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Aston Villa and Leicester City are both interested in Rangers defender Filip Helander.

That’s according to Swedish outlet Sportbladet, cited by the Daily Record, who claimed that the Scottish champions could replace Helander with Elfsborg’s Joseph Okumu.

Helander a Rangers regular

Helander, valued at just £1.8m by Transfermarkt, is under contract at Ibrox until 2023.

The Sweden international has made 27 appearances under Steven Gerrard this season, and it seems as if his performances have caught the eyes of Dean Smith and Brendan Rodgers.

Transfer Tavern take

It’s not the first time Villa have been linked with the towering centre-back. Former Villa manager Steve Bruce was reportedly keen on Helander back in the 2018 January window during the player’s time with Bologna.

It seems as if the club have reignited their interest three years on, and statistically Helander has outperformed both Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa this season. As per WhoScored, the Swede has averaged a match rating of 7.11 in the Scottish Premiership, higher than Mings’ 6.88 and Konsa’s 6.82. Helander has also won more aerial duels per game with 4.3, compared to Mings 2.8 and Konsa’s 2.6.

Based on those figures, the 27-year-old could be well worth the Villans’ time in seeking a potential move south of the border.

In other news: Many AVFC fans react to Villa-linked star’s social media activity, find out more here. 

Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana made his long-awaited return to action on Wednesday night in the Foxes’ 1-1 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor.

The French defender, signed by Leicester from Saint Etienne in the summer, had been ruled out since early February with a hamstring injury.

Rodgers had previously revealed that the 20-year-old had made his return to training, with the defender completing his road to recovery with a substitute appearance against the Clarets.

Fofana’s return is surely welcome news to Leicester, with the club having suffered significant injury woes this season.

Fellow centre-backs Caglar Soyuncu, Jonny Evans and Wes Morgan have all suffered with their own problems, leading to Wilfred Ndidi having to deputise in defence on a number of occasions. However, the Frenchman now gives Rodgers a huge boost at the back as the Foxes attempt to hold onto their UEFA Champions League position.

With his return, Fofana will be hoping to continue catching the eye once again. The £24.3m-rated centre-back was racking up some seriously impressive numbers prior to his injury.

In his 16 Premier League appearances so far, he was averaging 1.7 tackles, 2.6 interceptions and a huge 4.4 clearances per game according to WhoScored.

Those performances have led to considerable praise from the footballing world, with former French centre-back Frank Leboeuf labelling Fofana as ‘extraordinary’.

Another huge advantage of his return will be the prospect of forming a solid partnership with Soyuncu.

The Turk, who was named in the 2019/20 PFA Premier League Team of the Year, has started the last six league games, with Leicester winning three of those.

However, he is yet to start a game alongside Fofana this season due to the duo’s respective injury woes.

With Fofana just 20 years of age and Soyuncu not much older at 24, Rodgers will surely be excited to see them link up and forge a partnership that could be the basis of Leicester City’s defence for years to come.

Fans of West Bromwich Albion have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relayed a report regarding the impact relegation will have on a number of the players’ contracts.

According to John Percy’s report for The Telegraph, should West Brom – who currently occupy 19th place in the Premier League table, eight points from safety – suffer relegation this season, some of the Baggies’ highest earners will face “wage cuts of up to 50 per cent,” while other players will see “pay reductions of 40 per cent” as well as a “number of departures” being anticipated – if the club do indeed drop down to the Championship.

After Percy relayed his report on Twitter, fans of West Brom flocked to have their say on the matter, with many suggesting that the club’s wage structure altering in the result of relegation is the sign of the club being well run, while other stated their belief that, following the performances of many of their players this season, they deserve a drop in pay.

So, what exactly did these West Bromwich Albion fans have to say in reaction to John Percy’s report?

“Why is this news? It’s how we’re run. Quite rightly too. I’m glad we don’t mortgage our future in trying to compete in the greed league. Poor journalism, here.”

@JoshRoberts1988

“Hardly a significant story, Always been the same with Albion. Only change is no buy out clauses which will benefit us big time.”

@Baggiejohn1

“Good. Their pathetic performances at the start of the season have consequences.”

@luke_millichamp

“Serves them right IMO.”

@BenSimm02

“Good.”

@jon_foz

“League 1 here we come.”

@bigsamoutnow

In other news: some WBA fans slammed this man’s performance against NUFC – find out more here!

Leeds United should be looking to reignite their summer interest in Premier League champion Divock Origi if they want to bolster their attacking options before Monday’s deadline.

Football Insider reporting the Yorkshire outfit held a concrete interest in Jean-Philippe Mateta earlier this month suggests they could be in the market for a striker if the deal was right.

