Paul Pogba will always remain a what-if player for Manchester United, given his failure to sustain his success during his spell as a first-team member at Old Trafford.

The Frenchman left the club on a free transfer, before joining in a then world-record £89m transfer just a couple of years after originally being allowed to depart the Red Devils.

The midfielder was known for his moments of magic, but questions were always asked about his commitment and effort, which held him back from being one of the elite players in world football.

He racked up over 200 appearances during his second spell in Manchester, but ultimately struggled to match the huge fee he returned to the club with.

However, his individual brilliance will always outshine the tough times he spent at the club, with current boss Ruben Amorim able to land his own version of the 32-year-old this window.

The latest on United’s hunt for new signings this summer

Benjamin Sesko undoubtedly remains as United’s main target this summer, as the club look to provide the boss with the talisman he craves during his spell in charge.

Talks have already been held between the players’ representatives and the Red Devils hierarchy, but any deal will be an expensive one, given the current £78m asking price.

However, the Slovenian international isn’t the only player currently on their radar, with work also being conducted to secure a deal for Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra.

Marca’s latest update claims that Amorim’s side have already reached out to the LaLiga giants over a move for the 22-year-old, who’s currently valued at £25m.

The report also states that AC Milan are also currently exploring a move for the Spaniard, which could see the Red Devils spring into action for his signature in the near future.

Why United’s latest target could be Amorim’s own Pogba

Along with his effortless ability to change a game, Pogba was known for his ball-carrying talent, which often saw him run the game when he was performing in full flow.

During the 2017/18 campaign he spent at Old Trafford, the former Juventus star registered 4.1 progressive carries per 90, a figure that ranked him within the top 5% of all players within England’s top-flight.

His dominance on the ball is further backed up by current professional Declan Rice, who placed the Frenchman within his top three players he’s ever come up against.

United’s current midfield is currently lacking the dynamism that Pogba possessed, which should come as no surprise given 33-year-old Casemiro is still one of the options at Amorim’s disposal.

However, the manager could be about to land his own version of the former fan-favourite this summer, with Guerra possessing a lot of the qualities that made the World Cup winner a hit with the supporters.

Guerra, who’s been labelled “special” by analyst Ben Mattinson, managed to register 4.8 progressive passes and 1.8 progressive carries per 90 – able to glide past opponents when in control of the ball.

Such a skillset may come as a surprise given his 6”2 frame, sitting just one inch smaller than Pogba, with the pair freakishly talented with the ball at his feet given their height.

Games played

36

Goals & assists

6

Progressive passes

4.8

Passes into final third

4.2

Take-ons attempted

2.7

Carries into final third

1.5

Tackles won

1.7

However, the youngster’s talents are also further reflected in his tallies of 1.7 tackles won and 1.7 clearances made per 90, able to do the dirty work at the heart of the side before making the desired impact higher up the field.

At just 22, he’s already made a name for himself for his ability to find the net from distance, with his effort against Espanyol arguably the best of his career.

Pogba also managed to possess such a quality, as seen by his own catalogue of strikes, which always managed to excite the fanbase – something which Guerra could do himself should he join the club.

Given his £25m asking price, a deal should be a no-brainer, potentially landing themselves a bargain this summer with a player who could emulate the levels produced by the former world record signing.

He's just like Zirkzee: Man Utd preparing move for £40m Sesko alternative

Manchester United have turned their attention to another striker alongside Benjamin Sesko.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 1, 2025

West Bromwich Albion are broadening their horizons in the transfer market and have now received a reply to a bid for a talent from overseas, according to Ben Jacobs.

West Bromwich Albion step up hunt for new arrivals

The Baggies are hard at work in the window and have already brought Aune Heggebo, Nat Phillips and George Campbell in at The Hawthorns, though there are more additions set to come in the weeks to follow.

However, recent West Brom loan target Mikey Moore won’t be signing on the dotted line, with the Tottenham Hotspur man now closing in on a switch to Rangers for the season.

Following their defeat to Lincoln City in pre-season, Ryan Mason has urged his side to fix their teething problems in time for the new Championship campaign.

He stated: “It was disappointing, and not just the result, but I also understand there’s a lot to do. It’s our third game this week, which was good from some aspects, but I don’ think any of us were happy with the start we made to the game.

“This is something we need to fix quickly because the first Championship game is two weeks away. There’s positives from a physical side, and there’s the pre-season aspect, which says a lot at this stage. But, ultimately, we need to try and accelerate this process as quickly as possible.”

