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Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Julen Lopetegui will look to address their offensive options in the summer transfer window as well as other positional areas, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Wolverhampton Wanderers?

As per Sky Sports News, Wolves are keen on signing Coventry City striker Victor Gyokeres this summer and it has been claimed that they are the 'leading club in the Premier League for his signature' as of now.

Competition is high for Gyokeres, with the likes of Crystal Palace and West Ham United also interested in the Sweden international. The report also states that Sheffield United striker Iliman Ndiaye, Luton ace Carlton Morris, Middlesbrough frontman Chupa Akpom and Ben Brereton Diaz have also been tracked by chiefs at Molineux.

One Spanish outlet has claimed that a sensational part-exchange deal involving Wolves captain Ruben Neves and Barcelona attacker Ansu Fati has been floated; however, the Spain international isn't too enthused by the prospect of a transfer to the West Midlands.

Salernitana midfielder Lassana Coulibaly and Wolfsburg defender Ridle Baku are also potential targets for the Old Gold as Lopetegui gets ready for another busy transfer period.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones believes that bolstering the forward areas will be a key priority for the Spanish coach in the summer.

Jones told FFC: "The attacking options have to be addressed pretty early in the window. I think we could see some pretty big changes and I would expect that given the demands and expectations Lopetegui has for this job."

Who could Wolverhampton Wanderers let go this summer?

Wolves have a squad in need of surgery, which makes it all the more impressive that Lopetegui has managed to guide the Old Gold to Premier League survival despite their evident deficiencies.

Club captain Neves and teammate Matheus Nunes have been linked with moves away this summer to Barcelona and Liverpool respectively.

Striker pair Diego Costa and Raul Jimenez also have their future in doubt at Molineux and could be moved on in the off-season to make way for new recruits, according to Sky Sports News.

Adama Traore and Joao Moutinho also see their contracts expire at the end of the campaign and look unlikely to agree new deals, as per Transfermarkt. Defender Nelson Semedo is in the same boat; nevertheless, Wolves have a two-year option to extend his stay at the club.

Lopetegui is set for a massive summer as the Old Gold look to streamline their squad appropriately to compete in the Premier League come 2023/24.

Scottish giants Rangers are back in action away to Hearts on Saturday afternoon, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Ibrox side hoping to pick up where they lift off prior to the recent international break, having got back to winning ways with victory over Dundee United.

After three successive defeats – in which the Old Firm side shipped 11 goals with no reply – that triumph over the Tangerines somewhat lifted the doom and gloom surrounding the Glasgow side, with the Gers now just two points off the Hoops in the Scottish Premiership table.

A key factor in securing that much-needed three points had been the manager’s brave call to throw in the youthful pairing of Leon King and Charlie McCann, with the exciting duo both more than taking their chance, having been lauded by the former Feyenoord boss post-match.

McCann, in particular, shone on what was his first start for the club, having previously made just a handful of substitute appearances since his £750k arrival from Manchester United last summer.

Having impressed for the Gers’ ‘B’ team – for whom he has six goal involvements in just ten games to date – the Northern Ireland youth international was more than deserving of a shot at senior level, with it seemingly only right that he keeps his place in the side against Robbie Neilson’s side this weekend.

That full debut had seen the midfielder sparkle in a playmaking role behind striker Antonio Colak, notably registering two key passes and enjoying a respectable 84% pass accuracy rate in what was an encouraging 90-minute outing.

That eye-catching performance saw the 20-year-old dubbed a “very, very good player” by none other than club legend Kenny Miller, with the former Scotland striker also describing him as a “really good technical player, really intelligent footballer.”

That glowing praise is a marker of the youngster’s obvious talent, having previously impressed in the youth ranks at Old Trafford, registering eight goal involvements in just 21 games at U21 level for the Red Devils.

While summer signing Malik Tillman has largely operated in that creative berth in Van Bronckhorst’s side in the early weeks of the season – making 12 appearances in all competitions thus far – the United States international should well be kept on the bench on Saturday, with McCann having earned the right to secure another start.

Everton winger Anthony Gordon is already on an ‘unbelievable’ salary for his age group, but will need a pay-hike to reflect his position in the first-team, says transfer insider Dean Jones.

The lowdown

Having come through the youth ranks at Everton, Gordon has now established himself in the first team, starting all seven of their Premier League matches so far this season (via Transfermarkt).

After he attracted strong interest and a whopping £60million bid from Chelsea during the summer transfer window, Everton are now working behind the scenes to tie him down to a new contract.

His current deal runs until the end of the 2024/25 season, but new terms could ward off potential suitors for the time being.

