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Newcastle United are reportedly favourites to sign Axel Tuanzebe in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Centre-back wanted

The St. James’ Park faithful have recently been linked with moves for the likes of Phil Jones and Boubacar Kamara, and so it is clear that they are looking for a new central defender.

However, with the new 2021/22 Premier League season only a couple of weeks away, they need to act fast to bring new players in.

The Latest: Favourites for Tuanzebe

As per The Chronicle, the North East club are in ‘pole position’ to sign Tuanzebe on loan from Manchester United.

Steve Bruce worked with him while he was at Aston Villa, and is said to believe that he has a ‘bright future’ ahead of him.

The Tyneside club are ‘leading the race’ for his signature, and both Tuanzebe and his camp have been left feeling ‘delighted’ by their interest.

The Verdict: Sign

Given that Bruce has already worked with Tuanzebe before, he will know how to get the best out of him, and the fact that he is ‘delighted’ by the Magpies’ interest in him suggests that he would give his absolute all for the Toon Army.

Described as ‘outstanding’ by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after an impressive UEFA Europa League performance against Granada back in April, he has the capabilities to reach the very top.

The six-foot-one colossus already has the experience of playing in the top flight, and can play in a wide range of different positions (Transfermarkt), the kind of versatility that would be very useful to Bruce’s squad.

Nonetheless, at just 23 years of age, Tuanzebe certainly has a lot of potential, and can really develop as a player at the Toon, should they be able to sign him.

In other news, find out what ‘bitter blow’ NUFC have suffered involving their takeover case here!

Chelsea are ready to rival Manchester City in the race to sign Aston Villa star Jack Grealish this summer, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: All roads seemed to point towards City move

Manchester City were named as the favourites to sign Grealish back in March, and since then, rumours have continued to gather pace.

Grealish has told friends he is very interested in a move to the Etihad to work with Pep Guardiola, with reports in recent days claiming City are ready to smash the all-time Premier League transfer record in order to land the 25-year-old.

The Latest: Source shares Blues twist

Football Insider shared a story on Grealish’s future on Tuesday morning, hours prior to his starring display for England against the Czech Republic at the European Championships.

A Chelsea source informed the site that the Blues have a ‘concrete interest’ in the attacking midfielder and are ready to push City all the way this summer.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has made it clear to the Blues hierarchy that he will finance big-money signings like Grealish if deals can be agreed.

The Verdict: Could it be good news for Villa?

This latest update could actually be good news for Villa in what could be a difficult scenario. Villa are under no pressure to part ways with Grealish, who is under contract at Villa Park until 2025.

The only way Villa could be forced into selling their captain is if he makes it clear to the club he wants a move away and a remarkable bid is received.

Chelsea now being ready to rival City for his signature may only push the price up for Grealish in a possible bidding war, should Villa have to look into a potential sale.

Villa could therefore reap the financial benefits should a move materialise to either Stamford Bridge or the Etihad, with both clubs now seemingly extremely keen on Grealish’s services.

In other news: John McGinn linked with Villa exit, find out more here. 

West Bromwich Albion have ended their pursuit to appoint Chris Wilder as the new manager at The Hawthorns.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claim that, after extensive talks with the 53-year-old, the Baggies are set to pull the plug on appointing the former Sheffield United manager as Sam Allardyce’s replacement at the club.

It is reported that the West Brom hierarchy are harbouring serious reservations about installing the Stocksbridge-born manager, and are now prepared to turn their focus to alternative candidates for the role.

This latest development comes after claims last week that a deal between Wilder and the Baggies was all but done, with these reports now appearing to have been rather premature.

Fans will be gutted

With Wilder appearing to be a dead cert for the vacant managerial position at The Hawthorns over the past week, fans have had plenty of time to give their two cents on the potential appointment, with a number of them appearing delighted with the idea of the 53-year-old taking over at their club.

One claimed on Twitter that Wilder’s “proven track record of leaving clubs in a better position than when he took over” was a good sign for the Baggies, while another stated their belief that the former Sheffield United boss “has got the best CV out of all the candidates” who are in the running for the job.

