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Ibrox boss Gio van Bronckhorst has been handed a huge Rangers injury lift over Ryan Jack ahead of the Europa League final next week…

What’s the talk?

Bundesliga journalist and commentator Derek Rae has revealed that the club are expecting the midfielder to be fit enough for the Europa League final next week.

The reporter has also confirmed that Scott Wright will not miss out on the game after he suffered a blow in the club’s 4-1 win over Ross County.

Rae tweeted: “After his goal, Scott Wright had to leave the pitch due to a bruise but his use in the final does not seem to be in danger. Rangers are confident that the important sweeper Ryan Jack will return, but for attacking all-rounder Kemar Roofe it will probably be tight.”

Supporters will be buzzing

The Light Blues’ supporters will surely be buzzing over this news, as having Jack fit and available is a major boost for the club.

He has not featured in a matchday squad for the Gers since the 3-1 win over RB Leipzig in the semi-final of the Europa League earlier this month but looks set to be winning the race to be ready to face Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville on Wednesday night.

Jack has been sublime in Europe for the Gers this season. After an injury-hit start to the campaign, he returned to fitness and has started eight matches in the Europa League for Van Bronckhorst, averaging an excellent SofaScore rating of 6.94.

The Scotland international has made 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game and won 55% of his duels in the Europa League. This shows that he has been able to consistently hold his own in the middle of the park, winning the ball back off the opposition on a regular basis and providing the attack with a solid base from which to work.

He and John Lundstram have started all eight of the club’s knockout ties, although the latter has played at centre-back on occasion, and they have formed a strong partnership in midfield.

Therefore, the 30-year-old’s return will be a major boost for Van Bronckhorst’s side. Jack has proven that he can put in top-quality displays alongside Lundstram, helping the club to beat the likes of Braga and Borussia Dortmund along the way, and the supporters will be buzzing with his availability as they will want to see the best possible XI out on the pitch in Seville.

AND in other news, Wilson heading for big Rangers disaster on “ridiculous” £6.4k-p/w tank, GvB needs him…

A major Rangers claim has emerged over their potential financial position at Ibrox heading into the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell has revealed that the club will make in excess of £80m over the course of the next two seasons if they win the Europa League later this month.

Rangers will qualify for the group stages of the Champions League by winning the Europa final in Seville next week and will receive a hefty financial boost for doing so.

Campbell tweeted: ‘ “Don’t you think they need the Champions League money here? I think so.” Jon Dahl Tomasson wasn’t wrong. It’s pivotal for Rangers but they’re just a game from securing the cash via the #UEL door. Looking at £80m+ over the two seasons if they do it.’

This sum includes their participation in Europe’s premier competition, winning the Europa League and their involvement in the UEFA Super Cup against either Liverpool or Real Madrid at the start of next season.

Van Bronckhorst will be excited

Gers head coach Gio Van Bronckhorst will surely be left feeling excited by the prospect of the club having more money at their disposal in the coming years.

The 47-year-old and Ross Wilson will be able to utilise the increased funds to attract a higher calibre of player, whether that is because they can afford bigger transfer fees or higher wages – or both. They would also have the lure of playing Champions League football, which could also be a factor in convincing players to make the move to Ibrox.

It will be the Dutchman’s first summer transfer window in charge of the club and he will surely want to put his own stamp on the squad by bringing players in. Being handed a larger war-chest will surely only help his cause, as he will be able to pursue quality signings who have the potential to improve the team.

Mateusz Zukowski, a young prospect, was the only player on whom Rangers spent a transfer fee in January as Amad Diallo, James Sands and Aaron Ramsey all arrived on loan, whilst John Souttar will join as a free agent at the end of next month. This shows that Van Bronckhorst has not had much to work with in terms of bringing in players with a long-term goal in mind.

Therefore, he will have the added motivation to do everything in his power to help the team win the Europa League later this month and will be excited by what doing so wouldl mean for the club off the pitch.

AND in other news, Ibrox sources: Gvb set for imminent Rangers deal that’ll leave supporters delighted…

Celtic are currently flying high with their title triumph now seemingly a matter of when and not if, following a remarkable debut campaign for new boss Ange Postecoglou.

The Australian visionary has delighted the Parkhead faithful with his brave, attacking approach, while he’s proven something of a transfer market maestro such has been the number of success stories among the club’s new signings this season.

As this jubilant campaign draws to a close, however, the 56-year-old will surely be turning his attentions towards further recruitment in the upcoming window, amid reports that he may have a £20m transfer kitty at his disposal, following the club’s qualification for the Champions League.

