Rangers' Champions League rivals reject £17m transfer bid
Serie A side Fiorentina were the first club to follow up their interest with a concrete bid for the 25-year-old of £17 million.
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But reports in Greece have indicated Panathinaikos have informed the Italians they no intention of selling anyone until they play their Champions League ties with Rangers.
They have already snapped up three players for the new campaign - ex-Liverpool midfielder Pedro Chirivella, Greek international defender Georgios Kyriakopoulos from Monza and fellow stopper Ahmed Touba, with the Algerian international arriving from Turkish side Basaksehir.
And they have made it clear they want their star striker Ioannidis available for the games against Russell Martin's new charges.
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North Wales Chronicle
4 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Sunday's briefing: Football bids emotional farewell to Diogo Jota
On the field, defending champions England began their Euro 2025 campaign with a 2-1 defeat to France, while Wales were beaten 3-0 by the Netherlands. Chelsea's progress to the semi-finals of the Club World Cup has not all been plain sailing for boss Enzo Maresca. Liverpool's squad were united in their grief as they said farewell to team-mate Diogo Jota at the forward's funeral in Portugal. A service for the 28-year-old father-of-three, who married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso almost a fortnight ago, and his brother Andre Silva was held at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar church in their home town of Gondomar, near Porto, following their deaths in a car crash on Thursday. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson each carried a floral tribute in the shape of a red shirt bearing the respective numbers of the two brothers. Head coach Arne Slot and the majority of the squad were present, as were Michael Edwards – the man who signed Jota from Wolves in 2020 when he was sporting director and is now chief executive of football for owners Fenway Sports Group – current sporting director Richard Hughes and head of physiotherapy Lee Nobes, who would have spent many hours with the player during his injury lay-offs. Many of Jota's former team-mates also attended, including ex-Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, who on Friday laid flowers at the makeshift shrine outside Anfield, James Milner, Thiago Alcantara, who signed in the same transfer window as Jota, Caoimhin Kelleher, Fabinho and former Wolves and Portugal team-mate Joao Moutinho. Defending champions England were beaten by France in their Euro 2025 opener in Zurich, despite Keira Walsh's late consolation. Lauren James returned to Sarina Wiegman's starting XI and England thought they had struck first against the 2022 semi-finalists but had an early Alessia Russo effort chalked off after a VAR check. Instead Marie-Antoinette Katoto fired in a 36th-minute opener before Chelsea's Sandy Baltimore doubled France's lead three minutes later. Late substitutions sparked the Lionesses into life in the closing stages and Walsh gave them hope, halving the deficit in the 87th minute, but they could not salvage a point. In the other game in the group, Wales' major tournament debut ended in defeat as Vivianne Miedema scored her 100th international goal for the Netherlands. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has told any player unhappy at the club they can leave. It is proving a busy summer at Stamford Bridge, with recent signings Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr now joined by Jamie Gittens, and Estevao Willian arriving before the new season. Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix, Axel Disasi and Ben Chilwell are not with the squad at the Club World Cup and are among those who could move on, while there has also been speculation Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson. Maresca said: 'My message to the players and to the club is that I want just players that are happy to be with us. The ones that are not happy, they are free to go. There is an all-Scandinavian clash at Euro 2025 as Norway take on Finland. In the other game hosts Switzerland face Iceland.
South Wales Guardian
19 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Sunday's briefing: Football bids emotional farewell to Diogo Jota
On the field, defending champions England began their Euro 2025 campaign with a 2-1 defeat to France, while Wales were beaten 3-0 by the Netherlands. Chelsea's progress to the semi-finals of the Club World Cup has not all been plain sailing for boss Enzo Maresca. Liverpool's squad were united in their grief as they said farewell to team-mate Diogo Jota at the forward's funeral in Portugal. A service for the 28-year-old father-of-three, who married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso almost a fortnight ago, and his brother Andre Silva was held at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar church in their home town of Gondomar, near Porto, following their deaths in a car crash on Thursday. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson each carried a floral tribute in the shape of a red shirt bearing the respective numbers of the two brothers. Head coach Arne Slot and the majority of the squad were present, as were Michael Edwards – the man who signed Jota from Wolves in 2020 when he was sporting director and is now chief executive of football for owners Fenway Sports Group – current sporting director Richard Hughes and head of physiotherapy Lee Nobes, who would have spent many hours with the player during his injury lay-offs. Many of Jota's former team-mates also attended, including ex-Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, who on Friday laid flowers at the makeshift shrine outside Anfield, James Milner, Thiago Alcantara, who signed in the same transfer window as Jota, Caoimhin Kelleher, Fabinho and former Wolves and Portugal team-mate Joao Moutinho. Defending champions England were beaten by France in their Euro 2025 opener in Zurich, despite Keira Walsh's late consolation. Lauren James returned to Sarina Wiegman's starting XI and England thought they had struck first against the 2022 semi-finalists but had an early Alessia Russo effort chalked off after a VAR check. Instead Marie-Antoinette Katoto fired in a 36th-minute opener before Chelsea's Sandy Baltimore doubled France's lead three minutes later. Late substitutions sparked the Lionesses into life in the closing stages and Walsh gave them hope, halving the deficit in the 87th minute, but they could not salvage a point. In the other game in the group, Wales' major tournament debut ended in defeat as Vivianne Miedema scored her 100th international goal for the Netherlands. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has told any player unhappy at the club they can leave. It is proving a busy summer at Stamford Bridge, with recent signings Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr now joined by Jamie Gittens, and Estevao Willian arriving before the new season. Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix, Axel Disasi and Ben Chilwell are not with the squad at the Club World Cup and are among those who could move on, while there has also been speculation Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson. Maresca said: 'My message to the players and to the club is that I want just players that are happy to be with us. The ones that are not happy, they are free to go. There is an all-Scandinavian clash at Euro 2025 as Norway take on Finland. In the other game hosts Switzerland face Iceland.
