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Everton have been dealt a blow in their hopes of signing Adrien Rabiot in the summer transfer window.

Speaking to Tuttosport, Vincenzo Morabito – who is a historic FIFA agent and international mediator specialised in the Premier League – has claimed that the central midfielder is a target for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, but insists that ‘he will not leave Juventus’.

Everton were reportedly ready to make an offer for him in February, but now it looks as if the Merseyside club will miss out on his signature.

Everton set to miss out on Rabiot

The Toffees look set to miss out on what would be a decent acquisition for them. Rabiot has been solid in Serie A so far in 2020/21, winning no fewer than 4.9 of his duels per game and also averaging 2.1 tackles, 1.3 interceptions, 1.1 successful dribbles, one shot and one clearance per match (Sofascore).

Italian football legend and Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo described the France international, currently valued at £28.8m by Transfermarkt, as a ‘complete player’ in November of last year, and with solid statistics in both attacking and defensive areas, it is hard to argue with the 2006 World Cup winner.

Carlo Ancelotti also has the benefit of managing him before, but it looks as if the Blues are going to miss out on signing the 25-year-old at least in the summer.

In other news, find out what development affecting some Everton stars has been lauded by many fans!

Kris Boyd believes Glasgow Rangers must offer new deals to Steven Davis and Allan McGregor to keep them at Ibrox beyond the end of the season.

Boyd makes contract claim

Both Davis and McGregor are over 35 and are set to be out of the contract at the end of this season (Transfermarkt).

Speaking to Sky Sports (via Glasgow Times), Boyd has urged the 55-time Scottish champions to offer new deals to the duo. He said:

“There are some players in there who are out of contract – Allan McGregor, Steven Davis – and it’s important, I think, the club get them tied down.

“They have been crucial to everything Rangers have done this season, along with a few others.

“But it’s very, very important that you don’t stand still and you come back to win things.

“The recruitment in the summer is massive, to take Rangers on and consolidate that level of performance – or up it – and go again next season.”

Experience

Given they are fast approaching the end of their careers, Steven Gerrard will not be able to rely on the duo to play every single week. However, they have both played important roles this season as the Gers have ended their 10-year wait for a major trophy and still have something to offer.

The Gers could well be competing in the Champions League next season – McGregor and Davis are two of the few players in the squad who have previously played in Europe’s premier club competition. The advice and guidance they can offer to their younger teammates is priceless. As Boyd says, Ross Wilson and co must make sure the pair are still at Ibrox next term.

In other news, some Rangers fans slam comments from this politician.

With Manchester United having failed to sign Jadon Sancho last summer, there continues to be links to a number of widemen from across the continent.

The latest rumour to circle is that the Red Devils are interested in current Sporting Clube de Portgual man Pedro Goncalves, according to The Telegraph.

It is easy to see why admiring glances are being cast from Old Trafford towards the Estadio Jose Alvalade considering that the 22-year-old has already hit 15 goals and provided a further five assists in all competitions this season.

They are statistics only bettered in the Manchester United squad by the irrepressible Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.

Goncalves then would certainly bring some distinct quality to the Red Devils right-flank.

He is not just a specialised winger though. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers youngster is also equally adept at playing in the centre.

It is versality that has certainly seen him praised, with former coach at Famalicao, Joao Pedro Sousa, labelling Goncalves as a “dream”.

Should the Red Devils make a move then, he would certainly relieve some of Fernandes’ burden.

When looking at his sheer statistics, he would also fill a gap in the Red Devils’ squad and give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer far more options to choose from.

According to WhoScored, Goncalves is averaging 2.4 shots per game, that figure only being bettered by Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford this season.

His 1.6 key passes per 90 are also only bettered by his compatriot and surprisingly Luke Shaw, whilst only Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial of United’s current attacking options better his 1.3 dribbles.

Rated at £13.5m but reportedly possessing a £51.7m release clause in his current contract in Lisbon, it might not be cheap for Ed Woodward to acquire Goncalves.

However, he has the exact profile that the Red Devils are looking for and if he can emulate the successes of fellow Portuguese arrivals Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Nani and Fernandes, then he might just be the exact type of winger that the club are searching high and low for.

AND in more news, read how Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire could play a pivotal role at the San Siro on Thursday…

Crystal Palace have joined Premier League rivals Sheffield United in the race to sign Wolves centre-back Dion Sanderson.

That’s according to an exclusive report from Football Insider, who claim that the Eagles and Championship outfit Huddersfield Town are now in the hunt for the 21-year-old alongside the Blades.

Sanderson open to move away from Wolves

Sanderson, who has been out on loan at Sunderland this season, is hoping to make his mark with his parent club.

