All posts by n8rngtd.top

Tottenham Hotspur will have to spend €40m (£34m) to sign transfer target Weston McKennie. 

That’s according to Italian outlet Calciomercato (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare and Jack Pitt-Brooke wrote at the weekend that Antonio Conte and Spurs were hoping to strengthen in central midfield this summer. The north Londoners signed Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus in the winter but could do further business with the Bianconeri ahead of the expected departure of Harry Winks.

It was only last summer that Juve officially signed McKennie from Schalke for £18.45m after an initial loan. He is predominantly a central midfielder but has played in a vast array of positions, including both deeper and more advanced roles in the middle and on the right wing.

It’s worth noting that the American was missing from late February until the end of the season with a metatarsal fracture.

The latest

McKennie could move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer, with Spurs scouring the Italian market once again.

As per Calciomercato (via Sport Witness), managing director of football Fabio Paratici ‘particularly likes’ the 23-year-old and could push for a move.

Juventus are reportedly demanding £34m for his services, and it’s unclear yet as to whether Spurs will be willing to pay that amount.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-developments-2/” title=”Tottenham latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The verdict

McKennie isn’t necessarily someone who will come up with big numbers of goals and assists, having only notched three direct goal contributions in 2021/22.

However, he does take up advanced positions, ranking in the 98th percentile among his positional peers in Europe’s big five leagues for both progressive passes received and touches in the penalty area.

McKennie, who won his country’s Player of the Year award in 2020, was starting to ‘come alive after a stuttering spell’ prior to his injury, in the words of sports journalist Josh Bunting.

Squawka have described him as a ‘wizard’ at his best, and Paratici clearly has confidence that the 23-year-old can reach that level consistently.

After doing business with Juventus for Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski, perhaps it’s time for the Spurs supremo to once again tap into that existing relationship with the Serie A club.

In other news, Alasdair Gold has dropped a promising claim on another Serie A target

Everton are renowned for their poor transfer decisions and reckless spending but will need to make changes to their squad and repair that damage during this summer’s transfer window.

To that effect, an intriguing update has now emerged.

What’s the latest?

According to the Daily Mail, Everton striker Salomon Rondon is a target for Spanish club Real Mallorca this summer.

Mallorca coach Javier Aguirre knows the Toffees forward well from his previous spells in Spain with Las Palmas and Malaga, and the report claimed that the manager and club will keep an eye on developments with the Venezuelan and potentially make a move when the transfer window opens.

Rondon is one of seven players who are reportedly set to be offered out to clubs this summer, as Frank Lampard plans an overhaul of his squad following a disappointing season.

Lampard must axe Rondon

There are indeed serious changes needed at Goodison Park this summer if Everton do not want to be in the position of a relegation fight yet again next season, so the Toffees manager should consider axing Rondon and accepting any offer which does come in for him.

The £28k-p/w flop has battled with injury problems and has been unable to deliver when Everton needed him most this season, with his most recent performance surely the final nail in the coffin of his career on Merseyside.

Rondon was brought onto the pitch in the 84th minute against Brentford a couple of weeks ago, with his team already down to ten men and trailing 3-2, duly in need of a goal to put them a step closer to safety from Premier League relegation.

Instead of supporting his weakened team in finding the equaliser they needed, the Venezuelan striker made a lunging two-footed tackle on Rico Henry which saw him receive a red card and three-match ban just four minutes after coming on to the pitch. It was little surprise, then, that former Everton defender Andy Hinchliffe bemoaned the “reckless” act from the 32-year-old.

Alongside this notable poor performance, Rondon only scored one goal in 20 Premier League appearances in the recently-concluded campaign, with no big chances created. He averaged just 15.2 touches per game and lost possession every 2.6 touches of the ball, further proving that he simply needs to go this summer.

AND in other news: Everton plotting summer swoop for £17.5m “fabulous finisher”, Lampard will love him

Richarlison has been linked with a move away from Everton for months following a disappointing season at Goodison Park, however, a new update has emerged on the Brazilian’s future.

What’s the latest?

According to Sky Sports Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Real Madrid are not interested in signing Richarlison this summer.

This comes as a big twist to the tale following widespread reports that the Spanish side were indeed hoping to sign him over the summer months.

