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According to transfer reports, Leeds remain interested in signing Sampdoria defender Omar Colley this summer.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that the 1.91m-tall (6 foot 3) defender is of interest to Marcelo Bielsa’s side ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window, and it now appears that a deal is very much there to be done.

According to ClubDoria46 (via Sport Witness), Sampdoria’s owner Massimo Ferrero is looking for a price between €10m and €15m (£8.6m-£12.9m) in order to sell him.

The report added that, along with Leeds, fellow Premier League sides Fulham and West Ham are also interested in signing the centre-back.

Bielsa will be relieved

Amid an impressive return to the Premier League this season, one of the big problems Bielsa has faced at Elland Road has been Leeds’ difficulty in dealing with set pieces – their tally of 15 conceded is the highest by far of any team in the division.

In signing Colley, Victor Orta would go a long way to addressing that problem, giving the Whites a centre-back who is an absolute monster in the air. This season has seen him win 2.9 aerial duels per game, which would rank him second among Bielsa’s current squad, with only club captain Liam Cooper averaging more with 3.9 per match.

In addition, as per Whoscored, his average of 2.6 interceptions per game would rank him first among all of Leeds’ players, while his 4.2 clearances per match also sees him comfortably above any of Bielsa’s current squad.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Latest Leeds transfer rumours and news”]

Colley appears to have that ‘safety-first’ mentality which might just give the Leeds manager a completely different option to what he currently has at his disposal.

Rather than having his strengths being able to play out from the back, Colley excels more so within the width of his own penalty area. Just having a player like the Sampdoria ace who relishes the ‘dirty’ side of the game might just help Leeds shore things up more firmly.

Meanwhile, Leeds are facing a transfer battle to sign this midfielder…

The Athletic’s Crystal Palace journalist Matt Woosnam has recently provided some details about Jean-Philippe Mateta’s situation at the club.

Mateta had joined Palace on a loan deal in the January transfer window and his term at the club ends after 18 months, when the Eagles have the option to sign him. However, the striker has not featured regularly for Roy Hodgson’s men in recent weeks.

Woosnam provides Mateta update

The Athletic recently opened up a Q&A session for Palace fans ahead of their game against Everton. One fan asked Woosnam about Mateta and his lack of involvement in the Palace first-team under Hodgson.

The 23-year-old didn’t start against the Toffees on Monday either, but Woosnam revealed that the striker is a long-term signing for Palace even though Mateta was aware of a plan to use him this season. The journalist compared him to Michy Batshuayi, saying that his hold-up play isn’t great and he doesn’t fit into Hodgson’s plan and tactics at the moment.

Here’s what the journalist said in full: “He is on an 18-month loan, he was aware that the plan was to use him here and there in this season and then see how he does going forward. It’s a longer-term signing who can contribute now but is there for the future. Based on his performances to date and also what can be gleaned from the data and observations from previous clubs, he is someone who needs service and the ball to come to him, he doesn’t hold it up well. To some extent there are similarities with Batshuayi.

“But he doesn’t particularly suit Hodgson’s system or style at the moment.”

Despite limited game-time, Mateta has already scored once for Palace, finding the back of the net against Brighton back in February (Transfermarkt).

Mateta signing could work out in the long-term

Before arriving at Palace, the £13.5m-rated Mateta had impressed for Mainz this season. He played 15 Bundesliga games for them, scoring seven times and getting one assist for the club. He also got three goals in two DFB Pokal games for Die Nullfünfer (as per Transfermarkt).

It shows that he is certainly an able goalscorer and, while he might not fit Hodgson’s system, the manager’s contract at Palace runs out in the summer. Palace could well have a new man in charge from next season onwards, and perhaps that could help Mateta to flourish at Selhurst Park.

In other news, many Palace fans have been reacting to a news about Eddie Howe – read more here.

Fans of Sunderland have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which the club confirmed that the Black Cats winger, Jack Diamond, has signed a new deal with the club. One supporter called the news ‘huge’.

So far this season, Diamond has been in decent form over his 18 League One appearances for Lee Johnson’s side, with the 21-year-old scoring one goal and registering two assists, as well as averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.75.

