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Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones will miss the start of the Premier League season because of injury, according to reliable journalist James Pearce.

The Lowdown: Jones misses Strasbourg game

The Reds are preparing to face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon, as they get their league campaign up and running.

Jurgen Klopp has a few headaches ahead of the game, however, with the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Diogo Jota both ruled out for fitness reasons.

Jones didn’t feature in last Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at home to Strasbourg – he was seen on crutches at the match – and now a negative update has emerged regarding his participation this weekend.

The Latest: Pearce delivers negative update

Writing on Twitter, The Athletic‘s Pearce shared an ‘update’ that the 21-year-old would play no part against Fulham because of a calf issue.

Pearce expects Jones could miss as many as four weeks, but says the club are still awaiting a specialist’s opinion.

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The Verdict: New midfielder needed?

With Oxlade-Chamberlain missing for an extended period and Jones now out, too, it does raise question marks over whether or not Liverpool need to sign another midfielder this summer.

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In Thiago and Naby Keita, the Reds have two players who struggle to stay fit for sustained periods, while James Milner and Jordan Henderson are both in their thirties.

It seems unlikely that a midfielder will come in this summer – they could wait until 2023 and sign Jude Bellingham – but this Jones update does limit their options in the middle of the park further, with the youngster hailed as ‘unbelievable’ by Klopp in the past.

Southampton managed to strengthen their attacking line this summer as they brought in Sekou Mara from Bordeaux.

However, Ralph Hasenhuttl has shared his wish to see another striker make the move to St. Mary’s before the transfer window comes to a close.

The south coast club have been linked with a move for Manchester City striker, Liam Delap, although it was reported that the Saints had a £16m bid for him rejected, as the Premier League champions are not looking to sell him on a permanent basis.

Another striker that has been mentioned with a move to Southampton that could be an ideal alternative to Delap is Bayern Munich’s Joshua Zirkzee as the youngster possesses a similar ruthless streak in front of goal as the Man City prodigy, who has bagged 35 in 36 for the U21s.

With 98 appearances for the German club across their senior and youth teams under his belt, the 21-year-old Zirksee has found the net 50 times and supplied 26 assists, highlighting his clear attacking talent.

Throughout his entire career, the player has racked up 69 goals in total, which shows the ability he has and the potential he has to grow and develop into a better player.

Last season saw the Dutchman complete a season-long loan deal in Belgium with RSC Anderlecht, where he scored 18 goals and provided 13 assists in 47 appearances in total.

To further show how impressive he was in front of goal, across the 32 league games he played in for the Belgian side, Zirkzee ended the campaign with more shots on target (30) than any other player at the club.

Lauded for his “remarkable” development at Bayern by their former manager Hansi Flick, the centre-forward was an unused substitute for the German champions’ recent Bundesliga game against Eintracht Frankfurt, which shows that he may not be currently seen as an important player for them.

With that in mind, a move to the Premier League with Southampton where he’d surely be able to get regular game time could be a tempting prospect.

Thus, if Bayern would be willing to allow their young striker to leave this summer, the Saints should put themselves at the front of the queue to secure his signature and fulfil Hasenhuttl’s wish for a new forward before the end of the window.

Newcastle United will reportedly make a bid to try and sign Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos.

The Lowdown: Continuing pursuit

It was reported last week that the St. James’ Park outfit are continuing their pursuit of Ramos, as they look to bring in a new striker before the transfer window closes.

Benfica are thought to have included a massive €120m (£100m) release clause in his contract as part of his most recent deal, but he could be sold for less – the Eagles have a reputation for developing top talents and selling them on when the time is right.

The Latest: Bid incoming

As per Jornal de Noticias (via Sport Witness), the North East club ‘will present an offer’ to Benfica worth just over €40m (£33.6m) for Ramos.

They are trying to ‘anticipate the competition’ for his signature, which includes fellow Premier League rivals Everton, Leeds United, Southampton and Wolves.

The Verdict: Get it done

Given the level of competition for Ramos and their desperation for a new number nine, this is a deal that the Tynesiders need to get done as soon as possible.

Hailed by BBC broadcaster Andy Sixsmith as a player who is the ‘perfect fit’ for the Magpies as he is ‘brilliant in the air’, a ‘real clever finisher’ and a ‘proper grafter’, Ramos has already hit the ground running this season with four goals and three assists, including a hat-trick against FC Midtjylland in Benfica’s UEFA Champions League qualifier (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, the Portuguese starlet is only 21 years of age, and so Eddie Howe’s team would be getting someone who has the potential to become one of the best strikers in the world.

