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Blackpool have confirmed the signing of Sunderland and Ipswich Town target Luke Garbutt on their official website.

With Black Cats manager Phil Parkinson busy this summer in bringing in a number of new faces, Garbutt was linked with a move to the Stadium of Light after seeing his contract come to an end with Premier League side Everton.

The 27-year-old left Goodison Park this summer and has since gained plenty of interest, with Sunderland’s League One rivals Ipswich also said to be keen.

Despite being linked to Sunderland and Ipswich, it has now been confirmed that the defender has agreed a deal to join fellow League One side Blackpool.

Speaking to the Seasiders’ official website after his move was confirmed, Garbutt said: “I’m pleased to be here and looking forward to working under Neil Critchley. I really like what the Head Coach had to say when I spoke to him a few days ago, and he was a big factor in my move here. 

“He’s spent the last few years at Liverpool and developed players really well, so I’m looking forward to what the future brings here.

“There’s big plans for this football club and I’m hopeful I can be a big part of what’s to come this season.”

Valued at £540,000 by Transfermarkt, the left-back has made a total of 72 League One appearances during his career for the likes of Ipswich, Oxford United and Colchester United.

This is a missed opportunity for Sunderland, who are seemingly keen to find a new left-back option, and it may leave fans wondering what sort of deals the Black Cats can realistically pull off over the remainder of the transfer window.

With the deadline of October 16 fast approaching, Sunderland are left still seeking a left-back option to compete with Denver Hume.

Do you think Sunderland will regret not signing Garbutt this summer? Let us know your views in the comments section below…

Glasgow Rangers star Ryan Kent has often been in the headlines in this transfer window as Leeds United remain interested in the winger, for whom a reported £10m bid has already been rejected. 

It was then reported by Football Insider earlier this week that the player has a possible £20m release clause in his contract – news which the ‘Gers might not have wanted to seep out with the transfer window still open.

Ibrox manager Steven Gerrard has been discussing the 23-year-old following their Europa League victory against Willem II last night.

Speaking via The Scottish Sun, Gerrard praised the winger as he said: “From an attacking point of view, I think Ryan was the game changer for us tonight. He does incredibly well running in behind and he has added that into his game this season. He gets us the penalty for the breakthrough and he is just a constant threat.

“He is so sharp and he has added a different dimension to his game. He is a pleasure to watch and coach and we just need to enjoy him. He has got the hunger and the desire and he is putting in the application to improve his numbers.

“As a coach and a manager and a group of staff, that is part of his development and we have seen that in him. The good thing is that the player has got the hunger to put big numbers in his game and he is aware of that. If he does, it certainly makes us a lot more dangerous as a team.

“He knows he is a big player for the club and knows the fans are all behind him. He knows that when he brings his best and his A Game that brings us an awful lot better chance to win. That goes across the park and I think everyone turned up tonight. Allan McGregor was outstanding in goal.”

Kent has scored 33 goals and picked up 32 assists throughout his career, per Transfermarkt, and it is safe to say that, since he joined Glasgow Rangers from Liverpool, we have seen the best of him.He has scored 19 goals and picked up 18 assists in 85 appearances for the ‘Gers; and at such a young age, he is showing signs that he has the potential to become an even better winger over the coming years, per Transfermarkt. His form has been brilliant so far this campaign as he has only played nine games, but he has scored five goals and assisted five more, which may explain why he has attracted interest from the English Premier League.It also emphasises why he has received such high praise from his manager and Gerrard definitely sees him as a key figure, starting in all but one match so far this term, so he will be hoping that Kent will stay put at Ibrox and keep putting in performance like the one in Tilburg last night.‘Gers fans, what are your thoughts on Kent’s future at the club? Let us know your views in the comments below!

The Premier League did not kick off as Manchester United would have wanted as they lost 3-1 to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, therefore their next game against Palace’s M23 rivals Brighton and Hove Albion is crucial.

The Red Devils will have a little bit more confidence as they comfortably beat Championship side Luton Town 3-0 during the week. Here is the TT predicted XI, which sees Ole Gunnar Solskjaer make eight changes from the Carabao Cup victory against the Hatters.

David De Gea will most likely return in between the sticks as Solskjaer sees him as the number one choice, however it was a landmark moment for Dean Henderson, who made his senior debut for the the club at Luton.

Meanwhile, right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka now has match fitness, so should start his first Premier League match this season, with Luke Shaw on the other flank replacing Brandon Williams. Despite Eric Bailly putting in a great performance midweek as he picked up an 8.1 rating and won five ground duels, per SofaScore, he will most likely be dropped for Victor Lindelof as Solskjaer prefers the Swede. The future of Bailly has also been speculated, so it would be quite surprising to see him start.

