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Argentinian media are suggesting that River Plate will hope that Liverpool make a move for Sevilla winger Lucas Ocampos this summer.

Ocampos to Anfield?

The 26-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield over the past week with the Reds currently struggling with their attacking prowess in the Premier League.

Valued at £40.5m by Transfermarkt, Ocampos has been impressive for Palanganas Nervionenses, having scored four goals and provided two assists in 21 appearances (Whoscored).

The Argentina international has also averaged 2.2 dribbles per game, which is more than Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino have managed this season.

According to El Intransigente, Ocampos is keen to make a move to Merseyside which would see his former side pocket a cool €2.5m (£2.2m).

Ocampos typically plays on the left-hand side but can also switch to the other side as well – versatility is a trait which Jurgen Klopp appreciates.

Transfer Tavern Verdict

Ocampos would be a fantastic signing for Liverpool. Not only would it be a huge wake-up call for the famous front three but it will significantly bolster the squad’s depth.

Putting genuine fear into underperforming players that they may find themselves on the bench may be a significant factor in performance levels, following claims made by Trent Alexander-Arnold suggesting that Liverpool went into games always expecting to win. (cited by Anfield Watch).

However, with the club’s owners Fenway Sports Group opting not to sanction a great deal of funds for Klopp in January, the question remains as to whether this trend will stay the same in the summer.

In other news, Liverpool fans applaud “sensible” man for “spilling the truth.”

Gone are the days of Phil Parkinson’s timid football and Stewart Donald’s tired ownership at Sunderland and under Lee Johnson, the Mackems look a completely different outfit.

They are reinvigorated and are playing with a swagger rarely seen at the Stadium of Light over the last couple of years. For once, there are reasons to be positive.

On the chalkboard

Sunderland currently sit fourth in League One and now stand a real chance of achieving promotion back to the Championship.

A large factor has been the attacking football that Johnson has been intent on having his players play with.

Aiden McGeady has come back into the fray after being alienated by Parkinson and has been game-changing. No player has recorded more than his 11 assists in the division this term, a tally he’s accomplished in just 17 outings.

He has been different gravy and alongside Charlie Wyke, Johnson has conjured up one of the most feared partnerships in League One.

Wyke has racked up 25 strikes in all competitions and a large portion of them have been supplied by McGeady; the Irishman assisted all four of his goals against Doncaster for instance.

Though, what if another mouth-watering partnership is on the horizon?

Defoe heading back?

The name on the lips of Sunderland supporters over the last few days has been that of Jermain Defoe. The striker is out of contract at Rangers in the summer and he’s now widely expected to leave on a free transfer.

Kevin Phillips isn’t convinced a move could happen but speaking to Football Insider, Kevin Campbell was a little more hopeful. For the deal to happen, however, Sunderland need to achieve one thing.

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Campbell commented: “The key is Sunderland getting promoted. That’s the spanner in the works. But if that is the case, I’m sure it’s an offer Jermaine will entertain.”

Defoe might be 38 years of age but in the words of David Moyes, he is a “priceless” entity. The fact of the matter is that the striker scores goals wherever he goes and even if he didn’t play a major part in Rangers’ title win this season, he was still finding the back of the net.

The former England international has scored 29 times for the Gers during his two seasons at the club, a tally that demonstrates he’s still got what it takes.

Indeed, if he features alongside a player like McGeady, it could be phenomenal. The Irish winger has been a revelation this term and has been laying balls on a plate for Wyke with great regularity.

Add a first-class poacher like Defoe into the equation and his assist tally may get even greater.

The duo are both in the twilight of their careers but this partnership has the potential to be devastating. McGeady has a wand of a left foot while Defoe’s finishing ability is second to very few.

For those reasons alone, they must try and tempt him back to the Stadium of Light.

AND in other news, Forget O’Brien: Sunderland gem who made just 16 passes fast becoming a “joy to watch”…

David Moyes must push West Ham United to agree to new contracts with both Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek amid doubts about the midfield stars’ long-term futures at the London Stadium.

That’s the view of Jason Cundy, who has told talkSPORT (9/3, 09:00) that he expects interest to emerge in the upcoming summer transfer market due to their sensational form.

Rice and Soucek, along with Aaron Cresswell, are the only Irons players to have featured for every minute of the Premier League season so far, with 100% appearance records to their names after 27 games.

The pair’s fast-established relationship in the year following Soucek’s initial loan switch, before a £19m move from Slavia Prague in the off-season, has them dictating the Hammers’ game plan from the engine room and leading a Champions League qualification charge.

West Ham sit just a point outside of the top-four after beating Leeds United 2-0 on Monday, but hold what may be a crucial game in hand over Chelsea. And Cundy expects UEFA football could be the Irons’ only hope of keeping Soucek and Rice this summer.

