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Barry Fry believes Frank Lampard would be an “ideal” appointment for Crystal Palace this summer.

The Eagles are on the lookout for a new manager after Roy Hodgson confirmed that he would step down at the end of the 2020/21 season.

Palace finished the campaign in 14th, comfortably clear of the relegation zone, and they will be on the lookout for a new boss who can continue to preserve their Premier League status.

Lampard, who former Palace chairman Simon Jordan said on talkSPORT can be an “elite” manager in the future, has been linked as a potential appointment, as he has been out of work since leaving Chelsea earlier this season.

Of course, the ex-England international has experience of managing smaller clubs than the Blues, having taken charge of Derby County in the Championship prior to his move.

And Fry believes that Palace will look to appoint a young, dynamic boss, having seen Hodgson reach his 73rd birthday while in charge at Selhurst Park.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Fry said: “I think Palace will go for a younger guy. I think Frank Lampard would be ideal.”

Fry has expressed some concern, though, over whether Palace would be willing to spend big in the transfer market to back Lampard if he did arrive.

He added: “I’m not sure whether they would give Frank the necessary money to spend in the transfer market to get what he wants.”

A major transfer update has emerged in Ipswich’s pursuit of 22-year-old centre-back George Johnson.

What’s the talk?

In April of this year, Football Insider reported that Ipswich were interested in a deal to sign Johnston. Paul Cook was reportedly considering a swoop for the 22-year-old defender, along with Portsmouth, but Bolton have now won the race for his signature this summer.

Newly-promoted League One side Bolton have now officially confirmed the signing of Johnston from Feyenoord for an undisclosed fee. Johnston has agreed a three-year contract with Bolton and will link up with his new teammates this summer and potentially face Ipswich in League One next season.

In Bolton’s announcement of the deal, manager Ian Evatt heaped praise on the “fantastic” centre-back. He told Bolton’s official website:

“George is a player with a fantastic pedigree who came through the ranks at Liverpool before moving to Feyenoord two years ago.

“That he was willing to move away and play abroad in a different league at such a young age says a lot about his character.

“He came back for the second half of last season and had a very successful loan spell at Wigan Athletic.

“He’s a very talented player for the future and we are delighted to have signed him.”

Ipswich fans will be livid

Ipswich fans should be livid that the club has missed out on a deal for Johnston. They have allowed one of their rivals to snap up a promising young defender to bolster their squad. Given the size of their club, Bolton could have aspirations to achieve back-to-back promotions next season and if things go right for them, they could be competing at the top end of the table with Ipswich in League One, which means that this move could end being pivotal if Johnston enjoys a terrific campaign.

Johnston has already proven himself to be an asset at League One level. He started 16 games as a centre-back whilst on loan to Wigan in 2021 and averaged an impressive WhoScored rating of 6.98. Mark McGuinness and James Wilson were the only Ipswich players who averaged a WhoScored rating of higher than 6.98 in the 2020/21 League One season, showing the calibre of player Bolton have been able to bring in.

The £3.5k-per-week beast also has the potential to improve at the age of 22. This means that Ipswich not only missed out on a player who could have been a key figure for the 2021/22 season, but also a player who they could have developed and turned into a star for the future too.

Therefore, Ipswich fans must be livid that they have been beaten by Bolton to the signing of Johnston, as he could have been a terrific addition to Cook’s squad.

AND in other news, Chambers 2.0: Ipswich must seal deal for “superb” £17k-p/w beast after major update…

Manchester United’s famed youth academy has produced an abundance of talent down the years, but plenty of their graduates either never play for the first-team or do so only briefly.

For a while, it seemed as though James Garner would be another young star who would only enjoy the hastiest experience of what it feels like to wear the famous Red Devils shirt.

A one-minute cameo at the end of a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace back in February 2019 offered a glimpse of what the 20-year-old has to offer and he earned praise from his manager after the match.

“I believe he’s got the chance to have a great future, he knows we believe in him, we’ve got great faith in him as the next Michael Carrick,” revealed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the game at Selhurst Park.

“I know he’s young, and I know it’s not fair on kids to compare to great players like Michael was, but he’s the same mould, he plays simple passes, plays through the lines.”

After being compared to one of United’s greatest midfielders in the modern era, Garner would have been forgiven for believing a place in the senior set-up was just around the corner.

However, only six other appearances followed before he was shipped out on loan to Watford at the start of the 2020/21 campaign.

Things didn’t work out for the England Under-20 international at Vicarage Road, though. Garner made 20 league appearances for the Hornets, but failed to find his best form and fell out of favour under the new manager.

His lack of playing time saw United recall their young star in January and search for other options in order to carry on his development.

