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A mass exodus at Celtic could engulf Parkhead this summer with a number of their top players linked with the exit door.

Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer both scored on Wednesday evening in their 4-0 romp but that could well have been their last outings at Paradise.

Both have been touted with moves to the Premier League this summer and if that does happen, incoming Celtic manager Eddie Howe will have a tough job on his hands to replace them.

On the chalkboard

Another player who could see no action under Howe is Boli Bolingoli.

The left-back departed the Bhoys on loan last summer under a cloud of controversy and following events this season, he will be fortunate to ever play for the club again.

Bolingoli decided to go on an unsanctioned trip to Spain during the height of the pandemic and failed to quarantine once he’d returned home.

Neil Lennon had no idea of the trip and even played him in a match against Kilmarnock just days after he’d returned to Glasgow.

It was a foolish move from the defender, one that not only put the whole staff at Celtic in danger but also the workforce at Killie.

He was subsequently loaned to Istanbul Basaksehir in Turkey where he was fortunate enough to enjoy a Champions League campaign.

His chances of playing for the Bhoys again will have taken a boost the moment Lennon left.

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After all, he described Bolingoli as “stupid” following his moment of madness at the start of the season.

“I think it is one of the worst behaviours from an individual I have come across,” Lennon said.

“Everything has been tight and everything has been strict. He had been warned previously about travelling and he blatantly disregarded my instructions and the club’s instructions. It is a complete act of selfishness,” he added.

Bolingoli is due back in Scotland this summer but following the emergence of Adam Montgomery, the 5 foot 11 defender should be heading for the departure lounge again.

When he left last summer, a player of Montgomery’s stature would never have been a concern.

However, the 18-year-old has developed at a rapid rate this term. He has been transformed from a striker to a defender and earned his first-team debut against St Johnstone on Wednesday evening.

The teenager featured at left-back and didn’t look out of place while stepping in for Greg Taylor and Diego Laxalt.

Montgomery lasted just over an hour before he was substituted by John Kennedy having won three tackles and completed 90% of his passes.

Celtic’s reserve side may have been granted permission to compete in the Lowland League next term but his future should be in the first-team ahead of Bolingoli.

Dominic McKay must ensure 25-year-old is among the club’s exodus.

AND in other news, Forget Turnbull: Celtic liability who took 126 touches was their unsung hero yesterday…

With the likes of Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence set to miss a particularly large chunk of pre-season, Wolves will need to bolster their forward line this summer.

The Portuguese duo are creative and canny operators on their day, a breed of player which has been synonymous with Nuno Espirito Santo since he arrived in the Midlands in 2017.

With that in mind, a similar addition should be on the cards.

What’s the word?

Wolves have been interested in signing Valencia attacker Goncalo Guedes for a few months now. Earlier this year, it was reported that they were attempting to hijack West Ham’s ploy to sign him once the summer rolled around.

Indeed, it would appear the Molineux outfit are now towards the front of the queue for his signature after a fresh report emerged on the 24-year-old’s future this week.

AS claimed (via Sport Witness) that Wolves intend to buy Guedes when the window opens, but they now face competition from Sevilla, who are willing to put €20m (£17.2m) on the table in order to lure him away from the Mestalla.

Podence upgrade

Guedes ticks all of the boxes for a Jeff Shi signing – he’s Portuguese, a client of Jorge Mendes and he’s a diminutive winger.

There is a lot more to his game than that, however.

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Described as an “unpredictable” player by former Ballon d’Or winner Luis Figo, the forward has a tendency to blow hot and cold, but he has had a storming end to the season with Valencia as he made a late surge to be included in the Portugal squad for the upcoming European Championships.

Guedes has scored seven goals this term, taking his Valencia tally to 23, and has provided seven assists for his colleagues. The vast majority of those chance creations have come in recent months.

During Valencia’s 4-1 win over Eibar last weekend, he scored twice and also registered an assist. That took his tally in the last ten games to five assists and three goals.

The Portugal international really looks to have hit his stride at the moment, which is more than can be said for Podence, who has had an injury-hit campaign in England but has still not provided regular numbers when afforded the opportunity to play.

If we compare the two players, Guedes has produced more key passes and dribbles per game, while he has also been fouled on a more regular basis.

It’s the number of take-ons where there is the greatest disparity. The Wolves transfer target has registered 2.1 dribbles per match this season, while Podence has managed 1.6 per game.

Consider the fact that the Old Gold attacker has only set up two goals in 2020/21 and things look even worse for him. Nuno would duly be making a wise addition by bringing Guedes to Molineux.

AND in other news, Wolves can seal their best signing since Neto with move for “exceptional” 31-goal gem…

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has hailed Illan Meslier, tipping him to play in the biggest games in club football in the future.

The 21-year-old is proving to be a hugely successful signing for the Whites, having joined permanently from Lorient last summer, initially shining on loan during 2019/20.

