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Everton have been linked with a move for Adama Traore this summer and now a new update has emerged on the club’s pursuit of the player.

What’s the latest?

According to Football Insider, Wolverhampton Wanderers have told Everton that they will need to pay £10m to sign winger Traore.

As per the report, Wolves have green-lighted the player’s suitors to make a move as they are now willing to accept offers for the player this summer with his contract expiring in 12 months and Goodison Park sporting director Kevin Thelwell is a huge admirer of Traore.

 Walcott 2.0

Farhad Moshiri has earned a reputation for making poor transfer decisions and the signing of Traore could be another player added to the long list of disaster signings at the Merseyside club over the last six years.

The Spanish winger struggled for game time with Wolves last season as he failed to be effective in his position over the first half of the season, scoring just one goal over 20 appearances before he was shipped off to his former club Barcelona for a six-month loan with the La Liga giants.

Again, over 11 appearances the forward only managed two assists under Xavi’s wing and ultimately, the powers at the Nou Camp decided not to exercise their option to buy the player following his loan spell, which again speaks volumes.

The last thing Everton needs right now is a player who cannot be effective in front of goal, especially with Richarlison making the move to Tottenham Hotspur, so Moshiri should be looking for a much more consistent and reliable attacking threat who can finish his chances to put the side in a better position to compete in the Premier League next season.

Traore, who has been a liability for Wolves over the last season, was dubbed “really poor” by journalist Tim Spiers, and if Frank Lampard was to deploy the player into his team next season, Everton could be heading for a similar outcome as they had with Theo Walcott.

Walcott made 85 appearances for the Toffees but failed to offer a consistent output during his time at the club scoring just 11 goals and delivering nine assists, with a goal contribution every 243 minutes, and last season Traore had a goal contribution every 371 minutes in all competitions.

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With that being said, Moshiri is treading on thin ice after Everton’s narrow survival from Premier League relegation last season and can’t afford to make any more mistakes, so signing Traore should be avoided at all costs.

AND in other news: Thelwell readying Everton bid to sign £25m “exciting talent”, he’s a big Dele upgrade

Wolverhampton Wanderers are plotting a summer move for Tottenham Hotspur defender Cameron Carter-Vickers who is currently on loan at Celtic.

That’s according to 90min.com who claim Wolves are among several clubs who want to sign Carter-Vickers after an impressive season in Scotland with him set to secure a League Cup and Premiership double.

The report also states that Celtic are keen to make his move to Parkhead permanent but the attraction of Premier League football might be too much for him to turn down. He also doesn’t seem to be short of suitors, so would no doubt command a high fee and wages. Any deal could cost Wolves a bargain £10m.

He’s better than Boly

If he did decide he wanted to make the move to the West Midlands then one of the players he would be competing with for a spot in the starting eleven would be Willy Boly.

Boly moved to Molineux for £10m in 2018 from FC Porto after a successful loan spell at Wolves the season before. He hasn’t appeared for the club much this season having suffered several injuries, so with Carter-Vickers proving more reliable this season perhaps it wouldn’t be too hard to displace Boly in the pecking order.

If you compare their average stats over 90 minutes Carter-Vickers performs better in many areas. He wins 68% of all his duels compared to 52% for the Wolves player.

Former Celtic player Chris Sutton has also described him as “immense” in some of his performances this season and Jan Vertonghen once dubbed the centre-back as an “absolute beast.” He has been exactly that in Scotland this term but he is also graceful on the ball.

Indeed, he’s better in possession with a stand out 90% passing accuracy overall compared to Boly’s 82%. If the 22-year old can replicate those numbers in the Premier League then he would be an asset for Wolves.

Age is also a key factor with Boly much older than Carter-Vickers meaning that with the USA international they can plan for the future knowing that he will still be around.

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Ultimately if Bruno Lage wants to improve defensively then signing Carter-Vickers would be a good move, even if he doesn’t start he would be a great option off the bench or to come in for an injured player.

IN other news: Insider drops Wolves claim involving Neves after big “realisation”, it’s not good news…

Leeds United are among the teams interested in Fabio Carvalho…

What’s the word?

That’s according to the Daily Mail, who claim that the Fulham attacker is wanted by the Whites, Liverpool and West Ham United, among others.

The 19-year-old is out of contract at Craven Cottage in the summer and will be free to join these clubs for mere compensation ahead of next season but a switch to a Premier League side this month could be too tempting to turn down – especially if the Championship giants are to secure some sort of fee.

Carvalho is highly-rated after impressing in southwest London and could be available for as little as £5m before next Monday’s transfer deadline, as per The Sun.

Saiz void

The Yorkshireman have long lacked a midfield addition, particularly of an attacking nature – or in the no.10 role, to be precise.

