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An update has emerged on Wolfsburg centre-back Maxence Lacroix, regarding Tottenham’s interest in his services… 

What’s the talk?

 According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham are interested in a deal to sign Wolfsburg central defender Maxence Lacroix.

Speaking on his Here We Go podcast, Romano claimed that Lacroix is one of the players Fabio Paratici is looking at as he attempts to build Nuno Santo a squad capable of challenging for the top four in the Premier League.

Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jules Kounde were also mentioned by the journalist, although it remains to be seen where each player ranks on their shortlist. Wolfsburg reportedly want £26m (€30m) for Lacroix.

Fans would love it

Tottenham fans would love it if the club signed Lacroix from Wolfsburg this summer as he would be a quality addition to their squad.

Spurs are in dire need of centre-back arrivals following the news that a number of current first-team options are potentially set to leave the club before the end of the transfer window.

The Sun have reported that Toby Alderweireld wants to leave England to return to Belgium, whilst Paratici is open to offers for both Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier.

This means that Tottenham could be in the market for multiple centre-back additions if they all depart in the coming weeks/months. Therefore, Lacroix could be a much-needed signing in terms of the depth at centre-back.

However, does he have the quality to be a success in the Premier League? On the official Bundesliga website, the powerhouse is compared to Manchester United and England legend Rio Ferdinand, who won the title six times with the Red Devils and was named in the PFA Team of the Year on six occasions.

“A centre-back cut from the ‘tall and lean’ mould, rather than ‘big and hulky’ variety, Lacroix has a certain grace on the ball that is reminiscent of former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand in his prime.

“Similarly able to glide out of defence and pick a forward pass to a teammate, his elegance masks a steely will to win and a healthy aggression. In 2020/21, for example, he was among the top 30 players league-wide for passing accuracy (87 per cent) while also coming out on top in an impressive 59 per cent of his tackles.”

If he is anywhere near as good as Ferdinand was, then he could be an unbelievable signing for Spurs, both in the short term and the long term.

At the age of 21, Lacroix still has the majority of his career ahead of him to develop and improve as a player, but he has given himself a solid foundation to build on after a superb season for Wolfsburg. He averaged an impressive WhoScored rating of 7.03 in 29 Bundesliga starts for the club as they secured Champions League football.

Spurs fans would surely be delighted if their club can get a deal done for Lacroix.

AND in other news, Robbie Keane 2.0: Levy could seal dream deal with “first-class” dynamo, Spurs need him…

Celtic’s lack of urgency to find a new manager ahead of the summer transfer window was alarming.

They bided their time to bring Eddie Howe to Paradise and were made to wait two months before a deal fell through on the eve of the transfer window opening.

It was a baffling turn of events with the Hoops’ recruitment plans in disarray.

What’s the word?

Fortunately, the Bhoys now have a new manager in place in Ange Postecoglou and they are already making moves in the transfer market.

Liam Shaw has become the first arrival of the Australian’s Parkhead tenure but there should be a lot more to come.

One name the manager could bring back to Glasgow is Erik Sviatchenko.

The Denmark international spent two years at Celtic but is now with FC Midtjylland in his homeland where he’s helped steer them to a league title win and the group stages of the Champions League.

However, Celtic are now reportedly keen on bringing back to the club.

Ajer replacement

With Kristoffer Ajer linked with a number of clubs around Europe, including Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig, it would be a particular surprise if he stuck around.

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If he does indeed head for the departure lounge, they should look towards Sviatchenko to replace his attitude and bullish nature at the heart of the defence.

Earlier this term, Ajer was lauded as one of the few players who were actually leading by example in this Celtic side. John Hartson commented:

“He’s grabbing the bull by the horns and he’s almost dragging the team through, even to these draws. You see him making these lung-bursting runs forward, he’s marauding with that big stride, he’s challenging, on his backside, making blocks, in the opposition’s penalty area.”

Sviatchenko is a player cut from a similar cloth. The 29-year-old played 63 times throughout the years for the Hoops and despite claims of a fallout with Brendan Rodgers, he led by example and knows what it means to be a Bhoy.

He was filmed celebrating the club’s Scottish Cup final over Hearts back in December and has green and white coursing through his veins. Speaking after his departure, he said: “Celtic will always be in my heart. I will always have a connection to the club.”

For a player like that to arrive under a new manager would be incredibly beneficial.

Rodgers described the defender as a “good guy” and it’s easy to see why. Sviatchenko has an infectious personality and for what he lacks in pace, he makes up for in his reading of the game.

