Leeds United are on the trail of Rangers winger Ryan Kent for a potential summer move, according to a recent report from TuttoMercatoWeb.

What's the latest on Ryan Kent's future?

Rangers manager Michael Beale has recently clarified that he has not offered Kent a new contract to remain at Ibrox beyond the end of the season, with his current deal set to expire this summer, and he has now been linked with a move elsewhere.

There are multiple clubs eyeing moves for the winger, with it being reported that Fenerbahce have now joined the race for his signature, while Burnley are also said to have made their move to sign him on a free transfer in the upcoming window.

Leeds have previously made contact with the 26-year-old's representatives to discuss a move, and they are still keen, although there is growing interest in his signature, as per a report from TuttoMercatoWeb (via Sport Witness).

The Whites are on the trail of the Rangers star, but they will have to do battle with a number of clubs from across Europe, with Udinese and Bologna also interested, while Fenerbahce have now submitted an offer to his representatives.

The report confirms the Englishman is set to leave the Scottish club at the end of the season, potentially opening the door for a move to Elland Road, although it is not specified which club is currently leading the race.

Should Leeds sign Ryan Kent?

In many ways, it is bizarre Beale is seemingly happy to let the former Liverpool man leave, as there were some indications that a new contract was a possibility earlier in the season, as a result of his fantastic performances.

The dynamo has weighed in with three goals and eight assists for the Gers this season, with the latter figure ranking him second in the squad, and he has amassed a total of 90 goal contributions in 218 appearances for the club.

One of the £18k-per-week attacker's best attributes is his pace, with journalist Jordan Campbell once claiming: "I’m convinced Calvin Bassey and Ryan Kent could sprint at top speed continuously for 24 hours straight. They genuinely looked no different in the 119th minute today than they did in the 1st minute on Wednesday. Incredible athletes."

Kent would be an excellent addition for Leeds, but given that newly-promoted Burnley are also interested, they will likely need to retain their Premier League status to stand any chance of winning the race for his signature.

Chelsea could finally find a solution to their goalkeeping conundrum by issuing a transfer swoop for Aston Villa shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez.

Having signed for the Villans for £17m in 2020 after years of servitude as an understudy at Arsenal, Martinez has blossomed into one of the Premier League's finest between the sticks, with no small part played on the international stage.

Indeed, Martinez's heroics at the 2019 Copa America won Argentina their first piece of silverware for 18 years, with the 30-year-old the "hero" – as hailed by talkSPORT's David Preece – against the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup a year later before going on to save Kingsley Coman's penalty in the finale shootout to steer his nation towards the pinnacle of footballing triumph.

He has jumped levels above the expectations held in front of him upon his switch to the Midlands three years ago, and Argentinian journalist Gaston Edul is now reporting that the titan's time at Villa Park is set to come to an end, and he is "likely to change clubs in June".

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be in pole position ahead of the summer market, though Chelsea and Manchester United are on Spurs' heels as the Premier League trio consider their options.

Should Chelsea sign Emiliano Martinez?

Martinez, receiving the honour of FIFA Best Men's Goalkeeper 2022, has recorded an average Sofascore match rating of 7.05 in the English top-flight this term, keeping 11 clean sheets from 33 matches and making 90 saves at a success rate of 72%.

Chelsea's goalkeeping fortunes have been inconsistent over the past several years, with world-record £71.6m signing Kepa Arrizabalaga fluctuating from the No. 1 spot during his time at Stamford Bridge and Edouard Mendy – so important during the Champions League-winning 2020/21 campaign – never quite the same after that standout year having now been restricted to a peripheral role at Stamford Bridge.

Such woes will undoubtedly have Blues fans harking back to a time when Thibaut Courtois dominated at the foot of the pitch with his commanding and imperious demeanour.

The Belgian made 154 appearances for the west London giants and kept 58 clean sheets, winning two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the League Cup, since going on to bask in more illustrious success in Spain.

