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A behind-the-scenes detail has emerged on Sheffield Wednesday forward Saido Berahino, regarding his contract at the club.

What’s the talk?

According to Yorkshire Live, Saido Berahino decided to take a ‘big wage cut’ to seal his deadline day move to Sheffield Wednesday.

The report claims that he has signed a one-year contract at Hillsborough, with the option for a further year, and that he has incentives to boost his pay if he hits certain targets.

Delight

Sheffield Wednesday fans will be delighted by this behind-the-scenes detail as it offers an insight into Berahino’s motivation for this season.

He is not coming back to England to sit on the bench and collect his money at the end of each month, or else he would have refused to lower his wage demands and would not have been happy with an incentive-based deal.

The contract, if this report is accurate, shows that Berahino is motivated to make a huge impact in League One this season and show that he can get back to his best after a very promising start to his career for West Brom many years ago.

He worked with Darren Moore at The Hawthorns and scored 19 goals across his first two Premier League campaigns for the club after breaking through as a youngster. His career then went downhill, however, as he scored just five goals in 56 games for Stoke and then made the transition over to the Belgian Pro League.

Upon the forward’s arrival at the club earlier this week, Moore hailed him as a wonderful player and explained why he wanted to get the deal done. He told Yorkshire Live:

“I know his game and all round ability. In the systems we want to fit, he will fit into that. He’s a wonderful player with his feet. He will be a good addition for how we want to play.

“For him, it’s unfinished business. We feel we have got him a place here where if he can hit the right notes that this could be a wonderful home for him.

“It is the right time for us to come together. He’s the right type of striker that we want here. He possesses a huge amount of talent.”

This suggests that Moore believes he can reignite the attacker’s form to get him back on the right track following some difficult years.

Therefore, Wednesday are bringing in a motivated player with a point to prove who has previously scored goals in the Premier League, which is why fans will be delighted by this latest update.

AND in other news, Chansiri must avoid Sheff Wed nightmare with £14k-p/w “leader”, Moore would be fuming…

Celtic midfielder David Turnbull is definitely out of the trip to St. Mirren this evening through injury, Football Scotland report.

The Lowdown: Turnbull under Postecoglou

Turnbull has been an ever-present figure under Ange Postecoglou this season, featuring in every single game this season.

He’s scored nine times and registered seven assists in all competitions but hobbled off at Hampden Park on Sunday as the Hoops won the Scottish League Cup.

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Postecoglou recently praised the Scot and admitted that the 22-year-old has been given ‘information’ every week in regards to improving his game. However, it now seems as if he is the latest man to join Celtic’s long injury list, just as they showed signs of slowing up with Kyogo Furuhashi returning against Hibernian on Sunday.

The Latest: Postecoglou’s comments

Football Scotland shared comments from Postecoglou in a story on Wednesday morning.

The Hoops boss confirmed that on-loan winger Jota looks set to remain sidelined until after the winter break, before having this to say on Turnbull’s hamstring issue.

“Dave was the major one coming out of the Final. We have had the scan, but we haven’t had the results yet.

“He will definitely be out for St Mirren, but I’m not sure how long he will miss.

“Everyone else got through the game okay, but there are one or two minor niggles.”

The Verdict: Get to the winter break…

Celtic could do with the winter break coming as soon as possible, in all honesty. Postecoglou has had to deal with multiple injury problems all season at Parkhead, with Turnbull’s the latest. He’s been relied on heavily by Postecoglou and even filled in at centre-forward recently, with the likes of Furuhashi, Albian Ajeti and Giorgos Giakoumakis all out.

Celtic have actually made a request to the SPFL to bring forward the winter break to coincide with the three-week restriction on supporters attending games, and that would also give Postecoglou’s squad a much-needed breather and the chance to get some players back.

The Hoops have to face St. Mirren, St. Johnstone, Hibernian and Rangers before the scheduled winter break, and it seems as if they may have to do that without Turnbull, should the scan confirm the worst.

In other news: Celtic keen on signing ‘phenomenal’ Scot for Celtic in January, reliable journalist claims. 

