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Glasgow Rangers have reportedly now made a bid to try and bring Antonio Colak to Ibrox this summer.

The Lowdown: Broke Gers hearts…

Colak is a striker who will be familiar to Gers supporters, as he was the player who scored two goals at Ibrox for Malmo in the UEFA Champions League qualifier last season, sending the Swedish side through and breaking Gers hearts in the process.

Back at Greek club PAOK after his loan spell in Sweden, the six-foot-two colossus scored three goals and made a further two assists in 23 matches for them last term (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: Bid rejected

Taking to Twitter, Greek football journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos has revealed that the Light Blues have now made a bid for Colak, although it has been rejected:

“Rangers have bid rejected for PAOK forward Antonio Colak.”

The Verdict: Avoid

Even though Colak showed what he is capable of against the Teddy Bears last campaign, his numbers have not been consistent enough to warrant a big move, especially given that they already have Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe as striker options.

At 28 years of age, 35 strikes between them in all competitions.

Nonetheless, there is still plenty of time left in this window to move onto other targets, with Erik Botheim and Stephen Odey thought to be options for Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

A claim has been made on Tottenham Hotspur and their attempts to add a new striker to their squad in the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has said that Sasa Kalajdzic could be a target for the club if he is willing to be a back-up to Harry Kane in North London.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “That’s the best problem for Tottenham, isn’t it, trying to find someone to play second-fiddle. So, I think if he’s willing to do that, I could see it.”

This comes after The Athletic claimed that Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich are both interested in the striker, who is valued at €25m (£22m).

Dream Kane heir

Tottenham can land their dream heir to Kane’s throne at the club by securing a deal ahead of those German clubs to land the Stuttgart phenomenon.

Kalajdzic is a young centre-forward who can develop whilst playing as a back-up to the England captain before potentially taking over from him in the future, should the goal machine move on at any point.

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The Austrian attacker has shades of Kane to his game as he ranks in the 96th percentile among strikers in Europe for expected assists per 90 at 0.26. Tottenham’s star man, meanwhile, ranks in the 95th percentile with 0.25 xA per 90 over the last 365 days, which shows that both players create for other players.

His manager Pellegrino Matarazzo once hailed his build-up play as he said: “He’s a very good footballer. He links up well with his teammates, and communicates very effectively. He’s invaluable.”

He has also shown that he has the ability to find the back of the net on a regular basis with 22 goals in 36 starts across the last two Bundesliga campaigns. Kane, meanwhile, has scored 40 Premier League goals in 71 starts in that time.

The player has previously spoken of comparisons to other strikers, saying: “I have heard a lot of phrases and expressions! I’ve heard a comparison with [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, Peter Crouch, anything from ‘tall and lanky’ to ‘tall’ and an ‘Ibrahimovic-Machine’! I’ve heard a lot of things.”

You can now add Kane’s name to that list of goalscorers he has been compared to and Tottenham must now pair the duo at the club next season.

Kalajdzic has proven in the Bundesliga that he can create and score at a similar rate to the Englishman, suggesting that he can be the dream heir to the 28-year-old’s place in the starting XI at Spurs in the future.

AND in other news, Paratici now given green light to seal “outstanding” Spurs signing, he’d be “clinical”…

Rangers had a rather mixed 2021/22 season, having relinquished the Premiership title and losing a European final on penalties before eventually bringing the Scottish Cup back to Ibrox.

One man who ended up being a rather prominent figure for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men throughout the campaign was Ryan Kent.

In 46 appearances across all competitions during the campaign, the Rangers winger scored three goals and delivered an impressive 20 assists in the process, comfortably making him one of Rangers’ main attacking threats.

Now that the Gers’ long season has finally come to an end, the focus for Ross Wilson and Giovanni van Bronckhorst can turn to the summer transfer window and getting the squad ready to take on the next campaign.

In terms of potential incoming transfers, one player with whom the Gers have been linked and who could give Van Bronckhorst the chance to form a deadly attacking duo alongside Kent is Lyndon Dykes.

