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Leeds United supporters owe a huge amount to boss Daniel Farke for the work he’s done in stabilising the club after dropping into the Championship back in 2023.

The German took the reins looking to secure an immediate return, but most importantly, aiming to keep the core of the side together to secure success in England’s second tier.

Since his appointment, he’s won 49 games out of a possible 80 league outings, achieving a win percentage of 62% – a simply staggering feat, one that has set them up for success this time around.

The Whites have blown the majority of sides away this campaign, losing just three times in 34 Championship matches, sitting seven points clear of third with just 12 games remaining.

Farke has built a superb side for England’s second-tier, including two players who have both joined after his own appointment at Elland Road, playing vital roles in the recent success.

Tanaka & Piroe’s stats for Leeds in 2024/25

Midfielder Ao Tanaka has been a pivotal cog within the Leeds side over the past couple of months, nailing down his place as a regular starter after his £3.5m move in the summer.

The Japanese international has started every Championship game in 2025, showcasing his importance to the German, chipping in with three goals – subsequently making a huge impact at both ends of the pitch.

He’s even registered two assists this campaign, providing Joel Piroe with the ammunition needed within the final third, which has seen the Dutchman lead the club’s goalscoring charts in 2024/25.

The 25-year-old has certainly had his doubters during his time in Yorkshire after his £10m transfer, but has silenced his critics in recent weeks, registering 15 goals in his 34 league outings to date.

However, despite the impressive performances from the aforementioned duo, they are still valued lower than one player who departed Elland Road a couple of years ago – starring beyond anyone’s imagination after his transfer.

The former Leeds ace worth more than Tanaka & Piroe combined

Back in the summer of 2018, Leeds announced the signing of 18-year-old defender Leif Davis from Morecambe, originally linking up with the academy side with a view to moving him into the senior ranks.

The left-back would make his first-team debut in the same season, but limited to just minutes off the substitutes’ bench, something which would become a pattern during his first three years in Yorkshire.

After just 14 appearances across three seasons, Davis would move to Championship outfit Bournemouth on a season-long loan, returning for pre-season ahead of 2022/23, but he would play no part for the Whites that campaign.

Instead, the 25-year-old would move to League One Ipswich Town for just £1m, a move that would catapult him to huge success, handing him that break he so desperately needed in the professional game.

During his first season at Portman Road, he registered three goals and 14 assists, helping the Tractor Boys secure promotion back to the second tier, before making it back-to-back the following year.

Davis managed to achieve 20 goal contributions for Kieran McKenna’s side, playing a vital role in ending their Premier League exile, preventing his former employers as a result – something which would’ve been hard to see for the Whites hierarchy.

The full-back has impressed in the top-flight despite Ipswich’s struggles, scoring a phenomenal goal against Leicester City, with the two promoted sides desperately battling for survival.

However, the 25-year-old has seen a 2000% increase on the fee paid for his services a couple of years ago, now valued at £21m by Transfermarkt, a fee which is more than Tanaka and Piroe combined with the pair valued at £3.3m and £11.6m respectively.

Leif Davis’ rise in value since joining Ipswich from Leeds

Month

Value

November 2023

£600k

April 2023

£1m

October 2023

£1.8m

December 2023

£3.7m

March 2024

£5m

May 2024

£7.5m

October 2024

£12.4m

February 2025

£21m

Stats via Transfermarkt

Given his rapid rise to the top of the English game, coupled with his increase in price over the last few years, it’s evident that the club sold him too prematurely – potentially playing a key role this campaign had they kept him.

High-quality left-backs in the modern game are extremely hard to find, with Leeds’ loss now Ipswich’s gain, with the Tractor Boys having themselves a talented ace who could be sold down the line for a mammoth profit.

