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Former Premier League star Dean Windass thinks that Jesse Lingard could leave Manchester United in the January transfer window.

The attacking midfielder was heavily linked with a return to West Ham United in the summer window, having spent the second half of last season on loan at the London Stadium.

However, the Hammers were not able to strike a deal with United to bring him into the London Stadium and ultimately signed Nikola Vlasic from CSKA Moscow instead.

Lingard could see his opportunities at United further limited by the sensational signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus, with the Portugal international likely to hit the ground running given his status as one of the best players of all time.

And Windass thinks that United and Lingard will reassess the situation in the January transfer window.

Thus far this term, the England international has played just four minutes of Premier League football, as he came off the bench in the draw with Southampton.

Windass told Football FanCast: “I think that’s what the discussions will be, ‘let’s wait until January, see what your attitude’s like, if you get in the team then go and prove me wrong, come off the bench’.”

West Bromwich Albion have been handed a quadruple injury boost ahead of their upcoming Championship clash.

What’s the latest?

According to a report by Birmingham Live, all of David Button, Callum Robinson, Cedric Kipre and Kyle Bartley could be in line for a return to first-team action in Albion’s clash with Millwall this Saturday.

All three of Button, Robinson and Bartley had previously been ruled out of action due to illness, while Kipre picked up a knock in the Carabao Cup loss to Arsenal and subsequently missed the Peterborough United victory.

Meanwhile, centre-back duo Matt Clarke and Dara O’Shea are definitely out of contention for the fixture this weekend, while the progress of Rayhaan Tulloch’s recovery from a groin injury is likely to be assessed by the Baggies on Friday.

Ismael will be buzzing

While the ongoing absence of Clarke and the recent long-term loss of O’Shea are sure to come as a blow to Valerien Ismael, the likely returns of the quartet of Button, Robinson, Kipre and Bartley will undoubtedly have the Frenchman buzzing.

Indeed, Kipre’s return to fitness is perhaps the most timely for the Albion boss, as the 24-year-old will be a candidate to replace the injured O’Shea, although 18-year-old Caleb Taylor is believed to be in contention for the Millwall game, as is new signing Kean Bryan.

The return of Robinson will also be a major boost for the 45-year-old manager, as the forward has been in electric form for the Baggies so far this season, scoring three goals, registering one assist and averaging a SofaScore match rating of 7.42 over his four Championship appearances.

As such, aside from the stricken centre-back duo, Ismael very nearly has a full squad to chose from, something that bodes incredibly well for the club’s chances of continuing their fantastic early season form this weekend.

In other news: Masi reveals West Brom transfer development which is sure to delight Valerien Ismael

After a contrasting week which saw West Ham trade wins with Manchester United across two different competitions, the Irons now return to Premier League action looking to build on their fine form in 2021/22.

David Moyes will want to bounce back from Sunday’s defeat as they head to Yorkshire to face an injury-ravaged Leeds United at Elland Road.

Having rested several of his key players for the win over the Red Devils on Wednesday night, the 58-year-old could well return to his full-strength starting XI today.

Here’s the lineup Football FanCast are predicting this afternoon…

There could be as many as nine changes from the side which won at Old Trafford this week.

Between the sticks, we’re backing Alphonse Areola to keep his place after a very impressive outing. The 6 foot 5 shot-stopper was a commanding presence in goal and it’s believed that he will eventually become Moyes’ permanent no.1 over Lukas Fabianski before the end of the season – perhaps that begins now.

It’s a big call to make but the 28-year-old PSG loanee has to be given a proper run in the team sooner rather than later. He’ll be joined by an entirely new back four this time around, though.

Vladimir Coufal will start, having replaced Ryan Fredericks early in the first half on Wednesday, whilst Aaron Cresswell returns over Ben Johnson on the other flank. Summer signing Kurt Zouma should continue his partnership with Angelo Ogbonna in the heart of defence.

In midfield, both Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek will feel well rested ahead of kick-off as they were not even named in the matchday squad against Manchester United on Wednesday, though they did travel to support the squad.

The only other player to remain from the victory is Jarrod Bowen, but with Michail Antonio available following his one-game suspension, the 24-year-old likely to go back to the right flank, with the Premier League’s joint-leading scorer back up top.

