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An update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and their chances of landing target Nicolas Raskin ahead of the January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed that the Gers could be gifted an opportunity to sign the gem as his club are having problems with tying him down to a contract extension.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “He’s a good midfielder Raskin. I think he’s having a bit of a contract wrangle at the minute with Standard Liege, so that’s maybe opening the door for Rangers to steal in and lure him away from the club.”

His current deal with the Belgian side expires at the end of the season and this means that the Gers could snap him up on a pre-contract agreement next month.

Imagine him & John Lundstram

Michael Beale and Ross Wilson must make the most of this potential opening by attempting to sign the midfielder, either in January or next summer, as he could be a terrific addition to the squad.

Raskin could form an impressive partnership with current Gers gem John Lundstram, as both of them are number eights who can have an impact at both ends of the pitch.

In the Premiership this season, the Englishman has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.24 across 15 appearances – making 2.4 tackles and interceptions per match and scoring four goals in total.

Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Liege dynamo has made 3.7 tackles and interceptions per outing and created four goals for his teammates in 16 Pro League games. This comes after he managed 3.3 defensive interventions per match and assisted four strikes in 29 clashes last term.

Belgian journalist Bob Faesen previously heaped praise on the midfielder prior to him facing the Light Blues in Europe, saying:”He is still only 19, but he has really shone. He is a box-to-box midfielder. He can play in every position in the middle of the park. He is technically gifted, but he is also a bit of a pitbull.

“He can run a lot, is powerful and has a good shot. He has been one of the big surprises in Belgium football this season and will be a key player for Liege who Rangers will need to be wary of.”

Raskin, 21, has the potential to improve further and has already shown plenty of signs of promise in the Belgian top flight. He is a midfielder who can win the ball back off the opposition whilst also having the ability to pick out a pass and unlock a defence.

Meanwhile, Lundstram has proven that he can be a monster in the middle of the park for the Gers in the Premiership by making tackles and interceptions and then making an impact at the top end of the pitch by using his power to smash in goals.

Now, imagine both of them lining up in light blue shirts in the second half of the season…

West Ham United have failed to translate last season’s stunning form – which led them to a Europa League semi-final and seventh place in the Premier League – to this term, having already suffered nine league defeats before the World Cup break.

Several of David Moyes’ summer arrivals haven’t quite clicked yet, with Lucas Paqueta failing to score in eight matches so far, while Gianluca Scamacca has netted just six goals from 21 appearances and having splashed out £35.5m for him, much more will be expected during the second half of the campaign.

The midfield is the area that needs some rejuvenation, and Moyes could add some dynamism with the signing of Brazilian midfielder Gerson.

The club have been linked with the 25-year-old as of late and considering he has played just 541 minutes of football this season for Marseille, he could be on the move in January for a fee of around €20m (£17m).

Gerson could form an excellent partnership with Declan Rice in the sides midfield axis, with the Brazilian able to utilise his attacking talents and allowing Rice to concentrate on defending and winning the ball back.

Last season, Gerson scored 11 goals and registered ten assists across all competitions and this attacking impetus is exactly what Moyes needs in his team.

Rice proved last term that he doesn’t mind the nitty gritty aspect of the game, making 2.4 tackles, 1.6 interceptions, and 1.3 clearances per game while also winning 61% of his total duels and this defensive acumen could allow Gerson to focus on pushing further up the pitch and creating opportunities for teammates, safe in the knowledge that the Englishman will be sweeping everything up behind him.

The Marseille midfielder opened up on his struggles during his time at AS Roma and having spent a season on loan at Fiorentina under Stefano Pioli, he credited the Italian, saying:

“I only played to score goals or provide assists, but I realised I could influence the game even without the ball and I’m glad: I feel much more complete now.”

This difficult spell in Italy looks like it has improved him as a player and with Moyes looking to find a spark from somewhere to improve West Ham’s form after the break, Gerson could certainly be the catalyst.

He could slot into the midfield alongside Rice with ease and form an excellent duo with the 23-year-old, so head of recruitment Rob Newman must look to win the Brazilian’s signature in January.

Newcastle United target Adrien Rabiot has admitted that he ‘would love to play’ in the Premier League amid links to St. James’ Park.

The Lowdown: Leading the race

The Frenchman’s contract at Juventus is set to expire at the end of the season and he hasn’t yet signed an extension, which has alerted several clubs that he could become a free agent next summer.