Rangers have enjoyed a busy summer transfer window at Ibrox as Ross Wilson and Giovanni van Bronckhorst have brought in a host of new additions to the squad.

The Gers have signed John Souttar, Ridvan Yilmaz, Antonio Colak, Rabbi Matondo, Malik Tillman, Tom Lawrence and Ben Davies.

As it stands, they have also been able to keep hold of Alfredo Morelos, despite the striker having less than a year to run on his current contract.

The 26-year-old, who has scored 114 goals in 228 matches for the club, could sign a pre-contract with a foreign team in January and that would leave the club in need of a replacement next summer.

Rangers, however, may not need to source one from outside of Glasgow as Gio van Bronckhorst could unearth Morelos’ heir in 16-year-old academy striker Zak Lovelace.

The Gers brought him in from English side Millwall earlier this summer with a view to him making the step up to the first team further down the line.

Millwall podcaster Nick Hart claimed that the Championship club saw him as a “star of the future” and that is exactly what he could be for the Light Blues.

Head of Academy Craig Mulholland dubbed him a “high potential” recruit and Ross Wilson added to that by saying: “He is an exciting young player and one we are sure will progress here.

“He has developed really well with the staff at Millwall and we can see lots of potential in him.”

This suggests that he has the scope to develop into a top player for Rangers in the future as those at the club brought in him with the belief that he will eventually make the grade in van Bronckhorst’s team.

The attacker has already made an impression in Glasgow, scoring a hat-trick in a B-team match on Saturday – taking him to five goals in four Lowland League starts – and finding the back of the net twice in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Queens Park for the first-team.

This comes after he was given five Championship appearances by Millwall last season, which shows how much faith they had in him despite his age and lack of experience.

His statistics since joining Rangers and his first-team involvement at the age of 16 suggest that he could be a frontline option for the Gers by scoring goals on a regular basis for the Scottish giants after breaking into the squad.

It is now down to him to fulfil his potential and develop between now and Morelos’ contract running out next year so that he can be his heir heading into the 2023/24 campaign.

Everton have recently been linked with one much-maligned player from a rival Premier League club… 

What’s the word?

According to 90min, the arrival of Casemiro could spell the end of Scott McTominay’s career at Manchester United.

Newcastle United are long-term admirers of the Scotland international, although Everton, Southampton and Leicester City are also keen on a potential move for the 25-year-old.

With a move for Idrissa Gueye seemingly faltering, this could be Frank Lampard’s contingency plan. However, it may be an ill-advised one…

He is worse than what Everton have

So far in the summer transfer window, Everton have invested in proven Premier League know-how in Conor Coady and James Tarkowski, along with Champions League-performing promise in Amadou Onana.

Although McTominay has often featured in both of those competitions, signing him would see the Toffees fall back into their pattern of taking on players who are considered disposable by Manchester United.

Wayne Rooney was well past his peak when he returned to Goodison Park in 2017, while Morgan Schneiderlin, Tom Cleverley and Darren Gibson were all deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford before Everton signed them from the Red Devils, and none of those three truly convinced in a blue shirt.

McTominay is noted in some quarters as a player with superb defensive output, although the figure show that he sits in the 57th percentile for tackles and the 70th percentile for interceptions per 90 among positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past 12 months.

Compare that with new addition Onana, who sits in the top 4% for tackles per game. Allan is in the top 9% for tackles and the top 2% for pressures, while Abdoulaye Doucoure sits in the 74th percentile for tackles, having often played in a defensive role at Everton despite usually adopting a more offensive role during his time at Watford beforehand.

Even in his favoured defensive midfield role, McTominay does not compare favourably to Everton’s current options. Dubbed “awful” in the past by journalist Hans Mensah Andoh, the £60k-per-week flop has also had the vocal criticism of Roy Keane ringing in his ears recently.

He featured 30 times last season for the Red Devils, with Frank McAvennie claiming that the 25-year-old is “a good player but not for Man United”.

However, not good enough for United shouldn’t automatically mean that he is good enough for Everton. Lampard must avoid this move at all costs, as McTominay would likely not improve his team in any discernible fashion.

It would mark a regression in their otherwise positive recruitment and mark a return to the flawed strategy of signing Old Trafford cast-offs.

Tottenham Hotspur are still interested in signing Wolves winger Adama Traore, according to reputable journalist Ryan Taylor.

The lowdown: Long-standing admirers

Spurs were heavily linked with a move for Traore during the January transfer window but were unable to prise the Spanish speedster away to north London.