The £120k-per-week Martinez, who was once hailed as "outstanding" by Jack Grealish, ranks among the top 1% of positional peers for crosses stopped per 90, as per analysis site FBref, which compares the Villa ace to the Los Blancos phenom, who himself ranks among the top 9% of peers for crosses stopped per 90 and the top 1% for save percentage, illustrating his superlative shot-stopping nature.

While Martinez does not boast the same admirable save percentage as the Belgian, he is a "monster" of a player – as described by reporter Gregg Evans – and could bring a commanding aura to instil a winning mentality at Stamford Bridge compared to their current options.

His exploits over the past few years are evidence that he may well be "the best goalkeeper in the world", in the words of former Lions striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, and Chelsea would be wise to swoop.

When 2021/22 FA Cup and Carabao Cup champions Liverpool sank Manchester City in the dying embers of the 2022/23 curtain-raiser, the Community Shield, optimism was awash on Merseyside that previous feats could be replicated, and the club could look to take it one step further after an impressive but bitter end to the campaign.

With little over a week of the term to go, Jurgen Klopp's Reds were on course for a historic quadruple, unseen ever before on English soil.

Liverpool trailed Pep Guardiola's City by an infinitesimal distance and had soared into the Champions League finale to exact vengeance against the imperious Real Madrid.

So bitterly close; the Cityzens completed a remarkable turnaround on the closing day of the Premier League season to overcome a two-goal deficit against, ironically, Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa and Los Blancos extended their dominance in Europe's most coveted competition to leave Klopp and co enmeshed in dejection, falling short despite taking 24 shots to the LaLiga giants' four.

Instead of avenging the demons of the previous year and adding to the ever-expanding collection of silverware under Klopp's tutelage, Liverpool have collapsed like a shack in a storm, and there has been no golden sky to instil any shred of hope for much of the campaign.

With Liverpool fifth in the Premier League after 33 matches, seven points behind Manchester United (who have a game in hand), a six-year stint in the Champions League looks set to come to an end, and to exacerbate the woes, coveted midfield target Jude Bellingham is seemingly an unattainable target following revelations last month that a move would be detrimental to the planned summer overhaul of the club.

This comes as a blow packing the punch of a champion prizefighter for the expectant Reds support, who have witnessed just one permanent senior midfield signing – the £25m acquisition of pass master Thiago Alcantara – since the inception of the 2018/19 season.

There is, however, hope yet that Liverpool can return to former vigour despite the ostensible early defeat in the Bellingham race, with an unlikely man – that of Curtis Jones – perhaps assuming the boots many had projected Borussia Dortmund's "generational talent" to don – as hailed by Raphael Honigstein.

Who is Curtis Jones?

22-year-old Jones has endured a somewhat tumultuous journey throughout his Liverpool career to date.

A boyhood Red, the versatile midfielder has scored nine goals and supplied 11 assists across 92 appearances since making his debut in 2019, and despite gleaning the whole gamut of trophies under Klopp's wing, has failed to cement a starting berth in the team with regularity.

This is not to bemoan his skill set, Jones is an exciting talent and a useful option for the ambitious Merseyside outfit, with the past two seasons hindered by injuries as he looks to stamp his authority and take the next step in his career.

However, with Liverpool exhibiting greater control over recent weeks and showing signs of the verve that had evaporated like mist on a windowpane for much of this stricken season, Jones' importance cannot be understated, having started the last six Premier League matches in succession – scoring a goal and assist apiece.

Currently valued at just £18.5m by Football Transfers, Jones has been a forgotten man in the eyes of many fans of English football, but his recent exploits indeed not just reaffirm his potential in this Liverpool team but also why he can be the unlikely figure to soften the Bellingham blow.

Is Curtis Jones like Jude Bellingham?

Recently, pundit Paul Merson said: "I quite like Curtis Jones, but he's not a name, is he? He's not a £60-70m player. I like him. I think he does a good job and he doesn't let you down. But he's not a superstar."

