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Fabrizio Romano has now dropped a key injury update on Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori, after the defender was forced to leave the Italy squad.

The Gunners have already had to deal with their fair share of injuries this season, and Mikel Arteta now has more problems to contend with, as two of the manager’s most important players have recently suffered setbacks on international duty.

Indeed, there are now doubts over the fitness of Gabriel, which will be a major concern for Arteta, given that the Brazilian has started every Premier League match this season, and Carlo Ancelotti has now issued an apology.

When asked about the extent of the injury, the Brazil manager said: “Bad? I don’t know, he had a problem on his adductor the medical staff have to check tomorrow. We are really sorry for this, really disappointed, when players have an injury I hope they can recover well and soon.”

Fabrizio Romano drops update on Riccardo Calafiori's injury

It recently emerged that Calafiori has also dropped out of the Italy squad due to a hip injury, and Romano has now taken to X to provide an update, stating Arsenal staff are informed and “not anticipating a big problem or issue”, which will be a relief for Arteta.

The Italian has returned to London to be assessed by the medical team, but it is promising news that the injury is not expected to be a major issue, with the North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur penciled in for next weekend.

With Gabriel also suffering an injury blow, it is of increased importance that the 23-year-old is available, as Arteta is unlikely to want to re-jig his defence too much heading into such an important game.

Much like the centre-back, the £120k-a-week defender has been one of Arteta’s most important players so far this season, featuring in all 11 Premier League games, and the Arsenal boss singled him out for high praise after the 2-0 win at Burnley earlier this month.

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The Spaniard said: “Very good. He’s been really stable, some big performances. He’s a big contributor to what we’re doing defensively as well. He gives us a lot in attack with his position and his threat. He continues to create chaos for the opposition.”

As such, it will be a relief that the recent injury is seemingly unlikely to keep Calafiori out of action for too long, as the Gunners look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table next weekend, with Manchester City making the difficult trip to St. James’ Park.

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Leeds United are now strongly considering a bid for a “brilliant” midfielder, who could be in line to join alongside their move for Sean Longstaff this summer, according to a report.

Leeds stepping up pursuit of new midfielders

Leeds have now reached an agreement on personal terms with Newcastle United’s Longstaff, as revealed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, with the deal said to be edging closer to completion.

Widespread reports have suggested the Newcastle midfielder is free to leave his boyhood club this summer, with Eddie Howe sanctioning a departure, and a move to Elland Road appears to be an increasingly likely outcome.

However, Daniel Farke may not want to stop there, with some extra quality perhaps needed in the engine room if his side are to avoid relegation from the Premier League next season, and the Championship title-winners have now intensified their interest in a different midfielder.

That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Leeds are now stepping up their interest in Shea Charles, with the Southampton midfielder catching the eye during a loan spell with Sheffield Wednesday last season.

The Whites tracked Charles’ performances during his loan spell with the Owls, and they were clearly impressed by what they saw, as a move is now being strongly considered, although it is unclear what sort of fee it would take to prise him away from the Saints.

Will Still is also hoping to keep hold of the central midfielder beyond the summer, which could make it difficult for the Whites to get a deal for the £15m-rated maestro over the line.

Charles could be "brilliant" addition to Farke's squad

While the signing of Longstaff makes more sense, considering the 27-year-old is vastly experienced at Premier League level, the Southampton midfielder’s performances in the Championship indicate he could be capable of making the step-up to the top flight.

Not only has the 21-year-old hailed as “brilliant” by members of the media, but journalist Joe Crann believes he could go on to achieve big things in the game.

Perhaps most noteworthy is the Northern Irishman’s defensive ability, performing very well across some key metrics over the past year, when compared to other midfielders.

Shea Charles

Average per 90

Interceptions

1.46 (83rd percentile)

Tackles

2.68 (78th percentile)

Aerials won

1.54 (80th percentile)

However, having recorded five assists in the Championship last season, the former Sheffield Wednesday man is clearly a well-rounded midfielder, capable of contributing on the front foot.

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Charles could be a solid signing for Leeds this summer, but Longstaff looks to be a more attainable target, given that Newcastle are more willing to sanction a departure.

Liverpool are believed to have entered talks over the signing of a “complete” Premier League player this summer, a new report has claimed.

Liverpool preparing for huge PSG clash

The Reds beat Southampton 3-1 in relatively unconvincing fashion on Saturday, which coupled with Arsenal’s 1-1 draw away to Manchester United further increased Arne Slot’s side’s stranglehold on the Premier League title.

