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The Athletic’s Rangers correspondent Jordan Campbell has made a claim on Connor Goldson’s future at Ibrox which will surely delight Rangers fans.

What’s the word?

After a superb campaign in which Goldson was a key part of a Rangers defence which conceded just 13 goals in 38 league fixtures, there was always likely to be Premier League interest in the centre-back this summer.

West Ham United were one club said to be keen on the 28-year-old, but Campbell has dismissed any rumours that the defender could depart this summer in a recent article for The Athletic, writing:

“Rangers remain in a healthy position with most of their top talents but Connor Goldson’s contract remains the one with question marks over his future. The 28-year-old is one of Gerrard’s most trusted players and, as an ever-present at the heart of a record-breaking defence last season, is a big presence in the dressing room.

“He is entering the final year of his deal but no extension has been agreed yet, unlike captain James Tavernier who has signed a deal until 2024.

“From the outside, this lack of certainty may look like it has the potential to be unsettling but the club are said to be relaxed about the situation.

“Although they are keen to tie Goldson down, it is understood their position is that he signs a new deal or sees out the remainder of his contract and moves for free next summer after four years at the club. His contribution is felt to be worth more than any value they would gain from cashing in on him for a reduced fee in this window.”

Will Goldson remain at Ibrox?

From what Campbell suggests, Goldson will remain at Ibrox for the 2021/22 campaign, even if it means losing him for nothing next summer when his current contract expires.

Considering that the defender was ranked as the fourth-best performer in Steven Gerrard’s squad last season, averaging a superb 7.38 rating from WhoScored, it is easy to see why those at Rangers want to keep him around as they aim to retain their Premiership title next year.

Gerrard is clearly a huge fan of Goldson, dubbing him an “absolute mountain” last season, and if he can maintain that level of performance again next term, then it will surely prove worthwhile keeping him at Ibrox for another while rather than cashing in this summer.

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776″]

With Rangers fans set to return to Ibrox in the near future, they will be surely be delighted with this news and can look forward to having Goldson at the heart of their defence once again next season.

In other news… Wilson should seal Rangers swoop for “exceptionally good” ace, he won’t cost a penny

West Ham United have reportedly made an offer to sign out-of-contract Napoli defender Nikola Maksimovic, according to Corriere Dello Sport journalist Antonio Giordano (via Area Napoli).

THE LOWDOWN: DEFENDER SET FOR THE NAPOLI EXIT DOOR

Maksimovic’s contract with Napoli is set to expire this summer, and it appears as though he’s attracting interest ahead of the 2021/22 season.

He first signed for the club in 2016, and went on to make 99 appearances in total, although he found regular minutes in the 2020/21 campaign hard to come by on a consistent basis.

With Fabian Balbuena being released by West Ham at the end of his contract with the club, it seems as though David Moyes is keen to add to his defensive options at the earliest of opportunities.

THE LATEST: WEST HAM MAKE THEIR MOVE TO LAND MAKSIMOVIC’S SIGNATURE

According to Corriere Dello Sport journalist Antonio Giordano (via Area Napoli), West Ham have reportedly made an offer to land Maksimovic’s signature this summer.

The defender is available on a free transfer, and with no new agreement with Napoli in place, it seems as though he’s likely to be heading for the exit door in the near future.

“He has had offers from Betis, Sevilla, West Ham and Crystal Palace but has not decided,” Giordano claims.

It remains to be seen as to whether the defender is keen on a move to Moyes’ side, although the prospect of playing European football could make it a tempting proposition for the £9million-rated man.

THE VERDICT: IT COULD BE A SMART BIT OF BUSINESS BY THE HAMMERS

This would be a real statement of intent by the Hammers heading into the new Premier League campaign, which is set to get underway in August.

They’re going to need additional strength in depth in their team this term, as they’re competing in Europe, as well as domestically in the Premier League.

Maksimovic has experience of playing in the Champions League whilst with Napoli, so he could be exactly what West Ham need moving forwards, adding depth and know-how at the highest level.

On a potential free transfer as well, this could turn out to be an excellent bit of business for the Hammers this summer.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League manager Lawrie Sanchez thinks Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish could start having regrets over letting Roy Hodgson go.

Hodgson and the south London club parted ways at the end of the season and it has been a bit of a nightmare for Parish finding a replacement.

After considering a host of names, Palace looked to have found their man in ex-Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo. However, talks broke down at the last minute, forcing the Eagles to turn elsewhere.

On Palace’s manager situation, Sanchez said in an exclusive interview with FFC:

“Steve Parish will later on think, ‘You know what? I quite like Roy. He wasn’t high-maintenance, he did the job, he kept us up and we kept our money every year. This is turning into a pain in the neck and they’ll be no guarantees we’re going to do any better.’ ”

During Hodgson’s four seasons at the club, Palace finished 11th, 12th and 14th twice in the Premier League. Simply put, they were never really in any real danger of being relegated under the Englishman.

