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Liverpool are reportedly in the running to sign RB Salzburg striker Karim Adeyemi as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his forward line.

What’s the story?

According to German outlet BILD (as relayed by The Mirror), the Reds are one of three European heavyweights keen to secure the highly-rated 19-year-old’s services.

The report states that Bayern Munich and Barcelona are also eyeing a move for Adeyemi, while Salzburg are believed to have placed a £17 million price tag on their prized asset.

Jurgen Klopp would love him

With Xherdan Shaqiri departing Anfield over the summer and Divock Origi continuing to be linked with a move away from Merseyside, Klopp is believed to be in the market for a new attacker.

The German tactician was unable to lure one to Liverpool in the recently concluded window, meaning he may make a move either in January or 12 months’ time.

And Adeyemi could be the ideal signing for the 19-time English champions. Klopp has a history of purchasing players from the Red Bull system due to their preferred style of play matching his.

The likes of Naby Keita, Ibrahima Konate and Takumi Minamino have all departed a Red Bull affiliated club to join Klopp at Anfield as their pressing system is similar is the 54-year-old’s unique gegenpressing setup.

Therefore, the Liverpool boss would surely love to snap up Adeyemi, signing a ready-made replacement for Origi and competition for the likes of Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota.

Last season the teenage talent bagged nine goals and provided a further 11 assists in 39 appearances as he helped his side secure a domestic double, and he’s started the current campaign in blistering fashion.

The 5 ft 10 dynamo has already notched up an incredible seven goals and one assist in his first nine outings in 2021/22 before he scored on his international debut for Germany against Armenia.

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool’s director of football makes a formal offer for Adeyemi in the coming months, but Klopp will surely be hoping a deal can be done for his compatriot.

And, in other news…Liverpool suffer injury blow pre-Leeds United, Jurgen Klopp will be gutted 

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is set to welcome back Anthony Ralston against Real Betis on Thursday, according to Scott Burns of The Daily Record.

The Lowdown: Ralston under Postecoglou

The 22-year-old has been one of Celtic’s best-rated performers under Postecoglou, as per WhoScored, with an average match rating of 8.38/10.

He’s netted twice in the Scottish Premiership and has also registered an assist but missed his first game of the 2021/22 campaign against Ross County on the weekend.

It looks like he’ll be back for the Hoops’ opening Europa League group game against Real Betis, though.

The Latest: Ralston update

Burns shared an update on Monday evening regarding Ralston, while all but ruling out Taylor for Betis after revealing he has been sent to an injury specialist regarding his shoulder issue.

When it came to Ralston, though, Burns said the right-back is back in full training and will be available for the trip to Spain.

The Verdict: Good news

Postecoglou has had two injury blows recently in Taylor and Kyogo Furuhashi, so it’s a welcome boost to know that Ralston’s absence will only be a short one.

Should he return to the starting line up, Postecoglou could use summer signing Josip Juranovic at left-back and Ralston on the right side, as he did against Rangers.

Youngster Adam Montgomery replaced Taylor at Parkhead on the weekend, so at least Postecoglou will have options against the La Liga side.

In other news: ‘Could be huge’ – McAvennie ecstatic at what he’s ‘heard’ from ‘a few Celtic people’. 

Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Francisco Trincao has been called-up to the Portugal squad for their upcoming matches, according to Diario de Noticias.

Trincao has been capped six times previously but originally missed out on the squad for the friendly against Qatar and their World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg.

However, fitness problems for Domingos Duarte and Rafa Silva have seen Trincao, Rafael Leao and Jose Fonte brought in as replacements.

The 21 year-old joins midfield team-mates Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho in Fernando Santos’ ranks.

How has Trincao done so far this season?

Trincao has yet to open his Premier League account since joining Wolves on a season-long loan from FC Barcelona, with his only goal coming in a Carabao Cup rout of Nottingham Forest in August.

He’s accumulated 1.83 expected goals without finding the net, and no player in the top flight has missed more big chances than the 21-year-old’s four.