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Leeds United certainly made the right call in allowing the talented star to depart Elland Road.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Feb 26, 2025

“It was thought among the hierarchy that Richardson is exceptional at the death and we’ll utilise him there as opposed to Mitch,” Australia’s assistant coach said

Danyal Rasool04-Nov-20222:59

Moody: Much more to Starc’s exclusion than it being a tactical selection

Australia’s assistant coach Daniel Vettori pointed to Kane Richardson’s death-bowling prowess as he defended the decision to leave out pace bowler Mitchell Starc for their match against Afghanistan on Friday. Starc was used as a third or fourth bowling option – as opposed to a new-ball bowler – for the best part of the men’s T20 World Cup 2022 and was replaced by Richardson in the XI for their final group game, after an extended drop in form.Related

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“It was a tactical decision [to leave out Starc],” Vettori said after the match. “We brought in Kane to play the role he executed tonight at the back-end of the powerplay, looking at the death overs where Kane has been exceptional in the past. We were looking to use Josh Hazlewood at the start and implement a plan around him and Pat [Cummins] being effective with the new ball and pushed Mitch into a role where he’s competing with Kane Richardson, especially at the death where everyone thought Kane excels.”Starc’s T20I economy rate at the death (overs 17-20) has risen from 8.66 to 10.30 in the last three years, while Richardson’s corresponding figure is 9.50. However, in a game Australia needed to win by a huge margin to sneak ahead of England on net run rate, Richardson had a difficult outing, conceding 16 in the one death over he bowled, and 48 in four overs – his third-most expensive T20I figures. In the end, any hopes of a huge victory quickly evaporated, with Australia eking out a four-run win.Mitchell Starc picked up three wickets in three matches at an economy rate of 8.50•Getty Images

Vettori, however, said the decision to leave Starc out was a product of relying on Hazlewood and Cummins for wickets up top.”It was more around the effectiveness of Hazlewood and Cummins at the top and their ability to take the new ball and be wicket-takers, and therefore that pushed Starcy into a different role, and he obviously came up against Kane Richardson,” he said. “It was thought among the hierarchy that Kane is exceptional at the death and we’ll utilise him there as opposed to Mitch. Players can [be flexible], particularly in their home country where you have a bigger sample size; you’ve seen Kane in the Big Bash and internationals and understand how effective he can be in this format.”I think we’ll reflect on that and Kane would say he probably missed a couple at the backend of two overs. But apart from that the majority of his spell was what we expected. So if that had been tidied up he would have had a great day.”The decision to leave Starc out for such a big game led to criticism from former Australian cricketers, including Michael Clarke and Tom Moody, who called it “very alarming”.”That really surprises me,” Moody said on ESPNcricinfo T20 Time:Out. “There must be something more to it than a tactical selection. I would be alarmed if they think that is the tactical way to go about trying to bowl Afghanistan out for less than 100.”Even Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott couldn’t help but express surprise at Australia’s decision to line up without Starc.”It was a little bit of a surprise to us,” he said at the post-match press conference. “We heard there were rumours but you never want to preempt or suggest injuries. So you prepare for any inevitability. We’re not sure why Starc didn’t play, but Richardson came in and replaced Starc. So we had to adjust to that a little bit as well.”We thought Starc was going to play. We prepared for that. Obviously we saw Richardson marking his run-up. That was a real surprise for us – we don’t know any reason.”

Captain however credits his team for playing their “best cricket” after a “stressful week”

Danyal Rasool13-Nov-20223:33

Fleming: Pakistan made ‘massive mistake’ in last four overs

Babar Azam’s T20I side has always taken its fans on a ride, but the pain that lies at the end is beginning to feel familiar. Much like Pakistan’s agonising defeat in last year’s T20I World Cup semi-final and the Asia Cup final in September, Pakistan fell short of silverware in the T20 World Cup final in Melbourne, succumbing to a five-wicket defeat against England.Babar denied that Pakistan felt the pressure of the occasion, but acknowledged the repeated failure to sign off T20 campaigns in style had soured the mood.”It hurts when you can’t finish it off in a final, of course,” he said. “We’re very proud to play for Pakistan and make the final. But it hurts when you can’t finish it off. We couldn’t finish it off in the Asia Cup either, and that does sting.Related

