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According to a report in the print edition of Mundo Deportivo, via Sport Witness, West Ham United and Southampton are ‘willing to pay’ for Barcelona defender Junior Firpo, with the La Liga giants seeking a sale.

The Lowdown: Barca in financial turmoil…

Financially, many big clubs across Europe have been devastated by the impact of the global pandemic and the loss of millions in matchday revenue. Barcelona are one of those clubs, with the Catalan side now seeking to offload players and recuperate some much-needed funds for the summer transfer market.

Their business has been predominantly in signing free agents so far, with Barca snapping up Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia and Memphis Depay without dipping into their transfer budget.

Ahead of a long summer, they are said to want a suitor for out-of-favour defender Firpo.

The Latest: West Ham now ‘willing to pay’ for Firpo…

As per Mundo Deportivo, the Hammers and Southampton are ‘willing to pay’ for a permanent transfer of the 24-year-old as they are marked out as his preferred bidders.

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Clubs from Italy are said to be more interested in a loan deal for the player, with only AC Milan from Serie A considering a permanent deal.

This makes Firpo’s suitors from the Premier League far more appealing to Barcelona in terms of negotiating a deal, with West Ham willing to sign him permanently and pay the desired transfer fee.

The Verdict: Not a priority…

We believe that West Ham’s main priorities for this summer should be a new striker, a new centre-back and a permanent deal for 2020/21 loan star Jesse Lingard. A potentially capable alternative to Arthur Masuaku in the attacking full-back role arguably isn’t as crucial as those three summer objectives.

Going by Firpo’s appearances over the last few seasons, it could also be unwise investing in his acquisition given a severe lack of game-time for the player over the past two years. Since joining Barcelona from Real Betis in the summer of 2019, he has gone on to start just 14 La Liga games in that time, unable to replicate his previous form from the Benito Villamarín Stadium.

If David Moyes decides to stump up the cash to bring Firpo to east London, it may well be a needless gamble.

In other news: West Ham now considering ‘phenomenal’ 6 ft 2 forward who is expected to leave this summer, find out more here.

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa can finally wave goodbye to Kiko Casilla this summer by signing QPR’s Seny Dieng.

What’s the story?

The Athletic’s Phil Hay previously claimed towards the end of last season that Casilla is “one of the players we’ve been expecting Leeds to move on in the summer”.

And, after reports suggesting that Leeds are one of a number of Premier League sides tracking Dieng’s progress in the Championship, West London Sport have delivered an update on the situation ahead of the summer transfer window.

They revealed: “There have so far been no enquiries about Dieng despite speculation about his future resulting from his performances since leapfrogging both Lumley and Kelly to become first-choice keeper.”

Bielsa must land Dieng

While Leeds have yet to make a summer move for the 6 foot 4 Dieng just yet, Bielsa must surely ensure that the Whites do so and snap him ahead of the new Premier League season.

With Casilla being firmly relegated to being Illan Meslier’s number two, and Meslier’s emergence onto the scene, Bielsa must surely look to offload the £40k-a-week earning Spaniard this summer.

Speaking after Leeds’ FA Cup loss to Crawley Town earlier this season, journalist Daniel Storey, slammed: “I think Kiko Casilla was the other game-changer in a negative sense because I don’t think he should be playing for Leeds for non-football reasons, but he probably shouldn’t be playing for Leeds for football reasons after today.”

Meanwhile, Leeds TV podcaster, Oscar Mario called him a “complete liability”, and despite Bielsa’s surprise decision to bring him back into the fold on the final day of the Premier League season, his time at the club is surely up.

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In Dieng, the Leeds boss will have the perfect chance to wave goodbye to Casilla and bring in the kind of goalkeeper who could potentially challenge Meslier for that number one jersey.

Meanwhile, Bielsa may be heading for a major early window howler at Leeds…

Aston Villa are interested in moving for Metz midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, as reported by the Birmingham Mail.

Enjoying an impressive breakthrough campaign in 2020/21, the defensive midfielder made 22 appearances for Metz scoring three times [Transfermarkt].

His performances have yielded a senior international call-up to his native Senegal at just 18 years of age [One Football], whilst he has previously attracted interest from the likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Monaco [Get French Football News].

