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Celtic booked their place in the semi-final of the League Cup with a dramatic 5-2 win over Championship side Falkirk at Parkhead on Sunday.

The Hoops will now take on Aberdeen in the last four at Hampden Park for a place in the final, despite an upset being on the cards for large spells of the game.

Falkirk went 1-0 and 2-1 up during the match but Brendan Rodgers’ side bounced back with goals from Paulo Bernardo, Adam Idah (x2), and Nicolas Kuhn (x2).

The manager made a few changes to his starting XI to hand chances to some of the fringe players in the squad and two players, in particular, caught the eye.

Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah grasped their chance

Bernardo was handed an opportunity to showcase his quality after being dropped to the bench in favour of Arne Engels in the last two matches.

The Portugal U21 international made his mark on the game with a thumping volleyed finish from Alex Valle’s knockdown to draw Celtic level at 1-1 in the first-half, to remind Rodgers of his ability in the final third.

Kyogo Furuhashi has scored two goals and missed nine ‘big chances’ in all competitions this season, which suggests that the door should be open for Idah to push for a starting spot.

The Ireland international struck twice, inside two minutes, to take Celtic from 2-1 down to 3-2 up, in the second half, and the second goal was a sublime take and finish from the former Norwich man.

Unlike Idah and Bernardo, one player who did not grasp his chance to stake a claim for a place in the starting XI in the Scottish Premiership moving forward was right-back Anthony Ralston.

Anthony Ralston's struggles against Falkirk

The Scotland international has only been utilised off the bench in the Premiership so far this season and was handed an opportunity to shine against the second tier outfit.

Unfortunately, though, he did not do enough to suggest to Rodgers that Alistair Johnston’s place as the regular starting right-back for Celtic is in danger.

BBC Scotland’s Kheredine Idessane said that the Hoops defence “struggled” to deal with the Falkirk attackers and Ralston was part of that struggling backline.

The 25-year-old dud, who was handed a player rating of 6/10 by FootballScotland, let himself down with his defending for the second goal for the visitors, as he got caught ball-watching and left Finn Yeats in acres of space at the back post to head past Kasper Schmeichel.

He did provide a nice pass to Kuhn for Idah’s first goal after popping up in a left-back position momentarily, but his overall display was not good enough to earn himself a place in the starting XI moving forward.

Therefore, Rodgers must brutally ditch Ralston from the starting line-up for the clash with St Johnstone in the Premiership next weekend, with Johnston slotting straight back into the team.

Rodgers once tried to sign "monster" for Celtic, now he's worth £100m

The Premier League superstar is one that got away for the Scottish giants.

ByDan Emery Sep 21, 2024

Whereas, Bernardo and Idah’s goals may have given the Northern Irish head coach a decision to make when he comes to select his next XI.

Leeds United failed to earn promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking after they lost in the final of the play-offs last season.

They finished third in the Championship and beat Norwich City in the semi-finals of the play-offs before losing 1-0 to Southampton in the final at Wembley.

Their failure to return to the top-flight left them vulnerable during the summer transfer window, as clubs across Europe moved to sign their biggest talents.

Archie Gray joined Tottenham Hotspur, Georginio Rutter signed for Brighton & Hove Albion, Crysencio Summerville moved to West Ham United, and Glen Kamara was snapped up by Rennes.

They had all been regular starters for Daniel Farke in the Championship during the 2023/24 campaign, which meant that it was a blow to lose any of them, let alone all four.

The German head coach did then bring in the likes of Largie Ramazani, Manor Solomon, Joe Rodon, Ao Tanaka, Isaac Schmidt, and Joe Rothwell, among others, to bolster his playing squad.

However, it remains to be seen whether or not the Whites have improved their squad with those moves, and Rutter is one player who will be difficult to replace.

How much Leeds sold Georginio Rutter for

Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion swooped in to activate a £40m release clause in the former France U21 international’s contract last month.

That was a club-record deal for the Seagulls, who were willing to splash the cash to snap the centre-forward up from Elland Road after his impressive performances in the Championship last season.