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“This was a stressful week because we didn’t know we were in or out. But the way we grabbed our opportunity and played our best cricket in four matches in a row, our team deserves credit.”After losing the toss and finding themselves inserted in to bat, Pakistan were already flying in the face of history: just one of the previous six T20 World Cup finals have seen a side successfully defend a score. But after a stodgy start with Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Haris dismissed cheaply, Pakistan had engineered themselves into a decent position by the 11th over. Shan Masood had just taken 16 runs off Liam Livingstone’s only over, and at that stage, Pakistan were 84 for 2, set up for a big finish.What transpired over the next eight balls, though, wrenched the game away from Pakistan, with England picking up two wickets for just one run. Babar pointed to that passage of play as a sliding doors moment for his side.”The ball was seaming early on,” he said. “We wanted to get 45-50 runs in the powerplay but we lost a few wickets. In 11 overs, we were around 85 [84], but the back-to-back wickets that fell in the middle order meant we lost momentum. Especially after Shadab and Shan’s partnership ending with both getting out soon after each other like they did.”Our middle-order dot-ball ratio was a bit too high because we were in a different situation, trying to build a partnership. We couldn’t do that, and whenever a wicket falls, it takes the new batter 2-3 balls to settle down. That put us on the back foot as a batting unit because we couldn’t finish as we wanted.”The idea of Babar’s presence at the press conference following the final seemed preposterous a week ago, when Pakistan needed to rely on the Netherlands beating South Africa and win their final three games to make the semifinals. That became necessary after Pakistan opened their campaign with defeats against India and Zimbabwe, and given how bleak the outlook appeared at the time, the Pakistan captain was keen to highlight the positives.”We didn’t expect to go through after our start. But the way the team came back and the way we grabbed our opportunity makes me proud. The way the middle order stepped up after Rizwan and I were struggling made me very happy. They won us matches, and put in individual performances like Iftikhar’s Shadab’s and Nawaz. The bowling dominated all tournament, too.”Babar – “The way we fought back and took the game to the final over, you’re left to wonder. Maybe if Shaheen had bowled, things might have been different”•AFP/Getty Images

Defending a low total, Pakistan needed everything to go their way in the field. That, emphatically didn’t happen when, having put England under pressure with five overs to go, Shaheen Shah Afridi pulled up after bowling one ball of his third over. At that stage, England still needed 41 to win off 29, having scored just 20 in the last 31 balls.The picture seemed to change dramatically immediately afterwards. As if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, Ben Stokes, who had struggled for fluency all innings, smashed a four and a six off the final two balls off the over. A total of 26 came off the eight balls from the first boundary onwards, and Pakistan’s challenge was swiftly extinguished.”The way we fought back and took the game to the final over, you’re left to wonder. Maybe if Shaheen had bowled, things might have been different,” Babar said. “But credit to England’s bowling. We were trying to build a partnership, but losing back to back wickets puts pressure on you. That pressure remains on you till the 20th over. We were 20 runs or so short with the bat, even though we came back with the ball. After Shaheen’s injury, the game shifted to England’s side.”I’m not disappointed with the middle order. It’s a team game. We win and lose as a team. We just couldn’t finish well after what we had in the first 11 overs. We should have posted around 150, and we made mistakes in not getting there.”In the end, however, gratitude was the overwhelming emotion for the Pakistani skipper after a campaign that caught fire just when it looked like it was petering out.”I’d like to thank the crowd, both in Australia and Pakistan. Wherever we’ve played, the venues have been packed, supporting us and enjoying the cricket.”

أعلن نادي ليفربول، عبر موقعه الرسمي منذ قليل، أن النجم المصري محمد صلاح سيحظى بشئ مميز للغاية في مباراة اليوم ضد برايتون.

