Fabrizio Romano: Chelsea agree another signing amid Duran talks, deal done

Fabrizio Romano says Chelsea have verbally agreed another signing amid their talks for Jhon Duran, with the player's agent set to travel and fix the final details of their deal in a "here we go" update.

Duran wants to join Chelsea with transfer talks ongoing

In the past 24/48 hours, a flurry of reports shared that Chelsea are advancing in talks to sign Duran from Aston Villa, as new manager Enzo Maresca seeks to bolster his forward line.

Maresca set to promote £24,000-per-week youngster to Chelsea first team

He’s seen as an ideal fit for the Italian’s system.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 12, 2024

The Colombia international scored eight goals across 37 appearances in all competitions for Unai Emery's side last term, displaying some promise, but he isn't exactly the talismanic centre-forward which Chelsea have been crying out for.

Co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, if they do seal a deal for Duran, will be taking a slight risk with the South American starlet – who is arguably a step-down from world-class previous transfer targets.

Jhon Duran's best games for Aston Villa in the league last season

Match Rating (via WhoScored)

Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool

8.36

Aston Villa 3-1 Crystal Palace

7.48

Aston Villa 4-0 Everton

7.38

Man City 4-1 Aston Villa

6.90

Aston Villa 3-2 Burnley

6.80

Chelsea were heavily involved in the race for Victor Osimhen, but it appears the £113 million release clause in his contract wasn't a price worth paying for chairman Todd Boehly. Chelsea also missed out on a deal for RB Leipzig ace Benjamin Sesko, who put pen to paper on a new and improved contract at his current club instead of vying for the Premier League.

Sesko had an offer from Chelsea to join them, but following their failed attempt to prise the Slovenia international away, 20-year-old Duran has emerged as the most concrete striking option with talks ongoing over a deal.

Jhon Duran celebrates for Aston Villa

Chelsea's policy of signing raw, exciting talents is showing no sign of slowing down – having brought in a host of players under the age of 23 since Boehly's takeover in 2022.

Brazilian starlet Estevao Willian has reportedly agreed to join Chelsea from Palmeiras in the last few weeks as well, while reports have also centered around a move for Sport Recife's Pedro Lima. Chelsea have reportedly beat the likes of Tottenham and Atletico to the signing of Lima, with the 17-year-old soon to turn 18 and eligible to make the move to west London.

Now, Romano has shared his own update on Lima as Chelsea definitively seal a deal for him.

Chelsea verbally agree Lima deal with details being finalised

According to the reliable transfer journalist, now giving his famous "here we go", Chelsea have verbally agreed a deal for Lima and his agent is set to travel over fixing the final details.

"Chelsea verbally agree to sign Brazilian 2006 born right back Pedro Lima from Sport Recife, here we go," wrote Romano this week.

"Key detail: the deal will be done via BlueCo side Strasbourg. €7m fixed fee, €3.5m add-ons and player’s agent set to travel for final details."

The teenager has made 26 senior appearances in all competitions for Recife, scoring two goals and providing two assists. He can also operate as a right-winger, meaning he could prove a versatile asset in the years to come.

'O futebol feminino continua, espero que tenham consciência disso', diz Marta após eliminação da Seleção

MatériaMais Notícias

A meia-atacante Marta não escondeu sua frustração com a eliminação da Seleção feminina nas quartas de finais da Olimpíada. Após a equipe empatar em 0 a 0 com o Canadá e perder por 4 a 3 nos pênaltis nesta sexta-feira (30), a “Rainha” reconheceu que o desempenho foi abaixo do esperado no confronto em Miyagi.

RelacionadasFora de CampoGalvão chama atenção para pênaltis perdidos e Caio pondera: ‘Não tem que recriminar’Fora de Campo30/07/2021

– Decepciona sim, pela qualidade que a gente tem. Mas tem dias que as coisas não funcionam, tivemos possibilidade de abrir o placar, mas faltou paciência no terço final do campo. Aconteceram situações que podíamos aproveitar melhor, pois elas estavam mais cansadas que a gente. Mas são coisas do futebol – afirmou, à Rede Globo.

Em seguida, a camisa 10 destacou que o momento é de dar força para as Guerreiras.

– É pensar no futuro, nas meninas. Espero que as pessoas tenham consciência disso, não apontem culpadas – disse.

