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Hugo Diaz’s time at Leeds United is over after he posted a heartfelt message on Twitter confirming that he is leaving Elland Road this summer.

Certain fans were surprised by the news as they expected the defender to have a future at the club due to his good performances for the U23s. The Spaniard captained Carlos Corberan’s youth team as they won the Professional Development League national title.

What’s the story?

Diaz confirmed on social media that his time playing for the Whites is over.

The 22-year-old had been a key man for Leeds’ youth team, but his performances seemingly haven’t impressed everyone as he now finds himself without a club.

It is unknown where he will go next after his departure from United.

Shouldn’t be surprising

The response on Twitter was that of shock from some supporters, but they shouldn’t be too surprised to see the Spaniard leave.

The youngster made only one senior appearance for the Whites, and at his age, you would expect that number to be higher if he was ever going to progress at the club.

It’s not as if Marcelo Bielsa didn’t have opportunities to give the defender a chance last season. Leeds’ centre-backs often had injury issues, but the Argentine always looked elsewhere for his solutions.

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This summer the Whites have already been linked with a move for Ben White as a centre-back option, so it seems that the youngster was never in Bielsa’s plans.

Diaz seemingly isn’t rated by the manager, and with no breakthrough in sight, it makes sense for him to have left the club at this time.

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Croatia and Shakhtar legend Darijo Srna has officially retired and is ready to take on a coaching role at his former club.

And Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren shared an emotional tribute to his friend and ex-teammate, with whom he used to share the locker room when defending the national team’s colours.

Lovren took to

/BzBW3-RFOrM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link” data-lasso->Instagram to share this message of support, saying a big thank you to the ex-captain and telling him how he learned a lot from him, both on and off the pitch. He also emphasised how he will definitely miss hanging out with him but that this is a big new chapter that Srna will no doubt ace.

As for Lovren himself, the big man’s future is still somewhat uncertain. There were reports linking him with a move away from Anfield but nothing seems to be happening at the moment as the Reds are standing firm on their £25m asking price.

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Last season, Lovren played just a supporting role to the superior Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez, only managing 13 league appearances with a goal and an assist to his name.

It looks like Crystal Palace could be heading to France to do some shopping this summer as they try to bolster their attack.

Things will not be cheap, though, that is according to the Daily Mail, who report that the south London club will have to fork out £25m if they want to land key target Allan Saint-Maximin.

With six goals and just three assists in Ligue 1 last season, Crystal Palace supporters may have some concerns with that sort of money being spent on the Nice winger.

However, at just 22 years of age, it is an area of his game he can easily improve. And overall, he looks capable of injecting more of a threat out wide and in attack in general.

With 4.2 per game (Ligue 1 2018/19), Saint-Maximin even beats Wilfried Zaha (3.4) when it comes to dribbles made. Considering the Ivorian finished the second highest in that department in the Premier League (only Eden Hazard made more with 3.7), that is some feat (as per WhoScored).

Factor in his 1.7 key passes per game, which is the same amount Andros Townsend averaged but more than what Max Meyer managed (0.8), and Roy Hodgson could be getting a really bright attacker here.

It may seem like a lot of money now but, given what he could develop into considering his age and talent, £25m does not sound like a crazy fee in this day and age.

Crystal Palace fans, would you like to see Saint-Maximin at Selhurst Park next season? Let us know in the comment section below!

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Yesterday’s Aston Villa transfer roundup included interest in an Egyptian international, a work permit obtained for a star signing and the departure of one of the club’s defenders. Today’s edition features the pursuit of a Premier League goalkeeper, a rival’s interest in a striking target and an update on a Ligue 1 youngster.

Villa want McCarthy

According to Sky Sports, Southampton are willing to listen to offers for both Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster this summer, and Villa are interested in the former of the two, who measures in at 6 foot 4. McCarthy made 25 appearances for the Saints in the Premier League last season.

Middlesborough in for Samatta

Middlesborough have joined the race to sign Mbwana Samatta and could pay up to £12m for the striker’s services according to Goal. Aston Villa had reportedly been interested in the Genk man along with a number of other Premier League clubs, but it now appears there’s a new competitor for his signature. Samatta netted 32 times across all competitions last season.

