Manchester United have made surprise “contact” to sign a new striker who has been likened to Arsenal’s summer signing Viktor Gyokeres.

Man Utd sign Sesko after Gyokeres snub

In what has been a productive summer transfer window at Old Trafford, INEOS brought in Matheus Cunha from Wolves before landing Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, two players who are set to feature heavily in behind a striker.

Attention then turned to a new centre-forward, and the Red Devils were linked with Gyokeres, who worked under Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP. The Sweden international only wanted Arsenal, though, and eventually got his move to the Emirates, opening his Premier League account with a brace against Leeds United.

United, meanwhile, splashed the cash on Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in a deal worth more than £70m. The three marquee attacking signings have set INEOS back £200m, however, Sesko is still awaiting his first Premier League start and goal.

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Rasmus Hojlund’s future is also up in the air at Old Trafford, amid rumours of a move to Serie A side Napoli which has resulted in United being linked with making another signing in the final third before the September 1 deadline.

Man Utd make surprise Randal Kolo Muani "contact"

According to Caught Offside, Man Utd have made a surprise attempt to sign Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain.

The French forward is valued at €60m (£51m) by the Champions League winners and spent the second half of last season on loan at Juventus. The Serie A side are yet to reach an agreement to sign Kolo Muani once again, which led to the Red Devils exploring a move.

However, unfortunately for INEOS and Amorim, Kolo Muani is not open to an Old Trafford transfer. A source told Caught Offside:

The 26-year-old scored 10 goals in 22 appearances for Juventus last season, and has been compared to Gyokeres and other high-profile forwards by Football Transfers.

Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa

Alexander Sorloth

Atletico Madrid

Christopher Nkunku

Chelsea

Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal

Ademola Lookman

Atalanta

Should Man Utd move Hojlund on, it’ll be interesting if the Red Devils explore a move for another striker after signing Sesko, but it looks as if that man won’t be Kolo Muani.

Nottingham Forest’s summer rebuild shows no signs of slowing down.

After manager Nuno Espírito Santo voiced concerns about the lack of movement, the club has roared into action with a series of ambitious signings and bids that underline their intent to become a consistent European competitor.

Dan Ndoye, Igor Jesus, and Jair Cunha have all already arrived at the City Ground, while bids have been accepted for James McAtee and Omari Hutchinson.

Meanwhile, a £25m approach for Manchester City’s Rico Lewis has been rejected, and negotiations continue for forward Arnaud Kalimuendo.

The flurry of activity comes at a crucial time. Forest are preparing for a season that includes European football, a reward earned after finishing seventh in the Premier League last term.

Their place in the Europa League was secured after Crystal Palace were demoted to the Conference League following an unsuccessful appeal to CAS.

Forest kick off their domestic campaign against Brentford on Sunday, and while the opening fixture might come too soon for several of their potential recruits, the scale of their ambition is clear.

Nottingham Forest agree terms with midfielde

At the heart of Forest’s latest negotiations is Douglas Luiz, the Juventus midfielder who could form a partnership with Elliott Anderson in the centre of the park.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Forest have agreed personal terms with the Brazil, with only club-to-club negotiations left to finalise, as they look to bolster their midfield with a new addition.

It is now down to the Tricky Trees to agree a deal with Juventus to bring the former Aston Villa maestro to the City Ground for the 2025/26 campaign.

Analyst Ben Mattinson described him as a “box-crashing 8, who’s press resistant with a good technical base, passing range and ball-striking ability.”

The Brazilian joined Juventus from Aston Villa in a £45m deal but endured a difficult spell in Turin.

He failed to score or assist in 27 appearances and missed 20 games due to injury setbacks.

Used sparingly under both Igor Tudor and Thiago Motta, Luiz managed only six starts last season, while his solitary contribution at the Club World Cup amounted to just 45 minutes of football, per Sofascore.

Juventus are now open to recouping around £30m, with the player himself reportedly eager for a Premier League return.

Why Douglas Luiz is perfect for Elliot Anderson

Despite a subdued stint in Italy, Luiz’s pedigree remains strong, particularly when judged on his final season at Aston Villa.

