It would be fair to say that, overall, last season did not go entirely to plan for Arsenal.

Partly due to injuries and partly due to a lack of form, Mikel Arteta’s side failed to secure the Premier League title.

However, there were still some positives to come from the campaign, notably in the shape of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.

The two Hale End talents burst onto the scene around the winter period, and while the former ended up with more of a permanent role in the team, both look to be sensational prospects.

For example, Nwaneri was able to rack up 11 goal involvements in just 1,378 minutes, and so fans should be seriously excited about links to someone who could be Arteta’s next version of the 18-year-old.

Nwaneri’s 24/25

Appearances

37

Starts

16

Minutes

1378′

Goals

9

Assists

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.29

Minutes per Goal Involvement

125.27′

Points per Game

1.95

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Arsenal close in on the next Nwaneri

While most headlines and fan attention have focused on the new additions Arsenal have made to the team this summer, such as Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, and now Viktor Gyokeres, the contract renewals have arguably been just as important.

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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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First, it was man-mountain and fan favourite Gabriel Magalhães who put pen to paper on a new four-year deal, then a few weeks later it was Lewis-Skelly’s turn to do the same with a five-year deal, and most recently, it was Nwaneri who committed the next five years of his career to the project.

The contract for the dynamic teenager came as something of a relief for many fans, as just a couple of weeks ago, there were murmurings that talks were not progressing as well as some at the club would have liked, and that game time was supposedly an issue.

Fortunately, none of those rumours appear to have been accurate, and now, in even more good news, the North Londoners look to have secured another highly-rated youngster who could be the next Nwaneri.

At least that’s according to a recent report from The Athletic, which has confirmed Arsenal’s interest in Salford City youngster Will Wright.

In fact, the report goes even further, revealing that the Gunners have already agreed on a fee with the League Two side, although personal terms still need to be finalised.

While the report makes no mention of how much the teenager is going to cost, stories from earlier this month claimed that the fee is around £200k, which is £100k more than Liverpool supposedly offered.

It might sound like a lot of money for a 17-year-old, but given the ability he has already shown and the potential he has, it could prove to be a bargain years from now, especially as he could be the next Nwaneri.

Why Wright could be the next Nwaneri

Now, comparing a youth product from a League Two side to one of the most exciting youngsters in the Premier League last season might sound like a lot, and that’s because it is.

However, with what Wright has already achieved in Salford’s youth sides and the way those in the know have been speaking about him, we see no reason why he too couldn’t develop into one of the most exciting prospects at Arsenal in the coming years.

Let’s take a look at their numbers for their club’s respective youth sides.

For example, in 52 appearances for the Gunners’ junior teams, Nwaneri managed to rack up a massively impressive tally of 27 goals and ten assists.

In contrast, the Salford gem scored over 40 goals in the academy last season, which is undeniably impressive, and strongly suggests he could be something seriously special.

On top of that, those with a good understanding of junior football are very excited about what the “technically gifted” gem, as dubbed by analyst Bence Bocsak, could develop into.

For example, Total Football Analysis, who take a look at some of the best wonderkids in world football every season, claim he has ‘many of the characteristics to be a top-level centre-forward’ and that, on top of being a prolific goalscorer, he’s also someone who ‘has the ability to connect play.’

Finally, despite being just 17 years old, the sought-after gem is already 6 foot 2, which means he can already physically dominate many of his opponents, and may grow to be even more imposing in the coming years.

Ultimately, it’s notoriously difficult to predict the future careers of young players, but as things stand, Wright appears to be on track to become a future star and potentially emulate Nwaneri’s breakthrough in the coming years.

Related Medical soon: Arsenal due to sign their new Ian Wright "within 24 hours"

The supremely dangerous attacker could break records at Arsenal.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 22, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur are now “pushing to sign” a £70m “beast” who is “very open to a move to Spurs” this summer, Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has revealed.

Richarlison and Son Heung-min's futures up in the air

Despite an impressive 2023-24 campaign, it would be fair to say that Richarlison hasn’t exactly set the world alight since making the move from Everton, and the Brazilian once again struggled to make an impact last season after struggling with injuries.

