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To say things have been turbulent for Leeds United in recent weeks would be an understatement, with three defeats in a row from their previous three league fixtures and a total of 14 goals conceded in those games.

In addition to this dismal run of form, Leeds have a very hefty injury list at the moment with the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper, Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo and Pascal Struijk out on the sidelines.

As well as these injured players, it seems as though the Yorkshire club have another player out of action for the time being, which will not please many fans at Elland Road.

What’s the latest?

Speaking in his post-match press conference (via Leeds Live) after their 4-1 defeat against Arsenal, Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa revealed that defender Charlie Cresswell was supposed to be in the matchday squad for the clash against the Gunners but had to pull out with a shoulder injury.

Bielsa then said that Cresswell now has a “long period of recovery” ahead of him, which suggests that his injury is a serious one and he could be out for a while.

Given the injuries to the likes of Cooper and Struijk and the fact that Leeds have conceded as many as 14 goals in their three recent league games, it’s safe to say that they could do with as many defensive players available as possible, which makes this injury to Cresswell such a big blow.

Even though the 19-year-old has only made four league appearances for Leeds this season, completing the full 90 minutes in just one of them, Bielsa would have undoubtedly preferred to have the teenager available in his squad for the Arsenal game and their next fixtures moving forward to call upon if needed judging by prior injury concerns.

Looking ahead to the future, Bielsa and everyone else at the Yorkshire club will be hoping that their injury situation can improve sooner rather than later so they can have the likes of Phillips, Cresswell, Cooper and Struijk back available again. Once they have all of them back, their chances of avoiding relegation will improve significantly.

In other news: Forget Raphinha: Leeds’ £3.6m gem with 3 key passes was Bielsa’s shining light v AFC – opinion

A new loan ruling that is set to be implemented next season could have a big impact on Wolves, according to reliable journalist Tim Spiers.

The Lowdown: New loan ruling

According to The Athletic, clubs will be limited on the number of international players they can have out on loan in the future.

From next season, teams will only be allowed to have eight players on temporary moves elsewhere and that number will drop to six by 2024.

Wolves currently have ten players out on loan, highlighting how clubs will be affected by the new venture moving forward.

The Latest: Spiers reacts to claim

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Spiers gave his thoughts on the news, discussing how it will impact on Wanderers’ business:

“New loan rules coming in next season which will impact Wolves, who had 10 players on loan overseas in the first half of the season (max of 8 next year then max 6 from 2024) and four at Grasshoppers (max 3 at one club).”

The Verdict: Good decision

In truth, it is healthy to see this ruling introduced, with the report correctly stating that it is a good way of preventing clubs from ‘stockpiling talent’.

It is good to see that players aged 21 and under won’t be affected, however, as loan moves can be healthy for their development, such as Wolves forward Theo Corbeanu, who is currently at MK Dons.

It will make teams think more about recruitment in general and potentially ensure they get the most out the players already in their ranks, rather than stockpiling players for purely financial reasons.

In other news, some Wolves fans have reacted to an exit rumour regarding one player. Find out who it is here.

According to a report from German outlet Kicker (via Sport Witness), Liverpool are interested in signing RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer. 

The lowdown: RB pathway

The 24-year-old came through the ranks at Red Bull Salzburg before taking the well-established route to German Bundesliga side Leipzig in 2017.

Since then the decorated ace, who was named Salzburg’s Player of the Season in 2016/17, has gone from strength to strength whilst racking up 154 appearances.

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Now, the highly-rated Austria international could be about to take another familiar career path and follow in the footsteps of Naby Keita and Ibrahima Konate.

The latest: Reds’ linked

As per Kicker, as translated by SW, Liverpool are said to be ‘looking’ at Laimer ahead of the summer transfer window.

Arch-rivals Manchester United are also cited as potential suitors with German giants Bayern Munich also in the mix to land the 20-cap Austria ace.

Out of contract in 2023 (Transfermarkt), Laimer – who was tipped to have a ‘huge future’ by compatriot Marko Arnautovic – currently ‘wants to focus’ on the end of the campaign and potential Europa League glory before deciding on his next move.

The verdict: Bellingham alternative…

So far this season Laimer has scored five times and provided six assists in 36 appearances and actually stacks up as the closest likeness in terms of playing style and output to widely reported Liverpool target, Jude Bellingham, when using FBref’s comparison tool.

Valued at £23.4million and in the final 15 months of a contract, any quest to sign the Austrian for new Anfield transfer chief Julian Ward would be a wholly more affordable option than the mooted £101million fee required to land Bellingham.

Believed to have idolised Kop legend Steven Gerrard as a child, Laimer has clearly paid close attention to the ex-Liverpool captain and possesses impressive tackling, passing and long-range shooting ability (WhoScored), making the Austrian the perfect addition to Jurgen Klopp’s ranks.

