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According to a report by German news outlet Sport Bild, as relayed by Sport Witness, long time Tottenham Hotspur target Marcel Sabitzer will listen to proposals from elsewhere before even thinking about signing a new deal at RB Leipzig – and he particularly wants ‘to look for offers from England’.

Sabitzer has been on Spurs’ transfer radar since last summer, with talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook saying Daniel Levy and co were ‘looking to pull off a coup’ back in August 2020.

Sabitzer boost emerges for Spurs

Links haven’t died down since then and Sport Bild now provide an update on the 27-year-old Bundesliga star and his possible move to north London.

They claim that the Austrian’s priority is to ‘look for offers from England’ before even considering a new contract at RB Leipzig – gifting Spurs and Levy a transfer boost as they reportedly aim to snap him up.

Reliable sources, like football.london correspondent Alasdair Gold, say Tottenham do indeed want Sabitzer this summer – especially considering he is out of contract in 2022 as it stands.

Transfer Tavern take

This could hand Levy more negotiating wiggle room as Leipzig risk losing him for nothing at the end of next season.

As a result, this news from Sport Bild comes as a boost for Spurs – but a caveat in the report details that a ‘turnaround is possible’ on the new RB Leipzig deal if Sabitzer doesn’t receive an ‘interesting’ offer.

Lilywhites fans, as a result, may be hoping that a fitting proposal is tabled and Tottenham take advantage of his current stance.

In other news: Tottenham touted as possible move for ‘extraordinary’ star, find out more here.

In the end, Leeds United’s late equaliser was a win for football, as Marcelo Bielsa’s side rescued a point in their Premier League clash against Merseyside Reds (Liverpool).

With all the pre-match talk dominated by the European Super League – you only had to look at Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football coverage to see that – it was easy to forget that Leeds v Liverpool was a coming together of two of English football’s biggest clubs.

The Whites looked off the pace in the first half with Jurgen Klopp’s men dominating proceedings, and the visitors eventually got their reward when Sadio Mane netted to open the scoring.

However, Leeds kicked back into the gear after the break, and after spurning several opportunities to haul things level, they managed to find a way past Alisson thanks to a superb header from Diego Llorente.

In truth, the Whites could have, and probably should have, ended up with more than just their solitary point, and much of that has to do with Patrick Bamford’s woeful night in front of goal. As per Sofascore, he failed to find the back of the net with five of his attempts on goal, including missing three official big chances, not least a one-on-one chance in the first half.

The striker also struggled to just get involved in the game, managing just eight passes in total over the course of the 90 minutes, and his radar went awry at frustrating times too, misplacing seven of his 15 attempted passes as he desperately tried to make things happen (Sofascore).

It all led to Andy Hinchcliffe to remark on co-commentary duty for the game (72.20): “Patrick Bamford is going absolute crackers here. He made a couple of really intelligent runs, spinning in behind Fabinho, but his teammates at the back just haven’t seen the runs that he had made. It’s so frustrating for a striker, you’re trying your best but no-one’s helping you out. He’s just got to keep believing that they’ll see him, and he’ll eventually get that golden chance to get that equaliser.”

Well, Bamford did get picked out by a wonderful pass over the top by Luke Ayling straight after, and after a glorious first touch, he proceeded to see his shot come off the crossbar – perhaps slightly unfortunate, but again just another game where a gilt-edged opportunity went begging.

Writing in his post-match player ratings for Leeds Live, Beren Cross gave him a lowly six, explaining: “A horrible, near anonymous first half from the striker, but improved in the second half and even hit the crossbar. Never stopped asking for the ball, but very few proper sights of goal. Looked flat-footed and sluggish in the first period.”

In fact, Bamford had a far better night off the pitch, where once again he spoke eloquently in his post-match press conference and spoke for football fans across the world in pointing out the complete nonsense of the European Super League’s plans.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Latest Leeds transfer rumours and news”]

Bielsa would have been very proud of his striker for the way he spoke, but for his woeful performance on the pitch, he no doubt would have been less than pleased with what the 27-year-old produced..

