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Speaking in a Q&A, reliable football.london correspondent Alasdair Gold has dropped a Tottenham claim involving Ajax manager Erik ten Hag as links with the Dutchman re-emerged in recent days.

The Lowdown: Spurs still searching…

In the two months since Tottenham commenced their search for a new manager, the Lilywhites have been linked with a host of names.

Julian Nagelsmann and Brendan Rodgers were originally their top targets, but complications involving those two seemingly removed them from the race.

Talks were then held with the likes of Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Conte, Paulo Fonseca and Gennaro Gattuso, only for those conversations to eventually break down and throw Spurs back to square one.

The Latest: Ten Hag back on the radar?

Ten Hag is a name which has re-emerged as a possible appointment, with ESPN saying that Tottenham are now reassessing him as an option.

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However, football.london journalist Gold told supporters in a Q&A that it would be very tricky to pull this one off despite labelling him ‘perfect’ for Spurs.

“I think Ten Hag would be perfect and ticks all the boxes for me,” the reporter explained.

“I’m told he was interested in the role, before and after Ajax took up the option to extend his contract by a year. However, Spurs did not follow up that interest after talks and now it would be tough to convince the Dutch club to even let him go so close to pre-season if Spurs returned.”

The Verdict: Disappointing claim…

Ten Hag is arguably one of the best candidates who is still linked with a move to Spurs and fits chairman Daniel Levy’s desires for a new boss down to a tee.

The 51-year-old encourages an open, attacking style of football and is known for promoting youth at Ajax (Daily Mail) – aspects of a coach which Levy outlined as preferable in his end-of-season letter to supporters.

He also has title-winning experience in the Netherlands, clinching two Eredivisie titles at the Johan Cruyff Arena and five major honours in Amsterdam overall (Transfermarkt).

Gold’s claim that appointing Ten Hag could now be difficult must come as a real disappointment for Spurs.

In other news: ‘He has already contacted’…Journalist drops big Tottenham claim involving Paratici, find out more here.

West Ham United are likely to try and tempt Olivier Giroud into a move this summer…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Eurosport’s Dean Jones, who claims the Irons have a long-term interest in the Chelsea forward and are set to make a move for him when his contract expires next month.

The East Londoners were said to be keen on the 34-year-old during the January transfer window, via the Mirror, as David Moyes looked to bolster his options following the departure of club-record flop Sebastian Haller.

Giroud has been at Chelsea since joining from Arsenal in January 2018 but his £110k-per-week deal comes to an end this summer, with the Blues unlikely to renew it.

Shades of Cole

It’s no secret that Moyes needs fresh additions in the striker department ahead of next season, especially with a Europa League campaign on the horizon.

Giroud would be an interesting option to consider, even more so as he’d cost GSB absolutely nothing in terms of splashing out a transfer fee. Effectively, they could bring him in as well as another striker.

The World Cup winner has vast experience in the Premier League, where he has featured 255 times and scored 90 goals, as per Transfermarkt. He has also picked up 107 caps for France, and won a whopping four FA Cups.

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West Ham also lack players with a history in these European competitions, another positive factor behind signing Giroud, as he won the competition with Chelsea in 2019.

Valued at just £4.5m by Transfermarkt, the French veteran has previously been described as “an extremely underrated player” by former top-flight talisman Gary Lineker, who also added: “His intelligent movement and finishing are exceptional. He’ll always score plenty of goals.”

The Hammers have long lacked a proper target man as Haller clearly failed to live up to expectations, so perhaps Moyes can finally find the club their next Carlton Cole in Giroud.

After all, both would have arrived from their west London rivals and both are over 6 foot 3 in stature.

Furthermore, the former West Ham legend was always a mystery on the pitch. In other words, he was either absolute quality or just shocking.

Giroud, you could argue, has been very similar throughout his career in England. Back in 2015, the Daily Star lambasted his goalscoring record, claiming that even Steven Fletcher had been performing better but then we’ve seen him score some phenomenal strikes too.

