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GOAL ranks the top three soccer players produced by every state in the South, including Dempsey, Richards and Graham Zusi

Welcome to the South. American soccer, traditionally, has been concentrated in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic states, the Pacific Northwest and California. But there are some ballers from down south, too. Texas, in particular, has delivered top-level talent, with Clint Dempsey, Stu Holden and Omar Gonzalez – all seminal figures in the American game – coming from of the Lone Star State.

The South has contributed plenty. Florida, Alabama, Virginia and Maryland – if we're being a little generous geographically – have all had their part to play in the story of American soccer. And what they perhaps lack in number, they more than make up for with a little bit of southern grit. As Dempsey once said: "You don't know where I'm from, dawg."

Some regions in the U.S. have deeper player pools than others, so who is the best of the best? Which state has been the most fertile ground for developing American soccer talent?

GOAL ranks the top three men's soccer players from each of the 50 states. Next up, the South. Previous: Northeast

AFPAlabama: Chris Richards

Hometown: Birmingham

Clubs played for: Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim, Crystal Palace

USMNT caps: 33

Why he’s No. 1: Richards is proof of how finding the right club can change your career. Hyped by American fans when he joined Bayern Munich in 2018, Richards was too raw to make it in Bavaria at first. A middling loan to Hoffenheim followed, but he has since become a standout under Oliver Glasner for an excellent Crystal Palace team. These days, he's a top name on the teamsheet for the USMNT, too. Certainly, a bigger move is on the way for a real talent. 

Runners-up:

2. Tanner Tessmann (Birmingham): Coming into his own at Lyon, but still needs to show he can do it for a full season. 

3. Aron Johannsson (Mobile): A dual-national who rather lost his way, Johannsson had all of the talent, but never quite put everything together. 

AdvertisementGettyArkansas: Thomas Roberts

Hometown: Little Rock

Clubs played for: FC Dallas, North Texas SX, Columbus Crew 2, Stabaek FC, North Carolina FC

USMNT caps: 0

Why he’s No. 1: Arkansas is home to any number of NFL and NBA stars. Soccer really isn't the state's calling card. Thomas Roberts, now of the USL's North Carolina FC, was a youth national, but is on his sixth club at the age of 24. 

Runners-up:

2. Parker Maher (Fort Smith): A brief USL spell but little else for the Missouri State talent. 

3. Central Arkansas (Conway): OK, so not an individual player. But shout out to the Bears as the only Division 1 men's college program in the state.

GettyDelaware: Mark McKenzie

Hometown: Bear

Clubs played for: Bethlehem Steel, Philadelphia Union, Genk, Toulouse

USMNT caps: 22

Why he’s No. 1: Where do you want to start? McKenzie is the epitome of an American homegrown centerback in the modern era. He starred for a number of club teams before moving swiftly through college, MLS and then into Europe. These days, he is a regular for Toulouse and a presumptive starter for the USMNT at the World Cup – assuming he stays fit. 

Runners-up: 

2. Anthony Fontana (Newark): A seasoned journeyman who contributed to a Supporters' Shield win for the Union and flirted with a European career.

3. Rob Smith (Wilmington): One of the original MLS midfielders, Smith played for the Crew and also featured for the U.S. youth national teams.

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GettyFlorida: Graham Zusi

Hometown: Longwood

Clubs played for: Central Florida Kraze, Sporting Kansas City

USMNT caps: 55

Why he’s No. 1: Now we're talking. Florida is a sporting hotbed in general, and it has made a fine contribution to soccer, too. Zusi enjoyed a wonderful MLS career, playing 355 times for Sporting KC, serving as both a winger and right back. His impact at the 2014 World Cup simply cannot be understated, as Zusi provided two assists for a solid USMNT. Seven All-Star appearances, two MLS best XIs, and one of the top assist providers in the league, Zusi had a legendary career. 

