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Glasgow Rangers are reportedly close to another new signing, with Michael Beale set to bring Chelsea defender Dujon Sterling to Ibrox.

What’s the latest Rangers transfer news involving Sterling?

Sterling is set to become a free agent this summer when his Stamford Bridge contract expires. He has previously been out on loan with Coventry City, Blackpool and Wigan Athletic during his career, with his latest temporary spell coming with Stoke City.

There were recent reports that Beale was looking to hijack Stoke’s permanent move for the 23-year-old and knows the player from his time as a youth coach at Chelsea, and a major update has now emerged, with the manager on course to get his wish.

According to The Evening Standard, Chelsea have given the green light for Sterling to move to Rangers on a long-term contract. The report states that he is expected to sign a deal in the coming weeks, subject to completing a medical and final contractual details being rubber-stamped.

The Athletic’s Adam Leventhal has since added that a deal has been agreed in principle between player and club.

Summer shake-up well underway…

Beale doesn’t appear to be messing around when it comes to putting plans in place for his first season in charge. As well as Sterling, the Gers are also closing in on signing Kieran Dowell and Jack Butland, both of which are also likely to sign for nothing.

It appears as if Beale is targeting a number of English-based players, with Karlan Grant, Auston Trusty and Leighton Clarkson also linked with moves north.

When it comes to Sterling, though, Beale will be getting a new right-back who can also turn out as a left-back if required. He previously impressed former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel back in 2021 but has made just one senior appearance for the Blues.

You’d expect he’ll be looking to break into Beale’s plans down the line, but doing so straightaway could prove tricky with club captain James Tavernier once again playing a key role this season and closing in on 400 Rangers appearances, with his Ibrox deal running until 2026.

However, with plenty of football to be played next season, there could be room for Sterling to feature on a regular basis, whether it be from the start to cover for Tavernier or appearances from the bench, so for free, it could prove to be a smart piece of business.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp appears to have distinguished Lazio phenom Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as he prepares for a summer of change on the transfer market.

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

According to transfer insider Rudy Galetti, Milinkovic-Savic is among the contenders for a summer switch to Anfield, with Klopp establishing the 28-year-old as a player who 'fits the club's needs'.

The Serbian powerhouse has long been the centrepiece of Lazio's system, however with just one year left on his contract could be available for transfer as his outfit looks to cash in while they can; a fee of €40m (£35m) has been touted.

Liverpool must act swiftly if they are indeed to ensnare their target, Premier League rivals Arsenal and Newcastle United both hold a vested interest in the midfielder, and it is likely intrigue will solidify over the coming months.

Who could Milinkovic-Savic replace at Liverpool?

Optimism has been renewed on Merseyside. Curtis Jones has finally found his feet and has played a central role behind his resurgent club's seven-match winning streak to keep Champions League hopes alive at this late stage, scoring three in his last four.

Stefan Bajcetic and Harvey Elliott have also played important parts this term and there is a pleasing core of youthful exuberance forming around Liverpool's nucleus.

James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all departing Anfield this summer, their respective contracts shortly concluded, and while none of these players occupy a starting berth in the squad with regularity, replacing them with first-rate signings is the way to propel the Reds back to the forefront of European football.

Milinkovic-Savic would embody the vision of Klopp and co, with his particular skill set rivalling any midfielder on the globe, hailed as a "different beast" by writer Sacha Pisani for his exploits in Rome.

Having made 338 outings for le Aquile, scoring 67 goals and supplying 59 assists, the 41-cap Serb has certainly cemented himself as one of the game's superlative central stars, having won the Coppa Italia and two Italian Super Cups across his career.

This season, he has plundered nine goals and eight assists as his outfit look to return to the Champions League, perched in fourth place in Serie A with three matches to go, four points ahead of current champions AC Milan.

As per FBref, the £101k-per-week machine ranks among the top 5% of positional peers over the past year for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 6% for rate of assists and the top 1% for aerials won, illustrating the potency he would instil at Anfield with his prospective arrival.

The "magic" midfielder – as hailed by his teammate Ciro Immobile – would certainly be an upgrade on the aforementioned Keita, who has flattered to deceive since his £48m move to the club from RB Leipzig in 2018.

While an immensely talented and dynamic ace, the Guinean ace has missed 22 matches due to injury this term to extend a miserable record in the medical room during his time at Liverpool that has seen him miss suffer from 18 separate fitness issues.

