Postecoglou Must Unleash Celtic’s £23k-p/w Maestro Vs Gers

Ange Postecoglou's Celtic side have already wrapped up the Scottish Premiership title for the 2022/23 campaign, following their success last term, but still have four matches left to play.

The Hoops know that their job is already done in the top-flight but they do have an opportunity to pour salt into the wound this weekend as they travel to Ibrox this afternoon.

Celtic could extend their lead at the top of the table to 16 points with a win over their rivals and increasing the gap between the two teams in the final weeks of the campaign could be their motivation after securing the title.

Postecoglou's men beat Hearts 2-0 last time out and the Australian coach could look to make some changes to his side to offer other players a chance to impress, given that their main goal has already been achieved.

Will Aaron Mooy start against Rangers?

Central midfielder Aaron Mooy should be named in the starting XI for today's clash with Michael Beale's team and come in for Danish gem Matt O'Riley.

The ex-MK Dons man lost seven of his eight duels and completed 76% of his attempted passes as he recorded a Sofascore rating of 6.8.

Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley.

Postecoglou could now ditch the £1.5m fan-favourite, who has started 29 Premiership matches this term, in order to give Mooy a chance to catch the eye after the Dane's less-than-impressive display last time out.

Mooy has only started 13 times in the Scottish top-flight but has consistently produced excellent performances with an average Sofascore rating of 7.13 across his 29 appearances.

The £23k-per-week maestro, who was once hailed as "immense" by journalist Josh Bunting, has racked up four goals and ten assists in the division, whilst completing 85% of his passes and winning 48% of his duels.

He has been able to make a huge impact in the final third in spite of his lack of starts and is a reliable force on and off the ball, with his quality in possession and his strength out of it.

The Australian "leader" – as he was dubbed by his national team coach Graham Arnold – can be a creative presence in the middle of the park and take up O'Riley's position, with the Danish gem having produced 11 assists in the league, by using his ability to create big opportunities for the forwards.

Therefore, Postecoglou could ditch, or rest, O'Riley by finally unleashing Mooy from the start – for the first time since the 8th of April – in the clash against the second-placed side this afternoon.

Liverpool Will Use "Secret Agent" To Land £50k p/w Ace

Liverpool may call on the connection between Virgil Van Dijk and transfer target Jurrien Timber as the Reds try to bring the talented Ajax defender to Anfield this summer.

Both players regularly pitch up on the same side for the Netherlands national team, which is something that Van Dijk has previously used as leverage to help his club land January signing Cody Gakpo.

What's the latest transfer news involving Jurrien Timber?

As per Soccer News via The Mirror, Liverpool legend John Barnes has claimed that Van Dijk is helping Liverpool in their mission to land Timber by telling him to reject Manchester United in favour of a move to Anfield.

The 59-year-old said in an interview: “Of course, I know that he played together with Van Dijk in the Dutch national team and according to the latest rumours Van Dijk has told him that he has to go to Anfield. He is a good player and would therefore be a good asset to Liverpool. Virgil is already over 30 and he will not stay with the club forever. So in the long term, it’s not just about coming to the Reds to form a duo with Van Dijk."

METRO have detailed that both Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester United are keen on bringing in the 21-year-old, who could cost around £44 million to acquire from Ajax.

Journalist Dean Jones has also suggested that Van Dijk may look to lean on Timber's friendship with him in a recent interview with Football FanCast, stating: "He's become a secret football agent Van Dijk with his little connections in the game, if they can keep leaning on them to get deals done, then you absolutely have to make the most of that. There's sometimes it is a logical thing to do, if a player has a direct connection with somebody that you're after, then I've always felt like you should lean on that bond. Obviously, he's going to understand what Liverpool have been through already. But, Van Dijk has been able to work wonders before for him. Why not try and repeat it?"

Should Liverpool try and sign Jurrien Timber from Ajax this summer?

Yes, Timber is up there with the most talented young defenders in Europe and has even been heralded as a "great player and a true professional" by Van Dijk himself.

Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber.

