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Crystal Palace are poised to make a bid for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher as the summer transfer window approaches.

What’s the story?

With Palace still to appoint a successor to Roy Hodgson, chairman Steve Parish is overseeing a major squad rebuild, and Gallagher could be the first addition, according to The Sun.

A £15 million offer is set to be tabled by the south London outfit, although the report claims that the England U21 international is keen on staying and fighting for his place at Stamford Bridge.

Palace need him

The 21-year-old impressed throughout a season-long loan at West Bromwich Albion in 2020/21 and has attracted the attention of several top-flight sides in recent weeks.

Gallagher made 30 Premier League appearances for the Baggies last season, scoring two goals and laying on a further two assists but was unable to prevent Sam Allardyce’s side from suffering relegation.

However, his overall performances boosted his reputation considerably, and Palace are thought to see the youngster as someone who can play a pivotal part in their engine room for years to come.

Central midfielders James McCarthy and James McArthur are set to depart Selhurst Park at the end of the month when their contracts expire, meaning fresh legs will be needed ahead of the new campaign.

The report goes on to claim that the capital club could be aided in their pursuit of Gallagher if either Frank Lampard or Swansea City manager Steve Cooper are appointed as Hodgson’s replacement in the coming weeks.

Lampard has experience of managing the box-to-box midfielder during his time at Chelsea, while Cooper has done so in the England youth set-up.

That isn’t the only connection between Gallagher and the former Blues boss, though, after ex-West Brom tactician Slaven Bilic addressed comparisons between the pair.“It isn’t going to help the boy to have so much praise, and I’m not a big fan of that, but you can’t help but notice it,” Bilic said on the Lampard comparison.“He ticks those boxes. He plays in the same position, he has everything, and it’s not a little bit of everything, it’s a lot of everything.”

Bringing in Gallagher would be seen as a significant coup by Parish this summer. Palace need the youngster with players leaving and his arrival could help to retain their Premier League status next season.

And, in other news…Worse than Nuno: Palace must avoid potential Hodgson successor with 42.51% win record 

Leeds United are interested in a deal to bring Matt Targett to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by 90min, who claim that sources have revealed Victor Orta is hoping to hijack Newcastle United’s £15m signing of the Aston Villa loanee this summer, by launching an offensive of his own for the 26-year-old left-back.

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The report goes on to state that both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City are also keen on the former England U21 international, however, Targett’s preferred destination is thought to be St. James’ Park.

Orta must move

Considering how impressive Targett has been following his January switch to Newcastle, coupled with Junior Firpo’s struggles on the left of the Leeds’ backline following his own £13m move to Elland Road last summer, it is not difficult to see why Orta would be keen on a deal for the Aston Villa defender at the end of the season.

Indeed, over his 12 Premier League appearances for the Magpies, the £15.3m-rated full-back has been in fantastic form for Eddie Howe’s side, making an average of 2.3 tackles, 1.6 interceptions, 2.3 clearances and 0.2 blocks per game.

The £35k-per-week defender has also impressed in a creative capacity, making an average of 1.3 key passes, 1.6 crosses and 1.8 long balls per fixture, in addition to completing 0.6 dribbles and taking 0.5 shots per outing.

These returns have seen the player who Aaron Stokes dubbed a “tremendous” signing and James Hendicott labelled a “beast” average a WhoScored match rating of 6.99, ranking him as Newcastle’s fifth-best player in the top flight.

Meanwhile, over Firpo’s 19 league fixtures for the Whites, the £10.8m-rated left-back has been rather less impressive, averaging an extremely disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.59, ranking him as Jesse Marsch’s seventh-worst performer in the division.

As such, it is clear to see that the signing of Targett would be a huge upgrade on the 25-year-old Dominican Republic international, leading us to believe that Orta must do all he can to land the former England youth international this summer.

However, with Newcastle also appearing extremely keen on making the defender’s temporary stay at St. James’ Park a permanent move at the end of the current campaign, the Spanish sporting director certainly has a battle on his hands for the Aston Villa sensation.

AND in other news: Forget Rodrigo: “Pathetic” Leeds dud who lost ball every 2 touches failed Marsch again

Chelsea could try to bring Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah back to Stamford Bridge this summer in a sensational swoop, if Bild journalist Christian Falk is to be believed.

Falk reports that Salah ‘is on the shortlist’ of Thomas Tuchel and Champions League finalists Chelsea ahead of the transfer window.

