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A player trading model at Glasgow Rangers has been largely non-existent over the previous few years.

The club’s rivals at the other end of the city have sold some of their prized assets when the iron is hot, raking in massive profits in the process.

Indeed, the likes of Kieran Tierney, Jota and Matt O’Riley were all sold for just over £75m. Combine this with the financial rewards on offer in the Champions League, and it is clear to see why Celtic are light years ahead of the Gers, from a financial viewpoint at least.

Under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Rangers sold Nathan Patterson for £16m in January 2022 to Everton.

A few months later, Joe Aribo was offloaded to Southampton for a fee in the region of £10m, while Calvin Bassey became the club’s record sale, moving to Ajax in a deal worth up to £23m.

Since then, the Ibrox side have allowed the contracts of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos to expire. At one time, they were considered the two most bankable stars in the team.

Rangers: Most expensive transfer sales

Rank

Player

Sold to

Date

Fee

1

Calvin Bassey

Ajax

Jul 2022

£19.6m

2

Nathan Patterson

Everton

Jan 2022

£11.5m

3

Alan Hutton

Tottenham

Jan 2008

£9m

4

Giovanni van Bronckhorst

Arsenal

Jun 2001

£8.5m

5

Jean-Alain Boumsong

Newcastle

Jan 2005

£8m

6

Carlos Cuellar

Aston Villa

Aug 2008

£7.8m

7

Barry Ferguson

Blackburn

Aug 2003

£7.5m

8

Tore Andre Flo

Sunderland

Aug 2002

£6.75m

9

Joe Aribo

Southampton

Jul 2022

£6m

10

Nikica Jelavic

Everton

Feb 2012

£5.5m

Last summer, it was revealed that the club brought in just £800k, despite selling Sam Lammers, Connor Goldson, Todd Cantwell and Scott Wright.

Russell Martin must ensure the Gers are selling players at their peak in order to receive the highest possible fee.

Hamza Igamane and Mohamed Diomande have been linked with a move away from Glasgow this summer. It makes sense for Martin to try and hold onto them as long as possible, however.

The case might be different for Nico Raskin. The Belgian was arguably the club’s best player throughout 2024/25. As such, he should command a high fee this summer amid reported interest.

Why Rangers could sell Nico Raskin this summer

Not only did the midfielder take the captaincy at times last season when James Tavernier was injured, he also secured his maiden national team call-up.

Raskin made his debut for Belgium in March against Ukraine and was called up again for the World Cup qualifiers against North Macedonia and Wales recently.

Last month, it was revealed that Aston Villa and Leeds United were showing interest in the former Standard Liege starlet.

Amid this growing interest from the Premier League, TEAMtalk stated that Rangers would expect at least £25m in order to sell Raskin this summer.

This type of money could go a long way, especially as Martin looks set to rebuild a squad that failed to win a trophy last season.

On the other hand, if Raskin stays and enjoys another good season, plus shines for Belgium at the 2026 World Cup, he could potentially attract an even bigger bid.

Much for the new manager to ponder, that’s for sure. What he must do this summer is bring in another midfielder or two in case Raskin does leave the club.

With that in mind, it appears as though the Glasgow giants are after an English starlet who played in the Championship last term.

Rangers search for a midfielder

Martin has set his sights on Flynn Downes this summer in a bid to improve his midfield options. The Southampton star played under the Scot and would be a solid addition to the first team squad at Ibrox.

Transfer Focus

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

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Another player who could make the move is Saints midfielder Shea Charles. He also played under Martin last term and journalist Graeme Bailey is backing the Light Blues to make a move for him this summer amid interest from Leeds United.

“He’s an interesting one. It is more likely that he joins Rangers. He’s not on huge wages and obviously he played under Russell Martin at Southampton.” said Bailey.

The Northern Irishman spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, with the 21-year-old – who joined the Saints for £15m in 2023 – enjoying a productive season.

Bringing in or two temporary signings could mean Martin uses his funds elsewhere. Should Raskin depart in the summer, Charles would be an instant replacement for the Belgian dynamo at the heart of the Rangers midfield.

Why Rangers should sign Shea Charles

Charles played all but three league games for the Owls last term, notching one goal and five assists in the process.

He typically operated in a defensive midfield slot and exuded plenty of the qualities which made Raskin enjoy such a fine season.

