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Everton’s fourth summer signing of the 2025 window is through the door at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Toffees have brought in young Bayern Munich left-back Adam Aznou, for a fee reported by the Liverpool Echo to be in the region of £7.8m.

Indeed, the same report details that the Toffees’ summer spending is way past the £50m mark already. Charly Alcaraz made his loan move permanent, Mark Travers signed from Bournemouth as their new back-up goalkeeper, and the marquee signing so far has been Thierno Barry. The French striker joined Everton from Spanish side Villarreal.

Yet, David Moyes is not content, and reportedly wants five or six more signings this summer. Already, the Toffees have been linked with a new attacker.

Everton’s pursuit of a new attacker

It seems like Moyes wants to overhaul Everton’s attack this summer. Dominic Calvert-Lewin left the club on a free transfer, and Barry has been signed as his replacement. Now, the focus on the Blue half of Merseyside has seemingly switched to a new winger.

Transfer Focus

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

According to a recent report from Fabrizio Romano, the Toffees have enquired about signing Como and Senegal international winger Assane Diao. He is one option on the list as Everton look to reinvent their forward line under Moyes.

However, this will not be an easy deal to do. Como, managed by Premier League legend Cesc Fabregas, have ‘already turned down a bid this summer’ for the young winger.

That club is unnamed, but perhaps it came from Everton’s Premier League rivals, Chelsea. One Spanish report said earlier in the window they were set to bid £43m for the 19-year-old.

Why Diao would be a good signing

After coming through Real Betis’ academy, Diao made the move to Italian side Como in January. Described as an “electric” winger by football scout Antonio Mango, the 19-year-old has made a huge impression in Serie A so far.

Although he is just 15 games into his Como career, Diao, already a Senegal international, has eight goals and one assist to his name. He was a key player under Fabregas, playing 1259 minutes, the equivalent of 13.9 full 90-minute games.

The former Betis star, who managed six goals and three assists for the club, showed in his short Como career that he can step up in the big games. Last season, he bagged goals against Milan, Juventus and Scudetto winners Napoli.

Moyes would surely be hoping the Senegal international could replicate the impact of his international teammate Iliamn Ndiaye. The Toffees’ attacker was described as a “superstar” by former defender-turned-pundit Jamie Carragher.

His impact last term, his debut campaign for Everton, was astronomical. He played 37 games across all competitions, scoring 11 goals. That included nine strikes in the Premier League, with this stunning effort against Tottenham Hotspur a standout.

Diao’s record at Como stands out in such a short amount of time, and he has a habit of finding the back of the net against big sides. There is reason to believe he has the talent to replicate what Nidaye has done.

He can also play on both wings. With his international teammate favouring the left, there is a chance Everton fans could see them line up on either flank.

The stats on Squawka, using Diao’s numbers from Serie A, are remarkably similar. For example, the Como star completes 1.4 take-ons and averages 0.6 chances created per 90 minutes. In contrast, Everton’s number 10 completes an average of 2.6 take-ons and creates 0.7 chances per game.

Goals and assists

0.7

0.4

Chances created

0.6

0.7

Forward passes

4.4

6.2

Take-ons completed

1.4

2.6

Duels won

7.9

6.7

Ball recoveries

3

6.4

With the Toffees looking to overhaul their attack next term, signing Diao could be the dream option. He is a direct winger with an eye for goal and has the ability to light up the Hill Dickinson Stadium with his flair.

Joining his Senegal teammate Ndiaye on Bramley Moore Dock would be an exciting move, especially if he can become the second coming of the Everton star.

