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When Nuno Santo decided to leave Wolves at the back end of last season, the Molineux faithful understandably held a great deal of concern for the future of their club.

Although the Portuguese had guided the Old Gold to a lowly finish of 13th, far away from the European places, he had achieved a great deal in the Midlands.

This was the man who had steered Wolves to the Premier League, cemented their top-flight status and taken them to the Europa League.

Yet, Nuno had achieved everything he could and headed for the exit door after a rift over transfers with the club’s hierarchy.

Bruno Lage has since come in and transformed this Wolverhampton Wanderers side. They might have suffered a number of injuries this term and been without their Player of the Season from 2020/21 in Pedro Neto, but that hasn’t stopped them from flying high.

They head into Christmas in 8th place and stand a phenomenal chance of reaching European football again.

However, those aforementioned injuries could put a dent in their progress if it carries on throughout the entire campaign. Making use of the January transfer window, therefore, could be just the ticket.

One player who has been tipped with a move to Wolves is Dele Alli.

The Spurs playmaker has been in disastrous form over the last couple of campaigns and has gone from a genuine wonderkid and saviour of English football to someone who can barely get a look in at Tottenham.

The 25-year-old has only started seven times in the league this season and was blasted as a “disgrace” by Jamie O’Hara after the Lilywhites were defeated by minnows NS Mura in the UEFA Conference League.

That doesn’t exactly paint Dele in a positive light, but the fact of the matter is that he’s still a cracking player, one who is about to reach the prime of his career.

You sense that the England international needs a fresh start and he could gain exactly that with Wolves.

If he does move further north then he would surely be the missing piece that drags Lage’s side to a European finish.

After all, this is a talent who has scored more than eight goals in four top-flight campaigns in his career so far. Considering that Wolves’ top scorer last term was Neto with just five goals, that extra dose of magic in the final third from Dele could be game-changing.

The £100k-per-week earner has been described as a “freak” by Darren Anderton and has even been compared to two of the most technically gifted footballers to grace the game by Mauricio Pochettino.

He once commented: “You smell Maradona’s energy, his charisma is amazing.

“Ronaldinho at Paris Saint-Germain was similar. And it’s similar with Dele. People love him in this way. When you add the charisma to the talent, that’s what makes a special player. When he was scoring goals, kids loved him like he was Ronaldinho.”Kids feel this charisma, this energy, and with Dele it’s the same; he has this charisma that kids love and follow.”That’s quite the assessment to make and even if his form has tailed off in recent years – scoring just five times in the last 18 months – he is still a pure joy to watch.Seeing him revive himself at Wolves would be quite the sight so combine him with the likes of Raul Jimenez, Adama Traore and Neto, and you could have quite the front line.Lage has to bring the £27m-rated talent to the Midlands this winter.AND in other news, Wolves can sign the new Thomas Muller in £120k-p/w gem who can “unlock” defences…

An update has emerged on Rangers and their deal to bring John Souttar to Ibrox at the end of the campaign.

What’s the talk?

The Gers have already agreed a pre-contract deal with the defender and Hearts boss Robbie Neilson has now admitted that there are no talks to make the transfer happen immediately instead of in the summer.

He told the Glasgow Times: “There’s been nothing new with John. Although I saw they lost three goals today so I might get a phone call!

“But at this moment in time there’s been nothing.

“He’s fine. He’s left here and he’ll be back in tomorrow. And I expect he’ll be available for Tuesday if he’s still here.”

Fuming

Rangers fans will surely be fuming with this news as it suggests that Ross Wilson is not trying to secure a deal to sign the defender before the window closes.

Souttar could be a sensational addition to the squad and improve the side’s chances of winning the Premiership title this season. He has proven his quality at this level for Hearts and could replace one of Gio van Bronckhorst’s current options, strengthening the team in the process.

The Scotland international has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.40 in the league this term – showing that he can perform to a high level on a consistent basis. He has won 70% of his duels in the division, making 2.4 tackles and interceptions per game.

Meanwhile, no Rangers centre-back has averaged a score higher than 7.18. This suggests that Souttar would come in and be an upgrade on what van Bronckhorst currently has to work with, which is why he could increase the club’s chances of securing the title ahead of Celtic for a second successive season.

Therefore, Gers fans will be gutted with Neilson’s comments as they indicate that Souttar will not be coming to Ibrox this month and they will have to wait until the summer to see him in a light blue shirt. They will be fuming with the club for not trying to negotiate a deal with Hearts to bring him in during the current window.

