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In what could be a huge statement of intent going into next season, Manchester United are set to prioritise a move for Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho over Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane this summer.

What’s the story?

According to The Mirror, United are planning to sacrifice any chance they had of securing Kane’s signature over the coming months as they concentrate on a deal for Sancho instead.

The report claims that Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side can only afford one marquee signing in the upcoming transfer window due to the financial impact of the ongoing pandemic, meaning big decisions have had to be made by the club’s hierarchy.

Fans will be buzzing

Although in an ideal world, United fans would surely have loved to see both stars arrive at Old Trafford this summer, in reality, the vast majority will accept the fact that the funds simply aren’t available for that to happen.

Sancho has been a long-term target for the Red Devils, with a lengthy pursuit 12 months ago ending in disappointment as Ed Woodward baulked at the Bundesliga outfit’s £108 million asking price.

However, it is widely believed that the 21-year-old is available for a significantly reduced fee of just £75m this time around after Dortmund’s sporting director Michael Zorc came to an agreement with the England international.

“We already had a gentlemen’s agreement with Jadon last year that he can switch under certain conditions,’ Zorc told German publication ARD (via Goal).

“He’s been with us for a couple of years. However, this agreement does not exist with Erling [Haaland].”

After a slow start to the 2020/21 campaign, Sancho rediscovered his best form at the Signal Iduna Park, bagging 16 goals and providing an incredible 20 assists in 38 appearances for BVB.

Therefore, news that he is United’s priority in the transfer window will surely have United fans buzzing, even if his potential arrive comes at the expense of Kane.

The Spurs hitman had another sensational season in north London, picking up the Premier League’s Golden Boot and Playmaker awards after topping the charts for both goals and assists.

After another trophyless campaign with Tottenham, though, rumours of an imminent exit have gathered pace in recent weeks, but a £150m price tag means his proposed departure is far from certain.

At double the price of Sancho and six years his senior, it’s easy to see why Kane is a less attractive option for United despite his world-class quality, and it seems as though the 20-time English champions are making the sensible, logical decision on this occasion, and that’s reason for United fans to get excited.

And, in other news…Romano update could signal mass change at Man Utd, £19.8m-rated ace needs to watch out 

Following the departure of Georginio Wijnaldum, Liverpool will be set to make a big splash in the transfer market, and former Reds star Paul Stewart believes that Youri Tielemans could be the man for them.

Even before his memorable winning strike in the FA Cup final Tielemans was becoming one of the Premier League’s best midfielders because of his ability on the ball, but reports have suggested that Leicester may struggle to keep him amid Liverpool’s interest in the midfielder.

Jurgen Klopp trusted Wijnaldum to carry out instructions to a tee after signing from Newcastle United in 2016, with the Dutchman making 237 appearances in all competitions, but Tielemans could be the heir to the throne.

After yet another impressive season in the league, Brendan Rodgers will be hoping to keep all of his squad together as well as adding a few more additions, but Stewart would like to see his former side sign Tielemans as he told Football FanCast exclusively:

“He’s been excellent all season and I’ve watched him play and he’s another player that I really admire.

“I think Tielemans would really enhance their squad and he’d walk straight into the team because he is someone with massive quality and ability.”

Liverpool will be looking to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title next season when the likes of Jordan Henderson, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are all back fit and ready to play.

If they did manage to sign Tielemans then that would offer Klopp some frightening options in midfield with Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago and Curtis Jones already at the club.

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been reacting to an update regarding Patrick Vieira on social media.

Palace are on the hunt for a new manager following Roy Hodgson’s Selhurst Park exit at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

Former Arsenal midfielder Vieira was reportedly placed on the Eagles’ shortlist as a possible replacement for Hodgson back in April.

However, it appears as if Palace could miss out on the 44-year-old, who was sacked by Nice in December.

Vieira’s agent told Il Secolo XIX that the Frenchman is in contention to take over at Serie A side Sampdoria, with a meeting in place.

Nuno Espirito Santo now appears to be Palace’s man, though, with the former Wolves man in advanced talks with the Eagles, who appear to have made him their number one target.

Some reports have however claimed that swoop could be off too.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ and @cpfc_xtra shared the news on Vieira on Twitter on Monday. This is what these supporters had to say in reply, with a hint of sarcasm in the air…

“Absolutely devastated. Can’t believe we’ve missed out on him.”

Credit: @Phillyconcarne

“Gutted we missed out on Vieira”

Credit: @ReeceJMT

“Just announce Nuno.”

