Transfer insider Dean Jones has made an exciting claim regarding Leeds United and a possible pursuit of Wolves winger Adama Traore.
The lowdown: Traore’s troubles
In January, the 26-year-old joined Barcelona on loan until the end of the season, with a £29m permanent option included in the deal.
However, since arriving in Spain, the powerful ace has made just 10 La Liga appearances for the Catalan giants, completing 90 minutes on only one occasion.
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Traore is now expected to return to Molineux at the end of the season, where his future remains in the balance.
The latest: Traore ‘open’ to Leeds move
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones has suggested that Leeds will likely be among the leading contenders to land the Spain winger in the summer.
The journalist explained: “He knows they want him. I think he’s been open to it in the past. If there’s no future for him at Wolves, or Barcelona, then he will have to consider it.”
The verdict: Worth the risk
Traore was once dubbed ‘undefendable’ by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp due to his frightening pace, power and direct running style, possessing all the raw attributes to succeed at a high level, but he has often flattered to deceive in the final third.
Despite the eight-cap Spain international’s frightening physicality, he has just 24 direct goal contributions in 160 Premier League appearances and has earned a lowly 6.94 Sofascore rating in the Spanish top flight this term – taking only 23 touches per game – in a disappointing 2021/22 campaign.
However, with the long term future of Raphinha at Elland Road in doubt and fellow winger Dan James failing to hit the ground running in Yorkshire, Whites manager Jesse Marsch would indeed be wise to keep Traore in mind if the price is right this summer as Wolves potentially look to cut their losses on the 26-year-old.
In other news: Leeds want this powerful 12-goal striker who is ‘ideal’ for the Championship
Former Premier League striker Kevin Campbell has given his reaction to the news that Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino has returned to fitness this week.
The lowdown: Back in contention
The 30-year-old returned to the matchday squad for the first time in four Premier League games for the 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in midweek but remained an unused substitute.
Following a foot injury that kept the Brazilian forward out for six games, Firmino appears likely to now be in contention to feature in the FA Cup final showdown with Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday, unlike his compatriot Fabinho who is ruled out with a hamstring strain.
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Despite the firepower now at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal, such is the continued importance of Firmino that his comeback has been heralded by at least one invested onlooker…
The latest: ‘Absolutely massive’
Speaking to Football Insider, regular talkSPORT pundit Campbell explained why news of the false nine’s availability is so crucial.
He said: “It’s a massive boost. It is absolutely massive for them. They have the FA Cup final coming up. His experience will count for a lot during this run-in.
“Liverpool are going for the quadruple, even though the league is in City’s hands. I don’t think they’ll mess up. To get one of your mainstays back at this stage of the season is really important for Jurgen Klopp.
“Even though they only have a few games left they will need to rotate. There will be some tired legs in that dressing room. Let’s not forget, Firmino, [Mohamed] Salah and [Sadio] Mane are electric together.”
The verdict: Plenty left to offer…
Albeit the arrival and subsequent impact of both Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz has seen Firmino fall down the pecking order somewhat this season, there can be no underestimating the 55-cap ace’s continued importance in the eyes of Jurgen Klopp.
So often the man to turn to in order to change the pattern of a game – coming from the bench nine times in the league alone this term – the skilful Samba star who was hailed as ‘special’ by Klopp in 2020 has still managed 11 goals and four assists this term in just 31 outings across all competitions.
Overall, Firmino has earned a 6.96 Sofascore rating in the Premier League, winning 2.9 of his total duels, making 1.2 tackles and completing 80% of his passes on average per game.
Given the lack of recent game time, it seems unlikely that Klopp will turn to his trusted forward from the outset at Wembley, however, don’t rule out an influence from the bench or indeed a starting spot in Paris against Real Madrid.
In other news, French newspaper cites Liverpool interest in ‘unstoppable’ speedster. Read more here.
Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.
What’s the talk?
That’s according to a report by Italian media outlet Noi Biancocelesti (via Sport Witness), who claim that Antonio Conte would love to bring the Lazio midfielder to north London this summer, with the 52-year-old said to have been incredibly impressed by the 27-year-old after facing him on numerous occasions during his time at Inter Milan.
