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Rangers have held positive talks over a move for Davide Ancelotti, but there has been a new update regarding an offer being made for the 35-year-old.

Ancelotti and Gerrard linked with Rangers post

The Gers and the 49ers have an extremely busy summer ahead of them ahead of the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season. The new owners’ first task will be to find a new permanent boss, with Barry Ferguson’s time in interim charge coming to an end.

A number of managers in and out of work have been linked with a move to Ibrox, including former Gers boss Steven Gerrard. After leaving Al-Ettifaq in January, Gerrard has been described as the 49ers “dream” target to take over and was thought to be the favourite in recent weeks.

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The Gers may have to brace for the departure of one of their key players…

ByDominic Lund May 16, 2025

However, since then, Real Madrid assistant manager Ancelotti has burst onto Rangers’ radar, with claims even suggesting an offer was made by those in Scotland to the son of Carlo Ancelotti.

It isn’t a rumour that has gone down well with former Aberdeen chief Keith Wyness, who said he sees “big red lights” over a Rangers move for Ancelotti. Talking to Football Insider, Wyness said: “I don’t think he’ll understand the bear pit that Glasgow is, he won’t understand the beast that Rangers is as a football club and the demand from the fans.

“Rangers’ overriding priority is to beat Celtic. Any manager is measured by that. Is Davide Ancelotti the man to do that? I really don’t think so. If they do it, I see big red lights flashing for Rangers.”

Now, a fresh update has been relayed regarding Ancelotti, Rangers and that reported offer.

Rangers offer to Davide Ancelotti was false report

The Rangers Review shared an update on a potential move for Ancelotti, stating that Rangers have had positive discussions over a move for the 35-year-old, who is attracted by the idea of becoming the new Ibrox boss.

However, previous claims of an offer being tabled are false, with no contract bid being made to Ancelotti by the Scottish giants at this moment in time. The report does still add that Ancelotti is a key target for the 49ers and Andrew Cavenagh and that a decision is set to be made by the end of the month.

Since this report, journalist Alberto Pereiro has claimed that Ancelotti “has decided to postpone his career as a head coach and will accompany his father to Brazil until the 2026 World Cup”, so perhaps a move to Glasgow is not on the cards after all.

Champions League

2022, 2024

La Liga

2022, 2024

Bundesliga

2017

Copa del Rey

2023

FIFA Club World Cup

2022

UEFA Super Cup

2022

Spanish Super Cup

2022, 2024

German Super Cup

2016, 2017

If Pereiro’s statement is accurate, Rangers will have to look elsewhere ahead of the 2025/26 season, and they’d be thankful they did not submit an offer despite previous claims.

Manchester United are said to be considering making an offer for a young player with a huge amount of potential as INEOS look to rebuild for the long haul.

Amorim begins to eye summer signings at Old Trafford

The Red Devils were beaten 4-3 away to Brentford on Sunday afternoon, as a hugely disappointing Premier League campaign carries on, with Ruben Amorim’s side limping over the line in the competition this season.

United continue to be linked with much-needed new signings this summer, with a new striker at the top of the list of priorities. Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres has regularly been mentioned as the man to come in and lead the line, following a stunning season that has seen him score 38 times in the Primeira Liga.

Liam Delap is seen as another option to and strengthen the Red Devils’ attack, following an impressive year for a struggling Ipswich Town side. The former Manchester City youngster won’t want to be playing Championship football next season, so a summer exit feels like a certainty.

At the other end of the pitch, Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah has reportedly been in talks over a move to Old Trafford, with the defender leaving his current club on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Man Utd considering offer for 16 y/o Jake Evans

According to a report from Spain, Manchester United are willing to make a £13m offer for Leicester City attacker Jake Evans this summer. The 16-year-old has caught the eye in the Foxes academy, standing out as one of the most exciting young players at the club, and Tottenham are also believed to be in the mix.

Evans isn’t necessarily the world-renowned attacker that so many United fans crave in the summer window, but there is room to sign both proven players and future stars in the coming months. Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has lauded the teenager’s ability, along with fellow youngster Jeremy Monga, already seeing him as a “vital” player in their first-team.

