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Wolves fans don’t want Gibbs-White return

A number of Wolves supporters are happy for Morgan Gibbs-White to stay at Sheffield United all season, or even see the club sell him in January.

Bruno Lage’s side have picked up some much-needed form in the Premier League, following a below-par start to the campaign initially.

Victory away to Southampton was followed up by last weekend’s win at home to Newcastle United, suggesting Wolves have turned a corner.

One individual who is playing no part for Lage’s side in 2021/22 is Gibbs-White, who was sent out on loan to the Blades during the summer.

According to The Star [via Talking Wolves on Twitter], United want Wolves to keep them informed of whether or not they could recall the 21-year-old in January.

Wolves fans don’t want Gibbs-White return

It appears as though the youngster isn’t wanted back at Molineux any time soon, though, with these fans taking to Twitter to provide their thoughts on the situation.

“Was surprised they let him go once no more midfielders were coming in but think he needs a full season of regular 90 minutes so let him stay”

Credit: @markwwfc1

“Sell him in January for £10million then put that towards so much better. He’s a good Championship player & no better”

Credit: @WWFC09

“Leave the lad where he is for the entire season. Let him play games and get experience until he’s able to contribute regularly for the wolves. It doesn’t benefit anyone him playing 10 minutes every other league game and in the cup”

Credit: @kufoolch

“Let him stay at Sheffield United. Then let’s see what he can do next season after playing regularly for a season. He’s stagnated at Wolves because he hasn’t started enough games to develop”

Credit: @C_at3y77

“100% stay there. Not good enough to play Premier league every week and the odd few minutes here or there isn’t going to help”

Credit: @drawlings27

“Just don’t get all the hype over this guy he’s not even that young anymore been hanging around Wolves for years. Just because he came through the Wolves academy, time to sell him”

Credit: @satsomboon

In other news, some Wolves fans have hailed one player’s performance at international level. Find out who it is here.

Keeping Woodman thwarted transfers

There was a possibility Freddie Woodman could have left on loan on Deadline Day to facilitate an incoming, The Athletic’s Chris Waugh has revealed. 

The lowdown

Newcastle have taken the ‘unusual’ step of naming four goalkeepers in their 25-man Premier League squad, with Woodman joined by Martin Dubravka, Karl Darlow and Mark Gillespie.

Steve Bruce has had to call upon Woodman after Dubravka sustained a foot injury at the European Championships and Darlow was hospitalised with coronavirus (via The Athletic).

The Newcastle boss has been forced to make do with just one new addition – £25million man Joe Willock – partly because of finances, but also because they ‘would have had to make room’ in the squad.

The latest

Waugh reports that ‘privately, few at St James’ Park’ genuinely believed they would ever end up taking the ‘damaging’ step of naming four ‘keepers.

And the perceived necessity of doing so ‘affected transfer business’.

Bruce was weighing up the decision until the end of the transfer window, with the 60-year-old keen to sign Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury on loan.

But allowing Woodman to leave and placing trust in Gillespie was ultimately deemed too risky.

The verdict

You do have some sympathy for Newcastle here. It’s bad enough having your first choice ‘keeper injured, but for your back-up to fall ill at the same time is woefully unlucky.

It might be said that Bruce should simply have backed Gillespie in the hope of bringing a much-needed reinforcement further up the pitch, but how many managers would truly trust a ‘keeper who is effectively the fourth best on the club’s books?

Bruce’s reign on Tyneside has been far from perfect, but it feels his hands were tied by almost impossible circumstances on this occasion.

In other news, Frank McAvennie has dropped a two-word verdict on Steve Bruce’s future.

Celtic suffer further Greg Taylor blow

This has been a difficult campaign for Celtic despite them hiring the exciting Ange Postecoglou.

The Hoops were knocked out of the Champions League and after losing last weekend, Celtic have endured their worst start to a season for 23 years.

From a defensive point of view, the Bhoys are still a mess but their attacking football surely eclipses what we saw last season.

Under Neil Lennon, it’s highly unlikely that they’d have scored three away from home against Real Betis.

Postecoglou needs to learn quickly but what hasn’t helped is a number of injury blows in recent weeks.

Kyogo Furuhashi is set to miss the next six games after an injury sustained on international duty with Japan while Callum McGregor has missed the last two outings with a minor knock.

He is set to return to the fold on Thursday against Raith Rovers but Celtic have suffered a further setback.

Greg Taylor was due to undergo shoulder surgery this week and although the operation has proven successful, the Hoops have been rocked by the news that he could now miss the next 12 matches.

This is a seismic blow to Postecoglou, particularly as the left-back region is where they lack depth the most.

