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A major update has emerged in Manchester City’s pursuit of a £58.5m-rated beast, and it could lead to Txiki Begiristain striking gold for the club.

What’s the talk?

According to The Athletic, the Premier League champions are actively considering a move for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice this summer.

In The Athletic’s “The Radar” feature, Manchester City and Manchester United have both been named as clubs who are heavily interested in the 22-year-old. Chelsea are also thought to be in the running for the defensive midfielder, who is currently away with England at the European Championship.

Jim White claimed earlier this year that David Sullivan told him it will take more than £100m for Rice to leave West Ham this summer. The presenter told talkSPORT: “Sullivan has already told me it’s got to be north of £100m or they won’t entertain it.”

Back in March, England manager Gareth Southgate lavished praise on the “outstanding” Rice as the 50-year-old highlighted the youngster’s impressive defensive work, but admitted that he needs to work on how he builds attacks from the defensive midfield position.

Southgate told West Ham’s official website: “He’s outstanding at recovering balls in midfield. I think there are only a couple higher in the league in terms of recoveries in those midfield areas.

“I think there is still more to come with the ball, that building of attacks, that receiving from defence and transferring the ball quickly forward. We see evidence of it and we see at times he has the athleticism to drive forward with the ball as well.

Bye-bye Fernandinho

Brazil international Fernandinho is due to leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the month and it is time to say goodbye to him and welcome in a fresh, young, replacement in the form of Rice.

The 36-year-old is in the latter stages of his career and is not able to commit to being City’s defensive midfielder for another few years at his age, whereas Rice could be their starting man for the next decade. At 22, the Englishman has almost his entire career ahead of him, and City could land a key player for years to come by bringing him in.

Begiristain, City’s director of football, could strike gold by sealing a deal for Rice and must now attempt to sign him this summer. The England ace enjoyed a terrific season in the Premier League with West Ham and has proven in recent seasons that he is a top-class defensive midfielder. The 22-year-old has averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.93 or higher in each of his last three Premier League campaigns, with a score of 7.01 for the 2020/21 season.

The £58.5m-rated beast is active on the defensive end in the Premier League. He made 3.6 tackles and interceptions per game in the season just gone for West Ham, having averaged 5.1 in the 2019/20 campaign. Fernandinho averaged 2.6 last season and 2.5 in the previous campaign.

Therefore, Rice could be a superb replacement for the Brazilian, and City must work hard to get this deal done over the summer.

AND in other news, Pep handed major Man City boost over “exceptional” £140k-p/w star, fans surely buzzing…

Everton are interested in signing £27m-rated Atalanta defender Merih Demiral this summer and he could be the perfect replacement for Michael Keane.

What’s the story?

According to journalist Yakup Cinar (via Goodison News) Everton are among several sides who are “interested” in signing the 24-year-old who’s is currently on loan at Atalanta from Juventus.

They have the option to make the move permanent in the summer for £23.5m, but could potentially sell Demiral on for a profit like they did with Cristian Romero. When interviewed by TuttoJuve.com Cinar said that the interest in the player is high.

He’s miles better than Keane

Everton are battling for survival at the moment and are currently in the relegation zone. Whether or not they stay in the Premier League this summer doesn’t change the fact that they need a squad overhaul.

Many of their current players have underperformed massively this season, and one of those is defender Michael Keane, who Demiral could replace if he is brought to Goodison Park.

Keane has featured several times for the Toffees this season and has been a key part of their troubled defence. They have only managed to keep six clean sheets in the league all campaign, and it has led to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher rightly calling their back four “Championship level”.

Demiral has been described by outlet Goal as a “brick wall” and at 6 foot 2, he is a strong presence in the box. He impressed when facing English side Manchester United in the group stage of the Champions League earlier this season, scoring versus the Red Devils and winning 100% of his duels in a 3-2 defeat, so he has proven himself against Premier League opposition already.

The Turkey international is a force in the air, being ranked in the top 2% when it comes to aerial duals won compared with other centre backs in Europe’s top five leagues over the last year.

