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Ross Wilson could be about to hand Steven Gerrard a huge boost at Rangers ahead of next season, with long-term target Fashion Sakala having reportedly been offered a four-year deal at Ibrox.

According to the Daily Record, Rangers have offered the Zambian striker a four-year deal in order to tempt him to Ibrox, with his contract at KV Oostende set to expire at the end of this season.

As it stands, both Jermaine Defoe and Greg Stewart will leave Rangers when their contracts expire at the end of the current campaign, which would have left Gerrard with a worrying lack of depth up front, so Sakala could help to solve that issue ahead of next year.

So far in  this campaign, the 23-year-old has contributed 13 goals and three assists in 28 Jupiler Pro League appearances, so he certainly looks to know where the back of the net is and could provide excellent competition for the likes of Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten.

Earlier in the season, Sakala’s former teammate Toby Sibbick was full of praise for the young forward, saying:

“I’m sure Fashion would be a great addition for Rangers. Fashion has a lot of pace and is direct on the ball.

“He can play as the main striker but also out wide and I know having played against Rangers last season they play with a front three so he can fill in on either wing because he likes to get on the ball and beat players one on one.

“He is quite tricky as well and is good in front of goal with the ability to finish with both feet, there’s no issue with that.

“He is powerful – not necessarily tall – but strong and quick so there’s a lot to his game.”

From what Sibbick suggests, Sakala could also offer Gerrard more options out wide and having a player who is capable of playing anywhere in Rangers’ front three would certainly be useful for the Light Blues ahead of next season.

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The fact that Rangers will able to bring in the £2.25m-rated Sakala to Ibrox on a free transfer suggests that this will be a low-risk move for the Gers and one which, if he performs, could prove to be an excellent bargain in the future.

And, in other news… Gerrard suffers potentially huge blow as CL regulars eye “outstanding” Rangers beast

According to a report from Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte may well leave the club at the end of his contract next year. 

The lowdown: Short term vision

The north London club appointed Conte in an official Head Coach capacity on a contract until the summer of 2023 with an option to extend for a further year.

Having lifted the Serie A title in 2020/21 at Inter Milan, the Italian’s stock was high and Spurs had seemingly landed an elite boss to help the push towards a Premier League top-four finish following the short reign of Nuno Espirito Santo.

However, the length of the deal was always of concern in some quarters and now it appears the 52-year-old may already be restless.

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The latest: On the move?

As per the report from Gazzetta, translated by SW, the man in the hot seat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could already be considering a role back in Italy or beyond.

It’s stated that Conte views contracts as a ‘stepping stone’ rather than a ‘prison’ and there are already ‘too many clouds over London’ despite the presence and best efforts of familiar colleague Fabio Paratici.

Furthermore, the report claims that ‘it is not certain’ that the former Italian national team coach will even see out the contract with the Lilywhites, citing a potential tilt at the Paris Saint-Germain managerial role should Mauricio Pochettino move on at the end of the current campaign.

The verdict: Pull out all the stops

Boasting an enviable trophy cabinet containing eight major honours – including one English top-flight success at Chelsea – Tottenham appointed a truly elite figure in Conte and should be trying everything possible to retain the Italian’s services beyond 2023.

At present, Conte’s longest stint in any role stands at just 106 games whilst in west London, further proof of a tendency to move on swiftly.

Albeit still the case that Spurs are outsiders for a top-four finish, sitting three points behind arch-rivals Arsenal, there has been an upturn in results since the arrival of the man described as ‘one of the best managers in the world’ by Thomas Tuchel.

Whether or not UEFA Champions League qualification can appease Conte remains to be seen, otherwise, a hefty summer transfer budget may well be required.

In other news, Tottenham are now eyeing four summer transfer targets. Find out more here!

Celtic are keen on a cut-price move for AZ Alkmaar winger Albert Gudmundsson in January, as per Mike McGrath of The Telegraph.

The Lowdown: Gudmundsson profiled

Gudmundsson is 24 years of age and is primarily a right-winger who can also play on the left and as an attacking midfielder.

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The Iceland international has the same agent as Hoops midfielder Tom Rogic and has been with the Dutch side since 2018.

He’s contributed to 34 goals in 94 appearances for AZ Alkmaar and currently has a career-high Transfermarkt valuation of £3.6m.

The Latest: Hoops keen

McGrath’s transfer notebook for The Telegraph on Wednesday morning, hours before Celtic’s trip to St. Mirren, provided a claim on Gudmundsson.

