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Farhad Moshiri's seven years as owner of Everton football club have been chaotic, to say the least.

Record-breaking transfers, relegation battles and a whole host of managerial sackings have all culminated in their demise towards the foot of the Premier League table and while moving into a state-of-the-art stadium in 2024 could transform their mood, it could have the opposite effect if the Toffees are a Championship club by that point.

The Toffees have survived relegation by the skin of their teeth in recent campaigns and unless Sean Dyche somehow performs some miracles, another battle against the drop is on the cards.

Unfortunately, the main reason for their downward spiral has been their constant lapses of misjudgement in the transfer market, paying the price for shelling obscene amounts of cash on disappointing talent.

The likes of Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Sandro Ramirez, Yannick Bolasie, Davy Klaasen and Cenk Tosun – a list that is by no means exhaustive – have all foregrounded the bitterly disappointing transfer strategy that has been carried out since Moshiri took to the helm.

Everton have ultimately fallen victim to throwing money down the drain on talent that promised to deliver so much and it was the arrivals of Bolasie and Morgan Schneiderlin in 2016/17 that kickstarted this trend.

The background behind Everton's signing of Morgan Schneiderlin

Everton captured the defensive midfielder for £24m from Manchester United in January 2017, reuniting him with former manager Ronald Koeman, who he spent a season under at Southampton.

The Frenchman originally left St Mary's for Old Trafford in 2015 for a similar fee but struggled to make inroads into the first team during Jose Mourinho's time in charge.

He only featured on 47 occasions for the club and struggled to hold down his place in the matchday squad, perhaps foreshadowing how the rest of his career would plan out.

Departing the club in acrimonious circumstances, Schneiderlin later revealed that he "lost himself as a player" at Man United due to a multitude of reasons, but it was the demands set by then manager Louis van Gaal that affected him the most.

He said: "It was not just the manager's fault, it was my fault, too. My role was not the one I had at Southampton. I felt restricted in my game. I felt they wanted to change things in me. I was not thinking as me, I was thinking about what pleased the coach.

"When you reach that point, every pass you make, everything you do, you don't play free. Something stopped me from being who I was. I wanted so much to do well and it is one of the most frustrating things ever."

Having lost himself at one of the biggest clubs in the world, the Frenchman struggled to recapture the form that saw him burst onto the scene at Southampton as a youngster, and pay back the original price tag with exceptional performances.

Morgan Schneiderlin's statistical record at Everton

Schneiderlin arrived at Everton when Ronald Koeman was spearheading their charge towards Europe and he would have expected the 27-year-old, at the time, to become the anchor of their ship.

A tough-tackling defensive midfielder with a sublime passing range, Schneiderlin boasted the desirable ingredients for a European charge in the Dutchman's possession-based style.

The 6 foot 1 anchorman had previously showcased an ability to recycle possession for his team, caress line-breaking passes through to his attackers and read the game superbly to sniff out danger.

Those were all attributes that saw Rio Ferdinand earmark him as a replacement for Michael Carrick at Man United and Koeman partnered him next to the energetic and tenacious midfielder, Idrissa Gueye.

Although he promised to deliver those sought-after attributes for the Toffees, instead the Frenchman, quite simply, didn't endear himself well to the Goodison Park faithful and this was embodied by his lack of discipline on and off the field. In 88 appearances for the club, he was shown 14 yellow cards and three red cards, channelling his aggression in the wrong way.

Given his subpar performances, Schneiderlin's exit was mooted for a while, but it didn't happen till the summer of 2020 as OGC Nice paid £2m to lure him back to France.

The total cost of Schneiderlin's time at Everton

During his three-and-a-half-year stint at the club, he earned a whopping £22.8m in wages, as per Capology.

Indeed, when adding his initial transfer fee of £24m to that total, Schneiderlin drained Everton of a staggering £46.8m, as the club's finances took a monumental hit without significant returns on the pitch.

£120k

£90k

£75k

£70k

£70k

Remarkably, the Frenchman's wage of £120k per week saw him become the club's highest earner after signing in the 2016/17 campaign. He was on more money than several key players in the squad, including Romelu Lukaku, Idrissa Gueye and Ross Barkley.

Schneiderlin unfortunately symbolises Everton's habit of draining the club's resources on woeful talent.

