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According to Football Insider, Glasgow Rangers have entered the race to sign striker Thomas Henry this summer.

The Lowdown: Gers sluggish

The Gers were magnificent last term as they won the Premiership for the first time in ten years, but they have not started well this term.

They have managed just one win in their first three matches, losing the other two (Sky Sports), so perhaps another goalscorer is exactly what they need, with Alfredo Morelos of course continually linked with moves away.

The Latest: Gers eye Henry

As per this latest report, the Gers are interested in signing Henry this summer.

They are one of a number of clubs eyeing the 26-year-old. Other potential suitors include Southampton, Watford, Swansea City, Gent, Venezia and Bordeaux.

The Verdict: Necessary?

£4.5m-valued Henry (Transfermarkt) has been in fantastic form in Belgium, both for current club Leuven and former outfit R Union Turbize-Braine. In his last 95 games in all competitions, he has managed a hugely impressive 56 goals, while he has also managed three strikes in three matches already this season (Transfermarkt).

However, it must be asked whether Rangers really need another striker right now. Steven Gerrard already has five strikers at his disposal in Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe, Cedric Itten, Fashion Sakala and Jermain Defoe.

Is a sixth really necessary, no matter how prolific he is? This is one we could expect to sit on the back burner until Morelos’ future is decided. If the Colombian leaves, a move for Henry would make much more sense.

In other news, Rangers receive this injury blow.

Mark Warburton has dropped an update on the state of his Queens Park Rangers squad ahead of their Championship fixture this Saturday.

What’s the latest?

In comments given following QPR’s penalty shootout victory against Leyton Orient in the Carabao Cup earlier this week, the 58-year-old revealed that both Luke Amos and Ilias Chair would be rejoining first-team training following their respective injuries, and could be available for the trip to Hull City on Saturday.

However, the manager also cited concern that a number of players, including Stefan Johansen and Charlie Austin, will struggle to maintain fitness as a result of the club’s busy schedule.

Warburton said: “We’re looking at this crazy schedule we face over the next seven to 10 days, which no one can explain to me.

“We’re looking at players. Ilias Chair not being available [for Orient], Stefan, looking after him, Charlie Austin, looking after him, so it was doing what we had to do.

“We’ll have a training group [on Thursday] of about six. The likes of Stefan, Jordy [de Wijs], Chris Willock, Dom Ball – those guys. Luke Amos is with us. Ilias Chair back in training. We’ll work with a small group and do what we have to do.”

Fans will be buzzing

While it is indeed true that QPR have a hectic schedule coming up, playing four games – starting with the Hull clash – over the space of 10 days, the news that Amos and Chair are back in training will undoubtedly have fans buzzing.

Indeed, with Amos having not played for the Rs since suffering a cruciate ligament rupture in October 2020, his return is sure to be a big boost for Warburton. The 24-year-old is a fantastic option in defensive midfield -he had the club’s best tackles per game average (2.2) last season despite his sparse involement – as well as being an extra body which the manager can call upon in order to rotate his squad over their busy schedule.

Meanwhile, the return of Chair is also a significant plus for the 58-year-old, as the attacking midfielder – who has not featured for the club so far this season due to a recent illness – was one of the Rs’ most impressive players in the club’s 2020/21 campaign, scoring eight goals, registering four assists and average a SofaScore match rating of 7.04 – ranking him as QPR’s fourth-best player last term.

As such, while the QPR manager may be unhappy with the Championship fixtures already coming thick and fast, it is undeniable that the return of two key midfielders is a welcome boost for the manager, who will be hoping his side can secure their first Championship victory of the season at MKM Stadium on Saturday.

In other news: Warburton drops claim on “excellent” QPR gem which will be music to the ears of fans

Lots of Everton fans have been left fuming at Michael Keane for his part in Leeds United’s first goal in their Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon.

The central defender got caught trying to step out and get the ball, and in the end completely missed his tackle to allow his opponent to run towards the goal.

Matheusz Klich then received a simple pass before producing a neat finish just inside the penalty area to bring Marcelo Bielsa’s team level going into the half-time break.

