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Liverpool have suffered a major blow in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez.

What’s the story?

According to Spanish outlet Marca (as reported by The Mirror), Bayern Munich have won the race to secure the 26-year-old’s signature this summer, agreeing a fee in the region of £68m.

The report states that Atleti are confident that a deal taking Saul to the Bundesliga champions can be completed soon, handing Jurgen Klopp a huge setback in his summer transfer plans.

Klopp will be gutted

With Gini Wijnaldum expected to depart Anfield in the coming days, signing a top-quality replacement for the Dutch international is thought to be high up on Liverpool’s wish lift.

The 30-year-old has enjoyed an incredibly successful five-year stint with the Reds, making 237 appearances, winning the Premier League title and the Champions League in the process. His departure will leave a significant gap in Klopp’s midfield, and the Liverpool manager will surely be gutted to miss out on one of his top targets.

Saul has been linked with a move to the Premier League for many years, with former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand signing the Spain international’s praises 12 months ago.

“What a player. I’ve been harping on about Saul Niguez for a few years now. I think he’s a major player. Composed, calm, great left foot, lovely conductor, he can score goals, tactically he’s very aware,” the 42-year-old said during an Instagram Live video (as reported by Sports Mole).

Ferdinand added: “You can see (Diego) Simeone, he gets his teams really well set up, and he’s in the middle orchestrating and dictating things.”

However, it seems as though Bayern have beaten off significant competition to secure the dynamic midfielder’s services.

The German giants are looking to bolster their ranks ahead of Julian Naglesmann’s maiden campaign in charge at the Allianz Arena, and the addition of Saul to the Bundesliga champions’ engine room will be a fantastic first signing for the young coach.

And, in other news…Imagine him and Fabinho: Klopp can form dream LFC duo with “complete” £58.5m-rated gem 

A number of Liverpool fans have been calling for Loris Karius to remain at Anfield this summer, replacing Adrian as Alisson’s deputy in goal.

Karius famously experienced a shocking night back in 2018 as the Reds lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in the Champions League final. The German made two huge errors which ultimately proved fatal to his side’s chances of European glory and it was hard to see how he would come back from that nightmare.

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In truth, Karius hasn’t recovered, with the 27-year-old not making a single Liverpool first team appearance in the three years since, undergoing loan spells at Besiktas and Union Berlin.

With the 2020/21 campaign reaching its conclusion, however, Karius is expected to return to Merseyside for pre-season, at which point a decision will be made over his future.

While it appears unlikely that he will be retained by Jurgen Klopp, some supporters would like to see him stay instead of Adrian, who has also been unconvincing for the Reds on the domestic and European stage.

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Liverpool fans call for Karius to stay

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to provide their thoughts, reacting to a social media post shared by @LFCTransferRoom.

“Keep him as number 2 and get rid of Adrian”

Credit: @CathalRobinson

“I’m over it, get him in the squad”

Credit: @paracuellos_12

“Would rather him over Adrian”

Credit: @Cconnor82

“Much better than Adrian in my book”

Credit: @fahmeeeeeeeeee

“Better number 2 than Adrian! People forget he was decent before the EL”

Credit: @JediNabber

“Bring him back. He’s miles better that Adrian”

Credit: @I_Am_Artanis

In other news, Liverpool have received a huge boost in their quest to sign one player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Newcastle United are reportedly chasing Edin Terzic as a potential successor to Steve Bruce.

The Lowdown: Bruce future uncertain

A source from St. James’ Park has reportedly claimed that Bruce’s future in the North East would be uncertain if the proposed takeover by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group were to go through.

The former Aston Villa and Sunderland boss does not have the best relationship with the fans anyway, having been recently booed by several members of the Toon Army despite their 1-0 home win over Sheffield United, which may force him out of the Tyneside club.

The Latest: Newcastle chase Terzic

As per Bild (via Sport Witness), the Magpies are chasing Terzic, who is currently the manager at Borussia Dortmund.

However, they would likely face competition from both Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace to bring him to NUFC.

Terzic has turned down the chance to manage Eintracht Frankfurt, and has been praised by the news outlet, as they have described him as an ‘eloquent’ man who ‘knows the Premier League’.

