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The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has dropped an update on Aston Villa’s pursuit of Emile Smith Rowe.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days and weeks have suggested that Dean Smith’s side are intent on signing the Arsenal starlet this summer, having already seen two bids for the England U21 international turned down by the Gunners.

And now, writing initially on Twitter, Preece said: “Back on the #avfc beat after some time off as pre-season training begins at Bodymoor Heath today. Expecting around 18/26 first-team players to be in + youngsters. Worth noting Traore had groin surgery 3 weeks ago. Transfers: Villa still pushing hard for Smith Rowe.”

Villa fans will be buzzing

Speaking on the Pitch to Post Preview Podcast earlier last season, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said: “Emile Smith Rowe has come in and been a revelation. They needed someone to light the flame, give them that spark.

“He’s an academy boy and you can see he’s doing a great job, the fans love him. I hope with Odegaard coming into the club, that doesn’t stop him being instrumental in what they’re doing. But I’ve been so impressed with him, I love his work ethic, I love the way he runs with the ball, he’s been a breath of fresh air for this team, exactly when they needed it.”

And, his former manager on loan at Huddersfield in the Championship a couple of seasons ago, Danny Cowley, even made some impressive comparisons with Villa’s very own talisman, and England star Jack Grealish.

He said: “He has got that little bit of Jack Grealish about him. He’s got the ability to square defenders up and go past them like they’re not there. He’s so hard not to get excited about, he has potential to be world-class.”

Having already tied up a deal for Norwich’s Emi Buendia, adding another attacking, creative player like Smith Rowe to go along with the Argentine and Grealish would create a mouth-watering list of options for Smith to use next season in the Premier League.

Given supporters have already made it clear just how excited they would be were Smith Rowe to join, it’s exactly why Preece’s latest transfer update, that Villa are still pushing hard to get Smith Rowe, will have Villans fans buzzing.

Meanwhile, Matt Maher has dropped an exciting Aston Villa transfer update…

Lots of Everton fans have been buzzing as a transfer update emerged on Jonjoe Kenny.

As per the Daily Mail, Arsenal have discussed a potential move to bring the right-back to the Emirates Stadium in the summer transfer window.

Kenny is a player on the fringes at Goodison Park, having only made eight appearances across all competitions for Everton in the 2020/21 season before being shipped out on loan to Celtic (failed to impress many supporters.

The fact that he is English, and at a good age at 24, means that the Toffees have an opportunity to sell him for a decent sum of money, especially if Mikel Arteta’s team come knocking at the door, and so it is not a surprise to see so many Blues happy with the potential transfer.

Everton fans on Kenny transfer update

These Everton supporters were buzzing as the transfer update on Kenny was shared on Twitter, with one even saying that they should do a ‘car share with Iwobi’ in reference to the Nigerian forward, who scored just twice in 36 appearances for the Toffees last season:

“Hopefully car share with Iwobi”

Credit: @Greedygreeny1

“Sold!”

Credit: @peterabbit68

“I’d drive him there myself”

Credit: @Ironman_Ste

“Bye”

Credit: @Kreeder85

“Throw in Iwobi for free”

Credit: @Everton4eva

“Take Iwobi too”

Credit: @TheDogsofWar1

In other news, Everton are in the frame to sign this ace previously compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe!

Many Southampton fans are far from happy after they were linked with a move for out-of-contract midfielder Robbie Brady.

With the Premier League season now over, the Saints can prepare for the 2021/22 campaign. With Ryan Bertrand leaving on a free transfer (southamptonfc.com) and plenty of interest in striker Danny Ings (Sky Sports), it is likely to be a busy summer at St Mary’s as the south coast outfit look to get their squad ready for August.

According to the Daily Mirror (Thursday 15:27 in live blog), [via Football FanCast], Southampton are interested in signing Brady.

The 56-cap Republic of Ireland international has had a solid career but he made just 19 appearances in the Premier League for Burnley last term and managed only one goal and one assist (Transfermarkt), so he would hardly seem an inspired signing. He has also been plagued with injuries in recent years since starring at Euro 2016.

The news was shared on Twitter by @SaintsExtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from Saints supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the transfer speculation, and they were less than impressed.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about the Brady links

“We really are at a low”

Credit: @saints_josh2

“Oh dear”

Credit: @SfcHarveyy

“Wow, we really are going down aren’t we”

Credit: @OliWren_

“What a tinpot signing that would be. Odds on we go for Danny Rose now he’s been binned by Spurs”

Credit: @James90044529

“I joked to myself today when I saw he was being released and thought I wouldn’t be surprised if we became interested. Laughable”

Credit: @Taylor1993White

“This time last week we were being strongly linked with Thomas Delaney, 1 week down the line and it’s Robbie Brady, this club never fails to amaze me…”

Credit: @MRankin8_

In other news, Southampton are interested in this ace who was previously compared to Lionel Messi.

