All posts by n8rngtd.top

Here’s a not particularly original statement: Arsenal should probably sign a striker!

The Gunners’ Premier League title hopes have been over for a while now, and it’s their lack of attacking firepower that supporters want to see addressed in the summer.

Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Brentford was the 22nd time in all competitions Mikel Arteta’s team have scored either zero or one goal in a match, doing so in a whopping 50% of their Premier League fixtures.

Thus, do the Gunners lead the race for one of Europe’s most sought-after centre-forwards?

Which striker are Arsenal seeking to sign?

According to a report by Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are hoping to complete the signing of Sporting Clube de Portugal striker Viktor Gyökeres, who he believes will be available for as little as £55m 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.

David Ornstein and James McNicholas of the Athletic previously reported that the Gunners have ‘developed a strong interest’ in the Swedish international striker, with recently appointed new sporting director Andrea Berta described as a long-term admirer.

They add that Arteta’s preference would actually be to sign Gyökeres’ international teammate Alexander Isak, but Newcastle United ‘have no intention’ of selling their most-prized asset, let alone to a direct rival.

So, could Gyökeres be the final piece in the jigsaw?

How Gyokeres would improve Arsenal's attack

Both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are currently sidelined long-term; the Brazilian ruptured his ACL against Manchester United in the FA Cup in January, while the German required hamstring surgery after suffering this injury during the warm-weather training camp in Dubai.

However, despite scoring 29 goals for the club, Havertz was never supposed to be Arsenal’s striker, initially signed as a midfielder.

Jesus, meantime, simply has not been the same since suffering a knee injury against Cameroon at the last World Cup, as the table below outlines.

As the table outlines, Jesus simply cannot be counted upon due to fitness reasons and is unlikely to feature again until Christmas, so he cannot be in Arteta’s immediate plans.

As a result, for now, Mikel Merino is spearheading Arsenal’s attack, his stunning strike against Real Madrid last Tuesday actually his eighth for the club, six of which have come since becoming the emergency striker at Leicester in February.

Nevertheless, Gyökeres would be a clear upgrade on the Spaniard, as his remarkable statistics at Sporting prove.

Gyökeres’ statistics at Sporting are obviously frightening, hence why Romano has labeled him a “goal machine”, adding that he is “wanted by several clubs for the summer”.

Meanwhile, Ben Mattinson of Breaking the Lines believes the Swede is a ‘clinical finisher with great movement’, also impressed by his ‘link-up play, physicality…. [and] top-quality ball-striking’.

Speaking on the Arsecast Extra, Andrew Mangan claims Gyökeres would represent a ‘win now’ signing, which is exactly what Arsenal are attempting to do, hence why they should push the boat out to make this move happen. He’s be a phenomenal upgrade on their current options.

Their answer to Isak: Arsenal in talks to sign "the new Erling Haaland"

Arsenal could sign their answer to Alexander Isak in a £60m deal.

4

By
Matt Dawson

Apr 13, 2025

Manchester United are now in pole position to sign one of European football’s most in-demand players after holding positive initial talks, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

United falter once more against Wolves

After what has already been one of the most dismal campaigns in the club’s history, Manchester United’s season hit a new low on Sunday as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford. A spectacular free-kick from Pablo Sarabia proved the difference, taking Wolves’ winning streak to five and moving them level on points with United in the Premier League table.

The loss also confirmed a grim milestone for the Red Devils: even if they win all of their remaining five matches, they will still end the season with their lowest-ever Premier League points tally – unable to surpass the 58-point finish recorded under Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Ralf Rangnick in 2021/22.

Speaking after the defeat, Amorim reflected on United’s struggles, telling BBC Match of the Day: “This season is going to end like this, so we need to take the positives and work on what we need to improve.”

The Portuguese manager also hinted at significant changes ahead during the summer transfer window, indicating that recruitment will be a key focus.

Amorim must axe Man Utd dud who makes them look like they’re playing with 10

Manchester United fell to yet another Premier League defeat against Wolves this afternoon.

