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One of this year’s biggest transfer deadline day sagas was that of Celtic’s hunt for a new striker. The Scottish Premiership champions were on the lookout for a number nine to replace Adam Idah, who completed a move to Swansea.

Brendan Rodgers’ side had already brought in 25-year-old Shin Yamada and 20-year-old Callum Osmand, but they still wanted one more proven striker.

Their search took them from the likes of Anderlecht’s Kasper Dolberg, who preferred Ajax, to Chelsea’s David Fofana, who preferred Charlton Athletic, and then finally Kelechi Iheanacho, who they are still looking to sign now that he is a free agent.

While the saga as a whole drew criticism from members of the media and fans alike, it was the failed approach of Chelsea’s Fofana that drew the most criticism from former Rangers and Scotland striker Ally McCoist.

McCoist staggered by Fofana decision

While on TalkSport with Jeff Stelling, the pair discussed Celtic and other Scottish clubs’ difficult transfer windows.

Stelling said: “Look at Celtic, I mean, they haven’t brought any strikers in. They tried. But David Fofana, who’s at Chelsea, he chose to go Charlton on loan rather than go to Celtic.”

He then proceeded to ask McCoist: “Is this all about the perception of Scottish football? Or is it more to do about the amounts players are being paid?”

McCoist replied: “It’s got to be an element of both, right? However, you are not going to sit there and tell me that Charlton Athletic are paying more money in wages than Celtic? That just cannot be happening, right? And that would stagger me. That would absolutely stagger me.”

On the other side of Glasgow, Rangers have also had something of a difficult window as fans have shown frustration about the club selling more than they’ve spent amidst their horrendous start to the season.

Why Fofana wanted Charlton over Celtic

Celtic does offer, on average, higher wages than Charlton. Charlton’s highest-paid player, Allan Campbell, would be Celtic’s joint-fifth-highest-paid player, but the drop-off in wages becomes apparent further down the list as Charlton’s third-highest-paid player, Conor Coventry, would be Celtic’s 18th-highest-paid player.

However, the attempted move to Charlton by Fofana would only have been a loan move, so he would still have been on the £30,000 per week that Chelsea pays him, with Charlton only covering a percentage.

Another factor that may have come into consideration for Fofana is that he likely wouldn’t have to move house if he ended up playing for Charlton, as both clubs are based in London. This quality of life factor likely only applied to Fofana, however, and not their other failed pursuits.

The perception of Scottish football may have been a bigger factor in Fofana’s decision, as the Championship is ranked 7th and the Scottish Premiership is ranked 27th in the Global Football Rankings.

It is fair to say that Glasgow Rangers did not kick off the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership campaign in the way that they wanted to at Fir Park on Saturday.

The Ibrox giants faced Motherwell away from home in Russell Martin’s first league game in charge of the club, and failed to pick up all three points.

A late equaliser from Emmanuel Longelo, after captain James Tavernier had given the Gers the lead in the first half, secured a point for the home side, in a game which left the Light Blues boss seething.

Extraordinarily, Martin told some of his players to “drop their egos” and accused unnamed players of doing what they wanted to do and jogging around, rather than putting in maximum effort and listening to the instructions that they were given, in his post-match interview.

Only the Rangers boss will know exactly who he was referencing with his rather scathing comments, but anyone who watched the match will be able to identify the players who were not up to it from a quality perspective.

Why Rangers need to drop Danilo

Brazilian centre-forward Danilo was one of the Gers players who did not do enough on the pitch to suggest that he deserves to keep his place in the starting XI.

Partially due to fitness issues for Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane, the former Feyenoord attacker has started all three of the club’s games this season, lining up for both legs against Panathinaikos and the draw with Motherwell.

Danilo, who scored five goals in 24 appearances in all competitions during the 2024/25 campaign, did not provide a single goal or assist in any of those three matches for the Gers.

Igamane and Dessers not being fully fit to start provided the 24-year-old attacker with a huge opportunity to show Martin that he has what it takes to be a key player this season, but he failed to do so.

Danilo	Panathinaikos (H)	Panathinaikos (A)	Motherwell (A)
Minutes	74	82	63
Shots on target	0	1	0
Passes completed	11	9	10
Key passes	2	0	1
Big chances created	0	0	0
Ground duels won	1	1	1
Aerial duels won	0	1	0
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Danilo offered very little threat across the three matches, with just one shot on target and zero ‘big chances’ created.