He was quite a safe bet compared to someone like Frank de Boer, who he took over from, with the Netherlands manager having the Eagles almost rock bottom before his dismissal.

A number of Liverpool supporters are unhappy after the Reds were linked with a summer move for Italy winger Domenico Berardi.

Jurgen Klopp will be working hard on potential transfers in the coming weeks and months, as his side try and wrestle the Premier League title back from Manchester City.

Liverpool have already added centre-back Ibrahima Konate to their ranks, but the hope is that more new faces arrive during the transfer window.

One area the Reds could look to add depth in is attack, especially as the likes of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino struggled so much last season.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], Liverpool are interested in signing Sassuolo star Berardi, who is currently on Euro 2020 duty with Italy.

The Serie A side want £42million for the 26-year-old’s services, after he scored 17 goals in Serie A in 2020/21.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-copy-2/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Liverpool fans react to Berardi rumour

These Liverpool fans gave their thoughts on the news on Twitter, with negativity the order of the day.

“Lol. No”

Credit: @Gbemiga_A

“£42million????”

Credit: @LFCSai7

“Wrong Sassuolo midfielder guys”

Credit: @SalahFanV1

“Yeah when you look at that club he’s not the player you should be going for lol”

Credit: @1CraigFisher

“please no”

Credit: @AdamLFC27

“£42m for a bencher. Forget”

Credit: @NewHouse_NM

“He’s 27 soon makes no sense”

Credit: @lfcfelix_

In other news, some Liverpool fans are fuming at a transfer update regarding a potential Reds target. Read more here.  

Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour would have been a brilliant addition to Rangers, that is according to the club’s former defender Michael Ball.

Gilmour, who impressed at Euro 2020 for Scotland, has joined Premier League newcomers Norwich City on a season-long loan.

He had been linked with a loan move to Ibrox, with the Daily Record reporting prior that Steven Gerrard was interested in bringing the former Rangers youth product back to the club.

For Ball, if the Scottish Premiership champions managed to get that over the line, it could have been quite the acquisition.

“It would have been brilliant,” the ex-Rangers player told TT in an exclusive interview. “He loves the club, the club love him and the fans adored him.

“We know how much of a talent he is. He showed that against England in the Euros, man of the match. He’s a top-quality player.”

Gilmour rarely started for Chelsea last season, hence his loan move to Norwich. However, when the Scotland international did play, he impressed.

In a 1-1 draw against Russian outfit FC Krasnodar in the Champions League, Gilmour completed three key passes, the same as Kai Havertz and more than Jorginho (via WhoScored).

Gilmour also recorded the second-highest pass success rate (89.2) in his side that night, so he looks like he could have brought a lot to Rangers’ midfield.

Things just haven’t gone to plan for Steven Bergwijn since his £25m move to Tottenham Hotspur in January 2020.

The Dutch international got off to a dream start in North London, stunning Manchester City with an incredible volley to open the scoring on his Premier League debut.

Just after an hour, Bergwijn chested down a pass from Lucas Moura before rifling it home low into the bottom corner past a helpless Ederson. That would’ve given everyone an encouraging sign of what was to come.

However, since that moment, the 23-year-old has done very little and has quickly become a forgotten man down the pecking order. Big figures like Heung-min Son and Gareth Bale won’t have helped his cause but his form tailed off quite drastically.

In the five succeeding matches after the City win, Bergwijn found the net twice, in some massive games too, including a strike against Manchester United.

That was nearly a year ago.

Since then, he has added just the one goal in the Premier League, playing a total of 1,211 minutes.

The 5 foot 7 dynamo is one of several players who are facing uncertainty at the club right now, even more so without a manager – will the new man like him enough to start him more? or will he have other plans with his wing options?

Dele Alli is another who had faltered under Jose Mourinho.

One name linked to the Spurs vacancy is Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag and if he is successful in getting the job, then you’d imagine this would benefit Bergwijn more than most.

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According to The Athletic, the 51-year-old sits among a four-man shortlist for the role and is certainly not out of Daniel Levy’s reach despite recently signing a contract extension at the Eredivisie champions.

He fits the profile of the attack-minded coach that the Spurs chairman is dreaming of and is one that ticks another box, having developed many a young player into a first-team star.

A lot of his players have gone onto bigger and better things after being nurtured by the Dutchman, these include Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus) and Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), whilst names like David Neres and Ryan Gravenberch are ones to keep an eye on.

Ten Hag’s potential arrival in North London should certainly have a player like Bergwijn excited about what could happen, especially given his success with his fellow countryman and in his home nation, where he has won 73.7% of matches.

Ajax have even been linked with a move for Bergwijn in recent weeks, which suggests that the Spurs managerial target likes what he sees with the winger.

