Manchester United had problems aplenty last season, but one of the most damning issues was the inability to produce the kind of slick attacking performances that would have merited a European-qualifying finish or indeed a trophy.

Bruno Fernandes did all he could, posting 19 goals and assists apiece across all competitions, but it wasn’t enough to stop Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, nor did it amount to silverware, or a respectable Premier League finish.

But the Red Devils can now look forward to a pre-season of preparation under the wing of Ruben Amorim, and despite all the issues, optimism remains that a corner can be turned, especially with the prestigious club’s pull still firmly intact.

Perhaps the greatest British outfit of all time, United fell by the wayside last term, but Old Trafford remains one of the most attractive destinations for high-quality players, with Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha rejecting offers from teams like Arsenal to complete a “dream” £62.5m move to Manchester this week.

The Brazilian forward has been hailed as “one of the most coveted players in the league” by content creator Dev Bajwa.

However, he’s not the only top Premier League forward INEOS have pushed to reel in this summer, with Bryan Mbeumo in talks to move to the Theatre of Dreams.

The latest on Bryan Mbeumo to Man Utd

Man United’s reputation as one of Europe’s big boys was underscored when Brentford’s Mbeumo intimated his preference to join Old Trafford this summer, even though Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur, all of whom have Champions League football to look forward to, have been firmly in the race.

After scoring 20 goals across 38 league outings, the intrigue is understandable, and also points toward a revised United strategy to strengthen by securing Premier League-proven players.

However, Mbeumo’s stock is high, and while he is hoping to make the move to Old Trafford, Spurs’ appointment of Thomas Frank has thrown something of a spanner in the works, with the former Bees boss’ arrival giving the Londoners renewed optimism that they could strike a deal for the Cameroon international.

United will remain confident that they can complete a statement signing, but if not, why not turn to an alternative who has also enjoyed success on English soil over the past couple of years?

Man United join race for PL star

As per Caught Offside, Manchester United have joined the race for Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert, who’s coming off the back of a prolific campaign in the Premier League.

The Dutchman, 26, is highly regarded at the Vitality Stadium, who are under no pressure to cash in. However, if suitors were to make an offer worth roughly €55m (£47m), they might just be tempted.

A host of rivals, such as Arsenal, Liverpool, and Tottenham, are also keen, but the Red Devils registered their interest some time ago and could use their peerless pull once more to bring him in.

Why Man Utd want Justin Kluivert

Kluivert has truly stepped out of his famous father’s shadow to become his own player, joining Bournemouth from Roma two years ago in a deal just shy of £10m.

Across his two campaigns at the club, the Netherlands international has scored 22 goals and supplied ten assists, though it’s been his “red-hot” 2024/25 season that has taken him into another sphere, as has been noted by journalist Ryan Taylor.

If Man United do miss out on Mbeumo, Kluivert could prove the perfect alternative. As per Sofascore, he only missed six big chances in the league, putting away 12 more chances. Moreover, he averaged 1.4 key passes and 1.1 dribbles per game while completing 81% of his passes, bespeaking technical control and indeed the right application of his abilities.

This offers shades of Mbeumo, in a way. The Brentford sensation, 25, supported his prolific success through a base range of talents, averaging 1.8 key passes, 1.4 dribbles, and 4.7 successful duels per game.

Kluivert was utilised across a range of attacking areas by Andoni Iraola last season, and that is in keeping with his career at large, suggesting he could perform across different berths for Amorim, whose three-pronged attacking set-up could see him dovetail right in.

Left winger

136

35

25

Right winger

85

20

21

Attacking midfield

57

15

8

Centre-forward

7

2

1

He’s proven his capacity to impress across the frontline, which speaks of dynamism in a similar vein to Mbeumo, a right-sided forward by trade but not without his strengths as a focal frontman, actually playing seven times as Frank’s striker over the past year, scoring four goals and laying on one assist.

