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Aston Villa have not approached Rangers over Borna Barisic, according to Heart & Hand. 

The lowdown

It’s been claimed that former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is keen on bringing Barisic south of the border, having taken over at Aston Villa.

A report suggested that an £8million January transfer was a genuine possibility. Gerrard regards Barisic as a ‘fantastic player’ who’s ‘really, really consistent’.

Barisic is under contract at Ibrox until May 2024 after penning a new £18,000-per-week deal in January 2020 (via Transfermarkt) however, meaning the Light Blues are in a fantastic negotiating position.

The latest

Heart & Hand, an official media partner of the football club, tweeted that they had ‘asked’ about Barisic and ‘been told’ that there was no contact between Rangers and Villa.

“Any reports to the contrary are false,” they added.

The verdict

It seems that Gerrard and Villa have other targets in mind at left-back. For example, a recent report suggested that they are keen on Stuttgart’s Borna Sosa, a compatriot of Barisic.

This is very good news for Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Rangers. According to WhoScored, Barisic has been the team’s third-best performer this season, behind only Joe Aribo and 10-assist right-back James Tavernier.

But there remains a possibility that Gerrard looks to raid his former club for a player he believes can make the step-up to the English Premier League.

Indeed, The Daily Mail (via Birmingham Live) have reported that Ryan Kent is very much on his radar, so while the Gers have seemingly won the Barisic battle, they may have many more to come with their former gaffer.

In other news, could Rangers add competition for Barisic at LB?

Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst is closing in on his first transfer window at Ibrox following his move to the club in November.

The January transfer window is just over a week away and with it comes heaps of speculation regarding players coming to and leaving Glasgow.

One player who could be on his way out is midfielder Ianis Hagi. It was recently reported that Galatasaray are set to have a meeting to discuss a potential swoop for the Romanian international, whilst Aston Villa have also been touted with an interest in his services.

Bye-bye Hagi

Rangers may well be waving bye-bye to Hagi if Galatasaray and Villa firm up their interest in the playmaker, but the Gers could sign a dream replacement in the form of Bologna’s Andreas Skov Olsen.

Italian outlet il Resto del Carlino recently claimed that Ross Wilson has made an enquiry to see if a deal is viable next month and the forward could solve a major problem for van Bronckhorst in terms of replacing Hagi should he leave Ibrox.

FFC published an article explaining why it could be beneficial for Rangers to sell the Romanian to kickstart a business model based around buying young talent and selling them on for profit. This would require the Gers to use a portion of their profits to sign prospects who could be worth more in the future and the signing of Olsen would tie in with this strategy.

The 21-year-old winger fits the profile of player the club should be looking at to continue to develop talents that they can sell on; young, experienced, potential, pedigree. He has already played 67 games in the Serie A and been capped 15 times by Norway at senior level, showing that he has been able to play regularly at the top despite his age.

Olsen has also shown promise with an impressive record in attack. He has scored 51 goals for his club sides and 19 for Norway at youth and senior level, meaning that he has 70 career strikes to date. In his last ten World Cup Qualifying outings for his country, he has averaged a superb WhoScored rating of 7.39 – with five goals and three assists to his name.

Consider those stats and his lethal left-foot, and it becomes clear to see why he models his game on Dutch legend Arjen Robben.

Therefore, the £5.85m-rated gem could be the perfect candidate to replace Hagi as his statistics suggest that he has the quality in the here-and-now to make an impact in the final third for Rangers to make up for the ex-Genk man’s exit.

Olsen also has the potential, given he is only 21, to improve further and be sold on for a profit further down the line, which could benefit the Gers in the short and long-term.

AND in other news, “He’s not going to” – Huge Rangers claim made that’ll have GVB and fans running scared…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Wolves striker Steve Bull has heaped praise on Rui Patricio, hailing the Portugal international as a great goalkeeper.