However, the report goes on to state that the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Manchester United are also interested in the Serbia international, with the latter even believed to have submitted a £68m offer.
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On Lazio’s part, it is said that club president Claudio Lotito is willing to listen to all offers for the midfielder, in the hope that something of a bidding auction is launched for the former KRC Genk starlet.
The next Dembele
While Milinkovic-Savic has been an extremely consistent performer for Lazio ever since his €9m (£7.5m) move to the Stadio Olimpico back in the summer of 2015, the box-to-box midfielder has undoubtedly taken his game to another level this season.
Indeed, over his 34 Serie A appearances this term, the £63m-rated Serbian has been in breathtaking form, scoring ten goals, registering 11 assists and creating ten big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.0 shots, making 1.3 key passes and completing 1.2 dribbles per game.
The £95k-per-week talent has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.0 interceptions, 1.9 tackles, 49.7 passes, 1.2 clearances and winning 7.1 duels – at a success rate of 52% – per fixture.
These returns have seen the player who David Amoyal dubbed “unreal” average a quite astonishing SofaScore match rating of 7.29, not only ranking him as Maurizio Sarri’s best performer in the Italian top flight but also the fifth-best midfielder and the tenth-best player overall in Serie A as a whole.
As such, being a player who is deadly in the final third, accomplished with the ball at his feet and extremely strong in the tackle, should Fabio Paratici and Conte go on to secure a deal for Milinkovic-Savic, they could well have landed Tottenham’s next Mousa Dembele – a player who possessed an extremely similar skill-set to that of the Lazio dynamo.
Indeed, it would certainly appear as if the 27-year-old would make a fantastic addition to Conte’s current options in the middle of the park, however, with United, Madrid, Munich, PSG and Juve all believed to be keen on the 30-time capped international, Paratici will certainly have his work cut out if he is to land Milinkovic-Savic this summer.
AND in other news: Conte now plotting THFC bid for “refreshing” £34m-rated gem, he’d be a “great signing”
West Ham United were subject to their third consecutive defeat in a week as the Hammers lost 2-1 at home to Arsenal in the Premier League.
Goals from defenders Rob Holding and Gabriel either side of Jarrod Bowen’s strike secured a third straight victory for the Gunners which also saw them climb back into the top four.
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David Moyes’ men are still seventh, although eighth place Wolves do have a game in hand whilst being three points behind, meaning that there is still a long way to go for the Irons if they are to qualify for Europe via the league.
With Thursday’s enormous Europa League semi-final second leg in Frankfurt the priority, the Scotsman opted to make a handful of changes, with right-back Vladimir Coufal coming into the fold. However, the Czech Republic international struggled at the London Stadium.
The 29-year-old let himself down after recording an impressive 81 touches, losing possession a whopping 21 times at an average rate of once every 3.9 touches.
Coufal also lost 73% of his duels whilst being dribbled past three times and making one error that led to a shot in a frustratingly below-par defensive performance from the right-back.
However, a positive that the Czech can take from his display is providing the assist for Bowen’s goal, with it just his third in the league this term.
After a stellar first season in claret and blue, this campaign has been a bit more complicated for the right-back, particularly with the breakthrough of 22-year-old Ben Johnson.
A hernia issue has been thought to be the major contributing factor to this downturn in form, with Coufal eventually receiving surgery in February which saw the 29-year-old out of action for a month.
However, Moyes has opted to keep the Czech out of the starting lineup for all but one of the east London outfit’s Europa League knockout matches, with the defender playing the full 90 minutes of West Ham’s 3-0 win in Lyon.
It’s unlikely that Coufal will start against Frankfurt in the week, particularly given that the Hammers must overturn a 2-1 deficit if they are to progress to the final.
However, with three league matches left to play, those will be the opportunities in which the defender must shine to work his way back up the pecking order.
AND in other news: West Ham handed big boost in pursuit of £49k-p/w target, Moyes surely buzzing
The 49ers and Rangers are now reportedly considering an approach to hire a 42-year-old replacement for Patrick Stewart, who they recently sacked.
