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Newcastle United could now hire Erik ten Hag as their next manager, if Marc Overmars is appointed the new Director of Football (DoF) at St. James’ Park.

The Lowdown: Manager search

The North East club have been linked with the likes of Roberto Martinez, Steven Gerrard and Matias Almeyda in recent days, as their manager search continues following the departure of Steve Bruce.

Graeme Jones will be taking temporary charge of the next couple of games until the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium find the person that they want.

The Latest: ten Hag and Overmars combo

As per De Telegraaf (via Sport Witness), Overmars, who is currently the DoF at Ajax, would be ‘comfortable’ taking the same role on Tyneside, and ‘will poll’ ten Hag if he is appointed.

It will be interesting to see which role the new owners of the Magpies fill in first, as one could well dictate who is hired for the other.

The Verdict: Get both in

There is no doubt that a lot of the recent success Ajax have had is down to Overmars and ten Hag.

Off of the pitch, the former has been responsible for selling players for big profits and then helping rebuild with quality replacements, while ten Hag has won five major trophies during his time at the club, and famously guided them to the UEFA Champions League semi-final in the 2018/19 season.

Jurgen Klopp dubbed him as an ‘exciting’ manager back in December, which is high praise indeed, and getting both in would prove to be a real coup from the Toon.

In other news, find out which ‘extraordinary’ ace NUFC are ‘preparing’ a £67.7m bid for here!

Kalvin Phillips will return to Leeds United’s starting XI for Monday night’s trip to Crystal Palace. 

The lowdown

Leeds travel to Selhurst Park for the 20.00 kick-off looking to make it four wins in five matches.

They weren’t in action last weekend, with their game against Chelsea postponed due to the Blues’ FA Cup semi-final commitments.

The Whites are still in need of points to ensure survival after 18th-place Burnley beat Southampton on Thursday night to close the gap to five.

£38,000-per-week midfielder Phillips hasn’t started a Premier League match since the 2-2 draw with Brentford way back at the start of December.

After a four-month spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, he returned for the final 24 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Southampton on 2 April and got another 31 minutes under his belt as Leeds beat Watford 3-0 last time out.

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The latest

Leeds Live writer Beren Cross reported on Saturday morning from Jesse Marsch’s press conference at Thorp Arch that Phillips is ‘confirmed to start’ already.

The verdict

Phillips has demonstrated in his two recent substitute cameos that he’s ready to return.

At Vicarage Road, he won two of the three ground duels he contested after coming on, regaining possession three times, and completed nine out of 12 passes (via SofaScore).

You wonder if Leeds would have been able to avoid relegation trouble entirely had Phillips, England’s 2021 Player of the Year, been fit for the whole campaign.

In even better news for Marsch, two of his forward options are now on the comeback trail. Patrick Bamford is due to be back on the grass next week, while Tyler Roberts is ‘getting close’ to a return.

In other news, Leeds are targeting this Spurs ace.  

Manchester United could finally strengthen their midfield over the coming months after being linked with a transfer move for Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara.

What’s the story?

According to The Athletic’s transfer expert David Ornstein, United a keeping close tabs on the 22-year-old’s situation after he decided to leave the Stade Velodrome as a free agent at the end of the season.

Kamara’s current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2022 and is not expected to extend his stay in the south of France, opening the door to an imminent exit.

The report states that: “There are suggestions that Marseille could yet make a last push to secure fresh terms but The Athletic understands Kamara has now opted to leave as a free agent at the end of the season.

“He is under consideration at one of the traditional top-four Premier League clubs and Manchester United are also across the situation as they weigh up possibilities to bolster their midfield.”

Rangnick must seal Man Utd move

Given United’s recent struggles at the base of their midfield, new interim manager Ralf Rangnick must seal a move for the former France U21 international.

After rising through the ranks at his boyhood club, Kamara has made 141 appearances for Les Olympiens in all competitions, illustrating his top-class credentials in a variety of positions.

Comfortable at the base of midfield, centre-back and right-back, the £46,000-per-week gem shone from an early age, catching the eye of former teammate Rolando.