In other news, the finance expert details potential Liverpool windfall. Find out more here.

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.

Southampton have reportedly been scouting Bristol City striker Antoine Semenyo this season ahead of a potential summer move for the 21-year-old and, if he were to make the move to St Mary’s, it could be a repeat of the deal which saw Che Adams join the south coast club in 2019.

According to the Bristol Post, Southampton scouts have been in attendance at Ashton Gate in recent weeks to take in the performances of Semenyo, who is also reportedly attracting interest from Wolves, Norwich City and Bournemouth.

The young striker is a product of Bristol City’s academy and has only this season established himself as a regular with the Championship club, having spent previous seasons on loan with Newport County and Sunderland in League Two and League One respectively.

Although his goal record isn’t anything to write home about, with just 11 senior goals in his career thus far, his general performances with the Robins this season have clearly attracted the interest of some Premier League and top Championship sides.

In 37 appearances in the second tier, Semenyo has managed two goals and five assists, whilst he also has a further three goals and two assists in cup competitions.

Semenyo can feature up front but also on both wings, which suggests that he is very versatile and would fit in well at Southampton, with Ralph Hasenhuttl a big fan of players who can feature in multiple positions.

WhoScored also suggests that his main strengths include his through balls, dribbling and defensive contribution, and considering the defensive work rate the Austrian manager demands of his players at the south coast club, it seems that he would love to have a player such as Semenyo in his side.

If he were to join, it could prove to be a repeat of the deal which saw Adams join Southampton in 2019 after he impressed in the lower leagues with Sheffield United and Birmingham City.

Adams was just 22 when he joined and, like Semenyo, had struggled to find the back of the net with much regularity before discovering his shooting boots and hitting 22 goals in the Championship for Birmingham the season before his move to the Saints.

Therefore, Southampton could jump the gun and sign Semenyo before he starts hitting the back of the net on a consistent basis, as that will only see his market value rise further after his impressive 2020/21 campaign.

If they do bring in Semenyo this summer, there seems no reason why he can’t follow in Adams’ footsteps under Hasenhuttl’s guidance and become a regular goalscorer in the Premier League.

And, in other news… Hasenhuttl suffers huge potential Southampton blow with “outstanding” £19.8m-rated beast

Former Southampton midfielder Carlton Palmer can see Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury moving to St. Mary’s this summer, but only at the right price.

According to Football Insider, Newcastle United are working to sign the 23-year-old, who is set to fall down the pecking order at the King Power due to the incoming arrival of Boubakary Soumare.

However, the same outlet reports that Southampton are also interested in securing Choudhury’s signature, and Palmer believes a deal is certainly a possibility if finances allow.

When asked by FFC if he could see the midfielder joining the Saints in this transfer window, the retired England international said:

“It’s a question whether he will fit into the way Southampton play and will he fit into the mould, the way that Ralph Hasenhuttl wants to play – and that’s as simple as it is.

“If that player does, he fits in and comes at the right money, then it works.”

Choudhury is the sort of player who could add some real bite to Southampton’s midfield.

He has been praised for his ability to win the ball back, with Derby County assistant manager Liam Rosenior once comparing him to Manchester City’s Fernandinho. And not being a regular at Leicester, you would expect the Saints to be able to get him for a reasonable fee.

Whilst Southampton fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday evening, there was a promising display from young defender Mohammed Salisu in North London, something which will surely delight Ralph Hasenhuttl.

The Ghanaian defender has had limited opportunities in the Austrian’s side so far this season as a result of fitness and injury problems, making just seven appearances in the top-flight.

The partnership of Jannik Vestergaard and Jan Bednarek at centre-back has also undoubtedly been a factor in his lack of appearances this season, although Hasenhuttl seems to have found a potential solution, as he has featured as a left-back on a number of occasions since the turn of the year.

He was selected there again for the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday in the absence of Ryan Bertrand and was tasked with keeping Gareth Bale quiet.

Although the Welshman scored the equalising goal with a quality finish, the 22-year-old defender defended well for large parts of the game and was one of few bright sparks in the defeat.

As per SofaScore, Salisu would earn a solid 6.7/10 rating for his display and was able to keep Bale and Serge Aurier at bay for much of the game.

WhoScored also rated the defender a 6.73/10, which is his best performance in the Premier League for the Saints, so it is clear that he impressed despite the disappointing result.

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During the 90 minutes, the young defender would contribute six clearances and six tackles, which was the most clearances made by any player on the pitch, whilst only Aurier registered more tackles in the game (seven).

Considering he has averaged just 2.9 tackles and 1.7 clearances in the Premier League so far this season, it is clear that produced an impressive display in North London.

Although he was partnered by the inexperienced Nathan Tella on the left-hand side, Salisu did an admirable job with his defending and was also a threat going forward, as only a spectacular save from Hugo Lloris denied him the opening goal.

