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With Wolves’ season as good as done, they can already start preparing for next term.

Considering they currently sit in the bottom half of the table, it will be a pivotal summer for Jeff Shi and Nuno Espirito Santo.

What’s the word?

Wolves’ main ambition during the next window looks as though it’ll be to add to their forward line. Lucas Ocampos and Goncalo Guedes have both been linked with moves but it’s another La Liga forward who is now the subject of their attention.

According to El Confidencial, Wolves are interested in bringing Barcelona’s young sensation Trincao to Molineux. They state that clubs with close ties to Jorge Mendes are keeping an eye on his situation and it’s the Midlands outfit who are looking at him keenly.

Any thought of a permanent switch is likely to be out of the question, with Trincao’s release clause sitting at an almighty €500m (£427m).

Traore upgrade

Wolves’ need for more forwards couldn’t be more apparent. With Raul Jimenez missing since November because of a fractured skull, their attackers have been struggling significantly.

Fabio Silva has only found the net twice since his record-breaking move from Porto last summer while Willian Jose hasn’t scored at all. As for Adama Traore, he hasn’t beaten the goalkeeper either in Premier League action this term.

Traore was sensational in 2019/20, scoring four goals and setting up nine in the top flight. This season, however, he is yet to register a single goal involvement in the league.

A move for Trincao, therefore, could represent an upgrade. The 21-year-old has only started twice in La Liga for Barca but has three goals and two assists. He has also proven to be a rampant livewire in terms of his dribbling.

Speaking about the youngster previously, former Benfica star Nuno Gomes said: “You can never expect what he’s going to do. It’s similar to what happens with Neymar. The Brazilian is also unpredictable with the ball. Trincao looks a bit like him, they both play on the sidelines.”

You can certainly see why that assessment has been made. For Braga last season, Trincao amassed 2.3 dribbles per game. He has stood out in a similar regard in the Champions League, completing two per match.

It might not be the dizzy heights of Traore’s 4.2 dribbles per game, but the Portuguese forward evidently has more end product; last season he scored eight times and provided six assists in Liga NOS.

Even if it was only on loan, he would add undoubted quality to this Wolves side next season. Shi must use Mendes to his advantage once again.

AND in other news, Shi must axe £35k-p/w Wolves flop this summer, his value has plummeted by 80%…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who spent one season with West Ham United, admits he can’t see Declan Rice staying with the Hammers in the long term unless they continue to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea.

With Mark Noble not starting many games this season, it has been Rice captaining the side, something Lee says is an unbelievable achievement for someone who is just 22 years of age.

West Ham are currently challenging for the top four, however, Lee can’t seee that being a regular occurrence at the London Stadium, which is one of the reasons why Rice will search for pastures new in the coming years.

Rice has become one of the first names on the team sheet for David Moyes as well as forcing his way into Gareth Southgate’s side, however, the dream of Hammers fans seeing their midfielder emulate Noble’s one-club mentality may be smashed, according to Lee.

The former Hammers midfielder fears Rice won’t be around for the long term future with an inevitability of him being prised away by a bigger club, in financial terms and in terms of winning trophies.

“Unfortunately, for my hometown team, no.” Lee told FFC when asked if he sees Rice becoming a one-club player like Noble.

He added: “West Ham have done brilliantly, but to keep that going, you have to spend money, a lot of money to keep up with the likes of Man City, Man United and Chelsea.

“He’s probably the best player at doing what he does, sitting in the midfield for a young guy, he’s probably the best I’ve seen for a long time at doing what he does. For him to be captain at such a young age is a great achievement for him.

“So, I think eventually he’ll be prised away.”

Rice has improved season-on-season and was regularly touted with a move to Chelsea when Frank Lampard was manager and one club players seem a rarity nowadays.

The England international has proved his worth at West Ham and may only be a matter of time before he gets a move away from the London Stadium.

Leeds United have been linked with Adama Traore for some time, and the club might be excited to hear the latest update surrounding the player.

The latest on Traore

According to The Daily Mail, Wolves will listen to offers for Adama Traore in the summer after they knocked back an offer from Leeds in January, but it won’t be easy for the Whites as sides like Manchester City and Barcelona are also being linked.

This is great news for the club

The 25 year-old ‘big talent’, as hailed by Jurgen Klopp, who is valued at £36m (Transfermarkt), is known for his great strength and ability to dribble pace, and such assets could be ideal in a Marcelo Bielsa side.

This season in his 26 appearances in the Premier League (eight from the bench), the Spaniard has managed 1.4 key passes and 4.2 successful dribbles (WhoScored) per game, and his ability to carry the ball forward at tremendous speed and take defenders out of the equation could benefit the fast-flowing Bielsa-ball Leeds fans have become accustomed to – even if his end product hasn’t necessarily been there this term.

