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Wolverhampton Wanderers are interested in singing Ali Al-Musrati, according to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown: Al-Musrati’s areer so far

Signed on a free transfer from fellow Portuguese Primeira Liga outfit Vitoria Guimaraes in 2020, the defensive midfielder has gone from strength to strength at Braga.

In 89 appearances for his current club, Al-Musrati has scored six times and provided five assists whilst playing an instrumental role in the team’s Portuguese Cup triumph last season.

It now appears that the Libya international is destined for pastures new this summer, and Wolves have seemingly joined the party…

The latest: Wolves linked with Al-Musrati

As per O Jogo, translated by Sport Witness, Wolves and newly-promoted Fulham are both attentive to the possibility of signing the 26-year-old.

It is claimed that Braga are now waiting for the ‘best offer’ after the 40-cap Libyan was allowed to miss international duty in order to resolve his future.

The report suggests that, with Bruno Lage beginning to prepare for life after Ruben Neves, Al-Musrati – who has been hailed as a ‘special talent’ by journalist Zach Lowy – is among those on the radar at Molineux.

The verdict: Special player

Albeit predominantly a defensive-minded operator and therefore perhaps not a like-for-like replacement for Neves, the combative Libyan would nevertheless be a superb capture for Wolves this summer.

During the 2021/22 campaign, Al-Musrati made 45 appearances across all competitions and earned an outstanding 7.13 Sofascore rating, making 1.4 interceptions and completing 1.1 key passes per league game.

Perhaps most impressively, the £10.8m-valued Braga ace won 4.6 duels per match, comfortably more than the Old Gold midfield trio of Neves (3.8), Joao Moutinho (3.4) and Leander Dendoncker (2.8) per Premier League game.

Holding a close stylistic likeness to Liverpool destroyer Fabinho (FBRef) and boasting an array of impressive attributes including tackling, aerial ability and concentration, adding a player of Al-Musrati’s quality to Lage’s ranks appears a no-brainer regardless of what happens with Neves.

In other news: Two EFL clubs target Dion Sanderson…

Rangers fans were boosted by the surprise news yesterday that Connor Goldson had signed a new four-year deal at Ibrox, despite heavy reported interest from south of the border.

The centre-back followed in the footsteps of Steven Davis, who also committed to a new one-year deal earlier in the week, and it seems as if the good news won’t end there for Rangers fans.

What’s the word?

Daily Record journalist Mark Guidi has made a bold claim about the future of Allan McGregor, with the 40-year-old currently out of contract with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side.

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, he said: “I don’t think he’s ready to give that up. He’s got far too much to offer as a goalkeeper. I’d be absolutely astonished if he does not sign a new one-year deal with Rangers.”

Supporters will love it

McGregor has made 446 appearances across two separate spells at Rangers and will undoubtedly go down as one of the greats, but his performances this season suggest that he still has something to offer at Ibrox.

The veteran shot-stopper conceded just 25 goals in 29 league appearances this season and was also a crucial part of the Gers’ run to the Europa League final, making 14 appearances in the competition before the penalty shootout heartbreak against Eintracht Frankfurt.

McGregor received a standing ovation when he replaced Jon McLaughlin for the final minute of Rangers’ Scottish Cup final win against Hearts last month and it is clear that he has established himself as a fan favourite during his time at Ibrox.

Tam MacManus was full of praise for the former Hull man after that appearance. He said: “I think he’s Rangers’ best ever goalkeeper personally.

“Andy Goram would be up there. Stefan Klos wasn’t at Rangers a long time.

“But for me, Allan McGregor in terms of longevity and what he’s achieved, is right up there.”

Although van Bronckhorst may feel that a younger ‘keeper is needed at Rangers next season, McGregor undoubtedly still has something to offer the Teddy Bears and from what Guidi suggests, it seems as if a new one-year deal is on the horizon for the Gers legend, something that supporters will no doubt love.

And in other news: Rangers can unearth Bassey 2.0 by signing “brave” 21 y/o gem with “so much ability”…

Phil Hay has dropped an update on reported Leeds United transfer target Noa Lang.

What’s the talk?

Speaking on a recent episode of The Phil Hay Show, The Athletic journalist suggested that, should Raphinha go on to secure his widely expected transfer to Barcelona in the coming weeks, Victor Orta could reignite his interest in the Club Brugge winger – with whom the Whites were linked with a £25m move for a little under 12 months ago – this summer.

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Concerning Leeds’ potential interest in the 22-year-old, Hay said: “It wouldn’t surprise me at all – if Raphinha left – if they went back in for Noa Lang because they do really like Noa Lang and they did like him last summer… that could happen.”