Achieving a pass accuracy of 85.3% in Ligue 1, the anchor man holds a knack of being able to rotate the ball efficiently [WhoScored]. Also renowned for his insatiable capacity to win the ball in the challenge, he is rumoured to cost the Villains around €25m to €30m (£21.5m-£25.8m) this summer if he is to make the move to Villa Park [Joris Crolbois, via Sportslens].

Given his prodigious talent, it’s little wonder that loads of Aston Villa fans took to Twitter to voice their excitement over this latest development. One has called on sporting director Johan Lange to make the deal happen, while another fan has dubbed him the “next Vieira” in reference to the combative Arsenal and France legend.

Villa fans react:

Replying to popular Aston Villa fan outlet @villareport, here is what some of the fans had to say on the matter:

“Go on then. Give me the 18 year old star boy to run the prem. give me the next Vieira, that’s absolutely fine”

Credit: @HarryUTV

“The Senegalese Jude Bellingham. I’m convinced. Johan Lange, make it so. UTV.”Credit: @OllieUTV”It’s an 18 year old wonderkid, main position is DM, but can also play CM and AM. Very versatile and bags of talent.”Credit: @JayVtid”DONE DEAL. Saw him in Selfridges earlier today buying a Kappa tracksuit.”Credit: @Mr_B_solihull”If we get him we will have a DM better than Kante, get it done”Credit: @VillaWatch_”Might as well just give us the league now”Credit: @mark_gilfillan9In other news, these Villa fans loved what Emiliano Martinez did.

According to a report by Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, manager Maurizio Sarri now ‘feels the call of England’ with Tottenham Hotspur namedropped as a suitor for the 62-year-old.

The Lowdown: Sarri on the Spurs radar?

Links with former Chelsea boss Sarri have emerged sporadically over the last month, with reports in Italy even saying that Spurs have already been in contact.

One recent update also tipped Tottenham as ‘the hottest possibility’ for Sarri, but reports closer to home have contradicting information that he is not a main candidate for the Lilywhites.

Italian and English sources appear to be at odds with one another when it comes to Sarri and Spurs, with Corriere dello Sport now providing the latest claim.

The Latest: Sarri tempted by move to England

Indeed, the ex-Napoli manager, according to Corriere dello Sport, is now tempted by a move to England and ‘feels the call’ of the Premier League or a ‘far-reaching project’.

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This could now open the door for Tottenham to make a swift move and the outlet even name drops Tottenham as a suitor for Sarri specifically.

While there is no update from this report of any formal contacts or approach by Spurs, it appears Daniel Levy and co remain interested in the Italian and could be boosted by his alleged stance on a return to England.

The Verdict: Do it Levy…

We have often reiterated that Sarri would be a great option for Spurs, mainly due to his philosophy of intense, attack-minded tactics.

Tottenham are reportedly on the hunt for a manager who can re-install an exciting brand of football in north London (The Guardian), and the Serie A-winning coach certainly falls into that category.

Kalidou Koulibaly, who played under Sarri’s tutelage at Napoli, is one of his many admirers and told II Messaggero (via Goal) how he is a ‘genius’ who ‘sees things others don’t see’.

His win rate as a manager overall is a good one, also – having recorded 287 wins from 582 matches whilst averaging 1.74 points per 90 (Transfermarkt).

Therefore, we feel Levy should consider Sarri as a credible option for his heir to Jose Mourinho.

In other news: Tottenham have now had discussions with this Champions League winner, find out more here.

Many West Ham United fans have been left to bemoan an update on Alan Irvine as the club’s website confirmed that he has left his role as assistant manager.

The 62-year-old will now take on a new technical advisory position to assist David Moyes and his coaching staff for the 2021/22 term.

The website describes him as a ‘hugely respected figure’ and ‘one of the finest coaches in the English game, admired and respected by players and his peers in the coaching world’.

It is not just Moyes who had contributed to the great work on the pitch last season, with which the East London club managed a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League and therefore qualified for the UEFA Europa League, but Irvine as well played a big part, and so it will be a huge loss not to have him right on the touchline.

Although he is still working with the Hammers, several Irons supporters have been left to bemoan the Scotsman not being able to work alongside Moyes from the touchline during games.

West Ham fans on Irvine update

These WHU fans flocked to the update as it was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that they were ‘gutted’:

“I don’t consider this good news at all”

Credit: @LeefromAHN

“That’s not good. He is well liked. Respected coach. Carlton Cole was talking about how good he is”

Credit: @jeffers4045

“Gutting I liked him”

Credit: @RyanWestHam1999

“That’s not good news, need to keep that group together”

Credit: @rickwhufc

“Ah gutted, top coach he is!”

