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Many Sunderland fans have been reacting to footage of Benji Kimpioka, who is currently on loan at Torquay United in the National League.

The 21-year-old was playing for the Gulls on Sunday against Hartlepool in the play-off final. The match proved to be a tense affair as Hartlepool took the lead early on before Luke Covolan equalised in the fifth minute of added time. Eventually, the north-east club won 5-4 on penalties as they secured their return to the Football League as Torquay missed out.

Kimpioka didn’t start the match but he was brought on from the bench. It was after the clash that he made headlines, but for the wrong reasons, as footage of him emerged throwing a water bottle at a Hartlepool fan during a pitch invasion from the Pools faithful after the match.

The video was shared on Twitter by @Bsw1995, and it attracted plenty of attention from Sunderland supporters. These took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on Kimpioka’s loss of temper.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about Kimpioka

“Love this”

Credit: @newtsfever

“Is there anything wrong with this? Don’t see an issue”

Credit: @SAFCGeorge6

“my winger”

Credit: @SAFCTylerr

“As usual Benji did it very fast but missed.”

Credit: @_toosb

“Obviously something been said to him.”

Credit: @pjennings73pj

“Silly boy… As if playing for the lads hasn’t grounded him for disappointment!!”

Credit: @Brytom67

In other news, Sunderland are hopeful of signing this in-demand winger.

Sheffield Wednesday are reportedly interested in bringing Doncaster Rovers midfielder John Bostock to the club in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Moore keen on new signings

The Owls were relegated from the Championship last season, with a points deduction proving costly and final-day heartbreak coming their way.

It is now vital that Darren Moore’s side bounce back immediately, however, securing promotion from League One and not languishing in the division for too long.

New signings with experience in the third tier may be needed in order for that to happen and a fresh rumour has now emerged regarding Wednesday’s summer business.

The Latest: Sheff Wed eye up move for Bostock

According to the Sheffield Star, Moore is keen on bringing Bostock to Hillsborough, with the 29-year-old making 18 appearances for Doncaster in League One last season.

The midfielder was once seen as one of the most exciting teenagers in the country during his Tottenham days, but his career hasn’t panned out in the manner many expected.

The Verdict: Shrewd addition by Moore

Bostock worked under Moore at Doncaster last season, with the Owls boss signing him in January, so the fact that he knows the player well can only be a good thing.

The former Spurs man actually enjoyed a short spell on loan Wednesday back in 2011/12, but the hope is that he would come in permanently and make a bigger impression.

Given his early-career hype, when the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid wanted to sign him, it is clear that Bostock possesses quality and he could be a shrewd addition at the heart of the Owls’ midfield.

In other news, Sheff Wed have rejected a bid for one key player – find out who it is here.

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa could finally wave goodbye to Helder Costa this summer amid reports linking the club with a move for VfL Wolfsburg star Josip Brekalo.

What’s the story?

With Football Insider having claimed earlier in the year that Leeds are open to offers for the £70,000-a-week ace this summer, it seems unsurprising that the Whites appear to have their eye on a new winger.

According to German publication Bild, Brekalo’s performances have caught the eye of Bielsa, but the Whites are likely to face competition from the likes of Serie A trio Napoli, AC Milan and Fiorentina.

Bye-bye Costa

Costa endured a nightmare campaign in the Premier League last season for Bielsa’s side, scoring just three times and providing only three assists in 22 games in the division.

After a particularly disappointing display against Liverpool, former Leeds striker Noel Whelan slammed the Portuguese ace. He told Football Insider: “The one player that disappointed me was Helder Costa. Once again he was poor. There is something there that is not right because Poveda came on and did more in that short time than Costa did in the 60 minutes he was on the field.

“He is fourth in the pecking order in terms of wingers for me. Poveda has to come before him now. He plays it safe and he’s negative. For a player that cost £16m, I need to see a hell of a lot more from him. At least Poveda runs at people. He is positive and that is what a winger should do. Costa has been a massive flop. A real disappointment again.”

In Brekalo, Leeds could find someone who would prove to be a real upgrade on Costa and give them much more of a consistent end product at the top end of the pitch.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/leeds-united-marcelo-bielsa-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-elland-road-rodrigo-de-paul” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

The Croatian bagged seven goals and set up another three in 29 games in the Bundesliga, including a superb hat-trick in his penultimate game of the season against Union Berlin.

Able to play on either flank like Costa has done for Leeds, Brekalo could come in and be a fine replacement for the Portuguese winger, thus allowing the Whites to get rid of someone who just hasn’t produced the goods often enough.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing this Copa America star…

According to A Bola (via Sport Witness), the agent of Glasgow Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos, Michael Gorman, is to meet with FC Porto in order to sort out a transfer fee.

The Lowdown: Morelos linked with exit

Morelos has been heavily linked with a move to Porto over the summer.

It has even been said the Colombia international has agreed terms with the club ahead of a move (Antena 1), but it appears we are still at the negotiating stage for now.

