All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Rangers sweating over Kemar Roofe fitness

Rangers had to relinquish Ibrox’s grasp on the SPFL title last night as their Old Firm rivals were crowned champions ahead of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men.

Despite this big disappointment for the Gers, their main focus will undoubtedly now be on securing a victory in the Europa League final.

After their final league game of the season on Saturday, van Bronckhorst’s side will be taking on Eintracht Frankfurt next Wednesday to see who will be lifting the trophy.

Looking ahead to this big match, it seems as though Rangers will be sweating over the fitness and potential availability of one figure that has played a big part in getting his side to the final.

What’s the latest?

Speaking on what the current situation is regarding Kemar Roofe’s fitness and his chances of being fit enough to play in the final, Van Bronckhorst had this to say on the matter.

He said: “It is going to be a close call for Kemar. So we have to assess him day by day. I think [Ryan] Jack is ahead of him. Jack will be ready for next week but I still don’t know about Kemar.”

Back in April, the former Leeds United star picked up a knee injury and hasn’t featured for the team since.

A big worry

This season has seen the striker make 35 appearances for his club across all competitions.

In those appearances, the 29-year-old has found the net 16 times and delivered two assists along the way. In the Europa League, Roofe has played in eight of their 14 games.

During the second-leg quarter-final clash against Braga at Ibrox, the centre-forward scored a goal and provided an assist in the 3-1 win that got his side to the semi-finals.

Taking into account how much of an attacking figure he has been for the Gers this season, not having him available to play in the final would be a big blow for the Glaswegian side.

With Alfredo Morelos out injured, this would only increase Rangers’ need to have a real striker, such as Roofe, available for selection.

While the Rangers boss will be sweating over the possibility of not having the Jamaican available to play next week, he’ll have to make sure that his other players are prepared mentally for the big showdown and hope that no other injury concerns arise before then.

In other news: Rangers eyeing “fabulous” £28k-p/w gem who “rises to the occasion”, GvB would love him

Manchester United make contact with Kalidou Koulibaly’s agent

Manchester United have reportedly made contact with Kalidou Koulibaly’s agent over a possible summer transfer.

The Lowdown: Koulibaly links

The Red Devils have been linked with Koulibaly for a number of years now and have seemingly come close to his services on a number of occasions.

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Back in 2020, reports claimed that a £60m move to Old Trafford was done, whereas stories last year suggested the club snubbed a £34m deal in favour of signing Raphael Varane.

Koulibaly, who has been described as the ‘second-best defender in the world’ by Serie A expert Conor Clancy, has remained with Napoli, but it looks as if rumours over a Manchester United move have started once again ahead of the summer window.

The Latest: Contact made

Sports Witness relayed an update from Area Napoli regarding Koulibaly on Friday. They claimed that there has now been contact between United and Fali Ramadani, Koulibaly’s agent.

There is hope from Ramadani that some teams could offer €35m (£29.7m) for the defender’s services, with Erik ten Hag keen on bolstering the club’s centre-back ranks.

The Verdict: Ship sailed?

Koulibaly is valued at £40.5m by Transfermarkt, so a potential £29.7m summer move would be seen as a cheap one given the £60m links two years ago.

However, the Senegal international will turn 31 next month and has seen his valuation drop from £67.5m since 2019, so you could argue that United could be better off looking elsewhere.

Another centre-back who has been linked is Sporting CP’s Goncalo Inacio, with an offer from United thought to be ‘imminent’, so perhaps looking to build for the future with Inacio may be a better decision than pursuing Koulibaly, who seems to be past his prime based on valuation.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano: Man Utd have now agreed key deal for ‘important’ Old Trafford move. 

Tottenham: Conte axe strikes fear in ‘top class’ player

Tottenham Hotspur’s Sergio Reguilon now fears the axe by manager Antonio Conte as Barcelona eye a surprise move to sign the former Real Madrid talent, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Conte overhaul looming?

The Spurs head coach is reportedly plotting a major summer overhaul with as many as six major signings on his mind (The Telegraph).

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Conte wishes to add a reserve goalkeeper, right-wing-back, central defender, two midfielders and a new forward to his ranks as he prepares for a first full 2022/2023 season in charge at the Premier League club.

Several Lilywhites players have been tipped to make way as transfer chief Fabio Paratici is tasked with balancing the books and ensuring Conte’s transfer market wishes are fulfilled.

