The opening batter has lost his spot in ODIs and T20s over recent months and will now explore league opportunities

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Nov-2022

There is a chance Martin Guptill has played his last game for New Zealand•Getty Images

Martin Guptill has become the latest New Zealand player to be released from their central contract after he recently lost his place in both white-ball teams.Guptill was part of the T20 World Cup squad in Australia but did not play during the tournament with Finn Allen preferred at the top of the order and was left out altogether for the ongoing series against India.He has not retired from international cricket and has stated a desire to play again, but as with Trent Boult he has been told preference will be given to those within the contracted set-up.”Playing for my country has been a massive honour, and I’m grateful to everyone within the Blackcaps and NZC for their support,” Guptill said. “But, equally, I’m realistic enough to understand the need to consider my options in the current circumstances.Related

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Williamson wants to continue playing all three formats

“With this release, I’m still available for New Zealand, I have the chance to explore other opportunities, and I also get to spend more time with my family – which is important.”It’s understood that he could be in the frame for a BBL stint as a replacement player with at least two clubs looking for reinforcements ahead of the season.”We understand Martin’s position,” NZC chief executive David White said . “He’s been a fantastic batsman for us for a long period of time, and we certainly don’t wish to stand in his way as he explores other opportunities.”Martin’s been a giant of the white ball game, a committed and well-respected member of the Blackcaps, and has earned the right to play out his career on his own terms. He leaves his contract with our best wishes.”If this does prove the end of Guptill’s international career he will finish with 7346 runs at 41.73 in ODIs, which currently places him third on New Zealand’s all-time list with their highest individual score of 237 not out, and 3531 in T20Is where he sits comfortably at the top. He played the last of his 47 Tests back in 2016.Guptill’s move follows that of Boult who relinquished his central contract earlier this year. He, too, was part of the T20 World Cup squad but has not been picked to face India. He has an upcoming deal with Melbourne Stars in the BBL before heading to the ILT20 with MI Emirates.Colin de Grandhomme also announced his retirement after being drafted by Adelaide Strikers while Jimmy Neesham declined a contract when he was offered the vacant spot due to existing deals he had signed when off the list.After the T20 World Cup, head coach Gary Stead said that the evolving landscape of T20 leagues would be a challenge for New Zealand but White is confident the game can adapt.”Players such as Martin, Trent and Colin, with long and successful international track-records, inevitably end up with alternative playing options at this stage of their careers, and we respect that,” he said. “It’s just part of the natural ebb and flow of individual careers within team sport.”

Sixers, after a record 11 wins, are looking to go from the wooden spoon to champions but will come against a strong bowling attack

Tristan Lavalette25-Nov-2022Big pictureThe stakes are obviously huge as the eighth edition of the WBBL culminates on Saturday at North Sydney Oval.Sydney Sixers are looking to reclaim their status as the WBBL’s powerhouse, while Adelaide Strikers are striving for redemption after a heartbreaking loss in last year’s decider against Perth Scorchers.Sixers dominated the early years of the competition and featured in the first four finals, including back-to-back titles in the second and third editions. But they haven’t won since their victory over Scorchers in February 2018 and suffered the shock of a wooden spoon last season.After a remarkable bounce back, Sixers will start favourites against Strikers following a dominant regular season, where they finished top with 11 wins to automatically qualify for the final.Standing in their way are a side who are looking for their first title. They will be out to put the ghosts of their loss to Scorchers almost exactly 12 months ago to rest with nine players from that match likely to take the field on Saturday.Blessed with arguably the best attack in the tournament, Strikers should feel confident having beaten Sixers narrowly this season albeit a month ago in the last clash between the teams.A near capacity crowd is expected at North Sydney Oval in a strong finish for a tournament.Related

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Gardner: I feel like my game has gone to another level

