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Writing on Twitter, sharing an update in the Athletic, reliable journalist David Ornstein has dropped a Tottenham Hotspur deadline day claim – going on to say that Spurs wantaway Dele Alli is ‘almost certainly’ set to stay in north London amid interest from Paris-Saint Germain. 

Alli, who apparently contacted former boss Mauricio Pochettino over a potential move to PSG and Ligue 1 (Ekrem Konur), looks set to remain in the Premier League and at Spurs as Ornstein gives the latest.

Alli ‘almost certainly’ staying at Spurs

The Englishman has played just 75 minutes of league action this season, starting just once (WhoScored), with the player reportedly keen on a move abroad as the postponed Euro 2020 championship lingers in the summer.

However, potentially down to Daniel Levy’s stubbornness over letting him go (ESPN), he is now ‘almost certainly’ remaining at Tottenham.

Jose Mourinho was said to be open to the move, but Levy was apparently reluctant to sanction the deal (ESPN).

Transfer Tavern take

Christian Eriksen was touted as the man Spurs were trying to secure before deadline day, but the Lilywhites and Inter Milan couldn’t agree on the conditions of a loan and now Fabrizio Romano shares that it he isn’t going anywhere.

Now, Alli potentially faces more lack of game time as the second half of this campaign approaches, but time will tell whether he could work his way back into Mourinho’s favour.

In other news: Tottenham are eyeing this ‘magical’ ace, find out more here.

Sporting Kansas City attacker Johnny Russell has admitted that he wants to play for Celtic before he calls time on his career.

Russell dreams of Parkhead

The 30-year-old made his name with the English Championship side Derby County where he scored 35 times from 205 appearances, adding to his career tally of 112 (Transfermarkt).

Born and raised in Glasgow, Russell had a brief stint in his homeland with Raith Rovers as a youngster where he found the net on five occasions in 28 outings.

Typically a right-winger, the Scot is about to start another season with the Major League Soccer side in the United States, but revealed how he has future ambitions of moving to Celtic Park.

“I always said the dream was to play for Celtic but it’s never happened,” he told Herald Sport (19/02 print edition, page 4).

“That’s football. The season I went to Derby was there were a few bids made but Derby offered more and Celtic’s bids were never accepted. If they had been matched I would’ve gone to Celtic, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.

“Of course, nobody is going to turn down the opportunity to play for their heroes. It was always something I’d never give up hope on. You never know.”

Transfer Tavern Verdict

While it will be nice for Celtic supporters to hear that players want to move to the club, unfortunately, it may be too late for Russell.

Previous reports have suggested that the Hoops are considering a mass overhaul in the summer. We predict that this will be in the aim of focusing on the future, as opposed to players over the age of 30.

That being said, if Russell is brought in, his presence would provide an additional boost to the squad’s strength in depth.

In other news, Alan Hutton gives reason as to why Neil Lennon is still Celtic manager.

David Moyes should unleash West Ham United’s skilful youth talent Nathan Holland after losing Andriy Yarmolenko to knee ligament damage.

The Irons boss confirmed that the Ukraine international had sustained damage to his knee while speaking following the Hammers’ FA Cup defeat to Manchester United on Tuesday night.

Yarmolenko was one of three causalities of the loss, with Angelo Ogbonna forced off with an ankle injury and Issa Diop later becoming the first player in English football history to be replaced through the newly instigated concussion protocols.

Yarmolenko had started the Old Trafford affair as Moyes’ de facto centre-forward as West Ham opted to leave Michail Antonio at home, after the striker displayed signs of serious fatigue during his side’s goalless draw with Fulham last Saturday.

Moyes is optimistic over Antonio’s chances of featuring when West Ham next take to the field against Sheffield United on Monday night, but less so on Ogbonna or Yarmolenko.

“Ogbonna has injured his ankle and Yarmolenko his knee ligaments,” the Irons boss said, via quotes by football.london. “Angelo will be a miss because he has been a big player for us.

“I don’t think he [Antonio] is too bad; we are just being careful with him and he is a concern for Sheffield United but hopefully [he will be fit]. We will see in the next few days.”

