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Glasgow Rangers are reportedly close to signing Ecuador midfielder Jose Cifuentes from Los Angeles FC.

What’s the latest Rangers transfer news?

Michael Beale isn’t wasting any time when it comes to bolstering his squad ahead of his first full season in charge at Ibrox.

A number of soon-to-be free agents look set to move north over the coming months. Chelsea’s Dujon Sterling and Norwich City’s Kieran Dowell appear to be closing in on deals with the Scottish giants, whereas Jack Butland is also another target.

A transfer update has now emerged on Butland, along with Cifuentes, with those in Glasgow seemingly looking to get the majority of their business finalised early, with up to 10 new additions on the cards.

According to The Scottish Sun, Beale has targeted a move for Cifuentes as part of his summer Ibrox rebuild. They state that the club are closing in on a deal, with Rangers chiefs holding talks with the player’s representatives in the past week. Discussions are reaching an advanced stage.

Who is Jose Cifuentes?

Cifuentes has been with LAFC since 2020 and is primarily a central midfielder but can also play in defensive and attacking midfield roles when required.

The 24-year-old, sponsored by Nike, is out of contract at the end of the year and has made more than 100 appearances for his current employers, contributing to 32 goals.

He could well be a shrewd signing at Ibrox, with South American football expert Tim Vickery believing that Cifuentes is ready for the step up to European football, with the reporter once labelling him as "terrific".

"He was the beating heart of that [Ecuador U20] side and I think he's a terrific midfielder. He's strong, he's got quality, he's got a good engine – he's one of the best all-round midfielders, potentially, that I've seen come out of South America in a while.

Cifuentes has also seen his Transfermarkt valuation rocket from €3m to a career-high €12m over the last two years, with the Ecuador international winning 12 caps for his country, impressing at the World Cup.

Therefore, with Ryan Jack, Scott Arfield and Steven Davis all out of contract in a matter of weeks, Cifuentes could prove to be a solid signing, offering plenty of versatility in midfield, and by the looks of it, a transfer is gathering pace.

Dutch football expert and journalist Marcel van der Kraan has told Tottenham Hotspur they're targeting an "absolutely phenomenal" manager in Arne Slot.

Who could be the next Spurs manager?

There are currently a succession of candidates still in the frame to become Spurs' next manager, coming two months after former boss Antonio Conte departed north London.

Spurs must get preparations underway for the summer window but hiring a new head coach takes centre stage for now, and any prospective new manager will want time to identify transfer targets.

The Lilywhites are ever so slowly winding down their list of possible candidates, but there are still many names in the frame, with Ruben Amorim, Marco Silva, Michael Carrick, Brendan Rodgers, Graham Potter, Luis Enrique and Slot all linked in the past week (90min).

Perhaps chief among them is Slot, and while Sky Sports say he is not the clear favourite yet, there are other reports claiming he's entered pole position.

One thing seems crystal clear – the 44-year-old is a firm target for Levy and co as they step up plans to appoint Conte's replacement.

Amid these reports, and as Tottenham eye a move for Slot, reporter Van der Kraan has told Sky Sports that they're targeting an "absolutely phenomenal" option – and Feyenoord fans "cannot believe" what he's done.

He explained:

"We all know Cruyff had only a couple of people who follow him. One of them is Pep Guardiola, I would say this is a Pep Guardiola-style manager."Everything I’ve seen of him over the last two years, every week, week in week out. He’s been absolutely phenomenal. The players like him, his style of football is great he’s super attacking.“The fans at Feyenoord cannot believe what they’ve seen over the last two years in the amount of entertainment in all the matches. And it’s brought, you a lot of goodness as well with a final and a trophy with the league.In the past, we all know that many Dutch coaches like to attack and we like entertaining football but it’s been too naive. This coach is not naive, he’s great.”

Who is Arne Slot?

The Feyenoord coach is fresh off the back of winning his first ever Eredivsie title after just missing out on a Europa Conference League crown last season.

Slot's stock is growing rapidly, leading to Tottenham's serious interest, and he could fit into the mould of an attack-minded, young and exciting project manager.

