Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 21/07/26

[WhiteJC]

Ipswich Push Deal for Fulham Defender Over the Line
Ipswich Town are closing in on the signing of Issa Diop, with reports in France claiming the Blues have now agreed a fee with Fulham for the Morocco international centre‑back. According to Foot Mercato, the two clubs have settled on a deal worth €10 million (£8.5 million), and Diop is expected to sign a four‑year contract once he completes a medical.

Deal Nearing Completion
Town have been working to strengthen their defensive options ahead of their Premier League return, and Diop has emerged as one of their priority targets. The 29‑year‑old is understood to be keen on the move, and Ipswich are aiming to finalise the transfer swiftly so he can join the squad at their pre‑season training camp in La Manga, with the players having flown out this morning.

The agreement represents a significant step forward in Ipswich's summer recruitment, adding proven Premier League experience and physical presence to Gary O'Neil's back line.

A Career Across France, England and the International Stage
Born in Toulouse, Diop came through the academy at his hometown club, making his senior debut in 2015. His performances in Ligue 1 quickly attracted Premier League interest, and he joined West Ham United in 2018 for £22 million, becoming one of the most expensive signings in the club's history at the time.

Diop spent four seasons at the London Stadium before moving to Fulham in 2022 for £15 million, where he added further top‑flight experience and continued to develop his reputation as a powerful, aerially dominant defender.

Internationally, Diop represented France at U16, U17, U18, U19, U20 and U21 levels before switching allegiance to Morocco in March this year. Since then, he has earned nine caps, scoring once, and played a major role at the World Cup, starting five matches and netting a dramatic last‑minute equaliser against the Netherlands in the round of 32, a game Morocco went on to win on penalties.

What Diop Brings to Ipswich
Standing at 6ft 5in, Diop offers size, strength and Premier League know‑how, qualities Ipswich have been targeting throughout the window. His ability to defend aggressively, dominate aerial duels and play out from the back makes him a natural fit for O'Neil's system.

With a fee agreed and a medical pending, Ipswich are now close to pushing the deal over the line and securing one of their most significant signings of the summer.



https://vitalfootball.co.uk/ipswich-push-deal-for-fulham-defender-over-the-line/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham man to undergo Ipswich Town medical today – Total agreement
Fulham's Issa Diop is on his way to join Ipswich Town this summer if there is no last-minute twist.

Ipswich Town have returned to the Premier League and will soon improve their defence with the 29-year-old.

The France-born Morrocco international has less than a year left on his contract and had already received approaches.

Ipswich Town on verge of signing Fulham man
On July 4th, Sport Witness relayed news that the London club rejected Como's official approach for the centre-back.

That's because his World Cup performances have convinced them to retain him. There was also a suggestion of a renewal.

There's another twist in the Issa Diop case as Álvaro Arbeloa's side have now decided to sell him this summer.

That's according to Foot Mercato, who claims the defender should complete a permanent move to Ipswich Town soon.

Details of Ipswich Town's agreement with Fulham
Álvaro Arbeloa's side have reached an agreement with Ipswich Town for Issa Diop's sale.

With his contract expiring in 2027, the London club have managed to agree a fee around €10m. It's not clear whether this includes bonuses. His age hasn't stopped Gary O'Neill's side from agreeing a four-year contract with the player.

It looks like all parties have reached a total agreement and the two clubs have sorted out the last details.

That's because Foot Mercato claims Diop will undergo medical tests with the Tractor Boys on Monday.

He arrived in England when West Ham United signed him from Toulouse in 2018. Four years later, the defender moved to Fulham and has played 96 matches for them.

Beneficial deal
This should be a win-win deal for all parties. Transfermarkt value the player at €8m and Fulham will collect around €10m.

Issa Diop will sign a four-year contract after clearing Ipswich Town medical.

The London club earn a good fee, and the Moroccan secures a long-term contract at this stage of his career. Ipswich Town will welcome an experienced centre-back.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-man-to-undergo-ipswich-town-medical-today-total-agreement-with-player-and-arbeloas-side/

[WhiteJC]

Issa Diop: Fulham star closing in on Ipswich move after impressing at World Cup
Centre-back played five times for Morocco this summer

Ipswich have reached an agreement to sign Fulham centre-back Issa Diop in a deal believed to be worth around £8.5million.

Nothing is finalised yet, but the deal appears to be moving in the right direction as Ipswich look to bolster their defensive options following promotion back to the Premier League.

Diop, who starred for Morocco at the World Cup this summer, struggled for minutes at Fulham last season and is now exploring opportunities elsewhere after four years in west London.

The 29-year-old moved to Fulham from West Ham in 2022 and has made 96 appearances in all competitions for the Whites.

Often used as a backup, Diop struggled to displace the first-choice centre-back pairing of Calvin Bassey and Joachim Andersen and does not appear to be in new manager Alvaro Arbeloa's plans for next season.

