Celtic are into the final stretch of the 2024/25 campaign after coming out on the other side of the last international break of the season with a 3-0 win over Hearts.

The Scottish Premiership leaders secured all three points against the Jam Tarts thanks to two goals from Daizen Maeda and one strike from Jota last weekend.

Celtic are 13 points clear at the top of the Premiership table and are looking to wrap up the league in the next few weeks, as they close in on their fourth successive title.

The Hoops also have the semi-finals of the SFA Cup, where they will face St. Johnstone later this month, to look forward to as they attempt to win a domestic treble this season.

Brendan Rodgers may, however, have one eye on the upcoming summer transfer window and how he can improve his Celtic squad to perform even better in the 2025/26 campaign.

The likes of Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo, Kasper Schmeichel, Adam Idah, and Auston Trusty all came through the door last year, and they have helped the Hoops to continue their domestic dominance.

Brendan Rodgers' demand for the summer transfer window

According to Football Insider, the Northern Irish manager wants ‘huge’ backing from the board in the summer to ensure that the team can progress in Europe next season.

The report claims that the manager’s future is uncertain at Parkhead, with his contract due to expire in the summer of 2026, and that the club’s performance in Europe is the key to keeping him in Glasgow.

It states that Rodgers wants the board to improve the team to make them more competitive in the Champions League, after they were knocked out in the play-off stage by Bayern Munich this term.

Football Insider, however, does not mention any active transfer targets for the Scottish giants, beyond pointing out that Scotland international Kieran Tierney will arrive at Parkhead on a free transfer from Premier League side Arsenal when his contract at The Emirates expires this summer.

There is a fresh report, though, that reveals one of Celtic’s targets for the upcoming summer transfer window, and it is a player the Bhoys have been linked to in the past.

The latest on Celtic's interest in £5m forward

According to The Scottish Sun, Celtic are still interested in a deal to sign Belgian winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha from Pro League outfit Royal Antwerp.

The report claims that the Premiership leaders sent scouts to watch the forward in action against Union Saint-Gilloise, as Antwerp were hammered 5-1 last weekend.

It states that the 23-year-old whiz has been a long-time target for Rodgers, who is now plotting a fresh swoop for his services, as the manager wanted him in the recent January transfer window and last summer.

The Scottish Sun adds that the right-footed speedster is valued at £5m by Royal Antwerp, but it remains to be seen how much Celtic are prepared to spend on the winger.

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This latest report also reveals that the Belgian side are prepared to cash in on him in the upcoming summer window because the forward will only have 12 months left on his contract, and it could be their last chance to sell the gem before they lose him for nothing in 2026.

Celtic must now push to get a deal over the line for the Pro League attacker ahead of next season, as the winger could be the club’s next version of Mohamed Elyounoussi.

Why Celtic should sign Michel-Ange Balikwisha

The Scottish giants have had many impressive left-sided wingers over the years, including the Norway international they had on loan from Southampton in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 campaigns.

Elyounoussi scored 25 goals and provided 14 assists in 67 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops, predominantly playing as a left winger but also being deployed as a second striker and as a right winger at times.

The Norwegian dynamo provided a regular threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals from the left flank, and Balikwisha could follow in his footsteps.

In fact, the Belgian star was the second-most similar player, as per FBref, to Elyounoussi in the 2023/24 edition of the Champions League, with the chart below highlighting their statistical similarities – mainly out of possession and as ball carriers.

This suggests that Balikwisha could arrive at Celtic and remind supporters of their former loanee with his similar style of play, whilst his form for Royal Antwerp last season suggests that he can also deliver in the final third.

The Pro League ace, who was once described as one of a number of “incredible” young talents by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has missed a large part of this season through injury, starting two games and creating three ‘big chances’, but he featured in 33 of the club’s 38 league matches in the 2023/24 campaign.

