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Leeds United player Ezgjan Alioski has reportedly agreed to join Galatasaray this summer, bringing an end to his time at Elland Road.

The 29-year-old joined the Whites back in the summer of 2017, making the move from Swiss side FC Lugano. In the years since, the left-back has proven to be a key performer for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, playing an important role in them returning to the Premier League.

In total, Alioski has made 162 appearances for Leeds, scoring 22 goals and also chipping in with 16 assists for good measure. He also has 39 caps to his name for North Macedonia.

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Alioski set to join Galatasaray this summer

Alioski’s £15,000-a-week contract at Elland Road expires in the summer, and it now looks as though he already has his next club sorted.

According to Football Insider, he has agreed a pre-contract with Galatasaray prior to joining them ahead of the start of next season.

Transfer Tavern take

In truth, it has seemed increasingly clear that this would be Alioski’s final season at Leeds, having failed to agree an extension on his current deal.

He will always be remembered as a cult hero for the Whites, though, and someone who largely contributed positively to a great period in the club’s history, featuring prominently as they ended their 16-year top-flight exile last year.

In other news, Leeds are believed to be keen on a move for a hugely experienced Serie A player this summer. Read more here.

Many Arsenal fans were left fuming at the display of Gabriel despite their 3-2 win over Benfica in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.

Two goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, including one right at the death, and a fierce strike from Kieran Tierney ensured that it was Mikel Arteta’s men that went through into the next round after the Portuguese club were gifted two goals on a plate by Dani Ceballos.

One was a wonderful free kick but the central midfield player, currently on loan from Real Madrid, dangled a leg to commit a foul on the edge of the box, while Benfica then took the lead when his backwards header fell too short for Bernd Leno to come and collect.

Nonetheless, while Ceballos had a night to forget, the performance of Gabriel also flattered to deceive several members of the Emirates Stadium faithful.

The former Lille man lost out on nine of his duels, the most lost out of any player to have set foot on the pitch, as he also lost possession of the ball no fewer than 12 times, earning him a very measly 6.2 overall rating on Sofascore, the lowest out of any of his teammates.

Arsenal fan reaction to Gabriel display

These Gunners supporters slammed his performance on Twitter, with one Gooner even going as far as to say that the Brazilian central defender was ‘absolutely dreadful’:

“Willian was actually not bad when he came on, Gabriel was woeful, we move. #AFC”

Credit: @Moti_027

“Why didn’t we send Gabriel out on loan? He’s been absolutely dreadful tonight!! #AFC #Arsenal #ARSBEN”

Credit: @andybrownphotoz

“Gabriel not good enough. Mari better. ESR wide doesn’t work. Much bigger threat at 10, as runs in behind. Odegaard not a threat at all. Saka superb again. #ARSBEN”

Credit: @VedadObradovic

“Aside from Ceballos and Arteta that nearly cost us this game and the last 16, Gabriel played for the opposition today… like what sort of atrocious defending was all through the match? #ARSBEN”

Credit: @Mr_temitope

“Arsenal did not deserve the win. Benfica were the better side. We count this win on the individual talent and display of Saka. Defensively Luiz and Gabriel were clumsy. Precarious pair. Full of mistakes. Auba is not a to be trusted…. #ARSBEN”

Credit: @uwembrown1

“We are through but what a bad game from us. Ceballos with 2 stupid mistakes to let them score, Gabriel had his worst game I feel. I can see why Arteta wants Bellerin sold too. Hoping we get an easier draw next round! #ARSBEN #UEL”

Credit: @Mamoud786

In other news, find out whose display was slammed in the first leg here!

Many Everton fans have been left to laud some comments made by Carlo Ancelotti ahead of their tie at Chelsea in the Premier League on Monday evening.

As per the official website of the Goodison Park faithful, the Italian boss said: “I am really happy to be the manager of this team and these players. I feel these players follow me. They have a lot of respect for my idea.”

The fact that Ancelotti is happy to be managing the Merseyside club is great to hear for Toffees supporters given his pedigree in the game, managing the likes of AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Paris Saint Germain and Real Madrid.

The Blues do not have as much pedigree in Europe as some of the previous sides that he has managed, and so it really is a project to try and get EFC to that kind of level with him in charge.

Nonetheless, Ancelotti has done very well since taking charge at Everton, as they push to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the 2021/22 term.

Everton fan reaction to Ancelotti comments

These Everton fans lauded his comments on Twitter:

“Not enough superlatives to offer this man. The Don, The Professor, The Master Tactician, Mr. Champions League, Carlo Magnifico. Feel free to add anymore. Ancelotti wins Italian Style. Will do for me. He knows who he wants in the summer as well. Will keep us guessing. NSNO.”

