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Liverpool are definitely keen on signing Jude Bellingham but a move is likely to have to wait until the summer of 2023, according to journalist David Maddock.

The Lowdown: Bellingham a huge talent

The 19-year-old is one of Europe’s most exciting young players currently, catching the eye hugely with his mature performances for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga and Champions League.

Bellingham has also become more of a fixture in the England setup, winning 15 caps for The Three Lions and pushing to start at this winter’s World Cup.

Liverpool have long been linked with a move for the midfielder – who idolises Steven Gerrard – and another update has now emerged.

The Latest: Liverpol still keen on move

According to The Mirror‘s Maddock, the Reds are still eyeing up Bellingham as a future signing but it is unlikely he will move to Anfield this summer.

That’s because Dortmund don’t want to lose both him and Erling Haaland in the same year, so a 2023 transfer could materialise instead.

Jurgen Klopp is a long-term admirer of the player and is happy to wait to get his man, rather than settle for a stand-in option this time around.

Darwin’s a Red! Get your special edition Darwin Nunez tee here. The Verdict: Perfect next midfield signing

Bellingham looks like a player of incredible potential – Jordan Henderson has called him a ‘fantastic’ footballer – and Liverpool signing him would feel enormous, given his potential.

Midfield is one area that Jurgen Klopp should be looking at adding to in the near future, with plenty of options there but certain figures ageing and others still maturing.

Granted, Bellingham is extremely young, too, but he already plays with such poise and his mix of technical quality and physical prowess make him a special prospect. If Liverpool have to wait a year it will be worth it, although Maddock says something drastic could cause a move this summer, so don’t rule it out completely quite yet.

In other news, Liverpool are eyeing a shock move for one Champions League-winning player. Read more here.

Despite signing the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Diego Carlos, Boubacar Kamara and Robin Olsen, Aston Villa are keen to sign yet another player as they continue their aggressive transfer strategy.

What’s the word?

That is according to a report from Express and Star, who claim that Steven Gerrard is closing in on a deal for 16-year-old striker Rory Wilson as he looks to raid his former club Rangers,

It is said that the move will cost Villa just £300,000, which covers the development fee for the Rangers star.

The next Duncan Ferguson

Wilson’s potency in-front of goal is no joke. At just 16-years-old, the starlet has scored 49 goals for the Gers’ youth team last season alone and is expected to join the likes of Ben Chrisene, Josh Feeney and Tim Iroegbunam as starlets who were signed for six-figure fees.

The latter broke into Gerrard’s first team and earned himself a new five-year deal, with his path to regular first team football seemingly set in place. Villa will be hoping that Wilson can tread that same path.

Being Scottish and highly rated at that, the Rangers youth product naturally draws comparisons to talent in relation to his nationality, with his goal record for the Gers’ youth team pointing in the direction of Duncan Ferguson.

Ferguson did not enjoy a positive spell at the Ibrox and of course, unlike Wilson, was not an academy product.

Though the 16-year-old’s aggressive style up top is not too dissimilar to Ferguson’s and of course, with the current Everton first-team coach being the all time Premier League top Scottish goalscorer with 68 goals scored throughout his time in England’s top flight.

Wilson will be keen act on this comparison and get somewhere close to his goal haul – particularly after getting a taste as a prolific goalscorer at youth level.

Villa are showing real intent to break into the Premier League’s top six, and whilst they have made signings that will immediately slot into the first team, they are clearly thinking about the future with a signing as promising as Wilson who has been described as a “goal machine” by Jonty Colman.

In other news: Ashley Preece: AVFC have “astonishing” £25m gem on their radar, he’s Gerrard’s dream

BBC pundit Alan Hutton has criticised the ‘pile up’ of international fixtures taking place after it was revealed that Celtic ace Carl Starfelt has sustained a serious injury.

The Lowdown: Starfelt suffers hamstring injury

In an update on the 27-year-old’s fitness, it was reported by the Daily Record last week that the centre-back could be ruled out of action for months after he was stretchered off the pitch with a suspected hamstring problem in Sweden’s game against Slovenia.

As quoted by the same newspaper, the defender admitted that the initial diagnosis of his injury ‘does not look very bright’, meaning that the Hoops now look set to be without their man as Ange Postecoglou steps up preparations ahead of the start of the new season.

The Latest: Hutton slams international schedule

Speaking during an interview with Football Insider, Hutton claimed that the number of games being played is ‘too much’ for the international stars to deal with.

“Look, I don’t think it’s a problem going away on internationals. It’s happened for as long as I can remember when the season finishes.

“You get a week off and then you go and play your international matches or if it’s a tournament. I think the problem at this moment in time is the fixture pile up.

“If you look at any of the teams, I mean Scotland could have had five games in June. That’s too much after a long season.

“I understand with everything that’s going on, you have to fit certain things in, I do get it.

“But I think the amount of football that’s being played in the season is too much. Especially for some of these top stars and top nations that compete in everything.”

The Verdict: A race against time

Starfelt managed to play almost 45 minutes for Sweden before being removed from the field in what was only his sixth appearance for his country, which will come as a huge blow to the Australian boss.

