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Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has been handed a major boost as some exciting news emerges from Thorp Arch about the club’s finances for the summer’s transfer window.

What’s the story?

The Whites enjoyed a superb end to the Premier League season, reeling off four wins in a row and climbing up the table and into the top ten. And that late run of form may have handed Bielsa a major boost, according to finance expert Kieran Maguire.

He said to Football Insider: “Leeds can certainly afford to spend more. They have had substantial financial developments. They finished 9th and probably budgeted to finish something like 16th.

“So realistically, they’ve got an extra £15-20m from that particular (prize money) pot. They were also chosen as the first picks for matches to be broadcast live on TV 24 times, so that’s an extra £14m. That’s because the first 10 picks are considered part of the overall deal and anything above that is an additional £1m per match.

“So we’ve automatically got around about £35m in the budget that they hadn’t originally budgeted for. The sponsors are very keen to get into bed with them too, so you’d imagine that Leeds will have a pretty good budget to work with this summer.”

Fans will be buzzing

With the Premier League’s prize money divvied up based on a team’s final finish, and scaling up for every place you end up higher, Leeds’ late flurry of victories has had a massive impact on the club’s finances for this summer.

As Maguire says, the fact they leapt up the table into ninth has given them an “extra £15-20m” based on that Premier League finish alone – after match-day 30, they were in 11th, with Crystal Palace and Southampton all within a couple of wins behind them.

Then, when you take into account the kind of money they should be getting for being selected as part of the TV coverage, things are looking very exciting for Bielsa and his plans for the summer transfer window.

Maguire himself thinks that Leeds should have around £35m more than they originally budgeted for, and when you think that sum of money is actually significantly higher than the club-record £26m they paid to sign Rodrigo, and you can see just how game-changing that could be.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/leeds-united-marcelo-bielsa-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-elland-road-rodrigo-de-paul” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

Bielsa will surely be buzzing with Maguire’s claim and insight, as will the Leeds supporters who will be keen to see their club make a splash in the transfer market this summer as the Yorkshire side look to push on from an excellent first season back in the top flight.

If Leeds do have more money available than they’d budgeted for, as Maguire suggests, then their chances of getting more transfer business completed this summer will surely have increased, and that’ll be music to the ears of the club’s loyal supporters.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa is eyeing a reunion with this Leeds United hero…

According to Calciomercato, West Ham United are interested in signing Wout Weghorst from Wolfsburg this summer.

The Lowdown: West Ham need a striker

David Moyes has led the Irons through a wonderful campaign – they ended up finishing in sixth place in the Premier League, which secured them a spot in next term’s Europa League.

If they want to be competitive both in Europe and domestically next year, though, they will need to bring in a new striker – they only have Michail Antonio available as a natural number nine option at the moment.

The Latest: Hammers eye Weghorst

Now, it is being reported the Irons are interested in Wolfsburg forward Weghorst.

Serie A outfit AS Roma are also believed to be in pursuit, via the Italian outlet.

The Verdict: Good option

Weghorst has been in magnificent form with German outfit Wolfsburg, who secured Champions League football via the Bundesliga this campaign. He netted 25 goals in all competitions for the club, taking his career tally at the Volkswagen Arena to 63 strikes in 120 (Transfermarkt). Add in the 45 in 86 he managed at previous employers AZ Alkmaar, and he has 108 goals in his last 206 matches.

He is currently valued at £27m, and given his form, he could cost even more than that. Some West Ham fans will be hesitant to capture the 28-year-old given the experience they had with Sebastien Haller, a similar kind of player who lasted just 18 months at the London side before moving to Ajax. However, Weghorst has shown enough on a long-term basis now to indicate he would be more dangerous than the former Eintracht Frankfurt forward.

In other news, David Ornstein makes this Harry Kane claim.

Celtic have reportedly spoken with Rui Faria as an alternative option to Ange Postecoglou, the Daily Record report.

The Lowdown: Hoops seek Postecoglou exemption

Postecoglou has been the man heavily linked with the Celtic Park vacancy for the past six days after talks with Eddie Howe collapsed.

Recent reports have suggested that the Hoops have applied for an exemption with UEFA for the 55-year-old to manage in Europe.

