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Nottingham Forest’s summer transfer window has sprung into life after a tentative start that left manager Nuno Espírito Santo frustrated.

Following a campaign in which Forest looked destined for the Champions League, they won just one of the final five matches and ultimately finished seventh.

However, they will play in the Europa League next season following Crystal Palace’s demotion to the Conference League after an unsuccessful appeal to CAS.

As the club continues to build a squad capable of competing on all four fronts, they have signed the likes of Dan Ndoye, Igor Jesus, Jair Cunha, James McAtee, Omari Hutchinson, and Arnaud Kalimuendo.

Alongside these additions, Forest are close to finalising a new contract with Callum Hudson-Odoi and are actively pursuing Manchester City’s Rico Lewis.

After opening the season with a 3-1 win over Brentford at the City Ground, Forest now turn their attention to a trip to Selhurst Park to face Palace next Sunday.

Forest closing in on a major midfield signing

The team’s summer activity demonstrates a clear intent to add depth and quality across the pitch.

Amid these moves, one deal in particular has captured attention, as Forest edge closer to signing a midfielder whose Premier League pedigree and technical qualities could make him a transformative addition.

Transfer Focus

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

Italian outlet Gazetta reports that Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz is eager to return to the Premier League.

Personal terms with the player are already reportedly agreed, with only a deal between the clubs remaining.

Juventus, meanwhile, are hoping to recover as much of the £42m they spent on Luiz as possible, as the move would likely allow them to bring back Randal Kolo Muani to Turin after a successful loan spell last season.

Everton and West Ham have also been linked with the midfielder, but Forest appear to have emerged as frontrunners with Gazetta noting that ‘Luiz is increasingly close to Nottingham Forest.’

What Luiz could bring to Nottingham Forest

Luiz’s time in Turin hasn’t been without its challenges.

He has struggled to establish himself as a regular under Igor Tudor and predecessor Thiago Motta, making only six league starts and 841 minutes last season, ranking 19th in minutes among Juventus players.

He played just 45 minutes at the Club World Cup, missed 20 games due to injury, and went without a goal or assist in 27 appearances.

Off the pitch, his behaviour raised concerns at Juventus, with the player fined for failing to report to pre-season training on the first day.

Despite these setbacks, Luiz remains a highly regarded talent.

John McGinn has previously described him as “world-class,” reflecting the midfielder’s ability to influence matches with his passing, energy, and positional intelligence.

For Forest, his addition would bolster midfield options, providing both defensive solidity and a progressive outlet capable of linking play and driving attacks.

Luiz brings a blend of defensive discipline and forward-thinking qualities, making him a player well-suited to complement Morgan Gibbs-White in Forest’s midfield.

While Gibbs-White thrives in more advanced and creative positions – ranking in the 80th percentile for progressive passes per 90, 91st percentile for passes into the final third, and 89th percentile for through balls – Luiz offers balance, energy, and control in deeper areas.

Looking back at his Premier League season with Aston Villa in 2023/24, Luiz averaged 3.92 shot-creating actions per 90 and 71.27 passes attempted per 90, with an 85.7% pass completion rate.

He contributed defensively with 1.74 tackles per 90, including 0.81 in the midfield third, and 0.96 blocks per 90, while completing 2.15 progressive carries and 5.49 progressive passes per 90.

His dribbling also remained effective, with 1.40 successful take-ons per 90, illustrating his willingness to drive forward into attacking areas.

At Juventus, despite limited minutes, Luiz’s technical output remained solid.

He ranked fifth for passing accuracy (89.5%) and fifth for successful dribble rate (72.2%) while creating three big chances.

These figures underline a midfielder who, when fit and motivated, can dominate possession, break lines, and protect the backline effectively.

Forest’s interest in Luiz aligns with their broader strategy of strengthening key areas of the pitch to compete in Europe.

A midfield pairing with Gibbs-White would combine creativity and forward momentum with structure, energy, and defensive awareness.

Gibbs-White excels at linking the attack with 4.09 passes into the final third per 90 and 0.64 through balls per 90, while Luiz provides the platform to maintain balance and cover the team defensively.

The move also represents a statement from Forest’s hierarchy.

By pursuing a player with international experience and Premier League familiarity, the club are signalling their ambition, not just domestically but also in European competition.

Luiz’s signing would complement the arrivals of Mctee, Hutchinson, Kalimuendo, and others, providing a midfield capable of both resilience and progression in possession.

If completed, the deal could be transformative. Luiz has proven he can perform in the Premier League, while his physical and technical qualities provide the versatility that Forest will need across multiple competitions.

He may have struggled for game time at Juventus, but the potential impact at Forest is clear: pairing his energy, passing, and defensive intelligence with Gibbs-White’s creativity could allow Nuno’s side to dominate the midfield, link defence and attack seamlessly, and compete more consistently in the Premier League and Europa League.