The £17k-per-week gem was a stalwart in the Scottish Premiership this season and proved just how much of a rock he can be at the heart of the Celts backline, having averaged 3.5 clearances, 1.3 interceptions and 1.2 tackles per game, via WhoScored.

Postecoglou will want to have all of his defensive experience available to him for when the new term kicks in, but with Starfelt not even having a time frame on his return yet, whether he will be declared fully fit in time or not yet remains to be seen.

In other news… a Celtic transfer target is now pushing for an exit from his club to make the move to Parkhead.

Reports in the last few weeks or so have seen Aston Villa named as one of the clubs who are keeping an eye on developments regarding RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer, with the Austrian ace having just a year remaining on his existing deal.

Despite the Bundesliga side’s desire to keep the versatile gem, that contract situation has sparked uncertainty over his future, with Bavarian giants Bayern Munich one of the frontrunners in the battle to secure his services this summer.

The serial-winning outfit are believed to have proposed a deal for a fee in the region of €20m (£17m), although time is still on Villa’s side to try and steal a march on Julian Nagelsmann and co, with NSWE having already proven their financial muscle with three marquee arrivals already this summer.

One of those acquisitions is Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara, although despite having secured the services of the 22-year-old, it would seem as if manager Steven Gerrard is keen to bolster his midfield ranks even further.

Familiar Premier League names such as Kalvin Phillips and Yves Bissouma have been bounded about, although in Laimer the Midlands outfit could well find a more suitable and exciting fit, even if it may appear something of a left-field option to some.

Despite being comfortable on the right flank or in a defensive midfield role, the 20-cap workhorse is most renowned for his all-action displays in a central midfield berth, with his style of play having even drawn comparisons to a certain N’Golo Kante.

That will no doubt pique the interest of those at Villa Park, with the diminutive Frenchman one of the “most outstanding midfielders ever seen”, according to pundit Joe Cole, having won a plethora of major honours at both club and international level over the last half a decade or so.

At current side Chelsea in the most recent campaign, the 31-year-old was again a real force, despite injury, averaging 2.3 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game, while also netting two goals and registering four assists in 26 Premier League outings.

Equally, in comparison to those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, he also remains among the elite, ranking in the top 6% for progressive carries and the top 7% for dribbles completed, illustrating his ability to drive the Blues up the pitch.

Statistically, Laimer is not too far off the World Cup winner, ranking in the top 12% and the top 14% for those two metrics, respectively, while he also ranks in the top 1% for pressures made – with Kante in just the top 39% for the same metric.

In the 2021/22 season, in particular, the 25-year-old also netted three goals and provided three assists in 31 league games, while averaging 2.2 tackles and 2.9 interceptions per game – a superior record to that of the man above.

Having his own version of Kante in tow would make life a lot easier for Gerrard next term, with the “elite presser” – as he has been dubbed by Premier League Panel – seemingly a player that would make an instant impact in a Villa shirt.

The Liverpool legend may also have a trump card to play in the battle for the Salzburg-born star’s signature, as the £23.4m-rated monster previously admitted that he had idolised the Englishman during his youth.

Recent addition Kamara has already hinted at the Villa boss’ pulling power, with Gerrard potentially set to be able to welcome in another midfield diamond in Laimer – a man who could prove to be his very own Kante.

IN other news, Gerrard can land AVFC’s next Southgate with move for “outstanding” £120k-p/w warrior

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has backed the Reds to sign either Declan Rice or Kalvin Phillips during the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Midfield addition in?

The Reds are likely to look to sign a midfielder between now and the start of the season, with fresh blood required in an ageing area of the pitch.

Jordan Henderson is arguably not quite the player he was and Naby Keita is inconsistent, so a third player to accompany Fabinho and Thiago is perhaps needed.

As such, Aurelien Tchouameni has been linked with a move, but could a player closer to home come in?

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The Latest: Murphy backs Reds to sign England star

Speaking to talkSPORT [via Liverpool Echo], Murphy urged Liverpool to bring in either Rice or Phillips, both of whom have been hailed as ‘superb’ by Barcelona manager Xavi:

“I’d be going all out for (Declan) Rice or (Kalvin) Phillips. English, hungry, someone you know will be around for a long time, can come in hit the ground running, that’s where I’d be looking.”

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The Verdict: Seems unlikely

Both Rice and Phillips are undoubtedly excellent footballers who have become key individuals for England, helping them reach the final of Euro 2020 last summer.

However, it is hard to envisage either of them heading to Liverpool this summer, with the former expected to stay put at West Ham for one more season.

Meanwhile, Manchester City have been linked with a move for Phillips and the Reds could end up finding themselves out-priced by the 26-year-old’s bloated homegrown fee.

In other news, James Pearce has dropped a key Liverpool update. Read more here.

Newcastle United must target a top-six finish in the Premier League next season after what they’ve shown in the second half of the 2021/22 campaign, claims former top-flight goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.

The Lowdown: Newcastle’s season

After 19 games played this season, Newcastle sat in 19th place with a dire total of 11 points.

However, since the arrival of Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes and Matt Targett in January, Eddie Howe’s side look transformed.