When compared to his positional peers in the Championship throughout 2024/25, Charles ranked in the top 9% for interceptions (1.46) per 90, while also ranking in the top 19% for tackles (2.68) per 90 and 7% for percentage of dribblers challenged (63.9%) per 90.

This no-nonsense approach allows Charles to win the ball back once his team have lost it, where he is then able to move it on and start an attack.

The Irishman also won an impressive 6.5 total duels per game last term – a success rate of 59% – while recovering 5.7 balls per game in the second tier.

Amid the interest in the youngster, analyst Kai Watson heaped plenty of praise on the midfielder, saying that “he can do everything”, as a result of his “great physical and technical profile”.

It would be an interesting move to secure the services of the highly-rated player, especially as Leeds United are seemingly keen.

He would add defensive solidity to the midfield and, if Raskin is sold, the midfielder would be an ideal replacement. For that there is no doubt.

Will Martin act swiftly in a bid to bring his former player north of the border? As mentioned, a permanent move may be hard to pull off.

A loan deal, however, could work out perfectly for all parties involved. Charles gets the chance to play in Europe and challenge for trophies, while Rangers manage to utilise a talented young player who could add plenty to the squad.

It’s a no-brainer.

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Arsenal transfer chief Andrea Berta is closing in on his first official signing as new sporting director, as he looks to finalise a deal for one “world-class” player, and the Gunners are said to have already scheduled a medical for him.

Arsenal set to reinforce multiple squad areas this summer

Managr Mikel Arteta is set to be backed to the hilt this summer, with a lot of noise surrounding their pursuit of a new forward, both out wide and in terms of a striker.

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The north Londoners are moving ahead with ambitious summer plans.

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Talks have been held over a move for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, while extremely strong links continue to surround RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, with the reliable David Ornstein expecting Berta to sign one of the centre-forward pair.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

However, the midfield area is also set to be strengthened.

Jorginho is out of contract in the summer and has agreed to join Flamengo in time for the Club World Cup, while uncertainty continues to surround Thomas Partey’s long-term future with no deal struck on fresh terms as yet.

This makes the signing of Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi all the more imperative, and following months of negotiations, they appear set to get their man through the door, despite reports this week that Real Madrid still pose a threat.

Fabrizio Romano gave his famous ‘here we go’ to Zubimendi’s Arsenal transfer, but reports in Spain carried on to suggest that Los Blancos could still hijack the £51 million deal.

However, BBC journalist Sami Mokbel’s latest update on the saga has now seemingly removed all doubt.

Martin Zubimendi set for Arsenal medical with paperwork finalised

According to the reporter, Arsenal have scheduled an imminent medical for Zubimendi, and once it is completed, the Gunners will announce his signing in a major boost for Arteta.

“Martin Zubimendi set for medical before completing switch to Arsenal,” said Mokbel.

“All relevant paperwork with Real Sociedad has been completed. Announcement pending successful medical.”

The 26-year-old, one year after he snubbed a move to Liverpool, is now on the verge of signing for Arsenal and seriously reinforcing Arteta’s midfield options ahead of a potentially more successful Premier League title challenge next season.

Called “world-class” by Kieran Tierney, Zubimendi has also been labelled world football’s “second-best” midfielder.

“For me, Martín is the second-best player in the world. We are incredibly lucky to have these two, who I consider the best players in the world.” said Spain boss Luis de la Fuente on Zubimendi and Rodri.

“But we also have other fantastic players who’ve been here and are with us now—another fantastic player, Pepelu hasn’t come yet, but he’s been called up with us.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers have avoided relegation back down to the Championship and will be competing in the Premier League once again next season.

Vitor Pereira has left the club to safety and will now have the chance to bring his own players to Molineux in his first summer transfer window with the Old Gold.

The Portuguese head coach, however, may also have to contend with some of his star players moving on from the club, including Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Why Rayan Ait-Nouri could leave Wolves

The Telegraph recently reported that Wolves want to offer the defender a new deal, but that there is still doubt over his future at the club due to interest from elsewhere.

It was revealed that Manchester City and Liverpool have both sent scouts to watch the Algeria international, who is valued at £50m by Wolves, in action this season.

Ait-Nouri, who produced three goals and two assists in all competitions last season, has improved his output at the top end of the pitch, with a return of five goals and seven assists for the Old Gold this term.

His form has attracted interest from two of the best teams in the Premier League, which is why he could be on his way out of the club in the summer if significant bids come in for him.

