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West Ham are reportedly interested in signing Manchester City centre-back Nathan Ake in order to make up for the loss of Angelo Ogbonna.

The Lowdown: Ake struggling for playing time

The £100,000-a-week Dutchman joined City in 2020 but he has found regular football hard to come by, with the likes of Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte and John Stones keeping him out of the team.

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Ake has only managed four starts in the Premier League so far this season, as well as just one in the Champions League, and he may want a fresh challenge soon. The 1.8m-tall (6 foot) defender was limited to just nine top-flight starts at the Etihad Stadium last term, too.

The 26-year-old has 23 caps to his name for the Netherlands and may want to be a key figure at club level ahead of the 2022 World Cup.

The Latest: West Ham keen on move

According to 90min, West Ham have identified Ake as a transfer target in January, seeing him as someone who can fill the void left by Ogbonna, who is out injured for the rest of the season.

It is stated that a loan move is on the offing, with a potential to sign him permanently at the end of the season.

The Verdict: Strong Ogbonna alternative

Ake may not have cut the mustard consistently for City, but he is still a hugely competent centre-back who Premier League-winning manager Pep Guardiola claimed is a ‘joy’ to have in his squad.

At 26, the former Chelsea defender is also approaching his prime years and he could not only make up for the loss of Ogbonna in the short run, he may even represent a long-term replacement for the 32-year-old Italian.

Ake has averaged three interceptions per game in the Champions League this season, showing he can excel at the highest level – Declan Rice (1.9) is West Ham’s top performer in the Premier League in that regard, so the Dutchman may add something new to the Irons’ line-up if he makes the move.

In other news, West Ham have been linked with an audacious swoop for one player. Find out who it is here.

After just over six months in charge, Rafael Benitez’s reign in charge of Everton came to an end shortly after their disappointing 2-1 defeat against Norwich City last weekend.

In the meantime, while the club looks for a new permanent manager, Duncan Ferguson has been given the role of caretaker boss to try and get Everton’s season back on track in the same way that he did when the club got rid of Marco Silva in December 2019 before Carlo Ancelotti came in.

One name who has been mentioned with the Everton job and who could be a good fit for the Toffees is former Derby County and Chelsea manager Frank Lampard.

In his first senior managerial job, he took charge of 57 games with the Rams, with 26 wins, 15 draws and 16 defeats along the way, taking them to the Championship play-off final in May 2019 at Wembley against Aston Villa.

In his second managerial role, the 43-year-old won 44 of his 84 games in charge at the club where he spent the majority of his playing career.

Labelled a “winner” by Noel Whelan, Lampard finished in the top four with Chelsea in his one full season in charge at Stamford Bridge despite having to deal with a transfer embargo, which could make him a suitable and potentially successful option for Everton given their Financial Fair Play issues of late.

In terms of a potential move to Everton, while he hasn’t lifted any trophies as a manager, Lampard still has sufficient experience to put him in the running to get back into the Premier League and continue his managerial career with the Toffees.

Given his massive knowledge of the league and his legendary status as a player, he could be a big hit at Goodison Park and bring some positive vibes back around the place after the constant fan protests against Benitez during the 61-year-old’s tenure, especially with 65% of voters from a recent Football FanCast poll suggesting that Lampard would be a good appointment for Everton.

Also, with the 43-year-old not currently in work, it could be a swift appointment for Farhad Moshiri to make so that the club can put this transitional period behind them and focus on ending the season on a high with renewed optimism for the future.

In other news: Everton must avoid another managerial disaster with “arrogant” 58 y/o, he’d be Rafa 2.0

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has slammed the emergence of the European Super League.

Hasenhuttl slams European Super League

The football world was rocked on Sunday as 12 clubs from around the continent revealed their intentions to start up a breakaway division called the European Super League.

Speaking after Southampton’s exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Leicester City at Wembley on Sunday evening, Hasenhuttl lamented the plans. He said (via Daily Echo):

“It does absolutely worry me. But I must say that the message from the Premier League was a very clear one and I 100 per cent agree with what they say about this. 

“This is for me absolutely unacceptable what is going on behind the scenes and I think nobody wants it. Not even the fans of the clubs who want to go there want it, so hopefully we will find the right steps to not let it happen.”

Disgrace

It is hard to find the words to describe the terrible betrayal of these 12 football clubs. This act shows a pure disdain for the fans they represent and the competitions in which they have happily competed up until this point.

As Jonathan Liew of The Guardian wrote upon the announcement of the news, the people behind these plans must truly hate the sport we call The Beautiful Game. The reasons behind it are clear – each club will receive £310m to partake in the competition (The Times) – and it is just another example of greed in football.

Even if these plans fail, it will be hard for supporters to forgive the clubs they have followed all of their lives. Unfortunately, a little bit of football died on Sunday night – Hasenhuttl is 100% right to share his anger and disappointment.

In other news, many Southampton fans slated this man’s performance against Leicester.

