Rangers have an exciting summer ahead! They aim to build on a promising season by adding a few stars to really push Celtic for domestic honours, and Lewis Holtby would be ideal.

Goal.com’s Ronan Murphy tweeted the German will leave Hamburg when his contract expires in summer and that he’s linked (further reported by the Daily Record) with a move to Rangers. He’s started 24 games in the Bundesliga this season, scoring four and making five assists, and Rangers fans are surely excited about his possible move.

The Gers’ season is petering out, and with them being knocked out of the Scottish Cup and 10 points behind their rivals Celtic, they’ll have to face another year without a major trophy. They certainly don’t need a squad overhaul like they had this summer, but a player like Holtby can add a touch of level-headedness their current options have lacked this campaign. And, his ability to create and dictate the game would help provide plenty more opportunities for the attackers.

The German international is used to dealing with high-pressure situations, moving from Germany to England at an early age, then proving himself in the Bundesliga before Hamburg’s relegation last season. There’s huge pressure to win trophies now Gerrard’s men are back in the big time, and he’d be able to deal with it.

The 28-year-old is at the peak of his powers and a new challenge in Scotland would surely be attractive after five consecutive seasons in Germany. Rangers have an abundance of midfielders, so it wouldn’t be a signing to improve squad depth. The club are now looking to enhance their starting 11, so the signings need to be right.

He’s valued at £2.25m by Transfermarkt so it’d be a shrewd financial move too, and an attacking midfielder in his prime would be perfect for the instant impact Gerrard needs next season. Patience won’t last long so improvements need to be seen quickly, so instant impact signings such as Holtby is the transfer template the Gers must follow.

Rangers fans, who do you think your club should sign in summer? Join the discussion by commenting below.

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According to The Telegraph, Manchester United are preparing to enter into a battle with PSG for Jadon Sancho’s signature that could see the Englishman complete a £100m switch.

Having signed for Borussia Dortmund in 2017 for a measly £10m, the young winger has capably filled the shoes of Ousmane Dembele, chalking up eight goals and an incredible 12 assists in 24 league appearances for BVB.

European giants PSG are no strangers to nine-figure deals, having signed Neymar and Kylian Mbappe for eye-watering fees in recent years, whereas United would be smashing the £89m paid for Paul Pogba’s services back in 2016.

What are the potential consequences of the Red Devils bringing former the Manchester City ace back to the Premier League, then?

Alexis Sanchez’s time is up

An injury sustained by the winger in the victory over Southampton at the weekend will see Sanchez ruled out for ‘four to six weeks’, as his Old Trafford nightmare unthinkably continues to worsen.

The Chilean has struggled to get into the starting XI ahead of the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial; injuries to the aforementioned duo meant that Sanchez was afforded a rare start, although it was cruelly taken away from in the first half when he had to replaced by Diogo Dalot.

The 30-year-old was a world-beater on his day while playing for Arsenal. Now, though, it looks like his United career is drawing to a close – he is simply not worth his astronomical wages and hasn’t looked likely to justify £350,000-a-week since he pulled on the famous red shirt.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer clearly likes pace and energy in his front three, neither of which are attributes possessed by Sanchez, and signing Sancho would only confirm, once and for all, that the number 7 is no longer in his plans.

Romelu Lukaku the world’s best benchwarmer

Solskjaer’s restoration of Rashford in a centre-forward role has often left Lukaku warming the bench, although the Norwegian has been able to accommodate both using a 4-3-1-2 at times.

Sancho, though, is an out-and-out winger who Solskjaer would surely struggle to mould into a centre-forward or a number 10, so it would seem that the 4-3-3 is the way forward with one striker sandwiched between the wide players.

Lukaku, 26, might have netted four goals in his last two Premier League appearances in the absence of Rashford, but it is clear that Solskjaer prefers the 21-year-old England international to the Belgian.

There would certainly be games where the former Everton man’s physicality would be preferable to Rashford’s raw pace but, largely, it would appear that the number 9 would become the world’s best bench warmer. That is, of course, if Sancho’s arrival does not force him out the exit door with Sanchez.

United take step towards ending City domination

Recent transfer dealings have seen United purchase players in their prime, particular with Jose Mourinho at the helm – the Portuguese was pragmatic in his approach to bringing in new faces, largely electing for players who are proven winners instead of those he would be forced to develop.

The signing of 18-year-old Sancho, though, would represent a huge statement of intent from the club with regards to returning to the heights of the Premier League in the coming years.

Is the emergance of a ‘big 6’ good news for English clubs in Europe? Pl>ymaker FC’s Ed Tarlton certainly thinks to in the video below…

Currently, Pep Guardiola’s Man City side are dominating the competition. Liverpool are in it too, of course, but City’s long-term prospects look brighter considering the depth of their squad. However, the Spaniard likely won’t hang around for too long if he can’t win the Champions League.

By splashing £100m on a player who promises to become world-class, United will have taken one massive step towards establishing themselves as the team to beat in England. Perhaps he would be the first of many.

