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Crystal Palace are interested in signing Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah this summer.

And, as to be expected, a number of Palace fans have been giving their thoughts to the links on social media.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Palace, Watford and West Ham are all keen on the 22-year-old.

Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen are also pushing to sign the forward, who has actually been offered new terms at the Emirates in recent days.

A deal between the Gunners and Nketiah is yet to be agreed, and it appears as if Palace are keeping tabs on the Englishman’s situation ahead of a potential swoop.

Nketiah, who has just 12 months remaining on his current contract, has scored 13 goals in 65 Arsenal appearances.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the links to Nketiah on Twitter on Monday evening. However, these Palace fans weren’t exactly thrilled over a possible move for the forward, with one describing him as ‘awful’.

“again please no”Credit: @notconnorlmaov2″no thanks”Credit: @luiscpfc”doesn’t even start let alone best player”Credit: @CPFCknighty”unless it’s under 15 mil no”Credit: @CPFC_Ollie_”Loan with option is all I’d take”Credit: @bradhcpfc”He’s awful”Credit: @HAZZAMATTAZZ1

In other news: ‘This is massive’, ‘Great appointment’ – Many CPFC fans erupt as ‘fantastic’ news comes to light, find out more here. 

Harry Kane did an explosive interview with Gary Neville last week about his future at Tottenham Hotspur and Les Reed, former FA Technical Director, has claimed that it will be difficult to replace Kane both on and off the pitch.

It came to the forefront of all media channels last week that he had reportedly told Spurs he wants to leave the club this summer and after they only managed to qualify for the Europa Conference League, it doesn’t seem like he could be persuaded to stay.

Despite Spurs finishing seventh, Kane showcased his talent and how he has adapted his game through the season as he picked up both the golden boot and playmaker award for registering the most goals and assists.

If one of the top three strikers in the world left their club, there would be a huge void that would be almost impossible to fill and that is what will happen to Spurs if Kane leaves as his ability and leadership is top quality. Those are the thoughts of Reed, who spoke exclusively to The Transfer Tavern:

“It will be very difficult because he is an icon and I know Harry so I know there are a lot of things about him, his personality and his leadership and the way he does things.

“I’ve been fortunate to be close to both Harry and Jordan Henderson who are both leaders, but both very different in the way they do it. That makes Harry quite unique at Tottenham as he’s a very bright boy who plans a lot.”

If Sunday’s 4-2 win against Leicester City was his final game in a Tottenham shirt, he went out doing what he does best and that is scoring goals as he netted the opening goal for Spurs, which was enough to pip Mohamed Salah to the golden boot.

This summer looks to be one of Spurs’ biggest in their recent history as they hope to keep hold of their star striker Kane as well as needing to appoint a new manager who will be able to make them regular challengers for the top four once again.

Former Leeds United star David Norris believes that striking a deal to sign Rodrigo De Paul this summer would be a huge statement from the club.

The Udinese playmaker has been heavily linked with a potential move to Elland Road, since last summer.

Leeds are said to have made a bid last year, only to see it rejected by the Serie A club.

Reports suggest the Italian side are demanding £40m to allow him to leave after a season in which he scored nine league goals.

Leeds enjoyed a fabulous season under Marcelo Bielsa this term, ultimately finishing in the top-half of the Premier League table.

And Norris thinks that signing the 27-year-old would send a real message of intent to the rest of the top-flight this summer, as he believes De Paul is a “serious player”.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Norris said: “I think so. I think that could be the one signing where people do that, because he is a serious player, he’s got great ability and he could make them a better team.

“Because of the reputation he’s got now, and the stature he’ll come with, it’ll make people think ‘Leeds are going to have a go again’.

“Especially after that first season, where they’ve survived really well, competed really well, it’s going to be a little bit harder for them now. Teams will know a little bit about them, found out their style of play, how to stop them a bit more. It’s not just that they’re going to hope to hang on and repeat it.

“That would be a statement to go, no, we’re ready to go again, we want to gatecrash those European spots.”

Per FBref, De Paul ranks in the top 1% of attacking midfielders in Europe for his assists, as well as his dribbles completed, and in the top 2% for progressive carries and expected assists (xA). The second most comparable player to him, per the website, is Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has told The Transfer Tavern in an exclusive interview that he would not be surprised if Anwar El Ghazi ditched his old club for AS Roma this summer.