Kluivert’s demonstrable Premier League success, so clinical and composed, could see him become a star in Amorim’s system. As per FBref, he ranked among the top 6% of forwards in the division for goals and assists per 90, leading the data-driven site to rank Mbeumo up as one of his most comparable players.

United need more goals, and by injecting Amorim’s fold with talents such as Cunha and Kluivert (or indeed Mbeumo), they would take a confident step toward a lifting resurgence.

Furthermore, they’re hardly one-trick ponies. All are physical and multi-faceted players, capable of creating chances and using their athleticism to serve the fluency of the wider team.

Amorim has weathered a storm, all right, but there might just be light at the end of the tunnel. United have been here before, roused by ostensibly effective transfer windows, but there’s a certain astuteness about INEOS’ dealings right now which suggests brighter fortunes may lie around the corner.

Ekitike upgrade: Wilcox in constant contact to bring "monster" to Man Utd

Manchester United appear to be making positive moves over a deal to land a new striker for Ruben Amorim.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 14, 2025

Eight records that were broken at IPL 2021 auction in Chennai

Dustin Silgardo and Sampath Bandarupalli 19-Feb-20213:31

Did Maxwell deserve the price he got at the auction?

Morris becomes most expensive player in auction history
Chris Morris broke Yuvraj Singh’s record for the highest bid at an IPL auction, earning a winning bid of INR 16.25 crore from the Rajasthan Royals, INR 25 lakh more than the bid Yuvraj got from Delhi Capitals (then Daredevils) in 2015. The bid makes Morris IPL’s second-highest earner after Virat Kohli, who Royal Challengers Bangalore retained for INR 17 crore in 2018.ESPNcricinfo LtdGlenn Maxwell becomes second-highest earner at auctions
With his INR 14.25 crore fee this time, Maxwell has attracted bids totalling INR 45.30 crore in the five auctions he has been a part of – he got bids of INR 5.32 crore in 2013, INR 6 crore in 2014, INR 9 crore in 2018 and INR 10.75 crore in 2020. That puts him behind only Yuvraj in the list of players who have been spent most on at auctions. Yuvraj attracted bids totalling INR 48.10 crore over six auctions, Dinesh Karthik has earned INR 38.85 crore over six auctions, while Morris now has got bids totalling INR 37.96 crore over five auctions. This does not mean these players are the highest earners in IPLs, though, as players who have been retained at high prices would have earned more.ESPNcricinfo LtdK Gowtham gets highest bid for uncapped player
Chennai Super Kings bought uncapped K Gowtham for INR 9.25 crore, going past the INR 8.8 crore Mumbai Indians shelled out for the then uncapped Krunal Pandya in 2018. In 2016, uncapped allrounder Pawan Negi caused a surprise bidding war that Delhi Capitals won for Rs 8.5 crore, while Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) splurged INR 8.4 crore on legspinner Varun Chakravarthy in 2019.ESPNcricinfo LtdRiley Meredith becomes most expensive uncapped overseas player
A 24-year-old fast bowler from Australia, uncapped Meredith was bought for INR 8 crore by Punjab Kings, making him more expensive than Jofra Archer, whom Rajasthan Royals bid INR 7.2 crore for in 2018. At the time, Archer hadn’t yet played for England. Gowtham earns 46.25 times his base price
Gowtham had set his base price at the minimum, INR 20 lakh, which meant that when he went for INR 9.25 crore, it was the largest jump from base price for any player in an auction. Previously, legspinner M Ashwin held the record – he had earned INR 4.50 crore from an INR 10 lakh base price in 2016.Getty ImagesFour 14 crore+ players at one auction
There had never been more than one INR 14+ crore winning bid at previous auctions. This auction saw four, with Morris, Kyle Jamieson, Jhye Richardson and Maxwell all going past that mark. The limited supply of gun players juxtaposed with some big budgets caused a surge in spending. The only other INR 14+ crore bids in auctions previously had been for Pat Cummins in 2020, Ben Stokes in 2017, and Yuvraj twice, in 2015 and 2014.RCB become franchise with most 14 crore+ players
No team had more than one INR 14+ crore winning bid in their auction history coming into this one. By making two INR 14+ crore winning bids, for Maxwell and then Jamieson, RCB took their number up to three – they had bought Yuvraj for INR 14 crore in 2014. The other teams with INR 14+ crore bids in auctions are Rajasthan Royals (Morris, 2021), Delhi Capitals (Yuvraj, 2015) Kolkata Knight Riders (Cummins, 2020), Rising Pune Supergiant (Stokes, 2017), and Punjab Kings (Richardson, 2021).Kyle Jamieson shatters the New Zealand record
The winning bid of INR 15 crore for Jamieson was three times the INR 5 crore Kolkata Knight Riders bid for Trent Boult in 2017, making Jamieson easily the most expensive New Zealand player in IPL history.