23/24 Pro League

Balikwisha

Starts

27

xG

6.46

Goals

7

Big chances created

6

Key passes per game

1.5

Assists

5

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.1

Duel success rate

54%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Balikwisha offered quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals for Antwerp last term, averaging three chances created every two games and outperforming his xG.

These statistics also show that he can hold his own in physical battles, winning the majority of his duels, and this suggests that the forward would be able to deal with the physicality and intensity of the Scottish top-flight.

Like Elyounoussi, Balikwisha likes to come infield onto his right foot from a left wing position to cause problems for opposition defenders at the top end of the pitch, as shown in the clip below.

Rodgers could, therefore, land Celtic’s new version of the Norway international by pushing the board to seal a £5m deal for the attacker when the summer transfer window opens for business, whilst adding another excellent wide option to his arsenal – alongside the likes of Hyun-jun Yang, Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn, and Jota.

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At the age of 23, Balikwisha also has plenty of time left on his hands to develop and improve, which means that he could be an excellent long-term addition for the Scottish giants.

Overall, the Antwerp star could be a fine addition to the Celtic squad because of the quality he could provide in the final third, as well as the potential he has to progress and grow in value in the future.

They might still be in with a chance of winning the Europa League, but this season has been a disaster for Tottenham Hotspur.

The North Londoners would have started their campaign hopeful of improving on their fifth-place finish last year and qualifying for the Champions League.

However, with less than two months of the season remaining, Ange Postecoglou’s side find themselves down in 14th place in the Premier League and with more losses than wins.

With that said, there has been one big positive from the campaign, which is how well their youngsters have fared, and based on recent reports, Daniel Levy and Co now seem intent on adding another up-and-coming talent to their squad in the £50m Dean Huijsen. However, they may already have their own version of the Spaniard out on loan.

Why Spurs want to sign Huijsen

With what has to be an enormous summer of transfer activity ahead of them, why would Spurs want to spend a significant amount of money on Huijsen?

Well, there are a few reasons, and the first is their fragilities at the back, as with Micky van de Ven incredibly injury-prone and Cristian Romero increasingly so, the club need another centre-back who’d not only be capable of filling in when needed but also challenge both for a place in the starting lineup, which he could do.

For example, despite still being just 19 years old, the Spaniard has made 29 appearances for Bournemouth this season, 24 of which have been starts, and considering the Cherries have conceded five fewer goals than the North Londoners in the league this year, that’s an encouraging sign.

Moreover, he won his first senior cap for Spain last month and looks to be on a trajectory to the very top of the game.

Finally, he also has some genuinely impressive underlying numbers to his name, with FBref placing him in the top 1% of centre-backs across Europe’s top five leagues for interceptions, the top 2% for non-penalty expected goals plus assists, the top 4% for clearances, the top 5% for shot-creating actions and more, all per 90.

Interceptions

2.10

Top 1%

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.17

Top 2%

Clearances

6.78

Top 4%

Shot-Creating Actions

1.64

Top 5%

Progressive Carries

1.45

Top 8%

Non-Penalty Goals

0.09

Top 10%

Touches in the Attacking Box

1.36

Top 12%

In short, Huijsen would be a great signing for the present and future, but it might be unnecessary, as one of Tottenham’s loanees looks like he could be their version of the teenager.

Spurs' own Huijsen

While Spurs have several exciting youngsters out on loan this season, from Ashley Phillips to Yang Min-hyeok, it’ll likely come as no surprise to those of you who follow him that the player we are talking about is Luka Vušković.The Croatian wonderkid joined Tottenham back in September 2023, but as he was just 16, post-Brexit rules mean he can’t officially move to North London until this summer.

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While not ideal, this allowed the youngster to go out on loan, and he’s spent this season in Belgium with KVC Waterloo, where he has been sensational.

So what makes him like Huijsen, then?

Well, the first and most obvious point of similarity is that both players are enormous for their age, with the Spaniard coming in at 6 foot 6 and the Croat just over 6 foot 4.