Arbeloa replaced Marco Silva as Fulham manager earlier this month, signing a three-year contract to take charge of his first permanent senior managerial role.

The 43-year-old was appointed interim manager of Real Madrid until the end of last season, having previously worked with the club's academy teams, following the departure of Xabi Alonso.

Arbeloa welcomed back the first batch of players for pre-season last week, though Diop was not in attendance at Motspur Park as he takes a break following his World Cup exploits.

Fulham have made a slow start to the summer transfer window, but confirmed last month that they had exercised their option to sign 18-year-old forward Jonah Kusi-Asare from Bayern Munich after spending last season on loan.

Ipswich, meanwhile, have already brought in three new players, with Chuba Akpom, Emerson and Cedric Kipre all joining Gary O'Neil's squad.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/diop-fulham-transfer-latest-ipswich-b1290614.html

[WhiteJC]

Issa Diop Set to Join Ipswich: Good Business or the Wrong Call?
As first reported by Santi Aouna of Foot Mercato, and now cooperated by the likes of Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs and countless others, Issa Diop is set to join Ipswich town in a deal worth £8.5m, with a medical scheduled today.

Should Fulham have let Diop go?
In the limited minutes Issa Diop received last season, the Moroccan international looked like Fulham's most consistent right sided centre back, so seeing him leave is a shame, but with the circumstances Fulham and Diop both currently find themselves in, Fulham had no choice but to sell.

I would of rather moved Andersen on and signed Diop to a short term extension, but the loss we would have to incur on Andersen and the expiring contract Diop is under make me a fan of this business.

Why Diop had to be sold
Diop is 29, in the last year of his contact, and at the ceiling of his value following a strong World Cup campaign with Morocco, letting a player with tangible transfer value walk out the door for free is something Fulham have done too many times in the past, and in the footballing world now dictated by new SCR rules, it is something we must leave in the past.

Why selling Diop is a step in the right direction
Moving Diop on for £8.5m, more than half of what we bought him for after four years of very solid service, is good business, especially when you factor in the door it opens to allow a younger, higher upside centre back to come in the door in Trabzonspor centre half, Chibiuke Nwiawu.

Making money off our depth and replacing them with younger alternatives is a step in the right direction by Tony Khan and co.

Best of luck to one of Fulham's most underrated players in our current Premier League run. No doubt a great signing for Ipswich.

All the best, Issa!



https://medium.com/@LondonsOriginal/issa-diop-set-to-join-ipswich-good-business-or-the-wrong-call-01b1a3ca8161

[WhiteJC]

Fulham Bid for Chibuike Nwaiwu Nears Trabzonspor Record Amid Defensive Overhaul
Trabzonspor are experiencing a period of intense transfer activity, with significant developments on two fronts set to directly impact their defensive line.

Premier League side Fulham have escalated their pursuit of young defender Chibuike Nwaiwu, while the Turkish Süper Lig club has also reached an agreement with Dutch centre-back Rick van Drongelen.

Fulham's Pursuit of Chibuike Nwaiwu
Fulham have increased their offer for highly-rated defender Chibuike Nwaiwu to €28 million, sources have told Turkish-Football.

Trabzonspor, however, are understood to be holding out for a fee in the region of €30-35 million. Should a deal be concluded at the higher end of their valuation, it would represent a new club-record sale for the Black Sea Storm.

The Black Sea based side are keen to keep Nwaiwu on for another season but will consider his sale for the right price.

Talks are ongoing but a deal has yet to be reached between the two sides.

Trabzonspor Strengthen Defence with Rick van Drongelen
In parallel to the potential departure of Nwaiwu, Trabzonspor have made significant progress in bolstering their defensive ranks. An agreement has been reached with defender Rick van Drongelen for a transfer to the club.

Negotiations with his current club, Samsunspor, are also understood to be in their final stages, with the difference in transfer fee demands narrowing to just €1 million. This indicates a strong likelihood of the deal being finalised soon, providing a timely reinforcement for Trabzonspor's backline.



https://turkish-football.com/fulham-bid-for-chibuike-nwaiwu-nears-trabzonspor-record-amid-defensive-overhaul/

[WhiteJC]

Gifted, charismatic and passionate amid highs and lows - Keegan obituary
Kevin Keegan, who has died aged 75, was one of football's most charismatic and influential figures in a career of many chapters that took him from superstar player to elite manager.

While some may remember him best for his ill-fated reign as England manager, he will rightly be much more celebrated as a world-class player at Liverpool and Hamburg, captaining England, and shining latterly at Southampton and Newcastle United, before becoming arguably the most beloved figure in the Tyneside club's history.

Keegan revived Newcastle's fortunes as a player before carrying the Geordie nation with him on a thrilling ride as manager, first by taking the club back into the top flight, then delivering a magnificently entertaining team that challenged for the highest honours - even if they ultimately fell short.