da dobrowin： Arsenal and sporting director Andrea Berta are getting busy behind-the-scenes, and supporters are very eager to see them strengthen with key new signings after a lacklustre Premier League title challenge.

da esport bet： Mikel Arteta has already expressed the need for Gunners officials to bolster his squad in certain areas, with the Spaniard publicly predicting a “big” next few months in the transfer window.

Related Their answer to Mbeumo: Arsenal bidding hard to sign £53m "level-raiser"

The dynamic winger would be an excellent addition to Arsenal’s squad.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 16, 2025

The arrival of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has already been agreed after months of talks dating back to January, and despite some concerns over his cryptic comments recently, the move apparently remains on track with Arsenal regarding the Spaniard as “done and signed” (David Ornstein).

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

Arsenal are still believed to be closing in on a deal for Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga too (BBC), despite the wait for an official confirmation from north London, but a lot of the noise is centered around their pursuit of a striker.

Last week, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres was reportedly subject to a failed bid from Arsenal, according to Portuguese newspaper Record, with Berta appearing to simultaneously work on deals for both the 27-year-old and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

As reported by Romano there, talks remain ongoing over the latter despite the Gyokeres noise, coming after the Slovenia international rounded off a career-best Bundesliga campaign with 21 goals in all competitions last season.

However, there are some discrepancies over his price tag, and he could end up being a costly operation, with Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg saying that Sesko’s final price could be up to £85 million despite reports of a release clause below that figure.

Arsenal could sign Benjamin Sesko in the next two weeks

According to talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs, speaking on a call with the broadcast giant this week, an Arsenal move for Sesko remains alive, and they could still strike a deal for the 22-year-old before the end of June.

“Well, I think it also comes down to the player. If they agree a fee for Sesko, I think that one could actually be done when the window opens on the 16th of June,” said Jacobs.

“I’m not saying day one of when the window reopens, but certainly in the last two weeks of this month.”

Sesko is a player who Arsenal wanted last summer and attempted to sign in January (Ben Jacobs), so he’s long been on Arteta’s radar, but the negotiations appear to be dragging on somewhat – indicating some potential issues behind-closed-doors.

News of Gyokeres being very keen on a move to N5 in his stead comes as a welcome boost for Arsenal, though, with their striker search shaping up to be one of the major stories of the summer.

Reliable journalist Paul Joyce has claimed that Everton are interested in sealing a stunning move for a “special” attacking player this summer.

Moyes eyeing big future at Everton

After some grim seasons of late, which have included several relegation battles in the Premier League, there is a feeling of positivity with the Toffees, not least because David Moyes has returned as manager, easily steering them to safety ahead of the move to their new stadium.

The Scot has been forceful about how he is expecting a better future at Everton with him in charge, with the hope being that funds will be made available for important transfer business.

“I think more the feeling [is] that there might be a club which is ­coming back together. Signs that before there was a real break-up, of a sort of love affair with the supporters, the ­players, the club, the owners. So we’re all trying to get back. We’re obviously all looking forward to it. If we can take what we had today to the new stadium, it’ll be something.”

