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Glasgow Rangers sold two of their finest players from last season during the summer transfer window for massive profit, with Joe Aribo (£10m) and Calvin Bassey (£23m) departing Ibrox for pastures new.

This isn’t the first time this has happened, however, as Alex McLeish faced a similar conundrum way back in the summer of 2003.

He had led the Light Blues to the treble in 2002/2003 and hopes were high for the following campaign. The Ibrox side were facing a precarious financial situation though and this led to McLeish selling a few of his standout performers from that extraordinary season.

The one that hurt the supporters the most was the sale of club captain Barry Ferguson, who joined Blackburn Rovers for a fee of £7.5m and considering he came into the side through the club’s academy, it represented a massive profit for the Gers.

The midfielder had scored 16 league goals as he skippered his boyhood team to their 50th championship and many couldn’t fathom a Rangers side without him in the engine room.

Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be until 2012 that the true nature of the Glasgow side’s financial situation came to light, with administration the final outcome.

Ferguson – who also went on to win 46 caps for Scotland – was a natural winner and was a mainstay in the midfield for six years, winning nine major honours before his move to the Premier League.

Former Rangers defender Marvin Andrews dubbed Ferguson as a “leader” and the 44-year-old will certainly go down as one of the finest-ever captains in the club’s illustrious history.

Although it didn’t go to plan for the player at Blackburn, a serious injury sustained in his first season reduced his game time, McLeish saw an opportunity to reunite with the Scot, resigning him in January 2005.

It proved to be an inspired move, with Rangers winning a further six major honours during his second spell in Glasgow, and although he was missed during his 18-month period down south, McLeish made a solid profit on the former academy graduate.

Leeds United have been handed a huge boost ahead of Thursday’s Premier League meeting with Leicester City.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to Conor McGilligan, with the Manchester Evening News journalist initially relaying the news on Twitter that, after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the Foxes’ draw with Crystal Palace last weekend, James Maddison will now be suspended for the visit of the Whites in midweek, before stating that this will come as a big boost to Jesse Marsch and his side.

In his post, McGilligan said: “James Maddison will miss the Leeds game on Thursday. MASSIVE boost for us.”

“Massive boost”

Considering just how impressive Maddison has been in a struggling 19th-placed Leicester side so far this season, it is easy to see why McGilligan believes that the 25-year-old’s absence on Thursday night will come as a massive boost to Leeds’ chances of returning to Elland Road with all three points in tow.

Indeed, over his nine Premier League fixtures in 2022/23, the £43m-rated talent has been in sensational form, having already scored five goals, registered two assists and created two big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 3.2 shots – 1.2 of which have hit the target – and making 2.3 key passes per game.

The attacking midfielder has also chipped in for his side in a defensive capacity, making an average of 2.2 tackles, 0.6 interceptions and winning 5.6 duels – at a success rate of 51% – per outing.

These returns have seen the £110k-per-week playmaker average a quite astonishing SofaScore match rating of 7.44, not only ranking him by far and away as Brendan Rodgers’ best performer in the league but also as the joint seventh-best player in the English top flight as a whole so far this term.

As such, it is clear to see that the absence of a player who carries the goal-threat, creativity and hard-working nature of Maddison will indeed come as a huge boost to Leeds’ chances of picking up all three points at the King Power on Thursday night – a result Marsch will be desperate for in order to end his side’s current six-game run without a win.

Leeds United made plenty of new additions over the summer, with Jesse Marsch working to add eight new permanent faces to his squad.

One man who he brought in early on was Rasmus Kristensen, who was seen as the long-term successor to 31-year-old Luke Ayling.

The Denmark international has featured six times this season and has been part of a Whites defence which has shipped ten goals in seven league games.

While his average SofaScore rating of 6.83 is the seventh-highest in the Leeds squad, there have been claims that he has struggled to adapt to the Premier League, which perhaps unsurprising in his first season at Elland Road.

However, he has perhaps disappointed offensively, and it may be that a youngster like Cody Drameh could stake his claim as a potential upgrade in the coming years.

