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Manchester City’s hopes of signing Dusan Vlahovic this summer look to have taken a blow, after Fiorentina’s asking price for the Serbian was revealed.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Football Italia), Fiorentina have significantly raised their asking price for the 21-year-old striker from €40m (£34.4m) to €60m (£51.6m) ahead of the summer.

City were recently linked with a move for the former Partizan Belgrade striker as they eye up a replacement for the legendary Sergio Aguero this summer, with the Argentinian striker confirmed to be leaving when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Whilst Pep Guardiola’s side have played without a striker on a number of occasions this season, failing to bring in a natural striker in the summer would leave them with just Gabriel Jesus and 18-year-old Liam Delap as options for the Spanish manager up front next season.

Therefore, it seems likely that the Citizens will attempt to sign a striker this summer and after Erling Haaland’s extortionate asking price was revealed earlier this year, Vlahovic could have been a cheap alternative.

Although he would still be significantly cheaper than the Norway international, this news on Fiorentina raising their asking price for Vlahovic will certainly come as a blow to City, and Guardiola will surely be frustrated that teams are asking for so much for young strikers at the moment, especially in a post-pandemic transfer market.

The Serbia international could still prove to be worth the inflated asking price, however, as he has hit 21 goals in 34 Serie A appearances so far this season, earning an impressive 6.93 average rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Former Serbia striker Darko Kovacevic was full of praise for Vlahovic recently, saying:

“He is just 21-years-old and is showing great things.

“I don’t say this because he is Serbian like me, but because he is a very high-level player and a hard worker.

“If he continues like this, in three, four years he will be among the top five best strikers in the world.”

Therefore, Vlahovic is clearly destined for big things in the future and would have perhaps been an excellent addition to City’s side this summer, but his increased asking price may well discourage Txiki Begiristain and Guardiola from bringing him to the Etihad.

Given teams know that City need a striker and that they are a very wealthy club, selling teams will almost certainly be boosting the prices of their players if the champions-elect come calling and that, understandably, will have Guardiola fuming as he looks to improve his squad.

And, in other news… Man City handed huge boost with “exceptional” PL star, Txiki must deliver

After helping Inter Milan to their first Serie A title in 11 years, Romelu Lukaku is a wanted man across Europe and Steve Howey, who made 100 appearances for Manchester City, exclusively told Football FanCast that the striker would have no doubts about joining the Premier League champions.

Lukaku spent two indifferent years at Manchester United where he scored 42 goals in 96 games but eventually departed for Italy with Inter Milan in a £75m deal as he fell out of favour under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Sergio Aguero is set to leave after the Champions League final against Chelsea and there have been reports linking Lukaku with a sensational move to the blue half of Manchester, in a similar transfer that saw Carlos Tevez join City back in 2009.

Lukaku has proved himself to be one of the deadliest finishers in Europe with 28 goals this season and Howey spoke exclusively to FFC about how the Belgian would not be bothered about annoying Man United fans if he joined City.

Howey said: “I think given his experience at Manchester United I don’t think he’ll have any major alliances with Man United. I think some players look at it and think I’m going to go to a rival team and I’m going to make sure I’m absolutely amazing.

“He certainly knows where the goal is and his confidence seems to be sky-high. So, I think if he came back to the Premier League, he would strengthen Man City’s team, no doubt about it.”

The Belgian international won his first league title since 2010 this season when Inter Milan, in the end, breezed to the title and Lukaku’s partnership with Lauturo Martinez has blossomed into a dangerous one as the Argentine looks set to reject Barcelona’s advances and sign a new deal.

Lukaku made a name for himself during his loan spell at West Brom as his goals helped spearhead the Baggies to a respectable eight place finish during the 2012/13 season.

Rangers return to Premiership action on Sunday afternoon as they take on Hibernian at Ibrox, in the first of five league games between now and the end of the season, with Steven Gerrard’s side still in with a chance of finishing unbeaten.

The Light Blues have already secured the Premiership title this season but will be desperate to match the record achieved by Brendan Rodgers with their Old Firm rivals in 2016/17.

Hibernian currently sit third in the Premiership after an impressive campaign and Jack Ross’ side will be looking to cause an upset at Ibrox, although their indifferent recent form, as well as Rangers’ superb home record, marks out Gerrard’s side as strong favourites.

Here’s how we think the 40-year-old manager will line his side up against Hibs, with six changes from the side that started against Cove Rangers last time out…

Fresh from his recent contract extension, Allan McGregor returns in goal after being rested against Cove Rangers, and he replaces Jon McLaughlin.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/rangers-news-ibrox-steven-gerrard-ross-wilson-gers-rfc” title=”Latest Rangers news, transfer rumours and more!”]

