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Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Premier League striker Marcus Bent has described talk of Raheem Sterling leaving Manchester City as “stupid”.

The England forward has been one of City’s standout performers in recent seasons, but has lost his way recently and has found himself out of Pep Guardiola’s best team.

Sterling marked his return to the side by netting the opener against Chelsea on Saturday, but has been starved of minutes in City’s Champions League run.

Having been an unused substitute in the victory over PSG in France, the 26-year-old played only the final eight minutes of the return leg in Manchester on Tuesday.

£300,000-a-week man Sterling has still managed 14 goals and 11 assists in 46 appearances for the Champions League finalists, but reports believe that City are willing to cash-in on the former Liverpool man in order to provide the funds to afford either Jack Grealish or Erling Haaland.

However, Bent doesn’t see any truth in that story and told The Transfer Tavern that he’d surprised to see Sterling leave:

“It’s stupid, it’s foolish. They’re talking about Atletico Madrid for £100m. You never know, that £100m might be playing on his head.

“He’s still young and hasn’t played as much as he would have liked. He’s a fantastic player, he’s matured, he’s good in and around the club. I don’t think he complains about not playing as much.

“But I can’t see that happening. If it does, it’s going to surprise me.”

Leeds United’s one nagging doubt surrounding the future of Marcelo Bielsa is separation from his family.

That’s according to Philip Buckingham, a journalist for The Athletic.

The lowdown

Bielsa is approaching the end of the one-year deal he signed ahead of the club’s return to the Premier League.

They have enjoyed a hugely successful first season back in the top flight – with three games to go, Leeds sit 10th in the table on 50 points, and relegation has never really been a concern for the Whites at any stage in the campaign, with 15th the lowest position they have occupied.

Were they to win their last three matches – against three of the current bottom seven in Southampton, Burnley and West Brom – they would surpass Wolves’ record of 57 points for a Championship-winning side in the first season back in the Premier League.

A report from The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards on Thursday claimed that the Argentine was ‘on the verge’ of agreeing a new contract at Elland Road.

The latest

In The Athletic, Buckingham reiterated Leeds’ ‘clear expectation’ that Bielsa will remain in West Yorkshire, adding that ‘planning is well underway’ for the 2021/22 campaign. However, he noted that there is a ‘lingering shadow of anxiety’ over his future.

Bielsa has been able to spend ‘minimal’ time with his family, who remain in Argentina, since he moved to the club, and there is a feeling that ‘something will have to give at some point’.

Crucially, Buckingham stressed that any separation for those reasons would be premeditated rather than abrupt. In a sporting sense, Bielsa will require assurances that ‘strategies and ambitions are still aligned’, but the club are reportedly confident that they can convince him.

Still, negotiations are likely to be ‘laborious’, with Buckingham adding in a tweet that they ‘must wait for his signature’.

The verdict

Leeds are on an exciting upward trajectory and may well be in the European conversation next season if they can maintain or improve upon their 2020/21 form.

They are reaping the rewards of appointing an outstanding coach but must also put up with his idiosyncrasies.

While the potential of this Leeds project is immense, it also feels uniquely fragile were Bielsa to walk away.

In other news, this Leeds man has been tipped to shine in 2021/22 after a difficult season.  

Leicester City have been linked with a move for Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

What’s the story?

The 23-year-old England international has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge after struggling for game time with his boyhood club since Thomas Tuchel arrived back in December.

According to the Leicester Mercury, the Foxes are among several Premier League clubs interested in Abraham’s services, with a £40m fee reportedly required to prize him away from west London.

Replacement for Vardy?

Although Jamie Vardy remains an extremely useful asset for Brendan Rodgers, bagging 15 goals and providing nine assists in all competitions this season, the 34-year-old is undoubtedly slowing down and it’s time that the club start thinking about getting a replacement in.

The former England international has only scored one goal in his last 13 top-flight appearances, and Leicester’s lack of strength in depth up-front significantly limits their options compared to many of their domestic rivals.

Rodgers has often had the luxury of a top-class striker to call upon throughout his managerial career, Luis Suarez at Liverpool, Moussa Dembele and Celtic and then Vardy at the King Power Stadium, but the latter’s powers are certainly on the wain.

Abraham could provide the perfect solution to Leicester’s striking problem, while the new FA Cup holders could offer the 6 ft 2 forward the ideal way out of his Chelsea nightmare.

It’s a transfer the Midlands outfit’s board must sanction if they want to provide Rodgers with his next natural goalscorer and carry on the incredible progress that the Northern Irishman has overseen during his short time at the club.

