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Frank Lampard can land a big upgrade on Everton midfielder Allan by swooping for Austrian player Florian Grillitsch.

What’s the word?

Everton have been linked with Grillitsch since April, with the Hoffenheim midfielder leaving the German side on the expiration of his contract at the end of this month.

The interest looked like it had come to nothing following a verbal agreement between the player and Serie A side Fiorentina, however, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that there still hasn’t been an agreement on personal terms, giving the Toffees the green light to swoop in.

Lampard can get a big Allan upgrade

A move for the Austrian would be very shrewd and it appears to be very low risk. He earns £35k-per-week at Hoffenheim and whilst he will more than likely demand more at Everton, it won’t break the bank, plus signing him on a free is an added bonus.

Hoffenheim director of football Alexander Rosen has described him as “exceptionally gifted” and Everton needs a player like him to add some bite and stability into their midfield ahead of a crucial season next year.

He will be a major upgrade on Allan, who played 28 matches in the Premier League last season and only registered two assists. The Brazilian was ranked a lowly 18th in the Everton squad with a WhoScored rating of 6.50, completing only 80% of his passes.

Compare this to Grillitsch, who was ranked fourth in the Hoffenheim squad with a rating of 6.87 and that’s having played ten matches fewer than Allan.

The Austrian showcased his incredible passing ability with an 89.4% pass success rate, the best in the squad who have played over five matches.

Allan only won 0.4 aerials per match last season compared to the 1.3 for Grillitsch. These stats clearly show the influence that the Austrian can have on his team, both on the deck and in the air; two areas where Everton are crying out for in the centre of the park.

Lampard will need to make his move quickly, however, or the opportunity could be gone.

AND in other news, Everton “still interested” in signing £107.8m duo this summer, Lampard will love them…

Southampton striker Shane Long is reportedly being watched by his former side Reading ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

The Lowdown: Long set to become free agent

The 35-year-old veteran first joined the Premier League side from Hull City back in 2014 for a fee believed to be in the region of £12m, where he’s since gone on to make 244 appearances for the south coast outfit during his eight-year spell at the club.

Despite his long-term service though, the forward’s current contract with the Saints is set to expire at the end of the month, making him a free agent to any clubs interested, and it would appear that a familiar suitor has emerged.

The Latest: Reading monitoring Long’s situation

In a new article published by Berkshire Live, it’s claimed that Paul Ince’s Reading are ‘monitoring’ their former player’s situation at Southampton ahead of making a ‘potential move’ for Long in time for the new season.

The sources further states that the Irishman is ‘expected to leave’ Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad following the conclusion of his deal, with him now having to weigh up what will likely be the ‘final move’ of his career before hanging up his boots for good.

Due to the Championship side’s financial transfer problems, they are currently only able to sign free agents or loan players this summer, and can offer them no more than a one-year contract.

The Verdict: A Royal reunion?

Long has significantly dropped down the pecking order under the Austrian boss, having made just 13 top-flight outings this season, netting one goal during that time, as per Transfermarkt.

The 88-cap international, who was once hailed for being an “incredibly talented” player by his former teammate Charlie Austin, enjoyed a hugely successful previous spell with the second tier outfit, recording 82 goal contributions over six years.

A former Reading fan favourite, it now looks highly unlikely that Long will be staying at Southampton beyond the summer, and if this interest is serious, we could be seeing a Royal reunion in weeks to come.

In other news… it’s been reported that the Saints have given the green light for one of their players to leave on loan during the upcoming window.

Former Premier League striker Noel Whelan has made a claim involving Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou’s future. 

The lowdown: Unbridled success

Since taking over the managerial reins a year ago following the departure of Neil Lennon, Postecoglou has been a breath of fresh air in Glasgow.

The 56-year-old has transformed the fading fortunes at Parkhead and guided the Bhoys to the Premiership title, having lost their grip on the crown in 2021.

Coupling smart recruitment with an impressive tactical nous, the Australian has proven to be a sensational appointment and one that the club will surely be desperate to tie down beyond a current 12-month rolling contract.

The latest: Whelan urges Postecoglou contract offer

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan has implored the Celtic hierarchy to offer Postecoglou a lengthy deal after the 56-year-old recently exclaimed that the Hoops are ‘everything I’ve ever wanted in a football club’.

The former BBC radio host said: “I think you always want that security in place with a manager. That way, he knows he has the backing to go into the transfer market and build the club over a number of seasons.

“He had a fantastic season and shut up a lot of doubters. I was one of them – I had no idea who he was when he came in. It was shambolic at the time, but he’s had an unbelievable first season – his transfer business has been spot on.