Indeed, it would be hard to argue with either of these points, as, so far in his managerial career, Wilder has taken a mid-table Oxford United side to the League Two play-offs places, a 21st placed Northampton Town side to being League Two champions and a Sheffield United side languishing in League One to a top-half Premier League finish in the space of just four years.

As such, with a wealth of experience in getting teams promoted, the appointment of Wilder at West Brom would have appeared to significantly increase the Baggies’ chances of securing an immediate return to the Premier League next season.

However, if the latest reports are to be believed, West Brom will not be led by the 53-year-old next season, news that will undoubtedly leave fans of the club gutted.

In other news: West Brom dealt transfer blow over “tenacious” £31k-p/w gem that’ll leave fans gutted

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Brighton and Hove Albion defender Ben White ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to the Daily Mail, the 23-year-old has attracted the attention of several top sides, including United, following an impressive maiden campaign in the Premier League, resulting in a call up to the England squad for Euro 2020.

The report claims that Brighton have slapped a £50 million price tag on White’s head in order to fend off the likes of United, Liverpool and Arsenal, who are all thought to be monitoring the youngster’s progress.

Solskjaer will be gutted

After helping Leeds United claim the Championship title in 2019/20 during a successful loan spell, White returned to his parent club last summer and made the step up to the top-flight look easy.

It didn’t take long for the talented star to make his mark in England’s top division, earning praise from Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp back in September.

“I have got to mention Ben White. There is a centre-back there who is going to go right to the top. He is so comfortable on the ball; you can see why Leeds wanted to keep him,” said the former Liverpool midfielder.

“That young man is destined for an amazing future, he’s comfortable on the ball, brilliant defensively, and I love him.”

Marcelo Bielsa’s men tried to purchase the centre-back on a permanent basis 12 months ago but were ultimately unsuccessful following a string of bids reaching £25m.

White went on to make 36 appearances for the Seagulls last season as the south coast club finished in a respectable 16th position, and White’s imposing performances, added to him getting England recognition, have seen his valuation rocket.

An injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold opened the door for the youngster in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, seeing White’s reputation and price tag rise even further, spelling bad news for his potential suitors.

United are thought to be on the lookout for a new partner for Harry Maguire in the heart of the Red Devils’ defence, but whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is prepared to splash out £50m on a man with just one season of Premier League football under his belt in questionable.

The Old Trafford outfit finished 12 points behind table-toppers Manchester City in the recently concluded campaign, in part down to their inferior defensive record.

Pep Guardiola’s charges leaked 12 fewer efforts than their city rivals, highlighting the need for defensive reinforcements on the red half of Manchester.

With the pandemic continuing to have a negative effect upon football’s finances, even clubs like United are on the lookout for a bargain this summer, and White’s new valuation is far from a cut-price deal.

Whilst White’s international recognition is great for him, it will be gutting for Solskjaer as he could well be priced out of a move for the young defender.

And, in other news…Man Utd must avoid “absolutely shocking” £35m prodigy, he’s not good enough 

A number of Liverpool supporters don’t want Philippe Coutinho to return to Anfield despite him reportedly wanting to move back.

The Brazilian was a hugely popular individual during his time with the Reds, scoring 54 goals in 201 appearances along the way (41 goals in 152 Premier League games). Coutinho’s flair lit up Anfield on many occasions and he proved to be an influential player under both Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

He controversially traded Liverpool for Barcelona in January 2018, however, angering some supporters and ruining his Reds legacy. Ironically, Klopp’s men have never looked back since, winning the Champions League and Premier League, while Coutinho has struggled in Spain.

According to Sport [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], it is the 29-year-old’s ‘big dream’ to return to Liverpool this summer, securing a move away from Barca.

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Liverpool fans don’t want Coutinho to return

These Liverpool fans don’t want to see it happen, however, taking to Twitter to provide their thoughts.

“We don’t care about his dreams”

Credit: @PrimeEJ

“Oh so now we’re his ‘dream’? Yeah keep dreaming then.”

Credit: @ryanpiyo

“Big Dream? Please don’t make me laugh”

Credit: @takilufhugu_

“Dream was to play for Barca as well”

Credit: @KiwiC10

“Dream on Phil”

Credit: @hara_anton

“Awwww stop…”

Credit: @Kop_A_Holic

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to a rumour linking the Reds with a move for an international winger. Read more here.