Rutter, after joining Leeds in the Premier League initially, thrived in the second tier under Farke, with his sublime creativity playing a crucial role in the club’s run to the play-off final.

Appearances

45

Goals

6

Assists

15

Big chances created

22

Key passes per game

1.9

Pass accuracy

69%

As you can see in the table above, the left-footed star was directly involved in 21 goals in 45 appearances for Leeds and created 22 ‘big chances’ in total.

This suggests that his teammates let him down at times with their wasteful finishing, as they did not make the most of the high-quality opportunities he created.

In fact, the 22-year-old whiz ranked within the top 2% of forwards in the Championship for assists (0.39) and Expected Assisted Goals (0.29) per 90 respectively last season, which shows that he was one of the most creative players in the league.

Per Transfermarkt, Rutter is the most expensive centre-forward in the club’s history, with only Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha sold for more, but that does not take inflation into account.

If you adjust for the inflation in football over the years, Leeds once cashed in on another impressive number nine for even more than the £40m Brighton splashed on the French attacker.

How much Leeds paid for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

In the summer of 1997, Leeds swooped to sign Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink from Portuguese side Boavista for a reported transfer fee of just £2m.

The 25-year-old marksman had plundered an eye-catching 20 goals in 29 league games for Boavista in the top-flight during the 1996/97 campaign, which convinced the Whites to snap him up.

Hasselbaink did not need any time to adjust and adapt to the Premier League. The Dutch sensation fired in 16 goals in 33 matches, along with one assist, in the division during his first season with the West Yorkshire outfit.

Appearances

36

Goals

18

Assists

13

Minutes played

3,136

As you can see in the table above, the Dutchman took his game to another level in his second year at Elland Road, with a return of 31 direct goal contributions in 36 games.

Hasselbaink produced 34 goals and 14 assists in two Premier League campaigns with Leeds, which proved that he had the quality to be a regular provider of goals and assists in a major European league.

Rutter, meanwhile, only managed six goals and 15 assists in the Championship for the Whites and earned himself a staggering £40m transfer to Brighton.

The Dutch attacker, however, did not go for anywhere near as much as that in actual money after his transfer request and subsequent departure in 1999, but the value of the deal was worth more than £40m if you adjust for inflation.

How much Leeds sold Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink for

Atletico Madrid reportedly paid a fee of £15m to sign the prolific marksman from Leeds ahead of the 1999/00 season, after he had spent two years in Yorkshire.

That meant that they made a huge profit on the £2m that they had paid to sign him from Boavista in 1997, but the fee would have been even greater in the modern age.

Per Totally Money’s algorithm, the £15m that Atletico Madrid paid for Hasselbaink in 1999 would be worth a staggering £51.7m in today’s money, which is over £11m more than Brighton spent on Rutter this summer.

This shows that Leeds hit the jackpot when they signed him for £2m because they ended up selling him for a fee that has ended up being the most valuable fee they have ever received for a centre-forward in the club’s history, if you adjust for inflation.

The Whites also struck gold with Hasselbaink because they got two incredible seasons of service out of him in the Premier League and enjoyed his terrific goalscoring exploits before they cashed in on him for a significant fee.

Whereas, Leeds moved on Rutter for a gigantic fee this summer after a season of service in the Championship, rather than in the top-flight.

Hasselbaink scored 35 goals in 47 matches for Atletico Madrid before joining Chelsea for £20m in 2000, which would work out at around £51.6m in today’s money, and he went on to score 87 goals in 177 matches for the Blues.

Summerville rates him: Leeds academy star could be Ampadu 2.0 for Farke

Former Whites star Crysencio Summerville thinks the young gem is “really good”.

ByDan Emery Sep 17, 2024

This shows that, financially, Leeds did not miss out with the Netherlands international, as – adjusting for inflation – the Spanish side did not make a significant profit on him.

Newcastle United may be relying on striker Alexander Isak to lead the line effectively as they chase a top-four finish in the Premier League, but the Swede is one of the best forwards in England.