After scoring 37 goals and providing 44 assists in 172 combined appearances in Scotland with Livingston and Queen of the South, the striker then joined Queens Park Rangers two years ago in a deal worth £2m. Since then, the 26-year-old has found the net 21 times in 80 appearances and supplied eight assists.

To further highlight his attacking prowess, of his 58 shots at goal he had throughout the 2021/22 season with the west London club, 30 were on target, leaving him with the third-highest percentage for shots on target at QPR.

This backs up why his former manager Mark Warburton described the 22-cap Scotland international as having “an eye for goal”, along with “all the physical attributes” needed to be a successful striker.

This also suggests that if Dykes were to have a player like Kent – who has a clear knack for setting up goalscoring opportunities – next to him, this could be a terrifying prospect for Rangers’ opponents to handle next season and beyond.

If Van Bronckhorst feels the need to add another attacking figure to his squad this summer, making an approach to QPR to see if they would be willing to let their star striker return to his homeland and see if he can help the Gers achieve success domestically and in Europe could be a great move for all parties.

In other news: Rangers now plotting bid for “clinical” £5.4m-rated sensation, he’d be a dream for Van Bronckhorst

As per The Evening Standard, there has been an update out of West Ham United as they continue their talks to sign Rennes star Nayef Aguerd.

The Lowdown: Moyes after new defender…

Hammers boss David Moyes is seeking to reshape his squad after just missing out on a finish in the Premier League top six last season, subsequently failing in their quest to seal Europa League qualification.

It is believed that West Ham are stepping up transfer talks with four departures having now been confirmed in Andriy Yarmolenko, Ryan Fredericks, David Martin and the retiring Mark Noble.

If the Irons are to maintain their phenomenal rise of the last two seasons, they’ll need to back Moyes, and it is believed they still have a major signing on the agenda in Aguerd.

The Latest: West Ham push for Aguerd deal…

According to The Evening Standard, West Ham are ‘pushing to complete a deal’ for the 26-year-old who has dazzled in Ligue 1 over 2021/2022.

The Morocco international is sought-after by Moyes with other reports suggesting he is a ‘key priority’ for the Scotsman.

The Verdict: Get it done…

A colossal presence for Rennes, Aguerd has received rave reviews with members of the media backing exactly why Moyes wants him at West Ham.

Indeed, Jack Pitt-Brooke of The Athletic was ‘told’ that the African is the ‘best value left-sided centre-back in Europe’ and ‘every club should be after him’.

Meanwhile, Malik Ouzia of The Evening Standard claims Aguerd is ‘highly-rated in France’ – potentially making his mooted €15 million (£13m) fee look like a bargain.

In other news: Journalist: West Ham ‘in talks’ to sign ‘amazing’ forward for Moyes…find out more here.

Leeds United defender Charlie Cresswell is set to hold talks with Jesse Marsch and Victor Orta regarding his immediate future.

The Lowdown: Five league appearances

Cresswell was a regular in the matchday squad under Marcelo Bielsa and Marsch last season, making his full Premier League debut against West Ham last September.

The 19-year-old was described as ‘unbelievable’ by Joe Wainman following his display against the Hammers and went on to make four more appearances in the top flight.

The last of those came in the dramatic 3-2 win away at Wolves, with Cresswell helping the Whites turnaround a two-goal deficit after coming on just before half-time.

The Latest: Talks planned

LeedsLive relayed comments from Cresswell on Wednesday lunchtime, with the centre-back currently away on international duty with England U21s.

The centre-back was asked about his Whites future, to which he shared his plans to talk with Marsch and Orta ‘over the next few weeks’.

Cresswell added that a loan move away from Elland Road could be on the cards as he wants to ‘to play more football’.

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The Verdict: Summer rebuild?

Raphinha, Kalvin Phillips and Jack Harrison have all been linked with moves away from Leeds in recent weeks, and it looks as if Cresswell could also be on the way out on a temporary basis.