There is just one change in defence, as Borna Barisic is selected at left-back despite Calvin Bassey’s impressive cameo last time out, as the Croatian has undoubtedly been one of Gerrard’s best performers this season.

In midfield, Scott Arfield’s poor recent form sees him drop to the bench, with Joe Aribo returning to the side after he was also rested in the cup win against Cove Rangers.

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Finally, it’s all change in attack, as Ianis Hagi, Alfredo Morelos and the “top class” Ryan Kent come back into the side despite some excellent displays from Scott Wright, Kemar Roofe and Jermaine Defoe last weekend, as Gerrard should go with his strongest front three for this potentially tricky fixture at Ibrox.

And, in other news… Gerrard must axe ace who “epitomises” Rangers’ style of play, he’s been awful

A number of Liverpool fans have been reacting in worried fashion after Diogo Jota missed training ahead of Saturday’s clash with Newcastle United.

The Reds host the Magpies this weekend, in what represents a must-win game for the Premier League champions.

Victory for Jurgen Klopp’s men would take them above both Chelsea and West Ham in the table, with the pair meeting at the London Stadium later in the day.

[freshpress-quiz id=“350790”]

Liverpool continue to be plagued by a number of injury problems, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Jordan Henderson all key absentees.

Although it hasn’t been confirmed – Jurgen Klopp’s press conference is later on Friday – there are concerns that Jota may have joined them on the treatment table, having not taken part in training (Liverpool Echo) on Thursday.

It may be that he was simply being rested or doing indoor work, but considering how this season has panned out, another injury wouldn’t be a surprise.

Liverpool fans bemoan potential Jota injury

These Liverpool supporters took to Twitter to give their thoughts on another possible fitness issue for the Reds, with negativity the order of the day.

“Now what has happened to Jota? What’s the point?”

Credit: @FplFlynn

“No Jota? What the hell am I reading?”

Credit: @originalakin

“What are they doing in training? Only 7 players in the squad haven’t had an injury this season, that’s unacceptable”

Credit: @aidanthaprince

“No no no no no”

Credit: @LFCArran

“Why isn’t this affecting me? Think we have just got to the point where we’re use to it”

Credit: @NITOMHALLU

“Why always if one person returns another player get injured? Can someone please fire our medical staff, they clearly doing a bad job on keeping our players fit”

Credit: @9Boonzaaier

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to a potentially exciting transfer story. Read more here.

Carlo Ancelotti must stick with Joao Virginia in goal against Crystal Palace on Monday night amid doubts over the long-term Everton future of AS Roma loanee Robin Olsen.

Virginia was awarded his Premier League debut against Burnley before the international break due to abdominal injuries for Olsen and regular first-choice Jordan Pickford.

Ancelotti confirmed on Friday that Olsen will be in contention for a recall when action resumes at Goodison Park against the Eagles, although Pickford remains in the treatment room.

Pickford missed Everton’s FA Cup quarter-final loss to Manchester City last month after aggravating a prior abdominal issue in the 2-1 defeat to Sean Dyche’s Clarets, which had sidelined the 27-year-old for four games across all competitions.

However, Ancelotti is confident that Pickford will be able to return from his latest issue soon, despite reports that the England number one is ‘terrified’ that any further setbacks could impact his chances of featuring at Euro 2020.

“Jordan Pickford is not available, but Robin Olsen will be okay. I’m not sure how long it will be before Jordan is ready to play again,” Ancelotti said on Friday.

“He’s improving day-by-day, but he still hasn’t worked on the pitch. Maybe he will start next week to train on the pitch with the goalkeeper coach.

“We are well covered in goal with three good keepers.

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“Joao Virginia did really well [against Burnley and Manchester City] and, of course, we hope Jordan is going to recover soon because we need him until the end of the season.”

With Ancelotti again voicing his delight at Virginia’s performances against Burnley and Manchester City, which were just his second and third senior Everton appearances, the Italian should be comfortable with backing the Portugal under-21 international at home to Crystal Palace despite Olsen’s return from injury.

The Blues manager stated following the FA Cup defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side that Virginia “deserves the compliments” that were flowing his way, having produced a number of excellent saves which kept the Merseysiders in the game.

“Joao did really well. He showed his quality,” Ancelotti said, via quotes shared by the Liverpool Echo. “He has not the experience but the quality and personality he has shown in training. And so, I think he deserves the compliments because he did really well.”

Virginia pulled off a magnificent effort to deny Raheem Sterling by tipping the winger’s shot wide of the post and later denied Aymeric Laporte, but he was unable to prevent Ilkay Gundogan from firing home the rebound.

