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A major update has emerged on Manchester United fullback Brandon Williams, regarding the chances of him joining Southampton on loan next season.

What’s the talk?

According to Hampshire Live, Manchester United are coming around to the idea of loaning Brandon Williams out next season. United rejected the chance to send Williams out on loan in the 2020/21 campaign as they wanted to keep him around Old Trafford as cover.

The report claims that United are now open to letting him leave on a temporary basis. Southampton and their Premier League rivals Norwich are both interested in landing the young full-back to bolster their respective squads this summer.

After handing Williams his Manchester United debut in 2019, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hailed him as being “brave” and praised his defending. He told MEN:

“The performance and debut of Brandon, fantastic. You can’t see any nerves, he’s so brave, the courage to take the ball and go forward. Great defending, very pleased, some big, big pluses today.”

Ralph needs him

Southampton’s fullback situation is in a dire state at the moment. Heading into next season, Kyle Walker-Peters is the only senior fullback, right-back or left-back, on Southampton’s books.

Ryan Bertrand is set to leave the club on a free transfer, whilst Sam McQueen remains on the sidelines and youngster Yan Valery was shipped out on loan to Championship side Birmingham. This means that Southampton are in desperate need of fullback reinforcements in the coming weeks.

Williams, therefore, could be an excellent addition to Hasenhuttl’s squad. Not only is he a solid option to potentially come in at right-back, but he is also capable of playing at left-back and has played on both sides at first-team level for Manchester United at Premier League level.

This shows that Solskjaer trusts Williams to put a good shift in on both sides of the pitch, which means that he could act as cover at right-back and left-back for Southampton – essentially providing two signings in one. Instead of bringing in a back-up for both positions, Martin Semmens can sign Williams and kill two birds with one stone – saving the club money in the transfer window.

The £65k-per-week dynamo has also proven his quality at Premier League and Europa League level. He averaged an exceptional WhoScored rating of 7.19 in the Europa League and 6.70 in the Premier League for United in the 2019/20 campaign as he started 19 games across those competitions.

He could be a useful and quality signing for the Saints, one that Hasenhuttl needs to fill out the gaps in his defensive ranks, so Semmens should pounce on this opportunity to sign him on loan next season now he’s likely to be available.

AND in other news, Semmens must avoid Saints error over £30m dud who “goes backwards”, fans would hate it…

Former Tottenham Hotspur star Graham Roberts insists that the club have to fix their defence this summer, potentially needing to sign three players to do so.

Spurs have appointed Fabio Paratici as their managing director of football, and he will be a key part of the club’s summer, as he looks to identify new players and also move them on.

Roberts believes that the club need to make fixing the club’s defence a priority as they look to compete at the top end of the league once again.

He says that left-back Sergio Reguilon has the ability to become an excellent player, but believes two new centre-backs are required, along with a right-back.

And he has made the claim that Paratici may have to pay as much as £150m to do so.

It is a major job for Paratici to do, and it remains to be seen if three defensive players will be recruited this summer.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, the former Spurs skipper said: “We need a back four. The left-back’s decent, he gives silly goals away, alright, we understand that, he was a bit nervous, but I’m sure he can become really, really good.

“But you need a right-back, you need a centre-half and you need a centre-half. That’s £100 million, or £120 million, £150 million; if you want two decent centre-halves, they’re going to cost you £40 or £45m, that’s £90m.”

Liverpool have made a £30million offer for Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman but it falls short of the German champions’ valuation, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (via beIN Sports).

Bayern are said to want £42million for the 25-year-old Frenchman.

Why might Liverpool be after Coman?

Jurgen Klopp’s side may be on the hunt for another attacking option as they look to prepare for the absence of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane at the turn of the year.

Salah and Mane are set to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations, which runs from 9 January-6 February.

Coman made 23 Bundesliga starts last season, scoring five goals and setting up 12. Only three players – Thomas Muller, Filip Kostic and Daichi Kamada – recorded more assists.

His injury record is a concern, though. Since the start of the 2018/19 season, he’s missed 36 games with 11 different issues (via Transfermarkt).

Fan feed LFC Transfer Room relayed the Coman report, and here’s what supporters made of it.

Liverpool fans unimpressed by links to Coman

“Wrong French LW, FSG”

Credit: @FcNabyLad

“£42mil for a player that’s a season ending injury away from retiring? No thanks.”

