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It looks increasingly likely that Rangers will have to cope with the threat of Erling Haaland in Thursday night’s Europa League clash at Ibrox.

The lowdown

Borussia Dortmund travel to Glasgow looking to overturn a 4-2 deficit from the first leg and claim their place in the Europa League round of 16.

They warmed up for their trip to Scotland by thumping Borussia Monchengladbach 6-0 on Sunday, but Haaland was only watching on from the stands.

The Norwegian striker has missed the last four games, including the first leg against Rangers, as a result of an adductor injury.

The latest

Ruhr 24 report that the return of Haaland ‘beckons’, with ‘growing hope’ among Dortmund officials that he will be available to face Rangers at Ibrox. He apparently took part in a full training session on Monday alongside the other reserves.

However, the Gers’ opponents have been hit with injury blows to two other players. Centre-back Dan Axel Zagadou faces ‘a few weeks out’ with a muscle tear he sustained against Monchengladbach.

Gio Reyna, who was also forced off in the game at the weekend, has avoided a ‘serious thigh injury’ but is still likely to be ruled out for 14 days.

The verdict

Haaland’s likely return has the potential to transform the tie, even if he’s only fit enough to come off the bench. After all, this is a player who’s scoring every 70.4 minutes in 2021/22.

He also boasts a strong record in Europe, netting three times in as many appearances in the Champions League group stage this season to take his overall tally in the competition to 23 goals in 19 games.

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Speaking to Football Insider, Danny Mills warned Rangers that the 21-year-old would have a ‘point to prove’ if he is able to play and could ‘quite easily’ bag at least two goals, while Giovanni van Bronckhorst himself has called the ‘lethal’ Haaland ‘one of top strikers in the world’ (via ESPN).

The Gers may be in a very strong position in the tie, but the prospect of facing Haaland will pose a whole new challenge.

In other news, this ‘half-hearted’ Rangers man has come under fire from some in the media

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has shared the latest team and injury news ahead of their crunch FA Cup clash with West Ham United this afternoon.

The Lowdown: Saints without trio…

The Saints, going on a brilliant six-game unbeaten run since late January, have picked up head-turning results against members of the traditional Premier League top teams in that time.

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Hasenhuttl’s side bravely held English champions Man City, ran out victorious away to Tottenham and snatched a 1-1 draw against Man United at Old Trafford.

More recently, they’ve had to maintain this imperious form without the trio of Nathan Tella, Alex McCarthy and Lyanco – with it now confirmed that Southampton are still without the latter man also.

The Latest: Hasenhuttl confirms Lyanco out…

Indeed, Hasenhuttl will be without the Brazilian for tonight’s FA Cup clash with West Ham.

Speaking to the press, when asked if Lyanco, Tella and McCarthy remained the only Saints men sidelined, the Danish boss replied: “That’s right.”

The Verdict: Blow for Ralph…

Not having Lyanco back in time for this evening comes as a blow.

The 25-year-old had started to edge his way into the Southampton’s starting eleven since late November, with Hasenhuttl giving Lyanco the nod in five of his last eight Premier League games before the player was sidelined.

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The Saints boss has been very impressed with his 2021 summer signing in recent months, showering praise on the South American he is in ‘love’ with and a character who ‘fits perfectly’ at St. Mary’s (Yahoo Sport).

He’s also been called an ‘incredible’ player by sports journalist Josh Stewart and one who could help to guide Southampton back to Europe, so Hasenhuttl will want him back as soon as possible.

In other news: Journalist: Southampton now ‘trying to poach’ versatile in-demand ace from European giants! Find out more here.

When things start going wrong at Manchester United, the Red Devils often look to the signing of a shiny new centre-forward.

They did it with Robin van Persie, a man who ultimately won them the Premier League, before adding legends of the game in Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo to their ranks further down the line.

What’s the word?

United could now be about to replicate those deals by luring a certain Robert Lewandowski to the Premier League this summer.