After the draw with Motherwell, former Rangers striker Kris Boyd said that the Brazilian is “not working” as the sole number nine and that Dessers should start.

The Light Blues could, though, sign a new centre-forward to start over both of them, and there is one reported target who is now being told that he would be a huge success at Ibrox.

Rangers transfer target tipped to run riot at Ibrox

Rangers have been linked with an interest in signing free agent number nine Jamie Vardy, who left Leicester City when his contract expired at the end of last season.

Now, former Gers defender David Robinson has told the former England international that he would “run riot” in Glasgow if he made the move to the Scottish giants this summer.

Transfer Focus

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

Robinson told Ibrox News: “I think he would run riot in Scotland, to be honest. I think the whole club, it would change everything.

“He’s still got the pace about him. No offence to the other teams in Scotland, he would cause them so many problems because he plays on the shoulder and runs in behind. If Rangers played a little more direct with Vardy, he would make that difference.”

It remains to be seen whether or not the experienced marksman wants to make the move to Ibrox, but he could come in as a big upgrade on Danilo if he does.

Why Rangers should sign Jamie Vardy

As Robinson said, Vardy is still an incredibly mobile player who will cause defenders constant problems with his running and his physicality, as shown by his performances in the Premier League last year.

Extraordinarily, the 38-year-old star plundered nine goals and four assists in the English top-flight for Leicester, despite playing in a side that were relegated from the division.

The former Premier League champion started 35 times and showcased his physical qualities by winning 48% of his ground duels and 48% of his aerial battles for the Foxes.

Meanwhile, Danilo lost 61% of his ground duels and 71% of his aerial duels across 23 appearances in the Premiership for Rangers in the 2024/25 campaign, which suggests that he is a liability to the team out of possession.

Jamie Vardy	23/24 Championship	24/25 Premier League
Appearances	35	35
Goals	18	9
Conversion rate	31%	16%
Big chances created	2	6
Assists	2	4
Ground duel success rate	46%	48%
Aerial duel success rate	52%	48%
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Vardy has held his own in duels in both the Championship and the Premier League over the past two seasons, despite his age, which suggests that he would be a big upgrade on Danilo in terms of what the striker offers to the team as a physical presence.

The English icon could also come in at Ibrox as a big upgrade on Danilo because of the goal threat that he can provide in the number nine position.

Vardy has scored 27 league goals in the last two seasons. Meanwhile, the Brazilian attacker has scored nine goals in the Premiership for Rangers in that time.

These statistics suggest that the 38-year-old marksman could be more likely to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch over the course of the season for Martin, which is why he could be a fantastic addition to the squad.

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By
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It is now down to the club to make a move for the English star, though, and to convince him to make the switch to Ibrox to “run riot” as a big upgrade on Danilo.

Aston Villa are now stepping up their efforts to sign an “incredible” Brazilian, who is set to cost €35m (£30m), according to a report.

Villa eyeing midfielder amid Chelsea's interest in Rogers

Rather than strengthening his squad with new signings, one of Unai Emery’s most important tasks this summer will be to keep hold of his star players, with the likes of Emiliano Martinez, Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers all attracting major interest.

In fact, such is Chelsea’s level of interest in Rogers, they have now submitted a bid for the attacking midfielder, with Nicolas Jackson and Tosin Adarabioyo reportedly being used as makeweights.

The Villans are determined to keep hold of Rogers, however, and they should be in a strong position to keep hold of the 23-year-old, given that he remains under contract until the summer of 2030.

John McGinn has also been attracting attention from elsewhere, with Everton emerging as potential suitors for the Villa captain, but once again Emery is very reluctant to sanction a departure, given the Scot’s importance to his side.

That said, amid interest in both Rogers and McGinn, Aston Villa have now set their sights on a new midfielder, and a report from Fanatik has revealed they are now stepping up their efforts to sign Galatasaray’s Gabriel Sara.

Emery’s side are said to be making a ‘concerted effort’ to get a deal for Sara over the line, but they will have to spend €35m (£30m) to tempt his current employers into a sale, with Galatasaray unwilling to even consider offers below that figure.

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Aston Villa have joined United and Celtic in the race…

ByBrett Worthington Jul 28, 2025

Leeds United are also in the race for the Brazilian’s signature, off the back of an impressive 2024-25 campaign, but Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk strongly believes he will remain at the Turkish club.