However, the report claims the defender is privately open to a move away from Molineux, should Wolves decide to cash in on him.

Sanderson, who wants regular game time, is out of contract in the Midlands in 2022 and could cost just £2m this summer.

Transfer Tavern take

Sunderland manager Lee Johnson heaped praise on Sanderson just last month, calling him a ‘Rolls-Royce’ and a ‘leader’ even at his young age, so at just £2m this could be a good move for the Eagles to make.

Palace have just one centre-back under the age of 30 on their books at this moment in time, so an injection of youth may prove beneficial in the coming years.

Sanderson has gained plenty of experience at the Stadium of Light this season, making 22 appearances in all competitions.

He’s also plied his trade with Cardiff City in the Championship, so if Palace can offer him game time next season, a deal may well be on the cards.

In other news: Many Palace fans react as ‘shocking’ transfer twist emerges, find out more here. 

According to reliable club insider ExWHUemployee, via West Ham News, the Hammers do in fact want to sign Jesse Lingard on a permanent deal this summer with the player himself also desiring an east London stay – and it is also believed an agreement could be reached in the region of £15 million.

Numerous reports have linked Lingard with a permanent switch to the London Stadium at the end of this season, especially after an impressive start to life under manager David Moyes, with Spanish outlet Fichajes even claiming that talks have taken place.

Providing his update on the saga, ExWHUemployee has revealed that the Irons and GSB are in fact keen on securing Lingard with the Englishman also wanting to stay with West Ham.

On top of these promising claims, Ex also believes that a deal could be reached in the region of £15m – arguably a small price to pay for a player who has hit the ground running.

As a result, it’s safe to say many West Ham fans are buzzing – find out more here.

West Ham fans go wild at ExWHUemployee reveal

“Hope this happens and if it does . its crazy to think that we would of got soucek,coufal and lingard for less than we paid for haller or Anderson.”

Credit: @darrelpartridge

“limbs”

Credit: @whujoe

“Big for the club”

Credit: @youngbill666

“Get it done. I won’t tell you again”

Credit: @_ghzst

“Peanuts, get it done”

Credit: @DOWHU_1995

“JUST DO IT”

Credit: @Garry69914264

“If West Ham get deal done and get him for that. It’s another Brilliant signing! Absolute Bargain!”

Credit: @Josephsimon007

“Absolute bargain. Unbelievably low price tag in today’s game”

Credit: @LocksmithDuude

In other news: West Ham fans also flocked to this journalist’s transfer claim, find out more here.

Glasgow Rangers midfielder Ianis Hagi has suggested his career may not be on a good trajectory despite helping the Gers win their 55th Premiership title.

Hagi makes worrying comments

£5.4m-valued Hagi (Transfermarkt) is currently on international duty with Romania after helping the Gers confirm their status as league champions.

Speaking to the Romania national team’s media department (via Ibrox News), he suggested his career is not on the correct trajectory. He explained:

“Not necessarily that I won the title in Scotland means that I entered a good trajectory. The career has its pros and cons, it matters to know how to get over them, to learn from them.

“After all, everyone has their own way. I see it as a goal I wanted. I want to win more trophies, I liked the feeling, the emotion I experienced.”

Worrying?

Given recent speculation surrounding the 22-year-old’s future, this may not be the best news for Steven Gerrard and co. Serie A outfit Lazio have been linked with a move for the former Genk man recently, with him reportedly available for a fee of about £8.5m (Gazzetta Dello Sport).

All in all, this has been a solid first full campaign for Hagi at Ibrox. In 38 matches in all competitions, he has seven goals and 12 assists (Transfermarkt), and has improved as the season has progressed. With Champions League potentially football on offer next season, he may be tempted to stay in Glasgow, but he clearly has bigger ambitions than that. While these comments neither confirm nor deny his desire to seek pastures new, his future remains far from certain.

In other news, Rangers fans react to this injury news.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who scored 34 Premier League goals for Newcastle United, believes Steve Bruce is not able to do as good a job as he could because he hasn’t been given the tools to do so.

Bruce is currently in his second season as Newcastle manager which has seen him accumulate a win ratio of 29.1%, the worst of his managerial career.

Mike Ashley splashed out on Joelinton for £40 million last summer as well as sanctioning signings such as Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin, which has seen Bruce spend just under £100 million in two seasons.

Speaking on how Bruce does not have the sufficient tools to do a good job at Newcastle and how the club’s problems aren’t all down to him, Lee told FFC:

“Bruce hasn’t had the tools and nobody would have at Newcastle.

