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Speaking to Football Insider, Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson has been left baffled by an alleged transfer development at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Lowdown: Spurs on the keeper hunt?

Tottenham have been linked with moves for new goalkeepers recently amid question marks surrounding the future of current number one Hugo Lloris.

The France international has just one year remaining on his current deal in north London with there still being no sign of a new contract offer.

According to reports, Spurs have been weighing up the likes of Sam Johnstone and Nick Pope as possible transfer options over recent months.

The Latest: Robinson baffled by Spurs developement…

Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson has been left baffled by the development that Spurs are now targeting Sheffield United shot stopper Aaron Ramsdale.

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Indeed, as reported by the Daily Mail, Spurs are now eyeing a swoop for the 23-year-old alongside the likes of Wolves.

“I am hugely surprised to hear him linked with Spurs because he is not good enough,” he explained to FI.

“He got relegated with Bournemouth and he got relegated with Sheffield United and a while a lot of goals were not directly his fault, he could have effected them in some way. I don’t think he is at the level that others are.

“He has been pulled into the England squad now because Dean Henderson has had a hip injury. I think he’s very fortunate to be in the squad.

“If Spurs were looking to replace Hugo Lloris then Nick Pope and Sam Johnstone should be top of the list.”

The Verdict: Not worth the gamble…

Robinson makes a fair argument and we are in full agreement with him on this one, especially when it comes to Ramsdale’s reported price tag.

The Englishman finished last campaign in fine form despite Sheffield United’s relegation from the Premier League, with former interim boss Paul Heckingbottom calling him ‘excellent’ for his performances (Yorkshire Post).

Meanwhile, English top flight legend Alan Shearer lauded him as a ‘fearless’ young player (Premier League YouTube channel), but these plaudits do little to mitigate his sky high valuation.

Bramall Lane officials estimate he could cost up to £40 million this summer (The Star) and Spurs have much bigger priorities like the search for a star centre-half.

In other news: ‘Tottenham are now planning’…Fabrizio Romano shares big transfer development coming out of N17, find out more here.

Swansea City manager Steve Cooper has emerged as a managerial target for Crystal Palace.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, with the transfer insider claiming in a post on Twitter that, following the news of Roy Hodgson’s departure from Selhurst Park at the end of this season, Crystal Palace could look to appoint Cooper.

Romano said: “Official. Crystal Palace confirm Roy Hodgson to step down as manager at the end of the season. Frank Lampard is one of the options as the new manager, also Steve Cooper is on the list as a potential candidate. Crystal Palace board will decide in the next few days.”

Swansea disaster

Having managed within the Liverpool academy for a number of years, Cooper was then appointed in the England youth setup, taking control of the U17 side – where he led a team including the likes of Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Rhian Brewster to the U17 World Cup title.

Despite having no previous experience in professional football management, Swansea City then took a chance on the 41-year-old, appointing him as the new head coach at the Liberty Stadium in the summer of 2019.

Considering a manager of Graham Potter’s now apparent calibre had only managed a 10th placed finish in the Championship with the Swans in the season prior, it was perhaps unexpected that Cooper managed to guide the side to a top-six finish in his inaugural season in charge of the club, with his side narrowly missing out on reaching the play-off final after a 3-2 aggregate defeat to a very impressive Brentford team in the semis.

However, Cooper has proven this year that last season’s achievement was no fluke, with the Swans once again securing a top-six finish in the second tier, with his side currently holding a 1-0 advantage over Barnsley in the semi-final of the play-offs.

As such, it would appear that things are very much on the up at the Liberty Stadium under the 41-year-old, and it is unsurprising to hear that a Premier League side in Crystal Palace are keen on appointing the coach as Roy Hodgson’s successor this summer.

Although, Jason Levien allowing the manager to leave Wales without a fight would be something of a disaster for the Swans, as it would very much seem as if the club’s recent upturn in fortunes is a direct result of Cooper’s influence – and it would be highly advisable for the Swansea owner to do all he can to convince the coach that staying at the club would be the best thing for him, as it certainly would be the best thing for the club.

In other news: Bye-bye Ayew: Swansea must seal summer deal for “fantastic” 15-goal star – opinion

Queens Park Rangers defender Rob Dickie is attracting significant interest ahead of the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Shields Gazette, who claim that the QPR centre-back is on Newcastle United’s list of potential summer targets, with a number of the Magpies’ current options in the heart of defence looking likely to depart St. James’ Park in the coming weeks.

