All posts by n8rngtd.top

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are planning to sell Dele Alli this summer.

The Lowdown: Busy summer for Spurs

Tottenham finished the campaign in seventh place, meaning they will enter the Europa Conference League next season. As such, Daniel Levy and co will be preparing for a busy transfer window.

Harry Kane has already indicated he would like to leave Spurs this summer (Sky Sports), and there could now be another big name leaving the club.

The Latest: Spurs want to sell Alli

It is now being reported the Lilywhites are eager to sell Dele Alli this summer. He is said to be a difficult character behind the scenes, which has contributed to the desire to see him exit.

Daniel Levy and co are said to be willing to listen to offers for the £28.8m-valued 25-year-old (Transfermarkt).

The Verdict: Fresh start

Although he fell totally out of favour under Jose Mourinho, Alli has received plenty more playing time under interim boss Ryan Mason. He has actually started each of the last five Premier League matches of the season (Mason even called him “excellent” recently, indicating a slight resurgence.

Alli’s influence on the Tottenham team has decreased steadily since the 2016/17 term when he netted 18 times in the league. It seems he has little future at Spurs, but he is still just 25 years and has plenty of time to retrieve his previous form. A fresh start could well be best for all involved.

In other news, David Ornstein makes this Harry Kane claim.

Sheffield Wednesday must swoop to sign £450k-rated West Brom goalkeeper Josh Griffiths this summer.

What’s the talk?

According to Birmingham Live, Sheffield Wednesday have joined the race to land 19-year-old West Brom shot-stopper Griffiths ahead of next season. The report claims that Darren Moore is aware of Griffiths from his time in charge at The Hawthorns and that he is now keen for a reunion with the youngster at Hillsborough.

Griffiths has two more years left on his contract at West Brom and Birmingham Live claim that those at the club rate him highly, with Cheltenham and Portsmouth also said to be keen on acquiring his services on loan if he becomes available.

The Examiner Live has reported that Sheffield Wednesday are looking for a new goalkeeper to join their ranks as they attempt a squad overall to prepare themselves for a season in League One.

Cheltenham chairman Andy Wilcox believes that the goalkeeper wants to return for a second spell with his club next season. Wilcox told Gloucestershire Live:

“Ideally, we’d want Josh Griffiths back on loan as number one, but we’ll see how it goes.

“Firstly, he wants to come back to Cheltenham, which is the most important thing. He really enjoyed it here.

“He’s just got better and better, so credit to Booky (Steve Book, goalkeeping coach) for giving him confidence. He has a big future, that lad.”

Bye-bye Westwood

Keiran Westwood is out of contract at the end of the month and is poised to leave Sheffield Wednesday on a free transfer this summer. It is now time for Moore and Wednesday to say bye-bye to Westwood and bring in a fresh face in the goalkeeping department to compete with Joe Wildsmith for the number one jersey next term.

Wednesday cannot plan for the future with Westwood as he turns 37 in October and is in the final years of his career, which means that allowing him to leave on a free and replacing him with a young keeper would be an astute move by the club.

Moore would love it if Wednesday were able to secure a loan for Griffiths, due to his pre-existing relationship with the player. The Wednesday boss worked at West Brom as an assistant manager and as the first-team manager, with the aforementioned report claiming that he was aware of Griffiths whilst at The Hawthorns.

The £450k-rated goalkeeper was outstanding in League Two on loan to Cheltenham during the 2020/21 campaign. Griffiths conceded 37 goals in 44 league matches, keeping an impressive 21 clean sheets to catch the eyes of Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday scouts.

He has shown that he can be a reliable player at senior level despite his young and Moore could love to have the 19-year-old between the sticks for Wednesday in League One next season.

AND in other news, Forget Reach: Moore must clinch bargain SWFC deal for “tremendous” £360k-rated machine

Alex McLeish has backed Matheus Pereira to replace Pablo Hernandez at Leeds United should they be able to sign him in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Leeds eye Pereira

As per the Daily Express, the Yorkshire club are among the long list of teams keen on snapping up the West Brom star following their relegation from the Premier League down to the EFL Championship.

Marcelo Bielsa may well be looking to sign a new attacking midfield player after confirming the departure of Hernandez this summer, and Pereira could fit the bill.