The Verdict: Newcastle should hire Terzic

Newcastle should seriously consider hiring Terzic to succeed Bruce, given the latter’s poor relationship with his own fanbase.

Terzic is a much younger manager than Bruce for a start, at just 38 years of age, and so has a lot of potential to grow into one of the world’s best coaches.

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In his short spell at Dortmund, he has managed to get them from looking like a mile off qualifying for the UEFA Champions League to securing qualification with a game to spare (Bundesliga).

The German has also won silverware in the domestic cup, which should give the Magpies hope of ending their long trophy drought.

Nonetheless, Terzic is a fresh face with a lot of promise, and somebody that the Toon can quickly get behind.

In other news, find out what promising insight from the takeover consortium on arbitration has been shared here!

Graham Roberts, the former Tottenham Hotspur captain, has told Football FanCast that the club and chairman Daniel Levy made a huge mistake by allowing Jan Vertonghen to leave the club last summer.

The Belgium international called time on an eight-year spell in north London last summer as he moved to Benfica in Portugal.

He has gone on to make 37 appearances in all competitions, and he remains an integral member of the Belgium squad, often captaining his country.

Spurs have struggled this season defensively, with Jose Mourinho repeatedly chopping and changing his backline, switching between the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Eric Dier, Joe Rodon and Davinson Sanchez.

In their last six games, before Mourinho’s sacking, Spurs conceded 12 goals.

And Roberts believes that Vertonghen would have been perfect in a back-three for Spurs this season, as he continually shows for Benfica and Belgium that he remains a more-than-competent defender.

He told FFC: “But I think the biggest factor for us was we lost Jan Vertonghen in the summer and I don’t think Jan’s legs had gone.

“I think in a back three he would have been absolutely perfect. Him, Toby, and you could have played Sanchez or Rodon in between them to cover.

“They would have the legs. But we didn’t, we let him go, and he’s now playing for Benfica and he’s playing for the national team every international game. That was our loss I think.”

Vertonghen made a total of 315 appearances for Spurs.

Crystal Palace have been credited with an interest in Norwich City star Emiliano Buendia.

And, the latest transfer link has had plenty of Eagles fans talking on social media.

According to Foot Mercato, Palace, Aston Villa and West Ham are all keen on the Argentine, who played a key role in helping the Canaries back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Buendia has scored 14 goals and registered a quite remarkable 17 assists in 38 Championship games this season and was named Championship Player of the Season as a result – that is a goal involvement in over 80% of his appearances, on average.

The report suggests that Norwich don’t intend to part ways with Buendia for anything under €40m (£34.5m).

That figure required could make him Palace’s club-record signing, with that accolade currently standing at £28.08m for Christian Benteke.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared Foot Mercato’s claim on social media on Tuesday evening.

It’s safe to say these Palace supporters were stunned at the links, with one describing it as a ‘dream’.

“Would be amazing but won’t happen”Credit: @CPFCMax03″PLEASE”Credit: @joe_cpfc_01″Absolutely no chance surely, but my god I’d love it. Should have gone for him last summer”Credit: @Phillyconcarne”Not a chance this happens but it’s good to be linked to these sort of players”Credit: @Callum_CPFC_”Can only dream”Credit: @CPFCH10″the things I’d do”Credit: @CPFC_Ollie_

In other news: Palace monitoring West Brom man, plenty of Eagles fans not happy, find out more here. 

Former Newcastle United star Keith Gillespie believes Steve Bruce should be given until the end of the season at the club to turn things around, telling Football FanCast that there may not be time to bring in a new boss.

Bruce is under intense pressure at St James’ Park, with the club in very real danger of falling into the Championship.

Newcastle are currently two points clear of Fulham, who are 18th, and they have a remarkably tough run-in.

Bruce’s side play West Ham United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Leicester City and Manchester City in succession, while their next game comes against Tottenham Hotspur.

They need to pick up points quickly if they are to remain in the league but Gillespie believes that there simply isn’t time to bring another manager into St James’ Park, though he does accept that their current system is not working.

Speaking to FFC, he said: “It’s one of them. Nine games to go, can you get somebody in who’s going to really turn things around?

