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Flocking to Twitter, many Liverpool fans have erupted as the club confirmed they have tied down midfield star Fabinho with a bumper new long-term contract (liverpoolfc.com).

The Brazilian, nicknamed the team’s ‘lighthouse’ by assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders, had been the subject of rumours linking him with an extension at Anfield.

Fabinho was one of many first team players touted with a new deal, coming after the club also recently confirmed a fresh contract for Trent Alexander-Arnold. The 27-year-old now becomes Liverpool’s latest player to commit his future on Merseyside and reports suggest that the Reds aren’t done there.

Flocking to this announcement, it’s safe to say that plenty of supporters are buzzing, with many erupting over this news in response to Liverpool’s official Twitter channel.

Fabinho was forced to play in a makeshift central defensive role throughout 2020/21 to cope with Liverpool’s mounting injury issues but immediately dazzled again upon returning to midfield (The Daily Mail).

It is little wonder that news of Liverpool securing a new deal for the enforcer had some fans hailing it as “more great news” following on from Alexander-Arnold’s renewed commitment. Check out some of the best verdicts from social media below.

Liverpool fans erupt over Fabinho news…

“LET’SSSSS GOOOOOOOOOO”

Credit: @lfcxcathal

“FABULOUS NEWS”

Credit: @HB_JFT97

“Wooow”

Credit: @sokhna_thiat

“Best in the world in that position I would say personally, amazing that he’s signed a new deal he is one of the best buys the club has ever made”

Credit: @IsaacByrom_

“Best news of the summer so far for @LFC along with @TrentAA extending. Hopefully @MoSalah @VirgilvDijk Sadio and Bobby.”

Credit: @AndyDoulou

“Better than any transfer this”

Credit: @_Adam_7

“Unbelievable news”

Credit: @SH35dv5e7

“More great news!”

Credit: @Matt_Mack7

In other news: ‘No way’, ‘We are filthy rich’…Liverpool fans react as bid news emerges, find out more here.

Flocking to a Nuno Espirito Santo and Jules Kounde claim made by ABC, via Hotspur Related, many Tottenham fans have shared their views as the Portuguese boss identifies his first summer target.

The 47-year-old’s appointment has finally put an end to Spurs’ long search for a new manager and the Lilywhites can finally now take to the transfer market and start preparing for next season.

Tottenham are said to be eyeing a major defensive overhaul with the club preferably wanting two new signings at the back this summer.

ABC have now come out to reiterate Spurs’ interest in starlet centre-back Kounde, who was targeted by the likes of Manchester City last summer.

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They claim that Nuno has personally identified the Frenchman as his first Tottenham target this summer, and despite the fact he wants a Champions League club, there is still time to convince him.

Many Lilywhites fans have now flocked to this claim, with one supporter even dubbing Kounde a potentially ‘perfect signing’.

Starting 33 La Liga matches for Sevilla over 2020/2021, the rising 22-year-old also managed a composed 90.1% pass accuracy out from the back (WhoScored)- displaying a cool head on young shoulders.

Here’s what Tottenham fans had to say as their club allegedly eye a move.

Spurs fans flock to Kounde claim

“Offer him whatever he wants, he’ll be a game changer for us”

Credit: @thfcmitchell

“Do whatever it takes to get him, he’d be the perfect signing for us”

Credit: @_JoeGTHFC

“YESSSSS”

Credit: @JacobTHFC_

“VAMOS NUNO”

Credit: @THFCenthusiast

“Nuno knows ball”

Credit: @batibat_10

“Apparently we can sign him for around €45 mil so please do for it he’s affordable and he’s his top target so we should try our hardest”

Credit: @ParishLizzie

“Just get him somehow”

Credit: @TopDier

“YESSSS”

Credit: @thfclukas

In other news: ‘I’d be excited, Spurs fans’…Stan Collymore thrilled by major news out of N17, find out more here.

Leeds United are set to be part of an ‘auction’ for Udinese midfielder Rodrigo De Paul this summer, following an update on his future.