By
Ethan Lamb

Apr 20, 2025

“We have to look at everything — our squad, what we have to do in the market. We will see,” he said. “We talk every day about next season, and with time, we will get what we need to improve the team.”

United lead race for Wolves star Cunha

One player who could be on his way to Old Trafford this summer is Wolves’ very-own Matheus Cunha. While the Brazilian didn’t find the net in Wolves’ win over United at the weekend, he’s been the standout performer at Molineux this season. His 14 Premier League goals — many of them stunning long-range efforts — along with four assists, have been instrumental in keeping Wolves clear of relegation trouble.

Despite signing a new deal with the club back in February, Cunha’s eye-catching form has put him firmly on the radar of several top-flight clubs, including Arsenal, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and Nottingham Forest. According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, however, it’s United who currently lead the chase for his signature.

Writing on X on Monday, Romano revealed that initial talks between Cunha and United have been positive, with personal terms already being discussed. He also noted that United are fully aware of growing interest from other clubs — as well as Cunha’s £62.5 million release clause.

Speaking about Cunha back in November, former Premier League defender turned pundit Micah Richards described him as “absolutely sensational”.

Manchester United are now eyeing a shock move to sign an “unbeatable” goalkeeper for a bargain £17m fee in the summer transfer window, according to a report.

Man Utd drawing up goalkeeper shortlist

Andre Onana has put in some very disappointing performances as of late, with his late blunder against Lyon last Thursday night costing his side a crucial away win in the Europa League quarter-final, and Man United have now started to draw up a list of replacements.

FC Porto’s Diogo Costa has been named as a leading candidate to replace Onana, but with the Portugal international protected by a £64m release clause in his contract, the Red Devils will have to pay a hefty sum if they are to get a deal over the line.

As such, United could look at some cheaper alternatives, and they have also joined the race for Angers shot-stopper Yahia Fofana, who is attracting widespread interest from the Premier League, having put in some impressive performances in Ligue 1 this season.

Offer made: Man Utd now lead rivals in race for "incredible" £30m striker

There has been a positive development in Man United’s pursuit of a forward…

By
Dominic Lund

Apr 16, 2025

Fofana may cost just £15m this summer, making the Ivory Coast international an affordable option, and the same applies to Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, with Man United now interested in a shock move for their former academy player, who spent 18 months in the acadmey between 2014 and 2016.

That is according to a report from Italy (via Sport Witness), which states Milinkovic-Savic has a release clause of just €20m (£17m), which is set to become active at the end of July.

Torino owner Urbano Cairo is eager to receive the full amount, but United believe the goalkeeper’s value is around €12m (£10m), so the two clubs may still be some way apart, and there could be competition for his signature from Premier League rivals Chelsea.

"Unbeatable" Milinkovic-Savic impressing in Italy

The 28-year-old is enjoying a very impressive campaign in the Serie A, having been lauded as “unbeatable” for his record of saving penalties, while he has also looked very solid in general play.

The Serbian ranks extremely highly on a number of key metrics for goalkeepers over the past year, and he places in the top 2% for touches per 90, indicating he is composed in possession of the ball, which may be of key significance to Ruben Amorim.

Amorim has confirmed that Onana will start for United against Lyon in the crucial Europa League encounter on Thursday evening, but the Cameroonian could be running out of chances, having been dropped for Altay Bayindir against Newcastle United last weekend.

Should the former Inter Milan man fail to make major improvements between now and the end of the season, it seems likely Amorim will bring in a replacement, having identified a number of targets, and Milinkovic-Savic has proven he could be a fantastic choice.

Tottenham Hotspur are actively doing their due-diligence on a potential replacement for Ange Postecoglou, according to various reports, following a lacklustre domestic campaign where Spurs are on course for their worst ever Premier League season.

Tottenham's shortlist of managerial candidates

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has been linked with the potential hires of numerous head coaches, with credible media sources like The Telegraph’s Matt Law reporting that Postecoglou could leave regardless of success in Europe.

