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da aviator aposta： Liverpool’s rustiness over their last few games – which saw Arne Slot’s men exit the FA Cup in dramatic fashion to Plymouth Argyle and stumble to a 2-2 draw with bitter Merseyside rivals Everton – was very much on show again versus Vitor Pereira’s Wolverhampton Wanderers.

da leao： Indeed, the table-topping Reds ended up sneaking over the line to a 2-1 victory, despite racing into a comfortable two-goal lead in the first 45 minutes.

The well-known explosiveness of Matheus Cunha for the Old Gold would end up troubling Slot’s side, with many of Liverpool’s competitors to the Premier League title looking at the Brazilian this transfer window just gone as a viable buy.

Cunha's standout display vs Liverpool

Wanted by the likes of high-flying Arsenal and Nottingham Forest during the recently closed window, Wolves would have breathed a big sigh of relief when their ex-Atletico Madrid star actually stayed put at Molineux, instead of opting for a move away.

After all, Cunha had a mega total of 11 goals and four assists heading into Sunday’s clash, with his goal total now up to an even more sturdy 12 after his bright afternoon at Anfield.

That curled finish would gift the away side a lifeline in a contest that was increasingly becoming more and more nervy due to a catalogue of errors from the home outfit, resulting in Cunha tallying up a mammoth six efforts on Alisson’s consistently shaky net.

Thankfully, Liverpool would get back to winning ways just come the full-time whistle, with Slot left to curse the fact one star attacker missed out last minute due to a fitness test failing, who could have been his faltering team’s own Cunha.

Liverpool's very own Cunha

Slot definitely could have done with some more positive reinforcements in attack during a testing second 45 minutes, with Diogo Jota frustratingly firing blanks with just 20 touches of the ball, away from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah sharing out the crucial strikes.

Not having Cody Gakpo at his disposal would have hurt the former Feyenoord boss, with the Dutch attacker really coming into his own this season under a fresh set of ideas in the dug-out.

In total, the impressive 25-year-old forward has amassed eight goals and three assists across 24 Premier League appearances, meaning he could well have come in handy in attempting to kill off a spirited Wolves side.

Delving deeper into his FBref numbers also shows off his similarities to the constantly captivating Cunha, who was even deemed a “top player” by ex-Reds great Jamie Carragher, after his sublime goal stunned the Liverpool masses into silence to give Pereira’s visitors somewhat of a foothold in the back-and-forth affair.

Gakpo’s FBref numbers over the last year vs Cunha’s

Stat – per 90 mins

Gakpo

Cunha

Shots

3.22

3.21

Shot-creating actions

4.60

3.44

Progressive passes

3.47

4.70

Progressive carries

2.96

3.71

Successful take-ons

1.74

2.06

Touches in attacking penalty area

5.82

4.40

Progressive passes received

11.38

5.85

Stats by FBref

Looking at the table above, it’s clear that both the Dutchman and the Brazilian are very similar players – as noted by FBref among those in the Premier League – in attack in terms of wanting to constantly be involved in matters up the pitch with constant shots peppering the opposition goal, alongside always wanting to advance play with a tricky dart forward.

Amazingly, Gakpo even betters Cunha when it comes to shots averaged per 90 minutes over the last year, on top of trumping him with shot-creating actions, meaning the 25-year-old might well have made his team’s win more comprehensive if he wasn’t injury-stricken.

The table-toppers will know they have struck gold with Gakpo’s signature, considering he is worth in the region of £50m now as per Transfermarkt, when he was once purchased for a more modest fee in and around the £35m mark.

Slot will be keeping everything crossed that Gakpo shrugs off his injury issues quickly to return back to the main team fold, with more nervy and tight games coming his team’s way not needed in the race to lift the Premier League title.

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da mrbet： Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has been offered a Premier League star, as his representatives reach out to Spurs in search of a potential new landing spot for their client.

Johan Lange's summer transfer plans at Tottenham

da stake casino： The January window saw technical director Johan Lange seal a trio of deals to bolster Postecoglou’s squad, with young goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky joining from Slavia Prague, defender Kevin Danso signing on loan (including an obligation to buy for around £21 million) and Mathys Tel making a temporary switch to N17 from Bayern Munich.

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Tel’s deal also includes an option to make it permanent for around £45 million, and the teenager has agreed a six-year contract if that does indeed prove to be the case (David Ornstein), but there is no guarantee the Bayern sensation will remain in north London beyond 2024/2025.

