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IPL franchises, private equity firms and sovereign wealth funds among bodies consulted for tournament’s future

Matt Roller05-Dec-2023The ECB have consulted with owners of IPL franchises, private equity firms and sovereign wealth funds on the prospect of investment in the Hundred, and want counties to reach a decision on its future in the early months of the 2024 season.The Hundred’s existing model features eight clubs which field both men’s and women’s teams and are owned entirely by the ECB. These clubs have been run by boards comprising county representatives and independent directors in the tournament’s first three seasons.But the ECB and counties have discussed the model extensively since the end of the 2023 season and are in the second phase of a three-part consultation period, in the hope of reaching a decision in April 2024. This would allow them time to implement changes for the 2025 edition of the tournament.As things stand, the ECB’s preferred option is to open the tournament up to private investors, seeing the Hundred as an opportunity to bring money into the English game. The specifics of the model remain up for discussion, with one possibility involving the addition of two new teams – most likely based in the south-west and north-east.The most likely outcomes both involve the ECB handing 50% equity stakes in Hundred teams – which would become franchises – to their primary host counties. Surrey, for example, would be given a 50% stake in Oval Invincibles, while MCC, who own Lord’s, would be provided a 50% stake in London Spirit.Guy Lavender and Bruce Carnegie-Brown, MCC’s chief executive and chair, told members in a meeting on Monday evening that the ECB has been speaking to a wide range of potential sources of capital including IPL franchise owners, private equity firms and sovereign wealth funds.That raises the prospect of investment in the Hundred from the Middle East, potentially from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) or the various state-owned funds in the United Arab Emirates. MCC also encouraged members to consider which potential investors they would feel comfortable with the club being in partnership with.Lavender told ESPNcricinfo in a statement: “The purpose of the Members’ informal meeting was to socialise some of the issues with the membership regarding the future direction of The Hundred, including developing thinking and engaging them with the information available at this time.Related

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“At present, nothing has been proposed or decided and it is premature to land on any particular conclusions until the ECB consultation and decision-making process involving the whole game has been completed, as well as our own consultation with Members.”Discussions at ECB level have also raised the prospect of an 18-team ‘open pyramid’ structure which would see the addition of a second division of the Hundred with promotion and relegation. This model would also involve clubs being opened up to private investment, though appears to have lost some of its initial support.Another option discussed by the ECB and counties was to open the Hundred itself up to private investment, rather than the teams, following reports a year ago of a £400 million bid for a 75% stake from a British private investment firm. However, this is not among the preferred options as things stand.Despite extensive speculation over its future since Richard Gould and Richard Thompson took over as chief executive and chair at the ECB, the Hundred will continue in some form for at least five more years and is underpinned by Sky Sports’ broadcast deal with the governing body.There is also widespread agreement across the English game that salaries in the Hundred will need to increase if it is to attract the world’s best players. The Hundred’s top male earners in 2023 were paid around 15% less than their equivalents in the Indian-backed Major League Cricket, despite the Hundred lasting nine days longer.Andy Anson, Lancashire’s chair, proposed a change from the 100-ball format to T20 last week, but such a shift appears unlikely at this stage. Gould said earlier this year: “The format is not something that is on my agenda… it’s given us that point of difference. Everyone around the world, in the cricketing world, has heard of the Hundred.”The Hundred’s model is relatively unusual on a global scale and is most similar to Australia’s Big Bash League, where teams are run by state boards. That stands in contrast to most other major T20 leagues, such as the IPL, where teams were set up as franchises owned by private investors or their companies.It is understood that any change to the Hundred’s model would require a three-quarters majority amongst the 18 first-class counties and MCC, and proposals remain at a relatively early stage.