That scorpion kick against Crystal Palace in 2017 springs to mind – that won him the Puskas award that year – as does his bicycle kick against Atletico Madrid earlier this campaign.

He’s certainly still got it and considering he won’t cost a thing, the Irons must make a swoop for the 6 foot 4 beast this summer.

AND in other news, Benrahma 2.0: West Ham must land “magic” 17-goal monster who’s “got a lot of ability”…

With Ange Postecoglou nearing his move to Celtic, the Bhoys can finally begin ramping up their efforts in the transfer market.

This is a transition period for the Hoops but there will be no excuses if they aren’t ready in time for the new season at Parkhead.

On the chalkboard

One player who will be relishing the new campaign getting underway is Christopher Jullien.

The Frenchman has been missing with an injury since late December but still faces a lengthy period away from the pitch.

The central defender has barely been seen in 2021 but did make a cheeky appearance during the unveiling of the new Celtic jersey.

As the Hoops surrendered their grasp on the Premiership and then lost to Rangers in the Scottish Cup, it was a barrage of defensive mistakes that cost them.

Jullien has been caught out at times in the famous green and white but a combination of the centre-back and Kristoffer Ajer would have been beneficial.

Recruits needed

If there is one area that Celtic need to strengthen this summer it’s at the back. Ajer looks as though he’s heading to the Premier League while it remains to be seen how much football Jullien will play at the beginning of the new campaign.

Fortunately, Dominic McKay and co have recognised the need to bolster their options.

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According to Aftonbladet the Bhoys are interested in signing Joseph Okumu from Swedish side Elfsborg.

They face competition from Rangers for his signature but it’s the Hoops who need him more when you consider their defensive struggles of 2020/21. In the league, they conceded 16 more goals than their fierce rivals for instance.

Okumu would not only lend a helping hand in their conquest to win back the Premiership but they could also land a player with similar traits and characteristics to Jullien.

Standing at 6 foot 4, the Kenyan is just an inch shorter but because of their height, they both reign supreme in the air. For context, Jullien won 5.1 aerial duels per game in the 2020/21 campaign.

Okumu has tried to model his game on the likes of David Luiz and Thiago Silva which lends itself to a strong passing ability. The 24-year-old may have some of the classic defensive qualities like heading the ball away from danger but his passing is also eye-catching, an area that Jullien shines in.

With the injured Celtic star completing over 83% of his passes last term, the recruitment team will need to find someone who is equally adept with the ball at their feet.

Described as “something special” by Real Monarchs manager Dan Egner after he signed in America, the centre-back has caught the eye for a while.

Though, if we’re looking at areas he can upgrade on Jullien, it’s in the pace department. Okumu was named as the fastest player in the Swedish top-flight after clocking a speed of 34.58 km/h.

That’s an incredibly useful skill for a defender as it gives them a huge advantage when making a recovery run.

Elfsborg sporting director Stefan Andreasson is another to have added to the plaudits, saying: “We understood that this was a very good player, then he showed maybe the whole of Sweden last year, and also Europe. It is clear that Okumu is one of the best.”

He continued; “I have said it once before, that he is the best centre-back that has ever been in the Allsvenskan – you can say that sometimes.”

Okumu is a bullish defender, one who can combine pace and power to dominate opponents; he’d be a valuable addition to the ranks at Paradise.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Turnbull: £16k-p/w Celtic gem has to be unleashed under Postecoglou…

Newcastle United are reportedly plotting a move for Mallik Wilks in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Wilks on fire this season

Wilks has been on fire for Hull City in the 2020/21 term, with no fewer than 31 goal contributions in 50 games in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt).

A player that is capable of playing anywhere across the front line, he would certainly add some welcome squad depth at St. James’ Park.

