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Everton head into their summer transfer window with a difficult task on their hands.

Without a permanent first team manager, they will likely be inactive in the transfer window. They may also find it hard to identify targets with no head coach at the helm.

That being said, whoever the new manager turns out to be, they must consider a move for 23-year-old forward Diego Rossi.

The striker has been in imperious form for Los Angeles FC in recent years, scoring 56 goals in 107 outings. That form has earned interest from the Premier League, where both Everton and Tottenham are courting his services.

If the new boss agrees to sign him, the Toffees could stumble upon their own version of a Liverpool legend.

Hailing from Uruguay, the attacker has naturally earned comparisons with Luis Suarez, a rampant goal scorer with the ability to cause trouble for any defence in world football who has lit up various leagues around the world.

He was nothing short of sensational in the Premier League, racking up 82 goals in 133 outings for the red corner of Merseyside.

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Like Suarez when he was younger, Rossi is capable of playing through the middle as well as on the flanks. He takes a mighty 2.4 shots per game and rattled the back of the net on 18 occasions last term.

A natural goalscorer, his glistening array of qualities could add an extra dimension to this Everton attack.

Speaking about Rossi when he first signed for Los Angeles FC, fellow Uruguayan Nicolas Lodeiro commented: “Diego is a great soccer player, with a lot of talent and a bright future. He’s a young striker with a lot of speed and good technique.”

The former Ajax midfielder added: “[Diego is] a nightmare for the defence because he can play as a forward or as winger. His versatility to hit the ball and to assist his teammates, makes him a very dangerous weapon.”

Standing at 1.7m (5 foot 7), he could help to create the epitome of a little and large duo by playing next to the taller Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The combination of pace and an aerial threat in attack could be devastating for Everton. Marcel Brands simply has to sign the Uruguayan starlet.

AND in other news, Forget Benitez: Kenwright could revive Everton by hiring 54 y/o “fantastic motivator”…

Manchester City and manager Pep Guardiola have seemingly set their sights on an ‘incredible’ new target amid reports they’re edging closer to signing Borussia Dortmund star Erling Braut Haaland.

The Lowdown: City in pole position for Haaland…

A plethora of credible claims have backed that City are by far the frontrunners to seal a summer deal for Haaland.

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Journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic revealed last week that the 21-year-old has given his green-light to join Guardiola’s side, as also backed by The Times.

The Daily Mail, sharing news on City’s interest in West Ham United star Declan Rice last week, thereafter claimed that a move is already ‘agreed’ to sign Haaland as Sky Blues sporting director Txiki Begiristain sets his sights on a Fernandinho replacement.

Meanwhile, this week, even ex-Man City forward Rodney Marsh got in the act – taking to Twitter and saying that the striker’s move to Eastlands is ‘done’.

City supporters, fresh off an absolutely exhilarating night of Champions League semi-final action against Real Madrid, could be interested to hear of an ‘offer’ as Guardiola joins the mix for a brand new target.

The Latest: City offer on the table…

According to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, the Premier League champions, and by extension their boss, are now eyeing Championship starlet Djed Spence.

It is claimed he has five ‘offers’, including one from City, but the player himself is a fan of bitter rivals Man United.

He explained (via Twitter): “Update #Spence: Selling price is €12-15m! It is said that he has got 5 offers. City, Arsenal & Tottenham are among the interested clubs. Jedd‘s dream is to play for #MUFC one day. He is a fan! Been told there should be still a loose contact with #FCBayern.”

The Verdict: Win the race?

The competition for Spence’s signature is evidence of his real quality and sky high potential.

He has been shining in England’s second tier on a loan spell at Nottingham Forest from parent club Middlesbrough with former Scotland international Alan Hutton recently calling him ‘incredible’ and ‘ready for the next level’.

The only sticking point may be his affection for the Red Devils, and as City target a possible future heir to Kyle Walker on the right side, Guardiola will want players who think of Eastlands as a priority move.

In other news: £102m ‘big name’ set his sights on joining City, turns to super agent for help…find out more here.

Celtic rejected a bid from a German club back in January 2020 for midfielder Ryan Christie, it has been revealed, via the Scotsman.

The Lowdown: Christie’s contract

Christie has been a regular for the Hoops this season, however, he could well end up leaving the club for nothing in less than 12 months’ time.

That’s because his contract, which Transfermarkt has down to expire in May 2022, actually runs out in January 2022.

That’s according to the Daily Mail, cited by the Daily Record, who revealed the Scotland international could use this summer’s European Championship’s as a shop window opportunity.

Should his situation remain the same, Christie can speak to club’s outside of Scotland in the summer and pen a pre-contract agreement for a free transfer in January 2022.

