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In a recent interview, former Rangers defender Michael Ball has tipped Steven Gerrard to allow Ibrox star Alfredo Morelos to leave this summer, which would be a huge blow ahead of next season.

Speaking to Football Transfer Tavern, the 41-year-old pundit said:

“It’s a difficult one, you don’t like seeing your good players or your key players leave a football club, no matter what level, but unfortunately when they start getting in the limelight and doing the business worldwide, clubs do want to come in for these players.

“It’s down to Rangers to accept the figure that they demand and if a club wants to come in and stump up that fee, I think Steven will be happy for him to move on and wish him well. But then give Steven the treasure chest to go and bring in the new players to keep the club moving forward for the next couple of years.”

Morelos has been a key fixture at Rangers since joining the club from HJK Helsinki in 2017, making 182 appearances and contributing an impressive 94 goals and 43 assists.

‘El Bufalo’ also wrote himself into Ibrox history when he broke Ally McCoist’s record of goals for the club in Europe with a goal against Benfica last November, and therefore he is exactly the type of player that Gerrard will be desperate to keep in his squad as they prepare for a return to the Champions League next term.

After he previously equalled the Gers’ European record with a goal against Lech Poznan, Gerrard was full of praise for the forward, saying: “It’s fantastic for him from a personal point of view. Alfredo’s a top-class player, a top-class goalscorer, and it’s fantastic that he’s still here.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-rangers-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Rangers transfer rumours and news!”]

The 24-year-old was also a key player for Rangers as they secured the league title this season, with his 11 goals and three assists in the Premiership helping him to average an impressive 7.20/10 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which was the sixth-best score of any player in Gerrard’s squad.

Although selling the £10.8m-rated forward would raise cash which Rangers could reinvest, as Ball suggests, it would be something of a nightmare to sell their top European goalscorer of all time ahead of the Gers’ return to Champions League football.

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776″]

Therefore, Gerrard must avoid selling the Colombia international this summer if he can, as the 24-year-old has proven himself to be a hugely important player at Ibrox in recent years.

In other news… Gerrard dealt major Rangers transfer blow over “fantastic” star

وضحت شبكة “ESPN” موقف المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد، كارلو أنشيلوتي، من تدريب مانشستر يونايتد في الموسم المقبل.

يعمل أنشيلوتي مع ريال مدريد منذ بداية الموسم الحالي وهي الفترة الثانية للإيطالي في قلعة “سانتياجو برنابيو”، ولكن بحسب التقرير فهو غير سعيد بوجوده هناك.

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وزعمت الشبكة أن أنشيلوتي يأمل منذ فترة طويلة تدريب مانشستر يونايتد، ويرى أنه سيحدث فرقًا كبيرًا في ظل الوضع الصعب الذي يعاني منه الفريق الإنجليزي.

رحيل أنشيلوتي ليس ببعيد ولكن القرار النهائي في يد الإيطالي إذا سيستمر مع الملكي أم سيرحل بعد موسم واحد فقط ويفسح المجال لمدرب باريس سان جيرمان الحالي، ماوريسيو بوتشيتينو، في قيادة الأبيض الإسباني حال رحيله هو الآخر عن النادي الفرنسي.

الجدير بالذكر أن مانشستر يونايتد يدربه مؤقتًا في الوقت الحالي، رالف رانجنيك، حتى نهاية الموسم الحالي بعد إقالة، أولي جونار سولشاير.

أيد رئيس الاتحاد الفرنسي لكرة القدم، نويل لو جرييه، فكرة استبعاد روسيا من بطولة كأس العالم 2022 والتي ستقام في قطر في الفترة من 21 نوفمبر إلى 18 ديسمبر المقبلين.

ولم تحسم روسيا بعد بطاقة التأهل إلى مونديال قطر حيث تنتظرها مباراتين في ملحق التصفيات أمام بولندا في البداية في نصف النهائي وإذا فاز سيواجه الفائز من السويد أو التشيك وجميعهم يرفضون مواجهة الروس ردًا على حربها على أوكرانيا.

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وتحدث لو جرييه عن وجهة نظره في حوار نقلته صحيفة “لو باريزيان” الفرنسية، وقال: “لم أناقش بعد مع الاتحادات الأخرى هذا الرأي، لكني أميل إلى استبعاد روسيا من كأس العالم المقبلة”.

