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Nottingham Forest are interested in a deal to bring Josh Laurent to the City Ground this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Berkshire Live, who claim that, despite Reading having already turned down a seven-figure bid from Forest, as well as the Royals being extremely keen for the midfielder to remain at the Madejski Stadium next season, the 26-year-old could nevertheless be on the move after spending just one season with the club.

The report continues by stating that this is down to the fact that Veljko Paunovic’s side are struggling financially, with the money raised from the potential sale of Laurent then being able to fund the manager’s own moves in the summer transfer window.

Finally, it is claimed that should Forest, or indeed any other interested party, submit an offer that is deemed an acceptable fee by Reading, the midfielder will more than likely be playing his football elsewhere next season.

Murphy masterclass

Considering just how impressive Laurent was for Reading last season, should Dane Murphy indeed go on to secure a deal for the 26-year-old this summer, it would undoubtedly go down as something of a masterclass by the new Forest CEO.

Indeed, over his 45 Championship appearances last term, the £1.8m-rated man scored three goals, provided three assists and created three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 0.7 shots and making 0.5 key passes per game.

The central midfielder also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.4 interceptions, two tackles, 0.9 clearances and winning 5.1 duels per match.

These returns saw the man Paunovic dubbed a “fantastic” player earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.85, ranking him as the Royals’ joint ninth-best performer in the second tier of English football.

Futhermore, with the future of Joao Carvalho appearing somewhat up in the air at present, and the midfielder having failed to live up to his £13.5m transfer fee at the City Ground, it could well be time for Forest to cut their losses on the £15k-per-week man, with his potential departure then freeing up both room and funds to get a deal over the line for the £3.2k-per-week Laurent.

Indeed, if Murphy were to pull that off in what remains of the summer transfer window, we would be happy to admit that the chief executive is something of a genius.

In other news: Bye-bye Bong: Murphy must sanction NFFC swoop for £8.9k-p/w gem, he won’t cost a penny

Graham Smyth has delivered some behind-the-scenes insight into the start of Leeds United’s pre-season, and it may come of interest to the club’s supporters.

What’s the story?

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have begun their pre-season preparations ahead of the new Premier League campaign, and Smyth has revealed the kind of work that the players are doing as they look to get up to speed.

He wrote in the Yorksire Evening Post: “Twenty-four of Marcelo Bielsa’s squad and a host of Thorp Arch medical staff descended on Leeds Beckett University’s £45m Carnegie School of Sport for the first day of pre-season testing.

“Players were screened and assessed at a range of stations as head of medicine and performance Rob Price and his team worked with university staff to ensure their footballers are all fit and healthy and to uncover base lines from which to maintain and recover fitness over the season.

“From strength assessment, to movement analysis and gait examinations – Max Dean ran on a treadmill so his form could be captured – staff of the club and the university left no stone unturned to paint a picture of each individual’s fitness and equip Leeds with the knowledge they will need when attempting to return players to action following injuries.”

Fans may be intrigued

Dr Stacey Emmonds, a reader in sports performance at Leeds Beckett and former staff member at Thorp Arch who was also involved at Carnegie, added: “Players have been really enthusiastic today and they’ve all got straight stuck into everything. They are world-class facilities that we have now and that’s probably something that we weren’t able to offer previously.

“It allows the club to come down to utilise the state of the art facilities and the top-of-the-range testing to hopefully get the best profiling at the start of pre-season that they can.”Every little detail counts, and any advantage that Leeds can get, however small, could be crucial in either the short-term of one-off games, or even over the long-term of a full season.The work being done by the players at Carnegie looks as though the Whites are setting themselves up as best as possible ahead of the new Premier League campaign, extracting every last nugget of information to enhance their performances.For someone like Bielsa, that kind of micro-level management is surely right up his street, as he looks to work out the strengths and weaknesses of his players to the absolute minute detail.Given the kind of intense pressing game Leeds play, ensuring that players don’t pick up muscle injuries through wear and tear by giving them the chance to train well in pre-season could be the key to keeping everyone fit and firing over a whole season.It’s exactly why Leeds fans might be quite interested, if not intrigued, to hear of Smith’s behind-the-scenes reveal.Meanwhile, Leeds receive major update on Marcelo Bielsa’s future…

Many West Ham United fans have been left to flock to a transfer update on Felipe Anderson.

