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Manchester United are still suffering the consequences of their protracted takeover process as the search for a new number nine has resulted in "nothing at the moment", according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The unintended side effect of this lack of progress in the market means that the prospect of Marcus Rashford being utilised as the club's "central striker" must now be "considered."

Manchester United transfer news – what's the latest in the club's search for a striker?

The Times reported earlier this month that regardless of the speed at which United's takeover is completed, it would be unlikely for the new owners to be in charge of the club before next season had begun.

It is perhaps no surprise then that transfer dealings have appeared somewhat more challenging for the club so far this window, though Chelsea's Mason Mount does look set to join.

However, it hasn't been easy as there was hope earlier this year that Harry Kane might make his way to Old Trafford over the summer, with the England captain entering the final 12 months of his contract in North London.

However, a tough stance from Daniel Levy ultimately made any negotiations untenable, so United pulled out.

What has transfer insider Dean Jones said about the search for a striker at Manchester United?

Jones was pessimistic about the progress the club has been making regarding the search for their new number nine and pointed out that the longer they delay, the more and more likely it'll be that Rashford has to be used down the middle.

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: "There's nothing at the moment and the longer it goes on, the more you start to wonder, does Marcus Rashford end up having to be used as United's central striker next season? That wouldn't be ideal, but I think that that is something that has to be considered."

How good was Rashford last season?

It was a good year for Erik ten Hag's team last year; a Carabao Cup triumph and a top-four finish would have been the kind of level they were aiming for in preseason, and they have Rashford to thank for that success.

According to WhoScored, the Manchester-born-dynamo averaged a great match rating of 7.08 across his 35 appearances in the Premier League, scoring 17 goals and assisting a further five.

Ex-United striker Michael Owen was a massive fan of the 25-year-old's exploits last season, saying: "It's scary numbers we're looking at, and we're looking at a player that we're talking about at world-class level in years to come if he keeps this going."

His underlying numbers were equally outstanding and only go to prove – if it needed to be – that his season wasn't just a fluke.

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According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, he sits in the top 1% for non-penalty goals and non-penalty expected goals, the top 2% for total shots, and the top 8% for touches in the oppositions penalty area, all per 90.

If United can't get their hands on a quality striker in time for the start of the season, Rashford should be able to provide high quality cover if required.

That said, if they want a repeat of his outstanding performances from last season, they need to keep him out wide and spend the cash required to get a central striker through the door.

Tottenham Hotspur seem unwilling to slow down in their quest for a revolution this summer, as another report emerges detailing fresh interest…

What's the latest on Harvey Barnes to Tottenham Hotspur?

This latest claim comes from journalist Sami Mokbel, speaking on the Last Word on Spurs podcast about their interest in Leicester City's Harvey Barnes.

Having prised James Maddison from their clutches only earlier this week, it seems Ange Postecoglou now has the £40m winger in his sights once more. Although, it might not prove as straightforward as the aforementioned deal.

The writer stated: "You mention Harvey Barnes there, and there is an interest in Harvey Barnes. But equally, Harvey Barnes has a number of options and while he would be attracted to Tottenham he may look at that and think ‘wait a minute how often am I going to play here?”

"You have Son there, you have Kulusevski there and you have Richarlison there. He may look at that situation and think he may be better off elsewhere."

How good is Harvey Barnes?

Although this may be a dilemma for the one-time England international, he could join safe in the knowledge that he presents a far greater goal threat than both Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison given recent performances.

Given neither the Foxes nor Spurs performed particularly well last season, as the former were relegated and the latter failed to secure European football for the first time since 2010, the respective underperformance of the players can at least be dispassionate and without the bias that a purple patch can bring.

Their most recent campaigns showcase exactly how a player will deal with tough situations. Whilst the former Juventus ace and Brazil international went into hiding, with the latter scoring just one league goal all year, Barnes instead thrived.

Notching an impressive 13 from the wing, with a goal conversion rate of 18% (via Sofascore), his figures far outperform that of the struggling Sweden international. It seems he is finally growing into the claims of journalist Adam Bate from 2019, as he had branded him as "special" and a "huge talent".