Thus, Milinkovic-Savic, undoubtedly, would enrich the ranks with his expansive tool kit and ferocious demeanour on the pitch.

Journalist Alasdair Gold has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are not considering a move to hire Brentford's Lee Dykes as their new sporting director.

Who will Tottenham appoint as their next sporting director?

With Fabio Paratici leaving the club around the same time as Antonio Conte, Daniel Levy has a big job on his hands this summer as he makes not one but two vital appointments at Spurs.

And it had seemed as though the north London were potentially going to raid their Premier League rivals to bring in Dykes from the Bees.

Indeed, earlier on in May, journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed that the "highly rated" executive was on Tottenham's list as a target.

However, while speaking about the latest on it all on YouTube channel, Gold suggested that Dykes was actually no longer being considered.

The journalist explained (0:56): "There was also, I know, a lot of talk about Lee Dykes at Brentford.

"From what I understand, he's not a candidate being considered.”

Who has Dykes signed for Brentford?

Dykes has done a great job working with Brentford, helping them establish themselves as tricky Premier League opposition – as Spurs found out this weekend in the 3-0 loss.

Indeed, as the club's head of scouting since 2019 – before becoming technical director last summer – he was presumably an important figure in landing Ivan Toney from Peterborough for just an initial £5m.

He was also around when the club paid the same price to sign David Raya from Blackburn Rovers, which will be of note to Spurs fans as they have been strongly linked with a move for the goalkeeper this summer.

With that being the case, it may well come as a bit of a blow to learn that Dykes isn't on the club's radar and Spurs won't be hiring the 39-year-old.

And so it remains unclear who the primary target is for this role, just as it's still not known who the Premier League club want to appoint as manager either.

On that front, a fresh update from The Times claims that Julian Nagelsmann is back on the radar again but this goes against conflicting reports which suggest the opposite.

All in all, it would take a brave individual to place any bets on a name for either vacant position but you can at least be pretty sure that it won't be Dykes to come in as sporting director.

Tottenham Hotspur are now pushing hard to sign Leicester City's Harvey Barnes, with the winger set to leave this summer, according to a report from The Sun.

Who will Tottenham sign this summer?

Tottenham are keen to bolster their attacking options in the upcoming window, and it has recently been reported they are ready to snap up James Maddison, with the Leicester midfielder set to be sold following the Foxes' relegation from the Premier League.

Despite not yet having a new manager in place, Spurs are still active in the transfer market, and they are set to complete a permanent deal for loanee Dejan Kulusevksi, having been impressed with the Juventus winger's performances.

CBS reporter Ben Jacobs claimed that Barnes was "on the list" of targets for the Lilywhites way back in February, having looked at him for a long time, and The Sun have now provided an update on their pursuit of the Leicester star.

According to the report, Tottenham and Newcastle United are the clubs pushing hardest to sign the 25-year-old, as well as Maddison, with both players set to leave Leicester after the relegation to the Championship.

Both players could command fees of around £40m in the upcoming window, but Leicester are hoping that a bidding war will break out, which will drive their prices up even further.

Having qualified for the Champions League, Newcastle are tipped to have an advantage in the race for Barnes' signature, while Spurs have no European football on offer, and they are currently without a permanent manager or director football.

Should Tottenham sign Harvey Barnes?

After being hailed as "incredible" by Micah Richards back in 2021, the 25-year-old has since developed even further, performing very well for Leicester this season, despite the club's relegation.

On a personal level, it was a fantastic campaign for the Englishman, registering three assists and 13 goals, with the latter proving to be the highest figure of any player in the Leicester squad.

The Burnley-born winger has most commonly featured on the left throughout his career, but he is also capable of playing through the middle, an area that Tottenham will need to strengthen, given that Rodrigo Bentancur is out until at least November.

Barnes could be a solid signing for Spurs, but the lack of European football and a permanent manager is likely to make it very difficult to win the race for his signature.

Chelsea have entered the race to sign outgoing Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi this summer, according to journalist Pablo Gravellone.

Who will Lionel Messi sign for?

With Messi's departure from PSG now confirmed, the forward has been linked with a move to several top clubs, including Barcelona, with manager Xavi calling on the board to bring him back to the Nou Camp this summer.

