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Glasgow Rangers have just under two weeks to find a new manager to lead the Ibrox giants out in their next Scottish Premiership match after the international break.

The powers that be at Ibrox made the decision to part ways with Russell Martin on Sunday night, after a fifth draw in seven league games, and it was a decision that is hard to argue against.

Five wins in 17 matches in charge of the club in all competitions was not a record that the board could stand behind and justify to provide the head coach with more time, which is why they are now in a position where they need to replace Martin.

Rangers identify Championship manager as a target

It will be interesting to see who the likes of Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell settle on, as they are reportedly keen on bringing in an English manager.

Manager Focus

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According to the Scottish Daily Express, Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards has emerged as a contender for the job, as Rangers are considering a move for the English coach.

The former Luton and Watford tactician only joined Boro in the summer, but the Light Blues are looking at him as a potential option to replace Martin.

Scottish Daily Express does not reveal how serious their interest is in the Championship gaffer, though, and other managers have been linked with the job.

Sean Dyche, who has been out of work since being sacked by Everton in January, is reportedly interested in joining Rangers, but Edwards would be an even better appointment.

Why Rob Edwards would be better than Sean Dyche for Rangers

One potential reason not to appoint Dyche is that he has not managed a team that has been expected to compete at the top end of a league table since the 2015/16 campaign with Burnley in the Championship.

He has finished 10th or lower in eight of his last nine seasons as a manager, with seventh being the highest finish in those nine years, per Transfermarkt, which means that it may be difficult to adjust to the expectations at Ibrox.

Edwards, however, won the League Two title with Forest Green Rovers in the 2021/22 campaign, won the play-offs in the Championship with Luton Town in the 2022/23 season, and is currently second in the Championship with Middlesbrough.

The English tactician, who has played a 3-4-3 system with Boro (Transfermarkt), has won five and lost one of his first nine league matches in charge of his current club, which is in stark contrast to Martin’s dismal form for Rangers in the Premiership.

As you can see in the table above, his Middlesbrough side have been one of the standout teams, if not the standout team, from a defensive perspective in the Championship this season.

Edwards, who journalist Mark Ogden described as an “ultra-positive” manager, has shown that he can coach a solid defensive unit as part of a team that is competing at the top of the table, whilst his coaching history shows that he can win titles and improve teams, like Forest Green Rovers and Luton.

This suggests that he would be the perfect fit for what Rangers currently need after the 24 goals conceded in 17 matches under Martin, because of his ability to coach an impressive defence.

He would be an even better appointment than Dyche, as well, because he has a recent track record of competing for titles or promotion, including the current season, whilst the former Burnley boss has been a perennial survival specialist for the past decade.

Martin upgrade who's "similar to Postecoglou" in running for Rangers job

The Ibrox hierarchy are on the hunt to find an upgrade on Russell Martin at Rangers.

By
Dan Emery

Oct 7, 2025

Therefore, the Light Blues should realise their interest in Edwards by approaching Middlesbrough to discuss a potential deal for the manager, rather than moving for Dyche.

Marcus Rashford has been sent a stern warning by England legend Chris Waddle that Barcelona could send him back to Manchester United despite his impressive statistics. The English forward, who joined Barca on loan after being exiled by United boss Ruben Amorim, has made an impressive start to life under Hansi Flick, yet Waddle insists the 27-year-old is still on trial.

• Rashford shining at Barcelona

  It’s been a rollercoaster year for Rashford. Once the poster boy of United’s revival under Erik ten Hag, he found himself out in the cold after a collapse in form. He had a fallout with Amorim and ended up being dumped into United’s so-called 'bomb squad' during pre-season. His loan to Barcelona has offered him a lifeline – in just 13 appearances, the Englishman has chalked up five goals and seven assists, including a brilliant brace in the 6-1 demolition of Olympiacos in the Champions League. The stats are promising, and the performances have been mostly solid. But Waddle believes that his current level might not be enough to convince a club that has made ruthless calls on bigger names.

