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Journalist Graham Smyth has lauded Diego Llorente following his performance in Leeds United’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Monday night.

The Whites held Jurgen Klopp’s team to a draw at Elland Road, fully deserving of at least a point from the game and impressing against another top Premier League outfit. Liverpool were the better team in the opening 45 minutes and led through Sadio Mane’s goal, but Leeds were comfortably superior after the break.

It was Llorente’s late header which sealed a draw for Marcelo Bielsa’s team, as the centre-back’s improved form continues this season.

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Smyth hails Llorente’s impact against Liverpool

Taking to Twitter on Tuesday morning, Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Smyth was full of praise for the Spaniard, who completed 91 passes on the night:

“Diego Llorente was good last night. He’s fun to watch. A risk taker. The goal obviously meant a lot too.”

Transfer Tavern take

Llorente has been in superb form in recent weeks – Noel Whelan has described him as ‘incredible’ – going to show how important it is to enjoy an injury-free run in the side, with last night being his eighth successive start.

Some were quick to criticise the 27-year-old’s earlier performances for Leeds, but he was adjusting to life in a new country and was plagued by fitness issues. He is now the Whites’ fifth-best performer this term according to WhoScored, despite starting just nine league games.

Llorente now looks fully settled at Elland Road and is arguably the first centre-back on Bielsa’s team-sheet moving forward.

In other news, Leeds are believed to be interested in signing an England international – find out who it is here.

When the summer transfer window opens, all eyes will be on Jeff Shi at Molineux.

Wolves spent incredibly poorly last year and they are now picking up the pieces of a pretty ordinary season by their high standards.

Sat in the bottom half of the table, Nuno Santo has been left to reel from major injury blows and a summer that didn’t go according to plan.

Nelson Semedo is finally beginning to prove himself following his £27.6m move but for the vast majority of the campaign, he’s been a defensive liability. As for club-record signing Fabio Silva, he has netted only three goals after joining for a whopping £35.6m.

The coffers were rather empty in January as a consequence, with Wolves preferring to bring in a new striker on loan.

This summer, they cannot afford to be so cautious in their approach. Fosun need to delve into their pockets again but this time spend wisely on building a squad ready to challenge for Europe again.

Wolves have been linked with a number of forwards from Tammy Abraham to Oliver McBurnie. They are also targeting a number of wingers with Goncalo Guedes and Douglas Costa the topic of transfer rumours.

Costa is a player that the Old Gold have had on their radar for a while. They were linked with a move last summer and he popped up again at the turn of the year.

However, in a fresh report, it suggests Wolves are ready to slap €10m (£8.6m) on the table in order to prise the attacker away from Juventus.

The Brazilian is currently on loan at Bayern Munich where he’s enjoying the second of his spells in Germany.

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Now 30 years of age, Costa is just past his peak but his qualities are tremendous and certainly outweigh Guedes’.

The Spaniard is a threat himself but if we analyse the key metrics for a player in their respective positions, it’s the Bayern loanee who comes out on top.

24-year-old Guedes has managed 1.6 shots per game throughout his career to date, while he’s managed one key pass and 1.7 dribbles a match. Those aren’t bad tallies but Costa is undoubtedly the more creative and dangerous of the two.

Throughout spells with Shakhtar Donetsk, Bayern and Juventus, he’s provided 1.4 key passes and a massive 2.5 successful dribbles per match. Meanwhile, the number of shots he takes per game are only 0.1 fewer than Wolves’ fellow transfer target.

Costa has long been one of the most tricky players to deal with in Europe and you only need to assess quotes from Bayern expert Philip Rober typify that.

He said: “Great dribbling skills, explosive pace – both over short and long distances – and a powerful shot in both feet, allied to the ability to beat defenders and a set-piece threat, make him a potent asset.”

Of course, there would be more re-sale value to Guedes but Wolves could do with a more experience in their forward line. Costa would definitely provide that, as well as providing the club with goals and assists.

He has 45 goal involvements in 96 games for Bayern (15 goals) while producing 31 contributions in 103 outings for Juve.

