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A development has emerged on Rangers defender Nathan Patterson, regarding interest in the Gers’ full-back’s future at Ibrox.

What’s the talk?

According to 90min, Manchester United are lining up a swoop for the full-back ahead of the January transfer window.

The report claims more than 12 teams across Europe are keen on the youngster, whilst United also hold a tentative interest in Gers captain James Tavernier. Everton are named as one of the other clubs looking at Patterson, whilst United have alternative options in Kieran Trippier and Max Aarons.

Concern

This development on Patterson will surely leave Rangers fans feeling concerned over the possibility of a large blow in January. His potential has clearly caught the attention of a host of teams and that opens the door to the prospect of him leaving Ibrox in one of the upcoming transfer windows.

If more than 12 clubs are interested in the teenager then that could make it difficult for Rangers to keep hold of him. His agent could be fielding enquiries from sides left, right and centre and hearing that teams in the Champions League, such as Manchester United, are looking at him could turn his head.

Having the chance to go and play in the Premier League and Champions League, competing for the top trophies, could convince him to quit Ibrox, if United – or another side in Europe’s premier competition – make a serious move for him. This is precisely why Rangers fans should be worried.

The club’s head of academy Craig Mulholland once heralded the full-back as a great example for young players, saying: “Nathan has been fantastic for us this year.

“If you go and look at Nathan in the last 16 of the Europa League, if you look at him in the Old Firm game, it’s a great example for all the young players in here of what we’re trying to achieve.”

The 19-year-old has lived up to this high praise on the pitch. Last season, he averaged a solid SofaScore rating of 6.85 in the Europa League, showing that he can compete at a high level despite his young age.

In his only Premiership appearance this term, he provided an assist and recorded a score of 7.6 against Hibernian last weekend.

Patterson has shown that he has the potential to be a big player for Steven Gerrard moving forward and thus, supporters will be gutted to see him go.

He has already proven that he can play to a high standard in the Europa League and the Premiership and at the age of 19, he is James Tavernier’s ideal heir at right-back. With that in mind, it would be a hefty blow to lose him. After all, when Tavernier was missing last season, Patterson came in and performed admirably.

Should the former be missing again and the latter departs, the club would not be in good stead.

AND in other news, Wilson masterclass: Rangers dynamo sees value soar by 85.7% in one year, he’s exciting…

When one player comes back, it feels as though another one gets injured at Celtic.

The Hoops are set to be boosted this week by the return of Anthony Ralston who missed their clash with Ross County at the weekend.

It will be a timely boost for the Bhoys as they gear up for the first Europa League group stage encounter of the campaign.

They take on Real Betis in Sevilla but they do now have a major problem.

On the chalkboard

Defensive issues are mounting for Celtic with Greg Taylor set to miss the match in Spain with a shoulder problem.

The left-back missed the Old Firm derby a few weeks ago with an injury and had to withdraw from the Scotland squad during the international break.

In that defeat to Rangers, Ange Postecoglou decided to hand a debut to Josip Juranovic but he began his Celtic career out of position at left-back.

This would be a risky decision in midweek and instead, they should consider unleashing someone who is more competent on the left-hand side of defence.

The manager left Boli Bolingoli out of Celtic’s Europa League squad so the only other players he could turn to is new signing Liam Scales or the rarely-seen Adam Montgomery.

The latter made his breakthrough towards the back end of last season when John Kennedy was in temporary charge of the team but he’s made a real impact under the new boss.

Montgomery has featured on five occasions this term but is yet to start in 2021/22 for Celtic.

However, that simply has to change on Thursday evening with Taylor out injured. First and foremost, the 19-year-old hasn’t put a foot wrong this term.

Secondly, he possesses the attacking attributes that Celtic’s number one option in that position has in his locker.

The teenager has previously described himself as “tricky” and has already been compared to a certain Kieran Tierney.

If Montgomery can live up to the Scotland international’s high standards then he will be an instant success at Parkhead.

Importantly, the manager also trusts him significantly. The defender came on against AZ Alkmaar last month when Taylor was first injured and performed admirably. Postecoglou remarked: “I thought Monty was outstanding coming on, a young player, knowing that we’re going to have defend a fair bit of the game.

“I thought he did an outstanding job.”