“Jake Evans and Jeremy Monga are very closely monitored by us in their performances in the Under-21s. Fifteen and 16-year-olds who are performing in PL2 on a regular basis and doing well there. They are vital parts already, even though they’re 15 and 16. It’s hard to imagine at their age they are part of team training on a regular basis and in the plans of this football club.”

Evans has scored 11 goals for Leicester’s Under-18s and Under-21s apiece, coming in just 20 and 18 appearances for them respectively, and he is also a two-cap England Under-16s international, further highlighting his pedigree.

As bad as Shaw: Amorim must axe Man Utd dud after 4/10 Brentford display

Ruben Amorim must ring the changes for Manchester United’s next game.

ByMatt Dawson May 5, 2025

For that reason, he could be a fantastic long-term signing for United, maturing as a player in the youth teams at Old Trafford before hopefully becoming a key part of Amorim’s plans over time.

Celtic are in the market for reinforcements this summer, and Brendan Rodgers may have found the answer in his search to populate the forward areas with healthy competition, per a report.

Celtic look to finish season strong before summer recruitment drive

While the other side of the city end the season trophyless, Celtic are on the brink of another domestic treble heading into their final six matches of the campaign. This weekend, the Bhoys can wrap up the Scottish Premiership title by claiming a point against Dundee United at Tannadice.

On the same token, Aberdeen await in the Scottish Cup final next month as the chance to record another clean sweep lays a gripping backdrop for Brendan Rodgers.

Undoubtedly, the Irishman’s first port of call will be competing for the two remaining trophies on offer to Celtic, but he will also have one eye on what is set to be a busy summer at Parkhead. Per reports, the Hoops remain interested in Stoke City winger Million Manhoef, even if his £10 million price tag threatens to put a dampner on their pursuit.

Crystal Palace youngster Jesse Derry is also a target for Celtic after refusing to sign a new contract at Crystal Palace. Nevertheless, he would likely be a developmental addition for years to come.

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ByDan Emery Apr 22, 2025

With the Bhoys set to enter the Champions League at the final qualifying stage next year, targets will become public knowledge before too long due to the time constraints on their scope for business.

Bolstering the forward line is a key mission for Rodgers to support Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah, so it won’t be a surprise to hear that Celtic are now circling for a talented young striker.

Celtic position themselves to sign Moussa Soumano

According to Africa Foot, Celtic are in the mix to sign AC Ajaccio striker Moussa Soumano and have recently monitored the Saint-Denis-born man in action for the Ligue 2 outfit. However, Brentford are believed to be in the lead for his signature after putting forward a £2.5 million bid, though it is unclear whether his club have chosen to accept their proposal.

Moussa Soumano’s record in 2024/25 – Ligue 2

Appearances

27

Goals

4

Assists

2

Leeds United, Leicester City and Serie A clubs have also run checks on the 19-year-old, who will enter the final year of his deal come the end of the season. Primarily a centre-forward, Soumano can also play on the left flank and has completed 25 dribbles on league duty as AC Ajaccio veer towards the end of the campaign in mid-table.

Versatility is always a trait that can be put to good use at Celtic, especially considering the volume of matches Rodgers’ men need to encounter due to their involvement in multiple competitions.

However, they may have their work cut out for them in the chase for Soumano as Thomas Frank’s Brentford appear to be the primary contender to sign the prodigious talent.

Leeds United are looking to sign a new Japan international this summer who has the same agent as Whites star Ao Tanaka.

Tanaka starring in first season at Leeds

Arguably Leeds’ signing of the season alongside right-back Jayden Bogle, Tanaka has impressed after finally moving to Elland Road last summer. The midfielder cost the Whites just under £3m from Fortuna Dusseldorf and has featured heavily in his debut campaign under Daniel Farke.

Tanaka has made 41 appearances in all competitions for Leeds, with one of his highlights being a late goal scored against Championship promotion rivals Sheffield United.

The 26-year-old has come in for plenty of praise during the last 12 months, with BBC fan writer Adonis Storr calling Tanaka ‘one of the best bargains in Leeds history’.

“His introduction against Cardiff City at the end of September was only his third substitute appearances for Leeds, and he had never come on earlier than the 86th minute. Since then, no other footballer in the top four divisions of English football has completed over 1,000 passes and more than 50 tackles. The love from Ao was just as instant.

