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Lots of Glasgow Rangers fans have been left buzzing over some news from the club’s youth ranks.

As shared by the official Twitter page of Rangers B & Academy, the B team defeated Berwick Rangers 6-1 away from home with six different scorers in what was described as a ‘great performance’ with ‘brilliant team play’.

Robbie Fraser, Leon King, Alex Lowry, Ross McCausland, Kyle McClelland and Tony Weston all managed to get themselves on the scoresheet as Rangers B followed up their 3-0 win at home to Hammarby on Tuesday night.

The young Bears are in a very good place at this moment in time, and some of their performances should certainly catch the eye of Steven Gerrard, who may now think about giving one or two of them a chance in the first team.

Rangers fans on B-team’s result

These Ibrox supporters were delighted as the result was shared on Twitter, with one Gers fan saying that it was ‘excellent’ from the youngsters:

“Brilliant result”

Credit: @Tracey49876558

“FT: Berwick Rangers – 1 Rangers B – 6. Great win lads”

Credit: @BobSteele55

“Fantastic result”

Credit: @Papa_291

“What a future for a club if handled correctly”

Credit: @RFCGW

“Excellent again by the youngsters”

Credit: @4ladshadadream

“Nice one young Gers”

Credit: @Rabg1872

In other news, some fans criticised this first-teamer’s performance against Hibernian

Liverpool are reportedly rivalling Barcelona for a deal to sign Lille midfielder Renato Sanches, according to Fabrizio Romano. 

The lowdown

Liverpool have reportedly held an interest in signing Lille midfielder Sanches this summer, and the midfielder could be available if the French club’s valuation of the 23-year-old are met.

Sanches has been with Lille since 2019, and has made 60 appearances in total for them. The Portugal international played his part in the club’s title-winning campaign last term, and it appears as though his showings haven’t gone unnoticed.

Liverpool will be looking to add depth to their midfield options in the near future, with the Reds struggling with injuries last season and having lost Georginio Wijnaldum this summer.

The latest

Speaking on the ‘Here we go podcast’, Romano has confirmed that Liverpool and Spanish giants Barcelona are interested in a deal to sign Sanches this summer.

Romano has also claimed that the price tag that Lille are looking for is in the region of €40million, with Liverpool having to sell players to fund new signings ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

“It’s Barcelona and Liverpool that are interested in Renato Sanches – but the price tag is around 40 million euros so we will see what happens in the coming days. For Liverpool, it’s important to sell players to sign new players.”

The verdict

Sanches could be the ideal replacement for Wijnaldum, who departed Anfield in favour of a move to French giants PSG.

Additional strength in depth is certainly needed within the Liverpool squad this term, as injuries were a major reason as to why they failed to retain their Premier League title from the 2019/20 campaign.

Sanches had an average Whoscored rating of 6.41 from the 2020/21 season, and at the age of 23, he could turn out to be a shrewd signing for the Reds in the long-term.

Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique labelled Sanches as a ‘great player’, before predicting that Jurgen Klopp could help him become a ‘world class’ player in the future.

“He always been a great player. If I’m not wrong he was named best player of the Under-21 tournament that he was involved.

“The problem he had is like many young players he had everything too quick and until he settled it took him few years, but it looks like the type of player that I believe Klopp can help him become a world class player.”

Mateusz Klich, Illan Meslier and Liam Cooper all suffered poor days at the office in Leeds United’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.

The Whites made the trip to north London looking to continue their improved recent form but they ended up with nothing to show for their efforts.

Dan James fired Leeds in front just before half-time but goals from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Sergio Reguilon turned the game on its head after the interval.

According to Sofascore, Klich, Meslier and Cooper were the Whites’ three worst players on the day among those who featured for at least 45 minutes.

Mateusz Kilch – 6.3

Klich was given an attacking midfield role by Marcelo Bielsa at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but he failed to have a positive impact overall.

He lost all five of his duels and didn’t manage a single shot in the match, suggesting that his attacking output was rather limited.

No tackles and interceptions from Klich also highlighted a lack of defensive work in what was an ineffective all-round showing from the Poland international.