This might well be true, and it would be ludicrous to state that Bellingham's desired role at Anfield can be solely claimed by Jones, who has been a peripheral, if promising figure over the past few seasons, but with recent exploits starting to illuminate the skills that the £15k-per-week gem can bring to the table, he could yet play an integral role for his outfit over the coming years.

Take, for example, the similarities between the compatriots.

As per FBref, the €150m (£132m) valued Bellingham ranks among the top 5% of midfielders for rate of goals, the top 8% for shot-creating actions, the top 8% for progressive passes, the top 1% for successful take-ons and the top 7% for blocks per 90 – truly the all-encompassing arsenal of a midfielder destined for the very top.

Jones yields a similarly dynamic scope, while not so prolific in front of goal, the maestro ranks among the top 9% of positional peers for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for pass completion, the top 5% for progressive carries, the top 18% for progressive passes and the top 13% for successful take-ons per 90.

And with Liverpool's star boasting a match average of 2.41 tackles – the very same rate as the Yellow Wall's prized asset, it's clear he is growing into his skin as an assured and varied midfield outlet, hailed as the "complete #8" by one analyst & scout.

With Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner all looking set for a departure at the end of their respective contracts in a matter of months, it's a given that Liverpool will bolster the ranks with a torrent of acquisitions to replenish the centre of the park.

Captain Jordan Henderson and the aforementioned Thiago are also both 32 years old, and the youth of Jones could be imperative in cultivating balance and uniformity in the side, especially given the expected arrivals of several new faces.

Providing Jones with greater responsibility would also enhance the club's prospects of clinching the right signatures on the transfer front; with the 12-cap England U21 international's place in Klopp's squad complemented by the prodigious 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic, the club can take meticulous care over their summer pursuits, emboldened by the knowledge that dynamic options already exist and can provide sturdy support when called upon.

He could be the "Gini-like" signing – as per 90min's Grizz Khan – Liverpool really need to steady the ship, with Gini Wijnaldum a resounding success at Anfield after flourishing in his industrious midfield role for the club, playing 237 matches and serving as a centrepiece to the triumphs of Klopp's reign.

Only time will tell if Jones can truly quell the concerns over the ostensible defeat in the race for Bellingham, but if his recent form can indeed be maintained, he could play a major role in his boyhood club's return to the forefront after a year littered with strife and suffering.

Two days before a Dunedin Test match in December, news broke that a doping test had found a banned substance in Kusal Perera’s body. In the grueling months that followed, Perera put himself through more tests – including a polygraph – to have his name cleared.Two days out from another Test match and Perera’s batting was seen getting special attention in the nets on the Lord’s Nursery Ground. He admitted six months out of the game had taken an emotional and physical toll, but there is an eagerness to get back to playing cricket. What better place to make his return, he asked, than the most prestigious ground of them all?”I haven’t been told if I’m playing yet, but I was thrown into trouble and to come back from that at Lord’s would be a great opportunity,” Kusal said. “I was banned just before a Test, so to return in this format would be fitting. Even the time I was out of the team I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong. But these things can happen in life.”Between December 7, when he was provisionally suspended, and May 11, when he was cleared, Perera was not allowed to so much as train with the SLC coaches. He might not have had the time anyway, having had to make repeated trips overseas, including to London, where the polygraph and a separate urine test were conducted. A hair analysis was done in a Paris lab.”I couldn’t really think about cricket much in those months, because my focus was on the problem I was facing. I didn’t have any time to think about whether I was in touch, or whether I could train, or even what was happening in cricket. I started training the day after I was cleared. Before then I didn’t do much batting – just some fitness work.”Perera was in the nets at Colombo’s Khettarama on May 13, and said he has trained as much as Sri Lanka’s heavy southwest monsoon has allowed him to. He was not expected to play a part in the Test series, but injuries to others in the squad have allowed him to be fast-tracked.”When you start training after six months your body needs to get used to it again,” he said. “Your muscles start to hurt – but that’s normal. But what I’ve found is that because I’m coming into it quite fresh, I’m hitting the ball well. I’m seeing it well. So there are positives to it as well. I feel like I’m in good touch.”Perera said he hadn’t specifically trained for Test cricket since resuming practice, but was hopeful the relative ease of conditions at Lord’s might ease him into international cricket – if he is in the final XI. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 20s Centigrade during the Test, and no team has been dismissed for less than 350 at Lord’s in three county matches so far this season.”I watched the attack and it’s mostly fast bowlers,” Kusal said. “In London the conditions seem easier, because it must have been very cold in Durham. When it’s cold you are a bit stiff and your feet don’t work as well. With this weather and given the pitch as well – which looks like it will be batting-friendly – I think there’s a chance for us to dominate them.”

