Tag Futebol

Celtic have reportedly made contact to sign a new versatile international who has been compared to Hoops star Arne Engels.

Celtic transfer rumours heat up as Rodgers eyes another treble

Brendan Rodgers’ side are still on course to seal another domestic treble but could still be extremely busy in the summer transfer window.

Having already lifted the Scottish League Cup, Celtic lead the way in the Scottish Premiership and are set to take on St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-finals next month.

Arne Engels

FC Augsburg

€11m

Jota

Rennes

€10m

Adam Idah

Norwich City

€9.9m

Auston Trusty

Sheffield United

€7.1m

Paulo Bernardo

Benfica

€3m

Luke McCowan

Dundee

€1.2m

Viljami Sinisalo

Aston Villa

€1.2m

Kasper Schmeichel

Anderlecht

Free transfer

Jeffrey Schlupp

Crystal Palace

Loan transfer

Alex Valle

Barcelona

Loan transfer

Away from the pitch, the Hoops have already secured a pre-contract agreement for left-back Kieran Tierney to return to Parkhead from Arsenal when his Gunners contract expires at the end of the current campaign.

Celtic have also made an offer worth €2m (£1.6m) to sign Kalidou Sidibe from French side En Avant Guingamp, who is viewed as a replacement for loanee Jeffrey Schlupp.

Celtic eyeing move for manager's dream who's been likened to James Milner

He leaves “everything on the pitch”.

1 ByBarney Lane Mar 24, 2025

Centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers could be on his way out of Celtic Park in the coming months amid rumours of a move to England, and there have been claims that Rodgers is speaking to former defender Kristoffer Ajer, who is still with Brentford, about a potential return to Glasgow.

It looks set to be a productive summer despite the club making 10 signings during the 2024/25 season, and a new target has now emerged for Celtic chiefs.

Celtic make contact for former Engels teammate Rexhbecaj

According to reports by Fussball Transfers, relayed by Sport Witness, Celtic are working on a deal to sign FC Augsburg midfielder Elvis Rexhbecaj.

It is claimed that the Hoops have made an approach to ask for information over a potential deal, as have Turkish side Besiktas and Italian outfit Parma.

Rexhbecaj is out of contract with Augsburg at the end of the 2025/26 season, with talks over an extension stalling recently.

The 27-year-old has been likened to Celtic star Engels, as per Football Transfers, and previously played with the current Hoops man at Augsburg. They turned out alongside each other in midfield on 38 occasions and played more than 2,000 minutes on the same pitch.

A Kosovo international, Rexhbecaj can play as a defensive, central or attacking midfielder, and was praised by former Wolfsburg coach Eric Schmidt, who once said: “He is an incredibly powerful, aggressive and strong player. He is quite complete and can play several positions.”

A move to Celtic for Rexhbecaj, by the looks of things, a deal will be one to watch over the coming months.

McCullum told Crawley to “chase moments” before the start of the series and he duly delivered

Matt Roller01-Aug-2023Brendon McCullum believes that Zak Crawley’s success against Australia validated England’s approach to Test cricket since he took over as head coach, saying of his Ashes record this summer: “People don’t do that, you know?”Crawley is one of three players – along with Joe Root and Ben Stokes – to have featured in every one of England’s 18 Tests since McCullum’s appointment, and has consistently been backed publicly despite averaging 23 last summer, with a single half-century.McCullum told Crawley to “chase moments” before the start of the series and he duly delivered, thumping the first ball of the series for four through the covers off Pat Cummins on his way to an agenda-setting 61 off 73 at Edgbaston.After 48 and 3 at Lord’s, he made 44 and 33 in a low-scorer at Headingley, then thrashed 189 off 182 balls in Manchester as England dominated a rain-ruined fourth Test. He finished with 22 and 73 at The Oval, helping to set up England’s 49-run win and securing his status as their leading run-scorer for the series.Related

Showman Broad entertains to the end in fitting finale

Injured Cummins to have left wrist assessed in the coming days

Australia leave UK with the mace and the urn, but no gold star

Ben Stokes: 'Hope we've inspired a new generation of Test fans'