“I think, stick with the manager and see what he can do to turn things around.

“The style of football that they have played is clearly not working. They need to have a different approach to games in terms of the formation that they play.”

Gillespie accepts that he has a personal relationship with Bruce, having played with him at Manchester United, and he maintains that the performances of the players simply haven’t been good enough in recent weeks.

Newcastle haven’t won a game since February, when they beat Southampton 3-2, and have gone six games without a victory.

Gillespie added: “I know Steve Bruce from playing with him. I’d love him to turn things around because I think it is tough, being a manager of Newcastle and things aren’t going right.

“He is getting a lot of flak at the minute. But only him and the players can sort that out and for me, the players have let him down too because their performances just haven’t been good enough.”

Reports by Chronicle Live earlier this week suggested Newcastle United could yet offer Kyle Scott a new contract, after the outcast midfielder snubbed a move to Major League Soccer franchise FC Cincinnati.

The 23-year-old had been offered a two-year deal to join Jaap Stam’s West End Stadium natives after impressing the Orange and Blue during a trial with the Ohio-based outfit.

But the former Chelsea trainee rejected the deal and has returned to the UK, as the terms presented fell just shy of his expectations.

Stam was keen for Scott to move to Cincinnati and it was expected that the Stamford Bridge product would join the MLS franchise on a free transfer ahead of the first game of the 2021 season on April 17.

Yet Scott is now expected to explore alternative options, as his heart is set on staying in Europe with a top-flight side where first-team minutes will be available.

Scott is believed to feel that senior game time is a must for a player of his age, which has never been on offer at St. James’ Park since his arrival in 2019 having never been included in one of Steve Bruce’s matchday squads.

The Chronicle note that Scott has never even spoken with Bruce, making it unlikely that the Bath-born midfielder will be offered a new deal with the Magpies.

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Newcastle hold an option to extend Scott’s current contract by a further year to avoid losing him on a free, but it is expected that his United career will end in the same manner as his Chelsea days.

The former United States Under 20s international made just one outing for the Blues before snubbing a lucrative four-year deal, feeling that first-team opportunities were not going to be on offer had he remained at Stamford Bridge.

But Scott’s decision to join Newcastle instead, against an approach from FC Barcelona and interest from a host of top European sides, has turned out to be a disaster for his career as the 23-year-old is back at square one still looking for a breakthrough.

As Bruce is claimed to have never even spoken to Scott, it makes sense for all parties to end their relationship this summer, with United’s Managing Director Charnley blocking any consideration of taking up the Toon’s option to extend his contract.

Scott had glowing endorsements from Eden Hazard and David Luiz when he left Chelsea in 2019, who were said to have encouraged the £45,000-rated dud to try his luck with Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain, but the Magpies have never seen that player.

Injuries played a key role in Scott’s progress stagnating after a “very frustrating” first 12-months on Tyneside, though the following year has only returned four appearances with Newcastle’s U23s in the Premier League 2.

The last of his appearances came back in November, and it speaks volumes that Chris Hogg has never recalled Scott given United have won just three of their last 11 PL2 fixtures and losing on six occasions to sit 12th of the 13 sides in their division.

Scott may not have felt that Cincinnati was the right home for him, but it is clear that Newcastle is not either, making it absolutely necessary for him to leave St. James’ this summer.

AND in other news, a £40k-p/w Newcastle star is facing a race against time to feature again this season…

Aston Villa should make a move for Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos, according to former forward Gabby Agbonlahor.

The ex-Villa star’s comments have emerged on social media, with several Villa supporters now giving their thoughts on a potential deal for the Colombian.

Rangers’ £35m Morelos price tag

Morelos, who has netted 92 times for Rangers in 175 appearances, is thought to be keen on a move to the Premier League.

Villa were linked with a move for the 24-year-old in January 2020 and again in the summer. Rangers’ asking price was £35m prior to the current campaign, however, Villa decided to sign Ollie Watkins from Brentford in a club-record deal.

Agbonlahor, talking exclusively to Football Insider, cited by the Birmingham Mail, had his say on Morelos, admitting he would love to see the Rangers man in the Midlands.

 “I would love to see him at Aston Villa.

