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Rangers chief Ross Wilson looks set for a busy summer transfer window at Ibrox to shape Gio van Bronckhorst’s squad heading into next season.

The Gers lost their crucial top-of-the-table clash in the Premiership on Sunday and now sit six points behind their rivals with games running out to catch up with them.

A major flaw in the current squad was exposed in the 2-1 defeat to the Hoops as Alfredo Morelos’ absence all but ended their chances of winning.

Kemar Roofe has started the last two Old Firm matches in the Colombian’s absence and put in dismal performances in both of them. The ex-Leeds man has not scored a single goal from open play in his eight league starts for the Gers and this suggests that he has not been good enough as back-up to Morelos.

Therefore, Wilson must be in the market for a striker to compete with the South American forward, with a view to taking over from him further down the line.

The club are reportedly interested in a deal to sign talented 18-year-old goalscorer Josh Stones from English side Guiseley, but Football Insider recently claimed that Wigan have agreed terms over a contract with the centre-forward ahead of the summer.

Wilson must now avoid a major disasterclass in the window as missing out on the attacker would be a big blunder from the Ibrox supremo. His sublime goalscoring record at youth level suggests that he has the potential to be Morelos’ heir in Glasgow.

Stones has scored 21 times in 13 games in academy football throughout the 2021/22 campaign, whilst he also scored a hat-trick for the England schoolboys team against Scotland recently. This means that the predator has 24 goals for club and country this term in at least 14 matches – a phenomenal return for the 18-year-old fox in the box. 

He could be the replacement Van Bronckhorst needs for Roofe, based on his goalscoring return, and that is why missing out on him would be a disaster-class for the club.

At the age of 18, he has the potential to keep improving and progressing as a player. This means that the Gers would be picking up a financial investment as well as a gem who may have the quality to solve their long-term Morelos problem at Ibrox. His record in front of goal suggests that he can be the heir to the Colombian’s throne and that is why Wilson must do everything in his power to usurp Wigan and snatch this deal up from under their nose.

AND in other news, Gvb now plotting Rangers swoop for “exceptional” monster, he’d be a bargain “diamond”…

Aston Villa fans have spotted Indiana Vassilev in team training at Bodymoor Heath. 

Back in July, Vassilev joined Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami on loan.

But their season came to an end in early November after they finished in 11th place in the Eastern Conference and therefore failed to progress to the play-offs.

Vassilev made 21 appearances for the Florida-based outfit, scoring three goals.

It seems, from footage posted by @AVFCOfficial, that he’s now returned to the Midlands to rejoin his parent club.

What does the future hold for Vassilev?

New manager Steven Gerrard will no doubt run the rule over the American, but Villa could potentially look to secure another loan move for him when the transfer window opens in January.

The 20-year-old has had six outings for Villa’s senior team to date, four of which have come in the Premier League.

He’s a strikingly versatile player, able to operate on either flank, as a centre forward and even as an attacking midfielder.

These Villa fans spot Vassilev in training

“Is that Vassilev?”

Credit: @HarryAVFC_

“Is that Indi Vassilev talking to Konsa at the start of the video?”

Credit: @KevinCorAvfc

“Wait Vassilev?”

Credit: @1874Jacob

“I wonder if he’ll get a chance now he’s back”

Credit: @doc3d

“Since when was Vassilev back?”

Credit: @1874dan

“Anyone else spot Vassilev in this video? Wonder if he’ll be given a chance in the first team”

Credit: @AstonDrilla

In other news, Steven Gerrard wants this left-back.

West Ham are likely to spend big on a new striker in the January transfer window, according to former England striker Kevin Phillips.

The Lowdown: Slight dip for Hammers

David Moyes’ side have enjoyed a superb start to the season, sitting fourth in the Premier League and reaching the last 16 of the Europa League. However, the Hammers have lost back-to-back league games since the international break, suffering defeats away to Wolves and Manchester City.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-developments-2/” title=”West Ham developments” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

This mini-slump needs to come to an end at home to Brighton on Wednesday if the Irons are to avoid slipping out of the top four and scuppering their chances of bettering last season’s sixth-placed finish.

