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Leeds United’s hopes of signing Cagliari midfielder Nahitan Nandez have been dealt a blow, with Inter Milan keen on making a move for him.

The Lowdown: Leeds keen on signing Nandez

Midfield could be an area of the pitch Marcelo Bielsa looks to improve in this summer, in order for Kalvin Phillips not to be relied upon too much.

Nandez is a player who has been continually linked with a move to Leeds, having impressed for Cagliari last season, starting 31 Serie A games and chipping in with two goals and assists apiece.

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The Latest: Nandez chase may be over

The Whites may have suffered a setback in their quest to sign the 41-time capped Uruguay international, however, with FC Inter News [via Sport Witness] claiming Inter say he is ‘more than welcome’ at the club.

It is also stated that Leeds’ interest in Nandez was ‘over in a short time’, suggesting he won’t be heading to Elland Road this summer.

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The Verdict: Competition too strong?

Missing out on Nandez would be an undoubted blow for Leeds, but competing with a club of Inter’s stature was always going to be difficult.

The lure of Marcelo Bielsa may be great, but the Nerazzurri are the reigning Serie A champions and arguably one of Europe’s most exciting propositions, of course with Champions League football to offer as well.

It may be that Leeds now need to turn their attention to a similar player, in order to add depth and quality in the middle of the park next season.

In other news, one Leeds player is reportedly close to leaving the club this summer. Find out who it is here.

A number of Liverpool supporters have been left unhappy after it was confirmed that Adrian has signed a new contract with the Reds.

The Spanish goalkeeper has proven to be a hit-and-miss player for Jurgen Klopp’s side, having arrived from West Ham in the summer of 2019.

Adrian made a great start to life at Liverpool, winning the UEFA Super Cup and proving to be the hero in the penalty shootout win against Chelsea, but he has struggled since.

The 34-year-old has looked an unconvincing figure too often when Alisson hasn’t been around, with his performance against Atletico Madrid in 2019/20 almost single-handedly getting the Reds knocked out of the Champions League.

Adrian is staying put at Anfield, however, with the club confirming on Monday that he has extended his stay on Merseyside beyond this summer.

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Liverpool fans react negatively to Adrian news

It is a piece of news that hasn’t exactly been met with a huge amount of positivity, with these Liverpool fans taking to Twitter to vent their frustration.

“Was 3rd choice keeper and now this? Just get rid he’s awful”

Credit: @morganclee

“Head’s hot! Simply unacceptable”

Credit: @Blxckmass9397

“Get out “

Credit: @Joe19times

“Enough is Enough. #FSGOUT”

Credit: @LFCGOATMILLY

“Wait what? You can’t be serious. You can’t be”

Credit: @19times19times

“30 years wasn’t a long enough wait. We deserve 60”

Credit: @_JS98

In other news, some Liverpool fans are delighted after an update on one key player. Find out who it is here.

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce is said to have made a check on QPR centre-back Rob Dickie amid a potential move for him in the summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

With a number of Newcastle’s centre-backs facing an uncertain future at St James’ Park this summer due to their contracts expiring, it’s no surprise that Bruce appears to be targeting a new defender to bolster his ranks.

And, according to The Shields Gazette’s Liam Kennedy, the Magpies made checks on QPR’s Dickie during the season just gone, with the likes of Celtic’s Kristoffer Ajer and Schalke’s Ozan Kabak – who was on loan at Liverpool – also name-checked as potential transfer targets.

Kennedy also added: “Uncertainty remains over the future of both Fabian Schar and Federico Fernandez with both heading into the final days of their contract at United. A one-year extension clause will be activated with Schar, but the Switzerland international is far from certain to stay.”

Bye-bye Fabian Schar

As per Whoscored, with an average match rating of 7.17 in the Championship last season, Dickie was actually ranked as the seventh-best performing player in the entire division, and the third-best central defender behind only Michal Helik and Grant Hanley.

And, when you look at the 6 foot 4 titan’s key defensive numbers, it’s easy to see why.

He averages an impressive 1.3 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per game, with the latter stat actually putting him right at the top of the table when compared to the entire Newcastle squad.