Based on that review, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Australian unleashed again when they travel to Spain later in the week.

AND in other news, Newspaper journalist makes big Dom McKay claim, Celtic fans must be fuming…

Alexandre Lacazette could join Crystal Palace on a free transfer come the summer, 90Min claim. 

The lowdown

Lacazette’s contract is due to expire at the end of this season, and as it stands, neither the club nor the player are said to be particularly keen on an extension.

If the Frenchman’s situation remains the same in January, he’ll be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club.

Lacazette has made 173 appearances for Arsenal since he joined in 2017, scoring 67 goals and providing 29 assists (via Transfermarkt).

Manager Mikel Arteta hailed him as a manager’s ‘dream’ last December after he came off the bench to score the winning goal away to Brighton and Hove Albion.

The latest

Lacazette is apparently ‘open to the idea’ of staying in London, with Selhurst Park a possible destination. West Ham United have also emerged as admirers.

The duo from the capital face significant competition from abroad, though. Ligue 1 outfit Lyon would like bring Lacazette back, while clubs in La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A are also said to be in the frame.

The verdict

Lacazette would in theory represent a real coup for Palace given his CV, but there are reasons to doubt the wisdom of the deal.

First of all, his wages. He takes home in excess of £180,000 per week at present, and you’d imagine that would be a far greater burden for the Eagles.

And then there’s the fact that Palace have only just signed a striker in the form of Odsonne Edouard. If he lives up to his potential, he could be the answer to the club’s no. 9 problem.

He’s only 23 years old, so more additions at the top end of the pitch may simply be unnecessary in the short-term.

In other news, Palace fans react as this blow emerges.

Steve Bruce still wants to tick two more boxes in the summer transfer window after signing Joe Willock, according to The Athletic’s Chris Waugh. 

The lowdown

Just two days before their first game of the season against West Ham United, Newcastle completed their first signing of the summer.

Willock arrived from Arsenal for a fee in excess of £20million and signed a six-year contract with the Magpies (via BBC Sport).

The 21-year-old scored eight goals over the course of his loan spell in the second half of last season, establishing himself as the club’s ‘number one target’.

The latest

Newcastle may just be getting started, with a left-sided centre-back and a defensive midfielder still on the agenda.

FC Midtjylland’s Jens Cajuste would fit the no. 6 bill, and he’s said to be ‘highly rated by Newcastle’s scouting team’.

But the Magpies could also target someone who can cover both positions, and Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara may well be that man.

Recruitment sources have maintained, though, that Newcastle are only in a position to agree one permanent deal and two loans this summer.

The verdict

On paper, Kamara looks to be the answer to Newcastle’s problems. He addresses both areas Bruce wants to strengthen and is still only 21 years old, meaning his performance levels and his value should both climb.

However, it’s hard to see Marseille sanctioning a loan move when the player is into the final 12 months of his contract. If he is to leave, they’ll surely want to ensure they bank a decent fee.

Perhaps Newcastle could use sales as a means of a generating the funds for an additional permanent transfer.

In other news, Newcastle have made an offer for this Serie A star.

Dean Windass has hailed Darren Moore’s League One experience and credits Sheffield Wednesday’s strong to the season with his knowledge of how to compete at this level.

Darren Moore was appointed as Sheffield Wednesday manager in March this year and after the Owls suffered relegation from the Championship, Moore has re-built his side, getting off to a brilliant start this campaign, sitting top of the league after going unbeaten in their opening four fixtures.

The Owls drew 0-0 on the opening day of the season against Charlton before three successive wins against Doncaster Rovers, Fleetwood Town and Rotherham United respectively.

And Windass was full of praise for Darren Moore and his knowledge of League One, exclusively telling Football FanCast: “The first thing you’ve got to look at is that Darren knows the division, he did very well at Doncaster.

“He knows the division very well; he knows players who can play in that division.”

With his new side gelling quickly, having signed no fewer than 13 players this summer, Darren Moore has done a terrific job at Hillsborough so far, and there will be an element of confidence amongst the fanbase that he can guide Wednesday back to the Championship at the first time of asking.

Sunderland are interested in a deal to bring Jamie Robson to the Stadium of Light this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Daily Record, who claimed that both Lincoln City and the Black Cats are keeping a very close eye on the situation of the Dundee United left-back in the summer transfer window.