Before Abraham made enjoyed success in the Chelsea first team, he made a name for himself on loan at Aston Villa, where he played under John Terry after impressing the former Blues captain during their time together at Cobham.

“I know him very well, having played with him at Chelsea. He’s been incredible here.

“He was the Academy player that when coming over to train with the first team, me and Gary Cahill used to think, ‘oh no, here we go!’ You knew he was going to come over and put himself about – run the channels, score goals, be hungry, be passionate,” recalled the Villa assistant.

“As one of the older ones in the group, I just wanted a nice easy day against a middle-aged striker! Tammy always posed a big threat, and I knew he’d go on and do well.”

Abraham is too good to rot on the Chelsea bench for any longer, and with European football of some description guaranteed for Leicester next season, it’s a move that the Foxes simply have to make.

And, in other news…Leicester City must sanction audacious swoop for “world-class” £120k-p/w workhorse – opinion

A number of Liverpool supporters have been bemoaning the Reds’ new kit, with resounding negativity the order of the day on social media.

Jurgen Klopp’s side picked up a huge win on Wednesday night, making the awkward trip to Burnley and coming away with a 3-0 victory.

Roberto Firmino opened the scoring, burying a finish after numerous other chances had come and gone, before the excellent Nathaniel Phillips made it 2-0 in the second half.

[freshpress-quiz id=“355458″]

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain completed the win late in the day, as Liverpool jumped to fourth in the Premier League table with one game to play.

Away from on-pitch matters, the Reds have unveiled their official home kit for the 2021/22 season, with fans no doubt initially excited to see what their heroes will be wearing next year.

It’s fair to say that the new strip hasn’t been received well on the whole, however, with many admitting they are not admirers of it after the club released images on their official Twitter account.

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Liverpool fans loathe new Reds kit

These Liverpool supporters took to Twitter to provide their thoughts on the kit, which has an orange lining around the neck and sleeves.

“That’s probably our worst home kit ever. Maybe just about being saved by the Warrior ones”

Credit: @BackseatsmanLFC

“Genuinely shocking. Yeah I’m an adult I’m not meant to like football kits or something but Holy god it’s so so bad”

Credit: @KevDublin

“The orange sleeves are a disgrace”

Credit: @_Tom_Cross

“When did we turn into Roma?”

Credit: @Divinalves

“This thing reeks”

Credit: @the_goat12

“Let down by this kit, that orange doesn’t belong there and the lines on the kit look ugly. 5/10”

Credit: @noplasticinsea

In other news, some Liverpool fans love a gesture that one legendary figure made to a current Reds hero. Read more here.

Sheffield United’s hopes of appointing Slavisa Jokanovic this summer appear to have taken a blow after West Brom joined the race for the former Fulham manager.

It has been widely reported in recent weeks that the Serbian is the favourite to take over at Bramall Lane this summer, and given his impressive record in the Championship, it looks as if it would be an excellent appointment for the Blades.

However, journalist Alan Nixon has suggested (via The 72) that Jokanovic is now on West Brom’s shortlist for a new manager, following the news that Sam Allardyce would be leaving his role at The Hawthorns after their relegation to the Championship.

Both West Brom and Sheffield United were relegated from the top flight this season and the Baggies have also been linked with a move for Chris Wilder, who has been out of a job since leaving Bramall Lane back in March.

If they decide to go all-out for Jokanovic, who is currently in charge of Qatari side Al-Gharafa SC, then it looks as if it will be a straight race between the two clubs this summer, which could be a huge blow to the Blades’ chances of appointing him.

There is no telling which side Jokanovic would prefer out of the two, as the Baggies finished just three points clear of Sheffield United this season, yet both will be attractive propositions for a manager looking to get another promotion to the top flight on his CV.

The Serbian first earned promotion with Watford in 2014/15 before leaving his role at Vicarage Road, later returning to English football with Fulham, where he would help the Cottagers to play-off success in the 2017/18 season.

This achievement earned him the praise of former Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy, who praised him for the “remarkable” job he did at Craven Cottage.

Therefore, it is easy to see why both Sheffield United and West Brom would be keen on the 52-year-old this summer as they both seek an immediate return to the Premier League, and therefore Blades owner Prince Abdullah bin Mosa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud must act quickly if he wants to ensure that Jokanovic is plying his trade at Bramall Lane next season.

In other news… Sheffield United suffer huge blow in race for “top talent”, Blades fans will be gutted

Yorkshire Live journalist Dom Howson has reported that Sheffield Wednesday possess a ‘genuine interest’ in Doncaster Rovers defender Reece James.