It has now been four years since the club signed someone for the engine room after Adam Forshaw joined from Middlesbrough in 2018. They have also let some key names depart in that timeframe, including Pablo Hernadez in the summer and Samuel Saiz, who left permanently in summer 2019.

The Spaniard’s presence in the final third has been sorely missed, more so this season than ever.

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He was capable of providing goals and creativity in the final third, whilst either playing out on the left flank or through the middle and there are plenty of similarities between the former Leeds man and their exciting transfer target.

Carvalho has enjoyed a breakthrough season under Marco Silva, scoring eight goals and laying on two assists in 17 league appearances, via Transfermarkt.

That’s as many goals as Leeds’ top scorer Raphinha, who Bielsa has relied on heavily as no other player has found the net more than four times.

Born in Lisbon but opting for England, Carvalho qualifies as a homegrown player, which only bolsters the reasoning behind signing him.

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The teenager sensation has previously been dubbed “unplayable” and as a “playmaker” by his former Balham coach Greg Cruttwell, who also told The Athletic: “He was assists and goals and affected every game.”

In the Fulham dynamo, manager Marcelo Bielsa could finally replace the Saiz-like void at Elland Road and for around £5m, it has to be an absolute steal for one of the EFL’s brightest talents.

AND in other news, “In talks”: Sky Sports journo drops huge Leeds transfer update, Bielsa will be buzzing…

Nottingham Forest confirmed on Thursday morning that they are expecting their biggest crowd of the season this weekend against Blackpool.

And, as to be expected, a number of Forest fans have been reacting to the update on social media.

Steve Cooper is unbeaten in his first three games as manager after replacing Chris Hughton in September, with wins over Barnsley and Birmingham City coming after a draw at home to Millwall.

The 1-1 draw at The City Ground last month was Forest’s highest attendance of the season with 25,589 supporters in attendance.

Forest sit second on the average Championship attendance table behind Sheffield United, and it seems as if that figure will increase after the meeting with The Tangerines, with a season-high crowd expected.

Forest fans react

Forest shared the attendance update on their official Twitter page on Thursday. This is what these supporters had to say in reply, with one labelling it as ‘positive’.

“love a full City Ground. Just need every fan to get behind the team and make some noise”

Credit: @PMarshall78

“Feel good factor is back”

Credit: @DarrenWeston82

“Think it’s the most positive I’ve been for about 18 months.”

Credit: @JamieBriody

“Love this”

Credit: @NFFC_Woodz

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“How quickly things change in football, the fans are buzzing again”

Credit: @NottinghamGupta

“What happens when we start playing decent football!!”

Credit: @gavreds84

An update has emerged on Leeds target Josh Doig, with Jack Ross commenting on his future.

What’s the talk?

Hibernian manager Jack Ross has confirmed that Leeds target Josh Doig is closing in on an exit from the Scottish Premiership club this week. He explained that the left-back was left out of his matchday squad at the weekend as there is strong interest in him from other clubs.

Leeds are one of the clubs reportedly keen on signing the Scottish defender, who is likely to fetch a fee in the region of £4-5m.

He’d be perfect for Bielsa

Victor Orta must sanction a deal for Doig if there is still time for the club to swoop in and hijack any transfer for the defender, assuming Leeds are not the mystery club referenced in Ross’ admission, with the Evening News reporting that it is Burnley and Watford who are pushing hard to get a deal done.

Junior Firpo joined from Barcelona earlier this summer, but there is still a spot to fill behind him in the pecking order.

It would be fantastic in terms of competition within the squad for the Whites to have two talented left-backs competing for a place in the side. Firpo could start the season as the first-choice, with Doig potentially willing to bide his time for a chance as he only recently turned 19.

He still has the majority of his career ahead of him and spending a year learning from a former Barcelona full-back whilst training with Marcelo Bielsa could do him the world of good. The teenager has the attributes the Argentine coach wants from his players, which is why he could be a perfect addition.

Former Premier League defender Alan Hutton said earlier this year that Doig has a great engine and is aggressive in his play. He told Football Insider:

“He’s only 18 but he’s got a great engine, can get up and down, got a great left foot, aggressive. He is definitely one for the future.

“Whether he’s ready to step up to the Premier League right now? I also saw Leicester were supposedly looking at him.

“I think he’s a target teams would be looking at for the future. Get him down, integrated with the squad and build on what he already has.

“It’s no risk. There’s not much of a risk. You can definitely tell he’s a talented player. He’s got all the attributes to be a left-back or a wing-back. He is one that you’re hoping does well.”

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Bielsa wants players who can cover the ground and work hard for the team throughout the 90 minutes with his pressing style of play.

This means that players who have a great engine and are aggressive, like Doig, are perfect for him. Therefore, Leeds must act to bring in the youngster before the end of the window and beat off interest from any other sides.

