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Spurs gifted possible Son boost

Taking to Twitter, South Korean reporter Sungmo Lee has shared what he knows in an injury update on Tottenham Hotspur superstar Son Heung-min.

The Lowdown: Son suffers knock…

After a torrid international break for Spurs, it is now time to return to Hotspur Way for damage control as both supporters and manager Nuno Espirito Santo pray for the best.

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Among the players to be shrouded by fitness concerns is superstar forward Son, who picked up niggling calf concerns in training for his country on Monday (Korean Football Association via Sky Sports).

Oliver Skipp, Ryan Sessegnon and Steven Bergwijn are other players who Spurs could be without for the Crystal Palace clash this Saturday depending on developments, while Giovani Lo Celso, Cristian Romero and Davinson Sanchez are training in Croatia following their South American fiascos (Dan Kilpatrick).

Lee has now shared an update on Son, and there could be a hint of good news for Tottenham.

The Latest: Lee shares Son update…

Taking to Twitter, the journalist has shared a three-word message from one of his sources despite there being no official update from the KFA on Son’s injury.

Indeed, in what could be a boost for Nuno and Tottenham, Lee has heard ‘it’s not serious’, but whether the 29-year-old can play against Crystal Palace this weekend is still a doubt.

The reporter added that Son looked ‘OK’ at the airport for his flight back to north London.

The Verdict: Fingers crossed…

Son’s injury not being a serious one would certainly come as a massive boost for Spurs and Nuno in particular.

The Portuguese head coach has started life brilliantly at Tottenham, enjoying a 100% winning run over his first three Premier League matches.

Nuno will want to continue that momentum and it’s safe to say that Spurs’ 2020/21 PFA Premier League Team of the Year member will be a huge part of it.

In other news: ‘Meetings with Tottenham’…Source close to ‘unstoppable’ player drops transfer reveal, find out more here.

Leeds must start Dan James vs Newcastle

After falling to a defeat last time out in the Premier League, Leeds United will be hoping to pick up their first win of the new season when they travel to Newcastle United on Friday night.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side lost 3-0 to Liverpool, with Pascal Struijk’s red card for his challenge on Harvey Elliott the understandable talking point after the game.

However, the defeat meant that the Whites now linger only just above the relegation zone and desperately need a positive performance and result against the Magpies tonight to lift the mood.

One way in which Bielsa can do that even before the game is by starting new signing Dan James.

The Wales international arrived from Manchester United on transfer deadline day and has only been restricted to one substitute appearance thus far as Bielsa understandably looks to ease him into life at Elland Road.

However, with Rodrigo badly struggling at the start of this new season – here on FFC we’ve called on the Leeds boss to drop the Spaniard tonight – James might have the perfect chance to make his full debut for the club.

Speaking after the game against Liverpool last week, former Leeds striker Noel Whelan said: “He came into really tough circumstances in the game. We were fighting to get back into it and were down to 10 men, so it wasn’t the ideal circumstances to make your debut.

“But the glimpses we saw of him, he has good feet, good link-up play, he’s good at cutting inside. He is a top player all round. It was everything that we expected, that he showed at Man United during the time he was there.

“He looks like the type of player who will be perfect for Elland Road. He ticks a lot of the boxes that will make us a better team this season. We do play very direct and down the wings and the cut inside to link up with Patrick Bamford.”

His former Old Trafford teammate Andreas Pereira lauded the 23-year-old as being “explosive and so fast” in an interview with the club’s official website last season, and that level of pace and directness is something that the Whites could really do with as they look to get their campaign going.

His performances at Euro 2020 over the summer showed exactly why he could be a major thorn in the Magpies’ defence, averaging an impressive 2.5 key passes and 1.5 dribbles per game – not only was he electric taking players on, but he also showed an impressive end product too.

The £43m-rated star could terrify Newcastle tonight at St James’ Park if Bielsa decides to start him.

Meanwhile, this Leeds star must be dropped tonight against Newcastle…

Pundit reacts to Phil Hay reveal about Leeds United

Noel Whelan has revealed his excitement over Leeds United’s proposed expansion plans at Elland Road amid Phil Hay’s recent £250m claim.

What’s the story?

During a Q&A for The Athletic, Hay revealed that the club are completely committed to redeveloping Elland Road and increasing the capacity there, even suggesting that those inside the club feel it could bump up the annual revenue over £250m.

And now, in response to that news, Whelan has revealed his excitement about Marcelo Bielsa’s side’s future.

He said: “This would be huge. The demand for tickets at Leeds means everything is sold out. Even for League Cup games, you’ve got 36,000 there and that just shows the strength of the fanbase and the excitement around the club at the moment.

“It’s a massive step forward, for revenue through tickets and sheer strength in numbers with the support. If they increased the capacity to 55,000, they would sell it out week-in, week-out – there’s no doubt about it.