There is also uncertainty surrounding the futures of Timo Werner, Richarlison and even Son Heung-min (GiveMeSport), with Lange potentially looking to recruit another forward when the summer window reopens.

Tottenham’s next five Premier League fixtures

Date

Man City (home)

Today

Bournemouth (home)

March 9th

Fulham (away)

March 16th

Chelsea (away)

April 2nd

Southampton (home)

April 5th

Borussia Dortmund forward Jamie Gittens is a target for Tottenham, according to various reports, while Southampton winger Tyler Dibling is also believed to be on Postecoglou’s radar (GiveMeSport).

Meanwhile, Lille midfielder Angel Gomes is attracting interest from Spurs as well, considering the England international is out of contract this summer and could bolster Postecolgou’s engine room at zero transfer cost.

The Lilywhites also must be mindful of their backline, with Radu Dragusin, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies all sidelined for extended periods at various points throughout the campaign.

Spurs were after Chelsea defender Axel Disasi on loan in the January window, even after they completed a deal for Danso, but the move failed to materialise, and he eventually ended up making a move to Aston Villa.

Another centre-back may well be on their agenda for this summer, especially considering Davies is approaching the end of his time at Tottenham, not to mention Real Madrid’s interest in both van de Ven and Romero.

Tottenham offered Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen

According to The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, an opportunity could arise for Postecoglou in the form of Bournemouth starlet Dean Huijsen.

Premier League sides were put on red alert by news of the Spain Under-21 international’s £50 million release clause, and his performances alongside Illia Zabarnyi at the heart of Andoni Iraola’s backline make this fee a potentially attractive one.

As per TBR, Huijsen’s agents have reached out for talks with Tottenham, as his camp push to gauge the interest of possible suitors ahead of a summer transfer. Numerous elite English sides are being spoken to and offered the 19-year-old’s services, according to this report, so Spurs face stiff competition.

Bournemouth, for their part, are apparently unhappy with what Huijsen’s camp are doing, but they remain confident he’ll commit his future at the Vitality Stadium.

da spicy bet： After relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2022/23 season, it was to be expected that Leeds United would lose numerous players ahead of their return to the Championship.

da brdice： Tyler Adams was the most high-profile departure, leaving to join Bournemouth in a £20m deal, ending his one-year stay at Elland Road after being unable to prevent the side dropping into the second tier.

After notching 28 goals for the Whites over a three-year period, Spanish forward Rodrigo also departed Yorkshire, moving to Qatari outfit Al-Rayyan after they triggered his £3m relegation clause.

Such departures were inevitable, raising funds but also clearing somewhat of the wage bill, something which was vital to avoid any form of financial breach after dropping down a division.

One other player departed on loan during the aforementioned window, with the former first-team star now looking set for a permanent move away from the club this summer.

Rasmus Kristensen’s stats for Leeds United

Danish full-back Rasmus Kristensen joined Leeds in a deal worth around £10m during the summer of 2022, looking to provide added quality to the defensive department.

However, despite making 32 appearances across all competitions and registering three goals, it wasn’t enough to stop the side dropping into the Championship, with the defender leaving on loan as a result.

He would subsequently join Roma for the entirety of last season before linking up with Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt on another temporary spell for the ongoing campaign.

It’s emerged in recent days that the German side are set to purchase the 27-year-old permanently at the end of the season for a fee in the region of £6.7m, according to journalist Florian Plettenberg.

It’s safe to say the Whites have conducted excellent business in offloading the full-back, with the 49ers needing to make sure another one of their Premier League additions follows him out of the door in the coming months.

The player who’s cost Leeds £525k per appearance

Over the years, Leeds have spent heavily to try and become an established top-flight outfit once again, but more importantly have also conducted shrewd business in offloading players.

Georginio Rutter joined during the spell in the Premier League but still managed to make a profit on him after his showings in the second tier – highlighting the hierarchy’s impressive work in the market.

However, it’s highly unlikely that boss Daniel Farke would be able to say the same with Max Wober should the defender depart at the end of the season.

The Austrian joined the club in a £11m deal from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2023, making 19 appearances before the Whites suffered relegation at the end of his first campaign in Yorkshire.

He would subsequently join Borussia Mönchengladbach on loan for the 2023/24 season before returning for the ongoing year – but has been unable to cement his place in the starting eleven.