In seven games for club and country this term, Isak has scored four times while grabbing one assist, emerging as a key player for both Newcastle and Sweden.

If he remains healthy, a consistent run in the starting XI will give Eddie Howe and his men the ideal chance to secure a return to European competition.

Could this perhaps mark the end of Callum Wilson’s spell at the Magpies?

Callum Wilson’s Newcastle statistics

The striker joined the Toon in 2020, costing £20m from Bournemouth. The Englishman had scored 67 goals for the Cherries during his spell on the south coast.

He impressed in the Premier League, which saw Newcastle snap him up, where he has continued to shine. Indeed, over the previous four seasons, the Englishman has scored a very respectable tally of 48 goals in 108 matches, meaning he registers a goal nearly once every two matches.

2023/24 (Newcastle)

20

9

1

2022/23 (Newcastle)

31

18

5

2021/22 (Newcastle)

18

8

0

2020/21 (Newcastle)

26

12

5

2019/20 (Bournemouth)

35

8

1

2018/19 (Bournemouth)

30

14

9

2017/18 (Bournemouth)

28

8

2

2016/17 (Bournemouth)

20

6

0

2015/16 (Bournemouth)

13

5

0

Since the beginning of the 2022/23 campaign, however, Wilson has missed 42 matches in all competitions, failing to reach the heights of his first couple of years in the north-east.

With the signing of Isak two years ago, Wilson’s stature in the team is very much playing second fiddle to the Swedish gem, but when fit, he can still provide a solid option for Howe to call upon.

Isak might not be at the club for much longer should he maintain his current form, though.

What the future holds for Alexander Isak

Following a wonderful campaign, the summer transfer window saw Isak begin to attract attention from elsewhere. Indeed, Chelsea were just one of the clubs looking to make a move for the former Borussia Dortmund striker in a bid to strengthen their attack.

With the Toon missing out on Europe ahead of the new season, it was only natural for the supporters to be worrying whether Isak would still be at the club, particularly when considering his desire to play in the Champions League.

Nothing materialised and he has been playing well so far. The Swede will move on from St James’ Park eventually, but Howe will be hoping to get as many years out of him as possible.

The talk of replacements will soon arise. Do the Magpies have a player in their academy who could potentially be the next Isak, however?

Newcastle's next Isak

Over the previous few years, Newcastle hasn’t exactly been a breeding ground for prodigious young talent.

Yes, Andy Carroll departed for Liverpool in 2011 for a staggering fee of £35m, having emerged from the academy to first-team regular, but since their promotion back to the top flight in 2017, the club have been starved of youngsters looking to make an impression in the first team.

Lewis Miley broke through to the first team aged just 17 last season, making a total of 26 appearances, which included three in the Champions League. The 18-year-old could be the next academy graduate to secure the club a major profit in the next few years, no doubt about that.

Another name on some people’s lips is that of Ben Parkinson. A year older than Miley, the 19-year-old made his debut last season too, coming on as a substitute against Bournemouth in November 2023 during a 2-0 defeat.

The youngster was also on the bench during the Champions League games against both PSG and Dortmund, yet failed to make an appearance.

Operating as either a right-winger or centre-forward, Howe has a player who could become important in the coming years, especially judging by his form for the U18s and U21s recently.

11 goals and five assists came during his time with the younger age group, while he has made the step-up to the older group with ease, registering ten goal involvements in just 28 matches.

He trained with the first team on numerous occasions last term, which earned him praise from U21 coach Ben Dawson, who said: “Ben’s had a longer period than most, in terms of days spent with the first-team group, and you can see that in some of his play.

“He’s always had that knack of being in the right place at the right time and was fortunate enough to be in the right place to score tonight which should have been the goal that killed the game off.”

Wilson has less than a year left on his contract, while Isak’s future could come into question should Newcastle fail to make the Champions League this season.

