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Arsenal are prepared to bid for a Real Madrid player this summer, as the La Liga side's president Florentino Perez eyes a potential replacement.

Arsenal's four key signings they want to make for Arteta

As reported by reliable journalist Simon Collings, sporting director Edu Gaspar and the Gunners wish to make four key signings across Mikel Arteta's team.

Arsenal holding talks with Joorabchian to hijack deal for £34m striker

He helped his team qualify for the Champions League last season.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 15, 2024

Indeed, it is believed Arsenal want to bring in a new goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward over the coming weeks – as Arteta looks to challenge Man City for another Premier League title next season.

Despite the fine form of Kai Havertz, who shone in a makeshift central forward role under Arteta last campaign, Arsenal want to bring in a partner or competitor for the Germany international.

Bukayo Saka

7.67

Declan Rice

7.38

Martin Odegaard

7.37

Kai Havertz

7.16

Gabriel Magalhaes

6.99

A midfielder could come in to replace Thomas Partey, with the Ghanaian's future uncertain. He's entered the final 12 months of his contract at Hale End, and Partey is reported to have held talks over a move to Saudi Arabia.

Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have shone at the heart of Arteta's backline, but the Spaniard is apparently keen to bring in an alternative to the pair, as Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior and Ben White are all used in the full-back areas much more often than centrally.

A new shot-stopper, and back up to current number one David Raya, will be required if England's Aaron Ramsdale does in fact depart north London. Ramsdale has been heavily linked with an exit after losing his spot to Raya, and journalist Charles Watts believes it is inevitable he'll depart.

"It’s a matter of when Ramsdale leaves, not if," said Watts to CaughtOffside.

“The key thing for Arsenal is getting value for money. I saw an initial fee of £15 million mentioned in reports last week and that is quite frankly ridiculous. Arsenal signed Ramsdale for nearly £30m two years ago and he has developed into a far better keeper since then.

“He’s still young, he’s homegrown, an established England international and has a long-term contract. Yes, interested clubs will know that Arsenal’s stance in any negotiations will be weakened somewhat given he is now clearly behind David Raya in the pecking order, but that shouldn’t mean the club should basically give him away."

Arsenal prepared to bid £21 million for Andriy Lunin

Now, as per reports in Spain, an update has come to light on Arsenal's links to Madrid keeper Andriy Lunin.

The Ukraine international, who had an afternoon to forget at Euro 2024 on Monday, conceding three to Romania, is actually highly rated at the Bernabeu. The Galacticos want to tie him down with a new deal, but there is friction between Lunin and Madrid due to his non-guaranteed place as a regular starter.

In the event they can't extend Lunin's contract, Madrid president Perez is looking at new goalkeeping options, and Arsenal are closely watching this situation. It is claimed that Arsenal are willing to bid £21 million for Lunin this summer, and with the 25-year-old's contract expiring next year, perhaps Perez may be forced to entertain it.

Leeds United have joined a long queue of clubs keen on signing what could prove to be a bargain this summer, it has been reported.

Leeds need to be smart this summer

After some heavily spending in recent years, Leeds United are likely to feel the effects of failure this summer. Daniel Farke's side were condemned to another season in the Championship courtesy of a 1-0 play-off final defeat to Southampton at Wembley, and as a result they are likely to need to part ways with some of their stars ahead of the new season.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, the Elland Road outfit will "have to raise close to £100million in player sales", while "up to 10 could go and would only be replaced by free transfers and loan signings" as they battle to remain the right side of financial fair play regulations amid outstanding transfer payments totalling close to £75m this summer.

Much of the focus has been on departures from the frontline. Patrick Bamford's time in Yorkshire could be up, while Championship player of the season Crysencio Summerville is almost certain to depart amid widespread interest from the Premier League, including Chelsea, Aston Villa and Liverpool.

