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Aston Villa starlet Cameron Archer is attracting ‘a lot of interest’, talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook says. 

The lowdown

20-year-old striker Archer, along with 19-year-old midfielder Jaden Philogene-Bidace, spent the second half of the season on loan in the Championship.

Archer joined Preston North End, while Philogene-Bidace headed to Stoke City.

The former was able to bag seven goals in 20 league appearances for the Lancashire outfit, averaging one every 2.5 games.

His Villa contract runs until the summer of 2025, and he’s currently valued at £5.4million by Transfermarkt.

The latest

Crook reported via his Twitter account on Friday morning that Archer is highly coveted.

He name-checks three of his numerous admirers – Steven Gerrard’s former club Rangers, relegated Watford and championship promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough.

Crook doesn’t state whether the clubs are pursuing a loan or a permanent transfer.

The verdict

Archer is a highly promising talent, so any move should be a loan to further prepare him a first-team chance.

The England Under-21 international is too good to be playing U23 football at this point, having hit 17 goals and provided seven assists in 36 games at that level.

He’s only made six appearances for the senior side so far but he’s certainly made his mark, scoring a hat-trick in a 6-0 Carabao Cup win over Barrow last August and finding the net away to Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea in the next round too.

Gerrard must also be wary of blocking his path, with reports suggesting that he wants to sign another striker this summer.

If Archer sees Danny Ings, Ollie Watkins and a new face in front of him, he may begin to consider other options.

And that would be a blow to Villa, with Archer billed by Clinton Morrison as an ‘outstanding’ talent.

In other news, read this journalist’s Danny Ings claim. 

Wolves ended their latest Premier League season with one of the best defensive records in the top flight.

The Old Gold conceded 43 goals in their 38 league matches, leaving only the clubs that finished in the top four with a better concession rate.

One man who played a big part in this impressive factor of their season is Romain Saiss.

Across 31 league appearances, the Moroccan made more clearances (173) than any other Wolves player, along with a higher combined total of tackles and interceptions (141) than anyone else in Bruno Lage’s squad.

In fact, of the seven league games that the 32-year-old missed, the Old Gold failed to keep a clean sheet in any of them.

Now that it has been revealed that the defender won’t be at the club next season following six years of service, the summer transfer window will give Lage the chance to bring in a suitable replacement for Saiss.

One man who has been linked with a move to Molineux recently who could fit that particular bill is Braga centre-back David Carmo.

With 87 appearances across Braga’s youth and senior teams, the 22-year-old would definitely be a good long-term option for Wolves in terms of his age and relative experience.

After recovering from an ankle injury, the centre-back – who reportedly has a release clause of €40m (£34m) – played in Braga’s final 12 league games of the season. Over those dozen matches, they kept seven clean sheets, after only recording nine in their 22 games prior to Carmo’s return.

To further highlight his defensive prowess, the £13.5m-rated defender ended the campaign with the second-highest average for clearances per game (three) in Braga’s squad.

Labelled as “one of the best” centre-backs in Portugal according to his manager Carlos Carvalhal, the defender could well be Lage’s dream replacement for Saiss.

Taking all this into account, it seems clear that Carmo is a capable defender who could well become a top player in the Premier League if given the chance to impress in England’s top flight.

With the Old Gold presumably looking to add another defender to their ranks following Saiss’ departure, we feel that the Braga colossus should be near the top of their list for potential candidates.

In other news: Deal agreed: Big Molineux transfer development emerges, it’s great news for Wolves

West Ham United insider Claret & Hugh have shared an update on the club’s pursuit of Man United attacker Jesse Lingard amid a big development on the player’s future.

The Lowdown: Lingard set to leave…

The 29-year-old, with his contract expiring later this month, is now confirmed to be leaving Old Trafford with the Red Devils releasing an official statement on Wednesday.

West Ham have allegedly tried to sign Lingard permanently on two occasions since his phenomenal spell on loan in east London over the second half of 2020/2021.

The Englishman racked up nine goals and four assists in just 16 Premier League starts over his stint under Moyes with the Hammers making ‘initial enquiries’ to take over his services as a free agent (Sky Sports).

The Latest: Moyes weighing move…

According to Claret & Hugh, amid the development of his now confirmed status as a free agent, West Ham’s boss is personally ‘again weighing up a move’ for Lingard.

They add that Moyes may feel this could be ‘third time lucky’ on his previous two attempts with the attacking midfield man set to depart on a Bosman deal.