The reliable reporter revealed that both Celtic and Rangers are going head-to-head for the wide man and are interested in a Bosman deal.

Gudmundsson’s current contract expires in the summer, meaning the two Glasgow sides can discuss a cut-price transfer in the New Year with a view to joining at the end of June.

The Verdict: Another versatile attacker?

Celtic and Ange Postecoglou aren’t wasting any time when it comes to pinpointing winter window targets.

The Hoops are keen on three Japanese players in January, one of which is Daizen Maeda. The Yokohama F. Marinos forward can also play in a variety of attacking positions, and it seems as if Gudmundsson may well be another to move to Celtic Park.

They’ll have to pip their bitter rivals for his services, though, but on paper, it seems as if Gudmundsson could prove to be a shrewd cut-price addition as Postecoglou continues his Parkhead rebuild.

In other news: ‘A lot of clubs’ tracking ‘unbelievable’ Celtic ace ahead of January, says BBC Radio 5 Live man. 

Many Wolves fans have been left slamming the display of Francisco Trincao in their game at home to Newcastle United in the Premier League.

The Portugal international missed a big chance to score in the first half that would have put the Midlands club 2-0 up after Hwang Hee-chan had given them the lead, but they ended up conceding an equaliser to Jeff Hendrick moments later to make the score 1-1 at half-time.

Other than that opportunity, he struggled to really get into the game, and seemed to be bullied off of the ball a little bit too easily at times, with some members of the Molineux faithful noting his physicality.

Before the match this afternoon, Trincao had only managed one goal and no assists all season (Transfermarkt), and it seems as if he is struggling to adapt to English football.

Wolves fans on Trincao display

These WWFC supporters slammed his performance on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that he is ‘awful’:

“Trincao way off the pace Adama on at half-time surely”

Credit: @CaritaMejor

“Trincao horror show”

Credit: @lewis_sharp17

“Trincao is awful.”

Credit: @JBabbacombe

“Trincao just isn’t very good”

Credit: @FourFourTwoPls

“Trincao might not be tough enough for the Premier League.”

Credit: @Ashley19345299

“Get Trincao off the pitch”

Credit: @MichaelKlump44

In other news, find out what Pedro Neto footage has Wanderers buzzing here!

David Moyes must urge David Sullivan to meet Manchester United’s valuation of Jesse Lingard after reports by Eurosport last week claimed that West Ham will have to pay £20m to retain the midfielder beyond his half-season loan.

Lingard moved to the London Stadium for the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign during the recent winter transfer window and he has proven an instant hit in claret and blue with three goals and two assists in five games.

Man United are said to have always been confident of Lingard being a success in the capital, so they refused West Ham’s request for a permanent clause to be included in his temporary switch.

The Irons are thought to have offered a £15m buyout option on top of the £1.5m loan fee paid to the Red Devils, but they will now be facing a fee upwards of £20m to strike a deal at the end of the season.

Lingard had barely featured for Man United before packing his belongings and leaving Old Trafford earlier this year, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer only awarding the 28-year-old 179 minutes of first-team action across all competitions.

Not a single second of that came in the Premier League with the former England international resigned to a bit-part role in the EFL and FA Cups, but has been trusted to start all five available top-flight fixtures under Moyes while playing 442 of a possible 450 minutes.

Only once has Lingard failed to influence the scoring with the Hammers, too, having struck a brace on debut at Aston Villa and netting once against Tottenham Hotspur, while assisting goals against Sheffield United and Manchester City.

No Irons player has been involved in as many goals since Lingard was given his West Ham bow at Villa Park last month, with Michail Antonio second with two goals and two assists.

Lingard’s efforts in claret and blue saw Arsenal icon Paul Merson wax lyrical during Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, showering the Man United loanee with praise while addressing West Ham’s hopes of claiming a Champions League qualifying berth.

“I think he is outstanding. You get good reports from his attitude and how good he’s been. I think he’s the difference. If they’re going to get in the top four, he’s their X-factor,” Merson said on the show (27/2, 12:16).

As well as being the Hammers’ ‘X-factor’ and most influential figure during the club’s last five Premier League games, Lingard’s form has returned the best average WhoScored match rating of any West Ham player in the top-flight this term at 7.5 out of 10.

The 24-cap Three Lions international also offers the highest number of average shots per game (3.2), plus the second-most successful dribbles (1.6) to Arthur Masuaku (2.2) and the fourth-most key passes (1).

Moyes would be rather naïve to not urge Sullivan to now pay the extra £5m needed to retain Lingard should he maintain his early form, as West Ham have not seen anywhere near the same output from the likes of Pablo Fornals or Manuel Lanzini.