Credit: @audreysprayer

“I’m devastated”

Credit: @cpfcharlie0

“YESSSSS”

Credit: @CPFC_Ollie_

“What a shame.”

Credit: @Jay_Rodrigues09

In other news: Many CPFC fans react to links to possible Wilfried Zaha replacement, find out more here. 

Farhad Moshiri is an ambitious man. He wouldn’t have brought Carlo Ancelotti to Everton if that wasn’t the case.

A highly decorated manager, the Italian had the lofty goal of taking Everton into the Champions League.

Despite his honours list, this would have been one of his biggest achievements yet. Not since the era of David Moyes have the Toffees qualified for Europe’s top table, but their wait for a place in the group stages goes way beyond that.

Sadly for everyone associated with Goodison Park, Ancelotti will not have the opportunity to finish what he started.

He departed for Real Madrid and left Everton behind in mid-table obscurity. It’s a worrying trend for the Toffees who despite spending plentiful sums on transfer fees, can’t break into the top six.

Not since the 2013/14 campaign when Roberto Martinez was at the helm have they fended off some of the biggest clubs in the country.

Therefore, they need to bring in a manager who knows how to finish above expectations. Rafa Benitez and David Moyes have both been linked but speaking to Sky Sports this week, former Lille director Luis Campos spoke of Christophe Galtier’s qualifications.

The 54-year-old beat the might of PSG to the Ligue 1 crown and has now been touted to take over at Everton.

Campos commented: “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.”

It’s simple to see why he’d be such a good fit at Everton. He knows how to build players for the future and act shrewdly in the transfer market to achieve his goals.

When he first took over, the club finished 17th in the French top-flight, meaning a fourth consecutive year outside of the top four.

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However, he led a phenomenal revival. Lille ended 2018/19 in second, finished fourth in 2019/20 and then won the league this term.

To defeat a team as wealthy as PSG deserves enormous credit, especially when you consider the way he developed players.

Arsenal stars Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel rose to prominence under Galtier while Renato Sanches got his career back on track with Les Dogues in 2020/21.

Lille have had a tendency to lose their best players throughout the years; think Eden Hazard, Yohan Cabaye and Gervinho but after Pepe and Gabriel departed, Galtier replaced them astutely.

Jonathan David has been a revelation under the Frenchman, scoring 13 times since penning terms last summer.

Though, systematically he’d also suit Everton perfectly. 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.”

One of the most impressive aspects of Lille’s title win was their defensive organisation.

Everton’s backline was shoddy at times under Ancelotti with Mason Holgate guilty of making several mistakes towards the end of the campaign. They shipped 48 strikes this term, the third-worst record in the top half of the table.

Lille, on the other hand, had the best record of any side in Ligue 1.

They conceded only 23 goals thanks to the experience of Jose Fonte and the youth of Sven Botman, a defender who made for a wonderful Gabriel replacement.

Galtier is improving as a coach all the time and has now proven himself capable of beating the oil-rich clubs that dominate modern football. Moshiri and Kenwright should be all over him.

AND in other news, Kenwright begins talks with “exceptional” 58 y/o boss, he’s Everton’s best candidate…

Flocking to Twitter, these West Ham United fans have erupted in response to club insider Claret & Hugh’s financial claim – with the club apparently subject to a ‘major’ multi-million pound investment.

Indeed, as per their source, there is now an opportunity for a new investor to join the existing West Ham shareholders with co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan long making it clear they would welcome other parties to ‘share the financial strain’.

C&H have also been told that agents are acting on behalf of ‘certain third parties’ who are willing to invest and are currently looking at opportunities to do so.

Sullivan, however, would remain the majority shareholder – with this not being a takeover update and more akin to another party investing in a small percentage of the club.

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It is claimed that while the Irons are the subject of this possible cash injection, it may still be ‘some weeks away’.

Flocking to this update in response to Twitter account West Ham Central, there were a fair few mixed responses from supporters.

Find all of their best ones down below.

West Ham fans erupt as insider claim emerges…

“Huhhhhhhhhhh”

Credit: @joelitt78828048

“If this is true”

Credit: @eplmad

“Wait what……”

Credit: @TalkinWestHam

“200M warchest this season you say?”

Credit: @_ghzst

“Ronaldo and Messi at the bowl”

Credit: @1bbyWHU

“Gold & Sullivan have realised that if they want to keep the clubs value & even raise it, they need to spend a lot more!

