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Scottish football journalist Bill Young has claimed that Glasgow Rangers supporters calling for the club to hire Steven Gerrard is ‘madness’.

The Lowdown: Van Bronckhorst on the brink

It has been reported that Giovanni van Bronckhorst is ‘likely’ to get the sack at Ibrox during the break for the World Cup in Qatar.

A poor run of results continued with a 2-1 defeat at St. Johnstone in the Premiership on Sunday, and the upcoming break presents an optimum time for the club to change manager ahead of the domestic season resuming in mid-December.

Van Bronckhorst’s predecessor Steven Gerrard is currently the favourite to replace the Dutchman, and he is available at the moment after being sacked by Aston Villa last month.

The Latest: ‘Madness’

Taking to Twitter on Monday, Young has claimed that Rangers fans calling for Gerrard’s return is ‘madness’, after previous disputes in and around the club.

The reporter stated: “I’m hearing more and more Rangers fans calling for the return of Steven Gerrard, that really is a special kind of madness. Let’s not forget the section that was calling for his head before he went and the rumours of rows with the board over spending. Here till his next big offer?”

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The Verdict: Forgive and forget

There may have been disputes with Gerrard and the board, and there was some backlash after him leaving the Light Blues midway through last season, but right now there do not seem to be many other better options for Rangers.

Of course, he helped them to win the league title in 2020/21, stopping bitter rivals Celtic from winning an unprecedented ten in a row, and the 42-year-old should be remembered for that achievement above all.

Gerrard also gave league debuts to the likes of Nathan Patterson and Joe Aribo, who have both since earned big moves to the Premier League, and also signed a number of top players like Ryan Kent and Connor Goldson, who are still playing in the first team.

The 42-year-old knows the club inside out, and if Van Bronckhorst loses his job over the next couple of weeks, then Gerrard should be given another chance at Ibrox.

Arsenal are in discussions to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk ahead of the January transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano…

What’s the word?

In his latest update for Caught Offside, the renowned transfer guru said that the Gunners were “in contact” over a move for the 21-year-old sensation and he also claimed that: “I think Arsenal is the perfect place for him: Premier League, ambitious project, young players and excellent manager/board.”

However, Shakhtar Donetsk are looking for more than the €55m (£48m) fee that has been rumoured and the Ukraine side are still yet to receive a formal offer.

He’ll boost Arsenal’s title chances

It’s no secret that the north London giants are in desperate need of reinforcements heading into 2023 as Mikel Arteta’s side are only a couple of injuries away from disaster.

They have been outstanding since the start of the 2022/23 campaign in pretty much every regard but have had the fortune of a consistently clean bill of health, for the large part.

Key players such as Gabriel Jesus, Granit Xhaka, William Saliba and Bukayo Saka have all remained healthy and are among four of the top seven in terms of most minutes played in the top-flight this term. An injury to any would be a devastating blow, which is why owner Stan Kronke must back Arteta in the transfer market, seeing as they are five points clear at the top heading into Christmas.

Bringing in a signing of Mudryk’s calibre would certainly bolster their title credentials, not only providing valuable cover to Gabriel Martinelli – who will be at the World Cup in Qatar – but to Martin Odegaard and many other players, too.

The 21-year-old dynamo has been in electric form this season, where he has delivered eight goals and seven assists across 15 appearances, including some big performances against the likes of Real Madrid, Celtic and RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League.

His skill set is far more than just goals and assists, with his speed a key asset that allows him to often get the better of his opposite numbers, such is the case as journalist Josh Bunting lauded him as having “a frightening turn of pace and directness.”

Similarly, the ‘Ukrainian Neymar’ as some call him, has also been dubbed a “very special talent” by broadcaster Joe Flemons, just one of many glowing remarks about the dynamic attacking midfielder.

When compared to his positional peers across Europe, Mudryk is often in a league of his own, ranking inside the top 1% for non-penalty goals, the top 3% for assists, the top 3% for completed dribbles and the top 5% for touches in the opposition’s penalty box (per 90), via FBref, making him a constant threat in the final third for other teams.

So not only can he compete for a place in Arteta’s XI – thus elevating the performances of his teammates in the fight to start every week – but he can also be a valuable and versatile option that the Spaniard will need, with games coming thick and fast in 2023 following the break for the winter World Cup.

Edu and co must sign the Shakhtar sensation to bolster their lofty title dreams.

