Leeds fans split on Lasogga future

Leeds fans have been discussing the future of Pierre-Michel Lasogga, and it seems like a pretty even split amongst fans.

When Lasogga joined Leeds last summer, it seemed like the club had come as close as possible to replacing Chris Wood.

The German got off to an electrifying start at Elland Road, scoring two and assisting two on his debut, but things quickly turned sour for the big German.

After a thigh injury in November, Lasogga managed just two goals in eight league games on his return.

He did score three games in a row during February, but he hasn’t found the net since then and fans are growing tired of his languid style.

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The 26 year-old is of course only at the club on loan from Hamburg, and fans are debating whether they should make the move permanent.

On one hand, Lasogga clearly knows where the back of the net is, and he is a much better finisher than the likes of Caleb Ekuban and Jay-Roy Grot.

However, the German has been downright lazy in recent months, and there is just no place for that in a league as tough as the Championship.

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Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…

Electric Ekambi is the perfect striker for Everton

According to reports, Everton are lining up a summer swoop for red hot Angers striker Karl Toko Ekambi.

What’s the word?

Everton are one of a number of clubs pursuing the striker sensation Ekambi, with Newcastle and Brighton also interested in bringing the Cameroon international to the Premier League.

Ekambi has scored 17 league goals in 34 appearances for Angers this season, an extremely impressive hit rate for a striker in a team that has only managed 39 goals as a whole.

The report claims the three Premier League clubs will battle it out for the £20million move, with Spanish side Villarreal also interested.

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Ekambi for Everton?

Valued at €12m (£10.5m) by Transfermarkt, Ekambi has been nothing short of sensational for Angers this season, adding five assists to his 17 goals.

The 25 year-old is direct and dangerous with the ball at his feet, and seems to have found a clinical touch in front of goal as he enters his prime.

Averaging 1.7 dribbles per game, 2.7 shots and 1.3 key passes, it is perhaps not surprising he has managed such impressive numbers in front of goal this season.

The pacey striker also has 17 Cameroon caps, in which has found the net twice.

While Ekambi is absolutely not the finish product, £20m for a player in the form he is in worth the risk, and his ability to play on the wing as well as up front would give Everton plenty of options.

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Everton are much closer to the finished product of a squad than Brighton or Newcastle, so he would have a much better chance of hitting the ground running at Goodison.

If Gylfi Sigurdsson can find his creative form when he returns from injury Ekambi could be an instant hit on Merseyside, and form a super partnership with Cenk Tosun.

Everton fans, would you back a summer swoop for Ekambi? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…

Neither Callum McGregor nor Celtic are likely to seek transfer this summer

As reported by The Sun, Callum McGregor has emerged as a summer transfer target for two English Premier League sides.

What’s the story?

McGregor has emerged as one of the most important players at the Hoops in recent years, rising from bit part fringe player to a trusted member of Brendan Rodgers squad.

Inevitable then that he would be linked with a move away from Glasgow ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Sun report he is a £10m target for both Bournemouth and Watford this summer.

The paper reckon Cherries boss Eddie Howe is a big fan while the Hornets have been scouting him through former Hoops striker Tommy Johnson.

With three years left on his contract at Celtic Park though, is he likely to be leaving his boyhood heroes anytime soon?

Will he move to the Premier League?

With 11 goals and eight assists this season, McGregor has played a massive part in securing the club’s seventh successive Scottish Premiership title.

With competition for midfield fierce at the Hoops, the Scotland international holds his own with regular starts and appearances, showing huge improvement under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers over the last two seasons.

Fair to say then that he’s likely good enough to play Premier League football for a lower to mid-table side and at the age of 24, has plenty of room to improve even further.

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The problem for buying clubs is that he seems immensely happy at the Hoops, who in turn appear hugely pleased with his progress too. It’s important for the club to keep a Scottish core to their side and McGregor is likely to be a central part of that for years to come, especially with players like Scott Brown at the tail-end of their careers.

This summer seems far too early to entertain a move away and we’re likely to see the hard-working player stay at the club for now.

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Cairney once again shows his worth to Fulham

Fulham booked their spot in the Championship playoff final with a 2-0 win over Derby County in the second leg of their semi-final on Monday night.