Speaking on his podcast ‘The West Ham Way’ on Patreon, Hammers insider ExWHUemployee has shared that some teams in Italy are interested in signing the former Lazio ace in the summer window, and claims that David Moyes is not a fan of him.

Since moving to East London for a whopping £34.2m in July 2018, Anderson has not performed to a level that justifies his price tag.

He has only managed to score a mere 12 goals, with ten of those coming in his first campaign, and make a further 12 assists in 72 games in total over all competitions across the last three consecutive seasons (Transfermarkt), and was consequently shipped out on loan to FC Porto in the 2020/21 term.

Nonetheless, if the London Stadium faithful can recoup nearly as much as what they paid for the Brazilian, then that would be good business.

West Ham fans on Anderson transfer update

These Hammers supporters flocked to the transfer update as it was shared on Twitter:

“Get rid soon as possible. Never been a fan from day 1.”

Credit: @charlie16658058

“If we can get £20 million bite their hands off but we need a replacement”

Credit: @PaulMcL66874576

“In Moyes we trust”

Credit: @maggs10

“He ain’t the only one who’s not a fan #sell pronto.”

Credit: @boleynjohnny

“Moyes knows. Talking my language now, bin him. Pay whatever the Italian side wants so they can have him. Just get this lazy waste of space mercenary out of the club”

Credit: @DOWHU_1995

“Thank Christ”

Credit: @ted57211483

In other news, find out what transfer update has left Irons buzzing here!

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is set to depart the club after seven and a half years at Selhurst Park.

What’s the story?

According to The Athletic, the 34-year-old shot-stopper will become a free agent this summer after falling down the pecking order in south London.

Hennessey made just a single senior appearance for Palace last season, with Jack Butland and Vicente Guaita keeping him out of the squad.

Fans will be buzzing

It’s set to be a turbulent few months for the Eagles as chairman Steve Parrish plans a mass overhaul of the first-team squad.

Over a dozen players will find themselves out of contract at the end of the month unless something drastic happens, and Hennessey will be one of them.

Following four years of stable, mid-table finishes under the tutelage of Roy Hodgson, Palace are about to enter a new phase of their history.

A large air of uncertainty is gathering over the capital club, but one guarantee is that their long-serving keeper will be representing a different side next season.

Hennessey made 132 appearances for Palace throughout his time with the club, conceding 189 goals and keeping 37 clean sheets.

Despite his longevity at Selhurst Park, the Wales international has rarely satisfied the supporters with his performances on the pitch.

His unathletic 6 ft 6 frame often appeared to hinder his agility and reaction time, making him look awkward and laboured on many occasions.

After Guaita replaced him between the sticks halfway through the 2018/19 campaign, Hennessey could find no way back into the starting XI, and his Spanish teammate soon established himself as a firm fan’s favourite.

While Hennessey undoubtedly deserves credit for his loyalty and professionalism at Palace, he had become a liability in the final few months of his time with the Eagles and the club’s supporters will be buzzing to see him and his £40,000-per-week wage packet depart the club this summer as that money can surely be better invested elsewhere.

The club needs all the resources and finances they can get in order to bring in the next generation of talent in the current transfer market, and Hennessey’s departure could free up wages to give to a new star.

And, in other news…Imagine him and Lampard: Palace could form a dream duo with “different class” £15m gem 

Declan Rice has reportedly rejected two contract offers with West Ham, with both offers being below the weekly wage of Andriy Yarmolenko, according to ExWHUemployee. 

This update comes after The Telegraph’s Matt Law reported that the West Ham midfielder has turned down two contract offers from the club.

Rice was an important member of David Moyes’ squad in the 2020/21 season, with the 22-year-old making 32 league starts from his 38 appearances in the Premier League.

West Ham finished sixth in the top-flight standings last term, and will be keen to build on that strong campaign heading into the new season, which gets underway on Sunday 15th August against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

Rice has had interest from Chelsea in recent months, whilst Liverpool are also believed to be keen on landing his signature this summer, after this recent update on his future with West Ham.

The midfielder was labelled as ‘top drawer’ by Wolves’ all-time top goalscorer Steve Bull in an exclusive interview with Football Transfer Tavern.

Plenty of West Ham supporters took to social media after this update, with the majority being hugely frustrated.

Take a look at the best of the reaction from Twitter below….

“Wait so the “big bumper contract” that we’ve offered him is less than £100k a week. We’re run by clowns.”