“Coming into the series, he was under quite a lot of pressure,” McCullum said. “The great thing was he was able to block that out as much as possible… you hope that’s down to the environment the skipper’s trying to create, and the sincere messaging.”480 runs at a strike rate of 90 [88.72], against the best bowling attack in the world, against the Dukes ball, in an Ashes series: people don’t do that, you know? As the skipper said: you look at what people’s upsides are, what their best days are, what they’re capable of achieving rather than focusing on things that might not be there. He’s a case in point.”I think we’ve seen someone really grow and mature and really develop over the last six weeks or so. I’m sure he’ll be proud of the series he’s had and won’t get carried away, because that’s the type of personality he is. It’s great – not just for Zak, but also for other guys around the side and around county cricket. They know that when they get the opportunity, they’ll get support.”For the first time in a decade, there are no doubts about the identity of England’s best opening pair, with Ben Duckett averaging 35.66 for the series and 53.21 since he was recalled to the Test set-up for the tour to Pakistan last year.”Their contrasting skills – which we’ve talked a lot about leading into the series – is pretty evident and it helps one another,” McCullum said. “Ben Duckett’s turned into a really serious player at the top of the order for us. Away from home as well, his game in sub-continent conditions you’d expect to really flourish, too.”McCullum said that squaring the series from two-nil down – while doubling down on their attacking style with the bat – proved the point that the approach he and Stokes have implemented gets the most out of England’s players. “We have a certain style we try to exhibit every time we play,” he said.”I think for us, that is our best chance of winning. The skipper and I firmly believe that, and some of the performances we’ve seen… are testament to that. Look, you’re always trying to win, right? You just don’t want to be bogged down in key moments by the result.”What we are trying to do is allow ourselves to get in a space in our own minds where it allows your talent to come out. If you’re weighed down by fear of failure or by external noise, all you’re doing is suffocating that talent. It’s as simple as that. For us, entertainment is a big part of it and how we play is a big part of it. But for sure, we want to win.”From one win in 17 when Stokes and McCullum took over, England have won 13 of their 18 Tests under new leadership. “You look back to when the skipper took over and to come in as well,” McCullum reflected, “would we be able to take on a great Australian team – and they are a great Australian team – and go toe-to-toe with them?”I think the answer is yes – and that’s a tremendous confidence-booster for the group, but also testament to the investment to all the guys who have really gone quids-in with their belief in this side and the direction the skipper wants it to head. When you go two-nil down in a series and you’ve played some really good cricket, you know there’s going to be some challenges.”To come back from that and square the series two-two, both teams will be disappointed they don’t end up walking away with the scoreline, albeit Australia walk away with the urn. We stayed true to that under the fiercest of pressure.”

أكد توتنهام هوتسبير رحيل نجمه سون هيونج مين حيث انضم لصفوف لوس أنجلوس إف سي في الدوري الأمريكي بعد مسيرة رائعة.

وعلى الرغم من أنه كان لا يزال في عقده موسم إضافي مع توتنهام حيث ينتهي في 30 يونيو 2026، ولكنه قرر الرحيل عن صفوف الفريق بعد مسيرة استمرت عشر سنوات.

أقرأ أيضاً.. رسميًا.. توتنهام يعلن عن وجهة سون هيونج مين القادمة

ونشر الكوري الجنوبي رسالة وداعية لجماهير فريقه السابق وهو يودع النادي، وقد بدأ المقطع حيث يجلس اللاعب أمام الكاميرا وجاء العنوان: “جمهور توتنهام الأعزاء، رسالة من سوني إليكم”.

Tissues at the ready 😭

A final goodbye message from Sonny… pic.twitter.com/w1w39GVMML — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 6, 2025

وذكر سون في رسالته: “جمهور توتنهام الأعزاء، أنتم دائماً في صوري، في كل مرة أحتفل فيها، أخلد ذكرى لكم، إنها لحظتنا، لا أنسى ما حدث معكم”.

وأضاف: “لقد رحبتم بي في توتنهام وشاهدتموني أنمو، عشنا لحظات جميلة، الحذاء الذهبي وجائزة بوشكاش، كنتم هناك، عندما كانت المعاناة كنتم لا تزالون هناك، بقيتم معي وبقيت معكم”.