وتابع: “هذه هي مشاعري الآن، عادة، أعتقد أن الرياضة موجودة للربط بين الناس في جميع الدول وتخفيف التوتر بين الشعوب، لكن ما يحدث الآن، لا يمكن أن يجعل عالم كرة القدم محايدًا، بالتأكيد لن أعارض فكرة استبعادهم”.

وأضاف: “الأمر بسيط ولا داعي للتفكير طويلًا، الأمر منتهي ولن نذهب هناك أبدًا، في هذه الظروف المأسوية، كيف يمكننا التفكير في ممارسة كرة القدم ضد هذا البلد؟”.

وبسؤاله عما ذنب اللاعبين وكرة القدم في روسيا بما يحدث في السياسة، قال: “نعم، لكن ذلك سيكون سهلًا للغاية، فهو ليس قرارا فرديا، هناك دولة كاملة، بالطبع، هذا ليس خطأ كل الروس، لكن لا يمكننا أن نبقى محايدين، في مواجهة كل هذا، اعتقد أننا سنشهد بالأحرى رد فعل موحد ورمزي من عالم كرة القدم”.

وواصل: “لكن نبقى مع الرياضة، يجب ألا ننسى الأوكرانيين، في 20 مارس، كان منتخب فرنسا للشباب سيذهب إلى أوكرانيا لخوض تصفيات كأس أمم أوروبا 2023”.

وأتم: “حتى الآن، قرر الاتحاد الأوروبي خوض المباراة على ملعب محايد، لا نعرف أين بعد، لكن من الناحية الرمزية، من الجيد أن يكون للشباب الأوكراني الحق في الدفاع عن فرصهم في التأهل لتلك البطولة”.

Lee Johnson has revealed Aiden McGeady’s chances of appearing for Sunderland against Accrington Stanley this weekend are 50-50.

Johnson provides McGeady update

McGeady missed the Black Cats’ match against Hull City during the week with an ankle issue as his side managed a 2-2 draw.

Speaking prior to this weekend’s clash against Accrington, Johnson provided an update on the 35-year-old. He said (via The Northern Echo):

“I’d put Aiden at 50-50 (for the weekend). He’s tough, like I’ve said, so he wants to play. He’s still very bruised, but at the same time it is a superficial injury.

“It’s not anything bone-related or ligament-related, so if he can handle the pain of smashing one in from 25 yards, hopefully in the top corner, then he can play. It’s as simple as that.”

Save him for the play-offs

Even though he is approaching the end of his career, McGeady is enjoying a fantastic season, especially since the arrival of Johnson. In his last 24 League One appearances, he has managed four goals and 12 assists (Transfermarkt), helping the Black Cats chase their dream of automatic promotion.

Unfortunately, results over the last few weeks mean Sunderland are likely to have to make do with the play-offs if they want to move up to the Championship. As such, it makes no sense to rush McGeady back into the action too quickly. They will need him for the last few games of the campaign – it is then that he can make a real difference to his side’s fortunes.

In other news, Kevin Phillips has made this worrying transfer claim.

Confirming the team news as West Ham United gear up take on Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow evening at Molineux, Irons manager David Moyes has dropped the latest injury updates on Arthur Masuaku, Andriy Yarmolenko and Angelo Ogbonna.

The Scotsman, speaking to the press as relayed by the club’s official Twitter channel, has confirmed that long-term absentee Masuaku has played a reserve game and is back around the squad after undergoing knee surgery.

Masuaku is still a doubt for Wolves but appears to be nearing a return as Moyes refused to rule out his possible inclusion, with the Irons boss ‘unsure’ over his match fitness at this moment.

Meanwhile, both Yarmolenko and Ogbonna will remain sidelined for the encounter. The latter is making ‘good progress’ but isn’t ‘ready’ at this moment, with plenty of Hammers fans having their say on this team news through to social media.

Most of these supporters are particularly excited about the progress of Masuaku, with one calling this update from Moyes ‘great news’.

Find some of their best verdicts down below.

West Ham fans react to Moyes update

“Great news on Arthur. Shame about the other two… but at least they’re nearly there

COYI!”

