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Former Glasgow Rangers cult hero Daniel Candeias has urged Alfredo Morelos to leave Ibrox this summer.

The Verdict: Morelos linked with move

Morelos, who is currently at the Copa America with Colombia, has been heavily linked with a move to Porto this summer.

There have even been reports that the £10.8m-valued (Transfermarkt) 25-year-old has agreed terms with the Portuguese outfit (Antena 1) as the clubs try to sort out a transfer fee.

The Latest: Candeias urges move

Speaking about Morelos’ future, Candeias urged him to depart the 55-time Scottish champions. He said (via The Scottish Sun):

“He loves Rangers and it’s a fantastic club, but after four years I think he’s done his job. He will always be an idol. 

“I think he wants to prove to himself he can now compete and shine at another club. 

“Porto is ideal for him as there are so many attractions. 

“They have direct access to the Champions League and there are the other Colombians in the squad. I think it will also help him play for the national team. 

“I see a change in motivation. I’ve been getting involved with him, telling him that I’m waiting to see him at Porto.”

The Verdict: Time to go?

Morelos has been an inspired signing for the Gers ever since he made the move to Glasgow in 2017. In 182 games for the club, he has found the net 94 times (Transfermarkt), and he has often been the man to whom his manager Steven Gerrard and his teammates have looked to lead them to victory.

However, as Candeias says, his work at Ibrox may be done. Last season, the Gers won the Premiership for the first time in 10 years – it will be hard for Morelos to ever top that if he stays at Rangers. Porto would provide a logical next step in his career.

In other news, this Rangers man has received a four-game ban.

Leeds United are one of many teams interested in Rob Dickie ahead of the January transfer window…

What’s the word?

That’s according to The Athletic, who claim that the Yorkshiremen are among several sides keen to sign the Queens Park Rangers defender. Many of their Premier League rivals, including West Ham, Southampton, Wolves and Burnley are also mentioned.

Whilst no asking price is specifically mentioned by the report, it’s believed that the Championship outfit would command at least eight figures – give or take £10m – though Transfermarkt value him at just £2.7m.

QPR managed to squeeze nearly £20m out of Crystal Palace for Eberechi Eze last summer, so they are capable of driving a hard bargain.

Bielsa needs him

On the face of it, another centre-back addition is perhaps the last thing on Victor Orta’s agenda but given the injury nightmare that manager Marcelo Bielsa has suffered, it wouldn’t go amiss to add a talent like Dickie.

The likes of skipper Liam Cooper, Pascal Struijk, Robin Koch and Diego Llorente have all faced time on the sidelines since the start of the season. It’s gotten so bad that Luke Ayling had to partner the German in the middle against Arsenal last time out, despite both only just returning from their own injuries.

Standing at a whopping 6 foot 4 and right-footed, the 25-year-old would hand the Argentine a very reliable option to his backline, especially as he’s equally adept in a four and a three.

“Rob is so comfortable on the ball. Physicality, aerially strong, passing: his technical base is so sound. He’s a very talented player,” claims his manager, Mark Warburton.

The Athletic go as far as comparing him to Manchester United defender Harry Maguire in terms of playing style.

Currently, Dickie ranks as the Rs’ best performer on the season so far, averaging a 7.16 rating on WhoScored. An average of 3.9 aerial duels won, 1.8 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 82.2% passing accuracy, via WhoScored, would certainly back up the aforementioned praise and likeness.

Also lauded for his leadership and being an “unbelievable man” by his former Oxford boss Karl Robinson, the QPR star would surely be a player that Bielsa would love to have at his disposal.

For a little over £10m, it could be quite the steal.

AND in other news, Bielsa dealt gutting Leeds United transfer blow ahead of January…

Ibrahima Konate will be left out of Liverpool’s starting lineup to face Manchester City this weekend, according to reliable journalist James Pearce.

The Lowdown: Konate impresses despite error

The Frenchman started alongside Virgil van Dijk at Benfica in midweek, as the Reds won 3-1 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg clash.

