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Liverpool have been linked with a move for Christian Pulisic this summer and now a new update has emerged on the potential signing for the Kopites.

What’s the latest?

talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has confirmed that Liverpool have a genuine interest in signing Chelsea forward Pulisic ahead of next season but also details this could change with the completion of the signing of Darwin Nunez.

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Crook told GIVEMESPORT:

“I think Liverpool’s interest is genuine, or it was before the Darwin Nunez deal really accelerated. So, whether they need another attacking player now, probably, I would say no.”

Imagine him & Nunez

Although Crook takes the view that Liverpool may not make the move for Pulisic should they complete the signing of Nunez, if they did act upon their interest it could bring another fresh perspective and form a new well-oiled attacking partnership at the club between the two players in the forward line.

It is no surprise that the Reds are linked with a move for Pulisic, as Jurgen Klopp is a huge admirer of the former Borussia Dortmund star, reserving high praise for him in an interview following his brace against Liverpool in 2018 (via FourFourTwo): “He’s a fantastic skilled boy, and it’s not a surprise to see.

“He’s a smart player, and unfortunately the USA needs more of these players.”

The £42m gem who was dubbed “wonderful” and a “leader” by Jurgen Klinsmann has struggled to get consistent game time during his time at Chelsea but has shown glimpses of his talent in front of goal when given the opportunity to.

Pulisic scored six goals, delivered two assists and created one big chance, while taking 1.3 shots on goal and winning 3.5 duels on average per game over 22 Premier League appearances.

Klopp will need to prepare for the inevitable blow of Sadio Mane’s departure alongside the contract expiration of Divock Origi, and Taki Minamino is expected to be sold too summer.

With that being said, by only making the signing of Nunez it could leave Liverpool with a weakened squad in terms of goal scoring players, however, if they did make the signing of Pulisic it could be a great opportunity for Klopp to add an experienced attacking mind to bolster his forward line.

AND in other news: “I’m told..”: Romano drops behind-the-scenes Liverpool update that’ll upset supporters 

One former BBC pundit has insisted that Rangers ‘can’t afford’ to let Joe Aribo leave the club for free, amid continuing uncertainty over his contract.

The Lowdown: Contract uncertainty

The 25-year-old has entered the final year of his current deal with Gers, opening up the possibility of pre-contract discussions with foreign clubs from next January.

However, speaking on Nigerian radio station Brilla FM (via Complete Sports), the former Charlton player has maintained that he is happy at Rangers and is not thinking about leaving Ibrox this summer.

Following the Light Blues’ impressive run to the Europa League final, Aribo has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs, with the most notable reportedly being Crystal Palace.

The Latest: Whelan’s claim on Aribo

Whelan, who used to work as a pundit for BBC Radio, has suggested that Aribo’s uncertain contract situation could force Rangers into selling him this summer rather than letting him walk away for nothing next year.

Speaking with Football Insider about the Nigeria international, the 47-year-old claimed: “They really can’t afford to lose him for free.

“As much as the European run has brought in, they still need to stay in the black and bring new players in. Especially if you’re losing players like Aribo.

“They can’t just let him walk away for free. This money generated by players is vitally important to Rangers, we know that.”

The Verdict: Rangers need the money

With Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side entering the Champions League qualifying stages in the third round, Rangers will be looking to build a squad capable of making it to the group phase.

According to The Athletic, the Light Blues could decide to sanction a significant sale this summer in order to boost their transfer budget.

Therefore, the Gers may be hesitant to run the risk of losing out on a decent fee for Aribo, which is expected to be in the region of £10m.

Therefore, an Ibrox exit this summer could the plausible for the man who former Charlton team-mate Ezri Konsa likened to a “‘left-footed Yaya Toure”.

In other news: Alex McLeish has made a big claim about Nikola Katic returning to Ibrox

Aston Villa’s potential swoop for Rangers defender Calvin Bassey has been labelled as a “no-brainer” by former Scotland defender Alan Hutton, who played for both clubs during his career.

What’s the story?

Speaking to Football Insider, the 37-year-old was full of praise for the Nigerian international, stating: “He was outstanding in the Europa League final, and he carried that on in the Scottish Cup too.

“He’s growing in stature game-on-game. It doesn’t matter where he plays, centre-back or left-back – he gives you an unbelievable presence. He’s got such versatility – and that’s an attribute Villa will value so highly.

“For him to be putting in these kinds of performances at his age, and showing his capability at the highest level – it’s a no-brainer for someone like Villa to come in.

“If he can maintain that level and that consistency week-in, week-out – then wow, he could be an incredible player.”

