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Everton have reportedly contacted Manuel Pellegrini about potentially becoming their new manager.

The Lowdown: Everton still searching

The Goodison Park faithful are still searching for a coach to replace Carlo Ancelotti, who has left the Merseyside club to go and manage Real Madrid.

As per the Daily Mail, Nuno Espirito Santo is still the overwhelming favourite to take charge, but Rafa Benitez, Christophe Galtier, Graham Potter and Roberto Martinez have also been named as potential successors to Ancelotti.

The Latest: Everton eye Pellegrini

According to the Daily Mail, Pellegrini has emerged as another potential target for the Toffees, and has been contacted by intermediaries over the vacant manager’s job.

The news outlet also recalls that Farhad Moshiri spoke to him back in 2016 when he was looking for a replacement for Martinez, who is now the boss of the Belgium national team and will be taking charge of them in Euro 2020.

The Verdict: Pellegrini a good option

Pellegrini is certainly a good option for the Blues, having already shown his credentials in the Premier League by winning the title with Manchester City back in the 2013/14 season.

More recently, the Chilean has done very well with Real Betis, guiding them to a sixth-placed finish in La Liga and thus gaining a UEFA Europa League spot.

At 67 years of age, having also managed the likes of Real Madrid and West Ham United, Pellegrini is clearly very experienced, and so would emulate Ancelotti in this sense.

However, there are other good candidates, and so EFC should not rush into such a decision just yet, with plenty of younger and fresher options perhaps more enticing.

In other news, find out what manager update has left Toffees fuming 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.

The sad reality for Celtic this weekend is that, when they entertain their biggest rivals in the Old Firm derby, they will have nothing but pride at stake.

This had been an arduous campaign for the Bhoys and, after being disgraced a couple of weeks ago by the same opposition, the Parkhead outfit will need to be much improved.

On the chalkboard

There are a number of ways Celtic can improve upon their performance in the Scottish Cup a fortnight ago.

They will be helped by the return of James Forrest, while Odsonne Edouard rediscovering his scoring touch would certainly be a big help. Even removing the inconsistent Ryan Christie from the side would be beneficial.

However, John Kennedy could take a giant leap towards gaining victory by axing Jonjoe Kenny from the starting XI. During Celtic’s 2-0 defeat to Rangers a few weeks ago, he was one of the biggest culprits, putting in a horrific display at right full-back.

Together with Diego Laxalt, the two defenders were a mess at the back and caused Kennedy’s men to slip to a dismal defeat.

Kenny was particularly bad with his marking for both goals in that fixture. He allowed Steven Davis to get the better of him as he acrobatically fired home from close range for the opener.

The Everton loanee then failed to track Ryan Kent for their second strike of the game. Joe Aribo turned Laxalt inside out on the right flank and then fired in a teasing ball into the area.

Kent got across Kenny, who then diverted the ball into his own net in unfortunate circumstances. However, had he been more alive to the situation the goal could have been avoided.

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It was a performance which was not only described as a “nightmare” by Celtic podcaster Paul John Dykes, but also a “horror show.”

It’s safe to say that the £15,000-per-week earner has not been an impressive capture since signing temporarily in the winter transfer window.

His Old Firm derby performances have been alarmingly abject. Kenny was also at fault during the 1-1 draw at Paradise back in March as his sloppy backpass allowed Rangers to earn a corner and, from the resulting set-piece, he let Alfredo Morelos come behind him at the back post to find the net.

The 24-year-old’s marking clearly leaves a lot to be desired and Kennedy must search for alternatives on Sunday. He could move to a back three and push one of his attacking players into a wing-back role, or he could look towards Anthony Ralston.

The full-back has only made one appearance all season so it would be a surprise to see him play, but the interim boss simply cannot risk Kenny.

He has been poor in two consecutive Old Firm clashes; to back him again would be foolish.

AND in other news, Forget Mourinho: Celtic can dominate again if Desmond hires 42 y/o with “big emotions”…

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.

Get French Football News writer Adam White predicts that Eduardo Camavinga to Manchester United could happen late on in the window.

Camavinga is a name that has been linked with Old Trafford a lot this summer, with the Daily Mail reporting over the weekend that the Red Devils were looking to beat Paris Saint-Germain to the signature of the 18-year-old, with the French outfit heavily linked with a move for Lionel Messi.

The Rennes midfielder has less than one year left on his current deal and so the Ligue 1 club may look to cash in on him this summer, rather than risk losing him for free next year.

Camavinga started Rennes’ opening Ligue 1 fixture of the season against Lens over the weekend, with the game finishing 1-1. Whilst there has been plenty of interest in the midfielder, White believes if there is going to be a deal for Camavinga, it will happen late on in the window.

