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Everton could form a formidable defensive partnership after being linked with a move for Inter centre-back Stefan de Vrij ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

According to 90min, the Toffees are one of several Premier clubs keen to secure the 29-year-old’s services, with Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur also listed as potential suitors.

It’s claimed that De Vrij has been offered to the Magpies after they joined football’s financial elite following their recent takeover, but Everton and Spurs still retain an interest.

With the Dutch international having just 18 months left to run on his current contract – and Inter needing to lower their wage bill – the £45m-rated colossus could be available for a bargain fee this winter.

Since his arrival at San Siro back in 2018, De Vrij has established himself as one of Europe’s most dominant centre-halves, making 139 appearances for the Nerazzurri in all competitions.

And the highlight of his career came last season when the 6 foot 2 beast played a pivotal part in Inter’s first Serie A title success in 11 years, ending Juventus’ run of nine consecutive victories.

Amongst De Vrij’s list of admirers is former Lazio teammate Mauricio, who lauded his quality to ESPN (via Football Italia), saying: “Stefan is a great defender and deserves to be at a big club. He’s very tall, he’s strong and fast, he runs a lot – he’s a monster! He’s a calm defender who never gets agitated.”

Recent reports have claimed that Benitez could have up to £35m to spend in the January window after splashing out just £1.6m on Demarai Gray over the summer, and De Vrij could be the ideal candidate to bring in using that money.

Everton have kept just three clean sheets all campaign, conceding three or more goals on three occasions, including a 5-2 thrashing at the hands of newly-promoted Watford.

Therefore, defensive reinforcements may well be prioritised by the Merseyside outfit, and De Vrij would make for the perfect partner for the highly-rated Ben Godfrey.

The 23-year-old is still very much learning his craft at Goodison Park, but his versatility, mobility and tackling ability highlight a promising future, while De Vrij’s experience, passing range and concentration would superbly compliment the youngster.

As a result, their partnership would have the potential to transform Everton’s fortunes this season, and Marcel Brands should carefully consider sanctioning a move for a player that the club’s supporters would surely love based on his wonderful list of expertise.

And, in other news…Huge boost: Everton receive selection uplift ahead of BFC, Rafa will be delighted 

When was a managerial appointment ever simple? With Carlo Ancelotti departing Everton, the board have acted swiftly and meticulously to find their new manager.

Unfortunately for supporters, it might not be the man they were all dreaming of.

What’s the word?

It’s nearly been three weeks since Ancelotti departed Goodison Park but the Toffees hierarchy are on the verge of announcing his successor.

At first, it appeared as though former Wolves boss Nuno Santo would be handed the reins.

Everton became the prime candidate to land the Portuguese after a move to Crystal Palace fell through but it doesn’t appear as though he’ll land the gig in Merseyside either.

With talks stalling, they’ve moved to hire Rafa Benitez instead with a move now on the verge of completion according to journalist Jim White.

This represents a considerable U-turn from senior officials within the Everton camp.

Supporters must be furious

Cast your minds back to 2007 and you’ll remember a certain Benitez sitting pretty in the Anfield dugout.

His affinity with the red side of Liverpool is huge, taking them to Champions League glory in 2005, ensuring cult hero status in Merseyside.

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What makes things worse, though, is a jibe he made towards the Everton fans 14 years ago as he reached out and called the Toffees a “small club.”

The 61-year-old clarified those comments in 2019, saying: “I made a mistake when I said it was a small club. What I wanted to say was they are a small team because in this game I remember they had one chance.”

That being said, it’s unlikely fans are going to forgive him in a hurry. After all, a number of supporters have been left appalled by the board’s actions, pleading for the Spaniard not to be hired.

One fan claimed the board were a disgrace for considering Benitez while another suggested they’d completely cut ties with the club.

Benitez may have an impressive CV; winning league titles in Spain and reaching the latter stages of continental competitions, but it will not go down well with the fans.

Of course, a sprinkling of success and a place in the Champions League come the end of the season will go down well, but for the time being, he won’t be met with too many pleasantries at Goodison.

AND in other news, Everton must complete swoop for “phenomenal” 28 y/o, he thinks Nuno Santo is “amazing”…

Crystal Palace face a tough test on Monday evening as they travel to Champions League chasing Leicester City.

The Eagles have only won one of their last six matches and come into the game off the back of a 4-1 thumping at the hands of Chelsea over two weeks ago.

