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Tottenham Hotspur legend Graham Roberts has expressed his doubts over the ability of Giovani Lo Celso to become a Premier League star.

The Argentine endured a stop-start season under manager Jose Mourinho in 2020/21 prior to the Portuguese’s sacking. He was signed under the management of Mauricio Pochettino on loan, before completing a permament £27m transfer in January 2020.

Lo Celso made a total of 18 Premier League appearances in midfield but he scored just once, and laid on one assist.

His season was disrupted by a hamstring injury that ruled him out of 14 Premier League games in total, while he also battled a muscle injury at the beginning of the season. He is valued at £24.3m by Transfermarkt.

Those niggles restricted him to just 11 starts in the league and he was not even included in the squad for the final game of the campaign against Leicester City, under the management of caretaker boss Ryan Mason.

Roberts has his doubts over whether the 25-year-old will be able to adjust to life in the Premier League, as Spurs close in on the appointment of a new manager.

Reports suggest that Paulo Fonseca, the former Roma boss, will become Mourinho’s permanent successor, and Roberts thinks Lo Celso needs to get properly up to speed if he is to thrive in the top-flight.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, the Spurs legend said: “I’m not sure. I’m still in the reckoning on that one because Lo Celso picks up little, niggly injuries all the time. He’s not used to the hustle, bustle in the Premier League so I don’t think he’s got up to those standards at the moment.”

Manchester United have been boosted in their efforts to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong this summer following a fresh transfer update.

The Lowdown: United linked with De Jong move

Erik ten Hag has been confirmed as the Red Devils’ new manager ahead of next season, with the Dutchman hopefully making numerous good signings in the summer as they look to improve drastically in the Premier League.

One player with whom United have been linked is De Jong, with the 24-year-old impressing for Barcelona this season, chipping in with three goals and three assists in La Liga.

A fresh update further suggests that Ten Hag could get his man, with the pair having worked together during a successful spell at Ajax.

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The Latest: Journalist provides De Jong update

Speaking on El Chiringuito [via Barca Universal],  journalist Jose Alvarez claimed that Barca would be happy to let De Jong leave if a €70m (£58.9m) offer were to arrive on their desk.

The Dutchman’s current deal at Camp Nou expires in the summer of 2026.

The Verdict: Sign him up, Erik

De Jong could be a perfect summer signing for United, with midfield an area which has often come in for criticism at Old Trafford.

The Netherlands international would bring poise and control in the middle of the park, enjoying a 91.4% pass completion rate in La Liga this season, along with being hailed as ‘extraordinary’ by his manager Xavi.

De Jong joining United would feel like a statement signing, and the fact that he and Ten Hag know each other so well would further suggest that it would be a match made in heaven.

In other news, Erik ten Hag is reportedly keen on bringing a Premier League player to United. Read more here.

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been sharing their concern after Jack Grealish’s agent spoke out regarding the midfielder’s future.

The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a Villa Park exit in recent months, with Manchester City thought to be after his signature this summer.

Grealish only signed a new five-year deal with the club back in September, but it seems as if City will launch a big-money bid for the attacking midfielder, should they win the Champions League later this month.

Speculation appears to be growing ahead of the upcoming transfer window, and Grealish’s agent, Jonathan Barnett, addressed the player’s future.

Talking to Sky Sports, Barnett admitted the midfielder loves the club, however, he added in a dreaded ‘but’, claiming they will have to wait and see how things pan out over the summer.

“He loves Villa but I think we just have to wait and see how things pan out. At the moment he is a Villa player and he has no thoughts about anything else.”

Villa fans react

Those comments were shared on Twitter by @villareport on Thursday evening.

Their post received plenty of interaction, with these Villa supporters sharing their concern at Barnett’s future comments.

“that “but” had me shook”Credit: @compsavfc_”oh no”Credit: @tiwari0216″Inevitable he’ll go at some point if he’s got any ambition. I would! He’s looking at his mates Foden and Mount thinking I WANT A BIT OF THAT “Credit: @chippaper”Yeah he’s off”Credit: @MBlackmore1874″The dreaded but.”Credit: @AJWise”What?”Credit: @smudgersmith__

In other news: Major Carney Chukwuemeka development emerges, find out more here. 

