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Aston Villa confirmed on Saturday that they have reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for winger Leon Bailey.

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans shared just how much a transfer is thought to be worth, which led to a number of Villa supporters sharing their positive thoughts at his claim on social media.

Villa revealed that the transfer of Bailey is subject to agreeing on personal terms and completing a medical.

They didn’t share a fee, but Evans believes a transfer would be in the region of £30m, should it officially go through.

Sources told The Athletic that a move could be finalised as early as next week, with Bailey potentially becoming Dean Smith’s third senior signing of the summer after Emiliano Buendia and Ashley Young.

Villa fans react

Well-known Villa outlet @villareport shared Evans’ claim on Twitter on Saturday afternoon. This is what these Villa supporters had to say, with one ‘buzzing’ and another describing the fee as a ‘mad bargain’.

“Cantwell and Ward Prowse then we’re on our way to Europe”Credit: @Villabo58965244″Buzzing”Credit: @ajbyrne_avfc”Mad bargain that is”Credit: @GW_94″LETS GOOOO”Credit: @catrinedwards18″Oh my god what a bargain”Credit: @xxxoooxoooxxx”JOHAN MASTERCLASS”Credit: @av_reece

In other news: ‘That’s a deal breaker’ – Lots of Villa fans go wild at ‘class’ club post. 

While a number of clubs in the Premier League will have their transfer strategy firmly in place, Everton’s will be in disarray.

Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to flee Merseyside three weeks ago has meant that their plans have had to be ripped up and thrown away. After all, seemingly incoming manager Rafa Benitez may want to focus on other targets.

On the chalkboard

Ancelotti may have brought Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure to the club last summer but signing a midfielder or two should be near the top of the new manager’s agenda.

Tom Davies has been linked with the exit door, while they could do with improving upon Andre Gomes. The former Barcelona midfielder is tidy on the ball but, when it comes to the physical side of his game, he is often bullied by the more aggressive players in the English top flight.

His form against the bigger clubs was particularly questionable as the Portuguese won just one of his 12 duels against Liverpool back in February. He then won only three of 14 duels against Chelsea in March.

Gomes suffered a horrendous leg fracture during the 2019/20 campaign but he’s arguably not been the same player since. That’s not Everton’s fault but they should look to provide him with some extra competition to help him improve his game, especially if Davies leaves.

The solution

Everton have had a profitable relationship with Barcelona in recent years, not only signing Gomes but also luring Lucas Digne and Yerry Mina to Goodison Park from Catalonia.

They could use that to their advantage again this summer to sign Miralem Pjanic.

Reports towards the beginning of the month suggested that Everton were interested in his services. That said, Marcel Brands will have to cough up a decent sum, with the Spanish giants refusing to sell him for anything less than €35m (£30m).

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The Bosnian playmaker has been described as “world-class” by Raphael Honigstein in the past but appears to be surplus to requirements under former Everton boss Ronald Koeman at Camp Nou.

Barcelona’s loss would be the Toffees’ gain, however, as he’s an exceptional midfielder capable of adding extra spice to their central options. Last season, the Bosnia international completed over 91% of his passes, a tally which easily usurps every single player the Merseysiders own.

Pjanic failed to contribute to a goal in his opening campaign with Barca but he was a passing master during his time in Italy with Juventus and Roma, capable of unlocking the sternest of defences.

The 31-year-old provided 12 assists during his final two seasons with Juventus, playing 2.3 key passes and then 1.9 key passes per game over those terms (WhoScored). Those numbers top every player at Goodison Park over the course of the 2020/21 season, including the aforementioned Gomes and James Rodriguez.

With that in mind, he would be a superb addition to the Everton squad this summer.

AND in other news, Greg O’Keeffe issues big Everton manager update, fans must be livid…

Swansea City are interested in a deal to bring Neco Williams to the Liberty Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by TEAMtalk, who claim that Steve Cooper’s side, along with a host of other Championship and Premier League clubs, are interested in taking the Liverpool right-back on a season-long loan deal in the upcoming transfer window.