A jogadora de 35 anos falou sobre como foi a reunião com o grupo após o confronto.

– Estou muito orgulhosa com a equipe, obviamente ficou aquele gostinho de frustração. Mas me dirigi à Formiga, que tem uma vida dedicada ao esporte, que tanto vem ajudando a modalidade. Ela poderia ter um final de carreira mais feliz. Só que a Fú nos orgulha demais, é muito guerreira – declarou.

£100,000-per-week Tottenham player could now force summer exit – BBC pundit

A player who Tottenham apparently want to tie down with a new contract may actually push to leave this summer, says one BBC pundit this week.

Spurs consider mass summer sale with over a dozen players unsafe

Paul O'Keefe, a very reliable source when it comes to news from within Spurs, has claimed that the Lilywhites could consider offers for over a dozen members of Ange Postecoglou's squad this summer.

Sky pundit praises Paratici after hearing Tottenham could sign £51m star

The ex-managing director is still having a big say at N17.

ByEmilio Galantini May 8, 2024

Spurs started the 2023/2024 campaign in absolutely rip-roaring fashion, winning eight out of their opening 10 Premier League games before injuries to James Maddison and Micky van de Ven started somewhat of a mid-season slide.

Their form eventually picked back up again and the Lilywhites were firmly in contention for a Champions League place for the vast majority of 2023/2024, but their form has dropped off a cliff in the last month.

Losing four games on the bounce, including heavy defeats to Newcastle and Liverpool, as well as London derby losses to Arsenal and Chelsea, top-four rivals Aston Villa are now in cruise control and look almost certain to nick that last Champions League qualification for next term.

Tottenham's last five Premier League games

Liverpool 4-2 Tottenham

Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham

Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal

Newcastle 4-0 Tottenham

Tottenham 3-1 Arsenal

Barring a late collapse from Unai Emery's men, Postecoglou and Spurs look very likely to be playing Europa League football in 2024/25, which will be disappointing to a number of supporters considering just how excellently their side had begun this season.

It also highlights what Postecoglou has stated on multiple occasions recently – Tottenham need serious change. The notion that they're open to offers for over a dozen players indicates the vast scale of the long-term project facing them, with Bryan Gil, Giovani Lo Celso, Troy Parrott, Joe Rodon, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Richarlison, Tanguy Ndombele, Sergio Reguilon, Japhet Tanganga, Manor Solomon and Djed Spence all linked to the N17 exit door recently.

Lo Celso's case is a curious one, as the Argentine World Cup winner has been handed precious few opportunities despite Maddison's dwindling form. Some supporters have expressed disdain for this, and hold little shock that Lo Celso is reportedly open to leaving Tottenham as a result.

The £100,000-per-week ace's contract expires next year, so despite his lack of game time, Tottenham are apparently planning to hold "surprise" new deal talks with Lo Celso to protect themselves from a major financial loss.

Lo Celso could push to leave Spurs despite new contract talk

Speaking to Tottenham News, BBC pundit Alan Hutton has claimed that Lo Celso could still push to leave Spurs despite talk of improved terms.

“He might push for an exit,” Hutton explained.

“I think everybody wants to play football week in and week out and I genuinely just don’t see that happening for him so as a player is it basically going to come down to what are your options. If you’re not regularly playing, you feel like an outsider and I think that’s what he feels at the moment. He doesn’t get the game time that he wants so if it was me, I would be assessing my options.

“Yes, it would be good to know that Tottenham want you there, but he seems to be more of a squad player than a starter there so I would be looking at all my options come the summer.”

فيديو | بمهارة رائعة.. أولمو يسجل هدف برشلونة الثاني أمام بريست

تقدم فريق برشلونة بهدف ثان في مباراته الجارية حاليًا أمام بريست، في خضم منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، موسم 2024/25.

ويستضيف ملعب “مونتجويك” مباراة الفريقين في إطار منافسات الجولة الخامسة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري.. (لمتابعة اللقاء من هنا).

وتمكن برشلونة من تسجيل الهدف الثاني في شباك بريست، في الدقيقة 66.

الهدف جاء عن طريق لاعب برشلونة داني أولمو، بعد تمريرة من جيرارد مارتن ووصلت الكرة إلى الإسباني، الذي راوغ بمهارة وسدد الكرة في شباك الضيوف. هدف أولمو الرائع في مباراة برشلونة وبريست

وقرر المدرب هانز فليك استبدال داني أولمو بعدما سجل هدفه، حيث دفع بزميله جافي.

