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Manchester United will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the new Premier League season when they host Aston Villa in today’s early kick-off.

The Red Devils have picked up 13 points from a possible 15 after a strong showing in the opening weeks of 2021/22, and they could move to the top of the table with another victory at Old Trafford.

Their chances of doing just that received a significant boost after United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed that experienced striker Edinson Cavani will be back in the matchday squad following an injury layoff.

“He’s in the squad tomorrow, he’s been training, and now he feels ready to contribute,” the Norwegian confirmed in Friday’s press conference.

“He came on against Wolverhampton, then he got a slight strain in the international break when we had a game, and he’s ready again. He’s worked really hard and diligently, and hopefully, he’ll have an impact as he did last season.”

Solskjaer will be hoping that his side can bounce back from a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of West Ham in the Carabao Cup last time out, and he’s expected to ring the changes following that underwhelming display in midweek.

With that in mind, here’s how Football FanCast expects the 48-year-old to line up against Villa, with 11 changes from the side which lost to the Hammers on Wednesday…

In goal, David de Gea’s return to form will see him come back into the starting XI, meaning that Dean Henderson will be on the substitutes’ bench.

Ahead of the Spanish shot-stopper is expected to a back four which has shown a lot of promise in the early stages of the campaign, with Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Aaron Wan-Bissaka making up the defensive unit.

The midfield engine room will also have a familiar feel to it as Scott McTominay and Fred are set to form a double pivot, providing a solid foundation for the more attack-minded Bruno Fernandes from which to work.

Completing the lineup is Paul Pogba, the £45m-rated Mason Greenwood and summer signing Cristiano Ronaldo, relegating Anthony Martial back the sidelines after a hugely disappointing performance against West Ham on Wednesday night.

In other news… Lost possession 15 times: Man Utd liability struggled badly against West Ham 

Tottenham Hotspur have been left frustrated in their attempts to bolster Nuno Santo’s playing squad before tonight’s transfer deadline…

What’s the word?

That’s according to football.london reporter Alasdair Gold, who delivered an update on Spurs’ plans ahead of the final day of the transfer window on Monday.

He wrote:

“Coming in the door has been the big new defender signing in Romero, a potential Hugo Lloris successor in Pierluigi Gollini, one of Spain’s brightest young prospects in Bryan Gil and one of Ligue 1’s top young talents in Pape Matar Sarr, who has been loaned back to Metz to continue his rapid development.

“However, more needs to be done and the problem for Tottenham is that many of their moves in recent days have hit dead ends or are dependent on players leaving.

“Paratici has had a busy weekend, having spent time in Barcelona trying to find some bargains to be had amid the Catalan giant’s financial chaos before flying back for the match against Watford.”

Fans won’t be happy

Indeed, the north London outfit have struggled to get a couple of deals over the line in recent weeks, namely the potential signing of Barcelona wonderkid Ilaix Moriba and Danny Ings, who The Telegraph claimed was Nuno’s top target to partner Harry Kane.

On the other hand, new sporting director Fabio Paratici has completed some decent bits of business, ranging from a new marquee centre-back in Cristian Romero from Atalanta and rising Spanish prodigy Bryan Gil, but it appears that this isn’t enough for the Lilywhites’ faithful.

As relayed by This is Futbol, many were far from happy with this latest update from Gold.

Some suggested that the Italian supremo was a “fraud” and that it was time to show he was “worth the hype”, whilst others believe this is the exact reason why Kane wanted to move to Manchester City, as well as others throwing the blame at chairman Daniel Levy, a notoriously tough negotiator.

Whether Spurs can bring in at least one more name remains to be seen, with reports suggesting that right-back Emerson Royal could join from Barcelona, though it may depend on whether or not Serge Aurier can be moved on, otherwise Nuno will have as many as four options in the role.

Just as Gold says, a lot of their negotiations have come to dead ends in recent days and very much depend on whether or not Paratici can move on more players from the previous eras.