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  Waddle's ruthless warning to Rashford

  Speaking to , who offer the best football odds, Waddle said: "This season will be crucial for Rashford. He cannot afford to be inconsistent; he must perform exceptionally in every game as if it's a cup final to secure a deal with Barcelona. This is complicated by the transfer fees involved and his current lucrative contract, which Barcelona may be unwilling to pay.

  “The club might be thinking, ‘We're paying his wages, but we've saved a considerable amount on a transfer fee for a season.’ If he performs exceptionally, scoring 20 goals and consistently earning man of the match, Barcelona would have no choice but to sign him. However, his current performances are merely OK, not unbelievable. As the season progresses, it's essentially a trial period for him."

  Barcelona, still recovering from years of financial turmoil, have spent the last two seasons cutting costs and offloading high earners. Rashford’s lucrative contract at United, which runs until 2028, remains one of the most substantial in the Premier League. And Waddle believes the financial side could become Rashford’s biggest stumbling block. 

  "A major hurdle in any potential signing could be the player's wages," he said. "Barcelona may not be willing to match Rashford’s current salary, creating a stumbling block as they typically don't pay that level of compensation. Barcelona is linked with many available players. It remains to be seen if they have another target for the left-wing or centre-forward positions, or someone else lined up for the summer. He's attempting to secure a contract from a club that is interested but not fully committed. They might send him back if they have another player in mind. Most top players will quickly move to clubs like Real Madrid or Barcelona, so Barcelona could have alternative plans.”

• Rashford wants Barcelona stay

  Despite the uncertainty, Rashford has made no secret of his affection for life in Catalonia. The forward, visibly more relaxed than during his final months in Manchester, spoke openly about his experience in a recent interview with Barcelona’s YouTube channel.

  "I’m really enjoying my time in Spain," he began. "The weather is the best part. It’s a very big change. I’m learning every day, I’m really enjoying it. I hope to be here for a long time. I get along really well with Roony (Bardghji), as well as Jules (Kounde) and Frenkie (De Jong). It’s a team where we all blend together. We’re united. The team is fantastic. I just have to be in the right position. I’ll keep trying to do this. We have to keep going like this to be our best. We have a lot more to do this season."

  He added: "I’m enjoying this football club and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game so to play here is an honour. I just believe that things happen when they’re supposed to happen. It’s not the first time I spoke with Barcelona about potentially coming here, but for whatever reasons it didn’t happen in the past, and now is my opportunity to make it happen. I feel like there’s no time like the present now.

  "People forget this, but 23 years of my life was with Manchester United. So sometimes you just need a change. I think maybe this is the case with me and yeah, I’m enjoying everything. I don’t feel there is much change in me, I just feel it’s a new environment and culture and one I looked forward to coming here. It’s just about me adapting and fitting in as well as possible. I’m so hungry to keep improving."

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  Clash at the Bernabeu: Reality check for Rashford

  Rashford’s newfound momentum met a stumbling block at the Bernabeu as he was unable to prevent Barcelona from slipping to a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid, although the England international did provide the assist for his side's only goal. Next up for Rashford and Barca is a clash against Elche on November 2, where the forward will be desperate to prove that the Madrid setback was just a blip.

Nottingham Forest are preparing for their Europa League campaign and may now have been given a triple boost as they gear up to take on Real Betis on Wednesday.

Nottingham Forest show solidity after chaotic Ange Postecoglou induction

Ange Postecoglou isn’t someone who fails to entertain, and his side have shown excitement and vulnerability in equal measure over the first three matches of his tenure at the City Ground.

Following a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal, his side began to show some of their offensive prowess against Swansea City last midweek, albeit the Tricky Trees were knocked out of the EFL Cup in extraordinary fashion after surrendering a two-goal lead.

After two defeats, Turf Moor was never an easy place to go as Burnley look to stabilise themselves in the Premier League. Nevertheless, Nottingham Forest put in a performance that has bred some optimism among supporters of what could be to come.

Fundamentally, Postecoglou’s emphasis on performance is something he believes can breed results. The Tricky Trees took on 17 shots and bossed proceedings with 63% possession against Scott Parker’s men, indicating that improvement is slowly seeping into his group of players as they work within his system.

