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Carlton Palmer has tipped Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle to seal a switch to West Bromwich Albion, as reported by This is Futbol.

The Lowdown: Newcastle reshape their squad ahead of 2021/22

As the Toon look towards the 2021/22 Premier League campaign, much change is expected to engulf the St James’ Park outfit.

Whilst being linked with moves for Matt Grimes and Kristoffer Ajer, Newcastle United have let go of club icon Andy Carroll alongside winger Christian Atsu as they reshape ahead of the new season [Chronicle Live].

However, it now seems that former England international Palmer believes that Gayle could be next in line to exit the North East, following previous Baggies interest in the experienced poacher dating back to May [HITC].

The Latest: Palmer talks up Gayle to West Brom possibility

Speaking to This is Futbol, the 55-year-old was quick to talk up the chances of the Magpies striker being a smash hit at the club he previously spent 2018/19 on loan with, stating:

“He’s certainly got goals in him in that league, for sure, certainly got plenty of goals in him in that league,”

“If you’re going to get promoted, you’ve got to get 87, 88 points, so you’re going to need goals. Gayle will get goals in that league all day long.”

The Verdict: Gayle would be an asset for anyone; Newcastle or beyond

Prolific in nature, Palmer is right to point out that Gayle can have a considerable impact in front of goal when supplied efficiently.

Despite playing a bit-part role in recent seasons, he has impressively registered 45 goal contributions in 113 games for the Geordies; 34 goals and 11 assists [Transfermarkt].

Perhaps most memorably, the Englishman spearheaded the Newcastle United attack admirably in 2016/17, helping his side to Sky Bet Championship promotion with 23 efforts from 32 outings [Transfermarkt].

Once labelled as ‘brilliant’ by his previous manager, Rafael Benitez, he possesses distinctive qualities that he has consistently demonstrated throughout his career [Chronicle Live].

With his contract due to expire at the end of June, there is still much uncertainty surrounding his contractual situation after several months of negotiations [The Mag].

Though it could be the correct time for Gayle to move on after five years on Tyneside, his capability to convert chances could be hard to replace for Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce. Only time will tell with regards to where his future endeavours lie.

In other news, Alan Nixon drops a promising Newcastle United budget update.

Speaking to Football Insider, a Tottenham Hotspur source believes that chairman Daniel Levy is now closing in on a new manager, with an appointment possible as soon as next week and announcement expected soon after today.

The Lowdown: Spurs still in the manager hunt

Levy has been on the hunt for a new manager since he relieved Jose Mourinho of his duties last month, with a plethora of coaches linked with the vacant position since then as the saga goes on.

Tottenham are now reportedly edging closer to getting their man, with Football Insider sharing some potentially big news.

The Latest: Lilywhites source makes major manager claim

Speaking to the outlet, a ‘Spurs source’ has explained that Tottenham are now confident of appointing a new manager as soon as next week after narrowing their shortlist to just three candidates.

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While this managerial trio isn’t named, the club source claimed that Spurs are ‘expected to be in a position’ to announce their appointment soon after today.

Many contenders for the role were chalked off for various reasons, with several candidates appearing to be either unavailable or simply unsuitable.

The Verdict: Exciting times…

After more than a month of searching, this news could come as music to the ears of Spurs supporters.

Tottenham were hopeful of making an announcement before the end of the current campaign, but complications in their search may have severely delayed matters.

Julian Nagelsmann was once their top target but Levy suffered a blow when the German was confirmed to be taking over at Bayern Munich. Brendan Rodgers, another manager admired by Spurs, also publicly dismissed the links to north London.

It’s been a long time coming, but news of Tottenham making a possible announcement soon comes as brilliant news, with the only worry being whether Levy makes the right managerial choice.

In other news: Spurs could now be offered this ‘phenomenal player’ for Kane, find out more here.

According to a report by Football Insider, Brentford have joined Leicester City and Hoffenheim in the race to sign promising Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Elliot Thorpe this summer, with the 20-year-old apparently ‘set to quit’ the Lilywhites.

Indeed, as per this source, the youngster will leave north London when his contract expires at the end of next month, and there has been no shortage of interest from rival clubs.

The Foxes and Hoffenheim were previously touted with interest, but now Brentford are trying to muscle in on the action, with all three clubs in contention to snap up the starlet for nothing. He has apparently rejected the offer of a new contract at Tottenham and is eager to join a club where he can be guaranteed chances in the first team, as per Football Insider.

