Ayoze Perez could be deemed surplus to requirements after falling out of favour at Leicester City, according to Steve Howey.
Perez joined the Foxes from Premier League rivals Newcastle United in a £30million deal two years ago.
The Spaniard was named in Brendan Rodgers’ starting line-up just 21 times last season and scored three times.
Kelechi Iheanacho’s best form since switching from Manchester City in 2017 resulted in Perez’s minutes on the pitch being restricted and the former Tenerife attacker has been linked with a move away from the King Power Stadium this summer.
Ex-Premier League striker Marcus Bent told This is Futbol that Perez could be on Everton’s radar following the appointment of Rafa Benitez as the Toffees’ new manager.
Perez worked under Benitez during a fruitful spell at St James’ Park and Howey – who, like Perez, featured for Leicester and Newcastle during his playing days – would not be surprised to see him leave the Foxes.
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Howey exclusively told The Transfer Tavern: “I think Perez has done okay but he has been in and out of the team.
“Ultimately, Rodgers is always going to pick Vardy and Iheanacho. He also has competition from other signings who have come to the club. He could be surplus to requirements.”
In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Tottenham Hotspur legend Paul Stewart has urged his former club and chairman Daniel Levy to accept offers for Dele Alli if they are in the region of £20-25 million.
Alli hardly featured under Jose Mourinho, having been handed just three Premier League starts this season under the former boss, but he did impress with two goals and three assists in eight Europa League games.
The 26-year old has found himself out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad this season and will likely not be included in the final 26-man squad for the European Championships this summer.
Speaking on why Spurs could look to sell Alli this summer and what sort of fee would be acceptable for the midfielder, Stewart exclusively told FFC:
“I think if somebody came in with a substantial offer like £20-25 million, then they may consider letting him go, but then again when a new manager comes in there could be a total switch around in his favour.
“There’s nothing more reassuring than when a manager comes in and he fancies you as a player and is willing to give you a chance, because then your confidence builds up.
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“So I think that’s possibly what Dele needs but he will be one of the players that is happy that Jose is gone.”
The £100,000 per week midfielder took no time adapting to the Premier League when he arrived from MK Dons in 2015 as he scored 10 goals and registered nine assists in his debut season for Spurs.
Steve Bruce must place his trust in Newcastle United prospect Elliot Anderson following injuries for Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron.
The Toon duo were both casualties of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Saint-Maximin sustaining a groin strain and Almiron forced off with an issue in his knee.
Bruce admitted that he fears the worst for Almiron after the game and that the pair would undergo scans on Sunday, but concerns have arisen that the Paraguayan’s season could be over.
If Almiron’s campaign has reached its end, Newcastle will lose their second-best goalscorer as the 27-year-old has provided four of his side’s 27 strikes over 24 Premier League outings. Bruce is also still without 10-goal top-scorer Callum Wilson for the next three to four weeks.
Being without Saint-Maximin as well will remove a vast quantity of United’s creativity, with the 23-year-old the Magpies’ second-ranked option for assists with three in 16 games to Wilson’s five in 21 outings to date.
These blows could open the door for academy product Anderson to make his full step up to the senior-fold, having been given his debut in the FA Cup away to Arsenal in January before featuring from the bench for his Premier League bow nine days later.
But Anderson has not been seen on the field since his three top-flight minutes at the Emirates Stadium, with Bruce only naming the 18-year-old as a substitute three further times before omitting the midfielder altogether.
Bruce had blocked all loan approaches for the North Shields-born talent during the winter transfer market, despite Luton Town wanting to take Anderson and give him regular game time in the Championship during the remainder of the season, per Chronicle Live.
The Magpies boss believed Anderson had a chance of establishing himself at St. James’ Park before United were engulfed in a relegation battle, yet should now give him that chance as attacking options dwindle.
Newcastle have high hopes for Anderson’s potential and Bruce has stated that he’s “delighted” with the progress seen. The United coach has also declared that the midfielder has a “big future” ahead of him, and he should now unleash the technically-gifted player.