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Therefore, Salisu, who joined in a £10.9m deal last summer, deserves a lot of credit for his display and hopefully, he will continue to get better ahead of potentially becoming a regular in Hasenhuttl’s side next season.

And, in other news… Forget Djenepo: Saints flop who played 10 passes was Hasenhuttl’s worst vs Spurs

Wolves’ owners Fosun have made an offer to save Ligue 1 side Bordeaux according to Girondinfos. 

Jorge Mendes is said to be leading the project, and if their attempted takeover is successful, Olympiacos’ Portuguese boss Pedro Martins would be appointed manager.

Huge summer ahead for Fosun and Wolves

Wolves themselves are presently without a manager after agreeing to part company with Nuno Espirito Santo.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the club are working to complete a deal for SL Benfica’s Bruno Lage after opening talks last week.

It’s also a key transfer window for the club after they slipped to 13th in the Premier League table, having previously secured back-to-back seventh-place finishes.

The Midlands outfit spent £74.5million on new players last summer, with Fabio Silva and Nelson Semedo the headline recruits.

They banked £71.3million from outgoings as Diogo Jota, Matt Doherty and Helder Costa departed the club.

Fan feed Talking Wolves relayed the Fosun news, and here’s how fans reacted.

Wolves fans weigh in on Fosun’s Bordeaux bid

“They need to sort the mess at molineux 1st. Whoever comes in will need funds so they should forget about investing in others.”

Credit: @robsterj2002

“Why am I not surprised to see Mendes is leading it? The guy makes all the screws turn. Seems Fosun just finance his visions some days, for the better and worst of it”

Credit: @SamclarkUk

“That’s us down, then.”

Credit: @ashleynixon95

“Are we trying to be like city football group”

Credit: @benlin11

“I think they’ll sell Wolves sometimes soon. Maybe Bordeaux will be another project they can do & make money from them also!!”

Credit: @SteveWiles20

“Fosun have more of an interest in football than we first thought huh”

Credit: @FW90

In other news, read Henry Winter’s verdict on three managerial candidates. 

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley will not get rid of Steve Bruce, says Peterborough United director of football Barry Fry.

At one point, it did look like Bruce’s job was in real danger, with The Telegraph reporting at the start of April that relegation to the Championship would have possibly forced Ashley’s hand.

In the end, though, Bruce was obviously able to keep Newcastle up after picking up some brilliant results in the final stretch of the campaign.

And now, unless the Tyneside club are taken over, Fry cannot see Bruce going anywhere. Speaking about what the future could hold for Newcastle, the former manager told FFC:

“I think if Mike Ashley’s in charge, he’ll leave Steve in charge, no doubt about that whatsoever.

“If somebody else comes in and buys the club off him, then they’ve got their own ideas, and normally if a consortium takes over a club, they’ve got their own manager, their own management team all set up before they take over.”

Newcastle’s future as a football club has been up in the air, or more so, since the attempted takeover by a Saudi Arabian-backed consortium, which includes Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, PCP Capital Partners and Reuben Brothers. What happens next is now anyone’s guess.

The agent of Donny van de Beek has revealed that he was in talks with Everton in regards to a move during the transfer window, but a switch was vetoed by Manchester United.

The Lowdown: Business done on final day

On the final day of the transfer window, the Toffees completed the signing of Salomon Rondon from Dalian Professional.

However, it seems that they also were interested in capturing the services of the £27m-valued Netherlands international (Transfermarkt) from the Red Devils.

The Latest: Van de Beek speaks to Toffees

Speaking to Ziggo Sport (via The Daily Express), Van de Beek’s representative Guido Albers revealed talks with the Merseyside club. He said:

“We took the initiative to find a club and our search ended up at Everton. We opened talks with Marcel Brands and Farhad Moshiri.

“On Monday night [before deadline day] we received a call from Solskjær and the club who told us that a transfer was out of the question and that he had to report himself to training the next morning.

“The perspective now is that we stated that Donny is not a Carabao Cup player, or FA Cup player, or to play only in European games.”

The Verdict: Crying shame

Although he made the move to Old Trafford from Ajax in September 2020 for a fee of £35m (BBC), Van de Beek has had to make do with a bit-part role at the club. He managed just 36 appearances in all competitions last season, the majority of which came from the bench, and he has yet to feature for a single minute in the current campaign (Transfermarkt).

He has often impressed whenever he has featured, though, with Owen Hargreaves calling him “close to perfect” after a match in the Champions League against Istanbul Basaksehir last autumn.

At Everton, you would have thought he would be close to a guaranteed starter under Rafael Benitez. While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may eventually be ready to incorporate the midfielder into his plans, it feels like a transfer would have been the 24-year-old’s best chances of playing regularly, and he would have brought plenty of quality to Goodison Park judging by Hargreaves’ glowing praise.

In other news, Everton also wanted to sign this England international during the transfer window.