It was such a shame for the Goodison Park faithful to concede so close to the whistle being blown, given that they had taken the lead earlier on in the game through a neat penalty from Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

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With Ben Godfrey currently out of the side, Keane must now be wondering whether he will keep his place in the starting line-up once his teammate is back available to play.

Everton fans on Keane

These supporters of the Merseyside club fumed at Keane on Twitter after the goal was conceded, with one Toffee even going as far as to claim that he is a ‘dreadful’ player:

“Michael Keane out”

Credit: @KillianFtbl

“Dreadful Michael Keane.”

Credit: @steverochester

“Keane with a stinker again”

Credit: @Lawemannen

“Michael Keane again, are we surprised? Can’t get Godfrey back soon enough”

Credit: @sadphillyphan

“Sell Keane”

Credit: @EvertonTURK

“Keane needs binning off”

Credit: @IamFidgell

In other news, find out what Team News had Blues talking here!

Rangers’ hopes of signing Caleb Chukwuemeka this summer are over after the 19-year-old’s move from Northampton Town to Aston Villa was confirmed earlier this week.

What’s the word?

Along with Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, the Gers were heavily linked with signing the teenager this summer as he caught the eye with his performances for the Cobblers in recent campaigns.

Although the striker has managed just two goals in 28 senior appearances in his career, a summer move was always likely to be on the cards for the youngster after he broke onto the scene in League One last season.

However, Rangers were perhaps always going to struggle to convince him to move to Ibrox, and eventually it was Aston Villa who won the race, with Chukwuemeka joining up with his younger brother Carney at Villa Park.

A blow for Rangers?

Whilst it is unlikely that the teenage forward would have been able to displace any of Gerrard’s current attacking options at Rangers, he certainly looks to be one for the future and could’ve been a great long-term addition to the squad at Ibrox.

After he joined Villa, academy manager Mark Harrison sang his praises, saying: “He is an exciting attacking player with an eye for goal and we feel has a lot of potential. We are really looking forward to working with him.”

After a disappointing start to the 2021/22 campaign which has seen Rangers lose their unbeaten Premiership run and crash out of the Champions League against Malmo, it would not be a surprise to see top talents such as Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent depart in the near future. Therefore, the club arguably need to be looking at young, talented players such as Chukwuemeka to be integrated into the first team before eventually replacing their current stars.

Rangers fans may well be gutted that they’ve missed out on a promising transfer target and will be hoping to see their club strengthen before the transfer window shuts.

In other news… Wilson heading for Rangers transfer shocker with Ibrox “warrior”

Former professional footballer Michael Ball believes Harry Kane is much needed for Manchester City. 

The Cityzens are interested in taking Harry Kane to the Etihad Stadium, with journalist Fabrizio Romano reporting last week that City will return with a €150m (£128m) bid and that the club are open to including players or add-ons, with Spurs still determined to keep hold of their star player.

City began their Premier League title defence with a defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur after a Son Heung-min goal got Spurs all three points.

Former Manchester City defender Michael Ball believes that City need Kane, telling Transfer Tavern: “He is much needed for Manchester City, not just for his goalscoring record, Manchester City are great at scoring goals, but just a different way of playing. They play a great style of football, they won the league last year with no number nine up front, but they failed in the Champions League. 

“When they’re struggling and pushing for three points or a Champions League win, a different presence like Harry Kane who just needs that one or two opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net could make the difference and fingers crossed it can.”

Kane’s goalscoring record is phenomenal throughout his career, as he has scored 248 goals in all competitions, with 221 of those goals coming in a Tottenham shirt!

With just a week to go until the transfer window closes, will Manchester City be able to agree a deal with Tottenham Hotspur for Harry Kane or will Spurs remain strong in their stance that they want to keep hold of their star player and Kane remains at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium beyond the August 31 deadline?

Some Liverpool supporters are unhappy that Nat Phillips has signed a new deal with the Reds, with many claiming that it makes no sense.

The 24-year-old became something of a cult hero at Anfield last season, having been thrown into the team by Jurgen Klopp.

