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A new loan ruling that is set to be implemented next season could have a big impact on Wolves, according to reliable journalist Tim Spiers.

The Lowdown: New loan ruling

According to The Athletic, clubs will be limited on the number of international players they can have out on loan in the future.

From next season, teams will only be allowed to have eight players on temporary moves elsewhere and that number will drop to six by 2024.

Wolves currently have ten players out on loan, highlighting how clubs will be affected by the new venture moving forward.

The Latest: Spiers reacts to claim

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Spiers gave his thoughts on the news, discussing how it will impact on Wanderers’ business:

“New loan rules coming in next season which will impact Wolves, who had 10 players on loan overseas in the first half of the season (max of 8 next year then max 6 from 2024) and four at Grasshoppers (max 3 at one club).”

The Verdict: Good decision

In truth, it is healthy to see this ruling introduced, with the report correctly stating that it is a good way of preventing clubs from ‘stockpiling talent’.

It is good to see that players aged 21 and under won’t be affected, however, as loan moves can be healthy for their development, such as Wolves forward Theo Corbeanu, who is currently at MK Dons.

It will make teams think more about recruitment in general and potentially ensure they get the most out the players already in their ranks, rather than stockpiling players for purely financial reasons.

In other news, some Wolves fans have reacted to an exit rumour regarding one player. Find out who it is here.

Junior Firpo is unlikely to start for Leeds United in their Premier League clash with Leicester City, according to journalist Beren Cross.

The Lowdown: Leeds host Leicester

The Whites are back in Premier League action on Sunday afternoon, welcoming Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes side to Elland Road.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side picked up a much-needed three points away to Norwich City last weekend but this is likely to be a sterner test.

That being said, Leicester are yet to get going this season and their limp defeat at home to Arsenal last time around means all is far from perfect for Rodgers and co – they currently sit 11th with a negative goal difference.

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The Latest: Firpo unlikely to start

Firpo could return to the matchday squad for Leeds after injury, but speaking in a Q&A for Leeds Live on Wednesday, Cross claimed the left-back is unlikely to start, with Bielsa being careful with him:

“Based on Bielsa’s argument for leaving [Kalvin] Phillips out of the Wolves game, Firpo will surely have had too little time on the pitch in order to start against Leicester on Sunday.”

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The Verdict: Big test of Whites’ form

It makes sense for Firpo to be eased back in, with Stuart Dallas continuing at left-back in what is an intriguing league encounter – the latter man was solid against Norwich, earning a 7.4 match rating from Sofascore, the second-best on the pitch behind Raphinha.

The Northern Ireland international also ranks 6th in average match rating for the entire season at Elland Road, while Firpo is all the way down in 17th, so this feels like a pretty smart prediction from Cross.

This is likely to tell us a lot more about where Leeds are at currently, with Norwich the worst team in the division, with all due respect.

Victory over Leicester would suggest that the Whites truly have turned a corner but defeat would mean those same doubts start creeping in again.

In other news, a Leeds transfer target has turned down a new contract. Read more here.

Nuno Santo’s return to UEFA Europa Conference League action on Thursday evening as they welcome Slovenian champions NS Mura to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Things have taken a turn for the worse in recent weeks, having lost three straight heavy defeats in the Premier League after Sunday’s north London disappointment.

The Portuguese head coach blamed himself for his team selection at the Emirates Stadium and he will have plenty to ponder ahead of kickoff this evening.

One of Spurs’ biggest issues right now is in the final third – they look lacklustre in attack and have really struggled to score goals, even when they were winning, it was merely by a 1-0 margin.

After six league games, Spurs rank last for average number of shots per game (9.3) and sit second-bottom for expected goals (5.47 xG), which only goes to show just how severe the problem is at the club.

The likes of Giovani Lo Celso, Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli have consistently failed to step up to be the team’s main creator in attacking midfield. It’s been a massive, and underlying, issue ever since Christian Eriksen departed for Inter Milan in January 2020.

However, the difference is, Nuno could well have a solution right under his nose, thanks to the moves sporting director Fabio Paratici made in the transfer market this summer.