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing a summer swoop for this star who’s faster than Lionel Messi…

Former Manchester United winger Keith Gillespie has backed Red Devils legend Roy Keane to take over at Celtic and begin a rivalry with Rangers boss Steven Gerrard, in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

The Scottish giants are on the lookout for a new manager after the resignation of Neil Lennon in the wake of a disappointing season.

Celtic are currently 20 points behind ex-Liverpool icon Gerrard’s men, who have already been crowned champions. They have yet to lose a game.

And a report from Football Insider has suggested that Celtic could turn to their former midfielder, Keane, as they bid to close the gap over the coming seasons.

The two parties are said to be locked in talks and it would mark Keane’s return to management, as he has not been in sole charge of a team since his stint with Ipswich Town between 2009 and 2011.

Since then, he has been an assistant at the Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest but Gillespie, who shared a dressing room with Keane when he was a Manchester United player, thinks he could have a real impact at Parkhead.

He told FFC: “They need somebody who is a name and I think it would be very interesting, the fact that if he does, you’ve got that rivalry of Gerrard and Keane, which adds a little bit more spice to it. But they’re so far behind Rangers this season that they need something to change.”

Keane has spent the majority of his time away from the game in the Sky Sports studio, passing sardonic judgement on current Premier League teams.

And Gillespie thinks that the players will know what to expect from him, having seen him be so vicious in the studio, while bringing the experience of working under top managers earlier in his career.

He added: “I think players will obviously respect him, they’ll listen to him as a pundit. And so they’ll know that he doesn’t pull any punches.

“You’d like to think that the players would react and he’s worked under Brian Clough, he’s worked under Alex Ferguson. Two great managers.

“So you’d like to think that some of what he’s learned off them will rub off.”

David Moyes must boot summer free-agent Fabian Balbuena out of West Ham United as interest begins to build in the outcast defender.

What’s the word?

According to Portuguese transfer expert Pedro Almeida, Balbuena is attracting interest from clubs from around the world ahead of his potential release at the end of the season.

The centre-back has just three months remaining on the £40k-per-week contract signed upon his arrival in 2018, when bought from Corinthians for £6.5m by Manuel Pellegrini and former Irons Sporting Director Mario Husillos.

Balbuena was initially a key part of Pellegrini’s backline at the London Stadium but lost his place in the side after knee surgery, and has endured a mixed spell under Moyes.

After playing a bit-part role last season, Balbuena was a fixture of Moyes’ line-up at the start of the current campaign – opening 12 of 15 Premier League games – but has only been seen on the field for 90 minutes across all competitions since December.

Almeida claims that four teams are now lining up summer moves for the 29-year-old, who would prefer to secure a return to Brazil after his two years at Corinthians.

Rio de Janeiro-based Flamengo are one of the clubs thought to be keen, along with Internacional, a Saudi Arabian outfit and a team from Major League Soccer. No Portuguese side is currently considering an offer.

Flamengo’s interest has been long noted, with South American football journalist Jorge Nicola claiming in November that they may attempt to sign the £7m-rated titan at the end of the season should he leave West Ham as a free agent.

Should West Ham let Balbuena leave?

It was thought earlier in the campaign that Balbuena’s future would be at the London Stadium, but the picture changed drastically over the winter as he fell further down Moyes’ pecking order.

Irons insider ExWHUemployee suggested in December that a new deal was set to be agreed imminently, yet rumours surfaced on Deadline Day last month that the Hammers were open to offers for Balbuena as they sought to retain Liverpool target Issa Diop.

In the end, both remained in east London, but only Diop has been given a chance to feature while Angelo Ogbonna is sidelined with a high ankle sprain, as Craig Dawson has locked down the other centre-back role after taking the position from Balbuena.

It would appear that Balbuena has now given up hope of securing a new deal as he looks for a return to Brazil, having claimed recently that he will sit down with the Hammers hierarchy to discuss his future as the club hold an option to extend his current contract.