Villa manager Steven Gerrard has already worked with the 22-year-old from his time in charge of Rangers and is reportedly keen to reunite with the versatile defender, with Sky Sports confirming the Midlanders’ interest earlier this week.

Villa must secure deal for Bassey

Having already signed Philippe Coutinho on a permanent deal whilst completing swoops for Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos, all before June, the West Midlands club have already laid down a marker this summer.

Gerrard and co undoubtedly have plenty of ambition when it comes to signings in the off-season, and Bassey would be another excellent addition.

The Nigerian played at left-back for a good chunk of 2021/22, but with the January signing of Lucas Digne, you would expect the 22-year-old to be regularly deployed as a centre-back at Villa.

Having made 49 appearances across all competitions this term, the former Leicester youth player has been instrumental at Ibrox, with Rangers reaching the Europa League final whilst narrowly losing out on the Premiership title to Celtic and winning the Scottish Cup.

Labelled “astonishing” by Owen Hargreaves after a tremendous display in the European final in Seville, Bassey is valued at a fee in excess of £25m by the Glaswegian club.

However, it already appears that, with the backing of NSWE, Villa will have deep pockets this summer, so a deal shouldn’t prove too complicated to complete.

AND in other news: “Interested in signing…”: Ex drops huge WHU transfer claim that supporters will love

Manchester United have discussed the idea of signing Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres along with Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Torres profiled

Torres has progressed through Villarreal’s academy and has made 134 senior appearances for the La Liga side, 47 of which came during the 2021/22 campaign.

The Spain international, who was hailed as ‘sensational’ by his national team boss Luis Enrique, is at the peak of his powers, holding a career-high £45m Transfermarkt valuation. The 25-year-old is entering the final two years of his contract in the summer and holds a release clause in the region of €55m-€60m (£46.8m-£51m).

The Latest: United discussions

Romano took to Twitter on Monday lunchtime to share a transfer update from Old Trafford.

He said that, alongside Timber, Torres has also been ‘discussed internally’ by United chiefs and Erik ten Hag ahead of a possible move.

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The Verdict: Ten Hag’s priorities clear

Ten Hag is yet to add to his United squad since taking the reins, but it seems as if defensive reinforcements are top of his wish list, something which doesn’t exactly come as a major shock with the Red Devils conceding 57 times in 38 league games this season.

The Dutchman appears to pride himself on making his teams hard to beat at the back, with his Ajax side conceding just 19 goals in 34 league games in 2021/22. Therefore, potential swoops for Timber (who he knows well from Amsterdam) and Torres (who appears to be at the top of his game) could be wise first moves for the 52-year-old at Old Trafford.

In other news: Reliable journalist leaks Man Utd talks as Ten Hag now eyes ‘terrific’ Englishman

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has demanded the signing of Gareth Bale among six major names if he is to continue at the club, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Conte maps out summer plan…

Recent claims have suggested that both the 52-year-old and Spurs transfer chief Fabio Paratici have a summer transfer plan somewhat mapped out, with potential targets already on the radar (The Telegraph).

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Bale, who spent the 2020/21 season on loan at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, has been tipped to make another return to the Premier League, and Spurs aren’t ruled out of the race. With the 32-year-old set to leave Real Madrid on a Bosman deal, the Lilywhites – along with Cardiff City, Newcastle, Rangers and AC Milan – are among the clubs who could sign him, as per 90min.

His agent Jonathan Barnett even told Record (via Evening Standard) that England is the player’s most likely destination, although much will depend on Wales’ qualification fate for the World Cup later this year.

The Latest: Conte makes Bale demand…

According to Spanish sources, Conte ‘demands’ six major signings in order to ‘continue at Tottenham’, with the report naming Bale and five others.

The former Inter Milan manager’s idea is apparently to ‘reinforce all the lines’ as the Real Madrid outcast ‘could be’ one of the ‘new faces’ in north London this summer.

The Verdict: Pinch of salt?

We struggle to see where Bale would fit into Conte’s system, so we suggest to take this report with a pinch of salt.

The 32-year-old still possesses plenty of ability, with talkSPORT pundit Andy Goldstein calling him ‘world class’ just last year despite his age, not to mention that he has an impressive 183 club career goals.

However, it is highly debatable whether Bale could match Conte’s intense training methods given his fitness issues throughout his loan spell at Spurs in 2020/21.

Jose Mourinho even slammed a false depiction of the player’s rehabilitation on social media, with Bale’s potentially enormous wage demands also coming as an issue for Tottenham to secure a third spell at the club for the Welshman.

