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Wolves winger Francisco Trincao is unlikely to sign a permanent deal this summer with the Barcelona loanee reportedly unhappy at Molineux.

What’s the latest?

According to O Jogo (via Sport Witness), the Portuguese wide man ‘is not satisfied’ at the Black Country club and will look to return to Barcelona this summer. However, the 22-year-old is also seeking a move away from the La Liga giants.

There have also been talks of a potential swap deal involving the loanee and Adama Traore, who is currently on loan at the Catalan club. Although, this now seems unlikely if Trincao is unwilling to extend his stay in the West Midlands.

Wolves must part ways with Trincao

In all honesty, it’s no major loss for Wolves if Trincao objects to joining the club on a permanent basis. The winger has struggled to win over the Molineux faithful with just one Premier League goal in 24 appearances this term, a disappointing return.

The winger was given the nod to start on Friday night against Newcastle United, a game in which Wolves as a collective were poor, losing 1-0.

Although, the 22-year-old particularly struggled with Wolves journalist Tim Spiers labelling the Portuguese as “anonymous” in what could prove to be one of the final opportunities the Barcelona loanee gets in the famous amber.

Indeed, according to SofaScore, he managed just 13 passes in the entire game and none of them were key either.

Bruno Lage may inevitably opt to move Adama Traore on this summer too given his goal-shy first half of the season, but it now appears as though that deal will be separate.

The Portuguese manager still has a decent amount of options on the flanks with Daniel Podence as well as Pedro Neto, who is now back from injury, and the recently recruited Chiquinho.

However, there may still be a desire to recruit wide players in the summer with goals from wingers a rare spectacle this season for the West Midlands outfit.

Podence has netted just twice in the top-flight this season whilst Neto is still readjusting after a lengthy spell out and Chiquinho is slowly being integrated into the side.

It’s certainly an area for concern and fresh faces may be the necessary solution making it vital for Wolves to axe Trincao this summer with his loan spell ultimately proving to be a waste of time.

In other news: Disaster: Lage sleepwalking into huge Wolves error that could have dire consequences

Tottenham must swoop for Roma winger Nicolo Zaniolo this summer as manager Antonio Conte looks to bolster his squad in his first summer transfer window in charge of the north London club.

What’s the talk?

Reports from Italy have suggested that Spurs are following the 22-year-old closely, with Corriere della Sella (via Sport Witness) suggesting that the Italian knows that ‘decision time is approaching.’

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The Roma star’s contract expires in 2024 and is yet to renew, meaning that the Serie A outfit may have to sell this summer, with a fee being quoted at around €80m (£66m).

Manager Antonio Conte is believed to be a big fan of the 22-year-old, having assessed the winger during his time as Inter Milan manager, as is Spurs managing director Fabio Paratici.

Tottenham must sign Zaniolo

Despite a season that has seen a managerial change, an early exit from the Europa Conference League and yet another campaign without silverware, Tottenham’s season could end with success with the Lilywhites still firmly in contention for a top-four spot.

Conte’s side are fourth with six games to go in the Premier League and will undoubtedly be a more attractive proposition for Zaniolo and other potential targets if they can offer Champions League football.

The 22-year-old has netted seven goals and assisted another eight in 35 appearances across all competitions this term whilst averaging a 7.31 match rating in the Europa Conference League.

In Serie A, the Italian’s rating is lower at 6.7, with the winger averaging a 78% passing accuracy whilst completing just under half of his dribbles at 49%. Moreover, Zaniolo likes to get forward, producing 2.6 shots a game.

Moreover, the 22-year-old has been integrated into the senior Italy set-up, earning nine caps and scoring two goals for the Azzuri.

There is plenty of excitement in Italy regarding the Roma starlet, with club legend Francesco Totti praising the winger back in 2018 by saying: “Zaniolo is explosive and he plays with an unusual ease. If he continues this way he could become a great player.”

With the Italian a right-sided winger, Zaniolo could complement the left-sided Heung-Min Son perfectly.

The South Korean has netted a whopping 17 Premier League goals this term as well as registering seven assists in the top-flight, numbers that Spurs will hope the 22-year-old can one day reach should he swap Rome for London.

Granted, £66m will be a significant fee for Spurs to pay to secure Zaniolo’s services, however, with Conte a big fan, the deal could prove to be well worth it in the long run.

AND in other news: Lost the ball every 2.6 touches: “Quiet” 9-pass THFC passenger let Conte down vs BHAFC

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Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter to react after they found out that Frank de Boer had lost his first game in charge of Atlanta United.

The former Palace boss was appointed as the MLS Cup winners’ manager just before Christmas, but got off to a disappointing start with his new charges as they lost 3-1 to Herediano – in fairness, that’s better than his start with the Eagles, in which he oversaw a 3-0 loss to Huddersfield.

