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It has recently been reported by Sky Sports that Newcastle are willing to let Papiss Cisse leave for the right price.

Whatever that right price is we don’t know of course, but the Senegal international moved to St James Park from Freiburg for £9m in 2012, and since then Cisse has scored over 40 goals for the Tynesiders.

Newcastle paid £9m for their man at the time, and with his age having now passed the 30 mark, perhaps £6m is realistic. And for that price Cisse could be a very good signing for a Premier League side, as he has a proven scoring record in the division – over 10 goals in three of his four seasons in the English top flight.

Of course he is thirty, but Cisse’s style of play isn’t heavily reliant on pace and agility, traits players typically lose as the years pass. He instead depends on clever movement, goal scoring instincts and subtle, cute play to find positions and chancs to score his goals.

He has a good turn of speed, enough to get away from most markers and to get in behind defenders, and that along with his best attribute, finishing chances, could make him a very shrewd signing for a newly promoted team, or even an established Premier League side.

He may join a Premier League club, but it does indeed look more likely that Cisse will go to Turkey (specifically Besiktas) to replace his former St James’ Park team-mate, Demba Ba.

That is not to say a Premier League side won’t try and get a deal done for Cisse, however they may be put off by a couple of negative factors surrounding the Senegalese marksman.

His wage demands are reportedly quite high, which would certainly deter some suitors, while his age is another negative. However, if a club is looking for a short-term fix then his age would not be such an issue.

But probably the biggest negative is Cisse’s disciplinary record – he faced two lengthy spells on the sidelines last season. First up was a three-match ban for a deliberate elbow on Seamus Coleman and then another seven matches for spitting at Jonny Evans.

These instances will be a real worry for any club looking to sign him, as how will they be able to trust Cisse if he keeps on getting suspended?

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It would be a risk for any club pinning their hopes on Cisse for their entire Premier League campaign but he could well provide a good back up option or even a first choice option if he can curb his bad disciplinary record and knuckle down to produce the goods he is capable of. However believing he will do that could be somewhat naive.

Nevertheless he could well do a decent job for a Premier League club if one comes in for him, but at the moment it does look likely we could have seen the last of Papiss Cisse in the Premier League.

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After failing to secure Champions League football, there has been a lot of speculation about Gareth Bale’s future.

Tottenham missed out on Champions League football by a point. With Arsenal winning away at Newcastle, it was the Gunners who pipped their north London rivals to the final Champions League place.

After winning the PFA young player of the year and players player of the year awards and the football writers association player of the year award, Bale is in high demand and wanted by some of the worlds biggest clubs. Bale is only the second player ever to win all three awards in the same season. The other, Cristiano Ronaldo.

But what should be Gareth Bale’s next move.

Everybody associated with Tottenham Hotspur wants Bale to stay. And why wouldn’t they. Bale has been in breathtaking form all season. He’s been an inspiration and has won games on his own. He’s been the standout player this year in the Premiership. If Spurs are going to break into the top four and progress as a team, they need to keep hold of Bale. Without his goals this season, Spurs wouldn’t have been competing for a Champions League place.

With Bale only signing a new contract last season, there have been talks of a new deal reportedly worth £150,000 a week. Signing a new deal would show that Bale has real intentions to stay. It’s also to be believed that there will be a release clause in his contract. An offer of 50million or more will activate his release clause, but his release clause can not be activated until the end of next season.

Tim Sherwood is ‘one million percent’ sure that Bale will stay at the club. Andre Villas Boas said that it is very, very hard to lure a player of his dimension away from the club. The indications are there that Bale will stay.

But a player of Bale’s ability, has to be playing against the best players in the world. To be considered as one of the best, he has to do it against the best. And the only place for that, is in the Champions League.

Real Madrid are huge admirers of Bale. They have the resources to mount a serious bid. Madrid’s director of football, the great Zinedine Zidane, has lavished praise on Bale. Zidane said that the best player in Europe this season was the Welshman. Zidane was impressed with Bale’s technical ability, his pace and ability to go through the gears in such a short space.