The Latest: Newcastle plot Wilks move

As per Football Insider, the Tyneside club are plotting a move to bring Wilks to the North East once the summer transfer window officially opens.

However, Crystal Palace also hold a strong interest in the former Leeds United product, as a recruitment source has told the news outlet that his form has caught the eye of many teams at the top of the English game.

The Verdict: Newcastle should sign Wilks

Even though Wilks has been playing in League One, two divisions below the Premier League, 31 goals and assists combined is not something to be sniffed at.

At just 22 years of age, the six-foot ace still has a lot of potential as well, and will be hungry to climb up the footballing pyramid as he continues his development.

Nonetheless, the Magpies could do a lot worse than sign up Wilks, whose proven end product would ease the attacking burden off of the likes of Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin.

In other news, find out what promising insight Lee Ryder has shared from takeover observers on arbitration here!

Daniel Levy could be about to make a massive mistake at Tottenham Hotspur…

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, Spurs are planning to sell midfielder Dele Alli despite him featuring in the final five matches of the 2020/21 Premier League season.

A source told the website that the North London outfit will still listen to offers for the £26m-rated star this summer.

Ex-manager Jose Mourinho wanted to sell the 25-year-0ld in the last transfer window but a reunion with Mauricio Pochettino at Paris Saint-Germain was blocked by Levy – now he appears to have changed his stance.

Huge mistake

A lot is likely to happen at Spurs this summer, not at least because they need to find their next manager, first and foremost. He should then probably be the one to make the decision on Alli, not Levy or anyone else in the club’s hierarchy.

Alli showed glimpses of life in these final few matches and that should not result in him being put in the shop window.

Given the situation surrounding his teammate Harry Kane, he’s likely to be very much needed next season as Spurs cannot afford to lose all of their top talents.

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It’s thought that the 27-year-old is pushing to leave the club after another season ended without silverware, with both Manchester clubs – who are in each of the European finals – mooted with interest, as per Sky Sports.

Without their leading talisman, Spurs are a far weaker prospect and are less attractive to any new manager – take out Alli, who still is nowhere near reaching his peak, then there aren’t many pegs to build a team around.

He was once lauded as a “freak of a talent” having pocketed a second successive Young PFA Player of the Year award and scored a whopping 18 goals from midfield during the 2016/17 season.

And interim head coach Ryan Mason found a way to reintegrate him after Mourinho left him as an outcast for the majority of the season.

Alli started their last five games for the very first time this season and even provided an assist. He had only started twice before that, as per Transfermarkt.

You can’t help but feel that Kane’s future is out of Levy’s hands right now, so he really needs to be keeping around players like Alli for the new manager.

To sell a player before the new manager has had a chance to look at him and speak with him would be a disastrous decision by Levy and is one that he should not make.

AND in other news, Fresh twist emerges in Spurs manager hunt, Levy can right big mistake…

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been reacting to footage of the club’s Under-18 side on social media.

Villa’s youngsters turned out at Villa Park on Wednesday afternoon against Burton Albion in the FA Youth Cup last-16.

Sean Verity’s side put nine past their opponents to advance to the quarter-finals where they will now take on Newcastle United.

Louie Barry scored a hat-trick, Carney Chukwuemeka netted twice and Aaron Ramsey, Brad Young and Seb Revan also got on the scoresheet in an emphatic display.

Villa were actually six goals to the good before half time, bouncing back brilliantly from a 7-0 defeat to Chelsea on the weekend.

Villa fans react

The club shared all nine goals on their official Twitter page on Wednesday evening in highlights which lasted close to eight minutes.

This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with many full of praise and one describing the clip as ‘special’.

“Wow”

Credit: @tw1708

“I am so excited for the future of AVFC”

Credit: @_JJ_stone

“Something special about this youth team”

Credit: @CarlvHarris

“Fantastic. Well done lads.”

Credit: @SmokeeLou

“How good are these lads man”

Credit: @danlawlor28

“Poetry in motion”

Credit: @AvfcBoxing

In other news: Many AVFC fans react to Ross Barkley update, find out more here. 