Next up for Liverpool is their crucial Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield, following last week’s smash-and-grab 1-0 victory at the Parc des Princes. Huge improvements will be needed by the Merseysiders, in terms of performance level, or their European dream could easily end.

In terms of Reds-related transfer news, Marcus Thuram has been mentioned as a target for the summer, with the Inter Milan striker reportedly watched by Liverpool scouts during his side’s Champions League clash with Feyenoord last week, in which he opened the scoring in a 2-0 victory in the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman has also been linked with a move to Anfield at the end of the season, being seen as a potential replacement for Luis Diaz, should the Colombian leave. The 28-year-old has registered four goals and assists apiece in the Bundesliga in 2024/25 to date, but has been limited to just 11 starts in the competition.

Liverpool in talks to sign "complete" Bournemouth star Huijsen

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool have “initiated talks” to sign Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen in the summer transfer window and are one of several teams preparing a bid worth up to £30m.

The 19-year-old is a wanted man, following an outstanding season at the heart of the Cherries’ defence, with Arsenal and Tottenham also in the race, though they may all have to up their offers given he has a £55m release clause.

Huijsen looks like a wonderful prospect, taking to the Premier League like a duck to water following his permanent move to Bournemouth from Juventus last summer.

The Spain Under-21 international has played a big role in the Cherries’ success throughout the campaign, averaging 5.3 clearances and 2.1 aerial duel wins per game in the league, and football talent scout Jacek Kulig has called him both “complete” and “one of the most talented” teenage centre-backs in Europe currently.

A new central defender is needed at Liverpool this summer, in order to give Slot more options at the back, and bringing in a player with the long-term potential of Huijsen is a no-brainer.

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The Bournemouth man could develop into a world-class player over time, assuming he continues like he is, and he could blossom even more playing alongside elite footballers at Anfield.

Everton have made some important transfers over the past few summers, as their objective within the Premier League has changed. Once, the Toffees were fighting to qualify for Europe, at times managing to fulfil that ambition.

Nowadays, however, the Merseysiders are scrambling around in the bottom half of the Premier League, fighting relegation. One of six sides who are Premier League ever-presents, the past few transfer windows have been crucial in order to stay in the top flight rather than compete for Europe. The 2023 window was one of those instances.

Everton’s 2023 summer window

The Toffees made five signings under Sean Dyche in his first summer transfer window as manager. Of those transfers, two were permanent deals, two players joined on loan and another on a free transfer.

The two temporary deals were that of Arnaut Danjuma from Spanish outfit Villarreal, and Jack Harrison from Leeds United. The former had previously played in England for both Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur, although struggled at Goodison Park, scoring just twice. Harrison performed well enough to get a second loan deal at the club.

Experienced Premier League player Ashley Young made the move to Merseyside for free after leaving Aston Villa. Now predominantly a full-back, he strengthened the Toffees back line and added experience alongside the likes of James Tarkowski and Seamus Coleman.

The two players who signed permanently were strikers Youssef Chermiti and Beto. Portugal under-21 international Chermiti, who signed from Sporting, has yet to score for the club amid a sticky past year or so, although is just 20 years of age.

Beto, however, is someone they perhaps could have expected more from. He cost upwards of £30m but has not lived up to that price tag yet.

The Guinea-Bissau forward has just seven goals and two assists to his name in 44 games so far.

Beto stats per competition for Everton

Season

Competition

Games

Goals

Assists

2023/24

Premier League

30

3

0

2023/24

Carabao Cup

4

2

1

2023/24

FA Cup

3

0

1

2024/25

Premier League

5

1

0

2024/25

Carabao Cup

2

1

0

Stats from Transfermarkt

Frustratingly for Dyche, Everton were linked with another striker instead of their number 14 last summer, who ended up becoming one of the deadliest finishers in Europe.

The player Everton nearly signed instead of Beto

The player in question here is Bayer Leverkusen and Nigeria international striker Victor Boniface. He joined the 2023/24 German champions just over 12 months ago, for a reported fee of £16.6m, almost half of what the Toffees paid for Beto just a month or so later.

According to a report from journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the Merseysiders were keen on bringing the Niergian to the club. He suggested in July 2023 that they got “initial information” about a potential move for the striker, from then-club Union Saint-Gilloise.