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Sergio Ramos has issued a plea for the Welshman to join him at the Bernabeu. Ramos told The Sun, “Gareth Bale is a Real Madrid-quality signing. He can punish any team in the world and has the footballing qualities we look for in Madrid.”

With a chance to prove himself in Spain and play amongst the worlds best, it must be tempting. Another alternative is Manchester United. United are looking to strengthen their squad and they need a player like Bale. United are lacking in quality when it comes to wingers and Bale is the perfect solution. To play for the best team in England and a chance top compete for the Champions League crown, a move to United could be more appealing.

In my opinion, Bale has to leave Spurs. He needs to be competing in the Champions League. He needs to be competing against the best players in the world regularly. He can stay with Spurs another season, but there is no guarantee that they will qualify for the Champions League and he will get nothing out of playing in the Europa League. A player of his ability has outgrown the Europa League. He’s had a great season, he’s in great form and he needs to be playing in the best competition in the world to be considered as one of the worlds best.

It seems to be an all too familiar story with young players never reaching their expected potential.

Jaime Peters joined Ipswich in 2005 and before he left he was the clubs longest serving player. Many may be surprised to hear that in total he made 99 appearances for Ipswich. A lot of these appearances were from the bench so his appearances don’t really represent how much game time he actually had though.

When he was first linked the Tractor Boys it didn’t seem like we had much chance of signing him as both Chelsea and Manchester United showed an interest in the youngster. However, Peters chose to join Ipswich as he wanted to play as much first team football as he possible could to help him develop as a player.

The young Canadian was an instant fans favourite and has always been a very popular figure amongst the fans. He wasn’t popular just because he was exiting to watch but the fact that he turned down both Manchester United and Chelsea in order to get game time was very respectable.

He was still a teenager when he joined Ipswich and everyone was exited by the prospect of seeing Peters in a Town shirt. Being only 5ft 7in Peters had a distinctive style of play to compensate for his short stature. He used his height as an advantage and by having a low centre of gravity he was able to terrorise opposition defenders with quick tricks and turns. Without a doubt he was an exiting player to watch and although his game was far from complete he offered the team something they didn’t have.

After every season Ipswich hoped that Peters would develop and become a key player in the team. The potential was there but we never really saw much progression from him after each season.

He never commanded a place in the team and was never consistently good enough to become a key player. Both Magilton and Keane would often use Peters as an impact sub and this probably was the most useful role he could play at Championship level.

The real reason why Peters never developed into the player we all dreamed he could be was because he never had a complete game. His dribbling, agility and speed was at times amazing but he never perfected the art of crossing and being so small meant he struggled with the physical aspects of the game.

However, despite his downfalls every fan will have fond memories of Peters.

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He always worked hard, always wanted to be in the first team and most importantly always cared about the club. The highlight of his Ipswich career came in the League Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal where he performed so well at right back that Andrei Arshavin had to be subbed off as he couldn’t get anything past Peters.

He was a great servant to the club and a player who will always be welcome at Portman Road. In the modern game it is rare to find a player who is both loyal and just wants to play as much football as possible so we were lucky to have Peters at the club. It looks like Peters will drop down to League One but whoever he plays for next will have a great player with a great personality.

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For as long as Daniel Levy keeps Tottenham’s wage budget under strict control and Mauricio Pochettino maintains his principled stance when key players step out of line (see Kyle Walker, Danny Rose and Toby Alderweireld), the club will always be on the lookout for ‘the next…’ because there will always be the danger that the current star will leave North London.

The situations surrounding Toby Alderweireld, who started his career at Ajax and Matthijs de Ligt, who currently turns out for the Dutch giants, brings this into sharp focus.

Alderweireld looks set to leave the club this summer after a stand-off over his new contract and Pochettino plans to deal with the blow of losing arguably the Premier League’s most talented centre-half by securing the signature of 18-year-old Dutch international de Ligt, who is valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt.

