Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani finished last season by winning his first World Series. He led the National League with 54 home runs and created the 50/50 club by becoming the first player in baseball history to have 50-plus home runs and 50-plus stolen bases.
This year he hopes to do it all again while coming off an injury suffered in the World Series. And he's going to return to the mound where he was a Cy Young candidate with the Los Angeles Angels.
On Friday Ohtani hit his first home run of the year, an opposite field blast off Yusei Kikuchi in his first at-bat of spring training. If he keeps up this pace he's going to set some kind of record.
Another year. Another incredible sound as the ball hits his bat and then ends up over the fence.
Ohtani has hit 178 home runs over the last four years. Last year he won MVP and took two out of three legs of the Triple Crown. Maybe this season things will finally start to come together for him.
As youngest Youth ODI century-maker, 14-year-old Suryavanshi’s 52-ball ton comes in 55-run win for India
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay05-Jul-2025
Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest Youth ODI century-maker•MB Media/Getty Images
India Under-19 363 for 9 (Suryavanshi 143, Malhotra 129, Home 4-63, Morgan 3-54) beat England Under-19 308 (Flintoff 107, Dawkins 67, Moores 52, Pushpak 3-63) by 55 runsFourteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi struck the fastest ever Youth ODI century – from 52 balls – as India U19 beat England U19 by 55 runs in Worcester to secure a series victory.India’s total of 363 for 9 featured two brilliant centuries. Suryavanshi smashed a blistering 143 from 78 balls and Vihaan Malhotra compiled a high-class 129 from 121 as they built a second-wicket partnership of 219 in 24 overs.That left India, at 233 for 1 after 27 overs, eyeing 400-plus but England fought back well as Worcestershire’s Jack Home took 4 for 63 and Middlesex seamer Sebastian Morgan added 3 for 54.
England replied with 308 all out from 45.2 overs after they failed to build on a century opening stand from Kent’s Ben Dawkins (67) and Lancashire’s Joe Moores (52). Rocky Flintoff’s defiant 107 was thereafter largely unsupported against a well-drilled India attack with captain Thomas Rew perishing in the most unfortunate way for just 19, run out backing up.The victory leaves India 3-1 up in the five-match series which concludes back at Visit Worcestershire New Road on Monday.England chose to field and struck an early blow when Ayush Mhatre lifted James Minto to long leg. That paved the way for Suryavanshi who become the youngest ever Youth ODI century-maker with an onslaught which included 13 fours and ten sixes. His truly memorable innings contained no slogging, just a sublime exhibition of power, timing and placement.With Suryavanshi and Malhotra in full flow, the sky appeared the limit for India, but England hit back with a burst of three wickets for one run in 11 balls. Ben Mayes made the vital breakthrough by having Suryavanshi calmly caught by Joe Moores in the deep. That over transpired to be a wicket maiden which Morgan followed up in the next by bowling Rahul Kumar and Harvansh Pangalia with successive balls.Abhigyan Kundu helped Malhotra rebuild with a stand of 93 in 13 overs but Home, on his home ground, having taken some punishment in his first spell, applied a brake on the late-innings charge by taking four wickets in three overs.England’s reply was solidly launched by Moores and Dawkins who added 104 in 14 overs before spinner Naman Pushpak took wickets with successive balls.Moores lifted to long on and Mayes fell lbw, first ball. Dawkins, sketchy at first, passed 50 from 41 balls and was looking increasingly fluent when he hoisted Chauhan to long off.Flintoff and Rew crafted a promising stand of 60 in nine overs before Lady Luck intervened on the tourists’ behalf. Flintoff, having just reached a 41-ball half-century, straight-drove Yudhajit Guha who parried the ball on the stumps, leaving the luckless Rew stranded and run out.A very different run out followed when Albert perished having been called for an impossible single by Flintoff. A third successive run out – Albert scuppered by a direct hit by Malhotra – left Flintoff and the tail needing to find 105 from 10 overs. The Lancashire player reached an 88-ball century but India closed out victory with impressive and relentless efficiency.
قدّم نادي بايرن ميونخ الألماني احتجاجًا فوريًا قبل مباراة الفريق أمام باريس سان جيرمان الفرنسي في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
ويحل بايرن ميونخ ضيفًا على باريس سان جيرمان، على ملعب “حديقة الأمراء” ضمن مباريات مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
واحتج بايرن ميونخ على قرار شرطة باريس التي أصدرت قرارًا مفاجئًا قبل مباراة باريس سان جيرمان في دوري الأبطال، بفرض قيود على حركة جماهير بايرن، منها تجمع حافلاتهم خارج المدينة واستخدام وسائل النقل العامة فقط للوصول للملعب.