Losing Yarmolenko for any lengthy period of time will not be a blow felt as hard at West Ham as the potential loss of Antonio or Ogbonna, but a blow nonetheless and one that presents Moyes with an opportunity to promote Holland into the senior fold.

The Irons do have options in the wide roles with Yarmolenko only the back-up for Jarrod Bowen, who may now be covered by Pablo Fornals, winter loan signing Jesse Lingard or even full-back Ryan Fredericks who has featured there in previous matches.

Yet Holland should not be ignored, having been named in the east London outfit’s updated 25-man Premier League squad for the remainder of the 2020/21 season.

Holland remained at the London Stadium after the January transfer window having seen potential loan moves fall through, despite Hammers insider ExWHUemployee suggesting he was set to leave with Oxford United and Hull City at points leading the race for his signature.

Now, Moyes can look to afford the 2019/20 Young Hammer of the Year greater first-team opportunities after leaving the 22-year-old an unused substitute in the FA Cup win over Stockport County last month, in what was his only first-team involvement thus far this term.

Injury has played its part in Holland only making one Under 23 outing this season with the Manchester-born winger ruled out for nine-months across 2020, but he is now fit once again and feeling stronger than ever.

When better, then, to see if the former England U20 international is ready to build only his only West Ham first-team start, having enjoyed a taste of senior football while on loan with Oxford United for the latter half of the previous campaign and scoring three goals in 12 games.

Goals or assists have never been an issue for the youngster having netted 19 times and created a further 18 in 50 U23s outings, and now should be the time to see if those numbers can translate into the senior fold at the London Stadium.

AND in other news, West Ham will have to pay in excess of £26.5m to land a prolific 18 goal striker in the summer…

With Pablo Hernandez’s career at Leeds United winding down, Marcelo Bielsa may be on the look-out for someone to fill that potential void sooner rather than later.

The veteran Spaniard, who will turn 36 in a couple of months, has fallen out of favour at Elland Road this season, playing just 313 minutes of Premier League football.

Whether it’s his age, or even suggestions that both he and the manager have had a falling out, the writing is very much on the wall for Hernandez’s time in Yorkshire.

But with reports in recent days linking the Whites with a move for Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez, Bielsa could well find his perfect successor to Hernandez quicker than he expected.

Vazquez is predominantly a right-winger, but he appears to have all the tools in his lock for Bielsa to work his coaching magic and turn him into a number ten or someone to play just off the striker – just like Hernandez has done in recent seasons.

This season, the Madrid flier has managed five assists in all competitions, including a couple of big contributions in big games against the likes of Valencia and Celta Vigo.

Speaking last month, Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane raved about his match-winning performance against Vigo, saying: “What he’s doing right now doesn’t surprise us. Not only do I like him, we all like him because he is always on the job and reliable. He always gives everything on the pitch and we appreciate that. I congratulate him.”

Vazquez is a more creative force than someone with the directness and willingness to let fly like a Raphinha-type, and it’s exactly why he seems to be more in the mould of a Hernandez.

The 29-year-old has averaged a very impressive 1.7 key passes per game in La Liga, which would actually rank him joint-second in the entire Leeds squad. And given his natural instincts as a winger, he’s also a prolific dribbler, making 1.4 per game at a superb success rate of 71%.

To put that into context, Raphinha makes slightly less per game at 1.6, but with far less success (54%).  Hernandez’s best season in terms of dribbling at Leeds meanwhile saw him manage 1.8 per game in his first season at Elland Road.

Just like Hernandez, the 5 foot 8 Vazquez is small in stature, but has got all the footwork and trickery to make him a real danger for the opposition. If Orta can get this deal over the line, Bielsa could very well land Leeds’ next Spanish magician.

Like how Hernandez was converted from a flying right winger into a number ten, Bielsa could do the same with Vazquez. It’s all on Victor Orta to snap him up on a free transfer this summer.

Many Everton fans have been left to buzz at some comments made by Carlo Ancelotti on the future of Richarlison and whether he will stay at Goodison Park.

As relayed by the Liverpool Echo, the Italian boss has claimed that the former Watford star will stay at the Merseyside club for as long as the gaffer does.

This has come as such a welcome relief to several Toffees supporters given just how important he has been to the team over the years.