Tottenham hold internal talks over hiring ex-Liverpool manager worth £39m

It would be quite the move.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 26, 2025

Even if Postecoglou delivers Tottenham’s first piece of major silverware since 2008 by winning the Europa League, his exit is seen as a real possiblity, and there are no shortage of replacements under rumoured consideration in N17.

Domestically, Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth), Marco Silva (Fulham), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace), Thomas Frank (Brentford) and Scott Parker (Burnley) have all found their way on to Tottenham’s managerial shortlist, while there are also more illustrious names thought of further abroad.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, who now has an agreement in principle with Brazil (Fabrizio Romano), Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso and even ex-Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp have all been internally discussed as options to succeed Postecoglou, according to GiveMeSport.

Reports in Germany last week also claimed that Tottenham have contacted Borussia Dortmund’s Niko Kovac, and we can expect many more manager links until Postecoglou’s dismissal is rebuffed or confirmed.

The link to Parker is an intriguing one, as the former Spurs midfielder knows the club well, and has just guided Burnley back to the English top flight at the first time of asking.

Pundits like Jamie O’Hara believe Parker wouldn’t be a bad appointment for Tottenham, despite the 44-year-old’s inexperience at such an elite side with high expectations.

Scott Parker would be "very" keen to manage Tottenham

Speaking to Tottenham News, former Lilywhites scout and ex-Levy employee, Bryan King, expressed his belief that Parker would be “very interested” in replacing Postecoglou at Spurs – provided they pay a “small” compensation fee of £10 million.

“Parker has worked at clubs where the budgets haven’t been large,” King said.

“He is a young up-and-coming manager, so why not look to him? It can’t be any worse than what we have had. He is an ex-Tottenham player. Therefore, I’d imagine he would be very interested in the job if it were offered to him.

“Tottenham will have to pay a compensation fee, probably around £10million. However, in today’s football market, that is a small price to pay.”

The ex-England man’s managerial career has been subject to highs and lows, with a failed stint at Belgian Jupiler Pro League side Club Brugge coming in-between Championship promotions at Fulham, Bournemouth and Burnley.

Parker was sacked by Bournemouth just four games into the 2022/2023 season after a 9-0 loss to Liverpool, and it remains to be seen if he enjoys greater top flight success at Burnley, given the massive gulf between England’s first and second tiers right now.

That being said, Parker has received glowing endorsements from the likes of Man City boss Pep Guardiola, who called him an “innovative” manager.

Super-agent Pini Zahavi is keen for one of his illustrious clients to join Arsenal after previous transfer talks, with there being a preference for him to make an Emirates Stadium move if he does choose a Premier League switch.

Arsenal set to seal Martin Zubimendi deal

On Saturday morning, some extremely significant news broke from the Emirates Stadium, courtesy of the ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano.

World's "second-best" player expected to join Arsenal with groundwork done

He’d be quite the signing for Arteta.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 9, 2025

After months of advanced talks, which first came to light in January (The Mail), Romano has now confirmed that Arsenal are set to sign Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and will trigger his £51 million release clause – giving his signature ‘here we go’ to the deal.

The Spain international has pledged to sign a long-term contract in north London, one year after Zubimendi rejected a move to Liverpool, and he is now set to become Andrea Berta’s first signing as new sporting director.

Zubimendi’s capture is an undoubted boost for Mikel Arteta, and he will come in as a direct replacement for Jorginho after the Italy international agreed pre-contract terms on a summer move to Flamengo.

With Zubimendi’s arrival seemingly wrapped up, attention turns to who could follow the 26-year-old to N5.

Arsenal are considering the possibility of signing an alternative to Bukayo Saka on the right-hand side, and they remain linked with a move for Bayern Munich star Leroy Sané.

Pini Zahavi keen on Leroy Sané joining Arsenal

The £244,000-per-week forward recently switched agents, employing Zahavi, and that has apparently thrown a spanner in the works of a potential new contract at Bayern.

It has provided some hope Arsenal can strike a free deal for Sane, with Bundesliga insider Christian Falk suggesting Zahavi is keen for his client to end up there if they opt for a Premier League transfer.

