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A twist in the tale has now come to light regarding Declan Rice’s future at West Ham United, as broken by 90min journalist Toby Cudworth.

The Lowdown: Rice summer saga…

Reports concerning the 23-year-old’s London Stadium future have been in no short supply over the last few months, with Fabrizio Romano even lifting the lid on a rejected third contract offer from the Irons.

According to some, David Moyes’ star asset has pledged to remain in east London until at least 2023, as explained by insider Claret & Hugh. Meanwhile, there have been other suggestions that Rice is more open than ever to leaving the Premier League club this summer as the likes of Manchester United hover for his signing.

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In a bid to keep Rice at the club and extend his deal, in what has been described as a ‘big’ story, Cudworth has shared a twist out of West Ham.

The Latest: GSB pull U-turn?

According to the reporter, a ‘sizeable shift in stance’ is on the cards surrounding a new deal for the 23-year-old, with West Ham now ‘ready to consider’ inserting a release clause.

This would hand Rice a route out of Rush Green, a contractual clause thought to be never on GSB’s agenda, but it may now be a possibility to entice him to put pen to paper.

Sharing a corresponding article for 90min, Cudworth explained on Twitter: “West Ham ready to consider including a release clause in improved Declan Rice contract. Would mark a sizeable shift in stance but increases agreement chances and preserves full value when the time comes to sell.”

The Verdict: Significant update?

The inclusion of a possible exit clause would relinquish West Ham and GSB’s control over stopping the 23-year-old from departing.

In this respect, Cudworth’s update comes as potentially significant, but much will depend on the size of the figure and whether any interested club will pay it.

In other news: Moyes now very likely to make major bid for ‘world class’ striker after claim that he ‘likes’ West Ham! Find out more here

Aston Villa have held talks with Burnley defender James Tarkowski over a possible move to the Midlands, according to Sky Sports.

The Lowdown: Tarkowski’s contract situation

The centre-back has been on the books at Turf Moor since 2016 and has made 219 appearances for the Clarets, 37 of which came during the 2021/22 campaign.

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The 29-year-old couldn’t prevent relegation for Burnley on the final day of the Premier League season and he now looks set to leave the club over the coming weeks. His contract expires at the end of June, and it looks as if a free transfer to Villa Park could now be on the cards.

The Latest: Villa hold talks with Tarkowski

Sky Sports shared a transfer update on Monday evening after Villa secured a free transfer for Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara.

They relayed the news on the French midfielder and also added that the club have also held talks with Tarkowski, although Villa are expected to face competition from a number of Premier League sides for the Burnley defender.

The Verdict: Smart move?

Tarkowski would bring plenty of Premier League experience with him to Villa Park, should a move materialise, so signing him without the expense of a transfer fee could be a wise move by Steven Gerrard.

The 41-year-old has already taken advantage of the free transfer market by signing Kamara, and it looks as if a defensive overhaul could now be on the cards in the Midlands.

Reports have suggested that the futures of Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings are in doubt, which could leave Gerrard with just Calum Chambers and Kortney Hause as senior centre-back options.

Therefore, landing Tarkowski for nothing could be a smart move, and one which also wouldn’t eat into the manager’s £150m transfer kitty from NSWE.

In other news: NSWE now eyeing another defender; Villa chiefs sent to club after Gerrard approves

Phil Hay has dropped an update on the potential targets of Leeds United in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

Speaking on a recent episode of The Phil Hay Show, The Athletic journalist revealed that Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch are targeting the signing of a Premier League centre-forward ahead of the Whites’ 2022/23 campaign.

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Regarding the Leeds’ potential targets this summer, Hay said: “From what I’m told there is at least one Premier League centre-forward that they’re looking at, and I think they will do a centre-forward – they have to do a centre-forward.”

Supporters will be buzzing

When taking into account just how much Leeds struggled in attack without the services of Patrick Bamford this season, Hay’s claim that the club are looking to sign a proven Premier League striker in the summer transfer window is sure to have left the Elland Road faithful buzzing.

Indeed, with the England international missing 28 league fixtures as a result of injury this term, and – despite being an incredibly exciting prospect for the future – Joe Gelhardt not quite being a top-flight level number nine as yet, the Whites managed to find the back of the net just 42 times this season – 20 fewer than their total of 62 goals scored in 2020/21.