With the 25-year-old yet to contribute to a goal at senior level, having not created a big chance for a team-mate, it makes the two assists in as many Premier League 2 games by his younger colleague look even more impressive.

The 20-year-old also scored in the EFL Trophy, outlining how he appears to have the offensive know-how to make the grade at Leeds. He was also handed a Premier League appearance, although this was part of the side which was thrashed 5-2 by Brentford.

As a youngster, Drameh is still always learning, and Marsch could duly mould him into exactly the kind of right-back that he wants the youngster to be.

Kristensen seems to be slightly more old-school, but the modern full-back must be able to bomb forward. At times, their creativity is looked upon with more importance than their defending, as outlined by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Some have questioned the Englishman’s defensive credentials, but last season he provided a whopping 19 assists for Liverpool.

With Drameh having earned vital senior experience on loan at Cardiff City, where he earned praise for his relentlessness from his then-manager Steve Morison, he now can be ready for the step up to Premier League level.

Morison said about the Leeds full-back: “He has been excellent… he is like a Duracell Bunny, isn’t he? He just keeps going and going.”

With his non-stop running and his offensive attributes, Drameh seems like the perfect Marsch defender, and he will surely threaten to displace Kristensen if he can continue such remarkable development.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have agreed a deal to sign Universidad de Chile winger Dario Osorio, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Long-standing interest

Over the summer, it was claimed that the Molineux outfit had reached an agreement for the forward to join, but his club were reluctant to sanction the sale.

The Old Gold later made a second attempt at signing the 18-year-old, with reports suggesting that the two parties were in negotiations to bring him to the Premier League, though a move failed to come to fruition before deadline day.

The Latest: Wolves set to unveil Osorio

According to ESPN journalist Maks Cardenas (via Sport Witness), Wolves have now completed a deal for Osorio, meaning an announcement should be expected imminently. He said:

“Osorio is ready, he’s sold and look what I’m going to tell you, one of the top three teams in Serie A came to me for Osorio, I cannot say which one, who went to see him against England in Murcia.

“But here between corridors I heard out there that he’s already sold to Wolves for €6m.” (£5m).

The Verdict: Star in the making

Osorio is one for the future given his age, but Bruno Lage should be excited about having him in the building with the knowledge that he has the ability to work his way up to the first team.

The teenager scored six goals last season and already has two international caps for Chile to his name, which is a great achievement for someone still so young.

Fosun and Jeff Shi may decide that a loan move would initially be best to aid his development, but there’s no reason as to why he couldn’t challenge for a senior spot upon his return.

Sheffield Wednesday are reportedly closing in on the signing of Hull City forward Mallik Wilks, according to a new transfer update which has emerged.

The Lowdown: Wilks linked with Sheffield Wednesday

The Owls are still looking to conduct more business in the summer transfer window, with a wide attacker needed in order to bolster their options in the final third as they currently have just two wingers.

Wilks has emerged as a primary target in that position, having scored 30 goals in 91 appearances for Hull, including a haul of 19 goals and eight assists in League One in 2020/21 as the Tigers clinched promotion to the Championship.

A fresh update suggests that the 23-year-old could be heading to Hillsborough in the coming days.

The Latest: Owls closing in on Wilks signing

According to The Hull Daily Mail, Wilks is ‘set to leave’ the MKM Stadium imminently, with Wednesday ‘hopeful’ of sealing a move for him this week.

The winger has handed in a transfer request at Hull, further boosting the Owls’ chances of finalising a transfer, and his signing could even be completed in the ‘next few days’ as deal is ‘believed to be close’.

The Verdict: Could be a great addition

Wilks has the potential to be an excellent signing for Darren Moore’s side, bringing an injection of pace, trickery and power to Wednesday’s wide attacking options.

His aforementioned end product in 2020/21 speaks volumes about what he can offer in League One, and while a return of only three goals in the Championship last season may be a concern, he could excel in the third tier and blast the Owls to promotion, just as he did for Hull the season before last.

With nine players already through the door at Hillsborough this summer, there is the risk of Wednesday perhaps signing too many players and having a bloated squad which is difficult to keep happy.

