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Aston Villa have signed Bournemouth winger Ajani Burchall for a substantial compensation fee, and a number of Villa supporters have been giving their thoughts to the news on social media.

Villa were first linked with a move for the player back in March. The likes of Arsenal, Leeds and West Ham were also credited with an interest back then, but it’s Villa who have won the race for his services.

Burchall is 16 years of age and became the third-youngest player to turn out for Bournemouth after featuring in a Championship match last season. The teenager, who is capable of playing on either flank, made a cameo appearance from the bench against Huddersfield Town back in December.

He joins England under-16 captain Josh Feeney as Aston Villa’s second academy addition this summer.

Villa fans react

Bournemouth posted the news regarding Burchall on their official Twitter page on Friday evening. Here is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with one describing the transfer as ‘tasty’.

“We really are making moves from top to bottom aren’t we. Exciting times”Credit: @ThatAnt___”Our academy is absolutely insane”Credit: @Joshtrich1″This is tasty.”Credit: @AVFCTranstweet”I’m not sure people realise just how good this lad is, huge prospect. Seriously this is a real result.”Credit: @mg_ashmore”REALLY liking what we are doing!”Credit: @AussieVillans”Big things in the academy”Credit: @gazswain

In other news: Reliable reporter shares just how much Aston Villa offered for Kalvin Phillips, find out more here. 

Crystal Palace must swoop for Ainsley Maitland-Niles this summer after being linked with a move for the Arsenal midfielder.

What’s the story?

According to Chris Wheatley, the Arsenal reporter for Football.London, the 23-year-old’s situation is being closely monitored by Palace, who have made an inquiry regarding the England international.

Maitland-Niles enjoyed a six-month loan spell with West Bromwich Albion at the backend of last season, but he doesn’t appear to be part of Mikel Arteta’s long-term plans at the Emirates Stadium.

Parish must swoop

After making his Gunners’ debut back in 2016, Maitland-Niles has gone on to make 121 appearances for his boyhood club in all competitions.

However, the versatile youngster has failed to hold down a regular place in the starting XI, often finding himself playing in a variety of positions depending on injuries and suspensions.

After an impressive run of form at the end of the 2019/20 campaign, Maitland-Niles earned himself a call-up into Gareth Southgate’s England squad, impressing former Nottingham Forest full-back Stuart Pearce as he played for his country.

“I think he’s been outstanding. I was surprised he didn’t get the nod to start before Saka last Thursday (against Wales). That was strange, for me. Saka hasn’t done anything wrong, but I’m a big fan of Maitland-Niles,” said Pearce.

“I saw him last season against Wolves, and he was up against the big lad Adama Traore. He was brilliant and coped really well up against him. For me, he’ll be integral to any success Arsenal have this season.”

Nevertheless, despite Pearce’s opinion, he found himself back on the Arsenal bench soon after and headed out to West Brom in search of regular game time just a few months later.

In 15 league outings for the Baggies, Maitland-Niles failed to register a single goal or assist as the Midlands outfit suffered relegation, although his overall performances showed promise.

Upon his arrival at the Hawthorns, he declared his desired to play in midfield and stake a claim for a place in England’s Euro 2020 squad.

That dream sadly failed to come true, but with experienced campaigners James McCarthy and James McArthur entering the final few weeks of their current contracts, a place in the Palace engine room may just be up for grabs.

Maitland-Niles could solve the south London outfit’s midfield conundrum for many years to come, and chairman Steve Parish would be foolish to pass up an opportunity to purchase the £14.4 million rated prodigy.

And, in other news…Huge update emerges in Palace’s managerial pursuit, fans will be absolutely gutted 

Former Crystal Palace striker Marcus Bent has told The Transfer Tavern in an exclusive interview that joining the Eagles would be a good move for Jack Wilshere.

Wilshere is without a club after being released by Bournemouth, where he spent the second half of the 2020/21 season.

His injury record will be a concern for clubs who weigh up whether to offer him a contract or not, though he managed to stay fit during his time on the south coast.

If one of those clubs end up being an outfit like Palace and they do decide to take a punt on him, Bent believes it could be a very good move for the English midfielder.