Chelsea paid £14.85million to sign Salah from FC Basel in January 2014, but after just 19 appearances and two goals, he was sold to AS Roma for a £1million loss.

Salah has apparently been identified as a possible target, alongside Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland another former Blue, Romelu Lukaku.

Could Chelsea really be after Salah?

Chelsea may feel as if they need more firepower; £45million signing Timo Werner is their top scorer but he’s only managed 12 goals in all competitions.

Salah is about to enter the final two years of his contract and has said his future is in Liverpool’s hands.

The Londoners have lured a Reds superstar to Stamford Bridge before let’s not forget – in 2011, they paid a then-record £50million to sign Fernando Torres.

Liverpool fans react to Falk’s Salah revelation

“They have the funds”

Credit: @Bishop_Yayo_

“Is this 2011 again?”

Credit: @essinem7

“FSG would drop him off”

Credit: @ZakLFC7

“Not good news, but I think Salah knows from previous experience that he’d be better off elsewhere, even without Mourinho at the club”

Credit: @LFCdiscord

“Whatttt!!”

Credit: @SharafJuhayr

“If FSG is truly sorry, they will do everything they can to keep Mo. We’re in the mid-table without him”

Credit: @Dionasauruss

“Have I gone back in time?”

Credit: @lfcxcathal

In other news, Liverpool have joined the race to sign this 26-year-old Serie A star.

The Athletic’s Sam Lee has given his verdict following the news that Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo has signed a contract extension.

The Lowdown: Cancelo’s rise at City

The Portuguese defender became the most expensive full-back of all time in 2019 when he signed for Manchester City from Juventus in a deal worth £60m, with Danilo heading the other way for £34m.

Since arriving at the Etihad Stadium, the 27-year-old has played an integral part in Pep Guardiola’s side, having totalled 106 appearances for the Citizens. That includes 22 Premier League outings this season, where he has amassed one goal and five assists in becoming one of the team’s best performers, according to WhoScored metrics.

Cancelo signed a six-year deal when he joined the Sky Blues, keeping him at the club until 2025.

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The Latest: Cancelo signs contract extension

Despite having three years left on his contract, City have been looking to tie down Cancelo on a long-term deal. On Tuesday morning, the club announced that the full-back has signed a two-year contract extension, which will keep him at the Etihad until 2027.

The Athletic’s Man City reporter Lee shared this news on Twitter along with a link to his corresponding article, beaming that it is ‘a fitting reward’ for the 27-year-old’s impressive form.

He proclaimed: “New deal for Joao Cancelo, a fitting reward for his emergence as a key City player and his phenomenal form over the past few months in particular”.

The Verdict: Great business

Cancelo is currently one of the most valuable full-backs in world football, with Transfermarkt estimating his value at a cool £54m.

When the initial lockdown happened, the defender struggled to adapt to life in England and thus wanted to leave the club. However, he overcame this to duly become one of the key components of Guardiola’s side.

Former City midfielder Nigel de Jong has offered some effusive praise of the 27-year-old, saying: “We can have a healthy discussion and debate on who is the best right-back in the world and Cancelo is certainly up there for me. It’s not only his versatility but also the fact he is as strong defensively as any right-back or left-back in the world.”

Taking everything into account, this seems like a brilliant bit of business by City, and it’s no wonder that Lee has voiced his firm approval of Cancelo’s contract extension.

In other news: These Manchester City fans approved of one prospective successor to Pep Guardiola

An update has emerged on Ipswich striker James Norwood, regarding his future at Portman Road.

What’s the talk?

According to Football League World, Ipswich are contemplating the sale of James Norwood between now and the end of the transfer window.

The report claims that Paul Cook is open to parting ways with the forward, although no specific teams are mentioned as lining up a swoop for his services at this time.

Cook doesn’t need him

Mark Ashton must sanction a sale for Norwood and ruthlessly axe him from the Ipswich squad this summer. The report states that it is a real possibility that the Tractor Boys do cash in on him and Ashton needs to have the final say and greenlight his exit.

Cook has been active in the transfer market this summer his signings have left Norwood surplus to requirements in Suffolk. Conor Chaplin, Louie Barry, Joe Pigott, Macauley Bonne and Sone Aluko have all been brought in either on loan or permanently and can all play as a striker. The club signing five players in the striker position does not bode well for the player who occupied that role last season, with Norwood now potentially behind them all in the pecking order.

Chaplin and Pigott both started the opening game of the season, with Bonne coming off the bench to score. Aluko and Barry then made their debuts in the League Cup on Tuesday night. This shows that Cook is already bedding the new forwards in, which could leave Norwood surplus to requirements.