However, reporter Guillem Balague claims that "no formal offer has been made" by Barca, despite the fact the Argentine would "seriously consider" a return to his former club, while he also adds that an offer from MLS side Inter Miami "arrived weeks ago".

Saudi Arabian newspaper Okaz report that a move to Al-Hilal is "imminent" (via Morocco World News), with the 35-year-old's father, Jorge Messi, already visiting his son's potential place of residence in Riyadh, in preparation for the move.

That said, with the move not yet confirmed, there is still a chance the Barcelona legend makes a sensational switch to the Premier League, with Pablo Gravellone reporting Chelsea have joined the race.

The Argentinian journalist claims that both the Blues and Newcastle United are interested in signing the World Cup-winner, however he does not detail whether either club stand a realistic chance of winning the race for his signature.

Could Messi join Chelsea?

Given that a move to Saudi Arabia appears to be advancing, it seems unlikely the £1.1m-per-week forward would make a switch to Stamford Bridge, however he proved that he is still very much capable of performing at the highest level last season.

The Rosario-born attacker registered 21 goals and 20 assists in 41 appearances at club level during the 2022-23 campaign, averaging a goal contribution per game, while he also played a vital role for Argentina en-route to their World Cup triumph.

In seven games, the Argentina captain amassed three assists and seven goals, striking twice in the final against France, displaying that he is still a top player, despite now being 35-years-old and way beyond his peak years.

Hailed as the "Mozart of football" by former Real Madrid manager Radomir Antic, the Argentine still has a lot left to offer before he hangs up his boots, and he is still capable of competing for the top honours in European football.

That said, considering Chelsea are not in the Champions League, it does not seem realistic for the Blues to be able to attract Messi this summer.

Glasgow Rangers will start a season without the services of Alfredo Morelos for the first time since 2016/2017 when the new campaign rolls around, and Michael Beale is tasked with finding a suitable replacement for the clinical striker.

It won’t be easy, that’s for sure, as the 26-year-old managed to score 124 goals during his six seasons at the Ibrox side while becoming their highest-ever scorer in European competition along the way, turning into somewhat of a cult hero figure among the support.

He only managed to score 12 times last season.

However while earning a reported £33k-per-week, perhaps agreeing to part ways is best for both parties, giving Beale some added flexibility in his wage budget to sign a replacement.

The Gers have recently been linked with Kenyan striker Michael Olunga, who will be available to sign for free with his contract with Al Duhail SC expected to end this summer, although the club could face competition with Galatasaray for his signature.

Could Michael Olunga replace Alfredo Morelos?

If goal-scoring ability is the only required prerequisite for success at Rangers, then Olunga fits the bill perfectly. He has scored 159 career club goals, adding another 21 in 48 appearances for the Kenyan national team, indicating that he is extremely clinical in front of goal.

His spell in Qatar has arguably been his most productive, scoring 81 goals in just 82 matches for Al Duhail, a quite remarkable record and the signs are positive for Beale if he wants to sign a reliable goalscorer.

The 6 foot 4 striker would be a solid option to come in to replace Morelos, especially as he wouldn’t cost a transfer fee, and it is reported that his weekly salary would work out at around £7.5k-per-week, much lower than what Morelos was earning and giving the 42-year-old flexibility to sign another attacking option.

Along with his stunning club form, Olunga has also scored for Kenya at the African Cup of Nations, netting twice against Tanzania back in 2019, demonstrating his ability to shine on the biggest national stage for his nation.

Indeed, following that match, where he also won five aerial duels, took five shots and created two chances, popular football platform Squawka lauded him as a “match-winner” and the 29-year-old could become a risk-free option for Beale ahead of next season.

Goals will be required in order to match Celtic in the race for the Premiership title and Olunga could arrive in Glasgow under the radar, offering Beale a solid goal threat in the process.

Leeds United are thought to be interested in signing Coventry City midfielder Gustavo Hamer this summer, according to a fresh update.

Who is Gustavo Hamer?

The 25-year-old is coming off the back of an excellent season, both individually and with his team, helping Coventry reach the Championship playoff final last month. While they eventually lost to Luton Town on penalties in the showcase event at Wembley, it was still a positive campaign overall.

In Hamer, they had arguably one of the standout players in the division, with the Dutchman scoring 11 goals and registering 10 assists in 44 league appearances, including the equaliser against Luton in the aforementioned final, and a match-winning strike in the semis away to Middlesbrough.

