Marseille are considering a summer bid below Rangers’ valuation of £20m for forward Hamza Igamane, but Bayer Leverkusen, Everton, Nice, Rennes and Tottenham Hotspur are also all keen on the 22-year-old Morocco international. (TeamTalk)
Rangers are on the brink of a major ownership shake-up, with a group of American investors finalising a deal to acquire a controlling stake in the club. Paraag Marathe, president of 49ers Enterprises and chairman of Leeds United, is leading the bid alongside Andrew Cavenagh, a Philadelphia-based health insurance mogul. The takeover, agreed in principle, would see the US consortium secure at least 51% of shares, giving them majority control at Ibrox. Legal paperwork is currently being drafted, with the deal expected to be completed ahead of the new season. Who Are the Investors? Paraag Marathe Marathe is a well-known figure in sports investment, playing a key role in the San Francisco 49ers’ success and the Leeds United ownership group. His business acumen and experience in sports analytics have helped transform both clubs, and now, he looks set to bring that expertise to Glasgow. Andrew Cavenagh Cavenagh, a Philadelphia-based entrepreneur, has built his fortune in the health insurance sector. He serves as Executive Chairman of ParetoHealth, a company specialising in employee healthcare solutions. While his background isn’t in football, his financial influence adds weight to the takeover bid. What This Means for Rangers Rangers are currently playing catch-up with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, trailing their rivals by 16 points. This takeover could provide much-needed financial stability and investment in key areas such as squad development, facilities, and commercial expansion. Despite Marathe’s existing ties with Leeds United, he has made it clear that Rangers will retain their independence and will not serve as a feeder club to the English side. The backing of 49ers Enterprises also raises intriguing possibilities. Their expertise in sports data analytics, commercial growth, and brand expansion could be used to modernise Rangers’ operations, both on and off the pitch. Next Steps and Final Approval While an agreement has been reached in principle, the deal must still go through legal processes and regulatory approval from football authorities, including the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and the English Football League (EFL) due to Marathe’s links with Leeds. If finalised, this would mark one of the most significant ownership changes in Rangers’ history. With fresh investment and a new strategic vision, the club could be set for a major transformation in the seasons ahead.
Speculation is swirling that Rangers are poised for a US-led takeover from the investment arm of NFL giant, the San Francisco 49ers. It is understood that Leeds United Chairman Paraag Marathe is the key man involved in discussions. It is rumoured that the talks have been ongoing for months and are at an advanced stage with a “broad agreement” in place among all parties. For fans of the Ibrox side, it is something to look forward to amidst a poor inconsistent season with not much to celebrate. The club find themselves in a position where their best bet at silverware this season resides in the Europa League where they find themselves in the last 16 with a face-off against Turkish giants Fenerbahçe. They narrowly lost the League Cup final to their Glasgow rivals, Celtic, and find themselves 13 points behind them in the league. And let’s not forget their shock exit from the Scottish Cup less than two weeks ago to Championship side Queen’s Park. Following administration, liquidation and relegation in 2012 fans have had to endure watching their bitter rivals Celtic dominate Scottish Football. As of today, they have won 26 of the 37 available trophies domestically since the 2012/13 season. That includes 11 league titles and five trebles. Fans have been able to enjoy a European final and winning their first top-flight title in a decade. But when you compare that the green side of Glasgow has collected 70% of domestic silverware since 2012/13 to 8% from the blue side, it is pretty damning. Envious eyes were also cast from Govan to Parkhead earlier this season when both sides published their annual fiscal reports and it showed not only was there a gap on the pitch, but financially as well. The reports showed that the Rangers recorded record losses financially compared to Celtic, who recorded record profits. That doesn’t include their recent Champions League Campaign where not including ticket sales and commercial revenue the Bhoys pocketed over 38 million pounds. When considering all that, this potential takeover must be looked at as a very positive thing for the club. It has seemingly been met by only positive reactions from the Gers fan base. The only small amount of negative response has been met with the argument ‘Are they Rangers men? Do they understand the club?’