The former batting star’s role with the state had been announced before the season

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff03-Nov-2023Australian ODI great Michael Bevan’s appointment as a coaching consultant for struggling New South Wales is over before it began.The former Blues great revealed he is yet to be brought into the state set-up this season as their winless Sheffield Shield streak extended to 15 with a thumping defeat to Victoria last Sunday.”It was announced pre season that I would be working with @CricketNSW as a batting consultant  – to date, this hasn’t happened,” Bevan posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday.Related

Edwards praises work with 'childhood hero' Watson amid early-season surge

Watson and Bevan called in to revive New South Wales

“Given the timing, I feel it is important that the current coaches are afforded every opportunity to stamp their quality and be allowed to guide cricket nsw back to a position of strength within @CricketAus.”Unfortunately this means, this year they won’t be receiving the magical bevo “finishing” methodolgy (sic). Maybe next year.”Cricket NSW trumpeted Bevan’s position in September following the embarrassment of the state’s first winless Sheffield Shield season since 1938-39.New South Wales’ struggles

Victoria, MCG: lost by 205 runs
South Australia, Adelaide Oval: lost by 186 runs
Queensland, Cricket Central: match drawn
South Australia, Karen Rolton Oval: match drawn
Victoria, Albury: lost by 10 wickets
Queensland, Gabba: lost by five wickets
Tasmania, SCG: match drawn
Victoria, Junction Oval: lost by 69 runs
Western Australia, SCG: lost by 133 runs
Tasmania, Hobart: match drawn
South Australia, Wollongong: match drawn
Queensland, Drummoyne Oval: match drawn
Western Australia, WACA: lost by eight wickets
South Australia, Adelaide Oval: lost by five wickets
Western Australia, Bankstown: match drawn

The 53-year-old, and fellow Australia white-ball great Shane Watson, were announced as consultants to coach Greg Shipperd, who himself was rushed into the top job midway through last summer after the axing of Phil Jaques.Bevan was supposed to be acting as a batting coach, while Watson, who has been commentating in India during the World Cup, was given the role of mentoring and mindset coaching for players.In a statement, Cricket NSW said: “Earlier this year, Cricket NSW announced that former great Michael Bevan would begin work as a consultant, working as a batting coach with the NSW Blues squad.”Unfortunately, Cricket NSW and Bevan were unable to come to a timely agreement on commencing work with the Blues. Cricket NSW values and acknowledges the experience and skillset that Michael Bevan can bring and look forward to the potential of working with him in the future.”During a 50-over career for Australia spanning 10 years, Bevan averaged 53.58 – the seventh-highest ODI average in history – across 232 games. He scored 19,147 first-class runs, the majority of them for NSW.

انتقد الإعلامي أحمد شوبير أداء لاعبي الزمالك أمام وادي دجلة في المباراة التي جمعت الفريقين على استاد السلام، مؤكداً أن الفريق الأبيض فرّط في فرصة ثمينة للانفراد بصدارة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وقال شوبير عبر إذاعة “أون سبورت إف إم”: “مباراة الزمالك ووادي دجلة كانت فرصة لا تعوّض، الأهلي خسر، والزمالك كان أمامه فرصة ذهبية ليتصدر جدول الدوري، كان يمتلك 10 نقاط، والفوز كان سيضعه في الصدارة بـ13 نقطة كاملة، وهو ما كان كفيلاً بمنحه دفعة كبيرة للمنافسة، الفريق مكتمل الصفوف تقريباً باستثناء محمد شحاتة ونبيل عماد ونجا، بل إن بعض العناصر عادت مثل أحمد فتوح وأحمد حمدي ومحمد السيد”.

وأضاف: “الزمالك كان أمام خصم صاعد من الدرجة الثانية، وكل التقدير والاحترام لوادي دجلة، لكنه في النهاية فريق صاعد حديثاً، ومع ذلك قدّم مباراة رائعة، ومدربه محمد الشيخ (32 عاماً) أدار اللقاء بشكل مميز، الزمالك تقدم مبكراً عن طريق ناصر ماهر في الدقيقة العاشرة، لكن الفريق لم يحافظ على أفضليته، واستقبل هدفين عن طريق أحمد فاروق ودياسطي”.