واعتبر بايرن ميونخ القرار متأخرًا وغير مقبول، وقدّم احتجاجًا رسميًا لليويفا وسيتخذ إجراءات قانونية، وقد دعم باريس سان جيرمان دعم موقفه.
ونتيجة القرار، ستغادر حافلات جماهير بايرن ميونخ، مدينة باريس في وقت متأخر جدًا بعد المباراة، حوالي الخامسة صباحًا.
اقرأ أيضًا | إنريكي يكشف موقف ديمبلي من مواجهة بايرن ميونخ.. ويؤكد: مجموعتنا الأصعب في دوري الأبطال
وجاء بيان بايرن ميونخ على النحو التالي:
“أصدرت شرطة باريس أمراً عاماً في اللحظات الأخيرة بعد ظهر يوم الاثنين بشأن مباراة دوري أبطال أوروبا بين بايرن ميونخ وباريس سان جيرمان في ملعب حديقة الأمراء.
يُنظّم هذا الأمر تنقلات المشجعين ويُنشئ نقطة تفتيش للشرطة، بعد إبلاغه بهذا الإجراء المفاجئ اليوم فقط، قدّم بايرن ميونخ احتجاجاً فورياً في اجتماع الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم (يويفا) اليوم، وسيتخذ إجراءات قانونية إضافية، ويدعم باريس سان جيرمان بايرن ميونخ في هذا الأمر.
ينطبق هذا الأمر العام على جميع حافلات المشجعين، ويفرض عليهم التجمع عند نقطة تحصيل رسوم الطرق خارج المدينة قبل المباراة.
كما ينصّ، من بين أمور أخرى، على وجوب استخدام جميع مشجعي بايرن الآخرين لوسائل النقل العام للوصول إلى الملعب، بعد المباراة، يجب على الجميع العودة إلى وسائل النقل الأصلية، وستقوم الشرطة بمرافقة الحافلات إلى خارج المدينة.
يُعدّ هذا الإشعار المُبكر للأمر غير مقبول بالنسبة لبايرن ميونخ، فكما هو الحال مع جميع مباريات أبطال ألمانيا القياسيين، كانت جميع المعلومات ذات الصلة متاحة بشفافية منذ أسابيع.
علاوة على ذلك، لم يكن هناك أي تغيير في وضع المخاطر فيما يتعلق بمشجعي نادي بايرن ميونخ منذ آخر لقاء في باريس عام 2023.
وبسبب اللوائح الرسمية، لا يُتوقع أن تتمكن حافلات المشجعين من مغادرة باريس حتى ساعات الصباح الباكر، من حوالي الساعة 5 صباحًا، لبدء رحلتهم إلى منازلهم، بسبب قيود وقت القيادة”.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) Virat Kohli leads the list with 505 runs from 11 innings, and Gujarat Titans’ (GT) B Sai Sudharsan is second, just one run behind from one fewer innings. Mumbai Indians’ (MI) Suryakumar Yadav is at No. 3 with 475 runs.Just two runs behind Suryakumar Yadav is Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. He has 473 runs from 12 innings. GT’s Jos Buttler (470) and Shubman Gill (465) are fifth and sixth on this table, respectively.
Purple Cap table
GT’s Prasidh Krishna continues to lead the table with 19 wickets from ten games, while RCB’s Josh Hazlewood is second with 18 wickets, also from ten outings.Arshdeep Singh is third on the list after his three-for against Lucknow Super Giants in Dharamsala. He has 16 wickets in 11 matches. There are two other players on 16 wickets along with Arshdeep – Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) Noor Ahmad and MI’s Trent Boult. But Arshdeep remains above them because of his superior economy rate.You can also take a look at what the ESPNcricinfo MVP table looks like at this stage.Here are some other IPL 2025 tables.
England fans furiously chanted at Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel during their 5-0 win over Latvia in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. The Three Lions booked their place at the World Cup next year with a thumping result in Riga. After missing the Wales friendly through an ankle injury, captain Harry Kane returned to the lineup with a bang as he scored a brace in a dominating performance.