AND in other news, Imagine him and Bamford: Leeds must swoop for £125k-p/w gem with “unlimited ceiling”…

Liverpool have been tipped as one of the clubs who could make a move for Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale as speculation over his future mounts.

What’s the story?

The 31-year-old enjoyed a productive if tumultuous season-long loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur in 2020/21 but has refused to reveal his plans for the future.

According to TalkSport pundit and ex-Spurs striker Darren Bent, Bale could be the subject of interest from Reds over the coming months as Jurgen Klopp looks to wrestle back their Premier League crown.

Edwards must avoid

Speaking after Tottenham’s final-day win over Leicester City, Bale revealed he already knew his next move, but added that revealing it now would “cause chaos”.

His surprising revelation sparked wild rumours in Spain, claiming that the Wales international is set to retire after the delayed European Championships have concluded this summer, although well-known journalist Fabrizio Romano has already rubbished those suggestions.

However, Bale’s future still remains unclear, and it’s led to speculation over where the Southampton academy graduate will ply his trade next season.

Bent believes Liverpool could be an option for the four-time Champions League winner as the Anfield outfit aim to recover from an extremely difficult campaign.

“Bale, with the wages he’s on, is going to have to take a massive cut,” Bent told TalkSPORT on Tuesday, as per the Liverpool Echo.

“Man City wouldn’t (sign him), Man United probably wouldn’t. Liverpool? Potentially they may be in for Bale.”

The Madrid man struggled for regular game time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium throughout Jose Mourinho’s tenure, but still managed to score an impressive 16 goals in all competitions, laying on a further three assists for his teammate.

Nevertheless, while Bale is still undoubtedly a top-class talent on his day, he’s not the answer to Liverpool’s attacking problems.

Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino suffered from a season-long loss of form in 2020/21, resulting in the normally destructive duo bagging a combined 20 Premier League goals.

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For a side with ambitions to win the title year in year out, that figure is nowhere near good enough but the likelihood of Bale improving it in the long term is extremely unlikely.

Mane, Firmino and Mohamed Salah will be 29 years old when next season starts, meaning the unpredictability and vibrancy that youthful legs bring to a football team will be required at Liverpool in order to return them to their winning ways, not Bale and his £650,000-per-week wages.

Director of football Michael Edwards must avoid the temptation to bring in a star name for a quick fix and remain faithful to the transfer strategy that brought so much success to the Merseyside outfit in the first place.

And, in other news…Edwards masterclass: Liverpool must swoop for “magnificent” £45m-rated maestro 

Celtic defender Stephen Welsh has said that interim boss John Kennedy is doing a ‘great job’ and hopes he is given the reins permanently.

Kennedy took charge of the Hoops in late February following Neil Lennon’s resignation. He oversaw victory in his first match in charge against Aberdeen before a goalless draw at Dundee United.

On Sunday, in what he hopes will be the first of many Old Firm assignments, he held champions Rangers to a 1-1 draw.

Centre-back Welsh forced his way into the team in the final matches of Lennon’s tenure and has played every minute so far under Kennedy (via Transfermarkt).

Kennedy ‘makes it easy’ for Welsh

Speaking to BBC Sportsound after the clash with Rangers, the 21-year-old expressed his gratitude towards Kennedy.

“I think Kendo’s doing a great job at the moment,” he said.

“I’ve worked with him for four or five years and he makes it easy for me to go and play. He trusts me to go and play in these games.

“So, yes, definitely I’d like him to get the job.”

Welsh is by no means the first person connected with the club to tout Kennedy’s credentials. Last week, former Hoops manager Brendan Rodgers hailed him as an ‘outstanding coach’ who was destined for a future in first-team management, whether at Celtic or elsewhere (via Sky Sports).

Transfer Tavern verdict

It is still early days. Kennedy has only overseen three matches, so observers should reserve judgement.

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His goal must be to leave Dermot Desmond and the Celtic hierarchy in no doubt. If he can demonstrate that the dressing room is behind him and, crucially, lead the club to silverware, they would certainly think twice about asking him to make way for a new manager.

Celtic play the winner of Arbroath and Falkirk in the third round of the rescheduled Scottish Cup at the start of next month. Avoid an upset in that tie and they will be only three wins away from a place in the 22 May showpiece, and a chance to win the competition for the fifth year in succession.

In other news, Celtic have been tipped to revisit their interest in this defender.

According to The Chronicle, Newcastle are keeping a track of Stade Reims striker Boulaye Dia.

What’s the story?

Despite seeing summer signing Callum Wilson hit the ground running at St James’ Park with six goals in his opening nine games for the club, the Magpies are already seeing why just having one top striker isn’t enough.

With news revealing that the England international is set to miss at least the next couple of weeks with an injury, Steve Bruce will be without one of the Magpies’ star men this season, and once again having to call on the likes of Joelinton and Andy Carroll to potentially lead the line.