طالع أيضًا | عفت نصار غاضبًا: مدرب الزمالك بحاجة إلى مدرب.. واللاعبون يفتقدون للرجولة

وتابع شوبير: “محمد صبحي كان نجم الزمالك الأول، أنقذ مرماه من أكثر من فرصة محققة، بينما لاعبو الزمالك لم يقدّروا جمهورهم ولا قيمة المباراة، وسلّموا اللقاء بسهولة، وكأنهم يهْدونه لمنافسيهم سواء الأهلي أو بيراميدز أو المصري”.

وأوضح: “محمود الونش، الذي أحبه كثيراً، ارتكب خطأ لا يُغتفر عندما حصل على بطاقة حمراء بلا داعٍ، الحكم محمود بسيوني كان ممتازاً وأدار اللقاء بحزم، وأكد من جديد أنه من أفضل حكام مصر”.

وأكد شوبير أن تصريحات مدرب الزمالك فيريرا عقب المباراة كانت لافتة: “فيريرا قال بوضوح: (لا نستحق الفوز)، وهو كلام في منتهى الواقعية، في المقابل، مدرب دجلة هنّأه على الأداء وأشاد به، وهذه الروح نفتقدها منذ زمن”.

وختم شوبير: “لاعبو الزمالك أضاعوا على أنفسهم فرصة لا تتكرر كثيراً، الأهلي تعثر، والدنيا كانت مهيأة للانقضاض على الصدارة، لكن الفريق لم يظهر بالشكل المطلوب، حتى إن تغييرات دجلة كانت مؤثرة ومنحتهم الأفضلية حتى النهاية، الدوري مازال طويلاً، لكن الزمالك أضاع فرصة كانت في المتناول”.

Newcastle United star Alexander Isak is said to be high on Mikel Arteta’s list of ideal strikers for Arsenal, with another update on his price tag now surfacing in what could be a boost for the Gunners.

Arsenal identify Alexander Isak as dream transfer target

Multiple reports from the last few months have indicated the Sweden international, who boasts 19 goals from 29 appearances in all competitions already this season – has plenty of admirers within the Emirates Stadium.

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The Gunners have now made a bid for a defender Tottenham tried to sign in January.

By
Dominic Lund

Feb 17, 2025

Isak helped to knock Arsenal out of the Carabao Cup semi-finals recently, putting in a stellar performance against them during the second leg at St. James’ Park, and opened the scoring for Eddie Howe’s side in their first leg victory.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games	Date
West Ham (home)	February 22nd
Nottingham Forest (away)	February 26th
Man United (away)	March 9th
Chelsea (home)	March 16th
Fulham (home)	April 1st

The 25-year-old has been a nightmare for Premier League defences and Arsenal’s own backline since he made the move to England from Real Sociedad, with Arteta and co identifying him as a “dream” transfer target.

“I mean, Arsenal’s dream priority is Alexander Isak, and I’m still told that he would like to join a Champions League club and stay in the Premier League in the long run,” said reliable journalist Ben Jacobs to GiveMeSport.

“But of course, in the short-to-medium term, he’s on fire for Newcastle United. He’s invested at Newcastle, and he’s well contracted at Newcastle, so they aren’t worried about necessarily losing Isak imminently, nor do they feel they absolutely have to agree a new contract with him because he remains healthily contracted.

“So it’s a bit of a dream target for Arsenal.”

Isak’s deal still has another three years left to run, meaning the Magpies can afford to charge premium rates for their world-class marksman in the event major clubs do come knocking for his signature.

Reports have suggested that the former La Liga sensation could cost as much £125 million, which means Arsenal would have to break their transfer record to strike a deal for Isak, if Newcastle even entertained the idea of selling him.

Arsenal told new Alexander Isak price tag in boost for Mikel Arteta

However, a new claim has emerged courtesy of Spanish news outlet Sport, which may well come as a boost for Arteta in his pursuit of the superstar number nine.

