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Nottingham Forest have been dealt a blow in their bid to seal Lyle Taylor’s departure from The City Ground this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Stoke on Trent Live, who claim that Michael O’Neill’s Stoke City side are not believed to be considering a move for the 31-year-old Forest centre-forward in the current transfer window.

It was reported earlier this month that Chris Hughton is more than happy for Taylor to leave the club this summer, with the 62-year-old looking to bring in a striker of his own in a bid to provide Lewis Grabban with competition for his starting spot ahead of next season.

Hughton will be fuming

Things have not exactly gone swimmingly for Taylor since arriving at The City Ground on a free transfer last summer, with the manager who signed him, Sabri Lamouchi, being sacked after just four games of the season, and his successor, Chris Hughton, clearly not holding a great deal of faith in the striker’s ability.

Indeed, despite playing a total of 39 Championship games for Forest last term, only 15 of these appearances came as starts, with the £900k-rated forward going on to score just four goals, register no assists and create one big chance for his teammates, in addition to hitting the target an average of 0.4 times and making of 0.4 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £5k-per-week man earn a disappointing seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.64, ranking him as the Garibaldi’s joint ninth-worst performer in the second tier last season.

As such, it is unsurprising that Hughton is willing to allow the man whom Neal Ardley dubbed an “outstanding” player to move onto pastures new this summer, and also why O’Neill clearly believes that there could be better options to improve his attacking arsenal at Stoke City ahead of next season.

However, the fact that the Potters do not appear likely to make a move for Taylor at present will undoubtedly leave the Forest boss fuming, as he will now have to find another potential suitor who is willing to take the forward on this summer.

In other news: Forest handed boost over “fantastic” £2.52m-rated gem who won’t cost Hughton a penny

Leeds United still have a significant number of players in their squad who were part of the team that won promotion from the Championship to the Premier League.

One of those players that has proved to have been a particularly good bit of business from the Yorkshire club is Pascal Struijk.

Signed back in the 2018 January transfer window from Ajax’s U19 side, the defender has gone on to make 60 senior appearances for the Whites across all competitions.

With 24 league appearances to his name in this latest campaign, the Dutchman has been a rather prominent figure in the team at the back.

In terms of what he offers the Whites, the 22-year-old has racked up the joint-third highest number of tackles won (31), the third-highest number of blocks (49) and the second-highest number of interceptions (58) in the Premier League out of anyone in the Leeds squad.

The £29k-per-week figure also has the third-highest number of clearances (76) in the league from Jesse Marsch’s outfit, behind only Liam Cooper (96) and Diego Llorente (84).

To further highlight his defensive attributes, only Cooper and Junior Firpo have a higher average for aerial duels won than the former Ajax youth star – out of players that have been involved in more than 10 duels.

Even though the Elland Road outfit have conceded more goals (68) in the league than any other top-flight side this season, it’s safe to say that things would have been a lot worse had Struijk not been around.

Back in October 2020, Transfermarkt had the defender’s market value listed as £675k, whereas it now stands at £13.5m – a whopping 1900% increase – highlighting the significant rise it has taken as a result of his actions on the pitch.

Having been touted to become a “supreme centre-back” for the club in the future by Leeds journalist Beren Cross, it seems as though Struijk has the tools to do just that.

Even though the colossus hasn’t started in Leeds’ previous two league games against Southampton and Watford, he will surely be an important squad option for Marsch heading into next season and beyond – something that leads us to believe Victor Orta hit the jackpot when landing Struijk back in 2018.

AND in other news: Leeds heading for disaster on “wonderful” £38k-p/w “talent”, Marsch would be fuming

Leeds United have reportedly shown interest in signing Chelsea youngster Conor Gallagher on loan, but he looks set to stay at Stamford Bridge.

The Lowdown: Several loans for Gallagher

The 21-year-old has found himself out on loan a number of times in his fledgling career in order to enjoy guaranteed playing time.