Schneiderlin's career path since leaving Everton

Since leaving Goodison Park in 2020, the 33-year-old has become a journeyman, plying his trade in three different countries.

Having made 59 appearances for Ligue 1 giants OGC Nice, he moved to the other side of the world to sign for Western Sydney Wanderers, but only made 11 appearances in the A-League before packing his bags once more and relocating to Greek Super League side, A.E Kifisias.

While his career has taken a downward spiral, much like Everton's fortunes, Schneiderlin admitted in a recent interview during his brief time in Australia that he could still be at Manchester United if he played to his full potential, as per the Daily Mail.

He said: "I know if I played to my full potential, with freedom, I would not be in Australia right now.

"Maybe I would still be at Manchester United. When I signed, I wanted to be a legend there. That is why I am mad with myself and it will be hard until the end of my life.

"My friends ask, 'Why are you saying this?' But I know myself and what I can bring. I know this time at Manchester United affected me for the longest period in my career. I was so frustrated I couldn't give what I wanted."

The Frenchman failed to recapture the form that saw him become one of several big-money departures out of Southampton and ultimately, never recovered from his damaging spell at Man United, nor his disastrous time at Everton.

After suffering play-off heartbreak last season, it's no surprise that Sunderland are once again on course to secure their shot at a place at Wembley, even if it is early days. Tony Mowbray's side currently sit inside the play-off spots on goal difference. Given how tight things are in the Championship so far this season, the January transfer window could make or break Sunderland's season.

The Wearside club weren't the busiest during the summer, with their most exciting deal coming in the form of Jobe Bellingham, who has since enjoyed success at The Stadium of Light. Further reinforcements could come through the door during January and that may include one specific target.

Sunderland transfer news

Since the end of Amad Diallo's loan spell last season, whilst Sunderland haven't been incredibly short on goals, they have missed the spark that the Manchester United youngster provided. Another attacking addition could be made a priority in the New Year, and that's where Luciano Rodriguez comes in.

According to reliable reporter Alan Nixon on his Patreon, relayed by The 72, Sunderland are eyeing a move for Rodriguez, who has continued to impress for Uruguay top flight side Liverpool. The forward can play in any of the front three roles, which could hand Mowbray a major boost when it comes to positional depth. Though considered an ambitious deal, Sunderland will reportedly have the funds available following the sale of Ross Stewart during the summer transfer window.

It remains to be seen whether the Black Cats can secure a deal, but the fact that they've scouted Rodriguez suggests that they're certainly keen on the Liverpool forward.

"Incredible" Rodriguez would boost Sunderland's promotion chances

At just 20-years-old, Rodriguez's stats show that he is seemingly a player full of potential and someone that Sunderland should be desperate to sign. At Liverpool this season, the forward has been involved in 10 goals in 27 appearances to attract the interest of Mowbray and co. The Uruguay U20 may only get better with time too, and could even look to follow in the footsteps of his compatriots, Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez, by enjoying success in English football, potentially starting with promotion at Sunderland.

January looks set to be an important month for Rodriguez's career, especially if the Black Cats make their move. In the Championship, he'd likely gain even more attention and even more praise after already impressing the likes of Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, who said:

"Luciano Rodríguez is absolutely incredible at Sudamericano U-20. Already one of the biggest individual winners of the tournament without a doubt."

As Sunderland look to finally replace the spark of Diallo, who played a pivotal part in their play-off push last season, Rodriguez could be the player to turn to and feature alongside star man Jack Clarke. Throughout his career so far, the versatile forward has shown several signs that he's only just getting started when it comes to goals.

Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Sunderland star Jack Clarke this month, and there has now been a Selhurst Park development.

Crystal Palace linked with new attacker

The Eagles have struggled for goals under Roy Hodgson so far this season, scoring just 22 times with only Burnley (20) and Sheffield United (15) netting fewer in 20 Premier League games.

As a result, the club, and by extension chairman Steve Parish and sporting director Dougie Freedman, appear to be on the hunt for a new attacking addition during the January transfer window.

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Names with Premier League experience have been floated around in West Ham’ Danny Ings and Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah. The Hammers are currently reluctant to let Ings go due to injuries to Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowe, whereas Arsenal have turned down a loan-to-buy offer from Palace for Nketiah.

Clarke, primarily a winger, is another name who has been linked with a move to London, and it appears as if Palace have made their first move for the Championship star.