It’s hard to dismiss numbers like that; Costa would be a first-class addition to Molineux.

AND in other news, Wolves could sign big Silva upgrade in “outstanding” £71m gem with “excellent speed”…

Swansea City are interested in a summer move for Carlos Mendes Gomes this summer, according to reports…

What’s the word?

That’s the word according to Football League World, who claim that Steve Cooper’s side have joined the likes of Hull City, Peterborough United, Sunderland, Barnsley, Cardiff City, Luton Town and Huddersfield Town in the race for the Morecambe forward.

Andre Ayew replacement

With Swansea star Andre Ayew – who has scored 16 goals and registered four assists over his 42 Championship appearances so far this season –  potentially on his way out of the Liberty Stadium at the end of his contract this summer if the club do not achieve promotion to the Premier League – the Swans could be in need of finding a suitable replacement for the 31-year-old in the summer market.

However, even if Swansea do manage to keep hold of Ayew this summer, it could easily be argued that Cooper is in need of greater depth in his attacking arsenal, as, at present, aside from the Ghana international, the 41-year-old only has the option of Liam Cullen as an out and out centre-forward.

This is where Mendes Gomes comes in, with the former Atletico Madrid youth player having highly impressed over his 42 League Two appearances for Morecambe this season, bagging 15 goals and providing two assists for Derek Adams’ side – with the manager dubbing the starlet as a “fantastic” talent.

And, while the forward may not be enough alone to provide Cooper with sufficient attacking depth should the Welsh side indeed go on to achieve promotion via the Championship play-offs, he would certainly be a fine additional option for the Swans.

Furthermore, while the Spaniard is still just 22-years-old, he has plenty of time left to develop as a footballer, and, with the amount of potential his returns for Morecambe this season are evidence of, he could well go on to prove Ayew’s eventual successor as Swansea’s main attacking threat.

Celtic remain very keen on signing Crystal Palace midfielder James McCarthy this summer.

That’s according to a report from TEAMtalk, who claim that the Hoops were close to a deal for the Irishman in January.

McCarthy, on £50,000-a-week at Selhurst Park, is out of contract in a matter of months so could sign a pre-contract agreement with the Hoops ahead of a potential free transfer.

Newcastle United are also now back in the picture for the 30-year-old’s services ahead of the 2021/22 season, though, with the report suggesting the Hoops won’t make a firm decision on the central midfielder until they have finalised their plans for a new manager.

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Transfer Tavern take

It seems as if Celtic don’t want to give up on the chance of signing January target McCarthy. However, with Newcastle on the chase too, they may have to be quick in regards to their search for a new manager to have any hope of signing the midfielder for nothing.

Should a deal gather pace ahead of the summer, McCarthy could become Dominic McKay’s first signing as Celtic CEO due to the fact he can pen a pre-contract before the window officially opens.

It may well end up being a busy summer for McKay and co in terms of recruitment at Parkhead, so starting by securing a free transfer for a player who has over 250 appearances under his belt in the Premier League and 42 international caps could prove fruitful.

Who knows, McCarthy could fill the boots of club captain Scott Brown, who will leave for Aberdeen this summer.

In other news: John Kennedy linked with surprise new role at Parkhead, find out more here. 

It has now been nearly three months since Neil Lennon headed for the departure lounge at Celtic and left the Bhoys behind.

It has been a testing time for everyone at Parkhead but it finally looks as though the club is on the home stretch in their quest for his successor.

What’s the word?

Celtic have been in advanced talks with Eddie Howe for the best part of a month now and it would appear that a landmark deal is finally moving closer to completion. The Daily Mail reported last week that a deal was now being finalised and that point of view has now been reiterated by Daily Record journalist Keith Jackson.

In his latest column, he hinted at a move now being closer than ever, with the hierarchy relatively stress-free.

He wrote: “That those closest to these confidential conversations appear to be entirely relaxed about what happens next, also suggests not only that some sort of action plan has been thrashed out and agreed but that it is already being put into practice well out of public view.