Warburton will be gutted

Considering just how impressive Dickie has been in the QPR backline this season, the news of interest from a Premier League side is likely to come as gutting news for Mark Warburton, as losing the defender this summer would seriously damage his side’s chances of a promotion push next term.

Over his 43 Championship appearances for the Rs this year, the £2.25m-rated centre-back scored three goals and provided one assist, as well as making an average of 1.3 tackles, 1.8 interceptions and four clearances per game.

These returns saw the 25-year-old earn a seasonal WhoScored match rating of 7.17, ranking him as QPR’s second-best performer in the league, as well as the joint seventh-best player in the Championship as a whole.

And, with Warburton having already confirmed the signing of Jordy de Wijs this summer – Dickie’s centre-back partner in the second half of the season, with the 26-year-old being the only Rs player to better the Englishman’s average WhoScored match rating – losing half of this fantastic partnership in the upcoming transfer would undoubtedly come as a gutting blow for the 58-year-old.

However, with the man Karl Robinson dubbed a “magnificent” defender under contract until 2024 at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, QPR are certainly under no pressure to sell this summer – unless, that is, Dickie himself begins to push for a move.

In other news: Fresh transfer update emerges on “outstanding” £6m beast that’ll have QPR fans buzzing – opinion

Rangers have been linked with both James Garner and Joey Veerman in recent weeks but who would be the better addition to Steven Gerrard’s side at Ibrox this summer?

Joey Veerman

According to Dutch news outlet Voetbal, Rangers are one of the sides taking an interest in the SC Heerenveen midfielder ahead of the summer, as a result of his superb performances in the Eredivisie this season.

The 22-year-old has contributed seven goals and nine assists in the Dutch top-flight, averaging an excellent 7.47 rating, which ranks him as the sixth-best performer in the Netherlands so far this season.

He is expected to cost around £8.5m this summer, which would rank him as one of the Gers’ most expensive ever signings according to Transfermarkt, although they could well have more money to spend this summer as a result of their return to the Champions League next season.

James Garner

Rangers were reportedly interested in signing the Manchester United youngster in January before his loan move to Nottingham Forest and, according to his agent Steven Beck, they are “really keen” on signing him ahead of next season.

The 20-year-old would likely arrive on loan, having excelled in the second half of the 2020/21 season with Forest, contributing three goals in 19 appearances and averaging a solid 6.93 rating.

Despite a more disappointing loan spell with Watford earlier in the season, their former manager Vladimir Ilic had a lot of praise for him, saying:

“He is one of the most talented players in England.

“Everybody knows a lot of things about him – he’s coming from a big club and from a big academy.

“He is a quality player with the ball, he knows how to move the ball fast and he thinks fast which is very important.”

Who would be better?

Although Veerman has arguably had the better season, he is perhaps out of Rangers’ price range this summer, whereas Garner would represent a cheap option for Rangers if he were to join on loan.

The Englishman is clearly destined for big things, having been likened to former United maestro Michael Carrick, and he could realise that potential at Ibrox next season under the guidance of another one of England’s great midfielders, Steven Gerrard.

The youngster is also more accustomed to the style of football on offer in the UK, which suggests that he might be a better fit than Veerman, who is extremely talented on the ball but might well struggle to cope with the physicality of the Scottish Premiership.

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Therefore, if a choice needs to be made, Ross Wilson should perhaps forget about signing Veerman this summer and instead focus on bringing Garner to Ibrox.

And, in other news… £94k per start: Gerrard made the right call axing Rangers flop, he’ll quickly be forgotten

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer believes Tony Pulis has been silent following his sacking from the Yorkshire club likely because of some sort of financial agreement.

Pulis was appointed as Wednesday manager last November, brought in as a replacement for Garry Monk, but was dismissed just 10 games later as the Owls continued to struggle in the Championship.

Following his Hillsborough exit, the 63-year-old has not said too much despite all of the drama that went on during his time at the club, which included the threat of a transfer embargo.

And Palmer has suggested that the above is probably due to an agreement he made with owner Dejphon Chansiri. On Pulis’ silence, the ex-Wednesday player told FFC in an exclusive interview:

“It’s interesting that Tony’s never come out and said anything. And I’m assuming that’s due to the money that they paid him, that he’s not allowed to say anything.

