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The World Cup draw yielded a number of fascinating groups – and the hype for the 2026 tournament can truly build

Are you excited yet? Can you feel it properly? Do you know, exactly, how this is all going to go? The World Cup is always fun in abstract. There are ideas, dreams and hopes. What this thing look like? Who do we our team to get? But the hypothetical discussion runs out, and it all feels a bit silly. What can you say when you don't relly know anything? Not all that much. 

Well, now we know things. FIFA's gaudy 48-team World Cup was unveiled in baffling fashion at the Kennedy Center Friday afternoon, and amid the pomp and circumstance of it all, the balls coughed up a pretty compelling draw. The host nations are all in intriguing groups. There will be some terrific matchups: Portugal-Colombia, France-Norway, Brazil-Morocco. 

There really isn't a dud here. Even the groups that seem a little more predictable feature some good games – at least, on paper. It's now time, officially, to get excited. But which groups are the best? Which favorite can feel pretty good about their chances? And who might get grouped early? GOAL U.S. writers break down the draw in another edition of… . 

ImagnWhich of the co-hosts got the best draw?

TH: The USMNT, and by some distance. Australia, Paraguay and likely Turkey? That's a winnable group. Canada did OK, too, but Switzerland aren't pushovers, and Italy, should they make it, will be tough. But Mauricio Pochettino is the guy who can be happiest. 

RT: The USMNT will feel good. While none of their games are slam dunks, they are all winnable, which gives them a realistic path to the knockouts. Looking ahead, there’s a date with Belgium lurking, which is a lot better than France or Argentina. Overall, the USMNT will be pretty happy, although Mexico’s draw could have been a lot worse, too.

AdvertisementAFPWhat's the best group?

Tom Hindle: Well, they're all pretty good! Is there a single dud here? Sure, we're supposed to get hyped and reactionary and giddy, but it's hard to see any weaknesses – even in an oft-maligned 48-team field. The safe bet has to be France, Senegal, Norway, and whichever playoff team makes it (likely Bolivia). There is a real chance that France, among the faves, could lose two of those games. Now THAT could make things interesting. 

Ryan Tolmich: Group I gets it. France-Norway is going to be fantastic as it gives us that mouthwatering Mbappe-Haaland matchup. Then there’s Senegal, a team with the ability and experience to play with both of those sides. Mix in an underdog with a point to prove from the playoffs, and you have a very fun group.

GettyWhat's the least competitive group?

TH: It was a BIG day for stat-pad-Ronaldo. Portugal did OK, didn't they? Colombia will push them – and could win the group – but Uzbekistan and whoever wins the first FIFA playoff will surely struggle. It's pretty easy to pick No. 1 and 2 there, even if the exact order is up for debate. 

RT: See you in the knockouts, Argentina. They’ve been given an easier run there with Austria, Algeria, and Jordan on the docket. That should allow the champions to surge through the group and really peak later on.

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Getty Images SportBased on the groups, who is your early favorite to win it?

TH: This might be a regrettable prediction later. But, , England have done rather well here. They should navigate their group pretty easily, and the likely sequence of knockout fixtures looks OK, too. Then again, the answer is Spain, who appear to be better than pretty much everyone else at the moment. 

RT: There are a lot of good teams, perhaps more than ever before, with real ambitions of winning this thing. Until someone knocks off Argentina, though, they’re a team worth backing, particularly given their group stage draw.

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Luiz Gustavo, Bobadilla, Erick, Ferreirinha e André Silva. Todos os reforços contratados pelo São Paulo no mercado tem em comum algo que a diretoria vem pregando na contratação de novos jogadores: a vontade de vestir o manto tricolor.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! São Paulo

Desde a temporada passada o recado é claro. Para jogar no São Paulo, precisa querer estar no Tricolor. É necessário dar tudo de si dentro de campo e se mostrar incomodado com a reserva.

O elenco criou um espírito de luta e identificação muito forte, e a diretoria foi atrás de jogadores com os mesmos valores. Além disso, reforçou setores carentes no elenco, como volantes, pontas e um reserva para Calleri.

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A lateral-esquerda foi a única lacuna não preenchida, já que Wellington está com a renovação travada e o reserva, Patrick Lanza, é jovem e oscilou no profissional.

