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The fixtures haven’t even been released, but Dean Windass has already ruled his former side Sheffield United out of getting promoted straight back to the Premier League next year.

Having failed to build off their outstanding first campaign back in the top-flight in 2019-2020, the Blades were relegated last term having sat at the foot of the table from November onwards.

Sheffield United will no doubt be amongst the favourites to make an instant return to the top division next time, helped by the appointment of Slavisa Jokanovic.

The Serbian, who recently left his position as manager of Qatari outfit Al-Gharafa, has twice been promoted to the Premier League – in 2014 with Watford, and most recently, 2018 with Fulham.

However, after a wretched start to the following season with Fulham, Jokanovic was sacked before Christmas and hasn’t managed in England since.

Despite having two promotions on his CV, Windass’ early prediction is that the Bramall Lane outfit won’t be returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

He told Football FanCast:

“It pains me to say it, but I can’t see them going back up next year, depending how many players you do lose.

“He did fantastically well at Fulham and were probably the best team in the Championship, but I can’t see Sheffield United bouncing back straight away.”

Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard appears to be closing in on a move to Leicester City, according to talkSPORT’s Jason Bourne.

The Lowdown: Edouard’s Hoops stance

It appears as if Celtic fans have now seen the last of the French forward in a Hoops shirt.

Sources close to the club admitted last month that the 23-year-old wants to leave Celtic Park over the coming months, regardless of who comes in to replace Neil Lennon as manager.

He’ll have just 12 months left on his deal in the summer, with Edouard’s camp believing last month he could secure a Parkhead exit for just £8-10m in the upcoming transfer window.

However, it looks as if the Hoops will be receiving more than that figure for his services.

The Latest: Bourne shares Edouard latest

Bourne shared the latest on the Foxes’ summer plans on Tuesday evening, with updates on both Edouard and Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare.

“I understand Boubakary Soumare to Leicester City is getting closer to completion. Appears formalities just need to be sorted now. Leicester also want to wrap up Odsonne Edouard deal. Personal terms not a problem. Looking to arrange a fee now. Could be £15-20m.”

The Verdict: Fee good news for McKay

In our opinion, should a deal go through at £20m, it would be good business from the Hoops and new CEO Dominic McKay.

Celtic know that they’ll have to hand over around half of that fee to Paris Saint-Germain due to a sell-on clause, but that would still leave the Hoops with £10m – not bad for a player who could’ve discussed a potential free transfer in January 2022.

McKay should be delighted if a transfer is completed closer to the £20m mark, especially with the player’s camp believing an exit at half of that price was doable, and he would then have the funds to bring in a proven replacement for the Frenchman.

Edouard was the league’s top scorer this season and has netted an impressive 83 times in 168 appearances. Replacing those goals could be vital in the club’s bid to win back the Scottish Premiership, so McKay needs every penny he can get out of the deal.

In other news: Pundit drops John Kennedy claim, find out more here. 

Freddie Woodman could leave Newcastle United this summer because ‘there is no clear path for him’ to the first team, according to Chronicle Live journalist Mark Douglas.

The lowdown

Woodman impressed on loan at Championship side Swansea City this season, keeping a league-high 21 clean sheets.

The 24-year-old also featured in The Athletic’s team of the season for the division as a result of his heroics as he helped the Swans to reach Saturday’s play-off final, in which they were beaten 2-0 by Brentford.

The latest

Douglas reported that Swansea are keen on a permanent move for the 24-year-old, who has signalled that he wants to play regular football and ‘is hinting’ that he wants to stay in south Wales.

That may not be possible at Newcastle given that Martin Dubravka signed a six-year contract during the 2019/20 season and ‘is an important voice in the dressing room’. Karl Darlow is then ‘next in line’ behind the Slovakian.

Arsenal, where Woodman’s father previously worked as a goalkeeping coach, could also be among his suitors.

Douglas reckons that £15m is a realistic price tag if Newcastle were to sanction a sale. That deal, though, should include ‘smart clauses’ such as first refusal on future moves or a ‘hefty sell-on’. [Chronicle Live]

The verdict

Newcastle need to box clever here. Dubravka is a more than capable number one who delivered some strong performances after his return from injury in the spring and, right now, it makes little sense to deny Woodman a lucrative move in order to keep him as a rarely-used backup.

It has been reported that, with Mike Ashley intent on selling the club, Newcastle may have as little as £12m to spend this summer – this deal could more than double their transfer budget.

