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Adama Traore can often look like one of Barcelona’s biggest mistakes but, other times, he looks like Wolves have found nothing more than an average player.

However, Wolves legend Steve Bull believes that he can be a world-beater on his day.

Traore’s best season in the Premier League was during the 2019/20 campaign, returning four goals and nine assists as Wolves finished 7th in the top flight. Those numbers saw him linked with a huge money move to Liverpool last summer.

But outside of that season, he has managed just three goals and five assists across four separate Premier League seasons, which highlights how frustrating a player Traore can be to watch, as he can turn a match on its head or could easily cost you multiple great opportunities.

There is no doubting that Traore has great talent and ability when he gets going at Molineux and despite those days being few and far between now, Bull still labels him as a world-beater and he made the bold statement exclusively to Football FanCast:

“He’s a talented player but he is also a frustrating player to watch because when he turns it on, he is a world-beater. He’s a world-beater more than the times he spends on the floor.” 

Traore has been linked with a move away from Molineux as the Wolves hierarchy find ways to raise funds for new manager Bruno Lage. Should he stay, though, you would expect Lage to utilise his talents.

Wolves boast an illustrious rank of wingers at the club with Traore, Pedro Neto, Daniel Podence and Morgan Gibbs-White, who can also play on one of the flanks.

According to a report by Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur chiefs are now ‘confident’ Lilywhites superstar Son Heung-min won’t be leaving this summer transfer window. 

The Lowdown: Spurs exit claims

Amid all the noise surrounding star striker Harry Kane, with Sky Sports recently lifting the lid on his desire to leave north London, Son still hasn’t signed his new deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The South Korean sensation has been heavily touted to put pen to paper on a £200,000-per-week extension since near the end of last year, but contract talks were put on hold due to the financial difficulties caused by coronavirus.

The Sun also claimed that Kane’s possible exit could spark an exodus of stars from north London, with Son left ‘upset’ and ‘concerned’ over the prospect of losing him.

The Latest: Club chiefs ‘confident’ of keeping Son

In an encouraging claim, Football Insider believe that Spurs chiefs are now ‘confident’ of keeping the 28-year-old despite the saga surrounding Kane and his future with the club.

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The prospect of losing another star attacker would have been a tough pill to swallow for Lilywhites supporters, but FI report Tottenham chiefs are under the firm belief that Son isn’t going anywhere this summer.

As relayed by this report, there has been some speculation over whether the winger could force an exit of his own. However, it appears the club have been boosted in their hopes of keeping hold of Son for now.

The Verdict: Big boost for Spurs…

Apart from Kane, Son was Tottenham’s next best player over the 2020/2021 season – bagging a brilliant 17 goals and ten assists in the Premier League alone (WhoScored).

Son and Kane also formed a devastating partnership, breaking Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton’s previous record of most English top flight combinations for goals in a single campaign (Premier League).

Gary Neville perhaps summed up his quality in the most efficient way, labelling Son an ‘absolutely world class’ player when speaking on Sky Sports (via football.london).

It’s safe to say, as a result, that Spurs supporters can take real encouragement from this Football Insider claim as they continue to await where Kane will be next season.

In other news: ‘I hear from a reliable source’…Journalist drops major Harry Kane claim, find out more here.

Rotherham United have received a big boost in their bid to sign 21-year-old defender Jacob Bedeau as it has been revealed that Portsmouth are not interested in signing him this summer.

What’s the talk?

Earlier this season, The Athletic claimed that Rotherham, Luton, Barnsley and Huddersfield were all monitoring Bedeau’s situation at Scunthorpe. Bedeau is out of contract this summer and all four clubs have been looking at the defender as a possible target as they all ponder defensive reinforcements heading into the 2021/22 campaign.

Football Insider then added Portsmouth’s name to the list of clubs chasing Bedeau on a free transfer, which could have added more competition for Rotherham in the race for his signature.

However, Hampshire Live have provided a response to the report and stated that Bedeau is not a player Portsmouth want to add to their squad this summer, leaving Rotherham and the aforementioned Championship clubs as the only teams left gunning for his services.

Huge boost

This could be a huge boost to Rotherham’s chances of landing the 21-year-old centre-back this summer. Portsmouth could be a promotion rival to Rotherham in League One next year, given that the Hampshire-based club finished 8th in the table and Paul Warne’s side were relegated from the Championship.