That is the type of manager Spurs are reliably believed to be pursuing and it will be interesting to see if they can prise him away from Feyenoord, who are desperate to keep him.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Aaqib Javed has said that only Bangladeshi role models in fast bowling will help inspire the next generation of quicks in the country

Mohammad Isam30-Jul-2016Former Pakistan fast bowler Aaqib Javed has said that only Bangladeshi role models in fast bowling will help inspire the next generation of quicks in the country.Aaqib, who is in Mirpur to conduct a specialised High Performance camp for fast bowlers, said that there had to be an Imran Khan-like knock-on effect in Bangladesh cricket to generate greater enthusiasm for the discipline.”I think it is a lack of role models,” Aaqib said. “For Bangladeshis, whatever picture or video you show them of a fast bowler, it won’t inspire the youngsters unless you show them a Bangladeshi bowling at 145kph. But it has started to happen recently. Three of your guys have been showing youngsters that they can bowl fast. That confidence is there. And this is the beginning.”[Back in Pakistan] we used to have only few fast bowlers but after Imran came up as a role model, we never looked back. After Rubel [Hossain], Taskin [Ahmed] and Mustafizur [Rahman], you will have many fast bowlers in the next few years. Your own role models.”Seventeen fast bowlers from the extended High Perfomance squad will participate in the first four days of the camp, while the next two days will be exclusively for the nine fast bowlers in the Bangladesh team.Aaqib said that he focused on the keys to bowling on the first day. He added that while the camp’s duration may not seem very long, he would track the progress of these bowlers in the coming months.”I always believe in process, which means you can make a difference. In a week, you can transfer some knowledge but you can’t actually move them into progression,” he said. “Sometimes it is difficult to accept something that is not suitable, but I can transfer knowledge, give them a plan and, after three months, I can come and see what levels they have reached.”Discussing with the local coaches also, my belief is that some key points should be told to the players while the details should remain with the coaches to discuss. I will try my best to transfer these to the boys. It would not make a difference if I am not around after 6-7 days, but they should know where they are headed.”Aaqib said that he wasn’t keen on changing a bowler’s action but was willing to add some value to it by introducing small changes like increasing momentum.”I don’t believe in changing bowlers’ actions but I believe in adding something that helps them to bowl fast. Today we focused on speed. You should utilise your capacity. We focused on 1-2 km/h with their running speed, which is momentum, and 1-2 km/h from their front-foot force absorption and balance. And the third point is both your bowling arm and your non-bowling arm [must follow the principles of] pull-and-push theory, which can increase your speed by a further 1-2 km/h. The target is a 5-6 km/h pace increase,” he said.Aaqib also highlighted the need for bowlers to make themselves into “products” so that they are sought after in the market.”Tomorrow [Monday] we will lead into mental skills and then end with tactics – when to attack, when to bowl variations and what are the variations, and what are the pillars that every bowler should have.”We had a very interesting discussion with them about making a trade of yourself. When you are challenging as an international star, you must have something in you to show people, become a product which people can buy.”Shoaib Akhtar had pace. Seam and accuracy like Glenn McGrath. And something like Mustafizur Rahman. Something unusual. You must create something that is sellable, which is your trade. I think six days is a long time to understand and make someone understand,” said Aaqib.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will go full tilt in his bid to land West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice in the summer window, according to journalist Paul Brown.

What's the latest transfer news involving Declan Rice?

As per Sky Sports News, West Ham United are said to be open to letting Rice leave for a Champions League club this summer if they are presented with an offer of around £120 million for his services.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool have all expressed an interest in the England international and the Hammers would also consider a bid of £100 million with a player in part-exchange for the 24-year-old in the off-season.

Nevertheless, The Sun have claimed that the Gunners 'fear being priced out of a deal' for Rice in a similar manner to their failed pursuit of Mykhailo Mudryk in January, who ended up moving to Chelsea for £88 million despite being heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates.

The report also states that Rice wants to test himself in the Champions League and has been 'impressed' by Arteta's preference to build his squad around young ambitious stars.

Capology understand that Rice earns £60,000 per week on the books at the London Stadium on a contract that runs until June 2024.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Brown thinks that Rice will be at the top of Arsenal's priority list this summer.

Brown told FFC: "They want Declan Rice above anyone else at the moment. They see an opportunity there, they've been given encouragement by Rice and his people and they know that this might be the year that Rice has to leave West Ham. I'm sure if Declan Rice ends the season with a trophy, as he could, he will probably feel that that's the perfect way to leave the London Stadium because he will have brought them success and will be leaving on a high."

Would Declan Rice be a good signing for Arsenal?

Rice is an elite Premier League midfielder and it would be a coup if Arteta was able to entice him to swap the London Stadium for the Emirates in the summer transfer window.