Looking back on it, they must regret not doing the deal given the career trajectory of Boniface since then. Last term, he scored 21 goals and grabbed ten assists in 34 games in all competitions. He flew out of the traps in his debut season, scoring eight goals and grabbing five assists in the first 13 Bundesliga matches.

Already, the “monster” centre-forward, as football scout Antonio Mango described him, has had a superb start to the new season. He has eight goals and an assist in 12 games so far.

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Incredibly, that is more goals than Beto has managed in his Everton career so far, showing just what Dyche’s side missed out on.

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It may be no surprise that Boniface is now very highly valued. According to CIES Football Observatory, the Leverkusen striker is worth a whopping £72.2m, even more than fellow Nigeria striker, and equally deadly finisher Victor Osimhen.

Everton must surely rue missing out on such a talent. They could have had the next great Premier League-era striker at the club, following in the footsteps of the likes of Wayne Rooney and Romelu Lukaku.

Instead, they missed out on Boniface and ended up with Beto, who has just not lived up to expectations yet. It goes down as a big miss from Everton’s point of view.

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Todd Boehly and the wider Chelsea recruitment team are now seriously considering a "high profile" swap deal, as they continue their widely reported battle to sign Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise.

Palace offer Olise new contract to fend off Chelsea

As reported by Fabrizio Romano this week, the Olise saga has taken yet another twist. Indeed, the reliable transfer journalist broke news that Palace have offered Olise a new contract in an effort to thwart Chelsea, much like they did last summer, but Enzo Maresca's men are still pushing for an agreement and won't give up the chase.

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"What I can reveal is that, in the last two days, Crystal Palace have offered Olise a new contract," wrote Romano on his Dailybriefing.

"Olise was also close to joining Chelsea last summer before Palace offered him a new deal, and now this summer they are trying exactly the same strategy. Now it’s up to the player, and Palace have given permission to Chelsea, Newcastle United and Bayern Munich to talk to the player.

Michael Olise's top flight stats for Crystal Palace – 2023/2024

Total (via Transfermarkt)

Appearances

19

Goals

10

Assists

6

Minutes per goal

128

Minutes played

1,278

"At the moment, Chelsea are really pushing and are prepared to pay what Palace want for Olise, and they are also pushing on the player side. Chelsea believe that to agree personal terms with the player will mean getting the deal done.

"Despite Palace offering Olise a new deal, Chelsea are really pushing and insisting and doing their best to land the French winger."

If the 22-year-old puts pen to paper on fresh terms just one year after his last extension, it would be an undoubted blow to Chelsea's transfer plans over Olise, as his current deal is said to contain a complex £60 million exit clause.

The proposed new deal could in theory raise his release clause or just put Palace in an even stronger negotiating position. Depending on the details of Olise's contract offer, Chelsea will be hoping he doesn't sign-off on it, as the Blues seek to back Maresca with the signing of a proven Premier League star.

There have been reports that Chelsea could tempt Palace with player-plus-cash offers for Olise. High-earning winger Raheem Sterling has been floated in Chelsea talks for Olise, according to some media sources, but now another one of Maresca's squad is being mentioned as a possible makeweight.

Chelsea seriously consider Trevoh Chalobah swap deal for Olise

According to GiveMeSport, the player in question is versatile ace Trevoh Chalobah. The Cobham academy ace started 10 of Chelsea's final 15 league games of the 2023/2024 season, after working his way back under Mauricio Pochettino following a first half of the season blighted by injury.

However, Chelsea could still elect to sell the 24-year-old, as per numerous reports in the last few months. Now, GMS state Chelsea are seriously considering a "high profile" Olise swap deal involving Chalobah.

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They add that the Englishman may have already played his last game for Chelsea if all goes to plan, but it remains to be seen if this is something Palace boss Oliver Glasner and chairman Steve Parish entertain.

It looked as though Aston Villa were close to moving on Jhon Duran during the January transfer window, as Chelsea were showing keen interest in luring him to London.

The young Colombian suffered an injury during a cameo against Everton and this scuppered any chance of him leaving Villa.

With Morgan Rogers joining the club, does Duran have a future at Villa Park? There could be promising young talents in the academy who could step up and become a long-term heir for Ollie Watkins.

Ollie Watkins' record this season

The reason Duran failed to make much of an impression prior to his injury was his inability to displace Watkins from the starting XI.

The Englishman has scored 16 goals and grabbed 12 assists in 33 matches across all competitions during 2023/24 as he has emerged as one of the best forwards in the country.

Unai Emery has given him much more confidence and freedom, but with this type of form, surely the big boys will come calling sooner rather than later.