Anderson is lauded for his knack of getting into the right positions to pose a threat on the edge and inside the box, and quickly earned the respect of the first-team dressing room with his efforts in training following his call-up earlier in the season.
He has often shown the touch in front of the goal that Newcastle will lose without Almiron and Saint-Maximin with the Toon’s Under 23s, and took his tally for the term to seven in nine games across all competitions with a goal during a 3-2 win over West Bromwich Albion last week.
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The Scotland U19 international has also provided one assist in the Premier League 2 this season, and captained Chris Hogg’s young United side in the EFL Trophy against League Two outfit Bolton Wanderers in November.
Bruce surely has to place his trust in Anderson offering that same option in the senior fold now. As if the loss of two first-team stars does not create that chance, when will it?
He might not want to start the youngster, but he should be trusted as a bench option at the very least.
AND in other news, Newcastle have joined the race for a sought-after “real talent” capable of “outstanding” displays…
Everton are at risk of a year of wasted funds if Muhamed Besic’s rumoured move to Rangers falls through after Steven Gerrard admitted his surprise at claims of a medical.
What’s the word?
According to The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell, Gerrard has claimed that it would be news to him if Besic had arrived at the Gers’ facilities to carry out any medical examinations ahead of a potential move to Ibrox.
Gerrard is eager to strengthen his squad with at least one new player before the end of the summer window, having started the season promisingly as the Liverpool icon strives to deny Old Firm rivals Celtic a tenth Premiership title in a row.
Besic had been linked with a move north of the border by reports in his native Bosnia at the start of the month, with Sportske claiming the 28-year-old was high on Gerrard’s agenda.
The Bosnian outlet also noted that Besic could be just days away from leaving Everton after being deemed surplus to requirements by Carlo Ancelotti, with his representatives keen to resolve their client’s situation ahead of Deadline Day.
Fourth Official also suggested Besic had travelled to Scotland on Friday for a medical ahead of a one-season loan, although Gerrard himself refuting the claims could prove costly for Everton.
The clock is ticking
Besic’s situation would have been a high priority of Blues Director of Football Marcel Brands this summer with his £30,000-per-week contract now in its final twelve months, but the clock is ticking for the Dutchman to secure a move away from Goodison Park for the Berlin-born Bosnian before Deadline Day passes.
As such, Everton will be hoping that Gerrard’s comments on Besic were merely the former England midfielder not wanting to speak publicly on a player not yet at his disposal, as the Toffees may otherwise be left paying out £1.29million in wages before the 45-cap international departs as a free agent.
The loan move suggested by Fourth Official would also be a puzzling offer to accept, but should not be entirely overlooked as Brands would still be able to secure a fee befitting of a player nearing the end of their contract.
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Arsenal signed Cedric Soares on an initial loan deal from Southampton during the January window and agreed to pay the Saints a reported £1million while covering his full £65,000-per-week salary for the privilege, despite the 29-year-old becoming a free agent in the summer at which point the Gunners had to agree on a new contract in order to keep the Portuguese right-back.
With Besic’s remaining contact almost twice as long as the length of time on Cedric’s when the defender departed St Mary’s, Everton could still be in line to land close to the Bosnian’s market value of £2.16m but more importantly offload his £30k-p/w contract.
AND in other news, Everton are warming to the idea of sending a rarely-seen man away from Goodison Park.
Things had been going swimmingly in the Premier League for West Ham United until they met AFC Bournemouth.
Following an opening day battering against Manchester City, the Hammers had gone on an unbeaten run in five league games, with a 2-0 victory against Manchester United being the most recent of those results.
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However, their season turned around in a gut-wrenching moment for West Ham fans, in which they instantly knew things were going to get significantly more difficult.
That was when Lukasz Fabianski pulled up after kicking the ball, which left the Poland international with a hip injury that kept him out for 11 league games – things haven’t been the same since.
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West Ham got just one point from their next six games, with the calamitous Roberto filling the sticks – having just conceded four times against Oxford United in the Carabao Cup before coming on at the Vitality Stadium.