One potential transfer target that has emerged is SM Caen striker Alexandre Mendy, with reports late last week suggesting that the Scottish Premiership outfit were eyeing a deal and had even made a €3m (£2.5m) offer for his services.

The player’s agent – Yacine Ayad – has since come out in an attempt to debunk those claims, however, suggesting that any reports of contact with his client are “obviously not true”, although he did admit that the 28-year-old forward “is followed by European clubs”.

Whether or not an offer has actually been made, it would certainly be a wise move for Postecoglou and co to pursue a deal for the Guinea-Bissau international, such has been his sparkling form this season.

Dubbed “very strong” by Jocelyn Gourvennec, the 6-foot gem would provide a real focal point to the Hoops’ attack, something that was sorely lacking in the recent Old Firm, Scottish Cup semi-final defeat following the absence of Georgios Giakoumakis, according to pundit Alan Hutton.

Even the Greek striker hasn’t enjoyed a perfect first season in Glasgow, however, with injury restricting him to just nine goals in 16 top-flight appearances.

Mendy, by contrast, has been in a rich vein of form in France, plundering 16 goals in 31 appearances for the Ligue 2 outfit, albeit with this campaign perhaps something of an anomaly as he has only once previously netted more than five league goals in a season.

Nevertheless, on current form it is no surprise that club’s across the continent have begun to take notice of his talent, while his physical attributes ensure he has more than just a goalscorer, having won a solid 57% of his total aerial duels, as well as provided 0.8 defensive clearances.

Although not a household name, Mendy could prove to be yet another relative unknown who emerges as a diamond under Postecoglou, just like Giakoumakis.

IN other news, £2.5m fee agreed, then snatched away: Celtic had Old Firm blinder on “unplayable” ace

According to a report from the Express & Star, West Brom are interested in Millwall forward Jed Wallace. 

The lowdown: Career so far

The versatile ace made the grade at Portsmouth making 121 appearances for the south coast club before moving to Wolves in 2015.

However, Wallace struggled at Molineux and was eventually sold to Millwall on a permanent basis following two long-term loan spells at The Den.

Since then, the Reading-born former England youth international has amassed 90 direct goal contributions in 259 outings for the Championship playoff chasers.

Now a fresh report has suggested that the Baggies could be keen…

The latest: West Brom waiting

As per the Express & Star, Albion ‘will enter the race’ to sign Wallace should the 28-year-old become a free agent at the end of the season.

Set to be out of contract in July, the report states that the ex-England Under 19 man is ‘expected to move on’ this summer.

Furthermore, it’s claimed that Baggies boss Steve Bruce is a ‘big fan’ of the man once hailed as ‘unbelievable’ by Gary Rowett.

The verdict: Get it done

So far this season Wallace has scored six times and provided 11 assists in 37 league outings – earning a 7.15 rating whilst creating 12 big chances, completing 1.0 dribble and making 2.6 key passes on average per game (Sofascore) – underlining the attacking midfielder’s first-class influence.

As Bruce attempts to bolster the ranks at the Hawthorns this summer, adding a player of the Englishman’s proven quality to the squad for nothing would be a superb piece of business.

Still holding a market value of £6.3million despite the dwindling contract (Transfermarkt), Wallace should be regarded as a top priority for West Brom on a Bosman deal.

In other news, West Brom have been backed to sign a Premier League midfielder. Read more here.

Wolverhampton Wanderers will look to get their push for European football back on track as they host Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League this afternoon.

With just five matches to go, Wolves are still firmly in contention of securing a place in one of the continental competitions for next season, with Bruno Lage’s men three points behind seventh-placed West Ham United whilst having a game in hand.

However, three defeats in their last four matches have seen the Old Gold suffer a major blow in the race for Europe, and they can no longer afford any slip-ups.

Getting back on track with a victory against the Seagulls today is crucial, but who will start for Lage’s side? Here is how Football FanCast expects Wolves to line up this afternoon:

Wolves XI – Sa; Boly, Coady, Saiss; Semedo, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Jonny; Hwang, Neto, Jimenez

We anticipate just one change from last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Burnley, which sees Fabio Silva replaced by Pedro Neto, with Raul Jimenez leading the line against Graham Potter’s side.

Silva has seriously struggled to make an impact this season and the £35m fee they paid for him in 2020 is still yet to be justified.