They will be accompanied by Pablo Fornals in the no.10 role and Said Benrahma out wide.

AND in other news, Moyes could find West Ham’s next Tevez in Jan swoop for “magical” £18m-rated marksman…

Tottenham Hotspur have registered an interest in signing Joao Palhinha this month…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Football Insider, who claim that the Sporting Lisbon midfielder has been targeted in an attempt to bolster Nuno Santo’s engine room.

It’s thought that Spurs have been in contact over a potential deal to sign Palhinha, who is a player that is ‘hugely admired’ by the Portuguese head coach.

The 26-year-old has a whopping €60m (£51m) release clause but could now be prised away from the Primeira Liga giants for as little as £14m, though the Lilywhites will have to battle Nuno’s former club, Wolves, for his signature.

Nuno would love him

As mentioned by the report, Palhina would be a player that the 47-year-old boss would love to sign this window.

Standing at a towering 6 foot 3, the six-time Portugal international is primarily a defensive anchorman but he can also fill in at centre-back, in some ways similar to how Nuno utilised Leander Dendoncker at Molineux.

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

Palhinha rated out as Sporting’s fourth-best player in 2020/21 with an average WhoScored rating of 7.21. He managed to win three aerial duels per game, highlighting his physically imposing statute, as well as his 3.3 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per outing, proving to be an animal at the base of midfield.

By comparison, this outranks Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who largely played in a similar role last season, as he managed only 2.6 tackles and 1.3 interceptions each Premier League match, via WhoScored.

Portuguese football expert Marino Peixoto described Palhinha as having a “simply phenomenal” season and that his ability to break up play was “astounding.”

Whilst Sporting boss Ruben Amorim once dubbed him a “special player” to MaisFutebol (via Manchester News Today).

Considering Spurs could sign a player of this calibre for around £35m less than his release clause, Spurs supremo Fabio Paratici could well stumble across an absolute steal.

He should look to complete a bargain swoop for Palhinha in the coming weeks.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano drops major Spurs transfer claim that’ll surely leave fans fuming…

Neco Williams has set out his ambition to get ‘good game time’ under his belt at Liverpool this season.

Speaking on the club’s live broadcast after their 1-0 friendly win over Mainz, the right-back said he wants to be ‘pushing’ Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez for a starting role.

Williams was limited to just three Premier League starts last season, making a further three appearances off the bench (via WhoScored).

Will Williams stay at Liverpool?

Goal journalist Neil Jones reported in June that Williams may be open to leaving the club in pursuit of more opportunities.

Liverpool are apparently willing to sell him if an interested club, like Southampton, Burnley or Leeds United, meet their £10million asking price.

Williams was called up to the Wales squad for the summer’s European Championships but a miscued clearance in the Round of 16 defeat to Denmark gifted the eventual semifinalists a second goal.

Fan feed Anfield Watch relayed his comments, and here’s what supporters made of them.

These Liverpool fans doubt Williams will realise ambitions

“You aren’t getting anywhere near Trent’s spot mate”

Credit: @lfcalexx6

“Hopefully we’ll get him sold…”

Credit: @ektelfc_petter

“That’s the right attitude but…”

Credit: @mwmeyerson

“I feel bad for him but it’s never gonna happen”

Credit: @patrickmlfc

““Get good game time” – Is this guy being serious?”

Credit: @lfcibou

“Who’s going to tell him?”

Credit: @Emmyylfc

“Was Neco drunk when he gave this interview?”

Credit: @Rayted_Are

In other news, fans were buzzing after this transfer update. 

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire says Glasgow Rangers have closed a £332m deficit in nine years to their rivals at the top of the Premiership.

The Lowdown: Gers on top of Scotland

The Gers are at the top of Scottish football right now. Last term, they won the Premiership for the first time in 10 years, completing their return from the depths of the fourth tier.

They are also in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League group stages if they can beat Malmo and get through one more round.

The Latest: Maguire makes claim

Speaking to Football Insider, Maguire says Celtic’s complacency has allowed Rangers to close a £332m gap to their fierce city rivals. He said:

“Not qualifying for the Champions League is going to hit them realistically by £25m.

