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An update has emerged on Sunderland and their pursuit of Edouard Michut in the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Black Cats are in discussions over a deal to sign the 19-year-old before next week’s deadline.

He tweeted:

“Sunderland have opened talks with Paris Saint-Germain to sign Édouard Michut. He’s their dream signing for the midfield. #PSG Talks will continue as there are many clubs interested in Michut since June.”

It remains to be seen whether the Championship club are looking to land him on a permanent deal or on loan from the French champions, although he was valued at £2m earlier this summer.

Imagine him & Alex Pritchard

Kristjaan Speakman could land Alex Neil a dream pairing in the middle of the park by signing Michut to play just behind Pritchard this season.

There is a lack of data on his performances for the French giants at youth level but it has been noted that the youngster is a press-resistant midfielder who excels at recycling and progressing the ball from a number eight or 10 position on the pitch.,

This suggests that he could excel whilst playing as an eight behind Pritchard as he would be able to break lines and progress the play to find the Englishman in space in the final third.

The ex-Norwich man has enjoyed a fine start to the campaign in the Championship. He has assisted two goals and created 2.4 chances per match – the second-most in the squad – in five outings in the second tier.

This comes after he managed nine assists and 2.0 key passes per game in 39 League One appearances for the Black Cats on their way to promotion in 2021/22.

These statistics show that he is a player capable of unlocking doors in the final third. Pritchard can create chances for his teammates on a regular basis and that is why Michut’s ability to progress the ball forwards could get the best out of him.

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The Frenchman, who scout Jacek Kulig dubbed “extremely interesting”, could give the number 21 more opportunities to work his magic at the top end of the pitch by avoiding the opposition press and playing between the lines.

Michut has also already racked up eight appearances for PSG’s first-team, which is no easy feat with the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar ahead of him. Last season, he played 66 minutes of action in Ligue 1 and registered one assist – his only senior goal contribution to date.

This suggests that he is deemed ready to play at first-team level, despite being 19, and this another reason, along with his potential link-up with Pritchard – why he could be an excellent signing for the Black Cats.

According to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein, Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba has turned down the offer of a new contract and wishes to leave the club this summer.

The Lowdown: Forest secure promotion

Samba arrived at the City Ground from Caen back in 2019, where he has featured 133 times for the club during his three-year spell in the Championship.

The 28-year-old enjoyed a hugely successful season with the Reds as they managed to secure promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years following a 1-0 victory over Huddersfield Town at Wembley.

However, now entering the final 12 months of his contract with Steve Cooper’s side, a decision regarding his future with the Midlands outfit will soon have to be made, and following a fresh update, it appears as though the shot-stopper knows exactly the next steps he wants to take.

The Latest: Samba’s decision revealed

In a post on his personal Twitter account, Ornstein confirmed that Samba doesn’t have any intentions of staying at Forest.

“EXCL: Nottingham Forest suffer major blow as goalkeeper Brice Samba informs club he won’t be signing new contract (deal ends 2023) and reluctantly intends to leave this summer. NFFC still hopeful but 28yo deemed recent offer unacceptable.”

Expanding further in his column for The Athletic, the journalist stated that the keeper’s decision to turn the new proposal down is said ‘not to be financially motivated’, but more based on respect for his ‘achievements, importance and popularity’ at the club.

The source claims that Forest have directly told them that ‘talks are taking place’ with the player, and that they ‘remain determined’ to retain his services beyond the upcoming window.

The Verdict: Samba’s penalty heroics

Samba has become a favourite amongst fans during his time in England and played such a key role in the jump up to the top-flight, most notably for his incredible penalty shootout heroics against Sheffield United.

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The Linzolo-born talent made 45 outings across all competitions for Forest this season, keeping a total of 16 clean sheets, as per Transfermarkt, and effectively played the number one role having been chosen as first-choice keeper by the Welsh boss.

Cooper has a great relationship with Samba, but whether that will be enough to convince him to stay at the club for their first campaign back in the Premier League yet remains to be seen.

In other news… a club have reportedly made an offer in a bid to sign one of Forest’s 2021/22 standout performers.

The board at Everton are now getting worried over the possible punishments they could face at the hands of the Premier League due to their devastating financial losses.

The Lowdown: Everton’s financial losses

Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri bought the Merseyside club in 2016 for a stunning £200 million.

Ever since, Everton have posted losses in all but one of the years with the Iranian businessman in charge. In the last three financial years, the Toffees have posted a combined loss of £265 million.

The £140 million loss in 2018/19 and the £112 million in 2019/20 both rank in the seven largest losses recorded by an English club.

The Latest: Everton board panicking

Whilst the Merseyside club have told the media that they will be able to demonstrate to the Premier League that they have worked within the profit and sustainability limits, fresh news has emerged, throwing this confidence in the air.

