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Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier has admitted it would be a "dream" to move to the Premier League amid links with Manchester United.

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Onana facing uncertain Man Utd future Red Devils on the lookout for new keepersChevalier reveals Premier League "dream" Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Amid the uncertainty over Andre Onana's United future, Chevalier has been linked with a move to Old Trafford. The 23-year-old has impressed for the Ligue 1 team in recent seasons and now he has opened the door to an English top-flight move.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT CHEVALIER SAID

He said, via Sport Witness: "The Premier League? It’s a league that makes you dream, the most attractive. When you see Tottenham, Manchester United struggling with crazy players, you can see the level a bit. I have a two-year contract, and you know the president (Oliver Letang) [laughs]. I haven’t had any specific offers from this country, but it makes you think."

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Onana has made multiple high-profile errors since his £44 million ($58m) move from Inter Milan in 2023, throwing into doubt his long-term suitability as United's number one. The Red Devils have also been linked with Torino keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, so a big summer lies ahead for Onana and Ruben Amorim's team.

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AFPWHAT NEXT?

All eyes will be on how Onana performs in United's final games of the season, the most important of which is a Europa League final against Tottenham on May 21.

Of all the problems that have encapsulated Arsenal’s struggles this season, Martin Odegaard’s form, or lack thereof, has felt the most significant.

For the few campaigns prior to this one, the Norwegian maestro was comfortably one of the Gunners’ most essential starters, as evidenced by his second successive Player of the Year Award last season.

However, whether it be down to his ankle sprain, fatigue or a drop in confidence, the former Real Madrid wonderkid has simply not been up to scratch this season.

Worse still, the 26-year-old is being outperformed by a player sold by Arteta a few windows ago, and some might even say he’s not performing well enough to wear the captain’s armband.

Arsenal's recent captains

Before Odegaard was named captain in the summer of 2022, at just 23 years old, Arsenal’s leader on the pitch was Alexandre Lacazette.

The French striker only had the armband for the latter half of the 21/22 season, getting it on a stand-in basis in December 2021 and then permanently in February 2022 before he left the club at the expiration of his contract that summer.

While the former Lyon star led the line well enough during his short stint as captain, he ultimately failed to lead the team to any glory or into the Champions League places, ultimately finishing just outside in fifth place.

In contrast, while Pierre Emerick Aubameyang’s time in charge ended in disgrace, he did have the armband the last time the North Londoners lifted the FA Cup in July 2020, scoring goals against Manchester City in the semi-final and Chelsea in the final.

Moreover, for the first half of his stint leading the team, the Gabonese superstar was arguably the most important member of the squad, as his incredible goalscoring record was the only thing keeping them from sliding even further down the table.

However, while the unreal marksman lost the armband in acrimonious circumstances, it was nowhere near as bad as Granit Xhaka’s loss of the captaincy.

The Swiss international was given the role by former manager Unai Emery in September 2019 but lost it just two months later when he swore at the Emirates faithful and threw both the armband and shirt to the crowd while being booed as he was substituted against Crystal Palace.

The tenacious midfielder eventually won the supporters back onside but left the club to join Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 for just £21m, where he won the Bundesliga last season and is outperforming Odegaard in a key area this year.

How Xhaka is outperforming Odegaard in 2024/25

So, the first thing to say is that, as Odegaard generally plays in a more advanced position than Xhaka, the fact he’s outperforming him for goals and assists should not come as a surprise.

That said, the fact that his tally of three goals and six assists is only marginally better than the Swiss star’s haul of two goals and six assists is perhaps an indication of just how much he has underperformed this year.

However, raw output is not the area in which the former Arsenal ace is outperforming the current captain.

Total Progressive Passes

166

241

Progressive Passes per 90

10.2

10.5

Total Passes into final 1/3

87

267

Passes into final 1/3 per 90

5.34

11.7

Instead, it is something just as important: their passing. More specifically, their progressive passes and their passes into the final third.

For example, according to FBref, the “dangerous” Leverkusen star, as dubbed by Ian Wright, is averaging 10.5 progressive passes per 90 this term.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

That just so happens to be the second-highest across Europe’s top five leagues, and significantly more than the Gunners’ number eight, who is averaging 10.2, despite playing higher up the pitch.