West Brom’s first five fixtures in the Championship

Blackburn Rovers (H)

Hawthorns

Derby County (H)

Hawthorns

Wrexham (A)

Racecourse Ground

Portsmouth (H)

Hawthorns

Stoke City (A)

bet365 Stadium

New additions will be key to implementing the improvement Mason is keen to deliver, and Northern Ireland international Jamal Lewis could strengthen the Baggies’ defensive line.

Now, they have received a reply for a bid submitted to try and land another defender who originates from much further afield.

West Brom receive outcome of bid for Luca Bombino

Taking to social media platform X, journalist Ben Jacobs has confirmed that West Brom have saw a bid turned down for FC San Diego defender Luca Bombino, who is actually on loan from Major League Soccer outfit LAFC.

Regardless, San Diego will trigger an option to buy the 19-year-old left-back upon the expiry of his temporary agreement. The Baggies are said to be well below their valuation of the United States Under-20 international.

While his club are in no rush to sell, reports of their rejected offer and interest in Lewis do indicate that West Brom are in the market for a new left-back.

Across the current season, Bombino has registered a goal and two assists in 19 MLS appearances, and he has previously been labelled a “talented young player with a bright future” by San Diego sporting director Tyler Heaps.

It remains to be determined whether West Brom will force a deal over the line, but they are seemingly looking at all avenues to source new additions.

Gambhir said one of KL Rahul or Abhimanyu Easwaran or even Shubman Gill are available to open if Rohit doesn’t make it

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Nov-20241:29

Gambhir: ‘Rahul can do the job for us if Rohit is not there’

Gautam Gambhir is hoping that Rohit Sharma will be available for the first Test against Australia in Perth, though he is happy with the options he has in case Rohit doesn’t make it.Gambhir also confirmed that if Rohit were to miss out, Jasprit Bumrah, being the designated vice-captain, “obviously will [be the captain] if Rohit is not available”.”At the moment, there is no confirmation but we will let you know exactly what the situation will be. Hopefully he’s going to be available, but everything we’re going to get to know at the start of the series,” Gambhir said at a press-conference in Mumbai before the squad’s flight to Australia.Related

Boost for India as KL Rahul returns to bat in Sunday training

'They are incredibly tough' – Gambhir backs Kohli and Rohit

Jurel, Prasidh thump Test door but opener conundrum persists

Rohit 'more comfortable' with match simulation than tour game

A group of five players – Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Gill, Washington Sundar and Jaiswal – have already left for Australia, while the rest of the squad will leave later on Monday. It is understood that Rohit will not be on that flight. It is unclear when he will travel.As reported earlier, Rohit is a doubt for the first Test owing to personal reasons, but there is no confirmation one way or other yet.Which raises the question of who will open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal if Rohit isn’t there.”Obviously there is [Abhimanyu] Easwaran and there is KL [Rahul] there. So we will take a call closer to the first Test match if Rohit is not available,” Gambhir said. “There are options there, it’s not that there are no options there. There are quite a few options in the squad.”Once it gets closer to the first Test match, we’ll plan and play the best playing XI that’s going to do the job for us.”Rahul and Abhimanyu opened for India A in the second four-day match against Australia A, but both returned low scores. Abhimanyu, who also played the first game of that series, had scores of 7, 12, 0 and 17 across the two games, while Rahul made 4 and 10 in the two innings in his only game.Prior to the fresh developments, Rahul looked set for a role as a middle-order batter in Tests, but Rohit’s potential absence has put him back in contention at the top of the order.3:31

Jurel makes his case to play Border-Gavaskar Trophy

“There are times when you go with the experienced players as well. And that is the quality of the man. That he can bat at the top of the order, he can bat at No. 3 and he can actually bat at No. 6 as well,” Gambhir said of Rahul. “You need quite a lot of talent to be doing these kinds of jobs as well. And he’s kept wickets in the one-day format as well.”Imagine how many countries have players like KL who can open the batting and can bat at No. 6 as well? So I feel if need be, he can do the job for us, especially if Rohit is not available for the first Test match.”Rahul has plenty of experience facing the new ball in overseas conditions and is one of two Asian openers – Saeed Anwar being the other – to have scored Test centuries in Australia, England and South Africa.Shubman Gill is another option available in the squad – he made his Test debut as an opener during India’s last visit to Australia but has since moved to the upper-middle order.”We will try and get the best combination possible who can do the job for us in Perth. And be it Shubman opening the batting or Easwaran or KL, it all depends on what we feel is the right combination,” Gambhir said.The Perth Test will begin on November 22.