Richarlison at Spurs	PL appearances	Goals	Assists
2022-23	27	1	4
2023-24	28	11	4
2024-25	15	4	1

As such, Tottenham have now made the decision to transfer list the striker, amid interest from Galatasaray and Saudi Arabia, with talks over a potential exit being held over the course of the past month.

Consequently, one of Thomas Frank’s main tasks this summer could be to bring in a replacement, and a £32m offer has now been submitted for Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz, who is also attracting attention from newly-promoted Leeds United.

There has also been speculation surrounding Son Heung-min’s future, with the captain at one stage said to have been close to an exit, and Spurs are now looking at bringing in a long-term replacement for the South Korean.

According to an update from Plettenberg on X, Tottenham are now “pushing to sign” West Ham United winger Mohammed Kudus, who is “very open to a move to Spurs” this summer.

Negotiations are currently ongoing with West Ham, as Spurs “really want” to get a deal over the line, but there could be competition from clubs in the Saudi Pro League.

However, Kudus has aspirations of playing at the highest level in Europe, indicating the Lilywhites could be well-placed to win the race for his signature, with Champions League football set to be on offer at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next season.

"Beast" Kudus could be exciting signing for Spurs

A deal for the Ghanaian is likely to be on the expensive side, with reports suggesting the Hammers could hold out for £70m, but there are plenty of signs that he could be an exciting addition to Frank’s squad.

The 24-year-old is a particularly impressive dribbler of the ball, placing in the 97th percentile for successful take-ons over the past year, when compared to other wingers, while he has also displayed an ability to create chances and score goals.

Offer made: West Ham now leading race to sign "powerful" £20m+ defender

The Hammers could be closing in on their first signing of the summer.

1

By
Tom Cunningham

Jul 6, 2025

Indeed, the West Ham star regularly contributed with goals and assists during his first season in England, picking up 17 goal contributions in the Premier League, while finding the back of the net five times in the Europa League.

Described as a “beast” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Kudus could take his career to the next level at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but there may be some reservations about shelling out £70m, given that he didn’t manage to kick on at West Ham last season.

Arsenal have all but sealed the signing of Viktor Gyokeres, and Mikel Arteta finally has the centre-forward he has craved.

This is a club on the up, has been for several years with Arteta at the helm. But things have perhaps gotten a little monotonous. The football has lost a sense of flair. A sense of X-factor. A sense of electricity.

But context is important, and must indeed be applied here. The Gunners were wracked by injuries across the 2024/25 campaign, and the highest level of fluency was always going to prove difficult to reach.

But even so, the lack of an out-and-out goalscorer was evident; had Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus achieved injury-free seasons, something still would have lacked in the Premier League. Enter, Gyokeres.

The Sweden striker is the subject of a £64m agreement between Arsenal and two-in-a-row Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon. Across his two terms with the club, he has scored 97 goals and laid on 28 assists across 102 matches.

It’s a game-changing signing, and Arteta may be about to welcome more quality to his team.

What comes next for Arsenal

Gyokeres fixes what is ostensibly Arsenal’s biggest problem, but with the futures of left-sided forwards Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli unclear, technical director Andrea Berta may be set to oversee a few more exciting deals.

Arsenal are also looking for another creative midfielder, and are locked in talks with the camp of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. Xavi Simons has been of interest, but the RB Leipzig man looks likely to join Chelsea.

Simons’ versatility would have been a welcome asset for an Arsenal side in search of more dynamism and multi-faceted quality, but, in Eze, Arteta would land a sensation proven in the Premier League and having assumed a talismanic role for the Eagles last term, leading them to the FA Cup title.

Whether Eze or Simons joins the Emirates side remains to be seen, but a deal for either shouldn’t deter from the signing of an out-and-out winger.

Arsenal lining up new winger

As per Caught Offside’s Charles Watts, Arsenal are “looking at” a deal for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, though Liverpool are also expected to raise their interest if they sell Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich.

Though Los Blancos are open to selling Rodrygo, who has been informed of a reduced role in Xabi Alonso’s system, they will only part ways for a significant fee, with figures as high as £87m entering market discourse.

Watts stresses that the new deal for Ethan Nwaneri shouldn’t disrupt the pursuit of the Brazilian player.