يدرس الدوري الإيطالي قرارًا بتخفيض عدد الجماهير المحدود الذي يحضر في المدرجات ببعض مباريات البطولة المحلية بسبب عودة انتشار فيروس كورونا المستجد، كوفيد 19.

وتعاني إيطاليا في الأيام الأخيرة من انتشار العدوى بين الأفراد حيث وصلت أعداد المصابين إلى 20989 حالة فقط في الأسبوع الماضي بزيادة 54% عن الأسبوع ما قبل السابق.

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وكانت هنالك بعض المباريات التي حضرت فيها الجماهير بإجمالي 1000 متفرج مثل مباراتي يوفنتوس أمام سامبدوريا وروما، لكن هذا العدد تحت الدراسة لتقليله تفاديًا لانتشار المرض.

ويريد الدوري الإيطالي أن يتم تخفيض العدد إلى النصف، ليحضر 500 متفرج فقط في المدرجات مع الالتزام بالتباعد الاجتماعي وارتداء الكمامات الطبية، وفقًا لشبكة “كالتشيو ميركاتو”.

ومن المفترض أن يكون هنالك اجتماعا بين وزير الرياضة، روبرتو سبيرانزا، مع اللجنة العلمية الطبية الإيطالية لدراسة اقتراح تقليل عدد الحضور في الدوري الإيطالي نظرًا لخطورة الوضع الراهن.

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Aston Villa manager Dean Smith’s worst fears have been confirmed after it was revealed via the club’s official website that key centre-back Tommy Elphick will be out for “four or five weeks” with a heel injury.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Midlands outfit don’t have a plethora of centre-back options anyway, and it didn’t look good when the 31-year-old was substituted off during the second half of the 4-0 win against Derby County at Villa Park on Saturday.

Now the former Bournemouth man will definitely miss the second city derby against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s on Sunday after suffering a small tear, and may not be back in action until mid-April if the prognosis is correct.

The fact that the experienced defender has gone from being out in the cold and being sent out on loan to Hull City to becoming a key first-team player tells you all you need to know about Villa’s situation at the back.

Who could fill in?

With James Chester still recovering from a knee injury, Smith has some big decisions to make before the clash against the Blues this weekend.

Who do you want to see promoted this year? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have picked their 3 favoured teams in the video below…

Tyrone Mings looks to be a guaranteed starter following some impressive displays in recent weeks, but he could be partnered by any of Kortney Hause, Mile Jedinak or even Neil Taylor, who should be back after illness.

Six points adrift of the play-offs and two behind Birmingham this is a crucial period for the Villans, but they will have to get through the majority of it without a leader in Elphick.

Well, that’s a relief for Rangers fans! Alfredo Morelos’s new contract was confirmed by the club on Friday, and it’s one big step towards next season’s title challenge.

The Colombian is the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer this season, with 16 goals, bagging a total of 28 in all competitions. The man’s on fire and the extension that should keep him at the club until 2023 puts Rangers well on course to catch Celtic up next season.

It’s exciting times at Ibrox, with Steven Gerrard lifting the Gers into the top two this season, creating a gap between Celtic, themselves and the rest of the league as it used to be before their dramatic fall in 2012. The signing comes just days before Rangers face Aberdeen on Tuesday in a Scottish Cup replay, and it’ll be a real boost.

Aside from its short-term impact and prevention of any transfer speculation, it provides the club with the promise that the team will again go from strength to strength next term. They’re eight points away from Celtic at the moment and, while that’s not insurmountable, it’s not likely they can make a real title race out of it.

With Morelos’s signature though, it’ll be steps forward the Gers take in summer, and not sideways or backwards ones. Indeed, they can go into the transfer window and know exactly which areas require strengthening.

If they sign the right players then there’s no reason why they can’t challenge for the Premiership next season. Although it’s also vital the best players from their existing squad remain and improve.

Morelos staying where he is one big step towards that.

Rangers fans, where do you think your club needs to strengthen in the summer to challenge for the title next season?

It’s no secret that West Ham are in need of a new striker.

The Hammers have been unlucky when it comes to strikers leading the line in Manuel Pellegrini’s side, with Javier Hernandez, Marko Arnautovic and Lucas Perez all not being quite what the club wants.

However, recent rumours have linked the Hammers with a striker so ideal for them that it is surprising that it has taken this long for the club to be rumoured with them, and that man is Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson.

The Cherries frontman has enjoyed a great season with Eddie Howe, scoring 11 goals and assisting another seven in 24 Premier League games, and according to the Sun, the English international is being monitored by West Ham, along with Leicester City, Everton and Chelsea.

With interest from rival clubs, West Ham face a battle for the Bournemouth star, but acquiring his services could be the best signing the club make this summer,

At 27, Wilson is entering his prime years and may be thinking about making the next step in his career, and a move to the Hammers might be a sensible next step for the striker.

