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Former Rangers defender Michael Ball insists that losing Glen Kamara would be a bitter blow for the Scottish club this summer.

Kamara is currently playing for Finland at Euro 2020, playing 90 minutes against both Denmark and Russia.

Finland won the first game 1-0 in horrifying circumstances following the collapse of Christian Eriksen, while they were beaten 1-0 in the latter.

Kamara has been a key man for Rangers since his arrival in 2018/19 and has made a total of 106 appearances for the club.

But he has been linked with a move away this summer, with Watford linked with an interest following their promotion to the Premier League from the Championship.

Kamara is valued at £5.4m by Transfermarkt but Ball insists that Rangers will want a big fee to let him go if the Hornets decide to formalise their interest with a bid ahead of their return to the top flight.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “Glen, a defensive midfielder, they don’t usually get the news of the strikers and the wingers but we always know that these guys do make the team tick so it would be a very important loss.

“Rangers, I’m not sure where they are financially so they probably will find it difficult to turn bids down but they will be demanding big fees for these players.”

Newcastle are risking another Andy Carroll disaster by making a move for Chelsea star Ross Barkley.

What’s the story?

The England international spent the last Premier League season on loan at Aston Villa, and endured a difficult campaign in the Midlands, managing just three goals and one assist in the top-flight.

Now, The Athletic’s Chris Waugh has claimed that were Barkley to be made available for another loan deal by Chelsea this summer, then he would be of interest to Steve Bruce’s Newcastle.

Barkley another Carroll

Earning a reported £100k-a-week, Barkley would be the kind of disaster-class signing that Carroll has proven to be in his second stint at St James’ Park.

Bruce offered the towering striker a chance to make his return to Tyneside, and it’s fair to say it’s been nothing short of a nightmare, with Carroll’s injury problems once again taking its toll and barely managing anything of note – he’s scored just one goal in the 43 appearances since coming back.

Barkley is similarly on a real decline after exploding onto the scene with Everton, and his stint at Villa has been marred by poor performances and injuries too – he missed several weeks in the middle of the campaign with a hamstring injury.

Speaking on The Athletic’s Aston Villa-themed 1874 podcast, journalist Gregg Evans said: “He doesn’t do enough for me now. I’ve seen enough of Ross Barkley now to realise that he’s becoming a bit of a liability for Villa. He’s not helping out enough as he should, really. Whether that’s impacting on John McGinn, I don’t know.”

The England international endured a shocking second-half of the season in particular, with no goals in the Premier League since the end of January when he bagged in a 1-0 win over Southampton.

And, speaking after he was taken off yet again in the second half against Leicester, Sky Sports pundit Alex Scott slammed him for his display, saying: “For me it’s another missed opportunity for Ross Barkley to show up and demand, he’s been subbed off again and you can see in his face he’s not happy. But how many chances does a player need?

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“You need to take it upon yourself. There’s only so many chances that he can be deserving. He’s missed another opportunity today.”

Bruce desperately needs to avoid making yet another transfer howler and steer well away from signing Barkley, even on loan.

Meanwhile, Newcastle could build a colossal duo with this powerhouse…

A number of Liverpool supporters are keen on the idea of the Reds re-signing Philippe Coutinho following a report discussing the Brazilian’s future.

Jurgen Klopp is recharging his batteries after a tough campaign, both professionally and personally, but it won’t be long until he is back to work again. The German will be eyeing up summer reinforcements alongside sporting director Michael Edwards, looking to freshen up his squad and launch a title challenge next season.

Liverpool could arguably do with another attacking player providing more competition for places, and Coutinho has been linked with a shock return to Anfield.

The Brazil international became a superstar with the Reds, with 54 goals and 45 assists in 201 appearances, before leaving for Barcelona in January 2018 and struggling to kick on ever since, having been sent out on loan for a spell by the Catalan giants.

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Liverpool fans want Coutinho back at Anfield

In truth, it is unlikely to see Coutinho back at Liverpool – he turns 29 later this month – but it is a story which has sparked excitement among some Reds fans. Here are some of the best reactions to the news on Twitter.

“It would be great if LFC gets him back “

Credit: @Tobi_Joe_

“Just bring him back imo. We are crying out for a creative midfielder”

Credit: @txnnya

“I can’t cope with another summer of Phil rumours just for him to stay on the Barca bench. I’m begging you Michael Edwards”

Credit: @Soilsum_FUT

“Please”

Credit: @Ngcebo_YNWA

“I’d love to have him back”

Credit: @LonwaboSlangwe

“Please bring him home”

Credit: @RyanKeyo

In other news, one Liverpool player has been linked with a move abroad this summer. Find out who it is here.