In 2022/23, £50k-a-week ace Timber has made 45 appearances in all competitions for Ajax, registering two goals and two assists in total, as per Transfermarkt.

Football Insider report that Liverpool defender Joel Matip could depart the club this summer if an offer of £10-15 million is submitted for his services, signifying the need for Jurgen Klopp to add younger reinforcements to his backline.

Timber would fit the brief and then some, with WhoScored showing that he has managed an average of 1.8 clearances per match this term, demonstrating his awareness to dangerous situations.

His capacity to operate in central defence or at right-back would also be a huge plus point for Klopp, who has recently moved Trent Alexander-Arnold into a more advanced position to maximise his attacking output. Utilising Timber as a right-back could make sense and allow Alexander-Arnold to have a free role in midfield when needed.

FBRef note that the Netherlands international has also provided an offensive threat from the flank in 2022/23, having successfully carried out 54 shot-creating actions in the Eredivisie, which is something Trent was known for at right back.

Of course, interest is bound to be vast in Timber come the transfer window. However, if Van Dijk can work his magic once more and convince Timber to move to Anfield, Liverpool could have a potential superstar on their hands.

Celtic: Ange Can Find Hatate’s Dream Partner In £7m Swoop

Celtic have already secured the Scottish Premiership title for the 2023/24 campaign and can complete a domestic treble if they beat Inverness in the cup final at the start of next month.

Despite their dominance of football in Scotland, Ange Postecoglou could use the upcoming summer transfer window to increase the quality and depth of his squad.

The Hoops were knocked out of the Champions League in the group phase and the boss may want to build a roster that is capable of competing domestically and in Europe next term.

Blick recently reported that Celtic are one of a number of teams interested in a deal to sign FC Luzern central midfielder Ardon Jashari this summer and the youngster is a player who has the potential to be a future star for the club.

Who is Ardon Jashari?

The 20-year-old gem is a Switzerland international who could form a dream partnership with current Hoops midfielder Reo Hatate in the years to come.

Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate.

Jashari, who could cost up to €8m (£7m), has shown promise with his impressive performances in the Swiss top-flight and could be a joy to watch at Parkhead next term.

The left-footed maestro has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.95 in the Super League across 32 appearances and made 2.4 tackles and interceptions per game.

He has proven himself to be a reliable performer who can win the ball back for his side on a consistent basis, whilst his 59% success rate in duels also shows that the battler is a dominant player in the middle of the park.

Hatate, meanwhile, has only made 1.5 tackles and interceptions per match in the Premiership and is not as defensive-minded as Jashari.

However, the Japan international is able to impact games at the top end of the pitch.

He has scored five goals and assisted a further eight across 30 appearances, whilst the Luzern star has only been directly involved in four goals this term, and this shows that the Japan magician regularly makes important contributions in the final third.

This also indicates that the Swiss enforcer, who was once hailed as an "orchestrator" by scout Jacek Kulig, could perfectly complement the 25-year-old machine as his defensive presence in midfield could allow the Celtic ace to thrive going forward.

Jashari could be the anchor of Postecoglou's midfield and sweep up ahead of the back line in order to provide the likes of Hatate and Matt O'Riley with the freedom they need to punish opposition teams with their quality on the ball.

At the ages of 20 and 25 respectively, the pair could also be Celtic's dream midfield pairing for many years to come and grow and develop whilst dominating games at Parkhead, which is why the club must swoop for the Luzern prospect this summer.

Chelsea Register Transfer Interest In 22-y/o "Warrior"

Chelsea are interested in a move for Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte, but they may face a lot of competition for his signature, Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

What's the latest on Manuel Ugarte?

The Uruguayan has attracted a lot of transfer interest this summer, and Chelsea are now said to be interested in a move, alongside Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Aston Villa, among others.

The 22-year-old has made 47 appearances in all competitons this season, helping Sporting reach the Europa League quarter-finals under Ruben Amorim, and could be ready for a big move.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano claimed that Ugarte is of interest to the Blues, who are aware of his release clause this summer.

