Aston Villa have reached an "agreement" to bring Villarreal defender Pau Torres to the Premier League, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein.
Is Pau Torres joining Aston Villa?
Quique Setien’s academy graduate will be out of contract at the end of next season meaning that the ongoing transfer window is his club’s final opportunity to cash in should they not want to lose him for free, and 90min have claimed that he’s told them that he’s ready to leave.
The Yellow Submarines centre-back has reportedly been made a top target by the Midlands outfit with Unai Emery a “big fan” of the 26-year-old having managed him for 105 appearances during his time in his homeland.
The La Liga star’s deal has a £55m release clause included but Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that NSWE and Monchi will pay "way less" than that, and if the following update is anything to go by, the conditions of the deal have already been addressed.
Taking to Twitter, Ornstein revealed that Aston Villa have finalised a deal for Torres with the defender having given the green-light to complete a summer move to the Midlands. He wrote:
"Aston Villa have now reached an agreement with Villarreal to sign centre-back Pau Torres. Personal terms are also in place for 26yo Spain international defender to join in what’s another big coup for #AVFC + manager Unai Emery."
Spain defender Pau Torres.
Is Torres a good signing for Villa?
Aston Villa will already be aware of what Torres is capable of due to Emery’s existing connection to the centre-back, and having also been dubbed an “extraordinary talent” by his former coach Javier Calleja, he would be a fantastic acquisition for the boss.
The Spain international averaged 4.1 clearances, 1.7 aerial wins and 1.3 tackles per league game last season, via WhoScored, so is a real rock at the heart of the backline, but he also likes to push his team as high up the pitch as possible having ranked in the 99th percentile for most progressive carries by centre-backs.
Torres, who stands at a staggering 6 foot 2, also knows what it takes to compete and be successful at the level that the Villans are looking to achieve having previously won the Europa League back in 2020/21, so he could inspire the rest of the squad to give it their all on the bigger stage next season in their first campaign in the Conference League.
Journalist Mitch Fretton has hailed the sky-high potential of Tottenham Hotspur youngster Alfie Devine, currently on loan at Port Vale, after some recent news this week.
Tottenham Hotspur youth academy
As new Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou oversees a truly excellent start to the new Premier League season with his senior squad, there are currently a crop of very exciting youngsters honing their skills in the background.
Indeed, perhaps the most exciting potential starlet to emerge in recent years is striker Dane Scarlett, who was once compared to Man United star Marcus Rashford by ex-Lilywhites head coach Jose Mourinho.
“He is a diamond, a kid with incredible potential,” Mourinho told BT Sport in 2021 (via talkSPORT).
“He has worked many times with the first team and that gives him a different personality. He is still 16, 17 soon [in March] and I believe next season he will be a first-team squad player because he has a lot of talent.
“He is going to be a fantasic player and I hope everything around him goes well. He is a striker, a number nine, I have been playing him from the sides similar to Marcus Rashford and he is very clever."
Scarlett is currently on a temporary spell at Ipswich Town in the Championship, and it will be very interesting to see how he fairs in a tough, tough division.
Meanwhile, young striker Troy Parrott, who was once tipped as a potential heir to Harry Kane, is also out on loan at Eredivisie side Excelsior as the Republic of Ireland international looks to kick his career on the right path.
The aforementioned two are just some examples of the talent N17 can produce, and another one who has been tipped for stardom is midfielder Devine.
How good is Alfie Devine?
The 19-year-old, who is currently on his own temporary stint at League One side Port Vale, has been praised by Sky Sports pundit and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher in the past.
Devine received quite the accolade this week, having been given the opportunity to train with England's senior side as they gear up for a UEFA Euro qualifying match against Ukraine on Saturday.
The teenage talent was praised by sections of the media as a result of this news, including reliable football.london journalist Alasdair Gold.
"Big week for Alfie Devine," said Gold on X.
"First that terrific performance for Port Vale, with a goal and assist, and now drafted in from the England U20s to train with the senior side under the watchful eye of Gareth Southgate."
Another reporter in Fretton, who works as an editorial content executive for LiveScore, added fuel to the fire with his own assessment of Devine; explaining how he can become "huge" for Spurs.
"I know he’s a long way off yet, but I’m so happy for Alfie Devine to be training with the senior England squad," wrote Fretton on X.
