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Crystal Palace stunned Liverpool by cancelling Marc Guehi’s £35 million ($47m) deadline day move to Anfield, with Palace chairman Steve Parish revealing his side's maiden European campaign was the key factor. Parish stressed that keeping the England captain was crucial for the Eagles’ season, despite the allure of a big-money transfer, highlighting the unique circumstances behind the dramatic last-minute U-turn.

Guehi's dramatic Liverpool transfer collapse

Liverpool had agreed terms with Crystal Palace on a £35m fee plus a sell-on clause to sign Guehi, with the England international even starting his medical in London on September 1. However, the Eagles failed to secure a suitable replacement, with Brighton’s Igor Julio choosing a loan move to West Ham instead. Palace manager Oliver Glasner, determined to retain his talisman, reportedly threatened to resign if Guehi was sold without a replacement, pushing the board to pull the plug mere hours before the 7pm deadline day cut-off. Additionally, Palace were preparing for their first-ever European campaign in the Conference League, which heightened the stakes of retaining their captain.

The collapse left Liverpool disappointed but planning to return next summer when Guehi will be a free agent, as his Crystal Palace contract expires in June 2026. Guehi had been willing to make the move, and personal terms on a five-year contract were reportedly agreed.

AdvertisementGetty Images EntertainmentParish explains why Crystal Palace pulled Guehi move

“It’s a difficult decision,” Parish told . “It’s as simple as that these things are never black and white. I decided in the end that, based on the advice that I got and with what I think, that we would have a better season if we kept Marc.”

He added: “We don’t guess about these things. If you look at it rationally, if you look at what is worth the place in the Premier League, the fact that we’re in the Conference League for the first time in our history, this is a fairly unusual set of circumstances in which to keep a player. If we were fighting between the difference of 10th and 14th, if that was going to be the difference between keeping Marc and letting Marc go, then probably we would have said: ‘Right, we should take the money."

Prioritising Conference League and Premier League stability, Crystal Palace chose to retain leadership on the pitch rather than gamble on a last-minute replacement. The chairman's statements also show that the board considered long-term planning and squad cohesion critical in making such a significant decision in the dying embers of the transfer window.

Guehi tracked by Liverpool and other clubs

Guehi’s contract situation has put him in high demand even before next summer’s transfer window, with multiple elite clubs reportedly interested. Liverpool are expected to remain key contenders, particularly with uncertainty around Ibrahima Konate's contract, who will also become a free agent in 2026. Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich are all tracking Guehi as a potential free transfer target, giving them an advantage since they can open pre-contract negotiations from January 2026.

The centre-back’s importance at Selhurst Park was emphasised by the failed attempts to replace him, showing the scarcity of experienced defensive options on the market. Crystal Palace’s decision also demonstrates how managerial influence – Glasner’s opposition in this case – can directly impact transfer dealings. Despite the collapse, Guehi remains a highly-coveted defender, with his leadership and Premier League experience making him a priority for Europe’s top clubs.

Even with Liverpool having missed out this time, the Reds are highly likely to return next summer and will hope the chance to continue in the Premier League will convince the England international to move to Anfield. Meanwhile, foreign clubs have a potential edge, as Guehi can legally begin discussions with them mid-season. This situation sets up a high-stakes race for the 25-year-old centre-back, with implications for both domestic and continental competition.

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Getty ImagesGuehi crucial to Crystal Palace's 2025-26 ambitions

Crystal Palace will focus on navigating their first European campaign while ensuring Guehi remains fit and motivated. Liverpool are likely to monitor the player’s contract situation closely, aiming to secure him in the summer transfer window without paying a fee. Meanwhile, the broader European landscape, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, will continue evaluating Guehi’s availability, preparing for the January 2026 pre-contract period that could reshape defensive plans across multiple top clubs.

The Eagles' board must also plan for future transfer windows, ensuring they have contingency options in case other key players attract late interest. Success in the Conference League and the Premier League will partially depend on keeping leadership stable, a decision now exemplified by retaining Guehi. The dramatic deadline day twist serves as a reminder of how quickly football plans can change, with both short-term results and long-term strategy influencing transfer choices.

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Em uma discussão que viralizou nas redes sociais com um torcedor do Corinthians, Lyarah Vojnovic, mulher do volante Maycon, alegou que 98% do elenco corintiano está com salários atrasados e disse que seu marido está “louco para sair do clube”.

