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A Celtic player is now closing in on a move away from Parkhead in the summer transfer window, with a medical expected to take place imminently.

Celtic transfer news

The Hoops have made a predictably impressive start to their 2024/25 season, winning their opening two Scottish Premiership matches, as well as getting past Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup this past weekend, prevailing 3-1 at Parkhead.

Brendan Rodgers won't want to rest on his laurels, however, instead looking to bring in more new signings who can not only bolster their title chances but also ensure they have the best chance possible of being more of a force in the Champions League in 2024/25.

Celtic have been linked with a move for Liverpool left-back Owen Beck, with the 21-year-old considered an alternative to Ajax defender Owen Wijndal. The former is a highly-rated prospect at Anfield but his chances of breaking into his current team will be hard, considering Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas are ahead of him in the pecking order, as well as the versatile Joe Gomez.

Lausanne-Sport midfielder Alvyn Sanches is also being lined up as a potential addition for the Hoops between now and the end of the summer transfer window, coming in as a possible replacement for Matt O'Riley, who continues to be a wanted man this summer.

Celtic youngster close to summer departure

According to Football Insider, Celtic youngster Daniel Kelly is on the verge of joining Millwall, with a medical expected to take place in London on Monday after a fee was agreed between the clubs. There has been a twist in the saga, with the 18-year-old initially set to join the Championship club in January after signing a pre-contract agreement, but that has now changed, and he will depart sooner than first thought.

Seeing any young player leave Celtic is disappointing, considering the importance of having a nucleus of homegrown talent around, and the same applies to Kelly, who Callum McGregor has heaped praise on.

"It's brilliant. Over the time I have been here we keep trying to add the young players from getting them into the first team from the academy. This guy has been outstanding. He has personality, brilliant quality, great kid, wants to learn, work as hard as they can, all these attributes."

This does feel like a logical time for Kelly to move on, however, in order to be a regular elsewhere and continue his overall development as a footballer, especially as he has been playing in the Lowland League for Celtic's B team.

The teenage midfielder has been limited to only six appearances for the Hoops at senior level, scoring once in that time, and it is hard to see things changing for him this season.

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The Championship will be a great test for the young Scot, in terms of its pace, power and competitive nature, and ultimately, it feels more beneficial for him to enjoy a new challenge than remain frozen out under Rodgers.

Tottenham Hotspur flop Tanguy Ndombele has shown some resurgence at Nice, and the Frenchman showed his outrageous skill against Lyon.

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• Tanguy Ndombele balling for Nice in Ligue 1
• Shows off outrageous skills against Lyon
• Interest shown from Serie A clubs over transfer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ndombele ended his horrendous five-year stint at Tottenham Hotspur as he joined Ligue 1 outfit Nice as a free agent in the summer following the end of his contract at the North London side. The French midfielder has shown some signs of getting back to form under Franck Haise. During Nice's 4-1 loss to Lyon at Groupama Stadium, the midfielder showed off an outrageous skill that left Jordan Veretout on the deck.

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• WATCH THE CLIP

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ndombele's show of resurgence at Nice has pulled some attention towards his services with reports in Italy suggesting that the likes of Inter Milan and Juventus are considering signing the midfielder in January with Barcelona also said to be alert to the 27-year-old's situation.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR NDOMBELE?

  As he continues his resurgence to form, Ndombele has been pulling the strings in Nice's midfield and has been a major part of their plans. He will be in action next when they take on Le Havre on Saturday, December 7.

Robert Lewandowski has joined Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League 100 club after scoring for Barcelona against Brest.

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Lewandowski brings up Champions League centuryOnly the third player to do soRonaldo and Messi ahead of himFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Lewandowski scored after just 10 minutes against Stade Brestois in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. The Pole now has six goals in five matches in this campaign and has subsequently brought up 100 goals in the competition.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Only two players have scored over 100 goals in the Champions League: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Ronaldo has scored 141 goals in the Champions League, while Messi has netted 129. Lewandowski is the third to join the club. Karim Benzema is fourth in the list with 90 goals but the next active player on the list is Thomas Muller, in eighth, with 54 strikes for Bayern Munich.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Pole has scored his 100 goals for three clubs: Borussia Dortmund, Bayern, and Barcelona. He won the competition in 2020 with Bayern, scoring 15 goals in 10 games as the Bavarians strolled to glory.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

After facing Brest, Barcelona play Las Palmas on Saturday in La Liga. They are currently top of the table in Spain, four points clear of second-placed Real Madrid.

