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YouTuber Conor McGilligan has claimed that Leeds United shouldn't sign Weston McKennie even if they avoid relegation.

What's the latest Leeds transfer news?

With just six games left to play in the Premier League, the Whites could well go down as they sit only one point above the bottom three.

Manager Javi Gracia has a big task on his hands with the squad he inherited from former head coach Jesse Marsch and it seems as though there are doubts about some of the recently signed players.

Indeed, in light of the 2-1 away loss at Fulham on the weekend, McGilligan has vented his frustration with midfielder McKennie.

The American joined on loan from Juventus in January and there is an option for Leeds to make the deal permanent for an initial £30m, and that could be an obligation if certain criteria are met.

However, while speaking about the player on the One Leeds Fan Channel, McGilligan warned the club against signing McKennie.

He said (11:47): “If we stay up, I don't want him anyway. Because when the chips are down, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Weston McKennie doesn't fancy it.”

Do Leeds have to sign Weston McKennie?

It seems as though McGilligan isn't the only one who has been underwhelmed by the £75k-p/w midfielder in recent times.

After the loss against Fulham, journalist Beren Cross handed McKennie a 4/10 in the LeedsLive player ratings.

His comments weren't kind either, as he wrote: "Looked like a passenger drifting through the game. Idly trotted up and down the field. Tackles were meek or didn't happen. Failed to bring attacking spark or defensive steel."

And so, interestingly enough, if McKennie can improve his displays he might help keep Gracia and co from going down – which could then trigger his permanent transfer clause.

If not, though, he'll likely return to Juventus while Leeds return to the Championship.

Manchester United are keenly tracking the uncertain future of Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Matheus Nunes.

What’s the latest on Matheus Nunes' future?

According to Football Insider, the Red Devils are very interested in bringing the 24-year-old to Old Trafford this summer as Erik ten Hag is searching to bolster his midfield options.

This outlet previously revealed that Premier League rivals Liverpool are also big admirers of Nunes and it's believed a fee in the region of £50m would be sufficient to persuade the Wolves' hierarchy to sell.

As well as these English giants, Catalan juggernaut Barcelona have also been linked with the Portuguese, who is set to be the epicentre of an enthralling transfer race.

Why do Wolves have to keep Nunes?

The Midlands club were bottom of the league with ten points from their opening 15 league games when Julen Lopetegui took over, but his managerial stint has overseen a tremendous rise to 13th position.

One of the key reasons for the Spaniard’s resurgence has been the incredible form of Nunes, who has been a pillar of energy, calmness, and meticulous technique in the centre of the park.

He has excelled as an imperious ball-carrier and a key contributor to the most threatening phases of Wolves’ attacking play – this is showcased by the fact he ranks in the top 17% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for progressive carries.

Even more impressively, the 11-cap international ranks in the top 7% for successful take-ons to reflect his ridiculous dribbling ability, which very few central midfielders possess to this extraordinary level.

His Portuguese teammate Bruno Fernandes even hailed the former Sporting CP prodigy as “incredible” thanks to his consistency.

The midfield engine recently netted his first Premier League goal of the season – a sumptuous half-volley against Chelsea to condemn caretaker boss Frank Lampard to a defeat in his first game in charge in his second spell at the Stamford Bridge helm.

In the showdown versus the Blues, the £85k-per-week ace registered a 7.9 rating, had 63 touches, completed 100% of his dribbles, won ten ground duels, and recorded three accurate long balls, as per Sofascore. It was an all-round masterclass from a player that has evolved as one of Wolves’ prized assets.

Much of the attention is rightly focused on the possible departure of club captain Ruben Neves, and he would be some loss. That said, with his exit having been on the cards for some time now, it would surely sting more if they were to lose someone they invested in so heavily a matter of months ago.

Indeed, unlike Neves, the £40m-rated technician offers a higher degree of energy, tenacity, and talented dribbling. He is the more progressive of the two, and crucially, has a potentially higher ceiling given his age of just 24.

Manchester United got back to winning ways with a professional, 1-0 victory over Brentford on Wednesday evening, with the Red Devils ending their three-game run without a win in the Premier League to move back into the top four.