It will certainly be a big ask for Roy Hodgson’s men to get back to winning ways at the King Power Stadium but their chances will certainly be bolstered by the inclusion of Tyrick Mitchell at left-back.

Having recently penned a new £28k per week contract at Selhurst Park, it is somewhat of a surprise to learn that the 21-year-old has not played a single minute of Premier League football since mid-February.

However, the statistics suggest that he should certainly have been afforded more opportunities.

Mitchell leads the Eagles in tackles per game in the Premier League this season with a huge 3.6 according to WhoScored, whilst he is only marginally beaten by fellow left-back Patrick van Aanholt on interceptions – 1.4 to 1.2.

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The youngster’s 2.5 clearances though sees him rank above the Dutch international. He also commits marginally fewer fouls per game than Van Aanholt – 0.5 to 0.6.

Whilst it could be argued that Palace would lose a considerable amount of attacking invention by including Mitchell at the expense of the former Sunderland man, his added defensive solidarity would surely be more crucial in getting a result against high-flying Leicester.

After all, only Manchester City and Manchester United have scored more goals than Brendan Rodgers’ men this season.

Either faced up against Timothy Castagne or Ricardo Pereira down the Leicester right, Mitchell’s defensive numbers suggest that he would be better equipped to deal with the respective threats of the Foxes’ wing-backs than Van Aanholt.

Hailed as “exciting” in the past by Palace defender Gary Cahill, Hodgson simply has to include Mitchell at the King Power Stadium if the Eagles are to pass what is surely going to be a tough test.

AND in more news, the Eagles have been handed a massive boost over the future of the managerial hotseat at Selhurst Park…

Leeds United correspondent Beren Cross has provided a positive injury update regarding star striker Patrick Bamford.

The Lowdown: Bamford’s season to forget

Bamford has managed just seven starts in 2021/22 due to ankle, hamstring and foot problems, with the 28-year-old completing 90 minutes on just four occasions.

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He netted 17 times last season compared to just two goals during the current campaign, with his latest setback coming last month.

The forward ruptured his plantar fascia against Wolves on March 18, but it looks as if he is making positive progress ahead of a return prior to the end of the season.

The Latest: Cross shares Thorp Arch update

Jesse Marsch has previously stated that he is ‘optimistic’ Bamford would be able to return for the final two games against Brighton and Brentford, fixtures which could be huge in the club’s attempts to avoid the drop.

Cross shared a story regarding Bamford on Wednesday morning, suggesting he ‘is due out on the pitches again this week’, describing a return to the training ground as the ‘breath of fresh air’ Marsch needs.

The Verdict: Fingers crossed

Hopefully, Leeds will manage to pick up some unlikely points over their next three games with Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea, three of the current top four, to take them close to the magic 40-point mark.

They currently have a five-point gap over Everton and are three points clear of Burnley, so there’s every chance Leeds will still need something against Brighton and Brentford.

Bamford could well be involved if that is the case, and it looks as if he is on track for a May 15 return, should he take to the Thorp Arch training pitches over the coming days.

In other news: Radz and 49ers will now reward Marsch if he keeps Leeds up by moving for 29-goal forward. 

According to a report by the Daily Star, providing the latest on Paulo Dybala and his links to Tottenham, chairman Daniel Levy will be offered the chance to secure his signature this summer alongside Chelsea – but the Lilywhites are not yet planning to place a formal bid.

Dybala has been, arguably, one of the best attackers in Serie A over recent years, averaging an impressive 3 shots and 2.1 key passes per 90 in the league last season – with no player from Tottenham managing to equal or better the latter stat over 2020/2021 (WhoScored).

Tottenham offered Dybala chance

Unfortunately for the Argentine, he’s been unable to replicate that stellar form on a regular basis this campaign due to injury issues – missing 20 matches in total for the Old Lady as they miss his influence (Transfermarkt).

Tottenham were eyeing Dybala during Mauricio Pochettino’s time in north London, as per this report, and they remain interested in the 29-cap star.

It is said that Levy and co will be offered the chance to sign him this summer alongside English capital rivals Chelsea, but as of yet, there is no formal offer on the table.

Transfer Tavern take

Described as ‘extraordinary’ by Italian footballing icon and Juventus hero Alessandro del Piero (via talkSPORT), despite missing a portion of this season, he has still averaged a threatening 2.6 shots and 1.4 completed dribbles over the league matches he has featured.

