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Everton thought they had finally taken a step in the right direction when 777 Partners agreed a takeover deal worth a reported £500m with Farhad Moshiri back in September, only for the wait to go on for the potential new owners to receive approval from the Premier League. Now, former club chief executive Keith Wyness has claimed that the Toffees could be left with another "headache".

Everton takeover news

After reaching an agreement to buy the club, 777 reportedly supplied Everton with £200m in loans to help cover costs, with the club's total debt now apparently standing as high as £1bn in what could quickly turn into a disaster.

In an ideal world, the Premier League will approve their takeover and Everton will be in a financial position to both avoid Financial Fair Play issues and climb the table of England's top flight in the process.

Those at Goodison Park aren't exactly the Premier League's biggest fans, of course, having already been hit with a 10-point deduction for breaking FFP rules earlier this season, before being hit with a second charge, awaiting punishment. Their appeal could yet reverse the deduction, but it remains to be seen if that will be the case.

Everton's "struggling" Koeman signing has seen his value plummet by £26m

He arrived at Goodison Park back in July 2017.

ByEthan Lamb Feb 23, 2024

If the Premier League do reject 777 Partners' proposed takeover of Everton, meanwhile, it could leave the Merseyside club in further trouble. Reports claim that 777 would immediately recall their £200m in loans to deal the Toffees a major blow.

Speaking about the issue, Wyness – Everton's CEO from 2004 to 2009 and now part of a football consultancy – told Football Insider's Insider Track podcast: "The longer this process goes on, the worse the problems appear to be for 777. There is a problem there.

“It’s a double-edged sword because the length of this decision has also prevented Everton from engaging with any other potential buyers. That’s giving Everton another headache.

"It’s hard to know the impact of these loans given to the club by 777 without knowing all the details. But the amount of debt is increasing and that isn’t good. Certainly, any new owner would have to come in and look at paying some of the creditors.

"It’s getting very close to the edge now. I think there are still people waiting in the wings, and my opinion is that Everton is still a great prize – particularly with the new stadium.”

Why are 777 Partners yet to gain approval?

Now five months after they initially agreed a deal to buy Everton, 777 Partners continue to face a frustrating wait for approval from the Premier League. But, Paul Brown and Philippe Auclair's deeper dive into the proposed new Everton owners for Josimar Football may reveal why the process is taking so long.

Brown and Auclair claim that 777 need Everton more than the club need the new owners, with the company propped up by A-Cap – a risk solution and service provide run by Kenneth King, who is alleged of playing a part in complex and massive fraud in a civil lawsuit in the USA.

King's companies are reportedly under investigation by US regulators for suspected breaches of financial rules. And given that those same companies have supposedly been propping 777 up, questions are rightly being asked of their suitability to take over a Premier League club.

Australia’s batsmen have spoken a lot about having a gameplan to deal with India’s spinners. On Saturday, they were undone by sticking to them so rigidly that they forgot to think on their feet

