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Slavisa Jokanovic is still waiting for his first Championship win with Sheffield United, as the Blades were held to a goalless draw with Swansea City on Saturday evening.

Having suffered defeat at the hands of Birmingham City last weekend, United would have undoubtedly been hoping to kick start their 2021/22 campaign with an impressive performance and result at the Liberty Stadium this time around.

However, it could easily be argued that neither of these hopes came into fruition, with the Serbian’s side managing just two shots on target over the course of the 90 minutes, as well as having just 37% of the ball and managing almost 250 fewer passes than Russell Martin’s Swansea side – with the game ultimately finishing 0-0.

Perhaps unsurprisingly considering their obvious lack of attacking edge, one of the worst performances in the fixture was given by a Sheffield United forward – in the shape of Oli Burke.

Indeed, over his 59 minutes on the pitch, the 24-year-old was extremely ineffectual, mustering no shots – either on or off target – failing with all three of his attempted dribbles, completing a mere six passes and touching the ball just 15 times – less than half of the 37 Aaron Ramsalde managed between the Blades’ sticks.

The £5.4m-rated man also lost all four of his duels (100%), made no key passes, failed with his one attempted cross and gave away possession of the ball on seven occasions.

His weak attempts on the right-flank were a large reason to why Jokanovic’s side struggled to create much in the attack against this much-changed Swansea side, who still dominated possession at 63%.

These returns saw the £19k-per-week forward earn an extremely disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.2, the lowest rating of any player to feature in the game at the Liberty Stadium.

As such, should Sheffield United have any hope of going on to secure an immediate return to the Premier League this season, considering the distinct lack of wide attacking options Jokanovic currently has in his first-team squad, they will undoubtedly need Burke to up his game considerably in the coming weeks and months, as his performance against Swansea was simply not good enough.

In other news: Sheffield United dealt blow over “superb” £26k-p/w gem, Jokanovic will be fuming

Celtic target Thomas Henry is on the verge of swapping OH Leuven for Gent, according to The Daily Record’s Keith Jackson.

The Lowdown: Henry links

The Hoops were first linked with the 26-year-old last week, with The Scottish Sun suggesting Celtic were on the brink of securing a big-money deal.

Henry was seen as the ideal replacement for Odsonne Edouard, who is still working on a Parkhead exit.

The forward’s agent even revealed on Saturday that Henry wants to join Celtic over Rangers or Gent, but it now seems as if a move to Parkhead will not materialise after all.

The Latest: Gent move

According to Jackson, Henry is on the verge of penning a long-term deal with Gent.

A move is thought to be 95% complete after the two clubs shook hands on a £4.5m agreement last week.

Sources in Belgium expect a deal to go through before the weekend, unless Celtic launch a late counter offer.

The Verdict: Time is running out

Celtic have had all summer to sort out Edouard’s future and replacement, with the Frenchman making it clear he wanted out regardless of who came in as manager back in April.

There are now just weeks remaining in the window, so time is running out.

Henry could well have been a shrewd replacement for Edouard, especially after just coming off the back of his best season in front of goal.

It appears as if he will now move on for under £5m, so Celtic may well look back on this as a missed opportunity to possibly replace Edouard, should he seal a Glasgow exit.

In other news: Leeds keen on another Celtic ace alongside Leo Hjelde. 

Rangers ‘have made Everton aware’ of what kind of bid for Nathan Patterson would be taken seriously, according to The 4th Official. 

The lowdown

The Mirror’s John Cross reported on Sunday afternoon that the Toffees had tabled a £5m offer for the right-back.

Recruiting cover and competition for Seamus Coleman in that position is thought to be the club’s main focus ahead of next week’s transfer deadline.

Patterson made five Scottish Premiership appearances for Steven Gerrard’s side last season and racked up a further four outings in the Europa League (via WhoScored). Scotland manager Steve Clarke was so impressed that he called up the 19-year-old for the European Championship earlier in the summer.

The teenager still has three years to run on his deal with the Gers, having agreed fresh terms as recently as January (via Transfermarkt).

The latest

According to The 4th Official, Rangers are said to be ‘confident’ in their stance and have communicated their demands to Everton.

It would apparently take a ‘really significant outlay’ to bring him to Merseyside, and The 4th Official claimed that the £5m figure initially reported is ‘a bit misleading’; the Blues actually offered £4.2m up front.

