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Rangers kicked off their Scottish Premiership title defence with a comfortable 3-0 win against Livingston at Ibrox on Saturday afternoon, although Fashion Sakala struggled to impress on his first competitive appearance for Steven Gerrard’s side.

After scoring the equaliser in Rangers’ pre-season win against Real Madrid last weekend, with Alfredo Morelos out of action after returning from Colombia after the Copa America, Gerrard opted to start his new signing up front against David Martindale’s side.

The Zambia international, who joined from Belgian Pro League side KV Oostende earlier in the summer, impressed Gerrard with his attitude and performances in pre-season but failed to really make any inroads in the Premiership opener.

As per SofaScore, the 24-year-old earned a less than impressive 6.5/10 rating for his display, with only Glen Kamara (6.4) rated lower of the Rangers players to feature in the game.

During his 71 minutes on the pitch, the £3.6m-rated forward had just 15 touches of the ball, completing only five passes in total. In comparison, Rangers goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin had 31 touches and completed 29 passes, which emphasises just how little Sakala contributed.

Much to the Ibrox faithful’s frustration, the new signing was caught offside on four occasions, whilst he also lost the ball six times in the game, which suggests that he struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premiership.

Although this was his first appearance for Rangers and there is undoubtedly more to come from the forward, Kemar Roofe’s goal from the bench suggests that he will be given the nod to start ahead of the Zambian against Malmo in the Champions League qualifiers on Tuesday night.

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776”]

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Hopefully Sakala will be able to put this disappointing first performance behind him and grab his first Rangers goal in the near future, as Gerrard will surely be hoping that the 24-year-old can provide stiff competition for Morelos and Roofe throughout the 2021/22 campaign.

In other news… Too slow, Wilson: Rangers miss out on “outstanding” beast loved by Gerrard

Many Everton fans have been left slamming a transfer update involving Harry Winks.

Speaking on his Twitch channel (via The Everton End), transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that it is a ‘possibility’ that the Tottenham Hotspur man could end up at Goodison Park in the summer window.

With a mere four goals and just four assists in 173 games for Spurs over all competitions across the last seven consecutive seasons (Transfermarkt), the signing of Winks would not really be an inspiring one for the Merseyside club, and it is also arguably a position which they do not need to prioritise.

Rafa Benitez already has the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan, Andre Gomes and Tom Davies who he can call upon in the centre of midfield, and so the Toffees should perhaps be focusing on other areas of the pitch.

Everton fans on Winks transfer update

These Blues supporters slammed the transfer update by Romano on Winks as it was shared on Twitter:

“Not what we need at all. We need someone who can carry the ball forward not move it side to side.”

Credit: @bluetom_tom

“Maybe I was too hard on Mike Ashley… Rafa already losing the plot if this is true”

Credit: @1878_Shirts

“After a tough month I honestly think this may tip me over the Everton edge”

Credit: @GJS41991

“No absolutely not we don’t need him”

Credit: @mxrganhulme7

“Another Tom Cleverley for me. No thanks.”

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Credit: @scepticrealist

“Was accepting the other ones but this is a disgrace he is shocking”

Credit: @LiamAnderson66

In other news, find out what recent exit Evertonians are celebrating here!

Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma is not an unrealistic target for Wolves, says Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield.

The Midlands club recently had a proposal knocked back by the player, according to Julien Maynard of Telefoot, as they look to strengthen their backline.

Zouma made 36 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last season, featuring five times in the Blues’ successful Champions League campaign.

The 6 ft 3 Frenchman is quite clearly capable of playing at a very high level, explaining why Tottenham and Jose Mourinho, now manager of AS Roma, are also interested in him.

Even so, Hatfield does not believe Zouma is the kind of player who is out of reach for Wolves. On the club’s interest, he told FFC:

“If Wolves want to carry on improving after a season which was, you know, pretty poor in their respects, it’d be a really good signing – particularly if they’re going to a four at the back.

“I don’t think it’s an unrealistic target. In the same respect, I think there’ll be a fair few teams after him, so it could be a bit of a battle if he is up for sale.”

