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Matheus Pereira has reportedly spoken to Leeds United over a potential summer move to Elland Road following West Brom’s relegation.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Pereira

The Whites could be set for a busy transfer window as Marcelo Bielsa looks to bring in new players all over the pitch. One individual who has been linked with a move to Leeds is Pereira, who excelled for the Baggies despite their relegation last season, scoring 11 goals and registering six assists in the Premier League.

It seems unlikely that the 25-year-old will be playing Championship football next year, and a fresh update has been provided regarding his future.

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The Latest: Journalist provides key update

According to The Mirror’s David Anderson on Twitter, Pereira has ‘spoken to Leeds’ over a move, as well as a number of other clubs.

However, it is also stated that the Whites are ‘not following up on his offer to open transfer talks’, which suggests that a transfer is still a long way from happening.

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The Verdict: Sign him, Marcelo

The Brazilian would be an ideal signing for Leeds this summer, bringing youth, creativity and end product to an already vibrant attacking side. His aforementioned numbers in the top-flight last season in a struggling side speak volumes about how productive he could be playing under Bielsa alongside superior players.

While a move doesn’t appear too likely at the moment, Leeds should do all they can to try and bring Pereira to Elland Road, allowing him to dovetail with the likes of Raphinha, Jack Harrison and Patrick Bamford.

In other news, another Premier League club could be set to pip Leeds to a summer signing. Find out who it is here.

A number of Celtic fans slammed Ryan Christie on social media for his performance against Hibernian on Saturday afternoon.

Interim boss John Kennedy made two changes from the side which hammered St Johnstone 4-0 on Wednesday, with Christie keeping his place in the team.

It could be the 37-year-old’s final game in temporary charge of the Hoops, with reports claiming that former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is in line to become Neil Lennon’s permanent successor at Parkhead.

The Hoops ended their campaign with a 0-0 stalemate at Easter Road in what was Scott Brown’s final appearance as a Celtic player, but many fans couldn’t help but talk about Christie’s performance for the final time of this troubled season.

Christie, who has been linked with a move away from the Hoops, was making his 46th appearance in all competitions this term and started alongside David Turnbull and Mohamed Elyounoussi in behind Odsonne Edouard.

The attacking midfielder was replaced just after the hour mark, coming off for James Forrest. He failed to complete a key pass and lost possession nine times, as per Sofascore, while he rarely threatened Hibs goalkeeper Ofir Marciano.

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Celtic fans react to Christie’s display

Here is what these Celtic supporters had to say about Christie, with one going as far as calling him a ‘donkey’.

“I’m watching this Celtic game in the hope that it’ll be Christie’s last. Was a big fan of his prior to last summer but he’s worn out my goodwill completely this year.”

Credit: @AnDeoraiRua

“Ryan Christie. What’s the point”

Credit: @DavidPa55539859

“I’d take £5 and a bag of footballs for Ryan Christie just now.”

Credit: @Plac1dCasual

“Hopefully this is the last time I see Ryan Christie in a Celtic top”

Credit: @Jamie_D94

“100% can’t stand Ryan Christie”

Credit: @FR14LLL

“Canny wait to see the back of Ryan Christie and Jonjoe Kenny, absolute donkeys”

Credit: @frankjnrjnr

In other news: Celtic looking at two big-money transfers; presented targets to Howe, find out more here. 

Sunderland are one of a number of clubs reportedly interested in signing Queens Park Rangers right-back Todd Kane this summer.

The Lowdown: Kane moving on?

The 27-year-old was a solid performer for the west London club during the 2020/21 season, making 28 Championship appearances, but a move away from Loftus Road could be on the cards.

Kane’s current QPR deal expires in the summer of 2022, meaning this could be their last opportunity to receive a fee for the defender, rather than lose him for free next year.

The Latest: Sunderland eye up move

According to London Football News, Sunderland are interested in snapping up Kane in the next transfer window, with Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth also believed to be in the mix.

The Englishman is a former Chelsea trainee and has also enjoyed spells with the likes of Nottingham Forest, Blackburn Rovers, Preston, Bristol City and Hull City in the past.

The Verdict: A shrewd addition?

Lee Johnson may be keen on adding depth and quality to his squad in the summer having fallen just short of promotion this term, making Kane a potentially solid signing, given his experience in the Football League.

