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An update has emerged on Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield, regarding plans for his future at Ibrox…

What’s the talk?

According to the Glasgow Evening Times [29 January, page 47], the Gers are poised to enter contract talks with the Canada international.

His contract is up at the end of the season and the Scottish giants now want to offer him fresh terms in an attempt to keep him at the club moving forward.

GvB needs it

Gio van Bronckhorst will be buzzing with this news as he needs Arfield to put pen to paper on a contract extension before his deal expires in the summer.

The 33-year-old has dipped in and out of form this season and there have been moments where it has looked as if he needs replacing. He has lost 59% of his duels this term and missed a whopping five ‘big chances’ in front of goal, which highlights some of the issues he has had throughout the campaign.

However, just when you may think his time is up at Ibrox he pops up with another moment to show why he needs to stay. He came off the bench against Livingston earlier this week and scored the winning goal with a sublime first-time, improvised, finish into the far corner in a 1-0 win for the Gers, proving that he still has it in him to be a huge player for the club.

Earlier this month, van Bronckhorst admitted that he does not want to see the veteran leave at the end of the campaign, saying: “Scott is an important player to have around. He is definitely someone I want to have longer at Rangers.

“Hopefully we can welcome him next season as well.”

The £16k-per-week beast is still capable of producing moments of magic to win vital points for Rangers and that is why the Dutch head coach needs this key deal to go through. Arfield still has value to offer to the Light Blues and Ross Wilson must ensure that he is able to agree terms with the midfielder over a contract extension in the coming weeks and months.

Hopefully, the ex-Burnley man will continue to provide big goals to help Rangers on their way to another Premiership title and can then celebrate with the trophy and a new contract to head into the 2022/23 campaign.

AND in other news, Rangers could replicate Amad masterclass with swoop for “exceptional” £3.1k-p/w gem…

Everton have endured a torrid few weeks after an encouraging start to life under new manager Rafael Benitez, but there has been one constant glimmer of hope buried beneath their anguish.

The likes of Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend have proven to be inspirational signings but the form of highly-rated left-back Lucas Digne has slipped under the radar somewhat this season. That’s partly down to his lack of goals and assists, and also the defensive shackles that the new regime has placed upon him.

Benitez has always been known for a safety-first approach to proceedings, and although this new style is restricting Digne’s output, the France international is still performing at a very high level.

Over the last couple of seasons, the 28-year-old has been responsible for setting up 14 of Everton’s Premier League goals after being given license to bomb forward. However, those heady days under the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti and Marco Silva are now a thing of the past.

Digne’s primary objective is now to stop the ball going into Jordan Pickford’s net rather than setting up one of his teammates to fire a shot past the opposition goalkeeper.

Nevertheless, the former Barcelona, Roma and Paris Saint-Germain defender is doing an admirable job under unusual circumstances, as his underlying numbers clearly indicate.

As per SofaScore, Digne has won a whopping 58 duels in his 11 top-flight fixtures this term, made 17 key passes to his grateful teammates, and pulled off 28 tackles, 22 clearances and 11 interceptions.

These figures clearly illustrate the influence that he is having over proceedings, highlighting the important part he has played for Benitez’s side up to now.

Everton will be hoping to end a run of five games without a victory when they take on Brentford over the weekend, and Digne’s performance level could prove pivotal in their search for a positive result.

In other news… Huge boost: Everton receive potential injury lift pre-Brentford, Rafa will be buzzing

Keinan Davis is a target for former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith in his new post as Norwich City manager, according to Football Insider. 

The lowdown

Davis has been limited to just 11 minutes of football so far this term after sustaining an injury in August.

That injury actually saw a mooted loan move to Championship side Stoke City called off.

The 23-year-old has been with Villa for six years, making 86 first-team appearances and recording 13 direct goal contributions (six goals, seven assists).

He’s apparently earning £45,000 per week at Villa Park, more than the likes of Matt Targett, John McGinn and Douglas Luiz (via Spotrac).

Former Villan Jack Grealish said after the Premier League’s restart last year that Davis was ‘unplayable’.

The latest

Smith wants to bring a ‘Premier League-calibre frontman who can spearhead the attack’ to Carrow Road, and believes Davis fits the bill.

He’s confident that a deal can be done, with his price tag believed to be somewhere between £2million and £4million.

Smith ‘has always rated Davis highly’ and he apparently played a key role in discussions over a new Villa contract last year.

The verdict

In previous years, Villa have rejected ‘multiple bids’ for Davis, but that stance may now have changed.

Indeed, they were seemingly ready to let him join Stoke before injury intervened.

The signing of Danny Ings in the summer has pushed him further down the pecking order, and that’s not all.

