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Michael Beale has recently claimed that it could take a few more signings during the summer transfer window in order to make Glasgow Rangers stronger ahead of next term.

During an interview on talkSPORT (via STV News), he said:

“This group has given me what they can and we’re probably four or five players away from being where I want us to be.

“That’s nothing against the players that are playing just now, it will just make us stronger.”

In likelihood, it could possibly take more than five players as the Ibrox side need an urgent overhaul in the summer, especially with the likes of Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Jack and Allan McGregor out of contract.

It already appears that he is making progress, especially with recent news that the Light Blues are interested in Ecuadorian midfielder Jose Cifuentes according to MLS insider Tom Bogert, yet they face stiff competition from Leeds United and Espanyol for his signature.

He is free to speak to clubs in the summer as his contract expires at the end of 2023, although Beale may look to snatch him up for a cut-price fee in the next couple of months ahead of 2023/2024.

Could Jose Cifuentes join Rangers?

The Gers have a great chance to sign him, although Football Insider claim the club aren’t the front-runners for his signature at this moment, yet that could change in the coming weeks.

With the future of Jack uncertain at the moment, Cifuentes could be the ideal heir for the Scottish midfielder. Under Beale, the 31-year-old has enjoyed a solid run in the first-team, missing just four matches since Christmas and he should be a key player for the manager going forward.

He may not have long left at the top however and signing Cifuentes would be a wise move by Beale as he could replace Jack in the near future with ease.

The 24-year-old was lauded by South American football expert Tim Vickery back in 2019 after the player shined at the U20 World Cup, who said:

"He was the beating heart of that side and I think he’s a terrific midfielder. He’s strong, he’s got quality, he’s got a good engine – he’s one of the best all-round midfielders, potentially, that I’ve seen come out of South America in a while.”

No stranger to the highest level having represented Ecuador at the 2022 World Cup, his form in the MLS last season was excellent for Los Angeles FC. He registered 13 goal contributions across 36 matches while also showcasing his defensive ability by making 1.8 tackles per game and winning 45% of his total duels.

The most important thing is the midfielder has yet to hit his peak and if Beale could secure the player for a reduced fee, it would be an excellent piece of business and there is no doubt he could replace Jack at the heart of the midfield.

Aston Villa have been handed a “huge” transfer boost in their pursuit of Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, Football Insider report.

What’s the latest transfer news on Villa and Phillips?

Phillips has struggled at the Etihad Stadium under Pep Guardiola after making the move across the Pennines from Leeds United last summer in a deal worth £45m. The 27-year-old is still yet to start a Premier League match this season, which has resulted in speculation of a move away.

Villa, who were first linked with the midfielder back in 2019, have once again been backed to make a move over the coming motnhs. Reports have suggested that Unai Emery is after a “top-class signing capable of running the midfield”, and the Spaniard feels Phillips fits the bill.

A further update has now emerged from Football Insider reporter Wayne Veysey. He revealed that ‘Villa have been making discreet enquiries about Phillips’ availability and the information they are receiving is that City could be willing to sell at the right price’.

The report states that this is viewed as a “huge” boost for those at Villa Park, with Emery feeling Phillips can help take the club to the next level.

Record move but is it a risk?

It is believed that City would ask for a fee in the region of £45m to part ways with Phillips, who is under contract in Manchester until 2028.

That would be a record signing in the Midlands, although, reports have claimed that NSWE are willing to smash their transfer record this summer ahead of Emery’s first season in charge.

However, splashing the cash on Phillips, who has played just 405 minutes of first-team football this season could be a risk. He has also struggled with a shoulder injury and is on £160,000-a-week in Manchester.

Therefore, it could be a gamble, but if it pays off, Emery could help Phillips get his career back on track. Hailed as a "monster" by former Crystal Palace man, Yannick Bolasie, Phillips has been praised by the likes of Fabio Capello, who described him as "the best modern midfielder I have seen on the pitch", and Xavi Hernandez, who called him "superb".

Villa and Emery currently have two defensive midfielders and three central midfielders to choose from, so signing Phillips, primarily a holding midfielder, could balance his options, and it looks as if the club are making moves to sign the City man.

Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly on the verge of becoming the new Chelsea manager but faces a mammoth uphill task to mend their damaging state.

The Argentine will need to trim a hideously bloated squad and attempt to add some much-needed depth to a side that has experienced an absurd amount of change in the past 12 months.

After Todd Boehly’s unconventional transfer dealings, the former Paris Saint-Germain boss is expected to be handed significant control of the new signings.