Having started the month on a sour note following the weekend defeat to Newcastle United, Erik ten Hag's men responded in fine fashion with a commanding performance yesterday, securing all three points following a first-half strike from Marcus Rashford.

The England international lashed home from close range following a neat flick-on from January arrival Marcel Sabitzer, with the 25-year-old scoring for the first time in four league games to take his tally to 28 goals in all competitions so far this season.

Having been given the nod through the middle as misfiring dud Wout Weghorst dropped to the bench, the United academy graduate seemed to relish the prospect of leading the line, registering an impressive haul of four key passes as a marker of his playmaking prowess, while also proving a real nuisance for the Bees with his dynamism in the channel.

The Manchester native was not the only figure who looked close to getting back to his best, however, with both Rashford and fellow forward Antony having been "dangerous" in the first half, in particular, as per journalist Matthew Law.

How did Antony perform against Brentford?

There is no getting away from what has been a difficult debut campaign in England to date for the £86m Brazilian, with the 23-year-old having failed to build on a promising start to life at Old Trafford after scoring three times in his first three top-flight appearances.

On the evidence of last night's outing, however, it looks as if the former Ajax boss could be able to replicate or even improve upon that early season form, having been a real livewire down the right flank against Thomas Frank's men.

As Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst noted, the one-time Sao Paolo man 'faded' after the interval, although prior to that he had been 'United's most creative player again', notably racking up two key passes from his 60 touches to illustrate his desire to make things happen for his side.

The £200k-per-week wizard could well have had an assist to his name early on after teeing up Scott McTominay with a clever pull-back, although the towering midfielder could not mirror his goalscoring heroics for his country as he rifled a fierce effort over the crossbar.

Antony was then heavily involved in the game's deciding goal after producing a delicate dinked cross to pick out Sabitzer, with the Austrian in turn managing to tee up Rashford to power past a helpless David Raya.

Those two moments of quality showcased the ability that fleet-footed maverick does possess, albeit with the 5 foot 9 enigma still needing to demonstrate that impact on a consistent basis, having somewhat irked the home crowd after repeatedly curling efforts wide having cut in onto his stronger left foot.

That frustrating knack for wasting opportunities will be held against the marquee arrival, although the win over the west London outfit appeared to illustrate that Antony can have a key role to play in Ten Hag's side moving forward.

Liverpool return to domestic action following the international break with a tough tie against Premier League title chasers Manchester City.

Last season, this matchup was a battle between two sides who were chasing glory across all fronts and while nothing has changed for City, the Anfield side have endured their worst season under Jurgen Klopp, with their sole priority being to secure Champions League football for next season.

The Reds will be hoping to secure their first victory in a month and following their recent Champions League defeat to Real Madrid a couple of weeks ago, Klopp will be keen on making a couple of changes.

The German utilised Cody Gakpo in a deeper position against the La Liga side and although this could be an option for the future, he should deploy him as a central striker against City in order to terrorise their defence.

Will Cody Gakpo start for Liverpool against Manchester City?

The £120k-per-week machine has enjoyed a solid enough start to life on Merseyside, scoring four Premier League goals since joining in January from PSV Eindhoven, and it looks as though Liverpool have struck gold once again when it comes to young attacking talent.

In the Reds' recent 7-0 drubbing of Manchester United at the start of March, Gakpo was sensational as the focal point of their front three.

He received a Sofascore rating of 8.2/10 for his performance which included a brace, one key pass, 42 touches and succeeded with one dribble attempt in what could be the catalyst for him to deliver in the Premier League.

Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano described Gakpo as “something special” while he was away on international duty for the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup, and he certainly demonstrated his talents to the rest of the world after enjoying a successful tournament on a personal level.

The 23-year-old scored three goals for his country in Qatar, while also averaging two key passes and succeeding with 50% of his dribbles and Klopp will hope that deploying him in a central role will allow the player to replicate these performances.

Liverpool have already beaten City this season, securing a 3-1 win in the Community Shield back in July, however, their paths have diverged into different worlds since then.

Gakpo must start in a front three alongside Darwen Nunez and Mohamed Salah for the Merseyside outfit to have any chance of securing a win.

