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Having joined Celtic on a season-long loan deal this summer, Jota has wasted no time in winning over the Parkhead faithful, with the 22-year-old having already turned in a number of remarkable performances during his short time in Glasgow.

And, with the Bhoys holding the option to make the Portugal U21 international’s loan a £6.5m permanent move next summer, speculation has already begun as to whether Celtic’s acting CEO, Michael Nicholson, will active the clause – with Ange Postecoglou recently hinting that the 22-year-old would like to stay at the club.

Speaking about Jota’s future, the 56-year-old said: “Jota is just starting his career but he’s already fallen in love with the club. He loves the environment here and the supporters. Who wouldn’t?

“Who wouldn’t want to play for a football club where you get 60,000 cheering you on. The crowd is something special. Let’s just let him enjoy it. Those kind of decisions will come in due course.

“From our perspective, I know everyone here is the same, we’ll do what’s best for the football club moving forward and that will be in consultation with the player’s wishes.”

However, while all the noise surrounding Jota’s permanent switch to Parkhead is positive at present, considering just how impressive the winger has been so far this season, it would appear highly advisable for Nicholson to complete a deal for the youngster sooner rather than later, in order to remove the possibility the forward being tempted by another potential suitor at the end of the current campaign.

Indeed, over his six Scottish Premiership fixtures this term, the £3.15m-rated man has scored two goals, registered two assists and created one big chance for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 3.5 shots and making 1.8 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the player Postecoglou himself dubbed an “unbelievable” talent average a SofaScore match rating of 7.42, ranking him as Celtic’s fifth-best performer in the league – while the forward has also bagged one goal over one appearance in the League Cup.

The winger has also been in excellent form over his three appearances in the Europa League, registering two assists, creating four big chances and averaging a SofaScore match rating of 7.63 – ranking him as the Hoops’ second-best player in the competition. With that in mind, it’s obvious why supporters would love to see him become a permanent part of the furniture.

Despite it being so early in his Celtic career, it would nevertheless appear as if Jota has already proven he would be worth splashing £6.5m on to sign on a permanent basis, and Nicholson should be aware that it will no longer just be the Bhoys and their fans aware of this fact.

In other news: Ange must finally unleash “talented” 22 y/o starlet, he could be “huge” for Celtic

Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side have been handed a huge boost ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final clash, with bad news emerging from the opposition camp.

What’s the latest?

In his pre-match press conference prior to Rangers’ Europa League quarter-final clash against Sporting Braga this evening, Giovanni van Bronckhorst revealed that, following his withdrawal at half-time in the 4-0 win over St Mirren last weekend, Filip Helander now looks set to miss the remainder of the season due to injury.

Regarding the centre-back’s knock, the Dutchman said: “Filip Helander’s injury is not good, we won’t have him for the remainder of the season.”

Postecoglou will be buzzing

Considering that the key Rangers duo of Alfredo Morelos and Ianis Hagi have also been ruled out for the rest of the club’s 2021/22 campaign, the news that the Light Blues have suffered yet another injury setback is sure to have left Postecoglou buzzing.

While it is true that Helander had not been a regular in Van Bronckhorst’s starting XI this season – with the 28-year-old making just six Premiership appearances due to a long-term knee injury – the Sweden international has nevertheless proven just how important a player he can be for the Gers.

Indeed, over his 22 league outings in 2020/21, the £3.15m-rated defender played a key role in Rangers’ title-winning campaign, helping his side to keep 13 clean sheets, along with making 0.7 interceptions, 1.7 tackles and 2.2 clearances and winning seven duels (at a success rate of 68%) per game.

These returns saw the £14.5k-per-week centre-back average a very impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.10, ranking him as Gers’ 12th-best player in the Scottish top flight.

As such, the fact that Helander will not only miss the Scottish Cup semi-final clash with the Hoops this Sunday but also the Old Firm meeting in the league on May 1, plus Rangers’ remaining four Premiership fixtures this season, will undoubtedly come as a huge boost to Postecoglou and his Celtic side.

AND in other news: Sold at £6m, now worth £25m: Celtic will be having nightmares over £35k-p/w “unicorn”

Celtic are thought to be closing in on a move for Yokohama F. Marinos forward Daizen Maeda, according to reports in Japan, as relayed by Daily Record.

The Lowdown: Maeda profiled

The 24-year-old is under contract with his current employers until 2024, as per Transfermarkt, and has just come off the back of his best goalscoring year.

