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An update has emerged on Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles, regarding Newcastle’s interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to The Daily Mail, Newcastle are looking at Arsenal central midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles as a potential target to bolster their squad this summer.

The report claims that the Magpies are exploring their options after missing out on a deal for Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina. OGC Nice are said to be on the verge of landing the Gabon international, leaving Newcastle to look at alternative targets, including Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock.

Upgrade on Shelvey

Steve Bruce must land Maitland-Niles in the coming weeks as he could be a terrific addition to the squad, whether it is on a permanent or a loan basis. Imagine if the club can bring in both Willock and Maitland-Niles, it could lead to a terrific central midfield pairing that would excite supporters due to their quality and potential.

Willock, of course, was on loan at Newcastle last season and set St James’ Park alight with an incredible run of form to end the campaign. He provided eight goals in 11 starts, averaging a sublime WhoScored rating of 7.13 – higher than any other player in the squad. At the age of 21, he also has plenty of time left to develop further and improve as a player.

His Gunners teammate, meanwhile, spent the backend of the 2020/21 campaign on loan to West Brom. He was unable to prevent their relegation to the second tier, but was still able to tot up 15 appearances in the Premier League to add to the 11 he managed in the first-half of the season for Mikel Arteta.

Stuart Pearce once claimed Maitland-Niles will be integral for Arsenal and backed him to play ahead of current England international Bukayo Saka. He said:

“I think he’s been outstanding. I was surprised he didn’t get the nod to start before Saka last Thursday (against Wales). That was strange, for me.

“Saka hasn’t done anything wrong, but I’m a big fan of Maitland-Niles. I saw him last season against Wolves, and he was up against the big lad Adama Traore. He was brilliant and coped really well up against him.

“For me, he’ll be integral to any success Arsenal have this season.”

In the 2019/20 season, the £48k-per-week beast caught the eye with some impressive displays. He averaged 3.5 tackles and interceptions per game across 20 appearances to show his ability to win the ball back at Premier League level. Last term, Jonjo Shelvey averaged 2.5 tackles and interceptions per game, suggesting that the Arsenal man could come in and be an upgrade on the ex-Liverpool player by adding more defensive steel to the midfield.

He is also six years younger than Shelvey, which means that he could develop over the course of a number of season and grow to become a far superior option in midfield. Therefore, Newcastle should be trying everything to land a midfield pairing of Willock and Maitland-Niles next season.

AND in other news, “Absolutely worth a punt” – Exclusive: Pundit urges NUFC to seal bargain deal for 6 ft 4 beast…

Leicester City have reportedly renewed their interest in Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha as Brendan Rodgers looks to bolster his first-team squad.

What’s the story?

According to SportsLens (as reported by the Leicester Mercury), the 25-year-old has attracted the interest of several top teams across the continent after helping Sporting secure their first league title in 19 years.

The report claims that a £25.7 million price tag has been placed on Palhinha’s head, with fellow Premier League outfit Everton and Italian giants Napoli also interested in securing his signature.

Rodgers needs him

Leicester were first credited with an interest in the Portugal international back in January, although nothing materialised in the winter window.

However, with the 2020/21 campaign now complete, the Foxes may look to secure their man as they plan for another assault on the Champions League qualification spots.

Palhinha made 32 league appearances last season, achieving a highly impressive WhoScored rating of 7.22 along the way.

The defensive-minded midfielder may not grab the headlines through goals or assists, finding the back of the net just once last term, but he’s very effective at breaking up opposition moves and kickstarting attacks of his own.

He recorded 3.3 tackles per league game for Ruben Amorim’s title-winning side, by far the most in the first-team squad, while also completing 83.4% of his passes.

While Palhinha is certainly more comfortable operating in the middle of the park, his versatility has seen him deployed at centre-back on occasion throughout his career and that may be an asset that appeals to Rodgers.

Qualification for next term’s Europa League means the Foxes will have to fight on multiple fronts next season, meaning the addition of a talented utility player could prove to be extremely useful.

After the departures of Wes Morgan and Christian Fuchs, Rodgers needs reinforcements, and Palhinha could provide competition for Wilfried Ndidi while providing cover at centre-half.

Whether the King Power Stadium outfit can justify or afford to spend such a figure on someone who would likely be a back-up player remains to be seen, but the current FA Cup holders need extra bodies and Palhinha is an exciting option.

