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Crystal Palace have been handed a major boost if they want to sign Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to Football.London, the 27-year-old is set to leave Stamford Bridge on a permanent deal this summer after failing to establish himself in the first-team set-up throughout his five-year stay.

The report claims that Chelsea hope to receive a fee in excess of £10 million for Batshuayi, with one unnamed top-half Premier League side already showing interest in the Belgium international.

Major transfer boost

After arriving from Ligue 1 outfit Marseille back in 2016, Batshuayi struggled for game time under Antonio Conte, making just one league start in his maiden campaign with the Blues.

Subsequent loan spells with Borussia Dortmund, Valencia and Palace followed, bringing mixed success before the pacey forward found himself wanted by his parent club again in 2019/20 due to their transfer ban.

However, he still found his route to the starting XI blocked by Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud, again making a solitary start while on league duties.

Batshuayi ended up signing a one-year contract extension last summer before returning to Selhurst Park on a temporary basis, although his second stint in south London wasn’t as successful as the first.

Injuries and lack of form saw the striker fall down Roy Hodgson’s pecking order this time around, limiting the £9m-rated marksman to just two goals and two assists in 722 minutes of Premier League action.

Nevertheless, the success of his original stint shouldn’t be forgotten and under a new manager, Batshuayi could return to the Eagles for a third time.

After Batshuayi bagged his first Palace goal back in 2019, Michael Owen lauded his clever finish telling BT Sport (via the Daily Mail): “You know as a centre-forward when the ball’s virtually on target or going off target. In this case, it was definitely off target.

“You just throw a leg at it. There’s no way you aim for a certain corner, you just try to guide it towards goal. It’s actually a very good finish.”

John Hartson added: “He’s clearly got genuine quality, look at the clubs he’s been with. He can be proud of his afternoon’s work.”

Palace have been linked with a permanent move for Batshuayi in the past, only to be put off by his price tag, but with only 12 months remaining on his current deal at Chelsea, his reduced fee could see a revival in their interest, and Steve Parish should seriously consider making an offer.

And, in other news…Crystal Palace handed major transfer boost over £9m beast that’ll have fans buzzing 

Alan Hutton believes Alfredo Morelos could leave Glasgow Rangers this summer after Steven Gerrard’s transfer admission.

The Lowdown: Morelos’ future uncertain

Morelos’ future at Ibrox is uncertain. Some reports have suggested he will stay at the club (via The 4th Official), but the Colombia international told Radio Caracol earlier this season that he dreams of playing in the Premier League.

Gerrard recently admitted the Gers could lose star players this summer, which has thrown further doubt on to the future of the 24-year-old.

The Latest: Hutton shares transfer fear

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton has shared his fear of Morelos departing. He said:

“It’s always a difficult one when we talk about Morelos.

“It seems like yes, he loves playing for Rangers. Of course he’ll want to play in the Champions League, every player does.

“But, has his head been a little bit turned from moves, bigger moves, in his opinion, to other clubs? Whether it be England or Italy or France, that’s something that only he’s going to be able to answer.

“I mean, me as it sits as a footballer, Champions League was massive. When that music comes on at the start of the games, you get the goosebumps, that’s what it’s all about.

“I hope that is enough for the likes of Morelos to stay. However, if an offer comes in that’s big enough and Rangers are willing that accept that, it’s simple. He’ll move on.

“The big thing out of that is I think Rangers are going to be given the money to then reinvest. That’s obviously good for the club moving forward.”

The Verdict: Always on the edge

There is no doubt Morelos has been a fantastic signing for the 55-time Scottish champions. In 180 games in all competitions since making the move in 2017, he has 94 goals, including 17 this campaign (Transfermarkt). Although his temperament has sometimes got the better of him – he has picked up seven red cards – he has been a constant menace for opposing defences.

Gerrard’s comments indicate it will be a difficult summer for the Gers, and Morelos will always be one of the first to be linked with a departure. The anticipation of a Champions League run may just be enough to hold on the former HJK Helsinki man until the start of the new term, but failure to reach the group stages may push him out of the door.

In other news, Hutton believes this man could replace Filip Helander.

New York Red Bulls director Kevin Thelwell has recently revealed that some at Celtic wanted to keep forward Patryk Klimala at Parkhead.

The Lowdown: Klimala’s big-money deal and wage increase

Klimala made the move to the MLS last month, ending his Celtic Park career after just 15 months.