Zahavi has a preference for Sane joining Arsenal over Newcastle, as per Falk, if fresh terms with Bayern cannot be agreed.

“Pini is on the prowl. Zahavi is checking out clubs in England and there are a few,” said Falk on the Bayern Insider podcast.

“The player’s previous management had already negotiated with Arsenal, but now there’s a club that actually had its eye on Kingsley Coman, but now a player who plays a similar position, and the club is in the north.

“So, Newcastle is among the candidates being checked out. Leroy Sané actually wants to play in the Champions League, that’s his goal, that’s his aspiration.

“Newcastle is being discounted a bit, they also have great potential, of course, always with the sponsors, but I’d say if things don’t work out at Bayern, the clear focus is on England. Preferably towards London, but Newcastle is also a good alternative.”

Everton manager David Moyes is prepared to enforce sweeping changes this summer after guiding his team, hitherto imperilled, toward safety since re-joining in January.

Incomings will flood through the gates at some stage, but for now, some house-keeping. Ashley Young, Asmir Begovic and Abdoulaye Doucoure are among the first-teamers set to depart when their contracts expire next month.

The biggest presence, Doucoure, has done a lot for Everton, not least scoring against Bournemouth on the final day of the 2022/23 campaign to preserve the club’s long-sustained Premier League status, but he’s 33 next year and the top earner besides at £130k per week.

With Dwight McNeil and Charly Alcaraz in the fold (the latter should sign after his loan spell), number ten isn’t actually the priority position for Moyes though.

However, signing a new striker is definitely an urgent job for the Toffees as they step into the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton need a new striker

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is out of contract at the end of the season, but the 28-year-old striker has not been named as one of the outgoing players.

If Everton are to keep him on the books, it shouldn’t come at the expense of a fresh signing, for Calvert-Lewin has only scored three goals across 25 Premier League games this term.

Beto has been a man reborn under Moyes’ wing, but is still prone to some misfires and Armando Broja, whose loan spell at Goodison Park has been ruined by injury, will return to Chelsea after this weekend’s culminating fixture against Newcastle United.

Everton desperately need to sign a new number nine, having only scored 41 goals in the league this season; the three relegated sides are the only ones to have bagged fewer.

While it’s easier said than done, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher believes one of English football’s most sought-after stars would be wise to make the move to Bramley-Moore Dock in the coming months.

Carragher urges Moyes to sign PL star

On Monday Night Football, following Liverpool’s defeat at Brighton, Carragher was critical of Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap’s potential transfer to Manchester United.

As per The Athletic, the 17th-place Red Devils have held executive meetings to determine whether a deal for the Englishman is feasible, with Chelsea also keen.

Moyes has been candid about his side’s own hopes of completing a move, and it’s something Carragher seems to agree with, believing the 22-year-old’s development would be best served in a talismanic berth on Merseyside.

Delap has a £30m release clause in his contract, which became active after the Tractor Boys’ relegation was sealed toward the end of April.

Though it’s been a pretty miserable campaign for Kieran McKenna’s newly-promoted team, Delap can hold his head high after scoring 12 goals from 32 starting appearances in the Premier League, praised as being “very strong” and a “powerful runner” by Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, who seems keen.

Delap’s physicality and natural-born clinical edge may well see him become Everton’s finest centre-forward in a long time, perhaps even since the days of Romelu Lukaku.

Lukaku joined Everton from Chelsea for £28m (a similar fee) in July 2014 after a successful season-long loan spell at the outfit, and though he’s plied a nomadic career for himself, the 32-year-old devoted four prolific campaigns to the Blues cause.

Delap differs from the well-known Lukaku, but he’s similarly brutish in applying his physicality, eager to outmuscle his opponents and marry that presence with a deceptive swiftness and a sharp shooting sense.

As you can see below, Delap has maintained a comparatively superior level of prolificness to Everton’s existing strikers, also matching a combativeness that can be observed through high numbers in the duel.

