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Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed that defender Filip Helander should be able to return to training after the winter break.

What’s the story?

Helander has been sidelined since early September after suffering a knee injury against St. Johnstone earlier in the season, but could return to training after the winter break, according to the Gers manager

On the 28-year-old’s status, van Bronckhorst said: “Filip has been out on the pitch for a couple of weeks individually so hopefully, he can join us after the break in training sessions.

“We have to build up his stamina and his training time with the team so hopefully, he will be able to join the team as normal, I don’t think straight after the winter break but hopefully soon.”

Rangers fans will be buzzing

The Sweden international was an important player last season as Rangers won their first league title in ten years, making 31 appearances in all competitions, as well as six this season before his injury, so to have him back will be an enormous boost.

With a second consecutive league title in sight, the Gers will require as many options as possible as van Bronckhorst’s side enter the second half of their Scottish Premiership campaign.

Rangers are currently six points clear of their fierce rivals Celtic at the summit of the table and will be looking to extend that advantage in the coming weeks.

The Gers faithful will be particularly fond of the Swede after he scored the winning goal against Celtic in August’s 1-0 Old Firm triumph. However, since then, he’s rarely been seen at Ibrox.

Having started 20 of the Glaswegian club’s 32 league games last year on route to the title, the return of Helander will certainly be welcome and will provide the Dutchman with another option as well as add quality to his squad as Rangers look to further boost their title credentials.

On that evidence, this news should leave supporters and everyone associated with Ibrox buzzing.

AND in other news, Gio can axe £5.6k-p/w Rangers dud with bargain swoop for “technically skilled” beast…

West Ham United risk losing out on mooted transfer target Tammy Abraham…

What’s the word?

According to the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee, the Irons’ top-flight rivals Aston Villa are poised to make a substantial bid for the 23-year-old Chelsea striker.

“We especially need to move soon for Abraham if we want to secure him because it looks like Aston Villa are going to firm up their interest and make a substantial bid for the player,” he told The West Ham Way Patreon page.

It’s thought that Abraham is David Moyes’ number one target this summer as he seeks to bolster his barren frontline, although there have been reports suggesting that the Scot is not prepared to pay the England international’s £40m price tag.

Instead, he believes the Blues star is worth just £25m but it certainly seems like his former loan outfit are prepared to stump up the cash, leaving it in the hands of the Hammers’ hierarchy to make their move.

Time to act

And strike they must.

If Moyes considers Abraham to be his top target, then he should consider a drastic U-turn on his stance or he will risk losing out, and that is something they must avoid considering he will get the opportunity to punish such a decision at least twice next season.

Despite falling out of favour under Thomas Tuchel, the £45m-rated forward ended the campaign with 12 goals and six assists across all competitions, whilst only one player managed to score more goals in the Premier League, the penalty-taking Jorginho.

What Abraham offers more than most of the Irons’ mooted striker targets is the fact that he is tried and tested in England and would surely take no time to settle in. He’s only on around £50,000 per week at Stamford Bridge right now, too.

Furthermore, the east Londoners have qualified for the Europa League and that would also put Moyes in a stronger position than Villa, who cannot offer him any sort of European football next term.

Abraham has done one better than that in his career, winning the Champions League last month, where he scored his fourth goal in the competition whilst his total for the Hammers’ London rivals is 30 goals and 12 assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Described as “unbelievable” and “phenomenal” throughout his career, the 6 foot 3 frontman would help to instantly fill the void alongside Michail Antonio.

Moyes cannot afford to go into 2021/22 with just one injury-prone option up top, and considering that Villa are on the verge of getting involved, it would be foolish of the Hammers boss to drop their interest over a discrepancy of £15m.

After this concerning news, it’s time to act.

AND in other news, West Ham handed huge transfer boost as exciting claim emerges, Moyes will be buzzing…

Former Leicester City striker Brian Deane has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that Kelechi Iheanacho is better off staying at the King Power and developing under Brendan Rodgers.

This comes after reports in Spain (via Leicestershire Live) claimed that Arsenal are currently one club tracking the 24-year-old following his impressive run of form.

After barely being used in the first half of this campaign, £60,000-a-week man Iheanacho has since gone on to become arguably Leicester’s most important player.

In recent weeks, the Nigeria international has scored goals against the likes of Crystal Palace and West Brom to bring Brendan Rodgers’ men closer to securing Champions League football.

