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Leeds United will look to tie down Patrick Bamford to a new long-term deal this summer, according to Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth.

The Lowdown: Bamford excels for Leeds

The Whites had a number of star performers last season as Marcelo Bielsa’s side sealed a hugely impressive ninth-placed finish back in the Premier League.

It was Bamford who arguably shone more than anyone, however, scoring 17 goals and registering seven assists in the league as he led the line superbly.

The 27-year-old’s current deal expires next summer, so the need to extend his stay at Elland Road is pressing.

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The Latest: Long-term deal in the offing

According to Smyth’s latest report, Leeds offering Bamford a new deal is ‘an item on the agenda’ this summer as they look to keep him at the club for the foreseeable future.

It is also mentioned that ‘one or two others’ could also agree new contracts which would then ‘reflect their Premier League status’.

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The Verdict: No-brainer for Bielsa

Giving Bamford a new deal would make perfect sense for Leeds, with the striker such an influential member of this Whites team.

At 27, he is a player at the peak of his powers, and that should remain that way for a few more years, especially considering that pace isn’t a key aspect of his game.

The hope is that he will find a similar level to his excellent 2020/21 form for the foreseeable future, proving that he is far more than a one-season wonder at Premier League level.

In other news, Leeds look set to miss out on the signing of one player this summer. Read more here.

The identity of the man behind the ongoing takeover attempt of Derby County has been revealed.

What’s the latest?

According to a report by The Sun, the former Manchester City CEO Garry Crook is the man behind an American takeover bid for the Rams.

The businessman is said to have been going through Derby County’s finances with the current owner Mel Morris, who is believed to owe money to HMRC, former players and staff, as well as £17.5m to MSD Holdings.

Fans will be buzzing

With Crook boasting an impressive record of signings during his time in charge of Manchester City between 2008-2011, bringing players such as Nigel de Jong, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta and Carlos Tevez to the club, as well as appointing the eventual Premier League-winning manager Roberto Mancini, the businessman certainly has good stock in the game.

Indeed, the Birmingham-born man would very much seem to be a better choice of owner than Erik Alonso, who made a series of embarrassing faux pas after agreeing a deal to purchase Derby back in April, before Morris decided to pull the plug on that transaction.

And, with Derby facing a points deduction for breaking the EFL’s Financial Fair Play rules, with the sanctions likely to be less harsh if a takeover is completed in an efficient manner, both Morris and Crook will undoubtedly be hoping to conclude their business quickly.

This is sure to come as great news for fans of the club, who will very much be hoping to put this season behind them as fast as they possibly can, as well as praying that their club will back Wayne Rooney in the transfer market this summer, in order to mount a push towards the Championship play-off places at some point in the near future.

And, this would appear something that is all the more likely with Crook and his American financiers in charge of the Rams, with the businessman’s interest appearing to be a positive step for the club and something that will have fans buzzing about Derby’s future.

In other news: DCFC dealt transfer blow over “magnificent” £7.7k-p/w gem that’ll leave Rooney gutted

Crystal Palace have walked away from their pursuit of former Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo as they search for Roy Hodgson’s successor.

What’s the story?

According to the Daily Mail, the Eagles terminated talks with the 47-year-old amid concerns over his demands.

The report claims that Espirito Santo has made a string of requests that the club’s hierarchy were not prepared to meet and have decided not to follow through with their interest as a result, despite being very close to appointing him as their next boss.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche and Swansea City’s Steve Cooper are believed to be in the running to fill the vacancy at Selhurst Park, with chairman Steve Parish wanting a new appointment to be made urgently.

Fans will be gutted

Sky Sports News recently reported that Palace were hoping to conclude a deal bringing the Portuguese tactician to south London as soon as possible after they held three days’ worth of talks with the retired goalkeeper.

However, the fact that Wolves ended last season only one point and one place above the capital club in the Premier League table is believed to be the main contributing factor behind why Palace have refused to meet a set of new stipulations made by Espirito Santo.

The ex-Valencia and Porto manager saw his stock rise considerably during an impressive four-year stay with Wolves, guiding the Midlands outfit back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

It was in the top-flight where he really shone, though, recording consecutive seventh-place finishes, a run to the FA Cup semi-finals, and a run to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

During his time in England, Espirito Santo has managed a highly respectable points per game tally of 1.68, better than Hodgson’s 1.22 during his time with the Eagles by a considerable distance.

