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Southampton have been handed a double injury boost ahead of their upcoming Premier League clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

What’s the latest?

In his latest press conference ahead of the match against the west Londoners, Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed that Stuart Armstrong has returned to first team training but did not confirm whether or not the 29-year-old will be involved in the squad to face Chelsea.

Additionally, the Saints also have Theo Walcott back in training, who returned last week as he looks to get back to full fitness. The 32-year-old shared a post on his official Twitter profile earlier in the week which showed him smiling on the training pitch and accompanied by the caption: “It’s great to be back”.

Hasenhuttl will be thrilled

Given how Southampton have failed to score in any of their three previous league fixtures, Hasenhuttl will undoubtedly be thrilled to have some more attacking options at his disposal to try and switch things up as they seek to revive their goalscoring fortunes.

That is all the more pertinent considering how Armstrong and Walcott chipped in with a combined seven goals and eight assists between them in the Premier League last season.

However, with the Scot having only just returned to training and yet to make an appearance for the Saints so far this season, we feel it would probably be too early for the 29-year-old to be thrown into the mix from the start in the game against Chelsea, who have only conceded two goals in the league so far.

With Walcott, it could perhaps be the better option to restore him to the team given that he has some minutes under his belt this season and has been in training for longer than Armstrong, even though he hasn’t yet managed to score a goal or provide an assist for the Saints this term.

The 32-year-old has played more matches (25) against Chelsea than any other club throughout his career aside from Liverpool and has managed to rack up six goals and provide three assists against the Blues along the way. That could perhaps make him a viable option from the start against Thomas Tuchel’s side, if indeed he is deemed fit enough to play.

In other news, “Now close”: Ralph makes claim on 21y/o maestro that’ll leave Southampton fans buzzing…

Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs monitoring Antonio Rudiger’s situation…

What’s the word?

That’s according to 90min, who claim that Premier League rivals Chelsea are no closer to agreeing on a new contract with the 28-year-old centre-back, whose representatives have ‘barely’ spoken with director Marina Granovskaia.

It’s thought that the last offer fell well short of expectations despite pleas from manager Thomas Tuchel to reward him with an extension.

In four months time, Rudiger can field offers from abroad, with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus all said to be keeping a close eye on the German international.

Spurs have previously tried and failed to sign the defender and are expected to retain an interest in his services.

Quite the coup

If Italian supremo Fabio Paratici can land the vastly-experienced Premier League colossus ahead of some of those teams, then it would have to be regarded as a massive coup – and one that could see Spurs elevate to the next level.

The Lilywhites must throw the kitchen sink at the £18m-rated star. He’s won an FA Cup, a Champions League and a Europa League since arriving in England back in July 2017. These are accolades that the vast majority of Nuno’s squad are lacking.

Last season, as the Blues were crowned Champions of Europe, the 6 foot 3 centre-back was rated at their third-best player in the top-flight (7.02) and averaged 1.6 tackles, 2.7 clearances and a 89.4% passing accuracy per game, via WhoScored.

During the campaign, he was also a rock against Spurs as he helped silence a frontline containing Heung-min Son, Carlos Vinicius, Steven Bergwijn and Tanguy Ndombele, with Chelsea winning 1-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in February.

His form under Tuchel earned a glowing endorsement from Premier League legend Rio Ferdinand back in August. He told his podcast (via the Metro):

“Look at Rudiger, he’s arguably, since Tuchel has been there [at Chelsea], been the best defender in the Premier League. Him or [Ruben] Dias in that time. He’s been unbelievable, he’s like an animal.”

If the opportunity arises to sign Rudiger in the coming windows, then Spurs must do all they can to secure him. A backline containing him and Cristian Romero could be one to be feared for the next few years.

AND in other news, Spurs dealt cruel double injury blow ahead of Palace clash…

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left buzzing as some news emerged on Glen Kamara.

As per the official website of the Ibrox faithful, the central midfield player has agreed on a new contract until 2025, amid a number of reports linking him with a move away in the summer transfer window.

It is so important that the Light Blues can keep Kamara at the club for as long as possible, as he has emerged as one of Steven Gerrard’s key players in his team over the past few campaigns.

