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According to a report by reliable football.london correspondent Alasdair Gold, backing up previous claims, Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers is ‘held in high regard’ by some Tottenham Hotspur chiefs as a possible replacement for the under-fire Jose Mourinho.

Tottenham chiefs still eyeing Rodgers

Rodgers has been previously linked to the Tottenham job as pressure grows on Mourinho following a string of poor results, including a humiliating Europa League exit at the hands of Dinamo Zagreb last month.

Providing the latest on the managerial situation, Gold has claimed that there is a ‘growing belief’ that the Portuguese won’t be in charge at Spurs next season, subsequently listing the two most likely managers as candidates to possibly replace him.

Backing up previous claims, football.london reported that Rodgers is still held in high regard by some Tottenham chiefs within the club alongside RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann.

Transfer Tavern take

Hailed as an ‘elite manager’ who could ‘manage any team in Europe’ by Robbie Savage on BT Sport recently (via Daily Mail), Rodgers was also allegedly ‘very keen’ to join Spurs back in 2012 according to Football Insider. However, Liverpool made a formal approach first and Rodgers opted to take over at Anfield instead.

While Rodgers has strong credentials (domestic dominance at Celtic, establishing Leicester in the Premier League top five), we believe that Nagelsmann should be first and foremost the top managerial priority if Mourinho is sacked.

At the tender age of 33, the German has already overseen 224 top-level matches with Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig, taking the former into the Champions League and the latter to the semi-finals of that tournament along with challenging Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga dominance.

He has been described as the most exciting coaching talent in Europe, but Daniel Levy and could face a battle for him after Fabrizio Romano’s update that Bayern look set to target him.

In other news: Journalist drops enticing Tottenham transfer claim, find out more here.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been hailed for leveraging their Hollywood status to "amazing" effect at Wrexham.

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• American duo invested in Wrexham in 2021
• Overseen the club's return to the Football League
• Finance guru expects celebrity ownership models to continue

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The American actors completed a £2 million takeover at Wrexham in February 2021, at which point the club were still competing in the National League. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have taken a hands-on approach at SToK Racecourse, silencing critics that claimed their move into football was merely a gimmick, and it reaped rewards in 2022-23 as Wrexham secured promotion back to the Football League after a 15-year absence.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Celebrity owners are becoming more and more common as a result of Wrexham's success, with NFL legend Tom Brady the latest man to try his hand in English football as a co-owner at Championship club Birmingham City. Dr Christina Philippou, a Principal Lecturer in accounting, economics and finance at the Faculty of Business and Law, believes the trend will continue because of the huge impact celebrities can have when it comes to the commercial interests of football clubs.

• WHAT DR CHRISTINA PHILIPPOU SAID

  "It's a matter of a sporting celebrity bringing in money," Dr Philippou told . "Wrexham have a touch of Hollywood glamour, and the owners have been able to do amazing things by selling the story along with their on-pitch and community efforts. Leveraging that status sells and helps the commercial side, which in turn helps the on-pitch fortunes as the owners are able to input some of that money into the club."

  She added: "Sports have a global reach now due to the likes of social media. All sorts of things have changed since those days, but being able to leverage celebrities is a big thing in terms of the commercial and broadcasting side of things. The [Lionel] Messi effect at Inter Miami had a massive impact on match-day prospects. There's a reason for celebrities to be there, and I think it will continue. The generations coming through now are even more savvy when it comes to influencers and who the big stars are. That culture is definitely growing, and moving with those would make sense from a commercial side. I don't think it's something we'll stop seeing anytime soon."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Wrexham's growth has also been helped by the success of the Disney Plus docuseries tracking their rise under Reynolds and McElhenney. 'Welcome to Wrexham' was recently renewed for a third season, but Dr Philippou has warned that continued progress on the pitch is the only way to guarantee that interest levels remain high. "There may not be a compelling story to tell if Wrexham had stayed outside the Football League. It would get harder and harder to sell the story," she said. "There is a link between results and general interest. We see that across every level. Match-day interest is never as high after a team gets relegated. Social media content certainly plays its part when it comes to the commercial side, sponsorship deals, and broadcasting. If you can prove online interest in your club and demonstrate true engagement, then sponsors will come calling, and that only helps the club. Sunderland Till I Die sold too, but for different reasons! There have been a couple of documentaries made during great or terrible seasons. The problem is not being able to tell. A few of the NFL All or Nothing documentaries have been made as the chosen club has had an average season, and they never sell particularly well as it makes for less interesting viewing."

