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West Bromwich Albion have ended their pursuit to appoint Chris Wilder as the new manager at The Hawthorns.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claim that, after extensive talks with the 53-year-old, the Baggies are set to pull the plug on appointing the former Sheffield United manager as Sam Allardyce’s replacement at the club.

It is reported that the West Brom hierarchy are harbouring serious reservations about installing the Stocksbridge-born manager, and are now prepared to turn their focus to alternative candidates for the role.

This latest development comes after claims last week that a deal between Wilder and the Baggies was all but done, with these reports now appearing to have been rather premature.

Fans will be gutted

With Wilder appearing to be a dead cert for the vacant managerial position at The Hawthorns over the past week, fans have had plenty of time to give their two cents on the potential appointment, with a number of them appearing delighted with the idea of the 53-year-old taking over at their club.

One claimed on Twitter that Wilder’s “proven track record of leaving clubs in a better position than when he took over” was a good sign for the Baggies, while another stated their belief that the former Sheffield United boss “has got the best CV out of all the candidates” who are in the running for the job.

Indeed, it would be hard to argue with either of these points, as, so far in his managerial career, Wilder has taken a mid-table Oxford United side to the League Two play-offs places, a 21st placed Northampton Town side to being League Two champions and a Sheffield United side languishing in League One to a top-half Premier League finish in the space of just four years.

As such, with a wealth of experience in getting teams promoted, the appointment of Wilder at West Brom would have appeared to significantly increase the Baggies’ chances of securing an immediate return to the Premier League next season.

However, if the latest reports are to be believed, West Brom will not be led by the 53-year-old next season, news that will undoubtedly leave fans of the club gutted.

In other news: West Brom dealt transfer blow over “tenacious” £31k-p/w gem that’ll leave fans gutted

Celtic are reportedly interested in signing Bodo/Glimt winger and Norway international Ola Solbakken, according to the Scottish Daily Mail [Print edition, 27/04] (via the Daily Record). 

The lowdown: A familiar foe

The 23-year-old played a major hand in eliminating the Hoops from the UEFA Conference League earlier this season, scoring and assisting across the two legs as the Norwegian side got past Ange Postecoglou’s charges 5-1 on aggregate.

Since then, Celtic have been tentatively linked with the ace whose contract is set to expire at the end of 2022 (Transfermarkt).

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Now it appears that the interest from Celtic Park could be about to ramp up a notch as we approach the winger’s free agency…

The latest: Mail provides an update

As per the Scottish Daily Mail (via the Daily Record), Celtic officials have identified the Norway international as a possible alternative to loan star Jota.

Whilst the club hold an option to make Jota a Bhoy on a permanent basis in the summer, the deal is yet to be finalised and the hierarchy may already be considering other avenues.

One possibility would reportedly be to ‘rekindle’ their interest in the two-cap Norwegian star, who has also been linked with a move to join Jose Mourinho at AS Roma.

The verdict: Smart planning

Most connected with Celtic would want to see Jota arrive on a permanent basis having already proved to be a hit in Scotland with 11 goals and 12 assists in 36 appearances across all competitions.

However, should that transfer not be forthcoming, never one to take a backwards step, Postecoglou would no doubt welcome Solbakken into the Lennoxtown ranks with open arms.

Already a fully-fledged senior international and with a stunning seven-goal European campaign under his belt, the talented wide-man would be a superb addition to the Celtic squad.

Predominantly operating as a right-winger, Solbakken has shone in the early season in Norway, averaging a 7.07/10 average match rating (Sofascore) – we feel he would make for a shrewd signing at the right price even regardless of Jota’s situation.

In other news, an ex-Celtic hero has taken a dig at Rangers ahead of Sunday’s game. Read more here.

Noel Whelan has been left wowed by the transfer news from the Daily Mail that Everton have been offered the chance to sign Kieran Trippier in the summer.

The Goodison Park faithful are considering making a move for the former Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley full-back, with his current deal at Atletico Madrid set to expire next summer.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan was wowed by the prospect of Trippier retuning to English football to play for the Merseyside club:

“How impressive would that squad look on paper?

“As a team, getting that experience, that creativity, getting that player can do that natural right wing-back role, box-to-box, set pieces as well.