كان روبرت ليفاندوفسكي قد سجل هدف برشلونة الأول من ضربة جزاء، في الدقيقة العاشرة من الشوط الأول.

Everton’s 8/10 hero may have just saved them from relegation

Everton boosted their hopes of Premier League survival after claiming a 2-0 victory over fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Toffees produced a professional display, limiting the Reds to minimal chances before being clinical when having the opportunity from distance.

Goals from Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil secured a double over the Reds for Sean Dyche's side and extended the gap between themselves and Luton Town to five points with five games remaining.

The game was overshadowed by controversy after Nuno Espírito Santo's side were denied three penalties, with the club posting a strongly worded statement on social media after the final whistle.

The Toffees also suffered a blow during the win, with striker Beto being stretchered off after a nasty head collision with midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.

Despite all the drama surrounding him, one Everton player starred throughout, justifying Dyche's choice to reinstall him in the starting lineup this afternoon.

Everton's best player against Nottingham Forest

After missing the 6-0 thrashing against Chelsea last Monday, Dyche decided to recall midfielder Gueye from the off against Forest – a decision that proved to be a fantastic decision.

The 34-year-old Senegalese featured for the entirety of the encounter and scored the opening goal after a nervy opening to the game – understandable given the circumstances.

He also managed to win 75% of the duels he contested, plus winning four tackles as he played a pivotal role in breaking up any counter-attacks produced by the visitors.

Gueye also completed 34 of his 39 passes, at a completion rate of 87% – having the second-best rate of any outfield player behind fellow midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Gueye's stats vs Nottingham Forest

Statistics

Tally

Minutes played

90

Goals

1

Duels won

75%

Passes

34/39 (87%)

Tackles

4

Interceptions

2

Dribble success

1/1

Stats via Sofascore

The former PSG man also managed to make two interceptions, as he was awarded an 8/10 rating for his display by Liverpool Echo journalist Chris Beesley.

Everton's relegation situation

Despite having five games left in the Premier League this season, Gueye's performance in the victory over Forest today has massively boosted the club's chance of securing survival and avoiding a repeat of a final-day showdown.

He may be coming towards the tail end of his career given the fact he's 34, but today's performance is evidence that he's still able to produce top-quality outings on a constant basis.

Everton midfielderIdrissa Gueye.

His goal and all-round positive play certainly have allowed Dyche's side to stretch their lead over the relegation places and have their Premier League status in their own hands despite all the setbacks the club have received this campaign.

Gueye must be a crucial part of the Everton squad between now and the final day on May 19th, with the Senegalese defensive midfielder proving to everyone he is a reliable player for the club as they aim to maintain their ever-present top-flight Premier League position.

Nottingham Forest star who left in 2022 would be better than Sangare now

Nottingham Forest are in real trouble this season, with the Reds currently sitting three points above the relegation zone with nine games remaining in the Premier League.

The club are already on the cusp of potential relegation, but they could find themselves in yet more trouble on Monday, with the Reds set to find out the verdict of the PSR case.

Evangelos Marinakis invested over £200m since promotion, with the signings a huge factor in the club's breach of the Premier League's rules.

Players such as Morgan Gibbs-White and Taiwo Awoniyi joined Forest for then-club record fees as the Reds smashed their transfer record after promotion.

Despite their big spending, the club may have missed a trick by not signing a loanee who excelled at the club during the promotion campaign in 2021/22.

Financial Fair Play: What is PSR, how does it work and who's in trouble?

Leicester City have become the latest club charged with an alleged PSR breach, but what could happen next?

ByStephan Georgiou Apr 16, 2024 James Garner's stats at Nottingham Forest

After joining the club on loan for the 2020/21 campaign, Forest re-signed midfielder James Garner for the promotion campaign, with the Manchester United loanee impressing under Steve Cooper in the Championship.

During the 2021/22 season, Garner featured 41 times for the Reds scoring four times with eight assists – including a brilliant strike against Blackburn Rovers.

The midfielder also provided the cross for Levi Colwill's own goal in the Championship play-off final – a decisive strike that ended the club's 23-year exile from England's top flight.