The 27-year-old has made just seven appearances across all competitions in 2024/25, currently missing due to a knee injury, but could return to action in April for the business end of the season.

When combining his transfer fee with his earnings of £35k-per-week wage, he’s cost a total of £525k per appearance he’s made in Yorkshire – a figure way too high given his lack of impact in recent times.

Max Wober’s stats for Leeds in the Championship (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

6

Minutes played

307

Pass accuracy

77%

Tackles won

1.8

Duels won

6.7

Interceptions made

2.4

Fouls committed

2.1

Stats via FotMob

With the prospect of a return to the Premier League on the cards, Farke will want as many funds as possible to improve the playing squad to avoid an immediate return back to the Championship.

Wober could join Kristensen out of the door in the coming months, allowing for fresh blood in the backline, potentially making room for further investment in such a department in the near future.

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da heads bet： West Ham United could make a move for a “magnificent” striker who’s scored 11 goals this season, alongside top target Jonathan David, according to a report.

David emerges as priority signing

da luck： David is out of contract with Lille at the end of the season, meaning he is set to be available on a free transfer, and West Ham boss Graham Potter has identified him as his top target to strengthen his frontline.

It will not be easy to win the race for the Lille star, however, with the aforementioned report revealing the likes of Inter Milan and Juventus are also keen, and more recently Barcelona have been mentioned as potential suitors.

The Canadian is said to favour a move to the Camp Nou, but the Hammers could have a major advantage in the race for his signature, as they are able to outspend the La Liga side.

In fact, the Irons have now submitted a contract offer worth a total of £16.5m, in an attempt to beat the European giants to the 25-year-old, but he is not the only striker they have in mind for a summer move.

According to a report from GiveMeSport, West Ham could also make a move for Strasbourg’s Emanuel Emegha at the end of the season, with Potter keen on bringing in some additional firepower in attack.

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The Hammers have been impressed by Emegha’s red-hot form since returning from injury, and there is a chance he could be brought in alongside David, with club chiefs planning to bring in two forwards ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

There could be competition for the forward’s signature, however, with Newcastle United also named as potential suitors, while Chelsea could have a major advantage if they decide to make a move, given that Strasbourg are the Blues’ sister club.

West Ham need new forward options

West Ham have had some bad luck on the injury front this season, with Niclas Füllkrug and Michail Antonio being ruled out, and given their ages, the duo are likely to be approaching the twilight years of their careers.

Considering Potter’s side have also scored just 30 Premier League goals this season, the second-fewest outside the relegation zone, it makes sense to bring in two new forwards this summer, and there are signs Emegha could be a good acquisition.

At 22-years-old, the Dutchman is at the right age to be a long-term success at the London Stadium, and he has scored 11 goals in 19 Ligue 1 appearances, while also providing two assists.

That said, David should remain West Ham’s priority target for the summer, given that the Canada international has proven himself over a number of years in Ligue 1, while also impressing in the Champions League this year, registering six goals and two assists.

da leao： Celtic are back in action in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon as they prepare to take on city rivals Glasgow Rangers in the Old Firm clash.

da fazobetai： The Hoops will move 19 points clear with eight games left to play if they secure all three points today, which would all-but-seal their fourth successive league title success.

Brendan Rodgers’ side will be hoping to pick up where they left off after they beat Hibernian 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the SFA Cup last weekend.

Rangers, meanwhile, beat Fenerbahce on penalties in the Europa League, after losing 2-0 in normal time, and could come into this match with some confidence off the back of that success.

Even with that in mind, however, Celtic should be confident of being able to get the job done in front of their home support, given how far off the Gers have been this season, as evidenced by the 16-point gap between the two teams in the Premiership.

Rangers have not won the top-flight title since the 2020/21 campaign under Steven Gerrard and their current squad does not boast many high-valued talents that will be feared by the Hoops defenders today.

The most valuable Rangers players

Barry Ferguson’s team do not have a single player in their first-team squad who is worth at least £10m, as per Transfermarkt, as their most expensive player is Wolfsburg loanee Vaclav Cerny at £7.6m.

He is not a permanent Rangers player, however, and the most valuable star solely contracted to the Light Blues is central midfielder Mohamed Diomande, who is valued at just £5.9m.

