k-a-week defender down to a new contract, with Madrid not planning to make an approach in the near future.

A fortress is made impregnable not through the initial conquering but the success in defending the territory claimed over so many years, and that means Liverpool will need to strengthen their ranks this summer.

It’s clear at this point that Arne Slot is going to win the Premier League in his first term in the hot seat, an incredible feat given Liverpool were effectively written off following Jurgen Klopp’s departure at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

But Slot will want an abiding position at the forefront of English and indeed European football, and Liverpool’s frontline has looked a little out of kilter over recent months.

It’s clear that FSG are going to authorise one or two exciting summer bids.

Liverpool targeting new forwards

Mohamed Salah has meted out punishment on near every opponent he has faced this season, but Liverpool need more up front, with The Athletic among those to report Red interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.

However, number nine isn’t the only spot on the club’s radar.

As per Caught Offside, Liverpool and Arsenal are interested in signing Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze; further suitors are in the running but the Premier League’s top two share the lead here as well.

Eze’s strong and potent performances under Oliver Glasner suggest he has what it takes to thrive at a top-performing club like Liverpool, who could do with such a dynamic attacker.

Last summer, the Eagles anticipated a swarm of interest in their silky star but no one came forward. Now, the ball is in their court and demands worth £60m have been put in place.

Why Liverpool want to sign Eze

Eze packs a punch. The 26-year-old has gone from strength to strength since leaving Queens Park Rangers in the Championship in 2020 and joining the Selhurst Park ranks for a £20m fee.

Hailed as a “superstar” by data analyst Ben Mattinson, Eze has hit 12 goals and 12 assists apiece under Glasner’s wing, featuring 48 times in total.

This season alone, he’s been in fine fettle, playing a more creative role than in 2023/24 but doing so to a fine effect.

Eze’s broad skill set lends itself to multiple positions, and while he’s been fielded routinely in the middle of the park this year, he has ample experience out on the left flank.

With that in mind, Eze could be the perfect signing to upgrade on Luis Diaz, whose uncertain future at Anfield suggests a replacement will be required sooner rather than later.

PL 24/25 – Eberechi Eze vs Luis Diaz

Stats (* = per game)

Eze

Diaz

Matches (starts)

25 (23)

29 (23)

Goals

2

9

Assists

6

5

Shots taken*

3.4

2.0

Pass completion

82%

86%

Big chances created

9

6

Key passes*

2.0

1.6

Dribbles*

2.1

1.6

Ball recoveries*

4.6

2.9

Tackles + interceptions*

1 8

1.2

Duels won*

5.4

3.8

Stats via Sofascore

While Eze hasn’t chalked up the greatest numbers in front of goal this season, his underlying data suggests that he’s outstripping Diaz across almost every department.

This is important. Diaz isn’t exactly revered for his clinical touch, instead effusively praised for his tricks and slicks, skill and will toward driving play forward and leaving defenders munching dust.

To sign a player who produces such qualities but to a higher standard, more relentless in the duel, creative in his playmaking duties, active in carrying the ball, it’s an intriguing proposition, one which might just dynamise Liverpool’s already progressive attacking outfit.

Moreover, Eze’s clinical side was on full show last season, firing 11 goals home across 24 Premier League appearances, missing just five big chances in an immense display of potency.

Indeed, the Englishman halted Jurgen Klopp’s bid for a farewell league triumph after scoring at Anfield in the 1-0 win in April, with journalist Keifer MacDonald noting that the playmaker had left Trent Alexander-Arnold “furious” due to his slow walk off the field when substituted late on.

Whether the Three Lions star, who scored his first international goal off the bench in a 3-0 win over Latvia last week, is bid for remains to be seen, but Eze has everything that Slot’s Liverpool need, especially if a clinical centre-forward is welcomed to the fold this summer.

In a more distinguished team like Liverpool, Eze may even find himself unlocking his full goalscoring potential. As per FBref, the £100k-per-week talent actually ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shots taken per 90.

Having been described as a “wizard” by Arsenal’s Declan Rice in the past, Palace’s main man may just be on the move this summer. Diaz has been a fantastic servant for Liverpool over the past several years and will be duly rewarded with a Premier League winners’ medal in the coming months, but the time might be right for a change.

The Colombian has only scored one goal across his past 19 fixtures in all competitions for the Reds – albeit assisting in four of his past six top-flight games – and at 28 is heading into the penultimate year of his £55k-per-week deal with sights set on a new bumper package or change of scenery.

There have been whispers of late that Diaz could be sold this summer to fund a freshen-up. Barcelona have a long-standing admiration and the Saudi Pro League are also there, quietly lurking.

How much of a vested interest sporting director Richard Hughes has in Eze at this stage, we don’t know. However, his efforts in south London over the past few years certainly indicate a future at one of the division’s European competitors, and Liverpool will be right there, ready to pounce if the right opportunity presents itself.

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