Roma, of course, recently announced that Jose Mourinho will be taking over ahead of the 2021/22 season, and it appears he could return to England to strengthen his squad before the new campaign kicks off.

According to Gazetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), the Portuguese coach is looking to bolster his attack and El Ghazi is one name that could be considered.

The 26-year-old has been one of Villa’s form players of late, scoring goals in recent games against Everton and West Brom.

Speaking exclusively to TT about the speculation surrounding El Ghazi’s future, Hendrie said:

“I think he’d probably suit the more foreign game, you know, the Italian style of football. I’m not sure how concrete that is, that Mourinho’s certainly interested in him.

“It wouldn’t surprise me. Like I said, I feel that he would fit the bill playing in a more relaxed style of football because he’s fast and he’s very direct.”

Mourinho will obviously know the English market well and you would assume that he will not get the kind of transfer budget he was receiving during his days at Chelsea and Manchester United – two of the richest clubs in world football.

Bearing that in mind, perhaps the ex-Tottenham boss could turn to a player like El Ghazi this summer if he does indeed decide he wants to improve the Giallorossi’s forward line.

Wesley has not done enough and should be moved on this summer, claims former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie.

The Brazilian striker, of course, has missed a lot of action since arriving at Villa Park from Club Brugge back in 2019 due to a cruciate ligament injury. However, when fit, he has not had the best record in front of goal.

Wesley is now being linked with a move away from the Midlands club, with Football Insider reporting that the 24-year-old is not in Dean Smith’s plans for next season and could be loaned out.

And from what he has seen, Hendrie believes it would be the right decision. The ex-Villa player exclusively told FFC:

“Since he’s come in, he hasn’t done anything for me. Obviously he had that bad injury as well, similar to Tom Heaton, but the season I’ve seen him, he wasn’t the player I felt that was going to fit the bill for Villa if I’m being quite honest.

“There was lots of talk that he could get behind defenders and I didn’t see that. I didn’t see that at all.

“I feel that it’d be better for him to possibly move on and further his career.”

Given the serious injury he sustained, Wesley needs regular minutes to build up his match fitness and sharpness and to get into the rhythm of things again.

At Villa, with the form Ollie Watkins has been in this season, it is hard to see him getting that.

West Ham are thought to be an option for Aston Villa loan ace Ross Barkley next season, according to The Telegraph, cited by Birmingham Live.

The 27-year-old looks set to return to Chelsea at the end of the current campaign, and, as to be expected, numerous Aston Villa supporters have been giving their thoughts to the transfer update on social media.

According to the report, as things stand, the attacking midfielder looks set to return to the Blues, however, Chelsea, under Thomas Tuchel, are expected to sell the England international in the summer.

Tuchel has turned their season around with the exception of the shock defeat against West Brom, and he seemingly has no room in his squad for Barkley, who hasn’t started any of Villa’s last seven Premier League games and appears to have fallen down the pecking order at Villa Park too.

Villa fans react

@AVFC_News shared the report on social media on Tuesday evening, informing fans that Barkley looks set to return to Chelsea in the summer.

This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with one describing it as ‘great’.

“There is a god”

Credit: @villa_vernon

“One way ticket back to London !! I’ll pay his fair !! Let’s buy @tammyabraham, a player that looked bothered and made an effort when he put the jersey on !!!”

Credit: @MarkPau86473828

“Great news”

Credit: @derekhi45270958

“He can go back happily”

Credit: @nathanhailing

“I’ll drive him back if he needs a lift”

Credit: @KingEightyOne

“No surprise….”

Credit: @TheVillaYamYam

In other news: Many AVFC fans react to club’s financial report, find out more here. 

An insider in the meeting held by the 14 clubs in the Premier League not in the European Super League (ESL) has shared what Newcastle United’s view was.

Speaking on a broadcast in the Middle East (via The Chronicle), Sheffield United owner Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud claimed that the chief executive of the St. James’ Park faithful, as well as the CEO’s of the other clubs involved, ‘completely rejected’ the ESL, but also ‘rejected the requests for punishments’ in the meeting.