“We shouldn’t be where we are but it’s not all down to him so let’s not cane him just because he’s a Geordie and wants to be in charge of his boyhood club.”

Bruce arrived from Sheffield Wednesday in 2018 after being at Hillsborough for just six-months before jumping ship.

Newcastle find themselves in a relegation fight which Bruce is confident he is the right man for with just nine games left to play.

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been giving their thoughts to Newcastle United’s interest in Andros Townsend.

According to Chronicle Live, the Magpies are looking at potential free transfers ahead of the summer window, with Townsend, West Brom’s Kyle Bartley and Sheffield United’s John Lundstram all of interest.

Townsend joined Palace from Newcastle back in 2016 for a fee in the region of £14m, but it seems as if his former employers want him back at St James’ Park.

The 29-year-old has made 178 appearances during his time at Selhurst Park, scoring 16 times and registering 27 assists.

He has been a regular under Roy Hodgson this season as well, missing just two Premier League fixtures so far. However, he has only three months remaining on his £55,000-a-week deal, and it seems as if Newcastle could pounce.

Palace fans react

@cpfc_xtra shared Chronicle Live’s report on social media regarding Newcastle’s interest.

This is what these Palace fans had to say, with one of them ‘happy’ at the links.

“Yes yes yes yes yes”

Credit: @CPFCRonnie2

“Limbs”

Credit: @longlivewilliam

“Happy”

Credit: @cpfcgoaat

“Please take him”

Credit: @BaileyCPFC_

“yes”

Credit: @longIiveluke

“It get’s worse for Newcastle fans”

Credit: @RodriguesJayJay

In other news: Many Palace fans react as club contact World Cup winner, find out more here. 

According to a report by AS, as relayed by Sport Witness, La Liga side Villarreal are ‘willing to execute’ the purchase option in Juan Foyth’s loan deal following his performances this season – with all signs now pointing towards a permanent summer exit for the Tottenham youngster.

Foyth’s future not at Tottenham

Foyth has been highly rated by those at Spurs in the past, with manager Jose Mourinho once calling him ‘very solid’ shortly after the manager’s arrival in north London (Evening Standard).

As well as this, ex-Lilywhites boss Mauricio Pochettino was a huge fan – he branded Foyth ‘quality’ during his spell in charge (Sky Sports).

Writing for the Athletic last year, journalist Charlie Eccleshare also dubbed him a ‘very exciting player’ when speaking in a Q&A – but AS report that Villarreal are now ‘willing’ to execute his loan-to-buy option for around €15 million (£13.02m).

As a result, all signs point towards Mourinho losing Foyth permanently as a result – coming after Tottenham supporters long held the belief he could excel as a defensive midfielder for Spurs (football.london).

Transfer Tavern take

Villarreal boss Unai Emery, speaking to the press last month, candidly admitted that if it were up to him, he would sign Foyth on a permanent basis (AS) – and it looks like he is about to get his wish.

Despite fellow youngster Oliver Skipp coming as a sure-fire choice to fight for a defensive midfield role next season, keeping hold of Foyth could have also been a boost for Mourinho.

Playing more regularly recently, he has averaged an impressive 2.5 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game in La Liga – all while completing 88.5% of his passes in that time (WhoScored).

News that Foyth is looking likely to leave on a permanent deal comes as an unlikely potential blow, we believe, as his loan spell has helped him develop into a solid player in the Spanish top flight.

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

Former Premier League striker Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that Harry Winks would get into any top four team.

The England midfielder started Tottenham’s first three Premier League matches this season, but has fallen out of favour under Jose Mourinho, and has appeared in just one of Spurs’ previous 11 league games.

He was strongly linked with a loan move in January, but Mourinho blocked any potential move, with Tottenham still fighting in four competitions at the time.

Back in November, Winks spoke about a “difficult period” in his career following his lack of opportunities, and recent reports believe that La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid are now keen on the centre-midfielder this summer.

Both Everton and Valencia have previously been keeping tabs on the 25-year-old, and with Oliver Skipp expected to return from his loan spell at Norwich this summer, which could see Winks slip further down the pecking order, he might have to consider his future at Tottenham.

But Windass told Football FanCast that is more than good enough to play for anyone in the Premier League, and believes he should stay in England:

“You don’t become a bad player overnight. He’d get in any Premier League team, Harry Winks.

“Why would he want to go to Atletico Madrid as a young player? He’d get in any top four team in my opinion as a sitting midfield player. Players want to play football and if he’s not in Mourinho’s plans, then he’ll move elsewhere.

“It doesn’t come down to money anymore. It’s about how many trophies can I get. That’ll be an opinion of Harry Winks, he’s a baby.”