His time at Newcastle will also be recalled for his infamous "I will love it if we beat them" TV outburst aimed at Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson as Newcastle's 12-point lead in the 1995-96 title race evaporated - but the unconditional love the Geordies felt for Keegan was never diluted.

Keegan's career was a reflection of himself.

He was hugely gifted, honest, decent, hard-working and emotional. There were highs and lows, but the positivity and vibrancy he brought made him a cherished figure.

From Anfield dustbin to superstardom
Born in Armthorpe near Doncaster, Keegan came to then Liverpool manager Bill Shankly's attention playing more than 100 games for Scunthorpe United, sitting on a bin outside Anfield while the legendary Scottish boss and Scunthorpe counterpart Ron Ashman finalised one of the all-time great bargains of a £35,000 deal in 1971.

Keegan was regarded by some observers as simply a hard-working player who made himself great through sheer grit and determination. The initial assertion was correct, but he was much more than that.

Shankly, not one to knowingly undersell his players, told Keegan within a fortnight of arriving at Liverpool that he would play for England.

The new signing scored on his Liverpool debut on the opening day of the 1971-72 season against Nottingham Forest at Anfield, a scruffy finish set up by John Toshack. It was the start of a beautiful football relationship with Liverpool as well as with the Welshman.

Their almost telepathic partnership - a classic "big man, little man" combination - was even put to the test on television.

They gelled to such an extent that Granada TV's groundbreaking Friday magazine show Kick Off had Keegan and Toshack sitting back to back, trying to guess the colour and shape of a card the other was holding.

Such was their success rate some thought telepathy actually was at work - but the pair later revealed there was a mirror in the studio and they could see the other's cards.

Keegan was the spearhead of Shankly's second great side, in total winning three league titles, the European Cup, FA Cup and the Uefa Cup twice under his Scottish mentor and then his successor Bob Paisley.

He was instrumental in all of those triumphs, scoring twice in the 3-0 victory against Newcastle in the 1974 FA Cup final. His first prompted the famous line from BBC commentator David Coleman: "Goals pay the rent - and Keegan does his share."

In the subsequent Charity Shield against league champions Leeds United, Keegan was sent off after a flare-up with Billy Bremner, who was also dismissed, with both leaving the Wembley pitch shirtless. Johnny Giles had been the instigator, landing a blatant right hook on the Liverpool player, but was not sent off.

In the 1972-73 Uefa Cup final against Borussia Monchengladbach, Keegan scored twice in the first leg at Anfield, a game played at the second attempt after a thunderstorm 24 hours earlier caused the match to be abandoned after 27 minutes.

The rearrangement allowed Shankly to recall Toshack, who had been left out of the initial match, and he and Keegan tormented the Germans in a 3-0 victory, Liverpool subsequently winning 3-2 on aggregate.

When the trophy was won once more against Club Brugge three years later, this time under Paisley, Keegan scored a vital goal in Belgium, the second leg finishing 1-1 to ensure a 4-3 aggregate victory.

Even off the field, Keegan's competitive spirit burned, taking part in BBC TV's Superstars series in 1976, which allowed athletes from different sports to compete against each other.

Keegan, however, suffered elbow and shoulder injuries when he fell off his bicycle. It was a rare fall from grace.

He also tried his hand - or voice - in the music business, releasing a single in 1972 titled It Ain't Easy.

The leaving of Liverpool
Ever ambitious and eager to test new horizons, Keegan announced midway through the 1976-77 season that he would leave Liverpool at the end of the campaign.

It brought some criticism from supporters, but was another example of deception never being part of Keegan's character, allowing Liverpool time to line up Kenny Dalglish as his replacement.

He went out on the highest high in his final game, running the great German defender Berti Vogts ragged as Liverpool won the European Cup for the first time, beating Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 in Rome.

Keegan left having scored 100 goals in 323 appearances.

There was talk of a move to Real Madrid, but in the end his destination was Hamburg, where he was a major success as they won the Bundesliga in 1978-79, though disappointment followed when they lost the European Cup final to Nottingham Forest the following season.

Keegan confirmed his world-class credentials at Hamburg, winning the Ballon d'Or in 1978 and 1979.

Hamburg was a surprise choice when Keegan left Liverpool, but after early struggles to win over team-mates, he became hugely popular, not just with his club but in the country, where they appreciated the Englishman's down to earth approach and his willingness to integrate.

It all added to Keegan's status as a global superstar, one of the most marketable sportsmen around, not just seen on the pitch but in adverts and advertising hoardings worldwide.

He famously did an advert for Brut aftershave with British boxer Henry Cooper, as well as the "Green Cross Code" road safety campaign.

While in West Germany, Keegan had another crack at music with the track Head Over Heels In Love. It peaked at number 31 in the UK, but climbed to number 10 in the German charts.

Keegan returned to England in 1980 with a shock move to Southampton, showing his enduring quality by winning the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year award in 1982.

