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The list also includes Nepal’s Airee, while Short and Hatzoglou are the only two players from Australia

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Sep-2025Former England fast bowler James Anderson is among the 549 players who are set to go under the hammer in the SA20 2025-26 auction on September 9.The 43-year-old Anderson is among 96 players from England in the auction pool. These also include Moeen Ali, Alex Hales and Tom Abell, the Player of the Match in the final of SA20 2024. Anderson made a return to T20 cricket after nearly 11 years when he played for Lancashire in the T20 Blast, followed by three of Manchester Originals’ eight matches in the Hundred.Allrounder Shakib Al Hasan and fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman are among 15 players from Bangladesh in the auction pool.Related

Markram heads to the auction

SA20 not threatened by BBL, says Smith

Cape Town to host SA20 final

Pretoria Capitals name Ganguly head coach

D’Arcy Short and Peter Hatzoglou are the only two Australians in the auction list with the BBL set to overlap with the SA20. There are 28 West Indies players and 24 Sri Lanka players in the auction, while Dipendra Singh Airee is the only Nepal player in the pruned auction pool.Aiden Markram, who decided against getting retained by Sunrisers Eastern Cape, headlines the 308 players from South Africa in the list, which also includes fellow T20 World Cup 2024 runners-up Anrich Nortje, Quinton de Kock, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi and Gerald Coetzee among others.A total of 241 overseas players will go under the hammer for a maximum of 25 available slots, while 308 South Africans will vie for the remaining 59 spots. Pretoria Capitals head into the auction with the largest purse of R32.5 million (USD 1.86 million approx.). They have 13 slots to fill, five of them overseas. MI Cape Town have the smallest purse with R11.5 million (USD 0.65 million approx.) and 12 slots, including four overseas, to fill. Each of the six teams also have to select a minimum of two Under-23 players in their 19-member squads.!function(){“use strict”;window.addEventListener(“message”,function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var t in a.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data[“datawrapper-height”][t]+”px”;r.style.height=d}}})}();

Danny Rohl has officially arrived and, with that, Rangers have already reportedly joined the race to secure his first signing in the form of a talented midfielder.

Charlie Austin: Rangers should be "excited" by Rohl

After Russell Martin’s disastrous 123-day spell in charge, Rangers fans are understandably apprehensive when it comes to welcoming a young manager with open arms. Rohl arrives at just 36 years old and with just one permanent managerial role under his belt. According to former Premier League striker Charlie Austin, however, the Gers should be excited by his appointment.

In terms of the tactics that Rangers can expect, they can forget the slow build-up that Martin demanded his side to play. Rohl is far more about counter-pressing in what has become synonymous with German football over the years.

The young coach has worked with some fantastic attacking managers, including Barcelona’s Hansi Flick and Ralph Hasenhuttl when his Southampton side were at their very best.

He wasn’t their first choice, but Rohl may yet turn into the best choice at Rangers. Up first, he has the task of getting the Gers back to winning ways on the European stage against Brann, before travelling to face Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

Meanwhile, as another manager arrives, Kevin Thelwell and the 49ers have already reportedly joined the race to hand him his first Rangers signing.

Rangers battling to sign David Watson

As reported by TeamTalk, Rangers are now battling to sign David Watson to hand Rohl his first signing. The Kilmarnock midfielder is on course to leave as a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the season and has attracted interest from those at Ibrox as a result.

That said, the Gers aren’t alone in their pursuit. Joining them, shock league leaders Hearts have also set their sights on signing the young Scot at the end of the season. A league title could certainly hand them an advantage over Rangers for the first time in a long time.

Related Secret Rohl talks took place while everyone thought Rangers were after Muscat

This is an intriguing update.

Posts ByHenry Jackson Oct 20, 2025

It’s no surprise that the top clubs are after Watson’s signature, either. The 20-year-old is one of the best young talents in Scotland and has been involved in four goals in eight league games so far this season.

Earning plenty of praise amid that form, Kilmarnock vice-captain Robbie Deas told reporters: “Davey’s fantastic, honestly. He’s one of the hardest workers you’ll ever meet. He’s absolutely fantastic. You see that today, and he’s putting those tackles in later on.”

Signing a young midfielder to match a young manager with lofty ambitions would be an ideal way for Rangers to commence the Rohl era. To do so, though, they’ll have to fend off plenty of interest.