Therefore, this latest revelation will surely leave the Palace supporters absolutely gutted.

The fans will be under no illusion at just how difficult the task awaiting Hodgson’s replacement is. Many first-team players are set to become free agents at the end of the month, and the capital club currently have the oldest squad in the division.

With talisman Wilfried Zaha expressing his desire to depart his boyhood club and injuries to promising youngsters Eberechi Eze and Nathan Ferguson adding to Palace’s problems, it’s going to be a turbulent few months ahead.

Appointing Espirito Santo, then, may have felt like a significant coup for Palace. Attracting a proven Premier League manager to Selhurst Park with experience of overseeing a squad overhaul would have been an ideal scenario, but he appears to have slipped through their fingers.

With decisions to be made about so many pending free agents, Palace needed to have a manager in place ASAP, this latest setback could prove to be very costly. Eagles fans will have every right to feel gutted about how this whole situation has panned out.

And, in other news…CPFC heading for massive transfer mistake over £4.5m-rated flop, Parish must avoid 

Many Everton fans have been reacting to an update from Patrick Boyland saying that the Toffees passed up on the chance to sign Daniel Jebbison in 2018.

The Toffees were defeated 1-0 at Goodison Park on Sunday by Sheffield United as their hopes of qualifying for European football next term suffered a huge blow. Jebbison scored his first goal for the Blades in the victory on what was his first start for the club (Transfermarkt). With six goals in six FA Youth Cup games across the past two seasons, it is clear that he possesses plenty of talent.

It appears that Everton had the chance to sign him in the past. According to Boyland, Jebbison was on trial with the Merseyside club in 2018, but Everton passed up on the chance to capture his services.

Boyland shared the news on his official Twitter account, and it attracted plenty of attention from Everton supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about Everton missing out on Jebbison

“You couldn’t make this stuff up. At this point all we can do is laugh because the other option is to cry.”

Credit: @UpperGwladysBlu

“Not helpful Patrick!”

Credit: @JustinLang

“Now that’s a full house of Everton bingo!”

Credit: @mattwyatt1

“Thanks for that. Really needed to read this first thing this morning.”

Credit: @Nedd_Stewart

“Not now, Paddy.”

Credit: @nsno_83

“Why are you like this”

Credit: @_lauraaj96

In other news, some Everton fans were livid with this man’s performance against the Blades.

Former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey believes that Steven Gerrard is a contender to become the next Wolves manager.

The Midlands outfit were set for a fifth season under the guidance of Nuno Espirito Santo until last week’s shock announcement.

Just over 48 hours before Wolves rounded off their third campaign in the Premier League against Manchester United, Santo confirmed that he’ll be leaving after four years in charge at Molineux.

Former Benfica boss Bruno Lage has quickly emerged as the favourite to replace Santo, but Howey believes that Rangers manager Gerrard would consider the vacant position at Wolves.

Gerrard has just led the Glasgow giants to their first Scottish Premiership title for a decade, whilst also reaching 100 points and going the entire league campaign unbeaten – he currently has a 66% win record north of the border.

The 40-year-old will no doubt have one eye on the Liverpool job, although with Jurgen Klopp unlikely to end his five-and-a-half year stay at Anfield any time soon, another Premier League position could appeal to the Reds legend.

Howey told The Transfer Tavern:

“He’s done a magnificent job at Rangers. They’ve gone a full season unbeaten, won the league by a country mile.

“The last game against Celtic they blew them away. It’s a possibility, it’s a nice club, it’s always been a lovely club, nice ground. Would it appeal to him? Possibly.”

According to a report by Foot Mercato (via Sport Witness), Tottenham Hotspur have sent the ‘first offer’ of a contract renewal to exciting unseen prodigy Thimothée Lo-Tutala – with the young goalkeeper apparently in ‘great demand’. 

Lo-Tutala has been a shining light in Tottenham’s Under-18s side this season and the current captain, impressing with six clean sheets in 13 U18 Premier League appearances for the young Lilywhites (Transfermarkt).

Tottenham send ‘first offer’ of renewal to Lo-Tutala

Yet to make his senior debut for the club and thus a completely new name to most fans, Lo-Tutala is still attracting plenty of admirers from across the continent with his performances in the youth set up.