And, in other news…Rudkin can find Leicester’s ideal Morgan heir in £9m-rated monster, Rodgers needs him 

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer has praised Burnley’s James Tarkowski for his conduct following his failed transfer to West Ham.

Last year, Tarkowski was the subject of three failed bids from West Ham, the last one said to be £31m, with £25m offered up front.

It meant he was forced to stay at Turf Moor, which easily could have resulted in him kicking up a fuss.

In the end, though, that did not happen, with Tarkowski going on to play close to 40 games for Burnley last season, and Palmer has since praised the 28-year-old central defender for getting on with things.

“To be fair to the kid, I like people like him,” the ex-Leeds United star exclusively told TT. “He’s just gone on about his football and done his job. He’s not kicked up a fuss.

“If he keeps doing what he’s been doing, the bid will increase and he will go.”

West Ham may very well go back in for Tarkowski, with The Telegraph reporting that the east London club are still keen on the Englishman.

The same outlet states that Wolves are also interested, however, so West Ham look like they will have some competition for the player’s signature.

Leeds United have reportedly lost interest in signing Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi this summer, with a potential deal now off the table.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Batshuayi move

The Whites will be looking to make inroads in the next transfer window, perhaps focusing on quality over quantity, in order to push on again next season after a brilliant first campaign back in the big time.

One player Leeds have been linked with is Batshuayi, with the Belgian unwanted at Chelsea and spending last season on loan at Crystal Palace.

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The Latest: Fresh update emerges

According to Goal’s Chelsea transfer update, the Whites have ceased their interest in bringing the 27-year-old to Elland Road, with Chelsea demanding £15million for his services.

It looks likely that Marcelo Bielsa will now look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements, in order to provide more competition for Patrick Bamford.

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The Verdict: Right decision by Leeds

Batshuayi has definite pedigree, having scored 22 goals in 34 caps for Belgium, but he also hasn’t performed well at the top level for a sustained period now.

The striker managed just two goals in 18 Premier League appearances for Palace in 2020/21, and he hasn’t reached double figures in a league campaign since 2015/16, when he was at Marseille.

Leeds signing Batshuayi would have represented an expensive gamble, so it makes sense to look at alternative options.

In other news, Leeds United are reportedly eyeing up a move for a relegated Premier League player. Find out who it is here.

Sheffield Wednesday have agreed to let Liam Shaw cut his Sheffield Wednesday deal short by two weeks in order to join Celtic [Sheffield Star].

Of course, Shaw signed a pre-contract with the Glasgow giants back in February [The Scottish Sun].

Seeing out the 2020/21 campaign at the Owls, the midfielder was originally scheduled to head north of the border upon the expiration of his contract on July 1st [Sheffield Star].

However, reports have now emanated that indicate the Sky Bet League one side chose to terminate his deal imminently, in return for a swift compensation fee said to be around the £300,000 mark [Sheffield Star].

The boyhood Wednesday fan was officially unveiled at as a Celtic player yesterday [CeltsAreHere]. Nevertheless, receiving an instantaneous financial bonus will provide a positive boost for the Hillsborough faithful.

No wonder many Sheffield Wednesday diehards took to Twitter to voice their opinion on recent events.

Sheffield Wednesday fans react:

Here is how some of the Sheffield Wednesday faithful summarized their feelings upon hearing the news:

“So we get paid, and don’t pay a player during the period he’s not playing…dare I say it, but was that sensible business from Wednesday?”

Credit: @HatScarfShirt”That’s 3,000 2019/20 ST refunds #swfc”Credit: @DaddyIbbo”If true, it’s the cleverest financial move DC has made in years at the club.”Credit: @NJBanbury”Good move by the club that, especially given the cash flow issues, making the most of the (self-afflicted) bad situation.”Credit: @ploehmann”Still, shows some positive thinking and ability to engage and negotiate with others. It all is starting to feel a bit different. I’m worried I’m feeling optimistic, I’d forgotten that feeling. Shaw will do well at Celtic I’m sure, very happy for him”Credit: @YesWeCrann”Interesting. Didn’t know they were able to do this. Smart move for both clubs and the player. We move on”Credit: @MattSummerhillIn other news, a Liverpool duo could miss crucial 2021/22 fixtures.