And, with Raphinha’s proposed transfer to Barcelona looking to already be all but be confirmed, Orta and Marsch face the added task of having to replace the Brazilian’s 11 goals and three assists over his 36 appearances next time out, making the signing of a dependable backup to Bamford all the more important ahead of 22/23.

As such, Hay’s suggestion that Orta is already working on the signing of a new striker in the off-season is sure to delight both Marsch and supporters alike, as, if Leeds wish to give themselves the best possible chance of avoiding a repeat of their relegation concerns this term, a proven number nine to partner Bamford would indeed appear an absolute must this summer.

AND in other news: Leeds can land “big-time” Phillips heir with £34m bid for “special” £38k-p/w talent

Shanaka is no one’s idea of a world-class bowler but he makes it work against Bangladesh with his 3 for 28

Andrew Fidel Fernando10-Sep-20231:51

Maharoof: Shanaka brings balance to the team when he bowls

When your last seven scores are 5, 14*, 1, 5, 0, 5 and 1, these things tend to happen. Like a man rifling frantically through all his pockets for a misplaced key, Dasun Shanaka is reaching for deliveries he doesn’t usually reach for, lunging when he doesn’t usually lunge, and mis-hitting almost every shot in an anxious 32-ball 24 that sets Sri Lanka on track for another fizzling finish.It has been almost nine months since Shanaka struck 108 not out off 88 against India in Guwahati. Since then, he has played 14 ODI innings, averaged 10.69, and struck at a truly abysmal 73.15.Such has been the extent of his batting misery, and so desperate a figure does he cut with bat in hand, you wonder if he thinks he will ever find his old self again. Whether he still believes the thing big-hitting batters such as himself are supposed to believe: that the shot that thumps him back into rhythm – like an old TV screen that comes right when you hit it hard enough – is just around the corner.Related

• Samarawickrama: Taking the game a little deeper gave us momentum

• Silverwood wants Shanaka, Dhananjaya 'to provide firepower'

• Is Sri Lanka's tame finish in ODIs a cause for concern?

• Shakib seeks batting fix after 'reality check' ahead of World Cup

But this is not your run-of-the-mill plunge into despair. There are other statistics. Under Shanaka’s leadership, Sri Lanka have now won 13 consecutive ODIs, something only the greatest ODI team of all time has ever done before. They’ve bowled out their opposition in all 13 of those matches, despite their best fast bowler – Dushmantha Chameera – having been injured for most of that run. Wanindu Hasaranga has played no part in their three Asia Cup victories so far. Promising left-armer Dilshan Madushanka has not been available in this tournament either.There are huge caveats to these numbers, of course. Of the teams playing in this year’s World Cup, Sri Lanka have defeated only Afghanistan (three times), Bangladesh (twice), and Netherlands (twice) during this stretch. None of these sides are what you would call long-standing cricketing powers. But still, Sri Lanka have won 22 matches and lost only 13 under Shanaka. In ODIs since 2016 in which he was not captain, Sri Lanka won just 28 and lost 63.A quick vibe check, as we can’t be all about numbers: it doesn’t feel as depressing to be a follower of Sri Lankan cricket since Shanaka took over the white-ball teams. Even if he himself barely looks like he can hold a bat right now.What Shanaka can do, however, is contribute with the ball. It is, by a distance, his second skill. Maybe even his third, given his fielding in the circle is routinely outstanding. On Saturday, having seen Bangladesh’s batters go after Maheesh Theekshana early, and sensing that perhaps this was a plan they had hatched, Shanaka brought himself on to bowl the fourth over and, however gentle his pace, began making the ball curve late enough through the air to trouble batters.He raised a mild lbw appeal in his first over, conceded just five runs across his next three overs, and eventually created the pressure that yielded two wickets. Mehidy Hasan Miraz pulled a shortish ball straight to midwicket. Mohammad Naim top-edged what in Shanaka’s world is a bouncer, which eventually settled in the gloves of the wicketkeeper. By the end of his first spell, Shanaka had given away 15 from six overs. It was, in effect, a tone-setting effort.Dasun Shanaka dismissed Bangladesh’s openers in his back-to-back overs•Associated PressBangladesh never truly recovered from these six overs, delivered by a captain who does not usually operate in the early stages of an innings but, perhaps because so much else was going wrong for him, felt he needed to find responsibilities elsewhere.Shanaka is no one’s idea of a world-class bowler. Just as Sri Lanka is no one’s idea of a world-class ODI team, at present. But together, for now, they are making it work. Kind of. In their previous win, against Afghanistan, they had kind of tumbled into like a drunk crashing into a soft haystack.And his problems will persist beyond this match. There are lots of things a captain can’t really do when they’re in this much of a personal chasm. They can’t comfortably make the kinds of tough selection calls on match day that are sometimes required. They can’t twist arms and draft players that are not on the selectors’ radar. They can’t talk tough within the team, and certainly not in public. They can’t take strong stands, which is a thing you often need to do when your board is Sri Lanka Cricket.You suspect Shanaka is not a natural arm-twister/tough talker/stand-taker anyway. But in men’s elite sport, which even in 2023 rewards the more brusque expressions of masculinity, it would be nice to have the option of being a generalissimo, even just occasionally.That ODIs have been Sri Lanka’s worst format since their batting Valar (TM Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardana etc) retired is pretty well understood. But right now, it feels like a side that is spinning like a top – beautiful in its current motion, but susceptible to collapsing with the lightest gust, a glancing touch of a finger.Shanaka is at least partly responsible for this revival. On Saturday, his batting failed again. But he took 3 for 28 from nine overs, and led Sri Lanka to another victory.