ويستضيف ملعب “فالمر” مباراة الفريقين في خضم منافسات الجولة السابعة والثلاثين من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وأعلن المدرب آرني سلوت، التشكيل الأساسي لمباراة ليفربول وبرايتون، حيث يتواجد النجم محمد صلاح ضمن العناصر الأساسية كعادته (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وحسبما نُشر عبر موقع ليفربول، فإن محمد صلاح سيكون قائد الفريق في مباراة الليلة ضد برايتون في الدوري الإنجليزي.

يأتي هذا في المباراة رقم 300 لـ محمد صلاح بقميص ليفربول في الدوري الإنجليزي، ورقم 400 بقميص الفريق نفسه في مختلف المسابقات.

ويُعد محمد صلاج جزءًا من القادة الخمسة لفريق ليفربول، حسب اختيار المدير الفني السابق يورجن كلوب في عام 2023.

وتم اختيار فيرجيل فان دايك كقائد لـ ليفربول، بعد رحيل جوردان هندرسون، في حين وقع الاختيار على أرنولد كنائب له بعد رحيل جيمس ميلنر.

وجاء بعد الثنائي المذكور كل من آندي روبرتسون، أليسون بيكر ومحمد صلاح على الترتيب.

ورغم أن أليسون بيكر يتواجد في تشكيل ليفربول لمباراة اليوم، إلا أن محمد صلاح حصل على امتياز ارتداء الشارة.

وليس من المعروف حتى الآن بديل أرنولد كنائب قائد ليفربول، بعدما قرر الإنجليزي الرحيل عن النادي حيث سيغادر نهاية الموسم الحالي.

وسبق أن ارتدى محمد صلاح شارة قيادة ليفربول، أكثر من مرة في مناسبات سابقة تحت قيادة كلوب، في حين ارتداها في مباراة ودية تحت قيادة سلوت قبل بداية الموسم ضد بريستون في يوليو الماضي.

وكانت المرة الأولى التي يرتدي فيها محمد صلاح شارة قيادة ليفربول في 1 نوفمبر 2023 خلال مباراة بورنموث في كأس رابطة الأندية الإنجليزية، حيث فاز الريدز بهدفين دون رد في دور الـ16.

عبّر أيمن الرمادي، المدير الفني الجديد لفريق الكرة الأول بنادي الزمالك، عن فخره بتولي القيادة الفنية للأبيض، مؤكدًا أن العمل داخل القلعة البيضاء يُعد محطة استثنائية في مسيرته التدريبية.

وقال الرمادي خلال المؤتمر الصحفي قبل مباراة سيراميكا كليوباترا: “الزمالك نادٍ مختلف، يملك تاريخًا عريقًا وجمهورًا عاشقًا لكرة القدم الجميلة، لطالما تمنيت تدريب فريق يُمتع جماهيره، والزمالك هو الخيار المثالي”.

طالع.. لجنة الاستئناف تصدر قرارها بشأن أزمة انسحاب الأهلي أمام الزمالك

وأضاف: “منذ أول مران شعرت بطاقة إيجابية غير معتادة، لم أختبر هذا الشعور طوال 30 عامًا من العمل في مجال التدريب، هناك شغف كبير في كل تفاصيل النادي”.

وأكد الرمادي أن الانتماء لا يُقاس بالمدة، بل بالإخلاص والاستعداد للعطاء، مشددًا على أن لاعبي الزمالك يملكون شخصية قوية، وقادرون على تجاوز الضغوط.

وتابع: “لا ألتفت كثيرًا لردود الفعل على مواقع التواصل، تركيزي منصب على العمل داخل الملعب فقط، لأن الأداء هو ما يصنع الثقة والدعم الحقيقي”.

وعن لقاء سيراميكا، قال الرمادي: “أحترم الفريق المنافس جيدًا، فقد سبق لي العمل معهم، وأعرف إمكانياتهم، لكن تركيزنا الآن منصب على تقديم أداء قوي يليق باسم الزمالك، رغم الظروف الصعبة وكثرة الإصابات”.

