All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

A 5-0 win and the announcement of Eberechi Eze. Weekends don’t get much better if you’re an Arsenal fan.

This has been a spectacular window and it was capped off by Eze’s arrival last week, signing for his boyhood club, returning to the team that rejected him at the age of 13.

It’s a dream fulfilled. The smile on his face over the last week has been joyous. Very rarely have we seen a player so delighted to sign for the Gunners.

Yet, Andrea Berta and Co aren’t done quite yet. Anyone fancy another left-sided defender? Mikel Arteta, of course you do. The window wouldn’t be complete without one arriving.

Arsenal's transfer plans after signing Eze

Surprising news emerged at the beginning of the week that with Jakub Kiwior set to depart the Emirates Stadium, another defender could arrive.

That player is Bayer Leverkusen star, Piero Hincapie. One of the most exciting defenders in the game, Hincapie has proven himself to be a rampant threat when playing as a left-back, but also a pillar of solidity when playing as a centre-back.

This move would be the icing on the cake as far as Arteta is concerned, but despite a near £300m summer spend, more forwards are still on Arsenal’s radar.

Indeed, according to Caught Offside, the Gunners and Chelsea are monitoring Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman.

Transfer Focus

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

It’s reported that Lookman’s future in Italy is hanging by a thread after falling out with key figures at the club, thus opening up the possibility of a transfer in the remaining week of the window.

Inter Milan have been the most serious suitors for much of the summer but with no move forthcoming yet, a number of clubs in England have weighed up swoops.

Arsenal are said to be considering an approach, while Chelsea and Aston Villa are also interested in the £45m forward.

The two London clubs may hold an advantage. It’s claimed that Lookman has moved back to the English capital this summer.

Why Lookman could be Eze 2.0 for Arsenal

It’s safe to say that Eze and Lookman have enjoyed/endured similar journeys on their rise to footballing stardom.

Born a matter of months apart, both in London, the two 27-year-olds grew up in the capital and began their careers in a similar fashion.

While Eze was rejected by Arsenal, eventually going onto play in the academies at Fulham and Millwall, before he got his big break at QPR, it was in the EFL and London where Lookman was also first spotted, playing for Charlton Athletic.

While they caught their eye with trickery, it’s not been until the last few years that they’ve become talents worthy of playing for one of the Premier League’s biggest and best clubs.

Indeed, over the last two campaigns, Eze has dazzled for Crystal Palace, scoring 25 goals and registering 17 assists in all competitions. He’s in his prime and the numbers showcase that.

2024/25

43

14

11

2023/24

31

11

6

2022/23

40

10

4

2021/22

19

1

1

2020/21

36

3

6

Lookman is cut from a similar cloth. He’s a “superstar” in the words of 90min’s Sean Walsh and has really exploded over the last two years in Italy. Who can forget his famous hat-trick that won Atalanta the Europa League in 2023/24?

Those are just three of 37 goals he’s scored in the last two seasons, years where he also supplied 17 assists for good measure too, the same number as Eze.

While the Nigeria international has predominantly played as a centre-forward in Serie A, like Eze, he’s capable of playing on either flank or behind the striker.

They’re dazzling with the ball at their feet too, the former Palace star notably ranking inside the top 15% of positionally similar players in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons per 90 minutes and Lookman sitting among the best 6% of positionally similar players for progressive carries.

London-born, the same age, similarly versatile, explosive and in their primes, there is a lot to compare between the two players. Arsenal could do far worse than Lookman if they are on the hunt for even more firepower before the window closes.

Perfect for Saka: Arsenal submit bid to sign "complete" star after Hincapie

Arsenal have made their move to land another star for Mikel Arteta this summer.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 27, 2025

Liverpool have been one of the most active clubs this transfer window with numerous high-profile incomings and outgoings. Arne Slot is using the momentum from his first Premier League trophy to build a formidable side.

Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike are some of the biggest names to have arrived at Anfield this summer. All three of them have found recent success in the Bundesliga and this is a league where recent recruitment from has paid off for Liverpool, with the likes of Dominic Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch.

They’ve funded these big moves through a combination of on-field success, low spending in previous seasons and by letting go of some big-name players. Luis Diaz and Jarell Quansah have already left for Germany and now Darwin Nunez is set to move to Saudi Arabia and become the latest high-profile departure, while Harvey Elliott may not be far behind.