AND in other news, Arsenal signing £25m “phenomenon” is “a matter of time”, he’s what Arteta needs in January…

Liverpool are in desperate need of reinforcements after suffering their worst start in the Premier League for over a decade but two impressive signings could transform the team.

What’s the latest?

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Pete O’Rourke provided his thoughts on the reported interest from Liverpool in Jude Bellingham and Youssoufa Moukoko.

Commenting on the pair, O’Rourke said: “It’d be a massive coup if Liverpool could sign both players.

“Bellingham and Moukoko are obviously two very talented young players who I think will only get better with time.

“But I think it won’t just be Liverpool who are interested in both of these players, I think there’ll be a huge competition for their signatures if they do decide to leave Dortmund.”

It would be a major coup

Like O’Rourke claimed, there is no doubt that signing both Bellingham and Moukoko would be a major coup for Liverpool as it would begin their youth revolution to build the next generation of talent at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp has a number of players who are in the latter stages of their career with Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara and James Milner all well into their 30s at this point.

The Reds have been long term admirers of Bellingham and have been linked on numerous occasions with a move for the €150m-valued (£130m) teenage sensation who has proven his talent yet again this season so far.

Over 15 Bundesliga appearances, the 19-year-old England star has scored three goals, registered two assists and created four big chances, as well as making 1.4 interceptions, 3.2 tackles, 1.1 clearances and winning a whopping 9.2 duels per game.

Those numbers are outstanding and prove that he is one of the most talented complete midfielders in the world right now.

Regarding Moukoko, the young centre-forward has just earned a spot in the Germany World Cup squad after impressing for Dortmund with his eye for goal.

The talented teenager who turns 18 years old today has tallied up 153 goals and 35 assists over 149 appearances already whilst rising through the ranks to the senior team, with a goal contribution every 51 minutes.

This season Moukoko has been given a starring role in the Dortmund first team and has proven himself to be a huge threat in front of goal in the Bundesliga.

Over 14 appearances, the goal machine has scored six times, registered three assists and created two big chances, as well as averaging 1.9 shots on goal and winning 2.2 duels per game.

With Bellingham’s aforementioned value, combined with Moukoko’s £26.1m price tag, it would cost FSG £156.1m to secure the signature of both players.

With that being said, if Julian Ward can pull off a deal for both young talents it could set up the forward line as a pairing for over a decade, something that would certainly influence more success and trophies in the years to come.

Newcastle United could reportedly be set to make a fresh approach for Watford sensation Joao Pedro in January, with the Magpies having been unable to strike an agreement in the summer.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the Tynesiders are said to have “concrete” interest in signing the 21-year-old in the winter window, with Eddie Howe and co having been ‘closely monitoring’ his progress at Vicarage Road this season.

The St James’ Park outfit had failed to bring in the Brazilian ace during the summer despite launching a reported £30m bid for the youngster, while fellow Premier League side Everton having also been interested in a move at the time.

As per this latest report, it remains to be seen if the Hornets will cash in this time around, with the Championship said to view the former Fluminese sensation as a ‘key player’ in their bid for promotion.

‘Incredible’ for Howe

Howe and co have seemingly been unperturbed by being knocked back in the recent window, with it looking as if Newcastle have their eyes firmly set on the 6-foot menace to help bolster their attacking options.

The “incredible” talent – as described by former boss Rob Edwards – is no doubt an attractive option as far as the top-four hopefuls are concerned as a result of both his top-flight experience, but also his invaluable versatility, with the youngster having the ability to feature on the flanks or in a centre-forward berth.

Despite his relative youth, the £12.5k-per-week man has already racked up 91 appearances for his current side since arriving in England from his homeland back in January 2020, scoring 19 goals and providing seven assists in that time.

While now competing in the second tier after last season’s relegation – in which he made five goal involvements across all fronts – the explosive marksman has showcased his quality in the early months of the campaign, registering six goals and two assists in just 17 league games.

A fluid and dynamic attacking threat, Pedro seemingly offers more than just a goalscoring touch, helping to drive his side forward and initiate attacks with his dribbling prowess, as he notably ranks in the top 10% among those in his position outside of Europe’s top five leagues in that metric, as per FBref.

The promising forward was only recently lauded by current boss Slaven Bilic for his display in the win over Luton Town at the end of last month, with the former Croatian international stating:

“Both Pedro and Davis were great, but Pedro was wow. I said to my staff that still we don’t really know him, but for such a young kid to have that kind of ability, that composure and that special something about him is amazing.”