West Ham are a team with the quality to potentially become a top-six side, and with Wilson amongst their ranks, that goal will become a lot more achievable. The former Coventry City striker has all the attributes to succeed with the Hammers. Pace, strength, good finishing and a physical presence in the air make him an ideal forward for the style of football Pellegrini plays.

Wilson would also be affordable should David Gold and David Sullivan decide to offload Hernandez, Carroll and Arnautovic this summer, leaving the club with more than enough to pay Bournemouth the reported £40 million they value the striker at.

West Ham have had a striker problem for some time, but in Wilson, they have the perfect candidate to fill out this void in the team that has plagued the club for years.

West Ham fans, what striker should the club bring in this summer?

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According to Portuguese media outlet Correio de Manha, Leicester City have joined Premier League rivals West Ham United in being keen on FC Porto striker Moussa Marega, who is finally the player capable of displacing Jamie Vardy on a consistent basis.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Correio de Manha report that the Foxes scouted the 27-year-old during his side’s Champions League clash with AS Roma last week, where he scored one and assisted one to help the Portuguese outfit reach the quarter-finals of the prestigious competition.

The Mali international has 17 goals and a further 10 assists in 34 appearances in all competitions in total thus far this term, as he continues to make a huge impression for Porto.

Correio de Manha say that the African centre-forward has a release clause of €40m (£34m) in his contract, which is due to expire in 2021.

Would he be a good signing?

He certainly would be, and is the striker they have been searching for over the last couple of years.

Big-money moves for Islam Slimani, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho have failed to work out as the east Midlands outfit have searched for Vardy partners and successors with the England international getting no younger, but it is the 32-year-old who largely continues to be the first-choice option at the King Power Stadium.

The addition of Marega would change that though, with the Malian attacker having the strength, pace and power to lead the line for Brendan Rodgers’ men, as well as having the clinical finishing ability in his locker Leicester are so often crying out for.

Things may not have worked out for Slimani following his move to England from Sporting Lisbon previously, but his fellow African has the quality to make a name for himself in the Premier League.

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Everton fans have taken to Twitter to reveal that they are in favour of a move for Roma striker Patrik Schick, who is reportedly attracting the interest of the Toffees.

Roma signed the Czech Republic international back in 2017 for a club-record fee of €42m, a move which looked to be an exciting move for everyone involved given just how highly-rated the youngster was during his time with Sampdoria.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

However, since arriving in Rome, Schick has managed to find the back of the net just eight times in 53 appearances, largely proving to be a big-money flop.

As a result of that, the Serie A side are reportedly looking to cash in on the 23-year-old for a sum of around €24m.

Whilst he hasn’t hit the heights that he would’ve liked to have hit in Rome, Schick is still a young forward with a lot of potential, and could be an inspired buy for a fee of around £20m.

The Everton fans on Twitter appear to be in favour of signing him, at least…

أعلن الكرواتي أنتي تشاتشيتش المدير الفني لنادي بيراميدز، تشكيل الفريق لمواجهة طلائع الجيش، اليوم الأربعاء، في إطار منافسات بطولة كأس مصر.

بيراميدز يلاقي طلائع الجيش، ضمن مباريات دور الثمانية لبطولة كأس مصر، على استاد الجبل الأخضر (ملعب المقاولون العرب).

طالع | تقارير: نجم منتخب تونس يوافق على الانتقال إلى بيراميدز تشكيل بيراميدز أمام طلائع الجيش

حراسة المرمى: مهدي سليمان

خط الدفاع: علي جبر – طارق طه – أحمد أيمن منصور – أحمد توفيق

خط الوسط: نبيل عماد دونجا – إبراهيم عادل – إبراهيم حسن – محمد فتحي – إسلام عيسي

خط الهجوم: دودو الجباس

ويتواجد على مقاعد البدلاء:

أحمد الشناوي – عمر جابر – محمد حمدي – محمود حمادة – جون انطوي – محمد عطوة – رجب بكار.

Aston Villa continued their season revival with a 1-0 win at rivals Birmingham City in the Championship today.

In a game overshadowed by a nasty incident involving a pitch invading fan and Jack Grealish, it would be the Villa midfielder who would have the last laugh as he slotted in the winner with 20 minutes to play to send Dean Smith’s men home happy.

Indeed, the performance of Grealish and ability to recover from what was a shocking incident, proved just why he is one of the best – if not the best – players in the second tier.

A mature head was needed from Grealish, who seems to relishing in his role as Villa skipper, and we got just that from Villa’s number 10 in what was an assured, confident, and classy display at St Andrews.

It begs the question of what might have been for Villa this season has he not missed a big chunk of the campaign with injury, and his timely return to form and fitness could see Villa land a play-off spot in the end anyway.

It’s unlikely Grealish will stay put in the Championship for long if Villa aren’t promoted soon, and Premier League clubs will have been super impressed with him today.

While Villa will be looking to keep hold of their star man, he showed today just why he is so coveted by club’s in the upper echelons of the footballing world.