Crystal Palace have opened negotiations with Swansea City manager Steve Cooper over their vacant head coach position, Football Insider claims. The south London outfit were initially fancied to appoint Nuno Espirito Santo as their manager, but the deal broke down at the final hurdle. Palace were reluctant to employ Santo’s significant number of backroom staff while there was also a disagreement over the transfer plans. Earlier this week, it appeared that they were on the cusp of landing Lucien Favre with the Swiss having agreed terms over a three-year deal. The club had started the work permit process before the 63-year-old decided that he is not prepared to return to club management. It is now reported that Cooper is the front-runner for the job, having ‘wowed’ the hierarchy with his plans...
Manchester City want Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish this summer, but they are yet to begin talks with the Midlands outfit. That is according to Sky Sports Italia journalist Fabrizio Romano who provided the latest update on Twitter. There’s still nothing advanced or agreed for Jack Grealish. Manchester City are strongly interested in signing him but NO talks ongoing with Aston Villa, as of today 🏴 #MCFC #AVFC Man City board considers ‘complicated’ to sign both Grealish and Kane [Spurs refused opening bid]. — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 26, 2021 Sportslens View Man City also want Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane, but landing both the English striker and Grealish this summer could prove complicated. Villa reportedly wou...
Bournemouth attacking midfielder Arnaut Danjuma caused a stir during the week after admitting that he would be open to joining Leeds United. While he has since taken to Twitter to clear things up, his comments appear to have set things in motion at the Vitality Stadium. Danjuma told Voetbal that he does not want to play in the Championship, and he could be getting his wish. According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the 24-year-old could leave Bournemouth this summer, with Wolfsburg one of the clubs keen. Bournemouth winger Arnaut Danjuma could leave this summer. Wolfsburg are among clubs interested in signing him. 🇳🇱 #Wolfsburg #Bournemouth — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 26, 2021 Sportslens View Leeds have not been linked with Danjuma yet, but could they be...
Goodbye group stage, hello knockout phase. Yes folks, we’re down to the last 16 in the European Championships and as Jim Ross would say ‘business is about to pick up’. We’ve reached the stage of the tournament where a mistake can kill someone’s career, or one goal could lead to a player bagging a big-money move they don’t deserve. Let’s look at some of the key talking points from the last 24 hours and establish which team we want to crash out of the competition. Denmark on a mission The football world froze two weeks ago as Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s opening game against Finland at the European Championships. Thankfully, the medical experts miraculously worked their magic, and Eriksen has lived to fight another day. What a man! ‘He’s become a friend’ – how Kasper Hjulmand...
Manchester City want to bring Chelsea right-back Reece James to the Etihad Stadium this summer, according to The Athletic. Manager Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer of the England international having been impressed with his last two performances against his side. James’ ability to play at centre-back and midfield has also caught the eyes of the Man City boss, and is looking to lure him away from Chelsea before the end of the summer transfer window. Sportslens View Guardiola wants to strengthen his side for next season’s Premier League title defence, while also hoping to go one better in the Champions League. The Chelsea star stopped Raheem Sterling in last season’s final, and the Man City manager reckons his defensive and attacking abilities would help strengthen his squad going forward. Th...
Former England and Chelsea star Joe Cole has urged Gareth Southgate to include Mason Mount in his starting line-up against Germany instead of Jack Grealish. During an interview with talkSPORT, Cole reiterated his admiration for the Aston Villa playmaker but implored Southgate to bring Mount back into the starting XI. “As much as I love Jack, I would go with Mase ahead of him for this game,” he said. “Jack won’t like this, but having Jack off the bench, if it is level after 60 minutes, imagine Wembley seeing Jack step up if we need something. “You need someone on the bench who can change something. “Mason is a little bit more disciplined in the central position, which allows you to change the system a little bit. “It is like choosing [a favourite] between your kids. Choosing between Mason M...
Paris Saint-Germain have been in prolonged contract negotiations with Kylian Mbappe, and there has been no progress over an extension as of yet. The Frenchman has just over 12 months left in his deal, and a decision over his future will be made following the European Championships. Mbappe’s contract situation has led to constant links with Madrid, who have been long-term admirers of him since his youth days at Monaco. Liverpool are not far behind when it comes to the speculation involving the forward, but Les Parisiens remain determined to keep him. Les Parisiens president Nasser Al-Khelaifi recently made a vow that the club will ‘never sell‘ Mbappe and the forward will stay next season. They are yet to hold fresh talks with Mbappe, but recently confirmed that his younger brother Etha...
Newly-appointed Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has delivered his verdict on growing speculation about James Rodriguez’s departure from Everton. In an interview with Il Giornale, the ex-Toffees manager hailed the Colombian’s technical qualities amid talks about the playmaker’s move to the European mainland. “A pure talent, a great footballer – he had some physical problems, and his contribution to the cause was therefore reduced,” the Italian tactician said. Rodriguez left the Santiago Bernabeu to team up with Everton last summer but blew hot and cold in his maiden Premier League campaign. The main reason behind the 29-year-old’s decision to move to Goodison Park was Ancelotti, who remains James’ favourite manager from their time in Madrid and Munich. Although the Italian got the most out...
Celtic are in talks to sign Sunderland striker Charlie Wyke. According to Football Insider, the striker wants a four-year contract that will double his current wages. The Scottish outfit must sign a quality forward this summer, and bagging Wyke on a free transfer could prove to be a major bargain. The 28-year-old had an impressive season with Sunderland, scoring 30 goals across all competitions for the club. The Sunderland forward is excellent in the air and would add a new dimension to the Celtic attack with his heading ability. French forward Odsonne Edouard has been linked with a move away from Parkhead, and Wyke could prove to be a solid replacement. Experienced striker Leigh Griffiths is also out of contract this month, and it seems unlikely that he will be offered a new deal at Parkh...
Manchester United have made further progress in negotiations to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund. According to The Athletic, the deal between the two clubs has not been done, but they are close to an agreement. Sancho, who is part of the England squad at the European Championships, has been a long-term target for United. The 21-year-old scored 16 goals and provided 20 assists in all competitions last season. Dortmund demanded €120 million (£110 million) for the winger last summer, and United were unwilling to pay that amount. This summer, there has been a willingness between both clubs to reach an agreement. The German giants initially demanded a fee close to €100m. Dortmund have now indicated that they would be willing to do a deal at €95m. Yeste...
Manchester City are preparing a bid to sign Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish this summer, according to The Athletic. However, the Midlands outfit are not keen on selling the attacker, and City would need to part with around £100 million to have a chance of landing him. Grealish is admired at Man City, with Belgian midfield sensation Kevin de Bruyne a huge fan of the playmaker. The PFA Player of the Year made it clear how much he rated the Villa star and asked to swap shirts after Belgium’s 2-0 win over England in the Nations League last November. Sportslens View Villa clearly are no longer a selling club due to their current owners, but Grealish could be strongly contemplating an exit this summer. Playing alongside de Bruyne and under manager Pep Guardiola are the stuff dreams are made of...
Celtic have rejected bids from two clubs for defender Kristoffer Ajer. According to The Athletic, the Bhoys have knocked back £10 million bids from Bayer Leverkusen and Norwich City this summer. The Norway international has made it clear to Celtic that he wants to leave the club and is unhappy with how they have handled the situation. It has been claimed that Celtic have assured him that he will be sold if they receive an ‘appropriate’ offer. Celtic want to secure a substantial fee for Ajer, but Norwich are unlikely to increase their bid for the defender. The 23-year-old will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside Scotland in January, ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. Boost for Newcastle United The Magpies are also reportedly in the hunt to sign Ajer....