A huge update has emerged over West Brom’s managerial position this week…

What’s the word?

According to Sky Sports, the Baggies have former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder on their shortlist, should Sam Allardyce depart the Midlands side this summer.

The 66-year-old is set for crunch talks with the Albion hierarchy on Wednesday after their relegation back to the Championship was confirmed on Sunday evening.

His 18-month contract at the Hawthorns includes a break clause that either he or the club can activate following their drop to the second flight.

No talks have been held with Wilder but that is expected to change if Big Sam’s tenure comes to an end after he meets the West Brom board.

Dowling’s big decision

The Baggies made small improvements under Allardyce but unfortunately, it was either a case of it being too little, too late or the writing being on the wall well before he was appointed.

He oversaw some impressive results, including draws to Manchester United and Liverpool, as well as a 5-2 win over Champions League finalists Chelsea.

But now sporting and technical director Luke Dowling has a tricky decision to make as it’s been nearly a decade since the veteran managed in the Championship and at 66, you’d have to wonder if he has the appetite for a gruelling promotion challenge.

Even more so considering he had previously retired from management in December 2017.

There is also the credentials of Wilder to consider, someone who has guided a team to the Premier League far more recently than Allardyce.

The 53-year-old completely transformed Sheffield United, taking them from League One to the big time in less than four years, and then nearly led them into the Europa League in their very first season.

It could be argued that he was unfairly dismissed earlier this campaign, too, considering everything he had achieved at Bramall Lane.

Match of the Day pundit Martin Keown waxed lyrical about Wilder, comparing him to one of the best we’ve ever seen in the Premier League. “[He was] their Messiah, their Alex Ferguson when you think of what he’s done for that football club. He’s their leader.”

We’ll soon know what the future holds with Allardyce’s meeting due to be held this week, but Dowling must be awfully tempted to get rid in favour of Wilder given this fresh development.

AND in other news, Albion could find next Claudio Yacob in “unbelievable” 23 y/o beast…

Leeds must look to land Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer amid Carlton Palmer’s transfer claim.

What’s the story?

The England international has struggled to really make his presence felt at Anfield, with injuries once again taking their toll on him just like they did at former club Arsenal – he has managed just 103 appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side since joining four years ago.

Palmer has now suggested that the Whites should potentially throw their name into the ring for him, feeling that the £18m-rated man could be the kind of player who could take Marcelo Bielsa’s team to the next level.

Speaking to Football FanCast’s sister site This is Futbol, he said: “Alex could be a good fit for any team. I think he’s a very good player; I think he’s just been unfortunate with injuries. I don’t know why Liverpool would want to sell him – maybe he wants to play more regular football.

“I mean, why not? Leeds have done fantastically well and this is what I’m talking about going to the next level. You know, the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain could take you to the next level, and it’s a big club as well.”

Bielsa would love him

When signing for Liverpool, Anfield Index Pro podcaster Dan Kennett hailed the midfielder as a “physical monster” with “pace, power and endurance.”

Speaking in October 2019 after Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goalscoring display against Genk in the Champions League, Rio Ferdinand said: “You can tell Klopp loves him and he’s desperate to get him in the team somehow. He offers something totally different to the likes of Milner, Wijnaldum, Fabinho and Henderson. He can dribble past people which is hard for a midfielder. It’s great to see him get back in. I like the way that he gets into those positions.

“Once he gets into those pockets in behind the opposition’s midfield he can dribble and shoot. He’s a fantastic footballer and it’s all about decision making there. He offers something totally different in the midfield for Liverpool.”

That ability to take on players is something that Aaron Ramsey, his former teammate at Arsenal, lauded a couple of years ago when saying: “He’s very explosive and quick off the mark, he can go past players with ease and his final ball in has been very good”.

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Given his versatility, and his ability to bring some power and pace to the middle of the park like Ferdinand says, that makes Oxlade-Chamberlain the kind of player who Bielsa would surely love to add to Leeds’ engine room.

Meanwhile, Leeds United could form a “mouth-watering” attack by signing this star…

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, Steve Howey, who made 271 appearances during his career, believes that if West Ham paid £60 million for Jesse Lingard they would not be overpaying.

Since joining in January, Lingard has enjoyed a fine loan spell at West Ham having scored eight goals in just nine Premier League games, which saw him earn a recall to Gareth Southgate’s England squad last month.