It is reported that, at present, Jurgen Klopp is unsure whether or not he would be willing to part with the 20-year-old ahead of next season, however, if he eventually does sanction the temporary departure of the £7.2m-rated man, it seems like he will not be short of suitors.

Cooper must move

Having been thrown into an injury-ravaged Liverpool side at times last season, Williams turned in a number of impressive performances for the Reds in particularly challenging circumstances.

Over his six appearances in the Premier League, the defender made an average of one interception, one tackle and 0.5 key passes per game, with these returns seeing Williams earn an overall seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.66.

The £7.9k-per-week man also impressed over his four fixtures in the Champions League, providing one assist and creating two big chances, as well as making an average of 1.5 interceptions, 1.8 tackles and 0.5 key passes per game, seeing him average a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.13.

As such, it would very much appear as if Williams could be an excellent addition to Cooper’s Swansea side ahead of their upcoming Championship campaign, in which the 41-year-old will undoubtedly be aiming to go one step further than the Swans’ play-off final appearance this season by securing promotion to the Premier League.

However, with a whole host of clubs interested in the Welsh international, whom Ryan Giggs once dubbed an “outstanding” talent, Cooper should move sooner rather than later for the right-back, or else he risks missing out on the signing to one of the Swans’ Championship rivals.

In other news: Alan Nixon drops massive Swansea City update which is sure to leave fans buzzing

Derby County have been dealt a blow in their potential bid to bring Isaac Success to Pride Park this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Watford Observer, who claim that the 25-year-old wants to stay and fight for his place at Watford, despite reports suggesting that the centre-forward looks likely to leave the club either on a temporary or permanent basis this summer.

One of the clubs reported to be interested in the Nigeria international back in February were Derby County, interest that is assumed will continue this summer, particularly if the Hornets do go on to make the striker available.

Rooney will be gutted

Considering how badly Derby struggled for goals last season, with the team scoring a Championship low of 36 goals and Colin Kazim-Richards being the club’s top league goalscorer with just eight strikes, the Rams’ attacking department will undoubtedly be an area in which Wayne Rooney will be looking to bring recruitments in this summer.

As such, the news that one of the 35-year-old’s targets of last season looks unlikely to be receptive of a move away from his current side is likely to leave Rooney somewhat gutted.

Although, whether or not Success would have been the man to bring the goals to Pride Park next season is a subject up for debate.

Over his 10 Championship appearances for Xisco Munoz’s side last season – only three of which came as starts – the £1.62m-rated man scored one goal, provided no assists and created no big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 0.5 shots and making 0.4 key passes per game.

However, with the £30k-per-week forward averaging just 36 minutes on the pitch in each of his fixtures, the argument could easily be made that, with more game time, the 25-year-old’s returns would have been significantly greater.

And, even with his lack of direct involvement in goals, Success still earned a decent seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.75, proving that the striker, whom Munoz’s dubbed a “big force” for Watford, can have a positive impact on games even without hitting the back of the net.

Regardless of all this, however, the fact that Rooney wanted to bring Success to the club, and the forward’s subsequent statement revealing his desire to remain at Vicarage Road ahead of next season, will no doubt have come as disappointing news for the Derby manager, who may well have to turn his attention in the transfer market elsewhere.

In other news: Roberts 2.0: Rooney heading for Derby transfer disaster over “frustrated” 22 y/o flop

According to a report by TUTTOmercatoWEB, as translated and shared by Sport Witness, West Ham have now made ‘concrete moves’ for Cagliari forward Giovanni Simeone.

The Lowdown: West Ham scouring for striker…

West Ham have been monitoring new centre-forwards for some time, with ExWHUemployee previously claiming Ivan Toney, Tammy Abraham, Adam Armstrong and Youssef En-Nesyri were on the radar.

More recently, the likes of Paul Onuachu have also sprung into contention for a summer move to east London.

Star striker Michail Antonio suffered a variety of injury issues over 2020/2021 and West Ham need to bolster their forward line ahead of a busy campaign in the Europa League.