That glowing assessment is an indication of just why the fleet-footed star is so highly-coveted at present, with it a truly exciting thought as to the havoc that he could unleash under Howe’s tutelage at St James’ Park.

Leeds United have been handed a boost in their bid to bring Jesús Vázquez to Elland Road in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Spanish publication El Desmarque, who claim that, with Victor Orta targeting the signing of a young left-back, the director of football’s chances of landing the Valencia CF starlet this winter could be improving, with the LaLiga side believed to willing to sanction the 19-year-old’s departure on loan in January.

The report goes on to state that, should the Spain U19 international have not played a set amount of first-team minutes under Gennaro Gattuso at the Estadio de Mestalla prior to the turn of the year, the defender possesses a clause in his contract which would allow him to leave Valencia on a temporary basis in the upcoming winter window.

Finally, it is claimed that talks between the player and his club regarding his immediate future are planned in the coming weeks, and with Vázquez insisting he ‘wants to be a protagonist’ now, coupled with Gattuso possessing the options of José Gayà and Toni Lato at left-back, it is believed a loan move in January could be a solution that suits all parties.

Finally ditch Firpo

While it would appear likely that Orta would prefer to secure the services of a new left-back on a permanent rather than a temporary basis in the January transfer window, there is an argument to be made that the signing of Vázquez on loan this winter could still be extremely beneficial for Jesse Marsch’s side heading into the second half of the Premier League season.

First of all, it is evident that the £8.7m-rated talent is an extremely “exciting prospect” – in the words of talent scout Jacek Kulig – something the teenager demonstrated during Valencia’s 2021/22 LaLiga campaign.

Indeed, over his 15 league appearances last time out, the 19-year-old was in impressive defensive form, helping his side keep two clean sheets, in addition to making an average of 1.6 tackles, 0.6 interceptions, 0.9 clearances and winning 4.6 duels – at a success rate of 52% – per game.

The left-back also caught the eye going forwards, taking an average of 0.3 shots, making 0.4 key passes and completing a remarkable 1.7 dribbles per match – with the £8.1k-per-week gem ranking in the top 1% of full-backs in Europe’s big five leagues for dribbles completed over the last 365 days.

Secondly, loan deals are a surefire way to ensure that a new player suits the style of play and values of his prospective new club – something that would have saved Leeds a considerable amount of money should they have brought the last left-back they signed, Junior Firpo, to the club on a temporary basis before spending £13m on his signing back in the summer of 2021.

Indeed, the former Spain U21 international has endured a torrid career with the Whites thus far, having already missed 26 fixtures as a result of injury, as well as averaging extremely disappointing Sofascore match ratings of just 6.60 in 2021/22 and 6.30 in 2022/23 – ranking him as Leeds’ seventh-worst and worst performer in each respective league campaign.

So, while it would appear on paper as if Vázquez would represent an upgrade on the 26-year-old, bringing the youngster to the club on a temporary basis would allow Marsch and Orta to fully determine whether or not the full-back would indeed be a worthwhile permanent signing at the end of the season.

And, should Vázquez impress during his loan spell at Elland Road, this is exactly the procedure the club could follow next summer, with Orta then possessing evidence that the young Spaniard would be worthy of splashing a considerable transfer fee on – before he would subsequently replace the £42k-per-week Firpo in Marsch’s starting XI for the 2023/24 campaign.

North East reporter for The Daily Mail Craig Hope has shared a worrying Newcastle United injury update on Alexander Isak.

The Lowdown: Hamstring problem

Isak has been out since reports claiming that he would not return until after the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

There had been early indications that he should be fine once the tournament finishes, but there are still question marks over whether he will be fully fit once the domestic season resumes.

The Latest: ‘Race against time’

Taking to Twitter, Hope has shared that Isak ‘will miss’ the St. James’ Park outfit’s mid-season friendlies that they have arranged to help get back up to full fitness ahead of club fixtures returning, and faces a ‘race against time’ to be fit for the return of the Premier League:

“UPDATE: Alexander Isak will miss NUFC mid-season friendlies & faces race against time to be fit for return of Premier League. £60m striker has not suffered setback & remains on track, but club urging caution given previous recurrence of thigh injury.”

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The Verdict: Worrying

Given how long he has been out for already, it is certainly worrying for the Toon Army to hear that Isak, dubbed an ‘exceptional talent’ by goalscoring legend Gary Lineker, is doubtful for the return of the top flight.

