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Liverpool have been linked with a move for AC Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu as the summer transfer window approaches.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, the Reds have made contact with the 27-year-old’s agent, with his contract at San Siro set to expire over the coming weeks.

Serie A giants Juventus and Qatari outfit Al-Duhail are also credited with an interest in Calhanoglu as the race for his signature hots up.

Klopp needs him

Liverpool’s all-action gegenpressing style has proved hugely successful for Jurgen Klopp’s men in recent years.

A first Premier League title arrived just 12 months after the enigmatic German manager delivered the Anfield outfit’s sixth European crown but a hugely substandard 2020/21 campaign has left the need for some readjustments on Merseyside.

The high-energy, direct nature of Liverpool’s attacking play was fuelled by the work rate and tireless running of their midfielders.

Whether it was Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Gini Wijnaldum, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Fabinho taking up residence in the centre of the park, Klopp’s charges would regularly win the ball back high up the pitch before playing quick, simple passes to their famed front three.

However, their usually high standards dropped in the recently-concluded campaign, and a lack of alternative options available throughout Liverpool’s squad hurt the 19-time English champions.

Ever since Philippe Coutinho departed for Barcelona in January 2018, Klopp has been unable to call upon the service of a natural number 10.

The arrival of Thiago last summer added a deep-lying playmaker to Liverpool’s ranks, but the absence of a creative talent who thrives on playing intricate passes and through balls from an advanced midfield area has been noticeable in recent years.

Acquiring the services of Calhanoglu could solve that particular problem and Klopp may need the Turkey international if he wants to regain the Premier League crown for Liverpool.

Milan manager Stefan Pioli has praised the former Bayer Leverkusen wizard’s ability after his impressive performances in Italy, saying: “He knows how to marry perfectly with the game of his teammates. I have great respect for him, and with intelligent players, you can play great games. He has the qualities to have some more goals.”

Twelve assists in 43 appearances for the Rossoneri in 2020/21 illustrates the quality that Calhanoglu would bring to Anfield, and given that he’s available on a free transfer, it’s a signing which makes sense for many reasons for Klopp and Liverpool.

In other news…Edwards must avoid Liverpool’s next El Hadji Diouf in £25m-valued flop 

Everton need to make big changes at the club this summer whether they are relegated or not, and now the club are set to enter talks with Moise Kean and his representatives imminently to determine his future.

What’s the latest?

According to Italian news outlet Corriere Dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Juventus and Raiola ‘are working to understand if they can find a way out of the agreement with Everton or alternatively an immediate solution on the market.’

The report further states that conversations between the powers at Goodison Park and the parties in Turin will ‘be resumed at the end of the season.’

Moshiri must axe Kean

In terms of the 22-year-old’s future at Everton, there is no doubt that there is no interest from either the player or club to reinstate his position back in Merseyside, and after a less than spectacular season at Juventus, Farhad Moshiri must do all he can to brutally axe and cut ties with the striker.

Kean is currently tied into a contract with the Merseyside club until June 2023 but with talks opening, there will be hope that the player’s future can be resolved and if the club can make some money on the player it would really benefit the club.

Everton are reportedly looking to recoup financial losses this summer, so selling the youngster on will surely be in the best interests of everyone, with Kean clear that he has no desire to return to Goodison Park.

The £49k-per-week gem who was hailed “dangerous” by Mixu Paatelainen, was underwhelming in his time at Everton scoring just four goals in 39 appearances for the club and this season has continued his mediocre output scoring just six goals in all competitions for Juventus, so with that being said his impact would not be an upgrade on what Everton already have in their squad.

Ultimately, the main focus for the club right now is to secure Premier League safety in the remaining six games of the season, and until their future is determined it will be unlikely that any transfer business is dealt with ahead of that.

AND in other news: Everton now plotting bid for £13.5m-rated “revelation”, he’s miles better than Iwobi

Leeds have been backed to make a summer move for Rangers star Glen Kamara amid reports linking Marcelo Bielsa’s side with a move.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks and months have suggested that the Finland international is on the radar of the Premier League side, and now, former Leeds man Noel Whelan has thrown his backing behind a potential summer move.

He said: “He brings quality, Steven Gerrard recognises how important he is to Rangers. That’s why he wants to tie him down on a new contract. Good players will always be looked at and that’s the problem.

“What he’ll bring is energy, aggression, quality passing and Marcelo Bielsa likes players with energy, players who can get around the field. He would bring those fitness levels and also quality and competition to that midfield position.”

Shrewd signing for Bielsa

After coming through the academy at Arsenal, Kamara has developed into a fine central midfielder at Rangers, really shining in his time in Scottish football.