Murillo could return for Nottingham Forest’s trip to face Real Betis on Wednesday, offering another encouraging crumb of comfort as things slowly start to come together for the Australian boss.

Evidently, his reign at the club is a work in progress and results may not come imminently. Still, the former Celtic boss won the Europa League last season with Nottingham Forest, so it is fair to say he knows how to get a result in continental competition.

Heading into the beginning of their European campaign, there could be another boost in store for the East Midlands-based outfit if developments elsewhere are to stand.

Isco could miss Real Betis vs Nottingham Forest

According to reports in Spain via Sport Witness, Real Betis playmaker Isco could be ruled out of facing Nottingham Forest on Wednesday after missing training on Monday.

The four-time Champions League winner has been absent since August and may be joined by Nelson Deossa and Pablo García after the pair also sat on the sidelines while their teammates prepare to face Premier League opposition.

Not just Luiz: Ange must now start "menacing" Nottingham Forest sensation

Ange Postecoglou will be hunting for his first win as Nottingham Forest boss against Burnley this afternoon.

By
Ethan Lamb

Sep 20, 2025

La Liga outfit Betis sit sixth in the Spanish top-flight after six matches and claimed an impressive 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad last Friday, earning an extended rest period ahead of opening their Europa League account.

Boasting plenty of familiar faces, such as Antony, Giovani Lo Celso and Hector Bellerin, they have plenty of stars who have enjoyed distinguished careers in England.

Regardless, Isco is one of the finest playmakers in Europe when fully fit, meaning his absence would elevate Nottingham Forest’s chances of claiming something at Estadio Benito Villamarín.

West Ham United manager Graham Potter could be sacked by the Hammers very shortly, on one condition, with a potential timeline shared by one media source.

Graham Potter under growing pressure in east London

This time last year, David Moyes’ replacement, Julen Lopetegui, was in a very similar situation to Potter as critics and supporters alike called for the Spaniard to be axed following a poor start to 2024/2025.

Now, his successor, Potter, is facing the same pressure. Under the former Chelsea boss, West Ham have recorded their second-worst win percentage since the Premier League’s inception, with Avram Grant’s relegated side from 2010/2011 coming as the only Hammers team to fare worse.

The east Londoners have also leaked goals left, right and centre — conceding more than any other top-flight outfit thus far — with Potter’s West Ham also looking extremely vulnerable when it comes to set pieces.

Potter did give himself some breathing room with an impressive 3-0 win away to Nottingham Forest, which turned out to be Nuno Espírito Santo’s final game in charge, and the Portuguese is now being linked to the West Ham job after leaving the City Ground.

As well as Nuno, ex-West Ham player Frank Lampard has been mentioned as a candidate to replace Potter, with other reports suggesting Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna was in attendance at the London Stadium during their 3-0 derby defeat to Spurs.

However, any hope of a blockbuster move for big-name serial winner José Mourinho is being quashed by the special one’s imminent move to Benfica, so if West Ham are to sack Potter, they’ll need to decide quickly and avoid the other best-possible free agents being snapped up by other clubs.

Taking that into account, West Ham chair David Sullivan is apparently keen to avoid another Lopetegui-style saga, amid a major concern he has behind-the-scenes.

When West Ham could sack Graham Potter and it may be imminent

That is according to Hammers News, who shared an update on Potter’s future via one of their sources.

The informant, as quoted by HN, reveals that West Ham could sack Potter if they lose to Crystal Palace this weekend.

The 50-year-old’s unceremonious departure would bring his stock down even further after he was sacked by Chelsea, with Potter’s stellar days growing Brighton into an established Premier League side far behind the tactician.

It would be hard to envisage Potter getting another immediate big job if he’s given a P45 after Saturday, but as we’ve seen with ex-West Ham hero Moyes, you can always bounce back in the long-term.

Atlanta United goalkeeper and former USMNT stalwart Brad Guzan announced that he will retire following the conclusion of the 2025 MLS season. Guzan’s decision marks the end of a distinguished career that included 64 caps for the USMNT, a key role in Atlanta United’s formative years, and a significant tenure in both MLS and the English Premier League.