£35.1m summer signing Donny van de Beek looked good in the first Premier League game as he scored on his debut against Palace after coming on as a substitute, and with United desperately needing a win, it is very likely that we see the Dutchman link up alongside Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba.

Despite Anthony Martial putting in a very poor performance against the Eagles as he picked up a 5.9 rating, per SofaScore, there is no doubt that he will return to the starting lineup for the Brighton game.

Similarly Marcus Rashford also only picked up a low 6.3 rating last weekend, however he came on against Luton in the last eleven minutes and picked up a goal to get his tally started for the campaign. Mason Greenwood also came off the bench at Kenilworth Road and just like Rashford he scored despite only playing for twelve minutes in the Carabao Cup. The 18 year-old also picked up an 8.7 rating, per SofaScore, which was the best rating on the pitch.

United will be hoping all three are firing on the weekend and supporters will hope that the club can pick up their first win of the Premier League season.

United fans, what are your thoughts on this starting eleven? Comment below!

Crystal Palace have been linked with Watford winger Ismaila Sarr once again. However, Roy Hodgson’s side should reconsider their options…

What’s the word?

According to The Sun, the Eagles are reportedly ready to launch a bid for Sarr before the Friday deadline. Palace apparently still have some money to spend despite the fact big earners like Christian Benteke stayed at Selhurst Park in the summer.

It’s claimed that Steve Parish is considering a club-record £30m transfer bid for the Senegal international. But, as we previously discussed, they should be focusing all of their efforts on signing Brentford’s Said Benrahma instead.

Avoid at all costs?

Sarr, 22, has been subjected to one of the longest-running transfer sagas in recent memory. Manchester United were even rumoured to have made a last-ditched attempt to land him on loan after missing out on Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho on deadline day.

He showed glimpses of his talent in his debut season in the Premier League, as he helped the Hornets beat Liverpool with two goals in a shock win at Vicarage Road. But former Tottenham striker Darren Bent told talkSPORT that the youngster is “inconsistent” in front of goal.

And it’s safe to say that the Senegalese, who reportedly earns wages worth £25,000-per-week, struggled for consistency throughout the campaign, as he only scored five goals and supplied four assists in the top flight, via WhoScored. By comparison, Benrahma bagged 17 goals and 9 assists for the Bees in the second tier last term, via WhoScored.

Now, granted, the Championship is a step below the Premier League, but the fact remains that the Algeria international averaged higher than Sarr in pretty much every area. Indeed, he registered a staggering 3.8 shots per game, whilst Sarr could only manage 1.6 shots per game in 28 appearances.

Watford aren’t willing to let him go for anything less than £40m anyway, to soften the blow of their Premier League relegation last season, so Palace should avoid signing Sarr at all costs.

Instead, they could sign a player who can do THIS for a cheaper price, maybe even a fraction cheaper if they play their cards right. What are the board waiting for? Get it done.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace must secure transfer deal for Brentford star Said Benrahma…

Sheffield Wednesday’s quest to secure their first home win in over eight months will have to wait as they were well-beaten by Brentford at Hillsborough on Wednesday night.

The Owls have not picked up three points in south Yorkshire since February and still remain bottom of the Championship on minus four points following their points deduction.

Garry Monk has it all to do if he’s to keep Wednesday in the second flight of English football this season but it’s also on the players too, especially without their supporters in attendance.

He’ll be disheartened by the performance from his defenders after conceding a brace to Bees talisman Ivan Toney, and the display of Joost van Aken was perhaps the standout in terms of being particularly poor. He certainly let his manager down.

The 26-year-old has been given a second chance at Hillsborough after playing for 2. Bundesliga outfit VfL Osnabruck last season after joining the club back in 2017 for £4.5m.

He was deployed in a back three alongside summer arrival Aden Flint and right-back by trade Moses Odubajo, and was clearly the worst performer, clinching a 6.4 rating by SofaScore.

The Dutch colossus failed to win any of his duels, lost possession seven times and only made 50% of his long balls with Toney giving him the run around all game.

YorkshireLive’s Dom Howson graded van Aken a mediocre 5/10 and claimed: “Found it tough going to contain the Bees forward line, particularly in the first half.”

Fellow centre-back Julian Borner was a regular presence under Monk last season, starting 34 league games, so it’s a surprise to see his name on the bench but the fact that he’s waiting in the wings should spell trouble for the former Heerenveen man.

If he continues at this disappointing level, then that switch will quickly become an easy one to make. He let Monk down this week and has to be a drop candidate before they host Luton Town on Saturday afternoon.

With Chey Dunkley, Dominic Iorfa and Tom Lees all on the treatment table, van Aken ought to be making the absolute most of this rare opportunity.