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– Bom, vocês gostam de falar de salário, né? O Corinthians está perfeito com isso, 98% do elenco com salário atrasado e que isso também não interfere em nada – respondeu Lyarah a um torcedor corintianos nas redes sociais.

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Como informou o Lance! no sábado (1), o Corinthians teve problemas para fechar as folhas de pagamentos nos últimos meses, especialmente em maio, mas zerou as pendências com o elenco e inclusive antecipou o pagamento na CLT referente ao mês de julho. 

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A diretoria alvinegra priorizou quitar os atrasados com o elenco antes de pagar as dívidas ao Argentinos Juniors, ao atacante Mauro Boselli e também ao empresário Eduardo Bou Daye.

Após concluir as vendas de Mantuan e Pedro ao Zenit, da Rússia, o fluxo de caixa possibilitou à diretoria corintiana quitar as três pendências citadas acima na sexta-feira (30). O clube aguarda os documentos da Fifa para poder inscrever Matías Rojas e outros possíveis reforços.

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Após a derrota para o Cuiabá, Alessandro Nunes, gerente de futebol corintiano, disse que alguns jogadores possuem pendências em relação a direitos de imagem.

– Todos eles possuem situações mais regulares, talvez uma situação ou outra pendente mas nada que a gente possa equacionar em um futuro muito em breve – disse Alessandro na zona mista da Neo Química Arena após o jogo contra o Dourado.

New Zealand defended with all their might against heavy favourites India. But, in the end, India had just too much quality and depth for them, and ended their second straight ICC tournament unbeaten. They now hold two of the four ICC trophies, having lost in the final of the other two. In the last three ICC tournaments alone, India have won 22 of their 23 completed matches.On a tired pitch, run-scoring followed a similar pattern to earlier games. Having won a crucial toss – India have lost their last 15 ODI tosses – New Zealand raced away to 69 for 1 in the powerplay, but the high-quality spin from India dragged them back. On a pitch offering them the least turn of all matches in Dubai this tournament, the four India spinners bowled 38 overs between them to concede just 144 runs and take five wickets. Again, as New Zealand got pace on ball at the death, Michael Bracewell scored 53 off 40 to give himself and his bowling colleagues a target.Related

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India made a similarly breezy start of 64 for 0 in the powerplay, but New Zealand kept clawing their way back despite a 105-run opening stand between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Lacking the mystery of Varun Chakravarthy or the rare left-arm wristspin art of Kuldeep Yadav, New Zealand capitalised on the increased turn – average of 2 degrees in the first innings, 3.4 in the second – and tested India thoroughly. Their spinners bowled 35 overs for 152 runs and five wickets.Every batter other than Virat Kohli got a start – scores ranged between Rohit’s 76 and Hardik Pandya’s run-a-ball 18 – but none of them completed the job. Their incredible depth, though, prevailed as KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja saw them through with one over to spare and four wickets in hand.It was a final to rescue the tournament that has been short on close contests. India came in with much more ammunition for the conditions than New Zealand, but the toss proved to be a bit of an equaliser. Rachin Ravindra, leading run-getter of the tournament, batted like a dream against the new ball, the best conditions all day long. He scored 37 off 29 in a start that stunned the crowd, helped along by two spilled chances.Under the pump, India went to their likeliest wicket-takers as opposed to the usual formula of bowling Axar Patel with the new ball. Varun beat Will Young with drift on a legbreak, but the natural variation provided the telling blow to trap him lbw. Kuldeep, just five wickets so far, announced himself on the final with two of the biggest wickets: Ravindra to a wrong’un first ball, and Kane Williamson beaten in the air with big dip and offering a return catch.1:31

Kumble: ‘Kuldeep doesn’t look for the surface to help him’