On top of that, a similar level of expectation is placed upon the Lilywhites gem.

For example, respected talent scout Jacek Kulig has described him as a “truly amazing CB” and proclaimed that he’s “destined for great things.”

At the same time, football analyst Ben Mattinson has described the teenager as a “freak athlete” and a “freak talent” who has a “scary ceiling.”

Finally, while the Bournemouth man has shown himself to be someone who can chip in with a goal or two, the Split-born prospect is on another level.

Appearances

29

Clean Sheets

5

Goals

7

Assists

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.31

For example, in just 29 first-team appearances this term, he’s scored seven goals and provided two assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 0.31 games, which is just incredible for a centre-back.

Ultimately, signing Huijsen wouldn’t be a bad idea, but Tottenham shouldn’t feel like they need to, as in Vušković, they already have their own version of the Spaniard.

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Nottingham Forest are said to have entered the race to complete the signing of an “absolute hero” this summer, following a new transfer rumour.

Nottingham Forest prepare for another huge game

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have wobbled of late in their quest to finish in the Premier League top five this season, securing a place in the 2025/26 Champions League in the process. Forest have lost their last two league outings on the bounce, being beaten 2-1 away to Aston Villa before losing 1-0 at home to Everton last time around, with Abdoulaye Doucoure scoring a last-gasp winner for the hosts.

Next up for the Reds is a trip to Tottenham on Monday evening, which has the potential to be another tough game, even though Spurs have flattered to deceive this season. They have still reached the Europa League semi-finals, which shows what they are capable of.

Granted, Forest are still in a wonderful position, sitting fourth in the league table, but they are only two points ahead of fifth-place Manchester City, and perhaps most importantly, just three clear of Chelsea in sixth. Champions League qualification will make for an exciting summer at the City Ground, and now a new transfer rumour has emerged.

Nottingham Forest join the race for Juventus defender Gatti

According to Gazzetta dello Sport [via Sport Witness], Nottingham Forest have joined the race to sign Juventus centre-back Federico Gatti in the summer window. Newcastle United are mentioned as rivals for the 26-year-old’s signature, with the Italian valued at £25.7m. A new deal until 2030 looks set to be agreed in Turin, but the Old Lady may simply use that to cash in on the towering defender.

While Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo have excelled at the heart of Forest’s defence this season, signing Gatti would still feel like a statement signing, also adding strong competition, ahead of the chance to compete on four fronts next season.

Gatti vs. Milenkovic vs. Murillo in the league this season

Gatti

Milenkovic

Murillo

Appearances

28

31

31

Starts

26

31

31

Minutes played

2188

2790

2750

Clearances per game

2.6

5.1

6.5

Aerial duel wins per game

1.3

2.9

1.1

Tackles per game

1.0

1.4

1.4

Goals

1

4

1

Assists

0

2

0

The Juve ace is now a six-cap Italy international who has already made 103 appearances for one of Europe’s biggest clubs, while football talent scout Jacek Kulig has hailed him in the past, calling him an “absolute hero”.

Admittedly, there is a fair chance that Gatti will remain at Juve and sign a contract extension, but if Forest are willing to bid enough for his services, it will be interesting to see if the Turin giants’ head is turned.

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At 26, he is at an ideal age to come in and enjoy his peak years at the City Ground, and he could make Forest an even more formidable defensive proposition.

Rangers will look to hire a title-winning manager whose record is “second to none”, according to a fresh claim from Derek Ferguson.

Rangers hurtling towards momentous manager decision

It is going to be another season without a Scottish Premiership title for the Gers, with Celtic’s dominance over them something that needs to be addressed this summer. Rangers have a massive decision to make when it comes to their next permanent boss, with Barry Ferguson doing a solid job in interim charge to date, keeping his side in the Europa League, as they prepare to take on Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-finals next week.