“The other part of it is the possibility of holding World Cups and European Championships in this country – you want the stadium to be part of hosting these games. It’s another step forward and another progression for the club.”

Leeds United’s ambition

With a current capacity of just over 37,000, Leeds have the 11th biggest stadium in the Premier League, behind the likes of Everton and Aston Villa – if their plans to make it a 55,000 seater come to fruition, then that would see them leapfrog a number of big clubs, including that of Liverpool and their home of Anfield.

While a larger stadium isn’t necessarily a guarantee of greater times or success – you only have to look at the likes of Arsenal and Spurs to see that in recent years – it is another major statement of ambition.

As Whelan says, a bigger home could lead to more opportunities both on the pitch and off it, especially in terms of a financial venture. Spurs for example have their agreement with the NFL and hosting games on their turf, pulling in some extra eyes and money from that deal.

If Leeds are to make that next step, then repurposing Elland Road to match their Premier League status and ambition is key, and it’s something that is sure to excite their loyal fans.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has dropped a Leeds United transfer update…

Newcastle transfer update on Choudhury

Newcastle United’s chase for Hamza Choudhury is now reportedly set to go to the wire.

The Lowdown: Bruce eyeing Choudhury

According to The Daily Mail, Steve Bruce is now looking to sign Choudhury on a loan deal for the rest of the 2021/22 season.

However, the former Aston Villa and Sunderland boss has already admitted that he needs to move some players on first of all before the St. James’ Park faithful can make any new additions.

The Latest: Kennedy on Choudhury

Writing in his latest piece for Newcastle World, Liam Kennedy has said that the North East club’s chase to sign Choudhury is now set to go down to the wire.

They are long-term admirers of the Leicester City ace, and are keen to get a deal done before the deadline hits.

However, that possibility hangs in the balance, as the Tyneside club would prefer a loan move, likely with an obligation to buy, while the Foxes want to sell him permanently.

The Verdict: Sign

The Magpies’ squad is no better than last campaign’s, given that Joe Willock was already there on loan before they decided to sign him on a permanent deal from Arsenal in this summer’s transfer window.

Thus, they need to look at strengthening before the window shuts, and Choudhury would be a realistic deal to do given that Brendan Rodgers does not seem to see him as part of his plans.

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The 23-year-old has plenty of experience of playing in the Premier League and being English, would help fill the homegrown quota.

Nonetheless, he would give Bruce another handy option in the middle of the park.

In other news, find out who NUFC have been urged not to let go after transfer talk here!

Bertrand, Soumare set for Leicester debuts

Leicester City are set to take on Premier League champions Manchester City at Wembley Stadium this evening in English football’s traditional curtain-raiser.

The Foxes will be aiming to secure just the second Community Shield crown in the club’s history, adding to their FA Cup success last season.

However, Brendan Rodgers will be without several key players for the trip to the capital, with the Northern Irishman ruling the likes of Nampalys Mendy, Jonny Evans, James Justin and Timothy Castagne out of action.

“Just the guys who haven’t been involved, the likes of Papy, Jonny, James Justin,” revealed the Leicester boss in yesterday’s press conference when asked about injury concerns.

“He’s come along well but is still a few months away. Timothy Castagne trained today. He was in his mask. He won’t be available, but he shouldn’t be too far away.”

They will join Wesley Fofana on the treatment table after the youngster suffered a suspected fractured fibula in a pre-season game against Villarreal.

With that in mind, this is how Football Fan Cast expects Rodgers to line his team up at Wembley, with two summer signings making their club debuts…

Leicester have made many changes to their first team squad in recent years, but one virtual ever-present has been Kasper Schmeichel between the sticks, and the dependable Dane is set to start for the Foxes once again against the Cityzens.

Ahead of Schmeichel, though, Rodgers will be forced to field a less familiar back four. Ryan Bertrand should make his debut at left-back, while Wilfried Ndidi could partner Caglar Soyuncu in the heart of defence due to an injury crisis.

Injuries to Justin and Castagne leave Ricardo Pereira as the club’s only natural right-back currently available, so the Portugal international is a guaranteed starter.

Ndidi’s possible move into the backline should open the door for Boubakary Soumare to make his first competitive start for the Midlands outfit following a £17m move from Lille.

The usually dependable duo of James Maddison and Youri Tielemans will make up the rest of the Leicester engine room, despite the pair being linked with moves away from the King Power Stadium in recent weeks.

In attack, the £18m-rated Kelechi Iheanacho may drop to the bench after starting Leicester’s last Premier League game of 2020/21, making room for the returning Harvey Barnes, Ayoze Perez and talisman Jamie Vardy to form a dynamic front three.

