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Despite Sunderland's dreadful run of form going into the away contest at Cardiff City on Good Friday, Mike Dodds' Black Cats managed to stroll to a surprise 2-0 victory in the Welsh capital.

The Wearside outfit were winless in their last seven Championship games before picking up a much-needed three points at the expense of the Bluebirds, with Adil Aouchiche and Jobe Bellingham sharing the goals.

It was a masterstroke of a decision from Dodds to play Bellingham in the lone striker role, but this ingenious switch working so effectively could consequently put a nail in one underwhelming Sunderland man's career as he continues to fire blanks up top.

Luis Semedo's season in numbers

Joining from the Benfica U21 ranks last year with a reputation for being prolific in his native Portugal (with 21 goals in total for Benfica in that age bracket), it's fair to say Luis Semedo's time in England has not gone to plan.

The 20-year-old striker is yet to find the back of the net for the Black Cats at senior or youth level, amassing 23 appearances in the process without a single strike to his name.

In stark contrast, Bellingham's goal away at Cardiff on Good Friday means the traditional attacking midfielder is on to seven strikes in his debut season.

Dodds' patience could, therefore, begin to run very thin regarding the ex-Benfica hot prospect with Bellingham starring in his role.

The former Birmingham City teenager notched up three key passes as a lively presence in attack on top of his all-important goal, winning ten duels as a figure constantly wanting to make things happen.

Semedo's hefty pay packet could also be a sticking point soon, with the misfiring youngster currently earning £1k more per week than Pierre Ekwah, according to Capology.

Luis Semedo's wage at Sunderland

Amazingly, despite Ekwah being present in every Sunderland clash since the end of November in the second tier, the Black Cats No 39 finds himself earning £3k per week to Semedo's £4k-per-week salary.

Ekwah has also been far more effective from midfield this campaign than Semedo, helping himself to four goals and two assists when his team have needed him to step up and be impactful.

Semedo also remarkably finds himself earning a healthier wage than regular first-team ace Trai Hume, with the Northern Irishman also coming in at a paltry £3k per week.

Even Chris Rigg earns just £1k per week in contrast to Semedo's bumped-up salary, with the electric Sunderland hotshot starring against Cardiff all whilst still only being 16 years of age.

The homegrown Black Cats product would miss one big chance from midfield in the 2-0 win, on top of making two tackles as an energetic option down the wing.

1. Jack Clarke

£16.9k per week

2. Daniel Ballard

£15k per week

3. Bradley Dack

£15k per week

4. Patrick Roberts

£12.5k per week

5. Anthony Patterson

£10k per week

Sourced by Capology

Semedo is some way off entering into the top five list of wage-earners at the Stadium of Light, but with his lack of goals still irking those with connections to the Wearside club, his salary is arguably burning a hole in Sunderland's pocket.

Dodds will hope he's cracked the conundrum over who should be the starting striker for Sunderland in Bellingham after his standout showing against Cardiff, with Semedo falling further down the pecking order as a result.

Falling against Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals stung Liverpool supporters, but one bad result should not detract from a remarkable resurgence under Jurgen Klopp, who has revived his high-class squad and is now preparing to step down from his position at the end of the campaign.

The German has brought illustrious success to an outfit that had fallen, quite dramatically, off its perch in the years before his appointment, but Liverpool's struggle last season was a by-product of inaction in the transfer market.

Since the influx of influential players in the earlier days of Klopp's reign, the £25m deal to bring Thiago Alcantara to Anfield was the lone midfield acquisition before last summer's frenzied activity.

The distinguished Spaniard has enjoyed a career laden with prosperity but, while winning silverware with Liverpool, he has failed to replicate the same lofty heights due to incessant injury problems, with the 32-year-old out of contract in the summer and having played just five minutes of football this season. It's unknown if he will feature again.

Still, as harsh as it may be it's probably for the best that he is headed for the exit, ageing and costing the club a large sum with a £200k-per-week contract. The fresh faces are relishing their responsibilities at the crest of the new wave.

Alexis Mac Allister is an elite talent; Domimik Szoboszlai is an elegant workhorse. Surprise signing Wataru Endo has been a bona fide success in the holding midfield. Ryan Gravenberch, aged 21, was the final piece of the puzzle and the last to join the project – immensely talented, he's yet to grow into his skin fully.