Rather than letting the disappointment get him down, the Garner headed straight back for the Championship over the winter window, with Chris Hughton’s Nottingham Forest handpicked as a more suitable destination.

Everyone appeared to click for the midfield maestro with Forest. Four goals in 20 appearances for the Midlands outfit earned him a string of plaudits, and his highly respectable 6.98 WhoScored rating suggests he deserved them.

Garner’s outstanding displays at the City Ground have surely done enough for Solskjaer to at least take a look at the Englishman in pre-season as he attempts to solve United’s engine room issues.

The likes of Youri Tielemans have been linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks to add the slick passing and control that has been missing since Carrick’s departure, but the answer to their problems may already be at the club.

And, in other news…Huge Man United contract update emerges over £290k-p/w “leader”, fans will be buzzing 

According to Turkish outlet TumSport (via Glasgow Live), Glasgow Rangers have made an approach for Fenerbahce winger Bright Osayi-Samuel.

The Lowdown: Gers eye Osayi-Samuel

The Gers had been linked with a move for Osayi-Samuel last year (Football Insider), but he eventually ended up moving to Fener in the Super Lig in January.

Now, though, it appears the Turkish side want to move the 23-year-old on as they look to raise money from player sales.

The Latest: Gers make an approach

It has now been reported the Gers have made an approach for the former QPR man.

Along with the Gers, Monaco and Celtic are also said to be in pursuit – but, as it stands, neither of those two are sides have made an offer.

The Verdict: Gers lead the race

It, therefore, appears the Gers are leading the race for Osayi-Samuel, who was called “dangerous” by former QPR and Rangers manager Mark Warburton when he was playing at Loftus Road (BT Sport).

His form this past term was far from outstanding – he managed just one goal in 18 appearances in the Turkish top-flight (Transfermarkt) – but he managed five strikes and nine assists the campaign before that in the Championship.

Valued at £3.06m (Transfermarkt), it is said the Gers could sign him for a nominal fee given he was snapped up relatively cheaply by Fenerbahce as his contract was running out at QPR. It remains to be seen whether the Gers can convince him to make the move to Scotland but for a nominal fee, it could be a risk worth taking.

In other news, Rangers fans were livid at this SPFL development.

According to a report by ESPN, Tottenham Hotspur will now reassess possible candidates for the job after talks with Gennaro Gattuso were stopped – with Ajax boss and previously linked name Erik ten Hag still fitting the bill.

The Lowdown: Spurs manager hunt…

The search for a new Spurs boss goes on two months after the club sacked former gaffer Jose Mourinho.

In what has been a chaotic quest to appoint a new manager, many names have entered and exited the fray, including the likes of Julian Nagelsmann and Brendan Rodgers.

More recently, talks with Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Conte, Paulo Fonseca and Gattuso have all failed to materialise into an official appointment.

The Latest: Spurs back to square one…

As per ESPN, the Lilywhites are now back to square one in their hunt for a new boss and will reassess possible candidates in due course.

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The American outlet’s sources believe ten Hag remains among the potential appointments as Tottenham weigh going back in for the Dutchman.

Ten Hag was another name heavily linked to the vacant Spurs post before talks for Pochettino, Conte and Fonseca dominated the narrative.

The Verdict: Do it Levy…

The 51-year-old is, by some distance, Tottenham’s best remaining hope for a good appointment and heir to Mourinho.

Playing an open, possession-based and aggressive style of football whilst having an affinity for promoting youth (The Daily Mail), he fits into exactly what chairman Daniel Levy wanted as his ideal new Spurs boss.

Depending on new managing director Fabio Paratici’s requirements, it remains to be seen whether they seriously lodge a ten Hag pursuit or enter advanced discussions, but we believe he simply must be on the agenda.

Lauded as ‘one of the most exciting coaching talents in world football’ by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp (Planet Football), reliable Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold also explained how he is ‘seen as another Pochettino’ (via Periscope).

Get it done Levy.

In other news: ‘Now all parties confident’…Fabrizio Romano makes exciting Tottenham claim, find out more here.

Slavisa Jokanovic believes this Sheffield United squad is the best he has ever taken over.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Sheffield Star, who claim that the 52-year-old has spent the last two weeks assessing the Blades squad, before coming to the conclusion that the side he is set to inherit on July 1 is the most talented he has taken over.

As a result, it is reported that the Serbian manager does not look likely to make sweeping changes at Bramall Lane this summer, and will bide his time before making any moves in the transfer market.

However, one exception to this rule could be in attacking midfield, with United having no real options in the position following the departure of John Lundstram.