Mesmo assim, a diretoria do São Paulo qualificou o elenco de Carpini, e o Tricolor possui armas para bater de frente com Atlético-MG, Flamengo e Palmeiras, brigando em todas as frentes do futebol brasileiro.

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Dietmar Hamann has said Liverpool boss Arne Slot has "lost control of his team", and that the Dutchman's "end" is near. The Champions League winning midfielder suggested Reds fans will be longing for the sensational return of Jurgen Klopp, after Slot's side fell to their ninth defeat in 12 games with a chastening 4-1 home loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

Hamann lambasts Slot over poor Liverpool run

Hamann, who played 280 games for Liverpool in a seven year stay on Merseyside, did not hold back in his assessment of Slot's performance in his column for

The ex-Bayern, Newcastle and Manchester City midfielder suggested the Reds will have major problems breaking into the Premier League's top four, and that the problems within Anfield cannot be resolved quickly. While he did caveat his criticism by acknowledging the difficulty in integrating the many marquee signings made by the club in the summer, and the ongoing psychological burden of grieving for their teammate Diogo Jota, Hamann said the remaining credit Slot enjoyed for winning the title in his debut season has now run out. That prompted the 2002 World Cup finalist to float the sensational return of his compatriot Klopp to the top job at Anfield. 

AdvertisementAFPHamann: "Slot's end is near"

Hamann wrote: "Liverpool's 1-4 defeat against Eindhoven was their ninth loss in the last twelve games  I believe Arne Slot has lost control of the team. It's falling apart, everyone is doing what they want, like Salah before PSV's second goal.

"Liverpool will have major problems finishing in the Premier League top four. I don't believe these problems can be solved quickly or easily. The situation is so complex that the club will certainly be discussing the manager's position.

"Slots' end is near. I never thought it would come to this after the brilliant season he had lasted, but I believe his credit has now run out.

"They've spent a fortune on players, but none of them have made an impact. After Diogo Jota's death, it wasn't easy to break into a team that had just lost a teammate. The question is, how long can you keep using that as an argument?

"Many are already longing for Jürgen Klopp's return. If you ask the fans, many will surely say: 'That would be something!'

"How likely is it that he'll return to Liverpool? I have no idea. But it would be the story of the decade. The club will already have considered alternative managers. I assume they've spoken with Klopp."

Pressure on Slot ramps up after PSV debacle

While criticism of Slot was rife before the calamitous defeat to PSV on Tuesday, shipping four goals at home to the Dutch outfit has intensified the scrutiny even further. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes Slot "has a week to save his job" after his latest loss. 

One German reporter has warned Slot to "watch out" as Klopp is eyeing a return to Merseyside, with speculation mounting the club has approached their former coach about a spectacular return.  

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Getty Images SportCrucial week ahead for Slot

If Hamann is correct, and the remaining credit for last season's title win has run out, then his ex-teammate Carragher could well be spot on too. This really is a crucial week for Slot's tenure as Liverpool coach. 

First, the Reds travel to east London to take on West Ham on Sunday. The Irons are unbeaten in their last three league games, scoring eight goals in that run. Given Liverpool's defensive woes, that again could present a major problem to Slot's side. 

Following that, Liverpool host this season's surprise package Sunderland on December 3. Regis Le Bris' side are tough to break down, conceding less than a goal per game upon their return to the top flight. 

It's testament to the lose of confidence by Liverpool's players that these look to be tricky assignments for the Reds. These are two sides that Liverpool would have expected to blow off the park just a few months ago. Can Slot regain control of his team in time to save the Reds' season, and possibly, his job? 

Ruben Amorim could not hide his frustration after Manchester United were beaten 1-0 at home by 10-man Everton on Monday. The Portuguese said his team were nowhere near good enough to be competing for the places towards the top of the Premier League. He even declared that he wished his players had showed the same fighting spirit as Everton which led to Idrissa Gueye's red card.

• United fail to take advantage of red card

  Gueye was sent off in the 13th minute for raising his hands to team-mate Michael Keane's face in frustration after Casemiro had whistled a shot wide following passive defending from Everton. The Toffees had dominated the early stages of the game and they became emboldened by the red card, taking the lead through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's piledriver and then defending it astutely throughout the second half even as the Red Devils had 75 percent possession.