Tuchel furious with Wembley support after Wales friendly
After their 3-0 win over neighbours Wales in the international friendly at home last week, Tuchel took aim at the 'silent' England fans at Wembley as he claimed that the home crowd could have done more to motivate his side. He told after the game: "We had one-and-a-half training days to prepare against a well-trained team and we did very, very well. We had an excellent first half, we were 3-0 up very quickly but it could have been four or five. It was very, very good. Then we couldn’t score the fourth one or the fifth one and the stadium was silent. Silent! We never got any energy back from the fans and I think the players delivered a lot to get more from the fans. “It was difficult to keep everything going in the second half but we did excellent and deserved to win. A step in the right direction. What more can you give in 20 minutes? We didn't let them escape. If you hear just Wales fans for half an hour, it's sad, because the team deserved more support today."
AdvertisementGetty Images SportEngland fans chant back at Tuchel
Now it was the Three Lions fans' turn to give it back to their manager as a large group of English supporters turned up at the Daugava Stadium in Riga to support their team. As England kept scoring goals, the fans were heard chanting: "We'll sing when we want, we'll sing when we want, Thomas Tuchel, we'll sing when we want!" They also jokingly sang: "Are we loud enough for you?" The fans also came up with an X-rated chant, as they sang: "Our support is f*cking sh*t!"
Tuchel, though, was not bothered by the fans' chants aimed at him as he gave a thumbs-up to the visiting fans. After Anthony Gordon's opening goal in the 26th minute, a section of the supporters chanted: "1-0 to the library."
Kane makes England history
With the double against Latvia, a left-footed strike in the 44th minute and a penalty a few minutes later, helped Kane script another record for England as he went past Nat Lofthouse to become the first Three Lions star to score two or more goals in 13 international appearances. His total goals tally for England now stands at 76 in 113 matches.
Kane was doubtful for the Latvia after he missed the friendly against Wales last week due to an ankle injury that he picked up during Bayern Munich's final clash before the international break against Eintracht Frankfurt. With Ollie Watkins ruled out with a freak injury before the qualifier, Tuchel was concerned over whom to field as the team's No.9. However, Kane fully recovered in time, featured in the starting and guided his team to a dominating win and secured a World Cup berth.
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Getty Images SportEngland look a solid unit ahead of World Cup
Tuchel faced criticism at the time of announcing the squad for the October international break, as he overlooked several big names, including Manchester City star Phil Foden, loanee Jack Grealish and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham. However, despite missing some big names, England managed to score eight goals in the two matches they played this month.
With the likes of Eberechi Eze scoring a goal after coming as a second half substitute and players like Marcus Rashford and Jarrod Bowen also able to emerge from the bench, Tuchel is spoilt for choice in the attacking third ahead of the World Cup. With their berth secured, the German coach could consider experimenting with his lineups in the final two group matches against Serbia and Albania in November.
Florian Wirtz's situation at Liverpool has been likened to that of Darwin Nunez, with Peter Crouch confident that Reds supporters will take the German playmaker to their hearts. Wirtz has endured a tough start to his spell in English football, on the back of a £116 million ($156m) transfer, but he will boast the full support of those in the stands if he continues to give his all to the collective cause.
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Big-money signing waiting on first goal involvement
There has been no doubting Wirtz’s effort since completing a big-money switch from Bayer Leverkusen, with the 22-year-old eager to impress, he has just been lacking in end product. The talented Germany international is still waiting on his first goal involvement as a Liverpool player after nine appearances in all competitions.
He was briefly the most expensive player in British football when joining the reigning Premier League champions, before that place in the history books was filled by £125m ($168m) Anfield team-mate Alexander Isak. Such a hefty price tag was always going to bring added scrutiny and expectation.
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Wirtz's situation likened to that of Nunez
Wirtz showed what he is capable of when registering 16 goals and 15 assists for Leverkusen from an attacking midfield berth last season. Arne Slot needs to find a way of unlocking that potential on Merseyside. Once he does so, then Wirtz should go on to become a fan favourite.
Ex-Reds striker Crouch believes that a loyal fan base will give Wirtz time in which to find his feet, with 100 per cent effort all that they are demanding for now. They have overlooked supposed flaws in other enigmatic performers, with Uruguayan forward Nunez becoming something of a cult hero despite never being prolific in front of goal.