His statistics then underlined his all-round game.

When compared against Juventus teammates last season, Luiz still showed flashes of quality despite limited minutes.

His 89.5% passing accuracy ranked fifth in the squad, while his 72.2% dribble success rate also placed him among the top five. In 841 minutes of action, he created three big chances and averaged 0.69 key passes per game, per FBref.

These numbers suggest that, given consistent playing time and a role tailored to his strengths, he could rediscover the form that made him such a prized asset in England.

For Forest fans, the prospect of pairing Luiz with Elliott Anderson is particularly enticing. Anderson joined from Newcastle United amid the Magpies’ well-documented struggles with PSR compliance in a deal worth £35m.

The transfer also saw goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos move the other way, while Yankuba Minteh left for Brighton to help balance the books at St James’ Park.

Anderson wasted no time making himself indispensable in Nottingham. He featured in 37 league games last season, contributing two goals and six assists,

His energy, versatility and ability to progress play made him a key part of the side that finished seventh on 65 points. Still only 22, he has caught the eye of England selectors and sits on the periphery of Thomas Tuchel’s squad in a World Cup year.

Statistically, Anderson has placed himself among the most effective midfielders in the Premier League across a range of important metrics.

His dribbling stands out, with the 22-year-old ranking in the 90th percentile for successful take-ons, averaging 1.19 per 90 minutes.

That ability to beat a man allows Forest to break opposition lines and progress play higher up the pitch.

He is equally influential in advanced areas, registering 2.38 touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, placing him in the 86th percentile league-wide. This shows how frequently he arrives in dangerous positions, complementing Forest’s forwards by adding an extra threat from midfield.

Defensively, Anderson is just as impressive. He averages 3.04 tackles per 90 minutes – enough to place him in the 88th percentile.

Alongside that, his reading of the game allows him to contribute 2.51 clearances per 90 (89th percentile), a figure that highlights his commitment to the defensive side of the game.

Perhaps most strikingly, Anderson has proven adept in the air. Despite standing at just 1.79m, he wins 1.85 aerial duels per 90, again ranking in the 89th percentile.

Pairing Luiz and Anderson could provide Forest with one of the most balanced midfields outside the Premier League’s traditional elite.

Luiz’s ability to dictate tempo, switch play and resist pressure would allow Anderson to thrive in more advanced areas, where his dribbling, pressing and box arrivals make him a constant threat.

In European fixtures, where possession and control become even more valuable, the partnership could give Forest an edge. Luiz’s Champions League and international experience adds another layer of quality and leadership.

For Anderson, lining up alongside such a seasoned professional would accelerate his development and give Forest a stable core around which to build. If Forest can finalise the deal with Juventus, it would represent a major coup.

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Everton are also credited with an interest in Luiz, but Forest’s project – European football, an ambitious recruitment drive, and a manager eager to impose his identity – may prove more persuasive.

For Nuno Espírito Santo, adding Luiz to a midfield already anchored by Anderson could be the key to competing on two fronts this season.

For Forest supporters, it would be further proof that their club is no longer content with merely surviving in the Premier League.

Hilton Cartwright and Cameron Bancroft batted through two sessions on day three in an unbroken partnership of 181 to set up an intriguing finish in the pivotal Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and New South Wales.Batting had proven difficult across the first seven sessions on a tricky WACA surface, but the veteran WA batters dug in to turn the match on its head. Cartwright finished 108 not out and Bancroft, playing his 100th Shield match, was unbeaten on 85 from 260 balls as WA reached stumps at 209 for 2 in their second innings and a lead of 144 runs.Related