Credit: @Jeffreyhitchmo1

“Not only does he man manage the players he knows how to man manage the supporters too. Simple words but they mean so much”

Credit: @albie1405

“But who’s not going to love and respect this wonderful and caring man? I do……”

Credit: @JoannaNasseh

“Best manager we’ve had in my lifetime. Wouldn’t swap him for anyone”

Credit: @EPollazzo

“This is the stuff of dreams #Everton @MrAncelotti”Credit: @bluemaidstone”This makes me very happy!! @peterostick”Credit: @pauldevsIn other news, find out whose display was slammed against West Brom here!

Tottenham Hotspur are being linked with a move for Southampton striker Danny Ings recently, and if the striker were to join the Lilywhites in the summer it could be bad news for Carlos Vinicius.

According to The Guardian, Ings is delaying contract talks with Southampton as he eyes a move to a club playing European football, with Spurs monitoring his situation at the South Coast club.

The former Liverpool man has been superb since joining Southampton, having seemingly overcome the injury issues that marred his time with the Merseyside club, and he finished as the joint-second top scorer in the Premier League last season with 22 goals.

He has also started this season in impressive form for the high-flying Saints, having contributed seven goals and three assists in 13 top-flight appearances, averaging a strong 7.17 rating.

If he were to join the North London club ahead of next season, it could spell trouble for Vinicius’ hopes of joining Spurs on a permanent basis.

The Brazilian was signed on loan from Benfica for the season, with Spurs holding the option to sign him for €45 million (£40 million).

The 25-year-old has impressed with his performances in the Europa League, with three goals and three assists in five appearances, resulting in a 7.41 average rating. He also bagged a hat-trick in the FA Cup third round against Marine but has been limited to just four substitute appearances in the Premier League.

With Ings currently valued at £18 million by Transfermarkt, and his contract set to run out at the end of next season, the Englishman would surely prove to be a lot cheaper to bring in that Vinicius, with the added bonus that he has a lot of Premier League experience, having contributed 50 goals and 12 assists in 124 top-flight appearances.

Having made three appearances for England in his career thus far, Ings could also prove to be an effective strike partner for Harry Kane in Jose Mourinho’s side, as they will have worked together at international level. The Southampton man’s energy and pressing in attack could allow Kane to drop slightly deeper and be more of a playmaker, as we have seen with Heung-Min Son this season.

Former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe was full of praise for Ings last season, saying:

“The most impressive thing about Danny is, of course, he’s an outstanding player.

“Technically he’s very good, plays with real intelligence and the way he’s come back from his disappointments, the injury setbacks he’s had, the way he’s fought back and kept his mental strength has been hugely impressive.”

Therefore, if he were to join, it would be difficult to see Daniel Levy shelling out another £40 million just to sign Vinicius, as the Benfica man would surely struggle for much game time if he was behind both Kane and Ings in the pecking order in Mourinho’s side, so it would not be a surprise if he was forced to return to Benfica.

And, in other news, Forget Devine: “Record-breaking” academy sensation should be the next man in Jose’s first-team squad…

According to SPORT via The Daily Express, Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele is one of two options Manchester United are considering to bolster Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s firepower in the summer.

What’s the word?

It’s claimed that the 23-year-old, whose contract is set to expire in two years’ time, finds himself on the Red Devils’ radar along with Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho as Solskjaer seeks to try and fill the gap on the right wing.

The Frenchman has started to transform his fortunes under Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman, making 22 appearances across all competitions as the 26-time Spanish champions try to mount a title challenge this season.

It’s been a relatively quiet transfer window for the Red Devils with more outgoings than incomings as Marcos Rojo is set to follow Jesse Lingard out of the Old Trafford exit door.

And now, it seems that Solskjaer’s side will wait until the end of the season before embarking on another spending spree with Dembele top of their shortlist.

Must avoid at all costs

United are still searching for an answer to the gaping hole on the right of their attack. Mason Greenwood – predominantly a forward by trade – can play that role, whilst Daniel James and Juan Mata have shown glimpses of their former selves this season, but neither can be considered the perfect solution to the problem.

However, while Dembele would fit the bill of the type of high-profile signing fans expect to see at Old Trafford – he earns around £200,000-per-week at the Nou Camp – he just wouldn’t be the right man for the Red Devils.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/man-utd-deadline-day-latest-news-transfer-rumours-and-more” title=”Deadline day is here: Read the latest Man Utd news, transfer rumours and more!”]

Would he be any better than Greenwood? Let’s face it, probably not.

Both players produce high volumes of shots and dribbles per game but Dembele, who is several years older than the 19-year-old, tops the charts with 1.8 and 2.1 respectively.