Only time will tell as the deadline approaches, but on the above evidence, there aren’t many pleased in north London right now.

AND in other news, Paratici could find Spurs their next Dembele in late swoop for £40m “wonderful talent”…

Sheffield United reportedly pulled out of a last-minute deal to sign Barcelona youngster Alex Collado in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Move looked set to happen

The Blades appeared almost certain that the 22-year-old would trade the Nou Camp for Bramall Lane, only for the deal to collapse at the last minute.

A key update has now been provided regarding the situation, shedding more light on the matter.

The Latest: Collado collapse explained

According to Mundo Deportivo [via Sport Witness], the paperwork had been signed at Barcelona’s end, but United pulled out after Collado’s agent tried to change the agreed personal terms.

The Blades’ decision is thought to have left Barca in ‘disbelief’ and ‘incredulous’, with the attacking midfielder now without an alternative club because there wasn’t enough time to find someone else.

The Verdict: Right decision by Blades

In truth, the agent’s behaviour appears to have put paid to Collado’s move coming to fruition and United were right not to let him dictate the situation.

While the Spaniard may have been a good signing at Bramall Lane – he has made two first-team appearances for Barca – it is refreshing to see the club take a strong stance against a major European club when an agent tries to change the rules.

In other news, a pundit has hailed one piece of Sheffield United transfer business. Read more here.

Manchester United kicked off their 2021/22 Premier League campaign in emphatic fashion, thrashing Leeds United 5-1 at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils took the lead after half an hour through Bruno Fernandes but were pegged back shortly after the break after Luke Ayling’s thunderous strike drew flew past an outstretch David de Gea.

However, United weren’t behind for long. A well-taken Mason Greenwood goal restored the lead for the home side, with two more goals from Fernandes and a rare strike from Fred completing the rout.

Despite Fernandes stealing the show with his first hat-trick for the 20-time English champions, it was arguably Paul Pogba who ran the show in today’s early kick-off.

The World Cup-winning midfielder provided an astonishing four assists for his teammates, and his underlying numbers were equally as impressive.

As per SofaScore, the £54m-rated monster provided five key passes during his 75 minutes on the pitch, highlighting his complete control over proceedings. Pogba also recorded a passing accuracy of 76% and found a colleague with five of six attempted long balls.

United will be desperate to maintain their fast start in the weeks to come as they aim to mount a serious charge at the title, ending their eight-year wait for another Premier League title.

It remains to be seen whether Pogba commits his future to the club long-term after he entered the final year of his current contract, and with performances like the one against Leeds, United’s supporters will be desperate for him to put pen to paper on a fresh deal.

In other news… Ole could save millions by trusting “perfect” £40m gem, Man Utd fans would love him 

According to an update in the paper edition of Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, Tottenham Hotspur managing director Fabio Paratici is only €3 million (£2.5m) from Bologna’s valuation of defender Takehiro Tomiyasu.

The Lowdown: Tottenham in Tomiyasu talks…

Spurs have been attempting to tie up a deal for the Japan international since the beginning of July, with Sky Sports lifting the lid on an initial opening bid from Paratici being rejected.

The Athletic then dropped a promising update last week, claiming that Tottenham were ‘closing in’ on Tomiyasu and that the two clubs were finalising details.

The Latest: Spurs only £2.5m away…

As per this update by Corriere dello Sport, Paratici is only €3 million (£2.5m) from Bologna director Riccardo Bigon’s demands for Tomiyasu after their latest bid for the player.

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The same outlet stated on Tuesday (via Sport Witness) that Bologna’s valuation is around €25 million (£21.4m) and they continue the story with a fresh update, going on to claim that the Serie A side will not lower their asking price for the defender.

This is despite the fact negotiations over Tomiyasu’s sale are in fact slowing down their own transfer market activity, with there apparently being a need to get something done soon.

Bologna’s chairman, however, has made it clear they will not sell below his valuation and Paratici may just need that little bit more to seal an agreement.