Sam Allardyce left his post as West Brom manager last month, and former Baggies midfielder Carlton Palmer believes the rebuild job that may be needed at the club is the reason why.

Following their relegation from the Premier League to the Championship, West Brom look set to lose a whole host of players.

Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who is currently with the England squad for Euro 2020, continues to be linked with a move away from the Hawthorns.

Meanwhile, attacker Matheus Pereira is attracting plenty of interest after finishing the season as West Brom’s star performer, scoring 11 goals and assisting six during that Premier League campaign.

A rebuild job now looks inevitable, and Palmer is convinced that is not something Allardyce wants at this stage of his career.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about Big Sam’s departure, the ex-West Brom player said:

“I’m assuming that it’s a big rebuild job. So that’s a two or three-year job, or somebody comes in who can work with what’s there and get them firing to get promotion next season.

“Reading between the lines, I think that Sam thinks it’s a two or three-year job maybe to get them back up, and at his age [it’s not what he wants].”

Having won promotion before, from a West Brom perspective, Allardyce staying would have been a positive development.

Flocking to a claim by TuttoJuve, via The Spurs Web, many Tottenham Hotspur supporters have been left in awe over a development involving Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips.

Phillips was a mainstay and integral under Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road last season as the Whites managed to impress on their debut season back in the big time.

Starting 28 Premier League games for Leeds last year, only defenders Luke Ayling and Liam Cooper managed to make more tackles per 90 than Phillips last year (WhoScored).

Now, per TuttoJuve (via the Spurs Web), Tottenham want Phillips and hold an interest in signing the England international who has started the Three Lions’ last two games at Euro 2020.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-updates-2/” title=”Spurs latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

New managing director Fabio Paratici will have his sights set on targets for Spurs as he aims to start a new era at the club.

Flocking to this claim, which one fan called ‘very exciting’, many Lilywhites supporters seemed excited.

Find all of their best verdicts down below.

Tottenham fans flock to Phillips claim…

“Oh my god yes please”

Credit: @holder_leo

“Sign him up”

Credit: @dsmithersthfc

“That’s a very exciting transfer”

Credit: @JamesAn52372354

“Gettinnnnnnnn”

Credit: @GargantuanHarry

“OMG”

Credit: @Spurslad

“Not sure about the tier of this source, but this needs to happen.”

Credit: @true_spurs

“Would be a great signing also get max aarons”

Credit: @JoshJ93

“Would love it”

Credit: @_10kanee

In other news: ‘Here we go again’…The Athletic journalist relays ‘another dramatic’ Spurs manager twist, find out more here.

Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that he hopes West Ham keep Said Benrahma but has warned the Algerian international to improve his discipline.

The attacker joined from Brentford last summer on loan with a view to a permanent deal, which was then confirmed as being part of a £20m swoop in January of this year.

However, the arrival of Jesse Lingard later that month has reduced Benrahma’s opportunities for West Ham, making just four Premier League starts since then.

And despite scoring 17 times in the Championship for Brentford last season, he’s yet to get off the mark in claret and blue, although he’s contributed six assists in 29 appearances in all competitions.

McAvennie recognises his talent, but told Football FanCast that he must take David Moyes’ instructions on board:

“It depends on his attitude. He was losing possession in the wrong areas and that’s what David, it was well known, had to talk to him about. David is good at talking to people.

“But I would like him to stay because, you need a good squad and he’s undoubtedly a good player, but sometimes he has got to learn when to go on his mazy runs, which is good for the crowd but not good for the manager.”

Southampton have been linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Thomas Delaney recently, and the 29-year-old could be the man to finally replace Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

According to ESPN, Southampton are keen on the Denmark international, with Dortmund expected to demand just £8.6m for his services this summer.

The 29-year-old’s contract at Signal Iduna Park is set to expire at the end of next season, and along with the rise of teenage sensation Jude Bellingham, that could see the former Werder Bremen midfielder et go for a cut-price fee this summer. Southampton could be the ones to benefit, especially as he suits Hasenhuttl’s transfer plan of targeting players under £10m.

The Denmark international also admitted when signing for Dortmund that it was his “big wish” to play in the Premier League, so a move to Southampton could certainly be on the cards.

If he were to arrive at St Mary’s, he could be the man to step up as Hojbjerg’s replacement after his 25-year-old international colleague completed a move to Tottenham Hotspur last summer.

Following his arrival from Bayern Munich in 2016, the midfielder went on to make 134 appearances for the Saints, contributing five goals and six assists, whilst he was also appointed as captain of the club. However, he made it clear that he wanted to depart last summer and he duly joined the north Londoners, with Kyle Walker-Peters heading the other way.

Ibrahima Diallo arrived last summer as his potential replacement but was limited to very little game-time until Oriol Romeu’s injury. After a positive start, the 21-year-old has struggled to perform in recent weeks, with a notably poor performance in the FA Cup semi-final perhaps highlighting that he isn’t ready for a regular starting berth.

