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Celtic are expected to make Jota’s loan move from Benfica permanent in the summer, Sky Sports report.

The Lowdown: Impressive Parkhead loan

Jota, who shares the same agent as Jose Mourinho, made the move to Glasgow on deadline day last summer, penning a season-long loan deal.

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That move included an option to buy at the end of the campaign, with reports believing a fee to make a move permanent is worth £6.5m.

The two-footed left-winger has starred in Scotland under Ange Postecoglou, scoring ten times and registering ten assists in 32 appearances.

He has been a key performer for the Hoops in what has been an impressive season, with a domestic treble still on the cards.

The Latest: Sky Sports claim

Sky Sports shared a story late on Tuesday evening, looking at 50 players who could be involved in transfers this summer.

One of those was Jota, with the report addressing the player’s long-term future. They said that Celtic are expected to sign Jota on a permanent basis, once again reporting a £6.5m fee.

The Verdict: Good news…

Jota has been a revelation at Parkhead, so it seems to be a no brainer to make his move permanent. No player has registered more assists than the Portuguese attacker, with Jota also high in the rankings when it comes to crosses completed and average match rating. [WhoScored]

He would become Celtic’s eighth most expensive signing of all time, should a £6.5m deal go through, but he has shown this season what he will bring to the club, and you’d expect he’ll only get better due to being just 23 years of age.

In other news: Sky Sports: Celtic have opened talks for another player as well as Bayern midfielder Scott. 

Transfer insider Dean Jones has now revealed some exciting Newcastle United news involving three striker targets.

The Lowdown: New striker wanted?

Given recent links to the likes of Memphis Depay and Hugo Ekitike, it seems as if the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium want to bring in another striker to St. James’ Park in the summer.

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Chris Wood was bought from Burnley in the January transfer window, but has only managed injury problems this season, and so bringing in another forward may be a smart bit of business.

The Latest: Three options

When asked if the Tyneside outfit will bring in the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Patrick Schick or Darwin Nunez to play ahead of or with Wilson next term, Jones told GiveMeSport:

“They’ll bring in somebody ahead of him as their go-to guy for goals. And, those three are all on the list.”

The Verdict: Exciting

It is certainly exciting for the Toon Army to be linked with all of these big-name players.

Calvert-Lewin is perhaps the one that they would be most familiar with, and if Everton get relegated from the Premier League, then he could become available on the cheap.

Nunez meanwhile is having a standout season at Benfica, as his recent goal in the UEFA Champions League against Liverpool was his 28th in total over all competitions so far.

Schick is perhaps more well-known on the international stage, where he averages roughly a goal every two games for Czech Republic, as his five strikes in Euro 2020 helped them get to the quarter-final stage of the competition (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, even bringing in one of these elite finishers will elevate the quality in Eddie Howe’s squad for the next campaign.

In other news, find out who will also miss Wolves alongside Joe Willock here!

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Leeds fans have taken to Twitter to react after it was revealed on the club’s official website that Kemar Roofe will spend a period on the sidelines after damaging knee ligaments in the recent win over Swansea.

The news will come as a big blow to promotion chasing Leeds, who will now be without their top scorer for the bulk of the run-in – 2-goal Patrick Bamford will most likely step in to cover the English striker.

Roofe has scored 14 goals in 26 Championship starts this season, so his absence will be a huge blow to Marcelo Bielsa who currently has his side sat in third and just two points off the top, along with a game in hand.

It is yet to be revealed just how long Roofe will be out for, but with such little striking depth in reserve who can match the 26-year-old’s output, Leeds supporters on Twitter are understandably worried about their chances of promotion following the crippling news…

Roy Keane has rejected the opportunity to become the next Sunderland manager.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Michael Walker, with The Athletic journalist revealing in a post on Twitter that, despite his heavy links with a move to the Black Cats, the 50-year-old will not become Lee Johnson’s successor at the club.

In his tweet, Walker said: “It appears Roy Keane is no longer part of Sunderland’s search for a new manager.”

Fans will be devastated

While it is true that Keane’s last management role came at Ipswich Town more than 11 years ago, considering the former Manchester United midfielder’s history with Sunderland, the news that the club look to have missed out on the appointment of the 50-year-old who podcaster Richard Mennear claimed would be a “major coup” is sure to have left fans devastated.