That’s the word of German journalist Christian Falk who took to Twitter on Friday morning to report the following.

He said: “TRUE. ManUtd is interested in @lewy_official for summer if the negotiations between Lewandowski and Bayern for a new contract would fail.”

Better than Haaland

This would be a remarkable signing and even if the Poland international is no spring chicken anymore at the age of 33, his goalscoring record is utterly phenomenal.

If Man United fail to win the Champions League this season it will only extend their lengthy trophy drought but with Lewandowski in their team, the good times could come flooding back to Old Trafford in double-quick time.

The Bayern forward has racked up a rather staggering haul of 42 goals in 35 appearances this term, a tally that works out at a mindblowing rate of a strike every 72 minutes.

That tally is no fluke, however, as the devastating finisher has found the net on more than 40 occasions in each of his last seven seasons.

His remarkable consistency in front of goal has to be admired and he has quite rightfully been showered with praise over the last 48 hours.

The former Dortmund man scored a 12-minute hat-trick against RB Salzburg in the Champions League only a few days ago, leading talkSPORT radio host Laura Woods to suggest that it was a “robbery” that he didn’t win the Ballon d’Or.

Meanwhile, former United defender Rio Ferdinand added that he and Karim Benzema were the best number 9s in world football at the moment, even ahead of Harry Kane.

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Furthermore, Ronaldo Nazario thinks he’s still ahead of Erling Haaland, someone United have religiously been talked about signing. He said last month: “Haaland will become the No 1, but the other two (Benzema and Lewandowski) are better than him at the moment.”

Indeed, the very fact that the Pole has 12 more goals in the Bundesliga this term tells the story. Of course, Haaland has played fewer games but Lewandowski’s shot accuracy of 62% compared to the Dortmund centre-forward’s 55% is also more appealing. It’s hardly surprising, therefore, that BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves described his form as “breathtaking.”

Many will look to the age of Lewandowski as a negative, but on the evidence of this season, he is still very much one of, if not the best in the world.

AND in other news, Signed for £0, now worth £76.5m: Ralf must finally cash in on “special” Man Utd hero…

Leeds United could bring in a number of American players during the summer after the arrival of Jesse Marsch as manager, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Marsch arrives at Elland Road

Marcelo Bielsa was relieved of his duties as Whites manager last month, in what was a big call considering the Argentine’s popularity at Elland Road.

Marsch came in as his replacement, being tasked with keeping Leeds in the Premier League after a largely disappointing season.

After back-to-back defeats against Leicester City and Aston Villa to begin his reign, the American picked up his first win as boss on Sunday as the Whites beat Norwich City 2-1 at home in stoppage time.

[freshpress-quiz id=“383507″]

The Latest: O’Rourke expects American influx at Leeds

Spaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke believes that Marsch’s arrival at Leeds could be the start of an American invasion at the club.

The journalist predicted: “It’s all pointing to there possibly being a lot of Americans and players that Jesse Marsch knows coming to Elland Road in the near future.”

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The Verdict: Aaronson this summer?

Reports that 49ers Enterprises are gradually taking more control of Leeds certainly seems to enhance this opinion, with an American nucleus growing within Elland Road.

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What it could mean is that the chances of signing Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson are enhanced this summer, with the 21-year-old linked with a move throughout January. Furthermore, he has worked with Marsch before at the Austrian club, so that pre-existing relationship could increase the chances of the duo working together once more.

The 18-cap USA international could be an exciting arrival, sparking an influx of signings from across the Atlantic in the coming years, assuming that the Leeds manager earns the time to make a lasting impact at Elland Road.

In other news, one key Leeds player has been linked with another Premier League club. Read more here.

Celtic have had many players arrive at the club on loan deals over the years such as Jonjoe Kenny, Diego Laxalt and Mohammed Elyounoussi among many others.

While most players that come on loan end up going back to their parent clubs, one player that the Hoops would presumably now be regretting not securing a permanent deal for is defender Jason Denayer.