The Latest: West Ham have now made ‘concrete moves’ for Simeone…

As per TMW (via Sport Witness), West Ham have now made ‘concrete moves’ for Simeone alongside Ligue 1 giants Marseille.

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He is attracting a lot of attention from rival clubs this summer in Italy too, with Torino, Sampdoria and Bologna all interested in a swoop.

It is the Irons and Marseille, though, who have made ‘concrete’ moves for the player – with Simeone himself tempted by the prospect of playing abroad.

The 25-year-old has apparently ‘winked’ at interested clubs across the continent with a desire to test his abilities away from Italy.

The Verdict: Better options…

Simeone has bagged 50 Serie A goals in total since first moving to the division in 2016, having enjoyed stints at Genoa, Fiorentina and now Cagliari.

The fact he is eager to test himself abroad could also help West Ham make a move, but we believe the Irons are better targeting other forwards.

Strikers like Toney (33 goals), Armstrong (29 goals) and Onuachu (35 goals), who have all just enjoyed prolific seasons throughout all competitions, arguably come as better options.

In other news: ‘Yes yes yes’, ‘I soooo hope this is true’…West Ham fans flock to transfer claim, find out more here.

According to a report by Goal, Tottenham Hotspur are now keen on signing Crystal Palace dynamo Wilfried Zaha alongside Everton – with the report revealing chairman Daniel Levy ‘will look to pursue a deal’ this summer. 

The Lowdown: Zaha wants out…

The 28-year-old is said to be eager to exit Selhurst Park once again over six years after the Eagles re-signed him from Manchester United.

Zaha has been one of Palace’s key players for a number of seasons and has continued that form sporadically over 2020/2021, scoring 11 goals in 29 Premier League starts (WhoScored).

This has reportedly prompted interest from opposing clubs as Goal lift the lid on this development in the Zaha saga.

The Latest: Spurs now keen…

As reported by Goal, Spurs are now keen on signing Zaha alongside Everton with Levy aiming to rebuild the squad and compete over 2021/2022.

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Their new interest in the Ivorian star may have been prompted by his hesitation over signing a new deal.

His current deal expires in 2023 and the clock is ticking for Palace to sell Zaha for profit.

There is also a belief that he could be available for less than £40 million – arguably an attractive incentive for Levy to consider a deal with Spurs now keen.

Indeed, Tottenham will apparently ‘look to pursue a deal’ this summer and are currently monitoring his situation amid after this possible price drop.

The Lilywhites will especially have the means to make a move if superstar striker Harry Kane departs this summer.

The Verdict: Time to strike…

Signing Zaha for a fee below £40m comes as a real opportunity for Spurs to inject some much-needed creativity going forward.

As well as this, his arrival would provide Tottenham’s new manager with an alternative to Son Heung-min and more strength in depth overall.

Scoring 47 goals and assisting 41 others in 245 Premier League appearances overall (Transfermarkt), the attacker is currently in his prime and could really shine for Spurs.

Lauded as an ‘outstanding talent’ by Martin Keown (talkSPORT), fellow pundit Tony Cascarino told the same outlet that Zaha can be ‘nearly unplayable’ when at his very best.

The only caveat could be Zaha’s £130,000-per-week wages and whether he could demand more if Spurs come calling, with the Lilywhites’ financial problems well documented (Evening Standard).

If Spurs manage to pull off a deal, however, he certainly has the ability to justify every penny.

In other news: ‘I hear from a reliable source’…Journalist drops major Harry Kane claim, find out more here.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie fears Douglas Luiz will be condemned to the bench if he leaves Villa Park this summer.

This comes after Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola failed to rule out the possibility of the Citizens taking up a buy-back option they had included in the initial deal that saw Luiz join the Villans back in 2019, labelling him as “clever” on the ball.

The 22-year-old Brazilian has been a mainstay in Dean Smith’s midfield this season and is now valued at £31.5m by Transfermarkt.