Arun Venugopal in Ranchi08-Oct-2017This could easily be an episode of Friends. Just trade Central Perk for Ranchi, remove Matthew Perry and Matt Le Blanc and throw Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch into the mix. The two Australian batsmen are perfectly suited to play Chandler Bing and Joey Tribbiani. Like the on-screen characters, they are excellent mates, and have even shared an apartment in Melbourne at one point. Now, they are out on a speed date with India’s bowlers and have to look out for each other.But, hey, who are we kidding? Finch needs little looking after. He has charmed his way into the such good form, and he has done it so very easily, that he was Australia’s leading run-getter in the ODI series, playing only three of the five matches. Maxwell, meanwhile, has tried everything only to be shot down.Facing his second delivery from Jasprit Bumrah, he cleared his front leg and hoisted his bat as if to hack someone. That violent prelude ultimately culminated in a jittery dab to third man for one. Later, against Bhuvneshwar Kumar, there were a couple of hopeful swipes that would have left the off stump he was supposed to protect cringing. Finch knew his partner needed help and so he showed how it was done.Hardik Pandya had stuffed the area between point and mid-off with five fielders, and unleashed the knuckle ball. The idea was to mess with the batsman’s timing and it would have worked if Finch had been throwing himself at the ball as eagerly as Maxwell. But he was a little more artful than that. Only after the ball had signalled its intentions, coming close to his body, did he gently lob it over the infield. The shot that followed was smoother than Joey’s catchphrase as Finch cut all along the ground and perfectly into the gap.Australia had got to 49 for 1 in six overs, and in light of that foundation, and with Finch as his wingman, it looked like Maxwell might finally prosper. But, India had what it took to spook him. Again.Yuzvendra Chahal is no Moriarty but Maxwell wasn’t Sherlock Holmes either. On this tour, he is just awkward, edgy and down-on-luck Chandler. The first ball of the contest was cut for a couple, the second for a four, and the third was a long hop which was pulled straight to a newly-placed short midwicket. In what was almost a self-deprecatory punchline, Chahal turned around, hid his face in his hands and smiled sheepishly. He had just dismissed Maxwell four times in four tries.And, that’s when the infamous unravelling of the Australian middle order began. Three overs later, Finch, who was sweeping compulsively and effectively, was bowled when Kuldeep Yadav adapted to the challenge in front of him with a fuller and faster delivery. A last-minute adjustment to offer the straight bat came too late, and Finch’s pick-up line fell flat for once.Glenn Maxwell prepares to reverse sweep•Associated PressAustralia have spoken all tour about having a “game plan” against spin but on Saturday they were undone by sticking to them too rigidly. Against a varied and potent bowling attack, and on a pitch that wasn’t really helping strokeplay, pre-match preparation amounts to little if the batsmen cannot think on their feet. They came in looking to either sweep – or like Moises Henriques, run out and slog – the spinners and neither worked.Finch disagreed with that assessment, however, and instead offered as explanation a word that had plenty of airtime during the Test series between India and Australia earlier this year – “brain-fade”.”I thought on that wicket, to Kuldeep, sweeping was a safer option than taking him over the top,” he said. “Some balls were spinning. It was hard to judge the bounce on a track that was quite difficult. I found sweep was the safer option. One, to get off strike, and [two,] to get a boundary as well if I could pick out a gap. But I kept picking out a fielder. The ball that I got out on was a little bit of brain fade, I went to sweep and just tried to chip him on the on side for one, and missed it. It happens in the games, in particular in T20s.”When he was asked if Australia could have approached the middle more cautiously, Finch said the presence of Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah at the death made batsmen take more risks in the middle stages. “When you look at the history of this ground, it suggests that 150 is a par score or the average score batting first on this surface. We wanted to make sure we were up and around that mark.”We knew with how competent their bowlers are at the death. Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah, in particular, are two of the finest going around at executing in the end. We felt we had to play a little bit more high-risk game through the middle overs to maximise. Unfortunately we just kept losing wickets.”Despite Maxwell’s poor run, Finch felt he wasn’t far away from a big score. “It’s always tough when someone gets dropped. I’ve been there, I know that feeling all too well,” he said. “Particularly on a tour, you tend to go into a shell, but he was the exact opposite. He was up and about around the group and doing everything to help anybody perform well on the day.”He has had a couple of unlucky dismissals. He batted well in the first ODI but it was a rain-shortened match. He is batting well in the nets and he is doing everything he can. Sometimes form just eludes you a little bit. But we’ve seen how dominant and destructive he is in these conditions before so I don’t think it is far away. Just a few game-plan tinkers here and there would go a long way in just taking the pressure off himself.”He probably feels that people expect him to score at 200 [strike-rate]. Batting at No. 3 is a different responsibility in this format for him. I know he’s opened a couple of time, but he is predominantly a middle-over player. It’s a tough position to bat; some guys love it, some guys don’t. It is one of those positions that can be such a swing type of position in the order.”