Strong outside investment could take us from a club that might worry about relegation, to consistently pushing top 6 – making us worth over £1billion!”

Credit: @WhufcSloth

In other news: West Ham in talks to sign this ‘very fast’ 42-cap forward who is now ‘likely’ to leave, find out more here.

Leeds United are ready to smash their transfer record to sign Cagliari and Uruguay midfielder Nahitan Nandez this summer.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa is eyeing up a summer move for the 25-year-old, who could be available for much lower than his release clause.

Italian publication La Nuova Sardegna has now claimed that the Whites are actually ready to pay the €36m (£31m) release clause in order to bring him to Elland Road, with Bielsa insisting on signing him. That deal would eclipse the club-record £26m fee that Leeds paid Valencia to sign Rodrigo last summer.

Bielsa will love it

Connor Clancy, editor-in-chief at Forza Italian Football, has thrown his support behind a potential Leeds deal, saying in an exclusive interview with This Is Futbol recently: “Anywhere Bielsa wants to play him, he’d do a job. I like him a lot. I think he’s only about five foot seven, but you wouldn’t know it if you just watched clips of him, he is a little bit of a machine. He’s so powerful but at the same time, has really, really good ball control.”

According to Sofascore, he averaged 1.8 tackles and won an impressive 6.1 duels per game in Serie A last season, which favours well compared to Leeds talisman Kalvin Phillips – the Whites ace averaged 2.6 tackles and won 5.3 duels per match in the Premier League last season.

His performances for Cagliari even led journalist Mina Rzouki to say: “Cagliari’s Nandez is one of the most underrated players. God he’s been so amazing, especially in Cagliari’s last 3 games. He scored the equaliser against Napoli. Man of the match in the win against Udinese. Against Roma – just wow. Unstoppable.”

If Andrea Radrizzani sanctions a record-breaking move for Nandez, then Bielsa would surely love it, especially with reports claiming that he’s insistent on bringing him to Yorkshire.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa would be furious with this unforgivable Leeds mistake…

As per Portuguese TV show Mais Transferencias (via Sport Witness), Porto should have no problem convincing Alfredo Morelos to leave Glasgow Rangers this summer.

The Lowdown: Porto want Morelos

25-year-old Morelos has been linked with a move to Porto in recent weeks, while the Gers have reportedly rejected a €8m (£6.8m) bid from Italian side Cagliari for his services (via Bruno Andrade).

Now, there has been an update on the Portuguese club’s pursuit of the Colombia international.

The Latest: Morelos eager to move

It has been suggested that Porto should have no trouble convincing Morelos to make the switch.

It is also being reported that the Gers are looking for a sum between €12m (£10.3m) and €15m (£12.8m) for his services, a big increase on Cagliari’s offer.

The Verdict: Not so easy

Porto, of course, are an attractive proposition. They are already guaranteed a place in next season’s Champions League and have a strong history of success – they have twice been crowned European champions, for example. However, it seems Morelos may have set his sights slightly higher.

In the past, Morelos has revealed his dream is to play in the Premier League (Radio Caracol), while he has also said he wishes to play in a more prestigious division (Goal.com). With all due respect to the Portuguese top flight, it is far from the most attractive league in Europe.

When it comes to the Champions League on offer, the Gers could also be competing in the group stages themselves if they make it through two prior rounds. Morelos may be looking for better than Porto, which is likely good news for the Ibrox outfit’s hopes of securing a big profit.

In other news, Rangers fans are livid at this update on their 55 celebrations.

When Ange Postecoglou signed on the dotted line at Celtic a few weeks ago, he knew what he was walking into.

This will be no easy job for the Australian who faces a colossal rebuilding job at Parkhead.

What’s the word?

One of the new manager’s biggest tasks will be replacing those who decide to leave the Hoops this summer.

One exit that appears to be growing more likely by the day is Kristoffer Ajer’s. The Norwegian has been courted by a variety of clubs including Newcastle United, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig.

However, it looks as though newly-promoted Premier League side Norwich City are moving closer to a deal.

Taking to Twitter this week, reporter Paddy Davitt wrote the following: “Two in the building. #cfc Gilmour on the way. Operation: Ajer well down the track. Slow summer for #ncfc.”

Heartbreaking news

If the Norway defender decides to head through the exit door this summer then it will likely leave a plethora of supporters at Parkhead gutted.

