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Former Rangers defender Michael Ball has exclusively told Football FanCast that teenager Nathan Patterson could eventually take the mantle from captain James Tavernier in the coming years.

With the Scottish Premiership title already in the bag, the 19-year-old has been given the chance to impress in the first team by Steven Gerrard in recent matches.

Patterson only made his league debut as a late substitute against Kilmarnock back in August but has since been rewarded with eight starts in all competitions for the Glasgow giants.

The right-back has also been trusted in two Old Firm outings, including 90 minutes in the Scottish Cup victory at Ibrox last month, having netted his first domestic goal against Cove Rangers in the previous round.

Patterson’s only other professional goal came against Royal Antwerp in the Europa League, and having gained some valuable experience throughout Rangers’ European campaign, Ball has predicted the youngster for a big future, especially learning off the skipper.

He told Football FanCast:“Tavernier has been a massive captain for the club. He’s been fantastic and if he can learn as much as he can off Tavernier and take the mantle then it’s going to be a great club to play for is Rangers.”

If Everton find themselves in Europe next season, this could be a huge summer for both Marcel Brands and Carlo Ancelotti.

The Toffees haven’t been afraid of spending in recent years and they could splash the cash again in a few months time.

What’s the word?

According to The Daily Mail, Everton are leading the chase for Metz midfielder Pape Sarr.

The 18-year-old has caught the eye with his battling performances in Ligue 1 this season and had already been capped at international level by Senegal.

Manchester United and Chelsea are also thought to be interested in Sarr’s signature so it won’t be a straightforward chase.

Everton will also need around £27m to prise him away from France and bring him to the Premier League.

It’s understood the Toffees will also have to rival Newcastle and Aston Villa for his signature.

Replacing Gueye

When Everton sold Idrissa Gueye to PSG, they let a huge asset go.

This was a player who laid the foundations in the middle of the park, a man who could tackle brutally and stride forward with immense energy.

He has since become a pivotal cog for the Parisians and played a key role in knocking Bayern Munich out of the Champions League a few weeks ago.

The Merseyside outfit have since struggled to replace him. Carlo Ancelotti did bring Allan to the club last summer but he’s not been long back from a muscle injury that saw the Brazilian miss 13 matches.

However, the addition of Sarr would go a long way to finally replacing Gueye. Not only do they hail from the same nation, but they display very similar qualities.

Speaking about the teenager previously, his teammate at Metz, Lamina Gueye said: “He is a really talented youngster who is very serious in training or during matches. He’s always been like that. He works hard.”

Metz captain John Boye added: “He has great potential. We are all the time pushing him, encouraging him, talking to him and giving him confidence. He has it all.”

So far this term, Sarr has registered an impressive 2.1 tackles per game, while winning 1.1 aerial duels per match and keeping a pass success rate of 84.2.%.

A quick look at Gueye’s stats tells you the similarities. The former Everton man has prevailed in 2.3 tackles and completed 90% of his passes.

More discipline will come with Sarr’s performances as he gets older and it wouldn’t be a great surprise if he finds his passing improving, just as it has done with Gueye.

Allan hasn’t been a bad signing for Everton but the teenager in question here would undoubtedly give Ancelotti’s men a bit of extra bite and energy in midfield.

AND in other news, Everton must complete swoop for “unbelievable” £20m gem, he plays “like a soldier”…

Celtic’s hunt for a new manager has been a complete circus with nearly nine weeks passing now since Neil Lennon resigned.

Dermot Desmond has held talks with a few managers but the Bhoys are no closer to announcing the Northern Irishman’s successor.

What’s the word?

One of the main stalling points in a deal to bring Eddie Howe to Paradise has been his backroom staff requests.

One source suggested a few weeks ago that he wanted to bring the “kitchen sink” with him to Glasgow, something Celtic weren’t bowing down to.

He wants a number of his companions from Bournemouth to join him in Glasgow, specifically Richard Hughes, their technical director.

Celtic are trying to hire a director of football but had earmarked that position for Manchester City’s Fergal Harkin.

However, in a fresh update, it’s thought that Hughes isn’t key to their chase of Howe.

That’s according to journalist Alan Nixon who said: “Hughes is NOT central to this. Howe wants his own coaches though. And they’re still in work. That’s a major part of the hold up on his side.”

Good news

For a good few weeks now it looked as though the main hold up was in relation to Celtic’s director of football and a disagreement over Hughes.

