Thursday's briefing: Man Utd target Benjamin Sesko as Luis Diaz leaves Liverpool
Rangers made it through to the next round of the Champions League by beating Greek side Panathinaikos 3-1 on aggregate.
United target striker Sesko
Manchester United are pursuing a deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
United's misfiring frontline was a major issue last term and the club are looking to sign a striker this summer, and the PA news agency understands that Sesko is in their sights ahead of the new season.
The Slovenia international, 22, has long been on the club's radar and is also a target of Newcastle, who missed out on Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool and have an unsettled star in Alexander Isak.
United also like Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins but Sesko – who could reportedly be available for in the region of £70million – is understood to be their current priority.
Diaz signs out at Liverpool
Colombia forward Luis Diaz has left Liverpool for Bayern Munich.
Diaz signed a four-year deal with the Bundesliga champions after a fee understood to be £65million was agreed between the two clubs.
'I'm very happy, it means a lot to me to be part of FC Bayern – it's one of the biggest clubs in the world,' Diaz told the German club's website.
Diaz scored 41 goals in 148 appearances during his three-and-a-half-year stay on Merseyside, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and two Carabao Cups.
Rangers make Champions League progress
Full-Time: Panathinaikos 1-1 Rangers (Agg 1-3)
💙 Djeidi Gassama's perfect strike sends us into the @ChampionsLeague Third Qualifying Round. pic.twitter.com/65jHeeR6Qt
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) July 30, 2025
Rangers drew 1-1 at Panathinaikos for a 3-1 aggregate success and progression to the third qualifying round of the Champions League.
Djeidi Gassama was the super-sub once again after coming off the bench on debut last week to score in a 2-0 Ibrox win.
Filip Djuricic opened the scoring with a header in the 53rd minute but, moments after climbing off the bench, Gassama levelled for Russell Martin's side with a stunning drive.
Rangers next play Viktoria Plzen, of the Czech Republic, who were 3-2 aggregate winners over Swiss side Servette.
Palace to learn European fate
A date has been set to decide Crystal Palace's European fate.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has announced that August 11 will be the day to determine whether Palace will play in the Europa League or the Conference League this season.
The Eagles were demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League by European football's governing body UEFA after it determined that as of March 1, American businessman John Textor had control or influence at Palace and French club Lyon.
FA Cup winners Palace appealed against the decision to CAS and the court has now confirmed that a hearing will take place on August 8, followed by a verdict three days later.
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Our Opponents 🇩🇰First Leg Performance 🙌Importance of Fans 💚
David Gray previews tomorrow night's Europa League clash against FC Midtjylland! 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/SRNpYJWdJV
— Hibernian Football Club (@HibernianFC) July 30, 2025
Hibernian welcome Midtjylland to Easter Road in the Europa League second qualifying round after last week's 1-1 draw in Denmark.
Dundee United defend a 1-0 Conference League lead against UNA Strassen in Luxembourg.