It is claimed by Foot Mercato that big clubs in Ligue 1 and the Eredivisie have ‘positioned themselves’ to sign the Spurs prodigy – but Tottenham have sent the ‘first offer’ of a contract renewal with his current deal expiring at the end of this season.

This comes as the 18-year-old has apparently ‘won over’ everyone at Tottenham and abroad, with the Lilywhites and manager Jose Mourinho facing a fight to keep him at Spurs.

Transfer Tavern take

Given his potential and apparent reputation at the club, it is arguably imperative they keep hold of the exciting yet to be seen youngster.

Hugo Lloris is at the centre of reports linking him with a move away from Spurs this summer, meanwhile second choice Joe Hart looks likely to leave at the end of 2021/2022 season when his contract expires.

A goalkeeping overhaul, as a result, could take place over this next year – and Lo-Tutala may well be a future mainstay given his impressive form for the U18s.

In other news: Levy eyeing swoop for this ‘extraordinary’ ace, find out more here.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell believes Liverpool would have been okay if Jurgen Klopp left because of the new proposed European Super League.

In 2019, Klopp made it very clear that he did not and would not support a Super League, however, Liverpool were signed up to join that exact competition by their owner, John W Henry before it collapsed in a matter of days.

Klopp has turned Liverpool’s fortunes around since he joined the club in 2015 and under his watchful eye, they have won their first-ever Premier League title and also their first Champions League since 2005.

Speaking on how Liverpool would have been fine if Klopp did decide to leave and why no one person is bigger than the club, Jewell told FFC:

“No individual, whether it be John Henry, Jurgen Klopp or Steven Gerrard, they are not bigger than the club so it would have survived and moved forward.

“It would have certainly made Liverpool a little bit weaker without him, but I think all the managers were against the idea.”

Jurgen Klopp has been linked with the soon-to-be-vacant German national team job as Joachim Low has confirmed he will be leaving after this summer’s European Championships.

Henry put out an apology on Liverpool’s Twitter account as he looked to gain back some people’s trust after his decision to sign up for the Super League.

According to journalist Duncan Wright on Twitter, sharing his report in The Sun, the lack of an option-to-buy in the Jesse Lingard loan deal risks being a ‘big problem for West Ham’, coming as he reported that the permanent price tag could skyrocket to £40m. 

Journalist drops worrying Lingard claim

Writing for The Sun, Wright explains that no option-to-buy could come back to haunt West Ham as they seek to secure Lingard on a permanent deal this summer.

His parent club Manchester United were apparently willing to offload him for around £20m when an agreement was reached for the loan deal. However, the Englishman’s performances since then have made Old Trafford chiefs consider almost doubling his price tag, which comes as a ‘big problem for West Ham’ as this worrying claim emerges.

Transfer Tavern take

Having scored five goals and assisted two others already for the Hammers (per WhoScored), it’s little wonder why Moyes wants to secure Lingard as a West Ham player, but the Red Devils’ fresh stance poses real problems.

It is said that a new striker and permanent deal for the 28-year-old are Moyes’ top transfer priorities for the summer of 2021, but if this claim comes to fruition, the Irons may be dealt a big blow in the hopes for the latter.

GSB and the club will be hoping that his price tag does not increase to £40m, as Wright has claimed it could.

In other news: West Ham fans flocked to a Moyes team update, find out more here.

Everton dropped more points in the race for Europe away to Brighton on Monday night.

The Toffees, who were without 10 players through injury, played out a goalless draw with their relegation-threatened opponents.

Having failed to win for the fourth league game in succession, they have slipped seven points off the top four. They retain a game in hand, but their form is a real concern.

Why is the mood flat at Everton?

Everton may end up looking back on their season as one of missed opportunities, with this latest setback a continuation of their struggles against lower-placed opposition.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been beaten by Burnley (16th), Newcastle (17th) and Fulham (18th) in 2020/21 and this week picked up only two points from their meetings with the 15th-placed Seagulls and 13th-placed Crystal Palace.

Lucas Digne was the only Everton player to send out a post-match tweet in the 12 hours following the final whistle. “Still believe in our chance with the good spirit,” he wrote, defiantly insisting that the Toffees’ top four hopes are not dead.

However, these fans on Twitter weren’t up for replicating the Frenchman’s optimistic stance.

