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A number of Manchester City fans have praised Kyle Walker after the right-back posted a message of thanks to supporters on the social media platform after helping England into the Euro 2020 final.

On a historic night for the Three Lions as they ended a 55-year wait for a major final, the 31-year-old played his part in the 2-1 semi-final win over Denmark [BBC].

The Sheffield-born defender has been a key player for club and country in recent years. In 2020/21, he made 42 appearances for the Citizens, registering three goal contributions with two goals and an assist [Transfermarkt].

Walker will now be in pole position to start for Gareth Southgate’s team on Sunday when England play host to Italy at Wembley in the Euro 2020 showpiece, having been in all but one of the manager’s XIs so far at the tournament.

In light of this news, lots of Manchester City supporters took to social media to express their delight at their player’s performance against the Danes, when he won two headers, played two key passes and recorded two interceptions (WhoScored).

 Manchester City fans react to Walker’s performance

Replying to popular fan outlet City Xtra on Twitter, here is how some of the club’s supporters summarised their opinion on Walker’s “immense” display at Wembley:

“Congratulations to you and the rest of the English national team Walker. 100% deserved to win in playing a great match. Hope you win against Italy and take the trophy. PS I’m from Denmark”

Credit: @NicklasAndrea11″Man you’ve been immense, not just tonight, EVERY SINGLE GAME”Credit: @tonythemanc”Kyle man, you have been an absolute beast this tournament. 1 more to go and it’s coming home!!!”Credit: @Rocket_Sauce13″Best RB in the world, an animal, so happy you’re at City”Credit: @jonnymagicman”unbelievable performance Kyle”Credit: @jamesaddis_”Amazing tonight – as always!! Covering, experience and composure makes you one of the first names on the sheet. See us over the line mate!!!”Credit: @bigbencorrieIn other news, some Man City fans react to  this update on Ferran Torres.

Sheffield United have previously been credited with interest in signing Brighton and Hove Albion defender Matt Clarke, according to journalist Alan Nixon. 

What’s the story?

The £21k-a-week earning Clarke has been with the Seagulls since 2019, but has found regular game time with the Premier League side hard to come by in recent seasons.

The 24-year-old spent the 2020/21 campaign on loan with Championship strugglers Derby County, and evidently made a good impression whilst with Wayne Rooney’s side.

Clarke made 44 appearances in total for the Rams, as they narrowly avoided relegation into the third tier of English football on the final day of the campaign.

The defender is contracted with Brighton and Hove Albion until the summer of 2023, although it remains to be seen as to whether he’ll see out the remainder of his contract at the AMEX Stadium.

Nixon claims that Sheffield United could have funds available to sign Clarke this summer, which could move them ahead of Derby County in the race to strike a deal for the defender.

It could be a shrewd move by the Blades

Sheffield United will be hoping the can make a serious push for promotion back into the Premier League at the first time of asking, whilst under the watchful eye of Slavisa Jokanovic, who was appointed as their new manager over the summer.

The Blades endured a hugely frustrating campaign last term, as they finished bottom of the top-flight standings, whilst struggling for any sort of momentum in last year’s campaign, much to the frustration of the Bramall Lane faithful.

But they’ve got every reason to be confident heading into the new season, with the majority of the first-team squad sticking around so far in the summer transfer window, and with new additions likely in the coming weeks, they could be even stronger than last term.

Jokanovic will be keen strengthen his squad at the earliest of opportunities as well, and players that have shown they can perform to a high standard in the Championship should be top of his priority list.

The 24-year-old averaged 1.4 tackles per game, whilst also averaging 4.3 clearances a game. Clarke has also shown that he’s also comfortable whilst in possession, with the Seagulls defender averaging just over 52 passes per game whilst on loan with Derby County last season.

With Phil Jagielka leaving the club over the summer, additional strength in depth is needed at Sheffield United, and Clarke would certainly provide them with that. If the defender is going to struggle for consistent minutes with Brighton and Hove Albion again this season, then you couldn’t blame Clarke if he was to look at a move elsewhere in search of regular game time.