There is a strong argument to say that a more proven manager needs to arrive at Ibrox before the start of next season, however, in order to give the Gers the best possible chance of getting their hands on the league title again, slowly returning to being the dominant force of Scottish football.

Plenty of names have been mentioned since the sacking of Philippe Clement, from Steven Gerrard to Kevin Muscat, but it’s another high-profile link dominating plenty of talk around Ibrox.

Benitez backed to be next Rangers manager

Speaking to Ibrox News, Ferguson talked up the idea of Rangers hiring Rafa Benitez as their next manager, saying he would help narrow the gap on Celtic.

“You look at his CV and it shows you he’s won plenty. Barry brings passion and everything Rangers supporters want, but at the end of the day, when you look at a CV, Benitez’s is second to none. You can’t ignore that. I’m like a lot of the supporters in being excited by results under Barry, but when there’s guys of the calibre of Benitez putting their name forward, I’m all for that. I just want Rangers to be back competing with Celtic. Guys of Benitez’s quality will only help with that.”

Benitez has to be considered one of the strongest options out there to be Rangers’ next permanent boss, considering what a glittering managerial career he has enjoyed – he is also reportedly keen on taking the job.

The Spaniard won two La Liga titles with Valencia during his time in charge, getting the better of both Real Madrid and Barcelona, and he also famously won the Champions League with Liverpool back in 2005.

Real Madrid Castilla

1993-1995

Real Valladolid

1995-1996

Osasuna

1996

Extremadura

1997-1999

Tenerife

2000-2001

Valencia

2001-2004

Liverpool

2004-2010

Inter Milan

2010

Chelsea

2012-2013

Napoli

2013-2015

Real Madrid

2015-2016

Newcastle United

2016-2019

Dalian Professional

2019-2021

Everton

2021-2022

Celta Vigo

2023-2024

Even when Benitez has found himself under pressure at clubs, he has enjoyed success, and he won the Europa League with Chelsea at a time when he was largely unpopular with the fanbase, due to his Reds past.

If Rangers could entice the 64-year-old to Ibrox this summer, it would be a major statement of intent, given the fact that he was once seen as one of Europe’s two most exciting upcoming managers, alongside Jose Mourinho in the early 2000s.

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The £6m-a-year Benitez is a born winner with great tactical nous, and with all due respect to the popular Ferguson, he would be an undoubted upgrade overall.

Arsenal have privately refused to rule out signing a former Man City forward for manager Mikel Arteta this summer, with new sporting director Andrea Berta and the Gunners hierarchy set for a key transfer decision.

Arsenal cruise into Champions League semi-finals after Real Madrid win

It’s been a sensational week for Arteta and co, who made history by becoming the first ever side in history to win at the Bernabeu on their first two visits – breaking a record which stood for 77 years.

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Goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli sealed a stunning 5-1 aggregate win for Arsenal in the Spanish capital, making a serious statement to the rest of Europe that they’re genuine contenders to win this year’s Champions League title.

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

Crystal Palace (home)

April 23rd

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

Newcastle United (home)

May 18th

A tough test in Ligue 1 champions PSG awaits in the semi-finals, but their tails will surely be up after a potentially season-defining quarter-final tie.

“The feeling that we have is our reality, basically,” said Arteta on the mood around Arsenal after their triumph over Real Madrid.

“And in the feeling that I had before the game, when the players were transmitting and how prepared I could feel the team, that we are ready to compete against anybody. Now we have to continue to do that because I think we have some momentum now.

“Where we finished last year and the way we’re doing it this year, the teams with their eyes on us and the competition, it’s incredible. Big credit to [Madrid}, it was my first time as a coach in that dugout, and today I realised after three minutes in this stadium, anything is possible. They are specialists of creating such chaos and belief, and it’s very difficult to really understand what’s going on in the game and have certainty about how we controlled it. I think they showed a lot of maturity.”

Arsenal refuse to rule out signing Raheem Sterling permanently

Privately, Arsenal are making plans to build the squad further and provide Arteta with new wide attackers.