“The smart money remains heavily stacked on Eddie Howe’s eventual appointment as Lennon’s permanent replacement. The informed word is, it’s only a matter of when Desmond lands his top target as opposed to if.”

McKay will be buzzing

Celtic need a new manager and they need one quickly given their awful season. Therefore, to hear the news that an agreement is close should be music to the ears of the hierarchy.

That’s especially when you consider how Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell made a complete mess of finding Brendan Rodgers’ successor.

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Much of what has gone wrong in the last year or so can be traced back to the moment they hired Neil Lennon. Celtic received a compensation fee of nearly £10m for Rodgers when he exited for Leicester but what actually happened to those funds is anybody’s guess.

In typical Hoops fashion, they took the easy way out when the Northern Irishman left for the Premier League. They went back in time and, instead of looking towards the future, hired Lennon for a second stint at the helm.

Lawwell could have done the same here and given John Kennedy the reins on a permanent basis but, with a new figure in the Celtic hierarchy in the recently-appointed chief executive Dominic McKay, it appears to have done wonders for their thinking.

Advanced discussions were on the table for Howe before McKay had even walked through the door but his arrival appears to have sped things up.

Celtic’s vacant director of football position was suddenly no longer an issue for Howe and then he seemed to get his way in regards to his own coaching staff. Again, this was something which wasn’t strictly allowed when Lennon re-entered the football club back in 2019.

This may have been a disastrous campaign for the Bhoys but things are slightly beginning to change for the better. McKay will deserve some early plaudits when Howe does finally arrive.

AND in other news, Celtic can finally axe McGregor by signing “undroppable” 21 y/o, he’s been “excellent”…

In what was a topsy-turvy game at St James’ Park, Newcastle’s valiant efforts went unrewarded as they slipped to an agonising 4-3 defeat at home to Manchester City.

Steve Bruce’s side let go of the proverbial handbrake and went after the recently-crowned champions of England, and took the lead on two separate occasions, only for Ferran Torres to extinguish their hopes with a fine hat-trick.

And while much of the Magpies’ performers on the night stood up to be counted, one man who really let his manager down, was Federico Fernandez.

The Argentine only recently returned to the first-team fold after a couple of months out with a thigh muscle strain, and looked all at sea against Pep Guardiola’s side’s free-flowing attack.

As per Sofascore, he made zero tackles and interceptions over the course of the game, and competed in just two duels, winning one.

Fernandez just looked a touch slower than everyone else in either getting to City’s attackers or reacting to danger, while he also had fewer touches than goalkeeper Martin Dubravka too.

He finished the game with a 5.9 match rating as per Sofascore, which was by far the lowest of any outfield player on the pitch.

And, writing in his post-match player ratings for The Shields Gazette, Liam Kennedy gave him a five, saying: “Looked a yard off the pace. Second to every ball. Since returning from injury it’s not been the best of runs in the side for the usually reliable Argentine.”

With his contract on Tyneside coming to an end this summer, and The Athletic claiming that his long-term future is in limbo, there’s a real decision for Bruce to make in these last couple of games.

The Athletic said: “Fernandez, however, does not have another extension clause in his contract, as Newcastle already enacted that option 12 months ago. Instead, fresh terms need to be agreed upon and, while preliminary talks have taken place with his representatives, a new deal has not yet been confirmed.

“Given the Argentinian is 32, Newcastle will be reluctant to hand him a multi-year contract, particularly considering the muscular problems he has faced since recovering from COVID-19. Fernandez is believed to be receptive to staying, though, and further talks are expected to take place.”

With his recent form, and uncertain future, surely Bruce would be better off taking Fernandez out of the team and perhaps giving an opportunity to one of the club’s academy talents?

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/newcastle-steve-bruce-premier-league-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-st-james-park-joelinton-shelvey-max-aarons” title=”Read the latest Newcastle transfer rumours and news!”]

The Magpies have nothing to play for now given that they have already avoided relegation from the Premier League this season, and Bruce could hand valuable first-team minutes to those who could really make a long-term career at St James’ Park, instead of Fernandez.

The Argentine shouldn’t play again this season.

