Newcastle United have made an enquiry to Celtic over a potential deal for defender Kristoffer Ajer.

That’s according to a report from CaughtOffside, who claim that the Hoops ‘are preparing for him to leave this summer’, eight worrying words which seem to imply a degree of certainty about his departure.

Ajer was first linked with a move to St James’ Park at the end of March, with the Daily Mail running a story suggesting the Magpies were readying an £8m bid.

The 23-year-old, valued at £3.6m by Transfermarkt, has just over 12 months left on his current Celtic deal, meaning this summer is indeed the time to cash in if he is not going to stay for the long-term.

Transfer Tavern take

Ajer, on £12,500-a-week, has been a great servant to the Hoops, making 173 appearances in total, scoring six times. He’s won eight major honours at Parkhead, but if a new Celtic deal is off the table, they simply must cash in and avoid losing such a quality young talent for nothing.

With just over a year remaining on his contract, the Hoops may have to accept a cut-price fee, as Ajer, should he not move on this summer, could seal a pre-contract agreement as early as January 2022, which would leave the Hoops empty-handed.

Norwich City have also been credited with an interest in the defender – whose former loan manager Lee Clark recently called ‘outstanding’ – so the Hoops may well be hoping for a bidding war between the Canaries and Newcastle to get the best possible deal.

In other news: Fresh DoF candiate emerges who Celtic fans may know well, find out more here. 

According to Vital Rangers, Ryan Gauld would be interested in a move to Glasgow Rangers from Portuguese outfit Farense.

Gauld would consider Rangers move

Gauld currently plays in the Portuguese top tier with Farense, who he joined from previous outfit Sporting Lisbon in 2019.

Now, it is being reported that the £3.15m-valued 25-year-old (Transfermarkt) would be interested in moving to Ibrox. He is out of contract at the end of the campaign, Vital Rangers also add.

Potential bargain

Gauld was once lauded as the next star in Scottish football. He started out at Dundee United as a teenager before moving to Lisbon, and was even likened to world superstar Lionel Messi (The Guardian). Initially, though, he struggled to match any of his huge potential.

However, his latest move has coincided with huge improvements to his game. Last term, he netted nine goals and provided five assists in 24 games, while this term he has eight and five respectively in 28 outings (Transfermarkt). Finally, he is showing in parts why so many expected big things from him.

Of course, Rangers would represent a step up in terms of the size of club, but the Portuguese league is superior in technical quality than the Premiership. Signing him on a free transfer would be a potential bargain.

In other news, this Gers star says he wants to stay at Ibrox.

عبر إبراهيم عادل نجم نادي بيراميدز الشاب عن سعادته بالفوز الذي حققه على المقاولون العرب بهدفين دون مقابل، واعتلاء قمة الدوري المصري من جديد.

وكان إبراهيم عادل قد شارك في فوز بيراميدز أمام المقاولون العرب بثنائية بعد تسجيله الهدف الثاني في المباراة وأحرز زميله وليد الكرتي الهدف الأول، ليتصدر فريقهم جدول الدوري برصيد 26 نقطة.

وقال إبراهيم عادل في تصريحات صحفية عقب المباراة: “الجميع في بيراميدز هدفه واضح وهو الفوز في كل المباريات والوصول لأبعد نقطة ممكنة والاستمرار في المنافسة على الألقاب حتى النهاية”.

طالع | إيهاب جلال يشيد بـ رمضان صبحي.. وينتقد أرضية ملعب المقاولون

وأضاف: “أحاول تقديم أفضل ما لدي داخل الملعب، ومساعدة الفريق في تحقيق أهدافه، وسعيد بهدفي الثاني في شباك المقاولون العرب، وتأمين الفوز والثلاث نقاط”.

وأوضح أنه تحت أمر الجهاز الفني لمنتخب مصر متمنيا أن يكون له دور مع الفريق في مباراتي السنغال بتصفيات المونديال وهو يحاول ويجتهد بشدة داخل الملعب ويركز بشدة مع النادي لتحقيق بطولات خلال هذا الموسم. هدف إبراهيم عادل في شباك المقاولون

MatériaMais Notícias

Emprestado ao Cruzeiro até o final do ano, o volante Denílson não correspondeu às expectativas na Toca da Raposa e rescindiu seu contrato com o time mineiro. Em nota oficial, o clube não explicou os motivos, mas confirmou o fim antecipado do vínculo com o jogador.

– O Cruzeiro comunica que em comum acordo com Denilson está liberando o jogador dos compromissos restantes do clube na temporada. A decisão foi tomada já que o profissional não terá seus direitos econômicos adquiridos pelo Cruzeiro. A diretoria aproveita ainda para agradecer a toda dedicação e profissionalismo de Denilson no período e deseja felicidade ao jogador na sequência da carreira – diz a nota.