The latest

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones says that Gordon is already in a great position but is about to receive a salary hike that reflects his true value to this Everton side.

He said: “It will reward him for the time being and would reflect his value to this team. He’s earning £10,000 a week which is unbelievable compared to most 21-year-olds but it’s not a lot at all for one who is starting every week in the Premier League.”

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The verdict

It’s hard to argue that Gordon won’t deserve a substantial pay rise.

Last season, he was named the club’s Young Player and Player’s Player of the Season, underlining his key contribution to their successful survival bid.

And beyond that, this would also be a savvy, forward-thinking piece of business from Farhad Moshiri.

If Chelsea believed he was worth £60million last summer, then how much could he fetch in future windows with a longer contract and another year of development under his belt?

Crystal Palace finally seem set to see a fan favourite return to Selhurst Park… 

What’s the word?

According to sports writer Sam Pilger, Aaron Wan-Bissaka could be preparing for an SE25 homecoming after an underwhelming spell at Manchester United.

Taking to Twitter, Pilger stated: “It is looking increasingly likely Aaron Wan-Bissaka will leave Manchester United and return to Crystal Palace before the end of the transfer window”.

The English full-back has two years left on his £90k-per-week contract, having left the Eagles in 2019 for a mouth-watering £50m.

Could be a transfer masterclass

Having sold the youngster for an astronomical fee, to see him return just three years later for what we can assume will be a heavily reduced fee (given reports of a possible £10m swoop) would be a transfer masterclass from Dougie Freedman.

The 24-year-old’s stock has dropped dramatically, but if anyone knows the value that he can offer to a team it is Palace, from whose academy he emerged. When he first left the club, Dave O’Grady labelled him an “unstoppable force”, denoting just how highly Wan-Bissaka was rated.

His defensive output has continued to be outstanding, as he ranks in the top 3% for interceptions and top 1% for blocks per 90 among positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past 12 months.

It is offensively where Wan-Bissaka has fallen short at Old Trafford, but with the summer addition of Chris Richards, the Eagles would quickly have two varied profiles of full-back who both excel in their respective fields.

The American ranks in the top 7% for assists per 90 and the top 12% for touches in the attacking penalty area over the past 12 months.

To bring back their academy graduate, who has gone away and earned invaluable Champions League experience with United, to a considerably less pressured environment in Selhurst Park could see him return to his best.

If the 24-year-old can improve upon his disappointing 23% accurate cross rate, there is every chance that he could be one of the best all-round full-backs in the Premier League.

His 59% dribble success rate is indicative of a player who wants to get forward, and often successfully, so perhaps Vieira can help to make Wan-Bissaka a tidier full-back once he gets into the final third.

If he were to return to Selhurst Park for just 20% of the fee at which Palace sold him in 2019, it would mark a sensational transfer masterclass from Freedman.

West Ham United boss David Moyes is aiming to be busy before the end of this summer window as journalist Toby Cudworth makes a triple transfer claim.

The Lowdown: Hammers ambition…

Having already signed Nayef Aguerd, Flynn Downes, Alphonse Areola, Gianluca Scamacca and Maxwel Cornet, it is reliably believed that the east Londoners are certainly not done there.

West Ham’s current defensive crisis has prompted links to many centre-backs across Europe, including the likes of Thilo Kehrer (PSG) and Dan-Axel Zagadou (free agent).

Moyes has also made clear his desire for new additions in statements to the press, even saying that his side need to do far more before this window closes.

The Latest: Cudworth makes triple transfer claim…

Taking to social media, 90min reporter Cudworth has made an exciting triple West Ham transfer claim.

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Indeed, the 90min correspondent has claimed that Moyes and co want ‘at least’ three new signings before getting on with the 2022/2023 Premier League season (Twitter).

One of these players could be Kehrer as Cudworth backs that a bid has indeed gone in for the player.

The Verdict: Needs to be done…

As highlighted by the lack of defensive options for Moyes, with youngster Ben Johnson having to play a makeshift central defensive role against Man City last weekend, a new centre-back is surely priority.

Talks have apparently been held for multiple targets at the back and it is believed that West Ham want a new attacking midfielder also.

Going by the Hammers’ squad shortage in key areas, three signings before September 1 seems more than reasonable, with potentially two of those coming at the back.

Celtic have seen numerous players come and go at Parkhead throughout the current transfer window.

One deal that the Hoops have secured over the past few weeks is a permanent move for Cameron Carter-Vickers following his loan deal with the Bhoys last season.