The £4.1k-per-week flop scored nine goals in the 2020/21 League One campaign, averaging an unimpressive WhoScored rating of 6.68. This shows that he was unable to score goals on a regular basis and that his overall performances were not outstanding, which is why Ipswich should now be looking to move him on.

After a lacklustre season last time out and with a wealth of new striking options for Cook to choose from, it could be the perfect time for the Town to cash in on Norwood. At the age of 30, his value is unlikely to increase and they may not find a better time to sell him.

AND in other news, Fewer touches than Holy: Fresh TTFC arrival let Cook down with a shocking display…

It’s the final game of the Premier League season and Tottenham Hotspur have everything to play for.

Ryan Mason’s men sit in seventh place knowing that a defeat at Leicester City this afternoon could result in the prospect of no European football next season –  if other results go against them.

However, a win would secure them a place in either the Europa League or the newly-formed Conference League.

After a shocking 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in midweek, the 29-year-old caretaker boss must look to spark a reaction ahead of kick-off, and he can do so by altering his starting XI. In truth, Spurs were crying out for some added quality in attack, with the likes of Heung-min Son, Dele Alli and Harry Kane underperforming.

Gareth Bale should’ve been the man to provide that spark but there were concerns over his fitness heading into the match, and subsequently, he did not start from the off.

It’s time to unleash him later today as he could prove to be the Lilywhites’ game-changer for one final time.

This encounter against the Foxes is huge for both teams, so it would be wise to let a four-time Champions League winner loose at the King Power Stadium.

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The 31-year-old superstar was in and out of the team under Jose Mourinho, and while he still proved to be a regular source of goals whenever he featured, it is more recently that he has thrived under Mason.

As per Transfermarkt, the Wales international has scored 14 goals and provided three assists, meaning he has averaged a direct goal contribution every 96 minutes across all competitions.

By comparison, Kane is managing a goal or assist every 81 minutes, and Son is averaging a contribution every 100 minutes, so that shows just how crucial Bale can be to Spurs right now.

Earlier this season, Mourinho lauded the Real Madrid loanee for his “remarkable” and “incredible” attitude off the pitch, and later claimed that he was “better than ever.”

Once hailed as “unplayable” by Harry Redknapp, the £18m-rated dynamo has to be starting a game of this calibre if Mason wants to end the season on a high note.

Bale could hold the key to whether or not Spurs are competing in Europe next season, in what could be his final swansong in a Lilywhites shirt before his loan deal ends.

AND in other news, Levy could rock Spurs’ squad by hiring 43 y/o “phenomenon” who he’s watched “closely”…

A Portuguese news outlet has claimed that Wolves will now sign Vitinha in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Vitinha promise

Upon signing Vitinha on a loan deal from FC Porto at the start of the 2020/21 season, Jeff Shi dubbed him as an ‘exciting’ player and a ‘special young talent’, with an ‘abundance of technique and creativity’ (Wolves).

This was clearly evident by the influence that he had on his teammates, as he recorded the highest pass success percentage (90.3%) out of any Wolves player to have played 10 or more matches in the Premier League last term (Whoscored).

The Latest: Vitinha will be signed

As per Jornal de Noticias (via Sport Witness), the Molineux faithful will complete the signing of Vitinha on a permanent deal for €20m (£17.1m).

He will reportedly sign a contract of ‘four or five’ years, after originally starting pre-season training with FC Porto.

The Verdict: Great news

It is certainly great news to hear that Vitinha will join up with the Wanderers permanently under new manager Bruno Lage.

He became a fans favourite very quickly during his short time at WWFC, with some supporters recently showing their delight at the news.

Nonetheless, at just 21 years of age, Vitinha has a lot of potential, and so £17.1m could turn out to be an absolute bargain if he fulfils it, providing that there are no remaining obstacles in the way to get the deal over the line.

In other news, find out what transfer update has Wanderers gushing here!

Dean Smith has been told to drop Emiliano Buendia for Aston Villa’s Premier League clash with West Ham United on Sunday.

Birmingham Live journalist Ashley Preece has set out the line-up he believes can end the hosts’ slump.

The lowdown

Villa take on the Hammers looking to halt a run of three consecutive league defeats.

Buendia started his fifth Premier League game of the season against Arsenal last time out, lining-up behind Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins in Smith’s 3-4-1-2.