Runners-up:

2. Dax McCarty (Winter Park): Could have earned the top spot. McCarty was a fantastic MLS journeyman who slotted in wherever he played. A word, in particular, for his marking of Lionel Messi in Atlanta's win over Miami in the 2024 MLS playoffs.

3. Aidan Morris (Fort Lauderdale): Give it a year or two, and Morris might be higher. He had slipped slightly since joining Middlesbrough, but remains a solid performer for the Championship club. The question is: what's next? 

India captain says their three allrounders gives them a lot of options

Andrew Fidel Fernando19-Feb-20251:12

Harshit or Arshdeep in India’s XI?

So what if it’s overcast in Dubai? And so what if there’s dew, or a little spice in the deck, or some movement in the air? Whatever this venue throws at India, they have the bowling options to deal with it.So said captain Rohit Sharma, ahead of India’s first match of the Champions Trophy against Bangladesh. This is a venue to which India are well-accustomed, having played nine T20Is here since October 2021. They haven’t played an ODI in Dubai since 2018, but the versatility in their likely XI will put them in a good position to adjust on the fly, according to Rohit.”If it’s going to be overcast, we have the bowling arsenal to combat that,” he said. “If there are overhead conditions helping the bowlers, we have the bowlers to exploit that. And if we bat in those overhead conditions, the batters know exactly what to do.”Among the strengths in this India squad, are the presence of “multi-skilled” cricketers, Rohit said. Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja could potentially all play in the same XI. Without spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out through injury, these are bowlers Rohit may lean on through the course of the tournament.Related

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“Those three guys – Jadeja, Axar, and Washy – give us a different dimension to the game, our combination, and our squad, and add a lot of depth. That is why we tried to get players who have two skills rather than one.”One of India’s pure bowling options, however, is wristspinner Varun Chakravarthy. He’s played only one ODI so far, but has an impressive List A record, having claimed 60 wickets from 24 matches at a spectacular average of 14.80. He is a player who deals in subterfuge, Rohit said.”He doesn’t bowl too many variations to us in the nets. He bowls just one type of delivery. Maybe, he doesn’t want to show his variations even to us. But that is a good thing. He has got certain weapons which he wants to just put it out there, when it actually matters. I am more than happy if he wants to do that.”But, he has got something different which is why he is here with us. He has been impressive in the last eight to nine months. That is why we wanted to bring him here and see what he has and what he can do for India on the big stage.”Another player who Rohit will look to, is Mohammad Shami, who only returned to international cricket late last month, after undergoing ankle surgery in early 2024. He only bowled 15.5 overs across the two ODIs he played against England, claiming a wicket in each outing. With Bumrah out, Shami’s form may be especially important to India’s chances.”All we wanted with Shami was to get back to wearing India colours more than anything else. Whether he gets wickets or not was completely immaterial to us [in the England series].”When you talk about a bowler like Shami, who has done the job over the years so many times for us – for them it’s just about getting back into rhythm. Hopefully he can find some rhythm early on in this tournament.”

West Ham United were turned down in the final hours of the summer transfer window after making a last-gasp approach to sign a “leader”, a reporter has revealed.

Igor delighted after signing for West Ham

West Ham’s deadline day was ultimately relatively quiet, with Igor Julio proving to be the only arrival, joining on loan from fellow Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.

Igor chose to move to the London Stadium rather than joining Crystal Palace, which may have caused the knock-on effect of Marc Guehi not signing for Liverpool, with Oliver Glasner always reluctant to sanction a move unless adequate cover was brought in.

Speaking after joining Graham Potter’s side, the Brazilian said: “I am really happy to be here at West Ham United,” said Igor. “It is a big Club, a historic Club, with fantastic support and a special identity. I saw this in Prague during the Europa Conference League final two years ago, and I feel very proud to now be representing the colours.”

Potter needed to get another centre-back through the door to replace the outgoing Nayef Aguerd, who has now signed for Marseille, but the Brighton defender was not the only target, with West Ham also making a last-gasp approach to sign Chelsea’s Axel Disasi.