Paddy Power’s Crouch, who was speaking at the launch of Paddy’s Sportsbook at The Hippodrome Casino, said: "I think Wirtz is in the best possible environment, I know it from when I was there. At Liverpool, if you attack one of their players, the fans bring you on the inside and you are one of them. Nunez also had a difficult time, but not once did Liverpool fans waiver in their support of him."
Paddy Power
Did Liverpool get lucky during unbeaten start?
Liverpool have been searching for a spark as a star-studded squad this season. They find themselves back at the top of the Premier League table, but have been relying on late goals to get them there. A faultless start to the campaign papered over any cracks, with battling victories being secured in domestic and European competition.
Slot’s side have, however, come unstuck in their last two fixtures. Crystal Palace secured a dramatic 2-1 win over the Reds in Premier League action at Selhurst Park, before a penalty from Nigeria international Victor Osimhen condemned them to a 1-0 reversal away at Galatasaray in the Champions League. Questions have been asked of some big selection calls in those contests.
There is no cause for panic, with a minor bump in the road being hit, and Crouch is confident that a team of proven winners will come good again once any early-season issues have been ironed out. He added: "I don't think Liverpool have been lucky. Have they been dominant in every game? Absolutely not. They've looked open and fragile at times but they've scored goals and found a way to win. I think they proved last season how good they can be, they're a top side."
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Liverpool fixtures: Next up for the Reds
Liverpool will be determined to bounce back in style when returning to competitive action, but are heading into a testing run of fixtures. They have one more game to take in before reaching the next international break, with that contest playing out at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as Slot takes his troops to Chelsea.
The Reds will then entertain old adversaries Manchester United – who have plenty of their own issues to address – on October 19 before heading out on the road again for a Champions League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany.
Manchester City are looking to cement themselves as the team to beat in the Premier League and they could go some way to doing that if they are able to tempt their latest transfer target to the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City react to Champions League league phase draw
In an eventful week, the Champions League league phase draw is now complete and Manchester City now know who they will face for a place in the knockout rounds of the competition.
From the eight sides they will take on, ties against Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli are the standouts, though the Citizens have landed a favourable run off games on paper and will feel confident they can progress.
Man City’s Champions League opponents
Real Madrid (A)
Borussia Dortmund (H)
Bayer Leverkusen (H)
Villarreal (A)
Napoli (H)
Bodo/Glimt (A)
Galatasaray (H)
AS Monaco (A)
Fixture dates TBC
Speaking after the draw, Pep Guardiola expressed his delight at being able to welcome former Manchester City heroes Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane back to the Etihad Stadium.
He stated: “I’m really pleased he (Kevin De Bruyne) will come back here and of course, we have to beat the teams Napoli and Galatasaray (with Leroy Sane), nice to welcome him back. I’m sure the people will give a great welcome to them, they deserve it.”
Nevertheless, attention turns to their clash against Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend alongside transfer activity, and the Citizens are plotting move to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold from Real Madrid.
Admittedly, that may come down the line in January, though it shows that Guardiola’s ambition is through the roof as his side look to get back to dominating English football. Fermin Lopez could also move to the Etihad from Barcelona, and they are lining up another significant play for one of the world’s finest stars amid growing uncertainty over his future at a global superpower.
Man City lining up record Vinicius Junior bid
According to reports in Spain, Manchester City are lining up a £130 million bid to sign Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, given he has two years on his contract left in the Spanish capital.
The Brazil international is at loggerheads with Los Blancos over an extension and Guardiola is ready to swoop in, given his pace and ability to burn past defenders in one-on-one situations.
Man City could bid for £276k-p/w star who called the Etihad "incredible"
The Blues are lining up a shock move for a player Pep Guardiola has praised in the past…
ByDominic Lund Aug 28, 2025
Similar to their pursuit of Alexander-Arnold, the Citizens may wait until 2026 to move for the winger, who has been nominated for the 2025 Balon D’Or and has previously been labelled “quality” by scout Jacek Kulig.
Starting the campaign with a bang, Vinicius registered a goal and an assist in Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Real Oviedo last weekend, but his situation is growing slightly more uncertain as the weeks go by.
Manchester City are no stranger to a statement signing, and manging to push a deal over the line for someone of such a high pedigree would be guaranteed to make global headlines.
Após longo processo de negociações, iniciadas em janeiro e que aconteceram em sigilo, o Rio Branco-ES anunciou a venda de sua SAF (Sociedade Anônima do Futebol) e passa a ser o primeiro clube capixaba a adotar este modelo de gestão.