"Chelsea appreciate Ugarte. This is still not something clear, because Chelsea are not going to close this deal now," he stated.

"Chelsea have an interest, Chelsea appreciate the player, Chelsea know about the release clause of €60m (£52m), and they are discussing internally about whether they want to trigger the clause or if they prefer to negotiate on this deal, but Ugarte is one of the names they have in their list."

What could Ugarte bring to Chelsea?

Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

Having lost Jorginho in January, and with Mateo Kovacic potentially leaving, whilst N'Golo Kante continues to suffer from injury issues, Chelsea could benefit from bringing a midfielder in despite the arrival of Enzo Fernandez.

Mauricio Pochettino is expected to take the helm as head coach, and he could look to add some steel to the middle of the park.

The Uruguayan has previously been described as a "warrior," and he could form a formidable partnership with Fernandez as Pochettino looks to restore order to the chaos at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have had a disastrous campaign, as they are set to finish in the bottom half of the table despite heavy spending across the last two transfer windows, and Pochettino will be their fifth manager since the start of last season.

Given the other interest in Ugarte, and the lack of European football at Chelsea next season, it would be something of a coup if they can convince him to join, in what will likely be an expensive transfer.

Mason Mount has been linked with a big-money move away, and if Chelsea can earn a significant fee from his departure, they may be able to fund a move for Ugarte, but they have to be wary about their financial situation, with sales needed to comply with financial fair play rules.

Man United Hold Talks Over Signing Two Forwards

Manchester United have held “detailed talks” over moves for Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news?

The Red Devils don’t appear to be wasting any time when it comes to bolstering their squad, with Erik ten Hag seemingly wanting the majority of the club’s summer business done early.

There could well be a number of new faces arriving at Old Trafford, with Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount potentially one of the first through the door.

Reports in recent days have suggested that personal terms have been agreed with the England international, with a move expected to go through, and it looks as if focus is also on bringing in a new striker.

According to Red Devils correspondent Laurie Whitwell, the club have held discussions to sign Hojlund and Kolo Muani, with the reporter also touching on links to Mount.

“MUFC hold detailed talks over Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund. Erik ten Hag ideally wants a young forward plus an experienced one. Hojlund, 20, falls into former category. Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani also discussed.

“Negotiations on over Mason Mount.”

Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund

Who are Hojlund and Kolo Muani?

The pair look like alternative targets to Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen, with a new striker seemingly needed after the club scored 58 Premier League goals last season – the fewest of any top-six side.

Hojlund only signed for Atalanta last year but is already catching the eye and has been hailed as an "absolute monster in the making" by football scout Jacek Kulig. The 20-year-old is a Denmark international and has scored nine times in 33 appearances for his current employers.

Meanwhile, Kolo Muani is four years older than Hojlund at 24 and has more experience at the highest level than the Atalanta gem.

randal-kolo-muani-frankfurt-man-united-transfers

The France international has been in career-best form this season, netting 23 goals in all competitions and has been hailed as "special" by sections of the media.

Therefore, United may need to decide if they want to go all out for a proven Premier League scorer like Kane, target an impressive European forward such as Kolo Muani or Osimhen or take a gamble on an up-and-coming youngster like Hojlund.

It will be a big decision for Old Trafford officials to make, and should they get it wrong, the club’s struggles in front of goal could well continue heading into Ten Hag’s second season in charge.

Tottenham Facing Richarlison Repeat With £40m "Liability"

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly stepped up their search to find a suitable successor to Hugo Lloris, following an update regarding the club's apparent interest in Everton goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford.

What's the latest on Pickford to Tottenham?

According to Football Transfers, the Lilywhites have made contact with the Merseyside outfit over a possible summer swoop for the England international, with finding an heir to Lloris seemingly a real priority with the veteran Frenchman having just a year left to run on his existing deal.

The report suggests that the north Londoners have been 'following' the 29-year-old over an extended period of time and are now ready to make their move, albeit with Daniel Levy and co said to have concerns over meeting the reported £40m transfer fee.

