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Sheffield Wednesday may well be tracking Solihull Moors striker Kyle Hudlin this summer, according to YorkshireLive journalist Dom Howson.

The Lowdown: Hudlin linked with Owls move

The Owls are preparing for life in League One, following their relegation from the Championship, and Darren Moore will be looking to perfect his summer transfer business.

One player who Wednesday have been linked with is the giant 6 foot 9 Hudlin – the tallest professional footballer in Britain currently – who scored 10 goals for Solihull last season, nine of which were in the National League.

Hudlin’s current deal runs out in the summer of 2022, meaning Solihull may be keen on receiving a fee for him now, rather than risking him leaving for free next year.

The Latest: Howson provides key update

Speaking in a Q&A on Friday, Howson gave his thoughts on Wednesday’s pursuit of the 21-year-old, admitting ‘it wouldn’t surprise me’ if the rumours are true because the Owls ‘desperately’ need quality like Hudlin up front:

“Still looking into this one. It wouldn’t surprise me if he is someone the Owls have been tracking. He fits the profile of the type of player Moore wants to sign and Wednesday desperately need more attacking reinforcements.”

The Verdict: A new Nuhiu?

While it may be a lazy comparison, Hudlin could have the potential to be similar to former Owls striker Atdhe Nuhiu, in terms of offering something aerially.

Nuhiu’s height allowed the Owls to play a route one style when it was needed and he proved to be an effective substitute down the years.

Hudlin’s giant stature means he is of course going to be a handful for defenders and Moore may like the idea of having a varied mix of strikers at his disposal.

In other news, one Sheff Wed player is set to stay put for another year. Find out who it is here.

Leeds United are among the Premier League teams interested in signing Alex Scott this summer…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Football League World, who claim that the Yorkshire giants are now facing competition from Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur for the 18-year-old’s signature following his impressive breakthrough at Championship outfit Bristol City.

Earlier this month, the Mirror reported that both the Whites and Spurs had scouts in attendance of the Robin’s Good Friday clash with Stoke City, where the promising teenager played the full game at right wing-back.

He is thought to be valued at around £10m.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-marsch-raphinha-dest-philhay” title=”Read the latest Leeds news!”]

The next Jack Grealish?

The versatile talent is capable of playing in a variety of roles, including out wide as a wing-back or winger, though his best position is thought to be as a creative midfielder or no.10.

Born and signed from Guernsey, Scott has emerged as a key player for former Leicester City and Watford boss Nigel Pearson, having made 36 appearances in the second tier.

He has provided four goals and two assists from those matches, with the bulk coming from an attacking midfield position.

Given his sparkling form and capability to play wide and centrally, it’s no wonder the Bristol City gem has already earned plenty of comparisons to Manchester City and England star Jack Grealish, to who he is thought to be very similar to.

‘The Guernsey Grealish’ could be an intriguing option for Whites boss Jesse Marsch and the squad heading into next season and for just £10m, it could be quite the steal indeed.

Scott has more than held his own at Ashton Gate this term, ranking as Pearson’s seventh-best player in the Championship – an average of 1.6 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game suggests he can do some defensive work, just as much as he likes to get forward, having also averaged 0.8 key passes and dribbles per outing too.

“Not only is he a very creative midfielder but he is incredibly hard-working, especially out of possession, and that’s one of his stand-out qualities,” claimed City’s player pathway manager Brian Tinnion to the BBC.

He also added in another interview: “His work rate and his desire to learn has been unbelievable.”

Whether Leeds will make their move for Scott this summer remains to be seen but the prospect of sealing the next Grealish-like talent for such a small figure should be too good to ignore.

AND in other news, Journo reveals where Leeds will look strengthen this summer…

David Moyes could avoid a severe Declan Rice headache at West Ham United next season by signing Manchester City midfielder Yangel Herrera.

What’s the word?

According to reports from Spain, the Irons have stolen a march in the race to sign Herrera as Granada will not be able to afford the purchase clause in their loan agreement.

The continuing effects of the pandemic on the Nazaries’ finances mean they are likely unable to trigger the €20m (£17.5m) agreement at the end of the season.

Granada intend to explore an extension of Herrera’s current loan terms with Manchester City in the summer, with a feeling that his efforts could not have gone any better for the Nuevo Los Carmenes Stadium natives this season.