. There is also the concern over being part of Multi Club ownership. Will Rangers get an equal slice of the pie or will they simply be a small cog in a large mechanism? Former Gers Captain and Club Legend Barry Ferguson said: “The new chairman and chief executive, they have to bring external investment into the club and it’s been clear that that’s what’s needed… For Rangers fans, I wouldn’t get too excited now. But it is good to see that things are happening in the background”. New cash-rich owners would bring about financial stability to the club. Many have noted the squad needs overhaul but have not been able to do so due to their financial situation. It would also allow a bigger transfer pot for the manager to create a better depth within the squad. However, Rangers are currently owned by a multitude of shareholders that would need to be convinced to sell. They would need to be paid before any money could be invested in the team, which will cost a lot of money out of a potential investor’s pocket. Speaking to Sky Sports Football Finance Expert Kieran Maguire stated: “It does appear there’s been issues as far as the board of directors and shareholders at Rangers are concerned that there has been some historically some inviting taking place. And I think the club, if it wants to move forward does need external investment… Having a single party with a controlling interest allows the club to go forward with a strategy and culture, including everyone on board”. He went on to discuss the benefits of American owners in that they are very enthusiastic about British Football now. There are some very rich and wealthy investors in America taking a closer look at investment opportunities due to the strength of their economy. On the topic of the direction of the club at the board level concerning current shareholders, he said: “The first thing that has to be done as far as investors are concerned is they have to pay the existing shareholders…. Currently, Rangers have around 500 million shares. They issued some shares yesterday at 20 pence each, so that gives you a sort of baseline figure of just over 100 million. But you would have to pay a significant premium on that to convince existing shareholders to sell”. With their rival’s domestic and financial dominance fans have demanded change at the top for a long time now and it looks like that may be on the horizon as early as the summer.
What a rollercoaster of emotions Celtic fans have been on this week. A dramatic victory over Young Boys secured their return to the Champions League knockout stages for the first time since 2012 but within a few hours, reality bit as cult hero Kyogo Furuhashi’s £10m transfer to Ligue 1 strugglers Stade Rennais was all but confirmed. Photos of the Japanese international landing in France emerged with Rennes manager Jorge Sampaoli saying he hopes to see the player in action as soon as the weekend with Monaco awaiting. As the age old adage goes, every cloud has a silver lining. So it seems to be the case that this cloud has not one but two with the news that Rennes’ Jota and Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney will be making a return to Celtic Park and kick stagnating careers back into gear. With a return delayed by Storm Éowyn, the winger could be lining up for Rodgers by next week as part of a swap deal for Kyogo. Having left Glasgow for Saudi Arabia at just 23 years old, Jota’s move was lambasted by football purists. However the Portuguese youth international managed just one underwhelming year before he made his way to France where he has similarly failed to build on the promise that made him such a coveted player in the Scottish Premiership. The prodigal son returns In another bit of positive news, Kieran Tierney looks set to move back to boyhood club Celtic before the window closes. With the paperwork undergoing its final stages, the only question is whether the move is loan with a obligation to buy in the summer or an outright purchase in January. Tierney is said to have rejected moves to Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Seville to secure a return home in the hopes of putting a difficult few seasons behind him. Injuries have blighted his attempts to cement his place in Mikel Arterta’s plans, limiting the left-back to just five appearances all season. In Brendan Rodgers however, Tierney has a huge fan who will move heaven and earth to strengthen his side ahead of a season defining European adventure. The sooner this move is announced, the sooner both Celtic and Scotland fans can breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Rennes winger Jota, a fan favourite from his previous spell at Celtic, was set to fly to Glasgow last night to complete his highly anticipated return to the club but was delayed due to Storm Eowyn. The Portuguese star, known for his flair, creativity, and memorable goals during his first stint in green and white, has been a long-standing target for Celtic as they look to bolster their attacking options. His return has sparked excitement among supporters who remember his crucial contributions to the club’s domestic success. The Met Office issued a red weather warning for Scotland’s central belt, with severe conditions causing most transport links to shut down today, forcing Jota to postpone his journey. Currently training in Portugal, it’s now expected the 25-year-old will travel to Glasgow over the weekend to finalise terms and paperwork. Sky Sports News revealed yesterday that Celtic are closing in on an £8m deal to secure the winger’s return, a move that could prove pivotal as the Hoops aim to strengthen their squad for the season ahead. Fans will no doubt be eagerly awaiting official confirmation and the sight of Jota back in a Celtic shirt.
