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Former West Brom midfielder Carlton Palmer has urged Matheus Pereira to decide against making a shock move to Saudi Arabia.

According to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur on Twitter, Al-Hilal have launched a €7 million bid for the Baggies ace despite strong interest from several Premier League sides.

Given Pereira’s impressive first season in England’s top-flight, in which he outscored the likes of Raheem Sterling, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Edinson Cavani, he would be an excellent cheap option for the likes of West Ham, Leicester and Aston Villa.

With that in mind, a move to the Middle East would surely be considered to enhance his financial situation.

Pereira currently earns £39,000-per-week at the Hawthorns, and Palmer is hopeful that the talented attacker doesn’t fall into the trap that so many in his position have done previously.

He exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that he hopes the Brazilian doesn’t waste the prime years of his playing career:

“I can’t tell you how many players I’ve seen do this over the years, going to China, no disrespect, go to America, no disrespect, whilst they’re in the prime of their careers.

“I understand the money is obscene, but when you finish you want to be financially secure, but when you finish and you sit down, it’s not determined about how much you’ve got in the bank.”

Despite a superb overall campaign that saw them claim the Premier League title and win the Carabao Cup, Manchester City have been tipped for a summer rebuild ahead of next season.

After falling just short in the FA Cup and Champions League, it seems that Pep Guardiola’s side are looking to make some big name signings ahead of next season, which will likely also see some first-team regulars depart as the former Barcelona boss looks to end City’s woes in Europe after losing the Champions League final to Chelsea last season.

A host of names have been linked with the Citizens now that the transfer window is open, whilst the likes of Raheem Sterling, Aymeric Laporte and Bernardo Silva have all been linked with moves away.

Here’s how Football FanCast predicts Guardiola’s strongest XI could look next season…

After their title win was built on the improvement of their defence, with Ruben Dias a standout signing at the back, it seems unlikely that City will make too many defensive signings this summer.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-manchester-city-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Manchester City transfer rumours and news!”]

Nuno Mendes is one name who has been touted as a potential option at left-back but that seems reliant on whether or not they can get rid of Benjamin Mendy, with Joao Cancelo and Oleksandr Zinchenko likely to rotate their next season, with John Stones and Kyle Walker also likely to keep their regular spots.

Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri will likely be the regular midfield partnership for Guardiola, although a new defensive-midfield signing may be necessary if Fernandinho does not agree to a new contract with the Etihad outfit.

Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez keep their place in attacking-midfield roles, with Phil Foden likely to be regular on the wing or through the middle, although the potential £100m signing of Jack Grealish could see him become a starter on the left.

[freshpress-quiz id=“577936″]

Up front, Harry Kane could seal a £150m exit from Tottenham Hotspur to sign for Guardiola’s side, with the Citizens seemingly the most likely destination for the England captain.

And, in other news… Bye-bye Bernardo: Txiki should seal Man City swoop for “phenomenal” £27m-rated wizard

For the business end of the season, Liverpool relied on Ozan Kabak, Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams at the heart of their defence to help them qualify for the Champions League. However, Jurgen Klopp must sign a new centre back to be competitive next season, according to former Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell.

Phillips, who has been a rock at the back since being handed a regular run of games since February, has been linked with a move away this summer with Liverpool unable to guarantee him the game time he requires.

There have been reports suggesting that Liverpool are set to sign Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig this summer, with the young Frenchman either able to play as a right-back or centre back after helping guide the Bundesliga side to a second-place finish.

This season was a freak one for Liverpool with all the injuries and centre backs pairings they had to use but Klopp can’t take the risk of it happening again so he must sign a new centre back in the summer, according to Jewell, who spoke exclusively to The Transfer Tavern:

“Van Dijk is arguably the best centre back in the world so any team would miss him and Gomez complements him well. It’s quite interesting because Liverpool lost their two centre-backs, but have struggled to score goals.

“It’s been quite a bizarre season really but even when they get those two back fit, I still think they need another centre back if they’re going to challenge next year.”

Liverpool’s main man at the back, Virgil van Dijk, has decided to not participate in the European Championships this summer, as he wants to focus on being ready for the start of next season with Klopp’s side eager to regain their Premier League crown.