But his numbers pale into insignificance alongside those of Jadon Sancho, with the 20-year-old England international coming out on top in almost every area. Sancho himself is currently averaging more dribbles and key passes per match than the former France international, as per WhoScored.

It’s also worth remembering that Dembele has suffered from his fair share of injuries which have ruled him out for extended periods of time. Thus signing Sancho could be a safer option with the former Manchester City youth prospect playing all bar two of Dortmund’s Bundesliga games this season thus far. Ed Woodward would be wise to steer clear of the injury-prone Frenchman, that’s for sure. Otherwise, it could prove costly.

AND in other news, Woodward can deliver a masterclass with move for long-term Man Utd target Jadon Sancho…

It seems that Sam Allardyce needs to take a taste of his own medicine as the new West Brom is looking in the wrong place to resolve one of his biggest problems…

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mirror (via The Sun), Big Sam is eyeing a reunion with his former Hammers striker Andy Carroll in the upcoming transfer window.

It’s claimed that the 66-year-old will try to convince Steve Bruce into selling the 6 foot 4 colossus as he enters the final six months of his current contract in the north-east.

Earlier this week, Dean Windass told Football FanCast exclusively that he’d take the 31-year-old frontman “all day long” at the Hawthorns despite his fitness concerns.

Panic buy

Speaking to reporters this week, Allardyce said he wouldn’t rush into panic buying in January, well, signing the struggling Magpies veteran would certainly say otherwise.

Carroll has not scored since he returned to Newcastle on a free transfer in 2019, and even then, his record in the top-flight is hardly outstanding – he’s bagged 57 goals in 237 matches.

That is an average of one goal every four matches, per Transfermarkt.

His return to United sparked a positive reaction from Danny Mills, who told Football Insider:

“If you can get him fit, and keep him fit, he’s a massive asset. He can be a game-changer, bring him on defensively obviously in the air. Chuck him up front and he’s still one of the best headers on goal around.”

Indeed, once upon a time, Carroll was an interesting proposition to have in attack, so much so that it secured him a £35m deal to Liverpool back in 2011, but his days are numbered.

Mainly because of his injury problems and fitness troubles.

He’s had six different injuries since the start of the 2017/18 season alone and this is not something that the Baggies can afford to take a gamble on as they are firmly in the relegation dogfight.

Even if they secure the £75k-per-week flop on the cheap, it will not be worth it if he plays less than a handful of games. They’re far better off turning to Charlie Austin or bringing in someone even more proven in the division.

AND in other news, Luke Dowling heading for familiar Jeremy Pearce mistake over “unbelievable” Baggies star…

Crystal Palace are currently trying to trim their squad in the January transfer window.

Roy Hodgson hasn’t ruled out any new signings but while the Palace boss will probably be keeping a close eye on the market, the Eagles aren’t expected to make any new additions to the squad.

But it seems Palace are set to focus all their efforts on trying to offload several unwanted players including Connor Wickham and Mamadou Sakho instead.

Steve Parish signed the former Liverpool centre-back for £26m after he ended the 2016-17 season at Anfield. The Parisian-born defender penned a four-year deal with Palace which is set to expire at the end of this season.

Sakho kicked off the campaign with three starts from the first four games, but is deemed surplus to requirements at Selhurst Park after falling out of favour with manager Hodgson.

According to French newspaper Nice-Matin, as per The Daily Mail, Nice are reportedly closing in on a move for the outcast centre-back.

The 30-year-old, who earns around £100,000-per-week at Selhurst Park, has played just five games for Palace this season, via Transfermarkt.

Recently described as an “incredible” player by the Palace boss after he made his comeback against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup, the season started so brightly for Sakho following an injury-disrupted campaign, but his form has somewhat tailed off.

Per WhoScored, he is only averaging 0.8 tackles and 0.8 interceptions per game in the Premier League this season.

It appears Hodgson has finally lost his patience with the former French international and his time at the club seems to be be all but over after he was substituted at half-time during the FA Cup defeat to Wolves on Friday night.

Against Wolves, as per SofaScore, he failed to record a tackle in the first half and completed just one accurate long ball from three attempts.

The centre-back has barely featured at all since the start of the season so it’s unlikely his presence in the dressing room will be missed too much if he departs Selhurst Park in the near future.

Palace need players they can rely on and Parish needs to be ruthless in clearing out the deadwood and try to boost the transfer kitty with a much-needed clear out. Erratic form and injury struggles have not helped his case.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace midfielder James McCarthy the only positive from Wolves defeat…

A number of Everton fans have welcomed a transfer link to Isco as the Daily Mirror have reported that the Real Madrid star wants to work with Carlo Ancelotti.

