Danish outfit Bodo/Glimt pulled off the shock of the night as they picked up a rather comfortable 3-1 win over Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday and their star striker, Kasper Hogh, has been linked with a move to an English club, who have reportedly launched a bid, this January.
Fresh off the back of their 2-0 defeat to Manchester United, Pep Guardiola‘s wounded men entered the European affair on away soil with vengeance on their mind – but they were 2-0 down to Kjetil Knutsen’s side within 24 minutes.
Jens Petter Hauge then made it three in the 58th minute and then, on the hour mark, City gave the travelling fans a glimmer of hope by pulling one back. Midfielder Rodri, the Ballon d’Or winner in 2024, was sent off in the 62nd minute and the curtains were drawn on a potential comeback.
Manchester City were comfortably beaten by Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League – and one man struggled enormously.
English Club Launch Bid to Sign Bodo/Glimt’s Kasper Hogh After Champions League Display v City
In truth, City winning the match looked unlikely once Hogh’s second strike caressed the back of the net and Norwich City, managed by ex-Rangers boss Philippe Clement, have reportedly launched a bid to sign the 2000-born marksman, who leads the line for Bodo/Glimt.
Hogh, 25 years of age, has been firing on all cylinders for his employers in the Eliteserien, which finished at the end of November – notching 17 goals in 28 games – but his most memorable match came against Guardiola’s men this week.
According to Mike McGrath of The Telegraph, Norwich have tabled a bid for the Dane, who has appeared in all seven of the Norwegian club’s Champions League group-stage fixtures this term. That news was released ahead of his two-goal haul against City.
Come the end of 2024/25, the centre-forward was the joint top goalscorer in the Europa League, along with Olympiacos’ Ayoub El Kaabi and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes. He’s been touted as a potential replacement for Josh Sargent after the American forward’s future at Carrow Road became shrouded in doubt for disciplinary reasons.
According to a report from BBC Sport, a fee just north of £6 million is being discussed as a worthy figure for Hogh’s goal-getting services. The Randers academy graduate, standing at six-foot-one, is believed to be open to joining the Championship side.
If you remember, his team – who he joined from Stabaek in January 2024 – were knocked out in the semi-finals by eventual winners, Ange Postecoglou-led Tottenham Hotspur.
Hogh, who has several appearances for Denmark’s Under-18 and Under-19 sides but is yet to crack into senior international proceedings, found little success in his homeland but a move to newly-promoted Stabaek in Norway in 2023 put his name on the map.
A Closer Look at Kasper Hogh’s Display v City
Ahead of Tuesday night’s encounter at the Aspmyra Stadion, many had underestimated the Eliteserien side because of City’s star-studded nature – but Hogh put them in the driving seat early on, and they kept their place there. His first, in the 22nd minute, saw a sea of yellow shirts rush forward before he was picked out with a ball at the back stick.
An easy header, the lofty talisman headed the ball beyond a poorly-positioned Gianluigi Donnarumma and he doubled his tally two minutes later as a ball was lumped in the air. One of Hogh’s clubmates pounced on Max Alleyne, nicked the ball and launched an attack.
Hogh, the beneficiary, was open in the penalty box and his right-footed finish sent the stadium into raptures. His two goals aside, his presence at the sharp end of the pitch meant he caused a heap of problems for City’s young, and inexperienced, back line. That was evidenced by him winning all three of his aerial duels, while his clinical nature (2/3 shots on target) was also on show.
Liverpool have reportedly made an important offer to sign a new forward in the summer transfer window, and he could explode under new manager Andoni Iraola.
It’s going to be an interesting window for the Reds, with their recruitment team having a lot of work to do ahead of the 2026-2027 season.
Liverpool may need to find replacements for Ibrahima Konate, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, who have all left the club on free transfers.
It was a disappointing 2025/2026 campaign from Liverpool, resulting in Arne Slot being relieved of his duties.
The Merseyside club did manage to qualify for the Champions League after finishing in fifth place in the Premier League, so they should have minimal issues attracting new players.
Liverpool are now entering a new era after it was confirmed that Iraola has been appointed as their new manager.
Liverpool are closing in on a deal to sign the midfielder at the end of this month
Liverpool Make Important Offer for Forward
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have made RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande their top priority for the summer transfer window.
