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West Bromwich Albion have been in a ‘will they, won’t they?’ saga with the transfer rumours surrounding Dwight Gayle and there have now been further reports connecting the Championship goal machine back to the club yet again.

West Brom have been heavily linked to offer a return opportunity for Dwight Gayle to assist the side in gaining promotion back into the Premier League this season and now that the 32-year-old has reportedly been made available for loan, it’s time for Ismael to swoop in for the striker.

The last time the £40k-per-week player went on loan from Newcastle to West Bromwich Albion was the 2018/19 season in the Championship where he scored 24 goals and bagged eight assists for the Baggies, albeit not enough to get them promoted that term when they finished fourth, losing to Aston Villa in the playoffs.

Now the Magpies centre forward could be set for a return if Valerien Ismael can seal the deal to bring him back to the club in the winter transfer window, as it appears Newcastle have given the green light for him to depart for the rest of the season.

Gayle’s former teammate and West Brom defender, Kyle Bartley, was full of praise for the striker calling him a “proven goalscorer” when he was asked about him in an interview, hailing qualities that would make him a phenomenal addition at the Hawthorns.

“Dwight is a proven goalscorer and he is always going to get you goals and his work rate off the ball is also immense.”

Fans have been buzzing at the speculation of a return for the former Baggies player, with many taking to social media to express their desire to get him back in January.

One Albion fan tweeted; “Gayle HAS to be better than Hugill and Zahpoor so yes. Wages though…. Hmmmm.”

West Brom are desperate to add a prolific goal scorer to their side in January, as they attempt to climb the table into one of the two automatic promotion spots.

Gayle does have the experience and tenacity to handle the Championship, with a proven record of scoring important goals in the second tier for both the Baggies and Newcastle.

Ismael will be working closely with the board to ensure that the right players are brought into the club in January and West Brom can get a healthy run of form going with more goals being scored and better finishing in the side going forward into the second half of the season.

It’s evident that their former loan star would fit the bill. They’ve scored 21 goals fewer than league leaders Fulham this term so need all the additional help they can get if they want to seal promotion back to the promised land of the Premier League.

Although Gayle hasn’t exactly been on fire for the Toon, failing to score this campaign, his tally of 59 Championship goals is something for fans to get excited about.

They simply have to sign him, or a player of his proven calibre, in order to better their current league position.

In other news: Lai still wants to sell the Baggies

It’s not often you’ll find a Celtic supporter praising the club’s hierarchy but they deserve credit for the turnaround after their Eddie Howe move collapsed.

The Hoops could have sat licking their wounds but instead, they dusted themselves off and found themselves an alternative in double-quick time.

The frontrunner for the vacant manager’s position is now Ange Postecoglou, a man who enjoyed a successful spell with Australia and is now catching the eye in Japan.

Celtic have had to think outside of the box but it’s brought them to a manager who suits the club perfectly.

Postecoglou is currently in charge of Japanese top-flight side Yokohama Marinos, the club with whom he won the league in 2019.

His side play an attractive brand of football, keeping possession away from the opposition and tiring them to within an inch of their lives.

No team has kept more possession (64.7%) than his side while they also play with a long-busting intense press.

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The idea of that style of play is to win the ball back within just five seconds of losing it. Based on that, Celtic will need players who are willing to work hard or who are familiar with that style of play.

Last month, the Hoops were tipped as a potential destination for Xherdan Shaqiri.

The Swiss ace is now 29 and isn’t the hardest of workers but crucially, he has experience of playing in a team that loves to press.

Shaqiri currently plays his football for Liverpool where Jurgen Klopp has developed a successful gegenpress system.

Throughout 2020/21, only Manchester City and Leicester had a better success rate when it came to winning the ball back quickly; Liverpool’s percentage stood at an impressive 31.6% within five seconds of losing the ball.

Shaqiri didn’t play a great deal last term but his pressing statistics per 90 minutes outweigh a number of Liverpool’s star men.

He applied pressure to an opponent 16.1 times per 90 this term, more than Sadio Mane, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

As for successful pressure percentage, he sits on 33% which is above the likes of Henderson, Mo Salah and Thiago.

Those are some illustrious names that Shaqiri tops, leading us to believe he’d fit into Postecoglou’s system perfectly.