Kylian Mbappe completed his hat-trick against Gibraltar on Saturday in some style, with a lob from long range bringing up 300 career goals.

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• Mbappe scored ridiculous lob effort
• Completed hat-trick on the night
• Frenchman celebrates reaching 300 career goals

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The France captain had already found the net twice as his side began an utter annihilation of their opponents – but he saved the best until last for his third strike. Spotting the goalkeeper off his line, Mbappe fired a shot mere yards from the halfway line, completing a fine hat-trick and reaching a staggering 300 career goals at just 24 years of age. The Paris Saint-Germain star is now third on France's all-time goalscoring list, too.

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  THE BIG PICTURE

  Mbappe is arguably the best player in the world right now but he is yet to pick up a Ballon d'Or, with 36-year-old Lionel Messi the latest winner of the award. The 24-year-old will be targeting those accolades in years to come and now he has brought up 300 career goals, he may have his sights on becoming one of the greatest goalscorers of all time.

  Remarkably, Messi has 821 goals in his career, whereas 38-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo is on 865 so far. On top of individual achievements, Mbappe will be targeting the biggest trophies – either at PSG or another club in the future.

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• WHAT'S NEXT?

  Mbappe could line up for France in their final Euro 2024 qualifier on Tuesday against Greece before Paris Saint-Germain return to Ligue 1 action on Friday against Monaco.

Free-scoring Arsenal made Premier League history against Newcastle on Saturday as Mikel Arteta's men kept their title charge on track.

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• Arsenal beat Newcastle 4-1
• Four different scorers for the Gunners
• Sets goal-scoring record in top-flight

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Gunners looked unstoppable against a depleted Newcastle side as they marched to a 4-1 win over the Magpies on Saturday evening at Emirates. A Sven Botman own goal handed them the lead which was quickly doubled by Kai Havertz in the 24th minute. Bukayo Saka and Jakub Kiwior found the net in quick succession after the break which helped them become the first team in Premier League history to score two or more goals in seven consecutive halves of football.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Arteta's men have been playing scintillating football since the turn of the year and the victory over Newcastle was their sixth league win on the bounce – a club record which further highlights their dominance in the English top flight. Although injuries have been a constant menace for the Gunners, they have shown time and again that they depend more on the collective than individual brilliance. In fact, they have 12 different goalscorers this campaign in the league which is a testimony to their incredible collaborative effort.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Saka also carved out a piece of history after beating Loris Karius between the sticks as he became the first English player to score in five consecutive Premier League games for Arsenal since Ian Wright did in seven between September and November 1994.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Arsenal are just two points behind leaders Liverpool in the standings and a single point separates them from second-placed Manchester City. They have hit top gear at the nick of time and would look to continue their winning streak when they face Sheffield United after a mini-break on March 4 at Bramall Lane.

After slipping to an agonising, and rather undeserved, 1-0 defeat to Everton in midweek, West Brom are back in Premier League action on Sunday when they take on Newcastle United.

Sam Allardyce’s team were more than a match for the Toffees, having the same number of shots and shots on target as the away side, but fell to a Richarlison goal midway through the second-half.

With Newcastle up next, and the Magpies in the midst of some difficulties too – you only have to look at the apparent bust-up between Matt Ritchie and Steve Bruce to see that – there’s a real chance for West Brom to come away with all three points from the clash at The Hawthorns.

One man who Allardyce should seriously consider bringing back into the side is Callum Robinson.

The £7.2m-rated ace has been left on the bench for the past five games in the Premier League, and the time on the sidelines might have just given him the kick up the proverbial backside to come back firing.

