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Many Southampton fans are delighted after The Athletic revealed the Saints have given Sam McQueen a new six-month contract.

The Saints are preparing for the new season as they aim to improve on their disappointing 15th-placed finish in the Premier League last term. Ralph Hasenhuttl and co will hope to be busy in the transfer window and have already confirmed the signing of Romain Perraud from Brest in France (southamptonfc.com).

Rather than completing another new signing, though, the Saints have instead move to extend McQueen’s deal at the club. So far, he has made just 29 appearances for the south coast outfit (Transfermarkt), with a lengthy cruciate ligament rupture hindering his development. However, the Saints appear to have given the 26-year-old another chance to prove himself at St Mary’s.

The update was relayed on Twitter by @SaintsExtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from Southampton supporters who are glad that the club aren’t turning their back on the player. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on what one fan described as “encouraging” news.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about McQueen’s extension

“that’s encouraging!”

Credit: @vestergodSFC

“Love to see it”

Credit: @CallumSFC18

“This is great to see”

Credit: @sfcrxbbo_

“Well done #Saints looking after one of our own, let’s hope he manages to get fit.”

Credit: @wsmruss

“Brilliant for Sam. It shows the club hasn’t given up on him”

Credit: @Dixon1970Darren

“Happy about this, he was unlucky with his injuries”

Credit: @AidanCMcMahon

In other news, Southampton want this Premier League midfielder.

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have gone wild for the latest update on their chase to sign Manchester United attacker Jesse Lingard this window.

Manager David Moyes is keen to bring the England international to east London on a permanent deal following a hugely successful 2020/2021 loan spell at West Ham.

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The 29-year-old bagged nine goals and four assists in just 16 Premier League starts over the second half of last campaign, but despite West Ham’s efforts, he didn’t join permanently in the summer window.

Instead, he chose to remain at his current club, a decision which has resulted in very little game time and broken down new contract talks as he now eyes a move away from Old Trafford.

The Daily Mirror, sharing an update on the situation, have now shared some very promising news out of West Ham.

According to their information, Lingard is now ‘ready’ to to leave United and ‘seal’ a permanent move to the Hammers – with manager Moyes and the club ‘determined’ to get it done before January 31.

West Ham fans go wild…

Flocking to this claim, given Lingard is now apparently ready to join, it’s little wonder some supporters believe this is a ‘very exciting’ development.

The Three Lions ace shone at West Ham last season and has been described as a would-be ‘massive signing’ for Moyes who could gift the club ‘another dimension’ (Paul Robinson, Football Insider).

There is little denying his coup would be a good move for Rob Newman and co with many Irons supporters certainly giving their thumbs up.

Find all of their best reactions from Twitter down below:

“Please please please please”

Credit: @Kayron27

“Tears in my eyes. Finally. Waiting for that certified yes from @ExWHUemployee”

Credit: @ovo_forbes

“COME ON”

Credit: @moyes_boy

“Don’t get me gassedddddddd”

Credit: @H_RICHY

“Very exciting news!”

Credit: @GoFlamesGo89

“Time to come home”

Credit: @DJ_Khalid3112

“PLEASE BE TRUE”

Credit: @ereags2022

“Imagine lingard and digne, what a start to the window”

Credit: @KyleMaccer17

In other news: Sky Sports journalist: West Ham join race to sign ‘big name’ dynamo with club now set to sell, find out more here.

Rangers have been hit with a fresh injury concern over Ibrox central midfielder Aaron Ramsey…

What’s the latest?

Gio van Bronckhorst has confirmed that the Wales international suffered a hamstring setback in the Scottish Cup win on Sunday.

The on-loan gem was forced off in the first half with the score at 0-0 as Scott Wright was pressed into action earlier than he may have expected, with the Gers going on to win 2-1 in extra time to make it to the final of the competition.

However, they could have to play in the showpiece clash without Ramsey if this knock rules him out for a number of weeks.

