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Steven Gerrard has revealed Ianis Hagi is now a doubt for Glasgow Rangers’ Champions League clash with Malmo on Tuesday.

The Lowdown: Hagi injured vs Livingston

Hagi started the Gers’ opening Premiership match of the season on Saturday, and he even scored the first goal of the game to give his side the lead.

However, he was the subject of a hefty tackle soon after that strike, and was forced off within the first 30 minutes as a result.

The Latest: Hagi a doubt for Malmo

Speaking to the press after the match, Gerrard suggested Hagi will miss that all-important European clash. He said (via Glasgow Live):

“It’s never helpful to lose a player that early, especially when you only have three subs. Last year you probably get away with that a bit more because you have the extra couple of subs.

“He scored a massive goal for us to get us up-and-running and hopefully the kick isn’t too serious. He’s a bit sore now but it shouldn’t keep him out for too long.

“Potentially, but we’ve got good physios here and good doctors so hopefully they can pull a rabbit out of the hat and get him ready because he’s going to be important for us.”

Then, speaking about Scott Wright, he said:

“Scott could have started today. His performances in pre-season have been outstanding, we’re walking on him a lot in the final third in terms of getting numbers into his game.

“He came on today and was a right bright spark, he was full of energy and sees a pass. He’s always looking forward and looking to penetrate. He’s quick and he got his rewards from another strong performance. He’s in my thinking for Tuesday night now.”

The Verdict: A blow

This will no doubt be a blow for Gerrard and his staff. Hagi, of course, was prevented from travelling to the Olympic Games in Tokyo to represent Romania as he was needed for the start of the Gers’ Champions League campaign (via The Scottish Sun) – for now, at least, the discussion surrounding whether that was the right decision is no longer important.

In the first 30 minutes against Livingston, as well, he impressed, and his strike – his 12th for the club (Transfermarkt) – was well-taken. The good news for Gerrard, at least, is that Wright took his chance when he was introduced, also finding the back of the net. The Gers’ squad depth gives them a good chance of success.

In other news, Rangers fans were livid at this article.

Leeds United will not be making a move to bring Ben Brereton to Elland Road this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Chilean media outlet BioBioChile (via Sport Witness), who claim that, despite earlier reports suggesting one of Marcelo Bielsa’s scouts was watching the Blackburn Rovers centre-forward in action at the Copa America, Victor Orta is not currently considering a move for the 22-year-old.

The initial report by Red Gol claimed that the £4.5m-rated man has been on Bielsa’s radar for a number of seasons, following a meeting between the two sides in the Championship in which Brereton is said to have impressed the Argentine.

Bielsa will be gutted

If Bielsa has indeed been keeping a close eye on Brereton for the past couple of years, as the report by Red Gol suggests, the fact that Orta does not appear to be considering a move for the forward this summer is sure to have left the 65-year-old gutted.

And, considering how impressive the 22-year-old was for Blackburn last season, as well as having played a key role for Chile in the Copa America so far this summer, it is easy to understand why Bielsa would be keen on a deal to bring Brereton to Elland Road in the current transfer window.

Indeed, over his 40 Championship appearances for Tony Mowbray’s side last term, the versatile striker scored seven goals, registered four assists and created six big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.8 shots and making 1.1 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £6.5k-per-week man earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.95, ranking him as Rovers’ sixth-best performer in the second tier of English football.

Brereton has also impressed while on international duty this summer, making four appearances for Martin Lasarte’s Chile side in the Copa America, scoring one goal, registering one assist and making an average of 0.5 key passes per game.

These metrics have seen the man dubbed a “wonderful talent” by Mowbray earn an average SofaScore match rating of 6.88, ranking him as the country’s joint-fourth best performer – level with Arturo Vidal – in the competition, playing a huge role in helping Chile qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament.

As such, considering how well Brereton has made the step up into international football, we would not bet against the 22-year-old doing the same if a move to the Premier League were to happen.

However, for now, this potential move does not appear likely to be to Elland Road.