Their new Gordon: Everton set to hold talks over signing big-money PL star

Everton eye sensational transfer for Manchester City’s treble-winning winger

ByWill Miller Jul 30, 2025

The India batter revealed her Brisbane Heat team-mates encouraged her to take a positive approach

Sruthi Ravindranath11-Nov-20242:16

Rodrigues welcomes ICC’s initiative to tackle social media abuse

India batter Jemimah Rodrigues is hoping to apply the Australian “mindset” she has picked up from her WBBL team-mates in her game.Rodrigues, who’s back in the tournament for her third stint having last played in 2022 for Melbourne Stars, has played four games so far for Brisbane Heat. She scored a 40-ball 61 in a match-winning effort against Adelaide Strikers after scores of 13 and 5 in the previous two games, crediting the turnaround to her Heat team-mates’ encouragement to play “positively”.Related

ICC successfully trials AI tool for eliminating social media abuse in women's game

Replacement player Bekker takes centre-stage as Renegades win Melbourne derby

Lizelle Lee smashes WBBL records with 150 not out against Scorchers

“I think the last two innings of mine [in the WBBL] didn’t go that well,” Rodrigues said. “Grace Harris and Laura Harris both of them texted me and said, ‘Jemi, your over extra cover drive is the best. Don’t stop yourself from playing that. Even if you get out, it’s fine. But just keep dominating’. So I think that really helped me in [the Strikers] knock just to have that kind of backing firstly from your team that the team still believes in you and at the same time, just they’re like, ‘No, we’re still going to take the positive route. We’re still going to play positive cricket and bat with intent’.”So 100%, that mindset – just to learn from them [Australians]. There’s a saying always that if there are two options, always take the positive one. So I think that is something I have also been really working on in my game and just to have people around you after two failures, I had those doubts – ‘should I still play with this mindset or should I not?’. They were like ‘just go all out’ and that really helped me. This is something that I will take with me 100% hopefully bring it out with the Aussies and just continue to do well.”Rodrigues feels facing other international bowlers in leagues around the world is good for her confidence, especially with the ODI World Cup scheduled in less than a year.”Playing these foreign leagues and playing the WPL, it does help because you play against the best in the world in all these leagues and at the same time you get to play in different conditions,” she said. “Every ground is so different to the other and I think that is one of the best parts of playing franchise cricket that you get used to the conditions and you get to play the top bowlers in women ‘s cricket.Jemimah Rodrigues’ innings at the Gabba proved to be a match-winning one•Getty Images”Imagine just going out there and doing well, how much confidence you’ll get coming back into the Indian team when you’ve taken on these bowlers. So I think it’s a good preparation leading into the World Cup. At the same time, it’s just good games because the more matches we play, the better we become. I think that’s the best part about having WBBL, the WPL, the Hundred, the Caribbean Premier League, all the leagues.”India started their preparation for the World Cup with three ODIs against New Zealand at home recently, which they won 2-1. Their next assignment is against Australia in December when they will play three ODIs in Brisbane and Perth. Rodrigues believes playing in the WBBL will be good preparation for the ODIs despite the format being different.”For me, nothing much changes in my technique,” Rodrigues said. “Nothing much will even change in my mindset. I think I will still back myself to play positive cricket, but at the same time being more sensible because it’s a longer format and trying to extend this innings even longer, scoring more and more runs for India. So I think that’s the similar mindset. Again, it’s about how I assess the conditions and assess the situation.”Recently, the ICC successfully trialled an AI tool to eliminate social media abuse in the women’s game. Rodrigues welcomed the move, saying she was glad the players don’t have to deal with it anymore and focus just on playing.”I think that was a very good initiative by the ICC. I remember when I had gone in that line because sometimes social media can be harsh. At the end we all are humans, we all are we here doing our best, trying to do whatever we can. Some ways we are great. Some ways we are not. So it’s just harsh when we see people just commenting all sorts of things on social media. But it was such a nice thing from ICC just to protect us and just to keep the game so pure. We [needed to] just go out there and play cricket and enjoy cricket than dealing with all these things. So it was, it was really nice from ICC.”

Shamim Hossain makes a comeback, while Ripon Mondol has been called up to a full-strength Bangladesh side for the first time

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Dec-2024Litton Das has been appointed Bangladesh captain for an entire T20I series for the first time – he filled in once for Mahmudullah on the tour of New Zealand in April 2021 – for the three-match series to round off the ongoing all-format tour of the West Indies.There is a return for batting allrounder Shamim Hossain, who last played in a T20I – or any international match – in December 2023 in New Zealand. Shamim, 24, has had a run in the format but hasn’t quite broken through yet. In 14 T20I innings, he has 254 runs at a strike rate of 115.98, and a highest of 51, his only half-century.West Indies vs Bangladesh T20I series