A host of long-term injuries to the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip meant that Phillips was called into action more than expected, but he helped Liverpool finish third in the Premier League.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

With those key centre-backs fit again and Ibrahima Konate signed from RB Leipzig, though, Phillips now finds himself as fifth-choice in his position.

Despite this, Liverpool confirmed on Tuesday [via the club’s official Twitter account] that the Englishman has signed a new long-term deal at Anfield, with no other clubs willing to buy him on transfer deadline day despite him being linked with an exit in recent weeks.

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Liverpool fans unhappy with Phillips update

These Reds fans took to Twitter to show their unhappiness at Phillips being given a new contract amid an absence of new signings on deadline day.

“Love you Nat but this club is gonna throw me off the edge”

Credit: @MoThiagoA6_

“Sorry, what?”

Credit: @dpgingo1

“This club is just laughing at the fans today aren’t they?”

Credit: @jayreid1987

“I’m tired of this club”

Credit: @twlsjf

“Nah I’m speechless”

Credit: @monsutaendo_

“This is the nail in the coffin”

Credit: @fcDavee

In other news, one Liverpool player is set for a deadline day exit – find out who it is here.

Leeds United could sign an ideal Kalvin Phillips alternative in Spurs’ Harry Winks amid David Norris’ recent transfer claim.

What’s the story?

The Athletic’s Phil Hay had recently revealed that Marcelo Bielsa’s side rejected the opportunity to bring the England international to Elland Road on loan this season, but Norris believes that the midfielder would have been a success with the Whites.

The former Leeds midfield exclusively told Football FanCast: “I think so yeah, he’s a quality player and we’ve said before that Leeds need a little bit more back-up in that area and with what he’s done at Spurs I would have thought that would have been a good fit, a good move.”

Kalvin Phillips alternative

The £18m-rated ace has previously drawn rave reviews from his former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino about his style of play, with the Argentine even comparing him to a couple of Spanish icons.

The current Paris Saint-Germain coach said: “Harry has the profile of the perfect midfield player. His characteristics are perfect. When we talk about midfielders like Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta, he’s like this type of player. He has this capacity but he needs to take my words in a very positive way — he needs a lot of work.”

While that Xavi comparison certainly seems far-fetched given how the Spurs midfielder’s career has stalled, Winks still hasn’t lost his calmness in possession and has averaged a superb career passing accuracy of 89.4% – better than any Leeds player who featured for more than 90 minutes last season aside from the rarely-used Jamie Shackleton.

Former Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson has previously suggested that Winks could be a superb alternative to Phillips.

He said: “One player I would love to see at Leeds in the Kalvin Phillips role is Harry Winks. He’s not been given his opportunity at Spurs, I think he is a fantastic player. Not only can he do the Phillips role, he can play in midfield as well,

“Someone with Winks’ quality would really add something to that Leeds side. He is able to play more advanced but can do the Phillips role when he’s not available. I would love to see Winks at Elland Road next season.”

Dean Windass has also previously thrown his weight behind a potential Leeds move for Winks, saying that Bielsa’s coaching ability could be exactly what Winks needs.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “I think if Bielsa does stay and brings in his own players, they will be a top four or top six side, and Harry Winks could get into any of them teams. He’s Bielsa’s sort of player.”

If there’s an opportunity for the Whites go back in for him in January, then they should certainly do so.

Meanwhile, this Leeds ace has seen his market value decrease dramatically…

Tottenham Hotspur could now be without as many as six players for their Saturday lunchtime Premier League clash at Crystal Palace.

The Lowdown: Spurs flying

Spurs have been flying under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo so far, recording three wins out of three in the top flight, including taking down the reigning champions (Premier League).

What has put the icing on top of the cake is that their fierce north London rivals, Arsenal, are also bottom of the division with three losses after three games.

There could be trouble ahead for Nuno and the Lilywhites however.

The Latest: Players missing

Writing in his latest piece for The Evening Standard, Dan Kilpatrick has confirmed that Ryan Sessegnon is out of the match against the Eagles, having sustained a hamstring injury while in training with England’s U21 team.