Douglas Luiz appears to be making the most of an early-season break after holidaying with Vinicius Jr following their Brazil squad snubs.

• Luiz joins Nottingham Forest on loan
• Not included in latest Brazil squad  
• Enjoys Marbella break with Vinicius Jr

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  With both Luiz and Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr not in Brazil's latest squad for their World Cup qualifiers, the compatriots headed off to Marbella during the international break. Footballers play very demanding schedules, so getting breaks where you can is not a bad thing.  

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Luiz has had a tough year following his move to Juventus. A lack of minutes and disciplinary problems marked his time in Serie A, but now he is back in the Premier League after joining Nottingham Forest on loan. Vinicius Jr is almost nailed on to make Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad but midfielder Luiz needs to have a stellar season to feature in Carlo Ancelotti's plans, so getting breaks in could be helpful. 

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Luiz has 18 caps for Brazil, the last of which came in 2024. If the 27-year-old wants to be at next year's World Cup, he will have to replicate the form that made him a highly coveted player at Aston Villa, where he scored 22 goals in 204 games.  

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Former Vasco da Gama man Luiz will now be focusing on making an impact at Forest when the international break concludes this week. He could make his debut for the club away at Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday. 

Aston Villa’s pre-season tour to the United States is set to continue with contests against St Louis and Nashville, before the Premier League season then gets underway.

Their last outing in America saw the Villans tussle with Eintracht Frankfurt in a 2-2 score draw, with both Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers getting in on the goalscoring act for Unai Emery’s men in the Louisville heat.

Villa supporters far and wide will hope both Watkins and Rogers stay put at Villa Park for the foreseeable future, past these summer runouts, amid interest in their services popping up from Premier League rivals Manchester United and Chelsea.

On top of that, fans of the West Midlands outfit will also hope more signings come through the door before the transfer window slams shut, with a new £23m attacker reportedly on their radar.

Villa prepare offer for £23m attacker

It has been a quiet window so far on that front, with Marco Bizot the only real notable addition in between the sticks for Emery’s side.

That’s not to say Villa haven’t been linked with some notable names this summer, with recent developments suggesting that Villa are eyeing up a free transfer move for former Everton marksman Dominic Calvert-Lewin, alongside keeping tabs on another attacker in the form of ex-Arsenal striker Mika Biereth.

However, the most exciting rumour of them all has just surfaced, with reports from Italy – via TuttoJuve – suggesting that Villa, alongside Tottenham Hotspur, are very interested in securing a deal for AS Roma’s Matias Soule.

It’s stated that the English duo are ready to make an offer of around €32m (£27m) for the Argentine midfielder’s services, with Roma ready to sacrifice Soule to raise funds for their own incoming purchases.

Villa will hope they strike gold by snapping up Soule’s services, with the South American potentially going to be another Rogers-style star for Emery if everything clicks.

Why Soule can be Emery's next Rogers

Of course, nobody would be anticipating that Soule would hit the ground running immediately in England, with even Rogers himself needing a season to get up to speed with the demands of the Premier League.

Indeed, Rogers’ first half season in claret and blue only saw him collect three strikes, before then going on to amass a ridiculous haul of 14 goals and 15 assists in all competitions when at the peak of his powers during his stunning second campaign.

The same will hopefully be expected of the £23m attacker, with Soule just fresh off a breakout season at the Stadio Olimpico, having had to cut his teeth away from Juventus on loan at lowly Frosinone, before then coming into his own in Rome.

Rogers also had those same hurdles to overcome, with the former Manchester City youth product marooned in League One just five years ago when shoved out to Lincoln City, only to now be seen as an “unstoppable” force – as he’s been labelled by Jamie Carragher – that is Champions League established and fearless at the very pinnacle of the English game.

Games played

36

27

Goals scored

11

5

Assists

3

5

Touches*

62.6

50.8

Accurate passes*

31.7 (81%)

26.9 (87%)

Key passes*

2.3

1.9

Big chances missed

6

4

Big chances created

8

9

Across his last two campaigns in Serie A for Frosinone and Gian Piero Gasperini’s men, Soule has displayed similarities to Rogers’ blistering Villa performances, with an eye for goal very much on display by the 23-year-old when lining up for his loan employers during the 2023/24 season, culminating in 11 strikes being powered home.

Yet, his efforts in Rome last campaign also displayed a strength to create chances for teammates around him, with five assists tallied up. He also created nine big chances, suggesting he could reach even loftier heights surrounded by Villa attackers such as Watkins, which also isn’t too far removed from Rogers’ total of 16.