Meanwhile, this Newcastle star made an “absolute mug” of Man City yesterday…

Alan Nixon has shared a quite cynical update on Celtic’s pursuit of Eddie Howe.

The Lowdown: Howe closing in on Hoops switch

The 43-year-old is thought to be closing in on a move to Parkhead to become Neil Lennon’s permanent successor.

Howe has been out of management since August after he left Bournemouth, and his previous employers are currently involved in the Championship playoffs.

Reports have suggested that Howe has agreed to move to Glasgow and will take some members of staff from the south coast with him, with many now wondering when a deal could be announced.

The Latest: Nixon’s comments

Nixon, who writes for The Sun, was asked by a Hoops fan on Twitter on Tuesday evening if Howe could be announced in 2-3 days time.

He replied, admitting he’s heard that timeframe ‘a few times’.

“We have heard ‘two or three days’ a few times.”

The Verdict: When could he be announced?

Not knowing when a deal will be announced may not be ideal for some supporters, but, in our view, we can’t see Howe being officially unveiled by the Bhoys until the Cherries complete their season.

They defeated Brentford 1-0 in the first leg of their semi-final on Monday and will look to book a spot in the final on the weekend.

Should they get to Wembley, that could keep some members of staff Howe wants busy until the end of the month.

It’s not ideal, but it seems as if Howe is the man Celtic want, so they may have to wait a little longer until they can show off their new boss.

In other news: Frank McAennie reacts to Conor McGregor claim, find out more here. 

Leeds United thrashed Burnley 4-0 on Saturday lunchtime to strengthen their grip on a top-half finish in the Premier League.

Mateus Klich’s sumptuous strike on the stroke of half-time put Marcelo Bielsa’s men in front. Jack Harrison’s flick diverted Ezgjan Alioski’s effort past Bailey Peacock-Farrell to double their advantage after the interval.

Harrison then teed up substitute Rodrigo twice in the space of three minutes, with the Spaniard producing a pair of composed finishes.

Leeds have closed to within two points of ninth-placed of Arsenal and are four clear of Aston Villa behind them.

If they win their final two games – a trip to Southampton and a home meeting with already-relegated West Bromwich Albion – they will eclipse Wolves’ record for a Championship-winning side’s points tally in their first Premier League season after promotion.

Diego Llorente was one of the players who shone for the Whites at Turf Moor. The Spaniard, who formed a centre-back partnership with Pascal Strujik, earned a rating of 7.1 from Sofascore.

He came up with two clearances, two interceptions, one tackle and one block against the Clarets, along with winning four duels. Llorente played 43 accurate passes, including four long balls, as per Sofascore.

These Leeds fans gushed over his performance this afternoon, with one supporter hailing him as an “unbelievable footballer”.

Leeds fans delighted with Diego Llorente after Burnley rout

“Diego Llorente is top 3 CB in the league atm, I don’t care what anyone says”

Credit: @Lboxdonn

“If Diego Llorente is not on the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or I’ll be shocked. FACT.”

Credit: @Craigt_93

“I may be in love with Diego Llorente”

Credit: @Psych_Squirrel

“Diego Llorente has been some signing”

Credit: @Jairstone

“Diego Llorente quickly becoming my favourite player. So composed at centre back. Not had a player this good since Rio. Genuinely just want to get down to Elland Road to sing his name. Beautiful footballer.”

Credit: @WarriorLeeds

“Diego Llorente is an unbelievable footballer. Very tight between him and Raphinha for the signing of the season”

Credit: @philhayeveryday

“Diego Llorente is a serious, serious defender”

Credit: @GreggParkhill

In other news, a journalist for The Athletic offered a lowdown on the Bielsa talks.

An exciting new claim has emerged in Tottenham Hotspur’s search for a new manager…

What’s the word?

According to the ever-reliable Alasdair Gold at football.london, Spurs are receiving plenty of fresh – and strong – candidates for their vacancy, and chairman Daniel Levy will attempt to meet them face-to-face rather than over Zoom in the summer.

Writing in a recent column, Gold revealed: “football.london understands that strong new candidates for the vacant managerial post are constantly emerging at the moment and making their interest known.