Journalist Graeme Bailey recently revealed that Wolves are keeping tabs on Sunderland defender Dennis Cirkin, and a move for the Englishman could allow the club to forget all about Ait-Nouri.

Why Wolves should sign Dennis Cirkin

Wolves should swoop to sign the Black Cats star in the summer transfer window because it would ease the blow of losing the Algerian left-back to Liverpool or Manchester City.

Transfer Focus

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

Cirkin, who was hailed as “eye-catching” by pundit Sam Parkin, was described as “the best full-back in the Championship” by journalist Josh Bunting, which speaks to how impressive the full-back has been in the second tier.

The 23-year-old ace, who has helped his side to keep 11 clean sheets in 30 starts, is an excellent defender who could offer more solidity down the left flank than Ait-Nouri currently does for Pereira.

Appearances

34

36

Tackles per game

2.4

2.5

Interceptions per game

0.7

1.2

Clearances per game

1.7

2.6

Ground duel success rate

55%

55%

Aerial duel success rate

42%

44%

Red cards

1

0

As you can see in the table above, the Sunderland dynamo has the potential to offer more to the team from a defensive perspective because he makes tackles, interceptions, and clearances more frequently, while also winning a higher percentage of his aerial contests.

Cirkin can also maraud forward to make an impact at the top end of the pitch, having scored three goals and provided two assists in the Championship this term, which means that he could still offer a threat going forward as well.

Of course, the caveat is that the former Spurs youngster is currently playing in the second tier and is an unproven quantity in the Premier League, but he is a young player with time left ahead of him to develop and improve and has shown plenty of promising signs in a Sunderland shirt.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers might be about to land their next Morgan Gibbs-White if this deal is successful.

ByKelan Sarson May 7, 2025

Therefore, Wolves could forget all about Ait-Nouri, and sanction a sale for the defender, if they can strike an agreement with the Black Cats to bring the impressive Cirkin to the Molineux this summer.

