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Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Arsenal and their transfer plans for the summer, with a decision seemingly already made on one squad member’s future.

Arsenal draw 0-0 with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League

Mikel Arteta’s side were arguably out of the Premier League title race before their goalless draw with Nottingham Forest, but Arteta was very frustrated by the disappointing result on Wednesday evening, which leaves them even more adrift of Liverpool.

Arsenal set for imminent agent talks over signing £21m Champions League ace

The Gunners have scheduled a meeting.

By
Emilio Galantini

Feb 26, 2025

“Very disappointing not to win it,” said Arteta on Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Forest.

“Today, the standards were very different to the previous game; the energy, the willingness to make things happened. We certainly tried many different ways, we dominated the game apart from one spell in the second half after one or two direct free-kicks where they had something in the box and one or two giveaways that allowed them to run, apart from that nothing. With the amount of situations we generated, with the moments we opened them up, we lacked the final pass, the quality on that delivery and certainly more shots on target to actually win it and be more efficient.

“We tried and adapting the quality that we have, how we can help the team to create different things, to have threats from different qualities, probably they are not about arriving in the box and creating some magic moments, they are other kinds of players. Try to adapt to that and do the best that we can.”

The Gunners are still in with a shot of clinching this year’s Champions League crown, but it will be a tall order considering their lack of an out-and-out striker, so minds are already on how they can best prepare for next campaign.

Arsenal are targeting a new striker this summer, amid claims that Gabriel Jesus could be out injured until 2026, while the lack of a quality alternative to the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli has seriously hamstrung Arsenal going forward.

Arsenal set to let Raheem Sterling return to Chelsea

There have been concerns surrounding summer arrival Raheem Sterling as an option, with the £163,000-per-week Englishman proving ineffective overall following his loan move from Chelsea last year.

According to Romano, speaking to GiveMeSport, Arteta and co have already made a firm decision in regard to Sterling’s future.

It is believed that the Gunners are set to let him return to Chelsea and won’t be negotiating a permanent deal for the 30-year-old, so he won’t be an Arsenal player this time next season.

“Expecting the player to deliver more for the final months of the season,” said Romano. “Then the expectation is for Sterling to return to Chelsea and not staying at Arsenal next season. That’s the clear feeling internally.”

The winger has bagged just one goal and two assists in 21 appearances across all competitions throughout 24/25, so it is clear why Arsenal aren’t inclined to negotiate his stay beyond this season.

Celtic’s dream of winning another domestic treble took another step closer to becoming a reality when they beat Hibernian 2-0 at Parkhead in the SFA Cup on Sunday.

The Hoops are 16 points clear in the Scottish Premiership table, and they beat Rangers to win the League Cup earlier this season, which means that winning the SFA Cup will likely clinch a treble.

Brendan Rodgers’ side secured the win over Hibs thanks to a first-half strike from Daizen Maeda and a stoppage-time finish by substitute Adam Idah, but they were not the only strong performers on the day.

January signing Jeffrey Schlupp, who is on loan from Premier League side Crystal Palace, put in an impressive performance at left-back for the Scottish giants.

Jeffrey Schlupp's strong Celtic impression

The Ghana international caught the eye with a strong showing on the left flank against Hibs, earning a player rating of 8/10 from 67HailHail and an 8/10 rating from GlasgowWorld, who wrote that he was a ‘real threat’ with his attacking play.

Chalkboard

Schlupp started for the third match in succession in all competitions and has continued to catch the eye with his fantastic performances for his temporary club.

The Eagles loanee had just come off the back of a sensational showing against St Mirren in Celtic’s last Premiership match, as he produced a goal and an assist in the 5-2 win, and this latest masterclass may have just sealed Greg Taylor’s fate.

Why Greg Taylor's fate may be sealed

The Scotland international was an unused substitute and played zero minutes in the quarter-final win over Hibernian, with Rodgers opting for Schlupp ahead of him for the entire 90 minutes.

That came off the back of him being an unused substitute in two of the previous three games, making it three of the last four, and he was hauled off at half-time against Hibs in the league in the match he did play.

This suggests that Schlupp is firmly ahead of him in the pecking order, given that the 32-year-old star has been keeping him on the bench, and that spells bad news for his long-term future at Parkhead.