The Brazil international has scored no fewer than 40 goals and made a further nine assists in 105 games in total over all competitions over three consecutive terms so far since arriving at the Blues (Transfermarkt), and at just 23 years of age, is a precious asset to have.

Nonetheless, it looks as if he is going to stay at Everton at least for the near future, with Ancelotti under contract at Goodison until 2024.

Everton fan reaction to Ancelotti’s Richarlison comments

These EFC supporters were left buzzing after hearing about Ancelotti’s comments on Richarlison on Twitter:

“If we can keep him for a big season next then I would be made up”

Credit: @Wazefc83

“Ooooh this I like”

Credit: @cattywhites2

“Love this!!!!!!”

Credit: @TommyHanson93

“Absolutely love this and they both are not going anywhere!!”

Credit: @TashEFC

“I hope so, the best signing we made for years was appointing Carlo, he’s happy and the players clearly are, but in order to keep the likes of Richy we need European football, we will get it if not this year its next easy but it’s keeping what we have, I think we will”

Credit: @Lano1878

“I want them to stay forever”

Credit: @CherylSwanick

In other news, find out what triple injury blow Everton have been dealt ahead of West Brom here!

Paul Robinson has claimed that Matt Ritchie will not stay at Newcastle United in the summer if Steve Bruce is still manager at the St. James’ Park faithful.

This comes after the reported bust-up between the duo on the training ground at the North East club, with Bruce physically confronting Ritchie and barging into him after the former AFC Bournemouth man called him a ‘coward’.

Ritchie was an unused substitute in the Tyneside club’s last game in the 0-0 draw away at West Brom in the Premier League at Sunday lunchtime, despite Bruce only making two substitutions with the Magpies crying out for some more onus in attack.

Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson has claimed that the Scotland international will move on in the upcoming summer transfer window if Bruce is still manager at the Toon:

“I think his time there is limited.

“It looks more than likely he’ll be heading for an exit. If Bruce is still there in the summer it looks very likely that Ritchie won’t be.

“When you have a bust-up with the manager it straight away puts the manager’s authority into question. It is never comfortable and it is very rarely repairable.

“I think in this case it is a relationship that is irreparable. I think we will see him move on if Steve Bruce still be there.”

Newcastle should keep Ritchie

NUFC should be looking to keep hold of Ritchie, even if Bruce is still confirmed to be in charge beyond the 2020/21 term.

The 31-year-old is an experienced head and a big character in the dressing room, which can be useful for Newcastle in terms of trying to get results on the pitch.

He still has the ability as well, with former Cherries manager Jason Tindall describing the winger as a ‘fantastic’ player amid reported transfer interest from his team back in the January window.

Nonetheless, Ritchie could be a key player for the Magpies come the start of next season.

In other news, find out what details have been shared on a key Premier League decision on the potential takeover here!

Adam Forshaw has been seen back in Leeds United training, acting as a huge boost to both Marcelo Bielsa and the player himself.

The 29-year-old was a key player for the Whites after joining from Middlesbrough back in 2018 and has made 52 appearances overall.

Sadly, a hip injury has hugely curtailed Forshaw’s progress and he hasn’t played since the beginning of last season because of it.

Forshaw has continually suffered setbacks in his recovery, but it may look as though his return is finally in sight.

Forshaw makes welcome injury return

According to MOT Leeds News, Forshaw is now back in Leeds training, with a fan spotting him alongside Gaetano Berardi in an ‘Inside Training’ video released by the club.

While the midfielder’s return to first-team action is still likely to be a way off, there is undoubted reason for positivity at the sight of him being back alongside his colleagues.

Transfer Tavern take

Forshaw has suffered such cruel luck over the past couple of seasons, so it would be heartwarming to see him back on the pitch in the near future.

A stint in the Under-23s is to be expected before there is any talk of him playing in the Premier League, but he may still have a Leeds career to look forward to.

In other news, Leeds have been tipped to sign a current Premier League defender – find out who it is here.

Crystal Palace and Tottenham are just two of several clubs credited with a recent interest in Hatayspor striker Aaron Boupendza.

According to a report from 90min, Palace, Spurs and six other Premier League sides are all interested in the Gabon international.

Celtic and Rangers also keen

Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers are also thought to be keen on the 24-year-old, with the report claiming that it is the forward’s wish to move to the Premier League.