Indeed, during his first spell on Wearside from 2006-2008, Keane led the Black Cats to the Championship title in his first season in charge, before securing Premier League survival relatively comfortably in the subsequent campaign with a 15th place finish in the top flight.

However, after a shaky – but not unsalvagable – start to the 2008/09 season, with the Mackems having won four, drawn three and lost eight of their opening 15 league fixtures, Keane offered then-chairman Niall Quinn his resignation, which the former Sunderland centre-forward reluctantly accepted.

Following his departure, Quinn said of the 50-year-old: “He had put a lot of effort in here, brought more than just his presence here – he brought a way of thinking into this place. He was instrumental in developing a winning mentality – that was the toughest thing of all for him to come and do when we were at the foot of the Championship. He brought standards to this club which are amazing. But to do that, it’s intense.”

And, with Sunderland’s current promotion push falling off a cliff – with the Black Cats having won just one of their last seven League One fixtures, a run of results that also includes four defeats – Quinn’s description of Keane would very much appear to be exactly the type of manager the club require in order to get them back on track this season – leading us to believe that the Irishman’s return to the Stadium of Light would have been a fantastic appointment for the Mackems.

In other news: Scott Wilson now drops teasing update in SAFC managerial search, fans will be buzzing

Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett has now shared a transfer update out of Tottenham Hotspur involving soon-to-be free agent and England international goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

The Lowdown: Johnstone set to leave…

Primed to become one of the most in-demand Bosman transfers of the summer domestically, the 29-year-old is set to leave West Bromwich Albion on a free, as hinted by Baggies manager Steve Bruce.

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This may result in a multitude of clubs vying to sign Johnstone given his proven performances in the Premier League last year and homegrown status, all of which can be obtained for free.

As now backed by Sky Sports, Tottenham are one of the clubs who are interested in obtaining the shot stopper this summer, with Dorsett sharing what he has heard.

The Latest: Dorsett shares Johnstone update…

According to Dorsett, the Lilywhites and their transfer chief Fabio Paratici are set to ‘battle it out’ with Manchester United for the signing of Johnstone as they aim to back Antonio Conte with the signing of the West Brom stalwart.

He explained: “#mufc and #thfc to battle it out for the signature of goalkeeper Sam Johnstone in the summer. Johnstone won’t sign a new #wba contract, when it expires at the end of the season, as he seeks a return to the Premier League. Bruce said on Saturday he expects him to leave.”

The Verdict: Get it done?

Needing an understudy for number one Hugo Lloris with loanee Pierluigi Gollini set to return to Atalanta in the summer, and possibly an eventual heir to the Frenchman, Spurs could hardly get any better than snapping up Johnstone for free.

Former West Brom boss Sam Allardyce, who heaped praise on the Three Lions ace for his performances last year, was joined by Wolves legend Steve Bull in praising Johnstone, who he branded ‘world class’.

Given the 29-year-old’s impending availability as a free agent, this moves seems like a no-brainer for Paratici as he aims to bolster Conte’s playing options this summer.

In other news: Tottenham could strike imminent agreement to sign ‘magical’ £25m striker, find out more here

Leeds United have made a late approach for Nantes forward Moses Simon, GFFN report.

The Lowdown: Simon profiled

Simon is 26 years of age and has been with the French side for 18 months since arriving in a £4.5m move from Spanish outfit Levante after a successful loan spell.

Primarily a left-winger who can also play as a centre-forward and on the right, Simon has scored 61 goals for club and country during his career.

The Nigerian appears to be at the peak of his powers with a career-high Transfermarkt valuation of £8.1m and seems to be attracting interest from Leeds.

The Latest: Approach made

According to journalist Ignazio Genuardi, via Get French Football News, the Whites are among the clubs to have made an approach for Simon.

There have been no major developments since this was reported on Saturday, so it seems as if Leeds could be biding their time before a possible deadline day move for the versatile forward.

The Verdict: Unlikely

The report claims that it could take an offer in the region of €20m (£16.6m) for Nantes to part ways with Simon this month, a fee which would be double his Transfermarkt valuation and be a costly one for Andrea Radrizzani and the 49ers Enterprises.

Should Crysencio Summerville leave for Hamburg following recent rumours, then it looks as if Liverpool’s Takumi Minamino could be a serious target to replace the youngster.

Who knows, Simon could also be on the list, but Victor Orta and co may simply run out of time to push a deadline day move through, with Minamino a closer option geographically at Anfield. A deal for the Japan star will potentially have less complications in the negotiating room too if Liverpool opt to loan him out after the capture of Luis Diaz.