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Capable of playing as a centre-forward, second striker or as a left winger, the Japan international netted 23 times and registered five assists in 36 J1 League appearances.

He has previously worked under Ange Postecoglou, and it seems as if he could reunite with the 56-year-old, as well as international teammate Kyogo Furuhashi, at Parkhead.

The Latest: ‘Final stages’

The Daily Record cited reports from Japan in a story on Tuesday afternoon, claiming that a move for the 24-year-old is in the ‘final stages’.

The report claimed that Maeda, labelled a ‘tireless worker’ by Kieran Devlin, could join on a permanent deal or a loan-to-buy move.

The Verdict: Ange not hanging around…

Postecoglou will know just what Maeda could bring to Celtic’s attacking ranks, and it seems as if a winter move to Scotland is edging ever closer for the 24-year-old.

Like Furuhashi, the forward will be able to occupy a central role or ply his trade from the left, and his energetic attributes should see him fit right in at Parkhead.

Giorgos Giakoumakis has struggled to get going in Glasgow, whereas Albian Ajeti could be on the way out, so adding another attacker seems to be a shrewd move.

It seems that the Hoops manager isn’t hanging around when it comes to January signings, and Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi could also be jetting over from Japan along with Maeda by the looks of it.

In other news: Sky Sports share more Celtic news with £20k-p/w colossus now ‘open’ to Parkhead exit

Many Everton fans have been left raging over yet another transfer update that has emerged on Lucas Digne.

Toffees fans were furious earlier this week when it emerged Chelsea are eyeing a move due to Ben Chilwell’s injury.

Now, as per L’Equipe (via Get French Football News), the Londoners are prioritising a loan deal for the left-back in the January transfer window, and report also states that the Goodison Park faithful currently value him at £25m.

Considering that he is currently standing at £27m according to Transfermarkt, and he has been valued even higher during his time at the Merseyside club, £25m does seem too low of a price to sell Digne, especially if it is to a rival in the Premier League.

Nonetheless, it would be very difficult to find a suitable replacement for the France international midway through the season with that kind of budget, and as he is the only senior left-back in the squad, one should question whether the Toffees should sell him anyway.

Everton fans on Digne transfer news

These Blues supporters were left raging over the transfer claim as it was shared on Twitter:

“25m? Do they want just his right foot??”

Credit: @KingDemarai

“He is worth more than £25m but we have managed the situation so badly we have teams trying to loan him. Terrible work from Benitez and the board”

Credit: @WiseAlaundo

“What a joke of a football club we’ve become”

Credit: @_owen1878

“£25m?!?!?!?!”

Credit: @_luke1878_

“If this goes ahead on any level I will be FUMING!”

Credit: @anna1efc

“How can #everton sell a quality left-back for £25m yet Man U pay £80m for an average CB? If it’s to sell then make it £50m or there abouts.”

Credit: @Lewinyoeverton

In other news, find out what ‘ridiculous’ club update has Evertonians erupting here!

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has revealed the latest on the respective recoveries of injured duo Leon Bailey and Marvelous Nakamba ahead of the Villans’ home clash with Manchester United.

What’s the latest?

Speaking to the media ahead of Villa’s second meeting with United this week, Gerrard said: “Leon Bailey and Marvelous Nakamba are still out. They’re progressing well in their rehabs.”

The Villa boss also added that young winger Jaden Philogene-Bidace will miss out whilst midfielder John McGinn is serving a one-match suspension for picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.

Villa fans will be buzzing

Although they’re not available, Villa fans will be pleased to know that Bailey and Nakamba are both progressing well and will be excited at the prospect that they could return earlier than planned.

Bailey has been absent for over a month since picking up a thigh injury in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in early December. The 24-year-old’s start to life in the Premier League has certainly been frustrating, having made the squad for just nine league games whilst only starting four of them.

There was plenty of excitement from Villa fans after their capture of the Jamaican from Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen for around £25m. However, his career in the West Midlands is still yet to fully get up and running.

As for Nakamba, the midfielder had been one of Steven Gerrard’s top performers in the 41-year-old’s first weeks at Villa Park but now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury sustained in the 1-0 defeat at Liverpool last month.

Alongside John McGinn and Douglas Luiz, the 27-year-old was part of a solid midfield trio that proved to be a major contributor to the West Midlands club’s impressive early form under the Englishman as Gerrard oversaw three wins from his first four games in the Villa dugout.