Also, some numbers on India’s left-hand batting dominance and KL Rahul’s role

Sampath Bandarupalli27-Jul-20252:09

Manjrekar: ‘Warriors’ keep sprouting for India when needed

2 – Number of Tests involving England ending in draws since Brendon McCullum became their head coach. This was the 40th Test under McCullum. The other draw was against Australia in 2023, also at Old Trafford.ESPNcricinfo Ltd7 – Number of 350-plus totals for India in the four Test so far, the most for a team in a Test series. The previous best was six, by Australia, who have done it three times in the Ashes, in 1920-21, 1948, and 1989.This series is also the first instance of India crossing 300 on seven occasions in a series. Eight is the record.0 – Instances of a team winning a Test match at Old Trafford after choosing to bowl first. Teams electing to bowl first here have lost three of the 12, while nine ended in draws.The latest result continued India’s winless run at Old Trafford, where they have played ten matches, the most by them at a venue without a win.ESPNcricinfo Ltd4 – Number of hundreds for Shubman Gill in the series, the joint-highest by an India batter in a series. Sunil Gavaskar had four hundreds against West Indies in 1971 and 1978-79, while Virat Kohli also scored four on the 2014-15 tour of Australia.Gill is also only the third captain with four hundreds in a Test series, following Don Bradman against India in 1947-48 and Gavaskar against West Indies in 1978-79.Gill’s four hundreds are also the joint-highest in a series in England. Bradman (in 1930) is the only other visiting batter with four hundreds in a series in England.ESPNcricinfo Ltd722 – Runs scored by Gill in this series. Only Gavaskar has scored more runs in a Test series for India – 774 in 1970 and 732 in 1978-79; both against West Indies.188 – The partnership between Gill and KL Rahul is by far the highest third-wicket stand in Test cricket history after being two-down for zero. The previous highest was 105 by Mohinder Amarnath and GR Viswanath against Australia in Melbourne in 1977.Gill and Rahul batted 417 balls together during their partnership. It is the longest Test partnership for India in England since 1998.9 – 50-plus scores for Ravindra Jadeja in Tests in England, all while batting at No. 6 or lower, the joint-highest by a visiting player alongside Garry Sobers. Jadeja and Sobers are also the only visiting players with 1000-plus runs from No. 6 or lower in England.Jadeja also has 34 wickets in England. Only two visiting players have taken more wickets while scoring 1000-plus runs in a country: Wilfred Rhodes (1032 runs and 42 wickets in Australia) and Sobers (1820 runs and 62 wickets in England).511 – Runs aggregated by Rahul in this series so far. He is the first visiting opener to score 500-plus runs in a Test series since Graeme Smith’s 714 in 2003. Only Gavaskar among India openers (542 in 1979) has scored more than Rahul in a series in England.Four India batters have aggregated 400-plus runs in this series – Gill, Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Jadeja, the first such instance for them. The previous series in which four (or more) batters scored 400-plus runs for a team was in 1993 – six Australia batters did it in the Ashes that year.4 – Instances of India knocking off a 300-plus first-innings deficit to draw a Test match. The highest is 368 against England – also at Old Trafford in 1936 – while they overhauled 334 against Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad and 314 against New Zealand in Napier, both in 2009.3 – Century-makers in the second innings for India at Old Trafford – Gill, Jadeja and Washington. It is the first instance of three batters scoring hundreds for India in the second innings of a Test match.Ravindra Jadeja celebrates his well-deserved century•Getty Images1 – Five left-hand India batters – Yashasvi Jaiswal, B Sai Sudharsan and Pant in the first innings, while Washington Sundar and Jadeja in the second innings – had 50-plus scores in the Old Trafford Test. Only once before have five left-hand batters scored at least 50 for a team in a Test.Seven left-hand batters got at least 50 runs at Old Trafford, including Ben Duckett and Ben Stokes, the most for a Test match.A total of 12 batters got past 50 across both teams. This is the joint-second-highest, behind the 13 by South Africa and England in Durban in 1939.Seven of them at Old Trafford were by India batters, the joint-most for them in a Test match. Only Pakistan (eight vs India in 2006 in Karachi) had more players with 50-plus scores.5 – Number of sessions where India batted 20-plus overs without losing a wicket at Old Trafford. Since the start of 2014, only one team has had as many wicketless sessions in a Test match – six by Pakistan against Australia in 2022 in Rawalpindi. No other team have been as strong in more than three sessions in a Test match in this period.ESPNcricinfo Ltd12 – Batters who have scored a century in this series. Australia’s tour of the West Indies in 1955 is the only other series to feature 12 century-makers.A total of 18 centuries have been scored in this series so far, the third-highest in a Test series. Eleven have come from India, the joint-highest for them in a Test series, alongside the 1978-79 home series against West Indies.

A fourth win in as many Tests at this venue has led to calls for the venue to become the first port of call for visiting teams

Alex Malcolm17-Dec-2023Australia might have found its new fortress. The Gabba, colloquially called the Gabbatoir, was once the first bastion for touring teams to breach, and Australia’s gladiators would invite them in like lambs to the slaughter.They would break their opponents’ spirits in the first five days of a tour on a fast, bouncy pitch under a harsh, unforgiving sun and send them on their way around the country for two or four more defeats.But the Gabba has only once hosted the opening Test of an Australian summer since India felled the fortress in the fourth Test of the 2020-21 series.Related

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• Nathan Lyon joins 500 Test-wicket club as Australia crush Pakistan in Perth

