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Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa is interested in signing his fellow Argentine Pedro de La Vega this summer.

What’s the story?

According to Depo, the Whites are keen on landing the versatile 20-year-old winger, with the likes of Aston Villa, Fiorentina and Atalanta also said to be in the running to land him.

The report adds that the starlet is expected to leave Lanus this summer due to the amount of transfer interest in him.

Bye-bye Helder Costa

With Football Insider having recently claimed that Leeds are open to offers for the £70,000-a-week Helder Costa this summer, the Whites would surely be better off cashing in on him and bringing through De La Vega.

Costa endured a nightmare campaign in the Premier League last season for Bielsa’s side, scoring just three times and providing only three assists in 22 games in the division. That has prompted former Leeds players like Noel Whelan to brandish him a “massive flop”, and it’s hard to argue against that assessment.

In De La Vega, they would be getting an exciting young talent who can play on the right like Costa, as well as the opposite flank and through the middle.

A profile from Goal read: “Playing out wide does seem to favour him, however, with his footwork and ability to both play a killer pass and provide the finishing touches to moves having led to him being compared to Angel Di Maria in some quarters, albeit a right-footed version of the Paris Saint-Germain star with slightly more skill than agility.”

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Dubbed as a “real talent” by South American football writer and podcaster Tom Robinson, the £9m-rated gem actually averaged more dribbles than Leeds star Raphinha last season – 2.8 per game compared to the Brazilian’s 1.9.

At just 20, De La Vega could turn into a real superstar under his fellow Argentine in Bielsa.

Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has dropped a major Leeds update…

Finance expert Kieran Maguire, featured on Sky Sports, believes the decision to operate a Celtic B team in the Lowland League has been a worthwhile venture. 

The lowdown: Here to stay

Having originally been trialled as a pilot scheme to develop Scottish youngsters, clubs recently voted for the participation of the young Hoops and Rangers sides to continue for the 2022/23 campaign.

Neither side can be promoted or earn relegation but the lure of competitive action has been preferred over the original academy style setup.

Following a report from the Daily Record confirming that the Lowland League had received a financial boost in the wake of the Old Firm’s inclusion, Maguire has given his view.

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The verdict: Good deal for all parties

Speaking to Football Insider, the regular contributor for Sky Sports suggested that the decision has proven to be a hit.

“It was a successful experiment, at the end of the day,” Maguire said.

“The fact the Lowlands League wants it to continue shows that the benefits outweigh any detriment.

“They will have also benefited from higher attendances because people will come to see the Colts teams when they are in town.

“It hasn’t held back the Lowlands League teams themselves.

“They have probably upped their game because it is a feather in the cap to beat Rangers or Celtic, even if it is the Colts teams.”

The verdict: Positive early signs

Whilst it’s difficult to quantify the fruits of the B team’s labour just yet, Celtic certainly appear to have a very promising collection of youngsters on the books at present.

The likes of Mikey Johnston, Dane Murray and Karamoko Dembele have all emerged as options for Ange Postecoglou’s side at various points this season whilst supremely talented teenager Ben Doak recently earned a high profile switch to Premier League giants Liverpool.

Continuing to blood the Lennoxtown youngsters in a competitive environment can only be a positive for the future at Parkhead and it would appear to also be a huge financial boost to the lower reaches of the Scottish football pyramid – win-win.

In other news, a journalist has provided a worrying Celtic transfer update. Read more here.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans are livid with comments from journalist Graham Spiers made on Saturday.

Many Gers supporters have had problems with journalists, including Spiers, for the way they feel their club has been portrayed in the media. Last year, Club 1872 won an IPSO complaint against the Daily Record for false allegations in an article, while both Jordan Campbell and Andy Walker (Glasgow Times) have been banned from Ibrox for their coverage of the 55-time Scottish champions.

Spiers has now attracted the wrath of some Gers supporters. On Twitter, he shared a video of Sir Alex Ferguson, who was discussing an interaction he had with an official at Ibrox many moons ago. The former Manchester United manager said he was asked whether he and his wife were married in a chapel or not.

Spiers called it an “utter embarrassment”, seemingly alluding to a previous unwritten rule in the Rangers code that they could and would not sign Catholic players. However, this incident was said to have taken place more than 50 years ago, and Rangers have been openly signing Catholic players for more than 30 years.

