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New Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri is interested in signing Kieran Trippier from Tottenham Hotspur, according to Corriere dello Sport.

What’s the word?

The former Chelsea boss has taken over in Turin as Juve look to further their Serie A dominance.

Joao Cancelo, the club’s current right-back, has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City this summer and the latest Corriere report claims that Juve are putting the groundwork in place to be able to replace the 25-year-old.

Sarri, who worked in the Premier League this season, is said to “appreciate” Trippier, who endured a difficult season at Spurs and actually scored an own goal against the Blues at Stamford Bridge.

It remains to be seen, however, if the Italian giants can pip Napoli to his signature, with their Serie A rivals also believed to be interested in acquiring the 28-year-old.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

A bidding war

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy should be delighted at this news.

If both Italian clubs are serious about securing Trippier’s signature, it can mean only one thing: a bidding war.

The England international is absolutely expendable to Spurs – reports claim that Max Aarons, the teenage Norwich City full-back, has already been lined up as a replacement – and now it is purely about extracting the highest possible fee.

If both Italian clubs are attempting to get a deal done, that will only strengthen Levy’s hand and increase the chances of Spurs pocketing a huge amount for a player who has struggled throughout the campaign.

Juve and Napoli, then, may be walking directly into a trap.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has defended himself against West Brom accusations that Oliver Burke was mistreated on loan last season, speaking to Sky Sports.

What’s he said?

West Brom technical director Luke Dowling said earlier this week that Burke wouldn’t “be going anywhere near Celtic with the current manager”, claiming that the Hoops boss’ handling of the attacker’s loan left a lot to be desired.

Lennon though has hit back at the senior Baggies figure, claiming that if anything Burke was treated too well.

How can Celtic improve next season? A Hoops fan tells us how in the video below…

As quoted by Sky Sports, the 48-year-old said:

“We treated him very well.

“He played a lot of games. Maybe in hindsight I was too good in treating him too well at times, compared to the rest of the group.

“I have no idea where this sort of tirade has come from. This could have been dealt with privately and professionally.

“As a club we have to defend ourselves robustly because it is totally unacceptable.”

Burke’s loan

A quick look at Burke’s opportunities under Lennon sees that he played on eight occasions between Brendan Rodgers’ departure and the end of the season. That’s from 14 possible appearances.

Playing more than half of the available games hardly suggests that a player has been frozen out, so why West Brom have felt the need to publicly go after Lennon and the Hoops on Burke’s development is unknown.

With Odsonne Edouard returning from injury around the time Lennon came in, it makes sense that Burke’s opportunities would be less frequent.

Lennon and Celtic are right to defend their record of developing players given the many that have passed through the doors of Celtic Park in recent years and left better players.

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Lots of Newcastle fans have been reacting to the club’s announcement of the new kits for the 2019-20 season, and let’s just say it hasn’t gone down too well.

Rafael Benitez officially left Newcastle United at midnight on Sunday night when his contract expired, so the Magpies are now manager-less.

And given the club’s precarious predicament, with no concrete reports of progress on new owners or a new gaffer, they perhaps chose their words poorly when unveiling the new strip for next term.

In a video released on the club’s official Twitter account, the Magpies revealed the new kits alongside a caption reading: “Our new home kit is in stores from today. Form an orderly queue.”

Watch Newcastle United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

As well as the message, the video was accompanied by a face-palm emoji, perhaps indicating the administrator of the account knows exactly how fans feel about the club at the moment.

That hasn’t stopped the Toon Army from absolutely fuming though, blasting the club for the ill-timed announcement.

Take a look at some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Celtic are interested in signing Luton Town full-back Jack Stacey this summer, but now face competition for his signature from English Premier League side Bournemouth, according to The Daily Mail.

What’s the story?

Stacey was key man for the English Championship club last season, making 45 appearances in League One and directly contributing to 12 goals as they won the division and gained automatic promotion.

With the 23-year-old’s contract expiring next year, there now appears to be an opportunity to land a good value deal for the player, with the paper reporting that Bournemouth and Celtic are both in the hunt.

Celtic fans aren’t happy about Arsenal’s bid for one of their key players…

How badly do Celtic need a right-back?

The Hoops have already made three summer signings so far, but none of them have come in their most depleted area of the squad.

Christopher Jullien has arrived to compete in the centre of defence, with Luca Connell also joining to add competition to the midfield.

The club announced Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo as their latest signing on Thursday evening, who will provide much-needed back-up for Kieran Tierney, also protecting against the potential sale of the Scotland international.

Celtic have lost Mikael Lustig, Cristian Gamboa and Jeremy Toljan at right-back though and they must turn their priorities to that position, with just the inexperienced Anthony Ralston currently available.

Some ex-Celts, such as Jackie McNamara, are unimpressed with that option and with Europa League qualifiers less than a week away, the Hoops need a viable right-back in the door, whether that’s Stacey or not.

The deadline for adding a player to the squad for the first round against FK Sarajevo is 11pm on Thursday, with the option to add two wildcard options by Monday July 8 at 11pm.