That has seemingly not gone unnoticed if reports about Arsenal’s interest are to be believed.

For Deane, though, a move to north London is something Iheanacho should not even contemplate given where the Gunners currently find themselves.

“I think he’s better off developing under Brendan Rodgers,” the ex-Leicester player told FFC. “I think it’s carnage at Arsenal.”

With where Leicester are in this current moment of time, as long as he keeps on getting regular minutes, then there really is not much reason for Iheanacho to leave the King Power.

Newcastle United are reportedly now targeting a move for Renan Lodi in the summer.

The Lowdown: Targett conundrum

The St James’ Park club have a conundrum over whether to sign Matt Targett on a permanent deal following his loan spell from Aston Villa.

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They have reportedly not made a decision yet, although polls suggest that the vast majority of the fanbase would choose to bring him in permanently.

The Latest: Lodi targeted by Newcastle

As per journalist Jacque Talbot, Lodi ‘remains a target’ for Newcastle despite Targett’s ‘glowing performances’, with the latter set to ‘hold talks’ with the Tyneside club this summer after his loan ends.

Replying to a fan on Twitter, Talbot then revealed that the Atletico Madrid defender will likely cost around €50m (£42.2m) and that a deal is ‘very negotiable’, saying: “Think about €50m but have heard it’ll be very negotiable how it’s done.”

Expanding in his article for Football Transfers, the journalist said that ‘sources’ have told the news outlet that talks over Targett will still proceed despite the interest in Lodi, as both Newcastle and Villa are ‘happy’ with how things are going at the moment.

However, the representatives of Lodi have already spoken to the Magpies, with discussions taking place in the January transfer window over a potential move then.

The Verdict: Targett over Lodi

If the Toon could only sign one of those left-back options, they should be looking at signing Targett over Lodi.

Firstly, the Englishman should be a lot cheaper, with €15m (£12.6m) thought to be enough for his permanent signature.

His performances for Eddie Howe’s team should not be overlooked either, and he is actually averaging more tackles, interceptions, clearances, blocks, shots, key passes, dribbles, crosses and long balls per game than the Atletico Madrid left-back in their respective domestic leagues so far this season (WhoScored).

The new owners at St James’ Park should be prioritising a move for Targett first, before potentially moving onto Lodi if a deal cannot be struck.

In other news, find out whose NUFC future is now in doubt

Newcastle United are reportedly preparing a bargain deal to sign Kristoffer Ajer, according to the Daily Mail.

As per the news outlet, the Magpies are preparing to launch a bid of £8m for the Celtic defender, who only has one year left on his current deal with the Hoops and has been urged to leave Parkhead by Stale Solbakken, his international manager with Norway.

The Celts believe that Ajer is worth closer to £35m, but the 22-year-old will be able to talk to foreign clubs over a permanent transfer in the January window of 2022, meaning that the Bhoys face losing him for a mere fraction of what they had originally hoped to recoup.

Ajer has reportedly set his sights on a move to the Premier League, which will no doubt have alerted the Magpies, although there is also interest in signing him from Italy.

Newcastle have admired Ajer for a long time but must avoid being relegated from the top flight at the end of the current campaign to stand a realistic chance of securing his signature.

Newcastle must sign Ajer

If they do end up staying in the Premier League come the end of the season, the Tyneside club must try and sign Ajer at all costs. With a mammoth 6 foot 6 frame, the centre-back should have no problems at all coping with the physical and aerial demands of the English top flight.

He has received very high praise in the past, with former Toon ace Lee Clark claiming that he is an ‘outstanding’ player when asked about him earlier this month, while former Scottish Premiership winger Neil McCann likened him to footballing legend Cafu back in 2019, despite him primarily being a centre-back by trade.

Nonetheless, Newcastle should do all they can to sign Ajer in the summer, providing that they can preserve their Premier League status, of course.

In other news, find out takeover claim Lee Ryder has dropped on Mike Ashley here!

According to a report by Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via Football Italia, Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona have made contact with Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne’s agent amid his contract dispute.

The Lowdown: Italian job?

Tottenham have been linked with a plethora of Italian players since managing director Fabio Paratici was appointed as the club’s managing director.