The Finland international has already played in ten games in total over all competitions so far this season, making one assist (Transfermarkt), and thus tying him down to a new long-term deal is great business.

Rangers fans on Kamara deal

These Gers buzzed as the news was shared on Twitter, with one RFC supporter claiming that they are ‘over the moon’, while another even went as far as to label it as ‘incredible news’:

“Fantastic news for Glen, Rangers and the Rangers family.”

Credit: @BrowneyedBluen1

“Incredible news. Genuinely thought he would have been moved on. What a great talent he is.”

Credit: @becalmfollowon

“Be still my beating heart”

Credit: @cris_poole

“Fully made my day”

Credit: @KyleBunch9

“Over the moon with this”

Credit: @rosshendry15

“Well this has just made my year”

Credit: @deanobobs9

In other news, find out whose display against Livingston was slammed here!

Leeds United would reportedly be able to sign Rangers winger Ryan Kent for £20million, due to a release clause in his contract.

The Lowdown: Kent linked with Leeds move

The Whites have been linked with numerous players during the summer transfer window, in order to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s options.

Kent is one individual who has been linked with a move to Elland Road for a long time however, having impressed under Steven Gerrard at Ibrox, scoring 27 goals in 132 appearances for the Gers.

The Scottish Premiership outfit even rejected a Leeds bid for their star winger last summer, so it’s clear Bielsa and co have been eyeing a move for some time.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359346″]

The Latest: Release clause revealed

A key update has now been provided on the former Liverpool man, with The Athletic claiming that he has a £20million release clause in his current deal.

Leeds have been rumoured to be willing to pay £12million for Kent’s services, so they’ll need to up that by another 66 per cent if they want to get the job done.

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The Verdict: Not worth it?

Kent is a good player who has flourished in Scotland – he has been hailed as ‘frightening’ by teammate Scott Arfield – but it would be reckless for Leeds to pay such a big amount for his services.

The winger has never played in the Premier League and ultimately didn’t cut the mustard at Liverpool, making just one solitary appearance for them.

If Leeds were able to sign Kent for around half that amount, it could be worth a punt, but it is hard to see him ousting Raphinha or Jack Harrison and justifying that price tag as a back-up.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly keen on signing a Premier League player – find out who it is here.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba can envisage his long-term future at the Old Trafford outfit, although he may not put pen to paper on a new deal in the current transfer window.

What’s the story?

The 28-year-old has entered the final year of his contract with United and has been linked with a move to French giants Paris Saint-Germain in recent weeks.

However, according to Sky Sports, Pogba is full of admiration for his boyhood club, is said to have a fantastic relationship with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and is excited with the direction in which the club is going following the addition of Jadon Sancho and the imminent arrival of Raphael Varane.

The report added that the France international is aware that his next contract is likely to be the last big one he signs in his career given his age, but if he doesn’t commit to fresh terms with the Red Devils this summer, it will not automatically mean he is against signing one further down the line.

Sky Sports claimed: “Talks between Pogba’s representatives and United over a new deal continue, while PSG remain interested in signing the midfielder in this window. While a move to Paris has not been ruled out, Pogba knows he will have more options if he sits tight – one of those options being a new deal at Old Trafford, as well as what is likely to be the pick of Europe’s top clubs.”

Fans will be buzzing

Although Pogba has far from committed his future to the 20-time English champions, this latest revelation will surely have the club’s supporters buzzing.

News that he is settled at United, has a good relationship with Solskjaer, is excited by the new signings, and is reportedly open to signing a new contract in the future will be seen in a positive light by the fanbase.

The World Cup-winning midfielder has often been a divisive figure during his time on English shores, regularly being criticised for not living up to his £89m price tag.

Nevertheless, Pogba produced a string of top-class performances in the second half of 2020/21 and was their fourth-best performer of the campaign according to WhoScored, and United finally appear to be building a side capable of competing for major honours.

He has endured some of the toughest years in the club’s recent history under Jose Mourinho and the transitional period under Solskjaer, but the Norwegian has made great progress with the midfielder over the last couple of campaigns.

