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Paul Robinson has dropped a Newcastle United transfer claim involving Joe Willock, tipping a ‘huge’ coup for the Magpies.

The Lowdown: Bruce wants Willock

As cited by the Evening Standard, Steve Bruce has said that he would ‘love’ to sign Willock on a permanent deal from Arsenal, given how successful his loan spell was in the North East.

The midfield ace scored no fewer than eight goals in 14 games in the Premier League at St. James’ Park (Transfermarkt), and so it is not a surprise at all to see that Bruce wants him back.

The Latest: Willock claim

Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson, who is now a pundit after playing as a goalkeeper for the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United, has claimed that the Tyneside club should be looking to sign Willock on another loan deal, with an option to buy at the end of the 2021/22 season:

“The ideal deal for Newcastle would be a second loan deal.

“I’m not sure if they have the money to sign him on a permanent basis right now.

“He was absolutely brilliant for them last season. He went up there, played week in, week out and looked like a different player.

“A big part of the success Newcastle enjoyed towards the end of the season was down to him so it would be huge if Newcastle can sign him.

“If they could negotiate another loan deal with an option to buy at the end of next season, a little bit like how Leeds structured Jack Harrison’s deal. That would be perfect.

“It would be great if they can get it done because he looked like he was enjoying his football at Newcastle.”

The Verdict: Sign

However the Magpies can get it done, they need to sign Willock at all costs, given how much of an impact he has on the team when he arrived.

Another loan deal with an option to buy would be the ideal option for them as Robinson suggests, as it means that they would not have to pay what could be a substantial transfer fee straight away, and instead just loan him in again before they can gather the necessary funds to buy him permanently.

Nonetheless, Willock should certainly be one of the first names on the list for the Toon to bring in in the summer window.

In other news, find out which Premier League international NUFC are eyeing here!

Liverpool are reportedly in advanced talks with Porto attacker Otavio as the Reds eye up an exciting summer move for the Brazilian.

The Lowdown: Attacking guile needed?

Jurgen Klopp is expected to bring in new players in the coming weeks and months, with Ibrahima Konate already arriving from RB Leipzig.

Liverpool could arguably do with a little more guile in attacking midfield areas, with the supply to the attack not always at its best last season – Curtis Jones was their highest-scoring player in that position with four goals in 2020/21.

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The Latest: Liverpool in talks with Otavio

According to A Bola [via Sport Witness], the Reds are eyeing up a move for Porto midfielder Otavio, with talks at an ‘advanced’ stage.

The 26-year-old is described as an ‘express request’ for Klopp following an impressive season which saw him score three goals and register eight assists in Liga NOS.

Otavio’s release clause is set to rise from €40m (£34.3m) to €60m (£51.4m) on July 15, so Liverpool may look to trigger it before that date.

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The Verdict: Exciting attacking option

The £21.6m-rated Otavio could be a shrewd addition by Liverpool, giving them something different in the middle of the park. He averaged 1.7 key passes and 1.8 dribbles per game in the league last season, highlighting his ability to break the lines with his quality on the ball.

Otavio’s versatility allows him to play out wide also, so he could be a strong backup for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, further improving the squad depth at Klopp’s disposal.

In other news, some Liverpool fans are against the idea of one player joining the Reds this summer. Find out who it is here.

Liverpool could secure their dream replacement for Gini Wijnaldum this summer in the shape of Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.

What’s the story?

The Reds have been linked with several star names as Jurgen Klopp looks to fill the sizeable hole left in his side’s engine room following the Dutch international’s departure.

One man who could fill the void is BVB’s Bellingham. According to The Mirror, Dortmund have offered their teenage prodigy a new contract to prevent further interest from the Anfield outfit, meaning they’ll have to move quickly in order to secure their transfer target.

Klopp will love him

Succeeding Wijnaldum – a man who made 237 appearances in five seasons on Merseyside, winning the Premier League title and Champions League crown along the way – will be no easy task.

Atletico Madrid’s experienced campaigner Saul Niguez has been identified as a possible candidate, but the 26-year-old doesn’t carry as much excitement, potential, or intrigue as England’s Bellingham.

After moving to the Bundesliga giants from boyhood club Birmingham City for £25 million last summer, the youngster has gone from strength to strength during his time at the Signal Iduna Park.