In 2022/23, before West Ham United's Europa Conference League semi-final first-leg clash against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday, Rice has made 44 appearances in all competitions for his current employers, registering four goals and four assists, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored also takes into account that Rice has managed to obtain an average match rating of 7.05/10 for his exploits in West Ham colours, making him the Irons' most consistent performer this term overall.

Bringing in Rice would be viewed as a statement signing by Arsenal in footballing circles and he could help to elevate the Gunners to the next level in 2023/24.

BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said the decision to include Bangladesh team manager Khaled Mahmud in the selection committee was a result of lack of communication between the players and coach Chandika Hathurusingha

Mohammad Isam22-Jun-2016BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said the decision to include Bangladesh team manager Khaled Mahmud in the selection committee was a result of lack of communication between the players and coach Chandika Hathurusingha. In a heated press conference in Mirpur on Wednesday, Hassan said he was tired of explaining why he changed the selection structure from a three-member to a six-member committee.Explaining the reason behind the manager’s inclusion, Hassan mentioned an incident during the World T20, when he attended a team meeting and found the Bangladesh players not challenging Hathurusingha. He said the players often used Mahmud as their envoy to push for suggestions regarding team selection but they were not approaching Hathurusingha directly.Hassan said Mahmud, after informing him of these suggestions, would relay the message to Hathurusingha. To relieve himself of getting too involved in selection matters, Hassan has included Mahmud in the selection committee, where he will act as the captains’ representative.”I have to explain this out of disappointment,” Hassan said. “You know that I am very much involved with the players. During the World Cup and the World T20, I attended the team meetings. I saw there that the coach gives a strategic plan for every aspect of the match, in a lot of detail.”Unfortunately, I saw that our players didn’t challenge the coach but when I got out of their meeting room, couple of the players walked out with me. They told me that there has to be some changes made, mainly about selection. I asked them, ‘Why didn’t you tell him in the meeting?’ But they don’t get into any argument with the coach, whether it is the captain or the other players.”When I don’t attend these meetings, they communicate via the manager Sujon [Mahmud], who conveys it to me and I have to tell the coach. I don’t want to be involved in these things. So I thought that I should have lesser involvement in these matters. We can’t run things in this way so this is why I have included the manager in the selection committee. The only person who could have a problem with the manager in this committee is the captain. But he is fine with it, so why does the selector have a problem with it?”It is extremely rare for a BCB president to reveal such details from within the Bangladesh dressing room. Hathurusingha has been hailed as instrumental to the team’s successes in 2015, with many players suggesting he has given them freedom to express themselves in every match situation.While Hathurusingha has had public fallings-out with the chief selector Faruque Ahmed and former cricket operations chairman Naimur Rahman, he has never publicly criticised any Bangladesh player. Nor has any player spoken of communication difficulties with Hathurusingha.When contacted, a number of Bangladesh players refused to comment on the board president taking about the team’s private matters. Hassan admitted he wasn’t supposed to reveal such information in a press conference but he succumbed to the continuous questioning about Mahmud’s inclusion in the revamped selection committee.”Is it a good thing that I just said that our captains and players are scared of the coach?” Hassan said. “This news will now spread around the world but you won’t leave me alone until I say all these things.”

HLTCO host Dan Cook has claimed that Crystal Palace should take the "difficult" decision to sell Michael Olise this summer if a big enough bid comes in.

What's the latest Crystal Palace transfer news?

The good news for the Eagles is that they will be playing Premier League football again next term as Roy Hodgson has done enough to keep the club from relegation with three games to spare.

The bad news is that a couple of key first-team players could be leaving. First of all, Wilfried Zaha looks poised to leave Palace this summer when his contract expires – with Arsenal and Chelsea named as possible destinations.

On top of that, centre-back Marc Guehi has impressed plenty in recent times and looks likely to be a target for Tottenham Hotspur amid strong transfer links in the media.

Adding to this, it was now been reported by the Daily Mail that French Giants PSG are keen on bringing Olise to Ligue 1 next season as they consider a future beyond Lionel Messi and Neymar.

While most Palace fans won't want to lose any of the three above, Cook has reasoned that the club's 21-year-old winger was signed with the intention of one day selling for a big profit and so they would be unwise to turn down any major offers from the likes of PSG.

Speaking on the HLTCO podcast, the host explained (7:20): “It's very difficult, isn't it? Because you look at Michael, a jewel in our crown, but ultimately someone that we've signed with the intention of selling at some point in the future for an astronomical sum of money.

"I think we paid roughly 8 million pounds to sign him from Reading, which in the fullness of time has looked like an absolute bargain from our perspective.