Palace make contact for Jack Clarke

According to a new report by Football Insider, Crystal Palace have made contact with Sunderland by registering their interest in a move for Clarke.

However, the Eagles aren’t the only side to have done so, with rivals Brentford and West Ham also doing the same. The report adds that the Black Cats value Clarke up to £20m and the player himself is concerned about joining a Premier League club in the capital following his wretched spell at Tottenham.

Things didn’t work out for Clarke at Spurs previously after moving from Leeds United back in 2019, with the winger making just four senior appearances for the club before being sold to Sunderland in 2022.

The 23-year-old has gone from strength to strength at The Stadium of Light, though, and has already enjoyed a career-best season in front of goal in 2023/24.

Appearances

26

Goals

12

Assists

2

As a result, he has been praised heavily in the media, including by former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray, who called Clarke a “super talent” earlier this season following a win over Blackburn Rovers.

“He was amazing tonight. Scored two great goals, earned the penalty, he stuck it away, which shows the confidence level he’s got to stand up and take the penalty, and the composure for his second goal.

“But not just the goal. The more the game went on, the more this team knows to give it to Clarke who can run it 40 yards up the pitch, he can cut inside, pass it to people in the box, he can shoot. He’s a super talent, he’s a great kid and I don’t apologise for shouting at him and telling him he has to work hard because all the best players work harder than anybody else and their talent shines through.”

The West Ham United faithful will be most pleased with how the east London side has finally unearthed the formula for lasting success under David Moyes' tutelage, having spent so many interminable years mired in mediocrity.

Having now cemented their position in the Premier League as European challengers, West Ham are well-placed to remain at the right end of the division for years to come.

One of the most important aspects behind the newfound feats is the success gleaned on the transfer front, with the dark days of misfires now over, for the most part.

That's not to say that the club haven't missed out on their fair share of targets, however, with none so detrimental that the decision not to sign Julian Alvarez, before the first-class star moved to Manchester City.

Why didn't West Ham sign Julian Alvarez?

Hailed for his “incredible threat” by Pep Guardiola, Alvarez is known to Premier League football as one of its most exciting attackers, but Moyes didn't feel that his signature was worth procuring back in 2021.

Speaking earlier this year on the Diary of a CEO Podcast, the Scottish gaffer revealed that he hired a scout who held deep knowledge of Argentinian football and recommended the 23-year-old, and while Moyes looked into the player and was left impressed by his technical skills, he opted out.

This is due to the form of Michail Antonio, who had started the 2021/22 Premier League season in odd-defying form, plundering four goals and three assists from his first three matches.

Stellar stuff, but not enough to eclipse the prowess of Alvarez. However, Moyes didn't think so and indeed chose to maintain proceedings with the veteran at the spearhead.

How much did Manchester City pay for Julian Alvarez?

Manchester City completed the signing of Alvarez from Argentinian outfit River Plate for around £14m in January 2022 – likely the fee he could have cost the Hammers – with the player remaining in his homeland on loan until the summer.

Director of Football Txiki Begiristain lauded Alvarez's dynamism and predicted he would become a "top player" in the future, something that, frankly, he's more than well on the way to achieving.

How much is Julian Alvarez worth now?

For those who have followed Alvarez's displays over the past year, or more, there will be a feeling that he is not yet the finished article, and considering the fact that he now plays a more prominent role in the Sky Blues' team, this is probably justified.

Regardless, he's already considered among the best of the best in world football, with CIES Football Observatory's valuation model actually providing him with a £129m price tag.

This is, frankly, staggering, and while the figure feels somewhat exorbitant, there's no denying that the increments he has made to his game already warrant a place among the very best rising stars that football has to offer.

It signifies an awe-inspiring 821% rise in valuation in less than two years, which is, really, fairytale stuff. Not only has Alvarez played an integral role but he has swiftly established himself as one of the most talented stars across European competition.

Given West Ham's proven prowess in investing aptly after a big sale (Declan Rice to Arsenal, £105m), there's no telling how much use could have been made from Alvarez had he signed.

Why is Julian Alvarez worth that much?

Alvarez's arrival in Manchester was somewhat overshadowed by the exciting acquisition of Erland Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, with the prodigious frontman joining after his £51m release clause was paid.