The Latest: McLeish claims Pereira can replace Hernandez

Speaking to Football Insider, McLeish, who is now a pundit after a successful managerial career, has backed Pereira to make the move to Elland Road from the Hawthorns, and thinks that he has the capabilities of replacing Hernandez for the Whites:

“Absolutely brilliant. A very technical player and I think it would be a great acquisition that I can see happening.

“You would think he would be very much available due to the fact West Brom are in the Championship now. 

“Nobody wants to be likened to somebody else. You want to be your own man. Pablo has had a fantastic career but he is getting to an age where the legs are affected a wee bit. 

“That can be very visible at times. It is right you get a new pretender. A new kid on the block continuing the marvellous work he has done. Also, adding to Leeds’ terrific entertainment levels.” 

The Verdict: Leeds must sign Pereira

The Whites must take advantage of the Baggies’ relegation and sign Pereira at all costs.

The Brazilian could be available for a decent fee given that Albion will not be able to demand as much being in the Championship, and at 25 years of age, the investment would be for the future as well.

Pereira scored no fewer than 12 goals and made a further six assists in 34 games in total over all competitions in the 2020/21 season for a struggling side (Transfermarkt), highlighting his capabilities, and in a better team, he could well shine.

Hernandez has no doubt been a great servant to LUFC, scoring 36 times and supplying a further 41 assists in 175 matches in total over all competitions across the last five consecutive terms (Transfermarkt), but at 36, it is no surprise to see them let him go.

Nonetheless, Pereira certainly has the potential to perform for Leeds as well as Hernandez did, and more.

In other news, find out which ‘unstoppable’ international LUFC have set their sights on here!

Southampton could be heading for a huge disaster as Ralph Hasenhuttl has seemingly made a decision about Mo Elyounoussi’s future at the club.

What’s the talk?

According to Norweigan outlet VG, Southampton manager Hasenhuttl has decided that he wants to give Mo Elyounoussi a chance next season at St. Mary’s. The report claims that Southampton are lacking options in the wide attacking midfield roles and that Hasenhuttl believes Elyounoussi could return from his loan at Celtic and fight for his place in the team.

VG also claims that several German teams are eyeing up a move for the Norway international. Wolfsburg, Frankfurt and Hertha Berlin are all interested in Elyounoussi and would make a swoop for him this summer if Southampton decides to make him available, although the report rules out any type of loan exit for the forward.

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton labelled Elyounoussi as a “disappointment” earlier this season and said that that he flattered to deceive in the Scottish Premiership.. He told the Record Celtic podcast, as transcribed by 67HailHail:

“With Elyounoussi, I think he’s flattered to deceive at times. His goal tally for club and country surprises me a little bit, but he hasn’t been consistent enough and I think he’s been a disappointment if I’m honest.

“Celtic getting him back was a big deal. I was really excited about that link-up between Elyounoussi and Edouard at the start of the season because in the previous season there were signs in patches that their understanding was really exceptional.”

Heading for disaster

Southampton and Hasenhuttl are heading for a disaster with this decision. Instead of dipping into the market to bring in a top-class addition to the squad to improve the team going into next season, they appear to be exploring the possibility of gambling on Elyounoussi being a different player to the one he was for the club in the Premier League previously.

This could be a cost-cutting method for Southampton rather than one with the best intentions of improving the squad in mind, as it would allow them to avoid spending on a new signing.

Elyounoussi struggled in his first season at Southampton in the Premier League. The winger failed to provide a single goal or assist in 16 appearances, eight starts, as he averaged a dismal WhoScored rating of 6.51. He averaged 0.9 key passes and 0.7 dribbles completed per game, highlighting his lack of quality at Premier League level which led to his loan move to Celtic the following season.

The £60k-per-week flop must have seriously impressed at Celtic for Hasenhuttl to change his mind then? Well, no, not really.

In the 2020/21 Scottish Premiership season, the forward racked up eight goals and two assists in 29 appearances for the Hoops, averaging a WhoScored rating of 6.72. This does not suggest that he is now somehow ready to make the step up to Premier League football as he failed to set the Scottish Premiership alight.

