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Wolverhampton Wanderers are taking shape under the tutelage of Julen Lopetegui, who replaced the dismissed Bruno Lage in November, and has since rectified the poor start to the season with results on the pitch and a promising January transfer window.

From the ten matches the new manager has led from the dugout, victory has only been tasted three times, with the most recent 3-0 victory over Liverpool in the Premier League an embodiment of the hard graft put in to steady the ship and navigate back on course after falling into a relegation scrap thus far this season.

And while the grass ahead looks greener than it did several months ago, moves must be made to solidify the club’s position in the top division over the next few years, and left-back Ryan Giles, currently on loan at Middlesbrough, must be considered for a prominent role next season.

As per Sofascore, Hugo Bueno and Rayan Ait-Nouri, the regular presences down the defensive left flank for the Old Gold this term, have recorded average ratings of 6.67 and 6.71 respectively, hardly evoking confidence, and while both stars are young and hold an abundance of promise when assessing the prospective trajectory of the rest of their careers at Molineux, Lopetegui might be yearning for a figure to arise and truly make the left-back his position his own.

And this is why Giles must finally be offered a shot at the first team in Wolverhampton; now 23-years-old, the Englishman has not featured for his parent club since the 2018/19 season, where he made his one and only appearance in the FA Cup against Shrewsbury.

Having made 31 appearances across all competitions for Boro this season, registering eight assists, Giles is emerging as an effective offensive outlet down the left, combining creativity with intelligence and finally starting to cement his stature and stake a claim for a shot at the top-flight.

And with Giles recording an average rating of 7.05 this term, he is evidently starting to forge a level of consistency that bodes well for his chances at a shot under Lopetegui’s wing.

Having created an incredible 15 big chances, averaging two key passes per match and completing 80% of his total passes, he could indeed be the force Wolves cry for, having scored only 15 goals in the Premier League this season, the lowest in the division.

He could in fact mould into Lopetegui’s next Alex Sandro, such is the attacking prowess of his game; Sandro made 41 appearances under the current Molineux boss at FC Porto, scoring a goal and serving six assists, and has since gone on to ply his trade for Juventus, winning five Serie A titles and four Coppa Italia’s among other honours.

Lauded for both his speed and his attacking intent, particularly flourishing with the accuracy and deadliness of his crosses, Lopetegui will know all about how to utilise a full-back with an offensive mind, and as such, Giles simply must be offered a punt.

Lauded by former Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray upon his arrival last summer, he was praised for his attributes and predicted to make a marked improvement to the squad.

Mowbray said: “The Championship can catch people out if you’ve never played in it but he’s taken to the league very comfortably. He’s got a wonderfully cultured left foot, he’s a good footballer and he’s athletic, he’s just what we require.”

Say it quietly, but Wolves might just have rekindled their verve under Lopetegui, and while progress is still elementary when considering the grand scope of the Spanish manager’s plans for the outfit, a bundle of creativity such as Giles could be the key to injecting life and vibrancy into the side for years to come.

Manchester United are reportedly in the mix to sign Atletico Paranaense sensation, Vitor Roque, with the promising teenager currently attracting the attention of a host of Europe’s top clubs.

What’s the latest on Roque to Man Utd?

According to journalist Jack Gallagher, the Red Devils are said to be one of a number of Premier League clubs who are keeping tabs on the highly-rated 17-year-old at present, albeit with La Liga giants Barcelona believed to be the frontrunners to sign the eye-catching Brazilian.

Writing on Twitter about that interest, the transfer insider stated:

“Understand that Barcelona are leading the race to sign FM23 legend Vitor Roque. Man Utd, Arsenal, West Ham and Newcastle are all also interested in the forward.”

As per the attached piece for 90min, the striker’s current side are unlikely to be able to keep hold of their prise asset – who reportedly has a release clause of around €60m (£53m) – for too much longer, such is the intense level of interest.

How good could Roque and Garnacho be at Old Trafford?

Lauded as “one of the most talented Brazilian players of his generation” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Roque has corroborated that claim with his recent displays for his country in the U20 South American Championship.

The 5 foot 8 dynamo played a vital role in helping to drag Brazil to glory in that competition for the first time since 2011, having scored six goals and provided one assist in eight outings – with that tally of goals only matched by Chelsea’s recent addition, Andrey Santos.