Marsch inherited a small senior squad from Bielsa, so losing some key players and having a young star in Cresswell possibly wanting to leave in search of regular game time isn’t ideal.

It would leave the Whites needing plenty of senior signings, but you can understand Cresswell’s wish to play first-team football, and who knows, a loan spell away in the Championship could then help him break into Marsch’s first-team plans for the 2023/24 season.

In other news: After Kristensen: Radz & 49ers now ready to write Leeds cheque for ‘really exciting’ midfielder. 

Liverpool are now in the market to sign another attacking player after reports have emerged that Sadio Mane will leave the club this summer and an update on a potential transfer target has emerged.

What’s the latest?

According to news outlet Football.London, Liverpool were set to make a huge bid for Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-Min this summer had the North London club failed to secure a top-four Premier League finish this season.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-liverpool-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-salah-gnabry-isak-romano” title= “Read the latest Liverpool news!”]

As per the report, the Merseyside had been planning to make a move due to the likelihood that either Mane or Mohamed Salah could leave Anfield and identified Son as a potential transfer target to replace one of their forwards.

Liverpool are sadly not expected to make an approach following Spurs’ Champions League qualification.

Any deal would have cost a sizeable amount with Chris Waddle suggesting he is a player now worth in the region of £125m.

Liverpool’s next Mo Salah

Although a deal for Son is seemingly unlikely following the aforementioned report, signing the player would be a major coup for Liverpool as he could have easily become the club’s next Salah if he was to make the move to Anfield.

According to FBref, the Egyptian winger is considered one of the ten most comparable players to Son this season, and it is no wonder they are so closely similar after the pair won the joint Premier League golden boot in the most recent campaign, scoring 23 goals each.

Although Salah has had more shots on target (49), the Spurs winger has a much better percentage of shots that are on target overall (54.7%) and Son has completed more passes (933) compared to the Liverpool star too.

With that being said, due to the fact that Mane could potentially leave this summer and Salah has not sealed his future a the club beyond the one year that is left on his contract, Liverpool should explore the potential of signing Son more seriously as he is not only Premier League proven but is a like for like replacement that could really work.

He also has that sneaky ability to rile his opponents with the Independent claiming he has a “mastery for the dark arts” this term.

The 131-goal star who was also dubbed “special” by Antonio Conte is tied into a contract at his current club until 2025, so if FSG did want to land a deal for the forward in the future they would need to make an ostentatious bid that Daniel Levy could not refuse.

AND in other news: Forget Mane: Klopp can land new LFC hero in deal for “tenacious” £100m “predator” 

Sunderland winger Patrick Roberts faces uncertainty over his future at the Stadium of Light, with his current deal set to expire in the summer.

What’s the word?

As per a report from Chronicle Live, Roberts remains coy over his future and is uncertain of where his career will take him next.

After Sunderland secured promotion in a 2-0 win over Wycombe on Saturday, Roberts insisted that he would just enjoy the moment, with the short term contract that he signed in January nearing its expiration.

Asked what was next, the 25-year-old said: “I’ve no idea to be honest, that’s for the next few weeks.

“I’ll just enjoy tonight and do whatever I can see what happens. We’ll have a few drinks and a lot of partying. You’ve got to enjoy these moments. I think Sunderland fans will enjoy theirs more.”

“I’ve only been here six months but you can see since the manager has came in, all the players have come in and the ones that are here, it means a lot. At the start of the season we had a rocky period with everything going on, we’ve steadied ourselves, got the wins and results and we can enjoy tonight and the summer.”

Neil must keep Roberts

Having scored the vital goal in the second-leg of the League One play-off semi-final, and having performed as a big threat against Wycombe on Saturday, Roberts has been first-class for Sunderland and has acted as the cherry on top for a well-versed Black Cats side who all seem to be on the same page.

Since his switch to Sunderland in January, the former Manchester City prospect has created 15 chances at a rate of 2.2 chances per game, with two of these being big chances.