As it now looks likely that Spurs could now lose Thorpe this summer, with all the signs seemingly pointing in that direction, many Lilywhites supporters have been left concerned to say the least.

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Scoring two goals in 18 Premier League 2 appearances for Tottenham’s under-23s over 2020/21, he can be deployed in a wide array of positions throughout midfield (Transfermarkt). Indeed, he can play out wide as a winger, further forward through the middle, as a traditional central midfielder and even as a deep-lying anchor (Transfermarkt).

Taking this into account, it’s little wonder that so many Spurs supporters are worried by this claim – check out a flavour of their verdicts below.

Spurs fans worried by Thorpe claim

“He’s going on a free isn’t he? Sad news.”

Credit: @AdamJaye

“No no no no no”

Credit: @tobeytheginger

“No please swear he’s actually decent”

Credit: @xthfcisaac

“Can’t let him leave”

Credit: @_thfcjack

“If he’s good enough for Leicester then why are we letting him go?”

Credit: @thfc_josh_

“Don’t sell him”

Credit: @xoxoclassyhaha

“No one touch him”

Credit: @BidoShalaby2

“Stay please”

Credit: @tanguythings

In other news: Alasdair Gold says Spurs could swoop for this ‘incredible’ colossus, find out more here.

Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that he hopes West Ham keep Said Benrahma but has warned the Algerian international to improve his discipline.

The attacker joined from Brentford last summer on loan with a view to a permanent deal, which was then confirmed as being part of a £20m swoop in January of this year.

However, the arrival of Jesse Lingard later that month has reduced Benrahma’s opportunities for West Ham, making just four Premier League starts since then.

And despite scoring 17 times in the Championship for Brentford last season, he’s yet to get off the mark in claret and blue, although he’s contributed six assists in 29 appearances in all competitions.

McAvennie recognises his talent, but told Football FanCast that he must take David Moyes’ instructions on board:

“It depends on his attitude. He was losing possession in the wrong areas and that’s what David, it was well known, had to talk to him about. David is good at talking to people.

“But I would like him to stay because, you need a good squad and he’s undoubtedly a good player, but sometimes he has got to learn when to go on his mazy runs, which is good for the crowd but not good for the manager.”

Xisco Munoz’s reported Watford transfer target Mbaye Diagne has dropped a big hint on a potential summer move.

What’s the talk?

In a recent interview with the Turkish media, as cited by aspor, the Watford-linked West Bromwich Albion loanee confirmed that, if he is to leave Galatasaray this summer, he would like to stay in the Premier League, rather than drop down to the Championship with the Baggies.

When questioned about his future at West Brom, Diagne said: “In this case, I do not think I will stay with the team. Whether my adventure with the club will end or not will be determined at the end of the season. I don’t plan to play in the Championship, but I want to stay in the Premier League.”

Giaretta will be buzzing

The news that the 29-year-old would like to stay in the Premier League beyond the end of his loan spell at The Hawthorns will be music to the ears of Watford’s sporting director Cristiano Giaretta, who will undoubtedly be buzzing at the increased chances of landing his £2.7m-rated target this summer.

This is unsurprising, as, over his 15 top-flight appearances for Sam Allardyce’s side, Diagne has so far scored three goals and provided two assists, in addition to averaging 2.2 shots and 0.5 key passes per game, culminating in an average WhoScored match rating of 6.72 – ranking him as West Brom’s joint sixth-best player in the Premier League.

As such, it would very much appear that, despite playing for a side with the joint third-worst offensive record in the league, the £39,000-per-week Senegal international is more than capable of finding the back of the net, as well as creating goals, in a side hanging around the wrong end of the table – something that, with the greatest of respect to Watford, could very much make all the difference in the Hornets’ survival hopes next season.

Having said that, with both Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace also believed to hold an interest in the 29-year-old, Giaretta will still have his work cut out in convincing Diagne – whom Joe Masi dubbed a “dangerous” player – of a move to Vicarage Road, albeit with Albion now appearing to be out of the picture.

In other news: Giaretta confirms huge Watford transfer news that will surely have Xisco buzzing – opinion

Celtic striker Patryk Klimala is thought to be closing in on a permanent move to MLS side New York Red Bulls.

