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In a world away from the multi-millions in TV money you get for playing in the Premier League, Rangers must be creative in the transfer market to build a squad capable of competing domestically and in Europe.

This means that Ross Wilson must work overtime in order to secure the best possible signings, and the club’s title success last season suggests that he done an excellent job so far.

One player with whom he pulled off a masterclass was winger Scott Wright, who he brought in during the January window to bolster Steven Gerrard’s title pursuit.

The Gers pinned him down to a four-and-a-half-year deal, which suggests that they see long-term potential in the forward. They initially agreed to sign him on a pre-contract but were able to snap him up in January for a bargain fee.

Wilson reportedly paid Aberdeen £180k for his services, with Wright playing 13 times before the end of the 2020/21 campaign. He provided one goal and two assists, setting up a goal in the Europa League.

At the time of the signing, Gerrard hailed him as a player he has admired from afar, backing him to be a success at Ibrox. He said: “It is very pleasing to have Scott for the rest of this season. This will give him the opportunity to gain some valuable game time in a blue shirt for the rest of the season.

“Scott is a player that I have admired and I believe that we can utilise his skill set within our system. He will train with his new teammates tomorrow.”

At the time of writing (26/10/21), Wright is valued at £540k by Transfermarkt. He has produced three goals and two assists in 26 appearances for the club, with three starts in the Premiership this term. This shows that Wilson was able to pull off a masterclass with the forward in January.

He was able to sign Wright for just a third of his current market value, whilst the winger still has plenty of time to develop even further at the age of 24. If he continues to be a regular first team option for Rangers, his value could continue to rise and the £180k Rangers paid for him will look all the more like an absolute bargain.

It was a nominal fee to pay for a talented young player in whom Gerrard seemingly sees a great deal of potential.

AND in other news, Fresh twist emerges on big Rangers problem that’ll leave fans buzzing…

A number Wolves fans have hailed Ruben Neves’ ‘superb’ performance as they took on Everton at Molineux on Monday night.

Bruno Lage’s side have had a nine-day break from action following their 1-1 draw away to Leeds United towards the end of October.

Wolves faced a potentially tough Premier League clash with Everton at Molineux but took a 2-0 lead into half-time, with Max Kilman and Raul Jimenez on the scoresheet, while Hwang Hee-chan also had a goal ruled out by VAR.

Alex Iwobi halved the deficit on 66 minutes as the Toffees improved during the second half, but Neves nonetheless stood out among many of his club’s supporters.

As per Sky Sports, he tested Jordan Pickford with a first half volley and also got in a crucial block to deny Ben Godfrey after Everton had pulled it back to 2-1. The 24-year-old midfielder had one of the highest passing accuracy rates in Lage’s side and also made a couple of important interceptions, as per SofaScore.

Wolves fans react to Neves’ display

These Wolves fans took to Twitter to hail Neves’ performance, which one supporter described as “outstanding”.

“Neves has been 10/10, as has Coady as well, from them breaking on us and shut them down every time”

Credit: @Treborm44

“Neves is one of the best b2b midfielders in the Prem, the man can defend and score very well”

Credit: @wwfc_dg

“Everton playing with more purpose this half. Gray sprints into the box….but Neves tracks him and slides in with an excellent tackle. Having a great game.”

Credit: @TimSpiers

“Well said. Outstanding”

Credit: @robbiepthewolf

“So that was as close to perfect as you could get really. Last 10 mins a bit more twitchy but the movement is fantastic. Neves playing like an absolute beast and Trincao having them in circles. Next goal massive but so far so brilliant”

Credit: @WV1Wolf

“Neves the best player on the pitch by a country mile”

Credit: @Stringers76

In other news, some Wolves fans are excited by one transfer rumour that has emerged. Read more here.

West Ham United return to Premier League action this weekend and they’ll be looking to continue their fine start to the 2021/22 campaign.

David Moyes’ side remain unbeaten after the opening three matches, having thrashed Newcastle United and Leicester City before picking up a point against Crystal Palace at the London Stadium last time out.