Under Tom Latham, they are without many of their regulars; Pakistan, by contrast, couldn’t be better placed

Danyal Rasool13-Apr-2023New Zealand were made to offer Pakistan a public vow of compensation in May last year in an attempt to placate their hosts – they would have to pay out of their own pockets to make up for leaving a tour of Pakistan on the day of the first match in September 2021 citing a “specific” security threat. (The amount they would pay, though, was rather non-specific, what with it being undisclosed.)The promises kept coming. They would also invite Pakistan for a triangular T20I series as preparation for the then-upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. And they would visit Pakistan again over the next year, not once, but twice. They would play Tests in December and ODIs in January. And then, as if these two countries were next-door neighbours, New Zealand would pop back over to Pakistan once more, to play no fewer than ten white-ball games, five in each format. Would that be okay, Mr Raja?Ramiz Raja might be gone but, perhaps against all logic, here New Zealand are. Even though it’s now mid-April, and the time of year when it becomes uncomfortably hot has just about commenced. Never mind, indeed, that it’s Ramzan, pushing the start of the T20Is to 9pm local time, meaning they won’t finish before midnight. Or that the series will straddle Eid, meaning Pakistan will be playing cricket while the rest of the country celebrates the end of Ramzan. And never mind that most of New Zealand’s finest players are currently across the other side of the Attari-Wagah border.Related

• Sethi offers Babar conditional backing as all-format captain

• New Zealand to compensate Pakistan for aborted tour in 2021

• NZ to tour Pakistan twice to make up for postponed series

Not since the side led by Jamie How in England in April 2008 has a New Zealand side arrived in another country depleted so by reasons other than injury. How was frank at the time when talking about the unavailable players as they played in the inaugural edition of this tournament you might have heard of – something called the IPL. “I think everyone wishes they were in India at some point,” he had said, as if a full tour of England wasn’t among the high points in New Zealand’s cricketing calendar.Tom Latham, standing in for Williamson now, was somewhat more guarded on the eve of the series in Lahore. “The preparation hasn’t been ideal,” he admitted. “But as international cricketers, we have to adapt as quick as we can. We’ve only had one training session leading into this series, but we’ve got to trust the work that we’ve done back home, even if conditions are different. We’ve got some young guys in the group, but we’ve also got some experienced heads. Guys who’ve played a lot of T20 cricket around the world. These guys have been picked on performances in domestic cricket in New Zealand, and it’s a great opportunity for them.”