Credit: @Stuthehammer76

“MASUAKUUUUUUU”

Credit: @veryupsetfan

“King Arthur”

Credit: @Thehammerone1

“Arthur will be on the bench I reckon”

Credit: @whujoe

“C’mon boys they’re on their way”

Credit: @WHUalfiee_

“Mas sooooon”

Credit: @Jaxkxc

In other news: West Ham now eyeing ‘extraordinary’ striker, find out more here.

Writing on Twitter, journalist Oliver Kay has claimed that Tottenham superstar Harry Kane is ‘running out of patience’ and is ‘preparing’ to push for a summer move if they don’t qualify for the Champions League, which could come as a potential blow for Spurs. 

Tottenham dealt potential Harry Kane blow

Describing the development as ‘big news’, Kay shared on social media that the 27-year-old is now strongly considering his future in north London as he harbours ambitions of Champions League football.

The Englishman, who has arguably been Spurs’ best player this season, is heavily linked to leaving the club, with destinations like Manchester City being touted in the media (The Times).

Kane himself recently admitted that he could decide his future after the upcoming European Championships (Sky Sports), with Kay now sharing the ‘big news’ that the striker will push for an exit depending on whether Tottenham qualify for the Champions League at the end of the season.

Coming as a potential blow for Spurs, one possible silver lining is that the situation remains ‘complicated’, which could lead to changing developments between now and after the Euros.

Transfer Tavern take

Given his outstanding goal contribution in the Premier League this season, losing the 27-year-old would be a huge hit to take for Spurs manager Jose Mourinho.

While Kane’s possible stance is a worry, chairman Daniel Levy could price interested parties out of a move, with the Daily Mail recently reporting that Tottenham want an enormous £150m before even considering a sale.

In this financial climate, we think it’s very unlikely that any club will be willing to pay such an amount, but it will still be interesting to see how the Kane saga unfolds over the summer transfer window.

In other news: Tottenham in pole position to sign this ‘amazing’ colossus, find out more here.

Tottenham Hotspur can advance into the quarter-finals of the Europa League by seeing off Dinamo Zagreb this evening.

Jose Mourinho’s side carry a two-goal lead to the Croatian capital thanks to a first-leg brace from Harry Kane, but what sort of side could we see the Portuguese tactician select?

The thought of rotation would’ve crossed his mind, but a 2-0 lead can often be a funny scoreline in football, so he may well want to keep many of his regular starters in the mix.

So, here’s the Spurs XI we’re predicting tonight, as well as the latest team and injury news…

Spurs were beaten by arch-rivals Arsenal in the north London derby on Sunday, and we could well see as many as eight changes from he side that were defeated 2-1 at the Emirates.

Club captain and first-choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is likely to keep his place between the sticks, whilst the only other defender to remain from the weekend is Toby Alderweireld.

That means Sergio Reguilon is replaced by Ben Davies at left-back, with Eric Dier partnering the Belgian colossus in the middle over Davinson Sanchez, and Serge Aurier is preferred to Matt Doherty on the right after the 29-year-old’s nightmare display.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will serve a one-game suspension after picking up a third yellow card in the competition last time out, so we’re expecting Moussa Sissoko to partner Harry Winks as Tanguy Ndombele is another who earns a rest.

In attack, we could see Dele Alli earn a rare start in the no.10 role, even despite the return of Giovani Lo Celso from injury. The Argentine may not be risked from the off but fellow countryman Erik Lamela could keep his place as he’s suspended for their clash with Villa at the weekend.

The £14.4m-rated dynamo, dubbed a “nightmare” by Dier, scored a rabona against the Gunners before being sent off in the second half.

Lucas Moura is axed to allow the return of Alli.

Mourinho has ruled out Heung-min Son from featuring tonight, so Steven Bergwijn is surely in line for a return. He’ll have to impress, having started just one match since the defeat to Everton in the FA Cup.

Whilst the Spurs boss also confirmed that Kane would be involved, presumably to ensure this tie is dead and buried from early doors.

AND in other news, Mourinho must unleash “special” £26m-rated star tonight, could be his game-changer…

Peterborough United Director of Football Barry Fry has told Football FanCast that he told West Ham United’s owners David Gold and David Sullivan to sign Ivan Toney.

Toney has become a star during his time at Brentford, moving to the club back in 2020, with the Championship club paying £10m to bring him in.

