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A big Rangers transfer claim has emerged, regarding the potential sale of Romanian forward Ianis Hagi from Ibrox and his future under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

What’s the talk?

Former Premier League forward Noel Whelan has claimed that the Gers will need to buy and sell players like the winger for profit to compete with Celtic in the long-term, citing their business model with Virgil van Dijk in particular.

He told Football Insider: “Rangers have got to sell players like him in order to be self-sustainable.

“That’s been the case for Celtic too, not just Rangers. As much as they’re giants in Scotland and well-known across Europe, we’ve seen over the years that Celtic will take profits on their best players.

“Their recruitment has been so crucial for them, and that’s the same for Rangers. They buy them, nuture them, develop them – but then when the time is right, they sell them on.

“It just like what happened with Van Dijk at Celtic. Many have come through there and done a great job for them, winning titles at the club.

“It’s just the way of the world right now. Money talks if you are Rangers or Celtic, they just can’t compete with the Premier League clubs at the moment.”

Masterclass

Turkish outlet En Son Haber recently claimed that Rangers are preparing for Hagi’s exit as a number of clubs circle around the forward. In selling the attacker, they could repeat an Old Firm masterclass from Celtic – as they sold van Dijk for a gigantic profit back in 2015.

Per Transfermarkt, the Hoops signed the Dutchman from Groningen for £2.48m in 2013 before selling him to Southampton for £14.13m two years later. He is one of seven players Celtic have sold for more than £11m since 2014, whilst Rangers have not sold a player for more than £3m in that time.

The Gers reportedly paid £4m to sign Hagi from Genk in 2020 and the interest in his services now could offer them the chance to make a profit on him, much like Celtic did with van Dijk. Ross Wilson now has a major decision to make and he could repeat their masterclass in doing so.

Selling the Romanian international could allow them to kickstart a healthy business model moving forward where they are able to develop young talent before selling them on for big money and then replacing them with more prospects. The Gers could use Hagi as the poster boy for this, showing targets his potential success to convince them to make a similar switch.

This could aid the club in their attempts to sign talented youngsters in the future, as it would show that Rangers are willing to be a stepping stone in their footballing journey. Whilst it may not be music to the fans’ ears, it could be a profitable move by Wilson that helps the long-term future at Ibrox.

AND in other news, Gio can finally axe a “Rangers legend” by signing “perfect” £3.1k-p/w beast in January…

Many Sunderland fans were left slamming the display of Elliot Embleton in their 6-0 loss away at Bolton Wanderers in League One on Saturday afternoon.

It was a day to forget for manager Lee Johnson and his team, in what could turn out to be a very damaging defeat in the race for automatic promotion up to the Championship.

Embleton was just one of a number of poor performers for the Stadium of Light faithful, missing with both of his shots at goal, while he also failed to record a single successful dribble and lost possession of the ball eight times (SofaScore).

He also recorded fewer touches than his own goalkeeper Ron-Thorben Hoffmann, highlighting his lack of impact from an attacking point of view.

Sunderland fans slam Embleton

These Black Cats slammed his performance on Twitter, with one SAFC supporter going as far as to claim that he was a ‘passenger’ in the match, criticism which is certainly backed by the numbers:

“Gooch, Embleton awful. Offer nothing”

Credit: @LeeSafcMiller

“Elliot Embleton did absolutely nothing in that half. A passenger far too often for long spells in games.”

Credit: @Michael35507062

“Can’t believe I haven’t seen anyone talk about how bad Embleton has been recently it’s like playing with 10 men. He takes the kick off then just disappears for 10 minute intervals”

Credit: @tazzlor___

“Gooch, Embleton, Neil not good enough, I get the home grown craic but come on!!!!”

Credit: @ChristopherT198

“Embleton and Gooch very lucky to survive half-time.”

Credit: @_toosb

“Dan Neil poor, Embleton poor, Gooch dire!! And that back like is horrible. We look vulnerable every time we have an attack against us!!!”

Credit: @leech_tom

In other news, find out transfer update has Black Cats buzzing here!

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been reacting to Dean Smith’s comments on winger Trezeguet after they appeared on social media.

Trezeguet last featured for the club last month in the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, with the £9m-rated man going off with a knee injury against Jurgen Klopp’s side.

