Glasgow Rangers added yet another signing to their first-team ranks on Wednesday when they confirmed the arrival of central defender Nasser Djiga on loan.

The Burkina Faso international has joined on a season-long loan, and the Gers do not have an option to make it permanent next summer.

He joins Joe Rothwell, Thelo Aasgaard, Emmanuel Fernandez, Max Aarons, and Lyall Cameron in making the switch to Ibrox during the summer transfer window, and there is more to come.

The Light Blues are also closing in on the signing of winger Djeidi Gassama from, having agreed a deal with the English side, but he is not the only wide attacker Rangers are pursuing.

Rangers have bid rejected for English forward

As well as eyeing up a deal to bring the Sheffield Wednesday forward to Ibrox, Russell Martin is also looking to reunite with one of his former players.

Transfer Focus

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

According to BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsela, Rangers are interested in a swoop to sign Southampton attacker Samuel Edozie during the summer transfer window.

The reporter claims that the Scottish Premiership giants have had an ‘initial’ offer turned down by the Saints, who were relegated from the Premier League last season.

Kinsela states that the Light Blues have a long-term interest in Edozie, which predates Martin’s appointment, and that more clubs are expected to join the race for his signature.

If Rangers go in with another offer for the 22-year-old winger and manage to strike a deal with the Saints, the club could land a big upgrade on Oscar Cortes.

Why Edozie would be an upgrade on Cortes

The Gers played their first friendly at Ibrox against Club Brugge last weekend and Cortes provided an assist for Mohamed Diomande’s goal in the 2-2 draw.

It remains to be seen if the Colombian winger will be a useful operator when the competitive games roll around, though, as the forward has only produced one goal and one assist in 16 matches in the Premiership in his career at Ibrox to date.

Edozie, meanwhile, produced three goals and two assists in 23 games in the Pro League whilst on loan at Anderlecht in Belgium in the 2024/25 campaign.

The former England U20 international also racked up six goals and three assists in 16 Championship starts under Martin in the 2023/24 season, as Southampton earned promotion to the Premier League.

Appearances

32

10

Goals

6

1

Big chances missed

1

2

Chances created

26

11

Assists

3

1

Dribbles completed per game

1.6

0.4

As you can see in the table above, the English speedster produced more goals, more assists, more dribbles, and created more chances in the second tier for the Rangers boss than Cortes has managed in 18 months in the Premiership with the Gers.

Edozie, who was once hailed as an “exciting” talent by Martin, has already played for the ex-Saints manager, which means that he could hit the ground running at Ibrox as a player who already knows the system and style of play.

This is why Rangers should go back in with a second offer to sign the former Manchester City academy star, who has only missed 19 games through injury in his career, compared to Cortes’ 39 matches missed just last season.

Therefore, the Southampton youngster could come in as a big upgrade on Cortes, as he is clearly available more often and provides more quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals from the left or right flank.

Personal terms agreed: Rangers set to sign their next Ryan Kent at Ibrox

Rangers are reportedly set to complete a deal to sign their new Ryan Kent at Ibrox.

ByDan Emery Jul 9, 2025

Durham’s Ben Raine took four wickets for 23 runs from 18 overs to deepen Lancashire’s relegation fears on the first day of the Vitality County Championship match at the Riverside.Raine made the most of bowler-friendly conditions to help reduce Keaton Jennings’ side to 177 for 6 after 78 overs on a day that was shortened by morning rain.Home supporters might view that as a decent return in a match played with a Kookaburra ball but Lancashire’s plight could have been vastly worse had not Matty Hurst made a fine 74 not out and Josh Bohannon added 49 during two long sessions when run-scoring was often difficult.Raine was well supported by Matthew Potts, who took 2 for 36, while West Indian bowler, Chemar Holder, endured a testing first day as a Durham bowler, finishing with nought for 53 from his eight overs.Persistent drizzle delayed the start of play until 12.50 and it was no surprise that Durham skipper Scott Borthwick chose to bowl first on winning the toss.Nor was it particularly startling, given their current form, that Lancashire’s first innings began badly. Raine had Luke Wells caught behind by Ollie Robinson off the first ball of the game and then produced a magnificent delivery which nipped away and bowled Jennings for 9 in the ninth over.Josh Bohannon tucked into three wayward overs from Holder before losing his third-wicket partner, Venkatesh Iyer, with the total on 49 when the Indian allrounder was caught behind off Potts for 7.Matty Hurst survived for 36 minutes and 26 balls before scoring his first run but Lancashire’s closest shaves came at the other end where Bohannon edged Potts between the wicketkeeper and first slip and survived a confident appeal for caught behind off Raine, before finally falling for 49 when a thin-edged catch to Robinson gave the Durham seamer his third wicket.Lancashire got to tea on 96 for 4 but soon lost George Bell for 7 when Lancashire’s No.6 pulled Potts straight to Holder at midwicket.Although Hurst reached his fourth Championship fifty off 88 balls with seven fours and a six, the visitors soon lost their sixth wicket when George Balderson edged a drive off Raine to Colin Ackermann at second slip and departed for 10.Hurst and Tom Hartley then batted with great good sense for over an hour, adding an unbroken 39 in 25 overs to ensure that Lancashire didn’t suffer any further damage before the close, although by that time their side still needed 73 runs to secure their first batting point since July 1.