The two clubs could be fighting against each other to secure promotion to the second tier, which means that interest from Portsmouth in Bedeau could have been a genuine challenge to Rotherham, given how similar the two clubs are in terms of thier potential ambitions and targets.

Despite only being 21, Bedeau proved to be a beast at League Two level for Scunthorpe. He averaged 3.2 aerial battles won, 3.8 clearances made and one block per game across 34 appearances.

Bedeau was adept at winning headers and putting his body on the line to defend his goal, showing great instincts for a young defender at a physical level of football.

Warne could integrate him into his squad to inject some freshness into his defence. Richard Wood, 35, Angus MacDonald, 28, and Michael Ihiekwe, 28, were his first-choice centre-back trio in the Championship, suggesting that there could be an opening for a younger player to come in and play a part in League One.

At the age of 21, Bedeau could learn from MacDonald, Ihiekwe and Wood to improve his game, whilst also being coached by Warne, in order to add to the strong qualities he has already shown in the fourth tier of English football.

Therefore, Portsmouth’s lack of interest in Bedeau could come as a big boost to Warne and Rotherham. Not only could Bedeau make an instant impact at Rotherham, as shown by his defending statistics from Scunthorpe’s season, but he could also have the potential to improve further and be a long-term asset for the club.

Forgotten Leeds United man Rafa Mujica could seal a permanent move to Las Palmas this summer, with the Spanish club keen on completing a deal.

The Lowdown: No Leeds future for Mujica

Mujica has had a nomadic career in recent years, having loan spells at the likes of Extremadura, Oviedo and Las Palmas. It is quite clear that Marcelo Bielsa doesn’t see a long-term future for the 22-year-old at Leeds, with the Argentine surely showing trust in him by now if that wasn’t the case – the Spaniard hasn’t even made a matchday squad for a competitive Whites fixture.

That is despite him impressing some of the Elland Road faithful during a pre-season fixture in 2019, only for it to prove a false dawn.

Mujica is currently at Las Palmas, where he has only managed four Segunda Division appearances this season and not made a single start.

The Latest: Las Palmas keen on permanent signing

Despite that, AS reported [via Sport Witness] that the Spanish club ‘show interest’ in signing the forward on a permanent basis this summer.

Las Palmas have an option to buy and it appears as though they are willing to take Leeds up on the offer.

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The Verdict: Time to move on

In makes perfect sense for Mujica to leave Leeds at the end of the season in order to settle at a club and begin the next chapter of his career. Bouncing from club to club is not benefiting anyone, in truth, and with his Leeds deal expiring in the summer, a new contract is highly unlikely to come his way.

The Whites are now at a point where they should be aiming for the the European places next season, in which case they need a higher calibre of player than Mujica.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly battling some heavyweight clubs for the signing of one player. Find out who it is here.

Southampton have been linked with Santiago Moreno recently, and if he were to join Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side this summer, it could spell bad news for Moussa Djenepo.

According to The Telegraph, the Saints, Leeds United and Rangers are all keen on signing the 21-year-old from Deportivo de Cali this summer. The report suggests that his style of play has been compared to former Saints winger Sadio Mane, whilst he is expected to be able to adapt to the demands of Premier League football.

During his time with the Liga Dimayor side, the young winger has contributed 10 goals and seven assists in just 49 appearances, which suggests that he can add a goalscoring threat in Hasenhuttl’s team next season should Martin Semmens bring him to St Mary’s this summer.

This could spell trouble for Djenepo, who has struggled to perform consistently since his move from Standard Liege in the summer of 2019, with just four goals and two assists to his name in 51 appearances for Southampton.

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This season has been particularly disappointing for the Mali international, as he has managed just one goal and no assists in 27 Premier League appearances, earning a less than impressive 6.37 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

This ranks him as the 17th-best performer in Hasenhuttl’s side this season, which suggests that the 22-year-old could soon find himself surplus to requirements should another winger arrive at St Mary’s this summer.

Considering that Nathan Tella has perhaps already moved ahead of Djenepo in the pecking order at Southampton, whilst Theo Walcott’s loan move has been made permanent, it seems likely that the Malian will struggle for game time with the Saints next season unless his performances drastically improve.

Therefore, the addition of a young exciting winger such as Moreno, who seems to have much more of an eye for goal than Djenepo, could spell serious trouble for the latter’s future in Hasenhuttl’s side.

In other news… Semmens can end Hasenhuttl headache with Saints swoop for “explosive” beast

According to transfer reports, Leeds are serious about making a summer move for Sampdoria defender Omar Colley.

