The agent of a Champions League defender has confirmed that Celtic are interested in signing his client this summer.
Celtic transfer plans underway
Brendan Rodgers guided the Hoops to another Scottish Premiership title this season and can still win the double with a Scottish Cup final triumph over Rangers this weekend.
European giants make contact to sign Celtic playmaker
Callum McGregor is a big fan of the Hoops player and Brendan Rodgers doesn’t want to lose him.
ByCharlie Smith May 23, 2024
However, attention will soon be on the transfer market, with Celtic chiefs seemingly making plans behind the scenes. Asked earlier this month how prepared the club are heading into the summer window for next season, Rodgers said that plans are “well underway” at Parkhead.
“We have to do that. That’s pretty clear. But I’m really excited about that moving forward into a real bright future with the club. This season has been a real challenge, the squad openly not as strong as I would have liked it to have been but what the players have given me to this point has been absolutely brilliant. But our job next year is to be stronger, much stronger and that’s something that’s well underway.”
It has been reported that Celtic at least want to sign a new goalkeeper, winger and striker, with a replacement for the retiring Joe Hart potentially at the top of the agenda. Shot-stoppers who have been linked with a move to Glasgow include Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher, Trabzonspor star Ugurcan Cakir, Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson, Werder Bremen colossus Michael Zetterer, Southampton’s Alex McCarthy and Koen Casteels of Wolfsburg.
Meanwhile, a permanent offer to sign loanee Adam Idah from Norwich City is reportedly being readied, however, additions in defence, in particular at left-back, also appear to be of interest.
Agent confirms Celtic interest in Champions League defender
According to Mamuka Jugeli, the agent of Shakhtar Donetsk left-back Irakli Azarovi, Celtic are “interested” in signing the Georgia international.
Unnamed clubs in France and Italy are also keen on Azarovi, though, with Jugeli confirming the Hoops’ interest to Geo Team on X.
Azarovi is just 22 years of age and came through with Dinamo Tbilisi before joining Dinamo Batumi in January 2021. He then moved on to Red Star Belgrade 18 months later before signing for Shakhtar Donetsk last summer.
He's impressed with the Ukrainian giants, which has resulted in his Transfermarkt valuation increasing to a career-high €3.5m. In total, Azarovi has made 32 appearances for Shakhtar, including playing in this year’s Champions League.
As we know, the Hoops can offer Champions League football next season, and a new left-back arriving at Celtic Park prior to then appears to make sense. Greg Taylor is currently the only recognised left-back available to Rodgers after Alexandro Bernabei was sent out on loan to Internacional in Brazil, so Azarovi could rival Taylor next season.
A move for Azarovi could therefore be one to keep an eye on, especially after his agent’s claim.
The India women’s team is all set to pull out of their September tour of England because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.The original plan was to start the tour by the end of June, but it was pushed back to September because of the pandemic, and the ECB subsequently planned to turn it into a tri-series with South Africa as the third team. But those plans have been put on ice with the number of cases on the rise in India.ESPNcricinfo understands that England’s bilateral series against South Africa – originally scheduled to comprise two T20Is and four ODIs – will now be extended in order to give the team as many fixtures as possible this summer. A revised schedule is expected within the next few weeks.The ECB has repeatedly reiterated its commitment to the women’s game, and last month awarded new retainer contracts to 20 domestic players, who were allocated teams in the new regional centres.Plans for domestic women’s cricket for this season remain under discussion, with Surrey set to play Middlesex in a T20 at The Oval on Tuesday for the London Cup in the first top-level women’s game in the country this summer.Twenty-four England women’s players have been training since late June at six different venues: Loughborough, Headingley, The Oval, Bristol, Hove and Chester Boughton Hall. Venues for the South Africa series are yet to be confirmed, though it is understood Derby is likely to be among them.
Aston Villa progressed to the semifinals of the Europa Conference League with a penalty shootout win over Lille on Thursday evening – the first time they have reached the last four in Europe since 1982.
On that occasion, Villa won the European Cup and Unai Emery will be hoping to lead his side to another major continental triumph.
Despite sealing a last-four spot, the Midlands outfit didn’t play particularly well, having to rely on a late goal by Matty Cash to take the game to extra time, where Emiliano Martínez (who else) was the hero during the shootout.