The verdict

This would be a shrewd addition for Everton. Patterson would probably only feature sporadically at first given Coleman’s long-standing status as a regular but the Irishman would progressively be phased out for his long-term successor.

Rangers, for their part, probably have a similar plan in mind, with first-choice right-back James Tavernier turning 30 in October.

How high should Everton be willing to go on a fee? Another couple of million would be reasonable, but with the transfer deadline now approaching, they should walk away swiftly if the gap in the clubs’ respective valuations seems insurmountable.

In other news, many Everton fans were left fuming over this transfer news.

Some Everton fans have been left buzzing as a transfer update emerged on Moise Kean.

As per Alfredo Pedulla, talks have now begun for the potential sale of the Italy international to Juventus before the summer window ends.

Kean is yet to score in his first two games of the 2021/22 season for the Goodison Park faithful, and has not had a good time on Merseyside in general, scoring a mere four goals and making just two assists in 39 matches in total over the last three consecutive campaigns (Transfermarkt).

However, given that he is just 21 years of age, he still holds a market value of £31.5m according to Transfermarkt after a productive loan spell at PSG, and so Rafa Benitez’s team could sell him for a decent price, and then use that money to reinvest in a replacement before the deadline hits.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/everton-updates-5/” title=”Everton updates! (5)” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Everton fans on Kean transfer update

These Toffees supporters were left buzzing as the exit claim on Kean was shared on Twitter:

“Take him take him take him”

Credit: @matt9uk

“Would be a good move for all concerned parties.”

Credit: @BobbyC1878

“Let’s hope so”

Credit: @lordoftheping

“That’s why he’s smiling in the latest training video. Get rid ASAP”

Credit: @sickleclown

“Take him and give us Rabiot, McKennie or Ronaldo”

Credit: @RMlibf

“Moise Kean for CR7 straight up”

Credit: @notaaronsmith

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

Newcastle United’s pursuit of Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury has taken a fresh twist on transfer deadline day.

What’s the story?

Having only clinched the permanent signing of Joe Willock, it’s been no surprise that Steve Bruce’s side have looked to be active on the final day of the summer transfer window.

Writing initially on Twitter on Tuesday morning, The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards said: “#nufc are close to signing Hamza Choudhury on loan, this are more details will be on the @TeleFootball live blog shortly. It’s all kicking off. Will also have another story online later today.”

But then, a short while later, he tweeted: “Someone now appears to be briefing that Choudhury is not signing and business is done in this window. That would mean Bruce has been denied a loan he thought he could have. Whatever you think of him, this is scandalous. Leicester thought this was happening. So did player #nufc”

He added: “And by someone I mean the club… I predict trouble ahead.”

Fans will be fuming

If a move for Choudhury has broken down just a short while after it all seemed that he was set to arrive at St James’ Park, then it would be the latest in a long set of disasters under Mike Ashley.

As Edwards himself says, it’s certainly a “scandalous” situation that is sure to have Bruce and the club’s fans fuming.

What went on behind the scenes for it to collapse remains to be seen at the moment, but it’s clear that a late transfer twist has denied the Magpies a young, English midfielder with plenty of Premier League experience in his time with the Foxes over the past few years.

A loan deal for the season would have bolstered Bruce’s options in the middle of the park, and given a combative presence in the engine room – as per Whoscored, he’s averaged over 1.2 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game in his career thus far.

The fact that Bruce himself admitted in recent days and weeks that only loan deals would be the most likely for the Magpies in terms of incomings, but now finds himself in a situation where he had one lined up, but has seen it taken away from him, is frustrating to say the least.

Not only will Bruce be gutted, but fans will surely be livid at how things have played out on transfer deadline day regarding Choudhury.

Meanwhile, Lee Ryder has dropped an intriguing transfer claim…

Noel Whelan has paid tribute to the work rate of Leeds United ace Raphinha, claiming that his determination to get back and defend is something even Lionel Messi wouldn’t show [Football Insider].

The Lowdown: Raphinha, someone who has made an immediate impact in English football

Making an immediate impact since signing for the Whites from Rennes last season, the 24-year-old has gone on to register 16 goal contributions in 34 games for his current employers; seven goals and nine assists [Transfermarkt].

Earning adulation in high-places, Raphinha was compared to Cristiano Ronaldo by Manchester United legend Roy Keane following Leeds United’s 1-1 draw away to Burnley last weekend [Leeds Live].