That explosive form follows what has been a scintillating start to life at senior level for the exciting forward at Paranaense, as he already boasts a haul of seven goals and three assists in just 36 appearances, after previously scoring six goals in only 16 games for his former club Cruzeiro.

Clearly a player who possesses “crazy potential”, according to Kulig, Roque has also earned the acclaim of being compared to compatriot – and footballing icon – Ronaldo, while his former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari also stated last year:

“He is someone who knows how to play in that area of the pitch, is able to constantly find space and participates well in other aspects of the game. He is the kind of No.9 that I wouldn’t have wanted to mark when I was playing.

“He will grow a lot. He will be one of the players that Brazil will gain great pleasure from, and we will see if he will continue to develop in the position he plays.”

That would suggest that Erik ten Hag could have a real diamond on his hands if Roque is to make the move to Old Trafford this summer, with there a potential for the Timoteo native to form a scintillating attacking partnership with Alejandro Garnacho in the years to come.

The current United ace has enjoyed a real breakthrough campaign thus far under the former Ajax head coach, with the 18-year-old having already provided eight goal contributions across all competitions, including two goals and two assists in the Premier League.

The Argentine “game-changer” – as described by journalist Samuel Luckhurst – has rightly been receiving the plaudits for his standout form this season, having been described as “dangerous” by club legend Pual Scholes and “unstoppable” by pundit Darren Bent.

With the former Atletico Madrid asset typically lining up on the flanks, he could form part of a ferocious forward line including himself and Roque, with the pair clearly offering a real potent threat in the final third despite their youth.

That deadly duo could prove to be a pairing that Ten Hag can build his side around for the long term at the Theatre of Dreams.

The pressure appears to be mounting on Chelsea head coach Graham Potter after his side lost 1-0 to 20th-placed Southampton in the Premier League last weekend.

James Ward-Prowse fired in an excellent free-kick just before half time and that was enough to seal all three points for the away side at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are tenth in the table and have only won five of their 17 matches in the top flight since the English boss was brought in from Brighton to replace Thomas Tuchel.

Potter came in as an inexperienced coach at the top level and that could be his downfall in the end if the 47-year-old fails to turn things around in the coming weeks and months.

The Englishman has not finished higher than fifth in a season since finishing second with Ostersunds in Sweden in 2015 and he has never ended a campaign in a higher position than ninth in England.

Todd Boehly could land an upgrade on the ex-Seagulls boss, if the owner decides to part ways with him soon, by bringing in a proven winner who knows what it takes to be a success at the very top of the game.

Who could replace Graham Potter at Chelsea?

One man who is reportedly being considered for the job if it becomes available is the legendary Zinedine Zidane, who is currently unattached to a club.

The former France international would be a big upgrade on Potter as the 50-year-old is a serial winner who has racked up several trophies during his managerial career so far.

In six LaLiga seasons with Real Madrid, Zidane won two titles and never finished lower than third – averaging 2.24 points per game across 183 matches in the division.

Meanwhile, the Frenchman also led his side to an impressive three Champions League trophies, two UEFA Super Cups, and two FIFA Club World Cup titles.

Speaking about the tactician’s success in Europe, ex-Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand once said: “This guy has incredible ability. It (he) has done so in a short time. He has entered and collected trophy after trophy, the big ones too. Three Champions League as a coach? It’s phenomenal. He doesn’t have much to say, he never had much to say as a player. He let his football speak. Now it’s very similar in management.”

Meanwhile, the only trophy Potter has won in his career – despite only being three years younger than Zidane – is the Swedish Cup with Ostersunds in 2015.

Their respective statistics in management indicate that the French coach would be better suited to the job at Stamford Bridge as he knows how to win trophies and compete at the top end of the table in a major European league, whereas the Englishman is yet to prove his quality as an elite manager.

Former Glasgow Rangers chairman Dave King managed to bring the good times back to the Ibrox side, managing to lure Steven Gerrard to the club while overseeing league title number 55 being won in the 2020/21 campaign.

The club’s business in the transfer market hasn’t been the greatest over the previous few years yet signing James Tavernier in 2015 for a fee of just £220k must surely go down as one of the best signings the club has made in its recent history.

How much is James Tavernier worth now?

The defender was playing for Wigan Athletic before joining the Gers and after a debut season that saw the club promoted back to the Premiership after a four-year absence and reaching the Scottish Cup final, things would soon turn pear-shaped.

