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According to CalcioMercato, Glasgow Rangers are still interested in signing long-term target Lovro Majer from Dinamo Zagreb.

What’s the word?

Reports at the start of the year revealed that the Light Blues were tracking the Croatia U21 international back in January. But Steven Gerrard’s side ended up signing Ianis Hagi initially on loan instead, before he impressed in his short spell at Ibrox before the Scottish Premiership was suspended in March.

And Rangers signed the Romania international on a permanent deal from Genk in the summer as he was described by Gerrard as a “pleasure to coach.”

It’s claimed that the Gers remain in the race to sign Majer in the winter transfer window but will face stiff competition from some of Europe’s top clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, Fiorentina, Sevilla and Valencia, whilst Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United are also closely monitoring the situation. But Ross Wilson must sanction a swoop for the £2m-rated ace, otherwise he may never get another opportunity.

Better than Kranjcar?

Croatia has become a scouting ground for the Gers in recent years, having signed both Borna Barisic and Nikola Katic since Steven Gerrard first took charge at the Ibrox outfit.

For every Nikica Jelavic or Dado Prso, there has been a Niko Kranjcar, so Ross Wilson may want to tread very carefully indeed.

This season, Majer has made one appearance in the Europa League, whilst he has averaged one shot, three key passes and three dribbles per game, via WhoScored. In comparison, Hagi has only managed one key pass per game, as per WhoScored.

The 22-year-old has scored three goals and supplied two assists in six games in the Croatian top flight, otherwise known as the 1.HNL, after bagging a brace against NK Lokomotiva at the start of the season, via Transfermarkt.

On the other hand, Kranjcar could only manage to score one goal and supply one assist in sixteen appearances in the Scottish Premiership, via Transfermarkt. The veteran was 31 at the time of his arrival and was plagued by constant injury setbacks over the course of his career, so he was undoubtedly past his peak, whereas Majer, who plays in a similar position, has stayed unscathed so far.

Despite his young age, Majer has already been compared to Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric. Hagi has also been tipped for greatness, with his father Gheorghe Hagi recently insisting that his son has a similar playing style to current Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane. Even so, he has copped a fair amount of criticism so far, as well.

Whilst it’s too early to tell whether or not Majer will be better than Kranjcar, it’s fair to say that, unlike his countryman, the youngster remains a relatively risk-free signing. One thing’s for sure, he’s certainly on the right track if his record is anything to go by.

Gerrard has shown he can get the best out of young players, as he has worked wonders with both Hagi and Calvin Bassey. So, he could take his game to the next level if he moves to Ibrox, as he’d almost certainly be guaranteed games. Get it done, Gers, before it’s too late!

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers striker Kemar Roofe steals the show against Standard Liege…

Deadline day may have come and gone last Monday, but we still have a few days of the domestic transfer window to go.

Leeds don’t seem all that likely to do any business, but if they are to get someone in, it looks as though it will be a midfielder.

Todd Cantwell remains the only real concrete link, while it’s clear that it’s a position that the club want to bolster after their failed pursuit of Michael Cuisance.

However, we can’t help but feel that Leeds are looking to strengthen the wrong area.

Yes, there is room for improvement in the midfield, but the depth there is fine, with Mateusz Klich, Adam Forshaw and Jamie Shackleton all having plenty of experience in playing that role under Bielsa.

However, when you look across to right-back, there is the potential for a dangerous situation.

Now, nobody can argue that Luke Ayling has done anything but a stellar job in that spot so far this season, because he’s been fantastic, earning an average WhoScored rating of 7.21, but if he gets injured or suspended, things start to look troublesome.

Leeds no longer have the safety net option of Gaetano Berardi who could slot in comfortably at right-back, so if Ayling was to go down with a problem, their options would be to play Shackleton out of position, in a role he’s only played 13 times at Championship level, or to call upon Cody Drameh, a man with no first-team experience.

