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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…

Everton have received a potentially significant boost in their pursuit of Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

What’s the story?

The Toffees have been linked with a move for the 24-year-old for several months after their efforts to sign him over the summer ended in disappointment.

But now, according to Spanish outlet Sport (as relayed by the Liverpool ECHO), Everton’s chances of finally securing Van de Beek’s signature have increased.

Previously reports have suggested that La Liga giants Barcelona were set to compete for the creative talent’s services over the coming months.

However, it’s now believed that new manager Xavi has turned down the chance to sign Van de Beek, providing the Blues with a transfer boost as the winter window fast approaches.

Imagine him and Abdoulaye Doucoure

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s recent sacking as United manager may also have some bearing on the Dutch international’s future, but after making just four Premier League starts in 18 months, he’s likely to be desperate for regular game time.

And that’s something that Rafa Benitez could offer Van de Beek at Everton. Ever since James Rodriguez departed back in September, the Blues have lacked the guile and imagination needed to carve top-flight defences apart.

In their last six Premier League fixtures, the Blues have only found the back of the net on four occasions, highlighting the need for someone capable of succeeding Rodriguez’s role in the team.

During his time at boyhood club Ajax, Van de Beek illustrated his ability to do just that, providing a whopping 75 goal contributions in just 175 appearances, securing a domestic double back in 2018/19.

Despite his limited opportunities at Old Trafford, the midfield maestro has showcased his true potential in promising flashes, with Juan Mata even dubbing him “very clever.”

Therefore, a move to Merseyside could be beneficial to all parties, and the prospect of Van de Beek linking up with Abdoulaye Doucoure in Everton’s engine room is a mouth-watering one.

The duo would offer the perfect blend of tactical intelligence, creativity, power and defensive contribution, potentially providing the spark for Benitez’s charges to surge up the table.

And, in other news…Huge boost: Everton receive potential injury lift pre-Brentford, Rafa will be buzzing

Aston Villa have been handed a potential boost ahead of the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

In recent comments cited by Birmingham Live, Steven Gerrard’s replacement at Rangers, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, revealed that he has already spoken to the new Aston Villa manager about the job at Ibrox, before going to suggest that the pair will continue to stay in touch regarding potential business in the January transfer window.

The report goes on to state that all three of Connor Goldson, Ryan Kent and Borna Barisic have been mentioned as potential targets for Gerrard this winter, with Van Bronckhorst’s comments looking to suggest he would be open to discussing a number of deals with the former Liverpool captain.

Speaking in his inaugural press conference as Rangers boss, the Dutchman said:

“He sent a message by email – which was really nice. Of course for him [it is] also a change in clubs. But I think we will definitely be in contact in the coming weeks to talk about stuff. He’s done a really great job at Rangers and now moved to the Premier League at Aston Villa. I personally wish him all the best and there will be some contact in the next weeks, yes.”

Gerrard & Co will be buzzing

Considering just how impressive the likes of Goldson, Kent and Barisic were under the leadership of Gerrard during his time in charge of Rangers, the news that Van Bronckhorst appears open to speaking with his predecessor this winter is sure to have left the 41-year-old, as well as Christian Purslow and Johan Lange, buzzing.

After all, a healthy and vibrant relationship with the Dutchman could well be used to Villa’s advantage when it comes to negotiating transfer dealings between the two clubs in the winter and beyond, something that represents a significant boost.

Indeed, with Barisic, Goldson and Kent ranking as Gers’ second, third and fourth-best performers respectively in the club’s unbeaten Scottish Premiership title-winning campaign last season. Gerrard would undoubtedly be more than happy to welcome any of this trio to Villa Park in the coming months and the better his friendship is with his former employers, the more likely that is to happen.

And, with it being reported that Rangers may need to cash in on a number of their more valuable assets this January in order to balance the books at Ibrox, Purslow and Lange could perhaps be able to negotiate a much more palatable transfer fee for a particular target due to the Scottish side’s need to sell.

As such, the 46-year-old Rangers manager’s comments will certainly come as a very welcome boost ahead of the January transfer for all concerned at Villa Park.

In other news: Gerrard must ruthlessly axe “inconsistent” £63k-p/w flop, he’s ransacked Villa of £23m

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…

Southampton’s slump continued on Sunday as they were beaten 2-1 by Brighton at St Mary’s, in another game that highlighted Ralph Hasenhuttl’s need for a Plan B with the Saints.

The Austrian rested key players in the midweek defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad and whilst his side played some decent football, they were beaten 5-2, and the hosts could and should have scored more.

He clearly recognised the importance of the game against the Seagulls on Sunday and was able to welcome back key players such as Kyle Walker-Peters, Ibrahima Diallo and Takumi Minamino against Graham Potter’s side.

