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The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has confirmed that Aston Villa hold an interest in Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Michael Cooper ahead of a potential transfer move.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days had suggested that Dean Smith’s side had their eye on the 21-year-old, and that scouts from Villa Park had been keeping tabs on his progress this season.

Now, Preece has revealed during a Q&A for The Birmingham Mail that Cooper’s name does indeed feature prominently on a shortlist of targets that Villa have already drawn up.

He said: “Yes, Michael Cooper amongst a shortlist of talented young and homegrown goalkeepers Villa are looking at. Head of emerging talents Adam Henshall working with Neil Cutler re this. Villa looking to act January/next summer. Cooper one of several names on Villa’s shortlist.”

Exciting future for Villa

Part of a Plymouth side that have conceded just seven goals in their opening nine League One games this season, and are currently lying in fourth in the table, Cooper has certainly shown exactly why he’s been tipped for a bright future in the game.

His manager, Ryan Lowe, said: “He’s fantastic isn’t he? That’s what he’s there for, it’s what he gets paid for. We know what he has got, he has got quality in abundance. He looks solid and resolute in that goal – it’s a presence.

“We want him to communicate more and be demanding, and that’s what he’s doing. If he keeps continuing to do that he will be fine. Physically, he’s a monster. He wants to be strong, you have seen him coming for catches and grabbing hold of them. He used to play cricket so he has got that over-arm (throw) as well!”

It’s exactly why Preece’s confirmation that Cooper is among a shortlist of young targets that Villa are looking at is exciting for the club’s future, especially when you consider Emi Martinez is already firmly established as number one.

Rather than just signing players who can help with the here and now, Villa are making a conscious effort that the club is in good hands for the future, and that should leave fans buzzing.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa found a “ridiculous bargain” in this star…

Leeds United sealed their path into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup thanks to a penalty shoot-out victory over Fulham on Tuesday night.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side had Illan Meslier to thank as the French goalkeeper denied Rodrigo Muniz in sudden death to send the Whites home happy.

But while Leeds may have booked their passage into the next round of the competition, one man who really let his manager down with a woeful display was Tyler Roberts.

One of a number of senior, or at least established first-team players, on the pitch as Bielsa went with a fairly strong starting line-up, the Welshman looked completely off the pace as he led the line.

As per Sofascore, he made just four successful passes in the time that he was on the pitch, while he only had 14 touches too – both of those actually being lower than goalkeeper Illan Meslier, and a real indication of how he struggled to get into the game.

The Welshman also lost 50% of his duels, including the only one he contested in the air, and it was no surprise that after just 55 minutes on the clock, he was subbed off by Bielsa for Adam Forshaw.

And, writing in his post-match player ratings for Leeds Live, Beren Cross gave him a five, saying: “Tried to ask questions of the Fulham defence, but only got the one opening he wanted. Was well charged down by Marek Rodak.”

It was a performance that raises yet more serious questions about whether he’s actually good enough to be competing for a Leeds team who want to re-establish themselves as a Premier League force, especially when you consider he’s now yet to score or assist in seven games this campaign.

Roberts hardly set the world alight at Elland Road last season too – he managed just one goal and provided two assists in 27 top-flight matches – despite the fact the 22-year-old seems to be a clear favourite of Bielsa’s (one run of form saw him start 12 consecutive games in the Premier League).

The Leeds boss himself said: “He has played many games in a row and has shown he has the resources to justify his starting position in the team. He has virtues that are very difficult to find in football at the moment. He has all the resources necessary to unbalance offensively and still has a lot to grow to make these attempts useful and efficient.”

Well, on Tuesday night, Roberts did nothing to prove why he’s a starting calibre player for Leeds, and why his time in the team might well be up.

Meanwhile, this Leeds star was Bielsa’s real hero vs Fulham…

If Harry Kane still wants to leave Tottenham, his options are limited, says former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer.

In recent months, on several occasions, reports had claimed that Kane had asked to leave Tottenham.