Taylor’s current contract is due to expire at the end of this season and his place in the starting line-up being taken by a new signing does not suggest that he is likely to earn a new one before the summer.

As you can see in the table above, the former Kilmarnock man is among the highest earners at the club – earning even more than exciting forward Nicolas Kuhn, on £12k-per-week.

When you consider that Kuhn has racked up 18 goals and 13 assists this season, the Hoops are not getting much value for their money if Taylor is an unused substitute more often than not.

Celtic may not want to keep a player who is now deemed a back-up option by Rodgers on an extended deal when his wages do not reflect his current status at the club.

After O'Riley: Celtic now have a £25m star who will be their next big sale

Celtic could be in line to make a stunning profit in the years to come…

By
Robbie Walls

Mar 9, 2025

Therefore, Schlupp’s impressive performances and his grasp on the starting jersey suggest that Taylor’s time at Glasgow may well be coming to an end later this year, unless there is a dramatic twist in the final weeks of the campaign.

AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez is poised to say "no" to Al-Hilal's offer as he considers offers from Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid.

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• Theo Hernandez might reject lucrative Saudi offer
• There was an agreement between Milan and Al-Hilal
• Newcastle and Atletico interested in the defender

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to Hernandez could turn down a mega €20 million (£17m/$23m) salary offer as he would prefer to stay in Europe. Al-Hilal and Milan agreed terms for the sale of the defender for a sum of €35 million (£30m/$40m) but the move hinges on the player's willingness to move. Atletico and Newcastle have reached out and the Frenchman will consider his options in the coming days.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  With renewal talks between Milan and Hernandez stalling, the club have opted to put the left-back up for sale to ensure they do not lose him for free when his contract expires in the summer of 2026. Al-Hilal, who are moving aggressively in the market, were alert to his situation and decided to swoop in with an offer. However, he is inclined to turn down the offer, with Nicolo Schira reporting that he is open to returning to his former team Atletico.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Hernandez surpassed club legend Paolo Maldini's record this season as he took his goal tally up to 31, making him their highest-scoring defender in Serie A.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR HERNANDEZ?

  Hernandez and his agent will now evaluate all their options on the table before making a final decision on his next destination. Meanwhile Milan, who appointed Massimiliano Allegri as their new coach, would want the France international's situation to be sorted quickly so as to plan ahead for the 2025-26 season.

The Dutchman joins their ranks to bolster their attack ahead of the competition this June

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• LAFC sign Dilrosun on loan from Club America
• Dutch winger joins during CWC window
• Only MLS move so far ahead of competition
• Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream now

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  LAFC have signed Dutch winger Javairo Dilrosun on loan from Liga MX side Club America, the club announced Wednesday. The Western Conference club completed the deal within the pre-Club World Cup window that ran June 1-10, which was authorized by the USSF for the three MLS teams competing in this summer's competition.

  Dilrosun appears to be the only addition made among the three teams competing, with no announcements from either the Seattle Sounders or Inter Miami otherwise.

  Dilrosun, 26, has one cap with the Dutch national team from back in 2018. He joined America for a reported $5 million in the winter of 2024, but has struggled for regular minutes since signing for the Mexican giants.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The will compete in Group D this summer alongside Chelsea, Flamengo, and Esperance de Tunis. They qualified for this summer's competition by defeating Club America in a one-game playoff on May 31 – a 2-1 victory for the MLS outfit. In that match, Dilrosun was a 91st-minute substitute during extra time. Across 14 appearances in the Apertura this past spring, he recorded two assists, while across all competitions, he scored one goal and notched three assists in 1,094 minutes.

  At LAFC, he joins an attack featuring the likes of Nathan Ordaz, Olivier Giroud, and star forward Denis Bouanga. He also replaces Turkish winger Cengiz Under, who returns from his MLS loan back to Turkish giants Fenerbahçe.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Before joining America, Dilrosun began his professional career in Germany with Hertha Berlin before having stints in Ligue 1 with Bordeaux and in the Eredivisie with Feyenoord prior to signing for Club America. At the youth level, he featured for Ajax and Manchester City.

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• WHAT LAFC SAID

  “Javairô is a player we are familiar with who has shown his talent playing in some of the top leagues in the world,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said in a statement on the club's official site. “We are excited to add a quality player like Javairô as we prepare for the unique challenge of playing in the Club World Cup.”