Celtic have opened preliminary discussions regarding a potential move for winger Louie Barry, a highly-rated young talent, but Aston Villa are currently hesitant to part ways with him. The Premier League side is keen to hold onto Barry and have even offered him a new contract in a bid to secure his future at Villa Park. While Villa would prefer to retain the 20-year-old and loan him out to further develop his skills, Barry is attracting interest from a number of Championship clubs and several sides abroad. His potential has caught the eye of many, with Celtic one of the teams looking to add him to their ranks for the upcoming season. Barry, who has impressed in spells away on loan, was recalled from his loan at Stockport County earlier this month for Villa manager Unai Emery to take a closer look at his progress. The Spanish boss is keen to assess Barry’s readiness for first-team football, but it remains to be seen whether the young winger will remain with Villa or seek more regular playing time elsewhere. As negotiations continue, Celtic will be hoping to land the talented forward, though they face competition from other suitors as Villa’s decision on his future hangs in the balance. Source: Sky Sports Football
Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion are eyeing a January move for Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn, 24. (Source: TeamTalk) Brighton and Southampton are monitoring Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller, 18, with the Scotland Under-21 star also attracting interest from Liverpool and Newcastle United. (Source: Daily Mail) Heart of Midlothian chief executive Andrew McKinlay has revealed that the club’s management will still assess the character of potential signings identified through their partnership with Brighton owner Tony Bloom’s data analysis firm, Jamestown Analytics. (Source: The Scotsman) Liverpool are tracking the development of Fulham’s Antonee Robinson and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez as potential replacements for Scotland left-back Andy Robertson. (Source: Football Insider) Matt Smith has been reassured of his place in Simo Valakari’s plans after speaking with the St Johnstone manager about being an unused substitute in consecutive games. (Source: The Courier) St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari plans to offload players in January to create room in the budget for new signings. (Source: The Courier) Scottish midfielder Liam Henderson impressed with two assists and a penalty shootout goal as Empoli defeated Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia this week. The 28-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is expected to draw interest from several clubs and will discuss his future next month. (Source: The Scotsman) Jack Harper, a former Real Madrid, Brighton, and Scotland Under-21 forward, now playing for Linense in Spain’s fourth tier, has revealed he lost over a year of his career due to a mystery auto-immune condition during his loan spell at Alcorcon from Getafe. The 28-year-old is determined to rebuild his career. (Source: Scottish Sun) Former West Ham United manager David Moyes is being considered for the Wolverhampton Wanderers managerial role, should Gary O’Neil be dismissed. (Source: Daily Telegraph) Despite being a top choice for Wolves, David Moyes may hesitate over taking the job, having already shown reluctance towards managing Leicester City earlier this year. (Source: Daily Mail) Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has denied claims that he “bottled it” when turning down the Celtic job, explaining that he couldn’t secure his preferred backroom staff at the time. (Source: Up Front Podcast) Rangers director Alastair Johnston has stated that new Ibrox CEO Patrick Stewart’s priority will be to explore potential multi-club partnerships with teams abroad to strengthen the club’s position. (Source: Daily Record) Dinamo Zagreb may be missing up to seven key players, including 21-year-old midfielder Martin Baturina, touted as the next Luka Modric, when they face Celtic in the Champions League next week. (Source: The National)