Credit: @DatedWizard

“Great, another injury prone player”

Credit: @AK_LFC_

“He’s more injury prone than Naby Keita”

Credit: @Overvie49556639

“I don’t understand this club’s obsession with injury prone players”

Credit: @wizonce_LFC

“Don’t care, give me Raphinha”

Credit: @AJXR45

In other news, fans bemoaned this update on a midfield target. 

When Nuno Santo decided to leave Wolves at the end of last season, it came as a shock to everybody at Molineux.

However, what wasn’t surprising was the way the Old Gold and Fosun looked towards Portugal for his successor.

They held talks with their friendly pal, Jorge Mendes, and Bruno Lage walked through the door after a brief spell away from football.

Lage lost his job at Benfica in the top-flight of Portuguese football but guided them to the title in 2018/19, also bringing through some of the hottest young talent in Europe.

The 45-year-old has very quickly become a coach renowned for handing opportunities to younger players and judging by the Benfica academy, you can hardly blame him.

They’ve produced the likes of Bernardo Silva, Andre Silva, Joao Cancelo and Renato Sanches. Former Wolves star Ivan Cavaleiro came through their ranks while their current right-back, Nelson Semedo, cut his teeth in the Benfica academy as well.

Under Lage, it was Ruben Dias and Joao Felix who rose to stardom but there is a new breed rising up in emphatic fashion.

Unfortunately, Benfica need to sell some players in order to raise funds this summer. 15-goal Goncalo Ramos has been linked with a move to Wolves but so has one of his partners in crime, Henrique Araujo.

Another client of Mendes, the Portuguese is one of the most devastating young players in his homeland.

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A centre-forward by trade, the 19-year-old found the back of the net on 19 occasions in 36 outings at youth level last season.

Araujo didn’t earn any senior football but he is surely right on the periphery of regular first-team action.

A move to Wolves could prove incredibly beneficial for his career. Although the Midlands outfit have Fabio Silva in their ranks, Lage has already proven he can develop young attacking talent.

Combine that with the club he now coaches, and it’s surely a recipe for success for the younger players coming through at Compton.

Wolves have taken players like Diogo Jota and Pedro Neto to the next level, something that should excite Araujo if he makes the move to England.

Described as a “gem” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the teenager started last season by scoring eight goals in his first eight appearances.

A player blessed with a ruthless ability to find the back of the net, he’d add to a glistening array of young talent already at Molineux.

Combine him with Silva and they could create an awe-inspiring duo for supporters to salivate over. This could be yet another jewel in the crown of Fosun’s Wolves empire.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Neves: Wolves must swoop for gem with 259 PL apps, Bull thinks he’s “quality”…

Manchester City have been dealt a blow in their hopes of signing Jack Grealish this summer, as Aston Villa are reportedly confident that he will sign a new deal with Dean Smith’s side.

According to the Daily Mail, Villa are confident that they will be able to tie down their talisman to a new deal at Villa Park, which will significantly increase his wages and potentially see off interest from the Citizens.

City have been regularly linked with a move for the England international in recent months, with reports suggesting that they are ready to pay £100m in order to bring him to the Etihad this summer.

The former Notts County loanee enjoyed a superb campaign with the Villans, contributing six goals and 10 assists in 26 Premier League appearances, which helped him average an impressive 7.56 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Only Harry Kane and Kevin De Bruyne rated higher in the 2020/21 Premier League, so it is easy to see why Grealish is attracting so much interest from City this summer, and also why Villa are desperate to keep him at Villa Park by handing him an improved deal despite his current contract not set to expire until 2025.

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Harry Redknapp was full of praise for Grealish’s performances last season, saying: “I love to see teams go and attack and I love Jack Grealish. I’m a massive fan of his, I think he’s incredible.

“For me, I think he’s been the footballer of the year so far, if I was voting I’d pick him. He’s dragged Aston Villa up the league, he’s a massive part of what they’ve achieved this year.”

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Guardiola is also a big fan of the Englishman, having dubbed him an “exceptional” player in 2019, and he will surely be frustrated if one of his top targets for the summer becomes unattainable due to a new contract at Aston Villa, as he could well be the difference next season if City are to finally achieve their goal of winning the Champions League.