Indeed, they report that Newcastle have set Isak’s valuation at a fee in excess of £83 million, which is a seismic drop from other mooted figures. Arsenal are yet again mentioned by Sport as one of the contenders for his services, but they face stiff competition from Chelsea and Liverpool, who are also in the running.

While £83 million is still a hefty figure, you can make a very serious case that Isak is one of the best centre-forwards in world football right now, and quality attacking players of his ilk will all command a marquee price tag.

Newcastle United are into the final of the Carabao Cup.

Eddie Howe’s side put Arsenal to the sword in each of the semi-final legs, winning 2-0 at the Emirates before repeating the trick on Tyneside.

It’s buried concerns that United’s imperious form had faded away following St. James’ Park losses against Bournemouth and Fulham in the Premier League, with a first-class display to match the result.

Arsenal were without Bukayo Saka but were buoyed after beating Manchester City 5-1 the weekend before, with exciting youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly both notching in that one.

But Newcastle turned form on its head when it mattered.

How Newcastle silenced Arsenal

With Alexander Isak, Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon wreaking havoc in the final third, Newcastle overwhelmed an Arsenal side that attempted to carry the spark from their recent victory into this semi-final showdown but failed miserably.

Not only did the hosts win 54% of the contested duels on the evening, as per Sofascore, but they also made just one error in the match compared to Arsenal’s four.

The disparity up front was personified, with it perfectly clear why Mikel Arteta so desperately wants Isak to front his ship over the coming years.

Arsenal’s youth contingent proved their worth, however. Nwaneri in particular remains one of the brightest young players in English football despite being kept quiet by Newcastle’s marshalled defence, but the hosts might actually have a bigger talent on their hands.

Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal – Ethan Nwaneri’s Stats
Match Stats	#
Minutes played	53′
Goals	0
Assists	0
Touches	41
Shots (on target)	1 (1)
Accurate passes	13/19 (68%)
Key passes	0
Crosses	0/9
Possession lost	22x
Dribbles completed	0/0
Total duels (won)	7 (2)
Stats via Sofascore

Lewis-Skelly is the talk of the town right now but Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, 21, will feel that he proved yet again that he is “the best left-back in the country,” as Toon correspondent Dominic Scurr put it after Howe’s first-leg victory in January.

Perhaps, though, Newcastle’s Lewis Miley is the best of them all. He was only introduced in the closing stages, but he’s got quite the future ahead of him.

Newcastle's answer to Nwaneri

Miley hasn’t featured all that much this season, stifled by a metatarsal fracture that left him sidelined until Howe granted him his first Premier League appearance of the campaign in December, during a 4-0 victory over Ipswich Town.

The eldest of three brothers within the United academy, Miley was described as a prospect with “unbelievable” potential by fellow Tyneside native Sean Longstaff.

Toon legend Alan Shearer has been coloured impressed by the rangy midfielder’s start to life, saying: “He just looks natural, he looks very comfortable. Other than looking at his baby looks, if you didn’t know who or what he was you would think he has been around for years, the way he was strutting around the pitch and closing down and the balance he had on the ball.​​​​​​”

One of the youngest goalscorers in Premier League history, Miley has proved himself to be a young player of confidence and ability, racking up 35 senior outings altogether, scoring twice and placing four assists.

Miley is a first-class talent, perhaps with a ceiling higher than the rest at St. James’ Park, maybe even capable of rivalling a player like Nwaneri, who is more of a forward but similarly revered by his team’s fanbase.

In the Premier League last year, while he was only 17, Miley ended up ranking among the top 15% of midfielders for assists per 90, as per FBref.

Moreover, he averaged 1.9 tackles and won 54% of his ground duels in the top flight last season, as per Sofascore, providing injury-hit Newcastle with a combative and youthful dimension.

