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Former Premier League manager Lawrie Sanchez has refused to rule Ajax boss Erik ten Hag out of the Tottenham job despite his recent contract extension.

Soon after Jose Mourinho was sacked, the Dutchman emerged as one of the favourites to replace him in north London, with Football London’s Alasdair Gold claiming recently that Spurs and Daniel Levy see him as being “similar to Pochettino”.

However, ten Hag appeared to end Spurs’ hopes of appointing him after committing his future to the Eredivisie champions by penning a new long-term contract.

Almost two months later, and Tottenham are still looking to find a replacement for Mourinho having missed out on all their top targets – with Antonio Conte and ex-manager Mauricio Pochettino the latest two.

After following a breakdown in talks with Conte, ten Hag’s name has once again resurfaced despite having that fresh deal in place.

And Sanchez exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that the 51-year-old, who’s won five domestic trophies in less than four years in Amsterdam, could still end up as Spurs manager:

“The fact he signed a new contract I thought he was ruled out, but it’s only a negotiating ploy.

“The club will say that ‘look, you’ve signed a new contract, if anyone comes in for you, they’ve got to offer you more money, so you have benefitted us because you strengthened our hand if we want to get more for you and you don’t lose anything because you’re only going to get more money.’ “

Former Leeds United star Jon Newsome has expressed some doubt over a swoop for Udinese star Rodrigo De Paul this summer, telling The Transfer Tavern that such a move would be a “gamble”.

Leeds have been heavily linked with a potential move for the 26-year-old, who has emerged as a real star during his time in Serie A.

De Paul has scored nine goals and registered 10 assists in 35 Serie A outings this term and is valued at £34.2m by Transfermarkt.

He could well have made the move to Elland Road last summer, as Leeds were reported to have made a number of bids for the star with Victor Orta confirming they had “analysed” him, and that interest has clearly not dissipated.

Reports in Italy, via The Sun, claim that Leeds aren’t the only club interested, as Liverpool are also considering a bid, along with AC Milan, but Newsome has sounded a note of caution over any move.

Speaking exclusively to TT, Newsome, who played for Leeds between 1991 and 1994, said: “Well I’ve been looking at the interest in him and the reports are that the player’s said that his first port of call will be Leeds United.

“If there are clubs interested in him and he’s got a choice, Leeds would be his first-choice.

“It’s a lot of money, it’s a gamble, obviously he’s not played in the Premier League.”

Aston Villa have been handed a golden chance to sign Werder Bremen winger Milot Rashica this summer.

What’s the story?

It was claimed that, after initially wanting to stay in the Bundesliga, the Kosovan had a change of heart and was open to a move to the Premier League and to Villa, with Dean Smith’s side ready to spend big to get him.

While a deal failed to materialise before the end of the deadline, it appears that Villa are ready to go back in for the winger. According to Football Insider, the Midlands club are preparing a fresh move for the 24-year-old this summer, adding that he “is on the club’s shortlist of potential wide forward signings going into the next transfer window”.

They have been handed a potentially significant boost in the chase to sign him, with Bremen’s relegation from the Bundesliga confirmed at the weekend after their defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach.

Lange will be buzzing

Given how Johan Lange wanted to sign him last summer, news that Bremen have gone down will surely have Villa’s sporting director grinning from ear to ear over potentially doing a deal for Rashica this time around – and at a potential cut-price fee, too.

Florian Kohfeldt, Rashica’s manager at Bremen, has previously raved about the winger’s ability, saying: “He is a player who can decide Bundesliga games. You don’t find that very often. Milot has incredible skills. In speed, in goal scoring, in passing. These skills also fall on others. Rashica would fit well to England with his pace, but also with his style of play to Spain.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/villa-dean-smith-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-premier-league-buendia-berge-mcneil-trezeguet-villa-park” title=”Read the latest Villa transfer rumours and news!”]

Hailed as someone who “makes scoring look easy”, the 24-year-old Rashica can play anywhere just behind the striker as well as at centre-forward, and that kind of versatility will surely be very much appreciated by Smith.

Bremen’s relegation gives Villa the perfect chance to finally snap him up.

Meanwhile, this Villa star just sent a huge message…

After Liverpool’s official Twitter account dropped the teasing seven-word message ‘taking it one step at a time’ on Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez as they continue their injury recovery, many Reds have buzzed over the update whilst also noticing they have now started ball work at Melwood.

Van Dijk, who was perhaps the standout of Liverpool’s star first team players over the 2019/2020 Premier League title-winning season, has been missing for a vast majority of this campaign after picking up an ACL injury during the Merseyside derby.

Gomez, meanwhile, has been out of action since undergoing knee surgery in November and is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign despite initial positivity he could return before the end.

Now, as the club share images of van Dijk and Gomez doing ball work in training, whilst also dropping the seven-word message ‘taking it one step at a time’, many Reds have flocked in excitement over the update and can’t wait for their defensive units to return.

Given both men were first team Premier League regulars over 2019/2020, with van Dijk playing every game and Gomez doing his part with 22 starts, it’s little wonder supporters want to see them back as soon as possible.