Di Marzio now claims that after Los Blancos lost out on Kylian Mbappe, they currently have no plans to take on another winger this summer after sporting director José Angel Sanchez and owner Florentino Perez held a meeting to discuss the transfer window strategy moving forward.

Supporters will be delighted

There is no doubt the news that Real Madrid have cooled their interest in Richarlison will delight supporters as he has been crucial for the Toffees in one of their most difficult seasons to date and has become a fan favourite at the club.

Despite the relegation worries throughout the season, the 25-year-old stepped up when it really mattered for Everton, scoring six of his ten Premier League goals in his last ten appearances making him the top goal contributor for the Toffees in 2021/22.

The Brazilian’s goals and assists this season compared to the players around him has ultimately saved the club from a spell in the Championship next season, something that supporters will be massively grateful for and it would be hard for fans to see him go after delivering impressive performances when it mattered most.

Richarlison has been a big hit at Goodison Park since he arrived in 2018, and has been one of the very few transfers that have worked out for Farhad Moshiri, scoring 53 goals and delivering 14 assists in his 152 appearances, so losing him this summer would be a huge loss and it would take a lot of work to replace a consistent goal threat of his quality.

With that being said, Real Madrid are not the only club that have reported interest in signing the attacker ahead of next season with Manchester United already making an approach to sign him last month. Therefore, Frank Lampard will need to do everything to convince the star to stay on Merseyside next term.

AND in other news: Everton still face uncertainty over £18m-rated “rock” who Lampard can’t afford to lose

Glenn Maxwell played some of the most spectacular ODI innings in the last decade or so, none more than the cramping, limping double-century against Afghanistan at the 2023 World Cup

Andrew McGlashan02-Jun-2025

56* vs Pakistan, Sharjah, 2012

An early indication of what Maxwell could offer, he guided Australia to victory in just his fourth ODI with 56 not out off 38 balls. They were 159 for 5 in the 36th over needing 256 when Maxwell joined the experience of Mike Hussey. The duo took the chase most of the way and then Maxwell sealed the game with his third six. “To hit the ball like that on a pitch where the ball was dying was something,” Hussey said.

60 vs India, Bengaluru, 2013

This innings came in defeat, but it was a glimpse into how Maxwell could change the momentum of a game. He entered at 74 for 4 with Australia chasing a huge 384, struck his first ball for six, and collected six more on his way to an 18-ball fifty, equalling the Australia men’s record, before falling to Vinay Kumar after just 22 balls. It left him with a series tally of 248 runs at a strike rate of 152.14.Related

• Maddening and magnificent – Maxwell walks off into the sunset

• Maxwell retires from ODI cricket, available for T20 World Cup

2 for 41 vs Pakistan, Abu Dhabi, 2014

Maxwell made 20 off 22 balls and the bowling figures don’t leap off the page, but somehow he managed to produce a double-wicket maiden to defend just two off the final over. Sohail Tanvir swung at and missed the second delivery, and then Mohammad Irfan played three dot balls before carving a catch to cover off the final delivery. “Wasn’t going too well until the last over,” Maxwell said.

95 and 4 for 46 vs England, Perth, 2015

In the final of a tri-series which acted as a World Cup warm-up, Maxwell produced a dominant all-round display. His 95 was central to Australia recovering from 60 for 4. “Maxwell went from sensible to sensational,” ESPNcricinfo’s match report said. He followed that up by running through England’s middle and lower order with four wickets. It was just the sixth occasion of an Australian scoring a fifty and taking four wickets in an ODI and there hasn’t been one in the men’s game since.His heroics with the bat often overshadowed his bowling, but Glenn Maxwell often chipped in with key wickets•Getty Images

102 vs Sri Lanka, SCG, 2015

Maxwell’s maiden international century was a barnstorming display as he monstered a 53-ball 102 to ensure Australia’s home World Cup continued towards the knockouts. Maxwell had a solid base to build on when he arrived at 175 for 3 in the 32nd over and he took full advantage. He dominated a stand of 160 with Shane Watson, reaching his hundred from 51 deliveries which at the time was a record for Australia’s men.