Fans will be buzzing

Considering the fact that Jokanovic has previously managed the likes of Fulham and Watford, both of whom he guided to the Premier League, the 52-year-old’s opinion that this Sheffield United team is the best he has ever taken over would seem to bode incredibly well for the club’s upcoming Championship campaign, and is sure to have left fans buzzing.

Furthermore, with the Serb appearing unlikely to move a large number of the club’s current players on this summer, this would seem to be something of a lifeline for the likes of Rhian Brewster and Oli McBurnie, who may well get another chance to impress in the Blades’ first-team next term despite both having relatively disappointing seasons last time out.

However, while there may not be too many incomings and outgoings at Bramall Lane in the coming months, Jokanovic has nevertheless identified that the club will have to strengthen in attacking midfield, with the club being linked with one of the manager’s former stars at Fulham, Tom Cairney.

As such, it would very much seem as if the 52-year-old is already confident of achieving the club’s goal of securing an immediate return to the top flight next season, something that is very good news for everyone involved with the Blades.

In other news: Transfer update emerges on “outstanding” £38k-p/w gem, Sheff Utd fans will be buzzing

An update has emerged on Crystal Palace target Tammy Abraham, regarding Aston Villa’s interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to The Mirror, Crystal Palace are interested in signing Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham this summer and are facing competition from Aston Villa.

The report claims that Dean Smith’s side are expected to make a sizeable transfer offer for the Blues forward and Thomas Tuchel has made it clear that he will not be part of his plans at Stamford Bridge moving forward, with Timo Werner preferred ahead of him in the pecking order.

Fans would love him

Steve Parish must ensure that he is able to seal a deal for Abraham ahead of Villa this summer as the Palace fans would love him at Selhurst Park. The English hitman is a proven player at Premier League level and could be the club’s starting number nine for many years to come, with Christian Benteke recently signing a two-year deal but heading into his 30’s.

Outside of Wilfried Zaha and the Belgian attacker, Ebe Eze was the next highest scorer for the club with four strikes in the league. This suggests that Palace are in desperate need of additional goal threats and Abraham could be exactly what they need, given his quality at this level.

In 2019, ex-Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand compared him to Ivorian legend Didier Drogba in how he holds the ball up and helps his teammates, highlighting the 23-year-old’s ability and showing why he could be a superb signing for the Eagles.

He told BT Sport, as transcribed by The Express:

“I saw elements in Tammy’s game today that I hadn’t seen as much that I’d have liked to. His hold-up play, coming to the ball and bringing others into play.

“First half, one ball went up to him, Didier Drogba-esque, chests it down for someone, runs on for the next phase – I think he’s developing nicely. He’s scoring goals, he’s scoring different types of goals and I think he’s a threat.”

The £50k-per-week beast has an impressive goalscoring record throughout his career. He excelled at Championship level whilst on loan to Bristol City and then Aston Villa, scoring 48 goals in 78 matches in the second tier.

Initially on loan at Swansea and then in the first-team at Stamford Bridge, Abraham continued finding the back of the net after making the step up to the Premier League. The towering centre-forward has scored 26 goals and provided eight assists in 89 top-flight appearances, whilst only starting 52 of those matches  – averaging a goal every two starts.

This is why Palace fans would love him at the club as he has a track record of scoring goals in this country. Therefore, he could be a safer option than a player who has never played in England and may not be able to adapt to the way football is played, making them a risky signing.

AND in other news, Parish must sanction Palace swoop for £13m-rated “technician”, fans would love him…

Tottenham Hotspur appear to have been dealt another devastating blow in their lengthy managerial search this week…

What’s the word?

According to Turkish radio station Radyo Gol, Nuno Santo is on the verge of being appointed as Fenerbahce’s next boss after talks accelerated over the weekend.

It’s claimed that a final meeting between the Super Lig giants and the Portuguese coach were held on Monday and that an announcement could be less than a few days away.

The 47-year-old has widely been touted as the front-runner for the Spurs job, with newly-appointed sporting director Fabio Paratici said to be ‘pushing hard’ to secure him in North London.

Nuno has been out of work for less than a month after leaving Premier League rivals Wolves by mutual consent at the end of last season.

Another setback

This would seemingly deal the Lilywhites their umpteenth setback since Jose Mourinho was sacked in mid-April. They’ve held talks with at least six to seven names, whilst as many as ten different options have been mooted throughout this tragic process.

In the early days, the likes of Julian Naglesmann and Brendan Rodgers were thought to be chairman Daniel Levy’s top candidates – the former opted for Bayern Munich and the latter played down a switch to the capital from Leicester City almost instantly.