Hendrie, however, is not expecting him to have a similar role at City should he join their ranks given the options Guardiola already has in that area of the pitch.

On Luiz, the ex-Villa player told FFC in an exclusive interview:

“I just think, would he get into that City side? I don’t think he’d get in that City team. I think he’d be going there and he’d be sitting on the sidelines, really. I just think that they’ve got far too much.

“It would be a bad thing if Villa did sell him because he’s been brilliant.”

At present, City have Fernandinho and Rodri for that deep-lying midfield position. But with the former now 34 years of age and possibly leaving the Etihad at the end of the season when his contract expires, you can understand why Guardiola may be looking to bring someone in this summer.

Some Liverpool supporters have been showing their appreciation for Manuel Neuer after he congratulated Alisson on his incredible winning goal.

The Reds have entered the final stretch of the Premier League season, knowing that wins against Burnley and Crystal Palace should seal a place in the top four.

At one stage, it looked like Liverpool’s Champions League hopes were over, but they have rallied in recent weeks, winning six and drawing two of their last eight games.

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Sunday’s 2-1 win away to West Brom was comfortably the Reds’ most dramatic day of the campaign as it looked as though they were about to drop two crucial points before Alisson popped up in the dying seconds, powering home a last-gasp header and producing a truly great footballing moment.

Fellow goalkeeping great Neuer, a World Cup and Champions League winner, has revealed to The Athletic that he contacted the Liverpool stopper after his goal, in what was no doubt a touching exchange:

“I congratulated him and we exchanged a few messages. Every goalkeeper dreams of scoring the winning goal. Phenomenal. What an amazing header. I’m so pleased for him. He’s a very nice guy and easy to get along with. He deserves that moment.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”] Liverpool fans love Neuer’s comments

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to laud the Bayern legend for his gesture towards Alisson.

“Class from Neuer”

Credit: @NIOLDEIN97

“Big respect”

Credit: @SignorBasi

“Goalkeepers union”

Credit: @DFierste

“Greatness recognises greatness”

Credit: @CiaranDuffy81

“Boss that. Got a lot of time and respect for Neuer. After all, he inspired our other GK – Kelleher. He’s boss, and the modern model of what a GK is”

Credit: @jsmarty_1

“Warms my heart seeing two world class goalkeepers showing respect”

Credit: @LFCRK_

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been left fuming at one update on a Reds player. Read more here.

The curtain has been closed on one of the most unique and unrelenting Premier League seasons in history.

Titanic fixtures between giants were reduced to mere training ground exercises behind closed doors, and the absence of an atmosphere proved that fans truly are the lifeblood of the game.

Meanwhile, the knock-on effect of the pandemic created a seemingly interminable stream of fixtures, leaving players with little time for rest and recovery.

But despite the unfavourable circumstances, myriad players still produced some of their best seasons to date and there was plenty of entertainment on show throughout the campaign.

Now that the dust has settled on the season, and with attentions beginning to turn towards Euro 2020, the GIVEMESPORT Fans’ Player of the Season nominees for the 2020/21 Premier League season have been revealed.

There are six names on a star-studded list which also includes three players who’ve exceeded all reasonable expectation to stand on a playing field with some of the most coveted talents in English football.

With all stats provided courtesy of WhoScored, let’s take a look at the six nominees.

The goalkeepers

Nominees: Emiliano Martinez 

Who saw this coming? Emiliano Martinez has been a revelation at Aston Villa since signing from Arsenal last summer.

Only Ederson and Edouard Mendy managed to keep more clean sheets than Martinez (15) across the course of the season, while the 141 saves he made was only bettered by Sam Johnstone and Aaron Ramsdale – two goalkeepers whom pertinently suffered relegation with West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United respectively.

The statistics tell one story, but it was Martinez’s commanding, bulky presence and ability to command Villa’s back-four that particularly impressed.

Villa completed a masterstroke signing at just £17m, one that raises fresh questions about the mechanics of Arsenal’s disjointed transfer policy. 

The defenders