However, one deal that has already been completed is that of Christopher Nkunku, who will join the Blues in the summer, and in the Frenchman, Pochettino could unearth his next Dele Alli.

How did Alli play under Pochettino?

The 51-year-old created the Englishman into an absolute monster and one of the potent assets in the Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur.

In four full seasons together, Alli registered 74 goal contributions in 131 top-flight outings, as he was named PFA Young Player of the Year on two separate occasions.

Since Pochettino was dismissed by Daniel Levy in 2019, the 27-year-old’s career has drastically declined with unproductive stints at Everton and Besiktas – scoring just three times in those spells – just highlighting the incredible job the coach did in mentoring and nurturing this previously formidable talent.

How good is Christopher Nkunku?

The forward has supposedly already secured a £63m move to Stamford Bridge and looks set to unite with Pochettino in the coming weeks.

So far this season, the Frenchman has been in unstoppable form, having recorded 24 goals and assists in 31 appearances in all competitions. Despite missing nine of the last 15 Bundesliga games through injury, the eight-cap international is still the league’s second top scorer with 13 goals.

The attacker has also received comparable accolades to Alli, being crowned as the Bundesliga Player of the Season and Footballer of the Year in Germany in 2022.

Achim Beierlorzer, Leipzig's former assistant coach, is a massive fan of the star and said that he can be considered a "world-class player."

Similarly to Alli, he can appear across the frontline but can mainly occupy the position just behind the striker, whilst chipping in with his outrageous concoction of skill, potency, and playmaking.

American coach Jesse Marsch also fuelled Nkunku’s reputation and feels he "doesn’t have any weaknesses."

This season, Kai Havertz has often been deployed in similar positions, but he has failed to convince the Stamford Bridge faithful of his quality or consistency, as he still desperately clings to the 2021 Champions League-winning goal to rescue his legacy.

Although he is Chelsea's top scorer this term with nine goals, he could well be ousted by the incoming Leipzig man.

Indeed, the addition of Nkunku will be welcome and necessary, and Pochettino could ignite his career in English football as he did so well with Dele.

Liverpool are making progress in the negotiations to potentially sign Alexis Mac Allister in the summer having presented their plans to his camp.

Will Liverpool land Mac Allister in the summer?

The Reds have put together five victories on the bounce now after their narrow win over Fulham at Anfield, however, Champions League football remains highly unlikely.

With Europa League football the most likely outcome from the 2022/23 campaign, Jurgen Klopp will be hoping to bring in some upgrades over the summer.

The slow start to the campaign has, ultimately, cost Liverpool in the race for the top four but their usual standards from challenging for the title are well adrift.

One player who they are believed to be targeting ahead of the summer is the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Mac Allister.

And he is a player who is expected to leave the Seagulls over the summer following is meteoric rise this season which has seen him become a world champion.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has proved an update on the future of the 24-year-old Argentine with the Reds expressing their interest:

(3:30) "I can tell you that Liverpool feel they are making progress in the negotiation to sign Alexis Mac Allister. They presented the project to the player's side. So Liverpool had direct meeting to present their project to Alexis Mac Allister, they are going to push on the player's side and then they feel that they can close the deal with Brighton."

Would Mac Allister be a good fit for Liverpool?

The Reds are in need of some reinforcement in midfield over the summer with one of their current crop expected to be heading for the exit.

Indeed, veteran and versatile midfielder James Milner is expected to be leaving the club over the coming months with reports of interest from Brighton.

But this is already a midfield which has come under fire across the campaign with Michael Owen hitting out at their weaknesses earlier in the season.

Mac Allister is certainly a player who could provide that much-needed spark for Klopp's side given the form he has shown on the south coast this season.

The Argentine has been hailed as "magic" by presenter Jack Collins and it is clear to see why when he ranks inside the top 13th percentile for shot-creating actions (via FBref).

Jude Bellingham is the name who had been so heavily linked with a potential move to Anfield over the last year or so but it is believed a move for the 19-year-old has fallen through.

However, Mac Allister has recorded a higher pass completion rate (86.3%) than the Borussia Dortmund midfielder (81.3%) (via FBref).

Mac Allister is not a cheap alternative, though. This is a player who is expected to cost in the region of £70m over the summer.

What will be interesting, is whether Liverpool look to use Milner as potential leverage in the possible deal for the Argentine.

Manchester United have come the closest to matching the valuation for Jude Bellingham according to reports from Italy via Sport Witness, with the Red Devils offering up to 120 million Euros (£104m) for the player.

