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Rangers have been linked with a move for Hatayspor striker Aaron Boupendza recently and, should he make the move to Ibrox in the summer, he could be the perfect man to replace Jermain Defoe in Steven Gerrard’s side.

According to a report from 90min, a host of clubs including Rangers, Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester, West Ham, Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Southampton and Wolves are all interested in signing him after an impressive debut season in the Turkish top flight.

The report suggests that Russian side Krasnodar saw a move break down despite having a £7m bid accepted, as it is Boupendza’s priority to move to the Premier League, although perhaps the pull of playing in the Champions League could see him move further north to join up with Gerrard’s side.

Rangers look set to lose Defoe in the summer when his contract expires, whilst there is also speculation about Alfredo Morelos’ future at Ibrox, so it is easy to see why Rangers are seemingly in the market for a striker.

In his first season with Hatayspor, Boupendza has seriously caught the eye, having notched 18 goals in 26 appearances in the Süper Lig.

This has seen his Transfermarkt value soar from £405,000 to £6.3m this season alone and it seems likely that the Gabonese international won’t be plying his trade with Hatayspor much longer.

Other than a spell with Pau FC in Ligue 2, Boupendza has never really been able to find the net on a regular basis before his time with Hatayspor, although he was never really given much of an opportunity at other clubs.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-rangers-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read this week’s latest Rangers news, transfer rumours and more!”]

He has shown this season that he can be a serious attacking threat with a regular run in the team, and therefore could be a great addition to Gerrard’s side if he is given a chance to impress with the Ibrox outfit.

Boupendza has also featured as a left winger for Hatayspor at times this season, which suggests that he could fill in for Ryan Kent in Gerrard’s line-up if required.

This season has seen Defoe average 1.3 shots per game in the Premiership, whereas Boupendza averages 2.8 shots per game in Turkey, so he could definitely offer a goal threat should he make the move to Rangers.

[freshpress-quiz id=“588789″]

Therefore, Ross Wilson should certainly look at bringing the 24-year-old to Ibrox this summer, as he could prove to be the ideal man to replace Defoe in Gerrard’s squad.

And, in other news… Let down by Roofe: £4.05m-rated Rangers dynamo who played 3 key passes deserved better vs Slavia

Southampton fans have been reacting to the news that Levante are set to sell Jorge de Frutos for a fee of just £12.8m amidst interest from the Saints.

The St. Mary’s outfit have been heavily linked with a move for winger De Frutos (The Mirror via HITC), who is also being targetted by La Liga champions Real Madrid. He is said to have a release clause of £25m (AS), but he could be available for a fee of just €15m (£12.8m) according to Super Deporte.

The 24-year-old has been in good form for the Spanish side so far this campaign, scoring three goals and providing 10 assists in all competitions (Transfermarkt). Beating Real Madrid to his signature will be a challenge, but more playing time on the south coast may help Ralph Hasenhuttl and co’s cause.

The news was shared on Twitter by @SouthamptonPage, and it seems the Saints supporters would very much like him at their club next season amidst this update. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

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

“Just what we need sign him our wingers besides Armstrong and tella are awfully inconsistent!!!!”

Credit: @benthesaint4

“If this is true then what a signing this could be.”

Credit: @saints_josh2

“Would be a banger of a signing”

Credit: @J13578Josh

“yes please is a baller”

Credit: @sfcrxbbo_

“Omg imagine”

Credit: @samuelsmith0810

“Apparently Madrid want him back…”

Credit: @Conor_SFC

In other news, Southampton fans eye this bargain goalkeeper.

Celtic appear to be keen on keeping loanee Diego Laxalt at Parkhead in a potential swap deal for Odsonne Edouard this summer.

That’s according to Milan Live, who claim that the Italian giants are looking at the French forward ahead of the summer window.

They claim left-back Laxalt could hold the key to a potential move over the coming months, admitting a stay at Celtic would be welcome.

The report goes on to add that a potential deal involving the pair will also depend on the next Hoops manager.

Transfer Tavern take

A story back in February first suggested that Celtic would like to make Laxalt’s loan permanent in the summer, and it appears as if they may get their man.

However, we feel as if the Hoops could be better off without Laxalt’s services on a full-time basis.

His Milan deal is worth a whopping £57,000-a-week, so you’d expect he’d become one of the club’s most expensive earners should a summer transfer go through.

Performance-wise this season, Laxalt has been outperformed by Greg Taylor, as per WhoScored. The Scot has made more league appearances (21-17), provided more assists (5-0) and has recorded a better average match rating (6.96-6.82).