But he endured a difficult night, squandering a ‘big chance’ to reduce the Gunners’ three-goal lead just after the hour mark, losing possession 14 times and completing only one of his three dribbles. He was replaced by Jacob Ramsey on 68 minutes (via SofaScore).

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said that Buendia is ‘not working’ in Smith’s system.

The Argentine, a summer arrival from Norwich City, is Villa’s fourth-highest earner at reported £75,000 per week.

The latest

Preece called for a reversion to a back four, with Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Matt Targett protecting Emiliano Martinez’s goal.

In midfield, he wants to see John McGinn, Douglas Luiz and Jacob Ramsey, who ‘deserves a chance to build on his first goal’ against Arsenal.

Provided Leon Bailey passes a fitness test, Preece thinks he should start on the right, Ings through the middle and Watkins out on the left.

The verdict

Buendia did indeed struggle at Arsenal, while Ramsey came on and gave Villa hope by scoring an outstanding goal.

According to ex-Villan Gabriel Agbonlahor, the 20-year-old has been in ‘great form’ this season and adds ‘more legs’ in midfield, implying he is absolutely the right fit if a three-man midfield is selected, as Preece suggests.

Villa are in need of three points to arrest their slide, and so Dean Smith can’t shy away from making big decisions in terms of team selection.

In other news, fans loved this sight in midweek.

Writing on Twitter, reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has now claimed that West Ham United have made an enquiry over signing West Bromwich Albion star Matheus Pereira this summer. 

The Lowdown: West Ham hunt Lingard alternative?

Jesse Lingard, following his sensational 2020/2021 spell on loan at the London Stadium, was tipped as one of manager David Moyes’ priority targets for this summer transfer window.

However, with a move away from Manchester United now looking more and more unlikely, attention has seemingly switched to alternative options in the attacking midfield position.

Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley is one name that has been mentioned in recent days (90min), but as per ExWHUemployee, it appears Pereira is the main candidate.

The Latest: West Ham enquiry made…

As per the insider, writing on his social media, West Ham have now made enquiry over signing Pereira and are interested in securing his services this summer.

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However, talks are not advanced and the deal has not been agreed, with only an approach made thus far by the Hammers as they seek to strengthen in time for the 2021/2022 season.

West Ham will be involved in the Europa League group stages, having to play more matches in smaller timeframes, so bolstering Moyes’ options is an absolute necessity.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Pereira, in our view, could be the perfect alternative to Lingard who can provide a bit of everything.

According to WhoScored, he averaged more key passes per 90 in the final third (1.8) than any West Ham player did in the Premier League last season, even Lingard.

As well as this, he completed more dribbles on average (1.2) than the Red Devils ace (1.1) – potentially highlighting he can be just as effective in terms of attacking threat.

Pereira attracted praise for his performances over 2020/2021 as well, with Premier League pundit Kevin Campbell calling him ‘devastating’ in an interview with Football Insider.

Quite the goal threat from midfield, he has also managed 54 career strikes across 196 senior appearances in total.

Indeed, West Ham would be remiss if they didn’t prioritise him as their number one attacking midfield priority.

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘Incredible’, ‘Please have truth in this’…West Ham fans flock to forward update, find out more here.

Some Liverpool supporters absolutely love Jurgen Klopp’s comments regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold playing in midfield in the future, as the manager spoke in theÂbuild-up to Sunday’s clash with Leeds.

The 22-year-old has blossomed into one of the most exciting young players in Europe, having jumped from academy prospect to superstar at Anfield in recent years.

Alexander-Arnold has made the right-back spot his own under Klopp – although he is not first-choice for England – registering 45 assists for the Reds and showcasing outrageous technical ability at times.

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The youngster occasionally played in midfield during his academy days and Gareth Southgate decided to play him in that role in England’s win over Andorra during the international break.

Speaking on Friday [via Paul Joyce on Twitter], Klopp made it clear where he will playing Alexander-Arnold, saying it makes no sense to move him from right-back.

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Liverpool fans love Klopp’s comments on Alexander-Arnold

These Liverpool fans loved what they heard from the Reds boss, taking to Twitter in response to Joyce’s post.

“Shots fired”

Credit: @WEBBZJAY

“Facts lol”

Credit: @_mehussain

“That’s a brilliant quote!”

Credit: @only_lars

“Sometimes I just love this man”

Credit: @bondz1e

“BOOM…”

Credit: @dctwittwoo

“I love this”

Credit: @THIAGOLFC6

“Amen!”

Credit: @aldic2

In other news, some Liverpool fans are unhappy about one player potentially starting against Leeds. Read more here.