What is the latest transfer news surrounding Jude Bellingham and Man United?

The demand for the midfielder has been high this season, with several sides all circling around the player in a desperate bid to try and sign him. Man City and Real Madrid look to be in the driving seat currently, although the Premier League leaders have yet to submit a bid for the Borussia Dortmund man according to reports.

Liverpool were also seen as one of the leading pack in the race for his signature, only for the club to then pull out of a potential deal for Bellingham. That came down to a lack of funds, with the Reds identifying that they would rather spread their money amongst several players rather than just splashing it on one.

Man United are no strangers to being linked with the England international too, with the club reportedly prepared to offer the money to lure the midfielder to Old Trafford since March.

Now, a fresh report has revealed that the Red Devils have indeed put their money where their mouth is and launched a huge bid to sign Bellingham. According to the Italian media via Sport Witness, United have put an offer on the table worth £104m and whilst it is one of the biggest offers Dortmund have recieved, the player seemingly would prefer Real Madrid and the bid may prove to be fruitless.

Even with such a large offer then, the player would rather join up with the La Liga giants – meaning they could still miss out on signing the midfielder.

Should Man United up their offer for Jude Bellingham?

Any team would be lucky to add the Borussia Dortmund man to their ranks this summer, with the England international impressing on both the club and international stages. It's hard to believe he is just 19-years-old when you take a look at his Bundesliga record this campaign – seven goals and four assists in 29 appearances and all from the centre of the field.

He's been equally as outstanding for his country, with WhoScored giving him a 7.58 rating during England's World Cup campaign. That score ranked him within the top ten players of the entire tournament based on his match rating.

Even current and former professionals are quick to praise the player, with Pep Guardiola even stating that Bellingham is "special" in terms of his mentality and adding that his "whole package" is "really good."

The hype surrounding the youngster is real then – and if United do land the midfielder this summer, it would be a real coup.

Chelsea's prospective new boss is eyeing a reunion with his former Tottenham Hotspur colleague Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at Stamford Bridge as he looks to beef up the Blues' midfield, though journalist Dean Jones believes 'it would be a strange' move.

What's the latest on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Chelsea?

According to one outlet in Spain, Pochettino is said to have 'requested' that Chelsea try to sign Spurs anchorman Hojbjerg this summer, someone who the Argentine previously worked with during his spell in north London in charge of the Lilywhites.

The report states that Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is willing to shell out for further squad additions in the forthcoming transfer window. Hojbjerg has been earmarked as someone with plenty of Premier League experience, battling qualities and is also technically adept, which could add some steel to the Blues' midfield moving forward.

In recent times, the 27-year-old has spoken about his side's struggles to find any real consistent footing in 2022/23, as per Sky Sports via The Evening Standard, stating: “When you have three coaches in a very short time, there is some instability. We know that this is a part of this world that in a game, in a season, there will be some instability. There will be insecurity, there will be a lack of energy when you are changing coaches. You kind of lose your way a bit, your values."

He has also come under fire for his own form this term from BBC pundit Charlie Adam, who criticised the enforcer on The Monday Night Club on 5 Live Sport, saying: “He does what he wants to do [Hojbjerg]. He just walks around.”

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Dean Jones has his doubts over whether Hojbjerg would be an ideal signing for Chelsea under Pochettino, as he said: "It would be a strange one to go in and make straight away. It would look like he was signing almost a Tottenham reject at this point. Given the reputation he seems to have among some of the fan base from recent times, it might not look like great for PR. Only Pochettino knows the exact identity that he wants in that midfield now to come in."

Should Chelsea look to make a move for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer?

Hojbjerg has been a perfectly serviceable midfielder during his time in the Premier League and has distinguishable qualities; however, there are questions as to where he would fit into this Chelsea side.

The Blues have an overwhelming quantity of options in the middle of the park, while the futures of Mason Mount, N'Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mateo Kovacic and Conor Gallagher are still yet to be determined, which could be problematic when trying to bring midfield additions into the club this summer.

Boehly admitted that huge mistakes have been made since he took over at Chelsea, and this could be yet another one.

As per FBRef, the 27-year-old has struggled to impose himself in the tackle as much as he would've liked, with Hojbjerg hovering just above the bottom 20% of midfielders across Europe for number of players tackled across the last 365 days, managing just 1.62 per 90 minutes all in.

In the Premier League, the £100k-a-week ace has also only created five big chances across the entire campaign, showing that Pochettino can surely do better in terms of bringing in a midfielder to break between the lines.