Russell Martin may be gone, but there is no change in fortunes for Rangers and the Ibrox masses.

On Saturday, the Gers failed to win in the Scottish Premiership yet again, this time held to a 2-2 draw, their sixth of the campaign.

Thelo Aasgaard broke the deadlock in sensational fashion for Rangers, but they required a late equaliser from James Tavernier to pinch a point in Govan.

This means, remarkably, the Light Blues have still only won one of eight Premiership matches to date, currently sixth in the table, a whopping 13 points adrift runaway league-leaders Hearts.

Martin was dismissed following the underwhelming 1-1 draw at Falkirk a fortnight ago, but no permanent successor has yet been found, U19s coach Steven Smith in interim charge for the foreseeable future, but when the new boss does belatedly arrive, could that be bad news for one of Martin’s summer signings in particular?

The latest on Rangers' search for a new manager

During the international break, Rangers were seemingly turned down by their top two managerial targets.

First, Steven Gerrard rejected the opportunity to return to Ibrox, following talks with the club, before former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Röhl also pulled out of the running.

As a result, Kevin Muscat became the front-runner to take the job; he made 26 appearances for the club during the 2002/03 season as Alex McLeish’s team won the treble.

Since becoming a coach himself, he began at A-League side Melbourne Victory, overseeing 200 matches, winning four major trophies, including two grand final titles.

He then endured a very brief stint in charge of Sint-Truidense, before succeeding a certain Ange Postecoglou as Yokohama F. Marinos manager, winning the J1 League title, as well as the Japanese Super Cup.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

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Since December 2023, he has been in charge of Shanghai Port, adding a Chinese Super League and FA Cup double to his roll of honours in 2024.

Yet, despite it looking as though a deal had been agreed, it was reported on Sunday evening by journalist Ben Jacobs that the Muscat move “is now off”. Subsequent reports indicate that the aforementioned Rohl has entered the frame again.

Whoever the new manager is, whether it be Rohl or not, one of Russell Martin’s summer signings should be feeling the heat.

Rangers flop on borrowed time under a new manager

Rangers made a whopping 13 new signings this summer, the majority of whom have massively underwhelmed.

Youssef Chermiti, Aasgaard, Joe Rothwell and Emmanuel Fernandez and others have, to date, not justified their transfer fees, while young loanee Jayden Meghoma has appeared out of his depth.

The left-back arrived on a season-long loan from Brentford, having made only four appearances for the Bees, as well as just four for Southampton and 14 in Preston North End colours, underlining his inexperience.

Thus, it should come as no surprise that he has struggled to make an impact in Glasgow.

Meghoma Rangers stats

Stats

Meghoma

Rangers rank

Minutes

759

9th

Starts

7

5th

Tackles per 90

2.6

1st

Interceptions per 90

0.4

10th

Clearances per 90

1.2

5th

Possession lost per 90

14.4

3rd

As outlined, Meghoma has been a regular starter for Rangers this season, named in the lineup for ten of the 11 matches since his debut, the draw with Falkirk, which proved to be Martin’s final match in charge, the sole exception.

Some of his statistics are impressive, most notably tackles, but the possession lost tells the story, with the teenager continuing to be a weak link in the Rangers back line.

He was once again poor in the draw with Dundee United, failing to complete a single tackle, winning only four of his nine duels and losing possession 17 times for good measure.

Thus, if and when a new manager is appointed, he’ll surely prioritise experience at the back, thereby shifting Max Aarons over to the left or asking Derek Cornelius to fill in there, with Meghoma a leading candidate to be cast aside.

Martin once claimed that he has “big potential” but ultimately, we’re yet to see that in Glasgow. Interim manager, Steven Smith, must drop him next time out.

Related Rangers can prepare for Muscat by playing star with "feet like drumsticks"

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Posts ByDan Emery Oct 18, 2025

This current Celtic team are insipid, uninspiring and lifeless in attack, so just imagine how much Matt O’Riley would improve everything.

When the 20 year old arrived from Milton Keynes in January 2022 for a reported fee of £1.5m, no one could’ve forecast just how good he would be.

In the end, the Danish international is in the conversation to be Celtic’s best attacking midfielder of modern times, scoring 27 goals and registering 35 assists in 124 appearances for the Hoops, named the club’s player of the year and players’ player of the year in 2023/24.

