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Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa is being targeted by Barcelona as a potential replacement for Ronald Koeman.

What’s the story?

According to Spanish publication Cuatro, the Argentine is among a number of targets being considered by the La Liga giants as they contemplate getting rid of the Dutchman amid a disastrous start to the new season – they’ve managed just two wins from their opening five league games.

It’s suggested that, having been on Barcelona’s list years ago, Bielsa’s stance could change on leaving Leeds if an offer came in which was too good to turn down.

Fans would be gutted

The level of affinity and love that Leeds fans have for Bielsa is unquestionable, with the 66-year-old a firm favourite in Yorkshire for the way he has embraced the city and brought the Whites back to the big time of the Premier League.

Leeds enjoyed a superb first season back in the top-flight last term, finishing in the top ten and picking up some notable scalps along the way, not least a fantastic victory over eventual Premier League champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

After Spurs decided to sack Jose Mourinho before the end of the campaign, Carlton Palmer suggested that Bielsa could be tempted by a switch to north London.

He said: “You want to better yourself. You want to get the top jobs, just like players want to go to top clubs, so it’d be a fantastic opportunity for him.

“If Spurs come knocking, that’s a different ball game. That’s a great career opportunity for him. I’d be very surprised if Tottenham came knocking and he wasn’t prepared to go.”

While moving to Spurs would be one thing, Barcelona are a completely different kettle of fish – one of the best clubs in the world and regularly challenging for major trophies both home and abroad.

Make no mistake about it, more than any new signing they could potentially make, ensuring that Bielsa remains at Elland Road for the long-term must be Andrea Radrizzani’s biggest priority.

The fact that pundits are talking of Bielsa going to one of the Premier League’s ‘big-six’ clubs should be seen as a compliment and recognition for the incredible work he has done at Elland Road, not an insult.

However, it could raise questions as to whether the 66-year-old could move to an elite European club sooner rather than later, and the potential opening at Barcelona could present him with an opportunity to do just that.

It’s exactly why Radrizzani must avoid making an unforgivable howler and ensure that the Argentine stays put at Elland Road. Leeds fans would be absolutely devastated if he doesn’t.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has delivered an update on this former key figure at Elland Road…

Graham Roberts has been impressed with Steven Bergwijn’s start to the Premier League season at Tottenham, after the club failed with a late window move for Wolves’ Adama Traore, as per David Ornstein of The Athletic.

The Dutchman made just three league starts from February onwards having fallen out of favour under Jose Mourinho, although he did get a decent amount of game-time once Ryan Mason became interim head coach.

In Bergwijn’s penultimate game of the season, he notched his first goal in his 34th appearance against Aston Villa, but it was an underwhelming first full campaign in English football for the winger.

Bergwijn’s performances led to reports that he could make an instant return to Holland with Ajax, but he’s since knuckled down and is firmly part of Nuno Espirito Santo’s plans following a full pre-season.

And with Harry Kane not available to start the opening-day win over Manchester City, Bergwijn was the beneficiary and took his opportunity by producing an impressive display, which included the assist for Heung Min Son’s winner.

He continued his form in the win at Wolves and started again against Watford, and whilst Tottenham had been heavily linked with a potential replacement in Adama Traore prior to the window slamming shut on Tuesday, Roberts exclusively told Football FanCast:

“He’s playing well at the moment; he’s doing really well.”

Former Everton striker Marcus Bent insists that Romelu Lukaku’s goalscoring record simply does not warrant the fees paid for him throughout his career.

Lukaku sealed a £97.5m move to Chelsea earlier this month, becoming the player with the most accumulated transfer fees throughout his career.

According to ESPN, the Belgium international has cost clubs a total of £288.8m throughout his career.

When he moved from Anderlecht to Chelsea, the Blues paid £13.5m, before he went to Everton for an initial £3.15m loan fee and an eventual transfer fee of £31.82m. Manchester United then bought Lukaku for £76.23m, and he later went to Inter Milan for £66.6m.

At Everton, Lukaku scored 87 goals in 166 games, while he scored 42 goals in 96 games for United; at Inter, he scored 64 times in 95 games, and Bent simply does not think he has the scoring record to be the most expensive player ever.

The second and third most expensive players, by comparison, are Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Bent said: “And let’s look at his stats. Does that live up to it? I don’t feel like it does. But there you go, that’s football, and that’s how it happens and good luck to him.

“He probably will do well because Chelsea are doing well, they’ve got a good manager, they’ve got good players, as long as they feed him the ball and he gets in the right positions, I’m sure he will be one of the top players.”

Aston Villa paid Southampton £30m for striker Danny Ings, according to reliable reporter Gregg Evans.

And a number of Villa supporters have been sharing their negative thoughts at the figure on social media.

The 29-year-old was announced as a Villa player on Wednesday evening out of nowhere, penning a three-year deal at Villa Park.

Both Sky Sports and BBC believed a deal cost in the region of £25m, however, Evans, who writes for The Athletic, claimed a move cost Villa £30m.

Ings became Villa’s fourth summer signing after moves for Emiliano Buendia, Ashley Young and Leon Bailey and bolsters Dean Smith’s ranks going forward with Jack Grealish now a Manchester City player.

