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Football FanCast exclusively revealed last month that Everton were targeting a new winger in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The need to strengthen that part of the field has only been heightened with Richarlison’s poor run of form and James Rodriguez’s ongoing injury.

The former has only scored one goal since March while Everton’s Colombian superstar has been ruled out of the Copa America.

With Theo Walcott departing and Bernard potentially heading through the exit door, it means they may well be left quite short on the flanks.

Everton have had a number of targets in mind, however, with the likes of Moussa Diaby and Gareth Bale linked.

Bale seems a bit far-fetched but Diaby remains a realistic target. Possessing a frightening level of pace and the ability to beat a man, those ingredients seem to be at the top of the list of priorities.

Another gem within the Bundesliga that Everton are eyeing a move for is Josip Brekalo.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-everton-transfer-news-lukaku-leao-bissouma-berge-antony” title=”Read the latest Everton transfer news!”]

The 22-year-old enjoyed a fabulous season in the German top-flight with Wolfsburg and has now caught the eye of the Premier League.

Bild (via Sport Witness) report that both Everton and Leeds are interested in signing the winger.

Brekalo would be a shrewd signing from the Toffees and by luring him to Goodison Park, they could find their new Steven Pienaar.

Their current target has a bit more pace than the South African but in terms of their attacking numbers and fluency, they are very alike.

Pienaar was a menace for Everton down the years, amassing 26 goals and 49 assists in 229 outings.

The winger played in a canny way, using his dribbling ability and slight frame of just 5 foot 7 to engineer his way past defenders and pick up tidy pockets of space.

Brekalo stands at a similarly petite height of just 5 foot 8. With that in mind, the Croatian sensation could roll back the years with his destructive play style.

Taking to Twitter last year, journalist Ronan Murphy outlined the youngster’s best qualities. He said: “The less said about his off-field antics the better, as he should leave his on-field performances do the talking. Able to unlock defences and strong cutting in to shoot, he will torment defenders everywhere.”

Pienaar had this clever ability to cause chaos for the opposition with his dribbling ability, registering as many as 1.7 successful take-ons per game in the 2010/11 campaign.

On top of that, he produced 2.2 shots per game and 1.6 key passes during the course of that campaign.

Brekalo has amassed similar numbers throughout his career, producing 1.2 key passes per match and 1.3 dribbles per game.

Those are ever so slightly behind Pienaar but given his tender age, there is still plenty of time for those areas to be improved.

After all, he’s already shown a competent streak in front of goal, scoring seven times this term.

A move to Everton could be exactly what he needs to take his game to the next level. Watch out Premier League defences.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Doucoure: Everton must swoop for £35m colossus, he’s shades of Fellaini…

Steve Bruce’s West Bromwich Albion side will be looking to bounce back in today’s game against Coventry City, following what was an embarrassing 4-0 defeat last time out against Nottingham Forest.

Despite a late surge into the play-off places looking admittedly slim, Bruce will no doubt be vying for three wins from three games, even if it is just to build momentum for next season.

So too will Mark Robins and Coventry City, who stand a better chance of sealing a spot in the top six as they sit two points better off than the Baggies, with the same number of games played.

Realistically, promotion for both sides is unlikely this season, although a West Brom win today would see Bruce’s side leapfrog the Sky Blues into 11th place.

In terms of injuries, it was reported yesterday that Alex Mowatt has undergone surgery to address the groin injury sustained against Nottingham Forest last Monday, which of course rules him out for the season.

£7m January signing Daryl Dike could feature before the end of the season, though it is unlikely, with the USA international’s main priority getting fit for next season.

In regards to suspensions, the Baggies will be without Darnell Furlong who was dubbed “stupid” by Josh Holland for the first yellow card leading to his sending off.

With the latest news shared, here is how Football FanCast expects West Bromwich Albion to line up against Mark Robins’ Coventry City side.