وواصل: “لم أتخيل أبداً قيادة هذا الفريق لكني لطالما حلمت بالفوز بشيء من أجلكم، لقد فزنا بالدوري الأوروبي وأنتم جميعاً تستحقون ذلك، شكراً لكم على هذه السنوات، كنتم دائماً معي، شكراً جزيلاً لكم، مع حبي سوني”.

جدير بالذكر بأن سون هيونج مين قد انضم لصفوف توتنهام هوتسبير قادماً من بايرليفركوزن الألماني في 2015 وسجل 173 هدفًا.

Bangladesh-born fast bowler goes straight into XI to face Surrey in County Championship

ESPNcricinfo staff18-May-2023Arafat Bhuiyan, a British-Bangladeshi seam bowler, has become the seventh graduate of the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) to sign professional terms, after joining Kent for the remainder of the 2023 season.Bhuiyan was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, but has UK residency, and has taken 17 wickets for Kent’s second XI, including best figures of 4 for 81 against Hampshire earlier this month. He made his first-class debut in Kent’s ongoing fixture against Surrey at the Kia Oval.He currently plays his club cricket in the Kent Premier League for Blackheath, and has also featured for Surrey, Essex and Derbyshire’s Second XIs in the past six years, as well as stints for MCC’s Young Cricketers side in 2019, and SACA this year.”I’m over the moon to have signed for Kent,” Bhuiyan said. “It’s a dream come true to become a professional cricketer and I feel all my hard work has paid off.”I’m grateful to Kent, especially Second XI Coach Mark Dekker, for the faith they have showed in me, and hope I can perform well if given the opportunity.”Bhuiyan moved to Birmingham to be part of SACA’s winter training programme, and credited that experience for fast-tracking his professional ambitions.”I would also like to thank Dr Tom Brown from SACA for giving me the opportunity to train and for accommodating me during the Winter in Birmingham,” he said. “I can’t speak highly enough about the amount of work he is putting into this programme.”Kent’s Director of Cricket, Paul Downton, added: “Arafat comes highly recommended from our pathway coaches and has impressed with his pace and control with the ball for us this year. He brings much-needed depth to our bowling attack as we head into a busy period of the season.”

West Indies are three wickets away from clinching the Antigua Test against Bangladesh. The visitors ended the fourth day on 109 for 7 after they were set a target of 334. Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales led the way for the hosts with three wickets each, as Bangladesh’s specialist batters failed to put together a performance for the umpteenth time this year.West Indies themselves couldn’t put up a bigger target after they were bowled out for 152 in the second innings. Taskin Ahmed got his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests, finishing up with 6 for 64. This came on the back of Bangladesh’s surprise declaration on the fourth morning, despite being 181 runs behind West Indies’ first-innings total of 450 for 9.Bangladesh’s batters, however, couldn’t repay their bowlers. Both their openers got out similarly to how they were dismissed in the first innings. Zakir Hasan inside-edged Roach on to his stumps, while Mahmudul Hasan Joy edged Seales to third slip. Roach then set Shahadat Hossain up in the 11th over, getting the ball to seam away several times before bowling a booming inswinger. The ball kissed Shahadat’s gloves as he tried to get out of the way, before Joshua Da Silva took the inside edge.Shamar Joseph then saw two dropped catches in his first over, both of Mominul Haque. Da Silva dropped a chance down the leg side, before Mikyle Louis couldn’t hold on to a straightforward one at gully. Mominul, however, couldn’t last long, as Roach took a superb caught and bowled from his drive in the next over.Taskin Ahmed took a career-best 6 for 64•CWI