West Ham United have been dealt a massive blow in their pursuit to sign Odsonne Edouard this week…

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the 23-year-old Celtic forward has edged closer towards a move to the Irons’ Premier League rivals Leicester City as they look to conduct their business early.

It’s claimed that the Midlands outfit have made progress over signing Edouard in recent days and that Brendan Rodgers is keen to re-sign the Frenchman, having managed him at Parkhead.

There is hope that the Foxes can beat the likes of West Ham and Arsenal to a deal this upcoming transfer window.

Moyes won’t be happy

This will come as a crushing blow not just to West Ham fans who have been craving the addition of a prolific marksman such as Edouard, but to David Moyes as well.

In mid-April, the same source suggested that the Hammers were the front-runners to secure the France under-21 international this summer. Football Insider claimed that the east London club were ‘laying the groundwork’ to make their move and that they were hopeful of securing him.

Edouard has made clear his intentions to leave the Hoops this summer, which has opened up a potential transfer tussle in the Premier League, with many teams eyeing up a move for him. He is thought to be available for around £15m to £20m, as per The Sun.

It’s no secret that Moyes is desperate for a striker, it’s pretty much the only position in which they have been linked with an array of names, ranging from Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham to Czech starlet Adam Hlozek.

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The 58-year-old has only had one senior striker available to him since January, when the club’s hierarchy sanctioned the exit of club-record flop Sebastian Haller to Ajax after just 18 months at the club. It left him with only an injury-prone Michail Antonio, yet he still guided them into the Europa League.

A player of Edouard’s calibre would be the perfect frontline signing to bolster their claims heading into next season after the 23-year-old talisman scored 22 times in all competitions this term, adding to his 28 goals and 19 assists from 2019/20.

It’s no wonder he has been lauded everything from being “talismanic” by former boss Neil Lennon to being a “big talent” by teammate Leigh Griffiths.

Similarly, ex-Hammers striker Frank McAvennie believes he’s a “wonderful talent,” which should have the London Stadium big wigs wanting him even more considering the Scotsman knows a thing or two about being a top striker for West Ham.

It’s not just his ability to score goals which is so appealing. Not only has he been said to have “that bit of magic in his feet” by former Celtic and Scotland forward Frank McGarvey but his movement and ability to read the game are also just a further two hugely appealing attributes.

Speaking to BBC, Edouard’s former France youth coach Jean-Claude Giuntini claimed: “He had the confidence and the obsession with scoring all great strikers need. He never doubts his qualities. But this behaviour can create panic – for the opposition defenders.

“He had an excellent sense of anticipation which gave him a remarkable ability to read play. And he had a considerable skill for shooting – his efforts were targeted, precise and powerful.”

All in all, Moyes could live to regret West Ham’s failure to clinch him as their top-flight rivals hone in on a move for the “unstoppable” Edouard. He could well have been the missing piece of the jigsaw up top, especially considering he’s available for half the price of an Abraham.

It seems likely that the Irons will miss out on a bargain solution to their striking woes and that’ll leave their manager reeling. Moyes better hope the Frenchman doesn’t bang one in at the London Stadium next season.

AND in other news, Hugill 2.0: Moyes risks huge West Ham disaster over £12.5m-rated flop who “can’t run”…

Manchester United are closing in on signing Aston Villa goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

And, as to be expected, a number of Aston Villa fans have been giving their thoughts to the transfer news on social media.

According to The Telegraph, United are close to signing the 35-year-old on a free transfer this summer as a replacement for Sergio Romero.

Heaton, on £47,000-a-week at Villa Park, is out of contract in the summer, and it seems as if a return to Old Trafford will go through over the coming weeks.

The report claims that Romero is attracting interest from Jose Mourinho at Roma, and Heaton looks set to move to the Red Devils as back up to Dean Henderson and David de Gea.

Heaton, who joined Villa in 2019 in a deal worth £7.92m, has made just 20 appearances for the club. He’s been injured for the majority of his Villa Park career, with Dean Smith bringing in Emiliano Martinez last summer as a result.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared the news regarding Heaton on Tuesday afternoon.

This is what these Villa fans had to say on the situation, with more than one sharing ‘sad’ at the news.