If they can insert one of the clauses mentioned above, it would be a no-brainer for the Magpies to cash in on the 24-year-old.

In other news, Newcastle are in pole position to land this teenage forward.

Liverpool have been handed a considerable injury boost ahead of this weekend’s clash against Southampton, with Nathaniel Phillips able to take to the pitch once again.

The centre-back has missed the last two Premier League games with an injury, both of them ending in 1-1 draws against Leeds United and Newcastle United.

Whilst he was scheduled to take to the pitch in the Reds’ Premier League game against Manchester United last time out, he did not end up playing as the match was called off due to fan protests at Old Trafford.

However, with Phillips now sure to be included in the Liverpool squad as Jurgen Klopp’s men host Southampton on Saturday night, his return will be a huge boost to the Reds for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, Phillips is one of Liverpool’s first-choice centre-backs at the moment due to the respective injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

He has forged a promising partnership with on-loan Ozan Kabak, having started seven Premier League games since the turn of the year. In fact, the Reds have not won any of the last nine league games in which the 24-year-old hasn’t featured, that run stretching all the way back to the 7-0 thumping of Crystal Palace in December.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-liverpool-news%2c-transfer-rumours-and-moreozek-suarez-ward-correa-klopp-super-league-watkins” title=”Read the latest Liverpool news, transfer rumours and more…”]

His underlying statistics are also quite impressive. Hailed as a “monster” by Jurgen Klopp, he has won a huge 5.5 aerial duels per game in the Premier League this season according to WhoScored. He has also contributed 1.2 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 4.3 clearances per match, which are very impressive numbers.

Another huge benefit of his inclusion is the possibility of pushing Fabinho back into his preferred position. The Brazilian midfielder has been forced to deputise in the backline due to the club’s injury issues this season.

Whilst the 28-year-old is capable at centre-back, he is simply more effective in the middle of the park, so Klopp will be thrilled for a number of reasons that Phillips can return to the starting line-up tonight.

AND in more news, Harry Kane would be a “great” signing for Liverpool says Ray Houghton…

Celtic’s pursuit of Eddie Howe is now over six weeks old but we are finally coming towards a conclusion in this drawn-out saga.

The Hoops saw Neil Lennon resign back in February and since then they’ve been trying to convince the 43-year-old to come to Glasgow.

What’s the latest?

It was reported towards the end of last week that Howe would become the new manager of the Bhoys by talkSPORT.

However, we’ve heard no official word from Celtic yet that the former Bournemouth man will arrive in Glasgow.

That being said, the hierarchy have now received a massive boost in their bid to lure Howe to Scotland.

The Englishman was one of the favourites to succeed Roy Hodgson as manager of Crystal Palace but he reportedly flopped during the interview process.

Though, in a fresh update from the Daily Record, it’s claimed that he isn’t even interested in becoming the new manager at Selhurst Park.

McKay will be elated

This is a considerable boost to Celtic’s hopes of ensuring Howe is in the dugout at Paradise next season.

Up until this point, it looked as though the former Cherries boss was leaning towards a Premier League return.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-howe-favre-mcgregor-mccann-tierney” title=”Read the latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

His agent had convinced him he could get another job in England and with Hodgson leaving Palace, it seemed like the ideal opportunity, one he couldn’t really turn down.

You can hardly blame him either. The top-flight of English football is notoriously known as the best division in the world while the sheer amount of money involved in transfers would have been mouth-watering.

As Celtic know, it’s hard enough to convince their players to stay in Glasgow, let alone convince a sought-after manager to reject England and sign on the dotted line in Scotland.

With Howe wanting to bring a number of Bournemouth’s backroom staff with him, the Hoops will have to wait until their play-off campaign is done and dusted.

Once that’s concluded, it should be nothing more than a formality for McKay to conclude a deal.

After all, the biggest obstacle of them all – the chance to manage in the Premier League – has been eradicated.

Celtic chiefs should be able to rest a little easier now.

AND in other news, Forget Hickey: McKay can save Celtic millions by unleashing “tricky” rarely-seen 18y/o…

Many Everton fans have been left to laud a transfer update on Bernard as Fichajes have reported that Manuel Pellegrini wants to sign him for Real Betis.

As per the news outlet, the Brazil international is currently under contract at the Goodison Park faithful until 2022, and is valued at €12m (£10.4m), which would give the Merseyside club a nice profit if they were to sell him as they signed the 28-year-old on a free transfer back in August 2018.