Teenage sensation Cameron Archer may well have nudged ahead of him after snatching his EFL Cup opportunity with a hat-trick against Barrow and a goal at Stamford Bridge.

Davis may be open to a reunion with a manager that clearly admires him, and back-to-back wins for the Canaries will give him hope that he wouldn’t be joining a sinking ship.

In other news, fans react to this behind-the-scenes reveal. 

Ralf Rangnick has only had a matter of weeks in the Manchester United dugout but his thinking will have to quickly revert from implementing his playstyle to recruitment in the coming weeks.

Fortunately, that’s an area where the German thrives in having had numerous director roles during his career in football.

What’s the word?

Considering Man United boast Cristiano Ronaldo in their squad, it seems ridiculous to suggest that the Red Devils need to strengthen in attack.

However, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that they cannot rely on their Portuguese dynamo.

Bruno Fernandes hails from the same nation and has also had great importance placed on his role in the team. However, he and his compatriot could be given some respite from January.

That’s because United have been linked with securing the services of Joao Felix, another Portugal international who is held in high esteem around the globe.

Speaking recently to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Pete O’Rourke commented: “I’m sure Manchester United, as well as maybe some other Premier League clubs, will be interested in Joao Felix if Atletico Madrid did decide to cash on him. I’m sure he’d definitely be an attractive option for United.”

Must swoop

Atletico signed the diminutive sensation for a grand total of £113m back in 2019 but his career in the Spanish capital has never truly lived up to expectations.

While climbing the ranks of Benfica, the tricky forward was one of the most impressive young players in the world, scoring 20 goals in 43 senior outings.

After moving to La Liga the 22-year-old has scored the same number of goals, but it’s taken him much longer, making 90 appearances for Diego Simeone’s side.

That said, having been described as “outstanding” by Jurgen Klopp, Felix still has an abundance of talent, even if he does annoy Man United legend, Roy Keane.

Speaking during the European Championships, the Irishman launched a scathing attack on his qualities, saying: “Felix, when he came on, that guy’s an imposter, he’s an imposter. He comes on, your country needs you…hit the target! What was he? £100 million? If I was [Cristiano] Ronaldo I’d certainly be going after him in the dressing room. Shocking.

“Felix and Fernandes were driving me crazy.”

That won’t exactly fill supporters with confidence but he is still a remarkable player with the world at his feet.

He registers a career average of two shots per game, just 0.6 fewer than Fernandes, and has racked up 1.3 dribbles per outing in 2021/22, a statistic that would place him fourth in the United squad.

That’s ahead of the likes of Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Fernandes and Ronaldo.

On that evidence, he’d certainly provide United with added spark and when you combine that with his ability to score goals, it makes him a prime candidate for Rangnick to recruit over the winter.

AND in other news, Rangnick must brutally axe “God awful” £180k-p/w MUFC dud who Keane dubbed a “worry”…

A journalist has dropped a quite big claim on Rafa Benitez and the proposed Newcastle United takeover consortium.

Writing in her latest piece for The Guardian, Louise Taylor has claimed that the former manager at the St. James’ Park faithful appears to be the consortium’s ‘preferred candidate’ should they complete a takeover in the North East, as he already has inside knowledge of the Tyneside club and is currently out of management and available for work.

Newcastle should hire Benitez if possible

If the Magpies do end up getting taken over by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group, then Benitez could well be the ideal candidate to potentially replace Steve Bruce.

The former Liverpool and Chelsea manager may feel as if he has unfinished business at the Toon, and if he was given the financial backing in the transfer market, then it may be seen as an attractive project for him to return.

Benitez guided NUFC to promotion back to the Premier League from the EFL Championship and managed to keep them in the top flight for two consecutive terms after that, boasting no fewer than 62 wins from 146 games in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt), a 42.5% win ratio.

Nonetheless, it would be very interesting to see who the potential new owners would go for as their manager of they were to take over, or whether they would even stick with Bruce.

In other news, find out what takeover ‘advantage’ Newcastle have here!

David Moyes should urge West Ham United to launch a summer swoop to sign Darius Olaru after the FCSB midfielder revealed that he would never turn down a potential transfer.

What’s the word?

Speaking with FRF TV, Olaru was questioned on West Ham’s rumoured interest in his services after links first emerged during the recent winter market.

Reports by Sport.RO suggested in January that the London stadium natives had set their sights on a move for the 23-year-old after he established himself as a pillar of Anton Petrea’s plans at the National Arena.

Olaru has made 25 of his 41 career Ros Albastrii appearances during the 2020/21 campaign, including starting 20 of his 24 Liga 1 outings in which the central midfielder boasts six goals and two assists.

