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The January transfer window is now underway and Glasgow Rangers boss Michael Beale is looking to strengthen his squad at Ibrox this month.

He has confirmed that he wants to add to his team by dipping into the transfer market and stated that he will be attempting to make signings for the long-term benefit of the club, rather than short-term deals that could provide a small boost in the immediate future.

However, he could save Rangers and Ross Wilson millions in one area of the pitch by helping Ianis Hagi to get back to his best as an attacking midfielder.

The winger has been out of action since January of last year with a knee injury but is now reportedly set to make his comeback in the not-too-distant future.

Former Romania Under 21s boss Florin Bratu recently revealed that the gem will be back in action this month, saying:

“Ianis looks good physically, his legs look good. After such an operation, it is very important to restore your muscles and he seems to have restored them.

“But I have been told he will start playing for Rangers again in January. I believe he will start playing substitute appearances for 20 or 30 minutes.”

The £21k-per-week maestro could be like a new signing for the Light Blues as he is a player who has the quality to be a difference-maker in the Premiership.

There may be a question mark over whether or not he can get back to his best after such a devastating injury but ex-Gers boss Steven Gerrard once hailed the gem’s worth ethic, saying: “We’re really happy with Ianis Hagi, he’s a joy to work with.

“He’s a student of the game. He’s always looking at areas to improve, whether that be from a physical point of view or tactically or technically. He’s someone you have to drag off the training ground.”

This indicates that he has the right type of character to bounce back from this kind of setback, which bodes well for how he will deal with working his way back into Beale’s side.

In the 2020/21 campaign, Hagi scored seven goals and provided 11 assists in 23 Premiership starts for the Scottish giants. He followed that up with three goals and five ‘big chances’ created in 18 starts across the top-flight and Europa League last term prior to his injury.

The Romania international, who turned 24 last October, is a midfielder who is capable of winning a match with his individual brilliance, by scoring or creating a goal, and that is why his return could be a huge boost for the Gers.

If Beale can get back fit and playing to his full potential then he will be like a new signing who could save Wilson from needing to splash out on more attacking reinforcements.

Manchester United have been on a superb run of form, with Erik ten Hag finally getting the best out of his squad following a rocky start at Old Trafford.

They have won seven successive matches following the resumption of the domestic season last month, and the feel-good factor has very much returned under the Dutchman.

The Red Devils have already secured Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley until the end of the season, but there could be room for another attacking option at the club this month, especially following the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo in November.

Inter Milan striker Edin Dzeko has been linked with a move to Manchester according to Calciomercato, and with the Bosnian having just six months left on his current contract, Ten Hag could secure him on the cheap.

The £157k-per-week marksman has been one of the most clinical strikers on the continent over the previous 15 years, scoring a total of 383 goals for club and country; and even at 36 years of age, he has netted seven Serie A goals this term prior to tonight’s clash against Verona.

The “extraordinary” Bosnian – as dubbed by his former Roma boss Eusebio Di Francesco – is also statistically similar to Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema, and he could be a wonderful prospective addition to the United squad.

According to FBref, the Frenchman is the seventh-most similar player to Dzeko across Europe’s top five leagues; and considering that the 35-year-old has led the line for Real Madrid since 2009, scoring 333 goals in the process, it isn’t a bad comparison to have.

This season, the two players have registered very similar returns with regard to goals (eight to seven), total shots (39 to 38), shot-creating actions (42 to 39), and aerial duel success rate (55.6% to 50%).

Both are still incredible attacking threats despite their advancing years, and with Benzema becoming the focal point of Real Madrid’s attack since Ronaldo left the Bernabeu, Ten Hag could unearth his own version of the 35-year-old by securing a deal for Dzeko.

With Marcus Rashford in scintillating form recently, adding someone with the qualities and experience of Dzeko could be a shrewd potential investment from the United manager.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes could be leaving at the end of the season to join a rival Premier League side.

What’s the word?

Last summer, the 24-year-old left Sporting Lisbon in favour of a club-record £42.2m move to the Molineux outfit. Since then, he has established himself as a key member of his new side.

However, it seems as though Nunes was also close to joining Liverpool instead and could be on his way to sign for the Reds in the near future anyway.