It’s a risky policy but when we asked you whether Spurs should make the switch, the answer was pretty unequivocal. 93 per cent of Tottenham fans want Pochettino to make it happen and you can check out the full results of the poll below…

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Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey has admitted that he is keen to switch from a wide role to the centre of midfield next season.

The Wales international has traditionally been deployed by the Gunners in the centre of the park, but has played most of his football wide on the right this season.

This has been due to the blossoming partnership of Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla in the heart of the North London club’s midfield, with no room for the Wales international centrally.

Ramsey has admitted that he has spoken to Arsene Wenger about his preferred role at the Emirates Stadium, but would continue to play wherever the French boss selected him.

“I’m not hiding away from it, I want to be playing in the middle,” The Mirror report the former Cardiff midfielder as saying.

“I’ve had chats with the manager about it. I showed at Manchester United what I’m capable of doing when I go into the middle of the park.

“But the manager said he wants me do a job out there for the moment and obviously I’ll do that for him. But I prefer to play in the middle.

“We have wingers on the bench, but he’s still picking me out wide.

“Santi Cazorla is the one in my position. He’s the one who plays alongside Francis Coquelin and tries to get forward. I am trying to get that back.

“I like to get the ball and drive the team forward. I’m not a No10, playing with my back to goal. I’ll try to play between the lines now and again if the game demands that and we’re pressing quite high. That can be a dangerous position to take up.

“But I like to start from a defensive position and drive the team forward with little one-twos around players. That’s where I prefer to play.”

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Ramsey has overcome serious injuries to play a prominent part in the Arsenal team in 2015.

The Welshman also has the likes of Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere for competition if he is to play in his preferred role in the centre of midfield.

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Carlton Cole V’s Wigan

“What a brilliant West Ham United goal”, shouted the commentator as Carlton Cole’s curling effort found the net. It was the perfect finish after a sublime team-effort and a goal that earned the Hammers’ a lot of plaudits that season, some even saying that it was their goal of the season. Then manager Zola certainly got his Claret and Blue men playing some liquid football under his tenure, and ‘that Wigan goal’ proved the Italians plans were working.

Carlton, who was playing the best football of his career under Zola, curled a right footed effort past the outstretched Wigan keeper after a neat exhange of passes that included most of the team. It was the kind of goal that would have had Barcelona fans raving, let alone the West Ham fans.

The strikers finish ended up being the difference that day as the Hammers’ left Wigan with all three points, despite being then sent off. It helped earn the club 9th in the Premier League that season, a good season for Zola and his men.

Carlton Cole V’s Manchester United

When Manchester United visited Upton Park in the cup a few Decembers ago, there wasn’t many Hammers’ expecting to get a result. But little did they know, they were in attendance for one of West Ham’s most memorable nights under the floodlights in the clubs history. The Hammers’ were bottom of the Premier League when Sir Alex Ferguson and his men arrived at the stadium, where as Manchester United were riding high, and were looking to keep their great league form continuing into the cup. Unfortunately for Alex Ferguson, this just wasn’t to be.

The snow was hitting the area hard, both before and during the game. But it wasn’t the snowy chill factor that left  the Manchester United gaffer red-faced, it was the manner of defeat that the Scotsman was dished out.

Two goals from the former Manchester United midfielder Jonathon Spector, had the Hammers’ pinching themselves, a third from Carlton Cole had them running their eyes, but the fourth goal confirmed what the fans were thinking. They were well and truly in a dream land.

The big forward took a pass into the box from Victor Obinna and decided to turn defender Jonny Evans inside-out before sliding a fourth pass the goalkeeper. Although Cole scored twice on the night, the fans will feel that the fourth was the Cole goal most worth remembering. Hammers’ fans are the first to admit that a game is never over until the whistle blows, but even they couldn’t see their side throwing a four-goal lead and it gave the fans the chance to enjoy their moment.

