Journalist Pete O’Rourke has provided a big update on the future of Eddie Howe at Newcastle United, with club sources explaining the situation as seen by PIF higher ups.
Howe under pressure despite Newcastle results
On the face of it, the Magpies have enjoyed an impressive start to the new Premier League season, picking up 10 points from a possible 12 and sitting third in the table. Only Manchester City and Arsenal are ahead of them currently, as they look to get back into the Champions League after a year away.
That being said, the nature of Newcastle’s performances haven’t been wholly convincing, with their displays against the likes of Tottenham and Wolves in recent weeks arguably leaving plenty to be desired.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe
For that reason, there continues to be an element of pressure on Howe, with it becoming fairly public that the relationship between the Englishman and new sporting director Paul Mitchell is not the best. The Magpies chief has been vocal about the lack of transfer activity in the summer, and it appears as though all is not too well between two of the most high-profile figures at St James’ Park.
On the plus side for Howe, he appears to be popular with the majority of Newcastle supporters still, having excelled overall since taking charge, not least guiding them into the Champions League in 2022/23, at a time when few expected them to be in the top four.
Reporter shares update on Howe's Newcastle future
Now, Football Insider‘s O’Rourke has claimed that Howe has the backing of senior club chiefs at Newcastle currently, with his job not believed to be under threat. Sources at St James’ have stated in five key words that that the 46-year-old has “huge credit in the bank” with the higher ups, meaning it would take a significant drop in form or a major fallout with the hierarchy to change the current situation.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe.
Sacking Howe at this point would come as a major shock at Newcastle, considering the position they are in in the Premier League, even if they arguably have more points than the performances suggest. Last season was clearly disappointing, which did hit the former Bournemouth manager’s reputation a little, but it shouldn’t be forgotten how injury-plagued his Magpies squad was, and there was only so much he could do without key men being available throughout the campaign.
The hope is that the situation surrounding Howe and Mitchell’s relationship eases as time passes, allowing them to work effectively alongside one another, bringing further success to Newcastle together as the years pass.
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Howe has looked like a front-runner for the England job since Gareth Southgate’s exit, but with Lee Carsley impressing in the role in an interim capacity, it is easy to envisage him getting the job permanently. That would be good news for the Magpies, who need to view their current boss as the right man in charge moving forward.
Wolverhampton Wanderers still only have a point next to their name from their opening three Premier League games, after collapsing at home to Newcastle United yesterday afternoon.
Gary O’Neil’s Old Gold were 1-0 to the good for much of the clash at Molineux, before a late comeback from the Magpies kickstarted by Fabian Schar and then finished off by substitute Harvey Barnes turned the game in the away side’s favour, as Wolves succumbed to a demoralising 2-1 loss.
Wolves just couldn’t keep Eddie Howe’s Magpies at bay for the entirety of the contest, as the likes of Nelson Semedo at the back really struggled, before he was taken off with an injury late into the game.
Semedo's performance vs Newcastle
The Portuguese full-back had a torrid afternoon coming up against the likes of Anthony Gordon patrolling forward for the away side, with the Old Gold number 22 far more content at attempting to trouble Howe’s men in an attacking capacity, over completing his defensive duties.
Managing three successful dribbles and one key pass, Semedo did try to unlock the Newcastle defence further to try and build on Mario Lemina’s first-half strike, but it was unfortunately to no avail as the Magpies grew into the clash.
It was more his defensive game that left a lot to be desired in the West Midlands, with the lacklustre 30-year-old dribbled past five times as the likes of Gordon and Co managed to constantly wriggle free of their Wolves markers.
Moreover, Semedo would only win a pitiful six of the 19 duels he went in for – with zero aerial duels won in the narrow defeat – as O’Neil substituting him off late on owing to an injury concern must have come as some form of relief for the experienced defender, who won’t look back on this individual display with much fondness.
It wasn’t as if his replacement in the game fared much better, however, as Matt Doherty equally struggled with his short time on the pitch, especially when facing off against Barnes who was a nuisance all second half to contain.
matt-doherty
Doherty's performance vs Newcastle
The 32-year-old defender, who is now deep into his second stint at Molineux, was very laissez-faire in his attitude to close down Barnes for the decisive strike in the game, as the Newcastle number 11 curled home a wonderful effort past Sam Johnstone after being given the freedom to have a hit.
Moreover, Doherty would only put in one tackle and gave away possession a dismal five times from the 13 minutes he was present in the 2-1 loss, failing to give Wolves a solid head at the back, as his side’s winless streak in the league now enters into its bleak fourth match.