De Boer lasted just 77 days at Selhurst Park during his short tenure in south London, managing just four league games and failing to see his side score a single goal on their way to successive defeats – his only win came in the Carabao Cup against Ipswich.

The main issue with the 48-year-old Dutchman’s time at Palace was his tendency to deploy some players out of position, with Joel Ward stuck out in a right wing-back role whilst Luka Milivojevic was put at centre-back.

By the sounds of things, those issues are still going on at Atlanta, and Palace fans have taken to Twitter to react…

According to a report from Ajanspor journalist Salim Manav, Tottenham Hotspur are set to scout two Turkish talents in the upcoming round of Super Lig fixtures. 

The lowdown: Targets collide

It will be a mid-table battle when Besiktas face Kasimpasa on Monday night (April 25), but there could be a sub-plot to proceedings as two opposing left-backs – Ridvan Yilmaz and Eren Elmali – vie for superiority on the night.

Yilmaz of Besiktas is the younger of the two at 20-years-old and has already represented Turkey at the senior international level, whilst 21-year-old Elmali remains an Under 21 representative.

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As they prepare to do battle, it’s been suggested that eyes from the Premier League and Serie A could be watching with intent…

The latest: Spurs send scouts

As per the report from Ajanspor which has been cited on Twitter by Manav, Tottenham and Atalanta are believed to be preparing to watch the Turkish top-flight encounter.

“Tottenham and Atalanta officials will watch Eren Elmali and Ridvan Yilmaz in the Beşiktaş-Kasımpaşa match,” the journalist tweeted.

Expanding in the article, it’s claimed Spurs officials ‘will report’ on both Yilmaz and Elmali as Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici begin to earmark potential summer transfer targets.

Yilmaz – who made a come-and-get-me plea to Arsenal in 2021 – has been capped six times by the Turkey national team and was previously given a reported £8.35million asking price amidst interest from Leicester City, Torino and VfB Stuttgart.

The verdict: Smart moveWhilst neither youngster can boast a plethora of top-level experience with a combined 124 career outings in the Super Lig, both would represent value for money given the respective ages and likely affordable transfer fees.Elmali holds a perceived market value of just £1.62million (Transfermarkt), making the Istanbul-born starlet the more attainable financial option compared to his compatriot.But, with three goals and four assists in 30 appearances this season, Yilmaz’s ability to play as both a conventional left-back and in a more advanced role makes the Besiktas ace a preferable choice to suit Conte’s chosen 3-4-3 formation at present.When comparing the youngster to current Lilywhites star Sergio Reguilon, Yilmaz actually outperforms the Spaniard in every available aspect on average per 90 minutes (Fbref), albeit in a weaker league.Described as a ‘very smart’ operator by national team manager Stefan Kuntz, early indications would point to the Besiktas starlet being the preferred option to arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer.In other news: ‘That’s for sure’ – Sky Sports reporter backs big transfer news out of Tottenham, find out more here.

West Ham United are ready to move for Everton centre-back Michael Keane if the Blues are relegated. 

That’s according to Daily Star sports reporter Harry Pratt.

The lowdown

Keane, Pratt notes, was ‘rising through the Manchester United ranks’ when David Moyes in charge during the 2013/14 season.

Everton later paid £25.7million to sign Keane in 2017 after he’d spent two and a half years at Burnley.

The Englishman has gone on to rack up 181 appearances for The Toffees, including 33 in all competitions so far this season (via Transfermarkt).

His £65,000-per-week contract still has more than three years left to run.

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The latest

Pratt writes that Moyes remains a ‘big admirer’ of Keane and could look to capitalise on the ‘major exodus’ that’s anticipated at Goodison Park if the Toffees drop.

The Scot and West Ham would be ready to offer him ‘an immediate route back to the Premier League’.

Moyes wants to more centre-back available ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Keane would apparently cost the Hammers as much as £20million even after a potential relegation.

The verdict

Everton supporters may be somewhat surprised at the prospect of a lucrative sale.

Indeed, a £20million exit would be the ninth-biggest in the history of the club.

Keane has come in for heavy criticism at times this season, with Paul Robinson accusing him of frequent ‘lapses in concentration’ and The I’s James Gray pondering if he’d endured the ‘worst half ever’ in the 5-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur last month.

But Moyes has been undeterred, and he could hand his former club a significant financial boost, helping to absorb the possible blow of demotion.

In other news, Everton also risk losing another mainstay.