Youri Tielemans in particular, failed to have much influence on the game and this could jeopardise his place in the starting XI ahead of the clash against Bournemouth.
Youri Tielemans’ game in numbers vs Lille
The Belgian was tasked with controlling the game from the heart of the midfield while advancing forward whenever possible, yet he sat deeper than usual against the French side.
Throughout the 120 minutes, Tielemans took only 38 touches while completing 22 passes, evidence of his lack of impact for Villa. The midfielder also lost possession nine times, made only one key pass, and had no shots on dribble attempts during the entire game.
Youri Tielemans' stats for Villa against Lille
Accurate passes
22/28
Touches
38
Key passes
1
Total duels (won)
7 (6)
Lost possession
9
Via Sofascore
He was given a match rating of just 6/10 by Birmingham Live as John Townley stated that the former Leicester City star ‘had a limited influence on the night’ while he also ‘lost possession in a dangerous position’ towards the start of the second half, but Lille failed to take advantage.
It was a disappointing performance, but Moussa Diaby was arguably worse as he failed to offer anything in the final third.
Moussa Diaby’s stats against Lille
The former Bayer Leverkusen winger was unleashed from the start against the team currently sitting fourth in Ligue 1 with the hopes he could cause some damage.
The Frenchman was subbed off in the 68th minute as Townley claimed he ‘struggled to involve himself in the game’ and was subsequently given a rating of just 5/10 for his uninspiring performance.
Moussa Diaby
Indeed, Diaby only took 18 touches while completing eight passes during his time on the field, supporting the notion regarding his lack of impact.
He failed to take any shots or attempt any dribbles, while also making zero key passes or creating any big chances, looking lost as Villa pushed forward.
It was perhaps a surprise to see Leon Bailey fail to secure a start after his excellent cameo against Arsenal last weekend, but there is no doubt the Jamaican should be pushed back into the starting XI after Diaby’s display against Lille.
Emery’s side will have to improve massively when they face off against Olympiacos next month if they wish to reach just their second-ever major European final.
A response will be required as they welcome Bournemouth to Villa Park on Sunday, especially as the hunt for the fourth and final Champions League berth is beginning to heat up quite nicely.
Aston Villa star was the real European hero over Martinez vs Lille
The Villa rock had 116 touches and won every single duel last night.
Ten hours after their ‘A’ teams meet for a one-dayer at Christchurch, and seventy minutes after their senior teams begin their T20I series in Auckland, the India and New Zealand U-19 sides will face off in Bloemfontein to see which team tops Group A at the World Cup. The winner will avoid the unbeaten and in-form West Indies in the quarter-final.India’s bowling hasn’t been fully tested so far. They’ve bowled out both Sri Lanka and Japan, the efforts have been spearheaded by Kartik Tyagi, the right-arm pacer, left-arm seamer Akash Singh and legspinner Ravi Bishnoi.India made three changes for the Japan game, but couldn’t quite read much into it because of the nature of their 10-wicket win. Kumar Kushagra – who came in for opener Divyaansh Saxena – played only 13 deliveries and Shashwat Rawat – who came in place of allrounder Shubhang Hegde didn’t bat at all.The only clarity India have is what role Vidyadhar Patil, the right-arm medium pacer, plays. He took just one wicket but was consistent in his lines and lengths, even swinging the ball both ways. What that means for Sushant Mishra, the player he replaced, remains to be seen.Imdia haven’t been put under pressure at all, unlike New Zealand, who were in a must-win against Sri Lanka after settling for a point due to a washout against Japan. A loss there could’ve been curtains to their quarter-final hopes, an it needed a final-over six from Kritian Clarke to take them over the line. The victory would have has given New Zealand a sense of self-belief.New Zealand opener Rhys Mariu will be a key wicket for India. He’s scored 51 and 86 in the two games and is playing the role of team anchor at the top, while Beckham Wheeler-Greenall, the attractive middle-order batsman showed in the game against Sri Lanka that he can comfortably tackle spin.Clarke can ramp his pace up to the late 130s early on in his spell and could trouble India’s top order, while the duo of wristspinner Adithya Ashok and the captain and left-arm orthodox bowler Jesse Tashkoff have shown control in the middle overs through the warm-up games and the match against Sri Lanka. Ashok has taken a three-for in each of his last three