Flocking to Twitter, a number of West Ham fans have gone into meltdown following a deadline day update from Hammers insider ExWHUemployee.

The Athletic’s West Ham correspondent Roshane Thomas has reported that as it stands, the Hammers are not expecting to sign a player this window.

This comes following numerous transfer links, many of which have come in the past week, with a number of deals seemingly close to being agreed.

Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car was one deal fans expected to go through following multiple discussions between the two clubs. However, the negotiations came to a halt as an agreement could not be made regarding the structure of the deal. West Ham were looking for a loan deal with an option to buy, whereas Marseille were demanding a permanent sale.

Just today West Ham had a bid rejected for Benfica star Darwin Nunez, as the club looked to bolster their attacking options with a new striker. It was thought that the club were considering an improved offer, but it appears unlikely that this eventuality materialises.

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West Ham fans fume at Ex’s post

A Hammers fan shared The Athletic’s report on Twitter, asking popular insider ExWHUemployee for confirmation of the news.

Ex confirmed the news, saying: “That’s my feeling at this point yes. Unless something dramatic changes.”

Fans flooded the comments with hysteria, with many entering into meltdown following the club’s lack of transfer activity. Here’s what some of them had to say…

“I think this will be the final year of my season ticket until they are gone, if we don’t sign anyone”

Credit: @Jimlad66

“Never even come close to having a bid/offer accepted all month. Something seriously wrong with how we handle our business.”

Credit: @WestHamXtra

“Pathetic, oh well Declan knows the ambition now”

Credit: @tayloriw

“Thats Rice and Bowen leaving in the summer and us back to relegation battles”

Credit: @lynnfan99

“Only 6:20 but can we go to bed Ex?”

Credit: @Perkins_SZN

“We’re a joke.”

Credit: @HammerForLife

“It’s embarrassing now”

Credit: @andrewgreen1970

In other news: West Ham United: Fans fume at disappointing Caleta-Car news

With Lee Johnson having seen his Sunderland side get their League One campaign off to the best of starts on Saturday, the 40-year-old’s attention will now be on the Black Cats’ EFL Cup fixture on Tuesday evening.

And, with the Mackems set to face League Two side Port Vale in the cup competition, Johnson may well use the opportunity to afford a number of the club’s peripheral first-team players and up-and-coming youth talents some valuable game time.

One such player the 40-year-old simply must consider starting, who just so happens to fit into both of the categories mentioned above, is Josh Hawkes.

Indeed, the 22-year-old has been tipped to make a big impact within the Sunderland side this season by Johnson himself, with the manager stating his belief that the left-midfielder is an “exciting” prospect, as well as claiming the youngster has the “ability to turn a game on its head.”

However, with Hawkes being an unused substitute in the victory over Wigan Athletic last weekend, the Mackems manager has been presented with something of the perfect opportunity to allow the midfielder to demonstrate his ability at professional level against Port Vale.

And, if the £510-per-week man can reach anywhere near the level he hit for the Black Cats U23 side last season, we would not bet against him lighting up the fixture on Tuesday evening.

Indeed, over his 22 Premier League 2 appearances last time out, the 22-year-old scored 14 goals and registered seven assists, firing his team all the way to the promotion play-off final – in which they narrowly lost out to Crystal Palace U23s 1-0.

As such, it is evident that Hawkes is a player with a significant amount of potential, in addition to already being an extremely accomplished player.

However, the next step is clearly establishing himself within the Sunderland first-team, something that it is obvious the youngster has the ability to do, all that is required is Johnson’s faith, trust and patience.

In other news: Get it done: KLD must sanction SAFC summer swoop for “brilliant” £360k-rated dynamo

Many Everton fans have been reacting to a transfer update on Robin Olsen as Tuttomercatoweb have reported that he could stay at Goodison Park.

As per the news outlet, AS Roma director Tiago Pinto is trying to renew the loan deal of the Sweden international to the Merseyside club, with him currently set to return back to the Serie A team.

Olsen looked assured enough in between the posts for Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the 2020/21 term, keeping three clean sheets in 11 games in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt).