It would result in Birmingham World journalist Charlie Haffenden dishing out a low 4/10 rating to the ex-Tottenham Hotspur man at the final whistle, labelling his display as ‘terrible’, despite only being on the Molineux turf briefly.
This could well throw up a selection conundrum for O’Neil to address at right-back with Semedo coming off injured and Doherty performing so abjectly in his place, as an EFL Cup fixture against Brighton and Hove Albion awaits his low-on-confidence troops next this mid-week.
4. Wolves v Newcastle
2-1 Newcastle W
3. Nottingham Forest v Wolves
1-1 draw
2. Wolves v Chelsea
6-2 Chelsea W
1. Arsenal v Wolves
2-0 Arsenal W
Wolves haven’t been helped by an early challenging fixture list in the Premier League, and it doesn’t get more smooth sailing for the West Midlands outfit moving forward with Aston Villa and Liverpool next on the agenda after the EFL Cup tie on the South Coast is done and dusted.
O’Neil will be worrying a lot more if this winless run is still a problem by the end of their game versus the Reds at the end of the month, as players such as Doherty underperforming saw another early season loss be tallied up last time out.
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Tottenham Hotspur have not quite enjoyed the dream start to the season but Ange Postecoglou is coaching his side well and there is more than enough there to expect promise across the year.
Last season, Tottenham created 90 big chances in the Premier League and only Liverpool (102) Manchester City, and Newcastle United (both 97) created more.
This year, we can read into the opening matches of the term and determine that Spurs still play slick and stylish football and have myriad tools to carve opponents open. Their 48 shots taken are surpassed only by Nottingham Forest (53) at this early stage.
The Lilywhites' 68.3% average possession also underscores the tactical ethos under Postecoglou's wing, with bold ball-playing efforts at the front and centre of the squad's style. Despite all this, Tottenham have collected only four points from nine available.
1.
Tottenham
68.3%
2.
Southampton
68%
3.
Manchester City
64.7%
4.
Brighton
57.3%
5.
Liverpool
57%
It's clear that the bar needs to be raised in regard to clinical shooting, and while big bucks were spent on landing a shiny new striker during the summer months, there's one existing centre-forward who's not hitting the mark.
Why Spurs signed Richarlison
The man in question is Richarlison. Tottenham signed the dynamic Brazilian forward from Everton for £60m in July 2022, confident that they had purchased one of the most menacing forwards competing in English football.
Tottenham forward Richarlison
His debut campaign was a miserable thing. Tottenham ebbed and flowed but ultimately languished to an eighth-place Premier League finish following the acrimonious departure of Antonio Conte, and the star attacking signing hardly helped matters, scoring one goal across 27 Premier League matches – and that goal came during a sickening late defeat at Anfield.
Last year, he improved, enjoying a brilliant purple patch throughout the winter months that saw him post nine goals from just eight matches in the Premier League, though he then blanked for seven fixtures before scoring in a loss against Liverpool in April, his last appearance that season as he picked up an injury.
Throughout the summer, despite the upturn in fortunes, there was plenty of rumour surrounding the 27-year-old, with GIVEMESPORT even revealing that the north London side were keen on offloading their struggling forward, with Saudi Pro League outfits sniffing around, exploring a deal.
Why Spurs should've sold Richarlison
Once hailed as "relentless" by journalist Joe Strange, Richarlison improved last year but it would be hard to claim that he's lived up to the price tag. Of course, the fee paid for his services lay out of his hands but there is still the point of the Brazilian's overall level under Postecoglou, and whether he's likely to earn a regular starting berth this year.
Dominic Solanke leapt over Tanguy Ndombele to become Tottenham's club-record signing this summer, joining from Bournemouth for a reported £65m, and though he's missed the past few weeks after picking up an injury following his debut, the 27-year-old is the new out-and-out striker.
Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke
In his absence, Heung-min Son has reprised his finest displays of the 2023/24 campaign by lingering up top, and while he was subdued at St. James' Park, a two-goal performance against Everton proved his high-class finishing once again.
Richarlison missed out against Newcastle due to injury but he's already stirred the pot of detractors this term after missing an excellent chance off the bench on the opening day. It was an opportunity that, if taken, would have handed Postecoglou the dream start.
You could even make the case for selling Richarlison and bringing another striker in, as well as Solanke. Jonathan David was linked with a move away from Lille (for the fourth year running, it seems), with Tottenham among the suitors.