That’s according to The Scottish Sun, who claim that the 22-year-old is poised to end his 14-month stay at Parkhead.

Celtic hoping to avoid Klimala loss

The report adds that the Hoops, who signed Klimala for £3.6m in 2020, are hoping to recoup that fee after the player struggled with life in Glasgow.

Klimala, on £5,800-a-week at Parkhead, has made 28 appearances for the club, scoring on three occasions.

And it seems as if he’ll follow in the footsteps of Cameron Harper, who completed a move to New York Red Bulls last month.

Transfer Tavern take

To us, if the club are recouping most of the £3.6m they spent on Klimala, it is a wise decision to move him on at this moment in time.

Klimala, who can also play on the right wing, still has over three years remaining on his Hoops deal but hasn’t made any sort of impact in Scotland.

It may have made sense to have allowed the new Celtic manager to have a look at the Poland Under-21 international, however, that could have been a risk.

If the Hoops did that and Klimala still wasn’t in the plans, they may end up losing money on the forward, so it seems as if they are biting the bullet and trying to break even, which could certainly be seen as a success for a player with just three goals to his name.

In other news: Club source shares Howe update; Celtic’s chances of securing a deal have diminished, find out more here.  

When Everton raided Swindon Town for their academy graduate Lukas Jutkiewicz in 2007, few may have forseen how poorly things would turn out for the striker at Goodison Park under David Moyes.

But after a nomadic career having failed to make the grade on Merseyside, the Polish forward found a home for himself at Birmingham City in 2017 on the back of an initial loan spell.

Life at St. Andrew’s has been good for Jutkiewicz in most, and on Sunday he reached a landmark by making the 500th senior appearance of his career in a 1-0 win over Rotherham United that moved Lee Bowyer’s side nine points clear of the relegation zone.

It was 15-years ago this month that Jutkiewicz made his senior debut for Swindon in a 2-1 defeat to Swansea City, just two weeks after his 17th birthday, but his efforts as the season petered out failed to prevent the Robins from being relegated to the fourth-tier.

Yet it was in League Two that Jutkiewicz caught the eye of Everton and Moyes, who agreed to hand the then 18-year-old a lucrative contract as part of a £1m move, after an impressive campaign with five goals and two assists in 33 appearances despite only starting 13 times.

Action was much harder to secure at Goodison Park, even with Moyes claiming in 2008 that the Southampton-born centre-forward “is certainly in our thoughts” after showing progress behind the scenes, with the only appearance of his Toffees career lasting just four minutes.

Jutkiewicz featured on the bench in dribs and drabs between his arrival in 2007, loan spells with Plymouth Argyle, Huddersfield Town and Motherwell before eventually leaving in 2010 when sold to Coventry City. But his only outing for Everton came as a late substitute when replacing Tim Cahill in a 3-0 win at home to Sunderland in December 2008.

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His time with Coventry failed to make Everton regret his departure with Jutkiewicz only scoring 18 goals in 69 games across all competitions before joining Middlesbrough, where he would again attract Premier League interest – this time from Burnley.

The Clarets spent £2.5m on Jutkiewicz in 2014 but would fail to see the forward find the back of the net in any of his 35 appearances, but did offer three assists – including one in a 3-1 defeat to Everton to equalise after Samuel Eto’o had opened the scoring.

That was the closest Jutkiewicz has ever come to making the Blues regret his exit, having gone on to round out the first 500 games of his senior career by establishing himself as a solid if not remarkable Championship centre-forward with Birmingham.

In 213 games across all competitions for the second city side, the now 32-year-old has hit 51 goals and offered 23 assists, with personal-best league returns of 14 goals in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 campaigns.

Jutkiewicz currently has five goals in 39 games this term as the £10,000-per-week frontman enters the twilight years of his career as a two-time Premier League flop, having failed to fulfil the promise that first caught Everton and Moyes’ attention more than a decade ago.

AND in other news, Carlo Ancelotti faces a selection dilemma after a £16m-rated Everton star’s error-strewn weekend horrors…

Peterborough Director of Football Barry Fry has exclusively told Football FanCast that Sam Allardyce is the “perfect” man to take West Brom back into the Premier League, should the Baggies get relegated.

The former England manager replaced Slaven Bilic before Christmas following just one victory from the Baggies’ opening 13 Premier League matches.