Bringing in an out and out right-back seems like a no-brainer, considering Johnson used several players in that spot throughout this season, including Lynden Gooch, usually a midfielder, who started at right-back against Lincoln.

Kane won an average of 0.8 tackles and 0.7 interceptions per game in the league in 2020/21, whereas Gooch’s figures were 0.6 and o.2, respectively, suggesting he could be an upgrade on the versatile ace.

Like Gooch, Kane can also play in midfield, but the fact that his defensive performances are superior is surely what has the Black Cats calling.

In other news, there has been a key update on the future of Sunderland manager Lee Johnson. Read more here.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Premier League midfielder Lee Hendrie feels Jesse Marsch could have brought a lot to Celtic.

The RB Salzburg manager had been linked with the vacant Celtic job; however, he was recently named as the next RB Leipzig boss following Julian Nagelsmann’s decision to join Bayern Munich in the summer.

Eddie Howe now looks to be the only man for the gig at Celtic Park, though it does seem like he has always been the Glasgow giants’ No.1 choice, with reports suggesting that a deal could be wrapped up soon.

As far as alternatives go, though, Hendrie believes Marsch certainly could have been a good option for Celtic.

On the RB Salzburg boss, the ex-Aston Villa player told TT:

“I’m all for up-and-coming managers coming in with a great style and a great method. I just don’t know which way they’re going to turn. They’ve [Celtic] taken some time and they’ve really took their time on this one.”

Celtic will not want this to drag out for too much longer, as they need to get a start on their rebuild job as soon as possible after failing miserably in the Scottish Premiership title race this season.

As for Marsch, big things will be expected of him in Germany, with the 47-year-old arriving with a growing reputation after impressing many in the game, including Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

Southampton fell to a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday night, although Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side were perhaps unfortunate not to take a point, as they missed some guilt-edged chances before Thiago’s late goal gave the scoreline a more comfortable look for the hosts.

Although they ended up leaving with nothing, there were some promising performances on show from Southampton’s starting eleven, with Nathan Redmond, in particular, impressing on the left-hand side.

The former Norwich City man, who joined Southampton for £10m back in 2016, has enjoyed a resurgence of form over the past couple of months, having seriously struggled to impress in the first half of the campaign.

He looked dangerous at Anfield as he regularly ran at Liverpool’s defence and caused them problems, which is when he is at his best.

As per SofaScore, the English winger would earn an impressive 7.6/10 match rating for his display, which was comfortably the best of any Southampton player who featured in the game.

Redmond would complete 37/45 of his passes at Anfield, which was significantly more than Theo Walcott on the opposite flank, who managed just 10, and it was also far more than the 22.7 passes he has averaged per game in the Premier League so far this season.

The 27-year-old was also successful in all three of his dribble attempts against the Premier League champions and created a huge chance for Nathan Tella, who unfortunately headed straight at Alisson in the Liverpool goal.

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He was certainly Southampton’s main attacking threat throughout the game, managing one shot on target and three off target during the game, and was arguably unfortunate to be on the losing side.

Therefore, you could argue that he was let down by Saints striker Che Adams, who missed two glorious opportunities in the game, most notably when Alisson gifted him the ball but he could only shoot straight at the Brazilian ‘keeper when under no pressure.

Redmond deserved something from the game but his striker’s inability to put away two great chances cost both him, and the entire Saints’ side.

Hampshire Live journalist Tom Leach was also complimentary of Redmond after his display, writing:

“He’s at his very best when he runs at people and he did that over and over again early on, with a fair amount of success. He was unlucky not to get an assist just before the break when he crossed perfectly onto Tella’s head – but his nod was saved.”

You could definitely argue that Redmond is close to being back to his “very best” after some impressive displays in recent months but unfortunately for the winger, his promising performance was not enough to earn Southampton a share of the points at Anfield.

And, in other news… Southampton dealt devastating transfer setback to “exciting” £9m-rated gem, Ralph surely fuming

Steve Bruce will be desperate for good news from Newcastle United’s medical team after Fabian Schar suggested that he may not return from injury this season.

The Swiss centre-back has been discussing his recovery on the Magpies’ Zoom Army feature and stated that he “will do everything” he can to try and help the St James’ Park outfit to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Schar has sat out the Toon’s last seven Premier League fixtures after undergoing surgery on a knee ligament injury sustained during January’s 3-2 win over Southampton.