It was reported earlier in the season by Graeme Bailey that Leeds Director of Football, Victor Orta, “loves” the winger after previously signing him for Middlesbrough. The link with Orta also helps massively and it would not be surprising to see a move come to fruition in the summer transfer window if he is up for grabs.

In other news, Phil Hay has dropped an injury update on this Leeds star!

Some Rangers fans were left slamming Kemar Roofe after a bad tackle on Murray Davidson – which only resulted in a yellow card from the ref.

The challenge caused quite a stir on social media and a mass debate over whether 28-year-old should have been shown a red card instead, given that he went over the ball and stamped on Davidson’s leg, which forced the latter to go off with an injury.

Nonetheless, some members of the Ibrox faithful thought that Roofe, currently valued at £5.4m by Transfermarkt, did not cover himself in any glory whatsoever after the tackle and was eventually subbed off.

However, Steven Gerrard’s team still managed to get the three points in the end against St. Johnstone thanks to a single goal from Ianis Hagi in the opening few minutes of the second half, as the Gers edge one step closer to the Scottish Premiership title.

Rangers fan reaction to Roofe tackle

These RFC supporters slammed Roofe on Twitter after watching the striker’s challenge:

“Roofe’s tackle was so bad he managed to shrink the poor guys leg to half its size.”

Credit: @ShanksyRuns

“Roofe challenge was horrendous. It doesn’t make you any less of a Rangers fan for saying what it was. I’d be raging if that tackle was on one of our players. Roofe just had a bad night.”

Credit: @BMCRangersRants

“Just seen the Roofe tackle again oh dear that’s a shocker man. That could be another ban coming our way. I think even he was surprised he wasn’t sent off”

Credit: @WilliamRFC1

“Shocking tackle by #Roofe at least it didn’t lead to a goal”

Credit: @kingwoody45

“Kemar Roofe. Very lucky tonight. Terrible tackle I’m afraid.”

Credit: @garylgr1

“Not pretty or overly enjoyable to watch but another three points in the bag for @RangersFC. Awful tackle from #Roofe #RangersFC”

Credit: @psferrie

In other news, find out what news about one Rangers ace has delighted fans here!

Southampton’s 3-0 defeat against Leeds United on Tuesday night was made even worse by the images of Oriol Romeu limping off the Elland Road pitch in the second half.

The Spanish midfielder was one of few Southampton players to escape the game with any credit, after his goal-saving tackle in the first half which denied Raphinha the opening goal.

It comes as a huge blow to Ralph Hasenhuttl therefore that the former Chelsea man looks set for an extended spell on the sidelines, with the Austrian manager confirming after the game that the injury is ‘not looking good’.

With Southampton also without Ibrahima Diallo through injury, it leaves Hasenhuttl with very few options in the centre of midfield.

James Ward-Prowse has been an ever-present in midfield this season, usually alongside Romeu or Diallo, but it now seems as if he will have to be partnered with someone new for the next few weeks at least, whilst the defensive-midfield duo recover from their respective injuries.

Whilst Stuart Armstrong could be utilised there, he has been one of the Saints most impressive performers this season on the wing, so it would be a shame to see his attacking output be limited by a change in position.

This could force Hasenhuttl into the difficult decision of recalling young Alexandre Jankewitz into his starting XI, with the Swiss midfielder having endured a nightmare full debut earlier this season when he was sent off just two minutes into the 9-0 defeat against Manchester United.

Other than a brief substitute appearance, that remains the 19-year-old’s only experience in the Premier League, so to suddenly rely on him to be a starter in the absence of other options will be a lot of pressure for Jankewitz to deal with, but it may be a decision that Hasenhuttl is forced into.

The Austrian showed he perhaps doesn’t trust the teenager having opted to bring Moussa Djenepo on instead of his fellow central midfield substitute when Romeu came off at Elland Road, which was hardly a glowing endorsement of his feelings towards the youngster who let him down at Old Trafford.

However, with the academy talent having reportedly handed in a transfer request in January due to a lack of first-team opportunities, this may be the best chance he has to showcase his talent at Southampton, even if it may be an unwanted call for Hasenhuttl.

And, in other news… Saints ace let Hasenhuttl down vs Southampton, he was outshone by Tella

Carlo Ancelotti must urge Everton to complete a January swoop for Joshua Zirkzee as Parma reportedly near a deal for the Bayern Munich striker.

What’s the word?

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Parma have identified Zirkzee as the Serie A side’s top target for the final days of the winter market as Roberto D’Aversa strives to sign at least one forward.

Negotiations are said to be heading toward a deal being agreed for the 19-year-old Dutchman to spend the remainder of the season at the Ennio Tardini Stadium.