Perth’s Optus Stadium, with its equally harsh sun, bright light, and its steep and at times unpredictable bounce is fast becoming Australia’s favourite place to play at home after they poleaxed Pakistan inside four days, bowling them out for 89 in the fourth innings to set up a 360-run win and leave the tourists pondering how on earth they can win down under.It has raised thoughts inside the Australian camp about whether Perth should be the starting point for every major home series, with India looming on the horizon next summer. Captain Pat Cummins was diplomatic, but he revealed that there are others within his dressing room who believe that the visiting team’s first port should be at Perth Stadium.”I don’t have a strong opinion on that,” Cummins said after the win. “I know a few other people do. And I think the last few years, most wickets here, Adelaide’s always a great wicket, the Gabba is always pretty good. MCG is good. They’re all, I think, quite Australian fast, bouncy wickets with a bit of sideways movement. So I’m not too fussed wherever it is to be honest.”Australia’s record at Perth’s new venue is imposing. Four Test matches, four victories, the closest margin being 146 runs. It is an upgrade on the old WACA ground, which had a fiery reputation but had mellowed in its old age with Australia beaten there four times this century including once by India.The blueprint has been the same in each match at the new stadium. Bat first and post an above-par score on a surface that has offered plenty of pace and bounce for the quicks if they put it in the right areas. Then Australia’s attack goes to work on a pitch they love bowling on to take 20 wickets against opponents who simply can’t handle the steep bounce and pace of the surface as it continues to get more unpredictable as the game wears on.Australia’s bowlers would roll up this pitch and take it with them wherever they go.”Every week,” Cummins said. “It would be lovely.Pat Cummins says it ‘would be lovely’ to play in Perth ‘every week’•Getty Images”After the first few days, I think there was 12 wickets that fell, but I think they could have easily been 20. I thought it was a really good, even contest. There’s some runs to be scored there but also it felt like as a bowler if you got in the right areas there’s something in it for the whole innings. It probably broke up today in particular a lot more than I thought it would. There were some big cracks and there’s a bit more up and down than I was expecting but overall I thought it was a good wicket.”But the secret to Australia’s success is not just that their bowlers love it, but that their opponents do not know how to bat here as well as Australia’s players do. There is a specific blueprint to batting in Perth. There are plenty of runs to be had if you do your homework and follow the rules. But Pakistan’s players had not done their homework. Shan Masood was one of only two batters to have played on this pitch before in a tour match against Australia A in 2019.But he committed a cardinal sin in Perth in both innings, driving on the up away from his body to nick off twice in the match. Australia’s players simply do not take that risk in Perth due to the extra bounce. David Warner and Mitchell Marsh only drove balls that were genuine half-volleys. They left a lot of good-length balls. They sweated on chest- and shoulder-high short balls and played them with fully committed horizontal-bat shots. Anything higher was ducked under. Usman Khawaja hung back on the back foot and used the pace to deflect during his second innings of 90, rather than trying to force on the up as the pitch became more unpredictable on day four.Pakistan’s batters propped forward time and again to balls climbing from a good length to provide catching practice off the shoulder of the bat or gloves to a cordon standing halfway to the fence.Nathan Lyon, who took his 500th Test wicket on day four, praised the batters for setting up the game.”I don’t think we’re talking enough about the partnership between Usman and Mitch Marsh on a challenging wicket against quality bowlers,” Lyon said. “To have a hundred-run partnership and give Pat the chance to declare and put us in a really strong position in the game, I feel like their batting performance in this game, hats off to them, that’s what as bowlers we love to see.”Just like Australia’s batters and bowlers are challenged when they head to the subcontinent, they have no qualms about inflicting the same pain on opponents on pitches like the one in Perth.”We know from travelling overseas, you go to foreign conditions and if you’re a batter and you don’t score runs, you start questioning things,” Cummins said. “As a bowler, if you haven’t had a huge impact you start looking at your own game perhaps a bit more than you do at home. So we love those conditions. We know those conditions really well. I think that’s what makes playing and winning away from home so difficult.”

Also, which record will be broken at the World Cup? And which young player is one to watch? ESPNcricinfo staff make their picks

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Mar-2022Who are the dark horses to challenge Australia for the title?
Valkerie Baynes: New Zealand. The hosts are peaking at the right time with Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates hitting top form with the bat. A nine-wicket warm-up win over the Aussies will boost the hosts’ confidence no end.Annesha Ghosh: New Zealand, India, and South Africa. They are all on an equal footing heading into the tournament and are likely to push defending champions England for a knockouts spot.Andrew McGlashan: New Zealand. The hosts are coming off an impressive 4-1 series win over India and made quite the statement by chasing down 322 against Australia in their last warm-up. A top order of Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr and Amy Satterthwaite is very strong.Firdose Moonda: South Africa S Sudarshanan: New Zealand or South Africa. I think England lack the consistency and firepower, while I am not entirely convinced about India this time.Related