He was sold to Brighton & Hove Albion for £25m just 13 months ago, before joining Olympique de Marseille on a season-long loan this summer, starting les Phocéens’ Champions League opener against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu on Tuesday.

As replacements Arne Engels and Benjamin Nygren struggle to hit the heights O’Riley reached in Glasgow, did Celtic sell their own homegrown version, whose value has increased by almost 1,300% since leaving?

A lack of pathways for Celtic youngsters

Most top-flight Scottish clubs, not just Celtic, are often criticised for not giving academy graduates an opportunity.

Of course, current squad members Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor, James Forrest and, to a slightly lesser extent, Anthony Ralston have managed to come through the academy and become first-team regulars, but the vast majority do not.

The table below documents a selection of Celtic academy youngsters who have been forced to depart in search of regular first-team action.

As the table documents, none of the players listed made more than ten appearances for Celtic’s first team, all sold for, at most, nominal compensation fees.

Karamoko Dembélé was the most-hyped, but Ben Gannon Doak is the name that leaps off the page, given that he just joined Bournemouth from Liverpool in a deal worth £25m, and is a starter for Steve Clarke’s Scotland side.

Due to post-Brexit rules, English clubs in particular are looking north of the border for talent, given that it is now more difficult to bring youngsters in from the EU.

Thus, is there another Celtic youngster who departed seven years ago who they may rue selling most of all?

Forgotten former Celtic youngster starring in Italy

During the 2010s, brothers Liam and Ewan Henderson were both coming through the Celtic young ranks together to plenty of excitement.

Liam, the older of the duo, made his senior debut against Motherwell in December 2013, actually accumulating 37 appearances in total, albeit 23 were as a substitute.

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.

He spent six months on loan at Rosenborg, before also being loaned out to Hibernian, etching himself into club history by helping Hibs win the Scottish Cup for the first time in 114 years, coming off the bench to provide two assists against Rangers in the final.

Ian Crocker’s commentary line, “it’s Liam Henderson to deliver”, now a core part of Hibs’ folklore.

However, he did not manage to have quite the same impact at Celtic, despite the fact Brendan Rodgers said “as time goes on, he impresses me even more… what I love about Liam, he’s got great personality”.

Nevertheless, he was sold to Bari in January 2018 for just £115k, and has called Italy home ever since.

After making just 19 appearances for I Galletti, he spent time at Hellas Verona, Empoli on loan and Lecce, re-joining Empoli permanently in 2021, featuring 119 times for the Azzurri, a key figure during their stay in Serie A, racking up 15 assists.

This summer, he finally departed Stadio Carlo Castellani, joining fallen giants Sampdoria, scoring on his debut for I Blucerchiati against Spezia in the Coppa Italia, starting their first three Serie B matches subsequently.

Thus, Football Transfers estimate that his current market value is around £1.6m, which represents a 1291% increase on the £115k he departed Celtic for.

Also, according to Global Football Rankings, Serie A, where Henderson has played the vast majority of his football, is the second-strongest league in the world, while his current home Serie B is 30th, just three spots below the Scottish Premiership.

Thus, it is unquestionable that Henderson possesses the talent and the quality to have been a key contributor at Celtic, had things panned out differently, or at the very least been able to bring in a significantly higher transfer fee.

A creative midfield star at a string of clubs since departing Parkhead, there is a sense that the Glasgow side have perhaps let a homegrown O’Riley slip from their grasp.

Rodgers must finally bin Celtic flop who earns more than Iheanacho

Celtic must finally part ways with this flop who earns more than Sebastian Tounekti and Kelechi Iheanacho.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 17, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Neste domingo, às 11h (Brasília), o Atlético-MG, recebe em sua casa o Bahia, pela 19° rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. A transamissão é do Premiere.

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+Se liga na promoção que a Lance! Betting preparou para o jogo: aposte R$10 e receba R$20 para vitória do Galo!

Com o retorno do atacante Biel, o técnico Renato Paiva deve ter apenas os desfalques de Danilo Fernandes e Kaiky para escalar o time. O Bahia é o primeiro time fora da zona de rebaixamento e vive momento difícil no campeonato.