The lowdown

The 27-year-old is predominantly a left-back but can also play in central midfield and in a more advanced position on the flank. Indeed, he played 11 matches as a number six and a further 10 as a left attacking midfielder in the 2020/21 season (via WhoScored).

Across 43 appearances, James scored seven goals and provided a further two assists for Doncaster. He averaged 1.7 tackles and 1.6 clearances per 90 and also chipped in with 0.9 key passes.

James is valued at a mere £540,000 by Transfermarkt but, crucially, his contract expires in June.

The latest

Sheffield Wednesday like the 27-year-old but Howson admits that the move appears to be a ‘long shot’, as the player’s ‘preference’ would be to move to a club in the Championship.

The journalist added that Cheltenham Town’s Will Boyle ‘was on their radar’ but confirmed that they have ‘moved on’ from the 25-year-old.

More generally, Wednesday are shopping in the free transfer and loan market, and they may be forced into a ‘waiting game’.

The verdict

James looks to be an excellent asset but, as Howson noted, he may be out of Wednesday’s reach following their relegation to League One.

The Owls’ pulling power has inevitably taken a significant hit, but this does underline that there are some very good options available on free transfers and that, even with limited spending power, Wednesday may be able to make some shrewd additions.

In other news, Carlton Palmer says this man must start for the Owls. 

Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce is set to face a major transfer battle in the race to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.

What’s the story?

According to recent reports from journalist Alan Nixon, the Magpies have got their eye on the 21-year-old starlet, with the midfielder having spent the previous campaign on loan at fellow Premier League side West Brom.

Now, The Daily Mail claim that while Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is keen to take a look at him before making any decision, Crystal Palace are keen to sign him right now.

Imagine him and Willock

If Bruce can get a deal over the line for Willock, then partnering him with Gallagher in the middle of the park could be the start of a dream midfield duo for Newcastle next season in the Premier League.

Despite not making too many waves in his time back at Stamford Bridge, Gallagher has been widely praised during his loan spells, with former Charlton boss Lee Bowyer even calling the £26m-rated midfielder a “jewel” that was “impossible to replace.”

And during his time at Swansea last year, Sky Sports pundit Keith Andrews lauded the “unbelievable” energy Gallagher possesses, even comparing him to Chelsea icon Frank Lampard.

He said: “But the one thing he has got is a fantastic engine, much like Lee Bowyer or Frank Lampard – it’s amazing, the resemblances between those two in their younger years particularly. But for me, he’s a classic No 8; he has an unbelievable energy, he does the ugly side of the game, but you have to let him off the leash and let him get forward.”

While two goals and two assists in the Premier League with West Brom last season is hardly anything to write home about, the Magpies wouldn’t need him to be a real goal threat if Willock were to put pen to paper on a permanent deal.

Gallagher could sit a touch deeper and break into the box from time to time rather than as the “classic no.8”, and be more of a destructive presence in the engine room – his 2.7 tackles per game in the top-flight actually ranked him in the top ten of the entire Premier League.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/newcastle-united-steve-bruce-premier-league-magpies-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-st-james-park-mike-ashley-takeover-pif” title=”Read the latest Newcastle transfer rumours and news!”]

With Willock’s dynamism and eye for goal, and Gallagher’s energy and bite, Newcastle could have a superb midfield duo that compliment each other well.

Meanwhile, this man would be Newcastle’s best striker since Alan Shearer…

Steve Cooper has dropped a hint on his future at Swansea City amid reports of his potential departure from the Liberty Stadium this summer.

What’s been said?

In a recent interview with the Swansea City website, Cooper discussed his disappointment following his side’s defeat in the play-off final against Brentford, as well as suggesting that he and his team will be aiming to go one further next season.

Seemingly as a result of the job the 41-year-old has done over his two years at the Liberty Stadium so far, he has been heavily linked with taking over the vacant managerial position at Premier League side Crystal Palace this summer.

However, in his latest interview, Cooper said: “I am proud of the players, I feel like we had an unbelievable season to get to where we got to.

“We had every right to be at Wembley for the final because of the work we put in, but we also had no right to be there in respect of some of the circumstances we have worked under and the challenges we have faced.

“I have said it all along this season, with the squad we have had and in this season of all seasons, the players deserve that credit. They certainly get it from me.

“When you lose a final, it is hard to feel like you have had a really good season. We have had a really good season, but we will have to come again.”

Fans will be buzzing

Considering the rather extraordinary job Cooper has done at Swansea since taking over from Graham Potter back in the summer of 2019, the former England U17 international’s latest comments regarding his future in Wales, specifically the “we will have to come again” line, will surely leave fans of the club buzzing.