From a financial point-of-view, it would make sense for West Ham to take up that option and look to recoup some of the fee paid to Corinthians, given the 29-year-old still holds a £7m TransferMarkt valuation, but Balbuena is simply stealing a living just being left on the bench, with the manager unwilling to select him.

The Irons would also be locking themselves in for at least another £2m in wages if they fail to sell the centre-half, given Flamengo’s long-standing position has been to sign the 16-cap Paraguay international only if he becomes a free agent.

So, unless West Ham can guarantee that one of his suitors will swoop with an offer in the summer, it may be time for Moyes to boot Balbuena out of the London Stadium and do so for free, rather than gambling on a sale after activating their option to extend his contract.

AND in other news, West Ham are monitoring an “outstanding” £18.5m titan praised by Jurgen Klopp…

Former England international Carlton Palmer has hailed David Moyes and has told Football FanCast that he is on the comeback trail after his spell at Manchester United.

Moyes has been attempting to rebuild his reputation after failing at Old Trafford following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Scot did not even last a season in 2013/14, and has since managed Real Sociedad in La Liga, spending 12 months at the club, and Sunderland, with whom he endured the first relegation of his career.

In his first spell with the Hammers, in 2017/18, he kept the club up, and was reappointed in December of 2019.

Since his appointment, he guided the Hammers to a 16th-placed finish last term despite the very real threat of relegation, and is now attempting to take them into Europe.

While Palmer does not believe the Irons will qualify for the Champions League, he does think that Moyes deserves an immense amount of credit for the job he is doing.

He told FFC: “I don’t see West Ham finishing in the top four but they’re having a fantastic season. I’m delighted for David Moyes because I think David Moyes has never really recovered from taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

“David Moyes was and is a top manager and unfortunately there was a massive rebuilding job to be done at Manchester United and it was always going to be difficult for him, stepping into the shoes of Sir Alex.

“It seems that he never really recovered and it seems that he’s gone to West Ham, his first spell there, and he’s found a little niche like he did at Everton and he’s back to doing what he does best. He knows how to win football matches and he’s a fantastic coach.”

The Irons are next in action on Monday against Leeds United as they bid to increase their chances of a remarkable top-four finish.

Roy Hodgson’s three-and-a-half-year spell at Crystal Palace looks almost certain to be coming to an end.

The 73-year-old’s contract at Selhurst Park reaches its conclusion at the end of the 2020/21 campaign, with no real suggestions as of yet over whether he is in line for a renewal.

Having presided over 153 matches in his time at the club, Hodgson’s stint at Selhurst Park is actually the longest throughout his lengthy managerial career.

It remains to be seen whether that will be extended even further but after Peterborough United chairman Barry Fry stated that Hodgson has “worked miracles” in an exclusive interview with Football Fan Cast, maybe it is time for him to receive far more credit for his influence on Palace and also potentially earn a new deal?

After being appointed Eagles’ boss in September 2017 following the awful tenure of Frank de Boer, Hodgson had a considerable job on his hands in keeping Palace in the Premier League with the team having lost their opening four league fixtures without scoring a goal.

He managed to do that and even more, with Palace eventually earning an 11th-placed finish. Whilst Hodgson hasn’t managed to better that eventual position – finishing 12th, 14th and currently sitting 12th – that relative comfort being away from the relegation picture would be hugely welcome to the Selhurst Park hierarchy.

Meanwhile, in his time at Selhurst Park, Hodgson has managed to accumulate an impressive win rate of 34.5% in the Premier League.

Since earning promotion back to the top-flight in 2013, this has only been beaten by the likes of Tony Pulis and Sam Allardyce at Crystal Palace.

Considering how revered that aforementioned duo are for the jobs they did at the club, maybe Hodgson’s time in charge should be reflected on in a more positive light?

He surely must be in line for an extension to his current £93k per-week deal at Selhurst Park.