Indeed, the likes of Manuel Locatelli and Domenico Berardi have both been mentioned, while Leonardo Bonucci is also said be on Spurs’ radar.

The Latest: Spurs make Insigne contact…

As per Corriere dello Sport, Spurs have made contact with Insigne’s agent over a possible swoop to sign him this summer.

La Liga giants Barcelona are also said to have reached out to the Italy star’s representatives amid his sensational form for Roberto Mancini’s side at Euro 2020.

Insigne has been a mainstay in the Azzurri’s starting XI throughout the tournament and has dazzled with some memorable displays, most recently bagging a sumptuous finish in the quarter-finals against Belgium.

Back at his club, things are less rosy, with the 3o-year-old said to be in the middle of a contract dispute. The winger is allegedly set for complicated discussions and wants a pay rise on his current €5m-a-year (£4.2m) wages.

His deal at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona expires in 2022 and Napoli are keen to extend Insigne’s stay, but both Spurs and Barca have reached out to his entourage amid these talks.

The Verdict: Amazing, but unlikely…

Tottenham securing Insigne this summer would be an unbelievable coup.

The attacker, once likened to Lionel Messi for his dribbling by Goran Pandev (Radio Marte via ESPN), has also been on fire at club level, scoring 19 goals and setting up seven others in 33 Serie A starts over 2020/21 (WhoScored).

Valued at around £43.2m by Transfermarkt, we believe a move for him this summer could be unlikely due to Spurs’ financial difficulties and their need for a centre-back. However, with his deal set to run out at the end of next season as it stands, this could be one for January.

In other news: ‘Understand’…Alasdair Gold backs reports of big news coming out of Tottenham, find out more here.

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been giving their thoughts on social media to a transfer update regarding the club’s interest in Bristol City attacker Antoine Semenyo.

According to a report from Football League World, Palace are ramping up their interest in the 21-year-old and are the early favourites for his signature in the summer.

Semenyo, who can play as a centre-forward and out wide, is valued at £1.17m by Transfermarkt and is under contract at Ashton Gate until 2023.

The Englishman has been a regular for the Robins this season, making 46 appearances in all competitions. He’s netted on five occasions and has registered seven assists in total, and it seems as if Palace like what they see in the versatile forward.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the update on Twitter on Friday morning.

It didn’t take long for a number of Palace supporters to have their say on the news, with one describing the Bristol City man as ‘class’.

“This don is needed”

Credit: @s_cpfc

“Want.”

Credit: @liamb0117

“Never heard of him, but bring him in”

Credit: @localpla7tic

“Would be good backup if we can get him for a decent price”

Credit: @Connormuz

“This is Palace we don’t do normal..”

Credit: @geraldcaterham

“People writing off a Bristol City winger.. Sounds familiar. (He’s class btw)”

Credit: @paIaceawayy

In other news: Many CPFC fans buzz at club’s interest in Fulham star, find out more here. 

Leeds United hero Pablo Hernandez will have no problem finding another club this summer, according to ex-Scotland manager Alex McLeish.

The Lowdown: Hernandez moving on

The Spaniard’s brilliant spell at Elland Road will come to an end imminently, with his contract set to expire.

Hernandez has been a hugely influential figure for the Whites, helping them get back into the Premier League, scoring 36 goals and registering 41 assists along the way.

The Latest: McLeish hails Leeds hero

Someone who doesn’t believe the 36-year-old will be short of suitors this summer is McLeish, despite the attacking midfielder’s advancing years.

Speaking to Football Insider, he tipped Hernandez to copy the likes of Sergio Aguero and David Silva, remaining a key figure at an older age:

“If you take Aguero or David Silva for example. Both Manchester City players, both getting to that stage.

“Aguero rolled back the years with two fantastic goals his performance. That was great to see that after that daft penalty. You don’t want that to be your last memory of Aguero in a Man City shirt. He’s still young enough to score goals for Barcelona.

“The same for Hernandez. He’s 36, isn’t he? So you would think he’d be looking for one last hurrah, as much as he can.

“If he’s got the fitness in his body, I’m sure he’ll be able to do it. I’m sure, if he’s able, somebody will pluck him. He’s got a brilliant record and will be in demand.”

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The Verdict: Key signing for someone

At 36, it is the right time for Hernandez to leave Leeds, having only made three starts in the league in 2020/21 and with the team moving forward without him.