Davinson Sanchez, Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero are also out as they are having to train in Croatia at the moment in order to avoid having to quarantine on their return from red-list countries.

Both Son Heung-Min and Steven Bergwijn have also picked up knocks while on international duty with South Korea and The Netherlands respectively, and so they have to be assessed ahead of the clash.

The Verdict: Blow

It would certainly be a blow to the Lilywhites if all six players are unavailable to play at Selhurst Park, especially Son.

The 29-year-old has already scored two goals in the Premier League so far this season, and would have been relishing the chance to play alongside Harry Kane once more against Patrick Vieira’s side.

Nonetheless, with four players definitely out and two more doubtful, it looks like it may now be an uphill task for THFC to get maximum points.

In other news, find out what transfer blow Tottenham have been dealt here!

Manchester United have reportedly identified West Ham star Declan Rice as their priority midfield transfer target for next summer.

What’s the story?

According to the Manchester Evening News, United chiefs have already held talks the potential framework for a deal to sign the highly-rated 22-year-old as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to strengthen his engine room options.

The report states: “Rice is contracted to West Ham until 2024, but he is not expected to sign a new contract, making a move probable next summer as the Londoners would be under pressure to cash in.

“United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted a new midfielder in the recently closed summer window but accepted there was a high possibility the club would not sign one, as United had prioritised a right-winger and a centre-back.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be elated

Rice has become an integral part of West Ham’s side since making his first team debut back in 2017, scoring five goals and providing six assists in 148 appearances for the capital club.

The England international’s magnificent performances in the centre of the pitch have caught the eye of several impressed onlookers, including Match of the Day pundit and Alan Shearer.

“He’s still only 22, and this is what he does really well. I think he reads the game, he’s obviously got an excellent partnership with (Tomas) Soucek in the midfield,” said the former Newcastle United legend (as relayed by This is Futbol).

“He keeps it simple; he stops teams attacking, can play, can pass, breaks it up and then sets his team on the front foot. I think he’s an excellent player.”

Rice’s ability to curtail opposition attacks and start one of his own is a set of assets which Solskjaer arguably lacks in his current first team squad.

While defensive midfielders Fred and Scott McTominay have performed admirably in tandem when played in a double pivot, the Norwegian is believed to want a holding player who is capable of providing a solid midfielder foundation on his own.

Although there’s no guarantee that Rice would be able to do so, his promising performances for club and country indicate that he’s probably up to the job, and therefore Solskjaer will be elated that United’s hierarchy are preparing a move for the youngster.

In other news… Man Utd suffer big selection setback pre-Newcastle United, Ole will be gutted 

Leicester City’s CEO Susan Whelan has been tipped as a possible replacement for Dominic McKay at Celtic, The Herald report.

The Lowdown: McKay departs

McKay’s tenure with the Hoops lasted just 72 days, with the club confirming his departure on Friday.

They cited personal reasons over his exit, however, it has since emerged that he may have jumped before he was pushed in regards to his Glasgow position.

Celtic are now seemingly on the search for McKay’s replacement, and a CEO at a Europa League side has been name-checked as a possible contender.

The Latest: Whelan one of five contenders

The Herald shared a story on Tuesday afternoon, naming five contenders who could replace McKay at Celtic Park.

One was former defender Ramon Vega, with the final name mentioned being that of Whelan.

She has worked alongside former Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers in recent years at the King Power, with the Northern Irishman labelling Whelan as ‘excellent’.

The Verdict: Could be a coup

Whelan is well-thought-of by Rodgers and has been with Leicester since 2010, with the Foxes going from strength to strength during that time.

The 58-year-old was born in Dublin, so owner Dermot Desmond could look to use his Irish connections, as he did for defender Liam Scales from Shamrock Rovers over the summer.

Whelan has also been described as a ‘good operator’, so, on that basis, bringing her to Parkhead could be seen as a major coup.

In other news: ‘Brilliant’ free-agent Ange spoke about at Celtic still available after comments emerge.