Orta must move for Lang

Considering just how impressive Lang has been in Belgium this season, in addition to the fact that Raphinha looks set to depart Elland Road in the very near future, it would appear an extremely wise move for Orta to reignite his pursuit of the Netherlands international in the coming weeks.

Indeed, over his 37 Jupiler Pro League appearances this term, the £19.8m-rated forward was in exceptional form for Brugge, scoring seven goals, registering 12 assists and creating 19 big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.0 shots, making 1.9 key passes and completing 1.7 dribbles per game.

These metrics saw the £20k-per-week talent who Graham Smyth dubbed “exciting” and an “assist machine” average a quite extraordinary SofaScore match rating of 7.20, ranking him as his club’s joint fifth-best performer in the Belgian top-flight – playing a key role in Brugge’s title-winning campaign.

For comparison, over Raphinha’s 35 Premier League appearances this season, the £60m sensation scored 11 goals, provided three assists and created ten big chances, in addition to taking an average of 2.5 shots, making 1.9 key passes and completing 1.8 dribbles per fixture – returns that saw the 25-year-old average a SofaScore match rating of 6.97.

As such, while the step-up between the Jupiler Pro League and the Premier League should not be underestimated, it would nevertheless appear that, should Raphinha indeed move onto pastures new this summer, Lang would be something of a perfect replacement for the Brazil international – leading us to believe that Orta simply must make a move for the 22-year-old in the coming months.

AND in other news: “Leeds United wanted…”: Graham Smyth drops big summer claim, Marsch will be gutted

Arsenal have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of their final game of the Premier League campaign against Everton today.

What’s the latest?

As per a report from Evening Standard, Arteta’s side are likely to be without Takehiro Tomiyasu, with the Japan international forced off in the 39th minute of the Gunners’ uninspiring defeat to Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United on Monday night.

Tomiyasu’s muscular injury is the latest in what has been a considerable amount of problems for Arsenal in the business end of the campaign, with the likes of Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey also out for the season.

As such, Cedric Soares is expected to fill in at right-back in the Japan international’s absence.

A big blow for Arteta

The latest injury at Arsenal represents a big setback for both Arteta and Tomiyasu, with the latter having endured an injury-ridden first season in the Premier League.

When he has played, the 23-year-old has been a defensive rock for the Gunners.

Boasting an average of 0.20 defensive actions that led to a shot attempt, his ability to turn over possession quickly has enabled Arsenal to hit on the break on numerous occasions. Though, it’s his defensive participation average of 1.26 interceptions and 0.91 passes blocked that Arteta will miss the most, in what is an integral game if they are to achieve their top-four ambitions.

In the Arsenal squad, Tomiyasu ranks joint first for his 1.3 interceptions per 90 and boosts the Gunners’ attacking threat with his average of 4.00 passes into the final third.

His offensive acumen would have been felt by Lampard’s side, who boasts the fourth worst defence in the league, having conceded 61 goals this season.

The blow to Tomiyasu is another frustrating setback, with the Japanese defender having already missed nine games with a calf injury earlier this season.

In other news: Fewer touches than Ramsdale: Arsenal dud who made just 8 passes was a passenger v THFC 

Newcastle United are set to play in the Premier League for the final time in the 2021/22 campaign today as they face Burnley at Turf Moor.

The Clarets come into the match desperate for points in their bid to avoid relegation to the Championship, whilst the Magpies are only fighting for a place in the top ten as they currently sit 12th in the table.

Eddie Howe’s men come into the game off the back of an excellent 2-0 win against Arsenal on Monday night and will now be looking to end the campaign on a high.

How many changes will the head coach make to the team for today? Here is our predicted XI…

Newcastle predicted XI v Burnley

Martin Dubravka; Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles (c), Dan Burn, Matt Targett; Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton; Jacob Murphy, Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin

We are predicting that Howe will make three alterations to the side from last Monday, with Trippier, Lascelles and Murphy all coming into the team.

Starting off at the heart of defence, Fabian Schar may miss out after a nasty collision at St James’ Park earlier in the week. He was forced off in the game and Howe has now revealed that the Switzerland international is touch-and-go for today’s clash.

Injury expert Ben Dinnery tweeted: “Howe on Schar. “We’re following concussion protocols. He may be doing something outside today but we’re following the protocols closely so it’ll be a late decision on him.” Enhanced care setting Stage 4 (Fri): Non-contact training Stage 5 (Sat): Full contact practice.”

This will leave a berth open at centre-back if Schar is unable to play, and we are predicting that club captain Lascelles will be brought back into the side.

At right-back, we are predicting that Trippier will be given an opportunity to end the season with a starting berth. He has not been named in the starting XI since coming back from injury, and this is now the last chance for him to make it in 2021/22.