Taking over from Potter’s Swansea side that had finished the Championship season in 10th place in their 2018/19 campaign, the 41-year-old immediately guided his side to a top-six finish in his first season, with the Swans narrowly missing out on a spot in the play-off final after a 3-2 aggregate loss to Brentford.

However, this time around, Cooper managed to take his side one step further, securing a fourth-place finish in the league before defeating Barnsley 2-1 on aggregate in the play-off semi-finals.

And, although the Swans ultimately lost 2-0 to an extremely impressive Brentford team in the final, the past two seasons have demonstrated the remarkable progress Swansea have made under the young coach.

As such, the fact that the man whom Andre Ayew dubbed a “quality” manager appears to have suggested that he will indeed remain with the club beyond the summer, despite his links to the Palace job, is incredibly good news for everyone involved with Swansea, as well as providing a huge boost to the club’s chances of making it third-time lucky in their search for promotion next season.

In other news: Swansea dealt huge transfer blow over £4.5m-rated beast that’ll leave Cooper furious

Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham has agreed a long-term deal with AEK Athens and is putting the finishing touches to a cut-price move, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Plenty of Parkhead exits

A number of familiar faces at Celtic Park appear to be moving on this summer.

We already know Scott Brown has joined Aberdeen, with the midfielder agreeing on a player-coach role back in March.

Kristoffer Ajer has recently confirmed he wants to leave the club as well, whereas star striker Odsonne Edouard has told friends he is quitting the Hoops for Leicester City.

It now appears as if Ntcham is another one on the way out of the club for good, and the Hoops may not receive a penny.

The Latest: Ntcham’s long-term deal; free transfer closer

Football Insider shared the story regarding the French midfielder on Thursday morning.

They’ve been informed by a source that a long-term deal has been agreed and a free transfer is moving closer.

The report claims Ntcham will become a free agent with Celtic terminating the 25-year-old’s contract before he goes on to complete his move.

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The Verdict: A move best for all parties?

It appears as if Celtic are happy for Ntcham to seal a free transfer away after exploiting a contract loophole.

They’ll be getting a player on £15,000-a-week off the books, and reports earlier in the week suggested that Ntcham is set to earn £19,000-a-week with the Greek side.

Previous reports didn’t specify how long Ntcham’s deal with AEK would run for, but it seems as if his future for the long-term is in Greece.

You’d expect he’ll get the chance to get his career back on track with AEK, so a move appears to suit all parties involved, with the Hoops avoiding shelling out another long contract for a player who no longer fits at Parkhead.

In other news: Hoops set to miss out on long-term target, find out more here. 

Queens Park Rangers have been dealt a huge blow to their hopes of bringing Ryan Porteous to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Scottish Sun, who claim that Turkish giants Galatasaray have now entered the race for the Hibernian centre-back, with the Super Lig side believed to be preparing an offer for the 22-year-old in the coming weeks.

Porteous had previously been linked with a move to QPR, with it being reported that the Rs’ director of football Les Ferdinand had been personally scouting the £630k-rated man over the course of last season.

However, with the potential of playing Champions League football for Galatasaray next season, should the Turkish side indeed go on to make an offer for the youngster, they would very much appear to be in the driving seat for his signature.

Warburton will be gutted

Considering just how impressive Porteous was for Hibernian last year, news of Galatasaray’s interest in the defender will undoubtedly come as a gutting blow for Mark Warburton, who will be hoping to build a side capable of mounting a push for the play-offs next term over the summer.

Indeed, over his 34 Scottish Premiership appearances last season, the 22-year-old helped Hibs keep 11 clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.5 tackles, 1.6 interceptions and winning 6.9 duels per game.

These metrics saw the £2.7k-per-week centre-back earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.01, ranking him as Jack Ross’ seventh-best performer in a Hibernian side that finished in third place in the Scottish top flight.

As such, the addition of Porteous to Warburton’s options in the centre of defence ahead of next season would have provided the 58-year-old with very impressive depth in the position, with the 22-year-old’s potential signing coming after QPR’s capture of Jordy de Wijs from Hull City.

Although, the reports would appear to suggest that Galatasaray have not firmed up their interest with a concrete offer just yet, meaning that, at present, there still remains a slither of hope regarding a deal for the man Darren McGregor dubbed a “top player.”

As of now however, Porteous may not be on his way to QPR, and Warburton will be desperately disappointed.

In other news: Warburton heading for grave mistake that could see QPR miss out on “incredible” target