Sheffield United need players with a point to prove, and Clarke certainly fits that description, and if he can hit the ground running, then he could turn out to be the missing piece in Sheffield United’s promotion jigsaw this season.

Speaking to Football Insider, Kevin Phillips has claimed that Everton manager Rafael Benitez may have implicitly told suitors to ‘come and get’ James Rodriguez.

The lowdown

When asked about the Colombian’s future, the 61-year-old refused to ‘talk about individuals’ because it’s ‘not fair for the other players’ (via Liverpool Echo).

Patrick Boyland and Greg O’Keeffe, Everton correspondents for The Athletic, wrote in June that ‘question marks remain’ over whether Rodriguez be keen to stay in the absence of Carlo Ancelotti, who brought the 30-year-old to Goodison Park last summer after previously working with him at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, but the Italian has now returned to Los Blancos.

Rodriguez was directly involved in 10 Everton goals in 21 starts last season, scoring six goals and setting up four (via WhoScored). However, the Colombian struggled with his calf, causing him to miss a total of 11 games between December and April.

The latest

Phillips interpreted Benitez’s response as an indication that Rodriguez will be free to leave and thinks that interested parties will be on high alert after the Spaniard’s subtle remark.

“It’s definitely a hint or a sign,” the former Sunderland striker told Football Insider.

“He doesn’t want to comment on it and I understand that managers don’t want to sometimes. But that’s almost a way of saying ‘He’s there, come and get him’ without actually having to say those words.

“Managers always like to make a statement and I think that might be his way of saying it judging by the way he’s answered that question.

“From my experience, that suggests that the player will be made available.”

The verdict

Ability-wise, Rodriguez is surely the standout player in Everton’s squad. There were a number of matches season in which he showed his class, carving the opposition open.

It isn’t all down to talent, though. Supporters wouldn’t necessarily want the Colombian to stay put unless they were certain that he remained fully committed. Also, some fans may have grown frustrated with his persistent fitness struggles, particularly when he’s said to be banking £140,000 every week, which makes him the joint-top earner in the squad.

Phillips’ comments on Rodriguez’s future may indeed be pertinent.

In other news, this Everton starlet is growing ‘impatient’. 

Celtic are really beginning to ramp up their efforts in the transfer market this week with Ange Postecoglou desperately requiring further bodies.

The Hoops have impressed in pre-season under the new manager but there is a sense that more senior faces are needed ahead of their Champions League qualifying campaign.

What’s the word?

Celtic are moving quickly to secure the services of a number of players in key areas.

Their chase for Carl Starfelt initially looked to be off the table but an early update on Wednesday suggests they have now actually agreed a deal.

The Bhoys are working on a switch for Rennes defender Brandon Soppy but talks have also been held over his teammate, Sacha Boey.

That’s according to Le Parisien (via Get Football News France) who suggest that formal discussions are ongoing over the 20-year-old.

The right-back is currently valued at £2.2m by Transfermarkt.

Postecoglou needs him

Make no mistake about it, signing a right-back is the most important task on the new manager’s agenda this summer.

Jonjoe Kenny left at the end of last month following his loan spell with Celtic and after he failed to impress, they have sought alternatives.

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At the moment, the Glaswegian side have only a few options they could use on the right-hand side of defence.

That includes Anthony Ralston who made just one appearance in the entirety of last season and Lee O’Connor who was on loan at Tranmere in the fourth tier of English football.

Postecoglou could also field new signing Osaze Urhoghide at full-back but they need some more convincing options.

In Boey, they’d receive a player with a solid level of experience in Europe’s top five leagues.

The youngster spent last term on loan at Dijon and played against the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. His side were ultimately relegated from Ligue 1 but Boey was named their best prospect throughout 2020/21.

