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Liverpool could secure their ideal heir to Jordan Henderson this summer after being linked with a move for Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato (as relayed by TheHardTackle), the Reds are keen on signing the Italy international over the coming weeks as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to strengthen his engine room options.

With Gini Wijnaldum departing for French giants Paris Saint-Germain and the future of club captain Henderson far from secure, Liverpool are believed to be searching for added reinforcements in the centre of the pitch.

However, they will reportedly face competition for Barella’s signature, with fierce rivals Manchester United also credited with an interest in the Inter ace.

He’s better than Gini Wijnaldum

The San Siro could be the ideal destination to pick up a superstar this summer as the reigning Serie A champions look to address their financial troubles. Achraf Hakimi has already departed the Nerazzurri for PSG, while Romelu Lukaku is the subject of intense interest from Chelsea.

And Barella could be the next key figure to depart in the current window after several standout performances for club and country over the last couple of campaigns.

After playing a pivotal part in Inter’s first league title victory in 10 years, the box-to-box beast continued to excel on the international stage for Roberto Mancini’s Italy.

Barella bagged one goal and provided two assists for his teammates in six outings as the Azzurri claimed the European Championship trophy in impressive fashion, catching the eye of several onlookers, including Gary Lineker.

The Match of the Day presenter tweeted his admiration for the midfielder after his crucial goal in the quarter-final against Belgium, saying: “Barella the fella as Italy lead with a cracking goal. Superb game this.”

And his figures for the 2020/21 campaign reveal he could even prove to be an upgrade on Wijnaldum, should Klopp pull off an ambition swoop for the former Cagliari gem.

While the Dutch international and Barella both bagged three goals last season, the Inter man laid on a magnificent 13 assists in all competitions, while Wijnaldum failed to record any all campaign.

As per fbref.com, Barella’s underlying attacking figures were also far superiors, with the 5 ft 6 dynamo producing 52 key passes and 2.66 shot-creating actions per 90 to Wijnaldum’s tallies of 23 and 1.50, respectively.

And it wasn’t just in the final third where the Italian excelled, completing 1.33 tackles per 90 and 0.91 interceptions to Wijnaldum’s 0.75 and 0.75.

Whether Liverpool can afford the £58.5m-rated Barella remains doubtful, though, but if Director of Football Michael Edwards can continue to shift the club’s unwanted fringe players, then his excellent negotiating skills may be able to get this transfer over the line.

And, in other news…Liverpool receive boost in their pursuit of £21.3m “livewire”, Klopp would love him 

Flocking to Twitter, these West Ham United fans have had their say after the club confirmed a ‘good bit of news’ in regards to their head of recruitment position.

The Hammers made a club staff announcement yesterday in revealing manager David Moyes’ entire backroom team for the upcoming 2021/2022 campaign.

In what will be a very interesting season ahead for West Ham, where they will even be competing in the Europa League group stages, Moyes will be backed by his first team coaching staff with Billy McKinlay now returning to the club.

He will be joined by the existing team of assistants in Kevin Nolan, Paul Nevin, Stuart Pearce and Xavi Valero – with the Irons confirming more seemingly good news as well.

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As per the official announcement, West Ham say they are also close to appointing a Head of Recruitment.

In what could be a big potential call in terms of overseeing transfer activity, these supporters believe this is positive news for the club as they drop their takes on social media.

Find all of their best ones down below.

West Ham fans flock to Head of Recruitment news…

“This is a good bit of news!! Despite the negative stuff over the last two days, we are getting someone in recruitment. It’s a step forward for sure”

Credit: @FromTheAnvilWHU

“Head of recruitment close to being appointed which is a huge positive towards transfers”

Credit: @1bbyWHU

“Might actually get somewhere now”

Credit: @WHUsamzini

“This is positive”

Credit: @westham_hub

“Should help deals move forward too.”

Credit: @samizgould

“Ooooh !!”