More exciting than McAtee: Nottingham Forest in talks to sign £30m star

Nottingham Forest could secure a signing that’s even more exciting than James McAtee.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 18, 2025

Liverpool's £125 million recruit was outshone by his fellow forward as the Reds claimed a 2-1 win over Everton in the Merseyside derby. Alexander Isak had to make do with a spot on the bench and, for the time being, he may have to play second fiddle to the on-fire Hugo Ekitike, who found the back of the net once again.

Arne Slot's side ensured they scored for the 39th successive Premier League game in a row when Ryan Gravenberch magnificently volleyed in Mohamed Salah's lofted cross into the box in the 10th minute for his second of the campaign. The current kings of late winners seemed intent on not requiring a grandstand finish, and they doubled their lead just before the half-hour mark when Gravenberch fed Ekitike, who swept home for his fourth goal of the season.

The hosts started the second half in scrappy fashion, and in the 58th minute, they were punished when Idrissa Gueye rocketed a strike into the top corner from 12 yards. Everton pushed hard but Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League as they managed the game well in the final minutes, limiting the Toffees to half chances.

GOAL rates Liverpool's players from Anfield…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Alisson (7/10):

  The Brazilian was actually the busier of the two goalkeepers despite Liverpool securing all three points. He stood up well to what came his way.

  Conor Bradley (5/10):

  Whenever Jack Grealish moved a muscle, the Northern Ireland international was all over him like a rash. But the Manchester City loanee made it difficult for him and lost him for Everton's goal.

  Ibrahima Konate (7/10):

  Has had a difficult start to the season as speculation rumbles on about his Liverpool future but the France international put in a competent display at the back.

  Virgil van Dijk (7/10):

  The Liverpool captain was dependable as ever in defence and largely kept Beto and Thierno Barry in check.

  Milos Kerkez (7/10):

  Came back into the starting lineup after Andrew Robertson was preferred in Liverpool's 3-2 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid, and it felt like he had a point to prove. Didn't give much away in defence and got forward nicely, too.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Midfield

  Ryan Gravenberch (8/10):

  The Dutchman scored an early goal of the season contender with a terrific first-time finish, and then threaded a well-weighted pass to Ekitike to make it 2-0. His sweeping up work at the back was important and his attacking contributions were superb.

  Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):

  The reliably-consistent Argentine was still solid in the middle of the pitch, but he couldn't do much when the game got away from Liverpool early in the second half.

  Dominik Szoboszlai (5/10):

  The midfielder had some nice lmoments but at times the game can pass him by. He can't score worldies every game.

• AFP
  

  Attack

  Mohamed Salah (7/10):

  Was so close to scoring a wonderful curled effort, not long after beautifully assisting Gravenberch. The 33-year-old seems to have a bit more zip about him at the moment.

  Hugo Ekitike (8/10):

  The summer signing is proving to be absolutely lethal in front of goal, and his link-up play outside the box continues to be valuable.

  Cody Gakpo (6/10):

  Much like Liverpool, was effective in the first half but less so in the second and was hooked around the hour mark.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Subs & Manager

  Florian Wirtz (6/10):

  Showed glimpses of his quality but is arguably not doing enough to justify his huge £116m transfer fee.

  Curtis Jones (7/10):

  Gave Liverpool a bit more control in midfield when he came on.

  Alexander Isak (6/10):

  Does add an extra bit of quality but may struggle to usurp Ekitike from the starting line-up for a while.

  Arne Slot (7/10):

  His side started the game in impressive fashion and deservedly went two goals up. But the Dutchman will be disappointed with how his team conceded again and still seemed to be in the changing room for a big chunk of the second period.

Liverpool’s summer transfer window continues to be a spectacle, with the Premier League champions looking to close several deals before the end of the month after welcoming a series of high-class players to Arne Slot’s squad already.

The likes of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike combined gorgeously against Crystal Palace at Wembley, and despite Liverpool losing the Community Shield, the attacking potential crackled between the two up-and-coming superstars.

Even so, FSG are determined to add another striker to Liverpool’s ranks, with a bid ongoing for Newcastle United talisman Alexander Isak, whose relationship with the St. James’ Park side appears well and truly broken.

However, Liverpool are also looking to sign a centre-back, and that might even be a more pressing area of concern for the Merseysiders. Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi appears to be the first-choice target, but he’s not the only one on the radar.

The latest on Liverpool's transfer plans

Whether Liverpool manage to pull off the signing of Isak remains to be seen, but the Magpies are stricken by the striker’s stance and a deal, while more and more probable, won’t be easy to seal.

But Liverpool are focused on strengthening in defence, too, where the likes of Guehi and Parma’s Giovanni Leoni are the most noteworthy targets.