The Spaniard must be thinking of a contingency plan should Watkins depart the Midlands in the near future and while money will likely be spent in the transfer window to secure a replacement, there is a teenage sensation ready to make an impact in the senior squad before too long – Rory Wilson.

Rory Wilson’s youth statistics

The 18-year-old moved south to join Villa in the summer of 2022 following a spell at Glasgow Rangers where he established himself as one of the best in his age group.

Indeed, during his final season in Scotland, Wilson netted a staggering 49 goals for both club and country, and it's safe to say he has carried on with this prolific form since arriving.

Journalist Jonty Colman lauded the youngster as a “goal machine” following his exit from Ibrox and during his debut campaign at Villa, he scored 15 goals – including four in the Premier League 2 – and this gave him a solid foundation to build on ahead of this term.

In just 11 U18 Premier League games, Wilson has scored 16 goals, a simply stunning return, and he does not look like he is ready to slow down either.

Remarkably, the youngster made his Scotland U21 debut aged just 16, and it clearly shows how highly thought of he is among the national team hierarchy.

Scotland's youth coach James Grady even claimed that the 18-year-old is “obsessed with being the best” and this sort of attitude will surely stand him in good stead as he looks to make a breakthrough into the senior setup at Villa.

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With the club playing in the Europa Conference League knockout stages next month, this could be an opportunity for Wilson to perhaps make the bench and even secure some minutes if the club are winning heavily.

Whatever happens, Watkins won't be at Villa forever and plans will be in place to secure a replacement. Wilson may not be ready right now, but if he keeps scoring at his current rate, the former Gers frontman will be hard to ignore.

Liverpool have boasted their fair share of attacking talent over the years, but there has not been such a devastating unified strikeforce as the spearhead assembled under Jurgen Klopp's management.

The Reds had failed to kick on since the prosperity of the noughties and boasted just one League Cup trophy since that illustrious spell when Rafa Benitez orchestrated silver-laden success across the FA Cup and Champions League across two seasons, with Steven Gerrard the centrepiece.

Klopp arrived in 2015 after Brendan Rodgers' Luis Suarez-led side failed to win the 2013/14 Premier League title after an enthralling contest – following the bitter culmination, the Uruguayan phenomenon was sold to Barcelona for £75m in 2014.

With his pillar of prodigy gone the towering Anfield edifice crumbled, but the incoming German manager rekindled the flame and restored the Merseysiders with his transcendent stewardship.

Liverpool Silverware Under Klopp (via Transfermarkt)

Trophy

Times won

Premier League

x1

Champions League

x1

FA Cup

x1

Carabao Cup

x1

FIFA Club World Cup

x1

UEFA Super Cup

x1

Community Shield

x1

Fast-track to the present day and Liverpool has enjoyed one of the most resounding chapters in its lengthy history, winning trophies from all directions and establishing itself as a true European powerhouse once more.

While the collective growth in quality has been remarkable, Klopp will perhaps be best known for his devastating attacking instruments, with Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane forming an iconic frontline that struck fear into the hearts of Europe's most formidable outfits.

Salah still plies his trade on Merseyside to this day, having posted 190 goals and 83 assists across all competitions for the Reds, while Firmino departed in the summer after 362 appearances, described as a “leader” by journalist Henry Winter for his integral role.

Mane was the first to leave, but that does not discredit the profound effect he had on the Anfield side, cementing his name as one of the finest of his generation, and that's despite Klopp holding major reservations upon the first encounter between the pair.

Why did Liverpool sign Sadio Mane?

Mane is comfortably one of Liverpool's finest forwards of the modern era, with his rise to prominence really something to behold, but it wasn't always this way, with the Senegalese star not exactly making the best impression on his future manager.

Revealing his first thoughts in 2020, Klopp explained how Mane first came to his attention while he headed the Borussia Dortmund ship, and that he certainly hadn't been coloured impressed.

Klopp said: "I remember my first encounter with Sadio. It was in Dortmund. There was a really young guy sitting there. His baseball cap was askew, the blond streak he still has today.

"He looked like a rapper just starting out. I thought, 'I don't have time for this'. Our team back then really wasn't bad. I needed someone who could handle not being a starter at the very beginning, someone I could develop."

Well, a few years on and Mane had been dazzling in the Premier League with Southampton, scoring 25 goals and supplying 14 assists from 75 outings – including the division's fastest-ever hat-trick – and leaving Klopp no choice but to part with £34m in 2016 to secure his services.