“In addition to passes and tackles, Tanaka is now adding goals to his performances – something that was missing last season when the Whites scored zero goals from central midfield. The £2.9m for Tanaka is one of the best bargains in Leeds history and shows that there is value available in the market should they look to strengthen in January.”

Leeds 2-0 Millwall

9.12/10

Leeds 3-0 Sheffield Wednesday

8.31/10

Swansea City 3-4 Leeds

8.11/10

Sheffield United 1-3 Leeds

8.07/10

Hull City 3-3 Leeds

7.98/10

Now, it looks as if Leeds and the 49ers Enterprises are trying to repeat their Tanaka success by signing another Japanese ace.

Leeds plan offer to sign Japan international Hidemasa Morita

According to reports in Portugal, relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds are very interested in signing Sporting CP midfielder Hidemasa Morita.

It is claimed that Leeds are readying a concrete offer to sign Morita if they win promotion to the Premier League, with the player himself looking to leave his current employers this summer.

The 29-year-old is out of contract at Sporting CP in 2026, so the Whites could take advantage over the coming months. Valued at a career-high €15m by Transfermarkt, Morita is at the top of his game and can play as a holding or central midfielder. He also shares the same CAA Base agency as Tanaka, potentially making a deal easier to complete.

Sky Sports: Leeds in contact to sign expensive £50k-p/w ace who Farke loves

The boss has called him a “great footballer”.

ByCharlie Smith Apr 17, 2025

Morita has also been capped 40 times by Japan and has played in both the Champions League and Europa League with Sporting CP under now Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim, and by the looks of things, a move to Leeds to play alongside Tanaka is one to watch.

Sheffield United are thought to be one of the sides in the lead to sign a new 6ft 4 defender for Chris Wilder.

Sheffield United planning for Premier League return

The Blades, despite starting the Championship season with a two-point deduction, are on course for an immediate return to the Premier League.

With seven games to go, Wilder’s side sit top of the second tier ahead of Leeds United and Burnley and look good for one of two automatic promotion spots.

Leeds (81 pts)

Sheffield United (83 pts)

Burnley (81 pts)

Luton Town (a)

Oxford United (a)

Coventry City (a)

Middlesbrough (a)

Millwall (h)

Derby County (a)

Preston North End (h)

Plymouth Argyle (a)

Norwich City (h)

Oxford United (a)

Cardiff City (h)

Watford (a)

Stoke City (h)

Burnley (a)

Sheffield United (h)

Bristol City (h)

Stoke City (a)

QPR (a)

Plymouth Argyle (a)

Blackburn Rovers (h)

Millwall (h)

With the club hoping they’ll be preparing for Premier League football in 2025/26, those behind the scenes at Bramall Lane have already been identifying transfer targets.

The best CF in the EFL signs: Sheffield United dream XI after promotion

Sheffield United will have to be busy in the transfer market if promotion up to the Premier League is sealed.

ByKelan Sarson Mar 30, 2025

They could look to raid the Championship, similar to how Ipswich Town operated last summer, with a move for Sunderland centre-back Daniel Ballard on the cards.

January target Jimmy Dunne from Queens Park Rangers remains of interest to the Blades, whereas Norwich City attacker Borja Sainz is another transfer target for Sheffield United.

However, away from the Championship, another defensive option is believed to be on the Blades’ radar.

Sheffield United in the lead for defender Terry Yegbe

According to reports from Sweden, relayed by Sport Witness, Sheffield United are in the race to sign Elfsborg defender Terry Yegbe. There were claims that Brighton & Hove Albion were about to sign Yegbe for around €5.4m (£4.5m), however, it is stated that Elfsborg would want up to €6.98m (£5.9m).

It is added that Sheffield United are still one of three clubs leading the race to sign Yegbe alongside Crystal Palace and Fulham.

The 24-year-old moved to Elfsborg in February 2024 from Finish side SJK Seinajoki for €550,000 and is under contract until 2028. Over the last 12 months, Yegbe, who stands at 6 foot 4, has made 44 appearances for his current employers, scoring three goals and even playing in the Europa League.