The first few seasons back in the top flight were tough, with Mark Warburton, Graeme Murty, and Pedro Caixinha all taking charge of a side that would regularly be thumped by Celtic and even finishing third in 2016/2017, but individually, Tavernier was making his mark on the team.

Before Steven Gerrard took over, the right-back had registered 65 goal contributions, stamping his mark on the team and becoming one of the first names in the starting XI, but success alluded him.

Since the start of the 2018/2019 campaign, the defender has ramped up his attacking input, racking up a staggering 145 goals and assists, while leading the team to a Premiership title, a Scottish Cup win, and a Europa League final appearance while making nearly 400 appearances for the club in total.

The 31-year-old was dubbed “unstoppable” by Gerrard previously and his recent induction into the Rangers Hall of Fame proves that he has graduated from rough diamond to club hero and his value has increased massively from the £220k the club spent to sign him.

FootballTransfers now value the player at £4m (€4.5m) and this represents a staggering increase of 1900%, meaning the club could make a serious profit on the defender if they wanted to cash in on him.

This is highly unlikely, with the captain having unfinished business at the club and with some of the Ibrox support claiming he has underachieved, the next step is to win more trophies and cement his legacy on the pitch even further.

West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca is likely to leave the London Stadium during the summer transfer window, according to journalist Ryan Taylor.

The Lowdown: Scamacca disappoints at West Ham

The 24-year-old moved to the Hammers from Sassuolo last summer, coming in as a big-money addition who would hopefully add real firepower to the attack.

Scamacca has been a disappointment in east London, however, scoring just three goals in 17 Premier League appearances and netting only once in the competition since early October.

Recent speculation suggests a summer departure could be on the cards for the striker, as West Ham look to recoup some of the money they paid for him.

The Latest: Summer exit predicted

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Taylor reacted to the exit rumours surrounding Scamacca, revealing he actually ‘expects’ a departure to happen:

“I feel like it would be quite easy for him to potentially leave because I don’t think he’ll be short of suitors.

“Obviously, PSG were sniffing around and top Italian clubs would definitely take him. I don’t think his value would have decreased too much.

“I’m interested to see how it works out. If I had to make a call on that, I’d say that I would expect him to leave.”

The Verdict: One that didn’t work out

So much was expected of Scamacca last summer, but as can be the case with so many signings from abroad, the pace of the Premier League has seemed to have got the better of him.

The nine-cap Italy international did make a promising start, actually scoring in three matches in a row in October, in all competitions, and Declan Rice called his ability ‘crazy’ at one point.

A knee injury suffered in January certainly hasn’t helped Scamacca’s plight, keeping him largely out since then, but the summer does feel like the right time to make a swift change, in terms of having a chance to get a good fee for him.

All the pieces have fallen perfectly into place at Arsenal and the signings of recent years have largely been resounding swoops that have been integral in the craft and construction of a now imperious outfit that competes for the Premier League title.

The likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard are two salient examples of the shrewd movements of the Gunners hierarchy, with both attacking gems now playing central roles in manager Mikel Arteta’s fluid system.

One further signing that has gelled with conviction and authority over the past few years is Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, who arrived in north London from French Ligue 1 outfit LOSC Lille for roughly £23m in 2020, and despite an inconsistent start to his life in the Premier League, now stands beside Frenchman William Saliba as one of the division’s foremost defensive parternships.

The impact he has had on this Gunners team this term has been profound, and still only 25-years-old, the enforcer could cement his stature as one of English football’s very best titans over modern times.

Did Edu strike gold with Gabriel?

Hailed as a “rock” by Kevin Campbell for his unwavering strength and resolve in the defensive third, Gabriel has made 103 appearances for the Gunners and scored ten goals, which is an impressive tally for a central defender.

This season, he has played in 33 clashes across all competitions, and started all 25 of his outfit’s Premier League contests, paramount with his modernistic skill set and boasting the second-best defensive record in the league, behind only Newcastle United.

According to CIES Football Observatory, he is now worth £62m, which is nearly three times the fee paid to lure the player to the Emirates in the first place and shows that the club struck gold on him.

Such a towering figure is most impressive indeed, especially when compared to other prominent centre-backs in England; Liverpool’s 31-year-old colossus Virgil van Dijk is worth £44m, while Manchester City’s Ruben Dias is valued at £88m.