Now, sharing an update on who could leave north London, chief football writer John Cross of The Daily Mirror has an update for supporters.

The Latest: Cross makes Reguilon claim…

According to his sources, La Liga giants Barca are eyeing a ‘sensational’ move to sign former Real Madrid academy ace Reguilon from Spurs.

As well as this, the 25-year-old ‘fears he is not part of Conte’s long-term plans’ as he grows fearful of the Italian’s possible axe.

It is thought that Reguilon ‘could be surplus to requirements’ and it looks ‘increasingly likely he will leave’.

The Verdict: Let him go?

Depending on whether Madrid activate their £27.5 million buy-back clause for the defender or if it is Barca who end up swooping in, letting Reguilon depart should be considered by Paratici and Conte.

Ryan Sessegnon has been shining in the left-wing-back role when deployed and the Spaniard’s exit could help to balance Spurs’ worrying homegrown quota issue.

The potential fee will also bolster Paratici’s transfer kitty to fund summer swoops and appeasing Conte’s wishes in the summer will be crucial in keeping him at the club.

Lauded as a ‘top-class’ player by former Spurs keeper Paul Robinson, a Reguilon sale may well be one to watch out for regardless of his quality at times.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano: Conte could lose ‘monster’ Spurs player who’s now ‘expected to leave’…find out more here.

Spurs: Tavolieri drops Tielemans update

Sacha Tavolieri has dropped an update on the future of reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Youri Tielemans.

What’s the talk?

In a recent post on Twitter (via The Sun), the Belgian journalist revealed that the 24-year-old – who looks set to leave Leicester City at the end of the season – has told people close to him that he would prefer a move to Spain this summer, with Real Madrid believed to be keen on a deal for the Belgium international.

This is sure to come as a huge blow to the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United, all of whom have been credited with an interest in the central midfielder – for whom the Foxes are believed to be demanding an extremely reasonable figure of £25m in order to part with this summer.

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In his tweet, Tavolieri said: “While he should leave Leicester City this summer, Youri Tielemans would have told those around him his preference for a departure to Spain. Real Madrid, interested, could position itself concretely in the coming weeks.”

Conte will be livid

Considering the wonderfully talented footballer Tielemans has developed into since his £40m move to the King Power back in 2019, in addition to the fact that the 24-year-old looks to be available for a very affordable price this summer, the news that the midfielder would prefer a move to Spain is sure to have left Antonio Conte livid.

Indeed, the £49.5m-rated talent has proven over his 28 Premier League appearances this season just how much ability he possesses, scoring six goals, registering three assists and creating four big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.8 shots, making 1.2 key passes and completing 0.9 dribbles per game.

The £120k-per-week dynamo has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 0.7 interceptions, 2.1 tackles, 43.1 passes, 2.3 long balls and winning 4.8 duels – at a success rate of 51% – per fixture.

These returns have seen the former AS Monaco starlet average a quite remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.10, ranking him as Brendan Rodgers’ second-best player in the English top flight.

As such, it is clear for all to see just how much Tielemans would add to Conte’s current options in the middle of the park at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

And, when taking into account the fact that the 24-year-old is now available for around half his reported £50m price tag in January, the news the Leicester playmaker is eyeing a move to Spain will undoubtedly be gutting for everyone involved with Spurs.

AND in other news: Paratici now eyeing “exceptional” £60m Spurs signing, he’d be a “machine” under Conte

"Elite" England star now Ruben Amorim's number one target at Man Utd

An “elite” midfielder has now risen to the top of Ruben Amorim’s shortlist, with Manchester United very keen to strengthen in the engine room.

Man Utd eyeing new midfielder amid Mainoo's lack of minutes

Kobbie Mainoo has played just 171 minutes across nine Premier League matches this season, most recently being brought on in stoppage time to help Man United close out a 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace.

Falling down the pecking order is far from ideal for the Englishman, who will have ambitions of going to the World Cup next summer, having played a vital role in the Three Lions reaching the final of Euro 2024.

The Devils’ Advocate co-host Joe McGrath has now claimed United should sanction a loan move this winter, saying: “We had a player worth – and is still worth – £80m or £90m. A young England international. He’s so good. We can’t let his standards drop and we need to let him go on loan.

