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Crystal Palace have been linked with a swoop for Chelsea and England Under-21 midfielder Conor Gallagher.

Looking to beef up their midfield as 2021/22 approaches, the Eagles are set to test the water with a £15 million bid for the talented prospect [The Sun].

Gallagher has enjoyed loan spells from his parent club at Charlton Athletic, Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion respectively [Transfermarkt].

Making 32 appearances in 2020/21 for the latter [Transfermarkt], the Stamford Bridge academy product has also attracted interest in his services from Premier League rivals Leeds United and Newcastle United.

Currently without a manager after the departure of boyhood Palace supporter Roy Hodgson [Independent], the South East Londoners at least look set to initiate their summer transfer activity.

In light of these developments, no wonder loads of Crystal Palace diehards took to social media to voice their delight at the news.

Palace fans react:

Reacting to popular Crystal Palace Twitter publication PALACE XTRA, here are how some fans summarized their thoughts surrounding the situation:

“show dem”

Credit: @Mattyyyyy10″Yersssss”Credit: @rileyeagles”Guy is worth at least £25M. Chelsea would be mad to sell for that ridiculous amount.”Credit: @Chaitika”Sam is happy”Credit: @SamuelMargo”Let’s gooooo #CPFC”Credit: @Scrivum”Get Lampard in and it’s a done deal”Credit: @CPFC_GHIn other news, Barry Fry comments on a potential Crystal Palace appointment.

Sheffield Wednesday defender Tom Lees is attracting interest ahead of the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, who claimed in a recent post on Twitter that Huddersfield Town are considering a move for the 30-year-old in the upcoming transfer window, with the £1.98m-rated centre-back set to become a free agent upon the expiry of his contract at Hillsborough.

Nixon said: “Huddersfield: Big interest in Tom Lees. Sheff Wed defender and soon to be a free agent.”

Moore will be gutted

While Sheffield Wednesday endured something of a season to forget in the Championship, with the Owls finishing the season rock bottom of the second tier, statistically speaking, Lees was one of Darren Moore’s better players.

Over his 38 Championship appearances, the defender helped his side to keep nine clean sheets, as well as averaging 1.8 interceptions, 1.2 tackles and 5.4 clearances per game. He also scored one goal and provided one assist, culminating in an average SofaScore match rating of 6.88 – ranking him as the Owls’ third-best performer in the division.

As such, potentially losing a player as solid as the £22,000-per-week Lees is likely to come as a hammer blow for the 47-year-old Sheffield Wednesday manager as he attempts to build a side capable of bouncing straight back to the Championship next season.

However, Lees does not look likely to be the only departure from Hillsborough this summer, with a number of Wednesday’s first team regulars, including the likes of Adam Reach, Barry Bannan, Joey Pelupessy and Osaze Urhoghide among many others, on contracts which expire in a matter of weeks.

It would very much appear as if Moore has a lot of work to do in the upcoming transfer window just to put a team out for the club’s league opener next season, let alone one which is capable of mounting a promotion charge.

In other news: Dom Howson drops huge Sheffield Wednesday transfer claim which will surely have fans buzzing – opinion

Outgoing Sheffield Wednesday star Tom Lees could join Bristol City this summer, as he moves on to the next chapter in his career.

The Lowdown: Lees moving on

The Owls suffered a heartbreaking 2020/21 season, with their relegation to League One confirmed on the final day, following a 3-3 draw away to Derby County.

Darren Moore now has the job of masterminding Wednesday’s return to the Championship, although he will have to do it without a host of established, soon to be out-of-contract players.

Lees is one of those after seeing out his current deal, so the centre-back is now on the lookout for a new club, having been described as ‘fantastic’ by former manager Garry Monk in the past.

The Latest: Bristol City keen on move

According to the Bristol Post,the 30-year-old is wanted by Bristol City, after they missed out on signing Hull City man Reece Burke.

Manager Nigel Pearson, formerly Wednesday captain, is keen on bolstering his centre-back options and considers Lees a potential acquisition.

The Verdict: Blow for Moore

In an ideal world, Lees would have extended his stay at Hillsborough, but the lure of playing Championship football has made that impossible.

At 30, the defender may not be at his absolute peak now, but he is still a hugely experienced player who could be a shrewd addition for a team of City’s ilk, and will no doubt be a big miss for the Owls.

He played 38 times in the league in 2020/21, leaving a big gap which Moore now needs to fill. Not only that, the experience of a man with seven years and nearly 300 appearances with the club could have been extremely useful in propelling the Owls back up at the first time of asking.

In other news, Dom Howson has provided an update on a rumoured Sheff Wed transfer target. Find out who it is here.