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  Career spanned two decades

  Guzan confirmed he will retire after the 2025 MLS season, closing a career spanning two decades. His announcement marks the end of a significant era for both Atlanta United and the USMNT, where Guzan was a steady presence in goal and a leader on and off the field. The American international’s statement, on social media, confirmed the news and thanked

  “21 years is a long time. I’m just a kid from Chicago who instantly knew this game was for me,” Guzan posted on his social media. “Today, as I prepare to hang up my gloves, I know this journey was never just about me. THANK YOU – TO EVERYONE.”

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• What Guzan posted

• Guzan’s career journey

  Guzan launched his professional career with Chivas USA in 2005, quickly establishing himself as a reliable goalkeeper in Major League Soccer. His performances earned him a move to England’s Aston Villa in 2008, where he spent over a decade, becoming a fan favorite and a consistent presence between the posts. 

  In 2017, Guzan returned to MLS as one of the first signings for the newly formed Atlanta United. His experience and composure were instrumental in stabilizing the team’s defense during its inaugural season. Guzan’s leadership contributed significantly to Atlanta United’s rapid ascent, culminating in the club’s MLS Cup victory in 2018.

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  What's next?

  As the 2025 MLS season draws to a close,  Guzan’s retirement signals the end of an era for both Atlanta United and the USMNT community. His contributions on and off the field have shaped the trajectory of American soccer domestically and internationally.

Former Paris Saint-Germain star Rafinha has explained why the era of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the French capital never worked. The trio played together at PSG for two years from 2021, when Messi joined the club from Barcelona on a free transfer, and lasted until 2023 when both the Argentine and Neymar left for Inter Miami and Al-Hilal respectively.

• Star trio of Messi, Mbappe and Neymar never clicked for PSG

  PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi grabbed the limelight in August 2021 when he did the unthinkable by signing Messi from Barcelona. The Argentine, who spent close to two decades at the Catalan club, finally left  to sign for the Ligue 1 giants. There he linked up with the likes of Mbappe and Neymar to form the most glamorous attacking trio in European football at that time. Al-Khelaifi also brought in Achraf Hakimi and Sergio Ramos to bolster his backline.

  The star-studded side, however, did not click as they won only the Ligue 1 title in their first season and repeated the feat in their second campaign, along with winning the French Super Cup, but they never delivered the Champions League – the trophy the club was desperate to win at the time.

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  Rafinha explains why famous era never worked

  Speaking on the , ex-PSG and Brazil midfielder said: "During pre-season, in the first training session where everyone was present, I said, 'This can’t possibly work'. Let’s start with the goalkeeper: Keylor Navas or Donnarumma. Whoever doesn’t play will be furious. There will be arguments, discussions with the coach. 

  "In defence: Marquinhos, the starter, no one will replace him, Kimpembe, PSG idol, and Sergio Ramos. The three best full-backs for each. In attack, Di María, Mbappe, Neymar, and Messi. Who do you take off? Di María, for his weight within the team, and even then, he’s not a player you can take off. It can’t work.

  "For a coach, it’s impossible. They were the best team in the world in terms of players, names, but at the same time, difficult to manage. I wasn’t playing, so I was watching."

• Messi was unhappy in Paris

  A source close to L’Equipe recently claimed that Messi was unhappy in the two seasons he spent at PSG and even felt that the club protected French star Mbappe more than any player in the squad. The source was quoted as saying: "He didn’t have one good moment in Paris. He couldn’t go out. He found himself in the middle of the Neymar-Mbappe rivalry. He even felt that the club protected the Frenchman and didn’t even honour his World Cup title. In Barcelona, he was a god. He was used to taking his kids to school, the sun…it was a lot of things combined."

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  PSG finally went on to win the UCL

  After Neymar and Messi exited the club in the summer of 2023, Mbappe remained there for one more year before walking out as a free agent to complete his dream transfer to Real Madrid. The next season, PSG won the treble. including the elusive Champions League title under the leadership of Luis Enrique. Ousmane Dembele was the star of the team as his performances earned him his first-ever Ballon d'Or.

When it comes to summer transfer windows, Arsenal haven’t always been a club that like to go big.