Celtic have made Ajer the player he is today, taking them under his wing as a 17-year-old and turning him into one of the most sought-after defenders in Europe at the age of 23.

His attributes are everything you’d want from a modern-day centre-back. He can play the ball out from the back and dribble forward but he also possesses the classic traits.

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Stern in the tackle, it’s Ajer’s aerial ability that sets him apart from the rest. Standing at a colossal height of 6 foot 6, he is a man mountain, winning 3.2 aerial duels per game.

He is also a leader of men, something that John Hartson described perfectly last season.

The Welshman said: “He’s a credit to the rest of the players. They should all look at him and if they’d all adopted the same attitude as Ajer then might have made a better fist of it in terms of holding on to the title.”

You could potentially understand a move to one of Germany’s big boys in Leipzig but a switch to Norwich should only make this harder to take for Celtic supporters.

After all, they are a team that have contested four of the last five seasons in England’s second tier.

They are inclined to spend more money this term after selling Emi Buendia for £33m but history dictates they aren’t the most stable of sides in terms of relegation.

Either way, this should come as a bitter blow to Postecoglou’s chances of reviving Celtic; it will be incredibly hard to replace him.

With the Bhoys shipping 16 more goals than Rangers last term, they need to be keeping players like Ajer. They’d have been worse off without him in 2020/21.

AND in other news, Celtic eye swoop for 56-goal gem who is “among the best”, he’d be a great Edouard heir…

Dean Windass reckons there’s a chance Gareth Southgate could become the next Tottenham manager depending on how England fare at Euro 2020, amid a report from BBC Sport saying the FA could extend his deal.

The Three Lions face Germany in their crunch last 16 clash tonight, with Southgate’s side now fancied by many to go all the way following France and Holland’s recent exits.

However, should England exit the competition later tonight, Windass thinks the 50-year-old could consider a return to club management.

Southgate’s only previous experience of that was during a three-year spell at boss of Middlesbrough, which ended disastrously following their relegation to the Championship.

But according to the Guardian, the England manager has emerged as a recent candidate to replace Jose Mourinho at Tottenham.

It’s been more than 70 days since Spurs sacked the Portuguese, which has led to a painful search for a replacement.

Windass, though, exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that despite not managing in club football for 12 years, Southgate would be an ideal fit in north London:

“What about Gareth Southgate? After the Euros, does he want to manage in the Premier League?

“I think Gareth Southgate will be a manager in the Premier League again, if he doesn’t do well in the Euros he could resign.

“All of these discussions could go on behind closed doors, but Southgate would be a good fit for Spurs.”

West Ham United have reportedly made an approach to sign former Napoli defender Nikola Maksimovic.

What’s the story?

The 29-year-old departed the Serie A giants after his contract expired last month, and David Moyes’ charges have now made an offer to the defender in the hope of signing him on a free transfer, according to the print edition of The Sunday Mirror (04/07, p77).

Maksimovic has been heavily linked with a move to the London Stadium in the past, and the Hammers could finally land their man this summer.

Moyes will be buzzing

West Ham enjoyed a stellar 2020/21 campaign, finishing in sixth position in the Premier League standings.

Their outstanding season earned them a place in next term’s Europa League, meaning significant reinforcements will be needed in east London in order to fight on multiple fronts.

With the departure of Fabian Balbuena leaving Moyes with only Angelo Ogbonna, Craig Dawson and Issa Diop to call upon at the heart of defence, a new centre-back is thought to be high up on the Scotsman’s wish list.

Maksimovic’s potential arrival would bring an abundance of experience to West Ham, having made 132 outings in Serie A throughout his career and 11 Champions League appearances.

And the Serbia international would be an appealing signing to the Hammers’ hierarchy for several reasons.

At 6 ft 3, Maksimovic would have no trouble adapting to the physical demands of the Premier League, but he’s also capable of fulfilling the modern-day duties of a defender.

Former Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti once described him as “complete”, and his passing accuracy of 92.2% in league matches last season shows why.

His availability on a free transfer will also make him an extremely appealing prospect for Moyes and co., allowing West Ham to focus their relatively limited budget on more important and exciting acquisitions.

Therefore, news that the club’s hierarchy have made an approach for Maksimovic will surely have the former Manchester United boss buzzing.

Building on their incredible showing last term will be a difficult task for West Ham, but signing quality, experienced heads such as Maksimovic will make it an achievable goal.

And, in other news…West Ham must act swiftly to land “exceptional” £50k-p/w beast, Moyes would love him