He’s every bit as talented as Nwaneri and could rival the Arsenal prodigy for the reputation as England’s finest youngster as both continue to go from strength to strength over the coming years.

Howe may have unearthed his own Nobby Solano in Newcastle's "unsung hero"

Newcastle brushed Arsenal aside over two legs to advance to the final of the Carabao Cup.

By
Angus Sinclair

Feb 6, 2025

Arsenal’s hard-fought win over Leicester City on the weekend just about kept them in the Premier League title race for another week.

However, while two late goals are always great for morale, Mikel Arteta’s side remain comfortably behind Liverpool in first place.

Moreover, with a thread-bare attack, it certainly feels like it would take a minor miracle for the North Londoners to finally get their hands on the trophy this season.

Worse yet, an attacker they sold back in 2017 has just returned to the Premier League and is now worth millions more than what they sold him for.

Arsenal's notable 2017 transfers

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking back at a couple of signings made by Arsenal in 2017, starting with Sead Kolašinac, who joined on a free from FC Schalke in June that year.

He may have been moving to the Gunners for nothing, but there was a level of excitement over his arrival, as in the season prior, he scored three goals and provided nine assists for the Bundesliga side in just 36 games.

Unfortunately, despite producing nine goal involvements in his first season with the club, the Bosnian international never truly got to grips with English football, being labelled “naive” and “irresponsible” by Gary Neville in his very first game for the club, and after a few more mediocre seasons, he was sent back to Schalke on loan for the latter half of 20/21 and then released by mutual consent in summer 2022.

A more successful signing made in 2017 was that of Alexandre Lacazette, as while he probably didn’t score quite as many goals as fans would’ve liked for his then-club record fee of £46.5m, he was a useful member of the first team throughout his five-year stay in North London.

In all, the French centre-forward made 206 appearances for the Gunners, in which he won an FA Cup, scored 76 goals and provided 32 assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every other game, which is just the sort of attacker the club could do with at the moment.

Likewise, the player the club sold for pennies on the dollar that same summer is also someone Arteta could do with today, especially as he’s now worth millions more.

The Arsenal star sold too soon

There were a few notable sales from the first team in the summer of 2017, such as Wojciech Szczęsny and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but in this instance, the player was sold from the academy side.

Donyell Malen joined Arsenal as a child and had a reasonable record of 18 goals and nine assists in 57 games for the various youth sides, but was ultimately sold to PSV Eindhoven for around £200k in 2017.

Back in the Netherlands, the Wieringen-born star went from strength to strength and eventually ended up with a record of 55 goals and 24 assists in 116 first-team games for the club, which was enough to secure a £27m move to Borussia Dortmund in July 2021.

He was less prolific in front of goal in Germany but still effective.

Over the next three and a half seasons, the “sizzling” Dutchman, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, would still rack up a respectable haul of 39 goals and 20 assists in 132 games, which was once again enough to earn him another move to a top five league, only this time it was the Premier League.

Appearances

38

35

38

21

Minutes

2312′

2193′

2378′

957′

Goals

9

10

15

5

Assists

6

8

5

1

Goal Involvements per Match

0.39

0.51

0.52

0.28

Minutes per Goal Involvement

154.1′

121.8′

118.9′

159.5′

Aston Villa were on the lookout for attacking reinforcements last month and set their sights on the former Hale Ender, who they eventually secured for around £21.5m, which is a massive £20.8m increase on the price the Gunners sold him for six and a half years ago.

In fact, the price paid by the Villans represents an incredible 10650% increase on the fee Arsenal received when they sold the attacker to PSV.

Ultimately, hindsight is a wonderful thing, but once he was out of the capital, it didn’t take long for Malen to show his stuff, and while he might not have been a regular starter for the Gunners, we reckon his presence in the team would make their current injury crisis a lot more manageable.

Arsenal struck gold on "beast" whose valued has soared by 1488% this season

The incredible talent has a bright future with Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Feb 19, 2025

Juventus have confirmed the permanent signing of on-loan defender Lloyd Kelly from Newcastle, ending his stay with the Premier League club.