But Shamar’s bad luck continued at the other end. Alick Athanaze dropped Mehidy Hasan Miraz at second slip, with the Bangladesh captain on 14. Litton Das cut one uppishly, only for Seales to get a hand on it at backward point. Shamar’s exasperation at having four catches dropped off his bowling, however, didn’t last too long. He had Litton caught at fine leg for 22 to reduce Bangladesh to 59 for 5 in the 18th over.Mehidy was the only one fighting for Bangladesh, riding out the short-ball barrage, and keeping the scoreboard moving. He made 45 off 46 balls with five fours and a six, before Seales got him caught behind, as Da Silva took a fine catch. Seales then clean bowled Taijul Islam as well.West Indies’ morning had started with good fortune despite the declaration surprise. Shahadat, at first slip, dropped captain Kraigg Brathwaite on 9. Next ball, Taskin slammed an inswinger into Louis’ front pad, but umpire Kumar Dharmasena said not out. Replays showed that the batter was plumb in front, but Bangladesh hadn’t taken the review.Taskin, however, removed Louis in his next over when the opener was caught behind for 8. Taskin then had Keacy Carty caught at third slip, a further reward of his excellent line and length in his first spell. Brathwaite then guided Shoriful Islam to second slip in the following over, as the visitors’ decision to declare got an early vindication.Kavem Hodge and Alick Athanaze nearly got West Indies out of trouble. The pair struck eight fours either side of the lunch break, but just when they added 50 for the fourth wicket, Bangladesh struck three times in as many overs. Taskin’s beautiful delivery that nipped slightly away had Hodge caught behind for 15. It was also Litton Das’ 100th catch in Tests.File photo: Jayden Seales also finished the day with three wickets•AFP/Getty Images

Mehidy then removed Athanaze in the following over. He made 42 off 63 balls, with seven fours, but the young left-hander played a superfluous shot, struck on the back foot while trying to cut a ball that was spinning into him. Then Taskin clipped Justin Greaves’ off stump with another fantastic delivery, as the first-innings centurion made just 2 in the second.Alzarri Joseph immediately counterattacked against Taskin, and this time there were no verbal exchanges between the two. Da Silva followed suit by getting two fours off Taskin’s next over. He struck Taijul for a straight six, but then the left-arm spinner got one to get big on Da Silva, who gave a catch to point.Alzarri then holed out to short fine leg after top edging Mehidy. He had earlier survived a similar top edge, but Mominul had dropped a relatively difficult chance. Mominul had earlier also dropped Carty at short cover.It was, however, all forgotten when Taskin yorked Shamar to complete his first five-for. He finished up the West Indies innings when Mehidy took a brilliant diving catch at mid-off, after Roach was deceived by a Taskin’s slower ball.But Bangladesh’s batters couldn’t be inspired by their bowlers, as they crumbled on the fourth day.

“He looks like he’s got energy, faster arm action and now he’s got the skill to take over,” Daniel Vettori on Kuldeep’s return to form

Sruthi Ravindranath29-Apr-20223:18

What is Kuldeep Yadav doing differently this season?

The renaissance continues: he has added new dimensions to his bowling, he has been more confident, and he has been producing match-winning spells. Kuldeep Yadav had wrecked his former team Kolkata Knight Riders earlier in the season, and on Thursday he did it again, finishing with superb figures of 4 for 14 in three overs to restrict them to 146.He continues to show why he deserves to be part of India’s T20 World Cup plans, putting his success down to him becoming “mentally strong” and having “clearer plans”.”I have probably become a better bowler [than before],” Kuldeep told host broadcaster Star Sports after the match. “However, one thing is certain that I have become a lot stronger mentally. When you fail in life, you think, ‘Where can I improve?’ You learn from your mistakes when you face failure in life. I have worked on it, and now I have no fear of failure.”Related

• Shreyas Iyer: 'Need to go back and assess where we are going wrong'