Yet, their shortlist doesn’t stop there.

According to Spanish reports, Liverpool have quietly entered the race for Ronald Araujo, who might be free to leave Barcelona this summer in the case of a compelling offer.

La Blaugrana’s ongoing financial worries could see an offer accepted for the Uruguayan centre-back, with the whispers in Spain suggesting Liverpool are preparing a bid in the region of €60m (about £51m).

Why Liverpool should sign Ronald Araujo

Though Guehi has been Liverpool’s top target to bolster Slot’s central defence this summer, Araujo is just now emerging as an option, and he might be the better pick.

Hailed as “one of the best defenders in the world” by Barcelona legend Carlos Puyol, Araujo has played a crucial role for the La Liga giants across his career so far, twice winning the top-flight title and bagging two Copa del Rey trophies too.

FSG may be putting their vested efforts into signing Isak, and will hopefully get that one over the line, but it wasn’t bluntness in attack that raised concerns during the season’s curtain-raiser at Wembley.

Instead, their defence is now undoubtedly the biggest issue for Slot and Co. Virgil van Dijk flattered to deceive in the capital, and though he’s one of the finest centre-backs of his generation, the error-strewn display raised the unwonted question as to the Dutchman’s smoothness and control in the rearguard.

That’s not to mention Joe Gomez’s injury, Jarell Quansah’s exit and Ibou Konate’s uncertain future. Putting it bluntly, the Reds need a defender more than they need a striker.

For this reason, signing a player of Araujo’s standing is a job of paramount importance for Hughes and co, especially when considering he might be an even better player than Crystal Palace’s Guehi.

Goals scored

0.09

0.12

Assists

0.06

0.12

Shot-creating actions

1.29

1.43

Touches

62.70

95.25

Pass completion

83.5%

91.9%

Progressive passes

3.94

5.85

Progressive carries

0.65

0.72

Successful take-ons

0.35

0.00

Tackles + interceptions

2.62

2.51

Clearances

4.80

2.98

Aerials won

2.00

3.94

It’s worth noting the vast difference in aerial ability between Guehi and Araujo, the latter of whom is considered to be a “monster” by analyst Raj Chohan and “one of the best in the world” by Barca boss Hansi Flick too. In this way, he could replace Liverpool’s ageing skipper both physically and from a leadership perspective.

That’s not to say that Guehi, who has captained Palace to two titles, isn’t a standout leader in his own right, but merely showcases a similar strength to Araujo’s game, alongside his remarkable technical skills and ferocious athleticism.

Van Dijk’s performance at Wembley left plenty to be desired, and with that in mind, it’s clear that a title-winning defender of Araujo’s ability could prove the perfect signing to close out the summer transfer window, maybe even proving to be even more important than getting Isak’s signature over the line.

While the Sweden striker, who scored 27 times last season, is regarded as one of the best forwards in world football, Liverpool feel they have hit the jackpot on Ekitike, who bagged on his debut.

Signing a central defender presents a more pressing concern, and if Liverpool are in with a shout of signing Araujo this month, he might just turn out to be the club’s most significant piece of business.

A dream partner for Isak: Liverpool in discussions to sign £87m winger

Liverpool could add one or two forward to Arne Slot’s frontline this month.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 12, 2025

Lucas Paqueta has been put through the wringer over the past few years, but there is light at the end of the tunnel for the West Ham United midfielder, having been cleared of wrongdoing in an FA betting scandal.

The spot-fixing charges pinned against the Brazil international would have had a ruinous effect on his career, had he failed to clear his name.

The 27-year-old can now turn his focus back to his football, and it’s a good thing too, for he struggled to capture his previous form under David Moyes last term, patently distracted by the off-field issues.

Graham Potter’s controlled, technical game aligns perfectly with the style of Paqueta, who has been described in the past as a “magician” by journalist Robbie Mustoe.

But he could do with some extra creative help in the middle of the park, and Potter is lining up a new dance partner.

West Ham in talks for new midfielder

Potter has welcomed Kyle Walker-Peters and El Hadji Malick Diouf to the Hammers ranks this summer, but after losing Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham Hotspur for a £55m fee, more is needed across the midfield and attack.

Transfer Focus

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

Well, according to GIVEMESPORT, West Ham have pitched their proposal to Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey, who is weighing up his options after falling down the pecking order in Unai Emery’s system.

Villa don’t particularly want to cash in on their homegrown product, but it’s felt that a bid of £40m would seal the deal.

Tottenham also have a long-standing interest in the versatile Englishman.

What Jacob Ramsey would bring to West Ham

Paqueta’s struggles make the perfect comment on how bad patches of form can affect any player. But class is permanent, and Ramsey could join the South American in leaping back into the ascendancy if signing for West Ham.