It took a final day victory against Crystal Palace in front of 10,000 fans at Anfield to secure Liverpool’s spot in the Champions League next year and despite their struggles, they ended up finishing third.

Leeds United will be wanting to improve their squad as well as find a replacement for club legend Pablo Hernandez who has left the club, but former midfielder David Norris doesn’t see his former side wanting to sign Emiliano Buendia.

Buendia has been widely tipped to leave Carrow Road this summer for £40 million, and that is despite having just one season of Premier League experience under his belt with Leeds having been credited with a long-standing interest.

Even during that one season in the Premier League, Buendia was an ever-present but failed to really shine on a consistent basis, much like all of Norwich’s side which was why they ultimately had no chance of staying up.

Leeds did spend heavily last summer but all of the players they brought in have been able to adapt to Marcelo Bielsa’s style of management and play, something Norris is not convinced of from what he’s seen of Buendia, as he exclusively told The Transfer Tavern:

“He’s been in the Premier League before and he did alright, but he was probably the best of a bad bunch, instead of being brilliant.

“I don’t see him as being a great replacement and I expect Leeds to look elsewhere for someone with a little bit more guaranteed quality.”

Buendia has certainly attracted a lot of interest from Premier League clubs but it appears that Arsenal are the front runners, especially if they fail to raise enough money or convince Martin Odegaard to stay at the Emirates.

It may not be in the final third that Bielsa wants to improve given the fact that his attacking options of Raphinha, Jack Harrison, Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford scored a combined total of 38 goals in the Premier League.

Reported Manchester City target Robin Gosens produced a superb display for Germany against Portugal at Euro 2020, which emphasised exactly why Pep Guardiola should sign him this summer.

City have regularly been linked with a move for the Atlanta left-back, who has been one of the most consistent performers in Serie A in recent seasons, and he showed his class in Germany’s 4-2 win in Group F on Saturday afternoon.

As per SofaScore, the 26-year-old would earn an extremely impressive 8.7/10 rating for Joachim Low’s side, which was joint with Cristiano Ronaldo as the best of any player to feature in the game.

Featuring as a left midfielder in Germany’s 3-4-3 system, Gosens caused the Portugal defence all sorts of problems throughout the game, first providing the cross that was inadvertently turned home by City defender Ruben Dias to make it 1-1.

He later squared for Kai Havertz to make it 3-1 before getting the goal his performance deserved as he emphatically headed Joshua Kimmich’s cross past Rui Patricio.

Considering he managed three shots on target in the game, as well as having an early goal ruled out, Gosens’ attacking quality was clear to see throughout the game and emphasised that he could be a seriously dangerous threat in Guardiola’s side next season, should he complete a move to the Etihad.

Following the game, Low was full of praise for his performance, saying:

“I don’t know if it was the game of a lifetime for him, maybe he still has to play that.”But an amazing performance from him. He worked very hard and on top of that he was a constant threat up front as well.”[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-manchester-city-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Manchester City transfer rumours and news!”]

Last season saw the £31.5m-rated defender contribute 11 goals and six assists in just 32 appearances, which helped him average a superb 7.19 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

City’s two main left-backs Benjamin Mendy and Oleksandr Zinchenko, disregarding Joao Cancelo who is more of a natural on the right, would manage just two goals and one assist between them last season, so you could definitely argue that Guardiola could certainly do with an attacking left-back without the injury problems of Mendy.

[freshpress-quiz id=“577936″]

Therefore, sporting director Txiki Begiristain should definitely try and bring Gosens to the Etihad this summer after he showed just what he was capable of in the exciting win against Portugal.

And, in other news… Man City may already have their Cancelo heir in “superb” teen rated one of “the best”

Many Everton fans have been left to blast the display of Abdoulaye Doucoure despite their win against Wolves in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.

The Merseyside club managed to take all three points away from Goodison Park in front of a few thousand of their supporters as Richarlison headed in from a corner by Gylfi Sigurdsson to keep their European qualification hopes alive.

However, while there were some very good performances for Carlo Ancelotti’s team, Doucoure’s flattered to deceive.