Having featured 17 times for Neil’s side since January, Roberts has been a first-team regular and a key part of their promotion push which has now landed them Championship football for next season.

For a player who still has a lot more to give and possesses skills akin to technical excellence, Neil should not be messing around with a player who was deemed “one of the hottest talents in England” at the age of 17, and should consequently offer the 25-year-old a new deal.

In other news: Neil already heading for big summer disaster on SAFC’s star talent “who truly gets it” 

West Ham United are reportedly closing in on a deal for Rennes defender Nayef Aguerd, with the Hammers currently engaged in talks with the Ligue 1 outfit.

What’s the word?

As per 90min, the east Londoners are ‘continuing to hold talks’ with the French club in the hope of coming to an agreement for the Morocco international, with David Moyes ‘close to agreeing a fee’ for the 26-year-old.

The report suggests that the centre-back has emerged as West Ham’s ‘primary target’ to solve their defensive woes, having been caught short this season due to a lack of depth in the centre of defence.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-latest-west-ham-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-more” title= “Read the latest West Ham news!”]

Nonetheless, it is believed that one of the club’s current options will still be moved on in order to accommodate the arrival of the 19-cap colossus, with previous reports suggesting that a fee of around £20m could be enough for the Irons to get their man.

West Ham’s own Pique

The arrival of the former Dijon player would no doubt be a major coup for GSB, with the £8.1m-rated defender having been dubbed a “real boss” by the French media earlier this season for his impressive form, having helped his current side secure an impressive fourth-place finish in the league.

The £8.9k-per-week gem netted twice and registered two assists in 31 league outings in the most recent campaign, while also averaging four clearances per game and winning 62% of his total duels.

His ability in possession could also prove hugely beneficial to Moyes’ side, as he ranks in the top 10% for passes attempted and in the top 16% for pass completion among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues.

That ball-playing ability could mean that the east Londoners may well have their own Gerard Pique on their hands, with the pair noted as similar players by FBRef due to their closely mirrored statistical profiles.

While at 34 the Barcelona icon may no longer be quite at his peak, it is Aguerd (30) who made more tackles than the Spaniard (22) in the league in 2021/22, while the Rennes defender has also come out on top for interceptions made (54 to 35).

If the West Ham target can enjoy even a fraction of the success that the Spanish legend has had, then the Premier League side will be in for a treat with Aguerd, with it rare that such a commodity comes available for what is seemingly a relative bargain price.

IN other news, Cost £1.5m per goal: GSB made a colossal blunder on “strong” £40k-p/w West Ham flop 

History made, class evident, underpinned by a defiance cloaked by a Boy Next Door visage. This is Kane Williamson

Vithushan Ehantharajah27-Feb-20230:40

Fulton lauds Williamson’s ‘drive and determination’

The Barmy Army’s rendition of Jerusalem had just finished by the time the ball had bumped into the boundary sponge at midwicket. The applause around the ground had dissipated by the time the announcer switched on his microphone to commemorate the four, returning with supplementary cheers which highlighted how few people were on the banks and benches of the Basin Reserve. It was 10:35am on a Monday morning. New Zealand were now 20 behind in their follow-on innings. And Kane Williamson was now New Zealand’s all-time Test run-scorer.How did he celebrate? With a bit of gardening and a re-marking of his guard. A look around to check for any subsequent field changes rather than to survey those sending acclaim his way.About five hours later, the bat was raised and the helmet off. Though not for long: century number 26, off 226 deliveries – 78 after passing fifty – was subdued because there was work still to do. Williamson always seems to have more work to do.Related

• New Zealand collapse after Kane Williamson hundred to open door for England

• Stats – Williamson at the top of the Test charts for New Zealand

• 'It's an honour' – Williamson on becoming New Zealand's highest run-scorer in Tests