Rangers sack Thelwell and Stewart
Despite a recent turnaround on the pitch courtesy of Danny Rohl’s arrival, the 49ers have remained in ruthless mood and recently sacked chief executive Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell. It follows a disastrous summer of decisions, which instantly failed to get fans at Ibrox onside.
Explaining the decision, Andrew Cavenagh said: “Paraag and I have analysed the club’s needs, and as we reflect on what the club needs today, and where Kevin and Patrick are, we think we need something different.
“Our focus the first part of this season, the first part of our ownership period, has been on the sporting side and that’s where all of our attention went to for obvious reasons.
“With Danny coming in, he has started to improve the on-pitch performance, and that has created the space to allow Paraag and I to look at other parts of the club with new eyes and assess what we need going forward.
“I think responsible change has to be measured. I don’t think you can come in and tear something completely apart all at once. You’re likely to get something wrong.”
It’s certainly a big decision from the 49ers, but one that will please Rangers fans who particularly aired their frustrations at Thelwell in recent months.
Just who they turn to now is the big question. Potential candidates are already being mentioned, and that includes James Taylor who reportedly has internal support at the club amid a potential promotion.
Rangers considering James Taylor approach
According to the Scottish Sun, Rangers are now considering an approach to hire Taylor in the CEO role. The 42-year-old has already impressed as their Chief Financial Officer and played a huge part in recording a record revenue of £94m for the year. Now, he could get the chance to step up to the CEO role.
Not just Djiga: Thelwell flop who lost ball 17x looks finished at Rangers
Rangers’ wait for a first Europa League victory goes on, held to a 1-1 draw by Braga at Ibrox, and a summer signing was just as bad as Nasser Djiga.
Nov 28, 2025
Whilst he’s not the only name on the list, Ibrox chiefs are reportedly fans of Taylor and that will undoubtedly help him along the way in the interview process.
It almost goes without saying that it would be a big step up for the current Rangers chief, but he has more than proven his worth at the club in the last year.
Whether the Gers decide to make a decision as soon as possible or remain patient for the right candidate is the question. In a season of so much change, they desperately need to get things in order ahead of the January transfer window both on and off the pitch.
Rohl must bin Chermiti for Rangers star who was the SPFL's "best player"
When Liverpool signed Luis Suarez from Dutch giants Ajax in January 2011, there was a general acceptance that a deal was possible because Europe’s leading clubs, of which Liverpool were not one in that former phase, were dissuaded by his conduct.
Suarez, now 38 and playing Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, will retire as one of the most decorated and greatest strikers of his generation. He will be remembered by many for his incredible goalscoring record and mesmeric movements and ability to blend with attacking teammates.
But he will also be remembered for his volatile and aggressive nature. Suarez plays with his heart on his sleeve, but not always in a sporting fashion. He is both bark and bite.
Even so, he was a superstar for Liverpool, and many others besides. Trumping him would take some doing at number nine, and for all their success under Jurgen Klopp and now Arne Slot, it is something the Reds have not achieved yet.
Well, not until this summer. Now, Liverpool may have not one but two new centre-forwards capable of emulating the Uruguayan’s Premier League legacy.
Liverpool's new strikers
Meet Liverpool’s new strikers. Hugo Ekitike has already familiarised himself with the Anfield crowd, scoring three goals and supplying an assist across his first three matches for the club.
Liverpool won a charged race for his signature, beating off a number of competitors, notably Newcastle United, to sign the French forward in a £69m deal, plus £10m in add-ons.
And he’s repaying the faith. Ekitike looks at home in the Premier League, leading the line. Still only 23, perhaps the most exciting part is that Ekitike has so much potential, and there’s little question that FSG have hit the jackpot, even given his lofty price tag.
Aleander Isak hardly needs an introduction. Liverpool signed Newcastle’s star striker in a British record £125m deal on transfer deadline day, ending a month of speculation that was as contentious as it was compelling.
The Sweden international scored 27 goals across all competitions in 2024/25 and won the Carabao Cup, scoring as Eddie Howe’s side beat Liverpool at Wembley.
