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Aston Villa will consider signing a new midfielder during the January window following the injury to Marvelous Nakamba.

That’s according to reliable reporter Gregg Evans, which as to be expected, had a number of supporters talking on social media.

Nakamba had been a regular under new manager Steven Gerrard, however, the Zimbabwe international suffered a knee injury against Liverpool on the weekend and missed the win over Norwich City on Tuesday.

His 2021/22 season may well be over as a result, and Villa now look set to act with the 27-year-old sidelined by considering a midfield addition in the winter window.

Evans didn’t name-check any possible targets but did appear to rule out a move for Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse, who was wanted at Villa Park over the summer but ended up signing a new contract at St Mary’s.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared Evans’ claim on Tuesday evening. This is what these fans had to say in reply, with a few name-checking Rangers’ Glen Kamara and another sharing their ‘love’ regarding the update.

“Glen Kamara incoming”

Credit: @villaparkpod

“No messing around”

Credit: @tomavfcyates

“Love it”

Credit: @ViIlaI_

“Villa just buying all the midfielders now what’s going on”

Credit: @Thedolphin2

“Kamara or Doucoure cheers”

Credit: @_AVFCOlly

“KAMARAAAAAAAAAA COME TO MEEEEEEEE”

Credit: @DG_Villa1

In other news: ‘Unbelievable’ – Lots of Villa fans flock to John Percy’s exit rumour

Rangers will look to continue their unbeaten start to life under Gio van Bronckhorst as they prepare for Premiership action on Saturday.

The Gers face off against Ross County away from home in a lunchtime kick-off this weekend as they look to maintain or extend their lead at the top of the table, depending on how their Glasgow rivals get on in their match at 3pm.

Scott Arfield scored the only goal of the game as Rangers beat Livingston 1-0 in their last outing on Wednesday night, leaving them on 55 points after 22 games and four points clear of their nearest rivals.

Unleash him

One player who must be unleashed from the start on Saturday is new signing Amad Diallo. The youngster joined on loan from Manchester United this week and Van Bronckhorst has already confirmed that he is available for selection.

He said in Friday morning’s press conference: “Diallo will also be in the squad for tomorrow.

“Diallo is a young player who wants to play games, we are bringing him to our club to add value to our team. Like any other player in the squad, he has to perform to play but I am full of confidence that he will deliver.”

Instead of using him off the bench, the Dutchman must throw him in from the start in order to axe Scott Wright from the starting XI. The ex-Aberdeen man was poor against Livingston as he regularly wasted the ball in the final third, completing 0% of his dribbles and 25% of his attempted crosses.

Diallo coming in could allow Van Bronckhorst to drop Wright for this match against Ross County, with the Ivorian having the potential to be a game-changer for the Gers – that is why he must start.

Former Manchester United winger Dan James previously lauded his then-teammate as “unbelievable”, while Papu Gomez, another who played alongside the 19-year-old, once compared him to a current PSG forward, saying: “There are defenders in the first team that sometimes cannot stop him. To stop him in training, we have to kick him! He plays like Messi.”

This highlights the technical quality of the £28k-per-week Ibrox gem, which is backed up by his exceptional record at youth level. He scored six goals and provided four assists in just five games for United’s under-23s, having managed 37 goals and 24 assists in 96 appearances for Atalanta’s youth teams.

Diallo also scored once and produced one assist in nine first-team matches for the Red Devils, showing promise at the top level. This suggests that he has the potential to come in at Rangers and be a big player for Van Bronckhorst, and that could start with him being named in the starting XI against Ross County on Saturday…

AND in other news, Rangers could find Kent 2.0 with “intelligent” maestro who has a G/A every 0.95 games…

Wayne Rooney’s reported Derby County transfer target Ronan Curtis recently spoke out regarding the apparent interest in him this summer.

What’s been said?

Speaking to The Sun (via The News), the Portsmouth winger delivered some news about the interest in his services ahead of the summer transfer window and admitted that there are other teams looking at him.

Curtis said: “I know there is a lot of interest from clubs above us right now. That’s encouraging but all I’m concentrating on is helping Portsmouth to go up. What happens at the end of the season will be taken care of. I just want to repay the faith Portsmouth showed in me by helping get us up.”

Rooney must act

Derby County were linked with a move for the 25-year-old last summer and they must look to complete a deal this summer.