The Magpies have been credited with a strong interest in the midfielder in recent weeks after reports suggested that they are leading the race for his signature, and the player himself may have now provided a boost.

The Latest: Rabiot’s promising update

Speaking to L’Equipe (via Sport Witness), Rabiot hinted that he would like to make a return to England after leaving Manchester City’s academy at a young age, though he didn’t give away where his next destination could be:

“It’s a goal to play in the Premier League.

“England at 13 was a very good experience even though I barely did a year.

“I really liked the atmosphere there, it’s something different from France or Italy. I would love to play there in my career, I’ve always said that.”

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The Verdict: Potential bargain

Rabiot will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs from January onwards, and given his transfer situation, Newcastle should be able to snap him up for a bargain – reports earlier in this week say he could be available for just €15-20m (£12.9-17.2m).

The Saint-Maurice native already has three goals and two assists in 11 Serie A starts this season, standing out as his club’s highest-rated player on Whoscored’s ranking system.

PIF are reportedly plotting a blockbuster signing in the winter, and Rabiot’s contract situation means they could probably afford him alongside a second big deal.

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Borussia Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko. 

The Lowdown: Moukoko’s career so far

With 149 appearances for Dortmund under his belt across their youth and senior sides, the 18-year-old has scored 153 goals and delivered 35 assists along the way.

The teenager’s current contract at the German club is set to expire in the summer and his agent recently revealed that the prospect of Moukoko signing a new deal with Dortmund is not close as things stand.

Looking ahead to the upcoming January window and the next summer transfer period, the Reds have put themselves in position as a potential next destination for the Dortmund youngster.

The Latest: Liverpool eyeing Moukoko

According to a recent report from Football Insider, Liverpool are one of the clubs across Europe that have their eyes on Moukoko.

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The report also adds that Jurgen Klopp sees the player as a “sensational talent” and that the club have had talks with the striker’s representatives.

The Verdict: An exciting signing for Liverpool

Previously hailed as “the biggest talent in the world” by former Dortmund teammate Erling Haaland, Moukoko has shown this season how much of an exciting attacking figure he is.

For example, with 14 Bundesliga appearances to his name this season where he has scored six goals and delivered three assists, the youngster has racked up more shots on target (15) than any other player at the club.

In addition to that, only four players in the entire division have a higher rate of shots on target per 90 minutes (1.76) than Moukoko.

This club form earned him a place in Germany’s senior World Cup squad for the tournament in Qatar, but he only ended up playing one minute of action.

Taking all of this into account, we feel that if Liverpool were able to secure a deal for the young striker, this would be a very exciting signing for the Merseyside club and give them a long-term figure in the squad.

Karim Benzema, the beloved French striker, is truly an international sensation. After starting his career at Lyon in 2004, the now 35-year-old has cemented his legacy as one of the best strikers of his generation. In 2022, he lifted the UEFA Champions League as captain of Real Madrid, which subsequently led him to the coveted Balon d’Or.

But while the maverick striker is an iconic figure in the history of the most successful football club on the planet, his career for his country is a curious tale. Prior to his nation’s World Cup final showdown with Argentina getting underway on Sunday evening, ‘King Karim’ was in the headlines once again. He tweeted simply “I don’t care.”

Many had speculated that Benzema may have been fit and available for the final and that he may actually appear in the showpiece match. Then it was revealed that the Madrid marksman recovered from the injury which ruled him out of the World Cup in just three days. It was in fact manager Didier Deschamps’ decision to send Benzema home.

And some may say that decision was justified. Deschamps’ number one striker is Olivier Giroud, and he has been during his entire tenure in charge of Les Bleus. The former Arsenal striker led France to a second consecutive FIFA World Cup final, but one couldn’t help but wonder what the result may have been if Benzema started up top, alongside hat trick hero Kylian Mbappe.

Heading into the tournament, the French had been written off by many. A dismal UEFA Nations League campaign saw them lose home and away to Denmark and avoid relegation by just one point. Despite that, however, online sportsbook Bovada, where you can find soccer bet odds and outrights, had made Deschamps’ side one of the favourites to lift the famous gold trophy.

In the end, though, it was Lionel Messi who finally got his crowning moment.

A Strained Relationship

During his long and successful career, Benzema has scored a remarkable 410 club goals as well as 37 for France. His stats speak for themselves. In addition to this, the Frenchman has amassed a collection of impressive honours, the most notable being four La Liga titles and five UEFA Champions Leagues.