LOSC Lille striker Jonathan David
Football Insider reported in July that Spurs were closing in on the Canadian, who has now entered the final year of his contract and whom Lille's president said could leave the club with negotiations at a standstill.
He'd been transfer-listed for a cut-price £20m fee, and so it's difficult to see why he wasn't purchased by one party or another, especially as he's scored three goals and assisted two more across seven outings so far this season.
2024/25
7
3
2
0.86
2023/24
47
26
9
0.74
2022/23
40
26
4
0.75
2021/22
48
19
0
0.40
2020/21
48
13
5
0.37
David is a sharp goalscorer and an able creator; his playmaking skills are improving year on year. But moreover, he's crisp and intelligent, with link-up play that would see him dovetail into Postecoglou's system, ranking among the top 4% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion (81.4%), as per FBref.
This would have been an excellent way to deepen the dynamism within Spurs' attacking outfit, with the Londoners boasting plenty of pace and electricity down the flanks but not so much at no. 9.
Brennan Johnson for Tottenham
The Athletic's Charlie Eccleshare commented that Tottenham had "missed his physical presence" toward the backend of last season, and perhaps they did. However, Solanke is the perfect focal frontman, remarkably winning eight of his ten contested duels against Leicester on the opening day of the term, as per Sofascore.
From a financial standpoint, Richarlison's reduced role does not align with his pay packet either. According to Capology, he earns £90k per week, which is below several of the most prominent figures down N17 but does stretch well beyond the earnings of players such as Yves Bissouma (£55k per week) and Micky van de Ven (£50k per week).
Micky van de Ven for Tottenham
Bissouma has not enjoyed plain sailing at Tottenham either but he is the toughest-tackling and most effective holding midfielder at the club. When at his best, he purrs, keeping the engine room together.
And Van de Ven… well, what is there to say? Signed from Wolfsburg for £43m last summer, the athletic centre-back is breathtaking, offering a unique take on the defensive game that could yet see him establish himself as one of Europe's foremost stars in the backline.
Had Saudi Arabian clubs received more of an indication that Richarlison could have been on the move, Spurs might just have succeeded in offloading the South American, and given that he earns quite the pretty penny and a suitable replacement in David was available, this could prove to be a missed opportunity for chairman Daniel Levy to have progressed the club further.
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Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Udinese striker Beto this summer to ease starring talisman Harry Kane's workload, according to recent reports.
What's the latest on Beto to Tottenham?
That's according to one Spanish outlet, who claim that Spurs – alongside Bayern Munich, Napoli and Real Madrid – could secure the services of the formidable forward.
Beto is valued at €30m (£26m) by his Serie A outfit – the fee a clause in his contract – and with I Bianconeri unwilling to conduct business for a lesser fee, the interested suitors are yet to commence negotiations.
With recent reports that Bayern are pushing for the transfer of Kane, reaching an agreement in principle despite facing an obstinate hurdle in Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, the requirement to sign a new first-rate forward is only magnified.
Should Tottenham sign Beto?
While the emphasis at Tottenham this summer will be on bolstering the backline and restoring balance to the squad through eradicating the seasonal issues of a leaky defence, targetting a centre-forward is certainly not a bad shout.
Manager Ange Postecoglou will have his work cut out in replenishing Spurs after an eighth-placed finish confirmed European football to be outside the side's reach next year, and Beto would add a new dimension to the fold.
Standing at 6 foot 4, the £3k-per-week ace has maintained a steady rate of scoring in Italy, bagging ten times in Serie A last term before netting 11 strikes this time around.
The Brazilian menace would also add a new dimension to the fold, offering greater physicality than Kane and perhaps utilising his imposing stature to serve as a conduit, and a focal point from which the likes of Heung-min Son and Dejan Kulusevski could wreak havoc with well-timed inversions.
This is evidenced through FBref, with the 25-year-old ranking among the top 18% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons, the top 11% for clearances, the top 26% for interceptions and the top 25% for aerials won per 90.
The consistency within the top quarter of positional peers across the aforementioned metrics illustrates an aptitude in physicality across the park.
And for all Kane's excellence – having scored 30 goals from 38 league matches this year – he ranks below the bottom 50% mark for each defensive statistic FBref has to offer.
Tottenham forward Harry Kane is wanted by Bayern Munich.
Reporter Sam Tighe even said: "The way Beto spooks defenders is amazing. Chuck a ball into the channel for him to chase and even if he doesn't latch onto it, defenders panic under his pressure and end up making the craziest decisions or panicked clearances."