Southampton have reportedly already made contact with their next target after Ben Brereton Diaz in the shape of an "amazing" 25-year-old winger.

Southampton closing in on Brereton Diaz signing

Saints have already completed some significant transfer business in recent weeks, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes both arriving on permanent deals. The pair shone on loan last season, playing a key role in Russell Martin's side returning to the Premier League, so nailing them down feels like a huge positive.

Now, it also looks as though Brereton Diaz is close to becoming Southampton's next signing, with the Chile international set to undergo a medical imminently and seal a loan move from La Liga side Villarreal.

The South coast club have reportedly been in pole position to sign the 25-year-old in recent days, with his current club seemingly willing to sanction a temporary exit in the current transfer window.

Should Southampton sign Brereton Diaz, he could be an excellent addition, having scored six goals in 14 Premier League appearances on loan at Sheffield United last season, doing his best to keep them from heading back to the Championship, which ended up being unsuccessful.

Southampton make contact with "amazing" player

According to a new report from Football Insider, Southampton have made contact with Sassuolo forward Armand Lauriente over a move to St Mary's this summer.

Saints have "registered their interest" in the winger, who is "available" after his side suffered the disappointment of being relegated from Serie A last season. Martin is believed to be "searching for more wide attackers before the transfer window shuts", although the report adds that "Lazio and top clubs in the Turkish Super Lig are also keen" on snapping up the Frenchman.

Lauriente could be such an eye-catching signing for Southampton, proving to be the type of player who can get supporters off their seats with his attacking brilliance.

He has been hailed as "amazing" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, who was wowed by a "Juninho-esque" free-kick, in reference to the former Lyon and Brazil star who is arguably regarded as one of the greatest set-piece takers in football history.

Lauriente has a tally of 24 goal contributions (12 goals and assists apiece) in 68 appearances for Sassuolo, which is a good return for a player who has often been performing for a struggling team, and he also has two caps to his name for France's Under-21s, which suggests he has always been a talent for a number of years.

The Sassuolo star's ability to thrive in a central attacking midfield role and also out wide would also give Martin extra attacking depth, which can only be a good thing back in the Premier League, so it is hard to see there being many negatives to signing him.

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If Southampton manage to get both Lauriente and Breteton Diaz this summer, it would further suggest that this is one of the most productive windows at St Mary's in some time.

A Rangers "bright spark" appears to be edging towards an Ibrox exit in the near future, with another club making an offer to him as Nils Koppen looks to cash in.

Rangers transfer news

The Gers are planning for a successful 2024/25 season, as they look to go one better and pip Celtic to Scottish Premiership glory, and early signs in the transfer market are extremely promising. Philippe Clement has already made significant additions to his squad, bringing in the likes of Jefte, Mohamed Diomande and Connor Barron, among others.

Rangers are reportedly in the mix to sign Liverpool youngster Bobby Clark, with the midfielder seen as a possible new version of Paul Gascoigne, who was such a hero at Ibrox during the 1990s. RB Salzburg, RB Leipzig and Norwich City are all in the mix to sign him, too, with the former now managed by former Reds assistant manager Pep Lijnders, which could be key.

Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski is also believed to be wanted by Clement's men this summer, with the 25-year-old scoring 44 goals in 95 appearances for the Dons. He is being looked at as a replacement for Kemar Roofe, following his departure when his contract expired recently.

While much focus could continue to be on new additions ahead of next season, there are also further players who could head off for new challenges, on top of those who have already moved on. Now, an exit claim has emerged regarding one such figure.

Club send offer to Rangers "bright spark"

According to Football Insider, Championship club Sheffield Wednesday have "offered a contract" to Rangers forward Scott Wright, with the Scottish Premiership club "willing" to let him leave and Koppen ready to cash in on him.

The 26-year-old only has one year remaining on his current deal, so the Gers are keen on receiving a fee for him before he is able to leave on a free transfer.

This feels like an ideal outcome for all parties, considering Wright has struggled to be a important player under Clement, making just eight starts in the league last season. The fact that his contract runs out next year makes it even more of a no-brainer for Rangers, generating more transfer funds in the process.