Why Liverpool signed Ryan Gravenberch

Gravenberch has been regarded as a top talent for several seasons now but he fell by the wayside after transferring from Ajax to Bayern Munich last season and started just three Bundesliga matches, failing to win over both Julian Nagelsmann and his successor Thomas Tuchel.

Klopp was a big admirer nonetheless and swooped in to secure the Netherlands international for £34m just before last summer's transfer deadline, with his multi-functionality and sublime technical quality speaking of his potential to succeed at the apex of the European scene.

As per FBref, the rangy midfielder ranks among the top 7% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes, the top 6% for progressive carries, the top 5% for successful take-ons and the top 6% for blocks per 90.

1.

Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City

2.

Federico Valverde

Real Madrid

3.

Alexis Mac Allister

Liverpool

4.

Ilkay Gundogan

Barcelona

5.

Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid

These skills place him alongside some of the game's most creative and influential midfielders, with his likeness to Jude Bellingham particularly eye-catching.

Liverpool missed out on the prodigious England international last summer, pulling out of the race in April given the need to spread funds across multiple areas of the central midfield, with Bellingham thus completing a transfer to Real Madrid, rising to £115m.

The greatest faculty Gravenberch shares with Bellingham is probably his sublime quality on the ball, and while he doesn't boast the same prolificness as the man who has scored 20 times from his first 31 matches in a Los Blancos shirt, he's rounded and dynamic in a way that few can rival.

For example, the 20-year-old has completed 89% of his passes in La Liga, averaging 1.7 key passes, 1.4 tackles, 4.5 ball recoveries, 1.8 dribbles and 7.1 successful duels per match, as per Sofascore, proving that he's not just poaching goals in the final third.

While he's ebbed and flowed in performance for the Reds so far – described as a "passenger out of possession" at one stage by one Liverpool writer – Gravenberch is undoubtedly a high-calibre player and he might just have found the perfect stomping ground at Anfield.

Make no mistake, Gravenberch still perches in the maiden stage of his professional career but he's already worth a sizeable amount and could see his worth skyrocket in the years to come.

Ryan Gravenberch's market value in 2024

Since arriving on Merseyside, Gravenberch has seen his value rise, but the most exciting part is that he's barely scratched the surface of what could flower into a rich career at Liverpool.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

According to CIES Football Observatory's valuation model, Gravenberch is currently valued at £51m, marking a 50% rise in price since his entry.

Moreover, he's worth more than goal machine Mohamed Salah, who is valued at £34m, which does seem a little low for the 31-year-old, who has wreaked devastation on defences this season and boasts 21 goals and 13 assists from just 31 matches in all competitions.

Salah is not exactly enjoying a rogue campaign of brilliance either, having netted 207 goals and added 92 assists across 337 appearances for Liverpool since signing from Roma for £34m back in 2017, near the start of the stunning rise under Klopp's management.

Interestingly, Salah arrived at the club for the same amount as Gravenberch, with the latter now capable of emulating his peer and seeing his market price balloon as he develops his qualities under the Anfield lights. Klopp might be closing the door on his tenure at the club, but Liverpool have everything that Gravenberch needs to grow into a world-beater at the forefront of the European scene.

There are of course teams that would pay a far greater fee to procure Salah's signature, with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad even offering £150m to snatch the Egyptian away from Liverpool last summer, but it's a testament to Gravenberch that he has risen in value nonetheless.

With so much room for growth, the Dutchman will have delighted Anfield bosses so far. With tweaks and refinements over the coming years, he might turn into a world-class machine down the line.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni won't hesitate to play Lionel Messi against Canada in Copa America semi-final despite fitness concerns.

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Argentina coach defiant over MessiVeteran star subject of fitness concernsPreviously missed Peru clashWHAT HAPPENED?

At a pre-match press conference, Scaloni said there is "no doubt" about Messi's availability to face Canada, insisting that he will always pick the 37-year-old, even when not quite fully fit.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Messi was an injury doubt for the quarter-final against Ecuador due to a thigh complaint that ruled him out of the last group stage fixture against Peru. He ultimately made the game and completed 90 minutes, although did miss from the spot in the penalty shootout. Scaloni has no concerns about his availability now.

WHAT LIONEL SCALONI SAID

Scaloni said: "99% of the time, [Messi] is fit to play. It's never happened to me that he's not fit to play. Every time he's come out on the pitch, he's fit to play. For [Canada], he's fit to play, without a doubt. It's a very easy decision for me, because it's a very frank decision, that if he's fine, he plays; and if he's not fine, he plays the last 30 minutes. It's that easy.