Simon Jordan claimed on talkSPORT that West Ham won’t be able to sign Lingard this summer because he will cost them too much, and that Man United will value him at £60 million.

Speaking on how £60 million wouldn’t be a lot of money for West Ham and how it would be a big thing for Lingard to leave Man United, Howey told The Transfer Tavern:

“It’s all very good going somewhere on loan but it’s a totally different proposition moving to London permanently.

“I think £60 million is a lot of money for Jesse Lingard, but on the other hand if he went to West Ham for that amount of money and keeps up this kind of form he’s in, then it won’t be a lot.”

It has been reported that David Moyes wants to sign Lingard permanently in the summer, however, they face competition from Arsenal who are prepared to hijack any potential deal for the Man United midfielder.

Moyes will be hoping Lingard can remain fit for the rest of the season and help bring Champions League football to the London Stadium next season.

Speaking to Football Insider, pundit Frank McAvennie has dropped a major claim on Tottenham Hotspur’s sacking of former boss Jose Mourinho – going on to say he’s been told it had something to do with the now suspended European Super League.

The ESL caused shockwaves throughout the footballing world when the Premier League’s ‘big six’ announced they would be a part of the new European footballing division as founding members.

McAvennie drops claim on Mourinho sacking

However, following huge backlash from the media and supporters alike, those sides announced they would be pulling out – with Fabrizio Romano first reporting that the ESL has been officially suspended (Twitter).

McAvennie, dropping a claim on Mourinho being sacked by Tottenham Hotspur on Monday, believes his dismissal was related to Spurs’ original involvement in the ESL.

“I’ve been told that Mourinho’s sacking had something to do with the new Super League,” he explained to Football Insider.

“Obviously we can’t confirm that but Tottenham saying that it was a purely results-based decision is nonsense.

“The week going into a cup final? No chance. No chance you sack anyone. Jose will have told [Daniel] Levy that this is all a load of nonsense and Levy wouldn’t have that.

“He wants money, if it’s going to happen he wants it to happen. Mourinho knows the fans are the lifeblood of the game.

“I’m telling you, if there’s one person who can find a way to beat Man City in a cup final, it’s Mourinho. I don’t understand the logic, something else must’ve happened.”

Transfer Tavern take

While McAvennie holds this belief, many reliable journalists close to the matter believe this isn’t the case – so take it with a pinch of salt.

Alasdair Gold is one of them, and he understands that the club’s decision had ‘nothing’ to do with the ESL and was purely a results based decision.

The hunt for a new manager, however, could now begin after Tottenham confirmed Ryan Mason would take charge only on an interim basis.

Julian Nagelsmann and Brendan Rodgers appear favourites for the role, and we believe that the former is a prime candidate.

Described as the most exciting coaching talent in Europe, Sky Sports also believe his appointment could be ‘the smartest move that Daniel Levy and Tottenham could possibly make’.

In other news: Tottenham confirmed this ‘amazing’ news, find out more here.

Reports in Spain earlier this week claimed that West Ham United have eyes on a summer swoop for Raul de Tomas, but David Moyes may not deliver the shrewd signing he is after in the RCD Espanyol de Barcelona striker.

Moyes is understood to be plotting a move to strengthen the Irons’ offensive options in the off-season but hopes to acquire a lesser-known forward, with the intention of whoever he targets growing into an established figure.

West Ham currently have no proven striker depth behind Michail Antonio following Sebastien Haller’s £20m move to AFC Ajax in January, with Moyes opting against reinvesting the funds during the winter market.

De Tomas has emerged as a potential candidate to answer Moyes’ request, but the West Ham boss faces rival approaches from Leeds United and Leicester City as the two sides likewise seek to bring the 26-year-old to the Premier League.

Leeds are lining up a move for De Tomas as boss Marcelo Bielsa strives to add depth behind 14-goal top-scorer Patrick Bamford, amid doubt in Rodrigo Moreno’s long-term future at Elland Road.

Brendan Rodgers likewise has eyes on De Tomas as he wants to sign a new striker in the summer, with Jamie Vardy now 34 and soon entering the final two years of his £140,000-per-week contract at the King Power Stadium.

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De Tomas is keen to test himself outside of his native Spain again after the failure of his time with SL Benfica, where the Madrid-born frontman lasted just six-months and scored three goals in 17 games across all competitions.

Espanyol signed De Tomas in January 2020 and while he was unable to help prevent the RCDE Stadium natives from being relegated from La Liga, he has since proven to be far too good to be playing second-tier football.

