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Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield has dropped a big claim on his future at Ibrox beyond the end of this season…

What’s the latest?

The Gers gem has admitted that his representatives will be speaking to the club over a new contract in Glasgow, with his current deal due to expire next summer.

He told Sky Sports:

“When you’re on the pitch you’re not thinking about contracts, you’re not thinking about money, you’re not thinking about security, you’re thinking about winning the game for the football club.

“It’s easy for me to think about that and harder for me to think about other things; if you ask my wife she’ll probably say a different thing.

“(It becomes clearer) when they talk to me. I’ve got representatives that will be speaking to the club.

“I haven’t done so at this minute in time but as I say, I’m all about football and they can talk about contracts at different times.”

Delighted

Rangers fans will surely be delighted by this news as Arfield has shown some promising signs since Gio van Bronckhorst’s arrival at the club.

This update may not have come at the best time after his frustrating performance against Hearts on Sunday, but the nature of his displays in recent weeks have been encouraging. His movement off the ball has been crucial to the Gers and how the Dutchman wants to play and he has played a key role in recent wins.

The £16k-per-week midfielder has played in all six of the 43-year-old’s games in charge at Rangers in the Premiership and Europa League, with the club picking up five wins and one draw in that time as he scored once.

It may not come across in his match statistics, but his runs in behind are crucial. He has a knack for knowing when to make the right run into a channel to either drag a defender out of the way or run onto a pass himself.

The former is how he can make a big impact without touching the ball as he can take players out of the game to afford more space for the likes of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos to do their damage in.

This is why fans will surely be delighted by Arfield’s comments about his representatives speaking to the club over the possibility of a new deal. He would be a useful option for van Bronckhorst to call upon with his intelligent movement and work rate off the ball, whilst he has also chipped in with two goals this season.

AND in other news, GVB could save Rangers millions with “lovely” £3.1k-p/w colossus who has “everything”…

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a late blow over one of their mooted January transfer window targets this week…

What’s the word?

There were reports suggesting that Spurs had agreed on a deal with AC Milan for midfielder Franck Kessie, who is out of contract in the summer, after sporting director Fabio Paratici tried to sign him immediately instead of waiting until the end of the season.

However, it appears as if he won’t be joining this month – if at all – as according to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari, the 25-year-old star has verbally agreed to join LaLiga giants Barcelona in June.

“Verbal agreement between #Kessie and #Barcelona for June when the contract with the midfielder’s #Milan will expire. No signature for the moment but the #Blaugrana aim to get to the definition of the details with the player’s entourage,” he tweeted.

Gutting blow for Conte

This will come as devastating news to Antonio Conte, who has previously been said to have requested Kessie’s signature heading into this month – and it’s easy to see why.

The £25m-rated Ivory Coast powerhouse would be an instant upgrade to the bulk of the Italian’s options, especially as the likes of Tanguy Ndombele, Dele Alli and Giovani Lo Celso are free to leave before Monday’s deadline.

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Kessie is capable of not only providing a physical presence in the engine room but also goals with his set-piece talents and ability to drive the ball forward into the final third.

Indeed, only Zlatan Ibrahimovic (15 goals) found the net more times than the AC Milan midfielder (13) last season, whilst he also averaged 1.4 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 1.2 dribbles per game, via WhoScored.

That sort of style has earned comparison to former Premier League star Yaya Toure after Antonio Cassano also dubbed him “devastating” to Bobo TV (via MilanLive).

Elsewhere, Kessie has been described as an “extraordinary player” by his ex-Milan boss Vincenzo Montella.

Therefore, Conte will be truly gutted to have missed out on a player that he’s asked for, one that has been regularly linked with the north Londoners in recent months.

It comes late in the window, so Paratici and co will have their work cut out to find an alternative with just a handful of days remaining.

AND in other news, “In talks”: Sky Sports journo drops huge Spurs transfer update, Conte will be buzzing…

Plenty of Crystal Palace supporters have been reacting to a recent development regarding star man Wilfried Zaha.

According to The Sun, Zaha will not be going anywhere in the summer. The 28-year-old is thought to be leaving his current advisors Roc Nation and will be on the search for his fourth set of agents in a year.