Indeed, when speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that Jurgen Klopp and co are still ‘really interested’ in a deal amid that past interest.

The journalist said: “I’m told that a move to Liverpool, a potential move to Liverpool, was already discussed with the player when he accepted last summer to join Wolverhampton from Sporting.

“So the player was tempted by the Premier League in general but already discussed this possibility with Liverpool. And so this is what happened about Matheus Nunes to Liverpool.

“So keep an eye on this possibility for Matheus Nunes to join the club in the summer. Liverpool are really, really interested.”

On the move again?

Wolves certainly haven’t had the best of seasons so far. Indeed, they have won just four games out of 19 in the league and sit just two points above the bottom of the table as a result.

Nunes has at least been able to provide a reasonable amount of consistency with his performances, with an average SofaScore match rating of 6.78 spread across 16 appearances.

Having joined for a club-record fee, he obviously arrived with a big reputation and now showing his ability to perform to a decent standard in England, despite playing in a team that has struggled at times, it’s no shock that Liverpool have retained their interest in the 24-year-old.

Still, seeing as he is only about six months into his first contract with the club, it’s a little unusual to see Nunes already tipped for a move away from Wolves. But if he can help the club avoid relegation and then be sold for a profit in the summer, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world

Wolves have been linked with Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte recently and the Uruguay international could prove to be Julen Lopetegui’s next Casemiro at Molineux.

According to Media Foot, the Midlands outfit and Atletico Madrid have spoken to Sporting Lisbon about potentially signing the 21-year-old this month, with the Jorge Mendes connection potentially set to be fruitful for Wolves once again.

The young midfielder has established himself as a key player in Ruben Amorim’s side and could add defensive steel to Wolves’ midfield that Lopetegui currently lacks, although his €60m (£53m) release clause could prove a sticking point for the Old Gold.

Ugarte has contributed more tackles per game (three) in the Portuguese top flight than anyone in the Wolves squad has managed in the Premier League, while he has also averaged a mammoth 4.8 tackles per game in the Champions League this season.

In fact, no player has won more tackles or duels in the UCL this term, which certainly backs up football talent scout Jacek Kulig’s description of him as a “midfield machine.”

Lopetegui has been lucky enough to manage some world-class talents during his time as Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla boss but few will have been better than Casemiro, who is currently starring at Manchester United following his summer switch from Los Blancos.

The Brazil international would make 55 appearances under the Wolves boss at Madrid, contributing four goals and three assists in that time, so the Spanish manager will be well aware of his ability and influence in the midfield.

Ugarte’s FBref scouting report sees him ranked in the top 1% of midfielders across Europe for pass completion and tackles completed, while he is also in the top 10% for interceptions, blocks and dribbles completed.

Casemiro also scores impressively, as he is ranked in the top 20% for tackles, blocks, interceptions and passes completed, so the similarities with Ugarte are clear to see.

Considering the 31-year-old is ranked as the second-best performer in Erik ten Hag’s team so far this season according to WhoScored, it is obvious how important a defensive ball-winner can be in a successful side.

With Wolves still very much in a relegation fight despite positive recent results against West Ham and Everton, Lopetegui would surely love to have another Casemiro-esque player in his squad at Molineux, so the Spanish boss should definitely look at bringing Ugarte in this month.

Nottingham Forest have submitted an enquiry to sign Newcastle United forward Allan Saint-Maximin, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Alongside Wood

The Frenchman’s contract with the Premier League high flyers isn’t set to expire until 2026, but having missed a large portion of the season with two injuries, has struggled to force his way back into Eddie Howe’s plans and is now receiving a lack of game time.

Striker Chris Wood swapped St. James’ Park for The City Ground earlier in the month on an initial loan deal with the option to buy, but it turns out he wasn’t the only Magpies star that the Reds have their eye on.

The Latest: Forest eyeing Saint-Maximin

According to The Telegraph (via NottinghamshireLive), Forest ‘made an enquiry’ for Saint-Maximin ‘during the negotiations’ of Wood’s move.

The Midlands outfit ‘asked’ about a potential deal for the 25-year-old but Newcastle were quick to insist that they wanted to keep hold of him until ‘at least’ the summer.

The Verdict: Worth another attempt?