This news, however, suggests that Howe has loosened his stance on the idea of his Cherries companion following him through the door.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-howe-lampard-klimala-ajer-gossip” title= “Read the latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

This could speed up Celtic’s chase for a new manager and it could finally allow them to appoint Harkin, their number one choice when it comes to leading their recruitment.

You can hardly blame Dermot Desmond for preferring the Man City figure either.

He’s become known as a transfer guru in Manchester and has played a key role in the development of a number of their young first-team players including regular Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Hughes, on the other hand, has a rather poor track record when it comes to spending money.

He may have helped to prepare a squad that got promoted from the Championship to the Premier League, but once they were up, their incomings left a lot to be desired.

Two of the worst examples are Jordon Ibe and Dominic Solanke. The Cherries splashed out £15m on the former, only to see him score five goals in 92 appearances. Hughes then spent £19m on Dominic Solanke, another player who hasn’t lived up to expectations with 19 goals in 88 outings.

Therefore, this feels like good news all round for the Bhoys.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Ajer: Celtic must unleash rarely-seen “weapon” next term, he’s clear of Duffy…

Liverpool have seemingly begun the process of replacing Mo Salah with a move for Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho.

The current Reds’ star has long been linked with a move away from Liverpool, with French giants Paris Saint Germain thought to be the latest club to open talks with the Egyptian, according to Telefoot.

As a result, Liverpool have been linked with a swoop for Sancho, with reports in Spain indicating that FSG would be willing to part with €100m (£86m) to bring him to Anfield in a deal that would be beneficial for the Reds.

Since signing for Dortmund from Manchester City, the English winger has been nothing short of sensational.

At just the age of 21, he has made 131 appearances for BVB, scoring 46 goals and providing a further 60 assists at a rate of a direct goal contribution rate of 0.8 per game in all competitions.

His performances have certainly earned him praise from all quarters with former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann labelling the wideman as “world-class”.

For comparison, Sancho’s numbers are certainly not behind that of current Reds forward Salah.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-liverpool-news%2c-transfer-rumours-and-more-asensio-vlahovic-van-dijk-alberto-pedri” title=” Read the latest Liverpool news, transfer rumours and more…”]

Since the Egyptian’s arrival from Roma, he has made 197 appearances for the Reds, scoring an eye-watering 122 strikes and laying on a further 45. It means that Salah is only marginally more productive than Sancho at a goal contribution rate of 0.84 per match.

Interestingly enough, the 28-year-old is outperformed by the Dortmund man in most other facets of the game.

According to WhoScored, whilst Salah takes more shots per game in the league at 3.3 compared to 2.1, Sancho excels in key passes, dribbles and passes per game.

It all goes to show then that should Liverpool elect to sell their ‘Egyptian King’ at some point in the near future, £190k per week Sancho would certainly be a very capable heir to his crown at Anfield.

AND in more news, read which other Borussia Dortmund star the Reds must also try to bring to the club this summer…

According to recent reports, Glasgow Rangers have been dealt a huge blow to hopes of bringing Jacob Murphy to Ibrox this summer, as sources revealed information concerning the winger’s contract.

The report by Football Insider claims that a Newcastle United source has revealed, contrary to reports his deal is expiring this summer, that Murphy will actually not be available to Rangers on a free transfer.

Indeed, the 26-year-old still has one year remaining on his deal at St. James’ Park.

This will come as a shock, as Steven Gerrard’s side would now have to agree a fee with Newcastle if they wish to land the £25,000-per-week forward this summer, potentially ruling the Ibrox club out of the race to land the former England U21 international on a permanent deal.

It goes without saying that a free transfer would have been far more attainable, so the surprise news that Murphy’s contract is actually 12 months longer than was previously known is certainly a blow.

Transfer Tavern Take

With Murphy currently being valued at £3.15 million by Transfermarkt, a deal for the winger may not be out of financial reach for Rangers, although, with it previously being reported that the 26-year-old would be available for free, the news is likely to come as a blow to Ross Wilson and co.

With Newcastle having paid £10.17 million for Murphy back in 2017, should the Magpies attempt to recoup anywhere near this amount of the winger this summer, it is not a difficult scenario to imagine Rangers turning their attention elsewhere in the transfer market.

In other news: Sources lift lid on ‘strong interest’ in Gerrard; chief executive has link with the Gers boss – find out more here!

Many Arsenal fans have been slamming the display of Alex Lacazette in their 1-1 draw with Slavia Prague in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Mikel Arteta’s team blew their chance to take a lead into the second leg of the quarter-finals, conceding a goal from a corner in injury time after Nicolas Pepe had given them the lead at the Emirates Stadium with a cool finish.