The Latest: Noel Whelan echoes Roy Keane sentiment in latest interview

Echoing similar sentiment in an exclusive interview with Football Insider, former Elland Road icon Whelan has been raving over the productivity of the 58k-p/w man, stating:

“Raphinha is fantastic on the ball, great on the eye and can produce moments of magic that other players simply can’t.

“But what I really like is his work out of possession. He is not afraid to really work hard, track back and double-up with the full-back. It is an attribute you sometimes don’t get with technically talented players. They do one side of it but not the other. That is not the case with Raphinha though.

“When I watch him he is relentless. He works his socks off. You would not see Messi doing that and you would not even see Ronaldo doing it anymore.

“A high work rate is what Marcelo Bielsa demands though so you would not get away with that.”

The Verdict: Raphinha will continue to be a key player for LUFC in 2021/22

Throwing some pretty extraordinary plaudits his way, popular-ex pro turned pundit Whelan makes a very compelling statement that accurately describes Raphinha’s diverse range of qualities on the pitch.

Last term, his ability to work hard was in full view, with the former Sporting Lisbon man making 34 successful tackles [Premier League].

Of course, being able to do the ugly side of the game is a pre-requisite of Marcelo Bielsa’s style of play, something which helped his side to earn a commendable ninth-placed finish in 2020/21.

The Argentinian will be hoping for more of the same in the forthcoming months.

In other news, an ex-Leeds United ace has predicted a January exit from Elland Road. Find out more here.

Nottingham Forest failed with a last-minute bid to bring Yuma Suzuki to the City Ground on Tuesday evening.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Sacha Tavolieri, with the Belgian journalist revealing in a post on Twitter that, despite Sint-Truidense accepting the Reds’ offer for the centre-forward, the 25-year-old rejected a switch to the Championship side with just hours remaining of the summer transfer window.

The journalist had previously reported that Club Brugge had also offered €3.5m (£3m) plus €1m (£850k) in add-ons for the Japanese forward, while Porto, Cagliari, Fenerbahce and Schalke were also thought to be in discussions with the Jupiler Pro League for the striker – who ultimately remained at Sint-Truiden.

Murphy will be gutted

With Nottingham Forest’s search for a centre-forward having been well documented this summer, the fact that Dane Murphy failed in his efforts to get a deal over the line for Suzuki in the closing stages of the transfer window will have undoubtedly left the CEO gutted.

Indeed, the £3.15m-rated man certainly would have appeared to be an excellent signing for the Championship strugglers, as, over his 34 Jupiler Pro League appearances last season, the Sint-Truiden striker scored 17 goals, registered three assists and created five big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of two shots and making 0.7 key passes per game.

These returns saw the €6.5k-per-week (£5.5k-per-week) centre-forward average a highly impressive seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.11, ranking him as Bernd Hollerbach’s joint third-best performer in the top flight of Belgian football.

As such, considering the fact that Lewis Grabban and Lyle Taylor have so far scored just one Championship goal between them this season, the addition of Suzuki would certainly have appeared to provide Hughton with a considerable boost at a time when the 62-year-old desperately needs one – with his Forest side currently being rooted to the foot of the second tier table after five games played.

In other news: NFFC confirm development on “exceptional” £1.8m-rated dynamo, Hughton will be buzzing

Gabby Agbonlahor has made a major claim about Aston Villa loanee Frederic Guilbert following his move to Strasbourg in the summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

The Frenchman spent the previous campaign on loan at the Ligue 1 side, and despite returning for pre-season at Villa Park and even featuring in the Carabao Cup second round clash against Barrow, was sent back to Strasbourg for a year once more.

And now, Agbonlahor has claimed that Villa fans have seen the last of Guilbert, and that his future lies elsewhere.

He said: “I think Aston Villa will have tried to get rid of him on a permanent, he didn’t really play much. You’ve got Axel Tuanzebe there as cover for Matty Cash and Ashley Young as well.

“I’m sure they were trying to get rid of him on a permanent but maybe his wages and the fee that Villa want put clubs off. There have not been clubs knocking at the door. I don’t see him playing again for Aston Villa. I see his future definitely being away from the club.”

Fans will be fuming

In a Q&A for The Birmingham Mail, Ashley Preece responded to a question about why the Smith decided to let him go, by saying: “Not sure, just doesn’t fancy him at all. A shame because he seems a good guy who always put it all on the line for Villa.”