In the past, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has dubbed the Ajax supremo “one of the most exciting coaching talents in world football,” whilst former Celtic and Forest striker Pierre van Hooijdonk said his ability to progress players was “remarkable.”

On the above evidence, ten Hag could be exactly what the £45m-rated Bergwijn needs to get his Spurs career back on track.

At 23, he still has so much to give and the Dutch manager could be the one to get the best out of him.

AND in other news, Fresh twist emerges on Harry Kane’s future at Spurs, it’ll leave Daniel Levy seething…

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa is interested in signing Arsenal star Ainsley Maitland-Niles this summer.

What’s the story?

The England international is currently on a season-long loan at West Brom, who saw their relegation from the Premier League confirmed when they lost 3-1 to the Gunners at the Emirates on the weekend.

Now, The Daily Mail claim that Maitland-Niles will return to Arsenal in the summer, with both Leeds and Southampton keen on signing him.

The report adds that “Manchester United and Everton have also shown an interest in him but they view Maitland-Niles as a right back”.

Smart signing for Bielsa

Given his wealth of Premier League experience at both the Gunners and West Brom, Maitland-Niles would offer Bielsa the kind of proven option at this level that he needs to add to his squad over the summer.

The £16.2m-rated ace has shown with the Baggies that he can play in central midfield, but his time at Arsenal saw him used in a number of different positions, including in both full-back roles – something Chris Sutton has previously hailed, saying: “The young man’s versatility is a weapon. He is such a versatile talent – a diamond.”

Dubbed a “Rolls-Royce of a player” by Martin Keown a few months ago when Arsenal beat Rapid Vienna 4-1 in the Europa League, the 23-year-old has got the kind of pace and athleticism that should be perfect for Bielsa-ball.

His former teammate at Arsenal, Sead Kolasinac said: “He’s so quick and he reads the game well, so he knows what to do before the ball arrives. He’s shown that in the last couple of games.

“I’ve spoken to him. I told him that he’s so quick – if I had that pace, I’d never stand still, I’d just run! When you’re that quick, it’s difficult to stop someone. ‘He has the acceleration and when he gets going, he’s tough to defend against. That can be a weapon for us.”

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It’s no surprise then that given his age – he’s still only 23 – Premier League experience, and versatility, that Bielsa is keen on bringing him to Elland Road this summer.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing a summer swoop for this English starlet…

David Moyes has been handed a fresh injury blow ahead of West Ham’s final game of the 2020/21 campaign…

What’s the latest?

The Hammers will likely be without first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski after he suffered a knee injury during the warm-up against West Brom on Wednesday evening. It’s thought that the 36-year-old suffered a knee issue and had to be withdrawn from the starting XI at the 11th hour, with Darren Randolph featuring in his place.

“He felt his knee go from under him. I don’t know if he’s done anything bad. We’ll have to see. Obviously, it’s a blow because he’s been very good for us,” revealed Moyes after the victory.

The ever-reliable ExWHUemployee told fans on Twitter that he would “extremely doubt” Fabianski’s involvement against Southampton on Sunday afternoon.

Moyes has since delivered a fresh update on the situation, and it isn’t looking very good. Speaking in his pre-game press conference, the West Ham manager told reporters, via football.london: “Don’t know about Fabianski, [I] don’t think it is quite as bad at the time but it will be a last-minute call on Sunday.”

Huge blow

Given the endless list of injury problems with which Moyes has had to deal throughout the season, particularly since the turn of the year, it would be a surprise to see him risk the Poland shot-stopper.

Fabianski must surely have the European Championships in the back of his mind, so surely he won’t want to risk aggravating the injury, especially as it’s a knee concern.

Ultimately, this will come as a major blow to Moyes as it makes the Irons a much weaker side defensively. Randolph looked a little shaky from crosses and set pieces against the Baggies in midweek.

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He will now be coming up against a pair of better forwards in Danny Ings (12 goals) and Che Adams (nine goals), both of whom average 1.5 or more shots per league game this term, as per WhoScored.

The 34-year-old will be in for a busy afternoon if he’s not at the top of his game, while it remains to be seen how the defence will feel without their usual and trusted number one behind them.

Fabianski has started 34 of their league outings this term, keeping nine clean sheets and letting in only 1.2 goals per game, via Transfermarkt.

West Ham need just one point from the match to seal a place in the Europa League, or else they’ll be competing in the lesser and inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League, which will be far less appealing to any of their mooted summer transfer targets.

Therefore, Moyes may well feel a little worried about their prospects going into such a crucial encounter this weekend. He’ll be hoping that Randolph can fit in seamlessly, but he’ll have to improve from midweek.

AND in other news, GSB could boost West Ham’s Europe ambitions by securing “complete” £15m “technician”…

Wolves striker Rafa Mir has said that his agents are ‘working on’ resolving his future at the end of his loan spell.