“Champions League is also beneficial for your Uefa coefficient, which can be massive as far as seeding and European income are concerned.

“It’s indicative of how much that club has thrown away through arrogance and complacency.

“Since 2012 when Rangers had to start again in the lowest tier of Scottish football, Celtic made £332m in revenue more than Rangers. What have they got to show for it in 2021?”

The Verdict: Gers have roared back

When Rangers entered administration in 2012 (BBC), Scottish football was rocked. The Gers have long been one of the country’s two big powerhouses, and it was therefore a shock to see they had been so badly run. They were demoted to League Two as a result, and were forced to work their way up the divisions.

They have now done that, and are now a club that appears to have an idea what to do off the pitch as well as off of it. To make up £332m is no mean feat – the Gers will now be hoping to push on.

In other news, Rangers fans were livid with this man’s article.

The Athletic’s Chris Waugh has said that Newcastle United could look to sign a ‘junior’ striker in the remaining weeks of the transfer window.

The lowdown

Newcastle made their first signing of the summer just two days before their season opener against West Ham, capturing former loanee Joe Willock for a fee in excess of £20m (via BBC Sport).

This morning they have been linked with a move for Schalke 04’s 20-year-old frontman Matthew Hoppe. The player’s agents are due to fly to the UK for talks with interested parties, and the cash-strapped German club may be forced to sell.

Callum Wilson, who scored in the defeat against the Hammers, is currently supported by Joelinton and Dwight Gayle. Two other strikers – Yoshinori Muto and Andy Carroll – have left the club on free transfers this summer.

The latest

In a Q&A for The Athletic, Waugh was asked by a supporter whether Newcastle are looking to bolster their striking ranks. He replied that a centre-back and a midfielder, ‘potentially a no 6 type’, are currently the ‘priorities’.

The journalist added that a senior striker ‘isn’t necessarily near the top’ of the Magpies’ list, but a ‘more junior type may arrive’ before the end of the month.

The verdict

At 20, Hoppe may well fit the ‘junior’ bill, and while some Newcastle fans might find it hard to believe the club will make three further signings with a ‘meagre’ transfer budget, a ‘financially stricken’ Schalke may have to sell on the cheap.

Beyond that, the Magpies have yet to use either of their available domestic loan slots, so they may look towards young Premier League talents with limited short-term prospects.

There are also whispers that the deal for Willock was independently-funded, so the club’s budget may still be intact. Waugh’s suggestion of a new centre-forward coming in could indeed bear fruit over the next couple of weeks.

In other news, does Joe Willock have a buyout clause?

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have raved over agent Fali Ramdani’s offer to their club – and it involves FC Koln midfielder Ellyes Skhiri.

The Bundesliga ace, who was influential under former Koln boss Friedhelm Funkel over 2020/2021, has reportedly submitted a transfer request and wants to leave this summer.

As per Bild’s information, Skhiri made his feelings known to the club and is on the lookout for any possible suitors.

West Ham have been named as one of the sides who could snap up the 26-year-old, with Bild now bringing an update on his future and lifting the lid on an enticing offer from his agent.

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According to the German news outlet, Skhiri could leave for around €15 million (£14m) this summer and Ramadani has already offered the player to West Ham.

The Tunisia international started 32 top flight matches for Koln last season and averaged both the most tackles per 90 (2.6) and most interceptions (2.6) – marking himself out as a real presence in midfield (WhoScored).

Given his impressive 2020/2021 form, it’s little wonder some supporters are pleading with West Ham to sign the player.

Find all of their best verdicts in reply to both West Ham Central and WHUNewz down below.

West Ham fans rave as Skhiri offer emerges…

“Ellyes Skhiri’s agent, the influential Fali Ramadani, has offered his client to West Ham for just £14m after the powerful midfielder handed in a transfer request last month.

“NO BRAINER FOR ME THIS ONE”

Credit: @WestHamCentral

“Do ittttt”

Credit: @callumwhu123

“Bargain price!

Get it done!”

Credit: @WhufcSloth

“PLEASE”

Credit: @whubarney2

“This would be awesome”

Credit: @Two_Dubz

“DUDE”

Credit: @FornalsFluency

In other news: ‘Yes yes yes’, ‘Unreal’, ‘Come ooon’…EXWHUemployee’s news has West Ham fans excited, find out more here.