On that basis, keeping Taylor as first choice and looking at a younger option as back up could be beneficial, as the club could therefore put Laxalt’s potential wage to another marquee signing, while also receiving a larger fee for Edouard.

In other news: Celtic source shares huge off-field update regarding 57 y/o; massive 2020 blunder rears its head, find out more here. 

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Dean Windass said he believes Steve Bruce will keep Newcastle in the Premier League this season.

Following a run of just two wins in their previous 16 Premier League matches, the Magpies have slipped to within one point of the bottom-three and are in serious danger of being relegated.

And Newcastle’s chances of avoiding the drop have seemingly decreased in recent weeks with a number of their key players currently out injured.

Top goalscorer Callum Wilson suffered a hamstring problem against Southampton last month and is facing another two to four weeks on the sidelines, whilst wingers Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin have both been ruled out until April following knee and groin injuries sustained against Wolves on Saturday night.

But despite their injury worries and current league position, Windass believes that Bruce will do enough to get Newcastle over the line.

He exclusively told Football FanCast:

“I feared for them when them three were fit. Callum Wilson has come in as a big money signing as a number nine and big boots to fill in the sense of, I know it’s a few years now, but anybody that stands upfront is going to get compared to Alan Shearer.

“Almiron has been in and out. I know Steve Bruce really well, and his standards are so high, but he just doesn’t have the players for the size of that football club are good enough. It’s a blessing sometimes that the supporters aren’t there this season because they’d get absolutely hammered, and there would be even more pressure on the players.

“I think he will keep them up, I know he’s got three injuries, Saint-Maximin is a massive loss to them, he’s a good player, he’s the one whose got the crack. I think the club needs a revamp, from Mike Ashley right through.”

It promises to be an anxious few months at St James’ Park.

With Fulham now breathing down their neck, Newcastle’s upcoming games against, Aston Villa and Brighton could do some way to deciding whether the Geordies are still a Premier League club next season.

Leeds United may be risking Marcelo Bielsa’s wrath amid a major transfer update on Gjanni Alioski’s future at Elland Road.

What’s the story?

The 28-year-old’s long-term future at the Premier League side is uncertain, given that his contract is set to expire at the end of this season.

Now, Fotospor claim that Alioski could in fact be on his way to Super Lig side Galatasaray. The Macedonian press (Ekipa) have further backed up those claims by suggesting that Leeds are still deliberating over whether to offer the versatile left-back a new contract, and that if they don’t, the Turkish giants could step in.

Despite The Athletic’s Phil Hay claiming that Leeds are still speaking to the full-back over a new deal, the fact it hasn’t gone through and that he is already available to talk to foreign clubs to join on a pre-contract deal has put the Whites in a precarious position.

Bielsa’s lynch-pin

At just 28, Alioski is by no means a player who is over the hill or heading on a downward slope in his career, and he seems to have the kind of personality and character that is crucial for any dressing room.

Former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips said earlier this season: “From what I gather, his attitude is good and every club needs a player like that. He is a player who can unlock the door and he has a brilliant work rate.

“When he comes off the bench he can change the game and if you start with him he might be able to produce a bit of magic. Either way he does not moan and every squad needs a player like that. He is a player that they would like to keep. Leeds will want to get him on a new contract.”

Writing in The Athletic, Hay said: “Opinion about him can be divided between those who see merit in Alioski’s engine and flashes of class and those who question his ability to consistently impact on games. Bielsa’s own assessment of him is clear enough. Only the disciplined survive under Bielsa. When the Argentinian took over at Leeds, Alioski was one of those who comfortably made the cut.”

The £3.6m-rated man has been a Bielsa lynch-pin since the Argentine’s arrival as Leeds boss, with only Mateusz Klich playing more than him in the 2018/2019 campaign, whilst only six players featured more last season.

Whilst there’s no stopping the Whites from going out and potentially getting better, he remains a valuable part of the squad at Elland Road.

Letting him go on a free transfer would surely get Bielsa worked up, especially given the kind of service Alioski has provided him over the past couple of seasons.

Meanwhile, this pundit has delivered his exclusive verdict on this Leeds United transfer target…

Sporting Kansas City attacker Johnny Russell has admitted that he wants to play for Celtic before he calls time on his career.

Russell dreams of Parkhead

The 30-year-old made his name with the English Championship side Derby County where he scored 35 times from 205 appearances, adding to his career tally of 112 (Transfermarkt).

Born and raised in Glasgow, Russell had a brief stint in his homeland with Raith Rovers as a youngster where he found the net on five occasions in 28 outings.

