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Glasgow Rangers head coach Russell Martin will know that he needs to start picking up results, and quickly, after the first international break of the season.

The Light Blues failed to win any of their first four matches in the Scottish Premiership and were knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers with a 9-1 loss on aggregate to Club Brugge.

As you can see in the post above, some supporters have been left more than just frustrated by the poor start to the 2025/26 campaign, leaving a banner asking for the club to sack the manager at Ibrox.

Sporting director Kevin Thelwell described Martin as “one of the best” managers he has ever worked with during an interview with club channels earlier this week, which suggests that the former Southampton boss is not going anywhere any time soon.

It is now down to Martin to reward the board and Thelwell for their faith in him by delivering results, and eventually trophies, on the pitch to back up the work that is going on behind the scenes.

One way that he can help the team to pick up more points in their matches is to get the best out of summer signing Bojan Miovski, who has the potential to be a fantastic signing.

What Martin needs to do to get Miovski firing

The Macedonia international was signed on a permanent deal from Girona last month and made his debut against Celtic in the Premiership on Sunday.

Unfortunately, the left-footed marksman was unable to find the back of the net, partly due to the fact that Rangers did not create a single ‘big chance’ for him to find the back of the net in the game, per Sofascore.

Martin must build the team around Miovski to create enough chances to help him build his confidence back up in front of goal, as he has endured a dismal 2025 so far.

Celtic

0

0

Rayo Vallecano

0

0

Villarreal

0

0

Mallorca

0

0

Valencia

0

0

Espanyol

0

0

Celta Vigo

0

0

Real Madrid

0

0

Getafe

0

0

As you can see in the table above, the 26-year-old star has not scored a single goal at club level this year, in the Premiership or in LaLiga with Girona.

The Rangers star, who did score two goals for his country against Wales and Liechtenstein in March, has previously shown that he has the quality in front of goal to be a huge threat in Scottish football, though.

Miovski scored 32 goals in 78 matches in the Premiership during his two-year spell with Aberdeen before his move to Girona last year, which did not go to plan.

It is, therefore, clear that Martin could improve the team’s fortunes by supplying the striker with enough chances to find the back of the net on a regular basis once again.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

Whilst Rangers need to find a way to get Miovski back to his best, there is a former Light Blues striker who has been on fire in 2025 – ex-academy sensation Robbie Ure.

The Scottish youngster’s contract at Ibrox expired in the summer of 2023 and he opted to leave the club to sign for Anderlecht in Belgium, which meant that Rangers were left with an undisclosed compensation fee for his exit.

Robbie Ure's form in 2025

Ure’s progression through the youth ranks during his time with the Gers was impressive to watch, and he seemed destined to have a future in the first-team.

The centre-forward scored 17 goals and provided eight assists in 37 B team matches, per Transfermarkt, and scored five goals in ten outings in the UEFA Youth League.

His prolific performances at academy level earned him three appearances for the first-team, and he scored in a win over Queen of the South in the League Cup. After that first senior goal, teammate Scott Arfield described the then-teenager as “magic” in the post-game interview.

Unfortunately, though, Ure decided to pursue opportunities further afield in Belgium and went on to score 12 goals in 38 games for Anderlecht’s youth side, per Transfermarkt, before completing a permanent move to Swedish team Sirius in March of this year.

Since his move to Sweden, the 21-year-old number nine has established himself as a regular goalscorer at senior level with ten goals in the league in 2025, which means that he has scored five times as many goals as Miovski (two) for club and country this year.

xG

8.87

Top 7%

xG on target

9.51

Top 7%

Goals

10

Top 11%

Shots on target

21

Top 11%

xA

1.95

Top 11%

Assists

3

Top 1%

As you can see in the table above, Ure ranks incredibly highly among his positional peers in the Swedish top-flight as both a scorer and a creator of goals this year.

The Scottish marksman’s return of ten goals is an impressive one, particularly when you consider that Miovski’s only scored two competitive goals this year, and shows that he is now ready to make a big impact at first-team level.

Rangers supporters would surely have been excited if the club spent a few million pounds on a 21-year-old striker with the statistics that Ure has put up at a decent level in the Swedish top-flight, which is why losing him for a compensation fee in 2023 was such a blow.