"Incredible" Sara could be versatile option for Emery

With Rogers’ future up in the air, it could be important for Emery to bring in a midfielder capable of making a real impact on the front foot, and the former Norwich City man, described as “incredible” and Premier League-ready by U23 scout Antonio Mango, certainly fits the bill in that regard.

During the 2023-24 Championship campaign, the maestro amassed 13 goals and 12 assists in 46 games for the Canaries, while he also picked up 11 goal contributions for Galatasaray during his debut campaign in Turkey.

The 26-year-old is also capable of playing in a deeper role, however, catching the eye with both his dribbling ability and some of his defensive showings over the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90

Progressive carries

2.66 (94th percentile)

Successful take-ons

1.27 (91st percentile)

Interceptions

1.27 (74th percentile)

Blocks

1.74 (90th percentile)

Sara is clearly a very well-rounded midfielder, who could make a real impact at Villa Park, so it may be worth forking out the £30m asking price.

Lamine Yamal’s new LeBron James-inspired goal celebration has sparked a “boastful” backlash against the Barcelona wonderkid from the Spanish media.

• Talented teenager starring for club & country
• Has taken inspiration from basketball GOAT
• Is attracting criticism amid ego warnings

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Having enjoyed a meteoric rise, with plaudits raining down on the teen sensation, his every move is now being dissected in minute detail. Yamal’s behaviour on and off the field is falling under the brightest of spotlights.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The youngster plays with a smile on his face and is clearly a fan of superstar performers in other sports. Basketball GOAT LeBron continues to inspire millions around the world as he emulates Cristiano Ronaldo by performing at the highest level beyond his 40th birthday.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Yamal has taken to celebrating goals by placing what appears to be an imaginary crown on his head – much like James does with the LA Lakers. His actions have caused quite a stir in Spain, where ego warnings are being sounded on a regular basis.

  According to , the Spanish press consider Yamal’s celebration to be “boastful” and “not fitting for a young role model”.

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  WHAT DE LA FUENTE SAID

  Those working with Yamal have attempted to calm that discussion. Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has said: “To me, the celebration was not crowning himself. It looked like him putting on a magician’s hat. I told myself while watching the TV: ‘Well, the kid has done another magic trick’. That’s how I understood it.”

  He added: “We tend to highlight the more shallow aspects about athletes, and what we should be highlighting to the next generation is that this kid (Yamal), who made his (Spain) debut at 16 years old, works like nobody else.

  “He’s always taken care of himself with top standards. He has an outstanding talent, but he trains six hours per day, goes to the gym, does the treatments with physios and everything we call ‘invisible training’. Everything Lamine has achieved is not because he threw a birthday party, or because the way he celebrates a goal. No. Those are meaningless details. What we need to highlight is the work he puts in to make this happen.”

Whilst Morgan Gibbs-White’s proposed £60m transfer to join Tottenham Hotspur appeared to be heading in the right direction, his move now appears to be in serious doubt.

The Nottingham Forest star had his release clause triggered by Thomas Frank’s side, but Evangelos Marinakis has raised concerns over the Lilywhites’ move for the attacking midfielder.

It’s been reported that the deal is currently off at present, with the Reds considering legal action over a proposed illegal approach between Spurs and the player’s agent.

His release clause was seen as part of a non-disclosure agreement, something which has been broken, with the deal now seemingly up in the air between the parties.

It’s unclear whether Frank’s side will continue to pursue a move for the England international, but many supporters will hope a deal can be completed to allow him to thrive with another player in North London.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Despite moving for Gibbs-White, other deals have been explored, including a move for Brentford talisman Yoane Wissa, who managed to score 19 times in the Premier League last season.

However, it could prove to be another expensive addition, with the Bees demanding £50m to part ways with him despite having just one year left on his current contract.

He’s not the only other player in England’s top flight on their radar, with Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton being closely monitored, according to GB News.

The report claims that Frank’s side are preparing a £60m bid for the 21-year-old as part of the investment that’s been seen so far during the summer window.

It also states that the Eagles could be demanding a fee in the region of £75m for the England international, but the Lilywhites are prepared to spend big to land his signature this summer.

Why Spurs’ £60m target would be perfect alongside Gibbs-White

There is no doubt that Gibbs-White would be a top-level addition for Spurs this window, having the ability to transform the club’s fortunes in attacking areas.

The 25-year-old managed to register seven goals and eight assists in the Premier League last season, helping the Reds secure European football for the first time in three decades.