"He has huge potential and I can’t wait to see him get regular minutes for Spurs, absolutely incredible talent!"
Following his stint at Vale, it appears Postecoglou may have a future prodigy on his hands once Devine returns to his parent club.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is preparing to bolster the ranks this summer with European qualification on the cards, and Borussia Mönchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram has been earmarked.
What's the latest on Marcus Thuram to Newcastle?
According to The Telegraph, Frenchman Thuram is among the names the Magpies recruitment department are considering when assessing the optimum strategy to take across the forthcoming months.
With the 27-year-old's contract in Germany set for expiry in a matter of months, there have been a whole host of outfits vying for his name, with the Toon joined in their intrigue by the likes of Aston Villa, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid.
The ten-cap France international has been of interest to technical director Dan Ashworth for some time now, with 90min's Graeme Bailey stating that Newcastle were "very keen" on a move before the winter transfer window.
Who could Thuram replace at Newcastle?
Thuram was beset with injury woes for much of last campaign, plundering only three goals from 23 matches as his travails were compounded by an inability to harness the requisite fitness for success.
This year, the 25-year-old has enjoyed far more fruitful fortunes, scoring 16 goals and providing six assists from 30 matches across the German Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal, with journalist Raj Chohan hailing him as "clinical" for his frontal feats.
After blitzing into life in the early phase of the campaign, scoring ten goals from 15 league clashes before the season paused for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Thuram has discernibly slowed the pace as the season has continued, though this is somewhat to be expected given the din of the speculation surrounding his future and the knowledge that his time at BORUSSIA-PARK draws to a close.
Described as a "goalscoring monster" for his offensive prowess by sports writer Robin Bairner, the £54k-per-week menace also ranks among the top 9% of forwards across Europe's big five leagues for progressive carries and the top 7% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, which illustrates his knack at pushing the ball up-field and driving at defenders to bypass opposition lines.
Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram in action.
If Howe and Ashworth succeed in swiping him up on a free, he could even be the heir to Callum Wilson's role in the Toon team, with the 31-year-old striker's contract up at the end of next season.
Wilson has scored 15 goals from just 27 matches this season, including only 18 starts, and ranks among the top 5% of positional peers across Europe for rate of goals per 90, though he doesn't rank very highly across the majority of non-goalscoring metrics, illustrating his poaching demeanour on the pitch.
Thuram boasts youth and energy where Wilson does not, and could be a "world-class" – as once heralded by Wolfsburg sporting director Marcel Schäfer – acquisition for St. James's Park, especially considering that qualifying for Europe comes with a startling increase in match action.
With the winds changing on Tyneside, Howe must act with conviction to sign a worthy successor to embody the ascension that shows little sign of slowing down.
Newcastle United are moving towards the forefront of European football with expeditious assertiveness, and with Champions League qualification firmly in their grasp, Adrien Rabiot has been earmarked to fortify the centre of the park.
What's the latest on Adrien Rabiot to Newcastle?
According to prominent French outlet L'Equipe, the Frenchman is 'an important goal' for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, with his contract at Juventus expiring in several weeks.
The report also credits Magpies manager Eddie Howe with an interest, bolstering previous claims from the likes of CalcioMercato that the Tyneside club have 'tested the ground' on the feasibility of a deal.
Technical director Dan Ashworth will need to act swiftly if he is to tie up a move, especially considering the Red Devils' interest in the midfield machine.
Should Newcastle sign Rabiot?
While St. James' Park now boasts an affluence that only a select few can compete with on the global footballing stage, completing a shrewd move for Rabiot could be a most auspicious avenue for the club to delve down.
Valued at £43m by CIES Football Observatory, the 36-cap France international has been in emphatic form this season and scored 11 goals and four assists for the Old Lady this term, hailed as an "absolute monster" by journalist Robin Bairner.
Newcastle have been tremendous this season, taking their success under Howe's tutelage from last year and moulding it into something capable of sustaining a position challenging for silverware and top four.
Each shelf of the system has been triumphant, with the defence imperious and the attack devastatingly clinical; the midfield, notably, has been churning at an intense output and the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock and Joelinton have formed a high-octane sense of constancy.
Adrien-Rabiot
With the addition of European endeavours next year, bringing Rabiot into the fold would only enrich the prospects of success. As per FBref, the £152k-per-week gem ranks among the top 3% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 20% for progressive carries, the top 21% for clearances and the top 17% for aerials won per 90.