Zaha, on £130,000-a-week at Selhurst Park, has recently been linked with a move to Arsenal after another impressive campaign under Roy Hodgson.

Reports earlier this month suggested that the Gunners are keen on reigniting their interest in the Ivory Coast international over the coming months.

He’ll have just two years remaining on his current deal in the summer, but The Sun believe the latest development will result in Zaha remaining at Palace.

Palace fans react

@cpfc_xtra shared the report on social media on Wednesday morning, which, as to be expected, received plenty of interaction.

Here are some of the thoughts from six Palace fans.

“Wait what???”

Credit: @Adam_Palace

“I’d love to say you’re right, but I fear you aren’t.”

Credit: @Cpfc1905Dh

“Sorry Wilf”

Credit: @liamb0117

“Does he want the move so much he’s flipping through agents like no tomorrow?”

Credit: @zakksharpe

“Let’s all laugh at this in summer”

Credit: @SellyMenace

“Surely he’ll just sign with another super agent and force a move anyway?”

Credit: @ReeceJMT

In other news: Many CPFC fans buzz over transfer update on £40,000-a-week man, find out more here. 

Tottenham Hotspur are now attempting a move for star Villarreal defender Pau Torres as claims emerge from Spain in the last week.

The Lowdown: Lilywhites fail with bid…

Torres, who has been a crucial player under former Arsenal boss Unai Emery at the La Liga side, is absolutely no stranger to Lilywhites supporters.

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Spurs transfer chief Fabio Paratici has held a serious interest in the 25-year-old before with Torres even confirming himself that the club made a summer approach before 2021/2022.

The Spain international claims Tottenham even offered him a better deal in terms of salary than Villarreal.

However, Torres goes on to say that his club’s presence in the Champions League was a deciding factor in rejecting Paratici’s advances.

Now, as per La Razon (via Sport Witness), as Antonio Conte’s side chase qualification for Europe’s most elite competition, they are back in the picture to sign him.

The Latest: Tottenham attempting Torres move…

It is claimed that Spurs are ‘seem to be trying’ to sign the central defender this summer.

As well as this, Villarreal have decided to green-light the player’s summer sale if any interested side can offer around €60 million (£50m).

The Verdict: Get it done?

An accomplished centre-half is reportedly among many of Conte’s transfer demands this summer with The Telegraph believing he could demand as many as six fresh faces.

Bearing this in mind, Paratici and chairman Daniel Levy will have to operate smartly in the market and offload surplus players like Tanguy Ndombele before making such huge investments.

As Spurs allegedly attempt to sign Torres, there is no denying they have a better chance of doing so than last year as things stand, especially as they chase a top-four finish.

His £50m price tag remains a huge obstacle, but if Paratici can work his way around the finances and Tottenham’s homegrown quota problem this summer, there is little denying he would be a major upgrade.

Spain manager Luis Enrique, calling Torres and Aymeric Laporte ‘sensational’ due to their defensive partnership at international level, is arguably proven right by the player’s impressive La Liga stats this season.

Over his 28 league starts, the colossal defender has averaged more successful aerial duels per 90 (1.9) than anyone under Emery whilst also making the second-most clearances behind Raul Albion (WhoScored).

A crucial mainstay, only goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli has played more top flight minutes over 2021/2022, backing just how integral he is to Villarreal.

If Conte can snap him up, there is no reason why he cannot become just as pivotal in north London.

In other news: Tottenham in pole position to sign ‘unreal’ 6 foot 3 powerhouse for Conte! Find out more here.

Manchester City have been linked with a move for Romelu Lukaku in recent months, as they look to add a world-class striker to their ranks ahead of next season, but it seems as if the Citizens’ hopes of signing the Belgian international have suffered a blow, after it was reported that Inter are not willing to sell him this summer.

According to reports from Italy, Inter won’t sell the 27-year-old striker this summer despite the interest being shown in him by both Manchester City and Barcelona.

Pep Guardiola’s side are clearly in the market for a new frontman, especially if Sergio Aguero departs on the expiry of his contract at the end of the season, and after Borussia Dortmund’s astronomical asking price for Erling Haaland was revealed recently, Lukaku perhaps could have re-emerged as a potential option for City this summer.