Credit: @westhampep

“NOOOOO”

Credit: @conwhufc03

In other news, find out what Moyes’ transfer priority is here!

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who made 333 appearances for Newcastle United, does not believe any of the recent takeover claims and rumours regarding the ongoing saga involving Amanda Staveley and PIF.

There have been some big claims made by national newspapers in the last week with some of them involving Boris Johnson, who was asked to intervene with the deal by Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salaman.

PCP Capital Partners opened negotiations with Mike Ashley and his representatives about buying the club over 12 months ago now, however, they are further away than ever before with a legal battle in front of any takeover now.

Speaking on why he doesn’t listen to any rumours or talk about the takeover and questions how anyone knows what Boris Johnson and Prince Bin Salaman have spoken about, Lee spoke exclusively to FFC:

“Where have they got that from, and how do they know that? If somebody was close with the Prince or Boris Johnson then fair enough, but come on, it’s just people making things up now.

“This has been going on for over a year now so you’ve got to wonder if it’s actually going to happen. I don’t believe any of this stuff when it comes from friends of friends or people say ‘I’ve heard this’, because unless it comes from Ashley I won’t believe a word.”

Mike Ashley thought he had finally found a group of buyers who were serious about taking Newcastle off his hands, only for Staveley’s consortium to pull out of a deal when it came to the owners and directors tests.

Any potential buyers will be hoping Steve Bruce can keep Newcastle in the Premier League because if they are relegated to the Championship it could scupper any deal in the future.

Sunderland fans are gutted after Lee Johnson revealed Dion Sanderson will miss the rest of the season due to injury.

After a number of poor results in recent weeks, the Black Cats will have to make do with the play-offs as they look to earn promotion from League One to the Championship. They have lost three and drawn two of their last five matches (Sky Sports), meaning it is almost impossible for them to catch Peterborough in second place.

In anticipation of the play-offs, it had been hoped that Sanderson would be available to play. However, prior to the Stadium of Light outfit’s clash against Blackpool in the third tier on Tuesday, Johnson revealed the 21-year-old will not play another game for the club this term – considering he is only on loan from Wolves, he could have already played his last match for the Wearside team.

The news was shared on Sunderland’s official Twitter account, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

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

“Yay another season in league one.”

Credit: @PAJUK19

“So basically it’s league one for another year, gerrrrin”

Credit: @HarryTindal1

“Gutted @SandowRs, all the best marra”

Credit: @Jamieparko203

“Sickening.”

Credit: @ScottDuffman

“Gutted for the lad, we are much weaker without him, get him signed for next season”

Credit: @christyzack

“Absolutely gutted man What a player he’s been for us”

Credit: @StephanieWooton

In other news, Sunderland fans react to this youngster’s latest performance.

Liverpool face a key clash in the race for Champions League football on Saturday as they welcome Aston Villa to Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have won their last two Premier League games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal but were defeated in their last outing, a 3-1 reverse at the hands of Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Could Klopp elect to make many changes for his starting line-up following that defeat?

With the second leg against Los Blancos not taking place until Wednesday, there should only be slight alterations for Saturday’s clash.

None of those aforementioned changes should occur in defence, where Alisson is set to be shielded by Trent Alexander-Arnold, Nathaniel Phillips, Ozan Kabak and Andrew Robertson.

One slight tweak will likely occur in midfield, where Naby Keita should be replaced by Thiago Alcantara. The Guinean international had a torrid time in Madrid, eventually being substituted after 42 minutes, so he certainly would not have justified any selection against Villa.

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Meanwhile, Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum should assume their regular positions in midfield.

Moving into attack, Klopp could be tempted to make a further change with Sadio Mane being replaced by Roberto Firmino, who started on the bench in Spain. The 71-cap Senegal winger has not scored in the Premier League since late January in the 3-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur.

Whilst the Brazilian is not a direct replacement, Mane dropping out allows the in-form Diogo Jota to shift out to the left.

Mohamed Salah should complete Liverpool’s three-pronged attack against Villa in a team which only sees two changes from that which started against Real Madrid.

AND in more news, take a closer look at why Thiago Alcantara has to be included in the starting line-up for Saturday’s game…

Many Glasgow Rangers fans were delighted with the display of Ryan Kent during the first half of their Scottish Cup fourth round tie on Sunday.