70 and 1 for 45 vs Pakistan, Dubai, 2019

This was a matchwinning all-round performance from Maxwell. He took advantage of the work done by the top order, then being given a life first ball, to flay 70 off 33 deliveries to ensure Australia passed 300. They needed most of them, too, as Haris Sohail struck a century in reply but Maxwell also had a vital part to play with the ball as he took 1 for 45 off his ten overs.

108 vs England, Old Trafford, 2020

In an empty ground during the depths of Covid, this innings wasn’t cheered on by thousands in the stands, but it was worthy of great acclaim as Maxwell slotted into the finisher’s role at No. 7 that would be a large part of the latter stages of his ODI career. The series against England marked his first ODIs since the 2019 World Cup, having missed the previous home season while taking a mental health break. Australia were long-odds for victory when Maxwell entered at 73 for 5 chasing 303 but forged a magnificent stand of 212 with Alex Carey. His own century came from 84 balls and included more sixes (seven) than fours (four). It enabled Australia to clinch the series 2-1.Glenn Maxwell was among the people who changed the grammar of white-ball batting•AFP/Getty Images

80* vs Sri Lanka, Colombo, 2022

It had been 18 months since Maxwell’s previous ODI and he produced a superb innings to ice a demanding chase in conditions where Sri Lanka’s spinners had threatened to turn the game. When he was joined by No. 10 Jhye Richardson, Australia still needed 28 off 26 balls and he farmed the strike and got the job done with consecutive sixes. Although separated by considerable time, the innings capped an impressive run for Maxwell where he passed fifty in five out of seven innings

106 vs Netherlands, Delhi, 2023

It wasn’t the strongest attack Maxwell had ever faced, but it was a ferocious display of strokeplay as he raced to a 40-ball century, setting a new record for the fastest hundred at a men’s ODI World Cup and breaking his own landmark for the fastest for Australia’s men. “I’m very aware of balls faced,” Maxwell said. “I love the fastest 50, fastest 100 records. I think they’re pretty cool records. Sometimes to the detriment of myself, I’ve always probably pushed the boundaries a bit too much.”

201* vs Afghanistan, Mumbai, 2023

The innings that cemented Maxwell’s legacy. Battling oppressive conditions that left him cramping so badly he could barely move, so much so that next batter in Adam Zampa was ready to replace him, Maxwell turned what appeared an impossible chase into a stunning victory. Australia were 91 for 7 (Maxwell himself had walked in on a hat-trick) when he was joined by captain Pat Cummins and produced something extraordinary. The pair added 202 for the eighth wicket of which Cummins contributed 12 while Maxwell launched ten sixes. With 21 needed off the final four overs for Australia’s win and Maxwell’s double-hundred, he went 6, 6, 4, 6 against Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who had earlier dropped him on 33. “It’s got to be the greatest ODI innings that’s ever happened,” Cummins said in the aftermath.

It’s a list with some of the biggest names in the T20 game, batters who have left an indelible mark in the IPL over the years

Hemant Brar13-Apr-20252:44

How good was Abhishek Sharma’s 141?

Chris Gayle 175* (66)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Pune Warriors, Bengaluru, 2013Gayle rewrote the record books against Pune Warriors by smashing 175 off just 66 balls. Not only was it – and still is – the highest individual score in the IPL but also in all T20 cricket. Gayle took 17 balls to get to his fifty but needed only 13 more to get to the three-figure mark. His 150 came off 53 balls. He hit 13 fours and 17 sixes in his innings to power RCB to 263 for 5. In response, Warriors could score only 133 for 9, losing to Gayle by 42 runs.

Brendon McCullum 158* (73)

Kolkata Knight Riders vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2008McCullum’s breathtaking knock made the IPL’s inaugural game memorable. After KKR were sent in, McCullum singlehandedly took RCB down: he scored 158 off 73 balls, while all other KKR batters combined for 47 off 47. Only when you go back to the ball-by-ball scores do you realise that McCullum was on zero after six balls. The next four balls he faced read 4, 4, 6, 4. It was only one-way traffic after that as McCullum kept charging at the bowlers and kept finding the boundary.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Abhishek Sharma 141 (55)

SRH vs PBKS, Hyderabad, 2025Abhishek came into this game with 51 runs from his five previous innings. By the end of this innings, he had almost quadrupled his tally. With SRH chasing 246, Abhishek gave them exactly the start they needed – he began by hitting four fours off his first five balls. He had a slice of luck on 32 when he was caught at deep-backward point but bowler Yash Thakur had overstepped. Abhishek rubbed it in by launching the next ball for a six. He brought up his fifty in 19 balls, his hundred off 40. It was the sixth-fastest hundred in the IPL. His 141 was also the highest score by an Indian in the IPL, beating KL Rahul’s 132 not out for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) against RCB in Dubai in 2020.