Despite his tender years, Bellingham made 46 appearances for Dortmund last season in all competitions, scoring four goals and providing a further four assists, earning a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2020.

His call-up to the Three Lions senior set-up came as no surprise to most, and the national team boss was full of praise for the youthful midfielder after his selection.

“Jude is phenomenal. Just in training in the last couple of days, to have a 17-year-old, who wants to compete with senior players, not only has the technique but the competitiveness and maturity… he’s a hugely exciting player,” said Southgate.

Klopp places a unique set of demands upon his midfielders due to his innovative gegenpressing system.

They must combine tactical and positional intelligence with natural athleticism and stamina. Bellingham has all of those attributes in abundance.

He’s an ideal signing for the enigmatic German manager, and he would surely love to have the former Birmingham man amongst his ranks next term.

The Mirror report that Liverpool have an interest in the teenager, as do Manchester City. The Reds must ensure they beat their fierce rival to the punch and look to secure a move for the England star as soon as possible as he is already looking like a player who has an amazing future ahead of him, he seems like the perfect fit for a Jurgen Klopp team.

And, in other news…Liverpool tell 25 y/o he can leave during weekend talks, Klopp should be very happy 

After a less than impressive second half of the 2020/21 campaign which saw Southampton collapse after an impressive start to the campaign, plenty of signings will be required if Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are to improve next season.

Full-back will be the main priority for the Austrian manager this summer after the departure of Ryan Bertrand, whilst reinforcements on the wing and up front may also be required if the Saints want to push on.

Injuries played their part last season and in the absence of Danny Ings, Kyle Walker-Peters, Jannik Vestergaard and Oriol Romeu at various points in the season, the South Coast side struggled, so you could definitely argue that they need to add more first-team ready options to their side this summer.

Here’s how Football FanCast predicts Southampton’s strongest XI could look next season after Martin Semmens and the manager have concluded their business…

Despite links to Freddie Woodman and Thomas Strakosha, Hasenhuttl has suggested that Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster will remain as the two main goalkeeping options next season, with the former perhaps more likely to start as he is stronger with his feet.

Romain Perraud is looking likely to be the man to replace Bertrand at left-back, with the Brest defender seemingly on the brink of making the switch to St Mary’s.

Despite an impressive end to the campaign, Mohammed Salisu will likely provide back-up to Jannik Vestergaard and Jan Bednarek at centre-back, whilst Marc Guehi could also join on loan from Chelsea to compete at the heart of Hasenhuttl’s defence.

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Kyle Walker-Peters is almost nailed on to start at right-back after an excellent first full campaign as a Southampton player, although Brandon Williams could challenge both him and Perraud for game time at full-back should he join from Manchester United.

Stuart Armstrong, Romeu and James Ward-Prowse are all likely to keep their place in midfield, should Southampton be able to see off interest from Aston Villa in their influential captain, but left-midfield is certainly an area in which the Saints can improve.

Both Moussa Djenepo and Nathan Redmond disappointed there last season so Bournemouth winger Arnaut Danjuma could arrive as an upgrade after his superb season in the Championship, with Djenepo perhaps likely to be axed amid reported interest from Fenerbahce.

Finally, Danny Ings and Che Adams will continue their partnership up front unless Southampton receive an offer for the former Liverpool man which they cannot refuse, although Daryl Dike or Randal Kolo Muani could potentially arrive as backup.

Should they keep hold of their keep players and make key improvements to the squad, Southampton should avoid being dragged into a relegation fight again next season.

And, in other news… Southampton signing “exciting” talent could allow Hasenhuttl to axe “weak link”

The CricInfo Championship Match between Nottinghamshire and Durham was abandoned as a draw after rain prevented any play on the final day

CricInfo28-Apr-2001The CricInfo Championship Match between Nottinghamshire and Durham was abandoned as a draw after rain prevented any play on the final day. Nottnghamshire take ten points and Durham eight.

A reliable journalist has dropped a fresh claim as Tottenham Hotspur continue to search for their next manager this week…

What’s the word?

According to football.london’s Alasdair Gold, current Belgium boss Roberto Martinez is not thought to be in the running for the vacant Spurs job despite emerging reports.

Writing to supporters on Twitter, he revealed:

“As plenty of people are asking about Roberto Martinez, as I’ve said before he is someone Spurs like but he’s not believed to be a contender right now for the current vacant managerial post.”