games, while both spinners found success against India at the pre-World Cup quadrangular tournament as well.That’s not to say India’s batsmen are not capable of tackling New Zealand’s attack. In the last game they played at the quadrangular tournament, they struck Ashok for six runs an over despite losing two wickets to him and scored 252 on a difficult surface. To give one a rough idea of how tricky the Durban surface was – where teams were playing a game every day across ten days – New Zealand were skittled out for 132.Left-arm spinner Atharva Ankolekar, who hasn’t yet played a World Cup game, was India’s star at that match, taking 3 for 16. Now, he could make his way into the XI against a side that will be aware of the damage he can cause.It’s also worth noting that New Zealand’s highest total in their last seven games is only 243, the one that came against Sri Lanka. The India game will be a good test of their temperament, and they don’t need to go too far back in history to find motivation. When India were under the pressure at the semi-final of the seniors’ World Cup last year, it was underdogs New Zealand who were the thorn in their step to the final.Both sides would prefer to play either England or Australia in their quarterfinal, and for that they need a win. No cracks have yet been found in the Indian team that has looked simply flawless on the field, winning ten of their last 11 games (including practice matches) entering the match-up, but if they are to lose, this would be the only game they can afford to.It’s the final opportunity for both teams to figure their best XIs, and perhaps even commit an error or two. Because once both sides shake their hands and leave the field, they cannot afford to make a single mistake moving forward into the World Cup knockouts.
Sunderland will be looking forward to this Championship season being over and done with based on recent results, the Wearside outfit humbled 5-1 by Blackburn Rovers last time out to pile up the misery even higher.
The disastrous loss at the Stadium of Light also saw Anthony Patterson have a notable off-day in between the sticks, the usually reliable Black Cats goalkeeper making just two saves with the ball having to be fished out of his busy net an embarrassing five times.
This poor day at the office shouldn't detract suitors coming back in for the 23-year-old in the summer however, Patterson gaining notable admirers from higher-up places than Sunderland, with Liverpool once sniffing about for the Black Cats number one.
If Sunderland were tempted into parting ways, they'd demand the suitor in question pay a hefty fee to win Patterson's services with the promising shot-stopper seeing his value soar after coming through the youth ranks on Wearside.
Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.
Anthony Patterson's time at Sunderland
All whilst still only 23 years of age, Patterson has managed to amass 118 first-team appearances for the Black Cats after bursting onto the senior scene during the 2021/22 season.
A loan spell with Notts County the campaign prior would allow for the young shot-stopper to spread his wings, making 11 appearances and gaining his first real experience of the men's game in the formative switch.
The 6 foot 2 homegrown product wouldn't look back when gifted chances to impress in the senior mix back at the Stadium of Light, becoming a key cog the last two full seasons on the trot with 86 Championship appearances accumulated, having also been praised for his "amazing temperament" by Tony Mowbray.
His continued heroics in goal for Sunderland this season even when results haven't been going the team's way – with Patterson picking up two clean sheets on the bounce before the collapse to the Riversiders – means the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest who have been in the queue for his services alongside Klopp's Reds could reignite their interest again soon.
The struggling second-tier outfit will hope if one of these Premier League clubs does bid for Patterson, they make a handsome profit on their former Academy product who cost the Black Cats nothing to nurture and grow but could be sold on for a high amount.
Sunderland midfielder Luke O'Nien
Anthony Patterson's transfer value in 2024
Patterson's £11m worth in 2024 means he boasts the title of being Sunderland's most valued asset, according to Football Transfers, worth even more than standout Black Cats man Jack Clarke who comes in with a price tag of €9m (£7.7m) comparatively.
The Sunderland keeper's bumped-up valuation means he also comes in as the 16th most valuable player in the division currently, finding himself above Leeds United's Daniel James just at €12.8m (£10.9m) who is more focused on winning promotion than Patterson's standing of being in mid-table.
