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Finance expert Kieran Maguire has been left stunned by some news that he has now heard from Glasgow Rangers.

The Lowdown: Accusations

As per a press release from the Government, the Ibrox club have allegedly broken competition law by fixing the retail prices of certain Gers-branded clothing products.

This was in conjunction with both Elite Sports and JD Sports in 2018, and all three parties can expect to face fines if found guilty.

The Latest: Maguire stunned

Speaking to Football Insider, Maguire – who also contributes for Sky Sports – was left stunned when he heard the news, claiming that it is ’embarrassing’ for Rangers.

He said: “The reason behind this is to try and match the revenues and monies for all parties involved.

“We don’t know who was the ultimate driver for this, but it is embarrassing for all involved. It’s not something they will be happy to have to deal with given the success they had in getting to the Europa League final.

“Rangers merchandise flies off the shelves. However, if other retailers want to sell it at a discounted price, they should be able to do so.”

The Verdict: Anxious wait

There will now be an anxious wait for Rangers over whether they are found guilty of price-fixing, which in turn could potentially see them heavily fined, and lose the trust and respect of various outlets and manufacturers.

Of course, they will try to fight their corner on these accusations, but it is not looking good at the moment.

Nonetheless, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team will want to put any sort of background noise like this behind them for now, as they look forward to returning for pre-season after a long campaign and head into the new term as prepared as they can be.

In other news, find out who is now keen on signing this Rangers dud

Eddie Howe has rejuvenated Newcastle United since arriving at the club last November, steering them to an impressive 11th-place Premier League finish.

The onus now is for the Magpies to improve on this and challenge for the European places next season, something which should be an annual ambition for a club of their size.

With one signing already confirmed in Matt Targett, and with deals to bring Kilmarnock youngster Charlie McArthur and Reims striker Hugo Ekitike to St James’ Park close to completion, Howe is a man on a mission.

This surely won’t be the last of the club’s spending in the summer transfer window as they aim to overhaul the squad to the manager’s liking.

One player who could be an excellent fit is Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca, who according to Chronicle Live has been watched by Newcastle scout Steve Nickson.

A move for the player could be expensive, though – with Arsenal having had a £35m offer rejected, the Serie A club now want more than that for him.

Nonetheless, with Luigi Di Baggio describing the striker as “complete”, he could be a major upgrade on Callum Wilson going forward.

Scamacca scored 16 times in Serie A last season, eight more than Wilson managed in the Premier League (albeit in fewer matches), while also having more shots per 90 than the Newcastle marksman (3.27 to 2.08).

For a player who is still maturing and with plenty of years left before he hits his peak, the 23-year-old doesn’t shirk defensive duties for his club either. In 2021/22, the Italian won 17 tackles and made 16 blocks, showing the all-rounded nature of his game, and these returns are much better than Wilson’s six tackles won and nine blocks.

With no Newcastle player hitting double figures for goals last season, it seems clear that Howe is looking to enhance his attacking options. In Scamacca, the 44-year-old might well land a striker who could get close to 20 goals a season for the foreseeable future, which the Magpies boss would absolutely love to see.

AND in other news, Deal close: Keith Downie relays huge Newcastle transfer news that supporters will love

Sunderland have secured the services of Lynden Gooch for another two years.

What’s the word?

In a recent post on the club’s official website, Sunderland confirmed that the versatile winger has now put pen to paper on a new two-year deal at the Stadium of Light, extending his association with the Mackems to 18 years.

Regarding his new contract, Gooch said: “This is important for my family and me because this is our home. I’ve been here for 10 years as a professional and I’m really pleased that we are all going to be here for another two years.

“I stayed and signed a new contract previously because I wanted to help the club return to the Championship and deliver that success. Now that we have achieved that, I’m looking forward to proving myself in the second tier once again.”

Supporters will be buzzing

The latest news concerning Gooch will undoubtedly have left the Sunderland faithful buzzing.

Promotion to the Championship was an incredible achievement and would have been a positive way to depart from the 26-year-old’s perspective. However, his stay in Wearside, as the club edge ever closer to kickstarting their all-important Championship campaign, cannot be understated.

He is now the longest-serving player currently at the club, with his familiarity and presence made even more important ahead of what will most likely be a fight for survival in England’s second-tier.

In that regard, the renewal of the American’s contract is almost like a new signing in itself, whilst his versatility has been his best offering for the club, occupying six different positions across both flanks for Neil.