Hatayspor are reportedly willing to do business, should their £8.5m valuation be matched.

Boupendza has only been with the Turkish side since the summer and has already made a major impact, scoring 18 times goals in 26 Super Lig appearances.

Transfer Tavern take

Palace have lacked real firepower up front in recent years, relying too much on wide man Wilfried Zaha for goals at times, so bringing in Boupendza could be a shrewd piece of business.

Christian Benteke is out of contract in the summer, Michy Batshuayi will return to Chelsea at the end of the season and Jordan Ayew turns 30 in December, so this upcoming transfer window could be the perfect time to splash the cash on a striker.

It seems as if the Eagles will face plenty of English competition for Boupendza’s services, though, but guaranteeing game time at Selhurst Park could possibly work out in Palace’s favour.

In other news: Plenty of Palace fans have been reacting to one scout’s presence at Selhurst Park on the weekend, find out more here. 

With Wolves’ forward line flattering to deceive this season, signing a new set of attackers in the summer should be at the top of their agenda.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, Wolves are in the hunt to sign Sevilla’s Lucas Ocampos.

Sources tell the outlet that the winger is firmly on Wolves’ radar as they look to bolster their attacking options next term.

Ocampos is currently on a wage of £27k-per-week but a potential stumbling block could be the fee.

The Argentine has a release clause of a whopping £62m in his current contract at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.

With Wolves struggling to afford sizeable transfers in January, it’s hard to picture how they’d afford this one.

Imagine him and Jimenez

Wolves’ struggles this term have been primarily with their frontline. You can hardly blame the issues at hand, though.

They sold Matt Doherty and Diogo Jota last summer, a pairing who equated for 25% of Wolves’ goals last term. Add that Raul Jimenez has been missing since November and it quickly becomes rather evident why they’re sat in the bottom half of the table.

Fabio Silva has scored just twice while Willian Jose is yet to find the net since moving to the Midlands in January.

The addition of Ocampos, therefore, would be simply thrilling. If Wolves can get Jimenez fit before the start of next season and bring in a winger as talented as the Sevilla one, then it would elevate their chances of getting back in Europe.

The Mexican’s record for Wolves has been impeccable while Ocampos has quickly become one of the most dynamic wingers in La Liga.

He has scored 24 goals for the Spanish outfit since swapping Marseille for Iberia in 2019, seven of which have come this term.

The 26-year-old is a real live wire and a move to the Premier League would be a fine reward for the rapid progression he’s shown in his game.

Speaking about Ocampos, Fede Prami, a journalist and River Plate fan once recalled: “The kid was gold. He made his debut at El Monumental in River’s first-ever second-division match. No pressure. In his second match, he scored. In the third, a goal and assist. He was electric.”

Indeed, since his move to Europe, he has shown similar qualities. The winger has registered 2.2 dribbles per game this term, a tally that usurps Pedro Neto’s.

Thus, just imagine what a player like this could do for someone like Jimenez. He may just bounce back from his injury in even better form.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Neto: Wolves must swoop for “lovely” £47k-p/w gem who “doesn’t stop running”…

Marcelo Bielsa has been gifted a big boost with the news that his captain Liam Cooper is back in Leeds training, following an absence through illness.

The 29-year-old has been a stalwart for the Whites since joining from Chesterfield back in 2014, making 220 appearances for the club.

Cooper skippered Leeds back into the Premier League after last season’s Championship triumph and he has continued to be a key man in 2020/21.

The centre-back has missed his side’s last two outings due to illness, however – the goalless home draw with Chelsea and the 2-1 win away to Fulham.

[freshpress-quiz id=“347980″]

Cooper returns to training

It looks as though Cooper has overcome his problem, though, with Leeds Live reporting that he was back in training on Friday.

That means the captain is in contention to start next Saturday’s visit of bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United, as Marcelo Bielsa and his players reconvene after the international break.

Transfer Tavern take

Bielsa could have a potential centre-back dilemma on his hands for the Blades game, with Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk performing well in the last two games.

That being said, Cooper should still return to the starting lineup, with the Englishman proving how influential he is over a long period of time.

In other news, one Leeds star is reportedly on his way out of the exit door this summer – find out who it is here.