He might have just the one FA Cup to his name, but Mikel Arteta has got a lot right since taking the reins at Arsenal.

He has helped to transform the club from one that looked destined for decline into one genuinely competing for Premier League and Champions League titles.

While his tactics and overall approach to management have played a significant role in this dramatic turnaround, so have the signings made under his leadership, such as Martin Odegaard, David Raya, Gabriel Magalhães, and Declan Rice.

The latter has arguably been the most seismic during Arteta’s tenure, and now it looks like the club could be set to repeat the move with another international star.

Arsenal target their new Rice

While there is still over a month to go, and therefore plenty of time for things to change, this transfer window is shaping up to be one of Arsenal’s most exciting in some time.

Transfer Focus

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

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The North Londoners have already announced the signings of Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Additionally, Cristhian Mosquera could be announced at any moment, and talks over add-ons in the deal for Viktor Gyokeres appear to be entering their final stages.

Yet, even still, Andrea Berta and Co look to be on the hunt for more game-changing additions to the team, including one player who could be another Rice-esque signing.

At least that’s according to a recent report from Arsenal insider Hand of Arsenal, who has confirmed that Arsenal are still interested in Eberechi Eze.

In fact, they go a step further, confirming that talks have been held with the player and that his preference would be to join the Gunners, and most crucially, that Arteta is “obsessed” with him.

The insider continued: “My understanding is personal terms have never been an issue. One source said, he would sign a 5 year deal tomorrow.”

The report states that a sale of someone like Leandro Trossard may create room for the club to sign the Crystal Palace star, who has a widely reported £68m release clause in his current contract.

It would be a lot of money to spend on one player, but Eze has proven he’d be more than worth it over the last few years, and his move could be a Rice repeat of sorts.

Why Eze could be a Rice repeat

While they both primarily play in midfield, it’s essential to note that they’re very different players and play in distinctly different ways; however, that’s not the primary basis of this comparison.

Instead, one of the main reasons it would be a move reminiscent of the one for the 26-year-old, aside from the similar age, is that it would be another example of the Gunners signing one of the best players from a fellow Premier League side, and a London-based one at that.

For example, his 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 games last season made him Palace’s most productive player, and it wasn’t even a close run thing, with the next best player being Jean-Philippe Mateta, who produced 21 goal involvements in 46 games.

Eze’s recent form

Season

23/24

24/25

Appearances

36

43

Minutes

2285′

3303′

Goals

11

14

Assists

6

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.47

0.58

Minutes per Goal Involvement

134.41′

132.12′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Moreover, this level of output for a mid-table side suggests that, much like the former Hammers star did when he joined the club in 2023, the Greenwich-born “magician,” as dubbed by pundit Micah Richards, could have a transformational impact on the North Londoners’ midfield, but just in an attacking sense.

Furthermore, this transfer would be another case of the Premier League runners-up adding yet another full England international to their squad, as while the former QPR star isn’t quite as established in the Three Lions setup as Rice was when he joined, he’s still a regular feature in the squad and has now won 12 senior caps.

Finally, like the former Irons star did in the Conference League in his last season with the East Londoners, the £100k-per-week star gem played a key role in the Eagles finally winning a major trophy last season, scoring in the quarter-final, semi-final and final of the FA Cup.

In other words, the incredible international has more than proven he has what it takes to deliver in the big games.

Ultimately, Arsenal should be doing everything they can to sign Eze this summer, as not only is he an extraordinarily talented player in his own right, but he could also have as significant an impact as Rice.

