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A journalist has revealed a move from Newcastle United ‘behind the scenes’ for Nabil Fekir.

The Lowdown: Creative midfielder wanted

With the St. James’ Park faithful being linked with the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Philippe Coutinho since the takeover was completed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium, it is clear that the new owners are after a creative midfield player.

It would enable Joe Willock to sit a little deeper and make those trademark late runs into the box, while also giving more supply to the likes of Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin.

The Latest: Fekir contact

As per Sebastien Denis, the North East club have made contact ‘behind the scenes’ over a potential deal for Fekir, adding that the ‘interest is real’.

However, the French journalist also notes that there is a ‘real possibility’ of an extension to his current contract at Real Betis.

The Verdict: Sign him up

At 28 years of age, Fekir is in his prime, and so would be a ready-made option to fit straight into the team.

Having won the FIFA World Cup with France back in 2018, he certainly knows how to win and perform in big games, and would be a character as much needed off of the pitch as on it.

With no fewer than 83 goals and a further 61 assists combined in his club career for Lyon and Betis so far (Transfermarkt), Fekir certainly knows where the net is, and so would be a shrewd addition from the Magpies.

In other news, find out which ‘wizard’ is ‘interested’ in a NUFC role here!

According to a report by journalist Jack Rosser of The Evening Standard, as shared on his Twitter, West Ham United manager David Moyes hasn’t ruled out yet another attempt for Man United ace Jesse Lingard.

The Lowdown: West Ham in Lingard chase…

As reported in the summer, Lingard was firmly on manager Moyes’ radar as an attacking target following his very impressive 2020/2021 loan stint at the London Stadium.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-developments-2/” title=”West Ham latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The England international bagged a brilliant nine goals and four assists in 16 Premier League starts over the second half of last campaign (WhoScored) – leading West Ham to aim for his permanent re-signing.

Alas, when Lingard opted against a return to east London, West Ham instead moved to sign Croatian ace Nikola Vlasic from CSKA Moscow on deadline day.

As attention already turns to January, with the Irons thought to be already eyeing Adam Hlozek of Sparta Prague, news has emerged on another attacker in Lingard.

The Latest: Moyes not done with Lingard?

As per Rosser, sharing an article on his Twitter, West Ham may not be done with the 28-year-old just yet despite signing Vlasic.

It is believed that Moyes ‘has considered another move in January’ for the player dependent on his chances at Old Trafford and how Vlasic takes to life in the Premier League.

“As per Paul Hirst, Jesse Lingard has rejected a new deal at Manchester United,” he explained on social media.

“David Moyes has considered another move in January dependent on Lingard’s game time and how Vlasic settles.”

The Verdict: Move on…

While Lingard has been dubbed ‘absolutely phenomenal’ in recent months (Adrian Durham, talkSPORT), we believe West Ham should move on and prioritise signing an out-and-out striker.

Moyes already has three great attacking midfield options in Vlasic, Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma, yet no alternative to Michail Antonio up front.

This is where the Scotsman should be prioritising, not yet another Lingard attempt.

In other news: ‘Absolutely buzzing’, ‘Here we go’…West Ham fans flock to official announcement, find out more here.

Loads of Everton fans have been left gushing as some early team news has emerged ahead of their game at home to Norwich City on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match at Goodison Park in the Premier League, Rafa Benitez has now revealed that Jordan Pickford is ‘okay’ and ‘has been training’, meaning that he could well return in between the posts against the Canaries.

It has come as a big relief for the Merseyside club to have their number-one goalkeeper back, especially after the disappointment that Asmir Begovic had in the Carabao Cup loss to Queens Park Rangers, in which he failed to save any of the seven penalties that he faced in the shootout (Sky Sports).

Everton fans on Pickford news

These Toffees supporters gushed as the early team news involving Pickford was shared by the club on their official Twitter page, with one Blue even going as far as to claim that it is ‘huge’:

“SEND THEM IN GET THE RAVE ON”

Credit: @Conor_LaneSmith

“Thank the lord we don’t have to see Begovic again”

Credit: @efcdoyley

“Pickford being back is huge”

Credit: @JDGEFC

“Relieved about Digne, and great to hear Pickford is back, gives us a bit more confidence going into this winnable game”

Credit: @daveblueallover

“No Begovic yessss”

Credit: @ShaunJackson015

“No Casper the ghost yes now”

Credit: @bobmarl03974950

In other news, find out what stadium news has Evertonians fuming here!