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Illan Meslier – 6.5

Although Meslier was hoping to impress on the opposite side to French goalkeeping compatriot Hugo Lloris, he ended up failing to produce his best form.

The 21-year-old only completed 63% of his passes against Spurs, a disappointing return given his quality on the ball (his seasonal average is 76%).

Only three of Meslier’s 16 long balls were accurate and it played a part in Leeds running out of attacking threat in the latter stages of the match when they were seeking an equaliser. At least he had a 100% duels record, winning both battles that he contested.

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Liam Cooper – 6.6

Cooper was deployed at the heart of Leeds’ defence as usual, but he was given a tough examination by Harry Kane.

The Scot only managed to win half of his six aerial duels and lost five of 12 battles altogether, despite his 6 foot 2 frame, and he played no key passes from his deep-lying position.

Cooper was also dribbled past once and only played one out of five accurate long balls on an off-day for the centre-back.

In other news, one Leeds player has suffered a potentially serious injury. Find out who it is here.

Newcastle United have reportedly ‘set their sights’ on Hellas Verona striker Giovanni Simeone. 

The lowdown: Most lethal finisher in 20/21

Simeone, the son of Atletico Madrid manager Diego, is currently on loan at Verona from fellow Serie A outfit Cagliari.

He’s currently the second top-scorer in the division with nine goals in just seven starts (via WhoScored). Four of those strikes came in 4-1 win over Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio last month.

Strikingly, no player in Europe’s top five leagues has out-performed their expected goals by a greater margin than Simeone (+6.2), showing he has been extremely clinical in front of goal this term.

The latest

The report, from L’Arena (via Tutto Hellas Verona), states that Newcastle and West Ham are both interested in Simeone.

Verona apparently have the option to make his loan permanent for €12million (£10.1million), so it may not be Cagliari with whom the Magpies have to negotiate.

The verdict

You can look at Simeone’s goalscoring exploits in one of two ways. If you take them at face value, they’re immensely impressive, putting him amongst the European elite at this stage of the campaign.

On the other hand, though, the deficit between his expected goals and actual goals is surely unsustainable. Indeed, prior to this season, he’d actually underperformed every year in that department.

It’s important that Newcastle look past the headline numbers and don’t allow themselves to be fooled into another Joelinton, although Simeone’s far inferior price tag to the Brazilian could mean this is still a risk worth taking.

In other news, Newcastle are ready to splash the cash on another Serie A signing.

A move from West Brom to the Bundesliga would make sense for Matheus Pereira, journalist Luke Hatfield has told Football FanCast.

The 25-year-old Brazilian is currently attracting a lot of interest, including from Saudi Arabia.

According to Ekrem Konur, who reports on football transfers, Al-Hilal have made an attempt to sign Pereira this summer at the request of manager Leonardo Jardim.

West Ham are also thought to be keen on the Pereira’s signature as they struggle to tie up a deal for Jesse Lingard, with the Daily Express claiming that the club have now held talks with the player’s representatives.

And Hatfield believes a move there or to Germany, where Pereira played during the 2018/19 season with FC Nurnberg, is the more logical option.

“I think a move to Germany or the Premier League makes more sense,” the Express & Star reporter said. “He knows the German league; he’s been there before. If a club’s willing to spend the money on him, then it makes sense.”

If a move to a Premier League club does not materialise for whatever reason, then surely Pereira ends up in another top European league like the Bundesliga.

The former Sporting Lisbon man, who scored 11 goals in English football’s top flight last season, has too much talent to move to Saudi Arabia at this stage of his career.

Derby County have been handed a huge boost in their bid to bring Teden Mengi back to Pride Park this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Athletic, who claim that Wayne Rooney’s side appear to be on course to land the Manchester United centre-back on another loan deal in the current transfer window, with the Premier League runners-up content to send the 19-year-old back to the Championship side after they secured survival on the final day of the season.

Rooney will be buzzing

With Derby remaining under a transfer embargo due to Mel Morris’ ongoing search to find a buyer for the club, something that limits the Rams’ transfer activity to loans and free transfers, as well as any potential incomings having to be paid a sensible wage, the news that Mengi looks set to make a return to Pride Park this summer is sure to have Rooney buzzing.

