Glasgow Rangers’ season may be all but over, despite Spring still being a few weeks away, but there does appear to be light at the end of the tunnel for the Ibrox side.

Recent news has emerged that 49ers Enterprises are looking at a potential takeover of Rangers, led by Paraag Marathe.

Dave King – the largest shareholder at the club with a stake of 12.97% – is keen to sell to the American consortium, while other shareholders such as Douglas Park and George Taylor both have stakes of over 10%.

If everything goes to plan, this could be completed ahead of the summer transfer window, and after Philippe Clement’s sacking, the whole club could have a totally different feel to it.

While a major overhaul of the playing squad isn’t required this summer, it is clear that several players need to be moved on as their time at the club has come to a natural end.

Rabbi Matondo has starred out on loan at German side Hannover 96, while Ben Davies is spearheading Birmingham City’s promotion push this term. If both keep shining, then the Light Blues will surely be able to cash in on the players.

There are a couple who are still part of the squad that the Belgian must cash in on this summer, especially as it represents the final chance to do so.

The Rangers high earner who the 49ers must get rid of

James Tavernier is the most notable example. His contract expires at the end of the 2025/26 season, suggesting that moving him on this summer will allow the Gers to recoup a fee.

Last season, Tavernier scored 24 goals while providing a further 12 assists in all competitions for the Light Blues. This meant it was his finest ever season in front of goal since he arrived in Glasgow nine years previously.

Despite this, Tavernier helped the club win a solitary trophy – the League Cup – as they lost out to Celtic in the race for the Premiership title as well as in the Scottish Cup final.

The captain failed to inspire his side to any of these titles and this malaise has continued into the current season.

Indeed, the domestic season is all but over, while glory in Europe looks like a pipe dream at best. In the process, the right-back has registered just 14 goal contributions – four goals and ten assists – in all competitions.

Chalkboard

Last summer, there was plenty of interest in the Englishman. At one stage, Steven Gerrard was looking to reunite with his former captain, but a move to Saudi Arabia didn’t materialise.

Later on in the transfer window, another former Rangers manager – Giovanni van Bronckhorst – showed interest in taking the defender to Besiktas, but once again, the move didn’t occur, and he remained with the club for the first half of the season.

His performances on the pitch haven’t been great throughout the current season, culminating in a dismal display against second-tier Queen’s Park recently.

Indeed, he was given a match rating of just 2/10 by Glasgow World, missing a penalty against the Championship outfit which would have taken the game to extra time.

The Light Blues might not get a big fee this summer, but getting him off the wage bill could prove crucial ahead of 2025/26.

Tavernier isn't the only player who should leave Rangers

He isn’t the only one who is earning a decent wage without backing it up on the pitch. Kieran Dowell may be out on loan, but he failed to shine in Glasgow.

Michael Beale secured the services of Kieran Dowell in a pre-contract agreement in 2023. On the surface, it looked like a decent signing. Dowell had made 21 Premier League appearances during spells with Everton and Norwich City, while he also won the U20 World Cup for England in 2017.

His first season at Ibrox wasn’t great. Dowell made only 17 appearances for the club, failing to impress either Beale or Clement, scoring just three goals in the process.

The first half of 2024/25 was hardly much better. He featured just 18 times, with only three coming in the starting XI and it was clear that he wasn’t trusted by the manager.

Dowell’s wage back at Ibrox is currently £16k-per-week, which is incredible given how little he has contributed on the pitch.

Towards the end of January, it was announced that Dowell had joined Birmingham on loan until the end of the campaign in a bid to put himself in the shop window.

If he stars for the League One side, then Rangers will be able to sell him this summer.

Kieran Dowell's start to life at Birmingham

So far, Dowell has played eight times for the Blues, scoring once and grabbing an assist, helping the team reach the EFL Trophy final in the process.

In the third tier of English football, Dowell has registered 2.4 shots per game, along with creating one big chance and averaging 1.6 key passes per game for Birmingham.

During the club’s recent victory over Bradford in the semi-finals of the EFL Trophy, the Englishman was impressive.

Not only did he make three key passes throughout the game, but the former Everton sensation also delivered three crosses and took 50 touches.