  Amorim said he did not agree with the decision to send off Gueye and he was happy to admit that Everton fully deserved to win. It was the first time the Toffees had won at Old Trafford since 2013, when David Moyes was in charge of United. It was also Moyes' first victory at Old Trafford as an opposing manager in 18 attempts.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Amorim: We deserved to lose

  Amorim told a press conference: "I think they were a better team with 11. They then worked really well with 10 men for 70 minutes. So I think we deserved to lose. We didn't play well. We didn't play with the right intensity. I know which point we are in the moment. So we are not there, not even near the point that we should be to fight for the best positions in the league. We have a lot to do, and we need to be perfect to win games. We were not perfect.

  "I feel afraid of returning of this feeling of last season, that is my biggest concern. So we need to work together. We are going to work together. I'm not going. The players are trying, but we need to be better so we have training tomorrow, and we are going to prepare the next one."

• Amorim: Fighting is not a bad thing

  Amorim admitted he was envious of Everton's determination to win the game and their desire, even though it led to a sending off. He explained: "Fighting is not a bad thing. Fighting doesn't mean that they don't like each other. Fighting is that if you lose the ball, I will fight you, because we will suffer a goal. That was my feeling. And I don't agree with that sending off. We can fight with team-mates. I know it's violent conduct, and the referee explained but I don't agree with that. I hope my players, when they lose the ball, they fight each other. Now they cannot get sent off a sent off, but that [players fighting with each other] is a good feeling, not a bad feeling."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  United 'not ready' to capitalise on Liverpool & City defeats

  United had the opportunity to go up to fifth in the Premier League after Bournemouth dropped points against West Ham, Tottenham were thrashed by Arsenal and arch rivals Liverpool and Manchester City were beaten by Nottingham Forest and Newcastle respectively.  Instead they are 10th in the table after 12 matches, level on 18 points with Everton and 11 points off leaders Arsenal.

  The Red Devils visit fifth-placed Crystal Palace next Sunday but Amorim was disappointed that they were not energised by the other results on the weekend and performed so sluggishly against Everton.

  "It is my responsibility to explain the game, and today, it was not one mistake of one individual, it was the team," said the United boss. "The way we saw the results of the weekend. We should get inside the pitch with a different level of excitement, that is, that is my feeling. It doesn't matter if you are playing well, making good passes, but the feeling and Old Trafford was there, saying we are all here to give a big step up, and I felt that we were not ready again."

Tottenham Hotspur created a triumphant atmosphere toward the end of their frenzied Premier League clash with Manchester United down N17. Two late goals had turned the clash on its head and the home side were moments away from three points.

But Red Devils defender Matthijs de Ligt headed home from a corner at the eleventh hour, and Thomas Frank’s side had to settle for a draw.

The deflation was felt across the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with this team of talented players still caught in a continuous state of ebb and flow. They may sit third in the Premier League after 11 matches, but improvements are needed both mentally and in attack.

The truth is that Tottenham weren’t up to scratch throughout the first half, and while they improved after the break, it didn’t prove to be enough as Ruben Amorim’s mini-revival continues.

Spurs' worst performers vs Man Utd

Tottenham’s draw to Manchester United was as dramatic as they come. However, it was a game that accentuated the flaws in Frank’s team, having struggled to create chances in the first half and finally up things around on home soil, with the Londoners having won only seven of 24 home matches since the start of last season.

Several stars weren’t at the races. Guglielmo Vicario should have been stronger in repelling De Ligt’s last-gasp effort, while Pedro Porro toiled from a defensive standpoint at right-back.

Randal Kolo Muani will feel aggrieved to have been withdrawn at half-time, but the French centre-forward drifted through the opening half and struggled to latch onto any balls and find space to strike on goal. Across 191 minutes of Premier League action this season, Kolo Muani has taken just one shot, and he is yet to score or assist.

Ahead of Spain international Porro was Brennan Johnson, who continues to be something of an enigma, endowed with such speed and an eye for goal, and yet drifting through matches all too often.

Johnson needs to do better, but he was arguably more energetic and active in his display than his counterpart on the other wing. For sure, Frank will be left frowning over his combination on the left, having witnessed a discordant performance.

Frank must never start Spurs duo together again

Credit must be handed to Richarlison for his striker’s instinct in flicking Wilson Odobert’s shot past Senne Lammens and into the back of the net, but he flattered to deceive for much of the contest and did little to suggest he is the talismanic force Tottenham need to sustain a place at the very top of English and European football.