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Just 0.24 points separated second-placed NSW and WA at the start of the round with a victory for either team putting them in pole position to reach the final. Given the stakes, WA will be eyeing a declaration at some point on the final day although the surface has flattened somewhat as the match has worn on.”It [the partnership] gives us options,” WA coach Adam Voges said. “There’s still some good divots out there. It’s certainly a new-ball wicket. It’s been a real arm-wrestle for three days.”WA quick Lance Morris looms as a key on the final day, but he may be restricted in how many overs he can bowl in NSW’s second innings. He has a restriction of around 30 overs per game to manage his body. Morris took career best figures of 5 for 26 off 20.3 overs in NSW’s first innings.”We were really clear with Cricket Australia around what Lance’s plans look like,” Voges said. “The game demands from Lance what the game demands, but we’re mindful of the overall management plan with him.”After trailing by 65 runs on the first innings, Bancroft and captain Sam Whiteman went about blunting the dangerous new ball combination of Jack Edwards and Jackson Bird with trademark firm defence.They almost got through to lunch until Whiteman was well caught low down in the gully. It was a tricky period for No. 3 Jayden Goodwin and he could do little against a fired-up Liam Hatcher who added a second wicket.Still 37 runs short, WA’s hopes rested with veterans Bancroft and Cartwright. They were pinned down after lunch and scored just one run in five overs as WA crawled to the lead.Cameron Bancroft plays down the ground•Getty Images

But Cartwright broke the shackles with a couple of boundaries off seamer Ryan Hadley and started to find his rhythm with the ball making a lovely sound off his bat. Cartwright has had a strong season with 694 runs at 53.38, but does sometimes fail to kick on from attractive starts.He almost rued another tease of an innings after edging a good length delivery from Edwards on 42. But wicketkeeper Josh Philippe spilt the catch after diving in front of Bird at first slip.Philippe, who moved from WA ahead of the season, and his team-mates were crestfallen in a crucial moment just before tea.Cartwright reached his half-century off 93 balls immediately after the break and Bancroft, who had been shackled through the second session, started to find his touch with his best shot being a six down the ground off spinner Chris Green.Cartwright continued on his merry way with his cover driving a feature as he continually dissected the crowded off-side field with precision.Bancroft had a nervous moment on 61 when he poked Green through the hands of Sam Konstas at short-leg, while Cartwright started to lose concentration as he neared his century. But he composed himself and reached his century just before stumps to cap WA’s turnaround.NSW had started the day’s play with a lead of 62 runs and looked to kick on after Edwards and Green had frustrated WA’s attack late on the previous evening.There was an unknown over whether Morris would bowl again in the innings due to his restriction. Having already bowled 18 overs in the innings, Morris did take the ball early on day three but it was Cameron Gannon who had Green edging to second slip where Bancroft had an uncharacteristic fumble before eventually hanging on.Morris then completed his third five-wicket haul of his first-class career after Sam Fanning claimed a superb catch at short square leg to dismiss Edwards, who fell just short of his half-century. It was redemption for Fanning after he twice dropped Kurtis Patterson, NSW’s top scorer with 86, on the second day.The unassuming Morris, playing a rare back-to-back Shield match, was somewhat reluctant to hold the ball aloft but deserved the strong applause from the crowd after a performance marked by sustained pace and unwavering accuracy.All eyes will be on how many overs he can bowl on the final day.

Kevin De Bruyne scored a second-half penalty to get Napoli back in the game against AC Milan before being subbed off by Antonio Conte in their first Serie A defeat. The Belgian looked frustrated as he walked off and went straight to the bench without acknowledging Conte. The coach said the decision was to bring fresh legs, adding he hoped De Bruyne’s displeasure was with the result, not him.

• Kevin De Bruyne wasn't happy with Conte's decision

  De Bruyne was one of Napoli's standout performers in their clash against AC Milan, orchestrating play from midfield and constantly probing the opposition defence. His most significant contribution came when he won a penalty after being tripped by a Milan defender while making a clever run into the box. The Belgian confidently stepped up and converted the penalty, briefly levelling the score for Napoli and showcasing his composure under pressure. Despite his strong performance, coach Conte chose to substitute De Bruyne around the 73rd minute. The decision clearly frustrated the player, who swiftly exited the pitch, notably bypassed Conte, and sat on the bench looking visibly disgruntled over being taken off at a crucial moment.

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• AFP
  

  Conte's has no time to deal with tantrums

  Asked about the changes specifically substituting De Bruyne, Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund in the 73rd minute, the coach said: "I tried to bring in fresh players for one-on-one situations because Milan were closing down a lot. I swapped the striker for Lucca and nothing happened… You make substitutions to try and do something good. I think they were the right changes."