He did not win trophies at The Dell, but was still a player of the highest class in Lawrie McMenemy's team, built around experienced stars such as Keegan, Alan Ball and Saints' great Mike Channon.

An unfulfilled England playing career
Keegan won 63 England caps over a period lasting almost a decade, scoring 21 goals and captaining the side 31 times.

It was a slow burner after making his debut in a World Cup qualifier in Wales, even including a physical assault by security men at Belgrade airport in summer 1974 when England arrived for a friendly against Yugoslavia under caretaker boss Joe Mercer.

There was horseplay at the luggage carousel, resulting in the perfectly innocent Keegan, one of the highest-profile players in the squad, being taken away to a side room, where he was punched and kicked. He was released, going on to score a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw.

Keegan briefly walked out of the England squad after being dropped for a home international against Wales in 1975, but returned after talks with manager Don Revie.

It summed up an England career that never fulfilled its potential.

England failed to qualify for the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, then when Keegan captained England at the 1980 European Championship in Italy, they did not progress from the group stage.

He was captain again at the World Cup in Spain two years later, but a chronic back injury - for which he left the camp to seek treatment from a specialist in Germany - meant he did not play until the last 26 minutes of England's second-round game against Spain.

Keegan uncharacteristically missed a simple headed chance, the game ending goalless to send manager Ron Greenwood's side home.

He was left out of Greenwood's successor Bobby Robson's next squad, and never played for England again.

Keegan's Geordie love affair begins
Keegan felt Southampton, even under the shrewd management of Lawrie McMenemy, did not match his ambition so he signed for Newcastle - then in the old Division Two - for £100,000 just before the start of the 1982-83 season.

It was the start of a love affair when Keegan scored on his debut against Queens Park Rangers.

Newcastle were promoted to the top flight in 1983-84, but Keegan announced he would retire at the end of that season, a decision prompted by getting caught by Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson when clean through in an FA Cup third-round tie at Anfield which his old club won 4-0.

In typical Keegan fashion, he felt he had lost a vital yard of pace so it was time to go, leaving St James' Park after a final game, his testimonial against Liverpool, still dressed in his Newcastle kit while he was whisked away by helicopter.

Keegan moved to Spain with his family vowing never to enter management, but on 5 February 1992, almost eight years after his final game as a player, Keegan returned to Tyneside.

Highs and lows on Tyneside return
Keegan's management trademark was all-out, thrilling attack, with his former Liverpool and Newcastle team-mate Terry McDermott at his side and charismatic chairman Sir John Hall shaping the off-field strategy.

He had initial differences with Hall over transfer cash, prompting another classic Keegan quote when he said: "It's not like the brochure."

Matters were quickly resolved and soon Newcastle were on their way.

Having saved Newcastle from relegation to the third tier, Keegan inspired them to promotion to the Premier League, finishing only behind champions Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers in 1993-94 with goals and creativity provided by strikers Andy Cole and the returning Peter Beardsley.

Cole was sold to Manchester United in a surprise move in January 1995, Keegan famously standing on the steps outside St James' Park to explain the decision to unhappy fans.

The peak of Keegan's reign, along with the biggest disappointment, came in 1995-96 when Newcastle, strengthened by the addition of high-class stars such as Les Ferdinand and David Ginola, moved 12 points clear in the title race, only to squander the advantage to Manchester United.

There were two enduring images of Keegan as glory escaped his grasp, head bowed as Liverpool scored in stoppage time to win 4-3 in an all-time Premier League classic in April - before that tirade aimed at Ferguson.

Ferguson questioned whether Leeds and Nottingham Forest would try as hard against Newcastle as they would against Manchester United - and after a win at Elland Road, Keegan exploded.

His broadside ended with the never-to-be-forgotten quote: "I will love it if we beat them. Love it."

Sadly for Keegan, Newcastle did not.

Some felt Keegan's time at Newcastle never recovered from that crushing blow, but his charisma and the call of home helped England's top marksman Alan Shearer reject Manchester United to make a world record £15m move from Blackburn that summer.

Shearer's debut ended in a 4-0 loss in the Charity Shield to the club he turned down, revenge exacted spectacularly with a 5-0 win at home in the Premier League two months later.

Keegan then stunned Tyneside on 8 January 1997 by resigning, saying in a short statement: "I feel I have taken the club as far as I can."

He returned to the game the following September as Fulham's chief operating officer, eventually taking over as manager and leading the Cottagers' journey back to the First Division.

And then came England.

Limitations exposed as England boss
Keegan was appointed England's caretaker manager for a four-game period after Glenn Hoddle was sacked in February 1999.

He initially insisted he did not want the job and would return to Fulham, but the warm reception he received when England beat Poland 3-1 at Wembley in his first game pulled on his emotions.

However, by his own admission, Keegan proved an ill fit for the greater tactical nuances of international management, publicly admitting: "If it's a 0-0 draw in the Ukraine you want, then I'm probably not your man."

