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Liverpool could be about to receive another significant boost to their transfer budget after winger Sheyi Ojo was linked with a permanent move away from the club.

What’s the story?

According to AllNigeriaSoccer, German outfit Bayer Leverkusen have identified the 24-year-old as a primary target following the departure of Demarai Gray to Everton.

Ojo last made an appearance for Liverpool three years ago and has spent five of the last six seasons out on loan with Wolves, Fulham, Stade de Reims, Rangers and Cardiff City.

With the powerful forward absent from the Reds’ pre-season tour of Austria and beginning his training with the Anfield outfit’s U23 side, it seems a transfer away from Merseyside is inevitable.

He’s been shocking

The 19-time English champions had high hopes for Ojo in his youth team days, but the former England U21 international has failed to live up to his early promise.

During a loan spell with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers during the 2019/20 campaign, he struggled to make an impact in Scottish football, drawing criticism from several pundits, including ex-Ibrox ace Neil McCann.

Speaking on Open Goal’s Keeping the Ball on the Ground podcast, Slane said: “For me, I’m going to say it, the boy Ojo isn’t Rangers class. He’s not Rangers quality for me. He really isn’t.

“I thought at first he’d be a really good signing…he’s not Rangers quality. He doesn’t offer enough and to me, he looks lost in a man’s world out there. He does not look a Rangers player, a player that wants to win the league, a player that’s mentally tough enough.”

During that spell in Glasgow, the £10k-per-week attacker found the net just five times and started on only nine occasions in the Scottish Premiership. A spell with Cardiff was semi-productive, contributing to 12 strikes but it was fine evidence that he simply isn’t Premier League quality.

With the effects of the ongoing pandemic continuing to restrict football club’s ability to spend in the current window, securing lucrative sales for unwanted fringe players is the easiest way to boost the coffers.

Liverpool have already managed to offload Taiwo Awoniyi and Marko Gruijc for a combined £17m to Union Berling and Porto, respectively, and Leverkusen’s interest in Ojo could see another sizeable sum land on the Reds’ lap.

And, in other news…James Pearce drops Liverpool transfer update that may leave fans concerned 

A fresh twist has emerged in Tottenham Hotspur’s managerial saga once again and this one is sure to leave many excited…

What’s the word?

According to talkSPORT, the Lilywhites’ hierarchy is still believed to favour a move for former coach Mauricio Pochettino after the blows suffered to Paulo Fonseca and then Gennaro Gattuso.

It’s thought that their new director of football Fabio Paratici is now targeting ex-Wolves boss Nuno Santo but the rest of the club’s leading figures would rather tempt the Argentine back from Paris Saint-Germain, some 18 months after he was originally sacked by Daniel Levy.

The Athletic revealed last month that the two parties had held talks over a sensational return but it proved difficult due to PSG’s stance of keeping hold of their manager, leading to them triggering an extension in his contract to all but end Spurs’ advances.

Now, though, it seems it could well be back on.

Another twist

This is merely just another twist in the tale and whilst many in North London will be growing concerned and probably frustrated by the arduous process, the prospects of Pochettino still being in the running will delight many supporters.

Some were left underwhelmed by Fonseca coming in and plenty were firmly opposed to the arrival of Gattuso, so much so that a social media campaign against him was trending and that clearly caught the eye of Spurs’ big wigs, who quickly ended their pursuit.

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Over the eight weeks since Jose Mourinho has been sacked, some six or more names have been in the running. It all started with Julian Nagelsmann, who opted to join Bayern Munich from RB Leipzig instead.

Brendan Rodgers was then considered but he quickly ruled himself out of the running, understandable considering his trophy-winning project at Leicester City.

One name Spurs appeared to be close to was ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte before talks between the two sides broke down. And then, of course, there are the recent blows to Fonseca and the controversial former AC Milan midfielder.

It’s so crucial, more so now than ever, that Levy gets this appointment spot on. Many have already protested about his decisions in recent months and right now, it seems Spurs are in freefall after their worst Premier League finish since 2009.

Pochettino solves plenty of the worries, though, and is evidently amongst the favourites with the fanbase, as seen by reaction to the initial links a month ago.