Kulusevski even admitted earlier this month: "Of course, I’ve been disappointed personally. After the World Cup, I didn’t think I played well enough."

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Having burst onto the scene with 13 goal contributions in his first 18 Premier League games during his first loan spell, it seems the expectation that he would mimic these figures weighed heavily on the 23-year-old.

He would score just twice last season, assisting seven and maintaining an abysmal 5% conversion rate in front of goal, via Sofascore. Even during that aforementioned blistering six-month period, which few would have been able to maintain, his conversion rate of 19% only slightly outperforms the 25-year-old's recent performances.

In an effort to add more cutting edge to his squad, Postecoglou could return to the King Power Stadium to secure Maddison's former teammate and bolster his own ranks further.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been offered the chance to sign Harry Maguire this summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Harry Maguire?

Recently, CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs spoke on the United Stand YouTube channel and stated that Maguire could be a surprise target for the Old Gold this summer as Julen Lopetegui eyes defensive reinforcements.

Jacobs gave some further insight into Wolves' interest in Maguire this off-season, stating: “I would actually keep an eye on Wolves. One dark horse for Maguire. Even though he has not had as good a season this season as the season before, Max Kilman is being looked at by a variety of clubs, so Wolves could lose a centre-back, and that might open the possibility later in the window for them to look at a player like Maguire.He is on their radar as well. There are going to be offers for Maguire.”

According to Football Insider, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are also keen on the £190k-a-week ace, who is also attracting attention from clubs overseas.

The report states that despite several clubs being open to offering him a new challenge, Maguire is said to be content at Manchester United despite falling further down the pecking order at Old Trafford during 2022/23.

talkSPORT understand that Maguire is keen to fight for his spot at Manchester United and is 'reluctant' to leave the Red Devils, where he is currently club captain.

Speaking to Football FanCast, transfer insider Jones would have his doubts over Maguire's suitability to Wolves should he complete a move to Molineux.

Jones told FFC: "I mean, the Maguire one surprises me a bit. I'm not really sure how that fits with anyone's vision, whether it's Harry Maguire or Wolves, so I'm not so sure about that one, but this is the time when they're trying to put the feelers out and find clubs that will buy and actually show some interest in Harry Maguire. I can believe that it's been put to them. Would they be interested?"

Would Harry Maguire be an ideal addition for Wolverhampton Wanderers?

Maguire is an experienced head that could potentially be an intelligent signing by Wolves if he was to be enticed to swap Old Trafford for Molineux this summer.

The Sheffield-born star – who has been dubbed a "monster" by some in the media – was utilised mainly as a rotational squad option during 2022/23 and made 31 appearances in total for Manchester United, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored show that the 30-year-old had his wits about him regarding sniffing out danger across the term, as he completed an average of 2.6 clearances per match in the Premier League.

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As per FBRef, Maguire also excelled in comparison to his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions in the art of aerial duels won, successfully coming out on top in around 3.01 per 90 minutes across the last 365 days, putting him in the top 12% for this metric.

Nevertheless, Wolves would need to beat off stiff competition from a number of clubs in England and around Europe if they were to snap up Maguire in this window.

Tottenham Hotspur talks to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba are now "progressing" and the player is "willing" to join them, according to reports.

Who will join Spurs this summer?

Spurs, buoyed by the incoming new manager Ange Postecoglou, are after many fresh faces in a variety of different positions – namely a new goalkeeper, central defender, attacking midfielder and a signing further forward.

The Lilywhites, as per reliable media sources, are closing in on a move for Empoli shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario with renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano even giving his famous "here we go" to the deal.

With that area of the squad looking resolved, freeing up the potential departure of long-serving No 1 Hugo Lloris, attention may now turn to outfield players.

Spurs are believed to be very keen on Leicester City star James Maddison, with some reports suggesting they're current favourites ahead of Premier League rivals Newcastle United (The Guardian).