Speaking to Marca, the 23-year-old said that he wanted to ‘continue growing as a footballer’ and hoped to find the ‘best place’ to do that. He added that there is a ‘decision to make’ this summer but acknowledges that it’s not entirely up to him.

Mir’s stock grows on loan in Spain

Mir spent the season at Huesca in the Spanish top flight and managed to score 13 league goals. That left him joint-eighth in La Liga’s top scorers list, level with Barcelona’s Antoine Griezmann.

What’s more, he accomplished that feat for a side who ended up getting relegated, but he considerably underperformed on his expected goal tally of 16.5 (via Infogol).

Could Lage offer Mir a lifeline?

Mir has only made four appearances for Wolves’ senior side, each of them in the 2017/18 season when they were a Championship club.

Wolves’ seemingly incoming manager Bruno Lage prefers a 4-4-2 formation, so may be keen to deploy the Spaniard alongside Raul Jimenez in attack at Molineux.

Fan feed Talking Wolves relayed his comments, and here’s how some supporters reacted.

Wolves fans respond as Rafa Mir considers future

“Bring him back”

Credit: @jtrogers18

“Unless we are getting £20m keep him and give him a go.”

Credit: @kywolves

“Not gonna lie could do with him staying, with how paper thin the squad is he could do a job for us next year”

Credit: @thedannyl

“You know if we are gonna go 4-4-2 with Large next season, I say see how he does with Jimi upfront in a two, try him out.”

Credit: @cpj93070

“He’s going!! I don’t think he’d be that good in the Premier League! Jose’ scored numerous goals in the Spanish league, but was useless at Wolves!!”

Credit: @SteveWiles20

“Sounds like he doesn’t want to come back”

Credit: @gricey88

In other news, Wolves have been warned not to offload this star.  

An intriguing name has entered the running for the Tottenham Hotspur job this week…

What’s the word?

According to The Athletic, Spurs have contacted the representatives of Athletic Bilbao manager Marcelino, who has only ever managed in Spain, having taken charge of the likes of Valencia and Villarreal.

It’s claimed that, despite being under contract until 2022, the 55-year-old shouldn’t be too expensive to sign as there are certain clauses within his contract.

The north Londoners have only ever had one Spaniard in charge, that being Juande Ramos, who was brought in from Sevilla in 2007.

Shades of Bielsa

A move for the Bilbao boss would be an interesting change of direction from Daniel Levy and the Spurs hierarchy, as there is something very niche about him.

Marcelino is a hugely demanding coach who is obsessive over fitness and his players’ physical condition.

Part of his success at Villarreal was down to exactly this, according to legendary defensive midfielder Bruno Soriano. “There are tests every single day: weight, body mass,” he revealed to ESPN. “There are things that we can’t do. We looked after ourselves anyway, but there’s greater control now.”

His tactical system is also simple, but effective. It’s largely always been a rigid 4-4-2, where rapid transitions in attack can pick apart any opposition – he did beat Barcelona to the Copa del Rey final once.

When applying a high press on the opposition, this quickly changes to a 4-1-3-2 and often forces the ball out wide, where they can then apply further pressure whilst on the counter-attack, it’s often hell for leather with as many as five options bombing on to support.

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But it is, of course, his impact in the gym that makes him most unique, and that’s only really been seen in England with the rise of Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds – famed for his ‘murderball’ sessions, which is claimed to be “about ten times harder than a [Premier League] game.”

“Fitness-wise, because of the hard training we do, I have never been as fit as this, and I’m sure the rest of the lads would say the same,” explained Patrick Bamford, their top goalscorer.

“Intense” and “strict” are two other buzzwords associated with Bielsa’s mantra up at Elland Road, and if Spurs were to move for Marcelino, then they should get used to hearing the same.

At Valencia, the 55-year-old was said to have constructed an overhaul of the club’s dietary system, all because of how crucial physical and stamina are to his tactical system.

Back in 2015, Marcelino drew high praise from Carlo Ancelotti, then in charge of Real Madrid, whilst Pep Guardiola and Rafa Benitez are two managers he looks up to for inspiration.

Furthermore, he would meet Levy’s seeming criteria of being attack-minded. He once told El Pais that “If we can finish a move in five successive passes on the ground, we won’t do it in 20.”

The Daily Mail even claimed in 2019 that ‘his style, promoting fast and dynamic football with two strikers and a commitment to attack’ is a reason for previously attracting interest in England.

Once touted as Spain’s next big manager, Marcelino would be an intriguing option for Spurs to consider, fans shouldn’t turn their nose up at him just yet.

A Bielsa-like influence would certainly fire a rocket up this struggling squad, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Levy could hire a dream Mourinho successor in 53 y/o, he called Spurs a “great club”…