And, of course, he’s far more progressive in his ball-carrying, something perhaps more clearly underscored by data-led platform FBref, who record Delap to rank among the top 13% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues this term for progressive carries and the top 8% for successful take-ons per 90.

Lukaku has been noted to ‘run like a wrecking ball’ by The Athletic’s Carl Anka in his heyday, and given the success Everton gleaned from the goal machine’s inward tactical database, extracting the raw quality of his skill set and building a team perfectly framed to promote his talent, Delap may well be curious at following suit to kick on over the next few years.

Given that the goalscorer used to be on Manchester City’s books as an academy player, a further similarity with Lukaku can be found, amid his initial stint at Chelsea. Let’s not forget too, the Belgian had one of the most fruitful spells of his storied career at Everton, posting 87 goals and 27 assists across 166 displays.

Described as a “wrecking ball” earlier in the campaign by Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones, just like Lukaku, Delap has what it takes to become a bona fide superstar in English football.

But would moving to Manchester be the most prudent for him right now? Old Trafford has proven to be a hotbed for stagnation and even regression over the past decade, and this is a player who needs balmy conditions so he can continue to foster his skills.

Imagine him & Ndiaye: Everton could see £12m bid accepted for PL midfielder

Everton are ready to make a series of signings for David Moyes this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 19, 2025

Arsenal have been tipped to sign a “world-class striker” after completing a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, with manager Mikel Arteta putting pressure on the club’s board to compete in the transfer market.

Arsenal seal Martin Zubimendi agreement with medical imminent

On Wednesday afternoon, BBC journalist Sami Mokbel was the first to break news that Zubimendi is set to undergo a medical at Arsenal ahead of sealing a switch to north London.

Arsenal ask about signing "important" Real Madrid player alongside Rodrygo

Andrea Berta’s talks for him hit a snag earlier this week.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 28, 2025

Arsenal have been in negotiations for the Spain international since January (The Mail), and Real Madrid were reportedly threatening to hijack their move for him at one stage, given the length of time it was taking to shake hands on an agreement.

However, those fears are now seemingly being put to rest, and it looks beyond all doubt that Zubimendi will become Andrea Berta’s first signing as Arsenal’s new sporting director.

Arsenal will trigger his £51 million release clause and bring in an adept replacement for Jorginho, who is off to Flamengo after agreeing a pre-contract, with Arteta’s side potentially going into next season with a solid centre midfield trio of Declan Rice, Zubimendi and Thomas Partey – if they can indeed extend the latter’s deal.

The 26-year-old comes to N5 with a glowing reputation as a top-performer for boyhood club Sociedad, who also helped Spain to win Euro 2024 last year, with Arsenal praised for signing a “perfect foil” to Rice in the middle.

Ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer window for Berta, attention now turns to who will follow Zubimendi to the Emirates.

Arsenal tipped to sign "world-class" striker after Martin Zubimendi

According to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, Arteta has been pushing high-ranking Arsenal officials to be active in the market, with Zubimendi potentially just one of many new incomings.

After the Spaniard, Solhekol tips Arsenal to sign a “world-class” striker, amid links to RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.

“We have heard Mikel Arteta say that when Arsenal come calling, players most often say yes. They find it difficult to turn them down,” said Solhekol.

“I’m sure Zubimendi has been very impressed by what Mikel Arteta is doing at Arsenal. Arsenal are pressing ahead with completing a deal. He will become Arsenal’s first signing of the summer.

“Not the last. Arsenal will sign a striker this summer. I think they will sign a world-class striker, like Victor Gyokeres from Sporting or Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. It will be Zubimendi and a striker, as well as other players. Next season, Arteta wants to win the title. He has been putting pressure on the board.

“They will be active in the window.”

This comes as a very encouraging update for supporters, especially after they finished 10 points behind Premier League champions Liverpool and ended 2024/25 trophyless, with Arteta determined to get it right next term.

An elite centre-forward is quite simply imperative after they fell short of their previous goalscoring standards this year, with just 69 scored in the league, not to mention registering more draws than any other side in the top 10.