New signings are needed in various areas of the pitch for Everton, not least in attack, with goals coming at a premium at times this season, with 41 goals scored in 37 games. Now, a shock rumour has emerged regarding a potential attacking signing for the Merseysiders.

Everton keen on "special" Liverpool player

According to the reliable Joyce of The Times, Everton “hold an interest” in Liverpool winger Ben Doak, seeing him as an option to bring in this summer.

The 19-year-old has spent this season on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough, with the Reds unable to give him regular playing time, and a permanent move away from Anfield could now be on the cards.

The idea of Everton signing Doak is a mouthwatering prospect, not only because of the stunning nature of taking him from rivals Liverpool, but also due to his long-term potential.

The teenage winger is already a six-cap Scotland international, and he was enjoying a fruitful time loan at Middlesbrough before injury struck in January, bagging 10 goal contributions (three goals and seven assists) in the Championship.

Doak also caught the eye of Jurgen Klopp during their time together at Liverpool, with the German clearly a big admirer of the Scot, saying: “Special boy. Really confident, has something nobody else delivers, really; this kind of dribbling, this kind of straight-forward bravery, all these kinds of things.”

Moyes' next Branthwaite: Everton plotting bid to sign "elite" £17m star

Everton are gearing up for a summer of change in the transfer market.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 23, 2025

Forgetting the Liverpool connection, Doak is a hugely exciting footballer who could reach great heights with his pace and unpredictability in the coming years, and while the Reds may be hesitant to sell to their rivals, Everton should look to strike a deal.

لا يستبعد واين روني، نجم مانشستر يونايتد وإنجلترا السابق، رحيل المصري محمد صلاح عن ليفربول في انتقالات الشتاء بيناير المقبل.

وشارك محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول ومانشستر يونايتد والتي شهدت هزيمة فريقه بهدفين مقابل هدف، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وقال روني في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ديلي ميل” البريطانية: “أعتقد أن محمد صلاح خاض عددًا كبيرًا من المباريات خلال السنوات الأخيرة، وكان النجم الأول للفريق، وتحمل ضغوطًا هائلة”.

وأضاف: “وبرأيي، هو من بين أفضل خمسة إلى سبعة لاعبين في تاريخ الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، لكن يبدو أن الإرهاق بدأ يلحق به قليلًا”.

وأستطرد: “لن يُفاجئني إذا رحل عن النادي في يناير أو ربما في الصيف المقبل، لقد استمتعت بمشاهدته، إنه لاعب مذهل حقًا، لكن أعتقد أن الضغط والإرهاق أخذا منه ما يكفي، وهذا يحدث دائمًا، أحيانًا لا ترغب في الاعتراف بذلك، ولكنك تدرك فجأة أنك رحلت”.

اقرأ أيضًا | جاري لينكر: سلوت اتخذ قرارًا جريئًا ومحمد صلاح لا يعجبه ذلك

وأشار روني إلى أن هناك عبئًا كبيرًا على صلاح وفيرجيل فان دايك، خاصةً مع حاجة التعاقدات الجديدة إلى بعض الوقت للتأقلم.

وأوضح: “أعتقد أن هناك نوعًا من التراخي داخل الفريق، لأن الاعتماد أصبح كبيرًا جدًا على صلاح وفان دايك وترينت ألكسندر أرنولد، هذا الأمر استنزف الكثير من طاقة لاعبي ليفربول، وأرى أنهم يفتقدون ترينت بشدة في الوقت الحالي (بعد انتقاله لريال مدريد)”.

وأتم: “وأعتقد أن اللاعبين الجدد الذين انضموا إلى ليفربول في رأيي، لا يمتلكون نفس المكانة أو التأثير كما هو الحال في مانشستر يونايتد، ورغم أن ليفربول نادٍ ضخم عالميًا، فإن الصفقات الجديدة التي تعاقد معها الفريق تعاني بالفعل في التأقلم وتقديم المستوى المطلوب”.