Three wickets had fallen to reduce New Zealand to 75 for 3, and it was now up to Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell to keep wickets in hand for the final push. Mitchell struggled to score fluidly, which meant Latham – a stalwart in the middle overs of ODI cricket – had to take a risk. And when you take a risk against the metronomic Jadeja – 10-0-30-1 – you better not miss because he will get you lbw.For the second time in this tournament, India bowled just spin through the middle overs. It was a slow track but offered minimal turn. It is a testament to the quality and the accuracy of India’s spinners that New Zealand were choked through the period. It took them 21 overs to double their ten-over score of 69. Varun came back to get Glenn Phillips in the 38th over, again pushing back their charge.Bracewell brought back memories of how fluidly Ravindra batted as India went back to pace on ball at the back end. Mitchell, who followed Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill into scoring his slowest fifty, now tried an assault but a slower ball from Mohammed Shami got the better of him. Bracewell, though, hit three fours and two sixes to give New Zealand what only looked like respectability at that time.Even that respectability looked dodgy the way Rohit started the chase. Some sensational hitting off the fast bowlers – including Nathan Smith, the replacement for Matt Henry, the leading wicket-taker of the tournament who injured his shoulder – pushed Santner’s hand. He brought himself on in the ninth over, but the best he and Ravindra could manage was a few relatively quiet overs.2:11

Manjrekar: Rahul looked relaxed during chase

In the first over after the drinks break, Phillips produced his third unbelievable catch of the tournament, leaping high at extra cover and plucking a one-hander to send Gill back. With his first ball, Bracewell trapped Kohli lbw for one. Now the easy runs stopped. Rohit slowed down, looking like he was setting himself up for an old-fashioned Rohit knock. Then, though, after a spell of eight overs for 19 runs and two wickets, he charged at Ravindra, looking to hit his fourth six of the night, missed, and was stumped.Iyer, two half-centuries to his name already, and Axar then repaired the damage with a 61-run partnership from 122 for 3. Iyer was the edgier of the two. Young caught him at the deep midwicket fence but touched the boundary skirting, Jamieson dropped him as he tried two consecutive sixes off Phillips, the sixth dropped catch between the two teams.When Iyer fell in the 39th over, caught off Santner at short fine leg, India needed 67 off 68. The asking rate only hovered around a run a ball – the biggest difference between the balls and runs was four with six overs left. Confident in their depth, India kept taking the odd risk and kept hitting sixes. When pace finally came back on, the calm Rahul took India ahead. Jamieson provided one final stumbling block with Hardik’s wicket off a nasty bouncer in the 48th over, but India still had Jadeja in the bank.

In desperate need of more firepower, West Ham United are now reportedly “very interested” in signing a forgotten wonderkid for Graham Potter this month.

Potter has "no doubt" about West Ham squad

Despite their opening day humiliation at the hands of Sunderland, West Ham manager Potter has hit back at criticism and reiterated that he has “no doubt” in his side. The Hammers picked up where they left off in a miserable campaign last time out, with a frustrating summer culminating in an afternoon to forget against the newly-promoted Black Cats. But Potter still has plenty of faith in his side.

The West Ham boss was also quizzed on potential incomings with less than two weeks remaining in the summer transfer window and admitted that he has to work with what he has at the London Stadium: “If I look historically, West Ham have spent money, have signed players. Signing players is easy. It doesn’t mean that they’re going to be the right ones.

“It doesn’t mean to say that the team’s going to improve. It doesn’t mean to say that in six months’ time you’re stuck with a player that’s on too much money, that’s too old and you can’t sell them. It would be nice to have £200m to spend but that’s not the case. I have to work with what I have responsibly.”

However, Potter’s words may be different to West Ham’s actions in the next two weeks amid reports that they’ve turned their focus towards a forgotten wonderkid.

West Ham now "very interested" in Breel Embolo

According to Swiss agent Gianluca Di Domenico, West Ham are now “very interested” in signing Breel Embolo this month after the forward was not included in AS Monaco’s squad to face Le Havre in their Ligue 1 opener last week.

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The agent claimed: “West Ham are also very interested in Embolo. He’s on the market, and by not calling him up, his club, Monaco, has made it clear they’re just waiting for an offer to sell him.”

With just one year remaining on his current contract, the Monaco man is unlikely to be out of West Ham’s price range and may well turn into a bargain deal if he finally realises his potential.

Of course, it wasn’t so long ago that the Swiss international was considered one of the best wonderkids that world football has to offer. Years on from that verdict, however, Embolo is 28 years old and one of many players who simply failed to live up to live up to the hype.