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Juventus confirm Kelly signingDefender had already been on loan at clubShort-lived stay at Newcastle officially endsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Fabrizio Romano reports that Juventus have confirmed their obligation to buy clause included within the loan deal has been activated, meaning the defender has officially left Newcastle for Serie A.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Serie A giants will pay €17.5m plus add-ons for Kelly, who has made 13 appearances for The Old Lady since signing on a temporary deal in January.

DID YOU KNOW?

Kelly only signed for Newcastle last summer when his Bournemouth contract expired but he struggled for playing time at St James' Park. He made just 14 appearances on Tyneside and will now not be returning.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR KELLY AND JUVENTUS?

Juventus sit fourth in Serie A with three matches remaining. Kelly will hope to feature as his side aim to secure a Champions League spot.

Chelsea have a plethora of players to get off the wage bill before the last summer deadline day on September 1, and their success in selling unwanted players will likely have a real effect on their recruitment plans.

Chelsea players likely to be sold this summer

Alfie Gilchrist, Renato Veiga, Lesley Ugochukwu, Raheem Sterling, João Félix, David Datro Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell and Axel Disasi could all leave Chelsea this summer, according to a report by The Athletic, with all of these players also missing out on a place in Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad.

"I am told" – Journalist says insiders are shocked by who Chelsea have let go

Many are apparently surprised.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 12, 2025

Despite actually making the cut to represent Chelsea at the CWC, midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and defender Trevoh Chalobah may have key decisions to make about their futures at Stamford Bridge as well.

Dewsbury-Hall started just two of his 13 Premier League appearances last season, playing the vast majority of his minutes in the Conference League, while Chalobah could still be sold by Chelsea despite arguably being one of their best performers during the second half of 2024/2025.

“I suspect that they will try and sell him [Chalobah] because I think that’s what the whole bringing him back was about,” said Telegraph reporter Matt Law on the London is Blue Podcast last month.

Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season	Average match rating
Cole Palmer	7.33
Moises Caicedo	7.02
Enzo Fernández	6.95
Nicolas Jackson	6.88
Noni Madueke	6.82
via WhoScored

“I know that they are obviously interested in bringing in one defender. I don’t think it will be two defenders, so I think it will be one defender rather than two unless there are a lot more sales than planned, but I do fear that Trev will be on the up for sale list again. No one can be surprised because it’s the same thing that happens every year.

“I mean, it’s literally, it’s like Groundhog Day with Trev. He becomes the best player of the second half of the season, then they try and sell him.”

Armando Broja is also on the chopping block, with the striker failing to break into the Chelsea first team or replicate his stellar 2021/2022 form, when he enjoyed a productive loan spell at Southampton.

Chelsea to sell Armando Broja for just £17 million this summer

The Albania international commanded huge promise at one point, so much so that Chelsea once put a £50 million price tag on the Cobham academy graduate’s head (The Telegraph).

Now, following two failed loan spells at Fulham and Everton, Chelsea are prepared to sell Broja for just £17 million as they attempt to get him off their books.

That is according to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, who writes that Broja remains in-demand among some circles. The 23-year-old has actually received several enquiries from teams in the Bundesliga and abroad, so Chelsea have an avenue to offload him for good.

The striker would count as pure profit through the lense of PSR given his status as an academy player, but it’s been quite the fall from grace for Broja, who must now look to kickstart his career away from west London.

da brdice： Celtic have been incredibly busy in the early weeks of the summer transfer window as they look to bolster their squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

da bwin： Kieran Tierney and Ross Doohan have already been unveiled as new additions to the team, with both players set to officially join as free agents at the start of next month.

As you can see in the graphic above, the Scotland international is returning for a second spell at Parkhead, having left the Hoops to join Arsenal in the Premier League in the summer of 2019.