Konate may have made an error for Darwin Nunez’s goal, air-kicking an attempted clearance, but he produced a superb overall performance in Portugal, drawing praise from Alisson for his display.

The 22-year-old made two tackles and one interception on the night, as well as the small matter of opening the scoring with a well-taken header – his first-ever goal for Liverpool.

The Latest: Pearce makes key claim

Despite this, Pearce believes Joel Matip will come in for Konate for Sunday’s huge trip to City, taking to Twitter to provide his thoughts:

“Some big decisions for Klopp v City. Matip back in for Konate pretty clear.”

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The Verdict: Correct decision

While Konate undoubtedly impressed against Benfica, bringing Matip back in for him is still the right call, should Jurgen Klopp do that.

He possesses more experience in such big games and he has been the superior player this season, performing magnificently next to Van Dijk and averaging 3.9 aerial duel wins per game in the league.

It would be a big shock if Konate was now picked, given his rawness, and his pace isn’t needed as much against a City side who are more intricate than fast.

In other news, Pearce has also made an exciting Liverpool transfer claim. Read more here.

Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic looks set to return from injury when the Hoops take on Hearts at Parkhead on Thursday night, as per The Herald.

The Lowdown: Without Rogic…

The Australian has missed the last six games after suffering a hamstring injury against Hibernian at the end of October.

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The 28-year-old, hailed as ‘brilliant’ by Ange Postecoglou, was a regular in the team prior to his muscle issue, with the manager using the likes of Nir Bitton and James McCarthy alongside Callum McGregor and David Turnbull in Rogic’s absence.

However, it now seems as if the Aussie is set to be available for selection once again, providing Postecoglou with a timely injury boost.

The Latest: Rogic to return

The Herald provided an injury update on Wednesday ahead of Celtic’s meeting with Hearts tonight. They suggested that both Rogic and Bitton will return to the squad after revering from their respective knocks.

However, the report added that Carl Starfelt and Giorgos Giakoumakis are both still sidelined with their hamstring and knee issues.

The Verdict: Good news…

The Hoops have an extremely busy month ahead with nine fixtures in all competitions, so having strength in depth may well be crucial to enjoying a positive December.

On that basis, having a regular in Rogic back and ready to go is a huge boost to bolster Postecoglou’s midfield options.

His displays have also improved under the 56-year-old, averaging more key passes per game and recording a better WhoScored average match rating when compared to last season, so hopefully he can pick up where he left off when he returns.

In other news: Nicholson ‘plans’ to sell ‘terrific’ Celtic ace in record-breaking £25.5m deal. 

It is no secret that Manchester United have been struggling with consistency this season, and their midfield setup seems to be the talking point time and time again.

United have a hefty number of midfield players in their squad including Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can’t seem to get the balance right with his mix of midfielders to secure some good form and consistency.

Lots of Manchester United fans have been in uproar over plenty of the manager’s calls over the last few months of the new season, but one decision has stuck out more than any other – the constant snubbing of Donny Van de Beek.

The Dutchman joined the Red Devils in 2020, and although he has shown glimmers of greatness in individual performances, Solskjaer fails to include him as a regular in his starting XI. The 24-year-old has not started a single Premier League game this season, getting a paltry 16 top-flight minutes after more than a quarter of the campaign.

When asked by the media why he leaves the £100k-p/w gem on the bench most weeks, the manager defended his decision by saying: “Donny is still working hard, of course, and at the moment it’s hard. I know he’s not happy, but he works hard and he’s a top professional. He knows that that’s the way that sometimes it works in football, at the moment he’s not playing but he doesn’t let himself down.”

There has been a lot of praise for Van de Beek whenever he has been given minutes for the Mancunian giants from club legends like Rio Ferdinand, who told BT Sport: “I think he is the one player in this squad who is happy playing one-touch, two-touch, keeping it simple… sacrificing parts of his game to help other people flourish.

“In any great team you need players like that and he’s one player who will make other players tick, and make them play better.”