Quem está com problemas também é o Felipão. O técnico do Galo precisa superar a eliminação precoce na Libertadores e fazer o Atlético virar a chave para o Brasileirão. Igor Rabello e Hyoran, lesionados, estão fora da partida.

+Felipão cai na Libertadores antes das quartas pelas primeira vez na história

Apesar de ter apenas uma vitória no comando do time, o trabalho de Felipão ainda é visto com bons olhos pela diretoria. Lideranças do clube observam melhora no desempenho, apesar da eliminação.

+Atlético-MG: Paulinho chora e pede desculpas após eliminação na Libertadores

FICHA TÉCNICA

BOTAFOGO x INTERNACIONAL

Data e hora:13/8, às 11h
Estádio:Mineirão -Belo Horizonte, MG
Árbitro: Sávio Pereira Sampaio
Assistentes:Bruno Boschilia e Lehi Sousa
VAR:Carlos Eduardo Nunes

PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES

Atlético-MG
Everson, Saravia, Maurício Lemos, Jemerson e Arana; Battaglia, Zaracho, Otávio; Pavon, Paulinho e Hulk.
Técnico:Felipão.

Bahia
Marcos Felipe; Gilberto, Kanu, Vitor Hugo e Camilo Candido; Rezende, Thaciano, Cauly e Ademir; Rafael Ratão (Biel) e Everaldo.
Técnico:Renato Paiva.

Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2024 campaign was marred by hostile receptions to captain Hardik Pandya, with the side finishing rock bottom. A lot has happened since, with Hardik winning two ICC titles with India, including the T20 World Cup in June last year. MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene expects their fans to “see beyond what happened last season” as Hardik prepares to play his first game in the new season. Hardik had missed MI’s season opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk last weekend owing to an over-rate offence from last season.”I think it’s just a game of cricket. Fans are fans and the emotions are part of it and I’m sure that everyone has gone beyond that,” Jayawardene said on the eve of MI’s match against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Saturday. “It’s amazing to see how the loyalty and everything works even in IPL, which is fascinating, and I’ve enjoyed that from the outside. Twelve months on, he has achieved a lot more and I’m sure everyone will see beyond what has happened last year. We can enjoy a good game of cricket and everyone can enjoy a good game of cricket.”MI have never beaten GT in Ahmedabad in three attempts since IPL 2023, but Jayawardene wasn’t too perturbed by it.Related

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“I think we just take the present situation as simple as that,” he said. “I’m trying to recall whether I had been involved. No. So there you go. It’s a start.”MI continue to be without Jasprit Bumrah who is expected to join the squad at some point in April. He is currently undergoing rehab at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.”On a daily basis he’s going through his programme,” Jayawardene said of Bumrah. “So far everything seems ok but there were no timelines given by NCA so we’ll wait on that.”In the absence of both Bumrah and Hardik against CSK, MI handed out IPL debuts to seamer S Raju and left-arm wristspinner Vignesh Puthur. While Raju bowled just over for 13 runs, Puthur was more impressive, returning 3 for 32, despite no T20 or representative cricket experience before that fixture. After MI had plucked him out of the inaugural Kerala T20 league, a stint as a net bowler with MI Cape Town in the 2024-25 SA20 fast-tracked his development. At the SA20, Puthur had the opportunity to work with Rashid Khan. On Saturday, he could come up against Rashid, who will spearhead GT’s attack.”I wasn’t there [at the SA20],” Jayawardene said. “Yes, I was part of the thought process, but I wasn’t there. It was just to get him out and expose him to cricket because we felt that there is talent and because he hasn’t played much cricket prior, give him that exposure working with some players. And that’s about it. VP is being chilled and he’s getting along with it.”

