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Rangers have been dealt a major blow this week as Gio van Bronckhorst has confirmed that Ianis Hagi will miss the rest of the season at Ibrox through injury.

The Romania international went off with a knock against Stirling Albion and the Dutch head coach has now revealed that he will not play again this season.

He said: “Ianis needed an operation.

“He went for this yesterday and we will sadly be missing Ianis for the season. I spoke to Ianis yesterday and he is positive and focused on his recovery.”

Forget Hagi

As sad as this news is for the Gers, it is now time to forget about Hagi for now and focus on solving the nightmare his injury has caused.

He has been a consistent performer for the club this season, with an average SofaScore rating of 7.10 across 15 starts in the Premiership, and has left a huge hole in the XI, with van Bronckhorst now needing to find a way to fill it.

One player who has been linked with a switch to Ibrox is Galatasaray midfielder Olimpiu Morutan and he could be an ideal replacement for Hagi. The club must look to snap him up before the transfer window slams shut next week as he could fill the gap left in the starting XI.

He has three goals and three assists in 12 league starts for Galatasaray, which means that he is averaging a goal contribution every other match so far this term. Morutan has also won 51% of his individual duels, showing that he can hold his own in physical battles, albeit not by dominating them, and would not be a lightweight for the Gers.

The attacker’s agent, Florin Vulturar, lauded his client back in 2021, saying: “He is an innate talent, probably the most technical Romanian player since Gheorghe Hagi.

“He is a pure number 10, capable of creating opportunities for his teammates, but who can also do well in the defensive phase of every match if necessary.

“He is fast, has a great vision and is good at passing. He easily surpasses his opponents in one-on-one situations.

“Paulo Dybala and Lionel Messi are the models to follow in his role, we can probably assimilate his style of play with the play of these players.”

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These comments highlight how similar he is to the injured Gers star in terms of his position and his style of play, with both players wanting to get on the ball and create chances with their vision and creativity in the number 10 role, or out wide. This is why the £4.5m-rated gem could be an ideal replacement for his compatriot this month.

Ross Wilson and van Bronckhorst must now look to strike a deal with Galatasaray to bring him in to solve the nightmare they are currently in following Hagi’s knee injury. He has shown that he can score and create goals and has potential to improve further at the age of 22, which suggests that he could be a fine addition to the squad.

AND in other news, “Not expecting”: Transfer insider drops big Rangers claim, fans surely frustrated…

A frustrating Newcastle United transfer claim has been made regarding their efforts to bring in new recruits… 

What’s the talk?

Telegraph reporter Luke Edwards has provided fresh updates on the club’s pursuits of Mohammed Salisu and Mitchel Bakker as the Magpies look to strengthen their squad before the deadline next week.

Edwards tweeted: “#nufc have looked at Salisu at Southampton but was told last week that “it’s not going to be possible…”

He then followed that up with: “Also told the Bakker deal is not happening too #nufc.”

This comes after Newcastle reportedly agreed a deal with Bayer Leverkusen to sign the Dutch international left-back, with it now appearing as though the move has collapsed.

Howe will be livid

Eddie Howe will surely be left livid by these two claims, as it appears as though he is set to miss out on two targets this week.

 

It will be particularly frustrating for the Newcastle manager as his backline is in dire need of reinforcements before the window slams shut next Monday. Only Norwich have conceded more goals than the Magpies in the Premier League, and they have played a game more in the division.

Howe’s side have kept just two clean sheets so far this season, both coming in 1-0 wins, and have let in two goals per game on average.

This emphasises how below-par the defence has been and why it is imperative that the club bring in additional signings to bolster that area of the pitch, joining mid-season recruit Kieran Trippier in the back four.

Salisu has enjoyed a fine campaign with Southampton in the top flight, averaging a SofaScore rating of 7.01. He has made an incredible five tackles and interceptions per game, along with 4.4 clearances, and has won 61% of his duels, as per SofaScore.

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Meanwhile, Bakker has made 2.3 tackles and interceptions per match and won 55% of his duels whilst playing at left-back for Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, as per SofaScore. This shows that both players have the potential to be strong defenders on their day and could have improved Newcastle’s team.

Howe will be livid with the prospect of missing out on both of them, particularly with less than a week left to go in the transfer window. Time is running out for the Magpies, and failing to complete key deals could cost them if they are unable to improve their starting XI.

