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The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has revealed what Dean Smith has told him about his potential tactical plans at Aston Villa.

What’s the story?

The Villa boss has opted to go with a back-three in recent weeks, and it served him very well just last weekend when they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in the Premier League.

And now, in a Q&A for The Birmingham Mail, Preece has explained how Leon Bailey could potentially fit into the fold at Villa Park, and the kind of variety Smith has at his disposal.

He said: “Yes, there’s so much flexibility. Bailey could play behind a striker in a 3-5-1-1 system, for example. Loads of strings to Villa’s bow now. ‘It’ll be horses for different courses,’ Smith has told me.”

Tactical evolution at Villa Park

With Bailey of course out injured at the moment, but one of the club’s marquee signings, Villa fans will be excited at the prospect of how Smith chooses to utilise the Jamaica international in his starting line-up.

The former Bayer Leverkusen star came on for Matt Targett and operated as a more attacking wing-back against Everton last time out, and scored one and essentially made another when his corner was headed into his own net by Lucas Digne.

Whether that position is what would get the best out of Bailey remains to be seen, but as Preece says, the Jamaican could be an intriguing option as someone to operate a lone striker, whether that’s Ollie Watkins or Danny Ings.

Whatever the case, this new tactical shift to a back-three this season in the Premier League could throw up some exciting combinations and line-ups from Smith.

Meanwhile, Gregg Evans drops an Aston Villa update on this star…

Celtic’s lucrative sales of Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer have been hailed as ‘incredibly good business’ by Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson. 

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper was speaking to Football Insider.

The lowdown

Both Edouard and Ajer had entered the final year of their deals at Celtic Park, meaning that, when January rolled around, they would have been in a position to arrange a free transfer for the summer of 2022.

Celtic agreed to sell Ajer to new Premier League arrivals Brentford back in July, banking an initial £13.5million, a fee which could rise depending on how he performs (via Sky Sports).

Edouard had to wait until the end of the transfer window to seal his move to Crystal Palace, this time for a base figure of £14million. Again, that could eventually climb to £18.5million (also via Sky Sports), albeit with some of that profit going to PSG.

According to Transfermarkt, Edouard’s sale is the third-biggest in Celtic’s history, with Ajer slotting into fourth on the all-time list.

The latest

Robinson says Celtic have pulled off a ‘very difficult’ feat, overcoming what looked like a weak negotiating position, but the focus must now turn to how CEO Dominic McKay will use those funds.

“That is incredibly good business considering they both only had 12 months left on their contract,” he said.

“When players of that quality get down to that stage of their contract it is very difficult to keep them and in a lot of cases they will leave for free a year later.

“You just hope some of that money gets reinvested into the squad in the January window.”

The verdict

The extent to which this really good business also depends on how Celtic’s replacements fare.

Georgios Giakoumakis looks to be some coup, having netted a league-high 26 goals for a relegated VVV-Venlo side in the Eredivisie.

But can the same be said for £4.5million centre-back Carl Starfelt? Yes, it’s early days, but as Alan Hutton notes, he’s had ‘a difficult time’ so far.

While Robinson’s praise for McKay’s ‘incredibly good’ negotiating power is certainly correct, only time will tell how effective this summer’s rebuild has really been.

In other news, Alan Hutton offers his reaction to another outgoing.  

Leeds United starlet Sam Greenwood is impressing behind the scenes at Thorp Arch, amid an update on his future.

What’s the story?

According to recent reports, six Championship clubs, including the likes of Swansea and Bournemouth, were interested in signing the 19-year-old before transfer deadline day, only for Leeds to reject that interest.

Now, Football Insider have claimed that Marcelo Bielsa and co have been left impressed by his development, and Leeds believe that he could turn into a real star at Premier League level.

The report said: “But one of the cheaper, less-heralded signings of last year has the United coaching staff at Thorpe Arch increasingly convinced he has a massive future ahead of him.

“A Leeds source has told Football Insider that teenage forward Sam Greenwood has blown Marcelo Bielsa and his backroom team away with his promise and potential to be a bona fide Premier League star.