• Kuldeep stars with four-for to hand Capitals fourth win

• The Kuldeep Yadav rennaissance continues

• IPL 2022: Five players who have gone from being back-ups to certainties

Kuldeep picked up his second four-wicket haul of this season, taking his tally to 17 wickets. In his first over, he had debutant Baba Indrajith caught at long-on, before trapping Sunil Narine lbw with the very next ball. He came back in the 14th over to dismiss Shreyas Iyer and then set up Andre Russell to get him out for a three-ball duck.”I liked the wicket of Russell because I set him up well,” he said. “I first went around the wicket and then returned to bowl over the wicket. Then I went back to bowl around the wicket and bowled a bit wider. That was my plan. He played out two dots, and then I knew he would step out for a shot. So I perfectly planned for that, and it [the wicket] was an important wicket for us.”This kind of planning – without overthinking – is what has led to Kuldeep having his “best IPL season yet”. He was not too worried when he went wicketless while conceding 40 in three overs in the last match against Rajasthan Royals. But that has not always hasn’t been the case, he admitted.Until IPL 2019, Kuldeep was Knight Riders’ go-to wicket-taker, averaging 19.43 with an economy rate of 7.32. In 2020, he picked one wicket in five games and was eventually dropped. Kuldeep didn’t make the Knight Riders’ starting XI in the first half of the 2021 season either, and was then sidelined with a knee injury for the second.Kuldeep Yadav: “I’ve become a lot clearer with my plans. I’ve backed my skill”•BCCIWorrying about giving away too many runs is no longer an issue this time around because he has always found ways to come back.”I’m enjoying bowling, and I’ve become a lot clearer with my plans,” Kuldeep said. “I don’t think too much about what the batter will do, I have also given away some runs. I’ve backed my skill. I’ve stuck to my lengths too, though it’s not always been perfect.”But that’s what happens in T20. But my focus has been on bowling good lengths. When I get a wicket upfront then it just gives me more confidence [for the rest of the game].”But what is it that has sparked his turnaround this season?He has been bowling a lot quicker – his average speed has gone from 81.9kph in the IPL till 2021 to 86.6kph this season – and has also managed to put more revs on the ball. Former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori believes these things have also helped Kuldeep bring more energy into his action.”More revs mean your hand position and your release point [are better] and the more energy you bring to the crease,” Vettori told ESPNcricinfo’s T20 Time:Out. “The great Shane Warne talked about how your energy at the crease shows how much spin you get in the ball – you need a quick arm speed, and then your subtleties and nuance come from your wrist position.””Looks like Kuldeep has got the energy, a faster arm action, and now he has got the skill to take over because of that base. It’s also the release point. It’s about bowling fast with more revolutions on it, and you see the seam position.”

“Kuldeep has recognised that to be successful in this format, ‘I too have to add a little bit of pace to the ball and be able to spin it'”Ian Bishop on Kuldeep’s success this season

“It felt like during the last opportunity he tried to buy wickets, and that maybe [was] a product of Narine being a certainty and [Varun] Chakravarthy coming into the team. ‘I have got to make the most of this opportunity because If I don’t do something, I’m going to be out of the team.'”Now he seems more settled – he is obviously the first choice for Delhi and he is forcing his case for being back in the Indian team. It’s all about what he’s done and how he’s improved as a bowler.”Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop also believes that Kuldeep bringing in that extra dimension of adding pace has brought him success this season.”Virat Kohli, the captain [of India] at that time, wanted him [Yuzvendra Chahal] to bowl with more pace as wristspinners in world cricket have done. The Rashid Khans, the Imran Tahirs were bowling quicker through the air.”Kuldeep has recognised that in order to be successful in this format ‘I too have to add a little bit of pace to the ball and be able to spin it’. So whether that’s been a deliberate effort [or not], I think that was good planning. And to see him bowl with more pace is actually working.”Chahal and Kuldeep were once a crucial part of India’s white-ball plans before falling out of favour due to inconsistent performances. They both have now made strong cases: Chahal is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, with Kuldeep right behind. But there is no competition between the two, at least according to the latter.”He is like my elder brother, and he has given me encouragement,” Kuldeep said. “He used to talk to me constantly even when I was injured. I sincerely wish that he got the Purple Cap.”