Southampton could be making a grave error by rejecting the German interest in his services to give him another chance in Premier League.

AND in other news, Major update emerges over “fantastic” £35k-p/w ace, Saints fans will be fuming…

The last 12 months have been a perplexing nightmare for everyone associated with Celtic Football Club.

The 2019/20 campaign drew to a close with the Hoops being handed the league crown but since that moment, everything has gone downhill at Parkhead.

Their stadium has been the polar opposite of Paradise, instead depicting a hellish landscape of obscurity and terror.

It’s not often the Bhoys end a season without a trophy to their name but that was the unfortunate eventuality that fell on the shoulders of Neil Lennon and co in 2020/21.

Now without a manager, the farcical situation that played out in their chase for Eddie Howe has finally come to a conclusion.

However, in typical Celtic fashion, it ended in disaster with the club having to U-turn. A move collapsed at the 11th hour, leaving the Hoops to pursue a move for Ange Postecoglou instead.

Their chase of Howe continues to unravel with fresh information coming to light on a regular basis.

Despite his backroom staff proving to be an issue, it was his interest in Southampton that provoked him to have second thoughts on the vacancy in Scotland.

Though, such were the stunning turn of events that played out that even the playing staff will be left dazed and confused.

The Athletic claimed this week, in a fresh update, that certain players had even been told that Howe was going to become the new manager.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-news-faria-postecoglou-howe-elyounoussi” title= “Read the latest Celtic news!”]

This may show a level of incompetency from the board but we shouldn’t really be surprised judging by what’s happened this term. The board have come under fire on a regular basis with protests taking place outside Parkhead.

It’s worrying that so many supporters have rallied against Dermot Desmond and the top brass at Celtic but what’s even more of a concern is how badly this has impacted the players.

Those in the dressing room have an affinity with John Kennedy but the last thing they needed after such a lacklustre campaign was more uncertainty.

A number of players have been linked with a move away and they’re hardly going to see Glasgow as a place to develop if they’re being told things that aren’t true.

Odsonne Edouard looks set to join Leicester in what feels like an inevitable switch to the Premier League but there are also concerns over the future of David Turnbull and Ismaila Soro.

Those two should have the squad built around them in the coming years but instead, they’re being linked with Aston Villa and Tottenham.

A sense of stability would convince them to remain at Celtic but it feels like the football club is far from that at this moment in time.

Supporters will have every right to be confused by events going on behind the scenes. Celtic have issued statements to appease the fan base but there is still a distinct lack of clarity; that simply has to improve.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Postecoglou: Celtic can forge dream duo by signing “breathtaking” 29 y/o…

A major update has emerged about Sunderland target Clark Robertson, regarding where he wants to play next season.

What’s the talk?

According to The Daily Record, Sunderland transfer target Robertson wants to stay in England. Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen were showing an interest in signing him on a free transfer from Rotherham, but the centre-back is now likely to join an EFL club instead.

Football Insider reported last month that Sunderland are one of the English sides looking to sign the defender this summer. His contract at Rotherham expires at the end of the month and he could become a free agent in July unless Paul Warne can tie him down to an extension.

Rotherham boss Warne hailed the defender as “unique” upon his arrival at The Millars in 2018 due to him being a left-footed centre-back. He told Rotherham’s official website: 

“He’s a really good kid and he really wants to learn. He played a lot of games last year and the couple before that and I think he’ll fit in a treat. He can step in and play out from the back, which the league we’re going into will allow a little bit more and he’ll bring us a bit of calmness.

“I’ve known him for quite a while and he’s a left-sider, which is pretty unique. He can play and he was a huge part of the Blackpool team last year. He’s a good, strong, competitive centre half which fits in with what we’re looking for here.”

Get it done

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman must now sanction a deal for Robertson and get it done before any of their League One rivals can make a move. Speakman has to take this opportunity to snap up Robertson and bolster Lee Johnson’s squad, with Robertson wanting to stay in England a major boost for the Black Cats as it has ruled Aberdeen out of the race.

This means that there will not be any top-flight football clubs for Sunderland to have to compete against, with Robertson seemingly set to join a Championship or League One side.