It remains to be seen whether Pogba commits his future to the Red Devils amid continued speculation, yet this update is likely to give United’s fans renewed hope that an agreement can be reached, which will surely delight many of the Old Trafford faithful.

In other news…Time’s up: Ole must brutally axe £7.2m-rated MUFC flop this summer, he’s been shocking 

Sheffield United will have to move fast if they are to secure a deal to bring Charlie Kirk to Bramall Lane this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Alan Nixon, with The Sun journalist revealing on Twitter that, if Slavisa Jokanovic’s side will have to act quickly to get a deal done for the Crewe Alexandra winger this summer, with Charlton Athletic believed to have reached a £500k agreement for the transfer of the 23-year-old.

In his post, Nixon replied to a fan who questioned whether the Blades were more likely to secure the services of the forward than the Addicks, with the journalist claiming that Sheffield United “need to move fast.”

Fans will be worried

Considering just how impressive Kirk was for Crewe last season, with Charlton looking the closer of the two interested parties to securing a deal for the winger this summer, Sheffield United fans must be worried that their side could miss out on signing the 23-year-old if Jokanovic does not act quickly.

Indeed, over his 42 League One appearances for the Railwaymen in 2020/21, the £68k-rated man scored six goals, registered eight assists and created 11 big chances for his teammates, as well as taking 1.4 shots and making 1.9 key passes per game.

These returns saw the man who Crewe first team coach James Collins dubbed a “talented” player earn a remarkable seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.21, ranking him as the team’s best performer in the third tier of English football by a considerable distance.

Sheffield United are currently very short in the wide attacking positions, with Jokanovic having no natural wingers in his squad. When this is added to the sheer amount of potential that Kirk possesses, a move for the youngster would appear to be a very wise one indeed for the Blades this summer.

However, with Charlton seemingly leading the race for the Crewe starlet, the Serbian manager must act quickly, as Nixon suggests, or else the 52-year-old could well come to rue his lackadaisicalness regarding the forward.

In other news: Sheff Utd transfer development emerges on “class” £4.5m-rated ace, fans will be gutted

Crystal Palace have been offered the chance to sign Paris Saint-Germain left-back Layvin Kurzawa, according to Foot Mercato, cited by Sports Witness.

And, as to be expected, a number of Eagles fans have been giving their thoughts to the links on social media.

Patrick Vieira has just one senior left-back at Selhurst Park on the books at this moment in time in Tyrick Mitchell.

Foot Mercato, cited by Sports Witness, claim that Kurzawa could end up at Palace, with Vieira validating the French full-back’s profile.

The 28-year-old has been with PSG since 2015 and is under contract for a further three years, however, it seems as if a move to London could be on the cards.

Kurzawa is after a new challenge and a late transfer to Palace has been labelled as one to keep an eye on.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the links to Kurzawa on Twitter. This is what these Palace supporters had to say in reply, with one describing a possible transfer as ‘class’.

“ON MY KNEES”

Credit: @BMCPFC

“Get this done and a rb and I’ll be able to sleep again”

Credit: @alexjserre

“yes please”

Credit: @FPLWILSON

“This would be class for the odd moment of brilliance and a general feeling of do better/stop getting booked”

Credit: @CPFC_GH

“PLEASE”

Credit: @ScottyStacks

“Yes please?”

Credit: @hazvaughan

In other news: Palace may have made cash offer for ‘intelligent’ 5’8″ ace at the peak of his powers.

Crystal Palace could be a good fit for defender Marc Guehi, says football.london’s Chelsea writer Sam Inkersole.

The 21-year-old will be playing his football at Selhurst Park this upcoming season, with The Athletic reporting that he has agreed a five-year contract with Palace.

Guehi spent the last campaign out on loan at Swansea City, making 43 appearances in the Championship as he helped Steve Cooper’s side reach the play-off final.

However, he now looks ready to test himself in English football’s top division, and Inkersole believes the centre-back and Palace could be a good match.