Labelled a “hindrance” by Wolves journalist Liam Keen earlier this season, the 19-year-old is yet to score in the current campaign, despite making 24 appearances across all competitions. Lage has tried to play the Portuguese youngster in the same line-up as Jimenez, but Silva’s sorry goal return shows that it hasn’t worked.

In his place comes Neto, who is still being managed carefully having recently returned from a serious knee injury. The 22-year-old returned to the side in late February after a ten-month spell on the sidelines but has started just one match since.

With Neto having been declared fit enough to be involved for Wolves for the past two months, Lage must now unleash the £39k-per-week winger, who Jamie Carragher described as a “superstar” last season after scoring five goals and providing six assists.

[freshpress-poll id=”69987

Quality in the final third has been severely lacking for the Old Gold this term, with only four teams scoring fewer Premier League goals, and Lage will need to find a solution to his team’s woes in front of goal. Involving Neto would certainly be a worthwhile test of his ability to address Wolves’ lack of bite in attack.

Although victory will most likely keep Wolves eighth due to West Ham’s superior goal difference, it is vital that Lage’s men keep breathing down the necks of the Hammers and Manchester United.

AND in other news: Forget Marcal: Lage could sign perfect Wolves upgrade in “tremendous” £35k-p/w “beast”

Aston Villa have recently submitted an offer for Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Garcia, and the Spanish club’s stance on sanctioning a departure has now been revealed.

Villa have stepped up their pursuit of a new centre-forward with Ollie Watkins failing to reach his usual lofty standards in the Premier League this season, netting just one goal and receiving criticism from former Arsenal striker Ian Wright back in September.

Wright said: “As a player, I think that he should be doing more for what he’s capable of doing.

“He’s a channel runner, gets in the box, he gets on the end of things. I think he could be a lot sharper with his finishing, and I thought that’s what he’d be working on.”

Fortunately, the Villans have managed to find goals from other sources, which have propelled them up the table in recent weeks, rising to sixth after a dominant 4-0 rout of AFC Bournemouth in their final match before the international break.

That said, Watkins’ poor form is likely to still be a concern for Unai Emery, and the manager has seemingly decided to bring in another striker capable of challenging for the Englishman’s place in the starting XI.

Aston Villa submit offer for Gonzalo Garcia

According to a report from Spain, Aston Villa have offered €20m (£18m) offer for Real Madrid forward Garcia, and they are looking to finalise a deal as quickly as possible, given that the Spaniard’s value could plausibly rise as the season goes on.

Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers have lodged bids of their own, so there will be competition for the 21-year-old’s signature, but a deal could be there to be done, as the Spanish club view cashing-in as an ‘attractive financial opportunity.’

As one of the first clubs to make contact with Madrid, Villa should be well-placed to get a deal done, not least because their main rivals seem to be newly-promoted Sunderland and a Wolves side at serious risk of relegation.

Hopefully, it will only be a matter of time before Watkins starts scoring again, but the 29-year-old having some healthy competition could kick him into gear, and there are signs the Real Madrid starlet could push for a starting spot.

Lauded as a “goal machine” in the media, the youngster performed remarkably well at youth level in the 2024-25 campaign, netting 26 goals in 37 games for RM Castilla, before going on to impress considerably at the Club World Cup, netting four goals for the senior side.

That said, it would be a risk to sign Garcia, given that he is yet to prove himself in the Madrid first team over a sustained period, and 21-year-old FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa, who scored 19 league goals last season, could be an interesting alternative option.

Aston Villa fighting to sign Samu Aghehowa Aston Villa fighting to sign Samu Aghehowa amid interest from Tottenham and Arsenal

Recent reports have indicated that Aston Villa would be keen on signing Porto forward Samu Aghehowa.

ByJames O'Reilly Nov 5, 2025

Aston Villa have now emerged as strong candidates to sign a “fantastic” forward, with sporting director Monchi said to be keen.

Villa keen on new winger despite signing Sancho

After a disappointing start to the Premier League season, with Unai Emery’s side failing to score a single goal in their opening three games, Jadon Sancho made a move to Villa Park on deadline day, arriving on a season-long loan from Manchester United.

However, both Paul Scholes and Jamie Carragher aren’t convinced about the new Villa signing, with the former saying: “Unai Emery might be good for Sancho but I do think it’s a weird signing.

“Villa Park is a massive pitch and he’s got a lack of pace and a lack of legs. He’s got some brilliance but what’s his real strength? I don’t really know.”

Carragher added: “I don’t know what Sancho’s thing is. Every player has something but I can’t think in my head what he does. I’ve never seen it in my life. I haven’t.”