The Chronicle now claim that Newcastle have checked out Dia, who is impressing scouts up and down the Premier League with his scintillating performances for Reims this campaign.

Better than Wilson

Even despite Wilson’s hot start on Tyneside, it doesn’t hold a candle to how Dia has kicked things off this season in France. The 24-year-old has bagged an impressive eight goals in eight league games, including a stunning hat-trick away at Montpellier – in fact, he became the first Reims player to score three times in the top-flight since Santiago Santamaria back in 1978.

And when you look at his style of play, he could potentially even be a long-term upgrade on the Magpies’ summer signing. Both have played the same number of league games this season, and Dia comfortably outshines Wilson in many key areas.

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He averages 2.3 shots and 1.3 successful dribbles per game compared to Wilson’s 1.6 shots and 0.6 dribbles. And whilst there may be the suggestion that the latter is being hamstrung by Bruce’s tactics at St James’ Park, he has also been less efficient too, missing three big chances and losing possession almost ten times per match. Dia, on the other hand, has missed just the one and has lost possession less than eight times per game.

The Magpies of course have already seen the fruits of landing a young striker who cut his teeth in France before seeing him flourish in the Premier League, in Loic Remy. They could find someone close to following that same road in the £7.2m-rated Dia.

Having conceded 40 goals in their 29 Premier League games this season, it’s no surprise to hear Tottenham are keen on strengthening their defence ahead of the next campaign.The Lilywhites’ record is the joint-worst amongst those in the top ten in the league table, and one area of concern is certainly at right-back. Serge Aurier has been the picture of unreliability since his arrival in north London, giving away plenty of penalties in his time at the club.And with Kyle Walker-Peters being sent out on loan to Southampton instead of being kept as a potential rotation option, it’s evident Spurs need a new full-back.

Spot the fact from the fib: Are these Premier League records true or false?

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According to French publication L’Equipe (via Get French Football News), that man could well be RB Leipzig’s Nordi Mukiele. The report claims that Spurs have made contact with the defender’s camp to inform them of their interest in the Frenchman.

After hearing about their links to the £18m-rated ace, Spurs fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on their potential transfer target.

Some Spurs fans insisted that they would rather sign Mukiele than Norwich defender Max Aarons – a player who they have also been recently linked with.

Spurs fans will know all about Mukiele having seen him up close during the north London side’s clash with Leipzig in the Champions League knock-out stages earlier this year.

The 22-year-old is equally capable of playing at right full-back as he is at playing in the centre of defence, and that kind of versatility simply gives Jose Mourinho an added option to bolster his back-line.

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It’s a move that makes sense on a lot of levels.

Meanwhile, Spurs fans react to Jan Vertonghen’s comments about his future.

According to Daily Mail, Crystal Palace are in talks over a possible January loan deal for none other than Dalian Yifang winger Yannick Carrasco, as Roy Hodgson is on a lookout for reinforcements due to their mounting injury list.

But if the former Atletico Madrid star really were to join, there would definitely be a clear winner and clear loser amongst the Palace ranks…

Did he really play for us?! No Palace fan has managed to name all of these obscure Eagles signings….

Winner: Wilfried Zaha

Zaha has been one of Crystal Palace’s biggest stars in recent times. Back in 2018/19, the now 27-year-old forward has managed to tally ten goals and ten assists throughout the campaign but his record has somewhat taken a dip in the ongoing season. As of right now, the winger has only scored three goals and assisted a further four in 25 games across all competitions.

With Carrasco potentially joining the team, albeit just on loan, there could finally be someone on the other side of that pitch providing Palace with a similar output and quality, lessening the burden on Zaha’s shoulders along the way. With 24 goals and 17 assists for the Chinese team, the 26-year-old Belgium international still has a keen eye for rattling the inside of the net and helping his teammates score as well.

By adding the 41-cap man to the squad, Zaha would get more space and the support he needs to thrive in Hodgson’s system even more.

Loser: Jordan Ayew

Even though we’re talking about Crystal Palace’s top goalscorer in the 2019/20 Premier League season with six to his name, Ayew could be the one to suffer the most from Carrasco’s potential arrival. With Cenk Tosun’s loan spell, the centre-forward position has become much more under threat for the 28-year-old Ghana international but as a result, he has also been deployed out wide from time to time.

As per Transfermarkt, he was predominantly used as a centre-forward, playing there in a total of 19 games, but has also been used as a right-winger and a left midfielder as well. But interestingly enough, with Carrasco’s arrival, even the wide areas would be more contested and Ayew could find himself pushed out of the entire starting XI.

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At the moment, that seems rather strange when talking about one of their best players this term, but with so much competition across the pitch, it’s more than just a possibility.