What Rodrygo would bring to Arsenal

While Arsenal could do with some more creativity in the form of an up-and-coming talent like Simons, Martin Odegaard is set to lead the club once again.

The skipper might not have been at his best last term, but he’s still “one of the world’s best footballers”, as has been claimed by Benfica winger Andreas Schjelderup.

And with a “world-class” player such as Rodrygo out on the left, as has been said by his former teammate Luka Modric, there’s no telling how high the Real Madrid man could fly in an Arsenal shirt.

Rodrygo left plenty to be desired last season, but he’s surpassed 25 goal contributions across three campaigns now, surely underscoring his elite ability.

Furthermore, he only missed one big chance in La Liga last season, as per Sofascore, scoring six goals. What does this tell us? Well, it says that while he was under-par, the 24-year-old retained an impressive clinical edge to his performances, which could be enhanced in an Arsenal side desperate for a high-level winger to rival Bukayo Saka.

But with Saka, of course, one of the finest right wingers in world football, Rodrygo would need to move away from his regular role on that flank, and instead play off the left wing.

Luckily, this is exactly what he wishes to do, the right-footer having found the left side an elusive area, typically out of his reach due to Vinicius Junior taking precedence at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Right winger

31

8

5

Left winger

12

6

6

Centre-forward

10

0

0

Rodrygo’s prowess on the left is clear. He is far more prolific when placed in his natural role. Should Arsenal use him in the fitting way, there’s every chance that he would prove himself as a bigger talent than someone like Simons, who is on Arteta’s radar but perhaps isn’t needed when Odegaard is desperate to return to his finest form.

Moreover, the Dutchman scored 11 goals and provided eight assists across all competitions during the 2024/25 campaign, so even as he forged a highlight season in his career, Simons still wasn’t on par with Rodrygo, who had failed to spark his best football.

And though the 22-year-old is more of a playmaker than the fearsome Rodrygo, he routinely played out on the left wing, so it feels like the Gunners are instead prioritising the latter.

This is further reflected through the Bundesliga club’s asking price for their star man. Arsenal and Chelsea have both been quoted at £56m, suggesting that his signature doesn’t carry the same weight as Rodrygo’s.

But then we know this. We know how much of a statement signing this would be. With both Trossard and Martinelli flattering to deceive at stages last year, there’s little question that the Brazilian would spark frissons of excitement that Simons would perhaps not quite match.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It won’t be an easy one to pull off, but if Arsenal have the means, they must throw the kitchen sink at Rodrygo, reeling him over to take this exciting project to the next level.

Arsenal have the budget to sign £100m CF who's more exciting than Gyokeres

Arsenal are not finished yet in the summer transfer market.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 24, 2025

Sam Konstas has continued to flag his strong potential as a superstar of the future, writing his name alongside Ricky Ponting in the history books with another Sheffield Shield century.The teenage opener put New South Wales in control of their clash with South Australia at Cricket Central in Sydney, compiling 105 from 225 balls after making 152 in a breakout first innings.The hosts declared at 282 for 6 late on day three, with South Australia 7 for 1 chasing 389 runs for victory on day four after Nathan Lyon struck early to dismiss Conor McInerney without scoring.Earlier, 19-year-old Konstas became the youngest player since Ponting to record two centuries in the same Shield game. Australia’s most successful Test captain achieved the feat as an 18-year-old playing for Tasmania against Western Australia in 1992-93.Konstas is the third youngest to do so in Shield history behind Ponting and Archie Jackson. Konstas beat Sir Donald Bradman who first achieved the feat as a 20-year-old.”Obviously very special,” Konstas said of the feat. “But hopefully we get the job done tomorrow and keep doing our basics well.”Konstas was given an extra life by Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who dropped a sitter before the teenager got off the mark on day three.Having also missed a stumping in the first innings, Carey saved face with a diving catch that dismissed Nic Maddinson and continued the opener’s meagre start to his second stint at NSW.But Konstas nevertheless made the visitors pay. He brought up his half-century off Lloyd Pope in the 37th over with a four that rushed past extra cover so fast that Jordan Buckingham needed to jump to avoid the fence as he chased the ball past the boundary.South Australia managed to slow Konstas down after tea as batting partners fell around him.”They had different plans, they were bowling a wider line,” Konstas said. “I had to be a bit ruthless and cop my medicine a bit.”But the teenager finally brought his century up as the final hour of play approached, smacking a six over deep midwicket from Ben Manenti’s bowling.South Australia finally removed him, with McInerney sprinting to long-on to catch him off Pope.Earlier, Lyon continued an impressive lead-in to the Test summer, finishing his first Shield innings of the summer with a five-for.Lyon ripped through the South Australian tail to ensure they were back in the sheds inside the first hour on day three, all out for 260.Nathan McAndrew skied Lyon to deep square leg before Pope nicked off two balls later and set the stage for NSW to extend their lead, which was already 106 runs at the innings break.Lyon expects to play two more matches for NSW ahead of the five-match Test series against India that begins in Perth late next month.