It remains to be seen whether the 25-year-old is able to prove the doubters wrong, but Aston Villa have already set their sights on a different winger, with a report from Spain revealing they are now strong candidates to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Brandt.

NSWE to make January move for £40m striker who loves scoring vs Aston Villa

The Villans have identified a striker as their top January target.

ByDominic Lund Sep 8, 2025

Monchi is said to be personally keen on a move for Brandt, who could arrive at Villa Park on a free transfer next summer, if the winger doesn’t extend his contract with Dortmund, which expires in less than a year’s time.

Dortmund are set to try and negotiate a new deal with the winger, however, with the German club reluctant to lose him on a free, having been widely reportedly to have shelled out €25m (£22m) to sign the former Bayer Leverkusen man back in 2019.

"Fantastic" Brandt would be versatile option for Emery

The 29-year-old has featured in various positions throughout his career to date, including both wings, attacking midfield and central midfield, which would make the forward a versatile option for Emery, and he has received plaudits from Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl.

Back in 2023, Kehl said: “His development has been great. He’s much more stable, robust and present. He has always shown in phases that he’s a fantastic player, but now he shows it over a longer period of time.”

The Bremen-born attacker has also outperformed Sancho across a number of key attacking metrics over the past year, ranking in the 97th percentile for assists per 90, when compared to other attacking midfielders and wingers.

Average per 90

Julian Brandt

Jadon Sancho

Non-penalty goals

0.17

0.15

Assists

0.43

0.20

Shot-creating actions

3.88

3.57

As such, Brandt could be a solid signing, and his potential availability on a free transfer is a bonus for Villa, who are known to be treading a fine line from a PSR point of view.

A significant update has now dropped regarding Sheffield United’s potential search for a new manager, with Ruben Selles feeling the heat.

Selles under huge pressure at Sheffield United

The Blades have made a disastrous start to the 2025/26 season, sitting bottom of the Championship and failing to pick up a single point in their opening four matches.

For that reason, the pressure is also mounting on manager Selles at United, following his arrival in place of Chris Wilder this summer, and pundit Jobi McAnuff has said there are “no excuses” for him not to improve moving forward.

“It’s been a mess of a summer – starting with the sacking of Chris Wilder. From what I’ve seen I’ve not been impressed with Ruben Selles in the way he’s set the team up – he’s not getting the best out of the group yet.

“He maybe wasn’t given the tools he needed to put a team together that can go and get results which gives him a little bit of an out but he should be doing better with the squad he has at his disposal.”But he certainly has no excuses with what he’s brought in now.”

Understandably, some names are already being mentioned as possible replacements for Selles, should he be relieved of his duties at Bramall Lane, and a key update has emerged regarding one rumoured target.

Danny Rohl to Sheffield United update

Writing on X on Sunday, BBC Sheffield’s Rob Staton claimed that Danny Rohl won’t be Sheffield United’s next manager, due to there being too much controversy surrounding it, given his past with rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

In truth, it is hard to see Rohl becoming Blades boss, given the reaction it would cause among Wednesday supporters, even though it is something that Blades fans would likely find amusing.

The 4-2-3-1-playing German is a highly-rated young manager – one who steered the Owls impressively away from safety in 2023/24, with Chris Waddle one of many left impressed by the job he did at Hillsborough.

Hopefully, a new manager isn’t needed at all for United, with Selles masterminding a revival after the international break, but it’s fair to say that the current feeling at the club isn’t too positive, with huge improvements needed, and fast.

Leeds United are now showing interest in signing a £21m striker who’s been likened to legendary centre-forward Filippo Inzaghi, according to a reporter.

Leeds set sights on new striker

Joel Piroe was the top scorer in the Championship last season, netting a total of 19 goals, however, it may be wise for Leeds to bring in a striker with more Premier League experience if they are to avoid an instant return to the second tier.

As such, a number of different strikers have been identified as potential targets ahead of the summer transfer window, with Jamie Vardy and Callum Wilson set to be available on free transfers upon leaving Leicester City and Newcastle United.

Leeds striker links

Current club

Potential cost

Jamie Vardy

Leicester City

£0

Callum Wilson

Newcastle United

£0

Troy Parrott

AZ Alkmaar

£21m

Semih Kilicsoy

Besiktas

Loan

Moves for Vardy and Wilson could make sense, having proven themselves over a number of years in the Premier League, but there may be some concerns over the fact that both strikers are now likely to be in the latter stages of their careers.

As such, there may be a temptation to take a gamble on a younger centre-forward in the summer, and reports in Europe, via The 72, claim that Leeds are interested in signing Lecce star Nikola Krstovic.