Quinton de Kock 140* (70)

Lucknow Super Giants vs KKR, Navi Mumbai, 2022De Kock had been telling LSG’s assistant coach Vijay Dahiya that he had never felt “this good” but for some reason, the runs were not coming. Then this happened. He dominated every single KKR bowler, including their mystery spin twins Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, taking them for a combined 44 off 24 balls. The KKR fielders also assisted de Kock in his endeavour, dropping him on 12, 68 and 127. He and Rahul batted all 20 overs after opening the innings and took LSG to 210. That turned out to be just enough as KKR fell short by two runs.

AB de Villiers 133* (59)

RCB vs Mumbai Indians, Mumbai, 2015De Villiers is the only non-opener on the list, which itself makes this innings special. He came in at No. 3, after 3.1 overs were bowled, and faced five dots from Lasith Malinga to give him a wicket maiden. But, after that, there was a steady stream of boundaries from de Villiers’ bat. Despite hitting only four sixes in his innings, he ended with a strike rate in excess of 225. When Malinga came back for his final over, de Villiers took him for 12 off five balls. Such was the quality of his strokemaking that even the Mumbai fans were chanting his name.

Cal Raleigh has become arguably the most valuable player in baseball.

Yes, Aaron Judge still exists. But it's worth considering the positional value the Seattle Mariners catcher brings to the table. The average major league catcher these days is below average at the plate. Meanwhile, Raleigh has been destroying the poor saps he's facing on the mound. He's on pace to make some serious history in the process.

Through 78 games, Raleigh is slashing .277/.382/.658 with an MLB-best 32 home runs and 69 RBIs. Yes, Judge's numbers are better overall and he's likely headed for his third MVP award in the last four years, but Raleigh's relative value is through the roof. He also won a Platinum Glove in 2024 as the American League's best defender at any position. The 28-year-old is a legitimate two-way star.

We decided to go inside the numbers put up by the man they call the Big Dumper during his remarkable first half.

32 — Raleigh's home runs through 78 games.

34 — Raleigh's career high in home runs, set last season.

17 — Number of home runs by the next closest catcher, Los Angeles Angels backstop Logan O'Hoppe. Only six catchers are in double figures, meanwhile, the switch-hitting Raleigh has 21 from the left side of the plate alone.

28 — Home runs hit in the first half of the 1970 season by Hall of Famer Johnny Bench, which was previously a record for catchers.

39 — Barry Bonds's record for home runs before the All-Star break, set during his BALCO-fueled 2001 season.

48 — Record for home runs in a season by a catcher, set by Salvador Perez in 2021.

20 — Percentage of batted balls Raleigh hits on the barrel, which is in the 98th percentile across MLB.

5.4 — Raleigh's fWAR in 153 games during the 2024 season, tied for the best among catchers.

5.4 — Raleigh's fWAR through 78 games in 2025, which ranks second behind Aaron Judge (6.1) among all players.

3.1 — fWAR of Dodgers catcher Will Smith, who ranks second at the position. There are only three qualified catchers with an fWAR higher than 1.8.

Mohamed Salah is set to return to the Liverpool squad for this weekend's clash with Brighton after holding peace talks with manager Arne Slot. The Egypt international claimed he had been "thrown under the bus" by manager Slot last weekend, and was left out of their Champions League clash with Inter Milan as a result.

• Salah to return

  Per widespread reporting, Salah is poised to return to the Liverpool squad this weekend. The Reds superstar sent a bombshell message at the weekend as he claimed that he was "thrown under the bus", but has since held clear-the-air talks with his manager, and is set to be reintegrated into the squad. It is the final opportunity for Salah to play before he jets off to the African Cup of Nations with Egypt. The news could end the ublic spat which has shrouded Liverpool in recent weeks, set against the backdrop of a woeful run of league, cup and European results, which has seen the club all-but surrender their Premier League title. 