Manchester City looked the most likely destination for the 28-year-old, with Pep Guardiola even coming out to confirm his side’s interest.

Much to the delight of Nuno Espirito Santo and supporters, though, Spurs have managed to keep hold of their talisman for the time being.

If the club have another disappointing season, you would expect Kane to once again push for a move. Palmer, however, expects a departure next summer to also be complicated, feeling that the England captain has few options when it comes to choosing a new outfit to join.

“Whoever’s going to come in for him, they’re going to have to pay in excess of £130-140m, so that doesn’t put a lot of teams in that bracket,” the ex-Leeds United player exclusively told FFC.

“You’re only looking at your PSGs, your Man Uniteds, your Man Citys or your Real Madrids. They’re the only clubs really who can pay that type of money.”

This summer, City were the only team who really registered serious interest in Kane. It will be interesting to see if that is the case again next year.

Barcelona are reportedly keen on signing Aymeric Laporte on loan from Manchester City this summer – but it would be a huge mistake by Pep Guardiola to let him go.

What’s the word?

According to Spanish news outlet Sport (via Sport Witness), the centre-back wants to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer after a lack of first team opportunities last season, and despite the current financial issues at the Catalan club, Barcelona has been touted as a potential option.

The Nou Camp outfit are currently in a huge amount of debt, which has cast doubt over their ability to register new signings, whilst they also had to release club legend Lionel Messi after failing to agree a new deal with the Argentine icon.

Could Laporte sign for Barcelona?

Therefore, it seems difficult to see why Laporte would want to switch Manchester for Barcelona this summer, even if it meant guaranteed first team football.

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It would also be difficult to see why Manchester City would let him leave on loan, for although Ruben Dias and John Stones solidified their positions as the first-choice centre-backs last season, Laporte is still an immensely talented player and is very much appreciated by Guardiola.

Due to the Englishman’s lack of fitness, the Spain international started next to Dias for City’s 5-0 thrashing of Norwich City last weekend, scoring a goal and producing a near-perfect display which led Guardiola to sing his praises after the game, dubbing him the best left-footed centre-back in the world.

It is not the first time the City manager has made that claim, as he also suggested it in January 2020 whilst hailing the “incredible” impact the 27-year-old has made at the club, so it seems very unlikely that he would want to let him leave, especially on loan.

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Given all the factors involved, it would be extraordinary if we saw Laporte join Barcelona on loan this summer, and it would be a huge mistake by Txiki Begiristain if he lets a player of such quality leave the Etihad.

In other news… Offer made: Man City make approach for “very strong” starlet

According to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur have now ‘pulled the plug’ on plans to let Japhet Tanganga complete a move away for 2021/22 after his performance against Man City – coming after the club were ‘set’ to loan him out.

The Lowdown: Tanganga impresses against the Champions…

The 22-year-old put in a phenomenal display against Pep Guardiola’s side on the opening weekend of Premier League action, coping very well with England star Raheem Sterling on that side and attracting much praise for his performance.

Gary Neville was one of many to lavish the youngster with praise, claiming his individual showings in one-on-ones against the likes of Sterling and Jack Grealish on the side were ‘really special’ (The Gary Neville Podcast via This is Futbol).

Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo also waxed lyrical over his ‘huge’ performance against the Sky Blues, with the Portuguese head coach now stopping plans to offload him this summer.

The Latest: Spurs pull plug on Tanganga move away…

As per a Lilywhites source, speaking to Football Insider, Tottenham have now ‘pulled the plug’ on plans to let Tanganga leave on loan – coming after he was ‘set’ for a move away from N17.

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After his display against City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, manager Nuno ‘changed his mind’ on letting the Englishman leave north London for a temporary spell away from the club.

Indeed, the homegrown man is ‘now set to remain’ and be a key member of the squad after his man-of-the-match display in Tottenham’s first league game of the season.

The Verdict: Correct call…

We believe allowing Tanganga to stay and fill the right-back void could be a brilliant call by Nuno and one which may be popular among Spurs supporters.