Former professional footballer Nigel Jemson believes that having had Manchester United midfielder James Garner on loan last season, Nottingham Forest are on the front foot for him to return this summer.

Nottinghamshire Live have reported that Derby County were also keeping an eye on Forest target Garner.

The 20-year-old spent the first half of last season on loan at Watford, before joining Nottingham Forest for the second half of the Championship campaign. Making a combined 43 appearances for the two clubs in all competitions, Garner scored four goals and assisted a further three.

And Nigel Jemson believes that after a spell at the City Ground last term, it puts Nottingham Forest on the front foot to get Garner back this season, exclusively telling Transfer Tavern: “Very Successful, did really well, well-liked, well respected.

“He’s gone back to Manchester United and I don’t know what the full situation is there whether he’s turned a contract down, I’ve read something that he was possibly going to be linked to Derby, which that wouldn’t have gone down well.

“But, you know, I think that if there’s a choice between the two clubs, having the fact that he spent last season with us that would put us on the front foot I would have thought and again that would be another good signing for us to bring him in.”

Football Insider have previously reported that Stoke City and Sheffield United are also interested in the youngster ahead of the August 31 transfer deadline.

West Ham fans have been given a huge glimmer of hope as the summer transfer window draws to a close next week…

What’s the word?

The Irons are amongst the lowest-spenders in the Premier League so far, having only brought in one senior addition on loan – back-up goalkeeper Alphonse Areola from Paris Saint-Germain.

A new centre-back, playmaker and striker are all needed to bolster David Moyes’ threadbare playing squad but time is quickly running out.

However, talkSPORT host Jim White dropped an exciting claim live on air earlier this week that should provide plenty of encouragement, he said:

“This is where I understand where West Ham are at right now. How much is available to spend in the remainder of the window? [They have] between £40m and £45m available to spend.”

The popular radio station also suggested that the east London outfit would make at least one more signing before Tuesday night’s 11pm deadline.

A late flurry?

Whether Moyes finds the right players to splash the cash on remains to be seen but it should be exciting news for many around the London Stadium as some have been absolutely desperate to see new additions.

The Hammers are also competing in the Europa League this term, so strength in depth across the pitch will be crucial to their chances of success. They may well have picked up back-to-back wins to kickstart the season and sit atop the Premier League table but one or two injuries could serious curtail their progress.

For example, 31-year-old talisman Michail Antonio – who became the club’s record top-flight goalscorer on Monday – is still the Scot’s only senior striker.

He’s been troubled with plenty of injury problems in the past too, so the club cannot afford to risk that happening. As per WhoScored, the former Forest man has failed to start more than 24 league games in the last four seasons.

Fabian Balbuena is yet to be replaced in the backline, so there’s a chance Aaron Cresswell’s creative exploits from the left will be needed in the middle should injuries arise there, though it does seem like the Irons are closing in on the signing of Kurt Zouma from Chelsea.

There’s also a massive gap to fill in the attack, behind Antonio.

Jesse Lingard only joined on loan in January but ended the campaign as their second-highest rated player with nine goals and four assists, via WhoScored.

Hammers assistant Stuart Pearce confirmed their intentions to sign him permanently to talkSPORT last week but whether he leaves Manchester United remains a different story.

But all in all, this update from White, who is thought to be acquaintances with co-owner David Sullivan, is promising news. Moyes has the budget to spend, clearly.

We should expect to see an addition or two before next week, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano drops major West Ham transfer update, fans will be buzzing…

Many Wolves fans have been left fuming over a transfer update on Amadou Diawara.

As per Siamo La Roma, the Midlands club have rejected the chance to sign the Roma ace, as he was reportedly inserted in talks when they went on to sign Rui Patricio.