Indeed, over his nine Championship appearances while on loan at the club last season, the £1.35m-rated defender turned in a number of impressive performances in what were extremely challenging circumstances.

In the league, the 19-year-old helped his side keep a total of one clean sheet, while also making an average of 1.1 interceptions, one tackle, 2.4 clearances and winning 3.8 duels per game, with these metrics culminating in the youngster earning a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.67.

As such, with Rooney looking to build a side in the transfer window that is capable of mounting a push towards the top half of the second tier table next season, the potential return of a player whom the 35-year-old manager claimed is a “fantastic” centre-back will give the former England captain at least one reason to be cheerful in the coming months, particularly when factoring the mess that his side remain in away from the pitch.

In other news: Derby handed huge blow over £18k-p/w “maverick”, it will leave Rooney livid

Liverpool are reportedly lining up a move for Sampdoria winger Mikkel Damsgaard as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to replace the departed Xherdan Shaqiri.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet Il Secolo XIX (as relayed by the Liverpool ECHO), the Reds sent scouts to watch the 21-year-old in Sampdoria’s curtain-raising encounter with AC Milan.

The report claims that the Reds hoping to complete a deal for Damsgaard and are plotting a ‘decisive assault’ at the prime time to strike a deal, meaning a move to Anfield could be on the cards before the current window concludes.

Jurgen Klopp needs him

Damsgaard rose to major prominence over the summer after starring for Denmark in the European Championship, scoring two goals and providing an assist in five appearances for Kasper Hjulmand’s charges, playing a pivotal part in his nation’s run to the semi-finals of the tournament.

His standout displays have seen the youngster linked to a host of the Premier League’s top clubs in recent weeks, despite him only arriving in Serie A 12 months ago in a £6.08m deal.

The creative talent is a product of the famed Nordsjaelland academy and showed his potential for Sampdoria last term, bagging two goals and providing four assists in 35 top-flight appearances as he settled into life on Italian shores.

Damsgaard also managed 1.5 dribbles per league game, the highest tally amongst his teammates, and played a key role in Sampdoria’s shock 2-1 victory over eventual champions Inter back in January, leading to TV2’s football expert Martin Mikkelsen hailing his compatriot.

“He’s magical – what speed! He is dynamic and can go both ways. He is creative but also so mature in his decisions,” Mikkelsen claimed, and Damsgaard has gone from strength to strength ever since.

With Shaqiri joining Ligue 1 giants Lyon, Klopp now has room in his squad for an extra overseas player and should have the required funds to finance a move for the £18m-rated Scandinavian wizard.

It remains to be seen whether a formal offer for Damsgaard occurs before August 31st, but his potential arrival would address a weakness in Liverpool’s first-team squad, one that Klopp needs to address in order to give his side the best chance of fighting on multiple fronts this season.

And, in other news…Liverpool receive boost in pursuit of “incredible” 23-y/o gem, Klopp would love him 

Liverpool have reportedly shown an interest in PSV Eindhoven winger Noni Madueke as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his forward line.

What’s the story?

According to the Daily Mail, the Reds are one of a number of clubs from across the continent interested in securing the highly-rated 19-year-old’s services this summer.

The report claims that Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Leicester City were also amongst the 10 sides to send scouts to watch him in PSV’s recent defeat to Benfica.

With competition expected to be fierce for Madueke’s signature, Liverpool’s director of football Michael Edwards may have to move quickly to snap up the talented teenager ahead of his other potential suitors.

Liverpool fans will be buzzing

The England Under-21 international joined the Philips Stadion outfit back in 2017 after being released by boyhood club Spurs at just 16 and has gone on to establish himself as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents during his time in Dutch football.

In 32 appearances for Roger Schmidt’s side in all competitions last season, the skilful winger bagged nine goals and provided a further eight assists for his teammates, showcasing his truly top-class potential.

His outstanding displays earned praise from several plaudits, including former PSV ace Tommie van de Leegte: “He’s fast and has the capability to trick his opponent. He brings creativity and is very explosive in his actions,” said Van de Leegte (via Goal).

And he’s starting the current campaign in an emphatic fashion, contributing to seven goals in just nine outings in all competitions.