However, the latest news around his move to North London will undoubtedly delay the process, but given Frank’s admiration, it’s understandable if the hierarchy will wait to complete a deal for his signature.

The £60m release clause that has been mooted for his services would be an excellent price, allowing him to nail his place down as a creative star in behind the striker.

However, he will need defensive reinforcements behind him to allow him to thrive within attacking areas, something which Wharton would undoubtedly offer his compatriot.

The Palace star’s figures from last season showcase why he’d be perfect for Gibbs-White, subsequently being able to break up play and hand him the tools to thrive.

Wharton, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by creator HLTCO, managed to complete 7.3 progressive passes and 5.3 passes into the final third per 90 last season, having the tools to give the ball to Gibbs-White, who can create carnage in attacking areas.

Adam Wharton’s stats for Palace in the PL (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)	Tally
Games played	20
Goals & assists	2
Pass accuracy	76%
Progressive passes	7.3
Key passes	1.8
Passes into final third	5.3
Tackles won	2.3
Interceptions made	1.4
Clearances made	1.8
Recoveries made	6.9
Stats via FBref

However, out of possession, the youngster was just as impressive, winning 2.3 tackles per 90 and making 1.4 interceptions per 90 – handing Frank the superb ball-winning option he requires at the heart of his side.

He’s also made 6.9 recoveries and 1.8 clearances per 90 in the league throughout 2024/25, highlighting the talent he possesses as a deep-lying option, arguably being the final piece in the Lilywhites’ midfield puzzle.

£60m may be a huge bid for such a young talent, but he’s already showcased his quality early on in his professional career, only getting better in the years ahead.

If he can replicate his talents across the capital in Frank’s side, he will solve such an issue for many years to come, potentially forming a deadly partnership with Gibbs-White if a deal can be resurrected.

Kudus' dream striker: £50m star now wants to join Spurs after Gibbs-White

Tottenham Hotspur have wasted no time in hunting for additional signings after agreeing a deal for Mohammed Kudus.

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Chelsea remain active in the transfer market after a busy window for the Blues so far, with Enzo Maresca’s side fully expected to add more star quality to their squad before the next summer deadline day on September 1.

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BlueCo added both Mamadou Sarr and Liam Delap to their contingent of stars for the Club World Cup, taking advantage of the pre-CWC window which closed on June 10, only to reopen again on Monday.

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

This mini-window allowed clubs like Chelsea to bolster their sides in preparation for the tournament, with FIFA appearing determined to ensure that some of world football’s finest are on display over the next few weeks.

Chelsea kicked off their CWC campaign on Monday with a 2-0 win over MLS side Los Angeles FC, but showcased their skills in front of a largely empty Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with just 22,137 fans in attendance for the clash.

Delap made his debut and grabbed an assist, with goals from Pedro Neto and Nicolas Jackson making sure Chelsea got off to the perfect tournament start in Atlanta.

The CWC is rather controversial considering the complete absence of rest for these players. Pre-season for 2025/2026 is set to begin immediately after the competition ends, and given the 2026 World Cup is next year, Chelsea players won’t be resting much next summer either.

However, with £97 million worth of prize money on offer if Maresca’s side win the competition, it is no shock at all that Stamford Bridge chiefs are keen for them to take the CWC as seriously as possible.

To lighten the load, Chelsea could add new signings to their squad midway through, with a unique player registration window open from June 27 to July 3.

That being said, if you already play for a rival team in the CWC, you’re unable to swap clubs – so Chelsea wouldn’t be able to register top transfer target and Borussia Dortmund sensation Jamie Gittens.

Chelsea talks "to follow" for Jamie Gittens after player agreement

Chelsea had three bids rejected for Gittens before the CWC in a desperate attempt to get him over the line in time before 7pm on June 10 (Florian Plettenberg), ultimately failing to reach an agreement with Dortmund.

Since then, it’s been reported that Chelsea are still expected to go back in for the 20-year-old, even if he can’t play a part for them during the CWC, with Fabrizio Romano sharing another update on the saga.

Romano writes via X that Chelsea are set for new talks to sign Gittens, who’s already agreed to join Maresca’s side.

While some reports have suggested that Dortmund value him at around £60 million, the reliable Ben Jacobs has now shared that he could leave for £47 million, in what is a boost for Chelsea.