Granit Xhaka's agent has confirmed that the former Arsenal man's Premier League return is imminent after snubbing offers from elsewhere.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Xhaka to return to Premier League from Leverkusen
• Agent reveals agreement with newly-promoted team
• Swiss star turned down offers from big European clubs

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The future of Xhaka seems to have been resolved amid his desire to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer, despite having a contract valid until summer 2028. The ex-Arsenal man has snubbed several offers from across Europe and beyond to mark a return to the Premier League.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Xhaka has been linked with several big clubs across Europe. Inter recently enquired about the possibility of signing him, while Fenerbahce have also expressed interest in the midfielder amid a major squad overhaul this summer. Juventus were ready to place a bid for him, while he turned down an approach from Saudi Arabia. Instead, it seems that the Swiss international will attempt to make his mark on the Premier League once again, this time with a newly-promoted side.

• WHAT GRANIT XHAKA'S AGENT SAID

  "We have reached a basic agreement with Sunderland," Xhaka's agent Jose Noguera confirmed in an interview with "We hope that Leverkusen will respect his wish to leave and that the clubs will reach an agreement soon."

  Among others, Italian side AC Milan showed great interest in the 32-year-old, but Xhaka, who is currently on tour in Brazil with Leverkusen, apparently decided otherwise. "Granit wants to return to the Premier League," said his agent. "He is excited about Sunderland – he wants to take on this challenge."

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  The midfielder will be hoping that Sunderland and Leverkusen can strike an agreement, before he prepares to undergo medicals at his potential new club. Xhaka will be tasked with helping the Black Cats remain afloat after returning to the top-flight following an eight-year absence.

Is it set to be a busy summer at Celtic?

After missing out on the treble, beaten on penalties by Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup Final, the Hoops are expected to heavily reinforce their squad this summer.

Well, with a crucial Champions League play-off tie circled in red on the calendar, taking place at the end of August, Brendan Rodgers will want his summer business to be done early, so are the Premiership champions about to land a new recruit?

Celtic targeting a new midfielder

Defenders are certainly the order of the day for the Celts this summer with Kieran Tierney’s return to Parkhead one of Scottish football’s worst-kept secrets.

However, the full-back isn’t the only player who could be closing in on a move to Paradise according to reports.

As per Portuguese outlet A Bola, Celtic have ‘opened initial talks’ to sign midfielder Demir Ege Tıknaz.

They outline the fact that the 20-year-old spent this season on loan at Rio Ave from Beşiktaş, and the Portuguese club have an option to make this move permanent for €5m (around £4.2m).

However, given interest from Celtic, as well as Lille, Rio Ave are preparing to make a quick profit on Tıknaz, placing a €10m (around £8m) price-tag on his head.

So, would he be a good signing for the Scottish champions, and which former Celt is he reminiscent of?

Demir Ege Tıknaz: the next Nir Bitton?

Writer Ryan McGinlay believes that Tıknaz’s ‘resemblance in play-style to Nir Bitton is uncanny’ and, should he arrive, if the Turkey international had even half as successful a Celtic career, he’d be doing well.

Bitton signed from FC Ashdod in 2013 and would remain at Celtic for nine years, making 271 appearances and winning 18 major trophies.

Naturally a defensive midfielder, the Israeli international would frequently fill in at centre-back too, with Kieran Devlin of the Athletic praising Bitton’s ‘reading of the game’ and ‘composure in possession’, with Joe Sullivan labelling him ‘versatile and highly reliable’.

So, could Tıknaz be something similar?

Well, analyst Ben Mattinson believes the Turkiye U21 international ‘reads the game well’ allowing him to ‘step up and intercept​​​​​​​’, praising his ‘timing of tackles​​​​​​​’ and ability to ‘steal the ball’, adding that he possesses a ‘decent passing range’ too.