Regarding Djed Spence: one analyst remarked that the placement of the 25-year-old on the left is “killing Tottenham on the flank”, with the side finding “zero balance in possession” when he is flipped onto his left side.

Had Mohammed Kudus been fit and darting about in front of him, it might have been less apparent against United, but Richarlison was not at the races, even though he scored late on.

The truth is that Richarlison’s fine flick masqueraded over another poor performance, lots of huff and puff, but not enough by the way of impact.

And, as we already know, the contest reaffirmed the truth of Spence, who is not a left-back and does not promote Tottenham’s full efficiency and fluency when placed there, especially behind a wide forward in Richarlison, who was described by writer Halal Wyler as being a “real-life cartoon villain”.

Once Destiny Udogie and Odobert, who impressed and then some in his cameo, had entered the field and dynamised the left-hand side, Spurs looked a cleaner, more polished outfit for it.

It is for this reason that the duo cannot be allowed to play down that channel together again. Richarlison is limited in technical scope, and Spence is left trying to connect in an unnatural role with an imperfect attacking partner. In harsher terms and as analyst Raj Chohan put it, it’s a pretty “garbage” duo when they play together.

The duo’s statistics from the clash underscore this. While the left-back produced some convincing defensive numbers, and Richarlison indeed bagged himself a goal, neither can be truly content with their performances.

Richarlison & Spence vs Man United

Stats

Spence

Richarlison

Minutes played

90′

90′

Goals

0

1

Assists

0

0

Touches

68

38

Shots (on target)

0 (0)

3 (1)

Accurate passes

33/42 (79%)

17/22 (77%)

Possession lost

16x

9x

Chances created

0

0

Crosses

0/2

0/0

Dribbles

0/2

0/1

Recoveries

5

1

Tackles won

3/3

1/2

Clearances

3

2

Duels won

4/11

4/10

Data via Sofascore

Writing about the respective performances after the match, football.london’s Alasdair Gold saw it fit to hand Spence a 6/10 match rating and a 7/10 score to Richarlison. However, this is somewhat generous, and there’s no question that Tottenham are a more fluent outfit with a different combination running down the left.

The left-sided pair, who earn a combined salary of £130k per week, will have brighter days ahead of them in a Spurs shirt, but as Frank continues to develop his understanding of this team, he will surely accept that this is a duo who cannot be fielded together again.

Richarlison may well be playing his final season with the Lilywhites, but Spence will no doubt have taken note of Porro’s “disaster” of a performance at right-back, as was said by Polish journalist Michael Okonski during the match, and set his sights on a return to his natural berth.

In any case, tactical changes are needed when Tottenham return to action after the imminent international break. Frank has the potential to succeed in north London, but he has to start getting the big calls right.

Related Dream Johnson upgrade: Spurs preparing £52m bid to sign "world-class" star

Tottenham Hotspur could be about to make yet another high-profile addition in January.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Nov 7, 2025

Nottingham Forest have now made an approach to sign a “fast” £22m defender, with Sean Dyche replacing Ange Postecoglou in the City Ground hotseat.

Forest make contact to sign centre-back as Dyche joins

Postecoglou’s awful stint as manager came to an end on Saturday, following a 3-0 home defeat against Chelsea, in which Forest once again struggled defensively, having also shipped three goals at home against FC Midtjylland at the beginning of the month.

Evangelos Marinakis perhaps has one eye on the January transfer window, given that the Tricky Trees are at risk of being drawn into a relegation battle, having taken just five points from their opening eight Premier League games.

With the City Ground outfit currently in the bottom three, it would perhaps make sense to bring in a manager with a proven track record of guiding teams to safety, and Dyche has just that from his time at Everton and Burnley.

Nottingham Forest's most expensive sales of all time

The biggest departures from the City Ground.

ByCharlie Smith Oct 9, 2025

Dyche has agreed to join Forest on the condition they give him a long-term deal. He is of course well-known for a more defensive style of play than Ange, which means the 54-year-old may be keen to bolster his options at the back in January, and a new centre-back has now emerged as the first target.

That is according to a report from Spain, which reveals Nottingham Forest have now accelerated contact over a move for CA Osasuna defender Enzo Boyomo, who has caught the eye with his spectacular performances for the La Liga side.

Boyomo has a €25m (£22m) release clause included in his contract with the Spanish club, and Osasuna would not consider a sale for any less, given his importance to the side, but there is certainly no shortage of interest from England.

Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion are also in the race, alongside the Tricky Trees, with the three Premier League clubs said to be in pole position for his signature.

"Fast" Boyomo could be solid addition to Forest's backline

Forest are likely to be happy with their current centre-back options, given that Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo formed a formidable partnership in the Premier League last season, with the duo missing just three games between them and helping secure European qualification.

However, should the new manager be keen to bring in more depth, there are signs the 24-year-old could be a solid signing. When asked to describe his own game after arriving at Osasuna, the Cameroonian said: “I think I’m a calm center-back, with good ball control, and I think I’m also fast.”

Not only that, but the France-born defender is also strong at winning back possession, placing in the 88th percentile for tackles per 90 over the past year, when compared to other centre-backs.

At £22m, Boyomo would be an affordable signing for Forest, who are clearly in need of a fresh injection of quality after a very poor start to the campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur are now determined to open talks to sign a “spectacular” attacker in the January transfer window, with a £35m bid planned.

Spurs looking to sign new attacking midfielder

Tottenham’s pursuit of a new attacking midfielder lasted for the majority of the summer, before finally getting a deal for Xavi Simons over the line at the end of August, with the Dutchman arriving from RB Leipzig.

With James Maddison ruled out due to an ACL injury, it was clear that Spurs needed to bring in another option in that area of the pitch, but Simons has been utilised as a left-winger so far, with Thomas Frank recently explaining the decision to play the 22-year-old out wide.

Tottenham expected to open talks to sign "incredible" £27m star in January

Tottenham expected to open talks to sign “incredible” £27m star in January.

ByDominic Lund Sep 21, 2025

When asked whether the decision to deploy the former RB Leipzig man out wide was made to introduce him gently, Frank said: “No, I think it’s how we let the team grow and develop,

“Where we came from in the summer. I was thinking the other day, I don’t think I said it, that we last year and the last two seasons, but definitely the last year, it was like Kulusevski, Son, Maddison, Solanke. None of them is available. So it’s a completely new front four.”

As such, there may still be room for Spurs to bring in another attacking midfielder, and they have now set their sights on bringing in a La Liga star in the January transfer window…

That is according to a report from Spain, which states Tottenham are now determined to open talks over a deal for Real Sociedad star Brais Mendez, expressing a strong interest in securing his signature.

Such is their determination to sign Mendez, the Lilywhites have planned a bid, which could amount to €40m (£35m), with the Spanish club said to be in a position where they need to listen to offers.

"Spectacular" Mendez could excel at Tottenham

Claudio Giráldez has spoken very highly of the Real Sociedad star in the past, saying: “He’s a player I like. He’s having some brilliant seasons, with spectacular developments in his game. He’s very complete.”

The 28-year-old certainly deserves the plaudits, having impressed in La Liga over a sustained period of time, picking up 37 goals and 29 assists in the competition, across spells with Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo.

The Spaniard, and fellow transfer target Oihan Sancet, also excel with their long-range shooting, regularly finding the back of the net from outside the box.

Mendez clearly has the talent to succeed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, so it is exciting news that an approach could be made during the January transfer window.

After restricting Delhi Capitals (DC) to 133 for 7, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) were in the driver’s seat before rain washed out the game in Hyderabad, thus ending their diminishing hopes of making the playoffs. Even if they win their three remaining matches, SRH can get only to 13 points. Four teams already have 14 or more.”That was an improved performance, but sometimes it’s a little bit too late,” Former New Zealand keeper-batter Katey Martin said on ESPNcricinfo Time Out. “I think it probably took them halfway through the tournament to realise that their approach with the bat might not necessarily have to be similar to what worked last year.”SRH’s ultra-aggressive approach with the bat saw them make it to the finals last year. Before the start of this season, there were talks about whether they could become the first team to breach the 300 mark in the IPL. They started emphatically, posting 286 for 6 against Rajasthan Royals in their opening game, but their approach backfired after that.Related

• Rain knocks SRH out and hands DC a reprieve

• Vettori: 'Conditions in Hyderabad weren't what we expected this year'