He scored his first Premier League goals of the season the week prior to the trip to Merseyside, coming off the bench to net twice in a 3-1 win over Fulham.

Smith had this to say about Trezeguet’s situation when talking ahead of Villa’s clash with Everton, as reported by Birmingham Live.

“He’s had a significant knee injury which is normally nine months. We never like to put a time frame on injuries but that’s the average time to come back. Some come back earlier, some come back later.”

Villa confirmed days following the injury that the Egypt international suffered knee ligament damage at Anfield and would have an operation as a result.

Villa fans react

Those comments from Smith were shared by @AVFC_News on Friday lunchtime, with a number of Villa supporters interacting with the post.

This is what some had to say in reply to the manager’s comments, with many not exactly thrilled.

“Gutted for Trez wish him a very quick recovery”

Credit: @wesleysnipes178

“Still devastated for Trez”

Credit: @jamese9930

“Trez injured – okay then, Jack injured – CONSPIRACY!!!!!”

Credit: @Mattplaysgames7

“He’ll be back before Jack”

Credit: @Craig57294273

“So sad for Trez suffering this”

Credit: @HoItender

“Smith said 9 months, see you in 2 years then Trezeguet”

Credit: @3man_k

In other news: Villa source claims club are lining up huge bid for Premier League winger, find out more here.

Divock Origi will definitely leave Liverpool in the summer transfer window, reports reliable journalist James Pearce.

The Lowdown: Origi exit expected

The Belgian has enjoyed a truly memorable Reds career, rarely being a key player but popping up with a long list of massive goals along the way, both in the Premier League and Champions League.

With Origi out of contract at the end of the season, he is expected to move on, with AC Milan looking highly likely to be his next destination.

It will allow the 27-year-old to be a regular elsewhere, potentially further fulfilling his promise, having been described as ‘world-class’ and a ‘monster’ by Jurgen Klopp.

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The Latest: Pearce confirms imminent move

Taking to Twitter on Monday, Pearce confirmed that Origi would definitely be moving on once this campaign reaches this conclusion:

“Divock Origi will leave Liverpool this summer.”

The Verdict: Undisputed Liverpool legend

When the time finally comes for Origi to leave Liverpool, he will receive a wonderful and deserved send-off from the supporters, having become a Reds legend.

His cult hero status can almost work against what a top-quality attacker he is, though, with the forward scoring 41 goals and 173 appearances in total, not to mention registering 17 assists.

It makes perfect sense for Origi to move on, given his lack of playing time, and it would be heartwarming to see him performing as a key man elsewhere.

In other news, David Ornstein has confirmed some key Liverpool news. Read more here.

It’s been a promising month for West Brom’s goalkeepers, as both Sam Johnstone and Josh Griffiths have been called up for their respective England squads.

The Baggies no.1 was an injury replacement for Jordan Pickford in Gareth Southgate’s latest squad, whilst the 19-year-old starlet has been named alongside Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher for the U21 squad.

Both could lead a different path at the Hawthorns this summer.

Given Albion’s likely relegation to the Championship – only a shock turnaround will stop that from happening – the 27-year-old has been linked with several top-flight teams after a string of impressive performances between the sticks.

That has clearly culminated in international recognition.

Recent reports have surfaced linking Tottenham Hotspur with a move for the former Manchester United graduate ahead of the summer transfer window, as per The Sun.

Indeed, it will likely be hard for West Brom to keep hold of him.

Perhaps, then, his successor can be found in Griffiths.

The teenage glovesman has been impressing on-loan to League Two promotion hopefuls Cheltenham Town, undoubtedly helping them towards having the third-best defensive record in the division with 17 clean sheets in 35 starts.

Griffiths was only part of the Three Lions’ U19 set-up as recently as November so that only shows how quickly he has progressed this campaign.

Ex-Albion star Boaz Myhill, now development coach at the club, has spoken glowingly about the 19-year-old shot-stopper. He told BirminghamLive:

“One of his biggest strengths, not just that he’s a good player, is that he’s the kind of boy and man that people will do things for. Everybody likes Josh. It’s all credit to him that he’s having the season that he is,” before adding: “He’s got undoubted ability. I saw that when he was training with me as a player, when he was 16. He’s just continued to grow.”

