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Rangers turn to Steven Gerrard again as manager hunt begins

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard is set to hold talks with Rangers about a potential return as head coach, as the Scottish Premiership side begins its search for a new manager following the dismissal of Russell Martin on Sunday.

According to BBC Sport on Wednesday, the club is open to reappointing Gerrard but has been awaiting confirmation of his interest in returning to Ibrox, where he previously guided Rangers to their first league title in a decade.

Sources are indicating that Gerrard is one of a number of candidates Rangers want to speak to, with the club determined to undertake a full process.

However, it is clear that Gerrard – who has backing from many supporters – is now emerging as one of the leading contenders for the position.

Gerrard was in charge of Rangers between 2018 and 2021, leading the club to their first domestic title in 10 years.

Rangers have not been champions since Gerrard decided to leave for Aston Villa in November 2021.

After a 14th-placed finish in his first season in charge of the Premier League club, he was dismissed 12 games into the following campaign.

Gerrard became manager of Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq in July 2023 but left by mutual consent in January and was subsequently linked with the Rangers job before Martin was appointed in June.

In an interview with former England team-mate Rio Ferdinand, Gerrard this week spoke of his desire to return to management but said he wanted “to be at a team that’s going to compete to win, because I think that suits me better”.

Martin won just five of his 17 matches, leaving Rangers eighth in the table – 11 points adrift of leaders Hearts.

Gerrard told the Rio Ferdinand Presents Podcast there had been “five or six really interesting phone calls” since he left Saudi Arabia, but said the timing had not been right. (Punch)

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Arsenal complete £48.5m signing of Madueke from Chelsea

Arsenal have completed the signing of England winger Noni Madueke from Chelsea for an initial fee of £48.5m.

The 23-year-old was part of Chelsea’s squad at the Club World Cup in the United States but left the camp before last Sunday’s 3-0 win against Paris St-Germain in the final to finalise his move to Mikel Arteta’s side.

Madueke has signed a five-year contract at Emirates Stadium, with his fee rising to just over £50m with add-ons.

“Humbled and blessed to be here. Thank you to everyone that made this possible,” he wrote on Instagram.

“I can’t wait to get on the pitch and start to repay the faith shown in me. It’s going to be so special.”

He made 92 appearances for Chelsea after joining from PSV Eindhoven for £30m in January 2023 and scored 20 goals, helping them win the Conference League last season.

He was part of Crystal Palace and then Tottenham’s academy before spending four-and-a-half years in the Netherlands, where he won the Dutch Cup.

Madueke made his England senior debut in August 2024 and set up Harry Kane’s winner as Thomas Tuchel’s side defeated Andorra 1-0 in World Cup qualification last month.

Arteta told Arsenal’s website, external: “Noni is an exciting and powerful young player, with his performances and numbers in recent seasons being of consistently high quality.

“He is one of the most talented wide forward players in the Premier League.

“At just 23, Noni already brings experience of club and international football, and he knows the Premier League very well.

“Having seen the quality of Noni’s performances up close in recent seasons, we’re really excited he is joining us. His arrival will really improve our squad.”

News of Arsenal’s interest in the Chelsea winger had prompted a backlash from a section of the Gunners supporters earlier this month.

A petition, titled #NoToMadueke, was signed more than 5,000 times and murals outside the club’s Emirates Stadium were vandalised with ‘Arteta out’.

Madueke becomes Arsenal’s fourth signing of the summer and second from Chelsea following the arrival of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Midfielders Christian Norgaard from Brentford and Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad have also joined while the club are also close to signing striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting and Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera. (BBC)

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‘Greatest-ever’ Vardy to leave Leicester at end of season

Leicester captain Jamie Vardy will leave the former Premier League champions at the end of the season, the relegated club announced on Thursday.

The talismanic forward, a key member of the side that lifted the English league title against the odds in 2016, was described by the club as “our greatest-ever player”.

The former England international, 38, joined the Foxes in 2012 from non-league side Fleetwood Town for £1 million ($1.3 million) and has scored 198 goals in nearly 500 appearances.

He is the club’s record Premier League goalscorer with 143 goals.

Vardy scored 24 times in the 2015/16 Premier League campaign, helping the Foxes to their first top-flight title in one of the greatest shocks in football history.

The pacy forward was also part of Leicester’s 2021 FA Cup-winning side, who beat Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley.

“We can confirm legendary striker Jamie Vardy will leave Leicester City this summer after 13 seasons that have seen him become our greatest-ever player,” the club said in a statement.

“Jamie is unique,” said chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha.

“He is a special player and an even more special person.

“He holds a place in the hearts of everyone connected to Leicester City, and he certainly has my deepest respect and affection. I am endlessly grateful for everything he has given to this football club.” (RFI)