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Leeds United are interested in a deal to bring Brennan Johnson to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Daily Mail, who claim that Leeds have now joined Brentford and Newcastle United in the race for the signing of the Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder, who is yet to agree a new deal at The City Ground – with his current contract set to expire next summer.

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The report goes on to state that, while Victor Orta is plotting a £20m offer for the 20-year-old, this move is on the basis that the Whites remain a Premier League side next season, as well as Forest failing to secure promotion to the top flight.

He’s better than Aaronson

Considering the fact that Leeds have also been linked with a move for Red Bull Salzburg’s Brenden Aaronson this summer, it is clear that Orta and Jesse Marsch are targeting the signing of a new attacking midfielder ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

And, while it is undeniable that the USA international is a fantastic young talent – having scored four goals, provided four assists and averaged a SofaScore match rating of 6.90 over his 22 Austrian Bundesliga appearances this season – there is an argument to be made that Johnson could well be the smarter choice for Leeds.

Firstly, the 20-year-old has experience in the English game, proving himself to be one of the most exciting young prospects the Championship currently has to offer.

Indeed, over his 43 second-tier outings this season, the £900k-rated talent has been one of Steve Cooper’s standout performers, scoring 15 goals, registering ten assists and creating 14 big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.9 shots, making 1.3 key passes and completing 1.2 dribbles per game.

These returns have seen the £2.5k-per-week sensation who Sabri Lamouchi dubbed an “unbelievable” player average an incredibly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.11, ranking him as the Reds’ fourth-best outfielder in the league – playing a key role in his side’s late push for an automatic promotion spot.

Secondly, with Salzburg having already rejected a £20m bid for Aaronson in January, as well as the likes of AC Milan and RB Leipzig reportedly interested in the 21-year-old, it would appear likely that the Austrian side will demand a great deal more than Johnson’s own £20m price tag this summer.

As such, while Aaronson would certainly be a fantastic coup for Orta and the Whites, the signing of Johnson may well prove a better deal for Leeds to pursue – as the Wales international would not only be a cheaper option for the Spanish sporting director, considering their respective returns this season, he could also a have a brighter future than the Salzburg starlet.

AND in other news: Deal close: Agreement now in place for £63m talent, Leeds supporters will be gutted

Derby County are among a number of Championship clubs considering a summer move for Manchester City centre-forward Liam Delap according to reports…

What’s been said?

That’s according to TEAMtalk, who claimed that Wayne Rooney’s side have joined the likes of Cardiff City, Middlesbrough and Stoke City, as well as Premier League strugglers West Bromwich Albion, in monitoring the situation of the 18-year-old striker ahead of a potential loan bid.

However, it is also reported that Manchester City are unsure as to whether they would be willing to let the promising forward leave the club, with Pep Guardiola recently confirming that Delap will be joining his first team squad as of next season.

Instant upgrade

Derby fans will not need it explaining that the attacking department is an area in need of much improvement in the summer transfer window as, so far this season, only Colin Kazim-Richards has scored more than three league goals for the club, with the 34-year-old bagging on eight occasions.

The other two centre-forwards in Rooney’s squad, Lee Gregory and Martyn Waghorn, each have three Championship goals to their name this season, and with the former only at Pride Park on a loan deal from Stoke, Waghorn is the prime candidate for Delap to replace at Derby.

So far this season, the Manchester City youngster has been in spectacular form for the club’s under-23 side, scoring 20 goals and registering four assists over his 18 appearances in the Premier League 2. That is in addition to three goals and one assist over three EFL Trophy fixtures, plus two goals in two games in the FA Youth Cup.

Admittedly, the Championship is a different kettle of fish from under-23 football, but judging from his returns at youth level, it is clear that Delap is ready to make the step to the next level – with football talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbing the youngster a “fantastic” talent.

Considering that the 18-year-old earns a modest £5,000-per-week in comparison to Waghorn’s £7,900 weekly wage, should Rooney be able to shift the 31-year-old this summer while also bringing in Delap, Derby would actually be saving themselves almost £3,000 a week by replacing the former Ipswich Town striker with the teenager.

On a truly historic night for Manchester City football club, Pep Guardiola’s side ended their Champions League hoodoo by reaching their first ever final with a 2-0 win over PSG.

The Citizens came into the game at the Etihad off the back of a superb victory in the first leg back in Paris, and simply continued where they left off on Tuesday night.