Paulo Dybala is still being targeted by Tottenham Hotspur, according to recent claims…

What’s the word?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT this week, journalist Pete O’Rourke revealed:

“I think Dybala, [a] long-term target under [Mauricio] Pochettino, I’m sure he will definitely be on the list in the summer but I think lots of clubs in Europe will be interested in the playmaker this summer on a free transfer, potentially.”

The 28-year-old came very close to signing for Spurs during the summer of 2019, only for a deal to fall through at the final hurdle over image rights. He has regularly been linked with a switch ever since then.

Conte needs him

This time, however, he’s a player that Antonio Conte could really do with in north London.

The January transfer window saw the Italian let three, potentially four, of his more creative outlets depart the club in record signing Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, Dele Alli and Byran Gil.

Not as if any were performing at the level required anyway but there has been a severe lack of imagination in the final third, often leaving the likes of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son to provide for themselves. After all, they led pretty much every attacking department last term.

Again, this season, the South Korean tops the charts for goals scored (eight), assists (three) and key chances created (1.9 per game) in the Premier League, via WhoScored.

Three of the four behind him in the latter regard are defenders, so the likes of Matt Doherty, Emerson Royal and Sergio Reguilon have been more creative than any of the departed quarter, which speaks volumes.

But it does leave Conte without an outlet in the heart of the pitch – something that Dybala could aid and not only that, he’ll provide Kane with some backup, too.

Despite being hampered by injury this campaign, the Juve man has still delivered 11 goals and five assists, averaging a direct contribution once every 101 minutes, as per Transfermarkt.

He was once dubbed an “unbelievable player” who does “breathtaking” things by former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey, whilst Serie A expert Conor Clancy believes his presence would aid Kane tenfold.

“I feel like he’d be unstoppable with Kane because he’s not a number nine, so he’s got to be playing alongside a striker like that,” he told Football FanCast back in the summer.

The £45m-rated dynamo also possesses a career average of two dribbles and 1.6 key passes per game (via WhoScored) only bolsters his threat, ball playing and carrying ability in the attacking third.

He’s got to be someone that Conte would surely love to sign this summer. He’d be a steal on a free transfer, too.

AND in other news, Conte could take Spurs to the next level by signing £27m-rated “leader” who he’d love him…

Everton are reportedly now in fresh talks to sign Brennan Johnson in the summer.

The Lowdown: Standout season

The Welshman is certainly having a standout season at Nottingham Forest, where he has managed no fewer than 15 goals and a further nine assists in the Championship so far (Transfermarkt), playing a big part in their promotion push.

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He has recently picked up the division’s Young Player of the Season award, and at just 20 years of age, his ceiling is quite high.

The Latest: Everton talks with Johnson

As per The Independent, Johnson’s representatives have held ‘productive meetings’ with Everton ‘in the last week’, although their ability to sign him may depend on whether they avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Brentford have already offered personal terms to the Wales international, while Leicester City, Newcastle United and Villarreal are also interested in his signature.

Johnson is ‘unlikely’ to sign a new deal at Forest unless they get promoted, with his current contract set to expire in 2023. He is ‘expected’ to go for a fee of between £20m and £25m, should they end up selling him this summer.

The Verdict: Sign him

Johnson is one of the rising stars of British football, so it would be a real coup for the Toffees if they can attract him to Merseyside, especially with the spectre of relegation a clear and present threat.

Described as a ‘different animal’ on the pitch by Paul Bodin, who worked with him when in charge of Wales’ under-19s and later with the under-21s, Johnson seemingly has the fire in his belly to make something happen for his team, which is the kind of character that Frank Lampard’s side could really use right now.

Nonetheless, perhaps with a few players sold, £20m-£25m should be an affordable price range for Everton.

In other news, these were Everton’s three worst performers against Liverpool

According to transfer insider Dean Jones (via Give Me Sport), it is ‘extremely hard to see’ midfielder Declan Rice remaining a West Ham player next season.

The Lowdown: January’s disappointment

Irons fans were left fuming after the club failed to bring in any fresh faces during the January window, as it became increasingly clear that the squad could do with bolstering their options in a number of positions. This is particularly the case in attack, where Michail Antonio remains the only recognised senior striker at the club.

It was claimed that the east London club were actively pursuing various options in January. David Moyes admitted that West Ham “probably made three record transfer bids” throughout last month, as quoted by the Evening Standard.

However, these last-ditch attempts proved to be unsuccessful, sparking outrage amongst supporters and concern in the club’s race for a top four finish and Champions League qualification.

This has also now ignited the feeling that Rice may seek a move away from the London Stadium in the summer.

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The Latest: Jones thinks Rice will leave

According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United have identified Rice as their ‘principal midfield target’ for the summer’s transfer window.

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones has weighed in on this claim, saying: “It’s extremely hard to see that (Rice remaining a West Ham player next season) at this moment in time.”