Competition for Santamaria

RMC Sport is reporting that Aston Villa have positioned themselves as they pursue Angers midfielder Baptiste Santamaria. However, the report states that Serie A side Lazio have done the same in regards to the 24-year-old, who made 40 appearances in all competitions for the French club last campaign, while Lille are also very keen on his services.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Speaking to talkSPORT, former England manager Sam Allardyce has urged Manchester United to sort out the futures of Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba sooner rather than later.

What did he say?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested both the Belgian and the Frenchman have been angling for a move away from Old Trafford this summer, but there has appeared to be very little movement in either case.

Following comments from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that the Red Devils were in no need to sell players this summer, Allardyce has claimed that the Norwegian needs to take control of the situation well before the end of the transfer window.

The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…

He said: “Ole has to go to the owners and say, ‘yes he’s definetely one we want to keep’, or, ‘no it would be better for us all at Manchester United if you get the money for him and spend it elsewhere’.

“But they’re running out of time. Don’t forget, our window shuts on August 8 whereas in Europe it doesn’t – it’s daft. Once it shuts on August 8, it’s shut. January is a long way off and your position can be in jeopardy almost straight away if you pick up a couple of really serious injuries to your top players in your first month.”

Quicker the decision, the better

The biggest fear for United, or any side for that matter, is losing one of your star players right before the transfer window deadline and ultimately having no time to replace them. It brings about unnecessary and totally avoidable chaos and the consequences of such decision-making can be huge.

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In keeping a hold of two reported want-away stars like Pogba and Lukaku, United are playing a very dangerous game. The duo – for all their criticisms – have been amongst the side’s most high-profile performers and losing either of them would be a huge blow. But, quite crucially, they are replaceable.

The Red Devils have been linked with a number of players in recent weeks, but have almost had their hands tied by the uncertainty over Pogba and Lukaku’s futures. Why spend big-money on Sergej Milinkovic-Savic when you already have Pogba? It is why Allardyce is right in urging the club to sort the mess out as soon as possible so that United can plan ahead, either with them or without them.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

According to The Sun, Newcastle want to sign Burnley’s Dwight McNeil as new boss Steve Bruce lines up a spending spree.

What’s the word?

This summer has been an extremely difficult one for the Toon Army to deal with, with Rafa Benitez and Ayoze Perez both walking through the exit door.

They’ve also had to come to terms with the fact that Salomon Rondon won’t return either, leaving Newcastle without their two top goalscorers from 2018/19.

However, after appointing Bruce as their new manager, there could finally be some good news on the transfer front.

Per a report from The Sun, it is suggested that Newcastle want to sign McNeil, and have done for some time. The newspaper claim that the teenager is rated at £30m, although the Magpies only want to pay half of that.

Almiron to move into a free role

McNeil burst onto the scene last season with the Clarets, cementing himself as one of their most promising players.

In the Premier League, the 19-year-old scored three goals as well as laying on five assists.

Playing on the left-hand side, he was a regular threat for Sean Dyche’s men but if he arrived in the north-east, it could force a change of position for Miguel Almiron.

That being said, it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.

After arriving last term, the Paraguayan was subjected to playing on the left-wing, an area where McNeil has thrived.

Therefore, if the Burnley man did indeed walk through the doors of St James’ Park, it can give Newcastle license to move him into his favoured position of behind the striker.

The prospect of Steve Bruce at the helm has Newcastle fans calling for the return of a very unpopular former manager in the video below…

When playing in MLS for Atlanta, he was devastating when playing in the number ten role.

Throughout the course of the 2018 campaign, he featured 26 times as an attacking midfielder, scoring 11 goals and also picking up the same number of assists.

You sense that continuing to play him on the left would be somewhat of a mistake but signing McNeil would allow him to change positions.

There could, of course, be some concern with who plays on the right, but if it helps to get the best out of Almiron, signing a capable left-winger and switching the Paraguay international could be game-changing.

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According to The Chronicle, Augsburg defender Philipp Max has emerged as a potential target for Newcastle United in this summer’s transfer window.

It might have been a turbulent summer at St James’ Park with Rafael Benitez moving on, but the club are currently making moves in the market.

According to The Chronicle, Max has been offered to the Magpies in an £18m deal.

Barcelona and Liverpool have also recently been linked with a move for the 25-year-old, who has been with Augsburg since 2015.

