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Celtic could be without star forward Kyogo Furuhashi for two games following the winter break next year, The Daily Record report.

The Lowdown: Furuhashi’s fabulous start

Furuhashi was Celtic’s biggest signing of the summer, joining in a deal worth £4.86m.

He’s proven to be worth every penny so far, scoring eight times and registering one assist in his first 11 Celtic games.

The Japan international missed five games with a knee injury last month, and it appears as if the Hoops maybe without the 26-year-old again in the near future.

The Latest: Winter break woes

The Daily Record shared a story on Wednesday, looking at Furuhashi’s possible involvement for his country next year.

They claim that Ange Postecoglou could be without the forward for Celtic’s first two games back from the winter break against Hearts and Dundee United as he may be needed for his country against China and Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualifiers.

The Hoops play Hearts on January 26 and Dundee United on January 29, whereas Japan play on January 27 and February 1.

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The Verdict: Not ideal…

If Japan includes Furuhashi next year, Celtic may be powerless to prevent him going.

They struggled without him recently, losing to Real Betis and Livingston and failing to beat Dundee United, so his presence appears to be key at this moment in time.

Hopefully, Postecoglou, who called Furuhashi ‘resilient’, will be able to rely on alternative attacking options to provide the goods, should Furuhashi depart to represent his country.

In other news: Defender ‘like Rio Ferdinand’ now reveals he wished he’d joined Celtic. 

Many Everton fans have been left buzzing as news emerged on Abdoulaye Doucoure.

As per the Merseyside club’s official website, the former Watford ace has won the Davanti Tyres Everton Goal of the Month award for August as the vast majority of supporters voted for his strike in their 3-1 win at home against Southampton.

His effort was a clear winner with 74.6% of the vote, while Demarai Gray’s goals against Brighton and Hove Albion and Leeds United came in second and third respectively.

The award is certainly well deserved, and Doucoure will be hoping to add more goals from midfield to his game, with just four so far in total from 38 matches over all competitions across the past two seasons (Transfermarkt).

Everton fans on Doucoure’s award

These Toffees fans were buzzing as the news was shared by the club on Twitter, with one Everton supporter describing it as ‘fantastic’:

“Great goal, let’s give Andros his for this month now too, although what a time to be a fan if that’s somehow topped before the end of the month”

Credit: @Mikey1981

“What a goal, congrats”

Credit: @_jennifer1878

“Well deserved!”

Credit: @ronnie_watters

“Rightly so”

Credit: @nikkiharg

“Fantastic”

Credit: @annmckenzie67

“Get in Doucs”

Credit: @jonesyp964

In other news, Everton had shown an interest in this Premier League and Champions League winner

Flocking to Twitter, many Manchester City supporters have erupted over news on Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as sporting director Txiki Begiristain seemingly sets his sights on another striker target.

The Sky Blues could not bolster Pep Guardiola’s forward line over the summer transfer window despite bids for Harry Kane and late links to alternatives like Dusan Vlahovic.

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City now face the possibility of having to improvise without an out-and-out centre-forward again this season, much as they did last year given club legend Sergio Aguero’s injury and availability issues.

However, while Guardiola didn’t manage to sign a goal scorer last time round, it appears Begiristain has not given up the search as news emerges on Osimhen.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), City have taken an interest in the Napoli forward alongside the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Currently on fire, the 22-year-old has bagged six goals in six starts throughout all competitions already which also means Napoli don’t intend to let him go easily.

It is claimed that the Serie A giants won’t sell for any less than €120 million (£103.5m) – prompting many City supporters to erupt as their club reportedly eye a swoop.

Find all of their best verdicts down below.

Man City fans erupt over Osimhen news…

“Better than lewandowski”

Credit: @mcfckevin

“Omds YES.”

Credit: @Raheem7ii

“Victor Osimhen is a very good fit for Man City. A pressing machine and a goal scorer.”

Credit: @mancitynumbers

“Yessss”

Credit: @Zaks456

“baller, but 120 mil for him is insanity”

Credit: @lasr4721

“lol no way”

Credit: @rudokorman

“Madness”

Credit: @pocketsaintempt

In other news: ‘Yesssss’. ‘Finally’, ‘Get him home’…Kylian Mbappe news has many Man City fans excited, find out more here.

Celtic’s move for Shamrock Rovers defender Liam Scales is ‘pretty far down the line’, according to journalist Barry Anderson.