With statistical likeness to Alexander Mitrovic and Ollie Watkins, with the Fulham striker hailed as a "monster" by Andy Naylor while Aston Villa's goal-happy striker has been dubbed "lethal" by pundit Trevor Sinclair, the Lilywhites would secure a gem with qualities fit for Premier League football.
He would bring a brutish presence and a new angle for the attack, Kane is one of Europe's foremost forwards and deserves all the plaudits for his prolific brilliance and leadership skills, but perhaps what the club needs is a new striker to add something different when the situation demands it.
Rangers "remain interested" in signing Nottingham Forest defender Jonathan Panzo, however the deal is "not any closer" to completion, according to Scottish Express journalist Scott Burns.
Who are Rangers signing this summer?
Rangers manager Michael Beale is looking to strengthen the spine of his team this summer, having recently lined up a move for Jose Cifuentes, with a move for the Los Angeles FC central midfielder expected to be completed in this window.
That news follows the recent reports that the Gers have agreed a deal in principle to sign Cremonese striker Cyriel Dessers, who has been a key target for Beale this summer, and the 28-year-old is set to sign a four-year contract.
Having strengthened considerably in attacking areas by bringing in the likes of Abdallah Sima and Sam Lammers, Beale is now tasked with signing a new centre-back, and Panzo remains a target.
That is according to Scott Burns, who recently took to Twitter to offer a new update on Rangers' pursuit of the Nottingham Forest defender, saying: "Been told by sources on all sides that a move for Jonathan Panzo to Rangers is not any closer. Rangers remain interested. They know the fee and wages but have yet to trigger the deal. German and English clubs also remain actively in talks with Panzo's camp."
Burns' update contradicts a recent report from The Daily Mail, which claimed the Light Blues were closing in on the defender, however they are still very much in the race for his signature.
Is Jonathan Panzo joining Rangers?
Given that Burns claims a number of clubs from across Europe are in talks with the 22-year-old, it appears as though the race for his signature is very open, but he could be a fantastic signing for the Gers if they do manage to come out on top.
Lauded as an "exciting young player" by Forest boss Steve Cooper, the Englishman has showcased his stellar defensive ability over the past year, ranking in the 93rd percentile for interceptions, and the 85th for tackles, when compared to players at a similar level.
During his time on loan with Coventry City last season, the £9k-per-week centre-back recorded an average Sofascore rating of 6.99 in the Championship, the fifth-highest figure in the squad, indicating he is ready to test himself at a higher level.
At the moment, it is anyone's guess who Panzo will end up signing for this summer, but Beale will be hoping progress can be made soon, as he could strengthen Rangers' backline considerably.
The last week has seen the departures of numerous first-team players edge extremely close as the incoming Mauricio Pochettino attempts to trim a hideously bloated squad.
The most unexpected and well-documented exit is that of Kai Havertz to Arsenal as Fabrizio Romano revealed that a £65m deal has been agreed upon, and his medical is to be scheduled.
However, the Blues were already prepared for this eventuality – RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku has had an agreement with Chelsea since October. It was recently confirmed he has joined for a reported fee of €60m (£52m).
In his first interview as a new Premier League player, the Frenchman has outlined how he can bring excitement to Stamford Bridge.
He said: "We can say that I am a hard worker. I will give everything for the club, for the fans and to help the team bring some trophies. To give the best of my football. I hope I will make them as happy as I am to be here at this club.
“I think the project was good for me. It is a good project for me to develop myself as a player and a man also.
“I want to improve, to progress every day, so wherever they tell me to play, I play, and I wanted to improve in every position. So that’s the way I go about everything and why I was able to score goals after changing.
An upgrade on Kai Havertz?
Nkunku arrives in the English capital off the back of a scintillating final season in Germany. In 25 Bundesliga appearances, the ten-cap international scored 16 goals, as he was the division’s joint-top scorer, despite missing nine games through injury.
The forward isn’t just a one-season wonder, as he was crowned the Bundesliga’s Best Player and Footballer of the Year in Germany for 2022.
As well as his potency, the attacker has demonstrated himself to be a wonderful all-rounder. He ranks within the top 9% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for non-penalty goals per 90, shot-creating actions per 90, progressive passes per 90, and successful take-ons per 90.
The £124k-per-week star has splendid pedigree and can fill the void left by Havertz, who flattered to deceive in a Chelsea shirt.
