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Aston Villa should make a move for Chelsea star Tammy Abraham this summer amid Lee Hendrie’s transfer claim.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have linked Dean Smith’s side with a move for the striker in this upcoming summer transfer window, with Abraham of course having worked under the Villa boss for a season when the Midlands club were earning promotion back to the Premier League in 2018/19.

Hendrie has now thrown his weight behind a potential move for Abraham, insisting that the £36m-rated centre-forward would be a “fabulous fit” at Villa.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “I’m a big fan of Tammy, I really am. I just feel that he’s got great energy. When he was at Villa for that period of time, he was immense, he really was. He was a breath of fresh air, he gave it that belief, he gave fans a lot of pleasure and he scored a lot of goals. It might be that Tammy has to leave Chelsea, and I do feel that coming to Villa, I think it’d be a fabulous fit.

“He’s a player I’d have all day at the club because, at the moment you’re looking at the overload that Ollie Watkins has gone through this season, (he’s) played a hell of a lot of games. Imagine having those two in your squad. I just feel that’d be a massive positive push for Villa.”

Reunion with Dean Smith

Having netted a whopping 26 goals in 40 games during Villa’s Championship run in the 2018/19 campaign, it’s no surprise that Smith has previously raved about the striker.

Speaking after he netted against Swansea that season, the Villa boss said: “Tammy is a handful and he knows better than me that he should have been walking away with the match ball tonight. But he scored the winning goal, he’s a hell of a talent. Tammy put in a hell of a shift up front on his own and proved he is a fine player.”

Called the “real deal” by former Villa boss Tim Sherwood, Abraham’s previous experience in working with Smith would likely see him hit the ground running at Villa Park as there should be no need for adjusting to what the manager wants or his style of play.

The 23-year-old has since had ample experience playing at Premier League level, and has shown he can handle the step up – last year saw him bag 15 goals in the top flight, while he has netted six in 20 league games this season despite not being a first team regular..

Villa would be making a shrewd move by landing Abraham this summer.

Meanwhile, Villa are eyeing a transfer move for this 6 ft 4 warrior…

Marcel Brands must strive to seal a loan exit for Everton prospect Rhys Hughes this summer amid mounting Championship interest.

What’s the word?

According to the Liverpool Echo, several second-tier sides are eying moves to sign Hughes for the 2021/22 season following his breakthrough in Everton’s Under 23s.

The 19-year-old has proven to be a key aspect of David Unsworth’s plans this term, and earned his first call-up for Wales’ U21s during the current international break.

Everton are undecided on sanctioning a temporary move away for Hughes, and could instead look to keep the attacking midfielder at Finch Farm until the January window.

Hughes has two goals and five assists to his name over 18 appearances in the Premier League 2 this season, while starting 14 of his outings and only failing to feature once.

Unsworth has utilised the Wrexham-born playmaker as a versatile weapon in his arsenal, with the set-piece specialist given minutes across the forward line and in all midfield positions bar a holding role.

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The youngster had provided 12 assists and three goals in 42 appearances for Everton’s U18s before his promotion, while captaining Paul Tait’s side for much of the curtailed 2019/20 campaign.

Liverpool and Manchester United had displayed an interest in Hughes’ potential as a six-year-old, and he has since developed into an all-action midfielder who links the defence and attack, does not shy from a tackle and is comfortable playing with either foot.

Should Everton send Hughes out on loan?

Everton are noted to be undecided on sending Hughes out on loan at this stage as they may look to replicate the move secured by Ellis Simms, who joined Blackpool in January and has gone on to score three goals in 11 League One appearances.

But another academy graduate, Beni Baningime, has struggled since departing Merseyside and joining Derby County on loan in the winter market, having featured just twice, been left an unused substitute six times and omitted from four squads by Wayne Rooney.

Everton had hoped to send Baningime out on loan to Blackpool last summer before a deal collapsed following advanced negotiations, and he stuck around to play a key role and occasionally captain Unsworth’s U23s.

Baningime’s struggles to follow that junior role with first-team minutes at Derby should raise enough concerns at Goodison Park over holding out on sending Hughes out on loan, as he will enter the final year of his current contract in June.