These numbers indicate he would be an excellent signing for Spurs and perhaps even ‘extraordinary’ just as del Piero suggests, as Dybala looks ‘increasingly likely’ to quit Juve this summer according to the latest report.

In other news: Levy has been told the asking price after lodging a verbal offer, find out more here.

NSWE reportedly changed tact when it comes to Aston Villa’s summer transfer business, according to Birmingham Live.

And, as to be expected, the inside information on Villa’s owners has got a lot of supporters talking on social media.

Birmingham Live were told by a Villa insider last month that Villa had planned for a quiet summer transfer window.

However, as we now know, it has been anything but, with Emiliano Buendia joining on a club-record deal, Ashley Young returning and a £25m offer for Emile Smith Rowe rejected just over a week after the window officially opened.

NSWE had a change in thought when it comes to off-field dealings, as they reportedly see a real opportunity to catch and leapfrog the likes of Arsenal, Everton and Tottenham.

Villa fans react

Ashley Preece of the Birmingham Live shared the story on Wednesday afternoon.

@villareport shared Preece’s claims on Twitter that evening, which led to these Villa fans heaping praise on the club’s hierarchy and one describing the news as ‘exciting’.

“MY OWNERS”Credit: @catrinedwards18″Tears in my eyes! This is ambition! MY OWNERS!”Credit: @JayVtid”Exciting times”Credit: @Villacallum”Absolute legends”Credit: @AndreVillaGamer”I love our owners”Credit: @escapeinpixels”We are massive”Credit: @jackavfc1

In other news: Big James Ward-Prowse update emerges, find out more here. 

An intriguing claim has been made on Serge Aurier’s future at Tottenham Hotspur which is sure to leave many in N17 delighted…

What’s the word?

Speaking in a recent Q&A with supporters on football.london, the ever-reliable Alasdair Gold delivered some insight into where the north London outfit stand with their inconsistent right-back.

He wrote: “It’s quite simple with Aurier. He wants to go, Spurs would be happy for him to go, but they need a reasonable bid (not as high as the 20m euros reported in France last week).

“Tottenham will move for a new right-back if he does head out of the exit door. Tottenham like [Norwich City’s Max] Aarons and they need some homegrown signings but it’s all on Paratici now.”

Time’s finally up

Having joined the club from Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain for £23m back in summer 2017, Aurier’s time at Spurs has been clouded by controversies off the pitch and poor performances on it.

The £18m-rated defender has featured 110 times for the club, in which he has regularly been lambasted as a calamity.

For example, following their Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City, Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher described the 28-year-old as “maybe one of the biggest liabilities in Premier League football.”

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It’s certainly not the first time the word “liability” has been used to slam Aurier, with former Spurs stars Darren Bent and Jamie O’Hara saying the same thing some several seasons apart.

The fanbase has also echoed these thoughts regularly. Again, following that Wembley defeat to City, some called him “dreadful” and urged the club to “get rid,” as relayed by This is Futbol.

Amid interest from his former club PSG, lots of the Lilywhites faithful were buzzing, claiming that it would be a “[Fabio] Paratici masterclass” to offload him for a substantial fee.

During lockdown last year, The Mirror reported that the Ivory Coast international was fined for breaking government guidelines, with further reports suggesting that he stormed home after being substituted against Liverpool back in January.

Therefore, this latest claim from Gold will surely come as immensely exciting news to many in and around the club, as on the above evidence, Aurier is not a player who should be sticking around for the new era.

In short, he wants to leave, Spurs are happy for him to leave, and they will consider a replacement – perhaps Aarons. It’s all very encouraging news.

AND in other news, Levy could find his next Pochettino in 46 y/o who has already “impressed” Spurs’ squad…

In an exclusive interview with Transfer Tavern, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has called for Morgan Sanson to be given more time at his old club.

Sanson has barely featured from the start under manager Dean Smith and, according to Football Insider, some of the higher-ups at Villa Park now have regrets over signing the 26-year-old from Marseille during the January transfer window.

With Sanson having not even been at the club for half a season, though, Hendrie believes he should be given some leeway as he continues to adapt to the Premier League.

Speaking exclusively to TT about the French midfielder, Hendrie said:

“There was big talk about how good he was and how good his energy was. He hasn’t really had a thick run of games, which I think is important for a footballer.