Related Their new Auba: Arsenal start talks to sign "world-class" £43m goalscorer

The prolific forward could be just what Arsenal are missing as they hunt down their next Aubameyang.

Posts 1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 22, 2025

Short says he is intent on claiming a permanent opening spot ahead of Fraser-McGurk after blasting 41 off 26 in a match-winning opening stand with Head

Alex Malcolm12-Sep-2024″All yours now champion.” That was the caption David Warner posted on his Instagram Story picture of himself and Jake Fraser-McGurk sharing a drink following his T20I retirement in June.It was assumed by Warner and the majority of Australia that Fraser-McGurk was his natural successor at the top of the order in Australia’s T20I side and possibly the ODI team as well.But Australia’s selectors aren’t so sure at the moment, and Matthew Short is intent on making his case to be the permanent partner to Travis Head after making 41 off 26 in a blistering match-winning 86-run stand off 36 balls to take the opening T20I away from England’s reach before the end of the first powerplay in Southampton.Related

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'All yours now champion' – Warner endorses Fraser-McGurk for top-order jobs

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While Fraser-McGurk’s meteoric star has shot from the fringes of domestic cricket into the stratosphere in less than 12 months thanks to a mind-blowing IPL, Short has been the country’s most consistent all-format batter at Australian domestic level in the past two years and the most dominant opener in the BBL over the past two tournaments, winning back-to-back tournament MVP awards.Short was unsure if he would get the chance to open after missing the Scotland series due to the birth of his first child. But he is intent on taking his chance at the top of the order after being shuffled around in his previous eight T20I innings.”I only found out last night,” Short said following Australia’s 28-run win. “Obviously, with Davey Warner out, you sort of know that the spot’s opened up. But then Jake Fraser-McGurk has been playing the last few games in Scotland, so you never know where you sit. But I’m glad I sort of took that opportunity tonight and played my role to help the team with a win tonight.”It’s a personal sort of goal of mine. I’ve been in and out of the side recently over the last 12-18 months. Now Dave is out, I’m really trying to take this opportunity and cement my spot in this side.”Matthew Short sweeps hard behind square•AFPThe opening spots in Australia’s T20I are the most coveted and the most competitive. Australia have a multitude of players who can do it well. Where the selectors would like to build depth is in the middle order and the death overs. It was an area that won them the 2021 T20 World Cup through Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade, who had been moulded into death batters despite being domestic openers. They have found a world class specialist in Tim David but he has come off the boil slightly since a sizzling start to his career, albeit he is still contributing in the most difficult of batting roles.It was an area Australia fell short in during the recent T20 World Cup in the Caribbean in the losses to Afghanistan and India having been in positions to achieve both chases. They also fell away badly against England in Southampton although it did not cost them the game, turning a powerplay of 86 for 1 into a total of 179, having been bowled out without using all 20 overs.Australia’s selectors want to build flexibility with all their T20I batters, and had tried to give Short some opportunities in the middle order on last year’s five-match T20I tour of India, this year’s tour of New Zealand and also in three of his four ODI appearances. But it has become abundantly clear that Short is most comfortable at the top of the order. In T20s, he averages 29.96 and strikes at 150.09 batting in the top three compared to 14.09 at a strike rate of 113.97 batting at No.4 or lower.The strike rate divergence is even higher in his limited T20I appearances. He strikes at 186 in his seven innings in the top three and just 126.66 in his two innings at No.6.It is clear he has his method worked out at the top of the order, and he fits in seamlessly alongside Head in Australia’s game plan to go as hard as they can in the powerplay.”It’s a pretty clear game plan from the coaching staff,” Short said. “Just go out there with freedom and take the positive options. Trav and I sort of go into the games with that mindset.”Short being preferred to Fraser-McGurk for the opening game of this series is not a guarantor of the selectors’ future thinking as they plan for the 2026 World Cup. Fraser-McGurk’s talent remains a tantalising prospect. But even his IPL coach Ricky Ponting admitted this week on the that his game still needs refining. Fraser-McGurk’s all or nothing showing in Scotland was evidence of that where he faced 17 dot balls in 23 deliveries across three innings.Short, by contrast, scored off the first seven balls he faced in Southampton but did not strike a boundary until his sixth delivery when he launched back-to-back sixes off Reece Topley.Captain Mitchell Marsh said earlier this week there was “no pressure” on Fraser-McGurk to succeed immediately at international level. But Short is applying some pressure of his own to give Australia a wealth of opening options.