In the last week, Arsenal have repeatedly been linked with a move for Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman, not to mention Athletic Bilbao sensation Nico Williams, but there is also the matter of Raheem Sterling and his future at the Emirates.

It hasn’t exactly been a dream loan move from Chelsea for the Englishman, who’s seen precious little game time under his former City assistant coach, with Arsenal paying around £163,000-per-week of his £325,000-per-week salary during his temporary stint.

Berta would need to renegotiate contract terms and a fee with Chelsea to make his move permanent, but according to The Mail, as quoted by TEAMtalk, Arsenal have refused to rule out signing Sterling permanently and are yet to inform him of a final decision.

It would be a bizarre call by the north Londoners at this point, considering the 30-year-old boasts just one goal and five assists all season, but it is believed his stay may not be completely off the table, contrary to reports.

Manchester United are preparing to beat Arsenal to the signing of a “lightning” quick striker who has 19 direct goal contributions this season, according to a new report.

Hojlund now a "damaged player" amid new striker links

United’s already dismal season sank even lower with a 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on Sunday. The loss, sealed by a superb Pablo Sarabia free-kick in the 77th minute, leaves United level on points with Wolves – a team that, until February, had been battling relegation, with Wolves’ resurgence only underscoring United’s ongoing stagnation.

It was a disappointing display from Ruben Amorim’s side overall, but one player who particularly struggled was Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish striker failed to score once again, leaving him with just three goals in 28 Premier League appearances. Against Wolves, he managed only 13 touches, completed a single dribble, and lost eight duels.

Speaking after the game, Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer with 260 goals, described Hojlund as a “damaged player”.

Manchester United ready to move for Vlahovic

There’s no doubting that United need to upgrade on Hojlund this summer, and according to a new report from TuttoJuve, they already have a target in mind. The Italian outlet claims United are “ready to move” for Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović, who has registered 14 goals and five assists across all competitions this season.

United are reportedly considering a €45 million (£38 million) bid for the Serbian international, a long-standing target for Arsenal. However, Vlahović is said to be seeking an annual salary of €10 million (£8.6 million) to join Old Trafford—a wage that would place him among the club’s top earners.

Vlahović joined Juventus from Fiorentina in 2022 and has since scored 55 goals in 139 appearances for the Old Lady. His strike rate mirrors the form he showed at Fiorentina, where he netted 49 times in 108 games.

Speaking about Vlahović back in 2021, former Fiorentina player and pundit Micah Richards was full of praise.

“I have watched him a couple of times now,” Richards told BBC Radio Five Live, per The Independent. “He is lightning. It’s ridiculous. He has got 16 in 18 this season. His left foot is like a wand. I am telling you now, he is everything, he is everything you need.”

Newcastle United are planning talks with a “scary” attacking player ahead of a potential move to St James’ Park this summer, according to a new update.

Newcastle plan transfers in line with Champions League push

The Magpies picked up three more important points in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, easing to a relatively straightforward 3-0 win at home to Ipswich Town despite a slow start to the match.

While Newcastle’s season hasn’t always been perfect, winning the EFL Cup was a huge moment in the club’s long history, and qualifying for the Champions League would be another significant achievement for Eddie Howe and his players.

The Magpies sit third in the Premier League table with four matches remaining, and while Nottingham Forest will overtake them if they win their game in hand this week, they are still in a wonderful position to finish in the top five.

Newcastle’s remaining matches are taxing, however, with a crucial home clash with Chelsea on the horizon, as well as trips to both Brighton and Arsenal, so there is still plenty of work to do in the coming weeks. Being in the Champions League will help them attract top names to the club, and one such player has been mentioned as a summer target.

Newcastle planning talks to sign "scary" attacker

According to Caught Offside, Newcastle and Paul Mitchell plan to hold talks with Ademola Lookman over a move to the club, as they look to entice the Nigerian away from Serie A side Atalanta.