Bernard has not really had that much time on the pitch for Carlo Ancelotti’s team so far in the 2020/21 term, with a mere 15 games played in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt), and so the winger would not be a big loss to the Toffees should they let him go to play in La Liga.

Everton fans on Bernard transfer update

These Blues supporters lauded the transfer update on Bernard after it was shared on Twitter, with one fan joking they’ll fund his travel while others simply begged the club to grab the money and run…

“I’ll buy the plane tickets”

Credit: @EFC1878_Ryan

“I’ll put the petrol in..”

Credit: @dempster1969

“Take it!”

Credit: @kwrmag

“Get that done please”

Credit: @DByrne11

“£10 mil would be unreal business from Brands”

Credit: @EFCJakeee

“£10 million for Bernard? I’ll drive him all the way to Betis mate”

Credit: @JayRimmer10

In other news, find out what injury update before Spurs has been bemoaned by EFC fans here!

The 2020/21 season has not been to kind to Celtic and the Parkhead faithful.

They have been left in the dust by their biggest rivals not just in the league but also in the cup, something that means the Bhoys will end the campaign without a trophy.

It has been a torrid tale of events for a club who have only witnessed success in the last decade.

Things have arguably got worse since Neil Lennon departed. Protests may have stopped but crashing out of the Scottish Cup in the fourth round after defeat to Rangers will do enough to get the banners back out.

Once again it was a sorry showing from John Kennedy’s team. His side may have fired six goals past Livingston but besides that, his team have struggled to score goals during his short tenure.

Against Dundee United they witnessed Benjamin Siegrist make an eye-catching haul of 12 saves in a 0-0 draw and then against the Gers on Sunday, they were just as bad.

Odsonne Edouard and Mo Elyounoussi missed golden chances in the second period while the former also saw a penalty kick saved by Allan McGregor.

It was a bad afternoon for the Frenchman but in what was a crucial day for Kennedy, he also failed to set the world alight.

GIVEMESPORT reported in the build-up to the clash some crucial news on the interim manager’s future.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-howe-lampard-klimala-ajer-gossip” title= “Read the latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

They shared information that Kennedy could have significantly bolstered his chances of securing the gig permanently with a positive result at Ibrox.

Instead, they lost 2-0 in one of the worst ways possible. Defensive mistakes were rife, particularly from the full-backs, and they lacked a cutting edge that would have sent a message to the Hoops hierarchy.

The 37-year-old has been under consideration by Dermot Desmond and co but after this result, their estimations of the Scot may have fallen somewhat.

As a result, the hunt to find a new manager could take yet another big twist.

Eddie Howe has been the favourite to land the job after entering discussions with the Bhoys but he’s played them around in recent weeks.

He doesn’t want to return to management until the summer while he’s also being courted by Brighton and Crystal Palace. Issues over his preferred backroom staff and Celtic’s director of football also loom large.

Kennedy, therefore, would have been an easy alternative if things collapsed more on the Howe side.

Instead, he’s not really proving himself, something the Old Firm last Sunday showcased. Celtic need to accelerate their talks with Howe or look for a more suitable alternative.

AND in other news, Director of Football makes big Celtic manager claim, Desmond won’t be happy…

Many Liverpool fans have been left loving a transfer update from Fabrizio Romano on Ibrahima Konate.

As per a tweet from the Italian football journalist and transfer guru, the Anfield faithful are indeed interested in signing the RB Leipzig central defender, as he is one of the targets on their list.

Talks are ongoing between the two clubs on personal terms, which would be a deal at the Merseyside club until June 2026, although nothing is done or signed yet.

Konate has a release clause €40m (£34.1m), and the Bundesliga team would want Jurgen Klopp’s side to pay it in full if they were to sell the France U21 international.

Nonetheless, it is exciting times for several members of the Reds faithful as it looks very possible that they could sign a potential long-term partner for Virgil Van Dijk come the summer transfer window.

Liverpool fan reaction to Romano’s Konate update

These Kopites lauded the update from Romano on the 21-year-old on Twitter, with one LFC supporter calling it ‘good news’:

“Fabrizioooooooooooo”

Credit: @ScouseCxfu

“Yessssss. Thank you Fab been waiting for you to say this all of the afternoon”

Credit: @LfcLad

“Let’s go”

Credit: @_anakinnn

“Here we gooooo”

Credit: @LiammClark

“That’s good news”

Credit: @yusdin_Anfield

“Perfect news from Fab looks close”

Credit: @DarraghMcdonog1

In other news, find out who Liverpool fans do not want to sign after a transfer update here!