Meantime, in an interview with Sarah Shephard of the Athletic, Tıknaz​​​​​​​ himself says he has a similar playing style to that of Sergio Busquets, stating “I always want to have possession… I’m kind of a playmaker… I can play box-to-box too”.

Well, according to Aryan Suraj Chadha of Goal, the Turkish youngster is one of the most ‘sought-after talents across Europe’, so let’s assess his statistics in the Primeira Liga this season.

Minutes

1,976

107th

Completed passes

826

82nd

Pass completion %

85.1%

45th

Passes into the final third

99

34th

Progressive passes

96

62nd

Tackles

35

15th

Interceptions

47

3rd

Ball recoveries

132

21st

​​​​​​​

Worth stating first and foremost that, according to a study by Bernd Frick, Tommy Kweku Quansah and Markus Lang, the Primeira Liga is one of the ‘least balanced leagues’ in European football, so the fact that Tıknaz was playing for Rio Ave, who finished 11th, makes his statistics all the more impressive.

The Turkish midfielder ranks highly for metrics both in and out of possession, sat third when it comes to interceptions, while also registering noteworthy numbers when it comes to his pass completion percentage as well as passes into the final third.

Thus, all available evidence suggests Tıknaz is a high-quality, high-potential player, one that Celtic should absolutely be looking to snap up.

​​​​​​​

Celtic could strike for "excellent" 85-goal hero who wants Parkhead return

The Bhoys are on the lookout for more firepower.

5 BySean Markus Clifford Jun 7, 2025

With Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders already through the door, Manchester City are now reportedly in talks to sign a young midfielder this summer.

Man City open Club World Cup with routine victory

Whilst many Premier League sides are currently catching their breath following a frantic season, Manchester City and Chelsea are in America to compete in the Club World Cup. Some players have even gone from Premier League football to international duty then to the competition in a concerning period without a lengthy break, but that didn’t stop the Citizens from easing to victory in their opening game.

Securing a 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Phil Foden and Jeremie Doku against Wydad FC, the only negative for Manchester City was Rico Lewis’ controversial red card.

Pep Guardiola was seen confronting the officials about the incident after the full-time whistle and he told reporters when asked about the red card in his post-match press conference: “[Rico’s] leg was little bit high, but he was on the grass. Touches the ball with the speed that they go through, your leg has to be a little bit high and the other player down.

“It was not intentional and it was a red card versus Crystal Palace after the referee came and said it wasn’t a red card. Rico never had intention to hurt anyone. A little bit unnecessary, the red card. The referee is the boss and had other intentions, VAR checked it and we have to accept the decision.”

Meanwhile, as the action continues on the pitch, the Citizens are set to remain just as busy in the transfer window amid reports that they’re not in talks to sign a Premier League gem.

Man City "in talks" to sign Dexter Oliver

According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City are now “in talks” to sign Dexter Oliver from Tottenham Hotspur. Negotiations are reportedly advancing and all signs are pointing towards a move to The Etihad for the young midfielder who Romano described as “talented”.

At 16 years old, Oliver is undoubtedly one for the future whether that’s at Spurs or, indeed, Manchester City. And he wouldn’t be the first talent to break out of City’s youth system if he decided to swap the Lilywhites’ academy for the chance to join the Manchester club.

How to Watch the FIFA Club World Cup for Free

Everything you need to know about the Club World Cup.

ByCharlie Smith Jun 13, 2025

From Cole Palmer to Jeremie Frimpong and Jamie Gittens, European football is littered with Manchester City’s talented graduates. Now, Dexter could commence his path towards similar stardom. Guardiola, meanwhile, will have the chance to make his mark on another young talent if the midfielder eventually breaks into the first-team.

Celtic are preparing for the 2025/26 season after another successful year under Brendan Rodgers, with the Hoops lifting another Scottish Premiership title.