“I think Palace would be a good move for him,” the ex-Premier League forward exclusively told TT. “Playing in London, being in London. His injuries have set him back massively, but what a talent.”

It remains to be seen what kind of transfer budget Palace’s new manager will get. But given the south London club are not renowned for splashing the cash, you would have to imagine that there is not going to be too much to spend.

Considering that, perhaps free agents like Wilshere will be looked at this transfer window.

Mark Warburton has hinted that he will not be making a move to bring Alex Pritchard to Queen Park Rangers this summer.

What’s been said?

In an interview with The Mirror, the QPR boss opened up on a number of the transfer rumours that are currently surrounding the club, including The Rs’ reported interest in the recently released Huddersfield Town midfielder Alex Pritchard.

However, despite heaping a considerable amount of praise on the 28-year-old, Warburton went on to suggest that his side would not be making move for the £2.52m-rated man this summer.

He said: “As for Alex Pritchard, I know him really well. He’s a very talented player. I see us getting linked with him all the time. But don’t forget we’ve got the likes of Ilias Chair, Chris Willock and George Thomas – so we’ve got that type of player in the building already.

“I’ve got enormous respect for Alex. He’s a top lad and a top player but as I say we’ve got players in that position already.”

Fans will be buzzing

Despite showing a significant amount of promise as a youngster, being dubbed a “talented” player by his former Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Christian Eriksen, since making an £11.12m move to Huddersfield back in January of 2018, it would be a fair claim to make that Pritchard has not quite lived up to his price tag.

Over his 83 appearances in all competitions for the Terriers, the former Tottenham man scored just three goals and registered three assists for the club – having last found the back of the net when Huddersfield were still in the top flight.

The 28-year-old was once again in extremely disappointing form over his 18 Championship appearances last term, scoring no goals and providing no assists, as well as creating just one big chance and averaging a mere 0.1 shots on target per game.

These metrics saw the midfielder earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.60, ranking him as the club’s joint 11th-worst performer in the second tier.

As such, considering these lacklustre displays, in addition to the fact that, as Warburton suggests, QPR already own the likes of Chair, Willock and Thomas who can operate in attacking midfield, as well as the potential issue of the former England U21 international’s wage demands – having been on £30k-per-week at Huddersfield –  the fact the 58-year-old does not seem to fancy a move for Pritchard is likely to have fans of the club buzzing.

In other news: QPR handed huge transfer boost over “top drawer” target that’ll have Warburton buzzing

A source from Tottenham Hotspur has dropped a big update on their pursuit of Antonio Conte.

The Lowdown: Tottenham eye new manager

Following the departure of Jose Mourinho just before the 1-0 Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City, Spurs have been looking for a new permanent manager to take them forward into next season.

Ryan Mason was only in interim charge in North London until the end of the 2020/21 term, and so now the manager search continues into the summer.

The Latest: Conte to Tottenham update

As per Football Insider, the Lilywhites are growing increasingly confident that they will appoint Antonio Conte as their next manager after some late-night discussions.

A THFC source has allegedly told the news outlet that the former Chelsea and Inter Milan coach is now the clear frontrunner for the job, and there is even hope that he could be unveiled in the next few days.

He has been offered a long-term deal and talked about personal terms for a contract worth more than £10m-a-year, in addition to a potential transfer kitty.

The Verdict: Nobody better available

There is no better manager available to Tottenham right now than Conte, and so they should be looking to take on the opportunity to hire him while it is still there.

There is no doubt that if other high-profile jobs become available, the Italian would be high on many club’s shortlists given that he is currently out of the job and boasts a very impressive CV.

Conte has just come from a Serie A title win with Inter, thus ending the domestic dominance of Juventus in the league, and has also won league titles with both the Old Lady and Chelsea (Transfermarkt).

The 51-year-old also has that added experience of managing in the Premier League, and with no attachment to any other clubs at the moment, Spurs may not get a better chance to hire a manager of his quality.

In other news, find out which ‘absolutely sensational’ ace THFC are in talks to sign here!

Newcastle have suffered a blow before their Premier League clash against Leicester City, with Steve Bruce revealing that 18-year-old Elliot Anderson is set to miss out.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against the Foxes, the Newcastle manager said: “He picked up a knock in the last game he played and it’s set him back a little bit. We’re not sure how bad it is but it’s a hip problem. He’s going to be struggling for the next couple of weeks.