The board and ownership at Ibrox have been unable to sign and develop young talents to create a valuable squad that can compete with Celtic on all fronts, hence why the Hoops are on course to seal the domestic treble this season.

Most valuable Rangers players

Player

Market value

Vaclav Cerny

£7.6m

Mohamed Diomande

£5.9m

Nicolas Raskin

£5.5m

John Souttar

£3.8m

Cyriel Dessers

£3.4m

Hamza Igamane

£3.4m

Nedim Bajrami

£3.4m

Dujon Sterling

£3.4m

Jefte

£3.4m

Danilo

£3.4m

Valuations via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, Rangers only have two permanent players worth more than £3.8m in their entire squad, which illustrates how much they have struggled in the recruitment department in recent seasons.

These valuations look particularly unimpressive when you compare them to how much Celtic’s stars are currently worth, as the Hoops have created a far more valuable squad of players.

Celtic's most valuable players

Rodgers has a team full of incredibly highly-valued stars who have already won the League Cup, are on course to win the Premiership, and are in the semi-finals of the SFA Cup.

Market Movers

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Whilst Rangers do not have a single player who is worth more than £7.6m, the Bhoys have three players in their squad who are worth more than £10m and six stars who are worth more than £7.6m.

This illustrates the gulf in class between the two teams, which is – as aforementioned – further evidenced by their respective performances on the pitch this season – as the Hoops have far more valuable assets at their disposal.

Celtic’s most valuable players (excluding loanees)

24/25

Market value

Cameron Carter-Vickers

£11.6m

Arne Engels

£10.1m

Nicolas Kuhn

£10.1m

Daizen Maeda

£9.3m

Reo Hatate

£9.2m

Alistair Johnston

£8.4m

Jota

£7.6m

Auston Trusty

£6.3m

Greg Taylor

£5.5m

Callum McGregor

£5.5m

Stats via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, the board at Celtic have managed to assemble a team that is packed full of incredibly highly-valued stars, who could be sold on for big fees in the future.

They have managed to do that by dipping into the market to recruit talented young players at good prices, hoping to develop and sell them on for more.

Jota is one great example of that. The club signed him for £6.5m from Benfica on a permanent deal before selling him to Al-Ittihad for £25m one year later, only to sign him again – from Rennes – for £8m in January.

Celtic have also hit the jackpot on another electric winger, Nicolas Kuhn, whose value has skyrocketed during his time at Parkhead to date.

Celtic hit the jackpot with Nicolas Kuhn

The Scottish giants signed the German forward from Rapid Vienna at the start of last year for a reported fee of £3m, and he had a solid, but unspectacular, start to life in Glasgow.

Kuhn racked up three goals and three assists in 18 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops in the second half of the 2023/24 campaign, as the left-footed maestro got settled in to life in Scotland.

The 25-year-old star, who was described as “magical” by Rodgers in pre-season, had that initial period to adapt to Scottish football and he hit the ground running in his first full season at the club.

To date, Kuhn has scored 18 goals and provided 13 assists in 41 appearances in all competitions for Celtic, which shows that the forward has offered a consistent threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals on the right flank.

The former Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig academy talent has seen his value soar as a result of his exceptional performances on the pitch this season.

Nicolas Kuhn’s soaring value

Date

Market valuation

December 2023

£1.3m

January 2024

£3m reported fee

March 2024

£2.1m

October 2024

£2.5m

December 2024

£8.4m

March 2025

£10.1m

Valuations via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, Celtic may have ‘overpaid’ on paper at the time of his move to Parkhead, but they were buying him for the potential that they could unlock.

His soaring value over the subsequent 14 months or so proves that they hit the jackpot by paying £3m for his services, as he is now worth more than three times as much at the time of writing (16/03/2025).

The German sensation is now worth more than every single player in the Rangers squad, despite being signed for less than any of their top ten most valuable players at the start of last year.

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Therefore, Rodgers and the board hit the jackpot when they swooped to sign the mercurial playmaker from the Austrian top-flight last year, because he has been exceptional on the pitch and developed into a highly-valuable asset ahead of the summer.

da pixbet： Arsenal’s Premier League tussle with rivals Chelsea certainly isn’t one that will live long in the memory, with Mikel Merino’s inventive, first-half header proving the difference in what was a tetchy affair at the Emirates.

da stake casino： That rather lifeless meeting pitted two injury-hit teams against each other, although it was arguably only the Gunners who looked intent on securing victory, with the visitors rather resigned to their fate.