AND in other news, Chansiri’s transfer decision on key Owls star instantly vindicated…

After signing him from Manchester City for a reported £15m in the summer of 2019, Dean Smith made it clear just how much of a coup it was that Aston Villa had managed to get Douglas Luiz.

He said: “Douglas is an extremely talented young player with an outstanding pedigree who I am sure will fit nicely into our style and system of play.”

Fast forward more than a year later, and his rise has been meteoric to say the least. The fact that the 22-year-old hadn’t played a single game for City, and had spent the previous two campaigns on loan at Spanish side Girona, underlined that this wasn’t a player who was absolutely headed for stardom.

Hilariously obscure Premier League players – Can you name them all?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

But under Smith’s guidance at Villa Park, he has developed into an impressive central midfielder, so much so that the club announced that Brazil had called him up again for their senior side for the upcoming internationals. It will see him more than likely add to the first two caps he has already earned.

Described as “unbelievable” by his club boss, journalist Gregg Evans hailed him earlier in the summer after a particularly impressive performance against Manchester United.

He said: “He’s an absolute joy to watch now and I never thought I would be saying that. Villa have got a fantastic player in Douglas Luiz now, he looks like an absolute star, he could have played in that Man United team.

“He was better than (Paul) Pogba, I thought. I thought he was brilliant, hardly did anything wrong, hardly put a foot wrong. He won so many interceptions and made so many important blocks. When he gets the ball, he passes it nicely. He’s the best player in that Villa team at the moment because it’s just not working for John McGinn.”

With yet more international caps for a footballing giant like Brazil to come, it just goes to show that former sporting director, Suso, got an absolute steal in signing Luiz for just £15m last year.

This feels like a make or break period for Sunderland.

Supposedly buoyed by the news that Stewart Donald would finally be relinquishing his majority stake of the Black Cats, they have failed to win since.

A defeat to MK Dons was followed by a pretty dismal draw with Doncaster last weekend and thus, Phil Parkinson is feeling the pressure again with his side five points off the top of the table.

In the grand scheme of things, that isn’t a huge amount, but it’s concerning that promotion once again is far from certain.

However, that pretty much sums up the state of the north-east side right now. Nothing is clear and real clarity has been lacking for a considerable period of time.

The thought of fresh faces, investment and ideas entering the football club, therefore, should have been seen as a blessing.

Nearly two weeks ago now it was reported that Donald had accepted a bid from a consortium led by Juan Sartori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus to buy the club.

It will see Donald keep at least a 15% stake at the Stadium of Light but are their prospective owners set to follow in his footsteps? Unfortunately, it could already be the case.

This week it was reported by France Football, an outlet close to Dreyfus’ beloved Marseille, that he had yet to perform much due diligence.

As a consequence, the report states that he isn’t ‘really aware of the gravity of the economic situation’, citing the complicated finances at Sunderland.

One of the first things Donald and Charlie Methven had to do when they first arrived at Sunderland was to sort out and streamline the club’s cash flow.

In spending £4m on Will Grigg and continuing to pay Aiden McGeady £31k-a-week, they have failed to address some fundamental flaws in the sustainability of the football club.

If Dreyfus isn’t aware that these burdens are currently draining Sunderland then he is in for a real shock.

Add that to the fact that there is now a salary cap in the EFL and things get even tougher.

Sunderland’s prospective owners need to be sure of two things; that they can’t break the bank immediately and that things won’t be an easy ride.

This already feels like a lethargic takeover attempt. The Black Cats deserve better.

In other news, check out who we thought Sunderland’s STAR man was against Doncaster…

Some Manchester United fans have been lauding their interest in signing Dayot Upamecano as SportBild (via Sport Witness) have reported that the Red Devils, Liverpool and Manchester City are considering a move for the RB Leipzig central defender.

Liverpool are of course in desperate need of defensive reinforcements due to injuries to Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk, while Bayern Munich also want to sign him, so Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team may face some tough competition indeed to secure his services.

However, the publication also states that the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League winners are running out of time to sign him and that the Premier League clubs, including the Old Trafford faithful, could fix a deal in the January transfer window.

Upamecano has a €45m (£40.2m) release clause that will come into effect from next summer, and that is certainly a price worth considering for the Red Devils.

The France international has won no fewer than 3.7 of his duels per game in the Bundesliga so far in the 2020/21 term and has also averaged 1.8 clearances and 1.2 tackles per match (Sofascore).

Manchester United fan reaction to Upamecano interest

These Man United supporters lauded the reported interest in Upamecano on Twitter, with one fan highlighting that the 22 year-old is ‘quick’ and therefore could be a good partner for Harry Maguire:

In other news, find out which Man Utd star has had fans jumping out of their seats here!

Peter Lawwell can repeat Celtic’s success from signing Scott Sinclair by acquiring rumoured target Jesse Lingard from Manchester United.

