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Speaking to Football Insider, a West Ham United source has claimed that David Moyes has deemed Andriy Yarmolenko surplus to requirements, coming just after the sale of Felipe Anderson.

The Lowdown: West Ham exodus…?

Anderson completed his return to Lazio on Friday after West Ham confirmed his departure, with the Brazilian becoming yet another senior Irons player to leave this summer.

Fabian Balbuena also moved on upon the expiry of his contract, and little to no money has been recuperated from these east London departures.

While West Ham refuse to disclose Anderson’s sale fee, he has reportedly left for around €3m (£2.6m) with a 50% sell-on clause, according to Sky Italy.

The Latest: Source drops Yarmolenko claim…

According to a West Ham source, speaking to Football Insider, the club have now opened talks with Fenerbahce to offload Yarmolenko after ‘slashing his asking price’.

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The Hammers have given the Istanbul club the ‘green light’ to pursue the Ukranian after Moyes deemed him surplus to requirements. West Ham are also keen to get him off the wage bill and save money amid the pandemic-driven financial crisis impacting clubs up and down the country.

However, GSB are apparently willing to sell the 32-year-old for just £2m, a similar initial fee to Anderson, despite Yarmolenko being one of Ukraine’s standout players at Euro 2020.

The Verdict: Big mistake…

Offloading the £18m arrival for that meagre sum would certainly come as another big blunder by West Ham as they also seek to add much-needed additions to Moyes’ squad.

Yarmolenko could arguably command a much larger fee after his impressive Euro 2020 campaign, where he scored two goals and set up two more in five appearances as Ukraine reached the quarter-finals (uefa.com).

Getting the £115,000-per-week ace off West Ham’s salary bill is perhaps imperative, but selling him for a measly £2m could be another own goal by the east London club, especially with the added commitment of Europa League fixtures to come in 2021/22.

In other news: West Ham favourites to sign ‘huge’ 29-goal striker amid talks, he is destined to leave this summer – find out more here.

Speaking in a football.london Q&A, reliable correspondent and Tottenham Hotspur journalist Alasdair Gold has made a behind the scenes claim on Gareth Bale. 

The Lowdown: Spurs signing Bale permanently?

After spending the 2020/2021 campaign on loan at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, there is still the begging question as to whether the Lilywhites will make his move permanent.

Bale finished the campaign as Spurs’ third top goalscorer in the Premier League, bagging 11 strikes and two assists, with only superstar men Harry Kane and Son Heung-min bettering those numbers.

As such, Tottenham have been linked with a possible swoop for the 31-year-old and supporters want to know if he could remain in north London.

The Latest: Gold makes behind-scenes Bale claim…

Speaking in a Q&A, when asked for the latest on Bale’s situation, Gold made a behind the scenes claim on what the belief is within Tottenham.

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He claims that Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival at parent club Real Madrid complicates matters and the general consensus is that he will see out the final year of his deal at the Bernabeu.

“I’d like him to return for another season but there seems to be a belief within Spurs that he will return to Madrid for the final year of his contact and with Ancelotti there it makes more sense than it did a few months ago,” Gold explained.

“The only obstacle would be whether Real want him off the wage bill, or at least some of those huge wages, but Bale is not exactly someone who cares what people think.”

The Verdict: Turn away…

New managing director Fabio Paratici has some major decisions to make in regards to Tottenham’s summer transfer plans and one of them is whether to push for Bale on a permanent deal.

Amid this Gold claim, we believe it should not be a priority given his age, high salary demands and the fact Spurs are in dire need of centre-back reinforcements.

The Lilywhites won’t exactly have unlimited funds to play with and re-signing Bale on a permanent deal comes as a luxury, not a necessity, when compared to Tottenham’s other areas which need strengthening.

In other news: Journalist says Tottenham now want ‘magical’ man as ‘official contacts’ begin, find out more here.

Manchester United’s famed youth academy has produced an abundance of talent down the years, but plenty of their graduates either never play for the first-team or do so only briefly.

For a while, it seemed as though James Garner would be another young star who would only enjoy the hastiest experience of what it feels like to wear the famous Red Devils shirt.

A one-minute cameo at the end of a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace back in February 2019 offered a glimpse of what the 20-year-old has to offer and he earned praise from his manager after the match.

“I believe he’s got the chance to have a great future, he knows we believe in him, we’ve got great faith in him as the next Michael Carrick,” revealed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the game at Selhurst Park.