It says a lot that he’s managed to push out a seasoned veteran in Scott Flinders, who has played over 550 times in his career and given the uncertainty between the sticks heading into the summer, Luke Dowling could save the club millions by pushing the manager to promote Griffiths next season.

He’s doing exactly what’s asked of him, and that’s all he can do for now. If Johnstone leaves, then the Baggies already have his long-term heir at the club.

AND in other news, West Brom must secure “dangerous” £6m-rated beast, he could be unstoppable next season…

Wolves players haven’t exactly flooded the ongoing European Championships with enormous quality.

Molineux’s Portuguese contingent of Rui Patricio, Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho tasted defeat in the last 16, while Adama Traore has managed just one substitute appearance with Spain.

However, they have been attracted by a number of players currently lighting up the Euros. Switzerland striker Haris Seferovic has caught their eye, while they’ve also been left impressed by Leicester and Wales stopper Danny Ward.

One player with whom the club were previously linked has been having an outstanding tournament. That happens to be Premier League-winning left-back in Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The Manchester City defender has been making history this summer with Ukraine, taking them to the quarter-finals, where they’ll meet England on Saturday evening.

Wolves made a bid of £19m for Zinchenko 12 months ago but that was rejected. However, after a starring role in recent weeks, they must consider another move for him.

The 24-year-old started Ukraine’s group games in the middle of the park but he was nothing short of outstanding after being moved to left wing-back when they beat Sweden after extra time in the last 16.

Zinchenko scored a sweetly-struck opener from inside the penalty area before providing a peach of a cross deep into the second half of extra time which supplied the winning goal.

The City gem was left crying on the pitch at full-time, embraced by his teammates after turning up for his country in one of the biggest moments in their football history.

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Described as “incredible” by Pep Guardiola, he initially arrived in England as an attacking midfielder but has been turned into a left-back under the Spaniard.

As well as possessing a mean delivery of the ball, his defensive attributes appear to be improving all the time. No Swedish player managed to dribble past him last Tuesday evening as Zinchenko completed 86% of his passes, won seven of eight defensive duels and attempted seven tantalising crosses.

He was an enormous threat and should now be pursued by Wolves more closely. The Old Gold have negotiated a deal to sign Rayan Ait-Nouri for £10m but they could find better alternatives elsewhere.

Zinchenko’s price tag has likely risen since starring for his country over the last month but his performances demonstrate he deserves to be first choice for his club. At the Etihad Stadium, that is unfortunately never likely to happen, but Bruno Lage could grant him the starring role he needs at Molineux.

For those who have doubted him since coming to England, they have now been silenced after his displays this summer.

Zinchenko is increasingly becoming an ever-reliable performer. Wolves supporters would surely love not only his versatility but his passion and work rate; he has talent in abundance.

AND in other news, Lage could discover his new Ruben Dias at Wolves in “phenomenal” £62k-p/w beast…

Crystal Palace endured a horrendous evening against Chelsea on Saturday evening as they were scythed apart 4-1.

It was a defensive horror show from Roy Hodgson’s Eagles as the visitors blew them away with three goals within half an hour. Christian Benteke did restore some faith in the second-half but that was snatched away as Christian Pulisic sealed the three points.

Whilst it is tough to suggest any of the home side came out of the game with any real credit, it was a particularly torrid performance from midfielder Jairo Riedewald.

Starting his fourth Premier League match in a row, the 24-year-old Dutchman failed to get close to the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho.

According to SofaScore, Riedewald won just one out of his attempted three duels whether that be in the air or on the ground.

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Frustratingly, the former Ajax man, who is paid approximately £55k per week at Selhurst Park only contributed a solitary tackle, whilst not providing a single interception, block or clearance according to WhoScored as Chelsea continued to cut the Eagles to ribbons.

Meanwhile, he also wasted the ball on numerous occasions as he had just 28 touches, fewer than Vicente Guaita, and completed just 20 passes throughout the entire game. Only Wilfried Zaha completed fewer of players who started the match for Crystal Palace.

Whilst not an attacking player, he still did not have a single shot or provide a key pass. Although, that was not a rarity in a Palace side that endured a woeful 90 minutes.

Riedewald’s dreadful evening was eventually brought to an end in the 58th minute of the clash as he was replaced by the returning James McCarthy.