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A empresa que adquiriu o clube-empresa é a T2R Sports, composta por investidores capixabas proprietários das startups Zaitt, franquia de mercados autônomos, e Shipp, plataforma de entregas rápidas.
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A proposta do grupo foi de investir, no mínimo, R$ 50 milhões em dez anos. Deste valor, pelo menos R$ 10 milhões – o equivalente a 20% do total – serão destinados à infraestrutura do clube, incluindo a construção de um centro de treinamento.
O negócio foi estruturado pela Matix Capital, empresa referência na estruturação de SAFs pelo Brasil, e responsável por trazer a Eagle Holdings, de John Textor, para o Botafogo, além da 777 Partners para o Vasco da Gama.
O projeto também contou com consultoria estratégica de Rodrigo Miranda, ex-CEO das marcas Zaitt e Shipp, que ajudou no planejamento da SAF.
Representantes das empresas envolvidas, Vitor Oliveira, da Matix Capital, frisou que a gestão do futebol no Brasil está se profissionalizando e levando os clubes a melhores patamares de investimento, enquanto Renato Antunes, CEO da T2R Sports, foi enfático ao declarar que o Rio Branco será um dos maiores cases de sucesso entre as SAFs brasileiras.
As negociações do maior campeão capixaba com os investidores permaneceram em sigilo até a última quarta-feira (24), quando a proposta foi assinada pelo presidente do clube, Paulo Pachêco, e pelo presidente do Conselho Deliberativo, Marcos Guimeiro.
– O objetivo é reconquistar relevância no cenário nacional, fortalecendo o futebol e o orgulho capa-preta. – declarou Pachêco sobre a nova fase do clube.
Agora, o contrato será enviado para análise e votação dos sócios do em assembleia, o que deve acontecer nos próximos dias.
Conclusion of West Indies tour marks end of long-standing associations for back-room pair
ESPNcricinfo staff17-Nov-2024
Carl Hopkinson was involved in both of England’s World Cup victories in 2019 and 2022•Getty Images
Carl Hopkinson and Richard Dawson, two key members of England’s white-ball backroom staff, will leave their roles at the end of the current tour of the Caribbean, in preparation for Brendon McCullum’s arrival as the new head coach across all three formats.Hopkinson, England’s long-standing fielding coach, joined the men’s set-up in 2018 and was involved in each of England’s most recent victories in ICC global events; the 50-over World Cup on home soil in 2019, and the T20 World Cup in Australia in November 2022.Dawson, who played seven Tests as an offspinner between 2001 and 2003, was head coach of the Young Lions team that reached the Under-19 World Cup final in 2022, and joined the senior coaching team ahead of the 2022 T20 World Cup.Hopkinson said: “It has been a career highlight not only to be part of the England coaching set-up for the past seven years but also to be involved in two historic World Cup victories, which is something I’ll always cherish.”After starting as National Lead Fielding coach I worked alongside Richard Dawson to help the England Men U19s reach their first World Cup final for 24 years. It has been exciting to see young players we worked with at the World Cup grow into full England internationals as well as more recently helping some of the best white-ball players in the world continue to develop.”Dawson said: “I have enjoyed every minute in the England environment and working with some of the best white-ball players in the world as well as great people in the coaching team and backroom staff from the U19s to senior team.”Being head coach of the England U19 team that reached the World Cup final was a career highlight while it has been a pleasure working with some of the top spinners in the world while also developing the strength and depth of spin bowling talent from across the country. I look forward to seeing the white-ball team continue to progress and hopefully win more trophies.”Rob Key, England Men’s managing director, said: “Hoppo and Daws are two outstanding coaches who have played important roles in the success of our white-ball teams.”In addition to their coaching expertise with our senior teams they have also developed young players through the age groups to help set up the next era of our white-ball teams. England Cricket is in a better place because of them and I wish them well in the next chapter of their careers.”
Glasgow Rangers head coach Russell Martin wants to make further additions to his first-team squad before the summer transfer window slams shut at the start of September.
The Light Blues are in Champions League action against Panathinaikos tonight, as they look to progress through to the next round of qualifying, after they won 2-0 in the first leg.
Work is still going on behind the scenes to improve the squad, though, despite the season having already got underway, as the Gers attempt to bolster their options in the wide areas.
Rangers are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign right-sided attacker Oliver Antman from Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles, in a move that could set them back £5m.