Manchester United are enjoying a stellar campaign so far, yet it’s one that has included both 6-3 and 7-0 defeats to their arch-rivals, Manchester City and Liverpool, respectively.

Erik ten Hag is bringing back the feel-good factor to Old Trafford, no doubt about it, however he still has some work to do this summer if he wants to keep improving – as those shambolic losses illustrate.

Despite Marcus Rashford’s goals – the Englishman having netted 27 for the season across all fronts – the Red Devils desperately require a world-class number nine and although summer arrival Lisandro Martinez has impressed this term, another centre-back should be on the list, with Harry Maguire looking likely to depart.

The Englishman has only started five Premier League matches under Ten Hag, and he was even described as looking “lost” by writer Hesham Bilal-Hafiz against Fulham in their FA Cup quarter-final tie last weekend, suggesting he is on his last legs in a Man United shirt.

The summer transfer window could be an interesting period for the club and with Champions League qualification looking likely, the Dutchman will eye new talent.

Could Axel Disasi join Manchester United?

According to French news outlet Foot Mercato, United could soon be about to launch a move for Axel Disasi, who is currently playing for AS Monaco, this summer as Ten Hag looks to strengthen his defence.

The report claims that the French is valued at €50m (£44m) if he is to move to England this summer, and it is a fee United can certainly afford, especially if they sell Maguire and some other deadwood.

Indeed, both Maguire and Victor Lindelof could be sold ahead of 2023/2024 according to Football Insider, therefore signing another defender a key priority in the transfer window.

Not only does Disasi prove to be more of a goal threat compared to Maguire (five goal contributions to none) but he has also registered more tackles won (17 to four), blocks (40 to 15), interceptions (45 to seven) and won a higher percentage of aerial duels (71% to 54.5%), clearly demonstrating how effective he is at the heart of the defence.

The “dominant” titan – as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig previously – stands at 6 foot 2 tall and his aerial ability could be extremely useful in the United backline.

A move for the 25-year-old would give Ten Hag a licence to say bye bye to Maguire and with his performances this season proving to be underwhelming, it will represent another step forward in the club's new era under the former Ajax manager.

Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner, who is a contender for the Tottenham job after Antonio Conte, was actually interviewed for the role back in 2021.

Managers linked with the Spurs job

Chairman Daniel Levy looks set to begin his search for a permanent Spurs manager this summer after Conte and the north Londoners agreed to part ways by mutual consent. Cristian Stellini, alongside assistant coach Ryan Mason, will take charge of the Lilywhites for the rest of this Premier League season while the hunt for Conte's successor goes on in the background.

There are many names linked with the managerial role at Tottenham, perhaps most notably Mauricio Pochettino, a real fan favourite at the club, and former Bayen Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann in the last week. Ex-Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, who is also a free agent after leaving the Spain national team, has also been heavily tipped as a contender for the now-vacant Spurs managerial role.

In terms of bosses currently in employment, one coach who has been mentioned consistently as a Spurs target is Glasner – with rumours suggesting that contact has even been made.

The Bundesliga manager is out of contract in 2024, meaning he could leave Frankfurt next year, and no progress has been made on tying him down to a new deal so far. Reliable journalist Alasdair Gold has now provided his own update, writing for football.london and naming Glasner as one of the managers Levy could turn to after sacking Conte.

He adds a pretty interesting bit of background, namely that the Austrian was actually a candidate to replace Jose Mourinho back in 2021. Gold claims that Spurs "interviewed" Glasner that year as Levy weighed up who could come in after Mourinho, but the Lilywhites chief eventually turned to Nuno Espirito Santo.

Could Glasner work wonders at Spurs?

Interestingly, the 48-year-old does have plenty of credentials if Spurs do consider him for the role this summer. Glasner deploys a similar three at the back system to Conte, meaning players like Pedro Porro, who were arguably signed for his formation, could slot in seamlessly.

As well as this, Glasner's Eintracht side have been praised for their 'intense' and 'aggressive' football by rival managers like Marco Rose. Having won a Europa League last year, beating Scottish giants Rangers in the final and knocking out West Ham in the semis, Glasner also possesses a degree of trophy-winning pedigree.