In the Champions League last term, the former Hoop made as many as four interceptions per game and won 3.2 aerial duels a match.

This would not be the worst way of replacing Ajer; Postecoglou should certainly consider bringing him back to Scotland.

AND in other news, Celtic begin talks to sign “clinical” 31-goal bully, he’d be great for Postecoglou…

Rotherham must seal a deal to sign Cambridge United striker Paul Mullin this summer after Bristol Rovers pulled out of the race, their fans would love it.

What’s the talk?

Rovers have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign Mullin on a free transfer. According to the Bristol Post, they have been forced to exit the running for his signature as they have been priced out of a deal for the Cambridge frontman.

The report claims that both Rotherham and Plymouth Argyle are still battling it out to sign Mullin as they attempt to bolster their attacking units ahead of next season.

Mullin signed a one-year contract with Cambridge last summer and now appears set to depart from the club at the end of the month. Despite helping Mark Bonner’s side seal promotion to League One, Mullin is yet to extend his deal at the club and this opens the door to Rotherham, and other interested parties, to make a move for the forward.

Earlier this season, Cambridge boss Mark Bonner heaped praise on the  “outstanding” Mullin for his start to the campaign, hailing his exceptional goal return. He told InYourArea:

“He’s had an outstanding start to the season.

“To be nominated in month one and then win it in month two is a real credit to him. He’s continued that momentum.

“He’ll be looking forward to and be desperate to get back on the pitch to try and continue his good form, and try and continue to help us develop and improve.

“He’ll be the first one to credit players around him for creating opportunities and everything else, but his goal return has been exceptional in the short period that we’ve played so far, and his overall contribution to the games have been excellent.”

Fans would love it

Rotherham fans should be delighted if the club managed to bring in Mullin on a free transfer. Paul Warne’s side struggled for goals in the Championship as they suffered relegation back to League One, with Michael Smith’s tally of 10 goals in 44 games the best any of his attackers provided at that level. Matt Crooks, six, and Freddie Ladapo, nine, were the only other Rotherham players who scored more than three goals in the league.

Mullin, meanwhile, plundered a sensational 32 goals for Cambridge in League Two to lead them to promotion in the 2020/21 campaign. The £800-per-week striker averaged an impressive WhoScored rating of 7.00 in 45 starts for Cambridge as he was directly involved in an eye-catching 36 league goals. This suggests that he could bring the goalscoring touch Rotherham have been lacking to help to fire Warne’s team back to the second tier at the first time of asking.

At the age of 26, Mullin could also still have his best years ahead of him. The attacker is now entering what should be the peak of his career and Rotherham could snap up the goal machine in his prime to lead their line for the next three or four seasons if he is able to translate his form to a higher level.

Fans should love this deal as they could be getting a star striker who could improve their chances of promotion whilst paying nothing for his signature.

AND in other news, Rotherham receive big boost in bid to sign 21 y/o beast, he’d be great for Warne

Flocking to an official club post, many West Ham United fans have been left ecstatic by news regarding midfielder and favourite Tomas Soucek.

Soucek, becoming a mainstay under manager David Moyes in his first full season for the Irons, signing from Slavia Prague in the summer of 2020, has certainly done enough to impress critics.

As per WhoScored, the 26-year-old played every minute of West Ham’s remarkable Premier League campaign and helped to guide them to a surprising sixth-placed finish – meaning qualification for the Europa League group stage.

He also won more aerial duels on average (6.2) than any Hammers man domestically, with news now emerging that he has been rewarded for these efforts.

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Indeed, as shared by the club, Soucek has been officially nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season award.

Flocking to this news, many Irons supporters have been left in delighted and joyous mood as the midfielder receives due recognition for his performances.

Find all of their best verdicts down below.

West Ham fans ecstatic with Soucek news

“Letsssss goooo”

Credit: @conwhufc03

“What a time to be alive. Go on big Tommy S”

Credit: @TomQuirkeJourno

“The big man. The potato salad king. Joint-top goalscorer. Head scout. Legend. So so deserved. Announce Alex Král.”

Credit: @WestHamCF

“YESSS”

Credit: @JackkWHU

“GET INNNN”

Credit: @JshWHU

“Totally agree great asset this season to our team and outstanding player to”

Credit: @sue19762050

“Has to be the winner!!!! Great player, great guy and an all round gem.”

Credit: @RodgerBurbidge

“Yes! Amazing player! Well deserved!”

Credit: @irenerainbow99

In other news: West Ham source lifts lid on promising new transfer priority for Moyes, find out more here.