That being said, he still has enough left in the tank to be a force elsewhere, given the technical quality he possesses, not to mention his vast experience.

He will be a shrewd addition for whoever snaps him up, presumably in a slower-paced league, inspiring younger players around him, both in terms of quality and professionalism.

In other news, Leeds have been urged to sign one player in a key position this summer. Find out who it is here.

Odsonne Edouard is not considering spending one final year at Celtic, according to a report from Football Insider.

The lowdown

Celtic signed the striker from Paris Saint-Germain for a club-record fee of £9.27m ahead of the 2018/19 season and he has scored 83 goals and set up another 37 in 168 appearances for the club.

Former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie has expressed hope that Edouard will fulfil the remainder of his £19,000-per-week deal at Parkhead, which has one year left to run. The 61-year-old said he was ‘struggling to see him going’ this year, adding that the striker will ‘want to make up for’ a disappointing 2020/21 campaign after a rampant Rangers dethroned Celtic as Scottish champions.

Another former Hoop in Lubo Moravcik advised Edouard to stay ‘and try to have a better season than the last’ before he looks to the English Premier League.

The latest

Football Insider reported that Edouard has made his desire to leave clear to the Celtic board, with any suggestions that the Frenchman would be willing to see out his contract and leave on a free transfer next summer said to be wide of the mark.

FA Cup winners Leicester City have apparently made progress on a move for Edouard in recent days, with the Foxes hopeful of seeing off competition from Arsenal and West Ham United. Leicester ‘were having second thoughts’ after tying down Kelechi Iheanacho to a new contract, but are now intent on reuniting the 23-year-old with former Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers.

The verdict

It very much looks as if Edouard has his mind irretrievably made up, and so the focus for Celtic should be on maximising the fee and finding the right replacement.

The first task is tricky given his contractual situation, but they’ll surely be able to net somewhere between £10m and £15m. Meanwhile, a new centre-forward may have already been identified, with a report on Monday suggesting that Hibernian’s Kevin Nisbet was under consideration.

It’s a shame that Edouard’s departure looks inevitable but Celtic need to accept it and take the right steps towards moving on.

In other news, another Parkhead star is nearing the exit door. 

Following 360 minutes of football and 71 attempts at goal, Wolves finally found the back of the net last weekend.

In their opening three matches of the campaign, the Old Gold had failed to score or register a single point in the Premier League.

However, that changed in their fourth clash when they travelled to Vicarage Road to face Watford.

On the chalkboard

It was typical that Wolves’ barren run in front of goal was actually ended with an own goal in that 2-0 win just under a week ago. However, the introduction of Hwang Hee-chan seemed to change the game.

The South Korean signed just days before the deadline but had to wait two weeks to make his debut for Bruno Lage’s side.

He came on as a 63rd-minute substitute and found the net from close range to start his Wolves career in ideal fashion.

During the course of his time on the field, Hwang participated in 11 defensive duels, winning five and embarking on three dribbles as he successfully changed the match.

Consequently, he simply has to start against Brentford on Saturday afternoon. After all, this is a player who once beat the goalkeeper on 16 occasions in one season for RB Salzburg. With Wolves struggling for firepower, he needs to be in the starting XI.

The solution

Keeping that in mind, it may have to fall on the shoulders of Trincao to drop out.

Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore are yet to find the net either this term but the duo have both been important parts of the furniture at Molineux in recent years.

Jimenez has netted 48 times in Wolves colours while Traore has registered more successful dribbles per game (9.5) than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues this season.

Trincao has looked bright and has registered 3.3 dribbles per league match himself. However, he’s not shown much goal threat in his brief spell in the Midlands so far.

Wolves have a £25m option to buy the 21-year-old next year and they may well take that up. On his day, he’s a mightily exciting player, one who in the words of former Braga academy coach Jose Carvalho Araujo is “magic.”

Yet, while Wolves try to find the net more regularly, Lage must axe him from the starting line-up.

The 21-year-old didn’t play poorly last week, registering four dribbles and a key pass, but he failed to find the net and lost the ball every 3.3 touches.

The Portuguese starlet will have a huge part to play this season, but after Hwang’s goal last weekend, the Korean feels like the best choice for Saturday.

AND in other news, Forget Gibbs-White: Lage must unleash rarely-seen Wolves ace who’s “very smooth”…