While both may not leave at the same time, a player like Parkinson could potentially take full advantage of some gaps in the squad to emerge as a first-team player in the next few months.

The teenager has trained plenty of times with the senior side, while also making the bench various times last term, suggesting he won’t be fazed by whatever Howe throws at him.

Should he succeed, it could inspire plenty of other academy players to follow suit in the coming years.

Forget Barnes: Newcastle star who won 5/6 duels was just as impressive

Eddie Howe saw his two super subs enjoy wonderful games against Wolves

ByRoss Kilvington Sep 16, 2024

Chelsea are expressing "concrete interest" in signing Flamengo youngster Matheus Franca this summer, according to a recent update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Who is Matheus Franca?

The 19-year-old is a bright young prospect in his homeland of Brazil currently, making a name for himself at Flamengo with his attacking quality.

Franca has already scored nine goals in 53 appearances for his current club, invariably taking up an attacking midfield role but being capable of playing deeper or even further forward in attack, and he is also a six-time capped Brazil Under-16s international.

Chelsea are seemingly set to have plenty of competition in any potential move for the teenager, as Newcastle United have been backed to snap him up in the near future, with a move to the Premier League clearly on the cards.

A new update suggests that the Blues are now at the front of the queue to snap up Franca, however, as Mauricio Pochettino looks to bring in the right players during the summer transfer window, hitting the ground running after officially coming in as manager over the weekend.

Are Chelsea close to signing Franca?

Taking to Twitter, Romano confirmed Newcastle's interest but said that Chelsea are genuinely interested in signing Franca this summer, with talks set to take place this week, in order for a move to be sealed before others can swoop in:

"Chelsea are showing concrete interest in Brazilian talent Matheus França as per Mail — he was on Newcastle radar in January. Understand there’s still no official bid but talks will take place this week with Flamengo. Negotiations will be around €20/25m fee."

While Franca may not yet be a household name in the English game, there is no doubt that his arrival could be met with excitement, considering the flair and unpredictability that so many young Brazilian footballers can possess, whether it be Ronaldinho, Neymar or Vinicius Jr down the years.

The Blues are also set to sign his compatriot Angelo Gabriel this week, so the club's hierarchy clearly have a focus on building a real fresh dawn for their new manager to work on long into the future. France is someone with a high ceiling who could develop into a real force eventually, but if he does join Chelsea, he should be given time to adjust to his surroundings and get used to the pace and physicality of the Premier League, rather than be expected to be an instant hit.

In Pochettino, the hope is that the Blues have someone who is an expert at dealing with youngsters, as was the case at Tottenham with Harry Kane and Dele Alli at the time, for example, and if the manager sees Franca as an ideal target, he has to be trusted in the transfer window by Todd Boehly.

The Brazilian has been hailed as a "great finisher" by coach Fabio Matias – an attribute that felt lacking at Stamford Bridge too often last season – but he has described so many aspects of his game, too, saying: "He has many important aspects to his game. In addition to technical and tactical ability, he has a very good understanding of the game. That makes him stand out because he interprets spaces well. The most talented players have an understanding of space and how to manage that."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will be hoping to add to his already-impressive collection of trophies for the club in the upcoming season.

The Hoops boss replaced Ange Postecoglou after the Australian tactician opted to join Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur last month and is now in his second spell at Parkhead.

He lifted seven trophies in less than three full years during his first stint in Scotland, with the upcoming campaign providing him with an opportunity to reach double figures.

The summer transfer window has well over a month left to run and the Northern Irishman could use it to bolster his squad in order to give his team the best chance of success.

Odin Thiago Holm and Marco Tilio have both joined in recent weeks but the Hoops may not be done there, as Young Boys central midfielder Fabian Rieder has also been linked with a switch to Paradise.

How good is Fabian Rieder?

The 21-year-old's performances in his home country suggest that he has the quality to be an excellent player for Celtic if it translates over to the Scottish Premiership next term.

He is a creative midfield player who also offers a goal threat from a number eight or ten position, which could make him Rodgers' next version of Tom Rogic.