He started off his Tyneside career very well, scoring two goals in three Premier League appearances, including netting on his debut at Anfield against Liverpool (Transfermarkt)

Having paid a club-record £63m for the Sweden international in the summer, the Magpies will no doubt want to see more of him as the season progresses, but these niggling injury concerns will be a worry as they look to chase a UEFA Champions League spot for next term.

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou may well be preparing himself for the departure of wantaway striker, Giorgos Giakoumakis, with the Greece international currently the subject of notable speculation regarding his future at Parkhead.

The latest suggestion is that the 28-year-old has caught the attention of clubs in Saudi Arabia – as well as in both England and Germany – with the 11-cap ace potentially set to seal a ‘life-changing’ move next month.

This talk of an exit comes amid reports that the imposing marksman has failed to agree terms regarding a wage increase with the Old Firm outfit, with that fact having ensured that a parting of ways could occur in the New Year.

While the former VVV-Venlo man has never been the main man in attack for the Glasgow side over the last 18 months, with just 22 starts to his name in that time, it will still prove a sizeable task attempting to replace a figure who has scored 25 goals in 50 outings across all fronts.

One man who could well help to fill the void is Bristol City starlet, Antoine Semenyo, with reports last week suggesting that the Hoops – as well as rivals Rangers – have been watching the 22-year-old ‘extensively’ in recent times.

Reports over the summer suggested that the Ghanaian was a target for Postecoglou and co, albeit with his reported £15m valuation likely to have been a notable sticking point for the Bhoys.

According to recent speculation, however, the player could be available for closer to £5m in the January window, with just six months remaining on his existing deal at Ashton Gate.

That price tag would likely make the London-born ace a far more attainable target for those at Celtic Park, with the six-cap brute potentially set to prove a fine solution to the Giakoumakis problem for the club.

The one-time Sunderland loanee has warranted such interest due to his sparkling form in recent times, with the versatile forward – who can also feature on the flanks – having scored eight goals and laid on 12 assists in the Championship last season.

That remarkable, breakthrough campaign saw the highly-coveted ace lauded by Robins boss Nigel Pearson, with the experienced coach describing him as a “nightmare to play against” due to his breathtaking speed and strength.

The fearsome marksman – who has four goals in all competitions this season – could then well replace Giakoumakis as a focal point in Celtic’s attack, offering a more imposing alternative to that of the diminutive star, Kyogo Furuhashi.

Not just a mere goal threat, however, the Bristol speedster also offers real dynamism as a result of dribbling prowess, with that showcased by the fact that he ranks in the top 9% across Europe’s ‘next best eight leagues’ in that regard among those in his position, as per FBref.

As such, bringing Semenyo to Scotland could well soften the blow of Giakoumakis’ potential exit, with Postecoglou no doubt set to love the chance to work with such young and explosive talent.

West Bromwich Albion have been reaping the rewards of their new leadership of late, with Carlos Corberan having masterminded their five-match winning streak despite having not made any signings of his own.

It therefore makes the January transfer window all the more promising, as he can add to a group of players who are currently on a roll.

Of the rumours swirling around, the most plausible and prominent is linking the Baggies with a move for Huddersfield Town midfielder Jon Russell, with the Jamaican having broken into the first team under Corberan during their mutual time at the John Smith’s Stadium.

He became a mainstay for the Terrier’s promotion push last season which only ended in a Championship play-off final defeat, anchoring the engine room with composure and class beyond his years.

Adding him to Albion’s squad and pairing him with Tom Rogic could form one of the best midfields in the Championship, offering the perfect balance between defensive steel and attacking impetus.

The 22-year-old could be particularly impressive playing alongside the Australian, who has recorded a goal and an assist in his last two matches. This has seen his average Sofascore rating for the campaign increase to 6.85, despite only averaging 33 minutes per game.

Rogic has now established himself as a cemented starter at The Hawthorns, and if Russell could come in and perform similarly to last season, he could inspire another club to potential play-off glory.

During the 2021/22 campaign, he averaged a 7.03 Sofascore rating as he maintained an 87% pass accuracy. He paired that with a hulking physique, as the 6 foot 4 titan recorded 1.3 interceptions, 1.4 tackles and one clearance per game (via Sofascore).