Rangers have been tipped to sell George Edmundson this summer by Frank McAvennie after the club reportedly received a number of bids for the young centre-back, and Steven Gerrard should heed his words and axe the former Oldham Athletic man from his squad at Ibrox this summer.

Speaking to Football Insider, the former Hoops striker said:

“Gerrard will already have made his mind up about him leaving. Rangers will go about their business quietly, as they tend to do. I have no problem with that.

“Edmundson wasn’t getting game time at Rangers so it’s better for him to get going and try to restart his career. There’s nothing worse than training all week and not getting a game, it’s a horrible feeling.

“He might go away and want to prove people wrong but he has to know he messed up. He’s still young though, he could become a better player but his Rangers days are over if you ask me.

“I can see him leaving soon with minimal fuss now.”

The 23-year-old has made just 17 appearances for Rangers since joining from Oldham in the summer of 2019, in which he has contributed two goals and one assist.

However, he found himself behind Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and Leon Balogun in the pecking order this season and after breaking some of the Covid restrictions in November, it was no surprise to see him sent out on loan in the winter transfer window, as he joined Wayne Rooney’s Derby County.

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There, he would make 10 appearances in the Championship, averaging a less than impressive 6.62 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which arguably does not bode well for his future at Ibrox.

Football Insider also reported earlier this month that the defender, who was dubbed “easily expendable” by Steven Naismith last year, was attracting interest from a number of sides but their bids have so far been rejected by Rangers.

It seems unlikely that he will be able to win back Gerrard’s trust next season, especially with the addition of Jack Simpson which could see him slip further down the pecking order at Ibrox.

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His performances thus far have done little to suggest that he would be good enough for a side who want to challenge in the Champions League next season, so Gerrard should arguably cash in on him this summer.

And, in other news… Wilson should seal Rangers swoop for “top player” likened to Kante, Gerrard would love him

Tottenham Hotspur are still searching for Jose Mourinho’s successor and Paul Stewart, who spent four years at Spurs, has exclusively told Football FanCast, that Daniel Levy sacked the Portuguese manager to avoid a significantly bigger payout.

Spurs made the surprising decision to sack Mourinho just days before their Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, which they ended up losing 1-0 and managing just one shot on target.

In an astonishing turn of events, Graham Roberts exclusively told FFC that Mourinho played a big part in getting Mauricio Pochettino sacked as he told Levy that he could get more out of the players than Pochettino could.

Mourinho only managed 17 months at Tottenham but has since been appointed as Roma’s new manager for the 2021/22 season and Stewart spoke exclusively to FFC about why he was sacked:

“We’ve probably taken a step backwards over the last couple of years and I don’t know why they hired Jose just to fire him a week before a cup final.

“It seemed ludicrous, but from what I was told it was because of money and how much they would have had to pay him if he had got Spurs into the top four or won a trophy.”

Ryan Mason was handed the task of getting Tottenham into some European competition for next season and they appear to at least be on course for a Europe League or Europa Conference League spot.

There have been reports suggesting that Graham Potter could be the front runner for the job following Steve Hitchen recommending him to Daniel Levy.

Rangers have been linked with Heerenveen midfielder Joey Veerman recently, and if he were to join Steven Gerrard’s side this summer, it could well be the catalyst for Glen Kamara to leave Ibrox.

According to Dutch news outlet Voetbal, Rangers are among several European clubs taking an interest in the 22-year-old, who has starred in the Eredivisie for the past two seasons.

Veerman appears to be an all-action midfielder in the mould of Kamara, and with the Finland international having been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent weeks, perhaps the young Dutchman could arrive as his replacement.

So far this season, the Heerenveen midfielder has contributed an impressive seven goals and nine assists in 28 Eredivisie appearances, which has helped him earn a superb 7.47 average match rating from WhoScored.

Whilst he is clearly more of a goal threat than Kamara, averaging 2.2 shots per game this season compared to the Rangers man’s 0.3, he also contributes effectively from a defensive point of view.

He has contributed two tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game in the Eredivise, whereas Kamara has contributed one tackle and 0.9 interceptions per match in the Scottish Premiership, which again suggests that Veerman could definitely step up as his replacement.

Former Rangers man Michael Mols praised Veerman’s style of play in a recent interview, saying: “He’s a really good technical player and a good passer.”

Although Gerrard would undoubtedly want to have both players available to him next season, Kamara could well have his head turned by Premier League interest this summer and could be encouraged to leave should Veerman arrive as his direct competition in midfield.