Still playing for his boyhood club, Ramsey has featured 167 times for the men’s team, though the past few years have indeed been testing and it might be the right time for him to jump ship and try his hand elsewhere.

A resurgence may yet be on the cards; Ramsey was regarded as one of the finest talents in English football when he burst onto the scene, journalist Charles Watts singling out his “special” quality.

West Ham are happy to give him that chance. Energetic, creative and a confident dribbler, there’s a lot to like, with Sofascore recording that the 24-year-old created five big chances in the Premier League last season, also completing 66% of his dribbles and winning 59% of his duels.

But that’s not to say that Ramsey doesn’t have the potential to become a standout in the Premier League and a regular in Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions squad, with Statman Dave once claiming the attacking midfielder is capable of “magic” things on the ball.

24/25

29 (19)

1

3

23/24

16 (8)

1

1

22/23

35 (31)

6

7

21/22

34 (29)

6

1

20/21

22 (6)

0

0

The past two campaigns have been frustrating on an individual level for Ramsey, with injuries and consequent slides in form leading to a more peripheral role, but along with Paqueta, who also has a flair for shifting between the left wing and a central midfield berth, Potter could create something special indeed.

The South American playmaker spent the lion’s share of the 2024/25 campaign in central areas, and Potter will likely seek to retain that next year, especially with Ramsey charging up and down the wing, latching onto Paqueta’s passes.

Ramsey might not be the flashiest name out there, but he could bloom into a superstar yet, and West Ham might look back at this one as a shrewd bargain, should he sign this summer.

Potter's new Bissouma: West Ham accelerate move for "outstanding" £20m star

West Ham want to sign at least one midfielder this summer

1 ByJoe Nuttall Aug 1, 2025

Celtic find themselves linked with several options in the hunt for a striker, but further movement to address their forward line may depend on outgoings, according to a report.

Celtic's mission to retain Daizen Maeda this summer

For the first time in a while, Celtic have an abundance of striking options, albeit it is hard to determine whether they have the quality that Brendan Rodgers requires to navigate another campaign where his side will hope to compete on multiple fronts.

Callum Osmand, Johnny Kenny, Adam Idah, and incoming new boy Shin Yamada have added variety in the final third. Still, there is no doubt that reflections on the summer window would be vastly altered if Daizen Maeda were to depart before the close of play.

Despite operating on the wing for most of his time in Glasgow, the Japan international played centrally on a frequent basis last season and rounded off a magnificent campaign with 33 goals across all competitions.

It always felt unlikely that he would last the duration of the market period without drawing attention, which has been the case amid interest from Leeds United, Brentford and others in his situation, albeit this came earlier on in proceedings.

Fenerbache have also been cited as admirers of Maeda and were known to be in the running. However, like many of Celtic’s high-profile departures, they tend to occur towards the end of the transfer window when clubs begin to realise they need to conduct business fast.

Medical set for "impressive" star to join Celtic after departure announced

The Bhoys are closing in on another signing.

BySean Markus Clifford Jul 17, 2025

The Bhoys generally follow a similar policy regarding new additions. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see this topic of conversation come to life again over the next few weeks, and reports suggest this saga may be far from complete.

Celtic line up potential contingency if Daizen Maeda were to depart

According to TEAMtalk, Celtic have set their sights on Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone as a potential replacement for Maeda, should the latter succumb to interest later in the window.

Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and West Ham United are reportedly monitoring his situation, while Brentford are clued in following their early groundwork on his unique profile.

Daizen Maeda in 2024/25 – all competitions

Appearances

51

Goals

33

Assists

12

Richard Kone in 2024/25 – all competitions

Appearances

52

Goals

21

Assists

5

Turning to the market, Celtic have identified Kone as a potential source of goals to replicate Maeda and scouted him on three occasions last season, even if a deal may prove tricky amid Wycombe’s stance on letting the Ivorian head elsewhere.

Setting out their stall, the third-tier outfit could demand £7 million for the Ivorian striker, which is said to be a figure the Bhoys are unwilling to pay unless they were to utilise funds generated by sales.

Brentford, Crystal Palace, Norwich City, Toulouse and Union Saint-Gilloise have been enticed by Kone, who managed to direct 40 of his 99 shots on target last season in League One.

Plates are beginning to spin for Celtic, but it is fair to say a fair level of complication stands in the way of being able to land the prolific 22-year-old, who has been labelled someone with a ‘huge amount of potential’ by West Ham insider ExWHUEmployee amid the Hammers’ interest in him.

Liverpool’s attacking unit has been truly frightening this season, undoubtedly playing a massive role in their ability to claim the Premier League title in 2024/25.

Mohamed Salah was undoubtedly the shining light in such a department, netting 29 goals and registering 18 assists in his 38 outings for Arne Slot’s men.

Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz shared the responsibility on the left-hand side, with the aforementioned duo netting 23 goals between them in the league.