Amid concerns that Ibrahima Konate could yet leave the club when his contract expires next summer, Liverpool have now reportedly made fresh contact in the race to sign his potential replacement.

Liverpool's Konate concern

After Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk put pen to paper at the same time as Trent Alexander-Arnold opted out of signing a new deal, some around Anfield may have been glad to just bring an end to an ongoing contract saga. As it happens, however, Liverpool aren’t far off from having the exact same concern with Konate.

As things stand, the Frenchman will leave the club as a free agent this time next year and rumours have already circled regarding Real Madrid’s interest. After already losing Alexander-Arnold on a free deal to the Spanish giants, the last thing that Michael Edwards and FSG will want is to see Konate go down the same route. And that could leave them with a decision to make sooner rather than later.

Slot's answer to Huijsen: Liverpool enquire about signing £74m "freak"

Liverpool would consider signing a centre-back this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 28, 2025

The defender, himself, has recently had his say on his future, telling reporters: “I know I have a lot of objectives with this club: to become a leader, to win everything. I am very happy here to be fair.

“This is another conversation with the club and my agent, we will see what will happen in the next few weeks or I don’t know when but we will see, let me say that. Progressing? Not really – but my agent met the club last week but I don’t know what will happen. I cannot say what my agent said to me but yeah we will see what will happen.”

Whilst the hope will be that he puts pen to paper and follows Van Dijk and Salah by securing his future at the club, Liverpool have already reportedly been planning for his potential departure.

Liverpool make contact in race for £75m Lukeba

According to Rudy Galetti of TeamTalk, Liverpool have now made contact in the race to sign Castello Lukeba from RB Leipzig. The impressive defender could yet complete the same move that Konate made not so long ago by swapping the German club for Anfield, and given that he could be replacing his countryman the deal would certainly make sense.

That said, Castello wouldn’t come cheap. Reports have even suggested that the Frenchman has a release clause worth as much as €90m (£75m) at Leipzig. Arne Slot is reportedly a fan of the defender, however, and that could certainly go a long way to making a deal happen in the near future.

Praised for an “amazing” debut season at Leipzig by U23 scout Antonio Mango, it may not be too long before Lukeba is making another debut elsewhere. As Liverpool’s Konate doubt rumbles on, he’s certainly someone to watch.

Chelsea once agreed a £200m+ deal to sign Lionel Messi from Barcelona, however, a former Blues star stopped the Argentine icon moving to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s best signings under Abramovich

After Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea for £140m in 2003, he turned the Blues into a force to be reckoned with, especially in the transfer market, smashing the club’s record signing on numerous occasions. In total, the Russian spent more than £2bn on player signings while also splashing £90m when it came to hiring and firing managers.

Chelsea's most expensive signings of all time

Todd Boehly has spent big in recent years.

By
Charlie Smith

Sep 5, 2025

Major trophies would be a regular occurrence for Abramovich during his time at Stamford Bridge, but he would eventually sell up in 2022.

Abramovich’s top Chelsea signings in pictures

Abramovich employed numerous managers for Chelsea, and one of the most successful bosses he hired was Jose Mourinho.

Across two spells as Chelsea manager, Mourinho won eight major honours, including lifting the Premier League on three occasions.

He managed some top-quality attackers in London, including Didier Drogba and Eden Hazard, however, Mourinho so nearly worked with Messi at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea agreed £200m+ deal to sign Messi under Abramovich

Back in 2014, Chelsea attempted to sign Messi from Barcelona, with Mourinho holding a face-to-face video call with the legendary attacker.

The manager looked to have persuaded Messi to depart the Nou Camp for Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea agreeing to trigger Messi’s €250m (£210.9m) release clause and hand him a huge wage packet in England worth around £50m per season plus 70 per cent of image rights. Mourinho reportedly told Messi he couldn’t wait to work with him, as per Gianluca Di Marzio.

Messi was also quoted admitting he actually wanted to move to Chelsea.