That being said, Alvarez still enjoyed an impressive maiden campaign, scoring 17 goals and supplying five assists from 49 matches across all competitions, starting only 23 of those.

Winning the European treble, the 24-cap Argentinian dynamo has since been called "superb" by colour commentator Ally McCoist and will hardly regret the fact that he didn't move to West Ham after such illustrious success already under Guardiola.

The 23-year-old has made some rather remarkable strides this season, posting six goals and five assists from 13 matches so far and showing little sign of slowing down, and while the direct contributions have shot up, it is his overall performance that has been so eye-catching.

Statistic

22/23

23/24

Appearances

31

8

Starts

13

8

Goals

9

3

Assists

0

3

G/A rate

0.29

0.75

Pass completion

83%

85%

Shots per game

1.5

3.0

Key passes per game

0.6

2.4

Touches per game

23

49

*Statistics sourced via Sofascore

There is a very clear improvement to Alvarez's game after his first year in the Premier League, and this isn't just due to the regularity of his time on the pitch, but his awareness, intelligence and incisiveness have all skyrocketed.

This exponential growth stems from an acclimatisation to life on English shores, but also an unshackling from the constraints of Haaland's jaw-dropping prolificness.

Where last season, Manchester City's Norwegian goal machine was the star man, this term, Alvarez is no longer second fiddle and has his own discernible identity in Guardiola's intricate system.

The £100k-per-week gem will never boast the raw predatory instinct in front of goal, but he offers a multi-functional, protean ability in offensive situations and has evidenced this through his primary placement this season in his deeper-lying forward role this season.

His manager has hailed him as "almost undroppable" – which is pretty high praise from a man known for his constant fluctuations and tinkering of his team.

The table above also illustrates his growing responsibility, having started all eight of City's Premier League matches this season, and given that he has already hit the halfway point in goal contributions from last season, he's clearly growing into a truly frightening forward.

Had he joined West Ham, there is no telling how his development would have been impacted, but one thing is for sure, his versatility and all-encompassing offensive attributes offer nothing less than the complete package.

With the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta all thriving under Moyes' wing – capable of prospering across an array of roles – Alvarez would surely have found his feet at the London Stadium.

And given that Antonio now approaches the twilight phase of his Hammers career, there is every possibility that Alvarez could have played the position he performs so admirably at the Etihad Stadium, offering an expansive set of skills to deftly complement the Jamaica international's own arsenal.

Sure, Alvarez has it all with Manchester City; last season, he won the treble and the World Cup with Argentina. There's really no arguing that the move he made was an auspicious one for his career.

But that doesn't mean the West Ham faithful can't dream of what might have been for a player who is destined for an unwavering placement at the very top of the global game.

An encouraging new development regarding the future of West Brom manager Carlos Corberan has emerged, following a fresh development before the weekend Championship action.

West Brom prepare for Bristol City clash

The Baggies return to the field on Saturday afternoon, welcoming Bristol City to The Hawthorns for another important game in the promotion race. Their weekend opponents sit 11th in the Championship table and only five points adrift of Corberan’s eighth-place side, highlighting the importance of the game, as they look to pull eight points clear of them.

West Brom have endured a frustrating period of form in recent months, topping the table back in September before going on a long winless run, with so many draws thrown in. In fact, they have drawn 11 of their 21 league matches so far this season, leading to them falling out of the playoff places.

For Corberan, it has been such a frustrating period, and considering that managers are ultimately judged on results, there has been some understandable criticism aimed at him in recent times, during a season in which many expected the Baggies to be one of the leading contenders to win the Championship title.

That said, the 41-year-old has largely impressed since taking charge at West Brom back in 2022, guiding his side into the playoffs last season, being beaten by Southampton in the semi-finals. Now, a significant update has emerged regarding the future of the Baggies manager.

Encouraging update over Corberan's West Brom future

Despite a claim from AS [via Sport Witness] that Southampton have sent an “important offer” to West Brom boss Corberan, following the sacking of Russell Martin, they have instead agreed a deal with Ivan Juric, according to Fabrizio Romano on X.

For all the disappointment at West Brom’s form at times this season, this update still represents a real boost for the Baggies, considering what an influential figure Corberan has been over the past couple of years.

The fact that a Premier League club were actively trying to prise him away from a Championship club says a lot about his credentials, but it looks as though he is staying put. To see him leave The Hawthorns midway through the season would be a bitter pill to swallow.