December 16 – 1st T20I
December 18 – 2nd T20I
December 18 – 3rd T20I

The somewhat left-field pick is that of Ripon Mondol, the tall 21-year-old medium-fast bowler who played three T20Is in October 2023, all at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, where he picked up four wickets as Bangladesh finished third.There is still no Najmul Hossain Shanto, the regular all-format captain, who is recovering after picking up a hamstring injury during the series against Afghanistan in November. There is also no update on Shakib Al Hasan’s availability, or future, in international cricket.ESPNcricinfo LtdMehidy Hasan Miraz led Bangladesh in the two-Test series in the Caribbean, which was split 1-1, and is also their leader in the ongoing ODI series.From the last T20I squad that played in India in October, Towhid Hridoy (groin injury), Mustafizur Rahman (on a break after becoming a father) and Rakibul Hasan are missing, along with Mahmudullah, who has since retired from the format.Apart from Shamim and Mondal, fast bowler Hasan Mahmud, left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed, top-order batter Soumya Sarkar, who starred in Rangpur Riders’ Global Super League title win recently, and middle-order batter Afif Hossain have come in for this series.Bangladesh squad for T20I series against West IndiesLitton Das (capt), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Ripon Mondol

Phil Parkinson is reportedly seeing questions asked of his future at Wrexham, with talks being held behind the scenes. The Red Dragons, on the back of three successive promotions that saw the EFL history books rewritten, have endured a tough start to the 2025-26 Championship season – leading to their long-serving manager becoming the subject of sack rumours.

Championship: Where are Wrexham in the table?

Wrexham have picked up four points from five games this season. That return leaves them just above the relegation zone. More was expected at SToK Racecourse following a summer of big spending.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportHow much Wrexham spent in summer transfer window

Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney helped to fund a £33 million ($45m) splurge in the last window, with the Red Dragons able to add Premier League pedigree to their ranks in the form of several experienced performers.

Where is it going wrong for Wrexham?

A new-look squad is yet to click, with claiming that Parkinson is now the subject of internal discussions in North Wales. Wrexham have conceded the highest xG in the second tier this season, while facing more shots than any of their rivals.

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Getty/GOALHollywood co-owners prepared to make big calls

Reynolds and McElhenney have never hidden their desire to push Wrexham on towards the top-flight. They are not afraid to sign off tough decisions either, with fan favourites from a historic run of promotions – such as Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer – being allowed to leave.

Quite often, it is impossible to read too much into pre-season but, if Everton manager David Moyes has learnt one thing, it is that he requires more attacking difference makers.

Across seven pre-season friendlies, the Toffees won only once, beating EFL League One outfit Port Vale, scoring just six goals across these fixtures, most notably defeated 1-0 by Roma on Saturday, which somewhat damped the grand-opener of Hill Dickinson Stadium.

So, ahead of their Premier League opener, taking on newly-promoted Leeds United at Elland Road on Monday night, Moyes has already brought in some attacking reinforcements, but now has his sights set on even more.

Everton's need for goals and creativity

So far this summer, Everton have added striker Thierno Barry, arriving from Villarreal for a reported fee of £27m, and attacking midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who has joined from Chelsea for £25m, the pair having scored 11 and five goals for their former clubs respectively last season.

The signing all Evertonians are excited the most about, though, is the arrival of Jack Grealish, who has moved to Merseyside on a season-long loan from Manchester City, while there is an option to make the deal permanent for £50m.

Should that clause be activated, he would break Everton’s transfer record, currently held by Gylfi Sigurðsson.

So, given the huge sums of money involved, with Grealish currently earning £300k-per-week in wages too, albeit Man City will surely be subsidising a huge proportion of that, could the acquisition of a young talent prove to be the better signing?

Well, as reported by TEAMtalk, Everton are interested in signing Tyrique George from Chelsea, with alternatives to Southampton’s Tyler Dibling being considered on the right flank, having seen multiple bids rejected for the £50m teenager.

As for George, the report adds that RB Leipzig are also ‘keen’, while Chelsea are open to a sale at ‘the right price’, with the Blues’ teenager’s estimated transfer market value around £15m, as per Football Transfers.