However, his side were outplayed by a team who have struggled to score goals all season and the defeat now drags Southampton back into the relegation mix-up as we approach the denouement of the season.

It had seemed as if the 2-0 win against Sheffield United recently would not only ease relegation fears but also give Southampton a platform to seriously improve their form, but they have now lost 10 of their last 12 fixtures in the Premier League.

The Austrian has stuck with his 4-2-2-2 or 4-4-2 approach for the majority of the season, with his wingers playing more like ‘wide 10s’, but, perhaps with the exception of Stuart Armstrong, none of the players he has selected in his position regularly this season have been able to contribute effectively in the attacking third.

Moussa Djenepo has one goal and no assists, Nathan Redmond has one goal and one assist, whilst Theo Walcott had two goals and two assists before his injury.

This highlights that the players in this position are not contributing nearly enough, which puts the pressure on the likes of Che Adams and Danny Ings to score the goals, and with the 28-year-old currently sidelined, Hasenhuttl is nearly completely reliant on Adams for goals in his side.

Whilst the 24-year-old has scored three in his last three, he is very inconsistent in front of goal, whilst James Ward-Prowse adds the obvious threat from set-pieces.

Southampton have been in the Premier League for nine seasons now but Hasenhuttl has to try something different, whether that be with the tactics, formation or personnel, otherwise it is difficult to see where the wins are going to come from at the moment.

Even at Man City, where they played four centre-backs, he stuck with the 4-2-2-2 formation, with Mohammed Salisu at left-back and Jack Stephens in midfield, which is a worrying microcosm of the Austrian being seemingly unwilling to try something different this season.

Too often we have seen the Saints start games well and drop off in the second half when opposition managers figure out how to get the better of Southampton, and it is for that exact reason that Hasenhuttl needs to develop a Plan B, or he could potentially see his side dropping back into the Championship.

And, in other news… Semmens must avoid VVD repeat with £13.5m-rated “role model” who Hasenhuttl loves

There were high hopes when Southampton signed Jordy Clasie from Feyenoord for £8 million in 2015 but the Dutch international would endure a nightmare spell on the South Coast before leaving on a free transfer in the summer of 2019.

Executive sporting director at the time, Les Reed, parted with the funds to bring him to St Mary’s, with Clasie having already worked under manager Ronald Koeman with the Eredivisie side.

Whilst he was a regular in that first season in the Premier League, making 22 appearances, he failed to set the world alight – as he averaged a 6.71 rating in the top-flight with no goals or assists to his name.

When Koeman departed for Everton the following summer, the midfielder’s Southampton career was perhaps destined to fail, and he made just 16 appearances in the Premier League, in which he averaged a pretty shocking 6.40/10 rating for his performances.

The following season saw the Dutchman loaned to Club Brugge, where he would make 25 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal and providing two assists, before he returned to his old side Feyenoord on loan for the 2018/19 season.

His performances on loan were not enough to convince Southampton that he was worth keeping, however, as he was allowed to move back to the Eredivisie in the summer of 2019, joining AZ Alkmaar on a free transfer.

Things are not going well for the 29-year-old this season, as he has managed just two substitute appearances in the Dutch top-flight, which begs the question, why did Southampton ever think that he was good enough to be a regular in the Premier League?

Certainly, it was something of a disaster move by the Saints to bring him in for £8 million and then lose him for nothing four years later, as he would only manage 49 appearances in his four contracted years at the club, which represents terrible value for money.

It’s something they should keep in mind when assessing targets for the upcoming summer transfer window.

And, in other news… Hasenhuttl effect: Saints beast is now valued at £25.2m, Semmens is licking his lips

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!

It was always going to be a hard task, as illustrated by the odds at Betiton.com/en-ie/sport/, but a young Sheffield Wednesday side crashed out of the FA Cup at the fourth round stage on Sunday evening.

Several of Neil Thompson’s current Owls stars gave a good account of themselves against Premier League opposition, though ultimately, it’s back to Championship duty and the small task of surviving in the league from here on out.

The south Yorkshiremen were dominated by Everton at Goodison Park with Carlo Ancelotti’s side having 63% possession as well as racking up a total of 21 attempts at Joe Wildsmith’s goal.

Owls’ goalkeeper was a busy man all night after he recorded the seventh most amount of touches (33) of any visiting player, which means four other out-field starters were largely ineffective.

None more so than the man deployed up top, Callum Paterson.

In 60 minutes of action, he managed only ten touches, meaning he was involved just once every six minutes. He also lost possession 50% of the time from those touches, via SofaScore.

The 26-year-old Scotsman was hugely disappointing in what was an anonymous outing. You could forgive him as he was up against much of a starting top-flight defence, but his failure to link the midfield to the attack meant the Owls literally had next to no chance whilst he was on the pitch.