His former manager at Dundee, Neil McCann, said: “He looks small but he’s strong and he’s a playmaker. When Rangers signed Glen, I sat there thinking he would smash it. Glen will end up back in the English Premier League. I’ve no doubts about that.”

“He isn’t a big, physical lad but he’s made of iron and really strong. I knew immediately that he could handle the ball under pressure and not give it away, so he was perfect. He’s a special talent. He’s lightning-quick but he doesn’t show it. He’s a player who takes instruction well.”

With his ability to play as a holding midfielder or someone slightly further forward, Kamara has got all the tools in his locker to be a superb foil alongside Kalvin Phillips.

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Whether Bielsa decides to partner the two together as a more defensive presence, or give one of the two the licence to roam further forward, Leeds could be onto a real shrewd midfield partnership by signing Kamara this summer.

Meanwhile, Leeds are interested in signing this “Rolls-Royce of a player”…

Wolves are reportedly ‘very interested’ in signing Barcelona youngster Riqui Puig, having also been keen on acquiring his signature last summer.

The Lowdown: Puig struggling for minutes

The 22-year-old has never managed to be a key figure at Camp Nou and he has found minutes hard to come by this season under both Ronald Koeman and Xavi.

Puig has only managed one start in La Liga this season, also making nine substitute appearances, and there is no sign of that changing any time soon.

With Wolves looking at possible signings in the January transfer window, the midfielder is reportedly on their radar.

The Latest: Wolves keen on move for Puig

That’s according to Sport [via Sport Witness], who claimed that Wanderers are ‘very interested’ in making a deal happen, having looked at a loan move with an option to buy last summer.

A temporary move is again being considered, although it isn’t specified whether it could happen this month or wait until the summer.

The Verdict: Exciting potential signing

Puig appears to be a hugely talented young player, with his manager Xavi once claiming that the 22-year-old ‘breathes talent’, so he could be an excellent addition to Wolves’ midfield if they can entice him to Molineux.

The young Spaniard has enjoyed an incredible 93.9% pass completion rate in La Liga this season, highlighting how comfortable he is in possession, much like Wolves duo Joao Moutinho (87.4%) and Ruben Neves (83.2%).

He would provide Bruno Lage with an extra midfield option, allowing for greater rotation, and an impressive loan spell could suggest that he is a long-term replacement for the 35-year-old Moutinho in the Black Country.

In other news, Tim Spiers has claimed that Wolves are ‘set to sign’ one player. Find out who it is here.

Steven Gerrard has revealed Ianis Hagi is now a doubt for Glasgow Rangers’ Champions League clash with Malmo on Tuesday.

The Lowdown: Hagi injured vs Livingston

Hagi started the Gers’ opening Premiership match of the season on Saturday, and he even scored the first goal of the game to give his side the lead.

However, he was the subject of a hefty tackle soon after that strike, and was forced off within the first 30 minutes as a result.

The Latest: Hagi a doubt for Malmo

Speaking to the press after the match, Gerrard suggested Hagi will miss that all-important European clash. He said (via Glasgow Live):

“It’s never helpful to lose a player that early, especially when you only have three subs. Last year you probably get away with that a bit more because you have the extra couple of subs.

“He scored a massive goal for us to get us up-and-running and hopefully the kick isn’t too serious. He’s a bit sore now but it shouldn’t keep him out for too long.

“Potentially, but we’ve got good physios here and good doctors so hopefully they can pull a rabbit out of the hat and get him ready because he’s going to be important for us.”

Then, speaking about Scott Wright, he said:

“Scott could have started today. His performances in pre-season have been outstanding, we’re walking on him a lot in the final third in terms of getting numbers into his game.

“He came on today and was a right bright spark, he was full of energy and sees a pass. He’s always looking forward and looking to penetrate. He’s quick and he got his rewards from another strong performance. He’s in my thinking for Tuesday night now.”

The Verdict: A blow

This will no doubt be a blow for Gerrard and his staff. Hagi, of course, was prevented from travelling to the Olympic Games in Tokyo to represent Romania as he was needed for the start of the Gers’ Champions League campaign (via The Scottish Sun) – for now, at least, the discussion surrounding whether that was the right decision is no longer important.

In the first 30 minutes against Livingston, as well, he impressed, and his strike – his 12th for the club (Transfermarkt) – was well-taken. The good news for Gerrard, at least, is that Wright took his chance when he was introduced, also finding the back of the net. The Gers’ squad depth gives them a good chance of success.

In other news, Rangers fans were livid at this article.

Kevin Campbell says ex-Roma boss Paulo Fonseca could be a good alternative for Celtic if a deal for Eddie Howe can’t be finalised.

The former Arsenal and Everton striker was speaking to Football Insider.