Everton are now keen on signing a “quality” World Cup winner on a free transfer, according to a recent Toffees transfer report.

Jarrad Branthwaite signs new Everton contract

This week, Everton announced that defender Jarrad Branthwaite has signed a new long-term contract, which runs until the summer of 2030. The 23-year-old has been with the Toffees since 2020, when he joined the club from Carlisle United.

Calvert-Lewin upgrade: Everton advancing in talks to sign £34m striker

Everton are edging closer to signing a La Liga forward

ByRoss Kilvington Jul 1, 2025

After spells on loan at Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven, Branthwaite has now turned into one of Everton’s key defenders, and that has led to speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United most recently. However, Everton have acted quickly to secure his future, and Branthwaite is “over the moon” at extending his stay with the Premier League side.

Branthwaite told the club’s official website: “I’m over the moon. It’s been something we’ve been talking about since the end of the season, and to get it signed now is something I’m really excited about.

“The trust the club’s put in me and how many games I’ve played over the past two seasons has made it quite an easy decision for me to stay and to keep progressing as a player.

“I know the Club. I feel loved by the players – we’ve got a good group here – and the fans. Over the past few years, I’ve seen the impact the fans have on us as a team and how much it means to them. And, obviously, with the new stadium we’ve got here, the new ownership and the new manager, it’s an exciting project, and it’s something I want to be part of.

“Moving to the new stadium together and having that first game at home is something we’re all looking forward to. We want to go again and push for a good season.”

Everton keen to sign World Cup winner on free transfer

Now that Branthwaite’s future has been resolved, the Toffees are turning their attention to who could be playing alongside him. According to The Daily Mail, relayed by Liverpool World, Everton are interested in signing left-back Nicolas Tagliafico on a free transfer.

The Argentine international, who won the World Cup in 2022, left French side Lyon at the start of this month when his contract expired. Given his situation, David Moyes is interested in adding him to his squad, as he would provide competition for Vitaliy Mykolenko, who is Everton’s only recognised left-back.

Tagliafico, who has been dubbed “quality” in the past, has never played in the Premier League before but has enormous European experience after playing for Lyon and Ajax in most recent seasons.

Apps

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Goals

9

Assists

10

The report does claim that West Ham and Sevilla are also interested in signing the left-back, but the Toffees may have an edge in this race, as Tagliafico does have the same agency as current Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, which means there is a previous relationship between the agency and the club.

تمكن فريق ريال مدريد من تسجيل هدف أول في شباك نظيره إسبانيول، في مباراتهما الجارية حاليًا، في بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم، 2025/26.

ويستضيف ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” مباراة ريال مدريد وإسبانيول، في الجولة الخامسة من الدوري الإسباني (لمتابعة بث مباشر للقاء من هنا).

ونجح ريال مدريد في تسجيل هدف أول في شباك إسبانيول، وذلك في الدقيقة 22 من عمر الشوط الأول.

جاء الهدف عن طريق إيدير ميليتاو، بعد تمريرة من زميله فيدي فالفيردي حيث وصلت الكرة إلى البرازيلي الذي سددها صاروخية قوية، هزت شباك الضيوف، معلنًا عن هدف أول للملكي.