From Zouma’s perspective, joining a Premier League side like Wolves does not sound like the worst idea.

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The £28.8m-rated France international lost his starting place at Chelsea following Thomas Tuchel’s appointment, so he probably will not have a big role at the west London club this season if he does remain there.

Furthermore, if Wolves come back in again, perhaps he should give their proposal some serious consideration.

Aston Villa journalist Luke Hatfield has told Football FanCast that he would be “massively surprised” if a club registered serious interest in Ollie Watkins this summer.

£28.8m-rated Watkins was in stunning form last season, his first campaign as a Premier League player.

In 37 appearances, the 25-year-old striker scored 14 goals and provided five assists to help Villa to an 11th-placed finish.

Following his impressive showing, there has been some talk about Liverpool being interested, with Jurgen Klopp looking to bolster his forward options.

However, given how settled Watkins currently is at Villa Park, Hatfield cannot see any team making a serious play for the England international in this transfer window.

“They [Villa] obviously rate him very highly,” the Express & Star reporter said. “I’d be massively surprised if a club does end up showing some serious interest in him, because he seems happy at the club.

“He’s obviously broken into the England fold this season with Villa, scored plenty of goals at Villa Park and played basically every fixture bar, you know, one suspended game. So he’s been vitally important for Villa.”

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Even if Watkins was not completely satisfied with life at Villa Park and a club did make a move for him, it is still hard to imagine him leaving.

The former Brentford man was Villa’s top scorer last term and still has four years left on his contract, so the Midlands outfit will not want to and do not have to sanction a sale.

Many Southampton fans are delighted after it was suggested that the Saints could offer Michael Obafemi as part-exchange in a deal for Adam Armstrong.

The south coast outfit were rocked by the news earlier this summer that Danny Ings had turned down a four-year contract at the club (Sky Sports). That has left Ralph Hasenhuttl and co looking for a new striker, and they are said to be close to signing Armstrong from Blackburn Rovers.

According to The Sun, the Saints could offer Republic of Ireland international Obafemi as part of the deal to sign Armstrong. With just five goals in 38 games for Southampton (Transfermarkt), the 21-year-old is hardly prolific, while £16.2m-valued Armstrong netted 29 times in all competitions last season.

The news was shared on Twitter by @SaintsExtra and it attracted plenty of attention from Southampton supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the potential swap deal between Obafemi and Armstrong.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about the possible Armstrong/Obafemi swap

“Armstrong is much better than Obafemi”

Credit: @ollie60848715

“I think that’s pretty good for both teams? if Blackburn are already consigned to losing Armstrong.”

Credit: @PeckingOrder03

“Snap their hands off for it! Obafemi might be alright at Championship/League one? Not a PL striker sadly, so a good deal all round.”

Credit: @Deardenpad

“Get rid of him, lower league player if that”

Credit: @kevinro290560

“I’d be happy with that”

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Credit: @4netix1

“Done.”

Credit: @87_amg

In other news, Southampton want this Premier League midfielder.

An update has emerged on Gent striker Roman Yaremchuk, regarding West Ham’s interest in acquiring his services this summer.

What’s the talk?

According to Dean Jones of EuroSport, West Ham are seriously considering making a bid for Gent centre-forward Roman Yaremchuk as David Moyes attempts to bolster his attacking options heading into next season.

The report claims the Hammers have been alerted by his impressive performances at the European Championships for Ukraine, playing alongside current West Ham forward Andriy Yarmolenko.

Imagine him and Antonio

West Ham must ensure that they can get a deal over the line to bring Yaremchuk to the London Stadium this summer as he could be a terrific addition to the squad. He could form an excellent partnership with Michail Antonio at the top end of the pitch with their contrasting styles potentially meaning that they’ll be able to work well together.

Antonio likes to make runs in behind and use his pace to stretch teams and create gaps for other players whilst also opening up chances for himself. Yaremchuk, meanwhile, is 6ft 3 and could be the focal point of West Ham’s attacking play. The Ukrainian international could hold the ball up and be a target man for the Hammers, allowing Antonio to then make his runs to play off the forward. Yaramechuk could send flick-ons Antonio’s way or hold the ball up and lay it off for midfielders to then find the ex-Sheffield Wednesday man.