“Lucas Digne on one side, it would be a fantastic signing. Two natural full-backs raiding up either side, offering set-piece takers as well.

“I mean look, wow. Everton fans will be licking their lips if they can get this signing over the line.”

Trippier could be a smart signing for Everton

Although Trippier is 30 years of age now, he still has a lot to offer, and Carlo Ancelotti’s team are in desperate need of some cover at right-back for Seamus Coleman.

As Whelan alluded to, he has a great delivery, especially from set pieces, and with Digne on the other side having the same qualities, Dominic Calvert-Lewin would surely be drooling at the prospect of having them both bombing forward and putting in crosses for him.

With plenty of experience in playing in the Premier League as well, the Englishman would not need any time adapting to the demands of the top flight.

Nonetheless, the Toffees potentially signing Trippier could well go under the radar in the summer as one of the smartest pieces of business that a side could to in the transfer market.

In other news, find out what EFC update has left Blues fuming here!

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, Carlton Palmer has warned that Southampton could be in serious trouble if they cannot replace star striker Danny Ings this summer.

As per The Athletic, Ings is refusing to sign a new contract at St. Mary’s, with his current one set to expire next year.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph claims that Ings is Tottenham’s primary target as new manager Nuno Espirito Santo looks to deploy a two-man attack at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Speaking recently on talkSPORT, Tony Cascarino suggested that Southampton could find themselves in relegation trouble if Ings ends up getting the move he is clearly seeking, and Palmer shares a very similar view.

“If you’re losing 22 goals in the Premier League, you’re in serious trouble, you’re in serious trouble,” the ex-Southampton player said in response to Cascarino’s claim. “Don’t leave your business to the last minute.

“If you’re not going to be able to tie him down to a contract, I’d get him out and get maybe one or two players in that might be able to come up with 10 goals each. That’s what you need to do.”

Ings has scored a total of 34 goals across the last two Premier League seasons, so Southampton would indeed be losing a lot of firepower if he were to leave. If they cannot replace that, yes, it could end up being a long season for the Saints.

Aston Villa have been urged to sign Manchester United outcast Donny van de Beek this month…

What’s the talk?

Midlands reporter Luke Hatfield has urged Aston Villa to pursue a deal for Manchester United central midfielder Donny van de Beek this month. He has claimed that a move could be on the cards for the Dutchman and said that it would be an exciting move for Villa.

He told This is Futbol:

“I’d really like to see them go for Donny van de Beek. It doesn’t seem like it’s worked for him at Manchester United, so could a move be on the cards for him?

“He’d be the type of player who I’d really be excited to see. If I was Villa, I’d be really keen to look at him because it hasn’t worked for him at United and maybe there’s a deal to be done.”

Get it done

Villa chief Johan Lange must sanction a deal for Van de Beek if there is a possibility of a move being viable before the end of the transfer window. United’s £35m signing struggled in his debut campaign for the Red Devils and Hatfield seemingly believes that his form may have opened the door to a potential exit.

If the Villans can strike an agreement with the English giants to bring him to the club on a season-long loan, it could be a fantastic piece of business. Dean Smith’s side is lacking in depth in the central midfield department and Van de Beek could be a dream addition to bolster his options.

John McGinn and Douglas Luiz were his first-choice central midfield pairing in the Premier League, with Marvelous Nakamba and Morgan Sanson both averaging dismal WhoScored ratings of 6.52 and 6.20 respectively. This suggests that Villa need another midfielder to come in and provide quality, reliable, performances to challenge McGinn and Luiz for their spots in the side.

Last season, United legend Rio Ferdinand said that the Dutchman keeps things simple and allows other players to flourish through his hard work. He told BT Sport, via Tribal Football:

“I think he is the one player in this squad who is happy playing one-touch, two-touch, keeping it simple… sacrificing parts of his game to help other people flourish.

“In any great team you need players like that and he’s one player who will make other players tick, and make them play better.”

In his final season for Ajax, Van de Beek managed eight goals and five assists in 22 Eredivisie starts for the Dutch giants. He averaged a phenomenal WhoScored rating of 7.41, showing that he has the potential to put in excellent displays consistently.

Therefore, if a deal is an option for United, Villa must do all they can to land him on loan as they could improve a weak point in their squad if they are able to get the midfielder on-song and back to his best following his disappointing start to life at United.