When you compare him directly to Keane he’s also better on the ball with a higher pass completion percentage of 87.5% compared to 77.3%. He’s also tackled a higher percentage of dribblers than the Englishman.

If Demiral is available at a decent price in the summer then Frank Lampard should look no further than him to solve their issues at the back. At 24 he can also be a figurehead at the club for years to come.

IN other news: More misery: Alan Myers drops four-word Everton claim that’ll leave supporters fuming…

Aston Villa announced ticketing arrangements for the return of supporters to Villa Park on social media on Wednesday morning.

And, as to be expected, plenty of Villa fans shared their excitement at the news online.

Fans wanting to attend Villa’s final game of the season against Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea side on May 23 will have had to be a 2019/20 season ticket holder.

The club confirmed that those eligible would need to register into a ballot process, with up to 10,000 fans set to return to Villa Park in a matter of weeks.

Villa’s last game on home soil with fans in attendance came against Tottenham back in February 2020, with Dean Smith’s side suffering late heartbreak that afternoon.

Villa fans react

It’s not long until supporters will be back in attendance, though, and plenty of fans made their feelings known following the club’s official Twitter post.

This is what some had to say, with more than one ‘excited’ at the confirmed news.

“Get in.”Credit: @simons_tweet”HERE WE GO”Credit: @EllisDennantAV”Tears.”Credit: @willjonesavfc1″I am beyond excited by this step towards normality.”Credit: @MrAndyPowell”Just a tad excited about this. Excited over a ballot, I’m going to faint if picked”Credit: @villajayne1″Ohhhhhh yessssss”Credit: @brazilianwizard

In other news: Smith makes transfer U-turn on £38k-a-week Villa man, find out more here. 

Liverpool’s summer transfer plans have suffered a potentially significant blow after a move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez was ruled out.

What’s the story?

According to The Athletic’s Liverpool reporter James Pearce, the 26-year-old is available in the current window, although his wage demands have so far proved too high for any potential suitor.

When asked in a Q&A for the website about the Reds’ chances of signing the midfielder, the journalist outlined: “Unless there’s a change of heart from Liverpool, I can’t see it. He’s been offered around to a host of clubs, but his wage demands are massive.” 

The Anfield outfit have been heavily linked with a move for Saul in recent weeks following the departure of Gini Wijnaldum, but it seems as though he’s unlikely to be arriving on Merseyside anytime soon.

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Liverpool fans will be absolutely gutted

News that Liverpool are thought to be out of the running for Saul will surely leave the club’s supporters feeling gutted.

Wijnaldum’s decision to leave the 19-time English champions following five successful years with the club has left a huge hole in the Reds’ engine room given his consistent presence in the starting XI, and the Atletico ace would have been an ideal candidate to fill it.

Indeed, his WhoScored average match rating of 6.76 was better than the Dutchman’s 6.62, while also eclipsing Liverpool midfielders Naby Keita (6.59), Curtis Jones (6.58), James Milner (6.48) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (6.18), which suggests that he could have been a significant enhancement to Jurgen Klopp’s squad in that department.

Over the last few campaigns, Saul has established himself as one of the best central midfielders in the game, winning one La Liga title, two Europa Leagues and one Copa del Rey throughout his time with Los Rojiblancos.

However, the emergence and incredible displays of Marcos Llorente forced Saul down Atletico’s pecking order last season, limiting him to just 22 La Liga starts.

The technically gifted maestro missed out on a place in Luis Enrique’s 24-man squad for Euro 2020 as a result, and he is now keen for a new challenge.

It seemed at various points throughout the current window that Saul’s new surroundings would be Anfield, but that prospect appears to be over for now at least, which will surely come as a source of much frustration for Kopites.

In other news… Bye-Bye Shaqiri: Edwards must sanction Liverpool swoop for “exceptional” £21.2m wizard 

Arsenal have been dealt a huge injury blow ahead of their return to Premier League action this evening…

What’s the latest?