Fast bowler believes England are still in the contest after witnessing fast start to own innings

Andrew Miller08-Oct-2024

Brydon Carse appeals for the wicket of Aamer Jamal, his second in Test cricket•Getty Images

Brydon Carse was tired but proud by the close of the second day in Multan, after coming through a two-day trial in oppressive heat to claim his maiden Test wickets in the course of Pakistan’s imposing first-innings total of 556.Though he was made to wait until the 19th over of his debut performance, having had a first-day lbw verdict against Shan Masood chalked off on review, Carse was rewarded with the wickets of Naseem Shah and Aamer Jamal in his final two spells, to round off a wholehearted effort in conditions that his team-mates insisted are unlikely to get much tougher as his England career progresses.”It’s been hard work and hard toil over the last two days, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the challenge,” Carse told Sky Sports at the close. “Being out there with this group of lads, it’s been a tough but good two days.”A couple of the guys and Stokesy [Ben Stokes] said to me when we came in after fielding, ‘look, Brydon, it’s not going to get as tough as this [again] over the last two days’. There were times out there when the heat was probably the biggest challenge, and obviously the wicket, but as a group of bowlers, everyone kept on coming back, with the seamers in short bursts. Yeah, it was challenging at times.”Although Pakistan’s total is imposing by any standards, it could have been significantly worse had England not maintained their discipline until the bitter end. It was only in the closing moments of Pakistan’s innings, when Jamie Smith missed a stumping and Gus Atkinson dropped a sitter at midwicket, that the fatigue truly began to tell, but those misses ended up costing England just six runs between them.”I had a conversation with Woaksey and Gus towards the end there,” Carse said. “Both them boys’ legs were proper hanging on. There’ll be ice baths. we’re testing our hydration … I’ve been in the red for most of these two days, even with the constant consumption of water and fluids. But tonight, the lads will refuel and get food down us, and try and get a good night’s sleep, and hopefully have a good batting day tomorrow.”Coming into the contest, with memories of England’s victory at the same venue in 2022, it had been widely assumed that reverse-swing would be the likeliest means for the seamers to challenge on this surface. But the ball steadfastly refused to budge through England’s 149 overs in the field – a fact which surprised Carse.Related

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Jeetan Patel: England's 'high-end toil' keeps them in contention in first Test

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Crawley leads England reply after Salman hundred sets up Pakistan

“The guys were working on the ball out there, but I don’t think it was as abrasive over the square as we probably expected. There was a lot of short-pitched bowling and a lot of changing of fields, which is certainly a role that I have been used in back home in county cricket at certain times. But hopefully in the second innings, we can get that ball reversing quite quickly, then we might be able to set slightly different fields and not be as predictable.”Reflecting on his maiden stint as a Test bowler, Carse admitted he thought his first-day lbw appeal against Masood had been “stone-dead”, despite DRS showing it to have pitched just outside leg. Given Masood had made just 16 of his eventual 151, it was a key moment in Pakistan’s innings, as was Chris Woakes’ disputed boundary catch off Salman Agha, which was eventually given as six, and which Carse later acknowledged was “one of those 50-50 chances that didn’t go our way”.But he and England stuck to their task, and Carse’s moment of catharsis came in the fifth over of his opening burst on the second morning, as Naseem poked a lifter off his hip to Harry Brook at leg slip.”Popey actually said to me after the fourth over: ‘Do you want to go one more?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, definitely’. Because I felt I was close to getting the breakthrough that we needed. And then obviously it came, and it was a special feeling, although probably not the celebrations that you often expect.”With two days gone, England are behind in the game, and may yet have to contend with Ben Duckett’s injury absence after he was struck on the thumb while completing the final catch of Pakistan’s innings. But Carse was adamant there was plenty for his team still to fight for, especially given the flying start that Zak Crawley has provided to their first innings with his run-a-ball 64 not out.”We spoke last night when we had them 340 for four, if you had that sort of score back home in England, you’re probably behind the game quite a bit,” he said. “But coming into today, in that first session, they only got 60 or 70 runs, and we scored 100 there tonight in 20 overs. If we can come tomorrow and bat positively and really put their attack under pressure, let’s see where we’re at by the end of the day, and then there’s still two full days of cricket to go.”

Chelsea have reportedly set their sights on a PSG player who Juventus are in ongoing talks to sign, as the Serie A heavyweights face the prospect of a Premier League hijack if they don’t start making progress in negotiations.