Likewise, the North Londoners’ former captain, who was nominated for the Ballon d’Or, also ranks second in the top five leagues for passes into the final third, at 11.7, while his distant successor has only been able to produce 5.34 on average per 90.

Ultimately, Odegaard is an undeniably talented footballer and someone who could still lead Arsenal to glory at some point, but this season, he has been incredibly underwhelming, and the fact that a 32-year-old Xhaka is outperforming him suggests as much.

No starts in 2025: Arsenal must unleash their "master of the dark arts"

The fan favourite has been sorely missed from Arsenal’s starting XI this year.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Feb 26, 2025

Heat lost wickets in clumps – twice – to put up a below-par total

AAP07-Jan-2023Cameron Bancroft and Aaron Hardie cracked quick-fire half-centuries to power Perth Scorchers to a seven-wicket win over Brisbane Heat at Optus Stadium.In reply to the Heat’s 9-171, the Scorchers reached the victory target with 21 balls to spare, courtesy of big knocks from Bancroft (76 not out off 48 balls) and Hardie (57 off 33 balls).Bancroft was playing just his third BBL clash of the season after being squeezed out of the side by Faf du Plessis and Adam Lyth for much of the campaign. But with du Plessis now having joined the SA20 and Lyth dropped following a horror run of form, Bancroft looms as a key player in the Scorchers’ bid to win back-to-back titles.Bancroft cracked seven fours and two sixes, combining with Hardie for a 111-run stand that set up the win. Hardie was brutal with five fours and three sixes before being run out in the 12th over.The result lifted the Scorchers back to the top, with the Heat seventh after posting just two wins from their first eight games.Josh Brown showed his big-hitting wares again•Getty ImagesHeat made a dream start to the match thanks to their departing import Colin Munro. Munro, who will link up with the ILT20 next week, blasted three fours and three sixes on the way to posting 45 off 26 balls. He combined with Josh Brown (34 off 21 balls) to lift the Heat to 81 for 0 by midway through the eighth over.But Scorchers’ attack hit back strongly, with Andrew Tye (3 for 37), Matt Kelly (2 for 28), and Lance Morris (2 for 40) sparking a collapse of 9-90. Heat only scored 25 from their final four overs, losing three wickets in the last over as their search for quick runs at the death fell flat.Morris was pummelled for 16 off his first over, but the speed demon bounced back with the scalps of Munro and Jimmy Peirson (23 off 19 balls).The return of Morris from Test squad duties helped offset the loss of Jhye Richardson, who is set to miss two to three weeks with a hamstring injury.

Arsenal are on the verge of signing Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi after seeing off competition from Real Madrid and Barcelona.

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Arsenal set to sign ZubimendiReal Sociedad star agrees on personal termsGunners saw off competition from Madrid and BarcaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per various reports, Arsenal have a deal in place for the 26-year-old, with only an announcement left. The player has verbally agreed on personal terms with the Gunners, who are set to trigger his €60 million (£51m/$68m) release clause.

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In January, it was reported that the Gunners were in advanced talks with Real Sociedad over sealing a transfer for Zubimendi in the summer. However, in March, fresh reports emerged that Real Madrid had joined the transfer race, along with long-term admirers Barcelona.

DID YOU KNOW?

The defensive midfielder has appeared in 44 matches for La Real in the 2024-25 campaign across all competitions, scoring two goals and providing as many assists.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

Mikel Arteta's side will aim to end the current season on a high and face champions Liverpool on Sunday. Their main motivation will be to hold on to second place before bringing in reinforcements like Zubimendi in the summer.

Chelsea are now in hot pursuit of an important Arsenal target, having recently stepped up their interest, according to a report.

Blues eyeing a right-back

Reece James has already matched the number of Premier League appearances he made last season, with his tenth outing coming in the 2-1 loss against Aston Villa at the end of February, but the 25-year-old has continued to struggle with injuries.

There have also been reports linking Malo Gusto with a move away from Stamford Bridge, which means a new right-back may be required in the summer, and potential targets have now been identified.

Talks have been held over a move for Flamengo right-back Wesley Franca, with the 21-year-old impressing in his native Brazil, but there have also been reports Enzo Maresca’s side could make a move for a player with more experience at the top level.

Chelsea now planning to submit £50m offer for "spectacular" midfielder

The Blues are set to make a bid for a 20-year-old, who is now considered one of their key targets.