It would be somewhat of an understatement to suggest that Hodgson will be bitterly disappointed by the performance of his midfielder.

AND in more news, take a look at which player has given Hodgson a huge injury boost…

Jetro Willems is reportedly keen on a return to Newcastle United – as are some of his former Magpies teammates.

The Lowdown: Newcastle need a new left-back

Jamal Lewis fell out of favour with Steve Bruce towards the end of the 2020/21 campaign, having been left on the bench by the manager in the Geordies’ last 12 matches in the Premier League, and only coming on for just six minutes in total during that time (Transfermarkt).

It seems clear who is going to be the starting left-back at St James’ Park come the beginning of next season, with Paul Dummett also currently in the frame, and so it would perhaps be a wise idea to invest in a new option when the summer transfer window opens.

The Latest: Willems keen on return

As per Football Insider, Willems is ‘very keen’ on a return to Newcastle following his loan spell at the club in the 2019/20 campaign.

A source from Tyneside has told the news outlet that many players in the Magpies’ first team squad still remain in contact with him and want him to rejoin the Premier League side.

The Verdict: Little risk in signing Willems

Given that there is no transfer fee to be paid, as he will be out of contract after leaving Eintracht Frankfurt this week, the prospect of bringing Willems back to the Magpies offers very little risk.

The Netherlands international quickly became a fans’ favourite in his short spell on Tyneside, and so the move would also go down well with many of the Toon Army, who would likely welcome him back with open arms when they are allowed back into stadia.

At 27 years of age, Willems still has a lot that he can offer on the pitch, and so Newcastle should seriously be considering bringing him back, particularly as he already knows the club and would likely settle back in with ease if he returns to St James’ Park.

In other news, find out which Newcastle ace wants to leave the club.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Wolves striker Steve Bull thinks his old side could look at Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui in their bid to replace Nuno Espirito Santo.

Nuno shocked supporters when it was announced on Wolves’ website last week that the 47-year-old will be leaving the club after four successful years at Molineux.

It, of course, leaves the Midlands outfit needing a new manager, and various reports have suggested that ex-Benfica boss Bruno Lage is one of the frontrunners to succeed his compatriot.

Bull, however, would not be surprised to see his old club turn to someone like Lopetegui, who has been getting mentioned by supporters on Twitter.

Asked by TT whether he could see chairman Jeff Shi and Jorge Mendes headhunting the 54-year-old Sevilla manager for the position, the Wolves legend said:

“I think so, I think so. There’ll be names bandied left, right and centre. If [Jose] Mourinho was free, you would have dropped him in the hat as well. But, you know, it’s just a lottery at the moment.

“I’m like all the other Wolves fans, waiting with bated breath to see what’s happened or what’s going to happen in the future.”

Lopetegui came close to joining Wolves back in 2016, something he previously confirmed to the MailOnline.

The Spaniard has managed his country, Real Madrid and, of course, Sevilla, where he won the Europa League in 2020, so he would be quite some appointment for Wolves.

Former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer has backed Rodrigo to have a good season if Marcelo Bielsa’s side can maintain their standard from the previous campaign.

The Whites impressed last term following their promotion from the Championship, finishing in ninth, but individually, Rodrigo had his struggles.

The 30-year-old was far from proficient in front of goal in the early stages of his Leeds career, not coming to life until the end of the season.

However, having had time to adapt and now free from injury, The Athletic’s Phil Hay believes Rodrigo could end up being a star for the Yorkshire club by the end of this campaign. And Palmer shares a similar sentiment, suggesting that the Spaniard will deliver if the team plays well as a whole.

“People don’t realise how tough the Premier League is until you actually come and play in it and experience it week in, week out,” the ex-Leeds player told FFC when discussing Hay’s Rodrigo prediction. “It’s a tough league.

“A player like Rodrigo will depend on how Leeds United do. I think it’s going to be a difficult season for Leeds United in terms of the standard they set last season, people knowing the way they play, getting used to the way that Leeds United play. They’ve got to dig in.

“Players like Rodrigo, if Leeds are having a good season, I’m sure he’ll have a good season.”

The Whites have had a slow start to the campaign, taking two points from their first three games. From their point of view, hopefully Rodrigo can start firing soon to give that attack a boost and Patrick Bamford some respite.