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Manchester United have been linked with an extraordinary move for Tottenham Hotspur captain Hugo Lloris.

According to L’Equipe, the Red Devils are keen to swoop for the Spurs stopper, with Jose Mourinho reportedly considering replacing the Frenchman with compatriot Mike Maignan.

Whilst Lloris has proven himself to be a solid stopper in the Premier League, he is simply not needed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils.

As it stands, United are well-stocked for goalkeepers. David de Gea and Dean Henderson are both currently vying for the no.1 shirt at Old Trafford, whilst the club also have Sergio Romero, Lee Grant and Joel Pereira in reserve.

With as many as five first-team stoppers, there is not a necessity to bring in any more options should all of them remain into next season.

It could be argued that Lloris would intensify that competition further, a statement that would certainly be true considering he has made 289 appearances in the Premier League and claimed 103 clean sheets – not to mention winning a FIFA World Cup with France in 2018.

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However, Lloris has developed somewhat of a mistake-ridden reputation. In his Premier League career, the 34-year-old has made 19 errors directly leading to a goal – at a rate of one every 15 games.

For comparison, de Gea has only made 14 in 337 appearances – one approximately every 24 matches in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Henderson is averaging an error every 21 matches, again some way higher than Lloris’ average.

Away from his presence between the sticks, Lloris would likely cost the Red Devils a considerable amount – money that could be spent better elsewhere.

Rated at a modest £8.1m, United would have to stump up his £100k per week wages. For a player that they may not even need, that seems a considerable amount to invest.

Despite any move for Lloris being an extraordinary one, it is one that Ed Woodward should avoid.

AND in more news, have a look at which current Manchester United star should bring his time at the club to a close this summer…

The search for a new manager at Celtic seemingly has a new face in the frame every single day. If only the Bhoys hierarchy could actually find the right man.

Roy Keane emerged as the frontrunner last week but Thierry Henry and Lucien Favre have now both stated their availability.

What’s the word?

Fresh claims from reliable transfer guru Alan Nixon state that there is now a serious contender in the mix to take over at Celtic.

Taking to Twitter this week, The Sun journalist revealed the following information when asked if Eddie Howe to Celtic was a viable option: “He’s a candidate. A serious candidate.”

The former Bournemouth boss has been in the hunt for several months now with rumours first surfacing all the way back in November.

At that point, it was thought Howe had a chance of becoming Neil Lennon’s successor but his name had gone under the radar in the last few weeks.

However, with Keane now less likely to become the new manager at Parkhead, it appears the hierarchy are turning their attentions to Howe once more.

Great news for supporters

If fans could choose between Keane and Howe, there would surely only be one option; the latter.

The news that the Manchester United legend could take charge of Celtic went down like a led balloon with fans according to Hoops podcaster Paul John Dykes and it was recently theorised the news was leaked in order to seek supporter opinion.

Dermot Desmond now has his answer; the masses don’t want him.

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Therefore, the news that Howe is now a major candidate to take over should be great news. After all, the Englishman has a number of known qualities that could revive the Bhoys.

Howe has achieved plenty in his managerial career to date, taking Bournemouth from League Two to the Premier League in two separate spells as boss.

He is also known as a meticulous thinker on the training ground, someone who takes charge of sessions and demands the very best from his players.

One of Howe’s ex-players, Simon Francis, once noted: “He is meticulous. He does not leave any stone unturned. And he instils that work ethic into the players. Because you know that he is buying into it. Not turning up late, not strolling out onto the training pitch late, he is always the first. You can never question anything he does.”

This is the polar opposite of Lennon, a manager who was rather shockingly still doing elements of Brendan Rodgers’ training.

He’d not only be an upgrade on the Northern Irishman, but he’d also be a much better option than Keane.

AND in other news, Celtic have already sold their Scott Brown heir, Rodgers thought he had “good ability”…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has slammed the club’s recruitment last summer as “garbage”.

Neil Lennon made just three permanent signings ahead of the new season in Greek goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas, young Scottish midfielder David Turnbull and West Ham reject Albian Ajeti following his wretched spell in east London.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Elyounoussi’s loan from Southampton was extended, whilst experienced defender Shane Duffy came in from Brighton and Uruguayan Diego Laxalt from AC Milan as Celtic went in search of winning 10 Scottish Premiership titles on the bounce.

But whilst Elyounoussi is the Hoops’ second top goalscorer having scored 15 times in all competitions, Ajeti has found the net just six times and Barkas, Duffy, and Laxalt have all been in and out of the side.