However, the one complaint was with the centre-forward position, with the Reds needing an elite-level talisman to further increase their chances of retaining their crown next time around.

With Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota both touted with moves away from Anfield, the hierarchy may have funds to play with, allowing Slot to get his hands on the star striker he greatly desires.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for a new striker this summer

Alexander Isak has been the dream option over the last couple of months for Liverpool, but his £150m asking price has scuppered any chances of landing the Swede’s signature this window.

Viktor Gyokeres is another name who’s been mentioned with a move to Merseyside, but like Isak, a deal looks unlikely after claiming he’s keen on a move to Arsenal.

Such situations have led the Reds to other targets, with RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko the latest talent in their sights, according to journalist James Wathland.

He claims that the hierarchy have already made contact with the Slovenian’s representatives over a move to Anfield, with Arsenal also in the race for his signature.

It’s also been reported that the player himself would be keen on a move to join Slot’s side, potentially moving to the Premier League off the back of a 21-goal campaign in Germany.

Why Sesko would be a better signing than Ekitike for Liverpool

In recent days, Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitiké has been a man in demand, with numerous Premier League clubs registering interest in a move for the forward this summer.

Liverpool are just one side in the race, with Manchester United and Chelsea just two of the sides battling it out for his signature during the off-season.

His tally of 22 goals across all competitions in 2024/25 makes the interest no surprise, with the Frenchman potentially able to be the number nine the Reds have been hunting for.

However, if they are to agree a move with the 22-year-old, they would have to fork out a fee in the region of £84m, potentially being a deal worth walking away from.

Should they decide to move onto other targets once more, Sesko should be their number one target to fill the void, with the striker being labelled the “new Erling Haaland” by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

He possesses a very similar frame to the Norwegian, whilst also having a lethal strike, which has seen him score numerous long-range efforts during his time in Germany.

The 21-year-old is also a huge threat in the air, similar to that of the Manchester City star, with Sesko potentially being the final piece in Slot’s Liverpool puzzle.

When comparing his stats to those of Ekitike this campaign, he may have scored fewer goals, but has managed a better goal per shot on target rate – handing the club the clinical option they’ve been hunting for.

He’s also dominated aerially, winning more of the aerial duels he’s entered throughout 2024/25, with his skillset allowing for a focal point for the likes of Salah, Diaz and Gakpo to play off.

Whilst both players would likely improve the options currently at the manager’s disposal, it’s pivotal that the Reds pursue a move for Sesko over Ekitike, with his stats backing up why he’d be a more effective option.

Should he manage to follow in Haaland’s footsteps in England, it would be a bargain regardless of the price tag, handing the club the added threat in their pursuit of back-to-back league titles.

Perfect for Isak: Liverpool told £75m bid for PL star will be accepted

Liverpool may need to sign a new left-sided forward this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 14, 2025

Bangladesh needed to chase down the target of 116 in 12.1 overs, but didn’t seem to push hard enough considering a place in the semi-finals was at stake

Mohammad Isam25-Jun-20241:53

Tamim: ‘Bangladesh should’ve gone for the chase’

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said his team gave up pushing for a place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals after they lost three wickets in the first three overs of their chase against Afghanistan in Kingstown.After restricting Afghanistan to 115 for 5 in the final Super Eight game, Bangladesh needed to win in 12.1 overs to go ahead of Afghanistan and Australia on net run rate and qualify for the semi-finals from Group 1 along with India.”The plan was to try [to win in 12.1 overs] if we get a good start in the powerplay,” Shanto said after the match. “We thought that if we don’t lose early wickets, we could take the chance [to go for the semi-finals]. When we lost three wickets, we had a different plan. We wanted to see how we could win the game. The middle-order didn’t take good enough decisions, which is why we lost the game today.”Bangladesh slipped to 23 for 3 in 2.5 overs and their subsequent slowdown sparked outrage among their fans, who could not fathom such an approach from a team that had a chance to qualify for the semi-finals.Former captain Mashrafe Mortaza said in a post on Facebook that Bangladesh shouldn’t have thought about merely winning against Afghanistan. “Litton’s intent and the non-strikers’ silence suggests that there was no clear message for the batting unit. Even if there was a message, it changed every one or two overs. It ended up with the decision to try to just win the game.”Today should have been just about winning in 12.1 overs. There was no other way of thinking. Everyone would have understood if they got bowled out for 50. If we had won this game, we would have lost to our conscience. This was not like ten other matches. We could have made history today.”Related

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Gulbadin Naib's apparent cramp comes under scrutiny