However, former Chelsea midfielder Deco was alerted of a deal by Cesc Fabregas and made Messi’s father and agent Jorge, aware of the talks, which led to a deal ultimately falling through.

As we know, Messi has continued to show why he is one of the greatest players of all time and would eventually leave Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

The attacker then headed to the MLS with Inter Miami and has never played in the Premier League, so Chelsea fans may think differently of Deco knowing he helped stopped a transfer.

The transfer news is starting to heat-up at Rangers.

Following Russell Martin’s appointment, and with the start of Champions League qualifying little over five weeks away, Rangers need to act quickly in the transfer market, seeking to rebuild their squad at Ibrox.

So, with one centre-back seemingly on his way out of Ibrox, could the Gers’ land a vastly experienced defender?

Rangers' search for a new centre-back

Defence is clearly an area the Gers are looking to improve this summer with links to English centre-back Harry Darling emerging on a regular basis.

That being said, Darling isn’t the only defender on the club’s radar heading into the forthcoming weeks.

According to a report by the Leicester Mercury, Rangers have initiated talks to sign Conor Coady from Leicester City this summer, having lodged an enquiry in a bid to understand what it might take to sign the former England international.

Football Insider revealed on Sunday that, with the Foxes needing to offload players following their relegation to the EFL Championship, Coady could be one name on the chopping block, handing Martin and Co encouragement in their attempts to sign the defender.

The 32-year-old is vastly experienced, having made almost 200 Premier League appearances to date, joining Leicester from Wolverhampton Wanderers two years ago for a reported fee of around £7.5m.

Analyst John Walker labels Coady “highly intelligent”, praising his in-possession play, so could Martin convince him to move to Glasgow?

How Conor Coady could finally replace Goldson at Rangers

Back in the summer of 2018, following Steven Gerrard’s arrival in Govan, Rangers signed Connor Goldson from Brighton & Hove Albion for a reported fee of £3m, and what a bargain this would prove to be.

Despite requiring heart surgery during his time with the Seagulls, the Englishman would go on to make 309 appearances for the Light Blues, winning all three domestic trophies, a near ever-present fixture of the Gerrard-era, as well as being a key figure in the side that reached the Europa League Final in Seville three years ago.

Graham Falk of the Scotsman labels him a ‘stalwart’ of Rangers’ recent success, and many would argue that the club have not replaced him since he was allowed to leave for Aris Limassol last summer.

The need to replace him has only been made greater by news surrounding Robin Pröpper, who could be poised to depart Rangers this summer.

Indeed, reports suggest that FC Twente are ‘desperate’ to re-sign the centre-back for £1.5m, just a year after the Eredivisie outfit sold him to the Gers for around double that fee.

They go on to say that Pröpper ‘will hold talks’ with new manager Martin before making a concrete decision over his future, but few supporters would mourn his exit, given that Ewan Paton of the Rangers Review asserts that Scottish football is ‘too quick and physical for his capabilities’.

So let’s assess if Coady would be an upgrade.

The table suggests that Pröpper was more impressive than Coady this season, with the Dutchman boasting better statistics for most metrics included, but some context is required.

Rangers finished second in the Premiership while Leicester were relegated from the Premier League, thereby skewing the data, while it is worth considering that England’s top flight is, according to Global Football Rankings, the strongest division in the world, with Scotland’s first division ranked all the way down in 43rd place.

The most interesting statistic from the table above, however, is Coady’s excellent pass completion percentage – better than Propper – which would fit into Martin’s style of play perfectly.

Meanwhile, as outlined by Tim Spiers of the Athletic, the Englishman is known for his outstanding leadership qualities, describing him as an ‘intelligent ball-playing centre-back’.

Thus, still only 32 years old, Coady still has plenty to offer and, if Rangers are able to snap him up on the cheap, he would be an excellent addition, reminiscent of Goldson’s move to Glasgow all those years ago.

Balogun upgrade: Rangers line up move to sign "heroic" defender for Martin

Russell Martin will be aiming to bolster his squad in the coming weeks.

By
Ross Kilvington

Jun 15, 2025