The starlet showcased exactly what he can bring to this new look Spurs side at the weekend and his presence could mean that the club may not have to significantly invest in a new right-back signing after all.

Fabio Paratici has been touted to bag one this summer after being linked to a host of full-backs on that side but time will tell whether he now follows through, with any money saved from not doing so potentially put to better use at centre-back.

In other news: ‘Yessss’, ‘Omg’, ‘I beg’…Many Tottenham fans erupt as ‘perfect’ news emerges, find out more here.

Wrexham have been handed a timely injury boost, with Phil Parkinson saying that George Evans and James Jones are expected to “play again this season”.

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• Evans & Jones have picked up knocks
• Set to undergo further scans
• Will rejoin top-three push at some stage

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Evans picked up a glute problem in the Red Dragons’ 2-1 win over Sutton United, while Jones limped out of a 1-0 victory against Notts County with a hamstring complaint. Both issues are more serious than first thought, with spells on the treatment table needing to be taken in.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  No timescale is being put on the recovery of either midfielder, despite the lack of numbers that Parkinson now boasts in his engine room. They will not be rushed back into action, but the hope is that neither has been seen for the last time in 2023-24.

• WHAT PARKINSON SAID

  Parkinson has said when delivering a fitness update on Evans and Jones ahead of Wrexham’s midweek trip to Forest Green Rovers: "I expect them to play again this season but they are facing longer term injuries than we first thought. We will get them both rescanned and we will know clearer when we have got those second scans."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

  Wrexham have 13 games left to take in this season, meaning that the clock is ticking for all of those currently stuck on the sidelines. Parkinson intends to make the most of those still at his disposal, with the plan being to line up another automatic promotion party for co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

According to The Daily Express, Southampton are interested in signing PSV winger Noni Madueke this summer.

The Lowdown: Saints in gear

After a slow start to the summer transfer window, the Saints have finally got themselves into gear and are starting to shape their squad.

They have now brought in five new faces (Sky Sports), the latest being Adam Armstrong from Blackburn (southamptonfc.com), and with just under three weeks left of the window, there may be time for even more.

The Latest: Saints eye Madueke

As per this latest report, Southampton are looking at Madueke, while Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund are also in the race.

However, the Eredivisie outfit are adamant they will not sell the 19-year-old after already parting ways with Donyell Malen, who moved to Dortmund (bvb.de).

The Verdict: Up-and-coming talent

Despite being an England U21 international, Madueke has actually never made a professional appearance in his home country, instead taking the decision to move to the Netherlands at a young age.

It is a move that has so far paid off – he has managed 13 goals and nine assists in 41 appearances, and has already bagged four goals in five matches this season (Transfermarkt).

Valued at £14.4m (Transfermarkt), it is not clear exactly how much the winger would cost, but he is a player full of talent. Compared to Dutch legend Arjen Robben (footviz.com), Madueke has the world at his feet – could his next step be a move to Southampton?

In other news, Southampton fans are livid at this Jannik Vestergaard news.

An RB Leipzig fan tragically passed away during the club's Bundesliga clash against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday.

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• Supporter passed away in stands during Bundesliga clash
• A Monchengladbach fan also died a day before game
• Leipzig beat Monchengladbach 2-0

• TRAGEDY IN GERMANY

  Tragedy struck during a Bundesliga game between RB Leipzig and Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday at Red Bull Arena as a home fan, unfortunately, passed away in the stands while the match was taking place. After a sudden medical emergency attempts were made to resuscitate the fan but sadly were unsuccessful.

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• RB LEIPZIG ISSUE STATEMENT

  RB Leipzig issued a statement on the club's official website: "A heartbreaking night.

  "There was a medical emergency in the home area today before the game between RB Leipzig and Borussia Mönchengladbach and the person unfortunately died in the stadium. 

  "On the same day, a member of the Borussia Mönchengladbach fan scene died in a traffic accident on the way to Leipzig.

  "We are deeply saddened and all our thoughts are with the fans' families and relatives, to whom we express our deep condolences and sympathy.

  "Rest in peace."