Meslier played his part in Marcelo Bielsa’s side being promoted to the Premier League last season and has started 30 of his team’s 31 top-flight matches this time around.

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Kenny heaps praise on Meslier

Someone who knows a thing or two about what makes a good ‘keeper is Kenny, who enjoyed a long and successful career, having spells with Leeds and Sheffield United, among numerous others.

Speaking to Football Insider, the ex-Whites man hailed Meslier’s quality, claiming he will end up playing in the latter stages of the Champions League one day:

“I remember watching him against Sheffield United and he made some of the best saves I’ve seen all season at 0-0. The potential is there.

“He’s one who could get to that level of playing Champions League semi-finals and finals in the future.

“To be playing Premier League standard at that age is impressive. I didn’t turn pro until I was 20 and they’re playing Premier League standard at that age. I didn’t even have a goalie coach until I was 25.

“I got to where I got through natural ability. I wouldn’t have been linked with PSG though. More likely GHD now my hair’s gone curly.”

Transfer Tavern take

For Meslier to already be such a key man in the Premier League at 21, especially for a ‘keeper, says so much about his long-term potential.

He has been a vital player ever since becoming first-choice between the sticks under Bielsa – he is second in the top flight in saves behind only Sam Johnstone – and he should only get better as he matures with age.

The hope is of course that Leeds continue to build so much as a team that Meslier is playing for them in the Champions League in the future, not a giant like PSG as Kenny suggests.

In other news, Leeds have been linked with a move for one Premier League star – find out who it is here.

Charlton Athletic moved into the playoff places with a record-equalling 6-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night, also extending their unbeaten run to ten matches.

There were six different goalscorers on Tuesday night ranging from Jake Forster-Caskey’s opener to an own goal from the home side, whilst the returning Chuks Aneke extended his tally to 13 for the season late on, too.

Nigel Adkins made two changes from the weekend’s draw over fellow promotion-chasers Ipswich Town, resting recent mainstays Ryan Inniss and Darren Pratley.

In came forgotten midfielder and veteran Ben Watson, and he delivered a huge reminder that he can still cut it at this level, aged 35.

The former Nottingham Forest captain had not started a match under Adkins since the 56-year-old’s appointment last month, seemingly falling down the pecking order until this week.

He was at risk of becoming a truly forgotten option in midfield, especially given the red-hot form of Forster-Caskey and fellow goalscorer Alex Gilbey but in the midst of the Addicks romping home to victory, he excelled as the team’s anchorman.

Truth be told, Argyle offered very little threat, managing just two shots on target all game, in comparison to the visitor’s seven, but Watson was still there to clean up in midfield and proved to be a rock defensively.

The £5.5k-per-week star made a match-high six clearances, more than any of Adkins’ defenders on the night, only proving that the 35-year-old midfielder was key towards that clean sheet.

Watson also made more interceptions (three) than anyone else on the pitch, home or away, further suggesting that his ability to read the game and then snuff out the danger is still in his locker.

From 54 touches, he was able to find 88% of his 42 passing attempts, including 77.7% of his long balls finding a player in a red shirt. On top of that, he won two of his three battles, too, as per SofaScore.

Most importantly, he didn’t add to his ten bookings on the season, further showing signs of improvement.

Once described as “brilliant” and “important” by ex-Charlton boss Lee Bowyer, Watson’s experience could prove crucial if they do make the playoffs.

That display down in the southwest was certainly a huge message that he should be featuring more.

AND in other news, “Strong-willed” 18 y/o Addicks gem could save Sangaard a lot of money this summer….

Gremio manager Renato Portaluppi potentially dealt Everton a huge blow earlier this week, when he told Calciomercato that Juventus winger Douglas Costa wants to secure a return to Brazil.

Portaluppi claims he has spoken with Costa several times and that he was informed by the forward of his desires to re-join the side where his career begun after more than a decade away.

Costa is expected to hit the transfer market as one of the first players out of the door at Juventus this summer, after Bayern Munich ruled out a permanent move to the Bundesliga after a tepid season on loan.

The 31-cap international has been linked with a potential move to Goodison Park, with Juventus said to have offered Costa to Everton for €15m (£13m) in hopes of lowering the Premier League side’s valuation of Moise Kean.

Costa is currently sidelined after sustaining a hairline fracture in his foot last month, shortly after earning only his 22nd appearance of the season during Bayern’s FIFA Club World Cup Final win over Mexican outfit Tigres UANL.

Everton’s interest in the serial title winner – who boasts two Bundesliga crowns, three Serie A honours and five Ukrainian Premier League titles – remains to be seen, but may prove irrelevant if Portaluppi is correct.

“Everyone is available and happy to come here,” Portaluppi said. “I have spoken to Douglas Costa several times and he has shown interest.

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“The interest is there, but there is also the economic part and that depends on Gremio. I cannot put myself above this aspect.”

Gremio President Romildo Bolzan Junior recently admitted that the Porto Alegre outfit will try and sign Costa, who will have one year remaining on his £195,000-per-week Juventus contract come June.