Lauded as being an “unpredictable” talent by football analyst Ben Mattinson, the hope will be on Villa’s end that they unearth another diamond in a similar vein to Rogers.

Capable of also playing down the channels, away from solely lining up as a number ten, there’s even a possibility that the pair can cause havoc together next season, as Villa aim to break into the Champions League positions again.

Aston Villa join race to sign "top" free agent who held talks with Man Utd

Aston Villa have joined United and Celtic in the race…

ByBrett Worthington Jul 28, 2025

نجح فريق بيراميدز في تحقيق فوز غالي وثمين على حساب الأهلي السعودي بنتيجة 3-1، في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما اليوم الثلاثاء، في إطار منافسات بطولة كأس الإنتركونتيننتال.

والتقى بيراميدز مع نظيره الأهلي السعودي، على ملعب الإنماء (الجوهرة المشعة) بمدينة جدة، ضمن منافسات دور ربع النهائي من بطولة كأس الإنتركونتيننتال.

طالع| فيديو | مايلي يسجل هدف بيراميدز الأول أمام الأهلي السعودي

ويشارك بيراميدز في بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال، للمرة الأولى في تاريخه، بعد التتويج ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا الموسم الماضي.

وكان بيراميدز، قد تأهل لمواجهة الأهلي السعودي، بعدما حقق الفوز على أوكلاند سيتي النيوزيلندي بنتجة 3-0، في المباراة التي أقيمت بالقاهرة ضمن مواجهات الدور التمهيدي الأول لبطولة كأس الإنتركونتيننتال.

وبفوز بيراميدز على الأهلي السعودي، اليوم، يحقق الفريق السماوي لقب بطولة كأس القارات الثلاث، ليتأهل إلى الدور المقبل “نصف النهائي”، ويلعب على لقب كأس التحدي، في انتظار مواجهة الفائز من موقعة ديربي الأمريكتين.

وينتظر بيراميدز الفائز من مباراة كروز أزول المكسيكي، الفائز بنسخة 2025 من مسابقة كأس أبطال أمريكا الشمالية والوسطى والكاريبي، وبطل أمريكا الجنوبية لهذا العام.

وتقام موقعة ديربي الأمريكتين، يوم الأربعاء 10 ديسمبر 2025، بين كروز أزول المكسيكي وبطل أمريكا الجنوبية نادي فلامنجو البرازيلي، وينتظر بيراميدز الفائز لمواجهته. موعد مباراة بيراميدز القادمة في كأس إنتركونتيننتال بعد الفوز على الأهلي السعودي

وستقام مباراة بيراميدز في نصف نهائي كأس إنتركونتيننتال 2025، أمام الفائز من مواجهة كروز أزول المكسيكي وبطل أمريكا الجنوبية فلامنجو البرازيلي لهذا العام، يوم السبت 13 ديسمبر 2025، على لقب كأس التحدي وحجز بطاقة التأهل للنهائي.

وفي حالة تخطي بيراميدز دور نصف النهائي، سيواجه باريس سان جيرمان الفرنسي بطل دوري أبطال أوروبا يوم 17 ديسمبر في النهائي.

Mitchell Starc has indicated Australia could need to draw on their reserves against India, with Cameron Green’s injury changing the dynamic of the Test attack

AAP18-Oct-2024

Mitchell Starc has conceded Cameron Green’s absence will change the dynamic of Australia’s Test team, hinting pace reserves may be needed to get through the summer.Green’s season-ending back surgery has left Australia’s selectors with several questions for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, beyond just who opens the batting with Usman Khawaja.Namely, the allrounder’s absence has the potential to have a flow-on effect for Australia’s aging pace attack, with an increased workload likely against India.Related

Australia's selection race: who is in the running to face India?