Find all of their best verdicts down below.

Liverpool fans buzz over van Dijk and Gomez message

“BALL WORK IM ON MY KNEES”

Credit: @CookstownCafu14

“OOOOH YES”

Credit: @AlexFtbl

“Love it”

Credit: @FmFoy87

“This is so good to see”

Credit: @Natalie_LFC

“TEARS IN MY EYES”

Credit: @bobbyxbae

“THEY’RE USING A FOOTBALL OH MY DAYSSSS”

Credit: @lfcdyl_

“Let’s go”

Credit: @usmvn_m

“ahhhhhhhhhhh”

Credit: @angelllliiiii

“Cant wait to see the main man back”

Credit: @AndyBoyJFT96

In other news: Liverpool have been offered the chance to sign this beast, find out more here.

According to reliable club insider ExWHUemployee, via West Ham Fan Zone, the 2021/2022 home kit will be based on West Ham’s 1999/2000 strip in which club cult hero Paolo Di Canio scored his famous volley against AFC Wimbledon.

Depending on how David Moyes’ men finish what has been a brilliant 2020/2021 campaign overall, with European qualification still firmly in reach, next season could be set to become very interesting.

Six points off fourth-placed Chelsea with a game in hand (BBC), West Ham were gifted a big lifeline in the Champions League race by London rivals Arsenal on Wednesday after their 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Even if qualification for Europe’s most coveted competition could be too much to ask in the end, Europa League is still a very strong possibility.

ExWHUemployee, sharing news on how West Ham will turn out for what could be an exciting 2021/2022 season, has dropped a kit revelation that their 2021/2022 strip will be based off a favourite from the late 1990s.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-rumours-and-gossip-two%2c-electric-boogaloo/” title=”West Ham rumours and gossip two, electric boogaloo” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Indeed, the Irons will apparently turn out in a home kit akin to the one in which Di Canio scored that wondergoal against Wimbledon – an arguably fitting tribute.

As a result, many Hammers supporters have been left excited – find all of their best verdicts down below.

West Ham fans excited by ExWHUemployee news on kit

“That kit + europa league? I’m dreaming”

Credit: @ryanwhitfield97

“Gassed”

Credit: @dantweetr

“PLEASE”

Credit: @whugabes

“The best kit we’ve ever had”

Credit: @robbiemorgz

“Dear God, those will be beautiful”

Credit: @dznnvc

“Absolutely love this kit”

Credit: @KFranklin_x

“Beautiful”

Credit: @JamieWHU_

In other news: ‘Better than Lingard’… These West Ham fans flock to alleged GSB transfer plan, find out more here.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Bull who scored four times for England, has recalled what it was like being managed b Sir Bobby Robson and what made him not seem like a football manager.

Bull received his first England call up when he was playing in what is now known as League One, something which would be unheard of now.

The Wolves Hall of Famer managed to score on his debut against fierce rivals Scotland at Hamden Park which saw the Three Lions win 2-0 in the build-up towards the World Cup in Italy.

Speaking on what Sir Bobby Robson was like as both a manager and person and how it took him so long to name his starting line up, Bull told FFC:

“Sir Bobby was absolutely unbelievable.

“When I first went into the England camp, and I’m listening to England managers talk I was thinking, ‘Bobby Robson can’t be a manager, no way’.

“When I went into his first team talk, you won’t believe this, but it took him about 20 minutes to name the side.

“Bobby Robson was going, ‘Peter, you’re in goal and Stewart you’re left-back and Mark you’re centre-back’, and I’m sat thinking ‘he can’t be a manager’.

“However, after getting to know him over a couple of years he was a real gentleman but trust me, you knew when he spat his dummy out the pram. He had a lot of respect for the players and they had the utmost respect for him as well.”

Sir Bobby Robson managed England between 1982-1990 after he left Ipswich Town, where he had been the manager for 13 years.

After managing the national side, he continued to get the top jobs managing clubs such as PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Porto and finishing his career back in the North East with Newcastle United, and he did all this while battling cancer on five separate occasions.

Celtic are closing in on landing Manchester City man Fergal Harkin as their new director of football.

That’s according to a report from Football Insider, who have been informed by a Hoops source that the club are ‘committed’ to land the Irishman in the newly created role.

Celtic impressed with Harkin

A deal was thought to be 90% done last month, and it seems that following recent extensive talks, a move to Glasgow is in touching distance.

His 11-year stint at the Etihad has reportedly impressed Celtic, who made the 44-year-old their top target last month, with Football Insider now claiming the deal is even further along than their previous 90% claim.

Transfer Tavern take

It seems as if Harkin will now have a major say as to who becomes Neil Lennon’s successor at Parkhead.

However, what this means in the club’s pursuit of former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe remains to be seen.

Howe reportedly wanted Cherries chief Richard Hughes with him in Glasgow, but with Harkin now closing in on the position, that could impact their chances of the Englishman taking over.