The Latest: Phillips tips new striker to come in

It could be that fresh blood is required to take the team forward in January, as the fixtures come thick and fast and squad depth is tested, especially with European commitments in the early months of 2022 as well.

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips tipped West Ham to sign a big-money striker in order to ease the burden on sole centre-forward Michail Antonio. He said:

“They need to invest in a striker in January. I know there will be plenty of people who argue they don’t need to because they have done very well considering but they haven’t got any backup for [Michail] Antonio.

“When it gets to the second part of the season, the weather changes and the games come thick and fast. Players pick up knows after playing so many games.

“It would be sensible to look at that area to bring someone in. Sign someone who will push and cover for Antonio.

“I know Kretinsky has said there won’t be lots of spending but I’m sure there will be money available. If David Moyes goes and says, ‘I’ve identified a player who can come in and challenge in that area.’ Then the club will back him.

“Why wouldn’t they considering what he has done and where they are? They could potentially finish in the Champions League spots.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if they went out and splashed £20-25million to bring in competition for that area.”

The Verdict: Would be a wise decision

It could be a grave error if another striker doesn’t come in at West Ham during the January window, potentially costing the Hammers dearly both domestically and in Europe.

As Phillips has said, it is unfair to rely too much on Antonio, who has had injury problems in the past and is now 31 years of age. The Jamaican’s form has also tailed off significantly since a sublime start to the season.

Basel striker Arthur Cabral is someone who has been linked with a move to east London and he could be perfect, offering Moyes an extra option who’s young and in red-hot form, having scored 14 Swiss Super League goals already this season.

In other news, West Ham have been linked with signing a Premier League player in January. Find out who it is here.

Everton have been dealt a big blow to their festive plans as winger Andros Townsend has suffered an injury to his foot.

According to The Athletic, the ex-Tottenham man sustained the knock whilst playing against his former team Crystal Palace on Sunday and he is now set to be out for a number of weeks – missing the Christmas schedule.

Major issue

This causes a major issue for Blues boss Rafa Benitez as Townsend has been one of his standout players in the Premier League this season. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (7.53) is the only player in the squad with a higher average SofaScore rating than the winger (7.09) and he will need to be replaced in the starting XI over the coming weeks.

The Spaniard could potentially solve this problem by unleashing academy beast Anthony Gordon and giving him a further run of games from the start to prove his worth at senior level.

He has had a smattering of starts in the top-flight this season but it has been difficult for him to find consistency as he has not had a prolonged spell in the XI to build some momentum. Gordon has started six games and made a further seven appearances off the bench, having played three times in the league last season.

The 20-year-old has shown potential whilst playing in the youth sides at Goodison. He scored 24 goals and provided ten assists in 59 games for the U23 and U18 outfits combined, showing that he has the quality to score and assist goals from a wide position – albeit he is yet to prove that he can do it at senior level.

David Unsworth previously backed the youngster to fulfill his potential, saying:

“If chances come along, you want them to come to Anthony Gordon because he is in such a rich vein of form.

“He’s grown in stature as a player. He can still be better physically, in terms of being able to go for 95 minutes – and he will do that. His desire and application is there.

“He is such an explosive player. He’s progressing really well and when he reaches his full potential, he’ll be some player. It’s not a question of if, he will do. He’s got that star quality.”

With Townsend now set to miss a number of matches, Benitez must unleash Gordon from the start over a prolonged period now to allow him to build up his confidence to see if he is able to make a significant impact at first-team level for Everton.

If he is able to do that then he could kick on and become an important player for the club moving forward, which is why the Spanish boss could benefit from selecting him – starting with the clash with Chelsea.

AND in other news, Rafa can kickstart Everton revival by unleashing 65-goal prodigy who “rarely misses”…

David Moyes may soon have improved competition for places at West Ham United as Andriy Yarmolenko has returned to training after sustaining knee ligament damage.

That’s according to images shared on the Irons’ official club website, which have since been picked up by the Ukraine Football Federation, after it was noted that the 31-year-old is back amongst the action at Rush Green.