They now face Southampton at St Mary’s and the 58-year-old has plenty to mull over heading into kick-off, not least because they signed three more players before deadline day.

One of those was quite a considerable coup…

On the Chalkboard

The Irons managed to seal a £29.8m move for Premier League and Champions League winner Kurt Zouma from Chelsea in the final week of the transfer window and he represents an instant upgrade to the defence.

Moyes should not wait to see him in action either, despite a lack of time with the squad on the training pitch. He’ll be fresh and ready to go after featuring for France in their recent World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Finland this week, where he picked up his seventh and eighth caps.

Zouma, who was once described as a “beast of a player” by Premier League legend John Terry, must replace Craig Dawson in the starting XI, taking up a spot alongside Angelo Ogbonna in the heart of the Hammers’ backline.

It was perhaps a little confusing to see Thomas Tuchel willing to part ways with the 26-year-old centre-back, as he performed to a very high level whenever selected last season.

Indeed, the 6 foot 3 Frenchman was graded as Chelsea’s second-best player, as per WhoScored figures, whilst he topped the charts for aerial duels won (3.6) and clearances (3.8) per game in the top-flight, proving to be a solid no-nonsense defender. In addition to that, the £28.8m-rated colossus was one of their best with the ball at his feet, averaging a passing accuracy of 90.9% across the season.

By comparison, that ball-playing ability would’ve exceeded every single West Ham player last season and the rest of his numbers are a sheer upgrade on Dawson, who averaged one fewer aerial duel won as well as fewer tackles per game, via WhoScored.

On the above evidence, this selection change should be a very easy one to make, and considering that the Irons have leaked five goals in three games, therefore it should be one that Moyes does not hesitate over.

Zouma must be unleashed against the Saints. He could be a massive game-changer for the east London outfit.

AND in other news, ExWHUemployee drops major claim on £60k-p/w West Ham star, fans will be ecstatic…

According to reports by The Sunday Mirror (via HITC), Barcelona have offered Philippe Coutinho to both Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur – but the Brazilian is not interested in a move to St James’ Park.

The Lowdown: Barcelona trying to offload Coutinho

Since leaving Liverpool for the Spanish giants in 2018 in a deal worth a staggering £142m, the attacking midfielder has not hit the heights he reached whilst playing under Jürgen Klopp at Anfield.

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The 29-year-old has made 12 appearances this season in LaLiga, scoring twice and failing to supply an assist. However, each of those games has involved a substitution, as the Brazilian is yet to play a full 90-minute league match this season.

The Latest: Spurs gifted chance to sign Coutinho

According to reports by The Sunday Mirror (via HITC), Barcelona are keen to offload Coutinho on a permanent deal, and they have offered the player to both Newcastle and Tottenham in a bid to push him away from the club. However, it is believed that the midfielder is reluctant to make the move to Tyneside.

Barcelona are desperately trying to sell some players to fund a move for Manchester City attacker Ferran Torres. Coutinho’s massive wages are proving to be a barrier in this pursuit, though, as AS have reported that the Brazilian earns around €20m (£17.07m) per season, which equates to roughly £325,000 per week.

The Verdict: Wages likely too high

With Coutinho reluctant to join Newcastle, Barcelona will continue to push Spurs into a move for the player.

The 29-year-old could prove to be a fantastic addition to Antonio Conte’s side due to his vast experience in the Premier League, where he played 152 games for Liverpool and once made the PFA Team of the Season. Former Reds teammate and international colleague Roberto Firmino has previously described the Brazilian as ‘phenomenal’, claiming that he has ‘magical powers’.

Despite such praise, it seems unlikely that Spurs will pursue a move for the player, as his enormous wages could prove to be too much for the north London club, whose top earner is Harry Kane on £200,000 per week.

In other news: Paratici backed by Levy as he tries to seal Spurs agreement for ‘sensational’ £100k-per-week ace

Ashley Preece has teased Aston Villa fans when it comes to any new signings, labelling sporting director Johan Lange as ‘the master of springing a surprise’ in the market.

