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Carlo Ancelotti’s son Davide has taken to Twitter to bid farewell to Everton supporters. 

The 31-year-old, who worked as an assistant coach to his father at Goodison Park, hailed Everton as a ‘special club’ with ‘amazing fans’. He offered his thanks and vowed that he would be a ‘Toffee forever’.

Ancelotti Sr left Everton at the beginning of the month to rejoin Real Madrid following the departure of Zinedine Zidane.

How did Ancelotti’s tenure at Everton go?

The Italian took over in December 2019 after Marco Silva was sacked with the Merseyside outfit languishing in the relegation zone.

After they recovered to finish in 12th place, they made a flying start to the 2020/21 campaign under Carlo Ancelotti. Everton topped the Premier League after winning four and drawing one of their first five matches, suggesting they could challenge for Europe.

However, they wound up slipping to a disappointing 10th place, ending the season with a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Manchester City. A permanent managerial successor to Ancelotti has yet to be appointed.

Everton fans flock to Davide Ancelotti farewell

While Carlo Ancelotti left many Everton fans enraged by the manner of his recent departure, there were plenty of Toffees supporters who appreciated his son’s comments about the club, taking to Twitter to say their thanks to Davide.

“Good luck Davide, you’re welcome back anytime. Just don’t bring your dad with you.”

Credit: @stevietoffee

“Fancy being our manager lad”

Credit: @james_gavo3

“You can stay if you want lad”

Credit: @niamhbridson

“Should have stayed lad, got to let go at some point”

Credit: @lukeWilko1878

“Once a blue, always a blue. Good luck!”

Credit: @dustylines

“Thank you Davide…., shame your old man can’t come out and say something similar….?”

Credit: @kevjbee

In other news, Everton are eyeing this Arsenal star.

BBC reporter Kheredine Idessane has shared details on Celtic’s breakdown in talks with Eddie Howe.

The Lowdown: Howe move collapses

It’s safe to say that Friday was a dramatic day in Celtic’s search for a new manager. Stephen McGowan of the Daily Mail was the first to break the news of a deal falling through for Howe, with Celtic later confirming that the Englishman won’t take over at Parkhead.

John Percy of The Telegraph claimed on Friday evening that Australian coach Ange Postecoglou, currently in charge of Japanese club Yokohama F. Marinos, is now closing in on taking over at Parkhead.

The Latest: Idessane shares details

Shortly after the news came out regarding Howe, Idessane took to Twitter to share his information on a move falling through.

The BBC reporter admitted that Howe would have been handed the chance to lead a complete restructure in Glasgow, but ultimately a move didn’t go through due to backroom staff issues. The journalist explained:

“More on the Celtic story; my information is that Eddie Howe had been given free reign to do a complete restructure @CelticFC and they thought they had their man. But he eventually turned it down because it wasn’t possible to assemble the team of back room staff he wanted.”

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The Verdict: A total calamity

In our view, the last week or so has been a total disaster for the Celtic board.

Howe always wanted to bring some members of staff from his previous employers Bournemouth with him to Scotland, and the chances of that happening appeared to be boosted following the Cherries’ Championship play-off exit last weekend.

However, for whatever reason, Howe has now turned down the chance to take over at Parkhead. They first met him at the beginning of April, so really it’s close to two months of communication being completely wasted, with less than that length of time until the Hoops are in Champions League qualifying action in July.

It appears as if Postecoglou will now be their manager, and hopefully the club has done their research on the 55-year-old as they would have with Howe before that move collapsed.

In other news: Celtic closing in on deal for ‘massive’ Hoops fan, find out more here. 

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman must seal a deal to sign St Johnstone defender Scott Tanser amid interest from League One rivals.

What’s the talk?

According to the Sunderland Echo, St Johnstone defender left-back Tanser is one of the players on the club’s radar heading into the summer transfer window. The report claims that Sunderland are eager to add to their depth at left-back and that they have already offered a new contract to Denver Hume, who is the only senior left-back at the club.

Three of their League One rivals are also interested in the fullback. According to Football Insider, Doncaster, Sheffield Wednesday and Shrewsbury are all keen on a deal for Tanser. He is out of contract at the end of the month and appears set to depart from the Scottish club on a free transfer, allowing Sunderland and the other interested parties to swoop in without negotiating with St Johnstone.

Callum Davidson called Tanser “tremendous” and the St Johnstone boss lauded the defender’s attitude earlier this season. He told FourFourTwo:

“Scott Tanser, who I thought was tremendous, again could be disappointed (to be left out at Hampden) but what an attitude he showed.”

Sunderland fans would love it

Sunderland fans would love it if the club are able to bring Tanser in this summer. Speakman has already decided to release Callum McFadzean at the end of the month, with the left-back having not been offered a contract extension at the Stadium of Light. McFadzean started 20 of Sunderland’s games in League One at left-back and his exit opens the door for a fullback to come in and take his place.