Paterson also managed the lowest number of passes (five) from any starting player and even then, he only made 50% of his passing attempts (ten), via SofaScore.

YorkshireLive’s Dom Howson graded the forward a 5/10 in his post-match ratings column – the lowest of any Owls player – he wrote:

“As industrious as ever but no sights at goal. Was unable to effectively link the midfield and attack, although there were times when he was forced to feed off scraps.”

With Jack Marriott back from Derby, Josh Windass back from injury and Jordan Rhodes waiting in the wings, Thompson may want to think twice over giving Paterson another runout, especially with another game coming in less than 72 hours.

The £16.5k-per-week ace badly let the Owls caretaker down.

AND in other news, “intimidating” 52 y/o would surely be Sheffield Wednesday’s dream appointment

Many Everton fans were far from happy with the performance of Richarlison during their 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United on Sunday.

The Toffees’ hopes of qualifying for European competition next season are hanging by a thread after this latest defeat. The Blades’ relegation to the Championship has already been confirmed, but they were able to pick up all three points thanks to a goal from Daniel Jebbison, who was making his first start for the Yorkshire side (Transfermarkt).

Only Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored more than Richarlison for Everton so far this season (BBC), but the Brazil international was disappointing in this game. Although he did manage four shots (SofaScore), he was unable to provide a consistent display throughout the 90 minutes, and his attitude during the clash was far from exemplary, losing possession 10 times and coming off second best in most of his duels (SofaScore).

The Everton fans were livid with the 24-year-old, who earns £110,000 per week at Goodison Park (salarysport.com), and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about Richarlison

“It was, they were awful tonight, especially Richarlison. Absolutely awful.”

Credit: @EFCMatt1

“Richarlison was disgustingly bad, he needs the crowd.”

Credit: @TopBalcBoy

“I miss Pienaar, Arteta, Cahill, Baines, we never won anything but least it was a proper team. Richarlison giving himself the Ronaldo haircut he can’t pass forward. Embarrassing”

Credit: @AlanTaylor4056

“if Richarlison could score we would be just fine, has been dreadful this season. afraid to take defenders on one v one, can’t finish in the box. thinking selling him is a good idea.”

Credit: @AlexZiabko

“Richarlison Delph Gomes Holgate Iwobi Sig Bernard DCL all these should be sold in the summer feel free to add”

Credit: @Hugodrax0077

“DCL is a threat in the air for any top 6 side but should not be leading the line, misses far too many with his feet. And I really don’t think Richarlison is good enough, poor decision making, woeful finisher and he’s offered absolutely zero this season.”

Credit: @LordFoxEFC

In other news, Everton are interested in this 12-goal Premier League striker.

Ex-Leeds United hero Noel Whelan has tipped Rodrigo to shine in a No.10 role next season, dropping deeper but still scoring plenty of goals.

The Lowdown: Signs of life from record signing Rodrigo

The Spaniard arrived for £27million from Valencia last summer, making him the most expensive signing in the club’s history.

Rodrigo has endured a difficult first season at Elland Road, partly due to injuries, but he finished the campaign well, scoring four times in as many games at the end.

The Latest: Whelan talks up role change

Although Rodrigo has often been used as a No.9 by Marcelo Bielsa, someone who believes who could thrive more in a deeper role is Whelan.

Speaking to Football Insider, the former Leeds striker tipped him to be hugely effective in that position, putting his all-round game to good use:

“There are a lot of different aspects to his game. We saw that against Southampton with that pass over the top to Bamford. That was very much a number 10 type of pass.

“That’s the kind of brilliance you expect to see from your number 10. But then you see the goals he scored at Burnley, a natural finish after a great first touch.

“Then again yesterday, he was in the right place at the right time. He had that hunger and instinct to get in the box and on the end of a cross.

“There is a possibility that he could play a number nine role, yeah. But I think with [Pablo] Hernandez going, that number 10 role is his.

“He could still get into double figures from that position, easy. Even when he has an interview he says he’s a number 10 rather than a number nine.

“He’s very good at finding pockets of space and linking up play. He does have that forward-thinking attitude and instinct where he wants to get into the box. But he’s got too much intelligence just to be a number nine.”

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The Verdict: Big things next season?

There is no denying that Rodrigo’s first year at Leeds has been disappointing, but these last few weeks have shown the quality he possesses.

Using him as a No.10 could be a shrewd move by Bielsa, allowing him to dovetail with Patrick Bamford and wreak havoc with both his creativity and eye for goal, having averaged 1.2 key passes per game in the Premier League.

It is hard to envisage anyone ousting Bamford as the main striker for the time being, so this change in role could also guarantee Rodrigo more regular playing time.

In other news, one Leeds player has been named in a pundit’s Team of the Season. Find out who it is here.