Pakistan have their whole set of first-choice players

Pakistan, by contrast, could not be better placed, particularly for the T20I series. If the 2-1 loss against Afghanistan can be written off as a post-PSL blip for inexperienced players in unfamiliar conditions, there are no such issues this time. Pakistan have had a useful little break in the build-up while New Zealand were taking on Sri Lanka at the other end of the world. They will be playing in the same stadiums so many of the young players shone at in during the PSL, and they’ll have the steadying hands of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan back.

“[Sethi] has given me his backing. We try to give our best every series. I can’t get a commitment in writing that I will be captain. But I try to exercise the authority I have, and maintain the standards I’ve set. Things go on in the background, but I don’t try and look at what’s being said. If I did, it would only increase the pressure”Babar Azam on his future as Pakistan captain

There’s more to that last point than just that, but with Babar confirming the two will open the batting, there’s little point flogging that dead horse. Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris will have the opportunity to put the Afghanistan series in the past; with the T20 World Cup 18 months away, Pakistan have time on their side. Ihsanullah and Zaman Khan also get another shot while Shaheen Shah Afridi returns to partner Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, which should guarantee that Pakistan are in want of nothing in that department.Pakistan have fast bowlers who breathe fire, and a top order adept at putting them out. It is a formula that has worked for them in the past, and while they look to fine-tune it to help them take the next step, Babar sees little reason to rip it up altogether.”We have the strength to dominate this series,” he said. “The way our youngsters have performed in the PSL, both batters and bowlers, has been extremely impressive. And our senior players like Haris [Rauf], Naseem and Shaheen are also on song. It’s a nice combination we’ve built up. But you can’t say it’ll be easy. People say this is New Zealand’s B team, but most of their players are seasoned players, and even their younger players have had plenty of form and experience.”Babar Azam has confirmed that he and Mohammad Rizwan will open the batting•PCB

The confusion around Babar Azam’s captaincy

Pakistan’s preparation was as uneventful as it should have been, but, true to form, they found a way to manufacture some of their own. It came, extraordinarily, from the highest cricketing office in the land, with PCB chairman Najam Sethi taking to Twitter to make a statement that was anything but an unequivocal backing of the captain. Confirming he had sought the views of the selection committee on the merits of retaining Babar, he said he would be guided by the selectors and head coach “going forward, and my decision will be subject to the success or failure of the status quo”.Sethi, a former journalist, had casually thrown in that bombshell just a day before current journalists sat down at Babar’s pre-series conference, leaving the captain in the excruciatingly awkward position of defending himself while not appearing to contradict the man with the power to sack him.”[Sethi] has given me his backing,” Babar said, very much with the air of a man walking a tightrope. “We try to give our best every series. I can’t get a commitment in writing that I will be captain. But I try to exercise the authority I have, and maintain the standards I’ve set. Things go on in the background, but I don’t try and look at what’s being said. If I did, it would only increase the pressure.”Pressure that Babar doesn’t need any more of, and in truth, doesn’t deserve. But if it offers this series the extra edge and spice it so desperately needs, the Gaddafi stadium could be in for some surprisingly entertaining Ramzan cricket.

Nottingham Forest have appointed Sean Dyche as their new head coach on a deal until summer 2027.

The 54-year-old has taken over at the City Ground following Ange Postecoglou’s sacking on Saturday. Dyche, who lives in Nottingham and was a trainee at the club, becomes the third first-team boss of the season and will be joined in the dugout by former Forest heroes Ian Woan and Steve Stone.

Dyche had been out of work since leaving Everton at the start of the year. Forest say that the former Burnley manager has “the perfect blend of character, tactical acumen and proven achievement”.

Forest and Evangelos Marinakis were also considering former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini and are known admirers of Fulham’s Marco Silva, but the prospect of getting the Portuguese out of Craven Cottage mid-season was deemed too challenging.

The recruitment process, led by global head of football, Edu Gaspar, landed on Dyche and his first game in charge will be Thursday’s Europa League tie with Porto at the City Ground.

Dyche told Nottingham Forest January kitty

According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Dyche has been told to work with what he has at Nottingham Forest and won’t be given a big January transfer kitty.

The reporter has claimed from ‘sources that Dyche is unlikely to get a big transfer budget in the January transfer window, and will instead have to work with the players already at the club’.