More recently, former club captain Paul Ince scolded Solskjaer for not including the 24-year-old in his starting midfield, as he fumed: “This is a player who Ole said, ‘come to Old Trafford, you’re going to start in my team, you’ll cost £40 million, you’re going to be the centre hub of the midfield’. Two years down the line he’s on the bench.

“He gives him four minutes against Atalanta and then goes, ‘oh by the way, here’s your chance, go and have 10 minutes against Manchester City where we’ve not touched the ball for 85 minutes and show me what you can do’.”

According to The Mirror, Newcastle United are very interested in signing the Dutch midfielder and are reportedly keen to target both Dean Henderson and Jesse Lingard as well. Solskjaer will need to find a way to ensure that fringe players such as these don’t go looking for first team football elsewhere.

If Van de Beek and the other two depart, it could have the Old Trafford faithful venting even more fury at the already under-pressure manager. Who knows, it might even prove to be the final nail in Solskjaer’s coffin if the likes of Van de Beek continue to be overlooked and results don’t improve.

In other news: Sky Sports journalist drops Solskjaer claim which will leave Man Utd fans fuming

Manchester City fans want to sign Denis Zakaria after they were linked with a move for the central midfielder.

The Citizens have made a strong start to the new campaign as they sit third in the Premier League table, just two points behind leaders Chelsea (Sky Sports). They have cruised through their Champions League group stage games so far and are still in the League Cup (mancity.com).

All of this has been done with only one recognised striker in Gabriel Jesus but, instead of adding a new forward to his squad, it seems Pep Guardiola is interested in strengthening the midfield with Zakaria

Calciomercato say the Citizens are ready to challenge Jose Mourinho’s Roma for the £24.3m-valued Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder (Transfermarkt), who will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The news was shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Zakaria news below

“He’s literally free and he’s be a back up Rodri he won’t play that many games. This is a steal”

Credit: @trevsenpai

“I would love this move”

Credit: @ManCitizen06

“Good”

Credit: @MosesOnduso5

“Yasss”

Credit: @pipkvn

“Think he would be a good signing tbh . Perfect Rodri backup”

Credit: @TwoPhonesJones3

“Gr8 backup to Rodri and would be free. Makes perfect sense”

Credit: @King_Kevin100

In other news, Man City fans are far from happy with this managerial news.

Many Everton fans want Lewis Dobbin to start in their next game at home to Watford after he scored for the U23’s against Leeds United on Monday night.

As per the official Twitter page of the Goodison Park faithful, the winger bagged an equaliser to make the score against the Whites level at 2-2 with a ‘superb first-time finish’.

That was the first goal that he has scored for the U23’s, as he is certainly making an impression despite being just 18 years of age.

Dobbin had previously scored 14 goals for the U18’s before being promoted, and has already played in two games in the Premier League for the senior side so far this season (Transfermarkt).

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison out injured, and Salomon Rondon not firing, it is no surprise at all to see so many supporters of the Merseyside club calling for the Englishman to be given a start by Rafa Benitez.

Everton fans on Dobbin goal

These Toffees called for Dobbin to start the next match on Twitter after he scored his goal:

“Just play the lad in the first team”

Credit: @cashako

“Start him and/or Simms when we need please”

Credit: @alfieartist11

“Start him Saturday”

Credit: @peter_j_oreilly

“Get him in the first team”

Credit: @Yerman58839952

“@rafabenitezweb you getting this?”Credit: @RhysDavies1878″Start him over Rondon”Credit: @BrandrickGeorgeIn other news, find out what contract news has Blues talking here!

Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell has backed Newcastle United in their reported approach to sign Ethan Ampadu before the summer transfer window ends.

The Lowdown: Approach made

As per The Northern Echo, the St. James’ Park faithful have made an approach to Chelsea to take Ampadu on loan for the rest of the 2021/22 season.

They have inquired about his availability, and he is expected to leave Thomas Tuchel’s team before the window closes.

Steve Bruce regards Ampadu as a ‘potentially valuable addition’ to his defence after Florian Lejeuene left on a permanent deal, and is now looking at the Wales international after missing out on a loan deal for Axel Tuanzebe from Manchester United, who has now gone to Aston Villa.