The Lowdown: Celtic’s summer business

The Hoops have been fairly busy in the transfer market this summer in what is Dominic McKay and Ange Postecoglou’s first at Celtic Park.

Seven first-team additions have been made, with the latest a double deal involving free agent James McCarthy and goalkeeper Joe Hart from Tottenham for £1.08m.

It now seems as if they are closing in on their eighth addition in Scales, who looks set to cost half the price of Hart.

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The Latest: Anderson’s post

According to Anderson on Thursday afternoon, a deal worth over £500,000 for Scales should go through ‘in the next few days’.

He expected Scales to play for Rovers in their Europa Conference League qualifier against Flora Tallinn. The 23-year-old did start on the left-hand side of midfield and scored in a 4-2 defeat.

The Verdict: Good news

Scales is mainly a centre-back who can also play at left-back, but he seems to have added another string to his bow by featuring as a left-midfielder.

He’s been described as the Irish League’s hottest property by The Irish Examiner’s Graham Cummins earlier this summer, and it seems as if the Hoops will be signing the 23-year-old for a fairly cut-price fee.

Southampton were also after his services, but it looks as if he’ll be arriving at Parkhead soon to bolster Postecoglou’s defensive options.

In other news: ‘I’m told’ – Anthony Joseph drops Celtic update on McKay’s fresh pursuit of ‘very special’ ace. 

The vast majority of the transfer window for Everton has revolved around James Rodriguez.

Will he or won’t he be a part of the Toffees’ plans for the season is a question on everyone’s lips, but we may have just received an answer.

What’s the word?

For so long it looked as though Rodriguez had played his final game for the Merseyside outfit. His agent Jorge Mendes was speaking to other clubs and he could have been on his way to Italy.

A move to Porto nearly materialised too with the attacking midfielder potentially heading back to his former club in exchange for winger Luis Diaz.

However, a major twist has occurred on deadline day, according to the Liverpool Echo.

They now report that, with James unable to agree on personal terms or find a suitable club in the final hours of the window, he is now willing to stay at Everton.

Rafa must be delighted

Rafa Benitez will know James well from his time at Real Madrid, and once he penned terms at Goodison Park, he will have been keen to utilise him.

However, the Colombian hasn’t been seen all season, so the Spaniard hasn’t actually been able to put him on the team sheet yet.

It’s difficult to work out whether he’d have wanted to initially, though. James infamously declared that he didn’t even know who Everton’s next opponents were during a Twitch stream a few weeks ago.

That being said, it’s difficult to ignore his qualities, and with Everton struggling to sign new players, he is still a key part of their squad.

You only need to assess his remarkable CV and his performances during a debut campaign in English football.

The Colombia international had a hand in ten Premier League goals, while he was their most creative player in the top-flight. Rodriguez provided 1.7 key passes per game, which was more than anybody else in the squad.

With that in mind, the manager will surely be delighted to see him wanting to stay at Goodison Park. He could be vital in their chase for European football.

AND in other news, “Talks progressing” – Insider delivers exciting Everton claim, Benitez surely elated…

Celtic might not have removed all of the rubble from a dismal 2020/21 campaign at Parkhead but Ange Postecoglou’s Bhoys team look like they’re on the right track again.

The Hoops have secured three consecutive wins, scored 13 goals in the process and kept successive clean sheets. They have also moved into the next round of European qualifying after a 7-2 aggregate win over Czech opposition Jablonec.

The performance last week in their 4-2 victory was swashbuckling, but while the offensive play was again dominating on Thursday night, it was a more professional performance at the back in their 3-0 win.

Joe Hart made some top-class saves to prove his worth to the club after arriving from Tottenham, and together with Carl Starfelt, they look like they could be a phenomenal partnership.

Starfelt hasn’t had the easiest of rides since arriving at Parkhead but the big Swedish defender showed signs of stealing the show last night, putting in a combative and elegant performance.

He’s attracted criticism in his opening few matches in Glasgow, with a bizarre back pass towards Scott Bain almost costing Celtic a goal in their defeat to Hearts.

The Swede was fortunate not to give away a penalty against Jablonec this week, but otherwise it was an impressive display.

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We know that Starfelt is a fantastic passer of the ball and that was apparent on Thursday evening as he completed a whopping 91% of his passes in front of a raucous Parkhead crowd. Furthermore, the centre-back won back possession on nine occasions, the second-highest number by a Celtic player.