However, this year saw the thrice Premier League runners-up smash open the war chest and make the addition that could finally get them over the line come May.

Andrea Berta oversaw the arrival of eight first-team quality players, and while several of them have the potential to be real game-changers, Viktor Gyokeres might just be the most exciting.

The Swedish shot-stopper could be the missing piece in Mikel Arteta’s attack, but he’ll have to take the league by storm to see his valuation match that of one of his new teammates.

Gyokeres' start to the Premier League season

To describe Gyokeres as prolific during his time with Sporting CP would be a colossal understatement.

In 102 appearances, totalling 8417 minutes, he scored 97 goals and provided 28 assists, which comes out to an average of 1.22 goal involvements every game, or one every 67.33 minutes.

With numbers like these, it’s easy to understand why Arsenal spent £64m on him and why there are such high expectations about what he could do at the club.

Yet, while it is still early days, it would be fair to say that he’s not exactly got off to a flyer in red and white.

For example, in the games against Manchester United and Liverpool, he failed to have a single shot, let alone one on target.

Moreover, while his teammates weren’t providing him with adequate service, he was not helping himself with some lacklustre runs and heavy touches.

Fortunately, we got to see what he can do in the game against Leeds United, as he opened his account with a lovely run early in the second half and then doubled his tally with a thunderous strike from the penalty spot towards the end of the game.

In all, Gyokeres could be a huge difference-maker for Arsenal this season, although there is already someone in the team competing with him who is worth millions more.

The Arsenal star worth millions more than Gyokeres

Even before this summer’s spending spree, Arsenal could boast a team overflowing with sensational talent.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

From William Saliba in defence, to Declam Rice in midfield and Bukayo Saka in attack, there are superstars all over this team.

However, in this instance, the attacker in question is none other than Kai Havertz, and while he might divide opinion at times, his valuation remains incredibly high.

For example, the CIES Football Observatory prices the German international at a whopping €91m, which is about £79m, or £15m more than Gyokeres cost the Gunners.

That might sound like an awful lot of money for a player who has quite the reputation for being wasteful in attacking situations, but contrary to how many view him, the 26-year-old has quite an impressive record for the club.

For example, since making the move to North London, the former Chelsea ace has scored 29 goals and provided 13 assists in 88 appearances, which is an average of a goal involvement every 2.09 games.

However, when you look purely at the games in which he played as the team’s striker, the numbers become even more impressive.

In those 48 matches, totalling 4004 minutes, the “magnificent” ace, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has scored 19 goals and provided 13 assists.

In other words, when he has played as a striker, the Aachen-born monster averages a goal involvement every 1.5 games, or every 125.12 minutes, which is a brilliant rate of return.

Ultimately, he might still divide opinion among fans and pundits alike, but Havertz’s numbers are undoubtedly impressive and help to explain why he currently has a higher valuation than Gyokeres.

Arsenal sold homegrown Gyokeres for £4m, now he's one of the best in Europe

Arsenal had a promising talent in their ranks who could have been their own homegrown Gyokeres.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Sep 3, 2025

Paris Saint-Germain stars “don’t give a damn” about what opponents have to say when it comes to ‘best team in the world’ titles, with Lamine Yamal and Pedri being made to eat their words as the current holders of the prestigious Champions League crown secured another notable victory over Barcelona. A thrilling contest in Catalunya, which swung one way and then the other, ended in dramatic circumstances as PSG snatched a 90th-minute winner.

• Champions League thriller: PSG snatch points off Barcelona

  Goncalo Ramos was the man to have the final say, as he swept into the back of the net following a swift counter-attack from PSG. Luis Enrique – who was facing his former employers – had seen Barca take the lead inside 19 minutes through Ferran Torres, as Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford added another assist to his tally in 2025-26.

  Teenage forward Senny Mayulu restored parity five minutes before half-time when opening his goal account for the season. Both teams had opportunities in the second-half, but it was Ramos who stole all three points for the visitors.