West Brom XI: Button (GK), Clarke (LCB), Bartley (CB), O’Shea (RCB), Gardner-Hickman (RM), Reach (RCM), Livermore (DM), Molumby (LCM), Townsend (LM), Carroll (ST), Grant (ST)

We expect the side to set up in a 3-5-2.

Our prediction sees two changes compared to the squad put out against Nottingham Forest, with 20-year-old gem Taylor Gardner-Hickman – dubbed “fearless” by his former manager Valerien Ismael – expected to come in for the suspended Darnell Furlong out wide and the 22-year-old Jayson Molumby – who Brian Kerr said “leaves a man for dead” – set to replace the injured Alex Mowatt in central midfield.

Molumby has failed to assert himself as a Baggies regular this season, starting just 36% of their 43 games in the Championship.

Before heading back to parent club Brighton, the Ireland international will be hoping to end the season strong and with Alex Mowatt’s injury, should be given the run of games to do so.

Elsewhere, it’s the same squad that endured defeat last time out, with the likes of Andy Carroll looking to earn a contract extension in a line-up that sees him partner Baggies top scorer Karlan Grant.

AND in other news: Huge blow: West Brom dealt big injury setback ahead of Coventry, Bruce will be gutted

Former Celtic man Frank McAvennie believes Eddie Howe no longer wants the Parkhead vacancy.

The former Bournemouth boss verbally agreed to become Neil Lennon’s long-term successor, however, the Englishman made a swift U-turn on a proposed Hoops move.

Howe’s been one of the main targets linked with Celtic, however, he’s also spoken to Crystal Palace and is of interest to fellow Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.

It seems as if Howe, who has been out of work since August, is now a man in demand, but ex-Celtic striker McAvennie doesn’t think he’ll be moving north anytime soon.

McAvennie, taking to Football Insider, was asked if he’s given up hope of the 43-year-old moving to Glasgow.

“I have but I’m hoping he’s not given up because he’d be great.

“I know he’s not won trophies but he has a chance to do that and raise his profile up here.

“He did so well at Bournemouth, taking them from the fourth division right through to the Premier League.

“I don’t know what’s going on but in my opinion, he doesn’t want it any more. If he did then he’d be here.

“Which is a shame because I wanted to see a bit of fight from him because it’s all just kind of died out.”

Transfer Tavern take

It does seem as if the links to Howe have died down following a statement from his representative, who revealed he doesn’t plan to return to the dugout until the summer at the earliest.

In our view, that leaves the Hoops in a tricky situation. Should they put all their eggs in Howe’s basket ahead of the summer only to miss out on his services, it could leave them in a race against time to bring in a new boss for the 2021/22 season.

Howe reportedly had second thoughts on a move to Glasgow, so, to us, that development should spark the Hoops into life in regards to alternative targets.

With a possible rebuild on the cards under new CEO Dominic McKay and a newly created Director of Football role as well, the club cannot afford for the manager saga to drag long into the summer and affect their transfer business.

In other news: Alan Nixon shares Rafael Benitez to Celtic update, find out more here. 

Celtic have been told that they’ll need to pay £4.2m in order to land free-scoring HNK Gorica winger Kristijan Lovric, according to the Daily Mail.

The Lowdown: Celtic look to acquire main targets ahead of 2021/22

With their 2021/22 season now underway, new Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou will be keen to quickly formalise his preferred targets in order to provide him with a squad capable of reclaiming the Premiership crown this term.

The Hoops have already invested in the left-wing berth with the signing of Japan international Kyogo Furuhashi, and they have now been quoted with how much they will need to pay if they are to land another player in this position.

The Latest: Celtic told they’ll need to pay £4.2m for Lovric

The Scottish giants have been informed that they will need to shell out €5m (£4.2m) for Croatian winger Lovric [Daily Mail].

The Hoops have launched an enquiry about his services, but are yet to submit an official bid for the the 1.86m (6 foot 1) wide man. Serie A outfit Hellas Verona are also said to be monitoring the 25-year-old’s situation [Daily Mail].