Steven Gerrard was perhaps his biggest fan at Ibrox, saying during his tenure: "I thought he was a right bright spark, full of energy, he sees a pass and is always looking forward to penetrate. He’s quick and got his reward from another strong performance so he is really in my thinking."

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The Light Blues may already have a valuable midfielder in the building at Ibrox.

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A move to Wednesday could allow the £5,600-a-week Wright the chance to prove himself at a big English club historically, where he will hope to start more games, and he should be remembered as a good performer for Rangers, winning the league title back in 2020/21, as well as clinching one Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup apiece, too.

يستعد ناديا ليفربول ومانشستر يونايتد لمباراة الكلاسيكو بين الطرفين في إطار مواجهات الجولة العشرين من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز يوم غد الأحد.

ويلتقي ليفربول ومانشستر يونايتد في تمام الساعة السادسة والنصف مساءً بتوقيت “القاهرة” على ملعب “أنفيلد” بقيادة الحكم الدولي، مايكل أوليفر.

ولكن ما نشرته شبكة “ليفربول إيكو” أن هناك تحذيرات من جانب هيئة الأرصاد الجوية بشأن الطقس بداية من اليوم في تمام السابعة بتوقيت إنجلترا بأن هناك هطولاً للثلوج والأمطار المجمدة.

اقرأ أيضًا.. محمد صلاح ينتظر رقمين قياسيين مهمين في مباراة ليفربول ومانشستر يونايتد

وتستمر هذه الحالة من الطقس حتى منتصف الليل وذلك على مدن ليفربول، مانشستر وليدز وبالتالي الطرق ستغطى بالثلوج وستكون الأجواء صعبة مما يعطل حركة السيارات وتأجيل أو إلغاء حركات السفر.

وذلك لأن درجة الحرارة ستكون -8.6 خلال الساعات القليلة المقبلة، مما يجعل هيئة الأرصاد تضع تلك المدن في طوق التحذير باللون الأصفر لأن تلك الأجواء تستمر حتى ظهر الأحد.

وبحسب صحيفة “Standard” البريطانية أن هناك مخاوف كثيرة وتتزايد بشأن تأجيل مباراة ليفربول ومانشستر يونايتد لأن التوقعات أن سمك الثلوج على الأرض سيتراوح بين 3 إلى 7 سم والطقس سيكون مجمدًا.

The offspinner will be suspended if he’s reported again in the tournament

Nagraj Gollapudi12-Oct-2020Kolkata Knight Riders have expressed “surprise” about their premier offspinner Sunil Narine being reported for suspect action in the match against Kings XI Punjab on October 10. Narine was placed on a “warning list” by the IPL, which said the offspinner would be “suspended” in case he were to be reported again this tournament.According to the Knight Riders, even Narine was surprised at being reported at the halfway stage of the tournament because there were “no concerns” expressed by any match officials in the five previous outings prior to the Kings XI match.”This [Narine being reported for suspect action] came as a surprise to the franchise and Mr. Narine, considering he has played over 115 games in the IPL since 2012 and as many as 68 games since 2015, when he was last reported during the IPL season for a suspect action before being subsequently cleared completely by SRASSC, an ICC accredited facility,” the franchise said in a media statement on Monday. “Furthermore, he was playing his sixth game this season, with no concerns expressed formally or informally by the match officials so far.”The IPL said Narine’s suspect action was reported by the on-field umpires Chris Gaffeney and Ulhas Gandhe. However, the IPL did not specify which type of delivery/deliveries Narine was reported for.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe franchise has not indicated whether Narine would feature in the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday evening.Narine, the most successful bowler for the Knight Riders in IPL, was one of the two players retained by the franchise in 2018 along with Andre Russell. So far this IPL, while his batting returns have diminished, Narine has been instrumental with the ball, particularly in the death overs.Narine played the winning hand in the two-run victory against Kings XI by defending 14 in the final over.As per IPL rules Narine’s bowling action for the type of delivery/deliveries reported would be reviewed and corrected if necessary. Narine can continue to bowl the type of delivery/deliveries he was pulled up for, but will be suspended if reported again. The Knight Riders, however, remain optimistic about resolving the issue soon.”We are respectful of the process that the IPL has put in place to have his action reviewed, and are working closely with the IPL in this matter. We are hopeful that there would be an appropriate resolution quickly. We appreciate the cooperation being extended by the IPL in expediting this matter.”