Fan feed Talking Wolves relayed the Portugal news, and here’s what supporters made of it.

These Wolves fans question Trincao call-up

“Must be desperate, he’s been bang average”

Credit: @satsomboon

“How, he’s awful”

Credit: @Oswestry_Wolves

“Can’t have watched the Newcastle game”

Credit: @SandhurstWolf

“For doing what exactly?”

Credit: @M_Harazin

“Might see if I have Portuguese heritage, I might be able to get a game for them as well if this is the case”

Credit: @mralanrjones

“He should smack the crossbar from point blank range more often, it’s working”

Credit: @Johnboy42370177

In other news, this Wolves man has earned praise from an MOTD pundit.

Ligue 1 expert Adam White insists that Leicester City will be desperate to keep hold of defender Wesley Fofana for the foreseeable future after his breakthrough at the club.

The £36m-rated French defender is currently on the sidelines after suffering a leg fracture in pre-season.

He is likely to be out until 2022 at the earliest, but he had developed into one of Brendan Rodgers’ first-choice stars at the King Power Stadium.

Indeed, Fofana has made 38 first-team appearances for the club and played 90 minutes in the FA Cup final victory over Chelsea at the end of last season, keeping a clean sheet in the 1-0 victory.

Fofana developed at Saint-Etienne but he has consistently been linked away from the club.

Manchester United were linked with an interest prior to his injury, although reports suggested that Leicester would demand a massive fee to let him go.

And White insists they will attempt to keep him for as long as humanly possible.

He said: “Yeah I think he definitely is someone that Leicester City are going to keep hold of. In France, he’s regarded very highly having come through at St Etienne.”

Manchester City are seemingly looking to sell Yangel Herrera this summer as they look to raise transfer funds, and recent reports have claimed that West Ham have made a bid, but it could be a mistake to let him join the Hammers.

What’s the word?

Herrera is a wanted man this summer After two impressive seasons on loan with Granada, with the likes of West Ham, Southampton and Leeds United having all been linked with a move for him so far in this transfer window.

The Daily Mail claimed earlier this month that City were looking for £20m for the 23-year-old midfielder, who Pep Guardiola has decided is surplus to requirements at the Etihad Stadium following Fernandinho’s recent contract extension.

The Citizens have already cashed in on the likes of Jack Harrison, Angelino and Lukas Nmecha as they look to raise money for the potential signings of Jack Grealish and Harry Kane, and it seems as if Herrera could be the next out of the door, with the latest reports suggesting that West Ham have submitted a bid.

Will Man City regret selling Herrera?

It seems rash of Guardiola to cash in on Herrera when he is still just 23, as next season could well be Fernandinho’s last for City, so they will likely need to look for competition for Rodri next summer should the Brazil veteran move on.

Herrera is yet to make a first team appearance for City and has spent the last four seasons out on loan with New York City FC, Huesca and Granada.

The Venezuela international made 82 appearances for Diego Martinez’s side during his time at Granada, contributing 10 goals and five assists from midfield. He also playing a starring role in their superb Europa League run to the quarter-finals last season, managing two goals and one assist in 10 appearances and averaging a solid 7/10 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-manchester-city-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Manchester City transfer rumours and news!”]

Football commentator Andy West was full of praise for Herrera’s performances last season, saying: “You have to be incredibly fit to play the style he does – Thursday and Sunday every week – without dropping your standards. And he has done that, it is something that has stood out.

“He has been one of their most important players.”

[freshpress-quiz id=“577936”]

Therefore, it seems strange that City are willing to cash in on him this summer, and it could prove to be a disastrous move by Txiki Begiristain if the 23-year-old becomes a success in the Premier League with another club.

In other news… Man City could sign their ideal Kane alternative with swoop for “unbelievable” Premier League beast

Patrick Vieira’s revolution at Crystal Palace is continuing to gather pace and could be boosted by another exciting addition over the coming days.

What’s the story?