The former Hoops magician, who left at the end of the 2021/22 season, made 105 competitive appearances under the 50-year-old manager during their time together at Parkhead.

The Australian contributed with 24 goals and 20 assists in that time, including five of each in 22 league outings in the 2017/18 campaign, which works out as a goal involvement every 2.39 games on average.

Rogic proved himself to be a midfielder with the ability to make a significant impact at the top end of the pitch and Rieder's form for Young Boys indicates that the potential is there for him to follow in the now-30-year-old's footsteps.

The Switzerland international averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.17 – a score that would have placed him seventh in Postecoglou's squad – across 33 Super League outings last season and chipped in with seven goals along with four assists, which works out as a contribution every three matches on average.

He also created seven 'big chances' for his teammates to go with 1.8 key passes per match. To highlight how good that is, only Jota (1.9) and Matt O'Riley (2.1) bettered it in Celtic colours throughout the Scottish Premiership.

Rieder also caught the eye at the U21 European Championship as he created 2.3 chances per game over his four appearances at the tournament, which is more than any of the aforementioned Hoops players managed last term.

This suggests that the Swiss wizard, who was hailed as "tenacious" and a set-piece "specialist" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has the quality to be an outstanding creator for Rodgers whilst also being able to contribute with a goalscoring threat from midfield.

Therefore, the Young Boys dynamo could be the manager's next Rogic as the potential is there for him to deliver goals and assists from a number eight role on a regular basis to support the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Liel Abada, and Daizen Maeda.

Newcastle United could look to the summer transfer window to bolster the depth in their squad ahead of their return to Champions League football next season and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target.

What's the latest on Newcastle's interest in Goncalo Inacio?

According to Spanish news outlet AS, Newcastle are one of the Premier League clubs interested in signing Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio.

As per the report, the Magpies are in the race with Liverpool and Arsenal to sign the player who has a €45m (£39m) release clause, and whilst his Portuguese club is keen to hold on to him, there is potential for Inacio to make a move to the English top-flight this summer.

Will Newcastle sign Goncalo Inacio this summer?

Whilst Eddie Howe will be thrilled with the huge progress his current squad has made over the last 18 months, there is certainly an opportunity to strengthen a number of key roles on the pitch ahead of next season.

The North East club finished impressively in fourth last season which has enabled them to qualify for Champions League football for the first time in over two decades, so it will be an exciting new challenge for the Magpies but will require adding depth to ensure they can compete to the best of their ability across multiple competition.

As a result, the signing of Goncalo Inacio is a great opportunity to add a quality option for Howe in his defensive set-up, and he could even become the perfect heir for Fabian Schar.

The 21-year-old Portuguese talent – dubbed "underrated" by Zach Lowy – ranks in the top 5% of his positional peers in the Men's Next Eight Leagues over the last 12 months for assists, shot-creating actions, progressive passes, progressive carries and successful take-ons, demonstrating that he is an incredibly attacking-minded ball-playing defender.

When comparing his output last season with that of Newcastle titan Schar, the youngster already has outperformed his fellow defender in a number of key attributes including pass completion rate (89.6% v 69%), percentage of dribblers tackled (56.1% v 50%), successful take-ons (85% v 60%) and aerial duels won (60.2% v 51.7%).

Indeed, it is highly unlikely that Howe will be keen to break up the centre-back partnership that Schar and Sven Botman have quickly developed as the duo had the joint-best defensive record in the entire Premier League last season alongside Manchester City, conceding just 33 goals in total.

Having said that, there will be many occasions when Newcastle require rotation and a fresh perspective in the back line next season, as well as a prospect for the future, so if Newcastle can beat their competitors to the signing of Inacio it would be a great piece of business for the future of the squad.

An update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and their attempts to bolster their attacking options ahead of the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership campaign…

What's the latest on Abdallah Sima to Rangers?

According to the Scottish edition of the Daily Mail, Michael Beale is closing in on a deal to sign winger Abdallah Sima on loan.