In other news… Bye-bye Laporte: Txiki should seal Man City swoop for £40.5m-rated star likened to Hummels

Carlton Palmer believes selling Diego Llorente would not come as a major blow to Leeds United.

The central defender has attracted interest from fellow Premier League clubs despite seeing his first campaign in English football hampered by a string of injuries.

Llorente joined Leeds from Spanish side Real Sociedad for a fee believed to be in the region of £18million last September.

But groin and hamstring problems resulted in Llorente, who was a member of Spain’s Euro 2020 squad which reached the semi-finals, being limited to just 15 Premier League appearances.

With three years remaining on his £22,000-per-week contract, Leeds are not in a position where they are under pressure to sell the 27-year-old.

But former England international striker Palmer, who enjoyed a three-year stint with the Yorkshire club during his playing career, would understand Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa being open to Llorente departing within 12 months of switching to Elland Road.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Palmer said: “I think he’s a talented player but he has struggled with injury and he must have a decent-sized salary. You’ll miss quality players if they leave but they missed him already last season because of his injuries.

“You need players who are going to play 25-30 games a season. He’s undoubtedly got quality because he wouldn’t be a Spanish international if he didn’t.

“It’s a blow if he goes but it’s a blow anyhow because he’s not playing.”

A number of Liverpool supporters have reacted negatively to a rumour claiming that the Reds are willing to pay £55m for Youri Tielemans.

Gini Wijnaldum’s exit to Paris Saint-Germain has left a potentially gaping hole in Liverpool’s midfield ahead of next season, so a new signing may be needed.

Jurgen Klopp may still have some great options in the middle of the park, but Jordan Henderson and Thiago are now in their 30s and Curtis Jones remains a work in progress.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

One player who has been linked with a move to Anfield in the past is Tielemans, who enjoyed an excellent season for Leicester City in 2020/21, scoring a brilliant winning goal in the FA Cup final against Chelsea two months ago. He also featured in every Premier League game for the Foxes, with six goals and four assists in the top flight (Transfermarkt).

A fresh update has now emerged, with Voetbal24 [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter] claiming that Liverpool are happy to table a £55m bid for the Belgium international this summer, and that the 24-year-old ‘really wants’ to join the Reds.

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Liverpool fans don’t like Tielemans rumour

Despite Tielemans’ decent return in 2020/21, rumours of a possible £55m offer have not gone down well with some Reds fans, who provided their thoughts on Twitter.

“Stop this nonsense. Tielemans is not far better than Curtis – I’d rather groom Curtis than buy Tielemans”

Credit: @chibix12

“Not convinced with him as a player”

Credit: @dhim_13

“I wouldn’t spend anything like that on him, can’t see us doing it either without selling first”

Credit: @Corballyred

“I’m cutting ties immediately”

Credit: @tijaniro

“Cutting ties with this despicable institution”

Credit: @Arv_2110

“I don’t want this guy please”

Credit: @takumilfc

In other news, Liverpool are reportedly willing to pay £25million for one player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Sheffield Wednesday still harbour an interest in signing Burnley goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell this summer according to a fresh update from The Athletic.

The Lowdown: Owls linked with Peacock-Farrell move

As the Owls prepare for life in League One, Darren Moore is looking to bolster his squad in order to give the club the best possible chance of promotion back to the Championship.

One player with whom they have been linked is Peacock-Farrell, with the Burnley stopper limited to just four Premier League starts last season.

The Latest: Journalist provides update

According to The Athletic’s Nancy Frostick, a new goalkeeper remains an ‘area of interest’ for Wednesday, with Cameron Dawson and Joe Wildsmith struggling to make a regular starting berth their own.

Burnley are reportedly content with loaning out the 23-cap Northern Ireland international, but a permanent move to the Championship is preferred.

It is claimed that ‘the door is not necessarily closed’ regarding a move to Hillsborough, giving the Owls renewed hope of bringing him to the club.

The Verdict: Ideal summer signing

Peacock-Farrell would be an undoubted step-up in quality between the sticks, with all due respect to both Dawson and Wildsmith.

The 24-year-old is an established international goalkeeper who also has top-flight experience, and his influence could enhance Wednesday’s promotion hopes greatly. Indeed, Stuart McKinley of the Belfast Telegraph hailed an “outstanding” performance from the £18,000-a-week netminder in a friendly against eventual Euro 2020 quarter-finalists Ukraine only a few weeks ago.