The Blues were without Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson, among others, although the hosts were without the likes of Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz, as Merino maintained his role as a makeshift centre-forward.

To the Spaniard’s credit, he has taken to that role in respectable fashion of late having also scored against PSV Eindhoven, alongside his brace against Leicester City, with Enzo Maresca perhaps in need of his own novel solution in the absence of Jackson.

Mikel Arteta must then be delighted to have seen his experiment pay off, although fielding the former Real Sociedad man in that attacking berth will likely be a short-term venture. A new centre-forward is a must this summer…

The latest on Arsenal's search for a striker

Not since the summer of 2022 have the Gunners forked out for a new number nine, albeit with even Gabriel Jesus not exactly an orthodox striker, having largely featured on the flanks during his time at Manchester City.

Arsenal’s top PL scorer by season (since 2015)

Season

Player

PL goals

2024/25*

Kai Havertz

9

2023/24

Bukayo Saka

16

2022/23

Martin Odegaard & Gabriel Martinelli

15

2021/22

Bukayo Saka

11

2020/21

Alexandre Lacazette

13

2019/20

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

22

2018/19

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

22

2017/18

Alexandre Lacazette

14

2016/17

Alexis Sanchez

24

2015/16

Olivier Giroud

16

Stats via Transfermarkt

Havertz, meanwhile, was initially signed to replace Granitz Xhaka in a left-sided number eight berth, and while he has scored 29 goals since for the north London side, that desire for a more prolific attacking figurehead has not abated.

Indeed, as reported by Football Insider, Arsenal are believed to be interested in signing Inter sensation, Marcus Thuram, this summer, having moved ahead of title rivals Liverpool in pursuit of the Frenchman.

Transfer Focus

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As per the report, the in-demand striker is believed to have a £71m release clause in his current contract which can be activated at the end of the season, albeit with the Serie A leaders currently trying to negotiate a new deal with the 27-year-old.

The Gunners would have to rival Chelsea and Liverpool for his signature, with the Reds seemingly viewing Thuram as a perfect replacement for Darwin Nunez, who could leave Anfield if a suitable offer arrives – according to the piece.

Whether Arteta and co can win that fight remains to be seen, although if the former Borussia Monchengladbach marksman does end up at the Emirates, he could represent the centre-forward solution that the club have been craving.

Arsenal could land the next Thierry Henry

Dipping into the Italian market has been a fruitful venture in the past for the Gunners, having notably plucked Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp from AC Milan and Inter, respectively, prior to the golden Arsene Wenger era.

That interest in recruiting from Serie A was also on show with the signing of the club’s all-time top scorer, Thierry Henry, with the legendary World Cup winner arriving from Juventus in 1999. The rest, as they say, is history.

While replicating the talents of arguably the Premier League’s greatest-ever player, as crowned by fans previously, is almost an impossible task, Thuram has shown qualities that parallel his compatriot.

The likeness between the pair was notably highlighted by Wenger, with the iconic Gunners boss stating in the past that one player who “reminds” him of Henry is Thuram, amid the striker’s fine form at Gladbach.

After scoring 44 goals in 134 games during his time with the Bundesliga side, the Parma-born forward has been a revelation since his free transfer switch to Milan in 2023, scoring 31 goals in 84 games for his current side, while registering 12 assists.

A player capable of operating through the middle or off the left, much like Henry, Thuram has scored 16 times in 38 games this season for Simone Inzaghi’s side, showcasing just why talent scout Jacek Kulig has described him as “an absolute beast” of a striker in the past.

With Thuram also interestingly noted as a statistically similar player to another leading Arsenal target, Alexander Isak, in relation to centre-forwards in Europe’s top five leagues, all the signs point to a summer move proving a successful one for the Gunners.

Having waited so long to get a new number nine in the door, there could be worse decisions than settling on Henry 2.0 – as long as Liverpool don’t get there first, that is.

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da cassino online： Tottenham Hotspur are doing the groundwork on a deal to sign an “exceptional” winger, who is now one of their key targets for the summer transfer window, according to a report.

Spurs set to strengthen in attack

da jogodeouro： It is clear Tottenham are keen on bringing in additional attacking options this summer, given that they have identified a number of potential targets in the striker department, recently stepping up their pursuit of Lille marksman Jonathan David, who is soon to be a free agent.