The Verdict: Lovric would be a good fit for Celtic

Capable of scoring and creating regularly, signing Lovric would represent savvy business by the Celtic hierarchy ahead of a crucial season.

He enjoyed a very productive 2020/21 campaign for Gorica, registering 25 goal contributions in 32 fixtures with 18 goals and seven assists [distinctive qualities.

The Celts should look to edge ahead in the chase for his signature before more clubs become aware of his potential availability.

In other news, one Celtic ace is in advanced talks over a Parkhead exit.

Celtic are set to sign Royal Antwerp right-back Aurelio Buta for around £3 million, according to respected Belgian reporter Florian Holsbeek on Twitter.

The Lowdown: Celtic gear up for vital 2021/22 campaign

Moving towards a pivotal campaign at Parkhead, newly appointed manager Ange Postecoglou will be desperate to address problem positions in order to raise the bar in quality within the Hoops squad.

Right-back has been a particular problem position for the Celts in recent years. Currently, Anthony Ralston is the only right-sided defender with senior experience on the books at Celtic Park.

Now, the Hoops could be set to address this issue following recent developments.

The Latest: Buta could join Celtic TODAY

Communicating to his following on Twitter, Holsbeek issued an update on the situation which translates roughly to:

“Aurélio Buta will leave Antwerp for the Celtic FC against a check for 3.5 million. Formalization during the day.”

Previously, it had been relayed by news outlet Voetbal24 that Celtic had made an offer of €2.5 million for the Angola-born defender, however would be willing to raise the fee to Antwerp’s desired €3.5 million price-tag in order to seal the deal.

With the domestic season set to get underway on Saturday for the Hoops away to Heart of Midlothian, the Celtic hierarchy seem to have met that fee, which comes out at about £3m.

He will become Postecoglou’s sixth summer signing.

The Verdict: Buta signing would be a much-needed boost for everyone at Celtic

Coming as a massive relief to the Bhoys support, Buta looks like a player who could slot nicely into Postecoglou’s high-octane style of football.

Pacey, adept on the overlap and an intelligent crosser of the ball, he represents a significant upgrade on limited current options in that area of the pitch for Celtic.

In 2020/21, the former Benfica B man registered five assists within 34 appearances for Royal Antwerp [Transfermarkt].

Capable of linking the play effectively, Buta managed to record a commendable passing accuracy of 80.9% last year across the campaign [WhoScored].

Once labelled as ‘one of the best full-backs in the Belgium league’ by journalist Aster Nzeyimana, he looks to be a much-needed addition to the Celtic ranks which will surely provoke some excitement amongst supporters [Birmingham Live].

In other news, Celtic face a blow in a reported transfer pursuit.

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has said that Allan Saint-Maximin was ‘right’ to express his frustration with the club’s status as relegation candidates.

The lowdown

Saint-Maximin said prior to Newcastle’s 4-2 win over Leicester City that Newcastle ‘should not have to fight’ simply to survive. He intriguingly added that ‘for my future, I know I need to play and play good football’.

Newcastle have since secured their top-flight status, with Fulham becoming the third and final team to be relegated after their home defeat against Burnley on Monday night.

Saint-Maximin was instrumental in a run of eight points from four games in April which may just have saved the Magpies’ season.

The Frenchman scored one goal and set up another off the bench as Newcastle came from behind to beat Burnley last month. He then inspired the Magpies to a 3-2 victory over West Ham United the following week.

Saint-Maximin has scored three goals and provided four assists across 23 appearances in all competitions this season.

The latest

Bruce insisted that he shared Saint-Maximin’s misgivings and he was also keen to rebuff any interest in the 24-year-old, whose contract still has more than five years to run.

“He is right,” the manager told talkSPORT on Monday. “Nobody wants Newcastle to be in a relegation fight.

“He is a very gifted individual and young, of course. The last thing we want to be doing is selling our best players, that is for sure.”