If he can continue to shine down south, then there will be plenty of suitors once the summer transfer window opens up in a few months. That’s a certainty.

The move to Rangers looked promising on the surface, but it didn’t quite work out as anticipated and it is now time for Clement to get rid ahead of 2025/26.

With potential investment coming from 49er Enterprises, the Gers could be set to make some important signings before the start of next season.

Bringing the wage bill down remains the priority, however, which means the likes of Tavernier and Dowell must be moved on sooner rather than later.

49ers could seal a dream first Rangers signing in £4m SPFL starlet

Rangers could be set to undergo a takeover from the 49ers this summer.

By
Ross Kilvington

Feb 21, 2025

Manchester United are on the verge of reaching yet another crisis point, adding to the woes of their recent history. Erik ten Hag has earned the right of patience after an impressive debut season, but will know that those at Old Trafford will only accept a number of disappointing results.

Their defeat at home against Galatasaray in the Champions League followed their recent Premier League loss at Old Trafford against Crystal Palace, compiling their misery. Further reinforcements could well be needed in 2024, and, with that said, reports suggest that the Red Devils have made their first move to sign a £70m player.

What's the latest Man Utd transfer news?

During the summer transfer window, it seemed as though Manchester United ticked every necessary box when it came to incomings. In came midfielder Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund to finally give Ten Hag an out-and-out number nine. And in came Andre Onana, to seemingly solve United's goalkeeper problem, before the arrival of Sofyan Amrabat added the cherry on top.

Yet, seven games into the Premier League season, and United look anything but improved. In fact, yu could argue they look worse than last season, already losing four games. With more arrivals clearly needed, the Red Devils will have an eye on January.

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, via reports in Spain, United have seemingly made their first move by contacting RB Leipzig to request details over a possible move for forward Lois Openda, who joined the German club last summer, and is reportedly now valued at €90m (£78m). United's interest reportedly comes as a result of Anthony Martial's pending exit, with the Frenchman's contract coming to an end next summer, leaving the Red Devils short on attacking depth. Openda, 23 years of age, could certainly fill the gap set to be left behind by the Frenchman, whilst also competing for Hojlund's starting place.

How has Lois Openda performed this season?

Openda has got off to a flying start at Leipzig, after earning a move by scoring 21 goals for RC Lens in Ligue 1 last season. So far, in his debut campaign, the forward has found the back of the net five times in 10 games in all competitions, representing just how quickly he has settled at his new club.

Statistically speaking, Openda has even outperformed Manchester United's current forward options in a number of areas, too. According to FBref, the Belgian has shown signs that he could be an upgrade on Ten Hag's current attack, when compared in league action.

Player

Goals

Assists

Progressive Carries

Lois Openda

4

2

9

Marcus Rashford

1

1

32

Rasmus Hojlund

0

0

4

Anthony Martial

0

0

3

Given the stats, it's no surprise that Openda's reported price tag is in the £78m region. At just 23 years of age, too, the Leipzig man may only get better and better, potentially increasing that figure more and more along the way. This means that, if United want to make their move, then the sooner they do it, potentially, the better. The forward has also earned plenty of praise already during his career, including from Taviolieri, who recently labelled the attacker as "exceptional".

MatériaMais Notícias

Goleiro do São Paulo, o jovem Lucas Perri está próximo de ser reintegrado ao elenco tricolor. O jogador sofreu uma lesão no joelho, precisou ser operado no mês de outubro, mas está em plena recuperação. Ainda sob os cuidados dos fisioterapeutas e dos preparadores físicos, Perri está em transição no CT da Barra Funda e falou com o LANCE! sobre o período no Reffis.

TABELA
>Confira a classificação do Campeonato Brasileiro
>Veja como estão os chaveamentos da Copa do Brasil

– A recuperação tem sido fantástica. O Reffis do São Paulo está fazendo um grande trabalho comigo e estou respondendo muito bem ao tratamento. Estou começando a fase de transição e acredito que nos próximos dias eu possa ser integrado ao elenco. Aproveito para agradecer aos médicos e fisioterapeutas do clube. O cuidado do DM do clube com os atletas é incrível. Isso ajuda muito e acelera a recuperação – disse o goleiro, um dos jovens talentos revelados pelo clube do Morumbi nos últimos anos.