Neil will need players in the upcoming campaign who know the club well and can offer stability through consistency – with the USA international having averaged seasonal SofaScore match ratings of 6.87, 6.83 and 6.77 over the past three seasons respectively.

Indeed, Gooch is the epitome of consistency.

AND in other news: Imagine him & Neil: SAFC can land dream duo as they discuss deal for “fearless” gem 

Aston Villa are reportedly interested in a move for Manchester City defender Nathan Ake, with the Dutchman seemingly free to leave the Etihad this summer.

What’s the word?

According to 90min, the Midlands side have been named as one of the clubs who are interested in the 27-year-old, with City said to be open to a departure if the ‘right offer arrives’.

The report suggests that while Pep Guardiola is a ‘fan’ of the Netherlands international – who he signed from Bournemouth on a £41m deal two years ago – the serial-winning coach is willing to cash in on the former Chelsea man, amid significant interest from across the Premier League.

The report goes on to add that some of the interested parties are keen on a loan deal, although it is not yet clear if the champions would sanction a temporary exit for the 27-cap gem.

Bye-Bye Mings

Villa boss Steven Gerrard could seemingly have a new centre-back pairing on his hands if the £22.5m-rated ace is signed this summer, having already added Sevilla’s Diego Carlos to their ranks earlier this month.

That potentially formidable duo could hasten a departure for current club captain, Tyrone Mings, with the Englishman having come under fire last term for his underwhelming form, leading to reports that he could be set for the axe before the start of next term.

Pundit Danny Mills was particularly scathing of the 29-year-old, insisting that there is a “mistake in his game somewhere” and that the Villans are in need of an upgrade if they are to go to that “next level”.

While the £67-per-week brute compares favourably to those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues for his attacking input, ranking in the top 3% for assists and the top 4% for touches in the attacking penalty area, the defensive side of his game has been lacking, notably ranking in just the top 46% for aerial duels won.

Ake, by contrast, ranks in the top 13% for the same defensive metric, while he also appears much more comfortable in possession, ranking in the top 4% for progressive carries and the top 7% for pass completion, showcasing his willingness to bring the ball out from the back.

While the 5 foot 11 man did only make 14 league appearances last term, his form perhaps warranted a more prominent role in Guardiola’s side, with it only the sheer strength of competition in City’s defensive ranks that inhibited his game time.

As international colleague Virgil van Dijk previously stated, the one-time Cherries ace is a truly “underrated” asset, with Gerrard and co set to be able to secure something of a hidden gem if they are able to get a deal over the line.

The club are known to be in for a left-sided defender, with Ake offering invaluable versatility and flexibility due to his ability to play at left-back as well as in the centre of defence, negating the need to buy new additions for both roles.

His reliability in both positions could also ensure Mings becomes something of a spare part, with the England international potentially in need of a change of scenery.

AND in other news, Lange eyeing Villa move for £30m “goalscoring machine”, he’d be their own Darwin Nunez

The Express & Star journalist Liam Keen has been left buzzing over some news from Wolves regarding Joao Moutinho.

The Lowdown: New deal

As per the Molineux club’s official website, the 35-year-old has now put pen to paper on a new one-year deal, as his contract was set to expire this summer.

The veteran midfielder was reportedly considering a move away from the Premier League club, but now he is set to stay for at least another season.

The Latest: Keen buzzing

Taking to Twitter, Keen was left buzzing after the news came out, claiming that Moutinho’s new contract is ‘excellent’ for Wolves.

The reporter tweeted: “Excellent news as Joao Moutinho has agreed a one-year deal to stay at Wolves. He will report back for pre-season training on Wednesday.”

The Verdict: Right call

There are always likely to be question marks over whether Moutinho can still perform at the highest level at 35 years of age.

Nonetheless, he was a mainstay in Bruno Lage’s side last season, only missing three games in total (top-half finish in the Premier League.

In the top flight, the Portugal international scored two goals and supplied one assist, picking up two man-of-the-match awards, and he ranked highly among his team-mates in terms of average tackles, interceptions, blocks, key passes, crosses and long balls per match (WhoScored).

Moutinho remains a key player for the Old Gold, so he is deserving of his new deal, and it’s no wonder that Keen is so thrilled by this news from Molineux.

Newcastle United have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa, according to Lee Ryder for Chronicle Live. 

The lowdown: Magpies interested

Last month, a report from 90min claimed that the Magpies were among the clubs keen on signing Barbosa this summer as sporting director Dan Ashworth and head of recruitment Steve Nickson look to enhance the firepower at Eddie Howe’s disposal next season.