Football Insider has reported that the Everton board are now “frightened to death” of being “severely” punished by the Premier League, as a result of their huge financial losses.

An Everton source informed FI that there is a “big panic” amongst senior officials at the club, as they are worried the league could make an example of them by imposing strong sanctions, including the likes of transfer bans.

This would derive as a result of a combination of their losses and their involvement with Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, who is a close ally of Moshiri’s.

Usmanov was sanctioned by the UK government a fortnight ago.

The Verdict: Should be worried

A number of football finance experts have claimed that the Toffees are very close to breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.

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The club have placed the blame on large Covid-related losses and the fact that they are currently building their new stadium Bramley-Moore Dock, which has incurred significant costs.

However, if the league do not find these reasons accurate and therefore acceptable, Everton could be in serious trouble.

In other news: Everton: Frank Lampard shares Andros Townsend injury update

Manchester United are reportedly one of several sides eyeing up a move for Rennes midfielder Lovro Majer as the January transfer window fast approaches.

What’s the story?

According to French outlet Homme du Match (as relayed by the Daily Mirror), United are keen to secure the 23-year-old’s services over the coming months, although fellow Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur are currently at the front of the queue.

The report states that: “According to our information, the most interested club is Tottenham who have already placed the player at the top of their list of priorities for next season.

“Other clubs are also interested in the image of Manchester United or Bayern Munich, making it difficult to retain the player for many seasons at Rennes.”

Rangnick’s next Sabitzer

If the United hierarchy are able to secure Majer’s signature over the winter, then they could land Rangnick his next Marcel Sabitzer after the pair worked together during their time at Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig.

The Croatia international is in the mould of Sabitzer, now at Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, with the pair both able to unlock opposition defences with dangerous dribbles and perfectly-weighted through balls. The Bayern midfielder is mesmeric, bagging 13 times and supplying 11 in 77 outings under the new United boss.

Despite only arriving at the Roazhon Park last summer, Majer has already established himself as one of the most promising prospects in Ligue 1.

In his 23 appearances for his former and new employers this term, the £11.7m-rated magician has bagged six goals and provided a further six assists for his teammates, playing a pivotal part in their rise to second place in the top-flight table.

Majer’s outstanding exploits for Rennes have caught the eye of several impressed onlookers, including talent scout Jacek Kulig, who dubbed him “phenomenal” after enjoying a stellar run of form throughout November.

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With Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba all out of contract next summer, Rangnick could be forced into the transfer market for a new attacking midfielder, and Majer, who has 38 career goals, appears to be an ideal replacement.

Only time will tell if Red Devils are able to secure the youngster’s signature, but it’s a deal that could get the 20-time English champions back on track.

And, in other news…Rangnick can become instant hit at Man Utd by signing “complete” £45m-rated “machine”

Kieran Maguire has made a claim involving the prospective new owners at Newcastle United should a takeover be pushed through.

The Lowdown: Partnership announced

Last month, the St James’ Park club announced a new commercial deal with eToro.

The online social investment platform will now be allowed to advertise at St James’ Park and take advantage of a number of other marketing opportunities.

The Latest: Maguire on partnership

Speaking to Football Insider, football finance expert Maguire has now claimed that the prospective new owners would have been advised over the value of the deal with eToro, in case they can push the takeover through. He said:

“The way you value a club is you look at the future cash being generated.

“If the deal negotiations are at an advanced stage, the prospective new owners will have been advised as to the value of the deal with eToro and other partners.

“Given that Mike Ashley has still got to persuade them to pay a final price, if he locks the club into low-value deals, especially on a long-term basis, that is no good for him.

“If the club has been locked into lower-value revenue streams, that’s going to have an impact on what Ashley can charge.

“It’s not in Ashley’s interest or the new owner’s interest to be tied into them.”

The Verdict: Still hope

There is still hope that a takeover can be pushed through on Tyneside, as the prospective new owners will want to know what is going on inside the club in case they are able to take charge.

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The arbitration case between Newcastle and the Premier League over the stalled bid is set to take place early next year, and a positive result for Mike Ashley could see him finally sell.

Nonetheless, the Toon Army will have to be patient after a disappointing summer transfer window which only saw them bring one player on a permanent deal in Joe Willock from Arsenal, and next year could well be their time.

In other news, find out what details Mark Douglas has revealed about this under-the-radar NUFC signing

Marcus Bent believes that signing Holland’s Euro 2020 star Denzel Dumfries would leave the Goodison Park faithful elated.

The 25-year-old right-back has been a regular for both his country and PSV for the last three years but has only recently caught the eye following his form at the European Championships.

Prior to the Netherlands’ last 16 exit, Dumfries had been one of the standout players of the tournament having scored in their opening two group games, and was also named man-of-the-match in each.