Form guide(Last five completed matches; most recent first)
Sydney Sixers WWWWW
Adelaide Strikers WWWLL
In the spotlightAfter being crowned player of the WBBL, Ashleigh Gardner is being bandied around as arguably the best player in the country. Her spectacular season has included 339 runs with a 153.39 strike-rate and 23 wickets at 15.08 with her off-spin having notably improved. She has emerged as a world-class allrounder and re-signed with Sixers for a further three years. There is a lot of hype surrounding the 25-year-old and all eyes will be on Gardner on the big stage.If Strikers are to earn redemption then skipper Tahlia McGrath probably needs to have a big game. The allrounder was sluggish against Heat in her return to bowling after suffering a back injury earlier in the month. She’s confirmed her availability to bowl in the final in an important option against Sixers’ high-voltage batting order. After being named vice-captain for Australia’s upcoming T20 tour of India, McGrath will be out to showcase her leadership skills under pressure.Team newsSixers should be well rested after a week off and also have the advantage of playing at home. They’ve got superstars across the board with an even spread of contributors with young quick Kate Peterson having stepped up in place of injured Maitlan Brown.Sydney Sixers (possible): 1 Suzie Bates, 2 Alyssa Healy (wk), 3 Ellyse Perry (capt), 4 Ashleigh Gardner, 5 Erin Burns, 6 Nicole Bolton, 7 Sophie Ecclestone, 8 Kate Peterson, 9 Angelina Genford, 10 Lauren Cheatle, 11 Stella CampbellAfter their tense victory in The Challenger against Brisbane Heat on Thursday night, Strikers don’t have much time to rest – they were on a 6am flight to Sydney – but they should enjoy the surrounds of North Sydney Oval, where they defeated Sydney Thunder just five days ago with Megan Schutt starring with a stunning six-wicket haul. They have a hardened finals team with Strikers’ core group from last season intact.Adelaide Strikers (possible): 1 Katie Mack, 2 Laura Wolvaardt (wk), 3 Tahlia McGrath (capt), 4 Deandra Dottin, 5 Bridget Patterson, 6 Madeline Penna, 7 Tegan McPharlin (wk), 8 Amanda-Jade Wellington, 9 Jemma Barsby, 10 Megan Schutt, 11 Darcie BrownPitch and conditionsSunny conditions are forecast in Sydney with a maximum temperature of 23 degrees to complement the picturesque North Sydney Oval. The pitch is usually favourable for batting and the ground’s short boundaries and quick outfield should ensure a high-scoring contest.Stats and trivia Sixers have won 12 of 17 matches overall against Strikers. Megan Schutt and Amanda-Jade Wellington are in the top four wicket-takers of the tournament. Only the final of WBBL06 did not feature one of Sixers or Strikers when Sydney Thunder beat Melbourne Stars to claim the title.Quotes”I think given the density of the competition and how many games we’ve played in such a short period of time, this week is a real advantage. I think everyone got a chance to say work on something or get what they needed out. It was also just a really great chance to spend some more time together.”
Ellyse Perry does not have any concerns after the break before the final“Losing a final is never easy. We were pretty disappointed last year and we used that hunger to drive the whole season. We’re going out there with no fear, to play our best cricket, and we want that trophy pretty bad.”

كشف محمد الشناوي قائد فريق الكرة بـ الأهلي، تطورات جديدة في ملف تجديد عقده مع القلعة الحمراء للفترة المقبلة، مشيرًا إلى تقدمه بطلب للإدارة يخص جمهور النادي.

وقال محمد الشناوي في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “أون سبورت”: “نحن أولاد النادي، ونعمل من أجله ولجماهيره، وأشكر هذا الجيل على تحقيق بطولة الدوري، فقد كانت بطولة صعبة”.

وتابع: “بعد خروجنا من دوري أبطال إفريقيا، كان من الصعب أن نعود ونحصد هذا الدوري، لكن الحمد لله، ربنا لم يهدر تعبنا، واللاعبون كانوا في قمة التركيز داخل الملعب”.