With the winger’s current contract expiring at the end of the season, the Black Cats confirmed in a statement on their club website on Wednesday that Diamond has penned a new deal that will keep the academy product at the Stadium of Light until the summer of 2024.

And, after the club relayed this news on Twitter, fans of Sunderland flocked to have their say on the matter, with many appearing delighted at the prospect of Diamond remaining at their club for the foreseeable future.

So, what exactly did these Sunderland fans have to say in reaction to the news regarding Jack Diamond?

“More good news.”

@SAFCGeorge6

“Love to see that. Great work.”

@Jamestweddell

“At last!!!”

@itsmarcroberts

“Brilliant news.”

@Noodle86stu

“Huge.”

@JamieSAFC_

“It just gets better.”

@Jensonnn17

“Mint move.”

@AlanBsafc

“YESSSSS.”

@leon88752755

In other news: loads of Sunderland fans were ecstatic after the club confirmed this ‘absolutely magnificent’ news – find out more here!

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Bull, who made 561 appearances for Wolves during his career, has claimed that Fulham and Scott Parker’s survival bubble may have burst already.

A few weeks ago Fulham were 10 points behind Newcastle United, however, they are now just two points and one place behind the Magpies thanks to positive results against the likes of Sheffield United, Liverpool and Everton.

Fulham have been beaten by more than one goal just once in their last nine games, which was a 3-0 defeat against Manchester City. During those nine games, they have only tasted defeat three times against Man City, Tottenham and Leeds.

Speaking on why Parker’s side may have peaked too early in the relegation battle and how two wins may be enough to stay up, Bull told FFC:

“I think Scott Parker’s bubble has burst a little bit a moment. I think they were riding on a bit of wave earlier but you aren’t going to win every single game of the season.

“Steve Bruce has been on a bit of a helter-skelter at the moment, sometimes winning, drawing and losing but the results haven’t been going for him recently.

“To win two or three games in the Premier League is a lot so I think like Aguero’s title-winning goal for City, it’ll be like that down the bottom this season.”

Steve Bruce will be hopeful of welcoming back Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson to the starting line up against Tottenham on Sunday.

On the final day of the season, Fulham welcome the Magpies to Craven Cottage in what could be a winner takes all game.

Tottenham Hotspur winger Erik Lamela is a wanted man this summer, and Daniel Levy ought to finally offload him as there may never be a better opportunity to do so…

What’s the word?

According to Evening Standard journalist Jack Rosser, Serie A outfit Bologna are eyeing up a transfer swoop for the 29-year-old, who will soon enter the final year of his current contract.

I Rossoblu sporting director Walter Sabatini confirmed their interest in the Spurs star, he said: “Lamela is one of the names we are looking into. We are trying to understand if there are possibilities to get there and there is no guarantee.”

It’s thought that the Italian side could lose six-goal Riccardo Orsolini to their league rivals, AC Milan, and the Argentine is someone who could replace him at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.

“Of course, should Orsolini leave, there would be no better substitute. We will see,” added Sabatini.

Time’s up

Lamela is one of Spurs’ longest-serving players, he alongside Hugo Lloris are the only two to remain from the Andre Villas-Boas era but between the pair, there is a massive difference.

As club captain, the French goalkeeper has been a frequent part of the squad for many years, racking up 363 appearances – and counting. Whereas, Lamela’s time in north London has been blighted by persistent injury problems and inconsistencies.

The £14.4m-rated enigma has racked up 251 matches for the club, but that comes at an average of just 31 appearances per season. When you consider the vast number of competitions Spurs have been competing in – often a European spell alongside two domestic trophies and, of course, the Premier League, that isn’t much at all.

Nor has he ever particularly delivered in terms of goal contributions, managing only 37 goals and 47 assists – that’s one goal contribution every three matches.

His current challengers for a starting spot are doing vastly better – summer loan arrival Gareth Bale is managing a goal or assist every 98 minutes (one every 1.9 games), whilst Lucas Moura is delivering a goal every 136 minutes (one contribution every 2.6 games).