Leeds United have been linked with an incredible move for Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero, in what would surely be the biggest coup of Victor Orta’s career.

The Argentine has been one of the best strikers in Premier League history, with only Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Andy Cole scoring more goals in the competition.

He has been called a ‘genius’ by Frank Lampard in the past and will go down as one of the greatest foreign imports the English game has seen.

Aguero has confirmed that he will leave City at the end of the season, alerting a number of a clubs who could look to snap him up.

[freshpress-quiz id=“351040″]

Leeds linked with Aguero move

Leeds are thought to be one of those teams, with 90min claiming Marcelo Bielsa is interested in a stunning move for the world-renowned star.

It is stated that Aguero has been ‘pinpointed’ as a replacement for likely outgoing striker Rodrigo, with Marcelo Bielsa keen to link up with his fellow countryman.

He also wouldn’t have to move house, given Manchester and Leeds are in relatively close proximity, which acts as a further bonus for the player.

Transfer Tavern take

Aguero may be turning 33 this summer, but he could be a fantastic addition for Leeds, still possessing outrageous ability in the final third.

That eye for goal and match-winning instinct could take the Whites up another level next season, so at least attempting to sign him makes complete sense.

His mentality could rub off on those around him, having won four Premier League titles and being on the cusp of clinching a fifth.

Of course, a move would surely depend on Orta convincing him to take a wage-cut, but at 33 perhaps the chance to link up with his countryman Bielsa could tempt him into a short-term deal.

If the Whites’ DoF could pull it off, given he has built his reputation at Leeds off finding bargains and young talent (BBC), it would be a real show of intent and a mega coup.

In other news, one pundit believes a key Leeds player should be surprisingly dropped against Fulham. Find out who it is here.

According to the Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho has his sights set on raiding Premier League rivals Southampton once again this summer…

What’s the word?

It’s claimed that the Portuguese is considering a move for Saints centre-back Jannik Vestergaard ahead of the next transfer window, a year after sealing fellow Dane, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, from the very same club.

The 28-year-old has entered the final 18 months of his current £60k-per-week contract at St Mary’s Stadium, leaving Spurs with a belief that they could land themselves another bargain.

It remains to be seen what sort of fee Vestergaard would command, though he is valued at just £13.5m by Transfermarkt.

Mourinho’s own Van Dijk?

A lot of comparisons will be made to the success of Hojbjerg since swapping the south coast for the capital, but instead, Mourinho could be eyeing up a solution to one of his biggest bugbears.

Back in January, Evening Standard reporter Dan Kilpatrick revealed that the Spurs boss was seeking a new centre-back, one that could totally transform their fortunes to the magnitude of that of Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool.

‘Mourinho wants his own transformative signing, a defender who could have the same impact on Spurs as Van Dijk at Liverpool or Ruben Dias at Man City.’

Vestergaard has been likened to the former Saints star, so it would not be a surprise to see him follow in similar footsteps. Martin Keown told talkSPORT: “It’s his passing. It reminds me of Van Dijk.”

The Liverpool monster cost a whopping £75m and has helped guide the Merseyside giants to Champions League and Premier League glory, so evidently, it’s well worth investing in the right defender.

At 6 foot 6 inches, the Denmark international has a very similar commanding frame to that of Van Dijk, on top of Keown making comparisons to his passing ability.

Only one other Saints player has managed a better average WhoScored rating (7.09) for the current campaign, despite all of their recent struggles, whilst he tops the charts for aerials won (3.6 per game) and clearances (four per game).

That only shows his no-nonsense nature. And despite his height, he’s no slouch for speed as outlined when tracking Dominic Calvert-Lewin down earlier this season, via The Athletic.

No other Southampton defender can match his 83.9% passing accuracy either – Van Dijk isn’t too far ahead (89.1% accuracy last season) and only Davinson Sanchez (86% accuracy) is clear from a Spurs perspective.

Vestergaard, dubbed a “role model” by current boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, would also add some leadership to Mourinho’s backline, something that could well be necessary if reports linking club captain Hugo Lloris with an exit to Paris Saint-Germain this summer are true.

If Daniel Levy is to deliver Mourinho that ‘transformative’ signing, then he should probably look no further than a player who is very much in the mould of Van Dijk himself.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Kane told he could be trophy-less legend at Spurs if he stays…