واختتم: “نقاتل ضد الوقت، وأتمنى أن يمنحنا اللاعبون أفضل ما لديهم في المباراة المقبلة، وأثق في قدرتهم على تحمل المسؤولية”.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي الزمالك مع سيراميكا كليوباترا مساء الجمعة، ضمن منافسات الجولة الخامسة من المرحلة النهائية للدوري المصري الممتاز.

Chelsea have made contact over signing a very highly-rated striker, who’s drawn comparisons with Galatasaray star Victor Osimhen, coming after Enzo Maresca’s side failed with a late summer move for the Nigerian.

Chelsea draw up striker shortlist after botched Victor Osimhen deal

During the latter phase of the summer transfer window, Chelsea held late talks over signing Osimhen from Napoli, but the move couldn’t come to fruition.

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Chelsea were directly Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli for his services, but neither team could come to terms on both a fee and terms for Osimhen, who later settled for a season-long loan move to Super Lig champions Galatasaray.

The African superstar’s deal with Galatasaray is rumoured to include a break-clause, meaning certain interested sides, including Chelsea, can elect to activate it and make a swoop for Osimhen in January.

According to reliable journalist Simon Phillips, the 25-year-old remains on Chelsea’s striker shortlist for 2025, alongside the likes of Liam Delap, Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Boniface, but it is unclear whether they’re keen on bringing him in for January.

Nicolas Jackson is leading the line superbly right now, and Chelsea are currently the Premier League’s top goalscorers, with both Christopher Nkunku and Cole Palmer already hitting double figures across all competitions.

That being said, if Chelsea were to move for him in the summer, there is every reason to believe Osimhen would be keen on a switch to Stamford Bridge.

“I know what Victor wanted,” said ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi-Mikel on Osimhen’s eagerness to join Chelsea earlier this year.

“Both sides really played their part in terms of getting the deal done, and I commend Chelsea for that, because I can see their ambition of where they want to take this club now, and also on Victor’s side, how much he really wanted to come to the club.”

The desire to join Chelsea is clearly there, but BlueCo may not even elect to go back in his direction next year. There are many different options on the table for Maresca’s side, and one of them is RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko.

Chelsea make contact over signing RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko

Chelsea had an offer rejected to sign Sesko mid-way through the summer window, alongside both Man United and Arsenal (Fabrizio Romano), with the Slovenia international choosing to remain and sign a new contract with Leipzig.

Sesko’s fresh contract is rumoured to include a new release clause set at around £63 million, and he apparently has a gentlemen’s agreement that he can leave Leipzig in either 2025 or 2026.

The prospect of an exit for the 21-year-old is very much alive, with journalist Rudy Galetti now sharing an update on his future, which involves Chelsea.

Indeed, writing for TEAMtalk, he says that Chelsea have made contact over signing Sesko from Leipzig, as they hold talks with the agents and intermediaries of numerous striker targets who they believe could reinforce their attacking options.

“Benjamin Šeško is among the game’s top young talents and has enormous potential to become a top player,” said interim Man United recruitment director Christopher Vivell, formerly of Leipzig.

“He has all the qualities to do that. He’s extremely quick, has a great jump on him and is strong in the air. Benjamin is a real goalscorer, who despite his 1.95m (6’4″) is mobile and technically strong. His abilities make him a special player with a special profile.”

Interestingly, Football Transfers have also called Sesko a “similar” striker to Osimhen.

Arsenal will lock horns with Tottenham in a pre-season north London derby in Hong Kong.

Article continues below

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• Arsenal to face Spurs on July 31
• First north London derby to be held outside the UK
• Gunners to visit Hong Kong for the first time since 2012

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Football fans in Hong Kong are in for a treat as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur prepare to renew their fierce rivalry in a pre-season North London derby at the newly constructed Kai Tak Stadium on July 31 as part of their 2025-26 season preparations. This highly anticipated match will be historic, marking the first time Arsenal and Tottenham will play each other outside the UK. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM local time (11:30 AM BST).