The Verdict: Stick or twist?

Called ‘sensational’ by Nigel Winterburn during his spell at West Ham, Lingard already knows the club and Moyes very well having enjoyed a successful time at the London Stadium.

On a free deal, it could be a move worth initially exploring, but if the player’s demands or finalising a transfer proves too tricky, we believe the Irons shouldn’t hesitate in moving on to other targets.

Indeed, the last thing supporter will want is another unsuccessful Lingard saga dominating most of this crucial window.

In other news: CNN journalist: West Ham quoted eight-figure fee as GSB eye ‘exciting’ striker move for Moyes, find out more here.

Antonio Conte reportedly has his sights set on bringing Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling to Tottenham Hotspur this summer, according to The Telegraph.

The Lowdown: Sterling profiled

The 27-year-old joined the Sky Blues in a £49m move from Premier League rivals Liverpool seven years ago, and he has since gone on to make 339 appearances for his current club, scoring 131 goals and providing 95 assists during that time, as per Transfermarkt.

Despite still having just over a year remaining on his contract with Pep Guardiola’s side, the winger has been heavily linked with a move away from the Premier League champions, with the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea being named as potential suitors.

However, following a fresh update, it would now appear as though the most current interest is coming from the Lilywhites.

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The Latest: Spurs line up Sterling swoop

In a new article published by The Telegraph, it is claimed that Sterling is a player that Conte would ‘no doubt’ look at signing if he decides to leave City. However, it remains ‘highly questionable’ whether or not Spurs would be able to afford his wages and price tag, which is believed to have been set at around the £80m mark.

The report added that the 74-cap England international will ‘carefully weigh his options’ up whilst on holiday next month before making a return to the UK to hold ‘talks’ with City about his future, although it is thought that the attacker would aim to join a club ‘higher’ than the north London outfit.

The Verdict: Second time lucky?

Despite finding the net 17 times across all competitions this season, Sterling has slightly fallen down the pecking order under Guardiola in recent weeks behind the likes of Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish, so it’s no shock to see him being rumoured with a summer exit.

The former Liverpool man, who was once dubbed a “beast” by former City centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo, has previously been associated with a switch to N17, after Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was offered the player as part of an attempted swap deal for Harry Kane just last year.

After successfully securing Champions League football for Tottenham next term, Conte is now said to be targeting between six and eight new signings to bolster his ranks ahead of the 2022/23 season, one of which is a forward who can play either centrally or out wide. If the price is right, the versatile Sterling might just be someone who comes back onto the club’s radar in the coming months.

In other news… Conte is believed to have made a major transfer decision involving this former Spurs star

Leeds United have written to the Premier League to question if Everton have broken Financial Fair Play rules, according to Sky Sports.

The Lowdown: Everton safe, Leeds in the bottom three

The Whites take on Brentford this afternoon knowing that defeat would send them back to the Championship.

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Leeds have been battling both Burnley and Everton in recent weeks to avoid the final relegation spot, but the Toffees are now mathematically safe after a dramatic comeback against Crystal Palace on Thursday.

Burnley also picked up a point away at Aston Villa, meaning that Jesse Marsch’s side need to better the Clarets’ result against Newcastle later today to stay up.

The Latest: Sky Sports claim

Sky Sports provided a ‘significant’ update live on air on Friday afternoon regarding Leeds, Burnley and Everton. They stated that both Leeds, who are owned by Andrea Radrizzani, and Burnley have made contact with the Premier League, questioning if the Merseyside club have broken Financial Fair Play rules.

Everton have recorded losses of £371.8m over the past three years, £266.8m more than the maximum permissible amount of £105m. However, the Toffees are ‘comfortable’ that they have ‘complied with the rules’ and argue that the pandemic has had a huge impact on their figures.

The Verdict: One to watch…

Regardless of who goes down out of Leeds and Burnley this afternoon, this story could well get very messy and rumble on over the summer.

You’d expect that a potential punishment for Everton wouldn’t come into play this season, although they could be affected heading into the 2022/23 campaign if they have breached any fair play rules.

That won’t be of any help to whichever team drops back down to the Championship at the end of play today, but you can see why both the Whites and the Clarets want answers from those at the top regarding those extreme losses.

In other news: Big setback for Marsch as Phil Hay shares final major injury blow for Leeds pre-Brentford

The Athletic’s Aston Villa correspondent Gregg Evans lauded Matty Cash for his opening goal in their defeat against Manchester City this afternoon. 