Transfer Focus

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

So, could he soon swap Stamford Bridge for Bramley-Moore Dock?

What Evertonians could expect from Tyrique George

George has been on Chelsea’s books since the age of eight, making his senior debut for the Blues a year ago against Servette in the Conference League play-off round, racking up 26 senior appearances across all competitions throughout the campaign.

He scored his first goal for the club against Legia Warszawa in April, opening his Premier League account at Craven Cottage against West London rivals Fulham a few days later, before also netting against Espérance Sportive de Tunis during Chelsea’s victorious Club World Cup campaign throughout the summer.

These performances saw him named Chelsea’s Academy Player of the Season for 2025, a prestigious accolade previously awarded to Dominic Solanke, Fikayo Tomori, Mason Mount, Reece James, Conor Gallagher, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Hall and other high-profile stars since its inception a decade ago.

Ben Mattinson was certainly impressed, labelling him a “monster”, believing there is “not enough hype” about how good he is, while then-teammate Noni Madueke asserted that George’s “talent is through the roof”, adding that he is “quick and skilful” and possesses “everything to be a fantastic winger”.

So, let’s analyse his statistics in last season’s Conference League, the competition in which the vast majority of his minutes came.

Minutes

765

5th

Goals

1

12th

Assists

2

5th

Expected assists

2.9

2nd

Shots

22

2nd

Key passes

14

2nd

Shot-creating actions

30

2nd

Big chances created

4

2nd

Attempted take-ons

25

2nd

Successful take-ons

14

2nd

Progressive carries

38

1st

Carries into the box

27

1st

Average SofaScore ranking

7.08

9th

As the table outlines, George was a key attacking contributor for Chelsea in the Conference League last season, ranking especially highly when it came to dribbling metrics, namely progressive carries, carries into the opposition’s penalty area and take-ons.

Thus, it is clear that George is an immensely talented teenager, one that could be available for a bargain price, given Chelsea’s constant desire to buy more and more attackers, currently chasing Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons.

Everton could therefore be the team who benefit, potentially signing George at a bargain price, one that’ll prove to be their best signing of the summer in the medium to long term, even better than the arrival of Grealish.

The teenager is a player on the up and, in the right environment, could thrive, so is exactly the profile of player the Toffees need to be targeting, low cost and opportunistic, if they’re going to get back to challenging for major honours and European qualification.

Grealish, on the other hand, is a major risk, having contributed very little at Manchester City across the last two seasons, seeing a miserly 715 minutes of action in the Premier League last season, starting just seven times, scoring a solitary league goal.

Thus, while 29-year-old Grealish could have an impact in the immediate future, Everton are aiming to compete in the long-term under new owners, the Friedkins, and George, a decade his junior, could star at Bramley-Moore Dock for many seasons to come.

Better move than Grealish: Everton looking to sign "unstoppable" £17m CF

As Everton look to bolster their forward options, with Jack Grealish potentially on his way, the Toffees could also sign an “unstoppable” £17m striker

ByBen Gray Aug 11, 2025

Club will host second World Cricket Connects symposium in June, following inaugural event last year