In other news: ‘Told Spurs are ready…’ – Dan Kilpatrick has exciting transfer news for supporters! Find out more here

Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain must quit the Reds this summer, according to former England international Danny Mills.

The Lowdown: Ox’s lack of minutes

The 28-year-old was once a key figure at Anfield, going back to 2017/18, but he has fallen way down the pecking order under Jurgen Klopp these days.

Klopp has picked Oxlade-Chamberlain for a total of just nine Premier League appearances this season, not offering a single minute of action since March 20th.

It looks highly likely that the former Arsenal man will leave Liverpool this summer given the lack of faith from the manager, with this the last chance to receive a fee for him before his contract expires next year.

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The Latest: Call it quits

Speaking to Football Insider, Mills, a regular on BBC Radio 5 Live, said Oxlade-Chamberlain should seal a summer exit from Anfield after Klopp’s decision to freeze him out:

“The last few years really just haven’t worked out for him at all. He’s a fantastic player. He’s got everything you could possibly need from an attacking midfielder.

“He can run at people, score goals, pick a pass. But with injuries and with the Liverpool squad as strong as it is, he just hasn’t had a chance. You can’t see that changing with the way they’re progressing.

“If he wants to play more football and reignite his career, he will have to move on from Liverpool. It’s simple.”

The Verdict: Played his final game?

It’s incredible to think that Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn’t played at all for two months now, perhaps even suggesting that Klopp has completely lost faith in him, and it would be a surprise if he featured against either Wolves or Real Madrid.

It feels almost certain that the midfielder will move on once this season reaches its climax, with his future lying elsewhere if he wants to become a regular feature in a top flight side.

Oxlade-Chamberlain will be remembered as a solid servant for Liverpool, scoring 17 goals and registering 15 assists in 133 appearances, but his time at the club has fizzled out this season, with his contribution diminishing greatly as the campaign reached crunch time.

In other news, a journalist believes there is ‘strong interest’ in one Liverpool player. Find out who it is here.

Injury expert Ben Dinnery believes Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford will have a ‘special role from the bench’ in the club’s final two Premier League fixtures, Football Insider report. 

The Lowdown: Back in team training?

Bamford has had a season to forget, as have the Whites, and have just two games remaining against Brighton and Brentford to avoid relegation.

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The 28-year-old has been out since March with a foot problem but appears to be on track for a possible return on Sunday.

Jesse Marsch revealed earlier in the week that he expects Bamford to be involved in team training ahead of the weekend, which could put him in the picture for a place in the match-day squad at Elland Road.

The Latest: Bamford return is ‘huge’

Dinnery, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to FI about that news of a possible Bamford return.

He labelled the forward as a ‘huge’ part of the Whites squad and feels the striker will play a key role from the bench.

“With a fully fit Patrick Bamford, Leeds would be nowhere near where they are currently.

“They don’t really have a natural goalscorer at the moment. They have tried a few up there but no one has got anywhere near his goal return.

“It depends on results elsewhere. I certainly think there is a special role from the bench to be had for Bamford.

“He isn’t going to be where they want him in terms of fitness and sharpness but he knows how to score. He will make opportunities for himself and he is huge for that Leeds team.”

The Verdict: Needed

Leeds are down to the bare bones due to injury and suspension as they look to avoid the drop, so having Bamford involved again would be a timely boost.

Marsch’s side haven’t scored from open play in four games and don’t look a threat in attack, managing over 1.0 expected goals (xG) just once in their last five games.

Therefore, Bamford’s possible return to the bench would be a much-needed one, especially as he has scored 19 Premier League goals and registered 10 assists in the last two seasons.

In other news: Leeds and Orta now planning for the Championship as contact made to sign £5k-p/w flop – opinion. 

Leeds United could move for Noa Lang if they lose Raphinha this summer, according to Phil Hay.

The lowdown

It was reported in August 2021 that the Whites were interested in the 22-year-old, who instead made his loan move from Ajax to Club Brugge permanent.

Lang is predominantly a left winger but also has 27 matches worth of experience playing on the right during his career. He has three years left on his contract with the Belgian club and is valued at £19.8m by Transfermarkt.

Meanwhile, Raphinha is attracting interest from Barcelona ahead of the transfer window, with the La Liga outfit lining up a move for the 25-year-old.

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The latest

A supporter asked Hay on The Athletic’s matchday discussion boards whether he could see Leeds going back in for Lang in the summer.

The journalist responded by saying that the Whites had been ‘keen’ on the 22-year-old but ‘left it alone’ because Marcelo Bielsa wasn’t all that enthused by the idea, although he reckons that the Dutchman ‘could be a ‘very good investment’.