He managed to offload the injury-prone Erik Lamela and in return, secured a promising Spanish gem in Bryan Gil – a flair player capable of pulling the strings and linking the midfield to the attack.

The 20-year-old wizard simply has to start this evening if the Portuguese is to turn things around. He’s now under mounting pressure to deliver results and Gil would aid his chances substantially.

Valued at £27m, the Spain U21 international has already been likened to the Danish playmaker, as well as another former Spurs midfield dynamo, Luka Modric.

“I think they’ve just got to nail down that role for him. As soon as they nail down that role, I think we’re going to see a very talented young player coming to the fore. He’s kind of got a bit of everything: he can pass, he can dribble, he’s very creative, he has clever movement,” said football.london’s Alasdair Gold.

“They’ve just got to decide, is he a guy that can ultimately become the new Eriksen, because the more and more I watch him play, I think the ability’s there to do that. Some have even made a Modric comparison and said, maybe he could end up coming even deeper and becoming that kind of player.”

Gil averaged 1.7 crosses and 1.9 key passes per 90 in La Liga last season, as per WhoScored, which certainly suggests that he’s a player that looks to create chances frequently.

This season, Heung-min Son and Steven Bergwijn top the charts, managing 1.5 key passes per 90 but these are returns still below that of the young prodigy.

As a player that has been described as a “big talent”, “exciting” and one with “unbelievable amounts of technique”, it’s time for Nuno to unleash the rarely-seen gem a lot more often.

There’s only so long he can continue to count on his more senior figures, especially as they continue to let him down.

Gil must start against Mura this evening. It could be a game-changing call from a manager under intense scrutiny right now.

AND in other news, Nuno could finally axe Dele Alli if Spurs secure “explosive” £36m-rated “young Salah”…

Aston Villa are looking to land Rangers defender Leon King in a cut-price deal, Ashley Preece reports.

The Lowdown: King profiled

King is 17 years of age and is primarily a centre-back who can also line out at left-back when required. He has made two senior appearances for Rangers and was promoted to first team training during Steven Gerrard’s time at Ibrox, with the current Villa boss labelling him ‘superb’.

The teenager’s contract in Glasgow expires at the end of the season, and although Rangers are in talks with King over a new deal, it seems as if Villa are looking to take full advantage.

The Latest: Preece’s update

Preece took to Twitter hours before Villa’s game with Manchester City on Wednesday, revealing that Gerrard is looking to take advantage of the defender’s contract situation, with a cut-price deal in the region of £200,000 thought to be on the cards.

The journalist tweeted: “Some transfer news into @birmingham_live prior to kick-off as Gerrard looks to take full advantage of Leon King’s contract situation at Rangers. The 17-year-old was promoted to first-team sessions under SG. Cut-price deal for #avfc.”

The Verdict: Shrewd move

Gerrard is thought to be after a centre-back in the New Year, and although King may not be an immediate first team signing, you’d expect that he could break into his plans over the coming years.

The teenager is clearly a player who the 41-year-old rates after promoting him to first team training at Rangers, and the defender may prove to be a bargain for villa in a six-figure deal.

Manchester United are also thought to be keen on the youngster, which further shows how big a deal it could be in the long run if the Midlanders pull it off.

In other news: ‘Gerrard out’ – Many Villa fans erupt over club’s plans for ‘brilliant’ beast

Airdrie manager Ian Murray has confirmed that winger Thomas Robert has had a trial with Celtic over the last two weeks, saying it is an ‘exciting’ time for the young talent amid links with the Hoops.

The 20-year-old, son of former Newcastle United star Laurent, was first linked with a move to Parkhead back in December when Neil Lennon was still leading the Celtic charge.

Nick Hammond reportedly watched the youngster in League One action prior to the New Year, and it seems as if he’s had a successful stint in and around the Hoops squad in recent weeks.

Robert has made 14 senior appearances for Airdrie, scoring four times and providing two assists.

Thomas at Celtic

Talking to the Daily Record, Murray said:

“I can provide clarity on Thomas being in with Celtic and training with them.

It’s brilliant for him personally and brilliant for the club because it shows that we are doing something right.

It was a no-brainer to let him go on trial with Celtic. It was a chance for Thomas to showcase himself and train with top level players and coaches.