The lowdown

Fonseca will be leaving Roma this season on the expiry of his contract.

He led them to fifth in his first year but they look set to finish outside the top six this time around.

They did reach the semi-finals of the Europa League, having beaten Braga, Fonseca’s former club Shakhtar Donetsk and Ajax, but a 6-2 defeat against Manchester United in the first leg put paid to their ambitions.

Fonseca has taken charge of 98 Roma matches, winning 52, drawing 19 and losing 27 – that equates to a win rate of 53.1 per cent. He usually opts for variations of a 3-4-3 formation.

It was revealed on The Transfer Window Podcast last week that Celtic have been linked with Fonseca after he expressed an interest in the managerial role, vacant since Neil Lennon’s departure at the end of February. That follows previous reports from The Daily Record citing Fonseca as a possible alternative target.

The Glasgow outfit reached a verbal agreement with Eddie Howe early in April, but haven’t been able to get that deal over the line as of yet.

The latest

Campbell expressed his confidence that Fonseca ‘could do a job’ at Parkhead and says he knows how to coach young players.

“Fonseca is a good manager,” he said.

“There was big talk about him coming to the Premier League and Celtic a few years ago.

“That didn’t work out and he went to Roma instead.

“He is definitely a manager who could do a job at Celtic but Eddie Howe could as well.

“They both know their football and work well with younger players.

“That Shakhtar team he had was really good, that’s how he made his name.”

The verdict

Fonseca looks to be a decent outside candidate for the Parkhead gig. As this report from The Athletic notes, he’s faced a ‘tough situation’ at the Stadio Olimpico amid a ‘difficult restructure’ off the field, so he shouldn’t necessarily be written off based on the disappointing end to his tenure in the Italian capital.

Howe surely remains the man Celtic want given the sheer volume of media noise about his possible arrival, and that appointment would likely generate genuine excitement among supporters, but Fonseca has plenty of plaudits.

Indeed, Fonseca’s Shakhtar side were drawn to Manchester City’s Champions League group in consecutive years between 2017 and 2019, and Pep Guardiola himself was amazed by their setup, via The Times: “Before every game against Shakhtar, I have the same feeling – the first time we face them in the group stage, my (scouting) team went to see them and they came back saying ‘wow’.

“They were really impressed. In Barcelona all the time it was, ‘Shakhtar, Ukraine, who cares which players play, nobody knows them.’

“I can assure you it was one of the best teams in terms of playing football. It was so tough for me. For Barcelona, Bayern, we had good results but it was tough. I have a lot of respect for them.”

Fonseca did indeed shock Guardiola later that year as the Premier League champions elect lost 2-1 in Ukraine, via Soccerway.

In other news, will Celtic’s hand be forced with this midfielder?

This is set to be a crucial summer for Everton Football Club. They are tasked with bringing a new manager to the club but also face the possibility of a number of departures.

What’s the word?

Earlier this week it was reported that Dominic Calvert-Lewin was attracting the interest of former Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.

However, they could also lose James Rodriguez in the next few months too.

That’s according to journalist Pipe Sierra who took to Twitter on Tuesday afternoon to reveal the following:

“Jorge Mendes, representative of James Rodríguez, wants to take the Colombian out of Everton in a €10/20m operation. He has offered him to Napoli, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan. It does not rule out a return to Real Madrid, but it is very difficult.”

Rodriguez only joined the Merseyside outfit on a free transfer a year ago.

Huge blow

When Ancelotti walked through the door of Goodison Park there was always a feeling that he could attract some of the globe’s finest talent to Everton.

Indeed, when Rodriguez signed on the dotted line, that was in full evidence.

The Colombian is one of the most striking attacking midfielders around, ending the 2014 World Cup as the Golden Boot winner and then winning four league titles with Madrid and Bayern Munich. He also went onto win the Champions League on two occasions.

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His form at Everton has also been impressive. He started last term in thrilling fashion, scoring three goals and registering three assists in his opening five matches.

Rodriguez eventually ended the term on six goals and four assists from 23 outings, proving to be one of their main creative outlets.

No player managed more key passes per match (1.8) than the 29-year-old last term, while only Richarlison manager more dribbles per game than Rodriguez.

Based on that, it would be a significant blow to their hopes of securing European football next season. It should also anger Marcel Brands who appears to be at the mercy of super-agent Jorge Mendes.

They benefitted from him last summer when the player first arrived in Merseyside but this appears to be an agent-led exit more than anything.

Brands pulled off a masterstroke to sign him last year so it would leave him dejected to see his prized possession looking towards the exit door already.

AND in other news, Alan Myers delivers four-word Everton manager update, fans must be fuming…

Some Everton fans have been left fuming over some news that has emerged from Phil Kirkbride.