Erling Haaland is the only player to have scored at a more clinical rate in the Premier League since Isak left Real Sociedad in Spain and joined Newcastle for £63m. Even Mohamed Salah, in all his brilliance, hasn’t provided the same frequency.
Erling Haaland
101
90 (0.89)
Mohamed Salah
112
68 (0.61)
Alexander Isak
86
54 (0.63)
Ollie Watkins
112
50 (0.45)
Chris Wood
96
39 (0.41)
Bryan Mbeumo
105
39 (0.37)
No doubt, Isak hopes to leave a legacy comparable to that of Suarez, and Ekitike will too. However, Liverpool’s new version of the South American star is actually another member of Slot’s squad.
Liverpool's new version of Suarez
Suarez was a maverick, a game-changer. Rarely has the Premier League seen such boundless quality in one man, and he almost single-handedly dragged Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool to the top-flight title in 2013/14, scoring 31 goals and assisting 13 more as he plied a campaign for the ages.
But he didn’t quite hit the ground running a few years earlier, when he joined from Ajax. Suarez scored off the bench on his Premier League debut, netting against Stoke City in a 2-0 win.
Then the goalscorer would go on to bag just once across his first eight starting appearances in the competition. The circumstances differ, but this curious fact could be applied to contextualise the slow start of Florian Wirtz.
Wirtz, 22, joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for a record-breaking £116m fee that was swiftly superseded by Isak. The attacking midfielder is one of the most talented footballers in the world and has earned acclaim for his performances in his German homeland.
Fleet feet and a sharp assist for Ekitike in the Community Shield issued a solemn warning to the rest of English football, but four games into the league campaign, the £195k-per-week talent has yet to break his duck.
Journalist Declan Carr conceded that the marquee arrival “has struggled since joining Liverpool”, but there is little reason for concern. As journalist Sam McGuire noted, he is a “statistical unicorn” – a “final third freak”.
Devastating in the Bundesliga and equally as mesmerising across his exploits in the Champions League, Wirtz has proven himself on every stage, and in spite of his relative struggles so far, data from Sofascore reveals that he is averaging two key passes per game for Liverpool, also winning 50% of his ground duels and completing 60% of his dribbles.
In a similar way, Suarez was always going to be a star on Merseyside. Perhaps he outgrew his reputation and potential, becoming one of the best to do it, but still, the forward just needed a bit of time to find his feet.
Suarez might not have made the fastest start in Premier League history, but he played and fought and won like a man possessed once he got going.
And Wirtz carries himself with the air of the footballing elite. You can see it when he takes a deft touch, scans and rolls his way through and into space. There’s a tenacity in his play and an undercurrent which is just waiting to erupt.
Has it been a disappointing start? Perhaps. Wirtz has not been bad, by any stretch, but those who expected him to set the English game aflame from the get-go would be forgiven, as he cost a significant sum, after all.
But Wirtz is young and adapting to a new league; Liverpool, let’s not forget, are adapting to a new system, and have emerged from a summer transfer window characterised by upheaval and change.
It is a matter of when, not if, and if Wirtz keeps on as he has been, he will soon find himself playing with all the gusto of Suarez in his Liverpool prime, and the plaudits will follow.
The new Rooney: Liverpool already sold Salah's heir in "world-class" talent
Liverpool have so much attacking quality but might come to regret selling this star.
Now that the summer transfer window is done and dusted, Liverpool will feel they are in a strong position to retain the Premier League title they won so confidently under Arne Slot’s management last season.
The Reds had just parted ways with iconic manager Jurgen Klopp, and many expected his successor, who had found success with Feyenoord in the Netherlands, would fall by the wayside in keeping with comparable circumstances at Arsenal and Manchester United.
And despite opting against a trigger-happy transfer window, Slot’s Liverpool knuckled down with the options available, giving rise to new heroes such as Ryan Gravenberch in the number six role.
Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo for Liverpool
But now that Liverpool are at the top, they are determined to stay there, bolstering their ranks with superstars like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, as well as many more, including Hugo Ekitike, Isak’s rival at number nine and with three goals and an assist from his first four outings in Red.