The Everton academy graduate will no doubt have taken a great sense of pride in his performance and will be itching for further first team minutes to continue his development and establish his place firmly among Ancelotti’s squad.

That chance should be on offer against Crystal Palace despite Olsen’s return from injury, with the Roma loanee’s Goodison Park future up in the air following reports that he wants to leave after a break-in at his home last month.

Ancelotti had expected to hold talks with Roma over a permanent deal for the Swede at the end of the season, but it remains to be seen if the discussions will still take place.

Virginia potentially has a spot to secure and Palace represents his latest chance to grab it with both hands, given Pickford’s uncertain schedule.

AND in other news, Everton face a £17m price tag to land a 26-y/o leader once considered to be “one of the strongest”…

Carlo Ancelotti should ruthlessly axe Yerry Mina from the Everton starting line-up as the Colombian centre-half may actually hold his side back against Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Toffees travel to the Amex Stadium on Monday night striving to regain ground in the race for European football, after a run of three defeats and a draw left the Merseysiders eight points down on fourth-placed West Ham.

Ancelotti’s men hold at least two games in hand over each side above them in the Premier League standings ahead of their south coast trip, which can see the Blues move to within a point of fifth-placed Chelsea.

Mina opened Everton’s last top-flight fixture in the heart of a three-man centre-back core alongside Mason Holgate and Michael Keane, but was unable to prevent Michy Batshuayi from scoring an 86th-minute equaliser for Crystal Palace.

The Goodison Park natives had appeared in control for much of the game and were set to win only their sixth league game on home soil this term after a 56th-minute strike from James Rodriguez, as the Colombian returned from a calf injury.

But the Eagles rallied in the closing stages and made their surge of late pressure count when Batshuayi combined with Jeffrey Schlupp before firing past Robin Olsen, to see that Everton were punished for poor performances from Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Ancelotti cannot afford to see his side be punished in the same manner at Brighton if Everton are to qualify for a UEFA competition this season, so must alter his line-up to be aggressive and attacking in hopes of snapping the Toffees’ torrid run of form.

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Mina is likely to be the victim of Ancelotti’s need for offensive changes, having been the least involved of the Italian’s centre-backs against Crystal Palace irrespective of his vocal presence and an important block to deny Wilfried Zaha in the early stages.

While Holgate attempted four tackles, winning three, and Michael Keane took possession with each of his two challenges, Mina only attempted to and won the ball once, per WhoScored.

He also offered no interceptions while Keane snuffed out two Palace moves, while Holgate split the Eagles’ defence with a precise lofted through ball to Calvert-Lewin that deserved a better finish.

Calvert-Lewin has now scored just once in his last six Premier League appearances and Richarlison has failed to find the back of the net since a run of four in four games came to an end in early March.

Ancelotti cannot afford to see neither of his strikers flourish at Brighton, where Leicester City had to leave it late to seal a 2-1 win last month after heading to the Amex without a number of players including key forwards Harvey Barnes and James Maddison.

It meant the Foxes had to live off scraps as they struggled for creativity, a prospect Everton could face if Ancelotti decides to be defensive in his team selection by starting Mina again.

The defender may feel hard done by to fall out of the line-up having not put a foot wrong against Crystal Palace, but the Toffees’ desperation for a positive result must come first for Ancelotti.

AND in other news, Marcel Brands could deliver Everton’s own Virgil van Dijk with £17.5m summer swoop…

Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer has revealed he is not keen to see one man carry on starting at his old club, in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

Liam Shaw recently agreed to join Celtic when his contract at Hillsborough expires in the summer and manager Darren Moore has since come out to make it clear that the 20-year-old is still in his plans for the rest of the season.

Palmer, though, does not like the idea of a player who already has one foot out of the door still being an integral part of the team, concerned about the level of commitment that will still be present.

Discussing the matter in an exclusive interview with FFC, the retired Premier League footballer said:

“It’s a problem, I’ve always said that. I said when you sign a pre-contract for a club, you might as well go at that point. You’ve got a big-money move coming up, you’re not going to want to get yourself injured, you’re not going to put yourself on the line – Darren Moore needs everybody who’s committed to the club.”

Speaking on the subject further, Palmer added:

“As far as I’m concerned, anybody that signs a pre-contract, from the time they sign it, effectively they should leave the club. It always happens, they’re not going to be fully committed to the job.”

It is little surprise that Celtic are already planning for next season and have moved for Shaw, with the Glasgow club’s current campaign virtually over.

After falling well short in the title race this time round, they are in need of a rebuild, meaning more additions like Shaw are likely. As well as that, the Bhoys, of course, will also be in the market for a new manager following Neil Lennon’s resignation last month.