He was in a top level training environment which is second to none. He was working with top players and for any footballer, it’s an exciting time to do that.

It’s testament to Thomas, his teammates and the club because we are starting to build those connections.

We are taking young players in and improving them which is our model. Thomas has grabbed lots of headlines and he’s a great asset to us.

Thomas is now back with us, he’s been tested and trained with us yesterday. He’s adapted to everything that we’ve asked him to do exceptionally well.”

Transfer Tavern take

The Hoops joined a host of sides in the race for Robert’s services before the January window, and it appears as if they may be at the front of the queue following his Lennoxtown trial.

He’s out of contract at the end of the current season, so Celtic could well take Robert to Parkhead on a long-term basis for a minimal fee.

The Frenchman appears to fit the bill in regards to the club looking to lure top young talent ahead of the summer window. A deal for Liam Shaw is already tied up, while Wigan Athletic striker Kyle Joseph appears to be another player of interest.

Robert may well be another youngster to make the move to Celtic Park, and it seems as if he’s done his chances no harm during his trial in recent weeks, going off Murray’s comments.

In other news, a former Hoops boss is advising on Celtic’s manager search, find out more here.

Leeds United have identified a potential summer signing in Ivan Toney but face competition to acquire the player if they do make a serious offer.

The latest on Toney

According to TEAMtalk, Brentford are ready to slap a £30m asking price on star striker Ivan Toney, with Arsenal, Leeds and West Ham all keen.

The 24-year-old joined the Bees last summer in a deal worth just over £5m from League One Peterborough to replace Ollie Watkins, who has shone in his first campaign in the Premier League.

This would be a great coup for Leeds

The Englishman has truly set the Championship alight, playing 33 times in the division and scoring 25 goals whilst also picking up nine assists along the way (WhoScored). His stats show how much of an attacking threat he poses as he has averages 2.8 shots and 1.1 key passes per game in 2020/21.

Toney, who was once hailed as a “gem” by his former Peterborough manager Steve Evans, looks like he will break the 30-goal mark this season; and despite him having a large price tag in £30m, it feels like he is worth that type of money.

He is still young and should have the scope to grow into an even better forward when he reaches his prime. That other clubs in the Premier League are also interested in him highlights his quality, and this could be a huge signing for Leeds to work alongside the in-form Patrick Bamford.

In other news, Danny Mills fumes at this Leeds player’s agent!

Former top flight goalkeeper Paddy Kenny believes Sadio Mane will sign a new Liverpool deal this summer after what he’s seen in recent weeks.

The Lowdown: Mane’s future up in the air

The Senegalese has returned to top form recently, scoring crucial goals against the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United, not to mention taking his tally for the season to 19 overall.

There is some concern surrounding Mane’s future at Liverpool, however, with his current deal expiring next year and a new contract not yet signed.

There appears to have been positive progress made in recent times, though, and the hope is that the situation is sorted in the near future.

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The Latest: Pundit confident of new deal

Speaking to Football Insider, Kenny, 43, dropped his verdict after seeing Mane’s red-hot recent form:

“He’s frighteningly good, isn’t he?”

“There is no way he’s leaving. Liverpool have one of the best attacks in the world and they don’t want to weaken that. He has proved how good he is over the last few weeks, not that we needed anymore proof.

“He’s one of the ones who is out of contract next summer so you would think Liverpool will want to tie him down with some of the goals he’s been scoring.

“I think that will get sorted. They want to keep Salah and Mane, those kinds of world-class players.”

The Verdict: No-brainer for Liverpool

There have been times when Mane has dropped below his absolute peak level, but his recent form is proof that he still has a huge amount to offer.

While 30 used to be seen as ‘old’ for a footballer, the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema are proof that players can go well into their 30s now at the very highest level.

For that reason, giving Mane a new deal is a no-brainer for Liverpool, with the African superstar capable of being a force for three or four more years, at least.

In other news, another Premier League side could sign a Liverpool target. Find out who it is here.

According to The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Crystal Palace are interested in signing Ciaran Clark from Newcastle United.

What’s the word?

It’s claimed Palace are reportedly eyeing up a move for Clark with a view to him replacing Mamadou Sakho, who’s been heavily linked with the Selhurst Park exit.