Arsenal also rejected the opportunity to sign him when Granit Xhaka looked like he was on his way to the Serie A club.

Diawara played in a total of 29 games for Roma over all competitions across the 2020/21 season, including in their impressive run to the semi-final stage of the UEFA Europa League (Transfermarkt), and at 24 years of age, is a player who has not yet reached his peak.

The Guinea international could have given another handy option in the centre of midfield for the Molineux faithful, but instead it looks as if they have now missed their chance.

 Wolves fans on Diawara transfer update

These WWFC supporters fumed as the transfer update was shared on Twitter (via Talking Wolves):

“We’re so so stupid it’s unreal”

Credit: @wwfc_bibb

“Fosun throwing Wolves name into the rumour hat again so it looks like they’re actually trying to sign players. Smoke and mirrors”

Credit: @LearyMitchell

“BRUV WHY?”

Credit: @nelbzV2

“Pardon?”

Credit: @KKWWFC

“WHAT?”

Credit: @bestwolvesfan

“They’re really starting to test me now, I’m trying to be patient and trust the process”

Credit: @BVitler

“Excuse me?”

Credit: @BrunoLages442

In other news, find out what club announcement has Wanderers buzzing here!

When Rafa Benitez was announced as Everton manager it was soon revealed that he’d be given a healthy transfer kitty in the ongoing window.

However, that seemingly couldn’t be further from the truth with the Toffees prioritising cost-effective measures instead.

What’s the word?

As a result, Everton are struggling to complete even the most basic of transfers.

They have secured three moves already but the net spend on those deals fails to surpass the £1.7m they paid for Demarai Gray.

In any ordinary window for the Merseyside club, they’d have probably wrapped up a deal for Denzel Dumfries already given how cheap he is.

The flying Dutch wing-back has been linked with the Toffees ever since his exploits at Euro 2020 but Inter Milan have stolen a march in the race to acquire his services.

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano who delivered the following update on Dumfries’ future to his Twitter followers:

“Inter are pushing to sign Denzel Dumfries from PSV. Talks opened for €12m bid – PSV want more as price tag, Everton are not progressing in negotiations for Dumfries since days.”

Worrying news

The final passage of Romano’s tweet should come as a particular concern to the adoring Goodison Park crowd.

With Seamus Coleman’s contract expiring in a year’s time, they will need a right-back primed and ready to take his place in the squad.

Crucially, that player will also need to be first-team ready and proven at some of the highest levels in the game.

Dumfries is that man and at the price tag mooted, it’s almost bewildering that talks haven’t progressed.

Marcel Brands sought a loan move earlier this week but that clearly hasn’t come to fruition despite his value sitting at a measly £15m.

Therefore, not being able to stump up the cash for a player so cheap will leave supporters fuming.

After all, when you consider the vast sums of money they’ve spent in recent years, this is a mere snip.

The Toffees have spent poorly on players like Alex Iwobi who cost around £34m, Jean-Philippe Gbamin for £25m and Davy Klaassen for £23.6m.

Consequently, not having the cash reserves in order to be able to sign Dumfries is peculiar.

At a price below £20m, he’d have been an exceptional signing. He scored twice for his country at the recent European Championships and has shown himself to have every trait associated with a modern full-back.

Everton supporters should be aghast that a transfer can’t be completed.

AND in other news, Benitez closes in on Everton’s 4th summer signing, fans must be angry…

Many Liverpool fans have been left fuming as a transfer update emerged on Nabil Fekir.

As per a report from earlier on in the week by El Gol Digital, which has since been shared by LFC Transfer Room on their Twitter page, the Anfield faithful are ‘best positioned’ ahead of both Everton and Arsenal to sign the Real Betis ace in the summer window, and he could be sold for a fee in the region of €40m (£34.3m).

Fekir was close to signing for Jurgen Klopp’s team back in 2018 as a potential replacement for Philippe Coutinho, but after a dragged-out transfer saga a deal never materialised.

It seems as if several Reds supporters do not want a repeat of what happened then, and even so, Fekir, a central attacking midfield player by trade, would not really fit into Klopp’s preferred 4-3-3 formation.