Credit: @ninkjones02

“We’re an absolute joke of a club. Good luck to him deserves more and better than this club. Would love to see him and go on and win titles.”

Credit: @DannyP2795

“Insulting. Should be the best paid player at the club. We’ve shaved about £600k a week off the wage bill last few years.”

Credit: @irons85858585

“Get rid of Yarmalenko and Anderson that’s 200k per week saved and make Rice the highest earner. Simple solution. Get it done WHU.”

Credit: @Lord_Irons

“Disgrace, its as if they almost want to upset him so he asks for a move. He should be the highest paid player at the club no question about it If they value him at £100 million pay then pay him accordingly.”

Credit: @RichardGSBOUT

“Offer him what he wants.”

Credit: @consmith26

“Then good for him. Deserves to be our highest-paid player. Should be building a team round him.”

Credit: @GameRiotArmy

“Bit insulting that he has been offered lower than both of those players!”

Credit: @IanWebber78

“That’s fair enough imo. So pay him more.”

Credit: @____DeclanRice

Brian Deane has told The Transfer Tavern that his former side Sheffield United should keep young defender Jayden Bogle at the club.

Just weeks after suffering relegation with the Blades, the 20-year-old is reportedly being offered an immediate return to the Premier League by new boys Norwich City.

Bogle joined from Derby County last summer but didn’t make the squad in any of Sheffield United’s opening 13 matches, only making his debut as a substitute at Brighton just before Christmas.

But having scored on his league debut in that very game, Bogle became a regular under Chris Wilder and netted his second of the campaign in February’s victory over West Brom, making 16 league appearances in total.

And Deane, who notched more than 100 times across two spells for the Yorkshire outfit, including the first ever Premier League goal, believes that selling Bogle would be pointless, knowing they’d have to buy a similar replacement.

He exclusively told The Transfer Tavern:

“I’d be surprised if Sheffield United sold him because you have to start basing how you want your squad to develop on youth, and he’s in that category.

“He did well in a short space of time. It wouldn’t make much sense to sell him, because then they would have to go out and find the next Jayden Bogle, so I would be surprised.”

Liam Kennedy has criticised the performance of Federico Fernandez as Newcastle United lost 4-3 to Manchester City in the Premier League on Friday night.

The Lowdown: Newcastle inspired

Steve Bruce’s team put in an inspired display against the newly-crowned champions at St James’ Park, but goals from Emil Krafth, Joelinton and Joe Willock were not enough as Pep Guardiola’s men took all three points away from Tyneside.

One player who did not have the best of games was Fernandez, and Kennedy was particularly critical of the Argentine’s performance.

The Latest: Kennedy criticises Fernandez

Writing in his latest player ratings piece for Shields Gazette, Kennedy claimed that Fernandez ‘looked a yard off the pace’ and was ‘second to every ball’, gibing him a mere 5/10 overall rating, the lowest out of any player to have started the game for the Magpies.

The former Swansea City man endured a torrid time, particularly against Ferran Torres, who ended up scoring a hat-trick.

The Verdict: Fernandez must do better

Fernandez simply has to do better if he is to stay in the team for Newcastle’s remaining fixtures of the campaign.

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The Argentina international failed to block any shots or record any interceptions or tackles against Pep Guardiola’s side and only managed 18 touches of the ball in total, fewer than his own goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and any other outfield player to have started the match (Sofascore).

Nonetheless, it was against the newly-crowned champions and Champions League finalists, and so the 32-year-old defender will be hoping that there are easier assignments to come after a less than stellar display last night.

In other news, find out what big Mike Ashley claim has been dropped after a takeover statement was released.

Mark Douglas has dropped a promising Newcastle United transfer update regarding Joe Willock.

The Lowdown: Willock impresses

It is safe to say that Willock has taken his loan spell to St James’ Park by storm, having racked up seven goals in 13 Premier League games for the Magpies before their final match away at Fulham this afternoon (Transfermarkt).

It is not just with his goals in which he has contributed, but his overall displays as well, with Alan Shearer hailing his performance as ‘magnificent’ in the 3-2 home win over Southampton back in February when he first arrived on Tyneside.

The Latest: Promising Willock update

Writing in his latest piece for The Chronicle, Douglas has reported that Newcastle believe Willock wants to return to St James’ Park for next season.

Key to the Magpies’ pursuit is that they would build a team around the central midfielder, whereas he is not guaranteed to be a regular starter at Arsenal.