However, it didn’t all go the way of sporting director Richard Hughes, with a deadline-day deal for Marc Guehi falling through after Crystal Palace failed to land a suitable replacement and Oliver Glasner threatened to walk.
Could it prove a significant blow for the Merseysiders?
Why Liverpool wanted Guehi
Over the past four years with Palace, Guehi has gone from strength to strength and established himself as one of the Premier League’s standout centre-backs.
Said to have been an “absolute gem” by former Reds coach Michael Beale, who also coached him during his formative years in Chelsea’s academy, from the start, it’s no surprise that Guehi’s performances for club and country over the past few years have earned Liverpool’s vested interest.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehicelebrates scoring their second goal
With Ibrahima Konate now in the final year of his contract at Anfield and Virgil van Dijk having turned 34 in July, it felt necessary that FSG green-lit the signing of a new centre-half, and indeed Liverpool pushed to sign Bournemouth prodigy Dean Huijsen before he signed for Real Madrid.
But Liverpool did win the race for Italy star Giovanni Leoni, who, aged 18, is regarded as one of the best defensive prospects in the world, and put pen to paper on a £30m transfer.
But Guehi would have added proven quality to the ranks, and it’s anticipated that Liverpool will return for the Three Lions star next summer.
However, maybe Liverpool’s worries would have been eased if they had kept their homegrown version of Guehi at the club this season.
Liverpool already sold their own Guehi
Much of the reasoning behind Liverpool’s decision to sell Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen in a £35m deal this summer made sense, but the centre-half had showcased his potential under Klopp, and he may yet become one of Europe’s leading defenders.
However, much of Quansah’s gains made across a brilliant breakout year in 2023/24 were undone when Slot took Klopp’s place, hooking him at half-time during the opening game of the season, a 2-0 win over newly-promoted Ipswich Town.
Slot commented post-match that Liverpool were struggling for success in the duel, but it perhaps proved a psychological blow for the up-and-comer, who thereafter was benched for 11 successive league fixtures and started only three further matches before the end of the campaign.
Still, he had previously been hailed as an “absolute monster” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, and certainly boasts the range of passing and movement on the ball to emulate the style Liverpool were going for with the signing of Guehi.
Integral in winning the Carabao Cup as Klopp bowed out after nearly nine years, Quansah started regularly toward the end of the Premier League campaign, completing 89% of his passes, winning 64% of his duels, as per Sofascore, and looking very much at home alongside the redoubtable Van Dijk..
Taking that term and comparing it with Guehi’s recent effort with the Eagles, you perhaps begin to see that Liverpool might have already had their own version in the ranks.
Goals + assists
0.15
0.15
Touches
97.11
62.70
Pass completion
88.6%
83.5%
Passes attempted
88.64
51.93
Progressive passes
5.07
3.94
Progressive carries
0.98
0.65
Shot-creating actions
0.98
1.29
Ball recoveries
5.45
4.30
Tackles + interceptions
3.18
2.62
Clearances
2.95
4.80
Blocks
1.21
1.62
Aeriel duels won
3.40
2.00
Sure, Leverkusen offered a sizeable figure for the 22-year-old, and Liverpool knew his chances of consistent minutes across the season were slim, but Quansah could have played a part, allowed to develop further as his experience grew under Slot’s wing.
While he remained a fringe player throughout, the England U21 international stepped into the campaign and popped up with some big moments after the new year, especially when the Reds came under the cosh against Wolverhampton Wanderers and required some big defending.
While it would be anticipated that Guehi’s ball-playing and other more progressive metrics would increase upon leaving Palace for Liverpool, the fact that Quansah managed to showcase a proficiency in such a system makes an interesting comment on the player he could now become in the Bundesliga.
FSG will be content after inserting a €60m (£51m) buyback clause into his contract with Die Werkself, but having now missed out on Guehi, the Anfield side might look back with hindsight at having allowed a player of significant potential and similar attributes to have left earlier in the window.
Leoni is a potential superstar, but Liverpool will need to ensure they do not overburden the teenager after only a few steps on English shores.