Patricio, who joined Wolves from Sporting Lisbon back in 2018, has made himself the team’s No.1, rarely disappointing manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

Last season, the 33-year-old kept 13 clean sheets in the Premier League, helping the Midlands club to build a solid foundation from the back.

Bearing that in mind, Wolves will be desperate to have Patricio available after the international break, with the ex-Sporting Lisbon shot-stopper picking up a horrific head injury in the recent 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Discussing Patricio in an exclusive interview with FFC, Bull said:

“He’s a great goalkeeper. A Portuguese international goalkeeper coming to Wolves, that’s class and just shows the ambition. And when you see him, he’s like a cat flying left, right and centre.

“He’s a big pillar as well, he’s demanding in the box, he knows what he wants. He was unfortunate [against Liverpool] because he was being brave to try and get the ball, which you want a ‘keeper to do. He’s a world-class goalkeeper and I’m glad Wolves have got him.”

Last season, Wolves recorded one of the best defensive records in the Premier League as they went on to finish seventh in English football’s top division. Across the 38 games played that term, Nuno’s men conceded 40 goals, with the Portugal No.1 playing his part.

Should he recover in time, next up for Patricio is a tough game against in-form West Ham. David Moyes has the Hammers flying high this term, guiding them to fifth place and just two points behind Chelsea and that final Champions League spot.

West Brom seem destined for an instant return to the Championship next season, and that leaves Luke Dowling and the Baggies hierarchy with an important decision to make this summer.

Sam Allardyce is contracted until 2022, but his contract includes a break clause should he suffer his first-ever relegation from the Premier League. This allows Albion to replace him, should they see fit, at the end of the current campaign.

A similar situation happened with Alan Pardew, although his reign quickly turned toxic to the point of him being put on gardening leave before the season’s conclusion. Whilst the 66-year-old isn’t on that level just yet, any confirmed relegation prior to their final game could see the Midlands outfit follow suit.

Names like Chris Wilder, who was recently sacked by Sheffield United, have already been mentioned, but according to The Athletic’s Steve Madeley, the Baggies’ former under-23 boss Michael Appleton is an ‘obvious contender.’

The 45-year-old has also been touted as Big Sam’s successor by former Birmingham Mail reporter Chris Lepkowski. He told The Liquidator podcast last week:

“I’ve always been really impressed by Michael Appleton. He’s a very progressive coach, he doesn’t rest and he’s not a [Tony] Pulis. He has evolved as a manager and introduced different styles,” he said, before adding: “I know he’s worked with Luke Dowling before, quite harmoniously I believe which certainly helps his credentials in that respect. I would be quite excited to see what he would offer.”

Appleton’s experience at Championship level is rather sparse – his last managerial gig at that level was a short-lived stint at Blackburn Rovers in 2012/13, a season after being sacked by a Blackpool side in freefall, and two seasons after a similar story with Portsmouth.

He has since rebuilt his coaching reputation.

Currently, Appleton’s Lincoln City side are among the League One promotion chasers, sitting in fourth place behind some big clubs in Sunderland and Hull City. However, as Lepkowski mentions, his roles at The Hawthorns would stand him in good stead, should Albion hand Allardyce his P45 in the near future.

A lot of the players he coached at academy level are still in and around the first team, namely Dara O’Shea and Kyle Edwards, although this appointment could be dynamite for faltering prospect Rekeem Harper.

Ever since making his senior debut in 2017, the 21-year-old has struggled to live up to expectations – and his potential. Neither Allardyce nor Slaven Bilic fancied him despite all of the Baggies’ midfield struggles earlier in the campaign.

It resulted in a loan move to Birmingham City, where he has continued to flounder, and that will do his long-term West Brom career no favours.

Harper was linked with both Liverpool and Juventus in summer 2019, but Bilic managed to convince his “powerhouse” to stay. He signed a new three-year deal and has started only nine times for the first team, largely in cup competitions.