ByDominic Lund Mar 9, 2025

According to a report from Spain, Chelsea have now stepped up their interest in Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries, and they are now said to be in hot pursuit of the right-back, but there could be stiff competition for his signature.

Manchester United and Arsenal are also named as potential suitors for Dumfries, with the north Londoners viewing him as a key target to bolster their options at right-back, which is a position they are keen on strengthening as a priority.

The Dutchman is now becoming increasingly likely to leave Inter this summer, with the Serie A side setting an asking price of €50m (£42m), making him a relatively affordable option for the three Premier League clubs in the race.

Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League fixtures

Date

Arsenal (a)

March 16th

Tottenham Hotspur (h)

April 3rd

Brentford (a)

April 6th

Ipswich Town (h)

April 12th

Fulham (a)

April 19th

"Big star" Dumfries impressing for club and country

The 28-year-old has chalked up 63 caps for the Netherlands, and he received high praise from Rafael van der Vaart just under a year ago, at which point he was on a remarkable run of assists.

Chelsea are already relatively well-stocked at right-back, but James’ injury issues mean Maresca cannot depend upon the captain, so it could make sense to pursue a new option this summer, and Dumfries is proven at the highest level.

The allrounder is unlikely to be available to bowl, however, as Australia ponder team balance

Andrew McGlashan04-Feb-2023Australia allrounder Cameron Green has shown encouraging signs in his recovery from a broken finger as he makes a late bid to be fit for the opening Test against India in Nagpur, although it remains highly unlikely that he will be able to bowl.Green got the all-clear to resume training shortly before leaving for the tour and has now begun batting and bowling with a hard ball in the nets. The concern for the management will still be the build-up of his workloads after a month out of action, but before leaving Sydney head coach Andrew McDonald indicated he would be considered as a specialist batter.Related

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India vs Australia this century: one classic after the other

“He’s made some significant steps forward in the last couple of days, probably to my surprise, so there’s still an outside chance that everything going well he might be on the team sheet,” McDonald told reporters in Alur on Saturday. “I wouldn’t say he was in discomfort with his bowling, one of the deliveries jarred the bottom of the bat and that can create discomfort for anyone but there’s a little bit of awareness around that finger.”However, with Green still only a very slim chance of being an option with the ball in the first Test, which begins on February 9, it continues to raise the question as to how Australia will balance their side. Against South Africa at the SCG last month, Ashton Agar was recalled to partner Nathan Lyon and while there has been the assumption two frontline spinners will play in Nagpur, captain Pat Cummins was well aware of the potent force Australia’s quicks can be even while they are missing the injured Mitchell Starc.”I wouldn’t say it [two spinners] is a given, it’s very conditions dependent so particularly this first Test, once we get to Nagpur we’ll see,” Cummins said. “I think sometimes talking about a couple of spinners you forget how good a lot of our fast bowlers have been in all conditions. Even some of the SCG wickets, there hasn’t been a lot in them for quick bowlers but the quick bowlers have found a way.”We’ve got plenty of bowling options here – fingerspin, wristspin, left-arm, Starcy when he comes back – so we’ll obviously pick the bowlers we think can take 20 wickets, how we are going to split that up we aren’t 100% sure yet.”If Australia do go with two frontline spinners, Cummins was open to the uncapped offspinner Todd Murphy partnering Lyon, although Australia also have Travis Head’s bowling to call on. Legspinner Mitchell Swepson is the other option in the squad.”It’s a chance. That’s something we’ll have to balance up if we want to go with two spinners,” he said. “Do we want variation, or just two offspinners? So there’s no reason why we can’t go that way. Travis Head is in the side as well and bowls really good offspin. We’ve got plenty of variety to choose from.”On the batting front, McDonald believes that David Warner will be motivated to overturn a mediocre record in India despite speaking of his fatigue after a busy home summer shortly before departing for the trip.”He’s really looking forward to the challenge of India and it’s been well documented that he hasn’t had the series that he would’ve liked here, and it’s always challenging,” McDonald said. “But the way that he’s applying himself in his downtime to really landing on a method to take on the Indian spinners, also the quicks, and to have a successful tour…I think you’ll see him fully invigorated, fully invested and fully recharged for the challenge ahead.”Australia will have another full training session in Bengaluru on Sunday before traveling to Nagpur on Monday.

The semifinal will be decided in the return leg this Sunday at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, where América will host Cruz Azul.