“This kid is a phenomenon,” said the defender. “When he started training with us, he was 15 years old. And from day one, I said, no, but this little one is going to be a great player.

“He’s the kind of central defender I like. He is full of qualities and, above all, he works, he listens. It is out of the ordinary.”

But it’s in a holding role at the foundation of the engine room where Kamara has truly excelled this season, elevating his game to new heights under Jorge Sampaoli.

As per FBref.com, the 6-foot dynamo has recorded 1.59 tackles won per 90 throughout 2021/22, 6.02 successful pressures and 1.50 interceptions, bettering Scott McTominay’s totals in each metric.

The United ace has produced tallies of 1.32, 3.77 and 1.40, respectively, highlighting how Kamara’s arrival would improve the Red Devils’ midfield options.

Therefore, Rangnick must sanction a swoop for the promising maestro, kickstarting United’s new era under his watchful eye with an extremely astute acquisition.

And, in other news…“As things stand..”: Romano drops intriguing Man Utd update, fans will be ecstatic

Many Everton fans have been left buzzing over some manager news involving Duncan Ferguson.

As per the official website of the Merseyside club, he has now been appointed as the caretaker manager for the upcoming matches, after Rafa Benitez left his post following the 2-1 loss away at Norwich City in the Premier League.

Ferguson took charge of training at USM Finch Farm on Tuesday morning, as they prepare to face Aston Villa at Goodison Park at Saturday lunchtime, and he will be supported by John Ebbrell, Leighton Baines and Alan Kelly.

Of course, the Scotsman is a Toffees legend after so many years as both a player and coach, scoring 72 goals in 273 games in total. In his first stint as an interim manager, he was impressive, winning his opening fixture 3-1 at home to Chelsea back in 2019, while also picking up draws against both Manchester United and Arsenal (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, he seemingly looks to be a very popular appointment among the Blues supporters.

Everton fans on Ferguson manager news

These Evertonians buzzed as the manager news was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that they are ‘delighted’:

“DUNCCC SIUUUUUUUUUUUUU”

Credit: @jayefc_

“Superb. I’m a big fan of this decision.”

Credit: @HeidiInteriors

“Brilliant news @Everton sensible decision”

Credit: @RichieRowlands

“The news I have been waiting for all week”

Credit: @Babby008

“Delighted.”

Credit: @stugriff31

“Yesssss”

Credit: @_Rob1878_

In other news, find out what interesting EFC claim Benitez has now made here!

A major update has emerged on Newcastle United’s efforts to seal a deal to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope has issued a fresh claim on their attempts to close the transfer, as Eddie Howe seeks to complete his third signing of the transfer window after Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood.

Hope tweeted late on Thursday night: “Newcastle hoping to complete Bruno Guimaraes medical tomorrow.”

Howe will be salivating

This news will surely leave Howe salivating as his mouth waters over the prospect of Guimaraes holding up a Newcastle shirt alongside him in an official announcement photoshoot sooner rather than later.

Completing a medical will represent a huge step in their journey to completing the signing, as it will alleviate any worries over his physical condition, with the Brazilian – hopefully – not carrying any issues which will affect him in the long-term.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that the Magpies have agreed a fee which could rise to €48m (£40m) with Lyon and that he will sign a contract until 2026. This suggests that the medical could be the last piece of the puzzle before the Magpies are able to announce his arrival on Tyneside.

This is why Howe’s mouth will be watering over this latest update, as the midfielder is poised to link-up with the rest of the Newcastle squad ahead of their next Premier League match. It could also mean that the move is in place prior to deadline day, which will relieve the head coach as he will have no need to worry about scrambling to get the deal over the line in the final few hours. However, it remains to be seen whether or not that will be the case with other potential signings.

The ex-Bournemouth boss will also be excited by this news because of the quality of player the club are on the verge of bringing in. Guimaraes has averaged a sublime SofaScore rating of 7.3 in Ligue 1, making 3.6 tackles and interceptions along with 1.8 key passes per game.

This highlights how much of an impact he can have at both ends of the pitch at the top level. The Brazilian can break up the play and win the ball back for his team whilst also having the quality to step forward and play brilliant passes to create chances for his teammates, which is why Howe will be buzzing to have him as part of his squad moving forward.