Yarmolenko has missed the Hammers’ last five Premier League fixtures after suffering damage to his knee during last month’s FA Cup fifth-round defeat to Manchester United.

The Ukraine international had started the action at Old Trafford in a centre-forward role in the absence of Michail Antonio, who had been rested due to showing serious fatigue against Fulham.

Yarmolenko now appears to be stepping up his rehabilitation with a return to the grass pitches at West Ham’s Rush Green facilities, having joined his teammates as they prepared for last Sunday’s 1-0 Premier League defeat to the Red Devils.

Moyes did not address Yarmolenko’s road to recovery when discussing the fitness of his squad last week, but offered updates on Angelo Ogbonna and Arthur Masuaku after they returned to training and showed positive signs of progress.

The Irons boss had opted against putting a time scale on Yarmolenko’s return in the immediate aftermath of his injury, instead noting that he hoped “that the damage is not serious”.

Images of Yarmolenko now working with the West Ham squad would suggest the forward is nearing a potential return to selection alongside Ogbonna and Masuaku. He was also recently named in Andriy Shevchenko’s expanded Ukraine squad for the upcoming international break.

Having Yarmolenko available for West Ham’s run of fixtures beyond the March internationals will come as a boost to Moyes, with the east London outfit still to face a few of their rivals for a European qualifying berth in Leicester City, Chelsea and Everton.

Yarmolenko may be unlikely to feature in Sunday’s London derby with Arsenal, given Moyes did not address his progress when speaking to the media while discussing Ogbonna and Masuaku last week, but the Ukraine winger’s return could soon be a boost.

Moyes has previously dubbed Yarmolenko as offering “good competition” for places at the London Stadium, and has praised the £7m-rated forward as being a “very talented player”.

That competition can come in both his natural wide role to challenge Jarrod Bowen, Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma for minutes, but also in providing depth behind Antonio given the striker is Moyes’ only recognised centre-forward after Sebastien Haller’s winter exit.

Yarmolenko started two of West Ham’s FA Cup ties this season in a striker role and netted with composure in the fourth-round win over Doncaster Rovers, after which West Ham assistant coach Alan Irvine praised his performance.

“It was very encouraging the way Yarmo performed. He has played there before and we know the ability he has got and we know that if we get him through in those kinds of situations one v one with the goalkeeper, he is a very, very good finisher,” said Irvine, via quotes by football.london.

Goals have not been an issue for Antonio in most throughout Yarmolenko’s spell on the sidelines, netting against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, but the 30-year-old was often invisible at Old Trafford on Sunday and helped to leave Moyes feeling underwhelmed with his offence.

Yarmolenko is not the ideal option to offer cover and support at striker, but he has proven to be an adept back-up who may soon provide Moyes a welcome boost upon his full return.

AND in other news, West Ham in four-way Premier League battle for 13-goal striker who is “annoying to the defender”…

Glasgow Rangers will be hoping for a win in the Old Firm derby as they look to bounce back from their Europa League defeat on Thursday, but Leon Balogun has struggled so far.

The Gers travelled to Parkhead after losing 2-0 to Slavia Prague during the week. While they are now out of European competition, they still have a chance to go the Premiership season unbeaten (BBC).

However, their clash against Celtic didn’t start fantastically as Mohamed Elyounoussi put the Bhoys 1-0 up, and Balogun was arguably at fault for the goal after he was caught out at right-back. Alfredo Morelos equalised shortly before half-time with his first goal in an Old Firm derby.

Usually a central defender, Balogun has looked particularly poor in an unfamiliar position – Steven Gerrard may decide to bring on 19-year-old Nathan Patterson for the second half even though he was an injury doubt in the build-up to the game (Daily Record).

These ‘Gers fans were far from happy with Balogun’s first half performance, with one calling it a ‘disaster’, and they took to Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Balogun below

“Balogun down the right is a health hazard”

Credit: @AndrewKelly_

“Balogun is a disaster at RB. Get Patterson on. Even injured he’ll be better.”

Credit: @jaayfc

“Balogun again, horrendous”

Credit: @1872Curt

“Get Balogun off he’s awful”

Credit: @rob_wils

“Balogun gives me the fear today”

Credit: @cameronamcg

“Balogun is so so bad”

Credit: @JamieRFC14

In other news, some Rangers fans slam this BBC pundit.