The Bhoys simply cannot enter the season with just one extremely inexperienced right-back, which makes their pursuit of Stacey or a similar player absolutely crucial over the coming days and weeks.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Speaking to Football Insider, Danny Mills has delivered his verdict on Tyrone Mings’ move to Aston Villa, revealing just how good a signing he thinks he’ll be.

What’s the word?

Aston Villa have already confirmed two additions this week, welcoming Ezri Konsa to the club on Thursday morning after initially signing Mings permanently earlier in the week.

The Villans, of course, landed the Bournemouth man on loan in January but have now brought him back after becoming a shining light for the club in 2018/19.

Football Insider claims the centre-back has moved for a fee of £20m, potentially rising to £26.5m but Mills has hinted that will be completely forgotten about in a year, whilst also tipping him for a big season. He said:

“The amount is irrelevant because if he has a good season he could be worth £35m-£40m this time next year.

“He has all the attributes to do well in the Premier League. He has pace, power, height, decent on the ball, left-footed as well, which does help.”

Magnificent Mings

It’s unsurprising to see Mings attract such praise after his stellar loan spell with Villa earlier in the year.

The 26-year-old helped the club achieve promotion, playing a key part in their ten-match winning streak as he scored twice in 18 matches whilst winning three aerial duels in the process.

His height of 6 foot 5 will be imperious in the Premier League whilst his excellent ability with the ball at his feet, completing 78.6% of his passes in the Championship should also come in handy.

Being homegrown, it wouldn’t be a great surprise to see him valued at nearly double what Dean Smith’s men paid for him this summer next year.

After all, Burnley and Brighton both value James Tarkowski and Lewis Dunk at around the £40m mark.

Mings has struggled in the Premier League in the past because of a lack of game time. Yet, at Villa, he shouldn’t find that a problem at all.

If he can discover the form he found in the second tier, there is a reason to believe he could have a similar impact in the top-flight.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Danny Mills believes Toby Alderweireld could leave Tottenham Hotspur in the coming days, per Football Insider.

What’s he said?

The Belgium international has a £25m release clause in his contract that expires on Thursday.

If a bid matching that clause is tabled before midnight, however, any club will be free to enter into talks with the defender over a possible transfer.

And Mills believes that there might well be a quick-fire deal in the pipeline.

He said: “Quite possibly [there could be a quick-fire exit]. If he does [leave], it will all be teed up already.

“Everything will be in place, personal terms. It will just be a case of crossing Ts, dotting Is, getting the medical done and it will all be done very, very quickly.

“I’m surprised no one’s come in and triggered it, very, very surprised.”

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Day of reckoning

Alderweireld does have a release clause and it is true that he could well still leave the club even after Thursday; reports suggest his asking price will rise to £40m if his clause is allowed to expire.

But this is the day of reckoning for the Belgian.

A club can still come in and trigger the clause within the next few hours, setting off a chain of events that could result in Spurs losing one of their best defenders for £25m.

Mills, then, has pinpointed what should be a huge fear for most fans of the club, losing Alderweireld for a cut-price fee in a quick deal.

More avid supporters could well be keeping an eye on the clock and counting down the minutes to midnight; they will surely breathe a sigh of relief when the clock chimes.

That is not to say, of course, that he will definitely stay even after the release clause deadline. But if he goes after Thursday, it will at least be on Spurs’ terms.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

According to Sport Witness reporter Sean Lunt, Everton will allow Morgan Schneiderlin to join Fenerbahce on loan once they have signed a replacement for Idrissa Gueye, who joined PSG in a £30m deal on Tuesday.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Toffees appear to have already agreed a deal with the Turkish giants that will see the 15-cap France international move to Fenerbahce without the Super Lig side having to pay a loan fee – they will cover all of his wages, however.

Schneiderlin moved to Goodison Park back in January 2017 for an initial £20m fee, but has never really set the world alight on Merseyside.

Marco Silva has just Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph, Tom Davies, James McCarthy and the former Southampton man as first-team midfield options right now, most of whom aren’t regulars in the starting XI – Davies made just 10 league starts last term, whilst McCarthy made a single appearance.

Moving Schneiderlin on would be Marcel Brands’ best move this summer

Schneiderlin didn’t just cost a huge transfer fee, but the Toffees have been paying his massive £100k-a-week wages for the entirety of his two-and-a-half years at the club.

That wouldn’t be too much of a problem if the 29-year-old pulled his weight, but Schneiderlin really isn’t an important player under Silva and his wages should be seen as a problem for a player as ineffective as he is.

So, if Brands can successfully offload the 6 foot 1 midfielder and get Fenerbahce to cover every penny of his huge salary – which he appears to have already agreed –  it would arguably be his best move this summer given how unattractive the Frenchman is right now.

He made just 10 starts in the league last season, registering just a single assist to show for his efforts.

You won’t believe which of Liverpool’s Champions League winning side of 2005 is still playing in the video below…

Some of the Everton supporters wanted to see him offloaded this summer after he hinted at an exit, suggesting that they don’t value him as an important player at the club.