Everton would be able to gain a stronger gauge of where Hughes’ talents are by sealing a loan exit as soon as possible, and discovering how far away the 19-year-old – who Unsworth claims is “very, very good” – is from a senior role under Carlo Ancelotti.

If he proves ready for the first-team, Brands can work on tieing Hughes down to a long-term deal but if he struggles, Everton will have an easy out over committing to a contract that they could otherwise live to regret.

AND in other news, a Carlo Ancelotti target once valued at £89m “would be interested” in joining Everton this summer…

Manchester United have been given a defensive injury boost ahead of their UEFA Europa League tie with Granada.

According to the Red Devils, Brazilian left-back Alex Telles is back in action having missed the Premier League win against Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend.

He has now joined up with the club’s 24-man travelling squad for the game in what will be a huge boost to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Whilst Luke Shaw is the club’s first-choice left-back and currently in the midst of a sparkling 2020/21 campaign, Telles has all-but claimed a starting berth in Europe.

Of the ten European matches that the Red Devils have played in both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League this campaign, Telles has been left on the bench only once – that game being the recent 1-0 win against AC Milan at the San Siro. He was absent for matches against RB Leipzig and Istanbul Basaksehir but that was due to a positive COVID-19 test.

When he has been afforded chances, the £25.2m-rated defender, who was signed from FC Porto in the summer, has displayed his immense quality.

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Despite having only played 18 games for United, he has already accumulated seven clean sheets, as well as having provided a further three assists from left-back.

As a matter of fact, Telles is actually outperforming Shaw in interceptions, clearances and shots per game this season according to WhoScored.

The Brazilian’s availability would certainly be useful then in resting Shaw who having played every minute of the club’s last eight Premier League games, as well as having departed on international duty, could be due a rest.

Solskjaer will also have no qualms on including the £100k-a-week earning Telles, with the Norwegian previously stating that he “loves” the left-back’s attitude and work-rate.

It is certainly a huge positive then to see Telles’ back against Granada after his short lay-off.

AND in more news, the Red Devils have been handed what could be a huge blow in their pursuit of Ousmane Dembele…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer has lauded Liverpool’s sale of Philippe Coutinho.

The Reds sold the Brazilian to Barcelona back in 2018 in an astonishing £140m+ deal; however, things have not quite worked out for him there and reports are now suggesting that he could be sold in the summer for as little as £35m.

It shows just how much Coutinho’s stock has fallen over the last couple of seasons and how well Liverpool did to get the sort of money they received from Barcelona.

Discussing that particular bit of business done by FSG, Michael Edwards and Liverpool during the 2018 January transfer window, Palmer told FFC:

“I thought it was brilliant business, I thought it was brilliant business. I know he’s always wanted to go to Barcelona, but I thought for him it was the wrong move. He got his contract at Liverpool, he was playing unbelievable at Liverpool.

“They gave him a new contract, he would’ve [continued to] fit in the way [Jurgen] Klopp plays, you know, and he’s pushed the move through to go. Listen, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure he’s a multimillionaire out of it. But these are the things that happen sometimes when you don’t think about the things you do. And he’s gone backwards and Liverpool have progressed.”

If Coutinho’s future does truly lie away from the Nou Camp, which looks to be the case, it would not be a shock to see the 28-year-old return to the Premier League. According to Sky Sports, Chelsea were offered the chance to sign him ahead of last summer’s transfer window.

Rangers have been linked with both Jerry Yates and Jonson Clarke-Harris in recent weeks, but which of the two would be the best addition to Steven Gerrard’s side at Ibrox this summer?

Jerry Yates

According to The 72, Rangers have joined the race to sign the Blackpool forward this summer, with Nottingham Forest, Bristol City and Blackburn Rovers having all previously registered an interest in the 24-year-old during the January transfer window.

Since joining from Rotherham United last summer, the 24-year-old has established himself as a key player in Neil Critchley’s side and has been one of the most prolific forwards in the division so far this season, with 18 goals in 38 league appearances.

Yates has enjoyed decent loan spells with Carlisle United and Swindon Town in recent seasons but struggled to make the grade at Rotherham in the Championship, with just five goals in 52 appearances there.