“There will definitely be some soul searching because you have to put into the equation what conditions dictate to you,” Varun Aaron said on the show. “You can’t be like, ‘You know, we’re going to play one style.’ Because if conditions don’t support you, you’re going to be found wanting, which they have been this year.”I think the best template is that of GT or MI. They have the players to combat conditions. They have two or three options in any condition given to them, but Sunrises, if the conditions didn’t favour them, they were always found wanting as a batting unit.”After the DC game, SRH head coach Daniel Vettori said the conditions in Hyderabad this year were not what they had expected, which made things difficult for their batters.”This is like the theme of the IPL – isn’t it? – give us the wicket we want,” Martin said. “But I think you have to be able to adjust the conditions. We have said that all year, all IPL and the best teams have done that. It’s been built around the personnel who can control the middle overs.”[Heinrich] Klaasen has struck and struck alright. Ishan [Kishan] and Abhishek [Sharma] had those big hundreds, but bowlers also work out what they need to do against batters like that. And I think the more exposure they’ve been getting, the more they have an idea of how to bowl to them. And I think being conditions-dependent, they [SRH batters] didn’t make those adjustments as well.”

Glasgow Rangers have new owners in the 49ers Enterprises, and they have already splashed the cash in the transfer market, but who is the current record signing at Ibrox?

Football FanCast has taken a look at Rangers’ most expensive signings in their history, with a detailed look at the top 10.

Rangers’ most expensive signings of all time
Rank	Player	Fee	Signed from	Year
1	Tore Andre Flo	£12m	Chelsea	2000
2	Youssef Chermiti	£8m	Everton	2025
3	Ryan Kent	£7m	Liverpool	2019
4	Michael Ball	£6.5m	Everton	2001
=5	Mikel Arteta	£6m	Barcelona	2002
=5	Danilo	£6m	Feyenoord	2023
7	Andrey Kanchelskis	£5.5m	Fiorentina	1998
8	Giovanni van Bronckhorst	£5.25m	Feyenoord	1998
=9	Arthur Numan	£4.5m	PSV Eindhoven	1998
=9	Barry Ferguson	£4.5m	Blackburn Rovers	2005
=9	Bert Konterman	£4.5m	Feyenoord	2000
=9	Oscar Cortes	£4.5m	Lens	2025
=9	Ronald de Boer	£4.5m	Barcelona	2000
=9	Cyriel Dessers	£4.5m	Cremonese	2023
=15	Paul Gascoigne	£4.3m	Lazio	1995
=15	Mohamed Diomande	£4.3m	Nordsjaelland	2024
17	Gaby Amato	£4.2m	RCD Mallorca	1998
=18	Michael Mols	£4m	FC Utrecht	1999
=18	Duncan Ferguson	£4m	Dundee United	1993
=18	Kemar Roofe	£4m	Anderlecht	2020
=18	Lorenzo Amoruso	£4m	Fiorentina	1997

Here's a detailed look at Rangers' 10 most expensive signings…

10

Barry Ferguson

£4.5m from Blackburn Rovers

One of six players to cost a reported £4.5m was iconic Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson. The Scot came through the Ibrox academy before moving to the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers in 2003.

He’d return to Glasgow in 2005, though, and in total, Ferguson would end his Rangers career with more than 400 appearances and 15 major honours.

9

Arthur Numan

£4.5m from PSV Eindhoven

Arthur Numan also cost £4.5m from PSV Eindhoven in 1998.

The full-back ended his playing career in Scotland in 2003, winning 10 major honours at Ibrox under Dick Advocaat and Alex McLeish. Since then, Numan has gone into scouting for the likes of Aston Villa and AZ Alkmaar.

8

Giovanni van Bronckhorst

£5.25m from Feyenoord

Versatile left-back Giovanni van Bronckhorst already knew Advocaat from his youth days and moved to Rangers from Feyenoord in 1998. The Dutch defender would spend three years at Ibrox before moving to Arsenal in 2001, with the Gers making a profit in the process.

Van Bronckhorst would return to Rangers as manager in 2021, lasting 12 months before being sacked despite leading them to the Europa League final.

7

Andrey Kanchelskis

£5.5m from Fiorentina

Russian winger Andrey Kanchelskis returned to the UK after spells with Man Utd and Everton in 1998, joining from Italian side Fiorentina.

Kanchelskis won six major honours at Ibrox before moving to Southampton in 2002.

6

Danilo

£6m from Feyenoord

Centre-forward Danilo made the move to Scotland with Rangers in 2023, costing £6m from Feyenoord.