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Who do you think will be player of the tournament?
Baynes: You could pick a swathe of Australian players to be fair, but Meg Lanning is just so tough – and reliable with the bat – that you’d back her to withstand the pressure an “overwhelming favourites” tag carries and to marshal her side to do the same.Ghosh: India’s Deepti Sharma or New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr. Both spin-bowling allrounders are critical to the chances of their sides and come into the tournament in form.McGlashan: Meg Lanning. This is a defining tournament for her team and her legacy. After the semi-final exit in 2017 she won’t want another to slip away.Moonda: Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa’s in-form opener.Sudarshanan: Beth Mooney has been quite a run-machine, so I would pick her, given Australia are the favourites. If I had to go left-field, I would go with Pakistan’s young seamer Fatima Sana.Which young star are you most looking forward to watching?
Baynes: India’s Richa Ghosh. This 18-year-old, who only made her ODI debut in September against Australia, provides plenty of scoring power in the middle order. A run-a-ball 65 and rapid-fire 52 off 29 – India’s fastest fifty in the format – against hosts New Zealand last month showed she’s in fine touch.Ghosh: Fatima Sana, the 2021 ICC Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year. In pace-friendly New Zealand conditions, Sana, 20, could test the top orders of all teams.McGlashan: She has been around for a considerable time, but Amelia Kerr is still only 21 and looks to have taken her batting to another level this year.Moonda: Fatima SanaSudarshanan: Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh and Fatima SanaWhich group-stage match is a must watch?
Baynes: England vs India on March 16 – a replay of the 2017 final. The sides were quite well matched as recently as the 2021 English summer when the hosts won their series 2-1 with India squeezing the contest after a heavy defeat in the first match.Ghosh: New Zealand vs Australia on March 13. New Zealand bossed the most successful ODI side in their warm-up on March 1, with captain Sophie Devine leading their successful 322 chase with a fiery 161 not out. Australia are not invincible, and New Zealand look the most likely side to expose their frailties.McGlashan: Australia-England early in the competition (March 5). The first match for both sides. It was all Australia during the recent ODIs in the Ashes but can the defending champions make an early mark?Moonda: South Africa-West Indies on March 24 (they’ve had two Super Overs in their history!)Sudarshanan: India vs Pakistan, on March 6, could be interesting, given they hardly play each other.Which record do you think may be broken at this World Cup?
Baynes: Highest successful women’s ODI chase. Australia posted 289 for 6 to defeat New Zealand in Sydney back in 2012, and the White Ferns moved to second on the list with their 280 for 7 to beat India in Queenstown a fortnight ago, while Auckland and Mount Maunganui also feature in the top-five.Ghosh: Five of the top 10 highest successful chases in women’s ODIs have been recorded during the past 12 months, so chances are the record will be broken more than once at this edition.McGlashan: The record for sixes was smashed in 2017 with 111 and it could well go again this time.Moonda: Best economy rate in an ODI.Sudarshanan: Given the stage women’s ODIs are at, I think the record of the highest successful chase definitely will be broken.

After smashing his 400th career home run on Saturday night, Angels right fielder Mike Trout shared an emotional message for his family, friends and fans on social media on Sunday.

"400. Last night was surreal," Trout said, alongside a special video montage. "Blessed to play this game I love. Thank you to my teammates, family, and the fans for all the support. Let's keep it rolling!"

Check that out below:

The 11-time All Star's 400th career dinger, which was his 22nd of the season, came in the eighth inning of Saturday's game against the Rockies: a 485-footer to left-center field off a 98-mph pitch from Colorado reliever Jaden Hill. Later, Trout played catch with the fan who caught the ball.

"It's one of the things coming into the season that was on the list," Trout said of the achievement, per ESPN. "I'm just happy it's over. I'm enjoying it, obviously. It sucks the family wasn't out here, but they watched it on TV. My boys back home, my two sons, and my wife got to see it on TV. My buddies back home and my family back home in Jersey, they can stop texting me to hit the 400th. It means a lot to me."

Although the Angels won 3-0 on Saturday (a fitting present for Trout), they still finished the three game series 1-2, as the Rockies proved victorious on Friday and Sunday.

Next up, L.A. will host the Royals starting Tuesday, when Trout could add another homer or two to his already impressive tally.