Although, it is worth saying that anything can still happen heading into deadline day and Rangers could pull a surprise in the final hours of the window to get a deal done. At this point, though, Souttar appears set to remain at his current side until the end of the campaign.

AND in other news,  Talks set: Rangers now eyeing key deal for “important” £16k-p/w beast, GVB needs it…

Steven Gerrard has seemingly been dealt a big blow in his hopes of keeping Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara at Ibrox this summer after it was reported that his former club Arsenal are prepared to offer him a five-year contract.

According to Football Insider, the north London side are keen to bring the Finland international back to the Premier League this summer and have made it known that they are willing to offer him a five-year deal.

The 25-year-old spent time in Arsenal’s academy as a youngster but was released in 2017 and later signed for Dundee, from whom Rangers were able to sign him for just £50,000 two years ago.

After playing an integral part in their title success this season, making 28 appearances in the Premiership and averaging a solid 6.90 WhoScored rating, the midfielder has attracted a lot of interest from the Premier League ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Light Blues reportedly value Kamara at around £10m and are keen to offer him a new deal to convince him to extend his stay at Ibrox, although he could well have his head turned by the prospect of playing in the Premier League.

Neil McCann, Kamara’s former manager at Dundee, spoke highly of the Rangers ace earlier in the season in a piece for The Athletic, saying: “He isn’t a big, physical lad but he’s made of iron and really strong. I knew immediately that he could handle the ball under pressure and not give it away, so he was perfect.

“He’s a special talent. He makes things look easy and sometimes the easy thing is not as simple as it looks.”

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Considering that he has been a mainstay in Gerrard’s side throughout the season, it would be a huge blow to the 40-year-old if Kamara were to leave ahead of the 2021/22 campaign; and given the wages Arsenal would be able to offer him, it would not be a surprise to see him depart Ibrox this summer.

In other news… Shades of Tavernier: Wilson should seal Rangers swoop for gem with “enormous ability”

Glasgow Rangers could reportedly now sign Billy Gilmour on loan once the summer transfer window opens.

The Lowdown: Norwich struggles

Gilmour’s loan spell at Norwich City from Chelsea has not quite worked out how both clubs would have hoped.

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The central midfield player has not always been a starter for the Canaries, and has only managed a mere two assists in 24 games in total over all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt).

There is no doubting the ability he has, having previously been dubbed an ‘exceptional talent’ by fellow Scotsman Steven Naismith, while former Scottish Premiership striker Noel Whelan has called him a ‘diamond’, but it seems as if another loan move away from Stamford Bridge is now likely in the summer, assuming that Norwich get relegated from the Premier League.

The Latest: Rangers bound?

Co-writing in his latest piece for 90min, transfer insider Graeme Bailey has revealed that sources have told the news outlet that another loan ‘beckons’ for Gilmour, as he has ‘not done enough’ to nail down a place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for next campaign.

The Ibrox faithful are one of three clubs named as ‘possible destinations’ for the Scotland international, along with both Fulham and AFC Bournemouth.

The Verdict: Welcome return

Of course, Gilmour came through the youth ranks with the Teddy Bears, but never played a senior match for them before joining Chelsea.

He has since gone on to play for Scotland and in the Premier League, at just 20 years of age.

Gilmour has the potential to completely rip up the SPFL should he move, and just needs another manager like Giovanni van Bronckhorst to install that confidence back in him, as he looks to make a name for himself once more ahead of his country potentially qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

In other news, find out which Premier League club are now eyeing up this Gers star here!

Manchester City have been linked with a move for Wolves winger Pedro Neto recently and the 21-year-old could prove to be a superb addition to Pep Guardiola’s side should he make the switch to the Etihad Stadium.

What’s the word?

According to Duncan Castles on the Transfer Window podcast, Manchester United, Juventus and Manchester City hold an interest in the Portuguese international after his impressive performances in recent seasons.

It is claimed that City were originally scouting Adama Traore as a potential replacement for Leroy Sane after his move to Bayern Munich, and that is when the Citizens started to take note of Neto’s excellent performances and perhaps realised that he would be a better fit in Guardiola’s line-up.

Would he be a good signing?

Neto has impressed with the Old Gold since joining from Lazio in 2019, having contributed 10 goals and nine assists in 77 appearances thus far.

The 21-year-old has been one of the standout performers in Nuno Espirito Santo’s side so far this season, with five goals and four assists to his name in 29 Premier League appearances, resulting in an excellent 7.13 WhoScored rating over the course of the campaign.