Dubbed a “talented” footballer by Zach Lowy, it’s easy to see why he’s caught the eye of Celtic’s talent spotters.

First and foremost, he’s a physically robust full-back capable of dominating in the tackle. Last season, he made 2.3 tackles per game – more than any player in the green and white Hoops.

He makes more challenges than 99% of other full-backs and is ranked in the top 20% for right-backs when it comes to his successful tackling rate of 69%.

On top of that, Boey loves to get forward. Despite featuring in a team that were forced to play on the back foot, he performed 0.9 dribbles and 0.8 key passes per game.

With that in mind, he looks like he’d be ideal for Postecoglou’s system. He can defend capably and get forward when necessary.

The Hoops now just need to decide whether they want to sign him instead of Soppy.

AND in other news, Celtic heading for potential disaster after Hoops news emerges, fans must be seething…

A local Norwich journalist has provided an update on Todd Cantwell’s prospective move to Aston Villa… 

What’s the talk?

Speaking on The Pink’Un’s Window Watch (3:40) on Friday, Norwich journalist Paddy Davitt rejected claims Todd Cantwell is closing in on a transfer to Aston Villa.

Football Insider reported earlier this week that Cantwell is close to signing for Dean Smith’s side and the two clubs are in advanced talks over a deal, but Davitt has poured cold water on that report.

“No. There is no imminent ‘we’re getting to the I’s T’s and he’s off to the Midlands with his representatives doing medicals’. Absolutely not. Categorically not the case. We’ve spoken to the relevant people at the football club.”

“Right here, right now, Aston Villa and Todd Cantwell? No, absolutely not. As far as Daniel Farke is concerned, he’s planning for Todd.”

Fans will be gutted

Villa fans will be gutted by this update as it appears to throw a spanner in the works in regards to a potential deal for the attacker. After the initial report from Football Insider, you could forgive supporters for starting to get excited about the England under-21 forward arriving at Villa Park, but that now appears to not be the case – at least in the immediate future.

This means that the first claim may have been a ploy by his agent to generate interest in his signature, or to use as leverage in contract negotiations with Norwich. It is claimed in the Football Insider copy that Cantwell only has one year left on his deal, but the Canaries hold a one-year extension option as part of the agreement and that means he essentially has two years to run on his contract.

The 23-year-old could be a terrific addition to Dean Smith’s squad and fans will be frustrated if the reports turn out to be completely false. Ex-Norwich centre-forward Dean Ashton once lavished praise on the “wonderful” gem. He said: “When I first saw him I said to Darren Huckerby, ‘how is that lad not training with the first-team?’. He was incredible. The way he was drifting past players. His speed of thought and his awareness. He’s just a wonderful player.”

Cantwell registered six goals and six assists in 30 starts in the Championship as Norwich won the second-tier title last season. This can be compared to Jack Grealish’s year in 2018/19 campaign for Villa, as he managed six goals and seven assists in 34 games in the same division. The pair are similar players in style, as they both like to drop deep and hold onto the ball; drawing fouls, progressing the play and creating chances.

Therefore, the Norwich man could come in as an excellent understudy to the Villa captain and that is why Johan Lange must act on any potential interest in him. Whilst a deal may not be imminent following this latest update, there is still over a month left to go in the window for Lange to do something about it.

AND in other news, “I imagine Villa will…” – AVFC journalist drops transfer claim amid Leon Bailey interest…

Leeds United have suffered a transfer blow over Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher amid speculation linking him with a move to Crystal Palace.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days had suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side were one of the clubs interested in landing the 21-year-old on a season-long loan, with The Athletic’s Phil Hay delivering an update on where he ranked among their targets.

Taking to Twitter, he said: “Bielsa is very keen on him. Likes his attributes and skill set.”

He then added: “Leeds do prefer to have permanent options and they would try for one but like with Ben White, they’re not always possible. Palace battling very hard for Gallagher too. He’s the midfielder they’ve been targeting.”