Forest were reportedly interested in making the youngster's loan deal permanent in the summer of 2022 but were priced out of a deal for the United midfielder, with the Reds moving on to signing different targets such as Lewis O'Brien and Orel Mangala.

Djed Spence and Nottingham Forest teammates

Garner eventually joined fellow Premier League side Everton for a deal in the region of £9m rising to £15m with add-ons, with the Reds making a big mistake in not pushing harder to bring the youngster back to the City Ground.

How James Garner compares to Ibrahim Sangare

Current Forest boss Nuno Espírito Santo is yet to find a settled midfield, with the likes of Ryan Yates, Danilo, Nicolas Dominguez and Ibrahim Sangare often rotating the two deep-lying roles.

Sangare cost the Reds £32m in the summer, with the Forest faithful unhappy with the Ivorian's impact at the club since his arrival.

Given Garner's fee, which was nearly four times less than Sangare's, the Reds would have been better off signing the Englishman with the former Forest loanee ahead of Sangare in multiple key areas this season.

Even though the two are completely different types of midfielders, Garner's box-to-box playstyle would be more beneficial to Nuno, with the former Wolves boss consistently operating with two players at the base of the Reds midfield.

Undoubtedly, the former Reds loanee is better in possession than Sangare, with the now 23-year-old averaging more than double the Ivorian when it comes to shot-creating actions and progressive carries per game.

Interceptions

1.6

1.1

Progressive Carries

1

0.5

Shot Creating Actions

3.3

1.6

Passes Attempted

38

35

However, he also beats the former PSV man out of possession especially for interceptions per 90, with his tally of 1.6 ahead of Sangare's 1.1 per game.

It's still relatively early days for the 26-year-old at the City Ground, but so far he's failed to live up to expectations, with the club potentially making a big loss on the midfielder should they suffer relegation this summer.

Unai Emery wants to sign "superstar" defender in £25m+ Aston Villa transfer

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reportedly has a new “superstar” at the top of his summer transfer wishlist.

Aston Villa transfer rumours

The Spaniard has enjoyed a brilliant first full season in charge of Villa, with his side currently on course to finish inside the Premier League top four. NSWE have backed Emery in the transfer market over the last 12 months, and if they guarantee Champions League football, may do so once again.

Aston Villa signings 2023/24

Fee

Pau Torres (Villarreal)

£33m

Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen)

Undisclosed

Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)

Free

Rico Richards (West Bromwich Albion)

Free

Nicolo Zaniolo (Galatasaray)

Loan

Morgan Rogers (Middlesbrough)

Undisclosed

Kosta Nedeljkovic (Red Star Belgrade)

£6.5m

Joe Gauci (Adelaide United)

Undisclosed

Lino Sousa (Arsenal)

Undisclosed

However, there are major Villa concerns when it comes to PSR, with the club recently announcing a pre-tax loss of just under £120m for the year.

Despite this, it looks as if Monchi and Emery are looking at potential targets ahead of the 2024/25 season, with Leeds United winger Crysencio Summerville a rumoured target following his starring season in the Championship.

Meanwhile, speculation is increasing over a free transfer for Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso and there have even been rumours of a sensational return to the Midlands for Jack Grealish.

A new target has now emerged at Villa Park, and it seems to be a player who Emery personally wants to sign.

Unai Emery keen to sign Ferdi Kadioglu

According to reports in Turkey, relayed by Sport Witness, Aston Villa have joined the race to sign Fenerbahce left-back Ferdi Kadioglu this summer.

It is claimed that Emery has put the player ‘at the top of his transfer list’ ahead of the upcoming window, with Fenerbahce ‘expecting’ €30m (£25.7m) from any deal.

Kadioglu is 24 years of age and has previously been linked with Arsenal, Fulham and Newcastle, so he could finally get his move to England with Villa.

Primarily a left-back, Kadioglu has actually played all over the pitch during his career and has been with Fenerbahce since 2018. During that time, he has gone from strength to strength, with his Transfermarkt valuation rocketing from just over €1m to a career-high €20m.

Aston Villa eyeing move for "brilliant" Premier League youngster

He’s impressed in recent weeks.

ByCharlie Smith Apr 2, 2024

He is closing in on 200 Fenerbahce appearances and is a regular for Turkey, with Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig previously labelling Kadioglu as a “future superstar”.