The report added that the Imps have even gone as far as to submit a bid for the 23-year-old, with their six-digit offer believed to have been rejected by the Scottish Premiership outfit.

Meanwhile, it is said that although Lee Johnson’s side are interested in a move for the defender, they have yet to firm up this interest with a concrete offer.

Louis-Dreyfus must move

With the contract situation of Denver Hume having dragged on for over a month now, and there having been no updates regarding the 22-year-old putting pen to paper on a new deal at the Stadium of Light despite the new League One season kicking off this weekend, it would appear to be time for Kyril Louis-Dreyfus to make a move in the market for another option in that position.

Considering the potential Robson seems to possess, he would very much appear to make a fine addition to Johnson’s side ahead of what is sure to be another arduous campaign in the third tier of English football.

Indeed, over his 36 Scottish Premiership appearances for Dundee last season, the £360k-rated man helped his team to keep 12 clean sheets, averaging 1.3 interceptions, two tackles and 2.3 clearances and winning 5.5 duels per game.

For comparison, over Hume’s 24 League One appearances last season, the Sunderland left-back made an average of 0.6 interceptions, 1.3 tackles, 0.7 clearances and won 4.1 duels per game.

While it would undoubtedly be a blow for the club to lose the services of Hume this summer, if Louis-Dreyfus manages to bring in the man who Micky Mellon dubbed a “brilliant” player in as the 22-year-old’s replacement – or better yet, as competition for the academy product – it would certainly soften the blow for Johnson and his side. We believe the Sunderland owner should do all he can to land Robson this summer.

In other news: Speakman drops update on “huge” £4.3k-p/w “nightmare” that will have SAFC fans buzzing

Liverpool have reportedly been keeping track of Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his attacking options.

What’s the story?

According to Goal’s Liverpool reporter Neil Jones, the Reds’ recruitment team have been watching the 23-year-old’s progress over the last couple of campaigns ahead of a possible move for the speedster.

The Anfield outfit are believed to be in the market for a new forward this summer following underwhelming campaigns for Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino last time out.

Liverpool fans will be delighted

Barnes enjoyed a stellar 2020/21 season, bagging 13 goals and providing a further four assists in 38 appearances for Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes.

He was tipped to make Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2020 given his outstanding displays for the Midlands outfit. However, a serious knee injury picked up in March ruled the forward out for the rest of the campaign.

The electric England international made a winning return to first-team action over the weekend, though, featuring from the off as Leicester claimed just their second Community Shield with a victory at Wembley Stadium.

And now Barnes could be rewarded for last season’s fine form with a move to the 19-time English champions.

With Mane and Firmino beginning to fall below their usual exceptional standards and the likes of Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri heavily linked with an Anfield exit, Barnes could provide the spark to Liverpool’s forward line that it so desperately needs.

He’s made incredible progress since joined West Bromwich Albion on loan back in 2018, where he contributed to 16 goals in 26 Championship outings for the Baggies, and his underlying numbers last term are evidence of that.

As per WhoScored, Barnes recorded 2.2 shots per league game in 2020/21, made one key pass and completed 1.6 dribbles, placing him in the top five compared to his teammates for all metrics.

Therefore, Liverpool fans will surely be delighted to learn the club’s recruitment team are closely monitoring his progress. Barnes is an exciting, young, English prospect with bags of potential and he should only get better under Klopp’s tutelage.

Whether the Reds follow up their reported interest with a formal offer remains to be seen, but his arrival on Merseyside would certainly be welcomed by the supporters. The fact that he’s on Liverpool’s radar should be music to the ears of Reds’ fans.

And, in other news…Report reveals exciting transfer update that’ll have Liverpool fans buzzing 

Former Leeds United player David Norris believes a switch to Elland Road for Wolves winger Adama Traore would be a “great move”, and wouldn’t be surprised if talks were already ongoing, as he told Football FanCast exclusively.

The 25-year-old pacy winger, was recently with the Spain national team at Euro 2020 but now returning to club football his attentions will turn to where he will be playing his football for the upcoming campaign.

90min reported earlier this week that Leeds were hoping to entice Traore to Yorkshire this summer, the second time they have shown interest in the Spanish international.