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Jan-2025Jay Shah, the ICC chair and ex-secretary of the BCCI, has joined a new Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) advisory board, which will replace the club’s world cricket committee.Shah was a notable absentee when MCC staged the inaugural World Cricket Connects forum last year, which saw over 100 leading voices gather at Lord’s to discuss the state of the global game. But he is among 13 founding members of the new World Cricket Connects advisory board, which will be chaired by former MCC president Kumar Sangakkara.MCC announced on Thursday that the second World Cricket Connects forum will be staged on June 7 and 8, before Lord’s hosts the World Test Championship final. MCC chair Mark Nicholas said: “We are looking forward to welcoming many of the game’s most influential figures to debate the most important topics that dominate global cricket.”The new advisory board replaces the world cricket committee, which formed in 2006 and met for the final time last summer. Other founding members include Sourav Ganguly, Graeme Smith and Andrew Strauss, as well as England women’s captain Heather Knight and JioStar’s CEO (Sports), Sanjog Gupta.”An important step has been made in the forming of the World Cricket Connects Advisory Board,” Nicholas said. “We have assembled an impressive group of the best minds in cricket across several different areas relevant to our sport. I am delighted to be working with this experienced group and excited about what we can collectively achieve for the benefit of the global game.”The world cricket committee was an independent body which did not hold any formal power, but its recommendations have often been adopted by the ICC. These have included calls for a Decision Review System, the formation of a World Test Championship, the introduction of day-night Test cricket, and the use of a shot clock to improve slow over-rates,The new advisory board will meet virtually throughout the year, and in person after the symposium at Lord’s. MCC said: “This independent group will shape the annual World Cricket Connects agenda, help facilitate the event’s discussions and in turn maximise the opportunity for genuine impact on the health of the game.”World Cricket Connects advisory board members: Kumar Sangakkara (chair), Anurag Dahiya (ICC chief commercial officer), Chris Dehring (CWI CEO), Sourav Ganguly, Sanjog Gupta (JioStar CEO – Sports), Mel Jones, Heather Knight, Trudy Lindblade (Cricket Scotland CEO), Heath Mills (World Cricketers’ Association chair), Imtiaz Patel (Former SuperSport chair), Jay Shah, Graeme Smith, Andrew Strauss.

Gary Neville has branded Arsenal a 'one-trick pony' under Mikel Arteta, questioning whether the Gunners truly believe they can win the Premier League. The Manchester United legend criticised Arsenal’s reliance on set pieces following their 1-1 draw with Manchester City, warning that without greater attacking spark, their title push could ultimately fall short.

Arsenal faltering in Premier League yet again

Arsenal needed a late Gabriel Martinelli equaliser to secure a point against Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday. While the result kept them in the mix at the top, their blunt attacking display raised fresh doubts. Neville highlighted that Pep Guardiola’s tactical approach underlined how one-dimensional Arsenal can look when their set-piece threat is contained.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportNeville tears into Arsenal's struggles

Speaking about Arsenal’s style of play, Neville said: "I think the reason he [Guardiola] has done that is because he is recognising that Arsenal are a bit, you know, they're a one-trick pony. Set pieces are such a large percentage of their chances and goals that you end up in a situation where you just got to have big players in the box and a goalkeeper that punches."

On Arteta’s team selections: "My narrative with Arsenal was thinking, is he going to take the risk? And the team sheet comes through and I see that Trossard and Merino are on it. If you're making two substitutions at half time, it's not gone to plan and you know that the players you started with are not going to be able to win you the game in all circumstances, which is when they go a goal down."

On Arsenal’s belief: "You can't wait to win a league. Arsenal are not creating enough chances in these types of games. I've predicted Arsenal will win the league… but does the manager and the players really believe, number one, that they can win the league? Do they know how to win a league?"

Arsenal risk being forgotten if they dont win the PL

Arsenal’s title challenge has been built on defensive solidity and set-piece efficiency, but doubts remain over whether that approach is sustainable against elite rivals. Neville pointed to the wealth of attacking talent Arteta has at his disposal, questioning why the Gunners lack creativity in big matches. Without more fluency in open play, Arsenal risk being remembered as a side that fell short when it mattered most, as they have finished second in the Premier League title race for three straight seasons.

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Getty Images SportArsenal need a change to win the title

Arteta will look for a stronger attacking display when Arsenal return to league action next weekend against Newcastle. The Gunners must show they can win matches through more than just set pieces if they are to outlast City. With pressure building, every team sheet and tactical call from Arteta will face even greater scrutiny.

Unai Emery will be praying that his Aston Villa team puts their slow Premier League start behind them when Crystal Palace comes to town.

After all, much like the Villans this summer, Crystal Palace have had to grow accustomed to the prospect of their top assets being poached by sides higher up the top-flight food chain, with Eberechi Eze now donning Arsenal red and white.

Thankfully, the West Midlands outfit still has Morgan Rogers available for selection – despite new interest in his services coming from Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur – with a hope he can kickstart his own individual season against the Eagles to steer Villa to a win.

Away from speculation about those who could exit Villa Park between now and September’s looming deadline, there is also a long list of faces that might well relocate to the claret and blue half of Birmingham shortly.