Hopefully, Corberan feels that West Brom are the perfect club for him for the time being, believing that he can guide his West Brom team into the top flight in the coming months, masterminding an upturn in fortunes.

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That said, the lure of the Premier League is great for so many managers, both in terms of being able to test yourself against some of the best coaches in the world and also the financial benefits.

It remains to be seen if Corberan’s head could be turned by another approach from a different club, assuming Juric does complete a move to Southampton, but his sole focus is now hopefully on sealing promotion in the coming months.

Everton return to action in the Premier League this afternoon, hosting Brentford as Sean Dyche looks to create some space between his side and the relegation zone.

After losing the opening four league fixtures of the season, Everton have toughened up and been defeated only one time across seven outings, but with four draws in that timeframe, more work is needed.

23/24

Gtech Stadium

1-0 win

23/24

Goodison Park

3-1 win

22/23

Goodison Park

1-0 win

22/23

Gtech Stadium

1-1 draw

21/22

Goodison Park

3-2 loss

21/22

Gtech Stadium

1-0 loss

The Goodison Park side have won their last three matches against the Bees, and with the home advantage, must be optimistic that they can make progress.

Everton team news

Jarrad Branthwaite returned from injury before the international break, keeping a clean sheet against West Ham United, and will be crucial against a mean Brentford frontline.

There’s further good news on the injury front, for Dwight McNeil is expected to be fit after missing the Hammers draw two weeks back.

Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti have both taken to first-team training but will not feature on Saturday. Moreover, Tim Iroegbunam, James Garner and Seamus Coleman remain out.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Despite pulling out of international duty, deadly duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa are expected to be fit, and the same again for Ethan Pinnock. Mbeumo, in particular, will be a force to be reckoned with on Merseyside.

Why Bryan Mbeumo is the biggest threat

Believe it or not, Tottenham Hotspur are the only team to have outscored Brentford in the Premier League this season, something that will have been discussed repeatedly at the Everton tactical table over the past two weeks.

1.

Tottenham

23

2.

Man City

22

2=

Brentford

22

4.

Liverpool

21

4=

Chelsea

21

Everton languish in 18th place at the other end of such standings, with just ten strikes from 11 matches so far. Branthwaite’s return will be crucial, especially with Mbeumo having scored eight goals from 11 Premier League matches this term – that’s a tally bettered only by Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.

It’s going to be vital that the Toffees stand firm at the back while mustering all the attacking power that they can. It begs the question: should Dominic Calvert-Lewin reprise his starting berth at number nine once again?

The 27-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has been in dreadful form of late, blanking across his past seven Premier League matches. Funnily enough, Everton are actually creating a bit, and he should be dropped for this one.

Lacking mobility, it’s probably the right call. Broja may not be ready to make his debut, but Beto has shown promising signs this season and could be the man for the job.

Why Everton should unleash Beto from the outset

Beto joined Everton from Udinese for a £26m fee in 2023, but he failed to adapt to life on English shores, only bagging three goals in the Premier League.

This year, Dyche has used him as a second-half option, and indeed, to impressive effect. Beto scored the last-gasp equaliser in Everton’s draw against Fulham several matches back and hit the post and netted (though it was chalked off after a VAR review) in the following fixture against Southampton.

He’s more athletic and mobile than Calvert-Lewin and will be determined to finally be awarded a starting berth to showcase his suitability.

Ranking among the top 24% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons and the top 15% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, as per FBref, he’s clearly got something that Calvert-Lewin’s who bears all the resemblance of a deep-rooted tree at times, lacks.

And given that journalist Sam Tighe has hailed him as a striker who “spooks defenders” through his muscular physicality and surprising springiness, it’s surely time to unleash him.

It would, to the least, provide Everton with more than they currently yield with Calvert-Lewin up top. Mbeumo – and Wissa – are bound to cause problems at Everton’s ground, and McNeil’s creativity and Iliman Nidaye’s electric-paced efforts will fall flat without a reliable talisman.

Who knows, perhaps this will prove to be the springboard that Beto needs to live up to that rather lofty price tag and prove himself within the Premier League scene.

Given that the 26-year-old has won 56% of his aerial battles in the top flight this year too, as per Sofascore, it would appear that he has the frame and aerial understanding to compensate for Calvert-Lewin’s prospective absence – after all, he’s 6 foot 4.