The Belgian should surely be considering his options now as he slips further and further down the pecking order at Liverpool.

Since the arrival of Diogo Jota, Origi has been reduced to mere cameo appearances and has played just 408 minutes across all competitions. He also didn’t help his own personal situation when he missed a one-on-one sitter in the defeat to Burnley at Anfield earlier this month.

With the Portugal international and Roberto Firmino ahead of him, he only runs the risk of wasting his peak years on the bench.

The Whites were linked to a move for Origi back in the summer when Liverpool got to work in bringing in exciting new recruits. According to The Mirror, Victor Orta and co had identified the Red as their back-up option to original desired target Odsonne Edouard.

Would Origi fit in at Leeds?

Origi is highly regarded at Liverpool, thanks to his brace against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final and goal vs Spurs at the last hurdle, as the Reds went on to lift their sixth European trophy. He also came up with the goods against Everton, striking at the death back in 2018 to win the Merseyside Derby.

However, the ‘cult hero’ status only lasts for so long. Liverpool are looking to take the world by storm and it seems Origi does not fit the narrative. Now is the perfect time for him and Leeds to enter talks, but the Whites must act fast if they want to secure his signature.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a loan spell with Wolfsburg back in the 2017/18 season, netting seven times and contributing three assists, via Transfermarkt. His situation has interested several European clubs, with Inter Milan looking to swipe up the striker.

Leeds the run the risk of Inter or another Euro giant swooping in and tying him down. They must get the wheels in motion and initiate talks with the £60,000 per week goal-getter. Not only would he provide excellent cover and competition for Bamford – coming on and providing a fresh take on attack – but he could even partner the Englishman, too.

Origi can also play on the wing, so his versatility means he will be able to cover several positions on the pitch in case of injury or fatigue.

His Liverpool teammate Caoimhin Kelleher previously praised him for an “unreal” performance. He will certainly be a strong asset to Leeds with his versatility and love for a big occasion.

In other news, Leeds target Josh Doig could mean trouble for Leif Davis…

Many Rangers fans have flocked to a tweet that was recently posted by the club’s official Twitter account announcing that the Glasgow club have agreed on a four-year deal with Nnamdi Ofoborh, which is set to begin in the summer. 

This tweet includes a link to a post on the Gers’ official website in which it is explained that ‘there will be training compensation payable’ to Bournemouth, with Ofoborh agreeing to move to Ibrox after rejecting a contract extension at the Vitality Stadium. 

The 21-year-old midfielder is currently on loan at the Cherries’ EFL Championship rivals Wycombe Wanderers for the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign after which he will join up with the current Scottish Premiership leaders. 

His teammate on the south coast, Jack Simpson, will join the Gers immediately, replacing George Edmundson, who joined Derby County.

So, how have these Rangers fans been reacting to this news? 

The club’s tweet sharing the Ofoborh news drew a largely positive response from fans of the Glasgow club,  a lot of whom, it seems, can’t wait to see the midfielder at Ibrox.

“Brilliant”

Credit: @muirsy1

“Lovely”

Credit: @camrfc

“Nice!”

Credit: @onlyoneamoruso

“No messing outstanding Rangers”

Credit: @ayeready1872

“Yesssss Morning Announcements”

Credit: @SuperAlly1989

“incredible”

Credit: @hannahfirman_30

“It just keeps getting better & better.

what a time to be alive.

C’mon the Gers.”

Credit: @DugsOf

In other news, many Rangers fans have been raging at their club over their Alfredo Morelos decision.

Leeds United are enjoying a pretty good festive period.

Although they were battered by Manchester United at Old Trafford, they have responded in superb fashion.

Marcelo Bielsa’s team rose to the robust challenge of Burnley a few days ago, winning 1-0 and then demolished West Brom on Tuesday evening.

The Whites were relentlessly emphatic as they won 5-0 at the Hawthorns, playing the type of clinically impressive football we’ve become used to seeing from them under Bielsa.

Jack Harrison ran ragged down the left-hand side and combined with Raphinha and Rodrigo, the Baggies couldn’t live with Leeds.

However, just as important as the dynamic attackers on show was Kalvin Phillips. The England international has been utilised as a centre-back in recent weeks but was back in his preferred holding role on Tuesday.

It was a position he thrived in and absolutely dominated the opposition. To coin the YEP’s Graham Smyth, he was playing in complete “cruise control”, spreading passes and breaking up the play on a regular basis.

Phillips won 83.3% of his duels – ten in total – as he absolutely bullied West Brom every time they tried to break away.