The Scottish giants were unable to convince the forward that staying at Ibrox was the best decision for his development, and have potentially missed out on a very promising young goalscorer who could have bolstered Martin’s current squad.

Left for £0: Rangers lost a Rothwell upgrade who was "like Souness"

Glasgow Rangers once had a star who was compared to Graeme Souness, then he left for nothing.

ByDan Emery Sep 3, 2025

Sir Alex Ferguson was rarely afraid to spend big to improve his historic Manchester United sides, from welcoming Rio Ferdinand to splashing the cash on Robin Van Persie. But there was one player that he decided against spending big on, going on to dub his transfer “ridiculous”.

Whilst the modern Man United have often got things wrong in the transfer market, there was a time when they got almost every incoming spot on. The same club that recently spent big on Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund and others previously secured transfer coups such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Dimitar Berbatov. It was the well-oiled machine that those at Old Trafford can only dream of in 2025.

Rio Ferdinand

£40m

Sebastian Veron

£37m

Dimitar Berbatov

£33m

Wayne Rooney

£32m

Anderson

£27m

Out of his five most-expensive arrivals, only Anderson failed to impress under Ferguson. The legendary manager got the best out of Ferdinand, Veron, Berbatov and Rooney, who are all now Old Trafford legends.

Those deals also highlighting just how much the market has changed. The five most expensive signings in that era total just over £150m, which is less than Man United spent this summer to welcome Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Senne Lammens.

Whether those four arrivals signal a change in fortune for Old Trafford arrivals is the big question. If they get any near the legacies of Berbatov, Rooney, Veron and Ferdinand then Ruben Amorim’s side may finally find themselves back in European contention and more.

Of course, though, that’s not to say that Ferguson always got things right. Looking back, he may have at least one transfer regret after he dubbed one deal “ridiculous”.

Ferguson slammed "ridiculous" £6m agent fee

As the tide was changing around 2012, the Red Devils had the chance to sign what proved to be a game-changing signing for Chelsea in none other than Eden Hazard, only for Ferguson to slam the transfer as “ridiculous”. Hazard’s agent, John Bico, demanded a larger than usual payment of £6m, seperate from Hazard’s roughly £30m club-to-club fee, to which Fergie refused. The Red Devils signed Shinji Kagawa instead.

Of course, as we now know, Hazard went on to become a Premier League legend and one of the most exciting players that Stamford Bridge has ever seen.

Moreover, if there were any concerns that the Belgian was not worth the £6m agent fee, then the fact that Chelsea sold him to Real Madrid for as much as £89m should put those to bed, albeit that fee is one of the transactions the Blues may yet face punishment for after a recent FA charge.

It's not Mbeumo: Man Utd sensation is now their best signing since Bruno

Manchester United conducted excellent business by landing the signature of one talent.

1 ByEthan Lamb Sep 13, 2025

Indeed, Chelsea have been hit with 74 charges related to agent payments, and whether the legality of the siutation was the reason United did not match Chelsea in the race to sign Hazard will now be a prominent question.

He is expected to take a month to recover after the surgery

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Feb-2025India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has undergone a surgery on his finger, but is expected to be fit in time for the IPL, where he will lead Rajasthan Royals (RR). It is understood that Samson will take around a month to recover after his surgery took place on Tuesday. That gives him enough time for be ready for the IPL, which will start in the March 21-22-23 weekend.Samson picked up the injury during the fifth T20I against England earlier this month when he was hit by a Jofra Archer delivery early in the game. Samson scored 16 off seven and was later subbed out because of the injury and Dhruv Jurel kept wickets in his place; he went on to take three catches in India’s massive 150-run win.The injury forced Samson miss Kerala’s quarter-final in the Ranji Trophy, against Jammu & Kashmir in Pune from February 8.Samson didn’t have a great T20I series against England, scoring just 51 runs in five games to average 10.20, while striking at 118.60.He last played an ODI in December 2023 – when he scored a century against South Africa – and after India played just three ODIs in 2024, he was left out of Kerala’s one-day squad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy after he failed to show up for their preparatory camp in the lead-up to the tournament.Samson’s next assignment will be leading RR in IPL 2025. RR made the playoffs under his captaincy last season but were beaten by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the second Qualifier.