1. Anthony Patterson
€12.9m (£11m)
2. Jack Clarke
€9m (£7.7m)
3. Abdoullah Ba
€7.2m (£6.1m)
4. Adil Aouchiche
€6.5m (£5.5m)
5. Pierre Ekwah
€6m (£5.1m)
Glancing at the table above, Sunderland are putting a lot of trust in expensive youngsters such as Abdoullah Ba and Adil Aouchiche to come good and get them out of their current dreadful predicament.
That philosophy won't change if Patterson does end up moving on from Wearside for more luxurious pastures with a flow of cash then coming in, with Dodds' men linked with highly regarded Wigan Athletic shot-stopper Sam Tickle as the 23-year-old's immediate replacement.
Sam Tickle for Wigan Athletic.
Sunderland will just aim to get the best out of Patterson and Co between now and the end of the season away from transfer gossip, attempting to end the season with some positivity before talk turns to who is sticking around at the Stadium of Light past the summer.
Dodds could stumble across his next Rigg in 9/10 Sunderland "diamond"
Mike Dodds will hope Sunderland can strike gold again with this youngster coming through.
O técnico Hernán Crespo foi só elogios ao São Paulo após a goleada por 9 a 1 diante do 4 de Julho-PI, pela terceira fase da Copa do Brasil. Após sair perdendo por 1 a 0, a equipe soube reagir e construir o largo placar.
ATUAÇÕES: Pablo faz “hat-trick” e comanda goleada histórica do São Paulo diante do 4 de Julho
O argentino exaltou a recuperação dos seus comandados e o poder de reação, para sair da pressão do resultado e conseguir e vaga.
TABELA > Veja classificação e simulador da Copa do Brasil clicando aqui
RelacionadasSão PauloPablo fala sobre classificação do São Paulo: ‘A gente sabe o que tem que fazer’São Paulo08/06/2021VídeoVÍDEO: São Paulo atropelou! Veja os gols da goleada sobre o 4 de JulhoVídeo08/06/2021São PauloAutor de hat-trick na goleada do São Paulo, Pablo ‘alfineta’ 4 de Julho: ‘Tem que respeitar’São Paulo08/06/2021
– Vínhamos de dois resultados difíceis. Mas acredito que o primeiro jogo foi condicionado pelas decisões do árbitro. O jogo terminaria 3 a 1, mas terminou 3 a 2 e deveríamos recuperar. Foi a situação ideal para lembrar e mostrar nossa personalidade. Lembrar que tudo isso nos fez ganhar o Paulistão e colocar o carro dentro da rua– afirmou, em entrevista coletiva.
Crespo também falou sobre os próximos passos do São Paulo. Para ele, a conquista do Campeonato Paulista é ‘página virada’ e o Tricolor vai tentar escrever uma nova história.
– Simplesmente pensando no presente. Eu falo sempre que a história do São Paulo é muito rica, e ela não é mérito desse elenco, assim como os momentos difíceis. Estamos escrevendo uma nova história.Acabou o Paulistão, agora se inicia outra com um time que quer ser protagonista e competitivo.Um time que vai dar tudo para alcançar o lugar mais alto. Alcança? Não sei, mas vamos tentar – completou.
Agora, o São Paulo vira a chave para a disputa do Brasileirão. No próximo domingo (13), o Tricolor enfrenta o Atlético-MG, em Belo Horizonte, às 16h.
O São Paulo goleou o Mirassol por 4 a 0 na noite do último domingo (16) e se classificou para a final do Campeonato Paulista. Autor de um dos gols na partida, o meia Gabriel Sara comentou sobre a vaga na grande decisão do estadual.
ATUAÇÕES: Benítez novamente se destaca, Arboleda faz partida completa e São Paulo elimina o Mirassol do Paulistão
– A gente quer aproveitar bastante esse momento, festejar por uma noite pelo menos, porque segunda já começa o próximo passo. Não podemos pensar no Palmeiras sendo que temos um desafio na terça já – disse o jogador.
VEJA A TABELA DO CAMPEONATO PAULISTA
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O ‘festejar por uma noite’ tem explicação. O São Paulo já entra em campo nesta terça-feira (18), quando enfrenta o Racing, às 21h30, pela quinta rodada do Grupo E da Libertadores. No entanto, Sara afirmou que o elenco está focado também no Paulistão e sonha conquistar o título, que não vem desde 2005.