Benzema has been part of the French national team since 2007, and he looked like he would be their main man for years to come when he bagged twice at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. In recent years, however, his relationship with Didier Deschamps had become strained due to the latter’s decision to not include the striker in the 2018 World Cup squad. As we all remember, France went on to win that tournament while Benzema sat at home in Madrid.

Deschamps made a sensational U-turn last summer when he included the former Lyon man in his squad for the European Championships, his first international call-up in six years. And Benzema rewarded his manager’s decision with two goals in the tournament however, France crashed out in the second round after losing on penalties to Switzerland.

Real Madrid’s number nine continued to receive call-ups though and was crucial to his nation’s success in the 2021 UEFA Nations League final success.

But it appears that Benzema’s international career is now all but over. When comparing himself with Deschamps’ favoured striker Olivier Giroud, he once said that you “don’t compare Formula One with karting.” And maybe a Formula One car was exactly what France needed in the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Sunday night, despite Mbappe’s heroics.

The Greatest World Cup Final of All Time?

While Benzema was once again sat at home – reportedly mulling over an offer from Manchester United – his compatriots were featuring in football’s greatest game. Les Bleus faced off with Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final on December 18th, and the game will go down in history as one of the finest matches ever played.

It was La Albiceleste who raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of a Lionel Messi penalty and a brilliant sweeping move finished off by Angel Di Maria. As the game progressed, France simply had nothing to offer. They were outclassed in every department. But when you have the miraculous Kylian Mbappe on the pitch, anything is possible.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward slammed home two goals in 90 seconds to draw the French level when it looked as if they were dead and buried. The game would finish two apiece and head to extra time.

It looked as though Messi finally had his crowning moment when he gave his side the lead in the 108th minute. But back came France once again, with Mbappe netting from the penalty spot with just three minutes remaining to complete his hat trick.

A penalty shootout was required to determine a winner, and it was Argentine goalkeeper Emi Martinez who became the hero. He saved from Kinglsey Coman, while Aurélien Tchouaméni also missed the target, giving Argentina the famous gold trophy for the first time since the days of Maradona and cementing Messi’s legacy as the greatest of all time.

Photo by Unsplash

Leeds United endured a disappointing return to Premier League action on Wednesday evening, with the Elland Road outfit slipping to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of champions Manchester City for what was their third successive top-flight loss.

While it may not have been quite as damaging as the two defeats to Pep Guardiola’s side last season – with City running out 11-0 winners on aggregate across their two league meetings – it was still a frustrating affair as far as the Whites are concerned, as they almost gifted the game to the visitors with some errant defending.

Having put up a stern fight in the opening 45, the hosts were then done on the counter in first half of stoppage time as Rodri fired the Etihad outfit ahead, with goalkeeper Illan Meslier seeing his parry fall right to the feet of the Spain international.

A dismal pass from captain Liam Cooper then allowed Erling Haaland the opportunity to extend that lead early in the second period, before the Leeds-born machine then doubled his tally soon after as the aforementioned Frenchman failed to keep his guided effort out.

While there was to be a late flicker of hope for Jesse Marsch’s men as Pascal Struijk headed home in the closing stages, that strike proved a mere consolation as the Yorkshire side were left to rue their defensive frailties once again.

It was not only the backline that underwhelmed last night, however, with in-form forward Rodrigo having offered little from his attacking berth as the Spaniard saw his rampant goalscoring run come to an end.

The former Valencia man had scored in each of his last four top-flight games prior to yesterday’s encounter – including a brace against Tottenham Hotspur last time out – although was unable to maintain that hot streak against the title challengers, having been a ‘non-entity’ on the night, in the words of Leeds Live’s Beren Cross.

That lack of impact was laid bare by the fact that the 31-year-old made just 24 touches in total in his 72-minute outing prior to being withdrawn, with that figure fewer than that of teammate Meslier in the sticks (40).

The Brazil-born menace also failed to win a single duel and lost possession on five occasions from his 18 passes in total, having made some ‘strange decisions’ on the ball in truth, according to Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth.

While the experienced asset did register one key pass before being hooked late on, that was seemingly the extent of his involvement in an attacking sense, with Marsch having needed “much more” from the club’s leading scorer, according to journalist James Marshment.