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Cruz Azul edged Club América 1-0 in the first leg of the Clausura 2025 semifinalIgnacio Rivero scored for André Jardine was sent off for protesting the referee’s decisionsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Cruz Azul edged Club América 1-0 in the first leg of the Clausura 2025 semifinal, played at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario. Ignacio Rivero scored the decisive goal in the 59th minute, giving an important advantage heading into the second leg.

Following the defeat, América striker Henry Martín addressed the media in the mixed zone and conveyed confidence within the squad about mounting a comeback.

“You can never count América out,” said Martín. “I think we’re more alive than ever. We’ve come back from tough moments before, and we believe we can do it again.”

One of the most debated incidents of the match was a potential handball by Erik Lira. Martín admitted that on the pitch it seemed like a hand, but the team hadn’t reviewed the footage.

“I haven’t seen the video yet,” he said. “On the field, everything happens so fast. It looked like a hand to all of us, and that’s why we protested. But I don’t know if it was actually punishable — I’d need to see it again.”

The match was heated, and tensions flared at times. América head coach André Jardine was ejected from the sidelines for protesting refereeing decisions. Martín downplayed the incident, attributing it to the emotions of the moment.

“It was just part of the heat of the game,” he said. “I didn’t see exactly what happened — I was with Fidalgo — but nothing serious. The team remains strong, and we’ll fight just as hard in the second leg.”

América struggled to convert chances, but Martín was not discouraged by the lack of goals.

“These things happen,” he said. “It would be more worrying if we weren’t creating chances at all.”

With Jardine ejected, assistant coach Paulo Rodrigues took over postmatch media duties. He acknowledged Cruz Azul’s strength and the fine margins that decided the game.

“Matches against Cruz Azul are always intense, very even in terms of chances,” said Rodrigues. “This one came down to a set-piece. We pushed hard with the man advantage late on, but they defended well in a deep block. Now we prepare to turn it around at home.”

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Vicente Sánchez and Cruz Azul have now gone 19 matches unbeaten, firmly establishing themselves as the most in-form team of the Liguilla. However, the narrow 1-0 win offers little comfort. América, despite the loss, would advance to the Clausura 2025 final with a one-goal victory in the second leg, thanks to their higher seeding — keeping their dream of a historic four-peat alive.

Will América pull off the comeback and continue their dominance in Liga MX playoffs, or will La Máquina finally break the azulcrema stronghold and book their place in the final?

Getty Images SportWHAT VICENTE SÁNCHEZ SAID

Cruz Azul manager Sánchez praised his squad for their effort and execution in a tough and tactical match. Rivero's goal, which came off a set piece, proved to be the game-winner in a contest defined by narrow margins.

“We went out from the first minute to win it,” said Sánchez in his post-match press conference. “These playoff matches are always tight. It’s a clásico, and we were able to preserve our unbeaten home record, which means a lot to us and to our fans who’ve been behind us all season.”

Sánchez also addressed the red card issued to Rivero in the second half for a challenge on Álvaro Fidalgo. Despite going down to ten men, Cruz Azul maintained their composure and structure.

“The team reacted well and managed to hold on to the lead,” he explained. “This group has great depth and character. Now we’ll start preparing for the return leg.”

With Thursday’s victory, Sánchez extended his undefeated streak with Cruz Azul to 19 matches, tying the club record held by Juan Reynoso, who last led the team to a title in 2021.

“It’s nice to be part of history,” Sánchez admitted. “We work hard every single day to improve. This streak is a small gift for the fans and our families, but our focus remains the same — to win and give everything for this club.”

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR AMÉRICA AND CRUZ AZUL?

The semifinal will be decided in the return leg this Sunday at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, where América will host Cruz Azul, aiming to overturn the one-goal deficit and secure a spot in the Clausura 2025 final — with hopes of claiming a fourth consecutive league title.