Manchester City had sought to include Herrera as part of their £21m deal to sign Ferran Torres from Valencia last year, but are now expected to offer the 23-year-old a chance to prove himself to Pep Guardiola in the Citizens’ pre-season schedule.

That has not stopped Premier League eyes from glaring at the Etihad in hopes of securing a deal, with West Ham, Southampton, Leeds United and Crystal Palace all credited with an interest in the Venezuelan.

The Hammers are thought to be the best-placed side to secure Herrera’s services if he leaves Manchester City, as boss Moyes is a fan of the 23-cap international and club chiefs are prepared to offer an enticing contract in efforts to land his signature.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-west-ham-news%2c-views-and-gossip” title=”Latest West Ham news, views and gossip!”]

West Ham are likely to be in the market for midfield reinforcements this summer after Mark Noble confirmed that the 2021/22 campaign would be his last at the London Stadium, along with the potential summer departure of Rice amid interest from Manchester United.

Should West Ham sign Man City’s Herrera?

West Ham’s interest in Herrera could fast become a moot point if he returns to City and impresses Guardiola this summer, but Moyes is right to admire the midfielder’s talents and explore a deal to sign the Venezuelan should he become available.

Moyes is currently earning a taste of what life is like as Irons boss without Rice in his plans as the England international continues his recovery from a lateral knee ligament injury, having had the 22-year-old available for his previous 48-straight Premier League games.

Rice’s injury has been described as a “headache” for Moyes by Frank McAvennie, with Noble and Tomas Soucek his only natural holding options available in the engine room, and that situation would fast get out of hand if Manchester United are successful in their interest.

But Herrera would be expected to act as instant pain relief, having dazzled in La Liga – where Spanish football expert Terry Gibson believes he’s been “outstanding” and has proven to be “a really athletic, dynamic player who has a habit of getting into the box at the right times.”

That is not too dissimilar from what Soucek has developed into being for West Ham, with the Czech Republic star – who is the Irons’ joint top-scorer in the Premier League with nine goals – often ghosting in at the last moment to catch opposing defences unaware.

Herrera is also confident that he can take his form from La Liga and perform elsewhere, telling Mundo Deportivo earlier this month: “I have been in Spain for two years playing at a good level, but I am willing to face any challenge if there is an opportunity like that.”

Whether Rice stays or goes in the summer, Moyes’ lack of midfield depth should see that he urges West Ham to test Manchester City’s resolve and offer Herrera a chance to prove himself in the English top-flight.

AND in other news, West Ham have been warned against signing a £10m talent who’s “downed tools” this season…

Craig Hope has revealed what he has now heard about Newcastle United’s move to sign Jesse Lingard in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Midfielder wanted

The St. James’ Park faithful have been linked with the likes of Christian Eriksen and Yves Bissouma, suggesting that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium now want to bring in a midfield player after signing defender Kieran Trippier and centre-forward Chris Wood.

All of the players mentioned above have had previous experience in the Premier League, and so a move for Lingard before the deadline would make sense in this regard.

The Latest: Lingard update

As per The Daily Mail journalist Hope, the North East club are now ‘working’ on a loan deal to sign Lingard, but sources are saying that Manchester United are ‘reluctant’ to let him go at the moment:

“I’m told NUFC are working on a loan deal for Jesse Lingard, as per @samuelluckhurst, but sources say Man Utd are reluctant to let him go, as it stands.”

The Verdict: Sign

Getting in Lingard on loan would be a great piece of business from the new owners, as there would only be a minimal fee involved, plus they may have a chance to sign him for free in the summer when his contract expires, should he impress on Tyneside.

He has already shown what he can do when given the opportunities, scoring diamond’.

Nonetheless, with minimal game time at Old Trafford this season, and having recently been left completely out of the squad in the 3-1 win away at Brentford (Transfermarkt), the Englishman will want to prove his qualities once more, and the Magpies should give him that chance.

In other news, find out what big NUFC transfer news has been dropped live on air here!

Many Everton fans have been left flocking to a transfer update involving Djed Spence.

As per The Daily Telegraph, the Goodison Park faithful, as well as both West Ham United and Norwich City, are interested in signing the Middlesbrough defender in the summer window.