“Camavinga almost seems to be the sort of next option for both clubs to some extent, in that if PSG can’t sign Pogba, there may be an opportunity to sign Camavinga and maybe they wait for Pogba’s contract to expire, or maybe they play a bit of brinksmanship with Manchester United, I don’t know. 

“Similar sort of situation with United, perhaps they may need to sell Pogba before they bring in Camavinga. There’s a lot of moving parts to that deal, I can see it happening, but I think there’s other things that need to get sorted out and for all parties concerned there are probably higher priorities than strictly Camavinga to Man United, the players involved, the clubs involved, so it’s a complicated one.

“It may be one of those ones that happens late in the window I suppose just because of all those moving parts and things, you know, things need to be sorted before anything concrete happens.”

Manchester United have been active in the transfer window so far this summer signing two new players, with Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane expected to be announced as the club’s third signing of the summer soon.

With all the speculation surrounding Camavinga and interest in him, could he become the Red Devils’ fourth signing of the summer?

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie believes Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael is the kind of manager who would bring aggressiveness and energy to Crystal Palace.

Ismael is currently being linked with the Palace job, with Football Insider claiming that the south London club’s director of football Dougie Freedman is pushing to bring him in ahead of Frank Lampard – Steve Parish’s preferred choice.

This, of course, comes after Palace confirmed that Roy Hodgson would be stepping down as manager after four years at Selhurst Park.

And for Hendrie, Ismael could be a good candidate to replace the Englishman. The Sky Sports pundit told FFC in an exclusive interview:

“He wants that aggressive style. He’s got a very good, young squad at Barnsley and done absolutely brilliant this season with what he’s had at Barnsley. I’ve got to say that, for sure.

“I say he likes that aggressive style, but he likes that energy and he plays football in the right way.”

Certainly, Ismael has done a fantastic job in the Oakwell dugout this term, taking Barnsley to the Championship play-offs.

The Tykes also enjoyed a good FA Cup run under the former Palace player, giving finalists Chelsea a real game in their 1-0 defeat in the fifth round of the competition.

Derby County have been handed a huge boost to their chances of playing Championship football at Pride Park next season.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to a claim made by BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone, who revealed in a post on Twitter that the written reasons for the £100k fine handed to Derby by an independent disciplinary commission are yet to be published, meaning that neither the English Football League nor the Rams can appeal the verdict at present.

Once the reasons are published, each party will have 14 days to appeal the decision, a process that, once begun, could drag on for a considerable amount of time.

Rooney will be relieved

With the threat of relegation to League One as a result of a points deduction appearing very real following the EFL’s publishing of interchangeable Championship and League One 2021/22 fixture lists that featured Derby and Wycombe Wanderers playing in both the second and third tier of English football, Stone’s latest update is sure to have left Rooney relieved.

Indeed, with the start of next season edging closer day by day, the likelihood of the independent disciplinary commission reaching a verdict from either a Derby or EFL appeal before August 7th seems faint, at best.

As such, it would appear as if Rooney can now tentatively begin planning his side’s campaign in the Championship next season, as well as offering incoming signings the relative assurance that they will be playing their football in the second tier rather than the third – something that will provide the 35-year-old with a boost regarding the calibre of players he can attempt bring into the club.

Having said this, Derby’s fate is by no means 100% certain just yet, but Stone’s latest update would appear to be a small bit of positive news for everyone involved with the club.

In other news: Get him gone: Rooney must ruthlessly axe £18k-p/w Derby County “maverick” this summer

Taking to Twitter, reporter Ekrem Konur has backed some transfer news out of West Ham United involving Clermont Foot striker Mohamed Bayo.

The Lowdown: Newman in striker chase…

While manager David Moyes is coping well so far without a natural back-up option to star man Michail Antonio, there is always a worry this could change if the Jamaica international gets sidelined again.

Indeed, the 31-year-old’s injury record has proved a concern for West Ham in recent seasons and that has prompted the club to look at other options in the transfer market.

They haven’t been able to sign a new forward for the past two windows and it is surely a priority for new recruitment chief Rob Newman – who has already been linked to a couple of forwards.

Now, some news has emerged on who else he could be targeting.

The Latest: West Ham eye Bayo move…

As per Konur, West Ham ‘continue to be linked with a move’ for Ligue 1 striker Bayo – who’s prolific record over the last few seasons has turned heads.

The reporter even dubs him ‘the new Lukaku’ as Newman and co apparently eye a swoop – coming after he played a starring role in securing Clermont a promotion to France’s top flight last season.