A move could be one to watch, and who knows, Kadioglu could replace Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno as Emery’s first-choice left-back.

Adam Zampa stuns Queensland to overshadow Marnus Labuschagne century

South Australia legspinner thumped 35 not out off 15 balls to secure a last-over win

Alex Malcolm23-Oct-2019

Adam Zampa celebrates a miracle win•Getty Images

A staggering cameo from legspinner Adam Zampa helped South Australia steal a three-wicket win over Queensland at the Gabba with just two balls to spare.Zampa walked to the crease with the Redbacks needing 49 from 27 balls with just three wickets in hand and he clubbed 35 not out from 15 deliveries in a dazzling, scarcely believable display of batting to completely overshadow Marnus Labuschagne’s maiden List A century from earlier in the day.Jake Lehmann made 54 not out from 64 balls but he was truly a support act to Zampa and had struggled to find the boundary throughout his innings.Zampa launched the last ball off the 47th over from Billy Stanlake over long-on for six, but Michael Neser conceded just six runs from the 48th, leaving Zampa and Lehmann to score 27 off 12 balls to win the game. Zampa crunched Stanlake on the up wide of mid-off and then hooked him for six but Lehmann played and missed off the last ball of the penultimate over giving Neser 15 runs to defend off the last six balls.He couldn’t defend them in four. Zampa scooped the first ball for six over fine leg, cover drove an attempted wide yorked for four, pulled a short ball behind square to the boundary and crunched a straight drive to finish it with two balls to spare.Zampa was named player of the match after earlier taking 2 for 66 with the ball, trumping Wes Agar’s maiden five-wicket haul, Callum Ferguson’s 91, Alex Carey’s 79 and Labuschagne’s magnificent century.Just two days after steering Queensland home from a precarious position in a fourth-innings run chase in the Sheffield Shield against the Redbacks, Labuschagne conjured another superb counter-attack following a top-order collapse making a career-high 135 in Queensland’s total of 9 for 295.The Bulls slumped to 4 for 24 in the eighth over with Agar claiming all four wickets. Max Bryant was clean bowled playing across the line while Usman Khawaja and Joe Burns both chopped on. Matt Renshaw was hit on the toe and adjudged lbw first ball in between.Labuschagne, having made 72 not out after the Bulls slumped to 5 for 54 in the Shield game, picked up where he left off playing with a dominance that belies his overall record. He put together a 110-run stand with Jimmy Peirson to dig his team out of trouble and then found further allies in Neser and Ben Cutting.Labuschagne had failed to convert his nine previous List A half-centuries, and his last seven first-class half-centuries, into three figures but finally broke the drought launching a towering six off Zampa to go from 94 to 100 in style.South Australia’s chase started poorly with Jake Weatherald and Travis Head both falling in the opening five overs to Jack Wildermuth. Carey and Ferguson then resurrected the chase with a 117-run stand. Carey put on a masterclass scoring 79 of them as the Redbacks appeared on track but when he ran himself out trying to steal an unnecessary single to Bryant at cover the chase stumbled. The in-form Tom Cooper was cleaned bowled through the gate for 2 by Neser.Ferguson and Lehmann rebuilt but the required run-rate began to climb. With 86 needed from 54 balls, Lehmann was dropped at long-off by Neser off Matt Kuhnemann. Two balls later Ferguson fell for 91, top-edging a sweep to short fine leg. All looked lost when Luke Robins and Cam Valente holed out. But Zampa stole the show.

High-profile manager claim made as West Ham set for David Moyes decision

West Ham United chiefs have made a decision regarding David Moyes' contract as The Telegraph journalist Jason Burt makes a "high-profile" managerial claim.

Moyes pressure mounts after 6-0 loss to Arsenal

The Hammers remain winless in 2024 and succumbed to what was a pretty embarrassing 6-0 loss to title-contenders Arsenal at the London Stadium last weekend, with former captain Declan Rice putting in a Man of the March performance against his ex-club.

Moyes dealt contract worry as West Ham consider "perfect" trophy-laden boss

He’s won nine pieces of silverware.

By
Emilio Galantini

Feb 8, 2024

It was West Ham's most regrettable day of the campaign to date, and one which heaped even more pressure on under-fire boss Moyes. Fans were already divided over whether to offer the Scotsman a contract extension, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.