The 25-year-old made 94 appearances for Posh, scoring 49 goals in all competitions, while also laying on 15 assists.

Since his move to Brentford, he has gone from strength to strength and has netted 28 goals in 40 outings, netting in all of his last three Championship games.

West Ham have been heavily linked with Toney in recent weeks, with one report from Eurosport claiming that he will become a target this summer.

Fry has now revealed to FFC that he spoke with Gold and Sullivan before Toney moved to Brentford, insisting that he could have been a star at the London Stadium if he’d made the move.

He said: “I spoke to David Sullivan and David Gold last year at great length and I said he’s the best centre-forward we’ve had.

“He’s not only a goalscorer, he scored 49 goals for us in 92 games in two seasons. But it wasn’t only his goalscoring efforts, he also made a lot of goals and he also was our best defender. He headed the ball out more than anybody else, from free kicks and corners from the opposition.

“He was absolutely magnificent and I recommended him highly.”

Toney has a contract with Brentford until 2025 and is valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt.

Mikel Oyarzabal was left to rue his missed penalty as Manchester United strolled into the Europa League last 16 with a goalless draw against Real Sociedad.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side kept a clean sheet thanks to the concerted efforts of Dean Henderson, but while the goalkeeper caught the eye with a string of eye-catching saves, it was Eric Bailly who was arguably Solskjaer’s unsung hero on the night.

The centre-back, who arrived at Old Trafford from Villarreal for £30m in 2016, has found himself jostling for position with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof for a spot in Solskjaer’s starting XI since the start of the season.

And on Thursday night, Bailly looked back to his formidable best, putting in a shift at the back, as he kept the likes of Alexander Isak and Oyarzabal in his back pocket for most of the game.

As per SofaScore, he made three clearances, which was the joint-highest of any player for United bar Lindelof, while his total of two interceptions was the most of any Red Devils defender, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Alex Telles.

It just goes to show that the experienced Ivory Coast international defender was the commanding presence at the heart of United’s backline which constantly frustrated the Sociedad attack, staying tight to Isak and denying the Swede any time or space on the ball, proving to be a thorn in their side for large periods of the game as he won every single one of his three individual battles.

For context, Isak lost three out of his four duels overall, and it was no surprise to see him substituted after 45 minutes.

Furthermore, Bailly also completed two successful dribbles from two attempts, producing a further four accurate long balls from five attempts, showing a willingness to bring the ball out from the back in an attempt to set his side on the front foot.

The 26-year-old, therefore, was a dominant presence aerially and stuck to his tasks well on the night, sending Solskjaer an important statement as a result.

AND in other news, Man Utd plotting Jarrad Branthwaite transfer with an eye on the future…

Ozan Kabak and Roberto Firmino should both be back in contention for Liverpool’s Champions League round of 16 second leg against RB Leipzig on Wednesday, according to The Athletic’s James Pearce.

The pair were missing on Sunday as Liverpool slumped to a sixth consecutive home defeat against Fulham. However, their injuries were understood to be minor, and Jurgen Klopp should have them available again as he plots a route into the last eight of the competition.

Liverpool’s domestic path to Champions League qualification is narrowing, and so they might have to win the competition to avoid the huge financial blow of missing out on it next season. They carry a 2-0 lead into the second leg, nominally their ‘home’ fixture.

Firmino and Kabak both started the first meeting in Budapest three weeks ago. The struggling Brazilian has yet to score in Europe this season, while Kabak is battling to win over some doubtful Reds fans, as well as his manager, as the club decide whether to exercise their option to buy the on-loan defender.

Liverpool fans take little encouragement from Firmino/Kabak return

“Is it compulsory for Kabak to play in that Liverpool squad…”

Credit: @mister_laolu

“We will still lose…”

Credit: @No4troublemaker

“Firmino? NO”

Credit: @lcfpxnj

“Start Nat and not Kabak, he’s been brilliant”

Credit: @harooncr171

“So you’re saying we’ll lose again”

Credit: @NewhouseT

“Firmino hasn’t been fit for over 2 years.”

Credit: @T_bird_6

“And what changes?? Trash”

Credit: @Manlikegidi

In other news, some Liverpool fans were critical of one midfielder during Fulham clash