Johnson is in a difficult position in regards to the centre-back position as it stands. Dion Sanderson has returned to Wolves at the end of his loan spell and Luke O’Nien is out of contract at the end of the month with no update on his future since the end of the campaign. This has left Bailey Wright as the only first-choice centre-back left at the club heading into next season, which is why Speakman must seal a swoop for Robertson.

The £3.4k-per-week enforcer can come in from Rotherham and be a reliable option at centre-back for Johnson. Robertson averaged an impressive WhoScored rating of 6.86 when starting at centre-back in the Championship, which shows that he is a solid defender in the EFL. He has also played in League One for Rotherham and Blackpool, earning promotion with the former back in 2020. He could be an excellent signing for the Black Cats and Johnson would love having him in his squad for the aforementioned reasons.

AND in other news, Stance revealed on £3k-p/w Sunderland target with “real talent”, Speakman must act now…

Some Wolves fans have been reacting to a transfer update involving Rui Patricio.

As per Sky Sport Italia (via Talking Wolves), a fee between the Midlands club and AS Roma for his potential sale has yet to be agreed, despite a personal agreement between the player and the Serie A club.

The Molineux outfit are still holding out for a sum of between €12m and €15m (£10.3m-12.9m), as Roma have initially offered only €8m (£6.9m).

To get that kind of money by selling a 33-year-old in Patricio would be a decent bit of business by Wolves, but given that he only missed one game in the Premier League in the 2020/21 season (Transfermarkt), it would not be a wise idea to sell one of their key players without a suitable replacement being lined up.

Wolves fans react to Patricio transfer update

These Wolves supporters gave their initial reactions as the transfer update on Patricio was shared on Twitter, with many believing that an eight-figure deal would represent good value for the veteran goalkeeper:

“Good, be stingy with the price”

Credit: @wwfcglover

“If we get £12m that is absolutely brilliant negotiations on our side, £100k a week off the wage bill too. Get Sa in for £7m and £50k a week. Easy”

Credit: @Darrgrady_

“Bit of a steal tbf”

Credit: @SmithShakesp

“Meet in the middle take £10m and run.”

Credit: @Goughy_WWFC

“£10m would be a good return on Patricio.”

Credit: @PaulBeest

“Will be a bit gutted if we don’t end up with Jose Sa now”

Credit: @brlbrlbrl12

In other news, find out what other transfer update has left many Wolves fans talking

Everton have been on the case of a new manager for three weeks now as they desperately try to replace Carlo Ancelotti.

Unfortunately for supporters, it looks as though they’re heading towards a name they don’t want.

What’s the word?

Everton have now been close to appointing two coaches with Nuno Santo initially in advanced discussions with the Toffees.

However, after proceedings began to stall with the Portuguese, they’ve focused their efforts on Rafa Benitez.

A number of managers have been linked with the vacancy at Goodison Park but one man who looks as though they’re now out of the running is Christophe Galtier.

There’s been a fresh twist in the Everton manager hunt as, according to RMC Sport (via Sport Witness), the 54-year-old is set to reject Everton’s advances and head to Nice instead.

The Merseyside outfit had made him one of their priorities but the report states that Galtier perhaps expected better.

Fans should be gutted

It’s got to a stage at the moment where Everton supporters would seemingly accept any manager besides Benitez.

The Goodison Park faithful have been on the backs of the hierarchy over the last few days in a desperate protest against the Spaniard.

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The 61-year-old famously dubbed Everton a ‘small club,’ something he has since apologised for but it doesn’t look as though fans have forgiven him for that jibe.

As a consequence, they should be gutted that Galtier is set to reject them this summer.

After all, he would have been a fabulous appointment for a number of reasons. Not only did he steer Lille out of the shadows to beat PSG to the Ligue 1 title last term, but his style of football would have been perfect.

Speaking to Sky Sports earlier this month, former Lille director Luis Campos said: “Christophe has all the qualities to coach in England, technically he is very astute and is extremely detailed in his planning when preparing a team.”

Campos added: “He likes a 4-4-2 system, which would fit with the Premier League and he is a fantastic motivator in the dressing room.

“He likes to build a side with quality and youth, he is someone that can develop a team ethic, and he is also a fantastic human being.”