Both players are with England’s Test team in Pakistan, with Cox due to fly home after the first day of the series decider in Rawalpindi

Matt Roller24-Oct-2024

Rehan Ahmed is unlikely to feature in Thursday’s first ODI against West Indies•Getty Images

England have added Jordan Cox and Rehan Ahmed to their white-ball squads for their upcoming Caribbean tour, which starts next Thursday.Both players are with England’s Test team in Pakistan, with Cox due to fly home after the first day of the series decider in Rawalpindi ahead of the white-ball squad’s departure for Antigua on Monday. Rehan, who has been named in England’s XI for the third Test, will arrive late in the Caribbean and is unlikely to feature in Thursday’s first ODI against West Indies.Cox, the Essex wicketkeeper-batter, is set to make his Test debut at some stage on England’s tour to New Zealand which closely follows the West Indies tour and may leave the Caribbean early. He is likely to miss the five-match T20I series, and will arrive in New Zealand in time for England’s warm-up match in Queenstown on the weekend of November 23, ahead of the first Test on November 27.Related

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Cox made his international debut in England’s T20I series against Australia last month, and is likely to win his first ODI cap in the Caribbean with Jos Buttler ruled out of the 50-over leg of the tour due to a recent setback in his rehabilitation from a calf injury. He will also deputise as England’s keeper at some stage in the New Zealand series, with Jamie Smith set to miss at least one Test – and potentially all three – on paternity leave.Rehan’s involvement in the third Test in Pakistan is likely to rule him out of at least the first ODI, and he may not be considered until the T20Is. He is one of three wristspinners in England’s squads along with Adil Rashid, the mainstay of their white-ball sides, and the uncapped Yorkshire leggie Jafer Chohan.England said when they announced their squads that two Test players would be added and always planned to take Cox and Rehan to the Caribbean. They announced this week that Liam Livingstone will captain them in their three ODIs in the Caribbean, with Buttler missing that leg of the tour, and also added Essex’s Michael Pepper to their squads as cover.West Indies are 2-0 down in an ODI series in Sri Lanka ahead of the final match on Saturday, having lost the T20Is 2-1, and are yet to announce their squads for the series. The first ODI takes place in Antigua on October 31, with the tour running until the fifth T20I in St Lucia on November 18.England ODI and T20I squads: Jos Buttler (captain, T20Is only), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Jafer Chohan, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone (ODI captain), Saqib Mahmood, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, John Turner.

Manchester United have now opened talks with the agent of a “real leader”, who would be keen on a move to Old Trafford this summer, according to a report.

Amorim needs to hit the ground running next season

Despite admitting it was always going to be “tough” to join Man United mid-way through the 2024-25 campaign, former Man United man Ashley Young believes Ruben Amorim needs to make a fast start to the 2024-25 campaign.

However, Amorim has a very particular style, meaning new personnel will be needed if his side are to kick on next season, and there has been a strong desire to bring in a new forward, with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo emerging as a major target.

The Red Devils are hoping to get a deal for Mbeumo over the line as soon as possible, and having reportedly now struck an agreement, they can perhaps afford to turn their attentions towards strengthening other areas of the squad.

With Casemiro now 33-years-old, Amorim is looking to bring in a long-term replacement for the Brazilian, and an approach has been made for Richard Rios, while another midfielder has also emerged as a potential target.

According to a report from L’Equipe (via Sport Witness), Man United have now opened talks with the agent of Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso, in order to assess whether he would be willing to make a move to Old Trafford this summer.

Tolisso is said to be keen on the move, which could make it easier for United to orchestrate a deal, although he is unwilling to force an exit.

"Real leader" Tolisso could be exactly what United need

Roy Keane has been critical of the lack of leaders at Man United for quite some time, with the former midfielder saying: “You need characters, you need leaders, I keep repeating myself every week on here. That’s what you need from a group of players.”

As a result, it would make sense to bring in players with more of a presence in the dressing room this summer, and the Lyon star could fit the bill in that regard, having been described as a “real leader” by Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca.

Not only that, but the £90k-a-week maestro is clearly a very well-rounded midfielder, having performed very well across some key attacking and defensive statistics over the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90

Non-penalty goals

0.28 (96th percentile)

Assists

0.17 (84th percentile)

Blocks

1.98 (97th percentile)

Aerials won

2.10 (93rd percentile)

Tolisso could be a solid signing for Man United this summer, but there may be some slight concerns about his age, with the central midfielder set to turn 31 before the new Premier League season gets underway.