Celtic are thought to be worried over Crystal Palace scuppering their plans to take Eddie Howe to Celtic Park.

That’s according to Football Insider, and plenty of Eagles fans have been sharing their thoughts to the update on social media.

Football Insider have been informed by a Celtic source, who claim that the Hoops are worried Palace could push for Howe after it was revealed that Frank Lampard pulled out of the running to replace Roy Hodgson.

Lampard held extensive talks with the Palace hierarchy and was one of the favourites for the job, but he no longer wants to be considered for the vacant role going forward.

Howe also spoke with the Eagles last month, and it seems as if the Scottish giants, who have reportedly agreed on a move with the Englishman, are now worried Palace could look to revisit their interest in the 43-year-old.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the report on Twitter on Friday morning. This is what these Palace supporters had to say in reply…

“Hope it’s not true, can’t stand the bloke, last person I want in charge”Credit: @jack73079763″oh my word shut up football insider”Credit: @palacejacob”No thank you”Credit: @CPRednBlue”Because Howe would want it having been second choice”Credit: @EagleEyeView29″If Football Insider were right we would have had about 5 different managers this week”Credit: @BenM_CPFC”Have a feeling we could be getting Eddie Howe in as CPFC Manager if Frank Lampard isn’t in contention. He ticks box on paper of experienced PL Manager who plays more attractive football & isn’t under contract elsewhere, is personable & likely to opt for Southern England job”Credit: @neiog

In other news: Many CPFC fans react to James McCarthy update, find out more here. 

Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that West Ham should be all over Sam Johnstone this summer.

The former Manchester United youngster has been one of the standout goalkeepers in the Premier League this season, although his excellent form is unlikely to save West Brom from relegation.

Providing the Baggies don’t make a great escape in the coming weeks, the £32,500-a-week England shotstopper, who was recently rewarded with his first call-up by Gareth Southgate, is likely to leave the club.

Reports believe that Johnstone will be available for just £10million, although the Hammers could face stiff competition from London rivals Tottenham, who might also need a new goalkeeper.

Number one Lukasz Fabianski recently extended his deal with the Hammers, but mistakes have been creeping into the Pole’s game this term, none more so than in the defeat at Newcastle earlier this month.

And McAvennie told Football FanCast that Johnstone would be an ideal replacement:

“I think it would be really good business.

“When you’re playing for West Brom you’re not short of action, he’s probably made more saves than most of the keepers put together, and that’s no disrespect to them but without him they wouldn’t have as many points as they have got.

“For £10million, I can’t believe I’m saying it, but it’s nothing in this game. That’s the nature of the beast now, and it’s right up West Ham’s street that kind of money.”

In recent weeks Nuno Espirito Santo has seen his name linked with the Tottenham Hotspur job despite signing a new contract at Wolves last year, and club legend Steve Bull has urged fans not to worry about the Portuguese manager’s future in an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern.

Nuno arrived at Molineux in 2017 when he left his job at FC Porto and he managed to bring silverware to Wolves in his first season when they lifted the Championship trophy with a total of 99 points.

Tottenham reportedly hold an interest in the Portuguese manager, despite him still being yet to win a major trophy during his managerial career with Wolves’ best achievement under Nuno being a seventh-place finish.

Speaking on how there was speculation over Nuno’s future earlier this season but why Wolves fans should no longer be worried, Bull exclusively told The Transfer Tavern:

“There’s no need for them to be worried now, absolutely not. I think at the start of the season when there was speculation about him going to Tottenham that’s when people were worried, but not now.

“I think he’s made a statement in saying he’s staying here with his new contract, and now they just need to give him some money to spend.”

Nuno has a 38.7 win percentage in the Premier League with Wolves which would have been severely affected by their poor season ss they have won just 12 games.

This will be the first season Nuno has finished anywhere other than seventh in the Premier League and this is mainly down to the lack of cutting edge in the final third with their top scorers, Ruben Neves and Pedro Neto, having scored five goals each.