Daily Record
30 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Tony Bloom's Hearts endgame is to win the Premiership as Celtic and Rangers told when they should be 'worried'
An ally to the Brighton owners has revealed the long-game after his Tynecastle investment Adam Virgo washed his club kit at home and lost out to uni students for a parking space at training. That was the life of a Brighton captain before Tony Bloom took over. So when Bloom sat him down to outline plans for the Seagulls taking flight to the Premier League' s higher reaches, Virgo admits he found the idea totally fanciful. That 2009 chat was, however, just a taster of the Bloom-inspired rise of his beloved Brighton from languishing in League One to playing in Europe. Little wonder that ex- Celtic defender Virgo warns against dismissing Bloom's boast of disrupting Old Firm domination with Hearts. The billionaire bettor owns a 29 per cent Jambos stake, has trusted consultant James Franks on the board and his renowned Jamestown Analytics aiding recruitment. Virgo reckons that all adds up to Hearts mounting a serious title challenge in years to come – even if they might not dare believe it. He said: 'The vision Tony had for Brighton was to be challenging at the top end of the Premier League. 'And when he talked to us, I kind of had the feeling: 'You must be mad.' 'We played at Withdean, the athletics stadium. But he referenced plans for what's now the Amex. 'He wanted Brighton to have the top training ground in the country. 'Go there now and it's state-of-the-art stuff. But back then, I thought: 'Yeah, good one!' 'Bear in mind, when we had this conversation I shared a gym and canteen with Sussex University students and couldn't find a space to park my car. I'd walk into the gym area, reception says: 'Who are you?' – and I have to explain I captain the club! 'Sometimes, we couldn't train on the pitches because of a uni game so we went to public parks. 'There was no way I could envisage things happening as quickly as Tony wanted it to. 'But he has done it in all aspects of business – betting, horse racing and now football. 'When he sets out to do something, he'll make it clear. That makes this an exciting time for Hearts.' Virgo reckons Bloom will pay strict attention to the smallest of details to make gains. He said: 'Tony called me one night and said: 'Adam, I'm taking over the club' but didn't give much detail. 'He wanted a meeting with me and (vice-captain) Nicky Forster. We sat down for coffee and he wanted to know EVERY detail of the excuses us players had for our performances. 'These might be minor things in the world of football these days. 'But every day we'd take our kit home and wash it. We never had a pre-match meal ... it went on and on. Nicky and I rhymed them off. 'Tony fixed everything. A catering company came in, we had breakfast and we'd go to the gym where food was prepared for us before travelling to a home game. 'Small details made a huge difference from a players' perspective.' Virgo grew to know poker player Bloom well, personally and professionally, before and after leaving the club. That means he has seen the 55-year-old operate with genuine, charming style and at his ruthless, business best. Virgo said: 'Tony's end goal is to win the Scottish Premiership. 'Celtic and Rangers have won every league since 1985 so it's difficult for him to say that. But look at Brighton where he's looking to cement them as a top-six club. 'Once they got to the Premier League, the first couple of years was about just staying there. He then moved Chris Hughton on straight away – a massive decision on a very well-respected manager. 'Then he brings in Graham Potter who he found after a year at Swansea and got the ball rolling further up the league. 'Then he goes to Sassuolo for Roberto De Zerbi who, unless you're a European connoisseur, you wouldn't know much about. For a season-and-a-half they're arguably the best team in the league to watch. 'He then takes the biggest punt of all. Fans may think: 'Bloody hell, what's going on here? We've employed a 32-year-old!' 'Under the youngest manager in Premier League history in Fabian Hurzeler, they finish eighth! Tony's never afraid to stick his neck out and go down a different path. 'I know Tony the businessman and Tony the father, husband and family man. He's kind-hearted and, when you meet him, he's polite. But there's another side where he's had to make big decisions to change the club and get the right people in like Paul Barber.' Virgo expects the Gorgie faithful to warm to Bloom's input and upfront style. 'Tony will have put so much work in on Hearts before he'd have done anything,' the 42-year-old said. 'He's a businessman but a man of the people. He'll go and sit in the crowd at an away end. 'There's transparency. He'll make time to be at meetings with the supporters every few months. He'll talk to them, let them know where he stands on things. 'Some chairmen don't say enough, others too much. Tony has that balance. I don't think Rangers and Celtic can be worried right now. 'This is going to be a process of certainly a few years. But I'd be amazed if you didn't quickly see improvements and results, by way of style of football or players sold for decent money. And that's just the start.'