As per the news outlet, Isco is keen to link up with the Italian as well as his former Bernabeu teammate James Rodriguez.

The Spain international is reportedly not in Zinedine Zidane’s plans and Los Blancos will apparently put him up for sale in the January transfer window. The Spanish giants plan to initially send him out on loan for the rest of the 2020/21 season, with an obligation to buy set at £18m plus add-ons.

Real Madrid have also spoken with representatives of Isco in the hope that they can sound out possible buyers both in Italy and England. However, the idea of moving to the Premier League is appealing to the attacking midfielder, with the Goodison Park outfit reportedly the most likely candidate.

A four-time winner of the Champions League, and with a combined tally of 105 goals and assists for Real Madrid (Transfermarkt), Isco would seem a shrewd signing indeed by the Merseyside club.

Everton fan reaction to Isco transfer links

These Everton supporters on Twitter were excited by the links to Isco, with one fan labelling the 28-year old as an ‘absolute baller’:

In other news, find out which Toffees outcast Ancelotti has confirmed will stay next season here!

Harry Kane and Heung-min Son combined once again to steer Tottenham Hotspur back to the top of the Premier League table.

Spurs’ prolific double act were at the heart of another impressive and crucial victory, this time over arch-rivals Arsenal in the north London derby.

It took just 13 minutes for the mercurial South Korean to curl a long-range effort past visiting goalkeeper, Bernd Leno, much to the delight of the home supporters, who were inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time in 277 days.

They were soon celebrating a second when the talismanic Kane rifled home from a blistering counter-attack right on half-time.

But for all the plaudits that the lethal duo deserve, there was another name who perhaps went under the radar, even more so as he came straight back in from injury.

That, of course, being Toby Alderweireld.

The Belgian titan went down with an injury in their phenomenal victory over Man City just a few weeks ago and was surprisingly named in the starting XI this evening having only just returned to training this week.

And what a solid display it was, shutting the Gunners out to make it four straight clean sheets in the top-flight.

Alderweireld, who earns £85k-per-week in N17, was colossal at the back alongside Eric Dier as he won five of six duels (83%), made a whopping 11 clearances and also blocked one of Arsenal’s 11 shots at goal, via SofaScore.

The 31-year-old powerhouse did ever so well to keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang quiet, and that much was eptimoised in his impressive last-ditch block when the visitors were mounting the pressure during the second period.

Alasdair Gold at football.london graded the €30m (£27m) centre-back’s performance a nine out of ten, only bettered by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and claimed:

“Back in the defence and he showed why Mourinho threw him straight back in. Made a great sliding block to deny Aubameyang in the final 10 minutes.”

Indeed that was certainly the case and whilst Son and Kane rightly deserve the accolades, you cannot underestimate the calming presence of Alderweireld in that back line.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Pundit makes huge claim about Dele Alli at Spurs training…

Crystal Palace will want to get back to winning ways when they welcome Brighton to Selhurst Park on Sunday, having lost to Chelsea in their last game before the international break.

Roy Hodgson remains without several options ahead of the A23 derby, but he will have been boosted by the news that Gary Cahill, James Tomkins and Patrick van Aanholt are working their way back from fitness.

However, James McCarthy and Wayne Hennessey suffered injuries whilst away on international duty, which means they will be unavailable for selection for the foreseeable future.

After a bright start to the season, Palace have suffered back-to-back defeats to Everton and Chelsea respectively, so Hodgson’s side will be hoping they can get back on track against Brighton.

Take a look at the starting lineup we are expecting to see at Selhurst Park, with Hodgson making a couple of changes from their last league game.

Hodgson had been forced to name a largely unchanged side before the international break. But the Palace boss now has the luxury of options at the back, as both Cahill and Tomkins are in contention for selection, so he could decide to ring several changes to his squad.

Whilst Cheikhou Kouyate has grown accustomed to his new role as a makeshift centre-back in recent weeks, he will most likely replace McCarthy in the midfield, which may create space for Cahill instead.

Mamadou Sakho should start alongside the former Chelsea defender and they could be joined by Tyrick Mitchell at left-back and Joel Ward on the opposite flank.

Elsewhere, Jeffrey Schlupp could earn a rare start to replace Eberechi Eze who struggled against the Blues, losing possession nine times in the process.

This may see Kouyate slot into place alongside him next to James McArthur whilst Andros Townsend takes up position on the other wing.

Moving further afield, Wilfried Zaha and Jordan Ayew will resume their partnership at the top of the pitch.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace must avoid deal for Watford winger Ismaila Sarr at all costs…