Arsenal are also linked with a move for David, and Spurs may also have to battle their rivals for the signature of Leeds United youngster Harry Gray, younger brother of Archie, with Premier League clubs queuing up to sign the impressive teenage striker.

Bringing in a new striker is of interest to Ange Postecoglou, and the manager also wants to refresh his wide options, with Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman being named as a potential signing earlier this month.

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Bayern manager Vincent Kompany is happy to offload Coman, which could make a deal easier to facilitate, but Tottenham may be more keen on an alternative option from much closer to home.

According to a report from GiveMeSport, Spurs are now doing the groundwork on a deal to sign Southampton winger Tyler Dibling, as they look to make a splash in the summer transfer window.

Dibling has now been identified as one of the Lilywhites’ key targets, with the 19-year-old beginning to look more likely to leave the Saints this summer, given that his side are almost certain to be relegated from the Premier League.

Postecoglou’s side could be trying to move ahead of the other clubs in the race for the starlet, who has previously been valued at £55m, with the likes of Manchester United and Crystal Palace also named as potential suitors.

Dibling excelling despite Saints' struggles

It has been a season to forget for Southampton, who are still not safe from the ignominy of recording the lowest-ever Premier League points total, having collected just nine points from 29 games.

However, Dibling has still managed to impress at times, chalking up four goals and two assists in all competitions, in what has been a real breakthrough season for the youngster.

The Exeter-born winger has also managed to impress when he hasn’t been on the scoresheet, being lauded as “exceptional” and a “joy to watch” by reporter Ryan Taylor, following an excellent showing against Manchester United back in September.

It would be a difficult task for any player to stand out in such a poor side, but some of Dibling’s performances this season indicate he deserves another chance in the Premier League next season, and it will be interesting to see how he fares in a better team.

da jogodeouro： Celtic could be in the market for a new forward this summer and have now landed an unexpected boost with an ex-striker keen on a Parkhead return, according to a report.

Celtic prepare for a summer of movement in both directions

da esoccer bet： Brendan Rodgers is enjoying a brilliant second spell in Glasgow and could end the campaign with a fifth trophy from six attempts if his side see off Aberdeen this Saturday in the Scottish Cup final.

The Scottish Premiership title was lifted last weekend, and was accompanied by the Premier Sports Cup late last year after an intense penalty shootout victory over Rangers at Hampden.

While suspense dominates ahead of their latest outing at the national stadium, Celtic are expected to be busy in the market and have identified several targets to strengthen during the off-season.

Kieran Tierney is on his way back to Scotland and Celtic Park this summer after already reaching a pre-contract agreement with the Hoops when his contract at Arsenal expires.

He could be joined at Parkhead by Tyrhys Dolan, should the Blackburn Rovers winger decide he wants to seek a new challenge away from Ewood Park.

On the same token, Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller is a target for Celtic and could be thrust into the limelight if Reo Hatate chooses to leave the club this summer after three-and-a-half years in Glasgow.

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From the sound of things, plenty of work is going on in the background to make the reigning Scottish champions an even more competitive force by the time pre-season comes to an end at Lennoxtown.

However, Celtic supporters may be intrigued by recent developments ahead of the window opening for business after a former star striker admitted he would love to return to the club after Tierney.

Giorgios Giakoumakis open to sensational Celtic return

Speaking to The Daily Record, Cruz Azul striker Giorgios Giakoumakis has admitted he would love a return to Celtic after a successful spell at the club that yielded three trophies.

He stated: “You want to set the fire? I would love to play for Celtic again. I don’t know if that’s a utopia or if it could happen again – but who wouldn’t?

“Even if you don’t know what it feels like to be there, when you’ve already been there, you know exactly what it means.”

Giorgios Giakoumakis at Celtic

Appearances

57

Goals

26

Assists

2

Later, he added when asked what it would be like to play in front of the Celtic supporters again: “Oh my God. That would be like an amazing dream. It would be amazing.”

In a career that has seen Giakoumakis become something of a high-profile journeyman, he has registered 118 senior goals for club and country, featuring at clubs in nations such as the Netherlands, Greece and the United States.