England qualified for Euro 2000 with a two-legged play-off victory against Scotland, but the campaign was a dismal failure.

Keegan's side were beaten 3-2 by Portugal in their first game after leading 2-0 inside 17 minutes. Germany were beaten by a single Shearer goal, but a calamitous 3-2 loss to Romania, having led 2-1, sent England out.

Keegan carried on, but criticism was mounting against this passionate, yet sensitive man.

He resigned in dramatic fashion in October after England lost their opening World Cup qualifier to Germany in the final game played at the old Wembley Stadium before it was demolished and rebuilt.

The conversation, in which he told then Football Association executive director David Davies he was going, took place in a Wembley toilet, with a rain-soaked Keegan then going on television to admit: "I just don't feel I can find that little bit extra you need at this level to find a winning formula."

It was the most brutal recognition of his own shortcomings.

Keegan's Manchester City comeback
Keegan could not resist the lure of the game, however, succeeding Joe Royle as Manchester City manager after relegation from the Premier League in May 2001.

His commitment to exciting attacking football remained, signing entertainers such as Eyal Berkovic and Ali Benarbia. City were promoted as First Division champions after scoring 108 league goals.

Adding quality like France striker Nicolas Anelka, City finished ninth in the Premier League, Keegan also inspiring more remarkable memories.

In an FA Cup fourth-round replay at Tottenham in February 2004, City came from 3-0 down at the interval, with midfielder Joey Barton sent off at the end of the first half, to win 4-3 through Jon Macken's late winner. A month later they handed out a 4-1 beating to Manchester United.

While Keegan had indicated his intention to retire at the end of the 2004-05 season, he instead left by mutual consent in March 2005.

Tyneside return falls flat
Tyneside was overcome with joy and excitement when Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley announced Keegan's return as manager in January 2008.

It was an ill-starred pairing, Keegan resigning after only eight months following differences with Ashley and Newcastle's hierarchy, including his former England player Dennis Wise, who was executive director.

Keegan was unhappy at his lack of control, saying: "I've been working desperately hard to find a way forward with the directors, but sadly that has not proved possible.

"It's my opinion that a manager must have the right to manage and that clubs should not impose upon any manager any player that he does not want."

He added: "I have been left with no other choice than to leave", and later won damages from the club for constructive dismissal.

It was his final farewell to football, but he remained beloved by the 'Toon Army', as well as at Anfield, his standing as a person and respect for his work in football illustrated by the outpouring of affection and goodwill when he released news of his illness.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c20z4d87vp3o

[WhiteJC]

Kevin Keegan: 1951-2026

Everyone at Fulham was devastated to learn of the passing of Kevin Keegan, our former Manager.

Originally brought to Craven Cottage to act as the Club's Chief Operating Officer, Keegan took over managerial duties for the 1998 Division Two Play-Offs, before leading us to the title the following season.

He did it in some style, too. Fulham's 101 points was 14 more than second place Walsall, while our 79 goals scored and 32 conceded were both divisional bests.

During his time at the Club, Keegan forged a strong connection with the fanbase, and was known for personally replying to letters he received from supporters.

Such was his success at Craven Cottage, that he was approached by the Football Association to lead the national team in February 1999.

After juggling both jobs until the end of the domestic football season, Keegan stepped down from Fulham to become full-time manager of England, stating: "You can't do the two jobs. If you do, you jeopardise both parties."

Despite only having one full season in charge at Fulham, fans who were around for that campaign will forever hold wonderful memories, as Craven Cottage witnessed the team secure a first league title in 50 years.

Our thoughts are now with Kevin's wife Jean and his wider family, as well as all his friends and colleagues who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/july/20/kevin-keegan-1951-2026/

[WhiteJC]

York sign Fulham goalkeeper McNally on loan
York City have signed Fulham goalkeeper Alfie McNally on a season-long loan deal.

The 21-year-old is yet to make his senior debut for the Cottagers but has played for their under-21s in the EFL Trophy.

McNally is York's ninth summer signing after they secured promotion back to League Two.

He could make his competitive bow for the Minstermen in the EFL Cup preliminary round tie against Crawley on Monday, 3 August.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cwy415wq621o

[WhiteJC]

Tottenham rival Crystal Palace, Fulham in Arne Engels chase
Tottenham are surprise contenders for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, with Crystal Palace and Fulham also part of the race.

Tottenham have emerged as surprise contenders for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, joining Crystal Palace and Fulham in the race, according to Football Insider. Crystal Palace and Fulham are reportedly also part of the race for the Belgian midfielder, with Celtic likely to consider offers.

Celtic reportedly rejected an offer from Nottingham Forest in January for Arne Engels, with suggestions that the bid was worth at least £25 million. Whether the Midlands side are keen again remains the question, but there are at least three London-based clubs that are interested in the Belgian star. The Scottish giants are reportedly open to considering offers, which could bring many teams into the mix.

