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Crystal Palace’s transfer plans appear to have taken a considerable blow with one of their prime targets apparently not interested in moving.

According to The Athletic, Aaron Ramsey currently has no interest in leaving Juventus which could leave Steve Parish having to look elsewhere for a central midfielder.

It was previously thought that Palace were interested in bringing the Welshman back to the Premier League, with journalist Nicolo Schira suggesting that the Eagles had made an enquiry to Juventus.

Ramsey, a Serie A champion in 2019/20, would certainly have been a statement arrival should he actually have signed for Palace in the summer transfer window.

Before his move to Turin, he had made 262 appearances in the Premier League, scoring 40 goals and providing a further 51 assists – a record that would have been hugely useful in the Crystal Palace midfield.

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Even former Gunners’ boss Unai Emery was left enamoured by Ramsey, with the Spaniard praising the midfielder’s “amazing” attitude and application during his final year at the Emirates Stadium.

It goes without saying then that the 30-year-old would have gone a long way in replacing the likes of James McArthur and James McCarthy, whose Selhurst Park deals expire this summer, whilst he would have been a fantastic partner in the centre of the park for current Eagles captain Luka Milivojevic.

Rated at £18m and with two years left on his current contract at the Juventus Stadium, Ramsey certainly looked the perfect addition for the Eagles and one that could even have taken them to the next level during the 2021/22 campaign.

However, that now does not seem an option following the news that he has intentions on remaining in Turin for the foreseeable future, a development that is certainly a big blow to Crystal Palace’s transfer aspirations.

AND in more news, take a look at which player could be the perfect successor to Vicente Guaita…

As the door closes on the tumultuous Jose Mourinho era at Tottenham Hotspur., another one opens with former midfielder Ryan Mason set to take the helm as caretaker boss.

The Special One was sensationally sacked on Monday morning following 17 months in charge and despite having the small matter of playing in the Carabao Cup final at the weekend.

Mason, 29, who had to retire from his playing career early due to a serious head injury will be assisted by Chris Powell and the academy duo could give Spurs a new and fresh look as they look to turn things around in north London.

He had been in charge of Spurs’ U19 squad and was promoted to Head of Player Development from U17s to U23s only last year but what will Spurs now look like under their youthful former star?

Here’s what we think…

It won’t be an easy task at hand for Mason given we’ve just started a crucial week that culminates in the potential of winning silverware but we know from his U19s squad that he favours a similar 4-2-3-1 system.

That’s hardly a surprise as he featured in such a formation under Mauricio Pochettino, and he’s surely going to take inspiration from the rise under him, more so than the turmoil of the last six months under Mourinho.

Some of the stalwarts of the Portuguese’s side are likely to remain – Hugo Lloris, club captain and no.1 between the sticks; summer signings Sergio Reguilon and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg; of course Harry Kane and Heung-min Son.

But we may even see major comebacks for a trio of forgotten Spurs stars.

Mason played with both Dele Alli and Harry Winks during his time in north London and both could feature in his starting XI as early as Wednesday when Spurs play Southampton in the Premier League.

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Alli has been limited to just two starts and 232 minutes in the English top-flight. It was only in 2016/17 that he clinched his second Young PFA Player of the Year award and bagged 16 goals from midfield.

He could be preferred to both Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele in an advanced role.

As could Winks, who may come in to partner Hojbjerg at the base of the engine room. He started Spurs’ opening three matches of the season but has been restricted to only 398 league minutes since.

Mason may see a similarity between the duo of Winks and Hojbjerg to him and Mousa Dembele of yesteryear.

And finally, with Spurs desperately in need to score more goals and lessen the reliance on Kane and Son, so Gareth Bale may be in line for a recall to the starting fold.

Following the north London derby defeat, the Welsh superstar was seemingly an easy scapegoat as he’s played a total of ten minutes from the bench ever since.

He’s a player that Daniel Levy pushed to sign rather than Mourinho himself, so there were certainly no loyalties to be had. He, Son and Kane is the front three many are dreaming to see in full swing.

At the back is where Spurs’ Achilles heel has been, with defensive and individual mistakes the defining theme of Mourinho’s recent reign. Mason could turn to the experience of Toby Aldweireld, whilst performances from Joe Rodon will have surely caught his youth-spotting eye.