“They are going to struggle to hold on to them, the two midfielders,” the former Tottenham defender said. “If big-money bids come in, West Ham will possibly – unless they are in the Champions League – find it hard to hold on to them because huge money is going to come in for those two.

“Soucek has been brilliant; there is not a lot he can’t do! He can win the ball, he scores goals, he’s good in the air, he’s defensively solid… all round, they’ve got a little bit of everything, Rice and Soucek.

“They’re possibly the best two in the country, the best midfield partnership. If there’s anyone out there better than those two, there ain’t many better than them.”

As well as being mainstays of Moyes’ plans, Soucek is West Ham’s top-scorer in the Premier League this season with eight goals, while Rice is the on-field general in the absence of captain Mark Noble.

West Ham will surely be able to hold firm in demanding vastly lucrative sums for Soucek and Rice at the end of the season, having rebuffed Chelsea’s advances for the latter last summer with an £80m asking price when Frank Lampard sought to land the England international.

Moyes has even stated recently that he believes Rice is now worth “far, far more than £100m,” which is the valuation slapped on the former Blues trainee by the Irons’ owners amid alleged approaches from Manchester United and Liverpool to his agent.

But Moyes stating publicly how highly he is worth could see Rice grow unhappy with still being on the same £60,000-per-week contract struck back in December 2018, before claims emerged in The Sun last October of a £120k-p/w deal being likely after Lampard’s advances.

It was thought Rice was due to be rewarded with a double-your-money pay rise as recognition of his standing at the London Stadium, and a similar sentiment was touted for Soucek in December amid claims of interest from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Rice and Soucek’s partnership and importance at the London Stadium has only continued to grow with almost every fixture, to see them lauded for tirelessly running Leeds into the ground on Monday and adding a sense of calm into the occasional chaos.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher had also claimed there is no better box-to-box midfielder in the Premier League than Soucek before the Whites visited east London.

“When we’re talking about box-to-box midfielders, there’s nobody better in the Premier League right now than Soucek,” he said on Sky Sports, via quotes by talkSPORT.

“The goals stand out massively – that is huge for a midfield player and is a big reason why West Ham are where they are.

“Aerial duels won is just off the scale. No midfielder in the last ten years has managed that many… since Marouane Fellaini!”

Soucek, who currently earns £67k-p/w, has won (155) and contested (258) more aerial duels than any other player in the top-flight this term and he – plus Rice – will surely need new contracts offered if Moyes is to keep both at West Ham beyond the end of the season.

AND in other news, West Ham eye summer swoop for £35k-p/w gem with “boundless energy”…

According to The Scottish Sun, Sky Sports are livid with Glasgow Rangers after they were snubbed during the Gers’ Premiership title celebrations.

Sky Sports angry at Rangers

The Gers were confirmed as Premiership champions on Sunday after Celtic could only manage a 0-0 draw with Dundee United.

However, while the Gers were celebrating the club’s 55th title win, Sky were left livid as they were unable to get much access to Steven Gerrard and his players. Then, the Gers sanctioned a Gerrard interview with ITV.

Silly from Rangers

Rangers have had plenty of problems with mainstream media outlets in recent times, and lots of supporters have turned towards the likes of Four Lads had a Dream and the Heart and Hand podcast in search of the latest updates regarding their clubs.

The club’s hierarchy will be aware of that, and they themselves were busy in the immediate aftermath as their own media team interviewed plenty of the season’s protagonists. However, what Rangers must not forget is, without Sky, they would struggle financially. Last summer, the broadcaster paid £125m to secure the Premiership’s TV rights for five years – money which no doubt comes in handy for the Ibrox outfit. While there may be some tension between the two, it is vital they make the partnership work.

In other news, Rangers fans slammed this Gerrard decision against Slavia Prague.

Glasgow Rangers were knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday against Slavia Prague, and the display of Scott Arfield was a particularly disappointing one for the supporters.

The Gers had managed to earn a 1-1 draw in Czechia in the first leg and will have therefore been hoping to get the job done at Ibrox. However, Slavia were clearly the better team as they ended up winning 2-0, although red cards for Leon Balogun and Kemar Roofe certainly made their task easier.

Arfield failed to last as long as either of those two despite not being dismissed himself. Instead, he was subbed off just 10 minutes into the second half. He struggled in the middle of the park, landing just 71% of his attempted passes, while he prevailed in just one of the seven duels he was involved in (Sofascore).

The Gers fans were angry with his showing, quite clearly, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts on the Canada international.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Arfield below

“Arfield has been absolutely dire tonight”

Credit: @Andyscott01

“That’s your opinion, I have mine. No point buying someone then can’t get a game, Arfield was horrific tonight.”