Gallagher has spent this season at West Brom, making 25 starts in the Premier League and chipping in with two goals and two assists apiece for the Baggies, whose relegation was confirmed on Sunday.

With his spell at The Hawthorns now coming to an end, the youngster will be looking to see what the next chapter in his career has in store.

The Latest: Leeds show Gallagher interest

According to journalist Alan Nixon on Twitter, Leeds are among several clubs who have expressed an interest in taking Gallagher on loan next season, with Crystal Palace and Newcastle United also mentioned as potential suitors.

However, it is stated that the midfielder now wants to fight for his place at Chelsea, aiming to catch the eye of manager Thomas Tuchel.

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The Verdict: Look for more experience alternatives

Gallagher is clearly a talented young player, being hailed by his former boss Slaven Bilic as an “energetic” midfielder who “has a lot of everything” [football.london].

However, Leeds may be better looking for a slightly older midfielder, bringing them in permanently in order to settle.

Someone like 26-year-old reported transfer target Rodrigo de Paul would be perfect, in that respect, with the Udinese man scoring nine goals and registering eight assists in Serie A this season, shining in one of Europe’s biggest leagues.

Leeds need to be in a situation where they are signing players who are highly likely to instantly make the squad stronger – while Gallagher has definite potential, that wouldn’t be a given considering his tender age.

In other news, a pundit has been left baffled by one Leeds player’s lack of football this season. Find out who it is here.

An update has emerged on reported Newcastle transfer target Adam Armstrong, with the forward being tipped for a Championship move.

What’s the talk?

An EFL insider has hinted that the much-coveted Blackburn striker could end up at Championship outfit Fulham before the end of the window.

They told Football Transfer Tavern: “Adam Armstrong from Blackburn could be one, similar to Dwight Gayle, but has more goals in his game in my opinion.

“He’s proven now and a good bid might get him to move to a big club like Fulham, with its wealth.”Newcastle have been touted in recent months with an interest in a deal to bring the £25m-valued forward back to St James’ Park this summer, with West Ham and Southampton also reportedly keen. Upgrade on Gayle

Newcastle must act swiftly to secure a deal for Armstrong before any other suitor is able to swoop in for him in the final weeks of the transfer window. The Magpies cannot afford to allow a Championship club to beat them to what could be a fantastic signing.

He could be a significant upgrade on Dwight Gayle and bolster Bruce’s options in the final third considerably. The 31-year-old scored once in 18 Premier League appearances for the Toon last term, averaging a lowly WhoScored rating of 6.21.

This suggests that it could be time for the Magpies to part ways with the former Crystal Palace man as he has not been able to produce consistent performances in the top flight. Selling him could then open the door for Armstrong to come in and replace him, and he could prove to be a more valuable asset than the experienced Gayle.

Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray lavished praise on the “explosive” Newcastle target last season and admitted that he has matured as a player. He told FourFourTwo: “Adam does (make a difference) as he has done all season. I think Adam has matured and he’s only 23.

“He’s a boy really, but his explosive pace at the top end of the pitch allows you to play both ways, to not be overly concerned if you’re pinned back around the edge of your box because one pass releases pressure to someone like (Harvey) Elliott to play the pass that he can hit just leaving it in the space for the speed and dynamic movement of Armstrong – it’s a devastating effect for the team.”

Armstrong scored an impressive 28 goals in the Championship for Blackburn last season, averaging a WhoScored rating of 7.15 for the club. He is bang in form and seven years younger than Gayle, which means that the 24-year-old has the potential for further development whilst also showing that he could shine for Newcastle straight away. Therefore, Bruce should be pushing for this deal to be completed in August.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Howey drops Freddie Woodman verdict amid surprise Bruce admission at Newcastle…

Tottenham Hotspur boss Nuno Santo has been handed an encouraging boost ahead of the new Premier League season this weekend…

What’s the latest?

According to The Athletic, Bryan Gil will return to Spurs training on Wednesday and as such, he could make his debut against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

The 20-year-old winger was signed for around £21m plus Erik Lamela from Sevilla and will face tests at Hotspur Way before linking up with the rest of the squad later this week.