Having previously struggled in Europe during a short-lived 10-game spell at Inter Milan, the 25-year-old Brazilian hitman has reinvented himself back in his homeland and now boasts a remarkable 148 career goals in 298 professional outings.

Now, the Toon may have been dealt some encouragement in their attempts to bring Barbosa to St James’ Park…

The latest: ‘Keen on a move’

As per Ryder, the Chief Newcastle United Writer for the Chronicle Live, Barbosa is now believed to be ‘keen on a move’ to the North East.

It’s claimed that the 18-cap Brazil ace is a ‘long-term target’ at Newcastle and representatives are ‘open to continuing discussions’ regarding the potential switch.

However, the report does also state that the transfer priorities may lie elsewhere for Howe and co, with the man hailed for his involvements in the ‘decisive’ moments of matches by legendary compatriot Adriano ‘not as high as other targets’ on the list.

The verdict: No brainer

Currently in the midst of an ongoing 2021/22 campaign, Barbosa – known by his nickname Gabigol – has scored 19 times and provided two assists in 36 appearances so far across all competitions. highlighting his current clinical eye for goal.

Valued at £23.4m (Transfermarkt), any move for the prolific frontman would be an expensive one for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Public Investment Fund (PIF), but also a transfer that would signify the early intentions of the club in its new guise, as Howe is in need of additional options to support the misfiring Chris Wood and an injury-prone Callum Wilson.

Already boasting a packed trophy cabinet full of team and individual honours, the decorated Brazilian would be returning to Europe with a point to prove and hungrier than ever, a lethal combination that could see Newcastle get the best from the maverick attacker.

Aston Villa used 31 players in the 2021/22 Premier League season, leaving only Everton (33) having deployed more throughout the campaign.

One of those 31 players who didn’t get too many minutes on the pitch compared to others at Villa Park is Morgan Sanson.

Making just 10 league appearances in the previous campaign, the midfielder only started three games and racked up fewer minutes than the likes of Anwar El Ghazi, Kortney Hause and Axel Tuanzebe.

This makes his chances of getting regular football next season look rather slim, given how Steven Gerrard didn’t select the Frenchman to play in any of Villa’s final eight league matches of the campaign.

With that in mind, the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window could give the Villans the ideal opportunity to get rid of the 27-year-old and bring in a new midfielder who would stand a better chance of becoming a regular figure in the team.

One such player who has been linked with a move to Villa Park and who could fit this bill is West Ham United’s Tomas Soucek.

Having made 83 Premier League appearances for the Hammers, this experience could make it easier for the midfielder to hit the ground running for Villa – something that Sanson hasn’t been able to do, having made just 20 appearances for the club since his arrival in January 2021.

In fact, the injury issues that the Frenchman had at the start of his time in the Midlands were described as “frustrating” by then-Villa manager Dean Smith.

Also, with the West Ham colossus finding the net 18 times in 101 appearances for the Irons, he could offer a better attacking threat for Gerrard’s side than Sanson, who hasn’t been able to either score a goal or provide an assist for the Villans.

Former Villa winger Yannick Bolasie shared his praise for the Hammers midfielder on Twitter by describing him as “unplayable,” which further highlights the credentials that he has to be a solid prospective addition to Gerrard’s ranks.

Despite having a rather substantial reported price tag of £40m, securing a deal for Soucek and moving Sanson out of the club would surely be a smart piece of business from the Villans.

AND in other news: Gerrard can unearth his own Marcelo if Villa sign 37 G/A gem who’s “one of the best”

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has been blessed with a raft of new recruits in the summer transfer window so far.

The Italian head coach led the club to a top-four finish in the Premier League, securing Champions League football, last season and has been rewarded in the market.

Fabio Paratici has backed him by bringing in five signings in Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, Fraser Forster, and Ivan Perisic, whilst Djed Spence is also set to join in the coming days.

The signing of the Middlesbrough man may not be the last piece of business they do as they continue to monitor a host of players, with over a month left of the window to go before it slams shut.

GOAL journalist Marc Mechenoua recently claimed that the club are eyeing up a deal to sign a left-back from Palmeiras.

He tweeted: “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.”

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-much-more-2″ title=”Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours and more!”]

Spurs must now sign the defender as he can form a dream duo with Spence as the club’s future wing-backs under Conte.

Martin Charquero stated that he is “very tempting” for European clubs and his statistics in the Brazilian top-flight make it clear as to why that is the case.

In the 2022 campaign, he has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.96 in 11 outings. The gem has made a whopping 3.9 tackles and interceptions per game, whilst winning 57% of his duels and chipping in with one assist.