The lowdown: So near but so far

Villa were so close to playing a huge part in the destiny of the Premier League title and causing a seismic upset after Cash headed Steven Gerrard’s side in front before Philippe Coutinho doubled the lead.

However, it wasn’t to be as an Ilkay Gundogan brace came either side of a long-range Rodri strike to consign Villa to defeat and break Liverpool’s hearts, with the Reds consigned to another runners-up finish.

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Despite what came afterwards, one reputable journalist was full of praise for the right-back after that opening goal…

The latest: Evans wowed by Cash goal

Taking to Twitter, Evans reacted instantly as the 24-year-old Poland international broke the deadlock in the first half.

He tweeted: “#MCFC 0-1 #AVFC (Cash) Wow. Huge shock on the cards. And some more VERY good Villa news on the way…”

The verdict: Capped off a fine performance

It was so nearly a monumental day for Villa, and indeed for the league as a whole, but instead it wasn’t quite to be for them or for Liverpool.

Despite the cruel manner of the defeat and the troubling aspect of three goals being conceded in five minutes, there are certainly positives to take from the match from Gerrard’s perspective.

Perhaps the biggest overall plus was the performance of the £19.8m-valued Cash, who made two clearances, won six duels and made one interception in a 6.7-rated display (Sofascore). His goal capped off what was a superb all-round showing from the 24-year-old.

In other news: Internal discussions held as Villa now eyeing bargain move for ‘outstanding’ player

West Ham United host Manchester City this afternoon as the Hammers look to climb into the top six whilst City can extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points.

The Irons have all but secured a place in the Europa Conference League but can still overtake Manchester United to record a second consecutive top six finish.

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However, today’s match will be all about one person for the East London club…Mark Noble.

Having made 548 appearances for West Ham, the Hammers’ skipper will wave goodbye to the home supporters one last time before the 35-year-old retires at the end of the season.

Therefore, the midfielder deserves to start in the Premier League one last time for his boyhood club.

On the chalkboard

Granted, it’s not been the most eventful season for Noble despite West Ham’s impressive run to the semi-final of the Europa League whilst battling for a top-six finish once again.

The Englishman has made just nine appearances in the top-flight, starting three with the deep-lying partnership of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek difficult to break apart.

However, the latter was rested for last weekend’s 4-0 victory against Norwich City with Manuel Lanzini taking his place and therefore the Argentine could be set to drop out to allow Noble to start one final time for the Clarets.

On the other hand, Rice could be rested. Either way, the West Ham captain deserves to start.

In an interview with the BBC ahead of this afternoon’s match, Hammers manager David Moyes was full of praise for the £49k-per-week veteran midfielder.

“I’m sure it’ll be hugely emotional for Mark and his family,” he said. “Your career is never that long as a footballer, but to do it at one club is a huge achievement.

“It’s not done by many people, so great credit to Mark and the way he’s conducted himself throughout the career.

“He’s played continuously, at the highest level. He’ll be renowned.”

Set to make his 549th and possibly final West Ham appearance, the Irons captain has been a remarkable servant, staying on with his boyhood club throughout his career with brief loan spells at Hull City and Ipswich Town as a youngster the only exceptions.

Since making his first-team debut as a 17-year-old in 2004, the 35-year-old has gone on to score 62 goals and provide 61 assists for the Hammers and will certainly be a massive miss for the east London outfit.

AND in other news: 11 games, 0 goals: Bilic made “huge mistake” on WHU dud who cost £2.5m per yellow card

Rangers could look within to Nikola Katic following the impending departure of Connor Goldson, according to Football Scotland. 

The lowdown

Katic will return to Glasgow in the summer when his season-long loan at Hajduk Split reaches its end. It’s not a certainty however, because the Croatian club do have the option to sign him permanently for £3million.

Rangers turned down the opportunity to recall Katic in January, but they are set to lose a centre-back in the summer, with Goldson ‘likely to leave under freedom of contract’.

It’s worth noting that the Gers have already secured the signing of John Souttar and can also call upon the likes of Leon King, Calvin Bassey and Leon Balogun.

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The latest

Journalist Ross Pilcher writes that Van Bronckhorst ‘may well see a place’ for Katic after Goldson moves on.

King has ‘shown promise’, he says, but the manager may value ‘the experience’ Katic provides.

As such, the Croatian may ‘still have a role to play’ at Ibrox.

The verdict

First and foremost, should Hajduk Split be expected to activate their purchase option?