In other news, Leeds have been boosted in their quest to sign a Premier League player. Find out who it is here.

Roberto Firmino is likely to be offered a new deal at Liverpool according to Liverpool Echo correspondent Theo Squires. 

The lowdown: Declining influence

For so long the man signed from Hoffenheim in 2015 has been the lynchpin of Jurgen Klopp’s side and an integral element of the famous front three that has fired the Reds to UEFA Champions League and Premier League glory.

However, the recent acquisitions and subsequent impacts of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz have meant that the Brazilian forward has fallen down the pecking order somewhat.

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Out of contract in the summer of 2023 (Transfermarkt), a decision needs to be made on the future of the 30-year-old.

The latest: Squires delivers update

Taking part in a Q&A session for the Liverpool Echo, journalist Squires was asked whether Firmino is likely to be offered a contract extension alongside both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.

“It’s an interesting one with Firmino. For so long he was Liverpool’s go-to man and rarely injured but they have evolved beyond him this season. I agree, I struggle to see Liverpool keeping all three forwards beyond next summer but never say never. Mane has obviously done his own hopes of a new deal no harm, with his agent recently saying talks were on hold until the summer. Plenty has been written about Salah with no breakthrough yet.

“I’d imagine the club will see what happens with Salah and Mane and then decide what to do with Firmino. They’ll make an offer they consider fair at some point and will just expect him to want to stay. Then it’s up to the Brazilian if it’s right for him or time to move on.”

The verdict: Deal earned

Despite a drop off in appearances this term and perhaps, more importantly, persistent injury issues, Firmino’s trophy-laden time at Anfield warrants a new deal for the 55-cap Brazilian.

The man once described as ‘unbelievably valuable’ to the team by Klopp amidst a two-month Premier League goal drought has already lifted five major honours on Merseyside and could be set for more before the end of the ongoing campaign.

Very few players in world football can offer what the Samba star can offer and when using Fbref to find comparable operators, only RB Leipzig ace Christopher Nkunku tops Liverpool’s own Jota when it comes to sharing traits with the expert false nine.

Whether or not Firmino, who has ten goals and four assists this season, is willing to accept a bit-part role moving forwards remains to be seen, but either way, this upcoming summer has all the hallmarks of a busy one for the Reds.

In other news, one Liverpool player has been backed to leave this summer. Find out who it is here.

West Brom’s reputation as a “yo-yo” club could have been ended if the club made different transfer decisions to improve their squad over the years.

Having spent more than £240m on transfer fees alone in the last decade, it is hugely disappointing for Baggies fans to still find themselves an unestablished Premier League side, with them even struggling to push for promotion from the Championship this year.

They have lost a number of their talismans throughout recent years, like Brazilian playmaker Matheus Pereira, who left at the start of this season for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal for £16.2m.

Albion could have made a club-transforming transfer back in 2011, as according to the Daily Mail, then-Baggies manager Roy Hodgson was targeting a move for a teenage Wilfried Zaha, who subsequently became a hero at Crystal Palace under the English coach for years to come.

He has made 420 appearances for the south London club, scoring 78 goals and providing 73 assists as he has consistently helped the team remain in the top tier of English football for nine years and counting.

Eagles assistant manager Osian Roberts praised the Ivory Coast international earlier this season for his positive influence off the pitch – something which would have greatly benefitted a “yo-yo” team in helping them secure Premier League survival.

Roberts said: “I can only go on personal experience of the last few months, and I think Wilfried is a top professional, who is hungry for success. He wants to be successful as an individual, and he wants to be successful in a team environment, and in order to do so you have to push yourself and you have to push your teammates.

“Patrick [Vieira] is always saying to our group of players ‘you must demand more from each other’ and Wilfried is one of the first to do that.”

Ranking in the top 9% of wingers and attacking midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues and continental competitions for dribbles attempted per 90 (4.86), top 11% for carries into the penalty area per 90 (1.84) and top 12% for pressures per 90 (21.75), the former Manchester United winger has proven himself to be one of the Premier League’s top forwards in recent years.

If West Brom had signed a clinical forward like Zaha, who would have not only got The Hawthorns crowd on their feet but kept them in the top flight right up to the present day, they could have shed their status as a “yo-yo” team by now. Instead, they’re left watching on as he’s done just that with Crystal Palace.