The 22-year-old cost the Hoops £3.6m back in 2020, however, Celtic sold the striker for £3.93m despite the Pole scoring just three times in 28 appearances.

Reports have suggested add-ons could take the deal up to £5m, with Klimala now on around $22,000-a-week (£15,500) stateside.

The Latest: Thelwell’s claim on the forward

New York Red Bulls director Kevin Thelwell was recently talking about Klimala to The Atheltic and admitted that some at Parkhead actually ‘didn’t want to let him go’ – an intriguing six-word admission.

“I had outstanding references on him at Celtic. There were some people there who didn’t want to let him go, didn’t feel he had the opportunity perhaps he should have done and were also saying if he did get the opportunity Celtic would have been a lot better for it.

“These are people I trust and people we trust within our network.”

The Verdict: An offer too good to turn down

Let’s be honest, the offer from New York Red Bulls was just too good to turn down. Celtic have ended up making an immediate £330,000 profit on a player who averaged a goal every nine appearances.

He failed to become a mainstay in the Hoops side and had to deal with cameo appearances from the bench.

If the bid from New York Red Bulls was less than £3m, we could understand the Hoops rejecting it and keeping faith with the forward.

However, that wasn’t the case and we don’t feel that Celtic have made the wrong decision, even if some inside Celtic Park feel they might have.

In other news: ‘Howe wants…’ – Alan Nixon drops Celtic managerial demand which could be good news for Dom McKay, find out more here. 

Many Everton fans have been left to buzz as a transfer update from Sport (via Sport Witness) emerged on Philippe Coutinho.

As per the news outlet, it will be up to FC Barcelona whether they accept a ‘low cost transfer’ of around €40m (£35m) from the Goodison Park faithful to sell the attacking midfield player in the summer window, but the Toffees’ interest is legitimate.

Liverpool are due a sum of money if he makes 100 appearances at the Nou Camp, and he is currently on 90, and so the La Liga giants are willing to sell him in order to avoid this payment.

It has not quite worked out for Coutinho at Barca, but the Merseyside club will remember his exploits in the Premier League while playing for their local rivals, scoring no fewer than 54 goals and making a further 45 assists in 201 matches in total across all competitions over six consecutive campaigns at Anfield (Transfermarkt).

Carlo Ancelotti could well be the manager to spark some life back into the Brazil international, who one would hope can still be world-class on his day.

Everton fans on Coutinho transfer update

These Toffees supporters buzzed upon reading the transfer update after it was shared on Twitter, with one Blues fan even going as far as to claim that the price quoted would be a ‘bargain’:

“Yes please”

Credit: @efc87

“Coutinho would be a top quality signing if we can get him, a bargain at that quoted price.”

Credit: @ChohanRajesh

“All day”

Credit: @AlanTaylor4056

“Imagine if we actually signed him, it’d be a class signing”

Credit: @jamiefc1878

“Great signing for me”

Credit: @joshhodge81

“I would be all over this”

Credit: @Tiernancusack21

In other news, find out what transfer update has been flocked to by EFC fans here!

Everton have been tipped to make a stunning summer swoop for Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale.

El Chiringuito TV report that Carlo Ancelotti wants a reunion with Bale at Goodison Park, having worked with him at the Santiago Bernabeu – Bale has spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, having fallen out of favour with Zinedine Zidane after Ancelotti’s exit.

How has Bale performed at Spurs?

A hat-trick against relegated Sheffield United at the weekend took the Welshman to nine Premier League goals for the season.

That’s more than any Everton player excluding Dominic Calvert-Lewin (15).

In total, Bale has scored 14 goals in all competitions, posting an impressive minutes per goal record of 105 (via Transfermarkt).

Bale, who will turn 32 in July, has just over a year left on his Real Madrid contract and is valued at £18million by Transfermarkt because of this.

He said during the March international break that his plan was to return to the Spanish capital at the end of the season, so it a long-term deal to stay in north London appears unlikely.

Ancelotti has already reunited with James Rodriguez and Allan on Merseyside – could he do the same with Bale?

Twitter fan feed The Toffee Blues relayed the rumour, and here’s how fans reacted.

These Everton fans urge club not to pursue Bale

“We going for the oldest team in the league ?”

Credit: @Stu17666455

“Does he want to sign Father Ted’s over 75’s too”

Credit: @efcshaz1878

“Hell we are becoming a retirement home”

Credit: @toddlonsdale

“Big no thanks”

Credit: @rowleydan

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!”