“But if PSG are serious about taking Michael off our hands, then you've got to be looking to 60, 70 million pounds potentially, once the entire deal is shaken out.

"And if we can do that, then it is very much part of the business model, you know to buy low and sell high.

"And it might not be the most positive news story you will ever hear in relation to Crystal Palace. But as I've said throughout the last 12 to 18 months, we as a fan base have to get used to this as the long-term project us.

"You know, we need to manipulate the market in a way that suits us."

How much did Palace pay for Olise?

It's not hard to see why the 21-year-old winger has caught the attention of some top clubs. After all, with two goals and nine assists in the league this term, no Palace player has more direct goal contributions – with Eberechi Eze also on 11 with eight goals and three assists.

What's more, only Eze has a better average WhoScored rating than Olise in the entire palace – 6.96 compared to 6.94 – and so you can appreciate how important the young winger is for the Eagles.

But If Palace can turn a considerable profit on that £8m they paid for him back in the summer of 2021, now might be the perfect time to cash in and then reinvest that money in another undiscovered gem.

Chelsea have been linked with a summer move for Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane recently but the Senegal international could prove to be the next Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Stamford Bridge.

Could Chelsea sign Sadio Mane?

According to reports from Football Insider last month, Chelsea have registered an interest in bringing the 31-year-old back to the Premier League this summer, with Bayern more than willing to cash in after his less-than-impressive first season in Germany.

Mane broke Liverpool fans' hearts by swapping Anfield for the Allianz Arena last summer but has struggled to replicate his performances with the Reds in the colours of Bayern Munich, managing just 12 goals in all competitions so far this campaign, with a 6.90 average rating from WhoScored for his performances in the Bundesliga.

He also had a bust-up with teammate Leroy Sane in the dressing room following a Champions League defeat against Manchester City last month and is now expected to depart this summer, with the Blues seemingly one possible destination for the versatile attacker.

If he were to rediscover the form that saw him contribute 120 goals and 48 assists in his time at Liverpool, then he would surely be a great addition this summer as incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino looks to amend the Blues' woes in front of goal.

However, his worrying regression at Bayern and age suggest that bringing him to Stamford Bridge this summer could see Todd Boehly repeat his mistake of signing experienced goalscorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last year.

Should Chelsea sign Sadio Mane?

Boehly parted company with millions and millions as he looked to complete a youthful overhaul at Chelsea but the only striker he signed last summer was the former Arsenal man, who had enjoyed a brief spell with Barcelona.

The Gabon international, who had also previously caught the eye with Borussia Dortmund, would hit 92 goals in his time with the Gunners but was eventually axed by manager Mikel Arteta because of issues with his attitude.

His return to England certainly hasn't gone to plan as he boasts just one goal in 15 Premier League appearances so far this campaign, with another anonymous display in the defeat against Arsenal last night compounding Chelsea's misery. During that clash, he could only manage nine touches and was subsequently hauled off by Lampard at half-time.

Now 33, the striker is being paid £160k-per-week to sit on the bench at Stamford Bridge and looks certain to leave in the near future, as he shows little sign of turning his fortunes around with the west London outfit.

Boehly would potentially have to shell out even more on wages if he were to bring Mane to the club this summer, as the former Southampton man currently earns an eye-watering £373k-per-week at Bayern.

The winger was regarded as "world-class" by Jurgen Klopp in his time at Liverpool and crashed in an impressive 16 goals in the top flight last season, which emphasises his decline at Bayern, as he now struggles to even start under Thomas Tuchel.

To sign an ageing forward who has disciplinary issues based on their previous performances in the Premier League would represent a crazy decision by Chelsea given their woes with Aubameyang, so Boehly and Pochettino must steer well clear this summer.

A number of fans online have been left furious with Thomas Partey after he wasted a late chance for Arsenal by shooting from a ridiculous distance in the club’s recent draw.

What’s the latest on Thomas Partey and Arsenal?

Mikel Arteta and his side were unable to pick up three points yet again in the Premier League as they were held to a 3-3 draw at the Emirates last night.

Things could have hardly got off to a worse start for the Gunners as Southampton capitalised on an Aaron Ramsdale mistake to score after just 30 seconds. The Saints then doubled their lead after 14 minutes through former Arsenal player Theo Walcott.

Gabriel Martinelli pulled one back but the game looked to be over when Duje Caleta-Car headed in from a corner to restore Southampton’s two-goal advantage in the 66th minute.

However, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka then scored two goals in two minutes in the dying embers of the game to give Arsenal a sudden shot at all three points.