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  What Yamal & Pedri said ahead of clash with PSG

  The Portugal international striker was among those afterwards to respond to pre-match comments made by some prominent figures in the Barca camp. Kopa Trophy-winning wonderkid Lamine Yamal posted a story on Instagram which saw him calmly sitting on a railing while wearing a Spain shirt. His message read, having nursed a knock picked up on international duty: “Pressure? I’m back and the mission is back too.”

  Yamal’s club colleague Pedri said ahead of the game: “PSG is a team that already showed last season what it was, one of the best teams in the world, and I consider us to be the best.”

  He added, having seen the Blaugrana suffer a 4-1 quarter-final defeat to the Ligue 1 giants in April 2024: “All of us Barca fans regret having been so close to qualifying. Football always has revenge, everyone wants to play these matches. Both teams are favourites and we want to win the Champions League. We have the squad to do it and it will be one of the best matches of the moment.”

• Ramos & Vitinha respond to comments from Barcelona stars

  Talk of revenge was fresh in PSG’s mind when they lined up against familiar opponents. Ramos was eager to ensure that the French giants were not knocked from the loftiest of perches. He told reporters: “We're the European champions, I can't say more than that. If you're the best, you have to show it on the pitch, not talk.”

  Midfield maestro Vitinha was also among those to speak in the mixed zone, as he faced questions from the likes of . He said when asked about the comments made by Yamal and Pedri before a ball was kicked: “It happens sometimes. There are often statements made before matches, and it can happen. We don't give a damn. We don't care, we just want to play the match, we won, and we're happy about that.”

  He went on to say of downing Barca while missing a number of senior stars: “It's incredible, I'm proud of this team because it's happened several times before to turn the result around. You have five players who normally start who aren't there, you have some kids who play, others who come on very well. Other players who play less often came on and gave a great response. We were behind against one of the best teams in Europe away from home, and even then, you manage to come through in the second half and turn the game around. It's a great statement from our team. I want to thank all my team-mates.”

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  What next for Barcelona & PSG? Upcoming fixtures

  Barcelona will be back in La Liga action on Sunday when taking in a trip to Sevilla – with their unbeaten record in domestic competition, which sees them sat top of the table, being put on the line there. PSG, who have suffered one defeat in Ligue 1 this term, are due to face Lille on Sunday. The latest round of fixtures will take clubs around the world into the next international break.

Birmingham City have found their return to Championship life to be comfortable so far.

Unlike fellow promoted new side Wrexham, who have already been made well aware of the jump-up in quality, Chris Davies’ Blues look ready for the challenge ahead of the 46-game marathon, having recently fought back dramatically to win 2-1 at Blackburn Rovers.

Having also just been acknowledged at the PFA Awards with seven members of the Birmingham first team squad in League One Team of the Year, everything appears to be rosy currently at St. Andrew’s.

That’s the case even after rumours linking the Blues to an audacious move for Aleksandar Mitrovic were rubbished, with the temporary thought of Mitrovic leading the line for another Championship side a terrifying prospect.

Birmingham's rumoured interest in Mitrovic

There may well have been some weight behind Birmingham plotting a stunning move for the ex-Fulham attacker, considering they have forked out a notable £10m on Kyogo Furuhashi’s services in recent times.

However, landing the Serbian would have undoubtedly been the signing of the summer from the Blues’ perspective – away from the former Celtic man’s arrival on to the scene – when you assess his unbelievable goalscoring exploits in the EFL’s elite division previously.

In total, Mitrovic has managed to bag an insane 83 strikes from just 126 career appearances in the competitive league, with 43 of those coming during just one Championship season.

Of course, it wasn’t just Birmingham taking a look at Mitrovic in isolation, unfortunately, with Leeds United and Sunderland also named as other parties keen on snapping up the imposing centre-forward.

The Al-Hilal attacker wouldn’t be joining the Blues camp on a cheap deal, either, with reports suggesting that he had a £26m price-tag above his head, before you even factor in his wild £414k-per-week salary in the Saudi Pro League, as per Capology.

Therefore, it’s safe to assume – despite Journalist Alex Crook hinting on talkSPORT (17:55, 17th August) that it could have been a possibility – that Mitrovic leaving the luxuries of the Middle East behind for St. Andrew’s was always going to be far-fetched to pull off.