“He’s in a really strong position. I’m sure all the Celtic fans would love it if he signed a two or three-year deal.”

The verdict: No-brainer

Appointed as somewhat of a risk having never managed in Europe previously, Postecoglou has certainly silenced his detractors in his first year in Scotland.

Not only has the experienced coach guided Celtic back to Scottish top-flight glory after looking devoid of inspiration under Lennon in the latter stages of the Northern Irishman’s reign, he also ensured a return to the Champions League group stage and with it the ensuing financial windfall.

These feats alone should be enough to offer Postecoglou a lucrative new deal, along with full backing in the upcoming transfer window, having already proven to be an astute market operator.

In other news: Ex-Scotland manager makes Celtic transfer claim

Journalist Alfie House of The Daily Echo has shared a Tottenham Hotspur transfer update involving Peterborough United defender Ronnie Edwards.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye move for Edwards…

The exciting teenager has been on Spurs’ radar for quite some time, as revealed by Peterborough club director Barry Fry.

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Speaking in a recent interview, the Posh chief stated that Edwards is a player who has been watched by Tottenham for ‘a long time’ along with other clubs,including a ‘big’ German side (via football.london).

As per The Daily Echo reporter, that interest hasn’t waned as Spurs allegedly hold talks over a move for the 19-year-old.

The Latest: House makes Edwards claim…

Taking to Twitter, House explained that Tottenham are one of the Premier League clubs who have ‘talked’ over Edwards, although there is nothing yet ‘concrete’ in terms of a formal bid.

Sharing a corresponding report from The Daily Echo, he outlined: “On Ronnie Edwards, understand #SaintsFC interest is at a very early stage. The 19yo is expected to leave Peterborough this summer. Spurs, Villa, United and Palace all have talked but nothing concrete yet. One we will follow through the weeks.”

The Verdict: Don’t hesitate…

Edwards stands out as one of the most promising talents in England, with his former manager Darren Ferguson even calling him ‘incredible’.

His addition would also solve a glaring problem at Spurs in terms of their homegrown quota, in addition to ensuring that they have secured another real talent for the future.

According to WhoScored, despite his tender age, Edwards was one of Peterborough’s most reliable players in the Championship over the 2021/22 season as he averaged a colossal 3.7 clearances per 90, the second-highest of anyone in their squad.

He certainly seems like a brilliant talent and Spurs should be aiming to get at the front of the queue for him.

In other news: Journalist says Tottenham could sign £100m ‘big name’ this summer, find out more here

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their pursuit of Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard heading into the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

Journalist Dean Jones has revealed that PIF want to bring the £80k-per-week dynamo to St James’ Park if they can work out a way to afford his wages.

The England international reportedly met with Ralf Rangnick in an attempt to secure a switch to the Toon and was unsuccessful in his attempts as he remained at Old Trafford. However, he is now out of contract this year and will be available on a free transfer.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “I’m not convinced about Newcastle not being able to afford his wages. I’m sure they could find a way around that, they’re desperate to sign Jesse Lingard. I think it’s really a tug of war between the two.”

Eddie Howe would love him

The Magpies head coach would love Lingard at St. James’ Park as he is a proven Premier League performer who can slot straight into the team at the start of next season.

Throughout his career in the top flight, the 29-year-old has racked up 165 appearances and produced 29 goals and 17 assists. Nine of those goals and five of those assists came in a six-month loan spell with West Ham in 2020/21 as he showcased what he can do with regular minutes on the pitch.

He has also caught the eye of ex-players, with former Manchester United coach Michael Carrick previously hailing the midfielder, saying: “I think his movement is excellent. It’s something that sounds quite simple, but it’s difficult to defend against.

“He senses where the space is and how to use it. I wouldn’t necessarily say he’s a dribbler with skills and tricks but he’s dynamic. How he plays, he is unique in some ways. You don’t see so much of that now as everyone wants to get on the ball. Off the ball, he’s very effective.”

These comments illustrate how important Lingard can be to the team. He is willing to put the work in out of possession to benefit himself and his teammates, which means that he is not a player who would come in and be selfish and a detriment to the performances in order to shine as an individual.

That is why, along with his potential to score and assist goals, Howe would love him at Newcastle as he is a, proven, talented dynamo with a good work ethic to rely upon in matches.

AND in other news, “He’s expected..”: Fabrizio Romano drops transfer claim that’ll excite NUFC supporters…

Reliable journalist Alan Nixon has revealed that Derby’s deal for Pride Park ‘still needs doing’, but has suggested that Chris Kirchner now has some ‘power’ behind the move.