The piece also adds that the former Sunderland stopper – who only recently signed a new long-term deal at Goodison Park – is keen to know who Tottenham's new manager will be and whether international colleague Harry Kane is set to stay at the club, prior to agreeing to any summer switch.

Would Pickford be a good signing for Tottenham?

If recent transfer dealings with the Toffees are anything to go by, it could well prove an awful mistake if Levy is to make a move for Pickford this summer, with Spurs having only recently been stung by their £60m capture of Richarlison from Goodison.

After previously scoring ten goals and providing five assists in his final league season at Everton during the 2021/22 campaign to secure their survival, the Brazilian has since been unable to replicate that impact at N17, having scored just once and registered only four assists in the top-flight in 2022/23.

Tottenham's Richarlison

Those woes – which saw the 25-year-old net just a further two goals in Europe and in domestic cup competitions – have unsurprisingly led to notable criticism, with talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino stating that the mercurial forward "has been a joke this year", due to his drab form.

The fear will be then that the signing of Richarlison's ex-teammate – Pickford – could well lead to a repeat scenario, with the 6 foot 1 'keeper also potentially having the ability to underwhelm if he is to make the move to the capital this summer.

While the experienced asset did only recently prove integral to the Toffees' successful relegation fight – having been described as the "difference" between the other relegated clubs by pundit Gary Neville – the £125k-per-week man has been a "liability" at times in recent seasons, according to BT Sport's Chris Sutton.

Also dubbed a "strange goalkeeper" who makes "too many errors" – in the words of Sutton – Pickford came under fire after his dismal display when Everton met Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in October, having given away a penalty for a foul on Kane, after initially fumbling Heung-min Son's tame attempt on goal.

That "really poor mistake" – as per ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp – is an illustration of the stopper's frustrating inconsistency, having also notably made two errors leading to goals in the Premier League in the most recent campaign.

Those shortcomings – as well as the tale of Richarlison – should have Levy thinking twice before making a move for Pickford this summer…

Arsenal Could Make Sensational £180m Double Swoop

Arsenal are still potentially in the market to launch moves for both Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo this summer as they aim to bolster their midfield.

How much is Declan Rice worth?

Although Mikel Arteta and his men may have narrowly missed out on landing the Premier League title, it seems they are not looking to dwell on what could have been.

It was a mightily impressive 2022/23 campaign for the north London side until the final stages of the season where their grip on the title faded.

However, looking ahead to the summer, it seems as if Arsenal are looking to make some significant upgrades to their starting XI to launch another title charge for next season.

Indeed, the Gunners have been strongly linked with a potential move for West Ham United's captain with reports claiming they have their opening bid at the ready for the £100m-rated midfielder.

But it also seems as if the north London club could look to add more than just Rice to their midfield this summer with the Brighton & Hove Albion man also on their radar.

And speaking on TalkSPORT, insider Alex Crook has suggested this could be the case with Arsenal potentially launching what would be a huge double swoop this summer:

"Arsenal are still there. I wouldn't rule out Arsenal signing both Declan Rice and Caicedo because we know that Granit Xhaka is going to leave Arsenal. Midfield was an area where they looked a bit light at the end of the season anyway."

What is Arsenal's transfer budget?

According to reports, Arteta is set to be handed a £150m transfer kitty ahead of the summer window which would leave Arsenal seemingly needing to sell a number of players to fund a potential double swoop.

It has also been suggested that Brighton will be looking for a deal in the region of £80m for their Ecuadorian midfielder.

But there is the belief that Arsenal are already eyeing up a number of potential departures from the Emirates Stadium over the coming months.

moises-caicedo-brighton-arsenal-transfer-gossip-edu-arteta-jorginho

Indeed, the likes of Jorginho and Granit Xhaka are two midfielders who could soon be packing their bags to join a new club over the summer.

Although that may provide Arsenal some much-needed funds if they are to pursue these two Premier League midfielders, it may not quite be enough.

Neither West Ham nor Brighton will feel pressured into allowing their star talents to depart for a cheaper fee to accommodate Arsenal's transfer budget.