Adam Montgomery has deputised at times this season while such few options have led to Boli Bolingoli making an unexpected return to the side.

His appearance against Livingston last Sunday was a huge surprise. His pandemic related mishap at the beginning of last season made it look as though he’d never play for the club again.

Indeed, after being left out of their Europa League squad list, his chances of match action looked incredibly slim.

Bolingoli’s performance against Livi left a lot to be desired while Montgomery’s lack of experience might also be an issue to the manager too.

Taylor isn’t the most comfortable of full-backs from a defensive point of view but he is undoubtedly their number one choice in an important area of the pitch.

This is now a huge opportunity for others at the club to stand up and be noticed; they have to stake their claims to Postecoglou.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Kyogo: Celtic must swoop for “high quality” £2.7m-rated magician…

Aston Villa: Fans react to Brad Young’s loan move

Aston Villa forward Brad Young has completed a season-long loan move to League Two side Carlisle United, as announced by his parent club’s official website this afternoon.

In a sparkling 2020/21 campaign, the prodigious youngster netted 21 goals combined for Aston Villa’s under-18 and under-23 sides [avfc.co.uk]. He also made his senior debut earlier this year, featuring as a substitute for a depleted Villa outfit in their 4-1 FA Cup defeat at home to Liverpool [BBC].

The 18-year-old has now completed a move to Brunton Park for the upcoming campaign in order to gain more first team experience, with the aforementioned FA Cup clash his only exposure to senior football thus far [Transfermarkt].

He may be in line for his Carlisle debut as soon as tomorrow night, when they travel to their divisional rivals Port Vale in a League Two encounter [News & Star].

In light of this news, plenty of Aston Villa diehards took to social media to express their delight at Young securing a loan move to the Cumbrian outfit.

Aston Villa fans react:

Replying to Aston Villa’s official Twitter channel, here is what some fans had to say about the “fantastic” loan announcement:

“great move for him”

Credit: @catrinavfc

“Great move all round”

Credit: @GW_94″Will be a fantastic addition for Carlisle. Go get em lad.”Credit: @MarkLH75″Guess I’ll be watching all the Carlisle games then, as I think this lad is going to turn out to be a superstar. Hope he has a productive and successful loan and comes back ready to don the claret and blue for years to come. Best of luck and UTV!”Credit: @ShaunStait”Good luck Brad. Smash it”Credit: @_stonyd”Good luck Brad”Credit: @msteadman29In other news, Aston Villa face a blow in a reported transfer pursuit. Read all about it here.

Pundit unsure over Nuno’s approach to Conference League

Michael Bridge has raised question marks over how serious Nuno Espirito Santo is prepared to take the UEFA Conference League.

Following their final-day victory over Leicester and fifth consecutive finish over Arsenal, Tottenham qualified for the inaugural competition after coming 7th.

However, it’s not exactly an attractive proposition for Spurs, with the winners qualifying for the Europa League, something Santo’s team will be expected to achieve via their league position.

For Tottenham’s opening game in the competition, the Portuguese made 11 changes for their play-off round first leg tie against Pacos de Ferreira, although the game was just four days after Spurs defeated Manchester City on the opening day of the season.

In fact, not one of the starters against City made the trip to Portugal.

With away goals a thing of the past in European competition, Santo’s side remain heavy favourites to overturn the one-goal deficit and progress to the group stages on Thursday.

But Bridge told Football FanCast that he’s unsure how seriously the club will take it:

“It’s up to Spurs fans what they think of it. I find it hard to be in it, it’s not arrogance, it’s just such a low competition.

“I don’t know how far they want to go, and I don’t know how important Nuno will see it.”

Celtic closing in on Liam Scales signing

After being dumped out of the Champions League and tasting defeat in their first league clash of the campaign, Celtic supporters had every right to be fuming.

It was a tough start to Ange Postecoglou’s reign but the Hoops are beginning to make some shrewder moves in the transfer market.

What’s the word?

The Bhoys added Joe Hart and James McCarthy to their ranks on Tuesday evening with the former among the travelling party for their match with Jablonec on Thursday.

Though, if you believe reports, Celtic are now closing in on an eighth and much-needed addition of the window.

According to Paul Nealon on Twitter, they are on the verge of signing Liam Scales from Shamrock Rovers.

He said: “I’m hearing Liam Scales is close to joining Celtic, heard first on Friday, but now hearing off a good source it’s close. Haven’t been told about fees etc.”

Ange surely buzzing

If Celtic can secure the addition of Scales in the coming days then Postecoglou will be delighted with the recruitment team’s work.

He challenged them to add more bodies to the playing squad and they are well and truly delivering this week.