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The Latest: Celtic rejected Christie bid

The Scotsman recently ran a story on the midfielder and dropped a claim that the Hoops actually turned down a bid from a German suitor back in January 2020.

It is thought that, at the time, a move to Germany appealed to Christie, and it seems as if Celtic may live to regret that decision.

The news comes as a shock, as, at the time, a bid from Europe for the £7,700-a-week midfielder never came out from the club or in the media.

The Verdict: Peter Lawwell made a huge mistake

In our opinion, looking back, Peter Lawwell made a big transfer blunder.

Since the bid came in, Celtic only had a few months remaining of the 2019/20 season before the national lockdown, and they haven’t exactly thrived with Christie in the side this season.

He’s been criticised regularly by some Hoops fans for his displays, so accepting the bid last year could have been the better move in hindsight.

Unfortunately, now, it looks as if there is a real chance the Hoops may end up receiving nothing for Christie’s services and may have to work out what to do with him during the first half of the 2021/22 season, should he pen a pre-contract agreement elsewhere.

In other news: Alan Nixon shares what’s holding up Eddie Howe deal, find out more here. 

Valerien Ismael’s first competitive game in charge of West Bromwich Albion did not get off to the best of starts on Friday evening, with his Albion side twice having to come from behind to salvage a draw against AFC Bournemouth.

Prior to kick-off, Ismael sprung a number of surprises with his matchday squad, with Cedric Kipre being awarded his first league start for the club more than a year after joining, while loanee defender Matt Clarke was absent from the team altogether, with the manager revealing after the match that the 24-year-old had a hip problem.

Romaine Sawyers was also absent from the West Brom side amid reports linking the central midfielder with a move to Stoke City, while the Frenchman only named six out of a possible seven substitutes for the clash.

Unfortunately for Kipre, it was his performance which grabbed attention for all the wrong reasons, with the 24-year-old looking as if he struggled to keep up with the pace of West Brom’s game, and generally demonstrating why he had not featured from the off before this fixture.

Indeed, the £14k-per-week defender got off to a shocking start, over-committing in a challenge with Bournemouth’s Jaidon Anthony in the 12th minute of the game, subsequently allowing the winger to burst into the Albion penalty area before squaring to Emiliano Marcondes, who duly put the Cherries 1-0 up.

Things did not get much better for the defender as the match went on, with the £900k-rated man being very sloppy in possession of the ball, completing just 19 of his 29 attempted passes with a success rate of just 66%, as well as losing the ball on 11 separate occasions.

The former Ivory Coast under-23 international also lost six of his 11 duels and committed one foul, with these metrics seeing the 24-year-old earn a disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.6 – ranking him as the Baggies’ worst defender on the night.

As such, it would very much appear ad if Kipre did not repay the faith that Ismael – albeit reluctantly – placed in him in for the 2-2 draw at the Vitality Stadium on Friday, with the Frenchman surely hoping that Clarke will be fit for the visit of Luton Town next week.

In other news: West Brom dealt transfer blow on “tenacious” £4.5m beast, Ismael will be gutted

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Lille midfielder Renato Sanches this summer, although they face competition from Spanish giants Barcelona to land his signature. 

Sanches has been with Lille since 2019, having previously played for the likes of Benfica and Bayern Munich earlier in his career.

Speaking on the ‘Here we go podcast’, Fabrizio Romano confirmed Liverpool’s interest in signing Sanches, but the price tag remains at €40million, whilst also revealing that Barcelona are believed to be keen on a deal to sign the 23-year-old.

“It’s Barcelona and Liverpool that are interested in Renato Sanches – but the price tag is around 40 million euros so we will see what happens in the coming days.”

Sanches made 23 league appearances last season for Lille, as they won the French Ligue 1 title in a memorable campaign for the club.

But the midfielder had an average Whoscored rating of just 6.41, which put him all the way down at 17th in their best performers of the 2020/21 season.

Transfermarkt claim that Sanches has a value of £27million, with the midfielder having two years remaining on his current contract with Lille.

Plenty of Liverpool supporters took to social media to issue their thoughts on the club’s rumoured interest, and you can take a look at the best of the reaction from the Anfield Watch Twitter account, who shared the update from Romano…

Reds fans react

“Good player but i hope Liverpool don’t sign him.”

Credit: @IamdunniLFC

“We don’t need midfielder. Sign a striker and let Origi leave please.”

Credit: @Anayo_El

“Well this is going to be an interesting battle, between a club that has no money and a club that doesn’t like to spend money.”

Credit: @o0GreG0o

“I like him but he can play 20 games in a whole season. Better move on to another target”

Credit: @andros17594210

“Say no another injury prone player.”

