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Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Championship midfielder David Norris believes Aston Villa spending £40m on Emiliano Buendia is a gamble.

Villa saw off competition from Arsenal to sign Buendia from Norwich City in a deal that is worth up to £40m, according to the MailOnline.

The Argentine was brilliant last season as Norwich went on to win the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League. He was absolutely devastating in attack, scoring 15 goals and racking up 16 assists for the Canaries.

With the Premier League being a different ball game, though, Norris thinks a club paying £40m for Buendia is quite a gamble.

“I mean, even though the figures are crazy these days, you still probably want a little bit of a guarantee that at least they’ve been there and done it and proven that he can [do it] in that league,” the ex-Leeds United player said.

“It’s still a big jump from Championship to Premier League, so 40 million for me, it’s a bit of a gamble I probably wouldn’t want to risk.”

It is a big decision by Dean Smith, but the Villa manager can obviously take confidence from the signing of Ollie Watkins.

Watkins joined the Villans from Brentford for big money in the last summer transfer window and had no trouble making that step up from the Championship to the Premier League. The England international scored 14 goals in 37 games, proving to be money well spent.

A source has shared what Lee Charnley’s stance is on the Premier League and how they have dealt with the potential takeover of Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Arbitration looms

The arbitration case between the St. James’ Park faithful and the English top flight is seemingly not far away at all, as Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie has reported that it is expected to start at the end of June.

Mike Ashley has also launched a separate anti-competition claim against the division over their decision-making process in the failed deal between him and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group, which he is keeping in his back pocket in case the results of the arbitration hearing do not go in his favour.

The Latest: Charnley’s stance

As per The Athletic, a source has shared that since the takeover bid has stalled, Charnley’s tone during meetings has sometimes been ‘negative’, adding that he ‘isn’t happy’ with how the PL behaved when they decided to fail the bid.

The source also claimed with regards to the failed deal that ‘that’s led to Newcastle almost protest-voting against things’, hence the two separate claims that they have launched against the Premier League.

The Verdict: Not surprising

It is not surprising at all to hear that Charnley is not happy with how the top flight have behaved with regards to the whole takeover saga.

He, like Ashley, is keen for the Tyneside club to be sold to the KSA consortium, but the decision-making of the top flight has left both them and the fans in limbo.

Nonetheless, he will be hoping for a positive result for the Magpies in the arbitration proceedings coming up, which should paint a much better picture over the direction the takeover is heading.

If the results are negative for the Toon, then at least they have the separate anti-competition lawsuit to fall back on, but Charnley will be hoping that this is not needed, and fans will be hoping to see the back of him too.

In other news, find out what damning claim Luke Edwards has dropped on the latest EPL news here!

Glasgow Rangers fans have been reacting to comments from deputy chairman John Bennett, who said the Gers will not need to sell players to repay outstanding loans.

The Gers enjoyed a marvelous past campaign as they won the Premiership title – they did so without losing a single game (BBC). In fact, they lost just three matches in all competitions (Sky Sports). The title win has put them in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League group stages as well.

If they want to do that, they will need to hold on to their star players, but there had been suggestions that they would need to move on one or two players to remain financially stable. However, Bennett has now revealed on the Price of Football Podcast that the Ibrox outfit will not need to sell players to repay their outstanding loans.

The news was shared on Twitter by the podcast’s Twitter page, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments from Bennett below

“Brace yourselves, incoming financial experts from the east end approach.”

Credit: @stef5512

“But, but, admin 2.”

Credit: @JStukka

“Here we go… No need to sell players this Summer”

Credit: @FarvaRangers

“Announce meltdown”

Credit: @DavAnd12

“Very interesting comments, champs league groups 2 years in a row really would see a huge swing of power.”

Credit: @RangersBanter17

“Absolute breath of fresh air to listen to John Bennett He’s a highly respected man in the world of finance. Knows exactly what he is talking about & has put his money where his mouth is! I value what he says & makes those bloggers utterly comedic”

Credit: @MBS1872

In other news, Rangers have been urged to sign this 23-year-old.

كشف يورجن كلوب، المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول سبب غياب الدولي السنغالي ساديو ماني عن التشكيل الأساسي لمباراة واتفورد على ملعب أنفيلد.

ويواجه ليفربول الآن نظيره واتفورد على ملعب أنفيلد، في افتتاح الجولة الـ 30 من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

طالع أيضًا.. كلوب متحدثًا عن واقعة “الليزر”: ما قدمته مصر لا يكفي.. والسنغال الأفضل في إفريقيا

وشهد تشكيل ليفربول غياب الدولي السنغالي ساديو ماني، بعد أن قاد منتخب بلاده للتأهل إلى كأس العالم على حساب مصر، بركلات الترجيح.

وقال كلوب في تصريحاته لشبكة “سكاي” البريطانية، قبل مواجهة ليفربول وواتفورد: “ماني مكث في السنغال ليلة أخرى بعد الفوز على مصر”.

وأضاف: “عاد بالأمس فقط، ولهذا السبب لا يتواجد في التشكيل الأساسي اليوم. رغم أنه كان جيدًا في التدريبات، لكن كان علينا اتخاذ القرار”.