Typically a right-winger, the Scot is about to start another season with the Major League Soccer side in the United States, but revealed how he has future ambitions of moving to Celtic Park.

“I always said the dream was to play for Celtic but it’s never happened,” he told Herald Sport (19/02 print edition, page 4).

“That’s football. The season I went to Derby was there were a few bids made but Derby offered more and Celtic’s bids were never accepted. If they had been matched I would’ve gone to Celtic, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.

“Of course, nobody is going to turn down the opportunity to play for their heroes. It was always something I’d never give up hope on. You never know.”

Transfer Tavern Verdict

While it will be nice for Celtic supporters to hear that players want to move to the club, unfortunately, it may be too late for Russell.

Previous reports have suggested that the Hoops are considering a mass overhaul in the summer. We predict that this will be in the aim of focusing on the future, as opposed to players over the age of 30.

That being said, if Russell is brought in, his presence would provide an additional boost to the squad’s strength in depth.

In other news, Alan Hutton gives reason as to why Neil Lennon is still Celtic manager.

Many Aston Villa fans have been reacting to Rico Henry’s comments on social media, with the left-back revealing his experiences with the club as a youngster.

Recent reports have suggested that the Brentford ace remains on Dean Smith’s transfer radar ahead of the summer window.

Henry a possible Taylor replacement?

Smith worked with Henry in London prior to moving to Villa Park, and the 23-year-old has gone on to make more than 120 appearances for the Bees.

Should a move to Villa go through, Henry could come in to replace the ageing Neil Taylor, with the Welshman – who has made just one league appearance this season – out of contract at the end of the campaign.

Henry, talking to Brentford’s YouTube channel (as cited by Birmingham Live) shared his story of how he started out as a Villa fan before switching his allegiances to Birmingham City.

“You know what, people don’t know this. (I supported) Aston Villa because my dad supported them.”

“I went on trial at Villa and didn’t get signed so my dad stopped supporting them. So we were kind of forced to watch Birmingham. It was crazy.”

“I’m quite detached now. Brentford is my team and you don’t want to think about other clubs. Now I don’t really support anyone.”

@AVFC_News shared the story on social media on Sunday morning, which – as to be expected – received plenty of attention from numerous Villa supporters.

Here is what they had to say regarding Henry, with one fan describing him as an ‘excellent’ left-back.

Villa fans react

“This to me if true sounds like he’s hinting that he would love to play for us. The fact that he said he don’t support anyone hints he would snap our hands off if we came crawling. I say sign the kid, He’s a very good left-back and would do very well for us”

Credit: @joebaker_1998

“It’s a whole different story when wages of 40k+ come into it”

Credit: @WatkinsOffside

“Think that wound soon change if we signed him”

Credit: @AV7689983427

“Love the part where he says after he stopped supporting Villa they were “kind of forced to watch Birmingham” Clearly not the most favourable option.”

Credit: @JackJenningss_

“Just because he didn’t get signed, they switched to the rivals. Bit daft”

Credit: @JBulman24

“Still an excellent LB, who he supports won’t matter if Smith & Lange really pushed hard enough, we’ll soon see, but our club’s signings tend to come from where we least expect, but I’d like to see n have said for a while is Dwight McNeil”

Credit: @OgeeDj68

In other news: Villa learn price for in-demand Premier League midfielder, find out more here. 

For the first time since being promoted from the Championship to the Premier League, Wolves are in a spot of bother.

We haven’t been able to question them too much in the last few seasons but with just two wins in their last nine, things clearly aren’t going very well.

Nuno Santo has been chopping and changing between a three-man and four-man backline, but clearly, a lack of familiarity has wreaked havoc with the squad.

However, against West Brom on Saturday, they will have a perfect opportunity to bounce back. Sam Allardyce’s side are sitting 19th in the table and lost to League One Blackpool in the FA Cup last weekend.

On paper, it should be an easy win for Wolves, so how should Nuno line up?

We’re tipping the manager to make as many as four changes from the side that lost to Everton last Tuesday.

The first one comes in defence where we think Nelson Semedo should miss out. The Portuguese was run ragged by Lucas Digne when the Toffees came to Molineux. He managed six crosses from the left and supplied the assist for Alex Iwobi’s opener.

As a result, Ki-Jana Hoever should come in. The 18-year-old was competent against Manchester United last month, not “putting a foot wrong” according to Birmingham Live reporter Alex Dicken. During that game, he also won the second-most duels of any Wolves player with six.