Credit: @shanyloublog

In other news: ‘Exciting’, ‘Here we go’, ‘Thank you’ – West Ham fans also flocked to this club announcement, find out more here.

Barry Fry has confirmed that figures at Everton want to appoint Duncan Ferguson as the club’s new manager, as reports suggest that Nuno Santo is edging closer to being named as the next Toffees manager.

The exit of Carlo Ancelotti, who has joined Real Madrid, has left the Toffees somewhat in the lurch.

They have been linked with a number of replacements, including ex-Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez and the former Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

Fry is the Director of Football at Peterborough United, and says that he has spoken with figures at Goodison Park, and believes that they are receptive to the idea of appointing ex-player Ferguson.

He is the current assistant manager at the club and enjoyed two spells at the club as a player, from 1994 to 1998, and then from 2000 to 2006.

The Scot was also the interim manager in 2019, after Marco Silva left in 2019, and he memorably oversaw a home 3-1 win over Chelsea in his first game in charge during that spell.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Fry said: “The people I speak to up there are really keen on Duncan taking over. They feel that he does a lot on the training ground. He’s got the respect of every single player there and every single staff member.

“That would be a brave, brave move on the owner’s part to put him in charge but sometimes it’s better the devil you know. He’s been there, he’s been everybody’s assistant, he’s slowly learning the game.

“Is it the right time to give him the reigns? It wouldn’t surprise me.”

Aston Villa look set to beat Manchester United in the race to sign Fleetwood Town defender Josh Feeney, according to Birmingham Live.

And, as to be expected, plenty of Villa fans have been sharing their thoughts on the transfer news on social media.

Reliable reporter Ashley Preece wrote the story on Birmingham Live on Thursday evening, claiming Villa Park is Feeney’s preferred destination.

The England Under-16 captain, who plays as a centre-back, has been in talks with Villa this week and visited the club’s Bodymoor Hath facility on Thursday afternoon.

Feeney’s representatives were reportedly impressed with what they saw in the Midlands, and it seems as if the 16-year-old is now edging closer to becoming the club’s third summer signing after Emiliano Buendia and Ashley Young.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared the news on Feeney on Thursday evening. These Villa supporters were excited at the update, with one describing the teenager as a potential ‘brilliant’ acquisition.

“Villa’s academy is booming you love to see it”Credit: @GW_94″we are massive”Credit: @avfc365″U16 England captain and trained for the senior fleetwood team for ages, unsure whether he’s made his debut yet though. Looks like a brilliant addition to me”Credit: @JoeAVFC_”We are on fire”Credit: @NickPJThompson”We are becoming a very tempting move for talented youngsters these days. Big investment in the academy staff and facilities, a dominant performance in the FA Youth Cup and players making their way into the first team setup this season showing a pathway for the future…”Credit: @sportdw”6’4 CB training with the first team. Proper talent”Credit: @DOUGLASLUlZ

In other news: Big James Ward-Prowse update emerges, find out more here. 

Everton are leading the race for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes but Newcastle are still in with a shout of signing him.

That’s according to Portuguese newspaper Record (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

22-year-old Nunes made 39 appearances for Sporting in all competitions last season, scoring three goals and setting-up three more.

One of his former team-mates at Estoril, Goncalo Santos, has hailed him as ‘unbelievable’ with the ball at his feet and claimed he’s ‘impossible’ to catch.

Nunes only signed a contract extension in the Portuguese capital last October, ostensibly tying him down until 2025.

The latest

Everton are said to be closing in on an agreement with Sporting after weeks of talks, with a €20million (£17.2million) deal in the pipeline.

Newcastle, the report states, tried to sign Nunes in January and have yet to ‘give up’ on landing the Brazilian.

Intriguingly, Sport Witness sources claim that Everton’s pursuit is being delayed by their manager hunt.

The Toffees have yet to appoint a successor to Carlo Ancelotti, who left to return to Real Madrid at the start of June.

But former Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez is tipped to take over at Goodison Park.