وأردف: “هذه البطولة غالية جدًا، تشبه بطولة 2019، ومنذ أن حدثت أزمة الزمالك وعاد الدوري مرة أخرى، كان الحديث بيننا أن البطولة ليست بعيدة، وفي دوري 2019، أتينا من الخلف وحققنا اللقب، وها نحن نكرر الإنجاز”.

وبسؤاله عن تجديد عقده مع الأهلي، أوضح: “كنت قد وقّعت مع الكابتن محمد رمضان لمدة موسمين، وإن شاء الله مستمر مع النادي في الفترة المقبلة لنحقق المزيد من البطولات”.

وزاد: “نطلب من الإدارة أن يكون هناك احتفال مع الجماهير في ملعب التتش، وقد أبلغت محمد يوسف بذلك، وأخبرني أنه سيتحدث مع الإدارة لترتيب الأمر”.

طالع.. بن شرقي: كان أهم شيء أن يسجل إمام عاشور.. ولاعب الأهلي “يتعمله تمثال”

وأضاف: “كانت لدينا ضغوط كبيرة بسبب بطولة الدوري، وهدفنا في المرحلة القادمة أن نتخطى الدور الأول في كأس العالم للأندية، وأن نسعد جماهيرنا والشعب المصري كله، ونحقق شيء كبير في مونديال الأندية”.

وأشار: “أحيي الكابتن محمود الخطيب، فقد كانت هناك ضغوطات كبيرة عليه وعلى مجلس الإدارة، وأبلغني بعد المباراة قائلًا -ألف مبروك-، كانت بطولة صعبة، والحمد لله، نحن الآن أقوى وأفضل من ذي قبل”.

وعن رسالته لـ علي معلول: “سعيد جدًا بمشاركته اليوم، دخلنا النادي معًا وصنعنا تاريخًا مع الفريق، هو من أقرب الناس لي، ومن القادة داخل الفريق، والجميع يحبه، وله تاريخ كبير مع الأهلي، ويستحق كل هذا الحب من الجماهير”.

وأكمل: “وأقول لـ إمام عاشور ألف مبروك على لقب هدّاف الدوري، وكل من كان في الملعب اليوم كان يتمنى أن يحصل إمام على لقب الهداف”.

واختتم: “لقطة حسين الشحات مع إمام، تدل على روح الجماعة وإنكار الذات، وهذه هي روح الأهلي، وأطلب من إمام ألا يلتفت لأي شيء خارج الملعب، ويركّز فقط في كرة القدم”.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians venceu o Juventude, no último sábado (11), por 2 a 0, pela 11ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.

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A vitória na Neo Química Arena foi importante para o Timão, que havia sido derrotado pelo Cuiabá, na partida anterior, e teve uma semana conturbada, principalmente pela polêmica rescisão contratual do atacante Jô.

Diante de 34 mil corintianos, duas pratas da casa garantiram o placar para o Time do Povo: Adson e Mantuan.

Confira acima o vídeo com o que esteve ‘por trás das cortinas’, antes, durante e depois do triunfo corintiano.

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Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to work under a fifth coach in two-and-a-half years at Al-Nassr, with Stefano Pioli facing sack threats.

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• Ronaldo opened Saudi adventure in 2023
• Has won just one trophy in the Middle East
• Italian coach to be replaced in the summer

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The five-time Ballon d’Or winner completed a trend-setting move to the Middle East on the back of his commitments with Portugal at the 2022 World Cup, making his debut for new employers in January 2023.

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  Ronaldo is working on the most lucrative contract in world football, but has found tangible success hard to come by. Despite maintaining remarkable individual standards, with 97 goals recorded through 108 appearances, just one trophy has been landed with Al-Nassr.

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  They are poised to end the current campaign empty-handed, as they sit third in the Saudi Pro League and suffered an AFC Champions League semi-final defeat to Kawasaki Frontale. Italian coach Pioli is set to pay the price for those failings with his job.

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  According to , Pioli will be relieved of his coaching duties at the end of the season. There is a break clause in his contract, which was due to run until 2027, that can be triggered this summer.