Engels has extensive experience in the game despite being only 22, owing to his spells at Augsburg and now Celtic. At the latter, he has played more than 90 games across all competitions and has proved handy in attack by scoring 13 goals and providing 21 assists during his time in Scotland.

Why are Tottenham in Arne Engels' pursuit?
Tottenham's interest in Engels may stem from uncertainty over Lucas Bergvall's future, with the midfielder linked to both Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. Spurs have been busy in the transfer market, revamping their midfield setup with the arrivals of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.

Engels's midfield versatility and 13 goals and 21 assists in 90+ Celtic appearances make him an apt replacement should Spurs lose Bergvall. Spurs have also reportedly rejected a bid from Newcastle United for the Swede, signalling their reluctance to sell but underlining the market pressure they face to retain him.

Other Premier League contenders
Crystal Palace are one of those keen on bringing in Engels, as they view the Belgian as a replacement for Adam Wharton, according to reports. Engels' goal-scoring midfield role mirrors Wharton's attacking contributions, positioning him as a direct tactical heir should Wharton depart. There is a fair basis for that claim, as Wharton's future is uncertain at Selhurst Park, and the club will look to spend big on the right players to strengthen their squad.

Fulham are also reportedly interested, with manager Alvaro Arbeloa eager to build his own team with the right players. Arbeloa's desire to sign Engels remains unconfirmed, but for the Belgian, a move to either club could serve as a platform to establish himself as a Premier League midfielder while contributing offensively.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/07/20/tottenham-rival-crystal-palace-fulham-in-arne-engels-chase/

[alfie]

Gifted, charismatic and passionate amid highs and lows - Keegan obituary
Kevin Keegan, who has died aged 75, was one of football's most charismatic and influential figures in a career of many chapters that took him from superstar player to elite manager.

While some may remember him best for his ill-fated reign as England manager, he will rightly be much more celebrated as a world-class player at Liverpool and Hamburg, captaining England, and shining latterly at Southampton and Newcastle United, before becoming arguably the most beloved figure in the Tyneside club's history.

Keegan revived Newcastle's fortunes as a player before carrying the Geordie nation with him on a thrilling ride as manager, first by taking the club back into the top flight, then delivering a magnificently entertaining team that challenged for the highest honours - even if they ultimately fell short.

His time at Newcastle will also be recalled for his infamous "I will love it if we beat them" TV outburst aimed at Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson as Newcastle's 12-point lead in the 1995-96 title race evaporated - but the unconditional love the Geordies felt for Keegan was never diluted.

Keegan's career was a reflection of himself.

He was hugely gifted, honest, decent, hard-working and emotional. There were highs and lows, but the positivity and vibrancy he brought made him a cherished figure.

From Anfield dustbin to superstardom
Born in Armthorpe near Doncaster, Keegan came to then Liverpool manager Bill Shankly's attention playing more than 100 games for Scunthorpe United, sitting on a bin outside Anfield while the legendary Scottish boss and Scunthorpe counterpart Ron Ashman finalised one of the all-time great bargains of a £35,000 deal in 1971.

Keegan was regarded by some observers as simply a hard-working player who made himself great through sheer grit and determination. The initial assertion was correct, but he was much more than that.

Shankly, not one to knowingly undersell his players, told Keegan within a fortnight of arriving at Liverpool that he would play for England.

The new signing scored on his Liverpool debut on the opening day of the 1971-72 season against Nottingham Forest at Anfield, a scruffy finish set up by John Toshack. It was the start of a beautiful football relationship with Liverpool as well as with the Welshman.

Their almost telepathic partnership - a classic "big man, little man" combination - was even put to the test on television.

They gelled to such an extent that Granada TV's groundbreaking Friday magazine show Kick Off had Keegan and Toshack sitting back to back, trying to guess the colour and shape of a card the other was holding.

Such was their success rate some thought telepathy actually was at work - but the pair later revealed there was a mirror in the studio and they could see the other's cards.

Keegan was the spearhead of Shankly's second great side, in total winning three league titles, the European Cup, FA Cup and the Uefa Cup twice under his Scottish mentor and then his successor Bob Paisley.

He was instrumental in all of those triumphs, scoring twice in the 3-0 victory against Newcastle in the 1974 FA Cup final. His first prompted the famous line from BBC commentator David Coleman: "Goals pay the rent - and Keegan does his share."

In the subsequent Charity Shield against league champions Leeds United, Keegan was sent off after a flare-up with Billy Bremner, who was also dismissed, with both leaving the Wembley pitch shirtless. Johnny Giles had been the instigator, landing a blatant right hook on the Liverpool player, but was not sent off.

In the 1972-73 Uefa Cup final against Borussia Monchengladbach, Keegan scored twice in the first leg at Anfield, a game played at the second attempt after a thunderstorm 24 hours earlier caused the match to be abandoned after 27 minutes.