Having arrived at the Parkhead club on loan from Manchester City back in the 2014 summer transfer window, the centre-back ended up making 44 appearances in total during his time in Scotland across all competitions, chipping in with six goals and two assists along the way, showing how useful he was in front of goal.

After leaving Celtic, the Belgian had loan spells with Galatasaray and Sunderland before eventually bringing his time as a City player to an end in the summer of 2018 when he joined French club Olympique Lyon in a deal worth a reported fee of €13.5m (£11.4m).

Since then, the 26-year-old has gone on to make 136 appearances for Lyon across all competitions with eight goals and two assists to his name.

Back in October 2014 when the former City defender was making a name for himself with the Hoops, Transfermarkt had his market value listed as £450k, whereas it now stands at £18m, highlighting a huge increase of 3900% based on what he’s done in his other loan spells and in France with his current club.

Labelled as a “powerful” player in terms of winning his defensive duels by Lyon’s recruitment chief Florian Maurice, Denayer has certainly found his feet after such a long but ultimately uninspiring time with the current Premier League leaders.

Taking all of this into account and with the benefit of hindsight, it could be seen as a big mistake from Peter Lawwell to not secure a permanent deal for Denayer after his loan spell in Scotland as he could have gone on to be a stalwart figure for the Hoops at the back.

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Moving forward, with the defender’s current contract at the French club set to expire at the end of the season, it’ll be interesting to see whether or not Celtic would be inclined to try and bring the Belgium international back to Scotland in the summer and whether he’d be open for the move or not.

In other news: Cost £0, now worth £1.6m: Celtic hit the jackpot with “huge” £7.5k-p/w “warrior” – opinion

The 2021/22 Premier League campaign has once again thrown up a few stories for football fans to salivate over.  Whether it was the expected two horse race between Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool for the top flight title or simply what would eventually happen to a couple of managerial hot potatoes given the relative states of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and particularly, Manchester United.

The Old Trafford outlet continues to be a source of massive press speculation as despite numerous attempts since 2013, they have simply been unable to adequately replace Sir Alex Ferguson following his retirement.  Whilst there was better success under Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, each spell had its own pitfalls and the club ultimately seemed to totally lose its way under former star striker and fan favourite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, despite the odd brighter moment and a reasonably fair 91 wins in 168 games.

You just can’t not view the club as an outsider without thinking there is no long term plan in place, certainly not a sensible transfer strategy, as they continue to overpay massively for players who have failed to make a major impact and justify the investment made – whilst also seeming to more marginalise their own Academy talent, and a longer term future, by relying on well known and more commercial names.

You’d get silly odds from the likes of asiabet8888.com for current incumbent Ralf Rangnick to last beyond the 2021/22 campaign in the managerial hotseat, as every expectation suggests there’s no deviating from the consultancy role plan that exists, and many would say why would he want to stay in that role given he’s had his own off pitch issues to deal with and despite the glitz and glamour Ronaldo’s return created in the press, he’s being shoehorned in for goals and it has noticeably effected their style of play and approach in matches.  Not least, The Red Devil’s are openly touting for Rangnick’s replacement and the media are understandably lapping it up.

Following Solskjaer’s departure back in November, one of the latest names in the frame is highly rated Ajax coach Erik ten Hag and he appears to have been added to a shortlist that already reportedly contains names such as Mauricio Pochettino, Julien Lopetegui and Luis Enrique.  Given the success Ten Hag has tasted in the Eredivisie, it’s not really a great surprise to see him linked by United’s hierarchy are probably not best pleased with former gaffer van Gaal given his latest comments where he not so subtly warned Ten Hag off taking the job.

“I’m not going to advise, he’ll call me himself. But he must choose a football club and not a commercial club. Erik ten Hag is a great coach and that is always good for Manchester United. But Manchester United are a commercial club, so it’s a difficult choice for a coach. He’d better go to a football club.”

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With the summer quickly approaching, this particular piece of speculation is set to run and run.