The 27-year-old has plenty of potential suitors, however, with new Premier League champions Liverpool mentioned as an option, and Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all in the mix, too. While Juventus also get a mention, they are unlikely to be able to afford the £55m being demanded for his signature.

Lookman could be a brilliant signing for Newcastle ahead of next season, hopefully coming in as competition for Alexander Isak, rather than a replacement for him, The former Everton man has scored 50 times for Atalanta, including 18 goals this season, and the best moment of his career to date was a memorable hat-trick in last season’s Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen.

Lookman has been described as “scary in tight spaces” by Tuttosport, while Gian Piero Gasperini has hailed him as “truly extraordinary” and “among the best” there is in the world currently. Indeed, he has been somewhat of a late bloomer, going from failed Everton flop to emerging as a truly top player in Europe now at the age of 27.

Attacking reinforcements are a must for Newcastle in the summer, with more firepower required after arguably too much pressure on Isak’s shoulders this season, and the Atalanta ace could be a perfect addition, given he would also provide depth on both wings.

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Glasgow Rangers return to action on the European stage this evening as they prepare to welcome Spanish side Athletic Bilbao to Ibrox in the Europa League.

The Light Blues are looking to take an advantage over to Spain for the second leg next Thursday, as they aim to book a place in the semi-finals of the competition.

Barry Ferguson is hoping to be the first manager since Giovanni van Bronckhorst, in the 2021/22 campaign, to lead the Gers to a European final this season.

The Scottish boss has already won a knockout tie in Europe during his short tenure as the interim head coach, beating Fenerbache on penalties.

Multiple Rangers players got big moves off the back of the Europa League run under van Bronckhorst, which ended in a defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties in the final, and one of those stars was versatile defender Calvin Bassey.

Why Calvin Bassey was important for Rangers in Europe

The Nigeria international, who currently plays for Fulham in the Premier League, made 65 appearances in two seasons with the Scottish giants, but his best form came in the 2021/22 campaign under the Dutch head coach.

50 of his appearances came in that second season and he started 24 matches as a centre-back and 23 games as a left-back, showcasing his impressive versatility across the backline.

The left-footed star’s versatility allowed for plenty of tactical flexibility for van Bronckhorst, as he could step forward from centre-back to start attacks – due to being used to playing as a left-back – and he could sit deep and tuck in from left-back to provide extra cover for the two centre-backs when needed – due to being used to playing as a central defender.

His out-and-out defending as a left-back made him an important cog in the Europa League run, because of the defensive insurance he could provide on the left flank in comparison to a natural left-back who is not used to playing at centre-back.

21/22 Europa League	Calvin Bassey
Appearances (starts)	14 (12)
Big chances created	2
Assists	0
Tackles + interceptions per game	3.0
Clearances per game	1.6
Dribbled past per game	0.2x
Duel success rate	60%
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Bassey did not offer a great deal of threat as an attacking force from left-back, but was a rock defensively, winning the majority of his duels and rarely being dribbled past by opposition forwards.

These statistics show why having a centre-back who can play at left-back was so important for van Bronckhorst in Europe, because it added another layer of defensive strength to the backline.

It also allowed James Tavernier to push even further up – recording seven goals and two assists in Europe that term – to make an impact in the final third, because it meant that Rangers then had Connor Goldson, Leon Balogun or John Lundstram, and Bassey essentially forming a back three out of possession to defend against transitions.

Bassey also played as a traditional centre-back during that run, with Borna Barisic to his left, which showed that van Bronckhorst trusted him in both positions.

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His performances for Rangers that season led to interest from elsewhere and a £19.6m transfer to Dutch giants Ajax in the summer transfer window, which was a significant profit on the £230k that they had paid Leicester City for his services.

Ferguson could, now, unearth his own version of Bassey during the current Europa League run by boldly unleashing Clinton Nsiala for his European debut against Athletic Bilbao this evening.