Kai Havertz
The German’s time in west London has seen flashes of impudent brilliance, but he has desperately lacked consistent ruthlessness, cutting an anonymous figure for prolonged periods.
Whilst Havertz is obviously extremely talented, he was yet to be fully unlocked in any Chelsea system and failed to hit double digits for goals or assists in any season for the Blues.
It’s the best outcome for both parties to go their separate ways. Nkunku, who has been hailed as “world-class” by former Leipzig assistant coach Achim Beierlorzer, now has the opportunity to become the new talisman.
West Ham United's initial trepidation over losing captain Declan Rice this summer has slowly turned to cautious optimism as the Hammers continue to be linked with some big names.
David Moyes will be eager to use some of the cash Rice's sale brings to strengthen other positions, but a new central midfielder is surely top of his wishlist this summer.
Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are all reported to be in the running for Rice, who could attract a fee in excess of £100m, though The Sun claims the latter are the preferred choice for the Hammers.
That is because there is a possibility that Conor Gallagher – who himself is valued at £50m by Chelsea, according to the Daily Mail – could be used in part-exchange for Rice, leaving plenty of money left over to bring in a defender and a striker.
What can Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher bring to West Ham United?
After impressing on loan with another London side in Crystal Palace two seasons ago, Gallagher was given a chance – of sorts – by Chelsea last time out in what was a poor campaign for the Blues, who lurched from one manager to another.
While almost half of Gallagher's 35 Premier League appearances last season came as a substitute, the six-cap England international was still able to showcase his talents.
Gallagher scored three goals and assisted another, while the nine yellow cards he received – the most of any Chelsea player – also highlights the tenacious side of his game.
As pointed out by sports writer PGR Analytics, Gallagher has a "relentless work rate" and is a "threat in the final third" – qualities that Hammers fans would surely love to see.
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.
While not a like-for-like replacement for Rice in a direct sense, there are some similarities between the two men. Gallagher is a more attacking player, as reflected in his 0.22 goals and assists per 90 last season, compared to 0.14 for Rice.
As per FBref, Rice has a slightly better pass percentage than Gallagher per 90 minutes (86.5 v 81.1), while they average 68 and 63 touches per 90 – not a huge deal of difference.
Gallagher's arrival at West Ham would certainly excite fans, even if the £50m price tag seems a little excessive. However, in the same week Jude Bellingham joined Real Madrid for a fee rising to £115m, Gallagher boasts many similar attributes to his international colleague.
Indeed, FBref's comparison tool ranks Bellingham as the player most like Gallagher across Europe's top five leagues in terms of their statistical profiles.
For example, they find the target from a similar number of shots (39.3% for Gallagher at Chelsea, compared to 34.8% for Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund), have a near identical pass-completion percentage (81.1 v 81.7) and tackle at a similar rate (2.56 per game v 2.54), all per 90 via FBref.
This is not to say Gallagher is on the same level as Bellingham right now, but as a replacement for Rice, and with a huge sum of cash left over for one or two other players, it is a deal that could make lots of sense for West Ham as they look to move on from their long-serving skipper.
Manchester City are close to signing Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, with a verbal agreement reached, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.
What’s the latest Man City transfer news involving Kovacic?
Pep Guardiola’s side completed a historic treble, sealing the achievement with a 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final last weekend. There have been plenty of celebrations between everyone involved at the club and the supporters, however, it looks as if those at the Etihad are already working on summer signings.
One player who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester is Kovacic, who has been on the books at Stamford Bridge since 2018. The Croatia international, hailed as an "unbelievable footballer" in the media, will soon be entering the final 12 months of his Chelsea deal and a move north looks to be on the cards.
Plettenberg took to Twitter in the last 48 hours to provide an update on the transfer talk between City and Kovacic. He said that a move is close, with a verbal agreement reached.
“Everything is going in the right direction. Kovacic is close to join MCFC & Pep. Verbal agreement is done confirmed. Negotiations between Man City and CFC should follow this week.”
How much does Mateo Kovacic earn?
Kovacic, sponsored by Nike, can play in a defensive, central or attacking midfield role, so should provide Guardiola with a versatile midfield option next season. He also has a history of winning plenty of honours, for example, he has won the Champions League on four separate occasions and the Europa League once.
A player like Kovacic could be needed over the coming month, especially if captain Ilkay Gundogan decides against renewing his Etihad contract over the coming weeks, as has been speculated.