But Allardyce himself has been unable to work his magic, and looks on course to lose his proud record of never being relegated as a manager, with West Brom currently 10 points from safety with just nine league games remaining.

Providing the Baggies do expectedly finish inside the bottom-three and suffer an immediate relegation, Fry has urged the Hawthorns outfit to stick by Allardyce, whose got two promotions from the Championship on his CV with both Bolton and more recently, West Ham – both through the play-offs.

Fry told Football FanCast:

“Even if Sam performs a miracle, West Brom will go down. But you will not have a better bloke, if you back him, than Sam Allardyce to bounce straight back up and get back into the Premier League.

“Sam did it with West Ham, he’s done it at that level. He knows what he’s doing. He joined midway through the season which is no good to anyone. He’s only had one window. Once he has the summer window to wheel and deal, and lose some of the players that he inherited that he doesn’t want.

“I would keep Sam Allardyce because I know he will go close getting them back to the Premier League from the Championship.”

Whilst West Brom haven’t performed as some might have expected following Allardyce’s arrival, surely the West Brom hierarchy knew there was every chance of them being relegated, especially having failed to properly back Bilic the previous summer.

And with Big Sam’s history of getting teams out of the Championship in mind, sticking by him is their best bet.

Leicester City continue to be linked with a number of arrivals ahead of what could be an extremely busy summer transfer window.

From forwards to goalkeepers, a long list of potential signings has been produced, with the latest added to that being Fenerbahce defender Attila Szalai according to Hungarian publication Blikk.

He could be the perfect arrival for Leicester and Brendan Rodgers.

Since arriving in Turkey from Apollon Limassol in January, the 23-year-old has very quickly forged himself an indisputable spot in the club’s starting XI having played every minute of the last 12 SuperLig matches.

Standing at 6 foot 3, Szalai has been dominant in the heart of the Fener defence, producing a huge 1.9 tackles and interceptions each, as well as a further 2.7 clearances and 0.7 blocks per game according to WhoScored.

For comparison, these are numbers that are even greater than the statistics currently being chalked up by Foxes’ defender Caglar Soyuncu.

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With the Turk also being somewhat lesser known upon his move to the King Power Stadium in 2018, Szalai could certainly emulate his success in the East-Midlands should the Foxes make a move.

They certainly should consider it too.

Of the four current central defensive options, two of those are on the wrong side of 30, Wes Morgan and Jonny Evans, with it also looking likely that the Jamaican could potentially hang up his boots sooner rather than later.

With Filip Benkovic also not having broken through yet under Rodgers, this lack of viable options could cost Leicester as they potentially embark on yet another European campaign next season should they suffer any injuries.

The addition of the promising Szalai could definitely be welcome in that case.

With the 20-year-old Wesley Fofana having established himself as a key part of the Foxes back-line, having a sheer brute in Szalai could offer the perfect compliment to the more technically gifted Frenchman – the former St Etienne man averages an impressive 86.1% pass accuracy.

So, of the potential transfer targets for Leicester heading into the summer transfer window, the young Hungarian should certainly be right at the top.

AND in more news, find out which on-loan star must be included in Rodgers’ plans next season…

Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that he wouldn’t be surprised to see Billy Sharp score 20 goals in the Championship for Sheffield United next season.

The Blades suffered their 22nd Premier League defeat of the campaign against Southampton on Saturday, leaving them 12 points from safety with just 10 games remaining, meaning the Bramall Lane outfit require a minor miracle in order to avoid relegation.

Chris Wilder’s team, who are the lowest scorers in England, have struggled for goals throughout the campaign, although they do have a number of proven Championship goalscorers in their ranks.

One of which is their captain, Sharp. Only Teemu Pukki, Tammy Abraham and Neal Maupay scored more than the Blades legend when United were last in the second-tier – with Sharp’s tally of 23 his best ever return at Championship level.

And despite Sharp scoring just three Premier League goals this term, Windass has backed the striker to find his best form next season, providing Wilder’s side do get relegated.

He told Football FanCast:

“He [Chris Wilder] will have a list of players that are going to leave the football club. You wouldn’t bet against Billy Sharp getting 20 goals in the Championship next season, even though he’s 35.”

Despite his lack of goals since Sheffield United were promoted two seasons back, Sharp has been an outstanding servant over the previous six years, and you really wouldn’t be shocked to see him find his goalscoring touch once more.