Darren Sammy and Shahid Afridi, Hampshire’s World T20-winning overseas stars, have echoed Jos Buttler’s criticisms of the NatWest T20 Blast

Andrew Miller06-Jun-2016Darren Sammy and Shahid Afridi, Hampshire’s World T20-winning overseas stars, have echoed Jos Buttler’s criticisms of the NatWest T20 Blast, admitting that the tournament’s once-a-week “appointment to view” format makes it hard for specialist players to maintain their form and focus over the course of an elongated tournament.Buttler, who recently completed his maiden stint in the IPL with Mumbai Indians, told the Daily Mail that English cricket needed a “Big Bash-style tournament” if it wanted to bring out the best in England’s white-ball cricketers.”It’s frustrating for the players and the fans that we don’t have a competition like the IPL,” Buttler said. “It feels as if our domestic players are missing out. After all, we did create Twenty20, but we’ve not taken it on.”Our teams don’t have to have different names, but we should have fewer teams, and go with a Big Bash-style tournament. And if you hold it as a block, you’re going to attract the best players.”His sentiments were echoed by two men who have ruled the world in T20 cricket – Sammy, who captained West Indies to victory in both the 2012 and, most recently, the 2016 World T20, when England were beaten in a thrilling final in Kolkata, and Afridi, who was Man of the Match when Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in the 2009 World T20 final at Lord’s.”It’s a difficult tournament, at least three months, it’s long,” Sammy told ESPNcricinfo. “It can be frustrating playing one or two games every weekend. It’s Twenty20, you’ve got to be playing it fast.Sammy and Afridi both played in Hampshire’s double-header over the recent weekend, at home against Kent and then away against Glamorgan, but their next outing will be a trip to Canterbury on Wednesday, leaving a lot of down-time for the players to fill.”I want my six-pack again,” Sammy joked. “I am probably going to have a set schedule to do some gym. Most of the time the first team is away during the week, so I’ll get some training in with the second team. I’ll probably visit London with my family, and get some net practice in.””England is my second home, I always enjoy my cricket here,” added Afridi. “But I’ve already talked to a few officials, that we should organise it and finish it in a month. It’s not easy playing one game then a four-day game then another T20, but as a professional cricketer you can adjust yourself.”The players’ comments echo the remarks of the ECB chairman, Colin Graves, who denounced the NatWest T20 Blast as “mediocre” before a ball had been bowled in this season’s tournament. For Sammy, who was in England during the inaugural year of the Twenty20 Cup in 2003, the difference between then and now is stark.”I remember back in 2003, when I was here in June, everybody’s on the train wearing helmets, I was like ‘what’s going on?’ It was T20, England started this thing and now, to see it going on all over in that period of time…”But the standard has always been of good quality, and that’s the most important thing,” he added, citing the progression of England’s team to the final of the World T20 in Kolkata, where only Carlos Brathwaite’s astonishing six-hitting in the final over stood between them and a second World T20 title.”I was not surprised they made it to the finals, actually. We played them in the very first match in Mumbai, we defeated them but since then they didn’t look back,” said Sammy. “We met again in the finals, Carlos did his thing in the last over, but it shows England have quality T20 players.”Joe Root is a world-class player, Ben stokes, Jos Buttler – they’ve come through playing T20 in England. The standard is good so I wasn’t surprised to see England play well. They’ve won a World Cup before [World T20 in 2010] and I know they don’t play much around the world, so whatever T20 they are playing here, it’s about high standards. That’s why they are making it to finals of world tournaments.”