Denílson chegou ao Cruzeiro no dia 19 de julho. Revelado nas categorias de base do São Paulo, o volante estava no Al Wahda, dos Emirados Árabes Unidos, equipe que recebeu US$240 mil pelo empréstimo até dezembro deste ano.

Apesar das boas passagens pelo São Paulo e Arsenal, da Inglaterra, Denílson colecionou atuações irregulares nas últimas temporadas. Em baixa no time dos Emirados Árabes, o jogador também não conseguiu se firmar na equipe celeste. No Cruzeiro, o jogador entrou em campo por apenas cinco vezes, sendo somente duas na condição de titular.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, David Norris, who made 36 appearances for Leeds United, has claimed that their on-loan winger, Jack Harrison, would be a good squad player at his parent club Manchester City, but that he could be a “force” if he moved to Elland Road permanently.

Harrison signed for City from New York City in January 2018 and was immediately shipped out on loan to Championship side Middlesbrough where he only made four appearances during the second half of the season.

After signing an initial two-year loan deal at Leeds in the summer of 2018, Harrison then signed another one-year loan deal last summer and it’s expected that the move will become permanent at the end of the season.

Speaking on why Harrison would be a good squad player at Man City but why it would be better for him to stay at Leeds, Norris told FFC exclusively:

“He would be a good squad player for them but I just don’t think he would get the game time, but I think he would suit City and he could be a capable squad player.

“At Leeds though I think he could be a big force and name so I would like to see him stick it out and see what happens over the next year or two.”

Since 2018, Harrison has made 124 appearances for Leeds, becoming a crucial player in Marcelo Bielsa’s incredibly attacking side.

It has been reported that Leeds will be able to sign Harrison for a bargain price of just £11 million this summer as Man City have no plans to include him into their side.

Manchester City can secure their first piece of silverware this season as they take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley on Sunday.

City have an excellent record in the competition since Guardiola’s arrival, having now won it three seasons in a row, and the Citizens should be confident against a side whose last trophy came in 2008.

There will be no repeat of Guardiola’s rivalry with Jose Mourinho on Sunday however, as the North London club sacked the Portuguese manager earlier this week, meaning 29-year-old Ryan Mason will be in charge for the game at Wembley.

Whilst City have a huge game against PSG to come on Wednesday next week, Guardiola should try and avoid the same mistake he made against Chelsea in the FA Cup, where resting numerous first-team players resulted in a disjointed display.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects the former Barcelona boss to line his side up against Spurs, with three changes from the team that started in the midweek win against Aston Villa…

Although Zack Steffen has featured earlier in the competition, he was arguably at fault for Chelsea’s goal in the FA Cup recently, so Ederson should start in goal.

There are two changes in defence, as Joao Cancelo replaces Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back, whilst Aymeric Laporte comes in for John Stones, who is suspended after his reckless challenge at Villa earned him a straight red card.

In midfield, Kevin De Bruyne returns from injury to start alongside Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri, which sees Bernardo Silva pushed further forward to feature as a false nine.

He is supported by Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez on the wings, meaning that the “brilliant” £54m-rated Gabriel Jesus is relegated to the bench.

And, in other news… Sheikh Mansour’s huge call is massive news for Pep, De Bruyne will be delighted 

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Howey, who made 278 appearances during his career, has admitted that he was never convinced how good Kalvin Phillips was until this season.

Phillips is one of the most important players for Leeds United as he has become the anchor who allows players such as Raphinha, Jack Harrison and Stuart Dallas to stay higher up the pitch, and his WhoScored rating of 7.06 proves how important he is.

The £4,500 per week midfielder has also become an England regular despite this still being just his first season in the Premier League and Gareth Southgate trusts him to start for the Three Lions during Jordan Henderson’s absence.

Speaking on how he has been won over by Phillips this season and what he thought of him when he first saw him play live, Howey told FFC:

“I think a lot of clubs will be looking at him in the summer, but I must admit that I wasn’t 100% sure what all the fuss was about with Kalvin Phillips.

“I saw him against Everton, and at the time I was with Gareth Southgate and I said to him, ‘yeah he is a top player’. He’s comfortable on the ball, his distribution is very good and then you put him in the England team, and it looks as though he’s been there for years.”

Phillips has picked up a few injuries this season and Leeds have struggled without their midfielder general at times because he offers the defence protection but he also gets attacks started quickly.

Marcelo Bielsa has guided Leeds to a comfortable position in the table but the Argentine is still yet to sign a new contract at Elland Road beyond this summer.

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans waxed lyrical over the club’s Under-18 side following their 7-1 win over West Brom on Saturday morning.

The Eagles, who also thumped the Baggies 7-1 in the reverse fixture back in March, named a strong line-up for the vital clash. Forward David Omilabu and midfielder Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, both of whom have signed professional deals this season, started for Palace and both netted in a rampant victory.