AND in other news, Newcastle plotting late swoop for £54m-rated “winner”, he’s far better than Wilson…

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Birmingham City forward Che Adams continued his incredible season with a brace in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers.

Adams netted in the 16th and 85th minute respectively to ensure that his team would take a share of the spoils against Blackburn.

The 22-year-old has now registered 21 Championship goals this season, which has led to a host of attention.

Indeed, a number of Premier League clubs have been credited with an interest in the striker, who will not be short of offers at the end of the campaign.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

As expected, the Birmingham fans were absolutely delighted with what they saw from the 5ft 9in ace on Saturday afternoon.

And many took to social media during and indeed after the clash with Blackburn to lavish praise on the club’s leading scorer.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Birmingham supporters is available to view below, with one fan insisting that Adams is better than on-loan Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham:

Junior Firpo is unlikely to start for Leeds United in their Premier League clash with Leicester City, according to journalist Beren Cross.

The Lowdown: Leeds host Leicester

The Whites are back in Premier League action on Sunday afternoon, welcoming Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes side to Elland Road.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side picked up a much-needed three points away to Norwich City last weekend but this is likely to be a sterner test.

That being said, Leicester are yet to get going this season and their limp defeat at home to Arsenal last time around means all is far from perfect for Rodgers and co – they currently sit 11th with a negative goal difference.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375277″]

The Latest: Firpo unlikely to start

Firpo could return to the matchday squad for Leeds after injury, but speaking in a Q&A for Leeds Live on Wednesday, Cross claimed the left-back is unlikely to start, with Bielsa being careful with him:

“Based on Bielsa’s argument for leaving [Kalvin] Phillips out of the Wolves game, Firpo will surely have had too little time on the pitch in order to start against Leicester on Sunday.”

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The Verdict: Big test of Whites’ form

It makes sense for Firpo to be eased back in, with Stuart Dallas continuing at left-back in what is an intriguing league encounter – the latter man was solid against Norwich, earning a 7.4 match rating from Sofascore, the second-best on the pitch behind Raphinha.

The Northern Ireland international also ranks 6th in average match rating for the entire season at Elland Road, while Firpo is all the way down in 17th, so this feels like a pretty smart prediction from Cross.

This is likely to tell us a lot more about where Leeds are at currently, with Norwich the worst team in the division, with all due respect.

Victory over Leicester would suggest that the Whites truly have turned a corner but defeat would mean those same doubts start creeping in again.

In other news, a Leeds transfer target has turned down a new contract. Read more here.

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt yet another injury setback concerning Oliver Skipp.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to Dan Kilpatrick, with the journalist revealing in a recent report for the Evening Standard that, despite Antonio Conte claiming last week that the midfielder was “very close” to making a return from a pelvic injury that has kept him out of action since January, the 21-year-old is now set to return to the treatment room after suffering a setback in his recovery.

Kilpatrick went on to state that, despite training individually on the grass on Monday and Tuesday, the England U21 international’s return date now appears increasingly unclear after he reported fresh soreness in his pelvis – something which all but confirms Skipp’s unavailability for Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa.

In his piece, the journalist said: “Skipp is now certain to sit out Saturday’s visit to Aston Villa.”

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Conte will be fuming

Considering the number of setbacks Skipp had already suffered in his recovery from injury – with Conte initially suggesting that the academy product would be ruled out for two weeks at most, before claiming that he hoped Tottenham’s medical team would have the youngster back in seven to ten days – the fact that the midfielder is once again unavailable this weekend is sure to have left the 52-year-old fuming.

It is not difficult to understand why the Italian is so desperate to get the £18m-rated dynamo back up to full fitness, as it is clear that the 21-year-old is a major part of his first-team plans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – with Skipp featuring in all but one of the 14 fixtures he has been available for selection following Conte’s arrival in north London last November.

However, with an extended period of rest being the only real solution to the pubis symphysis injury with which the midfielder is struggling, perhaps the manager’s pressure on both the player and the Spurs medical team is the cause of the youngster’s continuous relapses in his recovery.