Everton fans struggle to buy into Digne’s optimism

“Work hard? Well not one of you worked hard yesterday”

Credit: @steainsey

“Lucky to finish in top 10 the way we going and that’s poor (missed our best midfield all season though) keep going and start taking free kicks please”

Credit: @David42797784

“Not one clear cut chance in 90 mins…I like your positivity, but that was a truly poor performance last night in an attacking sense.”

Credit: @Agassi1980

“Really??! We don’t create enough, can’t score or defeat lower teams at home… I truly hope and wish.”

Credit: @DSteveF

“Not today please. Not today”

Credit: @chilemjh

“I just remember you owe me 90 minutes of my life Lucas”

Credit: @JoakoCalvo

“It’s over mate, we try again next season”

Credit: @Kevin76199061

In other news, Everton have been urged to make a move for this London-based outcast.

Reports by 90min over the weekend claimed Tottenham Hotspur may target Carlo Ancelotti should Daniel Levy look to replace Jose Mourinho, but Farhad Moshiri cannot allow the Everton head coach to leave Goodison Park.

Doubts have arisen in Mourinho’s tenure in north London after an inconsistent run of form has seen Spurs crash out of the Europa League to Slavia Prague, despite taking a two-goal lead to Croatia.

The result frustrated sections of Spurs’ fanbase who called for Mourinho to be sacked, but it is in the club sitting sixth in the Premier League heading into the international break that has allegedly fallen below Chairman Levy’s expectations.

Qualifying for the 2021/22 edition of the Champions League was a minimum requirement for Mourinho to secure this term, and failing to do so could cost the Portuguese his job.

Intermediaries working for Tottenham are understood to have begun reaching out to potential replacements since the start of the year, and have a long list of candidates who could take up the hot seat in north London.

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers is said to be Spurs’ top-target to replace Mourinho, but Levy could face competition from FC Barcelona should they look to replace Ronald Koeman, while the Foxes are ready to hand the 48-year-old an £15m-a-season deal to keep him in place.

The King Power Stadium side would also demand a large amount of compensation to release Rodgers, who is aware of Tottenham’s interest, but Spurs are also looking at RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann, Rangers gaffer Steven Gerrard and Ancelotti.

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Everton awarded Ancelotti an £11.5m-a-year contract upon his appointment in 2019 that sees the Italian tied down at Goodison Park through to 2024, well-placing the Toffees to demand a lucrative fee should Tottenham look to test his resolve.

But Moshiri must block Ancelotti from any potential route out of Goodison Park, no matter how much Levy could offer, as the Italian has proven a huge success since his arrival on Merseyside when others have failed.

Ancelotti brought with him an “exceptional” brand of football, in the opinion of Pep Guardiola, when he joined Everton following his release by SSC Napoli, as his philosophy delivers an exciting style that has often produced results.

Marco Silva had promised to deliver “exciting, attacking football” at Goodison Park but was sacked after winning just 24 of his 60 games in charge. Koeman was similarly relieved of his command after winning 24 of 58 games at the helm, while Roberto Martinez won 62 of 143.

But Everton are a different side now. They’re in contention for Champions League football and they won their first match at Anfield since 1999 during the Merseyside derby last month, ending a 24-game run without beating Liverpool, and much of the result was down to Ancelotti.

“I never gave a man of the match in the game for whatever reason, maybe it slipped my mind. There was probably three or four Everton players you could have given it to, but I watched the game again yesterday morning when I got up and their Man of the Match was the manager, Carlo Ancelotti,” Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports.

“It’s 22 years since they won at Anfield, 1999. But that’s just the Premier League; notoriously, Everton’s record at Anfield is horrendous. So, to actually win at Anfield for Everton, is huge.”

Ancelotti has also been instrumental in some of the signings Everton have made since his appointment, with James Rodriguez revealing that being reunited with the Italian played a key role in his decision to leave Real Madrid. A chat with the Blues boss was also important for Niels Nkounkou, having mapped out his route to becoming a first-team regular.

With Ancelotti keen to extend his time on Merseyside beyond 2024 so that he can lead Everton into the club’s proposed new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium, as well, Moshiri cannot allow the Italian to join Tottenham and must tell Levy to think again if he does make an approach.

AND in other news, Carlo Ancelotti has set his eyes on bringing an £18m-rated titan to Everton this summer…