£50m "game-changer" would now love to join Chelsea despite Arsenal approach

The Blues have been handed a boost in their pursuit of an attacker.

ByDominic Lund Jul 21, 2025

Enzo Maresca, as per reliable journalist Simon Phillips, is prioritising the signing of yet another attacker, despite having already seen Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro join his squad for a combined fee of around £145 million.

According to Phillips, Chelsea’s struggle against teams in the low-block last season is a key reason for this, with Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze and RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons both rumoured to be standout targets.

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

Chelsea held fresh talks with the representatives of Eze last week, while credible media sources suggest that Simons is also high on Chelsea’s attacking shortlist after another impressive campaign in Germany.

Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has even claimed that talks between all parties have commenced for Simons in particular, so this is certainly one to watch over the coming days.

While their priority appears to be the Dutchman as things stand, reports in Italy are now stating that Chelsea are emerging as contenders for versatile PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani.

During his best season to date, the France international – who also impressed during the latter stages of the World Cup in Qatar – netted 23 goals and registered 17 assists in all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022/2023.

Following a regrettable PSG stint – having signed for a seismic £76 million – Kolo Muani rediscovered some of his best form on loan at Juve last term, finding the net 10 times for them since January, and the Old Lady are currently attempting to sign him permanently.

Chelsea eye move for Randal Kolo Muani amid Juventus talks

That is according to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, who claim that Juve are in ongoing negotiations to make Turin the striker’s new home.

However, they warn Igor Tudor’s side that they face “serious” competition for the 26-year-old from England. Indeed, La Gazzetta state that Chelsea have expressed an interest in signing Kolo Muani, so Juve may not have it all their own way.

PSG want to cash-in on the player, who can also play on both wings, “immediately”.

This has prompted the Parisiens to explore the Premier League market if a solution cannot be found in talks with Juve, but it would be quite the move by Chelsea to bring in yet another centre-forward for Maresca after completing deals for Delap and Pedro.

He’d surely most likely be used as a wide player, especially if Chelsea don’t sell Nicolas Jackson, but there is still reason to believe he’d upgrade Maresca’s ranks.

“He is a striker who offers different game options to our team,” said Real Madrid star and international teammate Kylian Mbappé.

“He is very complete and has an impressive volume of play.”

Allrounder strikes fifty and takes two wickets as Hampshire close in on their fifth win of the season

ECB Reporters Network19-Sep-2024Liam Dawson returned 50 wickets in a Vitality County Championship season for the first time after scoring an eighth fifty of the season as Hampshire closed in on victory over Worcestershire.Spinning all-rounder Dawson reached a half-century of scalps by adding Kashif Ali and Adam Hose to his tally – in doing so beating the 49 wickets he claimed last season – with no spinner in the country taking more this year.Along with his bowling exploits, no one has passed 50 more times than Dawson in Division One in 2024, as he moved to 907 runs with a 51 which set Worcestershire 394 runs to win.The visitors ended the day five wickets down, still 277 runs short of victory – but with Jake Libby still undefeated on 55.Both sides are now only playing for positions after Hampshire’s improbable title challenge ended with Surrey’s victory over Durham, and Worcestershire’s survival already secured.Having elected against enforcing the follow-on the previous evening, Hampshire’s second innings was ramshackle and lacking in fluency, but still ended up at in the vicinity of the destination they would have aimed.The inability to score runs quickly was largely due to Joe Leach’s expertise with a nipping ball, taking three for 17, with six pressure-building maidens, across his first two spells.The 33-year-old is retiring after next week’s fixture against Lancashire, but proved he was still as skilful as ever to pick up Hampshire’s top three – although none of the wickets were classic dismissals.Toby Albert fell in the second over of the morning when he was strangled down leg and was caught behind, Fletcha Middleton lasted a further four overs before he was caught and bowled while playing across one, and first innings double centurion Nick Gubbins was caught at slip after the ball had looped off the wicketkeeper’s glove.Ben Brown quickly followed when Amar Virdi straightened one to pin him, but James Vince was keeping the scoreboard progressing with an often sketchy, sometimes glorious 44.Vince dragged Virdi onto his own stumps while sweeping but after lunch Tom Prest and Dawson returned with a lucidly attacking game plan to whip up a 72-run partnership at a whisker under a run-a-ball.Dawson followed his first innings century and five-wicket haul with a 63-ball fifty but fell soon after when Logan van Beek destroyed his stumps.Things turned frenetic again as James Fuller swished behind, Prest was leg before when stuck on the crease to Virdi, Kyle Abbott was bowled on the swing and Felix Organ was run out after a strike confusion with Mo Abbas – which prevented Virdi from a second career 10-wicket haul.With an imposing, but not impossible target, Gareth Roderick failed to show the resolve of the first innings by getting bowled by Abbott in the sixth over.Kashif Ali played for turn that didn’t come from Dawson to fall lbw in the 14th over before two fine slip catches from Vince accounted for Rob Jones and Adam Hose – the latter was Dawson’s 50th wicket of the season.Jake Libby had staunchly battled to 49, but when initially trying to reach the milestone, he ran out his partner Brett D’Oliveira, before eventually getting to a 47th first-class fifty with a less risky ambled single off 106 balls.Libby remained unbeaten at close, with Ethan Brookes hanging on alongside him.