As a result, the Magpies finished the campaign in 11th place with 49 points, just nine points behind sixth place Manchester United.

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The Latest: Kenny’s claim

Paddy Kenny believes that Newcastle should be aiming for a finish in the top-six next season, given what he’s seen at St. James’ Park since January.

Speaking with Football Insider ahead of the transfer window opening, the 44 year-old claimed:

“It sounds crazy but from what I’ve seen, why not?

“If they had this team and manager from the first week of the season they would have finished in Europe this season, make no mistake about that.

“So, with a few new players this summer, why can’t we be talking about Newcastle in Europe?

“Some people have said Champions League, I think that’s still a few years away yet.

“But Europa League or even the Conference League would be amazing for them, I know the fans would love having European football back at St James’ Park.

“I think they are better than the likes of Wolves and Brighton and they have been up there this season. Why not?”

The Verdict: Busy summer?

With the Magpies expected to dip into the transfer market again this summer with the addition of ‘two or three quality signings’, the idea of qualifying for European football becomes a far more realistic proposition.

Newcastle’s last participation in a European competition was a Europa League campaign in the 2012/13 season.

However, with the Tyneside club under new management and with the arrival of a number of strong additions to the squad, if Howe can keep his side playing like they were towards the end of the season, then it would not be surprising to see the Magpies challenging the likes of Manchester United, West Ham and Leicester for the top spots in Europe.

In other news: Newcastle United: Kieran Maguire shares disappointing financial news

Derby County goalkeeper Ryan Allsop has attracted interest from Cardiff City, according to a report from Football Insider. 

The lowdown: Allsop’s career so far

Signed from Wycombe Wanderers as a free agent in 2021, the ‘keeper has become somewhat of a journeyman across English football.

The 29-year-old started out at West Brom before spells with Blackpool, Bournemouth, Coventry and Lincoln City among others before eventually pitching up at Pride Park.

It now appears that yet another club could be added to the list in the near future, as his contract comes to an end at Derby…

The latest: Cardiff want to sign Allsop

As per a Cardiff source for Football Insider, the Bluebirds are ‘in talks’ to sign the experienced stopper.

It is claimed that ‘negotiations are underway’ over a deal which would take the Birmingham native to south Wales at the end of his current deal.

The report added that Cardiff are ‘well placed’ to reach an agreement for Allsop, who was described by journalist Jake Barker as being a ‘massive breath of fresh air’ in Wayne Rooney’s side earlier this season prior to relegation from the second tier.

The verdict: Another blow for Derby

Whilst such departures from Pride Park are inevitable following the drop into League One and the ongoing off-field issues surrounding the takeover, there is no doubt that losing Allsop is a damaging blow.

This season, the Englishman kept nine clean sheets in 33 appearances overall, earning a 6.92 Sofascore rating and making 2.7 saves per game in a valiant attempt to stave off relegation.

As things stand, Allsop’s departure would leave Kelle Roos as the last remaining senior goalkeeper at the club, albeit that there are likely to be additions over the coming weeks and months as the new-look squad take shape. That is another reason why it’s imperative that Chris Kirchner’s mooted takeover is brought to a swift conclusion.

In other news… a journalist has delivered this huge update on the potential sale of Pride Park

Ahead of their Championship play-off semi-final against Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon, Nottingham Forest have been handed a double selection boost over Ryan Yates and Jack Colback.

What’s the latest?

As per Nottinghamshire Live, the pair will be available to feature in the Reds’ match against the Blades at Bramall Lane this weekend.

Speaking about the health of his squad going into the crucial play-off clash, and addressing the aforementioned duo to begin with, Cooper said:

“They are making progress. We’ll give them every chance to be available. They’re obviously desperate to play, as you can imagine. Everybody is desperate to play.

“Max [Lowe], Keinan [Davis] and Lewis [Grabban] are as they were, still injured. Scott [McKenna] is fine – he was fine to be on the bench last week. Djed [Spence] is the same. And Steve Cook will be available. He had some personal stuff going on and he cracked his head open at Bournemouth, so he didn’t play at Hull for a couple of reasons. But he’s back with us now and is looking good.”

Cooper will be buzzing

With Yates and Colback missing Forest’s last match against Hull City a week ago, the news that they could feature again will come as a big boost to Cooper’s promotion-chasing side.

The 24-year-old has been an integral part of the Forest spine, finding his goalscoring touch along the way with eight in 43 appearances, and his efforts have been crucial in getting the club to within touching distance of the automatic promotion places during the regular campaign.

It’s the same for Colback, who has found himself as a regular in the Reds’ line-up, having started 78% of Forest’s Championship games this season. Like Yates, he also features in the top 10 on Sofascore’s performance ranking among the City Ground squad this season, a sure sign of how integral they both are to the cause.

Having that familiarity and stability in the Forest squad will be integral for Cooper’s team, and although the manager has cautiously claimed that “he will give them every chance” to prove their fitness, you would expect the pair to feature in what is such an important game if they can at all.

In other news – Imagine him & Johnson: Cooper must seal Forest swoop for “magic” 20-goal livewire