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The Dutchman has one last chance to prove he is the right man to lead the Red Devils forward, but another humiliation could await at Villa Park.

It's some sort of minor miracle that Erik ten Hag is still employed by Manchester United.

There have been far, too many points of infamy over the last 12 months of his Old Trafford reign. The Coventry City FA Cup semi-final, the 100th-minute collapse at Chelsea, leading Brentford on minute 96 before being pegged back on minute 98, the Selhurst Park massacre, thrashing after thrashing and humbling after humbling.

It would be difficult for players of Football Manager and EAFC to recreate these ludicrous feats in fictional worlds, let alone allow them to play out in reality.

Every time you think the Red Devils have turned a corner, they lurch back into habits of old. There is no learning from past failures, only the doom to repeat them.

And so United are stuck in a loop. Ten Hag supposedly has one more chance to break that cycle – or else it will surely be his head on the chopping block.

Getty Images Sport'One game to save his job'

United have opened the season with a measly three wins from nine across all competitions, including two from six in the Premier League. Those victories have come against Fulham, newly-promoted Southampton and League One outfit Barnsley – hardly an all-star cast.

Ten Hag's notion that his side can compete with the best in the world on their day has come undone already this term. Both Liverpool and Tottenham have effectively walked into Old Trafford, sat the hosts down and tied them to a chair with duct tape while they ransacked the place. No no, you help yourselves to more goals, chaps.

The Sun now report that Ten Hag has only one more chance to prove he is the man for the job. If his side fail to get a result at Aston Villa on Sunday, then it could be curtains for him.

AdvertisementAFPCompetence vs incompetence

There have been many, many think-pieces calling out Ten Hag for failing to instil an identity upon his United team.

Few have come to recognise that the Red Devils' inability to stay out of their own way who they are.

All of United's major wins and results since the start of last season have come as a result of their baffling tactics somehow swinging back in their favour. When games are purposely chaotic and without control, then sometimes you might just strike it lucky. It isn't a sustainable tactic for a serious football team.

Take their two fixtures against Villa last season, for example. Unai Emery's men, at that point, were a little overeager as they pursued a top-four finish, and twice allowed United to grow into open games, with Ten Hag's men doing the double over the Villans.

If Ten Hag is hoping for a similar game this Sunday, though, he will be sorely mistaken. Villa have managed to mature quickly in recent months and are riding a wave of confidence after beating Bayern Munich in the Champions League earlier this week.

The hostile Villa Park atmosphere has contributed to some of the hosts' most impressive results under Emery, who has issued a rallying cry ahead of this weekend's match.

"On Sunday, we will need the same atmosphere with the supporters at Villa Park like on Wednesday," he said.

"I have no doubt they will be there to help and support us to transmit their energy so we can get three points. Manchester United, it is a very difficult match. The players must be really focused to get a strong structure tactically, defensively and offensively."

Getty Images SportSuperstar Duran could land fatal blow

Labelling Jhon Duran a 'superstar' for his 2024-25 exploits is both under and over-selling him. Sure, it's still only October, but at times he has performed beyond even 'superstar' and instead looked more 'superhuman'.

The Colombian is thriving and feasting so far this season, with six goals – most of them absolute worldies to boot – in nine games.

Samu Omorodion made mincemeat of United's defenders on Thursday night, and the almost too-obvious outcome this Sunday is for Duran to run them similarly ragged.

The scary thing for United is Duran isn't even Villa's first-choice striker, with Ollie Watkins still head honcho. But the 20-year-old's introduction from the bench is inevitable, and boy is he going to be licking his lips at the prospect of tearing through a tired defence.

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Getty Images SportLosing the dressing room?

What is already an uphill battle for Ten Hag could become an almighty mutiny if he isn't careful.

He has spent over £600m in three years assembling a team that is firmly his. No longer can he claim that he is adjusting his tactics to suit the need of a squad not totally in his image.

And yet he is running the risk of disillusioning some of his closest allies in the dressing room.

He hooked his new centre-back pairing of Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez – both of whom he worked with at Ajax – during Thursday's draw with Porto, while Marcus Rashford came in for criticism post-match.