However, reporter Graeme Bailey has since revealed that Disasi “said no” to a move to the London Stadium, while also shunning interest from the likes of AFC Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ajax to remain at Stamford Bridge.

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ByDominic Lund Aug 31, 2025 Julio could be better signing for Potter than Disasi

It is unclear why the Chelsea centre-back, who is valued at around £25m, was so reluctant to leave, given that there was widespread interest in his signature, and the Frenchman clearly isn’t a part of Enzo Maresca’s plans.

The 27-year-old, who has been described as a “leader” by journalist Nizaar Kinsella, was shipped out on loan to Aston Villa last January, and has failed to make a single appearance for the Blues so far this season.

The fact Igor actually wants to go and play football is an encouraging sign, and there are clear indications he is a more forward-thinking defender, who is comfortable in possession of the ball.

Average per 90 (past year)

Axel Disasi

Igor Julio

Passes attempted

58.50

68.37

Progressive passes

3.31

4.59

Blocks

1.01

2.25

Consequently, West Ham should not be too disheartened by the fact they missed out on the signing of Disasi, and they will be hoping picking up their first clean sheet of the season against Nottingham Forest last time out will be an early turning point.

Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele bizarrely compared his achievement to a goal he scored against Tottenham for Barcelona back in 2018. The Paris Saint-Germain star was given the honour of being named the world's best player throughout last season and he feels his drive to claim the trophy resembles a particular goal from seven years ago.

Dembele beats Yamal to the big prize

Dembele was the winner by a decisive margin as he added the individual accolade to his collection after guiding the French side to a clean sweep of domestic trophies and, most importantly, their maiden Champions League success. After beating Lamine Yamal and PSG team-mate Vitinha to the prize, the France international had an interesting analogy as he attempted to describe how he zeroed in on the award.

AdvertisementDembele compares win to solo effort against Tottenham

Dembele compared being named the world's best footballer with a solo goal he scored against Spurs for Barcelona at Camp Nou. In December 2018, Dembele fired the Spanish giants to an early lead in a Champions League clash against the London side. Spurs went on to claim a 1-1 draw, but the goal clearly sticks in the attacker's mind.

He explained to howthe win resembles the goal, saying: "I press the opponent, he loses his balance a little. I recover the ball and then, there is a two against one. 

"I said: 'I'm going alone'. I pushed the ball, I accelerated and I saw the player, the defender coming like crazy to tackle. I hooked him and I scored. It's pretty much the Ballon d'Or."

Dembele pays tribute to Benzema

Dembele went on to praise his compatriot Karim Benzema, who won the individual gong in 2022, and compared himself to the former Real Madrid striker, adding: "We both come from the suburbs, we grew up there, and to be at the highest level in the world, to win a Ballon d'Or, is exceptional. He is the first Ballon d'Or of the people, I am the second."

The 28-year-old also refused to call himself the best player in the world, as the expression ultimately does not matter or mean much to him. 

"It can change every weekend. One match, you are not good, we will say you are rubbish. The next match, you are the best in the world," said Dembele, before going on to stress that he owes his success to his PSG team-mates. "It's with everyone. It's a team… it's a whole group. It's the team's Ballon d'Or. Sorry for my language, but I didn't give a damn. You take it or you don't take it. Even if I wanted to score goals, I didn't mean to shoot up there."

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AFPDembele believes he and PSG can achieve more

While there were other worthy contenders, Dembele ultimately won the award as the crown jewel of a PSG that excelled in the 2024-25 season. As such, he refused to take much of the credit, repeatedly suggesting the award was the result of the team's performance. Even with this award, he still believes he needs to improve as a player, for fear of his manager looking to replace him. 

"If you don't win, if you're not hungry with Luis Enrique, you'll go to the bench. Or we'll buy another player," he said. 