Newcastle are yet to win a game since losing Schar in the 75th minute at home to the Saints and having to play the final stages with nine men, having used up all three substitutes and also had a player sent off.

Bruce had expected Schar to face an eight-week lay-off after the operation, which passes on Tuesday, and the 29-year-old is still uncertain if he will feature again before the end of the season.

“I’m quite happy with where I am after seven weeks since my surgery,” he said. “The last five or six weeks, I was working hard in Switzerland. The only aim I had was to do as many hours for the rehab as possible.

“I think I am on the right way. Still, there is a bit to do and it’s going to be tight for some games this season.

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“It’s my aim to help the team at the end of the season and I will do everything to try and do that, but I can’t exactly say if it is possible or not.”

Schar was making his 13th start of the Premier League campaign at home to Southampton before being forced off injured for his third spell on the sidelines this term, following surgery on his shoulder last July and later contracting coronavirus.

Bruce will be desperate for a change in Schar’s status and for Newcastle’s medical team to give the £10.8m-rated enforcer the green light to return, having seen United keep one clean sheet in the last seven games he has missed.

The Magpies have only managed two shutouts over Schar’s 16 top-flight appearances this term, but Bruce had fielded the £40,000-per-week enforcer in the starting line-up in nine of his side’s last 10 games at the time of his injury.

Schar was also pivotal at the back in helping United prevent Everton from scoring in January’s 2-0 win at Goodison Park, having been rock-solid and deliver a game-high seven clearances to keep the ball from the Toffees’ 14-goal top-scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

He was also Bruce’s hero against Manchester City in December despite losing 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium, having returned from a spell out with Covid to make a game-high five interceptions – three more than any player for either side – along with four clearances, per WhoScored.

Schar’s efforts have seen him make the third-most interceptions per game (1.6) of any Newcastle player in the Premier League this term, an attribute Bruce would no doubt love to have at his disposal amid a fight for survival and a trip to relegation rivals Burnley on Sunday.

AND in other news, Newcastle are keen to sign a £14.5m-rated star who gives Steve Bruce “something completely different”…

Tottenham Hotspur continue to scout Mikkel Damsgaard, according to reports…

What’s the word?

FC Inter News claim Spurs are among the teams monitoring the progress of the 20-year-old gem ahead of the summer transfer window, though they face competition from Inter Milan and Premier League rivals Leicester City.

It’s thought that the Denmark international is available for just €18m (£15.5m) after an impressive season at Sampdoria under the Foxes’ former title-winning coach Claudio Ranieri.

Back in February, Spurs were said to be ‘crazy’ about Damsgaard, as per La Repubblica (via Sport Witness), so he certainly seems a player that Jose Mourinho is keen on securing.

Bye-bye Lamela?

This interest, however, would surely spell the end for Erik Lamela in north London as further reports have linked him with a return to Italy this week.

According to Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), the Argentine’s representatives have held talks with AC Milan and have also had ‘intense contact’ with Napoli.

This adds to claims from Sami Mokbel at the Daily Mail, who lists Lamela as one of several stars the club is looking to cash in on this summer in order to raise funds for a squad overhaul.

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Damsgaard is a very talented emerging prospect, and one that has been tipped for a “big future” by Rainieri. “I can say that in my view Damsgaard is a child prodigy,” he said in another interview.

He’s even caught the eye of former Spurs playmaker Christian Eriksen, who made sure to speak to him after Sampdoria’s Serie A clash with Inter earlier in the season.

“We talked together after the match. He praised me for the situation around my assist,” explained Damsgaaard to TV2. “He is a really nice person and really sweet to talk to. It was just nice that he wanted to talk to me after the match.”

The young dynamo has very appealing attributes to a manager like Mourinho as his work rate is seemingly second to none.

Damsgaard has featured on both flanks and through the middle this season, playing no fewer than five different roles for the tenth-placed Italian outfit, in which he’s contributed two goals and four assists, via Transfermarkt.

He is one of Sampdoria’s most productive tacklers, averaging 5.1 attempts per 90 minutes at a success rate of 51% and is also their best in terms of ability on the ball, managing three successful dribbles per 90, via WhoScored.

TV2’s football expert Martin Mikkelsen noted this in commentary back in January, he said:  “He’s magical – what speed!” before adding: “He is dynamic and can go both ways. He is creative but also so mature in his decisions.”