The team looked devoid of confidence when the Spaniard was in goal, and that feeling of belief doesn’t seem to have returned for long periods at any point, whether that be under Manuel Pellegrini or David Moyes.
Even with the number 1 back between the sticks, things haven’t improved significantly, as they are currently sitting above the relegation zone on goal difference.
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There have been plenty of singular moments that will have had onlookers scratching their heads, but this is the incident in which West Ham’s complete and continued capitulation in the 2019/20 season started.
Meanwhile, one image shows what Jarrod Bowen should be aspiring to emulate.
Eddie Nketiah has been recalled by Arsenal, and that means the Whites have just one senior centre-forward at their disposal in the shape of Patrick Bamford.
Fortunately, the Whites have already have a few transfer targets in mind, and United received a minor boost in their pursuit of Che Adams this week.
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What’s the story
The Daily Mail have reported that Southampton are reluctant to let Adams go.
However, the finer points in that piece are what are interesting to Leeds.
The man himself is apparently open to dropping back down to the Championship, just a few months after leaving Birmingham City to join Southampton.
It shouldn’t be too surprising as he’s failed to score since joining the south-coast club, but it is positive for Leeds in more ways than one.
Point to prove
Of course, hearing that Adams is open to a move back to the second tier boosts Leeds’ chances of landing the striker, but that isn’t the only positive of this update.
The 23-year-old’s attitude shows that he won’t be one of those short term loan signings that just don’t want to be there. Arguably, that was the case with Nketiah who returned to Arsenal after starting just twice. His lack of game time meant he just didn’t see a viable future for himself at Elland Road.
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That might not be an issue for Adams who seems ready to prove a point to his parent club with a loan move. After failing on the south coast, he’ll want to hit the ground running if he joins the Whites this month, particularly after scoring 22 times for Birmingham at this level last term.
This update doesn’t only boost Leeds’ chances of landing Adams, but it also gives them even more reason to chase him.
Meanwhile, it may be time for Marcelo Bielsa to make a change before it is forced upon him.
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
There’s one thing that really needs to be sorted out at Nottingham Forest.
And the key part of that sentence is ‘one’ because that’s how many years head coach Sabri Lamouchi was signed up for when he was appointed in the summer.
What’s been said?
It might be slightly strange that he was given such a short term deal but despite a start that sees Forest sitting second in the table, there isn’t much to suggest that Lamouchi’s long-term future will be sorted soon.
As revealed by Paul Taylor in his latest Q&A for The Athletic, there has been no progress in regards to a new contract.
He said:
“No talk just yet of a new deal…When they signed him on a short-term deal, you thought to yourself ‘that makes sense’ – you could see the logic in it. It is just typical that, after taking a cautious stance, Forest look as though they have landed a good appointment in Lamouchi.
“It is still very early days… but Forest are not daft. If the good form continues, I am sure that it will be something that is soon on the agenda.”
Thogden ranks all 24 Championship away kits in the video below…
The sooner the better
As David Prutton pointed out the other day, if Forest can make themselves an attractive commodity as possible come January, that will only increase the calibre of player they are able to attract.
That’s what this season for the Midlands outfit should be all about, making themselves as hot a prospect as possible for any potential new players, or dare I say it, any potential new owner wanting to take advantage of a club on the rise.
What better way of showing the kind of vision that someone has for a football club than by tying down the manager on a long-term deal?
Now that doesn’t mean that they need to go out and give him a six-year deal like Manchester United gave to David Moyes, but just a little something to show any potential players ‘we have a plan here, and we have faith in this manager to make it happen’.
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After all, Lamouchi has already shown outstanding progress and nouse in the English game.
Will a player be willing to move to a club if he doesn’t think the head coach is going to be there in a few months’ time? Would they be willing to take that risk? Arguably not.
That’s why the club need to get him tied down to a deal as soon as possible, to put to bed any sort of doubt about where Forest are going, not just this season but beyond it as well.