Villa fans react

Well-known Villa page @villareport shared Evans’ claim on Ings on Twitter on Wednesday evening.

This is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply to the post, with one describing a fee as ’embarrassing’ with a number of fans not exactly thrilled at the fee.

“i’m baffled but fair play”Credit: @JacobHaallam”That’s awful business”Credit: @issaAVFC”Embarrassing fee for a back up striker. Unless Ollie is being pushed out left !! Spending the Grealish money wisely for a 29-year-old injury prone second striker”Credit: @roberton_sj”I don’t like this at all.”Credit: @lewjt11″Wow. 30 mil for a 29-year-old. No wonder saints said yes and he was here in a flash.”Credit: @723OJ”That’s shocking we’ve been robbed that’s way over priced, he had less than a year on his contract and he injury prone”Credit: @KingFlipper_

In other news: ‘I’ve heard’ – Dharmesh Sheth shares Todd Cantwell to Aston Villa transfer update on Sky Sports. 

A number of Liverpool supporters are delighted at the news that Jordan Henderson should sign a new Reds deal in the near future.

The Reds have had a quiet summer in the transfer window, only signing Ibrahima Konate to date and significantly losing Gini Wijnaldum to Paris Saint-Germain.

It has been a hugely productive time of things in terms of new contracts, however, with Virgil van Dijk the latest player to sign a long-term deal on Friday.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

There has been some doubt surrounding Henderson’s future at Liverpool in recent weeks, with contracts talks seemingly at an impasse.

Thankfully, Jurgen Klopp provided a huge update on the situation in his pre-Norwich City press conference on Friday, claiming his captain’s new deal “will get sorted” [via journalist Dominic King on Twitter].

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Liverpool fans react to Henderson contract news

It is extremely encouraging news which has pleased many, with these Liverpool fans taking to Twitter to provide their thoughts on the matter.

“Buzzing”

Credit: @fareed_jovainy

“At last some sense in Liverpool management hierarchy”

Credit: @PAPAN07_LFC

“Would be very happy with this! Give the team and fans a boost to know the club captain is being given a very deserved contract renewal!”

Credit: @CallumLucas0902

“Brilliant news”

Credit: @AnfieldKnow

“Thank heavens”

Credit: @icy7_YNWA

“Let’s gooooooo”

Credit: @benedettatello9

In other news, some Liverpool fans are fuming at an update regarding one Reds player. Read more here.

Celtic remain in talks over a move for Tottenham defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, according to American reporter Larry Henry Jr.

The Lowdown: Carter-Vickers’ links

Carter-Vickers’ name has been mentioned a fair few times this month in regards to a move to Celtic Park.

Bournemouth, Celtic and Newcastle appeared to be the three teams in the hunt for the defender, with The Daily Record suggesting Carter-Vickers is keen on a Celtic transfer.

Capable of playing at both centre-back and right-back, Carter-Vickers has less than 12 months left on his contract in north London, and after six loan spells, it seems as if a permanent exit could be on the cards.

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The Latest: Recent update

The Hoops brought in Carl Starfelt after Kristoffer Ajer left for Brentford, but the links to Carter-Vickers haven’t gone away.

Henry Jr posted on Twitter on Thursday evening to provide an update on the USA international.

He suggested that both Celtic and Newcastle remain in talks with Spurs over the 23-year-old, with Tottenham set to place a sell-on clause in any permanent transfer.

“An update on Cameron Carter-Vickers, per a source close to the player. Both Celtic and Newcastle remain in talks with Tottenham over a deal and Spurs will receive a sell-on clause in addition to a transfer fee.”

The Verdict: Avoid

Carter-Vickers is valued at £5m by Tottenham despite making just four senior appearances for the club.

Transfermarkt have his valuation down at just £1.8m, and for a player with no Premier League experience and less than 12 months left on his deal, £5m seems a bit much.

The Hoops could possibly find better value for money elsewhere, but it seems as if they are still in the hunt for the versatile defender, so it could be a link to keep a close eye on over the coming days.

In other news: £5.4m-rated club captain admits he would ‘immediately’ sign for Celtic; he’s on £18,000-a-week. 

Celtic have once again been linked with a move for Liverpool defender Ben Davies, according to The Daily Mail’s Dominic King.

The Lowdown: Winter window saga

Davies was wanted by then-Celtic manager Neil Lennon during the January window earlier this year. The 25-year-old was under contract with Preston North End at the time, with the Hoops looking at a pre-contract agreement.

Sky Sports suggested at the end of January that Celtic reached a pre-contract agreement with the left-footed centre-back, but he ended up signing for Liverpool at the last minute.

He is yet to play for Jurgen Klopp’s side, however, and it appears as if he could now depart Anfield without ever featuring for the Reds.

The Latest: Celtic not the only club keen

King took to Twitter on Tuesday evening, sharing news of Fabinho’s new five-year deal at Anfield. He then added that Celtic, Bournemouth and Sheffield United are all keen on Davies, with the latter of the trio having had an initial loan enquiry turned down.