In other news: Orta closing in on Leeds swoop for £19.8m-rated “machine”, Bielsa will be buzzing

Barry Fry insists that Daniel Levy may dig his heels in this summer and keep Harry Kane at Tottenham Hotspur.

Sky Sports have reported that the England captain has asked to leave the club this summer.

There is said to be interest from Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea in snaffling him way from the north London club.

Of course, he has enjoyed one of his finest seasons at Spurs, winning the Golden Boot along with the Premier League’s Playmaker Award.

Fry is the Director of Football at Peterborough United and he says that he has dealt with Levy repeatedly throughout his career.

As a result, he believes that Levy may well refuse to let Kane go, because he is so desperate to ensure that Spurs are not short-changed.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Fry said: “Well I’ve dealt with Daniel Levy several times, he’s one of the hardest men to deal with. Although everyone thinks Harry Kane will leave Tottenham, I’m not so sure.

“Daniel digs his heels in, he’s still got three years left on his contract. No matter how much other people offer him, if he wants to keep him, he’ll keep him. He’ll have an unhappy player on his hands but that won’t matter to Daniel.

“All Daniel’s interested in, fair enough, is Spurs, what’s best for Spurs, and no matter how much money he got, out in the market, it’ll be very difficult to replace him, there’s no doubt in my mind about that.”

Kane has three years left on his contract at Spurs and would likely cost a fortune in this transfer market, with The Independent reporting that he would cost a minimum of £200m.

Many Everton fans have been left to react as some big news emerged on Christophe Galtier.

As per Le10sport, LOSC Lille were demanding a fee of between €8-10m (£6.8-8.6m) to allow the manager to go to OGC Nice, but an agreement was not reached and so other clubs are still in the frame to be able to snap him up.

The Goodison Park faithful are reportedly interested in Galtier to replace Carlo Ancelotti, who has left to go and manage Real Madrid.

He has just come off the back of a stunning Ligue 1 title win over PSG, and former sporting director at Lille, Luis Campos, has claimed that he has ‘all the qualities’ to coach in England, and thinks that he would be a good choice for the Toffees.

Nonetheless, it seems as if a lot of members of the Merseyside club faithful would be more than willing for the Blues to pay the fee quoted in order to get their man.

Everton fans on Galtier news

These EFC supporters reacted to the news as it was shared on Twitter:

“Pay it then”

Credit: @efcIucas

“That’s less than a years salary for Carlo. Get it done.”

Credit: @WattyWattDogg

“Let’s do this!!”

Credit: @EFCevs

“Pay it immediately”

Credit: @Harmonov

“Double it fellas @Everton”

Credit: @rhysdav43668344

“Absolute peanuts. Give them it”

Credit: @MarkBirch1988

In other news, find out who would be a ‘superb appointment’ for Everton here!

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Norwich City midfielder Todd Cantwell.

And a number of Villa supporters have been sharing their positive thoughts to the rumour on social media.

According to reliable reporter Mike McGrath of The Telegraph, Villa have been monitoring Cantwell and Tottenham’s Harry Winks as they eye central midfield reinforcements.

Cantwell is capable of playing on the left, right and as an attacking midfielder and has 12 months remaining on his Carrow Road deal.

The 23-year-old is valued at £19.8m by Transfermarkt and has made over 100 appearances for Norwich in total.

Villa have already brought in Emiliano Buendia from Norwich in a club-record deal worth £34.56m this summer, and it seems as if they may well like what they see in Cantwell as well.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared the links to Cantwell and Winks on social media on Wednesday.

These Villa fans all seemed up for a potential swoop for the Norwich man, with one labelling a possible transfer as ‘great’.