The young Albion midfielder currently ranks among the Blues’ three worst-performing players this season, drawing a 6.27 rating, as per WhoScored. If he’s not delivering in the Championship now, then there’s little to suggest that he’d be able to break into the starting XI at The Hawthorns next season.

Once likened to Patrick Vieira and lauded as “fearless” by ex-Baggies boss Darren Moore, Harper’s only chance at redemption could be if Appleton succeeded Big Sam thanks to their work together in the academy system.

If anyone can get the best out of him to finally meet the sort of potential that the Premier League winners were eyeing, then it has to be the Imps boss.

With the youngest squad in League One (average age of 23.3) and a pair of Albion youngsters performing regularly on loan there in Alex Palmer and Callum Morton, he surely is a viable candidate.

Dowling should consider Appleton as a firm option this summer.

AND in other news, Sam Allardyce repeating a big Slaven Bilic mistake at West Brom…

Alasdair Gold has dropped an update on the respective futures of Tottenham Hotspur midfielders Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso.

What’s the talk?

In a recent video posted on YouTube, the football.london journalist revealed that, with Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici planning an overhaul of the Tottenham squad this summer, the France and Argentina internationals are two players who look certain to be moved on at the end of the season.

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Regarding Spurs’ potential outgoing transfers this summer, Gold said: “Ndombele and Lo Celso have to be moved on. Whether it’s selling them or whether it’s loaning them again, those are two players who – you’d think – are not going to be at Tottenham next season.”

Time’s up

While it is true that both Ndombele and Lo Celso have enjoyed something of a renascence since their loan moves to Olympique Lyon and Villarreal respectively, it is undeniable that, considering the sheer amount of money Tottenham spent on their signings, both players have been failures in north London.

Following Ndombele’s £63m signing back in 2019, the 25-year-old struggled to live up to his hefty price tag, something which was all too evident from his performances in the first half of Tottenham’s Premier League campaign this season.

Indeed, over his nine Premier League appearances this term, the £31.5m-rated France international scored one goal, registered one assist and created one big chance for his teammates, as well as made an average of a mere 0.1 interceptions, 1.1 tackles, 25.6 passes and won 3.6 duels per fixture.

These returns saw the £120k-per-week midfielder average a rather disastrous SofaScore match rating of a mere 6.58, ranking him as Tottenham’s third-worst player in the top flight.

Meanwhile, over Lo Celso’s own nine league outings this season, the £19.8m-rated Argentina international scored no goals, provided no assists and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as made an average of just 0.1 interceptions, 0.9 tackles, 13.9 passes and won 2.7 duels per game.

These returns saw the £100k-per-week midfielder average an extremely disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.72, ranking him as Conte’s sixth-worst performer in the Premier League.

And, while the 26-year-old has offered Tottenham slightly more than Ndombele in previous campaigns, it is nevertheless undeniable that Lo Celso has also failed to live up to his £55m transfer fee.

As such, while Tottenham are unlikely to recoup anywhere near their £118m outlay from the potential sales of the two players this summer, finally moving the duo on permanently would nevertheless appear an extremely wise move by Paratici – if for nothing else but to free up roughly £220k of Spurs’ weekly wage budget – as the pair’s time in north London is well and truly up.

AND in other news: Bid made: Paratici in talks for Spurs’ 1st summer signing, no one’s “identical to him”

As Celtic look to kick-start a new chapter in their history, Neil Lennon will be looking around for ways of building a more exciting future at Parkhead.

Ismaila Soro looks to be the kind of midfield prospect who the Hoops can rely on in the engine room, but getting a deal done for Sheffield Wednesday starlet Liam Shaw could give them the perfect partner for the 22-year-old.

Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph has claimed that the Bhoys have expressed interest in signing Shaw, and that the 19-year-old would be available on a pre-contract now, although Wednesday are in talks with him over a new deal.

Dubbed a “very, very promising young player” by his old manager at Sheffield Wednesday, Tony Pulis, Shaw has begun to establish himself in the Championship side’s starting eleven over the past couple of months.