Les Parisiens' defence of their Ligue 1 title hit its first hurdle earlier this week, when suffered a rare loss away to Marseille in a fiery clash that saw Roberto De Zerbi sent off towards the end. Dembele and his teammates will look to improve when they take on Auxerre later today, before a trip to the 28-year-old's stomping ground Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday. 

Sergio Busquets has announced he will retire at the end of the 2025 MLS season, prompting an outpouring of emotion from the football world. Former rival and Spain teammate Sergio Ramos paid tribute to the Barcelona legend, calling him “one of the most brilliant midfielders” he ever played alongside.

Barcelona legend bows out after stellar career

Busquets has confirmed that he will retire from professional football at the conclusion of the 2025 MLS season with Inter Miami. The midfielder, a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, made his senior debut in 2008 and went on to feature in over 700 matches for the club. Over 18 seasons, he lifted nine La Liga titles, three Champions League trophies and seven Copa del Rey's, cementing his place as one of the most respected midfielders of his generation.

AdvertisementRamos’ heartfelt farewell to Busquets

Despite their intense rivalry at club level, former Real Madrid and Spain captain Ramos took to social media to honour Busquets.

"Busi [Busquets], you are the definition of how to be exceptional while remaining an ordinary guy," Ramos wrote on his Instagram post. "A rival most of the time, a teammate many times over, you have always stood out for your class, vision, and quality of football, and for your humble and authentic nature. Football is losing one of the most brilliant midfielders I've ever played with, but you leave with the recognition and gratitude of all who have been with you and all who love this sport.

"Thank you for being a great player, a great teammate, and a great friend. I wish you the best for your new journey."

Barcelona pays tribute to Busquets

The Catalan giants also honoured Busquets, writing on social media: “The Club of your life. A legend at our Club. Thanks for all the football, Sergio!” His career at Barca saw him form the backbone of the midfield alongside Xavi and Andres Iniesta, contributing to one of the most successful eras in the club’s history. His move to Inter Miami in 2023 reunited him with Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez, where he continued to add silverware, including the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 Supporters’ Shield.

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Busquets’ enduring legacy in Spain and beyond

The 37-year-old's influence extends beyond club football. A key figure in Spain’s golden generation, he played pivotal roles in the 2010 World Cup triumph and the European Championship wins in 2008 and 2012. Admired for his intelligence, positioning, and humility, Busquets has inspired a generation of midfielders and will be remembered not only for his trophies but for the elegance and consistency he brought to the game.

Dele captured the hearts of the Tottenham Hotspur fanbase during his spell in North London, joining in a bargain £5m transfer from MK Dons in the summer of 2015.

No supporter could’ve imagined the immediate impact he would have on the first-team, racking up 269 appearances – netting 67 goals, with 22 of which coming back in 2016/17.

The Englishman won the PFA Young Player of the Year back-to-back, but his time at the club would come to an abrupt end – falling down the pecking order after scoring 14 times in his final three years at the club.

In an attempt to resurrect his career, he joined Como back in January, but only featured once – for a total of 10 minutes – subsequently departing Cesc Fàbregas’ side during the off-season.

There’s no denying the attacking midfielder failed to live up to the early expectations he once had in his professional career – potentially landing a similar player before the September 1st deadline.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for a new attacker this summer

Xavi Simons has been a player who has emerged on Spurs’ radar over the last couple of days, with the Lilywhites hierarchy even entering talks with the German side over a £60m transfer.

Chelsea have been said to be leading the race over recent weeks, but Thomas Frank’s side could complete their own hijack for the Dutch international’s signature in the coming days.

However, he’s not the only attacker who’s emerged on their shortlist in recent days, with Manchester United bomb squad member Jadon Sancho a potential option, according to TBR Football.

Journalist Graeme Bailey claims that the Lilywhites have “been offered” a last-minute deal for the Englishman, who looks certain to depart the Red Devils having initially cost them £73m.

It also states Frank’s side are desperate for a left-winger before Monday’s deadline, potentially targeting a move for the 25-year-old, who scored five times on loan at Chelsea in 2024/25.