The rearrangement allowed Shankly to recall Toshack, who had been left out of the initial match, and he and Keegan tormented the Germans in a 3-0 victory, Liverpool subsequently winning 3-2 on aggregate.

When the trophy was won once more against Club Brugge three years later, this time under Paisley, Keegan scored a vital goal in Belgium, the second leg finishing 1-1 to ensure a 4-3 aggregate victory.

Even off the field, Keegan's competitive spirit burned, taking part in BBC TV's Superstars series in 1976, which allowed athletes from different sports to compete against each other.

Keegan, however, suffered elbow and shoulder injuries when he fell off his bicycle. It was a rare fall from grace.

He also tried his hand - or voice - in the music business, releasing a single in 1972 titled It Ain't Easy.

The leaving of Liverpool
Ever ambitious and eager to test new horizons, Keegan announced midway through the 1976-77 season that he would leave Liverpool at the end of the campaign.

It brought some criticism from supporters, but was another example of deception never being part of Keegan's character, allowing Liverpool time to line up Kenny Dalglish as his replacement.

He went out on the highest high in his final game, running the great German defender Berti Vogts ragged as Liverpool won the European Cup for the first time, beating Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 in Rome.

Keegan left having scored 100 goals in 323 appearances.

There was talk of a move to Real Madrid, but in the end his destination was Hamburg, where he was a major success as they won the Bundesliga in 1978-79, though disappointment followed when they lost the European Cup final to Nottingham Forest the following season.

Keegan confirmed his world-class credentials at Hamburg, winning the Ballon d'Or in 1978 and 1979.

Hamburg was a surprise choice when Keegan left Liverpool, but after early struggles to win over team-mates, he became hugely popular, not just with his club but in the country, where they appreciated the Englishman's down to earth approach and his willingness to integrate.

It all added to Keegan's status as a global superstar, one of the most marketable sportsmen around, not just seen on the pitch but in adverts and advertising hoardings worldwide.

He famously did an advert for Brut aftershave with British boxer Henry Cooper, as well as the "Green Cross Code" road safety campaign.

While in West Germany, Keegan had another crack at music with the track Head Over Heels In Love. It peaked at number 31 in the UK, but climbed to number 10 in the German charts.

Keegan returned to England in 1980 with a shock move to Southampton, showing his enduring quality by winning the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year award in 1982.

He did not win trophies at The Dell, but was still a player of the highest class in Lawrie McMenemy's team, built around experienced stars such as Keegan, Alan Ball and Saints' great Mike Channon.

An unfulfilled England playing career
Keegan won 63 England caps over a period lasting almost a decade, scoring 21 goals and captaining the side 31 times.

It was a slow burner after making his debut in a World Cup qualifier in Wales, even including a physical assault by security men at Belgrade airport in summer 1974 when England arrived for a friendly against Yugoslavia under caretaker boss Joe Mercer.

There was horseplay at the luggage carousel, resulting in the perfectly innocent Keegan, one of the highest-profile players in the squad, being taken away to a side room, where he was punched and kicked. He was released, going on to score a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw.

Keegan briefly walked out of the England squad after being dropped for a home international against Wales in 1975, but returned after talks with manager Don Revie.

It summed up an England career that never fulfilled its potential.

England failed to qualify for the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, then when Keegan captained England at the 1980 European Championship in Italy, they did not progress from the group stage.

He was captain again at the World Cup in Spain two years later, but a chronic back injury - for which he left the camp to seek treatment from a specialist in Germany - meant he did not play until the last 26 minutes of England's second-round game against Spain.

Keegan uncharacteristically missed a simple headed chance, the game ending goalless to send manager Ron Greenwood's side home.

He was left out of Greenwood's successor Bobby Robson's next squad, and never played for England again.

Keegan's Geordie love affair begins
Keegan felt Southampton, even under the shrewd management of Lawrie McMenemy, did not match his ambition so he signed for Newcastle - then in the old Division Two - for £100,000 just before the start of the 1982-83 season.

It was the start of a love affair when Keegan scored on his debut against Queens Park Rangers.

Newcastle were promoted to the top flight in 1983-84, but Keegan announced he would retire at the end of that season, a decision prompted by getting caught by Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson when clean through in an FA Cup third-round tie at Anfield which his old club won 4-0.

In typical Keegan fashion, he felt he had lost a vital yard of pace so it was time to go, leaving St James' Park after a final game, his testimonial against Liverpool, still dressed in his Newcastle kit while he was whisked away by helicopter.

Keegan moved to Spain with his family vowing never to enter management, but on 5 February 1992, almost eight years after his final game as a player, Keegan returned to Tyneside.

Highs and lows on Tyneside return
Keegan's management trademark was all-out, thrilling attack, with his former Liverpool and Newcastle team-mate Terry McDermott at his side and charismatic chairman Sir John Hall shaping the off-field strategy.

He had initial differences with Hall over transfer cash, prompting another classic Keegan quote when he said: "It's not like the brochure."