A deal for Krstovic is unlikely to break the bank, with the Italian club willing to listen to offers of at least €25m (£21m), which could be a bargain, given the level of some of his performances in the Serie A last season…

Inzaghi-esque Krstovic impressing in Italy

Indeed, the Montenegro international performed very well in the Serie A throughout the 2024-25 campaign, picking up 11 goals and five assists in 37 outings, while he has also received praise from former manager Roberto D’Aversa in the past.

D’Aversa said: “Every ball in the box seems to magnetically find him. His style, his hunger for goals, it all reminds me of the great Pippo Inzaghi.”

“The club’s decision to bring him to Lecce during the transfer window has been vindicated. He’s not just a goal-scorer; he’s integral to our build-up play and brings a physical presence up front.”

Leeds could land their own Florian Wirtz by signing "outstanding" £33m star

Leeds could secure their own version of Florian Wirtz by signing this £25m transfer target.

ByDan Emery May 25, 2025

D’Aversa also lauded the 25-year-old for his “impressive” goal record during his time in Slovakia, and the way in which he has adapted to life in the Serie A suggests he could now be ready to make a move to the Premier League in the near future.

As such, while signing Wilson or Vardy on a free transfer would be more of a low-risk move for Leeds, it may be worth taking a gamble on Krstovic, who could be capable of leading the line for Daniel Farke’s side for many years to come.

Chelsea chiefs are expected to undergo another hectic summer window of incomings and outgoings, with many players set to be put on the transfer list by BlueCo and face uncertain futures.

Players expected to leave Chelsea this summer

It is perhaps a given that, barring any U-turns from Enzo Maresca, a plethora of loaned-out senior players in the form of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Alfie Gilchrist, Renato Veiga, Armando Broja, Raheem Sterling, David Datro Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell and Axel Disasi are all but set to quit Stamford Bridge.

£60m Premier League forward has spoken to friends about joining Chelsea

He’s apparently interested.

ByEmilio Galantini May 21, 2025

BlueCo’s mountainous task ahead of June 1 is beginning to find new homes for all the surplus to requirement, out-of-favour members of Chelsea’s full to the brim squad list.

3. Man City

68

4. Newcastle

66

5. Chelsea

66

6. Aston Villa

66

7. Nottingham Forest

65

As things stand, they’re all set to return to Chelsea once their temporary spells elsewhere conclude, with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell both commanding huge salaries and proving a drain on the club’s wage bill.

Chelsea will be especially keen to find new homes for the England international duo, and the same can be said for summer flop Joao Felix.

The Portuguese returned to west London in 2024 for around £45 million, with Cobham academy graduate Conor Gallagher heading the other way to Atlético Madrid in a separate deal.

However, since that ‘sort of’ swap deal was agreed, both players’ fortunes have contrasted significantly. While Gallagher has gone on to become a mainstay under Diego Simeone, making 46 appearances in all competitions and racking up nine goal contributions, Maresca has already deemed Felix an unwanted man just one season into his stay.

Felix was shipped off on loan to AC Milan in January, failing to impress at the San Siro, with the Rossoneri deciding long ago that they’re not interested in keeping the 24-year-old beyond this season (Fabrizio Romano).

Benfica working to re-sign Joao Felix from Chelsea

It seems pretty inevitable that Chelsea will attempt to rid themselves of Felix’s £130,000-per-week wages once he returns to Cobham.

This is echoed by Spanish news outlet Estadio Deportivo, and their journalist Manuel Pedrero, who provides an update on Felix’s precarious situation.

He writes that Felix is aware he’ll need to pack his bags and quit Chelsea this summer, and he could have a golden chance to return to his former club. Benfica are said to be working on bringing the attacking midfielder back home, with the Portuguese heavyweights viewed as his most credible next destination as things stand.

In an alternate universe, and one where Aston Villa had the financial capabilities to match his demands, Felix would be working under Unai Emery right now. The ex-Arsenal boss once confirmed that he couldn’t quite get him over the line at Villa Park before Chelsea swooped in, but does rate the forward very highly.

“He’s a special player and it was not totally impossible for us (to sign him), but he wanted to play for a team in the Champions League,” Emery said last year.

“We are realistic about how we can improve and how we can add players to improve our squad. He has a high salary and Chelsea paid a lot of money for that.

“I like him, but we were never really in the running for him. He can assist, score goals, drop deep to build up and he can play in the small spaces and drive into the box. He’s special.”