“I know he’s young, and I know it’s not fair on kids to compare to great players like Michael was, but he’s the same mould, he plays simple passes, plays through the lines.”

After being compared to one of United’s greatest midfielders in the modern era, Garner would have been forgiven for believing a place in the senior set-up was just around the corner.

However, only six other appearances followed before he was shipped out on loan to Watford at the start of the 2020/21 campaign.

Things didn’t work out for the England Under-20 international at Vicarage Road, though. Garner made 20 league appearances for the Hornets, but failed to find his best form and fell out of favour under the new manager.

His lack of playing time saw United recall their young star in January and search for other options in order to carry on his development.

Rather than letting the disappointment get him down, the Garner headed straight back for the Championship over the winter window, with Chris Hughton’s Nottingham Forest handpicked as a more suitable destination.

Everyone appeared to click for the midfield maestro with Forest. Four goals in 20 appearances for the Midlands outfit earned him a string of plaudits, and his highly respectable 6.98 WhoScored rating suggests he deserved them.

Garner’s outstanding displays at the City Ground have surely done enough for Solskjaer to at least take a look at the Englishman in pre-season as he attempts to solve United’s engine room issues.

The likes of Youri Tielemans have been linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks to add the slick passing and control that has been missing since Carrick’s departure, but the answer to their problems may already be at the club.

And, in other news…Huge Man United contract update emerges over £290k-p/w “leader”, fans will be buzzing 

Aston Villa pipped Arsenal to reach an agreement with Norwich City for Emiliano Buendia earlier this week.

More details have now emerged regarding the deal from The Athletic, which has led a number of Villa supporters to react to the update on social media.

Villa confirmed on Monday that an agreement had been reached, with an up front fee of £33m which can rise to £40m with add ons.

The Athletic ran an inside scoop on the move on Thursday, claiming Buendia will be on £80,000-a-week at Villa Park, with Villa tabling multiple bids for the Argentine last week.

More importantly as far as fans are concerned though, the right-winger apparently made it clear to Norwich and Arsenal that Villa was the move he wanted during a bidding war that began at the end of May.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared the news of Buendia always favouring a Midlands move over a London switch on social media.

Here’s what some Villa fans had to say in reply, with many delighted…

“This transfer gets better and better”

Credit: @Wulfstan15

“We are massive”Credit: @itschaboyThomas”I love it. I absolutely love it.”Credit: @ReubenOwen_”Buendia knows.”Credit: @ConorFulford”Hahahahahaha I love that man”Credit: @tom_avfc1″Hahahahaa arsenal in the mud”Credit: @brazilianwizard”we’re actually massive”Credit: @catrinedwards18

In other news: ‘Could cry’, ‘Shocking’ – Many AVFC fans distraught at ‘heart wrenching’ late-night news, find out more here. 

Aston Villa are still eyeing a move for Burnley winger Dwight McNeil after The Telegraph’s recent transfer update.

What’s the story?

A report from Football Insider had previously claimed that Dean Smith’s side have their eye on the 21-year-old, and that the Premier League club are “lining up a huge bid for him”.

Then, The Athletic’s Gregg Evans revealed: “Villa already recognise the need for another wide player, and The Athletic understands Burnley’s Dwight McNeil is of serious interest, as is Emi Buendia of Championship winners Norwich. Extensive groundwork has already been done on both of them.

“The scouting department has closely scrutinised his in-game contributions, and McNeil is recognised as a player who brings additional options to open up a game.

And now, The Telegraph have claimed that Villa still have McNeil high up on their target list as they look to reinforce their squad ahead of the new Premier League season.

Premier League quality

The £43m-rated winger has been one of the few standout players for the Clarets since breaking onto the scene, and it’s something which has led to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp raving about him.

He said: “Dwight McNeil is such a good player, lovely left foot, doesn’t stop running. Every time I watch him he gets better and better, he’s got real quality and certainly a player that the top six to eight clubs will be looking at, and that’s no disrespect to Burnley because I don’t like saying that sometimes, but he is that good.”

With his ability to beat players one-on-one – his average of 1.8 dribbles per game in the Premier League was the highest of any Burnley player last season – McNeil could bring a new and exciting dimension to Villa’s attack.

That dribbling, and McNeil’s composure on the ball, is something very much akin to Villa talisman Jack Grealish, andled to Burnley manager Sean Dyche waxing lyrical about the kind of talent he is.

He said: “He’s a real talent. He’s a really good player, he’s improving, his calmness at the end – I’m saying get it in the corner – but he cuts in, and his calmness to cross it into a dangerous area, and then gets his reward.