"When he's fit, he always plays. There are no doubts. Who would have any doubts? I'm the coach, so I have no doubts. I'm the one who decides and when I see that he's fit to play, even if he's not 100% fit, he's going to play. I take responsibility for that but I have no doubts. It's true that that won't ever weigh on me, I know what he can give us even if he's not in optimal condition, I wouldn't make the grave mistake of not putting him on the pitch knowing that he gives us a lot, so that's indisputable."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & ARGENTINA?

Argentina are just one game away from reaching a fourth Copa America final in the space of five tournaments in the last decade. For Messi, who will be 39 by the time of the next World Cup in 2026, this could even be his last international competition. But with a third place play-off included, Argentina are guaranteed at least one extra game regardless of the Canada semi-final result.

Australia captain ruled out of all white-ball cricket before the Ashes after a scan revealed ‘lumbar bone stress’ following ongoing back soreness post the Caribbean tour

Alex Malcolm02-Sep-20251:10

Bailey: ‘Expect Cummins to be fit for first Ashes Test’

Pat Cummins’ Ashes preparation has been compromised after a scan revealed lumbar bone stress in his lower back which has ruled him out of the three white-ball series against New Zealand and India. It leaves the potential that he won’t play any cricket ahead of the England series which starts on November 21 in Perth.Cummins, Australia’s Test and ODI captain, has not played since the Test tour of the Caribbean where his bowling workloads were significantly lower than usual. He missed the five T20Is against West Indies and both series against South Africa that followed which was a long-held plan to given him a 10-week physical build-up to the Test summer in a similar vein to last year.Related

Doubts over Cummins' fitness for first Ashes Test grow, return remains unknown

Inglis out of T20 tour of New Zealand with a calf strain, Carey called up

Vidler ruled out of Australia A tour of India with a partial stress fracture

Cummins may 'take a few risks' to be able to play Ashes

Australia's pace depth: Who's in the Ashes mix if Cummins and co run aground?