An update has emerged regarding Manchester City’s interest in Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann.

What’s the talk?

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, as relayed by Caught Offside, the Premier League champions are willing to make an offer for the Frenchman this summer. City believe that he would fit their squad and are prepared to take advantage of Barcelona’s financial issues by submitting a bid for the 30-year-old this summer.

France manager Didier Deschamps hailed Griezmann as a “game changer” and said that he is one of the greatest players in the history of world football.

The 52-year-old said: “The statistics speak for themselves, you can see the influence he has for the French national team through the goals he has scored and through his assists. Add to that the capacity to change games and get stuck in and defend when we don’t have the ball. He’s one of the greatest players of all time in Europe and worldwide.

“He is one of our technical leaders. He is a game changer with the way he moves, the control he has with the ball and the goals he is capable of scoring, and his assists. He is an offensive player, a very creative player and has this ability to think outside the box.”

Forget Kane

It’s time to forget the pursuit of Harry Kane. Manchester City are reportedly keen to bring the 27-year-old to the Etihad Stadium this summer and recently failed with a £100m bid for the England captain, with Tottenham wanting £120m for his services according to Sky Sports. Given Spurs’ high demands, City could look elsewhere to find a cheaper alternative to their striker situation, and this is where Griezmann could come in as an ideal transfer target in the coming months.

The report stated that Barcelona’s financial problems could open the door for City to swoop for Griezmann, although no exact price is mentioned for the Frenchman. For argument’s sake, we will use his Transfermarkt valuation as a potential price tag and that comes in at £54m. City could potentially be saving nearly £70m by opting to sign Griezmann instead of Kane, if Barcelona allow the 30-year-old to leave for a fee in the same region as his Transfermarkt valuation.

Pep Guardiola would surely love to have Griezmann at City as he could be the perfect player for the system he used at the end of the 2020/21 campaign. He utilised Kevin de Bruyne as a false nine, including in the Champions League final, and Griezmann could come in and nail down that role in the team, allowing the Belgian to drop back in his favoured central midfield position, where he can then dominate games for Guardiola.

Griezmann has played 111 games in his career as a false nine, whilst also playing as a centre-forward, attacking midfielder and winger, scoring 51 goals and setting up another 23 in those 111 matches.

This suggests that he excels in that position and could therefore be a superb signing for City if Guardiola wants to continue using that system. At the age of 30, Griezmann may not be a long-term addition for Guardiola to coach and develop over time, but instead come in and make an instant impact.

This is why the City manager could love having the Frenchman as he would arrive as a readymade quality star, and Txiki now needs to make sure that he can seal a swoop for him ahead of Kane.

AND in other news, Txiki could strike gold with Man City swoop for 27 G/A beast, Pep would love him…

Many Wolves fans have ben left to react as a transfer update emerged on Ruben Vinagre.

As per O Jogo (via Sport Witness), Bruno Lage has given the ‘green light’ for him to move to Sporting Lisbon in the summer window on an initial loan deal with an option to buy.

The option to buy is likely to be for a fee in the region of €8.7m (£7.5m), but the Midlands club would have rather sold him on a permanent deal without the loan.

Vinagre is surplus to requirements at Molineux, given that he was shipped out on loan to two different clubs in the 2020/21 season, and so it would be ideal for them to let him go.

However, while some WWFC supporters are happy that he would leave, others would rather just sell him permanently rather than yet another loan, as they can then use that cash to reinvest in the squad.

Wolves fans on Vinagre transfer update

These Wanderers gave some fairly mixed reactions after the exit news was shared on Twitter:

“Yesss”

Credit: @BrunoLages442

“SIUUUUUUUUUU BRUNO KNOWS BALL”Credit: @wwfcglover”A loan makes no sense.”Credit: @WolvesFirst”Just sell him now if he ain’t part of the plans”Credit: @GoldNblackWolf”Cash or forget it, to be honest we need Vinagre. New start for him under Lage.”Credit: @DChappleton”Sell him for £10m and then buy someone of the same quality for £20m. Mendes gets a cut from both deals. #wwfc”Credit: @BlosephIn other news, find out what Tim Spiers update has Wanderers talking here!