If you are planning to visit the AT&T Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, we've got you covered!

AT&T Stadium is one of the 12 premier venues selected to host the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, the biggest edition of the tournament yet, featuring 48 teams competing for the ultimate footballing prize.

Having already hosted several major events in the past, including NBA All-Star Games, WrestleManias, NFL matchups, and top-level soccer events, AT&T Stadium now prepares to welcome the best footballing nations from around the world.

Whether you're planning to attend a match during the tournament or simply exploring the venue while in town, this is the ultimate guide for you. GOAL brings you all the key information you need before visiting this iconic stadium, located in the heart of Dallas.

Getty Images SportAT&T Stadium overviewCapacity80,000Year opened2009Tenant(s)Dallas Cowboys (NFL)Address1 AT&T Way, Arlington, TX 76011, USAAdvertisementGetty Images NewsHistory of AT&T Stadium

AT&T Stadium completed its construction in 2009 and has served as the home of NFL side Dallas Cowboys ever since. Originally opened as Cowboys Stadium, it was renamed AT&T Stadium in 2013. With a seating capacity of 80,000, it remains one of the largest and most iconic stadiums in the United States.

In addition to its deep affiliation with the NFL, AT&T Stadium has hosted several other major sporting events over the years, including WrestleMania on two separate occasions and the Super Bowl in 2010, just a year after its opening.

The stadium has also become a key venue for soccer events, having hosted major tournaments such as the 2024 Copa America, CONCACAF Gold Cup, and most recently, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, further cementing its status as a world-class soccer destination.

For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, AT&T Stadium is set to host a total of nine matches, including five group stage games and four high-stakes knockout round clashes.

Getty Images SportWhich teams play at AT&T Stadium Since it's inauguration in 2009, The AT&T Stadium has served as home ground for NFL side Dallas Cowboys. 

Team League

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Getty Images NewsHow to get to AT&T Stadium

How to get to AT&T Stadium by public transport 

Unfortunately, AT&T Stadium is not directly accessible by any public transit. Trinity Metro and trolleys are convenient options, but they do not operate on event days, making it difficult to commute to the venue. Visiting fans often have to rely on shuttles or rideshare taxis to reach the stadium. However, during the World Cup next year, you can expect dedicated coach buses to help ease traffic and reduce congestion.

How to get to AT&T Stadium by car 

Fans traveling to the stadium by car can take Exit 28 toward Ballpark Way or Collins Street from I-30. From there, follow the signs for AT&T Way or Randol Mill Road to reach the stadium parking lots.

AT&T Stadium offers plenty of parking, with over 12,000 spaces available on-site. The lots typically open five hours before events, giving fans enough time to arrive early and settle in.

Sunderland are pushing ahead with even more exciting signings ahead of the brand-new Premier League season getting underway.

This time around, it looks as if the Black Cats have won the coveted signature of Armand Lauriente for a fee around the £17m ballpark, after the 26-year-old attacker amassed a blistering 18 strikes for Sassuolo in Serie B last season. Can he shine now in a similarly frightening manner in the English top-flight?

That remains to be seen, with the Black Cats now targeting some defensive reinforcements after splashing more cash on the forward areas, with one notable Premier League-experienced centre-back on Regis Le Bris and Co.’s agenda.

Sunderland submit offer for £10m star

Every new day brings about a fresh rumour involving Sunderland, with multiple centre-back targets on the ever-expanding shopping list.

Indeed, Lille powerhouse Bafodé Diakité is reportedly on the Black Cats’ radar, but a hefty £35m price tag above the promising Frenchman’s head might well put the newly promoted side off, regardless of their lavish spending to date.

Instead, they might well travel down the cheaper route to bolster at the back, with Turkish outlet Takvim reporting that Sunderland, alongside Burnley and Leeds United, have made bids to pick up former Aston Villa titan Diego Carlos.

The outlet claims that all three sides have ‘knocked’ on Fenerbahce’s door with offers to sign the central defender on loan for the 2024/25 campaign.

It is reported that his current side are open to allowing the 32-year-old defender to leave Turkey this summer, with initial offers coming in on a loan basis. However, the Super Lig giants will only entertain an offer if a mandatory buy option is also included, having forked out £10m for Carlos just this January.