As per Transfermarkt, Lamela has missed 133 games through an array of injuries, ranging from calf and hamstring strains to back problems.

Considering Levy paid €30m (£26m) for his services, he just hasn’t got much bang for his buck and given he is entering the final 12 months of his contract, there will not be a better time to cash in.

This much has been backed up by Football Insider pundit Gabby Agbonlahor, who claimed that Lamela has “not really lived up to expectations” and claimed that “If Jose Mourinho is given a bit of money he will definitely get rid of Lamela” in the summer.

The Spurs boss lauded Lamela as “amazing” and “fantastic” earlier in the season whilst Mauricio Pochettino once dubbed him a “big talent,” so it’s easy to see why he’s been in N17 for so long, though there shouldn’t be any place for sentiment.

Earlier in the season, he was dubbed “pathetic” by Sky Sports’ Graeme Souness (via football.london) in reaction to him getting Anthony Martial sent off in their 6-1 whitewash of Manchester United, and more recently, we saw a similar situation as the winger went from the sensational – scoring a rabona against Arsenal – before receiving his marching orders for a second silly yellow card.

Lamela has been given plenty of time at Spurs, but time is now up for him to make much of an impact on their future, and on the above evidence, he must be sold this summer should a suitable offer come in.

AND in other news, Spurs eye “special” manager to replace Mourinho – it would be a disaster…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who made 280 Premier League appearances, claimed that Ezri Konsa is a better defender than England international, Tyrone Mings.

Konsa is still awaiting his first England call up with Gareth Southgate opting for his Aston Villa teammate, as well as players such as Eric Dier and Conor Coady, for the latest round of World Cup qualifiers.

The 23-year old has featured in 26 of Villa’s 29 games in the Premier League this season and he’s been a big reason as to why they have only conceded 30 goals, the third-lowest in the top flight and only behind Manchester City and Chelsea.

Villa have exceeded many people’s expectations this season and being solid at the back has been a huge factor – Konsa has a 6.82 WhoScored rating alongside Mings who has a 6.88 rating for the season.

Speaking on who he would rather have in his team and why Mings has gone down in his estimations now, Lee told FFC:

“I think if I had the choice between Mings or Konsa, I would pick Konsa. Mings has done brilliantly since he moved to Aston Villa though.

“However, he got bullied by Joelinton the other week and that was the first time I’ve seen Mings get bullied because he’s a big lad, and I just think Konsa looks so comfortable.

“I’ve seen clips of him obviously but against Newcastle was the first time I saw him live and he looked a top player so, he just needs to continue to do what he’s doing.”

Villa paid just under £12 million for Konsa last season where he impressed at Brentford who were narrowly defeated in the play-off final against Fulham last season.

Konsa was part of the England side which won the U20 World Cup in 2017 which included the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ademola Lookman and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Writing for the Telegraph, journalist Chris Bascombe has lifted the lid on why Fenway Sports Group won’t be changing their approach to Liverpool despite being set to receive a $750 million (£539 million) investment from RedBird Capital Partners – which has prompted Reds to erupt on social media.

It has been reported over the last two days that, alongside LeBron James becoming an FSG partner, Liverpool are set to receive a significant cash injection after approving the £539m investment by RedBird.

However, Bascombe has warned Liverpool supporters to not get too overly excited in regards to how this effects issues like transfer policy – saying the approach from FSG will be no different and this news should not signal the start of a new era.

As a result, many Reds erupted on social media in response to the insight – find all of their verdicts down below, look away now John W. Henry…

Liverpool fans erupt over FSG claim

“Lol we are finished had fun for 3 years it’s over now teams have gotten way better dead owners no investment”

Credit: @NabyDazzler

“FSG out”

Credit: @Is_Alive101

“Disgraceful owners”

Credit: @DJ08_

“Sell to buy merchants living off Klopps genius”

Credit: @Corballyred

“FSG out asap”

Credit: @DavidVaughan5

“We’re done for. SELL UP!”

Credit: @_jms98

“Absolute joke”

Credit: @Tjtrxcxy10

“Why am I not surprised? Absolute parasites”

Credit: @Hendoshuffle1

In other news: Liverpool fans also want this player signed, find out more here.