Crystal Palace could make an approach for a defender imminently, as they are very interested in securing his signature, according to reporter Gianluca Di Marzio.

Palace looking to bolster defensive options

There is still a great deal of doubt over Marc Guehi’s future at Selhurst Park, with Newcastle United and Liverpool set to battle it out for the centre-back, who has made it clear he is unwilling to sign a new deal, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Romano said: “Also, I can tell you that Marc Guehi is not going to sign a new contract at Crystal Palace. It’s a big opportunity for Palace to sell the player this summer and not to lose him on a free in 2026; and for Liverpool there’s a chance to attack the situation and get the player for a good transfer fee.”

As such, Oliver Glasner is looking to bring in a replacement for his captain, and there is a great deal of interest in Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande, with a £47m deal for the 21-year-old believed to be in the works.

Not only is a new centre-back of interest, but the Eagles are also looking to bolster their options at left-back, with Borna Sosa now believed to be on the verge of arriving from Ajax, having been given permission to move to Selhurst Park.

According to Di Marzio (via Sport Witness), Crystal Palace are very interested in signing Davide Calabria too, with the right-back now a free agent after his AC Milan contract expired at the end of June.

Palace could make a move for Calabria very soon, with the defender available on a free transfer, as there could be heavy competition for his signature – Celta Vigo, Real Betis and Mallorca are also named as potential suitors.

Crystal Palace now line up £27m swoop for "terrific" defender and "monster"

The Eagles are looking at making a double signing, having scouted two players at the U21 European Championships.

ByDominic Lund Jul 2, 2025 Calabria could be solid signing for Crystal Palace

While the report states the right-back received criticism during the latter stages of his Milan career, he is said to have played a key role in Bologna’s surprise Coppa Italia triumph, which secured the Serie A side qualification for the Europa League.

Not only that, but the Italian has put in some impressive displays for Milan in the past, perhaps most notably receiving praise from Zach Lowy for the job he did nullifying Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during the Georgian forward’s time with Napoli.

Having also chalked up a combined 36 appearances in the Champions League and Europa League, Calabria’s experience could be of great use to a Palace side hoping to embark on a European adventure next season.

Crystal Palace are now closing in on their second signing of the summer transfer window, with the “deal on the verge of being sealed” and personal terms agreed.

Crystal Palace chasing Diomande and Ndoye deals

The South Londoners have so far had a rather quiet transfer window, as they have brought in just one new addition, and that is goalkeeper Walter Benitez on a free transfer. Given the fact Palace are hopefully going to be playing in the Europa League this season, Oliver Glasner will be hoping for plenty more signings once they are given clarity over their continental status.

Crystal Palace now line up £27m swoop for "terrific" defender and "monster"

The Eagles are looking at making a double signing, having scouted two players at the U21 European Championships.

ByDominic Lund Jul 2, 2025

Captain Marc Guehi looks all but set for a move to Liverpool this summer, and Ousmane Diomande has been identified as a major target for the Eagles. It has even been reported they are now close to agreeing a deal in the region of £47 million.

But that is not the only major transfer Palace are looking to secure in this transfer window. According to a report from Italy, Palace have submitted a bid to sign winger Dan Ndoye from Bologna. It isn’t clear how much the Eagles have put on the table, but they do face competition for his signature, as Napoli and Borussia Dortmund are also keen on striking a deal.

Medical booked: Crystal Palace agree Sosa deal

Before the South Londoners get Diomande or Ndoye through the door at Selhurst Park, there is going to be a new arrival. According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Ajax defender Borna Sosa has been given permission to undergo a medical with Crystal Palace, which is now the only step left for the transfer.

Indeed, Fabrizio Romano has added the club and player are “in agreement on personal terms” with the “deal on the verge of being sealed”.

The 27-year-old has been at Ajax since 2023, when he joined the club from VfB Stuttgart. Sosa, who has earned 26 caps for his national team Croatia, played 16 times for Ajax in the Eredivisie during the 2023/24 season, but wasn’t in the club’s plans last term and was sent out on loan to Serie A side Torino, where he played 19 games in the league.