Dickie also appears to be a genuine ball-playing centre-back too, making more than ten passes than the man at the top for the Magpies (57.6 passes per game), while only Fabian Schar can better his 3.1 successful long balls per game out of Newcastle’s defenders.

During his time with Oxford United, Dickie was heavily praised by manager Karl Robinson, who dubbed him as “unbelievable”, and said: “I know he’s quick, I know he’s talented, I know he’s great in the air, but I need to see what he’s like when he’s on the floor and see how he stands up. In the second half, I thought Rob Dickie was magnificent.”

Dickie appears to be ready to make the step up to the Premier League given how he has dominated the Championship, and his development into someone who can play out from the back should go down a treat at St James’ Park.

With Schar potentially exiting Tyneside this summer based on Kennedy’s claim, Dickie could be an ideal replacement for the Swiss centre-back.

Meanwhile, Newcastle must land this defender who bullied Ivan Toney…

In a recent interview, former Rangers defender Michael Ball has tipped Steven Gerrard to allow Ibrox star Alfredo Morelos to leave this summer, which would be a huge blow ahead of next season.

Speaking to Football Transfer Tavern, the 41-year-old pundit said:

“It’s a difficult one, you don’t like seeing your good players or your key players leave a football club, no matter what level, but unfortunately when they start getting in the limelight and doing the business worldwide, clubs do want to come in for these players.

“It’s down to Rangers to accept the figure that they demand and if a club wants to come in and stump up that fee, I think Steven will be happy for him to move on and wish him well. But then give Steven the treasure chest to go and bring in the new players to keep the club moving forward for the next couple of years.”

Morelos has been a key fixture at Rangers since joining the club from HJK Helsinki in 2017, making 182 appearances and contributing an impressive 94 goals and 43 assists.

‘El Bufalo’ also wrote himself into Ibrox history when he broke Ally McCoist’s record of goals for the club in Europe with a goal against Benfica last November, and therefore he is exactly the type of player that Gerrard will be desperate to keep in his squad as they prepare for a return to the Champions League next term.

After he previously equalled the Gers’ European record with a goal against Lech Poznan, Gerrard was full of praise for the forward, saying: “It’s fantastic for him from a personal point of view. Alfredo’s a top-class player, a top-class goalscorer, and it’s fantastic that he’s still here.”

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The 24-year-old was also a key player for Rangers as they secured the league title this season, with his 11 goals and three assists in the Premiership helping him to average an impressive 7.20/10 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which was the sixth-best score of any player in Gerrard’s squad.

Although selling the £10.8m-rated forward would raise cash which Rangers could reinvest, as Ball suggests, it would be something of a nightmare to sell their top European goalscorer of all time ahead of the Gers’ return to Champions League football.

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Therefore, Gerrard must avoid selling the Colombia international this summer if he can, as the 24-year-old has proven himself to be a hugely important player at Ibrox in recent years.

In other news… Gerrard dealt major Rangers transfer blow over “fantastic” star

After a less than impressive second half of the 2020/21 campaign which saw Southampton collapse after an impressive start to the campaign, plenty of signings will be required if Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are to improve next season.

Full-back will be the main priority for the Austrian manager this summer after the departure of Ryan Bertrand, whilst reinforcements on the wing and up front may also be required if the Saints want to push on.

Injuries played their part last season and in the absence of Danny Ings, Kyle Walker-Peters, Jannik Vestergaard and Oriol Romeu at various points in the season, the South Coast side struggled, so you could definitely argue that they need to add more first-team ready options to their side this summer.

Here’s how Football FanCast predicts Southampton’s strongest XI could look next season after Martin Semmens and the manager have concluded their business…

Despite links to Freddie Woodman and Thomas Strakosha, Hasenhuttl has suggested that Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster will remain as the two main goalkeeping options next season, with the former perhaps more likely to start as he is stronger with his feet.

Romain Perraud is looking likely to be the man to replace Bertrand at left-back, with the Brest defender seemingly on the brink of making the switch to St Mary’s.

Despite an impressive end to the campaign, Mohammed Salisu will likely provide back-up to Jannik Vestergaard and Jan Bednarek at centre-back, whilst Marc Guehi could also join on loan from Chelsea to compete at the heart of Hasenhuttl’s defence.