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The clash between Arsenal and Spurs is one of the headline fixtures in the Hong Kong Football Festival, an event that will also feature other top European teams. As part of the festivities, Liverpool will take on AC Milan in a high-profile showdown on July 26. For Arsenal, this trip marks a return to Hong Kong after 13 years, with their last visit coming in 2012. Tottenham, meanwhile, will be venturing into new territory after touring Japan and South Korea in 2024.

• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  Speaking about the tour, Arsenal's Managing Director, Richard Garlick said: "Playing against Tottenham Hotspur in the magnificent new Kai Tak Stadium will be a great experience for both teams and supporters and will be a very important part of our pre-season preparations ahead of the new season.”

  Whereas, Ryan Norys, chief revenue officer at Spurs added: "There are few bigger occasions in English football than a North London derby and to play this fixture in Hong Kong will be a huge occasion for our passionate fanbase across Asia, as well as providing ideal preparation for the team ahead of the new season. As is tour tradition, the Club will be involved in so much more than the match itself when we visit, supporting charitable causes, celebrating local culture, delivering football clinics for young people and engaging with fans and partners."

• WATCH THE CLIP

Newcastle United have now tabled an offer to sign a new talented defender in January, according to a fresh report, as they look to beat Manchester City to his signature.

Newcastle looking for a new centre-back

It is no secret that Eddie Howe is keen to add another centre-back to his ranks, with the club trying and failing to land Marc Guehi over the summer transfer window.

They could yet return for the Crystal Palace defender, but there is now believed to be more interest in his services, which could make any potential move to Tyneside difficult.

Currently 12th in the Premier League, other sides are in a better position to offer the potential of European football next season, with both Liverpool and Chelsea thought to be weighing up a move for the England international.

This could force Howe’s side to pivot on their transfer targets, and they may instead look for a younger, more promising talent who would command a lesser fee than Guehi, allowing them to spend in other areas of the squad.

Abdukodir Khusanov is one player that the Magpies are considering, while they are believed to hold a long term interest in Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande.

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Howe is keen to add fresh faces to his side in January after he admitted that his squad needed freshness: “I think freshness is important in a squad – I won’t sit here and deny that. Sometimes, the same squad can produce a staleness and a negative product.”

Despite this, it is unclear the budget that the Magpies will have to use in the winter window, which could force them to sign some younger gems rather than established stars. Now, they may have found a potential bargain.

Newcastle make offer to sign young defender

That is according to SportItalia [Via Sport Witness], who report that Eddie Howe’s side have tabled an offer to sign Juma Bah, currently playing in Spain with Real Vallodolid.

The 18 year-old defender is on loan from Sierra Leone side AIK Freetong, and has featured 10 times for his temporary club this season, drawing plenty of admiring glances and being labelled “quality” by his side’s official X account.

Standing at 6 foot 5 inches tall, he is unsurprisingly dominant in the air, winning more aerial duels than Newcastle’s Dan Burn and winning a higher percentage of them too.

Dan Burn

Juma Bah

Appearances

15

9

Tackles and interceptions per 90

1.6

1.97

Pass Accuracy

90.4%

77.4%

Clearances per 90

4.53

6.76

Aerial Duels won per 90

3.33

4.08

Aerial duel % success

64.9%

70.7%

Manchester City are thought to be among his admirers, but Newcastle have looked to beat Pep Guardiola’s side to the punch. According to the report, they have already tabled a €10m bid to sign the defender in the January transfer window.

Any deal would involve Vallodolid having to buy Bah first, before then selling him on at what would likely be a substantial profit. However, Newcastle’s offer was not deemed substantial enough and Vallodolid “turned it down” and are “demanding more money” to let him leave.

Despite this, they are open to letting him leave in January, which could provide an opportunity for any interested party to steal a march on rival interest and land him at a potential bargain fee.

Rangers are eyeing a £5m move for a player backed by legendary manager Jose Mourinho in the January transfer window, a new transfer rumour has claimed.