Credit: @alandean1878

“Is he really worth it? No”

Credit: @matthew_nestor

“At this rate we’ll be linked with Inzaghi, Kaka and Dida”

Credit: @mannie_efcIn other news, this ex-Everton star revealed what Carlo Ancelotti told him before he left.

Plenty of Glasgow Rangers fans have been reacting to the news that former striker Dado Prso has bought a Senegalese football club.

Prso is somewhat of a cult hero at Ibrox, with some fans even dubbing him a “legend”. The forward spent three years with the club between 2004 and 2007 and scored plenty of goals as he helped the Gers win one Premiership title and one Scottish League Cup. That would actually prove to be the final stop of his career before he hung up his boots.

Now aged 46, it seems he is ready to get back into football, but perhaps not in the way many will have expected. The former Croatia international has purchased a Senegalese football club called Demba Diop, who are currently competing in the country’s second tier.

The news was shared on Twitter by @CroatianNews, and unsurprisingly it attracted plenty of attention from Rangers supporters. These fans took to social media to share their thoughts on the matter.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Prso news below

“There’s my Football Manager 22 save sorted”

Credit: @big_ashy5

“Where can I buy a top?”

Credit: @stephmcd90

“Given he is my fave player of all time, I am now a fan of Demba Diop!! Mon the Diop”

Credit: @JHQLoyal

“@RangersFC get on the phone to Dado and let’s add this team to our club partners”

Credit: @cuibonoconfuto

“The guy is a legend”

Credit: @douglasjamesgr2

“Announce partnership @RangersFC”

Credit: @SpeckyRSC

In other news, Rangers could move for this man as a potential replacement for Filip Helander.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that Dean Smith needs £150m this summer in order for the Midlands club to continue progressing.

After coming close to relegation last season, Villa are having a brilliant campaign this time round.

Under Smith, the Villans sit ninth in the Premier League and are still very much in the conversation when it comes to those European qualification spots.

To go that one step further, though, and truly challenge for a Champions League place, Hendrie believes Smith will have to spend some serious money in the next transfer window. He told FFC:

“That’s what Dean’s going to have to do. He’s got to bring someone in, or two or three players in, whether it’s £150m he spends. If you’re going to certainly push for that Champions League spot or a European spot, you know, I think he’s got to spend around £150m.

“These days £150m is nothing, but I think Dean will be looking to bring three players maybe that certainly can push Villa forward and build them small steps because that isn’t an overnight process.”

One area Smith could look to strengthen this summer is up front, with The Telegraph reporting that there is a desire at Villa Park to bring someone in who can provide some competition for top scorer Ollie Watkins.

As for outgoings, the same outlet reports Jack Grealish could become a priority for Manchester City if they are unable to land Borussia Dortmund’s in-demand striker Erling Haaland.

With the Premier League very quickly reaching its conclusion, Leeds can begin preparing for a second season in the top-flight.

They have been a breath of fresh air this term but cannot let up in their pursuit of breaking into the division’s top half.

What’s the word?

It would appear that Leeds’ main priority this summer is improving their defence.

Crystal Palace full-back Patrick van Aanholt has already been linked with a free transfer move but they are now pursuing another potential free agent.

According to The Daily Mail, the Whites are interested in landing Torino centre-back Nicolas N’Koulou.

The 30-year-old is out of contract in the summer and as a result, is now free to speak to foreign clubs about his future.

Consequently, Leeds are keeping tabs on his progress with the hope of potentially striking a deal in the near future.

Perfect for Leeds

On a free transfer, there would be little risk to this deal from Victor Orta. N’Koulou already knows Bielsa from his days with Marseille and as a result, there would surely be little adjustment time.

It’s crucial when a new signing arrives that they get up to speed with Bielsa’s training methods as quickly as possible. As the likes of Jean-Kevin Augustin will tell you, murderball is tough.

N’Koulou, however, will be used to that. The 72-cap Cameroon international has played in a number of Europe’s top five leagues and has qualities that would be ideal for the club and its manager.

That happens to be in the way he passes the ball out from the back. After Orta failed with three attempts to bring Ben White back on a permanent basis, he moved for Robin Koch and then Diego Llorente.

However, with their fitness wreaking havoc with Leeds’ defence all season, they could do with another body. Thus, N’Koulou feels like the perfect addition.

Speaking to HITC earlier this month, Emile Heskey analysed the club’s prior interest in the defender, saying: “[N’Koulou is] a Bielsa type of player; someone who, if you put him man for man, he knows he can dominate.”