While most of Slot’s reign has gone the way Liverpool had hoped, they could be on the verge of losing a player they want to keep and one who is integral to the team.

Pérez targets Konate signing

According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid’s President, Florentino Pérez, has identified Ibrahima Konate as a key Real Madrid target next summer, when he is available as a free agent.

This is a strategy that Madrid have enacted in the past, as this summer they secured the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free after his Liverpool contract expired. Pérez’s hope will be to reunite the pair under the new Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso, so that they may rekindle their defensive connection.

Konate’s current contract sees him earn £70,000 a week, which is less than a third of what his defensive partner Virgil Van Dijk earns. Liverpool’s Director of Football, Richard Hughes, has attempted to rectify this wage disparity and has reportedly offered a new contract that Konate turned down. A report from The Times indicated that the defender wants around £200,000 a week.

Whilst there still seems to be some distance between the two parties’ preferred wages, French journalist Abdellah Boulma has indicated that talks are still ongoing with both Hughes and Konate open to working out a deal.

Konate's significance to Liverpool

There’s a reason both Real Madrid and Liverpool desperately want Konate in their squad for the start of the 2026 campaign – his presence on the pitch has a clear impact on results and defensive form.

Games Played

31

7

Wins

21

4

Draws

7

2

Losses

3

1

Win %

67.7%

57.1%

Avg. Goals Conceded per game

1.47

1.71

Statistics from statmuse

Indeed, Liverpool win 10.6% more games when Konate features, over a 38-game season that will result in between an extra 8 and 12 points. The second major stat is that they conceed 0.24 fewer goals a game when Konate plays, 9.12 goals over a full Premier League season.

Based on their business in the last few windows and their on-field success, Liverpool clearly have more money to spend in order to bring in a Konate replacement if he did leave next summer. However, the difficulty that the club faces is in actually finding a player of high enough quality to replace him.

It wouldn’t be hyperbolic to say this summer is turning into something of a disaster for Newcastle United.

The Magpies should be looking forward to a season of Champions League football and possibilities for more silverware, but instead are embroiled in a transfer saga involving Alexander Isak.

On top of that, Eddie Howe and Co have had to watch the club seemingly miss out on target after target in recent weeks, with it now not entirely clear what is happening regarding Benjamin Sesko.

However, perhaps it’s not all doom and gloom, as the League Cup champions have done some business, and it now looks like they’re planning to go back in for one international who could be something of another Anthony Elanga.

Newcastle target another Elanga

While there is plenty to be worried about from a Newcastle fan’s perspective this summer, it is worth noting that the club have conducted some promising business, such as getting Aaron Ramsdale in on a season-long loan with an option to buy.

Transfer Focus

The Englishman may have his detractors, but for two years at Arsenal, he was brilliant and played a big part in the Gunners’ surprise title push in the 22/23 season, pulling off some notable saves in games against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

On top of that, the club have also got their hands on Elanga, and while it would be fair to say pre-season has been mixed for the Swedish international, we all saw how effective he could be last season when he ended the campaign with six goals and 12 assists in 43 appearances for Nottingham Forest.

Interestingly, with just under a month until the transfer window slams shut, the Toon look set to go back in for one of their previous targets, someone who could be described as another Elanga.

At least that is according to a recent report from the Times, which claims Newcastle are interested in Marc Guehi again.

The report has revealed that the Crystal Palace star, who is valued at around £50m, is now back on the menu for the Magpies, and that they could finally go in with a fresh bid at any point in the coming weeks – although they do not want to spend more than £40m.

It would be another significant investment from the club, but the Englishman has proven his worth over the years, and there would be an Elanga-esque quality to the deal.

Why Guehi would be an Elanga-esque signing

So, before we get into a few reasons why Guehi would be an excellent signing for Newcastle in his own right, it’s worth going over why his arrival would be reminiscent of Elanga’s.

The first is that, like the Swede, the Englishman would be moving to St James’ Park from another Premier League side, and not just that, but one set to compete in Europe next season.

Moreover, while it’s not entirely clear just how much the Palace ace will cost at the moment, the likelihood is that the final price will not be too far off the £55m the Toon paid for the Malmo-born winger.

Lastly, like former Manchester United prospect, the Eagles star defender had to leave one of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ sides early in his career to really gain a foothold in English football and make a name for himself, and make a name for himslef, he certainly has.

That brings us to arguably the most crucial reason the 25-year-old would be an excellent addition to Howe’s squad, which is his vast experience.