Leeds United have reportedly finalised a move for FC Barcelona forward Ilias Akhomach ahead of the summer.

The Lowdown: Transfer rumour

Akhomach was first linked with a move to Yorkshire last month after Victor Orta met with the player’s representatives.

Since then, a deal has seemingly gathered real pace, with speculation over a four-year deal with the Whites after his contract wit the Catalan giants expires.

A new update has now emerged, with Andrea Radrizzani and the 49ers Enterprises seemingly securing a first summer signing.

The Latest: Agreement reached

A Spanish outlet shared a transfer update in the last 48 hours regarding Leeds and Akhomach. They said the player has ‘reached an agreement’ to move to England after finalising a transfer with Leeds.

The report adds that Akhomach was in demand as Elland Road wasn’t the only offer on the table, with his days at the Nou Camp now numbered.

The Verdict: Next Leeds gem?

The Whites have had plenty of success when it comes to bringing in a number of unknown teenagers and turning them into first-team stars.

Illan Meslier and Pascal Struijk both arrived as teenagers and have gone on to become regulars in Yorkshire, with Meslier making 118 appearances and Struijk 87.

More recently, the club have reaped the rewards of signing Wilfried Gnonto, who has gone on to impress under former manager Jesse Marsch and new head coach Javi Gracia. The Italy international has contributed to six goals in 19 appearances, with Gabby Agbonlahor already a big fan:.

“He’s a top player. He might not be on Raphinha’s level just yet, as he’s only 19 – but he’s got that directness, that scary pace.

“He could do better with his final ball or with his finishing – but that will only get better and better in the future.

“I can see him being at that Raphinha level in the next couple of seasons.

Leeds will be hoping that Akhomach can make a similar impact to that of Gnonto in Yorkshire next season, where hopefully, the Whites will be preparing a fourth successive season of Premier League football.

Akhomach has already made three senior appearances for Barcelona, so a move could prove to be a shrewd one in the long run, with the 18-year-old primarily a right-winger who can also play on the left or through the middle and is valued at €3m (£2.7m) by Transfermarkt.

Leeds United have outlined their attack as a real point of concern in recent weeks, yet their match against Brighton and Hove Albion suggested that perhaps it is not the only area for improvement.

The Whites have become a massively struggling outfit, with Javi Gracia the new man desperately trying to ensure their continued status in the Premier League next season.

However, following the results over the weekend, the Spaniard has seen his side drop into the relegation zone.

They were even quite fortunate to gain a point over the Seagulls, so things could have been even worse had they not fought back with such vigour.

Perhaps instead of seeking to solve their scoring problem, they could instead employ a tried and tested tactic for avoiding the drop of shoring up the defence.

One potential partner for the experienced Max Wober to achieve this could come from the academy, in the form of Diogo Monteiro.

Who is Diogo Monteiro?

Having signed in January, the Portuguese youngster arrived with vast potential backing him and a sparkling future ahead.

He had previously impressed in Switzerland for FC Servette, and across his three recorded games had outlined himself as a fine ball-playing defender. His 83% pass accuracy was underpinned by his two duels won and one clearance made per game (via Sofascore).

Football scout Ron Dor has been particularly vocal in his praise for the 6-foot stopper, labelling him a “beast in the making” who has very quickly become a “monster”.

With a penchant for stepping out from the back to start attacks, and the youthful confidence to facilitate this, he could make a fine foil to sit beside Wober, who has starred since his January introduction.

In the Premier League, the Austrian boasts a 7.00 average rating, and averages 1.8 interceptions, 1.7 tackles and 3.3 clearances per 90 (via Sofascore).

It is clear he is more than capable of picking up the defensive slack that Monteiro might leave, whilst the 18-year-old can act as the catalyst for turning defence into offense.

By unleashing him, it could not only add an extra layer of solidity and confidence at the back but coincidentally help bolster their attack too as the teenage sensation would launch them on his own.

Chelsea have been touted with an interest in RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol, who announced himself on the world stage with some resounding performances at the 2022 World Cup with Croatia.