With Leeds looking to make positive inroads in the transfer market upon their return to the Championship – 49ers Enterprises' takeover could further aid their spending – it looks as though the Coventry man is on their radar.

Could Leeds make move for Hamer?

That's according to Football League World, who claim that the Whites are "plotting a very ambitious raid" for Hamer before the beginning of next season. The report also adds that they "want to make Hamer their marquee signing this summer in a bid to strengthen their midfield, and he could be the Marc Roca replacement."

That being said, there is believed to be some "doubt" at Elland Road over whether they could get the £5,200-a-week star, because there is "expected to be interest from elsewhere in Europe."

Hamers could be a fantastic signing by Leeds if they manage to pip others to his signature, acting as an immediate statement of intent in the summer window, suggesting that they mean business and want to be one of the favourites to earn automatic promotion.

His performances for Coventry last season were instrumental in them reaching the playoff final and his end product from midfield areas is something that the Whites lacked in 2022/23, with Jack Harrison the second-top scorer in the Premier League with just five goals.

Hamer has been described as "phenomenal" by Coventry manager Mark Robins, such has been the level of his impact, and with his current deal expiring next year, this will be the last chance for the Sky Blues to earn good money for him. That certainly acts as a boost for Leeds, but as the report mentions, whether they are able to compete with European clubs remains to be seen.

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be inching ever closer to wrapping up a deal for Brentford goalkeeper, David Raya, with the Spaniard having been earmarked as the top target to replace long-serving skipper Hugo Lloris at N17.

What's the latest on Raya to Tottenham?

According to Italian journalist, Rudy Galetti, the Lilywhites are said to be nearing an "agreement" with the Bees regarding the signing of the Spanish stopper, with the deal potentially set to cost in the region of just €25m (£21m) – despite a £40m fee having been mooted of late.

Writing on Twitter, the transfer insider revealed: "#Tottenham and #Brentford are closed to reach an agreement for David #Raya. As told few days ago, only #THFC have been involved in the talks for the [Spanish] GK.

"The cost of the operation is around €20-25m: developments expected soon."

This comes amid a report from The Telegraph which revealed that the north London outfit are leading the race for the 27-year-old's signature, albeit with Premier League rivals Manchester United also still in the running at present.

Would Raya be a good signing for Tottenham?

There is no doubt that a new first-choice option is needed in the sticks next term for Ange Postecoglou's side, with the aforementioned Lloris having endured a miserable, injury-hit 2022/23 campaign in which the Frenchman made four errors leading to goals in the league – the most of any player in the division.

With the 36-year-old having publicly stated his desire to move on after 11 years at the club, the addition of Raya – who made the most saves in the top-flight last term – could be a dream solution as far as Postecoglou is concerned.

The former Blackburn Rovers man is not only an effective shot-stopper – as he ranks in the top 8% among his European peers with regard to his save percentage – but he is also adept at playing out from the back, with that willingness to receive possession showcased by the fact that the 6 foot 1 ace ranks in the top 6% for touches made per 90.

Those all-round attributes could well make Raya a vital part of Tottenham's backline over the coming years, with there a potential for the Barcelona native to form an immense partnership with the club's current centre-back option, Cristiano Romero.

Although the latter man did endure a difficult campaign having been described as playing like a "reckless teenager" by journalist Sam Dean, the 25-year-old is still a dominant force at the heart of the defence, as he ranks in the top 6% for tackles and the top 20% for interceptions.

Evidently intent on thwarting the opposition wherever possible, Romero also mirrors the Brentford ace due to his ability to play out from the back, with the Argentine notably ranking in the top 17% for successful take-ons, as well as in the top 20% for progressive passes received – further showcasing that front-foot approach.

With new man Postecoglou set to implement a "fast, attacking style of play" – according to chairman Daniel Levy – to be able to rely on the likes of Romero and Raya to thrive in that progressive system will be crucial, with the pair both evidently comfortable in possession, while also thriving in their defensive duties first and foremost.

As such, the signing of the "top-class" asset from west London – as described by pundit Michael Owen (Premier League Productions, 06/03/2023, 19:35) – could be integral to what the ex-Celtic boss wishes to achieve in his new surroundings.