The NZ quick injured his hamstring while playing in the UAE’s ILT20

Deivarayan Muthu07-Feb-2025New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson is under an injury cloud, ahead of the the tri-series in Pakistan and the Champions Trophy, after hurting his hamstring while playing in the UAE’s ILT20.In the first qualifier on Wednesday, captaining Desert Vipers against Dubai Capitals, Ferguson left the field without completing his allotment of four overs. There was only one ball left, in both his spell and the innings, and Mohammad Amir stepped in to deliver it.With Capitals needing one off the final ball, Sikandar Raza whipped Amir away for four to seal DC’s spot in the final. At the post-match presentation, Ferguson said, “just a little hamstring issue, unfortunate. Tough night; wish I could’ve bowled the last ball.”Ferguson underwent a scan the next day, according to New Zealand head coach Gary Stead, to determine the severity of the injury. New Zealand are still awaiting more details.”Lockie had a scan yesterday [Thursday] in the UAE,” Stead said on the eve of the tri-series opener. “We’ve got the images here and [we are] waiting for our radiologist to give us a report on the extent of it. Small hamstring injury, by the look of it, so we’re just waiting on a timeline of advice around that before we make a decision on whether Lockie travels here [Pakistan] or whether we do have to replace him for the Champions Trophy.”Ferguson is the most experienced quick in New Zealand’s squad for the Champions Trophy and his potential absence might disrupt their prep for the competition. Ben Sears, the Wellington tearaway, is working his way back from knee surgery, which had sidelined him for the Test tour of India and then the home series against Sri Lanka and England. Sears has played 17 T20Is and one Test so far but is uncapped in ODI cricket.Ferguson also missed the Eliminator against Tim Southee’s Sharjah Warriors in the ILT20 on Friday, handing over the captaincy duties to Sam Curran. During the toss, Curran stated that Ferguson was injured but didn’t reveal the extent of problem.In his first stint at the ILT20, Ferguson featured in only eight of Vipers’ 12 matches so far, with his workload being monitored.”We have tried to manage the players with rotation of quicks as much as we possibly can,” Tom Moody, Vipers’ director of cricket, said in the Vipers Voices podcast in January. “Lockie Ferguson, Mohammad Amir and Luke Wood, today, have all had a chance to rest and freshen up. But yes, it is a pretty tough schedule and there is an element of physical fatigue but probably, more importantly, mental fatigue.Lockie Ferguson captained Desert Vipers in the ILT20•ILT20″And there has not been that chance to really disengage and freshen up mentally. But that is the reality of tournament cricket. Everyone is trying to fit in a tournament within a certain window. And what comes of that is a pretty heavy schedule. And we came in expecting that, knowing that.”With the Champions Trophy less than two weeks away – New Zealand face Pakistan in the opener on February 19 in Karachi – Stead hinted that they would also rotate the seamers in the tri-series starting Saturday. New Zealand will also play a day game against South Africa in Lahore on February 10; all other matches in the tri-series are day-night fixtures.”I think it [selection] will depend on how people shape up, especially the bowlers after this first game and what their loads are like and then what the conditions are like as well,” Stead said. “It’s not quite as hot as you think it would be in Asia. It still gets pretty cold here in the evenings, so but if you bowl in the heat of the day, it might take more out of the bowlers. So, we will just manage that and be smart around it, understanding that the big tournament is the Champions Trophy. We want to make sure everyone is fit and firing for that.”New Zealand, though, will be bolstered by the return of Kane Williamson and Devon Conway who have both linked up with the national side in Lahore after finishing their franchise commitments with Durban’s Super Giants (DSG) and Joburg Super Kings (JSK) respectively. Seamer Jacob Duffy, who had already been added to the squad as standby for Ferguson, could be in the selection frame, if the senior quick continues to remain on the sidelines.Ferguson had originally been named in New Zealand’s squad for the Champions Trophy despite opting out of a central contract and despite having not played an ODI since the 2023 World Cup.While all eight teams have already named their Champions Trophy squads, they still have until February 12 to make changes if needed.

MatériaMais Notícias

Principal reforço do Fluminense na temporada, Marcelo deixou o gramado durante o primeiro tempo do clássico com o Flamengo, no Maracanã, ao sentir um incômodo muscular na panturrilha. Com isso, precisou ser substituído aos 38 minutos e deu lugar ao lateral Guga, no duelo válido pela ida das oitavas da Copa do Brasil.

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Após a partida, em entrevista coletiva, o técnico Fernando Diniz afirmou que o ala não teve lesão, mas que a substituição foi por precaução. Segundo o treinador, o ala “teve um enrijecimento da panturrilha”.

+ Confira a tabela da Copa do Brasil

O jogador já passou por algo semelhante na partida contra o The Strongest, da Bolívia, também no Maracanã, pela Copa Libertadores. Na ocasião, foi substituído aos 30 minutos depois de também sentir dores musculares. 