  And while it isn't clear if he will be named in the starting XI or on the bench, the positive update will come as a huge relief to Liverpool coaching staff and fans ahead of the weekend clash with Brighton at Anfield. 

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Slot confirms hopes for reunion

  The Liverpool boss spoke to the press earlier in the day and confirmed he was scheduled to speak with the Egytian icon before making any decision about including him in the team for the weekend. And while he was happy to admit to wanting Salah back, he baulked at the suggestion of making an apology for the mess, whoch has been an embarrassing episode for the club. 

  Slot told reporters: "I will have a conversation with Mo this morning and the outcome determines how it will look tomorrow."What I need is a conversation with him and the next time I speak about Mo should be with him and not in here. There's not much more I can say. I speak to him today and the outcome determines how things will look tomorrow. You can try in multiple ways but I just said the next time I speak about him should be with him. I think there's been a lot of conversations since the last week between his reps and ours. An apology? Normally I'd say you've had your three questions. I have no reason for not wanting him to stay."

• Carragher: 'Maximum damage'

  The great and the good have weighed in on the Salah debate in recent weeks, including both Jamie Carragher and Alan Shearer, who have been highly critical of Salah. Carragher initially labelled Salah a "disgrace" and "selfish" for comments made after being left on the bench against Leeds United. Carragher argued that Salah and his agent strategically time public outbursts to "cause maximum damage" and pressure the club, potentially to secure a new contract or even force the manager out. The ex-Liverpool defender later offered a conditional apology, saying he "adores" Salah the player but maintains the forward needs to "behave himself off the pitch". 

  All-time Premier League top goalscorer Alan Shearer echoed Carragher's sentiments, largely agreeing that while he understood Salah's frustration at being benched (having experienced it himself), the player was wrong to air his grievances publicly to the press. Shearer believes the matter has escalated to the point where Salah may have played his last game for Liverpool, and that his explosive remarks have "tarnished" his legacy at the club.

  Shearer said: "He'll go down as a Premier League great whether he has played his last match or not and it'd be such a shame for him to go out like this after what he's done for Liverpool. One thing I will say though is that it won't be forgotten all of this, but I don't think it'll ruin his legacy. He's achieved so much, and Liverpool wouldn't have won what they have without him so I don't think it'll ruin his legacy, but it will be tarnished. I think Slot has handled the situation really well. I thought he spoke well before and after the game on Tuesday. It was a very, very difficult situation for everyone but I thought he spoke with precision, honesty and openness – I thought he got things absolutely right." 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  Seagulls test awaits Salah, Slot and co

  Liverpool's erratic form this season sees them languishing tenth in the Premier League table and are desperate for victory over Brighton at Anfield this weekend. As well as their well-documented defensive frailites, the Reds have struggled in front of goal this season, having not scored in the opening 45 minutes in any of their last five Premier League matches, their longest run without a first half goal since between January and March 2021. And while Brighton beat Liverpool 3-2 in their last meeting in May, they have never beaten the Reds in consecutive league matches before. 

One Rangers player who Danny Rohl does not rate could be on his way out of Ibrox amid interest from the Championship, according to recent reports.

Rohl praises "fantastic" Rangers reaction

After back-to-back draw against Falkirk and Dundee United, Rangers couldn’t afford to drop points again in the Scottish Premiership. They’ve been much improved since Rohl’s arrival, but another day without victory would have sparked all too familiar concerns around Glasgow.

The German and his Rangers team bounced back from those draws in style against Kilmarnock, however. With a brace from Bojan Miovski to accompany Mikey Moore’s effort, the Gers sealed a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Rohl shared his delight at full-time, but also urged Rangers to “develop” their “game management” – telling reporters: “From the first minute tonight, I knew the fans were behind the team. We have to do this together.

“I think looking back through the whole week, It was a good performance on Wednesday from Bojan Miovski. I’m glad Mikey [Moore] is back but in general, it was a whole team performance.

“We have to develop our game management, but tonight it was a fantastic reaction and now we have five wins in seven so this is a good step forward. We have to continue, everyone wants to win against us or take something from us. This is a tough league so we have to put the work in.”