“Eventually, this deal is expected to get done because Gittens wants to move, and they [Chelsea and BVB] are not actually far apart as some had suggested,” he told The Football Terrace.

“We heard €70m or more, but the number I’m told is €55m, up by €5m from what Chelsea originally thought would get the deal done. And it’s not just the number but the structure of that deal as well.”

The Premier League has had some of the best passers in recent history, such as Paul Scholes, Xabi Alonso and David Beckham.

Pass completion percentage is now a big part of the modern day’s data-driven analysis, with possession-based styles being adopted by more and more managers.

But who was statistically the best passer in England’s top flight during the 2024/25 season? Using data from football analytics site FBref, we’ve listed the top 10 Premier League players by pass completion rate. (Note: players have to have played at least 30 minutes per match to be counted.)

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Stephan Georgiou

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Data correct as of 25th May 2025

Rank	Player	Club	PL pass%
1	William Saliba	Arsenal	94.3%
2	Manuel Akanji	Man City	93.6%
3	Ruben Dias	Man City	93.5%
4	Curtis Jones	Liverpool	93.1%
=5	Andre	Wolves	92.9%
=5	Ezri Konsa	Aston Villa	92.9%
7	Jan Bednarek	Southampton	92.7%
8	Mateo Kovacic	Man City	92.6%
9	Leny Yoro	Man Utd	92.4%
10	Jack Stephens	Southampton	92%

Here's a detailed look at the top 10 Premier League passers in 2024/25…

10

Jack Stephens (Southampton)

92% pass completion

Southampton defender Jack Stephens, though the centre-back had an injury-impacted campaign as he only started 17 times.

He still scraped into the top 10 come the end of the season, squeezing ahead of Premier League-winning captain Virgil van Dijk in the process.

9

Leny Yoro (Man Utd)

92.4% pass completion

Manchester United may have endured a dreadful season, but one of the brighter elements of the campaign perhaps came in the form of Leny Yoro’s emergence in the first team.

The Frenchman took time to make his mark at Old Trafford after getting injured soon after signing, but ended the season as one of their most reliable players – made all the more remarkable given his age of 19.

Interestingly, another new signing was United’s next-best passer – Matthijs de Ligt clocked an average of 89.9% successful passes throughout 2024/25.

8

Mateo Kovacic (Man City)

92.6% pass completion

With numerous injuries at the Etihad Stadium, Mateo Kovacic was able to get more game time with Man City than he was perhaps expecting last season. He took his opportunity, whether that be in the form of scoring goals or his general all-round play.

As to be expected in a Guardiola side, Kovacic is tidy on the ball played a big role in the absence of Rodri.

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7

Jan Bednarek (Southampton)

92.7% pass completion

Southampton’s possession-based style saw Saints centre-back Jan Bednarek end up in the top 10.

The Saints may not have got anywhere near enough points on the board, but Bednarek’s pass completion rate was a rare positive sign at St Mary’s.

6

Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)

92.9% pass completion

Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa has been a regular under Unai Emery and offers the versatility of being able to play at right-back and centre-back.

The Englishman has now made over 200 appearances for Villa and is clearly comfortable on the ball.

5

Andre (Wolves)

92.9% pass completion

Arguably a surprise name on the list is Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Andre.

The Brazilian midfielder arrived from Fluminense ahead of the 2024/25 season but wasn’t a nailed-on starter under Gary O’Neil. He had been in and out of the starting lineup, but started more regularly under Vitor Pereira, showing his true worth to the Old Gold during this time.

4

Curtis Jones (Liverpool)

93.1% pass completion

One of the players who starred under Arne Slot during his first season as Liverpool manager was midfielder Curtis Jones.

Jones had the best pass completion rate of any Reds star and started 19 games last term as his rise in the first team continues.

3

Ruben Dias (Man City)

93.5% pass completion

Another Man City star on the list is Ruben Dias, with the Portugal international a mainstay in the Man City side.

Dias has found himself in the opposition half for plenty of City’s Premier League games due to their dominance, and he’s kept possession most of the time when on the ball. In fact, both of City’s centre-backs were exceptional last term…

2

Manuel Akanji (Man City)

93.6% pass completion

The top Man City passer last season was Manuel Akanji, who also occasionally chipped in at right-back as injuries bit hard at the Etihad Stadium.

The Switzerland international has seemingly nailed down a centre-back role under Pep Guardiola, becoming a trustworthy player in the absence of John Stones and Nathan Ake – particularly on the ball, if these stats are anything to go by.