Writing in his latest piece for The Liverpool Echo, Kirkbride has now revealed that the Goodison Park faithful are set to appoint Joel Waldron as their new Head of Academy Recruitment.

He has been working as the Merseyside club’s Academy Chief Operating Officer, but is now ready to take over from Chris Perkins, who left to join Tottenham Hotspur in a similar role.

Joel is the son of former Head of Academy Recruitment Martin Waldron, which has not gone down well with some Toffees supporters, as they feel as if he has not earned the role on merit and instead has only been appointed because of who his father is.

Everton fans on Kirkbride news

These Blues fumed as the news was shared on Twitter, with one EFC fan even going as far as to claim that it is just ‘weird’:

“And people wonder why the Academy has been a complete waste of space since it was built?”

Credit: @TormentedToffee

“Lazy appointment by Everton once again.”

Credit: @Warren_Evans

““The son of former Head of Academy Recruitment Martin Waldron” kind of rings alarm bells, doesn’t it?”

Credit: @UpperGwladysBlu

“Sounds a bit weird when the dad got sacked by EFC”

Credit: @abbot551

“The jobs for the boys merry-go-round”

Credit: @EvertonAllSorts

“Nothing like jobs for the Boyz at Everton”

Credit: @holroyd_ryan

In other news, find out what club news has Evertonians buzzing here!

Leeds United left-back Junior Firpo missed the Whites’ 1-0 defeat to Southampton with a muscle injury, journalist Phil Hay has confirmed.

The Lowdown: Another defeat for Leeds

Marcelo Bielsa’s team were looking to build on their win at home to Watford last time around, but instead they produced an insipid showing at St Mary’s.

Leeds didn’t deserve anything from Saturday’s game and they are now hovering just one place above the relegation zone in the Premier League.

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The Latest: Firpo injury confirmed

There was no sign of Firpo in the matchday squad, with Stuart Dallas taking up a left wing-back role in Bielsa’s 3-4-3 formation.

Taking to Twitter after the match, Hay confirmed the manager’s update on the Brazilian, providing the following injury update: “Muscular injury for Firpo. Bielsa didn’t give a timescale.”

The journalist elaborated slightly upon the 25-year-old’s absence in a Q&A for The Athletic as he stated: “Firpo has a muscular problem. Expected to be out for a couple of weeks.”

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The Verdict: Latest fitness blow

The injuries are racking up for Leeds this season and it isn’t helping their current struggles in the league.

Firpo may not have necessarily made a flying start to life at Elland Road but he is still an important player for Bielsa’s side, providing natural width down the left flank and posting one of the squad’s best tackling averages with 2.2 per game.

With Robin Koch, Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford also still sidelined, Leeds’ squad depth is really being tested. The news of Firpo’s absence is the last thing that fans would have wanted to hear following Saturday’s south coast setback.

In other news, Leeds may have the green light to sign one player in January. Find out who it is here.

Liverpool have been linked with a big-money move for Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella following a string of impressive performances.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet La Repubblica, the Reds are preparing a £60 million offer for the 24-year-old machine as they step up their search for Gini Wijnaldum’s replacement.

The Italian outfit’s poor financial situation is well known, and Liverpool could be looking to take advantage by securing themselves a top player this summer.

Klopp will be elated

Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for Atletico Madrid dynamo Saul Niguez in recent weeks, but the Spain international now appears to be closing in on a transfer to Barcelona, with Antoine Griezmann moving in the opposite direction.

However, it appears as though the Anfield outfit have already moved on from their efforts to sign Saul, targeting Euro 2020 winner Barella instead.

The diminutive midfielder has excelled since arriving at Inter back in 2019, scoring seven goals and providing 21 assists in 87 appearances for the Nerazzurri, winning the Serie A crown along the way.

His standout performances have earned several plaudits in his homeland, including Claudio Marchisio.

Therefore, news that Liverpool are lining up a substantial offer for Barella will surely leave Jurgen Klopp feeling elated.

Wijnaldum’s decision to join French giants Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer has left a substantial gap in the club’s engine room, one that will be extremely difficult to plug.

Having said that, Barella is certainly someone capable of filling the Dutch international’s shoes. As per WhoScored, he recorded 1.3 key passes per league game last season, 1.6 tackles and one dribble, placing him in the top three for each metric when compared to his teammates.

Liverpool will be hoping to close the gap on Premier League champions Manchester City next season after finishing a whopping 17 points behind them in 2020/21, and signing Barella would certainly provide a significant boost to their chances of doing just that.

And, in other news…Update emerges about “top class” £59m Liverpool target, Jurgen Klopp will be happy