Afghanistan storm into maiden World Cup semi-finals; Australia knocked out

Rashid: Semi-final is 'massive inspiration for youngsters' back home

Bangladesh were in the hunt at 75 for 5 at the end of the ninth over. Towhid Hridoy had struck Mohammad Nabi for two fours in the eighth over before Litton Das hit Rashid Khan for two more fours in the ninth. Forty-three runs to get in 3.1 overs was tough but not impossible, but then Mahmudullah played out a Noor Ahmad over with five dot balls and just one attacking shot that yielded a boundary. Rashid took two wickets in the 11th over to end Bangladesh’s chances of progressing to the semi-finals.”We wanted to win the match. It was the initial plan,” Shanto said. “When we saw 115 runs on the board, we had a plan to win in 12.1 overs. The batting group made a lot of poor decisions. It is frustrating and disappointing. We wanted to win this game. We had the chance in our grasp. We couldn’t take it.”Litton remained unbeaten on 54, carrying his bat as Bangladesh were bowled out for 105 in the 18th over to confirm Afghanistan’s place in the semi-finals at Australia’s expense.Bangladesh had made another tactical blunder by holding back Hridoy, arguably their best batter in this T20 World Cup, to No 6. Sending in out-of-form batters like Soumya Sarkar over Hridoy was costly but Shanto said the team wanted to have a left-right combination in the middle. “We mixed up the batting order because we wanted to keep left-right combination. There was Litton in one end. They had a lot of variations in their bowling. Everyone was clear, they knew we would do this.”Bangladesh’s net run rate situation need not have been this dire had they shown more urgency in their previous Super Eight game against India. Chasing 197 on a good batting pitch in Antigua, Bangladesh had managed only 146 for 8 in response. Tamim Iqbal, an expert for ESPNcricinfo, and Shakib Al Hasan had criticised the team’s attitude and tactics, dropping Taskin Ahmed to not showing intent in the powerplay.”We gave our 100% against India,” Shanto said after Bangladesh’s loss to Afghanistan. “We picked the extra spinner in Mahedi, who bowled well. We should have scored a few more runs on that wicket [in Antigua]. We didn’t utilise it properly. The scenario would have been different had we batted better [against India].”Shanto signed off by apologising to the Bangladesh fans for letting them down. His last word at the press conference in St Vincent was “sorry”. Bangladesh’s fans, however, deserve more than a perfunctory ‘sorry’ from their captain and the team management.

Glasgow Rangers need to change their transfer strategy if they wish to compete domestically next season.

Celtic will wrap up their fourth successive Premiership title soon, and if the Light Blues don’t change things this summer, the drought could go on for much longer.

Of course, much will depend on who becomes the new manager of the Ibrox side this summer as Barry Ferguson’s interim spell looks set to end in a few weeks.

Last summer, Philippe Clement signed players such as Hamza Igamane, Clinton Nsiala, and Jefte. This trio could potentially make the club plenty of money when the time to cash in arrives.

Signing a few experienced squad members is still important this summer, but the vast majority of transfer business should be focused on those who are yet to hit their peak.

With Lyall Cameron already making the move from Dundee to Rangers this summer, it appears the Gers are looking at raiding the Dens Park side for the second time in a matter of months.

Rangers target move for Josh Mulligan this summer

Journalist Joshua Barrie of the Rangers Review has recently stated that the Light Blues are interested in making a move for Mulligan in a bid to add more Scottish talent to their squad.

The 22-year-old’s contract is set to expire this summer, which means the club won’t have to pay a penny in order to secure his signature.

This type of move is one that could offer plenty of rewards for the Gers for such a low-risk signing, something which needs to happen more often.

With James Tavernier’s future uncertain as he enters the last year of his deal in Glasgow, Mulligan could be an ideal heir for the Englishman.

Why Josh Mulligan would be a great signing for Rangers

The Scottish U21 international can play across a range of positions. For Dundee this season, he has played in the centre of the midfield, on the right flank, and at right-back.

While he might not be able to match Tavernier for goal contributions – five assists across 36 matches this season for Dundee – Mulligan still has plenty to offer going forward.

Indeed, in the Premiership this season, he has created eight big chances while also averaging one key pass and one successful dribble per game in the top flight.

A move to Ibrox would allow Mulligan the chance to play for a team that will fight for domestic trophies, plus giving him the chance to feature in European competition, whether it be the Champions League or Europa League.

Josh Mulligan’s market valuation at Dundee

According to Transfermarkt, Mulligan is currently worth €600k (£500k) at the time of writing.

Given his impressive performances for a relegation-threatened Dundee side, this value will surely increase in the next few months, especially if he moves to Rangers and showcases his talents.

If, and it’s a big if, Mulligan shines at Ibrox and becomes the player everyone expects of him, he will make the club millions in profit.

At this moment in time, however, there is another Scottish youngster in the first-team squad who is currently worth a lot more than Mulligan – Connor Barron.

How Connor Barron has performed for Rangers this season

In one of the worst-kept secrets last summer, Rangers finally announced the signing of Barron after weeks of rumours.