Adam Jones has now shared some Everton injury news involving Ben Godfrey before they play Chelsea at home in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

The Lowdown: Injury pile-on

The 24-year-old was forced to withdraw from the starting line-up in the Toffees’ 2-0 defeat at Liverpool after picking up an injury in the warm-up, meaning that Michael Keane had to step in.

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He now joins the long list of players on the sidelines at Finch Farm, which includes the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Andros Townsend and Donny van de Beek, while Richarlison may have also picked up a slight knock against the Reds.

The Latest: Godfrey update

Taking to Twitter, Liverpool Echo journalist Jones has now shared an update from Frank Lampard on Godfrey’s situation, claiming that it was ‘bad luck’ that the defender was forced off with a muscle injury.

However, the Everton manager hopes that it is a ‘minor’ issue, saying: “Bad luck, muscle injury. What I have to say is I think Michael Keane comes in 20 minutes before a game against Liverpool, it’s a real compliment to him. We hope it’s minor [for Godfrey].”

The Verdict: Big blow

It is certainly a big blow if Godfrey is to be ruled out for the majority of the season’s run-in. A muscle injury can take weeks to fully heal, while the Toffees only have six matches remaining in the 2021/22 top-flight campaign.

The defender currently ranks highly among his team-mates in terms of tackles, clearances and blocks per match in the Premier League (WhoScored), which suggests that Everton will no doubt need him if they are to have the best possible chance of staying up.

In other news, these were Everton’s three worst performers against Liverpool

West Bromwich Albion fans are delighted after the club announced Chris Brunt will be returning to the club to work with the club’s academy.

Brunt spent 13 years with the Baggies between 2007 and 2020. During that time, he made 421 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 49 goals and providing 89 assists in all competitions (Transfermarkt). He is a club legend, of that there is no doubt.

Now, he will be returning to the Midlands after a short spell at Sheffield Wednesday. Not in a playing role, though – he will now be a coach in the outfit’s academy. The club shared the news on their official Twitter account, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters.

They were absolutely delighted with the news, and they took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the return of Brunt below

“Shining light on a dismal season, welcome home Chris”

Credit: @JoshhhWBA

“Best news I’ve heard all year. Welcome back Captain x”

Credit: @1_dawson

“That’s wonderful news, this man has so much more to give to football, as he’s back home to help our youngsters , welcome home Chris”

Credit: @baggyboy1878

“Welcome back home, Brunty! This is such great news”

Credit: @Yo_Commander

“Bruntys coming home!!! Best news in ages. Good luck with the coaching career Brunty.”

Credit: @BaggieBirdd66

“I’m off to get the beer in after this banging news!”

Credit: @JamesWyer9

In other news, West Brom fans slam this man against Newcastle United.

West Ham United continue to be linked to Aaron Ramsey this summer…

What’s the word?

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, the Irons are among the front-runners to land the 64-cap Welsh international as his time at Juventus seems to be coming to an end.

They are facing competition from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace but a lot will have to be done to get him out of his reported €7m-per-year (£6m) contract at the Allianz Stadium.

It’s thought that West Ham have already tested the waters with an approach, so it now lies in the hands of David Moyes and the club’s hierarchy.

Biggest name since Payet

You get the feeling that this sort of signing would split opinion at the London Stadium.

On the one hand, it’s hard to make a case for a fairly injury-prone 30-year-old who is entering the twilight of his career but adding Ramsey would give the Hammers a player with vast experience of playing in Europe as they embark on a Europa League campaign.

Just this week, the former Arsenal man proved he still had that goalscoring touch from midfield, when latching onto a sublime ball from Gareth Bale to put Wales up against Turkey at Euro 2020.

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It was in North London that Ramsey quickly emerged as one of the Premier League’s best advanced playmakers, earning comparisons to the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

He bagged 65 goals and provided another 65 assists in over 370 matches, in which he recorded a career-best of 13 goals and ten assists during the 2013/14 campaign, via Transfermarkt.

His 76 appearances across both European competitions could provide Moyes with something he’s lacking in abundance, too.

This is the sort of presence that the Irons once had in midfield when Dimitri Payet was at the club and Ramsey is, in our opinion, a much bigger name now than Payet was when he first arrived at the club in 2015.

West Ham have signed a lot of players in the last few seasons but none of those were, in the view of FFC, as high profile a player as Ramsey is now.

Once dubbed “complete” by ex-Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, and a “real leader” and “an outstanding technician” by BT Sport pundit Martin Keown, the Hammers must consider landing the Welsh international this summer.

Him playing alongside the likes of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek would be a mouthwatering prospect in the Europa League.

AND in other news, Forget Kral: GSB must sanction West Ham bargain in £8.5m workhorse who “upset” Ronaldo…

As relayed by reliable journalist James Pearce, Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have confirmed the £543 million sale of 10% stake in their company to RedBird Capital Partners – prompting many Reds supporters to drop their wide array of verdicts on social media.

The multi-million pound investment deal, as explained by the Athletic, now values FSG at around $7.35 billion (£5.32 billion) – coming as a potentially big financial boost for Liverpool amid the coronavirus pandemic.