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring James Maddison to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Sun, who claim that both Spurs and their north London rivals Arsenal are in the frame to land the Leicester City attacking midfielder at the end of the season – for whom the Foxes are believed to be willing to part with if their £60m asking price for the 25-year-old is met.

The report goes on to state Antonio Conte is known to be a fan of the England international, with the 52-year-old thought to be keen to increase the number of his attacking options at Tottenham this summer.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-martinez-dybala-spence-conte-2” title= “Read the latest Spurs news!”]

Conte can axe Lo Celso with Maddison

Considering how impressive Maddison has been for Leicester this season, in addition to the fact that the £55m Giovani Lo Celso – who John Wenham dubbed a “disaster” – looks as if he will be departing the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on a permanent basis this summer, it is easy to see why Conte would be interested in a move for the 25-year-old ahead of Spurs’ 2022/23 campaign.

Indeed, over his 28 Premier League appearances this term, the £45m-rated midfielder has been Leicester’s standout performer, scoring eight goals, registering five assists and creating eight big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of two shots and making 1.3 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the £110k-per-week player who Brendan Rodgers dubbed both “unbelievable” and “immense” average a quite breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.19, ranking him as the Foxes’ best player in the English top flight.

As such, should Villarreal go on to make Lo Celso’s temporary spell at the Estadio de la Ceramica a permanent move this summer – as it has been reported the LaLiga side are keen to do – considering Maddison’s incredibly impressive returns this season, in addition to his excellent positional versatility and high resale potential, the player Rodgers also claimed is “a bit like Coutinho” would very much appear to be a huge upgrade on the outgoing Argentina international.

AND in other news: “Understand…”: Alasdair Gold now reveals “bad news” for Spurs, Conte will be fuming

Manchester United may have shown great resilience in their recent victory over Tottenham Hotspur, but there is still a lot of work to be done for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s charges.

The Red Devils bounced back commendably from their humiliating defeat at the hands of fierce rivals Liverpool, defeating Spurs 3-0 over the weekend with a disciplined display in north London.

However, that result only masks the issues that have been plaguing Solskjaer’s side all season and beyond.

Question marks rightly remain over the Norwegian’s tactical prowess, while the need for a new defensive midfielder was arguably illustrated in his setup against an out-of-form Tottenham.

After shipping five goals in their previous outing, Solskjaer lineup up with three centre-backs and two holding midfielders in order to protect David de Gea’s net, sacrificing both of his natural wingers as a result.

And while this proved to be an effective and intelligent way to play over the weekend, such a defensive-first, pragmatic approach is unlikely to win him many fans or major trophies in the long term.

Therefore, United’s hierarchy must grant their manager’s wish and add further reinforcements to his engine room over the coming months.

It was reported by the Manchester Evening News back in September that United’s hierarchy had identified West Ham United’s Declan Rice as a priority signing after missing out during the summer.

“Rice is contracted to West Ham until 2024, but he is not expected to sign a new contract, making a move probable next summer as the Londoners would be under pressure to cash in,” the report read.

“United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted a new midfielder in the recently closed summer window but accepted there was a high possibility the club would not sign one, as United had prioritised a right-winger and a centre-back.”

But now, with Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho firmly in the door at Old Trafford, football director John Murtough must turn his attention to the ever-improving Rice.

The England international has been in stellar form over the last couple of campaigns but has taken his game to another level in the opening weeks of 2021/22, with Gary Lineker labelling his latest performance “magnificent”.

Rice has played a pivotal part in the Hammers’ fast start to the season, and it’s clear he’d offer an upgrade to Solskjaer’s current options at the base of the midfield.

As per fbref.com, the 22-year-old has recorded a combined total of five tackles and interceptions per 90 this term, bettering Scott McTominay’s tally of 3.05 and Fred’s total of 4.47.

But in a side that is expected to be on the front foot as much as United are, it’s also vital that Rice has the ability to cause the opposition some damage when in possession of the ball, and his underlying numbers show that he’s more than capable of doing just that.