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Kyle Walker-Peters is almost nailed on to start at right-back after an excellent first full campaign as a Southampton player, although Brandon Williams could challenge both him and Perraud for game time at full-back should he join from Manchester United.

Stuart Armstrong, Romeu and James Ward-Prowse are all likely to keep their place in midfield, should Southampton be able to see off interest from Aston Villa in their influential captain, but left-midfield is certainly an area in which the Saints can improve.

Both Moussa Djenepo and Nathan Redmond disappointed there last season so Bournemouth winger Arnaut Danjuma could arrive as an upgrade after his superb season in the Championship, with Djenepo perhaps likely to be axed amid reported interest from Fenerbahce.

Finally, Danny Ings and Che Adams will continue their partnership up front unless Southampton receive an offer for the former Liverpool man which they cannot refuse, although Daryl Dike or Randal Kolo Muani could potentially arrive as backup.

Should they keep hold of their keep players and make key improvements to the squad, Southampton should avoid being dragged into a relegation fight again next season.

And, in other news… Southampton signing “exciting” talent could allow Hasenhuttl to axe “weak link”

Aston Villa played out a stalemate with Everton on Thursday evening, and many Villa supporters weren’t impressed with Ross Barkley’s display at Villa Park.

The 27-year-old was handed his 18th Premier League start of the season by Dean Smith, with club captain Jack Grealish only making the bench as he returned from injury.

Barkley played his final home game of the season for Villa, as he will be ineligible to face employers Chelsea on the final day of the current campaign.

His performance against Everton didn’t sit well with some Villa fans though, who took to social media to vent their frustrations at the attacking midfielder.

Barkley was replaced just after the hour mark for youngster Jacob Ramsey. He finished with just 47 touches of the ball to his name – five fewer than goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and failed to win a single aerial or ground duel, as per Sofa Score.

Villa fans react

Ty Bracey thought Barkley had an ‘absolute stinker’ shortly before the interval, and these Villa fans joined in with criticising the England international online,  with one describing him as ‘useless’.

“Dreadful tonight. Worse player on the park. He knew it as well. Struggling to see how he gets in this side ahead of Ramsey.”Credit: @stevesanderstax”Embarrassing”Credit: @HayesLockett”He’s been useless since his first 4 games tbh.”Credit: @robbcorin”Send him back to Chelsea NOW”Credit: @redligbaz”Been a passenger for the last few games.”Credit: @CraigCCarver”I just don’t get why we play him when we’ve got nothing to play for. Get some minutes in to Ramsey or give Carney his debut who are the future of the squad.”Credit: @martinsharpe

In other news: Villa source drops surprise Friday Bodymoor Heath meeting claim; could be vital for Johan Lange, find out more here. 

Liam Kennedy has dropped a claim on the European Super League (ESL) fiasco and its impact on the potential takeover of Newcastle United.

Writing in his latest piece for The Shields Gazette, the football journalist has claimed: “There are some, who are in the know, who believe this week’s events to have proven positive.”

The ESL broke down within 48 hours of it being announced as those involved in English football gathered in their numbers in mass protest over Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur’s participation in the money-grabbing scheme.

The competition would have been closed to these specific clubs and so a team like the St. James’ Park faithful would have had a mere slim chance of qualifying for it.

It would have also increased the wealth gap in the Premier League too, and the proposed new owners would have been wanting to take over in the North East with the hope of bridging that gap to the elite clubs.

ESL collapse benefits potential Newcastle takeover

The collapse of the ESL certainly benefits the chances of the potential takeover of the Tyneside club, as the top flight’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test (ODT) is now likely to come under review given the greedy intentions of the owners of the so-called ‘big six’.

A positive result for the Magpies in their pending arbitration case against the division would surely draw the proposed deal between Mike Ashley and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group a step closer, and thus keep takeover hopes alive among the Toon Army.

If that arbitration case goes to plan, the potential Toon buyers may be able to leverage the intentions of the ‘big six’ owners to claim they were unfairly treated in the first ODT.

In other news, find out what ESL claim an industry expert has dropped on the potential takeover here!

