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Liverpool have learned Leicester City’s asking price for midfielder Youri Tielemans amid their apparent interest in the 24-year-old maestro.

What’s the story?

According to Belgian outlet Voetbal.24 (as relayed by LFC Transfer Room), the Foxes are set to demand £59 million for their prized asset this summer.

That would see the Midlands outfit make a healthy profit on the £4om they paid Monaco for Tielemans just two years ago, should Liverpool stump up the required fee.

Klopp will be happy

Although the outlined fee may seem a high one, Jurgen Klopp will be happy that Leicester have even named a price for the Belgium international, signaling they could be prepared to sell.

Liverpool’s director of football Michael Edwards is a notoriously tough negotiator and will be confident of achieving a fair price for any target that the German tactician wants.

The Anfield outfit are expected to have to sell some fringe players before they can make any further additions over the coming months, though, but raising the required funds for Tielemans is not out of their reach.

Divock Origi, Xherdan Shaqiri and Harry Wilson are amongst the unwanted assets rumoured to be up for sale, meaning Klopp’s budget could be significantly strengthened before the window shuts.

After Gini Wijnaldum’s decision to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, Liverpool are believed to be in the market for a new central midfielder this summer and have identified Tielemans as a prime candidate.

His impressive performances since arriving on England shores have earned several plaudits, including Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

“Tielemans is a top, top-class player,” remarked the Spaniard ahead of a clash between City and Leicester last season.

“I remember when I arrived, my first season and Vincent Kompany started speaking about him when he was in the national team for Belgium, how good he was in that period. Vincent, as always, he was right.”

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool table a formal offer for Tielemans – who is also reportedly considering signing a new contract at the King Power Stadium – but news that the current FA Cup holders have named their asking price will surely give the hierarchy hope that a deal can be done and that should make Klopp a very happy man.

And, in other news…Fabrizio Romano drops worrying Liverpool transfer update that’ll leave fans concerned 

Wolves are reportedly the ‘most serious’ about trying to sign Joao Palhinha in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Midfielders needed

Given that Joao Moutinho is now 34, and Ruben Neves has been linked with a move to Arsenal, the Wanderers certainly need to strengthen their numbers in the centre of midfield.

Leander Dendoncker and Morgan Gibbs-White are other options for new manager Bruno Lage, but the Midlands club could definitely do with another player in there.

The Latest: Wolves eyeing Palhinha

As per A Bola (via Sport Witness), Palhinha is ‘at the top’ of the priority list for the Molineux faithful.

However, Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim is desperate to keep the Portugal international, as he sees him as an ‘important element’ of his squad and ‘will do anything’ for him to stay put.

Nonetheless, Sporting would be willing to listen to any offers starting at €30m (£25.8m), and WWFC are seen as the ‘most serious’ team in the race for his signature, and would be willing to spend a ‘substantial portion’ of their transfer budget in order to get their man.

The Verdict: Sign him

Palhinha would be a shrewd addition for Wolves in the middle of the park, given that he was such a key player in his side’s recent title win, winning no fewer than 9.1 duels a game, while also averaging a whopping 3.3 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 1.2 clearances per match (Sofascore).

At six-foot-two-inches tall, he should have no trouble at all in adapting to both the aerial and physical demands of the Premier League, and at 25, Palhinha is at a good age for the Wanderers to pounce in this window, likely getting the prime years out of the midfielder before perhaps selling on for a decent fee in the future.

In other news, find out what big transfer update has WWFC fans talking here!

Aston Villa are ready to spend up to £40m on Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham this summer, according to The Mirror.

The Lowdown: Abraham’s Villa connections

The 23-year-old knows Villa Park well following his loan spell there during the 2018/19 season. Abraham netted 26 times and registered three assists in 40 appearances under Dean Smith, helping Villa back into the top flight.

Villa’s assistant manager John Terry, himself a former Chelsea stalwart, shared his love for the Blues forward during his stay in the Midlands, describing the striker as ‘passionate’.

It seems as if a reunion under Smith and Terry could well be on the cards judging by the latest report from The Mirror.

The Latest: Recent links

The Mirror claim that Abraham isn’t in Thomas Tuchel’s Stamford Bridge plans and the Champions League holders are happy to let him leave over the coming months.

The report adds that the door is open for Villa and Smith, with the Blues expecting a bid imminently. A £40m deal would make Abraham the club’s record signing just weeks after they broke it to sign Emiliano Buendia from Norwich City.