The verdict

Newcastle may be running out of time to jump ahead of Everton with Benitez’s appointment seemingly imminent.

You’d think that Everton can’t rubber-stamp any deal without confirmation from a new boss, but it may be a formality when he does arrive.

In truth, Toon supporters would perhaps prefer to see any funds that have been set aside for a midfield signing put towards a move for Joe Willock, who was a revelation after his mid-season loan move.

It bodes well that they’re competing for big-money deals, though, after previous claims of a very small transfer budget.

In other news, this starlet has reportedly agreed terms with Newcastle. 

Reading have made an offer to bring Chuks Aneke to the Madejski Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by TEAMtalk, who claim that Veljko Paunovic has submitted an offer to the Charlton Athletic forward regarding a switch to the Royals this summer, with the 27-year-old’s contract at The Valley set to expire at the end of the month.

The report goes on to state that the £360k-rated attacker has rejected the offer of a new deal with Nigel Adkins side, meaning that he will be available to sign on a free transfer in the coming weeks.

However, TEAMtalk also claim that a number of other Championship sides, including the likes of Middlesbrough, Coventry City, Queens Park Rangers and Bristol City, have also submitted an offer for the former England U19 international.

Paunovic must move

Considering how highly Aneke impressed for Charlton this season, it is hardly surprising to learn of the enormous amount of interest in the former Arsenal forward this summer.

Indeed, over his 38 League One appearances for the Addicks this term, the 27-year-old scored 15 goals, registered two assists and created three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.3 shots and winning 4.9 duels per game.

These returns saw the £5.4k-per-week man earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.03, ranking him as Charlton’s fifth-best performer in the third tier – something that is all the more impressive when considering the fact that Aneke started just 11 of his 38 League One fixtures.

As such, it would very much seem as if the Charlton man would be an excellent addition to Paunovic’s attacking arsenal at the Madejski Stadium, something that could well be required, as one of the club’s brightest stars, Michael Olise, has been heavily linked with a move away from the Royals this summer.

So, it would be highly advisable for the 43-year-old manager to do all he can to convince Aneke of a switch to Reading this summer, or else risk missing out on the man Lee Bowyer dubbed “unplayable” to one of the club’s Championship rivals.

In other news: Reading dealt big transfer blow over “fearless” £2.2k-p/w gem, Paunovic will be gutted

Many Rangers fans have been left to slam the display of Jack Simpson despite their 3-0 win at Livingston in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday night.

A penalty from James Tavernier as well as further strikes from Ryan Kent and Ianis Hagi maintained the Ibrox faithful’s unbeaten run in the league with just one more game left to play.

While there were some solid performances on the night, Simpson seemed to struggle at the back, picking up a very early yellow card in the 23rd minute.

The former AFC Bournemouth man lost out on three of his duels and also failed to block any shots or make a single interception or tackle in the match, all while losing possession of the ball on no fewer than on 18 separate occasions, the second-most out of any of his teammates to have set foot on the pitch (Sofascore).

Rangers fans on Simpson display

These Gers slammed his performance on Twitter, with one RFC supporter even going as far as to claim that the 24-year-old is ‘garbage’:

“Jack Simpson’s garbage”

Credit: @fraserrlawrie

“Have to say, Jack Simpson has a long way to go to convince me he’s good enough for our team.”

Credit: @KCS45764876

“It’s early days and I get that but I tend to go on my gut and my gut feeling on Jack Simpson is nah.”

Credit: @kirsten93_

“Really struggling to see Jack Simpson as Rangers standard”

Credit: @PlayGrum

“I fear Jack Simpson isn’t good enough to play for RFC.”

Credit: @knocks_john

“Jack Simpson again, not covering himself in glory so far in a Rangers shirt”

Credit: @grantmckay7

In other news, find out what Steven Gerrard update has left Gers buzzing here!

Christian Benteke is an injury doubt for Crystal Palace’s Premier League clash with Liverpool this weekend, acting as a potential huge boost for the Reds’ inexperienced backline ahead of a season-defining afternoon at Anfield.