Liverpool face a key clash in their race to qualify for the UEFA Champions League as they take on old rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

As it stands, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds sit six points off of the top four with just five matches left to play so the clash against the Red Devils really is pivotal in their season with a Champions League place being the only thing that they have left to play for.

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One man in the Liverpool squad who certainly understands these type of games – where the stakes are so high – is veteran midfielder James Milner. He simply must start at Old Trafford.

Whilst the 61-cap former England international is firmly in the twilight of his career at the age of 35, he brings with him plenty of experience in huge games due to his spells with Manchester City and, of course, the Reds.

That understanding and ability to remain calm in key moments could certainly come in useful against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men. Klopp is certainly aware of his key role in the Liverpool squad, labelling the midfielder as “massively important”.

Whilst some will argue that Milner does not possess the ability to silence the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba during the game, his defensive statistics suggest otherwise.

When compared to fellow midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, who has rarely dropped out of the starting line-up in the Premier League this season, Milner overcomes the Dutchman on tackles and clearances per game, according to WhoScored.

Again, as the Reds attempt to shut out a United side that have won five out of their last six Premier League games, those aspects could well be key.

So, whilst Milner will certainly appear as an unlikely candidate to start at Old Trafford, Klopp really must restore him to the side as he could certainly be crucial in Liverpool earning a positive result in what is a crucial game.

AND in more news, find out which major summer transfer target the Reds have missed out on…

Former Manchester City star Michael Ball has told Football FanCast that the club are more likely to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund than Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur.

The club have been heavily linked with both strikers in recent days and weeks.

Sky Sports reports that Kane has asked Spurs to leave this summer amid interest from City, Manchester United, and Chelsea.

It would be immensely expensive to sign the England captain this summer, given that he has three years left to run on his contract.

Still, City would surely have the financial resources required to sign Kane should they want to.

However, Ball believes that a deal for Haaland is more realistic.

The Borussia Dortmund striker is just 20, while Kane will turn 28 later this year, and he has scored a staggering 39 goals in 40 games thus far this season, with 22 of those coming in 2021.

As such, Ball believes Haaland, most realistically linked with the club by Goal, would be a more realistic purchase in the coming transfer window.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “Brilliant choice to have as a manager, if your club can go ‘which one do you want’, but Man City have got the resources, but realistically, I probably see Haaland happening more than Kane.”

Lots of West Ham United fans have been talking about an update involving Jesse Lingard that recently emerged on social media.

Daily Mail journalist Sami Mokbel has recently reported about Lingard’s situation, saying that the Hammers want to sign the Englishman permanently in the summer but they fear that Manchester United will drive up their price and other clubs will also move for him.

The article also stated that while no talks have taken place between West Ham and Man Utd yet, the London Stadium-based club is optimistic about signing Lingard permanently.

United could ask for a fee of as much as £30million for the midfielder and they believe that they can spark a biding war – the likes of Newcastle, Arsenal and Tottenham were interested in Lingard in January and they could be alert about his situation.

The Hammers now are beginning to have concerns about United’s asking price, fearing that the Red Devils will increase their demand. West Ham are currently said to be keen to sort out the situation before the conclusion of the campaign.

In the current season, Lingard has impressed for West Ham while contributing to ten goals in just eight Premier League appearances (as per Transfermarkt).

The news about Lingard was relayed on Twitter by West Ham Central. Many Hammers fans made their views clear about it.

What do West Ham fans make of this Lingard update?

“Id pay it tbh been class for us and for a player in his prime 30mil isnt alot.”

Credit: @kianbaillie1888

“That’s nothing for a proven goal scorer just sign him. We wasted enough money in the past.”Credit: @S_Shields_Irons”Completely worth it. 35 and under is well worth it any more get stuffed.”Credit: @HarrisonTuckwe1″Worth every penny.”Credit: @Christo03297460″Err I see no problem here. England International..tick scores goals …tick….great work rate and skills …tick a bloody bargain.”Credit: @gavblake14″30m for lingard in this market? No brainer really.”Credit: @Guy_HadleighIn other news, ‘Club are understood to be frustrated’ – Details emerge about West Ham injury blow – read more here.