The verdict

Saint-Maximin knows that he’s too good to be scrapping for the lower reaches of mid-table, but Newcastle have shown signs in recent weeks that, if they keep their big players fit and bolster their line-up in the summer, they can very much look upwards rather than over their shoulders next season.

The £25.2m-rated attacker may inevitably move on one day, but he could equally be a ready-made superstar for Newcastle’s prospective new owners to build their team around if they can persuade him to stay put at St James’ Park.

In other news, Liam Kennedy has dropped an intriguing insight on the takeover arbitration process.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Everton striker Marcus Bent has said that bringing in Conor Coady would not only provide competition for places but would improve the Toffees’ back four.

Only Leicester and Leeds conceded more goals than Everton in the top-half of the Premier League last season as Carlo Ancelotti struggled to find a settled back-line.

And therefore, Everton are hoping to improve a defence that kept just 12 clean sheets last season – with only three of those coming at Goodison Park.

According to Football Insider, the Merseysiders are still keen on Coady, regardless of whether Nuno Espirito Santo takes over as manager.

Coady has missed just one Premier League game in the last three seasons, and that was due to having to quarantine, with his form seeing him named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad.

Everton currently have four centre-backs in Yerry Mina, Michael Keane, Mason Holgate and the versatile Ben Godfrey, but Bent reckons that Coady would be a shrewd signing for his former side.

He told Football FanCast:

“What they’re saying is, Holgate and Michael Keane are Everton’s centre-halves, but he would stabilise them. If he were to come in, he would bring competition for places.

“They’re all on a level where they respect each other, so I think it would be a good thing for Everton to bring him in. Hopefully bringing in another centre-half, who’s been great for Wolves, would help the defence to become more consistent.”

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has confirmed that Leeds United defender Luke Ayling will require surgery ahead of the Whites’ Premier League clash against Watford on Saturday afternoon.

What’s the story?

The right-back had played the full 90 minutes in every single top-flight game this season for Marcelo Bielsa’s side before he was forced off in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw against Newcastle at St James’ Park a couple of weeks ago.

The 30-year-old then missed the subsequent clash at West Ham last time out, and Hay has now revealed that as well as missing today’s game against Watford, Ayling will require surgery to fix an issue in his knee.

Writing on Twitter, the journalist confirmed: “Ayling has a knee injury. That requires what Bielsa called “simple” surgery (a clean-out job, essentially).”

Fans will be gutted

Ayling has been a virtual ever-present for Leeds and arguably their Mr Reliable, having played the full 90 minutes in every single Premier League game last season bar one – and even that was when Bielsa decided to take him off him to try and find a goal in the last 20 minutes against ten-man Arsenal.

The versatile defender also wore the captain’s armband on 12 occasions last year, and his leadership at the back is something the Whites could really do with given the tough, winless start they have endured to begin this Premier League campaign.

Described as a “great technician” by former Arsenal academy team-mate Cedric Evina, Ayling’s absence from the Leeds side cannot be underestimated, with Bielsa saying after Leeds’ 3-0 victory over Aston Villa last October that the right-back “transmitted serenity to the rest of the team”.

He will once again be missed today, but the reports that he now requires surgery are sure to have both Bielsa and the club’s fans very worried about the amount of time he could miss and how many games he could be ruled out for amid this tricky run.

Meanwhile, Beren Cross has dropped a Leeds United transfer update…

West Ham United could secure their next Carlos Tevez over the coming months after being linked with a move for Inter forward Alexis Sanchez.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb (as relayed by SportWitness), the Hammers are eager to bring the 32-year-old back to English shores, although they’re set to face competition from Marseille and interest from Spain.

The report states that: “The Chilean striker is playing little and the idea of ​​a goodbye also in January is taking shape. Marseille and West Ham have tested the waters, but in the end, some opportunities could also arise in Spain.”

Sanchez’s current contract at San Siro doesn’t expire until the summer of 2023, but the reigning Serie A champions are eager to get the versatile attacker off their books due to his high wages.

West Ham’s next Carlos Tevez

West Ham’s history is littered with top-class stars who have either fired their club or country to glory throughout their career while entertaining the masses in the process.