Appearances

216

23

Goals

8

0

Assists

4

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.05

0.08

Despite still being relatively young for a centre-back and around two years off from hitting his peak, according to research carried out by The Athletic, the “exceptional” star, as dubbed by former goalkeeper Joe Hart, has now made 216 senior club appearances across his stints with the Eagles, Swansea and Chelsea.

On top of that, the former Blues gem has also won 23 caps for England and was a key member of the squad that made it to the final of the European Championships last season.

Ultimately, while it won’t be cheap, Newcastle should once again push the boat out to sign a player previously discarded by the ‘big six’ as Guehi looks like he has everything needed to elevate their backline next season.

Fabrizio Romano anticipates Liverpool will spend more money this summer. They’ve spent a fair bit already, but then why not?

Arne Slot surprised a few when he led the Reds to the Premier League title last season, surprised a few when he did it having spent very little in the 2024 summer market, bringing over a £12.5m man in Federico Chiesa, who sat in Mohamed Salah’s shadow all year long.

But that was all. And so now that Liverpool are Premier League champions, having invested nominally over the past two years, they have been granted by FSG a war chest which has been used on a range of thrilling signings.

Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have buttressed the wide banks; Florian Wirtz is a Liverpool player, leaving Bayer Leverkusen along with Frimpong in a deal worth £116m. That’s a British record. Giorgi Mamardashvili, a 24-year-old goalkeeper with lofty ambitions, has completed his move from Valencia too.

And now, Hugo Ekitike is on the cusp of sealing his own move, there or thereabouts completing Liverpool’s frontline.

Hugo Ekitike and what comes next

Ekitike is all but a Liverpool player. Only the official announcement remains. The Eintracht Frankfurt forward is 23, and he is already “one of the best strikers out there”, as analyst Ben Mattinson has put it.

Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes no doubt feel they have hit the jackpot.

Ekitike will prove a big upgrade on Darwin Nunez, who is expected to leave Liverpool this summer. But more is needed at the front of the ship.

Chiesa may also be on the move after his disappointing debut season, and Luis Diaz is the subject of Bayern Munich’s focused interest. A £58.5m bid was knocked back last week, and the Bundesliga champions plan to return with an improved offer.

Diaz, 28, wants a better contract, but one does not appear to be forthcoming. He has less than two years remaining at Liverpool, so cashing in for a hefty fee might be the track to go down.

And anyway, Liverpool have set their sights on the perfect replacement.

Liverpool in talks with Diaz replacement

Over the past several weeks, Liverpool have emerged as contenders for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, who is slated to leave Xabi Alonso’s side this summer after being informed he had slipped down the pecking order.

And now, according to Foot Mercato, Liverpool have been engaged in recent talks with the player’s camp as they look to complete a stunning transfer, although official contacts with Real Madrid have yet to take place.

The 24-year-old is also wanted by Arsenal and has been priced at £87m by Los Blancos, so there’s a lot to consider on FSG’s part.

Why Liverpool want Rodrygo

Rodrygo is a talented forward, but he’s been limited somewhat at Real Madrid over the past year, rarely playing in his favoured left-sided attacking role and overshadowed by the likes of Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.

Still, in spite of his going 17 matches in a row without a goal before the 2024/25 season wrapped up, Rodrygo managed to notch 25 goal involvements across the campaign – the same as Diaz – and showcased his slick technical quality, ranked among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for pass completion and the top 14% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

This completeness of style has even led to FBref’s data-driven algorithms linking Wirtz and former Reds target Khvicha Kvaratskhelia being two of his most comparable players, and if through the lens of these comparisons that we better understand why FSG are so intent on bringing him over to Merseyside.

Rodrygo has the natural silkiness of movement that aligns with Paris Saint-Germain’s Kvaratskhelia, who is regarded as one of the game’s pre-eminent current ball carriers. Mattinson had also praised him, saying of the Georgian: “Superstar ability but works like a dog off the ball.”

And then Rodrygo is also blessed with a certain creative flair and incisiveness in front of goal that isn’t too dissimilar to Liverpool’s record signing, who, across the past two campaigns with Leverkusen, has posted 34 goals and 35 assists across all competitions.

24/25

31 (25)

10

13

23/24

32 (26)

11

12

22/23

17 (11)

1

6

21/22

24 (22)

7

10

20/21

29 (25)

5

6

The Brazil forward provides potent support each year, but his La Liga form left something to be desired last year. As per Sofascore, though, he only missed one big chance, converting six more.