It’s rare for a Queenslander to love Perth as much as Marnus Labuschagne does. But he continued his adoring relationship with Western Australia’s capital and its newest cricket stadium, compiling a masterful 154 not out on day one of the opening Test against West Indies with promises of more to come.Labuschagne has only batted three times at Perth Stadium for scores of 143, 50 against New Zealand and this currently unbeaten hundred, with the venue reminding him of his home in Brisbane.”I love this venue,” Labuschagne said. “I love playing in Perth because the conditions are so similar to Brisbane. And I’ve had some good success in Brisbane so it’s really nice to be able to come to a ground where the characteristics of the wicket are very similar.”Related

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Labuschagne is compiling a staggering Test record at home in general. Of all the Test greats who have played 20 innings or more in Australia, only Sir Donald Bradman averages more than Labuschagne’s 69.28, having scored seven of his eight Test centuries in Australia.Having broken his overseas century duck in Sri Lanka in his last Test match in Galle in July, Labuschagne slipped back into the rhythms of Test cricket in Australia with ease.He negotiated a tricky morning session, leaving the ball well and absorbing pressure as the West Indies quicks tested him on both the front and back foot. Having done the hard yards, he cashed in later in the day as West Indies erred full and wide and he was able to pick them off.Marnus Labuschagne jumps over to get under the ball•Getty Images

“Growing up playing a lot on the Gabba really helps with that because you know there’s light at the end of the tunnel,” Labuschagne said. “So you know you’ve got to put in the hard work early. Knowing the conditions, obviously playing in Brisbane with the bouncy conditions, certainly helps.”You just let the ball go. You understand the game, the tempo isn’t as fast as other venues. You’re not hitting as many balls. You’re letting a lot of balls go. So all those things really helped. And then to be able to then come out after lunch and after tea and be able to put the pressure on, they tried to amend their shorter length and they tried to bowl a bit fuller which created a few more scoring options for us.”Labuschagne’s innings wasn’t without luck. He nicked twice through the slips, with Jason Holder failing to lay a hand on one while the other flew wide of the cordon at a catchable height, and also edged Kraigg Brathwaite onto keeper Joshua Da Silva’s knee with the ball ballooning over slip’s head. He could have been caught at deep point late in the day with debutant Tagenarine Chanderpaul misjudging the flight in the shadows.Luck aside, Labuschagne was pleased to iron out some of the kinks that plagued him late in last year’s Ashes series at home where England’s Mark Wood caused him some problems fending outside off stump.”I certainly looked at a lot of that stuff from last summer,” Labuschagne said. “It’s feeling alright. I’ve certainly felt better. But it’s nice to be scoring runs when you’re not absolutely feeling 100%. Certainly my stance is probably more closed off I think from where it was last summer.”I’m probably not as rigid as I was last summer. I feel like I’m a little bit more relaxed in my hands. So I think that’s helping me on that short ball and that back-foot punch, so I don’t really get stuck and then start fending the ball away from my face.”Labuschagne is loading up to add more to his tally tomorrow with a second Test double-century within reach.”Whenever you’re not out overnight on 150 the next stop is 200,” he said. “So it’s just going to be for me tomorrow if I’m able to stick to the process for long enough. If I do, I’m sure I’ll get there. But put that out of your mind, you’ve got to take it ball by ball and if the 200 does come that’s great, but more importantly, I’m just trying to get as many runs as we can in this first innings and put the pressure on the West Indies.”

Fair to say, there have been better times to be a Rangers supporter.

On Sunday, Philippe Clement’s Gers were dumped out of the Scottish Cup by Queen’s Park, beaten 1-0 at Ibrox, with James Tavernier seeing a 96th minute dramatically saved by an inspired Calum Ferrie.

This is the Light Blues’ first Scottish Cup defeat against lower-league opposition since being beaten by Berwick Rangers 58 years ago, while, remarkably, it is the first time ever that they’ve been defeated at home by a side from a lower division in the competition’s 152-year history.