AND in other news, Lange must avoid £40m blunder over “special” maestro, Aston Villa fans would be livid…

If you thought Celtic were close to the appointment of Eddie Howe then think again.

This has been a tired old saga but the Hoops still aren’t in a place where they can announce his arrival at Parkhead.

That’s despite now being in talks with the 43-year-old for six weeks.

What’s the word?

Howe is still very much at the centre of Celtic’s thoughts with talkSPORT revealing last week that a deal had been agreed.

However, according to the Daily Record, any sign of an announcement in the early stages of this week won’t be forthcoming.

They report there won’t be any news to the London Stock Exchange on Monday with their sources seemingly adamant that he won’t become the new Hoops manager in the first few days of the week.

The newspaper pinpointed Monday 17th May as a landmark day in their chase for Howe with the Premiership season concluding a day before.

Though, for the time being, John Kennedy remains in interim charge.

More setbacks for McKay

The incoming CEO has only been at the club for a matter of weeks but he’s already tasted the rather hopeless atmosphere that’s surrounded Paradise all season.

Howe has kept Celtic waiting now for well over a month, issuing a number of demands to the club’s hierarchy.

First, he didn’t want to return to football until the summer before it was suggested he wasn’t keen on Fergal Harkin becoming their new director of football.

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It’s thought Howe has now loosened his stance on the matter but problems surrounding his backroom staff still lingers.

McKay will be eager to get this move through the door as quick as possible. With Celtic’s season finishing, it means the focus needs to switch from on-field matters to off-field recruitment.

The top brass in Glasgow cannot achieve that without a first-team manager in place, however.

When a deal actually occurs is anyone’s guess but it could be that Howe is waiting on the result of Bournemouth’s play-off charge.

The Cherries are competing for a spot in the Premier League and will face Brentford in the semi-final first leg this on Monday. The second leg takes place on Saturday 22nd before a potential final awaits them on Saturday 29th May.

Howe is keen to bring Simon Weatherstone and Stephen Purches with him from Bournemouth but they need to wait until their season has finished for talks to conclude.

As a result, we are unlikely to receive any formal announcement this week.

The soul-destroying aspect is that Purches and Weatherstone are not guaranteed to come to Glasgow. After all, if the south coast side are promoted, picking up jobs in the top-flight of English football could be more appealing to them,

The frustrating and tiresome wait goes on for McKay and the club’s supporters.

AND in other news, Celtic can axe Griffiths by landing “terrific” 18-goal gem, he once embarrassed Bitton…

Peterborough United Director of Football Barry Fry believes that West Ham United may decide to pursue Blackburn Rovers striker Adam Armstrong instead of Brentford’s Ivan Toney.

The Hammers have been linked with both strikers after they each enjoyed fantastic seasons in 2020/21.

Armstrong scored 28 goals in 40 games in the Championship but Blackburn were only able to seal a 15th-placed finish.

Toney, by comparison, scored 31 goals en route to Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League and also netted in the play-off final against Swansea City.

Fry believes that Toney may subsequently be out of the Hammers’ reach and feels that a deal for Armstrong will be far more affordable.

His contract is set to expire at the end of next season and he is valued at £14.4m by Transfermarkt, a figure the Irons may well find palatable this summer.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Fry, who sold Toney to Brentford from Peterborough United, said: “There’s a lot of talk about them going for Ivan. I can see that, but I think he’ll cost too much.

“But I think Adam Armstrong, because Moyes has been so successful with the players he’s took out of the Championship, as long as the price is right, I feel they could go for him.

“They definitely need to strengthen up top in their squad.”

Many Liverpool supporters have been reacting to rumours of Mohamed Salah’s latest wage demands as talks continue regarding a contract extension.

According to The Independent [via Anfield Watch on Twitter], reports claimed Salah had demanded £500,000-a-week to keep him at Anfield, but it has emerged that his representatives just want parity with the Premier League’s best players, with Kevin De Bruyne currently earning around £380,000-per-week.

After bagging 31 goals last season, his contract has under two years remaining and is currently enjoying his fifth campaign for the Reds following his move from Italian side AS Roma.

Since returning to England, following a short stint with Chelsea, the 29-year-old has scored a remarkable 134 goals and grabbed 50 assists in 212 appearances.