The comments were shared on Twitter by Spiers, and these Gers fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about Spiers’ comments

“Get a grip Spiers”

Credit: @Tunnocks17

“Embarrassing take”

Credit: @alanmillar91

“You really love a pop at Rangers Graham despite Alex Ferguson talking about something said by a director in 1967. The world has changed including in Glasgow since then. Try focus on the good and positive changes in Scottish football and not on the past. You prefer to be negative.”

Credit: @KidKiddr

“Posting something that happened more than half a century ago is just as embarrassing!”

Credit: @Steven53448760

“Oh do behave Graham – you cannot compare the club then with the club now. SAF actually accepted that because most people did at the time – not saying it was acceptable btw. We’re accepting of everyone and anyone”

Credit: @darren_cairns

“Not even remotely relevant to the Rangers of today, or for decades to be honest, but for people like yourself it has to be kept alive, it’s what your industry has traded on.”

Credit: @JHC17626935

In other news, this ex-Rangers man has expressed his delight since leaving Ibrox.

West Ham United have failed in their attempts to bring Duje Caleta-Car to the London Stadium in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a recent claim made by Claret & Hugh, with the West Ham insider revealing in a recent post that, despite David Moyes’ side’s continued attempts to find an agreement with Olympique de Marseille regarding a deal for the centre-back, sources on both sides of the transfer have stated that a compromise between the two clubs does not look likely to be reached.

It is reported that the Hammers are looking to take the 25-year-old on a loan to buy deal, while Marseille are only willing to part with the Croatia international for an up front fee of £15m.

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In their post, Claret & Hugh said: “West Ham are believed to have finally missed out on signing Croatian central defender Duje Caleta-Car. The Hammers have been chasing the player for several weeks and are likely to continue doing so up until the end of the window.

“But Claret & Hugh’s information from both sides of the deal is that Marseille are unwilling to do a loan to buy option and continue to insist on a £15 million permanent deal. The Hammers have made it clear they have no interest in such a deal at this point and want to take a look at the player over the remainder of the season.

“We are planning to pursue things until the end of the window but Marseille sources insist no deal other than a permanent switch is considered suitable.”

Moyes can kiss top four goodbye

With West Ham’s absolute priority targets in the January transfer window having been a new centre-forward and a new centre-back – neither of which Moyes has managed to land – the news that the Premier League side are set to miss out on a defender they have been pursuing for a large portion of the current market is sure to have left Hammers fans livid with their club’s strategy this winter.

Indeed, with a little under 36 hours until the transfer window closes on Monday evening, each hour that passes from now on looks to reduce the club’s likelihood of bringing a new centre-back to the London Stadium this winter – meaning the stalemate with Marseille regarding a deal for Caleta-Car appears to have been extremely important time wasted.

And, with the Hammers pushing for a top-four finish in the league this season, should Moyes indeed fail to bring in both a new centre-back and centre-forward this month, the Scot may as well kiss goodbye to the prospect of Champions League football next season now – as the 58-year-old’s squad simply does not have enough strength in depth to maintain a top-four push in its current state.

In other news: “I can confirm…”: ExWHUemployee drops huge transfer update, WHU fans will be buzzing

Southampton fans are absolutely delighted at the news they have signed Armando Broja on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

After a slow start to their transfer window, the Saints have finally kicked into gear. The south-coast outfit captured Romain Perraud (southamptonfc.com), Danyl Simeu (chelseafc.com) and Valentino Livramento – the latter two from Chelsea – while they have agreed a fee with Blackburn for Adam Armstrong (The Athletic).

Ralph Hasenhuttl will be hoping these new arrivals will help them improve on their 15th place Premier League finish from last term.

Now, they have brought in another fresh face, also from Chelsea, in Broja. The £2.7m-valued 19-year-old spent last term on loan at Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands and scored 11 goals in 34 games for the club (Transfermarkt) – he could be prove to be an inspired new arrival for the Saints.

The news was shared on Southampton’s official Twitter account, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Broja news below

“SIUUUUUUU”

Credit: @rxdmond

“Great start to day”

Credit: @dankiz1

“10 prem league goals 5 assists Let’s go”

Credit: @benoport

“Buzzin with this. Excited to see him develop this season”

Credit: @SFCMart

“Excited to see this guy play. Welcome to Southampton mush”

Credit: @Bennett2Terry

“Hello there Mr Albanian Lewandowski, glad to have you on the ride for this wacky season”

Credit: @ScottishSexyMan

In other news, Southampton fans want to re-sign this midfielder.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has told The Transfer Tavern in an exclusive interview that he cannot imagine Jack Grealish leaving his old side for Tottenham.