“But it’d be interesting to know what he agreed with the chairman, why he went in there and why he left so quickly.”

In contrast, Monk has been very outspoken since his axing from the Hillsborough dugout, telling The Athletic (via The Star) that it was a “mistake” to join Wednesday and that he knew it was a club that had a lot of problems.

Glasgow Rangers are livid at journalist Angela Haggerty after she shared her opinion on the Gers boycotting social media to continue their fight against racism.

The Gers have decided to boycott all of their social media platforms for seven days as they try to combat racism (via Sky Sports). This comes after Glen Kamara accused Ondrej Kudela of racial abuse during the match between Rangers and Slavia Prague at Ibrox last month – Kudela has been provisionally banned for one game as UEFA continue to look into the allegations (via espn.com).

The reason for the boycott is to try and bring an end to racism in the sport, especially on social media platforms. Haggerty, however, has used it as an opportunity to score points, saying that while it is good Rangers are taking action, racism would actually decline on social media if the Gers fans themselves also boycotted.

The comments, which were shared on Haggerty’s Twitter account, did not go down well at all with the Gers supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments from Haggerty below

“A quite unbelievable take, once again anyone who should happen to read this – do better than the below, take a moment to educate yourself and look at the progressive steps being taken, the accountability on display and reflect on whether this is reciprocated by your own club.”

Credit: @whoisalasdair

“She’s that one person in school, that no matter the situation, she makes it about herself. Talking about racist abuse to our black players, and you bring up that you’re Catholic. Weird, but ok.”

Credit: @LiamL72_

“Anybody who adds a “but” to the stand against racism, is part of the problem.”

Credit: @BatuMack

“Always about them I don’t know how they manage it.”

Credit: @NLBear

“There is simply no excuse for this. No one denies or support sectarianism but in trying to demonise Rangers fans – once again – she is hijacking a very serious and specific point.”

Credit: @RTVWOW

“Really sums up the problem in Scotland, that a club standing against Racism be twisted into whataboutery. With idiots like this having the platform that they do, we’ve no chance”

Credit: @TheGallantFew1

In recent comments, FIFA agent Massimo Grillo has claimed that the Leeds United manager, Marcelo Bielsa, would be a great fit for Serie A side, Napoli.

Having guided Leeds to the Championship title last season, Bielsa’s side have highly impressed in the Premier League so far this term, with the Whites currently sitting in 10th place in the top-flight standings while playing extremely entertaining football – having scored 49 goals, one less than fifth-placed Chelsea, while also having conceded 49 goals, seven more than 18th-placed Fulham.

As a result of his team’s style of football, Bielsa has received a great amount of praise for the job he has done at Elland Road, with the Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, recently stating his belief that the Argentine’s side are a joy for world football, as well as the 65-year-old continually receiving plaudits from the club’s own fanbase.

However, speaking recently to Per Sempre Napoli (via Sport Witness), Grillo suggested that Bielsa’s style would be a perfect fit for Napoli, who are expected to be looking for a new manager at the end of the season.

He said: “I am a great admirer of Bielsa, currently on the Leeds bench he is a coach who has a very spectacular game system. I would see him really well on the blue bench, I am convinced that he would show captivating football.”

Transfer Tavern Take

With Bielsa’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, and, at present, there being no agreement reached with Leeds regarding an extension, the Argentine leaving Leeds this summer does remain a possibility – something which would devastate his adoring fans at Elland Road.

However, with it being reported that the 65-year-old is close to signing a new two-year deal with the Whites, the possibility of his departure is hopefully, for the sake of Whites fans, extremely slim.

Unfortunately for Grillo, we suspect he may have to wait a little while longer to see Bielsa in Naples.

In other news: £26k-p/w Leeds star attracting significant summer interest; £14.6m fee quoted – find out more here!

According to a report by journalist Tancredi Palmeri, UEFA are set to blow the whistle on Financial Fair Play and integrate a new system of financial control which will ‘leave much more freedom of spending’ – prompting many Liverpool fans to erupt at this news.

Indeed, the Liverpool Echo also claim this FFP development may have major repercussions on the Reds – with UEFA’s possible move handing rivals the chance to ‘wield their financial power’ whilst Liverpool struggle by comparison.