There were then ‘confident’ talks with Antonio Conte – a former Premier League winner at Chelsea – but that collapsed late on due to concerns from both parties, whilst Mauricio Pochettino was even linked with a sensation return to the club he was sacked from in November 2019 after five years at the helm.

Paratici was hired as Spurs’ first director of football in six years and he quickly moved for former AS Roma and Shakhtar boss Paulo Fonseca, only for those discussions to break down at the 11th hour.

The Italian chief desperately turned to Gennaro Gattuso before fan backlash put pay to that, too. It has left the North Londoners back at square one but as you can see, it’s been blow after blow for the club’s hierarchy.

Even their interest in Nuno comes as a surprise because Paratici has had to convince Levy to do a U-turn on the ex-Wolves man and now it seems like he isn’t even going to be their next manager.

The Spurs supremo must be absolutely furious with these fresh developments and he, like the rest of us, has to be wondering if it will ever come to an end.

Pre-season training starts next week, they better find a solution – and fast.

AND in other news, Imagine him and Ndombele: Levy could form scary Spurs duo with £20m “exceptional talent”…

Football Insider pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has been giving his thoughts regarding a possible Celtic return for Martin O’Neill as the club’s director of football.

The Lowdown: O’Neill links

Celtic have a new manager in Ange Postecoglou but are still looking to land a director of football after talks with Manchester City’s Fergal Harkin broke down at the beginning of June.

According to Football Insider, who were informed by a Celtic source at the end of June, O’Neill has informed the Hoops hierarchy he is ‘interested’ in the newly-created role.

O’Neill, who holds his UEFA Pro Licence as a coach, was Celtic boss for four years between 2001-2005, winning seven major honours at Parkhead, but it now appears as if he is keen on a position higher up in Glasgow.

The Latest: Agbonlahor reacts

Agbonlahor was talking to Football Insider about O’Neill and a potential return to Parkhead.

The 34-year-old seemed to be all for a move, describing it as a ‘perfect appointment’.

“I think it could be a good appointment.

“Martin O’Neill knows the club better than anyone. It would be a perfect appointment. He loves the club so he’s the sort of person who can get the right players in and the right system in place.

“He loves Celtic and he won’t want them to be losing the title to Rangers again.

“So, definitely, I think it would be a great appointment.”

The Verdict: A no brainer?

Having O’Neill in as DoF to work closely with Postecoglou appears to be a no brainer. The 69-year-old could help Postecoglou when it comes to settling into Celtic Park life during his first season, while also assisting in transfer dealings.

Celtic, if they still have their hearts set on a DoF, could do with filling the vacant role as soon as possible, with the transfer window open and time ticking until the new season.

O’Neill has made it clear he would be keen, so the ball seems to be in Celtic’s court. If it was down to Agbonlahor, he would be returning to Scotland.

In other news: Celtic may have completed some under-the-radar business on pre-season Wales tour, find out more here. 

Tottenham Hotspur are about to be handed a timely financial boost, according to emerging reports.

It’s claimed that the North London outfit have sealed a new lucrative sponsorship deal that’ll help boost the coffers after dealing with the difficult repercussions of the pandemic over the past year.

The ever-reliable Alasdair Gold revealed the news on football.london earlier this week.

“football.london understands that Tottenham are set to boost their finances with a new training kit partner sponsorship deal, which is believed to have already been tied up and will see the new partner’s name visible on the Nike apparel,” he wrote.

Lilywhites chairman Daniel Levy stated that the club were expected to lose around £200m in revenue due to the lack of crowds and events at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which led to him taking out a £175m loan from the Bank of England.

That has since been paid off but it’s hard to imagine that they have regained much of the funds lost throughout the previous 12 months as fans aren’t expected back in the ground until the new season gets underway.

Therefore, any new finances will surely come as a huge bonus to Levy and the club.

It is the first time that Spurs have dipped their toes into this kind of sponsorship, even though it is prevalent right across the Premier League these days.

For instance, in 2018, Liverpool struck a four-year deal worth £20m-a-year with insurance provider AXA to sponsor their training kit. That relationship has since increased to include sponsorship of their new training base.

Similarly, Manchester United had American insurance giants AON on their training tops until May and that was thought to be a £120m deal across eight years.

Now Spurs are set to join the party, you can expect a little boost to the finances and that should leave Nuno Santo absolutely delighted as he looks to stamp his authority down in N17.

He and new sporting director Fabio Paratici could now get to work on potential arrivals in the transfer market, they’ll surely be working together at Hotspur Way knowing that they have a little more money to work with.

This is a great boost for for Levy, who’ll be buzzing to get some extra funds in the Spurs account after such a difficult 18 months.

AND in other news, Paratici should seal Spurs summer swoop for “excellent” beast admired by Lionel Messi…