Lacazette did not have his best game in a Gunners shirt, missing a big opportunity after he was through one-on-one with the goalkeeper, only to hit the crossbar.

The former Lyon ace lost out on two of his duels and did not record a single shot on target as he failed to =make an impact in the match, having fewer touches of the ball (32) than his own goalkeeper Bernd Leno (40), per Sofascore.

Arsenal fans on Lacazette display

These Gooners slammed the Frenchman’s performance on Twitter, with one Arsenal supporter even going as far as to claim that the 29-year-old striker was ’embarrassing’:

“Can’t believe Arsenal spent a FAT £50m on Lacazette #afc”

Credit: @KrisValue

“I’ll say it now Lacazette should never start as an Arsenal striker. One of the worst strikers I’ve ever seen. £46.5m waste!!! #arsenal #AFC”

Credit: @DailyGoonerSam

“It’s clear Aubameyang and Lacazette can’t play together. So Laca has to go this summer. You can’t spend half a million pounds a week on wages for 2 players that are incompatible, that’s just not good business #AFC”

Credit: @hayden_easter

“I’m sorry but Lacazette has to go. The one thing he had when he joined was a decent finish and now that’s gone. No pace, no size or physicality he’s literally missing sitter after sitter week in week out. Take £20m and move on. #AFC”

Credit: @Pier_C_1

“Lacazette is no longer a footballer #AFC”

Credit: @KYEkye45

“Embarrassing from Lacazette #AFC”

Credit: @AndrewAFC89

In other news, find out what William Saliba revelation has left some fans fuming!

There have certainly not been too many players to return to Crystal Palace over the years following an initial release.

However, one man who did just that is winger Bakary Sako. However, Steve Parish will be delighted that he is once again off of the wage bill following his exit at the conclusion of the 2018/19 campaign.

The Malian wideman originally joined the Eagles at the beginning of the 2015/16 season, fresh off the back of a brilliant campaign with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Joining on a free transfer, he could not capture his best form in front of goal, scoring just eight goals at Selhurst Park across three seasons before his original contract came to an end in 2018.

It was certainly a relief to have the winger off of the Selhurst Park wage bill considering that he was hoovering up approximately £55k per week throughout his contract. For comparison, that is the same amount that club captain Luka Milivojevic is currently earning at the club and considerably more than fellow wideman Eberechi Eze is currently being paid.

Linking up with West Bromwich Albion in the Championship after his time at Palace came to an end, Sako would intriguingly return to the club just over three months later for a second spell – a period in which he would play just four games before getting released once more.

Now 32, Sako was last seen playing for Cypriot outfit Pafos FC, where he made just six appearances and scored a solitary goal, following a failed move to Denizlispor.

He is now a free agent and whilst he is one of few players to have signed for the Eagles twice throughout his career, a third spell at Selhurst Park seems highly unlikely.

Parish will be delighted that he is no longer forking out for his considerable wages. He made the right call when letting him go dfor the secon time.

AND in more news, read about which Palace beast needs to be offered a new deal at Selhurst Park…

Noel Whelan has slammed Glasgow Rangers’ Leon Balogun following his performance in the Old Firm derby on Sunday.

Whelan slams Balogun

Balogun was selected to play at right-back in the absence of James Tavernier against Celtic. In what was an unfamiliar position for the 32-year-old, he struggled to deal with the Bhoys’ attacks on that side of the back four.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan was particularly critical of the Nigerian’s display as he said:

“They massively missed Tavernier. If you’ve got a player like that missing, you’re missing your captain, your leader.

“You could see Celtic targeting that as well. They could see there was a weak link in the defence and that’s where it was.

“When you’re missing a key player like Tavernier, you’re gonna feel it. Celtic, fair play to them, they recognised that and used it to their advantage.

“I think it showed just how much they miss him and just how good he is in that department. He gives you everything, defensively, in midfield, quality going forward.”

Hard to disagree

There is no doubting that Balogun was out of his depth, as Whelan has hinted. He was taken off after just 56 minutes to be replaced by 19-year-old Nathan Patterson, who had been an injury doubt in the build-up to the game (Daily Record). Clearly, Steven Gerrard’s decision to play the Nigeria international in that role backfired, even though he did move to justify Balogun’s inclusion afterwards and praised him for his “fantastic” involvement in Alfredo Morelos’ equaliser (rangers.co.uk).