What’s the word?

According to TEAMtalk, the Hoops hierarchy are measuring up their chances of bringing Lingard to Parkhead as his Old Trafford future hangs in the balance.

Lingard is ready to quit the Red Devils in January unless the Premier League powerhouse opt to active their one-year extension clause, with his £75,000-per-week contract otherwise due to expire at the end of the season.

The 27-year-old has plummeted down the pecking order at Old Trafford this year with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer awarding Lingard just two appearances across all competitions, with each coming in the EFL Cup in September while omitted from eight of 10 Premier League matchday squads.

Several Premier League, German, Spanish and Italian sides would be interested in offering the 24-cap England international a chance to revive his career outside of Manchester, who may also be offered a future in Glasgow with Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers both keen.

Lingard will happily remain at Old Trafford should United opt to active their one-year extension clause, feeling he can still fight for his place under Solskjaer, but wishes to have his future decided by the New Year.

The Red Devils, themselves, are weighing up the benefits of retaining Lingard, who has won the FA Cup, Europa League, EFL Cup and Community Shield, as the extra year on his deal would protect his market value after demanding £20million this summer.

Shades of Sinclair

Lawwell striking an agreement with Manchester United for Lingard to move north of the border could see the Celtic CEO complete a swoop with shades of the Hoops’ £3million deal for Sinclair in 2016.

Sinclair had fallen down the Aston Villa pecking order in what proved to be his final season in Birmingham, with the Bath-born winger starting just 19 of his 27 Premier League appearances.

Reuniting with Brendan Rodgers at Parkhead proved a masterstroke for Celtic as he settled in straight away with 25 goals and 13 assists across all competitions during his maiden campaign.

The 31-year-old left Lennoxtown this January after 167 appearances in green and white and with three Premiership titles in his trophy cabinet, while twice being named as Celtic’s Player of the Year and as the PFA Scotland’s Player of the Year for 2016/17.

Lingard would no doubt be in the running for the gong if the £12.6m-rated midfielder arrived in Glasgow and helped Celtic overturn their deficit to Premiership leaders Rangers, while dealing the added blow of being one of Steven Gerrard’s winter targets.

His outcast status at Old Trafford should not be considered a detrimental factor in discussions at Parkhead over the benefits of a swoop, as Lingard is a player who Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand widely lauds for all the right reasons.

“This is a kid who I’ve seen grow up through the ranks at Man United,” Ferdinand said, via quotes by the Express. “His movement is phenomenal, his touch, his awareness of players around him and he gets important goals. I think that his relationship with the other players in the attacking-third is key to this team and he’s someone who I just love watching play.”

AND in other news, Peter Lawwell can deliver Celtic’s next Virgil van Dijk by signing an “unbelievable” enforcer.

Wayne Rooney has been backed by former Derby County midfielder Rob Lee to succeed Phillip Cocu on a permanent basis.

Rooney has previously made it clear he wants to permanently take over as Derby manager after Cocu was sacked by the club, with the Manchester United legend having been installed as caretaker boss.

The former England captain is in interim charge at Pride Park and is considered to be a genuine contender, with a John Terry and Ashley Cole combination also reportedly an option, according to The Mirror.

It’s claimed the Rams are unlikely to appoint their new manager until Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan’s takeover has been completed.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast editor James Beavis, Lee believes that the board “might as well” give the former Red Devils forward the job on a full-time basis if Terry and Cole are an option.

He told FFC:

“If you’re going to give it to someone like that, you might as well give it to Rooney. Why give it to John Terry or Ashley Cole if Rooney is there?

“He’s already being paid by the club, his stature is as good as them, he’s as inexperienced as they are – I know John Terry’s been assistant to Dean Smith at Aston Villa, but he’s never been a manager.

“Not saying he won’t be good, but Rooney’s already there, I don’t see why you would pay more money for those players if you’re going to go down that route.

“If you’re going for an experienced manager, like Sam Allardyce, then it’s different. Maybe Rooney could near underneath him? But it totally depends on who takes over the club.”

It’s surely a no-brainer at this point, isn’t it?

Rooney has played 35 games for Derby in all competitions, scoring seven goals and supplying three assists, via Transfermarkt.

His knowledge of the game is arguably second-to-none, as his impressive resume more than speaks for itself – five Premier League titles, one Champions League trophy, one FA Cup and four English League Cups during his time at Old Trafford.

The 35-year-old then steered Derby to just their second win of the season against Millwall which lifted the Rams off the bottom of the Championship table and ended their 12-match winless streak in the process.

If he is genuinely serious about getting his first job in management, then surely there is no better place to start, as his former England teammate Frank Lampard cut his teeth at Pride Park before he became Chelsea boss.