– Todo mundo aqui sonha em conquistar título, principalmente no momento do clube. Crespo tem dado confiança a todos os jogadores. Todas as peças são importantes – finalizou.
Celtic did not enjoy a completely successful January transfer window as Brendan Rodgers reportedly missed out on targets in several key positions.
The Hoops were able to secure the signing of Nicolas Kuhn on a permanent deal from Austrian side Rapid Wien but Football Insider claimed that the manager also wanted a left-back, a goalkeeper, and a centre-forward.
Adam Idah arrived on loan, with no option to buy, from English Championship side Norwich City on deadline day, and he was the only other first-team signing made before the window slammed shut.
Norwich forward Adam Idah.
The Daily Record reported on deadline day that the Bhoys were also eyeing up another central midfielder to bolster the squad after David Turnbull was sold to Cardiff City and Reo Hatate suffered an injury whilst playing for Japan.
However, Celtic ended the window without a new goalkeeper, left-back, or central midfielder, which may have left Rodgers frustrated with their efforts.
The Northern Irish tactician could, though, unearth a surprise homegrown replacement for Turnbull next season by calling MacKenzie Carse up to the first-team after his loan spell with Queen's Park.
David Turnbull's Celtic career in numbers
The Scotland international arrived from Motherwell on a permanent deal in the summer of 2020, after an impressive tally 16 goals and seven assists in 41 appearances.
He went on to play 134 matches in all competitions for the Hoops over three years in Glasgow, which shows that the club got a decent return out of the young gem.
Turnbull showcased his quality as a scorer and a creator of goals from midfield with 31 goals and 23 assists – a return of a goal or an assist every 2.48 outings on average.
His best season in a Celtic jersey, arguably, came during the 2020/21 Scottish Premiership campaign under Neil Lennon as he caught the eye as a number ten for the former Bhoys boss.
20/21 Premiership
David Turnbull
Appearances
36
Starts
30
Goals
Nine
Assists
Six
Big chances created
Nine
Sofascore rating
7.47
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the 24-year-old magician offered regular quality as a scorer and a creator from a midfield position for the club.
No Celtic player provided more key passes per game than Turnbull (2.7) that term. In fact, he created 0.8 more chances per match than any of his teammates, which illustrates how impressive his passing was for the Scottish giants.
His 15 combined goals and assists that season were the most he ever managed during a campaign for the Hoops, which is why it was his best and most productive year at the club.
This season, Turnbull offered a goal threat from the middle of the park with seven strikes in 16 Premiership appearances – a tally only Kyogo Furuhashi (nine) and Matt O'Riley (ten) have bettered within the Celtic squad.
David Turnbull in action for Celtic.
Despite his goalscoring exploits, the former Motherwell star, who registered zero assists, only started nine league games during the first half of the campaign.
The Hoops decided on deadline day that they were prepared to cash in on him and sold the talented whiz to Welsh side Cardiff for a reported fee of £2m.
This may have been due to his lack of regular starts in midfield for Rodgers, who preferred the likes of Paulo Bernardo, Callum McGregor, and O'Riley.
David Turnbull's Championship struggles
Since making the move to Wales, the right-footed ace has struggled to adapt to life in the Championship in England with the Bluebirds so far.
Turnbull has made five appearances in the second tier, including two starts, and is yet to register a single goal or assist for his new club from an attacking midfield role.
In those five matches, the Scotland international has had one shot, that was off target, and failed to create a single 'big chance' for his teammates in the final third.
Celtic midfielder David Turnbull.
At the age of 24, there is still plenty of time for him to emerge as a success in Wales and, hopefully, his current struggles are just a result of a big change midway through the season.
However, his current form does suggest that Rodgers made the right call by deciding to send him away from Parkhead on a permanent basis on deadline day.
The Celtic teen who could replace David Turnbull
Celtic failed to land the central midfielder that they were reportedly eyeing up, although there were no names given, in the January transfer window.
However, that does not mean that Rodgers does not have a player with the potential to emerge as a dream replacement for Turnbull already at the club.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers applauds the fans.
Carse, who was sent out on loan to Queen's Park for the second half of this season, is a young player who could make the step up to the first-team to take the Scottish maestro's place for the 2024/25 campaign.