The phenom, quirkily heralded as a "wardrobe" by Gianluigi Buffon, is also listed as the most comparable player in world football to Magpies menace Joelinton, which could bode very well for Howe and co as they look to clinch new signings capable of flourishing but not disrupting the finely-poised balance of the system.
The Brazilian machine ranks among the top 11% of positional peers for rate of non-penalty goals and the top 16% for progressive carries per 90, as well as the top 6% for successful take-ons, 15% for interceptions and 7% for aerials won per 90, described as "tireless" by writer James Nalton, illustrating the semblance between the two players.
Newcastle must sign Rabiot, he fits the mould for success in the Premier League and, considering he is available on a free transfer, would represent a fantastic value for money.
Before we know it, the Champions League will be returning to our screens and Football FanCast has run through the tournament’s key dates, qualified teams and much more.
Who has qualified for the Champions League?
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle United
Sevilla, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad
Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Union Berlin
Napoli, Inter, Milan, Lazio
Paris Saint-Germain, Lens
Feyenoord, PSV
Benfica, FC Porto, Braga
Antwerp
Celtic
RB Salzburg
Red Star
Galatasaray
Young Boys
Shakhtar Donetsk
Copenhagen
A real mix of teams this year, then. We've got plenty of historic names there, with Real Madrid, Milan, Barcelona and Bayern Munich being some of the most successful teams in the competition's history.
But we've also got quite a few rare names. Newcastle United appear for the first time in 20 years, as do Lens. Union Berlin have never appeared in the competition and will debut. We can't help but note the return of Arsenal, too, even if their absence hasn't been quite as long as some of the names mentioned.
What is this year’s Champions League format?
This year’s Champions League is the same as what we have come to know it as – 32 teams will be split into eight groups of four, where the top two sides will qualify for the last 16.
Here, it will be a straight knockout over two legs, where away goals no longer count. The final is one leg, which includes extra time and penalties if required.
This will be the last time the Champions League plays out in this format, with the 2024/25 campaign set to be a completely different style.
The next edition of the Champions League will see the number of teams increased from 32 to 36, all competing in one league. Each team will play eight games, upping the total of matches from 125 to 189.
When is the Champions League group stage?
August's play-off rounds saw the likes of Rangers, AEK Athens, Maccabi Haifa, Molde and Panathinaikos bow out, with all having to be content with a spot in the group stage of the Europa League.
For the victors in midweek, however, the Champions League group stage beckons, and takes place between 19th September and 13th December.
Here are those group stage dates in full:
19th-20th September
3rd-4th October
24th-25th October
7th-8th November
28th-29th November
12th-13th December
What are the Champions League pots?
Manchester City
Real Madrid
Shakhtar Donetsk
Young Boys
Sevilla
Manchester United
RB Salzburg
Real Sociedad
Barcelona
Inter
Milan
Galatasaray
Bayern Munich
Borussia Dortmund
Braga
Celtic
Napoli
Atlético Madrid
PSV
Newcastle United
Benfica
RB Leipzig
Lazio
Union Berlin
Paris Saint-Germain
FC Porto
Red Star
Antwerp
Feyenoord
Arsenal
Copenhagen
Lens
Maybe it's just us, but those pots look a lot stronger than usual – perhaps because of the surprise returning and debuting teams this time around.
Napoli winning Serie A, for instance, pushes Inter into pot two and Milan into pot three. All three are amongst the strongest in their pots.
A top seed getting Real Madrid is essentially a nightmare scenario for any of them, while Newcastle being in pot four will terrify everyone.
A team could conceivably start in Pot 1 and end up with Real Madrid, Milan and Newcastle United. Bayern Munich or PSG could end up with that, in fact.
One other consequence of 'smaller' teams getting into the competition is that Pot 4 is unusually scary. You'd typically see it full of smaller nations' champions, with little threat to the bigger teams.
But Spain, England, Germany and France all have teams in there thanks to surprise entrants. Sociedad, Newcastle, Union and Lens have little European history, but all placed at the top of elite European leagues.
Who could Newcastle United draw?
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
Newcastle United return to the Champions League for the first time in a long, long time – but they won't have it easy. They're in Pot 4 as a consequence of their lack of European football.
And that sets up some scary-looking prospects, here. Their worst-case scenario essentially creates a 'Group of Death' as many will have them down as the strongest side in that final pot.