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Certainly, the Dutchman’s performances over the last two seasons suggest that he has a big future in the game and that he would be an excellent addition in Gerrard’s side, so Ross Wilson should definitely look to bring him to Ibrox this summer, even if it proves a factor in Kamara’s potential departure.

In other news… Allen masterclass: “Immense” Rangers beast’s value has risen 550% since Ibrox switch

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…

After it was announced that Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Nuno Espirito Santo will be leaving Molineux at the end of this season, speculation mounted from supporters over whether Tottenham Hotspur would appoint him, with correspondent Alasdair Gold then taking to Twitter with his update.

The Lowdown: Nuno leaving Wolves

The 47-year-old has previously been linked with the vacant Spurs job, and there was much speculation when it was confirmed by Wolves that he would be leaving after the final game of 2020/2021.

Appointed in 2017, there is no doubt he has been a success – having guided Wolves to two seventh-placed finishes, an FA Cup semi-final and the quarter-finals of the Europa League during his tenure (The Telegraph).

However, he hasn’t been able to hit those same heights this season with Wolves set to finish in their lowest position since returning to the Premier League (The Telegraph).

The Latest: Gold drops Spurs update on Nuno

Writing on Twitter, reliable Spurs journalist Gold has quickly moved to quash the notion of Nuno taking the managerial vacancy in north London.

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“For those many people asking,” he explained on social media.

“As I said previously and it’s still the case, I understand Nuno Espirito Santo is not a candidate for Spurs’ vacant managerial role.”

As a result, Spurs supporters are very unlikely to see him come through the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium doors any time soon despite reports he already has a new job lined up after quitting Wolves.

The Verdict: Bad news for Spurs

While Nuno may not be who chairman Daniel Levy is looking for even despite Man City boss Pep Guardiola calling him ‘excellent’ in 2018 (Express and Star), you could argue that time is running out for the Lilywhites to make an appointment quickly enough for a strong 2021/2022.

According to reports, Tottenham had wished to appoint a new boss before the end of this season (football.london), but that now appears dead in the water given Spurs take on Leicester City in their last game this afternoon.

Ideally, Spurs will give their new boss time to shape the squad in his mould and have a say on both incoming and outgoing transfers.

If Levy and co are going to get the fans back on side, sufficient preparation for next campaign is an absolute necessity and appointing their new manager as soon as possible is a huge part of that.

In other news: Levy approach made for this 53-year-old called ‘perfect for Tottenham’, find out more here.

The Celtic managerial pendulum is swinging once again. A few weeks ago it looked as though the Bhoys would appoint Roy Keane but then it was Eddie Howe in their crosshairs.

However, they may now have to turn their attentions elsewhere after a major update emerged on Howe’s future.

What’s the word?

The former Bournemouth boss has been touted as Neil Lennon’s successor for over a week now but an immediate move for the 43-year-old has now been put in doubt.

News from Sky Sports late on Wednesday evening revealed word coming from Howe’s camp that he wouldn’t be arriving at Parkhead until at least the summer.

The manager’s rep said: “Talks of any deal being close are extremely premature.”

They added: “His plan remains to not return to management until the summer at the earliest.”

Howe left the Cherries by mutual consent last August after they were relegated from the Premier League but he is yet to find a new job.

Desmond seething

This is news that will have rocked Celtic considerably. They evidently had ideas of replacing John Kennedy as interim boss in the immediate future with talks taking place with both Keane and Howe over the last month.

However, the idea that they may have to soldier on with Kennedy at the helm until the summer is unlikely to be greeted too kindly by supporters and majority shareholder Dermot Desmond.

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The businessman seemingly has his work cut out when it comes to finding a new manager for the playing squad and he may now have to look elsewhere again if Howe wants to wait until the summer before making an executive decision.

Last week it looked as though Howe was all but through the door after advanced talks had taken place.

There is nothing to play for in the league right now but finding a new manager to guide their Scottish Cup run could have been game-changing in providing them with some light relief after a difficult campaign.

This is their last remaining chance of winning a trophy this term but with Kennedy at the helm and Rangers to come in the next round, the opportunity of lifting silverware feels slim.

Though, with fresh ideas and a new manager like Howe arriving, it may have given the club some added impetus.

The fact that the Englishman won’t want to arrive until the summer at the earliest should leave Desmond particularly annoyed and frustrated.

AND in other news, Left for £0, now worth £63m: Celtic will rue rash call on “unbelievable” £100k-p/w gem…