Credit: @RFC1872GER

“Yes walking a tightrope but Simpson might not be game ready Max For me Roofe sending off and Arfield and Aribo let us down”

Credit: @AlanC_44

“Arfield is not fit, injury prone, sorry to say but he needs to go”

Credit: @AlbryceAllan

“Scotty Arfield was honking again tonight. Could have done more to try and cut out the cross for the first goal instead of just pointing Offered next to nothing.”

Credit: @BlearyEyedMan

“Arfield shouldn’t have been anywhere near the team. I couldn’t even tell you the last time he played well. He looks a million miles off the level needed to play in this team. He looked completely lost. For me he doesn’t suit games like last night. They were too well organised.”

Credit: @55TheArrival

In other news, Rangers are interested in this 18-goal striker.

A Leeds United scout has seemingly confirmed the club’s interest in signing Udinese star Rodrigo de Paul this summer, following a social media post.

Marcelo Bielsa will no doubt be looking to bring in reinforcements at the end of the season, as he aims to take his side further up the Premier League table.

A player who has been linked with a move to Elland Road is De Paul, who has become a key man for Udinese, scoring six goals and registering five assists in Serie A in 2020/21.

The £31.5million-rated attacking midfielder is seen as someone who could add more guile to the Leeds team, with those aforementioned statistics highlighting his pedigree in the final third.

[freshpress-quiz id=“347980″]

Scout confirms De Paul interest

On Friday night, following Leeds’ 2-1 win away to Fulham, one fan claimed to have received a direct message on Instagram from a club scout,ÂRodrigo Garcia.

Garcia’s Instagram is full of pictures of him alongside the likes of Marcelo Bielsa, and when the supporter asked him whether or not a potential deal for De Paul was on the cards, Garcia responded with “we try”, indicating that a move could happen.

Transfer Tavern take

Should Garcia’s comments be genuine, it is an exciting update for anyone of a Leeds persuasion, considering the quality De Paul possesses.

He has won 19 caps for Argentina, and at 26, could represent a relatively long-term signing for the Whites.

While we do not know for sure how trustworthy Garcia’s Instagram message should be viewed as, it least appears as though the club will go again for De Paul this summer.

In other news, Phil Hay has given an update on the future of a key Leeds attacker – find out who it is here.

According to recent reports, interest in Glasgow Rangers midfielder, Ianis Hagi, is intensifying ahead of the summer transfer window.

The report by Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) claims that Lazio are looking to strengthen their attacking options this summer, and that the Serie A side have turned their attention towards Hagi.

So far this season, the £21,000-per-week 22-year-old has impressed over his 28 Scottish Premiership appearances for Steven Gerrard’s side, scoring six goals and providing nine assists, as well as averaging a WhoScored match rating of 6.93 – ranking him as Gers’ 13th-best performer in the Scottish top flight.

And, according to Gazzetta, should Lazio wish to prize the attacking midfielder away from Ibrox this summer, Rangers would demand a fee of around €10 million (£8.6 million).

Transfer Tavern Take

While Hagi’s return of goals and assists has been impressive for Rangers so far this season, it will certainly be interesting to see how Gerrard’s side react should an offer of £8.6 million arrive for the Romania international, as this figure is substantially above both the player’s current Transfermarkt market value of £5.4 million, as well as the £3.15 million fee Gers paid for the midfielder last summer.

However, for now, this is all a theoretical discussion, as both Rangers’ and Hagi’s focus will undoubtedly be on seeing out their Premiership campaign with an unbeaten record.

In other news: these Rangers fans were left baffled after this “insane” footage emerged – find out more here!

Steve Bruce could potentially save Newcastle United at least £8.5m in the summer transfer window by unleashing Florian Lejeune over a move for UC Sampdoria defender Omar Colley.

What’s the word?

According to Club Doria 46, the Toon are one of four Premier League sides monitoring Colley’s situation at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium ahead of the summer market.

The Blucerchiati are expected to make Colley available for a transfer at the end of the season, despite the 25-cap Gambia titan proving to be a pillar of Claudio Ranieri’s backline.

Since being recalled to the line-up in November after carrying his struggles from a difficult 2019/20 campaign into the current term, Colley has played all but 20 minutes over 17 of Sampdoria’s last 20 Serie A fixtures.

The Genoa-based outfit believe Colley’s efforts have added an extra couple of million to his valuation, and now intend to demand in the region of €10-15m (£8.5-£12.5m) to sell amid mounting Premier League interest.

After failing to get a deal done last year, Fulham have continued to track Colley’s efforts but are now likely to face competition from Newcastle as well as Leeds and West Ham United.

The Irons, along with Celtic and Leicester City, were linked with the Gambia international in 2020, but no offer delivered to Sampdoria exceeded €6m (£5m) while the Serie A outfit demanded around €10-12m (£8.5-£10m).

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Colley was awarded a new four-and-a-half-year contract in January, but the deal is not seen as a hurdle for any side wishing to sign the 28-year-old.

Should Newcastle sign Sampdoria’s Colley?