AND in more news, read about which Eagles defender we have named as our Crystal Palace Player of the Month for March…

According to reliable source and transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, via Man City Xtra, the Sky Blues and Pep Guardiola are planning to sign ‘interesting’ and ‘young’ players in the summer – resulting in many Manchester City supporters heralding this update as they are wowed by his claim.

City are currently in a rich vein of form, having won their last 11 matches in all competitions, thanks to undroppable stars Ilkay Gundogan, Joao Cancelo, Phil Foden, John Stones and transformative summer signing Ruben Dias, among others.

Romano, sharing an update with supporters, claims the Sky Blues are now planning for next year after manager Guardiola seemingly ruled out any January acquisitions (The Independent).

The Italian journalist says City will be targeting ‘interesting’ and ‘young’ players – and who these names could be has been left open to interpretation.

Flocking to his claim, many supporters are still excited over what could lie ahead, and you can find all of their best verdicts down below.

Man City fans wowed by Romano claim

“FABRIZIOOO”

Credit: @bdeanMCFC

“Oh boy, already excited but scared too! I hope we dont target players that are not heard of in terms of young talent.”

Credit: @AdilSha41002424

“Fabrizio Romano does it again”

Credit: @MCFCPH

“WE’RE GOING TO WIN IT ALL”

Credit: @KZN22_

“Music to my ears..@ErlingHaaland you’re coming home”

Credit: @kelvin_Obika

“WE MOVEEEEE”

Credit: @onemilli19

“I’m tingling”

Credit: @DominicMurphy97

In other news: Plenty of Sky Blues also swooned over this potentially ‘great news’, find out more here. 

Lee Charnley must secure a January loan move for Newcastle United midfielder Matty Longstaff amid claims several Championship clubs are keen to secure a deal.

What’s the word?

According to the Chronicle, second-tier sides are lining up at Longstaff’s door eager to acquire the 20-year-old should the Toon decide to let him leave St. James’ Park this winter.

Injuries have thwarted the academy graduate’s bid to establish himself in Steve Bruce’s first-team fold this term, with a thigh issue keeping Longstaff on the sidelines until his season debut in the Magpies’ 2-0 loss at Southampton last month.

A 29-minute cameo outing at St. Mary’s has been Longstaff’s only taste of senior action thus far this term, but he returned to the bench for Newcastle’s last two Premier League matches.

United now face a decision over whether or not to allow the Rotherham-born prospect to leave on loan in the mid-season market with Nottingham Forest ready to rival Derby County for his signature.

As many as seven other Championship clubs are believed to be paying attention to Longstaff’s situation, too, just over a year on from the £4.5m-rated talent making his senior debut with a game-winning strike at home to Manchester United.

Unfulfilled promises

With Longstaff struggling to elbow his way back into Bruce’s plans, Charnley must open negotiations with one or more of the second-tier sides believed to be keen on securing a mid-season deal.

Longstaff has become the victim of unfulfilled promises at St. James’ Park since penning an £18,462-per-week contract in the summer, which he only agreed to after Bruce laid out a vision for the 20-year-old to progress his career on Tyneside.

Bruce again argued that Longstaff could add energy in midfield after his return from injury at the end of October, but Toon fans are yet to see the Magpies product feature frequently.

It’s a situation that only serves to hammer home Neil Warnock’s comments from the summer even more, when the Middlesbrough boss suggested Newcastle take Longstaff for granted amid his contract stand-off.

“Newcastle probably do take him for granted a little bit; most clubs do with the players that come through the system,” he told talkSPORT.

“He’ll be offered more money elsewhere, and Newcastle are pulling on his heartstrings a little bit because he must love it there. When you’re a Newcastle lad, what could be better than playing in front of those fans? They’re amazing.”

But Longstaff must overlook the potential of playing in front of the Toon fanbase and put his career first by leaving on loan this winter, as only then will he be given the freedom to develop on the pitch and not the training ground.

AND in other news: “Typical Newcastle” – Exclusive: Rob Lee drops fresh £300m takeover claim.