At his finest, Rodrygo is regarded to be “on a different level”, as said by talent scout Jacek Kulig, in the same way that Wirtz and Kvaratskhelia demand awe when at their rip-roaring best.

Wirtz, indeed, is incredibly sharp in the crucial moments, often making the right decision as he places a weighted pass into a teammate’s pocket of space, or making the perfect shimmy as he skips to the side and unleashes a pinpoint strike on goal.

While Rodrygo has work to do until he reaches that level, which he is capable of, you’d think that at Liverpool on the left, he would have the freedom and renewed confidence to go from strength to strength.

After all, the versatile forward has demonstrated over a number of years his aptitude in the Champions League, so often coming up trumps on Europe’s biggest stage.

With the athleticism of a superstar like Kvaratskhelia and the innate attacking sharpness of Liverpool’s new star recruit, Rodrygo could be exactly what Slot is looking for, and must be signed if Diaz does indeed go.

A better signing than Rodrygo: Liverpool leading race to land £45m star

Liverpool are hoping to make a few more signings in the summer transfer window.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 23, 2025

Leeds United are believed to be interested in signing a “special” player in the summer transfer window, with Daniel Farke a big admirer of the individual in question.

Leeds preparing for Premier League return

The Whites are edging closer to their first game back in the Premier League, with Farke and his players preparing hard after their return to pre-season training.

Leeds’ first match is a home clash with Everton on August 18th, with Elland Road likely to be in raucous spirits under the lights and in front of the Sky Sports cameras, following a couple of seasons away from the top flight.

It has been a productive summer transfer window for the Whites to date, with the likes of Jaka Bijol, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Sebastiaan Bornauw all brought in, but further fresh faces are required, in order to give Farke’s side the best possible chance of avoiding a swift return to the Championship in 2025/26.

Leeds have reportedly made an offer for Fenerbahce and Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, as they look to find an upgrade on Illan Meslier between the sticks, but it looks as though another player who Farke knows well could be an alternative option in the coming weeks.

Leeds keen on signing "special" free goalkeeper

According to journalist Barry Anderson on X, Leeds are interested in signing goalkeeper Angus Gunn this summer, with the Scot available on a free transfer after leaving Norwich City at the end of last season.

Gunn could be such a shrewd signing by the Whites, not only because he would arrive for free, but also due to the vast experience he now possesses.

The 29-year-old is a 16-cap Scotland international, being hailed as “special” on the international stage by David Marshall, and Farke is a huge fan, saying of him all the way back in 2017:

“Angus is very highly-rated and a really talented goalkeeper. He’s brilliant with his feet as well as his hands and is tall too. We’re happy to have him here for the next season and are thankful to Manchester City for helping us with this deal. I’m looking forward to working with such a great talent.”

Gunn has come up against Leeds so many times in his career, losing on five occasions at Elland Road in total, four of which came as a starter, but he could bring great quality in goal for plenty more years.

More important than Longstaff: Leeds submit bid for "big-game" £11m star

Leeds could make a more important signing than Longstaff

1 ByJoe Nuttall Jul 10, 2025

He already has 31 appearances to his name in the Premier League, as well as 166 in the Championship, and he could be a safe pair of hands for the Whites, even as a second or third choice option.

Arsenal are ready to splash the cash in a serious show of ambition this summer, with Mikel Arteta and co desperate to end the club’s long wait for a Premier League title, which has spanned over 20 years.

Arsenal convinced they can seal "huge signing" after "showdown talks"

The Gunners are growing in optimism.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 5, 2025

Sporting director Andrea Berta has already sealed deals for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, with the latter two unofficial but confirmed by multiple reliable media sources.

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

25/26 – summer

£5m

Arsenal will pay around £56 million for Zubimendi, with all documents regarding the Spaniard’s transfer signed and finalised, while Norgaard has apparently undergone the first part of his medical in N5.

Berta has shown a tendency to spin many plates at once when it comes to transfer targets, with Arsenal also believed to be after two new wide players. Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Chelsea forward Noni Madueke have all been linked this week, but signing a right and left-winger could depend on whether Berta sells one of Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli.

In any case, Arsenal have been working on deals for Eze and another star for the left-hand side (Fabrizio Romano), all while actively seeking their desired new striker – which could be one of Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres or RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Arsenal are advancing talks for Sesko and Gyokeres, before deciding which one would best suit the club’s needs both in a financial sense and on the field.