Whilst he might not be a first-team regular in Turkey, Carlos should be able to come into the growing Sunderland group and offer lots of experience and quality to their maiden Premier League voyage, making him a better potential signing than Lauriente in the process.

Why Carlos could be a better signing than Lauriente

After all, there is no guarantee, despite his 18-goal heroics in Serie B last season, that Lauriente instantly makes an impact in Le Bris’ first team on his arrival in England.

When glancing at the Frenchman’s options up top, he already has the likes of Simon Adingra to choose from down the left wing, who could well get the first team nod over Lauriente, owing to his eight strikes in the Premier League with Brighton and Hove Albion.

Moreover, there is also Enzo Le Fee on the left channel, who dazzled Championship defences last season, alongside Romaine Mundle, who will be eager to succeed in the Premier League, having once been discarded by Tottenham Hotspur, meaning the 26-year-old winger will have his work cut out for him to come in and suddenly leave a mark.

On the contrary, Carlos – with his 40 top-flight experiences in the top division with the Villans – will feel he has more of a chance right away at pushing into Le Bris’ XI, with his career numbers in the tough league previously showing him to be a nice mixture of both Daniel Ballard’s calmness on the ball, alongside possessing Luke O’Nien’s well-known grit.

Games played

40

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Passes completed

2078 (88%)

Duels won

83

Clean sheets

6

Looking at the table above, it’s clear that the Brazilian prides himself on being a smooth operator from the back, with 2078 accurate passes managed across his Villa stint, which left him with an 88% accurate pass completion percentage overall. Last season in the EFL, Ballard finished his season with the exact same percentage.

Therefore, the pair together could well be an intimidating duo for Premier League attackers to come to terms with, with his 83 duels won overall also gaining him a reputation for being “imposing”, as he was labelled by football journalist Mat Kendrick when still situated at Villa Park.

With his time at Sevilla also seeing him compete in the Champions League, alongside claims from football journalist David Ornstein that he was “the best defender in Spain”, this does feel like it could be a steal at around the £10m price mark.

On the contrary, with Lauriente only notching up 12 more career strikes for Sassuolo away from his breakout 24/25 offering, there will be a worry he’s an expensive misfire, as opposed to a gamble that works out.

Better signing than Henderson: Sunderland open talks to sign £17m "monster"

Sunderland could now win a far better signing than Jordan Henderson by picking up this £17m leader.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 17, 2025

Ajaz Patel has 70 Test wickets at 28.50, but he has only featured in 17 of the 45 Tests New Zealand have played since his debut. This is down to New Zealand’s seam-focused strategy at home. If they need a spinner at all on pitches that tend to start out with plenty of grass on the surface, plus bounce and carry that often lasts through the course of the Test, they tend to prefer spinners who can offer more with the bat – Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, and the like.Patel, therefore, has become something of an Asia specialist, playing more than 70% of his Tests on the continent. He has thrived in Sri Lanka in particular, and on Sunday he wrapped up a second five-wicket haul in the country to finish with 6 for 90 in the second innings in Galle. Only Richard Hadlee has previously taken more than one five-wicket haul on the island for New Zealand.Related

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Patel conceded that there was “an element of frustration” at having played so few Tests despite his record. But “the hunger grows more every time you don’t get an opportunity that you want”, he said. “Every time you do get an opportunity you’re pretty hungry.”That hunger has allowed him to make the best of being in a unique subset of cricketers – an Asia specialist from New Zealand.”As a spinner you have the luxury of the ball doing a little more in these conditions,” he said. “It can be challenging as well, because when you come to these conditions you’re up against good players of spin as well. It’s a double-edged sword.”It’s about presenting the ball in good areas for long periods and using what is available to us on the day – sometimes it may be the breeze, it may be the surface, it may be the pace of the wicket.”It is responsibility I thrive on, and something I really enjoy.”Control was of course a key component of Patel’s success, but at a venue such as Galle, which presents unique conditions, so was working with his environment. There is almost always a breeze across the venue as it is bordered on two sides by the ocean. Patel needed to know how to use it.Patel has played only 17 of New Zealand’s 45 Tests since his debut•Associated Press