Photo by Unsplash

Newcastle United will do what’s necessary in the transfer market to make ‘significant strides’ next season, Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie says.

The lowdown

Newcastle have lifted themselves away from relegation trouble with a run of 20 points from their last ten Premier League matches.

They’ve now climbed up to 14th place in the table, nine points clear of the drop zone ahead of the run-in.

That means they can afford to look up rather than down in this final stretch of games.

Newcastle’s new owners shelled out nearly £90million on five new signings in January, the largest winter spend from a single club in Premier League history.

The latest

Downie says a strong finish to the season would reduce the pressure on Newcastle ‘to go mad’.

But he still expects a ‘big’ spend in order to take the team to the next level.

“If the team does really well towards the end of the season, there’s not the need to go mad, but they will want to make significant strides in that first season, I think,” he told GiveMeSport.

“So, that’s why I expect them to spend big in the summer.”

The verdict

How much will Eddie Howe and Newcastle’s recruitment team have at their disposal this summer?

Well, The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards says it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact figure, but he’s ‘been told’ that it will be ‘less’ than the sum they spent in January.

He adds, though, that they can inflate that budget through player sales, and that they can bring players through free transfers and loan deals as well.

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And it’s worth stressing that a spend of, say, £80million, would still be fairly sizeable. That would have ranked Newcastle sixth in last summer’s spending table, for instance.

A reasonable goal would be to banish any relegation fears and finish in the league’s top ten next season.

In other news, a source has made this admission about the relationship between Howe & Saint-Maximin.

Newcastle United have now reportedly set their sights on signing “one of the best” right-backs in the world in 2026.

Eddie Howe confirms Livramento injury blow

It’s no real shock that Newcastle have set their sights on defensive additions, particularly down the right-hand side, following the news of Tino Livramento’s injury. The England international has already missed 10 games through injury this season, but is now set to be sidelined for the next three thanks to another knee issue.

There’s no doubt that Livramento is one of the most important players at St James’ Park and that’s why his recent injury concerns have been all the more frustrating.

Meanwhile, behind him in the pecking order is Kieran Trippier, who is also currently sidelined through injury. It’s a mini-crisis for Eddie Howe, which left him no choice but to play Lewis Miley at right-back against Fulham in midweek.

Ultimately, the decision paid off as Miley scored Newcastle’s last-gasp winner, sparking praise from Howe who told reporters: “Lewy did really well on Wednesday. Really pleased with him.

“Great goal, great composure and a strong performance. Every game is so different tactically, the challenges posed by every team is different so I’ll have to try to pick the right team.”

The academy graduate is certainly no long-term solution if Livramento’s injuries persist, however, and Newcastle should instead push on in pursuit of signing Denzel Dumfries.

Newcastle eyeing Denzel Dumfries move

As reported by TeamTalk, Newcastle have set their sights on signing Dumfries from Inter Milan in 2026. The impressive Dutchman was described as “one of the best” right-backs in the world by Jeremie Frimpong last year and that very much remains the case even if he’s been sidelined this season.

Related Newcastle now eyeing move to sign midfield star who's been compared to Kante

The Magpies are looking to strengthen in midfield.

Posts ByTom Cunningham

Although Dumfries’ injury will stand in the way of a January move, Newcastle would be wise to return to Italy with an offer to sign the defender in the summer.

The £87,000-a-week star would provide the perfect competition for Livramento and an instant replacement if the right-back jumps ship to Manchester City amid continued transfer rumours.

League stats 25/26 P90

Livramento

Dumfries

Minutes

976

719

Assists

0.09

0

Tackles Won

1.3

0.75

Ball Recoveries

5.65

2.63

That said, the numbers suggest that whilst Dumfries may be “one of the best” in the world in his position, Livramento is even better.