Had Quansah, a defender who has played 58 matches for Liverpool, scoring three goals, providing three assists, and winning several titles, stayed put, Slot’s side might have that final bit of quality and depth needed as they stare at a promising season with many forks in the road.
Perfect for Isak: Liverpool may regret selling Klopp's "world level player"
This former Liverpool star could have been a difference-maker in Slot’s squad this year.
Liverpool could only draw against Crystal Palace to close their 2024/25 Premier League campaign. Oh well. Arne Slot’s side could be afforded a loosening of standards after such dominance for the lion’s share of the year.
No one gave the Reds a shot, but they scored the biggest prize of them all in climbing back onto their perch by winning their 20th top-flight title, levelling with beleaguered rivals Manchester United in the all-time standings.
It’s been an unrelenting year, and it’s understandable that the hosts would struggle to impose themselves against Palace, the FA Cup champions, with Mohamed Salah lashing home from close range late on to close his extraordinary term.
However, there’s no denying Liverpool have faltered since sealing the trophy, claiming only two points from a possible 12. Now, it’s all about rest and recovery across the summer months, before returning to defend their title and challenge across other fronts next season.
Sadly, the champions will be forced to begin their second season under Slot’s wing without Ryan Gravenberch in the squad, for he was sent off before the hour mark.
Why Ryan Gravenberch was sent off
On Saturday, Gravenberch was crowned the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season, having risen from middling ranks to become a superstar, an essential piece and the beating heart of Slot’s title-winning team.
He’s been brilliant all year, and maybe saved his biggest blunder for the denouement, hacking down Daichi Kamada and seeing the glare of the red card with Liverpool 1-0 down.
Consequently, the Netherlands international will serve a three-match suspension, missing the Community Shield against the Eagles and the first two fixtures of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
It’s a big blow, and any struggle for fluency in those early autumnal weeks will underline the scale of Gravenberch’s role in Slot’s system, with The Athletic’s James Pearce hailing him for being “so effective and influential” for the title winners.
There’s another member of Sunday’s starting line-up who may not find himself in the starting line-up quite so often next year, and it’s not for any disciplinary reason.
Liverpool manager ArneSlotlooks on before the match
Indeed, Andy Robertson showed against Oliver Glasner’s side why Slot and FSG are so keen to replace him in the transfer market this summer.
Andy Robertson showed why he should be axed
Robertson has been at Liverpool since joining from Hull City in a £10m package way back in 2017, with few beyond Anfield Road aware that FSG had snagged themselves a bargain.
Andy Robertson for Liverpool
Against Crystal Palace, the 31-year-old played his 342nd match for the club, but there’s no question he lacks his one-time athleticism and electricity.
It wasn’t a great display by any stretch, but the Liverpool ECHO’s Ian Doyle did give him a match rating of 6/10, noting he was ‘steady if unspectacular’.
However, the data suggests he left plenty to be desired.
Minutes played
85′
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots (on target)
0 (0)
Accurate passes
57/64 (89%)
Key passes
0
Crosses
0/7
Possession lost
17x
Dribbles
0/0
Tackles + interceptions
0
Clearances
1
Duels won
0/4
It wasn’t the most efficient day at the office for the Scotland skipper, whose creative skills were blunted and whose defensive application yielded rotten results. Robertson failed to find his man with any of his seven attempted crosses, lost all four duels and couldn’t create a single key pass despite losing the ball 17 times.
Palace’s low block was strong and secure, but Robertson’s errant efforts to breach the defences came to nought, and with Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving for Real Madrid this summer, there’s every reason for Slot to push for a new left-back, one who could offer some increased attacking output.
Liverpool's AndrewRobertsoncelebrates after the match
Next year, there will likely be a spot in the first-team squad for Robertson, who has given Liverpool so much, but it would be to the detriment of this budding project to go again with him in the first-choice position. A new man is needed to take the baton.
And that man might just be Milos Kerkez, with Fabrizio Romano confirming talks are underway as the Reds seek out a long-term replacement.
Bournemouth’s Kerkez has been one of the Premier League’s biggest breakout successes this season, praised for his “absolutely exceptional” efforts by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley.