Scales isn’t a well-known name but the 22-year-old would be a fantastic piece of business at presumably a low price.

A 6 foot 4 brute, the Irishman is a centre-back by trade and uses his enormous frame to bully attackers to one side with relative ease.

Though, he also has the ability to play at full-back or on the wing where his long levers aid his teams cause in offensive situations.

Crucial, however, is the balance he could bring to Postecoglou’s side. He’s a left-footed player and therefore, would give Celtic the ability to transition play from the back with greater ease.

A review from the Irish Examiner only emphasises how he’d fit into the starting XI. A passage on their website reads: “He’s always been good on the ball. He’s a very brave player who will take the ball in dangerous areas of the pitch. His speed has improved, which is a crucial attribute to have in modern football, and he is more aware of potential danger.”

Also described as the “hottest property” in Ireland’s top-flight by the Examiner, there are countless positives to this deal.

He’d cover multiple bases in defence which is crucial for a backline who have leaked goals on a regular basis in the last 12 months.

AND in other news, Celtic must do everything to sign 24-cap “animal” who Rodgers dubbed “outstanding”…

West Ham offered Barcelona flop

West Ham United have been offered the chance to sign Philippe Coutinho this month…

What’s the word?

According to the Sunday Mirror (August 15th, page 74), the Barcelona attacking midfielder has been offered in a cut-price deal to a trio of Premier League teams, including the Irons.

Arsenal and Everton are the other two teams listed as the cash-strapped La Liga giants desperately try to get the Brazilian off the wage bill after his failed £142m transfer from Liverpool in January 2018.

It’s claimed that any interested club would only have to pay around 60% of his £7.7m-per-year salary, which is around £96k-per-week. The Hammers’ top earner is currently Andriy Yarmolenko, who is thought to be on around £115k-per-week at the London Stadium.

Creative outlet

West Ham still remain interested in Jesse Lingard, as revealed by assistant manager Stuart Pearce to talkSPORT earlier this week, but should any move for him fall through, then Coutinho must absolutely be considered.

He’s had a tough time at the Nou Camp, struggling with injuries and form, on top of the pressure of that whopping fee.

However, his stint at Liverpool was one to remember, so if David Moyes can get him back to that level, then the east Londoners would be getting one hell of a player. Across 201 appearances for the Reds, the creative midfielder delivered 54 goals and 45 assists at a rate of one every 150 minutes, via Transfermarkt.

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

At his best, Coutinho is clearly a world-class talent who possesses skills that very few have. He did show a glimpse of returning to such form during a loan spell at Bayern Munich, where he won the treble and contributed towards that with 11 goals and nine assists. That was only two seasons ago.

During his time in Germany, the former Liverpool star averaged 2.2 key passes every 90 minutes – a feat which would see him sit top of the charts at the London Stadium last season, managing more than the likes of Lingard (1.1), Vladimir Coufal (1.3) and even assist-leader Aaron Cresswell (1.6), via WhoScored.

Evidently, Moyes somewhat lacks a playmaker who can cut open defences with a perfectly-timed pass or a deft piece of skill. That’s where Coutinho can help fill a void.

Speaking about such an ability, the 29-year-old’s fellow countryman Roberto Firmino waxed lyrical. He said (via Goal): “He’s phenomenal. You simply can’t say that he’s not a magician. He has magical powers. He produces plays that don’t exist, that you couldn’t make up.”

Valued at £27m and capped 63 times at international level, there’s no doubt that Coutinho has something special about him. He may well have struggled in Spain but a fresh start in the English capital could be exactly what he and West Ham need this season.

Moyes and co must consider a swoop for him before August 31st.

AND in other news, Forget Antonio and Benrahma: £27m-rated machine stole the show for West Ham at Newcastle…

Should Wolves sell Max Kilman?

Wolves are facing a number of exits from the football club this summer with the Old Gold chasing more funds to spend in the transfer market.

Ruben Neves and Adama Traore are the two more high profile departures that could take place while Rui Patricio has already taken his leave from Molineux.

What’s the word?

There could be another departure in the backline at Wolves with Romain Saiss fielding interest from France.

However, there is now a threat of Max Kilman heading away from the Midlands.

That’s according to Football League World who report that both Sheffield United and Barnsley have had enquires rebuffed for the defender by Wolves.

They’ve told the Championship pair that he is part of their plans for the upcoming season and have no intention of selling.

Let him go

If other clubs are interested in acquiring the centre-back this summer then Wolves must take the decision to axe him from their plans.

After all, he struggled to get in the side towards the back end of last summer and his desire to receive more first-team football won’t be made any easier by the arrival of Yerson Mosquera.

