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According to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, Glasgow Rangers have made a €4.5m (£3.8m) offer for Heerenveen midfielder Joey Veerman.

The Lowdown: Gers linked with Veerman, wants to leave

The Gers have been linked with a move for £7.65m-valued Veerman (Transfermarkt) in recent weeks and months, as have Serie A outfit Atalanta.

The midfielder has also already made it clear he is looking to depart the Eredivisie outfit this summer (nu.nl).

The Latest: Gers make offer

According to this latest report, the Gers have made their first move for 22-year-old Veerman.

It says the Ibrox outfit have made a bid of €4.5m (£3.8m), which is €1m (£850,000) less than what Atalanta have put on the table. Steven Gerrard is also said to be a big fan.

The Verdict: Making their move

Ross Wilson and co, it seems, are finally making their move for Veerman. It is a little surprising that this comes after the 55-time Scottish champions have already brought in one new midfielder in John Lundstram (rangers.co.uk), but with nine goals and 11 assists last term in all competitions (Transfermarkt), it is clear the Dutchman could offer plenty going forward.

The start of the season for the Gers is fast approaching, and they will be looking forward to getting started in the Champions League third qualifying round. The addition of Veerman would give Gerrard more confidence that his side would be able to reach the next stage of the competition.

In other news, Rangers fans were livid at this Club 1872 news.

Liverpool must swoop for Barcelona midfielder Pedri this summer after being linked with a move for the teenager.

What’s the story?

According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo (as reported by The Mirror), Jurgen Klopp has made the 18-year-old his priority target ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

Pedri enjoyed a stellar breakout season with the Catalan giants in 2020/21, but their poor financial situation has seen a host of first-team stars linked with an imminent exit.

Edwards must swoop

The teenage prodigy joined Barca in an £18m move back in 2019 but stayed on at his boyhood club Las Palmas for another season.

After joining up with Ronaldo Koeman’s men 12 months ago, Pedri has instantly established himself as one of the club’s star performers.

Despite his tender years, the Spain international made an astonishing 52 appearances in all competitions for the Camp Nou outfit last season, bagging four goals and providing six assists along the way.

His impressive displays earnt him a spot in Luis Enriques’s 24-man squad for Euro 2020 and saw compatriot Thiago laud the youngster with praise after impressing on international duty.

“It’s amazing how confident he is for his age. He’s a footballer who looks spectacular,” claimed the Liverpool midfielder.

“With the club he’s at; and what he’s doing there, it’s incredible. I urge him to keep progressing.”

For someone so young, Pedri has an amazing ability to keep possession and unlock defences, something so many previous Spanish technicians have also excelled in.

However, it’s a quality that has been missing at Anfield for quite some time.

While Liverpool have founded their success in recent years off the back of their highly impressive gegenpressing style, Klopp’s charges have lacked a natural advanced playmaker since Philippe Coutinho’s departure.

Gini Wijnaldum’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain has left a gap in the Reds’ engine room, and Pedri could be the perfect man to fill it.

His contract currently contains a £70m buyout clause, but with Barca reportedly keen to tie him down to fresh terms, Klopp may have to move quickly to secure his key target.

And, in other news…Edwards masterstroke: Liverpool must land £63m-rated gem, he’s a “complete midfielder” 

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are planning to sell Dele Alli this summer.

The Lowdown: Busy summer for Spurs

Tottenham finished the campaign in seventh place, meaning they will enter the Europa Conference League next season. As such, Daniel Levy and co will be preparing for a busy transfer window.

Harry Kane has already indicated he would like to leave Spurs this summer (Sky Sports), and there could now be another big name leaving the club.

The Latest: Spurs want to sell Alli

It is now being reported the Lilywhites are eager to sell Dele Alli this summer. He is said to be a difficult character behind the scenes, which has contributed to the desire to see him exit.

Daniel Levy and co are said to be willing to listen to offers for the £28.8m-valued 25-year-old (Transfermarkt).

The Verdict: Fresh start

Although he fell totally out of favour under Jose Mourinho, Alli has received plenty more playing time under interim boss Ryan Mason. He has actually started each of the last five Premier League matches of the season (Mason even called him “excellent” recently, indicating a slight resurgence.

Alli’s influence on the Tottenham team has decreased steadily since the 2016/17 term when he netted 18 times in the league. It seems he has little future at Spurs, but he is still just 25 years and has plenty of time to retrieve his previous form. A fresh start could well be best for all involved.

In other news, David Ornstein makes this Harry Kane claim.

Sheffield United are interested in a move to bring Tom Cairney to Bramall Lane this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by TEAMtalk, who claim that the Blades’ new manager Slavisa Jokanovi, is keen on a reunion with the Fulham midfielder, who could be available for around £10m in the upcoming transfer window.

However, it is also reported that Fulham will not sanction the sale of the 30-year-old until they have decided whether or not they wish to continue with Scott Parker in charge of the west London side.

Jokanovic must move

While an injury kept Cairney – whom Parker has dubbed an “outstanding” player – sidelined for the majority of Fulham’s Premier League campaign, the Scotland international nevertheless demonstrated his talent for the Cottagers over a limited amount of fixtures this season.