Jonson Clarke-Harris

According to Football Insider, Rangers have been scouting Clarke-Harris this season and were in attendance for Peterborough’s 7-0 demolition of Accrington Stanley recently, with the in-form striker notching a hat-trick.

The 26-year-old frontman has since taken his tally to 27 league goals in 40 appearances ahead of the weekend’s derby clash against Northampton, and he looks well on track to earn the top scorer award in England’s third tier this season.

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Clarke-Harris is more than just a goalscorer, though, and has earned many plaudits for his build-up play with Peterborough this season, with Kevin Phillips praising his “phenomenal” campaign whilst also suggesting that he can offer something Alfredo Morelos doesn’t due to his aerial threat.

Who would be better?

As can be seen in the graphic above, Clarke-Harris has clearly had the edge over Yates this season and would be much more of an aerial threat in Gerrard’s side than the Blackpool man, as he wins significantly more aerial duels per game.

With both Blackpool and Peterborough looking strong contenders for promotion to the Championship this season, Rangers may have to wait until the end of the campaign before deciding between the two transfer targets from a financial perspective, as promotion would surely see the respective clubs raise their asking price for their star attackers.

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However, from a purely footballing perspective, Clarke-Harris looks to have the edge over Yates and would likely offer something different in Gerrard’s side, so Ross Wilson should focus first and foremost on bringing the Peterborough man to Ibrox this summer.

In other news… Ross Wilson must avoid disastrous repeat over “positive” gem after manager’s transfer claim 

According to a report by Calciomercato (via Sport Witness), following on from a Corriere dello Sport piece (via Sport Witness) saying Erik Lamela is ‘very close’ to a Serie A return, the Argentine is apparently ‘ready to return to Italy’ as his Tottenham Hotspur contract expires in 2022.

Lamela has been touted as one of the many names who could exit north London as chairman Daniel Levy adopts a sell-to-buy policy due to the financial impact of the pandemic.

Lamela ‘ready’ for Italy return

Alongside the 29-year-old, Harry Winks, Dele Alli, Serge Aurier and Hugo Lloris are other names who could be sold by Tottenham as part of a major summer overhaul, according to reports (The Daily Mail).

Now, in an update on Lamela’s situation, Calciomercato have backed up Corriere’s claims that the winger is more likely than not to opt for a return to Serie A – where Tottenham signed him from AS Roma back in 2013.

Corriere first reported that he is ‘very close’ to a return to Italy, and Calciomercato now report the player’s stance personally and claim he is ‘ready’ to make the move.

Allegedly, Lamela is so keen for it to happen he is willing to take a 50% pay cut to join Napoli in particular, who are interested.

Indeed, the attacker apparently ‘wants’ to sign on at the Stadio San Paolo and is ‘ready’ to make his return to Italy.

Transfer Tavern take

Lauded as a ‘fantastic player’ by former Spurs ‘keeper Paul Robinson (Football Insider), and despite his quality sometimes proving useful for manager Jose Mourinho, this summer could be the right time to move him on.

At 29, Lamela isn’t getting any younger and his value could only drop from here on in – especially with his deal expiring at the end of next season.

It’s debatably imperative that Levy manages to offload him this summer for some much needed funds to invest in marquee new Tottenham additions.

In other news: Levy eyeing Spurs swoop for this ‘extraordinary’ ace, find out more here.

The threat of a European Super League has rocked football to its very core but for Celtic and those associated with the Bhoys, they currently have more important things to worry about.

The Hoops are not a part of this breakaway but even if they were, they’d still need to find a new manager.

What’s the word?

This has become a real merry-go-round for Celtic with no successor for Neil Lennon even looking close to completion at the moment.

Roy Keane has come and gone while the same eventuality may well fall into the arms of Eddie Howe.

The 43-year-old is the favourite to take on the job but the longer things go on, the more unlikely it feels that he’ll be sat in the Parkhead dugout next term.

A number of reasons are playing a factor in this, not least Howe’s agent who seems to think he can still land a job in the Premier League.

And speaking to This is Futbol, Peterborough director of football Barry Fry shared his take on proceedings, insisting that a move within England could be on the cards.

He said: “I think Eddie Howe can take any pressure that’s thrown up to him; there’s no question about that. It’s whether he feels that, you know, it’s a big enough challenge because basically it’s Celtic or Rangers in Scotland, so it’s either one or the other.”