Christopher Jullien will make his Celtic debut tonight as Neil Lennon’s men travel to Estonia to face Nomme Kalju. The Champions League tie is all but done and dusted after a dominant win at Celtic Park last time out.
Craig Gordon returns to competitive action for the first time this season between the posts as Anthony Ralston makes his first start of the campaign as well.
A 5-0 victory for the Celts has taken the edge out of tonight’s game and allowed Lennon to rotate his side ahead of the Premiership season starting on Saturday.
Check out what happened when Thogden mixed with some of Montenegro’s craziest ultras in the video below…
Goals from Kristoffer Ajer, Ryan Christie (two), Leigh Griffiths and Callum McGregor ensured the comfortable victory in the first leg.
Should the Bhoys avoid a complete meltdown in Estonia tonight they will face either Maccabi Tel Aviv or CFR Cluj in the third qualifying round. The two sides will kick-off at the same time as the Celts, with the tie poised at 1-0 to the Romanians.
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Have a look below to see what the supporters had to say about the team news on Twitter:
Just last week, Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic was linked with a move to the Premier League with the Scottish Premiership champions said to have placed a £15m price tag upon his head, but following his latest display the Bhoys may well be laughing this summer.
On the chalkboard
Well, a report in Australia earlier this month stated that the 26-year-old is a target for English top flight duo Leicester City and Southampton, with the former of course managed by Brendan Rodgers.
The Daily Record reported shortly afterwards that the Glasgow giants will demand £15m to sell the Australia international in the coming months – they would be in their right mind to do that given his contract isn’t due to expire until 2023.
Rogic started in an attacking midfield role in the last Old Firm derby of the season at Ibrox on Sunday, but he was arguably the worst – and most anonymous – visiting player on the pitch as Rangers ran out comfortable 2-0 winners.
Time to cash in
His latest display was quite frankly awful, and if Celtic can get £15m for a player that can be so ineffective in such a big game, they should take it.
“Lionel Messi is Barcelona’s James McFadden!” – Watch Scottish football fans name their clubs’ Lionel Messi in the video below…
Rogic’s form in recent seasons at Parkhead mean that he is correctly seen as a vital cog of the team, but his showing at the weekend was unacceptable – along with those of many of his teammates.
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With the Bhoys set to lose a number of players this summer – both loanees and out-of-contract individuals – there may be a major rebuilding job on the cards for Neil Lennon or another prospective manager.
Raising £15m in funds for the easily replaceable Australian would certainly help out in that respect, and Celtic would surely have the last laugh if they can command that sort of fee for their midfielder from an English Premier League club.
Jurgen Klopp will be hopeful of once again being given the blessing to spend big this summer.
Having not spent a single penny in the January transfer window, the German can surely expect a hefty amount to spend on some talented players this summer instead.
With Liverpool deep in a title race, on first glance it may appear that they don’t need any more players. However, considering the relentless nature of top-level football and all the money at the top end of the game, that simply isn’t the case.
Indeed, the best teams stay on top by making improvements and never standing still in the transfer market.
With that in mind, one man Klopp would do very well to acquire in a bid to better his squad is Sevilla’s midfield maestro Pablo Sarabia.
Sarabia, (who is valued at £36 million on Transfermarkt) has been in sensational form for the Spanish side this season and will undoubtedly be a target for many a team this summer.
Last season he would have been delighted to record nine goals and ten assists, whilst this season already, he’s smashed that by scoring an incredible 19 times, as well as registering 13 assists from his attacking-midfield role.
The 26-year-old oozes class in the middle of the park and would complement the likes of Fabinho and Naby Keita extremely well.
Whilst those two put in the hard yards defensively, Pablo Sarabia has the on-the-ball quality to make things happen, whether that’s scoring himself or providing a killer ball through for his team-mate.
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Liverpool are still yet to find someone with the ability to fill the void of Philippe Coutinho and at times this season, have really lacked the cutting edge that a creative-minded player would bring to their team.
26-year-old Pablo Sarabia is in the form of his life and could do a very good job in adding even more quality to Liverpool’s ranks.