The Verdict: Can’t allow it

According to SofaScore match ratings, Rice has been the Irons’ best player in the Premier League this season, and by some distance too. He has averaged a 7.25/10 rating, just one of five Hammers players to exceed 7/10.

Having appeared in every game bar one this season in the English top flight, it is imperative that Moyes and everyone at West Ham does everything they can to keep Rice at the club, as he is clearly a ‘priceless’ asset.

The Scotsman believes that the 23-year-old is ‘worth more than £100m’, so it should take a mammoth bid to push the Irons into accepting an offer, and if they have any serious ambitions about challenging the ‘big six’ going forward, they should still have some thinking to do even if a £100m+ bid arrives.

Ultimately, it may all depend on how desperate Rice is to leave the club in the summer.

In other news: Pete O’Rourke insists Hammers will try to sign Jesse Lingard

Matt Doherty is looking like a man possessed at Tottenham Hotspur under Antonio Conte.

On Sunday afternoon, the north London outfit moved into the Premier League’s top four with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Newcastle United and the Irishman notched his second goal and fourth assist from his last six outings.

It’s been a complete turnaround for the 30-year-old, who has seemingly been on the chopping block until now. A prolonged run in the side has catapulted his name into the Italian’s starting XI on a regular basis recently – even out of position, as with this weekend, he has delivered.

Signed in a £15m deal from Wolves by Jose Mourinho in the summer of 2020, Doherty had struggled to truly make his mark at the club. By February 2021, his future at the Lilywhites was described as ‘uncertain’ by ESPN, who claim that the Portuguese was unconvinced by his progress.

Mourinho could even be heard berating Doherty throughout one encounter against Liverpool. And then under his former Old Gold boss Nuno Santo at the start of this current campaign, he still couldn’t get into the lineup, which is rather damning.

The Athletic believed he was one player that could’ve been sold by Nuno and sporting director Fabio Paratici.

It’s a very good thing they didn’t because he’s now thriving under Conte and the weekend’s impressive win displayed his true qualities, playing in a system that suits him right to a tee.

As per WhoScored, the £10.8m-rated Doherty has now made 11 tackles, six interceptions and seven key passes across his last six outings, proving to be a major influence at either end of the pitch for Spurs.

He was one of a few players to be graded a standout 9/10 by Evening Standard reporter Dan Kilpatrick in his post-match ratings column.

‘Forced out of position to left wing-back, he finished with a goal and an assist to continue his resurgence. Has shown tremendous character to rebuild his Spurs career,’ he wrote.

Earlier in the year, Doherty was described as “utterly thrilling” by The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke, whilst analyst Statman Dave lauded him as “revitalised”.

Indeed, the £74k-per-week Mourinho flop is a completely different animal now.

AND in other news, Paratici could repeat Pogba masterclass at Spurs with “unbelievable” £36m-rated wizard…

West Ham United centre-back Craig Dawson has been playing through the pain of injury for a number of weeks.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to a claim made by Claret & Hugh, with the West Ham insider stating in a recent post that, despite suffering from an injury in recent weeks, the 31-year-old has continually made himself available for selection as a result of the Hammers’ issues at centre-back – with a source claiming that the defender will once again be playing with a knock against Leicester City this weekend.

In their update, Claret & Hugh said: “The hugely professional central defender is again ready to defy the pain and appear against Leicester City on Sunday. A Hammers source told Claret & Hugh the man had been playing through injury for weeks without a word of complaint.”

Fans will love it

With Angelo Ogbonna having been ruled out for the remainder of the season with an ACL injury, in addition to Issa Diop having been in a dreadful run of form in recent months and Kurt Zouma’s ongoing off-field issues, the news that Dawson is once again willing to put himself through the pain barrier to feature against Leicester this weekend is an update the London Stadium faithful will love.

Indeed, over his 21 Premier League appearances this season, the £2.7m-rated centre-back has impressed in the absence of Ogbonna, helping his side keep four clean sheets, registering one assist and creating one big chance for his teammates, as well as making an average of one interception, 0.9 tackles, 3.4 clearances and winning 4.5 duels – at a success rate of 57% – per game.

These returns have seen the £52k-per-week defender average a SofaScore match rating of 6.92, ranking him as Moyes’ joint ninth-best performer in the top flight of English football so far this term.

As such, not only will Dawson’s availability come as a huge boost to West Ham’s chances of securing a positive result against the Foxes this weekend, the 31-year-old’s commitment to the Irons cause will undoubtedly be something that delights the Hammers fanbase.

In other news: Moyes must unleash “fearless” 20 y/o who’s “like a giant” after latest WHU injury blow