Gil featured at the Tokyo Olympics this summer, as recently as last weekend, as Spain were beaten by Brazil in the gold medal match. However, he was not selected at Euro 2020, so he has had some time off without any fitness concerns.

He will be considered for selection ahead of kickoff.

Selection boost

This should come as a massive boost to the Portuguese head coach as it gives him another solid option in attack and given Harry Kane’s lack of a pre-season amid speculation linking him to this weekend’s opposition, he may well be required.

The Olympics has effectively been his ‘pre-season, having featured in five of Spain’s six matches, playing on both flanks, as per Transfermarkt.

There is also a bunch of excitement surrounding the young prodigy as he has been touted for big things alongside fellow countrymen Pedri and Ansi Fati, both of Barcelona.

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Indeed, Gil has been described as a “big talent” with “huge, huge potential”, whilst he is said to have a “left foot made of pure gold” and has even been lauded as a “flamboyant winger” by football scout Jacek Kulig.

During 2020/21, the former Sevilla talent averaged 1.7 crosses and 1.9 key passes per 90 in La Liga, via WhoScored, which suggests that he is very good at providing his teammates with chances.

Only Heung-min Son managed to create more key passes (two) than Kane (1.4) last season, so having a player of that calibre in the squad for a game as big as City is undoubtedly a boost to Nuno’s chances of pulling off a shock result.

Even if he’s used from the bench, it gives Spurs a potentially lethal threat to bring on if the game is tight and when the opposition’s defence is tiring.

Therefore, the possibility of having him involved is a big, big plus for Nuno and the Lilywhites.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Ndombele: Spurs must sign £12m-rated “great talent” who’s “similar” to Eriksen…

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

Crystal Palace have been tipped to sign Josh King this summer after his Everton release, and the 29-year-old could be a superb addition to Patrick Vieira’s side.

Bent tips King for Selhurst Park switch

In an exclusive interview with Football Transfer Tavern, former Palace man Marcus Bent suggested that Vieira should be looking at signing the former Bournemouth man on a free transfer this summer.

He said:

“A player that has talent. Is Palace the right move for him from Everton? I think it would be a massive signing for Crystal Palace.

“Would it be the move he wants? I’m not sure, but it’d literally get him playing and get his confidence up. He’d be playing with a team that’s fired up, new manager [Patrick] Vieira coming in, still in the Premier League.”

Would he be a good signing for Palace?

Palace have been linked with a move for King in the past, so he is clearly a player they are aware of, and his signing would represent a low-risk deal with a potentially big return, if the 29-year-old can rediscover the form he showed at Bournemouth.

During his time with the Cherries, the Norway international would contribute 53 goals and 19 assists in 184 appearances, including 16 goals in the 2016/17 Premier League campaign, which emphasises how dangerous he can be when he is at his best.

After a baffling spell at Everton where he was signed in January but made just 11 appearances from the bench totalling 138 minutes, King will be looking for a fresh start and Palace could offer him Premier League football, so it is a move that makes sense for both parties.

After he scored a brace in a game against Newcastle in 2019, former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe was full of praise for the striker, saying:

“Josh is outstanding physically, technically and mentally – he has the complete package, a little bit of everything.”

Therefore, he definitely seems like the sort of player that Vieira would love to have in his squad for next season. He could provide healthy competition for current attacking options Wilfried Zaha, Christian Benteke and Jordan Ayew, so the French manager should definitely be looking into bringing the forward, who has 69 goals in his career thus far, to Selhurst Park on a free transfer.

And, in other news… Palace handed transfer boost with midfield dynamo, Vieira would love him

Many Everton fans have been left buzzing as some news emerged involving Richarlison.

The Goodison Park faithful tweeted a few images of the former Watford ace, confirming he is ‘back in full training’, in what has of course come as a mighty relief to a lot of Merseyside club supporters.

Given that Rafa Benitez has been dealt a double blow with the latest injury news on both Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, it is certainly positive to hear of Richarlison’s return.