"I have to watch it back and over the left side, definitely we didn't defend well tonight," Ten Hag said. "Marcus also played a part in this but as I say, it had to do with [Alejandro] Garnacho coming on – and nothing against Rashford."

Meanwhile, after Christian Eriksen claimed FC Twente players wanted it more than United's in last week's 1-1 draw, Harry Maguire blamed the squad's fragile mentality for letting the lead slip at Porto.

"I think it's more the mental issue [conceding twice in quick succession] and it's something we have to overcome. It probably starts with belief," Maguire said.

"When we go 2-0 up and concede, does the belief go a little bit between the boys that we can go on and win the game here? So it's something we need to be aware of."

The 2023/24 season has been an incredibly successful time for Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s side achieved their goal of Champions League qualification, securing fourth place ahead of Tottenham Hotspur by two points.

The basis for that was set by Aston Villa’s impressive summer transfer window in 2023 and was spurred on with the addition of Morgan Rogers in January. The Villans spent £97m last summer, according to Sky Sports, with nine teams spending more.

The signing of Youri Tielemans from Leicester City on a free transfer was an astute piece of business for Villa to conduct. The Belgian took his time to bed in at Villa Park but soon became a key player under Unai Emery.

Not only that, they brought Emery’s former defender at Villarreal, Pau Torres, into the club from the Spanish outfit. The left-footed centre-back became integral to Emery’s system at Villa and cost an initial £33m.

The addition of Nicolo Zaniolo on loan from Galatasary was a smart piece of business, as was the signing of Rogers from Middlesbrough in January, who took to the Premier League like a duck to water. He cost the Villans up to £16m.

However, there was one other summer signing, who could well have proven to be Villa’s best in the summer of 2023.

Moussa Diaby’s stats in 2023/24

The man in question here is French winger Moussa Diaby. He joined Villa last July from Bayer Leverkusen, who won the Bundesliga in remarkable fashion this season, going invincible all campaign.

Villa paid £51.9m to bring Diaby to Villa Park, a deal which smashed the club-record transfer. The previous club-record deal was that of Emiliano Budenia, who signed for Villa for a fee of £38m move from Norwich City in June 2021.

Since moving to England, Diaby has gone from strength to strength under Emery. The Frenchman scored ten goals and registered nine assists in all competitions this season, with 14 of those 19 goal involvements coming in the Premier League.

Indeed, Diaby reunited with his former Leverkusen teammate Leon Bailey this summer when he joined the Villans. The pair played together 51 times for the German side, and have since extended that tally to 84, having now combined for 11 goals, including three for Villa.

Club

Games

Goals

Leverkusen

51

8

Villa

33

3

Total

84

11

That will no doubt have been a duo Villa fans were excited to see in action for their side this season. It was a pair that was previously described by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig as “deadly”, following their 51 combined goals and assists in 2020/21.

Diaby’s market value in 2024

Given his excellent form this season, it may come as little surprise that Diaby’s transfer value has risen greatly. In fact, Diaby is now valued higher than any of his Villa teammates, with only Douglas Luiz as high as him.

Indeed, the 24-year-old is valued at £68m according to CIES Football Observatory, more than the likes of Ollie Watkins, who is worth £51m after a stellar season, and Bailey, who is valued at £42.5m.

Interestingly, Diaby’s value is the same as one of Villa’s primary summer targets, if the rumours are to be believed.

According to reports in Spain, Villa’s manager Emery, and Sporting Director Monchi were in Spain recently to watch Ronald Araujo of Barcelona.

This comes alongside the rumour that “they were interested in the Uruguayan footballer's situation and noted their desire to present a formal transfer proposal”, and now they have secured Champions League football, is a move they could make, according to the report.

This would be a costly deal and would cost tens of millions of pounds. Araujo is valued at £68m by CIES, just as Diaby is. It could well be a transfer that shatters the transfer record they set when buying the Frenchman last summer if it goes through.

Regardless, the deal to sign Diaby has proven to be a successful one. He has an impressive amount of goal involvements and has seen a spike in his transfer value which would offer good profit to Villa should they hypothetically decide to sell him.

It is great business from Emery and Monchi, and they will be hoping to build upon that in the Champions League next season.

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He has Champions League experience

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