“We’re delighted with his progress – he’s only 18 – and he’s got a big future, we hope, as long as he keeps his head down and keeps working well. But, as I said, he’ll be struggling a bit for the next couple of weeks I would have thought.”

The news came just after Bruce had admitted that Anderson had a good chance of featuring for the first team in the Premier League before the end of the season, saying: “There’s a chance. We understand that he’s making big strides. And he’s only 18, the boy, but he’s in and around us. Yeah, he might get a chance before the end of the season. I’ll look at it, and what we’ve got. We’ve got our big players fit at the top of the pitch, of course, in Allan, Callum and Joelinton. He’s got fierce competition.”

Anderson has played just three minutes of top-flight football all season, coming on in the closing stages of the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal back in mid-January. The lack of game-time for the talented teenager has led to plenty of Newcastle fans on different occasions calling for Bruce to bring him into the first team fold, but that has fallen on deaf ears.

Just recently, Magpies supporters voiced their anger at seeing him fail to even make the matchday squad against West Brom, while after he made his debut for England’s under-19s, they urged Bruce to unleash him in the Premier League.

Anderson has already earned rave reviews for his ability and potential, with his former youth coach John Forrest telling The Athletic: “He knew how to dominate a game, which is a natural skill that’s hard to coach. He really was an outstanding footballer. He stood out, even then.”

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In fact, several of his former Magpies academy team-mates said he was the “most talented player” in the team, and that he was also “supremely driven”.

News of him now missing out on a chance to make a rare appearance in the Premier League will no doubt leave many Newcastle fans gutted – and especially the player himself, having been deprived of what seemed a likely chance to feature in the top flight.

Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Steve Bruce must drop this “liability” tonight…

Liverpool have struggled without their leader at the back Virgil van Dijk this season, and Paul Stewart, who was signed by Liverpool for £2.3 million in 1992, spoke exclusively to The Transfer Tavern about how much of a difference the Dutchman will make next season.

After appearing to be complete outsiders to qualify for the Champions League Liverpool are now favourites to finish in the top four as they just have to win their final two league games against Burnley and Crystal Palace.

In recent weeks  Van Dijk has confirmed that he will not be going to the European Championships with the Netherlands this summer as he looks to continue his recovery from an ACL injury which saw him ruled out for the season back in October.

When the Dutch international returns next season he could be just like a new signing and an expensive one, that is according to Stewart who spoke exclusively to The Transfer Tavern:

“I’m assuming Van Dijk will be fit for the start of next season, which will be like buying a new £100 million centre back for them.

“He has been missing for so long though and Liverpool have sorely missed him this season.”

Liverpool kept their Champions League hopes alive last weekend when Alisson scored a 94th-minute header to send fans, players and Jurgen Klopp into delirium over what they had just witnessed.

When Van Dijk plays for Liverpool the whole side becomes better as he can bring the ball out of defence into midfield and his ability to cover any of the other three defenders is something that allows Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson to stay further forward.

When Celtic finally announce their new manager in the coming weeks or months, the person they hire will have a huge job on their hands.

Not only will they be tasked with reviving a giant that’s fallen from its pedestal this term, but they will also likely have to address a mass exodus at Parkhead.

Odsonne Edouard is set to be the most high profile departure. The Frenchman has scored 20 goals this term but could be on his way out of the Hoops with Premier League clubs aplenty chasing his signature.

Trying to replace him will be an uphill struggle. The Bhoys will be losing their top scorer from the last few seasons after all.

One player they’ve looked at is Sunderland forward Charlie Wyke. The striker is out of contract in a few months time and could arrive on a free transfer.

With no price involved, it would be risk-free for someone who’s been so potent in England’s third tier.

He’s scored 30 strikes for the Black Cats this season, living up to the “clinical” label that manager Lee Johnson has thrown his way this year.

A robust striker, Wyke is impeccable in the air. 12 of his 25 league goals have been scored with his head in 2020/21, which can only mean one thing; he’s a set-piece threat.

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For someone like David Turnbull, this has the potential to be game-changing.