  Sharing his take on De Bruyne's reaction, the coach said: "I hope he was upset about the result because if he was upset about something else he's got the wrong person."

  The Italian coach wasn't pleased with the result but defended the team's overall performance blaming the drop in defensive hold on the lack of players and a congested fixture run.

  "We've conceded a few more goals lately, seeing as we did the two goals against Pisa, the two goals today, and the goal against Fiorentina," he said. "Defensiveness has always been our strength, we'll have to be good at improving. Coming here with this performance and playing with this quality against Milan, who are a tough and physically strong team. If they close down, it becomes difficult… It has to give us a good feeling as a team."

• Napoli needs defensive reinforcements

  Napoli’s defence is in crisis with the absence of both Amir Rrahmani, out for several weeks with a muscle injury and expected to return in mid-October, and Alessandro Buongiorno, sidelined for about a month with an adductor injury, leaving the team short of centre-backs. Conte admitted after the Milan game that conceding more goals lately has been a problem and emphasised the need for defensive improvement, especially with only Juan Jesus and Sam Beukema left as fit centre-backs, while other defenders like Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Leonardo Spinazzola and Mathias Olivera are either suspended or fatigued.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Conte shifts focus to the Champions League

  Napoli will host Sporting CP in their crucial Champions League match on October 1. With several key defenders injured, Conte is counting on the young players to step up and deliver strong performances to keep the team competitive during this injury crisis.

أعلن الموقع الرسمي لنادي ليفربول الإنجليزي عن إعادة جدولة ثلاث مباريات للريدز في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز خلال شهر ديسمبر القادم.

ويحتل ليفربول وصافة جدول ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي بـ15 نقطة، خلف آرسنال الذي يحتل المركز الأول بـ16 نقطة، ويأتي توتنهام في المركز الثالث بـ14 نقطة.

ويستعد ليفربول لعودة الدوري الإنجليزي لمواجهة مانشستر يونايتد يوم الأحد المقبل 19 أكتوبر على ملعب أنفيلد في الجولة الثامنة.

اقرأ أيضاً.. منهم لاعب ليفربول.. القائمة النهائية للمرشحين لجائزة الفتى الذهبي 2025

وسيلتقي ليفربول ضد سندرلاند يوم الأربعاء 3 ديسمبر الساعة 10:15 بتوقيت مصر ، ومع ليدز يونايتد يوم السبت 6 ديسمبر الساعة 7:30 بتوقيت مصر، وضد توتنهام هوتسبير يوم السبت 20 ديسمبر الساعة 7:30 بتوقيت مصر.

وكان ليفربول قد حقق لقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز الموسم الماضي، بعد احتلاله المركز الأول بـ84 نقطة، وجاء آرسنال ثانياً بـ74 نقطة ومانشستر سيتي ثالثاً بـ71 نقطة.

Ollie Watkins suffered from a rare off-day in front of goal on the opening day of the brand new Premier League season.

The usually lethal Aston Villa marksman could only muster up one meagre effort on Nick Pope’s goal, yet Unai Emery kept his faith in the ex-Brentford striker by keeping him on the pitch throughout, despite such a lifeless display.

Watkins will want to just jot this down as a rusty display as he attempts to get back up to speed with what is expected of him, having bagged 16 goals last season in the Premier League.

Evann Guessand surprisingly failed to get a run-out against the Toon, despite costing the Villans £30m this summer, with an instant upgrade on the former OGC Nice striker now perhaps in the offing.

Aston Villa holds talks to sign £60m attacker

The West Midlands giants haven’t had the most action-packed transfer window to date, away from splashing out £30m on their new number 29.

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Indeed, Marco Bizot is arguably their most notable signing other than Guessand arriving through the door, with a clean sheet already picked up by the fresh Villa stopper on a memorable debut.

More concerningly, the main talk this off-season has centred on players leaving Villa Park behind.

Homegrown Villa gem Jacob Ramsey is now officially a Magpies player, having sealed a £43m move to St James’ Park right after his now former employers clashed against his new side.