The report claims that the Scottish giants are currently leading the race to secure the Brighton youngster's services on a temporary basis for next season and that the switch could be wrapped up in the coming week.

It states that Feyenoord's Danilo and Beni Traore of Hacken are alternative options that the Gers could turn if a swoop falls through at the last hour.

Where would Abdallah Sima fit in at Rangers?

Sima, who was once described as a "complete" player by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has spent the majority of his club career as a right winger, meaning that his arrival would spell bad news for Scott Wright at Ibrox, who could now be on his way out of the club.

Since making the move to Rangers from Aberdeen in 2021, the 25-year-old has failed to nail down a regular place in the team and has been unable to make a significant impact in the final third.

Wright played 23 Premiership matches, including five starts, in 22/23 and contributed with one assist and zero goals, whilst the dud also featured in four Champions League games without being directly involved in a single goal.

His dreadful form came after the Scottish winger scored four goals and provided one assist in 19 league outings for the Light Blues in the previous campaign, which shows that he has offered very little in the final third over the last two years in Glasgow.

Sima, on the other hand, is coming off the back of five goals and two assists in 19 Ligue 1 starts on loan at Angers in 22/23 and previously showcased his attacking quality with Slavia Prague before his move to Brighton.

The £8.5k-per-week earner plundered 16 goals and seven assists in 38 outings for the Czech side, which included four goals in ten Europa League clashes in 20/21.

These numbers suggest that Sima, who the aforementioned Kulig once hailed as a "fantastic prospect", has the potential to offer far more than Wright at the top end of the pitch.

The current Gers forward has been touted with an exit this summer and the arrival of the 22-year-old from Brighton could be the final nail in the coffin for the ex-Dons dynamo.

Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on AC Milan left-back Theo Hernandez as Erik ten Hag looks to bolster his defensive options.

What’s the latest on Theo Hernandez to Manchester United?

According to Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), the Red Devils are keen on making a move for Hernandez this summer, although the report claims any potential move will ‘only happen in the event of a sensational offer’ and in this regard, the Italian side are demanding at least €60m (£51m).

The Old Trafford side are said to be ‘pressing’ to sign the player as they want to ‘bridge the gap’ between them and Manchester City next season.

Could Theo Hernandez join Manchester United?

Ten Hag was able to call on both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia last season as the club qualified for the Champions League due to finishing third in the Premier League, with Shaw especially performing extremely well.

The Englishman ranked as United’s fourth best player for overall rating, third for big chances created and seventh for tackles made per game, suggesting he was influential at both ends of the pitch.

With Malacia, signed just last summer, also featuring 39 times in all competitions, do United need another left-back? Making a move for Hernandez however could spell bad news for the Dutchman ahead of next season.

Indeed, last term, the Frenchman registered more goal contributions (seven to zero), progressive passes (128 to 44), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.82 to 1.22) and progressive carries (108 to 19) than the United defender, clearly suggesting that he would be a far better attacking option at left-back than the former Ajax man.

Malacia does hold the upper hand defensively however, winning more tackles (33 to 24) and more interceptions (25 to 21), yet if Hernandez does move to Manchester, he could improve on these attributes.

Milan coach Stefano Pioli lavished praise on the defender back in 2021, saying: “He can play both phases very well, with his physical abilities it is enough to stay in the game. He can very well become one of the best.

“He has only been playing continuously for a year and a half, I always tell him that he must not be satisfied with being talented.

“He has an incredible physical strength and quality, he must prove that he wants to become the best every day."

The praise doesn’t stop there, as Jacek Kulig even lauded him as a “beast” previously and he even starred for France at the most recent World Cup, averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.3/10 across six matches for his country as they finished runners up to Argentina, indicating that he can perform on the biggest stage of all.

A move for Hernandez may push Malacia further down the pecking order, yet it would certainly strengthen the squad that’s for sure.

Manchester United have another midfielder on their radar it seems, with Sport 1, via Sport Witness, reporting that the club are in the race for Felix Nmecha.