He’s featured in nine of out of the Owls’ last ten games in the league, including starting and completing the full 90 minutes in the previous matches against Middlesbrough and Derby.

Shaw’s ability to play as both a centre-back and in central midfield would give Lennon added flexibility, with his former Owls boss, Garry Monk saying of his versatility: “He has got the capability of playing everywhere. I am not 100 per cent sure what is going to be his final position. But what I do know with him is he definitely has the capabilities of playing in midfield and centre-back.”

Partnering him in the engine room alongside Soro would give Celtic a real strong presence that would compliment the Ivory Coast ace.

Standing at an imposing 6 foot 2, Shaw has won 3.3 duels per game in the Championship this season, with the 5 foot 8 Soro winning 4.5 per match. That little and large partnership would be almost akin to an N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic style seen at Chelsea, with both capable of sticking their foot in and screening the back four well.

Nick Hammond could clinch a perfect partner for Soro in Shaw.

Meanwhile, Celtic can clinch a bargain deal for this one League One sensation…

Manchester City fans are livid after it was revealed the Citizens are set to enter contract talks with winger Raheem Sterling.

Since signing for City from Liverpool in 2015, Sterling has been a fantastic servant for the Premier League champions. In 290 matches for the club, he has managed 114 goals and 86 assists (Transfermarkt), helping them win the title on three occasions. His performances have also seen him grow into one of England’s most important players.

However, this term has not been his best – the 10 Premier League strikes he has managed is the lowest in any of his last four seasons, and he has come in for criticism from the club’s supporters. Still, City remain eager to offer the £90m-valued 26-year-old (Transfermarkt) a new contract – news which has not gone down well with the fans.

The news was shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

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

“Hope he doesn’t sign”

Credit: @iD7Mi1

“Please just sell him”

Credit: @kormzee_

“I wish that we sell him!!”

Credit: @IsaacDurn15

“No plz”

Credit: @Kevin57197624

“Bin the fraud Ferran is better”

Credit: @Ferrxn21

“It’s time to sell him whilst he’s still quite young and is a big name”

Credit: @SkinFadeGazza

In other news, Man City fans want to sign this superstar.

Former Scotland and Premier League manager Alex McLeish has talked up the idea of Jack Harrison joining Leeds United on a permanent deal this summer, claiming a deal may even be done already behind the scenes.

The Lowdown: Key figure for Leeds

The 24-year-old is coming to the end of a three-year loan spell at Elland Road, with newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City still his official employers.

Harrison has shone at times for Leeds, scoring 18 goals in 127 appearances and playing his part in a glorious period under Marcelo Bielsa.

With the forward’s loan spell coming to an end, the Whites now need to make a decision over his future, with an option to sign him for £10million this summer expected to be taken, via Phil Hay.

The Latest: Harrison tipped to sign permanently

Speaking to Football Insider, McLeish believes it makes complete sense to do just that, with Harrison worth double that amount now:

“There’ll probably be a deadline on that clause.

“With the season that he’s had, Man City will be possibly thinking when does it expire? Because he’s now looking like a £20million player. In the current climate, £10million is something Leeds could easily do business-wise.

“Therefore, they’ll probably just be waiting for some kind of deadline and then doing it immediately before that. For all we know, talks are really amicable and it’s kind of almost a done deal.

“Three loan years and he’s grown every step of the way with Leeds’ progress. He’s like an integral part of the family now.”

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The Verdict: No-brainer for Leeds

Harrison has become such a key player that it is surely a no-brainer to retain his services, in a decision that would suit Leeds, City and the player himself.

He is the Whites’ joint-second top scorer in the league this season with eight goals, but he has also chipped in with the same number of assists, highlighting his important to a team who need proven end product to make their rip-roaring attacking style effective.

For Leeds to snap up Harrison for just £10million would be a steal, especially as his prime could still be a few years away.

In other news, a Leeds player has officially started talks over a move away from Elland Road. Find out who it is here.