“Cantwell let’s gooooooo”Credit: @prgrssiveacct”Cantwell yes please”Credit: @DJNathyB”Cantwell would certainly be a great signing, especially if Jack leaves. Not a massive fan of Winks but I would love us to sign a deep midfielder with good interception and duel numbers… maybe Skhiri?”Credit: @george_bwh”Cantwell I like. Winks not so much.”Credit: @Zeus_AVFC”Cantwell would be a nice signing. Couldn’t care less about Winks though”Credit: @KishinJay”I would love Cantwell however I don’t see what Winks offers us”Credit: @ReeceTay_29

In other news: Many AVFC fans react to Mark Goldbridge’s post on Jack Grealish, find out more here. 

West Brom will be in the hunt for a new striker this summer, says the club’s former midfielder Carlton Palmer.

West Brom are currently being linked with a move for Taiwo Awoniyi, with Goal claiming that the Midlands outfit and Fulham are both interested in the Liverpool man.

Awoniyi spent the season out on loan at Union Berlin, scoring five goals in 21 league appearances, but now looks set to remain in England after being granted a work permit.

Speaking exclusively to TT about where West Brom need to strengthen this summer amid the links to Awoniyi, Palmer said:

“The one thing they’ve struggled with is scoring goals. Goals are vital, goals win you the league, goals keep you up, goals get you promoted.

“You need goals. You need not just somebody, you need two or three guys who are going to score you goals and West Brom will be no different next season. So, for sure, I think they’ll be in the hunt for strikers.”

The Baggies’ forwards certainly struggled this season, with the likes of Callum Robinson and Hal Robson-Kanu, who has just been released by the club, finishing behind top scorer Matheus Pereira by some distance.

With that in mind, bringing in a new No.9 may be a priority for Sam Allardyce’s successor in the transfer market.

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been reacting to an update regarding reported managerial target Paulo Fonseca.

Reports towards the end of April suggested that the Eagles held a ‘direct’ conversation with the Italian over potentially replacing Roy Hodgson.

It’s since been confirmed that Fonseca will leave his position as manager of AS Roma at the end of the season, with former Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho set to take over.

That leaves Fonseca free to possibly move to Selhurst Park, however, in a report from Inside Futbol, it doesn’t seem as if a move to London is on the cards.

They shared comments from Fonseca, with the 48-year-old confirming he would like to continue in Italy beyond the end of the current campaign.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared Inside Futbol’s comments on Twitter regarding Fonseca on Friday afternoon.

It didn’t take long for these Palace supporters to give their thoughts to the news, with many not impressed.

“Good manager. Wrong time. Now get a replacement lined up and announced I can’t take much more of this”Credit: @The_ArmaniCode”Wow that’s really unfortunate… first Howe not Fonseca. Really hope that neither where choice number 1.”Credit: @CPFANUSA”I don’t think I’ve ever been so sad”Credit: @CPFC_Trigs”Urgh, I mean he might “like to” but doesn’t mean he will. Dyche looking likely now then :((“Credit: @samstoreycp”Just here for the meltdown”Credit: @jackstacpfc”Oh”Credit: @cpfcgoaat

In other news: Many Palace fans not happy at club’s latest transfer move, find out more here. 

PSV Eindhoven have asked Aston Villa for information on striker Wesley Moraes ahead of a possible swoop.

The Lowdown: Wesley’s Villa Park struggles

It’s safe to say Wesley hasn’t exactly made the impact he would’ve hoped after joining from Club Brugge in 2019 for £22.5m.

He scored just six goals in 22 appearances before suffering a serious injury against Burnley on New Year’s Day 2020.

The Brazilian missed the rest of the 2020/21 season and the majority of the current campaign, making three brief substitute appearances in recent weeks.

Villa are looking to loan out the 24-year-old in the summer, and it seems as if they have a potential suitor for the £35,000-a-week man.

The Latest: Source shares update

According to Football Insider, who have been informed by a Dutch source, PSV have made an enquiry and are looking at a year-long loan.

The Dutch heavyweights, who have two European Cup triumphs in their history, want to be sure Wesley is over his injury issues before committing to a possible deal.

The Verdict: A good move for all involved?

Should guaranteed game time be offered by PSV, we feel as if a temporary move to the Netherlands would be good for Wesley.