Sydney Sixers rising star Caoimhe Bray needed to be told she’d taken a hat-trick as the 16-year-old added another WBBL highlight in a thumping derby defeat of Sydney Thunder.Bray took a wicket on the last ball of her second over and the first two of her next over in Sydney on Saturday, the third thanks to a fantastic diving catch at point from Erin Burns. The excitement of that wicket may have been to blame for Bray and her team-mates’ poor maths, who were all shocked to hear of the feat when the ground announcer informed them over the speakers.Bray is also the Junior Matildas goalkeeper and hit the winning runs as a 15-year-old in her WBBL debut last year. She took a classic catch earlier in this tournament and on Saturday finished with 4 for 15 from her four overs and Thunder were restricted to 118 for 8 chasing Sixers’ 142 for 9.”It’s pretty crazy. I didn’t realise; one of those weird ones that was at the end of the over,” Bray said. “I want to play sport professionally for as long as I can (but) oh yeah, it’ll definitely have to come [to a decision between football and cricket].”Women’s sport is getting more and more professional. If you want to go to the highest level, you can’t be doing that forever.”Maitlan Brown was also effective on a night that favoured the bowlers but Sixers will wait on scans for New Zealand allrounder Amelia Kerr, who injured her quad in the warm-up and was forced out of the game.Sixers had Sophia Dunkley (43 off 35) and Mady Villiers (24 not out) to thank for scraping together their total, while Alyssa Healy (26 off 15) threatened to explode.But Thunder’s star-studded batting order failed to fire in reply, with 18-year-old debutant Lucy Finn (49 not out off 34 balls) valiant in a losing cause after they had slipped to 49 for 7.Finn (1 for 27) also picked up Ashleigh Gardner’s wicket but Thunder joined Brisbane Heat at three defeats in three outings.

Kylian Mbappe has publicly vented his frustration after Real Madrid dropped more La Liga points in a 1-1 draw with Girona, allowing Barcelona to remain top of the table. The French superstar scored but was left visibly irritated as Madrid recorded a third-straight away stalemate, prompting him to declare that the team “needs to change the dynamic” amid growing pressure on Xabi Alonso.

• Real Madrid draw with Girona – Barca go top of La Liga

  Real Madrid failed to reclaim top spot in La Liga after being held by Girona, marking their third consecutive away match without a victory. Azzedine Ounahi’s powerful first-half finish stunned Alonso’s side, who struggled for rhythm and control in a hotly contested game. Mbappe levelled the score from the penalty spot, but his influence was limited as Madrid lacked precision and dominance in the crucial phases.

  The result came a day after Barcelona beat Alaves at Camp Nou, meaning Los Blancos now sit second, one point behind the defending champions in a title race that is tightening rapidly. Real Madrid saw a Vinicius Junior goal ruled out, an Mbappe strike disallowed due to handball, and required Thibaut Courtois to make vital saves to avoid defeat. Despite some late pressure, their final efforts lacked composure, reflecting a deeper trend of attacking inconsistency away from home.

  The stalemate has further intensified scrutiny on head coach Alonso, whose team has dropped the five-point lead they held following El Clasico despite promising early signs in the campaign. Ahead of a demanding clash at San Mames against Athletic Club, concerns are growing around Madrid’s form, concentration levels and inability to assert themselves on their travels. With Barcelona continuing to capitalise, every dropped point now feels increasingly significant.

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  Mbappe vents his frustration at Real Madrid's form

  Mbappe voiced his anger on Instagram after the match, making clear that the team’s performance levels are far from acceptable during this crucial stretch. He wrote: “This isn’t the result we wanted tonight… We need to change the dynamic and show who we are as a team.”

  The Frenchman was particularly disappointed after a night in which he scored but struggled to impose himself consistently due to Girona’s compact defensive shape. “Absolutely not the result we wanted tonight, but the league is still on and very long,” he added, reiterating the importance of keeping perspective.

  Despite scoring his 14th league goal of the season, Mbappe lamented how little influence he had in open play as he was constantly crowded out and deprived of service. He has been in exceptional scoring form, including a recent four-goal haul against Olympiacos, but this match once again highlighted Madrid’s struggle to build fluid attacking moves on the road.

• Madrid's dip in form piles the pressure on Alonso

  Madrid’s recent dip in form has created a delicate moment in what was expected to be a strong transitional campaign under Alonso. Their away performances have lacked tempo, sharpness and the assertiveness that previously defined their early-season success. While the team remains firmly in the title race, the accumulation of draws has placed extra weight on every upcoming fixture.

  The Girona match exposed familiar issues: an inconsistent midfield structure, a reliance on individual moments rather than sustained patterns, and an inability to maintain control over 90 minutes. The atmosphere at Montilivi appeared to unsettle the players as they struggled to dictate play with the authority usually expected of them.

  Yet amid the frustration, Mbappe continues to rewrite record books, joining Cristiano Ronaldo as only the second player to score more than 53 goals in a calendar year for Real Madrid. His productivity remains extraordinary even as the team around him falters.