As per FBref, Gabriel ranks among the top 13% of centre-backs for non-penalty goals per 90 in Europe’s top five leagues and European competition over the past year, with the offensive precision to his rounded game imperative in providing Arsenal with an extra dimension to aid the unrelenting pursuit of the league trophy.

The £50k-per-week star’s 7.05 average league rating, via Sofascore, is an exhibit of his assurance and composure, with his superlative 89% pass success rate and 3.3 clearances per match crucial in rebuffing unwanted advances from the opposition, with Connor Humm even describing the former Brazil U23 titan as “on another level.”

Should Arsenal decide to cash in on their phenom any time soon, which, granted, is a highly unlikely proposition, then they would recuperate a mammoth sum that eclipses what was paid to land the player from his former outfit.

But regardless, his current value is a welcome reminder of the shrewd piece of business that was struck to clinch the signature of an ace now eminent among the talented crop of Europe’s best centre-backs.

Arsenal have ‘inquired’ about bringing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud to the Premier League, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

The Lowdown: Dahoud set for BVB exit

The German will be out of contract in the summer and reports have suggested that he is on his way out of the Bundesliga after deciding not to renew his deal.

The Gunners target has fallen out of favour under Edin Terzic having made just three league starts this season, so will be keen to secure a fresh start.

Mikel Arteta is on the lookout for further central reinforcements after landing Jorginho in January, and has already been linked with the likes of West Ham captain Declan Rice, but the 27-year-old could prove to be a much cheaper alternative.

The Latest: Arsenal register interest

Taking to Twitter, Plettenberg revealed that Arsenal have registered their interest in Dahoud ahead of a potential move to the Emirates. He wrote:

“News #Dahoud: At this stage 10 clubs are in! Very hot: AC Milan, SSC Napoli, AS Roma, Leicester, Real Betis, FC Sevilla, Fenerbahce, Gala.

“Arsenal and Atlético inquired about him.

“He will leave #BVB in summer as a free agent.”

The Verdict: No-brainer?

Dahoud has been hailed an ‘amazing talent’ by one of his close associates and Arsenal have a no-brainer of a decision when it comes to signing him on a free transfer.

The Puma-sponsored star loves to attack from the centre having clocked up 71 goal contributions in 293 appearances throughout his career, so he would complement the forward players perfectly.

The Amuda native would also bring excellent versatility to the capital with his ability to operate in all five positions across the midfield so Edu shouldn’t have to think twice about capitalising on this rare opportunity.

Having once formed ‘the heart of Gladbach’ alongside Granit Xhaka with their shared former club, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Dahoud could recapture his best form alongside his ex-midfield partner.

Liverpool head coach, largely working with former chief Michael Edwards, Jurgen Klopp has had amazing success in the transfer market over the years at Anfield.

The German manager has signed the likes of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Virgil van Dijk, and Gini Wijnaldum, to name a few, during his time at the club and has proven that he has an eye for top-level talent.

However, the previous Liverpool boss – Brendan Rodgers – was no stranger to a bargain in the market and one of his final masterstrokes was the signing of Danny Ings from Burnley in his last window in charge of the club in the summer of 2015.

How much did Liverpool pay for Danny Ings?

The club only paid an initial £6.5m to sign him from the Clarets, which was decided by a tribunal as the marksman was out of contract, and went on to make a big profit on the gem.

Ings, who Noel Whelan once hailed as a “phenomenal finisher”, only ended up playing 25 first-team matches for the Reds in all competitions – scoring four goals.

However, his time at the club was marred by horrible injury luck. Between the 2015/16 and 2016/17 campaigns, the attacker missed a staggering 85 competitive matches due to knee injuries, which disrupted his development and did not help his efforts to become a regular at Anfield.

After those frustrating years for the striker, Klopp then decided to send him out on loan in the 2018/19 campaign and that move turned out to be a blinder.

The Englishman joined Southampton on a temporary basis and plundered seven goals and three assists in 24 Premier League appearances for the club.

This led to the Saints snapping the dynamo, who Klopp once lauded as “unbelievable”, up on a permanent deal for a fee of £20m in the summer of 2019 – £13.5m more than what Liverpool initially paid to sign him in 2015.

Ings thrived in his new home and scored 34 Premier League goals in his next two seasons combined, which shows that it was a great transfer for all parties involved. The Reds received a big fee, Southampton landed an excellent player, and the forward was able to find his best form at the top level.