Over his 10 top-flight appearances for Scott Parker’s side, the £8.1m-rated man bagged one goal, provided one assist and created one big chance for his team-mates, as well as taking an average of 1.2 shots and making 1.7 key passes per game.

Cairney’s range of passing was also impressive, with the midfielder completing an average of 54.8 passes per game, in addition to averaging 2.9 successful chipped passes and four successful long balls over each of his league appearances.

These returns saw the 30-year-old earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.28, ranking him as the club’s best performer in the Premier League.

Furthermore, the £27,000-per-week Scot also highly impressed in Fulham’s promotion-winning campaign last season, scoring eight goals, registering three assists and creating six big chances over his 39 Championship appearances for the Cottagers, earning a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.12.

As such, a move for Cairney should be an absolute priority for Jokanovic this summer, as the midfielder would appear to have the quality to help fire Sheffield United back to the Premier League next season, as well as the potential of helping the Blades remain in the top flight thereafter.

In other news: Jokanovic could be heading for his first major Sheffield United transfer mistake

A centre-back partnership of Harry Maguire and Cristian Romero at Manchester United could be brilliant, says Forza Italian Football’s editor-in-chief Conor Clancy.

Romero, 23, is currently being linked with a move to Manchester United, with Calciomercato (via The Sun) reporting that the Red Devils are ready to do battle with Liverpool for the Atalanta defender.

Maguire has been a mainstay in United’s defence since joining the club back in 2019; however, some feel that the Englishman and Victor Lindelof do not work as a centre-half pairing.

Considering that, Clancy thinks a move for Romero this summer would make sense, suggesting he could work well alongside Maguire.

“I think they could [be a partnership],” the Italian football expert said. “I think for 35 games a season, they’d be brilliant.”

Clancy, however, did have a word of caution. He added: “But they might make a few odd decisions because they probably have the same flaws in that sometimes they do things and you just think, ‘What? Why did that happen?’ ”

Whatever the case, United fans will surely be pleased to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer trying to improve both the team’s defence and attack after finishing behind rivals Manchester City in the title race.

The Red Devils are, of course, also in for Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho, so this is possibly shaping up to be a good transfer window for the club.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Wigan Athletic manager, Paul Jewell, has claimed that he can’t understand why Eddie Howe has not yet been appointed as Celtic’s new manager.

Kevin Phillips has claimed that Celtic are waiting until the last weekend of the SPFL season to announce Howe as their new manager, which would allow him to start a complete fresh after this poor season for the Bhoys.

However, Howe’s representatives have made it clear that the former Bournemouth manager will not be accepting any job offers until at least the summer, as he continues to take time over his next move.

Speaking on why he can’t understand the point in delaying Howe’s announcement as manager and how it is something difficult to keep quiet, Jewell exclusively told FFC:

“If the deal has been agreed or was agreed a while ago, then I don’t know why it hasn’t been made public, but sometimes clubs want the manager to start next season afresh.

“Maybe Kevin Phillips knows something that I don’t but I think things like this are very difficult to keep quiet. If Eddie does get the job then it’ll be great for him.”

Celtic have experienced a poor season by their standards as they could have won a record 10th league title in a row, but instead, they surrendered their crown to Rangers who won their 55th SPFL title.

Whoever is appointed as Celtic’s new manager will have to rebuild the club and squad and this will have to be done without long-standing captain Scott Brown, who is joining Aberdeen as a player-coach the summer.

Steve Bruce has dropped an update on Allan Saint-Maximin after an injury scare while playing for Newcastle away to Liverpool this weekend.

The Frenchman was a victim of three fouls from Reds players in their 1-1 draw at Anfield in the Premier League at Saturday lunchtime, being more or less kicked all over the pitch.

Speaking in his post-match press conference when asked about whether he thinks the 24-year-old will be fit to play against Arsenal at St James’ Park next weekend, Bruce claimed (via The Chronicle): “Saint-Maximin’s going to take knocks because of the way he plays.”

The manager added: “I think he’s OK.”

Saint-Maximin so important to Newcastle

You only have to look at the impact that Saint-Maximin has had since returning to the team to see just how important he is to Newcastle. In their last four matches in the Premier League in where he has featured, the Tyneside club have won two and drawn two, with the 24-year-old scoring one goal and setting up another two in those fixtures (Transfermarkt).

The Magpies will need to have him fully fit and at his best if they are to take anything away from the Gunners, who are a wounded animal after back-to-back disappointing results at home to both Fulham and Everton respectively.

Bruce’s encouraging update on Saint-Maximin’s fitness will surely come as a welcome relief to much of the Toon Army, given the Frenchman’s sizeable influence.

In other news, read more on this big Joe Willock transfer update!

West Ham are leading the race to sign Sam Johnstone this summer, according to emerging reports…

What’s the word?

That’s according to ESPN, who claim that the Irons are the front-runners to land the coveted West Brom goalkeeper due to manager David Moyes previously working with the 28-year-old at Manchester United.

The Red Devils are also said to be interested in bringing him back to the club. with David de Gea’s future in doubt, whilst Spurs are thought to be admirers, too.