The Gunners kickstart the new season with a trip to top-flight newcomers Brentford, but manager Mikel Arteta will be without the services of first-choice defender Gabriel Magalhaes after he suffered an injury during international duty with Brazil, where he clinched a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

An announcement on the club’s official website revealed the extent of the issue and it appears that the 23-year-old will be out until next month at the very earliest.

“Right knee. Gabriel sustained an injury to his right knee whilst with the Brazilian Olympic Squad. Gabriel continues to be assessed and is aiming to be back in training by early September.”

Not an ideal start

In his absence, £50m summer signing Ben White could be vying for his debut, whilst Rob Holding and Pablo Mari are also in contention to start.

With Thomas Partey and Eddie Nketiah also ruled out, Arteta is already facing a frustrating injury crisis before a ball has even been kicked. The pair suffered problems during the friendly against Chelsea a few weeks ago and neither of the three will play any part on the opening day.

Gabriel’s injury is particularly disappointing and will surely come as the biggest blow as Arteta is going to be without his no.1 centre-back for the first month of the season, where he’ll be expecting a reaction to last season’s lowly eighth-place finish.

The £22.5m-rated colossus started 22 of his 23 appearances in the Premier League last season and was arguably one of the Gunners’ best options at the back.

Of all Arteta’s central defensive options, his WhoScored average of 6.73 was only just bettered by Holding (6.79), whilst he was second to Mari for aerial duels won (2.5) per game and first for interceptions (1.1) per game.

The Spanish head coach could well be worried heading into kickoff after this fresh injury setback.

AND in other news, Arsenal “in talks” to sign £27m-rated “rare talent”, Edu could find their next Vieira…

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…

A number of Liverpool supporters are not keen on the Reds signing Wolves winger Adama Traore after an update emerged over his future.

Jurgen Klopp could potentially be on the lookout for a new wide player this summer as he aims to bolster his squad. Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino both suffered below-par 2020/21 seasons, and while they will hopefully return to their best, a younger alternative in attack wouldn’t go amiss.

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One player who has been linked with a move to Liverpool before is Traore, whose electrifying pace has stood out for Wolves in recent years, although he only scored twice in 37 Premier League appearances last season.

According to Football Insider, the Reds have ‘made an enquiry’ over the Spaniard’s availability ahead of possibly lodging a summer transfer bid, potentially raiding Wolves again after signing Traore’s former team-mate Diogo Jota in 2020.

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Liverpool fans react negatively to Traore update

It isn’t an update which has gone down too well with some Liverpool fans, who took to Twitter to provide their thoughts. One Kopite slammed Traore as a “juiced up Origi” in a damning reference to the Reds’ Belgian attacker, who managed only one goal last season.

“God forbid”

Credit: @AllTheWayLFC

“Not him”

Credit: @Gondwe5Precio

“Man’s literally just a juiced up Origi”

Credit: @Paddydasitmane

“No”

Credit: @NxtPL32

“Not a chance”

Credit: @NDavletbayev

“Average”

Credit: @Dndou2

In other news, some Liverpool fans have gone wild at one piece of news that has emerged. Read more here.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed the latest on Newcastle United’s search for a new manager, including the latest on Paulo Fonseca.

What’s the story?

Having finally come to terms with the removal of Steve Bruce, the Magpies can now firmly turn their attentions towards hiring a new boss, and Romano has indicated that the race is still very much open at the moment.

Writing on Twitter on Wednesday lunch-time, he initially said: “Paulo Fonseca and Lucien Favre are still among ‘options’ on Newcastle list for manager role. No talks with Antonio Conte as things stand now. Fonseca, open to discuss. #NUFC Talks opened few days ago with Fonseca, Favre is waiting too. Nothing agreed yet. Race still open.”

Then, on early Thursday morning, he added: “Newcastle decision on new manager will take some days. Paulo Fonseca would be open to accept and excited for this opportunity after Spurs job chance collapsed at final stages last summer – but Newcastle are in talks with many candidates. #NUFC Race still open for Magpies job.”

A new era at Newcastle United

Perhaps the most exciting thing for Newcastle United fans – aside from the obvious of Bruce being out – is the sheer calibre of managers being linked with the top job at St James’ Park.