This ranks him as Wolves’ best performer so far this season in the Premier League, whilst he is also their joint-top scorer, having stepped up impressively in the absence of Raul Jimenez, who has unfortunately been absent for much of the season after suffering a fractured skull.

Neto first gained recognition from across Europe when he scored in the Liga NOS for Braga when he was just 17 years old, becoming the youngest-ever player to score in Portugal’s top flight, a record previously held by none other than Cristiano Ronaldo.

WhoScored suggests that Neto’s main strengths include his ability to cross, dribble and play key passes, so it certainly seems as if he would be a good fit in Guardiola’s team on the wing.

The youngster is currently valued at £31.5m by Transfermarkt and is contracted with the Old Gold until 2025, so he certainly won’t come cheap; but considering his superb performances in a struggling Wolves side this season, there seems no reason why he wouldn’t be an excellent addition at Manchester City.

Therefore, sporting director Txiki Begiristain should try and convince the player to move to the Etihad this summer, or risk losing him to Juventus or rivals Manchester United instead.

In other news… 5 big chances missed: £99m-rated beast might not be the saviour Man City need

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer has knocked back suggestions that Everton target Conor Coady cannot play in a back four.

Coady has mainly played in a back three during his time at Wolves, with there being a narrative that the 28-year-old would struggle in a four-man defence.

He is currently being linked with a move to Everton and Football Insider claim a bid for him could be launched this summer.

The Toffees often lined up with a back four last season, so some may question this move, but Palmer finds the idea that a central defender can only play in one specific system baffling, an idea he refuses to accept.

“I don’t understand that,” the ex-Leeds United player said. “If you’re a defender, you’re a defender. You’re a central defender; you should be able to play in a three or a back four. I don’t get it.

“If you’re a midfield player, you’re a midfield player. If you’re a striker, you play as a striker. I don’t get it. Are you a defender or not?”

According to the same Football Insider report, it was Nuno Espirito Santo who initially suggested Coady when he was the leading candidate for the Everton job. However, Rafael Benitez has also given the green light to sign the England international in talks with the club.

Leeds United look set to break their transfer record for the second consecutive summer by signing Cagliari midfielder Nahitan Nandez, according to Corriere dello Sport.

The Lowdown: Smyth not so sure

Even though the links to Nandez appear to be gathering pace abroad, Yorkshire Evening Post’s chief football writer Graham Smyth isn’t so sure.

He replied to a Leeds fan on Twitter last weekend, insisting the Uruguayan wasn’t on the club’s shortlist the last time he checked.

Of course, things can change, and reports closer to the Serie A club clearly think the Whites are closing in on the 25-year-old, who can play as a defensive, central or right midfielder.

The Latest: Reports from Italy

According to Corriere dello Sport, Leeds have decided to pay the €36m (£31m) clause in Nandez’s contract.

The report leads with a title claiming a move for Nandez is done, however, Leeds are still hoping to pay the fee in two instalments.

The two clubs’ excellent relationship has generated a strong feeling an agreement regarding payment structure will come, but whatever way you look at it, a £31m deal would see Nandez become Leeds’ most expensive signing, eclipsing the £27m move for Rodrigo Moreno last summer.

The Verdict: A marquee addition

Should the recent report prove accurate and Nandez does indeed move to Yorkshire, he’ll be the marquee midfield addition that seems to be required at Elland Road.

Kalvin Phillips, Stuart Dallas and Mateusz Klich were regulars in the engine room last season, so bringing in Nandez will give Bielsa that extra body that could be crucial for Leeds to push on this season.

When Phillips was unavailable last term, the Whites won just two out of nine top flight matches, showing exactly how crucial some additional depth in midfield could be.

Nandez made 32 Serie A appearances in a plethora of different positions last season, so his flexibility could also prove extremely handy across the campaign, adding to the strength of multiple positions in the squad.

In other news: Junior Firpo tipped to shine under Marcelo Bielsa, find out more here. 

Ex-Celtic player Frank McAvennie has blamed Peter Lawwell for the hold up in hiring Eddie Howe.

Howe has already agreed a deal in principle with Celtic and he has already held a face-to-face meeting with Dermot Desmond, but he has made certain demands to the club before he takes over. There has been a hold up in the appointment and McAvennie has blamed Lawwell’s presence for it.

Lawwell could be Celtic’s ‘stumbling block’

McAvennie was recently talking to Football Insider and he talked about Howe and why the Hoops are yet to appoint the Englishman.