Only two points currently separate the four teams from fourth to seventh spots

S Rajesh16-May-2022Delhi Capitals: Mat 13, Pts 14, NRR 0.255
Delhi Capitals’ comfortable 17-run win against Punjab Kings is good news for them, but not so encouraging for all the other teams trying to sneak into the playoffs. Capitals’ net run rate, which was already a healthy 0.210, has gone up to 0.255, but the runs that Kings scored towards the end means that there is still a chance for other teams to catch up, should there be an NRR scramble for the last spot.From Capitals’ point of view, the equation is simple: win the last game against Mumbai Indians on Saturday, and qualify for sure. Even if they lose and stay on 14, they will have a fair chance to qualify if Royal Challengers Bangalore lose to Gujarat Titans. However, if it comes down to NRR, they aren’t yet safe.If Capitals lose their last game by 30 runs (chasing 171), their NRR will fall to 0.123. Currently, Kolkata Knight Riders are on 0.160, so a win by any margin in their last game will keep them above 0.123. If Capitals lose by 15 runs, their NRR will be 0.179. Thus, Capitals could still be on a sticky wicket if they lose to Mumbai. They play their last game after Knight Riders, though, so they will know the equation before they get into that game on Saturday.Punjab Kings: Mat 13, Pts 12, NRR -0.043
Kings’ qualification chances have taken a severe beating with the loss to Capitals. Their NRR has slid into negative space, and even a 40-run win against Sunrisers in their last game (after scoring 170) will only improve it to 0.112. However, big victory margins have been common in the last few games – in seven of the last 12, the winning margin has been greater than 50 runs, while another win came with 31 balls to spare – which should give the Kings some hope.They also play the last game of the league stage, which means they’ll know if they have a chance at all, and exactly what they need to do. Obviously, if Capitals or Royal Challengers win their last match and move to 16 points, then Kings will be knocked out.Royal Challengers Bangalore: Mat 13, Pts 14, NRR -0.323
Royal Challengers will need Capitals to lose their last game to stand a chance of qualifying. Even if Royal Challengers score 200 and win their last game by 100 runs, their NRR will only improve to 0.071. Capitals will be well ahead of that if they win by any margin.And if both these teams lose and stay on 14, Capitals will have to lose by an absurdly high margin for their NRR to slip below that of Royal Challengers. For instances, if Royals Challengers lose by one run, Capitals will have to lose by around 150 (depending on the exact scores).In other words, Royal Challengers will have to win their last game, against table-toppers Titans, and hope that Capitals lose theirs against bottom-of-the-table Mumbai.Kolkata Knight Riders: Mat 13, Pts 12, NRR 0.160
Knight Riders still have a chance of qualifying if they win their last game, and if Capitals and Royal Challengers lose theirs. As mentioned earlier, their relatively healthy NRR means that they are best placed to capitalise if those two teams slip up.Sunrisers Hyderabad: Mat 12, Pts 10, NRR -0.270
Even if Sunrisers score 170 and win each of their last two games by 40 runs, their NRR will only improve to 0.056. Capitals will have to lose by around 48 runs for their NRR to drop below that. It looks highly unlikely that Sunrisers will progress further in the tournament, but they could do worse than pull off a big win against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday, and keep their slim hopes alive.

As exit rumours continue to surround Mohammed Kudus, West Ham United could welcome a reinforcement of their own amid reports that they’re now leading the race to sign a £20m+ defender.

Tottenham not giving up Kudus chase

Following a frustrating season last time out, which the arrival of Graham Potter did not save, matters could be about to become worse for West Ham amid reports that Kudus may be heading for the exit door. According to David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano, the winger has been the subject of interest from London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, forcing the Hammers to reject a £50m offer in a saga which is unlikely to end anytime soon.

Given that Kudus is reportedly keen to join Spurs, West Ham face an uphill battle to keep hold of their winger, especially if the North London club returns with an improved bid as expected.

It’s a blow that Potter could do without after failing to get off to an impressive start at the London Stadium last season, but one that he must deal with this summer.

Appearances

80

Goals

19

Assists

13

Although Kudus’ best work came in his debut campaign rather than last season, the 24-year-old is still a player capable of reaching his most clinical form once again. The only problem for West Ham is that he may go on to do so at London rivals Tottenham.

West Ham now in talks to sign "underrated" La Liga star in double swoop

The Hammers could kickstart their summer in style.

ByTom Cunningham Jul 3, 2025

As one of their star men potentially heads for the exit door, however, the Hammers could be about to finally get their own summer business underway.

West Ham leading race to sign Diouf

According to The Sunday Mirror, as relayed by West Ham Zone, West Ham are now leading the race to sign El Hadji Malick Diouf after submitting an opening offer and watching on as Crystal Palace ended their pursuit of the Slavia Prague defender.

Whilst their opening offer worth around £17m was turned down, the Hammers remain in pole position and could yet match Slavia Prague’s reported £22m asking price to sign Diouf this summer.

Described as a “powerful dribbler” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Diouf’s attacking work is particularly impressive from left-back and his ability to play left-midfield as well as centre-back would hand Potter much-needed versatility.

Following the departure of Aaron Cresswell, the Hammers should go all out to sign Diouf this summer and finally get their summer business underway.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will be “pushing” the Hoops to complete the signing of an attacking “superstar” this summer, according to former scout Mick Brown.