Indeed, a quick look at the stats tells you he’s exactly like White.

For starters, he is brilliant at bringing the ball forward and finding a teammate. In Serie A this term, the centre-back has completed 88.7% of his passes. That’s compared to the 84.5% managed by White at Elland Road last season.

In terms of their reading of the play, they are also incredibly similar. During the 2019/20 title-winning campaign, White won 2.5 interceptions per match. N’Koulou, on the other hand, has won 2.4 interceptions per outing in Italy’s top-flight.

On that evidence, this feels like a match made in heaven.

AND in other news, Phil Hay thinks Leeds should sign 42-goal gem this summer, he could be their new Klich…

Everton are rightly set to release Joshua King at the end of his contract this summer, having proven to be an utter disaster since signing from AFC Bournemouth.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, Blues chiefs have seen enough from King since his Deadline Day arrival last month to opt against retaining the Norway international.

Everton paid Bournemouth £2m to take over the final six-months of the forward’s £45,000-per-week contract, with the option to later trigger a longer-term deal.

But Carlo Ancelotti has decided against activating the clause, which would have seen the Cherries owed up to a further £3m, and will instead pursue alternative options in the next transfer window.

The Italian tactician is thought to have been unimpressed by King’s results since moving to Merseyside on the final day of the winter window, and has often overlooked the 29-year-old even when without Dominic Calvert-Lewin through injury.

King is yet to start a single fixture for the Toffees, with each of his eight appearances to date coming from the bench and totalling a combined 117 minutes.

Four of the 52-cap forward’s outings have lasted less than 10 minutes, and he is yet to provide a single goal or assist in royal blue.

King, who had previously expressed intentions to remain at Goodison Park for next season, has recently been linked with a move to Fenerbahce with claims of an approach being made by Super Lig outfit to his representatives.

Should Everton release King?

Claims of Ancelotti being unimpressed by King’s performances for Everton are hardly surprising given his lack of playing time so far, making a decision to part ways with the £9m-rated forward the best option for both sides.

Being released at the end of his contract will allow King to explore options that will return the highest payout, given claims in January that the Norwegian was pushing for a £120k-p/w deal.

Not taking up the option to extend King’s contract will also allow Everton to begin exploring potential replacements, knowing they will not be held back by first having to find a suitor willing to take on his wages.

King’s salary, plus the £2m paid to Bournemouth, has so far cost the Toffees £20,000 for each minute he has played, with the former Manchester United trainee taking in £315,000 for his 117 minutes of action since February 1st.

It is highly likely that King will continue to steal a living at Goodison Park until his terms lapse in 17 weeks’ time on June 30th, with the further £765,000 that Everton are locked into paying the striker going on a bench warmer based on his current record.

Simply put, King’s move has proven to be an utter disaster for the Toffees, who have not seen anything from the player who former Cherries boss Eddie Howe once lauded as the “complete package”.

AND in other news, Farhad Moshiri is set to back Everton as Carlo Ancelotti eyes a 29-y/o he described as “the best” in the world…

According to a report by The Daily Mail, Tottenham players have been left baffled behind the scenes following Jose Mourinho’s treatment of Gareth Bale and Dele Alli – with there allegedly being several ‘disillusioned’ members of the squad.

The Portuguese boss is allegedly facing mounting pressure following his side’s stumble to ninth in the Premier League table, but he is somewhat shielded by the fact chairman Daniel Levy would face huge costs for his early dismissal (The Daily Mail).

Tottenham players baffled by Jose call

Exiting Europe and losing more ground in the top four race, however, would increase the pressure on Mourinho ten-fold – with The Daily Mail now claiming there are ‘several’ disillusioned players behind the scenes.

While some players are generally supportive of their boss, some squad members in particular have been taken aback by Mourinho’s call to shun both Alli and Bale to the fringes.

The Spurs duo have started just three Premier League games combined this season (WhoScored), leaving players who were particularly close under Mauricio Pochettino’s reign surprised by this move not to play them.

Alli and Bale breakdown

Bale was signed in the summer from Real Madrid on a season-long loan, with Levy having dreamed of bringing him back to north London (Eurosport).

Alli, meanwhile, was heavily linked with a move to Paris-Saint Germain in the January transfer window but Tottenham would not let him go without finding a replacement (Fabrizio Romano).

Time will tell whether Mourinho will feature the pair in his plans as he looks to climb back up the Premier League table.

In other news: Tottenham are eyeing this Premier League ace, find out more here.