This has only intensified the scrutiny on already under-pressure manager Clement, but his players are simply not doing enough, making it hard to believe that one of the Premier League’s best youngsters was plying his trade in Govan not that long ago, valued 25 times more than Rangers’ newest recruit.

Lyall Cameron: Rangers future midfielder

Last month, it was announced that Dundee midfielder Lyall Cameron had signed a pre-contract agreement with Rangers, which will see him make the move to Glasgow in the summer.

Technical Director Nils Koppen described Cameron as a “talented young player”, while Scottish football writer Kai Watson asserts he “has the potential to play at a higher level than the Scottish Premiership”.

Meantime, speaking on Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Club, former Hibs and Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart described Cameron’s move as financially low-risk, with Alan Pattullo of the Scotsman believing they’ve secured “one of Scottish football’s hottest young talents”.

The two clubs will need to agree a compensation settlement; if not, a fee will be decided by a tribunal, as Connor Barron’s move from Aberdeen was last year, which ultimately saw Rangers pay £639,920 plus up to £250,000 in “conditional performance-based payments”.

Cameroon has ten goals and eight assists to his name this season, having bagged a brace against Airdrieonians in the Scottish Cup on Saturday, with his current manager Tony Docherty adding the move is a “credit” to his consistent “level of performance”.

Thus, it’s hard to dispute the fact that Rangers have secured a top talent for next season, but they had an even greater talent on their books not that long ago.

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.

Underwhelming Rangers ace is now starring in the Premier League

The 2021/22 season will always be remembered fondly by Rangers supporters as the year they reached the Europa League Final in Seville.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team dumped out Borussia Dortmund, Crvena Zvezda, Braga and RB Leipzig throughout the knockout stages, before a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the final.

An unused substitute that night at Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán: Amad Diallo.

Back in January 2021, having made just five senior appearances for Atalanta, totalling 59 minutes, Manchester United paid a whopping £37m to secure Amad’s services, a huge outlay for such an inexperienced youngster.

Well, after making little instant impact in the Red Devils’ first team, accumulating only nine appearances in 12 months, the Ivorian joined Rangers on loan in January 2022, scoring little over four minutes into his debut against Ross County in Dingwall.

However, after that, he did little else in a Rangers jersey, making just 13 appearances in total, only six of which were starts, his two other goals for the club coming in inconsequential post-split fixtures, the most telling statistic being the fact that he remained an unused substitute for all nine Europa League matches.

Fast forward three seasons, it’s hard to believe that, as Rob Dawson of ESPN puts it, Amad has been Manchester United’s best player this season, with former Man United midfielder Owen Hargreaves adding “he makes things happen” in big moments and fans “just have to love watching him”.

Transfermarkt believes his current value to be £21m, the highest it has ever been, while the aforementioned Cameron is valued at under £1m.

So, let’s analyse how the youngster has improved since his brief loan spell in Glasgow.

Appearances

14

42

12

36

Minutes

570

3,016

471

2,324

Goals

3

14

2

9

Assists

0

4

1

7

Goals – xG

-0.1

+4.9

+0.5

+2.6

Dribble success %

33.3%

42.5%

47.8%

45.9%

Progress carries

4

107

11

125

As the table shows, Amad’s breakout year came immediately after leaving Rangers, spending the following campaign on loan at Sunderland in the EFL Championship.

Former Black Cats’ captain Corry Evans said, despite the old idiom that one should never fall in love with a loan player, supporters “absolutely adored” Amad on Wearside, describing him as “unstoppable”, while Dougie Critchley of Sky Sports added “Sunderland gave him a platform that he really needed at that time”.

It’s fair to say Rangers did not see the best of the Côte d’Ivoire international, Tom English of BBC Sport describing his spell at Ibrox as “underwhelming”, hence why fans surely could not have foreseen just how good the winger would become.

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ByBen Gray Feb 13, 2025

Newcastle United have less than a week left to do any business that they would like to do to bolster their squad before the January transfer window officially slams shut.