Sky Sports (via The Sun) had claimed that the 47-year-old was in talks with the North London outfit over potentially taking charge after this summer’s European Championships, whilst the former Everton and Wigan man has been linked previously as one of four likely appointments, as per The Athletic.

Great news

This exciting development should come as fantastic news for much of the Lilywhites faithful as Martinez is just not the man for Spurs.

In recent weeks, the fans have been seen protesting against chairman Daniel Levy and their ownership group ENIC following failed proposals to form a breakaway European Super League but truth be told, that was merely the catalyst to make their point heard as they are also disappointed with years of underachievement and failure.

Indeed, Spurs lost yet another final this season, being defeated by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup at Wembley. It means their 13-year wait for silverware rumbles on.

It also means that Levy must get his next appointment spot on, not just to appease the fanbase but to get Spurs back on the right track, and Martinez would only deal them another blow.

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He may be in charge of the world’s best-ranked national side right now but he’s rarely with them, meeting up just a few times a year, so he cannot take much credit for the individual development of those players in recent times, whilst Belgium still haven’t been able to harness all that talent into winning a tournament.

The former Toffees disaster also has an appalling record in the Premier League, where he has won just 30.5% of matches across seven seasons. By comparison, Jose Mourinho was sacked in mid-April with a win rate of 52%.

Everton certainly seemed to regress under the Spaniard, with Jonathan Wilson claiming in Eurosport that it was down to “systemic” problems that he couldn’t fix.

Furthermore, in The Athletic’s report on Martinez, they claim that whilst he would be the ‘safer bet’ from the four options, he is one that is ‘not a universally popular candidate with the fans,’ so this news should certainly come as a major source of encouragement.

In response to Gold’s claims, you get the feeling that this is certainly the case, too.

One member of the Spurs faithful joked that he would call his firstborn ‘Alasdair’ whilst another described it as “beautiful,” with a further supporter deeming the reporter “the people’s champion.”

As evident above, many in North London will surely be absolutely buzzing by this latest update and they should be excited if Spurs’ list boils down to the other candidates, on which Ajax’s Erik Ten Hag and Brighton’s Graham Potter likely feature.

AND in other news, Levy can boost his chances of keeping Harry Kane by hiring 49 y/o who’s the “ideal candidate”…