Curtis has been one of the stars of a hugely impressive Portsmouth side so far this season, with the winger scoring 10 goals, providing seven assists and creating seven big chances over his 41 League One appearances, as well as averaging a SofaScore match rating of 7.1 – ranking him as the club’s best player in the third tier.

The £3,700-per-week star’s level of performance has also improved when Pompey needed it to most, as, throughout the club’s push to secure a top-six finish in the months of April and May, Curtis has averaged a SofaScore match rating of 7.2 and 8.5 respectively.

This overall level of goalscoring and creative threat, as well as turning up when most required by the club, is something that has sorely been lacked at Derby this season, as, aside from Colin Kazim-Richards, no other player at Derby has scored more than three Championship goals, while Nathan Byrne tops the club’s assist charts with a mere four.

Furthermore, with a single win being required in recent weeks to all but secure the Rams’ status as a Championship team, Wayne Rooney’s side have lost six games on the spin, with the club being dragged into a relegation shootout against Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the season.

As such, a player of Curtis’ ability and “selfless” character – as the winger was dubbed by Danny Cowley – is much needed within the Derby squad, and Rooney should be doing all he can to convince the 25-year-old to move to Pride Park this summer.

In other news: Rooney must avoid Derby swoop for 29 y/o flop who “plays like he’s on roller-skates” – opinion

Aston Villa are on course to seal the permanent signing of goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

What’s the Word?

That’s according to Football Insider, who claim that a source has revealed that Villa are in advanced talks to sign Olsen on a permanent deal from AS Roma – the 32-year-old shot-stopper who has been at the Premier League side on loan since January.

With just over a year left on his Roma contract, Gerrard could secure the services of Olsen on the cheap and he would provide solid cover for Emiliano Martinez next season.

Robin Olsen would provide excellent cover at Villa

During the first half of the campaign, Olsen was plying his trade at Sheffield United in the Championship, turning out 17 times for the Blades whilst only keeping one clean sheet.

This didn’t stop player John Egan from boosting the £13k-per-week keeper’s confidence, stating in the media that the Swede had a “big presence” and that they “were lucky to have him”.

Massive praise for someone who often let in too many goals during his tenure in the Championship. However, his international experience plus his age could well prove to make him a huge coup for Gerrard and Johan Lange.

Despite not making a first-team appearance for the side since his arrival, he has obviously impressed Steven Gerrard and the coaching staff. The Swede does have prior experience in the top flight, however, featuring for Everton on 11 occasions in the 2020-2021 season.

With further progress needed to show the board that he is moving in the right direction; Gerrard will be aiming to utilise his funds carefully and not squander vital cash on poor signings.

European football must be the aim and that is why the board went all out to secure his services from Rangers in November. The former England captain faces a huge summer ahead.

AND in other news: Gerrard now plotting AVFC bid for £46k-p/w “phenomenon”, he’s better than Phillips

Glasgow Rangers fans are absolutely delighted with an official statement from the club in the aftermath of the Glen Kamara racism row.

The Gers were defeated 2-0 by Czechia champions Slavia Prague at Ibrox on Thursday, with the loss knocking them out of the competition in the process. However, much of the discussion since the final whistle has been about the allegations of racial abuse midfielder Kamara has directed at Ondrej Kudela.

Kamara has since released a statement backing up his claim, while Slavia have moved to vehemently deny the allegations (slavia.cz). Now, the Gers have released a statement of their own. They have reiterated their support for Finland international Kamara, and have demanded action be taken by UEFA.

The Gers shared the statement on their official Twitter account, and it attracted plenty of attention from the Gers supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the Rangers fans had to say about the statement

 “Brilliant statement from our Managing Director. As a supporter, this is the type of strong, resolute statement I wanted to see from my club. Now its over to @UEFAcom but they should be rest assured that we will not let this case of racism be brushed under the carpet.”

Credit: @GrahamDoolan1

“I stand with @GlenKamara4 and all players, staff & management of our club @RangersFC. Excellent statement.”

Credit: @RANGERSTILLIDI7

“Superb statement. Stance has been set. UEFA all eyes are on you for a response”

Credit: @Bairdric1

“Very very good statement. Let’s see how serious @UEFA are about stamping out this bile.”