The Magpies are set to lose a player from their first-team squad, however, as Miguel Almiron is poised to complete a permanent transfer to Atlanta United in the MLS.

Meanwhile, Eddie Howe’s side were recently linked with an interest in Barcelona centre-back Eric Garcia, who previously played for Manchester City in the Premier League.

Newcastle could also have a forward on their agenda before the window slams shut, with a recent report suggesting that they are looking at several attackers.

Newcastle considering Bundesliga striker

According to the Daily Mail, the Magpies have internally discussed the prospect of a late swoop for RB Leipzig centre-forward Benjamin Sesko, in their piece on potential transfers before the deadline.

Transfer Focus

The report claims that they have also looked at Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Matheus Cunha and Lille marksman Jonathan David, and spoken, internally, about the merits of each option with a view to deciding on who to target.

It states that Premier League rivals Arsenal are also interested in all three players, as well as Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, whose £120m asking price has put off Mikel Arteta’s side for now.

Sesko, who reportedly has a £63m release clause, is among the list of striker targets being considered by the Magpies, per this latest report, and the club could repeat the blinder they played with Papiss Cisse by signing the Slovenia international.

Why Sesko could be Cisse 2.0

In the January transfer window in 2012, Newcastle swooped to sign Cisse from Bundesliga side Freiburg after he had scored nine goals in 17 league matches during the first half of the season.

The Senegal international hit the ground running on Tyneside with a staggering return of 13 goals in his first 14 appearances in the Premier League, going on to end his career at St. James’ Park with 44 goals in 131 outings.

Sesko, 21, could follow in Cisse’s footsteps and arrive at Newcastle as another young marksman from the Bundesliga with the potential to make a big impact in the final third.

The Slovenian ace, who was once described as a “menace” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has scored 61 goals in 148 matches for Leipzig and Salzburg at first-team level in his career, which shows that he has offered a reliable goal threat over numerous seasons, despite his age.

24/25 Bundesliga	Benjamin Sesko
Startsd	17
xG	4.68
Goals	8
Big chances created	3
Assists	2
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Sesko has been incredibly ruthless in front of goal in the German top-flight this term with a return of eight goals from just 4.68 xG, which suggests that he has the ability to score goals at an efficient rate for the Toon Army.

The youngster, who has consistently been available for Leipzig, could come in as a replacement for Callum Wilson, who has made four Premier League appearances this season and missed 112 games through injury since he moved to the club in 2020.

Newcastle now looking to seal £16m signing of "fantastic" ace within days

The transfer could even happen within days.

By
Henry Jackson

Jan 26, 2025

It is now down to the board to get a deal over the line for the Bundesliga marksman, who has the quality and potential to be a Cisse repeat for the Magpies.

There has been a big twist regarding the future of a “sensational” Rangers player, with the club set to open contract talks with him over an extension.

Latest Rangers news

Philippe Clement will know the importance of his Gers side enjoying an improved second half of the season, as he seeks to keep his job beyond the current campaign amid a turbulent time at Ibrox.

They currently trail Celtic by 13 points in the Scottish Premiership title race and were recently dumped out of the FA Cup by Championship outfit Queen’s Park, so there is a huge amount of work to do.

However, there is hope that Rangers can do something of note in the Europa League, with the Gers automatically through to the last 16 following a dramatic final round of league phase fixtures.

When it comes to transfer news at Ibrox, Aaron Anselmino emerged as a target late in the January transfer window, with the Argentinian on loan at Boca Juniors from Chelsea earlier in the year, before being recalled last month.

In terms of summer outgoings, Cyriel Dessers is reportedly expected to leave Rangers at the end of the season, with his contract expiring at the end of the 2026/27 campaign. Now 30, the club may feel that it is the right time to cash in on him before his value starts to diminish.

Rangers set to open contract talks with player

According to a new report from Football Insider, Rangers are “set to enter contract talks” with Ianis Hagi over an extension at Ibrox in the coming weeks.