“I think he’s a great striker. Apart from the top four, five, all the other clubs would have him.

“He’s quite quick, he’s a finisher, he’s aggressive, he works hard and he’d add a lot to all of those clubs.”

Villa fans react

Agbonlahor’s comments were shared on Twitter by @AVFC_News on Thursday lunchtime.

This is what these Villa fans had to say over a possible move, with one describing him as a ‘loose cannon’.

“Absolutely not. Good player, but his temperament makes him a complete liability. Every time I see him play he either gets sent off or is lucky not to.”

Credit: @ThomasTParker

“I’d take him if we could sort out his temper”

Credit: @VillaVisionBen

“Not what we’re looking for ….. Tammy Abraham now you’re talking!!!!”

Credit: @MarkPau86473828

“No no no NO!”

Credit: @Tony89405449

“Not EPL standard and a right handful”

Credit: @simondgm1

“Loose cannon”

Credit: @AV7689983427

In other news: Premier League giants want Aston Villa star this summer; it’s not Jack Grealish, find out more here. 

Many Liverpool fans have been left to laud an update on Virgil Van Dijk as Netherlands boss Frank de Boer commented on his latest injury status.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of his team’s opening 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier away at Turkey, in a match where they eventually lost 4-2, the Holland coach said when asked about the central defender:

“His recovery is going according to plan, he has 8 weeks left. He’ll be returning to training soon but there can be all kinds of setbacks. Anything he can contribute to Liverpool and to us would be a bonus but I’m not counting on it right now.”

The update has come as a much welcome relief to several members of the Anfield faithful, first of all to hear that he will be returning to training soon but also the fact that he only has eight weeks left of his recovery plan.

The UEFA Champions League final is set to be played on the 29th May, and should Jurgen Klopp’s men make it there again this year, Van Dijk could certainly return for it according to his schedule.

This is also the first time the supporters have heard a definitive timeline of exactly when to expect their star man back in action, so it’s fair to say they are excited.

Liverpool fan reaction to Van Dijk update

These Reds supporters lauded the update on the 29-year-old on Twitter:

“8 weeks onlyyyyyyy”

Credit: @lfc_mo_

“So you’re telling me there’s a chance?”

Credit: @hamz1892

“Oh Bayern you ain’t ready”

Credit: @ariaa_hmv

“Nice!”

Credit: @mzsg8_

“2 months let’s gooooooo”

Credit: @kaocatfc

“We’re getting so close now the king is almost back”

Credit: @Blessed_Bobby_

In other news, find out what Kylian Mbappe claim has got Kopites talking here!

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, ex-Tottenham captain Gary Mabbutt has challenged Harry Winks to keep proving himself to win back his place in Jose Mourinho’s side.

Winks has fallen down the pecking order in recent months, and hasn’t started a Premier League game since the draw with Fulham back in January.

The England midfielder had been a regular during the early parts of the campaign, although the excellent form of both Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Moussa Sissoko has seen the Spurs graduate restricted to mainly outings in the Europa League in recent months.

Winks came back into the side for a brief period around Christmas, but with Mourinho recently opting for just two central midfielders in a more attacking-minded set-up, his last few appearances have all come in the FA Cup and Europe.

And when speaking exclusively to FFC, Mabbutt has revealed what Winks must do in order to start playing regularly again. He said:

“I mean, when Harry first got in the side, I did an interview with Harry and I said he could be a future captain of Spurs, and last year against Wolves he was made captain for that game.

“Players have to look at where they are and have to move on from there, see what parts of the game that could be improved and keep working at it. And that is it. You don’t get to be a professional player and play your first game in the Premier League and you made it, it never works that way.

“Every single game you’re out there and you have got to prove yourself. It’s not like, you’re say a top singing star in the world and suddenly you have 20 hits and then 40 years later you get on stage and everyone’s cheering you for those 20 hits you had 40 years ago.

“As a footballer, you make your debut in the last game you played, in the next game you play you’ll be lambasted. Every single game you have to go out there and you have got to prove yourself.”

Mabbutt is spot on here. Things can change quickly in football, and a few positive performances from Winks in the Europa League could suddenly see the midfielder come back into the frame.