Should that happen, the Red Devils will need to bring in a replacement, and Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson has now emerged as Amorim’s top target, with a report from TEAMtalk revealing the 23-year-old is their ‘clear favourite’.

There are a number of other options on the shortlist namely Adam Wharton, Joao Gomes, Conor Gallagher and Morten Hjulmand, with United clearly determined to bring in a midfielder.

Signing Anderson is now Amorim’s priority, however, even though it could take a huge bid to get a deal over the line, with the Tricky Trees planning to hold out for around £100m.

"Elite" Anderson would be statement signing for Man Utd

A number of top Premier League clubs are now queuing up to sign the England international, including Manchester City and Liverpool, so Man United would be making a real statement if they were able to win the race for his signature.

Man Utd copying Chelsea model as INEOS line up double new signing

INEOS have taken a page out of BlueCo’s book…

ByBen Goodwin Dec 2, 2025

It is no surprise so many teams are eager to sign the Forest star, given the impression he’s made for both club and country, with Thomas Tuchel recently lauding the central midfielder as “elite”.

The former Newcastle United man has also been in top form in the Premier League, completing a total of 736 short passes, the fifth-highest number of any player.

It is the correct decision to pinpoint Anderson as the top target, but United’s ability to compete for his signature will likely depend on whether they qualify for Europe, amid rival interest from some top clubs.

Rangers on verge of hiring new manager who shares agent with £100m+ Real Madrid superstar

Rangers are closing in on the appointment of a new manager, after face to face talks with Ibrox chiefs on Friday.

The Gers manager search has taken one twist after another with several names being thrown into the hat, from Danny Rohl to Sean Dyche, but none have been more prevalent than Steven Gerrard.

Rangers have already started making transfer plans for their new manager, with Pierce Charles expected to be the first major target in January, while there is also the risk of losing key players.

Indeed, for all the fan excitment for what the likes of Nicolas Raskin could do under a legendary midfielder like Gerrard, it appears he could be off in January even despite the departure of Russell Martin, who had found a way to stall the Belgium star’s career.

Indeed, Besiktas are planning a January approach for Raskin, in what could be one of Rangers’ most expensive sales of all time and Gerrard’s first blow after landing the job.

Gerrard "close to a total agreement" with Rangers

According to Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook, the former Premiership winner is on the verge of returning to Glasgow.

“Understand Rangers are now close to a total agreement with Steven Gerrard to return to Ibrox,” Jacobs posted on Twitter.

“Gerrard held positive face-to-face talks with chairman Andrew Cavanagh and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe in London on Thursday.”

Present at those talks would have also been Gerrard’s Wasserman agency, who represent superstars like Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde, valued at well over £100m by Transfermarkt, and Ballon d’Or candidate Denzel Dumfries.

The former Gers and Aston Villa boss had hinted in a recent interview with Rio Ferdinand that he is ready to return to management: “I’d love another go at some point. I want to change a few things and improve a few things and come back fresh, with a few different people around myself.

“I’d love another couple of challenges doing this and that’s what I’m working on in the background at the moment. A few different ideas, a few different people around me.

“Now I’m enjoying family time and doing a lot of things that I haven’t been able to do. But there’s a part of me that still feels that there’s a bit of unfinished business in terms of wanting to go in and face another couple of exciting challenges.”

Rangers' most expensive sales of all time

Who left Ibrox for the most money?

ByRoss Kilvington Oct 9, 2025

Kevin Thomson believes Gerrard will be taking the job at “a good time” if a deal can be struck for the once England captain to return to Ibrox.

“I do think it’s a good time to take the job,” the former Gers midfielder told Sky Sports. “There’s no doubt they’ve underachieved, they’ve had a couple of difficult moments in Europe as well.

“But they’ve still got a (Premier Sports Cup) semi-final coming up, the Scottish Cup’s still to come. Obviously Hearts have made a wonderful start. Celtic have made an indifferent start, albeit they’re above Rangers, so I think a new manager would think that they’ve got plenty of time.

“Only seven games played domestically, another 30-odd to go, so it’s not as if you’re coming in and it’s already a foregone conclusion that they’re not going to win the league.

“It’ll be a tough ask, no doubt, but I think if you’ve got that belief that you think you can change the squad and get more out of the current players and start to get the team winning, I think it’s an exciting job for anyone.”