Some Wolves fans have been left buzzing as a transfer update has emerged on Nelson Semedo.

As per Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), the former FC Barcelona man has been named as a potential target for AS Roma under new manager Jose Mourinho, with super agent Jorge Mendes willing to help try and get a deal through.

Semedo has been largely underwhelming in some eyes of the Molineux faithful so far in the 2020/21 term, with a mere one assist recorded in the Premier League despite him mostly playing as a right wing-back for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.

For the £27m that they paid for him, the Portugal international should really be doing more to affect games, especially on the attacking side of the pitch, and some WWFC supporters feel already that it could be time to recoup a large chunk of that money back.

Wolves fans on Semedo transfer update

These Wanderers buzzed as the transfer update was shared on Twitter:

“Rip their hands off if we can get most our money back. probably the most overrated player we have, cause of FIFA. Average at best”

Credit: @JMT___

“Sell him and get Max Aarons”

Credit: @davidellerton

“Please take him”

Credit: @satsomboon

“I will drive Semedo to Roma myself if we can still get the money we paid for him or more.”

Credit: @Kaldj22

“TAKE ANY MONEY AND RUN”

Credit: @MikeHorton_09

“I’d fly him to Rome.”

Credit: @GrantLewis_10

In other news, find out what transfer update has been slammed by Wanderers here!

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Norwich City defender Jon Newsome has suggested that the likes of Emiliano Buendia and Max Aarons could remain at Carrow Road this summer.

Both Buendia and Aarons have been heavily linked with moves away from Norwich after strong campaigns in the Championship.

Buendia was excellent in attack as Daniel Farke’s side strolled to the title, scoring 15 goals and providing 16 assists.

As for Aarons, he also showed some attacking initiative from that right-back position, averaging 1.4 key passes per league game – the fourth highest average in the Canaries’ squad (via WhoScored).

Furthermore, it is not a surprise that both players are attracting interest from other clubs. Newsome, however, thinks Farke has a good chance of keeping hold of two of his most prized assets.

Discussing the futures of Buendia and Aarons with FFC, the ex-Norwich player said:

“For me, I don’t think the players will want to leave, you know. They’ve had a really tough campaign, they’ve gone up as champions. 

“Financially, yes, if they move, they will be rewarded obviously bigger and better than what they might get at Norwich City at this moment of time.

“But that money will come to them anyway even if they have a season at Norwich and prove themselves in a team that they’re comfortable in, happy with, they’ve got confidence in.”

Last time Norwich were in the Premier League, the club really struggled, so Farke will probably be desperate to keep all of his key players to bolster the Canaries’ chances of survival.

A number of Liverpool supporters have been reacting to the Reds’ starting lineup to face Aston Villa.

The Premier League champions are back in action on Saturday afternoon, as they look to respond after their midweek defeat away to Real Madrid.

Jurgen Klopp’s men host a Villa side who also have top-four aspirations, highlighting the importance of the outcome at Anfield.

Not only that, but Liverpool are looking to stop a shocking run of six home defeats in a row – something that nobody would have predicted last summer.

Klopp has named his starting XI to take on Villa, with the German making two changes to the team that lost to Madrid.

Alisson continues in goal, while Trent Alexander-Arnold, Nathaniel Phillips, Ozan Kabak and Andy Robertson make up the back-line.

In midfield, Fabinho is joined by James Milner and Gini Wijnaldum, while Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino start in attack, meaning Sadio Mane is left out.

Liverpool fans react to XI to face Aston Villa

These Liverpool fans have been providing their thoughts on the team on Twitter, with Mane’s omission the main talking point.

“Think it’s the right call to take Mane out today. Ben Davies makes the bench with Neco Williams and Origi still out”

Credit: @JackSear

“Good. Needs a rest & has been poor in recent times”

Credit: @hayb81

“Not surprised to see Sadio Mane left out of the starting XI for LFC. Needs a rest and good for Jurgen Klopp to have an option to turn to off the bench if he needs one”

Credit: @MattAddison97

“About time”

Credit: @SteMcP

“Mane just had to be left out. Correct call”

Credit: @HenryJackson87

“Oh man. I don’t mind the line-up too much but again why would you leave Thiago on the bench?? And thank God that Mane guy was dropped. I really can’t stand seeing him play rn. Let’s get this win boys!!!”

Credit: @I_Am_Artanis

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been showing their support for one Reds player – find out who it is here.

According to an update by reliable club insider ExWHUemployee, writing on his Patreon, West Ham United have been gifted another injury boost after the good news regarding Aaron Cresswell – with Manuel Lanzini now apparently back in full training and available for selection. 