The right-back was a key player for Boro in the 2020/21 season, playing in no fewer than 40 games in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt), despite being just 20 years of age.

The Merseyside club should be looking for a long-term replacement for Seamus Coleman, and Spence could well fit the bill given his age.

The fact that he is English as well helps add to their home-grown quota, and could prove to be a relatively cheap option for them given that he would be coming up from the EFL Championship.

Everton fans on Spence transfer update

These Toffees supporters flocked to the transfer update as it was shared across Twitter, with one Blue even going as far as to claim that signing Spence would be ‘class’:

“Looks decent to be fair from clips. Tall, powerful and pacey. Uncovering some gems in the Championship are the kind of moves we should be making more of with FFP.”

Credit: @7JonOBrien

“Please be true”

Credit: @danielparry17

“We need to bring in actual talent that doesn’t cost a fortune with a big sell on value .. These are the types of transfers I’m all for .. Still want Dumfries in though”

Credit: @smythy2

“Class”

Credit: @Evertongoats

“You know how much he is worth? Could be a steal this maybe”

Credit: @KarsEfc

“He’d be perfect to sign and loan back…..but we don’t have the dollar for that this summer”

Credit: @MatthewKneale1

In other news, find out what transfer update has Evertonians fuming 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.”

Manchester City are close to signing Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish in a deal worth £100m, according to Jim White.

And, as to be expected, plenty of Villa fans have been giving their immediate thoughts to the news online.

Pep Guardiola’s side have been earmarked as the favourites to sign Grealish since March, and it appears as if a move is now edging closer.

Grealish is currently away with England at the European Championships but informed friends earlier this month he is very interested in an Etihad switch.

A £100m move, should it go through, would make the boyhood Villa fan the most expensive player in Premier League history, eclipsing Paul Pogba’s £94.5m move to Manchester United.

talkSPORT reporter White posted this on Twitter on Friday morning regarding City and Grealish.

“Close to completion – According to @talkSPORT sources, Jack Grealish close to joining @ManCity in £100m deal.”

Villa fans react

Fans of numerous clubs weighed in with their views on a possible deal, including some from Villa.

This is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply, with the majority understandably not happy.

“I feel like Villa need to set up a helpline for fans if this goes through”Credit: @ATB_Brummy”I will be fuming if this happens #AVFC have a word @Grealish_”Credit: @SJ_AV81″You what”Credit: @Junaid567″Excuse me”Credit: @chloeavfc_”@greggevans40 @PreeceObserver I’m begging”Credit: @UTVilla82″Time to fly the nest”Credit: @ZDhansey

In other news: Villa interested in another Southampton man, John Percy claims, find out more here. 

Crystal Palace embarked on a mass overhaul of their first-team squad over the summer, allowing several experienced campaigners to depart before replacing them with exciting, young acquisitions.

And the early indications are that the capital club’s dealings were a huge success. The likes of Marc Guehi, Odsonne Edouard and Conor Gallagher have all hit the ground running at Selhurst Park, propelling Patrick Vieira’s new-look side to a memorable victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

However, while there can be little doubt over the incomings in south London, the club’s hierarchy arguably made a few mistakes when allowing some seasoned professionals to walk out the exit.

Winger Andros Townsend has been excelling at fellow Premier League club Everton in the opening weeks of the new campaign with five goals for the Toffees already, but defender Patrick van Aanholt is another who Palace chairman Steve Parish may have some regrets over.

After joining the Eagles via a £9.45m move in January 2017, the attacking left-back went on to make 134 appearances in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in the process.

His impressive performances for Palace saw him soon became a pivotal part of the English sides system under former manager Roy Hodgson, earning him 19 caps for the Netherlands senior setup as a result.

But while the ex-England boss brought stability to Palace during his tenure, Hodgson has left behind an imbalanced and unstable playing squad, with the Selhurst Park outfit having the oldest squad in the top flight in 2020/21.

Consequently, Van Aanholt was one of the players sacrificed to make way for the new era in south London and was phased out of the Palace starting XI in the final few weeks of last term, allowing promising full-back Tyrick Mitchell a chance to shine.

However, the now 31-year-old still made 22 Premier League appearances for Palace, recording 1.4 interceptions per game and 1.1 defensive dribbles per game, the third-highest totals in the Palace squad for each metric, respectively.