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Scottish Sun
14 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Russell Martin backed by American owners will pip ‘weaker' Celtic and restore Rangers to title glory
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MAKING predictions for the Premiership with a month of the transfer window to go isn't easy. There have been massive changes across the league already this summer but the Old Firm especially still have major business to do. 4 Djeidi Gassama has made an instant impact at the Gers Credit: Getty 4 Benjamin Nygren is expected to be a big player for Celtic Credit: Kenny Ramsay 4 Lawrence Shankland could be key for Hearts Credit: Kenny Ramsay The outcome of a close title race could be influenced by what happens with signings over the next four weeks. But I'll stick my neck on the line right now and say Rangers will win the Premiership. My Celtic friends out there will say I'm bound to get it right one day if I keep tipping my old club! Yet this properly feels like a new era at Rangers — with fresh ideas under the American owners and Russell Martin. It's going to be tough and you can't argue with Celtic starting the season as favourites to win a fifth successive title. But right now, they are weaker than they were last season and while you could say the same about Rangers, Martin's squad is getting stronger all the time. Mikey Moore was the latest arrival on Friday. I wouldn't expect too much too soon from the Spurs kid, but it's another attacking option. With Djeidi Gassama hitting the ground running and Thelo Aasgaard arriving with a big reputation, Rangers will be strong offensively. Yes, Hamza Igamane looks to be heading out and there is uncertainty over the future of Cyriel Dessers but Martin — backed by Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers — will not be left short if one or two do go. Rangers transfer special as Russell Martin eyes THREE wingers, Coady latest and Dowell future Across the city, Brendan Rodgers is now at the stage of the transfer window where he's making a public appeal for players. In Kieran Tierney and Benjamin Nygren, Celtic have made two top signings. But the manager wants more and you can sense a bit of concern among the fanbase. With Jota injured, Nicolas Kuhn gone and Rodgers still asking for a Kyogo Furuhashi replacement, Celtic look short in attack. The uncertainty over the manager's future won't help matters as he enters the final 12 months of his contract. Then you have the Daizen Maeda situation, with that new contract still not signed months after it was put on the table. There is no doubt the Japanese striker will be a target for English and European clubs. At 27, he is at the stage where his next deal will be the biggest of his career. It wouldn't surprise me if Celtic got a massive bid for Maeda before the window shuts and I'm not sure they would turn it down. The same goes for Rangers and Nico Raskin, another player who will be attracting major interest. Cavenagh and the Ibrox board have made it clear a strong player-trading model is at the core of their plan. 4 That might mean cashing in on Raskin this summer and while he would be a loss, Celtic would miss Maeda a whole lot more. Whatever happens, I can't see Rodgers' side running away with the title like they have in the recent past. Martin hasn't wasted time in building foundations and with a few more additions Rangers will be strong title contenders. Below the Old Firm, I don't see anyone beating Hearts to third place under Derek McInnes. With Tony Bloom and Jamestown Analytics on board, the Tynecastle club have long-term ambitions of winning the league. That won't happen this season but they could surprise a lot of people after a summer of shrewd recruitment. From Stuart Findlay to Claudio Braga, Hearts' signings have been excellent. Keeping Lawrence Shankland was also crucial. In McInnes, they also have a manager who knows Scottish football inside out and they will finish third. Hibs will be up there battling with their Edinburgh rivals and I would expect another strong season from David Gray's men as they continue to progress. Then come Aberdeen and it will be fascinating to see if Jimmy Thelin can build on the Scottish Cup win. I have been critical of the Dons' signing policy and with European football to deal with, they still look a bit short. St Mirren have been top-six regulars in recent years and I don't see that changing. Have YOU got a point for Kris Boyd? Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah chew over the big talking points each week SOMETHING you've just got to get off your chest from the weekend action? A burning Scottish football talking point you can't wait to bring up with Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah? SunSport's GoBallistic show wants to hear from you! So why not help set the Scottish football agenda for the week ahead! Have your say on the game's big topics by emailing us on: GoBallistic@ It's YOUR turn to Go Ballistic! Keeping hold of boss Stephen Robinson amid all the interest in him was a major coup and I fully expect them to have another strong season. Dundee United produced two solid European performances as they booked a Conference League tie with Rapid Vienna. Jim Goodwin clearly believes that you get better value signing players from outwith Scotland and I find that alarming. But he is doing a good job at Tannadice and you would expect them to battle St Mirren for that sixth place. Then there is a pack of four clubs who probably won't bother the top six — but should be safe of automatic relegation. Kilmarnock