The Latest: Gorman to meet Porto

As per this latest report, Gorman is to meet with the interested party as he attempts to sort out a transfer fee for his client.

The report also says Morelos will earn €1.8m per year for five years (£1.5m, or €9m/£7.7m across the whole period) should he make the move to Portugal.

The Verdict: Closing in

While there has been no official confirmation from either club involved in the negotiations, there is no smoke without fire. So much speculation would suggest there is at least concrete interest from Porto as they aim to bring in a forward this summer.

Losing Morelos would be a blow to all involved at Rangers, but all they can do now is try and get as big a fee as possible for his services.

Valued at £10.8m (Transfermarkt) at with two years still left on his contract, there is no need for the 55-time Scottish champions to get desperate. Stay strong, and they will get the deal they deserve.

In other news, this Euro 2020 midfielder has been urged to join Rangers.

Derby County are closing in on a deal to bring Teden Mengi back to Pride Park this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Athletic, who claim that Wayne Rooney’s side are nearing the completion of a season-long loan deal for the Manchester United centre-back.

The news comes following the English Football League’s announcement that they will not be appealing a verdict given by an independent disciplinary commission regarding the club’s policy on the amortisation of player registrations, meaning that the Rams will be playing their football in the Championship next season.

Rooney will be delighted

With the completion of a deal for Mengi appearing to rest on which level of English football Derby would be participating in next season, the fact that the Rams will remain a Championship side, and subsequently the green light being given for the 19-year-old to make a return to the club this summer, will have delighted Rooney.

Indeed, despite being thrown into a Derby side in freefall during a loan spell at the club last season, Mengi nevertheless impressed over his nine Championship appearances for the Rams last term.

In the second tier, the £1.35m-rated man helped his side keep one clean sheet, as well as making an average of 1.1 interceptions, one tackle, 2.4 clearances and winning 3.8 duels per game.

These metrics saw the player Rooney dubbed a “fantastic” centre-back earn an average SofaScore match rating of 6.67, playing a key role in the club’s survival from relegation to League One.

As such, with the 35-year-old undoubtedly looking to build a team in the summer transfer window that is capable of much more than simply securing survival next season, the return of the £600-per-week England U19 international is certainly an excellent way to begin Derby’s recruitment drive.

In other news: Nixon drops significant Derby County off-field update, Morris will be fuming

Crystal Palace and Newcastle United are interested in signing West Brom defender Kyle Bartley, according to The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath.

As to be expected, a number of Eagles fans have been sharing their thoughts to the news on social media.

According to McGrath, Bartley is an option for both Palace and Newcastle. The 30-year-old has a year left on his contract and could be available for around £3m.

Bartley was a regular under both Slaven Bilic and Sam Allardyce last season, making 31 appearances in all competitions for the Baggies. He has turned out 105 times for his current employers and seems to be of interest to Patrick Vieira, who brought in Michael Olise as his first Selhurst Park signing on Thursday.

The 30-year-old has twice been relegated from the Premier League, having also suffered the drop with Swansea in 2018, while he won just 0.9 tackles per game last season, which would put him joint-14th in Crystal Palace’s squad by comparison.

Palace fans react

Football League World shared a story on McGrath’s claims, with @CPFCtransfersHQ posting that on Twitter.

Here is what these Palace supporters had to say in reply to the links, with one labelling them as ‘strange’.

“Back to reality”

Credit: @FPLWILSON

“No way”

Credit: @benhunt21338833

“This is true. Quite a strange one. Heard we in discussions with West Brom for Kyle Bartley, around £3 million. He’s a back-up option for us at this stage.”

Credit: @Wheddsta

“No more older players, we need younger”

Credit: @cpfcjj89

“No thank you”

Credit: @TheGoverner99

“Not for me – a great Championship defender but not a Prem one”

Credit: @SameOldPalace05

In other news: ‘Is there anything worse?’ – Many Crystal Palace fans react as ‘awful’ news is confirmed, find out more here. 

David Norris has exclusively told Football FanCast that he clubs would have contacted Leeds over Diego Llorente but expects the Spaniard to still be at the club next season.

The 27-year-old joined in a reported £18m deal from Valencia last summer, with his first campaign in the Premier League a season of two halves.

Injuries restricted Llorente to just a handful of appearances during the first half of the season, much to the frustration of the Elland Road faithful.

However, after returning from a groin and them hamstring problem, the defender found his best form in the Leeds side and quickly made himself undroppable.

Once forcing his way into the team, Llorente featured in every Premier League game until he was rested for the final-day victory over West Brom.

Following that brilliant end-of-season form, Leeds were reportedly preparing themselves for big offers, although they had no intention of cashing-in on the Spanish defender, who was named in their squad for Euro 2020, although he didn’t feature.