Managerial Moves, Transfer Rumours, and Expert Opinions: Here’s What’s Happening in Scottish Football Philippe Clement: The Rangers boss is being tipped as a potential replacement for Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco. With Vincent Mannaert, Clement’s former CEO, now serving as Belgian FA sports director, and Belgium’s recent struggles, the connection is gaining traction. (Daily Record) Christian Eriksen to Celtic? Former Manchester United player Paul Parker has floated the idea of the Danish midfielder joining Celtic on a free transfer this summer, calling it an “obvious” move that “makes sense.” (SpilXperten via Football Scotland) James Tavernier to Al-Ettifaq? Michael Beale’s reunion with Steven Gerrard at the Saudi club has reignited speculation about an approach for the Rangers captain. (Daily Record) Lennon Miller on Celtic’s Radar: Former Scotland international Brian McClair believes Celtic should prioritise signing the Motherwell teenager, suggesting they missed a trick by letting him slip through their grasp earlier. (Gambling.com via Daily Record) Nils Koppen’s Promotion: Barry Ferguson acknowledges the scepticism surrounding the appointment of Nils Koppen as Ibrox technical director but shares his excitement for what this move could mean for Rangers’ future. (Daily Record) Steven Naismith’s Future: The former Hearts manager is holding out for the right opportunity, saying he won’t take a job just “for the sake of getting back in.” (Scottish Sun) Alex Neil to Philadelphia Union? The Scottish manager and former Stoke City boss is reportedly in the running for the vacant role at the MLS club. (Daily Record)
Celtic Star Content in Glasgow, Dundee United Duo in Fitness Race, and Motherwell Teen Backed for Scotland Call-Up – In-form Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn, 24, is in no hurry to leave the club, according to his agent. *(The Sun)* – Dundee United are optimistic about having Louis Moult and Ross Graham fit in time for Saturday’s clash with Rangers at Ibrox. *(Daily Record)* – St Johnstone may allocate more tickets to travelling Celtic and Rangers fans for fixtures at McDiarmid Park next season. *(The Sun)* – Hearts are considering options to sign a striker during the January transfer window. *(Edinburgh Evening News – subscription)* – Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell insists 18-year-old midfielder Lennon Miller remains grounded, despite fellow teenager Ben Doak’s recent success with Scotland. *(Daily Record)* – Motherwell defender and ex-Scotland international Stephen O’Donnell, 32, predicts Miller will soon earn a call-up to the national squad. *(The Herald – subscription)* – Scotland backroom staff member Mark McKenna has joined Raith Rovers as an analyst and coach. *(The Courier – subscription)* – Inverness Caledonian Thistle remain focused on their own survival and are not distracted by Dumbarton’s financial difficulties, after the Sons followed the Highland club into administration. *(Press and Journal – subscription)*
– Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has admitted he is keeping a close eye on Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn for a potential international call-up. (Daily Record) – Lennon Miller, reportedly valued at £4m by Motherwell, is said to prioritise joining a club where he can continue playing first-team football. Craig Moore has suggested the 19-year-old would “walk into” Rangers’ midfield. (Daily Record) – Celtic manager Elena Sadiku was not permitted to give a TV interview after her side’s 3-2 SWPL loss to Rangers, as officials cited her earlier red card as the reason. (Scottish Sun) – Former Rangers defender Borna Barisic may have his Trabzonspor contract terminated by mutual agreement after just five months in Turkey. (Daily Record) – Dundee manager Tony Docherty has compared Scott Tiffoney’s “old-school” style to that of former Chelsea, Hibs, and Falkirk winger Kevin McAllister. (The Courier) – Jimmy Thelin’s trust in on-loan striker Kevin Nisbet could lead to the Scotland international staying at Aberdeen long-term, according to ex-Dons forward Lee Miller. (Press and Journal) – Connor Goldson has claimed standards at Rangers “dropped” after Steven Gerrard’s departure, saying the club has not been the same since their 2020-21 title win. (Daily Record)