He scored 22 goals and assisted seven others in 38 Ligue 2 appearances over 2020/2021, attracting West Ham’s alleged interest.

The Verdict: Best option?

Despite his fairly eye-catching record of 44 senior career goals since 2018/2019, and the fact Bayo has labelled himself a ‘big’ striker, we believe Moyes and Newman could be served looking elsewhere.

Andrea Belotti, for instance, should be at the very top of West Ham’s priority list given his contract situation at Torino and proven goalscoring record at both club and international level.

In other news: ‘Disgrace’, ‘Get him gone’…Many West Ham fans slam ‘painful player’ after ‘shocking’ Genk display, find out more here.

West Bromwich Albion are interested in a deal to bring Matty Longstaff to The Hawthorns this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Chronicle Live, who claim that Newcastle United are willing to sanction the temporary departure of the 21-year-old in the summer transfer window, with Steve Bruce recognising the fact that the central midfielder needs to be playing regular minutes next season in order to further his development.

The report added that, as a result of his availability on loan, there is a great deal of interest in the former England under-20 international, with Anderlecht, Norwich City and West Brom all thought to be lining up an offer for the Magpies youngster.

Longstaff can solve Albion’s midfield issues

There has been something of an exodus from the West Brom midfield since the end of last season. With all three loan signings of Okay Yokuslu, Conor Gallagher and Ainsley Maitland-Niles returning to their parent clubs, as well as both Rekeem Harper and Sam Field leaving the club on permanent deals this summer, Valerien Ismael has been left with a distinct lack of depth in the middle of the park.

Indeed, despite the signing of his former Barnsley captain Alex Mowatt, the Frenchman currently has just three players capable of operating in either defensive or central midfield.

As such, the position would very much appear to be something of an issue for the 45-year-old ahead of the club’s upcoming campaign, but the possible addition of Longstaff would be a very big step in the right direction for the Baggies boss.

Having burst onto the Newcastle United scene back in the club’s 2019/20 Premier League campaign, scoring the winner against Manchester United on his top-flight debut, the £4.5m-rated youngster went on to make another eight appearances in the league that season, scoring one further goal, creating one big chance for his teammates and averaging a solid SofaScore match rating of 6.61.

As a result of this breakthrough season, and with his contract at St. James’ Park being set to expire, interest was high in the midfielder the following summer, with Udinese reported to have offered a five-year deal to the man Martin Keown dubbed “like a Paul Scholes”.

However, after ultimately deciding to remain with Newcastle, Longstaff’s progress appeared to stagnate somewhat last season, with Bruce affording the midfielder just four Premier League starts, as well as one further appearance from the bench.

However, this lack of first team game-time in no way diminishes the potential the £24k-per-week man quite clearly possesses. It something from which Albion could well benefit greatly in their push for promotion next season should they go on to secure a deal for the midfielder this summer.

In other news: Ismael could be heading for his biggest West Brom error to date over £1.35m-rated flop

Birmingham Live reporter Ashley Preece gave his thoughts to Jack Grealish’s recent comments on his Aston Villa exit on Friday.

And a number of Villa supporters have reacted to Preece’s story on social media.

Grealish, who completed a £100m move to Manchester City in the summer, started for England in their 4-0 win over Hungary on Thursday.

However, prior to the game, ITV shared an interview with the 25-year-old where he reacted to his £100m release clause in his Villa contract.

Preece gave his thoughts to the interview and referenced Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips, England’s Player of the Year, when Grealish admitted that he needed to be playing Champions League football to enhance his international career.

Preece labelled the interview as a shocker that lacked class, with the Birmingham Live reporter’s story available to view in full here.

Villa fans react

He posted a link to his story on Twitter on Friday morning, and although Grealish himself has disputed the piece, these Villa fans were all in agreement, with one describing the report as ‘fantastic’.

“Ashley Preece, take a bow son. Brilliant article! It’s 100% spot on. The reason why I and others have lost any respect and love we had for a player we all once idolised. ”

Credit: @B6_Dave

“This is so good to read, Grealish utterly killing his remaining Villa respect he had left. The bloke is either genuinely stupid or he really doesn’t care.”

Credit: @JordAVFCx

“this is a fantastic article and really outlines how villa fans feel about the move.”

Credit: @avbiIly

“Spot on here. Fame and adulation clearly going straight to the head. We move.”

Credit: @RickyPopat

“This is bang on. He’s unrecognisable already.”

Credit: @GlennMorris_

“Absolutely bang on, anyone who plans on not giving Grealish the hardest night of his life in November, read this.”

Credit: @OwXnJ

In other news: Preece name-checks ‘brilliant’ free agent as potential Villa signing in area Smith will address.