In other news: WBA could face disaster on “accomplished” 28 y/o who’s “getting better all the time”

Wolverhampton Wanderers host Premier League rivals Norwich City in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon, with Bruno Lage’s men looking to go far in the competition.

The West Midlands side have enjoyed a strong first half of the Premier League campaign and sit eighth in the top-flight table whilst the Canaries are one point clear of the relegation zone.

Having beaten Championship outfit Sheffield United 3-0 with a very strong side in the previous round, we expect no different this time around. Here is how Football FanCast expects Wolves to line up on Saturday.

The main change from Wolves’ last game, a 2-1 league win at Brentford, is in between the sticks as John Ruddy gets his fourth first-team appearance of the season, replacing first-choice Jose Sa as he did in the previous round.

There is also a change in defence, as Marcal replaces 23-year-old Toti Gomes. The Portuguese defender has made two Premier League appearances so far, winning both games, but must be managed efficiently and giving Marcal a chance shouldn’t cause any complications.

In terms of midfield and wing-backs, the only change is in shape as a 3-5-2 shifts to a 3-4-3 with Joao Moutinho dropping out. The midfielder is 35 and therefore has to also be managed properly in order to continue performing at the high level he has been in the league all season.

Daniel Podence and Fabio Silva keep their places whilst Francisco Trincao comes in on the left-wing. The 22-year-old certainly has potential, with Match of the Day pundit Gary Lineker labelling the Barcelona loanee as a “very promising young player” on his Twitter account after an impressive performance against Manchester United earlier this season.

However, the £19.8m-rated Portuguese winger’s spell at Molineux hasn’t exactly gone to plan so far, with the 22-year-old still yet to score in the league whilst scoring his sole goal in an EFL Cup win over Nottingham Forest.

Striker Raul Jimenez is expected to be available after returning from international duty with Mexico, however, it seems unlikely that he’ll be fit to start and therefore 19-year-old Fabio Silva will have another opportunity to impress his manager.

In other news: Alex Crook drops “interesting” Wolves transfer claim which will surely have fans sweating

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Christian Eriksen back to north London in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Fabrizio Romano, with the Italian journalist and transfer insider revealing in a recent episode of the Here We Go podcast that, despite there currently being no talks between the 30-year-old and Tottenham, a move for the midfielder is something Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici will consider at the end of the season.

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Speaking about Spurs’ links with the Denmark international: “The answer I’m always receiving on Eriksen’s side is: ‘He’s not deciding in April, he’s not deciding in May. He wants to wait until the end of the season to meet with Brentford and speak with them – as a matter of respect – and then he will make a decision on his future.’

“But we have rumours of Tottenham because of Antonio Conte. The relationship with Conte was terrible two years ago and then it changed, it completely changed in the second half of the last season with Inter Milan. So, this is why we have rumours. It is not something close, but it is something Tottenham could consider after the meeting with Brentford.”

Conte would love him

While it is true that, following his £24.3m move to Inter back in January 2020, Eriksen initially struggled for game time under the 52-year-old manager, the Dane eventually worked his way into the Italian’s starting XI, before becoming a key player for the Nerazzurri last season.

Indeed, over his 27 Serie A appearances last time out, the £13.5m-rated midfield maestro highly impressed in Inter’s title-winning campaign, scoring three goals and creating two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.2 shots and making 1.2 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £23k-per-week playmaker average a very respectable SofaScore match rating of 7.02, ranking him as Conte’s 11th-best player in the Italian top-flight.

This is form that the 111-time capped international has continued following his switch to Brentford in the January transfer window, with the player who Thomas Frank dubbed “world-class” very much proving he is still exactly as his manager claims.

Indeed, over his six Premier League fixtures for the Bees, the 30-year-old has already bagged one goal, provided two assists and created three big chances for his teammates, as well as made an average of 1.8 key passes and taken 1.7 shots per game.

These returns have seen the Dane average a quite extraordinary SofaScore match rating of 7.47, not only ranking him as Brentford’s best performer in the league but also as the fourth-best player in the division as a whole.

As such, Romano’s claim that Tottenham will consider a move to bring Eriksen back to north London this summer is hardly surprising, as it is clear that the midfielder is a player Conte would love to have in his side next season.

AND in other news: Spurs plotting £58m bid for “perfect” target who “Paratici loves”, he’s Conte’s dream