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Southampton have reportedly been scouting Bristol City midfielder Han-Noah Massengo recently and if he were to join The Saints, it could prove to be similar to the deal that saw Morgan Schneiderlin sign for the South Coast club in 2008.

According to the Bristol Post, Southampton scouts have been in attendance at Ashton Gate for recent Bristol City fixtures, and one player who they are said to be looking at is 19-year-old Massengo.

The Robins splashed the cash to bring the teenager to the club from AS Monaco in 2019 and he has since gone on to make 51 appearances for the Championship side.

Like Schneiderlin, Massengo established himself as a regular in Ligue 1 from a young age, before moving to a lower-league English side, with the defensive-midfielder enduring a relegation in his first season with Southampton, before helping the South Coast club to back-to-back promotions.

He would go on to make 257 appearances for the Saints, in which he contributed 15 goals and 11 assists, before completing a £25 million move to Manchester United in 2015, where he would spend just a year and a half before joining Everton.

Massengo can play as a defensive midfielder and has featured for the French U’19 side in the past, although he has struggled to adapt to Bristol City in his time there thus far, having averaged a pretty poor 6.27 rating for his performances this season.

However, he is still just 19-years-old and undoubtedly has some potential, which Southampton could help him realise if he makes the switch to St Mary’s this summer. If he did join, then perhaps it could be a repeat of the masterclass that saw Schneiderlin join from Strasbourg 13 years ago.

If the French midfielder proved to be even half as good as Schneiderlin was during his time on the South Coast, he would be a very good signing indeed, so it will be interesting to see if Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side make an official approach for the 19-year-old this summer.

And, in other news… Forget Diallo: Southampton can sign their ideal Romeu heir in 22 y/o gem

Roberto Martinez is reportedly the leading contender to replace Steve Bruce if he were to leave Newcastle United, according to Football Insider.

As per the news outlet, the position of the former Aston Villa and Sunderland boss is ‘under growing threat’ with the lack of harmony in the dressing room and calls from many members of the Toon Army for him to be sacked, all in the midst of a battle to avoid being relegated from the Premier League down to the EFL Championship.

A source at the St. James’ park faithful has since told the publication that Martinez is ‘firmly in the frame’ to potentially take over from Bruce should he leave the North East.

There is already a connection between the current Belgium national team manager and the Tyneside club, as Graeme Jones used to be his assistant.

Newcastle go for Martinez if Bruce leaves

If Bruce were to leave at the end of the 2020/21 term, then the Magpies should look no further than the appointment of Martinez.

The Spaniard has a vast amount of experience managing in the English top flight with Everton and Wigan Athletic, famously guiding the latter to an unlikely FA Cup triumph against Manchester City in the 2013 final.

He has also got Belgium to number one in the FIFA World Rankings, and so has clearly achieved a lot in his managerial career so far.

Nonetheless, the 47-year-old would no doubt be an aspired appointment by NUFC if Bruce were to leave.

In other news, find out what big claim Luke Edwards has dropped on the potential takeover involving Mike Ashley here!

Reliable reporter Alan Nixon has given an update in regards to Celtic’s hopes of landing Eddie Howe as their new manager.

The former Bournemouth boss has reportedly agreed in principle to succeed Neil Lennon in the Parkhead dugout after ironing out details of a Glasgow switch on Friday.

The 43-year-old is now expected to put pen to paper on a contract worth up to £2m per year at Parkhead – a salary £400,000 less than Lennon’s.

Howe’s Celtic announcement

That has led to speculation mounting regarding when an official announcement by the club will be made, with one fan on Twitter asking Nixon, who writes for The Sun, whether confirmation would be made on Tuesday.

The journalist replied on Sunday morning, admitting that the two parties have ‘been talking seriously for a couple of days now’.

Transfer Tavern take

It seems as if an announcement isn’t too far away, but until the club officially confirms the appointment, there will still be that slight doubt in some supporters’ minds.

Should Howe make the move to Scotland, Celtic would be the third club of his managerial career and perhaps as challenging as his stint at Bournemouth.

A summer rebuild looks to have taken shape off the field, with stalwarts like Peter Lawwell set to stand down, and it may now be up to Howe to make some tough calls in regards to major incomings and outgoings ahead of the 2021/22 season.

In other news: Howe tipped to make Celtic move for international forward on £45,000-a-week, find out more here. 

Glasgow Rangers fans are loving comments from Steven Gerrard on the bans the SFA dished out to the five Gers players who broke health protocols.

Earlier this year, Calvin Bassey, Bongani Zungu, Nathan Patterson, Dapo Mebude and Brian Kinnear all broke coronavirus regulations to attend a house gathering. In the aftermath, they have since been banned for six games – although, following an appeal from the 55-time Scottish champions, the players will be able to play against Celtic in the Scottish Cup fourth round later this month (Sky Sports).