Why Spurs’ latest target could be Dele 2.0

Had his career continued on the same trajectory, Dele would still have been a key member of the Spurs squad, subsequently entering the prime years of his career.

At 29, he should be thriving in the Premier League, but unfortunately, off-field events have prevented the former England international from kicking on his career.

He spoke openly about his personal life two years ago, allowing the supporters to gain an insight into his struggles – with sympathy undoubtedly being directed the midfielder’s way.

Ultimately, despite his excellent start to his career, it’s safe to say the player never managed to fulfil the potential he burst onto the scene with – something which is also evident with Sancho and his own career.

The winger thrived at Borussia Dortmund, making over 120 appearances for the Bundesliga side, before completing a £72m switch to join Manchester United back in the summer of 2021.

He’s only made 83 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring just 12 times and failing to match the high expectations he arrived at Old Trafford with – leading to his pending departure this summer.

It’s unclear how much a deal for the 25-year-old would cost, but the stats from his loan spell at Stamford Bridge showcase he does still possess top-quality talent, with Frank needing to unlock such talent if he joins the Lilywhites.

Sancho, who’s been labelled “incredible” by Joe Cole, ranked in the 91st percentile for progressive carries (5.1) and 91st percentile for carries into the opposition’s box per 90 (2.9).

Such numbers highlight the threat the former Dortmund star possesses in attacking areas, showcasing his ability to drive forward with the ball at any given opportunity.

Games played

31

Goals & assists

7

Pass accuracy

83%

Progressive passes

4.6

Progressive carries

5.1

Successful take-ons

2.3

Passes into the opposition box

2.5

Take-on success

46%

Carries into the opposition box

2.9

He also completed 2.3 take-ons per 90, at a success rate of 46% – further offering Frank’s side an added dimension within the final third for his first campaign in the role.

The winger has also been able to find a teammate consistently, completing 83% of the passes he attempted, subsequently ranking in the 93rd percentile for passes into the opposition box – which could provide those around him with key opportunities in front of goal.

There’s no denying that Sancho won’t be many of the supporters’ first choice between now and the end of the window, but it could be an excellent option if he can recapture his best form.

It’s unclear how much a deal would set the Spurs hierarchy back this summer, but it’s certainly a risk worth taking – with the upside massively outweighing the potential drawbacks.

The new Son: Spurs make last-minute approach to sign "phenomenal" £60m star

Tottenham Hotspur could be about to land a star who could be their next Heung-min Son.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 28, 2025

Celtic completed their first signing of the summer transfer window last week when they confirmed the arrival of Kieran Tierney from Arsenal on a free transfer.

The Scotland international will officially link up with his new teammates when his deal with the Premier League giants expires at the end of this month.

Tierney is not going to be the last signing to walk through the doors at Parkhead this summer, though, as the Hoops are reportedly closing in on the signing of Sweden international Benjamin Nygren.

Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph claims that the club are close to agreeing a deal worth around £2m with FC Nordsjaelland to sign the right-sided attacker.

This means that the Scottish Premiership champions are set to dip into the Danish market, having raided England, France, Germany, Scotland, Belgium, and Spain.

One country the club have not done much business in since Brendan Rodgers returned to Parkhead is Japan, which is where they snapped Daizen Maeda up from.

Celtic have hit gold with Daizen Maeda

The Hoops swooped to sign the Japanese forward from J1 League outfit Yokohama F. Marinos in January 2022 on an initial loan deal, which was then made permanent that summer.

Maeda had scored 26 goals in 70 matches for Yokohama F. Marinos before his move to Scotland, but he was unproven in European football and it was a gamble by Ange Postecoglou to bring him to Glasgow.

It is one that has paid off big time for Celtic, though, as the Japan international has developed into a star at Parkhead, and could be sold for big money this summer.

The 27-year-old is coming off the back of his best season in the Premiership for the Scottish giants, having previously offered a decent threat in front of goal in the league in his first two-and-a-half years.