Midfielder Turnbull has had the biggest impact at Paradise, contributing to 14 goals throughout the season, and has been a regular under both Lennon and caretaker manager John Kennedy, starting Celtic’s previous 19 league matches.

However, McAvennie has slated the club’s transfer business last summer and said too many player were signed that simply aren’t Celtic quality.

He told Football FanCast:

“There’s players out there that you might not know, from foreigners, you think ‘bring them in’. Let them flourish, they’re destined to go to the Premier League because that’s where the money is.

“But bring them in here for a couple of years and let them shine, Celtic used to do that all the time. I don’t get where all this rubbish is coming from, I can’t say it any clearer than that, they’ve brought in some garbage!

“Not good enough for Celtic. Every manager brings in one or two, but there’s too many players that haven’t been good enough at Celtic. And it’s a shame.”

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has been linked with a move to Aston Villa and, as to be expected, it has caused quite the stir on social media.

According to an exclusive report from Football Insider, Villa chief executive Christian Purslow holds a “strong interest” in hiring Gerrard ahead of the summer.

The pair know each other well from their time at Liverpool, with the report claiming that Dean Smith’s position as Villa manager is uncertain in the long-term despite a solid season.

Villa sit ninth in the table with nine games remaining, racking up 47 points so far.

Gerrard is under contract at Ibrox until 2024 and it remains to be seen what his views are on a possible move to Villa Park.

Villa fans react

Football Insider shared the story on their Twitter page on Thursday morning. It didn’t take long for numerous Villa fans to have their say on the story, with one describing it as ‘stupid’.

“That’s enough Twitter in the day for me”

Credit: @AnonymousAVFC

“More stupid click bait!”

Credit: @Deankerr04

“This has come out of nowhere!”

Credit: @MitchM77

“Utter dross Gerrard is Liverpool bound soon enough. Smith is doing a great job, summer & next season will tell if Smith can take us to the next step, if not then owners may want to change tact, and go for a top pedigree manager to take us there”

Credit: @kpvilla

“Surely no Villa fan wants this?”

Credit: @jpriesty4

“Another one to the block list. Silly season already”

Credit: @villa_b6

In other news: Many AVFC fans buzz at John Percy update on Villa star, find out more here. 

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans has delivered a major update on Aston Villa defender Matt Targett.

What’s the story?

The left-back has been an absolute revelation for Dean Smith’s side this season, even earning suggestions over a potential call-up to the England squad.

Evans has now revealed that Villa are in talks with the 25-year-old over a new contract at the club, and that they “are committed to rewarding their best players with enhanced terms and security for the future as they look to build again for next season.”

He added: “Villa may decide to strengthen the full-back areas this summer, as both Neil Taylor and Ahmed Elmohamady are out of contract in June. Right-back Matty Cash has been impressive in his debut season, though, and talks over a new deal for him are also likely to follow in the months ahead.”

Dean Smith surely buzzing

The £35,000-a-week earner has been a bit of an unsung hero for Villa since his arrival in the Midlands, something echoed by Alan Hutton as he told Football Insider: “I think he just quietly goes about his business and you’re right, because of the other players within that squad, he probably doesn’t get the praise that he’s due this season.

“He’s definitely went under the radar but I think the proper football fans and people will see exactly what he does for the team, much like Matty Cash on the opposite side.”

After his name was being mentioned as someone who Gareth Southgate should be calling up to the England senior squad, Smith was quick to praise Villa’s Mr Reliable, saying: “Matt’s having a fantastic season – his consistency has been great. He’s getting better all of the time. He’s been one of our stand-out players this season.”

It’s exactly why news of a potential contract extension for the left-back will no doubt be music to the ears of the Villa manager.

Meanwhile, Villa boss Dean Smith should unleash this academy starlet…

Swansea City are the latest club to be linked with a move for Rochdale striker Stephen Humphrys ahead of the summer and the 23-year-old could prove to be an excellent addition to Steve Cooper’s side if he moves to south Wales.

What’s the word?

According to The 72 on Twitter, Swansea have joined the race to sign the former Fulham man in the summer after his impressive performances in League One so far this season.

Nottingham Forest, Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield Wednesday, Bristol City, Stoke City and Preston North End have all previously been credited with an interest in the forward, so it seems likely that he will be departing Spotland this summer, especially if Rochdale fail to avoid relegation to League Two.

Would he be a good signing?

Humphrys has impressed in Brian Barry-Murphy’s side this season after returning to the Dale in a summer switch from Southend United, having previously spent time on loan with the League One outfit in the 2018/19 campaign.