“To say the 19-year-old is highly thought of is an understatement, with the word “phenomenal” regularly used to describe him behind the scenes.”

Fans will love it

In his debut season campaign at Elland Road, Greenwood bagged 12 goals in just 18 games, playing in a number of different roles, including up front, behind the striker and further back as a central midfielder.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has previously hailed the youngster for his beginning to life at Leeds, saying: “He’s started really well at Leeds and he was very well thought of at Arsenal, and they weren’t rushing to get him out (of) the door this summer. From what we’ve seen of him so far, his movement and his finishing and everything else, he looks like a very natural striker.”

Given how Leeds fans are already big fans of the teenage starlet, this latest news that he’s making waves behind-the-scenes at Thorp Arch is sure to have them excited.

Meanwhile, Victor Orta delivered a Leeds masterclass…

Many Everton fans have been left fuming as another transfer update emerged on James Rodriguez.As per a report from earlier on in the week by Tuttosport (via Milan News), which has since been shared by Toffee TV on their Twitter page, the Colombia international is actually willing to take a pay cut in order to sign for AC Milan before the summer window ends.This is not the first time that Rodriguez has been linked with a move away from Goodison Park, and it seems as if this saga will continue to drag on into the new season.The former Real Madrid star scored six goals and supplied a further nine assists in 26 games in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt), showing his importance to the team, and so it is understandable why so many supporters of the Merseyside club do not want to see him leave. Everton fans on Rodriguez transfer update These Toffees fumed as the transfer update was shared on Twitter:”Never wearing it again, absolutely devastated. Its like the entire last season was a fever dream.”Credit: @CeejayNightwing”I am genuinely worried about next season. James looking for a way out, none of the areas needed to be strengthened sorted and teams like Palace and Villa doing great business”Credit: @trueblue265″Happy to take a pay cut to leave us – how bad is Everton these days”Credit: @ste50efc”Seems like time to unfollow Everton back.”Credit: @punkcommunist”@Everton get it though your thick skulls, Every Everton fan wants him to stay, what’s wrong with you! @jamesdrodriguez been an fan for 36yrs, today is my 43rd birthday and we all want you to stay! @rafabenitezweb this better be sorted or it’s game over before you start.”Credit: @Caerdydd_78″That’s good of him, he might only get £80,000″Credit: @johnefc4lifeIn other news, find out what transfer update has Blues unhappy here!

Many Wolves fans have been left fuming as they learned who the officials will be for their home game against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.

As shared by Talking Wolves on their Twitter page, Stuart Attwell has been appointed as the on-field referee for the match at Molineux, while Martin Atkinson is on VAR duty.

Some of Attwell’s controversial decisions in the past have gone against the Midlands club, as former manager Nuno Espirito Santo even called him out in his post-match interview after a loss to Chelsea back in July of last year (Birmingham Mail), while he has given more yellow cards and yellows leading to reds to the Wanderers over any other team in his career (Transfermarkt).

Atkinson has already been involved in controversy this season, awarding a questionable penalty to West Ham United in their 4-2 away win at Newcastle United on the opening weekend (The Daily Telegraph), and so it is understandable to see several WWFC supporters unhappy with the appointments.

Wolves fans on officials appointments

These Wanderers fumed as the news was shared on Twitter:

“Bed”

Credit: @wwfcglover

“Oh my days, I actually despise this guy so much”

Credit: @adenwwfc_

“That’s us losing already”

Credit: @Lazychris14

“Oh well that’s us 0/6 pts then by next Monday”

Credit: @grubby27

“If ever proof was needed that two wrongs do not make a right.”

Credit: @ezzalodge

“We need new referees in the Premier League”

Credit: @Wolvoryan04

In other news, find out who Wolves are now in talks to sign here!

The Athletic’s Crystal Palace reporter Matt Woosnam doesn’t begrudge Wilfried Zaha for wanting to play at the very highest level, following a report from The Times last month stating he wants to leave.

Zaha has featured 393 times for Crystal Palace, scoring 68 goals and providing a further 72, during his two spells at Selhurst Park.