Rangers face Hibernian on Sunday, and Gerrard was speaking at his pre-match press conference. He was asked about the reason behind the appeal, and he revealed the Gers do not believe the punishment dished out was consistent with sanctions they have given in other cases – he also specifically cited Celtic’s trip to Dubai as an example.

The comments were shared on Rangers’ official Twitter account, and the fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments from Gerrard below

“Kennedy with the assist and Gerrard fires it into the top bin..”

Credit: @Walker_2603

“Great from the Gaffer”

Credit: @bigdibs89

“Outstanding, Gaffer. Simply outstanding.”

Credit: @55titles2021

“Superb for Gerrard”

Credit: @chr1s_g1llen

“Savage but well put.”

Credit: @KeyWorkerGav

“Can’t be underestimated how much the manager has developed as a political operator in his time with the club. 3 years ago he’d have been sucked into providing a tabloid soundbite. Now he’s swatting these drafties away with a swift, concise and witty response. Delicious.”

Credit: @AuldBaldAaron

In other news, Rangers fans are livid at this broadcaster’s comments.

Keith Hackett has slammed the Professional Game Match Officials Limited’s (PGMOL) view on why Newcastle United did not get a penalty versus Burnley.

The foot of James Tarkowski appeared to be very high and in a dangerous position when Sean Longstaff was about to head the ball in the box, but nothing was given in the end after a check by VAR, after both Stuart Atwell at Stockley Park and Anthony Taylor on the field decided that the incident was not worthy of a penalty to the St. James’ Park faithful.

The PGMOL have since come out and explained their decision, stating (via Mark Douglas) that Tarkowski had ‘played the ball first’ and that Longstaff had ‘stooped and put his head into that area’.

Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett, who is a former referee in the Premier League, slammed the statement given:

“The most outrageous and stupid comment.

“I suggest whoever made it needs to examine the laws of the game.

“It’s just ridiculous, I just want to know who these people are who are making these statements.

“In football, in the laws of the game, you cannot use the ball as an excuse for a foul change.

“I don’t know who makes it. I shuddered when I listened to it.

“My emails and social media was going crazy with referees from around the world saying ‘Who is this person at the PGMOL making this statement?’”

Newcastle won in the end

It was lucky that Steve Bruce’s team managed to end up winning the game, otherwise a lot more may have been made of the controversial decision and subsequent explanation.

It begs the question over whether the officials are using the technology given to them correctly if a former referee in the top flight is strongly disagreeing with them, and luckily the on-field decision did not cost the North East club any points in the end.

Still, the explanation itself may be the most worrying aspect of the whole ordeal, even more so than the original decision, given that Hackett seems to suggest it doesn’t even abide with the laws of the game.

In other news, find out what inside claim Liam Kennedy has dropped on James Pallotta and the potential takeover here!

Brighton & Hove Albion have joined Crystal Palace and Celtic in the race to land Eddie Howe as their new manager.

That’s according to a report from Football Insider, who claim that Palace’s rivals are now keeping tabs on the former Bournemouth boss, with doubts over current manager Graham Potter.

Howe’s Celtic stall

Palace have spoken to Howe and have included him on a three-man shortlist alongside Sean Dyche and Frank Lampard to potentially replace Roy Hodgson at the end of the season.

Howe verbally agreed on a move to Celtic, however, the Hoops fear he’s had second thoughts over a move to Glasgow, and it now seems as if both clubs could end up missing out on the 43-year-old with Brighton in the picture.

Transfer Tavern take

In our view, Palace face a big few months off the pitch ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Up to 12 first-team players are out of contract in the summer and the Eagles currently have the oldest average squad age in the division.

A Selhurst Park rebuild appears to be on the cards, and with five academy starlets signing professional terms this season, next year could be the start of a bright future.

Bringing in a manager like Howe, who has successful experience of rebuilding a club during his time at Bournemouth, could be a wise move.

However, it now seems as if the Eagles face serious competition for Howe’s signature from Brighton, which could spell bad news for both them and Celtic.

In other news: Many CPFC fans buzz at ‘huge’ update on midfielder, find out more here. 

Former Tottenham Hotspur captain Graham Roberts has told The Transfer Tavern that he believes that the club are for sale at the right price.

Football Insider reported last week that the club’s owner, Joe Lewis, is lining up a huge sale that would see the club valued at over £1bn.

They reported that there was interest from a buyer who would have taken a 50% stake of the club, paying £800m to do so, but the deal ultimately fell through.

Lewis is 84 and is said to be actively looking for a buyer, having seen Spurs spend over £1bn to build a world-class new stadium.

And Roberts is unsurprised by the development, with Spurs seemingly primed for a wealthy investor to pick them up.

Indeed, the UEFA Cup winner believes that there are plenty of legs in the story, with almost every Premier League club, including Liverpool and Manchester United, available for the right price.

He told TT: “I would think that has a lot of legs to it. Every football club is for sale, isn’t it, it all depends on how much.

“I read in the paper this week that somebody had offered the club, Daniel Levy, £800 million for 50% of the club and he said no.