Subscribe to the newsletter for Newcastle transfer insights and more Discover deeper analysis of Newcastle’s right-back options and the Denzel Dumfries link when you subscribe to the newsletter. Get comparative stats, tactical context and transfer insight that place Livramento, Dumfries and squad strategy in clear perspective. Subscribe Subscribe to the newsletter for Newcastle transfer insights and more Discover deeper analysis of Newcastle’s right-back options and the Denzel Dumfries link when you subscribe to the newsletter. Get comparative stats, tactical context and transfer insight that place Livramento, Dumfries and squad strategy in clear perspective.

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It’s exactly why Man City are keen to land the Tyneside star and exactly why Newcastle should do everything to keep hold of him in 2026. Whether they can fend off the interest of the Citizens for the second year running remains to be seen, though.

As for Dumfries, he could be one to watch when he makes his return from the sidelines in the second-half of the Serie A campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur need a talisman. Mohammed Kudus is a fleet-footed winger, adding a dimension to the attack, but he’s not of a level with Harry Kane, or Heung-min Son.

Likewise, Xavi Simons has the potential to become a leading man down N17, but he’s raw and inexperienced.

Kane hasn’t really been replaced since leaving Spurs for Bayern Munich in 2023, with Dominic Solanke’s injury troubles negating his stature as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards. Richarlison is consistent only in his inconsistency.

Tottenham’s All-time Record Scorers

Player

Apps

Goals

Harry Kane

435

280

Jimmy Greaves

376

266

Bobby Smith

316

211

Heung-min Son

454

173

Martin Chivers

350

167

Data via Transfermarkt

Tottenham need a talisman, and that looks to be high on ENIC Group and Thomas Frank’s agenda going into the January transfer window.

Why Spurs need a Kane-esque signing

Kane’s departure was always going to knock Tottenham out of kilter, but perhaps it’s being more keenly felt now that Son has left too. There simply isn’t enough impetus and bite in the final third, and Frank needs to rectify that swiftly as his side languish in 11th place.

However, Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici have been entrusted with funds this winter, and signings are expected.

None would be more impactful than Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, who is being chased by a snapping pack of Premier League giants, Liverpool and Manchester City at the front.

However, TEAMtalk have confirmed that the Lilywhites are ready to offer the Ghana international, 25, a wage bill-shattering salary to convince him to head down N17, having attempted to sign him before being rebuffed during the summer.

Why Semenyo could become Spurs' talisman

Kane scored many goals against many different Premier League opponents. Alan Shearer is the only man to have scored more.

Semenyo is not an out-and-out centre-forward on the same prolific level as the England captain, but he does have a unique and devastating skillset that could hit a new level in Frank’s Tottenham team.

This season, the two-sided winger has scored seven goals and supplied three assists in the Premier League, with his consistency leading teammate Justin Kluivert to call him “world-class”.

Semenyo’s brilliance lies not in his prolific success but in his ceaseless work rate. He just runs and runs and runs. As per Sofascore, the £75k-per-week talent has completed 1.6 dribbles and averaged 6.6 successful duels per game. Analyst Ben Mattinson has described him as a “workhorse off the ball”, and that’s exactly what Spurs need to return to form.

He ranks among the top 6% of positional peers in the Premier League this season for goals and the top 12% for ball recoveries per 90 (via FBref), further underscoring his dynamism.

This is not Kudus, zipping this way and that with startling energy, but an economical winger who conserves his energy and unleashes it at an opportune moment.

There is a quiet intelligence to Semenyo that suggests he could step into Kane’s boots and lead this group of players.

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After all, there’s a reason all the finest teams in the division want the dynamic winger, who is only getting better and better with each passing season in the Premier League.

It’s not going to be an easy deal to pull off, but Tottenham have the financial structures erected to pull off a marquee mid-season deal, and it really would add to Frank’s frontline a Kane-esque star.

Related Palhinha & Bentancur upgrade: Spurs now well-placed to sign £34m “madman"

Tottenham need to fix their midfield in the January transfer window.

Posts 3 ByAngus Sinclair

Liverpool are their own worst enemies in the Premier League this season.