The former Watford man lost out on two of his duels and failed to record a single blocked shot or key pass, as well as losing possession of the ball on no fewer than on 13 different occasions in the game, the third-most out of any of his teammates to have set foot on the pitch (Sofascore).

Everton fans on Doucoure display

These Toffees blasted his performance on Twitter, with one Blues supporter even going as far as to claim that he is ‘dreadful’:

“Doucoure is having a mare! #EFC”

Credit: @chriswatson187

“The Allan and Doucoure lovers will be having a hard time defending them after today. Anyone with half a brain can see they’re dreadful but sadly a lot of our fans just don’t understand football. #EVEWOL #EFC #Everton”

Credit: @DannySports12

“I like Doucoure but he is having a shocker amongst many shockers #efc”

Credit: @Everton_Fans2

“Am I the only Everton fan that doesn’t rate Doucoure, ye he runs around but can’t pass and can’t hold onto the ball, just my opinion so don’t attack”

Credit: @AndrewD57414821

“I think Doucoure thinks we are playing in the away kit #EFC”

Credit: @JayKennedyEFC

“Doucoure doesn’t know if he’s coming or going. Backwards pass after backward pass and needs yonks to get it under control #Everton #EVEWOL”

Credit: @YToffees

In other news, find out whose display versus Wolves was slammed here!

Speaking to talkSPORT, dropping his verdict on the heavy links with Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag, pundit Jason Cundy has claimed he could be the ‘ambitious’ appointment Tottenham Hotspur need – with the 51-year-old coaching a style of football that Lilywhites fans ‘want to see’.

Ten Hag has moved up the Spurs managerial shortlist after it was confirmed that exciting young coach Julian Nagelsmann has taken the job at Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich (official).

Cundy reacts as Spurs eye Ten Hag

Indeed, the 33-year-old was reportedly top choice for Tottenham, but chairman Daniel Levy and co will now need to look elsewhere for a boss who can elevate them to the desired level.

Eredivisie coach Ten Hag is currently being linked, and Cundy believes he could be a good candidate for the role at Spurs.

“I think Spurs need to move forward and be a bit ambitious about their new boss.” explained the former Lilywhites defender to talkSPORT.

When asked who could come as that ‘ambitious’ appointment, Cundy explained:

“Ten Haag’s been linked, the style of play at Ajax is befitting of what Spurs fans want to see.”

Transfer Tavern take

The Dutchman has been likened to Pep Guardiola, even once working at Bayern Munich with the Manchester City boss.

Indeed, Ten Hag was the Bayern II reserve coach while Guardiola took charge of the first team – and he was apparently given that role due to his glowing reputation with young players.

Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold has backed the claim that he is proficient with nurturing future stars, with Ten Hag also encouraging a similar attack-minded style of play to Guardiola.

Given these aspects of Ten Hag’s managerial style, he could come as a really sound alternative to Nagelsmann.

In other news: Tottenham working to sign this colossus, find out more here.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former West Brom midfielder Carlton Palmer believes his old side were lucky to get Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan from Arsenal.

Maitland-Niles joined the Baggies on a short-term deal in the last transfer window and has featured regularly in his preferred midfield position under Sam Allardyce.

Wanting to play in the middle of the park is something the 23-year-old has publicly spoken about, and he is now getting the opportunity to do just that at the Hawthorns.

Even so, Palmer does not expect the loanee to extend his stay at West Brom due to what looms ahead for the Midlands club.

When asked by TT whether he could see £35,000-a-week man Maitland-Niles dropping down to the Championship next season, the ex-West Brom player said:

“No. I mean, to be fair, West Brom were lucky to get him out because he was in the Arsenal team playing very, very well. And I think [Mikel] Arteta was a bit reluctant to let him go.

“He’s a good player; he’s a really good player. I don’t see why it would be in his interest to drop in the Championship. He can play in the Premier League, and can play well in the Premier League.”

Whatever happens, on an individual level, Maitland-Niles can be pleased with how this loan spell has gone.

At the Hawthorns, the England international has managed to get regular game time and in his favourite position. Prior, he had been used at right-back, where he still managed to impress some, including Jamie Carragher.

