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An update has emerged on Southampton target Adam Armstrong, regarding Blackburn’s stance on his current situation.

What’s the talk?

According to The Athletic, Blackburn are looking to cash in on Southampton target Adam Armstrong this summer, as he only has one year left on his contract with the club. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are said to be interested in a deal for the forward, who has been compared with current star Danny Ings.

The report claims that Southampton are some way off completing a deal for the Championship attacker. However, there is interest from the south coast club and a move could materialise at some point this window.

Ralph needs him

Martin Semmens must sanction a deal for the forward if Blackburn are open to cashing in on him. The second-tier side are stuck in a difficult position as he only has 12 months left to run on his current deal and they could risk losing him on a free transfer if they do not sell him before the end of August.

This means that now is the best time for them to receive a fee for his services, which they could then reinvest back into their own squad to attack the Championship next season.

Armstrong could be a terrific addition to Southampton’s squad following his exceptional form for Blackburn in recent seasons. Former Rovers midfielder Richie Smallwood once called Armstrong as a “special” player and admitted that the attacker has the ability in his locker to cause damage to any team in the division. He told the Lancashire Telegraph:

“He’s a special player with the ability to hurt any team in this league.”

This shows that his teammates rate him highly and believe that he is a top-class player. His statistics for Blackburn also back that thought process up, with the £17k-per-week goal machine having scored 44 goals in the past two Championship seasons for Tony Mowbray’s side. In the 2020/21 campaign, Armstrong found the back of the net an astonishing 28 times and was named PFA Fans’ Player of the Year for the second tier.

Hasenhuttl only had three players in his squad who managed more than four league goals last season, with James Ward-Prowse, Che Adams and Danny Ings his only regular contributors in front of goal.

This suggests that he is in desperate need of more players who can be a threat at the top end of the pitch, which is why he needs Armstrong at St. Mary’s next season. Hopefully, Semmens could swoop in and get a deal over the line for the ex-Newcastle man to bolster the Austrian’s squad.

AND in other news, Semmens must sanction Saints swoop for “exceptional” 24 G/A wizard, Ralph needs him…

علّق أوناي إيمري مدرب فريق فياريال على فوزهم في مباراة الأمس أمام بايرن ميونخ، في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

واستضاف ملعب لاسيراميكا مباراة الفريقين في ذهاب ربع نهائي دوري الأبطال، حيث فاز فياريال بهدف دون رد. هدف فوز فياريال أمام بايرن ميونخ

وقال إيمري في تصريحات نشرها الموقع الرسمي لليويفا: “الشيء الأكثر إرضاءً في هذه الليلة هو رؤية الجماهير وهي فخورة، أنهم يريدون مشاركة هذا معنا، الاحتراف أمر حيوي، نعم، لكن كرة القدم هي المشاعر”.

وأضاف: “لذلك أنا فخور جدًا بذلك، لقد جعلنا جماهيرنا سعداء للغاية الليلة”.

وواصل: “فريقي تنافسي للغاية، نحن نجمع الكثير من الذكريات والخبرات الرائعة خلال هذا الموسم والماضي، لقد كانوا مثاليين عمليًا الليلة”.

واستكمل: “نحن بحاجة إلى اتخاذ خطوة أخرى إلى الأمام الأسبوع المقبل، نحتاج إلى أن نطالب أنفسنا بالمزيد في محاولة القضاء عليهم”.

وأوضح: “بايرن صنع بعض الفرص وفقدنا بعض الفرص، لكنني راضٍ عما رأيته، ما نحتاجه هو أن نأخذ هذا النوع من الموقف، هذا المستوى وتكراره مرة أخرى الأسبوع المقبل”.

Liverpool are interested in a swoop for Barcelona wonderkid Pedri, as they look to bolster their ranks ahead of next season [Mundo Deportivo via Daily Star].

In need of midfield reinforcements as Dutch midfielder Gini Wijnaldum gets set to depart for Paris St Germain [BBC], the Reds are reportedly keen on acquiring the 18-year-old as a long-term replacement for the former Newcastle United man.

The Spaniard is rumoured to have a release clause of around £70 million built into his contract [FanNation], sparking rumours that Liverpool could make him the most expensive acquisition in the clubs history after the arrival of Virgil Van Dijk in 2018 [Transfermarkt].

Enjoying a strong first season in La Liga, Pedri made 52 appearances for La Blaugrana in 2020/21 pitching in with 10 goal contributions; four goals and six assists [Transfermarkt].

Upon hearing the news, loads of Liverpool diehards took to Twitter to revel in these latest developments.

Liverpool fans react:

Replying to LFC Transfer Room, here is how some Reds fans summarized their feelings surrounding this latest update:

“Omg please”

Credit: @JakobMardon”Would be a great deal”Credit: @Waleedd_0380″Insane if true”Credit: @beamerrrrrr”Best youngster in world football. . Get it done”Credit: @Thejackallllll”Ayoo get him”Credit: @shivanesh__”My dream midfield signing but his release clause is nuts, not a chance”Credit: @9squeeze”give him the 8″Credit: @misterearnhardtIn other news, Liverpool fans react to some Gini Wijnaldum comments.