All of the praise will go to those in the final third but Phillips set the tempo and the platform from which Leeds could go and play freely. The 25-year-old completed 92% of his passes and was unsuccessful with just one of the 11 long balls he played during the contest.

This was a complete performance from the midfielder, one that saw him perform two dribbles as he had Albion’s entire team on strings.

Phillips’ display was exactly the type of one that should gain him further England recognition. After suffering an injury that ruled him out of the Three Lions’ last fixtures, it will be encouraging for both club and country that he’s now in such good form.

This was a showing that demonstrated he’s not just about the defensive side – he can also prove to be a difference-maker going forward.

He is well and truly the heartbeat of this Leeds team.

AND in other news, Leeds brute who won 6 aerial duels was an absolute beast vs WBA…

Since slipping to a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on New Year’s Day, Aston Villa have had to watch the rest of the Premier League continue on as normal, whilst they’ve had to wait patiently on the sidelines.

Aside from an FA Cup third round clash against Liverpool that saw a team full of academy players have to step up to the plate, Dean Smith’s side have had no competitive action since the United game.

The Villa boss confirmed in his pre-match press conference ahead of their return against Manchester City tonight, that his players are all raring to go, and are keen to get their campaign back on track.

Below is a look at just how Villa might line up for the visit of Pep Guardiola’s men.

In goal, Emiliano Martinez will be hoping to keep up his side’s excellent defensive record this season, with their total of 16 goals conceded leaving them with the second-meanest defence, only behind their opponents tonight (13).

The defence should remain unchanged from the defeat to United, with Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Matt Targett hoping that they can pick up at least a point against the other half of Manchester.

Reports in recent days have suggested Villa are in talks to signing Marseille Morgan Sanson, so Douglas Luiz and John McGinn will no doubt be keen to show their manager that they remain the club’s best midfield duo.

Further forward is where Smith might look to make a brave call. Pictures emerged in the build-up to the game of Ross Barkley in training, and the England international could well be Villa’s match-winner tonight.

If he does start, then that could leave no room for the 55-cap Bertrand Traore, with the in-form Anwar El Ghazi who’s scored five goals in his last six Premier League games, and Jack Grealish either side of Barkley.

Up front, Ollie Watkins will remain Villa’s number nine.

Predicted XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn; El Ghazi, Barkley, Grealish; Watkins.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa could find Douglas Luiz’s perfect midfield partner in this star…

If there’s one thing Glasgow Rangers have got to do on Thursday night, they need to come out of the blocks strong against Benfica at Ibrox in the Europa League.

Steven Gerrard’s side have started the season strongly, with 18 wins out of 21 games in total, but they can’t afford to take their foot off the gas against one of their toughest opponents in the competition. However, Rangers may have a serious problem if recent reports are to be believed.

What’s the word?

Alfredo Morelos reacted angrily after he was substituted in the second half when the Gers were cruising to victory over Aberdeen at the weekend, having returned from international duty with Colombia only a few days prior to the game.

Former Gers full-back Alan Hutton condemned his behaviour in an interview with Football Insider, saying: “Yes you can be angry and be in a huff if you don’t score but you put in a good performance and you help the team as much as you can. If it’s time for you to take a rest, that’s what happens.

“You can’t do that, it just shows all the wrong signs and then he’s sat in the stands with his face tripping him, it just doesn’t look good. So I think that’s probably the bit that annoyed Gerrard the most because he did do well, he just didn’t score on the day. It is what it is but you can’t show that kind of behaviour after, it just doesn’t look good.”

However, the Ibrox boss has publicly come out in defence of his star striker in a pre-match press conference. He said, as quoted by The Daily Record: “Alfredo is fine, we don’t want players smiling and happy when they are taking off the pitch. Alfredo is in a good place and is ready to go again tomorrow.

“It is my job to manage the players when I think the time is right.”

But it remains to be seen if Morelos will play from the start or as one of the twelve substitutes, as it certainly seems the Ibrox boss does not fully trust him at the moment.

Morelos must start against Benfica

Gerrard has already shown a ruthless streak so far this season, having dropped Morelos for the 2-0 win over Kilmarnock after he criticised his attitude in the summer. However, he cannot afford to make the same mistake this time around against the Portuguese giants.

The Colombian had been benched for the second game in a row but came off the bench in the second half to score the only goal of the game against Lech Poznan in the Europa League last month.

Scoring late winners when it matters the most is one thing, but it’s hard to deny the fact Morelos is essentially a get out of jail free card more often than not.

In three appearances in the European competition, the 24-year-old has bagged two goals and supplied one assist this season so far. By comparison, both new recruits Cedric Itten and Kemar Roofe have only managed to score one goal between them, via Transfermarkt.