Rodrigo’s inability to pose a threat in that limp showing – in which he recorded just a 6.5 match rating, as per Sofascore – will be a real source of frustration for his manager, with Marsch likely hoping that the £58k-per-week star can get back to his best in the upcoming clash with Newcastle United on New Year’s Eve.

Southampton are reportedly eyeing up a potential move to sign their former striker Danny Ings from Aston Villa in this window.

The Lowdown: Another loss

Nathan Jones’ side slumped to another loss on Wednesday night, as their 1-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest left them rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.

What made matters worse is they failed to record a single shot on target in front of their home supporters, suggesting that they need to dip into the transfer market for attacking reinforcements.

The Latest: Ings interest

Co-writing in his latest piece for 90min, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has revealed that the Saints are one of three clubs in the Premier League that are ‘keeping watch’ on Ings and his situation at Villa, alongside fellow relegation rivals Everton and AFC Bournemouth.

The report notes that he has started just once under new manager Unai Emery, and they are willing to let replace him with a new forward, although would rather  a permanent sale than a loan.

The Verdict: Bring him back!

Ings had an exceptional record at Southampton, where he managed 46 goals and 10 assists in 100 games in total over all competitions, including 22 in the 2019/20 Premier League season (Transfermarkt).

His equaliser for Villa in their 1-1 draw at home to Wolves on Wednesday night was his 68th in the top flight in 187 matches (Transfermarkt), and he has consistently shown that he can score goals at Premier League level.

Lauded as a ‘special’ player by Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson, and a ‘phenomenal finisher’ by former top-flight striker Noel Whelan, Ings could be the striker the Saints are crying out for to get them out of relegation trouble.

Arsenal can maintain their strong position at the top of the Premier League standings when they welcome third-placed Newcastle United to the Emirates Stadium this evening.

The Gunners hold a seven-point cushion heading into kickoff and could separate themselves from the chasing pack even more with a victory but it’ll be no easy task as the northeast giants are unbeaten in 12 and have currently conceded the fewest goals in the top-flight.

Mikel Arteta’s side made it five wins from five by defeating Brighton and Hove Albion 4-2 on New Year’s Eve, whilst Eddie Howe’s men drew 0-0 to Leeds United.

It’ll be interesting to see whether the Spanish head coach will tinker his lineup or run an unchanged side, so here’s what we are predicting before tonight’s tricky encounter…

There could be just two changes to the side that beat the Seagulls on the south coast only three days ago.

In goal, England international Aaron Ramsdale is set to continue as the no.1, though the back four in front of him could look very different.

There is a chance that Kieran Tierney returns to the starting XI as Oleksandr Zinchenko has only just shaken off an injury. It would be only the third time that the Ukraine star has started two or more successive matches in the Premier League since his arrival from Manchester City in the summer.

The £110k-per-week Scot was once dubbed a “natural leader” and tipped to become the Gunners’ next captain one day by Arteta, so he should be trusted in a fixture of this magnitude.

Meanwhile, there were signs of defensive fraility with Brighton scoring twice on Saturday. William Saliba – who cost £27m in 2019 – was at fault for one of the goals, having also conceded a penalty against West Ham United on Boxing Day.

The Frenchman barely featured at the World Cup for France and has looked out of sorts since returning, leading to journalist Charles Watts describing him as “definitely rusty,” so he could make way for Takehiro Tomiyasu, which would see Ben White return to the middle to partner Gabriel.

In midfield, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard are likely to remain, with support from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli out wide.

Whilst Gabriel Jesus remains absent with a long-term knee issue, academy graduate Eddie Nketiah, 24, is set to lead the line once again in his absence and he’ll be looking to continue his goalscoring form after finding the net at the Amex Stadium.

AND in other news, Arsenal must now swoop for “magic” £86m star who is “miles ahead”…

Ross Wilson must be fearing the worst as there are seven Glasgow Rangers first-team players out of contract at the end of the current season.

For likes of Scott Arfield, Steven Davis, and Allan McGregor, this term will most likely be their final one in Glasgow as Michael Beale aims to bring in his own players to build a new side, however, for a few others, the situation gets slightly more complicated.

Wilson and Beale will want to keep both Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent at the Ibrox side and the next few months will be crucial in convincing two of the club’s prized assets that their long-term future is in Glasgow.

Wilson must do everything to keep Kent

What a difference a few months can make. Before the World Cup break, Kent was performing poorly, scoring just once and registering six assists across 13 Premiership matches, which on the surface, sounds like a reasonable return.