Aston Villa lodge bid for new midfielder

However, it does now look increasingly unlikely that Nicolas Jackson will be one of those faces pulling on a Villa strip.

Indeed, reports from Germany indicate that Bayern Munich has agreed a loan deal for the hit-and-miss Chelsea forward to move to Bundesliga giants, over sealing a return to work under his ex-Villarreal boss in Emery.

The early Premier League underperformers might well feel lady luck could be on their side more by trying to land Christopher Nkunku instead from the West London outfit, but there will also be competition from the German top-flight here as well, with Nkunku’s former side RB Leipzig keen on a reunion.

Villa have also been gifted the opportunity to land Adrien Rabiot to enhance their midfield personnel, with French outlet L’Equipe revealing that Emery and Co. have sent an offer for the wantaway Marseille ace, who is on thin ice at the Ligue 1 side owing to a bust-up.

Other sides, such as West Ham United, Galatasaray, and Inter Milan, are also among those to have lodged a proposal, with Villa hopeful they can get a statement deal over the line that is a far better late foray into the market than snapping up Nkunku or Jackson.

Why signing Rabiot is a better buy than Nkunku & Jackson

The argument in favour of both Nkunku and Jackson will be that they’ve at least been exposed to the intense pressures of the Premier League, with the Frenchman only ever plying his trade on faraway European shores, in contrast.

Yet, it’s been well-documented at this point how tricky both the ex-Leipzig attacker and his Senegalese counterpart have found it to be consistent in the English top-flight, with Nkunku only finding the back of the net a sheepish six times in league action from limited starts.

Jackson does have more credit in the bank, arguably, with the 24-year-old boasting a promising 24 goals in the Premier League to date, but it’s his staggering 43 big chances missed across his two top-flight seasons that will seriously worry Emery.

After all, if Rogers or Watkins were to both leave at the death, the Spaniard would certainly want instantly successful replacements, not unpolished projects who have struggled to regularly make an impact in the testing division.

PSG

227

24 + 17

Juventus

212

22 + 16

Marseille

32

10 + 6

Toulouse

13

1 + 3

Whereas, despite Rabiot never setting foot onto English soil, his consistent excellence in both Ligue 1 and Serie A should stand him in good stead to be an instant success story at Villa Park, with an outrageous collection of 23 trophies coming his way in Paris and Turin when being an important cog in the middle of the park.

He has even been dubbed “world-class” by French great David Trezeguet, with his efforts for Marseille last season – before his time at the club publicly unravelled – also showing off a star still performing at the peak of his powers, away from both Nkunku and Jackson flopping at Chelsea.

Nine goals and four assists would fall into Rabiot’s lap last campaign in Ligue 1 action, with his manager in Roberto De Zerbi, going as far as to herald the number 25 as an asset who “gives everything” for the cause.

With Boubacar Kamara now out of the Villa side owing to injury, adding in a composed midfielder such as Rabiot into the group could prove to be a very smart next buy.

It certainly does feel as if it would be a better investment than gambling on Nkunku or Jackson to come good, that’s for sure.

Aston Villa make approach for World Cup finalist who is available for move

The Villans could be set to do battle with other clubs…

BySean Markus Clifford Aug 25, 2025

Glasgow Rangers signed central midfielder Joe Rothwell to add some poise and class to their options in the middle of the park earlier this summer.

The English metronome joined on a permanent basis from Premier League side Bournemouth, after playing a part in Leeds United’s 100-point Championship title-winning season last term.

Unfortunately, though, Rothwell has yet to show his class on the pitch for the Light Blues. He was subbed off at half-time in the 6-0 hammering against Club Brugge and only played eight minutes off the bench against Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday.

Rangers eyeing move for new midfielder

The experienced ace may end up finding himself further down the pecking order after the deadline passes tonight, as the club have set their sights on another number six.

Transfer Focus

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

According to L’Equipe, Glasgow Rangers are one of the clubs interested in a deal to sign central midfielder Pierre Ekwah from Saint-Etienne today.

The report claims that Levante and Rangers are both keen on tying up a deadline day move for the French star, who wants to leave his current club after they were relegated from Ligue 1.