The Verdict: Pay the money…

Tomiyasu, as well as being described as a ‘warrior’ by teammate Mitchell Dijks (Tuttosport), played a starring role under manager Sinisa Mihajlovic last season.

Indeed, he started 31 league matches for Bologna over 2020/2021 whilst averaging the joint-most clearances per 90 out of Bologna’s entire squad (WhoScored).

He is also versatile and able to deputise at both centre-half and right-back, potentially shoring up two problem positions for Spurs in one swoop.

Therefore, we believe Tottenham should get this over the line as soon as possible.

In other news: ‘News regarding Tottenham’…Sky Sports drop big transfer update on live TV, find out more here.

Crystal Palace are reportedly keen to bring RB Leipzig winger Ademola Lookman to Selhurst Park on a season-long loan deal this summer.

What’s the story?

According to The Sun, new manager Patrick Vieira is keen to add the highly-rated 23-year-old to his first-team squad this summer as he continues his revolution in south London.

The report states that fellow Premier League sides Watford and Burnley are also interested in acquiring Lookman’s services and that Leipzig’s £3.5 million loan fee, plus wages of £50,000 a week, are too much for other admirers.

Steve Parish must swoop

Although he was unable to prevent Fulham from suffering relegation last season, Lookman enjoyed a successful return to the Premier League with the Cottagers.

The former England under-21 international caught the eye with a string of impressive performances for the capital club, bagging four goals and laying on a further four assists in 34 top-flight appearances, earning praise from his former manager Scott Parker.

“You can see the quality the boy’s got. We knew that at the start of the window when he was the main one I wanted in – the main one I was calling for,” Parker revealed.

“I think you can see in a short space of time – at Brentford the other night and now here today – that the boy’s got unbelievable quality. He’s a big plus for us this year, and he’s going to be a big help for us. Hopefully, he can keep playing the way he is.”

Lookman was one of Fulham’s standout performers throughout 2020/21, achieving a WhoScored rating of 6.92, bettered only by Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and his arrival at Palace would be seen as a significant coup.

The Eagles have already brought in several young, exciting additions in the current window and Lookman would be another intriguing signing for Vieira’s charges.

With Eberechi Eze out injured until the new year, Lookman could be the ideal temporary replacement for the ex-Queens Park Rangers ace, perfectly offsetting his enforced absence without Palace having to splash out on a permanent acquisition.

Therefore, chairman Steve Parish must swoop for the diminutive forward over the coming months, providing Vieira with the necessary quality and squad depth for the season ahead.

And, in other news…Report drops exciting Palace transfer update on 19 y/o prodigy, fans will be buzzing 

Celtic won’t be signing Manchester City right-back Yan Couto on loan this summer, according to Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas.

The Lowdown: Couto’s Parkhead visit

The Hoops have been interested in the Brazilian since the beginning of the summer and appeared to make their move for the 19-year-old last Thursday.

Couto was given VIP treatment at Parkhead for Celtic’s Europa League qualifier with Jablonec and was pleading with City to grant a temporary move to Scotland as a result.

However, it now seems as if any loan move is off the table.

The Latest: Thomas’ tweet

Thomas took to Twitter to provide an update of Celtic’s pursuit of a right-back on Monday morning.

He suggested that the push to loan Couto has ‘come to nothing’, with Celtic now eyeing up Legia Warsaw’s Josip Juranovic instead.

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The Verdict: All eyes on Juranovic

As Thomas mentioned, it now appears as if all eyes are on Celtic’s pursuit of Juranovic, with Ange Postecoglou keen to secure a right-back before the window shuts.

The Hoops have since had an offer for Juranovic rejected, so it’ll be interesting to see if Dominic McKay manages to bring in a right-back for Postecoglou and if it is indeed the Croatia international.

It won’t be Couto, though, despite Celtic’s attempts to impress the South American last week.

In other news: Move still possible: £6.1k-p/w midfielder wants to join Celtic, says journalist in his homeland. 