The young striker has contributed 10 goals and three assists in just 25 league appearances for Rochdale so far this season, averaging an impressive 7.09 WhoScored rating, although injury problems have disrupted his campaign.

The 23-year-old offers a decent aerial threat, whilst he is also adept at holding the ball up and taking on defenders, so could offer Cooper more of a physical presence up front. He has also scored some memorable free-kick goals this season, with his effort in the 4-4 draw against Charlton Athletic earlier in the campaign standing out as a goal of the season contender.

Considering Rochdale’s precarious financial situation, as well as the fact that Humphrys’ contract is set to expire at the end of next season, he could prove to be a bargain option for Swansea City in the summer transfer window.

The forward has impressed in a relegation-threatened side this term, so he could certainly find the net with more regularity in a team such as Swansea, who will surely be looking to challenge for promotion to the Premier League again next season if they fail to go up this time around.

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Therefore, Humphrys could prove to be an excellent addition to Cooper’s side, and given the low-risk nature of the transfer, Julian Winter should do his utmost to attract him to the Liberty Stadium this summer.

In other news… Most tackles on the pitch: Swansea beast was man of the match for more than one reason against Sheffield Wednesday

As Celtic ride the wave of change at Parkhead, there is one area of the club that needs addressing before anything else; the first-team manager.

The Bhoys lost Neil Lennon a number of weeks ago now but they’re still no closer to discovering who his successor will be.

What’s the word?

Roy Keane is a name that will tremble fear throughout the Green Brigade. When he was first linked with the Hoops job it didn’t go down too well with supporters.

Fortunately, just days after it looked as though an interview had taken place, he was suddenly out of the reckoning.

However, fresh reports state that he could well be back in the conversation.

That’s according to Football Insider who claim that behind-the-scenes developments have led to the Irishman being in the frame for the position again.

Keane is gaining more support from the Celtic hierarchy after several stumbling blocks emerged regarding Eddie Howe.

Big U-turn on the cards

There have been several twists and turns to this circus of a managerial pursuit but this is perhaps the biggest U-turn yet from majority shareholder Dermot Desmond.

For weeks now it’s looked as though Howe would be given the gig but circumstances out of Desmond’s control have taken over.

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The 43-year-old doesn’t want to return to management until the summer while he’s also facing problems over his backroom staff.

Howe wants Richard Hughes as his director of football but the Glaswegian outfit are keen on Fergal Harkin. This is something Celtic have reportedly said no to.

There are also problems with interest emerging elsewhere. It’s thought that both Crystal Palace and Brighton are keeping tabs on the Englishman.

You can hardly blame Desmond for turning his attention to other candidates, therefore. The frustrating thing, though, is that he appears to be taking the easy way out.

There is no interest from anyone else in Keane that we know of and judging by his ten-year absence from the managerial world, there won’t be many courting his services in the coming months.

This is such a crucial point in Celtic’s modern history. Fail to get their next appointment spot on and they could be left in the dust by Rangers for a considerable period of time.

Keane has never won more than 42% of his matches while in charge of a club; something that speaks volumes about his abilities as a number one.

Instead of taking the easy way out, Desmond needs to get back to the drawing board and avoid this almighty U-turn for the greater good of the club.

AND in other news, Celtic may have their new Tierney in “tricky” 18 y/o who’s rarely-seen at senior level…

Leeds United have reportedly reignited their interest in Cagliari midfielder Nahitan Nandez, with Marcelo Bielsa rating him highly.

The Whites are believed to have made an offer for the 25-year-old last September, but he ended up staying put at the Serie A club.

It appears as though Bielsa is still potentially keen on acquiring Nandez’s signature, though, with a fresh report suggesting as such.

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Leeds eye up Nandez move

According to Cento Trentuno [via Sport Witness], Leeds could be willing to trigger Nandez’s €36m (£31.35m) release clause at Cagliari, with Roma also believed to be interested in the midfielder.

Bielsa thinks that the £22.5m-valued Uruguayan (per Transfermarkt) ‘would fit perfectly’ into the Whites’ system, with his agent Pablo Bentancur once describing him as a ‘great player’.

Transfer Tavern take

Nandez seems to be a tailor-made Leeds player given his tenacious style, with the Uruguayan averaging 1.7 tackles per game in Serie A this season. He is also effective on the ball, averaging 1.2 dribbles per match, which is more than Kalvin Phillips (0.8) and bettered only by Raphinha (1.9) among Bielsa’s current squad.