He was dubbed “misfiring” by Rangers Review journalist Derek Clark and his displays in the Champions League lacked any real urgency or desire to perform on the elite European stage.

He averaged a rating of just 6.28 across six appearances, taking just 37.7 touches on average and playing 0.5 key passes which was far below his capabilities and it looked like Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s rigid 4-3-3 was severely hindering Kent.

Since the return of Beale to Ibrox, having previously served as Steven Gerrard’s first team coach between 2018 and 2021, the 27-year-old has looked rejuvenated.

The 42-year-old has allowed Kent more freedom as opposed to hugging the touchline and this has resulted in the winger scoring once and registering an assist in just five matches, while his recent performance against Celtic was excellent.

The £18k-per-week star was back to his best during the 2-2 draw, averaging a 7.4/10 Sofascore rating, scoring the equaliser just after halftime and succeeding with half of his dribble attempts as he caused chaos amongst the Celtic defenders.

Beale sang Kent’s praises after the match, saying: “All the time I’m here Ryan Kent has a place here and is loved. Time and time again, when it matters, he shows up for this club.”

The tactical switch has clearly benefitted the winger and it would be a waste if he was to leave for nothing at the end of the season. The next few weeks could be extremely interesting, but the appointment of Beale may have been a wise move by Wilson, especially if he can convince Kent that there is a long-term project at Ibrox.

Tottenham Hotspur chief Fabio Paratici is said to be a huge admirer of Allan Saint-Maximin…

What’s the word?

That’s according to ever-reliable football.london journalist Alasdair Gold, who revealed the following information to supporters in a recent Q&A.

“Spurs have long been linked with Zaha and Paratici is a big fan of Saint-Maximin. Zaha as a cheap or free transfer in the summer would be a good attacking addition, but at 30-years-old and presumably on a big salary, he doesn’t really tick fit the Tottenham mould any more.

“He does fit the [Antonio] Conte mould in that respect but I’m not entirely sure he does as a player with the amount of defensive work the Italian demands of attackers. He can also talk to foreign clubs this month about a lucrative summer free transfer.

“Saint-Maximin has a long contract until 2026 so I can’t imagine he will come at a good price for a January window unless Newcastle have a sudden desire to get him out of the club which there currently does not seem any reason for.”

He’d add new flair to Spurs’ attack

The Magpies dynamo would certainly be an intriguing attacking reinforcement, should the Italian supremo decide to pull the trigger on his fleeting interest.

In the past, Saint-Maximin has been likened to a player that much of the Lilywhites faithful will know, one with similar ties to the northeast.

“Can he be a David Ginola? He can be anything he wants to be, let’s be brutally honest, he can be anything he wants to be,” his former manager Steve Bruce once claimed, adding: “I hope in time that little bit of maturity, which will surely come one day… and yet, you’ve got to still have that maverick in him which makes him the player that he is.”

Indeed, the 25-year-old Frenchman could hand Antonio Conte a different sort of forward as he can offer much more flair than the likes of Heung-min Son and Dejan Kulsevski; whilst dynamic players in their own right aren’t the kind to beat opponents with close ball control, skill and trickery.

It’s why Saint-Maximin has been lauded as “breathtaking” by Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville and “unplayable” by Newcastle legend Rob Lee.

Injuries have hampered his prospects in Eddie Howe’s top-four chasing side this campaign yet he still tops the Premier League dribbling charts, averaging two per game, just as he did last term with 4.3 each outing, via WhoScored.

These are figures well ahead of the aforementioned Spurs duo, with only Kulusevski surpassing the 1.3 dribbles per game mark this season.

Also lauded as a “wing wizard” by journalist Graeme Bailey in the past, it’s evident that the Magpies winger has something that no other Spurs player has right now and that has to be an interesting prospect for Conte, who badly needs further depth in the final third.

In the summer, Newcastle valued the former Nice gem at around £40m, as per Football Insider, but given his lack of game time since, he would surely be valued at a little cheaper.

As such, Paratici could well secure a breathtaking and quite frankly, surprising first January signing if he were to launch a move for Saint-Maximin, who journalist Liam Kennedy believes may seek an exit if his circumstances don’t change soon at St James’ Park.

AND in other news, Paratici must now seal Spurs swoop for £40k-p/w “game-changer” who’s outperforming Son…