Who is Felix Nmecha?

The 22-year-old has emerged as a key player for Wolfsburg over the course of the 2022/23 season, managing more games in the Bundesliga this year than he has managed over the course of his entire career to date. The side picked him on 30 occasions and the player responded by bagging three goals and five assists along the way despite his more central position on the field.

It's been a breakout year for the young talent, with Nmecha now becoming one of the best in his position in Europe and in the Men's 'Top Five' big leaves based on his stats. His assist rate of 0.25 per 90 for example is far and away his best figure, as it puts him within the top 4% of players for that. It shows that he has a knack of finding teammates in good areas and setting them up for good chances. In addition, the midfielder is also extremely strong in the air, with his 2.16 aerials won per 90 putting him in the 93rd percentile. This will come as no surprise considering that he stands at nearly 6 foot 1.

Now, having showcased his combination of physicality and vision for Wolfsburg, he could be given a chance elsewhere this summer. According to a report from Sport 1, via Sport Witness, it states that both Borussia Dortmund and Man United are set to go head-to-head for his signature this summer, with a price tag of around 15 million Euros (or £12.9m) slapped on his head.

No official bid has been made from either party yet though but the Red Devils have reportedly spoken to the player's father – as he currently has no agent – over a potential move to the Premier League. Other reports have also claimed Newcastle United are eyeing a deal.

When does Felix Nmecha's contract expire?

The midfielder's current deal with Wolfsburg has another two years to run, with the player having only joined Wolfsburg back in 2021/22. However, the interest seems to be high and it's no wonder considering how he has fared at the top level of German football so far.

His 1.81 shots per 90 rate and 0.15 non-penalty goals per 90 mark him out as one of the most attacking and offensive players in his position, with the midfielder not afraid to get forward and have a go at goal or even tee up a teammate. Nmecha also isn't afraid to take on an opposition defender, with his 1.27 successful take-ons per 90 showing a superb ability to beat his man and drive the ball forward. In short, he is a player that would certainly add some creativity and drive to the centre of the field for the Red Devils.

Glasgow Rangers face a battle to bring Malik Tillman back to Ibrox this summer, with Rangers Review reporting that there is increasing interest from English clubs in his signature this transfer window.

Are Rangers signing Malik Tillman?

The 21-year-old spent the 2022/23 season on loan in the Scottish Premiership and really impressed for the Gers despite his age. He bagged himself ten goals in the league, with a further four assists in just 28 league games. It wasn't enough to give the Gers the title but he had a career best year.

Only once previously had the player managed a double-digit goal haul during a season and that came back when he played for the Bayern Munich U19 team. Prior to his short-term switch to Scotland, he had struggled to get regular first-team minutes too, with parent club Bayern only giving him one start in the Bundesliga. In total, he has featured just four times in the league for the German giants during his time there.

That led to the player's impressive loan stay with Rangers this season and it had looked like Michael Beale would be trying to bring the midfielder back to Scotland for good. However, according to a report from Rangers Review, there is nothing in place that would suggest a deal will be done between Rangers and Tillman yet and no agreement is in place.

Not only that, but his showings have caught the eye of other teams now too and it looks like the Gers will have to fight off English competition for his signature. Rangers still have the upper hand in that they have a £5m buy option for the youngster, but that hasn't been used by the Scottish side yet and Bayern's own £10m buy-back in that deal is causing more doubt.

When does Malik Tillman's contract expire?

His current contract with Bayern Munich expires in 2024, meaning that if the German giants have no plans for Tillman, then they may have to cash in this summer transfer window.

It appears the player could certainly have plenty of suitors now too considering his talents. When the midfielder initially moved to Rangers and helped them in Europe vs PSV for example, football talent scout Jacek Kulig called Tillman one of the club's "heroes" that night and added that he is a "very interesting signing" by the Scottish side.

Having gone on to score a double-digit amount from the centre of the field, he has proven his ability in the Scottish Premiership and at a decent level – and could now secure a permanent move away from Bayern.