Given the Owls’ status as League One club, it could be tough to acquire Peacock-Farrell’s signature if other sides enter the mix, so it would be advisable to try and wrap up a deal quickly.

In other news, one Sheff Wed player won’t be making a return to the club this summer. Find out who it is here.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has claimed that Leeds United have Celtic starlet Leo Hjelde on their radar.

What’s the story?

Having recently sealed deals for Amari Miller and Lewis Bate, Marcelo Bielsa’s side look keen on reinforcing their academy side even further this summer.

According to Hay, the Whites have their eye on a pair of Celtic starlets, with centre-back Hjelde, and left-back Matthew Anderson on their radar.

Hay adds that “Leeds are persisting in forming a junior pool who, in a number of positions, might realistically succeed members of Bielsa’s current starting line-up.”

Fans will be excited

The 17-year-old joined fellow Scottish side Ross County on loan, and the club’s boss, John Hughes, has admitted that he could have linked up with Marcelo Bielsa in the Premier League instead.

He said: “Leo is going to be the next Van Dijk – trust me on that. The quality he has shown, the physical challenge, playing real men’s football and standing up to it – it’s been a wonderful experience for Leo.

“Before he came, Leeds United were after him. I think he had to sign an extension to his contract for the loan to go through.”

While he may only be 17, Hjelde is clearly someone with a lot of potential, and Hughes has placed a lot of faith in him by using him in multiple positions, including at left-back and further forward in left-midfield.

And, after seeing him score his first professional goal against Kilmarnock earlier last season, the manager was quick to shower him with praise.

He said: “He found himself out of the team a little bit, then came on there and got his goal. He’s destined for big, big, big things. He won’t be far away from the Celtic first-team when he goes back, but this is what he needs to be doing.”

Given Leeds’ recent signings of Bate and Miller, and that follows on from the business last summer that saw the likes of Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood arrive, fans will no doubt be excited about the future of their club.

Whether Bielsa is still the manager when these players eventually make a name for themselves in the first-team in the years to come remains to be seen, but these long-term based signings ensure that the club is in good hands.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay claims there’s a “decent chance” of Leeds making this signing…

Leicester City could form a formidable midfield partnership this summer after being linked with a move for Lazio’s Joaquin Correa.

What’s the story?

According to Italian newspaper La Repubblica (as reported by Get Football News Italy), the Foxes are lining up a potential €25 million (£21.2m) offer for the 26-year-old over the coming months, although the player himself may have to be convinced on the move.

Correa would be Leicester’s fourth signing of the current window following the arrivals of Patson Daka, Boubakary Soumare and Ryan Bertrand, who have all arrived as very useful additions to an already impressive first-team squad.

Imagine him and Youri Tielemans

Correa enjoyed a fabulous 2020/21 campaign, bagging 11 goals and providing six assists in 38 games for Lazio, achieving a highly respectable 6.90 WhoScored rating as a result.

His impressive exploits at club level earned him a call-up to the Argentine national team setup for the recent Copa America tournament, where Correa made three appearances for Lionel Scaloni’s successful side.

These returns saw Rahul Warrier dub the South American a “menace” and clearly caught the eye of clubs across the continent.

Leicester’s apparent interest in Correa comes as little shock then, with the Midlands outfit believed to be in the market for another attacker ahead of the upcoming campaign.

After the departure of Cengiz Under following his unsuccessful loan spell, Marc Albrighton is the only natural right-winger available to Brendan Rodgers, something the Northern Irish tactician is keen to address.

And although Correa is more comfortable playing through the middle, his versatility could be an extremely appealing asset for the former Liverpool boss.

The Lazio ace has established a reputation as a fine technical player, blessed with incredible dribbling ability and an eye for a pass, skills which would perfectly compliment Youri Tielemans in the Leicester engine room.

Correa is comfortable playing on either flank, in the No.10 role, or even slightly deeper in the No.8 position, but he’d be capable of developing a potentially devastating partnership with the Belgium international wherever he lined up, such is the quality that both men possess.

It remains to be seen whether the Leicester hierarchy follow up their interest with a concrete offer, but the club’s supporters will surely be urging director of football Jon Rudkin to stump up the money and add another quality addition to Rodgers’ ranks.

And, in other news…Leicester must land “extraordinary” £30m gem who’s “so fast”, Rodgers needs him