Roy Hodgson has managed to get the Eagles out of the Premier League relegation zone and may look for January additions to keep them out of the bottom three and McGrath reports that he could try to steal a march on one of their closest rivals by snapping up Clark from right under their noses.

Worse than Gary Cahill

This just reeks of yet another panic buy, doesn’t it?

Whilst the £4m-rated 31-year-old, whose current deal at St James’ Park ends this summer, wouldn’t necessarily be a bad option as he wouldn’t cost Palace chairman Steve Parish a lot of monet, the Eagles simply must aim to look a little higher in the winter transfer window if they want to improve their squad.

Hodgson has struggled to find consistency alongside Cheikhou Kouyate, with Gary Cahill and Scott Dann battling for the spot, but there are still questions over both centre-backs, while James Tomkins has done very little to impress when called upon too.

Clark, who has won 34 caps for his country, has provided one goal in 11 appearances across all competitions this season so far, via Transfermarkt.

But Hodgson may be reluctant to pursue a bid if he takes a deeper look at his defensive contributions in terms of the numbers. 3.9 clearances per game in comparison to Cahill’s 4.4, a pass success rating of 79.9% to 86.3% – not exactly figures that scream out that Clark is worth his reported £35,000-per-week wages.

He’s also been criticised in the past for his poor performances while away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland.

With Palace’s squad the oldest in the Premier League at present by a country mile, Hodgson may be better off looking for a considerably younger and more suitable replacement instead.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace missed a trick with Brentford striker Ivan Toney…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, David Norris, who made 36 appearances for Leeds United, has revealed that Ezgjan Alioski will certainly be leaving Elland Road when his contract expires this summer.

Alioski has reportedly signed a pre-contract with Galatasaray – this is despite the winger/full-back featuring frequently under Marcelo Bielsa this season, making 31 Premier League appearances.

Bielsa has opted to deploy Alioski as a left-back this term, which has allowed Stuart Dallas to play as a central midfielder, with his seven goals and two assists being very important for Leeds this campaign.

Speaking on how Alioski will be leaving this summer and why he wouldn’t be surprised to see a replacement arrive at the end of the season, Norris exclusively told FFC:

“Yeah, Alioski is definitely going to be leaving. So, with him off I wouldn’t be surprised to see someone new come in.”

It has been reported that the £15,000 per week ace turned down a new contract offer at Leeds and he has been able to speak with clubs outside of England, as he’s in the final six months of his current deal.

Leeds have improved at the back recently, with Bielsa’s side only conceding four goals in their previous six games.

Israeli side Hapoel Be’er Sheva will make an approach for Celtic man Nir Bitton this summer.  

The Lowdown: Previous Bitton exit link

It’s not the first time Bitton has been linked with a summer exit this year. Back in February, reports claimed that Maccabi Tel Aviv were weighing up a move for the versatile Hoops man at the end of the season.

Bitton, who has made 233 appearances for Celtic, has been in and out of the Hoops side this season, making just 11 league starts, all of which have come as a centre-back.

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The Latest: Celtic set to receive Bitton approach

According to one outlet from Israel, cited by The Scotsman, Bitton is a target for Hapoel Be’er Sheva, who look set to make a move for the player Colin Watt described as ‘Mr Reliable’.

It seems as if Hapoel Be’er Sheva have a summer rebuild of their own to deal with over the coming months and Bitton is thought to be on their transfer wishlist.

The Verdict: Celtic have a decision to make

Should Celtic receive a bid for Bitton, new CEO Dominic McKay and the rest of the Hoops hierarchy may have a big decision to make.

Bitton, on £14,000-a-week at Parkhead, can play as a defensive midfielder and a centre-back, so his versatility could be handy for the Hoops going forward.

He still has over two years remaining on his Celtic deal, so we feel the club should be under no pressure to part ways with the player this summer.

It could be extremely important for a new director of football and manager to be through the door before the summer window opens, for them to then have a major say on Bitton’s future – buying or selling players before a new boss arrives feels like a recipe for disaster.

In other news: Odsonne Edouard Olympics update comes to light, find out more here.