According to Palmeri, a fresh system ‘will be announced’ that may allow much more freedom in this regard as many Reds erupt with their verdicts on social media.

Liverpool’s careful transfer strategy under Fenway Sports Group is set to be ‘locked in’ no matter what comes of this news, with the club potentially having to rely even more on their tried and trusted approach (Liverpool Echo).

Taking this into account, it’s arguably understandable why one Red believes Palmeri’s FFP update is ‘disgraceful’, especially if the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City go on to spend huge amounts this summer.

Find all of their reactions down below.

Liverpool fans erupt at FFP news

“Oh no”

Credit: @clancyclancy9

“Disgraceful”

Credit: @__JayG

“FSG will sell”

Credit: @colleggedropout

“That’s FSG off then”

Credit: @jamie_moran_

“Beginning of the end”

Credit: @alexjayrossall

“FSG in the mud. They’ll be forced to sell us now”

Credit: @OriginalOLAJ

“we are dusted. FSG on board, and this system. need all liverpool fans to force FSG to sell up.”

Credit: @lfcdaniel

“FSG Will Be Absolutely Fuming.”

Credit: @UpNorthFiddy

“We’re absolutely done for”

Credit: @_jms98

In other news: Liverpool fans flocked to this transfer link, find out more here.

Liverpool turn their attention to the UEFA Champions League midweek for their quarter-final first-leg showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Reds come into the game fresh off the back of dismissing Arsenal 3-0 so could Jurgen Klopp make many changes to the starting XI that ruthlessly tore through the Gunners?

Simply put, yes he could. The lineup seen at the Emirates Stadium was one with this exact game in mind so there could be as many as three alterations to the Liverpool team for the trip to Madrid.

It goes without saying that the likes of Alisson Becker, Andrew Robertson and Trent-Alexander Arnold will remain in defence as Klopp reverts back to what is arguably his strongest side.

Ozan Kabak will also stay but he could be joined in the defence by Fabinho who could well be preferred to Nathaniel Phillips due to his experience.

This of course leaves a considerable gap in midfield vacated by the Brazilian. Georginio Wijnaldum is the most likely candidate to slot in after being introduced from the bench against the Gunners.

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Thiago Alcantara is likely to be selected once more but veteran James Milner should be swapped out for Curtis Jones.

Liverpool’s final tactical change could occur in the attack.

Having been in tremendous form over the international break for Portugal, Diogo Jota extended that upon his return to Merseyside, coming off the bench to score twice against Arsenal.

He should replace the £59m-rated Roberto Firmino at the sharp end of the Reds’ attack.

Jota will of course be supported by Mo Salah and Sadio Mane on each wing as Liverpool attempt to secure what could potentially be a huge first-leg victory.

AND in more news, take a closer look at how the arrival of Marcel Sabitzer could greatly harm one of his former teammates…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Carlton Palmer discussed the counter-attacking tool Marcelo Bielsa has been using at Leeds United this season.

When it comes to goals scored on the counter in the Premier League in the current campaign, Leeds rank among the elite, registering an impressive total of six, and Palmer has put that devastation on the break down to recent signing Raphinha.

The £28,000-a-week Brazilian joined from Ligue 1 outfit Rennes last summer and has managed to make an instant impact in attack. He has been directly involved in 10 league goals and currently averages the most successful dribbles per game in Leeds’ squad (1.7, per WhoScored), and it is that ability to carry the ball that is aiding Bielsa’s side on the counter, according to Palmer.

The former England international told FFC:

“The one thing that happens, and especially when you’re playing away from home, you know, if you’re going to play the way Leeds play, which is on the counter, counter-attacking football, the one thing that breaks the team down is somebody who can dribble with a ball at pace. It really does because a team can set up against you, make it very difficult for you to pass through them, be very solid, very organised. 

“But if you set up that way and you’ve got somebody then who can just dribble past two players, that just breaks that defensive system down. There’s no answer to that and he [Raphinha] gives Leeds United that.”

Leeds have also shown that they are a team capable of taking the game to their opponents, rather than just solely relying on counter-attacks and transitions.

Despite only recently being promoted to the Premier League, the Whites rank in the top five for ball possession, recording an average of 57.2%.

Undoubtedly, thanks to additions such as Raphinha and the brilliance of Bielsa, Leeds have been able to make a seamless transition from the Championship to English football’s top flight.