Hay outlined: “The club were very keen on him last summer. Bielsa less so, which is why they left it alone. It’s a good question though because if Raphinha goes, Leeds will need to build up their attack (and they need more attacking players regardless imo). That said, we can all forget about players of Lang’s quality if Leeds go down.”

The verdict

Lang isn’t a perfect replacement given that he largely plays on the opposite flank to Raphinha, but he does look like an exciting option. He has been directly involved in 23 goals this season – scoring nine and setting up 14 – for the Belgian title chasers.

The 22-year-old has also earned international recognition, making his debut for the Netherlands in a World Cup qualifier in October and featuring in both squads since.

He has also won some rave reviews, with journalist Zach Lowy describing his performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League as ‘absolutely brilliant’ and European football expert Alex Barker likening him to a ‘young Ronaldo’ and marvelling at his speed.

That all suggests that Lang is a player who could electrify Elland Road if he is indeed signed as Raphinha’s replacement.

In other news, a Sky Sports injury expert has dropped this claim on this Leeds ace

Sky Sports have provided a live TV update on Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba amid links to rivals Manchester City.

The Lowdown: Pogba’s Man City links

United’s club-record signing looks set to leave Old Trafford for free when his contract expires at the end of June.

The Frenchman may not line out in a Red Devils shirt again after missing the last four matches with a calf problem. He could remain in England, though, with reports linking Manchester City with a shock move for the 29-year-old.

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The Daily Mail revealed on Friday evening that Pep Guardiola wants a new versatile midfielder to replace Fernandinho, with Pogba on a list of potential targets.

The Latest: Sky Sports update

Sky Sports cited reports linking the 2018 World Cup winner with a move to the Etihad Stadium live on-air on Saturday morning.

They duly added further information, claiming the 29-year-old could remain in England, stating: ‘We’ve been told Pogba will consider every serious offer put to him and hasn’t ruled out staying in the Premier League.’

Sky Sports also stated that Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are interested in the midfielder’s services along with City.

The Verdict: Surely not…

City will have to wait until the transfer window officially opens to make their move for Pogba, while the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus and PSG could strike pre-agreement terms right now.

The France international hasn’t had a great deal of success in the Premier League and has made just 16 starts this season, so it would be a shock if he made the move across Manchester to the Etihad, especially considering the vast talent at Guardiola’s disposal.

It looks as if there is a chance it could happen, though, so Pogba’s next destination is certainly one to keep an eye on following developments in the past 48 hours.

In other news: Man Utd want to hijack Man City’s move for ‘explosive’ star who ‘has no weakness’. 

Rangers came from behind to avoid defeat in their latest Old Firm clash away from Ibrox in the Premiership on Sunday.

It was a tale of two halves as the Gers were 1-0 down and flat at half-time before dominating the second 45 and being unlucky not to win the match late on.

Jota had given the hosts the lead in the first half as he got ahead of Borna Barisic at the back post to tap in a cross and Ange Postecoglou’s side also spurned a number of big chances to double their advantage.

Rangers then came out firing in the second half and found the equaliser through Fashion Sakala as he powered a strike in at the near post to make it 1-1 after Ryan Kent played him in down the left of the box.

The Zambia international then had the chance to win all three points for the Gers as he raced clear through on goal but saw his effort crash back off the post with Joe Hart beaten.

Whilst it was a spirited effort in the second half for the Light Blues, there were some disappointing displays for van Bronckhorst to watch. One player who let the head coach down was experienced central midfielder Scott Arfield.

The Canada international came off the bench to score a crucial goal in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic last month and was given the opportunity to show what he is capable of doing from the start. Instead of showing that he deserves more games, his performance suggested that he is better off coming on as a substitute.

Off the ball, he was a lightweight. Via SofaScore, he lost 50% of his aerial duels and four of his seven ground duels throughout the match. He did make two tackles and one interception but he allowed the Celtic players to get the better of him more often than not and that was one disappointing aspect of his play as he did not impose himself on the match from a physical standpoint.

In possession, he struggled. As per SofaScore, he only completed 62% of his attempted passes and missed a ‘big chance’. He also failed with all three of his attempted dribbles and gave possession away 19 times, which shows that he did not provide much quality on the ball in the middle of the park.

Therefore, he let van Bronckhorst down badly as he faltered at both ends of the pitch and did not do enough to justify his start.

AND in other news, Wilson must reignite Rangers swoop for “impressive” 28 G/A flier, GvB needs him…