Celtic are also set to complete the signing of FC Nordsjælland winger Benjamin Nygren, who is due to put pen to paper on a contract that could last five years.

Brendan Rodgers is also in the market to land a senior number nine, after a deal for young Fulham forward Callum Osmand, having been left with just Adam Idah since Kyogo Furuhashi left the club in January.

Celtic sold the Japan international to Rennes for a reported fee of £10m at the start of the year, ending what was a very successful time for him in Glasgow.

Celtic hit gold with Kyogo Furuhashi

The Scottish Premiership giants paid a fee of £4.3m to sign the attacker from Vissel Kobe in the summer of 2021, with Ange Postecoglou at the helm, and it is fair to say that they got their money’s worth.

Kyogo went on to rack up 85 goals and 19 assists in 185 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops in three-and-a-half years at Parkhead before his move to France in January.

That included a stunning return of 34 goals in the 2022/23 season, as you can see in the clips above, and these statistics show that the club hit gold by snapping him up for a fee of just £4.3m.

Kyogo also stepped up for the Light Blues in big moments during his time in Glasgow, as evidenced by his haul of eight goals in 17 games against Rangers.

Kyogo Furuhashi favourite Scottish opponents

Opposition

Appearances

Goals

Hearts

14

11

Rangers

17

8

St Johnstone

11

8

Aberdeen

13

7

St Mirren

13

6

Dundee

8

6

Stats via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, Hearts are the only team the Japanese striker scored more goals against for Celtic than Rangers in his time at the club.

Taking all of this into consideration, and the £10m fee they got for him in January, it is clear to see that the Hoops hit the jackpot by signing Kyogo in 2021.

The Scottish giants did not sign another striker to take his place in the January window, but they are now reportedly eyeing a star who would be a dream replacement for the Japan international.

Celtic confident of deal for Premier League striker

According to Football Insider, Celtic are confident that they will be able to win the race to sign Brighton & Hove Albion centre-forward Evan Ferguson this summer.

The report claims that they believe that they can strike a deal to land him on a season-long loan ahead of Premier League teams Everton and Nottingham Forest.

Transfer Focus

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

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It adds that Rodgers is pushing for the club to sign the Ireland international to bolster his options at the top end of the pitch for the 2025/26 campaign.

Former scout Mick Brown explained why the Hoops are a good option for the striker, telling Football Insider:

“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.”

It is now down to the club to agree a deal with Brighton before convincing the striker that a move to Parkhead is the best next step in his young career.

Why Celtic should sign Evan Ferguson

The Hoops should sign the Premier League youngster this summer because he is a talented number nine who is more valuable than his 2024/25 campaign suggests.

On the face of it, signing a striker who just scored one goal in 23 games for Brighton and West Ham combined is not too appealing. However, it is worth keeping in mind that a knee injury kept him out from April to August last year, which meant that he missed all of pre-season and played catch-up all season.

Ferguson’s form in the previous two Premier League seasons for Brighton, with a pre-season under his belt, suggest that he has the potential to be a dream replacement for Kyogo at Parkhead.

Possibly the biggest problem Kyogo had at the end of his Celtic career was his finishing, as he missed 46 ‘big chances’ in his last 18 months, scoring 27 goals in that time.

The Brighton youngster, whose finishing was hailed as “phenomenal” by James Milner, has shown that he has the quality to be very efficient in front of goal at Premier League level in recent years.

Evan Ferguson’s Premier League career

Season

xG

Goals

Differential

22/23

5.67

6

+0.33

23/24

3.97

6

+2.03

24/25

1.36

1

-0.36

Total

10.29

13

+1.89

Stats via UnderStat

As you can see in the table above, Ferguson outperformed his xG in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns for the Seagulls, which speaks to his ability to find the back of the net effectively at the very top level.

These statistics show that the potential is there for him to come in as an upgrade on what they had with Kyogo in the number nine position, because he is a clinical finisher who may not miss as many ‘big chances’ as the Japan international.