There is one more amendment in defence where Willy Boly comes into the side ahead of Romain Saiss. Nuno confirmed in his post-match press conference on Friday that the Frenchman was ready to return.

The other two changes come in attack where we suggest that Patrick Cutrone should play from the off. The Italian has yet to start for Wolves since being recalled from his loan spell with Fiorentina and with Fabio Silva on a run with no goals in his last five games, deserves a chance. If he gets it, this will be his first time in the Wolves line-up since October 2019.

The final replacement is out wide where Morgan Gibbs-White drops out. Adama Traore missed the game against Everton with a minor injury so should be fit enough to reclaim his place in the side.

Given his virtuoso goal against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup, The Spaniard simply has to start if he’s recovered.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Gibbs-White: Wolves must swoop for £8k-p/w gem with a “few strings to his bow”…

Sergio Reguilon will be key to Jose Mourinho beating his former employer Chelsea when Tottenham Hotspur visit Stamford Bridge for Sunday’s London derby.

Reguilon has been a favourite for Mourinho since signing the Spain international from Real Madrid for £32million this summer, with the defender starting five of Spurs’ last seven top-flight fixtures.

Mourinho has seen the 23-year-old record two assists, as well, with Reguilon teeing Harry Kane up to score at home to West Ham United and Gareth Bale to net in this month’s 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Reguilon had his work cut out to help Spurs better Manchester City in north London last weekend as Pep Guardiola’s Citizens ran riot but with no end product, as the defender was forced into 10 duels and making three clearances, three successful tackles, an interception and blocking one shot, per SofaScore.

He won five of his eight ground battles and once in the air, showing the £48,077-per-week gem’s abilities at the back are as strong as former Spain coach Robert Moreno once lauded him for being in attack.

“He has so much power and when he goes forward, he is unstoppable. He oozes energy and he reminds me of when Dani Carvajal was starting out,” Moreno said, via quotes by BBC Sport.

Mourinho will need to rely on Reguilon being as strong in defence against Chelsea this weekend as he was at home to Manchester City, with Frank Lampard’s Stamford Bridge natives prone to favour attacking moves on their right-hand channel.

Chelsea ranked joint-fourth in the Premier League for attacking moves on their right-flank this term heading into matchday 10, with only Sheffield United (42%), Wolverhampton Wanderers (42%) and Leeds (39%) more one-sided than the Blues (38%), per WhoScored.

Lampard’s men fell to 15th in the top-flight for attacking moves on the left-hand side of the field (37%) and were one of six clubs who focused a quarter of their attacks through the middle of the pitch.

Their preference to attack the zone Reguilon will occupy rises to 39% when playing at home, too, ditching central attacks (23%) more often while remaining at 37% on the left.

Another top-draw defensive display from Reguilon on Sunday will be what Mourinho needs to win against his former employer and record only Spurs’ second top-flight win at Stamford Bridge since February 1990.

AND in other news, Spurs are in the hunt for a gem who “can do everything” and might not cost Daniel Levy a penny.

According to reports, Wolves are being linked with a move for Famalicao prodigy, Gustavo Assuncao.

What’s the story?

The 20-year-old is already captain of the Liga NOS side out in Portugal, and is seemingly already attracting interest from several clubs across Europe.

As per Spanish publication AS, they claim that along with Wolves, the likes of Manchester United, Everton, Nice and Sevilla are all keeping tabs on his situation and development ahead of a potential move for the midfielder.

Hilariously obscure Premier League players – Can you name them all?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

It’s added that Famalicao rate the starlet so highly, that they have placed a hefty price tag of €25m (£22.5m) on his head to deter any potential clubs from coming in for him.

Potential Moutinho successor

Aged just 20, Assuncao has already established himself as a cornerstone of Famalicao’s side so early in his career, even earning himself the captain’s armband.

This season has seen him play the full 90 minutes in every single one of the Portuguese side’s games, and the midfielder is already showing signs of how he could potentially be Wolves’ dream Joao Moutinho successor.

Averaging an impressive 1.9 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game in the league this campaign, Assuncao also has a superb feel for things in the middle of the park, just like Moutinho.

He’s averaged 45.7 passes per game at an astounding accuracy of 88%, and is someone who can switch the play from deep too, completing almost 70% of his attempted long balls.

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo may also be familiar with Assuncao for a very distinct reason as well. The Brazilian’s father, Paulo, played with the Molineux side’s manager back in their days at Porto, and that could well prove to be the kind of determining factor that swings the transfer in their way.

Meanwhile, Wolves must surely swoop for this La Liga striker.