Other names such as former Borussia Dortmund manager Lucien Favre have been linked with the vacant role, and it looks as if one of Harkin’s first jobs as the new DoF will be to help the club land a first-team boss.

In other news: West Ham make progress in attempts to sign Celtic star, find out more here. 

Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa is making a big mistake over Rodrigo amid a major transfer update on the Spaniard.

What’s the story?

After arriving from Valencia in a big-money deal last summer, the Spain international has struggled to really hit the ground running at Elland Road, managing just three goals in 20 Premier League games.

Spanish publication Fichajes.net have now claimed that the £18m-rated forward isn’t happy with his situation at Leeds and that, with him not playing in his preferred position, he is of the belief that he’s “not a relevant figure” for Bielsa.

The report added that the 30-year-old stands to lose his place in the Spain squad for the European Championships and wants to leave Elland Road to preserve his hopes of making the tournament.

Bielsa making big mistake

Whilst Rodrigo hasn’t exactly set the Premier League alight with his performances this season, there should be no way Bielsa even contemplates letting the summer signing go.

Not all new arrivals hit the ground running, and Rodrigo certainly falls into that category. Spanish football expert Guillem Balague declared the versatile forward as being “perfect for Bielsa” in the summer when Leeds’ interest in the 29-year-old emerged, and the club just have to remain patient with him.

The forward could develop into a potent Premier League force if given the chance, and it’s exactly why Bielsa must avoid the disaster of cutting the club’s losses on him far too soon.

Dubbed “extraordinary” by former Barcelona boss Quique Setien, Rodrigo needs to be given the chance to be played in his preferred position and really showcase what he can do.

Playing him in an unfamiliar role and then expecting him to shine, like Bielsa appears to be doing, raises big questions about why Leeds moved for him in the first place, and it surely must have Andrea Radrizzani fuming that one of the club’s marquee signings already wants out.

Meanwhile, Victor Orta pulled off an absolute masterclass for Leeds with this signing…

Some Liverpool fans have been reacting to an update on Kylian Mbappe’s future, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly growing frustrated with him.

Mbappe is arguably the most exciting young player in the world at the moment, with Erling Haaland probably his biggest rival, in that respect.

The PSG superstar has been sensational for the Ligue 1 giants, scoring 120 goals in just 160 appearances, highlighting his pedigree in the final third.

On top of that, Mbappe is already a World Cup winner at the age of just 22 – he won it when he was only 19 – having clinched glory with France in 2018.

The forward has been linked with a move to Liverpool endless times in recent months, with the Reds reportedly seeing him as a long-term replacement for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

According to Le Parisien, PSG are becoming irritated by Mbappe’s failure to sign a new deal with the club, with his current contract expiring in 2022, which could lead to his price dropping.

It suggests Liverpool may be boosted in their attempts to sign the France international, should they table an offer of somewhere in the region of £127m.

Liverpool fans excited by Mbappe update

These Liverpool fans provided their thoughts on the situation on Twitter.

“So Edwards is getting him for 20m, a new pair of shoes and on top some nice sweets. Go for it”

Credit: @nickcki2

“What a price”

Credit: @sisenor_9

“Nasser Al-Khelaifi doesn’t want any smoke with Edwards that’s why mbappe price is going down”

Credit: @parkthebus8989

“Ok now this actually looks more possible to do now that I have seen the fee”

Credit: @Ozan2splashy

“It. Is. Time”

Credit: @SeventySixRole

“Ordinarily I’d agree about not paying so much so near to the end of a contract but in his case it’s a must. Someone will pay it and they’ll be justified in doing so. He’s that good and the chance to sign him soon needs to be taken!”

Credit: @simonmorris79

“Cheap for him go and get him and use Haaland as a decoy to land Mbappe behind the scenes!”

Credit: @SteveKOPLilly

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to a report linking the Reds with a former Premier League ‘big six’ player. Read more about it here.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Southampton midfielder Carlton Palmer gave his verdict on whether Che Adams could replace Danny Ings as the Saints’ main man.

Ings, who will have just a year remaining on his contract in the summer, continues to be linked with a move away from St. Mary’s.

Tottenham are one club who are said to be interested in acquiring the services of the England striker, and a move to White Hart Lane could put the wheels in motion for Adams to become Southampton’s leading No.9.

Palmer, however, feels his old side will need to dip into the transfer market if Ings does end up departing.

When asked whether Ralph Hasenhuttl should turn to Adams or sign a direct replacement in an exclusive interview with FFC, the retired England international said:

“They’re going to have to dip into the transfer market. You know, goalscorers are a special breed. You’ve either got that natural talent of goalscoring or you haven’t, and Danny Ings has certainly got that. So to replace his goals, I think they’re gonna have to go and buy.”

After a difficult debut campaign in the Premier League where he was only able to score four times, Adams has shown promise this season, already surpassing that tally. The 24-year-old alone, however, is unlikely to be enough for Hasenhuttl in a post-Ings era.

Ings scored 25 goals in all competitions for Southampton last season, showing the kind of firepower the Austrian manager will need to replace down on the south coast.