In just a few years, the local rivalry between the Stars and Renegades has thrown up a number of memorable moments

Srinath Sripath06-Jan-2018#5Local boy Cameron White becomes MCG villain
When Cameron White made the switch to cross-town rivals Melbourne Renegades after being a key member of the Stars for four seasons, the MCG crowd made sure he copped some stick. Boos rang out through an 80,883-strong record crowd, and White was surprised about being meted out treatment usually reserved for defecting AFL stars. “I didn’t really know what to expect. But in the back of my mind I thought, ‘parochial Victorian supporters’. You see it in the footy a bit,” White was quoted as saying by the .Peter Nevill was run-out after the ball hit Adam Zampa’s nose off his bat before it hit the stumps•Cricket Australia/Getty Images#4Zampa’s “header” runs Nevill outThe 2015-16 BBL season’s viral video moment came when Adam Zampa took a nasty blow to his head from a meaty Dwayne Bravo drive off his own bowling. The ball crashed into his nose off a deflection from non-striker Peter Nevill and onto the stumps. Even as Nevill came over to ensure Zampa was fine, the bowler was appealing for a run-out – Nevill was way short of his ground.

Great run out tonight @zamps63 #FieldingFocus pic.twitter.com/KEZf3YDMP3

— Trent Woodhill (@TrentWoodhill) 9 January 2016

“I realised what had happened,” Zampa said. “As soon as it hit me I said it’s out, but it (my nose) was pretty sore.” In the middle of a bizarre scenario, Nevill had not realised that he was out. “Jeff Joshua (the umpire) had to tap me on the shoulder and say, ‘By the way mate, you’re out,'” he said of the incident.Zampa’s “header” won him admirers, including lifelong Chelsea fan Alec Stewart.

Transfer window is open. Who will sign up Adam Zampa after that great header to run out Nevill!  @tensporttv @SkyCricket #BBL05

— Alec Stewart (@StewieCricket) 9 January 2016

The Jumbotron hangs off the Docklands stadium roof•Getty Images#3Jumbotrons? In a cricket match?Jumbotrons, large-screen displays popularized in American stadia by the NFL and NBA, made their cricketing debut at the indoor Docklands Stadium earlier this year. At 22m above the pitch, a pair of them were placed beyond normal hitting altitudes, and they provided a behind-the-bowler’s-arm perspective for spectators sitting side-on in the stands. A record crowd at Renegades’ home ground packed in to view the spectacle, and no batsman managed to do damage to them on the day.Marlon Samuels throws his bat in the air after getting hit by a throw from Shane Warne•Getty Images#2Warne v Samuels and the aftermathWhile the idea behind the “one city, two teams” formula was to create an intense spectacle, tempers crossed acceptable limits when Marlon Samuels and Shane Warne clashed on-field during the Melbourne derby in 2013. Samuels had grabbed David Hussey as he was trying to turn for a second run during the Stars’ innings, angering Warne. During the second innings, Warne flipped the ball back at Samuels after he had driven Warne straight. Samuels reacted angrily to the provocation, throwing his bat over Warne’s head. A mic-ed up Warne then proceeded to grab Samuels’ shirt and ask him if he was planning to grab anyone else. He blamed Samuels for the incident, asking, “What are you meant to do when someone throws a bat at you?”Samuels was out of the tournament with an eye wound from later in that game, but nearly three years later, he reignited the fire and dedicated his World T20-winning innings in Kolkata to Warne.#1A BBL high, and a world recordWhen 80,883 people poured into the MCG for the Melbourne derby last year, it shattered the BBL record by a distance. The derby was among the best-attended franchise T20 games in the world. It was not the only record broken on the day, as the preceding WBBL derby became the best-attended women’s domestic game, with a turnout of nearly 13,000.

Forget the result for a second pls…WHAT A F…K..G unbelievable crowd this eve! The @BBL is insane & Melbourne – I <3 you xxx

— KP (@KP24) 2 January 2016

A wrap of the fourth day’s play of the 8th round match between South Australia and Queensland

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Feb-2017
ScorecardFile photo – Tom Cooper is South Australia’s leading run scorer this season•Getty ImagesTom Cooper’s second century of the Sheffield Shield season delivered a six-wicket victory to South Australia in their match against Queensland at Adelaide Oval. Set 279 to win what had been a low-scoring game, South Australia had wobbled to 4 for 92 before a match-winning partnership between Cooper and Jake Lehmann saw them home.The pair put on an unbeaten 187 for the fifth wicket, having come together on the third afternoon. Lehmann finished on 78 not out and Cooper – South Australia’s leading run scorer this Shield season – was unbeaten on 119. Adam Zampa was named Man of the Match for his maiden 10-wicket haul in first-class cricket.