Apps

19

Starts

14

Clean sheets

1

Interceptions per game

0.7

Tackles per game

1.4

Balls recovered per game

2.8

Clearances per game

1.5

Duels won per game

2.7 (56%)

Sosa is a versatile defender, as he can operate at centre-back and left-back and can either play more advanced on the left-hand side if needed. His expected arrival at Selhurst Park is important, as Glasner’s options on the left-hand side of his defence were rather slim.

Tyrick Mitchell is the club’s only recognised senior left-back, and Sosa’s arrival provides competition and cover for the Englishman as well as the opportunity to cover other positions.

Trent Boult, who was part of defending champions MI Emirates last season, has not been retained

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Jun-2024Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, David Warner and Mohammad Amir are among the 69 players retained by their respective ILT20 franchises ahead of the third season.Captain Pooran, Dwayne Bravo, Akeal Hosein, Kieron Pollard and Fazalhaq Farooqi are also among defending champions MI Emirates’ retainees. Trent Boult, who was part of Emirates last season, has not been retained. Captain Narine and Russell are among the 11 players retained by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders along with the likes of David Willey, Charith Asalanka and USA’s Ali Khan and Andries Gous.Apart from Amir, the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga, Alex Hales and Azam Khan have also been retained by Desert Vipers. The notable absentees from the retention list are fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Matheesha Pathirana, and Colin Munro, who captained the Vipers last season.Captain Warner aside, Dubai Capitals have retained big names such as Rovman Powell, Sam Billings and Jake Fraser-McGurk. England’s Joe Root and Mark Wood, who were part of the squad last year, have been left out. Shimron Hetmyer headlines Gulf Giants’ retention list, along with captain James Vince. USA’s Saurabh Netravalkar and Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rehman haven’t made the list. The likes of Kusal Mendis, captain Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Johnson Charles are among the eight players retained by Sharjah Warriors.Each franchise has also retained two UAE players each, and there was no limit on retention of international players. Teams can now sign new players in the ongoing player acquisition window which will stay open till 15 September. The franchises will also need to complete their quota of four UAE signings after the completion of the ILT20 development tournament which will be held in October.The third season of the ILT20 is scheduled to be played in 2025 from January 11 to February 9 in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.ILT20 retention listAbu Dhabi Knight Riders: Aditya Shetty, Ali Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Andries Gous, Charith Asalanka, David Willey, Joe Clarke, Laurie Evans, Micheal Pepper and Sunil Narine.Desert Vipers: Adam Hose, Alex Hales, Ali Naseer, Azam Khan, Bas de Leede, Luke Wood, Micheal Jones, Mohammad Amir, Nathan Sowter, Sherfane Rutherford, Tanish Suri and Wanindu Hasaranga.Dubai Capitals: Dasun Shanaka, David Warner, Dushmantha Chameera, Haider Ali, Raja Akif, Rovman Powell, Sam Billings, Sikandar Raza, Zahir Khan, Jake Fraser McGurk and Oliver Stone.Gulf Giants: Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Jordan, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gerhard Erasmus, Jamie Overton, James Vince, Jamie Smith, Jordan Cox, Mohammad Zohaib Zubair, Rehan Ahmed, Richard Gleeson and Shimron Hetmyer.MI Emirates: Akeal Hosein, Andre Fletcher, Daniel Mousley, Dwayne Bravo, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Kieron Pollard, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran, Nosthush Kenjige, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Waqar Salamkheil.Sharjah Warriors: Dilshan Madushanka, Johnson Charles, Junaid Siddique, Muhamad Jawadullah, Kusal Mendis, Luke Wells, Peter Hatzoglou and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.

The summer transfer window officially opened for business on Sunday and Celtic will be looking at ways that they can improve their squad ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Brendan Rodgers may have a domestic treble in his sights after his side ended this year with two of the three trophies, winning the Scottish Premiership and the League Cup.

The Northern Irish head coach will have at least one signing in the building by the start of next month, though, as Kieran Tierney is set to arrive from Arsenal on a free transfer when his contract at The Emirates expires.

With Greg Taylor out of contract and Jeffrey Schlupp’s loan deal expiring, the Scotland international is the only left-back on the club’s books heading into next season.

As well as wanting new signing to arrive to improve the team, Rodgers will also be hoping that some of the younger players in the squad can kick on and improve.