Matters were quickly resolved and soon Newcastle were on their way.

Having saved Newcastle from relegation to the third tier, Keegan inspired them to promotion to the Premier League, finishing only behind champions Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers in 1993-94 with goals and creativity provided by strikers Andy Cole and the returning Peter Beardsley.

Cole was sold to Manchester United in a surprise move in January 1995, Keegan famously standing on the steps outside St James' Park to explain the decision to unhappy fans.

The peak of Keegan's reign, along with the biggest disappointment, came in 1995-96 when Newcastle, strengthened by the addition of high-class stars such as Les Ferdinand and David Ginola, moved 12 points clear in the title race, only to squander the advantage to Manchester United.

There were two enduring images of Keegan as glory escaped his grasp, head bowed as Liverpool scored in stoppage time to win 4-3 in an all-time Premier League classic in April - before that tirade aimed at Ferguson.

Ferguson questioned whether Leeds and Nottingham Forest would try as hard against Newcastle as they would against Manchester United - and after a win at Elland Road, Keegan exploded.

His broadside ended with the never-to-be-forgotten quote: "I will love it if we beat them. Love it."

Sadly for Keegan, Newcastle did not.

Some felt Keegan's time at Newcastle never recovered from that crushing blow, but his charisma and the call of home helped England's top marksman Alan Shearer reject Manchester United to make a world record £15m move from Blackburn that summer.

Shearer's debut ended in a 4-0 loss in the Charity Shield to the club he turned down, revenge exacted spectacularly with a 5-0 win at home in the Premier League two months later.

Keegan then stunned Tyneside on 8 January 1997 by resigning, saying in a short statement: "I feel I have taken the club as far as I can."

He returned to the game the following September as Fulham's chief operating officer, eventually taking over as manager and leading the Cottagers' journey back to the First Division.

And then came England.

Limitations exposed as England boss
Keegan was appointed England's caretaker manager for a four-game period after Glenn Hoddle was sacked in February 1999.

He initially insisted he did not want the job and would return to Fulham, but the warm reception he received when England beat Poland 3-1 at Wembley in his first game pulled on his emotions.

However, by his own admission, Keegan proved an ill fit for the greater tactical nuances of international management, publicly admitting: "If it's a 0-0 draw in the Ukraine you want, then I'm probably not your man."

England qualified for Euro 2000 with a two-legged play-off victory against Scotland, but the campaign was a dismal failure.

Keegan's side were beaten 3-2 by Portugal in their first game after leading 2-0 inside 17 minutes. Germany were beaten by a single Shearer goal, but a calamitous 3-2 loss to Romania, having led 2-1, sent England out.

Keegan carried on, but criticism was mounting against this passionate, yet sensitive man.

He resigned in dramatic fashion in October after England lost their opening World Cup qualifier to Germany in the final game played at the old Wembley Stadium before it was demolished and rebuilt.

The conversation, in which he told then Football Association executive director David Davies he was going, took place in a Wembley toilet, with a rain-soaked Keegan then going on television to admit: "I just don't feel I can find that little bit extra you need at this level to find a winning formula."

It was the most brutal recognition of his own shortcomings.

Keegan's Manchester City comeback
Keegan could not resist the lure of the game, however, succeeding Joe Royle as Manchester City manager after relegation from the Premier League in May 2001.

His commitment to exciting attacking football remained, signing entertainers such as Eyal Berkovic and Ali Benarbia. City were promoted as First Division champions after scoring 108 league goals.

Adding quality like France striker Nicolas Anelka, City finished ninth in the Premier League, Keegan also inspiring more remarkable memories.

In an FA Cup fourth-round replay at Tottenham in February 2004, City came from 3-0 down at the interval, with midfielder Joey Barton sent off at the end of the first half, to win 4-3 through Jon Macken's late winner. A month later they handed out a 4-1 beating to Manchester United.

While Keegan had indicated his intention to retire at the end of the 2004-05 season, he instead left by mutual consent in March 2005.

Tyneside return falls flat
Tyneside was overcome with joy and excitement when Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley announced Keegan's return as manager in January 2008.

It was an ill-starred pairing, Keegan resigning after only eight months following differences with Ashley and Newcastle's hierarchy, including his former England player Dennis Wise, who was executive director.

Keegan was unhappy at his lack of control, saying: "I've been working desperately hard to find a way forward with the directors, but sadly that has not proved possible.

"It's my opinion that a manager must have the right to manage and that clubs should not impose upon any manager any player that he does not want."

He added: "I have been left with no other choice than to leave", and later won damages from the club for constructive dismissal.

It was his final farewell to football, but he remained beloved by the 'Toon Army', as well as at Anfield, his standing as a person and respect for his work in football illustrated by the outpouring of affection and goodwill when he released news of his illness.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c20z4d87vp3o

Well in all that Fulham managed to get one line.