Players Celtic could sign this summer

New signings are needed for the Hoops, in order to be ruthless and continue winning Scottish Premiership titles, as well as improve their performances in the Champions League.

Plenty of players continue to be linked with summer moves to Celtic, with West Ham midfielder Andy Irving reportedly among their list of targets. He was limited to only one start and 10 appearances in the Premier League last season, so a new challenge may make sense for him.

Meanwhile, Sondre Orjasaeter has also been mentioned as an option for the Hoops, having registered 17 goal contributions in 41 matches for Sarpsborg 08.

Kawasaki Frontale attacker Shin Yamada is the latest Japanese player to be linked with a switch to Celtic, with the 25-year-old potentially seen as a strong choice to bolster Rodgers’ attack. It looks like someone else is on the mind of the Hoops boss, though.

Celtic boss Rodgers "pushing" to sign "superstar" Ferguson

Speaking to Football Insider, Brown claimed that Celtic want to complete the signing of Brighton striker Evan Ferguson this summer, with Rodgers “pushing” to get a deal over the line.

“Celtic can offer attractive opportunities to players like Ferguson. They’re going to be playing in the Champions League and competing for trophies, which would be valuable experience for a player of his age. He’d come in as their first-choice striker as well, he might not be guaranteed that elsewhere. Especially in the Premier League where he’s proved he struggles to hold down a starting place. He struggled on loan at West Ham last year and now he needs to put down a marker and show he can be the player everybody thinks he can be.

“For a team like Everton or Forest, he would still have a lot to offer. But he could go to Celtic as the main man up front, away from the pressure that comes with the Premier League, and prove what he can do. I think Brendan Rodgers will be pushing to get that done, he wants to be ambitious in the market. He expects to be backed and this would be a statement of intent, even if it’s on a loan deal.”

Ferguson’s stock has fallen over the past 12 months or so, having been seen as an incredible talent who was linked with Manchester United at one point, being described as a future “superstar” by Micah Richards.

That’s not to say that the Republic of Ireland international couldn’t be a great signing for Celtic, though, despite struggling on loan at West Ham, and he is still only 20 years of age.

He'd be amazing with Hatate: Celtic now eyeing "Premier League-level" star

Celtic could find an amazing midfield partner for Reo Hatate by signing this star.

ByDan Emery Jun 23, 2025

As Brown says, it would be a statement piece of business by the Hoops, even if it’s a season-long loan move to Parkhead, with Ferguson possessing the ability to thrive in the Scottish game, scoring goals for fun.

Also, Babar Azam’s career average has gone above 40 for the first time since 2016

S Rajesh22-Dec-20192 – Instances of the top-four batsmen scoring hundreds in a Test innings. Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali and Babar Azam all got their milestones against Sri Lanka in the second Test in Karachi. The only previous instance of this was in 2007, when India’s top four – Dinesh Karthik, Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar – scored centuries against Bangladesh in the first innings of the Mirpur Test. This, though, was the first such instance of it in a second innings, where there have only been four previous instances of three centurions among the top-four batsmen.ESPNcricinfo Ltd503 – Runs added by Pakistan’s first three wickets, which is Pakistan’s fourth-highest in a Test innings. Their highest is also against Sri Lanka – 555 – in Faisalabad in 1985, when Qasim Umar and Javed Miandad both got double-hundreds and added 397 for the third wicket. The three higher aggregates were all in the team’s first innings, though; in the second innings, there are only two instances of any team adding more runs for the first three wickets. The highest is also against Sri Lanka – 615 by New Zealand in 1991 – when Martin Crowe made 299 and Andrew Jones 186.ESPNcricinfo Ltd527 – The total runs scored by Pakistan’s first four batsmen, which is the fourth-highest for them. Their highest is 535 against India in 1983, but the more memorable effort was in 1958 in Barbados, when Hanif Mohammad scored a monumental 337 to avert defeat after Pakistan were forced to follow on.42.67 – Babar’s career average. It is the first time his average has gone above 40 since his third Test in 2016. At the end of 2017, Babar averaged 23.75 after 11 Tests. In the last two years, he has upped his game significantly, scoring 1232 runs – 616 each in 2018 and 2019 – at an average of 61.60. That average is the highest among the 14 batsmen who have scored 1000-plus Test runs in the last two years.