يفتتح فريق برشلونة الإسباني مشواره في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا 2025-2026، مساء اليوم الخميس حين يواجه نظيره نيوكاسل يونايتد الإنجليزي.

ويحل برشلونة ضيفًا على نيوكاسل على ملعب “سانت جيمس بارك”، في الجولة الأولى بمرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويطمح برشلونة بقيادة مدربه الألماني هانز فليك في بداية قوية بمنافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا، في الطريق نحو اللقب الذي يأمل النادي الإسباني في التتويج به.

ويدخل برشلونة المباراة بعد فوزه الكبير في الجولة الرابعة لبطولة الدوري الإسباني على حساب فالنسيا، حيث انتصر بسداسية دون رد، ويحتل المركز الثاني في الترتيب بفارق نقطتين خلف ريال مدريد المتصدر.

ونيوكاسل حقق فوزًا على ولفرهامبتون بهدف دون رد في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، ويحتل المركز العاشر برصيد 5 نقاط. موعد مباراة برشلونة ونيوكاسل

تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة برشلونة ونيوكاسل

تذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN sports HD 1. معلق مباراة برشلونة ونيوكاسل

يعلق على المباراة، حفيظ دراجي.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

It would be fair to say that, overall, last season did not go entirely to plan for Arsenal.

Partly due to injuries and partly due to a lack of form, Mikel Arteta’s side failed to secure the Premier League title.

However, there were still some positives to come from the campaign, notably in the shape of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.

The two Hale End talents burst onto the scene around the winter period, and while the former ended up with more of a permanent role in the team, both look to be sensational prospects.

For example, Nwaneri was able to rack up 11 goal involvements in just 1,378 minutes, and so fans should be seriously excited about links to someone who could be Arteta’s next version of the 18-year-old.

Appearances

37

Starts

16

Minutes

1378′

Goals

9

Assists

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.29

Minutes per Goal Involvement

125.27′

Points per Game

1.95

Arsenal close in on the next Nwaneri

While most headlines and fan attention have focused on the new additions Arsenal have made to the team this summer, such as Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, and now Viktor Gyokeres, the contract renewals have arguably been just as important.

Transfer Focus

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

First, it was man-mountain and fan favourite Gabriel Magalhães who put pen to paper on a new four-year deal, then a few weeks later it was Lewis-Skelly’s turn to do the same with a five-year deal, and most recently, it was Nwaneri who committed the next five years of his career to the project.

The contract for the dynamic teenager came as something of a relief for many fans, as just a couple of weeks ago, there were murmurings that talks were not progressing as well as some at the club would have liked, and that game time was supposedly an issue.

Fortunately, none of those rumours appear to have been accurate, and now, in even more good news, the North Londoners look to have secured another highly-rated youngster who could be the next Nwaneri.

At least that’s according to a recent report from The Athletic, which has confirmed Arsenal’s interest in Salford City youngster Will Wright.

In fact, the report goes even further, revealing that the Gunners have already agreed on a fee with the League Two side, although personal terms still need to be finalised.

While the report makes no mention of how much the teenager is going to cost, stories from earlier this month claimed that the fee is around £200k, which is £100k more than Liverpool supposedly offered.

It might sound like a lot of money for a 17-year-old, but given the ability he has already shown and the potential he has, it could prove to be a bargain years from now, especially as he could be the next Nwaneri.

Why Wright could be the next Nwaneri

Now, comparing a youth product from a League Two side to one of the most exciting youngsters in the Premier League last season might sound like a lot, and that’s because it is.

However, with what Wright has already achieved in Salford’s youth sides and the way those in the know have been speaking about him, we see no reason why he too couldn’t develop into one of the most exciting prospects at Arsenal in the coming years.

Let’s take a look at their numbers for their club’s respective youth sides.

For example, in 52 appearances for the Gunners’ junior teams, Nwaneri managed to rack up a massively impressive tally of 27 goals and ten assists.

In contrast, the Salford gem scored over 40 goals in the academy last season, which is undeniably impressive, and strongly suggests he could be something seriously special.

On top of that, those with a good understanding of junior football are very excited about what the “technically gifted” gem, as dubbed by analyst Bence Bocsak, could develop into.