Lucknow Super Giants turned it around in the final few overs as they registered the highest chase of the IPL this season

Himanshu Agrawal10-Apr-2023It was a rolling ride where the teasing tickle in the stomach never seemed to stop, as the coaster went up and down, left and right, threatening to crash into a pool one moment before soaring high into the clouds the next. That’s what the game felt like.Lucknow Super Giants needed four to win from the remaining five balls with three wickets in hand. Then Mark Wood got bowled. Few balls later, a tumbling Faf du Plessis almost fumbled a catch, but eventually took it.That made it 1 off 1, with one wicket in hand. Harshal Patel, the bowler, then attempted to run the non-striker out backing up, but missed.Still 1 off 1. Dinesh Karthik then juggles and fails to grab the last ball behind the stumps, enough for the last two Super Giants batters to sneak a bye.Game over. The Royal Challengers Bangalore and their fans were left with broke hearts. The Super Giants claimed a humdinger.Highest win contribution % for Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bangalore•ESPNcricinfo LtdStoinis starts the partyMarcus Stoinis came out at 23 for 3 after four overs. Not managing to score from his three balls, Stoinis swung across the line. Mohammed Siraj, placed at mid-on, ran back towards midwicket and dropped a difficult catch.After seven overs, Super Giants’ required rate had crossed 13, but Stoinis welcomed Harshal with 6, 4, 4. Next over, Karn Sharma was given the same treatment. In the over after that, Shahbaz Ahmed was creamed for two sixes. The first of that brought up his fifty off 25 balls. Karn got his revenge in the 11th over when Stoinis departed for 65 from 30 deliveries. But only if Royal Challengers knew what was to follow.Pooran pings sixes at willNicholas Pooran arrived when Super Giants needed another 114 from 56 balls in pursuit of 213. The second ball he faced was dispatched over long-on. He was on 10 off five deliveries at one stage. He ended with 62 from 19. Seven of those balls were hit for sixes, and four of them for fours. Carefree, unstoppable T20 batting, with the swag, muscle and calmness of Sir Viv.Pooran’s fifty came up off 15 deliveries. Balls flew over long-on, square leg, extra cover and fine leg. Fielders’ jaws dropped and the bowlers’ spirits were crushed as Pooran was merciless. When he was finally dismissed, he left Super Giants needing only 24 from 18.Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis put on a 115-run stand in quick time•Associated PressImpact Player StrategyIntroduced in the 12th over, Amit Mishra carried forward the mania from Lucknow to Bangalore, and struck third ball to dismiss Virat Kohli. Two overs later, Glenn Maxwell smashed him for 4, 6 off successive deliveries as Mishra ended at 2 for 18. Despite being brought on quite late, he was subbed by Ayush Badoni. Badoni, to his part, played the ice to Pooran’s fire, guiding Super Giants with a composed 30 in 24 deliveries, before hitting his stumps with the bat in a follow through after scooping the ball for six, a-la Roy Fredericks from the 1975 World Cup final.RCB penalised for slow over-rate

Royal Challengers were fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during the game. Since it was their first offence of the season, only captain du Plessis was fined Rs 12 lakh.
Avesh Khan, the Super Giants quick, was reprimanded for a Level 1 offence [2.2 of IPL’s Code of Conduct].

Royal Challengers replaced Anuj Rawat, who didn’t get to bat, with legspinner Karn at the start of their defence. Karn ended up conceding 48 in three overs, the most expensive economy for any Royal Challengers bowler (min. three overs) ever.du Plessis, Maxwell and Kohli’s fifties in vainRoyal Challengers’ innings was of three parts: 56 runs in the powerplay, 48 in the next seven, and 108 from the final seven. The start was down to an attacking Kohli, who ended the first six overs on 42, with four fours and three sixes. But his last 19 runs took as many deliveries to come, with the Super Giants’ spinner Krunal Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi applying the brakes.Carnage was to follow. In what turned to be a six-fest, du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell smacked 11 sixes until the end of the innings. Du Plessis finished on 79, while Maxwell smashed 59 at double the pace. Royal Challengers soared to 212. In the end, it was all for nothing.

Celtic have built a strong reputation for developing and selling young talent in recent years, with the most recent example being Matt O’Riley’s move to Brighton & Hove Albion last summer.

The Hoops sold him to the Premier League side for a record fee of more than £25m, after he had been signed from MK Dons for a fee of just £1.5m at the start of 2022.

Celtic’s board may, now, be looking at the current squad and wondering who the next star to be sold for huge money will be, as there are a number of very valuable assets in Brendan Rodgers’ team.

Celtic's most valuable players

The Hoops have invested plenty of money back into their squad in recent transfer windows to ensure that they have plenty of talented players with room to improve.