With a head full of steam and all the momentum, the Gunners pushed for a fourth goal, and deep into stoppage time Partey picked the ball up with options left and right.

However – as shown in the footage below – the £200k-per-week midfielder took it upon himself to try and steal all the glory with the most ambitious attempt at goal that predictably flew well over the crossbar.

His wayward effort went out for a goal kick and wasted some precious seconds as Southampton managed to hold on for a draw.

Consequently, the Gunners now play Manchester City next Wednesday with only a five-point lead at the top of the table when many would have predicted that being seven points ahead of Friday night’s match.

Pep Guardiola and co have played two fewer games, so a win for them would put a huge dent in Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions.

Of course, Partey isn’t the only person to blame for the most recent draw, but his poor decision late on understandably infuriated a number of supporters.

Here are some of the reactions…

Some even slammed him for trying to do his best Vincent Kompany impression.

Even rival fans were shocked…

Referee Simon Hooper and his VAR team may have made a big mistake as they missed a possible foul on Gabriel Jesus late on in the latest Arsenal game.

What's the latest on VAR and Arsenal?

The Gunners suffered another setback in their hunt for Premier League glory as they were held to a third conservative draw last night.

Indeed, after picking up just a point from Liverpool in a 2-2 draw and then doing the same against West Ham United, Arsenal repeated the trick against Southampton.

This time, however, instead of going two goals up, they went two behind and eventually had to claw back a 3-3 draw thanks to two late goals from Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.

Indeed, the club captain netted in the 88th minute and the Saints conceded again just two minutes later. Then, with just seconds left on the clock, the ball fell to Jesus inside the penalty box.

As the footage shared on Twitter shows, the Brazilian takes a touch and is about to shoot before an opposition player clumsily bundles him over.

Was it a penalty on Jesus for Arsenal?

The replay shows that the ball isn't won clearly and Jesus is knocked to the ground without getting his shot away. It's the sort of decision where had Hooper pointed to the spot, VAR likely wouldn't have overturned it.

However, the Gunners didn't have any luck here as the referee decided against awarding a penalty and those in charge of the technology didn't feel as though it was a big enough mistake to get involved.

And so, Southampton cleared their lines and hung on to a point. This could prove costly for Arsenal now, as they've failed to extend their league at the top of the table quite as much as they would have hoped.

Indeed, they next travel to the Etihad to play Manchester City just five points ahead of Pep Guardiola and co, despite having played two more games.

With that being the case, the situation is simple. Mikel Arteta and his team almost certainly need an away win on Wednesday night if they are to do the improbable and actually lift the Premier League at the end of May.

No doubt they'll be hoping for a little bit more luck with the officials in Manchester – though they'll also need a vastly improved performance from the whole team.

Manchester United have made an approach to the representatives of Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, Fabrizio Romano reports.

What’s the latest news on Man United and Mac Allister?

The Red Devils are on the hunt for a new midfielder and forward this summer, looking to build on a successful first season under Erik ten Hag.

Mac Allister has emerged as a real target in recent weeks, with journalist Steve Bates recently claiming that Ten Hag has held transfer talks with director of football John Murtough, technical director Darren Fletcher and chief executive Richard Arnold.

The Argentinian is thought to be on the manager’s radar, and it looks as if the Red Devils have made a first move for the World Cup winner.

Romano took to Twitter in the last 48 hours to share what he’s heard on Mac Allister. He said that the Red Devils, along with Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool have all approached Mac Allister’s camp, with the player expected to depart the south coast over the coming months.

“Alexis Mac Allister, expected to leave early this summer — understand there are three clubs in the race: Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United.

“These clubs have approached player’s camp to discuss the project. BHAFC will decide price tag soon.”

What would Mac Allister bring to Old Trafford?

We think Mac Allister could offer plenty to Ten Hag, with the 24-year-old turning out in defensive, central and attacking midfield roles during the current campaign.

He has contributed to an impressive 12 goals in 29 games, showing that he has ability in the final third as well as contributing defensively. As per WhoScored, Mac Allister ranks highly for tackles and shots per 90 in the Seagulls' squad and has recently been hailed as 'world class' by members of the media.

Having won the World Cup in the winter and had his best season in front of goal for Brighton this term, he appears to be at the peak of his powers so could come in and immediately make an impact alongside the likes of star midfielders Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.

Ten Hag will be able to get a closer look at his summer target later this month in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, and who knows, he could be turning out under the Dutchman next season, should United pip two of their rivals to his signature over the coming months.