Tanser would be exactly that; a quality recruit. The 27-year-old enjoyed an impressive season with St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership and proved his talent as a defender. He averaged an excellent WhoScored rating of 7.08 in 17 starts as a left wing-back for St Johnstone, whilst McFadzean averaged a dismal WhoScored rating of 6.61 in 20 starts as a left-back.

This suggests that Tanser would be a sizeable upgrade on McFadzean and Speakman could be playing a blinder by allowing the latter to leave on a free and replacing him with the former for nothing.

The £800-per-week beast could come in and compete with Hume for a starting spot, should Hume decide to accept the club’s attempts to pin him down to a new deal. Hume averaged a WhoScored rating of 7.03 in 13 starts as a left wing-back for Sunderland, which shows that he is considerably closer to Tanser in terms of quality than McFadzean. This could allow Hume and Tanser to battle it out for the jersey and potentially push each other on to improve, creating competition for places in Lee Johnson’s squad.

And in other news; Sunderland are lining up a deal for this ace…

A number of Manchester City fans are delighted with comments from defender Ruben Dias.

The Citizens completed the signing of the 24-year-old from Benfica last summer for the fee of £65m (BBC) and he has proven to be an outstanding capture for Pep Guardiola.

So far this season, he has made 47 appearances in all competitions for the club (Transfermarkt) and has been a rock at the heart of the back four. Such has been the level of his performances that he has even been tipped to be named the Premier League’s Player of the Season.

It seems that the £63m-valued centre-back (Transfermarkt) also doesn’t lack any confidence in himself, either. During a recent interview, he was asked for his view as to who is the best ever Portuguese defender. With little hesitation, he mentioned himself, even above the likes of the decorated Ricardo Carvalho.

Dias’ comments were shared on Twitter by @City_Chief and they attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. These took to the social media platform to revel in the 24-year-old’s self-affirmation.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about the comments from Dias

“the arrogance”

Credit: @CaesarrKeene

“Elite”

Credit: @idc14D

“Love the mentality”

Credit: @fyehd2

“Guy’s got an arrogance to win. I love it…”

Credit: @padderr

“I love how he knows how good he is”

Credit: @ohzai17

“the ultimate hype man”

Credit: @radar2hz

In other news, numerous Man City fans slammed this man’s performance against Newcastle.

Newcastle United are reportedly keen on a move for Odsonne Edouard once the summer transfer window opens.

The Lowdown: Newcastle need a back-up striker

The St. James’ Park faithful have certainly struggled at the best of times when Callum Wilson has been injured in some parts of the 2020/21 term, and so they need somebody capable of stepping in and banging in the goals that the former AFC Bournemouth star offers.

Wilson has scored no fewer than 12 times in total across all competitions so far this campaign, while between Joelinton, Andy Carroll and Dwight Gayle, they only have eight goals (Transfermarkt), highlighting that the North East club must find a player that is much more reliable in front of goal.

The Latest: Newcastle keen on Edouard

As per the Daily Record, the Tyneside club are keen on signing Edouard, who is currently valued at £20m by Celtic.

However, they face stiff competition from the likes of Aston Villa, Arsenal and Leicester City for his signature in the Premier League, as well as AC Milan and Napoli from the Serie A.

The Verdict: Newcastle must sign Edouard

The Magpies must at least try to fend off the competition to sign Edouard, as he is the kind of player that they so desperately need.

Yes, the Scottish Premiership is certainly not of the standard of the English top flight, but 28 goal contributions in 40 games in total over all competitions this season (Transfermarkt) is not a record to be sniffed at.

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Dubbed as a ‘magnificent’ plater by Neil Lennon back in December, the French striker clearly has what it takes to make the step up, and at 23 years of age, he will only get better.

Nonetheless, the Toon may not get a better opportunity to add another potent forward to their books.

In other news, find out which other potent striker NUFC are eyeing here!

Sadio Mane has well and truly become one of football’s global superstars since his move from Southampton to Liverpool in 2016, with the £34m paid by the Merseyside club now looking like a bargain from their perspective, but an awful deal from the Saints’ point of view.

Southampton originally signed the Senegalese winger from RB Salzburg in 2014 in a £10m deal, before selling him to Liverpool for £34m just two years later. Whilst that £24m profit might have seemed like a good deal at the time, his superb performances for the Reds in the five years since suggest that the Saints may well have been sold short.

During his time on the south coast, Mane contributed an impressive 25 goals and 14 assists in 75 appearances in all competitions, including the Premier League’s fastest ever hat-trick thanks to his treble in just two minutes and 56 seconds against Aston Villa – a record which is unlikely to be beaten.