The only serious hurdle left for Parma to overcome is in Bayern giving the final green light to a loan move with a €15m (£13.5m) option to buy the forward, who Bayern coach Hansi Flick lauds for his “remarkable” development.

Zirkzee had been linked with a move to Goodison Park this month, with reports by the Daily Mail suggesting Everton wanted to sign the youngster on loan with a £9m option to buy at the end of the season.

But the Toffees first had to wait to offload Cenk Tosun to formalise their position, in a sentiment shared by The Times who note that Zirkzee would prefer to secure a move to Merseyside than join Parma in the January transfer window.

The Liverpool Echo even suggested Zirkzee had been offered to Everton, though the Blues distanced themselves from suggestions that they are working to sign the former Feyenoord prospect they have been tracking since hiring director of football Marcel Brands back in 2018.

Should Everton sign Zirkzee?

Time is clearly running out for Everton to complete a deal to make Zirkzee a Toffees player in the winter market, but Ancelotti’s need for a striker to arrive at Goodison Park is as clear as ever following Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City.

Top-scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin did not get much service during the midweek Premier League clash with the Foxes, but he still struggled to produce any real quality when with the ball at his feet in what was his sixth-straight top-flight outing without a goal.

The 23-year-old has now not scored since striking his side’s late first-half equaliser against Burnley at the start of last month, 573 minutes of action ago, after initially firing home 11 goals in 11 games with a fire rate of one every 84 minutes.

Ancelotti had no alternative option to make up for Calvert-Lewin’s shortcomings against Leicester with Cenk Tosun ruled out with a small injury, having sustained a minor knock in training ahead of last week’s FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday.

There’s no guarantee the rumoured CSKA Moscow target would have been able to make a difference from the bench, either, with Tosun yet to score a league goal this season.

Yet Zirkzee could be just the impact man Ancelotti is lacking, as Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich once praised the Dutchman for his injury-time goal against SC Freiburg that helped to secure the Allianz Arena natives a 3-1 win last season.

“This is a very special story. Joshua is very important to us,” Kimmich said, via quotes by Teller Report.

The strike against Freiburg was Zirkzee’s first of two from the bench in Bundesliga fixtures during the 2019/20 season, while also netting 10 further goals across all competitions.

He is yet to score this term due to a severe lack of game time, playing just 392 minutes to date, but Zirkzee has the potential to be everything that Tosun is not and give Ancelotti a viable alternative option for when Calvert-Lewin is failing to fire on all cylinders.

AND in other news, Everton are in talks over the future of a £6.5m-rated flop courted by several sides.

Former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips has recently come out and said clubs will be lining up to sign Glasgow Rangers centre-forward Alfredo Morelos in the summer, but the 54-time Scottish champions simply can’t afford to let their star striker go.

What’s the word?

Morelos’ return to form has been welcomed by Steven Gerrard as the Colombia international has enjoyed a prolific spell since the start of the year, having fired in two goals in just three appearances across all competitions over the past couple of weeks.

The Rangers star was linked with the Ibrox exit last summer, but a move did not materialise, although this has done little to dampen down speculation over his future.

Naturally, other sides have caught wind of his situation, with German publication Sport.de recently claiming Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich have the 24-year-old firmly in their sights.

The report revealed Munich are reportedly eyeing up a move for Morelos as a possible replacement for Robert Lewandowski.

Stand firm

But from Rangers’ point of view, Morelos – who earns around £33,000-per-week at Ibrox, is one of the few players Ross Wilson simply can’t afford to lose. Despite his disciplinary issues, he is far too important for their chances of future domestic and European success.

And yes, the Gers may have scored 11 goals in six Europa League games, but Morelos is still their joint top-scorer in Europe this season with a tally of two goals to his name. Whilst that might not sound like a lot, he recently broke Ally McCoist’s longstanding record, which is certainly saying something.

Apart from Morelos, Gerrard seems to be well-stocked with several options up front, as Kemar Roofe has proven to be a useful versatile asset, having scored 10 goals in 15 top-flight games. However, the 27-year-old has also shown he is rather injury-prone as he has only made one appearance since the start of the year.

Jermain Defoe is always an option, but the former England international is also 38 and has only managed to muster seven appearances in the Scottish Premiership this season as he has entered the twilight of his career.

It’s no wonder players like former Rangers defender Fabio Cardoso have described the Colombian as a “machine” as his phenomenal goal record arguably speaks for itself. 87 goals in 166 games for the Gers is simply astonishing.

Should Morelos depart Ibrox, Gerrard would lose an important piece of his jigsaw puzzle, which is why Ross Wilson shouldn’t even consider sanctioning a sale in the summer, should they receive an official approach.