Reserva imediato de Tiago Volpi no elenco do São Paulo, Perri se machucou durante um treinamento no CT da Barra Funda. O goleiro, que briga para conquistar seu espaço no clube do Morumbi, precisou ficar de molho e foi operado no HCor, na capital paulista. O são-paulino passou por uma artroscopia para correção no menisco do joelho direito.

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– O momento da lesão foi o mais complicado por imaginar que poderia ser algo mais sério. Na hora em que senti o desconforto no joelho, fiquei receoso de ser algo que pudesse me deixar fora de atividades por muito tempo. Felizmente não foi nada grave e a situação foi tratada da melhor maneira possível – explicou o jogador, que passou a primeira quinzena do mês de novembro trabalhando no Reffis e agora está, aos poucos, sendo reintegrado aos treinos com bola no CT da Barra Funda.

Como ficou de molho nas últimas semanas, Perri não viajou com a delegação em recentes jogos importantes da equipe, como os duelos com o Fortaleza, pela Copa do Brasil e Brasileirão, Lanús, na Copa Sul-Americana, e Flamengo, na semana passada. Mesmo assim, o goleiro tem acompanhado a crescente da equipe e confraternizado com seus companheiros de trabalho no dia a dia.

O jogador tem notado uma melhora no clima com a crescente da equipe. Vale ressaltar que o São Paulo está nas quartas de final da Copa do Brasil, precisando de apenas um empate na próxima quarta, contra o Flamengo, para avançar de fase. A equipe também tem o melhor aproveitamento do Campeonato Brasileiro e registra números bem parecidos com os das campanhas do tricampeonato em 2006, 2007 e 2008.

– O clima está excelente. Sabemos o quanto todos nós trabalhamos para alcançar os nossos objetivos e, além disso, é muito bom ver que o time estar jogando bem e vem conseguindo os resultados. Claro que o Brasileiro e a Copa do Brasil são campeonatos muito equilibrados e a competitividade está acirrada. Tudo pode acontecer. Mas nosso elenco tem os pés no chão e continuará trabalhando duro para que bons frutos possam aparecer – encerrou Perri, empolgado com a possibilidade de retornar aos treinos com o restante do elenco do São Paulo.

A popular French influencer claims Kylian Mbappe has launched a "legal complaint" for naming one of his kebabs after the Paris Saint-Germain star.

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• Influencer hit with legal complaint over Mbappe kebab
• PSG star's lawyers want kebab name change
• Henni says World Cup winner has 'lost it'

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to RMC Sport, Mohamed Henni, who owns a kebab shop and supports PSG's rivals Marseille, has received a letter from Mbappe's lawyer, Delphine Verheyden, and has been given a week to rename the takeaway dish to avoid legal trouble. Now the influencer has vented his fury at this turn of events.

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• Getty
  

  WHAT MOHAMED HENNI SAID

  The influencer shared the letter on social media, which reads: "Mr. Henni uses Kylian Mbappe's name for commercial and promotional ends, without having obtaining explicit prior consent."

  In response, a "stunned" Henni wrote: "A player of this level has the time to think about me. He [Mbappe] is using his time and money to attack me. I am not hurting anyone, I am a humourist. Are you not embarrassed? Launching a legal complaint for absolutely nothing?”

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While the report adds on the menu the item is described as, 'Bakery bread, as round as Mbappe's head', Henni points out the French World Cup winner is not the only player mocked at his restaurant. There is a savoury pancake, 'As loaded as [Dimitri] Payet', dedicated to the former Marseille and West Ham star; with Henni claiming the veteran midfielder has not complained about this. He added: "He [Payet] is a player with values, Mbappe has completely lost it."

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• WHAT NEXT?

  It remains to be seen what will happen over the next week in regards to whether or not Henni will change the name of the Mbappe kebab. Despite the bizarre dispute, the 25-year-old forward will be fully focused on his duties at PSG, who are due back in action in a French Cup quarter-final tie against Nice on Wednesday.