De Tomas boasts 16 goals in 29 Segunda Division appearances this term and has provided two assists, only Sporting de Gijon’s Uros Djurdjevic (20) has scored more to date.

But Moyes moving to offer De Tomas his second chance at continental football with a spell at West Ham may not see the Scottish coach find the shrewd signing he is alleged to be after.

The Spanish report notes that the three Premier League sides interested in De Tomas are willing to make a ‘large investment’ to sign the former Spain U19 international, who Espanyol fought to retain following their relegation by demanding that Sevilla pay his full €60m (£51m) release clause.

Espanyol deemed De Tomas to be a cornerstone of their promotion efforts, which has proven to be true with the £13k-p/w speedster’s goals firing the Catalan outfit to the top of the Segunda table and with the division’s best goal difference.

The Periquitos will be expected to maintain their contest for an automatic return to La Liga once action resumes after the international break, which would surely see De Tomas’ value rise and move away from the potential of being a shrewd buy that Moyes hopes he could be.

AND in other news, West Ham have been tipped to sign a 12-goal striker who is “Moyes’ type”…

West Brom return to The Hawthorns as they look to build on last weekend’s victory when they host Southampton in the Premier League this evening.

The Baggies put five past Chelsea last time out and will need to be in that rich vein of goalscoring form tonight if they are to stand a chance of remaining in the big time

Despite the emphatic victory, Albion have slipped to 11 points adrift of safety and with only six games left to play, survival looks unlikely.

So, what sort of starting lineup could we see from Sam Allardyce here? This is the XI we’re predicting…

There could be just two changes from the side that beat the Blues, with Allardyce able to welcome back one key player.

That being Conor Gallagher, who was not available to face his parent club – given his exploits this term, the 21-year-old gem should walk back into the side, potentially at the expense of that extra defender.

Dara O’Shea lasted just 24 minutes before picking up an injury, so he’s likely to make way and similarly his replacement Branislav Ivanovic is also likely to be on the treatment table.

It means there will be a back four in front of Sam Johnstone, all unchanged from Conor Townsend at left-back to Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi in the middle, with Darnell Furlong on the right.

Celta Vigo powerhouse Okay Yokuslu will take up an anchorman role as Gallagher returns alongside fellow loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the engine room, which means Matheus Pereira goes back to a wing position.

After coming off the bench for an hour, Callum Robinson is surely in line for a start. He bagged another brace against Chelsea, so he could replace Matty Phillips on the other flank.

It’ll be a big call to make considering the Baggies boss has preferred the Scotsman lately, starting five straight matches but the Irishman’s statement at Stamford Bridge is hard to ignore.

Mbaye Diagne should continue up top as Big Sam’s sole target man.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Steve Bull reveals he never wanted to leave West Brom

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been reacting to comments from Alfredo Morelos, who told a Colombian radio station that he dreams of a move to the English Premier League.

Since signing for the Gers in 2017, the 24-year-old has been a revelation. In 174 games in all competitions for the club, he has bagged an impressive 92 goals, while he has also supplied 42 assists despite being a striker (Transfermarkt). His 10 goals in 24 league matches this term have helped the Ibrox outfit to win the Scottish title for the 55th time in their history.

However, he was heavily linked with a move away from the club last summer and has made no secret in the past of his desire to play in a more prestigious league (Goal.com). Now, in an interview with Radio Caracol, Morelos admitted he wants to move to England to play in the Premier League.

The news was shared on Twitter by @A1S93x, and it attracted plenty of attention from Gers supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

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

“It’ll break my heart when he eventually leaves, it’ll be near enough impossible to replace him unless we’re spending 15/20 million on someone.”

Credit: @QBLOYAL

“Shouldn’t be saying that in public, whatever. If he said it.”

Credit: @BluebellsPDCarm

“I’ll be gutted when he goes but that’s football, I just hope we get top dollar for him”

Credit: @DavidWhyte1982

“Hope he does go this summer tbh. This will probably be the best time to sell him to get top dollar for him. Goes with our best wishes. We are a selling club so hopefully it’s just 1 of our big players that leaves.”

Credit: @Fungi128

“If he stays bonus if he goes for a big fee then he should go with the blessing of our whole support. He’s been our talisman for a few years and won us our 55th title. Best striker to play at Ibrox in a long long time.”

Credit: @gav_w_rfc

“Would love him to stay. But with the possibility of reduced capacities at Ibrox. We might need to sell him. Thing is now we are truly seeing just what a rock he is. And he still has time on his side.”

Credit: @kirkwood_brian

In other news, some Rangers fans were worried by this open letter.