Regardless of whether Gerrard wants to teach Morelos a lesson or not, if Rangers are a team that have serious ambitions of qualifying for the next level of the Europa League, perhaps it’s time for the Ibrox boss to swallow his pride and bite the bullet.

His penchant for finding the back of the net is something that should not be ignored, especially when you consider the fact that he broke Ally McCoist’s all-time European goals record with a simple tap-in against the ten-man Benfica in Lisbon last time out.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers suffer transfer setback as Newcastle may offer Jacob Murphy new deal…

Sheffield Wednesday are back in Championship action this evening as they search for that elusive first win under Tony Pulis.

The Owls head to Nottingham Forest in what would usually be a game between two playoff hopefuls only this season, both teams find themselves in the bottom four.

A victory for the Yorkshiremen would see them move to within one point of the Reds, which will massively boost their prospects of remaining in the division ahead of a hectic festive period.

The 62-year-old has only managed to return three points from his first seven matches in charge and needs to find that spark here tonight, so what sort of XI could we see at the City Ground?

Here’s what we are predicting…

We could see as many as five changes as Pulis desperately searches for that first victory.

One of which comes between the sticks as Cameron Dawson is handed an opportunity after Joe Wildsmith was particularly poor against Huddersfield and Barnsley.

Joost van Aken is another who drops out of the starting lineup as Liam Palmer returns to play at left-back, which means Chey Dunkley will make his second successive Owls appearance alongside Tom Leeds in the middle with Moses Odubajo continuing on the right.

We may also see Massimo Luongo come back into the fold having been left out at the weekend, he replaces the injured Dominic Iorfa to partner Barry Bannan in the engine room.

Pulis may even axe a pair of Garry Monk signings in the shape of Josh Windass and Callum Paterson, both have underperformed recently amid the club’s struggles on the pitch.

The flat-capped boss lambasted his options upfront after defeat to the Tykes, so maybe it’s time to give out-and-out striker Jordan Rhodes a proper go at leading the line for a period of time.

Whilst we could see Izzy Brown be handed a rare start in the no.10 role with Adam Reach and Kadeem Harris continuing on the wings.

It means the likes of Alex Hunt, Tom Dele-Bashiru, Matt Penney and Elias Kachunga still have to wait for a chance to prove their worth to the Owls’ cause.

AND in other news, Tony Pulis must axe £15k-p/w “real menace” from his starting XI…

Liverpool have been handed yet another injury blow as stand-in centre-back Fabinho was forced off the pitch against Midtjylland on Tuesday. After suffering a suspected hamstring injury, the Brazilian is set to undergo a scan to determine the severity of the situation.

But undoubtedly, no matter what length of time Fabinho is out for, he will be a huge miss for the Reds. He joins Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip on the sidelines in what can only be described as a nightmare situation for the reigning Premier League champions.

Young Rhys Williams stepped in for the 26-year-old and put in a solid performance across the backline. According to SofaScore, he won 100% of his attempted duels and made one tackle and one interception. However, Jurgen Klopp cannot afford to rely on the teenager for the rest of the season, or he risks losing his chances of back-to-back titles.

Williams now Liverpool’s only option

Jamie Carragher recently hit out at Klopp’s decision not to bring in a new centre-back during the summer window. Liverpool cashed in on senior defender Dejan Lovren, who joined Zenit St Petersburg for £10.9million. The amount made on the Croatian could’ve been put into buying a replacement, but left-back Kostas Tsimikas was the only defensive personnel to come through the door.

The Reds also opted to sell Ki-Jana Hoever, who went the opposite direction of former Wolves man Diogo Jota. By offloading two centre-backs and not recruiting anyone new, Liverpool could now be in serious trouble moving forwards.

Williams is currently the only real option Klopp has to play alongside Joe Gomez. Both Jordan Henderson and James Milner could fill the empty centre-back role, but with neither being fully experienced there, it could be too big a risk in a title-challenging season.

Similarly, Sepp van den Verg has been tipped for a move away from Liverpool after failing to break into the senior team on a permanent basis.

Whilst Williams may fix the leak for now, Klopp can’t put all his eggs in the teenager’s basket for the remainder of the season. He is certainly one for the future though, with manager of former side Kidderminster Harriers Russell Penn heaping praise on his ability.

The ex-midfielder described him as being well “respected” in a recent interview with the Liverpool ECHO.

A senior centre-back is an absolute must on Liverpool’s January shopping list, or they risk kissing goodbye to another potential title.

In other news, Jamie Carragher highlights concerns over Joe Gomez in Virgil van Dijk’s absence…