However, with both Jordan Pickford and Joao Virginia still with the Toffees, one may question whether they actually need Olsen back.

Nonetheless, the news on the 31-year-old goalkeeper has certainly caused a debate among the Blues faithful over whether they should bring him in on another loan for next season.

Everton fans on Olsen transfer update

These EFC supporters seemed split over loaning in Olsen again as the transfer update was shared on Twitter:

“No brainer though I would like him here permanently tbh”

Credit: @samcooper24896

“Sounds perfect all round”

Credit: @GoodisonAlex

“Can’t believe there are actually people saying no. Was solid for us and clearly boosted Pickford’s play from January on.”

Credit: @QuinWelch

“If we can get Romero then no.”

Credit: @bigbadge2

“Utd away nah lad”

Credit: @GaryRob06780384

“Not for me. Remember when Pickford was out and Olsen came in, 3 games in we couldn’t wait to get Pickford back.”

Credit: @daveyc99

In other news, find out what transfer update has left Toffees buzzing here!

Leeds United are still interested in signing Rangers winger Ryan Kent in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh report.

The Lowdown: Bielsa could sign a wide player

Marcelo Bielsa may feel that another wide player is needed in the coming weeks and months in order to make the Whites’ squad even more formidable.

The likes of Raphinha and Jack Harrison could grow further if there is even more competition for places as Leeds look to push into the European places next season.

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The Latest: Leeds linked with Kent move

According to The Athletic, the Whites still ‘retain an interest’ in acquiring Kent’s services following a Premiership-winning season with Rangers.

The 24-year-old has been linked with Leeds in the past, and a while a bid is yet to be made, it does appear as though Bielsa sees him as a potential addition at Elland Road.

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The Verdict: A strong squad option

Admittedly, Kent is yet to prove himself in the Premier League, but his performances for Rangers have been hugely impressive, with 10 goals and nine assists coming his way last season.

He has been described as a ‘pleasure to watch’ by Gers manager Steven Gerrard, which is some compliment given the 41-year-old’s stature in the game and highlights the winger’s pedigree.

Kent might not necessarily be a regular starter if he goes to Leeds, but he would give Bielsa even more attacking options in the final third.

In other news, a pundit is delighted with something that is happening at Elland Road currently. Read more here.

After previous reports revealed that Liverpool have an interest in signing Torino centre-back Gleison Bremer, it seems as though the Merseyside club could be getting their hands on the defender for a fairly low price in the near future.

What’s the latest?

It has recently been reported by Italian media outlet Calciomercato (via Sport Witness) that Bremer could be available to sign for a fee of around €8-10m (£6.7m-£8.4m).

Since joining Torino back in the 2018 summer transfer window from Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro, the 24-year-old, who is currently valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, has made 86 appearances for the Serie A club across all competitions. In that time, he has scored 11 goals and provided four assists, which is a decent return for a defender.

So far this season, Bremer has played in all but one of Torino’s Serie A games, showing how important he is to their side. Furthermore, the Brazilian has racked up an average of 3.9 interceptions and 3.2 clearances per game in the league so far this season, proving himself a vital defensive unit for the club.

His latest appearance saw him make three clearances, seven interceptions and two tackles in Torino’s recent 1-0 defeat against AC Milan, ultimately earning himself an overall match rating of 7/10. That made him their highest-rated defender on the day according to SofaScore as he showcased his defensive talents.

Taking all this into account, we feel that a potential transfer swoop for the defender is something that Liverpool should definitely be considering, especially if they can get him for the fairly low price range being mentioned in this latest report.

Potential Van Dijk partnership?

If Bremer were to move to Anfield, we feel that he could have a very exciting partnership with current Reds defender Virgil van Dijk, who proven himself to be an attacking threat from the defence in the same way Bremer has at Torino, with 13 goals and seven assists under his belt at Liverpool.

Also, with Van Dijk signing a new contract extension at Anfield over the summer, we feel that if Bremer plays with the Dutchman, he could probably learn a lot from the 30-year-old and develop his own game based on how much playing experience Van Dijk has, making him a potential dream signing for the Reds if they pull it off.