Celtic are now in late transfer talks to sign an “on fire” striker in a deal worth up to £10m, according to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph.

Celtic eyeing late signings after Jota return

The Hoops, who have qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League, recently sealed their first signing of 2025 in winger Jota. The Portuguese attacker returned to Glasgow after spells in Saudi Arabia and France, joining from Rennes with Kyogo Furuhashi heading the other way.

More additions could be on the way before Monday night’s deadline, though, with defender Kieran Tierney also possibly returning to the club. Brendan Rodgers recently revealed that Celtic and Tierney have a pre-contract agreement for the summer, but “ideally”, the club would strike a loan deal with Arsenal for the second half of the season.

“Ideally it would [happen in January] but, at this moment, he’s still an Arsenal player. I think everyone is agreed that it will definitely take place in the summer. If we can do it beforehand, then great.

“I don’t know. I think that, like I said, we’d prepared that for the summer. And I don’t want to speak too much on it, with the greatest respect, because he’s not a Celtic player here now with us.

“But, if we were able to do it, of course we would like to do that. But that’s out of our control at this moment in time.”

Their next Kristoffer Ajer: Celtic in talks to sign "towering" star for £0

Celtic are seeking to sign a new highly-rated “towering” centre-back, so could they return to Scandinavia to recruit the next Kristoffer Ajer?

ByBen Gray Jan 29, 2025

Alongside a full-back, another forward is also wanted at Parkhead. Celtic recently made a bid to sign Sarpsborg forward Sondre Orjasaeter, whereas Brondby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden has also been heavily linked with a move to Scotland. It looks as if the latter of the two is still firmly on the Hoops’ radar, with a new development recently emerging.

Celtic in talks to sign £10m Mathias Kvistgaarden

As per Joseph, who took to X on Wednesday, Celtic are in talks with Brondby over signing Kvistgaarden before the deadline. The 11-time Danish champions are holding out for a record departure fee worth more than £10m, with Celtic seeing the player as a replacement for Furuhashi.

Kvistgaarden, who is 22 years of age, is primarily a centre-forward who can also play on either wing if needed and holds a career-high €8m Transfermarkt valuation.

Appearances

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14

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As can be seen, the Denmark U21 international has been impressing in front of goal and has been dubbed “on fire” this season, taking his overall tally to 38 goals in 110 Brondby appearances.

You’d imagine he may only get better with age, so Celtic securing his services for an eight-figure fee could be another shrewd piece of business by the Hoops, reinvesting the fee they received for Furuhashi straightaway.

Manchester City have now opened talks over a deal to sign a goalkeeper who could replace Ederson between the sticks next season, according to a report.

Pep rebuilding his squad

Pep Guardiola has been rebuilding his team this month, as they have been way below par in the Premier League this season, and it looks like a number of new arrivals could be imminent.

A deal for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush is set to be completed soon, with Guardiola keen to strengthen his attacking optIons, while a bid in the region of £55m is also being prepared for Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso.

Defensive duo Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov are also set to arrive at the Etihad Stadium in the very near future, with Pep looking to reinforce his squad in multiple areas – and there are now indications that he could look to bring in a new goalkeeper, too.

Pep now desperate for Man City to sign La Liga "specialist" after Marmoush

They’re wasting little time…

ByTom Cunningham Jan 18, 2025

According to a report from Football Transfers, Man City have now identified FC Porto’s Diogo Costa as their top target between the sticks, with a deal more likely to take place in the summer rather than January.

The 25-year-old has been selected as the first-choice option to replace Ederson next season, with the Brazilian’s starting spot now under major threat from Stefan Ortega.

The Sky Blues have already made contact and started talks to sign Costa, underlining the fact that they have a concrete interest in his signature, and the potential move is now said to be gaining momentum.

Should Guardiola bring the Porto goalkeeper in this summer, Ederson may move to the Saudi Pro League, where there are a number of lucrative offers on the table.

Diogo Costa could be the perfect Ederson heir

It is exciting news that City have picked out the Portugal international as their top target, as he has put in some very impressive performances in his native country for a number of years now.

The Switzerland-born goalkeeper ranks in the 97th percentile for his clean sheet percentage per 90 over the past year, while also placing in the 95th percentile for goals against when compared to his positional peers, as per FBref.