However, one player who’s likelier to arrive before any of the aforementioned attackers is Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera.

Arsenal enter "decisive" phase of talks for Cristhian Mosquera

As per CaughtOffside, Arsenal have entered their “decisive” phase of talks for Mosquera, who’s already agreed personal terms over a move to the Emirates.

The versatile centre-back could come as a like-for-like replacement for Takehiro Tomiyasu, who mutually shook hands on a contract termination this week following his Arsenal injury hell.

Arteta’s side have seen a £12 million offer rejected for Mosquera, but are planning to go back in with a new bid which could be as high as £26 million, including bonuses and add-ons.

The Spaniard is said to be very keen on joining Arsenal and even snubbed a new contract proposal from Valencia, with Berta said to be edging closer to a full agreement.

The move could be sealed pretty soon, and barring any unexpected twists, Mosquera appears poised to become Arsenal’s fourth signing of the window.

Footall Talent Scout Jacek Kulig describes him as an “elite” young player, with Mosquera playing more minutes than any other player under 21 in Europe’s top five leagues last season.

Arsenal and sporting director Andrea Berta have been working to back Mikel Arteta behind-the-scenes, with the north Londoners intent on strengthening their squad ahead of a vital Premier League campaign.

Benjamin Sesko has now made "unusual" demand in Arsenal transfer talks

The Slovenia international wants something out of the ordinary.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 20, 2025

Berta has many plates spinning as he looks to secure the best possible deals for his new club.

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

The Italian is still simultaneously working on deals for both RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, as has been the case for weeks (BBC), with Arsenal’s final striker decision shaping up to be one of the most intriguing stories of this transfer window.

“Arsenal still deciding between Benjamin Sesko and Gyökeres,” said reliable transfer journalist Ben Jacobs, via X, recently.

“Andrea Berta simultaneously advancing both deals. Gyökeres would be open to Manchester United. There has been no formal rejection, but a deal to date has also never been at an advanced stage, despite suggestions.

“United have not made any formal approach to Sporting. Swedish striker one of several striker options discussed for #MUFC. Gyökeres believes he’ll still be allowed to leave Sporting for €70m. Arsenal have always been one to watch, but it will depend on Berta now because he is also in ongoing talks for Sesko at the same time.”

The Gyokeres situation in particular is getting pretty toxic to say the least.

Sporting president Frederico Varandas publicly denied claims that the 27-year-old would be allowed to leave for £60 million, even if Gyokeres remains privately convinced that’ll happen, with the club chief also stating that he won’t be blackmailed by the striker or his agent.

“I want to make one thing clear: Sporting has common sense and keeps its word,” said Varandas.

“Gyokeres scored 63 goals and 10 assists. Fantastic performance. Certainly one of the best players to have ever stepped onto Portuguese turf. And Sporting will not demand the clause.

“Now blackmail and insults, Sporting will not accept. One thing is certain: Sporting will not accept 60 million plus 10 [£60m].”

Viktor Gyokeres "dreams" of joining Arsenal

As tensions surrounding Gyokeres’ future reach boiling point, Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport has at least moved to provide some good news for Arsenal.

Serie A heavyweights Juventus have been expressing an interest in the Sweden international recently, but the Old Lady have been told something crystal clear – Gyokeres “dreams” of a move to Arsenal, and they’re his top priority.

While Corriere reiterates that the north Londoners have seen a low-ball offer rejected already, the newspaper has provided clarity on Gyokeres’ current price tag, with Sporting demanding close to around £70 million to agree a deal.

Juve were actually willing to surpass Arsenal’s opening offer, but after receiving Gyokeres’ “refusal”, they’re now moving on to other targets like free agent Jonathan David.

Berta knows the price at which Sporting will begin to loosen their hold on the star striker, with the 53-year-old now set to carry on pondering his imperative decision before advancing further in talks – Sesko or Gyokeres.

“I know Gyokeres very well personally, I was a bit of a mentor for him when he played for Brommapojkarna,” former Arsenal midfielder Anders Limpar told FotbollDirekt.

“He’s a fantastically hardworking forward who scores a lot of goals. If we at Arsenal [were to] buy Gyokeres, then he will definitely call me. But then to see Gyokeres at Arsenal, that would be crazy.

“His work rate, he runs like a madman. When it doesn’t work out for Viktor, he works his way into the game with uncomfortable runs.”

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.

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.

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.

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.”