AND in other news, Borna Barisic was Rangers’ unsung hero against Motherwell…

Jurgen Klopp will surely be frustrated with Naby Keita following his latest injury setback and it may well be time the German manager cashes in on the Guinean midfielder.

Since joining from RB Leipzig for £48 million in 2018, in what was a club-record fee at the time it was agreed, he has suffered a number of injuries that have prevented him from ever really enjoying a long-run in the first-team.

The 25-year-old went off injured in the recent 3-0 win against Leicester City with a muscle complaint, with Klopp bemoaning his side’s injury problems following the game, saying:

“It’s a tricky situation and when Naby goes off with a muscle injury you know the problems will not get smaller. The boys know when they are allowed to train with us they have the quality to do so, we don’t give tickets for training, you have to qualify with talent and aptitude. It is a tough school, there a lot of steps to go.

“We have to make sure we recover but the Naby injury didn’t help at all.” (per Goal)

In his two years with Liverpool, Keita has made 68 appearances for the first-team, contributing seven goals and four assists in that time (per Transfermarkt).

Considering the number of injury issues facing Liverpool at the moment, Klopp could have really benefitted from having a senior member of his side such as Keita fit and available for what will be a busy Christmas period.

Therefore, his recent injury will be the cause of much frustration for Klopp and perhaps the Guinean international has now run out of chances at Anfield.

Virgil van Dijk is a big fan of the midfielder, praising him in an interview with the club earlier this year, saying:

“Naby is a fantastic guy, he works so hard and he is an outstanding football player. We see it week in and week out. He has unfortunately been unlucky with some injuries, but hopefully, he can stay fully fit for the next season.

“I think he is world-class if I’m absolutely honest. I see all the moments when he has the ball, the smart moves, the smart intelligence. It’s just incredible to see and I’m very happy for him.” (per Liverpool FC)

However, his performances this season have been below par, with him averaging a disappointing 6.43 rating across his five Premier League appearances this season (per WhoScored).

Therefore, when you consider his poor performances, as well as his less than impressive injury record, you wonder whether Klopp may decide to axe the 25-year-old in January, as he has arguably let his manager down when he needed him most.

And, in other news… Liverpool ace showed he’s a long way off the first-team level with a shocking display vs Atalanta

Many Liverpool fans let rip at talkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham after he described the Reds as the “luckiest team ever in the history of football.”

The Reds had already qualified for the Last 16 of the Champions League, but his comments followed on from their 1-1 draw against FC Midtjylland in Denmark on Wednesday.

On his evening radio show talkSPORT Drive, Durham stated that Mohamed Salah’s fortunate goal and backup goalkeeper Caoinhim Kelleher shining as Alisson Becker’s cover are two of the reasons why the Merseysiders are “lucky”.

Despite Liverpool’s catastrophic injury crisis, they are second in the Premier League table and have finished top of their Champions League group, without the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Thiago Alcantara and Joe Gomez.

Unsurprisingly, this attracted a seismic wave of negative reactions from the Kop faithful, who could not believe what they were listening to.

Fans fume at Durham

In other news, Liverpool fans laud ‘pressing monster’ following official announcement on Thursday.

Speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has claimed that Spurs star Son Heung-min can go to any club in the world – tipping the player to leave unless Daniel Levy ties him down with a bumper new deal. 

Son, who has been in electric form recently alongside superstar forward Harry Kane, is actually on much less when compared to his teammate – with the 27-year-old England captain taking home around £200,000-per-week.

In comparison, Son is on around £60,000-a-wek less despite contributing to an equally devastating effect under manager Jose Mourinho so far this season.

Son tipped for possible exit

Now, speaking to Football Insider, Agbonlahor has dropped a hint that the £67.5 million-valued Son could leave if Spurs fail to tie him down with a new contract.

According to the pundit, he could play for any side in world football, including four Champions League giants who have an abundance of star players already.

“If I was Tottenham I’d be putting down on a contract on whatever he wants, just to get him signed on because he can go to any club in the world,” he explained.

“At any club in the world he’d be starting, we’re talking Liverpool, Man City, Real Madrid, Barcelona he’s that good.

“Spurs will know that, Jose will know that, Daniel Levy will know that so I’m sure they’ll tie him down and he’ll be one of the highest earners for sure.”

Transfer Tavern take

Described as a ‘dream’ to work with by ex-Spur Alan Hutton, this news comes after Football Insider revealed a huge ENIC development from behind the scenes.

Indeed, according to the outlet, Joe Lewis and the ENIC group have approved of a new deal for Son, but with January around the corner, Spurs will want to tie him down as quickly as possible.

In other news: Alasdair Gold swooned over this shining light against WBA, find out more here.