But Cummins experienced some back soreness post the Caribbean tour that lingered much longer than expected and a routine scan on Monday showed the bone stress, otherwise known as a hot spot, which can be a precursor to a stress fracture. However, he has been cleared of any fracture in his lower spine and there remains confidence he will be fit for the opening Test against England.”There always was a de-load planned for him post that West Indies Test series, and then he’s just reported that he had a little bit of ongoing back soreness as part of that, and [the scan] just identified a little bit of lumbar bone stress,” chair of selectors George Bailey said. “I think the focus for him has and will continue to be just preparation for that [Ashes] Test series.”So there’ll just be some further management and a little bit of rehab around that. But in terms of plan for the Ashes, I don’t think too much will change. There still feels like there’s plenty of time. But there’s full expectation that Pat will be right to go come the first Test.”Cummins was plagued by stress fractures across the first six years of his international career and did not play a Test match between his debut in 2011 and his second Test in India in 2017.Since that time he has been incredibly durable with various minor issues, including an ankle injury and a hamstring issue, being managed without him missing large chunks of cricket.This back issue will be a concern given his overall bowling loads have been much lower in 2025. He had bowled 400-plus overs in all cricket in each of the last three calendar years but has only bowled 175.1 overs through nine months of 2025, including just 95.1 across the four Tests recently in June and July against South Africa and West Indies. Even with a handful of ODIs and a possible planned Sheffield Shield game as well as the first four Ashes Test before the end of the year he was likely to fall well short of 400 overs this year.Pat Cummins has missed very few Tests since returning to the side in 2017•Randy Brooks/AFP/Getty ImagesCummins went into last summer deliberately underdone playing one 50-over match for New South Wales and two ODIs against Pakistan before the first Test against India. He was rusty as a result in the first Test in Perth when Australia were beaten heavily. But his freshness showed at the back end of the series as he was Player of the Match in the fourth Test in Melbourne and took five key wickets in the final Test in Sydney while India’s Jasprit Bumrah went down with a back injury following an unsustainable bowling load.Cummins said after the West Indies series in July this year that he planned to play in New Zealand and then against India in the ODIs, as well as potentially play a Sheffield Shield game.He now has just 11 weeks for the hot spot to settle and it would seem highly unlikely, although not impossible, that he could play any cricket before the Ashes starts. There is a domestic one-day game between NSW and Queensland in Sydney on November 3 that could present a chance for some capped competitive overs if his back has settled in time, without being locked into a four-day Sheffield Shield game. NSW’s last Sheffield Shield match before the first Test, against Victoria at the SCG, starts on November 10.”I think he’s one, certainly skill wise, that has entered summers at different stages without a great amount of match balls at different times,” Bailey said. “Given how far out we are there’s the potential for some Shield cricket in the lead-up. There’s still options there. If it got to the stage where they were taken off the table, I still think that we’d be comfortable with Pat’s experience and skill level.”The injury also presents a possibility that Cummins will not be able to play and captain all five Tests. There are eight-day breaks following each of the first and second Tests but those breaks shorten to just four days after the third and fourth, putting major strain on the ability of fast bowlers on both sides to back up later in the series.Steven Smith will likely captain Australia if Cummins were to miss any of the Tests. Smith led Australia in the two Tests against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka earlier this year when Cummins missed due to an ankle issue and the birth of his second child. Smith also captained one Test in the last Ashes series in Australia in December 2021 when Cummins was ruled out of the second match in Adelaide due to the Covid-19 rules in place at the time.Overall, Smith has captained six times in Cummins’ absence since returning to the vice-captaincy in 2021. Travis Head is also formally a Test vice-captain but it would be unlikely he would be called upon to deputise if Smith is in the XI.Steven Smith would likely captain if Pat Cummins missed a Test•Getty ImagesOn a bowling front, Australia have a ready-made replacement in Scott Boland, but should another injury occur to either Josh Hazlewood or Mitchell Starc then the likes of Michael Neser and the uncapped pair of Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott will come into the frame.Jhye Richardson is hopeful he can be fit by the time the Ashes starts but he is recovering from shoulder surgery and has only just started bowling again and won’t be able to throw properly. Lance Morris is out for the summer after opting to have back surgery following another stress fracture.Hazlewood and Starc’s management will become critical in the lead into the Ashes. Starc’s retirement from T20Is means he will likely play the ODIs against India and at least one Shield game for New South Wales before the first Test, as he did last summer.Hazlewood will play the T20Is in New Zealand, but almost certainly won’t play all three in four days. He, too, will likely play some of the ODIs and at least one Shield game before Perth. Last summer he played one Shield game and one ODI but broke down with a side strain in Perth before returning for the third Test in Brisbane only to injure his calf and miss the rest of the summer.CA will also be extra vigilant in managing allrounder Cameron Green ahead of the Ashes as he returns to bowling for the first time since back surgery last year. Green will not tour New Zealand and will instead play the first Shield round for Western Australia starting on October 4. It is likely he will play three Shield games and potentially only one ODI before the Ashes begins to build up his bowling loads.Cummins’ back issue could also influence Australia’s selection in the Ashes. There had been a thought that Australia did not need the luxury of two allrounders in the same Ashes XI with Green’s return to bowling potentially making the in-form Beau Webster surplus to requirements. But having two allrounders in the same XI could significantly aid Cummins’ chances of playing while managing his workloads given Australia could have five genuine seam options plus Nathan Lyon to spread the overs across.

da betsson： Leeds United put a hectic Deadline Day firmly to the back of their mind when returning to the bread and butter of Championship action on Friday night, beating Bristol City 1-0 at Ashton Gate courtesy of a second half Wilfried Gnonto strike.

da bwin： Despite not strengthening in the centre-back areas – with talk that Ben Godfrey was a transfer target – the defensive duo of Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu showed to everyone that new reinforcements might not have been necessary anyway.

Rodon in particular impressed with 103 touches of the ball amassed in a measured display from the Welshman on Friday night.

Daniel Farke and Co might not have splashed the cash on another centre-back cover owing to the crop of young talent currently coming through in West Yorkshire also, with one starlet having the potential to break into the Whites first-team set-up soon as a Ben Godfrey-like figure.

Kris Moore's statistics as youth level

More than capable of doing a job at both centre-back and right-back, much like the Toffees defender Leeds failed to land, Kris Moore has been a star at youth level for some time now at Elland Road.

The 20-year-old has shone in the U21s fold predominantly at right-back this season, even helping himself to a goal and an assist in one game against Reading in September with Leeds still losing 3-2 despite Moore's best efforts.

In total for the U21s after rising through the youth ranks – with Moore now wearing the captain's armband as a leader in the group – the young Whites defender has accumulated 59 appearances over four campaigns with three goals and four assists registered.