The update states that the 26-year-old “was expected to leave in the summer”, but instead a “contract wrangle” got in the way of him sealing a move away from the club. Now, a twist has seen him on the verge of committing his future to the Gers.

The Romanian has chipped in with three goals and five assists in the Scottish Premiership this season, taking his overall tallies to 19 and 26 respectively in 116 appearances for the club. Former Romania winger Ilie Dumitrescu lauded him following January’s Old Firm victory over Celtic, saying:

“Ianis Hagi had a sensational match. He hit a very good shot that managed to surprise a goalkeeper as excellent as Kasper Schmeichel. But he was superb for the whole game.”

Granted, it looked as though Hagi was going to leave last summer, suggesting that he was happy to move on, but he has knuckled down this term and should be considered an important player moving forward.

Rangers now expect "great" player Clement just praised to leave this summer

He’s fallen down the pecking order…

By
Tom Cunningham

Feb 8, 2025

At 26, there is still so much more to come from the 44-cap and five-goal Romania international, so losing him at this stage of his career would be a blow for Rangers. For that reason, the idea of him extending his stay and being a key part of Clement’s plans for the foreseeable future is exciting.

Crystal Palace are plotting a double transfer raid for a “fantastic” forward and his £30 million teammate, according to a recent report.

Crystal Palace transfer news

The Eagles secured an impressive 2-0 win away at Fulham on Saturday afternoon, and that looks to have cemented their place in the Premier League for another season, even if it is not mathematically true yet.

Crystal Palace now eyeing summer move for midfielder with "great technique"

The Eagles have set their sights on a new target.

ByDominic Lund Feb 23, 2025

Palace are now 16 points clear of the relegation zone and while the focus in the dressing room will still be on what they can achieve this season, focus for the hierarchy can begin to turn towards the summer transfer window.

It was reported over the weekend that the South Londoners are keeping a close eye on FC Midtjylland striker Franculino Dju and have sent scouts to watch him in action in recent weeks. Palace are not alone in their pursuit, as they also face competition from Leicester City, but if they suffer relegation, Palace would have an edge in the race.

In other transfer news, it’s been reported that Manchester United have emerged as potential suitors for Adam Wharton, and therefore, the Eagles could have to enter the market for a replacement and are interested in signing Watford’s Edo Kayembe. The Premier League side are said to be keeping a close eye on the midfielder’s performances between now and the end of the season.

Crystal Palace plotting double transfer for "excellent" ace and £30m gem

Dju and Kayembe are not the only players to emerge onto Palace’s radar, as according to The Sun relayed by The Hard Tackle, Crystal Palace are interested in a double move to sign Lewis Koumas and Ben Doak from Liverpool.

The report claims that the Eagles are already pushing to complete a transfer for Doak, as they had bids rejected for the Scottish international during the January transfer window. But while they try to secure a transfer for Doak, they are also considering a move to sign Koumas, who is currently on loan at Championship side Stoke City.

Doak is currently on loan at Middlesbrough and has enjoyed a decent campaign with the play-off hopefuls, as he’s scored three goals and recorded seven assists in 24 league games. The 19-year-old, who has won six caps for Scotland already, can play anywhere across the frontline, and despite his lack of Premier League experience, Palace may see him being the player to be a long-term replacement for Michael Olise.

Palace saw bids worth £15 million rejected for Doak previously, as it’s believed Liverpool were looking for around £30 million.

Doak

Koumas

Apps

10

1

Goals

0

1

Assists

0

0

Meanwhile, Koumas is also a winger by trade, and he has currently scored three goals and recorded two assists in 32 Championship games for the Potters. The young star, who has been dubbed “excellent” by Liverpool coach Marc Bridge-Wilkinson in the past, has also been recognised on the international stage, winning five caps for Wales, despite just one game for Liverpool.

It just remains to be seen whether Liverpool would be willing to let Doak and Koumas leave the club at the same time to the same Premier League team, especially when players like Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota could be coming to the end of their time at Anfield.