Whilst Romeu has been one of the Saints’ top performers this season when fit, they have struggled in his absence, which suggests that they need a more experienced head in midfield to step in should he be unavailable.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-southampton-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Southampton transfer rumours and news!”]

Therefore, Delaney could be the ideal man for Southampton this summer, and he could arguably fill the hole left by Hojbjerg, who he will know well from their time playing together with Denmark.

The Dortmund midfielder has averaged 1.9 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game, along with an 83.3% pass success rate, in the Bundesliga this season, whereas Hojbjerg has averaged 2.3 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game, with an 88.5% pass success rate.

WhoScored suggests that both Hojbjerg and Delaney’s main strengths include their ability to win aerial duels and their concentration, whilst both are more than willing to commit tactical fouls.

Therefore, the 29-year-old could be the man to finally replace Hojbjerg in Hasenhuttl’s side, as this season has perhaps emphasised that Diallo is not yet ready for a regular starting spot, and someone of Delaney’s experience could be a very useful acquisition for Southampton ahead of next season.

In other news… Semmens can end Hasenhuttl headache with Southampton swoop for “explosive” beast

Many Wolves fans have been left to fume at a transfer update on Douglas Costa as Vagner Martins (via Calciomercato) has reported their interest in him.

As per the Brazilian football journalist, the Midlands Club would be willing to put in an offer of €10m (£8.7m) for the 30-year-old currently on loan at Bayern Munich from Juventus, a sum that would be favourable for the Serie A giants.

However, there is also interest from a number of clubs in both Saudi Arabia and China for his signature.

Given that the Wanderers already have the likes of Adama Traore, Daniel Podence and Pedro Neto on their books, signing another winger may not be the smartest idea over other positions they need more investment in.

Costa has never played in the Premier League before either, and so may struggle to adapt to the physicality of the top flight.

Wolves fans on Costa transfer update

These WWFC supporters fumed as the transfer update was shared on Twitter:

“If I see this rumour one more time I’m gonna lose my mind”

Credit: @_LouisGreen

“Think he is going to demand massive wages for a player who hasn’t been good in years. Just because Arsenal got Willian for free doesn’t mean he was cheap”

Credit: @youraight

“Not again”

Credit: @waynehanney1973

“We need at least three centre backs”

Credit: @HarryWi57417449

“What is this obsession with wingers?”

Credit: @AndyWillis61

“Here we go again… it’s the woeful back line and the useless forwards that need replacing first”

Credit: @deanosteady1979

In other news, find out whose display against Burnley was blasted here!

Graham Roberts has exclusively told Football FanCast that Daniel Levy should be knocking on Mauricio Pochettino’s door to try and convince him to return to Tottenham this summer.

The Argentine was sacked by Spurs back in November 2019 before returning to management when he was appointed as the PSG boss back in January.

But Pochettino’s reign in Paris hasn’t gone to plan, with the French giants in danger of failing to win the Ligue 1 title, whilst their hopes of reaching a second consecutive Champions League final were ended by Manchester City on Tuesday evening following their 4-1 aggerate scoreline.

Meanwhile, Spurs have missed out on their top three managerial targets in Julian Nagelsmann, Brendan Rodgers, and Erik ten Hag, meaning the north London outfit are still looking to appoint a replacement for Jose Mourinho, who was sacked last month.

Former midfielder Ryan Mason has been placed in interim charge for the remainder of the Premier League season, with recent reports suggesting that the 29-year-old might be considered for the full-time position.

But there’s only one man that Roberts wants to see in the dugout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next season.

He told Football FanCast:

“We were up the top for years. If it was me, because Pochettino is out of the Champions League, I’d be knocking on his door to come back.”

Former Sheffield United striker Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that both Leeds players and fans will be concerned about Marcelo Bielsa’s future.

Leeds’ victory over Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United on Saturday means that only goal difference is keeping them in the bottom-half, although they face a daunting trio of fixtures against Man City, Liverpool and Man United later this month.

But despite virtually guiding Leeds to Premier League safety with eight games left, the Argentine is yet to extend his contract at Elland Road, meaning he could leave at the end of the season.

He first joined Leeds on a two-year contract, and only signed fresh terms 24 hours before they kicked off their Premier League campaign at Liverpool – penning a 12 month extension.

Bielsa has previously hinted about staying at Elland Road past this season by saying that he won’t manage elsewhere until “my job here at Leeds is done”, but does Windass think that Leeds fans should be worried about the situation surrounding their manager?

“Massively worried, yeah,” he told Football FanCast. “I think that’s the big question on everyone’s lips.

“The supporters want to know why he hasn’t signed a contract. I’d be saying ‘why hasn’t the gaffer signed a deal’, and that’s what the players will be saying in the changing rooms.

“It’s all uncertain, but we’ll know in the next two or three months.”