The Lowdown: Kirchner confirms the deal is done

The Rams first entered administration last September amid ongoing financial problems at the club, but the American businessman was later named as the preferred bidder to swoop in and come to their rescue.

In a fresh update earlier this week, the 34-year-old expressed his delight in a Twitter post from his personal account confirming that the deal is done after exchanging contracts for the sale of the club with administrators Quantuma, with Kirchner now having until May 31 to complete the finer details after being granted conditional approval from the EFL.

However, it had previously been claimed by Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett that the new owner would be reluctant to proceed with the deal if he was unable to reach an agreement with Mel Morris over the sale of Pride Park, and Kirchner is still allowed to withdraw his plans to buy the club if he’s unhappy with the stadium situation.

The Latest: Nixon shares Pride Park update

When responding to a fan question on Twitter about whether the potential Pride Park roadblock would still be an issue in the takeover, Nixon wrote:

“The deal still needs doing… only thing is now Chris Kirchner has some power behind his move…”

The Verdict: Significant progress

The latest development means that the American is now funding the running of Derby, and that is hugely significant when it comes to the club being able to make progress in the short term.

Of course, there is still very much a chance that Kirchner could have a change of heart about making the final move if he fails to come to an agreement with Morris over Pride Park, but with every day that passes, it’s starting to look more and more likely that the takeover will be completed before the end of the month deadline.

As all of this is going on behind the scenes, Wayne Rooney will no doubt be starting to prepare his squad for their new chapter in League One where they will be hoping to make the immediate bounce back up to the Championship at the first time of asking.

In other news… a journalist has revealed that Derby are set to be handed a huge boost ahead of the start of the new season.

Nottingham Forest took a major leap towards Wembley as Steve Cooper’s men beat Sheffield United 2-1 at Bramall Lane in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.

Goals either side of half-time from Jack Colback and Brennan Johnson saw the East Midlands outfit take a 2-0 lead before Sander Berge’s added time strike halved the deficit for the Blades going into Tuesday evening’s second leg at the City Ground.

Forest will be frustrated that they will take just a one-goal lead into the second leg having dominated the majority of proceedings with 17 shots, eight of which were on target. However, it was an excellent performance against one of the Championship’s best teams at home, with defender Steve Cook proving colossal at the back.

Cook was Forest’s hero at Bramall Lane

As per Sofascore, the 31-year-old made a whopping 11 clearances, three tackles, three blocks and one interception in a performance which deserved a clean sheet. Moreover, the centre-back won all four of his duels, whilst losing possession just nine times.

However, the January signing completed only nine of his 18 passes, making his passing accuracy 50%, something that he will be keen to improve upon in the second leg.

Having arrived at the City Ground from Bournemouth in January, Cook has become a kingpin for Forest, missing just seven matches since swapping the south coast for the East Midlands, and he was previously described as “excellent” by his former Cherries boss Eddie Howe.

There had been a slight concern that the centre-back wouldn’t make the trip to South Yorkshire, having missed last weekend’s clash against Hull City after suffering a nasty head wound in the previous game against Bournemouth, whilst also having to deal with his father suffering a cardiac arrest prior to Cook’s return to the Vitality Stadium.

However, Cooper massively reaped the rewards of having the 31-year-old alongside Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna at the back today as his side ensured that they will take a precious lead into their home leg against the Blades.

Nottingham Forest have turned the City Ground into an absolute fortress, having won their last seven league home matches, and they will certainly fancy their chances of making it to Wembley for the final on 29 May. Cook’s performance today played a big part in them enjoying such an advantageous position ahead of Tuesday’s semi-final second leg.

AND in other news: Forest can land the new McKenna in “outstanding” 19-year-old prodigy, Cooper surely ecstatic

Manchester United look set to miss out on a potential transfer swoop for Ajax winger Antony.

What’s the word?

That is according to a fresh report from The Mirror which claimed that the Brazilian has uploaded a picture of him and his agent Emerson Santos in France to social media, which has fuelled transfer speculation around the 22-year-old.

As per the report, it is believed that Erik ten Hag – having just won the Eredivisie title with the Brazilian – is interested in bringing him to Old Trafford in what looks to be a huge rebuild project for the Red Devils.

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However, it is said that Thursday evening’s photo could hint at Antony playing his football elsewhere, with both him and his agent pictured in what is believed to be Nanterre, a suburb in Paris.