Former Leeds United midfielder David Norris believes that the Tottenham camp will be split should Mauricio Pochettino return to the club.

There have been whispers about the Argentine making a sensational return to Spurs in recent days, with a report from The Athletic suggesting that the two parties are currently in talks.

Pochettino was only sacked and then replaced by Jose Mourinho 18 months ago but has struggled to make an impact during his short spell with PSG, despite winning two domestic French trophies, and would be open to coming back to north London.

The Argentine did reach the Champions League semi finals and only lost out on winning the Ligue 1 title on the final day of the campaign, but is reportedly unhappy in Paris.

Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen have both departed, but the current Tottenham squad remains almost identical to the one that Pochettino left, albeit with a few additions in the shape of Sergio Reguilon, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Joe Rodon and Matt Doherty.

Pochettino returning would be a major boost to the likes of Harry Winks and Dele Alli, who lost their way under Jose Mourinho.

But Norris exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that not everyone in the squad would be left happy should he get reappointed:

“I think he’s going to have a relationship with certain players he’s closer to – Alli did well for periods under him.

“Certain players will be happy with that and probably disappointed he left. There will be others that he might not be close to that won’t be looking forward to him coming back.

“It’s an interesting one with him having not been gone that long, so it will be interesting how that one plays out.”

Dean Windass has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that he thinks Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United future is hanging in the balance.

Bielsa’s Elland Road contract expires at the end of the season, and whilst reports believe the popular Argentine will extend his stay in Yorkshire, he hasn’t yet signed fresh terms.

Leeds’ 2-0 victory at Southampton on Tuesday evening, their third Premier League win on the bounce, guaranteed a top-half finish on an impressive return to the top-flight.

In fact, beating West Brom on the final-day could see Bielsa guide the club to an eighth-place finish, which would mark their best at this level since 2001-2002, although they’d need both Everton and Arsenal drop points.

Regardless of where they end up, Bielsa has certainly left his mark on the Premier League, with his energetic Leeds outfit quickly becoming one of the most watchable teams at this level.

But whilst there are still fears the 65-year-old could quit Leeds this summer, he only put pen to paper on a new deal on the eve of the Premier League season back in September.

But how does Yorkshireman Windass assess the situation? He told The Transfer Tavern:

“He obviously wants to get to the end of the season. I’m sure the club will know what the situation is because if he’s said behind closed doors ‘I’m leaving’ then they’ll need to get a replacement as quickly as possible.

“It’s 50/50 for me, I’m not sure if he’ll stay or go. That’s only because he’s not said ‘yes, I want to stay, I enjoy living in Yorkshire’.

“He’s a manager that can pick and choose what he wants to do, and I hope he stays for Leeds United fans.”

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. 

Speaking to Juventus News 24, via Sport Witness, Italian journalist and commentator Francesco Repice has hinted that Tottenham Hotspur could swoop for Massimiliano Allegri and pleaded for supporters to ‘watch out’.

Allegri, who is currently out of work, has won 13 major honours in Italy and guided AC Milan to their last Serie A title in 2011, with reports recently linking the 53-year-old to Tottenham.

Spurs claim emerges on Allegri

Indeed, reliable outlets like the Evening Standard have said that he would even consider an approach from Tottenham, while Alasdair Gold believes that he is an attractive proposition for Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

Famous Italian reporter Repice has now dropped his own claim on the possibility of Allegri going to Spurs and says to ‘watch out for Tottenham’ when speaking of the manager’s future.

“Any sensible club would bet on him,” he told Juventus News 24 (via Sport Witness).

“Watch out for Tottenham, both for him and for Sarri, but a big club that wants to revive the team has only one name that can be used: Massimiliano Allegri.”

Transfer Tavern take

While Allegri’s CV is an impressive one, the Italian may not fit into the mould of an exciting, attack-minded manager, with the 53-year-old instead being known for his pragmatism and favouring a counter-attack style (90min).

Of all the coaches linked with Spurs, it’s clear that Allegri is one of the more star-studded names and has even drawn huge praise from legendary Premier League manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the past.

Indeed, the Scotsman heralded Allegri as an ‘extraordinary technician’ (La Gazzetta via Daily Mail), but Tottenham are said to be on the lookout for a coach more in the Mauricio Pochettino mould (Evening Standard).

For this reason, we believe the former Juventus coach is an unlikely fit for the north Londoners.

In other news: Report makes big new contract claim at Spurs, find out more here.

Manchester City have entered the race for Leeds United star Raphinha.

That’s according to Italian transfer journalist Gianluigi Longari, who claims Manchester United and Liverpool are still interested, but they now face fresh competition from the champions elect.