Meanwhile, he has caught the eye in the Libertadores with an average rating of 7.25 in four appearances – making 4.5 tackles and interceptions per outing.

This came after he averaged a score of 6.84 in 2021 and made 2.6 tackles and interceptions per match, showing that he has progressed as a player with more experience under his belt.

His growth over the last 18 months or so suggests that the £7.1k-per-week dynamo is someone Conte can work with on the training pitch to help him fulfill his potential. At the age of 23, he can be a player for the future as well as the here and now.

The same can be said for Spence, who impressed on loan at Nottingham Forest in the Championship in the 2021/22 campaign. He played 42 games as his side won promotion to the top-flight, chipping in with two goals and four assists whilst making 2.9 tackles and interceptions per game.

At the age of 21, he is one for the future and he can, therefore, be Conte’s got-to at right wing-back for many years to come if he is able to develop into a consistent performer in the Premier League – forming a dream duo with Piquerez.

AND in other news: “Now likely…”: Kilpatrick reveals Spurs transfer update, supporters will be buzzing

Wolves youngster Luke Cundle will be able to leave Molineux on loan during the summer transfer window, according to a fresh transfer claim.

The Lowdown: Cundle an exciting talent

The 20-year-old is one of the most exciting young players at the Wanderers’ disposal, having caught the eye with his performances for the first team and in the academy.

Cundle has made seven appearances for the senior side to date, while he has also scored nine goals and chipped in with 13 assists in 52 matches for the Under-23s.

Playing time is still going to be tough for the midfielder at Wolves this season, however, so a temporary move looks on the cards.

The Latest: Loan move expected

According to Football Insider, Wanderers are ‘ready’ to send Cundle out on loan this summer, with a number of EFL clubs interested in signing him.

Wolves see it as an ideal opportunity for the youngster to mature as a player, enjoying regular minutes and being tested week in week out in the senior game.

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The Verdict: Ideal for experience

Loan moves can be hugely beneficial for a player’s development, so this update is a positive one, allowing Cundle to enjoy a key chapter in his blossoming career.

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He has been hailed as ‘magnificent’ by James Collins in the past and he is someone who has the potential to light up one of the lower leagues with his quality.

The hope is that Cundle returns to Wolves next summer an even more polished footballer, at which point he could then be considered a genuine part of their first-team plans.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Nicolo Zaniolo…

What’s the word?

That’s according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who provided an update on Spurs’ pursuit of the AS Roma midfielder to GIVEMESPORT this week.

Antonio Conte’s side have been linked with a move for the 23-year-old in recent weeks, with a creative midfielder thought to be next on the agenda for the Italian head coach.

“I do think there’s something in the links, I do think he’s a player that Tottenham are interested in,” the journalist said.

“If you consider Conte’s setup and consider the type of player he’s been signing, I think Zaniolo would be a really good fit.”

An exciting 7th signing at Spurs?

The north London outfit have conducted some impressive business so far in the transfer window, bringing in no fewer than six new signings, ranging from a £60m splash in Richarlison to a loan swoop for Clement Lenglet.

But perhaps there is one missing piece in the fact that Conte is lacking a creative presence in the engine room, with the likes of Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso reportedly on the chopping block.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-so-much-more” title=”Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours and more!”]

It’s a role that has been something of a problem for Spurs, ever since Christian Eriksen departed the club back in January 2020, where he joined Conte’s Inter Milan.

The Dane was a reported target for the Italian once again but he has instead opted for a move to Premier League rivals Manchester United, so the Lilywhites are still without that elusive no.10.

Zaniolo, dubbed “explosive” by Roma legend Francesco Totti, would be a “really good fit,” just as Jones suggests.

During the 2021/22 campaign, the Italy international delivered eight goals and nine assists, proving to be a key threat in front of goal for former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho over in Rome.

He also ranks inside the top 3% for through balls (0.32 per 90) and the top 8% for successful dribbles leading to a shot (0.50 per 90), when compared to his positional peers across Europe, via FBref.

Zaniolo’s former coach at Inter, Stefano Vecchi, even believes he’s similar to Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, two players renowned for their ability to deliver attacking contributions from the engine room in the Premier League.

On the above evidence, supporters should be hugely excited by this update from Jones. Zaniolo would be a remarkable seventh signing of the window and one that would surely leave the Spurs faithful absolutely buzzing.

AND in other news, Michael Bridge backs Spurs to seal attacking midfielder…