1

William Saliba (Arsenal)

94.3% pass completion

Topping the charts this season is Arsenal star William Saliba, reaching over 94%.

A guaranteed starter for the Gunners under Mikel Arteta, Saliba’s place at the top of the game for some time is all but assured. Part of the reason for that is his calmness in possession, as evidenced by his high pass success rate.

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Fabrizio Romano has shared an intriguing update on Arsenal and their transfer plans for the summer window, with one target set to speak to his agents about the possibility of a move to the Emirates Stadium this week.

Mikel Arteta set for talks with Arsenal co-chairman over striker plans

The Times and journalist Gary Jacob shared some very interesting news regarding Mikel Arteta and Gunners co-chair Josh Kroenke.

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According to their information, amid a plethora of reports linking them with a striker, Arteta and Kroenke are set for internal talks over signing a prolific centre-forward in the next few days, with Arsenal looking to solve their goalscoring problem.

Arsenal surrendered the Premier League title to Liverpool, finishing 10 points behind Arne Slot’s side, with the north Londoners failing to reach their previous heights in terms of ruthlessness in the final third.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

Arteta’s men drew more games than any other side in the top ten over 24/25, scoring just 69 league goals in total, which is far fewer than the 91 and 88 they managed over the previous two seasons.

There has never been a more clear indication that Arsenal are in dire need of a striker, and Arteta publicly suggested that they have every intention of solving that issue among other concerns in the squad.

“Believe me, we are on it,” said Arteta about Arsenal potentially making a signing up front.

“We will try to squeeze and think and turn every stone that we possibly can, to make this club even more successful. But I think what these boys have done, the team has done, regarding everything that has happened, I repeat myself, I think they deserve a lot of credit.”

The result of these sit-down talks with Kroenke could have a profound effect on their chances of mounting a better Premier League title challenge next season, amid serious links to Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

Viktor Gyokeres set to speak with agents about possible Arsenal move

The Swede ended 24/25 with 54 goals and 13 assists in all competitions, potentially signing-off on his Sporting career with a strike in the Portuguese Cup final against Benfica on Sunday.

Gyokeres is a top striker target for Arsenal, alongside RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, but it remains to be seen which marksman ends up at N5.

The 26-year-old has plenty of options, including Arteta’s side, with Romano sharing an update to GiveMeSport on Gyokeres’ plans after what was potentially his last game for Sporting.

Romano reports that Gyokeres is set to speak with his agents “in the next days” and assess all new destinations, including a possible move to Arsenal, and the ex-Coventry City star will make a decision on his next club “soon”.

Gyokeres’ rumoured price tag comes in at around £63 million, which could be seen as a bargain considering his exceptional goalscoring record, and it is peculiar that he hasn’t managed to seal a big-money move until this summer.

It adds further weight to some belief that Gyokeres is “massively underrated” in terms of strikers, and while you can make a case for a lack of quality in the Primeira Liga, the forward’s haul is hugely impressive no matter what division you’re playing in.

The last five years or so have been a roller coaster for Tottenham Hotspur.

Since Daniel Levy and Co decided to sack Mauricio Pochettino, the club haven’t been able to find another manager who’s been able to truly deliver.

For example, Ange Postecoglou delivered entertaining football but has made them incredibly easy to play against, while Antonio Conte and José Mourinho turned a club famous for their attacking philosophy into one of the country’s most boring teams to watch.

Yet, the least successful of the lot was Nuno Espírito Santo, who wasn’t even given half a season in the dugout but still managed to bring in a couple of good signings, including one now compared to a Premier League superstar.

Nuno's Spurs signings

So, before we get to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other players Nuno bought in during his time in the Spurs hot seat, starting with one that did not work out: Emerson Royal.

The Brazilian full-back joined the North Londoners from Barcelona in the summer of 2021 for a fee of around £26m – a fee that reportedly stunned the Catalan board at the time, which perhaps makes how things panned out not that surprising.

In all, the São Paulo-born flop made 101 appearances for the club, in which he scored four goals, provided two assists and was often labelled a “liability” by those in the media like Jamie O’Hara, before being sold to AC Milan for about £13m in the summer of 2024.

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An altogether more successful acquisition made under Nuno’s watch was that of Cristian Romero, who joined the club on a loan with a £46.7m option to buy in early August 2021.

Since then, he has been one of the club’s co-vice captains and made 117 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing one assist.