Credit: @beaford_j

“Class statement by @RangersFC again. This is the Rangers I want to see defending our Club our Players and our Fans and also showing compassion to an opponent during injury. Well Done”

Credit: @StandwithKamara

“Brilliant. So proud of everyone at the club. We’re all behind Glen and the rest of our players 100%.”

Credit: @CemetryGates89

In other news, Alan Hutton has suggested this Rangers ace could leave the club this summer.

Former Leeds United midfielder David Norris has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that he cannot see Kalvin Phillips leaving Elland Road this summer.

Amid an impressive Euros, where he set up England’s winner against Croatia at the beginning of the tournament, talk has emerged about a potential Leeds exit.

According to TuttoJuve, Juventus are one club currently interested in signing the 25-year-old this transfer window as they look to strengthen their midfield.

Norris, however, is confident Phillips will remain at Elland Road, stressing the England international’s love for the club as he spoke to FFC:

“I can’t see it, you know, from inside the club as well,” the ex-Leeds player said. “He loves the club, he’s come from the youth team there as well, he’s developing all the time and is a massive player now, key player at Leeds.

“For me, he won’t want to leave I don’t think, the love he has for that club.”

Phillips certainly is a key player for Leeds, featuring in just under 30 Premier League games last season.

He also managed to average 2.6 tackles per match, the third-highest average in Marcelo Bielsa’s squad (via WhoScored), showing his importance to the side when it comes to regaining possession.

So, even if Phillips did want to join a side like Juventus this summer, you would expect Leeds to put up a real fight to keep hold of the midfielder.

Leeds United could sign their own version of England star Jadon Sancho in PSV Eindhoven sensation Noni Madueke.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks and months had suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side have already been “putting feelers out” for the winger over a summer move, before suggestions that his price tag had seen the Whites steer clear.

Football Insider have now delivered an exciting update on the situation, claiming that Leeds have reignited their interest in the England under-21 international after some third-party discussions.

The report stated: “A Leeds source has told Football Insider the club have been given encouragement that PSV will lower their demands for 19-year-old Madueke to around the £20m mark.”

Leeds’ own Sancho

With Sancho currently with the England squad at Euro 2020 and facing off against Ukraine tonight in the quarter-finals of the competition, Leeds could sign someone in Madueke who is similarly quick and exciting and with a bag of tricks in his locker.

Former England under-21 manager Aidy Boothroyd said of the 19-year-old: “He’s a powerhouse of a player, technically very good, left-footed and likes to come in off the side of the pitch, off the right and go and link.

“He’s got a goal in him, he’s very creative. He’s got a massive smile, a lovely kid. The lads have taken to him, as they would because he’s a good player, he has that respect for what he’s done at PSV.”

Meanwhile, former PSV ace Tommie van de Leegte also raved about the 19-year-old, saying (via Goal): “He’s fast and has the capability to trick his opponent. He brings creativity and is very explosive in his actions. That’s what PSV needs.”

Manchester United-bound Sancho was on fire for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga last season, notching 16 goals and 20 assists in 38 games across all competitions.

While Madueke didn’t produce such incredible numbers, he still had a huge impact in terms of finding the back of the net himself and also setting up his teammates in a selfless manner as well – he managed nine goals and eight assists in 32 games.

Both players averaged more than 1.5 dribbles per game in their respective leagues, while they were fouled equally as often (0.8 times per match) – strong evidence of the directness with which they play.

While English Leeds fans who are watching the Ukraine game may be excited at the prospect of seeing Sancho shine, they could well have their own version of the winger in Madueke at Elland Road next season if their club were to sign him.

Meanwhile, Leeds receive major update on Marcelo Bielsa’s future…

Many Sunderland fans have been reacting to the news that CSKA Moscow are interested ing in signing their star striker Charlie Wyke.

Wyke has been in fantastic form as the Black Cats have pushed for promotion this year. In 44 games in all competitions, he has managed 26 goals (Transfermarkt), and only Peterborough’s Jonson Clarke-Harris can boast more than his 22 strikes in League One (BBC).

His impressive displays have reportedly caught the eye of Russian giants CSKA Moscow. It appears that some of their representatives have recently been to England to watch Wyke, along with Clarke-Harris, with a potential view to making an approach (Daily Mail). Given that CSKA competed in the Europa League this term, it could well be a move of interest to Wyke should it materialise.