Tamil Nadu’s resistance, but for a sixth wicket partnership of 72runs between Hemanth Kumar and JR Madanagopal, was totally passive

Staff Reporter25-Mar-2001Tamil Nadu’s resistance, but for a sixth wicket partnership of 72runs between Hemanth Kumar and JR Madanagopal, was totally passive.Baroda holding a clear advantage when play resumed, wrapped up their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal by 160 runs at the Gujarat State Fertilizer Corporation ground in Baroda on Sunday. The victory, achieved before lunch on the fourth day, put the hosts in the penultimate round where they await the winners of the match between Orissa and Madhya Pradesh.Resuming at 50 for three in quest of a tough victory target of 323, Tamil Nadu were never really in the picture. In the first over itself, they lost Thiru Kumaran without any addition to the total. And in the next over Ajit Bhoite bowled Reuben Paul and Tamil Nadu were reeling at 55 for five.The other overnight batsman Hemanth Kumar and Madanagopal then came together to push the score into the realms of respectibility. They added 72 runs off 16.2 overs before Hemanth Kumar was caught by Williams off Valmik Buch for 56. In a three hour stay at the crease, Hemanth faced 149 balls and hit five fours. Madanagopal fell a little later, caught by Bhoite off Buch for 45. Madanagopal faced 67 balls and hit three fours and three sixes. The tail offered littleresistance and Tamil Nadu were all out for 162. Medium pacer Rakesh Patel was the most successful bowler with four for 47 while off spinner Bhoite (3 for 35) and left arm spinner Valmik Buch (3 for 38) too had their share of the spoils.

Manchester United are reportedly in the running to sign Sporting Lisbon sensation Nuno Mendes after a string of impressive displays from the youngster.

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun, United have already ‘made contact’ with the Portuguese champions over a move for the 18-year-old full-back ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

The report states that a £52m fee is being muted and that Mendes shares the same agent as Bruno Fernandes, who left Sporting for Old Trafford 18 months ago.

Woodward must move

Mendes has taken the Primeira Liga by storm this season, making 29 league appearances for the capital club as Ruben Amorim’s men ended a 19-year wait for the top-flight title.

He could become the latest name to join Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils revolution after Manchester City cooled their interest after Verde e Brancos named their price for the Portugal international.

While some may argue that the 20-time English champions are well-stocked at left-back with Luke Shaw and Alex Telles, signing a generational talent like Mendes is simply an opportunity United can’t afford to pass up on.

Shaw has been magnificent this season and is undoubtedly the short-term solution to Solskjaer’s left-back needs, but at just 18, Mendes could grow and develop for a couple of years under the Norwegian’s tutelage while getting enough game time in cup competitions to continue his on-pitch development.

Summer-signing Telles has struggled to adapt to life in the English top-flight so far and could still be sold for a relatively high price, given his contract has three years left to run.

It would leave United with the perfect scenario. Their first-choice full-back would be an established Premier League player entering his prime years with over 200 senior appearances to his name, and his understudy would be a teenage prodigy admired by the continent’s top clubs.

Former Portugal international Costinha spoke to Goal after Mendes was named on the 2021 NXGN list of the world’s top teenage talent, and gave a glowing reference of his compatriot.

“Nuno Mendes (is the top talent). I don’t think he will be here next season,” claimed the retired midfielder.

“If I was a scout for the big clubs in Europe, I would look at him. Eighteen years old, a left-back – and there aren’t many left-backs in the world with that quality – then I would definitely go and pick him.

“He is strong physically and in his head. He has an excellent left foot, and he has very good pace.”

Therefore, Ed Woodward must seal a deal for the £22.5m-rated gem before he steps down from his position on the United board this summer, and leave the Premier League giants with at least one positive note.

And, in other news…Major Manchester United transfer update emerges that’ll surely have fans buzzing – opinion

The interim report of the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit has said only India made whole-hearted effortsto curb match-fixing while all other cricket-playing countriesdragged their feet despite evidence about the involvement of

05-May-2001The interim report of the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit has said only India made whole-hearted effortsto curb match-fixing while all other cricket-playing countriesdragged their feet despite evidence about the involvement of theirplayers, a Pakistani newspaper has reported.The interim report of the ACU, headed Paul Condon, which was handedover to Lord Griffiths, Chairman of ICC’s Code of Conduct Commissiontwo days ago, said only India has been seen making wholeheartedefforts to curb match-fixing, the ‘Dawn’ newspaper said.A number of countries including South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealandand the West Indies have been dragging their feet despite increasingevidence that some of their leading players were involved inmisconduct, it said.The ‘Dawn’ however, did not disclose how it got the report nor didit attribute the report to any source. The ACU report would be madepublic on May 23, to make ICC members to pay more attention (to theproblem), it said.The report is said to have revealed that match-fixing is still rifein international cricket despite a year of allegations, admissions,inquiries and punishments. It is being whispered that the Condon panelhas found that match-fixing occurred as recently as in the one-dayseries featuring Pakistan in New Zealand in March and April, it said.Sacked coach Javed Miandad had also alleged match-fixing in the serieswhich he later denied.Condon and his team of former police officers are said to haveconcluded that some players, umpires and officials are so deeplyinvolved with the criminal element they cannot stop co-operating forfear of their lives and property, the newspaper report said.The ACU has reportedly not mentioned any player by name although ituncovered a great deal of evidence, particularly concerning SouthAfrica and Pakistan, it said. Sir Paul may also ask for wider powersof investigation when the ICC Executive Board meets in London in Juneso that the ACU can take action against individual players, it said.