Arteta can fix Odegaard injury blow by unleashing Arsenal's new Mesut Ozil

Just as Arsenal supporters wanted to bask in being top of the table for the duration of the international break, yet more bad news on the injury front comes their way.

On Saturday against West Ham, Martin Ødegaard set an unwanted record, becoming the first player in Premier League history to be substituted during the first half of three successive league starts.

Having seemingly recovered from a shoulder issue, putting in a sparkling display against Olympiacos in the Champions League, the captain suffered a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee, expected to spend at least a month on the sidelines.

Between this international break and the November window, Mikel Arteta’s team take on Fulham, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sunderland in the Premier League, also facing Atlético Madrid and Slavia Prague in the Champions League, as well as Brighton in an EFL Cup tie.

In most of those fixtures, especially when Diego Simeone’s Colchoneros visit North London, the Gunners will face their kryptonite, a low block, so Arteta simply must fill the creative void in Ødegaard’s absence with Arsenal’s new Mesut Özil.

Mesut Özil's impact at Arsenal

In a post-Fabrizio Romano era, it is hard to outline the excitement that Özil’s move to Arsenal brought, with this the peak of Sky Sports News deadline day, as the clip below demonstrates.

Once he arrived, the German had an enormous impact in North London, providing countless numbers of assists and scoring goals on a regular basis too.

2013/14

7

14

2014/15

5

8

2015/16

8

20

2016/17

12

15

2017/18

5

14

2018/19

6

3

2019/20

1

3

Total

44

77

Özil was at his absolute best in 2015/16 and 2016/17, with his tally of 19 Premier League assists in the former campaign only ever bettered by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

The German will forever be remembered as Arsenal’s assist king, a key figure in a trio of FA Cup triumphs, very much one of the best players the club have had in the Emirates era.

Who can forget that goal against Ludogorets in the Champions League? Or his trademark finish against Liverpool, bouncing the ball onto the turf and past a bewildered goalkeeper.

While the German’s work rate and body language were questioned towards the end of his career, few can dispute just how magical he was on his day.

So now, fast-forward to today, could one of Arsenal’s summer signings have a similar impact if unleashed by Arteta?

Arsenal's new creative star

Following Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at Anfield in August, Arteta was widely criticised for deploying Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino, misconstrued as him deploying three defensive midfielders, which isn’t strictly true, but they do lack creativity.

More recently though, Eberechi Eze was deployed centrally at Newcastle, before starting in tandem alongside Ødegaard at the weekend, albeit that experiment sadly didn’t last too long.

Chalkboard

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

So now, with Ødegaard set to spend an extended period on the sidelines, Eze has to be given the key to this team, deployed through the middle given the Gunners’ upcoming opponents, as he’s the only man who can solve their creativity issue.

Following the dramatic victory at St James’ Park, Arteta admitted that the England international is at his best when utilised centrally, stating “the more we put him in central positions, especially when there’s threat around him, we’re playing to his strengths”.

Meantime, upon his arrival, having hijacked Tottenham’s move, sporting director Andrea Berta labelled Eze a “creative and explosive talent with huge technical quality”, while Arteta noted that he will bring a “new dimension” to his team, given that he is a “powerful and exciting player”.

The 27-year-old has only made eight appearances for his new club but has showcased his quality already, scoring his first goal against Port Vale in the Carabao Cup, while also producing this sublime assist in stoppage time as Gabriel Martinelli rescued a draw against Manchester City.

Thus, as already outlined, Arsenal’s next seven matches are, predominantly, against teams who will sit deep and challenge the Gunners to break them down, so those in attendance should be prepared to endure plenty of horseshoe of doom when club football returns.

Thus, giving Eze the freedom to roam and create through the middle could be key to combating this, especially considering both left-winger options, Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, have been scoring goals of late.

Eze’s arrival was, possibly, the signing Arsenal supporters have been most excited about since Özil joined back in 2013 so, in a much better team than the German ever was, he could be the player that leads Arsenal to that elusive Premier League title.

Arsenal star who's the "best in the world" should be captain over Odegaard

As Martin Ødegaard continues to struggle with injury problems, Mikel Arteta should make “best in the world” Arsenal star his captain going forward.

ByBen Gray Oct 5, 2025

49ers bring in £40m: AI predicts 5 players Rangers will sell this summer

Rangers, under new owners the 49ers Enterprises, look set for a busy summer transfer window after appointing Russell Martin as their new manager.