But now, TEAMtalk claim that the midfielder has opted to join fellow Premier League side Palace instead on a season-long loan, and thus remaining in the capital.

90min have since added that Gallagher actually underwent a medical at Thorp Arch, and that he had been on the verge of joining the Whites. They said: “That change of heart has left a sour taste in the mouth for the Whites, who believed they had got their man. Gallagher had visited the Leeds training ground, agreed personal terms and even undergone a medical with the Yorkshire club.”

Bielsa will be gutted

Given Hay’s claim that “Bielsa is very keen on him”, missing out on Gallagher to another Premier League side is sure to leave Bielsa gutted.

Young, English and with the kind of energy and attitude that would have made him a dream for the Leeds boss, the Chelsea ace seems to have everything in his locker that Bielsa would have wanted.

During his loan spell at Swansea, Sky Sports pundit Keith Andrews raved about the midfielder’s “unbelievable” energy, and insisted that while he does his bit off the ball, he could also be a threat going forward too.

He said: “The one thing he has got is a fantastic engine, much like Lee Bowyer or Frank Lampard – it’s amazing, the resemblances between those two in their younger years particularly. But for me, he’s a classic No 8; he has an unbelievable energy, he does the ugly side of the game, but you have to let him off the leash and let him get forward.”

Despite not making his mark on the first team at Stamford Bridge, Gallagher has received high praise wherever he’s been, with former Charlton manager Lee Bowyer even calling the £13.5m-rated dynamo a “jewel” who was “impossible to replace.”

Given that Leeds finished well above Palace last season in the Premier League, and the fact they’ve got a proven manager in Bielsa, there no doubt would have been hope and even optimism that they could convince Gallagher to join up at Elland Road.

Instead, the Chelsea man has opted to stay put closer to home, and it’s an update that will leave Bielsa gutted. With Hay claiming that Gallagher was the man they were targeting to bolster that midfield position, this comes as a major setback for the Whites.

Meanwhile, Leeds United have made an exciting transfer breakthrough…

Aston Villa journalist Luke Hatfield has told Football FanCast that he would not be surprised to see the Midlands club offer Jack Grealish a new £200,000-a-week contract.

Grealish continues to be heavily linked with a move to Manchester City as Pep Guardiola looks to give his attack a revamp.

However, according to The Sun, Villa are ready to hand their captain an incredible £200,000-a-week deal in a bid to fend off City’s advances.

And if such an offer is eventually made, it would come as no shock to Hatfield, who covers the Villans for the Express & Star.

“It wouldn’t surprise me. I mean, Grealish is already the highest-paid player at Villa,” Hatfield said when asked if he could see the Premier League outfit offering their star man the amount of money that has been mentioned.

“With this interest from Manchester City obviously not going away, they’ll want to do their best to keep hold of him and the easiest way to do that is to tie him down to a new deal.”

Grealish, who provided more Premier League assists than any other Villa player last season, is the Villans’ most prized asset. It is a lot of money, but ultimately it looks worth it. If the club can afford it, then why not?

French football expert Adam White believes Brandon Soppy would prove to be a hit if he seals a move to Celtic before the transfer window closes.

Soppy broke into Ligue 1 side Rennes’ first-team last season and made 11 appearances.

According to French media outlet L’Equipe, the right-back has entered the final 12 months of his contract and been the subject of interest from Scottish Premiership giants Celtic, who could complete the signing by meeting his €5m (£4.25m) price tag.

The report claims Celtic are facing competition for Soppy’s services, with newly-promoted Premier League outfit Watford and Udinese, of Serie A, also keeping a close eye on proceedings.

The 19-year-old has won five caps for France’s under-18 side and could add another dimension to Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side after a disastrous start to the campaign.

Having already exited the Champions League in the second qualifying round for the second consecutive year, the Glasgow-based club then lost their opening Scottish Premiership clash of the season at Hearts.

Get French Football News’ White has urged Celtic to boost their options by signing Soppy.