However, his form has exploded since making the move to Anfield in the summer of 2016, as he has registered 93 goals and 41 assists in 211 appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Success in the Champions League and the Premier League has also played a huge part in Mane’s value going through the roof, with Transfermarkt currently valuing the 29-year-old at £90m, a 265% increase on the £34m Liverpool paid for him.

Southampton are perhaps fortunate that Mane’s form this season has dwindled slightly, as he was valued at a remarkable £135m back in December 2019, before a drop in form and the financial impact of the current viral outbreak saw his value decrease.

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Despite his, and Liverpool’s, poor run of form in the league since the turn of the year, there is no doubt that Mane is still one of the best players in the English top flight, so it is a shame that Southampton couldn’t keep hold of him for longer.

Speaking last season, Klopp suggested that he always knew Mane would prove to be worth the fee Liverpool paid, saying: “Maybe people thought ‘I am not sure he is worth it’, but we were 100% sure about him. Consistency was the key and absolutely now what he is doing and how he performs is consistent.

“The level he performs at is unbelievable. He helps us massively. He is a complete player, offensively and defensively he works hard, he is really quick.”

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Perhaps that lack of consistency in his earlier Premier League career was why Liverpool were able to get him for a relatively low fee but, either way, you could definitely argue that the Saints were robbed in their negotiations for Mane when you consider his incredible rise since leaving the south coast in 2016.

In other news… Gao Jisheng could be set for huge blow as European giants eye “exceptional” gem

Former Leeds United star Jon Newsome has told The Transfer Tavern that Jack Harrison will almost certainly become a Leeds United player this summer.

The winger is currently in his third season-long loan spell at the club from Manchester City.

He has never played for City, and has gone on to make 123 appearances for the Whites.

This season, he has scored seven goals and registered six assists in 31 Premier League games.

And Newsome says that Leeds did want to sign Harrison permanently last summer, but were forced to settle for a loan after bringing in a number of new arrivals in the transfer window.

He says that various onlookers already think that Harrison is contracted permanently to Leeds, and he believes that the confusion will be rectified this summer.

Speaking exclusively to TT, he said: “Yeah, it’s a strange one, isn’t it? Because I was speaking about him in the week, actually, to a couple of guys, and they could not believe that he was a Man City player. They were like ‘what?’ I said ‘Yeah, he’s in his third season long loan at Leeds United from Manchester City.’ And they were astounded. They just thought he was a Leeds United player.

“So I mean, I don’t know the ins and outs of the clauses in the contracts, that kind of thing. But I was led to believe that they wanted to purchase him in the summer, last summer.

“That because they brought in a number of other players, they agreed to another season-long loan. And I would be immensely surprised if Jack Harrison didn’t become a Leeds United footballer in the near future.”

Harrison is valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt and City are unlikely to stand in his way, because he has yet to step foot on a pitch in the club’s colours.

David Moyes should look to revive West Ham United’s interest in Rico Henry amid reports that Southampton are keen to sign the Brentford defender this summer.

What’s the word?

According to the Evening Standard, Henry is set to be in high demand when the transfer window opens as the full-back is destined to play Premier League football next season.

Brentford have seen their push for top-flight football hit a bump in recent weeks, with Thomas Frank’s side nine points outside the automatic places after a run of four straight draws.

Henry is determined to test himself in the Premier League next season – with or without the Bees – and has a number of potential suitors considering swoops to afford him that chance.

Southampton are claimed to be heading the emerging queue as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side prepare for life after Ryan Bertrand, with the £70,000-per-week full-back yet to agree on new terms ahead of becoming a free agent this June.

Manchester City are also understood to be monitoring Henry, who Moyes had previously considered signing for West Ham.

Brentford are expected to value Henry at between £12-15m as he will have two years left on his contract in the summer, although any deal would include add-ons based on future international appearances.

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Henry has been one of Brentford’s standout performers throughout their promotion chase and was an ever-present during their 21-game unbeaten run earlier in the season, but has missed the Bees’ last eight games due to a hamstring injury.

Should West Ham pursue Henry again?

While West Ham are noted to have previously shown an interest in Henry, it remains to be seen if Moyes is still a fan of the 23-year-old or if the defender will be heading for Premier League football with a rival club next season.

The Irons boss only walked away from his interest last year having decided to prioritise the arrival of a new centre-back, after having Henry scouted before weighing up a move for the former England U20 international, per The Athletic.

West Ham are still yet to acquire a new full-back to provide cover for Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku, but may feel the position has enough depth in Ben Johnson who has played frequently in the role this season.

But Johnson, a natural right-back, should not be the reason why Moyes allows Southampton and not West Ham to sign Henry, who many at Brentford believe is capable of becoming Gareth Southgate’s first-choice left-back for England with some Premier League experience.