The job he did with Les Dogues was incredible. When he first took over, they finished 17th in the French top-flight but they have now finished in the top four three years in a row.

That has long been the ambition at Everton but they’ve missed out on that elusive Champions League spot for decades now.

Galtier, had he accepted the Toffees’ advances, may have been able to finally guide them to that position in the league table.

Instead, supporters will be left to vent even frustration in the direction of Benitez. This is not a good situation for Everton fans.

AND in other news, Bye-bye DCL: Everton must swoop for “spectacular” £24m gem with “blistering pace”…

Danny Mills has tipped Alfredo Morelos to leave Glasgow Rangers next summer.

The Lowdown: Heavy interest in Morelos

Morelos has been heavily linked with a move away from the Gers so far this summer.

Portuguese outfit Porto are said to be very interested in his services, and it has even been reported that he has agreed personal terms with the club despite currently being away with Colombia at the Copa America (Antena1).

The Latest: Mills expects exit in 12 months

Speaking to Football Insider, Mills believes Morelos will leave the 55-time Scottish champions next summer instead. He said:

“He’ll go eventually.

“It’s hard to say when he’ll go because he’s been on the market forever it seems. Maybe he’ll have to wait until he’s out of contract.

“It’s difficult to understand why he hasn’t gone yet when there’s definitely been interest.

“With two years left on his contract though, it’s a long time to wait when you’ve constantly been linked with a move away.

“If it’s not this summer, he’ll get to the point where there’s a year left and Rangers think ‘We’ve got to cash in at this point.’

“If you’re that good and can be that important somebody would have bought him by now. That’s the way I look at it because he has clearly been available.”

The Verdict: Get some return

Steven Gerrard will not want to lose Morelos this summer. The 25-year-old has been a crucial player for the Gers since arriving at the club in 2017, scoring 94 goals in 182 matches in all competitions (Transfermarkt). As the Gers target a place in the Champions League group stages, Morelos is likely to have an important role to play.

However, the Gers will know the striker will leave the club at some point, and they must do all they can to make the best out of that disappointing situation. Currently, they are said to be looking for £15m-£20m for his services, a fee which would likely reduce if they waited another 12 months before selling him.

It remains to be seen what Ross Wilson and co decide is best for the club.

In other news, Rangers are set for a 40% discount as they target this 21-year-old.

The Telegraph have dropped a very encouraging Aston Villa update on Jack Grealish’s future and it could be very, very good news for fans of the club.

What’s the story?

Amid speculation off the pitch linking him with a move to Manchester City, Grealish has made his presence felt on the field of play at EURO 2020, with his latest substitute appearance seeing him have a huge hand in England’s 2-0 win over Germany on Tuesday night, with the Villa star assisting Harry Kane’s goal that put the tie to bed and secured England a place in the quarter-finals.

However, as Grealish now prepares to play Ukraine in Rome at the weekend, updates are emerging about Villa’s stance on his club future.

Now, The Telegraph have claimed that Dean Smith’s Villa side are “very hopeful” of the Three Lions star putting pen to paper on a new contract to stay at the club, and thereby draw a “line in the sand” over a possible summer move away.

Villa fans will be buzzing

In a recent article for The Birmingham Mail, Ashley Preece declared: “BirminghamLive has been told that despite such reports, Aston Villa remain unaware of transfer interest surrounding captain Grealish. There’s been no contact from City, no bids while Villa have never put a valuation on their star asset.

“Villa have no intention of selling England star Grealish. The plan now is to kick on once again in 2021/22 and to catch those who finished above them last season. Villa, as CEO Christian Purslow put it, “remain deeply ambitious” and they’ll do all they can to match Grealish’s aims of becoming a European performer.”

The England international scored seven goals and provided another 12 assists across all competitions last season, and will no doubt have been hoping that his club side would be doing everything they can to try and match his ambitions.

And, with the signings of Emi Buendia and Ashley Young, Villa have already got their transfer window off to a superb start.

If Villa’s talisman needed any signs that his club were intent on surrounding him with more quality around him, then they have certainly given him just that.

Villa fans will surely be absolutely buzzing at The Telegraph’s latest update.

Meanwhile, Villa could sign their new John Carew in this man…