The Switzerland international would also offer plenty with his technical ability. An assured passer with clever feet, Liverpool reporter James Pearce once said he had “incredible intelligence as well as breathtaking technique.”

He may be approaching the age of 30 but there’d be few better players to target if he was available this summer.

Postecoglou needs to target the Liverpool winger.

AND in other news, Hoops set for colossal blow after Celtic news emerges, fans should be gutted…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Bull, who is a Wolverhampton Wanderers Hall of Famer, has claimed that Rafa Mir has no future at Wolves despite scoring 24 times in 49 games for SD Huesca.

Mir signed for Wolves when they were in the Championship, linking up with Nuno Espirito Santo for the second time following their time together at Valencia, where Nuno handed the 23-year old his debut.

Since joining in 2018, Mir has only made four appearances for Wolves failing to score in all of them, which coincides with a poor loan spell at Nottingham Forest which saw him fail to find the net in 13 games.

Speaking on Rafa Mir’s future at Wolves and what the club should do with the 23-year old, Bull told FFC:

“I think he’s gone now, I think he’s flown the nest and we could talk all day about transfers coming in and out, but he’s not going to fit into Nuno’s plans.

Wolves have struggled in the final third season with their top scorers being Pedro Neto and Ruben Neves, both on five goals with Raul Jimenez out injured.

Jimenez has been a big miss for Wolves who have had to cope without their talisman since November when he fractured his skull against Arsenal.

Sporting CP midfielder Matheus Nunes would be an excellent signing for Wolves, as well as a show of ambition, according to Midlands reporter Josh Holland.

The Lowdown: Nunes linked with Wolves move

Bruno Lage will be looking to bolster his options in the summer transfer window, ensuring his Wanderers side continue to head in the right direction next season.

One player Wolves have been linked with signing is Nunes, who is enjoying an impressive season for Sporting, starting 28 Primeira Liga games and chipping in with two goals and assists apiece.

The 23-year-old’s creative class has shone through in his central midfield role, with an 85.6% pass completion rate and an average of 2.4 dribbles per game.

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The Latest: Journalist talks up signing

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Holland talked up the idea of Nunes joining Wolves in the summer, saying it would be a statement of intent:

“I think it shows ambition and the fans will love that Bruno Lage wants players like that.

“Depending on where they finish, they need to be looking at players that will want to come to Wolves and help them get into the Champions League rather than a player who wants them to be in the Champions League now.”

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The Verdict: Neves replacement?

Nunes looks like a class act who could fit in seamlessly at Molineux, not least because of his Portuguese roots, and he is surely being viewed as a replacement for Ruben Neves.

The Wolves hero looks increasingly likely to move elsewhere at the end of the season and his compatriot could help the sizeable void left by him, considering he is not dissimilar in style, even hailed as ‘one of the best players in the world today’ by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

At 23, Nunes would be considered a long-term replacement who should improve further in the coming years, also making up for the loss of one of the club’s most influential players.

In other news, one player has emerged as a new Wolves transfer target. Find out who it is here.

Leeds United playmaker Pablo Hernandez was not involved in the matchday squad for the game against West Ham United on Monday night and Phil Hay has revealed why this was the case.

The latest on Hernandez

The Athletic journalist spoke to Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa and confirmed via Twitter that “Hernandez has another muscle problem”

This isn’t the biggest blow for Leeds

Last season saw the Leeds faithful fall in love with Hernandez, who Hay championed as ‘unreal’ and a ‘demon’ on Twitter after he scored a crucial late winner against Swansea in the promotion run-in, part of a successful campaign in which he scored nine goals and set up another nine.

However, this season has told a very different story for the 35 year-old, who has suffered a few injuries and was even the subject of speculation over a potential Elland Road exit. Bielsa has only started him twice and subbed him on 11 times in the Premier League this term (Transfermarkt).

It looks like his best years could be behind him, but it will be a slight blow if Leeds don’t have his creative threat to come off the bench should they need one desperately in upcoming games.

In other news, Marcelo Bielsa gave an honest assessment of this Leeds star!

Many Everton fans have been left to flock to a big manager update on Christophe Galtier.

As per football journalist and transfers expert Duncan Castles, the Goodison Park faithful have been in contact with his agents over a potential move to the Merseyside club after Carlo Ancelotti left to go and manage Real Madrid.