With the 2021/22 season starting in such sizzling fashion – Salah has nine goals in nine games across the Premier League and Champions League – his wage demands and proposals don’t come as much of a surprise.

Liverpool fans react to Salah demands

These Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to react to the latest demands made by their Egyptian King.

“No brainer. Pay him now.”

Credit: @PhilVergeire

“I’d pay him £1m a week after that goal on Sunday”

Credit: @RadioheadFgt

“Give him what he wants !”

Credit: @SaccSaccSacc

“Oh my”

Credit: @G5_24

“If he wants parity with KDB then I agree he’s worth it. City without KDB is no big deal. LFC with Mo is a VERY big deal. Irreplaceable.”

Credit: @stylishfella

“It’s a no-brainer. And I hate to say this, but England glorifies players like Grealish for the bare minimum while Salah is miles clear of anyone in the Prem. He’s doing Ronaldo and Messi things at the moment. If he feels under appreciated, he’ll to move to somewhere else.”

Credit: @M_Hosni22

“Best player in the league is asking to be paid same salary as the top players in the league. Give him what be wants fsg”

Credit: @TommieVadaszi

In other news, these Liverpool fans have flocked to the latest rumour linking a player to FC Barcelona. Find out more here.

Flocking to Twitter, many Manchester City supporters have erupted over news shared by reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano concerning fan favourite Phil Foden.

The England international has been a revelation since manager Pep Guardiola began to play him more regularly in 2020, so much so he was even nominated for the 2021 senior men’s Ballon d’Or.

He also played a major role in City’s run to the Champions League final last season, scoring the winner in both quarter-final legs against German giants Borussia Dortmund.

Foden has continued in that vain so far after coming back from injury, most recently putting on a dazzling display away to Club Brugge as City ran out 5-1 victors.

Now, amid reports surrounding a possible new deal, Romano has some big news for Sky Blues out of Eastlands.

The reliable journalist says City are now ‘set to reach a verbal agreement’ with the 21-year-old over a new deal until June 2027, which includes a bumper salary increase (Twitter).

Flocking to this big update, it’s little wonder many fans have gone wild on Twitter – find all of their best reactions down below.

Man City fans go wild for Foden news…

“Tears in my eyes. Look at my son”

Credit: @Relly_95

“Just what I want to hear”

Credit: @KaineOduah

“huge”

Credit: @akgr21

“Great news…”

Credit: @ChrisFo07634557

“The best youngster in the Premier League”

Credit: @RiyadMahrezSZN

“Foden is a City fan first than a City player. You can see in his face he plays with pride. So happy he is getting pay rise, totally deserve”

Credit: @realxames

“Letsss goooo”

Credit: @MCFCnish

“We are here to stay”

Credit: @mcfc_joshua

In other news: ‘Incredible’, ‘About time’, ‘This is so amazing’…Man City fans flock to ‘exciting’ Haaland update, find out more here.

Rumoured Liverpool target Renato Sanches wants to leave Lille in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Liverpool linked with Sanches move

Gini Wijnaldum’s Reds exit to Paris Saint-Germain has left a void in the middle of the park, and a replacement may be needed this summer.

Sanches has been linked with a summer move to Anfield, having enjoyed an impressive Euro 2020 campaign with Portugal  prior to their round of 16 exit.

The 23-year-old also made 23 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille last season, helping them clinch the league title.

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The Latest: Romano provides key update

Romano has now given an update on the current situation, taking to his YouTube channel [via Empire of the Kop] to confirm that Sanches wants to move on this summer, with a fresh challenge appealing to the Portugal winger.

The journalist stated: “He wants to go, I also know Lille are prepared to sell.”

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The Verdict: Perfect Wijnaldum replacement?

While there are slight concerns surrounding Sanches’ injury record, he looks a fantastic option to come in and replace Wijnaldum ahead of next season, having been hailed as ‘incredible’ by Kevin Campbell.

The 23-year-old averaged an impressive 91.6% pass completion rate at Euro 2020, showing that he shares the Dutchman’s ability to keep possession, and just like the former Liverpool midfielder, he is a powerful presence.

Sanches also averaged 1.3 tackles per game in the tournament, proving that he can thrive in his off-the-ball duties.

In other news, some Liverpool supporters have been reacting to an official club tweet. Read more here.