The Brazil international has been such a not yet scored for his new club.

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Everton fans on Richarlison news

These Blues were left buzzing as Richarlison’s return was revealed on Twitter, with a few EFC supporters claiming that it is ‘good news’:

“Things you love to see”

Credit: @JMarleyWrites

“Good news from Everton. Inject it”

Credit: @mannie_efc

“Finally some good news”

Credit: @EFC_Eve

“At last, some good injury news!”

Credit: @BlueAndy81

“Proper sight for sore eyes that!”

Credit: @RockfallDCUO

“The league is shaking right now”

Credit: @RicharlisonR9

In other news, find out what transfer news has Evertonians fuming here!

Following on from their 1-1 draw against Cambridge United in their previous League One fixture in midweek, Sheffield Wednesday are back in action this weekend with a home clash against Lincoln City to see if the Owls can secure all three points after drawing their two previous league fixtures.

 On the chalkboard

One player who featured in midweek but we feel should not be in the starting XI to face Lincoln at the weekend is centre-forward Lee Gregory.

During the match against Cambridge, the 33-year-old had just one shot on target, won just one of his 10 duels, lost possession 16 times and racked up a rather disappointing passing accuracy percentage of 43% after he completed just nine out of his 21 passes. That ultimately earned him an uninspiring overall match rating of 6.4/10, making him the joint-lowest rated Wednesday player on the day according to SofaScore.

Taking this into account, we think it could be worth taking Gregory out of the starting XI at the weekend and perhaps give him a breather given how he has played 90 minutes in each of Wednesday’s three previous league fixtures, even though he’s scored three goals in the process.

Wednesday signed Gregory back in August from Stoke City for an undisclosed fee. Since then, the £450k-valued striker (according to Transfermarkt) has made 12 appearances for the Owls in League One scoring five goals and providing two assists along the way and proving himself to be a very useful figure for the team.

In terms of who could come in for Gregory at the weekend if Moore does decide to take him out of the starting XI, there’s every chance that the Owls boss could recall Saido Berahino or Florian Kamberi, who both have one league goal under their belts so far this season.

Either way, given his age, his shocking performance against Cambridge and the number of minutes he’s played in recent weeks, we feel that it’s probably a good time for Moore to give Gregory a rest to see if this could sharpen him up once again for upcoming fixtures.

In other news: Moore must unleash “dynamic” Sheff Weds beast at the weekend, he’d terrify Lincoln – opinion

Aston Villa have completed the signing of West Bromwich Albion youngster Triston Rowe.

Rowe, an England Under-15 international, follows Tim Iroegbunam in leaving the Baggies’ youth set-up for their Midlands rivals.

Iroegbunam was fast-tracked to the Under-23s last season, and his performances earned him the Academy Player of the Year award (via Birmingham Mail). Villa will have to pay six-figure compensation after striking the deal.

And a third West Brom starlet could yet make the switch. Football Insider reported earlier in July that Villa had reached an agreement with 20-year-old midfielder Finn Azaz, and that move could be tied-up ‘soon’.

West Brom are back in the Championship after their Premier League return lasted just a single season. They amassed only 26 points over the course of the 38-game season, leaving them a full 13 points adrift of safety.

Fan feed WBA Report relayed the news about Rowe, and here’s what supporters made of it.

These West Brom fans as another youngster lured to Villa

“Brilliant, at this rate we’re not going to have any youngsters to develop”

Credit: @Matthew31241

“What on earth is happening to our academy?”

Credit: @Timmy_Tierney

“You can thank Luke Dowling for this, about 7 players and 8 academy staff gone to the Villa because of him!”

Credit: @MattHill821

“May as well close the academy and save the money, pointless wasting money on it at this rate!”

Credit: @ParsonsJR91

“Horrendous!!!…Villa youth team should be called WBA B team”

Credit: @gillpind

“At this point just close the academy”

Credit: @joecox1999

In other news, West Brom have approached a former ‘big six’ man.