His efforts in Liga 1 and for Romania’s under-21s were said to have made Olaru one of the most sought-after members of the FCSB squad during the mid-season market, which in turn raised owner Gigi Becali’s asking price from €7m (£6m) to €10m (£8.5m).

Where West Ham’s interest lies now remains to be seen, yet Olaru has made it clear that he would not reject a move to the Premier League if one were offered – but on one condition.

“I don’t know if the English championship would fit me so well, but I would never say no to a possible transfer there, but I like Spain more,” he said.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/the-latest-west-ham-news-and-views” title=” The latest West Ham news and views!”]

Along with interest from the Irons in January, Rubin Kazan made efforts to sign Olaru for €1.7m (£1.5m) which were instantly rejected by Becali, who believed the Russian Premier League outfit’s offer was a “joke”.

Should West Ham sign Olaru?

With Olaru allegedly having a wealth of potential suitors thanks to his efforts under Petrea in Liga 1 this season and for Romania’s under-21 side, West Ham may have to act quickly if they are to snap up the midfielder for the price tag Becali set in January.

Olaru is seemingly improving week-by-week for FCSB to establish himself as a pillar of the side at the National Arena, and struck half of his goals for the Liga 1 campaign in his last five games before reporting for Romania’s under-21s.

A continued run of form like his may also see La Liga sides begin to turn their attentions to the midfielder’s services, which would ultimately be a condition West Ham may not be able to overcome given Olaru’s recent claim.

At 23, Olaru – who has produced sensational performances and spectacular goals under Petra – also has years of development ahead of him to get even better, as Becali vividly expects.

“Up to the age of 25-26, players like him gain experience, become better. I’m not afraid of risk, why risk? He is a midfielder who climbs, reaches the finish, scores. He will grow in the game and I will take even more money for him,” Becali told ProSport, via quotes by Fanatik.

Valeriu Rachita, the Director of Professional Football and Scout at Astra Giurgiu, also told Sport.RO: “Olaru is the best player that exists now at FCSB, he is almost complete both on the defensive phase and on the completion phase.”

Moyes urging West Ham to revive their interest in Olaru could see the Irons acquire a second Tomas Soucek – who similarly arrived in the Premier League from eastern Europe but has proven a huge hit for his box-to-box exploits.

“When we’re talking about box-to-box midfielders, there’s nobody better in the Premier League right now than Soucek,” Jamie Carragher told 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.”

AND in other news, West Ham are set to sign a £13.5m-rated titan for free this summer…

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson thinks Mateusz Klich could be left out of Jesse Marsch’s starting line-up against Crystal Palace on Monday.

The Lowdown: Klich a regular

Klich has made 31 appearances in all competitions this season, taking his Leeds tally to 173.

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The 31-year-old has turned out as a defensive, central and attacking midfielder and is yet to miss a game under new boss Jesse Marsch.

He played alongside Robin Koch in the 3-0 win over Watford last time out but made way on the hour mark for Kalvin Phillips.

The Latest: Robinson’s reacts to Phillips image

Talking to MOT Leeds News after seeing an image of Phillips back in full training, Robinson, who contributes for Sky Sports, gave his thoughts on how Leeds’ midfield could shape up at Selhurst Park.

He believes Phillips, who was spotted in full flow at Thorp Arch this week, could make a first start since December alongside Koch, which would mean Klich would drop out.

“For me, Phillips and [Adam] Forshaw both come in if they’re fit and able to play 90 minutes.

“I know they played well at Watford so I don’t think both Phillips and Forshaw will come back in.

“Forshaw’s been out so he’ll probably have to get his game-time off the bench.

“Phillips should come in alongside either Klich or Koch.

“It’ll probably be alongside Koch if Jesse Marsch is going to play that way again.”

The Verdict: Right call?

Bringing back Phillips from the off could be a wise by Marsch move following Leeds’ 16-day break.

Klich also had an afternoon to forget at Vicarage Road last time out. As per SofaScore, he was Leeds’ worst-rated player in the 3-0 victory, losing possession 16 times and failing to complete any of his attempted long balls.

The central midfielder was also second best in nine of his 12 duels, so it could be a wise move to leave him out of the starting XI at Selhurst Park as Leeds look to take a step closer to safety.

In other news: Approach made: 49ers and Radz now in exit talks with club for ‘awful’ Leeds defender. 

On Thursday, the news finally broke that Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Mainz striker Jean-Philippe Mateta on an 18-month loan with an obligation to buy.

It won’t have come as too much of a surprise as the story had been circulating for some time, but most fans certainly wouldn’t have predicted that Steve Parish appears to have made a rather shrewd move in the transfer market.

Signing Mateta on loan has given Roy Hodgson try him out on a short-term basis without the need for spending huge sums of money on a transfer fee and wages.