Kilman began 2020/21 as a regular in the side but only made two starts in the league following Valentine’s day.

The £50k-per-week earner was handed a new contract last season but despite being described as “outstanding” by Conor Coady at one stage, his performances over a long period of time didn’t particularly set the world alight.

He formed part of a Wolves defence who only kept two clean sheets over a 14-game spell between October and January, amassing some poor numbers from a personal perspective in the process.

The centre-back won 1.1 aerial duels per game which was the same as Coady but fewer than Saiss, Willy Boly, Leander Dendoncker and Nelson Semedo.

Furthermore, he won just 1.2 tackles a game, the 12th best tally in the entire Wolves squad.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-wolves-transfer-news-ceballos-zinchenko-euros-felix-lage” title=”Read the latest Wolves transfer news!”]

With that in mind, Lage should happily take the brutal decision of axing the 24-year-old ahead of the new season.

With the club restricted in terms of finances, he could net them a tidy windfall to spend elsewhere.

AND in other news, Wolves offered chance to sign “exceptional” 56-cap ace, he may be another Willian Jose…

Aston Villa: Alan Nixon drops Leon Bailey claim

Reliable reporter Alan Nixon believes Aston Villa have ‘got a fair chance’ of signing Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey this summer.

The Lowdown: £25m bid rejected

Villa were first linked with a move for the 23-year-old on Wednesday.

Reports suggested that Villa viewed Bailey as an attainable target, and they firmed up their interest 48 hours later with a formal offer.

Bayer Leverkusen rejected Villa’s £25m bid for the Jamaican, who is open to a move to Premier League. Although Villa saw their opening offer turned down, Nixon still feels a potential deal still has legs.

The Latest: Nixon’s claim

Nixon, who writes for The Sun, was asked on Twitter if he thinks Bailey to Villa will happen.

He replied, believing a transfer has ‘got a fair chance’ – an interesting four-word admission following Villa’s rejected bid.

“Think it’s got a fair chance but when you get into negotiating there’s always someone who wants to be smart … in just about every deal everywhere.”

The Verdict: Villa to repeat Smith Rowe offers?

Before Villa swooped for Bailey, they were seriously after Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe.

The Gunners turned down an opening offer of £25m and a second bid of £30m for the attacking midfielder, who has since signed a new deal at the Emirates.

Villa may well take the same route as they did with Smith Rowe by making a second bid in the region of £30m for Bailey. That may still not be enough, but it makes sense to increase offers slightly instead of paying over the odds.

In other news: ‘Not ready for this’ – Many AVFC fans react as ‘tragic’ exit link emerges. 

Edu can sign Arsenal’s new Fabregas in Aouar

Arsenal could sign their new Cesc Fabregas in Lyon star Houssem Aouar amid a transfer update on their pursuit of the midfielder.

What’s the story?

Reports last summer, of course, suggested that Mikel Arteta’s side were very much interested in signing the France U21 international, but a deal failed to materialise before the end of the deadline.

Now, according to Le10Sport, Arsenal have now submitted an official over to Lyon, and that talks are progressing well over a summer move.

The report adds that “things are accelerating”, and that if the French side receives a suitable offer, they will let him go.

A new Fabregas

The £26m-rated Aouar, who has been lauded as an “exceptional talent” and “special” in the past, has got the kind of midfield characteristics that make him very similar to a certain Fabregas.

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is a huge fan of the 23-year-old, saying: “He is always calm with the ball at his feet with an excellent technical quality” while Football Whispers claim he’s a got a “touch of David Silva about his play.”

In the 2019/2020 campaign, the Frenchman bagged nine goals and provided another ten assists, including setting up a couple of goals in the Champions League quarter-finals against Manchester City.

That level of goal-scoring and creativity is what Fabregas brought to the table in his heyday, with the Spaniard scoring 15 goals and providing another 15 assists in the Premier League alone during the 2009/2010 season.

And, when you look at their underlying stats over their careers, it’s remarkably similar. As per Whoscored, Aouar averages 1.8 shots per game to Fabregas’ 1.4, provides 1.2 key passes to the Spaniard’s 2.1, and is fouled 1.4 times per match compared to the former Arsenal man’s 1.1.

Just like Fabregas, Aouar has also had experience of being a captain at a young age, having already worn the armband on numerous occasions over the years.

With reports also now claiming that Arsenal may be reluctantly open to selling Emile Smith Rowe amid continued transfer interest from fellow Premier League side Aston Villa, the Hale End academy talent may go, and Aouar could arrive in his place as the club’s new chief creator in the middle of the park.

Edu could finally replace Fabregas in the Lyon maestro.

AND in other news…ambitious club still pushing to secure deal for Arsenal star

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