With this in mind, Norris told FFC exclusively: “I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s stuff going on now in the background, knowing that obviously he is going and with the links with Leeds previously with the coaching and with him. He’ll probably want a decent move as well and Leeds would be a great move for him.”

Leeds’ Director of Football Victor Orta has history with Traore, as he took him to Middlesborough from Aston Villa back in 2016.

After two years with Middlesbrough, Traore swapped the Riverside Stadium for Wolves in 2018, and with just two years left on his current contract, Wolves could decide to cash in on him this summer.

Leeds Live’s Joe Donnohue has dropped a new transfer update on Leeds United’s pursuit of Wolves star Adama Traore.

What’s the story?

It was first suggested back in the closing months of 2020 that Marcelo Bielsa’s side were keen on luring the winger away from Molineux, but a deal failed to materialise by the end of the January transfer window deadline.

In recent weeks, 90min revealed that the Whites are considering making another attempt to sign the 25-year-old this time around, with Wolves now ready to listen to offers for the pacey winger.

But now, speaking on Leeds Live’s Facebook Page (via This is Futbol), Donnohue said: “What I will say is that it’s probably not a move which is very prudent in the eyes of Victor Orta or Marcelo Bielsa. He’s high energy, but in bursts – not over a 90-minute stint.

“I think we saw that at Wolves, Nuno (Espirito Santo) didn’t play him all the time, especially over the last year. I think that’s one that we can shelve; I think we can file that one in the extremely, extremely unlikely category.”

Fans will be gutted

With Donnohue now pouring cold water over a potential move for the Wolves flier, fans may be gutted at seeing their club’s plans to land Traore for the second successive transfer window fail to come to fruition.

Indeed, former Leeds man David Norris threw his backing behind a potential move for the Spaniard, telling FFC: “He (Bielsa) likes them attacking, exciting players that can create.

“They still must work hard, but the way he’s been in the last couple of seasons, and how much of a danger he is and how much he an create, I think that would be a great signing. Leeds are looking for top players and I think he’s a top player.”

A new dynamic winger to compete with the likes of Raphinha and Jack Harrison, and someone who’s proven in the Premier League given the time he’s spent here in English football, would have given Leeds another really exciting attacking option.

With his incredible pace and directness – he averaged the most dribbles per game out of anyone in the top-flight last season – Traore could have brought a game-changing dimension to the Whites, while he’s exactly the kind of player who gets people off their seats, much like a Raphinha.

Leeds fans may be very disappointed at seeing Traore stay put at Wolves.

Meanwhile, Radrizzani is now willing to sanction this Leeds swoop…

Leeds United have suffered a potential blow with the news that Crystal Palace are set to sign rumoured Whites target Michael Olise from Reading.

The Lowdown: Olise impresses for Reading

Olise caught the eye for the Royals last season, starting 37 of their 46 league games and appearing in 44 of them overall.

Not only that, but the 19-year-old registered 12 assists in the league, with only Norwich City’s Emiliano Buendia (16) recording a better tally.

Leeds have been linked with a summer move for Olise, but it looks as though they are set to miss out on the signing of the midfielder.

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The Latest: Palace set to sign youngster

According to a recruitment source at Football Insider, the Frenchman will join Palace instead, after the Eagles triggered his £8million release clause.

Olise is expected to become Patrick Vieira’s first signing since taking charge at Selhurst Park, with Leeds having to look other targets.

The report details that Marcelo Bielsa’s side were ‘closely trailing’ Olise and were even the favourites to sign him at one point.

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The Verdict: Was he a primary target?

While Olise is undoubtedly a talented young player, it does appear as though Leeds’ interest had cooled in recent times, so it shouldn’t be too much of a setback so long as they have other targets in mind.

It would have been no bad thing to snap up the midfielder given his impressive creative spark and potential, but Bielsa may believe a more established name is needed in the middle of the park as the Whites look to really push on and challenge higher up the table next season.

Leeds may have European aspirations next season and Olise is unlikely to have been a key starter for the Whites, given the heights they have reached recently, so perhaps a more experienced alternative will now be on the agenda.

In other news, Leeds could also miss out on the signing of another player. Find out who it is here.