At 25, Nandez is also at a good age, enjoying plenty of experience in Italy with 62 Serie A games under his belt, but still arguably having the best years of his career ahead of him.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly ‘not expecting’ one player to stay at Elland Road beyond this summer. Find out who it is here.

According to a report by Football Insider, Fulham manager Scott Parker is now emerging as a lead contender for the Tottenham job, coming after recent setbacks involving two previous favourites. 

Indeed, former top target Julian Nagelsmann is set to become the new manager of Bayern Munich (fcbayern.com), while Ajax boss Erik ten Hag signed a new deal with the club (Evening Standard).

While reports suggest that Spurs are still hopeful of appointing Brendan Rodgers, with Daniel Levy apparently willing to treble the Leicester manager’s wages (Football Insider), the Northern Irishman publicly distancing himself from the role could prove to be an issue.

Report makes major Scott Parker claim

As a result, the north Londoners are assessing other targets, and Football Insider have now dropped a major claim that Fulham boss Parker is emerging as a new lead contender.

Tottenham have been linked with a move for the 40-year-old but football.london correspondent Alasdair Gold stated that he would be one for the future rather than an heir to Jose Mourinho.

However, this report supports another recent claim that Spurs could now turn to Parker as a serious option, with the Evening Standard explaining he is now on the shortlist.

Football Insider have backed that whilst going a step further and saying the 40-year-old is emerging as a lead contender for the role. They added that the Parker whispers for a possible approach have ‘intensified’ over the last few days, but Tottenham are willing to bide their time.

Transfer Tavern take

Lauded as ‘exceptional’ by former managerial tutor and Fulham player Jim Hicks (the Athletic), the ex-Tottenham midfielder has also attracted praise from Pep Guardiola, who praised his brand of football (mancity.com).

However, we believe that candidates such as Ralph Rangnick are far better poised to take the role at Spurs given their experience at the top level – the German has taken charge of more than 400 senior matches in his managerial career.

A promising young coach with a promotion under his belt he may be, but Parker arguably isn’t what Spurs need at this moment in time if they are to return to the Champions League.

In other news: This £13m-per-year coach is also eyeing the Spurs job, find out more here.

Tanguy Ndombele has endured a mixed second season at Tottenham Hotspur to say the least, but he must return to the starting XI when the north Londoners host Sheffield United on Sunday evening.

One of the Frenchman’s best performances of the year came against the Blades back in mid-January and it was capped off by a sublime finish from a tight angle to seal all three points.

He arguably ran the show that day and, in his surprising absence for last Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, Spurs looked completely devoid of any ideas in attack.

Ryan Mason was bolstered by the return of Harry Kane but, even with the England talisman, the Lilywhites fired just one shot on target and that was one of only two attempts at goal all afternoon as Man City clinched the trophy.

Heung-min Son and Lucas Moura were the only Spurs players to provide a key pass on the day – by comparison, Pep Guardiola’s men created 18 key chances between them and had a whopping 21 shots, as per SofaScore.

The midfield three of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Harry Winks and Giovani Lo Celso just did not work and, as a result, they could do with a real spark against the Premier League’s rock-bottom strugglers to ensure they do not slip up and ruin their season further.

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Ndombele has directly contributed towards ten goals in all competitions this term, four more than in his maiden season at the club, and he ranks amongst their best performers (6.93), as per WhoScored ratings.

The 24-year-old’s ability on the ball is clear, averaging 2.4 dribbles per game, some 0.9 more than any other Spurs player, which only goes to show that they miss his drive in midfield when he isn’t on the park.

Furthermore, Ndombele manages 6.4 progressive runs every 90 minutes, meaning he is the most productive in moving the ball towards the opposition’s goal or into the penalty box – no other Spurs regular is better, not even Son, via FBRef.

Earlier this year, back-up goalkeeper Joe Hart lauded his £45m-rated teammate to BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand in the middle of their FA Cup encounter with Wycombe Wanderers.

“I said to Joe, how good is he? And he said ‘this kid is a world-beater, he can do anything.’ He just turned around during the game and said ‘this kid is unplayable’,” Ferdinand revealed (via football.london).

This echoed the thoughts of former Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas, who said on BT Sport’s coverage (January 28th 2021, 19:35): “You don’t want to play against him because he can do everything. He is quicker than you, he is stronger than you, he is more skilful than you. It can be a nightmare kind of night for you.”

If Mason wants to get Spurs back on track this weekend and respond to their recent heartbreak, then Ndombele absolutely has to start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

He’s a game-changer, and he can impact their fortunes tenfold this weekend.

AND in other news, Levy could seal Spurs their next Dembele in bargain swoop for “explosive” 22 y/o beast…