“When you’ve got a billion pound stadium, I would think the club’s got to be worth £2.5bn, so they’re not going to take £800m for 50%.

“I would think every club is up for sale, Liverpool’s up for sale, Man United, if the right person comes along.”

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s hopes of keeping Jannik Vestergaard at Southampton beyond this summer look to have suffered a fresh blow, with Juventus the latest side to register an interest in the Danish international.

According to Italian news outlet Tutto Mercato Web, Juventus have joined Tottenham Hotspur and Roma in the race for the 28-year-old this summer, after his impressive performances for the Saints so far this season.

Since signing from Borussia Monchengladbach in an £18m deal back in 2018, the centre-back has gone on to make 73 appearances for the Saints, contributing four goals.

After a shaky start to his career on the South Coast, the six-foot-six defender has established himself as a key figure in Hasenhuttl’s side so far this season, making 24 appearances in the Premier League and scoring three times, which has helped him average an impressive 7.04 rating for his performances.

This is enough to rank him as Southampton’s second-best performer in the top-flight so far this season, with James Ward-Prowse only just edging him out at the top, so it would undoubtedly be a massive blow for Hasenhuttl to lose him this summer.

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However, the Dane’s contract is set to expire at the end of next season, so an exit this summer is looking increasingly likely, especially when you consider the quality of sides that are showing an interest in him.

His solid performances with Denmark in recent seasons will also undoubtedly be a factor in why top clubs are looking at him, and Danish head coach Kasper Hjulmand was full of praise for him earlier in the season, saying:

“It’s a pleasure to see Jannik. I also took him with me right from the start because I think he has great potential. I had a good talk with him in the Spring, and my feeling was that he would get a good position in Southampton, and he has taken it.”

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If Vestergaard can impress at the European Championships this summer then it seems likely that he will attract even more interest, and given Southampton’s shocking second half of the season, it is, unfortunately, difficult to see him wanting to stay at St Mary’s.

And, in other news… Wilson masterclass: “Unbelievable” Southampton gem’s value has risen 275% since joining

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, Steve Howey, who made 278 appearances during his career, has claimed that Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse will never want to leave the club.

In March, Garth Crooks claimed that there would be no better replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum at Liverpool than Ward-Prowse, who is currently the club’s fifth top Premier League scorer of all time with 29 goals.

The 26-year old has had a standout season for Southampton, despite their form falling off a cliff since the turn of the year, which has earned him a regular place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

Speaking on why Ward-Prowse won’t see his future away from Southampton and how he has become the main man, Howey told The Transfer Tavern:

“He’s the main man there basically. I mean, he’s the captain and he takes the free kicks, the penalties, throw-ins, corners and he just does everything, basically.

“I think if he was to move then it would be great financially for him but at Southampton, he will be settled with his family and he is their main man.”

Ward-Prowse has played every single minute for Southampton in the Premier League this season which has been his best in front of goal scoring seven goals and registering six assists.

The £75,000 per week midfielder only signed a new deal last August which is not set to expire until 2025 giving the Saints security over his long term future.

Liverpool are reportedly set to offer Virgil van Dijk a stunning £50million contract, in order to keep him at Anfield for the rest of his career.

The Lowdown: Unrivalled influence at Liverpool

Van Dijk joined the Reds back in January 2018 and he made a huge impact immediately, outlining his status as the world’s best centre-back.

The Dutchman has arguably been the most important signing of the Jurgen Klopp era, with his vast influence making those around him better, helping Liverpool win both the Champions League and Premier League.

Van Dijk’s absence with a cruciate ligament injury this season has played a huge part in his team’s struggles, but he is hopefully nearing a return ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

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The Latest: Van Dijk to be offered huge deal, claims FI source

According to Football Insider, Liverpool sources expect the club will open talks with the 29-year-old over a mammoth deal worth £50million over a long period, earning him more than £200,000 per week.

Check out the latest transfer news on the GMS Live football Transfer hub

The centre-back, who Jordan Henderson has described as ‘unbelievable’ in the past, will sit down and enter discussions at the end of the season, hopefully committing his long-term future to the Reds.

A Liverpool source told FI that the Reds want to keep the Netherlands captain at Anfield ‘for the rest of his career’.

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The Verdict: Sign him up!

Retaining Van Dijk’s services is the definition of a no-brainer for Liverpool, with the 6 foot 4 colossus already one of the best defenders in the club’s history, making 130 appearances and winning UEFA’s Best Player in Europe award in 2019.

Granted, there is a risk that he isn’t quite the same player after such a serious injury, especially given his age, but it’s fair to say he will still be top class even if he is half as good.

This season has shown that Van Dijk is the first name on Klopp’s team-sheet and his return will help the Reds forget all about their current woes, ensuring they are battling towards the top of the Premier League again next year.

In other news, some Liverpool fans are delighted with an update regarding a Reds summer transfer target. Read more here.