Worst-case scenario: Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Milan, Newcastle United
There's an argument there that Milan are actually the weakest side in this particular group, depending on how you view their transfer business this summer. After all, they did lose Sandro Tonali to the Magpies. Really, though, no one is enjoying that group one bit.
Best-case scenario: Feyenoord, Porto, Copenhagen, Newcastle United
From this one, Newcastle might even be favourites to progress along with Porto. Feyenoord comfortably feel like the weakest of the Pot 1 teams, while Copenhagen have received a boost into Pot 3 because of the newbies in this year's competition.
Who could Arsenal draw?
Arsenal are back in the Champions League after six years away and find themselves in Pot 2. They can possibly consider themselves a little fortunate after their absence – the Gunners are the lowest-ranked side in the second tier of teams.
It makes their best and worst-case scenarios significantly more palatable. In fact, Arsenal will surely be down as one of the favourites to progress no matter who they end up with on Thursday.
Worst-case scenario: Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Milan, Galatasaray
It's very possible that we're being generous to Galatasaray by putting them in this, but of all the Pot 4 teams, they're the ones who made the biggest moves of the summer (Newcastle aside). They'll be a threat if things click for them. Of course, Bayern are there because Arsenal are forever obliged to run into the German giants at some point.
Best-case scenario: Feyenoord, Arsenal, Copenhagen, Royal Antwerp
Quite honestly – and perhaps this is harsh on Feyenoord – this is a group that Arsenal could chase maximum points from. It reads more like a Europa League group, in fact, and the Gunners would be overwhelming favourites to progress, along with the Dutch champions.
Who could Celtic draw?
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.
Brendan Rodgers will lead a Celtic team back into the Champions League this season – but it's not a competition he's had much luck in. We'll see if he can change that this time around.
Of course, a lot of that depends on the group Celtic get. They've always gone into the competition knowing that there's potential for a devastating draw, but things could look on them favourably this time around with a bit of luck.
Worst-case scenario: Manchester City, Real Madrid, Milan, Celtic
You would imagine that most Celtic fans would never expect to get out of such a group – they may not even expect to get a single point. This would see the last two champions, after all, as well as a Milan side boasting some fantastic talent right now.
But honestly, you can build quite a few scary-looking groups for the Bhoys – Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Lazio, Celtic is marginally kinder, but not exactly by much.
While Celtic wouldn't be certainties to progress from this group, with some real fortune going their way, they'd have a real chance. They could easily target a Europa League spot, too, but second place really wouldn't be out of the question. Fingers crossed, they get the luck of the draw on Thursday.
Where is the 2024 Champions League final?
The Champions League final will be held at Wembley Stadium in London on 1st June 2024.
It will be the first time the stadium has held the showpiece event since 2013 when Bayern Munich triumphed over Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund. Last season's Champions League-winning captain Ilkay Gundogan was on the losing side that night as Arjen Robben's winner broke the hearts of Jurgen Klopp and the Yellow Wall.
Where can I watch the Champions League final in the UK?
The Champions League final will be available to watch on TNT Sports – previously BT Sport – as well as streamed for free on YouTube for those who do not have the relevant subscriptions.
BT Sport has been the home of Champions League football in the UK since 2015 and enters a ninth season as rightsholder under its new guise in 2023/24.
How will the 2024/25 Champions League format work?
Not without its controversy, the Champions League is going through a major shake-up going forward. In the 2024/25 format, 32 teams will become 36, while the number of games will increase from 125 to a total of 189.
This is because every team qualifying for the Champions League will compete in one league, in which all teams will play eight matches. The top eight teams will qualify directly for the knockout stage, with the following 16 teams (placed 9th-24th) entering a two-legged play-off round in order to claim a place in the round of 16.
From here, the format will remain the same as we currently know it. But can anyone stop Pep Guardiola's men this year?
Glasgow Rangers are reportedly interested in the services of striker Lyndon Dykes.
Rangers transfer news – What's the latest on Lyndon Dykes
According to the Daily Mail, the Glasgow giants are interested in reuniting the Scotland forward with former boss Michael Beale north of the border.
The Teddy Bears' interest has come in the aftermath of his 'heroics' with the national side against Norway on Saturday.
The 27-year-old scored late on to level the game before providing the assist for Kenny McLean in their 2-1 win.