“You know, we’re quick to judge players coming on, yes, you want an impact when they come on. You’re spending big money on players that are coming in and you want to see some form of transition where you’re going to get a positive from and we haven’t quite seen that so far from him, so whether it takes the summer [perhaps].”

With Sanson joining Villa in January and not being able to get a pre-season under his belt, perhaps time is what the former Marseille man needs. Until then, you would expect Smith to continue leaning on the likes of John McGinn and Douglas Luiz as the Villans look to finish the campaign strongly.

According to an update by Sky Sports journalist Paul Gilmore, via Football Daily, one foreign club is ‘extremely interested’ in a move for Harry Kane – coming after Sky Sports broke news that the Englishman has confirmed his desire to leave Tottenham.

The Lowdown: Kane tells Tottenham he wants to leave

The Lilywhites’ star striker has been at the centre of much speculation in recent weeks after another season of no silverware at Tottenham.

Kane, according to a big development by Sky, has even now reiterated his desire to leave north London with Spurs making enquiries to sign replacement forwards.

Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have all apparently been in touch with the 27-year-old’s representatives as Tottenham brace for a possible summer saga (Sky Sports).

The Latest: Kane attracting interest from abroad…

When asked if a European giant could swoop for Kane, including, potentially, former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino at Paris-Saint Germain, journalist Gilmour stated:

“That is interesting, because we were told yesterday that one foreign club is extremely interested and has been in touch as well,” he explained on Sky Sports (via Football Daily).

“We haven’t been told the identity of that club, but of course Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG, have all been mentioned in the past around Harry Kane.”

The Verdict: Europe the best option for Spurs…

If Kane does leave this summer or if Tottenham are indeed forced to sell their prized asset, Lilywhites supporters would surely want to see the striker move abroad as preferred to a domestic rival.

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The likes of Man City, Man United or Chelsea potentially acquiring the Spurs fan favourite would not only be a blow sentimentally, but his presence for one of their top six rivals could also hamper Tottenham’s chances of competing.

Therefore, if Spurs do have to let Kane move on, a move abroad could be the most appealing option.

In other news: Tottenham hold discussions with this Champions League-winning boss, find out more here.

West Ham’s arduous search for a new forward may finally be coming to an end…

What’s the word?

According to ExWHUemployee, the Irons are in talks with Lille attacker Jonathan Bamba over a potential late deadline day switch to the London Stadium.

He revealed on his ‘The West Ham Way’ Patreon site:

“We are also in talks with a forward at the moment. Jonathan Bamba is a player I have covered extensively recently on the podcast and it appears discussions are going on with his agents as we speak.”

Last week, the Express first linked the versatile 25-year-old with a move to the Hammers, claiming that the Ligue 1 champions wanted a fee in the region of £25m.

Late, late solution

They’ve left it late but the east Londoners could finally be about to sign the new frontman that they’ve been desperate to recruit.

West Ham have been linked with an array of names throughout the summer, one of which was Tammy Abraham, who was widely believed to be Moyes’ top target before he swapped Chelsea for AS Roma earlier this month.

The Scotsman is in dire need of someone to provide the perfect foil to Michail Antonio, especially as they are set to compete in the Europa League this season, meaning two games per week could quickly become the norm.

Antonio has suffered from injuries throughout his Hammers career, failing to start more than 24 league games in each of the last four seasons. He could not only do with a backup but perhaps another forward opens up the possibility of tactical changes, too.

In Bamba, they’d be getting the perfect solution as he will also be able to provide cover for the likes of Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen on the flanks.

The 5 foot 9 dynamo played an integral role in Lille pipping Paris Saint-Germain to the title last season – as per Transfermarkt, he provided six goals and 11 assists, averaging a direct contribution every 176 minutes.

Bamba also averaged 1.7 key passes, 1.6 shots and 1.4 dribbles per game, via WhoScored, proving to be a massive creative influence, on top of a lethal threat in front of goal.

Indeed, the £18m-rated forward was dubbed the “creative leader” of Christophe Galtier’s side by journalist Zach Lowy.

If West Ham can secure a move for him before tonight’s 11pm deadline, then there will certainly be a sense of relief around the London Stadium. What a final few hours it could be for the club in this transfer window.

AND in other news, West Ham close in on 2nd deadline day signing, it’s another Moyes transfer masterclass…