Galtier has just come off the back of a very impressive Ligue 1 title win over the previously dominant PSG, and former sporting director at LOSC Lille, Luis Campos, has claimed that he has ‘all the qualities’ to coach in English football, and believes that he would be a good choice for the Blues as their next permanent boss.

Nonetheless, the update has certainly drawn a lot of excitement from several Toffees supporters, who see him as the ideal fit to manage them ahead of the new season.

Everton fans on Galtier manager update

These EFC fans flocked to the manager update as it was shared on Twitter:

“I’m all for this…go get him”

Credit: @Snakepl08350140

“Please!!!!”

Credit: @stevekendrew

“I’m all aboard the Galtier train! Someone get him a room with Contract Dave!!”

Credit: @markoos01

“Sign the dotted line Christy”

Credit: @Tiernancusack21

“Please be true.”

Credit: @mattcardus16

“Beg we just do something right and get him”

Credit: @Georgeharper250

In other news, find out what big Everton manager claim has been dropped here!

Alasdair Gold has dropped an exciting transfer claim as Tottenham Hotspur embark on a new era…

What’s the word?

Writing on Twitter, the ever-reliable football.london reporter claimed that it would be a “big summer of change” in North London following the appointment of Fabio Paratici as managing director of football.

It’s a role that has not been filled since Franco Baldini departed in 2015, so it certainly is an interesting new approach from Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

Gold linked to his latest column and wrote:

“The latest as I understand it on Paulo Fonseca, with talks progressing, Fabio Paratici’s arrival and a big summer of change at Spurs as I understand, a number of players have now been told they can leave and their agents instructed to find moves.”

Spurs’ new era

This latest development is hugely encouraging news as it shows that the Italian has already been working on Spurs’ summer business before he officially starts on July 1st.

He has one mighty task on his hands, too.

The Lilywhites finished seventh in the Premier League – their worst placement since 2008/09 – and have not won a major trophy since clinching the League Cup in 2008.

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There is also the small matter of keeping superstar striker Harry Kane at the club amid reports after reports suggested that he has expressed his desire to leave this summer.

A lot of the current squad have remained since Mauricio Pochettino’s stint, so you could argue that those players that let him down in the wake of their Champions League loss were the exact same ones who were at fault for Jose Mourinho’s downfall.

So the fact that Paratici already knows that he must move several of these players on should come as a major source of excitement for many in N17. It’ll also help boost the transfer kitty, with ex-Roma coach Paulo Fonseca expected to be appointed in the coming week or so.

He and the Italian are both about to kickstart a new era at Tottenham Hotspur. And that must be aided by the departure of several fringe stars.

Also according to Gold, Serge Aurier has announced his intention to leave whilst Juan Foyth’s loan move to Villarreal is expected to be made permanent.

The likes of Lucas Moura, Erik Lamela, Moussa Sissoko, Harry Winks, Dele Alli and Davinson Sanchez are all potential candidates for the chopping block, having been linked with an exit in recent months.

As mentioned above, this should create funds to help Paratici bolster Fonseca’s playing squad ahead of next season and whilst he’s not been the preferred candidate, it should give many supporters huge confidence that things are changing for the better, at long last.

AND in other news, Fonseca can save Levy millions this summer by unleashing £16m-rated Spurs “big talent”…

Glasgow Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo has shared his delight at being compared to Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha.

Aribo loves Okocha comparison

£3.15m-valued Aribo (Transfermarkt), who represents the Nigeria national team, was recently given the number 10 shirt for his country, and that has lead to comparisons to the former Paris Saint-Germain and Bolton Wanderers star, who previously wore that same jersey.

Speaking to Busy Buddies NG, Aribo shared his delight with being mentioned alongside Okocha. He said:

“Jay Jay Okocha is legendary, he is a legend. He is amazing. Even if I could fill his shoes in the slightest, I will be happy with that.

“But I wouldn’t say I necessarily feel pressure. I know what the No. 10 shirt means to the nation. But I’ll just say that I just need to be the best that I can be and give the best; what I can do for the team to help the team.

“But in terms of filling the shoes, I can’t fill Jay Jay’s shoes. He’s different level, honestly. He is a legend.”