The performance has also led to interest from other clubs, with Burnley and Millwall now interested, the latter having already submitted a £2m offer in January.
Glasgow Rangers manager Michael Beale.
Could Lyndon Dykes replicate Jermain Defoe's success at Rangers?
In recent years, Rangers have made a habit of poaching strikers from the Championship or lower-level Premier League clubs, with the most prominent example being Jermain Defoe, who joined from AFC Bournemouth in 2019.
The former Tottenham Hotspur man's time in Glasgow was a fruitful one.
In the 74 appearances he made for the club, he produced 42 goal involvements, 32 goals and ten assists.
He was also a key member of Steven Gerrard's team that won the Teddy Bears' first league title since they rejoined Scotland's top flight.
A player like Dykes could certainly replicate some of that success.
According to WhoScored, the Scot averaged an impressive rating of 6.8 across his 35 starts for Queens Park Rangers last season, scoring eight goals and laying another two on for his teammates.
He should have scored more as well, with FBref putting his expected goals for last season at 12.6, suggesting that he was getting into good goal-scoring positions more often but suffering from bad luck.
He has also proven his ability to find the back of the net in the Scottish Premiership from his season with Livingston in the 2019/20 season when he produced an excellent 19 goal involvements, 11 goals and eight assists.
Soccer Football – Championship – Queens Park Rangers v Reading – Loftus Road, London, Britain – January 29, 2022 Queens Park Rangers’ Lyndon Dykes celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images/Matthew Childs EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representa
It was during his stint with the Lions that he drew the attention and praise of Gerrard, who claimed:
"They've got a forward in-form in Lyndon Dykes who's having a real good season, who is capable of playing in the air or on the floor, he's quite dangerous."
The 6 foot 2 marksman has also received plaudits from another Gers legend, Alan Hutton, who, in the aftermath of the club missing out on the "focal point" in 2020, said:
"I think he'd have been a great addition for the Rangers squad, definitely. He's proven it on a high stage now."
That "high stage" Hutton is talking about is international football, a place Dykes has thrived.
The Australian-born forward has already scored nine times in 29 appearances for Scotland and started all three games during the delayed Euro 2020 tournament, including their draw with England.
If Beale and co can convince Dykes to make their journey back north, there is no doubt that he would be able to replicate some of the successes of the retired Defoe; arriving as a player that is already well-known amongst the coaching staff.
An update has emerged on Chelsea and how much they would need to spend to land Aymeric Laporte in the summer transfer window…
How much is Aymeric Laporte?
According to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, the Blues will have to splash out £30m to secure the signing of Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
The reporter has stated that the London-based side are “monitoring” the Spain international’s situation as they eye a swoop for the excellent colossus.
His contract with Pep Guardiola’s men expires in the summer of 2025 but it is said that he could be moved on over the coming weeks, which comes off the back of him falling out of favour last term.
Italian giants Juventus are also competing for his signature and could provide Chelsea with competition for the former Athletic Bilbao ace.
How good is Aymeric Laporte?
The 29-year-old enforcer is an exceptional Premier League centre-back and has proven himself to be an outstanding performer in England over the course of a number of years.
Judging by his skill set and stylistic profile, he has the quality to be Mauricio Pochettino’s next version of Jan Vertonghen, who was a stalwart for the Argentine head coach during their time together at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Belgian made 212 appearances for the 51-year-old boss across six seasons, which makes him the fourth most-used player throughout the manager's career so far.
As a left-footed central defender, the now-36-year-old averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.00 or higher in four of his last five campaigns with Spurs. He also managed a rating of 7.22 or higher in two of those seasons, which would have placed him third in the Chelsea squad last term – above fellow defenders Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Trevor Chalobah.
This shows that Vertonghen competed at a high level during his time in the Premier League and Laporte is a player with the quality to deliver similar performances as a left-footed centre-back.
Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte.
In six seasons with Manchester City, the Spanish warrior has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.99 or higher in five top-flight campaigns and a score of 7.09 or higher in three of them, which would place him joint-sixth in the Chelsea side at the end of 2022/23.
Laporte, who was once described as a “beast” by writer Muhammad Butt, is also an exceptional ball player at the back. Over the last 365 days, he ranks among the top 1% of players in his position across the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions for progressive carries and progressive passes per 90.