Described as being a "solid" defender by football journalist Joe Donnohue when playing for the academy sides previously, Farke could be tempted to give the 20-year-old opportunities to impress in the first-team fold in the near future.

It's not as if the German boss is afraid to give youth a go either, as seen in 17-year-old Archie Gray becoming a regular first-teamer, whilst Moore will want to just finally taste senior action after being teased with a senior debut under ex-Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa.

Related Leeds' £5k-p/w superstar could become even better after Roberts move

The Welshman’s arrival solves one of the Peacock’s biggest problems.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Feb 2, 2024 Moore's statistics at senior level

Named on the bench four times by the iconic Argentine manager during Leeds' 2021/22 season, Moore wasn't ever afforded an actual run-out despite making up the numbers regularly on the bench.

Yet, his time could well come to shine under Farke if the Whites boss wants a versatile and adaptable defensive presence similar to Godfrey.

Moore is obviously way off Godfrey currently as a raw youngster still learning the ropes, but the 20-year-old will view the Everton man's career as one he would want to ideally replicate.

The imposing 6-foot defender rose through the ranks to become a cemented first-team star at Norwich City, with the Toffees then paying an extortionate £25m fee to land his services back in 2020 after he had become a crucial cog in the Canaries winning promotion to the Premier League.

Farke was his Norwich manager at the time funnily enough, hence the eagerness for a reunion this window, but no move was forthcoming.

This transfer falling flat would have hurt even more after Godfrey returned to the Toffees first team fold with flying colours amidst all the speculation, winning four tackles as Sean Dyche's men valiantly battled to a 0-0 draw away at Fulham the night before Deadline Day.

If Moore can continue just plugging away in the youth set-up at Leeds and excelling however, it might well not be long before Farke gambles on the 20-year-old to come into the first-team and become his brand-new Godfrey over time.

England name 14-man squad to face Australia in the Ashes

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Jul-2019Jofra Archer is in line to make his Test debut against Australia during the Ashes after being named in England’s 14-man squad on the strength of his star turn for the World Cup champions.Ben Stokes has been re-appointed England vice-captain, while Olly Stone was named in the squad for the first Test starting at Edgbaston on August 1 as a fast-bowling option and Joe Denly was also included.Archer, who revealed he had bowled in “excruciating” pain with a side strain throughout the second half of the World Cup, is poised to make his Test debut as part of a whirlwind summer which saw him play his first international match in May. He went on to take 20 World Cup wickets, a record for an England bowler in the tournament, which also saw him bowling the dramatic tied Super Over that enabled the hosts to win the title on boundary countback.After the World Cup, there had been a suggestion he may be rested until the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, but the ECB said upon announcing the squad for the first Test, that “his readiness for five-day cricket will be assessed at Edgbaston”. Archer has played 28 First-class matches taking 131 wickets at 23.44.National Selector Ed Smith said while it was unusual to select a squad of 14 for a home Test, there were “compelling reasons” to do so in this case, given the demands of the recent World Cup campaign.”Several bowlers are recovering from injuries or niggles,” Smith said. “In addition, some bowlers who played in the World Cup are being closely monitored to assess their preparation for Test match cricket.”The wider circumstances – a successful home World Cup campaign followed so quickly by a home Ashes series – are unprecedented. It feels sensible to select an expanded squad and leave a number of bowling options open for the final team selection.”Archer was involved in another tied match on the eve of England’s Ashes squad announcement, taking 2 for 21 for Sussex against Surrey in the Vitality Blast on Friday night, his return to action after taking a short post-World Cup break.Also returning to the squad after resting from England’s one-off Test against Ireland are Jos Buttler and Stokes. Jack Leach, who made 92 as nightwatchman against Ireland, missed out on an Ashes place but will train with the Test squad in the lead-up to the opening match of the series.ECB Chairman Colin Graves approved Stokes’ reappointment as England vice-captain, the role he lost during investigations into the fight outside a Bristol night club in 2017, over which Stokes was ultimately found not guilty of affray. He will resume the vice-captaincy from Buttler.James Anderson, who missed the Ireland Test as he continues his recovery from a calf injury was expected to be fit to face the Australians in the Ashes opener. As expected, Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad, who claimed six and four wickets respectively as England skittled Ireland for just 38 in their second innings to win by 143 runs at Lord’s on Friday, were included in the Ashes squad, as was Sam Curran.Despite only making his Test debut against Ireland in the past week, Jason Roy’s selection was not a big surprise, given his form with the bat at the World Cup and in the lead-up series against Pakistan. Opening batsman Rory Burns was also named in the squad.Denly was called up after making his Test debut on England’s tour of West Indies in January but missing out on a World Cup place. Stone earned his place in the squad after taking three wickets on his Test debut against Ireland, having returned home early from the tour of the Caribbean with a stress fracture in his back.The squad will report for duty in Birmingham on Monday.England squad: Joe Root (capt), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.