The Brazilian is under contract at Ibrox until 2028, and he has now made more appearances for the Gers than any other club.

5

Mikel Arteta

£6m from Barcelona

Rangers were the first of three British clubs during Mikel Arteta’s playing career, sealing a move from Barcelona back in 2002.

The midfielder was just 20 years of age at the time and spent two years in Scotland before returning to Spain with Real Sociedad. He’d go on to become a regular in the Premier League for Everton and Arsenal and has managed the Gunners since 2019.

4

Michael Ball

£6.5m from Everton

Rangers splashed the cash on left-back Michael Ball in 2001 from Everton, however, his four-year stay in Scotland had several controversies.

Ball was fined after a Glasgow derby altercation with Advocaat, and years later, a clause in the transfer resulted in Rangers and Everton being embroiled in a legal battle which meant the player was left out of the squad for months.

3

Ryan Kent

£7m from Liverpool

After an impressive spell on loan in Glasgow during the 2018/19 season, Rangers signed winger Ryan Kent on a permanent transfer from Liverpool for a reported £7m.

The Gers and then-manager Steven Gerrard pipped Leeds United to a deal for the Englishman, who would go on to make more than 200 appearances for the club. He left for Fenerbahce in 2023 when his contract expired, but remains the Gers’ most expensive signing in nearly 20 years.

2

Youssef Chermiti

£8m from Everton

The 49ers’ marquee signing in their first transfer window at Rangers was Youssef Chermiti, with the young forward costing around £8m from Everton.

The Portuguese forward never scored for Everton in 24 appearances and was previously on the books at Sporting CP.

1

Tore Andre Flo

£12m from Chelsea

Comfortably top of the table is striker Tore Andre Flo, who has held the title of Rangers’ record signing for more than 20 years.

The Norwegian swapped Stamford Bridge for Ibrox in 2000 and spent close to two years in Scotland. Flo scored on his debut against Celtic and would net 38 goals in all competitions before being sold to Sunderland in summer 2002.

أشاد خافيير ماسكيرانو مدرب إنتر ميامي، بجوردي ألبا الظهير الأيسر، والذي سيعتزل كرة القدم، ووصفه بأنه أحد أفضل اللاعبين في التاريخ.

وكان ألبا قد سجل هدفًا في فوز إنتر ميامي ضد أتلانتا يونايتد، يوم السبت، برباعية نظيفة، وسيسدل الستار على مسيرته مع نهاية موسم ميامي في الدوري الأمريكي لكرة القدم.

وكان ألبا قد استمتع بفترة مميزة مع إنتر ميامي في الولايات المتحدة، إلى جانب ليونيل ميسي وسيرجيو بوسكيتس، ويشعر ماسكيرانو بالحزن باعتزال ألبا حيث كان يلعب بجانبه في وقت سابق والآن أصبح مدربه في ميامي.

اقرأ أيضاً.. سكالوني يعلن موقف ميسي من المشاركة ضد بورتوريكو بعد الفوز على فنزويلا

وقال ماسكيرانو في تصريحات نقلتها “بي إن سبورت”: “إنه لشرف لي، أنا وألبا وبوسكيتس، أن أتمكن من العودة لهما بعد سبع سنوات وأوصل العيش معهما يوم بيوم وأتشارك معهم يوم بيوم”.

وأضاف: “للأسف ربما أكون آخر مدرب لهما وهذا يشعرني بالحنين للماضي، لقد كان ألبا من أفضل اللاعبين في التاريخ”.

وأشاد ماسكيرانو بميسي في المباراة التي تألق فيها مع ميامي ونجح في تسجيل هدفين وصناعة هدف: “قبل مباراة منتخب الأرجنتين يوم الجمعة تحدثت مع سكالوني وقال لا، إنه لن يشرك ميسي وسيجلسه على دكة البدلاء، تحدثت مع ليو لمعرفة إذا كان بإمكانه اللعب”.

وختم: “كان القرار قرار ميسي وقد رأى أنها فرصة سانحة، إذا لم يكن سيلعب ضد فنزويلا فإننا يمكننا الاستعانة به، ليو كان مستعدا لذلك، هو رمز ولاعب مميز للغاية ورغم أنه لم يتدرب الأسبوع الماضي فقد رأينا ما فعله، لقد ساعدنا على الفوز وسجل وكان ذلك مهماً له”.