The Hoops are thought to be confident Postecoglou will be granted an exemption to take over in Glasgow, but it seems as if the Celtic hierarchy are taking no chances.

The Latest: Faria discussions

According to the Daily Record, Celtic have spoken with Faria’s representatives.

The report claims that ‘Parkhead chiefs have held tentative talks’ – quite the shock six-word claim considering the strength of the links with Postecoglou in recent days – Football Insider even claimed he could be announced soon.

Faria, a former assistant of Jose Mourinho’s, held his first job as a manager with Qatar side Al-Duhail SC back in 2019 and uses a 4-2-3-1 system.

The Verdict: Keeping all bases covered?

With Faria working in the United Kingdom alongside Mourinho at Chelsea and Manchester United in the past, Celtic may well have spoken with the 45-year-old as a backup option to Postecoglou.

They will know all too well that a deal for a new manager isn’t straightforward after the Howe debacle, so talking with the Portuguese coach could be a viable contingency plan.

It seems as if their first choice is still Postecoglou, though, with the Hoops reportedly reaching compensation terms with Yokohama F. Marinos on Thursday, but it’s certainly a shock to learn of their talks with Faira on the side.

In other news: Hoops facing Kyle Joseph battle, find out more here. 

Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony has confirmed conversations over a new deal for Celtic target Siriki Dembele have begun.  

The Lowdown: Celtic’s interest

Celtic have been credited with an interest (Give Me Sport) in the 24-year-old in recent months.

Reports have suggested that a move for Dembele, who is the older brother of Celtic’s young talent Karamoko Dembele, could be part of a plan from the Hoops to keep the 18-year-old at Parkhead.

The Posh striker scored 11 times and registered 12 assists in 42 League One appearances this season, helping Peterborough win promotion to the Championship.

He’s out of contract this summer, however, MacAnthony is now looking to tie him down at London Road.

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The Latest: MacAnthony’s Twitter post

MacAnthony was answering various questions on Twitter on Tuesday, and one involved Dembele.

He was quizzed if the club are close to agreeing on contracts with Dembele, Nathan Thompson and Dan Butler, to which he replied:

“Conversations now beginning with them all yes.”

The Verdict: A shrewd addition?

In our opinion, Celtic should be exploring a possible cut-price deal for Dembele. Not just because that may help keep his younger brother, who has been linked with a move away, at the club (although that may help), but because of his qualities.

The Peterborough man played in three positions during the current campaign, impressing in all of them.

He made 15 appearances as a centre-forward, 13 as a left-winger and 13 as an attacking midfielder, registering goals and assists in all areas.

That could come in handy under the new Hoops boss next season, especially with striker Patryk Klimala recently sealing an exit and winger Mohamed Elyounoussi set to return to Southampton following his loan spell.

In other news: ‘Told from very reliable sources’ – Bournemouth reporter drops huge Eddie Howe to Celtic claim, find out more here. 

After all the drama of surviving on the final day of the Premier League season last year, things are a lot more calmer and relaxed at Aston Villa this time around as they welcome Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

Dean Smith’s side have enjoyed a superb second season back in the top-flight, pulling off some big wins over the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and even Spurs just in mid-week.

With nothing really left to play for, Smith may opt to make a couple of changes to his starting line-up, although he will no doubt be mindful that some of his brightest young academy talents also have the opportunity to win the FA Youth Cup on Monday when they take on Liverpool.

And, with that in mind, below is a look at how Villa might line up when Chelsea come to town.

In goal, Emi Martinez will be looking to finish off the Premier League season with a clean sheet, with the Argentine’s displays in front of goal this year proving why he has been one of the signings of the season, bar none.

The back-line should remain unchanged, with Ezri Konsa continuing at right-back in the absence of Matty Cash, and a centre-back duo of Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause.

The midfield could see one key change, with Douglas Luiz coming in for Marvelous Nakamba, while Jacob Ramsey’s return to the line-up in place of Anwar El Ghazi could see Jack Grealish revert back to his place on the left.

And while Carney Chukwuemeka will be hoping to start, Smith may be reluctant to use him and instead keep him fresh for Monday’s FA Youth Cup final game.