The Porto academy graduate has experience in the Champions League, which is another bonus, and he received praise for his performances in the competition from football talent scout Jacek Kulig, who labelled him as a “Superman”.

Ederson has been a fantastic servant to City, playing an instrumental role in the success of the Guardiola era, but Ortega’s emergence as a starter perhaps indicates the Brazilian’s best years are now behind him.

As such, the reigning Premier League champions should pursue a move for Costa this summer, as he has proven he is ready to sign for one of Europe’s top clubs.

Kevin De Bruyne has refused to rule out remaining in the England after his spell with Manchester City comes to a close at the end of this season.

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KDB 'willing to listen to projects'City star leaving after 10 seasonsComments come out after virtuosic performance against PalaceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

The 33-year-old was speaking to Norwegian journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft about his future. When quizzed on the challenges left in his career, De Bruyne suggested he'd be open to any and all offers, including staying in England.

AdvertisementWHAT KEVIN DE BRUYNE SAID

Speaking to Fjortoft, De Bruyne said: "There is always a challenge, you know. I don’t know what’s going to happen next season. If teams come and then convince me that they have a nice sport project. I know I am obviously not the youngest anymore. I still think I am able to perform on the highest level. I don’t know what teams are interested or what they want to do. Whatever project [is] available – I am willing to listen. I love football – I love to play football and if a nice project comes and my family is also good with that, we will be able to make a decision."

When pressed on whether his career in England was over, De Bruyne replied: "I don’t know. Honestly I don’t know. The decision to leave has not been long. Nothing can be decided in one week in the football world. I haven’t seen my family since the decision. I have to speak to them and then I will see whichever team wants me. So I don’t know. I have no idea."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Earlier this week, it was announced the Belgian midfielder would move on from the Etihad Stadium after ten stellar seasons. He leaves with six Premier League winners' medals, a Champions League title and two PFA Players' of the Year awards.

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AFPDID YOU KNOW?

De Bruyne's comments came out after a virtuosic display in City's come-from-behind 5-2 victory over Crystal Palace.GOAL gave the City legend a 9/10 for his performance, as he logged a goal and an assist.

Preparing to get their January business underway, Aston Villa are now reportedly prepared to pay the £17m release clause to sign one of their biggest transfer targets this month.

Aston Villa transfer news

The Villans have struggled to balance European and domestic responsibilities so far this season, falling outside of the Premier League’s top four as a result as they enter the second half of the campaign.

So it comes as little surprise that they’ve already threatened to steal the headlines more than once during the January transfer window, as Unai Emery looks to reinforce his squad to mount a comeback into the Champions League places.

What should undoubtedly aid their search for fresh faces is the pending sale of Jaden Philogene. Since returning to Villa Park in the summer, the winger has struggled to break into Emery’s strongest side and is now closing in on a mid-season switch to Ipswich Town, who are reportedly splashing out over £20m to secure his signature.

It looks as though those in the Midlands are already preparing to spend that money, too. According to reports in Spain, Aston Villa are now prepared to pay the €20m (£17m) release clause to sign Oscar Mingueza this month, with the deal already reportedly underway.

PSG considering move to sign "fantastic" Aston Villa star alongside Duran

Concerning news for the Villans…

ByTom Cunningham Jan 10, 2025

The right-back currently looks destined for Villa Park and to hand Matty Cash alarming competition for his starting spot for the remainder of the season and beyond. Still just 25 years old, that £17m fee could quickly become one of the bargains of the window if Mingueza continues his Celta Vigo form in the Midlands.

"Revelation" Mingueza can replace Cash

Dubbed a “revelation” at Celta Vigo by journalist Zach Lowy, Mingueza’s potential arrival could signal the end of Cash’s starting role under Emery. The right-back’s attacking work is particularly something to look out for and a trait that should only add further excitement at Villa Park should he complete a mid-season move from Spain.

A player who began as a right-back more comparable to Cesar Azpilicueta at Barcelona, Mingueza is now a modern-day full-back who would undoubtedly aid Villa’s push to record back-to-back top-four finishes.

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0

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While his creativity is impressive, Mingueza’s ability to recover possession is also a trait which should benefit Aston Villa if they manage to get their deal over the line.