However, the last South American do to so in a claret and blue shirt was arguably Carlos Tevez during the 2006/07 season.

After a tricky start to life in the English top-flight, the Argentine bagged an incredible seven goals and provided a further four assists in the east London outfit’s final ten league games of the campaign, firing Alan Curbishley’s charges to safety in dramatic fashion.

The likes of Felipe Andersen, Manuel Lanzini and Enner Valencia have attempted to replicate Tevez’s influence since, although none have come close to making as big an impact as the stocky forward.

That could be about to change following speculation regarding Sanchez’s potential imminent arrival at the London Stadium, though.

During his three-and-a-half-year stay at Arsenal, the £130k-per-week Chile international bagged 80 goals and provided 45 assists in 166 appearances for the Gunners, winning the FA Cup twice along the way.

His outstanding performances at the Emirates Stadium caught the eye of several impressed onlookers, including Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

“He is a player that can play in several positions: left, right, central. He is a fighter with character and spirit, and he is a winner,” said Guardiola back in 2016. “He is a class, class player, but now I think he is playing really well. With Chile he has won two South American cups, that shows what a good player he is.”

Things have not quite worked out for Sanchez since leaving north London, though. Spells at Manchester United and Inter have failed to bring out the best in the £6.75m-rated beast, but West Ham manager David Moyes could be the ideal man to revive his career.

The Scotsman has already brought out the best of ageing players such as Craig Dawson and Michail Antonio, and therefore, GSB must back their manager to do the same with a potential superstar in the shape of Sanchez.

And, in other news…West Ham gifted huge January transfer boost, Newman could seal an instant masterclass 

According to a report by Le10 Sport, Tottenham Hotspur have joined Arsenal, Paris-Saint Germain and Atletico Madrid in the race to sign Lyon star Houssem Aouar this summer.

The Lowdown: Spurs set for midfield overhaul?

Tottenham’s defence appears to be the main priority but that hasn’t stopped them from looking to bolster other positions as well.

The midfield could also see an overhaul as the Lilywhites become linked with the likes of Barcelona ace Miralem Pjanic and Sassuolo star Manuel Locatelli.

Some Lilywhites players have also been tipped to move on, with Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko having being told to find new clubs this summer (The Athletic).

The Latest: Spurs join Aouar race…

French media outlet Le10 Sport have now made a rather enticing Spurs claim as they join north London rivals Arsenal in the race to sign Aouar.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-updates-4/” title=”Spurs latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The 23-year-old, once dubbed ‘incredible’ by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, has been linked with a move away from France for some time now.

Amid the global pandemic, Aouar could now leave for a figure of around €20m-€25m (£17.08m-£21.3m) this summer, with Le10 Sport citing that as Lyon’s demand.

Tottenham are now among the plethora of clubs interested in him, with the Lilywhites – and, by extension, chairman Daniel Levy – said to have ‘no problem’ paying that fee.

The Verdict: Don’t wait around…

Levy signing Aouar for new manager Nuno Espirito Santo, especially at such a reasonable price, definitely seems like a no-brainer in our view.

The midfield sensation has shone for Lyon since he burst on to the scene in 2017/18, continuing that form last season as he scored seven goals and set up three others over his 23 Ligue 1 starts (WhoScored). Aouar also managed the third-most attempts on goal per match (2.3) out of their entire Lyon squad, whilst completing 86% of his passes in that time (WhoScored).

His quality is perhaps best summed up by podcaster Tommy Lister, who shared his thoughts on Liverpool’s links to the player recently. Speaking to the LFC Transfer Room podcast, he called Aouar an ‘unbelievable dribbler’ and a ‘quality player’.

Given that he is still only 23 and coming off the back of consistently great seasons, Tottenham simply must do all they can to sign the Lyon maestro ahead of their local adversaries.

In other news: ‘In recent days’…Spurs have now made approach to sign £34.4m-rated ‘genius’, find out more here.