AND in other news, Craig Hope drops exciting NUFC transfer claim, PIF could now sign the new Ronaldo…

Aston Villa are close to signing goalkeeper Robin Olsen on loan until the end of the season.

That’s according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, which, as to be expected, has had plenty of Villa fans talking.

Johan Lange has made no secret of his hunt for a new back-up goalkeeper this month, as the club have been linked with West Ham’s Darren Randolph and PSG’s Sergio Rico as well as Olsen.

He has finally made a breakthrough, and it appears Olsen will now be the man to come in alongside Emiliano Martinez and Jed Steer, with a medical booked for Tuesday.

Olsen, who has won seven trophies during his career, is currently on loan at Sheffield United where he has made 11 Championship appearances. The Blades have agreed to cut that short, though, with Villa now agreeing on a temporary deal with parent club AS Roma.

Villa fans react

@villareport relayed Romano’s claim on Villa’s next January swoop. This is what these fans had to say in reply, with a mixture of responses available to view below.

“We’re massive!”

Credit: @MattSmith1874

“Robin Olsen wooaahhhh. Olsen woaaaah”

Credit: @AVFCFaithful_

“We needed a good experienced keeper as cover for Emi he’ll do nicely, now just Bissouma and Pau Torres and we’re sorted”

Credit: @STAUNT0N

“Pointless.”

Credit: @StevieGsVilla

“We need a centre half”

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Credit: @N1X0

“No analysis needed. Someone to take the furthest right seat on the bench.”

Credit: @jmhart1

In other news: Shares agent with Gerrard – Villa now after midfield ace ‘like’ Gascoigne.  

A number of Liverpool supporters are delighted after journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed Divock Origi would not be leaving in the January transfer window.

The 26-year-old had put together a memorable Reds career – one that will likely see him considered a legend for many years to come.

While Origi has rarely been a regular starter for Liverpool since arriving in 2014, he has scored some iconic goals against the likes of Barcelona, Tottenham, Everton, Newcastle United and most recently Wolves.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375258″]

The Belgian’s current deal potentially expires in the summer of 2023 and he has even been linked with a January exit, despite Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane being away from Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Taking to Twitter on Saturday, however, Romano claimed Origi was going nowhere until at least the summer, saying Liverpool have no intention of selling him this month.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-16/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Liverpool fans love Origi update

These Reds fans provided their positive thoughts on the matter on Twitter, no doubt delighted to keep hold of the cult hero given their lack of options up front in January.

“Not surprised, Salah and Mane already left for Afcon. And Minamino still injured…”

Credit: @biGDhee08

“HE STAYS!!!!”

Credit: @SIGHYONARA

“The hero stays!!!”

Credit: @lfc_reviews

“THANK GOD. WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT LORD ORIGI”

Credit: @Muniamma007

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“Good”

Credit: @lomein4real

“At least we got to keep Origi”

Credit: @Littleisprince

In other news, some Liverpool fans also love a David Ornstein transfer claim. Read more here.

West Ham are interested in signing Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, but a move would not come until late in the window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Nketiah out of favour at Arsenal

The 22-year-old has been hailed as ‘extraordinary’ by Gunners manager Mikel Arteta but he hasn’t been considered a key man in the Premier League at the Emirates this season.

Nketiah has only appeared in 38 minutes of action in the Premier League in 2021/22 to date, with his three starts all coming in the Carabao Cup.

However, he has been phenomenal in those cup showings, scoring five times in just 263 minutes on the pitch – a goal every 52.6 minutes. He has also boasted an incredible 4.7 shots per game in the cup, one of which was a sublime back-heel finish to complete a hat-trick vs Sunderland.

The young striker has been linked with a move to West Ham in the past and it appears as though a switch could still happen.

The Latest: Journalist confirms West Ham’s interest

Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke claimed that the Hammers see Nketiah as a target, although there are other players higher on the list too:

“I’m sure he’s on the list at West Ham but I don’t think he’s a top target.

“He could be a cheap option late in the window if they don’t sign their other top targets. Arsenal will probably be looking to sell with his contract up in the summer.”

The Verdict: Long-term investment?

There is a risk element to signing Nketiah, considering he is yet to show that he can perform at a consistent level in the Premier League, scoring just five times in 41 appearances in the competition.

That being said, he is still only 22 and could arrive on a free transfer after his contract expires this summer or for a nominal fee this month, acting as a backup to Michail Antonio and hopefully maturing in the coming years into his replacement.