It’s also a chance to see the calamitous duo of Davinson Sanchez and Serge Aurier axed entirely. Both have been dubbed a “liability” in their own right, and have no place in starting when they are frequently at fault. Japhet Tanganga could well start at right-back, having worked with the new caretaker before.

Eric Dier may well be a casualty, too.

AND in other news, Forget Nagelsmann: Levy should appoint “incredibly good” 40 y/o as next boss …

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell believes Marcelo Bielsa deserves all the praise he gets because of the job he has done at Leeds United.

Bielsa managed to bring Leeds into the Premier League for the first time in 16 years and he did it with a limited budget compared to a lot of other clubs who had been in that league, such as Aston Villa and Norwich City.

The Argentine has earned rave reviews from fellow managers this season for what he has done for the game and what he’s achieved during his career, especially from Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.

Speaking on what Bielsa has managed to do at Leeds and how he deserves all the credit despite not winning anything, Jewell said exclusively to FFC:

“What I like about Bielsa is, and I think he can speak English but he’s pulling our legs, so fair play to him, but what I like about him is that he doesn’t make excuses.

“The difference he’s made to those Leeds players like Dallas, Cooper and Ayling, the list is endless. They were Championship players, and not great ones, but he’s turned them into Premier League players. 

“He deserves unbelievable credit and he won’t have a trophy at the end of the season, but what a manager he is.”

Some thought Leeds would struggle this season after not adding many players to their Championship winning squad, however, Bielsa has been able to squeeze every last drop of talent out of his players.

Bielsa has guided Leeds to what appears to be a top-half finish this season with Patrick Bamford upfront, who many people thought would not be able to cut it in the Premier League.

Former West Ham striker Brian Deane has told The Transfer Tavern in an exclusive interview that his old club signing Odsonne Edouard this summer would not be a gamble.

According to Football Insider, West Ham co-owner David Sullivan is already working on a deal to bring the Celtic forward to the London Stadium as David Moyes looks to bolster his forward options.

Edouard has a very good goal record in Scotland, hitting the 20-goal mark once again this season, while he has 81 goals in 165 games in total for the Bhoys. The strength of the Scottish Premiership, however, may have some doubting whether the Frenchman would be as effective in English football’s top flight.

For Deane, though, as long as West Ham can get Edouard at a good price, it should not be too much of a gamble.

On the 23-year-old potentially joining the Hammers this summer, Deane told TT:

“I don’t think it’s a gamble if you get him for the right money. If you overpay for a player, then, yeah, it’s a gamble. Rhian Brewster at 20 years of age costing £20m, that’s a gamble.

“If you get Edouard for, let’s say £15m or £12m, for example, but it won’t. It’ll probably be more that they’re asking [for]. If you get him at that money, then it’s not so much a gamble.”

One other person who is also likely to feel that Edouard is a safe bet is Thierry Henry, who once told former Rangers striker Ally McCoist that his compatriot could go “right to the top”.

Manchester City have entered the race for Leeds United star Raphinha.

That’s according to Italian transfer journalist Gianluigi Longari, who claims Manchester United and Liverpool are still interested, but they now face fresh competition from the champions elect.

City can win the Premier League title this weekend if they beat Crystal Palace and Liverpool beat Manchester United, so can soon start looking to next season’s transfer plans.

And Pep Guardiola is looking to beat Jurgen Klopp and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the coveted signature of the Leeds winger.

Longari adds that ‘nothing is decided yet’ and that ‘LUFC want to keep him’, having signed the youngster from Rennes for £17million last summer.

Raphinha a revelation at Elland Road

Raphinha has been directly involved in 12 goals in his first season in the top-flight (six goals, six assists), an impressive return for a young winger on his first crack at the Premier League.

The Brazilian is in the league’s top six for chances created per 90 minutes, edged only by Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Kevin de Bruyne and Jack Grealish. He’s also in the top 15 for successful dribbles per game with 1.9.

Such performances have even seen him labelled a ‘monster’ by his compatriot Lucas Moura.

Transfer Tavern verdict

Raphinha still has three years left on the contract he signed on arrival, so expect Leeds to demand a huge profit if they are to sell.

Intriguingly, though, this development comes shortly after a new winger emerged as a target for the Yorkshire outfit.

Football FanCast revealed this week that Director of Football Victor Orta had held talks with the agent of Rubin Kazan’s Khvicha Kvaratskheila.

The four-goal, eight-assist Georgian has predominantly been used on the left this season, rather than the right, but Transfermarkt list him as two-footed, so perhaps the Whites are plotting a contingency plan in case an offer for Raphinha is too good to turn down.