“Bowling into a strong breeze as a spinner is sometimes quite nice because you know you can hang the ball up there and the wind will do some work to bring it down. It’s just about using the subtle changes of pace, and using that to your advantage.”The Galle surface is also one of those on which spinners find more purchase when the seam is harder. In the second innings, Patel got to use both the new and old ball, opening the bowling alongside Will O’ Rourke before coming back when the seam was softer.Four of his wickets came with the second new ball.”There two separate phases – one with the old ball, and one with the new ball. With the old ball it was really about trying to get as much overspin as I could and trying to get something out of that surface. As the ball gets older and softer it doesn’t react off the surface as much.”Patel and the other New Zealand spinners have been working with Rangana Herath through this tour, with the Sri Lanka great having taken up the role of spin consultant. Herath, having taken 102 Test wickets at this venue, has had plenty to add, Patel said.At the end of day three, Sri Lanka opener Dimuth Karunaratne said he suspected Herath to be directly responsible for his own downfall in the second innings, with Patel taking that wicket.”It’s awesome having Rangana in our side,” Patel said. “He’s someone I grew up watching bowl. In terms of stature and build we’re very similar, and he was world class. So [it has been great] having him in our corner and being able to talk me through the conditions and what’s given me success in Galle previously, and what conditions to expect.”He’s also helped me tackle different angles, different fields, and different mindsets. It’s been a privilege and we’re very fortunate to be able to tap into that knowledge. He’s been very successful at this ground.”

The 2024/25 campaign was certainly a disappointment for West Ham United. Graham Potter’s side ended up finishing 14th in the Premier League, but given some of the talent in their squad, it could be seen as a disappointing campaign overall.

Indeed, one of the biggest issues last term for the Hammers was putting the ball in the back of the net. They did not find it easy to score goals, scoring 46 in total, better than only five sides, as per Understat. Worryingly, they underperformed on their expected goals tally, which was at 50.59xG last term.

Despite losing the attacking talent of Mohammed Kudus this summer, with the Ghanaian joining Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham are looking to add firepower in forward areas to their squad.

West Ham’s latest attacking target

Of course, losing a player with the attacking quality of Kudus is a blow for the Hammers, but they still have the likes of Jarrod Bowen in their side who can contribute in attack. To add to the depth in forward areas, the Hammers seem to be plotting a shock move 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.

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According to a recent report from Graeme Bailey, West Ham are one of the sides ‘to have registered their interest’ in signing Real Madrid’s new breakout star Gonzalo Garcia on loan this summer, suggesting they have opened up talks to sign him.

The striker, who made a name for himself at the recent Club World Cup in America, is also wanted by newly promoted pair Leeds United and Sunderland, and the Hammers’ London rivals, Brentford.

Although this is a loan deal, previous reports suggested that Chelsea were ready to fork out £34m for his signature, as per reports in Spain.

Why Garcia would be a good signing

It is fair to say that the last month or so has been a whirlwind for Garcia. He got his chance at the Club World Cup for Los Blancos after Kylian Mbappe fell ill at the start of the competition, and certainly took his opportunity.

Before the start of the tournament in June, the 21-year-old had only played six times for Madrid’s senior side, scoring once. His record for Real Madrid Castilla was impressive, with 30 goals and seven assists in 73 appearances.

Yet, since becoming a key player in the Club World Cup, the Madrid-born attacker has been “sensational”, according to former striker Joselu. He bagged four goals and grabbed an assist in six games in the tournament, which included strikes against Juventus and Borussia Dortmund.

Those sorts of numbers will surely pique the interest of West Ham fans, and maybe even their captain, Bowen.

The 28-year-old was sensational once again last term, with 13 goals and ten assists in 34 Premier League games, in a season where they were lacklustre in front of goal.

Indeed, some of the numbers the England star put up last term, via FBref, suggest that he might link up well with the Los Blancos man.

For example, he averaged 0.24 crosses and 1.39 passes into the penalty area per 90 minutes last season, ranking him in the top 17% and 14% respectively.

Passes into the penalty box like the one above for Danny Ings last season could make Bowen and Garcia a deadly combination. Some of his numbers from the Club World Cup suggest they could form a dangerous duo.