The Lowdown: Villa’s transfer window

Villa have been fairly busy this summer when it comes to incomings and outgoings.

Three big-money signings have arrived in Emi Buendia, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings, while Ashley Young returned on a free transfer and Axel Tuanzebe sealed another loan move to Villa Park from Manchester United.

Jack Grealish left for Manchester City in a British record deal, whereas the club also received fees for outcasts Mbwana Samatta and Bjorn Engels.

The Latest: Preece’s post

Birmingham Live reporter Preece shared a story on Tuesday morning regarding a number of Villa topics.

One of which was on transfers, where he said that ‘as it stands, those close to the club have said that Villa’s business is all but done unless a shock deal arises’.

However, Preece was asked by a Villa fan on Twitter for any transfer news on Tuesday evening.

He replied, labelling Lange ‘the master of springing a surprise’, teasing supporters with his reply.

“Lange’s the master of springing a surprise, we’ll see what unfolds Leo!”

The journalist’s message went under the radar as it was a reply to another user rather than an original tweet.

The Verdict: A central midfielder?

Should Lange surprise us all and look at one more high-profile addition before the end of the month, it could well be in the heart of midfield.

James Ward-Prowse, Cheick Doucoure and Pape Sarr are three central midfielders who have all been linked with a move to Villa Park this summer, so it certainly seems like the club are in the market in that department.

The Villans are yet to make a first-team addition in that area, so perhaps if Villa have another shock move up their sleeve, they could look to bring one in. Only time will tell if Preece’s enticing hint leads to a Lange ‘surprise’.

In other news: Exit news: Ashley Preece thinks ‘underrated’ Aston Villa ace will now leave before window shuts. 

Newcastle United have opened negotiations for AS Roma winger Carles Perez as they look to strengthen their squad this summer.

What’s the story?

Steve Bruce’s side have had a slow start to the transfer window thus far, but they appear to be ramping up their efforts to sign a new wide player.

According to journalist Rudy Galetti on Twitter: “#Newcastle officially stepped forward for #CarlesPerez . Notified to #Roma an offer from approx €10M: ongoing evaluations.”

Better than Almiron

Paraguay international Miguel Almiron endured another difficult season on Tyneside, with just four Premier League goals to his name all year – in fact, he went on a shocking run of form towards the end of the campaign which saw him fail to find the back of the net, or even provide just a single assist, since February 6.

In Perez, they would be getting someone who’s just as versatile as Almiron, but crucially, who also has the end product to really make a difference on a consistent basis for the Magpies.

As per WhoScored, in the 2,669 minutes he has played in his professional career thus far, he has contributed seven goals and seven assists, contributing to a goal just over every two games. Compare that to Almiron, who’s managed just 11 goals and assists in 6,235 minutes of football for the Magpies – that’s a goal contribution once every six games.

Perez’s performances in the Europa League last season for semi-finalists Roma paint the biggest picture of just how much potential he has, averaging an impressive 1.6 shots and 1.9 dribbles per match – those numbers are significantly better than what Almiron produced in the Premier League.

The Magpies would be getting a real upgrade on the Paraguayan by signing Perez this summer.

Meanwhile, Newcastle could sign a big Jonjo Shelvey upgrade in this ace…

An update has emerged on Leeds target Matheus Cunha, regarding how much Hertha Berlin want for his services.

What’s the talk?

According to The Express, Leeds transfer target Matheus Cunha has been told that he will be allowed to leave Hertha Berlin for the right price this summer. The Bundesliga club are not going to hold him against his will and are prepared to accept offers in the region of £30m.

The report claims that both Leeds and Atalanta are interested in the attacker, with Victor Orta having held discussions with the player’s agent earlier this summer.

However, it remains to be seen whether or not Leeds would be willing to shell out £30m for the Brazilian.