Liverpool fans on Fekir transfer update

These Kopites fumed as the transfer update was shared on Twitter, with one LFC supporter even going as far as to claim that it was a ‘joke’:

“Are you having a laugh?”

Credit: @61Zaqir

“OK that’s it. I’m tuning out of LFC transfer Twitter until the first day of the new season. Nabil Fekir”

Credit: @Byrnish1981

“Out of all the rumours, this is by far the worst.”

Credit: @vdm1_

“Tell me this is a joke..am I in a time warp?…. YNWA”

Credit: @RedStew08

“Well and truly silly season.”

Credit: @keswickbro

“Nah he’s been trash gimme Coutinho”

Credit: @LfcBackupLa

In other news, find out what transfer update has Reds buzzing here!

Graham Roberts is hopeful that Joe Hart gets a good move if he leaves Tottenham, but has surprisingly questioned whether the 34-year-old would be Celtic’s first-choice should he joins the Glasgow giants.

Signed by Jose Mourinho 12 months ago, Hart was Hugo Lloris’ back-up last season, making 10 appearances in the Europe League and Carabao Cup.

However, the arrival of Pierluigi Gollini on loan from Atalanta looks to have marked the end of Hart’s short spell in north London, with the prospect of becoming third-choice an uninspiring one.

With that in mind, according to Fabrizio Romano, the former Manchester City stopper is already planning his next move, with talks with Celtic already underway.

The Hoops already have two senior goalkeepers in Scott Bain and Vasilis Barkas, although neither seem up for the challenge to become number one, with the latter making a costly error against Midtjylland in the Champions League last week.

Hart, who’s played 340 times in the Premier League, has endured a tricky few seasons, but should have enough to cope with the level in Scotland.

Roberts exclusively told Football FanCast:

“I like Joe, I think he’s done really well at the club, but I don’t think he put enough pressure on [Hugo] Lloris.

“I hope Joe gets a good club. If he goes to Celtic, will he play? I’m not sure, but he needs to find a club where he will play.”

An update has emerged on Cenk Tosun, regarding Everton’s plans for him this summer…

What’s the talk?

According to The Athletic, Everton are prepared to listen to offers for Turkish international striker Cenk Tosun this summer as Rafa Benitez attempts to thin out his squad.

The report claims that Moise Kean could be given a chance to compete for a place in the side following his loan spell with PSG, sending Tosun further down the pecking order ahead of next season.

Time’s up

The time is up for Tosun at Everton. Marcel Brands must now ruthlessly axe the flop and cash in on him as quickly as possible. Everton need to move him on swiftly and not worry too much about how much they get for him, in order to get his wages off the bill.

Even if that means sending him out on loan again with the club taking him paying the majority – if not all – of his salary as he has been rinsing Farhad Moshiri dry.

Tosun has been on £60k-per-week throughout his time on Merseyside and has done little to repay the club, scoring just 11 goals in 58 matches. He has earned roughly £10.9m in wages in his three-and-a-half seasons at the club to date and that figure will jump up to £14m by the end of the 2021/22 campaign unless they can find a new home for him in the transfer window.

He reportedly cost £27m upon his arrival from Besiktas in 2018 and it seems incredibly unlikely that they will be able to recoup much of that figure, with Transfermarkt valuing him at £4.5m. Former Premier League striker Darren Bent recently said that Tosun has not worked out at Goodison Park and believes that the club will need to take a loss on him this summer.

He told Football Insider:

“Cenk Tosun just hasn’t worked out for Everton, he’s shown flashes and moments where he can score goals and to be fair to him, he’s never really been given a real run of games.

“I know when he first arrived he played a little bit but as far as a real good run, I don’t think he’s got that so, unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out and they probably are going to have to take a loss.”

Therefore, Everton must take the hit on Tosun and move him on to any club willing to take him. He has been bleeding Moshiri dry with his huge wages without contributing much to the team, with nine Premier League goals to his name for the club in almost four years.

This is why he must be ruthlessly axed by Brands.

AND in other news, Benitez can axe Everton “liability” by signing 6 ft 4 giant who’s “performed miracles”…