Overall, Hojbjerg has made 44 appearances for Spurs in 2022/23 across all competitions, registering five goals and seven assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster criticised the Dane for his role in Spurs' 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend on his YouTube channel, stating: “There was a clip doing the rounds last night of Hojbjerg. A fan has just focused on him for about a 30-second period. Tottenham don’t have the ball, so he’s doing a bit of defensive work. It’s painful. It’s a painful watch. He just looks lost. He doesn’t really know when to press, he doesn’t really know when to sit back in. He’s just wandering around, a few arms getting flinged about."

This is further backed up by a video that surfaced online after Spurs' defeat to Aston Villa, with Hojbjerg looking lethargic and lazy with not a care in the world, which is something Pochettino cannot risk after the season Chelsea have just had.

Looking ahead, Pochettino will surely be looking for a better alternative to help solidify the midfield area as Chelsea aim to bounce back in 2023/24.

West Ham United captain Declan Rice has an informal agreement with his club which means they will not stand in his way of an exit if a suitable offer arrives, Sky Sports News presenter Vicky Gomersall has revealed.

What's the latest on Declan Rice?

The England international looks set to depart the club this summer in search of Champions League football, and Arsenal are currently the frontrunners for his signature.

The 24-year-old has made 243 appearances for the club since progressing through the youth teams, and could lead West Ham to European glory as they prepare for the Conference League final against Fiorentina.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Gomersall revealed that Rice has a gentleman's agreement with West Ham which means that if a suitable offer arrives from a Champions League club, they will allow him to leave.

"We're told there is an informal agreement between the player and the club, that he can leave this summer," she stated.

"Rice played in West Ham's final game of the season at home in the victory over Leeds yesterday [Sunday]. West Ham will allow Rice to go if they receive an offer worth £120m from a Champions League club."

How can West Ham move on from Rice?

The midfielder has been a crucial part of West Ham's side for the last five seasons, and his loss will be a significant blow for David Moyes.

Given his price tag, West Ham will have funds to spend if the £60k-per-week stalwart departs, and they have been linked with former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi.

Guendouzi, 24, currently plays for Olympique Marseille, but could return to London with West Ham, as they seek to replace both Rice's quality off the pitch as well as his leadership off it.

If West Ham win their upcoming final in Prague, they will qualify for the group stages of the Europa League, and this could provide a further boost to their finances and status as they aim to strengthen their squad in the summer.

As things stand, it seems likely that Rice could move to Arsenal, and it will suit all parties if a deal can be done early in the window. Rice will have a full pre-season to settle at his new club, and West Ham can avoid a drawn-out process, whilst also having more time to land their targets as they seek to replace him.

Tottenham Hotspur have entered pole position to bring Brentford goalkeeper David Raya to Spurs this summer, according to journalist Rudy Galetti.

Who could Spurs sign this summer?

Spurs and chairman Daniel Levy currently have a plethora of issue to solve, namely the pursuit of a new manager to replace the departed Antonio Conte, with their lack of a sporting director also needing to be addressed.

On top of the aforementioned tasks, the north Londoners also need to commence transfer planning for the upcoming summer window, with the Premier League season drawing to a close this afternoon.

Long-term number one and faithful club servant Hugo Lloris has been tipped to potentially leave this summer, with jaw-dropping offers reportedly coming from Saudi Arabia for his services.

Finding a replacement for the Frenchman is imperative, and Spurs have been linked with a few top goalkeepers like Andre Onana and even Jan Oblak in recent months.

Another name to have been mentioned is Raya as the Lilywhites allegedly identify the Spaniard for their list of potential Lloris successors.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Rudy Galetti has an update on the matter, and it seemingly comes as a promising bit of news for Spurs supporters.

The Italian transfer reporter claims Tottenham are in pole position for him, with Levy and co "leading the race" for Raya's signature. Galetti adds that he is almost certain to depart next month.

"At the moment, we can say Spurs are leading the race for the Spanish goalkeeper," explained the reporter.

"He's considered one of the main targets to replace Lloris, who unless a sensational twist, will say goodbye in June. As for the coach situation, there will be concrete developments only when the new director has been chosen."

Who is David Raya?

The 27-year-old has been a key fixture and mainstay in Thomas Frank's Brentford side, playing more league minutes than any of his teammates and ranking among their top five best performers per 90 (WhoScored).

Raya's contract also expires in 2024, making him an attractive option for top clubs given Brentford have limited time to sell him on for a decent price.