Imagine him and Bamford

If Leeds can get Cunha in for £30m, he could be a terrific addition to Marcelo Bielsa’s squad ahead of next season. He is an exciting young attacker who has the potential to form a sensational partnership with Patrick Bamford, due to his quality and versatility as a forward.

Cunha can play anywhere across the attacking set-up, having played on the left, on the right, through the middle and in the number 10 position for Hertha in the Bundesliga.

He also managed to average an exceptional WhoScored rating of 7.33 in 27 games whilst changing positions constantly. This shows that he has the consistency and quality to provide top-class performances in a multitude of roles.

Therefore, he could link up with Bamford in a variety of ways. He could play behind him in the 10 role or provide him with service from either flank.

If Bielsa wants to go all-out in a game, he could even play Cunha alongside the former Chelsea man and have them as an attacking pair. Bamford scored 17 goals and assisted seven others in the Premier League last season and the arrival of Cunha could allow him to improve upon that tally, given the ability he has shown for Hertha.

The Argentine coach could also help him to further develop his game on the training pitch, as he only recently turned 22 and has his best years ahead of him.

Last year, ex-Hertha head coach Bruno Labbadia lavished praise on the young attacker, claiming that he has “something special” about his game.

He said:

“Matheus has something special. He can always produce something with a moment of individual brilliance.”

The 22-year-old’s record since joining Hertha is proof of this. He has produced 12 goals and eight assists in 34 Bundesliga starts for the club, showing that he can consistently deliver moments of individual brilliance, as Labbadia explained, and that is why he could be an excellent signing for Leeds.

Bielsa could be set to land a dream signing if Orta can get a £30m deal over the line for the gem.

AND in other news, Orta must sanction Leeds swoop for “magical” maestro, Bielsa would be on cloud nine…

A new season of the EFL Championship presents new opportunities for either promotion and happiness or relegation and heartbreak. Coming off the back of Fulham’s fall from grace back into the Championship and Brentford’s overdue return to top-flight football, everyone’s wondering what the story of the 2021/2022 campaign will be. Will there be late drama? Will the promoted teams win by a landslide?Betting on the Premier League is one thing, but as teams spend more money on superstars, it almost becomes a given with regards toÂwhich teams will performÂwell. There hasn’t been an underdog story since Leicester’s run in the 2015/2016 season. The Championship draws its fair share of drama,Âas the seasons often pair with intense promotion and relegation battles, and showcase players whose previously unheard of or underappreciated talent shocks the nation.This year, theÂChampionship bettingÂcurrently has Fulham and West Brom withÂodds of 8/13Âand 4/6, respectively, to be promoted. However, bettors can’t ignore the start teams like Coventry City have had so far in this campaign. The 2021/22 Championship betting tipsÂpromisingly have Coventry priced at 12/5 for a top-six finish.

The Perfect Start

When theÂfailed Super LeagueÂwas announced, football fans were enraged. Not only was it a money-grabber, but the entire premise would have removed a crucial element of the game that fans love:Âthe romance.

There’s something special aboutÂunderdog stories, which is probably why the nation came together after Brentford’s shock win against Arsenal in August; as the Championship season kicks off, it looks like we could potentiallyÂhave another underdog story on our hands.

Coventry City, notorious for being slowÂin previous campaigns, has started the 2021/2022 season better than expected, with four wins out of their first six games.ÂOf course, it’s still early, and the run may not last. However, it’s evident the Sky Blues underdogs have clicked this season as established players like Jamie Allen and their summer signings such as Todd Kane and Simon Moore are all contributing.

New Players Making A Mark

Moore, especially, could prove vital to the success of Coventry City this season. After moving from Sheffield United, the 31-year-old goalkeeper has impressed City fans with his performances, particularly after his heroics in his sides’ 2-0 win against Middlesborough on September 11th. Moore was commanding in goal and pulled off an unbelievable triple save that earned him a spot in the EFL Championship Team of the Week.

There’s no doubt Moore has played a massive role in Coventry’s encouraging start to the season. Having a goalkeeper that’s both commanding and focused is crucial, especially when facing strikers like Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has odds of 2/1 to be the top goalscorer this season.