After the Alexander Sorloth debacle which ended in the Danish striker departing Selhurst Park for £20m last year, it is this type of due diligence that suggests Parish has learned from the errors of his ways with a transfer strategy designed to end any further embarrassment and one that is considered vital to their hopes of staying above the Premier League relegation battle.

To Parish’s credit, he has backed Hodgson to the hilt by bringing in marquee signings like Eberechi Eze and Nathan Ferguson, but the Sorloth misstep is still a sour note for Palace over the past few years.

The centre-forward has become a bit of an issue for Palace heading into the second half of the season, as Christian Benteke is 30 and Michy Batshuayi can’t be trusted, especially in front of goal.

There have been several players who have struggled to cope in the Premier League having had stormers in the Bundesliga – former West Ham striker Sebastien Haller is a fine example as his struggles at the London Stadium were well-documented.

The Frenchman was signed for a club-record £45m fee by GSB and scored just 14 goals in 53 games for the Irons before departing for £20m to Ajax earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United attacker Joelinton has netted only seven times in 66 appearances for the Tyneside outfit, having cost Mike Ashley a club-record £40m after arriving from Hoffenheim.

Mateta’s form has somewhat tailed off after he enjoyed a sensational start to the season, but anybody who watches the Bundesliga regularly knows how good he is, given his excellent goal return for Mainz.

The 23-year-old bagged ten goals and an assist in 17 appearances across all competitions this season. In an ideal world, you’d expect him to replicate this form for Palace.

Despite this, even in the event the transfer doesn’t work out as planned, the Eagles will still have gained a useful asset for a snip of the price they would have to pay to sign him on a permanent basis.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace should keep Christian Benteke or face consequences…

Speaking to Football Insider, pundit and former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie has dropped an Irons transfer claim involving Jesse Lingard.

The Lowdown: Lingard eyed by Hammers

West Ham wanting to sign loanee Lingard on a permanent deal this summer is absolutely nothing new, with club insiders ExWHUemployee and Claret & Hugh both backing reports of their recent interest in the Englishman.

It was even claimed that GSB will ‘move heaven and earth’ to get a deal done at the end of the season, hardly surprising given his sensational spell in east London overall since joining temporarily from Man United.

The Latest: McAvennie drops Lingard claim

However, according to McAvennie, in an interview with Football Insider, it turns out West Ham won’t be moving for Lingard after all.

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Indeed, dropping a major claim, the 61-year-old has heard from his sources that the Hammers may not have the available funds now to sign on Lingard a permanent deal – especially after seeing their Champions League hopes quashed.

“I’m hearing from sources they won’t sanction a move for Lingard,” McAvennie explained.

“I hope that’s wrong, they have to go all out to get him for Manchester United.

“If the boy wants to stay, give him all the money he wants. Unfortunately, money is tight at the moment.

“For West Ham to challenge again next season, they need players like Lingard.”

The Verdict: Big blow for West Ham

The 28-year-old has been a revelation since signing for the Irons on loan in January, scoring an incredible nine goals and assisting his teammates four times in 15 Premier League starts (WhoScored).

Over that period, he is also the most threatening West Ham player by shots taken per 90 – averaging 2.6 attempts on goal every match (WhoScored).

Therefore, McAvennie’s big claim that they will no longer sanction a permanent deal comes as a truly damning blow to supporters.

Manager David Moyes will also be hoping that GSB do back him in the summer transfer market as he aims to strengthen in key areas.

In other news: West Ham fans rave over this official club announcement, find out more here.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Leicester City striker Brian Deane has hailed the East Midlands club’s recruitment.

In the last summer transfer window, Leicester signed defenders Wesley Fofana and Timothy Castagne from Saint-Etienne and Atalanta respectively, with both players going on to help the Foxes win their first FA Cup.

Fofana arrived to strengthen the team’s central defence, while the versatile Castagne joined as a replacement for left-back Ben Chilwell, who departed the King Power for Chelsea in a £50m deal.

The duo have undoubtedly been successes for the club this season, featuring regularly for their side, and Deane has since praised Brendan Rodgers and his recruitment team for signing the two defenders and their overall work in recent transfer windows.

The ex-Leicester player, who feels his old side are setting the right example in the transfer market, told FFC:

“It [Leicester’s success] comes down to good recruitment. If Leicester can do it, then you think to yourself, ‘Why do clubs always look at paying the premium for players? Are they waiting to see how they do at a club and then go in for them?’

“That costs more money. You know, why not be more proactive? But you have to say, Leicester have got their recruitment spot on again.”

As well as Fofana and Castagne, Rodgers has also brought in the likes of James Justin, Ayoze Perez and Youri Tielemans permanently – the latter winning the FA Cup for his side and arguably epitomising Leicester’s recruitment success.