Meanwhile, Postecoglou is thought to want more goalscoring options further forward, leading to their previous interest in Nicolas Jackson before Chelsea beat them to the punch (Football Insider).

Central defensive reinforcements are also a major priority at N17, with Wolves defender Max Kilman and Man City's Aymeric Laporte being linked recently.

Tapsoba, though, has been at the centre of Tottenham's interest and there is a belief that the Burkina Faso international tops their list of targets.

According to 90min, there has been a promising update, with Spurs talks "progressing" to sign the defender. Tapsoba, as signalled by his representatives, is "willing" to make the move to north London.

Liverpool, Man United, Newcastle and even Arsenal are in the mix as well, but it's Tottenham who are more actively pursuing the African.

This comes after Spurs scouts, on recent trips to watch Tapsoba's teammate Piero Hincapie, were left impressed by the former.

Who is Edmond Tapsoba?

The 24-year-old was untouchable in Xabi Alonso's starting eleven last season, with goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky being the only player in their squad to feature over more Bundesliga minutes (WhoScored).

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Tapsoba also averaged more clearances per 90 domestically than all of his Leverkusen teammates bar Jonathan Tah, highlighting his reliability at the heart of central defence (WhoScored).

It's little surprise members of the press, like freelance commentator Mark Lovell, have heaped praise on the "top quality" player in recent seasons.

Spurs conceded more league goals than any other side above 15th last season, so given their desperate need for solidarity at the back, Tapsoba could be a fruitful option.

Celtic have officially confirmed that they have completed a deal to bring Brendan Rodgers back to Parkhead for a second spell in Scotland.

Majority shareholder Dermot Desmond has been in the market to find a replacement for Ange Postecoglou, and has now settled on the Australian's successor.

Rodgers will be thrust straight into the hustle and bustle of the summer transfer window and could secure the first masterclass of his second stint with the Glasgow giants by striking a deal with his former club Liverpool.

Who is Caoimhin Kelleher?

Celtic have been linked with an interest in Jurgen Klopp's back-up goalkeeper and Republic of Ireland international Caoimhin Kelleher this summer.

He is a talented young shot-stopper who could be an excellent addition to the squad and the 50-year-old manager must use any remaining contacts on Merseyside to land the 24-year-old, who has valued at £30m by the Premier League outfit, whether that is on loan or on a permanent basis.

The 6 foot 2 titan's international manager, Stephen Kenny, recently backed the talented ace, who he once dubbed "exceptional", to move on from Anfield in search of regular game time:

"I think it will happen this summer. It is not right normally to talk about a player moving, but at Liverpool, he is behind one of the best goalkeepers in the world. It is not going to get any easier and you can't improve when you aren't playing."

Celtic must take advantage of his potential availability as the promising stopper has the potential to be an upgrade on current number one Joe Hart.

The former England international averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.77 across 37 Scottish Premiership outings in 22/23 and made four errors directly leading to shots from the opposition.

Kelleher, meanwhile, averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.53 and did not make any direct errors across his three outings in the Premier League and League Cup combined for Liverpool, as he spent the majority of the campaign behind Alisson, one of the top goalkeepers in the world.

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The Irish colossus also averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.72 and made zero blunders over six outings in those two competitions in the previous season, which shows that the Reds academy graduate has been exceptional whenever Klopp has called on him and is not as error-prone as Celtic's first-choice.

These statistics indicate that Kelleher would be a major upgrade on Hart if the 24-year-old can translate his form for Liverpool in recent years to consistent performances over the course of an entire season's worth of matches, due to his superior ratings and absence of mistakes.

Therefore, Rodgers could seal a masterclass by using his relationship with the Premier League side to iron out a move for the talented monster, who could improve the team tenfold next term.

Aston Villa are interested in completing the signing of Manchester City centre-back Aymeric Laporte this summer, according to an update from journalist Dean Jones.

Is Laporte set to leave Man City?