West Ham gifted another injury boost

Lanzini missed out on the latest victories over Wolves and Leicester City after picking up a knock in training, but after recovering, the Argentine has now returned and ‘should be in contention’ for a match day squad place against Newcastle this weekend.

ExWHUemployee’s news of his return comes as another injury boost for the side after Claret & Hugh also revealed Cresswell’s hamstring problem is nowhere near as bad as first feared – with the latter man expected to be back within 2-3 weeks.

Lanzini has played little part for Moyes over 2020/2021 bar a sensational wondergoal away to Spurs before the new year, but his availability gives the gaffer another attacking option while he currently has not one out-and-out striker, so could prove invaluable.

In these last few games, supporters could be hoping Lanzini will replicate those north London heroics if called upon – especially considering the vitally important run of fixtures that loom ahead.

Transfer Tavern take

The Hammers have managed to keep their European dream very much alive with a string of crucial wins recently, but each one has proven nervy for the supporters.

Since West Ham managed to squander a 3-0 lead at home to Arsenal, it appears the scar has somewhat stuck as Moyes’ men also nearly threw away that same advantage at Molineux and at the London Stadium against Leicester.

Just seven games remain for the Irons and Europe is well within reach, but the last few encounters will certainly prove anxiety-inducing.

To clinch the European dream, manager David Moyes will need every available West Ham asset to play their part, and perhaps Lanzini can pop up with another wonder-goal now he is back in the fold.

In other news: West Ham eyeing this Slavia Prague star, it’s not Sima – find out more here.

The hunt for Celtic’s new manager seems to be taking a fresh twist every single day. Will Dermot Desmond ever find Neil Lennon’s successor? Time will tell.

One of the names so hotly tipped with moving to Parkhead is Roy Keane. The Irishman has reportedly been in discussions with the Hoops hierarchy over replacing Lennon in recent days.

It’s news that has gone down like a led balloon with the Celtic supporters, according to podcaster Paul John Dykes.

That being said, his wealth of experience and contacts in the football world could be game-changing for the Bhoys in the transfer window.

Here are seven players that could arrive if Keane walks through the door in the coming months…

Divock Origi

This is probably the most farfetched name on the list but there is every possibility that the Belgian forward could arrive at Celtic in the summer. Reports state that Origi could move in the opposite direction as part of a move that sees Odsonne Edouard head to Liverpool.

Origi has scored just once this term but has a habit of scoring big goals; netting against Barcelona in the 2018/19 Champions League and then scoring in the final too. He’d be a valuable replacement if Edouard does leave.

Siriki Dembele

Brother of Karamoko, the Peterborough winger could sign on a free transfer when the window opens. He is out of contract in the summer and has been linked with a move to the Hoops in previous weeks.

We’ve already tipped Dembele to replace the enigmatic Ryan Christie in the starting XI. He has severely underperformed this season, scoring just five times compared to the 20 he racked up last term. As a result, Celtic should be in the hunt for a new winger.

Declan Gallagher

Defensive recruits should be at the height of Keane’s agenda if he walks through the door this summer. Celtic have shipped 14 more goals than Rangers in the league and individual errors have been plentiful. Gallagher, who has been tipped with a move to the Hoops, could fix their problems.

The Motherwell centre-back has won 3.9 aerial duels per game this season, a tally that usurps Kristoffer Ajer and Stephen Welsh.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-roy-keane-nicky-butt-jesse-marsch-scott-brown” title=”Latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

Allan Campbell

Another star of the Motherwell team, Campbell has been touted as the heir to Scott Brown’s throne. The Hoops skipper will leave at the end of the season and will depart Parkhead with an enormous legacy. His departure will leave an open hole in the midfield, however, one Campbell can exploit.

He has won two tackles per match this season, a tally that betters Brown and Ismaila Soro.

Milan van Ewijk

Another area that should be of utmost importance to Keane is at right-back. Jeremie Frimpong left for Germany in January and Jonjoe Kenny is only on loan. Thus, Van Ewijk would be an important signing.

The Dutch full-back has been linked with Celtic in recent months and is an expert in the tackle, winning a whopping 3.3 per game in the Eredivisie this season. That’s considerably more than anyone in the Hoops team.

Romain Perraud

The French left-back has caught the eye of Celtic for the best part of two years now. Could Keane be the man to finally lure him to Glasgow? Quite possibly. With Diego Laxalt heading back to Milan at the conclusion of his loan spell, Celtic will be a little light on the left.

Perraud nearly joined the Bhoys in 2019 but has been the subject of interest again in recent months. FFC has already tipped him to be a like-for-like Kieran Tierney successor.

David Marshall

Another high priority for Keane or any new manager should be in goal. Vasilis Barkas, Scott Bain and Conor Hazard have all been guilty of individual mistakes this term that have cost the team.