If Leeds are looking to strengthen their squad before the domestic deadline, then the first port of call should be at right-back as there is seemingly a disaster waiting to happen in that spot if Ayling finds himself unavailable for selection.

Victor Orta needs to get into gear and find the club an adequate back-up in that position, even if it’s just on loan until January where he can start to look abroad again.

Speaking exclusively to the Evening Standard, ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards has claimed that summer signing Joe Hart is ‘exactly’ what Spurs need ahead of the upcoming Premier League season, going on to state that he is an ‘inspirational’ character who could motivate the dressing room. 

Hart has gone to enjoy an illustrious career with plenty of highs and lows since he signed for the Sky Blues from Shrewsbury Town back in 2006, winning five major trophies, including two Premier League titles, and making 348 appearances for the club before parting company in the summer of 2018 (Transfermarkt).

After being deemed surplus to requirements by manager Pep Guardiola upon his arrival in 2016, who was after a sweeper ‘keeper who could help implement his tiki-taka philosophy, Hart suffered through a less than impressive spell at Burnley before being allowed to leave the club as a free agent.

Pleading to new clubs in a BBC interview, Spurs opted to give Hart a chance, snapping him up on a free deal.

Richards, who helped City to their first Premier League triumph in 2012 along with Hart, has now stated that he is ‘exactly’ what the club need if Tottenham are going to cement a top four place and challenge for silverware.

“He won’t be going as a No3 [goalkeeper],” Richards explained to Standard Sport.

“He knows he’s going to be No2, that’s the reason he has gone there. Joe is an inspirational character. I couldn’t speak any higher [of him]. When he was England keeper he was always knocking on your door.

“When I was at City, there were big characters. For Spurs, that is exactly what they need. Every time they get to a big game they freeze a little bit.

“They have the quality but it is just the characters to get them over the line. Joe Hart, whether playing or in the dressing room, is a massive character.”

Whether or not the 75-cap international proves to be a coup remains to be seen, but signing an experienced motivator like Hart on a free transfer could be deemed a good bit of business from Levy.

Spurs fans, is Joe Hart ‘exactly’ what you need? Have your say in the comments below…

After suffering a surprise exit from the Carabao Cup against Stoke City in mid-week, Aston Villa return to Premier League action on Sunday night as they take on reigning champions Liverpool.

Dean Smith’s side have started the league campaign superbly, with two wins from two, scoring four goals, and conceding exactly none. Their defeat against Stoke however may have dampened the mood slightly, although the Villa boss arguably won’t be too fussed with his side bowing out of the competition at the last 16 stage.

Smith made numerous changes to his starting line-up for the game against the Potters, and will no doubt revert back to a far stronger team for the visit of Liverpool.

Below is a look at just how Villa could take to the field on Sunday.

In goal, summer signing Emiliano Martinez is likely to resume duties as Smith’s main man in between the sticks, with cup goalkeeper Jed Steer moving back to the bench.

In front of the former Arsenal man, the Villa manager will be keen to stick with the same back-line that has served him so well early on in this Premier League season, so expect to see Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Matt Targett reclaim their spots.

Despite bringing in Ross Barkley from Chelsea on a season-long loan, a clash against Liverpool may not be the time or place for Villa to throw him right into the deep end, with Douglas Luiz, John McGinn and Connor Hourihane likely to get the nod. The England international should however be on the bench.

Smith also has a bit of a headache when it comes to who he chooses for the right-wing berth, with Bertrand Traore already scoring for his new club and showing why he could be a superb acquisition for them. If the Villa boss decides the former Lyon man could provide that spark of magic in a game where they’re likely to see less of the ball, that could swing things in the Burkina Faso international’s favour. The £8.5m Trezeguet will be the man to make way from last weekend’s game against Fulham.

And joining Traore in attack, captain Jack Grealish and another big-money summer signing, Ollie Watkins, will be hoping to get off the mark for Villa.