Smith and Starc in New South Wales Sheffield Shield squad

Green out for the season as he takes surgery option

Captain Pat Cummins had stated before the start of the summer that Australia were likely to rely heavily on Green and fellow allrounder Mitchell Marsh, particularly if India bat for long periods of time.Starc, Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will almost certainly start the summer as three quicks, but Scott Boland, Michael Neser and Sean Abbott all now loom on the fringes.”It will always change the dynamic when you take a genuine allrounder like a Cameron Green, or with England when you take a Ben Stokes, out,” Starc said. “When you have that genuine allrounder who has been part of a group for a while … you get into a bit of a routine of having that extra bowling option.”I don’t know what the dynamic of that line-up is going to be, there is a lot of talk around that opening spot and Mitch [Marsh] bowling as well.”It’s not completely foreign. We’ve had series in the past where we haven’t had an allrounder at all.”We’ve had to take some of that workload, and Gaz [Nathan Lyon] has probably had to bowl a bit extra as well.”Mitchell Starc last played a Shield match in the 2020-21 final•Getty Images

Starc will begin his red-ball summer against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield on Sunday, with Steve Smith and Lyon also playing.Hazlewood will then play in the Blues’ following match against Queensland, with Starc to be rested.Australia have five Tests in seven weeks against India, with the longest gap being a 10-day break between the series opener in Perth and second Test in Adelaide.Starc said Australia’s bowlers had always taken an extended-squad approach, with several factors coming into whether the first-choice group’s workloads were managed.”That’s been the mindset for a number of years now, with overseas tour or a home series and the mentality of how gruelling a summer or series can be,” Starc said. “It’s been spoken about, if you have four or five Tests that go four days, the extra day between games [can be important].”There is obviously a big gap between the first and second Test and the third and fourth Test. That may play a part as well.”We don’t know what wickets we’ll get, we don’t know how successful or unsuccessful we will be.”Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon played unchanged through the last four-Test Border-Gavaskar series at home in 2020-21. They also did likewise in the five-Test home summer last season, with Australia losing the last Test at the Gabba on both those occasions.”There are too many factors to sit here at the start and say this is what is going to happen,” Starc said. “But there are certainly times where you feel the grind of five Tests.”Meanwhile, Starc has declared there is no reason why NSW teenage prodigy Sam Konstas won’t be able to handle Test cricket if he was called up next month.One week after blazing twin tons against South Australia, Konstas shared a net session with Steve Smith on Friday at NSW training. While Starc would not be drawn into whether Konstas’ time should come this summer, he had seen enough to believe the young talent could succeed.”There’s no reason [for him] not to [handle it],” Starc said. “He’s obviously got the talent, got the work ethic, he’s a lovely young man.”Time will tell. If he’s not picked this summer then I am sure runs on the board will help him in the long run.”

Manchester City have confirmed that Omar Marmoush will miss his side's clash with rivals Manchester United after picking up a knee ligament injury.

Marmoush suffers knee ligament injuryForced off in ninth minute for EgyptRuled out of Manchester derbyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Marmoush, who scored in Egypt's 2-0 win over Ethiopia last week in a World Cup qualifying game, hobbled off the pitch in the ninth minute of their latest clash against Burkina Faso on Tuesday after suffering a knee injury. He continued for a short while after picking up the knock, but was eventually replaced by Osama Faisal.

AdvertisementWHAT EGYPT'S FA SAID

The Egyptian Football Association delivered an update on their star forward's condition, as they shared photos of him leaving the pitch and wrote: "Omar Marmoush suffers a bruised knee ligament. The player will undergo an X-ray upon his arrival to Cairo [on] Wednesday morning."

WHAT MAN CITY SAID

City themselves have now said the ex-Eintracht Frankfurt star is set for a spell on the sidelines.

A club website statement reads: "Manchester City FC can confirm that Omar Marmoush has sustained a knee injury whilst on international duty with Egypt. The City striker suffered the injury in the early stages of Egypt’s World Cup qualifying match with Burkina Faso on Tuesday evening. Initial results on a scan performed in Egypt indicate he will not be available for the Manchester derby on Sunday, and he will now return to Manchester for more assessment and to begin his rehabilitation. Everyone at City wishes Omar a speedy recovery."

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The injury comes as a huge blow for Pep Guardiola's side, who are looking to bounce back from consecutive losses against Tottenham and Brighton. If Marmoush is out for the long term, team-mate Erling Haaland will be under extra pressure to provide the goals City need to compete on multiple fronts.