Their dominance in Scotland is showing no signs of slowing up, and something those at Parkhead have done well in recent years is making a number of shrewd signings.

They have also cashed in on a plethora of Celtic Park stars at the right times, making profits on the likes of Matt O’Riley, Kyogo Furuhashi and Jota, with the latter of the three since returning.

Matt O’Riley

Brighton

£25m

2024

Jota

Al-Ittihad

£25m

2023

Kieran Tierney

Arsenal

£25m

2019

Moussa Dembele

Lyon

£19.7m

2018

Odsonne Edouard

Crystal Palace

£14m

2021

But who could be in line to leave Celtic this summer? Grok, the AI tool on X, has predicted five players the Hoops will cash in on ahead of 25/26, and if they are correct, Celtic will receive more than £50m.

£20m+ spent as "next Neymar" joins: AI predicts 5 players Celtic will sign

The Hoops could back Brendan Rodgers this summer.

ByCharlie Smith Jun 14, 2025 AI predicts 5 players Celtic will sell this summer 1 Reo Hatate (£25m)

The first player Grok has predicted to leave Parkhead is midfielder Reo Hatate, who they say has been a ‘standout performer’ for Celtic.

Signed for just under £1.5m in 2022, Hatate could generate a huge profit and has been backed to exit for up to £25m.

AI adds that Hatate’s ‘versatility, work rate, and technical ability make him a prime candidate for a big move’.

2 Cameron Carter-Vickers (£15m)

Centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers has been heavily linked with a move away this summer, so it isn’t a shock that AI believes an exit could happen.

Purchased for an initial £6m from Tottenham back in 2022, Carter-Vickers has made Celtic Park his home following plenty of loan spells earlier in his career but is now wanted by multiple clubs in England.

Grok says that £15m could be enough for Celtic to sell, basing that off the club’s previous defensive sales, such as when Virgil van Dijk joined Southampton and Kristoffer Ajer moved to Brentford.

3 Daizen Maeda (£12m)

After Kyogo Furuhashi left Celtic at the beginning of 2025, Daizen Maeda featured in a more central role in the latter stages of the season and ended the campaign with 33 goals in all competitions.

As a result, the Japan international has been linked with a move to the Premier League as he enters the final two years of his current Parkhead contract.

It is stated that following Furuhashi’s exit, ‘Maeda could be next if Celtic look to refresh their attacking options’, with a £12m fee mooted.

4 Gustaf Lagerbielke (£3m)

After spending the 24/25 season on loan at FC Twente, Gustaf Lagerbielke is looking to leave Celtic this summer, so it’s no surprise that he is on AI’s list.

Games

10

Goals

1

Red cards

1

Minutes played

576

The Sweden international hasn’t lived up to expectations at Parkhead and is among several fringe players who ‘don’t fit into Rodgers’ long-term plans’.

If a permanent sale materialises, Grok feels a transfer could be worth up to £3m, around the fee they paid Elfsborg back in 2023.

5 Hyeok-kyu Kwon (£1m)

Another player who looks surplus to requirements is midfielder Hyeok-kyu Kwon, who has had loan spells at Scottish Premiership sides St Mirren and Hibernian since moving to Celtic Park.

Yet to make a competitive appearance for the Hoops, the 24-year-old is still under contract until 2028, but the club are open to offers for Kwon.

Grok says a fee worth just £1m could be enough for Celtic to sell the midfielder.