As Virgil van Dijk continues to move closer and closer to the exit door, Liverpool have reportedly made a fresh approach over signing a defensive reinforcement worth just £40m this summer.

Liverpool eyeing defensive addition

Now in March and into the final months of Van Dijk’s current deal, there’s every chance that the Dutchman will not be a Liverpool player next season, which should be ringing alarm bells for those at Anfield. Not only will they be losing one of the best defenders in Europe, they will be losing him for free to hand any potential suitor one of the bargains of the summer.

The Liverpool captain has been quick to reiterate that his future is not yet sealed, however, recently telling reporters: “I don’t know what’s gonna happen next season.

“If anyone says they do know, they are lying to your face. Contract on hold? Nothing on hold. I keep saying same things. If there is news, you will know it. I don’t even know myself.”

That said, it seems as though the Reds are at least planning for life without the Dutchman if it does indeed come to that this summer. According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Liverpool have now approached Chelsea about signing Levi Colwill this summer in a deal that would cost them just £40m.

Those at Anfield have a long-standing interest in the England international but have been unable to lure the Cobham graduate to Merseyside in the past. Now, in the face of Van Dijk’s potential exit, they have seemingly returned again in the hope of landing his signature.

Alongside Alvarez: Liverpool now join PL race to sign £29m Argentine gem

He’s a future star…

By
Tom Cunningham

Mar 20, 2025

Still just 22 years old and battling for a top-four place at Chelsea, Colwill is yet to reach the peak of his powers despite already playing an impressive amount of top-level football – something that would have undoubtedly attracted Liverpool.

"Fantastic" Colwill previously pocketed Gakpo

Of course, Liverpool should be well aware of every strength and weakness that Colwill possesses, given that they’ve squared off against the central defender three times in the last three years. Coming against the 22-year-old at both Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea, it was at The Amex that Colwill kept Cody Gakpo quiet during the 2022/23 campaign.

As the Seagulls won 3-0, Colwill limited the Liverpool star to 0.08 expected goals and just 25 touches in an impressive display. Now, over two years on, Gakpo could get the chance to breathe a sigh of relief and welcome Colwill as a teammate rather than a rival this summer.

However, whether Chelsea are willing to part ways with their academy graduate is another question. Colwill has often found himself at the centre of praise during his Stamford Bridge rise, including from Mauricio Pochettino.

The former Blues manager told reporters: “At the moment, I need to see him and get to know him better. He is a fantastic talent, of course. We were talking about the things that also the way that we can help improve his game in all areas.

“He is so relaxed, calm and I enjoy talking to him. He has great character and personality. I am so happy to have him in the squad and to have this opportunity to work together.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold explained what it's like to train with his new team-mates, describing the experience to be different than what he's used to.

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• Alexander-Arnold to make debut for Madrid on Wednesday
• Shared his thoughts on training with new team-mates
• Claimed he likes and enjoys the change

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  It's been less than a week since Alexander-Arnold arrived at Madrid's training facility and completed his first training session with his new team-mates. The right-back shed light upon how his first few days have been with the club, praising the quality of the players and describing how the demanding style of training under new head coach Xabi Alonso is different than what he was used to at Liverpool.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Alexander-Arnold was initially supposed to join Los Blancos as a free agent, but the 15-time European champions paid a reported fee of €10 million (£9m/$12m) to Liverpool to complete his transfer in time for the Club World Cup, a tournament Madrid are hell-bent on winning. The 26-year-old has already shown that he has done his homework to minimise his adaptation period, as witnessed by the fluent Spanish he flaunted during his Madrid presentation.

  Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream now

• WHAT TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD SAID

  Speaking to Madrid's official channel during a training session, Alexander-Arnold said: "[The players] have a lot of quality. The ball moves very quickly. Obviously, it's very different from what I'm used to. They're stars, but it's fine, I like the change. I'm enjoying being part of it. I feel very good and I'm happy to be here."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD?

  He is expected to start at right-back and make his debut for Madrid in their Club World Cup opener on Wednesday against Al-Hilal, although it remains to be seen if Alonso uses a back-three or a back-four system.