A centre-back who can also play as a left-back, Yegbe has also represented Ghana at international level and, over the last 365 days, ranks in the 99th percentile for clearances when compared to other centre-backs. [FbRef]

By the looks of things, a move to Yorkshire for Yegbe could be one to keep an eye on, especially if the Blades win promotion over the coming weeks.

Chelsea have now identified an “incredible” midfielder as a potential summer transfer target, but there may be fierce competition for his signature, with a whole host of Premier League clubs keen, according to a report.

Blues stepping up summer transfer plans

While the Blues have long since been out of the Premier League title race, they are still on course to have a fairly successful season, with Friday’s 1-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur solidifying their place in the top four.

However, if Enzo Maresca’s side are to compete with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool next season, they may need to strengthen in a number of areas, with a striker believed to be of particular interest.

A £59m bid has been submitted for Real Madrid’s Endrick, while Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is also interested in a move to Stamford Bridge this summer, with a deal possible for a fee of around £68m.

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ByEmilio Galantini Apr 3, 2025

Central midfield hasn’t been a problem position this season, with Moises Caicedo receiving rave reports, but there have been suggestions Maresca could also look to strengthen his options in the engine room this summer.

According to a report from The Boot Room, Chelsea have now joined the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson, but there could be fierce competition for his signature, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool also keen.

Larsson’s impressive performances this season have put him in the Blues’ sights, with checks being conducted, and they are planning to watch him closely when he comes up against Tottenham in the Europa League next week.

Previous reports have suggested the Swedish midfielder is valued at £50m, but his stock could well rise if he continues to perform well between now and the end of the campaign.

"Incredible" Larsson could be excellent signing

Maresca is blessed with some quality options in the middle of the park, with Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez among Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League this season, but there are plenty of signs the Frankfurt midfielder could still be a solid addition.

Sport1-journalist Christopher Michel has lauded the 20-year-old as “incredible”, and he has proven himself as a major goalscoring threat for Frankfurt over the past year, ranking in the 92nd percentile for non-penalty goals per 90.

Perhaps in part due to his goalscoring ability, the Frankfurt star has been lauded as “very similar to Bellingham” by football scout Ben Mattinson, who has also praised him for his ability in possession of the ball.

Larsson could be an excellent signing for Chelsea, but given that they are already well-stocked in midfield, signing a top striker should be their top priority this summer.

Sunderland are sitting inside the Champions League slots and could now be set to put forward a record bid for a European star that would represent a major shift in mentality at the Stadium of Light.

Regis Le Bris has continued to thrive in the North East after leading the Black Cats to the Premier League last season, and his side emerged with major credit over the weekend after securing a last-gasp 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal.

Despite the visitors defence being near-impenetrable in the top-flight before kick-off, Sunderland managed to carve their way through Mikel Arteta’s backline on several occasions.

More importantly, the Black Cats withstood immense pressure from the Gunners, throwing bodies on the line to secure a valuable point that keeps them on course for an excellent campaign as a newly-promoted outfit.

Dan Ballard played a significant role in helping Sunderland claim the result. However, the Northern Ireland international has stressed that his teammates have a long way to go before achieving their initial target of retaining their place in the division.

He told Match of the Day: “It’s a good morale boost to show we can go against a really top team – probably one of the best in Europe at the minute – and delighted with that. But it is just one point and we’ve got a lot of work to do to achieve our goal of staying up this year.”

Of course, Ballard’s comments are fairly routine for a side who are exceeding expectations. Still, Sunderland have definitely shown a healthy sense of ambition this term, and appear on course to achieve an excellent points total if they can maintain their current form.

With that in mind, they could now be set to target a record signing who would change the landscape of what could be to come at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland could submit record offer for Fermin Lopez

According to reports in Spain, Sunderland could be set to submit an offer of over £70 million to sign Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez, contingent on whether they secure a dream Champions League slot this season.

Given their financial structure allows Le Bris to compete with elite sides across the continent, there is now internal debate at the Catalan giants over whether to accept a money-spinning sum for one of their rising stars, who would instantly be Sunderland’s most expensive signing ever.

Five similar players to Fermin Lopez (FBRef)

Leroy Sane

Galatasaray

Serge Gnabry

Bayern Munich

Christian Pulisic

AC Milan

Luis Diaz

Bayern Munich

Dani Olmo

Barcelona

Labelled “sensational” by Hansi Flick, the attacking midfielder has already notched six goals and four assists in 11 matches this season, and he is also capable of playing on the left flank or in central midfield.