In the past, Lamela has been lambasted by some supporters for being lazy, so they should certainly take well to Damsgaard should Spurs make that swoop this summer.

For just £15.5m, that would be an absolute bargain on Levy’s part. He must sanction this move.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Rodon: Levy must seal move for “magnificent” 6 foot 4 colossus…

According to recent reports, interest in Glasgow Rangers midfielder, Ianis Hagi, is intensifying ahead of the summer transfer window.

The report by Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) claims that Lazio are looking to strengthen their attacking options this summer, and that the Serie A side have turned their attention towards Hagi.

So far this season, the £21,000-per-week 22-year-old has impressed over his 28 Scottish Premiership appearances for Steven Gerrard’s side, scoring six goals and providing nine assists, as well as averaging a WhoScored match rating of 6.93 – ranking him as Gers’ 13th-best performer in the Scottish top flight.

And, according to Gazzetta, should Lazio wish to prize the attacking midfielder away from Ibrox this summer, Rangers would demand a fee of around €10 million (£8.6 million).

Transfer Tavern Take

While Hagi’s return of goals and assists has been impressive for Rangers so far this season, it will certainly be interesting to see how Gerrard’s side react should an offer of £8.6 million arrive for the Romania international, as this figure is substantially above both the player’s current Transfermarkt market value of £5.4 million, as well as the £3.15 million fee Gers paid for the midfielder last summer.

However, for now, this is all a theoretical discussion, as both Rangers’ and Hagi’s focus will undoubtedly be on seeing out their Premiership campaign with an unbeaten record.

In other news: these Rangers fans were left baffled after this “insane” footage emerged – find out more here!

Leeds could send a huge message to Marcelo Bielsa about their future ambitions by signing Udinese star Rodrigo De Paul this summer.

What’s the story?

Reports last summer suggested that Leeds were very much interested in bringing the Argentina international to Elland Road, and The Athletic’s Phil Hay meanwhile recently indicated that the midfielder wants to come too.

Now, according to TuttoAtalanta, Atalanta have joined the race to sign De Paul this summer, and that Udinese are open to selling him.

The report adds however that Leeds’ interest remains strong after going after him last year, while there are several clubs from both La Liga and the Premier League who are also keeping a close eye on the situation.

Sending Bielsa a message

Speaking last summer, former goalkeeper Paul Robinson raved about the prospect of De Paul’s arrival, saying: “Rodrigo De Paul can play across all of the midfield positions but he’s capable of unlocking doors like Hernandez. He’s a clever player, he can see a pass going forward and it just shows you the level the club are at that they’re going for players like this.

“They’re not afraid to be paying £20m-£30m for these sorts of players. It shows that Leeds are back in the big time and I have no doubt that footballers like De Paul will come to Leeds because of Bielsa.”

And that last sentiment about being “back in the big time” is what should have Andrea Radrizzani all over a deal for De Paul.

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Tying up a big-money deal for the Argentine would send a hugely important message to Bielsa that Leeds mean business and that they are not in the Premier League to just make up the numbers.

A signing of the £34.2m-rated De Paul’s calibre, and at his cost, would go a long way to convincing the Leeds boss that the club are intent on taking a big step forward.

Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano delivers a major Leeds United transfer update…

According to Bristol Live, West Bromwich Albion are interested in signing Jonson Clarke-Harris from Peterborough this summer.

Baggies eye Clarke-Harris

The Baggies are said to be interested in signing the 26-year-old in a few months – even though the striker only moved to Posh from Bristol Rovers last summer.

The Hawthorns outfit’s pursuit of Clarke-Harris depends on whether they stay in the Premier League. The player is said to be currently rated at £5m.

Bargain for a goalscorer

Peterborough clearly have a knack for picking up quality goalscorers. Ivan Toney netted 24 goals in League One last term and now has 25 in 33 games in the Championship after completing a move to Brentford (Transfermarkt), while Clarke-Harris has 21 strikes to his name in the league this term. With 84 goals throughout his career, he appears to be getting better and better with each passing campaign.

Of course, there is always the risk a player will be unable to perform at a higher level. However, for a fee of just £5m, there would be little risk for Sam Allardyce and co if they were to make a move. It remains to be seen whether they do indeed make a concrete approach this summer.

In other news, West Brom fans want Luke Dowling to be replaced by this man.