A brace from Riyad Mahrez saw City clinch victory in both the game and the tie, but it was Oleksandr Zinchenko’s superb performance at left-back that also caught the eye.

As per Sofascore, the Ukraine international won 100% of his duels on the night, making coming up against the likes of Neymar and Angel Di Maria look supremely easy.

He was aggressive in the challenge and didn’t shirk away from the 50/50s, while he also kept his head composed when City needed it the most – a moment in the second-half saw him stay on his feet and not commit before throwing himself in front of Neymar’s goal-bound effort inside the box.

Zinchenko made four tackles over the course of the game, which was the third-most of any City player, while his coolness in possession was reflected by the fact that he made the most passes and boasted the best accuracy of any Citizen.

And, in his post-match player ratings for The Evening Standard, James Robson gave him a seven, saying: “Thought he had conceded a penalty – then breaks away to set up City’s opener. Defended diligently and his bursts forward scared PSG.”

In a game chock-full of big-money talents and signings on both sides, Zinchenko more than held his own, and did himself proud.

Given the trials and tribulations he has had to go through in getting to this exact point, City fans no doubt will be over the moon at seeing the £18m-rated Zinchenko shine on the biggest stage in European football.

Tottenham have held talks with Valencia over a loan move for Bryan Gil, AS report.

The Lowdown: Gil’s struggles

Gil was brought to the club during Nuno Espirito Santo’s time in charge but has struggled to make an impact in north London.

The 20-year-old is yet to start in the Premier League and has had to make do with appearances in various cup competitions. The left-winger is still awaiting his first goal as a Spurs player and has registered just one assist in 20 games.

It now seems as if he could depart on loan in the final days of the January transfer window in what could be a busy end of the month.

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The Latest: Spurs demands

According to AS, Spurs want a £1.5m loan fee for Gil, with Valencia reluctant to pay that.

Tottenham also want them to pay a percentage of Gil’s salary, with Conte now giving the green light for the Spaniard to depart.

Valencia have maintained contact in recent days and have held talks, however, it seems as if a possible loan fee without an option to buy could be a stumbling block.

The Verdict: Correct call?

It hasn’t worked out for Gil in his first season at the club, so allowing him to gain regular first-team football ahead of the 2022/23 season could be a shrewd call in the long run.

The club signed the young playmaker for a reason, so they are absolutely correct to be seeking a mere temporary exit with no additional buy option.

That said, Fabio Paratici could do with bringing an attacking player in before signing off on a loan for Gil.

Moves for Adama Traore and Luis Diaz seem to have collapsed, so an exit for Gil may be one that has to wait until the final hours on Monday to go through, providing there is an attacking arrival before that – perhaps a certain Dejan Kulusevski?.

In other news: ‘Agreement reached’ – Spurs breakthrough as player Conte and Paratici love now ‘happy’ to sign.  

Some Wolves fans have been left to rage as a transfer update emerged on Rui Patricio.

As per Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Jorge Mendes is ‘working’ on a deal to bring the Portugal international to AS Roma, with general director Tiago Pinto teaming up with him to get it done.

Patricio would be available for a ‘reasonable’ fee, one that would be ‘lower’ than others demanded by other teams for their respective goalkeepers.

The 33-year-old only missed one game in the Premier League in the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt), and so it would be silly to let such a key player go without a suitable replacement lined up.

Nonetheless, Patricio’s experience is vital both off of the pitch as well as on it, especially for the younger players coming through like Fabio Silva.

The Midlands club should really be looking to keep hold of their number one just for some stability, with question marks over the futures of their other key players given that they let the likes of Diogo Jota and Matt Doherty go in last summer’s window.

Wolves fans on Patricio transfer update

These members of the Molineux faithful raged as the transfer update was shared on Twitter:

“See a lot of our fans dismiss Rui as a keeper, personally think he’s solid and not even a position I’ve considered we needed to upgrade currently”

Credit: @Jandersonn94

“Not one we should be selling we aren’t going to get more for him than what we originally paid because of his age!”

Credit: @ACrowe87

“Please no”

Credit: @Vyoe_

“Pls no”

Credit: @eve_elizabethxx

“Hope Wolves learn buy first sell after. Still can say no. Got at least another year while we get goalkeeping experience under him. We do develop good goalkeepers”

Credit: @Darkowl1rush

“Sorry but our only goalkeeper going for peanuts to be replaced by who exactly for less money?”