It saw West Ham United progress to the semi-finals, the only thing more surprising is the fact that this was all done under the reign of Avram Grant…

Carlton Cole V’s Blackpool

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For me, the last time we really got to see what Carlton Cole was all about, was towards the end of last season. By the time we’d reached the Play-Off final, Cole had scored five goals in seven games, and he wasn’t about to stop there. From the start of the game you could tell he was hungry, and only a slightly over hit pass from Nolan stopped the big man from being one-on-one with the Blackpool keeper.

However the big man deservedly found the net with just over thirty minutes on the clock. Neat play from Taylor, followed by a sublime diagonal ball saw Carlton act with pure striker instinct. As the former Chelsea man controlled the ball well before subtly knocking the ball past the sprawling Blackpool keeper, sending both Carlton and the fans into raptures.

Despite Blackpool finding an equaliser early in the second half, the script was already written, it was going to be West Ham’s day. With less than five minutes on the clock West Ham were on attack, Carlton Cole an influential part as always. Despite the keeper charging at the number 9 at a rate of knots, Cole still managed to slip the ball across the face of goal for Vaz Te to slot home.

Cole’s opening goal and bravery during the winner, not only gained the Hammers’ the win, but also a place back in the Premier League. Ensuring that Cole’s name would go down in West Ham history.

After the capture of Robin van Persie, Manchester United are still on the lookout for more talent and will sign Angelo Henriquez this week according to his club.

The 18-year-old Chilean forward will apparently cost the Red Devils just £3.5million and is undergoing a medical right now. Henriquez rumours will no doubt fuel more transfer speculation regarding both Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov, despite Sir Alex Ferguson claiming the pair still have future at Old Trafford.

Henriquez’ club Universidad de Chile, released a statement yesterday which read: “Angelo Henriquez will join Manchester United

 this month.

“The player is physically and mentally prepared to take this determining step in his career.”

Universidad president Jose Yuraszcek said: “Manchester United’s representatives told us that it was fundamental for them to take him now.”

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The rivalry between Southampton and Bournemouth has never been an ‘official’ one, so to speak, but due to the proximity of both coastal areas, one has formed since the Cherries earned promotion to the Premier League.

This weekend will witness a crucial match between the two clubs as Southampton fight to remain in the top division.

As it stands, Mark Hughes’s side are four points from safety with as many games left to play, so a result against Bournemouth at St Mary’s is vital.

Since the new manager replaced Mauricio Pellegrino in March, the club have not picked up a league win having lost three and drawn one.

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Things looked brighter in the FA Cup until Sunday when the Saints suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of Chelsea in the semi-finals at Wembley.

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Ahead of this weekend’s fixture against Bournemouth, Hughes has issued a rallying cry, which some fans have echoed, while others still feel miserable.

Just as Raheem Sterling remains embroiled in a ‘will he – won’t he’ transfer saga, another key man at Liverpool, Jordan Henderson, has been reported by The Telegraph to be having his own deliberations regarding signing a new deal at Anfield.

The Star have suggested that the stand-in skipper at Liverpool is most likely to end up at Premier League rivals Chelsea. If we consider for a moment that Chelsea could acquire the England midfielder; would he be good enough to have any impact at Stamford Bridge?

His improvement under Rodgers at Liverpool has been meteoric. From national laughing stock, to the driving force behind the new ‘Gerrard free’ Liverpool. He now seems to be the heir apparent to Gerrard and central to the future of the club.

But for all of his improvements at Anfield, does it mean he can make the step up from a team on the edge of the top four to the Champions elect?

His competition at Stamford Bridge would be fierce to say the least. In his preferred role of defensive midfield, he would have to contend with Nemanja Matic; a player that has arguably become the best in the world in his position. It would take the most staunch fan of Henderson (maybe even a close relative or spouse) to argue he could displace the Serbian.

Another contender for his Blue shirt in West London would be Cesc Fabregas. The former Arsenal man has had a mixed first season at Chelsea. Almost unquestionably the best player in the country up to Christmas, his form in 2015 has been patchy at best, poor at worst. He has become a passing monument in Chelsea’s listless march towards the title.

Now of course, Fabregas is a great deal more technically proficient footballer. He is one of the great midfielders of his generation. But Mourinho takes no passengers.