Hyun-jun Yang has shown plenty of promise during his two years at Parkhead so far, and his progression from year one to year two suggests that a big third season could be coming.

Why Hyun-jun Yang could be a star for Celtic

The South Korean attacker joined the Scottish giants from Gangwon on a permanent deal in the summer of 2023, and did not enjoy the best first year in Glasgow.

Yang ended the 2023/24 campaign with a return of one goal and three assists in 31 appearances in all competitions for the club, which shows that the winger provided little in the way of quality at the top end of the pitch.

This term, however, the 23-year-old star produced six goals and six assists in 34 matches for the Scottish Premiership champions in all competitions, whilst playing on the right and the left flank.

These statistics show that Yang has improved during his time at Parkhead, learning with more experience in Scottish football, and that is further illustrated by the difference in his performances in the top-flight.

Appearances

24

23

Goals

1

5

Conversion rate

5%

25%

Possession lost per game

9.8x

6.8x

Assists

3

2

Pass accuracy

81%

86%

As you can see in the table above, the South Korean star delivered more quality in front of goal and was more reliable in build-up play for Celtic, by being more efficient with the ball.

Gangwon president Kim Byung-ji claimed he “could easily become a world-class player like Son Heung-min” ahead of the winger’s move to Scotland, which illustrates how highly he is rated in his home country.

Yang is not at a world-class level, yet, but he is clearly improving, and Celtic are now reportedly interested in signing a player who could help to take his game to the next level in the future.

Celtic bid to sign English star

According to Football League World, Celtic have made an approach to sign Peterborough United left-back Harley Mills in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Hoops have tabled a bid to sign the 19-year-old defender from the English League One club, although it remains to be seen whether or not the Posh are willing to accept it.

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It adds that Premier League side Fulham have also made an offer of £1m for the impressive young full-back, which shows that there is set to be plenty of competition for his signature in the coming weeks.

Football League World adds that he would only join the Cottagers as an U23 player to bolster their academy, whilst the Hoops are looking for a player to compete with Tierney.

Meanwhile, Peterborough are also looking to pin the player down to a new contract, and it could be down to the player to decide which path is best for him moving forward.

If Celtic are able to win the race for Mills, though, then they could sign a left-back who could help Yang to fulfill his potential at Parkhead in the years to come.

Why Mills could be a great signing for Yang

At the age of 19, the Peterborough United star would arrive at Parkhead as a long-term signing who could grow into being the first-choice left-back for years to come.

This means that he and Yang could form a long-term partnership down the left flank if Rodgers opts to deploy the South Korean forward on the left wing, providing him with chances to cut inside onto his stronger foot instead of being forced down the line or backwards when on the right.

Mills only emerged as a regular starter for the Posh towards the end of the 2024/25 campaign, but his performances in the EFL Trophy and League One suggest that the potential is there for him to be an excellent option for Celtic.

The teenage star’s “stunning” free-kick at Wembley helped Peterborough to win the EFL Trophy in April, whilst he also averaged 3.2 tackles and interceptions per game across six appearances in the competition.

His form in League One, albeit only across 11 matches, also suggests that he could come in to offer more to the team from a defensive perspective than Taylor, who could leave on a free transfer this summer, did.

Appearances

28

11

Tackles per game

1.3

2.2

Interceptions per game

0.6

1.0

Clearances per game

1.9

2.5

Error led to shot or goal

2

0

Ground duel success rate

58%

65%

Aerial duel success rate

43%

57%

As you can see in the table above, Mills appears to be superior to the Scottish left-back across the board as an out-and-out defender, making more tackles, interceptions, and clearances per game, whilst also being stronger in his duels without making any big errors.

This suggests that the £1m-rated star could come in and lockdown the left-back position as a brilliant defender who could stop opposition wingers from pushing Celtic back in matches.

Not only could that improve the Hoops from a defensive perspective, but it could also free up Yang to play higher up the pitch on the left wing and closer to the opposition goal.

The South Korean star, if deployed on the left, would not have to track back as much if Celtic have a much better defensive full-back behind him instead of Taylor, potentially allowing him to be closer to goal to have more opportunities to score and create in the final third.

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This could, therefore, take his game to the next level and allow him to continue his upwards trajectory in a Hoops shirt, on his path to living up to the “world-class” claim.