“I always win something in my second season”. Those were the words, well there or thereabouts, of Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou earlier this term.

With Spurs sat in 14th place in the Premier League and staring down the barrel of another trophyless campaign, the craggy-faced Australian is clearly walking on thin ice.

While it’s been a horrific season on a domestic level, the Lilywhites are at least enjoying a strong run in Europe. The Europa League remains the sole chance Ange has of winning a major honour this term and it could be decisive in whether he keeps his job.

Daniel Levy has overseen the sacking and hiring of many a manager during his time in north London and will pray that Postecoglou can engineer a turnaround. Stability is what they need heading into next season.

It’s not just been a tricky season for the manager and his coaching staff, but a number of Spurs players have not been up to the task, notably in defence.

Pedro Porro has been the most suspect member of the backline.

Pedro Porro's season in numbers

Considering the front-footed nature of Postecoglou’s style of play, Spurs are always going to concede goals. While they thrilled supporters with their attacking football last season and at the beginning of this term, it has ultimately come at the expense of results.

They have had to deal with a number of injuries, notably at full-back, missing Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie at one stage this season.

Truth be told, any side would miss three quarters of their backline but Porro, as the senior statesmen alongside the likes of Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin, did not cover himself in glory.

There have been some notable mistakes this season, and they largely focus on the Spaniard’s positioning, an area of the game that he hasn’t improved upon since an awful debut game against Leicester.

Tim Sherwood was quick to critique him after that game, simply suggesting that “Porro is so bad it’s unbelievable. His positioning is disgusting.”

Since that moment he did improve, noticeably in the final third. In 2023/24, the Spain international scored four times and posted seven assists. He’s contributed seven assists this term too.

However, while he’s capable of magical moments in attacking phases of play, the 25-year-old is consistently caught out at the back.

Take Spurs’ defeat to Ipswich at home earlier in the season. Porro was caught out positionally for both goals in that 2-1 loss.

There was that agonising moment against Arsenal, too, where Leandro Trossard’s smart turn on the left flank left the right-back in the dust.

Then there was his concession of the ball in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. Caught up the field, Porro gave away possession, which allowed Milos Kerkez to break down the left and cross for Marcus Tavernier to find the net.

It was the latest in a long line of mistakes. So, where can Postecoglou turn to?

How Spurs can solve their Porro conundrum

The most natural solution for Tottenham Hotspur here is to unleash Djed Spence, a player tipped to be included in one of Thomas Tuchel’s England squads after a remarkable revival this season.

Spence didn’t feature at all for Spurs last year, loaned out to both Leeds United and Genoa in Italy but he has returned with a vengeance and now looks like a major part of the club’s future, appearing in 24 games, scoring twice and registering two assists.

With Porro reportedly attracting interest from elsewhere ahead of the summer, Spence must be able to look forward to a more regular role in the side.

However, that role should be handed to Archie Gray instead, a “future £100m” talent in the eyes of data analyst Ben Mattinson.

Gray signed from Leeds last summer for around £30m and has endured a bit of a baptism of fire in Spurs colours. A midfielder by trade, the vast majority of his outings under Postecoglou have come at centre-back, largely because of their defensive injury crisis.

He did catch the eye, though, with the manager notably hailing his performances out of position: “He doesn’t shy away from it, he doesn’t hide. He just keeps going. We’ll get enormous growth out of him during this period, but right now he’s contributing to us, he’s helping us.”

Despite impressing in the centre of defence, his future certainly looks as though it’ll be slightly further forward in midfield or even in Porro’s right-back position.

Indeed, it was on the right side of defence that the teenager captured the imagination for Leeds last season, missing just two Championship games and appearing at right-back on 30 occasions.

Not only will he give you a more polished defensive performance than Porro at right-back but he can also contribute effectively in the final third. He only picked up two assists last campaign but at the age of just 19, he has plenty of time to develop that side of his game.

One of those assists came in 4-0 win over Swansea in February 2024, with BBC pundit Jon Newsome waxing lyrical over his display at the time: “I think sometimes it is quite easy to forget he is only 17. You look at him now and he’s like this experienced, quality footballer. He’s a kid! But he’s not a kid, he’s a kid in a man’s body with a man’s mentality. He is way wise beyond his years, absolutely superb young man.”