It would be a good time for those at Ibrox to hit top form, given how frantic the festive period is and with the January transfer window now less than a month away from swinging open.

The winter window represents the first chance for Rohl to stamp his mark on his side and rumours have already claimed that he’s after a clinical striker.

Arrivals are unlikely to come without departures, though, and Kieran Dowell is among those who could reportedly be heading for the Ibrox exit door.

Hull City keen to sign Kieran Dowell

According to Alan Nixon on his Patreon, Hull City are now keen to sign Dowell in the January transfer window. The midfielder is yet to feature under Rohl, who quite clearly doesn’t rate him, and now looks destined to leave on loan in just under a month.

It’s been the story of Dowell’s Rangers career, but he must get his move in the January window.

The 28-year-old was offered some hope when Russell Martin arrived instantly jumped to his defence by saying: “And by the way he tries really, really every day, trains like an absolute beast, which I don’t think some people have come to this club and been bought for a lot of money, and I don’t think they have done that.”

Not just Miovski: Rohl must drop Rangers flop who lost 86% duels

Danny Rohl should ruthlessly drop this Rangers flop as well as Bojan Miovski this evening.

By
Dan Emery

Dec 6, 2025

Any hope of a Rangers revival has now evaporated, however, with Rohl seemingly ready to bid farewell to the midfield flop who has struggled since arriving in 2023.

Rangers prioritising move to sign "strong" 6ft 4 box-crasher after scouting mission

Former Crystal Palace chief John Textor has revealed an interesting partnership with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis that allows the pair to 'adjust' transfer fees in deals between clubs. Textor previously owned a 43 per cent stake in Crystal Palace, which he sold in June this year for £190million. Textor considers Marinakis to be a close aide and a 'partner' in the world of football.

• Textor shares close bond with Marinakis

  Former Palace chief Textor, who exited the Premier League club in June by selling his 43 per cent stake, recently opened up about his special bond with Forest owner Marinakis. The two club owners reportedly 'adjusted' transfer fees as part of their understanding while dealing in player transfers between their clubs.

  Marinakis currently owns Nottingham Forest, while Textor sold his stake in Palace for £190million in June. They also have a portfolio of clubs worldwide; The Forest boss also owns Olympiacos in Greece and Rio Ave in Portugal, while Textor, through Eagle Football Holdings, has Lyon in France and Brazilian giants Botafogo. 

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'He has really become the partner that we wanted to have'

  Speaking to , Textor said: "The relationship is, though we do not own Nottingham Forest, and Marinakis does not own any piece of Eagle Football, he has really become the partner that we wanted to have with Crystal Palace. It’s important, I believe, to have a strong Brazilian club, to have a strong European club, to have a strong United Kingdom club. I would like a partner in Portugal. I might even prefer a partner in Spain more than a partner in France, but Marinakis has effectively become that partner because he has clubs in Portugal, clubs in Greece, and a club in the UK, and he, more than any other owner I’ve met in the world of football, believes in Brazilian talent. 

  "That’s my first explanation. The second part of the question is, you have to understand that you do your best to allocate the transfer price on an athlete-by-athlete basis. But you also understand that if you have a large relationship and you’ve been trading players in Brazil and elsewhere because he’s sending players to us in France, we sent some younger players to him in Portugal, right?"

• Were transfer fees adjusted between Marinakis and Textor?

  When asked adjusting fees while dealing transfers between their clubs, Textor added: "You feel really stupid when suddenly Igor Jesus (who Botafogo sold to Forest for £16.5m this summer) is the best player against Liverpool and you’re sure you should have gotten paid more money for him. But the fact is his injury history was the greatest reason we didn’t get paid more for him. A lot of those numbers will bounce around and sometimes you’ll look stupid and sometimes they’ll make sense. And sometimes it’s part of making an adjustment because you trade with that particular friend in a lot of situations."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• 'Every deal is a negotiation'

  Further speaking to , Textor said: "A team owner can say, 'Give me a break on this new one; you know I overpaid for the last one, based on performance.' Every deal is a negotiation, and if you desire to continue trading with a particular owner, you sometimes agree to another owner’s perception of value, sometimes forfeiting your own perception of value. These negotiations swing both ways. 