Back in March, it was said that Paris Saint-Germain were leading the race for his signature, so with the starlet pictured in the French capital, it looks as though he is set to engage in talks with the Ligue 1 champions.

Disaster for Ten Hag

The latest report comes as a big blow for United, who would have fancied their chances of signing the €35m-rated (£30m) player due to their new contact in Ten Hag.

The 52-year-old is also bound to be disappointed, having understood exactly what the “supremely skillful” Brazilian’s game is all about, as they recently achieved what was their second Eredivisie title together in Amsterdam.

Despite starting only 64% of Ajax’s matches this season due to two injuries which kept him out for around 10 games, Antony played a big part in helping Ajax to realise their ambitions of winning the Dutch league title once more.

His eight goals and four assists in 23 appearances have reiterated the quality which was on display throughout the season. Also, with the nine-cap Brazil star being a natural left footer, he could have offered United an option they have not had in years, an inverted winger who could operate in the half-space and punish teams with his directness, in the same way that Pep Guardiola utilises Riyad Mahrez for Manchester City.

Ten Hag may not be forced to look elsewhere for that option, if the social media image of Antony and his agent is anything to go by.

In other news: Man United now plot bid for £63m-rated “monster”, imagine him and Ten Hag 

Liverpool superstar Sadio Mane is set to be offered a new Reds deal at the end of the season, according to journalist Graeme Bailey.

The Lowdown: Mane out of contract soon

The Senegalese has been one of the star men of the Jurgen Klopp era, wreaking havoc in the Premier League and Champions League, and becoming arguably one of the greatest players in the club’s history.

Mane is out of contract at the end of next season though, leading to concern about his deal running down and him eventually leaving on a free transfer next summer.

The hope is that he is given the chance to extend his stay, however, and that seems increasingly likely after a fresh update.

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The Latest: Huge update

Writing for Anfield Watch, Bailey, a transfer insider for 90min and TEAMtalk, confirmed that Liverpool would offer Mane a new deal once the current campaign reaches its climax:

“As it stands, Liverpool have told Mane that he will be waiting until the summer before he gets an offer on a new contract.”

The Verdict: No-brainer for Liverpool

Mane has been hailed as a ‘world-class’ footballer by Jurgen Klopp and that remains the case, with the 30-year-old scoring 21 goals so far this season.

Extending his stay at Liverpool makes complete sense, with his fitness levels and drive meaning he should still remain at the top for several years to come.

It would be a huge shock if Mane wasn’t offered a new deal and also if he didn’t choose to sign it – he and the Reds continue to be a match made in heaven, while Klopp’s contract extension should only heighten the chances of his No.10 staying on.

In other news, a pundit has dropped a ‘massive’ Liverpool claim. Read more here.

Former Sky Sports journalist Matteo Moretto has now shared a Tottenham Hotspur transfer update involving Paris-Saint Germain midfielder Leandro Paredes.

The Lowdown: Paredes value plummets…

Since singing for PSG from Russian top flight giants Zenit St Petersburg in 2019, Paredes’ price has now dropped from £34.7m back then to just £12 million now, according to reports.

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The Argentine’s value has plummeted by nearly £23 million in the last few seasons and it is believed that Paredes may be heading on his way out of Paris.

Spurs and transfer chief Fabio Paratici, looking to back manager Antonio Conte, have been credited with an interest with Moretto sharing his own update.

The Latest: Moretto makes Parades claim…

According to the reporter’s source, speaking to ‘All About Argentina’, Tottenham are ‘attentive’ over signing Paredes as they seriously enter the mix among ‘many clubs’.

It is believed that the 27-year-old is seriously wanted by the Lilywhites coming as he ‘could leave PSG’ – but nothing is advanced at this moment in time.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Despite a drop in value, Paredes has enjoyed some spells of bright form under Mauricio Pochettino at the Parc des Princes.

Former PSG midfielder Fabrice Pancrate raved over the South American last year, branding him ‘super strong’, ‘smart’, ‘aggressive’ and ‘perfect’ – drawing particular attention to his partnership with Marco Verratti in midfield (Le Parisien via PSG Talk).

Over his 15 Ligue 1 appearances this season, Paredes has also averaged a pretty impressive 95.8% pass accuracy – a far greater number than any Spurs regular under Conte in the Premier League (WhoScored).

An assured operator in front of the back four, he could come as a brilliant alternative to the likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur and Oliver Skipp as part of a solid rotation.

In other news: Tottenham expected to move for ‘phenomenal’ £101m star after Conte request, find out more here.