Willock does not want to go back to being a bit-part player and sees the Toon as the perfect platform to continue his development as a footballer.

The Verdict: Newcastle must sign Willock

Newcastle must do all that they can to ensure that Willock is signed on a permanent deal once the summer transfer window opens.

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The 21-year-old has already shown his worth with his goals, and he certainly gives an added athleticism in the middle of the park which Steve Bruce will need going into the new campaign.

Nonetheless, other clubs will surely come knocking at the Gunners’ door given his form on Tyneside, and Newcastle need to make sure that St James’ Park is his only destination.

In other news, find out what big Tyler Roberts transfer claim has been dropped!

Leicester City’s transfer plans have suffered a potential blow after it was revealed that Newcastle United are also keen on signing Schalke defender Ozan Kabak.

What’s the story?

The 21-year-old impressed during a six-month loan spell at Liverpool last season, however, the Reds decided not to take up their option to buy the Turkey international for £18 million.

Now though, Kabak is the subject of interest from Premier League sides Leicester and Newcastle, according to German outlet Bild.

Rodgers will be gutted

Brendan Rodgers’ charges have been linked with a move for Kabak for several weeks as the Northern Irish manager looks to strengthen his first-team squad over the summer.

The departure of experienced defenders Wes Morgan and Christian Fuchs means the Midlands outfit need to bolster their backline over the coming months, with a Europa League campaign on the horizon.

After a shaky start to his Liverpool career – ironically against Leicester – Kabak grew in confidence after each game for the Anfield outfit, receiving a very respectable 6.72 WhoScored rating from his nine Premier League outings.

His solid displays earned praise from Jurgen Klopp as the 19-time English champions clawed themselves back into a Champions League qualification spot.

“Ozan came in at 20 from Germany, was a big prospect but wasn’t lucky with the last two teams he played for; one went down (Stuttgart), and the other will probably go down (Schalke). But nobody really doubted his quality,” said Klopp.

However, with the likes of Jonny Evans, Wesley Fofana and Caglar Soyuncu potentially ahead of Kabak at the King Power Stadium, the promise of first-team football may be enough to persuade the £22.5m-rated centre-back to join Newcastle instead of moving to the King Power.

The Magpies recovered from a disastrous run of form in the middle of the campaign to win five of their final nine league games, and Steve Bruce is looking to build on their end-of-season momentum in the transfer market.

News that one of his key transfer targets may be poached by a domestic rival, one who may be a more attractive proposition due to the game time on offer, will surely leave Rodgers feeling gutted as he attempts to build a squad capable of breaking into the top-flight’s top four.

And, in other news…Huge LCFC transfer update emerges on “outstanding” £34.5m ace, Rodgers will be gutted 

Aston Villa could be set for a summer nightmare amid reports claiming that Premier League champions Liverpool are interested in signing Ollie Watkins.

What’s the story?

Dean Smith’s side have seen the former Brentford ace take to the Premier League like a duck to water, bagging an impressive 14 goals across all competitions in his debut campaign with the club.

Football Insider have claimed that Liverpool – or Merseyside Red, as John McGinn hilariously named them following the whole European Super League debacle – are keen on luring Watkins to Anfield this summer.

The report added that Jurgen Klopp’s side are keeping tabs on the £28.8m-rated striker, who “is on their radar because he has blistering pace, can play a quick tempo game and has an eye for goal.”

Nightmare for Dean Smith

Given how he has performed in his first season with Aston Villa, it’s only logical to think that Watkins could go to even greater heights with a full campaign of Premier League football under his belt.

The striker has been leading Villa’s charge to a surprise European spot for next season and has often been someone to rise to the big occasion, netting in home and away fixtures against Liverpool (including a hat-trick at Villa Park) and also against Arsenal.

It’s no surprise that Klopp and Liverpool have their eye on signing a “machine” like Watkins, and it will leave Smith very worried about trying to hold on to his main man up front.

The prospect of playing for a team challenging for titles both domestically and in Europe will be a tantalising one, and Smith will have to use his powers of persuasion to ensure that Watkins’ head doesn’t get turned.

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Liverpool have already shown in recent seasons that they are ready to spend big money on players they want – you only have to look at the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson to see that.

Villa will be desperately hoping that they can avoid the nightmare of the Reds coming in to pinch Watkins this summer.

Meanwhile, Villa are ready to reignite their interest in this star…