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Evening Standard journalist Jack Rosser has told The Transfer Tavern that Jesse Lingard is adamant that he wants to remain at Manchester United – making a late move to West ham extremely unlikely.

Following his outstanding loan spell in the second half of last season, David Moyes has been desperate to bring Lingard back to the London Stadium on a permanent basis this summer.

However, Lingard, who made his first Premier League appearance for United for 12 months against Southampton last weekend, wants to fight for his place under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Despite only being introduced for the final few minutes at St Mary’s, Lingard was called up for the England squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers by Gareth Southgate, which would appear a blow to West Ham’s chances of signing him.

Rosser didn’t completely rule out one last-ditch attempt from West Ham to try and re-sign Lingard, but told The Transfer Tavern that his love for his boyhood club United has dampened the Hammers’ chances:

“I think he wants to keep Manchester United – he’s adamant he wants to stay there. Him being in the England squad won’t help West Ham.

“If you can get in the England squad from playing 10 minutes against Southampton, then I think he’ll be fairly confident he can stay at United.

“You wonder whether that you could change over the weekend, but he’s been at the club a long time and loves the club.”

هبط مالكو تشيلسي الجدد، بقيادة تود بولي، بعد ظهر اليوم في مطار إلبرات، بنوايا واضحة للغاية، للتفاوض مع نادي برشلونة على انتقالات سيزار أزبيليكويتا وماركوس ألونسو، وكذلك انتقال فرينكي دي يونج الذي يهم النادي الإنجليزي بطلب من المدرب توماس توخيل.

ويدرك رئيس برشلونة خوان لابورتا أنه لإغلاق الصفقات الجديدة، كان عليهم تفعيل الرافعة الاقتصادية الثانية، لكن ربما تكون هناك بعض العمليات المتقدمة.

وتفيد صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية، أن زيارة المالكين لتشيلسي هي أكثر من دليل واضح على أن المفاوضات وصلت إلى نقطة متقدمة للغاية.

يوم السبت المقبل، يبدأ تشيلسي جولته الأمريكية وترغب جميع الأطراف في إغلاق الصفقات قبل السفر.

اقرأ أيضًا |  برشلونة يستغل لاعبه السابق لحسم صفقة كوندي

وكان برشلونة أعلن تعاقده مع أندرياس كريستيسن في صفقة انتقال حر من تشيلسي، كما تعاقد مع فرانك كيسي من ميلان.

أزبيليكويتا وألونسو يريدان كذلك الانضمام للفريق الكتالوني ويسعى برشلونة لحسم التفاوض مع تشيلسي.

ودي يونج يعد هدفًا لمانشستر يونايتد الإنجليزي، لكن دخل تشيلسي طرفًا في المفاوضات لمحاولة حسم الصفقة لصالحه.

As reported by Cricinfo last month, Cricket Kenya has launched an investigation into the team’s recent poor performances and reports of indiscipline on the tour of England last July.A three-man task force will carry out a fact-finding mission to establish the current position as related to the standards, management and performances of the national cricket team. In addition, there will be an assessment of the policies and programmes of CK in their promotion, development, welfare and performance of the national cricket team as well as the administration, facilities, finances, resources and capabilities within the board.They will also look at results over the past 12 months and every aspect of the management and performance of the national squad. The structure regarding players’ pay is also likely to come under scrutiny after increasing disquiet that considerable increases in pay have not been matched by results.The task force will report back to the CK executive with recommendations in all areas under review.The three members of the task force are Jasmer Singh, a long-standing administrator who was also communication and publication manager for the old KCA; Phil Toye, the current chairman of Kenya Kongonis; and Sharad Rao, Kenya’s representative on the ICC’s Code of Conduct Commission with wide experience in international legal and sports panels, including the Commonwealth Games Federation.”The task force is mandated to carry out a detailed inquiry into various matters including the results of matches played over the past 12 months and the overall performance of the team players,” said Tom Tikolo, CK’s chief executive, in a statement. “It will also report on the structure, performance and responsibilities of the national team’s selection and coaching staff and make recommendations on remunerations for the contracted players.”

Talks between Everton and Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp over a deal for right-back Aurelio Buta are now at an ‘advanced’ stage, according to journalist Rudy Galetti. 

The lowdown

The 24-year-old has played every minute of Antwerp’s four Jupiler Pro League games so far this season. It has been a tricky start for the side who finished third last season; they’ve picked up only one win and incurred two defeats.

However, Buta has been one of their shining lights so far, his average WhoScored rating of 7.11 the fifth-highest in the squad. He has contributed two assists as well as averaging 4.5 tackles and 2.3 clearances per 90 minutes.

Journalist Aster Nzeyimana has hailed the Portuguese defender as ‘one of the best full-backs’ in the division, adding that the 24-year-old is ‘very gifted’ technically and has been ‘instrumental’ to Antwerp’s successes in recent years.