However, Wilks is someone who could provide something different in the final third and boost the team’s promotion chances.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Public Investment Fund (PIF) are reportedly ready to make a fresh push to sign Benjamin Sesko for Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Interest in Sesko

Sky Sports journalist and northeast reporter Keith Downie has confirmed that the St James’ Park outfit hold an ‘interest’ in signing Sesko.

The striker already has two goals and one assist in four games for Red Bull Salzburg so far this season (Transfermarkt), so he is certainly one to watch as the transfer window progresses.

The Latest: Fresh push

Taking to Twitter, Magpies journalist Scott Wilson has revealed that Newcastle are ready to make a fresh push for Sesko, despite Salzburg not wanting to sell.

He tweeted: “#NUFC ready to make fresh push for Benjamin Sesko – teenage forward remains key target despite RB Salzburg’s previous insistence they don’t want to sell. Newcastle still hoping there’s a deal there to be done.”

Expanding in his article for The Northern Echo, Wilson cited that the Tynesiders have already made an enquiry over the Slovenian’s availability, with Salzburg looking for a fee in the region of €50m (£42.1m) for his signature.

The new owners at St James’ Park are considering making an offer of €30m (£25.3m) up front, with a number of clauses which could take the fee closer to what Salzburg want. However, both Manchester United and Chelsea are also thought to be interested in Sesko as well.

The Verdict: Get it done

Given how well Sesko has started the season, and the fact that United and Chelsea – who can both offer him European football – are in for the Slovenia international, this is a deal that Eddie Howe’s team need to get done as soon as possible.

Likened to Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland (formerly of Salzburg) by Football Talent Scout’s  Jacek Kulig for his combination of speed and power, the 19-year-old certainly has a big future ahead of him, and his pace in particular could really frighten defenders in the Premier League.

Indeed, he clocked an electrifying speed of 36.11 km/h at the end of the 2020/21 season, making him ‘one of the fastest players on the planet‘, so Sesko is a player who would certainly get the Toon Army out of their seats.

Aston Villa are in advanced talks with Douglas Luiz over a new contract, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Exit rumours

The 24-year-old, who has been labelled an ‘important’ player for Villa by Pep Guardiola, has been heavily linked with an exit from the Midlands during 2022.

The likes of Arsenal, AS Roma and AC Milan have all been credited with an interest in the Brazilian, who was reportedly ready to push for a move away earlier this month.

However, it looks as if that has now changed, with Luiz potentially extending his current Villa Park deal, which is due to expire next year.

The Latest: Source shares Luiz update

Football Insider provided an update on Luiz in the last 48 hours after being informed by sources.

They claimed that Villa sporting director Johan Lange and NSWE have made a U-turn regarding the 24-year-old and are now in advanced talks over a new deal after they failed to land key midfield targets.

The Verdict: Correct call

Villa have brought in one new holding midfielder this summer in Boubacar Kamara, taking Steven Gerrard’s defensive midfield options to three alongside Luiz and Marvelous Nakamba.

Parting ways with the Brazilian could leave the Villa manager short in that regard once again, so looking to keep him at the club beyond 2023 appears to be the right call.

The 24-year-old has been a regular over the last three seasons in the Premier League, missing just 11 of 114 top-flight fixtures in the Midlands, so hopefully a new deal isn’t too far away, in the process quelling any rumours regarding his future.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Joaquin Piquerez to the Premier League this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Marc Mechenoua, with the Goal France journalist revealing on Twitter that Antonio Conte’s side are among a number of clubs interested in a move for the Palmeiras left-back in the summer transfer window, with Marseille and an unnamed German club also believed to be keen on the 23-year-old.

In his tweet, Mechenoua said: “The left side and Uruguayan international Joaquin Piquerez is the subject of interest from Olympique de Marseille. Other European formations like Tottenham and another German club appreciate the player who plays in Palmeiras.”

“Tactical evolution”

Considering just how impressive Piquerez has been for Palmeiras ever since his €3.2m (£2.7m) move to Allianz Parque last summer, and with Sergio Reguilon looking set to leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer, it is easy to see why Conte would be interested in a deal to bring the Uruguay international to north London ahead of Spurs’ 2022/23 campaign.