Additionally, there have been reports linking Wilfried Gnonto with a return to Italy, as well as Georginio Rutter with an Elland Road exit, all of which would leave Farke's side looking incredibly light across their frontline. As a result, fresh blood will be required in Yorkshire, and now Leeds have joined the race for a potential bargain.

Leeds in ten way transfer battle

That comes in the shape of Excelsior Rotterdam winger Couhaib Driouech, who is at the centre of a major transfer battle this summer already. The Moroccan attacker was a sole bright spark in his side as they were relegated from the Dutch top flight, grabbing eight goals and eight assists in 33 total outings.

Couhaib Driouech's impressive season (Eredevisie)

Appearances

26

Goals

6

Assists

6

Shots on target per 90

0.98

Key passes per 90

1.64

And his performances have not gone unnoticed, with reports in the Netherlands (via Sport Witness) reporting that as many as ten sides are pushing for his signature, with his departure from Rotterdam all but assured.

PSV Eindhoven have already tabled a 2m euro (£1.7m) offer for the 22-year-old, who is heading into the final 12 months of his contract, but that offer hasn't been accepted with Excelsior holding out for a fee between 3.5m and 4m euros (£3m – £3.4m).

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Among his other suitors are Leeds as well as Spanish side Sevilla, while a further six clubs remain unnamed by the report. At such a reasonable price, the winger could be another example of Leeds striking gold with their transfer policy, as they did when they signed Gnonto from FC Sion for just £4m, a fee which he is now allegedly worth four times over.

In a summer where so much is likely to go wrong for the Elland Road outfit and money is set to be tight, a move for Driouech could be just the sort of low risk move that they have to take.

Derby County will have been relieved that the final day in League One was very straightforward against Carlisle United in the end, confidently beating the Cumbrians 2-0 to seal second spot in the division and promotion back up to the Championship.

Bolton Wanderers and Peterborough United would ultimately fall short behind the Rams in the hunt for that final coveted automatic promotion spot, with Max Bird and James Collins getting in on the goalscoring act to be the heroes on the day at Pride Park for Paul Warne's men.

The worry will be now, immediately after the ecstasy of winning promotion, that Derby will be raided for a number of their main stars with Bird already on his way to Bristol City in the summer.

Eiran Cashin will be the name that will be floated about as a main target for a number of clubs from the Rams, who will fend off any suitors coming their way unless a very attractive offer is put on the table.

Eiran Cashin's rise at Derby

Derby will have been proud already with their achievement to return to the Championship after a couple of seasons in the League One wilderness, but even more proud to have a number of homegrown talents in their ranks to help pull off the success story.

Alongside Cashin, Louie Sibley and Bird have risen through the ranks from playing in the youth set-up to being dependable first-team faces capable of getting Derby back to the promised land of the second-tier.

The 22-year-old centre-back has been top drawer the entire promotion-winning campaign for Warne's Rams, only missing two League One games the entire gruelling season and forming a tight-knit partnership with Sonny Bradley and Curtis Nelson at the back.

That trio combined have been formidable, barely putting a foot wrong when called into action, with the 37 goals leaked by Derby overall coming in as the division's meanest defence after all 46 games were up.

This promotion so early into his career resume will be even sweeter for the Irishman considering he was first cutting his teeth for Derby when the very future of the club looked up in the air, sticking by the Rams to then drink in this promotion success with the club back on the map after turbulent times had threatened the club's existence.

1. GK – Ryan Allsop

2. RB – Nathan Byrne

3. CB – Curtis Davies

4. CB – Eiran Cashin

5. LB – Craig Forsyth

6. CM – Max Bird

7. CM – Krystian Bielik

8. RW – Festy Ebosele

9. CAM – Jason Knight

10. LW – Tom Lawrence

11. ST – Luke Plange

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Cashin would have to remain patient for first-team chances during his first full season playing in the men's team however, only given his first start during the 2021/22 term- which saw Derby fall to League One under Wayne Rooney's management – in February against fellow relegated side Peterborough.