A number of Villa fans have already made their feelings clear about Guilbert on several occasions, first slamming the decision to actually let him leave on loan for Strasbourg back in January and suggesting they should’ve kept him, then urging Smith to give him a chance in pre-season earlier this summer after his spell away.

The fact he got on the score-sheet and helped set up another in that thrashing of Barrow – albeit a team lingering in the lower divisions – just went to show what solid cover he could have given Smith as a back-up for first-choice right-back Matty Cash.

Ashley Young is not a typical right-back and age isn’t on his side, while the likes of Axel Tuanzebe and Ezri Konsa are both centre-backs by trade too.

It’s exactly why Agbonlahor’s claim that Villa fans will never see Guilbert play for them again is sure to have them fuming.

Meanwhile, Gregg Evans has confirmed a major Aston Villa boost…

Tottenham Hotspur have now been gifted a boost in their pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic.

The Lowdown: Vlahovic sighted

As per Calciomercato.it, Vlahovic is currently ‘in the sights’ of Spurs ahead of a potential move to North London.

He was linked with a move to Nuno Espirito Santo’s team all through the summer transfer window, and it is not clear whether they will revisit their interest in January.

The Latest: Contract issue

According to Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Fiorentina do not see Vlahovic’s €70m (£59.7m) release clause as a ‘sufficient shield’ to protect them from the Lilywhites, as well as Manchester City.

There is currently a contract ‘issue’ in that the Serbia international has not accepted the new deal offered to him, which has led to ‘torment’ at the Serie A club.

The Verdict: Boost

It is certainly a boost for THFC that Vlahovic has not managed to sign a new deal, and it seems as if Fiorentina have surrendered that they may lose him if the right offer comes in.

The striker has started off the season with a bang, with five goals in five games in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt), and at just 21 years of age, is one of the most promising attacking players in Europe at the moment.

Nonetheless, a partnership consisting of both him and Harry Kane would seriously frighten defenders, and with so many years to develop in front of him, the 6 foot 3 colossus hailed as ‘incredible’ by Serie A expert Conor Clancy could eventually replace the Spurs talisman.

In other news, find out what club news has left Lilywhites erupting here!

Southampton host Wolves at St. Mary’s today as they go in search of their first win of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign.

The Saints have picked up four points from their first five league matches, drawing with Manchester United, Newcastle, West Ham and Man City in succession after an opening day defeat to Everton.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side beat Championship outfit Sheffield United on penalties in midweek as they progressed through to the next round of the League Cup, but attentions now turn back to league action.

How many changes will Ralph make? Here is our predicted XI…

We are predicting that he will make seven changes to the team, with Alex McCarthy, Tino Livramento, Jan Bednarek, James Ward-Prowse, Mo Elyounoussi, Che Adams and Adam Armstrong coming in.

Between the sticks, Alex McCarthy deserves to return to the XI after being rested in the League Cup. He has kept two clean sheets in a row in the Premier League, which is why he does not need to be axed for Fraser Forster for this clash with Wolves.

At right-back, Livramento could return. We published an article explaining how Yan Valery failed to take his chance to impress the head coach in midweek, which means that the summer signing from Chelsea should immediately be reinstated for this match. Another change in the defence could be Jan Bednarek coming in for Lyanco, who struggled against Sheffield United.

In midfield, the £41k-per-week beast Ibrahima Diallo should make way for club captain James Ward-Prowse. The skipper was rested in midweek and Ralph will want to have his voice and leadership back on the pitch for Premier League action.

We published an article explaining why Armstrong should return to the side in place of Armando Broja. However, we also believe that Che Adams will come back into the team to start alongside Armstrong in a 4-2-2-2 formation, with Moussa Djenepo failing to catch the eye against the Blades, opening the door for him to be sacrificed for the change in formation.

That then allows Nathan Redmond to occupy the wide left role in the two behind the strikers, with the final change being Elyounoussi returning to play out on the right-wing. Nathan Tella started in midweek and provided an assist for one of the goals, but the Norweigan – who was on loan at Celtic last term – has started the last three Premier League games and Hasenhuttl should keep his faith in the winger.

AND in other news, Hasenhuttl must unleash “dynamic” £17k-p/w Saints gem vs Wolves, he’s a match-winner…