Tuesday night was another reminder of what might’ve been for West Ham United.

Whilst the Irons were enjoying a much-needed week off from action, their local rivals, Chelsea, were competing in a Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.

These are the sorts of matches that many are dreaming about at the London Stadium with David Moyes’ side pushing for a lucrative spot inside the Premier League’s top four.

The Blues defeated the Hammers over the weekend and then held the La Liga giants to a draw, meaning there is still everything left to play for in the return leg next week.

One player starred across both encounters and what makes it worse is the fact that he could’ve become a West Ham player back in 2015 under Slaven Bilic.

This is, of course, N’Golo Kante, who looks back to his best in the heart of Chelsea’s engine room.

Back in the summer of 2015, Bilic enquired to Caen about signing the diminutive Frenchman for just £5m but no move came to fruition and he subsequently joined top-flight rivals Leicester City for just €8m (£7m).

Now look at him.

The £49.5m-rated midfielder pulled the strings on Saturday, making 88% of his 48 passing attempts and managing a game-high four tackles. In fact, none of Moyes’ starting XI could match his 7.2 SofaScore rating either.

Kante then backed up this performance with another fine showing at the Bernabeu, where he recorded a whopping six dribbles against a midfield that contained Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric.

This was more than the entire La Liga outfit combined, which is startling.

As a result, he was awarded the ‘Man of the Match’ award and earned the most glowing of endorsements from his ex-teammate Cesc Fabregas, who tweeted: “N’Golo has always been a big game player. Never doubt him. He plays for 2.”

Despite entering his thirties, you can see that the 45-time international is a cut above many in the Premier League and one can only wonder what a current Hammers midfield of Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek and Kante would look like.

All in all, the East Londoners must continue to be haunted by Bilic’s failure to land the World Cup winner. What a catastrophic call that was.

AND in other news, West Ham star a major injury doubt for rest of the season, Moyes will be worried…

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, Steve Bull, who made 561 appearances for Wolves during his career, has claimed that Ainsley Maitland-Niles is not a player his former club will be looking to sign.

Wolves were in pole position to sign Maitland-Niles for £20 million last summer, however the 23-year old didn’t end up joining Nuno Espirito Santo’s side as he wanted to try and force his way into Arsenal side.

He went on to join West Bromwich Albion on loan in January but it has been reported that Wolves may seek to reignite their interest at the end of the season, and that Nuno is an admirer of his versatility.

After Wolves missed out on Mainland-Niles, who was described as a “Rolls-Royce” player by Martin Keown in December, they opted to sign 32-year old Marcal from Lyon but he has been one of the many players to suffer an injury-plagued season at Molineux.

Speaking on why Wolves don’t need to sign Maitland-Niles this summer and how Marcal is a good enough wing-back for Wolves, Bull told The Transfer Tavern:

“Last summer I think Wolves fancied him and thought he could do a job, but they went for Macal over Maitland-Niles in the end and I think he’ll slot straight back in when he’s fit.

“So, Maitland-Niles is not for me, I think he’ll go back to Arsenal and try to get in their side.”

Maitland-Niles spent the first half of the season as a fringe player under Mikel Arteta before joining Sam Allardyce at West Brom to try and help them fight off relegation.

Fosun International are reportedly looking to take a step back in terms of their spending on transfer fees from this summer.

Grab a pen, get a list of players in the Celtic reserve squad and put a tick next to those who have played senior football for the Bhoys.

As you will quickly realise, it’s a quick and simple task; not many have actually been afforded an opportunity at Parkhead.

One of the main criticisms of Neil Lennon’s tenure was that he didn’t give chances to young players. Karamoko Dembele has featured on just four occasions since making his debut as a 17-year-old while a lack of opportunities led to Cameron Harper’s exit.