Dyche needs to find an answer to the threat of Mbeumo, and while Beto isn’t a player who’s cut from the same cloth, he has his talents and can apply them to emphatic effect at Goodison Park this afternoon.

Everton have enjoyed their football when playing Brentford in recent encounters but must be wary of a fluid and ferocious strikeforce.

Maybe the visitors will get themselves on the scoresheet. It’s up to Dyche to make the requisite adjustments and ensure that his team score more.

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Leeds United are interested in a move for a 22-year-old international left-back amid Junior Firpo’s contract situation, according to a recent report.

The Whites could see the upcoming January transfer window as a chance to strengthen their side in one or two positions as they look to end their stay in the Championship and return to the Premier League.

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Daniel Farke and the 49ers Enterprises side may not have a plan to spend lots of money in January; they may just have their eye on adding a few players through loan deals. One of those additions could be James McAtee, as they have been linked with a move for the midfielder in recent days but do face stiff competition, as Premier League teams are willing to pay a fee to get him out of Manchester City.

As well as McAtee, Leeds are also interested in signing Burnley’s Josh Brownhill, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. However, this may be a difficult deal to do, as Brownhill is unlikely to leave one second-tier side for another, and he also has lots of interest from the Premier League as well as teams from Europe.

But the transfer stories don’t stop there for the Yorkshire side, as they are also keeping an eye on a left-back, who could replace Firpo given his contract situation.

Leeds eyeing move for 22 y/o int'l left-back amid Firpo contract situation

According to Fotboll Direkt, relayed by MOT Leeds News, Leeds United are keeping an eye on new target Daniel Svensson ahead of a possible transfer. The 22-year-old currently plays for Nordsjaelland in Denmark and has done so since February 2021.

Svensson, who has been capped once by Sweden, has started all 16 games he has been available for in the Danish league this season, proving he is a key player for his current side. The left-back has been catching the eye of several teams, as he was linked with moves to Juventus and Liverpool not so long ago.

This report states that Leeds are now keeping an eye on Svensson, who is under contract at his current side until the summer of 2027, after signing a contract extension in March this year. Interest in Svensson has emerged, as current left-back Firpo is out of contract at the end of this season, and there are no immediate signs that a new deal is going to be agreed.

Svensson

Firpo

Apps

16

13

Goals

0

1

Assists

1

3

Big chances created

2

3

Key passes

2.0

1.5

Interceptions per game

1.4

1.2

Tackles per game

1.3

2.6

Clearances per game

1.4

2.0

Possession won

0.3

0.4

Balls recovered per game

3.4

3.7

The 28-year-old has started 13 games in the Championship so far, scoring one goal and recording three assists. Svensson could be seen as a long-term replacement to Firpo, as he is only 22 and looks to be held in high regard, as he’s been linked with moves to two big European teams. The Swedish international has also shown at club level that he too has an eye for goal as well as creating chances for his teammates.

Ipswich Town are now among the clubs chasing a potential new forward in January, but they will have to compete with a relegation rival to land him, according to a fresh report.

Ipswich sinking towards the Championship

Ipswich once again demonstrated their inability to hold onto a lead in the Premier League against Bournemouth. 1-0 up until the 87th minute, Kieran McKenna’s side conceded twice to fall to a 2-1 defeat in front of heartbroken Ipswich fans, leaving them in the relegation zone and still without a home win to their name this season.

Their sole win, away at Tottenham, has been combined with six draws to leave them on nine points, but they sit four points adrift of safety already and are threatening to be cut adrift unless they are able to string together a series of results in their upcoming games.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (Away)

Newcastle United (Home)

Arsenal (Away)

Chelsea (Home)

Fulham (Away)

“We deserved more from the game today but it’s a disappointing week. The margins are really small for us getting that win and the jump to getting more points isn’t a huge one,” McKenna explained after the most recent loss.

“I thought it was a good performance with some outstanding performances. We weren’t giving away too much and we were getting stronger but it’s a poor moment on the first goal and then you’re vulnerable. They had five fresh subs on the pitch and momentum.”

January brings with it the transfer window, and it is likely to be a busy one for Ipswich as they look to try and continue building a squad capable of revival in the second half of the season, and now they may have identified an early target.

