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Celtic’s fierce rivals have made an approach for reported Hoops target Bright Osayi-Samuel, according to TumSport, cited by Glasgow Live.

The Lowdown: Hoops back in for Osayi-Samuel

Celtic were linked with a move for the 23-year-old when he was at Queens Park Rangers back in December but Rangers have reportedly now made a move for him too.

The Nigerian was reportedly Neil Lennon’s priority January target before the turn of the year, but as we know, the Hoops didn’t land the wide man.

Osayi-Samuel left London for Fenerbahce in the winter window; however, he struggled in Turkey. The winger, who can also play in a central attacking role, scored just once in 18 Super Lig appearances.

Despite his struggles abroad, Celtic have been credited with an interest in Osayi-Samuel once again recently, but it appears as if the Hoops may now need to act fast if they want to get their man.

The Latest: Rangers approach; Osayi-Samuel’s stance

Turkish outlet Fotospor, cited by Glasgow Live, claim that the forward is keen to return to the UK with both Glasgow giants eyeing a deal.

Rangers are the first club to make an approach for the player, though, with French side Monaco also tracking his situation.

The Verdict: McKay and Postecoglou to act?

New Celtic CEO Dominic McKay and manager Ange Postecoglou may want to take swift action in their reported pursuit of Osayi-Samuel going off this latest update.

They may end up missing out on the winger’s services due to their rivals, which could be a double blow. Not only would it mean Celtic would need to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements, but it would also strengthen their title challengers for the 2021/22 season.

Osayi-Samuel has averaged 2.4 successful dribbles per game throughout his career to date, as per WhoScored, and with Mohamed Elyounoussi returning to Southampton following his second Hoops loan, Celtic appear to be in need of a wide man capable of beating a defender.

It seems as if they may have to act fast to have a chance of signing him, though, with Rangers seemingly making the first move out of the three interested clubs.

In other news: ‘Powerful’ ace set to link up with Postecoglou at Lennnoxtown as Celtic news emerges, find out more here. 

Rangers are open to offers for youngster Josh McPake this summer, according to The Daily Record’s Live Sports Editor Gavin Berry. 

The lowdown

The 20-year-old right winger is currently in the midst of a fifth spell out on loan from Ibrox.

After temporary stints with Dundee and Greenock Morton, he has since spent time with three English clubs in Harrogate Town, Morecambe and most recently Tranmere Rovers.

The Morecambe loan was terminated in January following an ankle injury, with Rangers hopeful of an upturn in fortunes when he dropped down a division to the Merseyside club in League Two.

He still has more than two years left to run on his contract at Ibrox.

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The latest

Berry wrote for The Daily Record that McPake ‘hasn’t kicked on in the way that he or Rangers would have hoped this season’.

As a result, he is unlikely to make a first-team breakthrough at Ibrox, so the Gers will look to facilitate either a permanent exit or a further loan move during the transfer window.

The verdict

The start of McPake’s time at Prenton Park was positive, with Tranmere manager Micky Mellon handing him six straight starts. However, clearly the Rovers boss wasn’t all that impressed as the 20-year-old has now fallen down the pecking order.

Indeed, since that run of games in January, he has only made the starting XI on three occasions, and he has been an unused substitute in four of the team’s last six matches, featuring for a meagre three minutes.

He is no doubt a talented player, having featured for Scotland’s under-21s in June last year and earned some rave reviews. Simon Weaver, his manager during his time at Harrogate, said that the ‘excellent’ winger is ‘blessed with ability’ and proved ‘too hot to handle’ at times.

However, McPake – who has five goals and three assists to his name so far in his senior career – hasn’t taken the next step this season, and the outlook now looks fairly bleak for him under Giovanni van Bronckhorst at Rangers.

In other news, Jordan Campbell reacts to this Rangers development

According to a report by French news outlet RMC Sport, via Get French Football News, Tottenham Hotspur are now keen to offload defender Serge Aurier this summer and could do so for as little as €10 million (£8.7 million).

The Lowdown: Aurier on the chopping block

The Ivorian has played very regularly for Spurs this season and has arguably been a mainstay in the side at points under both Jose Mourinho and interim boss Ryan Mason – starting 18 Premier League games in total, six more than summer signing Matt Doherty (WhoScored).

He was praised for his much improved form under Mourinho earlier this campaign and earned plenty of plaudits (Alasdair Gold), but the defender’s downturn since then has made Aurier a nominee for the Spurs summer sale list.

Alasdair Gold recently touted the 28-year-old as one of the names who could leave – mentioning him in a list with Erik Lamela, Harry Winks, Moussa Sissoko, Juan Foyth and Dele Alli (football.london).