Why Rangers should unleash Clinton Nsiala

The Spanish side offer a huge threat on the flanks with the Williams brothers, Inaki and Nico, and that was evident in their 3-1 win over Roma in the second leg of their last 16 tie, as Nico scored twice.

Inaki Williams typically plays on the right flank, up against a left-back, and has produced five goals, five ‘big chances’ created, and one assist in nine starts in the Europa League this term.

Nico Williams, meanwhile, usually lines up on the left and has scored four goals, created two ‘big chances’, and recorded two assists in his nine starts.

This suggests that the 30-year-old, elder, brother could be the biggest threat for Rangers to deal with, rather than the 22-year-old European Championship-winning Spain international.

Therefore, Ferguson must boldly unleash Nsiala in a hybrid left-back role that would see him form a back three with John Souttar and Dujon Sterling in possession, allowing Tavernier to push on from right-back.

The French defender, who was described as “tall and powerful” by scout Ruairi Criscuolo, is a centre-back by trade but has played at left-back earlier in his career, which suggests that he could follow in Bassey’s footsteps by offering versatility in both positions for the Light Blues.

His natural centre-back qualities could help him to deal with the threat of Inaki Williams, who has been on fire in the Europa League, as a left-back.

Nsiala has yet to make an appearance in Europe but was on the bench for the games against Fenerbahce last month, and has had some experience in the Premiership in recent months – playing as a centre-back.

24/25 Premiership	Clinton Nsiala
Appearances	9
Starts	8
Pass accuracy	90%
Tackles + interceptions per game	1.0
Dribbled past per game	0.4x
Ground duel success rate	52%
Aerial duel success rate	50%
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the 21-year-old defender has held his own in physical duels and made more defensive interventions than times dribbled past in the top-flight.

He has also provided a reliable presence in possession of the ball, completing 90% of his attempted passes, which suggests that Ferguson can rely on him to be solid on the ball at left-back.

The Rangers boss must, now, boldly bring Nsiala into the team, in place of natural left-back Jefte, to make a tactical tweak to the system in order to defend against the Williams brothers in transition with three centre-backs, without sacrificing any of the midfielders or attackers.

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Nsiala could, then, become the next version of Bassey at Ibrox if he can prove his quality at both left-back and centre-back for the Gers on the European stage.

Arne Slot has done a sensational job in charge at Liverpool during his first campaign at the helm, producing a seamless transition after taking over from Jürgen Klopp last summer.

Their latest win over Tottenham Hotspur secured their second Premier League title with four games to spare, highlighting the impressive work conducted by the Dutchman.

The success endured has been made even more impressive given the fact that only one addition was made last summer in the form of Federico Chiesa, who’s only featured for 33 league minutes in 2024/25.

However, if they are to build on their achievements in Slot’s second season, additions are needed to bolster the squad and inject further quality in key areas of the pitch.

With the title secured, undoubtedly attention will now shift onto the transfer window, with numerous names already thrown into the mix over a switch to Anfield.

An update on Liverpool’s hunt for new attackers

In recent days, it’s emerged that Liverpool are one of a number of Premier League clubs in the race for Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman during the summer window.

The Nigerian, who has scored 18 goals this campaign, also has admirers from Chelsea and Manchester United, with the Serie A side demanding a £50m fee for his signature.

However, despite the interest in his services, the Reds have also made a move for Monaco’s 20-year-old forward Eliesse Ben Seghir, making an approach for him, according to French outlet L’Equipe.

The report also states that Slot’s side have been keeping a close eye on his progress in Ligue 1, with Manchester City also in the race to land the Moroccan international.

It also goes on to state that he’s frustrated at his current outfit, potentially being open to a move to England should the side give the attacker first-team assurances.

Why Liverpool’s target would be an upgrade on Luis Diaz

After joining in January 2022, many expectations were placed on winger Luis Diaz to succeed, especially after Sadio Mané departed Merseyside just a few months after his arrival.