The former Chelsea and Manchester United man has been in phenomenal form for Inter so far this season, with 19 goals and eight assists to his name in just 26 Serie A appearances, resulting in a superb 7.56 average rating.

The Belgian striker has seen his value soar during his time in Italy, as he is now rated at £81 million by Transfermarkt, after leaving United for £74 million in 2019.

Guardiola is a big fan of the striker, despite his indifferent form during his time at United, and was full of praise for him in 2018, saying:

“He’s fast, going to the channels, he helps to keep the ball and helps to make the movement for the other guys. He’s top. He’s a world-class player.”

Lukaku certainly would have added a physical presence up front for Man City, which is something they have lacked in recent seasons, so it is undoubtedly a blow for Guardiola’s side that Inter seemingly won’t allow him to leave this summer when you consider his superb record since joining Antonio Conte’s side.

And, in other news… Pep could be set for huge Man City boost with “incredible” £90m-rated gem

West Ham United have reportedly made an offer to try and sign Junior Firpo in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Cresswell cover needed

Given that Arthur Masuaku missed a large chunk of the 2020/21 season through injury, the London Stadium faithful will need some more reliable cover for Aaron Cresswell come the start of the new term.

Cresswell can also play as central defender on the left of a back three, meaning that they would need other options in the left-back area if he plays there.

The Latest: Firpo offer

As per Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), the East London club have made an offer to sign Firpo, which FC Barcelona are open to.

However, they face competition from both Southampton and AC Milan for his signature in what looks like a transfer saga that will drag on throughout the window.

The Verdict: Avoid

While Firpo is clearly a good player, having played in the UEFA Champions League a total of 10 times while with Barca over the course of the last two campaigns (Transfermarkt), David Moyes’ team should not be targeting another left-back whose game time has been limited.

Masuaku will want to prove his fitness in pre-season, and there are other positions that the Hammers should be prioritising, like finding cover up top for Michail Antonio.

Firpo is also on a whopping £105,000-per-week, which is simply too much for the Irons to dish out to a man who started just three league games last season, even if they can negotiate that number down a little.

In other news, find out which ‘extraordinary’ ace WHU have bid for here!

Queens Park Rangers are interested in a deal to bring Josh Windass to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Athletic, who claimed that Mark Warburton is keen on a reunion with his former Glasgow Rangers midfielder ahead of next season, with the 58-year-old thought to be lining up a bid for the Sheffield Wednesday ace in the summer transfer window.

Last month, The Sun journalist Alan Nixon revealed that Darren Moore’s side will be demanding a fee of £5m in order to part with the attacking midfielder this summer, a price which appears to have ruled both Birmingham City and Millwall out of a move.

Warburton would love him

Windass was impressive last season despite playing for a Wednesday team who finished rock bottom of the Championship table, while the midfielder has also played under Warburton previously. Should QPR go on to get a deal over the line for the 27-year-old this summer, he would be an addition the Rs boss would surely love.

While it is true that the £1.8m-rated man did not feature all that much under Warburton at Rangers, Windass nevertheless made an impression during his 18 appearances under the 58-year-old, scoring one goal and providing four assists for his teammates.

However, it is fair to say that the midfielder has developed as a player since his time in Scotland, something which is evident in his returns for Wednesday last season.

Indeed, over his 41 Championship appearances for Darren Moore’s side in 2020/21, the £10,000-per-week man scored nine goals, registered six assists and created seven big chances for his teammates, as well as taking 1.9 shots and making 0.7 key passes per game.

These metrics saw the man dubbed an “explosive” player by his footballer father Dean earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.80, ranking him as Wednesday’s seventh-best performer in the second tier last season.

As such, with Warburton undoubtedly hoping to build a squad in the summer transfer window which is capable of going on to mount a promotion push next season, the potential signing of Windass would appear to provide the 58-year-old and his team with a significant boost to their chances of going on to achieve this feat, leading us to believe that the midfielder would be a fantastic addition in west London.

In other news: QPR transfer update emerges on “unbelievable” £8k-p/w dynamo, fans will be gutted

Liverpool finally halted their Anfield woes on Saturday afternoon with a late victory against Aston Villa.

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds had initially gone behind to Ollie Watkins’ strike, with Roberto Firmino seeing his equaliser ruled out by a tight offside call from VAR.