England manager Gareth Southgate called the £77k-per-week defender a “warrior” last summer, and the right-back has lived up to that billing in his short time at Newcastle so far. He has averaged an impressive 4.8 tackles and interceptions per game, showing that he is right up for the challenge on Tyneside.

Finally, Murphy may come in for Miguel Almiron on the right of the front three to keep things fresh. Journalist Liam Kennedy dubbed the Paraguay international “relentless” against Arsenal, and his constant pressing has earned him a rest for this match.

He can come off the bench to cause issues against a tired Burnley backline, while Murphy should be given an opportunity to show Howe that he deserves to be at the club next season and get regular game-time in the team.

AND in other news, “Sources at Newcastle”: Huge transfer update emerges that’ll leave supporters gutted…

Liverpool have a track record when it comes to signing players from fellow Premier League clubs.

In recent years, the Reds have added faces such as Sadio Mane, Virgil van Dijk and James Milner among others to their ranks from numerous top-flight clubs.

One other player that the Merseyside club struck a deal for from another Premier League side is Diogo Jota.

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Back in the 2020 summer transfer window, the Reds bought the winger from Wolves for a reported fee of £41m.

Since then, the Portugal international has been a revelation for Jurgen Klopp’s side, scoring 34 goals in 82 appearances across all competitions.

Now that the next summer window is around the corner, it seems as though FSG could have the chance to replicate their Jota masterclass again with another Premier League talent.

Last week, it was reported that Liverpool are one of the clubs monitoring Eddie Nketiah’s situation at Arsenal, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season and a move away from the north London club looking likely.

This could then give the Reds the opportunity to once again make a swoop to sign another capable Premier League figure.

In 19 league appearances this season, the £9m-rated striker has found the net four times and provided one assist for Mikel Arteta’s side.

He’s also managed to score five goals in five Carabao Cup appearances in this campaign for the Gunners.

According to FBref, in a list of similar players to the Arsenal attacker, Liverpool’s Jota tops the list, which also includes the likes of Roberto Firmino, Kai Havertz, Lautaro Martinez and Christopher Nkunku among others. Fine company indeed for a player who is still relatively inexperienced.

Labelled as a “clinical” player by journalist Kweku Lawrence, Nketiah could give Klopp’s side an extra attacking dynamic to what is already a formidable team going forward.

Taking all of this into account, potentially signing the Arsenal striker on a free transfer this summer could be a great bit of business for FSG and the Reds if he can take his game to the next level and become a more consistent goalscoring threat.

With the chance of winning domestic and European trophies, this could make Anfield a very tempting next destination for the Englishman if he does end up leaving Arsenal in the coming months.

In other news: Liverpool eye bid for exciting wonderkid, he could become a “scary” £127m-rated talent

League One play-off Finalists Sunderland may face a battle to keep hold of their highly-rated midfielder Dan Neil in this summer’s transfer window.

What’s the latest?

That is according to a report from Football Insider who state that the 20-year-old could depart from the Stadium of Light this summer, amidst links to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

However, Sunderland fan pundit Jack Austwicke, has added further fuel to the fire. Speaking to Football League World, he said: “Obviously right now with Dan Neil to go to Spurs he wouldn’t fit straight in.

“A League One player coming straight into a Premier League side is never going to happen really.

“But with a bit of nurture and care and training-up at such a high facility club, I do think he could get at a level where, one day, he could play Premier League football.”

Disaster if Neil leaves

Whilst it seems like a big ask to get a League One footballer to adapt to the pace of the Premier League, it is something that we’ve seen Spurs do before with Dele Alli.

Albeit, Alli’s trajectory has changed as of recent, but the case study that he created when he burst onto the scene with his ten goals and nine assists – in what was his debut season – serves as a model that League One prospects can look to follow.

Whilst he has started 67% of the Black Cats’ games in League One this season, his three goals and seven assists along the way have been integral in helping the side reach the play-offs. Couple that with his young age – he is still only 20 – and it would simply be a disaster if he left the club.

His potential is huge and as the Mackems aim to reach the Championship, he is the type of player that Neil should be building his side around, not losing to the jaws of the Premier League’s elite.

That happened time and time again under the reign of Stewart Donald with the likes of Bali Mumba, Josh Maja, Logan Pye and Joe Hugill all leaving for higher echelons.

As of early April, the mere £1.4k-per-week earner has seen his minutes dry up and if Spurs were to come calling, the North London club could surely convince the Englishman who has been dubbed a “major star”, by reporter Ross Gregory to join up with Antonio Conte’s squad.

If a Premier League side are reportedly interested in acquiring his services, then interest will most certainly be high in the summer. Black Cats boss Neil will surely face a battle to keep the young prodigy.

In other news: Neil can unearth Sunderland’s new Pritchard as Speakman plots bid for £450k-rated gem