The north London club could lose their star man Harry Kane in the summer and may need to undergo a rebuild.

Tottenham are known admirers of Grealish, having a bid of £25m turned down for the player a few years ago, and will have the funds to make another move for him, along with a striker, if they can get the £150m+ they are said to want for Kane.

Hendrie, however, believes the above is a non-starter given the current state Spurs are in.

Asked whether a Kane-less Tottenham reigniting their interest in Grealish as part of a rebuild could be a possibility, the ex-Villa player said to TT:

“If Kane left, why would he even contemplate going to a football club that’s selling their big players? Really and truly, you may as well stay where you are. I just think it’d be a no-brainer just to stay at the football club that he’s at.

“You’re taking big players out of the equation and possibly losing even more big players at your football club because you’re losing your prized asset, so definitely not for me.”

With Manchester City currently in the frame to sign Grealish when the transfer window opens, ultimately, it does look like Tottenham have missed their chance to bring the attacking midfielder to north London.

Crystal Palace are interested in signing Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah this summer as they plan for a mass squad overhaul.

What’s the story?

According to well-known journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Eagles are keen to acquire the 22-year-old’s services, although they’re set to face competition from fellow Premier League side West Ham United and German outfit Bayer Leverkusen.

Romano tweeted: “Crystal Palace and West Ham among clubs interested… and Bayer Leverkusen” in response to a tweet from account @ZRAFC, which revealed that Nketiah has rejected a contract offer from the Gunners.

Fans will be delighted

The former England Under-21 international has just 12 months remaining on his current contract at the Emirates Stadium and is now expected to seek pastures new after turning down fresh terms from his boyhood club.

Nketiah found game time hard to come by last season, making just four Premier League appearances for the capital club, with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette ahead of him in the pecking order.

News that he is set to be available over the coming months will surely leave the Palace supporters feeling delighted as they hope to see several new signings bolster the first-team squad ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Former Nice manager Patrick Vieira has recently been appointed as the new manager of the Eagles, and he’s faced with a daunting task in south London.

Several players departed on free transfers at the end of June after seeing their contracts expire and the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic means Vieira is likely to have just a shoestring budget available to replace them.

Therefore, Nketiah would be an ideal transfer target for Palace. The youngster has bagged 13 goals in 65 appearances for Arsenal, although several of those outings have been cameo appearances from the substitutes bench.

His proposed switch across London could be ideal for all parties this summer, and he could become the first addition of the Vieira era at Selhurst Park, which would delight the club’s fans.

And, in other news…Vieira could generate success at Crystal Palace by signing “ferocious” £6.3m-rated gem 

Sunderland fell to a 5-1 defeat to Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon, and a number of Black Cats supporters hit out at captain Aidan McGeady, who was shown a red card at the New York Stadium.

Lee Johnson made two changes from the previous league match against Charlton Atheltic, with Elliot  Embleton and Leon Dajaku coming in for Alex Pritchard and Aiden O’Brien. That meant McGeady kept his place on the wing for his 12th League One appearance of the campaign, but it was one to forget for the Irish veteran.

The 35-year-old received two yellow cards shortly after the interval to leave his team with a mountain to climb, with the hosts 3-1 up at the time.

McGeady was Sunderland’s worst-outfield starter, as per SofaScore, with a match rating of 5.5/10. He failed to have a shot on goal, complete a dribble or make a key pass during his time on the pitch. He also lost possession on six occasions and was beaten in six of his eight duels (75%).

Sunderland fans react

Here is what these Sunderland fans had to say about the Irishman on Twitter, with one labelling him as ‘appalling’ yesterday.

“What an absolute horror show this is, absolutely lost our heads. What is McGeady thinking?! Shocking”

Credit: @xhannahanderson

“McGeady just needs to retire. Been awful this season.”

Credit: @OfficialDPope

“Appalling from McGeady. As an experienced player on a yellow card it is unprofessional and negligent to be flying into challenges like that. Game over now.”

Credit: @StuzMate

“Disgrace from McGeady! Think he wanted sent off there.”

Credit: @mksavage73

“That was brainless from McGeady. He’s a senior pro. He should know better. He’s becoming a bigger issue every week. His role in the team HAS to be refined now.”