The Lowdown: Sink or swim for Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp’s side face an enormous task on Sunday afternoon, with the Eagles heading to Anfield for a final-day meeting.

A win for Liverpool should guarantee a top-four finish  – something that looked almost impossible only a few weeks ago – salvaging a season that has long threatened to be a complete disaster.

Last year’s champions are on a run of six wins and two draws from their last eight games, finding form at just the right time and battling their way to key victories.

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The Latest: Benteke could miss crucial clash

According to South London News, Benteke is a doubt to face his former club this weekend, with the Palace striker struggling with an achilles issue.

Roy Hodgson is yet to rule him out of the game, but his absence would be a blow for the Eagles, considering he has scored in his last four consecutive appearances.

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The Verdict: Potential huge boost for Reds

Should Benteke be deemed unfit, there is no denying that Klopp will be relieved, especially with Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams expected to start at centre-back again.

The Belgian is a huge physical threat, with Williams still maturing in that respect, while his recent eye for goal speaks for itself, as well as the fact he has bagged six strikes in 11 league games against Liverpool.

Williams has been winning 3.3 aerial duels per game this season in the top flight, but Benteke more than doubles that with 6.8 per match.

Frankly, the Reds should be good enough to get the job done, regardless of Benteke playing or not, but the vast majority of supporters would surely rather he wasn’t on the pitch.

In other news, some Liverpool fans are fuming at the choice of officials for the Palace game. Read more here.

Carlton Palmer believes that Aston Villa wouldn’t be a sideways move for Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse.

Dean Smith’s side might have finished 12 points ahead of the Saints, but disappointing second half of the season meant they ended up just four places above the St Mary’s outfit.

However, widespread reports believe that Smith is trying to bring the Southampton captain to Villa Park this summer in what would be their latest high-profile Premier League addition.

Villa have already secured the services of Norwich’s Emiliano Buendia for a club-record fee last week, whilst Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez arrived 12 months ago.

Ward-Prowse has enjoyed an impressive season for Southampton, scoring eight times – two of which were stunning free-kicks against Aston Villa – which is more than Jack Grealish, whilst also laying on seven assists for his teammates.

However, his form wasn’t enough to see him named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for the Euro’s despite an outstanding performance in the final warm-up game against Romania on Sunday.

Palmer told Football FanCast that signing for Villa would be a progressive move for Ward-Prowse despite the club’s both on a similar level:

“Villa are going for it. They’ve just managed to sign Buendia. Villa are a big, big club, and have a top manager in Dean Smith.

“So, from Southampton to Aston Villa, I think that’s a good move. And with Grealish there, I don’t expect Grealish to be going anywhere.

“He’s getting a very good squad of players there, and they could be challenging top six or top seven next season, so that would be a good move for him.”

Former Tottenham Hotspur captain Graham Roberts has told Football FanCast that he expects Jose Mourinho to net a payoff worth £15m after his sacking from the club.

The Portuguese was sacked on Monday, with chairman Daniel Levy installing Ryan Mason as the interim head coach until the end of the season.

Mourinho endured a difficult time at the helm, and has overseen a hugely underwhelming season in many ways.

Indeed, Spurs were top of the Premier League for a time in 2020 but were seventh on Monday when he was fired, while they were also knocked out of the Europa League in humiliating fashion by Dinamo Zagreb.

They have the Carabao Cup final to look forward to this weekend against Manchester City, and reports have suggested that Mourinho will earn £20m from his sacking.

However, Roberts believes that he will instead be handed one year’s salary, thus seeing Spurs’ chances of signing an extra centre-back in the summer transfer window go up in smoke.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “I think it’d be £15m. That’s what he was on per year, so I would have thought it’ll be the year’s contract.

“I think it’s a rolling, one-year deal, so if you get sacked you get one year’s payment. Whatever it is, it’s a lot of money, that’s a centre-half gone next year.”