Wolverhampton Wanderers fans have been reacting to an image posted by the club’s official Twitter account showing Ruben Neves donning the club’s new home colours. 

It’s unclear if Portuguese midfielder Neves will be wearing the shirt when the new Premier League season begins.

What’s going on with Ruben Neves’ future?

The Athletic reported at the end of May that Wolves were planning to sell Neves during the summer transfer window.

The article explained that the Midlands outfit would ‘need to sell big if they want to buy big’, and that they hoped to bank £35million from offloading the 24-year-old.

That would represent a healthy profit on the £15.8million they paid to sign Neves from FC Porto back in July 2017, when they were still in the Championship.

Neves has gone to make 176 appearances for the club in all competitions, bagging 20 goals (via Transfermarkt).

Wolves have already sold one of their Portuguese stars this summer, with goalkeeper Rui Patricio sealing a £9.8million move to AS Roma earlier this week.

These Wolves fans are desperate to see Neves stay in the old gold

“Please stay”

Credit: @MitchPhillips28

“Keep him”

Credit: @wwfcglover

“Do not let him leave”

Credit: @WholsCav

“Do not sell”

Credit: @AdamWWFC_

“Just make sure he’s wearing it 14th August”

Credit: @DannyRosamond

“No Arsenal fans want him, every Wolves fan wants him to stay. Stay where you are loved”

Credit: @JamesIngram89

In other news, fans reacted to this transfer update on another midfielder.

Everton are reportedly leading the race to sign Merih Demiral in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Everton need centre-back

The Goodison Park faithful certainly need to invest in their defence if they have the ambition to qualify for European competition next season, given that they conceded no fewer than 48 goals in the Premier League in the last campaign.

A new centre-back would go a long way towards resolving that, and would give the Merseyside club another handy option alongside the likes of Ben Godfrey, Mason Holgate, Michael Keane and Yerry Mina.

The Latest: Everton lead Demiral race

As per Calciomercato, the Toffees are ‘ahead of others’ in the race to sign Demiral, who reportedly wants to leave Juventus.

Both Atalanta and AS Roma are also in the hunt for his signature, but the Old Lady will not sell him for anything less than €40m (£34.3m).

The Verdict: Sign him quickly

Even though Turkey went out at the group stages at Euro 2020, Demiral performed very well for his country at times, averaging a mammoth 6.7 clearances, as well as 1.7 interceptions and 1.3 tackles a game, while also winning 4.3 of his duels per match (Sofascore).

Given that all eyes have been on the tournament, he is likely to have grabbed the attention of other clubs in addition to the likes of Atalanta and Roma, meaning that the Blues may need to sign him quickly.

At six-feet-two-inches tall, Demiral should have no problems at all in coping with both the physical and aerial demands of the Premier League, and at just 23 years of age, he will only get better.

Nonetheless, if given the chance, EFC should be all over a deal for the big central defender.

In other news, find out what Calvert-Lewin footage has Evertonians talking here!

Marcus Bent has backed Everton to cash in on James Rodriguez during the summer transfer window.

The Colombia international made the move to Goodison Park from Spanish giants Real Madrid last September, reportedly for no transfer fee, linking up with Carlo Ancelotti for the second time in his career.

Rodriguez’s arrival excited Everton’s fans, but the 2014 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner saw his progress on Merseyside hampered by a string of injuries.

As a result, the ex-Bayern Munich loanee was restricted to just 26 appearances in his maiden campaign with the Toffees.

Rodriguez has now seen Ancelotti, who was a key reason for him agreeing to the move, depart Goodison Park in favour of a return to Real Madrid following Zinedine Zidane’s resignation.

Rafa Benitez has been appointed as the Italian’s successor despite his Liverpool links and ex-Toffees striker Bent feels it makes sense to allow Rodriguez to move on after a frustrating campaign in the Premier League.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Bent said: “He wasn’t consistent enough because of the injuries last season, but there’s going to be a price on his head now.

“Obviously, if they cash in you know they are going to make some money back on him.”