This is yet another twist in the tale but at least it’s an exciting one after several setbacks. It should leave lots of fans buzzing in N17.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Son: Paratici could seal “bargain buy” with Spurs swoop for £36m monster…

Sunderland midfielder Josh Hawkes is attracting interest ahead of the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Sheffield Echo, who claimed that Ipswich Town, along with a number of Premier League clubs – including West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United – are interested in a move for the 22-year-old attacking midfielder in the upcoming transfer market.

The East Anglian Daily Times reported that the £510-per-week man, who has one year left to run on his contract at The Stadium of Light, is understood to be keen to leave the Black Cats this summer as a result of his lack of first team football under Lee Johnson.

Huge mistake

Having shown a great deal of potential for the club’s under-23 side this season, should Sunderland go on to lose the services of Hawkes this summer due to Johnson’s apparent reluctance to give the youngster first-team minutes, the argument could easily be made that it would be something of a catastrophe for the 44-year-old.

Over his 20 Premier League 2 fixtures for the Sunderland under-23s this term, Hawkes scored 13 goals – the joint-most in the competition – and registered six assists, with the 22-year-old’s goals often being game-changing. He also fired the youth team to the play-offs, in which Sunderland narrowly lost on penalties in the final against Crystal Palace.

Indeed, on numerous occasions throughout the course of the season, many Sunderland fans appeared eager for Johnson to include the youngster in his matchday squad, with one claiming that Hawkes had “needed to be in the first team for weeks,” while another stated that he “surely has to be in the first team” as the midfielder was “banging them in every week.”

However, despite this, Hawkes made just one appearance for the Black Cats this season, in the 2-1 loss to Fleetwood Town in the Papa John’s Trophy.

As such, if the man Jeff Stelling dubbed a “free spirit” does wish to leave Sunderland this summer in search of regular first team football, it appears as if Johnson will have nobody to blame other than himself.

In other news: Sunderland dealt transfer blow over “brilliant” £6.4k-p/w beast, Johnson will be devastated – opinion

Aston Villa reportedly want to beat Celtic in the race to land Josh King’s services, according to a report from Birmingham Live.

And, as to be expected, a number of Villa supporters have been sharing their thoughts to the links on social media.

According to Norwegian outlet VG, cited by Birmingham Live, Villa are among the clubs interested in King’s services alongside newly-promoted Norwich City and Celtic.

The 29-year-old will leave Everton this summer when his contract expires.

He only made the move to Goodison Park back in February on a short-term deal worth £45,000-a-week but failed to do enough to extend his stay on Merseyside.

King made 11 appearances for the Toffees but failed to score or provide an assist last season.

Villa fans react

@AVFC_News shared the report on Twitter on Tuesday evening.

It’s safe to say these Villa fans weren’t happy at the thought of the club moving for the Norway international, with one labelling him as ‘awful’.

“Oh no”Credit: @Moorski7″No thanks, that be going backwards!!!”Credit: @MarkHyn03699576″No thanks”Credit: @Villaboy89″Nooooooo”Credit: @TonyG_gwynnie”Awful player awful fit”Credit: @j_macgeever”Think this ship has sailed. No thanks.”Credit: @JayVtid

In other news: Report shares two reasons Emi Buendia is choosing Villa over Arsenal, find out more here. 

Steve Bull believes that Wolves would be able to offer Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko regular first-team football.

The Frenchman has been an important part of the club since joining from Newcastle in 2016, making more than 200 appearances in a Spurs shirt.

However, £30m man Sissoko now has just two years remaining on his contract and doesn’t appear to be a part of the club’s long-term plans having already been linked with a move to Napoli this summer.

He made 42 appearances in all competitions last season and was a regular starter in the Premier League up until Christmas.

But when Jose Mourinho opted to bring in an extra attacking player, Sissoko was sacrificed and therefore made just one league start in Tottenham’s final 17 fixtures.

With Oliver Skipp expected to be a part of the first-team next season, the 31-year-old could slip even further down the pecking order, meaning a summer exit from north London is highly likely.

Asked whether Sissoko would be a good addition for Wolves, Bull exclusively told The Transfer Tavern:

“Ideal, and I think he would get [regular first-team football]. Someone like that in the side, massive presence and he isn’t scared of putting his foot in.

“He could probably teach a few of the youngsters, ‘listen follow in my footsteps and I’ll get you up there.’ “

Borussia Dortmund have been credited with an interest in Leeds star Raphinha, according to Eurosport.