The Gers are in action at Ibrox against Celtic as they aim to progress to the next round. With the Premiership title already sewn up, the 55-time Scottish champions have the chance to do the domestic double if they can get past the Bhoys – St Johnstone await the winners in the quarter-finals.

The home side took the lead through Steven Davis, but Kent was instrumental in the build-up. It was his turn past Scott Brown which started the move, although he was then taken out by Stephen Welsh.

The former Liverpool winger then played a huge part in doubling the home side’s lead on the 34th minute, his pressure on Jonjoe Kenny forcing an own goal from the Hoops defender, to put Steven Gerrard’s men in a commanding position towards the end of the first half.

These Gers supporters were absolutely delighted with what they have seen from the 24-year-old, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about Kent

“Ryan Kent what a spin”

Credit: @dave_daveframe

“That turn from Kent on Brown was filthy”

Credit: @PaulLinfield

“Kent was electric there.”

Credit: @d6mo

“Fantastic by Kent and what a finish”

Credit: @miltonfox6141

“Kent should be knighted for destroying Brown in the lead up to the goal”

Credit: @garrymoore18

“Ryan Kent despises this mob”

Credit: @davlorn73

“He’s the man”

Credit: @Kirky_8

In other news, many Rangers fans are gutted by news on this 29-year-old.

David Moyes can land his eventual Angelo Ogbonna heir with a move for West Ham United to sign Watford defender Francisco Sierralta this summer.

What’s the word?

According to Enzo Olivera, via Last Word on Sport, the Irons are interested in a swoop for Sierralta but could face Premier League competition for his signature.

The Hornets are reluctant to lose the 23-year-old after he emerged as a key part of Xisco’s defence, which has allowed the least goals in the Championship this term.

No side has conceded less often in the second-tier than Watford in 2020/21, with the Hornets allowing just 26 goals in 38 games as they vie for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Sierralta has significantly contributed to that record with Watford keeping 10 clean sheets during his 19 appearances, of which the defender has started 17.

The Chilean entered the campaign as Watford’s sixth-choice centre-half and played only three minutes in the club’s first 19 league games, before launching an incredible rise following an injury for William Troost-Ekong and bruised knee for Christian Kabasele.

West Ham could face rival competition for Sierralta with Crystal Palace also touted as a potential destination, after Enzo Olivera recently claimed that London outfits represented two of the four clubs who are closely following the £7,300-per-week enforcer’s situation.

Sierralta joined Watford from Serie A side Udinese Calcio on a three-year contract last September, and would certainly cost more than his £500,000 Transfermarkt valuation if any side wishes to lure him away from Vicarage Road.

Should West Ham sign Sierralta?

It remains to be seen how highly Watford would value Sierralta and what impact a return to the Premier League would have on the Hornet’s position, but the Chilean’s incredible turn of form to establish himself as a regular for Xisco is right to attract West Ham’s interest.

Sierralta has been dominating second-tier offences since his breakthrough at Vicarage Road in December, with EFL pundit Dean Ashton heaping praise on the 23-year-old after dwarfing Birmingham City last Saturday.

“Sierralta was absolutely outstanding today, and he has been outstanding ever since he walked through the door” Ashton said on EFL on Quest. “Seventeen starts for him now and Watford have only conceded ten goals!

“And today, up against [Lukas] Jutkiewicz, he won every duel, every header, most clearances. [It was a] dominating performance against a top forward.”

Sierralta won five out of five aerial duels and his sole ground challenge against Birmingham prior to the international break, while Jutkiewicz lost four of nine combined duels and fellow forward Scott Hogan lost all nine of his contests, per SofaScore.

The Watford star’s success in the duel led to Sierralta’s highest SofaScore match rating in 10 appearances at 7.5 out of 10, a score that the Chilean has only eclipsed on one occasion since moving to Vicarage Road with a 7.9 achieved against Barnsley in January.

West Ham successfully testing Watford’s resolve at the end of the season and signing Sierralta would seemingly give Moyes a strong long-term heir to Ogbonna, who will enter the final 12-months of his £70k-p/w contract in June and will turn 33 in May.

Moyes has lauded Ogbonna for his “magnificent” performances this season, but there is only so much longer that he can rely on the Italian so signing his replacement early could be a wise way to go if the fee is right.

AND in other news, West Ham are adamant a deal to sign a £100k-p/w “revelation” will be reached…