However, he’s not been the only success story from that summer, as another of Nuno’s limited signings is now a key member of the squad and has even been compared to one of the biggest stars in the Premier League, who is worth around £101m.

Spurs' £101m superstar in the making

Given Nuno’s limited time at Spurs, only one other signing was made under him that could be described as a success: Pape Matar Sarr.

The North Londoners paid Ligue 1 side FC Metz about £15m for the midfield “monster,” as dubbed by journalist Mitch Fretton, in the summer of 2021, and it would be fair to say he has since more than proved worth that initial investment.

For example, he’s already made 93 first-team appearances, scoring nine goals and providing six assists, which is seriously impressive for a 22-year-old central midfielder.

On top of this, he’s also been compared to Declan Rice, and while the Spurs faithful don’t like him, it’s a pretty flattering and encouraging comparison, one that stems from Fbref.

They compared players in similar positions in last season’s Premier League and concluded that the Englishman was the second most similar midfielder to the Senegalese ace in the entire competition.

Sarr & Rice
Statistics per 90	Sarr	Rice
Non-Penalty Expected G+As	0.25	0.24
Shots	1.57	1.62
Shots on Target	0.57	0.56
Passes into the Penalty Area	1.00	1.09
Goal-Creating Actions	0.30	0.33
Passes Blocked	0.70	0.73
Aerial Duels Won	1.04	1.09
All Stats via FBref for the 23/24 PL Season

The best way to see how this conclusion was reached is by looking at the underlying numbers in which they ranked closely, including but not limited to non-penalty expected goals plus assists, shots and shots on target, passes into the penalty area, goal-creating actions and more, all per 90.

However, while being statistically similar to one of the division’s leading midfielders is great in and of itself, it’s also encouraging regarding the Lilywhites ace’s future valuation.

For example, Transfermarkt currently values the Arsenal star at a whopping €110m, which, when converted, comes out to £101m, and if Sarr is so similar to him, why couldn’t his price tag reach the same heights in the future?

Ultimately, while he’s not quite on the level of the Englishman just yet, the talent is undeniably there, and with the right coaching, the sky’s the limit.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Apr 6, 2025

Three of the four semi-finalists have overcome personal and structural hardships to beat the best in the world at this T20 World Cup

Firdose Moonda19-Oct-20242:54

Carson leads the way, West Indies’ injuries costly

The Sharjah outfield received a hard smack from Zaida James’ bat as she walked off, with West Indies 11 runs away from the T20 World Cup final. James, 11 days away from turning 20, contributed 14 runs off eight balls batting at No. 9 and had believed she could “bring it home”. Ashmini Munisar, just a year older than James, came in next and gave James a reassuring pat on the helmet as they swapped places. Munisar would do her job and get off strike but had to watch from the other end as the match was lost.That West Indies’ last hopes lay with two of the youngest players in their squad spoke volumes about what they lacked in this tournament, and also about what they may have to look forward to. There is talent, but it must be nurtured and more of it must be found in a region where resources remain scarce. All of this makes West Indies’ final-four finish that much more remarkable.”Honestly speaking, we probably just don’t have it like a lot of the rest of the teams,” Hayley Matthews, the captain, had said after West Indies knocked England out of the tournament on Tuesday. “Back home in the Caribbean, sometimes we don’t have facilities and a lot of our girls come from very humble beginnings. To be given this opportunity to come out, represent your nation, and make a living out of it, for every single person it changes their lives.”Related