West Ham United have long been recognised as one of the frontrunners in youth development, earning themselves the nickname of the ‘Academy of Football’ in the process.

From the days of producing Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand – among others – right the way through to the present with the likes of Declan Rice, there has seemingly been an endless conveyor belt of talent streaming out of the youth ranks and into the Hammers first team.

One young starlet who has joined that illustrious list over the past few years is versatile full-back Ben Johnson, the 22-year-old having shone since making his senior debut back in 2018.

While he made just a handful of appearances across his first two campaigns in the first-team set-up, he has since gone to enjoy much more regular game time over the past couple of seasons, having now made 53 appearances for the club in all competitions.

The current campaign has proven a particular turning point for the home-grown star – who was voted the club’s Young Player of the Year last season – as he has often slotted in ahead of Vladimir Coufal at right-back, both domestically and in the Europa League.

Such displays have piqued the interest of those at international level, with the £2.5k-per-week ace having been handed his England U21 debut earlier this year in a 3-0 victory over Albania, while he also earned praise from his club boss, with Moyes dubbing him a “utility player” for his ability to slot in at different positions.

Being seen as a jack of all trades but a master of none may at times be a hindrance rather than a help to a player’s career, although the Hammers boss certainly views his versatility as a benefit, with first-team coach Stuart Pearce having also praised the youngster for being a “wonderful professional”.

It is not just within the London Stadium that his talents are being recognised, however, with pundit Paul Robinson labelling the full-back as “absolutely brilliant” earlier this season, with that view having also been echoed by former Hammer, Trevor Sinclair.

Amid an outstanding season for the club as a whole – with European glory still up for grabs – Johnson’s individual showings have also been particularly eye-catching, with the Waltham Forest-born speedster averaging an impressive 1.8 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game.

His willingness to commit to Moyes’ often dogged defensive style is also evident by the fact that he ranks in the top 1% for blocks made among those in his position in Europe’s top five leagues, while he also ranks in the top 10% for clearances made, as per FBref.

The 5 foot 9 defender is clearly a player on the rise, something reflected in his soaring market valuation, with Transfermarkt currently valuing him at £8.1m – a significant increase from his value of £2.7m back in December.

The only problem now is ensuring that his future remains in east London with the player having reportedly rejected a new six-and-a-half-year deal earlier this season, albeit with the club managing to trigger a two-year contract extension to avoid losing him for nothing this summer.

Much like West Ham’s form, the starlet’s value and performances continue to soar – it remains to be seen if that progression will continue with his current club, or elsewhere.

In other news, West Ham plot bid to sign £25.2m-rated “great talent”, he’s a big Ogbonna upgrade – opinion

David Sullivan may fail to find David Moyes’ replacement for Sebastien Haller if West Ham United target Stade de Reims forward Boulaye Dia in the January transfer window.

What’s the word?

According to Sky Sports, Dia is an option for the Hammers in the mid-season market with the 24-year-old valued at around £10m by his Ligue 1 side after scoring 12 goals in 17 league games.

The Irons are in the market for offensive reinforcements after selling Haller to AFC Ajax for £20m, having decided to cash-in now on their £45m record-signing for fears of failing to receive offers in the same price range in the future.

Reports in France have also claimed that an opening bid of €10m (£9m) is expected, as the forward has a gentleman’s agreement that will allow him to leave the Stade Auguste-Delaune, but Reims want any interested party to present an offer worth €15m (£13.5m).

Dia has started 16 of his Ligue 1 appearances this season and is the division’s joint-top goalscorer with Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, having offered a league-high contribution of 44% of his side’s total goals to date.

Maiga 2.0

West Ham must reconsider the hazards of signing Dia before Sullivan lodges a formal offer, as the Irons co-owner and Chairman risks failing to find Moyes his Haller replacement in the £3,000-per-week Senegal international.

Dia has only just begun to establish himself as a lethal frontman in Ligue 1 this season through his 12 goals in 17 games, having enjoyed a previous career-best haul of seven in 24 appearances last term on the back of a mere three-goal return in 2018/19.