New Zealand had posted their highest total in a follow-on innings, though the ask for England’s fourth innings was within their recent reach. More to be done and only really one man entrusted to do it.Then came his demise for 132, which even then ended up being more about everyone else, beyond the rest of the batters to come to build on his work, which didn’t really happens. England had opened up an end from which they would take the remaining 4 more wickets for just 28 more. And even then, the identity of the wicket-taker (Harry Brook bowling what Joe Root described as “filthy seamers off the wrong foot”) and the manner of the dismissal (caught down the leg side) elicited a ground-wide guffaw that drowned out what ovation Williamson had as he walked off.History made, class evident, underpinned by a defiance cloaked by a Boy Next Door visage. Yet despite his on-the-day brilliance (which actually began the previous night), England were in pole position to successfully chase for the seventh time under Ben Stokes, with a target that will slot in as the fifth highest in that time.Williamson had the opportunity to sneak past Ross Taylor’s tally of 7,683 on Sunday evening, but resisted the urge – if he gets urges, or even has vices pertaining to self-gratification – to sleep four shy of top spot on 25 off 81 deliveries. He probably could have knocked it off last week on his home patch, but only managed 0 and 4 at the Bay Oval. Ah heck, maybe he was never going to do it among his own. Too showy. More attention was paid to Trent Boult, the Bay of Plenty resident in absentia.How good would that have been, though? For Mount Maunganui to celebrate their favourite son putting numbers behind what has been all but fact for some time – that he is New Zealand’s greatest? Back in 2014, after Williamson’s seventh Test hundred – a 161 against West Indies in Bridgetown – the late Martin Crowe said he’d be the best ever this nation produced. Which was noteworthy because saying someone is better than Martin Crowe is heresy in these parts, even if you’re Martin Crowe.Kane Williamson acknowledges the applause for his century•AFP/Getty ImagesEven being in the Mount for the 10 days around that first Test was to get a snapshot of why he is how he is. As it happens, his niece, who bears a striking resemblance, works as a waitress at one of the local restaurants. One set of diners from the UK, having cottoned on to this fact, couldn’t help ask if indeed she was a Williamson. “Yes,” she replied. “How do you know the Williamsons?” Presumably the family crest is an arrow pointing elsewhere.As far as Englishman on the field were concerned, all eyes were on the Williamson in the middle, in far less hospitable mood. He was integral in partnerships of 55, 75 and 158 with Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell, respectively, frustrating bowlers and fielders to no end in attack and defence.

“New Zealand cricket is very lucky he [Williamson] is still playing and to offer another level of leadership. He’ll possibly go down as our greatest-ever leader.”Brendon McCullum

Every boundary, aside from the back cut laced through third man that took him to three figures, seemed to be timed well enough to both make it all the way and drag a fielder along with it, convinced they could stop it. The dead-batting of anything remotely threatening he had to play was arguably worse. Williamson’s own bowlers talk about being frustrated in the nets by a bat that seemingly turns to a pillow and puts the ball to sleep, thanks mainly to wrists so soft he must have E45 mixed in with the ice coursing through his veins. At one point, Stokes employed four fielders in catching positions between square leg and midwicket who had nothing of note to do beyond retrieving balls that had already stopped and tossing it back to the bowler. Having been in the field since just before lunch on day two, it was hard to know which was under the more pressure: the England captain’s knee or the ironclad self belief he has instilled in his charges.The latter survived, and was replenished upon Williamson’s dismissal and the ensuing collapse. There is still much to do for New Zealand, and Williamson’s part in all this, beyond whatever match-turning nuggets he can pass on to his successor Tim Southee, is basically done.Has there ever been a more “I’m him” performance for one so humble and yet obviously brilliant? Monday was yet another reminder of a great hiding in plain sight. But in a New Zealand side undergoing a transitional phase following the brilliance of those he led to the World Test Championship, Williamson will become ever more visible.Should New Zealand pull off just the fourth victory for a team asked to follow on, it will elevate this day and Williamson’s part in it further. New Zealand Cricket announced Tuesday will be free entry, and all who arrive with Kiwi allegiances will arrive with the prospect of watching something truly remarkable.The last time they queued around the roundabout this ground sits upon to see something similar was nine years ago when a certain Brendon McCullum went on to become the first Blackcap to score a triple-century. That he is here on the opposing balcony adds a little extra on Williamson’s accomplishment.McCullum once explained the difference between him and Williamson was “you sit down with him for a meal and it takes him 45 minutes to finish”. Even if McCullum preaches otherwise, he must have had a wry smile as his old mate diligently chewed for 447 minutes to give this match what could be a satisfying finale.”New Zealand cricket is very lucky he’s still playing and to offer another level of leadership,” McCullum said during his first tour briefing a couple of weeks ago in Hamilton. “He’ll possibly go down as our greatest-ever leader.”Williamson already had the Blackcaps record for most Test centuries, led the team to their greatest ever success and, now, stands astride at the top as their leading run-scorer in the format. Next on his work docket are continuing as the main focal point in a batting line-up and a totem for a team recalibrating their standing in the global game.None of that is any less important but comes with fewer ground announcements, less acclaim and no title to boast about. Is there a better man for the job?