City are still celebrating their impressive treble triumph in 2022/23, having beaten Inter Milan in last weekend's Champions League final. They also won both the Premier League and FA Cup during the season, cementing their place in the history of English football.

While many individuals have played enormous roles in City's success, whether it be Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne or Erling Haaland, one player who has had more of a bit-part job is Laporte.

The 29-year-old only started 11 of his side's league games throughout the campaign, and with the likes of Ruben Dias and John Stones playing so well, it could be difficult for him to win his place back moving forward.

For that reason, the £120,000-a-week-earning Laporte could potentially move away this summer in order to be a regular starter, which is where Villa come into play, having been linked with him in the recent past.

Do Villa want to sign Laporte this summer?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, transfer expert Jones claimed that Unai Emery is keen on acquiring Laporte's signature in the near future, although his exit is far from a given:

"There's definitely interest. There are a few options that Villa are looking at. Laporte is obviously potentially leaving Manchester City this summer, so that makes sense. Whether he would be willing to step down to Aston Villa remains to be seen."

Laporte, who was hailed as the "best in the world" back in 2020, would be a superb addition by Villa if they could get a deal over the line, with the Spain international someone who has won five Premier League titles with City, not to mention the Champions League now, among various other trophies.

Pep Guardiola has hailed the centre-back as "incredible" before and he could prove to be a step up from any other current Villa defender, for all the good form of someone like Tyrone Mings.

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He would bring with him a winning mentality and so much quality in and out of possession, having enjoyed a 93.1% pass completion rate in the league in 2022/23, and averaged 2.5 clearances per game.

At 29, Laporte wouldn't represent the long-term future, which is a slight negative to the move, but the Villans should be able to get two or three years out of him at his top level, which could be ideal.

Liverpool have taken promising early strides as Jurgen Klopp reconstructs his midfield, and now attention must turn to Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram, who is of a vested interest to the Anfield side.

What's the latest on Khephren Thuram to Liverpool?

That's according to Liverpool writer Neil Jones, speaking on the Anfield Index Podcast, who says that the Merseyside giants "like" the ace following information that they are in negotiation with his entourage.

He said: "Liverpool really like [Thuram] as a player. There’s something in him I think they see, you know, he’s an unusual or, I should say, rare sort of type of midfielder. He’s so physically imposing but he’s [also] got great footballing skill and massive technical quality."

The 22-year-old midfielder is reportedly touted at €60m (£52m) by his outfit who will be reluctant to part with one of their most coveted assets.

This follows news from transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, who claims that the Reds have been in "direct contact" with the Frenchman this week, and with the bargain £35m transfer of Alexis Mac Allister now tied up, the emphasis may well shift onto Thuram.

Should Liverpool sign Khephren Thuram?

Despite his relative inexperience, Thuram looks a real player and could very well slot straight into Liverpool's starting midfield, such is the scope of his skill set.

His hopes at hitting the ground running are bolstered by the departures of trio James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; while none of the listed have cemented a starting berth with regularity over the past several seasons, they are all talented midfielders and given Liverpool's woes this year, there is no reason he cannot transcend the remaining crop.

Bestowed his debut for Les Parisien this year, the 6 foot 4 colossus, discernibly graceful and adroit for a man of his stature, Thuram has made 138 appearances for Les Aiglons, scoring eight goals and supplying 11 assists, and has recently been hailed as a "tenacious tackler", a "powerful & energetic carrier" and boasting "significant upper-body strength" by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

As per FBref, the £15k-per-week phenom ranks among the top 25% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of assists, the top 6% for progressive carries and the top 9% for successful take-ons per 90, which illustrates the energy and exuberance that has been scattered like fallen maple leaves in a storm at Anfield.

Liverpool did craft a seven-match winning run to steady the ship in the closing weeks of the season before drawing a succession of games to end the unlikely hopes of qualifying for top four, but it will have certainly instiled some optimism that there is a pathway back to prominence next year, especially after the squad has been rejuvenated with astute additions.