According to the stats from Squawka, the Los Blancos academy star scored four goals from inside the penalty box in the competition. Not only does that highlight a great centre-forward’s instinct, but also suggests he is capable of getting on the end of Bowen’s crosses. He also had a 44.44% conversion rate.

Garcia key stats from Club World Cup

Stat

Tournament total

Per 90 mins

Goals from inside box

4

0.8

Conversion rate

44.44%

44.44%

Shots on target

7

1.4

Duels won

22

4.4

Ball recoveries

10

2

Stats from Squawka

Those kinds of numbers, coupled with Bowen’s tendency to get crosses into the box and create chances, with his ten Premier League assists last term, are evidence enough to suggest these two could become a deadly partnership.

Whilst it is initially only a loan deal, a £34m fee has been reported. If the temporary move goes well, perhaps it can become permanent and turn into one of the bargains of the summer.

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Posts 1 ByJoe Nuttall Jul 16, 2025

Having already welcomed Lukas Nmecha and Jaka Bijol, Leeds United are now reportedly targeting a move to sign an alternative option to recent target Noah Sadiki.

What Leeds are planning next after Bijol

After splashing out to sign Bijol from Udinese, reports suggest that the 49ers are not done. Names such as Habib Diarra and Sadiki have found themselves on Leeds’ radar as of late and it looks as though adding another midfielder to Daniel Farke’s squad will be among the priorities in the coming months.

The Whites have even reportedly made an official offer worth as much as £24m to sign Diarra and could be closing in on their target sooner rather than later if reports are to be believed. Meanwhile, Sadkiki has also been the subject of a reported bid with the 49ers clearly ready to follow up the signing of Bijol by spending big again.

The Union St.Gilloise star would be another impressive signing and could partner Ao Tanaka at the heart of Farke’s side to form a midfield duo capable of achieving Premier League survival and more next season.

What may help their pursuit to sign Sadiki is the news that rivals Lyon have been relegated to Ligue 2 amid financial problems. Without a direct rival for the midfielder’s signature, those in the Midlands could have a simple route towards his arrival.

He'd be unstoppable with Tanaka: Leeds make offer to sign "complete" star

Leeds are looking to sign a new midfielder this summer

ByJoe Nuttall Jun 26, 2025

If that does not prove to be the case, however, then it could be another interesting midfield talent who arrives to offer those at Elland Road an instant boost.

Leeds targeting Mahdi Camara

According to Footen France, the 49ers and Leeds are now targeting a summer move to sign Mahdi Camara, who could arrive as an alternative to Sadkiki. The Stade Brest midfielder is reportedly available for as little as £13m this summer in what could quickly turn into a bargain deal in Yorkshire.

Minutes

3,584

2,659

Goals

5

5

Progressive Passes per 90

7.04

3.76

Ball Recoveries per 90

5.90

3.32

Whilst Camara struggled to match Tanaka in possession last season, the Frenchman did showcase his goalscoring ability from midfield in what could offer Farke an unexpected threat going forward.

Forming a midfield partnership capable of scoring 10 goals between them would certainly go a long way towards survival for those at Elland Road given how the Premier League has a history of blunting previously sharp Championship frontlines.

What’s more, the fact that Camara is represented by the same agent as Sadiki may help any deal this summer. If the latter fails to complete a summer move to Elland Road, then it could be an easy transition to negotiate for Camara, who would be an excellent alternative option.

Despite concerns that they may lose their Europa League spot, Crystal Palace are pushing ahead with their transfer business and have now reportedly joined the race to sign a £150,000-a-week midfielder.

Latest on Crystal Palace's Europa League status

Crystal Palace not only sealed history by defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final, they also sealed their place in next season’s Europa League. Or so they thought. The Eagles could yet have their bubble burst by UEFA, whose rules state that owners cannot have multiple clubs in the same competition.

John Textor is the majority owner of Lyon, who qualified for the Europa League in France, and the solution to the matter is a complicated one. The South London club are also unable to drop into the Europa Conference League after David Blitzer, who owns a stake in both Palace and Danish side Brondby, saw the latter qualify for UEFA’s third competition.