The Lowdown: Raphinha’s impressive season

It’s safe to say now that the Whites struck gold with their £17m move for the Brazilian back in October.

Leeds sealed a deal on deadline day, and Raphinha was one of the standout performers under Marcelo Bielsa in an impressive first season back in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old scored six times and registered six assists in 30 league appearances, ending the campaign as Leeds’ best-rated performer, as per WhoScored.

It appears that his displays have caught the eye abroad, with the summer transfer window set to open over the next few weeks.

The Latest: Dortmund’s interest

According to Eurosport, German giants Dortmund have made tentative enquiries to sign Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi as they seek replacements in case Jadon Sancho departs.

The report adds that the former Champions League winners could explore deals for Lille’s Jonathan Ikone and Raphinha as alternatives.

Raphinha, who former Elland Road man Noel Whelan described as ‘sensational’, is under contract at Elland Road until 2024.

The Verdict: Whites should be under no pressure to sell

In our opinion, unless a mega-money offer comes in from Dortmund, the Whites should dismiss all interest in the winger.

Only five players in the Premier League registered more assists than the Brazilian last season. He started just 26 league games, so that tally could have been a lot more if he signed prior to the start of the campaign.

Leeds will be looking to improve on their 9th place finish next year, and to do that, you’d expect keeping hold of their prized assets will be crucial.

It just goes to show the impact he’s had in Yorkshire for Dortmund to show an interest, but hopefully, a deal won’t materialise.

In other news: Whites boosted in hopes of signing Emi Buendia, find out more here. 

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that Tottenham selling Harry Kane this summer would destroy the club.

The Spurs striker continues to be linked with a move away from north London, with both Manchester City and Manchester United said to be interested, and recently reiterated his desire to win trophies.

While Tottenham have had their struggles this season, Kane has been brilliant throughout the campaign and they will surely be fearing losing their talisman – especially after another trophy-less season.

The 27-year-old has put up some incredible numbers when it comes to both goals and assists in the Premier League, showing just how valuable he is to the team.

For Hendrie, it will be almost impossible to replace that, hence why he believes a Kane departure would leave Spurs in tatters.

On the England captain potentially leaving the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the upcoming transfer window, the retired Premier League footballer told FFC:

“You take him out of there and who are you going to get that’s going to fill 25 plus goals a season? You’ll do well; I’ll tell you that now. That could really destroy Spurs and that’s what I feel holds the cards on many things at this moment in time at that football club.”

Indeed, it really would be interesting to see who Tottenham could get in as a replacement for Kane if he did decide to leave this summer, especially with the north London club potentially not having Champions League football to use as a bargaining chip.

Whenever a new manager walks through the door at Celtic, they will have little opportunity to get to grips with their surroundings at Parkhead.

That’s because the Bhoys’ playing squad is in dire need of being repaired.

On the chalkboard

The biggest concern from Celtic’s diabolical season is their defence. They have shipped 16 more goals than their biggest rivals Rangers and also conceded 19 times in just six Europa League outings.

It has been a wretched campaign which has been summed up by two lacklustre displays in the space of a few weeks against the Gers.

They were demolished 4-1 in the league last weekend in a performance which lacked urgency, authority and composure. Those qualities were also missing in the 2-0 defeat in the Scottish Cup fourth round – on that occasion, it was Diego Laxalt who was made to rue some unforgivable errors.

The AC Milan loanee was completely out of the picture as Rangers charged down his side of the pitch for the opener and then for the second, he was turned inside out in embarrassing fashion by Joe Aribo.

Laxalt’s defensive qualities have left a lot to be desired for vast portions of the campaign and it would be surprising if we saw him back at Parkhead next term.

The solution

Celtic have seen a number of high-class left-backs escape their clutches in years gone by. The Hoops famously let Andy Robertson leave the club when he was just 15, while Aaron Hickey is another defender they should have kept at Lennoxtown.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/celtic-manager-transfers-eddie-howe-jesse-marsch-ryan-christie-siriki-dembele” title=”Read the latest Celtic managerial updates, transfer news, rumours and gossip!”]

Two years ago, Kieran Tierney departed the club in a deal worth £25m. Ever since the Arsenal defender left, they haven’t looked assured on that side of the pitch, and that’s why they should revive their interest in Josh Doig this summer.