What’s the latest on Gvardiol to Chelsea?

Having impressed during the early phase of his career, Gvardiol attracted the attention of Chelsea in the dying embers of the January transfer window according to French outlet Foot Mercato.

More recently, according to the Daily Mail, Blues owner Todd Boehly will now have to wage battle against the likes of Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, with the respective outfits impressed by the calibre of sustained performance the 21-year-old prodigy is forging.

Gvardiol reportedly has a €110m (£97m) release clause with Leipzig, and while this might seem somewhat excessive, his potential surpasses the level of most defenders English football has witnessed, and a move might bow forthcoming as Boehly looks to continue his £550m spending spree.

Who could Gvardiol replace at Stamford Bridge?

Given the lucrative nature of the arrivals of the aforementioned defensive trio, it’s highly unlikely the west London outfit will look to move them on any time soon, and while veteran centre-back Thiago Silva is beloved and brilliant at Stamford Bridge, Gvardiol’s particular set of skills leave him in good stead to take the Brazilian phenom’s throne.

Silva recently signed a one-year contract extension with Chelsea, retaining his services until the end of the 2023/24 season, but at 38-years-old, plans must be put in place to replace the titan.

A solid argument could be made that Blues boss Graham Potter already has the tools to move on from Silva’s time at the club, with the defender instrumental in winning the 2020/21 Champions League in his maiden season with the outfit.

But Gvardiol, prodigious and precocious, could indeed emerge as one of Europe’s first-rate of his position, having already plied 75 matches for his German Bundesliga side, scoring four goals and four assists apiece.

As per FBref, the 19-cap gem ranks among the top 1% of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for attempted passes, the top 9% for progressive passes and the top 2% for successful take-ons per 90, illustrating a ball-playing prowess that aptly fits the mould of the stellar modern defender.

Silva certainly boasts a similar arsenal, ranking among the top 2% of positional peers for attempted passes, the top 19% for progressive passes and the top 15% for assists per 90 – with the passing semblance almost uncanny, Potter could well be prudent to boldly ditch his established pro and inject vibrance and vitality in the shape of this arresting talent.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig even proclaimed Gvardiol to be “the Haaland of defenders”, such is the dominance of his defensive work.

Erling Haaland, who signed for Man City from Borussia Dortmund for £51m last summer after activating his release clause, has obliterated defences and scored 33 goals and provided five assists from 34 matches across all competitions.

While there could be no greater polarity between the roles of the two players, Gvardiol is a monster in his role, dominant and providing an edge that belies his youthful years.

And with Silva firmly within the twilight era of his illustrious career, a tailor-made replacement could become available this summer, with the opulence of the Chelsea system providing all the tools to make a swoop and complete a signing to strike fear into the rest of the footballing world.

Transfer expert Dean Jones says that Newcastle United target Conor Gallagher would prefer to stay closer to London should he leave Chelsea this summer.

The Lowdown: Strong interest

Newcastle reportedly made an enquiry to take Gallagher on loan late on in the January transfer window, but Chelsea did not want to negotiate.

However, it is claimed that a potential deal could be revisited in the summer, should the St. James’ Park outfit come up with a suitable cash offer.

The Latest: Gallagher blow

Writing in his column for GiveMeSport, Jones says that Gallagher would prefer to stay as close to London as possible, should he leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

He describes the update as a potential ‘blow to Newcastle’, with reports that the central midfielder could even end up signing a contract extension.

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The Verdict: Move on

It sounds like Gallagher would not be particularly keen on a move to the North East, and so the Tynesiders need to swiftly move on to other targets.

Hailed as a ‘monster’ by football content creator and Crystal Palace supporter Tom Dutton, the Englishman showed what he is capable of in a loan spell at Selhurst Park, where he managed Player of the Season award.

Still only 23, Gallagher has plenty of potential, and could play more regularly at the Magpies than the bit-part role he is now used to at Chelsea.

Nonetheless, it is imperative that the Toon bring a new midfielder in, with Jonjo Shelvey allowed to move on and both Matt Ritchie and Matty Longstaff out of contract this summer.