'Celtic to step up interest in Scotland's Irving'
Celtic are set to step up their efforts to sign Scotland midfielder Andy Irving, with West Ham United prepared to sell the 25-year-old. (Football Insider), externalRead Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.
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The Independent
15 minutes ago
- The Independent
Liverpool transfer news: Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and more
Liverpool are bracing for a busy summer to build on this season's Premier League title success. Arne Slot orchestrated a stunning debut campaign at Anfield, inheriting a stacked squad from Jurgen Klopp before taking English football by storm to seal a record-equalling 20th top-flight crown for the club. Mohamed Salah was the posterboy of Slot's title winners, with an eye-watering 46 goal contributions in 37 games taking the Reds out of reach at the top of the table. However, it was in midfield where Liverpool surprised most, with Slot refining a midfield trio brought in by his predecessor and making each one of them an invaluable entity. His transformation of Ryan Gravenberch from a promising yet raw talent to a world-class defensive midfielder was most astounding, with the 23-year-old starting all 34 league games before Liverpool sealed the title against Spurs. The summer months of 2024 hardly shaped the season that followed for Liverpool, and Slot has already proven that he doesn't require overwhelming transfer activity to be successful. Last summer, he saw just two arrivals come through the door in the form of Giorgi Mamardashvili (who was immediately loaned back to Valencia) and Federico Chiesa, who played a total of just 104 minutes in the Premier League. But with Trent Alexander-Arnold heading for the exit and a Premier League title to defend, Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards were expected to engage in a substantial recruitment drive over the coming months. And the early signs are extremely promising for Reds fans, with Jeremy Frimpong having signed from Bayer Leverkusen and Florian Wirtz soon to follow after Liverpool agreed a £116m deal with the German side. Areas to improve As tends to happen with champions, Liverpool are position-for-position the strongest team in the Premier League. But that is not to say they don't have room for improvement. Their first priority will be to address weaknesses - or vacancies - in the full-back roles. Right-back and local lad Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid following the expiry of his contract, though it looks like Liverpool have already found their replacement in the form of Frimpong. At left-back, Scottish stalwart Andy Robertson has looked shaky and could be set for a drop down the pecking order. Robertson, once the world's best in his position, has been something of a liability this term, and he has been attracting attention from Atletico Madrid. Deputy Kostas Tsimikas could also be on the chopping block, further emphasising the need for reinforcements. A younger, Premier League-proven replacement appears to be desired, with Milos Kerkez of Bournemouth seemingly set for a move worth around £45m. Further depth in midfield could also be required if Slot is to successfully defend his title. The futures of Darwin Nunez, Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota and more recently Harvey Elliott have been up in the air, which could lead to Liverpool investing in more forward-thinking options this summer. Potential targets Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen Not exactly a 'potential' target since Liverpool agreed a deal for the German superstar. Another star of Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen side, attacking midfielder Wirtz, 22, had been attracting the attention of Europe's biggest hitters for some time now, though the Reds beat off competition from Manchester City and Bayern Munich to all but seal a deal that could end up being the most expensive in Premier League history. Milos Kerkez, Bournemouth Kerkez has starred for the Cherries this season and seems to have been picked out as the rightful heir to Andy Robertson at left-back. Liverpool are said to be in talks with Kerkez, 21, who could be about to join compatriot Dominik Szoboszlai at Anfield. The marauding defender fits Slot's system well and could be valued around £45m. Alexander Isak With much of the rest of the squad seemingly in top shape ahead of 2025/26, Liverpool continue to be linked with a range of strikers. Alexander Isak has been touted as the club's 'dream' target, though with Newcastle having qualified for the Champions League it is seen as unlikely that they let their star player leave. Nevertheless, Reds fans can hope – Isak has transformed into one of the best strikers in world football in recent months, and his signature would certainly make Liverpool favourites for back-to-back league titles (and probably a European Cup to add to it). Hugo Ekitike This is seen as a somewhat more realistic signing for Liverpool, with the Frankfurt striker supposedly allowed to leave for around €100m. While Liverpool would be unlikely to spend that amount on the 22-year-old given his experience, some reports suggest that he could be available for something closer to £65m. Though Chelsea and Manchester United are also interested, it is assumed that the Reds would be able to convince Ekitike of the obvious merits of choosing Anfield over Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford. The young Frenchman has scored 22 goals in all competitions for the German side this season, and is widely seen as ready to take the step up to a top side. Angelo Stiller, Stuttgart Liverpool have