With Fry possessing an extensive list of contacts within English football, we should take his words pretty seriously.

Desmond will be sweating

This has been a torrid time for Celtic’s majority shareholder. He’s witnessed protests from the Green Brigade outside Parkhead and he’s even been questioned over his shares within the football club.

For now, however, Dermot Desmond is staying put in Glasgow. Time will tell whether that decision is vindicated but appointing the right manager would do a great deal to getting the fans back on side.

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They have been forced to witness a complete collapse this season with any hopes for ten in a row being completely washed away. They’ve not only lost their grasp on the league but they will also finish the campaign without a trophy.

Thus, for Desmond to hear that Howe isn’t convinced that Celtic would be a big enough challenge for him should be devastating and crushing news.

If anything, this should represent one of the most challenging set of circumstances in European football.

The Bhoys have lost their decade-long dominance of Scottish football to their biggest rivals and they’re not only facing uncertainty at board level, but also among the playing staff.

Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer have both been linked with the exit door while Scott Brown is off to Aberdeen and could be joined by Leigh Griffiths.

On that evidence, Howe shouldn’t take it because of how challenging things could be.

This has become a very complex case for Desmond and the Celtic hierarchy; they need to find a resolution from somewhere.

AND in other news, Worse than Kenny: £7.2m Celtic gem was “abysmal” on Sunday, Hartson said he “does nothing”…

Jurgen Klopp finally appears to have secured a much sought-after centre-back in the form of RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konate.

The Reds have long been linked with a move for the Frenchman, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano now suggesting that a deal is “set to be completed”.

Liverpool will be hugely boosted by the fact that they have managed to get a central defender through the door.

The Reds have hugely struggled this season due to long-term injuries suffered by Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

Midfielder Fabinho has been forced to deputise in the heart of defence on numerous occasions and whilst not his fault, Liverpool have endured a huge drop-off in the league, currently sitting seventh and in a desperate scramble to get back into the UEFA Champions League.

The arrival of Konate though should go a long way in rectifying those problems having developed a reputation as one of the most exciting defenders in Europe.

[snack-amp-story url= https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-liverpool-news%2c-transfer-rumours-and-more-asensio-vlahovic-van-dijk-alberto-pedri title=” Read the latest Liverpool news, transfer rumours and more…”]

At just the age of 21, the £31.5m-rated centre-back has made 92 appearances in all competitions for Leipzig since his 2017 move from Sochaux-Montbéliard.

Whilst he has not played as regularly this season under Julien Nagelsman, he has certainly still contributed having racked up a hugely impressive six clean sheets in just 11 starts in all competitions.

He has also certainly shown his class in the UEFA Champions League having already played eight matches in the competition proper, playing a key role in victories against Manchester United, Paris Saint Germain and Benfica.

However, he was not quite able to display his abilities to Klopp in person having been benched in each of Leipzig’s Round of 16 meetings with the Reds in the competition this season.

Nevertheless, the German will certainly be delighted to have secured the Leipzig man and to have finally got a defender through the Anfield doors.

AND in more news, find out how Liverpool could secure their next Luis Suarez with a Sparta Prague wonderkid…

Speaking to the press via the club’s official website, Tottenham interim manager Ryan Mason has confirmed that Ben Davies will miss the Sheffield United clash this evening and is still out through injury. 

The defender, who has been absent since suffering a ‘significant’ injury blow on international duty with Wales, will again be missing for Tottenham after also being unavailable for the Carabao Cup final last weekend.

Mason confirms Tottenham injury news

In terms of progress, Mason has remained cryptic in regards to when the 28-year-old could return to action for Tottenham and hasn’t really provided anything in terms of his current state.

“In terms of injuries, it’s the same as last week,” explained Mason (via tottenhamhotspur.com).

“Ben Davies is the only one out injured at the moment. Matt Doherty has been training since last week. He had a period of time out injured, but he’s back with the group and has trained all week.

“Harry is fine in terms of the injury. He was disappointed (after the final), like all of us. It hurts us, players, coaches, everyone associated with the Club. Harry is a top professional, like the whole group.