The latest

Galetti tweeted that negotiations have progressed to the bidding stage, with a €4m (£3.4m) Everton offer presently ‘under discussion’.

He added that it is an ‘evolving situation’, so further developments should be expected soon.

The verdict

It was reported by The Athletic in July that Everton were hopeful of signing another right-back this summer as a long-term successor to club captain Seamus Coleman.

Clearly, the search has dragged on. For instance, Denzel Dumfries was one name under consideration, but he has now sealed a transfer to Italian champions Inter.

Buta may not be enormously high-profile but £3.4m looks like a bargain for an all-action full-back whose figures suggest he can chip in going forward while also defending diligently. They might even have unearthed a gem if they get this one over the line at such a low cost.

In other news, this Everton player came under fire against Southampton. 

Everton will make a late move for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge if they manage to offload fringe players before the transfer window shuts, according to Michael Ball.

Berge is facing the prospect of competing in the Championship after suffering relegation with the Blades last season.

The Norway international was left helpless in Sheffield United’s plight as he was restricted to just 16 appearances after undergoing surgery shortly before Christmas.

Berge, who became the Blades’ club-record signing when he joined from Belgian club Genk in a deal reportedly worth close to £22million, has been the subject of plenty of interest this summer.

Everton and Arsenal have been keeping tabs on Berge since Sheffield United’s relegation was confirmed, with the 23-year-old having a £35million release clause after suffering the drop – higher than his £16.2m valuation on Transfermarkt.

The Toffees, under new boss Rafa Benitez, have been eager to get some out-of-favour players off the wage bill and former Everton left-ball Ball feels the Merseyside club may look to sign Berge shortly before the window slams shut at the end of the month.

He exclusively told The Transfer Tavern: “It could be on the back-burner. Everton will want to see how Jean-Philippe Gbamin gets on with his fitness levels and it also depends on the futures of Allan and Andre Gomes, along with Tom Davies possibly.

“I think Everton have probably reached out to all the targets they would like to bring in and found out the financial packages from Sheffield United and the player.

“It’s a case of whether they can press the button at the right time.”

Tottenham Hotspur have now been backed in their hunt to try and sign Conor Coady before the summer transfer window ends.

The Lowdown: Talks opened

As per Football Insider, Spurs have already opened preliminary talks over the potential signing of the Wolves defender, with his former manager Nuno Espirito Santo pushing to take him to North London.

They have already confirmed the signing of Cristian Romero from Atalanta but are now looking to add another centre-back to the squad ahead of the start of the new Premier League season.

The Latest: Mills backs potential Coady signing

Speaking to Football Insider, former top-flight defender Danny Mills has backed the Lilywhites in their hunt for Coady, describing the England international as an ‘incredible’ player. He said:

“Tottenham still need a centre-half or two.

“They’re still light in that area, you would say.

“Nuno knows him from Wolves and Coady has done incredibly well at Wolves.

“He’d be a really good signing, I think.”

The Verdict: Sign

If Spurs were to add another centre-half to the mix, then they should look no further than Coady.

Having played in a total of 191 games over all competitions across the last four campaigns under Nuno, scoring two goals and supplying a further two assists (Transfermarkt), the Portuguese coach knows how to get the best out of him.

His near-constant presence in the team shows just how much trust the 47-year-old has in the Liverpudlian, who had been his on-field general at Molineux. Furthermore, Coady’s former Wolves team-mate David Edwards hailed him as a “very clever” player who  is “smart enough to not get into positions where he’s isolated or exposed”.

Being English as well, the 28-year-old helps fill the home-grown quota, and with that experience of playing under Nuno and in the Premier League, it is surely a deal that Tottenham must look to get done. We’re with Mills on this one.

In other news, find out which ‘explosive’ ace Spurs are now targeting

Leeds United will ‘get there’ in their negotiations to tie Marcelo Bielsa down to a new contract, according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay

The lowdown

The manager is out of contract with Leeds this summer, with the 66-year-old signing a one-year contract with the Yorkshire club back in September 2020.

The Argentine guided the Whites to promotion back into the Premier League in his second season in charge and was hugely impressive in his first year in the top-flight. Leeds finished ninth in the Premier League table in the 2020/21 season, their first at that level in 17 years.

Speaking on talkSPORT, former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara showered Bielsa with praise, labelling him a ‘world-class manager’ who is adored by the Elland Road faithful.

The latest

The Atheltic’s Leeds United reporter Hay has revealed that Bielsa’s future is the same as it was at this point last year.

In response to a query on Twitter from a concerned Whites fan regarding the Argentine, the journalist reassured them with the seven-word response of: “Same as last summer. They’ll get there”.

Bielsa only signs contracts on an annual basis, and that doesn’t seem as though it’s going to be any different this year with the Whites. Managing director Angus Kinnear previously stated that the club were treating his new contract as a ‘formality’, although an official announcement is yet to be made.