In other news… Rodgers must unleash “powerful” £17m gem vs Man City, he could be LCFC’s game-changer 

Joe Wainman drops exciting Leeds transfer claim

Joe Wainman has dropped an exciting Leeds United transfer claim about their chase for Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks had suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side have had preliminary discussions with the Terries over signing him, and now, Wainman has revealed a major development.

Speaking on the latest edition of The Daily Leeds show, he said: “I have it on good authority, a little bit of ITK for you, that Leeds United have agreed a fee with Huddersfield Town.

“I believe it was done yesterday, I can’t be privy to how much, if it does include a player – but I think by the sounds of it, it looks like it is just going to be cash and whether it will be close to £10m, I’m not sure.

“It seems hefty, but Leeds have that money, we need a midfielder, Lewis O’Brien’s liked by Bielsa. He wants him in the door, he’s seen him numerous times and it looks like that one’s going to be done.”

Fans will be excited

Having missed out on the signing of Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher – the England youth international instead made the loan switch to fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace – Marcelo Bielsa is no doubt desperate to strengthen his options in the middle of the park.

And in O’Brien, the club would be getting someone who has the kind of energy and dynamism that can match the high-pressing philosophy Bielsa has employed at Elland Road.

Former Huddersfield goalkeeper, Matt Glennon, said: “Lewis O’Brien wants to put the hard yards in and wants to be at the very top of where he can get to.

“He’s one of those lads who works ridiculously hard which, for me, is your minimum in any league, but he’s got that quality, the drop of a shoulder, that strength to keep people off him, a low centre of gravity to glide past people, arm aloft when they try to knock him off the ball.”

At just 22, and with bundles of Championship experience to his name (he’s played 80 times in the competition), O’Brien could come into Elland Road to provide the likes of Kalvin Phillips with some genuine competition, and keep everyone on their toes.

While high-profile international signings like Rodrigo and Raphinha may be the ones fans typically get excited about, O’Brien’s tenacity, and value for money if Wainman is correct, se

Given Phil Hay’s update that a new central midfielder has been the priority for Leeds since the signing of Junior Firpo from Barcelona, Wainman’s latest claim that the club have agreed a fee for O’Brien is sure to excite Bielsa and the club’s fans.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has dropped a new Leeds United transfer update…

Aston Villa: Fans react to Premier League statement

A number of Aston Villa fans have been reacting to news shared by the Premier League in regards to the upcoming international break.

Villa announced on Monday that both Emiliano Buendia and Emiliano Martinez have been called up by Argentina for next month’s World Cup qualifiers.

Several Villa supporters weren’t impressed, as Argentina is currently on the UK Government’s red-list regarding travel to England, meaning a 10-day period of hotel isolation would be required for the pair before players can return to Villa.

However, Premier League clubs have now decided that they will not release players to represent their countries in red-list countries.

So, as it stands, it appears as if Buendia and Martinez will not be travelling next month and look set to remain in the Midlands.

Villa fans react

@AVFCFaithful_ shared the Premier League’s statement on Twitter on Tuesday evening.

This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with more than one labelling it as ‘good news for Villa’.

“Well done”

Credit: @HappyAVFC

“Good news for Villa”

Credit: @RossMatthewman7

“brilliant”

Credit: @charliepowellm1

“It’s a shame for them. But the league has to take priority for me”

Credit: @VillaVisionBen

“Right decision. Can’t afford to pay players millions and not see them for a month.”

Credit: @stevesanderstax

“Brilliant so what does that mean to our players now then”

Credit: @paigeysadler56

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘Come on’, ‘Pay it’ – Many AVFC fans flock to Fabrizio Romano’s transfer news. 

Matheus Pereira considering Al-Hilal offer

West Bromwich Albion forward Matheus Pereira is considering an offer that would see him leave The Hawthorns this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Joao Castelo-Branco, with the ESPN journalist revealing in a post on Twitter that, following a €15m (£12.8m) bid from Al-Hilal Riyadh, the 25-year-old is considering whether or not he would agree to a move to the Saudi Professional League.

Castelo-Branco goes on to state that, although the Brazilian would rather play in the Premier League, the salary offered by Al-Hilal is extremely tempting.

Finally, the journalist claims that West Brom themselves are looking for a fee much closer to £30m in order to sanction the sale of the winger this summer, however, if no other offers are made, Albion could well accept the Saudi club’s bid.

In his tweet, Castelo-Branco said: “Matheus Pereira considering Al Hilal offer. He would like to play in the Prem but salary is tempting. The Saudi club offered €15m to West Brom. They want £30m from PL clubs, but I would guess if no such offers are made they could accept at the end of the window.”

Fans will be devastated

Considering the fact that Pereira has been West Brom’s talisman for the past two years, if the club were to eventually sanction his sale for a fee as little as £12.8m, in addition to the winger moving to a league he is clearly far too good for, fans of Albion would surely be devastated.