Bit too far

Aribo has been in solid form for the Gers so far this campaign, with him having scored seven goals and provided four assists in 35 games in all competitions (Transfermarkt). However, while he clearly has talent, it is a step too far to compare him to a legend of the game such as Okocha.

He managed 101 goals throughout his career, but his contribution to the game cannot be measured  in such a way. He was a joy to watch and left a real impression on fans from all over the planet. Aribo has a long way to go match his influence – that doesn’t mean he can’t do the Nigerian number 10 shirt justice, though.

In other news, Rangers fans slam comments from their Supporters Liaison Officer.

Liverpool are set to rival Leeds United for the signing of Udinese midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, acting as a big blow to the Whites’ hopes of securing a deal.

The Lowdown: Long-term Leeds target

Leeds were strongly linked with a move for the 26-year-old last summer, failing to bring him in on Deadline Day after pulling the plug on a deal.

The interest has not gone away, however, and it has been claimed by Football Insider that the Whites have been willing to make a club-record bid for the Argentine this summer, who is valued at £34.2m by Transfermarkt.

Meanwhile, former Leeds striker Noel Whelan has said this week they were ‘desperate’ to sign the 19-time capped Argentina international, adding more fuel to the fire.

The Latest: Liverpool emerge as potential suitor

Now, FC Inter News [via Sport Witness] report that Liverpool are in the race to snap up De Paul this summer, stating that their interest is ‘real’, among a host of other clubs.

The Reds are believed to have spoken to the player’s agent Mino Raiola ‘several times’, regarding a move to Anfield, with both Milan sides also interested.

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The Verdict: Undoubted blow for Leeds

This could be a big setback for Leeds given how dead-set they seem on pursuing De Paul, with Liverpool a club with a huge amount of pull with Jurgen Klopp in charge, even despite their struggles this season.

The Reds also have one of the biggest wage bills in football (via The Liverpool Echo), suggesting they would be happy to offer the player an awful lot more than Andrea Radrizzani would.

The hope is that the lure of playing under fellow countryman Marcelo Bielsa could turn the midfielder’s head, however, as well as being more likely to be a guaranteed starter at Elland Road.

With eight goals and assists each in Serie A this season, and an average of 1.3 tackles and 0.5 interceptions per game, he could provide so much all-round quality in the middle of the park, helping Leeds find another level, but Liverpool’s interest being serious certainly feels like a worrying turning point.

In other news, one Leeds player has reportedly already sealed his future. Find out who it is here.

Some Liverpool supporters are delighted after journalist Fabrizio Romano shared a claim from David Ornstein on Twitter that Jordan Henderson is close to signing a new Reds contract.

Jurgen Klopp’s side picked up a solid 2-0 win at home to Burnley on Saturday afternoon, continuing their 100% start to the season in the process. Diogo Jota opened the scoring with a precise header and Sadio Mane fired home an impressive second goal after the interval, putting the game to bed.

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There were a number of standout performers for Liverpool and Henderson caught the eye in the middle of the park on his first start of the season, completing a team-high 66 passes against the Clarets and executing six accurate long balls (Sofascore).

The 31-year-old is a key figure on and off the pitch, and according to Romano on Twitter – with attribution to Ornstein – he is close to extending his stay at Anfield until 2024.

The journalist tweeted: “Jordan Henderson will soon sign his contract extension with Liverpool. He’s discussing final details and clauses with the club – then everything will be completed. All parties confident. #LFC New deal will be until June 2024, approved by Liverpool – as per @David_Ornstein”.

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Liverpool fans ecstatic with Henderson update

These Reds fans took to Twitter to express their happiness at the update on Henderson’s contract status at Anfield, with one Kopite describing it as “great news”.

“Rightly so..top class yesterday..and a fantastic captain”

Credit: @S7G7S

“Yes yes yes please!!!”

Credit: @cobkop

“Let’s gooo! The skipper is staying “

Credit: @Football__433

“Yessss! The skipper is essential”

Credit: @Kikiin_97

“Great news”

Credit: @apakoyan

“Love to see this! Really enjoyed Hendo’s performance against Burnley, thought he was a controlling presence and was great on the ball.”

Credit: @Valiant_Virgil

In other news, some Liverpool fans criticised one Reds player during the 2-0 win over Burnley. Find out who it is here.