The midfielder left Aberdeen upon the expiration of his contract, duly made the move south to Ibrox, and was essentially seen as an ideal replacement for Ryan Jack.

Following 76 appearances for the Dons, it was clear that Barron was looking like a solid signing. He clearly knew how to perform in the Premiership and had made six appearances in the Conference League for the Pittodrie side last season.

His performances were hailed by Scott Gemmill, Barron’s U21 manager at international level, who said: “Connor is very impressive on and off the pitch the way he conducts himself.”

It didn’t take long for him to make his mark at Rangers, starting both of the Champions League qualifying matches against Dynamo Kiev, along with operating in the starting XI for the first 13 league games.

Accurate passes per game

22.7

40.1

Pass success rate

80%

90%

Tackles per game

2.3

2.1

Balls recovered per game

4.3

3.4

Possession lost per game

7.9

7

2025 hasn’t been as productive, however, as Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande have established themselves as the main midfield duo at Ibrox in recent months.

This has left Barron resorting to appearances from the bench in order to get playing time. He did feature for 83 minutes in the recent 3-2 victory over Celtic at Parkhead and was even made captain for the 2-2 draw against Aberdeen a few weeks ago.

Overall, it has been a solid debut campaign in Glasgow for the young midfielder. In the Premiership, Barron averages a 90% pass success rate, makes 2.1 tackles, 1.1 clearances, and recovers 3.4 balls per game.

Furthermore, he loses possession only seven times per game and wins 50% of his ground duels each match for the Ibrox side, which suggests that he is reliable on and off the ball.

Connor Barron’s market valuation at Rangers

Although Barron initially arrived at Rangers for nothing, the Gers were forced to pay a fee of around £640k for the midfielder after they were due compensation because his career began at Aberdeen.

This still looks like it could become a bargain transfer for Rangers, especially considering his market value has increased recently.

Indeed, according to Transfermarkt, Barron is now worth €2.5m (£2m) following an impressive debut season in Glasgow.

This means that he is currently worth even more than Mulligan, who is valued at £500k, and that illustrates how much the Gers hit the jackpot with the Scotland international.

Much will depend on who the new manager will be, but Barron has laid the foundations for a potentially successful spell at Rangers.

He is worth a lot more than Mulligan, and this valuation should rise exponentially as time goes on.

Whatever happens, it appears as though the club are looking to bring in the best of Scottish talent this summer. With Barron and Cameron now part of the squad, Mulligan could be the next player to link up with Rangers.

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ByDan Emery Apr 23, 2025

Aston Villa stand on the edge of glory. While their Champions League may have ended by PSG, Unai Emery’s side have a wonderful chance to reach a first FA Cup final since 2015.

The club have not won this competition since 1957. Indeed, they haven’t won a major honour since 1996, and it would be fitting to finally end this drought under a man who has lifted them from the doldrums.

2014/15

Liverpool

Won 2-1

2009/10

Chelsea

Lost 3-0

1999/00

Bolton

Won 4-1 on penalties

1995/96

Liverpool

Lost 3-0

1959/60

Wolves

Lost 1-0

In midweek, the Midlands side suffered a 2-1 loss to Manchester City in the Premier League. While not disastrous, it represented a chance to cement their place in the top five of the table.

Several of the starting XI failed to perform as expected, most notably Boubacar Kamara in the heart of the midfield.

Why Emery must drop Boubacar Kamara

There is no doubt Kamara has been excellent when called upon this season, but against City, he didn’t quite look himself.

He played the full 90 minutes alongside Amadou Onana for Villa and succeeded with 87% of his passes, but the Frenchman could only win one of his seven contested ground duels, along with losing possession eight times.

Kamara also failed to make a single tackle during the match and was dribbled past on two occasions. Despite his tireless shift, it wasn’t enough to see Villa take home all three points.

With an FA Cup final place at stake this weekend, Emery might just switch things up ahead of the match against Crystal Palace.

This could see Kamara dropped from the starting XI, with Youri Tielemans slotting back into a deeper role.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

If so, there is only one man who should be deployed as Villa’s number ten – Marco Asensio.

Marco Asensio must be unleashed by Aston Villa

The Spaniard has been a truly inspired signing by Emery, even if it is just on a temporary basis.

Indeed, the former Real Madrid starlet has scored eight goals and chipped in with a solitary assist for the club across 20 matches.

In the Premier League, Asensio has created one big chance, averaging 1.3 key passes and succeeding in 58% of his dribble attempts.

These statistics are made even better considering he has started only five matches in the top flight since arriving back in January.

Dubbed as “world-class” by former Arsenal and Birmingham City defender Matthew Upson in March after his exploits against Club Brugge in the Champions League.