The forward did move to Manchester United in 2013/2014 but that move didn’t work out for Zaha, as he featured just four times for the Red Devils.

There has been interest from Arsenal in the past, with the Mirror reporting they could yet return with a new bid, while Goal are reporting that both Tottenham and Everton are keen on signing Zaha this summer.

With potential interest in Zaha, Woosnam told Football FanCast: “I don’t begrudge him at all for wanting to play at the very, very highest level.

“You can understand why Zaha is in that position where he wants to play in the Europa League or in the Champions League.”

Zaha has two years remaining on his current Palace contract and Palace chairman Steve Parish told the BBC earlier this year, that any transfer involving Zaha “has to be right for the football club.”

With new manager Patrick Vieira now at the helm, Palace have entered the transfer market already this summer, signing Marc Guehi from Chelsea and Michael Olise from Reading.

David Norris believes Mikkel Damsgaard would be a statement signing and excite Leeds United fans ahead of the new season.

Damsgaard sprung into the limelight after enjoying an impressive Euro 2020, where he claimed two goals and an assist as Denmark reached the semi-finals.

The 21-year-old joined Serie A side Sampdoria last year and made 37 appearances during his first season in Italy.

According to Italian media outlet Sport Mediaset, Damsgaard is on Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa’s wishlist. The report suggests the Yorkshire club are just one of numerous Premier League sides tracking the creative midfielder, with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa also showing an interest.

Spurs, under new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo following his appointment in June, are keen to see Damsgaard bolster their attacking options ahead of the new season getting underway in little over a week.

But former Leeds midfielder Norris has urged Bielsa to fight off the competition and persuade Damsgaard to head to Elland Road.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “With how well he did with Denmark at the Euros, that would be a big signing and get people excited.

“If they manage to pull that one off, it takes the pressure away after the targets they’ve missed out on.”

An update has emerged on Sunderland target Joe Pigott, regarding his status at AFC Wimbledon… 

What’s the talk?

According to The News, Sunderland target Joe Pigott has returned to training with AFC Wimbledon despite his contract with the club ending last week. The Black Cats, Portsmouth, Luton and Bristol City are all said to be interested in landing him on a free transfer.

However, Sunderland do not need to worry about him being in training with his former club. The report has handed a boost to the League One outfit’s chances of signing him, with it claiming that Pigott is not looking to re-sign with the Dons and is simply training with them to keep his fitness levels up ahead of next season.

Johnson needs him

This news will come as a boost to Sunderland as it seemingly rules out the chance of him signing fresh terms with Wimbledon. Not only is this good news for the club’s pursuit of the striker, but it is also a blow to one of their League One rivals, with the Dons losing their top-scorer from last season.

This could impact their chances of competing at the top end of the table as a major part of their attacking threat has now departed.

Sunderland will be able to sign him without paying a penny in transfer fees and that could be a gigantic boost for the club given that they lost last season’s top-scorer, Charlie Wyke, on a free transfer to Wigan.

Lee Johnson is in dire need of a new number nine to fill the void left by the 27-goal attacker and Pigott could be exactly what he needs. Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips reacted to the club’s interest in Pigott recently claimed that he could be the player to replace Wyke, as he “can score goals”. 

He told Football Insider:

“His stats speak for themselves. A record of nearly one in two is a great strike rate.

“My only worry is, coming from Wimbledon, can he handle the pressure of playing for Sunderland? No disrespect to Wimbledon but Sunderland is a big step up.

“I haven’t seen too much of Pigott but the lad can score goals, that is clear. He could be the man to replace Charlie Wyke next season because it looks as if he will be moving on.

“If Lee can get Pigott in and he scores a lot of goals for Sunderland, he will be a hero straight away.”

Therefore, the £2.1k-per-week beast could be a terrific signing for the Black Cats and Kristjaan Speakman must act now to snap him up before another team comes in to sign him.

Pigott scored 20 goals in League One last season and Johnson needs that level of finishing at the top end of the pitch due to Wyke’s exit this summer.