Fornals has offered 0.7 key passes, 1.2 shots and 0.9 successful dribbles per game in the league this season, while Lanzini has created 0.7 goal-scoring opportunities, taken 0.8 attempts and brought possession up the field with 0.3 successful runs each match.

AND in other news, David Moyes is hopeful of West Ham landing an injury boost ahead of hosting Leeds United…

Celtic have been linked with a move for Juventus scout Matteo Tognozzi in recent weeks.

The Hoops are looking to appoint a director of football in an off-field overhaul, with David Webb and Fergal Harkin two other names to be linked with the newly created Parkhead position.

Manchester United’s new man Murtough

Manchester United reportedly joined Celtic in the race for Tognozzi, however, the Red Devils confirmed on Wednesday that they have appointed John Murtough as the club’s new Football Director.

The announcement from the European giants appears to rule out any possible move for Tognozzi, leaving Celtic with a potential clear run to tie up a deal for the Italian.

Transfer Tavern take

With Dominic McKay coming in to replace Peter Lawwell this summer, appointing a director of football could turn out to be pivotal in regards to communication between Neil Lennon’s long-term successor and the new CEO.

Tognozzi has worked with Zenit St Petersburg, Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen prior to his current job with Juventus, earning plenty of experience all across Europe in the process.

He speaks good English and makes profits on players while also securing solid replacements, citing Porto’s model as one that has inspired him.

It seems as if a summer rebuild both on and off the pitch will get the green light, and Tognozzi, should he be appointed, could play a major role in the club’s summer transfer plans.

In other news: Celtic could miss out on an £8m profit on 25-year-old ace, find out more here.  

Everton are interested in signing £27m-rated Atalanta defender Merih Demiral this summer and he could be the perfect replacement for Michael Keane.

What’s the story?

According to journalist Yakup Cinar (via Goodison News) Everton are among several sides who are “interested” in signing the 24-year-old who’s is currently on loan at Atalanta from Juventus.

They have the option to make the move permanent in the summer for £23.5m, but could potentially sell Demiral on for a profit like they did with Cristian Romero. When interviewed by TuttoJuve.com Cinar said that the interest in the player is high.

He’s miles better than Keane

Everton are battling for survival at the moment and are currently in the relegation zone. Whether or not they stay in the Premier League this summer doesn’t change the fact that they need a squad overhaul.

Many of their current players have underperformed massively this season, and one of those is defender Michael Keane, who Demiral could replace if he is brought to Goodison Park.

Keane has featured several times for the Toffees this season and has been a key part of their troubled defence. They have only managed to keep six clean sheets in the league all campaign, and it has led to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher rightly calling their back four “Championship level”.

Demiral has been described by outlet Goal as a “brick wall” and at 6 foot 2, he is a strong presence in the box. He impressed when facing English side Manchester United in the group stage of the Champions League earlier this season, scoring versus the Red Devils and winning 100% of his duels in a 3-2 defeat, so he has proven himself against Premier League opposition already.

The Turkey international is a force in the air, being ranked in the top 2% when it comes to aerial duals won compared with other centre backs in Europe’s top five leagues over the last year.

When you compare him directly to Keane he’s also better on the ball with a higher pass completion percentage of 87.5% compared to 77.3%. He’s also tackled a higher percentage of dribblers than the Englishman.

If Demiral is available at a decent price in the summer then Frank Lampard should look no further than him to solve their issues at the back. At 24 he can also be a figurehead at the club for years to come.

IN other news: More misery: Alan Myers drops four-word Everton claim that’ll leave supporters fuming…

Sheffield Wednesday are still looking for their first win under Tony Pulis.

At the weekend, the Owls suffered their fourth defeat in seven matches under the 62-year-old stalwart and things aren’t looking any easier as they head to Nottingham Forest later this evening.

This is usually an encounter that sees both sides in and around the playoffs, though this year, it’s the rock-bottom Yorkshiremen versus fourth-from-bottom Reds.

Pulis really ought to do himself some favours by dropping some of his underperforming stars, none more so than Josh Windass, who has struggled to make much – if any – of an impact in front of goal.

It is true that the former Rangers and Wigan Athletic star is currently the Owls’ top goalscorer on three goals, but he’s managing to find the net just once every five games.

That’s hugely disappointing for someone trusted to lead the line week in, week out.

The 26-year-old is also only averaging 1.9 shots, 0.7 key passes and 0.4 dribbles per game, via WhoScored.