Asked whether he expects Leeds to face any interest for his services, Norris told FFC:

“I’m sure there would have been contact made – they’ll be keeping tabs on him. Leeds are not going to look to let him go, he’s going to cost a fortune.

“I don’t expect to see anything happen, unless one manager pushes the boat out and takes a risk.”

Former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer has told Football FanCast that he cannot believe some of the stuff that has been said about Kalvin Phillips, including comments from ex-England manager Fabio Capello.

Phillips starred for England at the Euros, playing in all seven of the Three Lions’ fixtures.

During that run to the final, which ended in defeat to Roberto Mancini’s Italy at Wembley, the 25-year-old came in for a lot of plaudits.

Among those who praised Phillips for his contribution in the tournament was Capello, who told the MailOnline that the Leeds star was the “best modern midfielder” he has seen today.

It comes as a surprise to Palmer, who feels that Phillips needs to do more to justify such comments.

“I can’t believe… you know, I watch football and I think I’m a very pragmatic person, a realistic person, and I sit there and I listen to some of these commentators [and comments] and I think, ‘What are you basing your comments on?’

“What are you basing your remarks on? Kalvin Phillips has had a superb European Championship, but we’re talking about a handful of games. That doesn’t turn him into a world-class player yet.”

Phillips has been linked with a move away from Elland Road, with TuttoJuve reporting last month that Capello’s old side Juventus are interested in signing the England international.

Perhaps there is more work for Phillips to do, but he still looks to have caught the attention of many with some of his performances at Euro 2020.

Celtic have made an enquiry to Derby County over a potential move for Nathan Byrne, according to The Daily Record.

The Lowdown: Byrne profiled

Byrne is mainly a right-back but can also play as a left-back or a right-midfielder. The 29-year-old has just 12 months left on his Derby deal and is currently valued at £1.35m by Transfermarkt – the highest of his career.

He’s made 184 League One appearances and 148 Championship appearances – becoming a regular for the Rams last season.

The former Tottenham youngster, described as ‘vocal’ by journalist Ryan Conway, is on £8,900-a-week with Derby.

The Latest: Recent report

The Daily Record shared a transfer story on Celtic on Wednesday evening after the Hoops announced the signing of centre-back Carl Starfelt.

They suggested that Sheffield United right-back George Baldock is a top target, however, the question has also been asked to Derby regarding Byrne.

The report adds that Celtic’s scouting staff flagged up a possible swoop for Byrne, but Ange Postecoglou is yet to give a transfer the green light.

The Verdict: Down to Ange

Postecoglou has reportedly watched footage of a number of right-back targets, and with no director of football in place to bounce ideas off, a new signing will of course be down to him.

Byrne could well be the cheaper option over Baldock, with a £3.15m difference in Transfermarkt valuations.

However, with Celtic selling Kristoffer Ajer to Brentford for an initial £13.5m, there should be plenty of funds to bring in a senior right-back as soon as possible.

In other news: Sources share Odsonne Edouard latest, find out more here. 

Manchester United are reportedly open to offers for Dan James in the current window as the club look to boost their transfer budget.

What’s the story?

The Red Devils’ hierarchy are willing to sell the 23-year-old over the coming months if they receive an acceptable offer to sign him, according to ESPN.

It’s claimed that the Glazer family have given manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a £100m transfer kitty this summer, but that figure could be topped up by funds raised by the departures of any unwanted first team players.

He’s not good enough

James made a strong start to his United career, scoring three goals in his first four Premier League games for the Old Trafford outfit, but he has failed to build upon his early showings. The Wales international has only bagged six more goals since netting against Southampton in August 2019, often coming in for criticism for his poor final ball.

Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent cast doubt over the speedster’s ability earlier in the summer after he was linked with a move to fellow Premier League outfit Everton, telling Football Insider: “The only thing about Dan James at times, for me, he’s a little bit headless.

“He’s shown great potential when he first went to United; he played really well, scored a few goals, but at times he for me he’s fouled, or he shoots sometimes when he should pass it, he’ll pass when he should shoot.

“He’s got great pace, and I think he’d be a great addition in anyone’s squad, but when we talk about someone coming in and making a real difference and adding a lot of quality to whatever they’ve already got, I’m not quite sure.”

With the ongoing pandemic continuing to have a serious impact upon football clubs’ finances, selling lucrative fringe players is the easiest way to boost transfer budgets.

Therefore, Solskjaer must brutally axe the £16.2m-rated James, who hasn’t been all that productive at Old Trafford, in order to finance moves for his top transfer targets ahead of the upcoming campaign.

The addition of Jadon Sancho and the imminent arrival of Raphael Varane will wipe out the Norwegian’s reported £100m budget, so securing the sales of players like Phil Jones, Andreas Pereira and indeed James may be the only way to sign a new defensive midfielder or right-back this summer. In the greater scheme of things, the Welsh winger seems dispensable.

In other news… Woodward must avoid Man Utd disaster over £40.5m-rated ace, Ole will be fuming