The Gers have already kickstarted their business on an incoming front, announcing midfielder Lyall Cameron as a new Rangers player after he signed a pre-contract agreement earlier in the year.

More new signings could be on the way, and X’s AI tool Grok has already predicted who Rangers could sign this summer, with a £6m star potentially in line to return to Glasgow.

£6m star returns to Ibrox: AI predicts who Rangers will sign this summer

It could be a busy few months for the 49ers.

ByCharlie Smith Jun 14, 2025

But who could be on the way out? Well, we’ve asked Grok to predict who Rangers and the 49ers could sell ahead of Martin’s first season at Ibrox.

AI predicts 5 players Rangers will sell this summer 1 Nicolas Raskin (£25m)

The biggest sale of the summer at Rangers according to AI could be midfielder Nicolas Raskin. It is stated that ‘his recent performances have boosted his profile, making him a valuable asset’ to those in Scotland.

The Belgium international has been linked with numerous clubs in Europe such as Marseille, Fiorentina, and FC Porto.

Grok says an exit is a ‘high likelihood’ and that this summer ‘is a prime window to cash in before his value risks depreciating’, citing a fee in the region of £25m.

2 Cyriel Dessers (£6m)

Next on the list is forward Cyriel Dessers, and an Ibrox departure wouldn’t shock many Rangers supporters given what has been said in the media in recent weeks.

There have been claims that Dessers, who won the Scottish Premiership Golden Boot award in 2024/25, has already agreed a £30,000-a-week contract with Greek side AEK Athens.

Grok says his exit is also a ‘high likelihood’ and that ‘his sale could fund a younger striker’. A £6m fee has been mooted for Dessers to leave.

3 Mohamed Diomande (£10m)

Next on the list who has a ‘potential’ chance of leaving according to Grok is midfielder Mohamed Diomande, who was only signed by Rangers last year.

They say Diomande ‘showed promise but had an inconsistent 2024/25’ and that ‘interest from other clubs exists, and a £10m bid could see him sold’.

The Ivory Coast international is still under contract at Ibrox until 2028 and was a regular in his first season in Scotland.

4 Robin Propper (£3m)

Defender Robin Propper has been linked with an Ibrox exit and a return to FC Twente just 12 months after leaving the Dutch side for Rangers.

There were reports that Propper had agreed a three-year deal to re-join FC Twente and claims that Martin didn’t want the 31-year-old.

However, a move is yet to go through and Grok say that the chances of Propper leaving Rangers are ‘moderate’ and that his exit for £3m ‘could free up wages and squad space’.

5 James Tavernier (£5m)

The last player on the list who could depart Rangers this summer is club captain James Tavernier, who has regularly been linked with an Ibrox exit over the last 12 months.

Games

513

Goals

130

Assists

142

Minutes played

45,296

Trophies won

5

The 33-year-old is into the last year of his Gers deal and Grok states the 49ers ‘may see his sale as part of a huge rebuild’.

Although AI says the chances of the right-back leaving are ‘low to moderate’, it is added that a £5m bid could tempt Rangers into a sale.

'I forced Leeds to drop their price and sell me – today I'd be worth £200 million'

Far removed from the days of Sir Alex Ferguson’s hairdryer treatment or Brian Clough’s no-nonsense approach, players have all the power in modern football.

Teams who hover around the bottom half of the Premier League have felt the full force of player power since the rise of the ‘big six’, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Matheus Cunha and Kalvin Phillips moving within the top flight for huge fees in recent years.

Leeds United have dealt with their fair share of star players leaving for pastures new, including Ballon d’Or candidate Raphinha and academy starlet Archie Gray.

Leeds' record departures

10. Chris Wood

Burnley – £14m

9. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Atletico Madrid – £14.5m

8. Luis Sinisterra

Bournemouth – £20m

7. Tyler Adams

Bournemouth – £23m

6. Crysencio Summerville

West Ham United – £25m

5. Rio Ferdinand

Manchester United – £30m

4. Archie Gray

Tottenham Hotspur – £40m

3. Georginio Rutter

Brighton – £40m

2. Kalvin Phillips

Manchester City – £42m

1. Raphinha

Barcelona – £50m

Despite Leeds’ status as a huge club with a rich history, some players are just destined for greater things, as Pascal Struijk revealed just how good Raphinha was right from the off at Elland Road: “I knew for sure that he would be able to play with a top team.