Truthfully, it is hard to know at this point whether there would be interest from Celtic, or the scope financially, to bring him back to Parkhead. However, he was a popular figure in Glasgow and is still revered by many supporters, so the saying ‘never say never’ would apply to this particular case.

da lvbet： Manchester United were beaten on Friday night. Again. That’s 18 Premier League defeats for the Red Devils this season, whose one chance of a reprieve lies in Bilbao, Spain, next week.

da spicy bet： On Wednesday, Ruben Amorim’s side will have the chance to secure Champions League football next season by defeating similarly beleaguered Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.

Neither side’s domestic campaign warrants a place among Europe’s elite next year, but United have always had a knack for clawing their way toward silverware, even throughout the dreary post-Sir Alex Ferguson years, who stepped down at the end of the 2012/13 season with one more league trophy under the belt.

Man United – Titles won since 2014

Competition

No. of Titles

FA Cup

2x (15/16, 23/24)

League Cup

2x (16/17, 22/23)

Community Shield

2x (13/14, 16/17)

Europa League

1x (16/17)

Sourced via Transfermarkt

Winning the Europa League is crucial. Man United are 16th in the Premier League and need to find a route out of this mess. Especially when securing a place at the continent’s highest level next year could be the definitive factor in determining Bruno Fernandes’ future.

The latest on Bruno Fernandes' future

Fernandes, 30, has been Manchester United’s peerless leader over the past several years, the best performer of a rotten bunch but one who can hold their head high all the same, and that has attracted interest from elsewhere, as recently reported by Fabrizio Romano.

He’s clinched 19 goals and 19 assists apiece this season, with Amorim even claiming the Portugal star is the “perfect captain” for the Old Trafford side, labelling him a “legend.”

But with interest from the Saudi Pro League, it’s crucial that a positive end to the season is secured. United can’t afford to lose their playmaker, their leader, their main influencer.

INEOS are, however, gearing up to sign a successor, one who hopefully will be able to learn from the Magnifico over the next few years.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz may be out of United’s reach, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich locked in a battle for the lucrative ten, but a degree of shrewdness has been shown in United preparing to move for a much cheaper, yet just as exciting, star.

Man United enter talks for sought-after star

According to Caught Offside, Man United have been approached by Rayan Cherki’s agents as intrigue in the Lyon man ramps up ahead of the summer window.

Many clubs are interested in the artful playmaker, but it’s felt that Liverpool and United are showing the most concrete interest at this stage. as they chase a deal for the France U21 international.

Liverpool are big admirers, but their vested interest in Wirtz means United have a golden opportunity to advance discussions with Cherki’s camp and seal a deal promptly.

Reports from earlier this month have even suggested the 21-year-old could be available for a cut-price £25m fee, his Lyon contract about to enter its final year.

What Rayan Cherki would bring to Man United

Cherki has been in fine fettle this season, and no mistake. Across 43 fixtures in all competitions, the wily Frenchman has scored 12 goals and laid on 19 further assists in all competitions.

It’s worth mentioning that Wirtz might be outscoring him with 16 goals, but Cherki’s creativity is wedged at a higher level than the Die Werkself man, who has claimed 16 assists, highlighting just how talented he is.

When looking at his league metrics this year against Wirtz’s, you begin to see why United are so keen on getting a transfer wrapped up quickly.

League Stats 24/25 – Rayan Cherki vs Florian Wirtz

Stats (* per game)

Cherki

Wirtz

Matches (starts)

29 (21)

30 (24)

Goals

8

10

Assists

10

12

Shots (on target)*

1.4 (0.7)

2.5 (1.2)

Big chances missed

1

7

Pass completion

84%

82%

Big chances created

21

17

Key passes*

2.4

1.9

Dribbles*

1.5

2.7

Ball recoveries*

2.8

3.6

Tackles + interceptions*

0.7

1.4

Duels won*

3.2

5.3

All stats via Sofascore

Lyon’s star boy has created 21 big chances from just 29 Ligue 1 matches this year, also averaging three dribbles every two games. Cherki might not be quite so combative or active in the duel, but he’s hardly given a poor account of himself.

For a United side that has suffered from colourless attacking play at times this term, this could be a real treat for Amorim next year. Moreover, he’s only missed one big chance in the league, scoring eight times, which further denotes his suitability, so clinical when afforded a chance.

Former Arsenal defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles, speaking to BBC Sport, waxed lyrical about his Lyon teammate. “He is the best natural talent I’ve ever seen. An absolute master, a wizard with the ball.”