Crystal Palace and West Ham are also keen on Abraham but a fee isn’t an issue for Villa’s owners NSWE, with or without Jack Grealish.

The Verdict: Wesley on the way out?

Should Villa make their move and sign Abraham, you’d expect that Wesley Moraes could be on his way out of the club.

The Brazilian, who cost Villa £22.5m in 2019, has had his injury struggles in England. The striker has made only 25 appearances for the club, featuring in just 16 minutes of Premier League action last season.

He was signed after Abraham returned to Chelsea, but could the latter’s potential return result in Wesley leaving for good? Reports in March suggested that Villa would listen to offers for the 24-year-old, so we could well see a reversal two years on.

In other news: Many AVFC fans buzz at John Percy’s ‘class’ transfer update, find out more here. 

Jon Newsome doubts that Leeds United will be able to pull off a move to sign goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from West Bromwich Albion this summer.

The Whites have been linked with a move to snap up the Baggies goalkeeper, who enjoyed an excellent season despite their relegation.

Johnstone made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League and appears almost certain to remain in the top-flight, with West Ham United also linked with an interest.

Leeds may need to sign a new goalkeeper this summer amid uncertainty over the future of Kiko Casilla, who has fallen out of favour under Marcelo Bielsa after being found guilty of using racist language while playing for the club in the Championship.

Newsome insists that Johnstone would not come into Elland Road and instantly become a starter, because of the excellent form of Illan Meslier, and believes that could place any potential transfer in doubt.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “Sam Johnstone, I don’t think he’d want to come in and fight for his place. I think he’d want to come in, you want to come in and not be guaranteed the No.1 shirt but you’re being bought and brought into a club where you’re going to be playing every week unless something else happens.

“I can’t see that happening because Meslier’s had such a great season.”

Nuno Espirito Santo is ‘waiting’ for a decision from Everton and wants to become their manager, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Speaking on YouTube channel Don Robbie, Romano said the Blues had reached a verbal agreement with the former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss and that a deal was close.

However, Everton weren’t 100% convinced and told Nuno they would need time to consider their options.

What’s the managerial situation at Everton?

The Blues are working to appoint a new boss after Carlo Ancelotti, who led them to a 10th-place finish in last season’s Premier League, left to join Real Madrid at the start of the month.

BBC Sport reported this week that, while Nuno remained a ‘candidate’, former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez had emerged as the favourite for the post after holding three rounds of talks with the Everton hierarchy.

An announcement won’t arrive until next week at the earliest, Sky Sports’ Alan Myers says.

Fan feed The Toffee Blues relayed Romano’s Nuno claim, and here’s what supporters made of it.

Everton fans react to suggestion that Nuno is ‘waiting’

“Just get him in”

Credit: @Stu17666455

“Rather him than Rafa to be honest”

Credit: @TheBigBrown93

“Just do it”

Credit: @PabsH77

“Get him appointed !”

Credit: @AlHart07

“I’d take Nuno every day over a very divisive appointment like Rafa.”

Credit: @billbones80

“I didn’t want him, he’s not my first choice but I’m tenfold him over Rafa, if this was to happen now and he keeps Dunc on I’ll back him”

Credit: @smigger1878

In other news, could Dominic Calvert-Lewin be tempted by this move? 

Celtic are without a first-team manager right now and they could soon be missing a number of their best players too.

A muss culling is set to grace Parkhead this summer with plenty of those who have donned the famous green and white hoops being linked with a move away.

What’s the word?

Odsonne Edouard is currently being touted with a move to England but he’s not the only one who’s caught the attention of south of the border.

Another name who looks set to leave is Kristoffer Ajer.

The defender has admirers from Norwich and Newcastle but it looks as though the latter are in a better position to sign him.

They have scouted Ajer and now according to The Daily Mail, the Magpies are progressing with a deal to sign him.

It’s thought the Norwegian will cost somewhere in the region of £8m.

Huge blow for Celtic

Edouard is the man who scores the goals at Paradise but Ajer is the rock that holds everything together.

Without him this season, the Bhoys’ backline would have collapsed entirely.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-howe-favre-mcgregor-mccann-tierney” title=”Read the latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

Celtic were woeful in defence, conceding 16 more goals than Rangers in the Premiership and shipping 19 strikes in just six Europa League outings.

On paper, Ajer shouldn’t really take any praise for that but his displays have led by example and provided a beacon of hope for the supporters watching on.