Celtic were interested in signing the 18-year-old during the winter months, and if they decide against bringing Laxalt back, it’s Doig to whom they must turn.

The teenager has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Hibernian and has been named alongside David Turnbull as a nominee for the Young Player of the Season. A move to Celtic would be just desserts for an eye-catching campaign in which he’s shown similar attributes to Tierney going forward.

Speaking about Doig this season, former Celtic assistant manager John Collins said: “I have enjoyed watching his appetite, his desire to get forward. He’s a player that, when you watch him, he 100% sprints up and back again. That’s something you don’t often see and it catches your eye. He’s got that real desire to get up and support.”

Collins added: “He still has to work on his final delivery into the box, but he’s shown enormous potential.”

Doig already possesses almost all of the attributes you require from a modern full-back, but crucially, he can also defend astutely – the young Scot has won the same number of tackles per game (1.7) as Laxalt. That said, it’s worth considering how young he is and that number will only grow larger the better and more confident he gets.

He would certainly seem a marvellous pick-up this summer if they can beat others to his signature.

AND in other news, Celtic can sign ideal Elyounoussi heir in £80k-p/w titan with “breathtaking technique”…

Those in charge at Southampton will be pleased with the job Ralph Hasenhuttl is doing, claims former midfielder Carlton Palmer.

After a promising start to the season, which saw Southampton even go top of the table at one stage, the Saints really fell off in the second half of the campaign before finishing in 15th place.

Hasenhuttl looks set to continue in the St. Mary’s dugout, however, with talkSPORT’s Alex Crook (via This Is Futbol) recently claiming that the Austrian’s job is “very safe”.

And looking at the context of Southampton’s season, Palmer can understand why that is the case. Speaking on the matter, the former Saints player told FFC:

“I think they’re [the board] happy for them to be in the Premier League. I think they’ll be happy for them to be around, you know, halfway, just below halfway.

“He [Hasenhuttl] created the problem of the expectations because they were doing so well, at the top of the league, and people get carried away. So, for sure, I don’t see any reason why he should be leaving Southampton.”

Hasenhuttl did manage to take Southampton to an FA Cup semi-final this season, while his high-pressing football, the team’s ability to get the ball quickly back from the opposition, gets fans roaring.

The Saints have never really been in any serious relegation trouble either, so it really is not hard to see why Hasenhuttl’s job is so secure right now.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has delivered a major update on Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw.

What’s the story?

The £60k-a-week earning ace has been out of action for Marcelo Bielsa’s side for well over a year, and thus, is still yet to make an appearance in the Premier League for the Whites.

Now, Hay has suggested Forshaw is closing in on a potential return to the first-team, with the 29-year-old set to feature for the U23s.

He revealed: “Leeds midfielder Adam Forshaw could make his first competitive appearance in more than 18 months this week following a long fight to recover from hip surgery, reports Phil Hay. Forshaw has a chance of playing in the under-23s match between Leeds and Aston Villa on Friday, a year and a half on from his last first-team outing.

“Forshaw is understood to have completed an hour of a game organised between Leeds’ under-23s and non-League York City at Thorp Arch on Saturday. The former Middlesbrough midfielder is understood to have come safely through the 60-minute run-out and will now be considered for another academy game in the days ahead, raising the prospect of a first-team comeback.”

Bielsa will be buzzing

Given how he’s still been yet to call him up for a game in the Premier League, the news on Forshaw nearing a first-team comeback will surely have Bielsa buzzing.

Before his injury, the midfielder was clearly someone who had impressed the Argentine, who said: “Forshaw is a player who, when he has played, he is always between the better players of the team.

“He has a feature that is very difficult to get. He defends similar to Kalvin, he attacks similar to Klich. What he does close to Phillips doesn’t impede, it is not a problem for him when he goes close to Klich to attack.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Latest Leeds transfer rumours and news”]”You are not going to find a lot of players with this kind of characteristic. Always Adam when he plays is one of the players who runs more and not just in total distance, in sprints in high intensity.”With Leeds being linked to midfielders like Teun Koopmeiners ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window, Forshaw’s impending return will give Bielsa some time to assess the 29-year-old before the end of the Premier League season and whether he can cut it at this level.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing this 6 foot 3 powerhouse…