Well, he’s started 17 league games during his loan spell, having joined ahead of match-day eight, so he is valued there.

But £3m is far from small change for the club. In fact, going by Transfermarkt figures, it would far outstrip their existing transfer record of £1.8million. Given that the website only values Katic at £900,000, they may not deem it a worthwhile outlay.

That could see him come back to Rangers, for whom he’s made 59 appearances and scored a memorable goal at Parkhead.

Katic could count former boss Steven Gerrard among his admirers, judging by an exchange between the pair when he moved to Aston Villa. In reply to a farewell message from the defender, Gerrard wrote: “Love you, kid.”

And the ex-Liverpool man also hailed him as an ‘immaculate’ professional during his time at Ibrox.

In other news, Rangers’ potential Europa League windfall has been broken down. 

Nottingham Forest face arguably their most pivotal game in years on Tuesday night, as they take on Scott Parker’s Bournemouth side in a clash which could well decide which of the two clubs secures that much-coveted automatic promotion spot.

Steve Cooper’s men still have it all to do with three points currently separating themselves and their second-placed opponents, although to even be in contention at this stage of the season is a testament to the work done by the former Swansea City boss since his appointment back in September.

Under his predecessor Chris Hughton, the club were going nowhere fast and even appeared set to drop into the third tier, with the City Ground outfit picking up just a solitary point from their opening seven games of the current campaign.

Now they are on the cusp of a return to the promised land that is the Premier League, with their midweek encounter potentially set to showcase plenty of fireworks as the two sides go toe-to-toe.

Ahead of that meeting, one man who the Forest boss should well turn to to make the difference is young starlet Alex Mighten, with the 20-year-old having caught the eye off the bench in the recent 5-1 thrashing of Swansea.

While it may be a brave shout to alter a winning team – particularly following such a convincing victory – the youngster’s impact as a late substitute has seemingly done enough to warrant a start, even in a game of such magnitude.

In his 14-minute cameo, the academy graduate won 100% of his ground duels and completed two successful dribbles, while also notably getting himself on the scoresheet to put late gloss on an already emphatic scoreline.

Despite appearing something of a scrappy way to grab his first Championship goal of the season, the £540k-rated speedster showed great persistence to bundle the ball past the opposition stopper, latching onto a lofted pass over the top and busting a gut to get himself ahead of the visitors’ lacklustre defence.

That impressive display saw him receive an 8.0 match rating, via SofaScore, while NottinghamPost writer Sarah Clapson awarded the American-born prospect an 8.5/10 rating in her post-match report, writing of the forward’s performance that: “He’ll have enjoyed that one! Lovely run to find the net and help boost the goal difference.”

Following that showing, the £2.5k-per-week gem also received glowing praise from his manager, with Cooper dubbing him a “real livewire” and insisting that the player has now “got to get himself in the team and kick on.”

Should he be given the chance at the Vitality Stadium, Mighten seemingly has the opportunity to ‘kick on’, with a fresh pair of legs also potentially a benefit in what was an intense climax to the campaign.

With teammate Phillip Zinckernagel not enjoying his best day out at the weekend – the on-loan Watford man winning just one of his eight duels and losing possession on five occasions – it could be an ideal opportunity for a shake-up in attack.

IN other news: Nottingham Forest set for disaster on Djed Spence…

James Hunter has now dropped another boost for Sunderland alongside Aiden McGeady before they play Morecambe in League One on Saturday afternoon.

The Lowdown: McGeady boost

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match, Alex Neil revealed (via The Chronicle) that McGeady has made ‘good progress’ and is back training with the squad, putting him in contention for a potential return from injury.

The former Norwich City and Preston North End manager also gave updates on other players’ fitness as they aim to wrap up a play-0ff place on the final day.

The Latest: Dajaku update

Taking to Twitter, The Chronicle journalist Hunter shared an update on Dajaku, saying that he is ‘expected’ to be back on Wearside on Monday.

The Union Berlin loanee has been suffering from illness, but now it looks like he could make a swift recovery in time for the play-offs, should they get there.

The Verdict: Big boost

The fact that Dajaku could play a part in the play-offs is certainly a big boost for the Stadium of Light faithful.

On top of his four goals and three assists in the league, he has picked up one man-of-the-match award, and also ranks highly among his teammates in terms of average shots, dribbles and crosses per match (WhoScored).

Nonetheless, his creativity and flair could be the difference for the Black Cats as they look to chase promotion back up to the Championship.

In other news, find out who SAFC’s three worst players were against Rotherham United here!