Glasgow Rangers welcome Panathinaikos to Ibrox this evening in the first leg of their second round Champions League qualifier, and one player who will not be involved in Ridvan Yilmaz.

The Turkey international was left out of the squad for the match, with Jefte and Max Aarons preferred in the full-back department, and it remains to be seen if his future is in Scotland.

It was recently reported that the left-back has agreed to return to Besiktas this summer, but it is now down to the clubs to thrash out a deal for the defender.

Yilmaz only started 11 matches in the Scottish Premiership during the 2024/25 campaign and may be looking at a return to his home country to play week-in-week-out.

Rangers in talks to sign new left-back

The Light Blues should sanction an exit for the 24-year-old flop this summer because they are currently pursuing a deal for a player who would be a big upgrade for Russell Martin.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to DaveOCKOP, Rangers are in talks over a deal to sign Liverpool left-back Owen Beck to bolster their options at the back for the 2025/26 campaign.

The report claims that the two clubs are locked in negotiations but the Light Blues are progressing in their pursuit of a swoop for the Welsh full-back.

It adds that the Premier League champions are currently holding out for a fee of £10m for their academy graduate, whilst the Gers would like to pay around £7m for him.

However, John Percy has since claimed that Derby County have agreed a deal to sign the defender on loan, which means that the Light Blues will need to step up their pursuit immediately to hijack a move.

Why Rangers should sign Owen Beck

Martin should push for the club to reach an agreement with Liverpool in these talks because he is a proven Scottish Premiership performer who would come in as a big upgrade on Yilmaz this season.

The 22-year-old star, who was once described as a “spectacular” player by talent scout Jacek Kulig, spent last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, playing 24 times in the Championship, but previously shone on loan at Dundee.

Beck played 25 matches in the Premiership whilst on loan at Dundee in the 2023/24 campaign and caught the eye with his impressive displays at left-back, earning a place in the Team of the Year.

Premiership	Owen Beck (23/24)	Ridvan Yilmaz (24/25)
Appearances	25	17
Big chances created	6	4
Assists	4	2
Key passes per game	2.3	1.2
Tackles + interceptions per game	3.9	1.8
Ground duel success rate	57%	60%
Dribble success rate	60%	0%
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Liverpool loanee provided quality as both an offensive and defensive force down the left flank that season, as he created goals and prevented them by making tackles and interceptions.

These statistics suggest that the left-footed star has the potential to be a big upgrade on Yilmaz for Rangers, as he could provide more quality as a creator at the top end of the pitch whilst also offering a more well-rounded defensive presence, thanks to his strength in duels on the ground and in the air.

Given that his performances came in the Premiership, as well, the Light Blues would be signing him with almost a guarantee of quality, as Beck has been there and done it at that level.

As dispensable as Nsiala: Teams have major interest in Rangers flop

There are teams eyeing up moves for this flop and Clinton Nsiala from Rangers this summer.

By
Dan Emery

Jul 21, 2025

This is why the Light Blues should be pushing to sign the ace who was once considered the best left-back in Scotland, because he would improve the team and allow the club to send Yilmaz back to Besiktas, should an acceptable offer come in.