It would be an understatement to say that West Ham United have not had the start to the season they’d have been hoping for.

For example, the East Londoners aren’t taking part in the League Cup this week after losing to the equally terrible Wolverhampton Wanderers last month.

It’s somehow been even worse in the Premier League, with the Irons losing to Sunderland, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace in their first five games.

In short, things need to change, and it now looks like the club are going after a manager who’d be a massive upgrade on Graham Potter.

West Ham target Potter upgrade

The last few weeks have seen West Ham be linked with a host of potential Potter replacements, with one of the more prominent ones being Slaven Bilic.

Manager Focus

The former Hammers boss left the club in 2017, and has since managed Al-Ittihad, West Bromwich Albion, Beijing Guoan, Watford and Al-Fateh.

In other words, he’s not done much to suggest he’d bring in a new era at the club.

Likewise, while he’s doing a reasonable enough job with Coventry City, the links to Frank Lampard aren’t going to excite fans.

Fortunately, there is another coach on the club’s radar, someone who’d be a massive upgrade on Potter.

At least that’s according to a recent report from Claret and Hugh, which claims West Ham are very interested in Nuno Espírito Santo.

In fact, the report has revealed that the Portuguese manager is now one of three names on a shortlist for the role.

It remains unclear whether West Ham will be able to secure their man, but they should certainly keep trying, as he’d be a colossal upgrade on Potter.

How Nuno compares to Potter

The good news is that there are several reasons why we think Nuno would be a significant upgrade on Potter.

The most important of all, and the one that encompasses many of the others, is his track record.

More specifically, his track record in English football and the Premier League.

For example, although he had a fairly dire stint in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, the Portuguese coach has more than proven himself capable of managing at the top level with both Wolves and Nottingham Forest.

He took over the former when they were still in the Championship, led them to promotion in his first campaign and then, within a few years, had them playing Europa League football.

Likewise, when he took over at Forest, it was viewed as something of an impossible job, but he led them from relegation candidates to European football in a season and a half.

On the other hand, while Potter did a pretty good job with Brighton & Hove Albion, he proceeded to fail with Chelsea, and it would be hard to find someone who’d claim he isn’t failing at the London Stadium today.

Finally, you only need to compare their records in the top-flight to see who is the better manager.

The “outstanding” Portuguese coach, as dubbed by commentator Adam Summerton, has taken charge of 184 games in the Premier League, of which his teams have won 72, lost 67, drawn 45 and averaged 1.42 points per game.

In contrast, the Englishman has taken charge of 164 games in the competition, of which 47 have been wins, 55 draws, and 62 losses, which comes out to a points per game average of just 1.20.

Ultimately, West Ham need a new manager, and Nuno looks like the best man for the job.

Manager "close to agreeing" West Ham contract after Sullivan and Brady talks

He’s being lined up if Graham Potter is sacked.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 23, 2025