Newcastle right to reject ESL

The North East club are completely right to be rejecting the proposals of the ESL, and thankfully the project has collapsed following the withdrawal of all clubs in the so-called ‘big six’ from it.

It certainly would not have benefited the Tyneside club in terms of decreasing the money that they could receive in the future from factors such as TV deals, while also reducing their chances of gaining a significant amount of income by being invited to join the league because of the closed aspect of it.

The rejection for punishment may not go down too well with some members of the Toon Army, as the intentions of the ‘big six’ would have had a huge negative impact on English football. That said, none of the six are exactly competing with Steve Bruce’s side at the moment, so it would have to be one mighty points deduction to have major significance to the Magpies.

In other news, find out what ESL claim Liam Kennedy has dropped on the potential takeover here!

Former Newcastle midfielder Keith Gillespie has exclusively told Football FanCast that Adam Armstrong would be an excellent signing for West Ham.

The Hammers are enjoying a brilliant campaign under the guidance of David Moyes, but are struggling upfront having failed to replace Sebastien Haller, whilst Michail Antonio has missed parts of the season with different muscle injuries.

Since Haller joined Ajax in January, Antonio has missed just one Premier League match – with Jarrod Bowen playing as a false-nine in their victory over Sheffield United in February.

But with the prospect of European football at the London Stadium next season, Moyes is likely to add to his strike department in the summer, with Blackburn’s Armstrong reportedly on former Manchester United manager’s wish list, with The Sun reporting he’d cost £25m.

Armstrong has struck 19 times in the Championship for Blackburn this season, but the striker failed to score in 11 previous Premier League appearances at Newcastle.

But Gillespie believes that Armstrong would be a success should be move to the London Stadium. He told Football FanCast:

“No doubt. I think in terms of West Ham, if Antonio is not fit, who is a ready-made striker to lead the line?

“They got rid of Haller, and are going to want to strengthen there. Antonio has had injury problems at times over the last few seasons where he doesn’t play every week.

“I think he’s a great asset to them, but Armstrong has that pace as well where he can run in behind and he can finish. You could see him coming into that West Ham side. And the way they play with somebody in behind Antonio, can Armstrong play up alongside the likes of Antonio?”

Armstrong wasn’t given a fair crack at Newcastle, but since leaving St James’ Park in 2018 has worked his way up through the EFL to prepare himself to make the step back to the Premier League.

With a swift click of the fingers, Pedro Neto’s outstanding season has come to a premature end.

The winger has enjoyed a scintillating breakthrough campaign at Wolves, putting a number of Premier League teams to the sword with red-hot dribbling and his devastating left-foot.

Neto is the club’s top scorer this season on five goals while he’s also Nuno Santo’s chief creator with six assists.

Those aren’t breathtaking numbers but it says a lot that at the age of just 21, he is the standout player in a top-flight side.

The Portuguese sensation has stepped up admirably in the absence of Raul Jimenez but like his Mexican teammate, he now faces a considerable period on the sidelines.

Wolves have had rotten luck with injuries this term and only last week Jonny was ruled out for the best part of a year with another ACL injury.

Neto won’t miss quite as much time, but he’s now set to miss the next six months with a significant injury to his knee cap that requires surgery.

On the chalkboard

The youngster will be a huge miss to Wolves between now and the end of the campaign and they will struggle to replace him.

After all, Nuno’s side have hardly been full of goals. Fabio Silva has only found the net three times this term while Willian Jose hasn’t scored at all.

They can take comfort from the fact that Adama Traore bagged his first Premier League goal since December 2019 in the win over Fulham but he has some way to go before rediscovering his best form.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-wolves-news-and-views-lingard-leao-jimenez-mir” title= “Read the latest Wolves news and views!”]

One player Wolves could turn to is a player in their academy; Theo Corbeanu.

The 18-year-old hasn’t made a single first-team appearance for the club but he was on the bench in both of their FA Cup ties this term while he’s appeared among the substitutes in the top-flight on six occasions.

He is yet to make a breakthrough but evidently, the Canadian is very much on Nuno’s radar.

A winger or centre-forward by trade, Corbeanu possesses many of the qualities that have made Neto such a stand out fixture in the Wolves starting XI.