AND in other news, Speakman handed key boost over “influential” £30k-p/w maestro, SAFC fans will love it…

An update has emerged on Leeds target Dan James, regarding how much Manchester United want for the forward.

What’s the talk?

According to The Telegraph, Manchester United want £25m for Leeds United transfer target Dan James this summer, which has caused Burnley to exit the race to win his signature.

Leeds have been tracking James for several years and reportedly recently reignited their interest in the attacker as Victor Orta looks to improve the squad ahead of next season.

Imagine him and Bamford

Orta must ensure that he can get a deal over the line for James this summer following this latest update.

He has been a long-term target and they now know exactly how much money they need to pay. The Whites chief should splash out the £25m and bring him to the club, as Marcelo Bielsa would be in dreamland if he could finally get the chance to work with him.

Speaking on The Phil Hay Show, the titular journalist said in regards to Leeds wanting James: “That’s a question for Bielsa because Bielsa is forever interested in Dan James, and you probably remember last summer that before they did the deal for Raphinha, they were looking into the possibility of bringing Dan James in on loan from Manchester United. I don’t think it was ever really a possibility because it didn’t seem as though Solskjaer wanted him to go.”

This shows that Bielsa would love to coach him, having chased him for so long. Whilst they may not have been able to sign James on loan in the summer Hay mentioned, they do now have the opportunity to complete a permanent swoop for the Welsh international.

James’ Manchester United teammate Andreas Pereira once heaped praise on the forward, labelling him as “explosive and so fast” when asked about the quickest player within the squad in a club interview. 

The 23-year-old’s pace could mean that he is able to strike a lethal partnership with Patrick Bamford. James enjoyed an impressive European Championships with Wales this summer, averaging 2.5 key passes and 1.5 dribbles completed per game across four appearances, recording a WhoScored rating of 6.88.

Patrick Bamford scored 17 goals in the Premier League for Leeds and will need quality service from out wide to replicate that again next term.

Check out the latest FIFA 22 news, release dates, pre-order, teasers and leaks.

Imagine James using his scintillating pace to burst down to the byline before clipping a cross to the back post for the ex-Chelsea hitman to head or volley home. This, along with Bielsa’s keen interest in James, is why Orta must secure a deal for the former Swan.

AND in other news, Romano delivers transfer update on £26m “machine”, it’s gutting for Bielsa and Leeds…

Leeds United are set to officially part company with Ezgjan Alioski following his contract expiration [Leeds Live].

The Lowdown: Leeds United face changes moving into 2021/22

Moving into 2021/22, some changes will engulf an Elland Road side who achieved an impressive ninth placed finish last term.

Raphinha has been linked with a move to UEFA Champions League qualifiers Liverpool, whilst Kalvin Phillips has courted the attention of Spanish giants Real Madrid.

However, while those are just rumours, one man who is definitely be departing Yorkshire this summer is 29-year-old North Macedonia international Alioski.

The Latest: Alioski confirmed to be leaving Elland Road after four years

As stated, the left-back is now officially set to leave Leeds United this summer, with neither club nor player able to agree an extension on his deal [Leeds Live].

Somewhat of a cult hero at the club thanks to his feisty reputation, he played a major role in Marcelo Bielsa’s EFL Championship winning side of 2019/20 [BBC].

Speculation will follow regarding his next move, with Galatasaray said to be closely monitoring his situation [Tribal Football].

The Verdict: Right time for club and player to part ways

All things considered, now is probably the correct time for Alioski and Leeds to part ways in an amicable fashion.

In 2020/21, the Prilep-born full back enjoyed a solid season within the Whites rear-guard, chipping in with six goal contributions in 38 fixtures; three goals and three assists [Transfermarkt], but he was suspect defensively at times.

All in, he registered 41 goal contributions in 171 fixtures during his time in Leeds, 22 goals and 19 assists [Transfermarkt].

Once described as ‘brilliant’ by ex-Sunderland forward Kevin Phillips, his efforts in a Leeds United jersey won’t be forgotten about any time soon [Football Insider].

In other news, Leeds United are set to miss out on a reported transfer target.