Despite the 28-year-old’s excellent performances this season, it seems that many Sunderland fans would not be too unhappy to see him depart for Moscow. They took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts on the transfer speculation.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Wyke speculation below

“I’ll buy his plane tickets”

Credit: @jpsleightholme1

“Get rid”

Credit: @stustuy

“This may be a controversial opinion, but I’m not bothered if he stays – a striker who doesn’t put himself about as much as he should with his physique and who I have no confidence of scoring when 1 on 1 doesn’t float my boat – he would be useless at championship level if we got up”

Credit: @GaryLongley2

“Hopefully”

Credit: @cowanscrack

“They must be desperate”

Credit: @21hairpins

“Yes please – need better if we are to progress…still think he’s an average L1 player…”

Credit: @macpherson_p

In other news, some Sunderland fans slammed this man’s performance against Charlton.

Michael Ball has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that Manchester City could take Harry Kane to the next level.

The Premier League champions are one of three English sides reportedly interested in signing the Tottenham ace this summer.

And with City’s financial history and need for a striker following Sergio Aguero’s departure, Pep Guardiola’s team are the most likely destination for Kane, with Daniel Levy expected to demand in the region of £150m.

The 27-year-old has been one of the standout players in the Premier League this season and heading into Spurs’ final-day trip to Leicester, is the joint-top goalscorer with Mohamed Salah and top assister.

Should Kane outscore the Egyptian on Sunday, he’ll be the first player in the league’s history to top both the goals and assists charts in the same season.

It’s not just in the league where Kane has done his damage, though. He’s contributed 48 goals in 48 games for Tottenham – more than anyone else in the top-flight.

And Ball believes that should the frontman seal a move to the Etihad Stadium this summer, Kane could become even better.

He told The Transfer Tavern:

“Harry Kane walks into many teams, his ability is second to none, and his link-up with Son is fantastic.

“Imagine him putting a City shirt on, with the other players either side of him. He’s not just got one or two like when he’s at Spurs.

“At Manchester City, the players around him could bring Harry to another level.”

West Ham United are still keen on signing one of their mooted summer transfer targets…

What’s the word?

Back in May, The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas claimed Sparta Prague forward Adam Hlozek was among David Moyes’ targets as he looked to bolster his frontline as a top priority.

As we now know, the addition of a new striker failed to materialise but in a fresh update, it’s thought that the Irons remain interested in the eight-cap Czech Republic international.

That’s according to 90min journalist Toby Cudworth, who wrote on Twitter:

“#WHUFC still very interested in teenage sensation Adam Hlozek, despite not making a move this summer. I have no doubt agents [Tomas] Soucek, [Vladimir] Coufal and now [Alex] Kral know their mission for current and future Czech international duties…”

It’s believed that Hlozek would have been available for an initial £15m this window, which does seem like a massive bargain.

Third time lucky?

Moyes only has one senior centre-forward heading into a Europa League campaign and it’s a problem he’s had since January 2020 after the departure of Sebastien Haller.

The east London outfit sanctioned the departure of their club-record £45m signing but failed to replace him, meaning 31-year-old Michail Antonio is the only recognised striker at the London Stadium. And he’s had trouble with injuries in the past, having failed to start more than 24 matches in the Premier League in each of the last four seasons.

Now two windows have passed, could it be third time lucky for Moyes and co? Hlozek is certainly an interesting prospect.

The 19-year-old is very highly-rated and is one for the future, though he’s already making his impact felt at such a young age. Last season, he provided 15 goals and nine assists in just 23 appearances, also averaging a direct contribution every 75.9 minutes, via Transfermarkt.

That impressive form has already continued into this season, where he has bagged three goals and laid on the same number of assists across Sparta’s opening ten games.

Football scout Jacek Kulig has described Hlozek as “an incredible talent” and Czech’s best since the emergence of Tomas Rosicky. He has also been lauded as a “phenomenal player” and one “destined for greatness.”

Both Moyes and the club’s hierarchy can make up for their recent blunder in not signing a striker in the next window by bringing the Czech wonderkid to the Irons.

Pairing a young talent up with a veteran like Antonio could pay serious dividends later down the line as Hlozek could learn plenty off the Premier League’s current top goalscorer.

GSB must make amends in January and submit a bid for the £15.3m-rated gem.

AND in other news, Moyes masterclass: West Ham to strike dream deal with “unplayable” £36m-rated beast…