Ipswich want new forward

That is according to reports in Spain, which identify Ipswich Town as one of three clubs battling to sign Ryan Kent. The former Rangers winger is a free agent following a mutual termination of his contract with Fenerbahce, and has long been linked with a move to the top flight.

According to the report, the 28-year-old is seen by Ipswich as “a key piece to strengthen their attack”, and with Kent available on a free transfer it is a relatively low risk move.

Though he struggled in Turkey, Kent enjoyed the best part of his career in Scotland, with former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard dubbing him a “sensational” player who is “very dangerous” after he scooped a Player of the Month award back in 2021.

“Ryan Kent has been top class and hasn’t let any noise affect him, he is scoring goals and looking very dangerous. He is really taking it to opposition teams and he’s settled and enjoying his football”, Gerrard explained.

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ByKelan Sarson Dec 8, 2024

The winger would also offer something that the Tractor Boys lost with Chiedozie Ogbene’s injury; raw pace. The former Luton Town had been clocked as the fastest player in the Premier League last season, while Ryan Kent has become widely renowned for his speed on the wing, something that Ipswich are currently lacking under McKenna in Ogbene’s absence.

However, to land the Englishman Ipswich will have to fight off relegation rivals Crystal Palace, currently a place and four points above them, who are also credited with an interest in the wide man, while fellow newly promoted Leicester City are also among his admirers having lost Abdul Fatawu to a long term knee injury.

The current international break will allow Glasgow Rangers the ideal chance to rest and recover ahead of the final few weeks of the 2023/24 campaign.

The break should give Philippe Clement time to assess his squad ahead of the summer transfer window, looking to see what positions he needs to improve, while figuring out the players who are surplus to requirements.

The previous few weeks saw the first team squad stretched to the limit due to the hectic schedule, meaning the Belgian manager had to pitch in players from the cold in important matches.

One notable example was Scott Wright starting against Benfica. The winger has featured sporadically under Clement since last October but was given a chance to impress against the Portuguese giants.

The Scot did show a glimpse of his talent, but will this be enough to keep him at Ibrox next season?

Scott Wright’s season in numbers

The winger was close to sealing an exit from Glasgow last summer, as Turkish side Pendikspor made a £500k bid for him when Michael Beale was still in charge of the Light Blues.

A few weeks later, however, the move ground to a halt over wage demands, with Wright remaining in Scotland to fight for his place in the first team.

He made four appearances – totalling just 97 minutes – before Beale was dismissed after the 3-1 defeat to Aberdeen in September.

Goals

0

Assists

0

Key passes per game

0.6

Successful dribbles per game

0.4

Big chances created

1

Via Sofascore

The emergence of Ross McCausland saw Wright bench-bound under Clement and, at the time of writing, he had made only six starts for the Gers since mid-October.

Against Benfica, Wright did show plenty of attacking intent, constantly running at full-back Fredrik Aursnes, succeeding with three of his five dribble attempts while winning four of his six ground duels, and it was a mature performance at perhaps the right time.

McCausland has, however, established himself as the de facto number-one choice on the right wing under the Belgian and with Wright's contract expiring in 2025, this summer is the ideal chance for the club to move him on for some sort of transfer fee.

The 50-year-old tactician could delve into the transfer market this summer for a replacement, or he could utilise a player who Rangers sent out on loan last summer – Ianis Hagi.

How Ianis Hagi is doing out on loan

Hagi’s spell at Ibrox was going swimmingly until January 21st, 2022. During a Scottish Cup tie against Stirling Albion, Hagi suffered a serious knee injury in the early stages of the match, eventually forcing him to miss the rest of the season.

He made his comeback during the second half of last season, but was restricted to just 11 appearances, scoring once for the Gers as he was looking to bounce back to full fitness.

Beale ended up sending the Romanian dynamo out on loan to Spanish side Deportivo Alaves with the hope that regular game time would allow him to return to Glasgow in a better physical condition.

So far during the 2023/24 campaign, Hagi has played 22 games for the club, scoring twice, and registering an assist, a decent, if slightly underwhelming return, since arriving in Spain.

Despite starting only six matches in La Liga, Hagi has created three big chances, averages 1.1 key passes per game and succeeded with 59% of his attempted dribbles, showing glimpses of his ability.

Although typically an attacking midfielder, Hagi has operated on the right wing numerous times during his career, especially at Rangers, where he sometimes played in a front three alongside Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent, to devastating effect.