Whilst he’s managed to net 40 goals in his 145 appearances to date, frustrations have been growing around the Colombian in recent months, leading to rumours around his future at the club.

Barcelona have recently been credited with an interest in signing the 28-year-old, whose current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2027 – but could yet extend his stay on Merseyside.

Such a situation could lead to a move for Ben Seghir in the months ahead, offering Slot an upgrade on the former Porto ace, adding a new dimension to his already impressive front line.

The Moroccan, who’s been labelled a future “£100m” star by The Athletic’s Euro Expert, may have registered fewer goals and assists, but has managed more progressive carries and carries into the final third per 90 – highlighting the threat he poses in attacking areas.

Games played

30

33

Goals & assists

9

17

Progressive passes

6.5

4.1

Progressive carries

4.5

4.1

Carries into final third

4.5

2.1

Take-ons attempted

4.9

4.4

Fouls won

2.9

1.2

Aerials won

37%

26%

Ben Seghir has also managed to achieve a higher tally of take-ons, whilst also winning more of the aerial duels he’s entered, offering Slot an excellent all-round option within the final third.

His talents don’t stop there, winning more fouls per 90, along with more progressive passes completed, demonstrating his relentless athleticism, which has seen countless defenders struggle to contain him.

At just 20, he has the current ability and potential to transform into an elite-level talent, having all the tools to back up the Euro Expert’s predictions around his future at the top level of the professional game.

Whilst it’s unclear what the situation is with Diaz heading into the summer, a move for the Monaco gem would allow the club to cash in should no contract be agreed – also landing a star who could improve tenfold and secure his place in the side for many years to come.

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After tying both Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah down to new deals, Liverpool are now reportedly set to offer another star man a fresh contract in the hope that he stays put.

Liverpool still trying to convince Alexander-Arnold

Although the Reds have plenty to celebrate with Van Dijk and Salah staying put before they sealed their status as Premier League champions last weekend, there still remains questions to be answered in the coming weeks. And the first on everyone’s mind will undoubtedly surround Trent Alexander-Arnold and his future at the club.

Yet to follow in his teammates’ footsteps by putting pen to paper, it seems likely at this stage that the academy graduate will be off to Real Madrid as a free agent when the summer arrives. Liverpool, however, are reportedly yet to give up hope and after Alexander-Arnold received a reminder of what Anfield glory truly feels like, perhaps they are right to hold onto that belief.

Alexander-Arnold, himself, chose to remain reserved when questioned about his future following his winning goal against Leicester City, meanwhile. He told reporters: “I have said all season that I am not going to speak on my situation. I am not going to go into the details.

“But days like today are always special. Scoring goals, playing games, winning games, winning titles — they are special moments for me and I am glad to do my part.”

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With that said, the right-back isn’t the only Anfield star who has found himself at the centre of contract headlines, with one of Liverpool’s most important players now reportedly set to be offered a fresh deal in Merseyside.

Liverpool set to offer Ryan Gravenberch fresh contract

According to The Boot Room, Liverpool have now made contact with Ryan Gravenberch’s camp over a fresh deal at the club, as they look to tie down yet another one of Arne Slot’s key men.

The Dutchman, who is currently on £150,000-a-week has been a revelation under Slot, converting from a struggling midfielder to Liverpool’s unlikely solution in the No.6 role – replacing Fabinho at long last.

The Liverpool boss has rarely hidden his admiration for the former Bayern Munich star either, telling reporters earlier in the campaign after his side drew against Fulham: “Impressed, like everyone who was in the stadium or saw the game. Ryan did outstanding again today.

“Without the ball, he was mostly in our last line, had to play sometimes against a nine, against wingers who are really fast. And with the ball, he came into the midfield. An outstanding performance from him.”

With three years left on his current deal, it looks as though Liverpool are keen to ensure that Gravenberch is at the heart of their midfield for years to come and even beyond those three years.