Mohammad Akhtar starred with bat, ball and in the field, as Ilford CC beat their rivals Ilford Town in a tense finale under gloomy skies in East London

Andrew Miller29-Jul-2018

ScorecardMohammad Akhtar starred with bat, ball and in the field, as Ilford CC beat their rivals Ilford Town in a tense finale under gloomy skies in East London. Akhtar followed two key breakthroughs with his legspin with a vital 59 from 40 balls, as Ilford chased down a stiff target of 171 with seven balls to spare, in a contest that had been reduced to 25 overs a side.The match, which was played as part of the NatWest Cricket Has No Boundaries campaign, featured Nasser Hussain as the guest of honour on the ground where he cut his teeth as a club cricketer in the 1980s. And though for much of an unusually drizzly day it appeared that the only action would be taking place in the old Ilford Cricket School, where Hussain and the former England seamer Saj Mahmood conducted a masterclass for local kids, the skies cleared sufficiently to get underway after 3pm.After winning the toss and batting first, Town suffered an early setback when Naail Dar edged Theeban Tavarasa low to slip off the second ball of the innings, but the early arrival at No.3 of Etinder Bopara, Ravi’s older brother, proved to be a blessing in disguise for their run-rate.Bopara’s 38-ball fifty provided the bedrock of Town’s innings, as he and Surjeet Ubhi Singh compiled a 50-run stand in the space of nine overs, ended only when Surjeet opened the face to the left-arm seam of Jenushan Jayarooban and steered a simple catch to Akhtar at point.Bopara, however, took that wicket as his cue to cut loose. In particular he climbed into the looping seamers of Ratnakar Tiwari, often finding the fielder in his bid to hit the cover off the ball, but connecting well enough in between whiles, not least when he knocked long-on off his feet with another battered drive down the ground.However, the introduction of the legspinner Akhtar brought an end to the fun. After missing a reverse-sweep first ball and nearly running himself out from his second, Bopara holed out to cover for 50 from 41 as Akhtar earned his reward for a teasing first over.The former Essex seamer Merv Westfield arrived at No.4, but he was done in by another man with county credentials, as Tavarasa – a second XI spinner back in the day – tweaked one through his defences to send him on his way for a second ball duck.Mohammad Zaidi chose not to stand on ceremony against the offie, however, and crashed his fourth ball of the same over clean down the ground for the first six of the day. That would prove to be the highlight of his innings, however, as Akhtar’s extra flight lured him into a loose hack to long-on.Jermaine Shillingford showed a similar appetite for destruction as he marched to the crease at 112 for 5 with seven overs in which to make his mark. He swiped his second ball clean into the pavilion at wide long-off off the legspin of Aditya Nair, then repeated the dose three balls later, this time over the sightscreen and into the hedge at long-on.Shillingford’s onslaught persuaded the skipper, Rajnish Dohal, that the time for quietly anchoring the innings had been and gone. He had eased along to 31 from 55 balls with just a solitary boundary but a fine eye for the gap-finding single, but when he attempted to take the long handle to Haaris Ayub, he top-edged a swipe for the bowler himself to cling onto a fine running catch at mid-on.Two more muscular boundaries from Shillingford kept the scoreboard ticking over, until, on 36 from 18, he had his bails trimmed by Ayub as he swiped once too often across the line. And without him, Town’s innings rather petered out – the excellent Tavarasa claimed Sumit Sharma in the deep for his third wicket, as Ilford prevented any more boundaries in the final three overs.In reply, Town’s run-chase got off to a terrible start when Akash Raji laid into a first-ball bouncer from Mohammad Zaidi and gloved a catch down the leg side to Westfield behind the stumps. However, Mohammad Hamza and Akhtar responded with a fusillade of attacking intent, not least against the seamer Sumit Sharma who bowled some fine deliveries in between whiles but was punished whenever he offered up any room to free the arms.Together the pair broke the back of the run-chase, adding 106 for the second wicket in 14.5 overs, with Hamza setting the tone with a brace of butchered boundaries from his first three deliveries. Akhtar stepped up his own intent by drilling the dangerous Zaidi on the up through the covers for a calypso four, before swivelling into a mighty pull two overs later, to dump a huge six into a nearby tree.Akhtar brought up his fifty from 37 balls with a well-judged flick off the pads through backward square leg, but – having celebrating by crashing Jermaine Shillingford for another vast six over deep midwicket, he gave it all away one ball later, making too much room for a murderous mow to be bowled for 59.Three balls later, and suddenly the match was back in the balance at 107 for 3, when Hamza slammed a drive at the spinner Surjeet Ubhi Singh, who clung onto a sharp return catch to send Ilford’s anchor back for a well-compiled 44 from 52.But, with the weather beginning to close in, Gagan Bhogal and Prahathen Jayarooban pieced together a diligent stand of 45 in 6.1 overs to take the chase deep into the final five overs. Jayarooban survived a tough chance on 10, when the keeper failed to cling onto a leading edge as he attempted to work Shillingford to leg, but with the chase at his mercy, he clipped a suidical single to midwicket, and wasn’t in the frame when the stumps were pinged down.It was a glimmer of hope for Town, who had come into the game on a 37-match unbeaten streak. But it wasn’t to be enough. Aditya Nair showed composure as he and Bhogal carried their side to the win, with Nair crashing two boundaries in three balls off the spin of Westfield to seal victory in the drizzle.