He is a tricky individual with the ability to find the net and create. This season the teenager has five goals and two assists for the U23 side.

The forward has made a dazzling impact in James Collins’ team and has earned eye-catching praise along the way: “He’s athletic, tall, can head it, can defend, can dribble past people and score, he can shoot, he can pass, he’s both footed, he’s got a bit of everything,” Collins admitted.

“Theo can be anything he wants to be. He’s an outstanding prospect,” he concluded.

We saw the ruthless impact Corbeanu can have when he was given an opportunity to shine in the EFL Trophy against senior opposition. During that competition, the attacker managed 1.8 key passes per game and 2.3 successful dribbles.

Only Pedro Neto (2) has managed more key passes a match in Wolves’ Premier League side this term while only Traore trumps the youngster in terms of take-ons.

Clearly, the Wolves prodigy has plenty to offer to the senior squad. With Neto now on the sidelines, this feels like the perfect chance to hand him a first-team berth.

AND in other news, Wolves may have their new Jimenez in rarely-seen beast with an “assassin’s mentality”…

David Moyes may soon have improved competition for places at West Ham United as Andriy Yarmolenko has returned to training after sustaining knee ligament damage.

That’s according to images shared on the Irons’ official club website, which have since been picked up by the Ukraine Football Federation, after it was noted that the 31-year-old is back amongst the action at Rush Green.

Yarmolenko has missed the Hammers’ last five Premier League fixtures after suffering damage to his knee during last month’s FA Cup fifth-round defeat to Manchester United.

The Ukraine international had started the action at Old Trafford in a centre-forward role in the absence of Michail Antonio, who had been rested due to showing serious fatigue against Fulham.

Yarmolenko now appears to be stepping up his rehabilitation with a return to the grass pitches at West Ham’s Rush Green facilities, having joined his teammates as they prepared for last Sunday’s 1-0 Premier League defeat to the Red Devils.

Moyes did not address Yarmolenko’s road to recovery when discussing the fitness of his squad last week, but offered updates on Angelo Ogbonna and Arthur Masuaku after they returned to training and showed positive signs of progress.

The Irons boss had opted against putting a time scale on Yarmolenko’s return in the immediate aftermath of his injury, instead noting that he hoped “that the damage is not serious”.

Images of Yarmolenko now working with the West Ham squad would suggest the forward is nearing a potential return to selection alongside Ogbonna and Masuaku. He was also recently named in Andriy Shevchenko’s expanded Ukraine squad for the upcoming international break.

Having Yarmolenko available for West Ham’s run of fixtures beyond the March internationals will come as a boost to Moyes, with the east London outfit still to face a few of their rivals for a European qualifying berth in Leicester City, Chelsea and Everton.

Yarmolenko may be unlikely to feature in Sunday’s London derby with Arsenal, given Moyes did not address his progress when speaking to the media while discussing Ogbonna and Masuaku last week, but the Ukraine winger’s return could soon be a boost.

Moyes has previously dubbed Yarmolenko as offering “good competition” for places at the London Stadium, and has praised the £7m-rated forward as being a “very talented player”.

That competition can come in both his natural wide role to challenge Jarrod Bowen, Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma for minutes, but also in providing depth behind Antonio given the striker is Moyes’ only recognised centre-forward after Sebastien Haller’s winter exit.

Yarmolenko started two of West Ham’s FA Cup ties this season in a striker role and netted with composure in the fourth-round win over Doncaster Rovers, after which West Ham assistant coach Alan Irvine praised his performance.

“It was very encouraging the way Yarmo performed. He has played there before and we know the ability he has got and we know that if we get him through in those kinds of situations one v one with the goalkeeper, he is a very, very good finisher,” said Irvine, via quotes by football.london.

Goals have not been an issue for Antonio in most throughout Yarmolenko’s spell on the sidelines, netting against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, but the 30-year-old was often invisible at Old Trafford on Sunday and helped to leave Moyes feeling underwhelmed with his offence.

Yarmolenko is not the ideal option to offer cover and support at striker, but he has proven to be an adept back-up who may soon provide Moyes a welcome boost upon his full return.

AND in other news, West Ham in four-way Premier League battle for 13-goal striker who is “annoying to the defender”…