In other news, Leeds have been backed to pull off a mighty coup.

Manchester City have recently been linked with a move for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, and if he were to make the move to the Etihad this summer, he could be a superb addition to Pep Guardiola’s side.

What’s the word?

According to ESPN, both Manchester City and Chelsea are contenders to sign the Poland international this summer, who remains undecided on his future with the Bundesliga champions.

Despite now being 32, Lewandowski is contracted until 2023, and the report suggests that Die Roten would demand at least €60m (£52.2m) for his services this summer.

Would he be a good signing?

Lewandowski has consistently been one of the best players in the Bundesliga since moving to Borussia Dortmund back in 2010. After 103 goals and 42 assists in 187 appearances for BVB, he joined Bayern Munich on a free transfer in 2014, where his exceptional goalscoring record has continued.

In the subsequent seven years, the striker has contributed a remarkable 292 goals and 65 assists in just 327 appearances, helping Bayern to win six Bundesliga titles, as well as tasting success in the Champions League last season.

Despite his age, Lewandowski shows no signs of slowing down and has enjoyed a superb campaign so far in 2020/21, with 39 goals and seven assists in just 27 Bundesliga appearances, which has helped him to average an incredible 8.07 WhoScored rating in the German top flight.

The Polish striker is well known to Guardiola too, with the Spaniard having managed him during his spell in charge at the Allianz Arena. He scored 67 goals in 100 appearances under the current City boss, so Lewandowski would certainly be appreciated by the legendary manager should he make the switch to the Etihad this summer.

He also left Guardiola, who is rarely short of words, completely speechless after scoring five goals in nine minutes against Wolfsburg back in 2015.

The “world-class” striker, as hailed by former Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes, would surely score a hatful of goals in this Manchester City side next season should he make the move. Whilst he might be expensive, City sporting director Txiki Begiristain should definitely consider bringing him to the Etihad if the striker is indeed keen to leave Bayern Munich.

In other news… Txiki can sign Pep’s ideal Erling Haaland alternative with swoop for £22.5m-rated gem

A number of Liverpool fans have been left unhappy after the Reds were linked with a summer move for Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford.

The outgoing Premier League champions have suffered a frustrating season in front of goal, with wasteful finishing costing them in a number of matches. The likes of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have been particularly guilty in that respect, although the former did score in Saturday’s 2-0 win at home to Southampton.

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It seems likely that Jurgen Klopp will delve into the transfer market this summer in order to find another attacking player to boost his options in the final third.

According to The Athletic‘s David Ornstein, Liverpool are admirers of Bamford, suggesting that a potential summer transfer bid could be on the cards. The 27-year-old has shone for Leeds this season, scoring 15 goals in the Premier League and pushing to feature for England at Euro 2020.

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Liverpool fans unhappy with Bamford rumour

Despite this, many Liverpool fans don’t want to see Bamford in a Reds shirt next season, claiming that he isn’t good enough.

Some feel that the rumour is a substantial disimprovement from the likes of Kylian Mbappe, while the Leeds striker had previously struggled at Premier League level prior to this season. One Kopite took aim at owners FSG, who are already in the doghouse following the European Super League fiasco.

“From Haaland/Mbappe to Bamford. Wow FSG are pathetic”

Credit: @kingkaz_7

“Is this a joke?”

Credit: @Robertf81884158

“He is so slow”

Credit: @YungKenReds

“No thanks we’re just looking for cheaper alternatives now”

Credit: @jayfoulkes78

“No thank you. Would be a proper Hodgson era signing”

Credit: @IWWROCKS

“Oh God no”

Credit: @brendanjudge

In other news, James Pearce has provided a key update on the future of one Liverpool attacker. Find out who it is here.

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been giving their thoughts on a reported boost in the club’s pursuit of Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham.

Villa are thought to be monitoring the 23-year-old ahead of the summer window, and according to The Athletic, cited by Birmingham Live, the striker is now ‘very likely’ to ‘push to leave’ Stamford Bridge this summer.

Abraham has hardly featured under new manager Thomas Tuchel, with his asking price thought to be around £40m. Dean Smith knows all about the striker, who helped Villa to earn promotion to the Premier League in 2018/19, scoring 26 goals in 40 appearances at the club during a loan spell.