And his performances haven’t gone unnoticed, with Everton joining a long list of sides that are keen on signing him from PSV.

PSV manager Roger Schmidt has already resigned to losing his flying full-back after saying that Dumfries, who has a £15m release clause, is “likely to leave” the Dutch giants this summer.

Some of Europe’s top sides, including Bayern Munich and Inter Milan and are also keen on capturing him this summer, but Bent would love him to end up at Goodison Park.

He exclusively told Football FanCast:

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“Speaking to Everton, they said he’s a terrific player, but clubs don’t sell their players when the Euros are on because they can put x number of pounds onto their player. Terrific, quick, pacey, he’s a rocket.

“If the club could get him on the back of what he’s done or whether they could attract him to Goodison is a different point entirely, but if you could get him, the fans would be elated.”

David Moyes has confirmed that Jesse Lingard will be available to start when West Ham United host Chelsea on Saturday evening.

The Manchester United loanee was a potential doubt for the visit of Thomas Tuchel’s Blues to the London Stadium, having been taken off with cramp against Newcastle last weekend.

Lingard opened the action at St. James’ Park but was unable to help the Irons avoid a 3-2 defeat, despite thumping home a second-half penalty to continue his incredible run of form in claret and blue.

No West Ham player has been involved in as many Premier League goals since Lingard’s arrival in east London, with the 28-year-old striking home a now joint team-high nine times in just 10 appearances while offering three assists.

Moyes would have feared facing top-four rivals Chelsea without Lingard as he strives to put West Ham back on track for a European berth, with Michail Antonio one of four players he is due to be without.

“Jesse had a bit of cramp at Newcastle, which at the time we didn’t see as being too big a problem and he’s fine,” Moyes said on Friday.

“I’m hoping that somewhere along the line we can get Micky, Declan [Rice], Aaron Cresswell and Arthur [Masuaku] back in amongst it because they’ve been important players for us throughout the year.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-west-ham-news%2c-views-and-gossip” title=”Latest West Ham news, views and gossip!”]

“We’re aware that if we can get them back it would help us. Aaron is getting closer, we’ll monitor it, see how he feels tomorrow [Saturday] and see how we think.”

Lingard has only failed to feature once for West Ham since his arrival on a half-season loan from Manchester United during the January transfer window, when eligible to face his parent side in the Hammers’ 1-0 loss at Old Trafford last month.

The 27-cap England international has also only failed to have a direct influence on the scoring twice, coming in the second and third of his Irons appearances as West Ham were held to a goalless draw with Fulham and a 3-0 win over Sheffield United when he won the penalty for the opener.

Moyes will no doubt be buzzing to have such an influential weapon available for Chelsea’s visit to the London Stadium, the team he has faced more than any other in his managerial career (41) but only beaten on six occasions – losing 23.

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Lingard’s influence has also stemmed beyond his end product, with the £13.5m-rated maestro – who Glenn Hoddle believes has been “playing exceedingly well” – ranking first among the West Ham squad for shots taken per game with an average of three.

He exceeded that average at Newcastle last weekend with four efforts on Martin Dubravka’s net plus February’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester City, hit six on debut against Aston Villa and five against Sheffield United, while matching it during the Irons’ 3-2 win over Leicester City and 2-0 win at home to Leeds United, per WhoScored.

With Antonio – who ranks second with 2.4 shots per game – unavailable due to his hamstring injury, Lingard will likely have to step up once again to potentially fire West Ham to victory in the London derby this Saturday.

AND in other news, a £34.5m West Ham target has confirmed clubs are in contact with his agent over a summer switch…

According to Leeds Live, Marcelo Bielsa’s side are unlikely to make any major signings in the remaining days of this January transfer window.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have linked the Premier League side to numerous players, including Fiorentina duo Erick Pulgar and Christian Kouame.

But now, amid suggestions the Whites also had a eye on Marseille left-back Jordan Amavi, Leeds Live have revealed that as well as there being no interest in the Frenchman, “there remains no interest in completing any major incoming transfers at United”.

Bielsa will be fuming

The fact that Leeds were linked with moves for players in three different positions – left-back, holding midfield and up front – and look set to bring in no-one, must surely have Bielsa tearing his hair out.

The Whites boss has worked wonders in ensuring the club’s return to the Premier League has seen them firmly avoid any hint of a relegation battle this season, with the Elland Road side even looking up at an incredible European place – a long shot perhaps, but they remain only seven points behind sixth-placed Tottenham.

So for director of football, Victor Orta, not to even strengthen this Leeds squad and give Bielsa the best possible platform to challenge the rest of the chasing pack for the second-half of this season just seems like a horrendous mistake.