Not only has he recorded three assists already, but the youngster has produced two Shot Creating Actions per 90 and carried the ball into the final third of the pitch 3.22 times per 90, outperforming McTominay’s figures of 1.85 and 2.88 and Fred’s 1.59 and 0.39, respectively.

And Rice also appears to be a better passer of the ball than his Red Devil counterparts.

Not only has he got a pass completion ratio of 91% to McTominay’s 86.4% and Fred’s 84.7%, but he also fires the ball into the final third of the pitch more often too, doing so on 6.67 occasions per 90, whereas United’s Scottish and Brazilian duo do so 4.75 and 4.61 times on average.

With that in mind, it’s hardly a surprise that he’s been compared to a United stalwart of the past. Teddy Sheringham once commented: “He’s in the mould of Roy Keane and Michael Carrick, who were two top, top players.”

While Rice would not automatically solve all of Solskjaer’s problems and his purchase would undoubtedly be an expensive one, a player of his ilk is badly needed at Old Trafford, and Murtough must revive his interest in the £63m-rated beast before another potential suitor snaps him up.

And, in other news…Imagine him & Rashford: Man Utd can form frightening duo with “potent” £76m-rated gem 

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have erupted over a transfer update from The Daily Mail as reporter Simon Jones shares manager David Moyes’ plans for January.

The Hammers and recruitment chief Rob Newman are set for an interesting winter window as they aim to back Moyes in his quest to guide West Ham to a top four finish.

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The club also find themselves still competing in Europe after finishing top of their group but it is arguable that West Ham need some fresh faces this month if they are to stay at this level.

According to Jones of The Mail, the Irons and Moyes are eyeing a centre-back, left-back and forward this month as both Newman and Moyes work their way through targets.

It is believed that the West Ham chiefs could now target Lille star Jonathan David, Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly, Everton’s Lucas Digne and Sparta Prague attacker Adam Hlozek.

West Ham fans erupt…

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham fans have been left overjoyed by the four names allegedly on Moyes’ and Newman’s agenda this month – with one supporter calling this transfer claim ‘sensational’.

Another claimed landing all four men would be the Irons’ ‘best ever window’.

It’s not hard to understand their excitement either, with Digne racking up an impressive seven assists in his last full top flight campaign, while David has bagged 15 times this season and Hlozek six.

“ALL 4 PLEASE, DAVID”

Credit: @JamesGunn23

“Would be our best ever window. They should have all been signed and training by now if we were serious.”

Credit: @Onlywestham

“I think there might be some legs in us going all out for David possibly.”

Credit: @EthanP48445025

“Sensational stuff”

Credit: @_ghzst

“PLS

@WestHam”

Credit: @Icevain7

“yes, yes, yes and yes”

Credit: @WHUInfo

“Lucas Digne & Adam Hlozek would cost us around 25m for both of them. So i can see that happening and it would be a huge improvement over the squad.”

Credit: @DKouzas

In other news: West Ham set for imminent move to sign ‘phenomenal’ powerhouse as reporter drops Twitter message, find out more here.

Aston Villa must finally land Manchester United and England star Jesse Lingard amid his recent comments.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks and months had suggested that Dean Smith’s side were ready to rival fellow West Ham in a move for the 28-year-old.

The Times then delivered an update on Lingard’s situation, name-checking Villa as one of the teams who have registered their interest in luring Lingard away from Old Trafford, and that the attacking midfielder had turned down a contract offer from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

And now, Lingard has admitted that regular first-team football is what he is interested in as he looks to force himself into Gareth Southgate’s England squad for next year’s World Cup.

He said: “Obviously, the World Cup is a long way away but… you need regular football. I was so close to going to the Euros and I think obviously it plays a huge part and it’s a big factor. If you’re playing over 20 or 25 games, of course you know you’re knocking on the door so I think it does play a big part in that.

“You want to start games. When I’m a sub I’m always ready to play. I’m always ready to be needed when I’m called up. It’s one of those things I’m going through at the moment but I think on recent performances hopefully we’ll see a change in the next few weeks.”