Either way, Conte looks set to once again be without the services of the England youth international for the trip to Villa on Saturday, something that will undoubtedly come as a huge blow to the 52-year-old – particularly as all three points are a must if Tottenham wish to give themselves the best possible chance of finishing in the top four come the end of the season.

AND in other news: “They will get it done”: Romano drops huge transfer update Spurs supporters will love

Leeds United have registered an interest in Vedat Muriqi in recent days, according to reports…

What’s the word?

La Lazio Siamo Noi claim that Lazio have made the 6 foot 4 striker available for a move this month having failed to break into the team under former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri.

It’s thought that the Yorkshire giants are considering a loan and they could face competition from Championship outfit Hull City, though their interest has waned recently.

Muriqi is currently valued at €15m (£12.5m) by CIES Football Observatory.

Lasogga 2.0

After joining the Serie A side in September 2020, the 37-cap Kosovo international has struggled to make his mark at the club. Indeed, across 48 appearances, he has found the net just twice, which has to be worrying reading for any Leeds fan.

United have really struggled to find an alternative to Patrick Bamford in recent times, whilst their history with strikers over the years is by no means impressive.

Think Jean-Kevin Augustin or perhaps Pierre-Michel Lasogga, who despite scoring a few times on loan from Hamburger SV, wasn’t a thrilling attacking option.

At the time he was at the club, there were many supporters questioning his suitability for a club of their stature and at a towering 6 foot 3, there has to be some similarities to this mooted swoop for Muriqi.

The Kosovan’s former teammate, Max Kruse, once likened him to one of Europe’s most lethal marksmen.

“Very ambitious, very enthusiastic, very hardworking… I compare him to Lewandowski. I say this to him too. I think he will be at Bayern level in 2-3 seasons,” he said (via Aksam).

Meanwhile, Smarter Scout have previously described him as “utterly dominant in the air” but he has “average attacking output” and that only bolsters the similarities to why he could be Lasogga 2.0 in west Yorkshire.

As such, Victor Orta and co must steer clear of sanctioning this move, especially as their first major signing this month. A good target man he may be, but he isn’t going to provide the club with the goals they so desperately need.

AND in other news, Bielsa dealt another cruel Leeds United injury blow…

An update has emerged on Borussia Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel regarding interest from Newcastle United.

What’s the talk?

According to TuttoJuve, the Magpies have tabled a contract offer for the Belgium international, with his deal due to expire at the end of the season.

The report claims Juventus are also interested in a swoop for the beast, with Newcastle offering him a contract worth £8.4m (€10m) per season.

Fans will be buzzing

Newcastle fans will surely be buzzing to read that PIF are working hard to secure a deal for Witsel. They have the opportunity to land him on a pre-contract in January ahead of officially signing him in the summer, and this update suggests that they are serious about sealing a move.

The experienced midfielder could be a terrific addition to Eddie Howe’s side and help them take the next step to fighting in the top half of the Premier League table, provided they avoid relegation this term. He has played at the top level of the game for club and country and could provide an injection of quality into the Magpies’ squad.

Witsel has been capped a whopping 120 times by Belgium and has made 122 appearances for Dortmund to date, having also played 180 times for Zenit in Russia. He also has bags of Champions League and Europa League experience, showing that he knows what it takes to play at the pinnacle of club football as he has competed in the premier competitions.

The 32-year-old has averaged a career WhoScored rating of 7.00 and 2.9 tackles and interceptions per game, showing how remarkably consistent he has been over the years for his various clubs and for Belgium. This highlights the quality he could bring to Newcastle and shows why fans will surely be buzzing to read that the club have made an official contract offer to the midfield beast, who has proven that he can produce consistently impressive displays.

He has shown that he can play at the top level and he could be an important signing for the Magpies both in terms of his impact on and off the pitch. His aforementioned statistics highlight his on-field qualities, while his experience could also help the younger players off the pitch, and signing a player of his stature could potentially help PIF to attract more players to the club in the long run.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Saint-Maximin: NUFC must swoop for 25-goal gem who was left “hurting” by Shearer…