For example, Total Football Analysis, who take a look at some of the best wonderkids in world football every season, claim he has ‘many of the characteristics to be a top-level centre-forward’ and that, on top of being a prolific goalscorer, he’s also someone who ‘has the ability to connect play.’

Finally, despite being just 17 years old, the sought-after gem is already 6 foot 2, which means he can already physically dominate many of his opponents, and may grow to be even more imposing in the coming years.

Ultimately, it’s notoriously difficult to predict the future careers of young players, but as things stand, Wright appears to be on track to become a future star and potentially emulate Nwaneri’s breakthrough in the coming years.

Medical soon: Arsenal due to sign their new Ian Wright "within 24 hours"

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ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 22, 2025

Away from Nathaniel Phillips joining Ryan Mason’s ranks, it’s been somewhat of a quiet summer so far at West Bromwich Albion as far as incomings are concerned.

It’s definitely been hectic surrounding outgoings, however, with Grady Diangana, John Swift, and Semi Ajayi all exiting one after the other, having failed to agree on extended contracts at the Hawthorns.

The brand-new Baggies boss must have thought he’d won himself his second big buy when it was reported that AFC Bournemouth winger David Brooks was likely to join his camp.

But, no such deal has got off the ground, leaving the promotion hopefuls back at square one with who to bring in to boost their chances of moving up to the Premier League.

Brooks' collapsed West Brom deal

In a drastically sharp change of events, Brooks – who had reportedly completed a medical at the Hawthorns – has now seen a move to West Brom fall through.

This would have been an ideal signing for Mason to strengthen his numbers in attack in the wake of Diangana leaving the building, with the Welshman a top performer in the Championship in the not-so-distant past.

Just two seasons back, the AFC Bournemouth number seven proved himself to be an instant hit out on loan at second-tier promotion chasers Southampton, as seen in a whirlwind return of two goals and six assists coming his way from just 20 outings at St. Mary’s.

That bumped up his overall tally in the division to a sublime 11 goals and 16 assists, with Brooks’ adaptability to play as a left winger or as an attacking midfielder making him even more of a sterling, short-term pick-up.

An unfortunate twist in the tale has stopped this promising deal from occurring, though, but the Baggies could win themselves a dream alternative if this exciting starlet is loaned in instead.

West Brom's "fearless" Brooks alternative

Mason might as well put his Tottenham Hotspur connections to good use from the Hawthorns hot seat.

This might well prove to be a great weapon on West Brom’s end, with rumours circulating last month that Spurs’ teenage sensation Mikey Moore is being eyed up by the West Midlands side.

Moore is arguably cut from the same cloth as the Cherries forward, with Brooks held in high regard ever since breaking through at Sheffield United aged just 19. In the case of the North London prodigy, he’s already making waves at Thomas Frank’s men at the tender age of 17.

Indeed, a terrific solo strike against Elfsborg last year was his first ever senior strike for his boyhood employers, shining so much in the Europa League that teammate James Maddison suggested he was “like Neymar.”

LW

18

4

6

AM

8

6

4

CF

7

11

4

RW

6

1

0

Much like his Welsh counterpart would have been capable of, the teenage sensation could go on to be a superb talent for the Baggies across various attacking positions, with a lethal 11 goals coming his way across his fledgling career as a centre-forward, away from shining as a left or right winger like Brooks.

The worry would be that Moore might not instantly take to his new Championship terrain, having only ever been in that bubble of youth football at Spurs.

Yet, having recently also been hailed as “fearless” by Maddison when leaping into the Tottenham first-team, this should be another hurdle he’s able to overcome, with West Brom’s failed pursuit of Brooks quickly forgotten about if he goes on to be a success.

The new Fellows: West Brom looking at deal to sign "outstanding" EFL star

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ByKelan Sarson Jul 3, 2025

Chasing 345, Tahir scored a fighting 109 for Stallions but it was too steep a mountain to climb