David Sullivan must deliver Watford forward Ismaila Sarr to David Moyes as West Ham United look to solve their striker crisis following Sebastien Haller’s exit.

What’s the word?

According to The Sun, the Irons are ready to splash £30m to make Sarr the club’s first signing of the January transfer window with Moyes on the lookout for attacking reinforcements.

Michail Antonio is now the east London outfit’s sole recognised senior centre-forward after the club sold Haller to AFC Ajax for £20m on Friday, leaving Moyes facing the fraught prospect of fielding no strikers at all if Sullivan fails to land a new addition this month.

Watford were able to retain Sarr in the previous transfer window after rejecting a £25m bid from Crystal Palace despite their relegation to the Championship, but West Ham are expected to top the Eagles’ offer to test the Hornets resolve.

The Vicarage Road natives are quietly confident they will be able to once again fend off any interest despite an expectancy that clubs will test the waters, looking to sign the Senegal forward who both Liverpool and Manchester United were denied last summer through their refusals to meet Watford’s £40-50m valuation.

Sarr has been a creative force in the second-tier this season with the 22-year-old speed machine offering four goals and five assists in 18 appearances, living up to Sadio Mane’s hype after the Reds gem told The Athletic: “He’s rapid. I think defenders will struggle.

“I was speaking to Robbo [Andy Robertson], I said, ‘Watford have a really good player. I will need to help you more otherwise Ismaila Sarr will kill you, because he is a good dribbler and very, very fast.’”

Dream deal

Landing Sarr may prove expensive for West Ham but the £63,000-per-week forward may prove to be the Irons’ dream deal in their search of Haller’s replacement. The club, if they do a deal, would be delivering Moyes a clinical talent who would add versatility and brutality to the Scot’s attacking line.

Sarr has netted goals and provided assists from central and wide-right positions for Watford this season, and is firmly a star who former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips believes is a “top player” who “will only get better”.

Moyes would take a great deal of confidence in Sarr’s arrival through his creativity in the Championship so far this season, with the 32-cap attacker creating six big chances for Watford to score on top of his assists, while spurning three clear cut chances himself, per SofaScore.

The 6ft Senegalese dynamo further takes 1.5 shots and offers 0.8 key passes a game in the second-tier, while winning 6.4 duels with a 50% success rate, being fouled 2.9 times, winning possession 0.7 times, and delivering 0.5 accurate crosses.

Sarr’s ability to play on the wing and thrive through the centre is also very reminiscent of Antonio’s rise to prominence at the London Stadium, with him having often been a wide player before the 5 ft 10 gem made a move to striker and became West Ham’s main forward threat.

AND in other news, David Sullivan can seal West Ham’s dream Sebastien Haller heir in an “extraordinary” gem.

Many Liverpool fans reacted in delight after an image involving Diogo Jota was revealed.

The 24-year-old has not featured for the Reds since December after picking up a knee injury during his side’s 1-1 draw against FC Midtjylland in the Champions League, where they had already qualified for the Last 16.

Hours before Jurgen Klopp’s side took on Brighton on Wednesday night, the club’s official Twitter account revealed an image of Jota back out on the training ground, and looking rather happy about it too with two thumbs up. But there is still no clear indication as to when the Portugal international will make his return to action.

Jota moved to Liverpool back in September for £41m and was on a solid run of form – scoring nine goals from 10 starts in all competitions before he picked up his knock.

With this in mind, supporters loved what they saw and was seen as a huge boost in light of their recent goal drought, making their feelings clear on social media.

Fans drool over Jota image

“Come on you beauty. Hopefully, you’ll be back in 1 week or 2!”

Credit: @01mJulian

“Omg I’m shedding real tears”

Credit: @strickyfootball

“league ain’t ready”

Credit: @lfcthursto

“Title back on”

Credit: @_LFCMarcus_

“Diogoooooooooooo”

Credit: @Flash430

“Such a wonderful sight!”

Credit: @Adeolaaa_

In other news, Star left gutted after missing out on dream move to Liverpool on Deadline Day.