His energy and driving nature could provide Klopp with the perfect template to chisel his next sculpture in the mould of Ilkay Gundogan, who played under the German's wing at Borussia Dortmund, winning the Bundesliga title and the DFB Pokal in his first season before ultimately departing the Yellow Wall for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City for £21m, where he is now regarded one of football's premium stars.

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Hailed as "outstanding" by Manchester United icon Roy Keane for his efforts this term, Gundogan ranks among the top 5% of positional peers for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 19% for rate of assists, the top 20% for progressive passes, the top 21% for progressive carries and the top 4% for touches in the attacking box per 90, outling him as a creative ball carrier, just like Thuram.

If the Frenchman can emulate the City midfielder's impact as he grows into his skin over the next several seasons, he could yet assume the role of the Premier League's first-class midfield box-crasher.

Indeed, Thuram might just be the "perfect profile" – as he has been called by Alex Jaquin – for the Reds, and while he is not quite the refined, finished article as of yet, under Klopp's wing he could be shaped into a deadly gem every bit as emphatic as City's German sensation.

Arsenal could be set to reignite their interest in an old target, pouncing on the dwindling contract of a top star.

What's the latest on Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to Arsenal?

That's according to Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), who reveal the Gunners' interest in Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Having been linked before in the past, this is a move that could finally come to fruition given the Serbian maestro's £99k-per-week deal is due to expire in 2024.

The report notes that, whilst he is waiting to finish the season, his agent is already taking the necessary steps to mastermind his move away. His plan is to re-establish connections with clients of the past and given they arguably held the greatest interest, the north London outfit has emerged as top of his priority list.

With the 28-year-old keen on a switch to the Premier League too, and space in Mikel Arteta's midfield having just opened up with the impending exit of the long-serving Granit Xhaka, it seems this opportunity could have presented itself at the perfect time for the Spanish tactician seeking to bridge the gap between themselves and Manchester City.

Sky Italy have also previously outlined a €35m (£30m) price tag.

How good is Sergej Milinkovic-Savic?

To think of the success that their Swiss general gained in a more deep-lying creative role, having recorded 16 goal contributions in all competitions alongside Martin Odegaard, the thought of replacing him with Milinkovic-Savic is a truly frightening one.

Lazio's main man has boasted some of the most impressive attacking statistics in Europe for someone operating so deep, with a technical proficiency that means he could play as a holding midfielder, from box to box, or even in the no.10 role. This versatility lends itself to Arteta's system, which relies on two midfielders to shine at the apex of his box midfield.

As the Norway international scored 15 goals and assisted a further eight, displaying his deft creativity, adding the 6 foot 4 powerhouse beside him would make the duo a near-unstoppable pairing, one without a real weakness.

After all, from central midfield in Serie A, the attack-minded monster recorded nine goals and eight assists of his own this season.

This served to support Maurizio Sarri's notion, who suggested last year: "I’ve coached great midfielders, like Zielinski and Hamsik, and he’s one of the best. He really is a complete player with great quality."

FBref serves to emphasise his creative excellence, as when compared to other midfielders across Europe, he ranks in the top 1% for non-penalty goals, the top 7% for total shots and the top 8% for assists, as well as the top 2% for aerials won per 90.

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The latter of these figures also offer a fine alternative to Arteta's usual measured style too, as if all else fails the hulking Serbian could turn into an offensive bully to cause the necessary chaos to afford Odegaard some additional space.

Also, as Milinkovic-Savic sits in the top 18% for progressive passes received per 90, and Odegaard in the top 10% for progressive passes per 90, the nature of their partnership can be visualised further already.

With a midfield partnership that would cover all bases with regard to work rate, offensive threat and physicality, sure to improve upon Xhaka's outstanding term too, this marks a no-brainer for Arsenal to hand their 24-year-old star the perfect ally with which to terrorise the Premier League further.

Jurgen Klopp is pushing the Liverpool hierarchy to complete three new signings by the end of June as the German targets a return to the top next season.

After coming ever so close to winning the quadruple in 2022, Liverpool fell off, finishing fifth in the Premier League and failing to win any silverware.