Much can change between now and the end of the season at Newcastle, with relegation to the Championship a distinct possibility and a change in leadership also on the cards with the pressure firmly on Bruce.

And even if Bruce stays and manages to keep the Magpies in the Premier League, the St. James’ Park outfit will still be expected to operate on a shoe-string budget this summer, which could make efforts to sign Colley all the more challenging.

But Bruce could look to save the £8.5-12.5m that it would take to sign the Sampdoria star in order to strengthen elsewhere, as United still have Lejeune on the books and the Frenchman has been impressing while on loan with Deportivo Alaves.

Lejeune has earned rave reviews for his efforts in Spain, with La Liga writer Andrew Miller lauding the 29-year-old for being a “life-saver” for Alaves against FC Barcelona earlier in the season.

The CIES Football Observatory have also recognised Lejeune as Alaves’ best player of 2021 so far, which could leave Newcastle in an interesting position come the summer when he enters the final year of his £38,000-per-week contract.

Lejeune’s efforts in La Liga have often been to a higher standard than Colley’s Serie A displays, too, with the former France U20 international averaging 1.51 tackles per 90 to the Gambian’s 1.41, per FBref.

Colley further trails Lejeune for average tackles made against dribblers (0.2 to 0.61) and blocks made (1.41 to 1.67), along with success in the air due to a 63.6% win rate to the Newcastle man’s 66.1% for respective records of 63/99 and 72/109.

It remains to be seen if Bruce is willing to offer Lejeune another chance at St. James’ Park, but the 2022 free agent could save Newcastle millions compared to signing Colley.

AND in other news, Newcastle are scouting an “amazing” 13-goal striker dubbed the next Erling Haaland…

Writing in a Q&A for the Athletic, when asked about realistic candidates to potentially replace current boss Jose Mourinho, Tottenham Hotspur journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke said Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has been mentioned among favourites, alongside Julian Nagelsmann and Brendan Rodgers.

Hasenhuttl, who the journalist explains has done very well with limited resources at the St Mary’s Stadium, is apparently one of the three favourites for the Spurs job if it becomes vacant alongside heavily linked managers Nagelsmann and Rodgers.

Hasenhuttl touted with possible Tottenham job

The 53-year-old, according to Pitt-Brooke, is among the most likely candidates to replace Mourinho if chairman Daniel Levy opts to sack the Lilywhites boss – and beyond those three names, Spurs would be looking at more fringe targets.

While Hasenhuttl is a candidate, as the journalist explains in the Athletic, he has heard various sources wonder whether his intense management style would translate well to the big name Lilywhites dressing room.

However, given his recent plaudits by fellow managers and the media alike, it’s little wonder why the Saints boss is apparently being considered.

Transfer Tavern take

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to the press earlier this season, lavished Hasenhuttl with praise – calling him an ‘exceptional manager’ who he knows from his time in Germany (Man City official).

Meanwhile, speaking on an episode of the Football Writers podcast back in late October, Jonathan Northcroft raved about Hasenhuttl and even claimed there is an ‘echo of Pochettino’ due to his ability to create a team ‘so much better than the sum of their parts’.

Whether or not he does replace Mourinho, or if the current Spurs boss even leaves, remains to be seen – but the Southampton manager is clearly in the running.

In other news: Tottenham will make a move to sign this ‘leader’, find out more here.

A number of Liverpool supporters have been calling for the Reds to sign Albert Tjaaland, who is the cousin of Erling Haaland.

The Reds are looking for a return to winning ways this weekend following Tuesday’s bitterly disappointing 3-1 defeat away to Real Madrid.

The Premier League champions host Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon in what represents another hugely important game in the top-four battle.

Away from the on-field action, transfer stories continue to emerge affecting Liverpool, whether it be possible incomings or outgoings.

One intriguing story which appeared earlier in the week saw Tjaaland admit that he would love to play for the Reds during a Q&A with the Rising Ballers Instagram account.

Incredibly, the 17-year-old has scored 64 goals in just 37 appearances in his youth team career for Bryne FK, outlining his exciting potential.

Liverpool fans want to sign Haaland’s cousin

These Liverpool fans on Twitter have been providing their thoughts on the Reds potentially signing Tjaaland, who one Kopite is convinced will “become a star”.

“He looks like he’s in his mid twenties at least lol. Would be cool if he got signed on”

Credit: @makeusdream6

“Sign him. In future he will become a star”
Credit: @Anggara16126514
“Sign him now then”Credit: @1CraigFisher“What they feeding these Braut dons?”Credit: @ek_Driss7“What factory is this, we need to pay a visit”Credit: @africantheorist

“Aguero said the same.. Hopefully Liverpool have learned the lesson”

Credit: @PeterSmithSings

In other news, some Liverpool supporters have been slamming a rival player after his latest antics. Find out who it is here.