Sunderland have bid for the new Chemsdine Talbi

Talks are at an initial stage and Barcelona are yet to give a definitive signal whether they are going to let him depart, though it is clear that Sunderland have given them something to think about ,and a high-profile transfer saga could be set to follow.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is set to be without one star for a month through injury, with their stance on a January transfer solution also revealed.

Chelsea lose Champions League ground amid suspension and injury woes

Chelsea’s automatic Champions League qualification prospects suffered a significant setback in Bergamo on Tuesday evening as Maresca’s side surrendered a half-time advantage to lose 2-1 against Atalanta.

The Blues controlled proceedings during the opening period, with Joao Pedro sliding home his inaugural Champions League goal after Reece James’s precise delivery in the 25th minute.

However, a second-half capitulation, triggered by Gianluca Scamacca’s 55th-minute header and Charles De Ketelaere’s deflected 83rd-minute winner, leaves Chelsea precariously positioned in 11th place with two league phase games remaining.

Maresca confronts mounting selection dilemmas as Chelsea’s injury list continues to pose a real problem, as it has done all season.

The Italian has made more squad rotations than any other manager in the Premier League this term, with Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer, Benoit Badiashile, Malo Gusto, Enzo Fernández, Roméo Lavia, Pedro Neto, Dario Essugo, Liam Delap, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Andrey Santos, Moises Caicedo and Josh Acheampong all sidelined at various points this term through injury or suspension.

Mykhailo Mudryk also remains banned for alleged doping violations, though some surprise reports suggest he could actually return to action next month.

Mudryk poised for surprise January return as club eye Chelsea loan deal

The Ukrainian hasn’t played since November 2024.

ByEmilio Galantini 3 days ago

Palmer, the Blues’ talisman, is still working his way back to full fitness as Maresca manages his workload meticulously.

The England international’s persistent fitness struggles have restricted him to just six appearances across all competitions this season, and Chelsea quite simply need him firing.

Maresca confirmed that Palmer cannot feature in consecutive matches within three-day periods right now, prioritising long-term availability over immediate selection.

Roméo Lavia’s latest in a long line of injury problems has depleted Chelsea’s midfield alongside Caicedo’s suspension, with it being unclear as to when the 21-year-old Belgian will return.

Colwill’s ruptured ACL sustained during pre-season means the promising defender is in line to miss the vast majority of 2025/2026, with Essugo sidelined after suffering a setback.

The most pressing of all these concerns, though, is Delap’s return to the treatment table.

Chelsea handed Liam Delap injury update

According to BBC journalist Nizaar Kinsella, Delap’s shoulder injury, sustained during Chelsea’s goalless draw with Bournemouth, appears significantly less serious than first feared.

The striker is now expected to return within four weeks rather than the two months originally mooted, which comes as good news for Chelsea, even if Maresca is poised to be minus Delap for a month.

The 22-year-old departed the Vitality Stadium in considerable distress, landing awkwardly after a first-half aerial challenge with Marcos Senesi and immediately sparking concerns about a prolonged absence.

Initial reports suggested Delap faced between six and eight weeks sidelined, potentially ruling him out until February and forcing Chelsea to accelerate Emmanuel Emegha’s pre-arranged summer transfer from Strasbourg.

However, subsequent scans delivered encouraging news by confirming no fracture, drastically reducing the recovery timeline.

Maresca had expressed genuine concern post-match, admitting the shoulder issue “looked quite bad” and lamenting Chelsea’s serious bad luck.

The revised timeline means Delap could potentially return before the January transfer window closes, alleviating immediate pressure to bolster Chelsea’s attacking options.

The England Under-21 international has endured a frustrating debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, having already missed two months earlier this season with a hamstring injury sustained in August.

Delap has managed just six starts across all competitions since his £30 million summer arrival from Ipswich, scoring once against Barcelona in the Champions League.

As the former Man City striker continues his recovery, it appears Marc Guiu and Pedro will continue shouldering striker responsibilities.

They have received plenty of stick for it over the years, but Chelsea’s transfer strategy is starting to pay off.