The Latest: Spurs now keen to offload

Now, in an update on Aurier’s situation, RMC Sport (via GFFN) claim that the Lilywhites and chairman Daniel Levy are now keen to sell the 66-cap ace and could do so for as little as €10m (£8.7m).

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It is also stated in the report that Paris-Saint Germain have placed Aurier on a shortlist as former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino weighs strengthening his right-back options.

Aurier has previously hinted he would be open to Parc des Princes return and this update claims a move would majorly interest him.

The Verdict: Big call by Levy?

Still in his prime at 28 and with plenty of experience at Premier League level, we believe that allowing him to go for just £8.7m could be a mistake.

Tottenham will need every penny they can muster given the likelihood they will adopt a sell-to-buy policy (Sky Sports) and losing Aurier for such a meagre fee arguably won’t help matters.

Aurier dominates the Spurs squad in one particular stat, making the most tackles per 90 on average out of any Lilywhites player this season – including midfield enforcer and arguable best signing of last summer Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (WhoScored).

He has also been called ‘amazing’ for his ability to get forward by ex-Spurs keeper Paul Robinson (Football Insider), and Tottenham should be aiming to recuperate much more from his possible sale.

In other news: Tottenham managerial update emerges as new name contacted, find out more here.

As per The Athletic, an update has emerged involving Aston Villa, Leeds United and West Ham United goalkeeper Darren Randolph as more January news comes to light.

The Lowdown: West Ham have quiet window…

In the last week of the winter window, multiple reports of marquee bids and last gasp striker signing attempts came out of the woodwork as the Hammers left it too late to bring someone through the door.

Indeed, West Ham and manager David Moyes apparently made big offers for star Leeds United duo Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips before turning their attention to deadline day striker swoops for Benfica’s Darwin Nunez and Duvan Zapata of Atalanta.

Jesse Lingard was also the subject of intense final day interest but recruitment chief Rob Newman fell short in all of these last gasp attempts.

In some exit news, sharing who West Ham and Moyes stopped from leaving, The Athletic have made a claim involving Randolph.

The Latest: West Ham block Randolph exit…

According to their sources, the Irons told their third-choice shot stopper he couldn’t join Leeds or Villa as both sides plotted loan moves for the 50-cap shot stopper.

Indeed, despite being on the very fringes of West Ham’s first team, Moyes held firm and refused to green-light a temporary exit for Randolph.

The Verdict: Wrong move?

Given the 34-year-old’s lack of game time at the London Stadium, we believe not sanctioning a move away is a strange call.

Loanee second-choice goalkeeper Alphonse Areola has barely been granted game-time himself, starting just one Premier League game all season, making you wonder what purpose Randolph has sitting behind the Frenchman.

Randolph’s current deal expires in 2023, giving West Ham two more transfer windows to make a profit off his sale, and letting him attempt to establish game time at another Premier League side could’ve potentially done wonders for his market value.

Ex-Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate, Randolph’s former boss, even called the player ‘outstanding’ during their time together at Middlesbrough – perhaps indicating he is wasted on the sidelines.

In other news: ‘Fancies West Ham’…£18m man ‘let down’ after failed January move, find out more here.

Luke Hatfield, who covers Midlands clubs for the Express and Star, has told The Transfer Tavern that he expects Leander Dendoncker to stay at Wolves this summer.

The Belgian midfielder, who made three appearances at the Euros, has been a key part of the Wanderers setup since joining initially on loan in 2018, and then permanently 12 months later.

Since breaking into the side under Nuno Espirito Santo, Dendoncker has been a mainstay in the Wolves midfield alongside the likes of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho.

But Dendoncker can also play in central defence, which means his versatility could be key with the likes of Conor Coady and Neves both linked away from Molineux.

According to Calciomercato, Wolves have considered offloading the 26-year-old to Roma after some below-par displays last season, although he’s featured in pre-season and therefore could be in line to start against Leicester on the opening day this weekend.

With other players futures in doubt, Hatfield told The Transfer Tavern he doesn’t expected him to be sold:

“He’s a very versatile player. Wolves fans were frustrated with some of his performances, but playing central defence and midfield, gets himself about.

“He’s so important to Wolves, and if Neves was meant to go, he would be incredibly important. You’ve got Joao Moutinho, who’s no spring chicken, you can’t see him playing 38 Premier League games, so I’d be surprised if they let Leander Dendoncker go.”

Molineux was rocking for Nuno Santo’s very final game in charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday but the players on the pitch were unable to send their manager away in style.

It was a tough ask for this Old Gold side as they faced a Manchester United team who had competed so admirably for the Premier League title this year.

Having supporters back in the stadium certainly helped their cause and spurred them on, however.