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In truth, not signing Nketiah certainly wouldn’t be a blow for West Ham but there is sense behind taking a punt on him. His pace has been described as ‘blistering’ by Tony Cascarino, and he is England Under-21s’ all-time record goalscorer, so the ability is certainly there if he can find the consistency.

In other news, a reporter has shared some West Ham transfer news. Read more here.

Reliable Aston Villa reporter Ashley Preece shared a story regarding a possible exit for striker Wesley Moraes in January.

And, as to be expected, a number of Villa supporters have been giving their thoughts to the update on social media.

The 25-year-old made the move to the Midlands back in 2019 from Club Brugge in a deal worth £22.5m. However, the Brazilian struggled in England and was just beginning to show what he was capable of before he picked up a serious knee injury against Burnley back in 2020 – he has played just 120 minutes of senior football since.

Wesley was then sent on loan to Brugge over the summer but is yet to score and has started just one game, and it seems as if a return to his native country could be on the cards.

Birmingham Live cited reports from Brazil in a story on Monday evening, where Wesley’s agent claimed that Internacional and Sao Paulo were keen on a January move. He’s reportedly cut short his loan spell with Brugge, with Sao Paulo making a direct proposal to Villa.

Villa fans react

Preece shared the news on Twitter on Tuesday morning. This is what these Villa fans had to say, with a number still not over Ben Mee’s challenge and one describing the severity of the impact the injury had on Wesley’s career as ‘crazy’.

“Blokes was awful before his horror injury, and as a result of that he’s even worse now”

Credit: @CarlReevesAVFC

“This is what happens when you have teams who play the way Burnley do. It continues to be an absolute disgrace that he wasn’t punished for that “tackle”.”

Credit: @BillBones84

“Such a shame what happened to Wesley. Crazy how an injury can completely derail everything. Mind you surely worth keeping around as a 3rd choice striker for the season?”

Credit: @Benjmeister85

“Best thing for all concerned I think. Ben Mee ruined this guys career and didn’t even get a yellow card”

Credit: @coleman83avfc

“I’m surprised anybody is prepared to take that gamble. Since he came back from that injury he looks like he can barely run”

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Credit: @DavidSmithAVFC

“It was an awful injury – and one that was recklessly inflicted – it will take a long time to recover from it – if he ever recovers. My loathing of Burnley and their thuggish ways is incapable of increasing.”

Credit: @Son_Lyme

In other news: Gerrard desperate to bring 19 y/o sensation to Villa; his last goal was watched 350k times. 

Wolves remain interested in signing towering Lille centre-back Sven Botman in the January transfer window, according to a fresh report.

The Lowdown: Botman a past Wolves target

Wanderers have been linked with the Dutchman in the recent past as Bruno Lage eyes up January and summer reinforcements. The 21-year-old may still be a very young player but he is already a hugely important figure for Lille, making 12 starts in Ligue 1 so far this season.

It looks as though Botman could still be on the move next month, though, with an encouraging update provided from a Wolves perspective.

The Latest: Interest in defender remains

According to Tuttomercatoweb, Wanderers and Roma are both interested in acquiring Botman’s signature and they continue to track the 21-year-old, with AC Milan and Newcastle also now joining the race for his services.

However, the Lille defender’s current deal with the reigning French champions doesn’t expire until the summer of 2025, so a hefty free may be required to prise him away.

The Verdict: Fantastic potential signing

While centre-backs Max Kilman, Conor Coady and Romain Saiss have all impressed for Wolves this season, the opportunity to sign Botman should not be dismissed. The monstrous defender has averaged 2.3 successful headers and 4.6 clearances per game in the league in 2021/22, with only Saiss (2.6) averaging more aerial duels won among those in Lage’s squad.

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The Moroccan is also the only Wanderers player to outdo Botman in terms of clearances (5.2), highlighting how good a signing the Dutchman could be in making competition for places even stronger at Molineux.

In other news, some Wolves fans have fumed over a transfer update. Read more here.

West Bromwich Albion correspondent Steve Madeley has named Daryl Dike as a potential January transfer target for The Baggies. 

The lowdown

West Brom, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, are pushing for promotion at the first opportunity and currently find themselves in the playoff spots.

They did bring in reinforcements during the summer window, but they were all either free transfers or loan signings.

Meanwhile, they banked £18.97million from sales, with £16.2million Matheus Pereira the headline departure. It was the second most lucrative exit in West Brom history, behind Salomon Rondon in 2019.