“You look at his goals and assists, which he did for us as well. When you go to a big team, it’s about how you react when you make a move like that and I always believed in his ability, I had no doubts.

“My first impression of him was, ‘this guy’s got quality’. Sometimes you have players and you see them on the pitch and you think, he’s got that bit extra. When you see him doing it in the Prem, the talent speaks for itself.”

The Brazilian left Yorkshire on good terms after scoring in the game that secured the Whites’ Premier League status for another year, but not everyone on the list above can say the same.

I was as good as Gerrard and Rooney at youth level, but only scored 3 goals for Leeds

Things didn’t really work out at Elland Road.

ByCharlie Smith Jun 5, 2025 Ferdinand: 'I was a nightmare to make Leeds sell me'

Rio Ferdinand was perhaps the most controversial transfer of his time, leaving Leeds to join arch-rivals Manchester United in 2002, going on to win six Premier League titles under Fergie as one of the greatest centre-backs of all time.

And while it may be of little surprise to the Elland Road faithful who have never forgiven the legendary England defender, he told talkSPORT this week that he refused to leave then-chairman Peter Ridsdale’s office, imploring Leeds not to haggle on their price.

That’s not to say Leeds were hard done by from a financial point of view however. Accounting for inflation, Ferdinand would be the second most expensive Premier League transfer of all time, coming in at around £200m in today’s terms.

Considering Southampton only received £75m for Van Dijk, widely regarded as the world’s best current centre-back, when he joined Liverpool in 2018, Ferdinand certainly cost the Red Devils a pretty penny.

However, his attitude towards his former employers only soured relations further after what was already a controversial move, taking advantage of the club’s financial difficulties as they plummeted to the third tier of English football.

Atalanta manager Gasperini pushing deal to sign "excellent" Celtic star

After missing out on Matt O’Riley last summer, Atalanta have now reportedly made contact over a deal to sign another Celtic midfielder in this summer’s transfer window.

Celtic lift Scottish Premiership

The favourites before the season even got underway and dominant winners by the time the final whistle was blown to end the campaign, Celtic finally got their hands on the Scottish Premiership title last weekend. Having sealed their victory at the end of April, the Bhoys were forced to wait until their 1-1 draw against St. Mirren last time out to lift their fourth-consecutive title in front of Celtic Park.

Brendan Rodgers, who will go down as one of the most successful managers in Celtic history, went as far as to claim that this season’s title win is the most satisfying of his career.

He told reporters: “This is certainly the most satisfying. When I came in here in the first season, obviously I’m getting to know everyone in the club and the feeling.

“But now, especially coming back the second time, I can really embrace it more and enjoy it and just see it obviously as well how the team have been performing.”

That same satisfaction may not carry into the summer transfer window, however, as clubs begin to eye their moves for some of Rodgers’ best players. And just like last summer in the case of O’Riley, Celtic may struggle to keep hold of their star men.

A "Larsson-type signing": £7.8m star would "love" to play for Celtic

A former Celtic star has revealed that he would love to play for the club again.

ByDan Emery May 21, 2025

One that will be interesting to watch is Nicolas Kuhn. The winger enjoyed an excellent campaign – scoring a stunning 21 goals and setting up another 15 in all competitions. Now, he’s reportedly on the radar of sides such as Leeds United ahead of the summer transfer window and could yet leave alongside one other key player.

Atalanta make first Engels move

According to Sport Italia, Atalanta have now made a concrete move to sign Arne Engels from Celtic this summer. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini is reportedly a fan of the midfielder and could now finally get a Celtic star one year on from missing out on O’Riley.

As much as the Bhoys are reluctant to sell Engels, too, it will be interesting to see just how far that stretches if the right offer comes in. Of course, if they ask Rodgers for his opinion on the matter, then he is likely to be keen to keep hold of one of his most important players.

Arne Engels

When asked about the Belgian earlier this season, the Celtic boss told reporters: “I just think it’s about time with him. He’s really enjoying his time here. I’ve taken him out for some games just to let him see from the outside looking in and take that pressure away from him because it’s a big move and everything that comes with it.

“But he’s been excellent in training and he’s only going to get better and better. When he’s asked to step up in pressure moments, he delivers and that was an important first penalty for us. His ball in for the corner was absolutely great as well. So I’m really pleased with Arne.”

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