Forest and Marinakis splashed the cash in the summer, spending just under £200m ahead of their Europa League campaign, so it is understandable to hear of the decision by the owner.

However, Dyche may have been hoping to tinker with his squad in the New Year, but unless he sells one of his Forest stars, it could be a quiet window in what may come as an immediate concern for the new manager.

Jordan Montgomery is running it back with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2025.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported Thursday that Montgomery has exercised his $22.5 million player option for next season. He now is set to be an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 campaign.

It shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that Montgomery opted in and took the guaranteed money, as he struggled through the '24 season and registered an 8–7 record, 6.23 ERA and 11.5 hits per nine innings in 25 appearances (21 starts).

It is a bit surprising, however, given Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick's comments earlier this month in which he openly admitted that he regrets giving Montgomery a contract.

"Looking back, in hindsight, a horrible decision to invest that money in a guy who performed as poorly as he did," Kendrick said on Arizona Sports radio's show. "It's our biggest mistake this season from a talent standpoint, and I'm the perpetrator of that."

Montgomery had an interesting offseason last winter. Fresh off a career-best season in '23 when he logged a 3.20 ERA and helped the Texas Rangers win the World Series, the left-hander entered free agency as one of the most intriguing arms available.

But Montgomery never landed the deal that he and agent Scott Boras desired, and he ended up signing a one-year contract with a player option for '25 with Arizona in late March, just two days before the season opener.

Montgomery missed the entirety of spring training and struggled to find a rhythm in 2024. He fired Boras in August and will head into free agency after the '25 season with new representation.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have cashed in on a plethora of star players in recent years, dealing with some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs to bring in large sums of cash.

Here is a look at Wolves’ 20 most expensive departures from Molineux, with a detailed look at the top 10.

Wolves' most expensive signings of all time

Football FanCast takes a detailed look at Wolves’ 10 most expensive signings of all time.

By
Charlie Smith

Sep 5, 2025

Here is a detailed look at Wolves' 10 record departures…

10

Fabio Silva

£19.5m to Borussia Dortmund, 2025

Wolves actually broke their transfer record at the time to sign Fabio Silva from FC Porto as a teenager, with the forward costing the club more than £35m.

Unfortunately for the Old Gold and Silva, things never clicked in the Midlands, with Silva being loaned out to four different clubs before Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund came in with a permanent £19.5m deal in 2025.

9

Nathan Collins

£23m to Brentford, 2023

Nathan Collins’ time at Molineux was short-lived, only spending one full season with Wolves before being sold to Brentford in 2023.

The Republic of Ireland international joined the Bees for what was a club-record £23m, which resulted in Wolves making a £3m profit.

8

Morgan Gibbs-White

£25m to Nottingham Forest, 2022

Attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White came through the Wolves academy and spent a number of years in the senior side at Molineux before his move to Nottingham Forest in 2022.

The Reds paid an initial £25m for Gibbs-White, although a further £17.5m could be paid in performance and appearance-related add-ons.

7

Rayan Ait-Nouri

£31m to Man City, 2025

Rayan Ait-Nouri went from strength to strength during his five-year stay at Molineux, making his move permanent from French side Angers in 2021 following a successful loan spell.

The left-back made more than 150 appearances for Wolves and got the eye of Pep Guardiola and Man City in 2025, who paid just over £30m to sign the Algerian.

6

Diogo Jota

£40m to Liverpool, 2020

It’s scary to think that Diogo Jota played for Wolves in the Championship and was a key member of the side that won promotion in 2018.

The Portugal international’s initial loan move to Molineux became permanent while still in the second tier, and after three years in the Midlands, Liverpool came calling in 2020 and paid £40m for the attacker. Tragically, the forward died in a car crash in 2025.

5

Max Kilman

£40m to West Ham, 2024

Centre-back Max Kilman reunited with former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui in 2024 when he moved to West Ham in a £40m transfer.

Things didn’t work out for Lopetegui, who was sacked by the Hammers, while Kilman, who spent six seasons at Molineux, signed a seven-year contract with West Ham.

4

Ruben Neves

£47m to Al-Hilal, 2023

Ruben Neves swapped the Champions League for the Championship when signing for Wolves in 2017, and he would go on to make more than 250 appearances for the Old Gold.