So, while Porro’s future in the north of London doesn’t look too bright, it certainly looks rosy for Mr Gray who looks set to dazzle Premier League audiences for a while yet, regardless of the position he plays in.

Their best signing since Bale & Son: Spurs hit gold with world-class star

Spurs haven’t exactly set the world alight in the transfer market since signing Gareth Bale and Heung-min Son.

1

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Mar 24, 2025

Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has provided an update on the fitness of Kylian Mbappe ahead of their Club World Cup game against Pachuca.

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• Mbappe is still recovering from injury
• French forward yet to play in tournament
• Madrid looking to progress to knockouts

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The star forward is yet to appear in the Club World Cup after missing Los Blancos' opening game against Al-Hilal through illness. Mbappe was said to be suffering with a case of acute gastroenteritis and had to be hospitalised after contracting the virus. There had been some optimism that he might have been well enough to make the second game of the tournament, but Alonso has admitted it is unlikely Mbappe will make an appearance.

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  WHAT ALONSO SAID

  Speaking ahead of their game against Pachuca, Alonso said: "He's better. It's been two days since he came back from hospital.

  "He's recovering, and day by day we're increasingly optimistic about him for the next match."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Madrid will be desperate for Mbappe to return in time for their final group stage game against RB Salzburg on Friday. Alonso's side did not get off to the best start to the Club World Cup, limping to a disappointing 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal, and could be in trouble should they not beat the Mexican side on Sunday. Mbappe ended the season in scintillating form, continued to shine in the Nations League and looked set to take this tournament by storm, but his hot streak has been halted.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?

  The Frenchman continues to recover from his illness, but could be back in training next week. Should Madrid progress, they will be one of the favourites to lift the trophy and take home the sizeable prize pot for winning the tournament.

Celtic returned to action in the Scottish Premiership last weekend with an emphatic 3-0 win over Hearts to retain their 13-point lead at the top of the table.

The Hoops secured all three points against the Jam Tarts thanks to a brace from Daizen Maeda, either side of a close-range finish from Jota, as they bounced back from their 3-2 defeat to Rangers before the international break.

Brendan Rodgers is closing in on his second Premiership title in as many seasons since his return to Parkhead in the summer of 2023, having already won the League Cup earlier this term.

The Northern Irish head coach has a domestic treble in his sights between now and the end of the campaign, with a healthy lead at the top of the league and a semi-final against St. Johnstone in the SFA Cup booked in.

Rodgers may, however, have one eye on the upcoming summer transfer window and how he can make moves to improve his squad to perform even better next term, with the Champions League in mind.

The former Leicester City and Liverpool head coach already knows that he has a situation to deal with at left-back, after revealing that Greg Taylor is likely to move on from Parkhead.

The latest on Greg Taylor's Celtic future

Speaking after the win over Hearts, Rodgers claimed that it is more likely that the Scotland international will leave when his contract expires this summer, rather than signing a new deal to remain in Glasgow.

He told BBC Sport: “I’ve been in this position so many times and I can read situations. It’s probably more likely now that Greg will move on than stay, which is a big shame for me because I love him as a person – and I love his game because it’s suited to how we work.”

The Celtic head coach added: “It’s not financial, but I respect his position because he wants to feel he’ll play every week. Whoever is in next year with Kieran will still play a lot of games, but my feeling is that Greg may well move on.”

The former Kilmarnock man has been an unused substitute in five of the last six matches in all competitions, and was withdrawn at half-time against Hibernian in the only start during that run.

As you can see in the table above, Taylor has been a regular starter, when available, throughout the majority of his time in the Premiership at Parkhead, since his move to Glasgow in the summer of 2019.

But his lack of minutes in recent weeks, as aforementioned, may be a driving factor in his likeliness to leave on a free transfer this summer, at the same time that Kieran Tierney is due to return to Celtic.

Why Kieran Tierney is a gamble for Celtic

It has already been confirmed that the Scotland international will be a part of the squad next season after his contract with Arsenal expires at the end of the current campaign.

As you can see in the table above, the former Celtic star enjoyed a terrific first spell at Parkhead after coming up through the academy system, as he won five titles and made 170 first-team appearances.