Still only 21, he’d set Liverpool’s left-back berth up for many seasons, should he sign this summer.
Though Robertson, who is out of contract at the end of next season, hopes to play a role through Slot’s second season and maybe even beyond, it’s clear Kerkez has the capacity to nestle right into a prominent position from the get-go.
Liverpool manager ArneSlot, Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunezcelebrate
Liverpool are on the up, all right, and though Robertson is clearly past his best, he’s played an instrumental role in securing another Premier League title.
However, sentiments aside, the veteran’s performance against Crystal Palace illustrated exactly why an upgrade is needed if Liverpool are to go from strength to strength next term.
Liverpool are brewing their own version of Wirtz in "fearless" academy star
Liverpool could do with an academy sensation breaking into Arne Slot’s senior squad.
Glasgow Rangers search for a new manager might well stretch into June as the Ibrox side are not any further forward after the end of the 2024/25 campaign last week.
The longer the club waits, the harder it will be for the new manager to integrate smoothly, thus wasting precious preparation time.
Celtic are on course to win yet another domestic treble, their sixth in the previous nine seasons. If the wrong man is appointed this summer, Brendan Rodgers will only continue to motor his side further and further away from Rangers.
Name
Days in post
Games
Points per game
Philippe Clement
497 days
86
2.09
Michael Beale
307 days
43
2.26
Giovanni van Bronckhorst
368
68
2.01
Steven Gerrard
1228
192
2.15
Pedro Caixinha
229
26
1.81
It is no exaggeration to say that this is perhaps the most important summer in the club’s recent history. Get the right manager in, and the Light Blues could enjoy their own Martin O’Neil or Ange Postecoglou, a force which stops the opposition juggernaut.
If not, the consequences could prove to be catastrophic, no doubt about that.
The latest on Steven Gerrard and Davide Ancelotti
The two names that have been routinely linked to taking over the vacant role at Ibrox are Steven Gerrard and Davide Ancelotti.
Gerrard has plenty of history with the Gers. His first senior managerial role came in Glasgow, arriving in the summer of 2018 to try and restore the club to the summit of Scottish football.
Nathan Patterson, Steven Gerrard
His first two seasons saw plenty of progress, including three victories over Celtic, with a win at Parkhead for the first time since 2010, but no trophies were won.
The 2020/21 season changed all that. After some smart recruitment in the summer of 2020, signing players such as Kemar Roofe, Ianis Hagi, and Calvin Bassey, the Light Blues won their first Premiership title in a decade.
Not only that, they went through the league season undefeated, and it looked as though this was just the start of another era of dominance.
For Gerrard, however, a lack of backing in the transfer market ahead of the 2021/22 campaign saw him doubt his future at Ibrox. When Aston Villa came calling, he jumped ship to the riches of the Premier League.
Now, it looks as though the Englishman is ready for a return to the club where he began his managerial career. He knows the club inside out, that’s a certainty, but will a return be the right thing for Rangers?
Elsewhere, Ancelotti has been linked with a surprise move to the Gers to become their new head coach. It was then revealed that the Italian was going to join his dad, Carlo, as Brazil assistant in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup. This meant he was out of the running.
Recent news suggests that Ancelotti is set to make a name for himself as a manager this summer, which puts a move to Rangers back on.
He has worked with his father at clubs such as Madrid, Bayern Munich and Napoli over the years, but is he ready for the step-up to a managerial role?
There has been another name surprisingly, linked with a move to Ibrox. And he also has a previous history with the club…
Rangers considering move for Gennaro Gattuso
While all the talk has surrounded Gerrard and Ancelotti, names such as Russell Martin, Rob Edwards and Gary O’Neil have also been considered by the board for the role, according to journalist Graeme Bailey.
One name stands out among the noise, however, and that is Gennaro Gattuso. Bailey mentions the Italian as a manager the club are also considering, but unlike the rest of those linked, Gattuso is currently in charge of a club.
Gennaro Gattuso during his time with Marseille.
Indeed, he could lead Hajduk Split to their first domestic title since 2005, although it will be a long shot after their collapse over the previous few weeks.