There is no doubt he would be a better option for Clement to call upon than Wright on the flank, given his return to playing on a more regular basis, and it could be like having a new signing in the team.

Ianis Hagi’s Rangers statistics

The playmaker arrived in Glasgow to much fanfare in January 2020 as Steven Gerrard secured his signature on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Of course, at that stage, no one knew that the Covid-19 pandemic was going to halt proceedings, yet Hagi did not take long to introduce himself to the Ibrox faithful.

On his first start for the club against Hibs, Hagi scored a late winner to seal all three points before surpassing that just two weeks later.

In their Europa League last 32 clash against Braga, the Gers were trailing 2-0. Step up Hagi. The then-youngster scored a wonderful effort to make it 2-1 before Joe Aribo scored a stunning solo goal to level things up with just over ten minutes remaining.

When Rangers get a freekick on the edge of the Braga box, there is only one outcome, as Hagi scores his second of the night and secures a famous comeback win.

Gerrard – who described him as an “absolute dream to work with” – secured Hagi on a permanent deal ahead of the 2020/21 season.

The Romanian scored eight goals and grabbed 15 assists as the Light Blues won their first league crown in a decade and his performances were vital in them achieving success.

There is no doubt his presence in the starting XI could benefit certain players, with Danilo being one.

During that title-winning season, Hagi created six big chances and averaged one key pass per game, showcasing his creative abilities.

This could allow him to work well with the Brazilian striker – who looks set to make a comeback from his knee injury next month – by providing him with plenty of chances during games, with Danilo netting four times from just 12 league outings this season.

If given a consistent run of matches, Hagi could certainly get back to the form he displayed prior to suffering that horrendous knee injury two years ago. The question is, will Clement want to bring him back into the fold?

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The midfielder signed an extended contract with the Gers back in 2022 and if the Belgian manager wanted to sell him, he could secure a respectable transfer fee for him.

Following his injury, however, Hagi could return and target a first team spot ahead of next season, and he could work well with the current players in the squad.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to bring an "elite" Champions League-winning player to Manchester United in the summer transfer window, according to a new claim.

Man Utd transfer news

United's new co-owner may well be eyeing up one of the most productive windows in recent memory at Old Trafford, as he looks to bring the good times back to the club, already making off-field changes with moves for Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox. This season has been another disappointing one, highlighting the need for reinforcements in various different positions.

Ratcliffe also has to make a call over the future of Erik ten Hag as manager, with plenty of supporters now feeling that a change is required in the dugout, with so many below-par performances on show in recent months. Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim is the latest name to be thrown into the hat as a possible replacement for him, having seemingly missed out on succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

The Red Devils continue to be linked with new signings at the end of the season and Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite continues to be looked at as a strong addition at the heart of the defence. Numerous big clubs are eyeing up the 21-year-old, whose head could easily be turned this summer.

Veteran Real Madrid defender Nacho is also reportedly being looked at by United, in what is arguably a surprise update, considering he is now 34 years of age. There could also be current players who are moved on in the summer window, with Marcus Rasford believed to be one of them, following a poor season overall.

Man Utd want to sign "elite" Real Madrid ace

According to a report from Spain, Ratcliffe is working on bringing Andrey Lunin to Manchester United this summer, with the Real Madrid goalkeeper possibly seen as an upgrade on Ten Hag signing Andre Onana, who was guilty of making a bad mistake in Wednesday's 4-2 win at home to Sheffield United in the Premier League.

The report claims that an offer has been made to the 25-year-old's agent, Jorge Mendes, with a number of big clubs interested in him, including Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

Lunin has the potential to be an excellent signing for United, having stepped in impressively in the absence of Thibaut Courtois for much of this season, helping his side reach the Champions League semi-finals. He has made six starts in the competition this season, as well as 20 in La Liga, and won the former in 2022, following a win over Liverpool in the final.

The Ukrainian may feel that now is the right time to move on, considering he could be second choice once Courtois is back in the fold again, and if Ratcliffe sees him as an improvement on Onana, it is easy to see a move coming to fruition. He has been hailed as "elite" by analyst Ben Mattinson.

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Lunin remains young for a goalkeeper, too, so he could come in as an important player, with some top 'keepers able to remain at the top level until they are 40.