Therefore, Rodgers and Klopp – between them – played a blinder with Ings in picking him up for a fairly small fee before making the right choice in his development – despite the injury issues – to then sell him for a huge profit.

Manchester City have joined the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen sensation Florian Wirtz this summer, according to journalist Graeme Bailey.

The Lowdown: City make plans…

Despite the threat of Premier League sanctions looming over Pep Guardiola’s side, a verdict will not be reached for quite some time, so it’s business as usual for the champions.

City are reportedly making transfer plans behind-the-scenes amid their challenges for a third-consecutive domestic crown, potential Champions League title and FA Cup.

Jude Bellingham, who is also being heavily courted by the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid, is one player well and truly on Guardiola’s radar.

As well as the Borussia Dortmund superstar, City have been linked with moves for the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Declan Rice as possible midfield alternatives.

In terms of forwards, Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is reportedly attracting attention from Eastlands as he continues to make waves in Serie A.

The Latest: City join Wirtz transfer race…

According to reporter Bailey, writing for 90min, another transfer target can be added to Guardiola’s list as City join the race to sign Wirtz from Leverkusen.

The 19-year-old has reignited City’s interest after he was on their radar a while ago with the attacking midfield ace also having plenty of other admirers.

Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Dortmund are named as interested parties.

While Bailey stats Leverkusen do not envisage him leaving this summer, he also suggests that a ‘sizeable’ offer could sway them if they fail to climb the Bundesliga table.

The Verdict: Major talent…

The £62 million-rated teenager is drawing many suitors for good reason – he is a sensational talent who could be destined for a move to England.

Wirtz is seen by many as one of Europe’s most exciting young players and is now back in the Germany national team fold after nine months recovering from a knee ligament injury.

Wirtz has been unable to showcase his ability for the last year but is now starting to rediscover his potential – registering four assists in nine league matches since returning.

Only Jeremie Frimpong has averaged a higher match rating per 90 domestically than Wirtz who also ranks in Leverkusen’s top two for key passes made and successful take-ons (WhoScored).

Called ‘phenomenal’ for his calmness by defender Jonathan Tah, Wirtz’s quality is perhaps summed up by comparisons with Lionel Messi – with former Liverpool midfielder and Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso claiming he boasts similar qualities.

Newcastle United have received an approach from Jorge Mendes regarding a deal to bring Ansu Fati to the Premier League, according to reports.

What's the latest on Fati's future?

The Barcelona winger’s contract at Camp Nou isn’t set to expire until 2027, but in recent months he’s been facing an uncertain future having made just nine league starts this season, having fallen down the pecking order under manager Xavi. The Spaniard’s father, Bori Fati, has recently publicly hit out at the La Liga giants for how they have treated his 20-year-old son. During an interview with Cope, as quoted by ESPN, he said:

"If it carries on like this, I will go [back] to [the family home in] Seville and that's that. I didn't go to the game against [Real] Madrid. I won't go to the stadium anymore. The other day Ansu asked me why I didn't go, he thought I was there. I told him I didn't fancy it."

According to Sport (via Sport Witness), Fati’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has “been in contact” with Newcastle to discuss the possibility of a move to St. James’ Park. The Magpies and Eddie Howe have reportedly “listened carefully” to what his representative had to say and are “convinced of the attraction”, something that would mean they are “ready” to splash the cash.

Mendes has been “probing the market” to find a new destination for his client which led him to the northeast outfit, who are “very attentive” to his transfer situation. For now, PIF are “waiting for events to transpire” before making their official move, much like his other unnamed potential suitors.

Should Newcastle sign Fati?

Fati has been dubbed “Messi-esque” by talent scout Jacek Kulig as a result of the quality he produces in the final third, and Newcastle should definitely act fast to get this deal over the line ahead of their fellow competitors later in the summer.

The Nike-sponsored star has scored 25 senior goals and provided nine assists for Barcelona despite only just coming out of his teenage years, which shows he’s got bags of potential and is already showing the footballing world what he’s capable of (Transfermarkt).

The £199K-p/w talent also ranks in the 99th percentile for shots and number of touches in the attacking penalty area, highlighting his desire to create chances even if he isn’t always on the scoresheet, whilst also being strong in his link-up play ranking in the 96th percentile for pass completion (FBRef).

The Spain World Cup participant has previously operated in five various positions throughout his career, including out wide on both flanks and as a centre-forward, so would additionally add plenty of versatility to Howe’s squad at St. James’ Park.