“He’s proved himself that he can play at a high level with Swansea,” Inkersole told FFC. “He’s enhanced his reputation and he’s still very young, still only 21, so I think he’s got so much more growing to do.

“But considering the level he’s at now, I can only see him getting better and better and I think Palace could be a very good fit for him.”

There is a lot of competition at centre-back at Chelsea right now, so Guehi buying Dougie Freedman’s pitch, the man said to be behind the deal, and deciding to leave the Blues is understandable.

Thomas Tuchel currently has the likes of captain Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger to call upon, so the England U21 international probably would have found it hard to break into the German’s starting XI.

Liverpool are reportedly in advanced talks with Porto attacker Otavio as the Reds eye up an exciting summer move for the Brazilian.

The Lowdown: Attacking guile needed?

Jurgen Klopp is expected to bring in new players in the coming weeks and months, with Ibrahima Konate already arriving from RB Leipzig.

Liverpool could arguably do with a little more guile in attacking midfield areas, with the supply to the attack not always at its best last season – Curtis Jones was their highest-scoring player in that position with four goals in 2020/21.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

The Latest: Liverpool in talks with Otavio

According to A Bola [via Sport Witness], the Reds are eyeing up a move for Porto midfielder Otavio, with talks at an ‘advanced’ stage.

The 26-year-old is described as an ‘express request’ for Klopp following an impressive season which saw him score three goals and register eight assists in Liga NOS.

Otavio’s release clause is set to rise from €40m (£34.3m) to €60m (£51.4m) on July 15, so Liverpool may look to trigger it before that date.

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The Verdict: Exciting attacking option

The £21.6m-rated Otavio could be a shrewd addition by Liverpool, giving them something different in the middle of the park. He averaged 1.7 key passes and 1.8 dribbles per game in the league last season, highlighting his ability to break the lines with his quality on the ball.

Otavio’s versatility allows him to play out wide also, so he could be a strong backup for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, further improving the squad depth at Klopp’s disposal.

In other news, some Liverpool fans are against the idea of one player joining the Reds this summer. Find out who it is here.

An update has emerged on West Ham forward Andriy Yarmolenko, regarding Fenerbache’s interest in signing him this summer…

What’s the talk?

According to Turkish outlet Sabah, Fenerbahce are interested in signing West Ham forward Andriy Yarmolenko this summer and are preparing to make a move to land him.

The report claims that the Hammers are willing to part ways with the attacker, who has one year left on his contract, although no price tag has been mentioned for the player signed from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in 2018.

Rinsing GSB dry

David Moyes must ruthlessly axe Yarmolenko from his squad this summer amid this reported interest from the Turkish giants.

The Hammers should be looking to cash in on him as quickly as possible if any side comes in with a reasonable offer for his services, whether that be on loan with a view to him leaving as a free agent next summer or on a permanent basis.

A transfer fee for Yarmolenko should not be West Ham’s primary concern as his wages are the real issue. The 31-year-old is reportedly the club’s top earner and has been rinsing GSB dry since he arrived at the club. He is said to be on £115k-per-week at the London Stadium.

Yarmolenko joined West Ham in the summer of 2018. In the time since, he has missed 57 competitive games due to injury in his three years at the club. This illustrates how tough of a time he has found it in England, with constant knocks and blows stunning his progress in the Premier League. He has only started 16 Premier League games in three seasons, scoring seven and assisting two goals.

Speaking in 2019, Yarmolenko’s West Ham teammate Declan Rice labelled him as a “special” player and lavished praise on his “beautiful” left foot.

He told West Ham’s official website:

“He’s top. The technique he has got on him is really special. In training, sometimes the lads say ‘Wow’ as they’ve never seen anything like it. His left foot is beautiful so I’m buzzing that he has got another goal.”

This, along with his nine goal contributions in 16 league starts, shows that his quality is not in question and that he can be a great player on his day. However, his days have been few and far between due to circumstances out of his control and GSB cannot afford to keep emptying their pockets on a player who is rarely available for selection because of his injury problems. Therefore, he must be let go ahead of next season to make way for other additions.

AND in other news, West Ham could now land £75k-p/w beast “in the coming days”, fans will be buzzing…