It’s the kind of flair Man United need to restore the attacking fluency that has been absent all year long. As per FBref, Cherki ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 2% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes, the top 4% for passes attempted and the top 12% for successful take-ons per 90.

It’s an almighty demonstration of his elite-level quality, so much so that FBref’s data-driven algorithm has revealed Wirtz is one of his most statistically comparable players.

Given the financial restrictions at Old Trafford, compounding the need for signings across many positions, it’s unlikely Sir Jim Ratcliffe would green-light a deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s man, with the current transfer interest from Liverpool, City, and Bayern revealing demands of a €150m (£126m) fee.

Cherki, who may well come at over £100m cheaper than the German star, would provide the same flair and gusto. He might not be as refined or indeed potent, but Amorim could nurture him to the fore and shape him into such a player in the coming years.

The Athletic’s Alex Barker has made the bold claim that Cherki could be a “future Ballon d’Or winner,” and if he manages to steady the ship at the Theatre of Dreams, he’d have taken a strong step closer to achieving that lofty goal.

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da esport bet： Leeds United are set for a massive summer in the transfer market as they aim to make themselves a competitive outfit in the Premier League ahead of the 2025/26 season.

da doce： Daniel Farke led the side to the Championship title this campaign after achieving a staggering total of 100 points, ending their two-year stint in England’s second division.

However, the real test starts now for the German, looking to avoid relegation from the top flight, something which he’s been unable to do with his previous attempts with Norwich City.

If he is to achieve such a feat, the board will need to back him heavily this summer, with a £100m spending spree mooted around Yorkshire over the last couple of days.

With the transfer window rapidly approaching, the board have already made plans for potential additions, with one name already emerging as a key target for the summer.

The latest on Leeds’ pursuit of James McAtee

In recent days, Manchester City star James McAtee has remerged on Leeds’ shortlist after previously being a target on loan ahead of the 2024/25 season.

The 22-year-old has impressed within Pep Guardiola’s squad this campaign, registering seven goals in his 27 appearances throughout the current campaign.

With his deal set to expire in 2026, the Whites have been touted as a potential destination for the youngster, but could face competition from the likes of Nottingham Forest and Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

A report from the Yorkshire Evening Post claims that Farke’s side have made an enquiry to sign the youngster this summer, but any deal would set the hierarchy back around £25m.

However, despite the links to the English star, the club already have a talent whose worth more than McAtee – showcasing the impressive recruitment conducted by the club in recent years.

The Leeds star who’s now worth more than McAtee

Over the last couple of seasons, Leeds have recruited well in the market, undoubtedly playing a massive role in their success they’ve endured this campaign.

Ethan Ampadu joined for just £7m from Chelsea back in the summer of 2023, now looking to be a bargain given his success in the side – registering 86 appearances in his two years at the club.

The Welsh international has even taken the captain’s armband during Farke’s reign, highlighting the impressive development he’s made at Elland Road since his switch.

He’s not the only person to exceed expectations, with winger Wilfried Gnonto thriving in Yorkshire over the last couple of years after his £3.8m transfer from FC Zurich in the summer of 2022.

The Italian has since made huge strides in the professional game, registering over 100 appearances for the club – producing numerous moments of magic in such a time period.

He’s managed to find the net on 22 occasions, including one of the goals against Plymouth Argyle on the final day – securing the club the Championship title as a result.

Such performances have seen him linked with huge moves away from the club in recent years, with Everton just one of the sides interested in his signature as of late.

Wilfried Gnonto’s stats for Leeds United in the Championship (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

43

Goals & assists

15

Pass accuracy

82%

Successful dribbles

1.7

Touches in opposition box

5.5

Chances created

1.8

Shots taken

3.2

Stats via FotMob

Interest isn’t the only thing that has occurred as a result of his displays, with his market value taking a sharp upturn – now with millions more than the fee they paid for his signature.

Gnonto, who’s been labelled “monster” by one analyst, is now valued at £19.5m by FootballTransfers, an increase of over 410% since he moved to Yorkshire.

Such a value is higher than that of McAtee, who’s valued at just £15m – further highlighting the impressive work done behind the scenes over the last few seasons.

A deal for McAtee is certainly one that would bolster the attacking department at Elland Road, that’s if his goal tally from 2024/25 is anything to go by.

However, a repeat of a deal for Gnonto showcases that bargains are still there to be had in the current climate, with any subsequent deal banking the club a hefty profit in the years ahead.

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