After Matheus Pereira’s performance in midweek – one which arguably merits him being dropped for Sunday’s game – surely it’s time for Allardyce to bring someone new into the fold like Robinson.

Speaking earlier last year, former Baggies boss Slaven Bilic raved about Robinson’s abilities, saying: “He is present, he is dangerous and he fits in with the other players. He can also go by himself either with the ball or when he is linking up with other players on the pitch. He’s exactly the type of player that we wanted.”

Robinson’s natural instincts as a striker could ease the burden on Mbaye Diagne, who has been leading the line on his own. Having someone else in the team who can make runs in behind him, and fire away on goal, could be key to exploiting a Newcastle back-line which has conceded 44 goals this season in the Premier League – the joint-second worst in the division.

As Bilic says, Robinson can link up and do things by himself, and his brace against Chelsea earlier in the season is a perfect example of that.

When West Brom take to the field on Sunday against Newcastle, Robinson should be one of the names on the team-sheet when Allardyce makes his decision about who to start.

Meanwhile, this West Brom man should be dropped against Newcastle…

Al-Nassr have put the wheels in motion for a potential bid to sign Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City, it has been claimed.

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• De Bruyne wanted by Saudi side
• Have contacted agent about meeting
• Star's Man City contract ends in 2025

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Saudi Arabian side have contacted the Belgium international's agent with the aim of arranging a meeting, according to Rudy Galetti. Al-Nassr's plan is to explain their long-term strategy to convince the attacking midfielder to join.

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  De Bruyne, 32, is currently contracted to City until 2025. He remains a key part of Pep Guardiola's team but has featured just once in the Premier League this season, having been ruled out with a muscle injury he sustained in the early stages of their first game against Burnley. As a result of his fitness troubles, City are reported to have put a stop to talks over a new contract until he recovers

• DID YOU KNOW?

  De Bruyne would be one of many big names to make the move to the Middle East if Al-Nassr are able to convince him. He would reunite with ex-City team-mate Aymeric Laporte as well as the likes of former Premier League rivals Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Alex Telles.

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  De Bruyne will continue his recovery and prepare to return to the City team before he will consider making the switch to the Saudi Pro League.

Southampton can get their season back on track with a win against Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday, with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side having struggled immensely in the league since the turn of the year.

The Saints have won just one of their last 12 Premier League fixtures but have triumphed in FA Cup ties against Shrewsbury Town, Arsenal and Wolves in that time.

Last weekend’s 2-1 defeat against Brighton dragged Hasenhuttl’s side back into a relegation battle in the top flight but the Austrian will be hoping that his side put their league form behind them when they travel to the Vitality Stadium to face the Cherries, who are challenging for a play-off position in the second tier.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Hasenhuttl to line his side up in the FA Cup, with three changes from the side which started against Brighton last time out…

Fraser Forster continues as first choice after Alex McCarthy’s poor recent form for the Saints, with the former Celtic loanee having kept clean sheets in all three of his appearances in the competition this season.

There’s one change in defence as Ryan Bertrand drops to the bench after some disappointing displays of late, with Mohammed Salisu replacing him at left-back, which should allow Kyle Walker-Peters to push further forward on the right.

Takumi Minamino is unfortunately cup-tied having featured in the competition for Liverpool earlier in the season, so Moussa Djenepo is likely to replace him on the left-hand side.

Finally, Nathan Redmond comes in for Nathan Tella in the attack, with the youngster ineffectual against Brighton following some strong performances, so the Austrian should go for the experience of the £16.2m-valued 27-year-old to partner Che Adams if he wants his side to go all-out for the FA Cup this season.

In other news… Southampton signing 11-goal beast could be bad news for 22 y/o gem Ralph loves

Neymar may be facing up to another spell on the sidelines through injury, with Al-Hilal revealing that the Brazilian forward is nursing a knock.

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• South American now in Saudi Arabia
• Working on lucrative contract
• Suffered regular physical setbacks

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 31-year-old made it through the international break unscathed, becoming his country’s all-time leading goalscorer in the process as he pulled away from legendary three-time World Cup winner Pele.