Neil Jones, Liverpool’s correspondent for Goal, revealed on Wednesday morning that the Reds are actually now ready to let Davies go out on loan, also name-checking the three clubs that King mentioned.

The Verdict: Could still be an expensive deal

With Davies thought to be on £60,000 per week on Merseyside, a temporary move could still turn out to be relatively expensive for Celtic – although it is worth noting that each of the Hoops’ current centre-backs are predominantly right-footed, so the 25-year-old would give them something different in that regard.

Who knows, Liverpool may want to receive a loan fee for the defender who Peter Ridsdale called ‘outstanding’, so that on top of a percentage, if not all of his salary, would add up over the season.

Jones believes that the Blades are winning the race for Davies, so if Celtic want to go after the defender again, they may have to be quick.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano claims Celtic were moving for £4.5k-p/w ace on Tuesday; fee appears to be agreed. 

Graham Roberts has urged Tottenham Hotspur to end their pursuit of Southampton defender Jannik Vestergaard and turn their attentions elsewhere in the transfer market.

Nuno Espirito Santo, who was appointed as Spurs’ new head coach last month, has made strengthening his defensive options a priority in the transfer window.

The north Londoners conceded 45 Premier League goals last season and, as a result, were made to settle for a place in the inaugural Europa Conference League after finishing seventh in the top flight.

Spurs are reportedly in talks about beefing up their defence by welcoming Vestergaard, who has entered the final year of his £60,000-per-week contract at Southampton.

The 28-year-old made 32 appearances for Saints last season and also showed the threat he can have in the opposition’s penalty area by contributing three goals.

Vestergaard featured heavily for Denmark during their run to the semi-finals of Euro 2020 but Roberts does not think the central defender is the answer to Spurs’ problems.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, the former Spurs defender said: “He’s not better than what we’ve got already.

“You want somebody better than what you’ve got. I don’t think Vestergaard is top-notch so, if I was the manager, I’d say he’s not for me.”

Wolves have headed into the ongoing transfer market with limited finances.

The Old Gold spent an eye-catching sum of money on new players last term, namely in bringing Fabio Silva and Nelson Semedo to the club.

However, unless Bruno Lage sells a few of their star players, spending similar windfalls will be off the table in 2021.

The new Wolves boss will have to act shrewdly in the window and one way of doing that is discovering some hidden gems.

On the chalkboard

One of those could be Kaio Jorge. Reports last week claimed that the Midlands outfit have made a bid to sign the teenager from Santos this summer.

Compared to Neymar due to the way he’s come through the ranks at the same club, Kaio would be an inspirational piece of business.

Fosun splashed £35.6m on Silva last term but the deal hasn’t gone to plan yet. The 18-year-old scored just four goals in his opening year at Molineux but Jeff Shi will know that he’s paid for the potential here.

Kaio wouldn’t have a hefty price tag attached to his shoulders, though. The 19-year-old could cost around €15m (£12.8m) which would be a bargain for a player of his abilities.

Described as a “lethal” player by Wyscout, he has 15 senior goals to his name and is a particularly tricky customer.

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South American football enthusiast, Tom Robinson, once wrote: “As you would expect from any young Brazilian prospect, Kaio boasts supreme technique and has fantastic quick feet and skills.”

You may well question why Wolves need to sign the youngster after landing Silva 12 months ago but just imagine the pair of them together.

Raul Jimenez is now 30 years of age and once he finally hands over the keys to Wolves’ strike force, Kaio and Silva would be in a position to start more regularly.

At 19 and 18, the idea of seeing the two young attacking players line up alongside each other is a mouth-watering prospect. The pair are raw but have all of the ingredients to thrive at the highest level.

In a few years time, they could strike fear into a host of Premier League defences.

AND in other news, Lage could replace one of Nuno’s favourite Wolves players by signing £20m “diamond”…

According to Portuguese outlet Record (via Sport Witness), Porto and Glasgow Rangers are not in negotiations over a transfer for Alfredo Morelos.

The Lowdown: Morelos linked with Porto

The Colombian has been heavily linked with a move to Porto, with the 25-year-old even reported to have agreed personal terms with the club (Antena 1).

There had been reports of a €17m (£14.6m) agreement (A Bola), but there has now been another update on the 25-year-old which very much appears to contradict that stance.

The Latest: No deal agreed

As per this latest update from Record (via Sport Witness), the two clubs have not come to an agreement at all in regards to the Colombia international – as of yet, there have not even been any negotiations.

While Morelos is said to have opened the door to a move, Porto have not made a concrete approach to sign the forward.

The Verdict: Who knows what to believe?

Every day there appears to be an update on Morelos’ situation. Many supporters may well have been resigned to losing him this summer after it had been suggested that he was close to a move, but they will now have been given hope that he could remain at Ibrox.

One thing is for sure – this is a saga which is likely to go on throughout the summer, just like it did last year when he was said to be on the way to Lille (Sky Sports). That comes with the territory of being one of his club’s most dangerous players, and all Steven Gerrard and the Ibrox hierarchy can do is make sure that the speculation does not damage the Gers’ plans for the new season.

In other news, Steven Gerrard has provided an update on this 24-year-old.