It states that the Light Blues are considering an approach to sign Ekwah, who joined Saint-Etienne from Sunderland for £5m this summer, if they are able to move a player on to make way for him, although it is unclear as to who that player would be.

What Pierre Ekwah could bring to Rangers

The former Black Cats man could be exactly what Russell Martin needs at the base of his midfield to improve the defence, as an instant upgrade on Rothwell.

Rangers have already conceded 17 goals this season, and failed to win any of their four matches in the Scottish Premiership, and signing a defensive midfield enforcer like Ekwah could provide the back four with the protection that they clearly need.

In four outings in the Premiership this season, Rothwell has averaged 2.0 tackles and interceptions per game and only won 50% of his physical duels, per Sofascore, which does not suggest that he is a defensive powerhouse.

Appearances

29

Pass accuracy

88%

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.6

Error led to goal

0

Duel success rate

57%

Duels won per game

5.0

Aerial duel success rate

71%

As you can see in the table above, Ekwah has the potential to offer more to the team out of possession by making more tackles and interceptions and winning a higher percentage of his duels with opposition players.

Ekwah, who Tony Mowbray claimed could do “amazing” things with his feet, also ranked within the top 34% of midfielders in Ligue 1 for progressive passes (5.29) per 90, which shows that he is also adept at playing forward passes to spark attacks.

This means that he is not only a defensive monster who can break up play, but he can also play with the ball and build attacks, which is important in a Rangers team that want to dominate and win games consistently.

Overall, Ekwah’s performances in a greater league, one of the major leagues in Europe, suggest that he would be a significant upgrade on Rothwell in the number six position and go a long way to improving the team’s worrying defensive issues.

Aarons upgrade: Rangers lining up Deadline Day deal to sign £22k-p/w star

Rangers are eyeing up a last-minute move for a star who could be an upgrade on Max Aarons.

ByDan Emery Sep 1, 2025

Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard passed the Topps FC quickfire quiz with flying colours, showing off his knowledge of modern football history when answering questions under pressure. The ex-Rangers and Aston Villa boss was put on the spot in a test of his wits, but showed why he was once considered one of the game’s greatest minds on the pitch by remaining cool when in an intense spotlight.

Gerrard put under pressure in quiz

Gerrard, a player who loved a sliding challenge in his heyday, had to tackle the Topps FC quickfire quiz. He proved that despite retiring from playing football almost a decade ago, he still has as sharp a mind as ever, coming back with rapid responses to all the questions laid before him.

AdvertisementWatch the clipLegendary midfielder shows off his extensive knowledge

In an interview with GOAL, Gerrard had to answer questions about current players at pace, and the link between them was that their names spelled out his own last name.

Question: G – Nottingham Forest midfielder who didn’t sign for Spurs?

Gerrard: [Morgan] Gibbs-White.

Q: E – Brazil wonderkid who joined Chelsea from Palmeiras?

Gerrard: Estevao.

Q: R – 16-year-old winger making headlines at Liverpool?

Gerrard: Rio [Ngumoha]!

Q: R – goalkeeper who shared last season’s Golden Glove?

Gerrard: [David] Raya.

Q: A – Fulham winger who played for Barcelona and Middlesbrough?

Gerrard: [Adama] Traore.

Q: R – Man Utd legend who Martin Keown shouted at?

Gerrard: [Ruud] van Nistelrooy.

Q: D – Brighton captain who led them from League One to the Premier League?

Gerrard: Lewis Dunk.

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Gerrard shows love for Ngumoha

Gerrard, who is considered to be one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players and served as captain at Anfield for over 10 years, was noticeably enthusiastic about the chance to namedrop Reds wonderkid Ngumoha, who has since turned 17 and signed his first professional contract with the club. Ngumoha became the youngest scorer in the history of the men’s first team when he popped up with a 100th-minute winner in their 3-2 victory away at Newcastle United in August. This was also the latest winning goal Liverpool had ever scored in the Premier League.

Already a vital part of Arne Slot’s first-team squad, Ngumoha has helped Liverpool maintain a perfect start to the 2025-26 campaign, winning seven games across all competitions thus far, including five in the Premier League and one apiece in the Champions League and Carabao Cup.