This means that the £130k-per-week earner, who was once hailed for his "incredible" form by Guardiola, is one of the best centre-backs at the top level when it comes to progressing the ball through the third to start attacks for his team.
Vertonghen also excelled at that part of the game as he ranked in the top 4% or higher in both statistics among Premier League central defenders during the 2017/18 campaign under Pochettino's management.
Therefore, Laporte could be the manager's next version of the ex-Tottenham star as he has the ability to deliver consistently excellent performances week-in-week-out while being an incredible playmaker with his quality in possession.
Glasgow Rangers central midfielder Joe Rothwell appears to be heading for a quick exit from Ibrox, just months after joining on a permanent deal from Bournemouth in the summer.
The Daily Record reports that Sheffield United are confident that they can get a deal over the line to sign the 30-year-old midfielder when the January transfer window opens.
Chris Wilder’s side are pushing to land the former Leeds and Southampton loanee, who has not featured for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership since October.
The experienced flop has only started five league games, per Sofascore, and has failed to establish himself as a regular in the middle of the park since the new manager came through the door.
Rangers want to sign new central midfielder
Rothwell’s move to Sheffield United, should that go through next month, would create the space in the squad for Danny Rohl to bring in a signing of his own to replace him.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to TEAMtalk, Glasgow Rangers are ready to sanction an exit for Rothwell because they have identified a player who could come in as his replacement.
The report claims that the Gers want to sign Tromso central midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl to replace the experienced Englishman in the January transfer window.
It adds that the Light Blues have been impressed by his performances this season, having sent scouts to watch him in action, and now they want to add him to their squad.
TEAMtalk reveals that a fee of around £5m will be required to convince Tromso to part ways with the talented youngster, who would come in as a perfect upgrade on Rothwell.
Why Rangers should sign Jens Hjerto-Dahl
Rangers Journal creator and analyst Kai Watson described Hjerto-Dahl as “one of the biggest talents in Norway” and stated that it would be a “huge coup” for the club to bring him to Ibrox in January.
The 20-year-old star’s form in the Eliteserien in the 2025 campaign suggests that he would come in as a big upgrade on what Rothwell has offered in midfield for the Gers so far, and backs up Watson’s claim that he is a big talent.
Hjerto-Dahl was a regular starter for Tromso in the 2024 and 2025 Eliteserien campaigns, despite the fact that he only turned 20 in October, which speaks to how big a talent he is, as his club have viewed him as a key first-team player since he was 17.
As Rohl looks to the future at Ibrox, signing a 20-year-old starlet who has plenty of upside as a replacement for a 30-year-old dud who has failed to make an impact at Rangers makes perfect sense.
Rothwell has not delivered enough quality on the pitch for the Scottish giants this season in the Premiership, which is in stark contrast to Hjerto-Dahl’s form for Tromso this year.
Appearances
30
8
Goals
4
0
Big chances created
5
2
Assists
4
1
Dribbles completed per game
1.3
0.5
Tackles + interceptions per game
2.5
1.9
Duels won per game
5.0
2.0
As you can see in the table above, the Norwegian talent’s form in 2025 suggests that he would come in as a massive upgrade on what Rothwell has provided on the pitch for the Gers so far.
Hjerto-Dahl appears to be capable of offering more in front of goal, as both a scorer and a creator of goals, whilst also being more combative in his duels, tackles, and interceptions to win the ball back for his side.
These statistics suggest that the £5.3m-rated star would significantly improve the squad as a replacement for Rothwell in the short-term, if he can adapt to Scottish football and translate his form from the Eliteserien over to the Premiership.
Hjerto-Dahl, who once scored the beautiful goal in the clip above, is also ten years younger than Rothwell, who is 30, which means that he has far more time left to develop and improve as a player.
The Norwegian star, therefore, would be a perfect upgrade on Rothwell because he has the potential to be an immediate improvement on the Englishman with what he can offer in the second half of the season, whilst also having many more years left to get even better.
Rohl must drop Fernandez & "rotten" Rangers flop who belong in Caixinha era
Danny Rohl should drop this Glasgow Rangers duo who belong in the Pedro Caixinha era after their performances against Ferencvaros.
ByDan Emery 2 days ago
This is why the Gers should push hard to make Hjerto-Dahl one of Rohl’s first signings at Ibrox, after allowing Rothwell to join Sheffield United next month.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Liverpool are still in the race to sign Jude Bellingham this summer and the player will soon make a decision on his future.