Coming away from the game with a clean sheet and a first 90 minutes under his belt, the 22-year-old is now a very accomplished head on young shoulders with 122 Rams appearances amassed in total since this solid debut match at Pride Park.

Described as "outstanding" after coming away from that first real taste of Championship football unscathed by then Rams boss Rooney, there's no doubt that Warne will also wax lyrical in a similar vein to this when assessing how crucial the 22-year-old has been in Derby steadily going about their business in the third tier.

The concern will now be if they can keep a firm grip on Cashin, with Bird leaving Derbyshire now for Ashton Gate and also another transfer deal in the past saw fellow homegrown gem in Jason Knight leave for pastures new.

The highly praised defender could skip the second tier entirely for a move all the way up to either Brighton and Hove Albion or West Ham United according to previous rumours, with the Rams wanting a substantial offer to even think about giving up one of their major assets to any Premier League suitors.

Eiran Cashin's transfer value in 2024

Cashin's transfer value has been bumped up all the way to a hefty £1.5m according to Football Transfers now, which means he is worth double that of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing who has starred up top this season in his own right for Derby to help make the feat of promotion achievable.

The former Cardiff City attacker finished the campaign with an astounding 27 goal contributions in total for Warne's promotion-winning Rams, yet sees his value come in at a lesser £769k as a talent ten years older than Cashin.

This strike from the electric Derby number 11 against Cambridge United the match before the memorable home showdown with Carlisle all but sealed their return to the division above, with Warne putting together a combined side of experienced professionals with top talents for the future next to them expertly.

Derby have been expecting Cashin's exit for quite a while now, with the smart decision to gift the Irish defender a new contract in February done to stop talk surrounding the 22-year-old's future potentially distracting a promotion push.

This new deal will also mean the Rams aren't victim to a higher-up party bidding low for Cashin knowing that Warne's men will want to sell so they don't lose their star asset for nothing, with an offer far higher than the £1.7m valuation stated potentially being needed for the new Championship side to consider parting ways.

Cashin could well just want to continue growing and excelling in Derbyshire instead of clamouring for a major move away, looking at how Ipswich Town have traversed the step-up with swagger and wanting his Rams team to feel inspired in the process.

Warne will just want Derby to acclimatise to their new surroundings in a non-flashy manner initially, aiming to stay put in the division that once saw the club nearly get swallowed whole due to financial mismanagement.

The celebrations won't quite die down just yet, however, with everyone associated to Derby savouring the joy of a promotion success before considering what the immediate future looks like for Cashin and Co.

You could go as far as to say that the left-back position has been a problem for Manchester United since the departure of Patrice Evra over a decade ago.

Luke Shaw was supposed to be the long-term suitor for the role, but an injury-hit career has often left the Red Devils scrambling for backup.

This has continued to be the case this campaign, with right-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot being forced to play out of position in the number 23's absence.

Therefore, it’s no surprise to see that it’s a position that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is desperate to bolster, as one target in particular won’t only fix the issue but also make Alejandro Garnacho a world-class player.

Man Utd’s search for a new left-back

As per reports in France via TEAMtalk, Man United are looking to sign Rayan Ait Nouri this summer.

It’s mentioned that not only is the Wolverhampton Wanderers player a target, but he’s viewed as a priority for the left-back role.

In order to acquire the tricky full-back, it’s likely to cost in the region of £40m, given his importance to Gary O’Neil’s squad.

However, they won’t be alone in their pursuit of the Algerian, with Arsenal also interested in signing the defender.

Why Ait Nouri could turn Garnacho into a superstar

There’s absolutely no two ways about it: the rise of Garnacho has been one of the only positives that can be taken from this drab season.

Having broken through last season, the Argentine has taken on so much responsibility this time around, starting 37 matches in a row and becoming a key player.

The 19-year-old has played in 36 Premier League games, scoring seven goals and providing four assists while playing on both flanks.