Arsenal had enjoyed a relatively seamless season until March came around, and their schedule increased.

A double-legged tie with Sporting CP added two gruelling games alongside their relentless Premier League fixtures, yet Mikel Arteta would have still remained confident after claiming a 2-2 draw in Portugal. The hope was that the Emirates would play host to a comfortable victory to see them ease into a European quarter-final.

However, what unfolded that night has arguably been the catalyst for their subsequent collapse, as not only did they crash out on penalties, but William Saliba was forced also off with a suspected muscle injury in his back.

This kickstarted a weekly inquest into his potential return, which shockingly is yet to come. The Frenchman remains out, and their title hopes have since been scuppered.

In the games that followed, Rob Holding and Jakub Kiwior have been called into action to replace the 22-year-old, with varied success. Of their last seven league matches, where a possible 21 points were available to maintain their battle with Manchester City, the Gunners claimed just nine.

It is clear that suitable backup is a requisite if Arteta is to once again mount a more assured title charge next season, and this summer marks an opportunity to claim just that.

It seems the Spaniard has already identified this, and is making the necessary moves to bring Mohamed Simakan to north London.

Will Mohamed Simakan join Arsenal?

Speaking on the National World YouTube channel, journalist Chris Wheatley gave his verdict on these rumours that could prove fruitful should RB Leipzig be willing to sell.

He said:

"We know they’re looking at Mohamed Simakan, he’s a player they really do like, he is on the shortlist and Mikel Arteta will try to bring that player in this summer.

“Arsenal are looking for a right-back below the age of 24. They want someone athletic who suits that Premier League, fluid style that Arteta likes to play."

With a wonderful versatility and given Paris Saint-Germain were quoted a reported €40m (£35m) last summer, perhaps a coup is set to be claimed to answer their defensive prayers.

Who is Mohamed Simakan?

As a multi-positional asset who has starred in various roles this season for his German outfit, 35 appearances in all competitions is an admirable return, especially considering the offensive output the 23-year-old has enjoyed, with three goals and eight assists.

It is this penchant for kick-starting attacks, as well as his defensive solidity, that likens the Frenchman to Saliba; their shared nationality aiding in the comparison too.

After all, when compared to other centre-backs across Europe's elite five divisions, Simakan ranks among the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90 as well as the top 13% for attempted passes per 90.

Arsenal's defensive stalwart too excels in the latter but instead ranks in the top 8% for passes attempted per 90, whilst also maintaining a 90% dribble success rate in the league.

Saliba has combined this with 1.3 tackles and three clearances per game, which is just ahead of the 0.8 tackles and 2.1 clearances per game of his compatriot, but you have to consider the fact that the bulk of his appearances for Leipzig this season have come at right-back.

Having already been lauded as a "phenomenon" by his former Strasbourg reserve coach Francois Keller, it seems that Arteta's scouting prowess has unearthed the perfect man to step in should the unthinkable repeat itself next year.

Harry Podmore claimed four wickets on his first County Championship appearance for Middlesex as Somerset were bowled out for 236 on the opening day of the match at Taunton