Appearances

16

35

28

34

Goals

6

8

6

16

Conversion rate

18%

21%

13%

28%

Big chances created

5

6

5

10

Assists

5

5

3

10

As you can see in the table above, scored more than twice as many goals and produced twice as many assists as he did in the 2023/24 campaign.

This has led to reported interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, and Leeds United, with a £25m price tag placed on his head, which shows that Celtic have hit the jackpot with Maeda, because he is now an incredibly valuable asset and star performer.

The Scottish giants have not made a signing from Japan since they made Tomoki Iwata’s loan permanent in the summer of 2023, but they are now reportedly eyeing up a new addition from the J1 League.

Celtic eyeing deal for Japanese defender

According to Celtic Way writer Stephen McGowan, Celtic are working on a deal to sign Albirex Niigata centre-back Hayato Inamura in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Hoops are interested in signing the 23-year-old defender to bolster their options at the back, as he provides versatility with his ability to play as a centre-back or as a left-back.

Transfer Focus

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

McGowan’s article adds that Nygren is ‘on the brink’ of signing for the Premiership champions, and that Fulham’s Callum Osmand and Aberdeen’s Ross Doohan are also set to join to bolster Rodgers’ options across the park.

Inamura could be another signing on top of those potential deals, in what Celtic Way journalist Ryan McGinlay described as a “surprise move” for the “versatile stopper”.

If the Hoops can get a transfer for the Japanese centre-back over the line in the coming weeks, then the 23-year-old star could be a Maeda repeat for the club.

Why Inamura could be a Maeda repeat for Celtic

As aforementioned, Celtic hit the jackpot with Maeda as they snapped him up from the J1 League and provided him with a platform to develop into a £25m-rated asset thanks to his performances in recent seasons.

The Hoops could strike gold from the J1 League one again by signing Inamura this summer, because he is an exciting young defensive talent who could come in to improve the manager’s options at the back.

Inamura is a left-footed centre-back, who can also play left-back, and this means that he would arrive at Parkhead to compete with Liam Scales and Auston Trusty for a starting berth in the team next to Cameron Carter-Vickers.

His performances in the J1 League during the 2025 campaign so far suggest that he has the potential to come in as an upgrade on Celtic’s two current options in that position.

Appearances

13

26

22

Tackles + interceptions*

1.7

1.9

2.3

Ball recoveries*

5.4

3.9

3.3

Clearances*

5.1

4.8

4.0

Error led to shot/goal

1

1

5

Penalties committed

0

1

0

As you can see in the table above, Inamura could make more defensive interventions per game for the Hoops, with far more clearances and recoveries than the Hoops duo.

He could also be more reliable as a defender. The Japanese titan has only made one error that has led to a shot, goal, or penalty in 25 J1 League games in his career, whilst Trusty, for example, made five such errors in just 22 league outings in the 2024/25 campaign.

Therefore, Inamura could come in as an upgrade on Scales and Trusty in the left-sided centre-back position by offering more quality defensively, and fewer big errors, which also may be why the club are eyeing up a deal to bring him to Glasgow.

If he can translate his J1 League form over to the Premiership, the 23-year-old enforcer could be a regular starter next to Carter-Vickers and establish himself as a star for the Hoops, which would make him a Maeda repeat as another successful signing from the Japanese market.

He's for sale: Celtic feel they can seal bargain deal to sign PL player

Celtic are looking to improve their options in the middle of the park this summer.

ByDan Emery Jun 15, 2025

Liverpool’s pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen superstar Florian Wirtz looks to finally be coming to a close, as BILD have confirmed a date for the playmaker’s Reds debut, with his contract expected to be signed in the coming days.

The Reds have been pushing to sign the 22-year-old in recent weeks, in what has to be considered one of their most exciting pieces of business in the past decade.

Wirtz has been voted the best player in the Bundesliga in both of the past two seasons by his peers, and he is considered among the most talented attacking players in Europe. Leverkusen have been stubborn in letting their star player leave, however, with Liverpool already seeing a £113m bid for his services rejected.