The Premier League forward would also bring more physicality to the table than Kyogo, as he has won 44% of his aerial duels in the 2023/24 campaign – when he last played regularly.

Whereas, the former Hoops marksman won 33% of his aerial battles this season in the Premiership, and 26% of them in the 2023/24 campaign, which suggests that Ferguson would be more effective as a target man for the team to hit when they need to play a longer pass to break a press or clear the ball from danger.

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Overall, the 20-year-old attacker’s finishing quality and physical attributes could make him a dream replacement for Kyogo, as well as being an upgrade on him. The largest sticking point could well be a price tag, however, with Transfermarkt valuing him at £21m.

Tottenham Hotspur are a side that have fallen below the expectations set for them in the Premier League in recent years, as seen by their standings last campaign.

The Lilywhites ended the year in a measly 17th position, only one place above the relegation zone and becoming the first side to survive in the division after losing 22 matches.

As a result, Ange Postecoglou lost his job, with Thomas Frank the man tasked with building on their European triumph and transforming their league form.

The Dane has already wasted no time in the role in North London, targeting countless players who could help improve the current situation at the club.

Whilst no first team additions have yet been agreed, work has been conducted behind the scenes, in an attempt to catapult the side to added success in 2025/26.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Mohammed Kudus has been a player firmly on their radar in recent days, even making a £50m offer for the West Ham United star, but the offer was swiftly rejected.

The Ghanaian was said to be wanting a move to join Frank’s men this window and The Athletic’s David Ornstein has since revealed that a £55m total agreement has now been struck for the 24-year-old.

However, despite the interest in the former Ajax star, moves have been made elsewhere, with Southampton star Tyler Dibling once again in their sights, according to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg.

He claims that the Lilywhites have made an approach for the 19-year-old star, despite suffering relegation back to the Championship with the Saints last season.

He also claims that Nottingham Forest and West Ham are other teams keeping tabs on the teenage star, who could be available for around £55m this summer.

Why Spurs’ £55m target could be a bigger talent than Kudus

Over the last couple of months, Spurs have showcased the attacking threat they possess, registering 64 goals in their 38 league outings last season.

Brennan Johnson ended the year as the club’s top scorer, notching 18 goals across all competitions, including in the Europa League final, subsequently ending the club’s 17-year drought.

Other players such as Dominic Solanke and James Maddison also managed to achieve double figures, highlighting the strength in depth currently at Frank’s disposal.

However, such depth clearly isn’t enough, especially considering the rumours around moves for Kudus and Dibling over the last couple of weeks.

Both would represent impressive options for the Dane, but given the nature of the fees touted for each player’s signature, it is crucial they land the right one during the off-season.

When comparing their respective stats from the Premier League last time out, the Saints’ youngster managed to outperform him in numerous key areas, despite the relegation – highlighting why he’d be a better addition.

Dibling, who’s been labelled “incredible” by former boss Ivan Juric, managed to register a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate, whilst matching the Hammers star for goals per shot on target – showcasing the clinical edge he possesses.

Games played

33

32

Goals & assists

2

8

Shot on target accuracy

32%

28%

Goal per shot on target

0.2

0.2

Progressive passes

3.1

2.7

Passes into final third

1.9

1.6

Carries into final third

2.4

2

Fouls won

2.4

2.2

He also managed to register more progressive passes per 90, and more passes into the final third, subsequently having the tools to provide some of the aforementioned talents with added opportunities in front of goal.

The teenager’s dominance doesn’t end there, producing a higher tally of carries into the final third, whilst also drawing more fouls – showcasing the threat he poses to the opposition at any given time.

Whilst £55m may appear to be a huge risk for such a young talent, he’s already showcased he can thrive despite featuring for a side who fell well below the expectations set in 2024/25.

There’s no denying that Kudus would also represent an excellent pickup, but ultimately, Dibling has already outperformed him and has the tools to rapidly develop further, given his tender age.

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