“He’s wanted by Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. Both clubs are still in the mix. Liverpool are really pushing, Liverpool are really insisting to make it happen. For Liverpool, he’s a top, top priority. They are offering important money to the player to get it done. On the other side, Paris Saint-Germain are also keen but it depends on what happens with Barcola, with Goncalo Ramos and Kang-in Lee. There are players that have to leave at PSG, while at Liverpool they’ve already made space with Mo Salah leaving and more players.”
Liverpool have already spent significantly in the last year or so, so it’s a big decision they need to make on Diomande.
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Diomande Could Explode Under Iraola
via Reuters
Diomande certainly has a big task on his hands if he does make the move to Liverpool in the summer transfer window.
The Leipzig winger will likely be a direct replacement for Salah on the right-hand side of attack. There will be a lot of pressure to replicate what the Egyptian international has produced.
There is every chance that Diomande could explode under new manager Iraola.
The former Bournemouth boss has a knack for developing young talent, something he did superbly during his time with the Cherries.
Iraola likes his sides to be deadly in transition, situations that Diomande will thrive in.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has broken his silence on the decision of the United States to deny entry to Somalian referee Omar Artan ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
There was outrage around the world when it emerged that Artan, the leading official from Africa, would not be allowed to enter the USA, despite having already been granted his visa.
Having arrived at Miami International Airport on a flight from Istanbul, he was informed that he would not be allowed to proceed further due to ‘vetting concerns’, essentially ending any chance of him officiating at the tournament. He had been due to become the first Somalian ever to officiate in any capacity at a World Cup.
Why Omar Artan was Denied Entry to the USA
Omar Artan via omar_artan on Instagram
Fifa initially released a brief statement confirming the news, which read:
“Fifa can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the Fifa World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States.” However, Infantino has now expanded on that brief comment.
In the days since he was denied entry, more details have emerged concerning Artan’s case. The decision to ban him from the US was seemingly made based on the fact that he shares the same name as a leader of the Al Shabab military group.
Artan was denied in Miami for 11 hours and interrogated by officials, before he was allowed to return home to Somalia. Speaking on his arrival back home, the referee stated:
“I’m simply a referee trying to live my dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup. I had all my papers in order, yet I was interrogated for hours, thrown into prison, and then expelled. I think they have a problem with my country.”
Benoit Tessier via Reuters
Despite the controversy and anger surrounding the decision, Infantino gave a bizarrely relaxed answer when he was quizzed on the situation on Wednesday as spoke to reporters at a pre-World Cup news conference, even telling them to “chill” and “relax.”
“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia. Again, we don’t control everything. We try, we will discuss, we will speak, we will see.
“Sometimes it’s good to chill, relax, we work on everything, we try to solve everything. Sometimes to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect of finding a solution. Believe me when I tell you, we always try to find solutions.
“But we need to respect we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces. We are a sports organisation.”
Infantino also refused to make any assurances on any repeat of the Artan debacle in future when being asked if he had “lost control” of the tournament.
“You know in 2035 I think, we hope, the women’s World Cup will be in the UK right – there still needs to be a decision but it looks like it.
Would you find it normal that Fifa would dictate to the British government who to let in the country and who not to let in the country?
I don’t know. Maybe you find it normal. I would like personally, on the other side, the reality of the matter is that in every country, there are governments that try to get into the UK, Germany, Switzerland without a visa, try to get a visa if you’re from certain countries, it’s not easy, that’s what I want to say.”
Olivia Buzaglo and Ben Jacobs are live with a special World Cup preview edition of Market Madness, bringing you the latest transfer news alongside expert insight from across the globe.
South American football expert Tim Vickery joins the show to break down the key storylines ahead of the tournament, including:
– The mood in Brazil as they look to end their World Cup drought
– Neymar’s inclusion and current form at Santos
– Argentina’s chances of defending their crown
– Young South American talents who could earn big moves to Europe
– Potential surprise packages
Ben also delivers the latest breaking transfer news and answers your questions in his weekly mailbag, keeping you up to speed with all the biggest moves as the window heats up before the World Cup.
Plus, we hear from The Athletic’s Tom Bogert, speaking directly from the USA traning camp, with insight into how the co-host nation is shaping up ahead of the tournament.
