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Former Manchester City player Paul Stewart thinks that Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish will end up at Manchester City. 

The Daily Mail reported on Tuesday that City were set to make an opening bid worth £75m plus add-ons, but Villa don’t want to sell Grealish unless their valuation of £100m is met.

Grealish scored seven goals and created 12 in all competitions last season for Aston Villa, before being picked for England’s Euro 2020 squad, where he put in a string of good performances and got two more assists.

With plenty of speculation linking Grealish to Manchester City, Paul Stewart told The Transfer Tavern: “I’m a big fan of Jack, I wish he had played more at the Euros to be honest.

“We used him as sort of what we call an impact player, but I think he offers more than that, he retains the ball, he’s great on the ball and he draws players in and there’s very few players that have that ability.

“Gazza had the ability to draw players in which leaves spaces for other players and Jack’s one of the best in the Premiership at the moment doing that, he gets free-kicks and I think he was the most fouled player as well, so yeah I think he will end up at City as well.”

The Premier League Champions only bit of transfer business so far this summer, is Scott Carson signing a one-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.

Alongside the speculation about Jack Grealish, City are also linked with Tottenham striker Harry Kane, but journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that no fee has been agreed, with the only bid of £100m turned down by Spurs last month.

A journalist has dropped a definitive transfer update involving Newcastle United and Conor Gallagher.

The Lowdown: Willock alternative?

It is not a guarantee that the St. James’ Park faithful will be able to sign Joe Willock on a permanent deal after his loan spell from Arsenal in the 2020/21 season.

Thus, they may need to look for other targets in the attacking midfield position, especially with the new Premier League campaign only a couple of weeks away.

The Latest: Gallagher update

The Sun journalist Tom Barclay has given a transfer update involving Gallagher, of whom he claims the Magpies “had interest” in, as well as Leeds United:

“Understand Conor Gallagher has opted to join Crystal Palace on loan.”

The Verdict: Blow

It is certainly a blow for the North East club to miss out on the signing of Gallagher, especially to a rival in the top flight in Crystal Palace.

The Chelsea ace endured a successful individual loan spell at West Brom in the last term, despite them being relegated down to the EFL Championship.

Gallagher won no fewer than 6.5 of his duels per game in the Premier League, and also averaged 2.7 tackles and one shot and successful dribble per match, notching up two goals and two assists (Sofascore).

He is a player that is capable of playing anywhere in the middle of the park, and being English, he would have helped fill in the home-grown quota while adding depth through the spine of the team.

Nonetheless, it seems as if Gallagher is set to join the Eagles instead, with the Toon now needing to look elsewhere.

In other news, find out which £12m-rated maestro NUFC want to sign here!

‘There is some discussion’ between Wolverhampton Wanderers and AC Milan over the potential transfer of Rafael Leao, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness).

Milan are expected to sell one, but not both, of Leao and 21-year-old winger Jens Petter Hauge.

Hauge has been subject of €10million offers from Germany, but Milan are thought to be demanding €15million.

The lowdown on Wolves target Leao

Leao started 22 Serie A matches last season for Stefano Pioli’s side, who finished second in Serie A.

He was directly involved in 12 goals – six goals, six assists – and earned a place in Portugal’s squad for the Under-21 European Championships.

The 21-year-old started one match and made two appearances off the bench for the eventual runners-up.

Wolves have already added an attacker to their ranks this summer, signing Leao’s compatriot Francisco Trincao from FC Barcelona on a season-long loan.

Fan feed Talking Wolves relayed Gazzetta’s claim, and here’s what supporters made of it.

Wolves fans issue warning amid Leao links

“This is great but where’s the CB”

Credit: @Adam11520205

“This is nice and all but I want to see us linked with some CBs”

Credit: @kingmichael_88

“Assembling a really impressive forward line, if this comes off. Expect us to be working on a cb and a combative cm alongside this though…”

Credit: @DavidHandley

“Centre back links please”

Credit: @_Ade_

“No centre backs or midfielders, just vibes”

Credit: @Hardly_Working

“Can he play CB”

Credit: @BagginsTia

In other news, Wolves fans flocked to this image as rumours swirl. 

Brendon McCullum appears set to make a big comeback when New Zealand’s selectors announce their side for the National Bank One-Day International Series against India starting in Auckland on Boxing Day