The Lowdown: Constant De Paul links

The Whites have been linked with a host of signings this summer, but De Paul has arguably been tipped to move to Elland Road more than anyone.

The 27-year-old is someone who Marcelo Bielsa is reportedly trying to snap up, having enjoyed an excellent Serie A campaign for Udinese, chipping in with nine goals and assists apiece from midfield.

The Latest: Fresh update on midfielder

A new update has been provided on the situation by Mundo Deportivo journalist Pablo Planas [via Sport Witness], who states that Leeds remain one of many teams keen on acquiring De Paul’s signature.

The likes of Atletico Madrid, Napoli, Milan, Juventus and Arsenal are also mentioned as potential suitors, ahead of what could be a bidding war for the Argentine.

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The Verdict: Game-changing signing

Leeds face extremely stiff competition for De Paul and the fact that Champions League clubs want him could make them outsiders to get their man.

If Bielsa did manage to entice the Udinese man to Elland Road, however, it could be a massive signing, considering the all-around quality he possesses, being lauded for his ‘enormous output’ by football expert Dan Altman in the past.

Not only does De Paul’s ability in the final third speak for itself, as mentioned, but he also averaged 1.2 tackles per game in the league last season, showing he is willing to shine in the grittier aspects of his game, too.

In other news, a pundit has failed to rule out the idea of one Leeds key man leaving this summer. Find out who it is here. 

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Lawrie Sanchez has described Sheffield United boss Slavisa Jokanovic as a “golden ticket” to the Premier League.

Jokanovic arrived at Bramall Lane at the end of May, replacing Chris Wilder and taking over from Paul Heckingbottom, who had been in temporary charge of the Yorkshire club.

United will start the 2021/22 season in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League but, with Jokanovic in charge, Sanchez does not think they will be in English football’s second tier for too long.

Discussing United’s decision to appoint the 52-year-old in an interview with TT, the former top-flight manager said:

“I was surprised actually. Although, to be fair, Jokanovic got Watford up. I mean, to get two teams to the Premier League, he’s a golden ticket.”

Indeed, having taken both Watford and Fulham from the Championship to the Premier League, Jokanovic looks like a really smart appointment by United.

Of course, there are going to be some tough teams in the second division fighting for promotion next year.

West Brom and Jokanovic’s former club Fulham were, of course, also relegated, while the likes of Swansea City and Bournemouth have shown they are capable sides under Steve Cooper and Jonathan Woodgate respectively, both reaching the play-offs.

But given Jokanovic’s history, the Blades will surely fancy their chances under the Serbian.

Alasdair Gold has dropped a very encouraging claim on new Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo ahead of pre-season training next week…

What’s the word?

Due to the timing of their appointment, some doubts were cast over how quickly the Portuguese would be getting involved, having signed a two-year deal with the option of a third on Wednesday evening.

According to the ever-reliable football.london journalist, the 47-year-old will be on the training pitches in perfect time.

Speaking on a recent video on his YouTube channel, Gold said: “He is currently self-isolating at the Lodge, which if you’re not aware is the very swanky, luxurious five-star hotel at Hotspur Way, the training complex. He’ll be there until midway through next week.

“The plan is, as it always is, is that the non-internationals will return on Monday to go through all the sports science team tests that they do. They have loads of testing, you often see it every year. There are photos and videos, the bleep test. Things like that.

“What the plan is, on either Tuesday or Wednesday, Nuno Espirito Santo will come out of his isolation and will be able to immediately start work on the pitches. It’ll all sync up quite nicely.”

Timely boost

This is a very encouraging boost for the Lilywhites for numerous reasons.

First, it suggests that no time will be lost in their preparation for the 2021/22 campaign, in which the north London outfit will certainly have to improve on last season’s efforts – a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League, a Carabao Cup final defeat and embarrassingly crashing out of the Europa League.

At one stage, the club looked to be heading into next week without a manager, which would have been a rather damaging prospect, but now it seems as if Nuno will be able to prepare his entire pre-season schedule before getting hands-on early in the week.