ECB Reporters Network10-Jul-2016
ScorecardChris Rogers overcame the threat of a lush, green pitch with a fluent fifty•Getty ImagesHarry Podmore claimed four wickets on his first County Championship appearance for Middlesex as Somerset were bowled out for 236 on the opening day of the match at Taunton.Having made a late decision to switch from a dry looking strip to a very green one, the hosts were indebted to Chris Rogers, Jim Allenby and Marcus Trescothick for securing a bonus point in testing conditions.Podmore, James Harris and James Fuller profited from excellent seam bowling conditions after the visitors had not surprisingly elected to field.By the close of a rain-affected day, Middlesex had replied with 51 for 1 from 16 overs, losing Sam Robson lbw to the second ball of the innings from Craig Overton. Nick Gubbins was unbeaten on 31.Explaining the late change of pitch, Rogers said: “We were caught off guard because we didn’t know Tim Murtagh was unavailable for Middlesex. That being the case we felt our best chance of winning was to back our seam attack against their inexperienced one.”Middlesex bowled not so well in the morning session, but very well after lunch. We were poor when we bowled at them and I expect us to be a lot better and more patient in the morning. We have played on so many flat pitches that our bowlers probably got excited. But I still feel the change of pitch was a gamble worth taking and that we are in a decent position.”Graham Cowdrey, the Cricket Liaison Officer at the game, said: “At this stage the umpires have found no problem with the pitch and it is Somerset’s call which pitch they play on.”Somerset had put only six runs on the board when Johann Myburgh edged Fuller through to wicketkeeper John Simpson and departed for a duck.But Rogers and Trescothick then produced the most positive strokeplay of the day, punishing anything loose in their second-wicket stand of 71.Trescothick looked at his imperious best as his first eight scoring strokes brought boundaries before he got an inside edge onto his stumps to give Harris his first wicket.The Middlesex bowlers failed to make the most of the conditions in the morning session. James Hildreth hit a six over backward point off Fuller before being adjudged lbw for 19 to a delivery from the same bowler.Rogers moved to an attractive half-century off 68 balls, with ten fours, and was still there at lunch, with his side 125 for 3 off 27 overs.Soon after the interval came the first rain break, with 30 minutes lost. When play resumed Middlesex bowled a better line and length, reaping reward with four wickets.Rogers was caught by the diving Simpson leg-glancing a ball from Podmore, who had played in the competition only while on loan to Glamorgan earlier in the season.He followed up by having Peter Trego caught behind for 4 off a full, swinging delivery. And it was 154 for 6 when Craig Overton fell for a duck, chasing a wide one from Harris and offering Simpson his fourth catch.Alex Barrow contributed 10 before being caught at second slip by Ollie Rayner off Harris and when rain forced an early tea Somerset were 184 for 7.The final session saw 27 runs added before Jamie Overton was caught at first slip aiming a full-blooded drive at Podmore. The players followed him off as rain brought a third interruption.All the time Allenby had been compiling a valuable knock, riding his luck at times and surviving a tough one-handed chance to Rayner at slip off Podmore when on 35.He had battled away for 115 balls when finally getting one with his name on it, edging Podmore behind to give Simpson a fifth victim. Rayner then took a fine diving slip catch to dismiss Jack Leach for 12 as Fuller took a deserved third wicket.

With takeover talks ongoing over the sale of Manchester United, Sky Sports pundit Kieran Maguire has reacted to the latest rumours from Old Trafford in an interview with Football Insider.

What is the latest on Man United's potential takeover?

The Red Devils are on the market, with several parties interested in potentially buying the Premier League outfit. A sale has been on the cards for months now too, with current owners the Glazers allowing the team to go through three stages of a bidding process so far in order to see any further offers for the side.

The two frontrunners to takeover at United are currently Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani from Qatar. Both have made bids to be handed the reins at Old Trafford but, as of yet, neither has officially been confirmed as being accepted by the Glazers. However, recent reports suggest that it is the offer from the Qatar-based group that is the "preferred" offer.

If Al Thani was to buy the Red Devils, it would be a "full takeover" from the new owners. If Ratcliffe was to buy the Premier League outfit, he could leave the Glazers on the board, with this latest report stating he may buy only just over 50 per cent of the team. That is an option that is likely to "anger" Man United supporters according to Sky Sports pundit Kieran Maguire via Football Insider, who stated that it could "allow the Glazers to have an element of input".

He said: "If they’re [The Glazers] allowed a 20 per cent threshold, there’s no obligation from Sir Jim Ratcliffe to give them a seat on the board. But that could be part of the negotiation strategy by the Glazers to demand that they stay in the boardroom. However, having a voice on the board isn’t the same as controlling the board.

"Ultimately, that would be by Sir Jim’s team, but it would allow the Glazers to have an element of input. I have a suspicion that it would anger quite a few Manchester United fans."

Would either takeover option be better for Man United?