The left-back is yet to win a senior cap for Germany, although he was a part of the team that won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics.

The Newcastle fans have been on social media offering their views on the report.

And a number are keen for their club to secure a deal for Max ahead of the start of the new Premier League campaign.

A selection of the Twitter reaction to the report can be seen below:

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Sam Allardyce has caused heated debate among Aston Villa supporters after comments made about their transfer business on talkSPORT.

In quotes relaid on their website, he said the following: “It’s too many players; it’s too many to deal with.

“Fulham brought 11 in for £100m, and for me, for £100m I’d like to see three players – not eight or nine.”

Villa’s transfer activity has been compared to the Cottagers this summer by plenty of people, something we went into depth about on FFC, but their supporters haven’t taken kindly to Allardyce’s comments at all.

The former England manager was branded a dinosaur and an absolute moron by two individuals on Twitter whilst one said he hadn’t done his research, referencing the fact that Villa had bought players who were previously on loan.

One fan said they’d rather have Dean Smith at the helm than Allardyce whilst another simply declared that ignorance is bliss.

The manager made his comments on the same day the Villans signed Trezeguet on Wednesday. The club have since also confirmed the addition of Douglas Luiz, subject to a work permit.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Manchester United need a decision from Juventus star Paulo Dybala as they look to push through a deal to swap Romelu Lukaku for the Argentine and Mario Mandzukic, per The Sunday Times.

What’s the word?

United, per the report, have negotiated a deal that would see the Belgium international move to Serie A and the two players come the other way in part-exchange.

That would negate the need for a transfer fee, The Sunday Times claims, but Dybala has yet to make a decision over the move.

The 25-year-old, who Football FanCast understands is also wanted by Tottenham Hotspur, is said to have been encouraged by Juve to consider United’s offer, with new manager Maurizio Sarri unlikely to give him a prominent role in his forward line in 2019/20.

A hefty pay packet

The Sunday Times also reports that Dybala is keen to receive a salary of £10m-per-year, or £192,307-per-week.

That is an increase on Lukaku’s wages, per Spotrac, of £180,000-per-week.

Adding Mandzukic’s wages on top means that United will be coming out of this deal with more to pay.

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The Argentine has emerged as a truly excellent player in Turin and, while he endured an underwhelming season in 2018/19, his team-mate Mandzukic scored 10 goals and laid on seven assists.

The pair coming in would set United back a fair amount but they would also shift Lukaku, a player who has never truly looked comfortable at Old Trafford.

In return, they’ll be getting a striker with a more proven record than Lukaku in Mandzukic – having scored goals consistently in the Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A – and a striker with arguably a higher ceiling in Dybala, who was likened to Lionel Messi and Vincenzo Montella in his younger years.

Despite the increased wage outlay, well turn out to be a remarkable coup.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Newcastle have the chance to sign Francois Kamano, according to reports in France, but he looks an awful lot like another young winger who recently flopped on Tyneside.

What’s the story?

According to L’Equipe, via GFFN, “a path is open” for Kamano to move from Bordeaux to Newcastle.

The report claims the Ligue 1 outfit want to sell as quickly as possible, and that he is available for just €15m (£13.9m).

French side AS Monaco and Italian outfit Genoa are also interested.

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Kenedy 2.0?

Kamano clearly has talent – the 23 year-old scored ten times in Ligue 1 last term, after finding the net eight and six times in the two previous seasons respectively.

Clearly then, he is improving, and his excellent mixture of speed and dribbling, along with his ability to play on both flanks, could make him a good option to have on the bench behind Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin.

However, Whoscored list his defensive contribution as “weak”, while he also grabbed just two league goals after the turn of the year last season. BT Sport Ligue 1 commentator David Crossan says the “inconsistent” Guinean lost his way in the second half of the campaign.

So, a speedy young winger with good natural ability, consistency issues and a poor defensive work rate – starting to sound like anyone familiar?

After 18 months on loan on Tyneside, Kenedy looks to be heading to Reading for the season. The winger was inconsistent, struggled to match his end product to his ability, and didn’t track back nearly enough.

With Saint-Maximin and Almiron surely the intended starters on the flanks and Mike Ashley notorious for not spending massive amounts in the transfer market, signing another Kenedy for £13.9m is surely the last thing the Magpies need to do on transfer deadline day.

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