This will potentially leave Arsenal with a decision to make as to whether they need to spend in the region of £180m on two midfielders or whether the money could be better spent elsewhere.

Spurs Eyeing Swoop For £60m-Rated 23 y/o Winger

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in bringing in Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho this summer, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

The 23-year-old has failed to hit the heights many expected he would following his £73 million move from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021, and with other top European sides interested, it could be a chance to reset for the Englishman.

What is the latest transfer news regarding Sancho?

According to a report from FootballTransfers.com, United are willing to sell Sancho this summer with the player keen on a move away from Manchester after just two seasons, with Aston Villa heavily interested in bringing the former Manchester City youth product to Villa Park.

Manchester United's JadonSanchocelebrates scoring their first goal

The report states that the Red Devils are demanding a fee of £60 million to sell the player this summer, and Villa are not prepared to meet that asking price, with them hoping that negotiations can take place and a compromise can be reached.

There are other top European sides interested in the attacker, with a report stating that Serie A champions Napoli are interested, and with United's interest in their centre-back Kim Min-jae well known, a potential swap deal could be on the cards.

Tottenham are interested as well, according to Ben Jacobs, however, he stated that Erik ten Hag remains a fan of the player and as such a potential move this summer isn't as likely as other reports have suggested, with the club more focused on other departures.

What did Ben Jacobs say?

Speaking on the Done Deal show on The Football Terrace Youtube channel, the journalist revealed that both Harry Maguire and David de Gea are higher up on the list of potential outgoings compared to Sancho.

Jacobs stated: "Well Erik ten Hag still really likes the player, that’s the first thing to say. I certainly wouldn’t say Sancho is top of the list in terms of outgoings, there are other players that need resolving first.

"Harry Maguire, for example, is going to be one of them and there is lots of speculation about David de Gea and whether the current number one at Manchester United stays or goes, Manchester United are looking for a number one they need a succession plan.

"The Tottenham interest is real in the sense that they like the player, it’s the same with PSG and also Napoli have sent scouts to watch him as well."

Is Tottenham the right move for Sancho?

Sancho has had a very stop-start career in Manchester, with injury problems and mental issues preventing the forward from having a real extended run in the side. This has resulted in a return of just 12 goals and six assists in 79 appearances for the club.

Despite this, Sancho showed real quality at Borussia Dortmund, scoring 50 and assisting 64 across his five years at the club.

Former teammate Jude Bellingham called the winger "frightening", saying that "Some of the stuff I’ve seen him do is scary, and I’ve only been here a few months. It’s massive."

Man United's Jadon Sancho

Spurs look set for a rebuild under new coach Ange Postecoglu, and Sancho could provide the Spurs forward line with an injection of creativity and flair, which would only grow in need should Harry Kane decide to call time on his career in north London, and a move to a new club with new surroundings could be the perfect thing to reignite Sancho's rapidly fading career.

Nottingham Forest Could Replace Lingard With £11m Real Deal

Nottingham Forest will be looking for a much more settled campaign in the Premier League next season and making sure the recruitment is spot on this summer will be essential for improving.

The Garibaldi Reds finished 16th in the top-flight table with four points to spare following a difficult relegation scrap and Steve Cooper will be delighted with the fight his team put up at the business end to retain their status in the top division for another season.

Having said that, there is still plenty of work to be done at the City Ground to establish and cement themselves as a consistent Premier League team who can comfortably compete, so identifying new additions who can make a genuine impact will be essential to improve performances.

Forest confirmed their retained and released list earlier this month with 12 players departing the club this summer, including former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard following a disappointing season on Trentside.

Lingard failed to live up to high expectations during his stint, with the 30-year-old struggling to make the desired impact; tallying up just 17 league appearances and zero goal contributions.

jesse-lingard-nottingham-forest-premier-league-transfers

As a result, replacing Lingard with a more prolific presence in front of goal shouldn't be the most difficult task for the club's hierarchy and one player who could be a real asset next season is recently linked Manchester City academy star Carlos Borges.