Nelson Semedo was rampant down the right-hand side and even popped up with a rare goal but Wolves ultimately fell short as they were made to rue Mike Dean and the dreaded VAR.

The Midlands outfit weren’t clinical enough in attack but they let themselves down defensively as they have done for large parts of the campaign.

Donny van de Beek enjoyed some bright touches in the middle of the park and it was the Dutchman that was brought down for a penalty the ultimately won United the game.

Romain Saiss clumsily dangled a leg out with a rash piece of play that cost Wolves the match and let Nuno down on his final match at Molineux.

That said, he wasn’t their worst culprit during the 2-1 defeat.

That honour, unfortunately, had to go to Leander Dendoncker. Fresh from being picked for the Belgium squad at the upcoming European Championships, he hardly sent a positive message to Roberto Martinez.

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Picked in the middle of the park over the more attacking Vitinha and Morgan Gibbs-White, it was a decision that ultimately didn’t pay off.

Dendoncker completed 93% of his passes but in terms of his physical game, he was way off it.

The £75k-per-week earner was anonymous as he somehow failed to involve himself in a single defensive duel.

That meant the Belgian didn’t win a tackle or complete an interception. The midfielder’s stats sheet from the game was full of zeroes with him making no key passes and not registering a single dribble.

This wasn’t the first time he’s let his manager down this season, though. He was skinned by Adama Traore when Wolves played Leeds back in March.

It feels that when the Old Gold play against teams on the counter-attack, Dendoncker seems to struggle with the pace and energy.

Nuno’s spirits won’t be too dampened by this performance but he can’t have been too impressed.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Jimenez: Wolves must swoop for £80k-p/w gem who is “similar to Neto”…

Crystal Palace have joined the race for Ryan Christie’s signature as the Celtic midfielder enters the final six months of his contract at Parkhead.

What’s the story?

The Eagles have recently appointed Patrick Vieira as their new manager, and the former Nice boss is thought to be a long-term admirer of the Scotland international.

Nice had a bid turned down for Christie a year ago, but he could now be available at a bargain price due to his contractual situation and Vieira is expected to follow up his interest in the creative talent now he’s at Selhurst Park, according to the Daily Mail (as reported by the Daily Record).

Vieira can generate success

Christie first caught the eye of the Arsenal legend back in 2019 when he scored both home and away against Nice’s Ligue 1 rivals Rennes in the Europa League group stages.

His impressive performances for the Hoops and the national team have earned several plaudits in recent years, including ex-Celtic striker Chris Sutton.

“You have to admire his attitude as well as his versatility, to be able to play so many positions at such a high level…he gives it absolutely everything.

“We all know he can produce moments of magic, but he combines it with a ferocious workrate. Christie is a manager’s dream,” claimed Sutton.

In 142 appearances for the Glasgow giants, Christie has bagged 40 goals and provided a further 41 assists, winning six major trophies along the way.

Although he failed to quite hit top form last season, the £6.3m-rated gem still recorded impressive underlying numbers, illustrating the quality he would bring to Palace, should he arrive in south London over the coming months.

Christie made 2.1 key passes per league game throughout 2020/21, had 2.8 shots and provided eight assists, bettering Eberechi Eze on each metric.

While many may correctly point to the higher standard of opposition that Eze faced on a weekly basis last season, these figures still show that Vieira could generate success at Palace by acquiring Christie’s services.

Eze is set to be sidelined with a serious injury until the new year, robbing the capital club of one of their most influential attacking forces for a considerable length of time.

Bringing in Christie could be a logical solution to this problem, and Vieira will be surely be hoping that he can finally secure his man this summer.

And, in other news…Get it done: Vieira must sanction £20m CPFC summer swoop for Phil Foden-esque dynamo 

Oliver Skipp looked totally out of his depth as Tottenham Hotspur slumped to defeat in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

Nuno Santo’s side were easily brushed aside by an out-of-sorts and under-pressure Manchester United in north London to slip down to eighth place, and that could get worse depending on Monday’s result.

The young 21-year-old midfielder was trusted to marshall the defence alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg but he was completely played off the park and had a role in their downfall.

As explained by the Evening Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick, the England U21 star was caught in possession for Cristiano Ronaldo’s disallowed strike before repeating the same blunder for Edinson Cavani’s goal in the 64th minute that handed the visitors a two-goal cushion.

‘An afternoon when he looked short of experience at this level,’ he went on to claim.

Indeed, this was certainly the case as Skipp recorded the joint-third worst rating of any Spurs player (6.3) and it’s easy to see why when delving into the specifics behind his nightmare display.

The 5 foot 9 dynamo, who is thought to earn just £25k-per-week in N17, was dominated by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s midfield of Bruno Fernandes, Fred and Scott McTominay.