The likes of Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Estevao, Enzo Fernández and Marc Cucurella all joined the Blues under the current ownership and have been exceptional.

However, it also has to be said that the club have made their fair share of dud signings over the last few years, with Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk among the most high-profile.

Unfortunately, there is a player in Enzo Maresca’s squad who could end up going down the same road, a player who has to be dropped ahead of this weekend’s game.

Sterling and Mudryk's Chelsea careers

Chelsea paid around £50m to sign Sterling from Manchester City in the summer of 2022, and while it’s easy to say that was a mistake today, it looked like pretty good business at the time.

After all, he was a multiple league winner, still just 27 years old, and in 339 appearances for the Citizens, had scored 131 goals and provided 86 assists.

Unfortunately, while he has certainly had moments of real brilliance with the Blues, they have only ever really been moments, and his tally of 19 goals and 15 assists in 81 games doesn’t really justify his mammoth weekly wage of £325k.

The West Londoners hoped that by sending him on loan to Arsenal last season, he’d put himself back in the shop window for a move away, but he ended up further damaging his reputation and is now stuck in the club’s ‘bomb squad.’

Unfortunately, the situation with Mudryk is even worse.

The Ukrainian international joined the Pensioners in January 2023 for a fee of up to £89m, and there was understandable excitement around the deal, helped in part by Arsenal’s failure to secure his services.

The hype only increased when, on debut, he came off the bench against Liverpool and looked electric, so much so that Gary Neville claimed that he “wouldn’t like to play against him!”

However, that performance ended up being something of a flash in the pan, as the 24-year-old ended the season with just two assists in 17 appearances.

The following campaign was not much better, as in 41 appearances, he scored just seven goals and provided four assists.

Appearances

73

Minutes

3612′

Goals

10

Assists

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.28

Minutes per Goal Involvement

172′

Unfortunately, things somehow got even worse for the player and the club as he was provisionally suspended after failing a drugs test last December, and was then charged by the FA in June, which could see him handed a four-year ban.

Now, while Chelsea don’t have anyone in the team in danger of something that bad, they do have a previously hyped winger who is underperforming and needs to be dropped.

The Chelsea ace Maresca must axe

Unfortunately for Maresca, you could probably make an argument for why several players need to be dropped following Chelsea’s dire display against Leeds United.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, while the defence was obviously a massive problem, the attack was not much better.

Moreover, while he wasn’t the worst player on the pitch, far from it, to be fair, Jamie Gittens once again offered very little.

Last season, the then Borussia Dortmund star was scoring and assisting goals for fun, so much so that he ended the campaign with 17 goal involvements and was even labelled “England’s best left winger” by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley.

However, aside from the odd bit of skill here and there, the Stamford Bridge faithful have seen very little to get excited about from the 21-year-old, so much so, in fact, that one analyst has gone as far as calling him a “pointless signing.”

Appearances

32

11

Minutes

1784′

401′

Goals

8

0

Assists

4

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.37

0.18

Minutes per Goal Involvement

148.66′

200.5′

Now, that is almost certainly too far at this point in the season, but with just one goal and five assists in 17 games for the West Londoners, it’s not hard to see where he is coming from, especially considering how hyped Sterling and Mudryk were before they arrived and eventually disappointed.

So, with all that said and a must-win game against Bournemouth this afternoon, Maresca has to take the Englishman out of the team.

Granted, the other options are not ideal either, but at least Alejandro Garnacho has more league goal involvements in fewer games.

Moreover, the manager could return to the winger pairing of Pedro Neto and Estevao, which did reasonably well against Arsenal.

Ultimately, while there is still plenty of time for Gittens to make good on his vast potential, it is hard not to think of the likes of Sterling and Mudryk when watching him struggle to stamp his authority on games.

Chelsea hold talks with defender's camp as Moises Caicedo offers thoughts on signing

The midfielder is playing a role in this potential transfer.

ByEmilio Galantini 7 days ago

Arne Slot has intimated multiple times this season his belief that Liverpool are conceding a disproportionate number of goals while failing to finish their chances off up top.

To a degree, this is true. Expected Goals Against (xGA) tell of the Anfield side’s struggles at the back, having conceded 20 times in the Premier League this season despite only conceding an xGA total of 15.5.