Saint-Maximin has been dubbed a ‘magical’ player by Howe and it’s definitely worth Forest making a second approach for him should the opportunity arise at the end of the season.

The Puma-sponsored winger has posted 32 goal contributions during his time in the northeast and currently ranks in the 99th percentile for most dribbles completed per 90 minutes by wingers in Europe’s top five leagues.

The Reds have to maintain their top-flight status because the club won’t be as much of an appealing option should they get relegated, but Wood could easily convince his former teammate to join him under Steve Cooper.

Aston Villa are believed to be ‘keen’ on Leeds United winger Jack Harrison, according to journalist Alex Crook.

The Lowdown: Three more signings?

NSWE promised Unai Emery a ‘huge’ January transfer budget, with the club making two additions so far in Alex Moreno and Jhon Duran. Those two deals have cost around €30m (£26.3m), but Villa could be busy in the coming days.

Reports have suggested that Emery still wants another striker, winger and midfielder before the deadline, and it seems as if Harrison could be a target.

The Latest: Harrison interest

Crook to Twitter on Saturday afternoon to share what he knows about Harrison’s future.

He expects Leeds to reject an opening offer from Leicester City but added that Villa are also ‘keen’ on the winger, saying that the 26-year-old’s name will be ‘one to keep an eye on in the final days of the window’.

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The Verdict: Impressive FA Cup display

Harrison has been hailed as ‘really direct, quick and exciting to watch’ by pundit David Norris and impressed in the FA Cup for the Whites against Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

The 26-year-old scored a thunderbolt to set Leeds on their way in that 3-1 win and has enjoyed success in a central attacking midfield role in the FA Cup, contributing to four goals in two games. Capable of also playing on either wing, he could be a shrewd versatile signing by those at Villa Park, although it may be a tricky deal to complete.

Jesse Marsch appears to be open to keeping Harrison at Elland Road, and with Leicester and Newcastle also interested, Villa may need to make a big offer to tempt Leeds into selling the winger so late in the month.

An update has emerged on Sunderland and their efforts to add to their roster before the end of the January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to the Sunderland Echo, the Black Cats are exploring the possibility of bringing centre-forward Ellis Simms back to the Stadium of Light on deadline day.

The report claims that Kristjaan Speakman and Tony Mowbray are aiming to wrap up a deal to sign at least one new striker to bolster the club’s options at the top end of the pitch but a move for Simms now hinges on Everton making a decision on his future in the coming hours.

This comes after it was reported that Scotland international Ross Stewart is set to be out of action until the end of the campaign after suffering an Achilles injury against Fulham in the FA Cup last weekend.

What a finish!

Whilst the injury to the club’s top goalscorer is far from ideal, Mowbray could end the club’s window with a bang by working with Speakman to convince the Toffees to part ways with Simms before the deadline.

Sunderland have already brought in Joe Gelhardt, Isaac Lihadji, Pierre Ekwah, and Joe Anderson to bolster their options across the board and the Everton striker could complete the set as he has already proven himself for the Black Cats.

The 22-year-old forward spent the first half of the campaign on loan at the Stadium of Light and caught the eye with a string of impressive performances through the middle of the pitch.

In 14 Championship starts for Sunderland, Simms, who was dubbed an “absolute nuisance” by journalist Phil Smith, produced an excellent seven goals, two assists, and created five ‘big chances’ for his teammates – averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.03.

Only Stewart, Aji Alese, and Alex Pritchard have averaged Sofascore ratings higher than the Toffees striker within the Black Cats squad in the second tier this term and this suggests that the forward would return as one of the team’s top performers.

Therefore, Mowbray could end the club’s window with a bang by signing Simms as the gem is a proven, clinical, goalscorer in the Championship and would be able to hit the ground running as he has a recent track record of delivering on Wearside – making him a dream replacement for Stewart.

Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip could leave the club during the summer transfer window, according to an update from reliable journalist Neil Jones.

The Lowdown: Matip a Reds great

The 31-year-old has been a superb servant for the Reds during the Jurgen Klopp era, arriving on a free transfer in 2016 and winning everything there is to win at club level.

Matip has often been first-choice alongside Virgil van Dijk down the years but that has changed following the emergence of Ibrahima Konate, who started last year’s FA Cup and Champions League finals, perhaps proving he is now the go-to man alongside Van Dijk.