Villa are also reportedly looking to sign two wide forwards in what could be another big spending spree ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Villa fans react

@AVFC_News shared the news regarding Abraham on Twitter on Saturday morning, asking fans if they would like to see the forward back at Villa Park next season.

Here is what some supporters had to say, with many buzzing at the possibility of Abraham returning to the Midlands.

“100%, him and Grealish were a scary great partnership and with McGinn on form. Wow!”

Credit: @StephenGrandis2

“Yep, make it happen”

Credit: @Capt_Cook_

“100%, feel like Watkins deserves main striker after season he has had but Tammy is a no brainer for me”

Credit: @WelchCarl

“In a heartbeat. He certainly won’t be at Chelsea next season.”

Credit: @yellowmarlin

“If he wants to come back sign him up. He was a handy player for other stuff like defending and not just scoring goals. Good team player.”

Credit: @ninja_peroni

“Absolutely bring him home”

Credit: @JudyDaly57

In other news: Villa source shares shock Bodymoor Heath news; 41 y/o’s five-word admission key, find out more here.

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan is confident that Patrick Bamford will sign a new deal at Elland Road following a superb season.

The Lowdown: Star man this season?

The Whites have had a memorable campaign upon their return to the Premier League, heading for a mid-table finish and playing some of the most entertaining football in the division.

A number of players have stood out for Leeds, but arguably none more so than Bamford, who has scored 15 league goals and impressed with his all-round game.

The Latest: New Bamford deal discussed

Whelan believes that the striker has done enough to earn a bumper new deal at Elland Road, telling Football Insider that it would make perfect sense:

“He seems happy with his game and with the manager he’s working for

“He’s really hit the heights that we knew he could do. He’s given it many tries in the Premier League and it’s not worked out for him.

“This season has been incredible. If you score 15 goals, you’ve got to be ecstatic with that as a striker. When you do that, people stand up and take notice.

“It’s not easy to get any goals in the Premier League, let alone this season when people have been doubting you.

“A new and improved contract I’m sure will be discussed and signed, because he’s been an ever-present under Marcelo Bielsa, one of his key men.”

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The Verdict: No-brainer for Leeds

Bamford has enjoyed a meteoric rise at Leeds, with the idea of him becoming such an integral part of the team unthinkable at one point given his previous struggles. He is undoubtedly a player who should be viewed as a long-term key man and he has done more than enough this season to justify getting a new contract.

At 27, he is at the peak of his powers and should continue to be for a number of years. It’s not hard to see why Whelan has called for the Elland Road hierarchy to ensure that they secure the striker’s future in Yorkshire.

In other news, one Leeds player has been linked with a move to another Premier League club this summer. Find out who it is here.

Aston Villa must go back in for Norwich City star Emi Buendia this summer amid a major transfer update from Sky Sports.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks and months have suggested that the Argentine is a target for Dean Smith’s side, with Buendia helping to fire the Canaries back into the Premier League for next season.

Sky Sports have now claimed that both Villa and top-flight rivals Arsenal are ready to renew their interest in the diminutive playmaker, with both clubs making enquiries about potentially signing him this summer.

The report added that Smith “has a long-standing interest in Buendia since first switching to Villa from Brentford”.

Imagine him and Grealish

The £20,000-a-week earner has enjoyed a tremendous season for the Canaries, scoring 15 goals and providing an incredible 17 assists in the Championship alone.

His teammate Max Aarons has raved about Buendia’s abilities, saying: “He’s not really a player who will get on the ball and take you on as a full-back. His game is more about getting into pockets, playing neat passes and creating things.

“When you’ve got someone, who wants to run at you, then it’s easier to lock them down whereas someone like him is quite intricate so it’s hard to get near him. He’s tenacious and very strong. He’s got a lot of attributes.”

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Dubbed as a “very special talent” by Norwich’s Ben Gibson, Buendia would bring the kind of creativity and goal threat from midfield which Villa probably thought they were getting from Ross Barkley when they signed him on loan from Chelsea last year.

Partnering him alongside Jack Grealish would give Villa a legitimate twin threat which could provide constant ammunition for Ollie Watkins to convert into goals. The club captain has 12 assists to his name this season, while the ex-Brentford striker has 16 goals, illustrating how fruitful they can be in tandem with one another.

Adding Buendia’s creativity into the mix is truly a mouth-watering prospect.

Meanwhile, Villa are eyeing a summer move for this Scottish star…