Goals from midfield

After joining West Ham back in the January transfer window on a short-term loan, Lingard racked up an incredible nine goals and four assists in just his first ten Premier League games for the club – it was no surprise then that he was lauded as being “absolutely phenomenal”.

His ability to score goals from midfield is exactly what Villa could do with going forward, with John McGinn their top scorer last season from a central area with just three.

What marks Lingard out as a real threat is his timing of his runs, and it’s something Michael Carrick has previously raved about.

The United coach said: “He senses where the space is and how to use it. I wouldn’t necessarily say he’s a dribbler with skills and tricks but he’s dynamic. How he plays, he is unique in some ways. You don’t see so much of that now as everyone wants to get on the ball. Off the ball, he’s very effective.”

His performances with the Hammers showcased the kind of impact the £75k-a-week earning star can have when he’s on song and the confidence is flowing through his veins.

If he isn’t getting enough first-team football at United, then Smith and Villa must absolutely be all over a move for him in the January transfer window.

It would seal a dream midfield for the Villa boss.

Meanwhile, Villa could have another academy breakout in this star…

West Bromwich Albion have received a potentially significant injury boost ahead of their local derby with Championship rivals Birmingham City after defender Matt Clarke was declared fit enough to make a return to action.

What’s the word?

The Brighton and Hove Albion loanee has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the end of August when he limped off before half time in the 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers.

And while the Baggies have carried on their good form in his absence, the return of the 25-year-old centre-back will be a big boost to Valerien Ismael’s charges.

“The rehab went really well, and I felt in myself that I could have been ready to come back before I did, but I was happy to follow the advice of the medical team who told me that the location of the injury meant I had to be patient and not return too soon,” Clarke said (as relayed by the Birmingham Mail).

“You have to give it time to settle and heal, which obviously brings a little bit of frustration, but you have to make sure you’re right.”

With fierce rivals Birmingham arriving at The Hawthorns a week on Friday, Clarke is eyeing a return to the starting XI and feels the current break will give him further opportunity to get back to match fitness.

“I feel like I’m now ready, but it’s the international break, and there are no games to play,” he added. “It does give me a chance to catch up even further in terms of fitness and sharpness, so we will see where we are when the matches return.”

Valerien Ismael will be buzzing

Clarke is yet to complete a full 90 minutes for Albion since his arrival on a season-long loan over the summer, but the Midlands outfit have been victorious in all three of the games he’s started, leaving the manager elated that he’s set to return.

After suffering their first defeat of the campaign last time out against Stoke City, West Brom will be hoping Clarke’s comeback marks the return of winning ways and Ismael will be buzzing to have one of his first-choice centre-backs available once again.

The Baggies have been playing a back three involving Conor Townsend – a natural left-back – in recent weeks due to Clarke’s injury, and therefore, the Brighton ace’s reinstatement into the first-team setup will be a significant boost.

This term, the centre-back has won a colossal 5.7 aerial duels per game – the third-highest in the team – and has also produced 2.3 interceptions a match. That tally represents the highest in the entire Albion squad and indicates why his return to fitness is such a positive.

He’s proven himself to be an elite-level Championship defender during a previous spell with Derby County and his comeback will only enhance West Brom’s chances of a sustained promotion push.

And, in other news…Forget Diangana: Ismael must continue to unleash “first-class” £5.4m-rated WBA gem 

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa could sign the club’s new Mark Viduka in Sheffield United powerhouse Daniel Jebbison.

What’s the story?

According to TEAMtalk, the Whites are one of a number of Premier League teams who are keen on striking a deal for the 18-year-old before the summer transfer window closes.

Leeds’ new Mark Viduka

While Viduka’s time at Elland Road was certainly controversial and laced with several incidents, there was no questioning the kind of impact he could make on the football pitch when he was right at it.

In a piece for Leeds Live, Jon Howe wrote about the Australian: “He was an ominous physical specimen, an old-fashioned centre forward in many respects, but mixed a formidable presence with a delicate technique that made him the purest example of a ‘good touch for a big fella’ player you are ever likely to see.”