However, his best position is without a doubt on the left wing, but unfortunately, the lack of a constant full-back on that side has held every player back who’s operated on that side, and with the introduction of Ait Nouri – "one of the Premier League’s best players in 2024" according to Sky's Dougie Critchley – Garnacho could really go to the next level.

Matches

33

12

Touches

51.2

64.7

Successful dribbles

1.9

0.6

Tackles

2.2

0.9

Balls recovered

4.1

4.9

Duels won

6.3

2.8

Fouls won

1.6

0.2

As you can see from Ait Nouri’s average stats compared to Shaw’s this season, the full-back is a much more dynamic player who, most importantly, is reliable.

Although he may not be the most threatening full back via his passing, the Algerian is a huge threat via his unstoppable dribbling and the ability to get up and down the pitch with ease, which would free up plenty of space for Garnacho down the left.

The number three also plays with extreme intensity, entering plenty of duels, recovering balls frequently, and making tackles, which will ease the youngster's defensive duties a tad.

Furthermore, the best attribute that both players have is that they can stay wide and invert with ease, which would make the left-hand side of the United attack incredibly unpredictable.

Whether that means the full-back drifts inside and allows Garnacho to dribble on the outside or Ait Nouri overlapping and creating space for the number 17 to cut inside and unleash a strike at goal.

Overall, the “creative” star, as he was dubbed by analyst StatmanDave, would provide endless support to Garnacho and make him far less isolated. For that reason alone, the Red Devils must look to acquire his signature.

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Former England batsman replaces Michael Di Venuto whose contract will not be renewed at the end of the season

George Dobell12-Jun-2020Vikram Solanki has been announced as the new head coach of Surrey.Solanki, the former England batsman, replaces Michael Di Venuto who was told a few weeks ago his contract would not be renewed at the end of the season. He has remained in Australia.Solanki, who has been a coach at Surrey since his retirement from the game in 2016, will take up the position straight away and work with the Surrey squad as soon as professional players are able to return to group training.”I’d like to begin by acknowledging the outstanding contribution of Michael Di Venuto during his time at the club,” said Solanki. “I am now really excited to be taking over as Head Coach. We have a very talented group of players at Surrey CCC and will be looking to compete in all formats – both in any competitions that are able to be staged this summer and in the future.”Our squad contains a great mixture of established talent and young up and coming players looking for opportunities. I’m looking forward to working with all Surrey players to make sure the Club has the best possible chance of delivering more silverware in the years to come.”Alec Stewart, Surrey County Cricket Club Director of Cricket, added: “After recently having to make a tough decision on Michael Di Venuto, I’m very fortunate to have been able to appoint someone who knows our setup and players inside out – but has also broadened his coaching experience around the world in recent years.”I have total confidence and faith that Vikram will step up to this new role and its associated challenges and responsibilities.”During his time at Surrey, Solanki has worked in coaching roles under both Di Venuto and Graham Ford, and has also worked as an Assistant Coach at the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, in the Dubai-based T10 competition and on a recent England Lions spin camp in Mumbai.As a player, Solanki played 54 ODI and T20I matches for England between 2000 and 2007. Domestically, he played 325 first-class games with a further 484 white-ball appearances, scoring over 31,000 runs in all formats, the majority in a 17-year stint with Worcestershire, whom he captained for five years between 2005 and 2010.Further to his coaching and playing careers, Solanki has also acted as Chairman (2009-2012) and – in 2012 – interim Chief Executive of the Professional Cricketers’ Association. He is also President of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA), a role he has held since 2017.Surrey CCC Chairman Richard Thompson added: “Vikram has already been part of the Surrey family for a long time and it’s fantastic to now welcome him as our Head Coach. On behalf of everyone at Surrey CCC, we look forward to him taking up the role and playing an even bigger part within the Club.”

A masterful innings from Steven Smith helped the Sydney Sixers finish their regular season at second place in the BBL table, but they will have to wait for the Adelaide Strikers’ last match to see whether they cling onto a place in the Qualifier which would allow them two chances to reach the final.Smith, with his highest BBL score, and Josh Philippe were the main architects of a successful chase after Aaron Finch’s century hauled the Melbourne Renegades out of a mid-innings slumber to a competitive total. It was Finch’s eighth T20 century, putting him joint second – along with Michael Klinger and David Warner – behind the runaway leader Chris Gayle on 22.Tom Curran signed off his BBL stint – he will miss the finals due to England duty – with 3 for 27 while Steven O’Keefe (1 for 27 with 11 dot balls) put in another important display.There were times when the chase did not look entirely comfortable as the asking rate nudged towards ten an over, but Philippe struck the ball cleanly and it was just the sort of situation for Smith to get into gear before the finals.Go slow after a mini CooperIn a rejigged Melbourne Renegades batting order – without the injured Shaun Marsh (hamstring) and Sam Harper (concussion) – it was Tom Cooper who led an early charge as he laid into Josh Hazlewood’s opening over after being dropped off its first ball when he scooped over short fine leg where Ben Dwarshuis couldn’t hold a swirling chance. The last two deliveries of the over were dispatched for six, the second a mighty hit over deep square that hit the roof of the Brewongle Stand. Cooper fell to a juggling catch by Nathan Lyon in the fourth over but the Renegades were handily placed on 1 for 54 after the powerplay. However, the next eight overs brought just 40 runs as debutant Nathan McSweeney struggled for his timing and the in-form Beau Webster made 7 off 12.Finch verses LyonThis was a terrific contest between two recent international team-mates. Finch was given two lives in Lyon’s third over – the 11th of the innings – as the Renegades stalled; dropped by Jordan Silk as he sprinted in from deep midwicket and two balls later by Philippe who couldn’t gather a thick edge. It was the start of Lyon’s last over, the 15th, where Finch – who was 47 off 44 at the time – decided enough with the prodding around and two him for consecutive sixes. In the next over off Curran he was dropped again, on 62, when Dwarshuis’ poor day continued when he spilled a regulation chance at deep cover which left Curran fuming. Dwarshuis then felt the brunt of Finch’s onslaught as 22 came off the 17th over as three figures raced into view. Another six off Hazlewood took him into the 90s and the century came from 63 balls in the penultimate over. Finch ended with a strike-rate of 175 against Lyon (28 runs off 16 balls) and 205 against Dwarshuis (37 off 18).Unlucky VinceJames Vince struck two handsome boundaries in the opening over of the chase and when Philippe took 18 from Dan Christian’s first over the Sixers were properly up and running. The Renegades made a breakthrough in fortuitous circumstances when Will Sutherland could not hold a stinging drive by Philippe in his follow-through, but the ball deflected into the non-striker’s stumps with Vince well out of his ground. The Renegades had two chances to remove Philippe in the eighth over, Cameron Boyce’s first, but Christian could hold a tough chance at short cover then McSweeney shelled a running chance at deep midwicket.Philippe sets it up, Smith finishesAfter some mid-tournament difficulties, Philippe has found form again at what could be just the right time. He constructed a 32-ball half-century which came up during an over where he took on Boyce just when the required rate was ticking up. The fifty came with a slog-sweep but the inside-out drive which followed was even better. There was a chance for him to finish the chase with a big score to match Finch, but he became Sutherland’s first BBL wicket when he was caught in the deep. With Moises Henriques following shortly after there was a chance things could go wrong for the Sixers, but Smith ensured that wasn’t the case. After ticking over at a run-a-ball for the first part of his innings he started to find the boundary more regularly and brought up a 32-ball fifty with a reverse sweep off Boyce. A six off Kane Richardson brought it down to a run-a-ball and from there it was never in doubt.

Cristiano Ronaldo's influence has extended to the Olympics, with an athlete hitting his iconic 'Suiii' celebration over the weekend.

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• Olympics underway in Paris
• Ronaldo influence already underway
• Star's 'Suiii' celebration copied

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  During the 2024 Olympics, which began this weekend, Japan's Yuji Nishida paid tribute to Al-Nassr and Portugal star Ronaldo with a 'Suiii' celebration after scoring a point in volleyball. Of course, the celebration has been seen in multiple sports but it is always traced back to the ex-Real Madrid and Manchester United legend.

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  Ronaldo's influence is undoubtedly astonishing but he has somewhat struggled to live up to his own standards in recent months. At the European Championship, he was twice reduced to tears, first after missing a penalty, and then following Portugal's exit at the hands of France.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Ronaldo is preparing for the new season. He has yet to win a trophy for Al-Nassr but will hope to change that this season.

A dazzling innings from Josh Philippe backed up a disciplined Sydney Sixers bowling display as the home side thrashed the Perth Scorchers at the SCG. Philippe pummelled 81 not out from 44 balls with 11 fours and three sixes against the side who had chased his signature during the off-season, proving why he is such a sought-after T20 commodity despite a modest season to date in the other two formats for Western Australia.He made like work of the Scorchers’ under-par total, mowing it down with five overs to spare, bringing up the winning runs with a six onto the roof of the famous SCG Ladies Pavilion. The Scorchers had earlier imploded in the powerplay losing 4 for 29 on a good batting surface through a combination of poor decision making from both the batsman and the umpires. The Sixers bowlers were disciplined and gave up very few boundary balls as the Scorchers struggled to even pick up ones and twos on a slow outfield that had been heavily top-dressed with sand.No DRS triggers disastrous start for the ScorchersThe lack of DRS in the BBL has been a talking point already this season. The debate will rage further after the Scorchers’ England import Liam Livingstone fell lbw in the opening over to Ben Dwarshuis. Replays showed the ball clearly pitched outside leg and would have been overturned if DRS was available. It triggered a collapse where the Scorchers’ new top order lost four wickets in the powerplay. They paid the price for being too aggressive too early. Cameron Bancroft was stumped running past a leg-side wide from Steve O’Keefe in the second over, aided by some impressive glove work from Philippe. Josh Inglis survived an easy dropped chance at backward point by Jordan Silk but then holed out off Tom Curran. The Scorchers capped off a shocking powerplay when Ashton Turner ran himself out trying to pinch a second run.Fabulous FawadThe innings was salvaged first by a steady 58-run stand between Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green before a freakish cameo from Fawad Ahmed. Marsh, once Australia’s great hope as an international allrounder, was clearly hampered in his first game back from a serious hand injury and was overshadowed by Australia’s next great hope in Green. The 20-year-old looked the senior pro in the partnership. His striking, placement and control was excellent on the poor outfield before he fell miscuing a high full toss from Ben Manenti to the long boundary. Marsh was far less fluent and found long-on with 27 balls left in the innings for 32 from 33 balls. The Scorchers looked unlikely to reach 120 at one stage. Enter Fawad at No.11, on debut for the Scorchers with a highest score of 5 not out in 88 T20 matches. He was dropped at long-on in the penultimate over before climbing into Curran in the last. He slapped a high full toss over long-on for his first career T20 six and then planted the following free hit over the sightscreen to double his tally. He then carved an attempted yorker over mid-off for another boundary before being caught off the last ball of the innings for 19 off 9 to lift the total to 131.Philippe proves a pointPhilippe picked up where he left off from last year’s semi-final although this innings had some extra impetus. Philippe has endured a tough start to the season with Western Australia. He was dropped from the Sheffield Shield team and the 50-over Marsh Cup side, also missing out on the winning final. The Scorchers had hoped to lure him home to WA over the off-season given the connection between the WA and Scorchers program, but he elected to stay with the Sixers and he made the Scorchers pay.The Scorchers’ new-look attack features more spin with Ashton Agar opening the bowling. He had strangled Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the T20I series earlier this summer but Philippe dispatched him to all parts, going inside over the off side, against the turn over mid-on, and sweeping and ramping him fine. He also planted Fawad over cover and thumped the quicks down the ground with tremendous bat speed.Daniel Hughes provided calm support in the 73-run stand before falling to Chris Jordan. Agar and Fawad conceded 70 in seven wicketless overs between them. There was one more instance where the DRS could have been used with James Vince given out caught behind off Jordan. The umpires checked upstairs to see if the catch carried, which it did, but Vince was not convinced he had made contact. Philippe finished the job in style with Moises Henriques to remind the competition that the Sixers are a threat again.

Manchester United could have found their latest attacking addition, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe said to be a big fan of one Premier League star in particular.

Man Utd set for overhaul

Erik ten Hag's side may well be set for a major overhaul this summer, with The Manchester Evening News reporting that as many as 21 players could be set to leave.

On the incoming front, they are expected to move for a left-back, a centre-back and a central midfielder, but it is a winger that they are reportedly thought to be eyeing first.

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That man could well be Michael Olise of Crystal Palace. As per The London Evening Standard, INEOS have identified him as their top summer target with Ratcliffe giving the green light to a move, and it has since come to light that he could well have a release clause of just £60m written into his contract, which he signed last summer after Chelsea's interest.

Now, speaking to The United Stand, relayed by United in Focus, journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that though United won't be the only club chasing him, Olise "would be really keen" to jump at the chance to head to Old Trafford.

United could certainly do much worse than the 22-year-old Palace winger, with the Frenchman having been tipped for greatness by many.

Olise garnering high praise

Speaking to The Athletic in 2021, then-Reading teammate Tom McIntyre revealed he knew that Olise was going to be a 'special' player.

"From the minute you saw him, you could see that special ability. He's so comfortable on the ball. He's so confident, which sets him apart from other decent players I have played with. He wanted to receive the ball in tight areas.

"There'd be times where we were 2-0 up, even in the Championship last year, with five minutes to go, and he's trying to get the ball off the keeper behind the centre-backs. And everyone is shouting 'Get up the pitch, just kick it', and he's trying to get on the ball to show what he could do."

Premier League 23/24

Michael Olise

Antony

Alejandro Garnacho

Appearances

11

22

26

Goals

6

0

5

Assists

3

0

3

Key passes

22

16

37

Successful Take ons per 90

2.29

1.92

1.72

Meanwhile, ex-Manchester City man and Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards has pegged Olise as a future World Class performer.

"He is going to be world-class", he told "The Rest is Football" podcast.

"He's just one of them young players who need to be guided in the right way when he leaves Palace, no disrespect to Palace fans, they probably want that money at some stage to rebuild anyway."

"But when he leaves, if he picks the right team where he's allowed to express himself, he's going to be a superstar. He's that good. I remember watching him at the Etihad a couple of seasons ago.

"It's not just his dribbling, it's his decision-making – when to lay off the ball and his first touch is sublime. Yeah, he's going to the very top"

Signing Olise could allow Manchester United more flexibility in their front line, with Alejandro Garnacho increasingly having had to play on the right-hand side of attack. It would also allow the club to possibly move on from Antony, who is increasingly left out of Ten Hag's starting XI.

Glasgow Rangers are clearly up for the fight of battling on three fronts between now and May, as they secured an excellent 2-2 against Benfica on Thursday.

With Philippe Clement having to rejig his starting XI due to injuries, the Light Blues delivered a solid performance in Lisbon, and they are in with a great chance of progressing to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

The games are coming thick and fast for the Ibrox side, as they face Hibs for a place in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup this Sunday, meaning the Belgian will have to rotate some of his squad in order to maintain freshness.

Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, it is clear that Clement will need to improve his squad and add some depth, as injuries this season have come close to derailing the team on numerous occasions.

This could see several fringe players being moved on in the summer transfer window, with Scott Wright being a prime example of someone who should be brutally ditched.

Scott Wright’s future at Rangers

The Scottish winger has been at Ibrox since January 2021, when Steven Gerrard snapped him up from Aberdeen on deadline day.

He had signed a pre-contract agreement with Rangers the month before, but Gerrard brought him in early to give his side a boost as they chased the title.

“It is very pleasing to have Scott for the rest of this season. This will give him the opportunity to gain some valuable game time in a blue shirt for the rest of the season.” Said the manager upon his arrival and Wright would make 13 appearances between then and the end of the season as the Gers secured their first league title in a decade.

Fast-forward three years and Wright is still at Rangers, although he was close to leaving last summer. Under Michael Beale, it was apparent the winger was not in any future plans and when Turkish side Pendikspor came in with a £500k bid for the player, it looked like a no-brainer for either party.

A few weeks later, however, the move had collapsed due to his wage demands and the former Aberdeen gem was going to remain in Glasgow, until January at least, and fight for his place in the side.

Scott Wright’s statistics at Rangers

After half a season at Ibrox, Wright looked set to force his way into the starting XI during the 2021/22 campaign. He scored twice in the opening couple of weeks of the season, which indicated an encouraging start.

Overall, Wright made 37 appearances and scored seven goals – including one in the Scottish Cup final against Hearts – as he emerged as a decent squad option, but the following season wasn’t quite as productive.

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2023/24

25

2

0

2022/23

34

0

2

2021/22

37

7

3

2020/21

13

1

2

Via Transfermarkt

The winger made just eight starts in all competitions, failing to score while grabbing just two assists, and he began to slip further down the pecking order under Beale, leading to his potential exit to Turkey last summer.

The 26-year-old has failed to impress Clement this term, despite scoring twice since the Belgian coach arrived, but the right wing is an area that clearly needs strengthening this summer.

Wright currently ranks 21st in the squad for big chances created (one) in the top flight this term, along with ranking 16th for key passes per game (0.6) and 16th for successful dribbles per game (0.4), which suggests that even when he is unleashed, the winger is failing to have any sort of meaningful impact in matches in the final third.

The £5.6k-per-week liability has been outshined by Dujon Sterling on the right flank as the Englishman, who is a right-back by trade, is proving to be a more attractive option right now on the wing.

Dujon Sterling is impressing out wide for Rangers

The emergence of Ross McCausland has been the big talking point of this season, as he is beginning to blossom by starting most matches on the right flank.

Sterling, however, is a more than capable backup option and certainly offers more going forward than Wright.

The former Chelsea starlet has operated in numerous positions this term, including left-back, central midfield, and even on the left wing, but his performance against Benfica on Thursday evening was solid.

Not only did he score his first-ever senior goal against the Portuguese outfit, but the 24-year-old looked lively during the clash and was even able to offer plenty of defensive support by making an interception and a tackle along with winning 50% of his total duels.

This was not the first time he had been deployed as an option out wide under Clement. Against St Johnstone last month, Sterling actually came on at half-time for Wright in order to give the Gers something extra and the substitution worked a treat.

During the opening 45 minutes, Wright had completed just eight passes, took 21 touches, and lost possession nine times, while failing to get a shot on target or deliver a successful cross into the box.

Sterling, however, took 26 touches, made one key pass, delivered an accurate cross, and even won a penalty from which James Tavernier converted.

More importantly, he looked a lot brighter and eager to get involved compared to Wright, which is made even more remarkable considering this was not his natural position.

Since that 3-0 win, the Scot has been restricted to just three cameo appearances from the bench, whereas Sterling was trusted with a starting slot against Benfica.

The 26-year-old does have another year left on his current contract, meaning this summer could be the best time to sell him on and secure a decent fee for the winger.

Otherwise, he will be free to open talks with another club next January, whereas securing a transfer fee for him will allow Clement to use this for more signings to bolster his squad.

Wright has had a couple of standout moments at Rangers over the previous three years, but his spell in Glasgow has been underwhelming overall, and it looks as though the next few months could well be his final farewell.

The Belgian boss should now brutally ditch the Scottish winger from his roster ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, given his underperformance and Sterling's surprising displays in his position.