“Massive shame however boyhood club we need a top number 2 if he goes.”Credit: @AVFC_Religion”I don’t understand this one. Is he out of contract at Villa?”Credit: @VillaMad3″quite sad tbh, was unreal for us but Emi is different class, wish him all the best at united”Credit: @compsavfc_”Sad that it may end this way with Heaton. Unfortunate for him, had high hopes we he signed, freak injury. Hopefully at United he’ll get more game time in Europe and the cups”Credit: @stiggaroo”Disappointing he’s walking out the door on a free after 2 years and a decent transfer fee. Not the best bit of business by the club in recent times.”Credit: @StanStaunton”pain”Credit: @LukeKing_

In other news: Many AVFC fans buzz at club’s interest in Fulham midfielder, find out more here. 

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie believes Tyrone Mings has not been at his best this season.

While Villa’s record when it comes to goals conceded in the Premier League has been decent, they rank high in the errors leading to goal category.

Mings has contributed to one of those errors leading to goal, while some of his performances in general have come under scrutiny from supporters.

And it appears such has not gone unnoticed by Hendrie, who simply feels that the 28-year-old’s level has dipped this campaign.

On £24.3m-rated Mings, the ex-Villa player told TT  in an exclusive interview:

“Mings hasn’t been at his best this season – there’s no doubt about it. [Ezri] Konsa’s been the best centre-half out of the two.”

Indeed, while Mings has perhaps had some struggles this season, Konsa has absolutely thrived, with manager Dean Smith describing him as “Mr Consistent” earlier in the campaign.

With all of that being said, it would probably be unwise to write off Mings based on some shaky performances in one campaign.

He has been a regular at the club since initially joining on loan from Bournemouth back in 2019, helping his side to win promotion to the Premier League and retain their top-flight status.

Bruno Fernandes has been voted the GiveMeSport Fans’ Premier League Player of the Season.

In a poll run by fan engagement experts Snack Media, the midfielder earned an impressive 30% of the vote after scoring eighteen goals and assisting twelve more in his first full season at Old Trafford. Chelsea’s Mason Mount was in second place with 22%. 

In the first of five votes carried out over seven days via Snack Media’s digital and social networks, the midfielder’s performances were enough to win over Premier League fans up and down the country. 

The full list of contenders from the final shortlist polled as follows: 

● Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) – 30% 

● Mason Mount (Chelsea) – 22% 

● Ruben Dias (Manchester City) – 15% 

● Stuart Dallas (Leeds United) – 14% 

● Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) – 13% 

● Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa) – 7% 

The Championship vote opens at 11am on Monday 7th May. To vote go to: http://bit.ly/36EBNZ6   

And in other news; Manchester United have been linked with a move for this star man…

Writing on Twitter, Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol has dropped a major behind-the-scenes claim on the European Super League aftermath involving Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy.

Spurs were one of the big six Premier League clubs who signed up to be part of a closed breakaway division alongside Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool.

Sky journalist drops major Levy claim

The plans attracted plenty of backlash and criticism from numerous supporters, as well as popular members of the media, and the protests eventually resulted in all English clubs backing out of the controversial plans.

Solhekol has been covering the aftermath extensively, and he has now dropped a major behind-the-scenes claim involving Levy.

The journalist said that there is a ‘growing feeling’ among the other 14 Premier League clubs that ‘heads must roll’, and they are ‘particularly unhappy’ with the behaviour of Levy as well as Bruce Buck, Ferran Soriano and Ed Woodward.

“Growing feeling among 14 clubs that heads must roll at 6 breakaway clubs,” explained Solhekol on social media.

“14 are particularly unhappy with behaviour of Buck, Soriano, Levy & Woodward. One exec says: ‘Stories saying Ed Woodward resigned because he was against the ESL are laughable. He was involved from day one’.”

Transfer Tavern take

Levy is already under mounting pressure from many Lilywhites fans, with the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust recently calling for him and the board to resign.

Facing a fight on two fronts, another worry for the chairman in the aftermath of Spurs’ involvement in the ESL could be the pressure of disgruntled executives from the other 14 Premier League clubs.

Indeed, this claim that they are ‘particularly unhappy’ with the Spurs chief among others potentially indicates an even more worrying backlash for Levy. Amid the fan protests as well, you could argue his future as Tottenham chief looks more shaky than ever.

In other news: Tottenham manager target would bring superstar to Spurs, find out more here.