That said, the player himself wants to move to the Premier League champions, rather than stay put or join Bayern Munich, and there has been continued confidence that a deal will be agreed sooner rather than later.

With Wirtz’s international commitments with Germany now done for this month, the hope is that the transfer moves quickly now, and a fresh claim certainly suggests that that is the case.

Wirtz set to make Liverpool debut against Preston on July 13

Now, according to BILD in Germany, Liverpool are closer than ever to completing the signing of Wirtz from Leverkusen, as he is set to sign his contract before heading on holiday.

It is claimed that the Reds will offer €140m (£118m) for the German, with a “package consisting of a fixed transfer fee and realistic additional payments, possibly with additional bonus payments”, with the overriding feeling now that the two clubs are close to an agreement.

They even report he will make his debut in the pre-season opener against Preston, with the trip to Deepdale on July 13 pencilled in after joining his colleagues in training from July 7.

This is the news that so many Liverpool fans will have been hoping to hear, considering Wirtz could be a game-changing signing in their attack, having been lauded as the “best” in the world in his position by Patrick Helmes.

There will clearly be huge pressure on Wirtz to excel for Liverpool, considering he will shatter their club-record fee, but he has all the tools to be a sensation, from creative genius in the No.10 role – he has 57 goals and 65 assists for Leverkusen – to a strong work ethic out of possession.

Man City star's £500k-p/w Saudi move collapsing as Liverpool ace in talks to join instead

Is it the end of his Reds career?

ByHenry Jackson Jun 9, 2025

It’s now a case of getting the deal completely over the line, with the Germany international linking up with Jeremie Frimpong again at Anfield, and hopefully Milos Kerkez and an elite new striker to follow, especially if Darwin Nunez leaves Anfield in the coming days.

With Steven Gerrard potentially on his way back to the club, Rangers could now reportedly bring an experienced star to Ibrox this summer in a surprising new role at the club.

Rangers' manager update

With the season now over, the Gers have instantly turned their attention towards finding their next permanent manager. It’s a decision that those at Ibrox must get right as the 49ers look to make an instant statement in Scotland. Just who will take to the hot seat next is the unanswered question. So far, a range of names have been linked with the role with Davide Ancelotti and Gerrard particularly standing out.

According to recent reports, Gerrard could return to Ibrox for the first time since leaving them for the chance to take charge of Aston Villa in 2021 in what may receive a mixed reaction. The Liverpool legend would certainly need to get off to a strong start back in Scotland in an attempt to get any frustrated fans back onside four years on from his departure.

Meanwhile, Ancelotti is also an interesting candidate. The assistant manager to his father, the legendary Carlo Ancelotti, for much of his career, he could now choose to break away and commence his own managerial spell.

Igniting reports, his father has chosen not to take Ancelotti to the Brazil national team with him, claiming that his son is in talks with a European club. The former Real Madrid manager told reporters: “Davide is currently in negotiations with a European team. I don’t think it’s right for him to come with me. If he goes to a club, I wish him the best. And if not, he can come back to us at any time.”

Whether that European club is Rangers remains to be seen, but Ancelotti is certainly one to watch alongside Gerrard.

Gerrard could bring Henderson with him to Rangers

If it is to be Gerrard, then he could bring a Premier League-winning captain with him to Ibrox. According to reports from the Netherlands, as relayed by The Daily Record, Rangers and Gerrard are now interested in signing Jordan Henderson from Ajax this summer in an unexpected coaching role, with the former Liverpool midfielder reportedly open to a new adventure.

It’s been a tough few years for Henderson on the pitch. His decision to leave Liverpool to join Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq side in 2023 was ultimately one that he came to regret. Meanwhile, his time at Ajax has since been mixed and he could be on his way out of the Dutch giants just 18 months after arriving. From being a Premier League-winning captain at Anfield, Henderson is at a major career crossroads.