The Scot has been one of the very few positives from Celtic’s arduous season, bagging nine goals and registering seven assists.

He is a weapon from dead-ball scenarios and who finds himself stood over free-kicks and corners.

Adding Wyke to their squad could be highly beneficial for a team who until recently, hadn’t been potent from set-plays since the Martin O’Neill era.

After the first few months of the current campaign Celtic were averaging 0.7 set-piece goals and 5.4 set-piece attempts on goal per 90 compared to 0.5 and 4.5 per 90 in 2019-20.

Throw Wyke into the mix, therefore, and they could be an ever bigger threat when Turnbull puts the ball down in a promising area.

Celtic need all the help they can get if they’re to reclaim their dominance of Scottish football again. If it’s set-pieces and a more aerial route to goal that gets them back where they belong then so be it.

Either way, Wyke knows his way to goal and that can only be a good thing for the Bhoys.

AND in other news, Forget Mourinho: Celtic can dominate again if Desmond hires 42 y/o with “big emotions”…

Lee Johnson has been handed a double injury boost ahead of Sunderland’s upcoming play-off semi-final clash.

What’s the latest?

According to a post on the Sunderland Twitter account, both Jake Vokins and Tom Flanagan were back in action for the club’s U23 side on Monday afternoon, with Vokins featuring for 71 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Stoke City, while Flanagan managed 46 minutes.

Left-back Vokins had been sidelined since March due to health issues, while centre-back Flanagan has also been absent since March due to a hamstring injury, as well as a chipped bone in his foot.

Big boost

With Johnson having to deal with a considerable amount of injuries in his first-team squad ahead of Sunderland’s play-off semi-finals against Lincoln City on 19th and 22nd May, with Ross Stewart appearing to be a doubt for the fixture, as well as having lost both of Jordan Willis and Dion Sanderson to season-ending knocks, the prospect of having Vokins and Flanagan back for the clash is likely to have the 39-year-old buzzing.

Coupled with the return of Conor McLaughlin to first-team action, should Vokins and Flanagan both be deemed fit enough for the Lincoln game, the Black Cats manager will have plenty of options in defence for the first time in a rather long while, with Max Power having filled in at right-back in recent weeks, while Luke O’Nien also dropped into the centre of defence to cover for the injured centre-backs.

With a number of players now looking likely to return before the season-defining fixture, Johnson is sure to be feeling much more confident of going on to secure promotion through the play-offs than he might have done just a matter of weeks ago.

In other news: Forget Wyke: Lee Johnson may have found Sunderland ace’s heir in gem who could be worth £10m – opinion

Steven Gerrard has suffered a big blow at Ibrox after it was revealed that Rangers defender Nathan Patterson will be suspended for four games after he and five other teammates broke lockdown restrictions earlier in the season.

With James Tavernier only making a return to training recently, the manager faces a real headache as to who to select at right-back for upcoming fixtures, with Patterson set to miss the games against Cove Rangers, Hibernian and St Johnstone, as well as the Old Firm derby, although that could change depending on whether or not the Light Blues progress in Sunday’s cup tie.

After being internally punished by the club, the 19-year-old has managed to work his way back into Gerrard’s good books with recent strong performances and has really stepped up in the absence of Tavernier.

The teenager impressively scored his first goal in Rangers colours in the 5-2 Europa League win against Royal Antwerp and has been a regular in the first team since then, starting four of the last five games before the international break.

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After that goalscoring return, Gerrard was full of praise for Patterson, saying: “He’s got an opportunity and he needs to learn from this and make sure it doesn’t happen again. He’s a wonderful footballer with a big future ahead of him.”

With Tavernier unlikely to be thrown straight back into the fray, it seems as if Gerrard has a huge decision to make. He may have to put his faith in Leon Balogun in the right-back position for upcoming fixtures, although the Nigerian struggled there in the Old Firm derby and against Royal Antwerp recently.

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Although the title is already wrapped up, Gerrard will be desperate to finish the season unbeaten, so the lack of a natural right-back for upcoming fixtures could prove to be a blow for the 40-year-old manager.

In other news… Wilson should reignite Rangers interest in 27 y/o gem who’s “got all the attributes”