His terrific form for the Scottish giants over the years earned him a £25m move to Arsenal in the summer of 2019, which remains one of the biggest sales in the club’s history.

Despite all of this, signing Tierney this summer is set to be a gamble by the Hoops because of his worrying injury record that could cause Rodgers problems moving forward.

The 2022/23 campaign is the only season that the left-back has not missed 17 or more matches through injury since the summer of 2018, whilst he has been absent for 39 games through injury since the start of last term.

Celtic are, therefore, gambling on his fitness as he will not be too much use on the pitch if consistent injury problems keep him away from it, which is why it is important for the club to have another capable left-back in line to play.

So, rather than viewing Tierney as the replacement for Taylor, is it Ghana international Jeffrey Schlupp who should be signed permanently as a replacement for the Scottish full-back.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Why Celtic should sign Jeffrey Schlupp permanently

The experienced defender joined the Hoops on loan from Crystal Palace in the January transfer window and has hit the ground running at Parkhead in the second half of this season.

Schlupp, who Rodgers claimed has “incredible pace and power”, is out of contract at Selhurst Park at the end of June, which suggests that Celtic have the chance to snap him up on a free transfer this summer.

That could make him the dream replacement for Taylor, who is also due to depart for nothing, as the Hoops would not have to spend a penny on transfer fees, whilst they would also be bringing in a player who has already proven that he can perform in the current team.

Schlupp has also not missed a single game through injury since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, which suggests that he would also come in as a reliable figure who could cover when Tierney is unavailable.

As you can see in the table above, the Palace loanee has provided defensive strength in his short time at Parkhead to date, winning the majority of his duels on the deck and in the air.

His performance against Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League play-off, winning eight of his ten duels and making a staggering 11 tackles and interceptions combined, also showed that he has the quality to step up in big games against huge European teams.

This suggests that Schlupp could be a great signing for Celtic with their European hopes in mind, because the 32-year-old ace has proven that he can perform on the biggest stage.

Therefore, signing the loanee on a permanent deal could result in the Hoops having their dream replacement for Taylor, as he is not as injury-prone as Tierney and the defender has already proven his quality on the pitch for Rodgers in recent months.

It is now down to the manager and the recruitment staff to complete a free transfer for the full-back, should he not sign a new deal at Palace, to bolster the squad in the summer transfer window.

Celtic ace left for £600k, now he's similar to a future Ballon d'Or winner

The player Celtic lost for just £600k is now similar to a star who has been tipped to win the Ballon d’Or.

By
Dan Emery

Apr 1, 2025

In 19 appearances with the Rossoneri, the Mexican forward has scored six goals and picked up three assists.

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• Milan is exploring forward alternatives
• Club has appointed a new sporting director
• Giménez has yet to score in the Gold Cup

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  As the summer transfer window heats up, AC Milan are actively working to strengthen their frontline, aiming to add healthy competition for Mexican striker Santiago Giménez. New sporting director Igli Tare voiced his support for Giménez but stressed the need for a more traditional, penalty-box specialist.

  “We have full confidence in him,” said Tare. “Giménez is a very good player, but his impact has been normal considering he came from a very different league, like the Dutch one. We’re looking for another striker with the traits of a true No. 9.”

  Tare added that Milan need a forward capable of making the difference inside the box – something the club has lacked since Olivier Giroud’s exit.

  “We need to bring in a classic center-forward, someone who brings presence and goals inside the area. That’s what we’ve been missing since Giroud left.”

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Giménez has made 19 appearances for Milan so far, contributing six goals and three assists. The Mexican has struggled to adapt to the Rossoneri side, going through long stretches without scoring, but the effort he puts in when he's on the pitch is undeniable. His second season with the club will likely be better if he gets consistent minutes. With Milan in the market for a target-man striker, Tare's priority is clear: precision inside the box.

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  WHAT IGLI TARE SAID

  “We're evaluating options both in Italy and abroad – it's a matter of finding the right profile, and for our playing style, that’s fundamental,” said Tare. “It has to be a player with completely different traits than Giménez, who is not a classic center-forward like Giroud.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  To strengthen Milan's squad, names like Juventus' Dušan Vlahović have been considered. The Serbian striker is familiar to Massimiliano Allegri, Milan’s new head coach, from their time together at .