Newcastle United visit relegation rivals West Bromwich Albion on Sunday to hand Steve Bruce his first test without his favoured front three of Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin.

Almiron and Saint-Maximin joined Wilson in the Magpies’ treatment room following last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, having sustained knee and groin injuries respectively, while their 10-goal top scorer remains sidelined with a deep hamstring tear.

The Toon trio’s absences will deprive Bruce of his most lethal and creative options, with only Wilson scoring more often in the Premier League this season than Almiron and his four goals, while providing more assists (five) than Saint-Maximin’s three.

Bruce also faces injury concerns elsewhere in his ranks. With that in mind, here’s a potential line-up which the Magpies could field at The Hawthorns, which shows four changes from the starting XI against Wolves…

Dwight Gayle and Joelinton have both been given opportunities to prove themselves as Wilson’s replacement, with the London-born attacker starting against Chelsea and the £40m club-record signing featuring against Manchester United and Wolves.

Neither scored over those outings but will be expected to feature alongside each other for the first time since December’s 2-1 win over West Brom, when Gayle came off the bench to strike the winning effort during a 21-minute cameo beside the Brazilian.

The Baggies’ visit to St James’ Park was the only Premier League fixture thus far this season to see both strikers on the pitch at the same time, with £40,000-per-week Gayle coming on as a direct replacement for Joelinton against Leeds United and Fulham in December. Joelinton also replaced Gayle at Stamford Bridge last month.

Summer signing Ryan Fraser will be expected to occupy the attacking midfield role now vacated by Almiron, having been the one to take over from the Paraguayan at half-time against Wolves last weekend.

The 1-1 draw marked Fraser’s 15th Premier League outing of the campaign to date and returned only his third assist in black and white, having been the most creative player on the pitch throughout the second half with three key passes, per WhoScored.

Only Saint-Maximin (4) and Wolves’ Adama Traore (4) offered more key passes across the full 90 minutes than £42k-a-week Fraser provided in just the second period.

Jacob Murphy may have hoped to be afforded his first top-flight start since January by replacing one of Saint-Maximin or Almiron in the Newcastle attack, but will likely be required to occupy a right-back spot against West Brom.

Bruce is at risk of being without a recognised full-back due to Emil Krafth sustaining a “nasty” shin injury during the 1-1 Wolves draw, while Javier Manquillo is still working on his fitness after sustaining an ankle injury against Southampton last month.

The Toon have been given a boost with Federico Fernandez expected to be fit after nine games on the sidelines across all competitions, which could see the Argentine replace Ciaran Clark after Jamaal Lascelles appeared a man reborn after scoring his team’s sole goal against Wolves last week.

AND in other news, some Newcastle players want a “very good organiser” lauded by those he’s worked with to replace Steve Bruce…

David Sullivan must finalise David Moyes’ new contract, with the boss’ control at West Ham United undeniable amid claims that Felipe Anderson is due to be sold this summer.

What’s the word?

According to The Sun, the Hammers are ready to take a huge hit on the former club-record £36m signing in order to get Anderson’s vastly lucrative wage off the books.

It will come as the second sizable loss taken in 2021 after shifting Sebastien Haller in the winter market for £20m, a whopping £25m less than he cost when signed from Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019.

Anderson is expected to head through the London Stadium exit door for the final time this summer, as Moyes has made it clear that the Brazilian does not feature in his future plans.

Moyes does not believe the winger has the work ethic that he demands of his players and wants to rid West Ham of his services, as the ex-Manchester United boss continues to stamp his mark on the squad partly assembled by Manuel Pellegrini.

Anderson has hardly featured for FC Porto this season while on loan at the Liga NOS giants and knows there is no chance of a permanent move to the Estadio do Dragao.

But a potential hurdle in West Ham’s plans to shift the 27-year-old is that Anderson earns an alleged £100,000-per-week, and he still has a year remaining on the terms sanctioned by Pellegrini and the Irons’ former Director of Football Mario Husillos.

Interest may also be hard to come by too, with other clubs having seen Anderson start just five of his mere nine Porto appearances across all competitions to date, playing for a total of 383 minutes since joining Sergio Conceicao’s side.