Obviously, the absence of James Tavernier is a big blow to the 55-time Scottish champions. With 17 goals and 15 assists in all competitions (Transfermarkt), he has been a huge attacking threat, while he has also contributed defensively to a team which has conceded just 10 goals in the league this season (BBC). Balogun may be an experienced defender, but he was always going to have a hard time replacing the Gers captain.

In other news, this Rangers man has been tipped to be the club’s Player of the Year.

Red Bull Salzburg boss Jesse Marsch won’t be the next Celtic manager, according to reliable reporter Christian Falk.

The American recently admitted it was an “honour” to be linked with the Celtic job, describing the role as “interesting”.

That led to several Celtic fans urging the Hoops to seal a deal for the 47-year-old, with Parkhead chiefs admirers of Marsch, but those fans will now be disappointed after the latest update.

Marsch makes Celtic contact

However, Falk simply ended a tweet on Thursday morning claiming he has ‘confirmation’ that ‘Jesse Marsch won‘t join Celtic FC’.

Falk’s earlier post claimed that Marsch told the Celtic board that the interest is an honour, but he will not be available in the summer for the vacant job.

Transfer Tavern take

Even though Marsch is now out of the running to succeed Neil Lennon, we feel that the club can take heart in the fact that a boss with an impressive record was full of praise for the club and the available position.

The Hoops, we feel, should now be full of optimism over the coming months in their pursuit of a new manager.

The successful director of football candidate will also have a role to play in that search, and if the club get both appointments spot on, fans could well see an immediate response in the 2021/22 season following this season’s disappointing campaign.

In other news: In-demand Scot ready to quit Celtic as unlikely transfer destination emerges, find out more here. 

David Moyes may have West Ham United’s next defensive titan already in Ajibola Alese, as Fabian Balbuena reportedly prepares to leave the Premier League club in the summer.

Balbuena is nearing the end of the three-year contract awarded upon the Paraguayan’s £6.5m arrival in 2018, and appears to be focusing on a future away from east London.

The centre-back’s agent, Renato Bittar, confirmed as much to Versus Radio earlier this week, having stated that talks are already underway with potential suitors.

Balbuena has been linked with clubs from around the world with his £40,000-per-week deal due to expire in June, with Flamengo, Internacional, a Saudi Arabian outfit plus a team from Major League Soccer previously said to be weighing up offers.

Flamengo have held a long-standing interest in Balbuena’s potential availability as a free agent, but Bittar adds that his client is currently considering a longer stay in Europe despite speculation of desires to return to Brazil after his two years at Corinthians.

“We are talking with several teams but nothing in particular,” Bittar said. “There are several options for Fabian.

“For now, he will not continue at West Ham, but [he] will continue in Europe.”

Balbuena has played 59 times in three seasons at the London Stadium but has only stepped foot onto the field for 90 minutes since December 27, having fallen out of Moyes’ Premier League plans and only been called on to feature against Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup.

The 29-year-old leaving the Irons in the summer could leave Moyes’ centre-back options at Angelo Ogbonna, who turns 33 in May, Craig Dawson, should he be kept after a season-long loan from Watford, Issa Diop and the highly-rated 21-year-old Frederik Alves.

Moyes is claimed to be keen on signing another senior option to supplement his centre-back group next season, but may already have his sought-after depth in the West Ham academy.

Alese penned a new contract at the London Stadium on Tuesday, one that keeps the 20-year-old tied down in claret and blue through to the summer of 2023, with the option to extend the terms by a further year.

The academy starlet has been with the Irons since the age of seven and is currently away on loan with League Two side Cambridge United, where the England U20 international is gaining valuable first-team experience as the U’s strive to secure the fourth-tier title.

He has so far only featured twice under Mark Bonner since his arrival at the Abbey Stadium on Deadline Day of the winter transfer window but has impressed West Ham coach Kevin Nolan, who closely worked with Alese before the loan transfer was finalised.

“It’s fantastic that Aji has become the latest young player to commit his future to the club,” Nolan said on Alese’s new contract. “He is one of a talented group we hope will go on to break through and establish himself in the first-team in the future.

“We did a lot of work with Aji on the training field last year when he came back from his loan spell at Accrington. He’s a great lad, with a very good attitude towards his development, and he took a lot on board, in terms of what we expect from him and the targets he needs to set himself.”

An impressive run in the Cambridge side as they fight for promotion into League One could be enough for Moyes to begin bedding Alese into the West Ham first-team upon his return, with the Hammers set to be boasting a somewhat different defensive unit next season.

AND in other news, West Ham face a £51.5m asking price to sign a dynamic star who grew up learning from Frank Lampard…