UEFA has reportedly rejected Crystal Palace’s offer to place Textor and Blitzer’s shares into a blind trust – following the route that Manchester City and Manchester United took to avoid the same situation – after those at Selhurst Park missed the deadline to register the trust.

Whether a solution comes to the fore remains to be seen. Chairman Steve Parish and Textor reportedly held a meeting with UEFA on Tuesday in an attempt to reach a resolution but, as things stand, Crystal Palace’s European place is at serious risk.

Crystal Palace hold strong interest in £30m defender also wanted by Bayern

The Eagles have now identified a defensive “phenomenon” as a priority target.

ByDominic Lund Jun 5, 2025

The part that UEFA’s verdict could play both on and off the pitch for Palace is undoubtedly important. Without their Europa League place, the Eagles will undoubtedly struggle to welcome the same calibre of stars and may even lose some of Oliver Glasner’s key men. Whilst the situation rumbles on, however, so is their transfer business.

Crystal Palace battling to sign Kalvin Phillips

According to Caught Offside, Crystal Palace are now battling to sign Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City this summer. The midfielder is once again on the move – this time potentially permanently – and could finally revive his career following mixed fortunes on loan at West Ham United and Ipswich Town.

Selhurst Park could make perfect sense too. Rumours have been coming thick and fast regarding Adam Wharton’s Crystal Palace future and they’re only likely to intensify if the Eagles lose their Europa League place. The South London club must, therefore, prepare for the worst and that’s where Phillips could prove to be a top candidate to arrive, especially since he reportedly wants to leave The Etihad this summer.

An experienced midfielder who even has two Premier League medals to his name, the main stumbling block for Phillips this summer could be his reported £150,000-a-week salary. What may make those negotiations easier, however, is the fact that Phillips is represented by the same agency as Palace shot-stopper Dean Henderson.

Newcastle United are in the market for new blood this summer and could now have taken one step closer to landing a reported target following a recent scouting mission.

Newcastle's Champions League hopes set to define summer window

Over the weekend, the Magpies defied pressure on their shoulders by claiming a vital three points over Chelsea that has put them in pole position to seal a Champions League qualification slot. Eddie Howe knows that a victory over Arsenal next weekend will effectively clinch their place in Europe’s Premier competition before a final day at home to Everton that will be savoured by supporters.

Crucially, Newcastle’s return to the Champions League will provide greater scope to bring marquee arrivals to the North East to join PIF’s ambitious vision for the club. Per reports, Bryan Mbeumo is said to be their top target after a brilliant campaign for Brentford that has also drawn the attention of Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Harvey Elliott is another high-profile star on Newcastle’s radar and there is growing suspicion that the Magpies are now set to put forward a formal proposal for the England Under-21 international.

As good as Tonali & Bruno: Newcastle star is proving he's the new Solano

Newcastle United eased past Chelsea 2-0 with this star proving he could be the club’s next Nolberto Solano.

1 ByKelan Sarson May 11, 2025

For now, finishing as high in the Premier League table will take precedence for the Magpies. They still have a chance of sealing an impressive achievement of claiming second place, which would stack up nicely next to their EFL Cup triumph.

Moving towards regular title challenges will be the eventual aim for Newcastle, who now have a talented defender in their sights that could help them on their journey.

Newcastle send scouts to watch Brentford defender Nathan Collins

According to TBR, Newcastle sent scouts to watch Brentford defender Nathan Collins against Ipswich Town on Saturday as he helped the Bees keep a clean sheet in a vital 1-0 victory that has kept their European hopes alive.

Sending representatives to take in his performance is a sign of growing interest in the 28-cap Republic of Ireland international, who is also wanted by Arsenal following a string of excellent displays this term.

Nathan Collins’ impressive season for Brentford – Premier League

Tackles won

22

Aerial duels won

118

Interceptions

33

Recoveries

154

Duels won

187

Pass accuracy

86.3%

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is another on the radar heading into the summer, which won’t come as too much of a surprise due to Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar heading towards the latter stage of their respective careers.

Labelled “fantastic” by John O’Shea, Collins has registered an impressive two goals and five assists in 40 appearances across all competitions this season. With room to develop further at 24-years-old, the Leixlip-born man would be an ideal addition for the Geordies to add strength in depth at the back as they look forward to another exciting campaign under Howe.