David Moyes needs a player of Yaremchuk’s quality as Antonio had little in the way of help from an attacking partner prior to Jesse Lingard’s arrival in January. Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen combined for 18 Premier League goals, but Sebastien Haller’s tally of three was the club’s next highest from a striker outside of Antonio. This suggests that the Scot needs a new number nine to bolster his squad and that man could the Gent forward.

Yaremchuk was directly involved in 31 goals for Gent in all competitions last season. He racked up 23 goals and eight assists for the Belgian side, proving his quality in Belgium’s top-flight. The attacker has also scored 10 goals in 29 caps for his country, including twice at the European Championships this summer prior to England knocking them out in the quarter-finals last week.

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Therefore, he could be a quality addition to West Ham’s team and provide the goal threat they have been lacking alongside Antonio up front. At the age of 25, Yaremchuk also has plenty of time left to develop as a player and he could fulfil his potential at the London Stadium with Moyes’ coaching, which the fans could love to watch in the coming years.

AND in other news, West Ham make contact over £25m machine who lit up Euro 2020, Moyes would love him…

Reliable reporter Alan Nixon has claimed Celtic have been looking into a number of right-back targets, amid links to Sheffield United’s George Baldock.

The Lowdown: Ralston Hoops’ only right-back

As it stands, Anthony Ralston is the club’s only right-back on the books. Jeremie Frimpong left for Bayer Leverkusen in January, Hatem Elhamed joined Hapoel Be’er Sheva in February and loanee Jonjoe Kenny returned to Everton at the end of the previous campaign.

The Hoops recently extended Ralston’s deal for a further 12 months, and one man who has been linked with a move to Parkhead to rival him at right-back is Baldock.

The Sheffield United man is back on Celtic’s radar, however, Nixon, who writes for The Sun, has revealed the Hoops have been looking at other right-backs.

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The Latest: Nixon’s claim

Nixon answered a Celtic fan on Twitter on Friday, insisting the Blades ‘want a good offer’ to part ways with the 28-year-old.

He was then asked how much, to which Nixon said:

“It’s not fortunes… but Celtic were looking into other right-backs just in case there was more value elsewhere.”

The Verdict: McKay being smart but time is ticking

It’s good to see that Celtic CEO Dominic McKay is looking all over for full-back additions, but now is the time for the club to start acting and sealing deals.

It’s a smart call to widen their search, especially with Sheffield United wanting more than £8m for Baldock – you’d expect shrewder deals are there to be had. £8m for a player approaching his thirties and in the last year of his contract is steep.

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As it stands, Ange Postecoglou will have no choice but to start Ralston against FC Midtjylland in a Champions League qualifier later this month.

Time is ticking for the Hoops to get additions through the door prior to Postecoglou’s first competitive game in charge, and the sooner they can get them, it could increase their chances of progressing in Europe.

In other news: Hoops now working on move for ‘terrific’ forward after Osaze Urhoghide deal, find out more here. 

Aston Villa transfer target Will Hughes is a perfect fit for Dean Smith, according to Steve Howey.

What’s the story?

According to The Athletic, the Midlands club have been name-checked as one of those interested in signing the Watford ace this summer as he enters the final year of his contract, and it’s a move for which Howey has delivered his backing.

Speaking exclusively to This is Futbol, he said: “Dean Smith has seen something in him and he’s been in the Premier League before so he knows what it’s all about. I can’t imagine it costing massive money to sign somebody like him so he could be a great player to have in the squad.”

Villa’s new Gareth Barry

With 77 appearances to his name in the Premier League, Hughes fits the bill that Smith has stated he wants from any potential new signings at Villa Park this summer.

The Villa boss said ahead of the summer transfer window: “In terms of our recruitment, we talk about the sweet spots that we’re looking for, which is that the players have Premier League experience and are (ideally) British because there is no adaptation risk at all.”

In the £30,000-a-week earning Hughes, they would get exactly that.