However, they did manage to roar back through Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, the latter firing in a 90th minute winner.

Despite the right-back proving key for the reigning champions, it was actually his defensive colleague Nathaniel Phillips who should indeed be earning more praise for his performance.

The centre-back, who earns £64k per-week at Anfield, turned in a thoroughly dominant defensive showing throughout the afternoon.

According to WhoScored, the 24-year-old contributed two tackles and a further seven clearances. For comparison, the rest of the Liverpool side could only contribute nine clearances between them throughout the match.

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Whilst his anticipation of danger was extremely impressive, Phillips was also tough to deal with when faced up with his direct opponents.

Of the 17 duels he attempted against Aston Villa both on the ground and in the air, he won a huge 13 of those according to SofaScore – a huge increase on his 7.1 average per match in the Premier League this season.

Phillips was of course pivotal from a defensive standpoint but the Englishman also had his fair share of influence on the ball for the Reds, too.

Of the 72 passes that he completed, the most of every single player in the entire match, three of those were key. Once again, no player for either side completed more key passes than the Liverpool centre-back.

So, whilst Trent Alexander-Arnold will draw plenty of praise for what turned out to be his winning strike, Phillips was equally if not more pivotal in the Reds claiming a much sought-after Anfield win in the Premier League.

AND in more news, find out which other young defender the Reds must not sell…

Some West Ham United fans have been left delighted as a transfer update emerged on Duje Caleta-Car.

As per The Athletic, the East London club are set to re-enter in the race to sign the Marseille central defender once the summer transfer window opens.

Although David Moyes’ team were very impressive in the Premier League in the 2020/21 term, finishing in sixth spot, they conceded no fewer than 47 goals in total, which was more than Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Brighton and Hove Albion, who all finished below them in the table (BBC Sport).

Thus, a new centre-back will be needed in order to bolster the defence, especially given that they will be playing in the UEFA Europa League as well.

Caleta-Car could well fit the bill, given his monster six-foot-three frame, which would be useful in both boxes in the top flight and in Europe, as well as coming off the back of an impressive Ligue 1 season in which he won 3.7 of his duels per match and averaged an impressive 3.9 clearances and 1.3 interceptions per game too (Sofascore).

Nonetheless, he is certainly a player that some members of the London Stadium faithful seemingly want to see come through the door.

West Ham fans on Caleta-Car transfer update

These Hammers supporters raved as the transfer update was shared on Twitter (via West Ham Central):

“This would be great if we can get it done for £25 million like we was close to before”

Credit: @Irons_Stuff

“I’m on my knees”

Credit: @1bbyWHU

“YESSSSSSSSS”

Credit: @whujoe

“Oooooh yes”

Credit: @_ghzst

“Him and Milenkovic would be a class window”

Credit: @JamieWHU__

“Vroom, vroom, get in me Car!!”

Credit: @whuamen

In other news, find out what transfer update has left Irons buzzing here!

West Ham shared footage of new summer signings Kurt Zouma and Nikola Vlasic on Thursday evening.

And, as to be expected, a number of Hammers supporters were quick to share their positive thoughts to their new recruits on social media.

The Hammers made two big-money additions late in the window, with Zouma penning a four-year deal from Chelsea costing £31.5m and Vlasic a five-year deal from CSKA Moscow at a price of £27m.

Both the centre-back and the attacking midfielder have been training ahead of this weekend’s clash with Southampton at St Mary’s and were all smiles at the club’s Rush Green complex.

West Ham posted a 43-second clip of the video of the pair on their official Twitter page, including a snippet of the duo in action alongside teammates on the training pitch.

Hammers fans react

These Hammers fans all interacted with the post, with a selection of positive responses available to view below.

“We’re winning the league”

Credit: @n_kalathakis

“ZOUMA is a perfect addition to the character of this team. Well done DM!”

Credit: @Nathanbi77

“So good let’s crack on then”

Credit: @ZaynafamilyMary

“Loving the team spirit on show”

Credit: @WestHamXtra

“Happy”

Credit: @lakey_21

“Start of something special let’s hope”

Credit: @Paul572669283

In other news: West Ham source: Moyes now eyeing ‘unbelievable’ attacker with behind-scenes talks ongoing.