Credit: @shahzadalim4

“Overpriced max 25mil.”

Credit: @Hamza_020_

“Please no.”

Credit: @TGully24s

“Pass.”

Credit: @scotto48

Many Wolves fans have been buzzing as a transfer update emerged on Carlos Vinicius and Ruben Vinagre.

As per Correio da Manha (via Sport Witness), Benfica have opened talks with the Midlands club over a potential deal for Vinagre, which could see Vinicius head to Molineux.

Wolves are seen as a ‘viable’ option for the striker as Benfica are ‘considering loaning’ him out once more following his spell at Tottenham Hotspur in the 2020/21 campaign, during which he netted 10 goals in all competitions.

Wolves struggled to score goals once Raul Jimenez was injured, recording a mere 36 in the Premier League, with only the three relegated teams and Burnley scoring fewer (Sky Sports). Therefore, they need to bring in another striker in case the same were to happen again next season, and having gained the experience of playing in the division with Spurs, Vinicius may well fit the bill.

If Wolves can manage to sign Rayan Ait-Nouri on a permanent deal, and given that they have left-back Marcal as well, then Vinagre is not really needed (he was loaned out twice this season), this potential swap could very much suit them.

Wolves fans on Vinicius and Vinagre transfer update

These Wolves fans were all for the proposed swap as the transfer update was shared on Twitter:

“Would take that all day!”

Credit: @JackBrownieee97

“Make it happen for me.”

Credit: @cjamr97

“I like this”

Credit: @Cal_Wood1990

“Now we’re talking”

Credit: @FW90

“Take it!!!!”

Credit: @Dan__Vincent

“I’d be all over this like a rash if it was a straight swap”

Credit: @toddo08

In other news, this managerial update has left some Wolves fans fuming.

An update has emerged on West Ham target Nikola Milenkovic, regarding Fiorentina’s asking price.

What’s the talk?

According to Italian outlet La Nazione, as relayed by Fiorentina Uno, Serie A side Fiorentina want a fee of £23m (€27m) for West Ham target Nikola Milenkovic. An unnamed club have had a £14m (€16m) rejected by Fiorentina, whilst Juventus are said to hold an interest in the defender.

Last month, Calcio Mercato reported that West Ham have identified the Serbian international as a potential signing this summer.

Imagine him and Ogbonna

West Ham must pounce on this opportunity to sign Milenkovic and pay the £23m Fiorentina want for him ahead of next season. He could be a superb addition to David Moyes’ squad and there is seemingly fierce competition from other clubs, with an unnamed side already making an offer and Juventus keeping tabs on him, so the Hammers must act swiftly.

Gold and Sullivan need to sanction a deal for the centre-back quickly to avoid missing out on his signature to another club. If they can swoop in and secure an agreement with Fiorentina in the next few weeks, then it may not give the others a chance to sign him.

Milenkovic is an excellent young defender and could form an impenetrable partnership with Angelo Ogbonna at the London Stadium. Out of all of West Ham’s centre-backs in the Premier League last season, the Italian boasted the best WhoScored rating (6.73) and this suggests that any potential signing could be brought in to play alongside him, although Craig Dawson and Issa Diop may have something to say about that.

Former Inter and Serbia midfielder Dejan Stankovic once compared Milenkovic with Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic, going as far as to say as he is better in possession than the retired centre-back was.

“Milenkovic is better than Vidic with the ball at his feet, and he is much calmer on the field.

“He is the most talented centre-back Serbia have had since Vidic, and they definitely have one thing in common – both are fearless.”

This shows how highly-rated Milenkovic is and why he could be the dream signing to come in and partner Ogbonna at the back for Moyes in the Premier League.

The 23-year-old averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.79 in the Serie A for Fiorentina, a better score than any West Ham centre-back managed, whilst managing to start 34 of their 38 league matches.

He could be a quality player to start at centre-back for the London club next season and he has the potential to improve further at the age of 23. If all goes well, Milenkovic could be the side’s starting centre-back for the next decade, given that he is still in the early stages of his career.

AND in other news, West Ham must complete swoop for “incredible” £43k-p/w monster, Moyes needs him…

With Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side now on a run of four consecutive wins in all competitions, things very much appear to be looking on the up for the 56-year-old at Parkhead.

As well as the positive results, the Hoops manager has also seen a number of key players make returns from injury. Josip Juranovic, James McCarthy and Mikey Johnston have all featured in recent matchday squads after spending varying lengths on the sidelines, while both James Forrest and Christopher Jullien look set to make a return to first team action in the not-too-distant future.