Reports state that he could leave the Croatian side, even if he somehow leads them to the title, which means he would be available this summer.
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Would Rangers take a chance on their former player? That much remains to be seen.
Gennaro Gattuso could be a perfect left-field choice for Rangers
The 2006 World Cup winner has managed nine clubs since hanging up his boots, winning the Coppa Italia with Napoli in 2020, which is his only trophy in management thus far.
Truth be told, he hasn’t been a major success at any of the clubs that he has taken over in the past. He spent nearly two years in charge of AC Milan between November 2017 and May 2019, but he failed to return them to the top of Serie A.
Utilising a 4-2-3-1 system throughout his career in the dugout, this could work well with the players he would have at his disposal should he surprisingly take the reins at Ibrox.
After his cup glory with Napoli five years ago, journalist Anthony Lopopolo lavished praise on the former midfielder, saying:
“Gattuso is one of the best men in football. He deserves the Coppa Italia and so much more. He’s had some odd jobs in his coaching career, and he’s faced a lot of criticism, but he’s a winner because he has principles.”
These sorts of qualities would work in Glasgow. He knows what it is to win, having led AC Milan to two Serie A titles and two Champions League trophies between 2003 and 2011.
He spent a single season at Rangers during 1997/98. Although they failed to win their tenth league title in a row, Gattuso’s early abilities were on show, and it was clear he would have an excellent career in the game.
It would be taking a big gamble in appointing Gattuso, but is it any bigger than making a move for Ancelotti?
The hot-headed coach may not be perfect, but the Light Blues need someone with that winning mentality. The former Italy international knows plenty about that. That’s for certain.
Whoever is appointed faces a busy summer transfer window indeed.
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Celtic have made a habit of bringing back former players in recent times and could now be set to repeat the trick in surprise fashion, according to a report.
Celtic look to kickstart summer transfer business
Brendan Rodgers has enjoyed another supremely successful season at Parkhead and stands only one game off completing a domestic treble, coming against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final.
The Bhoys have already won the Premier Sports Cup and Scottish Premiership title, setting the scene for a summer that could see some exciting arrivals at Parkhead.
Club icon Kieran Tierney will return to Celtic on a free transfer once his Arsenal contract expires next month, completing a whirlwind comeback after leaving for the Gunners back in 2019.
With Jota set to miss up to nine months of action, the Bhoys could also look to bring in Stoke City winger Million Manhoef. However, the Dutch star may cost around £10 million to prize away from the bet365 Stadium.
Scottish talent Lennon Miller is also on Celtic’s radar and is set for a summer of speculation following a fine couple of years at Motherwell, even if the Scottish Premiership champions are likely to be one of a number of clubs interested in his services.
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Ultimately, Scottish players have always formed a strong part of Celtic’s backbone and club culture. Callum McGregor and James Forrest are shining examples, though they are rare examples from the academy set-up in recent years.
Now, the Hoops could be set to turn to one of their former youth graduates in a surprise move, per recent developments.
Celtic eye surprise move for Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan
According to The Herald, Celtic are lining up a surprise move for Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan, who spent seven years coming through the ranks at Lennoxtown before signing for Tranmere Rovers in 2022. Since then, the 27-year-old has featured for Forest Green Rovers before pitching up at Pittodrie, where he has filled in at times for Dimitar Mitov this campaign.
Ross Doohan’s season at Aberdeen – all competitions
Appearances
18
Goals conceded
27
Clean sheets
5
Labelled “brilliant” by Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie, his final match with the Dons could come against Celtic in the Scottish Cup final before a move if the scenario were to materialise. Third-choice Hoops stopper Scott Bain could leave with only a year on his deal left, opening up a slot for Doohan to make his way back to Glasgow as he features on a list of potential alternatives.
Celtic are required to have four club-trained players and the former Scotland Under-21 fits the bill, making it easier for Rodgers to piece together his final 25-man squad for whatever European league phase his side end up in.
Admittedly, Doohan wouldn’t be a signing that would attract much fanfare, but his arrival could be beneficial in light of quota requirements.