Transfer Focus

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

However, going back in for this former target does seem more realistic and a perfect way to get over this ambitious switch not happening.

Birmingham can forget Mitrovic by signing £13m star

For half of Mitrovic’s extortionate valuation, Birmingham could set their sights on this alternative figure up top instead, with Che Adams – who is worth £13m according to Football Transfers – tipped for a return to St Andrew’s.

As was reported earlier this month, the Championship newcomers still hold some interest in bringing their former striker back to the West Midlands, having been in the race for his signature earlier in the transfer window.

While he might not boast a 43-goal season at the unforgiving level, the Scotsman certainly knows how to find the back of the net with some venom in the EFL’s top league to be seen as an adequate move to go after, instead of landing a more expensive Mitrovic.

Indeed, Adams has managed to register a healthy 49 Championship strikes across his well-travelled career to date, with his last season at the punishing level seeing him bag a career-best 17 goals as his then employers Southampton soared up to the Premier League.

This will surely pique Birmingham’s interest as they try to make the best possible moves to ensure back-to-back promotions occur, with the 29-year-old proving himself to be a reliable goal machine wherever he’s been across his playing days so far. Indeed, ex-Torino manager Paolo Vanoli hailed him as “perfect” for the Serie A side’s system when powering home ten strikes from 39 clashes in Italy.

Rather than Mitrovic ditching the Saudi Pro League for a chance back in England, therefore, it could soon be Adams tempted by a second chance at glory with his ex-side.

In an ideal world, Birmingham might well have shown more purpose as they attempted to bring Mitrovic into the building on a statement deal.

But, any potential lost move for the ex-Championship menace irking Birmingham will be swept under the carpet if Adams joins Davies’ camp last minute, especially if he powers home more crucial second-tier strikes to add another promotion up to the Premier League on his resume.

Birmingham eyeing "great player" with 44 Premier League goal contributions

What a signing this could be.

By
Henry Jackson

Aug 19, 2025

Michael Owen has raised doubts over England’s ability to go all the way at the 2026 World Cup under Thomas Tuchel, warning that age, declining form, and testing conditions could hinder their chances. The former Liverpool striker expressed concern that several key players, including Harry Kane, may be past their best by next summer, while questioning whether the squad is improving.

• England enter new Tuchel era

  England have enjoyed a strong run in major tournaments in recent years, reaching two finals and a semi-final since 2018. However, following Gareth Southgate’s departure after Euro 2024, Tuchel has now taken charge. Owen believes that with several players ageing and others struggling for form, England could face a tougher challenge than before.

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  Owen warns Tuchel about his ageing Three Lions squad

  Speaking to , Owen cautioned: “Star players such as Kane are getting older — he’s not going to be getting any better. While world-class players such as Kyle Walker will no longer be there. Even players like Foden are not at the top of their game compared to what they were a year or two ago. Defensively, I worry too. We used to have a lot of good defenders. Now I’m thinking who’s going to play left-back? Who’s going to play centre-half? John Stones isn’t getting any younger.”

  He added: “I think we were probably better a year or two ago. But a lot changes in football. It might turn into a big year for us, but no, I wouldn’t be confident about us winning the World Cup at this stage. We’re knocking on the door – finals, semi-finals – we’re a top footballing nation, but I think other nations may be better suited to the conditions this time.”

• England warmed about 'baking hot' conditions

  Owen also went on to warn England fans that the conditions in the United States, Mexico and Canada may not be suitable to Three Lions stars: “There’s a lot going against us at the moment. A World Cup in America and Mexico at that time of year is going to be absolutely baking hot. The conditions won’t be to our advantage at all. I’m not sure our team’s getting better at the moment. You could argue it’s slightly getting worse.

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  Tuchel working on improving squad ahead of 2026 World Cup

  Tuchel’s immediate priority will be ensuring England’s younger core — including Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka — step up to replace ageing stars like Kane and Stones. The German coach is expected to experiment with new tactical setups in upcoming friendlies to build chemistry before qualifying resumes. England’s preparations for 2026 will be closely watched, as fans hope this generation can finally turn promise into a major trophy.