The Cameroonian’s current Liverpool deal expires at the end of next season, and there are some question marks over his future at the club.

The Latest: Summer exit on the cards?

According to Goal‘s Jones, Matip is someone who could possibly move on this summer:

“He was Klopp’s first signing as Liverpool manager, but is this the end of the road for the former Cameroon international?

“There have been growing whispers from within the club that Matip may move on this summer. Virgil van Dijk and Konate look to be the Reds’ preferred centre-back pairing going forward, while Joe Gomez signed a long-term contract last summer and provides a homegrown squad option.

“Matip will enter the final year of his deal in the summer, and if a suitable offer was received for the 31-year-old, it would be hard to refuse.”

The Verdict: Keep him until 2024

In truth, selling Matip at the end of this season doesn’t make a huge amount of sense, considering he remains an important figure, being hailed for his ‘huge presence’ by Jamie Carragher.

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Granted, injuries are always an issue, but the wise decision would be to keep him as a squad player until his contract runs down, before allowing him to leave for free.

The £100,000-a-week-earning Matip can continue to be an important figure between now and then – he will be vital in the coming weeks, with both Van Dijk and Konate injured – as he adds to his 180 appearances for Liverpool, and at the age of 31 will hardly command a worthwhile fee this summer anyway.

With several midfielders out of contract and expected to leave at the end of this season, the surgery this time around should be focused on the centre of the park, not in defence.

European giants Atletico Madrid are believed to be interested in signing of Wolves youngster Hugo Bueno, according to a latest transfer rumour.

The Lowdown: Bueno shining for Wolves

The 20-year-old has been a positive for Wanderers this season, producing some impressive performances despite his side’s struggles in the Premier League.

Bueno has picked up 11 league appearances in total, as well as one apiece in the FA Cup and EFL Cup, as he starts to make the left-back spot his own.

His current deal may not expire until 2026 but a worrying exit rumour has already emerged.

The Latest: Atletico eyeing up move

According to AS [via Sport Witness], Atletico have ‘set their sights’ on signing Bueno once the summer transfer window arrives at the end of the season.

He is described as a ‘sensation’ in the report and it is claimed that the La Liga giants’ good relationship with Wolves could work in their favour.

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The Verdict: Must keep hold of him

Losing Bueno this early in his development would be a big blow for Wolves, considering James Collins has claimed he ‘works harder than anyone I know’.

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That work ethic and dedication can only stand the £2,200-a-week defender in good stead moving forward and his value should only rise in the coming years, while an average of 2.3 tackles per game in the league this season further outlines his ability.

Granted, it could be hard to keep hold of Bueno if his head is turned by Atletico – no club want an unhappy player in their ranks – but the hope is that he feels Molineux is the right fit for him currently.

If he decides to leave further down the line it could be hard to begrudge him an exit, at which point Wolves could earn a heftier sum of money and benefit more from the transfer.

Glasgow Rangers gem Cameron Scott has made a major contract U-turn, and has now decided to sign a new deal at Ibrox after rejecting an initial offer.

The Lowdown: Initial offer rejected

It was reported earlier this month that Scott had rejected an offer of a first professional contract from the Gers, as he wanted to explore his options.

Premier League Southampton reportedly had an interest in signing him, but it now looks as if he is going to stay at the club.

The Latest: Set to sign on Sunday

As per Football Insider, Scott is now set to sign his first professional contract with the club on Sunday, in a major U-turn after rejecting an initial offer.

He is set to sign terms on a three-year deal, and is viewed at the club as an ‘extremely exciting prospect with first-team potential.’

Scott has ‘shone’ for the U17s this season, and has also shown his pedigree at international level, winning four caps for Scotland U16s.

The Verdict: Relief

It will certainly come as a relief to the Light Blues that Scott has now decided to sign the contract, after initially rejecting it.

He may have been very tempted by a move to Southampton, and the Teddy Bears would not have wanted to lose another of their talents to the English top flight, notably with Joe Aribo making the move to the Saints in the summer.

Nonetheless, Scott will be looking to knuckle down now at Rangers, and will be hoping to see a clear path to the first team under Michael Beale.