Instead, the 26-year-old Spain international headed back to Barcelona – where he came through the La Masia ranks as a youngster – for a short-term loan spell.

Now, having returned to Wolves and upon entering the final 12 months of a deal in the Midlands, Spurs could well be set to rekindle their interest in Traore…

The latest: ‘100% a target as well’

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Taylor – a journalist for the Daily Express – claimed that Tottenham are still keen on signing the eight-cap ace.

He said: “Adama Traore is 100% a target as well. And the fact he’s out of contract next summer means he could be available for literally, we’re talking £10 million, £15 million.”

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The verdict: Make it happen

Dubbed a ‘freak of nature’ by football journalist Tolga Akdeniz and a ‘game changer’ by pundit Noel Whelan, despite often struggling to covert frightening attributes into impactful performances, Traore certainly possesses everything required to be a major asset to Antonio Conte’s squad.

Already linked with potential wide options such as Hakim Ziyech and Ruslan Malinovskyi, it seems almost certain that Spurs will add another attacking option to the N17 ranks before the September 1 deadline.

Capable of operating on either wing, centrally and as a wing-back – a position of use in Conte’s favoured 3-5-2 formation – last season, the flying forward scored just once and provided four assists in 40 appearances across all competitions in Spain and England.

Despite that misfiring form, at the mooted low asking price, singing Traore – who shares similar stylistic traits to the likes of Jadon Sancho and Allan Saint-Maximin(FBref) – would be a no-brainer for Fabio Paratici and co.

Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz is ‘pushing’ to complete a permanent move away from the club on deadline day, journalist Fabrizio Romano reports.

The Lowdown: Luiz bids

The Brazilian may have scored directly from a corner in Villa’s 2-1 defeat at Arsenal on Wednesday evening, but it may have been his final game for the club.

Constant reports on Thursday have suggested that Luiz will seal a move elsewhere, with the Gunners ironically the clear front-runners to acquire his signature.

With time ticking on, reports have suggested Arsenal may be forced to walk away from the deal due to Villa’s demands, but it seems that isn’t stopping Luiz from trying to force the move…

The Latest: Midfielder ‘pushing’ for exit

Taking to Twitter, Romano stated that a five-year deal to take Luiz to Arsenal is on the table, with the player himself wanting the move to materialise:

“The potential agreement between Douglas Luiz & Arsenal on personal terms would be on five year deal. It’s ready on player side — but not yet between clubs.

“Aston Villa insist they don’t want to sell Douglas but player pushing.”

The Verdict: Dendoncker to fill the void?

If Luiz does leave Villa, it will be an undoubted blow, considering he has been hailed as ‘fantastic’ by journalist Gregg Evans, making 116 appearances for the club in total.

It looks as though Wolves midfielder Leander Dendoncker has been lined up as Luiz’s replacement however and the hope is that he can fill the void seamlessly.

The 27-year-old has been an unsung presence in Wanderers’ midfield for some time, averaging 2.3 interceptions per game in the Premier League so far this season, so he could be a great addition for Steven Gerrard, adding steel and depth in that area.

Glasgow Rangers have endured their fair share of transfer howlers over the years in signings that have turned out to be flops and players they allowed to leave who went on to do great things.

However, there have been plenty of times where the Gers have wanted to bring a player to Ibrox during a transfer window and either avoided a blunder or missed out on a gem.

One player the club missed out on was John Hartson in the summer of 2000. They agreed a £6.5m deal to sign him from Wimbledon before he failed a medical and eventually ended up at rivals Celtic, where he went on to score 110 goals in all competitions, and in the words of the Welshman himself – “ruined Rangers” – on his own.

The now-retired forward recently revealed that he had a second opportunity to sign for the Gers after his time on the other side of Glasgow, saying: “For me personally, I had a chance to go to Rangers after Celtic. Sir David Murray called me up and said ‘we would like to sign you now, the medical is gone and you have had your time at Celtic’.

“I was at West Brom. I don’t think I would have ever been accepted at Rangers because of my success at Celtic. The 110 goals I got for Celtic I felt I might as well go and chuck them down a river, because I would never be forgiven.

“It’s a huge rivalry. I’m not knocking anybody, but for me it’s like all my family grew up as Swansea supporters. I just couldn’t sign for Cardiff.”

Instead, he opted to sign for English side Norwich City in the summer of 2007 instead of making the unforgivable move to the other Old Firm team.