ينتظر لاعب وسط الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي بايرن ميونخ، جوشوا كيميتش، حسم مستقبله خلال الأيام القليلة المقبلة مع اقتراب عقده على الانتهاء.

وينتهي عقد كيميتش مع بايرن ميونخ في 30 يونيو 2025، وهناك رغبة من جانب النادي الألماني لتمديد عقد اللاعب رغم وجود اهتمام من جانب برشلونة.

وبحسب صحيفة “بيلد” الألمانية أن كيميتش ينوي الاجتماع مع مدرب بايرن ميونخ الجديد، فينسنت كومباني، بعد انتهاء إجازته الصيفية ويريد أن يعرف مشروعه الرياضي.

اقرأ أيضًا | ضربة لـ برشلونة.. بايرن ميونخ يقتحم مفاوضات نيكو ويليامز

يريد كيميتش أن يعود إلى خط الوسط مع كومباني بعد أن كان في مركز الظهير الأيمن خلال عهد المدرب السابق، توماس توخيل، حتى لو كانت المنافسة ستكون قوية مع انضمام، جواو بالينها.

وتؤكد “بيلد” أن كيميتش يشعر بالراحة التامة مع بايرن ميونخ، لأنه قد بنى بيتًا له في بلدة “جرونفالد” في مدينة “ميونخ” الألمانية.

ولكن مع ذلك لا يستبعد أحد رحيل كيميتش لأن بايرن ميونخ لا يريد رحيل اللاعب بالمجان في الصيف المقبل في ظل وجود اهتمام من جانب برشلونة، ريال مدريد، ليفربول، مانشستر سيتي، آرسنال وتشيلسي.

وبالتالي، الأمر متروك للمدرب فينسنت كومباني لإقناع كيميتش بالبقاء من خلال مشروعه الرياضي الذي يريد تطبيقه.

Manchester United are eyeing a move to sign an "expensive player" who would now "love to join", according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Man Utd transfer news – defender

The Red Devils were busy in the summer and made a number of new signings, splashing the cash on three big-money moves for Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund.

Man Utd's summer signings

Player

Previous club

Fee

Rasmus Hojlund

Atalanta

£72 million

Jonny Evans

Leicester City

Free transfer

Andre Onana

Inter Milan

£47.2 million

Mason Mount

Chelsea

£60 million

Sergio Reguilon

Tottenham Hotspur

Loan

Sofyan Amrabat

Fiorentina

Loan

Altay Bayindir

Fenerbache

£4.3 million

However, the club didn’t invest heavily in a new marquee centre-back and Harry Maguire ended up remaining at Old Trafford, leaving the England international to rival the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans for a starting spot.

With the January window fast approaching, though, a new defender was reportedly Man Utd's top transfer priority in 2024. The likes of Jean-Clair Todibo and Goncalo Inacio have been linked, although recent Man Utd transfer reports claimed moves for the top targets were off the table due to limited Old Trafford resources.