Injuries, fatigue and a lack of high-quality midfield personnel contributed to Liverpool's disappointing season but the transfer window provides an opportunity to develop and improve.

What are Liverpool's summer transfer window plans?

According to Football Insider and journalist Pete O'Rourke, Liverpool hope to complete three signings before players return from holiday for pre-season in order to prepare as well as possible for the 2023/24 season.

The priority this summer is to sign multiple midfielders with Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner all leaving the club. Their contracts are set to expire after the Reds elected not to extend their terms.

Additionally, Klopp wants a centre-back, a right-back and potentially a new backup goalkeeper should Caoimhin Kelleher leave the club as has been speculated.

Promisingly, Alexis Mac Allister is a "top target" and negotiations with Brighton are "at an advanced stage" with Liverpool said to be "increasingly confident" they can reach an agreement for the World Cup champion.

Klopp is pushing the club hierarchy to get deals done as quickly as possible so they can join early enough to be involved in the entirety of pre-season.

How much would signing Alexis Mac Allister cost Liverpool?

Sky Sports report that Brighton want more than £70m for Mac Allister. It's a steep price to pay but Liverpool's midfield options are limited now and there are still a few ageing midfielders at the club despite Milner's impending departure.

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Jordan Henderson (32), Thiago (32) and Fabinho (29) are all in the twilight of their careers so Liverpool need to plan their rebuild carefully so as to avoid needing to cull their ranks again in a couple of years.

Liverpool only have themselves to blame after failing to keep their midfield options refreshed. Klopp will be hoping that the club can deliver the talent he needs to return his side to the top of the table.

Not having Champions League football means the Reds will have a smaller budget than they would prefer as well as not having the draw of European nights to offer players.

Celtic centre-forward Kyogo Furuhashi was honoured with the Scottish Premiership Player of the Season award this week as a reward for his sublime performances in the division this term.

The Japan international has plundered 25 goals in 34 outings in the top-flight and has found the back of the net 14 more times than any of his teammates have, which highlights how much they have relied on him at the top end of the pitch.

Greek striker Giorgos Giakoumakis had provided support to the 28-year-old prior to his move to the MLS in January. The former Eredivisie star scored six goals in 21 Premiership appearances in the first half of the current campaign after he managed 13 in 21 outings in 2021/22.

Ange Postecoglou brought in centre-forward Hyeon-gyu Oh in a £2.5m deal in January to replace Giakoumakis but the 22-year-old has struggled to find his feet since making the move.

He has scored three goals in 14 matches in the Scottish top-flight and the Australian head coach could brutally ditch the attacker and make him the third-choice option up front by swooping to sign Anastasios Douvikas.

Who is Anastasios Douvikas?

The 23-year-old striker is a prolific marksman who currently plays for FC Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie and is a reported transfer target for Celtic this summer, according to reports in the Netherlands (via The Sun).

He is valued at around €12m (£10m) and his form in the 2022/23 campaign explains why his club hold him in such a high regard, and why the Hoops are eyeing a swoop for him.

Douvikas has scored 18 goals and provided four assists in 31 Eredivisie appearances this term. He has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.03 and created seven 'big chances' for his teammates in that time.

This means that the Greek machine has been directly involved in a goal for Utrecht once every 1.40 matches in the league, which shows that the ace is providing quality in front of goal on a regular basis.

Oh, meanwhile, has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.66 in his 14 Premiership outings.

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The South Korean dud has created one 'big chances' and registered zero assists to go along with his three goals, which works out as a direct goal contribution every 4.66 games – far less frequently than the reported Hoops target.

Writer Martin del Palacio Langer hailed Douvikas' exploits in the Eredivisie this season as "extraordinary" and the aforementioned statistics back that up.

His form has been significantly better than the new Celtic recruit's in Scotland and this suggests that Postecoglou could brutally ditch the ex-Bluewings striker from being back-up to Kyogo by signing the Greek international, who has the potential to offer more goals and creativity, this summer.