Secondly, it means those players who haven’t been at Euro 2020 or the Copa America can get to grips with their new boss, understand his project, system and much more. This includes his former Wolves defender Matt Doherty, who has endured a tough time since his £15m switch to Spurs.

He’s just one of many players who are in line to benefit from a fresh start in N17, and if anything, his presence could help his former coach settle in a little easier. Ultimately, that is another boost working in favour of Spurs.

All in all, chairman Daniel Levy and new sporting director Fabio Paratici seem to have got this hire spot-on at exactly the right time. Any later and the club would be in further peril.

Ultimately, that should leave both Spurs’ hierarchy and supporters absolutely buzzing heading into the new season, thanks to this encouraging insight from Gold.

AND in other news, Dier, Doherty and 3 new signings start in 4-3-3: Predicting Spurs’ XI under Nuno Santo…

Everton’s Farhad Moshiri could hire the club’s own Marcelo Bielsa in Ralf Rangnick this summer, after confirmation of Carlo Ancelotti’s departure to Real Madrid.

What’s the story?

The shock news that Ancelotti would be making his return to the Santiago Bernabeu has left the Toffees in the lurch in terms of hiring a new boss, and already, there have been plenty of names linked with the top job.

And now, according to The Telegraph, Everton are eyeing a move for the 62-year-old Rangnick, who is currently out of football after leaving his position as head of sport and development at Red Bull.

The report adds that fellow Premier League side Spurs are also interested in him, so the Toffees may have to get a move on to get him through the door.

Everton’s own Bielsa

Given the fine success and plaudits Bielsa has earned at Leeds after the Yorkshire club’s impressive return to the Premier League, finding Everton’s own version of the Argentine could really help transform the Toffees just like Bielsa has at their Elland Road counterparts.

And in Rangnick, they could find exactly that man.

The Athletic described his approach as being “Bielsa-esque” as he plays a high-pressing game that looks to dominate on the front-foot – it’s perhaps no surprise then that he is actually renowned as being the pioneer of the ‘gengenpress’ system.

As well as that, Rangnick has also been dubbed as “a professor, a scientist of football,” and the “architect” of RB Leipzig’s rise into a Champions League outfit, bringing through the likes of Timo Werner, Naby Keita and Marcel Sabitzer in his time there at the club.

And when links emerged between Rangnick and Spurs, former Leeds man Noel Whelan spoke of the kind of similar impact that he could have just like Bielsa at Leeds.

He said: “When you’ve got experience, that amount of knowledge in the game and you’ve helped along some really fantastic managers to present, you do think to yourself: ‘The German Marcelo Bielsa.’

“Bielsa had that with Pochettino and other managers as well, that massive respect. You look for somebody that can improve a team, that has experience. However, we didn’t know too much about Marcelo Bielsa when he came to Leeds United. Let’s not start judging until he’s started the season and see where they end up. You can never rule out anybody at any age.”

Given how Leeds fans have taken to Bielsa, both in terms of the results and the attacking football the Argentine has instilled at the club, the same could happen on Merseyside were Moshiri able to convince Rangnick to take the reins at Goodison Park.

Toffees fans would be buzzing to have someone transform their club like Rangnick could do.

And in other news, Brands is heading for a summer transfer disaster at Everton.

Glasgow Rangers fans are far from happy with comments from BBC journalist Chris McLaughlin on Twitter in the build-up to their trophy celebrations on Saturday.

This weekend, the Gers will finally be able to lift the Premiership trophy – the title itself has long since been won. Unfortunately, fans will be unable to be inside Ibrox to take in the trophy ceremony after the clash against Aberdeen, but there is likely to be plenty of supporters celebrating together in Glasgow.

McLaughlin, who is banned from Ibrox after previous negative stories against the Gers (The Daily Record), previously said Rangers are unhappy with other gatherings taking place in the city over the past few days, such as the Solidarity with Palestine protest in Govan Square – Rangers have been forced to implore fans to refrain from meeting up in large groups.