If the club have a chance of signing him on a permanent deal, then Emery must do everything in his power to do so.

Starting him against Palace at Wembley could give Villa the best chance of reaching the final of the competition, no doubt about that, because of the attacking quality that he can provide with his ability to both score and create.

The PSG loanee has scored twice in the tournament so far, netting a double against Cardiff. If he is unleashed, expect him to conjure up some more magic for the Villa faithful.

Worth 330% more than Nypan: Aston Villa struck gold with "unstoppable" star

Aston Villa are reportedly closing in on a move to sign Sverre Nypan.

ByJoe Nuttall Apr 23, 2025

Bangladesh’s death-over expert was instrumental in their victories in their previous two games in the Asia Cup

Mohammad Isam and Shiva Jayaraman23-Sep-20254:47

Chopra: India lives in Bangladesh’s head rent free

Mustafizur Rahman equalling Shakib Al Hasan’s national record of 149 T20I wickets validates his stature as Bangladesh’s best bowler in the format. Seventy of those 149 wickets have come in the death overs (16-20) – the most by any bowler in this phase in men’s T20Is.He took 3 for 20 with his left-arm pace in Bangladesh’s first Super Four match of the Asia Cup, against Sri Lanka; his two wickets in the 19th over kept the opponents down to a target which his team’s batters were able to achieve. In the game before that, Mustafizur had taken 3 for 28, successfully spearheading Bangladesh’s defence of 154 against Afghanistan to earn two crucial points.Related

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Mustafizur is a proven death-overs specialist: in the last 18 months, he has an economy rate of 3.0 while bowling the 19th over. He’s done it over six matches, an incredible feat regardless of the opposition. For context, Jasprit Bumrah’s economy in the 19th over during this period is 6.5.His mix of offcutters from over the wicket that went away from the right-hand batter was all the rage when Mustafizur emerged in 2015. Even R Ashwin wondered how he managed to bowl that cutter and still got the ball to carry to the wicketkeeper standing back.Shoulder injuries, however, forced Mustafizur to expand his skills. Between 2019 and 2021, he worked with fast-bowling coaches Ottis Gibson and Allan Donald to bring the ball back into the right-hand batter. In recent years, he worked hard on angling the ball across the right-hand batters with his left-arm angle at decent pace, but mixing it up with offcutters.Mustafizur Rahman needs one wicket to become Bangladesh’s top wicket-taker in T20Is•Associated PressMustafizur has the second-best economy rate (7.94) among bowlers with at least 50 wickets from overs 16 to 20 in T20Is. When narrowed down to matches between Full Member nations, Mustafizur still has the second-best economy rate (6.48) in the death overs, behind Bumrah, since April 2024. To be anywhere near Bumrah is impressive.Mustafizur’s career has had ebbs and flows since his debut across formats in 2015. He is no longer picked for Tests and he isn’t as impactful in ODIs as he is in T20Is. Like most bowlers, he’s had his struggles against particular batters and he could face one of them against India on Wednesday. Hardik Pandya has a T20 strike rate of 212.50 against Mustafizur since 2024, and poses a threat to his death-over effectiveness.Ahead of the game, Bangladesh’s head coach Phil Simmons said Mustafizur was now the leader of the attack. “[Mustafizur] has been bowling really well – he’s been the main bowler,” Simmons said. “And he’s carrying that mantle of being the senior bowler on the team. And even in meetings and everything, he’s really stepping up. So it’s great to see him performing out there.”In his debut IPL season, in 2016, Mustafizur Rahman won the Emerging Player award•BCCIBefore the Sri Lanka game, Bangladesh’s fast-bowling coach Shaun Tait had said he tries to keep Mustafizur comfortable to get the best out of him. “He has all the experience; he doesn’t need me to talk to him too much about the way he’s bowling,” Tait said. “If he’s in an environment where he’s happy, I think he’ll perform well. My job with him is just to make sure he’s happy and confident. The rest he takes care of himself.”Many of the world’s best T20 bowlers have honed their skills in franchise leagues around the world, and Mustafizur has been among the busiest Bangladesh players on the circuit. After playing the BPL in 2015-16, his first T20 tournament, he represented Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2016, winning the Emerging Player award after taking 17 wickets in his debut season. He also had successful IPL seasons in 2021 and 2024, taking 14 wickets in each year for Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings. Apart from the BPL and IPL, he has also played in the Vitaility Blast, PSL and LPL. While he’s built up his experience, his performance has been a rung or two below the A-listers, and hence he doesn’t evoke the same aura.For Bangladesh, Mustafizur is their go-to bowler at the death. He usually bowls his first over in the powerplay, his second in the middle overs, before returning for two overs at the end. His record against India reads eight wickets at an average of 57.37 and economy rate of 9.4. He will need to improve on that for Bangladesh to upset the reigning T20 World Cup champions.