“We’ve trained hard, trained well and we’re prepared for the weekend.”

Transfer Tavern take

Davies started this season brightly, with pundit Darren Bent even calling him a ‘standout’ player in the team at one point (via The Boot Room), but 2020 summer signing Sergio Reguilon has arguably been the better of the two overall. The Spaniard has a greater tackling and interceptions average than his left-back teammate, along with providing more assists (via WhoScored).

Nonetheless, with Spurs still having a shot of qualifying for Europe next season, Mason will be hoping to have Davies back as an option quite soon, especially with tough away games versus Leicester City and Leeds United on the horizon.

In other news: Spurs could now turn to this ‘exceptional’ boss after a ‘fresh blow’, find out more here.

Almost identical to David Beckham, former defender Paul Parker grew up in east London before going on to represent both Manchester United and England in what proved a glistening playing career.

Parker made his name at Fulham before his impressive stint with rivals Queens Park Rangers caught the attention of the Red Devils, where he went on to win four major trophies, including the first two Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson.

But more than 23 years after his retirement, Parker is set to swap the pitch for the pond when he participates in a new finishing programme called Angling Outlaws, which will be aired on BT Sport next year.

We spoke exclusively to the 57-year-old about several different subjects within football…

Where do you rank both Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in terms of Premier League full-backs?

“If you’re looking at a pairing, then you have to say they may be the best in the league at this moment in time on current form. Luke Shaw, this season, has shown the reasons why he should be a Manchester United player. He was starting to show that before and then got injured but he got no help from the previous manager.”

Are you surprised that Donny van de Beek has played so little?

“He should have got a load of time. He hasn’t been given an opportunity; I think it’s wrong. I don’t know why United play two holding midfielders at home. When you look at what United are about attacking wise, they’re playing with one attacking player.

“He does work well with Fernandes, he works well with Cavani, he works well with Mata, but he hasn’t been given the opportunity. He should be starting games with Fernandes, Pogba and Cavani. He’s played in big games; he’s played in a Champions League semi-final. I think he’s been let down in certain ways and should have been managed better.”

Is Michail Antonio good enough to be West Ham’s first-choice striker next season?

“Personally I think they’re going to have to get another striker in. Antonio has done incredible, he went through a stage in the season where he deserved fans in the stadium, because he started this run.

“He’s done wonders with them, his performance at Wolves when he did his hamstring, that’s the best his all-round game has been. He made one of the goals, made such an unselfish run for Lingard. He’s learned how to play that role.”

How do you assess your cousin Ben Johnson’s season?

“He hasn’t let himself down. He’s started in big games. He made his debut at Man City; he’s played at Old Trafford twice this season and he’s done well. He’s feeling more and more confident. He’s done himself justice, but I’m sure he will get to a certain point where he wants to become a regular.”

Would you like to see QPR sign Charlie Austin permanently?

“The easiest thing to say if you always look to have experience through the middle. I look at when he left QPR, he went to Southampton and West Brom on Premier League money. He would have to take a massive drop in money. I think they could go out and get a younger striker which would balance the books rather than put everything into one player.”

Have you ever fished before?

“As an 11/12-year-old, I did. I have been out once so far; I went out in a place in Essex and caught an oversized goldfish. It was a goldfish in steroids. It still hasn’t caught me, it’s not fast and furious, I wouldn’t say I was rushing to get back. I’m not a big fan of touching fish, it makes me want to wash my hands.”

Do you know Frank McAvennie, Ray Houghton or Tony Gale?

“I know all of them quite well. I know Frank from playing against him – I made my top-level debut playing against Frank for Rangers against West Ham and I have played a lot of ex-pro games against him. The other two I know well because we were at Fulham together. We signed Ray Houghton on a free transfer from West Ham – maybe the best free transfer of all time, his career will tell you that. Tony Gale, I have known since I was 14 as a kid to when I was an apprentice and I used to clean his boots.”

Paul Parker will be joining Ray Houghton, Tony Gale and Frank McAvennie on BT Sport’s Angling Outlaws, next summer.

With the help of Outlaw Pro, the four former pros will be trying their hand at fishing, with the quadruplet facing off at the end of the six-part series to see who knows their slide tackles from their tackle boxes.