What Villa fans won’t be pleased about though is that, according to Premier Injuries, the Zimbabwean still may not be available until early April.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano drops major Villa transfer update that’ll have fans buzzing

Newcastle fans finally have something to shout about after the Magpies broke their transfer record to land Miguel Almiron.

The Paraguay international was the star of the season in the MLS, guiding Atlanta United to the MLS Cup thanks to some impressive performances. He was identified by Newcastle as the perfect January signing and the deal was finally closed after weeks of speculation. Almiron penned a long-term contract at St. James Park, joining for a fee of around £20m.

His addition will greatly increase Newcastle’s chances of survival in the Premier League and improve the likelihood of Rafael Benitez staying at the club. The Spaniard has finally been backed in the transfer market which needs to continue in the summer. More investment is needed to get Newcastle challenging at the right end of the table again.

One man Benitez could target in the summer is Basaksehir maestro – Irfan Kahveci. Valued at just £4.5m by Transfermarkt, the midfielder has been a key player for his side since joining in January 2017. Kahveci has been one of the most impressive performers in the Super Lig during his 22 appearances in all competitions this season.

The 23-year-old is a versatile midfielder who can occupy a number of roles in the engine room making him a useful option for Benitez to have at his disposal. Kahveci can play in a defensive midfield position but has the creative ability to be used in a more advanced role up the field. Scoring four goals and registering four assists this season, Kahveci could help unlock Almiron’s potential on Tyneside.

Potentially available at a great price, this move could prove to be a masterstroke.

Newcastle fans, thoughts?

Celtic have been involved in a number of significant deals over recent years where players have either joined or left the club for substantial amounts of money.

One that immediately springs to mind came back during the 2019 summer transfer window when the Hoops sold full-back, Kieran Tierney, to Premier League club Arsenal in a deal worth a reported fee of £25m.

As a product of the Parkhead club’s youth system, the left-back made 170 appearances for the Bhoys across all competitions before making the move to north London, scoring eight goals and providing 37 assists along the way.

Prior to joining the Gunners, it was claimed by Barry Ferguson that a transfer fee of £50m for the Scotland international would have been cheap, highlighting just how highly rated he was at the club.

Now that some time has passed since the 24-year-old waved goodbye to Celtic Park, the current Hoops boss, Ange Postecoglou, has the chance to unearth his own version of Tierney.

Signed from Shamrock Rovers back in August last year, Irish defender Liam Scales has made just 13 appearances for the Bhoys across all competitions.

Despite predominantly being a centre-back, the 23-year-old has been deployed in the left-back and left-midfield positions, as Tierney was during his time there.

In those 13 appearances, Scales has been able to score two goals and provide two assists, showing that he has an eye for goal as the current Arsenal full-back did.

When discussing the defender on the RTE Soccer Podcast, Ex-League of Ireland star Graham Gartland had this to say about him.

“I think he can go places. He’s a good height, he’s athletically very good, he doesn’t get done for pace too much, he’s quick without being lightning. He’s aggressive. He’s only going to get better the more experience he gets and the more he gains from playing against and with better players.”

In comparison to Tierney, he was reportedly told to tone down his aggressive intensity during training sessions after he joined Mikel Arteta’s side, once again highlighting the similarities between the two players.

Taking all of this into account, it certainly feels that Scales could go on to become a regular first-team player under Postecoglou if he manages to make the most out of any opportunities he gets to play.

In other news: Ange must finally unleash “outstanding” £18k-p/w “menace” after huge Celtic setback

According to a report by Record, via Sport Witness, Tottenham manager Antonio Conte may have been handed a boost as the club pursue Benfica star Darwin Nunez.

The Lowdown: Tottenham make contact over Nunez…

The Lilywhites are allegedly in contention to sign the Uruguay marksman this summer alongside a plethora of other Premier League clubs.

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Sharing news last week, 90min claimed Tottenham have already made contact with the striker’s entourage alongside the likes of Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Arsenal and Manchester United.

It is also believed that West Ham are showing an interest, backing Fabrizio Romano’s previous point that Nunez could be one of the ‘big name’ transfers of the summer window.

However, according to a fresh update, it appears that Conte may now have an ‘advantage’ over Spurs’ competitors.

The Latest: Record share Spurs update…

According to Portuguese news oulet Record, via Sport Witness, Tottenham do indeed have a ‘small advantage’ in the race for Nunez, with teams who are closer to Champions League qualification apparently having a better chance of signing him.

This propels Spurs above the likes of West Ham and Newcastle in the pecking order, but it is claimed that Manchester United are currently head of the queue as it stands.