Getting such a salary off the wage bill should also free up more funds for the Toffees to lure some of their targets to the club with just a week remaining of the window, with players such as Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Mario Lemina and Fikayo Tomori being linked with moves to Goodison Park.

This would truly be Brands’ best work this summer given Schneiderlin’s colossal wages and lack of impact.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

West Ham United have made a loan move for Lyon striker Bertrand Traore, per TeamTalk.

What’s the word?

The Hammers are said to have entered into discussions with the French club over the former Chelsea forward, who can play on the wing and through the middle.

West Ham have already signed Pablo Fornals and Sebastian Haller this summer and, as such, any deal for Traore would have to be a loan.

TeamTalk reports that the Ligue 1 outfit are unlikely to sanction the deal, however, though the Hammers could use another forward, with Manuel Pellegrini only currently able to call on Haller and Javier Hernandez.

Watch West Ham United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

A Hugill replacement

Jordan Hugill left the club over the weekend to join QPR on loan.

Of course, the former Preston North End striker has made next to no impact in east London but he did add depth to Pellegrini’s squad.

Following his departure, the Hammers are back to the point where they have just two out-and-out forwards.

Of course, Michail Antonio can play up front but he is more known as a winger, and a move for Traore would solve the issue.

The ex-Chelsea forward scored 11 goals last season and, while he would not necessarily be an instant starter, he has pace to burn and would be a dynamic acquisition.

He is another versatile option – he has played more games as a right winger than as a centre forward in his career – but has netted 68 goals in 202 appearances throughout his career.

Hugill, by comparison, has scored 51 in 204 outings.

Traore, then, certainly has the ability to lighten the load on Haller and Hernandez and add some genuine electricity to the club’s front line.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Leeds have received a new offer from Aston Villa for midfielder Kalvin Phillips according to Football Insider.

What’s the word?

With under a week to go until the transfer window closes it appears as though Phillips’ transfer saga is showing no signs of slowing down.

The 23-year-old has been at the centre of regular transfer stories surrounding Elland Road this summer with Aston Villa previously plotting a £14m bid for his services.

That was before Wolves and Bournemouth entered the race despite the 5 foot 10 man being valued at £30m by his club.

However, Villa look as though they’re now testing the waters again with a bid of around £15m. That’s according to Football Insider who suggest the offer has actually been rejected.

Uproar potentially on the cards

It’s absolutely imperative that Leeds stay true to their word and hold onto Phillips this summer.

FI revealed that they were planning to hold onto him in their latest report and in doing so they can create a far better environment among supporters.

This has been a summer that has tested the patience of supporters and that’s putting it lightly.

The sale of Pontus Jansson has led to a considerable amount of concern regarding their defence whilst questions have been raised over their lack of activity in the window, suggesting injuries could wreak havoc.

But on a day where Kemar Roofe was also the subject of interest from Anderlecht, fans again revealed their anger, making their feelings felt over what a potential move away would mean for their top-scorer from last season.

Watch Leeds United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Therefore, you dread to think what the reaction would be like if Phillips was sold this late in the window.

As it is, Victor Orta has confirmed they are 90% done in their plan for the summer so a replacement would seem unlikely judging by those comments.

Keeping Phillips, an academy graduate and a player who appeared 44 times in the Championship last term would be a huge move in terms of their aspirations for the season.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

After an encouraging pre-season in which £15m summer signing Che Adams managed to score three goals, Southampton came crashing back down to earth on the opening day of the new Premier League campaign.

What went wrong?

A trip to Turf Moor to face Burnley looked winnable, but instead, the Saints were on the receiving end of a 3-0 humbling from the Clarets – questions are there to be asked over Ralph Hasenhuttl’s set-up on the day.

One of those questions should be asking why the Austrian started with three centre-backs.

That specific department is arguably the weakest area of the Saints’ squad, with the likes of Jannik Vestergaard, Jack Stephens and Wesley Hoedt all not amazing performers on a consistent basis – Stephens in particular faced criticism for his performance against Burnley, with one fan labelling him as the weak link.

If an area of your squad is the weakest, why play as many arguably average players in it as possible?

Admittedly, Hasenhuttl probably wanted more protection at the back, which is fair enough.

However, after watching his side still get humbled despite that supposed ‘protection’, the former RB Leipzig man must switch it up.

What should he do?

His preferred system is a 4-2-2-2 formation, with plenty of bodies in midfield.

Against Burnley, he certainly didn’t have much midfield presence with only James Ward-Prowse and Oriol Romeu in there, whilst Nathan Redmond, Danny Ings and Che Adams stayed forward – Ryan Bertrand and Yan Valery were used as wing-backs, but still couldn’t stop the two midfielders becoming isolated.

After watching the three-man centre-back idea fail so miserably on the opening day, it shouldn’t require a second thought for Hasenhuttl to drop one of them – probably Stephens – and bring captain Pierre-Emile Højbjerg back into the side to beef up the middle of the park following his illness.

If Hasenhuttl decides to stick with the system that he started with against Burnley, he could just be asking for trouble against Liverpool next week.

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