He told Football FanCast: “He’s very inexperienced and very attacking. Soppy likes to take players on and is very good on the ball.

“He has a lot of potential and there’s a reason why all these clubs are interested in him – he has talent.

“I definitely think he has the potential and can make an impact at Celtic, absolutely.”

James Pearce has cast doubt on the possibility of Liverpool signing Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez.

Pearce, the club’s correspondent for The Athletic, admitted he ‘can’t see’ the deal being struck without ‘a change of heart’ from the Reds.

Saul has apparently been offered to ‘a host of clubs’, but his ‘massive’ wage demands are proving to be prohibitive.

Do Liverpool need a new midfielder?

Liverpool have yet to sign a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, who left to join Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract.

Wijnaldum featured in all 38 Premier League matches last season, starting 34 of them. His overall tally of 2,947 minutes was eclipsed by only three outfield players – Andrew Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah (via WhoScored).

26-year-old Spaniard Saul, meanwhile, helped Atletico beat Real Madrid and Barcelona to the title last season.

The £36million-valued midfielder has also won two Europa Leagues, one UEFA Super Cup and one Spanish cup during his time in the capital (via Transfermarkt).

Fan feed LFC Transfer Room relayed Pearce’s verdict, and here’s how supporters reacted.

Liverpool fans remain optimistic on Saul

“This is Thiago vibes all again, Idk why no one sees it”

Credit: @Dominion1017

“So you’re telling me there’s a chance”

Credit: @Gambino_LFC

“Feels like the Thiago deal all over again”

Credit: @DAMO101W

“Thiago 2.0 I stg”

Credit: @LFCRoninnn

“Means it’s on, Thiago deal was identical”

Credit: @LFCRyannnn

“Same situation with Thiago then”

Credit: @Footymadfan22

In other news, fans fumed at the latest update on a reported attacking target.

Celtic head into their midweek clash on Thursday night with immense confidence running through their veins.

It’s a rarity for a Hoops side over the last 12 months to entertain such a thought but Ange Postecoglou has his team playing some swashbuckling attacking football.

Ten goals in the Bhoys’ last two games tell a story of a remarkable turnaround in fortune from the first two weeks of the campaign.

On the chalkboard

After Celtic ran out 4-2 winners against Jablonec last week, they have the opportunity to rest and rotate in front of their own fans this evening.

Just how many changes Postecoglou makes remains to be seen but we think an alternative is required at full-back, chiefly on the left-hand side.

Greg Taylor has had a mixed start to the campaign and as we’ve already discussed on Football FanCast, he needs to be taken out of the firing line.

If the manager does axe him from the starting XI then Celtic should look no further than Adam Montgomery.

The 19-year-old had never made a first-team appearance until John Kennedy threw him into the limelight at the back end of last season.

He rose through the ranks as a forward but the teenager has now become a defender and has firmly worked his way into contention.

Montgomery is now ahead of Boli Bolingoli in the pecking order and has already been compared to a certain Kieran Tierney.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-transfer-news-larsson-lovric-thomas-henry-diego-costa-postecoglou” title=”Read the latest Celtic transfer news!”]

Speaking about that claim earlier this year, the Celtic youngster said: “Him being here from a young age, breaking into the team as a full-back and now you look at him doing so well at Arsenal, he’s a player that I’ve really looked up to since I made that move to full-back myself.”

The self-professed “tricky” defender loves to get forward just as Tierney does, which means he could be a game-changer in Postecoglou’s side.

He is quick, capable of beating his man and is competent defensively. After appearing twice from the bench already this season, he needs to be given the chance to earn just a second start in Celtic colours.

With the Bhoys already possessing a comfortable first-leg lead, now feels like the perfect opportunity to hand him a taste of European football.

Taylor has put in a run of indifferent performances so he should be looking over his shoulder.

AND in other news, Celtic must sign 25-goal “great talent” who could become “better” than Henrik Larsson…