• MONCHENGLADBACH OFFER CONDOLENCES

  Monchengladbach also sent out a message that read: "Our deepest consolences go to the families and friends of both fans who passed away today."

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• SAD NIGHT FOR BOTH CLUBS

  On a sad night for both clubs, Red Bulls went on to win 2-0 thanks to goals from Xavi Simons and Lois Openda. The result leaves the team one point off Dortmund in fourth, while Gladbach are down in 14th place.

Eden Hazard has sprung a surprise by naming a Chelsea flop as the most talented player he has ever called a team-mate.

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• Hazard on John Obi Mikel podcast
• Asked for best-ever team-mate
• Gives very surprising answer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Appearing as a guest on John Obi Mikel's The Obi One podcast, former Blues and Real Madrid attacker Hazard was asked to name the best player he had ever lined up alongside. Although he namechecked the likes of Luka Modric and compatriot Kevin De Bruyne, his answer in terms of pure talent was surprisingly former Chelsea youngster Gael Kakuta.

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  WHAT HAZARD SAID

  Hazard said: "In Real Madrid I play with the best player[s] in the world. For me [Luka] Modric, [Karim] Benzema, they are top top of the list. When you say Kevin De Bruyne, he's top on the list, when you say [Frank] Lampard he's top of the list, Juan Mata for me was top of the list."

  However, he countered that by saying: "I'm gonna give you one name and John knows the player. The only one I was saying "wow" was Gael Kakuta. You asked me talent. Kakuta by far number one. Talent. I mean, talent. Wow."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  A 15-year-old Kakuta was signed by Chelsea from French side Lens as a touted wonderkid in 2007 but failed to ever make the grade at Stamford Bridge, becoming part of the club's loan army before finally making a permanent exit in 2016 with just 16 appearances to his name. Although he resurrected his career back in France, he is now plying his trade in Ligue 2 with Amiens.

  Hazard added: "I think now is easy to say but I think it went a bit too early [to] Chelsea. He was 16 when he when he when he left France for Chelsea, you know? And that step at 16 is a huge step."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR HAZARD?

  Hazard prematurely hung up his boots last year, aged just 32, after an ill-fated, injury-plagued spell at Real Madrid that followed an £88 million ($111m) move from Chelsea. Asked on his plans for the future, the former attacker told Mikel's podcast that he has no intention of returning to football apart from potentially coaching kids.

Southampton fans are not happy with comments on Moussa Djenepo from Ralph Hasenhuttl, who suggested the 23-year-old will play at left-back this coming campaign.

Southampton are preparing for the new season as Hasenhuttl and co aim to improve on last season’s 15th-place Premier League finish. One of their two signings this term has been left-back Romain Perraud, who joined from Stade Brestois (southamptonfc.com), but the Saints are still light on that side of the back four.

The St. Mary’s Stadium outfit have been linked with a move for Brandon Williams, but they appear to have hit a stumbling block in that respect (The Telegraph). Now, Hasenhuttl has suggested Djenepo could play the term at left-back (Goal.com), a position he did take up at times last season.

These comments were shared on Twitter by @SaintsExtra, and they attracted plenty of attention from the Gers supporters – they appear to believe £11.7m-valued Djenepo (Transfermarkt) is a disaster waiting to happen in that role. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments on Djenepo

“Mad stubborn Ralph at work, absolute liability..”

Credit: @hurstshank

“Oh no”

Credit: @JoshW_SFC

“This worries me. If Ralph is resorting to playing players out of position, then we’re in big trouble”

Credit: @Dixon1970Darren

“Very very worrying if this true and Ralph seriously believes that Djenepo is anywhere near good enough … not only as a LB but for our squad .. Championship or SPL standard at best .. send him to Celtic”

Credit: @smorgy13

“Ralph has lost it! first the clown trousers and now this, utterly baffling…”

Credit: @HackedOffStuart

“He is an accident waiting to happen”

Credit: @CallumWilson21

In other news, Southampton fans are livid with this transfer news.