Predicted XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn, Hourihane; Traore, Grealish, Watkins.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, Daily Mirror writer Darren Lewis believes Tottenham and club chairman Daniel Levy will be ‘crying every night’ over their failure to land Man United star Bruno Fernandes – with the pundit going on to suggest he was in the ‘palm’ of Spurs’ hands. 

Fernandes, who excelled last season in all competitions for both Sporting Lisbon and United, scoring a combined 27 goals from midfield for both clubs, was bordering on a north London move before the Red Devils eventually sealed his transfer.

The Portuguese ace even admitted himself that Levy and co were ‘closer’ at one stage in the race, but Tottenham’s ultimate failure to land Fernandes has debatably resulted in United acquiring a superstar.

After selling playmaker Christian Eriksen in January to Inter Milan for just £16.9 million, it was arguably imperative for Spurs to replace him with an adept creative asset who could mimic the Dane’s influence.

Fernandes, who averaged a highly impressive 3.7 key passes per 90 in the Primeira Liga before his January switch (WhoScored), making his initial £47 million fee seem fairly reasonable, appeared to be the optimal target.

However, as Spurs contemplated a move, United leapfrogged them in the race for his signature and eventually secured a blockbuster deal – with the 26-year-old going on to score eight goals whilst assisting seven others in the Premier League under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Now, Mirror journalist Lewis believes Tottenham will be distraught over missing out on a world class asset – taking aim at the club and, by extension, Levy.

“Spurs can dither,” explained the writer on Monday’s talkSPORT Breakfast.

“I think they will cry every night over losing Bruno Fernandes when they had him in the palm of their hands and dithered over how much he would cost.

“They dither, ‘it’s got to be this, it’s got to be that’ – they can’t seem to get the players in to move the team on.

“Other clubs have made far more progress because they moved far more quickly.”

Given the current lack of creativity in midfield under Jose Mourinho, Spurs could have arguably done with a signing like Fernandes to give them that cutting edge as the 2020/2021 season gets underway.

Spurs fans, do you highly regret missing out on Fernandes? Have your say in the comment section below…

Plenty of Leicester City fans have spotted some similarities to footballing legend David Beckham in James Maddison.

The Foxes midfielder has posted a photo to his

/CBQ8IW2FCaf/”>Instagram, sporting new colours for a Puma advertisement campaign. The picture has attracted a lot of attention from Leicester fans, with a few likening him to the England legend in the comments on the image.

Maddison joined the Midlands side from Norwich in 2018 for a fee of £20m (via BBC Sport). Since his arrival, he has caught the eye of top Premier League teams including Manchester United, who are reportedly looking to sign him this summer.

The midfielder has tallied six goals and three assists in the league this season and he is on track to beat his debut campaign with the Foxes where he totalled seven goals and seven assists (via Transfermarkt).

Maddison has just the one senior England cap so far but, with the way he is making a name for himself in the Premier League, it will be hard for Gareth Southgate to ignore his ability in the middle of the park.

He may not be the next Becks in terms of his international status and goal count but the 23-year-old is certainly on his way to making a name for himself as a top-quality midfield talent.

What is your favourite James Maddison memory so far, Foxes? Have your say in the comments below!

Newcastle United’s takeover could be confirmed by next week, according to sources in Saudi Arabia.

The House of Saud claim that there have been delays to the original plans of announcing the completion on Monday of this week and also state that “terms including figures are agreed and the deposit has been completed.”

In an article posted today, they further added:

“Speculation regarding a potential one-off embargo against the PIF and Saudi Arabia being imposed by the Premier League is untrue, and we can report that the Saudi Finance Minister has received no indication of any such issues or obstacles with regard to the takeover of Newcastle United.

“The new owners have a “dream list” of players, including some of Europe’s biggest names, which they see as crucial to bringing the club’s results and achievements to the highest level. The Newcastle United board are confident they will be able to announce the deal formally within, at most, the next week.”