It would give him the chance to get back to his best in a competitive league, while also possibly playing Champions League football.

PSV will be getting a forward capable of scoring plenty of goals, with Wesley netting 17 times in Belgium in the 2018/19 campaign prior to his move to the Midlands.

Rivals Ajax have scored 28 more goals than PSV this season, so the acquisition of Wesley could help them table a stronger challenge next season.

As for Villa, should things go well, they would then be getting a forward back full of confidence for the 2022/23 season, which may prove to be a shrewd move by Villa officials.

In other news: Villa linked with move for £5.1m-rated defender, many AVFC fans happy, find out more here. 

Writing on Twitter, club insider ExWHUemployee has dropped a fresh West Ham United transfer claim involving Barcelona defender Junior Firpo.

The Lowdown: West Ham and Firpo…

ExWHUemployee first lifted the lid on Firpo back in January, claiming he was then an option to take on loan for the second half of 2020/2021 (Patreon).

Links to the left-back have since re-emerged, with Mundo Deportivo claiming last month that the Hammers were eyeing him alongside Italian contingent Inter Milan, AC Milan, Roma and Napoli.

More recently, Sport even dropped a big claim that West Ham are already working to finalise an agreement after extensive talks.

The Latest: ExWHUemployee drops Firpo claim

While he doesn’t go that far, believing that West Ham aren’t in advanced discussions, the insider has still gone on to back that the club are ‘definitely’ interested in his signature.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-news/” title=”West Ham latest news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

“There is definitely interest but I don’t think it’s that advanced,” he explained on Twitter when asked about the Sport rumour.

Firpo hasn’t exactly set the world alight since his move from Real Betis to Barcelona.

Indeed, over the past two seasons, the defender has made just 24 La Liga appearances – starting just three league games over the entirety of 2020/2021 (WhoScored).

The Verdict: Solid back up…

Described as a player with lots of potential and quality by former teammate Marc Barta (Marca), Firpo could be a solid back-up for the Hammers if they are seeking defensive additions.

He could also come as an alternative option for Arthur Masuaku on the left hand side, especially considering Firpo can play both at full-back and further forward on the wing.

ExWHUemployee’s claim that West Ham are ‘definitely’ interested comes as a teasing one, but for now, the club may be better placed prioritising a permanent deal for Jesse Lingard and a new striker.

In other news: West Ham insider drops enticing Lingard update, find out more here.

Frank McAvennie has slammed Alex Rae’s suggestion that Glasgow Rangers’ Ryan Kent is worth over £25m.

McAvennie slams Kent claim

Former Gers player Rae previously suggested Kent is worth over £25m (via The Daily Record).

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie is shocked by this claim and has shared his disagreement. He said:

“Oh my god, I’ve told him a million times not to exaggerate when it comes to Rangers players.

“He’s boosting Kent up there, it was around £8million they paid for him and he’s a good player. 

“You’re worth whatever someone pays for you. Kent couldn’t hack it in England so he came up here and fair play to the boy he’s been magnificent and you can see the talent he’s got. 

“£25million for a midfield player? I don’t know but nothing surprises me in the transfer world any more. I give up, that’s enough for me.

“I can’t see him going for £25million even if Rangers sold him tomorrow, with the rest of the season to go.”

Astonishing suggestion

It is hard not to agree with McAvennie – in what way is Kent worth £25m? The Gers paid £7.5m to take him to Ibrox from Liverpool in 2019 after a season on loan with the 55-time Scottish champions (Sky Sports). In 123 games for the club, he has 26 goals and 26 assists (Transfermarkt), which is far from a poor record. However, it is not good enough to suggest the Gers could attract a profit of more than 200%.

Clearly, Ross Wilson and Steven Gerrard value him. They turned down £10m from Leeds United last summer (RTE), and now with a Premiership title to his name, they could definitely command a slightly larger fee if they were to sell. However, as McAvennie says, £25m may be a step too far.

In other news, Kevin Phillips says this man must take a pay-cut if he wants to stay at Rangers.