The former Blackburn Rovers star has also been praised for his distribution by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and revered by members of the media, with journalist Sam Dean calling him "exceptional".

If Spurs can tempt him to N17, Raya could well be a brilliant stand-in for Lloris, though he'll have big shoes to fill.

Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio is potentially interested in joining Aston Villa in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh rumour.

Is Asensio leaving Real Madrid?

This summer could be an exciting one at Villa Park, with funds available to make new signings, allowing Unai Emery to bring in the right players. Qualifying for Europe this weekend could further enhance Villa's chances of signing top talent, highlighting the importance of getting the job done.

One player who is possibly on the move at the end of the season is Asensio, who has struggled to be anything more than a bit-part player at Madrid in 2022/23. The £118,000-a-week winger has only started 15 La Liga matches, also coming off the substitutes' bench the same number of times, admittedly scoring nine goals and registering six assists along the way, which is a good return.

The 27-year-old is out of contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, however, and with no extension signed yet, he could leave on a free transfer next month.

Could Villa sign Asensio?

Taking to Spanish publication Marca on Twitter, Asensio is "seduced" by Villa's interest in him, acting as a potential boost to them:

"Asensio, more outside than inside! The player has a foot and a half out of Real Madrid. He feels seduced by the offer from Aston Villa that Marca uncovered on May 10 and next week he will make the decision to notify the white club."

This is clearly an exciting update from a Villa perspective, with Asensio someone who possesses so much pedigree as a footballer, following a memorable spell in a Madrid shirt since joining from Real Mallorca in 2014.

The 35-cap Spain international has tasted so much success down the years, winning three Champions League and La Liga titles apiece and one Spanish Cup, among others, and he could bring this winning mentality with him to Emery's team. Jorge Valdano once claimed that Asensio was similar to Lionel Messi as a player, which is the highest compliment possible, while pundit Terry Gibson has described him as "world-class" in the past.

He could bring so much quality and experience to Villa's side, also helping raise the level of those individuals around him, and snapping him up would also be a massive statement of intent by the club, suggesting that they are reaching a stage where elite players are wanting to make the move to Villa Park.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is a huge fan of Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips and wants the club to pursue a possible transfer this summer.

The Magpies completed their brilliant 2022/23 Premier League season with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea. They will compete in the Champions League next season and appear to be on the hunt for additions in the transfer window this summer.

What's the latest news on Kalvin Phillips to Newcastle?

According to Football Transfers correspondent Steve Kay, Howe wants both Phillips and Leicester City midfielder James Maddison to join the club this summer.

Kay stated that Manchester City are "open to selling" Phillips, but it remains to be seen if the midfielder will stay at the Etihad and fight for his place or choose to join Newcastle where the promise of game time could be greater.

Due to the Magpies' top-four finish, Phillips would still be able to compete in the Champions League next season. Maddison is another top target, although Tottenham are also interested but cannot offer the chance to play in Europe's prestigious knockout competition.

Kay reports that Maddison "is way up on the list" and after being "in contact with his camp for a long time, he’s a big possibility." Speaking exclusively to NUFC Blog regarding the two, Football Transfers correspondent Steve Kay said:

"Eddie Howe is a big, big fan of Kalvin Phillips. City are open to selling and Howe would like to bring him in to add Premier League experience.

"He’s still only 27, can fill a position Newcastle are looking to improve and Howe believes he can be another strong voice in the dressing room, helping younger players develop too."

"Newcastle are looking for proven players and that brings me to James Maddison, who is way up on the list. I think he’ll sign. They’ve been in contact with his camp for a long time. He’s a big possibility.

"Tottenham are interested in Maddison. However, he wants Champions League football – something Spurs can’t offer now – so everything points to Newcastle at the minute. They are the favourites."

How many appearances has Kalvin Phillips made this season?

Due to injury issues and Pep Guardiola's preference, the 27-year-old made just 21 appearances in all competitions, including only 12 appearances in the Premier League. His contributions this season amounted to just 593 minutes, according to Transfermarkt.

In total, he missed 11 games through injury this season, and yet he has emerged as a target for Newcastle. Despite his injury struggles, Phillips, dubbed by Yannick Bolasie as a "monster", remains a talented midfielder that could still be a valuable addition to the Newcastle squad.

The £150,000-a-week England international has plenty of top-flight experience and continues to be a regular in Gareth Southgate's international squad, turning out on 26 occasions now, so the Magpies could make a shrewd move by signing Phillips, and by the looks of it, it could be one to watch with Howe a fan.