Despite possessing senior minutes for Bolton, Luca Connell hasn’t been given any appearances for the Celtic first-team and is now on loan at Queen’s Park.

Another young player out on loan is Leo Hjelde. A 17-year-old Norwegian, there are plenty of comparisons to be made with a certain Kristoffer Ajer.

The duo are cut from the same cloth; they are centre-backs and they both came from Norway to Paradise at a particularly young age.

Ajer has made a seamless transition into the senior side over the last few years and is now one of the first names on the team sheet.

Hjelde is enjoying a temporary stay at Ross County but unfortunately, he could be on his way out of the club on a permanent basis before he’s even made his Celtic debut.

That’s because Southampton are interested in signing the teenager this summer. The Saints love a Celtic player and have managed to prise away the likes of Fraser Forster and Victor Wanyama in recent years.

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The main one, however, is Virgil van Dijk. He left for Southampton in 2015 for a fee of just £13m. He has since become a global icon of the sport, moving to Liverpool in a deal worth £75m in 2018.

Of course, the exponential rate at which his value has grown was because of his initial stint in the Premier League, but such is his quality that if the Hoops waited a little longer, they could have received an ever bigger fee.

Ronny Deila was the manager who Van Dijk departed under and it was clearly a mistake from a financial point of view to let him go when they did.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look as though the Bhoys have learnt their lesson. In a move that’s showing shades of the colossal Dutchman, Hjelde could be the latest in a long line of players to swap Glasgow for the south coast of England; a move that would surely upset plenty of supporters along the way. After all, they must be fed up of being a selling club.

But there is more to Hjelde than just a Southampton connection. Like Van Dijk, he is cool and calm in possession of the ball and is assured when passing out from the back.

Ross County boss John Hughes has been glowing in his appraisals for the centre-back, telling Not The Old Firm: “Leo is going to be the next Van Dijk. Trust me on that.”

Speaking about his game in the past, Hjelde has drawn comparisons in his game to both Ajer and the Liverpool centre-half: “I like to be on the ball and try to create things too but my main priority always has to be defending,” he said.

Indeed, if they can keep him at the club this summer he could well transition into Celtic’s Ajer replacement. It would also give them a chance to bump up any potential fee they receive in the future.

That was something Celtic didn’t do with a certain Van Dijk.

AND in other news, Celtic may finally replace Tierney by signing 18 y/o who could end up “like Busquets”…

Manchester United have been handed a considerable double injury boost ahead of their crunch clash with AC Milan.

According to the Red Devils’ official Twitter account, midfield pair of Donny van de Beek and Paul Pogba have returned to training ahead of the game at the San Siro.

The Dutchman has been out for the last eight games with a muscular injury. Meanwhile, Pogba has been restricted to the sidelines since early February.

Their respective returns give Red Devils’ boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer plenty of options as the team travel to Italy.

The Norwegian now has the choice to either rotate in Milan and bring the duo straight back in, or indeed slowly reintroduce them with substitute appearances ahead of what is set to be a hectic conclusion to the campaign.

However, with the likes of Scott McTominay, Fred and Nemanja Matic all stepping up to great effect recently, the United boss may not feel all too rushed in bringing either Pogba or van de Beek back too quickly.

Despite that excellent news, there was a negative piece of news from Solskjaer, with Edinson Cavani not travelling to Milan despite also returning to training.

The Uruguayan has missed the last three games and was thought to be ready to return against Milan to alleviate United’s current attacking injury crisis, with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have each suffered their own problems.

However, having not travelled to Italy, the former Napoli man will not be able to have a telling impact on the clash against the Rossoneri.

United continue to challenge on three fronts in the Premier League, UEFA Europa League and FA Cup so the fact that Solskjaer can welcome back his midfield duo for the closing months, and for the game against Milan, will be a huge boost.

AND in more news, read how a battle between a former Red Devils hero and Harry Maguire could be key in deciding the victors at the San Siro…