Lynn McConnell20-Dec-2002Brendon McCullum appears set to make a big comeback when New Zealand’s selectors announce their side for the National Bank One-Day International Series against India starting in Auckland on Boxing Day.The young wicket-keeper was used by New Zealand last summer as a batsman-only opener in the VB Series in Australia and struggled to make an impact.But, once he was over his injury concerns, and that was the focus of his attentions during a busy winter spent in Australia, firstly in Darwin and latterly in Sydney, he was always going to re-emerge.That his wicket-keeping is back on track has to be welcome news for New Zealand. There is no doubt that McCullum has the opportunity to be New Zeaalnd’s next top-line batsman.He showed as a youth player that he was a hugely dominating influence with the bat and knowing that he will not be required to open the innings will go a long way towards allowing him the freedom to prosper.McCullum used the Super Max International that started the tour as an example of his preparedness to adapt to the circumstances and play the sort of innings required.Super Max is hardly the best forum to state your case, but it was an opportunity taken, especially when he was in direct competition with his main rival Chris Nevin. Both players had one innings with the bat and the gloves.What has backed McCullum’s cause is a run of form with Otago in the State Championship.McCullum has made no secret of his desire to claim a World Cup spot. Should he do well in that role, the world is his oyster and there will be the rare prospect of some competition for the Test match spot as well, as Robbie Hart attempts to cement his place during the Sri Lankan and Indian tours this year.Of concern in the selection is the still unsettled situation regarding the opening position. It appears that captain Stephen Fleming will open with Nathan Astle, probably more out of frustration with the continuing inability to settle the position than anything else.It is probably also a personal stimulus to Fleming in his quest for more runs of his own.Most of the positions in the side are obvious.Craig McMillan is likely to step up to No 3 in the batting order. Lou Vincent would be at No 4 with Scott Styris next man in.McCullum would probably bat at No 6 with Jacob Oram at seven, Chris Harris at No 8, followed by Andre Adams, Daniel Vettori and Shane Bond. Paul Hitchcock will probably complete the squad and be used as an alternative to one of the all-rounders.One of the areas that New Zealand must come to terms with in the Indian series is there bowling at the death, and that is one that is sure to be tested by the Indians.Given the problems there have been in recent years in controlling the end of the innings, it is one that New Zealand need to resolve before the World Cup. Hitchcock has been touted as the cure-all in the role with his clever variations of pace but other bowlers need to be able to handle the role.Adams is under pressure to prove he has recovered from injury.A possible side to be announced by the selectors, Sir Richard Hadlee, Ross Dykes, Brian McKechnie and Denis Aberhart, could be: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Lou Vincent, Scott Styris, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Chris Harris, Andre Adams, Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond and Paul Hitchcock.

Former Leeds United player David Norris believes that Junior Firpo is a good signing for the club, and a position that they needed to fill. 

Firpo featured 41 times for Barcelona, before making his move to Yorkshire earlier this month and became Leeds’ third signing of the summer transfer window, joining Jack Harrison and Mateusz Bogusz who also completed deals at Elland Road.

Firpo can play in a number of positions, but has mainly operated as a left-back in his career and following the exit of Ezgjan Alioski, it was a position the club needed to fill according to David Norris.

“It’s a position Leeds needed something more stable. 

“They had some fillings, they had players who were a more attacking player playing left back, obviously Dallas, so it was a position they needed to get someone concrete in.”

On the signing of Junior Firpo, Norris was of high praise of both the player and the club, saying “That show’s he’s got good pedigree, I mean you don’t play for Barcelona that many times if you haven’t.

“Like I say, getting someone like that with that sort of pedigree, that is a good sign.”

Having the ability to get up and down the left side of the pitch, Leeds will hope that Firpo can not only provide goals for his teammates, but also help make them more solid at the back. This is because they conceded 54 goals in the Premier League last season, the highest of any club who finished in the top ten.

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan believes that any of the Whites’ four centre-back options could start on the opening day of the season.

The Lowdown: Leeds blessed with strong options

Marcelo Bielsa will be looking to enhance his squad this summer in order to keep competition for places strong and allow him to rotate abundantly.

One area which doesn’t need strengthening is centre-back, though, with Liam Cooper, Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk all representing good options in that role.

The quartet could all justify being starters for Leeds next season – all four were among the squad’s top 10 performers last term, according to WhoScored – giving Bielsa a selection headache going into their Premier League curtain-raiser away to Manchester United next month.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359346″]

The Latest: Whelan lauds depth

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan hailed the Whites’ depth at the back, admitting that it is impossible to guess who will start at Old Trafford. He said:

“It could be any of the four. We are blessed with four quality centre-halves. I cannot remember a time where we have had this much competition in that position.

“It’s going to be a really difficult decision to make. Every single one has got a case to play.

“You have internationals in Cooper, Llorente and Koch and a great young player in Struijk who I thought was excellent last season. He really stepped up to the plate and showed what a fantastic centre-half he is. He just got better and better.

“It is going to be a hell of a jostle in pre-season for those two spots. I am excited by it.

“Llorente really showed what a top player he is when he came in. He got a good relationship going with Struijk. He also had a good one with Cooper as well.

“It is going to be a real tussle between the four of them. You just hope that none of them get any kind of injury that halts their pre-season. Competition is so important to get the best out of players.”

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The Verdict: Dilemma for Bielsa

Bielsa finds himself with a genuine dilemma this summer, albeit an enivable one, with four such strong centre-back options from which to choose.