Palace went behind early on but two goals from Omilabu along with strikes from Rak-Sakyi, Victor Akinwale, Maliq Cadogan, John-Kymani Gordon and Ademola Ola-Adebomi, ensured a big win.

The Eagles sit top of the Premier League Under-18 South table after completing all 24 fixtures and now have to wait on Fulham’s clash with Chelsea next week to see if they will end up in first place. The Cottagers need to defeat their west London rivals in their final game of the campaign to win the league.

Palace fans react

The club shared the full-time score on their official Twitter page just hours before Roy Hodgson’s first team defeated Sheffield United 2-0 at Bramall Lane.

Here is what these Eagles supporters had to say in reply, with one describing the win as ‘unreal’.

“On another level this team! Incredible performance.”Credit: @ClintonDavey”All #ChelseaU18 fans next Sat aren’t we?! Buzzing for our young lads, what a performance!”Credit: @Rich789″Unreal”Credit: @FiachraFurlong”Get in lads! Unreal amount of talent there, everyone put in a shift! Future is very bright”Credit: @kade_bladeSE25″Excellent result and performance. Let’s hope a few of this talented team will progress to become regular starters in our 1st team for years to come.”Credit: @Bacoletplayer”So so good”Credit: @PrideOfSouthLDN

In other news: Many Palace fans fume at update on reported managerial target, find out more here.  

Prior to Sheffield Wednesday’ relegation, Barry Bannan said there was no relegation release clause in his contract and Jon Newsome, who enjoyed two separate spells with the Owls, exclusively told The Transfer Tavern, that it will require a large offer to tempt the club to sell Bannan.

On the final day of the season, Sheffield Wednesday had to beat Derby County to have a chance of staying up and despite going 1-0 ahead, they ended up drawing 3-3 at Pride Park which saw them finish at the foot of the table.

Bannan has been at the club since 2015 and earlier in the season he admitted that he would like to honour his contract with Sheffield Wednesday no matter what league they are in.

The Owls will now be preparing for life in League One under Darren Moore and it would require a mammoth offer for them to sell Bannan. That is according to Newsome, who spoke exclusively to The Transfer Tavern:

“Barry Bannan signed a new contract last year and he’s said that there’s no relegation release clause, but if a big offer comes in for him the policy at the club could be to generate funds to help run the club because he will be on a big wage.

“I suppose it’s down to Darren Moore to decide who he sees fit and what players he wants at the club to help them make the leap straight out of League One.”

Sheffield Wednesday were slapped with a 12-point deduction before the season began which left them playing catch up from the first day of the season and despite it being reduced to six points, it always appeared to be an uphill battle.

League One is now home to several big clubs within English football as the likes of Sunderland, Portsmouth, Charlton Athletic and Wigan Athletic are all currently in that division.

One of Everton’s primary goals this summer is to sign a central defender.

After Mason Holgate’s inept display against Aston Villa last weekend you can certainly understand why.

He inexplicably turned towards his own goal and then lost it as Ollie Watkins raced towards the area before sticking the ball beyond Jordan Pickford.

It was a wake-up call for Carlo Ancelotti that if the Toffees are to have any chance of being back among Europe’s elite, they need improvement.

Everton have already been linked with Kalidou Koulibaly but another defender based in Italy could be a viable option too; Merih Demiral.

The Juventus centre-back could set Ancelotti and Marcel Brands back €30m (£26m) this summer but he’d add plenty of assurance to their backline.

A dominant figure, the centre-half has been recognised as an “absolute beast” by scout Jacek Kulig.

Everton’s defence hasn’t been filled with the most awe-inspiring players in recent years and it feels like a long time since Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott were in charge of proceedings at Goodison Park.

That said, Demiral could evoke memories of Lescott if he pens terms in Merseyside this summer.

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First and foremost, they are both superb when it comes to playing out from the back. Calm and composed in possession of the ball, the Turk has registered a pass success rate of 93.2% for Juventus this term.

Lescott may not have reached the same dizzy heights but he was still impressive in this regard, regularly completing over 85% of his passes after his move to Manchester City.

Their reading of the game is also incredibly similar. Demiral has enough pace that it doesn’t cause himself a problem but more often than not, he stops the source of the attack before it’s even occurred.

This is incredibly similar to Lescott, a defender who won 1.9 interceptions per match throughout his career. Everton’s transfer target, meanwhile, has won 1.7 per game during 2020/21.

The former Toffee was a brick wall during the early stages of his career and also used his 6 foot 3 frame and stocky build to bustle opponents to one side.

The ex-England international was aggressive and consistently on the front foot, a style of play that bears great similarity to Demiral; he also stands at 6 foot 3.

If Everton are ever going to qualify for Europe, they need more consistency at the back. Luckily, that’s something the 23-year-old would bring to Goodison.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Everton’s summer transfer priority revealed after behind-the-scenes talks with agents…