A sign of Moyes’ control

Sullivan and the West Ham hierarchy being willing to take another sizable hit on the fees paid for players during Pellegrini and Husillos’ time at the club comes a sign of Moyes’ control at the London Stadium, where his power is seemingly undeniable.

West Ham could have forced Moyes to stick with Haller in January and Anderson next season so that the club could try and rebuild their respective market values, but instead, they seem willing to back the Scottish coach in his drive to start anew with his own signings.

It’s a costly way to g,  having already lost £25m on Haller and previous reports claiming Anderson is now worth only £17m, although it is part of the greater good that has the Irons challenging for Champions League qualification just a year after avoiding relegation.

Yet the Hammers’ backing of Moyes must not stop at selling the flops acquired by his predecessor, as the manager’s London Stadium future remains up in the air with his current contract due to expire at the end of the season.

Claims by TEAMtalk over the weekend suggested West Ham are set to push through a deal to tie Moyes down long-term as his demands are not an issue, yet rival interest is building with Celtic said to be in contact via intermediaries to discuss a move to the Premiership.

Moyes also has interest from other Premier League clubs and sides from the continent, but cannot be allowed to leave east London given the turnaround he has managed, plus the belief that senior club figures evidently have in him.

While Anderson could be set to go either way this summer, Sullivan must seal Moyes’ new deal to keep the anchor of West Ham’s recent success at the London Stadium.

AND in other news, David Moyes has confirmed his intent for West Ham to sign a £42k-p/w brute this summer…

The transfer window slammed shut on Monday evening but that hasn’t stopped Wolves from drawing up plans ahead of the summer market.

What’s the word?

According to TuttoJuve, Aaron Ramsey’s future at Juventus currently hangs in the balance.

With that in mind, it’s thought that both Tottenham and Wolves are interested in bringing the Welshman back to the Premier League.

The midfielder swapped Arsenal for Juve in 2019 but his exit from Turin is already being considered. It’s understood that a fee of around €10m-€15m (£9m-£13m) could be enough to tempt the Italian giants into selling.

Whether Wolves can afford a deal remains to be seen. Ramsey currently earns a mighty £300,000 a week so would undoubtedly have to take a wage cut.

Move over Moutinho

One of Wolves’ biggest issues this term has been their midfield. They lack mobility and they lack runners from deep.

Joao Moutinho has scored just once this season – a stunner against Arsenal – but has been miles off the pace creatively.

For someone who usually assists so regularly, he is yet to provide a solitary pass that’s led to a goal in 2020/21. It’s been a dismal campaign for the Portuguese and if you believe the words of Tim Spiers, this could be his final season as a regular in the starting XI.

Thus, the addition of Ramsey would be incredibly beneficial and it could give Nuno the ammunition to finally axe Moutinho from his plans once and for all.

The Juventus star was described as “intelligent” by Robert Pires in a recent interview, which is one of the primary attributes that defines Moutinho. Though, critically, Ramsey is a willing runner and has energy to burn in the middle of the park.

The Wales international has five goal contributions this term and unlike Moutinho, is providing assists. He has supplied 1.4 key passes for Juventus in 2020/21 compared to the 1.1 managed by Wolves’ current midfield architect.

It’s safe to say that Ramsey has come a long way since he was dominated by a Wolves midfield in the Championship. He played against them for Cardiff in the 2007/08 campaign and was on the end of a 3-0 defeat. Andy Keogh gave the midfielder and his teammates the run-around, not only assisting a goal, but also scoring himself.

Ramsey was a mere boy when that happened, and had a such a difficult day that he hooked by the Cardiff boss after just an hour in that game at Molineux. Since then, he has become a Premier League stalwart, scoring 40 top-flight goals in England and picking up 51 assists.

If the experienced midfielder can agree to a wage cut, this would be an inspired signing from Jeff Shi. With Moutinho’s performances dwindling as the months go by, it would certainly be timely.

AND in other news, Forget Marcal: Nuno must unshackle rarely-seen 18 y/o, he’s a “perfect fit” for Wolves…