Crowd in excess of 13,000 witness remarkable matchwinning display from 16-year-old

Cameron Ponsonby25-Jul-2021And so the rain arrived. Just after the first women’s Hundred’s London derby had ended and just before the men’s was due to begin.A sort of social justice piece of karma delivered by the sky to anyone who thought they’d only turn up to the latter game and skip out on the former. Oh you wanted to watch some cricket? Well you could’ve and you would have seen possibly the most exciting teenage English talent in the game right now. Tough luck.Women’s cricket, and sport in general, is always going to suffer from lazy comparisons to the men’s game. Which has never really made sense. No one should look at Shelley Ann Fraser-Pryce with all her Olympic sprinting medals and think, “cor she’s quick…wonder how she’d get on against Usain Bolt?”. Because it’s a false equivalence. Why bother in the first place?And yet it’ll continue to happen. And I think it’s mainly down to how we consume our sport, which is through TV. We’re accustomed to watching cricket in the context of 90mph thunderbolts and sixes being launched 100m as we sit on the sofa lazily grunting our approval. The Olympics’ (recently updated) motto includes the words ‘faster, higher, stronger’ and so when things are smaller and slower people can think of it as less. But when you’re watching at the ground, the context of TV is removed and the skill of the players comes to the fore.Today, in the space of five balls, 16-year-old Alice Capsey lofted the spinner over mid-off for four, reverse-swept the next one for four more and then gave herself space to slap Deandra Dottin through point. It was thrilling. And you’d be a fool to miss it.The women’s game is increasingly being dominated by players of the skill level of Capsey. Whilst today was her day to announce her arrival, the likes of Shafali Verma, Sophie Ecclestone and Sophia Dunkley have all had their days in the sun to announce their arrival on the world stage. Young players, each phenomenal in their own right who are no doubt the rule of the women’s game moving forward rather than the exception.Related

Alice Capsey and Grace Gibbs lead Stars to emphatic win

Jemimah Rodrigues on her 92* in Hundred: 'A much-needed innings for me personally'

Teenager Alice Capsey hits the high notes as Oval Invincibles win again

Today the attendance for the women’s game was measured at 13,537, a figure that grew throughout the match as fans filtered their way into the ground for a Sunday at the cricket.A record for a domestic women’s game in the modern era, which should be celebrated. However, perhaps it’s the greed of progress that it still left me wanting more.It’s the gift and the curse of the double header that the women’s game is put in front of more people’s eyes than ever (good) but only as a curtain-raiser (bad). But, because of the rain today, it took centre stage for the second time this tournament after Wednesday’s opening night. And far from it being a warm-up, it hopefully left 13,537 people asking for an encore.Certainly those who arrived on time for the match action will have left wanting to know and see more of Capsey following her imperious display.Much has been made of Capsey’s age, or lack of. The youngest player in the tournament at 16 and recently embarked on her A levels, it could have been expected, or at least forgiven, had the occasion of playing at Lord’s got the better of her.Or, on the other side of the coin, and as I’m sure many will comment, “she played with the fearlessness of youth.”As a phrase it’s one that’s always confused me and I can only assume it is only said by those who don’t remember being 16 (sorry). Because being 16 is terrifying.You’re constantly being confronted with so many firsts in your life happening at one time. Your first love interest maybe, your first drink perhaps, your first major set of exams for definite. It’s just that, unlike us, Capsey has added her first innings at Lord’s to that list as well.To say Capsey’s youth made her fearless is to diminish her achievement. She batted brilliantly for 59 off 40 balls on the biggest stage of all. There’s no doubt it was a daunting occasion and that’s what made it all the more impressive.Her innings shifted from one of promise to one of certainty in the space of five balls midway through the innings. Consecutive boundaries off the bowling of Dean was followed by a dismissive shot through the off-side against Dottin. Three boundaries in five balls. A drive, a reverse sweep and a cut. Three different shots with the same outcome each time. This was a batter in control of her game and of the occasion.Further testament to her innings was that she was supported, not led, by South Africa captain and star of the Invincibles opening night win on Wednesday in Van Niekerk.”It’s a special moment. There were a few nerves, but I just wanted to be able to express myself and stay true to how I play,” Capsey said afterwards.”I just wanted to take it in my stride and show I’m not going to be pushed to the side. I want to play how I want to play.”The Hundred Rising is providing eight aspiring, young journalists the opportunity to tell the story of The Hundred men’s and women’s competitions through their own eyes.