Emery has already seen just how much competition for places can push his players to greater heights, with Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran’s goalscoring battle a key part of the current campaign, and he could now see Cash and Mingueza endure a similar fight to start down the right-hand side for the remainder of the season.

King and Brown took 5 for 18 between them as Ireland were held to 99 for 8 from 20 overs before Mooney and Lanning ran it down in 12.5 overs

Alex Malcolm17-Jul-2022Superb spells from Alana King and Darcie Brown have helped Australia thump Ireland by nine wickets in the second match of the Tri-Nation Women’s T20I series in Bready.After rain had washed out Australia’s march again Pakistan in game one, the world champions produced a near-flawless bowling display with King taking 3 for 9 and Brown bagging 2 for 9 as Ireland limped to 99 for 8 from their 20 overs. Just four Ireland batters reached double figures with Rebecca Stokell top-scoring with 22.Beth Mooney and Meg Lanning made light work of the chase, running down the target in 12.5 overs after the early loss of Alyssa Healy.Brown’s spell set up the game after Lanning won the toss and sent Ireland in. Gaby Lewis holed out to deep backward square in the opening over off Megan Schutt before Brown produced a double-wicket maiden in her second over.Her extra pace was too much for Orla Prendergast and Laura Delany. Prendergast had struck two boundaries but had her off stump flattened by Brown attempting to drive on the up. Brown then pinned Delany on the body with a swift short ball before again firing full and straight. Delany tried to give room to slash through the off side but had her leg stump flattened.Related

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That left Ireland 16 for 3 in the fourth over and they never recovered. King was introduced in the first over after the powerplay and struck immediately, trapping Rachel Delaney plumb lbw.Brown bowled her four overs straight, finishing with 16 dot balls alongside her two wickets. Ireland were just 40 for 4 after 10 overs and slumped to 44 for 6 shortly after. Mary Waldron chipped Nicola Carey straight to cover before King bamboozled Stokell. King had a very close lbw shout turned down. She then beat the outside edge with sharp turn. Next ball Stokell played for turn and was beaten on the inside edge by one that skidded on and crashed into leg stump.Leah Paul and Ava Canning fought hard to ensure Ireland batted out their overs. King had Paul caught behind trying to sweep in the 19th over for 12, while Canning finished 14 not out.Mooney and Lanning waltzed through the chase but not without some luck. Mooney was dropped in the opening over, chipping Jane Maguire to mid-off and Stokell spilled a sitter. Mooney slog-swept the pacer for six not long after to rub salt into the wound. Healy struggled for fluency on the slow pitch striking just one boundary in 11 balls before holing out to mid off for 10 off Arlene Kelly.Mooney and Lanning slipped into cruise control thereafter striking nine boundaries and a six between them in an unbroken 68-run stand to ice the game with more than seven overs to spare.Ireland face Pakistan on Tuesday before playing Australia again on Thursday.

Graham Roberts has revealed that Rangers ignored his advice to take a transfer punt on the “frightening” ability of Dele Alli.

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Midfielder starred for Premier League giantsCareer went off the rails due to injuryEmbracing a fresh start in ItalyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Roberts savoured league and cup glory during his time at Ibrox, having headed to Scotland from Tottenham in 1986. He continues to keep a close eye on how both of those clubs are getting on, with efforts being made to aid their respective causes.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

After seeing Dele sparkle in north London, Roberts urged those in Glasgow to consider an approach for the ex-England international as his career began to come off the rails. Forgettable stints with Everton and Besiktas failed to rekindle a lost spark.

DID YOU KNOW?

Dele is now working with ex-Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas at Serie A side Como, as he seeks to rebuild his career at 28 years of age, but a different career path could have been taken.

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InstagramWHAT GRAHAM ROBERTS SAID

Roberts told "I liked him when he joined [Tottenham], I thought he was brilliant when he played for us, [Tottenham]. I remember him scoring two goals against Chelsea, two brilliant goals when we won 3-1.

“I have always liked him, I don’t know what went wrong. I tried to recommend him to Rangers a few years ago and said: ‘If you get hold of him and you help him, there is a player there’. There is a player there but he needs someone to put an arm around him to really get him back to what he was as a kid. He is barely at his peak yet, it’s frightening.”