Albion are said to value their no.1 shot-stopper at around £18m after an impressive season between the sticks for the Midlands strugglers.

An eye on the future?

It wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to see Moyes sign a new gloveman in the summer as by the time the new season swings around, first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will be 36 and his backup, Darren Randolph, will be 34.

Despite his side possessing the worst defensive record in the Premier League, Johnstone has actually been a commanding presence in goal for the Baggies and without him, they’d probably be officially relegated already. At 6 foot 4, he has proven to be one of the division’s best shot-stoppers – hardly a surprise given they face so many attempts each game.

As per FBRef, the £32.5k-per-week Hawthorns star makes 4.27 saves per 90 minutes, the most in the Premier League. And his success-rate of 71.2% ranks slightly ahead of Moyes’ current no.1 (68.5%).

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Johnstone has earned high praise throughout the campaign, as a result of his fine performances.

“He’s one of the best [goalkeepers],” explained manager Sam Allardyce to talkSPORT. Whilst Glenn Hoddle told the Evening Standard: “I have seen him four times this year and he has been outstanding.”

He has kept some big names at bay with his imposing stature between the sticks, too – mooted Irons target Danny Ings couldn’t score past him despite two shots, and in that game, Johnstone rated as SofaScore’s top player and similarly, not even Edinson Cavani could find the net either, with the shot-stopper among Albion’s best-performers again.

Recently he was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad but did not feature on the pitch, though that is an encouraging sign for him ahead of this summer’s European Championships.

Also lauded as a “diamond” to work with by Steve Bruce, Johnstone would be an interesting candidate to push Fabianski and become Moyes’ next first-choice.

It’s a move that former Hammers man Frank McAvennie would like to see happen too. Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast this week, he said: “I think it would be really good business,” before adding: “It’s right up West Ham’s street.”

GSB, Moyes and the club should absolutely seal a swoop for Johnstone this summer. At £18m, it could prove to be a steal.

AND in other news, West Ham could find perfect Rice replacement in “exceptional” £30m-rated beast…

Football Insider pundit Alex McLeish believes Celtic won’t be happy with the delay of announcing Eddie Howe as their new manager.

The Lowdown: Howe agrees move, delay down to Bournemouth

According to talkSPORT, Howe has agreed to become Neil Lennon’s successor and will be in the Parkhead dugout for the 2021/22 season.

The delay in regards to an official announcement on the 43-year-old is thought to be due to Bournemouth’s involvement in the Championship playoffs.

Howe wants to bring some coaching staff members from the south coast to Scotland, with the report claiming the Englishman could be forced to look elsewhere, should the Cherries return to the top flight at the first time of asking.

The Latest: McLeish’s claim

Talking to Football Insider regarding that update and possible complication, McLeish, 62, believes Celtic could feel second-best due to the long process of getting Howe through the door.

“If Celtic have got to wait on Eddie, it’s not something the big clubs like to do.

“If they’re seen to be doing that then, if you finally get the manager or the coach, it feels second hand and he’s looking for something else. They will be unhappy about that. At the end of the day, they know the level they have to bring to Celtic to win trophies.

“They have successfully done it over the years. Celtic famously stopped Rangers doing ten-in-a-row one of the years. They brought the right manager in at the time. Now they have to do that again to stop Rangers, launching an onslaught.

“One of the other important things, of course, is recruitment. It would be up to that coach who comes in, with the vision, to see who should come to Celtic.”

The Verdict: Celtic shouldn’t feel second best

In our opinion, the Hoops shouldn’t be feeling like they are Howe’s second choice, should a deal go through.

Yes, it’s not ideal with having to wait until the Cherries’ season is complete, as that may run until the end of the month.

However, should Howe officially put pen to paper on a Celtic contract, there should be no comments on him taking the job half-hearted, as he revealed back in November his next position in management needs to be one that ‘really motivated’ him.

Hopefully, the club will announce Howe as their new boss over the coming weeks, bringing to an end a two-month process following talks with the Englishman at the start of April.

In other news: Odsonne Edouard closing in on Celtic exit, find out more here. 

Peterborough United director of football Barry Fry has told Football FanCast exclusively that he expects Everton to spend big this summer as they look to continue their push for European football.

The Toffees are currently eighth in the Premier League table but they are just five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, such is the congested nature of the table.

Everton have suffered two dispiriting defeats in recent weeks, losing to Burnley and Chelsea, but they remain in with a shout of qualifying for Europe this season.

The Toffees have Carlo Ancelotti in the dugout and also spent big money in the summer, bringing in Ben Godfrey from Norwich City, Allan from Napoli, Abdoulaye Doucoure from Watford, James Rodriguez from Real Madrid, Robin Olsen from AS Roma and Niels Nkounkou from Marseille.

With Everton also building a new stadium that will have a capacity of 52,800, Fry believes the club have ambitions of grandeur and will splash the cash in the transfer market as they look to build a squad befitting the ground.

He told FFC:

“It’s no good building a new ground that’s wonderful and one of the best in the world if you’ve not got the players on the pitch, so I can see that. With the manager they’ve got as well, they will attract players in the summer, they will spend big money in the summer.”