It came during Klopp's first summer transfer window since taking the reins, with fellow acquisitions Gini Wijnaldum and Joel Matip forming the early framework for the forthcoming illustrious endeavours.

It was a masterful move, but no one knew that yet.

How many goals did Sadio Mane score for Liverpool?

Across 269 outings for the Merseyside outfit, the 31-year-old enjoyed the best years of his career by a long stretch, scoring 120 times and serving up 48 assists for his teammates, earning praise for his "unbelievable" performances by pundit Jamie Redknapp.

Winning all the silverware – barring the Community Shield – that Klopp has gleaned on English shores to date, the 97-cap Senegal legend has been more than just instrumental, blending lightning pace with deft attacking motions a cheetah would tip its hat to.

Situated on the left channel, Mane and Salah wreaked devastation as they veered inwards, having found space following the wizardry of Roberto Firmino in the centre, whose intellect and selflessness broke the enemy lines and allowed the incisive. wide pair to flourish.

Hitting double-digits across all six of his Premier League campaigns with Liverpool, his threat was one of great consistency, notably scoring 40 goals across the 2018/19 – 2019/20 terms alone.

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The one-time Red Bull Salzburg man also combined 52 times with both Salah and Firmino across his Reds career, highlighting the level of destructive ability this esteemed frontline held.

Such prowess led Klopp to hail him as “one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players" also claiming that “the goals he scored, the trophies he won; a legend, for sure, but also a modern-day Liverpool icon."

All good things come to an end, and with just one year left on his contract and a resolution looking unlikely, Mane was sold to German champions Bayern Munich for an initial £27.5m, but his time in Bavaria was anything but auspicious.

The 5 foot 9 gem scored 12 times last season but failed to truly find his feet and saw his situation compounded following a high-profile bust-up with teammate Leroy Sane.

He has since joined the lucrative Saudi Pro League wave and teamed up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr for £24m, which ostensibly draws a curtain on his feats across Europe.

Endeared to the Liverpool fanbase and with a legacy woven into the fabric of this great footballing city, he is truly a staple of the immense success under Klopp's wing, rewriting the narrative and providing Anfield with a brilliant jewel.

An update has emerged on Jota's future at Celtic amid speculation over a potential move away from the club in the summer transfer window…

What's the latest on Jota's exit from Celtic?

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Portuguese attacker is set to finalise his transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad in a deal worth roughly £25.8m to the Hoops.

The reporter Tweeted: "Understand Al Ittihad coach Nuno has already spoken to Jota about his transfer considered imminent and set to be completed next week. Fee gonna be around €30m, discussions ongoing."

The former Benfica attacker is set to become the third significant exit from Paradise ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, following on from Aaron Mooy's retirement and Ange Postecoglou's switch to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

Who could replace Jota at Celtic?

Brendan Rodgers could forget all about the 24-year-old wizard by securing a deal to bring Mohamed Elyounoussi back to the club for a second spell.

The Norway international, who is a free agent after leaving Southampton, was recently quizzed about a possible move back to Parhead and teased: "We'll see. I enjoyed my time there. I didn't get much time to play with the fans, it was mostly without fans. I enjoyed my time there and you never know."

Celtic's head coach must take advantage of his availability to snap up a bargain deal to replace Jota, as the ex-Saints winger already knows what it takes to perform in Scotland and has proven himself to be an excellent option at this level.

He also has a pre-existing relationship with Rodgers' assistant John Kennedy, who he worked with during his spell on loan with the Hoops between 2019 and 2021. The coach previously hailed the Norwegian magician during their time together, saying:

“Moi’s character and his levels, in terms of training, he’s first class in everything he does. He’s one of the best professionals I’ve worked with."

Elyounoussi enjoyed a terrific 2020/21 campaign with Celtic as he plundered ten goals and four assists in 21 Scottish Premiership starts, which worked out as a goal contribution every 1.5 starts on average as part of a team that scored 78 league goals.

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Jota, on the other hand, scored 11 goals – a tally only Kyogo Furuhashi (27) bettered – and assisted 11 in 26 league starts, an involvement every 1.18 starts on average, as the left winger in Postecoglou's 114-goal side.

The former Southampton forward, who is valued at €4.8m (£4m) by Football Transfers, could flourish in a superior Celtic squad after showcasing his attacking quality on the left flank in Neil Lennon's team, despite their failure to win the title that term.