However, prising him away from the Philips Stadion may be a tricky task for Edwards, after Schmidt claimed that the talented teenager would be staying put this summer in a recent interview.

Speaking to ESPN (via Football.London), he said: “I’m not afraid [of Madueke leaving], why should I be? He will one day leave PSV if he continues to develop like he is now.

“I’m not afraid it will happen now. We can’t sell key players anymore. We’ve already done that with Donyell Malen, Denzel Dumfries and Pablo Rosario, so we can’t lose any more.

“And PSV is also a fantastic club for Noni to develop. He is very young, he can play a lot here, score goals and cheer with the team. I think he feels very good here.”

Originally, a price tag of around £34m was believed to have been placed on PSV’s prized asset, but following their exit from the Champions League in the play-off round, that valuation is thought to have been halved.

Therefore, Liverpool fans will surely be buzzing at the prospect of securing Madueke’s services. With Xherdan Shaqiri finalising his move to Lyon, Klopp has the room in his squad and should have sufficient room in his budget to bring the youngster to Anfield, thus significantly strengthening his attacking options.

And, in other news…Heir to Shaqiri: LFC eye move for “special” £19.8m-rated wizard, Klopp will love him 

Glasgow Rangers transfer target Lewis Ferguson is set to be the subject of a third bid from Watford, according to The Scottish Sun.

The Lowdown: Ferguson wants Aberdeen exit

Ferguson recently handed in a transfer request at Aberdeen (BBC), and the Gers are duly said to be interested in capturing the 21-year-old’s services.

According to a report from Football Insider, the £2.7m-valued Scotland under-21 international is desperate to make the move to Ibrox.

The Latest: Watford prepare third bid

It is now being reported that the Hornets are preparing a third bid for Ferguson after having their first two offers rejected.

Aberdeen have already confirmed that they have received an “insulting” bid from an unnamed English club for the young midfielder (STV).

The Verdict: Gers under pressure

This latest report puts the Gers under a little bit of pressure to get a deal done. While one report claimed that Ferguson is eager to join the 55-time Scottish champions, his agent has revealed that the midfielder’s dream is to play in the Premier League, a division to which Watford recently sealed promotion.

Aberdeen have stood firm so far, but there is only so long they can hold on to a player who has expressed his desire to leave. If Ross Wilson and co really want to sign Ferguson this summer, they must move quickly or else risk losing him to a persistent Watford.

In other news, Danny Mills has slammed Rangers’ treatment of this 22-year-old.

Liverpool reportedly have a first agreement to sign Benfica’s Uruguayan striker, Darwin Nunez.

What’s the word?

According to the latest report from Journalist Brahian Kuchman: “There would be a first agreement for Darwin Nunez to be a new English Liverpool player.”

Taking to his Twitter page, Kuchman also stated: “Jurgen Klopp has grown tired of praising the Uruguayan to such an extent that he will end up hiring him.”

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Klopp’s final straw

If the latest reports are anything to go by, Klopp will most certainly have the 22-year-old goal machine at his disposal next season.

Described as a “proper talent” by freelance football writer Amos Murphy on Twitter and as a “diamond” by Steve McManaman, Nunez is having the season of his life in Liga Portugal this year.

His both legs of their Champions League showdown earlier this month.

Of course, Klopp will have subtle confidence about picking up players from Liga Portugal, with his recent coup of former Porto star Luis Diaz demonstrating the amount of value that is scattered all over Portugal.

25-year-old Diaz has transitioned seamlessly into English football, with his five goal returns from nine appearances serving as great evidence of that.

The 54-year-old Liverpool boss Klopp will also be aware of the potential partnership that could blossom between Diaz and Nunez. With the trio of Mane, Salah and Firmino all in the final year of their contracts, Liverpool may be thinking about the future.

Those at Anfield will be urging the club to sign the out-and-out striker who possesses limitless potential at just 22-years-old, though it will not be cheap.

Whilst the Anfield side may reportedly have a “first agreement” to sign the 6 foot 2 goal-machine, he is valued at a mighty £83m by some sources.

In other news: “I get the sense”: Exciting behind-scenes Liverpool claim will leave fans buzzing…