ESPN reported last week that Forest have held 'preliminary talks' to sign the youth player this summer, with the Premier League champions valuing him at £11m.

Who is Carlos Borges?

The talented teenager has been going from strength to strength in the treble-winning club's youth set-up and this season earned the title of Premier League Two Player of the Season due to his incredible output for the U21s.

Over 38 appearances in all competitions, Borges – hailed the "real deal" by journalist Tom Young – scored a whopping 29 goals and registered 18 assists, with a goal contribution every 55 minutes which is an incredible achievement for the youngster who was the outright top-scorer in the entire Premier League Two last season with 21 goals.

Not only that, the Man City left-winger has given glimpses of other key strengths that could make him an incredible asset to Cooper next season – averaging 2.3 shots on target, 1.7 key passes, 2.7 tackles, one successful dribble and 3.7 duels won per game over his three Football League Trophy appearances last term.

The 11-cap Portugal U19 star – dubbed "phenomenal" by Jacek Kulig – now looks to be ready to take the next step into first-team football and Forest could provide him with the opportunity to continue his outstanding development in the forward line at the City Ground next season.

The Tricky Trees have had great success with youthful talent in their forward line as both Brennan Johnson and Morgan Gibbs-White have been a force to be reckoned with in the attacking third – contributing to 26 goals last term – so Cooper could now bolster that energetic presence by deploying Borges alongside the tenacious duo.

With that being said, the signing of Borges would be a no-brainer for Forest this summer and if the young talent could emulate his goal-scoring escapades for Forest he would significantly improve upon Lingard's impact.

Man Utd Make Contact To Sign ‘Sensational’ £148k-p/w Star

Manchester United have reportedly made contact with Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot over a potential move this summer to the Old Trafford side.

What’s the latest on Adrien Rabiot to Man United?

According to The Athletic, the Red Devils have begun talks with the representatives of the Frenchman in order to lure him to the Premier League this summer, with his contract set to expire at the end of June.

The Serie A side want to keep him for another season and could be set to offer him a one-year extension to his deal, yet United will be desperate to avoid a repeat of last summer, where, despite reaching an agreement with Juventus, they failed to agree personal terms with the player.

Should Man United sign Rabiot this summer?

Missing out on the Frenchman last summer turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as Casemiro ended up joining the club from Real Madrid and enjoyed a stellar campaign, ending up as their second-best performer in terms of overall rating via Sofascore in the Premier League.

The Brazilian had numerous partners alongside him throughout the season and Erik ten Hag will surely want to bring someone in who could become a mainstay in the midfield, as the likes of Fred and Christian Eriksen filtered in and out of the lineup.

Adrien Rabiot

Rabiot, who Gigi Buffon explained has "the strength of Pogba", enjoyed a resurgence during 2022/2023, missing just six league matches for Juventus, and he could certainly offer more going forward than Fred that’s for sure.

The 28-year-old registered 12 goal contributions last term – eight goals and four assists – along with making one key pass per game and succeeding with 60% of his attempted dribbles, giving his team an added threat from the heart of the midfield.

In contrast, Fred managed just four goal contributions – two goals and assists – while making 0.9 key passes and succeeding with just 44% of his attempted dribbles. Indeed, it’s clear Rabiot would be an upgrade going forward.

Even defensively, the 6 foot 2 Frenchman comes out on top across a string of metrics, including winning more tackles (35 to 30), interceptions (26 to 19) while also winning a higher percentage of aerial duels (56.2% to 50%) than Fred, indicating that he would be a shrewd signing, especially on a free transfer.

The £148k-per-week dynamo also shone during the 2022 World Cup for France, scoring during the opening match against Australia while ranking second in the squad for interceptions per game (1.7) and seventh for accurate passes per game (38.8) as France came so close to retaining their title, losing to Argentina in the final.

He was even lauded as being “sensational” by sections of the media during the World Cup and Erik ten Hag could land himself one of the bargains of the transfer window. With Champions League football adorning the Old Trafford pitch next season, it shouldn’t be a hard sell.

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