What’s the story?

It has been suggested in recent weeks that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are interested in signing the Gambia international in the upcoming summer transfer window as they look to strengthen the centre of their defence.

Italian publication Il Secolo XIX have claimed (via Sport Witness) that Leeds’ scouts have been left impressed by Colley and that they are now serious about signing him.

The report added that an “offer is now ‘ready’ and that Sampdoria’s request of €12m-13m (£10m-11m) ‘wouldn’t be a problem’ for the Premier League club, ‘considering higher figures have been spent on far less performing defenders’.”

Could be Leeds’ own Van Dijk

Given that Leeds signed two established centre-backs in the shape of Robin Koch and Diego Llorente just last summer, it seems somewhat surprising that Victor Orta and co are looking to sign another proven central defender – especially when they also have club captain Liam Cooper and the likes of Luke Ayling and Pascal Struijk, both of whom can fill in there too.

This season has seen Colley win 2.9 aerial duels per match, which would rank him second among Leeds’ squad for 2020/21, with only Cooper averaging higher with 3.9 per game.

Indeed, as per Whoscored, his average of 2.6 interceptions per game would rank him first in the entire Whites squad, while his 4.2 clearances per match also sees him comfortably above any of Bielsa’s current options.

Leeds only have to look at Liverpool to see the kind of transformative impact a dominant centre-back signing can have, with Virgil van Dijk playing a key role in turning the Reds into Premier League and Champions League winners since joining from Southampton.

While Colley isn’t in that same bracket perhaps just yet, the 1.92m (6 foot 3) powerhouse appears to have the kind of defensive strengths which would make him a formidable opponent for opposition attackers to overcome – in fact, his average of only being dribbled past 0.3 times per game is better than any Leeds player this season.

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Colley is a brick wall, and while a move is slightly surprising given Leeds’ current options at centre-back, it’s one which could see the Whites land their own version of Van Dijk.

Meanwhile, Bielsa could mould his next Roberto Ayala in this Leeds starlet…

According to Italian journalist Fabio Santini, speaking to Il Prosecco as relayed by Area Napoli and translated by Sport Witness, former Premier League boss Maurizio Sarri ‘could go to train in the Premier League with Tottenham’. 

This big claim comes amid other reports that the favourites to succeed former boss Jose Mourinho on a permanent basis appear to be the likes of Julian Nagelsmann and Brendan Rodgers.

Spurs touted as possible move for Sarri

Other reports have even mentioned Graham Potter and Scott Parker as outside managerial candidates over Sarri, so it seems to be a complete free-for-all when it comes to predicting Mourinho’s permanent successor.

Recently, other claims coming out of the continent suggested that Levy had approached the ex-Chelsea gaffer, but reporters close to the club have since come out to deny those reports (Evening Standard).

Now, another Italian reporter has claimed Sarri is indeed a candidate – citing his sources as proof.

“I have two news about Napoli,” he told Il Processo, via Area Napoli and Sport Witness.

“I’m starting from the bad one: Maurizio Sarri, much loved by the fans, will not land in Campania.

“According to my information, the coach from Figline Valdarno could go to train in the Premier League at Tottenham.”

Transfer Tavern take

A winner in both Italy and England, winning the Europa League with Chelsea and the Scudetto with Juventus, he has absolutely no shortage of credentials.

He was famed for his brand of attacking play, dubbed ‘Sarri ball’, and he has also been described as ‘extraordinary’ by Chelsea midfielder Jorginho (Football Italia).

However, given he was at the Chelsea helm, he could be a controversial appointment for Spurs supporters.

Nagelsmann, on the other hand, plays a similar style of football and has been lavished with praise by both the media and his players for his ‘fearless’ approach to management.

For this reason, we believe the German boss should be targeted above all others, even if Sarri is an intriguing candidate.

In other news: Spurs confirmed this ‘amazing’ news, find out more here.

Heading into the 2021/22 season, Liverpool have been linked with a somewhat lengthy list of defensive recruits.

The Reds have been credited with interest in the likes of Caglar Soyuncu, Ezequiel Garay, Alessandro Bastoni and many more.

Nevertheless, the most prominent names have been Ibrahima Konate – whom The Athletic suggest that Jurgen Klopp is edging towards signing – and Kalidou Koulibaly. Il Mattino report that Liverpool could look to sign the Napoli man with his asking price having dropped.

It is the latter that Michael Edwards should be pushing to sign more.