Instead, the 19-year-old Jaden Philogene-Bidace may get the chance to make his full debut and a quick run-out with the first-team, with Bertrand Traore dropping to the bench.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/villa-dean-smith-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-premier-league-buendia-berge-mcneil-trezeguet-villa-park” title=”Read the latest Villa transfer rumours and news!”]

And up front, Wesley will surely be pushing the Villa boss to finally make his first start of the season after a number of cameos from off the bench to get him back up to speed following his knee injury.

Predicted XI: Martinez; Konsa, Hause, Mings, Targett; McGinn, Luiz; Philogene-Bidace, Ramsey, Grealish; Wesley.

Meanwhile, Villa MUST start this man vs Chelsea today…

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been reacting to an update regarding Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham on social media.

Reports last month claimed that Villa remain ‘admirers’ of the 23-year-old ahead of the summer window.

The striker scored 26 goals in 40 appearances in the Midlands while on loan during the 2018/19 season, helping the club back into the top flight through the playoffs.

Abraham hasn’t featured for the Blues since the end of February, though, with speculation mounting over a potential Villa Park return.

Birmingham Live ran a Q&A with Football.London’s Chelsea correspondent Adam Newson on Thursday.

Newson believes Abraham would be open to a return to Villa, if the circumstances are right. He then added that Chelsea could be hoping to receive £40m+ for the forward.

Villa fans react

@AVFC_News shared the story along with Newson’s quote of Abraham being open to a Villa return on Twitter on Thursday morning.

This is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply, with many seemingly keen on a summer deal.

“2021 might not be so bad”

Credit: @The_BigFox

“I think I will cry on our first home game next season if he’s there…welling up just thinking about it!”

Credit: @VictoriaMarkou

“Bring …. Him….. home”

Credit: @AVFCJoshuaa

“Yes please.”

Credit: @RaddersAston

“£40m is a snip. If he is made available, go and get him.”

Credit: @Kkasir23

“I will shed a tear of joy the day Tammy and Axel return back home”

Credit: @HoItender

In other news: Villa source shares club’s summer plans, find out what they are here. 

Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that Josh King would be a hugely successful signing for Celtic.

King joined Everton on a short-term deal in January, but has failed to score in eight substitute appearances and will be available on a free transfer this summer, should the Toffees decide against signing him permanently.

But whilst the Norwegian striker has failed to make an impact on Merseyside, King is a proven goalscorer in the Premier League having scored 48 times across five seasons for Bournemouth prior to their relegation last term.

Despite King’s poor form for Everton, he’s been attracting attention from other Premier League sides, although recent reports suggest that Eddie Howe wants to make him one of his first signings at Parkhead.

Howe signed him Bournemouth back in 2015 from Blackburn, and wants to reunite with King should be take the Celtic job and King himself quit Everton.

“I think he’s a good player. I think he could do wonders up here,” McAvennie told Football FanCast.

“It would be great for him to come up here, spend two or three years and win some trophies. That’s what he would want and he would score goals up here, although he would have to get fit.

“He would come up here and he would definitely score goals and would be a great replacement if Eddie goes.”

Peterborough United Director of Football has told Football FanCast that Everton have set their sights on finishing in the top four continually.

The Toffees are flexing their muscles, as they have appointed Carlo Ancelotti as manager and are in the process of building a brand new stadium that will serve as a major upgrade on Goodison Park.

The club have enjoyed a promising season after making some statement moves in the transfer window, too, including the signing of James Rodriguez from Real Madrid.

Everton currently sit eighth in the Premier League but are just five points off the top four, and are also within touching distance of finishing above Liverpool, with whom they are level on points.

Fry has been impressed with the way Ancelotti has improved Everton and he believes that the club are aiming to become a top side within the Premier League, backing them to do so.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “They definitely want to get in the top four, they want to play in the best competitions in the world, there’s no doubt about that.

“So does the manager, so when the manager went there a lot of people went ‘why has he gone there, they don’t really have any ambition’, but I think they’ve shown they have with the progress of the new ground and he’s made them a better team.

“They’re a bit inconsistent, I think everybody in the country bar Manchester City is inconsistent, but they’re going to be a powerful club again, I’m sure of that.”

Ever since his arrival at Manchester United, Paul Pogba’s relationship with the club has been a tempestuous one.