Dike is a player with whom Ismael is certainly familiar, having been part of the Barnsley squad that reached last season’s playoff semifinals before returning to parent club Orlando in the United States.

The latest

The Athletic’s Madeley ponders whether there is ‘any scope’ to furnish Valerien Ismael with a player he likes in January.

Dike stands out as an ‘obvious target’, particularly with the MLS season now finished.

But the problem is that the deal would involve ‘a hefty loan fee at the very least’.

The verdict

West Brom could perhaps use some more firepower in January. Their tally of 30 goals in 23 matches is the lowest in the division’s top five and, after Karlan Grant, their second top scorer is four-goal Irishman Callum Robinson.

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Could Dike provide the answer? Yes, based on his Barnsley tally of nine goals in 19 games, averaging one every 143 minutes.

The £9million-rated 21-year-old has been billed as a ‘powerful lad who knows where the back of the net is’ by PL 100 club member Emile Heskey, while Ismael has hailed his goalscoring exploits as ‘unbelievable’.

In other news, fans slammed this man’s performance at Oakwell.

Celtic have been dealt a major injury blow regarding Jota.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by the Daily Record, Ange Postecoglou confirmed that the 22-year-old Benfica loanee looks set to be sidelined for a number of weeks, after the winger pulled up with a hamstring problem in the 1-0 win over Hearts on Thursday night.

Speaking about the Portugal U21 international’s injury, the 56-year-old Bhoys boss said: ” Jota will miss a few weeks, but that’s why we carry a squad.”

Fans will be devastated

Considering just how impressive Jota has been for Celtic since making a move to Parkhead this summer, the news that the electric forward will miss at least a few weeks of action is sure to have left fans devastated.

Indeed, over his 11 Premiership appearances so far this season, the £3.15m-rated man has scored five goals, registered four assists and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of three shots and making 1.5 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the 22-year-old average an incredible SofaScore match rating of 7.38, ranking him as the seventh-best performer in the top flight of Scottish football.

The £7.1k-per-week winger has also impressed in Europe, scoring two goals, providing two assists and creating four big chances over his five Europa League appearances, with these metrics seeing him average a SofaScore match rating of 7.40.

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As such, with the busiest month of the football season now upon us, the news that Jota will be ruled out until after Christmas is undoubtedly a major blow for Postecoglou and his side, as the absence of the forward will almost certainly reduce Celtic’s chances of keeping pace in the Premiership title race – something that will leave everyone associated with the club gutted.

In other news: Exciting Celtic January transfer update emerges, fans will be buzzing

Amid Aston Villa’s recent interest in signing Juventus star Adrien Rabiot, Morgan Sanson could well be looking over his shoulder at Villa Park…

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days had suggested that Steven Gerrard’s side had scouts watching him during Juventus’ 1-0 defeat to Atalanta last week ahead of a potential move in the January transfer window.

And, with claims earlier this year that Villa chiefs have felt they may have made a mistake over signing Sanson, the writing could well be on the wall for the Frenchman.

Bye-bye Sanson

Football Insider revealed that there is a belief behind-the-scenes at Villa Park that the club “haven’t done their homework” on the former Marseille man, and that as well as being difficult to manage, he does not seem to have the technical ability that they had hoped for.

In Rabiot, Johan Lange could find someone who has played at the very highest level, plying his trade for the likes of PSG and Juventus and competing in the Champions League year-in and year-out – it’s no surprise that former Bianconeri boss Andrea Pirlo has waxed lyrical about him.

He said: “He is a complete player, I have rarely seen someone so strong both physically and technically. He doesn’t even know the potential for improvement he can have, and we work on the mental side of things to make him understand that he is a champion. He is improving game after game.”

The rave reviews however don’t stop there, with legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who saw him up close for Juventus, hailing the ability that Rabiot possesses, claiming: “He is a fantastic mix, he has the physical strength of Pogba, who is like a wardrobe, has the personality of Vidal and potentially the dynamism of Marchisio.

“He is incredible, extremely strong. He needs to improve his timing when approaching the opponent’s penalty area but he can become a player with 10 goals per season. He’s also a good boy and a great team-mate.”

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The £34m-rated star could be exactly the kind of signing that eases the frustration surrounding Sanson, and see the Villa man finally head for the exit door at Villa Park.

Meanwhile, this Villa star had a “rough night” vs Man City…