In a new Jean-Clair Todibo transfer update, though, Romano, relayed by United in Focus, said that the centre-back would still “love” to make a move to Old Trafford and remains a player of interest to those at the club.

“Todibo is a player in the list of Manchester United already since June, July, they had very positive conversations on player side.

“From what I’m hearing still now, the ideas not changed, Todibo would love to join Manchester United. He’s really attracted by the opportunity to play in the Premier League. He’s an expensive player. He remains a player appreciated by United’s scouring department… not the only one.”

Jean-Clair Todibo profiled

Todibo is an out-and-out centre-back who appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high valuation of €30m. The France international began on the books with Toulouse but made the switch to Barcelona in 2019. (Jean-Clair Todibo profile – Transfermarkt)

However, the defender struggled to make an impact at the Nou Camp and was sent out on loan to Schalke, Benfica and Nice before making a move permanent in 2021.

Since then, the player has made more than 100 appearances for his current employers, featuring heavily in the last two seasons and also making his international debut back in September. (Jean-Clair Todibo stats – Transfermarkt)

German legend Lothar Matthaus has also hailed Todibo in the past, previously saying:

"Todibo is the best centre back I’ve seen in a long time.”

United haven’t had much luck at the back this season with injuries to the likes of Varane and Martinez, so looking at a move for Todibo appears to make sense, and with the player seemingly keen, it could be one to watch heading into the New Year.

ScorecardBen Stokes completed match figures of 8 for 118 as Gloucestershire set Durham 340 to win the Specsavers County Championship match at Cheltenham. The allrounder pressed claims for an England Test place against India with another lively contribution, looking in good rhythm as he finished with 3 for 66 in the home side’s second innings of 252 all out.Kieran Noema-Barnett hit an undefeated 69, while Ryan Higgins added 42 to his first-innings century and Benny Howell made 43 against an attack again deprived of Mark Wood because of a sore heel.Durham coach Jon Lewis was able to give a detailed update on Wood’s injury. “Mark has been for a scan today and we will know more when we get the results,” Lewis said. “It’s a strange one and it could be something and nothing.”Mark goes 12 months without injury through being carefully managed, then bowls six overs in this game with no apparent problem, only to start feeling something towards the area of his heel. It is nothing to do with his past ankle problems and the symptoms are not that of a bruised heel. We are hopeful it will settle down quickly.”Tom Latham had been last man out for 147 as Durham extended their first-innings total from an overnight 219 for 5 to 275 all out, but could not prevent his team trailing by 87. By the close the visitors had moved to 35 without loss in their second innings without undue alarm and required a further 305 for victory.Latham began the day on 120 and again looked solid as wickets tumbled around him. Gloucestershire took the second new ball with the total 227 for 5, and Stuart Poynter was soon bowled playing forward to Craig Miles for 32.A key moment came, with Durham 252 for 7, when Wood, on 11, called Latham for a suicidal single to Matt Taylor at mid-off and was run out well short of his ground by a direct hit at the bowler’s end.Matt Salisbury and George Harding fell to successive balls from Higgins and Latham’s vigil of six hours and 13 minutes finally came to an end in a bid to add quick runs before the final wicket went down. Durham’s stand-in skipper had faced 281 balls, hitting 22 fours, in energy-sapping heat when he lofted a catch to deep midwicket.Chris Rushworth then built on Latham’s efforts by striking two quick blows with the new ball at the start of Gloucestershire’s second innings, removing Miles Hammond and James Bracey cheaply as they reached lunch on 50 for 2, leading by 137.Howell and Chris Dent had steadied the ship and extended their stand to 70 after the interval before Howell was taken at second slip off Salisbury, having hit seven fours. From 85 for 2, Gloucestershire slipped to 86 for 5 as Stokes had Gareth Roderick caught behind for a duck with an example of the extra lift he extracted from the pitch and Dent, on 32, nicked Salisbury through to wicketkeeper Poynter.Noema-Barnett walked out at No. 7 to face two bowlers with their tails up. But in his own unflappable style he doused the fire and found an in-form partner in Higgins as they turned the tide with a partnership of 84.It took the introduction of Will Smith to break the stand. The offspinner held onto a sharp return catch to send back Higgins with the score on 170 for 6. Noema-Barnett pulled Stokes for six on his way to an invaluable 96-ball half-century and useful contributions from Miles and last man George Drissell helped Gloucestershire set a challenging target.