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The way in which the manager treated Juan Mata is still at the forefront of every Chelsea fan’s mind. He was the wizard at the Bridge for two years and player of the season in both of those campaigns. However, Jose became dismayed at his supposed lack of work rate and he was quickly moved on.

The fact that Fabregas, has recently been likened to a statue is a worrying development for the Spaniard.

‘The Special One’ is open in his admiration for players who will work for the team; sacrifice their own game for the greater good. Look at the transformation Oscar and Willian have undertook under the stewardship of the man from Portugal.

The Liverpool midfielder seems to be the perfect fit for Jose Mourinho.

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If the rumours of Henderson’s reluctance to sign a new deal are to be believed, his list of potential suitors will be a long one. He has managed to build a reputation as one of the most energetic midfielders in the game.

Whether he could genuinely overtake Fabregas and Matic to earn himself a Chelsea starting berth is yet to be seen. But what cannot be argued is how important he has become at Anfield.

If Chelsea aren’t interested, someone else will be. Liverpool have more than one important bit of paperwork to be carrying on with.

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There would have been some quarters of the Arsenal support who would have greeted news of Arsene Wenger to PSG not with trepidation, but with the hope of a new dawn for the club. And that doesn’t take anything away from what he’s done in the past or what he may do in the little time he has left with Arsenal. It’s a nod to the idea that maybe the time is right for something different.

You have to ask the question from the other side of the table, too. What if Wenger himself feels that he’s taken this club as far as he can; with the limitations in the transfer market and the consistency at losing his top players each summer, it becomes a frustrating cycle which can be hard to break. Should Arsenal fans begrudge Wenger if he decides PSG is the last realistic chance for glory before he moves away from the dugout for good? If anything, Wenger has earned the right to walk away when he pleases.

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What would a move to PSG mean for Wenger and his stance on big-spending clubs in Europe? I don’t think it will matter too much. This is a coach who has long had to hide the complications that exist behind closed doors at Arsenal, and much of that came through the belief that spending recklessly was wrong and Arsenal’s approach was right. It also played into Wenger’s hand nicely, that being his preference for developing talents, while also avoiding the bidding wars that were likely to spring up for the world’s most sought-after players. Going to PSG, however, will allow Wenger the freedom to move in the transfer market, still taking on his well-thought-out approach to new signings, but with far less restrictions.

What’s on the table now is the prospect of a big summer of spending, for both Arsenal and PSG, with Wenger unlikely to be in the Premier League beyond next summer. How does this work out for Arsenal? Maybe it’s best to cut ties now while the opportunity is there. Wenger talks about his commitment to contracts, and yet who could really hold that small detail against him should all parties agree that a change in direction is needed?

It’s not a campaign to push the manager out the door of the Emirates. It is, however, an acknowledgement that there is a world beyond what many Arsenal fans know. This is a topic for discussion that is absolutely certain to arise again next year should Wenger remain at Arsenal beyond this summer, and yet many may be more willing to accept the matter then rather than now. It’s about holding onto the safe and secure option. It’s the uncertainty that arises should Wenger look to accept PSG’s proposal for one last go at a league title. Who knows how far this Arsenal team are from challenging? Who really knows outside of the club whether this truly is a summer of increased and ambitious spending?

But it’s a question of blame and grudges being held. Many fans still believe Wenger to be the right man for Arsenal, one who most trust with overseeing the reshaping of the playing squad before he leaves. It doesn’t keep with Wenger’s principles to move on with the club so precariously placed. To elaborate, and to reiterate: who can really tell what this summer holds for the club?

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There will be very little blame attached should Wenger depart this summer. Most of it will come in the form of disappointment and the realisation that not everything was done to give Wenger a proper sending off. For whatever criticisms may be had over Wenger’s management – of which there are many – the real blame lies with the board and their decision to hide behind a man who most believe to be exempt from criticism.

Should Wenger leave, it may just be an admission that he’s had enough with the faults of this club that don’t necessarily lie at his door.