Both Fonseca and Lucien Favre have won big trophies at their previous clubs, while Antonio Conte is arguably the biggest of the lot.

He led Inter to the Serie A title last season, and has already of course won the Premier League and FA Cup in his previous stint as manager at Chelsea. His experience of the English game could also be a major drawing point for PIF.

While Amanda Staveley and co will be looking for a rebuild, targeting proven European managers with considerable experience managing in the top leagues and competing in the Champions League too, is something that will surely delight Magpies supporters.

Meanwhile, Craig Hope has delivered his own Newcastle United manager update…

Pundit Alan Hutton has been giving his thoughts to what he’s seen from Celtic summer signing Giorgos Giakoumakis in recent weeks, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Giakoumakis’ first start

The 26-year-old has had to remain patient after joining from VVV-Venlo on deadline day in the summer.

He suffered a calf injury warming up towards the end of September but has featured following the October international break.

Giakoumakis made two Parkhead appearances in the space of five days last week, including a first start against St Johnstone.

The striker netted his first goal for the club in the 2-0 Scottish Premiership win, and Hutton has been impressed with what he has seen.

The Latest: Hutton’s comments

Hutton was asked by Football Insider for his thoughts on the forward.

This is what he had to say, believing the recent signs are positive.

“I’ve been looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the party.

“It’s been difficult for him scoring so many goals last season and then coming to a new club and being injured.

“I actually thought he performed really well in midweek against Ferencvaros. He was really good, he looked strong, he could hold the ball up, his all round play was good.

“To get your first goal, you just grow in confidence. I think that’s what he’s been itching for. It’s difficult coming into a new club to be injured.

“He looks a real talent, he ticks a lot of the boxes. Obviously, we’re going to need to wait and see over the next few weeks but he looks a very good player.”

The Verdict: More to come…

Giakoumakis appears to be reaching full fitness now, so, hopefully, as Hutton mentions, Ange Postecoglou will be able to rely on the forward as a key man over the coming weeks.

He netted 26 times in 30 Eredivisie appearances last season, so, should he continue his upward trend for the Hoops, goals may start to flow, which will only benefit Celtic.

In other news: ‘A gamble’ – Sky Sports man reacts as Celtic target Adidas sponsored midfielder. 

Aston Villa could land a transfer bargain in recently released Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli this summer.

What’s the story?

With Tom Heaton having already made his departure to Manchester United, and Lovre Kalinic returning to Hajduk Split for a season-long loan, Dean Smith’s side are very short on goalkeeping cover for number one Emi Martinez.

Now, The Daily Mail claim that the Midlands club are one of a number of teams interested in picking up Bettinelli on a free transfer this summer, with Chelsea and Arsenal also said to be in the running for the 29-year-old.

He’s silenced Aston Villa before

The 6 foot 4 titan spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough in the Championship, but has played in the Premier League before with Fulham, with former Cottagers boss Scott Parker raving about the kind of professionalism and character that he’s shown.

He said: “I’m fortunate enough to have both of them – (Marcus) Bettinelli and him (Marek Rodak). They’re both very good ‘keepers. At this present moment in time Rodak’s got the shirt.

“(But) I know for sure, when I talk about character, that there’s someone behind him in Bettinelli who’s got plenty of that and will push, and push, and push. Like I said, I’m in a very fortunate position to have two such good ‘keepers.”

Villa will know first-hand just how good Bettinelli can be on his day, having been an instrumental part of the side that beat the Midlands club twice back in the 2017/2018 season when Steve Bruce was in charge.

The 29-year-old shot-stopper kept clean sheets both home and away, registering Sofascore match ratings of 7.1 and 7.0 respectively. Despite facing a total of 19 shots at his goal over the two encounters, Villa simply couldn’t find a way past the former England U21 international.

Being available on a free, and having had previous top-flight experience too, Bettinelli seems like the perfect back-up option to Martinez for next season, and it’s a move Johan Lange must absolutely make to reinforce the club’s goalkeeping positions.

Meanwhile, this Aston Villa target is an upgrade on El Ghazi…