Journalist Phil Cadden quoted the head coach as saying: “He had a problem with his hamstring. It didn’t look really good. We will have to assess him, but of course it is a blow for us that he will be out. I don’t know for how long. We just have to assess him on Monday and see where he is.”

Van Bronckhorst will be infuriated

This is a huge blow for the Gers and van Bronckhorst will be furious with this latest injury issue for the midfielder as it has been an almost constant problem for him since arriving in January.

Ramsey has only started four matches in the Premiership and Europa League combined for the club as he has been dealing with his own fitness in recent months. The Juventus man has been unable to string a run of matches together and now looks set for another spell on the sidelines.

Until Rangers know the extent of the damage it is impossible to gauge how long he will be out for action for. Hamstring injuries can range from days to months to recover from depending on the grade of the tear and this means that he could be back next week or it could be his season over and done with.

Losing him for any number of matches will be a huge blow as he has shown that he does have the quality to make a big impact when he does play. He has scored two goals in his three Premiership starts, including one against Celtic in the Old Firm, and has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.98 in the division.

Ramsey can score from midfield and has the experience in European competition that can be vital against RB Leipzig in the semi-finals of the Europa League. He has played for Arsenal and Juventus in Europe and this means that he knows what it takes to perform at that level, making his potential absence against the German side a sizeable concern for the head coach and that is another reason why he will be furious with this injury blow.

AND in other news, Forget Arfield: “Superb” £24k-p/w Rangers machine was “out of this world” today…

Everton’s first victory since 25 September on Monday night steadied the ship on Merseyside, but the club remains firmly in a state of transition and disorder.

What’s the story?

Ahead of their crucial clash with Arsenal, it was announced that former director of football Marcel Brands had departed the Toffees, citing “a clear difference in the vision and direction” that he and the board wanted to take the club in.

The Dutchman followed Sarvar Ismailov out of the Goodison Park exit door, leaving Chairman Bill Kenwright, chief executive officer Denise Barrett-Baxendale and finance chief Grant Ingles as the only remaining board members.

Upon Brands’ departure, it was revealed via a club statement that a “strategic review of the football structure” will take place at Everton, and the Liverpool ECHO reporter Phil Kirkbride has provided an update on the situation.

He wrote: “Everton are planning to find two new board members following the departures of Marcel Brands and Sarvar Ismailov. And the ECHO understands that further additions to the Goodison top table have not been ruled out.”

Moshiri must axe Bill Kenwright

News that big changes are not expected at Everton will leave large sections of the club’s supporters extremely concerned and may have some calling for more of the hierarchy to depart, given their extensive failings in recent years.

According to TransferLeague, the Toffees have the third-highest net spend on transfers in the Premier League over the last five years, with their £275m outlay only falling behind Manchester United and Manchester City.

However, they have not had the results or any silverware to show for it. In that time, Everton have finished seventh, eighth twice, 10th and 12th, highlighting their huge underperformance both on and off the pitch.

The Blues’ fanbase has been growing ever-more frustrated with the club’s chiefs in recent weeks, unfurling a banner against them at Brentford and chanting ‘sack the board’ during the Merseyside before hosting a walk-out in protest on Monday.

And it’s Kenwright who appears to be taking the majority of the flack. Journalist Richard Buxton highlighted why in a recent tweet, questioning what the 76-year-old actually does behind the scenes.

He wrote: “What is Bill Kenwright’s defined role as Everton chairman? Yes, he’s involved in the day-to-day running but when it comes to the high-ranking decisions (managers, transfers etc) Moshiri’s autonomy renders him little more than a legacy figure with a fancy title.”

Therefore, despite Everton languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table, owner Farhad Moshiri ought to be wielding the axe upstairs once more rather than putting extra pressure on manager Rafa Benitez.

The Merseyside outfit’s issues run far deeper than the person sitting in the dugout on a Saturday afternoon, and unless extensive changes are made, their issues are likely to continue for many years yet.

And, in other news…Rafa must seal EFC swoop for “complete” £51k-p/w beast who plays like Platini & Zidane 

Celtic writer and podcaster John McGinley was full of praise for young forward Karamoko Dembele during the Glasgow Cup semi-final clash between the Hoops’ B side and Rangers B. 

The lowdown: Old Firm defeat

Following on from the senior side’s extra-time loss to their cross-city rivals at Hampden Park, the young Celts were unable to exact revenge.

Despite taking the lead in the away clash through Mikey Johnston, the Hoops were pegged back before the game was eventually decided on penalties as it finished 2-2 after yet more extra time tension.

Ultimately, Celtic B were unable to progress, but one starlet in particular caught the eye of those keen observers…

The latest: McGinley impressed

Taking to Twitter, football journalist McGinley was quick to credit the contribution of Dembele.

“Karamoko Dembele key in the build-up to Celtic’s first goal today and his assist for the second was pretty special.”

The 19-year-old has largely been an afterthought in Ange Postecoglou’s plans with just ten senior appearances in total, barely being seen by fans this season with just 20 minutes of first-team action across 2021/22.

The verdict: New deal pending?

Out of contract at the end of this campaign (Transfermarkt), standout performances such as this should encourage Celtic to do everything in their power to keep the talented teenager at the club.

Capped on 27 occasions at various youth levels by both England and Scotland, the London-born attacker clearly possesses plenty of potential and having already lost Ben Doak recently, the Hoops need to be careful not to let another star of the future walk away.

Albeit unlikely that Dembele appears again this season given the strength in depth at Celtic Park and the magnitude of each remaining game, next term could well be a breakthrough one for the starlet who has shone in Tommy McIntyre’s side.

In other news, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has been left fuming. Read more here.

Everton will be hoping to return to winning ways when they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in their Premier League clash at Molineux this evening.

Rafa Benitez’s charges have fallen to consecutive defeats at the hands of West Ham United and Watford in recent weeks following a fast start to the season, dropping the Toffees down to ninth in the table.

However, injuries to several key players have played their part in Everton’s recent slump and a much-needed victory over Wolves could take them back to within three points of the Champions League qualification places.

In Friday’s press conference, Benitez revealed he has no fresh fitness concerns, while star forward Richarlison is doing well in his return to full fitness.

The Spanish tactician is still expected to be without Abdoulaye Doucoure, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yerry Mina for many weeks, but their enforced absences will present plenty of opportunities for fringe players to impress.

With that in mind, here’s how Football FanCast expects the 61-year-old to line up for today’s trip to the Midlands, with two changes from the side that started last time out…

England’s No.1 goalkeeper Jordan Pickford will keep his place between the sticks after carrying his good form at the end of last season and at the Euro’s into the current campaign.

Ahead of the 27-year-old is set to be a familiar back four. Although they conceded five goals against Watford in their previous outing, Mina’s hamstring problem means all of Lucas Digne, Ben Godfrey, Michael Keane and Seamus Coleman are likely to feature from the off.

There could be many changes made by Benitez in the Everton engine room, though. Doucoure’s absence was ruthlessly exposed by the Hornets, meaning a change of shape may be brought in to compensate.

That means Jean-Philippe Gbamin may get his first league start of 2021/22, lining up alongside Tom Davies and Allan in the midfield as the Blues look to sure things up in the centre of the pitch.

In attack, the £4.5m-rated Salomon Rondon is likely to be axed after failing to find the back of the net in his seven outings so far this term. That means, despite a lack of fitness, Richarlison starts up top. He is accompanied by Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend who occupy the wings.

And, in other news…Forget Doucoure: Rafa must unleash £65k-p/w EFC “monster”, he could be a game-changer 

Leeds United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup fourth round on Tuesday night by Arsenal thanks to goals from Calum Chambers and Eddie Nketiah.

Marcelo Bielsa chose a very strong starting line-up for the game, and would no doubt have been left very disappointed with how some of his first-team regulars performed, not least Tyler Roberts.

The Wales international has endured a nightmare start to the current campaign, with his latest shocker against the Gunners meaning he has now gone 12 games without a single goal or assist.

Against Arsenal, he was similarly ineffective, struggling to really get a hold of the ball and link up with the likes of Rodrigo and Dan James up top – in fact, he made just six successful passes in the entire time that he was on the pitch.

None of his three shots found the target, while he made no successful dribbles, and it was no surprise that Bielsa eventually hooked him for Joe Gelhardt just minutes into the second-half.

And, writing in his post-match player ratings, Leeds Live’s Beren Cross was particularly critical of him.

He said: “Not a whole lot fell for him, but another game with limited impact going forward from Roberts, who was hooked very swiftly after another failure to execute a promising opportunity with his back to goal and Arsenal out of shape.”

That feeling was shared by The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth, who added: “A couple of nice moments aside, didn’t take his chance again. Little surprise to see him withdrawn.”

Given Gelhardt is now seriously pushing for a place in the first-team, Roberts’ underwhelming display at the Emirates on Tuesday will have given Bielsa plenty of food for thought going forward.

Does the Leeds boss finally drop the underperforming Welshman, and give Gelhardt the chance to shine from the off.

Meanwhile, this Leeds star just embarrassed Bielsa vs Arsenal…

Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson believes that Celtic have pulled off an “amazing bit of recruitment” following the arrival of striker Giorgios Giakoumakis from VVV-Venlo.

The Lowdown: Giakoumakis arrives with a big reputation

Playing his part in an outstanding 2020/21 campaign, the Greece international earned headlines after finishing as top scorer in the Eredivisie with 26 goals [The Scotsman].

After completing a move to Glasgow on deadline day, former Tottenham goalkeeper Robinson believes that the Hoops have landed a bargain in the 26-year-old as they seek to reclaim the Premiership title.

The Latest: Robinson hails ‘amazing bit of recruitment’

It appears that Celtic may have brought in the forward for a fraction of his former club’s valuation, too.

Speaking to The Celtic Exchange Podcast, journalist Anthony Joseph detailed that Giakoumakis would likely have cost £8.6m to bring to Parkhead if VVV-Venlo had managed to avoid relegation from the Dutch top flight.

Eventually acquiring him for around £2.5m [The Scottish Sun], Robinson believes that Celtic have pulled off a wonderful capture.

In an exclusive interview with Football Insider, the 41-year-old claimed: “It was an incredible achievement to finish top scorer in a relegated side. It shows that he is a very good striker.

“For the price that they’ve paid it looks like an amazing bit of recruitment.

“Of course, there is a different level of expectation and pressure at Celtic though. It will be a big test for him, playing in front of those fans.

“From Celtic’s point of view though, it is not a risk because the fee is very reasonable.”

The Verdict: Giakoumakis has the requisite qualities to succeed at Celtic

Despite his goalscoring exploits in mainland Europe, Robinson correctly points out the high standards that Giakoumakis will need to meet on a weekly basis at Celtic.

However, the 6 foot 1 ace looks more than equipped to make a solid start to life in Scotland. He brings a bustling physical presence to the attack, illustrated in his average aerial duel success rate of four per game last season [WhoScored].

Perhaps most importantly, the Greek also offers a potent goal threat. In 2020/21, he managed to constantly provide an attacking threat for a poor VVV-Venlo outfit, registering 3.2 shots on average per game.

Currently getting up to speed fitness wise, Hoops supporters will hope he can hit the ground running in the east end of Glasgow.

In other news, a prominent Celtic journalist has issued a behind-the-scenes update. Find out more here.

According to Rai journalist Filippo Grassia, speaking to Italian outlet Passione Inter [via Inside Futbol], Newcastle United have lodged a bid of around €100m (£85m) for Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.

What’s the latest?

Newcastle’s new owners are fast approaching their first transfer window since taking over from previous owner Mike Ashley, with high expectations regarding the amount of money which could be spent.

An array of top talents across Europe have been linked with a move to the northeast, with the latest being Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.

The Serbian’s name has circulated the English media for a number of months now, with the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester United and now Newcastle linked with a potential swoop for the forward.

At just 21 years of age, he is currently the top scorer in Serie A, netting 15 goals and registering two assists in 17 league games this term, duly making him one of Europe’s most sought-after players. Moreover, it is believed that the striker has recently rejected a new deal at the Italian club, pricking up the ears of interested potential suitors.

Vlahovic would enter the final 18 months of his contract at Fiorentina next summer if he doesn’t leave in January, but with an £85m bid from Newcastle being reported, it appears that La Viola may be forced to sell.

The Toon Army will be buzzing

If Newcastle are able to sign a player ahead of the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United for the significant amount of money being reported, it would be a major statement of intent.

The Magpies are currently 19th in the Premier League table, having won just once in the top flight this season, and they will need reinforcements in January to boost their survival bid.

Callum Wilson is currently their top scorer with six goals in 13 games, but only Allan Saint-Maximin has also scored more than once in the league so far this term, with three goals to his name.

Newcastle have netted 18 goals so far in the league, but they have the top flight’s worst defence, conceding 37 goals in 17 matches.

Furthermore, Wilson has scored a third of the Magpies’ goals, so an injury to the 29-yer-old could have detrimental consequences if it occurs, hence the need to purchase a striker in January.

It will always prove a huge task to follow in the footsteps of Newcastle legend Alan Shearer, who netted 206 goals for the Magpies, making him their all-time leading scorer. However, in the hugely prolific Vlahovic, they could find their best attempt at replacing the Geordie legend since he ended his playing career 15 years ago.

Still very young and without Premier League experience, it could be argued that spending such a vast amount of money on Vlahovic is risky, particularly with survival in the balance. However, it would be a major statement of intent, and the gamble could prove to have remarkable consequences should it pay off.

In other news: Eddie Howe outlines potential Newcastle injury setback, fans could be gutted

A number of Liverpool supporters are fuming after it was announced that Mike Dean will referee Saturday’s Premier League clash with Burnley.

The Reds are in good spirits after their 3-0 win away to Norwich City last Saturday, as they got their season off to a flying start.

Jurgen Klopp’s men looked every bit title challengers in their opening game and Manchester City’s 1-0 loss at Tottenham acted as an extra boost to the other contenders.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

Next up for Liverpool is the visit of Burnley on Saturday lunchtime, with a full Anfield crowd sure to create a memorable occasion back inside the ground.

It has been confirmed that Dean will take charge of the game, with the 53-year-old known for seemingly liking to take centre stage.

It was Dean who was in charge of the Reds’ 1-0 home defeat to the Clarets last season, when their long unbeaten Anfield record ended due to a late penalty for the visitors, which doesn’t bode well in the minds of these fans.

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Liverpool fans unhappy at Dean appointment

The supporters took to Twitter to unleash their frustration at the news…

“Prepare for a booking spree”

Credit: @twt_liverpool

“Lord be with us”

Credit: @Luvbender

“I still don’t get why a Tranmere fan is allowed to ref our games, I don’t know how they feel about us but I doubt they’re fond”

Credit: @ronanlfc

“Misery”

Credit: @Bishop_Yayo_

“CONFIRMED: Burnley will get a penalty after minimum contact outside the box at Anfield on Saturday”

Credit: @lfcthijs

“Oh dear Lord”

Credit: @DiRealLauren

In other news, some Liverpool fans are also unhappy at a worrying rumour that has emerged. Read more here.