A pair of Otago attackers, Warren McSkimming and Andrew Hore, have proved to be the difference between the potentially top and almost certainly bottom team going into round seven of the Shell Trophy.Remarkably, all six Canterbury men out today failed to score. McSkimming removed five of them.The delighted all-rounder took a career best 6-39 with his right arm fast medium attacking bowling to dismiss Canterbury for 207 all out this morning. They added just nine runs losing four wickets, three to the Ranfurly-born 21-year-old, at the cost of just one run.He added the wickets of Canterbury’s Gary Stead and Jarrod Englefield before the close to complete a great day for him, but a miserable one for Canterbury.Otago had declared earlier shortly after tea at 255/6, 377 ahead.Hore batted just as his captain, Matt Horne, who got a golden duck, would have liked, smacking 77 in 89 balls, with 15 fours, before being bowled by a big turner from Aaron Redmond.Chris Gaffaney also did the job for Otago, scoring 63 before retiring hurt with a pinched nerve in his hip. He added 135 off 210 balls for the fourth wicket with the dominating Hore to put Otago out of sight.McSkimming, a second season Otago player, looked a class prospect. He leads Otago’s wicket taking charts with 19, and at one stage had 5-2 off 43 balls in the day. He finished with 2-15 off six overs, or, more impressively, 5-16 off 11.5 overall.”Wozza”, is fluent in what coach Dennis Aberhart calls “farmer talk,” and indeed comes from a close farming family. His father has played for Otago ‘B’. McSkimming may be unavailable for Otago’s potentially crucial match against Northern Districts starting on February 17th as he is due to be best man at his brother’s wedding.Now Dunedin based, but from the coldest place in New Zealand, Oturehua near Ranfurly, McSkimming told CricInfo, “I was rapped to get a five for. I wouldn’t say my pace has increased, but I’ve been working on a couple of things in the last couple of games and they’re coming right for me now.””The pitch is pretty flat, but a couple of them have popped and kept low. Tomorrow we’ve just got to bowl them out. We’re going to bowl our guts out.””It’s really dry and Paul (Wiseman’s) a pretty good bowler as you know and it probably will turn into a turner.”He bowls off a long run, with a slight stutter near the end, but has a fast arm action and has got quicker as the season has gone on.Coach Aberhart felt Canterbury batted too negatively yesterday, but believes Otago are in position for a win, although “we’ve got a bit of work to do.”The Auckland team popped by to the 1974 Commonwealth Games QEII Stadium, for a swim and to watch their next opponents, Otago, who they meet at Carisbrook on Tuesday.Former New Zealand captain, Lee Germon, was also in attendance, talking to Otago coach Dennis Aberhart, possibly about next season’s Shell Cup campaign.However, it is the new strike bowler (McSkimming) and ‘new’ leading batsman (Hore) that will be congratulated most warmly by new Otago coach Aberhart, as his team head for the victory tomorrow that will take them to the top of the Shell Trophy table.A pair of Otago attackers, Warren McSkimming and Andrew Hore, have proved to be the difference between the potentially top and almost certainly bottom team going into round seven of the Shell Trophy.Remarkably, all six Canterbury men out today failed to score. McSkimming removed five of them.The delighted all-rounder took a career best 6-39 with his right arm fast medium attacking bowling to dismiss Canterbury for 207 all out this morning. They added just nine runs losing four wickets, three to the Ranfurly-born 21-year-old, at the cost of just one run.He added the wickets of Canterbury’s Gary Stead and Jarrod Englefield before the close to complete a great day for him, but a miserable one for Canterbury.Otago had declared earlier shortly after tea at 255/6, 377 ahead.Hore batted just as his captain, Matt Horne, who got a golden duck, would have liked, smacking 77 in 89 balls, with 15 fours, before being bowled by a big turner from Aaron Redmond.Chris Gaffaney also did the job for Otago, scoring 63 before retiring hurt with a pinched nerve in his hip. He added 135 off 210 balls for the fourth wicket with the dominating Hore to put Otago out of sight.McSkimming, a second season Otago player, looked a class prospect. He leads Otago’s wicket taking charts with 19, and at one stage had 5-2 off 43 balls in the day. He finished with 2-15 off six overs, or, more impressively, 5-16 off 11.5 overall.”Wozza”, is fluent in what coach Dennis Aberhart calls “farmer talk,” and indeed comes from a close farming family. His father has played for Otago ‘B’. McSkimming may be unavailable for Otago’s potentially crucial match against Northern Districts starting on February 17th as he is due to be best man at his brother’s wedding.Now Dunedin based, but from the coldest place in New Zealand, Oturehua near Ranfurly, McSkimming told CricInfo, “I was wrapped to get a five for. I wouldn’t say my pace has increased, but I’ve been working on a couple of things in the last couple of games and they’re coming right for me now.””The pitch is pretty flat, but a couple of them have popped and kept low. Tomorrow we’ve just got to bowl them out. We’re going to bowl our guts out.””It’s really dry and Paul (Wiseman’s) a pretty good bowler as you know and it probably will turn into a turner.”He bowls off a long run, with a slight stutter near the end, but has a fast arm action and has got quicker as the season has gone on.Coach Aberhart felt Canterbury batted too negatively yesterday, but believes Otago are in position for a win, although “we’ve got a bit of work to do.”The Auckland team popped by to the 1974 Commonwealth Games QEII Stadium, for a swim and to watch their next opponents, Otago, who they meet at Carisbrook on Tuesday.Former New Zealand captain, Lee Germon, was also in attendance, talking to Otago coach Dennis Aberhart, possibly about next season’s Shell Cup campaign.However, it is the new strike bowler (McSkimming) and ‘new’ leading batsman (Hore) that will be congratulated most warmly by new Otago coach Aberhart, as his team head for the victory tomorrow that will take them to the top of the Shell Trophy table.

Loads of Everton fans have been left to rage as a transfer update emerged on Moise Kean.

As per L’Equipe (via Sport Witness), the Italy international has been house-hunting in Paris, hoping that he can stay at PSG on a permanent deal from Goodison Park.

Talks are reportedly ongoing between the two parties, but Kean’s valuation is quoted to be €25-€30m (£21.6-26m), which seems very low considering the season that he has had, in which he scored no fewer than 17 goals in 41 games in total over all competitions in the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt).