American basketball superstar LeBron James, who has long held a stake in the Merseyside giants, will also a gain a stake in the Boston Red Sox as a result of these negotiations.

In terms of what it means for the Reds and manager Jurgen Klopp, the agreement will allow FSG to navigate these unprecedented financial circumstances brought upon by the pandemic (The Athletic).

As well as reducing club debts accumulated over these last 12 months, it authorises Liverpool to continue their careful and calculated transfer strategy despite huge losses since the pandemic began.

Given these benefits, it’s little wonder some Reds fans sees this as ‘good news’, but other supporters are also disappointed it won’t be the huge transfer kitty injection they’d hoped for.

Find all of their social media verdicts down below.

Liverpool fans react to FSG development.

“Good news”

Credit: @nochdawe

“Hold me James”

Credit: @WeHaveKlopp

“Wow FSG not spending who would’ve thunk it”

Credit: @ChrisHPE

“SIIIUUUUU”

Credit: @LFC_Ox

“Just means Liverpool are a massive, massive club.”

Credit: @wesrowe123

“This good James it is very good.”

Credit: @MrCharlieGill

“That can only be good news if it happens”

Credit: @tomehoban

“Announce Mbappe”

Credit: @davidc98

In other news: Liverpool fans blast this transfer rumour, find out more here.

Celtic are leading the chase for Cardiff City defender Ciaron Brown, according to TEAMtalk.

The Lowdown: Brown’s versatility

Brown spent half of the current campaign on loan at Livingston this season and actually scored and provided an assist in a 2-2 draw against the Hoops back in January.

The Northern Ireland international, predominantly a centre-back, also played as a left-back and a left midfielder this season, and his displays seemingly haven’t gone unnoticed.

The Latest: Hoops not the only club interested

TEAMtalk lead with a title that Celtic are leading the chase for the Cardiff man, however, clubs in Germany and Belgium are also keen on the 23-year-old.

The report adds that Brown is out of contract in south Wales this summer, but the Bluebirds do have an option which they are set to activate which could prevent the defender from becoming a free agent over the coming months.

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The Verdict: A shrewd addition?

The specific clause could prove to be a problem for the Hoops and new CEO Dominic McKay, although, should a deal become available for a reasonable price, we think Brown could be a smart signing ahead of the 2021/22 season.

You’d expect the new Celtic manager to make a number of signings over the coming months, but it seems unlikely each addition will be a high-profile name for big money.

Bringing in someone like Brown, who can play in three different positions, could be a shrewd piece of business in the long run, and at 23 years of age, still has time to improve.

In other news: Journalist claims Celtic have completed a deal as seven-word message emerges, find out more here. 

Daniel James was signed as a 21-year old from Swansea City in 2019 but he has seen first-team opportunities severely limited this season and former Man United midfielder, Keith Gillespie, has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern, that the winger must step up his game.

James enjoyed a run of four starts in six games in February and March, but since the emergence of Amad Diallo and Mason Greenwood’s upturn in form, the Wales international has made one appearance since April 4th.

There were reports back in January that the winger was set to leave Old Trafford but with no form of deal materialising, he remains on the outskirts of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s regular starting lineup.

Speaking on how James has a big summer ahead of him as he has failed to perform on a consistent basis for Man United, Gillespie spoke exclusively to The Transfer Tavern:

“He’s nowhere near the starting XI at the minute so he needs to really step up because he’s been very disappointing for me.

“I liked him when he first arrived but he doesn’t perform often enough so he’s got a big summer coming up.”

Back in 2019, James expected to be signing for Leeds United but after Swansea did not trust Leeds to pay the full amount for James, the Welsh club pulled the plug on a potential deal and the winger ended up signing for Man United the following summer.

The £45,000 per week attacked has failed to nail down a regular spot at Old Trafford as he has been handed just 14 appearances in the Premier League this season with 10 of them being starts.

Former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that he doesn’t think Tottenham’s Harry Winks is a Marcelo Bielsa type of player.

According to The Athletic’s Leeds reporter Phil Hay, the Yorkshire giants were offered the opportunity to sign the 25-year-old but turned down the chance to bring him to Elland Road on a loan deal.

Despite coming through the ranks in north London, Winks seemingly has little future under Nuno Espirito Santo if the early weeks of the 2021/22 season are anything to go buy, with him having played just one minute in Spurs’ opening three Premier League matches, including being an unused substitute in the 1-0 win against Watford on Sunday.

He did start the recent Conference League victory over Pacos de Ferreira, but the midfielder’s chances of playing regularly are likely to rely on those ahead of him getting injured or being suspended.

And whilst Leeds are lacking depth in Kalvin Phillips’ position, Palmer doesn’t reckon the £18m-rated Englishman’s attributes would see him fit in at Leeds.

He exclusively told TT:

“I don’t think he’s a Bielsa type player. He likes to play an expansive game from back to front and I don’t think Winks would fit into that style of play. He’s not all over the pitch, nor is he a high-energy player.”