Derby took a 1-0 lead into the second leg of their last-four tie, but goals from Ryan Sessegnon and Denis Odoi at Craven Cottage saw the capital outfit record a 2-1 aggregate success.

Sessegnon’s goal and indeed performance took a lot of the attention once again, but there is no question that Tom Cairney’s display in the middle of the park was a key contributor in the Cottagers advancing to the final.

Cairney has been strongly linked with a move away from Fulham, with Newcastle United and Leicester City among the Premier League clubs believed to be interested.

Both would have been watching the 27-year-old closely on Monday night, and it proved to be another fine performance from the midfielder.

Cairney, who is valued at £13.5m by transfermarkt.co.uk, managed two shots and three dribbles during his time on the field, but it was his use of the ball that made the biggest impression on the night.

Indeed, a pass success rate of 93%, coupled with 87 accurate passes and 108 touches are very impressive numbers for a central midfielder in a match of such magnitude.

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Derby did not make it easy for Cairney to find space, but the former Leeds United youngster was so calm in possession, and a lot of Fulham’s good work went through the midfielder.

Fulham will now be bidding to win the Championship playoff final, and they will surely need to secure Premier League promotion this season to stand any chance of keeping one of the most talented players outside of the top flight.

HYS: Should Bailly start for Man United in the FA Cup final?

Jose Mourinho has said that Eric Bailly has not featured heavily in the closing weeks of the season because he has been trying to grant players who have a chance of going to the World Cup as much gametime as possible.

However, with the England squad announced prior to the Wembley showdown with Chelsea, the fates of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have already been decided, Victor Lindelof has already been named in the Sweden squad and Marcos Rojo is in the 35-man provisional Argentina party.

That may open the door for Mourinho to recall Bailly – who is arguably the club’s most able defender – for the meeting with Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday in the final of the FA Cup.

With Mourinho looking to extend his record of having never lost a major final in normal time, Bailly’s athleticism could well be an asset and that’s why we’re asking you whether the Ivorian – valued at £31.5m by Transfermarkt – should get the nod.

Let us know by voting in the poll below and keep your eyes peeled for the results ahead of kick off…

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Joel Pereira should leave Man United this summer

According to ESPN FC, Manchester United goalkeeper Joel Pereira is wanted by a number of Spanish and Italian sides in this summer’s transfer window.

What’s the story?

Pereira joined United from Swiss club Neuchatel Xamax in 2012, but the stopper has only made three first-team appearances for the Red Devils.

The stopper’s debut for the 20-time English champions came in January 2017 – when he appeared in an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Wigan Athletic.

Pereira has spent time out on loan, however, playing on eight occasions for Rochdale during the 2015-16 season, before making 10 appearances for Portuguese outfit Belenenses in the first half of the 2016-17 campaign.

According to ESPN FC, La Liga trio Real Betis, Sevilla and Real Sociedad all want to sign him on loan for the 2018-19 season, whilst Italian teams Torino, Atalanta and Fiorentina are also considering approaches this summer.

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The 21-year-old is highly rated by United boss Jose Mourinho, and it has previously been suggested that the Portuguese is keen to have three senior goalkeepers at the club next term.

Should Pereira leave this summer?

David de Gea’s presence at Old Trafford means that Pereira is going to find it extremely difficult to secure regular football between the sticks.

Sergio Romero has also impressed during his time at United, and the Argentina international will again be second choice next season if he stays at the club.

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Mourinho might want to keep Pereira in Manchester, but it would be beneficial for both parties if he had a full season out on loan.

Indeed, the Portuguese demonstrated at Belenenses that he has the potential to be a very good goalkeeper in the European game, and he could well become the understudy to De Gea at United in the future if given the chance.

It seems a no-brainer for United to send him out on loan for the full season as they would be sure to reap the rewards upon his return.

Southampton fans react as new home shirt is leaked before announcement

Southampton announced via their official Twitter account last Thursday that their new kit would be revealed on June 16, but images of the home shirt have already leaked and been shown on sale in Australia, and Saints fans have been quick to react to that and the design ahead of the big club announcement on Saturday.