Considering that he is still just 21 years of age, and that he is currently valued at £31.5m by Transfermarkt, the Merseyside club would surely be wanting to get a lot more money if they decided to sell him, or hold on until more is offered perhaps from a rival bidder.

Everton fans on Kean transfer update

These Toffees supporters raged as the transfer update was shared on Twitter:

“They having a laugh?! thinking we should sell for that much! That’s actually a loss…. we paid more to get him, his contract has 4 years left And he’s their second top scorer, still young, a high prospect and inform. They’re PSG, not like they don’t have the funds”

Credit: @PeteClappo

“After the season he has had?!?! No chance.”

Credit: @Toffee84Tim

“PSG want to reduce the fee for M Kean but willing to pay millions a month on wages for some of their players… Jog on”

Credit: @Tw1ttr1

“No way we got to at least make a profit from him”

Credit: @efccarlo

“Pffffft”

Credit: @hehitthepost

“Erm what”

Credit: @bluetom_tom

In other news, find out what transfer update has left Blues fuming here!

أكد محمد صلاح لاعب نادي ليفربول الإنجليزي أن نتائج جائزة الكرة الذهبية صدمته بسبب حلوله في المركز السابع بين أفضل لاعبي العالم 2021.

وحصل الأرجنتيني ليونيل ميسي على جائزة الكرة الذهبية خلال عام 2021.

وقال محمد صلاح أثناء استضافته ببرنامج “صاحبة السعادة” المذاع على قناة “دي إم سي”: “أنا وزوجتي كنا في الحفل وهي لم تظهر معي كثيرًا، وكان مهمًا بالنسبة لها أن تأخذ الجائزة، وهي كانت متوترة بعض الشيء لكني رأيت أنه من الجيد أن تأخذ هي القدم الذهبية”.

طالع أيضًا.. محمد صلاح: طورت نفسي بالمحترفين المصريين.. ولو مت سأكون حققت ما أرغب فيه

وأضاف: “نتائج الكرة الذهبية صدمتني، لا يوجد الكثير لكي أقوله، صُدمت فيها لأنه لم يكن أحد في العالم كله كان يتوقع أن أحصل على المركز السابع”.

وواصل محمد صلاح: “لا أؤمن بنظرية المؤامرة لكن هناك دول كثيرة بعيدة عن الكرة تشارك في الاختيار ولا أعرف ما هي معايير اختيار الكرة الذهبية”.

واستأنف: “ليس لدي شيء أقوله ليدل أن هناك شيئًا خطأ وصُدمت في النتيجة ولكن حقيقي لا أعلم”.

وتطرق للحديث عن عدم تواجده في تشكيل فيفا المثالي: “لا أعلم كيف تحدث الاختيارات، ولم أكن سعيدًا بسبب ذلك ولكن ماذا سأفعل؟ والأهم بالنسبة لي أن الناس ترى أني أستحق التواجد”.

Noel Whelan is worried after news emerged that Glasgow Rangers have been offered the chance to join a British Super League, with the Gers possibly hosting massive matches at Ibrox on a regular basis if it goes ahead.

Whelan worried by Rangers claim

The last week has been dominated by the failed European Super League. In the aftermath of that fiasco, it has been reported by The Sun that the Gers and Celtic will be offered the chance to join another huge shake-up in the form of a British Super League.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan has expressed his concern at this update. He said:

“They have to be really careful here because Rangers and Celtic bring in a lot of money for the other clubs in Scotland.

“If they leave to join a British Super League, they are doing the same thing to Scottish football that the ‘big six’ tried to do to English football.

“You have to integrate every team, it would have to be all teams in Scotland and become a fully British league. That way everybody can benefit.

“If Rangers and Celtic bailout that does not make them any better than Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester United. They have got to be very careful.”

Not anytime soon

The idea of Rangers joining a league with the top clubs in England has been discussed for years. Given the dominance of the Old Firm in Scotland, some can argue the lack of competition is not good for either side, or indeed any team north of the border, and both clubs would be better off competing against teams more on their level.

As we have seen over the last few days, though, football is not just about money and greed. Rangers fans are proud of their heritage and, while there will be some who would be interested in such a proposal, many will most likely want to stay true to their roots. Whelan was also correct in suggesting the Old Firm’s departure would be bad news for Scottish football – many sides rely on the two Glasgow sides to help bring money into the game and even depend heavily on their fixtures with the big guns for gate money.

In other news, Rangers fans love this Morelos update.