City can win the Premier League title this weekend if they beat Crystal Palace and Liverpool beat Manchester United, so can soon start looking to next season’s transfer plans.

And Pep Guardiola is looking to beat Jurgen Klopp and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the coveted signature of the Leeds winger.

Longari adds that ‘nothing is decided yet’ and that ‘LUFC want to keep him’, having signed the youngster from Rennes for £17million last summer.

Raphinha a revelation at Elland Road

Raphinha has been directly involved in 12 goals in his first season in the top-flight (six goals, six assists), an impressive return for a young winger on his first crack at the Premier League.

The Brazilian is in the league’s top six for chances created per 90 minutes, edged only by Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Kevin de Bruyne and Jack Grealish. He’s also in the top 15 for successful dribbles per game with 1.9.

Such performances have even seen him labelled a ‘monster’ by his compatriot Lucas Moura.

Transfer Tavern verdict

Raphinha still has three years left on the contract he signed on arrival, so expect Leeds to demand a huge profit if they are to sell.

Intriguingly, though, this development comes shortly after a new winger emerged as a target for the Yorkshire outfit.

Football FanCast revealed this week that Director of Football Victor Orta had held talks with the agent of Rubin Kazan’s Khvicha Kvaratskheila.

The four-goal, eight-assist Georgian has predominantly been used on the left this season, rather than the right, but Transfermarkt list him as two-footed, so perhaps the Whites are plotting a contingency plan in case an offer for Raphinha is too good to turn down.

In other news, Leeds have been backed to pull off a mighty coup.

أوضح المدرب الإسباني، بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني لنادي مانشستر سيتي، حالة اللاعبين المُصابين قبل مباراة فريقه ضد نورويتش سيتي في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويلتقي مانشستر سيتي بنظيره نورويتش، مساء السبت، على ملعب “كارو رود”، بالجولة الخامسة والعشرين من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويغيب عن سيتي، المُهاجم البرازيلي جابرييل جيسيوس، وكيفين بالمر، وأكد بيب أن غياب الثنائي سوف يستمر عن الفريق، وبالتالي لن يتواجدا في مباراة الغد ضد الكناري.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جوارديولا: تشيلسي أفضل فريق في العالم حاليًا وليس مانشستر سيتي

وقال جوارديولا في تصريحات خلال المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص بالمباراة: “هذان اللاعبان لا يزالان خارج التدريبات، وآمل أن يعود جابرييل قريبًا”.

وتطرق للحديث عن رياض محرز ورأيه في أداء هذا الموسم وما إذا كان أفضل من الموسم الماضي، قال: “لا، في الموسم الماضي كان أفضل”.

وأضاف: “رياض محرز لا زال بإمكانه تقديم الأفضل، في الموسم الماضي كان مذهلاً، طريقة لعبه وإنتاجه كانا رائعان ويُمكنه أن يفعل ذلك”.

وأتم: “جودته في الإنهاء، شخصيته عند تنفيذ ركلات الجزاء، إمكانياته، أسلوبه، سرعته، هذه هي الجودة التي يتمتع بها رياض، إنه سريع للغاية وننتظر منه المزيد”.

Liverpool could be missing both Curtis Jones and Divock Origi when they host Real Madrid on Wednesday evening.

According to The Mirror, the duo were absent from training ahead of the tie and both could miss out on the key clash at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp’s men attempt to stage yet another dramatic European recovery.

The Reds find themselves 3-1 down on aggregate following the first-leg of the quarter-final tie in Madrid.

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However, they will have to attempt their comeback without both Jones and Origi and whilst the two have not really found opportunities forthcoming in recent weeks, they could potentially have been useful options for Klopp ahead of the game.

Jones, 20, has not appeared for Liverpool since the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in early March but was in the midst of a quietly impressive breakthrough campaign having scored four goals and notched a further four assists.

For context, none of the Reds’ current central midfield options have provided anywhere near Jones’ eight total goal contributions.

Labelled “exceptional” by Liverpool boss Klopp in the past, the youngster might well have been a clever option from the bench with the hosts chasing a goal.

Elsewhere, whilst Origi is currently in the mire of a dreadful season where he has scored just one goal in 17 appearances, he too could have been a last resort from the substitutes’ bench as the Reds attempt to find a foothold.

After all, the Belgian has stepped up at key times for the club in the past in the UEFA Champions League. He memorably scored a brace in the Merseysiders’ comeback victory against Barcelona, whilst also finding the net in the 2-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur in the 2019 final.

With Klopp having the option of using five substitutes, both could have been valid options if the manager found himself chasing goals in the latter stages of  the game.

However, with both players now unavailable this hugely limits Klopp’s options in what is a crucial game for the Reds’ UEFA Champions League hopes, especially the absence of Jones, who has already proven that he has the ability to score and create goals from midfield, something the Reds have lacked all season.

AND in more news, take a look at which Real Madrid star Liverpool will be glad not to see tonight…