In yet more good news, summer signing Georgios Giakoumakis also scored his first goal on his full debut for the club in Saturday’s 2-0 win over St Johnstone, with the centre-forward’s impressive performance showing Celtic fans a glimpse of what could be to come over the course of the remainder of the season.

With a trip to high-flying Hibernian up next for the Bhoys tonight, Postecoglou must ensure that he sticks with Giakoumakis if the striker is to go on and replicate the extraordinary form he showed at VVV-Venlo last season.

Indeed, despite his team’s eventual relegation, the £2.25m-rated marksman bagged 26 goals, registered one assist and created three big chances over his 30 Eredivisie appearances, as well as taking 3.2 shots and making 0.5 key passes per game.

These metrics saw the player who journalist Jeroen Kapteijns dubbed a “phenomenon” earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.35, ranking him not only as his club’s best performer in the league but also as the joint sixth-best in the entire division.

As such, with Postecoglou undoubtedly hoping that the 26-year-old can hit similar heights at Parkhead this season, the Bhoys boss must stick with the Greece international tonight in order to give Giakoumakis the best possible chance of building up a similar run of form goalscoring form in the green and white of Celtic.

In other news: Ange confirms Nicholson negotiations with “huge” talent, Celtic fans will be buzzing

The puzzling case of Ryan Christie’s Celtic career has just grown even more stranger.

The Scot is one of the most enigmatic players in the Hoops squad and if anything proved that, it was his display on Tuesday night.

Christie grabbed the bull by the horns and on a night where they were missing James Forrest, he truly delivered in a wide position as they drew 1-1 with Midtjylland.

His form last season was nothing short of disastrous as he scored just seven goals compared to the 20 he racked up in 2019/20.

He took immense criticism from supporters and heading into this summer, it looked as though his time at Parkhead was done and dusted.

The attacking midfielder’s contract expires in January, fielding interest from both Crystal Palace and Sampdoria.

However, on this evidence, he’s still a valuable player for new Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou.

Liel Abada scored their goal on debut, but after he was forced to be withdrawn in the first half following Nir Bitton’s red card, Christie was the real bright spark.

The 26-year-old was playing out of position again but still performed excellently on the left-hand flank.

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Christie was vibrant and a constant thorn in the Midtjylland defence. He completed four key passes which was more than anyone else on the pitch.

He also recorded a game-high four dribbles and was successful with 100% of his long duels.

The forward did hit the post from one of Abada’s tantalising deliveries but everything else he did was close to perfection as he stole the show at Paradise.

Alex McLeish described him as the “complete package” earlier this summer and on this evidence, it was easy to see why.

Christie wasn’t just capable in offensive areas but he did the dirty work well too. He won a whopping 11 defensive duels throughout the contest, the most of any player on the pitch.

It’s been a rare occurrence over the last 12 months where we can stand up and really applaud him but this was a display that deserved praise.

He might just be playing for a move but that won’t bother Celtic. The longer he produces performances like this, the better chance the Bhoys have of being in the Champions League group stages this term.

AND in other news, Celtic could find their new Christie by signing 44-goal gem with the “style of Robben”…

Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Morgan Gibbs-White scored on his debut for Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon.

The Blades thrashed Peterborough United 6-2 at Bramall Lane to move up to 18th in the Championship table.

Gibbs-White was responsible for the hosts’ fourth goal, driving into the top corner via a touch from Posh ‘keeper Christy Pym following Iliman Ndiaye’s lay-off.

Wolves let Gibbs-White go on Deadline Day

Sheffield United sealed a season-long loan move for Gibbs-White on the final day of the summer transfer window (via BBC Sport).

Wolves sanctioned the move even though they failed to recruit a new central midfielder themselves. The Midlands outfit tried to sign Lille’s Renato Sanches and Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara on deadline day but were unable to reach an agreement in either case.

Gibbs-White was also loaned out last season, only to be recalled from Swansea City in January. He finished the season with 11 Premier League appearances under his belt (via WhoScored).

The official Sheffield United Twitter account posted a clip of his goal, and here’s how some Wolves fans reacted.

Wolves fans flock to Gibbs-White footage

“Well done lad, wished you was doing it at the Molineux lad, keep up the good work.”

Credit: @gazowen8

“Right, give him back”

Credit: @ostledave

“Recalled in January because we fail to get our targets in again, bet your life on it”

Credit: @wwfcjoe_

“Honestly don’t understand why we sent him out on loan”

Credit: @LStradomsky

“Watch us recall him in January again”

Credit: @wolvesxcoop__

“I really don’t get why we let him go but I hope he has a great loan spell. What a hit that is!”

Credit: @LewyDeWolf

In other news, some Wolves fans were critical of this player in the win over Watford.