The verdict

Hay’s update should come as a relief for the Elland Road faithful, who may have been fearing the worst that Bielsa would be tempted by a move elsewhere.

The Argentina has been nothing short of brilliant since being appointed as Leeds’ manager back in June 2018, as reflected in their ever-improving league finishes, and the club will be hoping that they can get the formalities of the deal concluded at the earliest opportunity.

In other news, Leeds are in the mix for this “really bright” Championship starlet

Italian football expert Conor Clancy thinks that West Ham target Nikola Milenkovic would be affordable this summer. 

The Fiorentina defender has less than one year left on his current contract which expires June 30 next year, and the Serie A outfit could look to cash in on him this summer rather than risk losing him for free then.

West Ham insider ExWHUemployee has claimed that the club are in talks over a deal for the 23-year-old, however the Hammers face competition for the defender. The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare reported that Tottenham Hotspur also have an interest in Milenkovic and he believes a fee of around €15m could be enough to conclude a deal.

On the fee for Milenkovic, Clancy told Transfer Tavern: “I think he’d be affordable from an English perspective because Italian clubs tend to sell when English clubs come knocking. What an Italian club sees as a good fee and what an English club see as an affordable fee are usually quite similar.”

Milenkovic can also operate as a right-back and grabbed himself three goals in Serie A last season, and with the reported interest in him, West Ham are going to have to move swiftly if they are to capture the signature of the defender this summer.

Steve Bull has told Football FanCast that Bruno Lage will only succeed as Wolverhampton Wanderers’ head coach if he is given money to improve the squad this summer.

Former Benfica chief Lage was named as Nuno Espirito Santo’s successor last month.

Nuno, who has since been appointed as Tottenham Hotspur’s boss, left by mutual agreement at the end of the campaign after Wolves finished in a disappointing 13th in the Premier League standings.

Lage, 45, has moved quickly to bolster his squad, with 20-year-old defender Yerson Mosquera joining from Colombian outfit Atletico Nacional and exciting winger Francisco Trincão joining on a season-long loan – including an option to make the move permanent – from Barcelona.

However, club legend Bull insists further reinforcements are needed if Lage wants to thrive at Molineux.

Bull also admits he was unaware of the Portuguese Lage before he was being touted as a potential candidate for the top job at Wolves.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Bull said: “I knew absolutely nothing about him. It’s the same as when Nuno came in. Who knew what Nuno was about? Nobody knew.

“Foreign managers come over and they want to stamp their mark on the Premier League. You’ve got to give him a chance but it all boils down to what they give him to spend.”

Noel Whelan has tipped Danny Ings to snub interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa to sign for West Ham United this summer [Football Insider].

The Lowdown: West Ham United get set to embark on landmark 2021/22 season

Progressing towards 2021/22, many Irons supporters will be buzzing to see their side embark on their European adventure as they get set for Europa League football this campaign.

Making inroads in the transfer market, the Hammers have completed the acquisitions of ex-Watford centre-back Craig Dawson alongside free agent Armstrong Oko-Flex most recently of Celtic.

Now, former Leeds United striker Whelan reckons that another signing could be on their way to the London Stadium this summer.

The Latest: Whelan tips Ings to choose Hammers over Aston Villa and Tottenham

Previously, Villa, Spurs and West Ham have all been accredited with an attraction to 28-year-old Ings, with his contract expiring in 12 months time [The Athletic].

In an interview with Football Insider, the English pundit gave some insight into why he reckons Ings could be on his way to East London, stating: “When you look at the size of Villa, Tottenham and West Ham, they are pretty similar.”

“Tottenham, for me, are probably slightly bigger in terms of history and what they have done.

“But when you look at where they are after last season, West Ham are more appealing because they are in the Europa League.

“It would be hard to turn down a move to any of those clubs. Look at the market Villa have gone into.

“Look at Tottenham’s stadium. West Ham have Europe, they all have their benefits.” [Football Insider]

The Verdict: Ings would be an astute signing for the East Londoners

Rightfully, the 46-year-old points out the appealing nature of all three clubs on the trail of the England international.

However, there is a strong argument that the Hammers could be in an advantageous position to land Ings, due to their lack of positional depth up front – offering him an easier path to guaranteed minutes – and potential to reach the latter stages of the Europa League in the forthcoming season.

Across his career, the Winchester-born forward has registered 135 goal contributions in 297 appearances; 106 goals and 29 assists [Transfermarkt].

Last season, he notched 17 of those goal contributions in 33 fixtures with 14 goals and three assists [Transfermarkt].

Most certainly a traditional poacher, Ings was a constant threat to opposition defences last year, averaging two shots per match across the campaign [WhoScored].

Needing reinforcements with only Michael Antonio on the books as a natural striker, the Irons should look to acquire Ings as he would add some potency to David Moyes’ attack.

In other news, West ham fans react to a reported transfer target update.