According to Sky Sports, the Eagles are in ‘advanced talks’ with Blackburn Rovers over their star striker Adam Armstrong, with fellow Premier League club Southampton also credited with an interest.

The report states that Palace have had an initial offer for the 24-year-old rejected, but they remain keen to get the deal over the line despite falling short of Blackburn’s £20m asking price.

Rovers boss Tony Mowbray said on Thursday: “Adam knows the number. Everyone has a valuation, and I don’t think we are being unrealistic.

“I’ve said to Adam if they meet the number; he can go. We’ll shake him by the hand and wish him well, and the football club will move on and hopefully find a replacement that can make the fans forget Adam pretty quickly.”

Despite Armstrong only having one year remaining on his current contract, the Championship outfit are keen to secure a good deal for him as Newcastle are due to receive 40% of their profit on the diminutive forward, agreed as part of the deal when they sold him to Blackburn for £1.8m back in 2018.

Crystal Palace fans will be absolutely buzzing

Sky’s report also claims that Palace want to sign another striker because they’re not convinced by the quality of on-loan hitman Jean-Philippe Mateta, who scored just one goal in seven top-flight appearances for the capital club last term.

On the other hand, Armstrong’s record in 2020/21 was hugely impressive. The former England under-21 international found the back of the net on 29 occasions in 43 appearances for Rovers, attracting the attention of several Premier League clubs.

Therefore, Eagles supporters will surely be absolutely buzzing at this latest revelation.

New manager Vieira has already secured the services of several young, exciting acquisitions this summer, transforming Palace into a potentially very different beast from what they were under Roy Hodgson’s stewardship.

Adding a proven goalscorer to their ranks will only add more hope, optimism and excitement going into the new campaign.

Palace fans will be hoping that chairman Steve Parish and sporting director Dougie Freedman can get this deal over the line, providing Vieira with yet another quality addition.

In other news… Sky Sports drop exciting transfer update which will have Crystal Palace fans buzzing 

The Celtic Way journalist Tony Haggerty believes that Joe Hart is relishing the challenge of playing in front of 60,000 people.

The England international completed a move to Celtic from Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month, penning a three-year deal with the Hoops. On the same day that Celtic announced Hart had signed, they also announced that James McCarthy had arrived on a four-year deal after leaving Crystal Palace at the end of last season.

Hart has appeared in six games in all competitions for the Hoops so far this season, keeping four clean sheets. His fine form for Celtic hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Celtic fans, with Tony Haggerty telling Football FanCast: “I think he’s relishing the challenge of playing in front of 60,000 people and that becomes addictive for footballers, especially when you’ve had achievements that Joe Hart has, it’s really hard to step away from that kind of limelight, isn’t it? He’s got it back a bit. 

“I think Celtic have been good for Hart as much as Hart has been good for Celtic and he’s maybe got his goalkeeping mojo back and that’s important for footballers I think and I think Joe Hart’s reciprocated that, you know the Celtic supporters just love him.”

Hart’s career achievements have seen him collect two Premier League winners’ medals, two English League Cup winners’ medals and an FA Cup winners medal, along with representing England’s senior team 75 times.

Derby County have been handed a potential boost in their bid to bring Ronan Curtis to Pride Park this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The News, who claimed that neither Blackburn Rovers nor Cardiff City are looking to step up their interest in the Portsmouth winger in the summer transfer window.

The report added that Pompey have placed a £2m asking price on the 25-year-old, with the Republic of Ireland international viewed as one of Danny Cowley’s prized assets at Fratton Park.

Finally, the report touches on Derby’s interest in the forward, with the player believed to be extremely keen to make the step up to a Championship club this summer.

Rooney must move

A deal for Curtis may be a difficult one to pull off for Wayne Rooney ahead of the upcoming Championship campaign, particularly with the Rams still operating under a transfer embargo. However, if a move for the winger does become feasible this summer, it would seem highly advisable that the Derby manager does all he can to seal the signing of the 25-year-old.