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While West Indies have central contracts for the women’s team, the regional system is only on the cusp of professionalising. Creating a year-round high-performance system remains a challenge. Ahead of international assignments, players get taken to centralised camps, which Matthews says are “really difficult on the girls because they are not able to stay in their homes with their friends and their families”. She would like to see them “be able to just get proper cricket training whilst they’re home”, because “we’ve got enough good coaches around the Caribbean that something can be done or put in place for everyone to be able to stay in their own territories and be put in a proper system where they can continue to improve there”.Legspinner Afy Fletcher, who is currently the joint-second-highest wicket-taker at the T20 World Cup, is one example. She is the only player in the West Indies team from Grenada, an island whose players compete alongside four others as Windward Islands. When she is not on regional or national duty, she practices with her partner, a former club cricketer, because it is her only option.”Fletch just goes to the nets with someone she knows, maybe her partner, and he throws balls at her a lot of the time. So it’s amazing for her to be able to come out here and perform the way she does,” Matthews said. “For all of our players to come out and perform the way they do – that’s why I feel as though you can never really be too hard on them because I think a lot of the time with what we’re given and what they’re given we’re still exceeding expectations every single time.”While Matthews has experience in the WBBL, the Hundred and the WPL, where she plays alongside other internationals, most players in her West Indies team have to “learn on the international scene and that can be so difficult”. She would love a system as advanced and professional as Australia’s, for example, which is designed “to create players who are ready to step onto the big stage”.Hayley Matthews tries to hide her emotions after the loss•ICC/Getty Images”I’m watching the T20 Spring Challenge right now in Australia and I’m seeing 13- and 15-year-old girls doing some insane things,” Matthews said. “I would absolutely love it if we had a system like that in place where our girls could come out from the regional system and be at a certain level.”The challenges for West Indies lies in creating this from the geographic spread of the islands to their economies but they will receive a big boost from this T20 World Cup. As losing semi-finalists, West Indies will take home US$ 675,000, some of which may be invested back into the women’s game. That thought won’t dry Matthews’ tears on a night when she thought her team had a World Cup final in the bag, but as someone who, in the words of the team coach Shane Deitz, is “really driving” the legacy-building aspect of the women’s game, it may provide some comfort in the days and weeks to come.Then, perhaps, Matthews and West Indies will be able to look back and appreciate the significance of what they achieved by getting to the semi-finals at a World Cup where better-resourced teams like England and India did not. New Zealand, who advanced to their first final in 14 years, already know that especially after they identified a lack of depth as their primary concern despite a developed domestic system.

“For all of our players to come out and perform the way they do, that’s why I feel as though you can never really be too hard on them because I think a lot of the time with what we’re given and what they’re given we’re still exceeding expectations every single time.”Hayley Matthews

In March, their captain Sophie Devine told ESPNcricinfo’s Powerplay podcast that “there’s not much depth coming through” in a country with a small population. After getting to the semi-final by beating Pakistan in the UAE, she repeated and expanded on that: “We’re not India, we don’t have a billion people to sort of pick from.”But they do have some, and Devine recognised that as a start. “Look at who’s on the bench. Molly Penfold’s been outstanding the last 12 months, she’s come on in leaps and bounds and you’ve still got players like Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe and Leigh Kasperek – it’s those small, wee things where it’s going to take time to build depth, especially in a country as small as New Zealand. It’s not going to happen overnight. It’s going to be a continual work on for us.”New Zealand do not suffer from poor finances like West Indies and were the first country to introduce equal match fees, but have to deal with several other competing sports that attract some of their best athletes. Netball is their most popular women’s sport, followed by rugby union. But cricket is gaining ground.That is reasonably similar to the situation that their opponents in the final, South Africa face. Netball is also the most popular female sport in participation numbers in South Africa but cricket is growing. South Africa are the third country out of the four that advanced out of the group stage, whose players have battled personal and structural hardships to beat the best in the world.Ayabonga Khaka is an integral part of the SA women’s team•Getty ImagesAlmost every one of them has a story but Ayabonga Khaka, who was born in the small town of Middledrift in the Eastern Cape two years before democracy came to the country in 1994, is a standout example. Khaka was born into “impoverished circumstances”, as Eddie Khoza, CSA’s pathways manager, told ESPNcricinfo. She went on to become one of the first women at a boys’ academy when she joined the University of Fort Hare’s facility under the tutorship of former international Mfuneko Ngam. She has a degree in human movement science, she invests in farming in her community, and Khoza calls her “a living example and an icon who has achieved things on and off the field and could inspire the next generation of cricketers”.In Khaka, South Africa have a player whose quiet consistency and confidence has proved how much is possible. She has played in two ODI World Cups – both times reaching the semi-final – and four T20 World Cups and has lived and breathed the gains and misses of each of them. Her message to “people from the parts that I come from” is: “anything you want, you can do it”.That sums up what this World Cup has said for the progression of women’s cricket. Two of the Big Three – England and India – did not reach the semi-final, and Australia’s grip on the trophy was released. Three of the four semi-finalists come from places where their players put their passion ahead of the struggle, even when it seems that the odds are stacked against them. They know that desire alone doesn’t win a World Cup. It’s a combination of planning, luck and the muscle memory of dealing with pressure and if nothing else, they now know a bit about that. As James said, “I take this as a learning experience”, which may mean next time will be better.