In what has seemed to be a big mix-up between the south coast outfit and kit manufacturer Under Armour, the red-and-white striped strip has already been sold in Brisbane, as well as in Asia.

The design is certainly very different to the 2017/18 effort, with the narrow stripes replacing the large white column with red sides that made up the one that was worn as Mark Hughes’ men narrowly avoided relegation to the Championship.

Southampton supporters, who have delivered their verdict on the club’s potential double transfer swoop, were quick to have their say on the appearance of the home shirt and the fact that is already on sale in other countries days before its official release via social media, and while one described the kit as an “absolute horror show”, another described the whole situation as “embarrassing”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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Liverpool fans back Firmino to progress furthest at World Cup with Brazil

Liverpool fans will slowly be getting over the disappointment of losing the Champions League final and will begin looking ahead to the new season.

Jurgen Klopp has already attempted to improve the midfield by recruiting Fabinho from Monaco, while Naby Keita will finalise his switch from RB Leipzig.

As well as the transfer window, Liverpool fans will be keeping their eye on the World Cup in Russia.

The Merseyside outfit will have a number of representatives, including Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Simon Mignolet, Dejan Lovren and Sadio Mane.

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Liverpool supporters will be keen to see their stars perform well on the global stage, but there will also be keeping everything crossed that none of their favourites suffer injuries.

Despite the star quality of Salah and Mane, their respective nations Egypt and Senegal do not necessarily match up for quality, which is reflected in the betting on the World Cup.

Mignolet has an opportunity to progress far in the competition with a high-profile Belgium squad, but it is Firmino – valued at £72m by Transfermarkt – who most fans think will be the most successful in the tournament.

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The forward will be part of a star-studded Brazil squad that boasts the likes of Neymar and ex-Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho.

Twitter account Anfield Edition asked fans to pick who they think will progress the furthest, and one name stood out.

Gotze’s injury woes are cause for concern but West Ham United should not shy away

More often than not, throwing away the chance to sign a World Cup hero would be ludicrous, but in this case, West Ham United should take time to assess whether a move for Mario Gotze is worth it or not.

Sky Sports News reported on Thursday that the Hammers are among a number of clubs interested in the Borussia Dortmund midfielder.

Arsenal, Everton, Marseille and Valencia are also believed to be potential suitors for the 26-year-old, who scored the winning goal for Germany to clinch the World Cup in 2014.

Gotze’s situation has changed dramatically in recent seasons, as he spent five months on the sidelines with a metabolic illness and failed to make the international team for this summer’s World Cup in Russia.

Despite this, the midfielder managed to show glimpses of his quality during the 2017-18 campaign.

Across 32 appearances in all competitions, the former Bayern Munich star played a hand in vital attacking plays and created 31 shots on goal.

West Ham are screaming out for more creativity from the middle of the park, and even when not at his optimum best, Gotze – who Transfermarkt value at £16.2million – still delivered for his teammates last season.

One thing that he should have done more of, though, was score goals, as he only mustered two for his tally throughout the campaign.

Gotze’s fitness concerns should not be ignored by the Hammers, and due to previous problems with injury-plagued players at the East London outfit like Andy Carroll, they should be more cautious than most.

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However, the German World Cup winner has the quality to thrive in the Premier League, and that should outweigh the risk.

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Emre Can posts farewell video to Liverpool, fans react

When Emre Can confirmed his move to Juventus earlier this week, it would have come as no surprise to Liverpool fans.

For months now, speculation has been rife that the German international was planning to leave Anfield.

The midfielder’s contract was due to expire this summer and he had no intention of penning fresh terms.

Now, Can will be plying his trade in Serie A for a club who have won the league title every season for the past seven years.

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Understandably, plenty of Liverpool fans have expressed disappointment in the 24-year-old opting against staying on Merseyside.

The majority, though, are relieved that the saga is now over and the Reds can focus on moving forward.

Before embarking on his new career in Turin, Can posted a farewell message to Liverpool and the fans via an Instagram video.

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Supporters have given mixed responses to the midfielder’s parting words, with some wishing him well and others still feeling bitter about his decision to leave.

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