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  Neymar may, however, be forced to sit out a crunch AFC Champions League clash with Navpakhor. Al-Hilal are due to face Uzbek opposition in continental competition on Monday. A South American superstar could be watching that contest from afar.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus has told reporters when delivering a fitness update on his squad: “After today's training, we will decide the five foreign stars that will be in the game's list. Neymar and Michael have minor discomfort and we need to make sure that they are 100 per cent ready to play the game.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Neymar has suffered with muscular problems since leaving Paris Saint-Germain for Saudi Arabia, forcing him to miss four games. He did provide an assist when gracing a 6-1 demolition of Al-Riyadh on Friday, but now faces a race against time to figure in back-to-back games for his new Middle Eastern employers.

Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony has confirmed conversations over a new deal for Celtic target Siriki Dembele have begun.  

The Lowdown: Celtic’s interest

Celtic have been credited with an interest (Give Me Sport) in the 24-year-old in recent months.

Reports have suggested that a move for Dembele, who is the older brother of Celtic’s young talent Karamoko Dembele, could be part of a plan from the Hoops to keep the 18-year-old at Parkhead.

The Posh striker scored 11 times and registered 12 assists in 42 League One appearances this season, helping Peterborough win promotion to the Championship.

He’s out of contract this summer, however, MacAnthony is now looking to tie him down at London Road.

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The Latest: MacAnthony’s Twitter post

MacAnthony was answering various questions on Twitter on Tuesday, and one involved Dembele.

He was quizzed if the club are close to agreeing on contracts with Dembele, Nathan Thompson and Dan Butler, to which he replied:

“Conversations now beginning with them all yes.”

The Verdict: A shrewd addition?

In our opinion, Celtic should be exploring a possible cut-price deal for Dembele. Not just because that may help keep his younger brother, who has been linked with a move away, at the club (although that may help), but because of his qualities.

The Peterborough man played in three positions during the current campaign, impressing in all of them.

He made 15 appearances as a centre-forward, 13 as a left-winger and 13 as an attacking midfielder, registering goals and assists in all areas.

That could come in handy under the new Hoops boss next season, especially with striker Patryk Klimala recently sealing an exit and winger Mohamed Elyounoussi set to return to Southampton following his loan spell.

In other news: ‘Told from very reliable sources’ – Bournemouth reporter drops huge Eddie Howe to Celtic claim, find out more here. 

Some Liverpool fans have been calling for the Reds to sign Ozan Kabak on a permanent deal following an impressive spell on loan at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp has had a torrid time of things at centre-back this season, with injuries in that area playing a major part in his team’s struggles during 2020/21. Virgil van Dijk has been out since October and Joe Gomez isn’t too far behind, while Joel Matip is also sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.

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These issues meant that Klopp was forced into signing a new centre-back in the January transfer window, with Kabak arriving from Schalke 04 and Ben Davies also coming in from Preston.

The Turkish defender only joined on loan, but there was an option to buy him for £18m this summer, which journalist Fabrizio Romano claims is still the case [via Anfield Watch on Twitter].

Liverpool fans call for the Reds to sign Kabak permanently

These Liverpool supporters took to Twitter to get behind the idea of Kabak becoming a permanent Reds player moving forward, based on impressive performances such as the one against RB Leipzig last month.

“Have to pay it. You can’t lose money on a young player who’s that good already. Worst case you flip him for like £25million”

Credit: @rayan_heravi

“Make it happen. Time to move on for Matip I think. Too injury prone, think both him and us need a fresh start”

Credit: @my_sum

“Buy him and sell Matip”

Credit: @nathan_brauner1

“Please buy him”

Credit: @hezlfc

“LFC please I beg you. Sign him up. He has been fantastic. Save us the time for another trial and error”

Credit: @FcJurgen

“We better sign him”

Credit: @ynwaMattH

In other news, Liverpool have been linked with a move for a Bundesliga star and some supporters are excited. Read more here.