are among them. They have lost key players but Stuart Kettlewell is a sensible appointment and they will be fine. Falkirk have momentum after back-to-back promotions and are good to watch. They will find it much tougher, but they should have enough to steer clear of danger. The same goes for Livingston but I would have more concerns over Motherwell and the potential for them to get dragged into the play-off. As for relegation, I can't see past Dundee as things stand. I didn't agree with the sacking of Tony Docherty and they have since lost an entire team. They should have obliterated their League Cup group but instead failed to qualify. Docherty's replacement Steven Pressley is already under pressure from the Dundee fans and I fear things won't get much better for them. It all starts this weekend, with four games live on Sky Sports and all the best coverage in The Scottish Sun. As usual, there will be drama and chaos — and I can't wait for it. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
44 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Joe Rothwell knows Rangers have a target on their backs as he plans to put on a show for those taking aim
Russell Martin starts life in the Scottish Premiership away to Motherwell on Saturday and Rothwell wants to make a statement Joe Rothwell says everyone wants to beat Russell Martin's new-look Rangers - but insists they're ready to get off to a Premiership flyer against Motherwell. The Ibrox midfielder has already helped the club navigate a difficult C hampions League qualifying tie against Panathinaikos. And now he's gearing up for their league opener at Fir Park on Saturday night. Rothwell expects it to be frantic in Lanarkshire with The Steelmen out to spoil Gers' Premiership start. But the 30-year-old - who arrived from Bournemouth this summer - is adamant that Martin's men can compete with Celtic for the title. Rothwell said: 'The need for a fast start in the league doesn't have to be emphasised to us. 'As players, we know it's massive. We want to get off to a winning start and we're ready to go. 'It's going to be fast and erratic at the start of the game but it's down to us to take control and build momentum as quickly as we can. 'Everyone is going to want to beat us so we want to put on a show. 'It's a result-based business and we're going there on Saturday to win. 'Ultimately, winning the title is what everyone wants to do. But we can't get ahead of ourselves. 'Winning breeds confidence so Saturday is huge for us. Hopefully we can go there and get the three points.' Rothwell admits it's been a shock to the system, coming to Ibrox from English football. There was huge pressure on the Panathinaikos tie, with Rangers now facing Czech outfit Viktoria Plzen as they attempt to reach the Champions League group phase. But Rothwell says that's why he joined the club. He said: 'We're trying to implement a new style here and we're doing it with less training because there are so many games. 'So to come through the European tie and get the result we wanted was massive. 'It's a bit strange playing European games before the actual season has started. 'But it has given us a chance to put things we've worked on into practice. 'I said when I arrived that European football was a massive pull for me and we've now given ourselves a chance to get to the Champions League, which is what we want. 'We're guaranteed group stage football now which is great for us.' Rothwell is used to playing for a big club having helped Leeds United win the Championship in England last term. He's loved playing in front of the Rangers support so far and hopes his experience of winning at Elland Road can help him at Ibrox. He said: 'The fans are going to be key for us all season. We could hear them up in the stands in Athens the other night. 'It's another away game on Saturday so I'm sure they'll be loud there too. 'Both Rangers and Leeds are massive clubs but obviously playing European games here is different to being in the Championship. 'Last season was a great experience for me and it was part of the manager's reasoning for getting me here.'
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
James Milner will wear number 20 at Brighton in memory of Diogo Jota
James Milner will wear the number 20 shirt at Brighton this season in memory of the late Diogo Jota, describing his former Liverpool team-mate as a 'great friend'. The Portuguese forward died aged 28 last month in a car crash, alongside his brother Andre Silva, just weeks after helping Liverpool clinch Premier League title glory. Liverpool have retired the number 20 jersey worn by Jota in his five seasons at Anfield, three of them alongside Milner before the veteran England midfielder moved to Brighton in the summer of 2023. The lowdown on our new 25/26 numbers… 💬 — Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 1, 2025 With Carlos Baleba opting to have 17 on his back ahead of the 2025/26 campaign and vacating 20, Milner, who has been Brighton's number six, has swooped in to pay a touching tribute to Jota. 'Once I heard Carlos was looking to change his number and 20 was available, I wanted to do it as a mark of respect and pay tribute to Diogo Jota,' Milner said on the club's X channel. 'He was an amazing player who I was fortunate to play with and a great friend as well. 'It will be a great honour to wear his number in the Premier League this year.' Milner – whose contract was extended by Brighton in June for another season, which will take him past his 40th birthday – was among a number of Jota's former team-mates who attended his funeral in July.