The Scottish Premiership giants are also reportedly close to securing a deal to bring England U19 forward Mikey Moore to Ibrox on loan from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.
Rangers would add to Martin’s options on the flanks if they can get both of these deals over the line in the coming days, hopefully before the league opener against Motherwell on Saturday.
What Moore and Antman could bring to Rangers
Both players are exciting wingers who could provide creative flair at the top end of the pitch if they are able to show the best of their abilities in Scotland this season.
Moore, who has only played 21 times for Tottenham to date, is relatively untested at senior level, though, and it remains to be seen if he can make the step up to be a key player on a regular basis in the first-team at Rangers, as he has yet to prove himself.
However, the 17-year-old talent did produce 19 goals and 13 assists in 24 matches for Spurs at U19 level before he made his first-team breakthrough, which shows that the potential is there for him to deliver goals and assists if he can hit the ground running at Ibrox.
Antman, on the other hand, would be joining the Scottish giants off the back of an impressive campaign with Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie last season, as he showcased his ability to create high-quality chances for his teammates at an exceptional rate.
24/25 Eredivisie
Oliver Antman
Starts
28
Goals
6
Key passes per game
1.6
Big chances created
16
xA
6.54
Assists
15
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Finland international created a whopping 16 ‘big chances’ in 28 starts in the Dutch top-flight, which suggests that he could be a fantastic addition to the Rangers squad.
This is because no Rangers midfielder, winger, or forward created more than 11 ‘big chances’ in the Premiership last term, which suggests that Antman could come in as Martin’s chief creative threat.
Both players could provide a threat at the top end of the pitch, notably as creators, and that is why the club’s latest transfer target would love both of them.
Rangers in the race to sign new striker
According to Croatian news outlet Germanijak, Rangers are still in the race to secure a deal for Westerlo centre-forward Matija Frigan this summer.
The report claims that the Gers are lining up a move for the Croatian number nine after his proposed transfer to English Championship side Hull City was put into doubt by a transfer ban for the Tigers.
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It adds that Spanish side Elche and Premier League team Sunderland are also interested in signing the 22-year-old striker, which shows that there is plenty of competition for his signature.
The outlet states that Westerlo are looking for a fee in the region of £7m in order to allow the forward to move on this summer, whilst Elche are said to be looking at a deal worth around £5.1m.
This gap in valuation between what Elche want to pay and how much the Pro League team are asking for could leave the door open for Rangers to swoop for him in the coming weeks.
Why Rangers should sign Matijia Frigan
The Light Blues should swoop to sign the 22-year-old attacker because he is a talented young forward who could love to play with Antman and Moore at Ibrox this season.
As aforementioned, Moore and Antman are both creative wide players who could provide the striker playing ahead of them with plenty of opportunities to find the back of the net, which is why Frigan could be delighted at the prospect of being in the same side as them.
The left-footed forward’s form for Westerlo in the last 12 months or so suggests that he could come in as an effective forward who could thrive alongside the wing wizards.
Since the start of the 2024/25 campaign, Frigan has scored 14 goals from 14.26 xG in the Pro League, which shows that he is about on par with where he should be for the chances that have been created for him.
The Croatian forward, who was hailed as “complete” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has the finishing powers to potentially make the most of Antman and Moore’s creativity, whilst he may also come in as a big upgrade on Cyriel Dessers by offering a physical presence in the number nine position.
24/25 season
Dessers (Premiership)
Frigan (Pro League)
Appearances
35
39
Ground duels won
42
74
Aerial duels won
28
51
Ground duel success rate
34%
43%
Aerial duel success rate
31%
36%
Fouls won
21
35
Fouls committed
32
31
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Frigan is far more likely to win physical duels with defenders, on the ground and in the air, which could make him more reliable for Martin than the Nigeria international is.
Therefore, there are technical and physical reasons why the Gers should splash out £7m to bring the Westerlo star to Ibrox before the end of the summer transfer window, as he could be an upgrade on Dessers as well as a great foil for Antman and Moore to play with.
Cyriel Dessers
At the age of 22, Frigan would also come in as a young player with the potential to grow and develop during his time in Glasgow, which could make him an excellent long-term signing for the club as well.
Overall, the £7m-rated star is an effective centre-forward who could thrive off the creativity that Rangers are currently looking to add to their squad and could be a very shrewd addition this summer.
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