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has had his contract extended until the end of 2027 meaning he will guide the team’s defence of their ODI World Cup title that year as well as throughout next cycle of the World Test Championship.When McDonald was initially appointed in 2022 it was on a four-year deal which took him to midway through 2026. That would have seen him finish after the next T20 World Cup. He had stated that he was likely to be a one-term coach citing the demanding nature of the job and the fact that Justin Langer had only served one four-year term, despite Langer wanting an extension back in 2022.However, if McDonald had walked away in mid-2026, a new coach would have come in at an awkward time. Australia’s 2027 schedule looks like one of the heaviest calendar years the men’s team will have ever had. They host four Tests with New Zealand in December and January of 2026-27 before playing five Tests in India in January and February. Then they return home for a one-off Test against England in March to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Test cricket, with a two-Test home series against Bangladesh also scheduled but likely to be moved.Related

• Cricket Australia looks to unify approach to managing quicks

There will then be a WTC final, if they qualify, followed by a five-Test Ashes tour. The next ODI World Cup then takes place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia during October and November 2027.Keeping McDonald in place for that period means CA has some stability to plan for the extensive schedule. McDonald has an established coaching group around him, including Michael Di Venuto, Daniel Vettori and Andre Borovec, and will add a national pace bowling coach soon. McDonald’s three assistants have each coached the team for different white-ball series in the last two years in order to share the load. McDonald is hopeful those three assistants will get contract extensions until 2027 as well.”Those people are incredibly important to the team and myself,” McDonald said. “So the idea would be to continue to surround myself with those people, and I think they’ve got an appetite to continue on. So I’m hoping that news will hopefully follow this news and they’ll be on the journey long term.”Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins has recently suggested he would be open to remaining in his role for longer than may have first been planned, meaning he and McDonald could continue to work together until 2027 having developed a very close working relationship over the past three years.”I am very fortunate to have an exceptional group of leaders, players, coaches and staff who are fully invested in the ongoing well-being, success and development of this group,” McDonald said. “The professionalism, commitment and experience of my fellow coaches and the wider staff have ensured the journey has been extremely successful but just as importantly created a culture of unity, trust and inclusivity.”International cricket has many challenges for all teams and I am particularly proud how the group, players and staff, across all formats have navigated those together.”McDonald took over in the head coach role after the ugly departure of Langer in early 2022 and has guided the men’s team to significant success including the 2023 ODI World Cup and World Test Championship titles. The extension means he will have the opportunity for Test series wins in India and England which have recently eluded the side.Australia are currently in a race to qualify for next year’s WTC final at Lord’s in a bid to defend that title with the upcoming India series vital to their prospects.Nick Hockley, the Cricket Australia CEO, said: “Andrew has proven to be an outstanding men’s head coach who as well as delivering exceptional results has built a strong coaching team, methodology and an excellent environment for the team to perform at its best. We are delighted to extend his tenure for a further two years.”

A first-team Glasgow Rangers player could now seal a return to his former club during the summer transfer window, according to their technical director.

Rangers players who could leave this summer

The Russell Martin era is now in full swing at Ibrox, with the Englishman looking to make his presence felt from the off, bringing in players who suit his style of play and selling some unwanted stars.

Ross McCausland is one player who falls into the latter category, with Aris Limassol and two teams in the MLS among the clubs who are believed to be interested in snapping up the Northern Irishman before the end of the summer transfer window.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Diomande and Nicolas Raskin could leave Rangers for pastures new if big offers arrive in the coming weeks, with Besiktas expected to submit a new bid for the former imminently, though Martin would presumably like to keep them both.

Gers centre-back Robin Propper has been a divisive figure since arriving from FC Twente, not always fully convincing the masses with his performances, and a new update has now emerged regarding his future.

Propper could swap Rangers for Twente

Speaking to De Volkskrant [via Sport Witness], Twente technical director Jan Streuer has claimed that Rangers defender Proppper could seal a return to the club this summer, should Martin not see a future for him at Ibrox.

“We had too many changes at the back last season; something had to be done. It isn’t [very simple], because of all sorts of factors beyond your control. Just before last season, our captain, Robin Propper, left at the last minute. We really missed him. Rangers bought him.

“A Scottish top club, you can’t compete with that. Now there’s a new manager at Rangers, he might play less. Then he could return. But he’ll want to wait and see first whether he’ll actually play less. Do we have to decide: do we wait for that, or do we look further?”

Opinion may be split over Propper leaving Rangers before the new Scottish Premiership season gets underway, with his one-year stint at Ibrox not exactly earth-shattering to date. Ultimately, though, the 31-year-old’s future lies with Martin, who has paid him praise in the recent past, saying he has been “really impressed” with him since coming in as manager.

Given Propper’s age, though, and the fact that he isn’t likely to be seen as a key starter moving forward – he was limited to 21 starts in the Scottish Premiership last season – now does feel like a sensible time to move him on, receiving money for him before his contract begins to tick down.

Streuer does seem to have some doubts about Twente re-signing Propper, however, and if he does end up staying at Rangers, it certainly wouldn’t be a disaster.