Darren Moore has dropped an update on his plans for Sheffield Wednesday ahead of their League One campaign next season.

What’s been said?

In a recent interview with the Sheffield Star, the 47-year-old suggested that he will be looking to utilise the Owls’ academy ahead of their upcoming jaunt in the third tier of English football.

The report claims that, at present, Wednesday barely scrape double figures in terms of their playing staff following the release of a number of first-team regulars, including the likes of Kadeem Harris, Elias Kachunga, Tom Lees, Moses Odubajo, Joey Pelupessy, Adam Reach, Jordan Rhodes and Keiren Westwood.

However, rather than replacing the outgoing players in the transfer market, Moore seems intent on fielding a number of youth prospects to fill the gaps in his squad.

He said: “Any young player, certainly at the professional development phase in the U18s and U23s, should come back with a whetted appetite in feeling that if ever they have got a chance of stepping into the first-team here at Sheffield Wednesday it is now… I believe in youth and I believe there is a lot of good young players.

“Pre-season will be key for them. It will be hard but there will be opportunities for them to show what they are about. If they do show it, the platform will be there for them to perform.”

Fans will be buzzing

While Moore’s hand could well have been forced in this matter, as Sheffield Wednesday’s ongoing financial troubles under the leadership of Dejphon Chansiri are likely to result in an extremely limited transfer budget this summer, the news that the 47-year-old is prepared to give youth a chance next season will undoubtedly have fans of the club buzzing.

With a recent history of grossly overpaying on transfers fees and awarding contracts on extremely inflated wages, the news that Moore will not be looking to follow this approach is fantastic news for the club, both financially and on the pitch.

By placing his trust in the club’s academy prospects, the Sheffield Wednesday manager will be gaining a number of players who will be desperate to impress, either in order to secure a move elsewhere or simply to kickstart their footballing career, as well as ones who will work tirelessly to maintain their place in the Owls’ starting XI.

And, by exposing the youngsters to first-team football on a regular basis, their chances of developing as footballers will dramatically improve – something that has the potential to leave the club with a number of valuable assets on their hands come the end of the season.

Furthermore, in using academy products instead of spending money on transfer fees and big wages for more experienced players, Wednesday will also find themselves climbing out of their financial troubles at a much faster rate.

As such, Moore’s comments regarding his plans for next season could easily be viewed in the first step in the right direction for Wednesday, something that has been a long time coming.

In other news: Nixon drops worrying Chansiri update that will surely outrage Sheffield Wednesday fans – opinion

Gabby Agbonlahor has dropped a claim on whether Josh King would be a good signing for Celtic if Eddie Howe takes charge, should he leave Everton.

The Scottish Sun have reported that the former AFC Bournemouth boss would like to bring his former player to the Hoops as a replacement for wantaway Odsonne Edouard.

Speaking to Football Insider, Agbonlahor has claimed that he does not see King staying at the Goodison Park faithful, but warned that the Norway international would have to reduce his wage demands if he is to sign for another club in the summer transfer window:

“I don’t see Everton taking up the deal to sign him for longer because he hasn’t really played much.

“With Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, I don’t see it going that way.

“Maybe it will be one that Eddie Howe will look at for either Celtic or Crystal Palace when he gets the job.

“His wage demands are something like £120,000-a-week, I’m hearing. So he would have to lower those wage demands to get the move he wants.

“There’s a lot that could happen but for me, he’s going to have to maybe half his wage demands to get a move this summer.”

Everton should let King go

The move that brought King from the Cherries to the Merseyside club has not really worked out, and so Carlo Ancelotti’s team should really think about letting him go when his short-term deal expires.

The 29-year-old has only played in a mere eight games in total over all competitions so far in the 2020/21 term for the Toffees, and has not started once (£45,000-per-week, the demands Agbonlahor is hearing are remarkable.

With Moise Kean coming back from his loan spell at Paris Saint Germain as well, the Blues may want to think about keeping him in the squad for next season, which would leave even less room for King.

Thus, an EFC exit for the striker would suit all parties involved.

In other news, find out which ‘explosive’ star Everton are eyeing a move for here!