Vale lembrar que Fernando Diniz não pôde contar com o volante Alexsander, que sofreu um estiramento no ligamento colateral medial do joelho esquerdo. Além dele, Keno teve uma lesão na coxa esquerda e também desfalcou a equipe.

Essa foi a nona partida de Marcelo como titular desde que retornou ao Fluminense. Revelado nas divisões de base do clube carioca, o jogador fez sucesso no futebol europeu com a camisa do Real Madrid e permaneceu 17 anos no Velho Continente.

Manchester United’s summer transfer window has already been a success for manager Ruben Amorim, but there is still plenty of work left to do before the September 1st deadline.

The 40-year-old has already cleared out some of the deadwood on the books at Old Trafford, releasing Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen and Jonny Evans at the end of their respective contracts.

Other outgoings will undoubtedly take place over the next couple of weeks, which could allow for added funds to be reinvested into the side ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.

Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have all joined the Red Devils, costing £200m combined, completing a deadly trio at the top end of the pitch.

However, other areas of the side are still in desperate need of reinforcements, which could result in numerous players being landed in an attempt to rise up England’s top-flight.

Man Utd preparing move for Carlos Baleba alternative

Carlos Baleba has been one of United’s key targets in recent days, after talks were held between the Red Devils and the player’s entourage over a potential switch.

Despite the interest in the Brighton midfielder, a deal could now be unlikely given the Seagulls’ reluctance to allow the youngster to leave, subsequently putting a £100m price tag on his head.

However, not landing a deal for the 21-year-old may not be the end of the world, with the hierarchy also currently exploring a move for Sevilla star Lucien Agoume, according to TBR Football.

They report that despite their keen interest in Baleba, alternatives to the former Lille star have been drawn up, with the Frenchman just one player in their sights.

It also states that he’s seen as a cheaper alternative this summer, potentially able to follow a similar path over the next few years and become their own £100m talent.

Why United’s Baleba alternative would be their next Pogba

Just a handful of years ago, United’s midfield department was home to numerous elite-level talents, one of which was Paul Pogba – who cost a club-record £89m in the summer of 2016.

The Frenchman rejoined the club just a few seasons after leaving on a free transfer to join Juventus, moving back to Old Trafford as a completely different player.

He registered over 200 appearances during his second spell in the North West, often producing a spectacular effort, helping the side win the Europa League in his first season back in England.

However, he would leave on a free transfer in 2022, ultimately tailing off after his excellent start, with his attitude and commitment towards the Red Devils often coming into question.

Regardless of his struggles, Pogba will forever be remembered in Manchester as a player who made the game look easy, often dominating the opposition, with Agoume having the chance to follow in his compatriot’s footsteps in 2025/26.

The 23-year-old has endured an erratic start to his career, featuring for seven clubs in seven years, but he appears to have found his home in Seville over the last few months.

He made 35 appearances in LaLiga last season, often catching the eye with his displays, which has seen journalist Zach Lowy comparing him to former fan-favourite Pogba.

Games played

35

Goals & assists

4

Pass completion rate

82%

Progressive passes

5.8

Tackles made

2.9

Interceptions made

1.8

Take-on success

73%

Passes into final third

5.4

Agoume, who’s been labelled “extraordinary” by former boss Enrique Sanchez Flores, completed 82% of the passes he attempted last season, with 5.8 of which being defined as progressive – able to thrive in possession, just as Pogba did during his time at United.

He also made 2.9 tackles per 90 and 1.8 interceptions per 90, with the latter tally ranking him within the top 2% of all players in Spain’s top-flight – handing Amorim the perfect box-to-box option in midfield.

Added talent across the board is highlighted in his tally of 73% take-ons completed, able to glide past opposition players, emulating the skillset of his compatriot in the process.

There’s no denying that, given Baleba’s two-year spell in England’s top-flight that he would be many of the fans’ first choice to bolster the midfield department this window.

However, given the money spent in other areas, cheaper options will have to be considered, with Agoume arguably being a bargain addition if he can match Pogba’s success at the Theatre of Dreams.

A dream for Cunha & Mbeumo: INEOS submit bid to sign £69m star for Man Utd

Manchester United have once again splashed the cash during the current summer window.

1 ByEthan Lamb Aug 14, 2025