If true, Mike Ashley’s 13-year tenure at the Magpies is soon about to come to an end with Amanda Staveley’s consortium taking the reins.

Many fans at St James’ Park have been waiting eagerly all week to hear some sort of confirmation that the takeover has been completed and this latest update emerging from Saudi Arabia, who are heavily backing the deal through their Public Investment Fund, provides major encouragement.

Spot the fact from the fib: Are these Premier League records true or false?

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The House of Saud believe the delay has been down to “due diligence” from the Premier League, which has been exacerbated by the current lockdown measures in both countries.

AND in other news, Fans react as Faustino Asprilla comments on Newcastle takeover…

Loads of Tottenham Hotspur fans have been reacting on Twitter after Football London’s Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold criticised the club’s decision to let Fernando Llorente leave last summer.

The website’s Tottenham news Twitter account relayed the comment from a Q&A Gold conducted, where he was discussing the need for the north London outfit and manager Jose Mourinho to find a replacement for the giant Spaniard.

Of course, Spurs have been left without a senior recognised striker in recent months after Harry Kane suffered a serious hamstring injury on New Year’s Day against Southampton, which has left Mourinho in a though situation with the likes of Dele Alli and Lucas Moura filling in up top.

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

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Meanwhile, Llorente joined Napoli and has scored four goals in 24 outings for the Serie A outfit, with the majority of his outings coming from the substitutes’ bench with just four starts to his name, as per Transfermarkt.

Nevertheless, he would have given Tottenham a focal point and some much-needed respite in the absence of Kane, with Gold labelling the call not to hand him a new contract last summer as a “poor decision”.

Many Spurs supporters agree with the journalist as you can see below, with one saying “I’d pin that on Poch”, obviously believing that the Argentine was to blame for the 35-year-old’s departure.

Here is a selection of the reaction…

In other Tottenham news, Lucas Moura has posted a brilliant video on Twitter of him re-watching the Champions League semi-final at home…

After signing for £62.8 million last summer, showing huge promise for Atletico Madrid as an extraordinary passing midfielder and potential heir to Fernandinho, some Manchester City supporters were unimpressed with his performance in their 1-1 draw at home to Shakhtar Donetsk. 

Ilkay Gundogan finally opened the scoring for City with his bundled effort before Israeli international Manor Solomon equalised following a stunning move – with Rodrigo then making way for Phil Foden after seemingly having minimal impact going forward.

Despite what you could consider to be a sub-par performance, the Spaniard has still made a fine start to life at Eastlands since his mega move – fulfilling that label of ‘the ultimate passing midfielder’ which suits Pep Guardiola’s philosophy to a tee.

So far, the 23-year-old has amassed an incredible 92% pass success rate in the league and has an even better percentage of 94.5% in Europe, as per WhoScored.com – highlighting his wizardry when it comes to distribution.

However, some sceptics argue that he isn’t energetic or robust enough to fully take the mantel from Fernandinho as City’s midfield anchor – with some shining the light on his Shakhtar performance as proof.

Here’s what supporters had to say on Twitter.

انتهت مباراة أستون فيلا وإيفرتون بالتعادل السلبي 0/0، في لقاء مؤجل من الجولة 19 من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

غاب عن أستون فيلا النجم المصري محمود حسن تريزيجيه كما جرت العادة مؤخرًا، بسبب إصابته بقطع في الرباط الصليبي.

وشارك أحمد المحمدي في المباراة عند الدقيقة 45 قبل نهاية الشوط الأول، وشارك في شوط كامل، وتمكن من الحفاظ على نظافة شباك فريقه.

حاول كالفيرت لوين كثيرًا لتسجيل هدف الفوز لـ إيفرتون، لكن تألق مارتينيز منع التوفيز من التسجيل ضد أصحاب الأرض.

بهذه النتيجة يصبح رصيد أستون فيلا 49 نقطة في المركز 11، بينما إيفرتون في المركز الثامن برصيد 56 نقطة.