Kovacic also has plenty of Premier League experience under his belt, turning out on 142 occasions in the top flight. And ranks in the 98th percentile for passes into the final third, so could prove to be a shrewd addition in midfield.
He currently picks up £150,000-a-week in London, the biggest wage of his career to date, so it’ll be interesting to see the terms he has seemingly agreed with City. A transfer fee still needs to be agreed between the two clubs, though, but at this moment in time, it appears as if Kovacic could be the first through the door this summer to link up with the treble winners.
Leeds United are unlikely to bring in either Brendan Rodgers or Graham Potter as their new manager this summer, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
Who has been linked with Leeds job?
The Whites ended up getting through three managers during the 2022/23 season, with Jesse Marsch eventually replaced by Javi Gracia, as his reign got progressively worse.
The Spaniard fared no better, however, and with Leeds spinning towards the Championship under him, Sam Allardyce was brought in to mastermind a recovery act. He didn't have long enough to make his presence felt, however, and he left the club last week after the Whites were relegated from the Premier League.
Those high up at Elland Road are now looking to nail the next managerial appointment this summer, with a number of individuals already linked with the vacant job.
Two of those are Rodgers and Potter, both of whom were sacked by Leicester City and Chelsea respectively earlier in the campaign, but are still considered good British coaches.
Graham Potter
Are Rodgers and Potter unlikely to join?
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs admitted that Rodgers and Potter are unlikely to want to head into the Championship, given their current respective statuses in the game:
"We're going to see other candidates linked, like Graham Potter and Brendan Rodgers, but I sense these are names that were being discussed when Leeds were still in the Premier League with a chance of safety.
"I think the likes of Rodgers and Potter can get quite big Premier League jobs still. Leeds are a big club, so if they were in the Premier League, maybe in the off-season and with new owners that would have been of appeal. But I would be surprised if Potter or Rodgers personally considered dropping down into the Championship."
In truth, this was always going to be a potential issue for Leeds when it came to finding a top-class new manager, with the Premier League seen as the holy grail, and dropping down to the second tier an understandable backward step in their career.
For that reason, both Rodgers and Potter have always felt a little pie in the sky, and it could be that someone like Steven Gerrard is the best option, with the Liverpool legend having something to prove after an underwhelming spell at Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, former Leeds Under-21s boss Carlos Corberan could also be a strong choice, with the 40-year-old already thriving in the Championship with West Brom, and possibly seeing a return to Elland Road as an exciting avenue to go down.
Glasgow Rangers have been given the perfect opening to bring Jack Butland to the Scottish Premiership, according to reports.
Is Jack Butland leaving Crystal Palace?
Butland first joined Crystal Palace from Stoke City back in 2020 but has only made 17 senior appearances since that time and was therefore sent out on loan to Manchester United at the start of the year for the remainder of the season.
However, the 30-year-old failed to record a single outing across all competitions last term, and with his contract set to expire this month, he’s currently set to become a free agent having not yet been offered the chance to extend his stay at Selhurst Park.
Speaking to Football FanCast, Dean Jones, transfer expert and journalist, claimed that Michael Beale is on the hunt for a new first-choice shot-stopper and the Eagles star is someone that he has “looked into”, with Fabrizio Romano since revealing that the Light Blues have held talks and are in “advancing” negotiations to bring him to Ibrox.
Are Rangers signing Butland?
According to The Sun, Rangers are now "clear" to sign Butland on a free transfer as a result of Crystal Palace having "passed on the chance" to trigger his one-year contract extension. The Teddy Bears have reportedly been "keen" on the goalkeeper for 12 months but have only started to pursue a deal in "recent weeks".
Manchester United goalkeeper Jack Butland.
Rangers have confirmed that Allan McGregor will be leaving the club this summer upon the expiration of his deal so a replacement will need to be recruited, and having been hailed “confident” between the sticks by journalist Josh Bunting, Butland could be his ideal experienced successor.
The 6 foot 5 colossus, who’s sponsored by Nike, has kept 83 clean sheets from 293 appearances throughout his career and impressed at Palace when given the opportunity to showcase his talents during the 2021/22 campaign.
England’s former international, who earns £35k-per-week, made 16 saves from 28 shots on target against when in the net and displayed an extremely strong range of passing having completed 61 of 61 short passes and 108 of 108 medium passes, giving him a 100% success rate for both statistics, as per FBRef.
Football Insider have since reported that Butland is undergoing a medical on Monday after agreeing personal terms on a move north of the border, and if this is true, then he would be a fantastic acquisition and definite bargain for Rangers.