Any worry in the air about this sale could soon dissipate if Villa were to add Nicolas Jackson to their attacking personnel.

Indeed, according to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Jackson is now on Emery’s short-list, having already held talks with the hit-and-miss Chelsea attacker previously.

While the £60m-rated forward has frustrated the Stamford Bridge masses consistently, there is certainly a player in there if Villa remain patient, especially when you consider what Emery managed to achieve with Marcus Rashford last season, as he waved goodbye to Manchester United temporarily to find his mojo again.

How Jackson is an instant upgrade on Guessand

Getting Jackson back to his confident, free-flowing best could well be a masterstroke in the long run, as Villa win themselves an immediate upgrade on Guessand, who can also keep a hot-and-cold Watkins on his toes at the peak of his powers.

This isn’t to say Guessand won’t be a hit on English shores, though.

After all, the Ivorian can line up as a blistering performer down either wing if needed – as much as he can line up as an out-and-out centre-forward like the Chelsea number 15 – with this quick burst of pace on the flanks even seeing him be dubbed as “electric” by U23 scout Antonio Mango.

Yet, he isn’t without his faults in front of goal, much like a heavily criticised Jackson. Guessand is definitely a work in progress, therefore, with the Villa number 29 only firing home 21 goals in total for Nice from 109 appearances.

12 of those amazingly came about just last season, with Guessand only managing to pick one paltry goal all campaign long during a forgettable 2021/22 offering for Nice.

Chelsea

81

30 + 12

Villarreal

48

13 + 6

Villarreal B

27

7 + 8

CD Mirandes

17

1 + 1

Jackson has also experienced similar barren patches of form in West London – as seen in him squandering a colossal 19 big chances in the Premier League last season – but he will feel he’s more well-equipped for the pressures of being one of Villa’s main choices up top when he’s performing to his red-hot best, over spurning chances galore.

Indeed, despite missing all those chances, the Senegalese striker trumped Guessand’s Ligue 1 output last season by firing home 13 Premier League efforts, with a further, clinical 17 efforts also next to his name for Enzo Maresca’s men.

Chelsea great John Obi Mikel has even heralded Jackson as a “monster” in front of goal when he isn’t experiencing a crisis in confidence, with a change of scenery perhaps what is needed for the 24-year-old to become a stable goalscoring presence.

After all, Villa managed to turn Watkins into a goal machine at the taxing level, with a hope now that the £60m attacker can provide the 29-year-old with some needed competition, alongside a rawer Guessand waiting in the wings.

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“I bowled almost 30 overs in that match [against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy]. So I never lost my rhythm”

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Feb-20251:09

Jadeja: Rohit hundred ‘set the platform’ for India

Ravindra Jadeja has credited the domestic cricket he played for his rhythm in ODIs, the first he has played since the World Cup final in 2023. In two matches, against an explosive England side, Jadeja has conceded just two boundaries in 19 overs while also picking up six wickets. He has played a key role in India’s series win, which they achieved even before the final ODI, which will also be his 200th.”Feeling very good,” Jadeja said. “Especially playing ODIs after almost two years. You have to adapt quickly in this format. I believe that the domestic game that I played [against Delhi] helped me a lot. I bowled almost 30 overs in that match. So I never lost my rhythm. And I am trying to bowl Test lines and lengths in ODIs as well. What we call the rhythm, the continuity, was in place because my break from cricket wasn’t that long. So in my view, I have benefited from the domestic match that I played.”Jadeja retired from T20Is after India’s World Cup win in June last year, which left him with no cricket between the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which ended in the first week of this year, and this ODI series. Jadeja played two Ranji Trophy matches in this period but bowled in only one of them: 30 overs for 12 wickets across two innings.Related

Jadeja and Axar give India a good headache to have

India’s domestic cricket, especially the Ranji Trophy, has been in the news because of the board’s edict to its players to not skip matches unless injured or having their workload managed. Virat Kohli turned out for Delhi for the first time in 12 years and Rohit Sharma for Mumbai for the first time in ten. The board also received some criticism for what was seen as headmasterly treatment, especially when the cricket India was expected to play after the break was a different format.Staying in touch with cricket doesn’t seem to have done any harm to Jadeja, which the decision-makers will take as vindication as they have maintained that the best way to improve as a cricketer is by playing matches.