The fact that Cooper made the most Premier League starts (25) out of the centre-backs last season suggests that he is the front-runner to start at Old Trafford on 14 August.

Struijk (22) is second in that respect, but Llorente’s performances improved steadily as the season went on, also making him a strong option. With just 13 starts, Koch is arguably the least likely to play, but again there would be few qualms if he makes Bielsa’s starting line-up for the season opener next month.

Whelan is right – Bielsa could face quite the selection headache when it comes to choosing his two starting centre-backs.

In other news, Leeds have reportedly pulled out of a move for one player. Find out who it is here.

Former Everton striker Marcus Bent believes that Tottenham are resigned to losing Harry Kane this summer regardless of who they appoint as manager.

Kane has already made his feelings clear about wanting to leave the club, whilst several sources earlier this week reported that Manchester City have already made their first approach by bidding £100m.

However, Daniel Levy remains persistent on keeping the 27-year-old despite his will to move on to challenge for major trophies and consistently be playing in the Champions League.

Appointing a high-profile name like Mauricio Pochettino or Antonio Conte might have improved Spurs’ chances of keeping Kane for at least another season, but having missed out on all their top targets it seems unlikely that the striker would be tempted to hang around for someone like Graham Potter.

However, Bent exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that regardless of the incoming manager, Kane’s mind has been made up:

“I don’t think it’s on any manager coming into Tottenham that would make Kane stay.

“I think he wants to move on, there’s so much instability within the club, team, chairman and board, and they have given him everything, but now in his career he wants to go out and do something personal and look back on his career and say he made the right decision.”

Fulham are not willing to pay Scott Parker compensation for leaving Craven Cottage this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Sun, who claim that Shahid Khan is refusing to pay the 40-year-old any compensation for leaving his role as the Fulham boss this summer, with the manager expected to be owed around £2m if he were to leave the club by mutual consent – due to having two years remaining on his current contract.

Parker has been heavily linked with taking over the soon to be vacant position at Bournemouth this summer, with Jonathan Woodgate expected to leave the Cherries upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the month.

Khan will be livid

The fact that Parker would be due compensation if he were to leave his position at Fulham, even by mutual consent, does appear to be a bitter pill to swallow for the Cottagers, particularly as it is widely known that the 40-year-old has his next job pretty much already in the bag.

Indeed, the situation is a rather complicated one, as, should Bournemouth wish to appoint Parker, the usual way to go about this would be to pay whatever compensation fee is required to Fulham.

However, with the former England international simply wanting out of his current deal at Craven Cottage, as well as Khan wanting to see the back of the coach this summer, the logical thing to do would be for both parties to agree on a separation with no fee involved.

Although, while this is merely speculation, if Parker is demanding that Fulham pay him off for the remainder of his contract, as well as knowing that he will likely be taking the Bournemouth job at the end of the month, it would seem as if the 40-year-old could be trying to have his cake and eat it too, something that is sure to leave Khan livid.

And, if an agreement is not reached between the two parties over a compensation fee, this would appear to be an issue that very much has the potential to drag on over the summer, an outcome that neither side of the argument would like.

In other news: Transfer news emerges on “exceptional” £27k-p/w beast which should worry Fulham fans

In the recent poll conducted on the Southern Electric Premier League web-site, it has become obvious that the original format of playing regular 50 over cricket is still favourite.Asked their views on which format of the game – either all-day or 50 overs or a combination of both – they preferred if it covered all three divisions, 36 of the 82 voters (43.9%) felt the tried-and-tested formula was best.Only 5 people voted (6.1%) for a complete overhaul to a full programme of all-day matches while 17 (20.7%) felt the current playing conditions for Division One suited.Interestingly, while the number of votes for a full all-day list was minimal, the choice of having more all-day than 50 over games received 22 votes (26.8%).The other alternative, having more 50 over games than all-day raised just two votes (2.4%).An interesting poll which has guaged the feelings of the league’s web site visitors on their feeling about the ECB accreditation rulings.

A torrential downpour and huge thunderstorm put paid to any hopes of play on the second day of Hampshire’s match with Oxford University Centre of Cricket Excellence at The Parks

Victor Isaacs26-Apr-2001A torrential downpour and huge thunderstorm put paid to any hopes of play on the second day of Hampshire’s match with Oxford University Centre of Cricket Excellence at The Parks.After losing the first day to steady rain throughout the day, hopes were high initially and a 1.15pm inspection was planned for the second day with a view to making a start. However, the thunder and rain scrapped that vision just before lunch.The downpour was so heavy that tomorrow’s play is now under serious threat, as the water table in Oxford had risen once more, leaving the ground in a poor state.It could mean an early return to Southampton for the Hampshire team, who will spend time practising at West End ahead of their trip to Old Trafford on Sunday for the opening National League Division Two match of the season.If the game is abandoned without a ball bowled tomorrow, it will be a repeat of Hampshire trip to Oxford last year, which was also fell foul of the weather. However, it was snow which cause that cancellation.