“A really poor day for us,” said Moyes on West Ham's defeat to Arsenal.

“Very difficult to explain how we played so poorly. Arsenal played exceptionally well, we must give them the credit. The disappointing thing for me is, since I’ve come back to the club, I don’t think my teams defend like that ever. The disappointing thing is we were weak today, didn’t do the jobs well enough, didn’t fight to contain harder. We could have conceded other goals as well.”

Sunday's result has plunged Moyes' future into further doubt, regardless of the 60-year-old recently stating that talks were "well down the line" over fresh terms at Rush Green.

West Ham's league finishes under David Moyes

Season

14th

22/23

6th

21/22

7th

20/21

16th

19/20

"We'll get back on it now the window is shut,” said Moyes on his new contract at the start of February. "We're well down the line and moving on with it. We'll pick that up again in the next few weeks."

Moyes and West Ham were criticised for their failure to sign a winger in the January transfer window as well, with the Irons now desperately short of options out wide following the departures of Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals.

West Ham are reportedly exploring potential replacements for Moyes in the event he leaves, with Burt now sharing an update on the club's managerial situation.

West Ham make Moyes contract decision amid "high-profile" manager claim

The reliable journalist wrote in a piece for The Telegraph this week that West Ham have decided to postpone Moyes renewal talks, and it is believed that a number of "high-profile" unnamed managers are interested in the potential vacancy.

Indeed, it is believed numerous bosses of calibre are eyeing up the job, and London Stadium chiefs are well aware of this. It's apparently given West Ham something to think about, as the east Londoners will also be considering potential backlash from some supporters if they do decide to retain Moyes.

West Ham manager David Moyes

The 60-year-old guided West Ham to their first major trophy since the 1980s with a Europa Conference League triumph in Prague, but domestically, they just about avoided relegation to The Championship.

Since Moyes took over from Manuel Pellegrini in late 2019, West Ham have also qualified for Europe in three of the last four campaigns.

Rangers gem out vs Motherwell and doubt for Benfica after mysterious update

As the fixtures begin to come thick and fast once more, Rangers will hope to keep ahold of their spot at the top of the Scottish Premiership whilst also navigating a way through Benfica in the Europa League. But that's certainly easier said than done, especially after Philippe Clement's latest injury update.

Rangers injury news

The Gers already have a lengthy injury list, making Clement's recent work even more impressive to leapfrog Celtic at the top of the league. Even before the latest update, Rangers were on course to be without as many as five players ahead of their next game against Motherwell.

Rabbi Matondo

Unknown

Abdallah Sima

Mid April

Alex Lowry

Mid-late March

Kieran Dowell

Late March

Todd Cantwell

Late March

Danilo Pereira

Early April

With Celtic sitting just two points behind in the Scottish Premiership, Rangers can't afford a single slip-up in the next few weeks. As their injury list grows and fixtures keep coming, however, that may prove to be more and more difficult for the Gers.

Making matters worse, Clement confirmed that Oscar Cortes suffered a muscle injury against Kilmarnock and will now see a specialist, with his return date unknown.

Given that the former AS Monaco boss couldn't give an answer as to when those at Ibrox can expect their January loan signing to return, he looks likely to miss Rangers' Europa League last 16 tie against Benfica. The first leg, which comes in Portugal, is as soon as next Thursday, whilst the second leg takes place on March 14 at Ibrox in a crucial clash for Rangers' European ambitions.

Cortes has already impressed at Rangers

With reports suggesting that Rangers will look to make Cortes' loan move a permanent deal this summer, it's fair to say that the 20-year-old RC Lens winger has impressed since arriving in January. Clement hasn't shied away from handing the loanee plenty of praise.

"He is somebody who can help the team and who feels good in his way of football. He had six months in Lens, where they had a different style and he didn’t play many minutes – or almost nothing – but it’s good that our recruitment knew him already for a long time and they said he would fit the team and the squad and he could give something that we need for the next couple of months

Glasgow Rangers managerPhilippe Clement.

"It’s clear already from the first training that he can help us with achieving our goals."

In many ways, Cortes' positive impression makes his injury blow all the more frustrating for Rangers, especially as they prepare to square off against Portuguese giants Benfica. Clement will desperately be hoping to be handed some positive news when the winger sees a specialist over his muscle issue.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus