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According to the Express, former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey is set to leave Juventus this summer on a free transfer.

The former Gunner joined the Old Lady last summer on a free transfer, and has reportedly been earning €400k-per-week in Italy. Last season, Ramsey made 24 appearances in Serie A, scoring three and assisting just one.

The 29-year-old Welshman still has lots to prove and is still in the prime of his career. Having played 259 times for Arsenal, scoring 61, Ramsey would be a perfect fit for Everton if he was to move back to the Premier League under Carlo Ancelotti.

The central midfielder is not in Andrea Pirlo’s plans for this upcoming season and is he allowed to leave Juventus on a free transfer this summer just over a year from joining. This is despite the fact he signed a four-year deal with the Italian giants, and winning the Serie A title in his first season.

Ramsey made just 11 appearances under former manager Maurizio Sarri last season, and he also suffered many injuries which impacted his play-time.

According to the transfermarkt, Aaron Ramsey is still thought to be worth around £25m in today’s market, so it would be a no brainer for Everton to bring him on a free transfer this summer. The Toffees face tough competition with Napoli and Roma however, who are also after the Welshman’s signature.

Verdict

Ramsey would be a great signing for Everton this summer. The versatile midfielder has all of the Premier League experience needed to fit into Carlo Ancelotti’s team next season, and he would be the perfect player to slot into the Toffees struggling midfield.

Juventus are so keen to offload Ramsey due to his high wages, so there is a question as to whether or not he would be willing to take a pay-cut in order to return to the Premier League.

After earning a comfortable 2-0 victory over ten-man Hamilton, Rangers moved three points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership on Saturday evening.

Steven Gerrard’s side scored a quick-fire double in the first-half, with Ianis Hagi and James Tavernier getting themselves on the score-sheet within five minutes of each other.

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Scott McMann then received his second yellow of the night mid-way through the second period as any hopes of a Hamilton comeback were dashed.

But whilst Rangers eased to a routine win, there was one player who Gers fans didn’t seem to be too impressed with: Brandon Barker. As per Sofascore, both of his attempts on goal were off target, he completed just one dribble and lost possession 12 times.

And after seeing his performance, Rangers fans took to Twitter to share their reactions.

A couple of Gers fans insisted that Barker simply has to be sold, with one supporter urging the club to replace him with a new right-winger as soon as possible.

After being handed his first start of the new season, it’s fair to say Barker hasn’t really given Gerrard a headache over whether he should be playing or not.

Last season saw him make just 13 appearances across all competitions, scoring just once, and unless he steps his game up considerably, then he won’t be in the starting line-up for much longer.

Gervane Kastaneer has returned to Coventry City after he failed to secure a move back to Holland, according to Coventry Live.

Sky Blues manager Mark Robins has made significant changes to his squad ahead of the new season with the likes of Gustavo Hamer and Julien Dacosta coming in.

After promotion from League One, Coventry are now set for a stint in England’s second tier and, following those aforementioned additions, it was expected that Kastaneer would move on and seal a return to the Netherlands.

Since arriving at the Midlands last summer from NAC Breda, the 24-year-old has made just 10 league appearances, finding the back of the net once in the process.

Coventry Live touched on Kastaneer’s potential exit with a look at his pre-season performances for Robins’ side, claiming that he has impressed the manager to a high standard.

The same outlet has now revealed that a proposed move back to Netherlands has failed to materialise, with the 24-year-old unable to secure a move despite training with an unnamed club.

His return to Coventry saw the winger included in the pre-season friendly with Solihull Moors on Tuesday evening.

Kastaneer has yet to fully adjust to English football and it will be interesting to see if he gets sufficient playing time over the coming months.

Just one goal since his arrival is hardly something to get excited about and it does seem that an exit would suit the winger rather than staying, unless he can put those challenging first few months at Coventry behind him.

Do you think Kastaneer should be handed a proper chance in the Coventry side this season? Let us know your views in the comments section below…

Everton’s summer spending this transfer window doesn’t appear to be over just yet and there’s one name they’re still in the hunt for…

What’s the word?

According to The Sun’s Alan Nixon, the Toffees remain in the race to clinch AFC Bournemouth forward Joshua King but only if the price is right.

Amid reports linking the 28-year-old with a move to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, The Athletic claimed that he’s available for between £15m and £20m.

Meanwhile, King has returned to training this week with the Cherries now competing in the Championship following relegation last term.

Versatile upgrade?

Carlo Ancelotti’s new-look side stunned Spurs on the opening day of the season with all three of his summer additions playing a starring role, James Rodriguez and Allan particularly impressing.

However, the options from the bench looked particularly weak with Bernard, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Theo Walcott providing backup to Richarlison and the Colombian playmaker.

If the Toffees truly want to contend for a place in Europe next season, then strength in depth is going to be vital, which is why Marcel Brands ought to look no further than the Norwegian frontman.

King is tried and tested in the top-flight and can play pretty much anywhere along the front three.

In his last five seasons at this level, the 28-year-old has scored at least six goals with the most being a whopping 16 during the 16/17 campaign.

Even during their relegation last term, King managed to contribute to ten goals whilst averaging two dribbles, 1.2 key passes and one shot per game, via WhoScored.

It’s no wonder Eddie Howe called him a “complete package” as he’s “outstanding physically, technically and mentally.”

King is the sort of Steven Naismith-like player that the Toffees have lacked in recent seasons – someone who’ll perform regardless of being played out on the left or through the middle.

AND in other news, Brands summer swoop already looking a major eight-figure coup…

Liverpool are looking to offload some of their more forgotten senior players and have listed Marko Grujic as part of their surplus load.

Rhian Brewster and Harry Wilson are also part of the list, with neither making any impact for the Reds in the Premier League. Similarly, Grujic looks to be headed for the exit after multiple loan moves failed to help him breakthrough into the Liverpool first team.

The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath has reported that West Ham and Southampton are both keen on the Serbian and could make a move before the transfer window closes.

How much could Liverpool get for Marko Grujic?

Given the fact that Grujic has spent the last two years on loan with Hertha Berlin, Liverpool are confident of landing a good deal for him. A recent report outlined that Michael Edwards could be on the brink of another masterstroke. The Reds are hoping to cash in on Grujic and the other fringe duo for a handsome amount of £50million.

Sheffield United have already shook on a deal for Brewster and have agreed a fee of £23.5million for the young forward (via BBC Sport). This means that should Edwards split the remainder of his desired amount directly down the middle, he could bank £13.25million through the sale of Grujic. A nice profit considering the club signed him for the small fee of £5.1million back in 2016.

Is a move away from Anfield ideal for Grujic?

The midfielder’s recent performances in the Carabao Cup against Lincoln City and Arsenal were his first senior appearances since 2017. Since his arrival four years ago, Grujic has also managed to feature in 16 senior matches for the Reds, playing a total of 507 minutes. That’s a breakdown of 32 minutes per game every time he has been named as part of the squad (via Transfermarkt).

Despite his numerous loan moves to the likes of Hertha Berlin and Cardiff City, the Serbian hasn’t managed to cement himself into Jurgen Klopp’s title-winning side. A sale will help balance Liverpool’s books from their healthy transfer window and also allow Grujic to re-establish himself and become a first team starter.

Michael Edwards masterclass

After securing impressive sales for the likes of Christian Benteke (£27million), Philippe Coutinho (£142million) and Ki-Jana Hoever (£9million), Edwards continues to show why he is one of Klopp’s most important club assets.

Should he get the deal over the line for Grujic at an amount such as £13.25m, he will bank the club an impressive £31.6million profit. With Brewster arriving from the Chelsea academy for free, his sale will be nothing but money in the green. Offloading the trio for Edwards’ predicted £50million will make back the cash they spent on Diogo Jota, and then some.

In other news, Liverpool could wound Man United with swoop for Ousmane Dembele…

Newcastle United are still in the running for several Championship players before the domestic deadline on October 16, per Chronicle Live, with Watford’s Ismaila Sarr someone they could still move for.

The Magpies have been linked with the 22-year-old previously back when he was playing in Ligue 1 with Metz and then Rennes. L’Equipe, via The Mag, reported that Newcastle were amongst the clubs looking to sign Sarr both in 2017 and 2019.

Move looks unlikely given Watford stance

Newcastle’s chances of signing Sarr before the domestic deadline are not helped by Watford’s current stance over the winger. The Hornets turned down a deadline day proposal from Manchester United to take the 22-year-old on loan for the campaign with a £25 million option to buy, according to Manchester Evening News.

The Championship club are only wanting to sanction a permanent deal and value him at £45 million, say Manchester Evening News. Steve Bruce did suggest ahead of the last few days of the European window that Newcastle would be unlikely to do any business unless anything ‘mouth-watering’ came along.

However, it has since been reported that the Magpies will have funds to strengthen the squad in January, and Chronicle Live claim Sarr is a player they are still ‘in the running’ for.

Sarr could add more dynamism with Allan Saint-Maximin

Sarr would be a very exciting addition to Newcastle’s squad and you could imagine just how dynamic the Magpies would look with both him and Allan Saint-Maximin on opposite flanks. Creating chances and scoring goals was an issue last term, but with both players in the attacking third it could transform their attack.

The 22-year-old managed to complete 1.7 successful dribbles per game at Watford in the Premier League last term and created nine big chances, as per Sofascore. Therefore, he would certainly bring a host of qualities to the Magpies side which are lacking at the moment.

Geordies, do you think Newcastle should move for Sarr? Let us know your thoughts below!

Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has hinted that he may decide to play two strikers up front in the future, something which he has not done so far this campaign.

Gerrard suggests tactical tweak

So far in 2020/21, Gerrard has preferred to play with one central forward, either in a 4-2-3-1 formation or a 4-3-3. However, he does have a number of attacking options, including Kemar Roofe, Cedric Itten, Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe.

Speaking to RangersTV, Gerrard hinted that he could play the former two as part of a striking duo. He said:

“He’s also more of a hybrid forward, so he can play with a 9 as well which is really helpful with players like Jermain Defoe, Alfredo [Morelos] and Cedric [Itten] in the door.

“The good thing about Cedric and Kemar is that they can play with a number 9 as well, so it’s really interesting.”

Tactical flexibility

As Gerrard says, this is certainly an interesting proposition. Whilst it is not something he has chosen to do so far this campaign, it is something he could introduce if he is struggling to find out how he can fit more than one of his strikers into the same team.

Itten played regularly as part of a two upfront last season for St Gallen and scored 19 goals in 34 league games. Roofe was perhaps more used to a lone striker role at Anderlecht, but you get the feeling that he has the qualities to work alongside another forward. As Rangers look to end their silverware drought this term, Gerrard will need versatility to find success. This is one way he could do just that.

In other news, Borussia Dortmund and Leeds are monitoring this 22-year-old Rangers target dubbed the “new Modric”. Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Phil Parkinson has revealed Sunderland defender Jordan Willis is managing an ongoing knee problem and will need a late fitness test to feature at Gillingham on Saturday, per the Sunderland Echo.

The Black Cats will assess the issue before travelling to Priestfield Stadium this weekend, having had to manage the defender’s patella tendon injury ever since his arrival as a free agent from Coventry City last summer.

Willis has proven an integral aspect of Parkinson’s backline since his arrival at the Stadium of Light but was forced to bench the 26-year-old for Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw at Rochdale, with his absence down to the long-standing knee issue rather than the minor foot injury sustained at Swindon Town.

Sunderland managed to call on Willis throughout his debut season in the North East through an injection, but are yet to decide whether or not to risk running the same route in order to avoid any lengthy time off the field.

“Jordan has had a problem since he’s been here with his patella tendon,” Parkinson said. “Last year we got to the stage where he had an injection in it.

“He’s had a scan this week and we’re at the stage where we are assessing whether he needs that again, whether that’s the right thing to do. It’s something that he can get on with but as the games come thick and fast, there are certain days where he does find it uncomfortable.

“They are problematic. There are injections and treatments which you can have to help, but you can only have so many. So, it’s just a case of being careful and we will be guided by our medical team.”

While Willis proved instrumental to Sunderland’s promotion push last season, starting all 35 of his League One appearances, he is yet to match the same level in his performances this term.

The 26-year-old thrived at Oxford with a 100% tackle success rate, winning five of six aerial duels, completing 80% of his 25 passes and assisting Luke O’Nien’s opening goal, per WhoScored, but only made one tackle, completed 68% of his passes and was dispossessed three times at Charlton.

He again made just one tackle, completed 70% of his passes and made fewer clearances than both Bailey Wright and O’Nien against Portsmouth, while his absence at Rochdale was filled by a solid display from Dion Sanderson with eight clearances, two interceptions, one tackle and an 81% pass success rate.

Willis’ form has thus left Parkinson with an easy decision over who starts at Gillingham, as the Sunderland boss must opt to bench his star defender and allow him time to recover before reaping the rewards of having someone Coventry City manager Mark Robins hailed upon his departure last year.

“With Jordan, it was always a case of shaking hands at the end of the season because he’s been a fantastic servant and we wished him all the best,” he said, via quotes by the Coventry Telegraph. “And then it was his prerogative to choose what he feels is the best scenario for himself. And I wish him all the best.

“He was brilliant for us and I would never wish him anything other than success in his career and in his life. He’s a great kid, really good lad.”

AND in other news, Phil Parkinson has been urged to start a Sunderland star who “has a bit of everything”.

After being one of the stars of Aston Villa’s return to the Premier League last season, things haven’t quite gone to plan for John McGinn this time around.The Scotland international has bagged just one goal in six games this season, and whilst he has picked up an impressive four assists to go along with that, he’s had a particularly rough few weeks on the pitch.He was part of a Villa midfield that got completely overrun by Leeds in a 3-0 drubbing, before on Sunday, was equally anonymous in a 4-3 defeat to Southampton.With the likes of Conor Hourihane and Marvelous Nakamba waiting patiently on the sidelines, McGinn is surely the man most under pressure of losing his place in the Villa midfield, with Douglas Luiz having now established himself as one of the team’s holding players.Speaking after the game, Villa fan and podcast Jonny Gould, slammed McGinn for his performance, saying that he was “found wanting”.

After an impressive few weeks saw Dean Smith’s side start the new Premier League campaign in spectacular fashion with four wins from win, the wheels appear appear to have fallen off, thanks to back-to-back defeats.

If Smith is to ensure that this blip doesn’t extend itself into a full-blown slide, then he has to make a ruthless call on a player who’s been the most underwhelming over these past couple of weeks.

A break from the side, and a chance to just take stock and sit on the side-lines may do McGinn the world of good, and see him get back to his best form sooner rather than later.

Continuing to throw him in there for the sake of continuity or hoping he catches fire by himself, almost seems like negligence from the manager. Now is the perfect time for Smith to make a bold and ruthless call.

Everton are set for an “absolutely brilliant” boost with the return of star forward Richarlison as Carlo Ancelotti strives to avoid losing four-in-a-row.

What’s the word?

Speaking with Football Insider, former England striker Darren Bent has decreed that Richarlison’s return from a three-match suspension will be the perfect tonic for Ancelotti after seeing Everton’s form capitulate without the Brazilian.

The Toffees begun the campaign as the best in the Premier League with four wins and a draw, but have failed to take any points in the fixtures to have passed since Richarlison was shown a straight red card for a foul on Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara during the Merseyside Derby.

Ancelotti has confirmed that he is likely to call on the £50million attacker when Everton travel to Fulham on Sunday, with the forward returning from international duty fit and raring to go after scoring in Brazil’s 2-0 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying win over Uruguay.

Bent is adamant that the 23-year-old’s return will have a game-changing effect on Everton’s form, and could be the deciding factor in the Merseyside outfit’s pursuit of a first win in 50 days.

“Richarlison, obviously we’re fans of his and obviously he’s been missing and they’ve kind of fallen off a cliff a little bit, it’s not been good for them,” Bent said.

“The fact that he’s back now will give him and his team massive, massive confidence and it’s absolutely brilliant to be fair.

“Fair play to him getting himself back fit, they’re gonna need him. They’re still not that far away to get themselves back up there, but it’s obviously not been good for them recently.”

Ancelotti’s saviour?

Ancelotti will be hoping that Richarlison can deliver the needed impact for Everton against Fulham that Bent suspects the former Watford star to be capable of, having lost three top-flight fixtures in a row for the first time since November 2006 during the Brazilian’s absence.

Defeat at Craven Cottage this weekend will be an outcome the Italian coach is desperate to avoid, as Ancelotti has thus far never lost four league games in a row during his managerial career – a run that began with AC Parma all the way back in September 1996.

Richarlison had been enjoying a strong start to the 2020/21 Premier League campaign on a personal level before his red card at home to Liverpool last month, with the 23-cap winger penning two assists in a 5-2 win over West Brom and striking home the winning effort away to Crystal Palace.

The Brazilian’s efforts over his five outings thus far this term have even been enough for Richarlison to remain 10th among all top-flight players for ground duels won (43) and 12th for successful dribbles (16), while ranking second only to Dominic Calvert-Lewin (22) for shots taken (11) by an Everton player, per SofaScore.

Ancelotti will need to see Richarlison hit the ground running and offer the same level of output at Fulham on Sunday that he was producing prior to his suspension, as Everton can ill-afford to be carrying the 23-year-old in their search for a fifth win of the season.

AND in other news, Everton are on course to repeat a Steve Walsh horror with swoop for a gem with “incredible speed”.