49ers could sign "terrific" star who'd be Rangers' next Aribo at Ibrox

Rangers could repeat their Aribo masterclass in move for Championship winger

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If anyone knows about the midfielder’s quality too, it is Gerrard. The Anfield hero played together with Henderson, currently on a base salary of £75,000-a-week, at the heart of Liverpool’s midfield for a number of years and shared high praise for his former teammate back in 2019 – telling reporters: “Some people don’t see the stuff behind the scenes, the gym work, the way he eats, but he is an incredible role model.

“He is selfless. He puts himself at the back of the queue because he looks after everyone else first. He puts Jordan Henderson last.”

It doesn’t take a footballing genius to work out what Arsenal need this summer.

Mikel Arteta’s side failed to get over the line in the Premier League for the third time on the bounce this season, and while they sit just one place off Liverpool, they’ve scored 14 goals fewer.

Now, part of that is undoubtedly down to injuries, but it’s incredibly evident that the Gunners need a new striker once the transfer window opens, and the board seem to agree.

However, while Alexander Isak remains the dream signing for so many fans, his potentially £150m price tag makes the idea of him moving to the Emirates seem practically impossible.

Fortunately, recent reports have linked the North Londoners with someone who could be an ideal alternative.

Arsenal's striker search

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth reviewing a couple of the other striker targets linked with Arsenal in recent weeks, such as Viktor Gyokeres and Daizen Maeda.

Transfer Focus

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The former could move to N5 for around £70m, and while that would make him one of the Gunners’ most expensive signings ever, he’d probably be worth it as, in just 48 games this season, he’s racked up 52 goals and 12 assists.

The latter could be available for just £25m, which might also prove to be an absolute steal, as in just 47 first-team appearances for Celtic this season, the Japanese international has scored 33 goals and provided 11 assists.

However, Arteta and Co might want someone with more experience of football in a top-five league, which could explain the links to Ollie Watkins.

Yes, according to a recent report from Football Insider, Arsenal are ‘planning to reignite their bid to sign’ the Aston Villa star.

The report has revealed that even though the Claret and Blue rejected a £50m offer from the Gunners in the January window, he’s back on the club’s shortlist ahead of the summer.

It’s unclear how much he’d cost, but with more time for Villa to find a replacement, it might not be far off Arsenal’s original offer, making him an incredibly appealing Isak alternative.

Why Watkins would be a great Isak alternative

Okay, so the first thing to say is that in an ideal world, Arsenal would just go out and sign Isak, but that feels incredibly unlikely to happen and points to the first significant advantage to signing Watkins over him: the price.

For example, if the reports are to be believed, then the Villa ace could cost as much as £100m less than the Swedish international, which in turn would allow the Gunners to splash the cash on several other first-team players, like Nico Williams, Martin Zubimendi and others.

Moreover, even though he’d cost a third as much as the Toon ace, it does not mean he’d be a third as good.

For example, in 50 appearances this season, totalling 3054 minutes, the Englishman, whom podcaster Rohan Jivan described as “one of the best centre-forwards in Europe,” has scored 16 goals and provided 13 assists, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 111.75 minutes.

In contrast, the former Real Sociedad star has scored 26 goals and provided six assists in 39 appearances, totalling 3054 minutes, which comes out to a slightly better average of a goal involvement every 1.21 games, or every 95.43 minutes.

Finally, Arteta needs players he can rely on next season, and when it comes to fitness, the former Exeter City star is far more reliable than his potential competitor.

For example, he’s missed just three games for club and country across his entire career, whereas the Swede has already missed 67, and he’s only 25 years old.

24/25

43 days

3

9

23/24

56 days

2

12

22/23

107 days

1

18

21/22

28 days

2

5

18/19

66 days

5

15

17/18

33 days

1

8

16/17

4 days

1

0

With Isak unattainable this season, Arsenal would do well to sign Watkins as an alternative, as on top of costing up to £100m less, he’d be far more reliable.

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