He would offer West Brom a metronome-like quality in midfield, along with a work rate and solidity which could see them dominate their battles in the middle of the park.

Such is Russell’s ability that Danny Schofield claimed that the Terriers always knew he would be a “special talent”, with the former Huddersfield boss adding: “He’s got real ability with the ball, very composed in central areas…”.

To acquire a player of his talent and to pair him with someone of Rogic’s experience has the makings of a powerful midfield partnership. Should Corberan make it happen, West Brom will surely not be in the Championship for much longer. 

Newcastle United would need to stump up a “massive” transfer offer if they want to land James Maddison in January, according to journalist Ryan Taylor. 

The Lowdown: Newcastle linked with Maddison

The Tyneside club, who are a lofty third in the Premier League, have been heavily linked with the Leicester City midfielder and even had two bids for him rejected during last summer’s transfer window.

Since then, the 26-year-old has gone on to score seven goals and provide four assists in 13 Premier League appearances for the Foxes, whose recent good form has seen them move away from the relegation zone.

Looking ahead to January, one journalist has made a claim regarding what it could take from the Magpies to sign Maddison in the coming weeks.

The Latest: Taylor drops Maddison claim

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Taylor discussed the likelihood of Newcastle signing Maddison next month.

He said: “James Maddison is obviously a player they really like, but Leicester are not really rolling over for a sale.

“Maddison has probably been the difference between being in the relegation zone and being where they are this season, so I don’t see that coming off, certainly in this window unless there’s a massive, massive offer. But that’s not to say that Newcastle won’t look at strengthening.”

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The Verdict: Worth the wait

In addition to his goals and assists, the Englishman has also played more key passes (31) and taken more shots at goal (39) than anyone else at Leicester in the current campaign.

In fact, his form this season earned him a place in England’s squad for the World Cup, only for him to not get the chance to play even a minute of action in Qatar.

With Maddison’s contract at the King Power Stadium set to expire in 2024, next summer’s transfer window could be the best time for Newcastle to try and sign him, especially if Leicester feel that this would be the best time to cash in on their midfield star.

If the Foxes are adamant that they won’t be selling the 26-year-old in January, Newcastle shouldn’t waste their time trying to sign him then, instead biding their time for another few months.

Leeds United might have to stave off January interest for one of their key assets this summer, but they seem to have a capable replacement lined up either way…

What’s the latest?

That’s according to French publication Media Foot, who suggest that Bayern Munich are showing real interest in Whites goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

With Manuel Neuer ruled out for the season following a skiing injury, the Bavarian giants are looking for his long-term replacement and could turn to the Frenchman.

What adds credence to these rumours is the reports linking Leeds with a move for Croatian World Cup hero Dominik Livakovic.

Whilst losing their talismanic shot-stopper might upset the Elland Road faithful, perhaps it could facilitate a transfer domino effect which would benefit the Yorkshire club.

Ditch Meslier

Having signed permanently in 2020, Meslier has established himself as one of Leeds’ most important players given their philosophy.

The 22-year-old is often called upon more than most Premier League ‘keepers, and yet he shows an alertness, speed and maturity which belies his youth.

During the Whites’ relegation-threatened 2021/22 campaign, he made the most saves (143) of any goalkeeper in the Premier League by some distance. He also ranks joint-sixth in the division this season for sweeper clearances made, outlining his importance to Jesse Marsch’s playing style.

Journalist Joe Donnohue even suggested that Meslier boasted a “rock solid” mentality, noting: “What’s always struck me about Illan Meslier is an ability to put wobbles & missteps behind him immediately. A really underrated attribute…”.

However, in Livakovic, Leeds would be gaining a goalkeeper boasting far more experience who clearly has the ability to bail out his team when needed. This was no better exemplified than in Qatar, where he announced himself as one of the tournament’s outstanding players.

Boasting a 7.33 average rating, he earned a 78% save success rate as he made 25 stops in just seven games (via Sofascore).

His display against Brazil was particularly outstanding as he made 11 saves to keep Croatia in the game, before thwarting Rodrygo during the penalty shootout as they knocked out the pre-tournament favourites in sensational fashion.

This came after another three penalty saves against Japan in the previous round, in a performance that journalist Cetin Cem Yilmaz dubbed “legendary”.

Now widely regarded as the World Cup “hero” that writer Sacha Pisani labelled him, the 6 foot 2 goliath could boast a more than capable replacement at Leeds for Meslier, who may be destined for bigger things.