Arne Slot’s side’s revival continues, with Wolverhampton Wanderers beaten at Anfield. But once again, the Reds supporters have been treated some gut-wrenching viewing in the closing stages, under the cosh after conceding another set-piece.

Liverpool are back into the top four, with Ryan Gravenberch opening the scoring before Florian Wirtz connected with the in-form Hugo Ekitike before the break.

How Wirtz needed that one. The German playmaker is beginning to grow into his skin on Merseyside, and he has finally broken his duck.

How Florian Wirtz has come alive at Liverpool

Liverpool paid Bayer Leverkusen £116m for Wirtz’s signature this summer. It was the all-time British record before Alexander Isak moved to the club on deadline day.

Wirtz, 22, has been one of the most criticised Premier League players this season. The spotlight has been blinding at times. But now he has scored, rubber-stamping what has quietly been an impressive run of form for the German international.

Having assisted Ekitike last week, the striker returned the favour against Wolves, who remain at the foot of the table on just two points. He won 11 duels and completed eight dribbles, as per Sofascore, head and shoulders above his peers and opponents.

Wirtz is coming alive, and it’s important to remember Liverpool have been abject and imbalanced this year, far below the expected standard.

He has a future at Liverpool, alright, but the same sadly can’t be said for all of the Reds, with one of Wirtz’s attacking teammates heading in the other direction against doomed Wolves.

FSG must now sell Liverpool flop

Liverpool have a talented crop of forwards, and Federico Chiesa has found regular minutes hard to come by since joining from Juventus for a cut-price £12.5m fee in 2024.

His fortunes have improved since the summer, but he has equally been kept on the fringes, albeit playing more of a part than in last year’s title-winning team.

Injuries and absences opened the door for a rare Premier League start against Wolves, but the £150k-per-week Italian failed to grasp it.

The Liverpool Echo summed it up: while Chiesa played a part in Gravenberch’s opening goal, he was largely ineffective down the right wing, minimally involved and lacking the vim and vigour that was required to catch Slot’s eye. He was branded with a match-low 5/10 score.

Chiesa’s Game in Numbers

Match Stats

#

Minutes played

61′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

23

Shots (on target)

0 (0)

Accurate passes

10/16 (63%)

Chances created

0

Crosses

0/2

Dribbles

0/1

Recoveries

2

Tackles

0/0

Ground duels

0/3

Data via Sofascore

Chiesa has found opportunities few and far between at Liverpool, with this his first Premier League start at Anfield. He lost all three of his ground duels, and he didn’t complete a dribble.

Subscribe to our newsletter for deeper Liverpool insight Subscribing to our newsletter unlocks focused coverage of Liverpool’s changing fortunes — clear analysis of player form, transfer options, tactical shifts and the squad decisions shaping the club, helping you follow developments with context. Subscribe Subscribe to our newsletter for deeper Liverpool insight Subscribing to our newsletter unlocks focused coverage of Liverpool’s changing fortunes — clear analysis of player form, transfer options, tactical shifts and the squad decisions shaping the club, helping you follow developments with context.

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Perhaps that was a chance he could not allow to pass him by, and yet it has, carrying off into the bracing wind the prospect of regular starting berths over the next several weeks. It is worth remembering Dominik Szoboszlai missed out on Saturday due to suspension.

With rumours of interest surfacing from his homeland in recent months, FSG might conclude that Chiesa should be sold after his season-and-a-half in Liverpool. When Mohamed Salah returns from AFCON, his playing time will be further reduced, especially as Slot has shown a willingness to field Jeremie Frimpong in an advanced berth.

‘Fede’ has shown himself to have a Midas touch in front of goal this season, scoring twice off the bench in the Premier League. But he’s perhaps better off as an impact substitute.

Maybe Slot knows a thing about management after all. If Liverpool act on their interest in a new winger, it could prompt Chiesa’s sale. That might be the best move for all parties, should the Italian want to play regular football throughout the rest of his prime years.

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Posts 1 ByKelan Sarson