The Verdict: Boost for Conte?

In a potential boost for Conte, Record’s update also exemplifies the sheer importance of European qualification for Spurs as the 52-year-old looks toward a vital run of fixtures leading to the end of 2021/22.

Tottenham’s finish could gift them either a stronger or weaker footing in the summer transfer market as Fabio Paratici aims to attract the cream of the crop.

Nunez, who has scored an incredible 28 goals in all competitions this season, would certainly boost Conte’s sparse centre-forward options at N17, with Breaking The Lines scout writer Maxi Angelo raving over the ‘incredible talent’.

Valued at around €80m (£67m), Benfica are willing to sell for much less than his €150m (£125.2m) release clause, but a move would still require significant investment on Tottenham’s part.

In other news: Tottenham eye agreement ‘in the coming weeks’ as they make offer for exciting midfielder! Find out more here.

Aston Villa have made an enquiry regarding Graham Potter’s availability.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Express & Star, who claim that Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens (NSWE) have made an informal approach for the Brighton & Hove Albion manager in the club’s bid to appoint Dean Smith’s successor at Villa Park.

However, the report goes on to state that the possibility of Aston Villa being able to prise the 46-year-old away from the South Coast club is not believed to be overly strong.

He’d be perfect for Villa

While recent reports would appear to suggest that Steven Gerrard is very much the front runner for the vacant managerial post at Villa Park, it would be a difficult argument to make that the Rangers boss would be a better appointment than Potter.

In the space of seven years, he’s led Ostersunds FK from the third tier of Swedish football to a fifth-place finish in the top flight, has won the Swedish Cup and defeated Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates in the knockout stages of the Europa League – although losing the tie 4-2 on aggregate. Thus, it has been clear for a while that Potter is an extremely talented coach.

Indeed, these accomplishments convinced Swansea City to take a chance on the 46-year-old, where Potter would spend one season, securing a 10th place Championship finish with the Swans, before continuing his remarkable rise with a move to Premier League side Brighton.

And, after two identical campaigns of nine wins, 14 draws and 15 losses in his first two seasons on the South Coast, things look as if they have really started to click for the 41-year-old this term, with Brighton having picked up an impressive 17 points over their opening 11 fixtures of the season – leaving the Seagulls flying high in seventh place.

Aside from his track record of results, Potter has also drawn praise for his progressive and attacking style of play, with Jurgen Klopp stating his belief that the Solihull-born manager’s Brighton team “mirrors his ability,” as well as claiming that the coach “obviously a clear idea about football” and is “doing a brilliant job” at the American Express Community Stadium.

Furthermore, Pep Guardiola has also suggested that Potter is currently “the best English manager” in the game, something that it would be hard to disagree with.

As such, while Gerrard is undoubtedly a talented boss, when comparing the former Liverpool captain’s experience to that of Potter, there is a very clear winner – with the latter’s history of improving struggling sides and his desire to play attacking football looking to make the 41-year-old something of a perfect fit for Villa.

In other news: 73% win rate: NSWE could revive Villa with “remarkable” 51 y/o Gerrard alternative 

Andreas Skov Olsen could join Rangers during the January transfer window, according to Bologna Sport News (via Ibrox News).

The lowdown

The 22-year-old, who is predominantly a right winger but can also play on the left, is currently with Serie A club Bologna.

The Denmark international is valued at £5.85m by Transfermarkt and Kasper Hjulmand called him up for last summer’s European Championship, substituting him on in their first two group matches. The Danes went on to reach the semi-finals, where they were beaten by England at Wembley.

The latest

The report from Bologna Sport News stated that Skov Olsen is ‘destined to leave’ the Italian club on loan this month, and Rangers are said to be competing with Serie A outfit Sampdoria for his signature.

The player will apparently decide ‘in the coming days’ where he wants to be playing his football during the second half of the campaign.

The verdict

Skov Olsen’s record for his former club FC Nordsjaelland was outstanding. He scored 27 goals and provided seven assists in 51 matches for the Danish outfit.

However, it’s fair to say that his career at Bologna has failed to ignite up to this point. In 69 appearances for the Rossoblu, he has only managed three goals and five assists, which probably explains why he’s available for a mid-season transfer.

Rangers will probably be more encouraged by his form for his country, with talent scout Jacek Kulig describing his performances in a Denmark shirt (11 goal contributions in 15 caps) as ‘simply amazing’. That sounds like a player who is worth pursuing.

In other news, many Rangers fans flocked to this poignant correspondence from the club