You could even argue that he’s doing a fine job considering he’s not an out-and-out striker having played the bulk of his career (43% of 241 appearances) as an attacking midfielder.

Windass, who is valued at £1.44m and earns around £15k-per-week at Hillsborough, must either be played in his natural position or left on the bench later this evening.

Pulis can wield his axe on the forward in favour of handing the reins to either Callum Paterson or Jordan Rhodes with Jack Marriott still on the treatment table.

Once lauded a “constant threat” and a “real menace” by his former Accrington boss John Coleman, Windass was signed by Garry Monk after a short loan spell earlier in the year, so Pulis could be forgiven for wanting to try out alternatives in this evening’s crunch match.

A win really would bolster the Owls’ in their dogfight to stay up and making a big call on the versatile midfielder could prove to be the difference.

AND in other news, Anonymous Sheff Weds calamity who made only 4 passes all game let Pulis down abysmally…

Southampton have been linked with a move for AC Milan winger Jens Petter Hauge recently and he could prove to be a superb addition to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side this summer.

What’s the word?

According to Italian football journalist Nicolo Schira, both Southampton and Udinese have shown an interest in signing the Norway international ahead of next season.

Whether it would be a loan deal or a permanent deal for Hauge is unclear but after his superb form in 2020, it seems clear from the replies to the tweet from Schira that plenty of Milan fans rate him highly and would be disappointed to see him go.

Would he be a good signing?

Since making the move to Milan from FK Bodø/Glimt in October 2020, the 21-year-old has gone on to make 24 appearances for the Italian side, in which he has contributed five goals and one assist.

There was, unsurprisingly, a huge amount of excitement from Milan fans when he hit three goals and one assist in just five Europa League appearances during the last campaign but he has not been able to have as much impact in Serie A this season for Stefano Pioli’s side.

In 18 appearances in Italy’s top-flight, the youngster has two goals and no assists to his name, although 15 of those appearances have come from the bench, which suggests that he may have been underused at the San Siro.

Although Southampton already have a number of wingers on their books, both Nathan Redmond and Moussa Djenepo have struggled for goals and assists, so adding someone such as Hauge, who has impressed when given opportunities, could prove to be a smart piece of business by the Saints.

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The 21-year-old showed last season in Norway that he can be extremely dangerous in the final third, with 14 goals and 10 assists to his name in just 18 appearances, and whilst the Premier League would obviously be a step up for the 21-year-old, it did not take him long to make an impact at Milan.

Hauge’s impressive performances for club and country have won over Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland, who was full of praise for him late last year, saying:

“Hauge is doing well and we are very good friends, he is a great talent. He has to continue to work hard and play like that, he has a great career ahead of him.”

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Therefore, Southampton could perhaps take advantage of the fact that he isn’t getting much game time at Milan this season and bring him in this summer, as he could prove to be a really exciting signing, regardless of whether he joins on loan or permanently.

And, in other news… Semmens disaster: Southampton missed out “brilliant” PL gem perfect for Hasenhuttl

Crystal Palace ended their four-match winless run in the Premier League on Saturday with a 2-0 success over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

It looked as though Christian Benteke’s early goal was initially going to be enough for the three points before Eberechi Eze converted late on to seal the victory.

The winger, who eventually proved to be the match-winner for the Eagles in Yorkshire, was an inspiration for Roy Hodgson’s men throughout the evening. He was key in the first goal as Benteke converted as his jinking run and wonderful pass presented the Belgian with the chance to open the scoring.

He then sealed the points with a late goal of his own – just the second match in the Premier League in which he has contributed to more than one goal since his move from Queens Park Rangers last summer.

His contributions did not end there, though. According to WhoScored, he had three shots, one of those finding the back of the net.

The 22-year-old also contributed a further three key passes. Only midfielder Luka Milivojevic racked up more in that respect of the players taking to the pitch for the Eagles.

Eze was excellent when on the ball, too, displaying his wonderful dribbling ability on a number of occasions. He completed five dribbles throughout the 90 minutes, the most in the entire Crystal Palace line-up.

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It goes without saying that the hosts then could simply not control him. They did eventually find a way to halt him, though, and that was to bring him down. In the end, Eze won five fouls throughout the game, as many as the rest of the Crystal Palace side put together.

Having been hailed as “impressive” in the past by Jamie Redkapp, Hodgson will surely be delighted with the winger’s latest display for the Eagles.

AND in more news, Crystal Palace are eyeing a move for a Bundesliga star…