Regularly linked with moves away from Molineux, Neves eventually swapped the Midlands for Saudi Arabia, with Al-Hilal paying £47m for the Portugal international in 2023.

3

Pedro Neto

£51.3m to Chelsea, 2024

Another Portuguese star who lit up Molineux was winger Pedro Neto. He had his injury issues, though, making 135 appearances in five full seasons.

Chelsea weren’t put off by Neto’s injury history and spent more than £50m on the attacker in 2024, with the wide forward penning a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

2

Matheus Nunes

£53m to Man City, 2023

Matheus Nunes was Wolves’ most expensive departure for two years following his £53m move to Manchester City in 2023.

The midfielder starred in his only campaign at Molineux after joining from Sporting CP, so much so that those at the Etihad improved their initial offer and secured Nunes to a five-year deal.

1

Matheus Cunha

£62.5m to Man Utd

Another Matheus tops the list in forward Matheus Cunha, who also headed to Manchester, this time to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils were on the search for a new marquee attacker, and following Cunha’s excellent campaigns at Molineux, decided to trigger his £62.5m release clause. The Brazilian left the Midlands after scoring 33 goals in 92 games.

A Super Bowl champion has offered to help Harry Kane achieve his NFL dream of becoming a kicker in American football. Kane is shining for Bayern Munich having maintained his flying start to the season with a brace against FC Koln in the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday night. However, the England captain has made no secret of his love and desire to play in the NFL one day.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'I love it, so I would love to give it a go'

  Kane recently made history by becoming the fastest player to score 100 goals for a team in Europe's top five leagues. And while he continues to shine for the Bavarian powerhouse, the 32-year-old has previously stated that trying to become an American football kicker was "always something that is in the back of my mind".

  "I know it will be a lot of hard work. I'm not expecting to just rock up and start kicking field goals. It would be a lot of practice," Kane said in 2023. "The NFL is something I've been following for about 10 years now. I love it, so I would love to give it a go."

  Football journalist Henry Winter has also speculated that Kane would one day go on to play American football when he retires. Ahead of Kane's 100th-cap earning match for England, Winter speculated about what the future may hold for the former Spurs man.

  "If I was taking a punt, as it were, I would say that within three years he'll be a kicker in the NFL. He's talked about it, he's big mates with Tom Brady, and it has been done before," Winter said last year.

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• 'He would do fantastic'

  And one Super Bowl champion has offered to help make Kane's dream a reality. Dustin Colquitt was part of the Super Bowl winning Kansas City squad in 2020 having followed in his father's footsteps to become an NFL punter.

  Colquitt spent 15 years with the Chiefs, but grew up dreaming of playing in the Premier League. Having played football at high school, the 43-year-old remains a huge football fan and believes Kane would "do fantastic" if he tried his luck in American football.

  When asked if Kane could become an NFL kicker by BBC Sport, Colquitt said: "Absolutely, if he focused on it. He would do fantastic. I've seen some of his finishing skills.

  "I would love to actually work with him just because I love soccer, and his excitement. He's seeking this out – that's part of the fibre of his being, that he wants to try this NFL thing."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'When he's ready, I'm ready'

  A punter's job is incredibly important for an NFL kicker as the former holds the ball in place for the latter. As such, Kane would need an experienced punter in order to achieve his dream of playing American football professionally.

  "The guy that holds for those field goals, that is extremely important – knowing where the laces [on the ball] are, if you've got wind," Colquitt added. "So when he's ready, I'm ready."

  In 2021, Kane told The Overlap that the kicks an NFL kicker makes are "almost the equivalent to a penalty kick". "A lot of people can score penalties in training or kick it a long way, but can you do it under pressure when the moment's big, when the game's on the line?" Kane told Gary Neville.

  "That aspect is the bit where maybe I have a bit of an advantage over some younger people coming through."

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• Kane wouldn't be the first footballer to play in NFL

  Kane's hopes of playing American football are boosted in that a number of former footballers have made the transition from professional football to the NFL. Former footballer Toni Fritsch previously quit football at 26, while the Austrian received a 1972 Super Bowl ring despite being injured.