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Sep-2024

Saim Ayub reached his hundred in 92 balls•PCB

The trend of teams batting first winning continued into the ninth game of the Champions Cup as Panthers beat Stallions by 20 runs.Batting first after winning the toss, Panthers rode on Saim Ayub’s 156 off 130 balls, studded with 13 fours and seven sixes, to post a daunting 344 for 7. Ayub found good support from Azan Awais, with whom he added 138 for the first wicket.After Awais’ dismissal, Usman Khan joined Ayub and the two smashed 116 in just 79 balls. Usman fell for 75 off 47 balls but Ayub carried on and took the side past 300 in the 44th over. After that, however, Panthers lost quick wickets and could score only 30 in the last five.Stallions did not have a great start to their chase. Within the first seven overs, they had lost Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood and Babar Azam.Hussain Talat and Tayyab Tahir kept Stallions in the contest with a 157-run stand for the fourth wicket but the asking rate was continuously rising. When Mubasir Khan broke the stand in the 35th over, dismissing Talat for 63, the required rate was touching ten.Tahir brought up his hundred in the 39th over but fell soon after. Stallions needed 73 in the last four overs with just two wickets in hand when Zaman Khan threatened to pull off a miracle. He smashed 42 off 16 balls but Stallions eventually fell short by 20 runs.

Glasgow Rangers are set to be in action at Ibrox on Tuesday night in the first leg of their second round Champions League qualifier.

It will be Russell Martin’s first game in charge of the Scottish Premiership giants, having arrived this summer, and he will be hoping for a positive result to take back to Greece next week.

Mohamed Diomande and Nicolas Raskin have both been named in the squad for the match and both look set to feature in the middle of the park for the Gers.

However, both players have also been linked with moves away from Ibrox. Real Betis have reportedly been offered a move for Raskin, whilst the Light Blues are bracing themselves for a bid from Besiktas for Diomande.

This means that it remains to be seen whether or not they will still be at Rangers by the time that the summer transfer window officially slams shut at the start of September.

Losing one or both of them would be a big blow for Martin because they were both impressive performers in the Premiership for the club last season.

Why losing Diomande and Raskin would be a big blow for Rangers

Diomande is an incredibly versatile midfield option who can play as a defensive, box-to-box, or attacking midfielder, due to the wide range of attributes he possesses.

The Ivorian talent won 55% of his duels and made 1.8 tackles and interceptions per game, to go along with his haul of four goals and seven assists for the Scottish giants in the Premiership. This shows that he can contribute to the team in and out of possession in the middle of the park.

Raskin is a similar player in the sense that the Belgium international is another central midfielder who can be used in a multitude of midfield roles due to his qualities on and off the ball, as the former Standard Liege man also caught the eye with his performances in the league.

Appearances

33

36

Goals

4

4

Big chances created

9

11

Assists

10

7

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.4

1.8

Ground duel success rate

57%

57%

Aerial duel success rate

56%

48%

As you can see in the table above, both Raskin and Diomande provided quality defensively and offensively in midfield for Rangers, making tackles and interceptions on a regular basis, whilst also providing a threat at the top end of the pitch.

This is why it would be such a blow for Martin to lose either or both of them before the end of the summer transfer window, because they are proven performers who contribute at both ends of the pitch.

Possibly with their futures in mind, Rangers are reportedly eyeing up a move for another midfielder to come in and bolster their options in that position.

Rangers lodge enquiry for teen talent

According to Cukaricki sporting director Vladimir Matijašević, Rangers are one of the clubs interested in a deal to sign teenage midfielder Andrej Bacanin this summer.

Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: “There’s significant interest in our young players, and right now the spotlight is on Andrej Bačanin’s transfer. His performances last season for both our team and the Serbian national side at youth level have drawn attention from numerous clubs.

Transfer Focus

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

“We’ve had enquiries from Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers, and clubs like Ajax and Udinese are also interested, among others. It’s possible more options will emerge, but I expect the transfer to be completed within the next ten days.”

This is as close as a confirmation of genuine interest as you can get in a transfer ‘rumour’, as the sporting director himself has confirmed that the Gers have enquired about a possible deal for the 18-year-old star.

With Rangers seemingly pursuing a move for the Serbian youngster, Martin could have his own version of Glen Kamara on his hands next season.

Why Bacanin could be the next Kamara for Rangers

Whilst the 18-year-old talent, due to his age and inexperience, may not be the ideal signing to come in and replace Raskin or Diomande in the short-term, he could be an excellent signing for the future.

The Cukaricki maestro is also a different type of central midfielder to both of those stars, as he is more of a tempo-setting player who likes to break up play and dictate matches with his passing ability. Whereas, as aforementioned, Diomande and Raskin thrive more as all-action box-to-box players who can make an impact defensively and offensively.

Serbian Football Scout, who is a professional scout for MLS side Colorado Rapids, described Bacanin as a “true midfield controller” and one of the “most intriguing young midfield talents” around, which speaks to both his style of play and his potential.

The Serbia U19 international made his first-team breakthrough in the 2024/25 campaign and caught the eye with his promising displays in the middle of the park.

Appearances

17

33

Goals

1

1

Assists

2

1

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.7

2.0

Duels won per game

3.9

4.1

Accurate long passes per game

2.2

2.1

Pass accuracy

80%

91%

As you can see in the table above, if you take Kamara’s title-winning form from the 2020/21 Premiership and compare it to Bacanin’s breakthrough season in Serbia, there are a lot of similarities.

At the age of 18, the Serbian youngster is far from the finished article, as shown by his pass accuracy, but he is similar to Kamara in the sense that the teenage talent likes to sit at the base of the midfield and break up attacks whilst also spraying long passes.

As the Colorado Rapids scout put it, Bacanin is a controller in the middle of the park and has the potential to develop into Martin’s own version of the former Rangers star, who now plays for Rennes in Ligue 1.

Whilst he would not be the perfect like-for-like replacement for Diomande or Raskin, the 18-year-old starlet appears to be a worthwhile signing as a young talent with the potential to be a Kamara-esque star in the future.

As dispensable as Nsiala: Teams have major interest in Rangers flop

There are teams eyeing up moves for this flop and Clinton Nsiala from Rangers this summer.

ByDan Emery Jul 21, 2025

Glasgow Rangers added yet another signing to their first-team ranks on Wednesday when they confirmed the arrival of central defender Nasser Djiga on loan.

The Burkina Faso international has joined on a season-long loan, and the Gers do not have an option to make it permanent next summer.

He joins Joe Rothwell, Thelo Aasgaard, Emmanuel Fernandez, Max Aarons, and Lyall Cameron in making the switch to Ibrox during the summer transfer window, and there is more to come.

The Light Blues are also closing in on the signing of winger Djeidi Gassama from, having agreed a deal with the English side, but he is not the only wide attacker Rangers are pursuing.

Rangers have bid rejected for English forward

As well as eyeing up a deal to bring the Sheffield Wednesday forward to Ibrox, Russell Martin is also looking to reunite with one of his former players.

Transfer Focus

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

According to BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsela, Rangers are interested in a swoop to sign Southampton attacker Samuel Edozie during the summer transfer window.

The reporter claims that the Scottish Premiership giants have had an ‘initial’ offer turned down by the Saints, who were relegated from the Premier League last season.

Kinsela states that the Light Blues have a long-term interest in Edozie, which predates Martin’s appointment, and that more clubs are expected to join the race for his signature.

If Rangers go in with another offer for the 22-year-old winger and manage to strike a deal with the Saints, the club could land a big upgrade on Oscar Cortes.

Why Edozie would be an upgrade on Cortes

The Gers played their first friendly at Ibrox against Club Brugge last weekend and Cortes provided an assist for Mohamed Diomande’s goal in the 2-2 draw.

It remains to be seen if the Colombian winger will be a useful operator when the competitive games roll around, though, as the forward has only produced one goal and one assist in 16 matches in the Premiership in his career at Ibrox to date.

Edozie, meanwhile, produced three goals and two assists in 23 games in the Pro League whilst on loan at Anderlecht in Belgium in the 2024/25 campaign.

The former England U20 international also racked up six goals and three assists in 16 Championship starts under Martin in the 2023/24 season, as Southampton earned promotion to the Premier League.

Stats	Edozie (Championship)	Cortes (Premiership)
Appearances	32	10
Goals	6	1
Big chances missed	1	2
Chances created	26	11
Assists	3	1
Dribbles completed per game	1.6	0.4
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the English speedster produced more goals, more assists, more dribbles, and created more chances in the second tier for the Rangers boss than Cortes has managed in 18 months in the Premiership with the Gers.

Edozie, who was once hailed as an “exciting” talent by Martin, has already played for the ex-Saints manager, which means that he could hit the ground running at Ibrox as a player who already knows the system and style of play.

This is why Rangers should go back in with a second offer to sign the former Manchester City academy star, who has only missed 19 games through injury in his career, compared to Cortes’ 39 matches missed just last season.

Therefore, the Southampton youngster could come in as a big upgrade on Cortes, as he is clearly available more often and provides more quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals from the left or right flank.

Personal terms agreed: Rangers set to sign their next Ryan Kent at Ibrox

Rangers are reportedly set to complete a deal to sign their new Ryan Kent at Ibrox.

By
Dan Emery

Jul 9, 2025