In other news: Possession lost 21x: “Dangerous” Liverpool lightweight badly let Klopp down against Preston

Everton have been linked with a move for PSV Eindhoven full-back Denzel Dumfries as they look to bolster their first team squad.

What’s the story?

According to The Athletic, the 25-year-old has long been admired by the Toffees’ director of football and compatriot Marcel Brands, although the club’s hierarchy were worried that the Dutchman’s standout performances at Euro 2020 could spark a bidding war.

The Merseyside outfit are yet to follow up their interest with a formal offer, with Dumfries’ agent Mino Raiola handling the initial negotiations with interested parties, but any deal would also need the approval of new manager Rafael Benitez, who is still assessing other potential transfer targets.

Fans will surely be buzzing

Despite the Netherlands’ struggles at the European Championship, Dumfries put in a string of impressive displays for his nation, scoring two goals and providing one assist in just four appearances.

His excellent showing over the summer caught the eye of several onlookers, including former Hull City midfielder David Meyler, who took to Twitter to hail the right-back as “unbelievable” during the tournament.

Dumfries’ energetic and attacking displays saw Bayern Munich linked with a move for the PSV ace, but with the Bundesliga outfit reportedly cooling their interest, Everton could be in pole position to secure his signature.

The 6 ft 2 powerhouse is thought to have a release clause of €15m (£13m) inserted into his contract, meaning a deal could be wrapped up fairly quickly and cheaply should Benitez sanction a move.

Right-back is a current area of weakness for Everton, and news of the club’s interest in Dumfries will surely have the club’s supporters buzzing.

Seamus Coleman has been a magnificent servant to the Merseyside outfit for many years now, but at 32, he is entering the twilight years of his career. Meanwhile, current backup Jonjoe Kenny doesn’t appear to be at the required standard to take over the mantle.

He failed to impress during a short-term loan spell at Celtic last season, leaving centre-back Mason Holgate to play out of position on several occasions.

If Dumfries arrives at Goodison Park this summer, there will be no more square pegs in round holes on the right-hand side of Everton’s defence next term. The speed demon supplied six goals for his teammates in 2020/21, providing 1.4 key passes per match.

He would bring entertainment and attacking talent in abundance to the Toffees and should be a natural heir to Coleman, so his signature would surely be welcomed with open arms by the club’s fanbase.

In other news… Everton make approach for £22.5m-rated “top player”, Benitez will love him 

Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action this afternoon and Nuno Santo is dealing with several selection concerns.

His team head to Crystal Palace, who are led by former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, for the early kickoff, and they do so without several key players who have helped contribute to their perfect league start.

Indeed, Spurs are yet to lose a match or concede a single goal since the start of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign.

What sort of side could the Portuguese head coach opt for, considering the nightmare situation on his hands? Football FanCast takes a look ahead of kickoff…

There are serious doubts over the fitness of Steven Bergwijn and Heung-min Son, who both picked up injuries during the international break. Both have started all three league games under Nuno, so it’s certainly a cause for concern.

Meanwhile, the Lilywhites’ South American trio of Giovani Lo Celso, Davinson Sanchez and Cristian Romero are definitely unavailable as they are still in Croatia and will not return until next week.

That means there will be at least one enforced change to the backline and we think it could be a simple one. Joe Rodon is the only senior centre-back available as an alternative to the aforementioned two, so he should come straight in for Sanchez, whilst Japhet Tanganga keeps his place despite the deadline day arrival of Emerson Royal from Barcelona.

They’ll be next to Eric Dier and Sergio Reguilon at the back, with Hugo Lloris between the sticks.

Nuno could be boosted by the fitness of Oliver Skipp, who also went off injured during the break but could be available today. If he is, the 20-year-old is likely to maintain his spot alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Dele Alli, just as the trio have done in all three league games so far.

Bryan Gil may be in line for his first Premier League start, with Son potentially out injured, whilst Lucas Moura is expected to start if the Dutchman is also out, in what would be the third and final change from their win over Watford two weeks ago.

Finally, Harry Kane should be up front for just the second time this season.

AND in other news, “I’d be stunned”: Alasdair Gold drops fresh claim on Harry Kane’s future…