He is not blessed with a record featuring chances galore, either, with Dia offering just 1.6 shots a game – though scoring 0.7 times a game – having only marginally improved his output from last season’s record of 1.4 efforts a game, per SofaScore.

West Ham saw just as much from Haller during what proved to be his final months at the London Stadium, with the Ivory Coast international striking 1.4 shots per game in the Premier League though only converting 0.2 of his attempts for three goals in 16 appearances.

Players moving to the Premier League from Ligue 1 and struggling has been a frequent trend of most windows and an issue that has not only affected West Ham, as well, as for every Eden Hazard to Chelsea, Fabinho at Liverpool or Dimitri Payet to the Hammers there have been the likes of Florian Thauvin at Newcastle, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou to Tottenham and Tiemoue Bakayoko at Stamford Bridge.

West Ham also have a clear comparison in Modibo Maiga as they weigh up the benefits of signing Dia, having seen the Mali international completely flop in east London following his arrival in 2012 for around £5m.

Like Dia, Maiga had begun to establish a record in France before joining the Irons with a nine-goal season after a 15-goal haul in 2010/11, yet arrived at Upton Park to offer two goals in his maiden Premier League campaign before two further single goal seasons.

He was ultimately sold after three terms and a loan spell with Queens Park Rangers, having found the back of net just once in every 8.5 top-flight games in claret and blue, and must act as a stark warning to Sullivan and Moyes as they weigh up what would surely have to be considered as a risky swoop for Dia.

AND in other news: Exclusive: West Ham’s Declan Rice tipped to join Chelsea on one condition…

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has been handed a major blow ahead of their Premier League clash against Crystal Palace, with Matty Cash set to be ruled out.

The right-back was forced off at half-time in Villa’s 0-0 draw against Everton earlier in the week, with Ahmed Elmohamady coming on to replace him.

And now, speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against the Eagles, the Villa boss said: “Whether it’s a re-occurrence of the hamstring, I don’t know but, if it is, then that will rule him out of the season now. Someone spoke to him and he said he doesn’t feel too bad so we’ll see.”

The right-back has been a virtual ever-present for Smith this season following his arrival from Championship side Nottingham Forest last summer.

He’s played 28 times in the Premier League, and has proven to be an incredible signing for the club and also a bit of an unsung hero amid the likes of Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins stealing the show.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/villa-dean-smith-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-premier-league-buendia-berge-mcneil-trezeguet-villa-park” title=”Read the latest Villa transfer rumours and news!”]

With Cash now ruled out for at least this game, and academy star Kaine Kesler having been involved in Villa’s FA Youth Cup victory over West Brom, Smith will have to turn to the 33-year-old Elmohamady to take his place.

Given Cash’s reliability and consistency this season, news of him potentially missing the rest of the season will have Smith absolutely gutted ahead of the game against Palace today.

Meanwhile, this Villa star must never play again…

Wesley has not done enough and should be moved on this summer, claims former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie.

The Brazilian striker, of course, has missed a lot of action since arriving at Villa Park from Club Brugge back in 2019 due to a cruciate ligament injury. However, when fit, he has not had the best record in front of goal.

Wesley is now being linked with a move away from the Midlands club, with Football Insider reporting that the 24-year-old is not in Dean Smith’s plans for next season and could be loaned out.

And from what he has seen, Hendrie believes it would be the right decision. The ex-Villa player exclusively told FFC:

“Since he’s come in, he hasn’t done anything for me. Obviously he had that bad injury as well, similar to Tom Heaton, but the season I’ve seen him, he wasn’t the player I felt that was going to fit the bill for Villa if I’m being quite honest.

“There was lots of talk that he could get behind defenders and I didn’t see that. I didn’t see that at all.

“I feel that it’d be better for him to possibly move on and further his career.”

Given the serious injury he sustained, Wesley needs regular minutes to build up his match fitness and sharpness and to get into the rhythm of things again.

At Villa, with the form Ollie Watkins has been in this season, it is hard to see him getting that.