Speaking at full-time on A Celtic State of Mind, Paul John Dykes was keen to praise him: “Starfelt had his best game in a Celtic jersey so far,” he began.

“He might have given away a penalty and got away with that one but he’s starting to look like the player we thought he was when he first came in.”

Dykes concluded: “He’s got a bit of Tony Mowbray about him. He reminds me of Tony Mowbray with the way he moves about the park.”

Although there was a slight mishap, the Swede was much improved beyond that and looks as though he could be a real find for the Hoops.

After a turbulent start to the new campaign for Nir Bitton, it will delight Postecoglou that he can now rely on Starfelt and Stephen Welsh to set the tone at the back.

AND in other news, Celtic must sign 25-goal “great talent” who could become “better” than Henrik Larsson…

West Ham United could capitalise on a ‘stalemate’ between Inter Milan and Cagliari to sign midfielder Nahitan Nandez, according to La Repubblica (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown

The Uruguay international made 32 league appearances for Cagliari last season, averaging 1.8 tackles, 1.2 dribbles and one key pass per game (via WhoScored). His performances earned him a call-up to his country’s squad for the Copa America this summer.

Serie A expert Mina Rzouki has raved about Nandez, labelling him ‘unstoppable’ and claiming that he’s ‘one of the most underrated players’ in the Italian top flight. The 25-year-old, formerly of Boca Juniors, is valued at £19.8m by Transfermarkt.

The latest

The report from La Repubblica (via Sport Witness) claimed that Inter boss Simone Inzaghi has made Nandez a primary target, but the reigning Serie A champions have seen an offer rejected by Cagliari.

The player is ‘certain’ to leave the Sardinian club this summer, either in a permanent deal or on loan with an obligation to buy.

He is said to relish the idea of joining Inter but negotiations between the two clubs appear to have stalled. The Nerazzurri are under pressure to make a breakthrough, with West Ham waiting in the wings if the impasse between the Serie A duo isn’t resolved.

The verdict

Nandez appears to be an excellent all-round midfielder judging by his performance figures and the praise which has come his way, but West Ham’s priorities should lie elsewhere in the remaining weeks of the transfer window.

Above all, they need to sign a starting centre-back to ensure that their defence doesn’t prove to be their undoing. The goals they conceded in Sunday’s 4-2 win at Newcastle made this abundantly clear.

After that, the focus should be on recruiting some cover and competition for Michail Antonio at centre-forward. A clear gap exists in that area of the squad, where there is no natural alternative to the injury-prone 31-year-old.

In other news, some West Ham fans were unhappy with this man’s performance at St James’ Park on Sunday.

Liverpool forward Xherdan Shaqiri could be set to depart Anfield this summer after revealing that he wants to play more regularly next season.

What’s the story?

In a recent interview with Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (via Football Italia), the 29-year-old outlined his desire to leave the Reds and claimed the club are open to his exit.

“My contract (with) Liverpool expires in 2022, in 2018; I signed a four-year deal. The important thing at this moment in my career is to be able to play regularly, but that hasn’t always been the case in the last three seasons,” Shaqiri admitted.

“This is why I told Liverpool that I feel ready for a new challenge. They accepted my wish and will seriously consider the offers that will come. They will not stop me.

“I’m only 29 years old, I have played in some of the best Leagues in Europe, and I would like to continue being a part of them.”

He’s not good enough

After Liverpool picked up the Switzerland international for just £13.5m from Stoke City back in 2018, thanks to a relegation release clause in his contract, the deal may have felt like a smart piece of business by the club’s hierarchy.

Shaqiri had cultivated a strong reputation for himself after winning silverware with FC Basel and Bayern Munich before proving himself to be a talented Premier League force throughout his time with the Potters.

However, things have not quite worked out for the diminutive forward under Klopp’s tutelage. A string of niggling injures have kept the creative talent on the sidelines for large spells of his Liverpool career, limiting him to just 18 league starts in three seasons.

It’s not just Shaqiri’s fitness issues which have raised question marks down the years, though, with his attitude and work rate sometimes being called into question – in his final season at Stoke, he gave an interview in which he bemoaned a “lack of quality” among his teammates.

“I’m not a fan of Shaqiri, to be honest with you,” Gary Neville revealed ahead of Switzerland’s World Cup opener against Brazil in 2018.