  "If you adjust the negotiation of a transfer fee, that’s not the same thing as adjusting a transfer fee.' But won't fans feel aggrieved if a player they like was sold for a specific fee just to keep a 'partner' happy? 'It’s my money, right?' Textor snapped back. 'But you’re ignoring the rest of the conversation about that same answer. 'And what I object to is people saying there’s some sinister relationship between me and Marinakis, and because people are going after him."

  He added: "What if I have a strategy where I’m creating a pathway; a regular pathway from Brazil into the Premier League? You can watch a Premier League game between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest and see Botafogo players on both sides of the pitch. And that’s never happened before."

Will Rangers be busy in the January transfer window?

Well, new manager Danny Röhl will certainly demand that they are, having taken over a complete mess, following Russell Martin’s short but ill-fated tenure.

Well, after spending around £30m on 13 new recruits in the summer, Rangers reported annual losses of £14.8m in their latest accounts on Friday, despite seeing revenue increase to £94.1m, a club record.

Despite this, the club are still expected to be busy in the January transfer window, but sporting director Kevin Thelwell will be tasked with finding gems in the market, so has one already been identified?

Rangers' search for a new attacker

One of Rangers’ many issues this season so far has been a lack of attacking firepower.

Across all competitions, only captain James Tavernier and Djeidi Gassama have scored more than three goals, with youngster Findlay Curtis and Danilo the only players on three.

Thus, according to a report in Kazakhstan, Rangers are attempting to sign winger Galymzhan Kenzhebek.

They note that “negotiations began” between his representatives and the Glasgow-based giants, while Dundee United and Aberdeen as well as clubs in Slovakia, Russia, Greece are also in the race.

Transfer Focus

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

So, could he soon become the first Kazakh player to represent Rangers, with Kazakhstan thereby becoming the 67th different nationality represented at Ibrox?

What Galymzhan Kenzhebek would bring to Rangers

Despite the fact he is only 22 years old, Galymzhan Kenzhebek has had something of a journeyman career to date.

After bouncing around various Kazakh clubs including Kairat Almaty, a name that’ll send a shudder down the spine of any Celtic fan, and then did something few of his compatriots do by venturing abroad, enjoying stints with Akritas Chlorakas​​​​​​​ in Cyprus and Košice in Slovakia.

He did return home in June, joining Yelimay Semey, for whom he was on fire, scoring six goals in his final nine Kazakh Premier League appearances before the season concluded on 26 October, firing his team up to fourth, thereby qualifying for a major UEFA competition for the first time ever.

However, by the time they play that historic Conference League qualifier in August, it seems unlikely that Kenzhebek will still call Semey home.

The Rangers Journal labels him a “very pacy and direct” winger, also praising his “goal-scoring instincts” and outlining that he is a high-volume winger who “loves to just get the ball and commit defenders”.

Meantime, Kai Watson was also impressed, noting that he is a “quality ball carrier” and could add quality to the Rangers squad at a pretty low price.

Well, as well as starring for his club, Kenzhebek has also made the breakthrough at international level this year too.

He scored his first-ever international goal at the Borisov Arena against Belarus in a friendly in June, before netting twice during a 4-0 demolition of Liechtenstein last month, thereby starting each of Kazakhstan’s last six World Cup qualifiers, including Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Belgium, a famous point, a match Nicolas Raskin also started.

So, could Kenzhebek replicate Daizen Maeda’s success from across the city?

Well, when the Japanese international arrived at Celtic from Yokohama F. Marinos on a bargain deal in January 2022, he was a complete unknown, but his skillset sounds very reminiscent​​​​​​​ to that of Kenzhebek, as a pacey forward who typically operates off the left flank.

While an “inconsistent finisher” right now in the view of Watson – much like the at-times erratic Maeda was when he arrived in Glasgow – Rangers will hope their potential new recruit can go on to eventually prove equally as clinical in Glasgow derbies.

So, while Kenzhebek is not proven at an elite level, he is seemingly worth the risk and, at a low fee, could prove to be a masterstroke in recruitment?

Thelwell can upgrade on Souttar by signing £8m defender for Rangers

With Danny Röhl in need of defensive reinforcements, could Rangers sign an “aggressive” £8m-valued star better than John Souttar and Nasser Djiga?

By
Ben Gray

Nov 20, 2025