Comments from Jon Whitney to The Athletic last year, a former coach at Walsall who claims Henry “lifted the crowd” through his energy at Banks’s Stadium, also give Moyes enough fuel to fire his interest again.

“His pace got him out of a lot of trouble, but he started to really get better tactically, especially with Dean [Smith], who he had a really good connection with,” Whitney said.

“He just went from strength to strength, really. The more responsibility you gave Rico, the better he got, and I think you also see that now. I think he’s become a lot more robust and resilient.”

Henry would likely already have been a top-flight defender had it not been for Ollie Watkins joining Aston Villa and Said Benrahma moving to the London Stadium last year, with the defender firmly seen as the next to be heading off Brentford’s production line.

West Ham potentially shot themselves in the foot last year, then, and must not see a repeat this summer by allowing Henry to move anywhere other than to east London.

Dubbed as “something special” by Aston Villa boss Dean Smith, the Hammers must revive a deal for Henry.

AND in other news, West Ham dodged a £32m bullet in a 2017 deal dubbed a “real coup”…

Aston Villa must avoid making an unforgivable mistake this summer amid reported transfer interest from West Ham in John McGinn.

What’s the story?

The Scotland international has once again been an integral part of Dean Smith’s Premier League side this season, missing just one game in the competition, and even that was down to suspension – in fact, barring that clash against Newcastle, he’s played every single minute in the top-flight.

Now, ExWHUemployee has revealed that David Moyes is a big fan of McGinn, and suggested that a move for him could be on the cards this summer.

He said: “Players who Moyes is interested in when he was at the club before…McGinn of Aston Villa. We haven’t made any offers for them. Moyes liked him before and Moyes still likes him. There are realistic expectations that we could go for him.”

Major blunder from Villa

Given how both sides have enjoyed impressive Premier League campaigns to date – West Ham looking more and more likely to secure Champions League football and Villa still very much in the hunt for a European spot – selling McGinn to a ‘direct’ rival would be a foolish mistake.

If Smith’s side can enjoy another fruitful summer in the transfer market just like they did last year with the likes of Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez, then there’s no reason why they shouldn’t feel confident of really breaking up the Premier League’s proverbial big six.

So selling McGinn, who has been a real pillar of the side all season, to a team who have also harbour the same ambitions as you, would be an unforgivable error on Villa’s part.

The Scottish ace has been widely praised for his performances, including by former Villa man Micha Richards.

He said: “This season he’s been absolutely incredible, back to the John McGinn I know. A lot of shine goes off of him because of Grealish because Grealish does the little bits that make people stand up on their chairs, but in terms of hard work, putting in tackles, goals and assists, John McGinn is a top, top player.

“Villa have been a successful side largely down to him as well and his work-rate in there.”

And, speaking last summer, former Villa man Allan Evans raved about what the Scottish ace brings to the table, saying: “John has really been a saviour for Aston Villa. They were in a difficult situation and he was exactly the kind of guy they needed to get out of trouble.

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“John has been a real star for the club. It was a disaster for him and Villa when he broke his leg. He is the type of player who can make a huge difference to a side. There are not too many like him around.”

It’s exactly why Villa must avoid looking to sell the £35m-rated ace to West Ham this summer.

Meanwhile, Villa must surely regret this major howler…

Leeds striker Rodrigo’s omission from Spain’s latest squad “isn’t a surprise”, according to former Premier League Golden Boot winner Kevin Phillips.

The 30-year-old joined Leeds last August, with the Whites snapping him up for a club-record fee of £26m from Valencia and giving him £3m a year in wages.

It has been a disappointing debut season for Rodrigo, however, with the striker scoring just three goals in 20 Premier League appearances, starting only 12 times in the division.

Patchy form and fitness issues have also seen the ex-Valencia man miss out on Spain’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers, further highlighting his struggles.

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Rodrigo omission fair, insists Phillips

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips gave his thoughts on Rodrigo missing out for his country, admitting that the writing was on the wall given his form and injury woes in recent months:

“All the national sides will have one eye on the European Championships in the summer. If you’re not playing regularly for your club side then it becomes even more difficult to pick a player who’s lacking game time and sharpness and Rodrigo falls into that category.

“Let’s not forget, we’re talking about Spain here. They aren’t the force they used to be but they still have very good quality players.

“But to me, it isn’t a surprise that he hasn’t made the Spain squad.”

Transfer Tavern take

There is no denying that Rodrigo hasn’t set the world alight at Leeds yet, with his Spain omission not in the least bit surprising, as Phillips has intimated.

He is still a striker with undoubted pedigree from his time with Valencia and Benfica, though, and if he can stay fit next season and get a run in the team, there is no reason why he can’t go on to be a success story at Elland Road.

In other news, Phil Hay has provided a key update on Leeds’ summer transfer business. Read about it here.