Bearing in mind how the former Tottenham defender ended the previous Premiership campaign with 22 tackles won and more interceptions made (43) than any other Celtic player, it’s easy to see why the Hoops were keen to bring him back to the club on a permanent basis this summer.

As there are still some weeks left before the transfer window closes, this could give Ange Postecoglou the chance to strengthen his defence even more and bring in a player who could form a scary partnership alongside Carter-Vickers.

One player who has been mentioned with a move to Parkhead this summer and who could fit this particular bill is Gent centre-back Joseph Okumu.

After making 41 appearances for Swedish club Elfsborg, the centre-back joined his current employers last summer.

In 47 appearances for Gent so far, the defender – who is currently earning £2.1k-per-week – has found himself on the scoresheet three times. However, it’s his defensive capabilities which will have caught the attention of Celtic and potentially make him a solid addition to their ranks alongside Carter-Vickers.

Throughout his 27 appearances in the Belgian league last season, the Kenyan ended up making 49 interceptions and winning 41 tackles, the third-highest for each metric at Gent.

This highlights how tough an opponent he can be without the ball and shows the similarity of attributes that he has in comparison to Carter-Vickers.

Lauded as “something special” by Dan Egner, Okumu could be a smart prospective signing for Celtic this summer, not just because of the unflappable defensive partnership that he could form with Carter-Vickers, but also given how Christopher Jullien has been linked with a move away from Parkhead this summer.

Should the Hoops seen an opportunity to land the Gent defender in the coming weeks, this is a potential deal that the Scottish champions should not think twice about completing.

AND in other news – “Still working…”: Ange drops huge Celtic transfer update, supporters will be buzzing

An update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and their attempts to improve the squad at Ibrox in the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

According to the Daily Mail, Rangers are plotting a bid to snap up forward Malik Tillman ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The report claims that the player is open to the idea of making the switch to Scotland because of the prospect of regular first-team football.

It is stated that the Gers are attempting to securee a permanent deal to sign him, although it remains to be seen how much Bayern Munich would want for him.

Gio van Bronckhorst’s Roberto Firmino

Rangers can land the Dutch head coach his own version of Liverpool false nine Roberto Firmino by signing Tillman this summer.

The 20-year-old predator is a promising young talent who has shown plenty of promise in his short career so far and could be an excellent signing for the club.

In the 2019/20 campaign, he produced 16 goals and nine assists in nine outings for Bayern’s U19 team. He also scored six goals for Germany’s youth sides before committing his international future to the USA.

His efforts at youth level for club and country led to talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbing him a “very interesting” attacker and seven first-team outings for Bayern – scoring one goal.

Kulig previously listed his strengths as “pace, finishing, dribbling, off the ball movement, creativity, technique” and compared his style of play to that of Firmino’s.

Across first-team and youth level for Bayern, he has scored 42 goals and provided 25 assists – to go along with his six strikes at international level. This suggests that he has the potential to score and assist goals from a false nine position, just like Firmino has over the years for Liverpool.

The Brazil international has scored 98 goals and set up 74 for the Reds since arriving in England and won the Champions League and Premier League along the way.

He has been able to achieve success with Jurgen Klopp’s side at the pinnacle of club football, making a big impact in the final third along the way, and Rangers now have an opportunity to sign their own version of him.

Tillman is a player with huge potential, as evidenced by his statistics and Kulig’s scout report, meaning he is a player worth taking a gamble on as he could develop into someone who can score and assist on a regular basis in the future.

AND in other news, Rangers in talks to seal “electrifying” deal that’ll leave van Bronckhorst delighted…

Newcastle United still have almost two months left of the summer transfer window to wrap up their business to head into the 2022/23 campaign.

The Magpies have already snapped up Matt Targett, Nick Pope, and Sven Botman on permanent deals and there may be more to come.

One player who has been linked with a potential move to the club is Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, with Dan Ashworth eyeing a potential swoop for the Frenchman.

The gem reportedly has a release clause of £35m in his contract, after joining the Eagles from Reading last year, and it remains to be seen whether or not the Toon are willing to meet it.

David Ginola 2.0

Ashworth could land Newcastle their next version of the brilliant David Ginola by securing a deal to sign Olise this summer.

The retired attacker played 76 times for the Magpies and produced seven goals and 17 assists from out wide. He was capable of playing on both flanks or through the middle as a second striker and the Palace man can now offer similar qualities at St. James’ Park.

Ginola was a magical player during his time in England and writer Muhammad Butt once called Olise a “wizard”, which suggests that he is a similar type of forward in that they are both creative and exciting players on the ball. 