The French midfielder has been linked with a move away on various occasions, with recent reports from the Daily Express indicating that Juventus are interested in bringing him back to Italy.

However, former Red Devils striker Odion Ighalo has pleaded with the club to keep Pogba at Old Trafford – advice that they should heed.

Whilst having not quite potentially hit the heights expected of him since his arrival from Juventus, Pogba has still submitted some excellent statistics in his time as a Red Devils player.

In 190 appearances since his return to Manchester, he has scored 37 goals and provided a further 38 assists. That sees him average 0.39 goal contributions per game at Old Trafford, figures which are not too far away from the numbers he accumulated in his time in Italy.

Making 178 appearances for Juventus, the £54m-rated midfielder scored 34 goals and teed up 40 assists at a rate of a 0.41 direct goal contributions per game.

Whilst it may seem like Pogba has not quite performed at the peak of his powers for United, Ighalo’s assessment of the midfielder’s “exceptional” performances isn’t actually too far wrong.

Even in the current season, a campaign which has been disrupted through injury, the 28-year-old has continued to be decisive. In the ten matches in which he has had a direct goal contribution, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have a 100% record.

His contributions this season have also been pivotal. Having struck decisively against Fulham and Burnley, it means that Pogba’s goals have been worth four points, without which the Red Devils would be firmly involved in the battle just to finish in the top four.

Meanwhile, his goal against AC Milan at the San Siro in the Europa League guided United through to the quarter-finals of the competition, in which they are now well placed to reach the last four.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/the-latest-man-united-transfer-rumours-and-news-old-trafford-macheda-solskjaer-lingard-ousmane-dembele-anthony-martial-injury-rabiot-van-de-beek” title=” The latest Man United transfer rumours and news from Old Trafford…”]

Whilst Pogba’s future remains uncertain, Ed Woodward and the Red Devils hierarchy really need to listen to his former teammate Ighalo and keep him at the club.

AND in more news, Solskjaer has been boosted by the return of a defender at the best possible time…

Glasgow Rangers crashed out of the Europa League on Thursday night, and many of the Gers supporters were shocked that Ianis Hagi was not given the chance to change the course of the match.

The Gers managed to pick up a 1-1 draw in Czechia against Slavia Prague in their round of 16 first-leg clash last week. As such, they would have been hopeful of getting the job done at Ibrox in the return fixture, but they were unable to do so in the end as they were defeated 2-0. Red cards for Leon Balogun and Kemar Roofe only added to the disappointment on the night.

In the game last week, Hagi provided the assist for Filip Helander to equalise and net a vital away goal. However, Steven Gerrard chose not to start the £5.4m-valued Romania international (Transfermarkt) this time around, while he didn’t even introduce him as one of his five substitutes during the 90 minutes.

The Gers fans were far from happy with Gerrard’s decision, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Gerrard’s Hagi decision below

“Think Gerrard will need to take some blame for tonight. No need to drop Helander and Aribo was poor in the first game so don’t know why Hagi was dropped.”

Credit: @Alan_Paton2020

“It’s been a rare occurrence this season, but a Gerrard clanger tonight. Arfield shouldn’t have started and Roofe was never the right sub when Hagi is sitting there. Balogun always walking a tightrope, should have been subbed. Everything that could go wrong did.”

Credit: @StaunchusPilate

“Poor performance, deserved to lose. Substitions incredibly questionable. Wouldn’t surprise me if Hagi leaves in the summer as Gerrard seems to have something against him. Oh well. Into next season when we hear the champions league music back at Ibrox.”

Credit: @Gerole9

“Gerrard got it wrong tonite. Why was Helander dropped? Why was Hagi no on at HT for Arfield? Balogun should’ve been hooked after tackle before he got his red. But hey ho a good run and 55s accomplished!”

Credit: @29McBride

“Just found out a bit at that level. Gerrard still learning. Not playing Helander & Hagi was criminal”

Credit: @Smith_LoveWins

“Not sure but it 100% cost us IMO when you take into account Roofe come on, got sent off, left us exposed and Balogun got sent off too. Two big mistakes from Gerrard playing Balogun over Helander and putting on Roofe ahead of Hagi.”

Credit: @Right_Winger84

In other news, Rangers are interested in this Championship forward.