Celtic are running out of time before the end of the summer transfer window, as they look to reinforce their attack before the deadline passes at 11 pm.

Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph claims that the club have made a loan approach to sign David Datro Fofana from Chelsea to bolster their centre-forward options, with Adam Idah on his way to Swansea.

The journalist claims that the Ivorian marksman is one of two strikers wanted by the Hoops before the deadline, as Brendan Rodgers looks to find his new main number nine.

Celtic agree deal to sign winger

New strikers are not the only thing on the agenda for the Scottish Premiership champions, though, as they are also looking to bring in another wide player.

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 the aforementioned Joseph, Celtic have agreed a fee with Hammarby IF to sign winger Sebastian Tounekti in a deal that is worth up to £5.2m.

The reporter claims that a deal has been agreed “in the last hour” after their first two offers for the attacker were turned down by the Swedish outfit.

Joseph adds that the Hoops are now in a “race against time” to complete all the documents, and that personal terms are not expected to be an issue, which suggests that the player is keen to make the switch to Glasgow before the window slams shut.

What Sebastien Tounekti could bring to Celtic

The Tunisia international is a versatile forward who mainly plays on the left, but can also play on the right, and he could be an exciting partner for Fofana if the club can get both of those deals over the line.

Fofana scored four goals in 15 Premier League matches for Burnley in the 2023/24 campaign, and ranked up 15 goals in 24 games or Molde in 2022 before his move to Chelsea, per Sofascore.

These achievements show that he does have the potential to score goals at the top level, and to score goals consistently when selected, and Tounekti is a player who could help him get back on the goal trail.

2025 Allsvenskan

Sebastien Tounekti

Percentile rank vs wingers

Goals

2

Top 37%

Chances created

22

Top 16%

Dribbles completed

41

Top 3%

Pass accuracy

85%

Top 15%

xA

4.53

Top 3%

Assists

5

Top 9%

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, the Tunisian maestro has been one of the most creative wide players in the Allsvenskan in 2025, ranking very highly for xA and assists.

This suggests that he is the kind of winger who strikers love to play with because he is constantly looking to create high-quality opportunities for them in front of goal.

Now, imagine Tounekti supplying Fofana with chance after chance in front of goal at Parkhead. It may be better to watch than what Celtic supporters have been put through recently, with zero goals scored in three of the last four games in all competitions.

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However, nothing is done until it is done and Celtic still have plenty of work to do before they can start to seriously think about having both of these players in the XI to face Kilmarnock.

Glasgow Celtic have made some brilliant signings during their history, with the Hoops dominating Scottish football, especially in the modern era.

The likes of Henrik Larsson and Stylian Petrov made the move to Parkhead in the late 1990s and became club legends, whereas more recently, Premier League title-winning goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel decided to head to Scotland in a transfer that caught the eye.

Some high-profile names have played in green and white, however, plenty of other iconic stars almost made the move to Glasgow down the years in cases of what could have been at Celtic Park.

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The Argentine icon has played at both Parkhead and Ibrox.

ByCharlie Smith Aug 15, 2025 10 stars who Celtic almost signed 10 David Ginola

After starring for Paris Saint-Germain in the 1990s, David Ginola was a man in demand in the UK, with Celtic battling numerous Premier League clubs for his signature in 1995.

However, the skilful winger chose to join Newcastle over the Hoops, admitting he turned down the chance to head to Celtic Park. Talking back in 2016, Ginola said:

9 Didier Drogba

Striker Didier Drogba would go on to become a Chelsea and Premier League icon after moving to the UK in 2004, however, by the sounds of things, he could have done so sooner with Celtic.

Former Celtic defender Momo Sylla played with Drogba at Le Mans and admitted that the centre-forward asked about a move to Glasgow in the early 2000s.

A case of what could have been for the Hoops, who at the time had the likes of Chris Sutton and John Hartson leading the line.