Gremio’s interest in a reunion with Costa, and the players apparent eagerness to return 11-years after leaving for Shakhtar Donetsk, could prove problematic for Everton if Carlo Ancelotti has decided to take up Juventus’ offer.

Yet Costa wishing to head back to Brazil presents an opportunity for Blues product Anthony Gordon, who would have faced a more challenging path into the first-team next season with the Juventus outcast arriving at Goodison Park.

Gordon made his senior breakthrough under Ancelotti last term with 11 Premier League appearances following the Italian’s arrival, but he was only given three opportunities to feature in the top-flight this season before joining Preston North End on loan in January.

Life in the Championship has so far returned five starts in nine appearances from a possible 10, but he is yet to score or provide a single assist and faces an uncertain future at Deepdale following the sacking of Alex Neil.

Neil had lauded Gordon for making a “positive impact” for Preston in his initial appearances, but later began to withdraw the 20-year-old from the action over fears he was taking too many touches.

Gordon must now seize on Neil’s departure and the appointment of Frankie McAvoy as interim head coach to work his way into a regular starting role, in order to impress Ancelotti and show Everton that they never needed to entertain Juventus’ offer to sign Costa.

AND in other news, a Carlo Ancelotti target once valued at £89m “would be interested” in joining Everton this summer…

Celtic defender Greg Taylor has had his say on the possibility of Southampton winger Mohamed Elyounoussi making his loan move at the club permanent in the summer.  

The Norway international is approaching the end of his second loan spell in Glasgow. He has scored 15 goals and registered six assists in 40 appearances this season, with his standout displays coming against Lille and Motherwell towards the end of 2020.

Recent reports have suggested that the Saints could sell Elyounoussi in the summer to boost their transfer funds, with Ralph Hasenhuttl keen to take a look at the 26-year-old before making a decision.

Speaking to the Daily Record, Taylor admitted that the Celtic dressing room would be happy if Elyounoussi made his Parkhead stay permanent. He said:

“You need to ask Moi and the board what is going to happen. It is certainly not a decision for me.

“But we, obviously, always want to always keep our players. If there is an opportunity further down the line for him to stay at the club, then I’m sure the boys would be happy with that. Moi is a talented boy.

“You don’t move for the money he has in his career without being so talented.”

Transfer Tavern take

Elyounoussi’s Transfermarkt valuation stands at £10.8m and he still has more than two years remaining on his St Mary’s deal. However, reports in February suggested that his price tag could crash to just £5m this summer.

Should that be the case, we see a permanent deal as a no-brainer for the Hoops. Capable of playing on the left, behind the striker or as a centre-forward, Elyounoussi has proven his versatility and quality at Parkhead in what has been a disappointing campaign for the club.

He has averaged a goal or assist every 101 minutes in all competitions, taking his total Celtic tally to 62 appearances, 22 goals and 12 assists.

It seems as if he is approaching the prime of his career at 26, so if a £5m deal is achievable, it could be a smart idea to sign Elyounoussi up on a long-term basis, especially with his teammates seemingly on board with the idea.

In other news: Celtic could make embarrassing loss in Odsonne Edouard transfer, find out more here. 

Aston Villa must win the race to sign Reading starlet Michael Olise in this summer’s transfer window.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent months had suggested that the 19-year-old is on Dean Smith’s radar as the manager looks to rejuvenate his Villa squad with younger talent, but it appears that they now face significant competition for his signature.

Football Insider claimed that fellow Premier League club Leeds United are keen on making an early summer move for the French talent, with the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham also said to be interested in signing him.

Could be Villa’s new Grealish

Dubbed as “super talented” by Reading manager Veljko Paunović, the teenager has earned rave reviews for his skill, with Jose Gomes, his former boss at the Madejski Stadium, adding: “Michael is really special. He can see, even before receiving the ball, more options than regular players. His technical ability and speed, decision capacity is really, really good.”

That speed of thought to which Gomes is referring is something very much akin to Villa talisman Jack Grealish, who has been the main source of inspiration for Smith’s side this season – he has managed 12 assists in the Premier League.

Grealish’s tally of assists is almost matched by Olise, who has recorded ten in the Championship alone this term, as well as adding a further five goals to his name.

That level of creativity is something Villa desperately miss whenever Grealish is out of the side – you only have to look at how they’ve managed just three goals in the past five games when their talisman has been sidelined.

While Olise is by no means the finished article, his numbers in the key areas in which Grealish excels makes him a very promising player for Villa to lure to the club.

The teenager ranks in the top 12 for most fouled players per game in the Championship (Grealish ranks top in the Premier League), and is fifth for key passes in the division (the Villa man is also top for that metric).

It’s exactly why Villa sporting director Johan Lange must win the race for the 19-year-old, and with a reported release clause of around £8m for Olise, it’s surely a no-brainer to go all-out for him.

Meanwhile, Villa should unleash this academy talent…