“I think that was, to be fair, made worse by the fact that he distanced himself from his teammates at Stoke. They were unprofessional last season, there’s no doubt. And he epitomises it.”

With money tight at Anfield, Liverpool have begun offloading some of their unwanted fringe players in order to boost Klopp’s transfer budget, and Shaqiri could be the next one out the door.

His miserly return of just eight goals and nine assists in 63 appearances for the Reds indicates that he’s not good enough to warrant a place in the starting XI, and the funds generated from the £10.8m-rated flop’s sale could provide a significant boost to Liverpool’s coffers to be put towards other targets.

In other news… Klopp eyeing Liverpool swoop for £8m monster, fans will surely be delighted

New Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has been linked with a return to former club Nice for highly-rated defender Youcef Atal.

What’s the story?

According to reports from The Guardian (as reported by French outlet News in 24), Vieira is reportedly keen for a reunion with the 25-year-old right-back this summer as he continues to strengthen his first team squad.

Atal established himself as a regular in Nice’s starting XI after Vieira signed him for the Ligue 1 outfit back in 2018, and he could follow the French tactician to Selhurst Park over the coming weeks.

Imagine him and Wilfried Zaha

Palace have made an impressive start to their summer transfer business, bringing in numerous exciting young signings such as Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi and Michael Olise.

However, with many experienced campaigners also departing on free transfers, Vieira still needs to bring in several fresh faces ahead of the upcoming campaign.

One of those to leave Palace after the expiration of his contract was Nathaniel Clyne. The former Liverpool defender’s exit has left a gap on the right-hand side of the Palace defence and Atal could be the ideal candidate to fill it.

As per WhoScored, the Nice defender recorded 1.4 interceptions, delivered 0.4 crosses and completed 1.1 dribbles per league game last season, showcasing his ability in both the defensive and attacking thirds of the pitch.

Although Wilfried Zaha has spent the majority of his time either on the left wing or up front over the last couple of campaigns, Christian Benteke’s return to form, the emergence of Eberechi Eze and departure of Andros Townsend may force the Eagles talisman back to the opposite flank.

If so, it could lead to the Ivory Coast international striking up a formidable partnership on the right-hand side, should Atal make the switch to south London.

The £13.5m-rated full-back loves to bomb forward, supporting his team’s attacks, an aspect where current options Joel Ward and Martin Kelly do not excel – the former conjured just one assist and 0.3 key passes per game from 26 top-flight appearances last term, while the latter has set up one goal over the past four seasons and has never exceeded a match average of 0.3 key passes for the club.

Therefore, chairman Steve Parish must swoop for Atal this summer, reuniting Vieira with a player he clearly trusts and admires from his days in charge of Nice.

In other news… Vieira must revive Palace interest in £10m beast, he’d be an “amazing signing”

The Daily Record journalist Keith Jackson believes that an offer of £10m would be enough for Glasgow Rangers to part ways with Glen Kamara.

The Lowdown: Kamara attracting interest

The 25-year-old spent the early part of the summer away with Finland at Euro 2020, starting all three of his country’s games at the competition (Transfermarkt).

That has only seen interest in his services increase, with the likes of Arsenal (The Daily Record), Watford and Leeds (TEAMtalk) all linked with a move for his services.

The Latest: Jackson discusses Kamara

Jackson and a number of other reporters were taking part in a Q&A for The Daily Record and they were asked whether the Gers would accept selling Kamara now they have signed John Lundstram. Jackson said:

“That’s seven players fighting for three starting paces so it does look as if the Rangers squad is now top heavy. Kamara has been an excellent signing but it makes sense to cash in now so long as the price is right. A bid of around £10m should do it.”

The Verdict: Not necessarily a replacement

The signing of Lundstram (rangers.co.uk) means Steven Gerrard has a lot of options to choose from in midfield. Along with Kamara, Rangers also have Joe Aribo, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield, while Ryan Jack is another option when fully fit. While the Gers may well play a large number of games next term, you still feel there are too many players and not enough slots.

Kamara is clearly the player in that position with the biggest sell-on value, and £10m would represent a huge profit on the £50,000 they originally spent to sign him from Dundee. Still, whether Gerrard would be willing to get such an important player depart is another question.

In other news, many Rangers fans slammed this man’s pre-season performance against Tranmere.