He is a rare breed, combining raw strength with poise and grace. The defender can bring the ball forward in extraordinary fashion, bursting past the opposition like a winger in full flow.

Standing at 6 foot 6, he is a man mountain at the back and has provided performances that others in the team should be looking up to.

Speaking earlier this term, John Harton said: “He’s a credit to the rest of the players. They should all look at him and if they’d all adopted the same attitude as Ajer then might have made a better fist of it in terms of holding on to the title.”

With that in mind, it’s easy to see why he’s such a key part of the team. If they lose the centre-back, their chances of reclaiming the biggest prize in Scottish football will become more difficult.

Celtic have been able to replace strikers in the past but Ajer’s influence extends way beyond his performances on the pitch. Off the field, he is a natural-born leader, someone who will grab the bull by its horns and shake things up. Thus, fans would be gutted to see him head for the departure lounge this summer.

They must do their utmost to keep him in Glasgow.

AND in other news, Imagine him under Howe: Celtic must sign 6ft3 “freak”, he’s the spitting image of Ajer…

Aston Villa could be heading for another Charles N’Zogbia disaster amid reports linking them with a move for Bordeaux’s Mehdi Zerkane.

What’s the story?

In recent days, French publication L’Equipe (via Get French Football News) has claimed that Dean Smith’s side have made contact with Zerkane over a potential move in the summer transfer window.

It was added that: “Zerkane, who scored a goal last night vs Lens in a crucial win in FCGB’s relegation battle, was watched again by Aston Villa scouts who were in the stands – they have been tracking Zerkane for at least 3 months and have made contact with the player’s entourage.”

Another N’Zogbia disaster

Villa fans will, of course, know all about N’Zogbia and the kind of hype that came with him after some starring performances with Wigan, but the exciting winger never ended up delivering at Villa Park.

And, in a piece done by The Birmingham Mail, they wrote: “Quick, agile, athletic and an eye for a goal! What arrived was a massive anti-climax having cost little over £10m. He was not helped by the dour football of Alex McLeish. He could hardly utilise his expertise in a team playing route one football.

“He did suffer an Achilles injury during Paul Lambert’s tenure that kept him out for a season. But, with a £50-60k wage heading into his bank account each week, the Frenchman has simply not justified it. He had offered nothing in all honesty to this team, even during Tim Sherwood’s short-lived spell last season where he was in the starting-XI more often that not but was just a passenger if anything else.”

Zerkane is in that similar mould, being someone who can play on either flank with a bit of pace, but there are already some signs that he would be a massive flop at Villa.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/villa-dean-smith-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-premier-league-buendia-berge-mcneil-trezeguet-villa-park” title=”Read the latest Villa transfer rumours and news!”]

This season has seen him score just one goal in 28 games in all competitions, the kind of record that even favours poorly compared to N’Zogbia’s tally of five in 93 for Villa.

And like the Frenchman, Zerkane has also suffered from injuries in his fledgling career, and has already missed a decent chunk of the campaign just gone by with a leg issue.

This has all the hallmarks of going down the route that N’Zogbia’s career did at Villa, and if that’s the case, it’s a move that won’t have fans happy at all.

Meanwhile, Villa are interested in this South American star; it’s not Buendia…

After impressing from the bench in Charlton Athletic’s recent fixtures, Nigel Adkins must include Chuks Aneke in his starting XI this Sunday.

Having joined Charlton on a free transfer back in 2019, Aneke is yet to cement a regular place in the Addicks’ first team, with the £5,400-per-week forward starting just 11 times in League One this season, while making a further 26 appearances from the bench.

However, despite only featuring for an average of 41 minutes per game, the 27-year-old has impressed for the Addicks, bagging 15 goals and registering two assists in the league.

Aneke once again put in a show-stopping performance from the bench against Lincoln City last time out, scoring a goal and providing an assist in the 3-1 win – with his SofaScore match rating of 8.4 ranking him as the best player from either side on the day, despite only being on the pitch for 44 minutes.

Not only is he Charlton’s top league goalscorer, the timing of his strikes have often been game-changing – as was seen with his last-minute equaliser against Accrington Stanley, a result which kept Charlton’s play-off hopes alive.

As such, considering that Adkins’ side must get a win against Hull City today if they are to have any hope of securing a place in the play-offs, it would seem most advisable to allow Aneke as much time on the pitch as possible, considering just how influential he has been for the club this season.