What's the latest on Jude Bellingham and Liverpool?
The Borussia Dortmund midfielder has been touted as a long-term target for some time now but it remains unclear if he will end up at the Reds.
After all, there is fierce competition for his signature with the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City also tipped as possible destinations with Liverpool supposedly no longer favourites to land the 19-year-old.
However, despite those reports, Romano insisted that Jurgen Klopp and co will push for the player "until the end".
When speaking on his YouTube channel, the journalist began (0:50): Liverpool will try until the end, we had reports of Liverpool almost out of the race for Bellingham. But what I can tell you is that Liverpool will insist until the end because they know it's up to the player, he has to decide. And so Liverpool are still in the race.
Before adding that a decision will soon be made by the player's camp (1:11): “So the race is open, but from what I understand, Jude Bellingham will now enter into important days to make his decision.
"He's going to speak to his family of course to his father Mark, who's taking care of the negotiation, then there will be a discussion also between Borussia Dortmund and Bellingham side to decide about the future.
"But important days are coming internally in Bellingham's camp, so into his family, to make a final decision on the future project he wants to pick.
" So this is a really important part of the story for Jude Bellingham. So get ready because April could be a really important month to understand more about Jude Bellingham's future."
Will Bellingham join Liverpool?
Whoever signs Bellingham will have to spend a small fortune on the Englishman. Indeed, as per a report in The Sun from last January, around £100m upfront will have to be paid – on top of wages in the region of £300k-p/w.
After he starred for the Three Lions at the World Cup, it's little wonder so many top clubs are after the teen.
Premier League legend Alan Shearer praised Bellingham for his efforts in Qatar, saying on BBC Sport (via Daily Mail): "He has some engine on him and his energy is incredible from the first to the last minute. He is the one trying to get up there and drive England forward."
While Rio Ferdinand added: "Equally comfortable receiving the ball on the backfoot here as he is here in the number ten spot. I don't quite know at the moment what he is going to be. Is he going to be another Steven Gerrard, [Frank] Lampard type or maybe a defensive midfielder?"
Those Gerrard comparisons will certainly have Liverpool fans excited and it sounds as though they could yet land the talented midfielder.
Manchester United have already put an offer in to sign Vanderson before the summer window has even opened, according to a report from Sport via Sport Witness.
Who are Manchester United signing this summer?
The Red Devils have sealed themselves Champions League football for the next campaign, with Erik Ten Hag managing to lead his side to third in the Premier League during his first season in charge.
The Dutchman has managed to restore the highest level of European football to Old Trafford again and will now look to strengthen his team even further to make sure they are capable of competing on all fronts this campaign, as rivals Man City have over the course of this campaign.
One position the club have been looking to add to is at right-back. It seemed as though that slot could be filled by Jeremie Frimpong, with the defender a long-time target for the Red Devils and the interest in his signature seemingly still there. Current right-sided option Diogo Dalot has recently committed his future to the Old Trafford outfit by agreeing a new contract, but the Portuguese ace can provide depth on both flanks.
It appears as though a right-sided player is still on the club's agenda. That's according to a report from major Spanish paper Sport, via Sport Witness, that states the club have already tabled an offer to Vanderson prior to the window opening on June 14.
United have seemingly decided to launch their move early for the defender, who can also play further forward. They aren't alone in that though, with the report adding that there are offers from the Premier League, with only one coming from the Red Devils.
They'll face a battle to sign him then if that is the case, with Barcelona also keen to sign Vanderson next summer. However, it appears as though the Catalan giants would rather move for the youngster next summer – meaning Ten Hag is clear to bring him in, if they can do, during the close season this year.
Should Man United sign Vanderson?
The 21-year-old has impressed in France during his time with Monaco, as showcased by the player generating a 6.93 WhoScored rating over the course of the current campaign. That puts him as the fourth-highest rated player at the side over the course of the season – an impressive feat considering his age.
In addition, the youngster also has the second-best tackle and interception rates at the Ligue 1 side this year – showing just how capable of a defender he is already despite his youth.
Vanderson has also received high praise in the past from manager Phillipe Clement who declared that the youngster had made an "exceptional adaptation" at Monaco and that he is a "perfectionist" as a player.
The player then would be a good investment from United if they could pull off a deal. He is young, already proven at a decent level and has the ability to shore up their backline.