Latest Rangers news

Philippe Clement took some much-needed pressure off his shoulders on Sunday afternoon, with his Gers side sealing a comfortable 3-0 win away to Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

It was a must-win game for Rangers in the title race, with the victory keeping them 11 points behind Celtic, but they are only now two adrift of Aberdeen with a game in hand. Clement’s job is still far from safe, though, with further improvements needed.

The future of James Tavernier continues to be a major talking point, with the captain far from his best at times this season and also out of contract at the end of the 2025/26 campaign. Should the Englishman depart, a top-quality replacement at right-back will be needed, although Neraysho Kasanwirjo could be considered the best option, with the defender on loan from Feyenoord at Ibrox this season.

Meanwhile, Leeds United attacker Joe Gelhardt has been linked with a January move to Rangers, with former scout Mick Brown claiming he wants to move there, saying: “From what I’m told, he’d be interested in a move. As far as Rangers are concerned, that’s the type of player they have to be looking at. If Leeds let him go in January, even if it’s only on loan, they will be ready to swoop.”

Rangers keen on £5m signing in January

According to Le Courier Europeen [via Rangers News], Rangers are keen on signing Fenerbahce winger Oguz Aydin in the January transfer window. The 24-year-old only joined the Turkish side earlier this year, arriving for £5m, but it is now thought that he could depart for the same amount midway through the season.

Aydin could be just what Rangers are looking for in January, giving their attacking options a boost at a time when a formidable run of form is needed in the league.

The Turkey international has caught the eye of Jose Mourinho during their time together at Fenerbahce this season: “He is a good player physically and tactically and very intelligent. With all due respect to (Vincenzo) Montella (Turkey manager), he should be happy. I suppose the team that did not sign him will be unhappy. We brought him in at the last minute. I asked him to give me time. He was not ready, but, after 4-5 months, he has reached an optimal level. I am very happy for him.”

The fact that Aydin is wanted by some other top clubs suggests that he is a top-quality player, with the likes of Arsenal, Lille and Lazio all thought to be eyeing him up.

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A versatile winger capable of playing on either flank, the Fenerbahce ace has four goal contributions (three goals and one assists) in three Turkish Super Lig starts this season, highlighting the end product he could provide Clement with.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez attempted to cheer Kylian Mbappe up after the Frenchman put in a horror showing against Atletico Madrid.

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• Perez encouraged Mbappe after bad display
• Frenchman wasn't at his best against Atletico
• Failed to scored for the third game in a row

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the Champions League round of 16 first-leg clash on Tuesday evening, but beyond the result a significant moment took place behind the scenes. After the match, Florentino Perez, president of Real Madrid, went to the dressing room to motivate his players, paying particular attention to Kylian Mbappe, who had struggled to make an impact at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  As usual, Perez went down to the dressing room to greet his players and analyse the clash against Atletico. After congratulating Carlo Ancelotti's squad for their efforts, he took the time to talk at length with Mbappe.

  The French striker, who played the full 90 minutes, failed to make the difference against the solid system set up by Diego Simeone, causing some frustration among the Madrid fans. He had the chance to set Vinicius Jr up for the team's third goal, but took a touch too many as Marcos Llorente intercepted the Frenchman's low pass before it could reach the Brazilian.

• WHAT FLORENTINO PEREZ SAID

  Aware of the disappointment visible on Mbappe's face, Perez did not hesitate to offer a few words of encouragement to him, according to information reported by . Recalling the former PSG player's key role in the make-or-break play-off against Manchester City, he told him: "We are here thanks to your three goals against City."

  Despite his poor performance against Atletico, Mbappe retains the total confidence of his president, who reportedly told him: "The next [match] will be better."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR KYLIAN MBAPPE?

  After this European hiccup, Mbappe knows he will be expected to perform in the second leg against Atletico, with Real holding a slender one-goal advantage following Brahim Diaz's winner in midweek. Mbappe will next be in action against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, with Carlo Ancelotti's men having the opportunity to bounce back from last weekend's surprise defeat by Real Betis.