With Ian Maatsen having been struggling for form of late, it would seem the logical move to replace the 19-year-old with Aneke for Sunday’s clash, as the player Lee Bowyer dubbed “immense” has proven so many times this season that he is the man for the big occasion.

In other news: Lost possession 15x: Charlton passenger who committed six fouls let Adkins down against Lincoln – opinion

After Leicester City’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on Tuesday evening, a result which could see them drop out of the top four places depending on results around them, many Foxes supporters weren’t impressed with the display of midfielder Ayoze Perez.

Brendan Rodgers’ side enjoyed a memorable FA-Cup-winning weekend against Chelsea but could now suffer a dent in their bid to qualify for the Champions League after the west London side took revenge at Stamford Bridge.

Goals from Antonio Rudiger and Jorginho gifted Thomas Tuchel’s men a comfortable lead before substitute Kelechi Iheanacho grabbed one back 15 minutes from full time.

Alas, the Nigerian’s strike wasn’t enough as Leicester came away eventual defeat – and many Foxes fans were left unimpressed with Perez’s performance as one of the factors.

The Spaniard, rated as the lowest performing Leicester player on the night by SofaScore (6.1), failed all of his dribble attempts and won just 3/14 ground duels.

As well as this, Perez conceded possession 13 times and missed a gaping chance to level the game – blasting the ball well over Chelsea’s crossbar.

As a result, many Foxes supporters criticised the 27-year-old on social media – find their verdicts down below.

Leicester fans slam Perez vs Chelsea

“Perez you donkey”

Credit: @Ben03lcfc

“Perez is up there with some of the worst big money signings we’ve ever made. Just sell him in the summer.”

Credit: @t61968423

“Sell Perez I beg”

Credit: @LewisMarriot95

“Awful performance but Perez that’s unforgivable.”

Credit: @Greg_Gibson

“Perez is awful again”

Credit: @paulfern

“Perez should be nowhere near the club! Just another terrible performance from him tonight, lightweight, zero impact and capped it with that dreadful late miss. Waiting for his fans to defend him as usual”

Credit: @MeetTheCritics

“Not surprised by tonight’s tired performance and poor result. Most frustrating is that we had a golden opportunity to steal a point with that Perez chance — but he summed up his terrible performance with a dreadful finish.”

Credit: @MrTomHenman

“Ayoze Perez must be one of the worst Leicester payers I have ever seen. Shocking.”

Credit: @aylottio

In other news: Leicester fans also went wild for this Fabrizio Romano update, find out more here.

Charlton Athletic have every chance of making the League One play-offs this season.

Heading into the final seven matches of the campaign, the Addicks occupy eighth place in the table and are only three points behind Portsmouth, who occupy that final play-off spot – and they hold a game in hand on Pompey, too. Win that game in hand, the south-east Londoners are only five points off Sunderland in third, who they beat last time out.

However, if Nigel Adkins is to steer Charlton back to the Championship within just two months of his arrival at The Valley in March, then he must resolve one of Lee Bowyer’s biggest problems – their abysmal home record.

On the Chalkboard

The Addicks sit 17th in the home league standings for results at The Valley this term – they have won six, drawn five and lost seven on their own patch, picking up just 23 points. That is the same return as Bristol Rovers, who are embroiled in a relegation dogfight, and fewer than every single team above them vying for promotion.

By comparison, the Red Robins are second-best in the division away from home, winning 11 and losing just four of 21 matches – a feat only bettered by Adkins’ former club Hull City.

Therefore, it’s abundantly clear that the Addicks need to quickly improve on their own patch, especially as five of their seven remaining league games are at The Valley.

That starts with Ipswich Town this Saturday, a crucial encounter as defeat could see the Tractor Boys leapfrog Charlton in the table, and that would certainly deal a blow to the Addicks’ hopes of breaking into the playoff zone. Adkins’ men will also face automatic promotion-chasing Peterborough United, fourth-placed Lincoln City and league leaders Hull at home in the coming weeks.

Under Adkins, Charlton are unbeaten in three matches, but each of those has been played away from south-east London, so there has to be some confidence that they can continue that form going into the weekend.

If Adkins can fix the poor home record that Bowyer left behind, then they should easily make the playoffs – and given that 71.5% of their remaining matches are at home, then any improvement would certainly bolster their promotion dreams.

AND in other news, Adkins must wave goodbye to 29 y/o flop, he’s just not good enough…