“Before then, his calmness to dribble out of trouble – he’s a really good player, really good, and he can only mature.”

The Telegraph’s update on their interest in McNeil should surely have Villa fans buzzing given the kind of attacking flair the winger could bring to the club.

Meanwhile, Matt Maher has dropped a major Aston Villa transfer update…

Vladimir Coufal is set to receive an improved contract at West Ham, according to reports…

What’s the word?

Sky Sports claim that the Irons have opened talks with the 28-year-old’s representatives over a new deal following his impressive debut season in the Premier League.

Coufal’s current £35k-per-week deal isn’t set to expire until the summer of 2023, with the East London side holding an option for a further two years but evidently, he’s going to be rewarded for his fine form this campaign.

The Czech Republic international cost them just £5m last summer and has become one of David Moyes’ star performers.

Dream deal

West Ham have certainly hit the jackpot with Coufal – a cheap, low-risk signing that has paid more dividends than the club could have ever imagined.

He ended his first-ever season outside of his home country as the Hammers’ fifth-best player (6.95), as per WhoScored ratings, with only the likes of fellow countryman Tomas Soucek (7.36), loan sensation Jesse Lingard (7.22) and top goalscorer Michail Antonio (7.17) ahead of him.

Coufal has been an industrious presence along that right flank as he tops the charts for tackles (2.1) and isn’t too far behind for interceptions (1.2) per game either.

His aggressive nature and relentless work rate has drawn praise from teammate and captain, Mark Noble, who described the right-back as a “machine” who “loves football” to ‘That Peter Crouch Podcast.’

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He has also proven to be a major source of creativity further up the pitch, too.

Only Aaron Cresswell (eight) has delivered more assists than the Czech star (seven) and similarly, his defensive counterpart is the only one ahead of him for key passes per game (1.3). He’s even ahead of Lingard, Antonio and Pablo Fornals in that respect, via WhoScored.

It’s no wonder Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher tipped him up as one of the signings of the season, he told Monday Night Football earlier this month [4th May, 22:24pm]:

“I think he’s been one of the signings of the season. We talk about [Tomas] Soucek, but Coufal whether it’s right wing-back or right full-back at different times, he’s just one of those players that’s 7/10 minimum every time you watch him play,” claimed the ex-Liverpool defender.

“He’s the type of player you’d love to play with him. A manager’s dream, never injured, he’s there, week in week out.”

The 13-time Czech international is now valued at €15m (£13.5m) by CIES Football Observatory, only further proving how much of a steal he’s been for the Hammers this campaign.

Moyes, the fanbase, and much of the squad can be grateful that the club’s ownership took a punt on the unknown defender last summer. He has been absolutely outstanding this season.

GSB certainly struck gold in unearthing Coufal and rewarding him with another contract is merely another masterclass of a decision from them.

AND in other news, GSB must secure West Ham swoop for “hardworking” 34-goal beast who’s perfect for Moyes…

Aston Villa midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka wants to leave Villa Park this summer.

The Lowdown: Chukwuemeka’s impressive form

The 17-year-old signed a professional deal with the club last October and has starred in Villa’s youth side this season.

He’s scored seven goals and registered five assists in 22 appearances this season, with a Villa scout admitting last year he ‘can do everything’.

The likes of Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester City have all been credited with an interest in the teenager recently, and it seems as if he could now be on the way out of the club.

The Latest: Teenager wants out

According to a report from Football Insider, Chukwuemeka is looking to leave over the coming months after broken promises.

They were informed by a Villa source that the club has gone back on promises made to him over a first-team berth, with the player still waiting to make his senior debut.

Chukwuemeka’s deal that he signed last year runs for a maximum of three years, and Villa will try to offer him new terms when he is 18 in six months’ time, should he remain in the Midlands.

The Verdict: Dean Smith may have himself to blame

In our view, Villa manager Dean Smith may have himself to blame, should Chukwuemeka seal a move away.

Smith has mapped out a plan for the midfielder at Villa Park, however, despite his impressive form which has attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in the world, Chukwuemeka still hasn’t made his first-team bow.

You only have to look at Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, 17, to see that age is no barrier, so Smith may feel he should’ve handed Chukwuemeka some game time if he goes on to seal a Villa Park exit this summer.

In other news: Many AVFC fans love what Prince William said about Birmingham City, find out more here. 