Credit: @jaylittle84

In other news, find out what manager update has left Wanderers fuming here!

Many Crystal Palace fans have reacted warmly on Twitter to the club’s announcement that Eberechi Eze has won the Eagles’ goal of the season prize for his outstanding solo effort against Sheffield United in January.

Enjoying an outstanding first season in south London, the 23-year-old notched 10 goal contributions in 36 outings for the Selhurst Park outfit, with four goals and six assists [Transfermarkt].

Eze has impressed fans and pundits alike up and down the country due to his hard work, flair and trickery.

In keeping with these principles, his goal against the Blades illustrated all of these qualities. Embarking on a 60-yard jinking run unchallenged, he then proceeded to curl a wonderful 20-yard effort into the bottom corner. [YouTube]

As you can imagine, loads of Crystal Palace fans took to Twitter to rejoice at footage of his “cool” strike in the 2-0 win over the Yorkshire visitors.

Crystal Palace fans react:

Replying to the club’s official Twitter account, here is what some Eagles fans had to say regarding Eze’s goal:

“Ebs about to be even better under Favre”

Credit: @DrizzyCPFC”tell him I love him”Credit: @EBERZEE”Why did this not get any recognition by the pundits?Credit: @Dave_Winbod”not bad”Credit: @FPLWILSON”Cool as you like, well done Ebz”Credit: @AJThoma64729546″Eze & Zaha could seriously do damage under the right manager…”Credit: @csmwilloughbyIn other news, these Crystal Palace fans reacted to a recent managerial update.

Liverpool are reportedly weighing up a move for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, according to ExWHUemployee. 

The lowdown: Rice’s future left in limbo after significant update

Rice’s future with West Ham United remains somewhat ‘up in the air’ heading into the new Premier League season, whilst under the management of David Moyes.

The 22-year-old still has three years remaining on his contract with the Hammers, with Salary Sport reporting that he’s on wages of £62,000 per-week.

Chelsea are believed to have been long-term admirers of Rice, with The Telegraph’s Matt Law previously claiming that the England international has turned down two contract offers from West Ham.

The latest: Liverpool enter the race to strike an agreement with Rice

Liverpool are the latest club to be credited with interest in striking a deal to sign Rice, with exWHUemployee reporting that Jurgen Klopp’s side are keen on reaching an agreement with the midfielder.

The Reds finished third in the Premier League last season, and are seemingly keen to fill the void left by Georginio Wijnaldum, with the Dutch midfielder leaving the club earlier this summer in favour of a move to French giants PSG when his contract reached a conclusion at Anfield.

The verdict: A nervy wait ahead for West Ham

Hailed by England teammate and former Red Raheem Sterling as an ‘animal’ after the recent win over Germany, Rice is quite simply too good for the Irons to sell.

He has been a key member of the West Ham squad for a number of seasons now, fast becoming one of the first names on David Moyes’ team-sheet when available for selection, starting 32 of 38 top flight matches this season.

He’s gained a considerable amount of praise whilst on international duty for England in the European Championships, and that’ll only heighten interest in his services this summer – Rio Ferdinand called him ‘tremendous’ following Sterling’s comments.

With Rice reportedly turning down two contract offers from West Ham prior to Liverpool’s interest in landing his signature, West Ham will face a nervy few months ahead.

A number of Manchester City fans have reacted negatively to reports linking Declan Rice with a move to the Etihad Stadium.

The Athletic’s West Ham correspondent Roshane Thomas wrote in a mailbag for the website on Friday that there is “every chance” of the Premier League champions making a transfer offer in 2022 for the England midfielder, who was reportedly a target for the Cityzens this year as well. Man City fan feed @City_Chief later shared the update via Twitter.

A core presence in the Three Lions’ run to the Euro 2020 final in the summer, Rice has also drawn admiring glances from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, with some reports claiming that West Ham had placed a £100m price tag on him to ward off prospective suitors. Incidentally, that was the same amount which City paid to Aston Villa for his England team-mate Jack Grealish in August.

Despite his tender age, he has already captained David Moyes’ side on numerous occasions and exceeded 150 first team appearances. City reportedly want him as Fernandinho’s long-term successor at the Etihad, with Rice and Rodri potentially playing together or even vying for just one place in Pep Guardiola’s midfield.