The Red Devils supporters have displayed their annoyance at current owners the Glazers on several occasions since their tenure began, with fans even angry at them taking over before any deal had been completed.

Their ire has only increased since, with protests regularly arranged at Old Trafford in order to show their unhappiness at the Americans. It would therefore be a better option for the businessmen to have no further involvement with the club when they do decide to sell up, as supporters have recently demanded a complete sale. Whilst Ratcliffe's ownership would take some power away from the Glazers, they could still have some involvement – and therefore the Qatar bid seems the better option for everyone involved at Old Trafford.

Glasgow Rangers are in the market for a new striker this summer, and Michael Beale has reportedly made a bid for Haji Wright ahead of the transfer window.

What’s the latest on Haji Wright to Rangers?

According to Turkish journalist Salim Manav, Rangers “made a transfer offer” of £7m for the Antalyaspor striker, however, it was rejected as the team are currently holding out for a fee in the region of £8.5m.

It remains to be seen whether the Ibrox side will go back in with a new and improved offer, but with Alfredo Morelos leaving and Antonio Colak potentially set to leave the Light Blues after one season, then Beale will be desperate to secure another striker ahead of next season.

Who will replace Alfredo Morelos at Rangers?

The departing Colombian striker has left behind an endearing legacy at Rangers which has seen him score 124 goals for the club, win a Premiership title and Scottish Cup while becoming the club’s all-time top scorer in European competition, and he will be tough to replace.

It wasn’t only his goals which made Morelos frightening, but his ability to hold up the ball and bully defenders meant he gave Rangers much more than just a simple goal threat, and it will take someone special to become his successor.

Wright could be the ideal player for this role, especially given his stunning form in Turkey this season. He has scored 16 goals and registered three assists in just 26 appearances this term, and considering Morelos has only netted 12 goals in 44 matches, the Gers may be onto a winner with the 25-year-old.

What's more, Wright also has more shots on target per game (1.1 to 1), more successful dribbles (1.1 to 0.3) and scores more goals per game (0.6 to 0.4) than the Rangers striker, suggesting that he could even be an upgrade for 2023/24.

It’s no wonder he has been described as a “dangerous striker” former Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt, and there is no reason to doubt that he couldn’t shine in Scotland with such a goalscoring record.

The American also has experience at the highest level, representing his nation at the World Cup in Qatar last year, playing in all four matches for the USA, where he scored a bizarre goal against the Netherlands in the last 16.

Strengthening Rangers' attacking options will be paramount for Beale this summer, and Wright could well be a worthwhile addition to the first-team squad.

تحدث مدرب مانشستر يونايتد، إريك تين هاج، عن إمكانية توقيع عقد جديد مع النادي الإنجليزي، حيث ينتهي عقده الحالي في عام 2025.

ووقع تين هاج عقدًا مع مانشستر يونايتد يمتد لثلاث سنوات، حين انضم للنادي قادمًا من أياكس في عام 2022.

وقال تين هاج في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “مترو” البريطانية: “نحن نتحدث عن العديد من المواضيع ولكن لا يمكنني الخوض في التفاصيل، خاصة عندما يكون الأمر شخصيًا للغاية”.

وأضاف: “أولاً، الشيء الأكثر أهمية هو النادي، الأمر يتعلق بالنادي والفريق وكيف يتعين علينا العمل وفقًا لمعايير عالية لتحقيق أهدافنا، الأمر لا يتعلق بأي فرد”.

اقرأ أيضًا | تغيير موعد مباراة مانشستر سيتي ومانشستر يونايتد في الدوري الإنجليزي

ومن المقرر أن يتم التصديق على حصة السير جيم راتكليف في مانشستر يونايتد من قبل الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز خلال الأسبوعين المقبلين وقد قاموا بالفعل بتعيين رئيس تنفيذي جديد.

وسيتم اتخاذ قرار بشأن مستقبل تين هاج في نهاية الموسم الجاري، ويعد ما تبقى من الموسم اختبارًا للمدرب الهولندي.