Comparing the two players’ statistics this season, Koulibaly comes out on top most often.

According to WhoScored, the Senegalese centre-back has averaged 1.2 tackles per game, whilst Konate is contributing just 0.4 for RB Leipzig.

The Napoli man is also victorious in regards to interceptions – one to 0.7 – and blocks – 0.9 to 0.1.

Whilst Koulibaly does concede more fouls per match, this cynical edge is not always a bad feature and instead could be used to great effect at key moments of a match.

Away from the players’ defensive statistics, Koulibaly edges out Konate with his comfort on the ball. The 29-year-old averages more accurate passes per game, whilst also being extremely effective from long balls, completing 4.1 per game to Konate’s paltry 0.9.

Despite Koulibaly looking like the overwhelming candidate for the centre-back berth at Anfield, there are however few positives for Konate. The younger player at just 21, the Frenchman would also be cheaper. He is rated at £31.5m, whilst the Napoli man holds a £45m valuation.

Within that though, Liverpool would be purchasing plenty of experience with Koulibaly. He has made 277 appearances for Napoli and also taken to the pitch on 75 separate occasions within European competition compared to Konate’s 21.

So, whilst Koulibaly would certainly be the costlier purchase, the Reds would almost definitely be buying a higher quality player.

He conveniently already has a glowing reference from ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who labelled his former teammate as “extraordinary”.

If choosing between the two then, Liverpool have to plump for Koulibaly instead of Konate.

AND in more news, Fabrizio Romano has revealed a huge transfer mistake that Michael Edwards could be making…

Writing on Twitter, journalist Oliver Kay has claimed that Tottenham superstar Harry Kane is ‘running out of patience’ and is ‘preparing’ to push for a summer move if they don’t qualify for the Champions League, which could come as a potential blow for Spurs. 

Tottenham dealt potential Harry Kane blow

Describing the development as ‘big news’, Kay shared on social media that the 27-year-old is now strongly considering his future in north London as he harbours ambitions of Champions League football.

The Englishman, who has arguably been Spurs’ best player this season, is heavily linked to leaving the club, with destinations like Manchester City being touted in the media (The Times).

Kane himself recently admitted that he could decide his future after the upcoming European Championships (Sky Sports), with Kay now sharing the ‘big news’ that the striker will push for an exit depending on whether Tottenham qualify for the Champions League at the end of the season.

Coming as a potential blow for Spurs, one possible silver lining is that the situation remains ‘complicated’, which could lead to changing developments between now and after the Euros.

Transfer Tavern take

Given his outstanding goal contribution in the Premier League this season, losing the 27-year-old would be a huge hit to take for Spurs manager Jose Mourinho.

While Kane’s possible stance is a worry, chairman Daniel Levy could price interested parties out of a move, with the Daily Mail recently reporting that Tottenham want an enormous £150m before even considering a sale.

In this financial climate, we think it’s very unlikely that any club will be willing to pay such an amount, but it will still be interesting to see how the Kane saga unfolds over the summer transfer window.

In other news: Tottenham in pole position to sign this ‘amazing’ colossus, find out more here.

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey believes it was the ‘correct’ decision to only award Leeds United’s Tyler Roberts a yellow card against Chelsea.

Leeds drew 0-0 at home to Thomas Tuchel’s in-form Blues side last Saturday, in what represented a good point for Marcelo Bielsa’s men.

They went toe-to-toe with their big-spending opponents throughout at Elland Road, with the draw meaning they currently sit 12th in the table.

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One of the key decisions of the game saw Roberts receive a booking after a challenge on Jorginho in the second half, a punishment befitting of the crime according to Halsey.

Halsey believes right decision was made in Leeds-Chelsea clash

Speaking to This Is Futbol, Halsey claimed Kevin Friend was right not to send the Leeds ace off, with the correct decision ultimately made:

“It wasn’t violent conduct; you knew it straight away. It’s just his follow-through and he’s gone onto the back of his calf so for me, in that instance it’s not violent conduct, I think the yellow card was correct.

“I think that had it been a serious situation, VAR would have got involved in that situation.”

Transfer Tavern take

Halsey is right in his assessment, with Roberts’ tackle no doubt a little on the reckless side, but certainly not malicious and warranting a sending off.

If players are receiving their marching orders for challenges of that ilk, the number of red cards will be off the scale before too long.

In other news, Leeds are ‘thinking seriously’ about making an addition in one key area this summer. Find out more here.