“Tottenham will attempt to speak to all of their top candidates face to face rather than over Zoom once the season ends, when currently employed managers are out of their club bubbles.”

An exciting development

Several names have been linked with the north London outfit since Jose Mourinho’s shock departure just over a month ago.

RB Leipzig’s Julian Naglesmann and Leicester City’s Brendan Rodgers quickly emerged as the two top targets, although the former was soon confirmed as Bayern Munich’s next boss whilst the latter wants to remain at their Premier League rivals – perhaps even more so after winning this season’s FA Cup.

The Athletic have since claimed that there are four names on the shortlist – Roberto Martinez (ex-Everton, currently with Belgium), Graham Potter (currently at Brighton), Ralf Rangnick (ex-Leipzig, currently unemployed) and Erik ten Hag (currently at Ajax and recently signed a new two-year extension this off-season).

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/spurs-managerial-latest-update-transfer-rumours-gossip” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, managerial gossip, transfer rumours and more!”]

Gold’s latest claim throws shade on this as it suggests that Levy has been fielding applications from more than just those four managers, and that should excite fans immensely as it opens up the pool of potential candidates even more – especially if they are ‘strong’ options, as he has suggested.

You can make a case against all four of those names above, so if other coaches are keen, then it should only help the Lilywhites chairman truly find the most suitable appointment.

Martinez failed at the Toffees, with some suggesting that systemic problems were the reason for his downfall.

Potter is vastly inexperienced, with this being only his second campaign in the Premier League. He does play the attacking brand of football that Spurs are thought to be seeking, but the Seagulls only narrowly escaped a relegation battle this term.

Rangnick, widely regarded as a pioneer of the gengenpress, has been out of a managerial role since the 2018/19 season and has never coached outside of Germany. Similarly, Ten Hag’s only senior management jobs have been in the Netherlands, with Ajax dominating perenially.

Therefore, the fact that new – and strong – names are still continuing to come in means that Levy can secure the right man to appease the fanbase.

This latest development is hugely encouraging news.

AND in other news, Levy could seal bold hire in “brave” 38 y/o who’d bring Klopp-like intensity to Spurs…

The Telegraph’s John Percy has dropped a major transfer update involving Aston Villa’s pursuit of Norwich star Emi Buendia.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks and months have suggested that Buendia is a target for Dean Smith’s side in the upcoming summer transfer window, and there’s now a fresh update that should have fans of the club absolutely buzzing.

Percy has revealed that Villa are going head to head with fellow Premier League side Arsenal in the race to sign the Argentine, but it appears it’s the Midlands club who are beginning to steal a march.

It’s claimed that while there has been no formal bid made yet, Villa are keen on getting their business done early, and are understood to be preparing an offer for the Canaries play-maker.

Fans will be buzzing

Given Buendia’s performances in the Championship this season, it’s no surprise to see that Villa are after him, and why Lee Hendrie is desperate for him to join the club this summer.

The former Villa ace told This Is Futbol: “I think a big club will definitely try and take him. I know you can say he’s done it in the Championship, but you could say that about (Said) Benrahma, you could say that about Ollie Watkins.

“I feel that Buendia, I mean we’ve seen him in a very good Norwich side in the Championship, I feel in a Villa side… wow. If I could say or had a big say in bringing players in, he’s the one on top of my list that I would bring into Aston Villa.”

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He provided a whopping 15 goals and 17 assists last season in the Championship, winning the division’s player of the year award and being dubbed as “very special”  by Norwich defender Ben Gibson.

Villa fans will be absolutely buzzing with the news that the club are keen to get their business done as soon as possible, as it will allow Smith to integrate any new signings into pre-season and ensure they can hit the ground running at Villa Park.

Percy’s update is also significant in the sense that Villa are keen to get ahead of the competition, and making a move early to sneak ahead of Arsenal to sign Buendia is the kind of proactive transfer dealing that will stand the club in good stead and will please fans.

Meanwhile, Villa are eyeing up a potential Buendia alternative…