Barkas has been glaringly poor considering his £4.5m fee and if Keane arrives, the Irishman should replace him with Marshall.

He has recently been tipped to head back to Celtic and would be a valuable addition. After all, he already knows the surroundings having spent five years with the club between 2002 and 2007.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Edouard: Celtic must swoop for 28-goal “sensation” who’ll “go to the very top”…

Crystal Palace head into Monday evening’s clash with Everton eyeing a place in the Premier League top-half.

The Eagles have only finished in the top ten once since promotion in 2013 so with five points separating them and Arsenal in tenth, Roy Hodgson’s men could really stake a claim with victory against the Toffees at Goodison Park.

How could they line up on Merseyside?

Roy Hodgson could likely make two changes from the side having sustained no new injury worries following the 1-0 win against West Bromwich Albion before the international break.

Vicente Guaita should remain in goal having played every league game so far this season.

There will be a slight change to the defence in front of the Spaniard though. Gary Cahill, Joel Ward and Patrick van Aanholt should all stay in the starting line-up.

However, Scott Dann could potentially replace Cheikhou Kouyate after the Senegalese returned from international duty late.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-crystal-palace-news%2c-transfer-rumours-and-more” title=”Latest Crystal Palace news, transfer rumours and more… “]

Palace have settled on a regular first-choice XI in recent weeks so again, there shouldn’t be too many changes in midfield.

Captain Luka Milivojevic should be partnered by Dutchman Jairo Riedewald, whilst Eberechi Eze and Wilfried Zaha should take their respective places on each flank.

The second, and final alteration, should be seen in the Eagles’ attack. First choice Christian Benteke is likely to start but having not scored a Premier League goal since November, Jordan Ayew could potentially be replaced by the £13.5m-rated Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Hodgson will be without the services of Mamadou Sakho, James Tomkins and James McArthur as the Eagles trio remained sidelined through injury.

AND in more news, find out which World Cup winner Palace have been linked to…

What do Leeds United’s hybrid pitch and Rodrigo both have in common? Well, they both look tired, they are both difficult to watch and so far, they are a both proving to be a waste of money.

The Whites spent £300,000 on acquiring a new pitch from Tottenham at the start of the year but as Thomas Tuchel will tell you, it wasn’t the ideal surface to play on.

The ball was bobbling up and consequently, there was a lack of passing rhythm on Saturday afternoon.

Unfortunately, Rodrigo was also lacking in rhythm. The Spaniard arrived for £30m last summer; a club-record fee.

However, for the money he cost, he has not delivered. The former Valencia forward has netted just three times this season which, for a man of his quality, isn’t good enough.

Many players struggle to adapt to life in England initially and fewer managers make it tougher than Marcelo Bielsa. Whether it be Jean-Kevin Augustin, Jay-Roy Grot or Ouasim Bouy, there’s a list of players who have not made the grade under the great Argentine.

Rodrigo, of course, cannot be counted in the same category. He is playing regular minutes and he has at least scored in a Leeds shirt. That being said, he has disappointed on English shores and nothing sums that up more than his cameo against Chelsea.

Rodrigo scored twice against Wolves U23s last week in what was an emphatic return to action. Though, he was off the pace and struggled to get into the game at Elland Road this weekend.

The 30-year-old replaced the injured Patrick Bamford shortly after the half-hour mark but then he found himself substituted with 11 minutes to go. Rodrigo trudged off at the far side with a perplexed look in his eye.

Very rarely does a £30m player get brought off after being introduced as a substitute earlier in the fray. Though, it was typical of Bielsa, someone who revealed he was merely subbed because of a lack of fitness.

Indeed, you may well argue that, but the statistics make for grim reading. The Spain international now hasn’t scored in senior football since the 5-0 rout over West Bromwich Albion in December and his form is becoming a problem, especially for the price Leeds paid.

Rodrigo only had 20 touches of the football on Saturday, 30 fewer than goalkeeper Illan Meslier. On top of that, the attacker produced just ten passes for his troubles, 77% of which were successful.

He did have one shot on target, but he never really looked like troubling Edouard Mendy in the Chelsea goal.

This isn’t the first time Bielsa has been left dissatisfied with the experienced striker, though. He was dragged off after just 65 minutes against Tottenham back in January while he was substituted on and then off again in the win over Sheffield United in September.

Leeds’ manager has never been one for routine and tradition but he has treated Rodrigo in a peculiar fashion.

With Bamford now nursing an injury, he will need his Spanish dynamo firing on all cylinders sooner rather than later.

AND in other news, Leeds’ £9m-rated gem just sent Bielsa a huge message, Phil Hay dubbed him “impressive”…