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• Real travel to San Mames up next in must-win clash

  Madrid face a challenging trip to San Mames to meet Athletic Club next, a stadium where points are notoriously difficult to secure and away sides can wilt in the face of the intense atmosphere. Alonso has urged unity and renewed intensity as the squad aims to avoid extending their winless away run. With Barcelona now setting the pace, Madrid must respond immediately to prevent the current dip from evolving into a full-blown crisis.

We are deep into the international break now and yet, Daniel Farke still remains in the Leeds United dug-out.

If there were an apt time to get rid of the under-fire German, it would have been during this big gap in fixtures in the Premier League.

However, he has managed to see out the break – for now – without feeling the wrath of the 49ers, as he attempts to get back to winning ways against Aston Villa up next, when the hustle and bustle of the top-flight returns.

He will need summer recruit Noah Okafor back to his rampaging best down the left flank to secure a surprise result against Unai Emery’s visitors, with the Swiss continuing to stick out as one bright spark, even as the losses begin to stack up high.

How Okafor's start compares to Leeds wingers of days gone by

Already, the former AC Milan attacker has captured the hearts of the hardened Elland Road masses, with Leeds content creator Oscar Marrio even hailing him as a “difference maker” down the left flank.

Indeed, the £18m summer arrival is constantly trying to carve out openings and excite the Leeds fans watching on, with a whopping 12 dribbles attempted in November, even as his new employers fell to back-to-back away defeats.

Okafor also has the goals to back up his tricks and flicks, with two goals already put away by the hard-to-contain 25-year-old from eight Premier League contests.

But, how does his electric start to life in England compare to other notable wingers who previously called West Yorkshire home?

Amazingly, before he went on to reach “world-class” heights at Barcelona – as Brazil icon Romario stated – Raphinha would ply his trade for the Whites, with 17 goals and 12 assists collected from 67 matches in total.

Yet, he would only tally up one goal from his first eight Leeds appearances in the Premier League, with zero assists also next to his name.

Even more staggeringly, Luis Sinisterra – who only made 16 top-flight appearances for Leeds – managed a more impactful start than his Brazilian counterpart, with two goals fired home from his opening six matches, also seeing him surpass Okafor’s early numbers.

Back to the present, however, while Farke will be overjoyed with Okafor for the most part, he will still be feeling the strain of the right wing spot in his starting XI.

Leeds loanee is outperforming Okafor

Farke continues to persist with the likes of Brenden Aaronson on the right, despite his up-and-down reputation on English shores continuing into this season.

Only one goal has come the American’s way this campaign in league action, with Joe Gelhardt – on the other hand – full to the brim with goals and assists galore out on loan at Leeds’ Yorkshire neighbours in Hull City.

He might well be somewhat of a forgotten name now at Elland Road, but Gelhardt – who has eight Premier League goal contributions under his belt – is tearing apart the Championship at the moment with the Tigers, as classy dinked finishes such as his fine effort against Portsmouth become customary.

Hull manager in Sergej Jakirovic, when speaking to Croatian outlet Jutarnji, has even stated that the Liverpool-born star goes about his business on the pitch “in the style of legendary Dennis Bergkamp”. Leeds would surely benefit from having their classy 23-year-old attacker back at his parent club, therefore, if his glowing praise is anything to go by.

Gelhardt at Hull
Position	Games	Goals + Assists
AM	6	2 + 0
RM	6	4 + 2
CF	1	1 + 0
Sourced by Transfermarkt

The numbers back up all the wild praise, too, with Gelhardt now up to a stunning seven goals and two assists already in league action, despite lining up for just 15 matches.

This also means the one-time England U20 international is outperforming Okafor back at Elland Road, with the temptation surely there to recall Gelhardt from his loan at the Tigers, to see if he can impress in the league above, again, and fix Farke’s Aaronson-related woes.

Really, this should be no surprise to those who saw him tearing things up on the youth pitches at Wigan Athletic. He scored ten goals in one match against Huddersfield at U14s and was said to be on par with Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard.

“Very few players stand out at 14. Steven Gerrard did in my first season, Rooney and certainly Joe [Gelhardt],” long-time Merseyside Boys’ manager Tim Wyatt once stated.

Reports do suggest Leeds have a small window right at the start of the upcoming transfer window to recall the reinvigorated 23-year-old if they so desire, with Gelhardt and Okafor on either flank back at Leeds a terrifying prospect.

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