With the nature of the Premier League this season, and the circumstances surrounding it, this may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do the unthinkable – get promoted and finish in a European spot in your first year back.

Taking a back seat like Orta appears to be doing is frankly unforgivable. There have been shock results all across the board, and whichever side has the courage to take that extra step in this January transfer window could be massive winners come the end of the campaign.

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At the moment, Leeds look like they won’t be that side, and that will surely have Bielsa fuming.

Meanwhile, Leeds are risking Marcelo Bielsa’s wrath with this decision…

Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson has confirmed that Max Power will be the new team captain for the 2020/2021 season.

After last season’s disappointment which saw the Black Cats finish eighth in League One and fail to secure either a promotion or play-off place, Parkinson has been busy preparing his side for a third stint in England’s third tier.

Six new signings have arrived at the Stadium of Light with Danny Graham being the biggest name to sign on the dotted line for the Wearsiders.

With the pressure firmly on Parkinson’s shoulders, a decision has now been made on Power being the new team captain.

Aside from confirming Power’s captaincy, it has also been confirmed that Grant Leadbitter and Bailey Wright be Club Captain and Vice-Captain, respectively.

Former Wigan Athletic midfielder Power has made 85 appearances for the Black Cats, netting seven goals and gaining 4 assists.

Speaking about the announcement on captains, Parkinson said: “Grant has returned to the group for pre-season and has been a massive plus for us. He has come back to the club in excellent condition and trained well, and he has also really helped the younger players within the group. He has the club at heart and is desperate to have an impact on the pitch, which I’m sure he will, and he will be an invaluable asset for us throughout the season.

“We are fortunate to have a squad of players with an abundance of leadership qualities, and Max and Bailey epitomise that. They both lead by example and like Grant, they will be key to establishing a culture within the dressing room that will drive the club forward throughout the season.”

Sunderland will face Bristol Rovers this coming Saturday (12/9) as the League One season kicks off.

This seems like a good decision as Power has the experience and will likely be a key player for Sunderland next season.

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With Power, Leadbitter and Wright all leading the club for the new season, Parkinson can feel assured that he has the right men by his side.

Do you think Power is the right choice to be Sunderland captain? Let us know in the comments section below….

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has come in for some intense criticism this week over his recent transfer dealings after a leading football agent revealed his thoughts to Football Insider.

What’s been said?

Late on Tuesday evening, the club announced the departure of Victor Wanyama on a free transfer and even though they are offloading around £65k in wages, the midfielder is still only 28-years-old and could have maybe commanded a fee.

While Christian Eriksen left north London in January in a £16.9m move to Inter Milan – a fraction of the price Spurs were asking for last season.

This agent believes greed has got the better of Levy, resulting in him taking a hit on his reputation as a shrewd negotiator and also in him losing his Midas touch.

Speaking to Football Insider, the anonymous representative said:

“Take the Christian Eriksen and Victor Wanyama deals, Tottenham lost out big time. Levy was asking for £130-£140million for Eriksen at the end of last season when he had a year left on his contract. It was pie-in-the-sky stuff.

“They refused to cut the price until later in the window, by which time they realised he was not quite as in demand as they hoped.

“In the end, they had a disinterested player who went through the motions before they had no choice but to sell him in January? For, what? £16million. That’s nothing. They could and should have got £70-80million for him last summer when he wanted to go.

“Levy’s lost his Midas touch. Is he getting too greedy? Has he taken his eye off the ball with the stadium?

“You look at the [Kieran] Trippier deal. What was it, £20m? That’s nothing for an England international at his peak age. [Vincent] Janssen was sold at a huge loss when they should have let him go a year or two earlier. 

The Danny Rose situation doesn’t appear to have been handled too well, either. He’s another one they could end up getting nothing for.”

Anonymous agent to Football Insider.

Club cost

Many of the players that the agent mentions were indeed on their way out of Spurs in some form, but he’s also correct in claiming that they never made the most out of it.

Had Eriksen been sold for circa £70m last season, the money could have been used to firstly find his replacement but also spent bolstering their backline – where Jan Vertonghen looks likely to be the next out – and finding a suitable backup to Harry Kane – a decision that is surely rued in north London.

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He also questions the sale of Vincent Janssen, Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose, which has put Levy’s decision-making under the microscope.

Is he really doing what is best for the club? Is he fulfilling his duty as chairman of Spurs?

N17 could be without Champions League football next season as Jose Mourinho’s sit five points from the playoffs and have it all to do in Germany if they are to overcome an away goal to RB Leipzig.

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Money talks: How much did Levy pay for each of these Spurs stars?

The knock-on effect is a lack of funds and willingness from players to join a club that isn’t competing on the elite stage – all of which is the ultimate consequence on how Levy has gone about his business over the past few years.

And in other news, Spurs fans have been rating the season of this player…