Indeed, over his 12 Brazilian Serie A appearances in 2021, the £2.7m-rated talent immediately caught the eye for the Verdão, registering one assist and creating one big chance for his team-mates, along with taking 1.1 shots, making 0.5 key passes and completing one dribble per game.

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The left-back also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, helping his team to keep three clean sheets, along with making 1.7 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and 1.2 clearances and winning 4.5 duels (at a success rate of 61%) per match.

It has been a similar case for the 23-year-old over his 11 league outings in 2022, with the £7.1k-per-week defender helping his team to keep five clean sheets and providing one assist, along with making 2.2 tackles, 1.7 interceptions and 0.7 key passes and winning 4.9 duels (at a success rate of 57%) per match.

These returns have seen the player who Martin Charquero labelled “very tempting” for European clubs due to his “tactical evolution” average an impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.96, ranking him as Abel Ferreira’s 10th-best player in the Brazilian top flight.

As such, it is easy to see why Conte would be keen on a deal to bring Piquerez to Tottenham this summer, as the left-back undoubtedly has the potential to become a key part of the Italian’s squad heading into the club’s upcoming Premier League and Champions League campaigns.

AND in other news: Spurs eyeing deal for “lovely” £30m gem who lacks “nothing”, he can be their Tielemans

Leeds United correspondent Phil Hay has claimed the club could make three more signings this summer.

The Lowdown: Two huge exits

Victor Orta has been a busy man this summer, bringing in Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen and Marc Roca at combined cost of just over £52m.

Andrea Radrizzani’s phone has also been ringing, with Leeds looking likely to lose Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha.

Leeds have agreed to an initial £42m fee with Manchester City for Phillips and a £60m-£65m total fee with Chelsea for Raphinha.

The Latest: Hay’s claim

Hay shared a story for The Athletic on Tuesday morning regarding how Leeds will recover from selling Phillips and Raphinha.

He claimed that ‘Phillips and Raphinha moving on could mean a total of six players coming in’ – with ‘a midfielder, a winger and a forward to follow’ to the three already signed.

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The Verdict: Camara, De Ketelaere and Gakpo?

Leeds have been heavily linked with three players in recent weeks who appear to fit Hay’s recent claim.

The Whites have apparently made ‘direct contact’ with the representatives of RB Salzburg midfielder Mohamed Camara and are in talks for PSV winger Cody Gakpo.

Hay has previously admitted that Leeds are also ‘serious’ about signing Club Brugge forward Charles de Ketelaere, so those three could well arrive in Yorkshire, with Leeds potentially using all the funds from pending Phillips and Raphinha sales.

Leeds United are interested in a summer move for Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, according to Marca.

The Lowdown: Impressive Besiktas loan

Batshuayi was described as ‘unstoppable’ back in 2017 by Pat Nevin, and he lived up to those comments last season. The 28-year-old spent the 2021/22 campaign in Turkey with Besiktas, netting 14 league goals and registering five assists in 33 games.

The Belgium international duly took his senior career goal tally for club and country to 161, and with him now entering the final 12 months of his Stamford Bridge contract, it looks as if the Whites are keen to take him to Elland Road.

The Latest: Leeds linked with Batshuayi

Spanish outlet Marca shared a Premier League transfer round-up on Wednesday evening, looking at all 20 top-flight clubs.

When it came to Leeds, they included Batshuayi in the ‘interested’ list alongside Marc Roca, who now looks set to become the club’s third summer signing.

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The Verdict: Mystery striker?

Phil Hay claimed shortly after the Whites secured their top-flight status on the final day of 2021/22 that the club are looking to sign an unnamed Premier League striker.

Batshuayi could well prove to be that mystery target, and a transfer could be one which makes sense, especially given his contract situation in London.

The Chelsea marksman has netted 15 Premier League goals in 77 games and has come off the back of an impressive year in Turkey, so he could provide solid competition to Patrick Bamford. Also, with a Transfermarkt valuation of just £9m, this could be one to keep an eye on.

In other news: Radrizzani and 49ers ready to pay fee for ‘huge’ talent as Orta works on next Leeds move