Former Arsenal man Ian Wright has tipped the youngster, who can also play out wide and in a number 10 role, to do “unbelievable” things. He has shown glimpses of the quality he is able to provide from out wide, scoring two goals and providing five assists in 12 Premier League starts for Palace last season.

This came after an exceptional year in the Championship with Reading. In the second tier, he averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.21 as he scored seven goals and set up 12 from midfield, creating 1.9 chances per game for the Royals.

At the age of 20, he is in the infancy of his professional career and has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and improve. He can be a signing for the here and now, given his contributions in limited minutes for Palace, whilst also being an investment for the future.

Olise could, therefore, be Newcastle’s new French magician – a Ginola 2.0 – if Ashworth is able to get a deal over the line in the coming weeks.

AND in other news, NUFC may pursue “big money” move for “frightening” £80m gem, supporters surely excited…

An update has emerged regarding Rangers youngster Josh McPake and his future at Ibrox ahead of the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

Journalist Jacque Talbot has revealed that the winger is being eyed up by a number of teams south of the border after a loan spell in the fourth tier of English football.

The reporter tweeted: “Understand Rangers youngster Josh McPake is the subject of interest from several League Two sides. Carlisle United and Hartlepool United are keen on the attacker, who’s just finished his loan spell at Tranmere Rovers.”

Ross Wilson will be delighted

Rangers’ sporting director Ross Wilson will be left delighted by this claim, as it suggests that he will be able to cash in on the attacker in the coming months.

The youngster has spent the last two seasons on loan in League Two but failed to show that he has the potential to come back and make an impact in the first-team at Rangers.

In the 2020/21 campaign, he scored four goals and failed to provide a single assist in 23 outings for Harrogate Town. He also lost 56% of his duels as he struggled to deal with the physicality of the game, although that was to be expected as it was the then-teenager’s first experience of regular senior football.

However, he did not use that season to improve, as he left a lot to be desired again in 2021/22. In 14 League Two appearances for Tranmere, he managed one goal and zero assists whilst losing 62% of his individual battles.

These statistics indicate that McPake regressed after a year of experience in the English fourth tier, and this is a worry in relation to his future at Ibrox. He has not shown that he is on the right path in his development and there is little to suggest that he is a player who Gio van Bronckhorst will want to call upon any time soon.

Therefore, now is the right time – whilst his stock is seemingly high amongst League Two clubs – to cash in on him whilst the Gers still can.

At the age of 20, clubs may want to take a punt on him in case he is able to improve over time, but his statistics in his career so far are less than encouraging with respect to the chances of him making the first-team in Glasgow.

Wilson will now be delighted to learn of the interest in McPake’s services, as he can rake in a fee for the underperforming youngster and use the money to bring in another young prospect or invest it in another area of the club.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Lundstram: Wilson must land Rangers deal for “fabulous” £28k-p/w maestro…

Celtic pair Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton are leaving because they struggle to play under Ange Postecoglou, according to ex-Hoops striker Frank McAvennie.

The Lowdown: Rogic and Bitton exit

The Hoops have just finished a glorious 2021/22 season, winning the Scottish Premiership title and also enjoying Scottish League Cup success.

It looks set to be a busy summer at Parkhead, with players coming in and out and Postecoglou sure to be looking at refreshing his squad ahead of the challenge of facing Europe’s elite in the Champions League.

Rogic and Bitton are two individuals who are definitely moving on, with the former indicating as much and the latter’s contract expiring next year, as the pair’s departures were confirmed last week.

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The Latest: McAvennie makes key claim

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie claimed that their exit is partly because they are unable to excel in Postecoglou’s playing style now:

“Everyone knows how I feel about Rogic, he is a wonderful talent. He’s 29 and he’s been here nine years. He sees what is happening. Bitton has been a bit-part player but he has still been important.

“They see the way the manager is going. It’s all about a high press and running and these two boys aren’t the guys for that.

“You have Turnbull coming back to full fitness and other players will come in this summer so it just makes sense for them to move on this summer.

“The fans gave them all the respect in the world and they gave them the send-off they deserve. I’m delighted the club did it the right way because they deserve that.”

The Verdict: Makes some sense

Rogic has racked up seven league titles and five Scottish Cups during his time at Parkhead and been an incredible servant for so long, but McAvennie’s comments certainly hold some truth.

Postecoglou demands lots of energy in his players – something that Rogic and Bitton can’t necessarily guarantee week in, week out these days.

They are now 29 and 30, respectively, and it could be that younger legs will come in during the summer and be more effective in the manager’s system.

In other news, Kieran Devlin has talked up a potential Celtic signing. Read more here.