Nottingham Forest may have found the perfect Brennan Johnson replacement as the Tricky Trees eye Sydney van Hooijdonk, according to reports from Italy.

What's the latest Nottingham Forest transfer news? – Sydney van Hooijdonk identified

After escaping relegation last season, Forest are keen to strengthen their squad and build on the back of their first season back in the Premier League, with the club linked to a number of different players.

Former Premier League defender Roman Saiss is reportedly on the club's radar, with Steve Cooper determined to strengthen the team's back line.

Forest have also identified a Keylor Navas replacement after the goalkeeper returned to Paris Saint-Germain, with Citta Celeste reporting that the club have made an offer for Lazio's Luis Maximiano.

On the flip side, one man that may be leaving the Forest Ground is talisman Johnson.

According to reports, the 22-year-old has caught the attention of Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton, so the club have begun searching for a possible successor.

Well, it seems they've found the perfect replacement in Bologna's van Hooijdonk, according to Corriere Di Bologna.

How does Sydney van Hooijdonk compare to Brennan Johnson?

While the 23-year-old dynamo was primarily played as a centre-forward last season during his loan spell at Eredivisie side, SC Heerenveen, he is also more than capable of putting a shift in on the left wing and Forest have identified him as a possible successor to Johnson.

On paper, the two men aren't all that similar, but in van Hooijdonk, Forest would replace Johnson with a natural goalscorer.

The Dutch forward scored 19 goals in all competitions last season, double the tally that the Englishman put up himself, whilst in the past, talent scout Jacek Kulig has described the "prolific" frontman as a "target man" who has "athleticism," with the latter attribute comparing well to Cooper's current gem.

With an average WhoScored rating of 6.83, van Hooijdonk out-performed Johnson who averaged a score of 6.49, and the two men put up a similar number of key passes, with van Hooijdonk averaging 0.5 a game, while the Forest man averaged 0.7.

Having controlled the ball with his feet 426 times last season, the Dutchman showed a similar ability to Johnson, who controlled the ball 450 times with his feet last season.

With the Forest man set to fetch the club at least £30m in any potential move away, and van Hooijdonk valued at just £2.5m, the forward would be a bargain for the club and offer a worthy successor to the talented Englishman.

Interestingly, the 6 foot 3 Bologna man's father Pierre played for Forest in the late 1990s, and the deal ended sourly when the former player refused to play for the club towards the end of his time there, drawing criticism from fans and his teammates, so the 23-year-old could potentially offer the chance to rewrite the van Hooijdonk name in the eyes of the club and everyone surrounding it.

Manchester United’s summer transfer plans won’t be affected by the ongoing takeover saga, Sky Sports report.

What’s the latest Man United news?

The Glazers are still yet to make a concrete decision when it comes to a potential Old Trafford sale, with Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe still waiting to see if their bids have been successful.

The Red Devils and Erik ten Hag are also yet to bolster the squad with any new signings, and there has been previous speculation that there are concerns from Old Trafford that the takeover process could derail Ten Hag’s summer plans.

Sky Sports shared an update from Old Trafford regarding the takeover saga, claiming that the Glazers are still considering offers from Jassim and Ratcliffe. However, they have learned that the club’s transfer plans “won’t be affected” as there is “enough cash available” currently to bolster Ten Hag’s squad, within FFP rules, in what is a positive transfer update.

“The Glazer family are still considering bids from Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

“According to sources close to United, summer recruitment won’t be affected by the results, with enough cash available to enable United boss Erik ten Hag to invest in the team, although Financial Fair Play rules will limit what can be spent.”

Who could Man United sign this summer?

There could be plenty of incomings and outgoings, with up to 13 players reportedly up for sale at United this summer. Should a number of players move on, that could increase the funds available to Ten Hag.

A key target in recent weeks has been Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, with the Red Devils making a number of offers, with a £55m bid still on the table.

Alongside a new midfielder, a new goalkeeper could also be on the cards, with David de Gea’s future still up in the air with his contract set to expire at the end of the month. Inter Milan’s Andre Onana looks to be the key target to potentially come in as first choice for De Gea, with a bid being readied in Manchester.

Should a couple of high-profile additions come in over the next few weeks such as Mount and Onana, it may relieve some stress for Ten Hag with pre-season just around the corner, and by the looks of it, nothing is stopping that from happening, so supporters will be hoping to see some activity over the coming weeks.