While Jebbison is very much a raw prospect, the 6 foot 3 prodigy has got all the right tools and ingredients to become Leeds’ next Viduka.

The coach who had Jebbison at his academy back in Toronto, Bassam Naim, called him “a force to be reckoned with”, adding: “Athletic, strong. Always creative when he was with us. Lots of energy? He loves to go forward. He loves to take on players.”

And, when you look at the stats behind some of his performances last season – albeit in very limited game-time – you get a real picture and idea of just why Jebbison could develop into another powerful striker at Elland Road much like Viduka was in his pomp.

As per Whoscored, the starlet averaged one shot per game in the Premier League, while he also showed why he can be a real handful for top-flight defenders by also making 1.5 tackles per match and winning 1.3 aerial duels per game too.

The teenager could be the man to fill the massive shoes of Viduka at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, this Leeds star proved why Bielsa must sell him…

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been slamming the performance of James Tavernier despite their 2-0 win at home to Sparta Prague on Thursday night.

Two goals from Alfredo Morelos were enough to give Giovanni van Bronckhorst his first win as manager at Ibrox, a result which means that they will definitely finish second in the group and go into the next knockout round due to their superior head-to-head record against the Czech side.

However, while there were some good performances for the hosts, captain Tavernier would not have been hugely pleased with his efforts.

The right-back failed to record a single dribble, blocked shot, key pass or accurate cross in the match, while he was also guilty of losing possession of the ball on 27 separate occasions, the most by far out of any player on the pitch (SofaScore).

Rangers fans slam Tavernier

These Rangers fans slammed his performance on Twitter, with one supporter even going as far as to claim that Tavernier was ‘hopeless’ against Sparta:

“Tavernier trying to score an own goal?”

Credit: @douglaspark92

“Honestly though, how bad is Tavernier?”

Credit: @scottelderr

“Get Tavernier substituted. He’s playing like he’s never kicked a ball in his life”

Credit: @Smell_TheGlove

“Tavernier distribution been ropey in defence a few times. Barisic been OK, but not hugely involved either.”

Credit: @adamski152

“Sorry but surely Tavernier has been sussed out at this point.”

Credit: @lfin72

“Tavernier out of position so many times it’s unreal”

Credit: @ianmunr89127700

In other news, find out what Academy news has left these Gers fans gushing

Crystal Palace have recently approached Chelsea regarding defender Kurt Zouma, according to journalist Julien Maynard.  

And, as to be expected, a number of Palace fans have been reacting to the links on social media.

New Palace boss Patrick Vieira has already brought in two central defenders this summer.

Marc Guehi arrived from Chelsea on a five-year deal earlier this month and Joachim Andersen also penned a five-year contract at Selhurst Park on Wednesday.

The two deals appear to have cost Palace £36.75m in total, but it seems as if they have inquired about Zouma as well.

Zouma, on £46,000-a-week at Stamford Bridge, may be used by Chelsea in their attempts to sign Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.

Maynard, reporter for French outlet Telefoot, claims Zouma is yet to speak with either club, adding that Palace inquired about the defender’s situation recently.

Palace fans react

@cpfc_xtra shared Maynard’s tweet on Wednesday afternoon. This is what these Palace supporters had to say in reply, with one believing he is ‘miles clear of Andersen’, with another calling Zouma a ‘beast’.

“miles clear of andersen but it’ll never happen”Credit: @sigmond_”Omg imagine”Credit: @ZacCPFC”He’s a beast! I’d snap him up on loan”Credit: @relyeadarren”YES”Credit: @MaxBaileyVinson”Surely got to focus on a different position now!”Credit: @Sonny52056018″Imagine a 3 at the back with guehi zouma and andersen with Mitchell and Clyne as wing backs that’s a good defence tbf”Credit: @luke_CPFC123

In other news: ‘Gutted’, ‘Oh no’ – Many CPFC fans react as ‘funny’ news is confirmed.