The attacker, who scored 172 club career goals, spent five years at Celtic and clearly felt like he would not have been welcomed by the Light Blues supporters.

It is impossible to say for sure but his form at West Brom suggests that he would not have done enough on the pitch to win over the fans at Ibrox. He scored five goals in 21 Championship matches in the 2006/07 campaign for the Baggies after leaving Glasgow and then failed to score in four matches on loan to Norwich before he retired.

His lack of production in England came off the back of him scoring 18 goals in 26 league matches for Celtic in his final season in Scotland, as he struggled to recapture his predatory instincts south of the border.

The striker was at the end of his career and his record for West Brom and Norwich indicates that he did not have the same goalscoring prowess that he had in his pomp at Celtic, which is why signing him would have been an error by Murray as he would not have performed well enough on the pitch to make up for his exploits at the other Old Firm club.

West Ham United boast a remarkable record with regards to their production of young talent, having helped develop a whole host of exciting prospects over the years, including the likes of Joe Cole, Jermain Defoe, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick.

Another notable success story from the Hammers’ youth ranks is that of Frank Lampard, with the midfielder following in his father’s footsteps – Frank Lampard Sr – by progressing from academy talent to first-team regular.

For all his Chelsea connections – which has led to notable stick from Irons supporters over the years – it is easy to forget the important part that the east Londoners played in the 44-year-old’s remarkable career, having scored 33 goals and provided 18 assists in 175 games in all competitions during his time at the club.

The former England international had famously been tipped as a teenager to go “right to the very top” of the game by his uncle and former boss Harry Redknapp, with that prophecy coming true as he went on to win a plethora of major honours in a lengthy career at the elite level, while winning 106 caps for his country.

Excitingly for the London Stadium outfit, the club could well have another Lampard-esque talent on their hands in the form of 16-year-old Lewis Orford, with the teenager having caught the eye at youth team level of late.

Such has been the quality of his displays, the playmaker has only recently been included in the Guardian’s Next Gen list, placing him alongside the 20 best young talents across the Premier League, born between September 2005 and August 2006.

That inclusion saw the youngster receive a glowing assessment from journalist John Brewin, who wrote: ‘West Ham continues to be production line for midfielders and Orford, a lifelong fan, might be the latest to follow Declan Rice, Mark Noble, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Michael Carrick. His height reminds of Rice and Carrick though he exhibits a greater turn of pace than either, with a range of passing beyond his years that has made him the Hammers’ Under-18 playmaker.’

After naming the young Englishman among that stellar list of names, Brewin then also noted the comparison to the aforementioned Lampard, writing: ‘There is something, too, of Lampard in his ability to arrive late on the scene for scoring opportunities.’

It would take some doing to be able to reach the heights of a man who scored 267 club career goals, although Orford has shown his own finishing prowess of late, scoring seven times and providing ten assists in just 31 U18 Premier League games to date, including five goal involvements in just four games so far this term.

While a role in the senior set-up may not be on the cards just yet, he could well be a player for David Moyes to keep an eye on in the coming years.

Manchester United need to ‘move fast’ and sign PSV Eindhoven attacker Cody Gakpo in the January transfer window, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Gakpo speculation rife

The Dutchman has become a huge star in the Eredivisie, tearing the league apart and already chipping in with eight goals and six assists so far this season.

Gakpo has been constantly linked with a move to United throughout the summer and the rumours still aren’t going away despite the transfer window being closed for a month now.

It could be that a January move comes to fruition, should the Netherlands international wish to leave PSV.

The Latest: Jones talks up January move for Gakpo

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones said that United should get the 23-year-old’s signing done before someone else can swoop in for him.

The transfer insider stated:

“To be able to shake off all that speculation and start the season like he has is unbelievable, to be honest.

“He’s got eight goals and six assists in seven Eredivisie games for PSV. Not only that, he played for the Netherlands and looked great. He came on as a sub and he was superb.

“United need to sign players who are confident and have that star quality. I think they should move fast here.”

He scores goals galore! Pay homage to one of his best with this amazing t-shirt! Click here to buy…

The Verdict: Perfect for United

Gakpo really does look like a true star in the making, already shining in his homeland but seemingly possessing the pace, trickery and end product to excel in the Premier League.

With Erik ten Hag perhaps still looking for more firepower in his attack, the 23-year-old could be the perfect January signing, giving the squad an extra injection of brilliance for the second half of the season.

A tally of 52 goals and 42 assists in 148 PSV appearances speaks for itself, and given Gakpo’s age, he should only continue to grow as a player over the next five or six years.