Celtic paid a reported club-record fee of £11m to sign Belgium international Arne Engels from Bundesliga side Augsburg last summer, and paid £8m to bring Jota back to Parkhead in the January transfer window.

Cameron Carter-Vickers

£11.6m

Arne Engels

£10.1m

Nicolas Kuhn

£10.1m

Daizen Maeda

£9.3m

Reo Hatate

£9.2m

Alistair Johnston

£8.4m

Jota

£7.6m

Auston Trusty

£6.3m

Greg Taylor

£5.5m

Callum McGregor

£5.5m

As you can see in the table above, both of those players are among the most valuable stars in Celtic’s squad at this moment in time, with USA international Cameron Carter-Vickers currently sat as the most valuable asset at the club.

The Scottish Premiership giants did, however, once have a star on loan who has now gone on to be worth more than every player in the current squad – Tim Weah.

Tim Weah's current market value

The Hoops had the American youngster on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in the second half of the 2018/19 campaign, at which point he was valued at €5m (£4.2m) by Transfermarkt.

Weah enjoyed a fairly decent spell at Parkhead, scoring four goals and providing one assist in 17 appearances in all competitions, and admitted towards the end of the season that staying at the club was a “possibility”.

In the end, though, Lille swooped to sign the winger for a reported fee of €10m (£8.4m) and he scored eight goals in 107 matches before his move to Juventus in the summer of 2023 for a reported fee of €10.3m (£8.6m).

Market Movers

Since his switch to Italy, the 25-year-old star’s market value has soared. At the time of writing (14/03/2025), Transfermarkt currently values Weah at a whopping €17m (£14.3m), which is more than the likes of Jota and Engels were bought for, and more than any other player in the Celtic squad.

His value has soared by 240% from the £4.2m that he was valued at during his loan spell at Celtic, and they may regret that they did not push to land him permanently in the summer of 2019.

Weah, who has – interestingly – played as a right-back and right-winger – has scored six goals and provided five assists in 32 appearances for Juventus so far this season, which has led to his soaring value.

Not just Maeda: Celtic have hit the jackpot on star who's outscoring Kyogo

Celtic have struck gold with the star who has outscored Kyogo Furuhashi so far this season.

ByDan Emery Mar 11, 2025

The Hoops had a terrific talent on loan, who suggested that he was open to staying at Parkhead, but they failed to get a permanent deal over the line and he is now more valuable than any of the current squad. A lesson to be learned with future loanees, perhaps.

Real Madrid are eyeing Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller as Toni Kroos' long-term replacement, with new manager Xabi Alonso giving the green light.

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Madrid target Stiller as Kroos' replacementAlonso has approved the move for €50m starConsidering bid now or waiting for Rodri in 2026Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Madrid are considering a summer move for Stuttgart midfielder Stiller, according to . The 24-year-old has emerged as a serious target to fill the void left by the club legend Kroos. With new head coach Alonso approving the potential transfer, Madrid intend to rebuild its midfield, as even Luka Modric will not be there next season. Stuttgart want €50 million (£42m/$57m) for an immediate sale, even though Stiller has a €36m (£30m/$41m) release clause that becomes active in 2026.

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Stiller, who impressed in the Bundesliga last season, fits Madrid's profile as a young, technically sound midfielder with top-flight experience. Alonso is familiar with the player from his time in Germany and sees him as a strong, short-to-mid-term solution. Volker Struth, his agent, also worked with Kroos, who is said to have influence in the club's boardroom. Madrid are interested in Stiller but also wants to sign Rodri from Manchester City in 2026. The club are also keeping an eye on Martin Zubimendi, but he is likely to sign with Arsenal.

DID YOU KNOW?

Stiller joined Stuttgart for just €5.5m in 2023 and could now command a fee nearly 10 times higher. In 32 games in the Bundesliga, the German midfielder scored one goal and provided eight assists. Overall, he played 47 games and managed four goals and 11 assists. Stiller is contracted with Stuttgart till 2028.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Madrid will evaluate their midfield strategy based on upcoming sales and market movements. As there are reported talks with Rodri, a potential long-term plan involving the Spanish international could influence whether they pursue Stiller this summer or wait. A formal offer is yet to be made, but Madrid are closely monitoring the situation with Alonso playing an active role in shaping the club's midfield rebuild. As of now, Madrid will be focused on the upcoming Club World Cup, and their first match will be against Al-Hilal on June 18th.