There will always be favourites amongst bettors and the 2021/2022 Championship season is no different. Justifiably, eyes are on Fulham and West Brom, two teams who were in the Premier League in the 2020/2021 season. As we saw with Norwich’s return this year, the teams that go down are often the ones that bounce back up. However, the Championship season has demonstrated that nothing is a guarantee and based on Coventry’s performance so far, there are more reasons to fear them than belittle them.

Liverpool will reportedly begin talks with PSV Eindhoven to sign 22-year-old forward Donyell Malen [Sky Sports via Paisley Gates].

Gearing up for 2021/22, the Reds have now seemingly turned their attentions towards the Netherlands international.

Malen is also being linked with Borussia Dortmund as a potential Jadon Sancho replacement, however Liverpool are expected to firm up their interest in the attacker within the summer transfer window [Sky Sport].

Experiencing a sparkling 2020/21 season, the Dutchman registered an incredible 37 goal contributions from 45 appearances; 27 goals and 10 assists [Transfermarkt].

Interestingly, Malen was on the books of Arsenal and Ajax as a youngster before making the move to PSV [Paisley Gates].

Valued at around £25 million by his current employers, he is most certainly within the price-range of the Anfield giants [Paisley Gates].

As you can imagine, loads of Reds diehards took to Twitter to discuss this development.

Liverpool fans react:

Replying to popular fan outlet LFC Transfer Room on Twitter, here is what some supporters had to say upon hearing what one fan called ‘huge’ news:

“Finally we’re moving for a player we need this could be huge”

Credit: @Hillionaire23″this would be an unreal signing”Credit: @kevndawson”Better than daka”Credit: @Plz56486107″Considering he played for arsenal but didn’t get game time if he does what Salah did in his first season with us we could have an absolute monster on our hands”Credit: @AndyQui31450677″For the right price it would be a great signing, but I want as many goalscorers as possible in this team”Credit: @1CraigFisher”This guy is probably the origi replacement”Credit: @acupoftea100In other news, fans react to an Anfield Road expansion update.

Amid the talks with ex-Roma boss Paulo Fonseca, journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Erik ten Hag is still a contender for the job at Tottenham Hotspur (The Guardian).

The Lowdown: Spurs in advanced talks, again…

This isn’t the first time Tottenham have entered advanced discussions with a manager in the last fortnight.

Indeed, the Lilywhites made attempts for both Mauricio Pochettino and Antonio Conte recently as well.

Pochettino was said to be eager on a return to north London but current club Paris-Saint Germain were determined to dig their heels in (The Athletic).

Thereafter, talks with Conte emerged, and at one stage he looked likely to take the job.

However, despite promising early discussions, the talks eventually broke down – leaving Spurs back at square one in the manager chase.

News broke on Wednesday night of Tottenham’s fresh managerial offer, this time for former Shakhtar Donetsk boss Fonseca.

The Latest: Romano refuses to rule out ten Hag…

Amid these advanced discussions, reliable journalist Romano has claimed that Spurs could still turn to ten Hag and he remains a contender for the role.

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Indeed, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has looked at ‘several’ candidates for the manager’s job and it is believed by the Italian journalist that ten Hag remains in the running for now.

However, as explained by the journalist, Fonseca is the more likely of the pair and is now the Lilywhites’ ‘preferred option’ to succeed Jose Mourinho.

The Verdict: Expect the unexpected…

Some reports have suggested the deal is almost done, but as we’ve learned from the Conte talks, things can change very quickly indeed.

Fonseca is understood to be open to joining Tottenham and a three-year contract has been discussed, but news of ten Hag still being in contention points toward this not being finished just yet.

Lauded as ‘remarkable’ by former striker Pierre Van Hooijdonk to TV station NOS (via Planet Football), Spurs supporters will be glad they are still thinking of alternatives in case talks break down.

In other news: Paratici eyeing this big name player for Tottenham, Harry Redknapp called him ‘top class’…find out more here.