Adrian Mariappa, his one-time teammate at Watford, waxed lyrical about the 26-year-old’s abilities, saying: “He’s an outstanding player. To see his quality he’s got, he has so much flair and a terrific player.”

With his ability as a real box-to-box player, there’s shades of Gareth Barry to his game. The latter spent 11 years in the Aston Villa first team, playing 434 games for them before making the move to Manchester City and helping them win their first Premier League title in 2012.

Manchester City’s website describes him as a “reliable, composed and tactically astute midfielder with a knack for sniffing out danger”, adding that “his understated style of play made him one of the unsung heroes of that title-winning side”.

Hughes is cut from that same cloth of being a reliable presence in the middle of the park and effective in both boxes. As per WhoScored, he has career averages of 2.5 tackles, one interception and one key pass per game; while like Barry with 82.9%, he also rarely loses the ball, boasting an impressive 82.7% pass accuracy.

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With his vast Premier League experience and his consistent performances in the engine room, Hughes could be another Mr Reliable for Villa just like Barry was.

Also, with Conor Hourihane potentially leaving the club this summer, Hughes’ arrival would reinforce Villa’s midfield considerably.

Meanwhile, Villa could sign their new John Carew in this man…

Leeds will ‘make an extra effort’ to sign Marcelo Bielsa target Matheus Cunha from Hertha Berlin in this summer’s transfer window, according to Brazilian outlet UOL.

The lowdown

Former RB Leipzig forward Cunha has been directly involved in 23 goals in his 39 Hertha appearances (13 goals, 10 assists).

Last season, he netted seven times in 27 Bundesliga appearances for a side that only finished two points above the relegation zone.

He still has four years left on his contract in the German capital, having only arrived in 2020.

One of the Brazilian’s former coaches, Maurizio Jaccobacci, has described him as a ‘very fast’ and ‘unpredictable’ player – that unpredictability is evidenced by his stunning goal of the season winner in 2019, spinning past a defender before chipping the goalkeeper in unbelievably cool fashion (Youtube).

The latest

The report states that Leeds won’t give up on their pursuit of Cunha, a player ‘requested’ by Bielsa, despite the ‘high value’ demanded by Hertha.

They’re said to be looking for somewhere between €25million (£21.5million) and €30million (£25.8million) to part with him.

Such a deal could make Cunha the second-most expensive acquisition in Leeds history behind last summer’s £27million arrival Rodrigo.

The verdict

Cunha’s goal tally may not be particularly eye-catching, but clearly Bielsa and Leeds have identified him as a player with a considerably higher ceiling in a team that furnishes him with more opportunities – he managed to stand out in a Hertha team which struggled desperately.

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He tended to operate from the left-hand side, but was also used as an attacking midfielder and a centre forward. That versatility makes him a great asset, who could perhaps play on the opposite flank to Raphinha or offer support and depth for his compatriot.

He’s still only 22 years old, and so his improvement might make the transfer fee look pretty modest a couple of years down the line.

In other news, Alex McLeish issues his one-word verdict on this Leeds man.  

Tottenham Hotspur hero Graham Roberts has urged the club to sign Marcel Sabitzer from RB Leipzig this summer.

Sabitzer has been heavily linked with a potential move to Spurs across the past year.

The 27-year-old is a versatile presence who can play on either flank, in attacking midfield and in central midfield.

This season, the Austria international made 27 Bundesliga appearances and scored eight goals, while registering four assists.

He also impressed in his country’s opening game of Euro 2020, providing an assist in their 3-1 win over North Macedonia.

Football.London has reported that Sabitzer could be available for a bargain fee of around £15m this summer, with just a year left on his contract, and Roberts believes Spurs need to get a deal done quickly to ensure he ends up in north London.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “We’ve been chasing him for a while. It’s now, do we go and get him?

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“They have said he can be sold this year so we might wait until August to get him but yeah, I think we need to go and get him, and we need to go and get him very, very quickly.”

Sabitzer has been with Leipzig since 2014 and has made 227 appearances in total, scoring 52 goals and laying on 42 assists.