Indeed, over his 42 League One appearances for Cowley’s side last season, the £3,700-per-week man bagged 10 goals, registered seven assists and created seven big chances for his teammates, as well as taking 2.2 shots and making 1.5 key passes per game.

These returns saw the man Mick McCarthy dubbed a “special” player earn an average SofaScore match rating of 7.11, ranking him as Portsmouth’s best performer in the third tier of English football.

Curtis continued his excellent form in the domestic cup competitions, scoring four goals and registering three assists over six cup fixtures, bringing his total haul to 14 goals and 10 assists across all competitions last season.

As such, with Derby having scored a Championship-low 36 goals as a team last time out, the addition of a player as clinical and creative as Curtis should very much appear to be a priority for Rooney this summer, with the prospect of the Rams fielding Tom Lawrence (13 goals and seven assists over the last two seasons) on one wing and the 25-year-old on the other being something of a mouthwatering prospect for fans of the club.

However, it is undeniable that a move for the Portsmouth ace seems unlikely for Derby at present, with the club still prevented from signing players from other clubs permanently.

In other news: Rooney drops transfer hint on “incredible” £450k-rated gem, Derby fans surely buzzing

Conor Coady is one Wolves player who could lose out following Bruno Lage’s appointment, journalist Luke Hatfield has told Football FanCast.

Lage was appointed as Wolves boss last month and is a manager known for playing 4-4-2.

In contrast, his predecessor Nuno Espirito Santo preferred using a 3-4-3 or something close to that formation during his time at Molineux, meaning a central defender like Coady had more support and cover around him.

With that not being there in a back four, which Lage could potentially use in the upcoming season, Hatfield fears for the England international’s future.

“In terms of winners and losers, I think there’s a real question mark now over a key player really in Conor Coady,” the Express & Star journalist said.

“He is vitally important to them in terms of leadership. The question has always been can he do it in a four? Nuno obviously kind of shifted him as a defensive midfielder into a three and it worked incredibly well in that central role.

“But when Wolves have played a four, he’s been a little bit isolated at times and there are question marks over that. So I think there are serious question marks over him.”

Indeed, there is a bit of uncertainty surrounding Coady following Lage’s arrival. As well as the doubts about whether he can play in a back four, the 28-year-old is also being linked with a move to Everton.

According to Football Insider, new Everton manager Rafael Benitez has given his club the green light to move for the Wolves man.

Norwich City are reportedly on the verge of signing Nice midfielder Pierre Lees-Melou, as they look to replace Emiliano Buendia this summer.

* The deal has since been confirmed (official).

The Lowdown: Norwich plan for life in the Premier League

The Canaries booked their place back in the Premier League last season, sealing title glory in the Championship in the process.

The aim now has to be to avoid a swift relegation back to the second tier, instead taking a leaf out of Leeds’ book and becoming an established top-flight outfit straight away.

That objective will of course be made more difficult by the departure of Buendia.

The Latest: Lees-Melou set to seal move

It is vital that the Argentine is replaced before the start of the season, following his move to Aston Villa, and it looks as though Lees-Melou could be that man.

According to Nice Matin [via Sport Witness], Norwich are closing in on the signing of the 28-year-old, who scored four times for Nice in Ligue 1 last season.

A €6million (£5.1m) move is expected to be completed imminently, with the French outlet claiming Lees-Melou  ‘will sign in the next few hours’.

The Verdict: Ideal acquisition

This could be an exciting addition for Daniel Farke’s side, bringing quality and experience in the middle of the park.

The 28 year-old has 151 appearances in Ligue 1 alone, highlighting his pedigree, with that level of top-flight know-how needed if Norwich are to remain in the Premier League. He has scored 23 times and registered 18 assists in those games.

While Lees-Melou isn’t as prolific as Buendia in the final third, potentially playing slightly deeper, he could still help fill the void left by the Argentine, as he averaged 1.5 shots per game last season and can play in a variety of midfield and attacking positions (Whoscored).

In other news, another Premier League club has been linked with a move for a Norwich star. Find out who it is here.