The 19-year-old showcased his attacking potential during the first half of this term for Celtic's B team with a return of seven goals in 18 Lowland League matches, to go along with one goal in six UEFA Youth League outings.
His leadership skills were also on display for the club's academy as he captained the B team or Youth League side on 15 occasions before his temporary exit, which suggests that he has a mature head on his shoulders and has the mental attributes to inspire those around him.
MacKenzie Carse
Vs Dunfermline
Minutes played
21
Shots
One
Goals
One
Dribble success rate
100% (1/1)
Interceptions
One
Sofascore rating
7.3
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Carse recently showcased his quality as an attacking threat at first-team level for Queen's Park with a goal off the bench against Dunfermline.
This shows that the teenage whiz has already done more at the top end of the pitch in four substitute appearances in the Scottish Championship than Turnbull has in the English Championship for Cardiff in five outings.
It is now down to Carse, who was described as a "high potential" prospect by Queen's Park manager Callum Davidson, to earn a spot as a regular starter for the second division team between now and the end of the season.
If he can translate his form as a regular scorer for Celtic B at senior level, which his goalscoring impact for the Championship suggests he has the potential to do, then the 19-year-old gem could emerge as the dream replacement for Turnbull next term.
That would negate any need for Rodgers to dip into the market to sign another midfielder as Carse could replace the goals that they have lost through the sale of the now-Cardiff ace.
West Bromwich Albion would have been the happier of the two sides come full-time at Portman Road, Carlos Corberan's Baggies battling to a 2-2 draw versus Ipswich Town despite the hosts dominating for large spells.
Scoring two goals from just two shots on target is a very impressive statistic from the away side's perspective, although lone striker Brandon Thomas-Asante couldn't quite get on the scoresheet himself.
A passive display from the West Brom number 21 saw Corberan haul off the striker on the 56th minute mark, only for his replacement in Daryl Dike to heartbreakingly pick up another serious-looking injury moments after being introduced.
This could well throw up a striker selection dilemma for the Spanish boss to resolve, with Thomas-Asante in real danger of being dropped for tonight's game with Cardiff City regardless of Dike re-entering the Hawthorns treatment room.
Thomas-Asante's performance vs Ipswich in numbers
Thomas-Asante will have been left frustrated with how his time on the pitch against the Tractor Boys played out, with his barren patch in front of goal in the Championship stretching tothree games in a row now after his torrid showing at Portman Road.
Only managing 17 touches of the ball in total in Suffolk, the 25-year-old was isolated up top on his own with zero shots managed on Václav Hladký's shaky goal.
Minutes played
56
Goals scored
0
Shots on goal
0
Touches
17
Passes managed
9/10
Duels won
3/7
With a number of below-par performances before this no-show at Portman Road further troubling his cemented first-team spot – failing to win a single duel against Birmingham the game prior to this Ipswich draw – the time could be right for Corberan to give a young January recruit an opportunity to impress against the Bluebirds tonight ahead of Thomas-Asante.
Thomas-Asante's replacement at West Brom
Yet to be given time to really to cut his teeth at West Brom – only given one 28-minute run-out so far against Birmingham – the Baggies boss could ruffle a fair few feathers by chucking West Ham United loanee Callum Marshall into his lineup.
Having one effort blocked in that brief cameo at the Hawthorns against Tony Mowbray's Blues, Marshall will hope he can find the back of the net against Cardiff if selected to show he can score goals for fun in men's football and not just in the comforts of youth action.
Bagging a remarkable 19 goals from just 16 games playing for the West Ham U21s just this season, everyone with connections to West Brom will hope Marshall won't flounder making the step-up transitioning to the intense demands of Championship football.
With Thomas-Asante passenger-like in the past couple of second-tier games, and Dike facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines again with a ruptured Achilles tendon, Marshall will need to seize his opportunity when it comes his way.
Described as being an "incredible" talent by football scout Antonio Mango when emerging as a breakout star for the Hammers at youth level, Marshall would no doubt endear himself to his new fanbase if he could bag his first-ever Baggies goal against Cardiff.
The teenager could well see Dike pulling up with yet another injury as one way he can begin to make waves in the Baggies first team, able to push Thomas-Asante all the way for a starting spot as a consequence.