Manchester City take on Brighton in the Premier League on Tuesday evening, with Pep Guardiola’s side looking to continue their impressive run of results away from the Etihad Stadium with a victory against Graham Potter’s side.

A much-changed Citizens side edged a 4-3 thriller against Newcastle United last time out after a superb hat-trick from Ferran Torres clinched their 12th successive away league win, and it seems likely that Guardiola will rotate his side once again against the Seagulls.

Potter’s side are now safe from relegation and can play without pressure against the Citizens, and they will likely continue with the playing style which has earned the former Swansea boss many plaudits this season, not least from his direct opponent tonight.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Guardiola to line his side up on Tuesday night, with nine changes to the team which started against Newcastle…

Despite Scott Carson’s penalty save and general all-round performance at St James’ Park, Guardiola has already confirmed that Ederson will return in goal for City’s final two Premier League fixtures.

There are three changes in defence as Joao Cancelo, Nathan Ake and Eric Garcia make way for a more defensively secure backline, with Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ruben Dias and John Stones coming in, whilst Kyle Walker keeps his place on the right.

Fernandinho rotates with Rodri in defensive midfield to partner Ilkay Gundogan, with Kevin De Bruyne returning from injury to start in attacking midfield.

It’s all change in attack, as Phil Foden replaces the “world-class” Raheem Sterling on the left wing after another poor performance from the 26-year-old against Newcastle, whilst Riyad Mahrez replaces Torres on the right despite his superb display last time out.

Finally, Liam Delap could be handed his first Premier League start up front, replacing the goal-shy Gabriel Jesus.

In other news… one Manchester City star has made a big declaration about his future at the club.

Liam Kennedy has said that Newcastle United will ‘likely’ need to find a replacement for Matt Ritchie in this summer’s transfer window.

The lowdown

The 31-year-old has made 169 appearances for Newcastle since joining from Bournemouth in 2016, scoring 24 goals and providing 31 assists in black and white. Last season, he featured 21 times across all competitions, including a run of nine consecutive starts at the end of the Premier League season.

Back in March, Ritchie was reportedly involved in a training-ground bust-up with Steve Bruce. He is alleged to have called the manager a ‘coward’, and been ‘physically confronted’ in response.

The Scot was an unused substitute in the three games which followed, but then regained the faith of his manager. Following the 4-3 defeat against Manchester City last month, Pep Guardiola singled out Ritchie for praise, admitting he was ‘so good as a taker’ of set pieces.

The latest

Kennedy was asked in a fan Q&A for Shields Gazette what areas should take priority for Newcastle in the transfer market.

He replied: “Centre-half and central midfield. United need to add at least one player in both positions. A Matt Ritchie replacement is likely to be needed as will a stand in for Wilson. Those four would be a start, moving forward.”

The 31-year-old still has two years left on his contract and is valued at £3.6m by Transfermarkt.

The verdict

Losing Ritchie would be a blow to Newcastle given his experience, dead ball quality and supreme versatility – he can operate in either full-back position and further up both flanks.

It could prove very tricky for the Magpies to find a player who combines all of those qualities, either from within the club or on the transfer market for a reasonable fee, considering reports of a paltry £10m-£12m summer budget.

In other news, another Newcastle ace is pushing for a way out.

A number of Crystal Palace fans have been giving their thoughts to a transfer update on left-back Patrick van Aanholt.

According to Turkish outlet Sabah Spor, relayed by Sports Witness, the Dutch defender is the ‘first name’ on Galatasaray’s transfer wishlist.

The 30-year-old, who is out of contract at Selhurst Park over the coming months, has been offered a three-year deal worth €1.75m-a-year.

It seems as if van Aanholt is edging closer to a move to the Super Lig, with a potential pre-contract agreement reaching ‘the final stage’.

Van Aanholt has been at Palace since 2017 and has made 132 appearances for the Eagles, scoring 14 times along the way.

He’s turned out on 20 occasions during the current campaign but it appears as if his days in London are now numbered.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the information regarding van Aanholt on Thursday evening over on Twitter.

This is what some had to say in reply, with one describing the update as ‘brilliant’.

“I’ll pay for the flight”

Credit: @JimRuss1980

“Brilliant, now play Mitchell/Hannam.”

Credit: @palace_tommy

“We move”

Credit: @Sumo08112

“Reece Hannam >>>”

Credit: @AdAmCpFc91

“the day he leaves cannot come soon enough”

Credit: @palacejacob

“their scouts must be awful”

Credit: @SigmondCPFC

In other news: Many Palace fans flock to managerial update, find out more here.