The Latest: Newcastle backed

Speaking to Football Insider, former Everton and Arsenal striker now pundit Campbell has backed the North East club in their pursuit of Ampadu, and insists that he could be a good signing for them:

“Sheffield United’s problem wasn’t with the defence, it was that they couldn’t score.

“The only way Ampadu is going to get minutes is by going out on loan.

“For all intents and purposes, it looks like Chelsea rate him highly.

“I can see where the concern is coming from, I’m sure the fans would prefer a more established or experienced centre half.

“But if you don’t have the money, you can’t make those kinds of signings, simple. Ampadu could be a great signing for Newcastle.”

The Verdict: Agreed

Once dubbed a ‘manager’s dream’ by former Wales manager Ryan Giggs while on international duty back in 2018, Ampadu will want to prove himself coming from a big club like Chelsea, and so another campaign on loan playing regularly in the Premier League could help him do just that.

He also has the added capability of being able to play in the centre of midfield as well as being a central defender (Transfermarkt), which could come very handy to Bruce and his squad.

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Nonetheless, at just 20 years of age, Ampadu still has a lot of potential, and so the Tyneside club could benefit majorly from his continued development.

In other news, find out what worrying insight from takeover sources Liam Kennedy has dropped here!

Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Rayan Ait Nouri is attracting increasing interest ahead of the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by French media outlet Jeunes Footeux (via Sport Witness), who claim that both Newcastle United and Crystal Palace are keeping a very close eye on the situation of the 20-year-old Wolves defender ahead of a potential move in the winter market.

The report goes on to state that an offer of somewhere in the region of €25-30m (£21-26m) would be required for Jeff Shi to consider the proposal, while Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is believed to have already informed his transfer team at Selhurst Park that he wants to land the France U21 international.

Shi must avoid disaster with Ait Nouri

Considering the sheer amount of potential that Ait Nouri quite clearly possesses, it is undeniable that losing the services of the left-back just six months after signing the 20-year-old would be something of a disaster for Jeff Shi and Wolves, even if it is for a considerable profit.

Indeed, since being handed his first Premier League start of the season against Leeds United back in October, the £16.2m-rated man has been in extremely impressive form for Bruno Lage’s side, registering one assist and creating one big chance for his teammates, as well as making an average 0.9 key passes and taking 0.8 shots per game.

The player who Liam Kenn dubbed a “superb” talent has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 0.6 interceptions, 3.9 tackles – the most of any player in the top flight – 0.9 clearances and winning a whopping 7.4 duels per game.

These returns have seen the £33k-per-week youngster average a SofaScore match rating of 6.97, ranking him as Wolves’ eighth-best performer in the league so far this season.

Couple that with Jonny and Marcal’s repeated injury problems and losing the man who Keen claimed “gets the crowd on their feet” in January would undoubtedly come as a major blow to Lage’s hopes of securing European football at Molineux next season – both of which are outcomes that would leave fans of the club gutted.

In other news: “I think…”: Journalist drops fresh Wolves transfer claim, Shi simply must act

David Norris believes that Aston Villa are in the driving seat to sign Todd Cantwell from Norwich City. 

Sky Sports previously reported that Villa were expected to go after Cantwell should Jack Grealish complete his move to Manchester City, which was eventually completed last week.

Cantwell, who has been at Norwich City all of his career apart from a brief loan spell at Fortuna Sittard in 2017/2018, helped the Canaries gain promotion from the Championship to the Premier League last season, scoring six goals and setting up a further eight.

Should Cantwell make the move to Villa Park, he would be joining up with former teammate Emiliano Buendia, who made the switch earlier this summer, and David Norris believes that Villa are frontrunners for his signature, exclusively telling Transfer Tavern: “I think him being linked with Villa, it could be Grealish out, Cantwell in so that would make sense, I think that would put them in the driving seat for that one, good player, like him a lot.”

The Sun have claimed that Dean Smith may need to pay £40million to bring the midfielder to Villa Park but, after helping Norwich return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, it remains to be seen whether or not Cantwell will be keen on a move away from Carrow Road this summer.