Per SofaScore, he won just one of his five battles (20%) in the engine room – the fewest of any Lilywhites player to contest three or more duels – whilst he was also dribbled past on three occasions, highlighting just how easy it was for the Red Devils to breach Nuno’s defensive wall.

Elsewhere, the Hotspur Way graduate registered only one tackle, which is below half his average for the current campaign (2.2) and that goes to show just how off the pace he was on Saturday night.

In the end, the Portuguese head coach saw some sense and hooked Skipp in the 66th minute, in favour of the more attack-minded Tanguy Ndombele but that didn’t solve their creative crisis in the final third whatsoever.

Plenty of supporters were left fuming by the performance from Harry Kane once again but he showed glimpses and moments early in the first half and throughout the second, he was starved of service as Spurs failed to register a single shot on target in the 90, nor did they create a single key chance in the final 45.

Whilst the England talisman up top can certainly improve, it was the shocking performance from Skipp that stood out more and as such, his involvement in matches against the big teams must be considered going forward.

He’s still young, learning and will always improve but he looked way off the standard required to stop a side as big as United.

AND in other news, Paratici could finally replace Eriksen in Spurs swoop for £58.5m-rated “elite talent”…

Lots of Wolves fans have been left buzzing as a transfer update emerged on Matheus Nunes.

As per A Bola, the central midfield player is currently ‘on the radar’ of the Midlands club, and new manager Bruno Lage has him ‘referenced’.

Sporting Lisbon are ‘open to negotiation’, but want a fee of at least €18m (£15.4m) if they are to sell him in the summer window.

Playing in 31 matches in Liga NOS in the 2020/21 season, scoring three goals and making a further two assists (Transfermarkt), Nunes was a key player in Sporting’s first title win since 2002.

Described as being ‘unbelievable’ with the ball at his feet by former teammate Goncalo Santos last month, the 22-year-old would certainly add some flair in the middle of the park for the Molineux faithful, should they be able to secure his signature.

Wolves fans on Nunes transfer update

These WWFC supporters buzzed as the transfer update on Nunes was shared by Talking Wolves on their Twitter page:

“Get it done Jeff.”

Credit: @RichBerry50

“I LIKEY”

Credit: @Cal_Wood1990

“Seen a lot of good stuff from when he was linked with Everton. Hopefully this is true”

Credit: @wwfcnaasif

“This would be smart, CM capable of carrying the ball in a Doucoure, Anguissa mould”

Credit: @roneilcallo

“Nunes yes please”

Credit: @ScottHickmanfc

“Yes please”

Credit: @david44809679

In other news, find out what exit rumour has Wanderers talking here!

Flocking to Twitter, many Manchester City supporters have erupted over a claim involving AC Milan left-back Theo Hernandez.

Sky Blues boss Pep Guardiola is currently short of natural left-backs following Benjamin Mendy’s arrest and subsequent suspension by the club.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, a makeshift option, impressed over the 2020/2021 season and dazzled City supporters with some of his Champions League displays in particular .

Joao Cancelo is another who can operate in that position, though is a natural right-back, while 2020 summer signing Nathan Ake is also capable of being deployed there (WhoScored).

Aymeric Laporte has even played there on occasion, yet a report from The Sun journalist Martin Blackburn indicates that City want to shore up that position with an assured natural choice.

As a result, the club and sporting director Txiki Begiristain are reportedly eyeing a move for AC Milan star Hernandez.

Indeed, as explained by Blackburn, City are closely monitoring the player who is rated at around £68 million and want a new natural left-back following Mendy’s suspension.

An exciting ace and real threat out wide, the 23-year-old attracted more fouls per 90 (2.5) than any of Pep Guardiola’s men domestically last year whilst also outdoing them all in terms of completed dribbles (2.2), according to WhoScored.

Taking this into account, there’s little wonder many City fans want to see him at the Etihad – with one calling him a would-be ‘phenomenal signing’.

Find all of their best verdicts, in response to City Xtra on Twitter, down below.

Man City fans erupt as club eye Hernandez…

“would be an absolutely phenomenal signing”

Credit: @BernardoControl

“PAY UP TXIKIII”

Credit: @ferrandowski21

“Come on pls get this done”

Credit: @7Mcfcmax

“We’re feasting today”

Credit: @vlahovicszn

“One of the best LBs in the world rn. Very underrated”

Credit: @lacomps

“Up there with the best itw in his position, we need to do everything we can to get him”

Credit: @bdeanMCFC

“This would be absolutely perfect”

Credit: @FodenCTID

“Please just pay it and get him and Haaland to the Stade”

Credit: @SxrgioSZN

In other news: ‘Outrageous’…Man City fans flock to Foden contract development, find out more here.