Therefore, Elyounoussi could be the dream Jota replacement for Rodgers due to his proven Premiership quality as a winger who can make a big impact in the final third and his availability on a free transfer.

Unai Emery has enjoyed a terrific start to life in charge of Aston Villa by winning eight of his first 14 Premier League matches at the helm since replacing Steven Gerrard earlier this season.

One of his former teams, Arsenal, are outshining the Villans in the division this season, though, as the Gunners are currently top of the table with 11 games to play.

Emery had the pleasure of managing a number of their current squad during his time at The Emirates; including Granit Xhaka, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Reiss Nelson.

They are now playing their part in a potential title-winning campaign and the Spaniard could use inspiration from his work with those talents to develop some of Villa's promising young players.

Only three outfield stars featured in more games for Emery than Xhaka during his spell with Arsenal and the boss could find his next version of the Switzerland international by unearthing Tim Iroegbunam next season.

Who is Tim Iroegbunam?

He is a 19-year-old central midfielder who has graduated from the Villa academy and is currently out on loan at Queens Park Rangers until the end of the campaign.

Like Xhaka, the England U20 international is a tall and combative force at 5 foot 11 in the middle of the park, someone who is also capable of contributing at both ends of the pitch.

In the Premier League this season, the Arsenal enforcer has scored three goals and provided five assists from midfield while averaging 1.4 key passes and 1.2 tackles and interceptions per game – winning 53% of his individual duels.

Iroegbunam, who scored four goals and provided four assists in 30 matches for West Brom's U18s, was recently described by manager Gareth Ainsworth as a player who "glides past people and can finish with both feet" and this highlights his attacking threat.

The "impressive" – as dubbed by ex-coach Michael Beale – teenager has only scored twice in 25 Championship starts for QPR but is in his first season of regular first-team football and is still finding his feet at first-team level.

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His defensive attributes are also there for all to see. In the Premier League last season, the youngster made five tackles and interceptions combined and won four of his six duels in a 2-0 win over Norwich, which shows that he has the quality to make an impact at the top level on his day.

Iroegbunam, who has averaged 2.9 tackles and interceptions per match in the Championship, is a midfielder with the potential to influence games at both ends of the pitch and Emery could utilise his talent as a box-to-box player, as he did in 51 games with Xhaka.

Therefore, the Spaniard could unearth his next version of the possible title-winner by bringing the teenage Villa talent into the squad for pre-season this summer after his loan spell in London.

The January transfer window is now open and Glasgow Rangers look set to be in the market to improve their squad after Michael Beale revealed that he is looking for long-term signings.

Ross Wilson must now work with the English head coach to bring in the right players to bolster the team heading into the second half of the campaign as the club are currently nine points off the top of the Premiership table.

The Gers are yet to make their first addition of the window but plenty of other clubs across Europe have been active and one of the club’s former targets, Davie Selke, has sealed a free transfer to FC Koln in Germany.

Bundesliga commentator Derek Rae cited Bild as claiming that the Light Blues failed in their “pursuit” of a swoop for the centre-forward last summer.

Rangers, along with Swiss giants Basel, and English Championship side West Brom, were said to have been keen on a deal for the striker but he ended up remaining with Hertha Berlin.

The German attacker proceeded to endure a nightmare first half of the season in the Bundesliga as he struggled badly and was unable to produce many impressive performances.

These statistics, via Sofascore, show that the forward was not a prolific scorer or creator for Hertha and left a lot to be desired with his reliability in possession, which may be why they decided to allow the flop to leave on a free transfer this month.

His poor form came after he scored four goals in 25 Bundesliga matches, whilst failing to assist a single goal, in the 2021/22 campaign and this suggests that his struggles at the top end of the pitch are not a flash in the pan.

Back in 2020, talent scout Jacek Kulig named him as one of a number of former wonderkids who have “wasted” their potential and his 35 goals in 202 top-flight matches suggests that he did not live up to his potential after 33 goals in 51 matches at under-17 and 19 level combined.

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Rangers, instead, signed Antonio Colak to bolster their attack and the Croatian international has plundered an eye-catching 11 goals in 14 Premiership starts for the club to date. Selke, on the other hand, has scored 12 league goals since the start of the 2018/19 campaign.

Therefore, Wilson avoided a big Ibrox clanger by failing to sign the former Hertha attacker as his statistics for the German side indicate that he would have been a poor signing for Rangers, whilst Colak has been a phenomenal addition to the side.