The opener has been in terrific form in both international and domestic cricket this season

Nagraj Gollapudi10-Dec-2019An in-form Mayank Agarwal has replaced the injured Shikhar Dhawan in the India squad for ODI leg of the home series against West Indies which will follow after the ongoing T20I series. It is understood that Dhawan has not yet completely recovered from the freak knee injury he suffered in November during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which had ruled him out initially from the T20I leg of the West Indies series with Sanju Samson being named as his replacement.Agarwal is currently playing for Karnataka in the first round of Ranji Trophy against Tamil Nadu in Dindigul. He will miss at least the second round of Ranji matches starting on December 17.It will be the second time this year Agarwal has been called as a replacement to join the ODI squad. The first occurrence was during the World Cup when he replaced allrounder Vijay Shankar, who had picked a toe injury. The selectors had then explained the decision as providing top-order back-up, with Dhawan having already been ruled out and KL Rahul having suffered an injury scare.ALSO READ: When you come back and play domestic cricket in India, it challenges you – Mayank AgarwalOverall this year, in terms of numbers alone, Agarwal has been the best Indian batsman across formats across domestic and international cricket. With two double centuries and a century, he was the leading run-maker in India’s Test home season which featured five matches spread across two series involving South Africa (three Tests) and Bangladesh (two Tests).Complimenting Agarwal’s form, Indian captain Virat Kohli said that what made the Karnataka batsman stand out was his positive intent and performing to win. In a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, Agarwal agreed.Agarwal had also dominated the domestic circuit. Immediately after the South Africa Test series, he rushed to join the Karnataka squad in Bengaluru for the Vijay Hazare Trophy semi-final and final. He scored an unbeaten 47 off 33 deliveries in the semi-final against Chattisgarh and then 69* off 55 balls in the final against Tamil Nadu, thus playing a strong hand Karnataka winning the title. Days later he turned up for India C and scored 120 against India A in the one-day Deodhar Trophy.* 0900GMT The piece was updated after confirmation of Agarwal’s addition

Celtic have not been particularly reluctant when it comes to spending money in the transfer market to bring new players to Parkhead in recent years.

And, one player that the club splashed out a fee of £1.7m on back in the 2014 January transfer window was Stefan Johansen.

During his time at Celtic Park, the midfielder scored 19 goals and provided 22 assists in 114 appearances across all competitions.

In the 2016 summer transfer window, Celtic then sold the Norwegian to Fulham in a deal worth around £2m.

With 81 appearances in the Championship across the 2016/17 and 2017/18 campaigns, the midfielder managed to score 19 goals and register 16 assists.

After that, the 31-year-old found himself on the move again, this time for a loan spell with West Bromwich Albion where he made 14 appearances before returning to Fulham in May 2019.

The 2019/20 season saw the former Hoops star play in 36 games but fail to find the back of the net.

Last summer saw Johansen bring an end to his time with Fulham by joining fellow London club Queens Park Rangers on a permanent deal worth just £630k after he had spent some time there on loan.

This season has seen the Norway international pick up more yellow cards (7) than goal contributions, despite making 34 appearances in the Championship.

To further highlight how unimpressive the midfielder has been going forward, only eight of the 23 shots at goal he’s had in the league have been on target.

His overall performances haven’t been much to shout about either, with WhoScored giving him a rather underwhelming season rating of 6.61.

Described as a player that had a reputation of having a “bad attitude” by former Celtic manager Ronny Deila, Johansen has gradually seen his transfer value and yearly goal contributions go down since his early Fulham days.

Taking all of this into account, it seems as though not only did the Parkhead club get a lot out of the player on the pitch, but they also pulled a financial blinder by selling him when they did.

With the way Celtic have shot to the top of the SPFL table this season under Ange Postecoglou, it’s hard to imagine that many supporters will have been wishing their club had kept hold of the £11k-per-week midfield man.