  Former Tottenham and England striker Clive Allen was 35 when he tried his lucky with the London Monarchs in 1997. Current NFL kickers Brandon Aubrey, Harrison Butker and Cairo Santos have all played football in the past.

  Kane is currently contracted to Bayern until 2027 but has been linked with a Premier League return in recent weeks.

It is undeniable that Celtic have lost a lot of attacking talent in 2025.

First, Kyōgo Furuhashi was sold in January, before both Nicolas Kühn and then Adam Idah departed during the summer, recouping around £33.5m in total.

Between them, the trio scored 138 goals for the Hoops, with supporters furious that they were not replaced by adequate quality.

Although, one player the club did sign has made a bright start to life in Glasgow, but would Brendan Rodgers’ attack be even stronger had they kept hold of a forgotten star?

Sebastian Tounekti's start to life at Celtic

Right before the transfer window slammed shut, Sebastian Tounekti joined Celtic for a reported fee of £5m from Hammarby.

Still only 23 years old, the Tunisian international has bounced around various European clubs, plying his trade in Norway, the country of his birth, the Netherlands and then Sweden, but looks immediately at home in Glasgow.

On Sunday, Tounekti opened his Celtic account, combining beautifully with Kelechi Iheanacho before slotting through Lewis Budinauckas’ legs as the Bhoys demolished Partick Thistle 4-0 in the League Cup quarter-finals at Firhill.

A week earlier, he had been named man of the match on debut against Kilmarnock, with George O’Neill of BBC Sport asserting that he has instantaneously become an integral figure, citing Rodgers who believes the winger has “got a bit of everything, he can beat a man, go either way, slip runners in as well, and it’s nice for him to get his goal.”

Of course, supporters are still furious the board did not act in the transfer market sooner, blaming this lack of activity for their ignominious exit from the Champions League play-off round against Kazakh champions Kairat.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

Nevertheless, even if many would argue he came too late, the Celts seem to have landed an exceptional attacker, but there is a forgotten former Celtic winger, sold for just £1.7m, who is actually outscoring Tounekti in 2025.

Forgotten former Celtic forward in fine form

Given Celtic’s position in the global food chain, and their very successful player trading model, plenty of players pass through Parkhead, a fact that was no more so the case than during Ange Postecoglou’s reign.

Sead Hakšabanović epitomises this idea, joining from Rubin Kazan for £2.5m in August 2022, making just 42 appearances in hoops, loaned out to Stoke the following summer, before being sold to Malmö for £1.7m in June 2024.

The Montenegrin international didn’t make much of an impression in Glasgow, scoring just five goals, but he did start three Champions League matches, also departing as a treble winner.

It would be fair to describe Hakšabanović as a journeyman given that, at 26 years old, Malmö is the ninth different club he has represented: Halmstad, West Ham, Málaga, Norrköping, Rubin Kazan, Djurgården and the aforementioned Celtic and Stoke the others.

He only showed glimpses of what he is capable of in Glasgow but, at his peak, journalist Sacha Pisani believed he had “pace to burn”, while Stewart Ross of the Celtic Way praised his ‘quality and versatility’ upon his arrival.

Now though, Hakšabanović has been in the best form of his career at Malmö, scoring seven times in 2025 to date, including a brace to help his side beat Sigma Olomouc in last month’s Europa League play-off.

This means he is outscoring Tounekti in 2025, as the table below documents.

Of course, these two players, up until recently, were both plying their trade in the Allsvenskan, rated the 19th strongest league in the world by Global Football Rankings, eight places above the Scottish Premiership.

As the table documents, Hakšabanović​​​​​​​ has scored thrice more than Tounekti in 2025 to date, suggesting he is more of a reliable goal threat, albeit the Tunisian international has created more assists and exponentially more big chances, while also registering a higher dribble success percentage, suggesting he is an all-around more dangerous attacker.

Nevertheless, given how blunt Celtic’s attack has been in general this season, scoring just eight goals in five Premiership matches, failing to net in three and a half hours of play against Kairat, Hakšabanović sure could have been a useful asset, had he been given more of a chance.

"Phenomenal" Celtic star looks like the biggest loser from Tounekti's rise

This Celtic star may end up being the biggest loser from Sebastian Tounekti’s form.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 23, 2025