Sheffield Wednesday have been dealt a huge blow to their chances of keeping Osaze Urhoghide at Hillsborough this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football League World, who claim that it appears increasingly likely that the centre-back will reject the Owls’ offer of a new deal, as interest is growing in the 20-year-old ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

Both Xisco Munoz’s Watford and Mick McCarthy’s Cardiff City sides are reported to be extremely keen on a move for the £270k-rated defender this summer, who, unless he signs a new contract with Wednesday, will become a free agent next month.

Moore will be gutted

Having made a handful of appearances for Sheffield Wednesday last season, Urhoghide went on to establish himself as a regular part of the Owls first-team squad in the second half of the 2020/21 campaign.

Over his total of 16 Championship appearances this term, the youngster put in a number of solid performances for Darren Moore’s side, helping the Owls to keep three clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.6 interceptions, 1.8 tackles and 2.7 clearances per game – with these metrics seeing the centre-back earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.63.

However, while this is by no means mind-blowing form, it must be said that being thrown into the heart of a defence that is in the midst of a relegation fight is no easy task, let alone as a player with so little first-team football behind them.

Indeed, the 20-year-old is extremely highly thought of at Hillsborough, with Yorkshire Live’s Dom Howson referring to the former AFC Wimbledon man as a promising prospect with a big future at the club, while Darren Moore has claimed Urhoghide is “immense” and “absolutely rock solid” in defence.

As such, the prospect of losing the centre-back this summer will likely come as a gutting blow for the 47-year-old Owls boss, who has claimed that he will be building a side based upon the club’s most talented youngsters for their upcoming campaign in League One.

In other news: SWFC handed major transfer boost over “adaptable” £3.7k-p/w gem, Moore will be buzzing – opinion

Reports by The Telegraph earlier this week claimed West Ham United may emerge as a ‘realistic option’ for Ross Barkley should the midfielder have no future at Chelsea next season.

And David Moyes sealing a deal for the 27-year-old could see the Irons boss discover his heir to Jesse Lingard, with the London Stadium outfit not in possession of an option to retain the Manchester United loanee.

West Ham are expected to try and do whatever it takes to keep Lingard in claret and blue long-term, having seen the England international strike eight goals and provide three assists in nine Premier League appearances since his January arrival.

Moyes has even marked Lingard and the capture of a new centre-forward as his priorities for the summer market, but West Ham could face an asking price as high as £30m and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has refused to be drawn on potentially offering him a new contract.

If negotiations with the Red Devils prove daunting and no resolution appears in sight, West Ham could turn their attentions to Barkley with the London Stadium considered a ‘realistic option’ for the £18m-rated maestro.

Moyes is claimed to be a big fan of Barkley and may be given the chance to acquire his services if Thomas Tuchel overlooks the Englishman upon his return from a season-long loan with Aston Villa.

The move to Villa Park was expected to see Barkley gain regular minutes and then return to Stamford Bridge to take on a regular role in Frank Lampard’s squad, but those plans went out the window in line with the Blues legend being fired.

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Barkley has also lost the backing of Villans boss Dean Smith, who has not started the Everton product in any of his side’s last seven Premier League games after struggling to rediscover his early form following a hamstring injury.

Smith praised Barkley for being “technically gifted” after helping Villa beat Arsenal 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in November, and suggested he would be nudging Gareth Southgate for a recall to the England set-up.

But, more recently, Smith has expressed that Barkley has not been playing to his previous standards, and he will likely now return to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season to face whatever uncertainty comes his way.

Barkley may be met with Chelsea deciding to sell him, with The Mirror reporting earlier this month that the south west Londoners could recoup a decent fee through his sale while helping to slash their wage bill by moving on his £96,000-per-week contract.

Moyes, then, could discover his new Lingard by launching efforts to sign Barkley if he does leave Stamford Bridge and the Manchester United loanee heads back to Old Trafford.

A vote of confidence saw Barkley burst out of the gates with goals for Aston Villa against Liverpool and Leicester City in October, like West Ham have seen from Lingard since his mid-season arrival with a double on debut at Villa Park.

The goals and assists are yet to dry up for Lingard, but it remains to be seen if a permanent transfer can be arranged, making Barkley’s situation one Moyes has to keep an eye on in case the West Ham boss ultimately needs to discover his next midfield maestro.

AND in other news, West Ham are weighing up a £21.5m swoop for a “great” 10-goal striker…