AND in other news: Huge blow: Celtic suffer major injury setback, it’s terrible news for Postecoglou

Despite Ruben Amorim’s admission that Manchester United could suffer once again next season, INEOS have now reportedly stepped up their move to sign a major upgrade who could change the Red Devils’ fate.

Amorim admits Man Utd will "suffer"

It was always unlikely to be a quick fix at Manchester United and, like all those before him, Amorim found that out the hard way at Old Trafford last season. Finishing as low as 15th in the Premier League, the Red Devils endured their worst-ever season and have entered this summer in desperate need of some hope,

Even after welcoming both Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, however, Amorim has remained a realist – admitting to reporters that his side will suffer once again next season.

When asked about the potential for new arrivals, the Manchester United manager also aired on the side of caution, telling reporters: “At the moment, we need to be really careful when we sign a player.

“If we have to start the season with this squad, then I’m happy because all the players want to be here. That is the most important thing. With Bryan and Matheus, we are clearly a better team.”

Man Utd open talks to swap Garnacho for £45m ST who's one of Europe's "best"

The Red Devils are in discussions over a swap deal involving Alejandro Garnacho…

ByDominic Lund Jul 30, 2025

Alas, whilst their manager has kept his feet firmly fixed to the ground this summer, INEOS have reportedly made their first move towards welcoming what would be a dream arrival.

Man Utd make contact to sign Donnarumma

As reported by Sports Zone, Manchester United have now made contact to Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, as they look to land the ultimate Andre Onana upgrade.

Just months on from winning the Champions League and sitting in the top 10 of TNT’s Ballon d’Or rankings, contract talks between the French giants and Donnarumma have caused tension, and as things stand, the Italian is set to depart as a free agent next summer.

PSG may not wait to lose their 6’5 star in a free deal, however, and reports that they’re now targeting a move to sign LOSC Lille’s highly-rated Lucas Chevalier suggest that Donnarumma’s time at the club could yet come to an end a year earlier than expected.

If that is to be the case, then it’s United who could become the ultimate opportunists by swooping in to sign a major upgrade on Onana.

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Save Percentage

67.6%

68.9%

Clean Sheets

4

9

Described as “intelligent” by PSG boss Luis Enrique, Donnarumma would be the best signing of the INEOS era so far and one that could drag Manchester United back into European football if he arrives this summer.

Celtic have made contact with the agent of a “very offensive” young talent, as they look to snap him up before the end of the summer transfer window.

Rodgers coy over Celtic's transfer business

The Hoops begin the defence of their Scottish Premiership title this weekend, welcoming St. Mirren to Parkhead on Sunday afternoon.

While Celtic will again be the resounding favourites to be crowned Scottish champions at the end of the season, more business is needed before the summer transfer window concludes, with Brendan Rodgers coy when recently asked about potential incoming signings.

“Well, listen, for me, the focus is very much on what’s here. We know we have work to do, and I’m hopeful that we can get that done by the end of the window. But in the meantime, as I said, the players have worked fantastic over the course of this pre-season, some really good performances and growing and developing our spirit, which is going to be really important for us.”

Celtic do seem to be progressing with certain signings, however, with Jahmai Simpson-Pusey set to join the club on a season-long loan from Manchester City. They have also been linked with a move for Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic, who is struggling to be a part of Arne Slot’s plans at Anfield, as the Hoops target players from the top clubs in England.

Celtic make contact with attacking defender

According to a fresh update from Foot Mercato [via The Glasgow Times], Celtic have contacted Kassoum Ouattara’s agent over a move to Parkhead this summer.

The Monaco left-back is also wanted by rivals Rangers, however, with the two Scottish Premiership giants locking horns to get a deal over the line. Meanwhile, Augsburg, PSV Eindhoven, Toulouse, Metz and Torino are seen as possible suitors, too, with a permanent move preferred to a loan switch by his current club.

Ouattara could be such an eye-catching option for Celtic this summer, having seen his reputation soar at Monaco, making 33 appearances for the Ligue 1 side and also winning three caps for France Under-21s.

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At just 20 years of age, he is also a player who should only get better in a Celtic shirt if they manage to sign him, with journalist Kai Watson describing him as a “very offensive” left-back, suggesting that he would be an exciting player to watch.

With Greg Taylor now departed, Ouattara could provide good competition for the returning Kieran Tierney, coming in as a young backup option to the former Arsenal man.