Indeed, over his 33 Premier League appearances for the Baggies last season, the £13.5m-rated man scored 11 goals, provided six assists and created 11 big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of two shots and making 1.8 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £39k-per-week winger earn a highly impressive seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.18, ranking him as the club’s best performer in the top flight of English football.

As such, losing the services of Pereira this summer would not only be a major blow to Valerien Ismael’s chances of going on to secure an immediate return to the Premier League next season, but, for a fee that is £700k below his current market value, it would also not appear worthwhile financially for the club.

However, with Castelo-Branco claiming that the Baggies could well accept this offer come the end of August, fans should start preparing themselves to wave goodbye to their star player for pennies on the dollar.

In other news: Imagine him & Mowatt: West Brom initiate talks for 26y/o, he makes a “big difference”

Celtic in direct contact to sign Carl Starfelt

Celtic’s key priority this summer is to improve their defensive line.Ange Postecoglou’s Hoops side have already been linked with a plethora of centre-backs but they now have a fresh target in the pipeline.What’s the word?It’s rare you find Fabrizio Romano dishing out Celtic transfer news but the Italian reporter had a surprising dose on Tuesday evening.Taking to Twitter, he revealed that the club were in the hunt to find a replacement for Kristoffer Ajer.He commented: “Celtic are in direct contact to negotiate personal terms with Swedish centre back Carl Starfelt as potential Ajer replacement. Opening bid set to be made to Rubin Kazan and talks now started.”Another reporter, Anel Avdic, then revealed a potential price tag: “According to our sources at Sport Expressen Celtic is ready to pay around £4m to Rubin Kazan,” he said.Fantastic signingStarfelt might not be in the same mould as Ajer but supporters should be elated if Celtic bring the Sweden international to Paradise this summer.At the age of 26, he’s closely reaching his prime and he’d suit Postecoglou’s style of play perfectly.Ajer is a defender who loves to bring the ball forward, dribbling out of defence on a relentless basis.[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-news-doig-nketiah-mccann” title= “Read the latest Celtic transfer news!”]However, Starfelt is very different to that. Instead, he focuses on distribution, rather than progression. Postecoglou enjoys to play with an intense possession-based system and thus, the centre-back would feel right at home.Last season, he recorded a pass success rate of 91.4%, the highest number of any player in the Russian top-flight.Starfelt doesn’t find himself involved in too many defensive duels, but he very rarely loses out when he does go up against an attacker.The Rubin Kazan brute won 76% of his defensive duels, a higher number than Ajer who prevails in 70%.His tackle percentage is also remarkable, prevailing in a whopping 84%. That means the Swede wins 13% more of his challenges than the man he could replace at Parkhead.A titan in defensive situations, Starfelt is also adept at the modern side of the game, passing out from the back and starting the transition for an attack.At 6 foot 1, he is tall enough to dominate Scottish football and would be a bargain at just £4m.If he and Mario Vuskovic become the defensive partnership next season, fans should be drooling with excitement. They have the potential to end Celtic’s torrid defensive record.AND in other news, Celtic chiefs expect to sign £6.8m gem who’s “like Philipp Lahm”, fans will be buzzing…

AVFC: Fans react to Ashley Preece post

Reliable Aston Villa reporter Ashley Preece shared his take on the Jack Grealish situation on Friday lunchtime.

And his update, as expected, had plenty of Villa supporters talking on social media.

Grealish has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City this summer, with recent reports suggesting a double swoop for the 25-year-old and Tottenham’s Harry Kane could cost City between £175-215m.

Preece, Villa’s correspondent for Birmingham Live, revealed Villa expect to have clarity on Grealish’s future by the end of the month.

He’s currently having some time off in Greece following the European Championships, and according to Preece, even Grealish doesn’t know how his situation will end.

Birmingham Live have been told that the Villa captain is still expected to sign a new deal, but as we know in the transfer window, things can change at any time and Grealish will ultimately be the one to decide where he plays next season.

Villa fans react

Preece shared his story on Grealish on Twitter and came in for plenty of praise from these Villa fans, with one describing the story as ‘great’.

“Good article. I hope to see Jack at our club for a long time to come, with him as Captain lifting trophies galore. I can dream right!?”Credit: @TigersGRRR”And breathe. Cheers Ash, some credible clarity at last.”Credit: @HolteWarrior”Great piece! Thanks for outlining the facts from opinions so clearly.”Credit: @VillanAmerican”Thanks for the update, can always count on you for clarity”Credit: @deniswhite1114″Good article. Even more clarity than publishers you have to pay a subscription for…”Credit: @_Linternet_”Honest reporting”Credit: @sam_avfc2

In other news: ‘I beg we sack Smith’ – Many Aston Villa fans react as plans for £50k-p/w ace emerge. 

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