But that is only one dimension of a many-angled crisis for the Merseysiders, who have been sapped of strength and style and confidence after dispatching their rivals to storm to the Premier League title last season.

Liverpool are also joint-fifth for big chances created this season (35), while Chelsea are first with 39 created. Not exactly a world away, and when you consider that no team have had more possession than Liverpool this term (61.5%), you’d perhaps argue that Slot has all the ingredients to get his squad playing to his tune.

Football works in weird ways, though, and Liverpool have been shambolic. Something needs to give, and while defence and attack both share issues, it is a tough, physical presence in midfield that the Reds are lacking this season.

Liverpool need to sign a holding midfielder

Last season, Slot bounced back from the frustration of being rejected by Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi by converting Ryan Gravenberch into a robust, deep-lying midfielder. It paid dividends, with Liverpool lifting the Premier League title for the second time in five years.

Liverpool are such a far cry from the robust level of last year it almost beggars belief, with Gravenberch lacking the physicality and strength to give the Anfield side what they need to turn things around.

With Alexis Mac Allister also struggling, it could be that a robust new presence in the middle could turn the tide at Anfield, and sources from overseas suggest that that is what sporting director Richard Highes is focusing on right now.

Well, according to reports in Spain, Liverpool have made a staggering British record bid for Real Madrid star Federico Valverde, worth something in the region of €150m (equating to £132m).

Dissent is rife at the Santiago Bernabeu, with suggestions of breakdowns in the relationship between head coach Xabi Alonso and star players such as Vinicius Junior.

Liverpool are looking to capitalise, adding Uruguay international Valverde to their ranks and reinforcing their midfield with a combative presence and a leader of men.

What Valverde would offer Liverpool

Valverde, 27, has been at Real Madrid for the lion’s share of his senior career, having joined the Spaniard from Penarol in his homeland way back in 2015.

A dynamic and multi-functional player, Valverde has chalked up 339 senior appearances for Los Blancos, scoring 32 goals and supplying 35 assists. He was once described as a “monster in the making” with “world-class potential” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, and it’s fair to say Valverde has lived up to the hype on that account.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 11% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 17% for progressive passes, the top 20% for progressive carries, the top 17% for interceptions and the top 1% for switches (rekindling something of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s passing range, perhaps).

The data-led platform reveal Arsenal’s Declan Rice to be among his most statistically comparable players, to give a flavour of his style (though Liverpool fans are already well-acquainted with Valverde’s talent).

Moreover, Valverde’s steely defensive qualities could be the perfect way to reinforce Liverpool’s midfield while maintaining a kind of broadness of style that Slot is known to covet from his engine room workers.

Central midfield

282

19 + 27

Right-back

56

2 + 8

Right wing

33

11 + 4

Defensive midfield

15

1 + 0

Attacking midfield

14

1 + 0

Left-back

7

0 + 0

Centre-back

1

0 + 0

Given Valverde’s Real Madrid connection and his steeliness in the centre of the field – he has won 58% of his duels and averaged 1.7 tackles per game in La Liga, as per Sofascore – the South American could even be Liverpool’s next version of Fabinho, who cut his teeth in the Spanish capital before finding his footing in France with Monaco.

Fabinho, Jurgen Klopp’s all-inspiring midfield anchor for so many years, was also more than capable as a right-back, emphasising the athleticism and tactical intelligence that he shares with Valverde.

The Brazilian differed from Gravenberch in that he was more resilient in his play, less technically gifted, but more suited to a natural role in the six berth.

Valverde could be the perfect addition in this regard, still getting forward when the need arises but bringing a more focused defensive skillset from which Slot’s tactics could bloom once again.

You could argue that Liverpool have missed Fabinho’s presence ever since he left for Saudi Arabia in 2023. With the pendulum swinging within English football once again, and low blocks and more direct play back in fashion, Valverde could be a significant upgrade and a worthwhile addition in spite of the exorbitant cost.

Joe Cole waxed lyrical after one glittering Champions League performance, remarking that Valverde “is every bit as good as Jude Bellingham”.

Quite the praise, that. But Liverpool don’t need Bellingham. They need someone even grittier and more grounded. Fabinho-esque. They need Valverde.

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