Man City fans don’t want Rice

These City fans on Twitter weren’t overly keen on the idea of the club making a big-money move for the “overpriced” West Ham midfielder, with some stating their preference to see City academy starlet Romeo Lavia promoted to the senior squad instead and others believing Rice to be surplus to requirements given the presence of Rodri at the Etihad.

“Behave”

Credit: @pinner_stewart

“He’s so bad. Along with Southgate, Kane and Mount, one of the major reasons we didn’t win the Euros. Just promote Lavia”

Credit: @EthanGaffiney

“Oh my word, another English player. Gonna get overpriced”

Credit: @BuhleQavile

“One of the most overrated players I’ve ever seen. Rodri is 10x the player Rice is. This fella can’t make a progressive pass to save his life and is slower than a snail facing counters. Just promote Lavia or even get Kalvin Phillips who defo is better than Rice”

Credit: @JamesMcSilva

“Please no. We already employ Rodri who is 10x the player Rice is”

Credit: @mxnciteh

“Why? Good player but he won’t be the worth the stupid money we would have to pay + Rodri is better.”

Credit: @King_Kevin100

In other news: This development prior to the Club Brugge game had lots of Man City fans excited

Liverpool’s recruitment team are admirers of rumoured Reds transfer target Jarrod Bowen, according to journalist Paul Gorst.

The Lowdown: Bowen linked with Liverpool move

The 24-year-old enjoyed an impressive 2020/21 season for West Ham, scoring eight goals and registering five assists in the Premier League.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Bowen this summer, in what is a rumour that hasn’t been met with universal happiness by some Reds supporters.

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The Latest: Journalist provides update

Now, Liverpool Echo journalist Gorst has given a fresh update on the situation during a Q&A on Friday, admitting Bowen is admired by the Reds’ recruitment team:

“He was an ever present in a West Ham side that finished an impressive 6th last season. He might not be flashy or ‘a name’ but if Liverpool’s recruitment team like him, they have earned the right to be trusted haven’t they? “I think he is the right sort of profile for what the club want, age-wise, status within the game, someone who might be ready to take that next big step. A bit like Jota, yes.”

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The Verdict: Is he good enough?

There are question marks over whether or not Bowen is of the required standard for Liverpool, at a time when Jurgen Klopp’s men are aiming to win the Premier League title back from Manchester City.

The Englishman has only played top-flight football for one-and-a-half seasons, so there is an argument to say that a higher calibre of wide man is needed.

That being said, someone like Andy Robertson came in as a relatively low-profile name in 2017 and has gone to become a world-class left-back, so the recruitment team may need to be trusted.

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been lauding one moment that happened in the friendly with Hertha Berlin. Read more here.

Manchester United may have pulled off their best transfer window in recent memory, but the future of one of their star players remains up in the air.

What’s the story?

The arrivals of Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo will hopefully propel the Red Devils’ first-team squad to new heights this summer, yet World Cup-winning midfielder Paul Pogba is still to commit his future to the club.

After entering the final year of his current contract, the 28-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain, although Lionel Messi’s shock arrival at the Parc des Princes priced him out of that particular deal.

However, according to well-known journalist Samuel Luckhurst, the Red Devils are reportedly hopeful that the arrival of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo will be enough to convince Pogba to sign a new contract at the club.

“The feeling at hierarchical level at United is the return of Ronaldo is such a compelling statement of intent that it may persuade Pogba to stay,” his report read.

Fans could be buzzing

After re-joining his boyhood club in a then world-record £89 million deal back in 2016, Pogba has only won the League Cup and Europa League and has failed to add to those accolades over the last four seasons.

As a result, Pogba is not believed to have shown any concrete interest in putting pen to paper on fresh terms at United due to fears he could waste the remaining prime years of his career with the Old Trafford outfit.

Nevertheless, the recent improvements made under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer both on and off the pitch have brought renewed hope that the 20-time English champions could return to their former glory in the imminent future.

When asked about Ronaldo’s return to United, Pogba said: “Everybody knows [what he brings]. He’s already a legend at this club and he is coming back.

“Obviously, it’s good for us, he’s going to bring his experience and quality. When he comes, the level goes up. We’re really pleased he’s coming and the most important thing today was the win so that when he comes we keep this winning mentality and keep going.”

Only time will tell if Ronaldo’s presence is enough to convince Pogba to sign a new deal, but the United supporters could be left buzzing with excitement at this new wave of hope.

And, in other news…Man Utd make contact over £27m-rated “complete midfielder”, Ole would love him