8 Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Another forward on Celtic’s radar in the early 2000s was Zlatan Ibrahimovic, although the club would land a Swedish star in Larsson.

Former SFA Chief Gordon Smith recommended Ibrahimovic to Martin O’Neill in 2001 when he was still a teenager, however, the Hoops stuttered which allowed Ajax to sign him for £7m from Malmo.

Games

3

Wins

2

Losses

1

Goals

0

7 Alessandro Del Piero

After spending close to 20 years as a Juventus player, Alessandro Del Piero was on the search for a new club at the age of 37 in 2012.

The Italian icon had an offer from Celtic on the table, however, instead of remaining in Europe, Del Piero would head to Australian with Sydney FC, scoring a goal every there game in just under 50 appearances.

6 Hernan Crespo

Another world-class attacker who could have ended his career in Scotland with Celtic was Hernan Crespo. The Argentine played and scored goals for the likes of Lazio, Chelsea, AC Milan and Inter Milan.

Celtic wanted to secure Crespo’s services in January 2010 when Tony Mowbray was in charge, however, he snubbed the Hoops and returned to Parma.

5 Rivaldo

Five years on from winning the Ballon d’Or in 1999, Brazil legend Rivaldo was on the search for a new club after leaving AC Milan.

The forward was 32 and heading into the twilight years of his career, and instead of tabling a contract offer, Celtic and O’Neill instead offered Rivaldo a trial. The Brazilian was left puzzled and instead signed for Greek giants Olympiacos.

4 Olivier Giroud

Continuing the long list of forwards who almost moved to Scotland is Olivier Giroud, who netted an impressive 21 goals in the 2009/10 season while with Ligue 2 side Tours.

Celtic and Mowbray wanted to sign him as a result, but he chose Montpellier instead and would go on to become France’s all-time record goalscorer.

3 Sol Campbell

In what would be his final move as a player in 2010, legendary English centre-back Sol Campbell could have moved to Scotland.

In fact, the former Arsenal and Tottenham defender was even given a tour of the city centre and Celtic’s Lennoxtown training base ahead of linking up with Neil Lennon’s side.

However, he would turn down the transfer at the last minute and sign for Newcastle, where he was released a year later.

2 Alfredo Di Stefano

Way back in the 1960s, Celtic almost shocked Europe by signing Real Madrid icon Alfredo Di Stefano.

The Argentine attacker scored more than 200 goals at the Bernabeu and was into the final years of his career when leaving Madrid in 1964.

Celtic manager Jimmy McGrory flew over to Spain with defender John Cushley, who acted as an interpreter, looking to lure Di Stefano to Glasgow. However, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner decided to remain in Spain with Espanyol.

1 Ivan de la Pena

Rounding off the list of stars Celtic could have signed is former Barcelona midfielder Ivan de la Pena.

Starring under Bobby Robson at the Nou Camp, De la Pena was of interest to the Hoops and O’Neill in 2003, with the Spaniard evening training with Celtic before returning to Espanyol.

He has been cleared by a jury of knowingly taking part in a cocaine deal, but he was found guilty of taking part in drug supply.

AAP13-Mar-2025Former Australia Test cricketer Stuart MacGill knew he was taking part in a cocaine deal but was oblivious about the scale of the exchange that began under his restaurant.That is the verdict of a Sydney District Court jury that acquitted the former legspinner on Thursday of taking part in a large commercial drug supply in April 2021.The jury heard that the illicit exchange of Aus$330,000 for a kilogram of cocaine was struck between MacGill’s regular drug dealer and the former cricketer’s brother-in-law Marino Sotiropoulos.Related

Stuart MacGill charged over drug deal tied to 'kidnapping'

The cricketer teed up a meeting under his restaurant on Sydney’s north shore but denied knowing the deal was to take place.Prosecutors argued the deal could not have occurred without MacGill’s prior involvement.While the jury dismissed the Crown’s claims about MacGill’s knowledge of a one-kilogram deal, it found him guilty of the lesser charge of taking part in drug supply.MacGill, whose 44-Test career came in the shadow of Shane Warne, showed little emotion as the verdicts were read.His sentencing hearing was adjourned for eight weeks.