found joy when fishing at the Stuttgart well for defensive midfielders before. They will hope highly-rated German star Stiller, 24, will follow in Wataru Endo's suit and swap the MHP Arena for Merseyside. The former Bayern Munich prospect has been at the heart of their midfield for the past two seasons and helped Stuttgart qualify for the Champions League in 2023/24. Julian Alvarez, Atletico Madrid An outside shout is ex-Manchester City forward Alvarez, who proved his worth as a top talent at the Etihad. He has taken off since he ditched being second fiddle to Erling Haaland, having enjoyed an impressive year since his £82m switch to Atletico Madrid last summer, scoring 29 goals and providing six assists in all competitions. His form may have peaked the interest of Liverpool, who are in the market for forward reinforcements. Darwin Nunez plus cash swap deal, perhaps? Current squad Goalkeepers 1. Alisson Becker 62. Caoimhin Kelleher 56. Vítezslav Jaros 95. Harvey Davies Defenders 2. Joe Gomez 4. Virgil van Dijk 5. Ibrahima Konate 21. Kostas Tsimikas 22. Calvin Ramsay (loaned out) 26. Andrew Robertson 46. Rhys Williams (loaned out) 47. Nathaniel Phillips (loaned out) 78. Jarell Quansah 84. Conor Bradley Jeremie Frimpong (squad number unknown) Midfielders 3. Wataru Endo 8. Dominik Szoboszlai 10. Alexis Mac Allister 17. Curtis Jones 19. Harvey Elliott 38. Ryan Gravenberch 43. Stefan Bajcetic (loaned out) 80. Tyler Morton Forwards 7. Luis Díaz 9. Darwin Nunez 11. Mohamed Salah 14. Federico Chiesa 18. Cody Gakpo 20. Diogo Jota 50. Ben Doak (loaned out)
The Independent
15 minutes ago
- The Independent
Manchester United fans criticise ticket rises as ‘kick in the teeth' after worst Premier League season
A rise in ticket prices at Manchester United has been described as a 'kick in the teeth' for fans. It comes after the Red Devils finished in 15th place in the Premier League, before losing in the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur. United, owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe recorded both their fewest Premier League points tally in a single season and their lowest finish. However, the announcement of the club's new 'match categorisation model' will lift the cheapest ticket price by over 50% for the majority of games. For around 20,000 tickets, which applies to the club's members, cup match prices will rise from £32 to £52. Premier League prices now range from £60 to £97 instead of £37 to £59, again rising after a record-breaking poor campaign. The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) has called the move a 'fresh kick in the teeth', claiming that fans were not consulted about the plans. It went on to say the plans would do 'enormous harm', undermining the atmosphere at Old Trafford and pushing away regular supporters in favour of what it called occasional visitors. A spokesperson for the Trust said: 'After how last season went, we might have hoped the club would reconsider their plans for this new ticketing model which will see eye-watering price increases for 20,000 supporters per game who buy tickets on a match-by-match basis. 'When the club said they were introducing this new model for members tickets, we urged them to keep the majority of matches at current levels and only apply the highest price category for a small number of the biggest games, and reduced prices for lower demand games. 'Once again, they have failed to consult any of the fans representative bodies on the details of the decision, and once again they're making choices against the interests of fans and, we believe, the club as a whole.' Ruben Amorim will take change of his first full campaign as United boss after replacing Erik ten Hag early in the 2024/25 term, looking to rebuild the club after seasons of failings on the pitch and anger of it. The MUST statement added: 'What Manchester United needs next season is a united fanbase and club, with the team on the pitch supported by loyal and vocal fans roaring it back after the disaster that was last year. 'These ticketing decisions only push those regular supporters away in favour of occasional visitors and risk pricing out the next generation of younger fans who are the very future of the club.'
BBC News
20 minutes ago
- BBC News
Askou on his 'deeper knowledge', attractive football & top-six aim
New Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has been speaking to the media for the first time since his are the key points:Motherwell's "new board and new ideas" were among the reasons for him being attracted to the job, along with the club's history and traditions. The Dane feels being the boss suits him best and that serving as assistant at his past two clubs - FC Copenhagen and Sparta Prague - has given him "a great experience to use in my next step as a manager". He adds: "I've got a deeper knowledge on things and how to implement them."He wants to play "dynamic football with players who want the ball and who want to take the initiative". Askou says his style of play with "big intensity" will be attractive to 42-year-old says it's too early to set targets, but sees no reason why the club can't reach the top six more often than they have done in recent acknowledges it will take time to "stabilise the club" and they "need some time to get things in the right direction".Askou is looking forward to becoming reacquainted with Russell Martin (played with him at Norwich) and Jimmy Thelin (both managed in Sweden). He says he didn't speak to them about this move, but is keen to catch up with them. On Lennon Miller, Askou knows he's an exciting player and has heard all the transfer rumours, but as far as he's aware there is no news on his future. He hasn't yet met Miller.