When asked about his comments on Twitter, McLaughlin revealed he had chats and message exchanges with those close to to the story. This attracted plenty of attention from the fans, and they took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about McLaughlin below

“No one at Rangers gives you the time of day, we treat you with the contempt you deserve so you are lying”

Credit: @Sweeney_T_SPB

“Liar.”

Credit: @christywhyte1

“So basically an outright lie then Chris?”

Credit: @pauljpwilson

“That’s about as vague as you can get Chris…..”

Credit: @TommyStark1980

“Just spouting utter nonsense again McLaughlin…. hope you never get the opportunity to darken our door again!”

Credit: @_fadgie_

“No. Chris is just a rangers hater and and negative angle he can put on a rangers story gets him stiff.”

Credit: @mancalledczar

In other news, Rangers eye this Ligue 1 star.

When he has been handed a chance Gareth Bale has generally performed in the Premier League for Tottenham Hotspur, but Marcus Bent, who made 215 Premier League appearances, has exclusively told Football FanCast that the winger could move to Everton.

With Spurs’ managerial situation still appearing unclear, so is Bale’s future with reports linking him with a move to Everton to work under former Los Blancos manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

The Toffees have not been shy in spending the money in recent years as they have splashed out a grand total of £266 million in the last three seasons on bringing in new players so Bale’s huge wages may not prove to be that big of a stumbling block.

Bales was pushed to one side at Real Madrid over the last few years as well as for large parts under Jose Mourinho, but Bent believes he could thrive at a club like Everton as the former Toffees striker spoke exclusively to FFC:

“I think that would be his kind of club. I think he’d be the headline player, which he needs to be for his confidence and he would play week in week out alongside some great players.

“As I’ve spoken about before, Everton is a family club, they would take him in and give him the love that he needs.”

Following his temporary arrival from Real Madrid last summer, the 31-year old has failed to live up to the high standards that he left White Hart Lane with back in 2013.

Tottenham as a collective have failed to impress this season as the most realistic expectation they have heading into the final game of the season is to qualify for the Europa Conference League.

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…

Jacob Murphy has ‘proven he can perform’ and merits a two or three-year extension at Newcastle United, according to Kevin Phillips.

Murphy is seemingly in the final months of his current £25,000-per-week contract at St James’ Park, although there have been reports his deal is actually one year longer than expected.

Murphy boosting Newcastle’s survival push

The Times’ Henry Winter noted that his ‘resilience echoed all over’ in the battling draw against Spurs, with Alan Shearer adding that his display was ‘excellent’ and that he had tormented Sergio Reguilon.

The following week, Murphy scored a superb goal to haul Newcastle level in a critical game against Burnley, which they eventually won 2-1.

That was the Englishman’s third goal of the season, adding to his three assists (via Transfermarkt).

Newcastle have already agreed a contract extension with 30-year-old striker Dwight Gayle and are keen to tie down 32-year-old Federico Fernandez as well.

Phillips acknowledges that the outlook is uncertain on Tyneside, but sees no reason to let Murphy go.

‘Jacob Murphy has done very well when called upon’

“I think Newcastle should offer him a new deal but a lot depends on what has been made available to Bruce in the summer and if Bruce will even be there beyond the summer,” he told Football Insider.

“Is he going to get the money to be able to enhance the squad?

“Jacob Murphy has done very well when called upon this season.

“At Newcastle he has showed that he has good quality. Why would they not want to try and re-sign him?

“Why not offer someone who knows the club and has proven that he can perform a new deal?

“I would get him tied down to a two or three-year extension.”

Club correspondent Lee Ryder suggested earlier this month that it could cost the Magpies as much as £25million to replace ‘a player of his age and experience’.

It would, therefore, be ‘stupid not to give him a new deal’.

Transfer Tavern verdict

Murphy, to his credit, hasn’t looked at all distracted even amid the possibility that he’ll be left without a club come this summer.

Instead, he’s been a picture of focus, stepping up a gear to prove his worth to Newcastle in crucial moments, such as the win against Burnley.

As Ryder notes, it makes infinite sense to retain him in a pandemic-hit market. He can be a valuable part of this squad going forward.

In other news, Newcastle have been backed to strike a deal for another Englishman.