Marcus Bent has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that Everton want to keep Josh King past this season.

King joined the Toffees in January, but only signed a short-term contract, meaning his deal at Goodison Park expires at the end of the season.

Having only made 11 substitute appearances, which have accumulated to just 137 minutes, the former Bournemouth frontman has been strongly linked with a move to the Turkish league after failing to score following his last-gasp move from the South Coast at the start of 2021.

In fact, King hasn’t yet found the net in 23 appearances in both the Championship and Premier League – with his only three goals coming in the FA Cup.

King was left on the bench for Thursday’s draw with Aston Villa, and has been left on the bench in three of their previous seven Premier League matches.

Reports believe that Carlo Ancelotti isn’t interested in signing the Norwegian permanently but Bent remains confident that isn’t the case, and that the 29-year-old will remain on Merseyside next season.

He told The Transfer Tavern:

“He’s playing every week and he’s doing well. I don’t know about his contract and whether they have offered him a short or long-term one.

“But I know he’s one the club want to keep hold of because he is a good player and does bring something to the table, so we will have to see and wait in the next couple of weeks.”

A number of Crystal Palace supporters have been left stunned at Roy Hodgson’s comments in his Sheffield United press conference on Friday.

The 73-year-old, who is out of contract at Selhurst Park in a matter of months, was speaking to the media ahead of the Eagles’ trip to Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon.

Palace have scored just 34 goals in 33 Premier League games this season and have only netted three or more times in a fixture on three occasions, with the last time coming way back in December.

Hodgson knows his side will have to be more attack-minded against the already relegated Blades to come away with three points.

Talking to the media, he said:

“We’re going to have to be bolder in an attacking sense, maybe that compact shape isn’t going to be as good as it’s been as we are going to need to take more risks going forward. We’re aware it’s a delicate balance but we’ll take the game to Sheffield United.”

His comments were shared by The Athletic’s Crystal Palace correspondent Matt Woosnam, and they didn’t take long to make their way on to social media.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared those comments on Twitter on Friday afternoon.

These Eagles fans were quick to give their thoughts to Hodgson’s words, with a selection available to view below…

“This HAS to be bait why is he only saying this NOW at the end of the season when it literally doesn’t matter?”Credit: @kade_bladeSE25″My brain hurts”Credit: @CPFCMax03″I’ll believe that when I see it”Credit: @BenM_CPFC”Only took him 4 years”Credit: @localpla5tic”3 years too late, old boy.”Credit: @dannycoyle007″Liar”Credit: @WARRENG39

In other news: Many Palace fans fume as club make an enquiry for 32-year-old striker, find out more here. 

While the Premier League season may not be over just yet, there’s a real argument to be made that Newcastle’s signing of Jeff Hendrick last summer has proven to have been an absolute howler.

The Magpies signed the midfielder back in the summer window on a free transfer after his departure from fellow Premier League side Burnley, and Steve Bruce made it clear just how satisfied he was at pulling off a deal.

Speaking at the announcement of his signing, he said: “I watched him when he was at Derby, then he went to Burnley for a lot of money and (we) couldn’t afford him, so I missed out then!

“He’s an experienced international footballer who can play all across the midfield so we welcome him aboard. He’ll be a big asset to us, on and off the pitch.”

And, after establishing himself as a key part of the starting eleven in the early weeks of the Magpies’ campaign, including scoring on his debut against West Ham, things have just gone downhill for Hendrick.

The Republic of Ireland international has completely fallen out of favour under Bruce, and has not completed the full 90 minutes in the Premier League since the 2-0 win over Everton back in late January.

Since then, Hendrick has spent most of his time on the bench as an unused substitute, and has played just 103 minutes of top-flight football since February 6th.

And, after the Magpies’ defeat to Leeds earlier this year, The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder lambasted him in his player ratings, simply insisting that he “doesn’t seem to be the answer in midfield”.

Dubbed a “liability” by The Northern Echo’s Scott Wilson, the £50k-a-week earning Hendrick just hasn’t justified Bruce’s decision to hand him a big-money contract to sign on as a free agent at St James’ Park.

With just two goals and one assist in 21 games in all competitions for the Magpies this season, the Irishman has shown nothing to really say that Newcastle have even got value for money in paying the midfielder that sizeable wage.

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In fact, out of those players who have started more than ten times for Newcastle this season, Hendrick has the lowest average match rating of any player in the entire Magpies squad, as per Whoscored, with just 6.36.

Mike Ashley certainly won’t be happy with how this transfer has played out for Newcastle, given his club have paid a signing fee and given a substantial salary to a player who is seemingly not good enough.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are eyeing a summer move for this Championship star…