He said: “If Eddie Howe said he’d take the job but they wait until the end of the season to announce it, fine, he’ll be doing the talking now.

“Eddie, he’ll be like Brendan Rodgers and Martin O’Neill, he’ll want to run the club from top to bottom.

“That might be a stumbling block, especially with Peter Lawwell there at the moment because he likes to be hands-on.  It might get easier to negotiate a deal once he’s gone. It depends if a manager can accept that. I don’t think a good manager will work like that. I don’t think it’s right.”

Dominic McKay’s early arrival can help Celtic

While Lawwell is retiring at the end of the current campaign and Celtic are undergoing a transition, next CEO Dominic McKay is about to arrive at Parkhead well before his scheduled arrival.

This should be considered a good sign for Celtic and might be an indication of the fact that they are trying to act early. And if Lawwell’s presence is indeed hindering Howe’s arrival, McKay’s early move will certainly smoothen things out quicker.

In other news, ‘I am a wee bit of a Celtic man’ – Key man gushes over ‘fantastic’ talent due for Hoops return

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has taken the first step to signing Hertha BSC star Matheus Cunha this summer as a fresh transfer update emerges.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days have suggested that the Brazilian is a player who the Whites are interested in bringing to the Premier League this summer, and it appears there has now been movement in that pursuit.

According to German publication Bild (via Sport Witness), Bielsa’s side have already expressed their interest in signing the forward, and that a move could be on the cards after the 22-year-old received approval from Hertha to leave.

Imagine him and Bamford

The £27m-rated Brazilian has shades of Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino about him, with that impressive knack of getting his teammates involved, and it’s something which has been highlighted by the Bundesliga’s official website.

“Much like the former Bundesliga star, Cunha honed his skills on the streets of Brazil, giving him a one-up on defenders. He can beat them with his speed, skill or intelligence to drift from his marker, having practiced in every position across the front line.

“And much like Firmino, Cunha – even when leading the line – can be found dropping into midfield to pick up possession and link up play with teammates. It’s part of the reason why he’s such a hard attacker to defend against because more often than not, he’s not where you expect him to be.”

And that ability to drop off in between the lines, is what makes his potential partnership with Patrick Bamford a truly exciting one.

Dubbed as “something special” by former Hertha head coach Bruno Labbadia, the £55k-a-week earning Cunha averages an impressive 1.8 key passes and three dribbles per game, and clearly has that creative quality that Bamford could thrive off – to put those stats into context, only Raphinha averaged more key passes than Cunha in the entire Leeds squad, while no-one, not even the Brazilian, could manage his dribbles per match.

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Just like Raphinha however, Cunha is direct and pacy, and that’s exactly what Bielsa wants from his side given the intense pressing game that they play and how they are so deadly in transitions and counter-attacks.

Cunha’s partnership with Bamford could be a tantalising one, and the Hertha star also seems to have the kind of attributes that make him tailor-made for Bielsa.

Meanwhile, Leeds have been handed a major boost…

Leeds United starlet Sam Greenwood is impressing behind the scenes at Thorp Arch, amid an update on his future.

What’s the story?

According to recent reports, six Championship clubs, including the likes of Swansea and Bournemouth, were interested in signing the 19-year-old before transfer deadline day, only for Leeds to reject that interest.

Now, Football Insider have claimed that Marcelo Bielsa and co have been left impressed by his development, and Leeds believe that he could turn into a real star at Premier League level.

The report said: “But one of the cheaper, less-heralded signings of last year has the United coaching staff at Thorpe Arch increasingly convinced he has a massive future ahead of him.

“A Leeds source has told Football Insider that teenage forward Sam Greenwood has blown Marcelo Bielsa and his backroom team away with his promise and potential to be a bona fide Premier League star.

“To say the 19-year-old is highly thought of is an understatement, with the word “phenomenal” regularly used to describe him behind the scenes.”

Fans will love it

In his debut season campaign at Elland Road, Greenwood bagged 12 goals in just 18 games, playing in a number of different roles, including up front, behind the striker and further back as a central midfielder.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has previously hailed the youngster for his beginning to life at Leeds, saying: “He’s started really well at Leeds and he was very well thought of at Arsenal, and they weren’t rushing to get him out (of) the door this summer. From what we’ve seen of him so far, his movement and his finishing and everything else, he looks like a very natural striker.”

Given how Leeds fans are already big fans of the teenage starlet, this latest news that he’s making waves behind-the-scenes at Thorp Arch is sure to have them excited.

Meanwhile, Victor Orta delivered a Leeds masterclass…