Credit: @Philip_RJ89

“McGeady & O’Nien please never play for us again thank you”

Credit: @mattsmith2707

“McGeady…. Finished in my opinion”

Credit: @wdt0_0

In other news: ‘Made my day’ – Lots of Sunderland fans go wild as ‘excellent news’ is confirmed. 

Crystal Palace have enquired about Schalke defender Ozan Kabak as they continue their squad overhaul under Patrick Vieira [The Daily Mail].

The Lowdown: Vieira faces enormous overhaul

Potentially unrecognisable comparative to last season, newly appointed Palace manager Vieira will face the challenge of constructing a new-look roster following the contract expirations of over 20 first-team players [The Sun].

Already making serious inroads in the transfer market, the Eagles have moved to bring in no fewer than four signings in the form of Jacob Montes, Marc Guehi, Michael Olise and Remi Matthews [Transfermarkt].

Wasting no time ahead of the Premier League season, could they now be set to add a fifth summer acquisition following latest reports?

The Latest: Crystal Palace enquire about Kabak

Crystal Palace are said to be monitoring Turkey international Kabak and have contacted Schalke to ask about him, whilst he will likely leave Gelsenkirchen this window due to financial irregularities at his current employers [Daily Mail].

The South Londoners are believed to have been keen on the 21-year-old for a couple of months, who could be available for as little as £8.5 million plus add-ons.

Several Bundesliga clubs also hold an attraction to the 6 foot 1 defender.

The Verdict: Kabak would be an astute signing for the Eagles

Needing to bolster their defensive ranks, Kabak would represent an astute piece of business for Vieira’s men.

Clearly able to hold his own against at the highest level, Kabak played an important part in helping Liverpool to qualify for the UEFA Champions League in 2020/21, registering 13 appearances for the Merseyside giants after joining on loan in January [Transfermarkt].

Showing his domineering presence at the back for the Reds within this timeframe, he managed to keep an average total of three clearances per game in the Premier League [WhoScored].

Once labelled as ‘absolutely incredible’ by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, Palace should move to sign the young defender and take advantage of Schalke’s troubling financial situation.

In other news, a pundit has exclusively backed a Crystal Palace pursuit of a reported target.

An update has emerged on Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Massimo Luongo, regarding interest in his services from abroad.

What’s the talk?

According to the Sheffield Star, Perth Glory are interested in signing Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Massimo Luongo before the end of the transfer window in Australia.

The report claims that the ex-QPR man’s current injury could prevent him from making the switch, although Perth are yet to make an official offer for his services.

Nightmare

Dejphon Chansiri must avoid a Sheffield Wednesday nightmare by refusing to part ways with Luongo in the coming weeks. The Owls chief must reject all offers for the Australian midfielder as he could play a key role for the club in League One this season.

Luongo is expected to return from injury in the next few weeks and hopefully, he can return to the side and continue to make an impact on the pitch for Darren Moore. He has already given supporters a glimpse of what he is capable of doing in the third tier, putting in a sublime performance against Rotherham last month.

The 28-year-old recorded a WhoScored rating of 8.33 as Wednesday beat Rotherham 2-0 away from home. He won two aerial battles, seven tackles, and one interception, whilst also making three clearances and a block. Going forward, he completed three dribbles and created one chance, whilst also being fouled twice.

This highlights the standard he is capable of reaching in League One and why keeping him at Hillsborough should be a priority for Chansiri in the coming weeks. Moore would surely be fuming if the owner decided to sell a player of Luongo’s quality with the season already well underway.

Ex-Owls boss Garry Monk lauded Luongo last year as one of the team’s top players in the Championship.

He said:

“I think he has been one of our best performing players in terms of consistency across all the games that he has played so far. He is a great lad. He is a quiet leader.

“I have asked more of him vocally to come out of his shell. I think you have seen in some of the games that he is no afraid to say what he wants to say. We need that and I have tried to encourage that.”

This goes further to shows how highly rated the £14k-per-week enforcer is, with Monk even praising him at Championship level. Luongo is a player who has the ability to help Wednesday get promoted and someone who could make the step up to the second tier should they achieve that aim.

With the transfer window now closed in England, Wednesday would only be able to dip into the free agent market between now and January, which is another reason why Moore will be fuming if Chansiri sells Luongo now.

AND in other news, 64% duels lost: Sheffield Wednesday dud with 0 key passes let Moore down in August…