USMNT star Weston McKennie has been linked with a stunning move to Premier League side Manchester United after starring for Juventus this season.

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McKennie starring for JuventusUSMNT star linked with Man Utd moveMidfielder in talks with Serie A side for new dealWHAT HAPPENED?

According to , the Red Devils are plotting a swoop for the American midfielder, whose contract expires in 2025/26. Nearing the final 12 months of his contract, McKennie and Juve have yet to agree on a new contract, although the Bianconeri have reportedly approached his camp over a potential extension.

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The report adds that both Aston Villa and Arsenal have also added McKennie to their transfer list, with all three teams set to keep eyes on his contract stall over the next few months. Additionally, it shares that the Bianconeri "have doubts" over their ability to agree on a new deal, meaning a summer sale could be in line.

DID YOU KNOW?

McKennie has nine assists for Juventus across all competitions this season. He has been in simply stunning form, and now, Premier League interest is surfacing for the 25-year-old.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MCKENNIE?

The USMNT midfielder and the Bianconeri are back in action at the weekend against Genoa. Then, he's off to the USA for the international break with the USMNT for their CONCACAF Nations League playoff against Jamaica.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta now has a worrying injury update to contend with that has seen one of his young stars ruled out for a period of time during their busy run of fixtures.

Arsenal crash out of Carabao Cup

Despite making a very promising start to the Premier League campaign, Arsenal suffered humiliation during the week in the EFL Cup Round of 16, where they were convincingly defeated by West Ham United 3-1 at the London Stadium. An own goal from Ben White and strikes from Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen made a last-gasp consolation by Martin Odegaard worthless, leaving a bitter taste in the mouth for Gunners midfielder Declan Rice upon his return to east London.

Speaking in his post-match press conference cited by BBC Sport, Arsenal manager Arteta took the blame for his side's poor performance against West Ham, as he stated: "I'm very disappointed. I'm responsible for that. We're out of the Cup, we wanted to play a very different game and compete. The game took a direction because of the first goal but we have to see much more from the team and earn the right to win."

He then added: "I'm disappointed with myself. We wanted to play in a different way and we weren't able to do that. Every time we lose the pain is there. We have to use this pain and this defeat to prepare the best way for Newcastle on Saturday."

According to an injury update from The Daily Mail, Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus wasn't risked against West Ham; however, he could be available to play a part against Newcastle United at St James' Park on Saturday evening as he nears a return from a hamstring issue.

Nevertheless, Gunners boss Arteta has confirmed that one of his men won't be available to face the Magpies, which will come as a blow during a congested period for his squad to contend with.

Arsenal's next five fixtures – all competitions

Competition

Opponent

Premier League

Newcastle United (A)

Champions League

Sevilla (H)

Premier League

Burnley (H)

Premier League

Brentford (A)

Champions League

Lens (H)

Emile Smith Rowe now injured, confirms Arteta

Cited by The Evening Standard, Arsenal head coach Arteta confirmed that playmaker Emile Smith Rowe missed the tie against West Ham due to a knee injury and detailed that the England Under-21 international is now set to spend a period on the treatment table.

In the aftermath of their cup defeat against David Moyes and company, Arteta told the press: "He’s got an injury in his knee and he’s going to be out for weeks."

Smith Rowe has endured a frustrating 2023/24 campaign ravaged by injury niggles and inconsistency, leading the midfielder to feature just eight times for the Gunners across all competitions, registering one assist in the process (Smith Rowe statistics – Transfermarkt).

Labelled a "special talent" by pundit Jamie Carragher back in 2021, Smith Rowe has struggled to live up to the hype bestowed upon his shoulders shortly after his first-team breakthrough at the Emirates Stadium and has even been linked with a move to West Ham United.

Arsenal fans will be hopeful the 23-year-old can recover swiftly and return ready to make an impact for the Premier League title challengers across the remainder of the campaign.