His departure on a free transfer in the previous window has left Mitchell as the only natural left-back in Vieira’s squad, while Van Aanholt’s eye-catching performances for Galatasaray in the Europa League will surely leave Parish and co. lamenting their decision to let the defender go.

And, in other news…Signed for £0, sold for £49.5m: Parish struck gold for Palace over £90k-p/w gem

QPR are reportedly not pursuing a deal for Sheffield Wednesday forward Josh Windass, according to West London Sport. 

What’s the story?

The Rs finished the 2020/21 season ninth in the Championship table, and will be hoping they can build on a hugely impressive second-half of that campaign under the management of Mark Warburton.

QPR finished that season strongly, and the club’s supporters will have every reason to believe that they could mount a serious push for promotion into the Premier League next term.

Warburton has already acted swiftly in making Charlie Austin’s loan spell a permanent one, with the 32-year-old catching the eye with a number of strong showings whilst at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on a temporary basis from West Brom.

But QPR were rumoured to be interested in a deal to sign Windass ahead of the new Championship campaign, as Warburton looked to add depth to his attacking options over the summer, which could have potentially been a strong addition to the QPR team.

It’s a bold transfer stance to take by QPR

Windass still has one year remaining on his contract with Darren Moore’s side, and Sheffield Wednesday are seemingly keen to keep him at the club for the upcoming League One season, with Dejphon Chansiri reportedly valuing Windass in the region of £5million, which is likely to ward off any interest in his signature.

Windass was branded as ‘explosive’ by his father Dean Windass in a previous interview with Football FanCast, and he could have been the ideal signing for the Rs to take them to the next level.

The 27-year-old netted ten goals and was on hand to provide six assists in 44 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday last term, although his efforts weren’t quite enough to see the Owls avoid relegation into the third tier of English football.

QPR have both Charlie Austin and Lyndon Dykes as their main attacking options, but they could certainly have benefitted from adding strength in depth to their frontline this summer, and Windass would have provided them with just that.

Sheffield Wednesday are playing a risky game over Windass’ future though, as they’re likely to be pricing him out of a move away from Hillsborough this year, whilst also running the risk of losing him for nothing at the end of the 2021/22 season.

QPR’s rumoured stance on Windass is a somewhat surprising one though, and it’ll be interesting to see whether that could change in the future if another interested party was to register a formal bid for his services this summer.

It’s exactly why fans of the side may be worried at the prospect of missing out on a player like Windass, and what he could have potentially done at the club in terms of strengthening Warburton’s attacking options.

For now though, the Rs will be looking to make a positive start to the new Championship season, when they take on London-based rivals Millwall on the opening day of the campaign, in what is likely to be a closely-fought battle between both teams.

Former Sheffield United hero Paddy Kenny has urged the Blades to complete a summer loan move for Manchester United youngster Amad Diallo.

The Lowdown: Diallo shines for Man United

Diallo made the move to Old Trafford back in January, joining from Serie A side Atalanta and scoring once in eight appearances.

The 19-year-old has impressed when given the chance – his goal was a superb headed effort against AC Milan in the Europa League –  but he has been linked with a loan move to Bramall Lane this summer.

The Latest: Blades urged to sign youngster

Speaking to Football Insider, Kenny talked up the idea of Diallo joining the Blades over a Premier League club, saying it is a deal that could suit all parties:

“It would be a big mistake. He’s 19 years old and he hasn’t played many games at a senior level. Why not go out and ply your trade at a massive club like Sheffield United?

“They haven’t had the best of starts but they will still want to be pushing for promotion. It would be a great opportunity for him and huge for Sheff U.

“They paid ridiculous money for him. He wants to play in the Premier League but he’s only played seven or eight games in his career.

“Get him out there, go an let him express himself and give him a chance to prove himself before he goes back Man United.”

The Verdict: Would be a huge addition

United have made a disappointing start to the season under Slavisa Jokanovic, but Diallo is someone who could help turn their Championship season around.

He has been hailed for playing ‘like Messi’ by former Atalanta teammate Papu Gomez, which speaks volumes about the talent he possesses.

If the Blades could get a deal over the line it could have the potential to ignite their promotion push and help Diallo mature as a player.

In other news, Sheffield United have rejected a bid for one player – find out who it is here.